Martin "A Little Bit Nervous" About Substitute Role

Despite being one of the most experienced and respected drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage, Mark Martin said today that he is feeling the pressure of replacing Tony Stewart in the No. 14 Chevrolet.

“I’m a little bit nervous,” admitted the 31-year Sprint Cup Series veteran. “Today is going to be action packed, with a short amount of practice to qualify and get ready to race tomorrow night; all packed into one day. I’m excited about the challenge and I’m extremely committed to do a good job for this race team, for this group, for Tony and hopefully turn his car back over to him in as good or better standing than when it was turned over to me.”

SHR Competition Director Greg Zipadelli made no attempt to hide his happiness with obtaining Martin for 12 of the final 13 races, saying, “For us it’s a homerun. Obviously, he has big shoes to fill (taking) Tony’s seat and there are not many guys in the garage who could do that. We all agreed that if there was any way to get Mark Martin, he was the guy that would do us the best job.

“We said we were going to take our time and try to be as calculated as we could. We felt like it was the best opportunity for the No. 14 car to perform on a weekly basis and do our sponsors the justice that they deserve.”

Martin said he visited Stewart in person earlier this week, joking, “I couldn’t get a word in edge wise. That tells you what two weeks of bed rest does for you.  He went into great detail about the accident, what caused the injury and the fix for that particular freak accident. All the stars had to line up just perfectly for that to happen where it injured him. He went through in great detail how they were going to address preventing that from ever happening again in Sprint Car racing. He talked a lot about Sprint Cars, a lot about safety in Sprint Cars and we talked some about injuries. 

“Finally, after about an hour of Tony never taking a breath, I got a chance to talk a little bit. I had some injury stories for him. We had the biggest laugh. I thought he was going to start crying once, (we were) laughing so hard. I told him about when I had my foot and ankles broken... the story about when Darrell Waltrip drove my car at La Crosse, Wisconsin.  We had a really good time (and) we did talk a little bit about the No. 14 car and about Cup racing.  We had a really good time and he was in really good spirits.”

Martin said last week’s announcement that Brian Vickers will drive Michael Waltrip Racing’s No. 55 Aaron’s Toyota full-time next season, “obviously opened the door for this to happen. It’s been a work in progress since Brian’s win up at New Hampshire. Getting Aaron’s re-signed, getting Brian signed, getting all those parts and pieces of the puzzle together… it was just a matter of timing.  Once they got that done, signed and announced, it was a win/win for everybody.  It’s a win for Brian, it’s a win for Michael Waltrip Racing, and it’s a win for myself to have the opportunity to be a small part of Stewart-Haas. 

“I’m not sure I can describe what it means to me that Tony wanted me to do this,” said Martin. “He is definitely one of my heroes. I’m a little bit nervous about today, because I feel like it is an extraordinary challenge. I see a lot of faces I’m not sure I can put names to just yet.  This is going to be an action-packed two and a half hours (of practice) today, then we are going testing next week at Richmond. I think that will help us start getting in the groove, and as we go forward I think things will smooth out.  It’s been pretty intense so far this week.”

 

Childers To SHR With Harvick In 2014

Michael Waltrip Racing crew chief Rodney Childers will join Stewart-Haas Racing next season, working with Kevin Harvick and the new No. 4 Budweiser Chevrolet team.

"Going to SHR and working with Harvick is an opportunity that not many people will ever get," explained Childers today. "I was afraid that if I didn't take it, I would regret it the rest of my life.

Childers has been with MWR for five seasons, most recently serving as crew chief of the No. 55 Aaron’s Toyota with drivers Mark Martin, Brian Vickers and Michael Waltrip. He said the decision to leave the team “very, very hard and emotional,” adding, “I ended up making the decision a couple days ago.”

He informed the team today, saying, “I was a mess trying to tell them. This team is the best group of guys that I have ever been around. After being here for five years, it's hard to walk away."

Childers said his longtime friendship with Vickers made the decision especially difficult, after Vickers was named full-time driver of the No. 55 Toyota beginning in 2014.

"The part with Brian is the hardest part even though I didn't get to tell him face-to-face," he said. "We had everything planned out to where we could talk last night, and then it got to him before I got to talk to him. It's hard on both of us. We have known each other for a long time. I think after a while it will blow over and hopefully, we'll remain friends like we've always been our whole lives.

“All in all, we’ll do the best we can, move forward with everything and do the best job we can for the rest of the year (or however many races they allow me to do this),” said Childers. “They’ve been pretty good about it so far.”

