NASCAR Writer Benny Phillips Passes

NASCAR Media pioneer Benny Phillips died Tuesday morning, following a brief illness.

Phillips’ byline appeared in the High Point (NC) Enterprise for 48 years; the last 32 of which were spent as the paper’s sports editor. He penned a monthly column for Stock Car Racing Magazine for more than a quarter of a century, chronicling the sport and its stars. For 12 years, he contributed on-air commentary to the weekly MotorWeek Illustrated program on WTBS and ESPN; one of the first national television shows devoted exclusively to motorsports.

Prior to his retirement in January of 2008, Phillips was honored as National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year seven times. In 1986, he was the inaugural recipient of the prestigious Buddy Shuman Memorial Award for outstanding contribution and loyalty to the sport of auto racing. Other honors include the Henry T. McLemore Motorsports Press Award for excellence in journalism, the Joe Littlejohn Award for loyalty to auto racing, and the Sears Craftsman of the Year Award in 1983.

Phillips also wrote four books, including Dale Earnhardt’s authorized biography, “Determined.”

Former Stock Car Racing magazine editor Dr. Dick Berggren said of Phillips, "Benny was one of the longest-serving columnists in the history of the magazine. He was also an award winning feature wriiter for that magazine. Benny had polio as a child and got around on crutches during adulthood, but it never, ever impeded his ability to get the job done well. He had very close relationships with many drivers, but especially Dale Earnhardt, Sr. I was his editor for most of his tenure at Stock Car and found him a pleasure to work with. His copy was always accurate, interesting and needed nothing from any editor. Benny was a great guy who was liked by everyone."

Recently inducted NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Inman told the Enterprise, “He was one of my best friends and a great fan of Richard’s. I spoke to him about two or three times a week, just to speak about sports. This comes as a shock to me. He was one of the pioneer’s of NASCAR writing.”

Funeral arrangements are still pending.

NHMS Heralds Major Increase In Ticket Sales

There is still some work to do, but there are indicators that the economy is beginning to loosen its death grip on NASCAR and its member tracks.

Officials at New Hampshire Motor Speedway say "The Magic Mile" has seen a spike in sales for both its July and September NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, compared to 2011. "We haven't seen this level of sales activity this early in quite some time," said the track's Executive Vice President and General Manager, Jerry Gappens this week. "We are up an average of double digits between the two races. Our fans and families have been struggling for quite a while in this economy. I take this as a sign that the recovery is underway."
 
Susan Colby, Vice President of guest services at NHMS said ticket sales for July's LENOX Industrial Tools 301 are up 4% from last year, with sales for the SYLVANIA 300 in September up a whopping 19%. "When times are tight for fans, one of the first things people cut from their budget is vacations and summertime extras," said Colby. "We are thrilled to see them coming back in big numbers." She added that increased sales of camping space and pre-race pit passes are also a good sign that fans have more discretionary funds this year than in the past.

Those statistics also speak well for the hard work being done at venues like NHMS to entice fans back through the gates. Speedway management conducted an aggressive, off-season ticket campaign, with mailers and email reminders to regular customers, as well as aggressive public relations efforts to keep Loudon in the spotlight for locals and fans.

"Strong sales don't just happen," said Gappens. "In this environment, you have to work harder to bring fans to the speedway. We use every tool at our disposal, from traditional media and mailers to social media. We are thrilled with the results and hopeful the trend continues. I believe we are a barometer for economic activity and this is certainly a hopeful sign of recovery."

Gappens stressed that tickets are still available for both NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at the Granite State oval, by calling (603) 783-4931. Specific seats can be requested through Feb. 1. After that date, all seats will be released to the public. Guests can also visit www.nhms.com for tickets and more information.

Ganassi Hopes To Improve On "Pathetic" 2011

Chip Ganassi pulled no punches Tuesday, calling his team’s 2011 performance “pathetic.”

Earnhardt Ganassi Racing driver Juan Pablo Montoya finished a disappointing 21^st in Sprint Cup Series point last year, with only two Top-5 finishes in 36 starts. Teammate Jamie McMurray fared even worse. After winning three of the circuit’s most prestigious races the previous season, McMurray floundered badly in 2011, recording only two Top-10 finishes en route to 27^th in points. 

That kind of performance is far below Ganassi’s usual standards. On the second day of the annual NASCAR Sprint Media Tour, the veteran NASCAR and IZOD IndyCar team owner called last season "pathetic for a team of our ability and our resources." The team made a number of major personnel moves during the offseason, firing longtime Competition Director Steve Hmiel and team manager Tony Glover in late November. Hmiel had spent 11 years with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. before joining EGR when the teams merged operations in late 2008. Glover had been with the team since Ganassi joined NASCAR in 2000 by purchasing the former SABCO Racing. 

It remains to be seen whether EGR can regain in 2010 form, and Ganassi dismissed talk of expanding to a three-car effort yesterday, saying that even if sponsorship were available, his team is not sufficiently competitive to justify the move. 

