Wood Brothers To Sport New Livery At Michigan

Wood Brothers Racing’s Motorcraft/Quick Lane No. 21 Ford Fusion will have a different look when it hits the track at Michigan International Speedway next weekend.  

Quick Lane blue will replace the usual Motorcraft red that is synonymous with the Wood Brothers Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup entry. In addition to prominent Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center markings on the hood, the rear deck lid will feature the Quick Lane tag line “READY TO SERVE.” 

The Motorcraft logo will still appear on the new-look No. 21. As Quick Lane’s principal replacement parts brand, the relationship between Quick Lane and Motorcraft is critical to the success of each.

In February, Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center opened its 700^th U.S. retail location, making it one of the fastest-growing auto center chains in the country. With a Quick Lane location now in every state, the company is embarking on a national ad campaign to introduce its various marketplace advantages and to let customers across the nation know that Quick Lane is “Ready to Serve” with convenience and confidence.  Part of the campaign will feature the No. 21 NASCAR livery featured at the Quicken Loans 400 as well as its driver, 2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne.  

“Opening our 700^th location is an important milestone for Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center,” said Frederiek Toney, president of the Ford Customer Service Division. “With locations from coast to coast, we can support our Quick Lane brand with national advertising including our partnership with NASCAR and Wood Brothers Racing. We hope that this paint scheme running in a nationally televised NASCAR race and the associated ad campaign will make our Quick Lane owners proud and increase recognition for the brand.” 

Moffitt Returns To MWR #66 In Michigan

Hot off his series debut at Dover last weekend, Michael Waltrip Racing has announced thatBrett Moffitt will drive the No. 66 Let’s Go Places Toyota at Michigan International Speedway next week.

Moffitt, a 21-year-old Iowa native, made his NASCAR Sprint Cup debut in Dover last week in the No. 66 with Jay Robinson Racing, starting 18th and posting a 22nd-place finish. Jeff Burton, who was originally slated to run the Michigan race, now will be entered in the July 13 Sprint Cup Series event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where he has won four times.  

“Our No. 66 team was originally scheduled to run some new components at Michigan with Jeff, but those plans were delayed last week, causing us to debate running Michigan at all,” said MWR co-owner Michael Waltrip. “However, after the great effort we saw with Brett in his debut at Dover, we decided to move forward with Michigan, allowing Brett more seat time and to work towards his NASCAR eligibility to race on bigger tracks. 

“Brett did an amazing job in Dover, not only to gain experience, but more importantly respect from the other competitors. The best part is we are now taking Jeff Burton to New Hampshire where he has a lot of success and can really impact the performance of all MWR cars.” 

Moffitt is a nine-time winner in K&N Pro Series East competition and has served as a test driver for MWR for the past two seasons.   

“It seems like this is all happening very fast, but I feel like we have been working towards this kind of opportunity for a long time,” said Moffitt. “At Dover, we set some goals and I feel like we accomplished all of them and exceeded most of them. Heading to Michigan our goals will be much of the same. I want to get comfortable and I want the greatest drivers in the world to be comfortable around me.” 

Burton said he looks forward to racing at New Hampshire. His four victories are the most of any driver in the 38 Sprint Cup races held at the mile oval in Loudon.   

"When the testing plans for Michigan changed and the ability to run New Hampshire became available I jumped at the opportunity. This gives Brett a chance to get some well deserve race time and the ability for me to race at one of my favorite race tracks. This is a win for all of us at MWR."

A partnership between MWR and Jay Robinson Racing allows the No. 66 to compete in all NASCAR Sprint Cup races. Waltrip raced the Toyota at Daytona and Talladega while Burton raced in Las Vegas.

NASCAR Adjusts Eldora Qualifying Format

NASCAR has announced a series of format changes for the second annual NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Eldora Speedway, scheduled for July 23.  

Among the changes, aimed to place additional emphasis on driver skill and team strategy, are:

Pit stops during competition cautions are now optional. Pit stops were mandatory in last year’s inaugural event.

Each qualifying race will now be 10 laps in length. Last year, each race was eight laps.

A random draw will determine qualifying order. Last year, practice speeds dictated the qualifying order.