MWR could elect to release Childers early, replacing him with whoever will work with Vickers next season. Childers has three Sprint Cup victories with MWR; two with David Reutimann in 2009 and 2010 and a third with Vickers earlier this season at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

An Open Letter on Better Racing Safety from Jim Downing, Co-Founder Of HANS Performance Products

To: Drivers, Track owners and Motor Racing Media
From: Jim Downing, co-founder of HANS Performance Products
Subject: Safety on U.S. short tracks and drag strips

It's a sad fact the number of fatal accidents in motor racing is worse than people realize. We know, because it's been part of our responsibility as a safety company to keep up with injurious accidents to learn what we can for future reference.

From April of this year through August, there have been at least 20 fatal accidents around the world where a driver or co-driver has been killed due to a racing incident. By any standard, it’s been a disastrous season. But there’s another statistic that’s even worse. The rate of fatal accidents on short ovals and drag strips in the U.S. continues to get worse. Since Dale Earnhardt’s fatal accident at Daytona, there have been at least 194 drivers killed in crashes on short tracks and drag strips – despite all the new safety improvements available. This data comes from the landmark safety study by the Charlotte Observer, SFI and current media accounts.

This tragic trend among weekend warriors has been evident in the past two seasons. In April through August of last year, four drivers were killed by crashes on short ovals and two were killed on drag strips. With several months remaining in the season, this year five drivers have been killed on short ovals during this same time span and three drivers have died in drag racing accidents.

We can do better than this in U.S. motor racing. This letter is a plea for drivers and track owners to take steps that can immediately improve safety on short ovals and drag strips. Four pieces of equipment can make a vital difference in cockpit safety: Head Restraints, full containment seats, head surrounds and side nets.

Of the eight fatalities on short ovals and drag strips this year, we believe the proper use of this system of cockpit safety equipment could have resulted in more favorable outcomes in five of the crashes.

Weekend warriors can install this equipment at a reasonable cost without waiting for track owners to build expensive solutions that may not be feasible.

It’s a matter of drivers realizing that the sport of racing will always be dangerous no matter what type of track or car is involved or how high or low the speeds. When it comes to speed, last December at the IMIS Safety and Technical Conference, we demonstrated that a Delta V (sudden decrease in velocity) of 42 mph can result in a fatal head or neck injury.

At the IMIS conference, we also cited statistics about the deaths of weekend warriors on short ovals and drag strips increasing since the death of Earnhardt. Sadly, that trend appears to be continuing. In honor of those racers who have been killed and with an eye on the future, we hope that as a respected member of the motorsports community you will join us in making racing safer and help raise awareness about improving safety for weekend warriors.

 

Wile Named New Darlington President

International Speedway Corporation announced today that it has named Chip Wile as President of Darlington Raceway, effective immediately.  Wile accepts the role from his most recent position as Director of Business Development for the Motor Racing Network.  Current Darlington President Chris Browning has resigned to pursue other career opportunities.

Wile joined MRN in 2012, bringing with him over a decade of experience in the motorsports industry servicing partners such as Caterpillar, Verizon, Exide Technologies, and Dollar General.  His responsibilities at MRN included developing and overseeing new business opportunities; acting as the network's primary liaison to ISC’s sponsors and integrated media sales; directing MRN’s overall marketing and promotional efforts; and managing its annual budget. Wile received his bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Georgia. 

“We are excited to announce Chip Wile as President of Darlington Raceway,” stated John Saunders, ISC’s President.  “He is a respected and seasoned motorsports executive and is well prepared to accept the leadership position at Darlington Raceway. We were fortunate to have such a high-caliber individual to transition into a strategic position within our organization. We congratulate Chip on his new position and look forward to his continued success within our organization.

“I would also like to thank Chris for his many years of service at Darlington.  We wish him much success in his future endeavors.”

Kinder, Gentler Kurt Finally Poised To Fulfill Potential

Busch is in demand once again

In less than 12 months, Kurt Busch has gone from social outcast to NASCAR’s hottest property.

The Las Vegas native was all upside when he burst onto the NASCAR scene with Roush Racing in 2000, winning four races en route to a second-place championship finish as a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie. Just four years later, he was NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series champion, despite an intense, outspoken personality that often made him the subject of controversy, both on and off the race track.

Less than a year after claiming NASCAR’s most coveted prize, Busch was fired by Roush with two races remaining in the 2005 campaign, after directing verbal abuse at Maricopa County (AZ) Sheriff’s deputies while being cited for criminal reckless driving.

He had already announced plans to jump to rival Penske Racing the following season, and the outburst prompted his early release. ''It's the last straw for Roush Racing,'' said Roush Racing president Geoff Smith at the time. ''We're officially retiring as Kurt Busch's apologists, effective today.''

His tenure at Penske Racing was equally combative, with frequent, public criticism of his team and teammates. An obscene gesture made toward First Lady Michelle Obama's motorcade in the 2011 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway was followed by a profanity-laced tirade directed at ESPN pit reporter Dr. Jerry Punch. Video of the expletive-filled meltdown went viral on the internet, earned Busch a $50,000 fine from NASCAR and public reprimands from Penske Racing and their sponsor, Shell/Pennzoil.

