Piquet Injured In Karting Crash

NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Nelson Piquet, Jr. suffered a badly bruised arm in a recent karting crash. The injury is not expected to impact his availability for the 2014 season, and Piquet should be fully recovered in time for SpeedWeeks 2014 at Daytona International Speedway.

The second-generation driver posted a photo of the injury on his Instagram account, before returning to his home in Brasilia, Brazil for the holidays. He was unavailable for comment today.

Piquet struggled in his inaugural season of NASCAR Nationwide Series competition with Turner Motorsports, managing five Top-10 finishes in 33 starts en route to a 12^th-place finish in the championship standings. His best finish was an eighth in the Feed The Children 300 at Kentucky Speedway in late June.

No announcement has been made regarding his plans for the 2014 season.

Coulter Set For 2014 Truck Season With New Team

Joey Coulter will have a new ride for the 2014 NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series season.

Coulter ran the full Truck schedule for Kyle Busch Motorsports last season, finishing 15^th in championship points with three Top-5 and five Top-10 finishes, highlighted by a runner-up showing at Kansas in late April.

Now, Coulter is set to run the full 2014 Truck Series  for a new team owned by Allegiant Air CEO Maurice Gallagher and fielded out of the Coulter Motorsports shops in North Carolina. The team will be sponsored by Allegiant Air, a low-cost airline headquartered in Enterprise, Nevada, just outside Las Vegas.

Allegiant Air fielded entries for Spencer Gallagher -- son of Maurice Gallagher – in three Truck Series events this season at Kansas, Texas and Homestead Miami Speedways, with a top finish of 20^th in the Lone Star State. Spencer Gallagher will reportedly run a full-time ARCA and part-time Truck schedule in 2014, with Coulter serving as driver coach. Jeff Stankiewicz will reportedly serve as crew chief for Coulter's truck effort.

Contacted today for comment, Coulter said the deal is close to completion, with an official announcement possible next week.

 "It's not a deal until its signed sealed and delivered," he said, "but we're getting close."

NASCAR Champions Week Kicks Off In Charlotte

Regional champs honored this week 

NASCAR’s top drivers throughout its regional touring and weekly series will be in the spotlight this week in Charlotte, N.C., with a bevy of activities leading up to the awards ceremonies Friday and Saturday night.

The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards will take place Friday, Dec. 13. Among those honored will be the 2013 national champion Lee Pulliam, as well as track champions from 55 tracks across the United States and Canada, state and provincial champions and top rookies. 

"We've been really looking forward to this," said Lee Pulliam, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion. "A lot of hard work has gone into this year to get us to this point. Charlotte was a blast last year, and it's already started off that way this year. 

"I'm just really proud of everybody's hard work and determination that's gotten us here. Getting that handshake from NASCAR President Mike Helton and receiving that coveted trophy, that’s something I've always dreamed of." 

On the following evening, NASCAR’s touring series champions will be recognized at the traditional NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards. Set for Saturday, Dec. 14, honorees will include the champions from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1, Mexico’s NASCAR Toyota Series and NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. 

"It's great - this week is always terrific," said Ander Vilarino, who won his second straight NASCAR Whelen Euro Series in 2013. "All the moments are very special. Just having the car in the NASCAR Hall of Fame -- all the champions cars are there. And you can see Petty's car and Johnson's car and there is our car. 

"And obviously the awards ceremony is the key moment - the most exciting moment of the week - when you receive that NASCAR championship ring."

Both the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards and the NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards will be streamed live on NASCARHomeTracks.com. Friday will be in English and Spanish, and Saturday will be in English, Spanish and French. 

NASCAR Champions week kicks off Wednesday, Dec. 11 with the first NASCAR Home Tracks Champions Challenge presented by iRacing.com. 

The unique event will be held on the iRacing simulator pods at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. iRacing.com is the world’s premier motorsports racing simulation which allows drivers, race fans and gamers alike to hone their skills and enjoy the thrill of the racetrack from the comfort of their home.  

The event will kick off at 1:30 p.m., with an autograph session in the Great Hall at the NASCAR Hall of Fame where the championship trophies and cars will be on display with the seven NASCAR touring series champions and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion.  