Owner points will be awarded to the top five team owners whose trucks do not transfer to the main feature. Last season, teams that did not advance to the main feature did not earn owner points. 

“Last year’s inaugural event at Eldora Speedway was an incredible success, and these enhancements will only increase the excitement for our fans,” said Chad Little, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series managing director. “NASCAR continually works with team owners and drivers to ensure that NASCAR fans get what they’ve come to expect out of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – close, thrilling racing, every single lap.”

The event continues to showcase a traditional two-lap qualifying session, five qualifying races, one last-chance race and a champion’s provisional to determine the 30-truck starting field. The top 20 in owner points entering the event will have a guaranteed starting position.

The overall race procedures for the Mudsummer Classic are as follows:

Time Trial Qualifying

Two-lap, single-truck qualifying determines starting position for the qualifying races with random draw determining the qualifying order.

Qualifying Races

Five qualifying races will be held at 10 laps each and only green flag laps are counted.

Lineup for the qualifying races will be based on qualifying speeds.

The top five trucks in qualifying will start on the pole for their respective qualifying races with four locked-in trucks (top 20 in driver points) starting in each qualifying race.

Five trucks from each qualifying race will transfer to the feature – four locked-in trucks and one non-locked-in truck.

Upon completion of the qualifying races, 25 trucks will earn spots in the feature race.

Last Chance Race

The lineup will be based on finishing position from the qualifying races and the race will be 15 laps with only green flag laps counted.

Top-four finishers transfer to the feature and start in positions 26-29.

The 30th starting position goes to the most recent past series champion. If the position is not filled by an eligible champion, it will be assigned to the next highest finishing truck of the Last Chance Race.

Owner points will be awarded to the top five team owners whose trucks do not transfer into the feature.

Feature

The race will be 150 laps divided into three segments of 60, 50 and 40 laps with competition cautions at the breaks on Lap 60 and Lap 110.

Caution laps will not count during the competition cautions and positions cannot be improved on pit road.

Teams are not required to pit during the competition cautions. Those teams that do not elect to pit, may remain on the track and start in front of the pitting teams. 

With Latest Dover Win, Johnson Back In Title Discussion

To the surprise of absolutely no one, Jimmie Johnson is back.

The six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion suffered through an uncharacteristic, 11-race losing streak to start this 2014 season, often looking downright pedestrian along the way. He returned to form on home turf at Charlotte Motor Speedway two weeks ago, dominating the Coca-Cola 600 for his first checkered flag of the season, then went back-to-back for the 13^th time in his Sprint Cup Series career with an equally impressive win in the FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks at Dover International Speedway Sunday afternoon.

Johnson walked away from eventual runner-up Brad Keselowski following a final restart for Casey Mears’ flat tire with four laps remaining, claiming the checkered flag by nearly a full second. He led a commanding 272 of 400 laps Sunday, and with a record nine wins in 25 career Dover starts, now sports a hefty .360 lifetime batting average on the Monster Mile. Matt Kenseth, Clint Bowyer and Denny Hamlin completed the Top-5.

Johnson’s second victory in as many weeks makes him a legitimate part of the championship dialogue for the first time this season. In fact, Johnson is now a lock for his 11^th consecutive Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup berth; the only driver in NASCAR to make the cut in every year of the system. If the Chase began today (and it won’t), Johnson would begin the 10-race title run tied with Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano for the points lead. 

And with the Sprint Cup Series heading to Pocono (PA) Raceway this weekend, Johnson’s hot streak could be far from over.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver has three wins in 24 career Pocono starts and is the defending champion of the spring race there. Flat tires in the late going cost his Lowes Chevrolet team a pair of Pocono victories in 2012 and 2013, as well, making him a top pick to extend his personal winning streak to three.

Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images North America

Former NASCAR Owner Ray DeWitt Dies

Former NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series team owner Ray DeWitt passed away Thursday evening after suffering a heart attack at his home in Sunset Beach, NC. He was 63.

DeWitt fielded cars on the local and regional scene for many years, including an American Speed Association (ASA) operation that included eventual NASCAR drivers Ted Musgrave and Tim Fedewa. DeWitt’s NASCAR national series career began when he fielded Sprint Cup Series Chevrolets for drivers Rich Vogler and Ted Musgrave in a trio of 1990 races at Pocono, Michigan and Rockingham.  