Busch is all business in 2012

Busch and Penske parted company at the end of the 2011 campaign, with Penske Corporation Senior Vice President Bud Denker saying, “We have been working with problems and issues in the past (and) as we looked at 2012 and beyond, it was time to move on.''

The dismissal inspired Busch to do some much-needed soul searching. He enlisted the services of a sports psychologist to help harness his self-destructive tendencies and promised “to take a deep breath to work on things that can make me a better driver and a better person.

“I need to put the fun back in racing,” said Busch in late 2011, and while many doubted his sincerity at the time, he appears to have done exactly that.

After racing for underfunded Phoenix Racing last season, Busch has exceeded all expectations in 2012. He has surged to ninth in the championship standings with the single-car Furniture Row Racing team; an operation that had never finished better than 24^th in its nine-year Cup Series history. Despite not visiting Victory Lane, Busch has become a serious threat for a spot in the 2013 Chase, forging an impressive 2012 resume that is devoid of controversy, upheaval and unhappiness.

The 2004 Cup Series champion has been as good as his word, becoming a better racer, a better teammate and a better human being. He has handled periodic pit road problems (and the occasional on-track issue) with a level of calm, tact and composure that has not gone unnoticed in the Sprint Cup Series garage.

Last week, reports surfaced that Stewart Haas Racing has offered to field a fourth Sprint Cup Chevrolet for Busch in 2014. It is the kind offer he could only have dreamed of a year ago, and he will be hard-pressed to find a better seat, anywhere in NASCAR. With chassis, engines and technological support from Hendrick Motorsports and a billionaire co-owner apparently willing to finance the ride out of his own pocket, SHR represents the kind of once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that cannot (and will not) be ignored.

With Furniture Row Racing owner Barney Visser still not offering Busch a contract extension for 2014, his decision becomes simpler still.

Talent like Busch’s cannot be taught, but it can be bought, and SHR co-owner Gene Hass is clearly willing to do whatever it takes to add another of NASCAR’s top thoroughbreds to his stable.

"I never want to take for granted that it's a privilege to earn a living as a NASCAR driver,” said Busch in December of 2011. Today, it appears he may once again be able to do so, at the very highest level.

Busch Gets Hometown Support From Broncos Coach

Busch (R) and Broncos coach John Fox

The hometown fan base is growing for Furniture Row Racing, as the Denver-based team is in the playoff mix with three races remaining before the start of the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. 

One of FRR’s most fervent local fans is Denver Broncos head coach John Fox, who previously coached nine seasons for the Carolina Panthers, located in NASCAR’s racing hub of Charlotte, NC. During a recent Furniture Row Racing team visit to the Broncos training camp, Fox spent time with driver Kurt Busch, then followed with a pep talk to members of the pit crew. 

“That was really neat for Coach Fox to take time after the Broncos practice to address our team,” said Busch. “He’s a fan of NASCAR and he is pulling for his hometown team and we appreciate what he had to say to us. He was inspiring, stressing to keep focused on the present and to execute with perfection. 

“He knows what it takes to win – those were exciting times in Charlotte when he directed the Panthers to the 2004 Super Bowl. I have a feeling the Denver football fans are going to be in for a similar treat this year.” 

Staying focused on the present is what Busch has done in the past three races, with results of third (Pocono), ninth (Watkins Glen) and third (Michigan) for an average finish of 5.0. That three-race surge lifted Busch from 14th to ninth in the championship standings. He is two points out of eight and six points ahead of 11th.   

The next stop for Busch is one of his favorite tracks; Bristol Motor Speedway. But the former series champion is well aware of the potential hazards the high-banked, half-mile concrete oval presents.   

“We all know that trouble can happen at any corner at Bristol,” said Busch, a five-time Bristol winner. “There are 500 laps and we have to protect our car and still finish well. We could get in a little fender-bender, some itty-bitty thing can happen that will put us on the outside. We need to stay focused and worry about what we do and not what others do." 

Busch, driver of the No. 78 Furniture Row/Sealy Chevrolet SS, said the adrenalin pumps a little faster for The Irwin Tools Saturday night race at Bristol.   

“The Bristol night race is one of those top-five events of the year where you feel the excitement and the electricity,” explained Busch. “The fans are jazzed up for the race, which has a special vibe to it like the Daytona 500, Coke 600 and the All-Star event.   

“It's one of those fun tracks that you anticipate going to, knowing the track and knowing the different types of setups it takes to back up the top-five finish we had there earlier this year.” 