There are bright spots for EGR, however. Despite a still-lagging economy that has major organizations like Roush Fenway Racing scrambling for sponsorship. Both Montoya and McMurray are fully sponsored for 2012. The team debuted McMurray’s new Belkin, LiftMaster and Banana Boat-sponsored Chevrolets Tuesday, as that trio of new backers prepares to join Bass Pro Shops and McDonald’s as sponsors of McMurray’s No. 1 entry. Target will return as major sponsor of Montoya’s No. 42 Chevrolet.

Sadler Hoping For Daytona 500 Start

Elliott Sadler confirmed today that talks are underway to put him in a Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet for the 2012 Daytona 500.

“I’ve said before if I got chance to be in competitive Cup car again, I would jump at the chance,” said Sadler in an exclusive interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody. “Richard Childress and I have had some conversations, but what we really need is sponsorship, We’re getting close to getting that done, but there’s nothing done yet. I can’t confirm anything right now, but I am damn sure pulling for it to happen.”

RCR will field full-time Sprint Cup Series entries in 2012 for drivers Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick and Paul Menard, but has an additional guaranteed starting spot in the first five races of this season; earned a year ago by Clint Bowyer’s #33 Chevrolet. Sadler is expected to wheel the #33, if a financial backer can be found.

The Emporia, Virginia driver said he is confident in his ability to race and win at Daytona, if the opportunity presents itself. “Look back over my last 10 Daytona 500 starts, and I don’t think there are many drivers with better average finishes than I have. Jeff Gordon may be the only one. I’ve had a lot of Top-5 and Top-10 finishes there, and I’ve been close to winning the 500 a couple of times. I really enjoy that race and I want to be a part of it. Maybe I can even earn a spot in the All Star race at the same time!”

Sadler said he is excited to open the season at Daytona, and as high hopes of contending once again for the Nationwide Series championship. “Even if we don’t run the 500, I’m exciting about my chances to win the Nationwide race. We’ve got a cool, new One Main Financial paint scheme, a new race team, a new race shop… a lot of good things going on right now.”

ModSpace Signs With Front Row Motorsports

Modular construction provider ModSpace will partner with Front Row Motorsports in the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for a multi-race primary sponsorship and season-long associate sponsorship of the No. 38 Ford, driven by David Gilliland. The No. 34 Ford, driven by David Ragan, will also carry an associate sponsorship from ModSpace for the full season.

The new partnership expands an existing business relationship between the Berwyn, Penn.-based company and Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins. ModSpace is currently working with Jenkins' quick-service restaurant company to build new Taco Bell/Long John Silver's locations.

"I've been impressed with ModSpace and their modular construction concepts and the experience they bring to the table," Jenkins said. "Our companies share some of the same ideals, so it's a natural fit to team up. I'm excited they're going to partner with us on the racetrack now, too."

The new motorsports partnership will help with another type of "building" - the continued growth of Jenkins' Sprint Cup team, which is coming off the best season in its young history. The first appearance of the No. 38 ModSpace Ford is scheduled for the April 14 race at Texas Motor Speedway. ModSpace is a provider of modular buildings, portable storage and services for temporary or permanent space needs. Building on more than 40 years of experience, ModSpace serves a diverse set of customers and markets - including commercial, construction, education, government, healthcare, industrial/energy and special events - through an extensive nationwide branch network throughout the United States and Canada.

"We are thrilled to partner with Front Row Motorsports for this upcoming Sprint Cup season," stated William Mann, Vice President of Motorsports for ModSpace. "In the modular construction business, we understand the importance of speed while still delivering a high-quality product, so this motorsports alignment is perfect for our business model. ModSpace looks forward to a great season from both the No. 38 and No. 34 teams."

FIRST LOOK! The New 2013 Ford Sprint Cup Car

Ford Motor Company is set to unveil its new, 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford Fusion; an all-new design that is much more stock-appearing than anything seen in NASCAR for many years. Take a look!

Notes From Media Tour: Logano Faces Pivotal Year

When Mark Martin tabs you as a can’t-miss prospect at the ripe old age of 15, there’s pressure.

When you dominate the NASCAR K&N Pro Series in your rookie season, winning five times in 13 starts en route to the series championship, expectations escalate.
When you finish ninth in your first career NASCAR Nationwide Series start, people notice.

When you win your next two Nationwide races against fields jam-packed with Sprint Cup Series talent, the spotlight shines even brighter.

When you’re promoted to the headline Sprint Cup Series, replacing a former series champion and are dubbed “Sliced Bread;” all before you’re old enough to shave, people expect a lot.

Unfortunately, for Joey Logano, the weight of expectation has become a heavy burden indeed. Now a NASCAR veteran at 21 years of age, the Middletown, Conn., driver faces what many see as a make-or-break season in the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing/Home Depot Toyota. During his four-year tenure with JGR, Logano has managed just one win in his 111 Sprint Cup starts; a rain-shortened victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2009. His best points finish was a 16th in 2010, and he faded to 24th last year, with just six Top-10 finishes along the way. Teammates Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch posted a combined 24 victories in that span, along with five Chase appearances and a near championship for Hamlin in 2010.