Fans will be able to sign-up to compete against the champions, including Tyler Hudson, the recently crowned NASCAR iRacing.com Series World champion, in iRacing races from 2-4 p.m. The final championship race will begin at 4:15 p.m. and will feature all nine champions competing against one another.

Marcy Scott Named NMPA Spirit Award Winner

The late Marcy Scott of Atlanta Motor Speedway has been named the fourth quarter recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association’s Spirit Award.

Scott, the marketing and promotions director for the facility, passed away Nov. 1 following a lengthy battle with breast cancer. 

Scott, 42, was a key member of the AMS team for eight years.

“We will all miss her charisma, her penchant for detail and her way of making any task fun and enjoyable,” AMS president Ed Clark said. “To people throughout the NASCAR and the Atlanta media communities, she was a great friend and a consummate professional.”

Prior to joining the staff at Atlanta, Scott served as a public relations representative for several NASCAR competitors and teams.

The NMPA Spirit Award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports.

Other quarterly recipients for 2013 were John Cardinale (Sonoma Raceway), Jimmie Johnson and the Kyle Busch Foundation. 

An overall winner will be selected by a vote of the NMPA membership and announced in January.

 

NASCAR Hall Adds Wallace's 2000 Ford Taurus

As part of the revamped Glory Road set to debut on Saturday, Jan. 11, the NASCAR Hall of Fame has announced the seventh of nine exclusive sneak peeks included in the exhibit. The 2000 No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Taurus that Rusty Wallace drove to his 50th career win will join the 18 historic cars that will comprise the exhibit. The reveal took place during a Q&A with Rusty Wallace at the NASCAR Hall of Fame today, approximately one month from the public opening of the new Glory Road exhibit. 

Wallace, a 2013 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, drove the 2000 No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Taurus to his 50th career victory at the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, the same track where he had his first career win in 1986. During the 2000 season with team owner Roger Penske, Wallace picked up four wins and led all drivers with nine poles. Wallace began his NASCAR premier series career in 1980 making a bold statement by finishing second in his inaugural race in Atlanta. Over the years, he became known as a master of the short tracks. During his NASCAR premier series career, Wallace racked up the 1989 championship title, 55 victories and finished in the top 10 in points for 17 of his 22 full seasons as a driver. He retired from driving in 2005 and became a respected broadcaster. 

Glory Road, which features 18 historic stock cars encircling the Great Hall, has served as one of the Hall’s most prominent focal points since opening. Glory Road 2.0 will see 18 new cars that reflect the six generations of premier series race cars that have been driven and built by some of the sport’s most celebrated drivers, owners and mechanics.  

To mark this major exhibit revamp, the Hall will provide an exclusive sneak peek of artifacts in the coming weeks via in-person and social media unveils. The nine debuts will culminate with a behind-the-scenes media preview of all 18 cars in January. Prior to each Glory Road 2.0 announcement, stay tuned to the NASCAR Hall of Fame on nascarhall.com, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for sneak peek details of the NASCAR stock cars that will find a new home in this exhibit.  

Already announced as part of Glory Road 2.0 are Buck Baker's "Black Widow"1957 Chevrolet, Jeff Gordon's 1994 Chevrolet Lumina, Tony Stewart's 2011 Chevrolet Impala, Ned Jarrett's 1966 Ford Fairlane, Jimmie Johnson's 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS, Bobby Allison's 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle and Wallace's 2000 Ford Taurus.

Johnson Basking In The Glow Of Sixth Title

Johnson (R) and Knaus score again

Jimmie Johnson was clearly feeling the love Friday, as he accepted the accolades for a sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship at the sport’s annual post-season Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas. 

Looking back on a season that began with a win in the Daytona 500 and ended on the Champion’s Stage at Homestead Miami Speedway, Johnson said he had hoped to pattern his acceptance speech after those delivered by seven-time champions Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. Unfortunately, all of Petty’s acceptance speeches came before the era of televised banquet coverage, while Earnhardt’s speech was of surprisingly little use. 

“I expected to see some life-changing thing I could attach to my speech,” said Johnson, “some meaningful moment.  But (Earnhardt) was just as nervous as the rest of us. He was rattled, got off the stage and walked away.

"It's a terrifying… five or six minutes," acknowledged Johnson. "You want to be sure and thank everyone… and not miss anyone. It seems like 60 minutes. 