Busch’s fourth-place finish in the spring race at Bristol was his first of six top-fives this season.  His overall record at Bristol is: 25 starts, five wins, seven top fives, 14 top 10s, one pole and 841 laps led. His average finish is 13.4.

AdvoCare To Back Bayne In 2014

AdvoCare has announced it will serve as the full-time sponsor of the No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford Mustang driven by Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne in the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series. Led by crew chief Mike Kelley, the team is currently competing for its third consecutive NNS Championship.

 “AdvoCare has always valued its relationship with the motorsports community, and as we began thinking about our vision for 2014 we knew this would be a winning combination,” said AdvoCare President and CEO Richard Wright. “Trevor embodies the spirit of AdvoCare through his values and integrity. He’s a true champion. We feel the Nationwide Series is our home, and that’s why we’re excited to team up with Roush Fenway Racing, Nationwide driver Trevor Bayne and the No. 6 car. This partnership is powerful for both AdvoCare and RFR and will continue in our efforts of making AdvoCare a household name. We’re looking forward to 2014.” 

“We are really proud to be associated with AdvoCare,” said Bayne. “As someone who has been taking their products for quite some time, I understand the great results and benefits they deliver, and I’m excited to represent AdvoCare and all of its distributors in 2014.” 

AdvoCare has served as the sponsor on the No. 3 car of Austin Dillon the past two seasons. With Dillon making the move to full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing in 2014, the organization began the process of diligently seeking out its best option moving forward. 

“AdvoCare values Austin and his team and are so grateful for the relationship we’ve built over the past few years,” said Wright. “We are proud of the success we’ve had together and are looking forward to Austin and the No. 3 team running for the 2013 NNS Championship.”

McClure Sidelined With Acute Kidney Failure

NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Eric McClure, who missed last week’s race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, has been diagnosed with acute renal failure and will miss Friday night’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Hospitalized on Aug. 12 because of elevated creatinine levels, McClure tweeted that he hopes to be released from the hospital later today. “Going home today,” he said. ”Thanks everyone 4 all the kind words. Not sure how much more my family can take, but thankful 4 the blessings God gives...”

McClure’s return to the seat of the Hefty/Reynolds Wrap-sponsored No. 14 TriStar Motorsports entry is uncertain. Former series champion Jeff Green will replace him this weekend at Bristol. He is currently 18th in the Nationwide Series championship standings.

“This has been a very challenging week for me, both physically and emotionally,” said McClure in a prepared statement today. “Having a newborn and four other little girls, among other things, has also presented a challenge to my family.

“Recovery can be a slow and frustrating process, but thankfully we are seeing signs of healing. I can’t thank everyone enough for all of the prayers, thoughts and well-wishes during this difficult time. I can’t wait to be back behind the wheel.”

McClure missed races last year due to internal injuries and a concussion suffered in a crash at Talladega Superspeedway. He also battled the Esptein-Barr virus in 2011, and his Abingdon, VA home suffered severe tornado damage in April of that year.

Crewmember Suspended For Substance Abuse Violation

Eric Maycroft, front tire changer on Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 56 Toyota at Michael Waltrip Racing, has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body’s Substance Abuse Policy.  

On Aug. 16, Maycroft was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19 (violation of the NASCAR Substance Abuse Policy) of the 2013 NASCAR Rule Book. 

Michael Waltrip Racing issued a statement this afternoon, saying, “Michael Waltrip Racing fully supports NASCAR's substance abuse policies and those who complete the Road to Recovery program. MWR’s zero tolerance policy has resulted in the immediate termination of the employee.”  

 

Ryan Truex To Drive For Phoenix Racing

Petty Motorsports development driver Ryan Truex will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at Bristol Motor Speedway Saturday night, driving the No. 51 Chevrolet for Phoenix Racing.  Truex signed a multi-year development deal with RPM earlier this year and the team is currently working to secure sponsorship for a possible Nationwide schedule in 2014.  

Phoenix Racing has a long history of providing opportunities for young drivers. Team owner James Finch assisted Ryan's older brother, Martin Truex, Jr., in the beginning stages of his career.  

The Mayetta, New Jersey native has two Nationwide series starts at Bristol and most recently posted a Top-10 finish in the spring event in 2012.  In his career, Ryan Truex made 35 Nationwide, three Camping World Truck and 22 K&N East starts, winning championships in every full season he has competed, including the K&N Series East Championship in both 2009 and 2010. 

"I'm excited to make my NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at Bristol," said Truex. "It has been tough waiting on the sidelines while I healed from my collarbone injury, but now I am ready to go and make my Sprint Cup Series debut.  It's pretty awesome that it's coming at Bristol at the night race.  This is a premier race on the Sprint Cup circuit. 

"To have Richard Petty Motorsports and Phoenix Racing support me in this endeavor really means a lot," he said. "I'm excited for the rest of this year and my future with RPM."  