He teamed with former driver DK Ulrich to form RaDiUs Racing in 1992, running the full Winston Cup championship schedule with Musgrave, crew chief Buddy Parrott and sponsor Jasper Engines. The team recorded one Top-5 and seven Top-10 finishes that season en route to 18^th place in the final championship standings, with a best finish of fifth behind Darrell Waltrip, Harry Gant, Alan Kulwicki and Ricky Rudd at Pocono Raceway in July.

The following year, RaDiUs Racing claimed a pair of Top-5 finishes at Pocono and Michigan with Musgrave at the controls, finishing 25^th in the final standings. DeWitt also fielded a full-time Busch Grand National Series effort with driver Tim Fedewa under the D-R Racing banner, finishing 18^th in points.

Ted Musgrave's Jasper/USAir Ford

In 1994, DeWitt ended his partnership with Ulrich and concentrated mainly on the NASCAR Busch Series, finishing 10^th in points with Fedewa, who was running at the finish of 24 of 28 races that season. He also made 18 Winston Cup starts that year with drivers Jimmy Hensley, Fedewa and Butch Miller.

The high point of DeWitt’s NASCAR career came in 1995, when Fedewa topped Doug Heveron, Johnny Benson, Jr. and brothers Jeff and David Green to win the Meridian Advantage 200 NASCAR Busch Series race at Pennsylvania’s Nazareth Speedway. His final NASCAR start came on Sept. 14, 1996, when a blown engine relegated driver Bobby Dotter to a 35^th-place finish in the MBNA 200 at Dover International Speedway.

"If it weren't for Ray DeWitt, NASCAR would never have heard of me," said Musgrave. "He was one of a kind and you always knew right where you stood with him. He was well-off financially, but you would never have known it to talk with him. He was a hard-working man who loved racing and gave a lot of people their chance."

Fedewa shared similar thoughts, saying, “Ray was the guy who believed in me when nobody else did. We started racing in ASA and ARTGO back in Michigan, and he gave me my first real opportunity to shine. If it wasn’t for him, I never would have had the opportunities I had, from ASA all the way to NASCAR.

“Ray was the type owner that was in your corner, no matter what. If I went out and ran the car straight into the wall in qualifying, he’d be right there waiting when I got back to the pits, saying, `don’t worry about it, you did a great job.’ As long as he knew you did your best, he would never complain.

“You don’t see car owners like that anymore. I’ll miss him, and a lot of other people will, too.”

Johnson Says No Time To Bask In Charlotte Win

Coming off his first win of the season last weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Jimmie Johnson said today that he and his team have had little time to bask in the afterglow.

“The Monday-to-Friday routine was very comfortable and nice,” said Johnson of the week following his Coca-Cola 600 victory. “Everybody is smiling and has a spring in their step. But truthfully, when we get here and check in, last week seems so far away. When we get on the race track for practice and NASCAR’s timing and scoring goes hot again, it’s completely out of your mind and you (become) focused on the present.

While happy to have his first victory of the 2014 season, Johnson said there was considerable pressure to win; most of it originating inside the walls at Hendrick Motorsports.

“There has been a lot of pressure and expectation put on us, and a lot of things written about us and the long winless streak,” said Johnson. “But the pressure that people see and suspect might be wearing on us is nothing compared to the pressure we put on ourselves.

“We expect a lot out of ourselves,” he admitted. “We feel like wins have gotten away from us this year that we weren’t happy about. We also feel that there were tracks where we had poor performances. So the win is great, but we hold ourselves to (a high) standard.”

Johnson also admitted that there was a bit of friction within the No. 48 team this season, as their uncharacteristic winless streak grew larger.

Johnson is Dover's all-time winner

“If you have speed and you’re (running) okay, it’s easy to not be snippy and maintain whatever mindset works,” he said. “(But) if you’re not where you want to be -- especially with Chad (Knaus) and my group of guys, who spend so much time to come to the race track and to be prepared --  in a way, their feelings get hurt.