He need not have worried. The California native hit all the right notes Friday, mixing humility and gratitude with just a touch of teary-eyed emotion.

“I’ve been able to meet and work with so many amazing people along the way,” he said. “These people have molded and shaped me into the person I am today, and the driver I am today. That starts with my mom and dad, my brothers, car-owners, sponsors, drivers that I’ve worn-out asking questions over the years… teammates, family and friends. Thank you all so very much.”

Johnson praised Knaus for his latest championship effort, saying, “We are basically family. Your desire and commitment to make that race car go… I honestly cannot thank you enough for what you do. At the end of the day, you pushing me as hard as you do only makes me better. It’s not fun at times, but it makes me better and I can’t thank you enough for all the support, the friendship and the success we’ve had together.”

He also praised team owner Rick Hendrick for creating “the winningest organization in NASCAR history… by caring for the people you employ and treating us all like family. I am honored to call myself a Hendrick employee.

“This was a huge year on track, but personally, it was so much more,” said Johnson. “Genevieve is now 3½ (years old), and Lydia was born a week before the Chase started. Being a parent is the greatest thing I’ve ever experienced in my life, and I love my girls so very much. We had a lot going on the last 10 weeks, (and) the glue that kept it all together is my wife, Chandi. I couldn’t have done without you.”

Johnson’s teammates wasted no time turned the tables, heaping praise on the six-time titlist. Jeff Gordon – himself a four-time Sprint Cup champion – pegged Johnson and Knaus as "individually, the best at what they do. Together, they're a dominant force that’s hard to beat." 

"I'm in awe of what you've accomplished," said team owner Rick Hendrick. "Your focus, dedication and talent are second to none. You're one of the best ever. It's not only that you're a great champion, but you're a great role model."

NASCAR Chairman Brian France added a touch of humor to the proceedings while presenting Johnson with his traditional champion’s diamond ring. “I’m a pretty young guy,” said France, “and I think it’s entirely possible you’re going to run out of fingers while I’m still at my post. Right now, we’re working on number six. We’ll start a new hand as you make history.”

Championship runner-up Matt Kenseth, meanwhile, urged Johnson to “seriously contemplate retirement. Go buy yourself an island. Hang out with the family and pick up some new hobbies. Take some of that money and enjoy yourself. We’ll all chip-in!”

The six-time champ left little doubt that he’ll be back to defend his title in 2014, however, saying, “Testing will start before we know it and I’m excited for 2014. I think that our Lowe’s Chevrolet SS is going to be awfully fast once again.”

Johnson admitted that he is enjoying this championship more than the five that came before.

“It is different,” he said. “I feel like I’m savoring it much more than I did in the stretch of those five (championships). But I also have to give credit to maturing and growing up some. I think becoming a parent has changed the way I see the world dramatically, and that’s helping me slow this all down and take it in a little differently. (I’m) letting it in and enjoying it, feeling the applause and respect. 

“It's very nice to have the spotlight on you. I'm letting it soak in now, and it's pretty cool to experience it that way.”

 

Earnhardt Cops 11th Most Popular Driver Award

The National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) announced today that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the recipient of this year's NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award.   

It is the 11^th consecutive year Earnhardt Jr. has been selected through a vote of the fans, breaking a tie with Bill Elliott for most consecutive awards received. Elliott continues to hold the overall mark, having been named the series' most popular driver 16 times. 

"I don't really keep track of the stats or the score, but Bill was a great driver and ambassador for the sport," Earnhardt Jr. said. "He represents the sport really well to this day, as does his son Chase, who's coming up and carrying on the family name. But, I've always looked up to Bill as a driver so it's pretty neat." 

More than 1 million votes were tallied for 39 eligible drivers from this year's first race to the last at the site www.MostPopularDriver.com. Fans voted once per day with Earnhardt Jr. collecting more than 700,000 votes.

The award was presented to the Hendrick Motorsports driver today during the annual NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon, a part of the season-ending Champions Week activities in Las Vegas. 

The final top-10 drivers, in order of votes received were: Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Danica Patrick, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards. Earnhardt Jr. is still honored to receive the trophy. 