Logano’s crew chief, Greg Zipadelli, jumped ship during the off season to rejoin old friend Tony Stewart and fill the vacant Competition Director’s post at Stewart Haas Racing. Barring a breakthrough season in 2012, most believe Logano will be the next to go.

Yesterday, on Day One of the annual NASCAR Sprint Media Tour, Logano told reporters he feels the pressure to perform and understands that much is expected of him this season. He vowed to be a tougher, less easygoing driver in 2012, standing his ground and wrinking a competitor’s fender if necessary.

No more of the driver challenged by Zipadelli to “grow some balls and take care of it” by Zipadelli after being wrecked by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. last season at Martinsville.

No more smiling Joey. No more Mr. Nice Guy.

As the lights went out following JGR’s media reception, Logano tweeted, “Done with Media Day. It made me even more pumped about this year. #TakingNoPrisoners.”

Smoke Set For NatWide Run: Tony Stewart will look to extend his impressive NASCAR Nationwide Series win streak at Daytona International Speedway next month, driving a #33 Chevrolet fielded by Richard Childress Racing, with sponsorship from Oreos. Stewart has rolled to an Earnhardt-esque four consecutive Speedweeks Nationwide wins, and will rank as a heavy favorite for a fifth.

And Finally: The best quote of Media Tour to date came from always-colorful team owner Felix Sabates, who quipped, “I've had drivers who, with 40 laps to go, would get in the back (of the pack). One of them is doing TV now, with a wig." You figure it out!

Kyle Busch Just Can't Catch A Break

Kyle Busch has often been a lightning rod for controversy during his 11-year NASCAR career; never more so than at the end of the 2011 campaign. A crash with championship contender Ron Hornaday, Jr. under caution at Texas Motor Speedway on Nov. 4 resulted in him being “parked” by NASCAR from the weekend’s Nationwide and Sprint Cup events. Sponsor M&Ms elected not to take part in the Sprint Cup season finale at Homestead Miami Speedway, and Busch feared he would lose his job over the incident.

Now, Busch says he’ll be a new man in 2012. He has to be.

"If you keep getting in trouble, you're not going to be here very long,” said the Joe Gibbs Racing driver during yesterday’s opening day of the annual NASCAR Sprint Media Tour. “I'm trying to change something."

That will be unwelcome news to many of Busch’s most ardent fans, who embrace their driver as much for his renegade persona as his indisputable skills behind the wheel of a race car. They worry that toning down Busch’s off-track demeanor will impact his race day brilliance, turning one of NASCAR’s most polarizing personalities into just another corporate yes-man, smiling at the cameras and thanking God, Goodyear and Gatorade for a seventh-place finish and a good points day.

“I've got fans that tell me all the time they don't want to see me change," admitted Busch yesterday. "I've tried to keep that, but ultimately, it's not going to work."

No matter how he tries, however, Busch cannot seem to avoid controversy. He was back on the hot seat again yesterday, when reporters asked about his new NASCAR Nationwide Series team. Busch confirmed recently that he will not race on the Camping World Truck Series this season; a change made at the request of JGR. He will, however, split a season of Nationwide Series competition with elder brother Kurt, driving a Monster Energy-sponsored Toyota out of his own Kyle Busch Motorsports stable. While that partnership was approved in advance by JGR President J.D. Gibbs, team owner Joe Gibbs pulled no punches in expressing his unhappiness with the arrangement.

"I will say that I was not in that meeting, or we would not be doing this," said Gibbs. "These two (Busch and J.D. Gibbs) got together and somehow, we are now racing against him."

No matter how hard he tries to toe the line, Kyle Busch just can’t catch a break.

Blake Shelton To Perform At Sprint All Star Race

Blake Shelton, three-time GRAMMY nominee, CMA’s reigning Male Vocalist of the Year and a coach on NBC’s “The Voice,” will perform a pre-race concert for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, May 19, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Presented by Target, the concert will take place in the infield between Turns 1 and 2. Admission to the show is free with the purchase of a ticket to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.

“I cannot wait to help kick-off one of the biggest all-star events in pro sports, the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway,” said Shelton. “We’re going to party!”

Fans can purchase a special Golden Ticket upgrade for just $20 to secure a prime location with special access to a reserved area directly in front of the stage. Charlotte Motor Speedway Season Ticket holders will have first opportunity to purchase the upgrade before it opens to the public on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at noon. Approximately 2,000 Golden Tickets are available and can be purchased online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267).