“It’s not fun to work so hard and be on the (slow) side of the board in practice or qualifying. That stuff just eats us up, because we work way too hard to be in that position. The sport isn’t easy. This garage area is so strong that it happens. And when it does, you’ve got to pull your boots up, get to work and work harder.”

He said the winless skein had begun to wear on him personally, as well, adding, ““I think a lot about the long winless streak being over. That’s been the common theme among friends and social media, so I’m just having fun with it and trying to remind myself that it’s a backhanded compliment. We have done so well as a team… that we put ourselves in this corner.

“I’m glad I don’t have to answer those questions any longer.”.

After becoming Dover’s the all-time winningest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver last fall, Johnson said he is happy to return to a track that has been so important to him and his career.

 “(The records) definitely have a ton of meaning,” he said. “When I look at the people that I’m tying or have the opportunity to beat for those titles, it’s heroes of our sport and the guys that are in the Hall of Fame. When you look at their stats and what they’ve done for our sport, (they’re) household names.

“It is no small feat to tie or have the opportunity to beat these guys for races won at any track.

“We’re looking forward to winning again soon,” he said. “Over the years, we have been able to adapt to a variety of generations of car, and hopefully, we can adapt quickly to what is needed here and what the set-up needs to be to get around `The Monster’ once again. 

“I’m looking forward to the race on Sunday.” 

Stewart: Sprint Car Return "Nobody's Decision But Mine"

Tony Stewart climbed back behind the wheel of an open wheel Sprint Car this week for the first time since suffering a severely broken leg in a race last August. And while the former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion said called the test "a huge day for me," he downplayed its importance when speaking to the media today at Dover international Speedway.

“I am laughing at you guys because it’s like. `My God, I went and tested a Sprint Car,’” he said. “I still laugh about how big a deal this has all been made. We had Cup drivers get hurt last year. One had a broken wrist, one had a broken back and nobody said anything. It was all minor news. I’ve made more news by getting hurt in a dirt car than any of those guys. 

“It’s bigger news than the guy who had the same injury I had falling off a bicycle last week. I just chuckle.

“It was fun (and) obviously, it’s been nine and a half months since I got a chance to run one,” said Stewart.  “It felt good. We actually did a full-blown test, it wasn’t just going out and making laps.  We actually got a chance to run through a lot of shock stuff and set-up stuff. (I’m) ready to go again.

“It was just like when I got (back) in the Cup car. I felt like I hadn’t been out of it.”

The three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champ said he has thought about returning to Sprint Car competition again soon, but will not publicize his plans in advance.

Stewart tested this week

“You won’t know when it’s coming,” he promised. “When I do go (racing), nobody is going to know about it. I’m going to just slide in and do it. I want to enjoy it (and) I don’t want it to be a cluster. Judging off how many people showed up just to talk to me about going and testing for a couple of hours, I can imagine what the group is going to be like after I run my first race.”

Stewart called his return to dirt racing, “nobody else’s decision but mine. It’s my life (and) I’m going to live my life.  I think there are a lot worse things I could be doing with my life than what I choose to do.”

Stewart said that while he had hoped to be fully rehabbed by now, he is not discouraged by the length of his recovery.

“I honestly thought I would be done with all this by now,” he admitted. “As far as rehab, pain (and) all that stuff, I thought it would all be done. I thought I would be healed 100-percent by now. But I keep going to the doctor on my scheduled appointments and they keep updating me on how it’s going and what they think the outlook is for it. 

“We just adjust (the timeline),” he said. “When you haven’t gone through something like this, you don’t know what to think. You don’t know how to feel about it… because you’ve never been through it. If it ever happens again, I will have a better idea of how to answer that. You just take it a day at a time, still.”

He said that while he continues to work out daily as part of his rehab regimen, he has yet to learn to enjoy it.

“I hate it,” he admitted. “You sweat; you get out of breath… it is crazy. Then you feel sore. I don’t know anything about this (process) that is good, but I know at the end of the day that it’s going to make me feel a lot better.” 

Earnhardt, eBay Announce Partnership

Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced today a partnership with eBay that will pair NASCAR’s 11-time Most Popular Driver with one of the world’s largest online marketplaces. The extensive partnership consists of several facets that will engage eBay’s community of automotive enthusiasts and include charitable initiatives with The Dale Jr. Foundation.