Team owner Richard Petty is also anxious to see the 21-year-old make his Sprint Cup debut. 

"It will be a big night for Ryan," Petty said.  "He is a talented driver, and we look forward to his future with our team.  We are working hard to find funding support to give him more opportunities behind the wheel." 

Truex will make his first laps during Sprint Cup practice at noon Friday, August 23 and hit the track for final practice and qualifying that afternoon.

Zipadelli On Busch: "Nothing Is Done"

Stewart Haas Racing Director of Competition Greg Zipadelli attempted to quell speculation today surrounding a reported 2014 job offer made by the team to former Sprint Cup champion Kurt Busch.

“Nothing is done,” said Zipadelli when asked about a FOXSport.com report indicating that Buch has an offer on the table to drive a fourth SHR Chevrolet next season. “Obviously, there's options out there. We're looking at everything that's there, (but) there is nothing done.”

Asked if the team is courting drivers other than Busch, Zipadelli said, “no, not at all.” He added that SHR must manage this latest expansion better than it did while growing from two cars to three during the most recent offseason.

“There are lessons to be learned,” said Zipadelli. “If something were to come (with Busch), we would look at where we fell short (this season) and try to do a better job at it. We have made lots of gains throughout the year, but I still think we have room to improve. We're still working on that.”

He has previously blamed the decision to field a third Sprint Cup entry team for rookie Danica Patrick as a major factor – along with the introduction of NASCAR’s new Gen-6 race car – as a major reason for the team’s slow start to the 2013 campaign.

Kennon Named Comp Director at Sharp-Gallaher Racing

Sharp-Gallaher Racing announced today that veteran Gere Kennon has been named Director of Competition for the team.

Kennon brings a solid resume of experience to the championship-winning organization. He has served as director of competition and crew chief for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series programs at Innovative Motorsports and led the legendary Sam Ard to back-to-back NASCAR Nationwide Series championship titles in 1982 and 1983, He also served as General Manager of Richard Childress Racing's NCWTS program in 2012. In his 30-year career, the Memphis, Tenn., native has served as a crew chief in all three NASCAR series, and worked with such legends as Mark Martin, Brett Bodine, Rick Mast, Ron Hornaday, Jr. and Sterling Marlin.

"I'm very excited to be a part of Sharp-Gallaher Racing," said Kennon. "Big things are happening here. I helped build Innovative Motorsports from the ground up, overseeing everything from the building construction to the competition side, and Eddie (Sharp Jr., team co-owner) has brought me in to do the same at SGR with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, ARCA Racing and Late Model teams."

"We are thrilled to have Gere here at Sharp-Gallaher Racing," said Eddie Sharp Jr. "Gere has worked with some of the greats in this sport and brings with him a wealth of knowledge. I am confident he will take this team to the next level of competition in the Camping World Truck Series."

Vickers Will Replace Martin At MWR In 12 Of Final 13 Races

With Mark Martin cleared to drive for Stewart Haas Racing in 12 of this year’s final 13 races, Michael Waltrip Racing announced today that Brian Vickers will drive the team’s No. 55 Toyota in all but one of the remaining events.

Vickers was originally scheduled to drive three of the remaining races in 2013. The announcement increases that schedule to 12. Michael Waltrip, MWR founder and co-owner, will race the No. 55 at Talladega on Oct. 20 as originally scheduled.

The move gives the 29-year-old Vickers an early start to his full-time role in the No. 55. Last week Aaron’s and MWR announced Vickers will drive the Aaron’s Dream Machine full-time beginning in 2014.

Waltrip said Martin achieved all of the goals both he and the team set when he began a 24-race schedule in the No. 55 in 2012.

“With Mark, we accomplished everything we hoped to when he came to this organization, which was bringing that winning confidence to the team, the experience to help elevate our program and ultimately find the full-time driver for the future who can race for a NASCAR Sprint Cup championship,” said Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 champion.

“Mark’s leadership the past two years has been so impactful that he has left a mark on this company that will be here as long as we race. This opportunity to help two Hall of Famers in Mark and Tony Stewart at the same time, while getting the opportunity to run the rest of the year with Brian makes sense for MWR. But nothing could happen without the support of Aaron’s, Toyota and the other MWR sponsors. Each of them saw the same benefits in such a move and helped make it happen. This is a truly win, win, win situation.”

In 2012 and 2013 with MWR, Martin earned five top-five finishes and five pole awards in 39 races. His work with teammates Clint Bowyer and Martin Truex Jr. also played a role in MWR putting both drivers in NASCAR’s 2012 Chase for the Sprint Cup as well as making both favorites to earn 2013 berths.