"We always have such great support from our fans," Earnhardt Jr. said. "They always come through every year, and this year we feel like we were giving them a lot to cheer for on the race track and paying them back for all the years they've voted for us to win this award."  

The NMPA Most Popular Driver distinction has been presented every year since 1956. Initially determined by a poll among drivers taken at season's end, it was later changed to allow members of the media to determine the winner. Today, race fans from all over the world make the ultimate decision.   

"We congratulate Dale Earnhardt Jr. for this record-breaking achievement," said Kenny Bruce, President of the NMPA. "This is NASCAR fans opportunity to be heard during Champions Week here in Las Vegas.  On behalf of all those who voted, we thank you and are proud to continue to support the NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award."

NASCAR Hall Of Fame Announces Eligibility/Procedural Changes

NASCAR today announced a number of changes to the selection process for the NASCAR Hall of Fame, including a modification to driver eligibility parameters and the creation of a new award to honor significant contributions to the growth and success of the sport.  

In all, six changes and updates will be made starting with the selection of the Class of 2015 – all designed to improve upon an already strong process that has led to the selection of 25 deserving inductees. 

“We’re very proud of how the NASCAR Hall of Fame has evolved and believe the first five classes reflect the strength of the nominating and voting procedures, with voices from every corner of our industry included in the selection process,” said Brett Jewkes, NASCAR vice president and chief communications officer. “Based on feedback from voters, industry leaders, media who cover our sport and the fans, we believe the changes announced today are a strong recognition of the uniqueness of our sport and will make the overall selection process even stronger in how we honor those who have driven NASCAR to great success on and off the track.” 

Following is a summary of changes: 

Driver Eligibility

Currently, drivers who have competed in NASCAR for at least 10 years and been retired for three years are eligible for nomination to the NHOF. That will not change. 

Moving forward, however, drivers who have competed for a minimum of 10 years and reached their 55th birthday on or before Dec. 31 of the year prior to the nominating year are immediately eligible for the NHOF. Also, any competitor who has competed for 30 or more years in NASCAR competition by Dec. 31 of the year prior to the nominating year is automatically eligible, regardless of age.  

Drivers may continue to compete after reaching any of the aforementioned milestones without compromising eligibility for nomination or induction. 

Nominating Committee Will Select Five Fewer Nominees for Enshrinement

Throughout its history, the NHOF Nominating Committee has selected 25 nominees each year to be discussed and voted on for NHOF enshrinement. That number will be reduced to 20 starting with the selection process for the 2015 class. 

Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR

Beginning with the 2015 class, a new award – Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR – will be initiated to honor significant contributions to the growth and esteem of NASCAR.  

Potential Landmark Award recipients could include competitors or those working in the sport as a member of a racing organization, track facility, race team, sponsor, media partner or being a general ambassador for the sport through a professional or non-professional role. Award winners will remain eligible for NHOF enshrinement. 

Five nominees will be selected by the NHOF Nominating Committee and then be voted on by the Voting Panel. To win the award, an individual must appear on at least 60 percent of the ballots and no more than one award will be presented annually. Voting for this award will occur immediately following the voting for the NHOF class and be monitored by the same independent accounting firm that oversees NHOF voting.  

Nominating Committee to Meet, Vote on 20 NHOF Nominees / Five Landmark Award Nominees

For the first time, the Nominating Committee will meet in person to discuss, debate and vote to create two ballots – the NHOF ballot and the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR ballot. Previously, the committee submitted nominees via mail to an independent accounting firm that tallies the nominations in order to create the final NHOF ballot. 

The Nominating Committee will meet during Speedweeks at Daytona on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, and the nominees for both ballots will be announced later that day. 

Nominees To Be Recused From the Nominating / Voting Process

Any member of the Nominating Committee or Voting Panel who appeared on the previous year’s ballot or current year’s ballot will now be recused from participating in the nominating and / or voting process for as long as he / she appears on the ballot. If an individual who is currently on the Nominating Committee or Voting Panel is inducted, or is no longer included on a final ballot, he or she is immediately reinstated to active participation on the panel(s). 

Reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Added To Voting Panel

As was already announced on Nov. 14 at Homestead-Miami Speedway during the annual NASCAR Championship Contenders Press Conference, the reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion will be added to the following year’s voting panel.  