Additionally, Earnhardt Jr. will drive an eBay-themed primary paint scheme for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Michigan International Speedway on June 14. It will be Earnhardt Jr.’s fourth and final Nationwide Series race of 2014.

“We believe fans will relate to the excitement Dale Jr. feels toward the sport on and off the track,” said Bryan Murphy, Head of eBay Motors. “We are looking forward to helping auto enthusiasts connect with the things they need and love on eBay the same way Dale Jr. does.”

An avid eBay user, Earnhardt Jr. became deeply engrossed in the eBay marketplace in 2012, building out and adding to his collection of vintage stock car magazines and racing memorabilia. His infatuation expanded into eBay Motors, and starting today Earnhardt Jr.’s personal car collection will be displayed on his eBay Garage profile. eBay Garage is an online community where users share personal car photos, explore vehicles, find parts, and converse with fellow enthusiasts.

“As most people are aware, I’ve been obsessed with eBay for the past few years because I do a lot of shopping for vintage racing stuff,” said Earnhardt Jr. “It’s a great place to find all the things you need and love. And eBay Garage is especially cool because it’s an online community for car enthusiasts. I have a profile set up already so you can see what’s in my garage. I’m looking forward to seeing what other people have in theirs.”

In addition, for every person that signs up for an eBay Garage profile between May 28 and June 30, eBay will donate $1 to The Dale Jr. Foundation -- dedicated to giving underprivileged individuals and youth the resources to achieve extraordinary goals – up to a maximum donation of $25,000. Fans who sign up during that time will also have the chance to win a 2014 Chevy Camaro and have Dale Jr. personally hand them the keys.

Users can now examine the items that Earnhardt Jr. shops for on eBay, including rare racing literature, vinyl records, or his favored footwear.

“I feel very fortunate to be in a position to merge my two passions together, which is collecting racing memorabilia and driving race cars,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “I definitely have a deep appreciation for history, and eBay has been my go-to source of finding things I never thought were available. I look forward to continuing that, but also engaging with enthusiasts and expanding my presence through eBay Garage and eBay Collections.”

Estes Express Lines To Back Burton Full-Time

Estes Express Lines will serve as primary sponsor for ThorSport Racing's No. 13 Toyota Tundra driven by Jeb Burton for the balance of the 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season, beginning with Friday's Lucas Oil 200 at Dover International Speedway.

Estes' president and CEO Rob Estes was the keynote speaker at an unveiling ceremony for the No. 13 Estes Toyota at the transportation company's Richmond, Va., headquarters.

"To have Jeb driving the No. 13 Estes Toyota in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is a powerful combination and a perfect match for our company," Estes said. "First, it's safe to say that trucks -- all trucks -- are our passion.

"Second, it takes the effort of a large team of highly-skilled people at ThorSport Racing to make sure the No. 13 Tundra is prepared to race and to win, just like at Estes, where every member of our team is essential to the performance of the company as a whole.

"And finally, Jeb's job is to cross the finish line first each race and to do so safely, without injury or damage. At Estes, our job is to finish that same way with our customers, with every shipment, whether it's door-to-door or coast-to-coast, 40,000 times each day."

Estes and other company leaders expressed widespread enthusiasm for their first motorsports program in the company's 83-year history, anticipating the sponsorship will help Estes raise brand visibility to a national level, while aligning with stated company values of service, performance and family.

  

Burton, 21, is a second-generation stock-car racer whose father, Ward Burton won the 2002 Daytona 500 and whose uncle, Jeff Burton is a 21-race winner in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. With shared roots in the small towns of rural southern Virginia, the Estes and Burton families are distant relatives. 

"It's an honor to be driving the No. 13 Estes Toyota," Jeb Burton said. "Each time I get behind the wheel, I'm not only representing the Burton family and ThorSport Racing, now I have the privilege of representing everyone at Estes, which means a team of almost 15,000 employees including more than 6,000 truck drivers."

  

ThorSport Racing is in its 19th consecutive season of fielding teams in the Truck Series. Its fleet includes the No. 88 Menards Toyota driven by defending NCWTS drivers' champion Matt Crafton and the No. 98 Nextant Aerospace/Curb Records Toyota driven by Johnny Sauter.