Shelton came on the music scene in 2001 when he released his debut single “Austin.” The song quickly rose to the number one spot on Billboard’s Country Music chart. Since then the Oklahoma native has gone on to record nine more number one hits including “Ol’ Red,” “The Baby,” “All About Tonight,” “Honey Bee” and his most recent, “God Gave Me You.” His newest single “Drink On It,” the third release off of his sixth studio album “Red River Blue,” is already a top 20 hit.

In addition to winning back-to-back honors as CMA Awards’ Male Vocalist of the Year, Shelton was named Favorite Country Male Artist by the American Music Awards, and is currently nominated for three GRAMMY Awards; Best Country Solo Performance, Best Country Song and Best Country Album.

Shelton is currently on his sold-out “Well Lit & Amplified 2012” tour, running through March. He can also be seen on NBC’s hit show “The Voice” as a musician coach, alongside fellow stars Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine.

In February, Shelton will perform a duet of “America the Beautiful” with his wife, GRAMMY award-winning artist, Miranda Lambert, at Super Bowl XLVI.

Danica Will Skip 2012 Indy 500

Danica Patrick solidified her commitment to being a full-time NASCAR driver this season, announcing that she will bypass the 2012 Indianapolis 500 in favor of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Speaking during the Opening Day of NASCAR’s annual Preseason NASCAR Sprint Media Tour, Patrick confirmed that the Coca-Cola 600 will be included in her limited, 10-race schedule of Sprint Cup starts with Stewart Haas Racing this season. She will also make a full championship effort on the NASCAR Nationwide Series, driving the No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet for JR Motorsports. In order to run the Coke 600 at Charlotte, Patrick will not compete in the IZOD IndyCar Series’ showcase event the same day. She has recorded six Top-10 finishes in seven career Indianapolis 500 starts, including a career-best third in 2009 for Andretti Green Racing.

Stewart said the decision to skip Indy was Patrick’s alone, adding, “We didn't tell her she couldn't run the 500." Stewart hailed the decision as a sign of her commitment to NASCAR and her new career in stock cars.

While admitting that Top-20 finishes are a reasonable expectation for her first part-time season of Sprint cup competition, Patrick said she believes she can contend for the win in next month’s Daytona 500 in her first-ever series start. New Stewart Haas Racing Competition Director Greg Zipadelli confirmed Patrick will have a guaranteed starting spot in the “Great American Race,” but declined to say how that position will be obtained. Team owner and defending series champion Tony Stewart could transfer his 2011 owner points to Patrick and rely on a Past Champion’s Provisional for the first five races of the season, or obtain owner points from another Top-35 team.

The 29-year old Patrick said she hopes to run the Indianapolis 500 again one day, adding, "I hope to do it in the future, and maybe it will be a double.”

Photo credit: UPI/Michael Bush/LANDOV

Gordon Wins NMPA Speedway Motorsports Spirit Award

Jeff Gordon is the recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association Speedway Motorsports Spirit Award for 2011 for his work with children’s health issues. Gordon was one of four quarterly winners of the award, before being chosen by NMPA members as the overall winner for the year.

The NMPA Spirit Award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. Gordon has always taken an interest in children’s health issues through his Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation Pediatric Cancer Treatment Research, but those efforts expanded in 2011.

Gordon brought a hands-on approach to his work with children this summer. Working with the Clinton Global Initiative, Gordon traveled to a refugee camp in the Congo in July in an effort aid with health issues. He witnessed first-hand what children in the area face and offered his personal assistance to the program.

Other quarterly winners for 2011 included JTG Daugherty Racing, which was honored in the first quarter. Driver Bobby Labonte and his team embraced a six-year old girl seeking a bone marrow donor, as well as others needing similar transplants. The team visited her in the hospital and placed her photo and the "www.getswabbed.org” website on their #47 Toyota during the 2011 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway, in an effort to raise awareness for both her fight and the need for donors overall.

Jamie McMurray was recognized in the second quarter. Personally impacted by the tornadoes that devastated his hometown of Joplin, Mo., McMurray got involved with raising awareness and funds through promotion of Convoy of Hope, then visited the area and met with residents in an effort to raise spirits.

Greg Biffle was the fourth-quarter recipient. Biffle teamed with several partners to provide Charlotte-area children the opportunity to receive free dental care during the October race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Give Kids A Smile program was aimed at helping more than 200 young fans.

Stewart Named NMPA Driver of the Year

Tony Stewart put together one of the most exciting NASCAR Sprint Cup seasons in recent history, riding a late wave of success to win his third series championship.
Not only did he top the Sprint Cup championship race, but he has also been named the winner of the NMPA Richard Petty Driver of the Year award.

It’s the third time the membership of the National Motorsports Press Association has voted Stewart as the winner of the award, which has been presented annually since 1969. The announcement was made Sunday during the NMPA’s annual convention in Charlotte, N.C.

“It’s an honor to have earned the 2011 NMPA Richard Petty Driver of the Year award,” Stewart said. “Everyone at Stewart-Haas Racing took the opportunity we had of being in the Chase and made the most of it. We took each race one at a time and never quit. It made all the difference. This award is as much theirs as it is mine.”