That means Jimmie Johnson, who captured his sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, will be included in the selection meeting and can cast a vote for the NHOF Class of 2015 on Voting Day, Wednesday, May 21, 2014.

Stewart Receives NMPA Myers Brothers Award

Tony Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, successful team owner and equally effective track owner, is this year's recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association's Myers Brothers Award.

Named in honor of former NASCAR competitors Billy and Bob Myers, the award was presented to Stewart on Dec. 5 during the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon.

In addition to competing and consistently contending for NASCAR's ultimate prize as a driver, Stewart is also co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, which will field four Sprint Cup teams for the first time in 2014.

His business endeavors reach far beyond the Cup Series, however. Stewart owns Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, and is part of ownership groups for Macon (Ill.) Speedway and Paducah (Ky.) International Raceway.

And his Tony Stewart Racing organization fields highly competitive entries in the USAC and the World of Outlaws series as well.

Earlier this year, Stewart accomplished a first for NASCAR when he and his management team brought a national series to Eldora, hosting the MudSummer Classic Camping World Truck Series event. It was the first time in more than four decades that a top NASCAR series had competed on dirt.

The event played out before a packed house and drew positive reviews from officials, competitors and most importantly, fans.

"If it only goes one year and we only get one opportunity to do it, is all the time, effort and worry worth it? Absolutely," Stewart said prior to the start of the event.

It was, he said "more than just a truck race."

"Big picture – this is big for every dirt track across the country and this is exposure that a lot of these tracks never get."

"I don't know of anyone more passionate about what they do than Tony Stewart," NMPA president Kenny Bruce said. "Before an injury sidelined him during the second half of the season, he was on pace to compete in more than 100 races in 2013. Tony eats, sleeps, lives and breathes racing and he understands the importance of the local weekend shows better than most. It's where he came from, and he's never forgotten that or those who made it possible."

Voted on each year by members of the NMPA, the Myers Brothers Award recognizes individuals and/or groups who have provided outstanding contributions to the sport of stock car racing. It has been awarded annually since 1958.

 

Charlotte Testing Open To Public

Fans are invited to watch NASCAR Sprint Cup Series testing free of charge on Monday, Dec. 9 at Charlotte Motor Speedway from The Speedway Club’s enclosed Clubhouse seating. The open test will help define rules packages for the 2014 season and more than 20 teams are expected to participate.

Testing will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday. Speedway Club Clubhouse seating will open at 9 a.m. for the public to enjoy the test session. Fans should park at the main entrance to the speedway, enter through the main ticket office on the second floor of Smith Tower and take the elevator to Clubhouse seating on the fifth floor. Refreshments will be available for purchase in the Clubhouse seating area.

Fans are invited to take advantage of The Speedway Club Lounge area to purchase lunch or dinner from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., or to make lunch or dinner reservations in The Speedway Club dining room by calling 704-455-3216.

After testing concludes, fans are encouraged to enjoy Speedway Christmas, the region's largest holiday light show. The 3.1-mile course allows families to experience more than 3 million lights and 800 holiday displays. The show is open from 6 to 10 p.m. and admission is only $15 per car on Monday through Wednesday when the infield Christmas Village is closed, and $20 per car Thursday through Sunday when the Christmas Village is open.

The Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office will also be open with special holiday deals available. Fans who purchase $200 in gift cards, tickets, camping or pit passes will receive a $50 gift card free. Other ticket deals include: buy four frontstretch tickets to a NASCAR Sprint Cup event and receive four free pole night tickets, buy one pit pass and get the second at half price, buy four Saturday or Sunday NHRA tickets and get two Friday tickets free, and buy four Coca-Cola 600 or Bank of America 500 tickets in Club seating and keep the FanVision device.

Ticket information for all Charlotte Motor Speedway events can be obtained by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Burton Headed For TV Booth In 2015

NBC Sports Group has reached a multi-year agreement with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Burton, who will transition out of full-time driving and into the role of NASCAR analyst when the green flag waves over NBC Sports and NBCSN’s upcoming slate of NASCAR coverage.  The addition of Burton, who has already won 48 times on NASCAR’s national circuits over an exciting 25-year career, places one of the most respected and passionate voices in motorsports into the center of NBC’s soon-to-be-introduced NASCAR broadcast team.  The announcement was made today by Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports and NBCSN.