“I’m proud of the work we’ve done the last two seasons and I’m extremely thankful for the effort everyone on my team and at MWR put behind me,” said the 54-year-old Martin whose 870 Sprint Cup starts is the fifth most in NASCAR history. “I also want to thank Michael Waltrip and (co-owner) Rob Kauffman for giving me this opportunity. They are building a strong organization at MWR and one that’s going to be a force in NASCAR for years to come both on and off the track.”

Aaron’s thanked Martin for his work behind the wheel and with its customers and employees in the last two seasons. Aaron’s featured Waltrip and Martin in several national television commercials.

"Aaron's is supportive of the arrangement with Mark Martin agreeing to drive for Stewart-Haas Racing," said Ronald W. Allen, Aaron's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We're energized about Vickers' availability to drive the No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine for the remainder of the season. MWR talked about how this move would better position our team for 2014 while helping Stewart-Haas Racing so we believe this is the best of all possible outcomes for everyone. We appreciate everything Mark Martin has done for Aaron's over the last two years and wish him the best of luck in the future."

Vickers joined MWR in 2012 with plans to run a five-race schedule. That schedule increased as the performance improved and the Thomasville, N.C. native grew more comfortable with the organization. He won the July race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and posted four top-five finishes in 14 races with MWR.

“No one wants to see Tony out of the 14, but I am appreciative of the opportunity to get more seat time in the 55 as a result,” said Vickers who is also seeking a second Nationwide championship in 2013.

“I didn’t think things could get any better than last week’s announcement with Aaron's, but having a chance to run the rest of the 2013 season creates a tremendous opportunity for our team and we're excited that all of this came together the way it did. Mark gets to help out Tony and we get to start our program early in the No. 55. We’ve proven we can win races in a part time capacity so far in 2013 and I'm confident that spending more time working with the 55 crew will only to help improve our already strong performance to date, giving us the momentum needed to start the 2014 season off strong in Daytona.”

Vickers will race the No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Saturday night in Bristol.

Stewart Out Until 2014, Martin In #14 For 12 Races

Stewart continues to mend

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart is out for the remainder of the 2013 season after suffering a broken right tibia and fibula in a sprint car crash Aug. 5 at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Stewart, a three-time Sprint Cup champion, is expected to return to the seat of the No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet SS for Stewart-Haas Racing in time for pre-season testing in January 2014.  

In the interim, Mark Martin will drive the No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway this weekend, and in 11 other races. Austin Dillon, the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion who filled in for Stewart this past weekend at Michigan International Speedway, will drive the car Oct. 18-20 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. 

Martin is a NASCAR veteran with 40 wins, 56 poles, 271 top-fives, 452 top-10s and 12,879 laps led in 870 career Sprint Cup starts. Dillon has five Camping World Truck Series wins to go along with his 2011 title and is a two-time winner in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, where he is fourth in the championship standings, only 15 points out of first. 

Martin to the #14

“After consulting with Tony’s doctors and speaking with Tony, we agreed it was best for him to focus on his recovery,” said Greg Zipadelli, competition director, SHR. “For the No. 14 team, our focus is on positioning them for a run at the owner championship. Mark Martin and Austin Dillon give us the best opportunity to do that, and we certainly appreciate Michael Waltrip Racing and Richard Childress Racing for making Mark and Austin available to us.” 

In the 11 races where Martin will compete for SHR, he has 21 collective victories at those tracks (Bristol – 2; Atlanta – 2; Richmond – 1; Chicagoland – 1; New Hampshire – 1; Dover – 4; Kansas – 1; Charlotte – 4; Martinsville – 2; Texas – 1; Phoenix – 2). At Bristol, Martin has a series-best nine poles, 16 Top-5, 23 Top-10 finishes and 1,200 laps led in 46 Sprint Cup starts. 

“Obviously, I’m disappointed to be out of the Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevy for so long, but the team is in very good hands with Mark Martin and Austin Dillon,” Stewart said. “Mark is someone I’ve looked up to my entire career and I have a tremendous amount of respect for him. Austin is a great young talent, and he showed that Sunday at Michigan. Greg Zipadelli, Steve Addington (crew chief) and everybody at SHR supports them 100 percent. This isn’t a situation anyone wanted, but we’re going to make the best of it. In the meantime, my focus is on getting healthy and getting back into my Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevy.” 

The No. 14 team is 13^th in points, 10 out of the top-10 and 160 behind the series-leading No. 48 team of Hendrick Motorsports. The No. 14 team is first in line to grab one of the two wild-card positions for the 12-team Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, which begins Sept. 15 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill.

Yuengling To Sponsor Ty Dillon In 2014

Richard Childress Racing has partnered with D.G Yuengling & Son to be a primary sponsor on the No. 3 Yuengling Light Lager Chevrolet with driver Ty Dillon during the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series season.  