During the 2011 season, Stewart earned a series-leading five wins, all during the Chase for the Sprint Cup. He posted 19 top-10 finishes, nine of them top fives.

Stewart also won this honor in 2002 and 2005. Also receiving votes were Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch.

Determined by vote of the membership, the Richard Petty Driver of the Year award has been presented annually since 1969 to recognize the season’s most outstanding driver. It is named in honor of NASCAR’s all-time leader in Cup victories.

Past Richard Petty Driver of the Year Winners
2011 -- Tony Stewart
2010 -- Jimmie Johnson
2009 -- Jimmie Johnson
2008 -- Carl Edwards
2007 -- Jimmie Johnson
2006 -- Jimmie Johnson
2005 -- Tony Stewart
2004 -- Jimmie Johnson
2003 -- Ryan Newman
2002 -- Tony Stewart
2001 -- Kevin Harvick
2000 -- Bobby Labonte
1999 -- Dale Jarrett
1998 -- Jeff Gordon
1997 -- Dale Jarrett
1996 -- Terry Labonte
1995 -- Jeff Gordon
1994 -- Dale Earnhardt
1993 -- Rusty Wallace
1992 -- Davey Allison
1991 -- Harry Gant
1990 -- Dale Earnhardt
1989 -- Mark Martin
1988 -- Rusty Wallace
1987 -- Dale Earnhardt
1986 -- Tim Richmond/Dale Earnhardt
1985 -- Bill Elliott
1984 -- Terry Labonte
1983 -- Bobby Allison
1982 -- Darrell Waltrip
1981 -- Darrell Waltrip
1980 -- Dale Earnhardt
1979 -- Cale Yarborough
1978 -- Cale Yarborough
1977 -- Cale Yarborough
1976 -- Darrell Waltrip
1975 -- Richard Petty
1974 -- Richard Petty
1973 -- David Pearson
1972 -- Bobby Allison
1971 -- Bobby Allison
1970 -- Bobby Isaac
1969 -- LeeRoy Yarbrough

Carmichael: "Rug Pulled Out From Under" In KBM/Monster Energy Deal

Multi-time AMA motocross and supercross champion-turned NASCAR driver Ricky Carmichael says he is uncertain of his plans for 2012, after sponsor Monster Energy elected to back brothers Kyle and Kurt Busch in a new NASCAR Nationwide Series effort.

In an exclusive interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s SiriusXM Speedway with Dave Moody, Carmichael said he initially was assured the Monster Energy sponsorship would remain with him in 2012, and that the 20 NASCAR Nationwide Series races announced yesterday for Kurt Busch would be his.

“I had a handshake with the CEO of Monster Energy,” revealed Carmichael. “But the weekend of Texas (Motor Speedway), it went away. We were good to go, but when Kyle had his issue (at Texas), it all went sideways.” Carmichael said he believes his shot at retaining the Monster Energy sponsorship disappeared for good when Kurt Busch parted company with Penske Racing after the conclusion of the 2011 campaign.

“Kyle sent (Monster) a letter asking if they were interested (in joining KBM),” he said. “When they got that letter, it put a bug in their ear.” He said he was initially supposed to be a part of those plans, but eventually learned he was just one of many drivers under consideration. “I think Kyle talked to eight different drivers, counting me,” he said. “Unfortunately, I didn’t know that. I let Turner Motorsports know we probably wouldn’t be coming back (in 2012), but once Texas happened, things changed. I think I stayed in the mix (with KBM) only because of Monster. I don’t think I ever had Kyle’s approval. He was looking at seven or eight other guys. It’s not like he was texting me every day saying, `I really want you to race for me.'”

Gradually, Carmichael said he realized KBM was not the right place for him.

“It wasn’t right,” he said. “It felt forced, but I felt it was disrespectful to Monster (to turn the deal down). I just go about racing a different way (than they do). KBM doesn’t represent what I represent; the Ricky Carmichael brand.”

Carmichael said he feared his image would suffer from signing with Busch, adding, “I had a feeling that if I went there, I would lose fans. I was afraid people would say, `I used to like Ricky Carmichael, but now I don’t because he races for Kyle.’ I felt it wasn’t right for me. I need everything to be positive, and nothing negative.

“I have no disrespect for Kyle Busch,” insisted Carmichael. “He’s a heck of a driver and he’s going to win a lot of races. I haven’t really come close to winning in NASCAR, so I’ve got no leg to stand on. I can’t complain about the decision. (Kyle and I) just have a different way of racing.”

Carmichael said he maintains a friendly relationship with Monster Energy, and could continue with them in some capacity this season. “I have no issues with Monster whatsoever,” he said. “I’ll be a part of their family forever. I feel like I played a huge (role) in bringing Monster to NASCAR in the first place. They gave me the money and said, `Go find your best NASCAR deal.’ We won two or three Supercross titles together, and two or three outdoor championships. They gave me some awesome opportunities over the years. I have nothing bad to say about them, they’ve been behind me 100% and always will be.”