The relationship between Estes and ThorSport Racing came as the result of a business growth opportunity shared among the freight provider and ThorWorks Industries, a conglomerate of diverse businesses including ThorSport Racing based in Sandusky and owned by Duke and Rhonda Thorson.

"Everyone at ThorSport Racing has a lot of faith in Jeb as an up-and-coming driver and we're happy to have found a company with Estes' professional legacy and values to sponsor our program," Duke Thorson said. "We'd like to thank everyone at Estes for their support and confidence as this relationship moves forward.

"We're proud to be the team Estes chose for its NASCAR debut. We can't wait to see Jeb and the No. 13 Estes Tundra on the track at Dover this weekend and throughout a safe and successful 2014 season." 

 

Brett Moffitt Set For Dover Sprint Cup Debut

Brett Moffitt will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at Dover International Speedway this weekend, driving the No. 66 Toyota for Jay Robinson Racing.

Moffitt, 21, of Grimes, Iowa is a nine-time winner in K&N Pro Series East competition and serves as a test driver for Toyota Racing Development and Michael Waltrip Racing.

"Brett is a very young driver with a lot of experience for his age," said owner Jay Robinson. "If you ask around the garage, you will learn he's one of the most respected young men in the sport who just hasn't had a chance at a fulltime ride. We think he has a lot of talent and will show it at Dover."

Moffitt finished ninth in his lone Nationwide Series start in August 2012 at Iowa Speedway. He finished 14^th and 17^th in 2013 Camping World Truck Series races at Kentucky and Michigan.

Moffitt said a Sprint Cup debut is something he began dreaming about as a child.

"I'm honored Jay asked me to drive his car at Dover," said Moffitt. "The Monster Mile is a tough, but fun track and I can't wait to get there. I won the 2009 & 2010 K&N East races at Dover so I think I'll feel comfortable there, but Sprint Cup racing is a whole new world.

"I appreciate all support I have received from Jay Robinson, TRD and everyone at Michael Waltrip Racing for making this happen. My goals are to qualify well and learn all I can during the race."

A newly formed partnership between MWR and Jay Robinson Racing allows the No. 66 to compete in all NASCAR Sprint Cup races with Joe Nemechek as the primary driver. Michael Waltrip raced the Toyota at Daytona and Talladega while Jeff Burton raced in Las Vegas.

Busch Named Indy 500 Rookie Of The Year

Kurt Busch has been named winner of the 2014 Sunoco Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Award for his performance during the 98th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

In the first Verizon IndyCar Series race of his career, Busch, in his No. 26 Andretti Autosport Suretone Honda, was the fastest qualifier (12th) and highest finisher (6th) among the seven rookies in this year's Indianapolis 500.

As Sunoco Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, Busch earned a $25,000 bonus from Sunoco as part of his total race winnings of $423,889. Busch was presented with his award last night at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Indianapolis 500 Victory Awards Celebration presented by Ice Miller Legal Counsel, Contour Hardening, Inc. and Allied Solutions.

Since its inception in 1952, the Sunoco Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Award has been presented to an amazing list of legendary drivers including Parnelli Jones, Mario Andretti, Rick Mears, Tony Stewart, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Arie Luyendyk and many more.

The Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award electorate is comprised of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR officials, and members of the media. 

Green To No. 14 Nationwide Camry For Five Races

Former NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Jeff Green will drive the No. 14 Hefty/Reynolds Wrap Camry for Team McClure, Inc. in select races this 2014 season.

Green will take the seat of the No. 14 Toyota for the Buckle Up 200 Presented by Click It or Ticket at Dover Int'l Speedway this Saturday, before piloting the car at Michigan International Speedway on June 14, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on August 16 and Richmond Int'l Raceway on September 5. His last event is scheduled to be on September 27, also at Dover.

"I'm so excited and honored to be able to race the Hefty/Reynolds Wrap Toyota these five races,” said Green. “I hope that I can be an added asset to the team. I can't thank Hefty, TriStar, and the McClure family enough for this opportunity."