“Jeff Burton was always the first person we would seek out when there was breaking news or an issue that needed to be covered throughout our previous contract with NASCAR, so he was the first person we called for this role,” said Flood. “His insights, keen observations and many trophies have earned the respect of everyone involved with the sport.  He will be an outstanding analyst, and has everyone here looking even more forward to getting started.”

Burton will do double duty throughout the 2014 season, racing a schedule of select Sprint Cup Series races with Michael Waltrip Racing while also contributing to NASCAR programming on NBCSN.  When NBC Sports Group’s exclusive coverage of NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series racing begins in 2015, Burton will serve as a full-time analyst on NBC and NBCSN.      

"This is an exciting new challenge and I am thrilled to be joining the NBC Sports family,” said Burton.  “I will prepare for each race as if I were driving in it, and I look forward to sharing my experience, views and insights with all the dedicated and passionate NASCAR fans.”

In November, Burton became just the sixth driver to earn his 1,000th NASCAR career start.  Named NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year in 1994, he has since captured 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories.  Burton broke into NASCAR’s Nationwide Series in 1988, where he raced full-time until 1993 and on a limited basis until 2009, winning 27 times along the way.  Regarded as a trusted advocate for the sport, Burton has worked closely with NASCAR on numerous safety issues and programs, including the creation of safer seats, track walls, cockpits, helmets, uniforms and HANS devices. 

On July 23, 2013, NASCAR and NBC Sports Group reached a comprehensive agreement that grants NBC Universal exclusive rights to the final 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, final 19 NASCAR Nationwide Series events, select NASCAR Regional & Touring Series events and other live content beginning in 2015.

With this partnership, NBC’s 20 Sprint Cup race schedule includes a designation as the exclusive home to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, when the elite national series races through its final 10 events of the season.  The Chase culminates with the season-ending championship event, which returns to network television in 2015 for the first time since 2009. Of NBC Sports Group’s 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, seven will be carried on NBC annually, with 13 airing on NBCSN. Four of NBC Sports Group’s 19 NASCAR Nationwide Series races will air on NBC, with 15 airing on NBCSN.

In addition to NASCAR’s Sprint Cup and NASCAR Nationwide Series races, NBC also obtained exclusive rights to practice and qualifying sessions for NBC’s national series events during their portion of the season, as well as rights to broadcast the NASCAR K&N Series, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Toyota (Mexico) Series, the NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony and NASCAR’s season-ending banquets. Further, NBC is granted Spanish-language rights, certain video-on-demand rights and exclusive TV Everywhere rights for its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series events.

Armstrong Tabbed For Petty's Nationwide Ride

Dakoda Armstrong has signed a multi-year contract to assume driving duties of the Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.  

WinField, Armstrong's primary sponsor during his tenure with Turn One Racing and Richard Childress Racing, will continue its sponsorship for the majority of the 2014 season; Fresh From Florida will sponsor the remaining three races.  Chief Philippe Lopez will again oversee Armstrong from the pit box.  

Armstrong's ascension to the NNS on a full-time basis comes on the heels of a 2013 campaign that included a 12^th-place points finish after his first full season competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.  He also competed in six NNS races, notching three Top-15 finishes. 

Joining the Richard Petty Motorsports family and their Nationwide Series program is a distinction Armstrong does not take lightly.  "We want to win races for 'The King,'" Armstrong said.  "I'm ready to take the next step in my career and RPM is an organization where I believe I can make that happen.  Our team and sponsors are as committed to winning as I am, and I'm looking forward to a successful season and future together." 

Armstrong joins an RPM team that has enjoyed immediate success with its NNS program since fielding a full-time entry in 2012.  The No. 43 Ford Mustang team has 23 top-10 and seven top-five finishes.  In 2012, the No. 43 team finished fifth in the final championship standings.  

"Dakoda and WinField will help us continue the success of our No. 43 Nationwide Series program," said Richard Petty, a seven-time NASCAR champion and co-owner of Richard Petty Motorsports.  "Dakoda is a driver who has grown up in the sport and has paid his dues.  He has proven himself at every level and we will now give him the tools he needs to be successful in the Nationwide Series and believe he can win races for us." 