The former supercross champion said that while he is trying to assemble a limited schedule of NASCAR racing for this season, his involvement will be “somewhat limited. It’s tough when you get the rug pulled out from under you in late December,” he said. “There’s not much to fall back on. It’s going to take some time to get things nailed down again, but hopefully, we can come back in 2013 and do it right.

“Things happen for a reason,” said Carmichael. “Hopefully, this will open up some other avenues for me.”

Turn One Racing Announces Sprint Cup Effort

Turn One Racing announced today that it will field a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car in 2012, starting with the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, March 4th. The team is building on the experience earned over the last three years of competition in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, where the team earned a ninth-place finish in the 2011 championship standings with driver Cole Whitt.

“This is a great opportunity for Turn One Racing,” said team owner Stacy Compton. “It has always been our objective to grow the team and this is the next step in that plan. We have a great group of partners behind us and I feel like we are taking all the right steps to build a very competitive Sprint Cup team.”

Compton’s team has purchased cars from Richard Childress Racing and plans are in the works to race 8-10 events in their freshman year. The team will not attempt to compete in the season-opening Daytona 500, beginning instead at Phoenix and continuing each week thereafter. “We have partnered with one of our long-time supporters to run a handful of races this year," he said. "We’re also working on additional sponsorship that would enable us to run more races throughout the year.”

The team is also in the process of putting together a full-season program for the No. 60 NASCAR Camping World Truck, with drivers, crew chiefs and sponsors for both teams to be announced at a later date.

Compton founded Turn One Racing in 2006 to develop and promote young drivers of exceptional talent in the late model divisions across the Southeast. In 2009, the team expanded its involvement by purchasing the highly successful Wyler Racing NASCAR Camping World Car Series team, which had claimed three wins, 20 top-five, and 35 top-10 finishes in 90 starts. Since rebranding as Turn One Racing, the team has captured two pole positions, two additional top-five and 14 top-10 finishes in 47 starts. The company is based in China Grove, North Carolina.

Regan Smith Goes NASCAR Off-Roading

Within the span of one week, Regan Smith drove his No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway and also on the ski slopes of Telluride, Colo.

Why was the 28-year-old Smith, dressed in his Furniture Row firesuit, driving a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car at 9,000 feet above sea level on icy, snow-packed roads? It had nothing to do with last week's test session in preparation for the season-opening Daytona 500. Instead, the Telluride outing was designed to create footage for Warren Miller Entertainment's annual ski movie. The Telluride shoot was one of a number of locations around the world that will be utilized for the 2012 ski classic, which is scheduled for an October premiere.

Riding along with Smith in the race car, which was equipped with a ski rack and studded snow tires, was national and world tour freeskiing champion Jess McMillan.
"It's an interesting story why I was driving with Jess McMillan up a mountain," said Smith this week. "I can't say more about it until the movie is released. The conditions were tricky and the car was a handful to drive at times. It was a blast, but I did have my moments. Let's just say that the car didn't leave Telluride dent free."

McMillan, who has had her share of excitement in a success-filled freeskiing career, experienced a new thrill as a passenger in the Furniture Row Chevrolet. "There is nothing like riding in a race car," she said. "When Regan started his engine, my heart rate skyrocketed. I had a blast working with Regan and the Furniture Row team. It was an experience I will never forget. Car 78 looked so cool with a ski rack on its roof driving through snow-covered mountain passes. I can't wait to go to my first race."

NASCAR Acceleration Weekend Kicks Off Tonight!

Charlotte, NC, becomes the epicenter of NASCAR Acceleration Weekend this week, culminating tonight when the NASCAR Hall of Fame inducts its third class. Inductees include the late Richie Evans, Dale Inman, Glen Wood, Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough, who will take their place among the sport's elite tonight at the Charlotte Convention Center's Crown Ballroom beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Yarborough was the first driver to win three consecutive NASCAR premier series championships, from 1976-78. During his three-year dominance, Yarborough won a total of 28 races; nine in 1976, nine in '77 and 10 in '78. His final championship points margin in those three years was never fewer than 195 points and was as much as 474 in 1978. He racked up 83 victories in his 31-year career; ranking him sixth all-time. He won the prestigious Daytona 500 four times -- 1968, 1977, 1983, 1984 -- second only to Richard Petty's seven wins. He was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.

Waltrip is a three-time champion of NASCAR's Cup series, after claiming top honors in 1981, 1982 and 1985; all three with legendary car owner and fellow Hall Of Famer Junior Johnson. Waltrip is tied with Bobby Allison and Jeff Gordon for third in all-time series victories He won the 1989 Daytona 500 in a Rick Hendrick-owned Chevrolet and is currently a commentator on FOX's NASCAR broadcasts. He was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.