American Restoration’s Rick Dale Creates One-of-a-Kind HISTORY 300 Trophy

Between championship points and the prestige of winning at the legendary Charlotte Motor Speedway, drivers battling in Saturday’s HISTORY 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race have all kinds of motivation to fight for the win. But with the most unique trophy of the entire season on the line, things are sure to reach a fever pitch as the laps wind down.

In partnership with Charlotte Motor Speedway, HISTORY channel TV personality Rick Dale of the hit series American Restoration has crafted a one-of-a-kind trophy that will be the envy of drivers. The trophy will be unveiled Saturday before the 300-mile race.

“As much as it means to drivers to win at NASCAR’s home track, this adds a little something extra to encourage them to race even harder to the checkered flag,” said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. “The history that this trophy represents and the personal touches that Rick put into it make it truly one-of-a-kind.”

After researching the legendary 1.5-mile superspeedway’s storied history, Dale created a unique trophy that represents the facilities early years and some of the challenges builders faced to complete to project.

The base of the trophy is North Carolina granite in the shape of the track — that granite had to be blasted through to make the raceway possible. Dynamite sticks are supported by a brass blaster to represent the force needed to get it done. And in case there was any doubt as to the personalities of speedway founders Bruton Smith and Curtis Turner, two 38 snub-nosed revolvers filled with aluminum sit upright, barrel-to-barrel were included in Dale’s masterpiece. According to speedway legend, as the construction deadline loomed, guns were drawn to encourage crews to pick up the pace of the build.

“As a fan of NASCAR and racing, I’m thrilled for the second year in a row to design this year’s HISTORY 300 trophy using elements of the colorful story surrounding the Charlotte Motor Speedway’s construction and founding,” said Dale. “I’m honored to be part of this exciting race.”

Documenting the production process, HISTORY filmed an episode of American Restoration about Rick’s return to Charlotte and the creation of the 2014 Trophy. Fans can catch the episode during the upcoming season of American Restoration, beginning Monday, June 2 at 10 p.m

HISTORY will also have some of their stars from Swamp People and Top Gear as Grand Marshals, announcing the Start Your Engines” and waving the green flag.”

Johnson Calls HOF Vote "An Amazing Day To Be Part Of"

Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion did something yesterday that he’d never done before. As the defending champion of the sport, Johnson served as a member of the NASCAR Hall Of Fame Voting Panel, casting his vote for five nominees for the Class of 2015.

“That was a huge honor and an amazing day to be a part of,” said Johnson today. “To sit in a room with so many people that care for our sport and know about our sport, then discuss what took place in eras of time when I certainly wasn’t around.  It was an awesome and unique experience. In years to come, it’s only going to help drivers in the garage area understand the history of our sport and grow closer and more attached to the people that built this sport.”

One the nominees on this year’s ballot was Johnson’s car owner, Rick Hendrick. The six-time champion revealed, however, that there was no behind-the-scenes lobbying prior to the vote.

“I’m not sure he feels he should be in there yet,” said Johnson. “He’s a competitor and he appreciates the phone calls he received yesterday and the concern from others. But I don’t think he feels like it’s time to be in there yet, even though I voted for him. I am so impressed with his stats and what he has done, but I still think there are many more to come.”

Johnson said that despite doing plenty of homework prior to the vote, he still struggled to trim his ballot to five names.

“I actually read the book (provided by the HOF),” he said, “and those who know me know how much I despise reading. I read the book twice. I studied up and enjoyed the entire process.

“I probably had seven (candidates) going in,” he admitted. “I thought the discussion would help me whittle it down to five. But after the conversations took place, I think my number grew to nine. And then we had lunch and things moved kind of quickly after that. The ballot was in front of me… and it was time to check some boxes.

“I felt like I could have been there another couple of hours with the open microphone… learning more about the individuals. It was not an easy decision.”

He also commented on the internet debate and second-guessing that follows each year’s vote.

“Following social media and seeing people being upset that someone… didn’t make it in, I feel for everybody,” he said. “I sensed that some took the voting process lightly, based on just 140 characters that come through a tweet. I wish others -- especially the people on the outside of our sport looking in -- could understand how much thought went into (the vote). I was really impressed (with) the whole prepping process, what went into it and how much consideration goes into each and every name on the ballot.