As part of their 185^th anniversary of brewing great lager, America's oldest operating brewery will be the primary sponsor on the RCR Chevrolet Camaro for eight races of the 2014 schedule. Yuengling Light Lager will be a key partner as Dillon moves full time to the Nationwide Series next season. 

The announcement was made during the company's annual meetings at their Pennsylvania headquarters. This is Yuengling's first time partnering with a NASCAR team. 

"The Yuengling Brewery is extremely proud to be partnered with a world-class organization like RCR for the 2014 Nationwide Season," said Lou Romano, Director of Marketing and Wholesaler Development for Yuengling. "Both organizations are true American success stories exemplifying hard work, family values and proven results.  

"Ty Dillon is a perfect match for us to help introduce our Light Lager brand to loyal NASCAR fans wherever Yuengling is sold. He's not only a strong competitor on the track, but shares many of the same interests as Yuengling drinkers. Ty is an avid sports fan, outdoor enthusiast and holds close family ties.  

"We also know and understand the legacy of the No. 3 to RCR and in NASCAR history, and are honored to have our brewery appear with that number on Ty's car in 2014." 

Dillon is currently competing for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship and has one victory to his credit this season.  

"I'm honored to be able to represent an iconic brand such as Yuengling," said Dillon, who has eight-career Nationwide Series starts to his credit, to date. "I'm excited to share my first full year in the Nationwide Series with them as they venture into the sport for the first time this season." 

"They are family operated and America's Oldest Brewery, something which fits our heritage at RCR. We think their family culture will make for a great partnership with the RCR and Childress family cultures. To say I'm looking forward to racing the No. 3 Yuengling Light Lager Chevrolet next year is an understatement."

 

 

Tryson, Carrier New Hires At Turner Scott Motorsports

Pat Tryson has been named crew chief for the No. 30 Turner Scott Motorsports NASCAR Nationwide Series entry.  

The veteran crew chief will take over atop the pit box for driver Nelson Piquet Jr. beginning this Friday night at Bristol Motor Speedway. Tryson has served as crew chief for 516 NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck events, earning a total of 10 wins, 66 Top-5 and 139 Top-10 finishes. The Malvern, Pa. native earned his first career win with Elliott Sadler in 2001 at Bristol Motor Speedway.  

"I am very excited about the opportunity to join Turner Scott Motorsports and the No. 30 team," said Tryson. "I am really looking forward to working with Nelson Piquet Jr. and the rest of the team. Nelson is a very talented, hard-nosed competitor and I think we will work very well together. The pieces are in place at Turner Scott Motorsports to have a championship caliber team, and I am looking forward to helping this team get to victory lane. I would like to thank (co-owners) Steve Turner and Harry Scott, Jr. for giving me the opportunity to join their organization, and I am looking forward to getting to work this weekend at Bristol."  

In a related story, Chris Carrier will crew chief TSM’s fourth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series entry. Carrier has 329 career starts in NASCAR three national series, earning five wins, 24 Top-5 and 52 Top-10 finishes. His most recent work in the NCWTS was as crew chief on the No. 30 last season, leading Piquet to two victories. The Tennessee native earned his first career win with Harry Gant in 1994 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The team will run a limited schedule for the remaining portion of the year with Ben Kennedy and Cale Gale behind the wheel.

Carrier and his TSM team will be at Bristol Motor Speedway Wednesday night providing support for Kennedy Racing's No. 96 entry in the Titan Roof 150. Carrier will also call the shots for the No. 96 at Iowa, Chicago, Martinsville and Homestead-Miami Speedway.  

"I look forward to the opportunity to compete again in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series," said Carrier. "I enjoy working with young talent, and I think Ben Kennedy and Cale Gale have what it takes to be successful in this sport. We have a great team behind us at Turner Scott Motorsports, and I am looking forward to getting to work and joining the truck series this week at Bristol."

Busch Mulling 2014 Offer From Stewart Haas Racing

Kurt Busch has an offer on the table to drive a new, fourth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet for Stewart Haas Racing next season. 

SHR co-owner Gene Haas and General Manager Joe Custer offered the 2004 Sprint Cup Series champion a 2014 contract recently, with the offer now resting in the hands of Busch’s attorneys. Tony Stewart and Director of Competition Greg Zipadelli have consistently ruled out the possibility of adding an additional car for 2014, with Stewart insisting as recently as last month, “We are not ready to expand to a fourth team.”

Sources tell GodfatherMotorsports.com that Haas and Custer brokered the deal on behalf of SHR, and that Stewart may not have known of the offer until it was already on the table. The three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion continues to recuperate from a compound fracture of his right tibia and fibula suffered in a Sprint Car crash on August 5.

Custer declined to comment today, saying, “We are not confirming that. We are looking at all options, so it’s too early to go out into the media.”