Inman served as crew chief for NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty for nearly three decades, and set records for most wins (193) and championships (eight) by a crew chief. He won seven titles with Petty (1964, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1979), and an eighth championship with Terry Labonte in 1984.

The recognized "king" of Modified racing, Evans captured nine NASCAR Modified titles in a 13-year span, including eight in a row from 1978 to 1985. In the first year of the current NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour format in 1985, Evans won 12 races, including a sweep of all four events at Thompson, Conn. Evans ranked No. 1 in the 2003 voting of the NASCAR All-Time Modified Top 10 Drivers, and he was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.

Wood laid the foundation for the famed Wood Brothers racing team as a driver in NASCAR's premier series. Competing mostly at tracks near his southern Virginia home, Wood won four times at the legendary Bowman-Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. He is best known for his collaboration with brothers Leonard and Delano in Wood Brothers Racing. The Virginia-based team dates to 1950 and remains active, with a total of 98 Cup Series victories, including last year's Daytona 500 with driver Trevor Bayne.

This weekend's NASCAR Preview 2012 Presented by Sprint kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday with NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series drivers signing autographs in the ballroom and Exhibit Hall:

Driver Appearance Times (Ballroom)
9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. - Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth
10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson
11:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. - Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski
12:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. - Greg Biffle
12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman
2:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. - Dale Earnhardt Jr., Juan Pablo Montoya
3:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. - Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart

Driver Appearance Times (Exhibit Hall)
9 a.m. - 11 a.m. - AJ Allmendinger, Jeff Burton, Bobby Labonte, Joey Logano, Mark Martin, Jamie McMurray, Casey Mears, David Ragan, Justin Allgaier, Jeffrey Earnhardt, Timmy Hill, Blake Koch, Travis Pastrana, Timothy Peters

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Marcos Ambrose, Clint Bowyer, Paul Menard, Regan Smith, Brian Vickers, Aric Almirola, Trevor Bayne, Brian Scott, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Brad Sweet, Cale Gale, Justin Lofton, Todd Peck

12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Michael Annett, Elliott Sadler, Mike Wallace, Dakoda Armstrong, Johnny Sauter, Parker Kligerman, Brian Keselowski, Michael Waltrip, Jason Leffler, Todd Bodine

2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Danica Patrick, Martin Truex Jr., Austin Dillon, Morgan Shepherd, Kenny Wallace, Joey Coulter, Ty Dillon, Brendan Gaughan, Tim George Jr., Max Gresham

MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will provide live coverage of tonight's Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, with live coverage anchored by Barney Hall and Joe Moore beginning 7:30 p.m. ET. SPEED will present tape-delayed coverage on on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. ET,

Busch Brothers Team For Monster Nationwide Effort

Kyle Busch will compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series this season, driving a new #54 Toyota Camry fielded by his own Kyle Busch Motorsports team with sponsorship from Monster Energy.

The effort will be a family affair, with big brother Kurt sharing the seat in the car. Kyle announced moments ago that he will run between 13 and 15 Nationwide races in the Monster Energy Toyota, with Kurt running the balance of the schedule. Kyle is scheduled to run the first four races of 2012 – through Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, before yielding the wheel to Kurt. Kurt Busch will run the Nationwide restrictor plate races at Daytona and Talladega in the #1 Chevrolet fielded by James Finch’s Phoenix Racing. Neither driver will be eligible for the Nationwide Series championship – since both will compete for points on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series – but have targeted the 2012 owner’s championship as a major goal.

Kyle Busch said fielding an entry on the Nationwide Series has been a goal of his since chartering KBM in 2010. “With today’s announcement of Monster Energy as a primary sponsor and my brother Kurt as the second driver, we’ve accomplished that goal. (We) will settle for nothing less than adding a NASCAR Nationwide Series championship to the list.”

Kurt Busch said he is impressed with the job his brother has done with KBM, adding, “I’m proud to be a part of it. He won a Truck Series championship in his first year, and his team has kept on winning ever since. Now, it’s moving to the Nationwide Series, where the bar will remain high. His expectations are the same as mine, and we know each other better than anyone. We’re driven to win, and with Monster Energy driving us, we’ll be a tough team to beat.”

Veteran crew chief Mike Beam will be atop the pit box for the Busch Brothers, after winning eight Nationwide Series races a year ago with Carl Edwards at Roush Fenway Racing. “I am excited to join the KBM team and to have Monster Energy as our sponsor,” said Beam. “Kyle and Kurt are two of the best drivers in NASCAR. To contend for the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Owner’s championship with Monster Energy and to have all of the elements in place to make a great team, you cannot help being excited to be a part of this.”

Pena, Hattori Team For K&N East Bid

Sergio Pena announced today that he will drive the No. 1 Toyota Camry for Hattori Racing Enterprises on the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.