“I wish that the garage area could sit in on that discussion and see the respect that the peers and the people on the voting panel have for our industry and for the people involved,” said Johnson. “It wasn’t an easy process to work down to five. All 20 on that list were very deserving to be in the Hall of Fame.

“Those in (the room) know, it’s not an easy process to pick those five. 

COMMENTARY: Wise's Fans Deserve Your Respect

In an era of sagging attendance and falling television ratings, NASCAR should extend open arms to fans of all kinds. Instead, Saturday night’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Fan Vote has been greeted with a disappointing mix of disdain, snobbery and mean-spiritedness.

Underdog Josh Wise won the annual Fan Vote, prevailing over presumed favorite Danica Patrick to earn the final spot in the 2014 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. The reaction from NASCAR Nation was both swift and ugly.

“They’re not real NASCAR fans,” sneered some observers, labeling Wise’s backers “internet geeks” and worse. The online reddit.com community – largely responsible for Wise’s selection – faced accusations of online election fraud, accusations that quickly proved to be baseless.

Others dismissed the vote on the grounds that Wise had little chance to actually win the All-Star Race, conveniently ignoring the fact that in the 30-year history of the event, only one Fan Vote winner has ever gone on to win the million-dollar top prize. Patrick herself finished a distant seventh in the preliminary Sprint Showdown, and would certainly have failed to contend for All-Star Victory Lane, as well.

One member of the NASCAR media corps even went so far as to label Wise’s selection “a farce," claiming that Patrick was “bumped from the all-star race by a little-known driver who was barely noticed until his small fan base stuffed the ballot box.”

Wise, he wrote, “had no business being in Saturday night’s race,” claiming he was voted in by “a savvy online community that figured out how to manipulate the fan vote.”

That assertion is both insulting to Wise’s fans and totally devoid of fact.

Reddit.com is the largest online community on the planet, and hardly qualifies as a “small fan base." Reddit and Dogecoin members did not engage in “manipulation,” they simply worked harder – and smarter – than any other group. They mobilized their fan base in a way that was both impressive and 100-percent legal. No rules were broken – in spirit or otherwise -- any more than they were broken when Bill Elliott was voted NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver 16 times (10 times consecutively) in the 1980s and `90s.

Elliott’s secret back then was a massive, well-organized and wildly efficient Fan Club that succeeded in getting out the vote for their driver. Wise’s fans did exactly the same thing this year, albeit in a more technologically advanced way.

While most fans were content to cast an online vote or two for their favorite driver, Wise’s backers went the extra mile, devoting hours of personal time to the voting process and prevailing in a contest where the odds were heavily stacked against them.

Many of them also backed that effort with their own paychecks, contributing to Dogecoin’s dollars-and-cents sponsorship of Wise and the No. 98 Phil Parsons Racing entry. Most NASCAR fans have never opened their wallets to sponsor their favorite driver, short of buying a new Dale Junior T-shirt. Based on that fact alone, Wise’s fans deserve your respect.

The reaction to Saturday night’s fan vote can best be described in two simple words.

Sour grapes.

After three decades of All-Star competition, we should understand by now that the annual All-Star Fan Vote is a popularity contest. Popularity can be measured in many ways; through race day applause, souvenir sales, sponsor endorsements and NASCAR’s annual All-Star and Most Popular Driver fan votes. None of those yardsticks are more (or less) valid than the others.

In 2005, Martin Truex, Jr. won the All-Star Fan Vote, despite having competed in only two Sprint Cup Series races that season. His popularity had as much to do with his team owner – Dale Earnhardt, Jr. – than it did Truex himself, but there was no public outcry over the decision. The fans had spoken, and Truex competed in the All Star Race.

It didn’t matter why Truex was popular. All that mattered is that he was.

It’s the same today.

Josh Wise’s fans do not deserve your disdain. They deserve your applause, and even your envy. They are as legitimate as any of us – whether or not they ever attend a NASCAR race -- and have displayed a level of loyalty and determination that most fans can only dream of emulating.


They are not a lesser version of NASCAR fandom. They are, in fact, what all NASCAR fans should aspire to be.