Armstrong has a strong open wheel and stock car racing background, having raced in the United States Auto Club Midget and Sprint Series before graduating to stock cars and the ARCA Series.  Armstrong is a three-time winner in the ARCA Series and competed full-time in the NCWTS for Turn One Racing in 2013.  He now joins the NNS full-time where he has seven career starts.    

RPM's newest member makes his race debut in the No. 43 WinField car at Daytona International Speedway on February 22, 2014. 

Swan Racing To Two Cars In 2014; Kligerman and Whitt Pegged As Drivers

Swan Racing announced today that it is expanding to a multicar organization in 2014 and will compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with rising stars Parker Kligerman and Cole Whitt driving Toyota Camrys. This is a major step for Swan Racing as it seeks to improve its organization and to be more competitive in the upcoming season. Swan Racing completed its inaugural season this year under the leadership of team owner Brandon Davis. 

Parker Kligerman

"When we launched Swan Racing we pledged to race hard every lap of every race. That's what we have done and what we will continue to do. We learned a lot this year and now is the time to plan for the long term future by adding more resources to be more competitive," said Davis. 

"The team is expecting steady improvement and we are in good position to deliver," said Kligerman. "Personally, I am looking forward to working with Cole as a teammate and as a competitor for Rookie of the Year honors." 

"I am really impressed by how everything is coming together for Swan Racing. This is the place to be and we are going to truly take the next step in 2014," said Whitt. "Parker and I will learn a lot from each other next year while racing hard every lap of every race. I'm ready to get started!" 

Cole Whitt

Swan Racing is preparing to move into its new shop in Statesville, NC. The 25,000 square foot facility will provide the team enough space to accommodate the two teams and even grow if necessary. 

"This is an important moment for this young team," said Swan Racing general manger, Bray Pemberton. "Things are falling into place and we are really looking forward to 2014. In the coming weeks we will make decisions on a number of additional details such as car numbers, hiring a crew chief and the addition of new sponsors," he said. 

Swan Racing competed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2013 with several drivers including Michael Waltrip who racing the No. 26 Toyota in the Daytona 500 with a special paint scheme dedicated to the victims of the shootings and Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Ct. David Stremme then drove the No. 30 for the next 25 races. The team then auditioned several drivers including Whitt, Kligerman, and Kevin Swindell. 

About Swan Racing Swan Racing is a stock-car racing team, based in Statesville, N.C., that competes full-time in 36 nationally televised races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The team is owned by oil and gas executive Brandon Davis. Former NFL linebacker Bill Romanowski owns a minority stake in the team.

 

Stewart On Cover Of NASCAR `14 Game

Tony Stewart fans have spoken, and they’ve made it clear that they cannot wait to see the driver of the No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet back on the track, even if it is on the cover of a video game. NASCAR announced today that fans worldwide have cast more than 700,000 votes in the “Drive for the Cover” campaign, ultimately selecting three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Stewart to appear on the cover of NASCAR ‘14. Stewart has appeared on the cover of the officially licensed NASCAR game twice before, but this is the first time he was selected by fans. 

“Being selected by the fans to be on the cover of NASCAR ‘14 is a huge honor,” said Stewart, co-owner and driver for Stewart-Haas Racing. “It’s been a long couple of months, but my fans’ passion has been one of the driving factors in helping me rehab and my ability to prepare for returning to the race car in February.”  

It was clear early on that Stewart was going to be hard to defeat. During the five-week contest, conducted entirely on Facebook, Stewart dominated each round of the competition. Stewart’s closest opposition came in the final round against another fan favorite, four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon. Stewart accumulated nearly one-fifth of all the votes cast during the “Drive for the Cover” campaign.  

“In the midst of a racing season cut short by injury, the number of fans who voted for Tony speaks volumes about the excitement surrounding his return,” said Blake Davidson, NASCAR vice president of licensing and consumer products. “For a campaign that was heavily driven by social media, the more than 700,000 votes cast in the ‘Drive for the Cover’ campaign is a testament to the social media prowess of our industry and fans.” 

NASCAR ‘14 is scheduled for release in early 2014 on the PlayStation^® 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360^® games and entertainment system from Microsoft, for the suggested retail price of $49.99. Stay tuned for the official release date and a first look at the game soon.