Zipadelli told MotorRacingNetwork.com reporter Dustin Long yesterday, “Stewart-Haas Racing constantly strives to improve itself, and expansion is something that is often discussed. If the right opportunity presents itself, it's something the team will certainly consider."

Sources close to the team say Stewart, Danica Patrick and new 2014 driver Kevin Harvick all have only partial sponsorship in place for next season, and that Busch’s fourth entry would likely be funded largely by Haas. The SHR co-owner is founder, president, and sole stockholder of Haas Automation, one of the world's largest CNC machine tool manufacturers, in addition to being the sole owner of the Wind Shear rolling-road wind tunnel in Concord, NC. Haas Automation has served as primary sponsor of Newman’s No. 39 Chevrolet in a number of races this season.

Busch is currently ninth in Sprint Cup Series championship points driving for Furniture Row Racing, a team that has never finished better than 24^th in its nine-year Sprint Cup Series history. The 2004 series champion is a 24-time winner on NASCAR’s premiere circuit, as has made major strides in resurrecting a career that previously included equal doses of success and controversy.

“The focus is making the Chase,” said Busch last week. “We have four weeks to go, and we’re in great position. Phone calls (from other teams) have happened, but nothing’s going to change. We’re still really focused on the Chase and what we can do together.”

Johnson Promises No Let-Up In Final Weeks Of Regular Season

Despite being locked into the 2013 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup with four regular-season races still remaining, Jimmie Johnson said he and his Lowes Chevrolet team have no plans to ease off the competitive throttle.

“The Chase is right around the corner and we’re excited to be here,” said the five-time series champion today. “I certainly want to get the No. 48 to Victory Lane. We’ve tried a lot of years now and have been very close here (a Michigan), but haven’t been able to pull that off.”

Johnson said he and crew chief Chad Knaus will continue to work hard in the coming weeks to expand their point lead and carry a full load of momentum into the Chase.

“We’ve worked really hard to maintain the same mindset,” he said. “There was a year where we started some radical testing and concepts with the car and got off base. We entered the Chase pretty weak and not up to par where we wanted to be. I think we learned that lesson.

“Since then, we really want to perform as good as we can, week in and week out. The way things are anymore, especially with the new car, you have to bring something new to the track each week and keep evolving.

“There hasn’t been a different mindset this year,” he said. “The mindset we started the year with is really where we’re at now. We’ve had pace (and) we’re proud of that. We need to execute. We’ve left some wins on the table and we need to not do that. But, we’ve got to keep inching forward. We can’t sit still.

“We’ll try to carry that momentum right into the start of the Chase.”

Focused On Chase, Busch Calls Ganassi "A Potential Opportunity"

Kurt Busch said today that he remains focused on making the 2013 Chase with Furniture Row Racing, despite this week’s announcement that Juan Pablo Montoya will not return to the No. 42 Target Chevrolet at Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates next season.

“It hasn’t changed anything,” said Busch, who currently ranks 11^th in championship points, just two markers from the Top-10. “I’m good friends with Felix Sabates and I know Chip real well and the whole gang; Max Jones (and) Steve Lauletta. They came up with the decision (to part company with Montoya) not based off any of the talks that I’ve had with them.

“But it is a potential opportunity, that’s for sure.”

Busch said that while he is investigating options for 2014 and beyond, his current ride remains his primary concern.

“The focus is making the chase,” he stressed. “We have four weeks to go and we’re in great position. It’s been neat to feel the energy from the team. We spent a week in Colorado meeting with Denver media, and they’ve adopted us as like a fifth sports entity for that town. They talk Broncos, they talk Rockies, and now they’re talking us. So, it’s cool to have talks with Furniture Row about what we can do in 2014 and beyond.

“The Ganassi thing came up and other phone calls have happened,” he admitted. “But nothing’s going to change. We’re just still really focused on the Chase and what we can do in these next four weeks together.”

He said Michigan International Speedway has been an inconsistent track for him in the past, either “real good or real bad. If you go by the law of averages, I hope this time around is pretty good. We’ve had some speed in practice; we just haven’t translated that into the race conditions. We hope we can parallel what we did at Pocono a couple weeks ago, which was to improve and find more comfort in the car.”

He said the next four weeks on the Sprint Cup schedule feature tracks that have been good to him in the past, giving him confidence in his ability to make a solid push for the Chase.

“I’m really looking forward to Bristol, of course,” said Busch. “I’ve won three times at Atlanta and we did really well (at Richmond) in the spring. I look at this one as the toughest out of the next four weeks. If we get through this, then I think we’ve got a really good shot at things.

“It’s all about what you’ve done lately,” he said, “and I haven’t been to Victory Lane in a long while. It’s good to have good tracks coming up. You always want your strong tracks to be when you need them.”