The 18-year old Winchester, VA native will enter his third season on the K&N Pro Series East, after previously being part of NASCAR's Drive For Diversity program with Revolution Racing. The highlight of his career to date came in his NASCAR debut, when he beat Sprint Cup driver Joey Logano for the pole and finished second in the 2010 Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale (CA) Speedway; his first time in a K&N Pro Series car. Last season, he scored three wins and seven Top-10 finishes in 12 series starts, finishing fifth in the championship point standings.

“I am so excited for this opportunity,” said Pena, a freshman at Radford University. “I couldn’t be more thankful to Shige and the best group of guys behind me such as Matt Goslant and Andy Santerre. We all work together very well and with them behind me, I know we will definitely be one of the teams to beat this year.”

Hattori Racing Enterprises was formed in 2005, but will compete full-time on a NASCAR touring series for the first time this season. Owner Shigeaki Hattori is a championship-winning former racer, who earned the Formula Toyota title in 1994 before competing in the Indy Racing League’s Indy Light and IndyCar Series. He also drove a number of races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Born in Okayama, Japan, Hattori currently resides in Cornelius, NC, and said, "People are the key to the organization’s success. If you hire the right people with knowledge and experience, success will follow.” Four-time K&N Pro Series East Champion Andy Santerre will manage the operation, along with former West Series champion crew chief Matt Goslant, who led Pena's effort a year ago.

“I am excited to be working with Sergio again this season,” said Goslant, a Northfield, VT native. "He has the talent to be a champion and we are a good team together. We communicate well and he trusts me to put the car under him. He gives me 100%, and I could not ask for anything more in a driver.”

HRE will field Toyota Camrys with manufacturer support from Toyota Racing Development.



HRE is located in a state-of-the-art building owned by Germain Racing in Mooresville, NC and was designed by Hattori so he could continue to enjoy American stock car racing while developing young, talented drivers.

Here's Something For John The Masked Marvel

Ryan Blaney Inks Nationwide Schedule With TBR

Tommy Baldwin Racing has signed third-generation driver Ryan Blaney to compete in a limited schedule of events on the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series. The 18-year old Blaney will drive the No. 36 SealWrap Repair Tape Chevrolet in six events this season, beginning with his debut on April 27 at Richmond International Raceway. Blaney will also run six NASCAR K&N Pro Series races in his family-owned DB Racing No. 10 SealWrap Repair Tape/Heavy Duty machine, beginning at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 17. Trent Owens will return as crew chief for the K&N Pro Series effort.

Blaney, son of Tommy Baldwin Racing Sprint Cup Series driver Dave Blaney, made a combined three starts last season in the Nationwide K&N East and West Series, winning in his third start and capturing his inaugural NASCAR victory at Phoenix International Raceway. Blaney also won the 2011 PASS South Super Late Model championship and found success in the ARCA Racing Series where he finished in the top-10 in his two starts.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to run a mix of K&N and Nationwide races this season,” said Blaney. “We were really competitive in the K&N Series last year, and I think we will be even more competitive this year. Hopefully, we will have an opportunity to win all six races. We will have good equipment racing with TBR. It will be great to race with and learn from the Nationwide guys. To be able to run on bigger tracks will be a good learning experience, too. I’m grateful that SealWrap is supporting my progression in NASCAR and really excited to work with them throughout the season.”

The 2012 campaign will mark TBR’s fourth season of competition. It began as a part time, single-car Sprint Cup team in 2009 and developed into a top-35 team by 2011. This year, TBR plans to compete with two Cup teams. The new Nationwide effort effort will expand the team's driver development program in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour; working toward an ultimate goal of increasing the number of races in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series schedules, pending sponsorship.

“We are really looking forward to restarting our Nationwide program, as we have had much success in the past in that series,” said Baldwin. “Watching Ryan the last few years, we are excited to get to the track and see him perform. As we look to the future, this Nationwide program is a stepping stone for the Cup program, and we are excited to start with Ryan.”

Blaney will join his father at TBR this season, and the elder Blaney said he is excited about the opportunity. “I’m proud that Ryan is making the next step in his racing career,” he said. “I think it is a great opportunity for him to run with TBR and still run some races in the K&N Series. He has learned very quickly in every series he has driven, so I am anticipating what competing in the Nationwide Series brings. Thanks to SealWrap and Heavy Duty, who have stepped up their programs as Ryan has moved through the ranks. It’s really refreshing to build a relationship with companies at this level and be able to grow together.”

Ryan Blaney’s Racing Schedule:
March 17th – NKNSE – Bristol Motor Speedway
April 26th – NKNSE – Richmond International Raceway
April 27th – NNS – Richmond International Raceway
May 11th – NNS – Darlington Raceway
May 19th – NKNPSE – Iowa Speedway
June 29th – NNS – Kentucky Speedway
July 28th – NNS – Indianapolis Motor Speedway
August 3rd – NKNPSE – Iowa Speedway
August 24th – NNS – Bristol Motor Speedway
September 28th – NKNPSE – Dover International Speedway
October 12th – NNS – Charlotte Motor Speedway
November 10th – NKNPSW – Phoenix International Raceway