2002 Daytona Champion making NCWTS debut at Daytona International Speedway

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Hillman Racing today on January 26th that 2002 Daytona 500 Champion Ward Burton will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut behind the wheel of the No. 27 Hillman Racing Chevrolet with funding from State Waters Heaters in next month’s season-opening NextEra 250 at Daytona International Speedway. Hillman Racing is making its NASCAR debut this season, but the organization is anything but new to the sport.  Team owner Mike Hillman Sr. played a key role in the founding of Germain Racing and was the architect of the group’s two NASCAR championships in 2006 and 2010. Hillman acquired the championship-winning NASCAR Camping World Truck Series assets following the conclusion of the 2011 season and is set to embark as the owner and general manager of Hillman Racing for the 2012 season.

In 375 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts, Burton has posted fives wins, seven poles and 24 top-five and 82 top-10 finishes. Burton also has four NASCAR Nationwide Series victories, seven poles, 23 top-five and 50 top-10 finishes in 161 starts.

In addition to Burton, a driver development program is being established for Jeb Burton, the 19-year-old son of Ward. Since making his last NASCAR start, Burton has been using that time to focus on helping his son Jeb develop his racing career and his conservation efforts with The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation. Being the son of NASCAR’s 2002 Daytona 500 winner, it would be natural to think that Jeb Burton would have the hope of someday becoming a professional race car driver like his dad. Jeb has been racing since he was a kid, starting in go- karts and racing his way through the ranks in ASA and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, and now at 19, he is ready to step into one of NASCAR’s top tier racing series with Hillman Racing in No. 27 Chevrolet Silverado, sporting the same number that he has been racing in his Late Model division.

 Source: Hillman Press Release

Richard Petty Motorsports forms new Nationwide team

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Richard Petty Motorsports announced today the formation of a new NASCAR Nationwide Series team with driver Michael Annett and his long-time partner Pilot Flying J. The team will be run out of RPM’s Concord, N.C. race shop and will vie for the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship.

Annett, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, comes to Richard Petty Motorsports after spending last season at Rusty Wallace, Inc. He has posted 13 top-10 finishes in 105 Nationwide Series starts and drove to a ninth-place finish in the championship points standings last season.

Born into a family with a rich racing heritage, Annett began his own racing career in 2007 competing in the ARCA Series. In only his fourth start, Annett drove his Pilot Travel Centers machine to victory lane at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. He drove to victory once again in the ARCA Series the next season at Daytona International Speedway and also piloted an entry in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in eight events that season. In 2009, he moved to the Nationwide Series with Germain Racing and posted four top-10 finishes en route to a 10th-place effort in the point standings. He remained at Germain through 2010 and in 2011 competed for RWI.

Source: RPM Press Release

NASCAR CEO Brian France says NASCAR is in a good place

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(Left to right) Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO, speaks with the media as NASCAR President Mike Helton looks on during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway on Thursday. Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR

In his State of NASCAR remarks delivered during the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway on Thursday, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said, “The sport is in a very good place and we’re going to work even harder to achieve the very best things for the sport of NASCAR well into the future.”

France pointed to initiatives begun a year ago – a simplified points structure in all three national series and a “Wild Card” twist in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ that placed a greater emphasis on race victories – which culminated in what France called “a championship battle that will be talked about for decades to come.”

While the 2012 season will be one of continuity rather than major change, NASCAR will introduce electronic fuel injection into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and implement rules designed to restore traditional “pack racing” at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.

France also said the sanctioning body continues to operate on a more collaborative method of maintaining and growing the industry by taking into consideration the thoughts and needs of teams, tracks, media partners and especially its fans. “The goal of this effort is to help us better serve our great fans, grow our audience and ensure that our sport stays relevant, vibrant and highly-valuable to sponsors and other partners critical to the health of NASCAR,” said France.

France said the organization is “very encouraged” by increased television ratings across its three national series – NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He also pointed to attendance gains at a number of venues. “While we are still in a tough economic climate that is still difficult, we are pleased with some positive steps we saw last year,” he said.

France and Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s vice president, competition and racing development, touched on how EFI and the introduction in 2013 of re-styled NASCAR Sprint Cup cars from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and Toyota will make the sport more relevant to manufacturers and technology companies.

Ford earlier this week unveiled its 2013 Fusion prototype with the other OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to follow in the near future. A closed test of the cars is scheduled early next month with additional testing to follow before final specifications are drawn.

Source: NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications Release

NASCAR lesson 101: EFI and Sunoco Green E15

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So 2012 is going to be an interesting year with the new Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI). In this article I will be answering these two questions:

How is Sunoco E15 made?

What exactly is EFI?

SUNOCO GREEN E15

Farmers in the United States harvest corn throughout our country. Kind of ironic seeming how some of the top NASCAR drivers in the past started by outrunning the law while running Moonshine… which is made out of corn. It’s actually the world’s number one producer. It helps put the American farmers back to work and helps to promote energy independence.

With that all said, Sunoco announced last season that it was going to supply NASCAR with a high-performance fuel for the 2011 season. Sunoco® Green E15 is a highly oxygenated unleaded race fuel that contains 15 volume percent ethanol (hence fuel has a 15 percent ethanol blend) Because it contains more oxygen than most fuels, fuel system changes may be needed to extract peak performance from Green E15. Sunoco Green E15 contains a comprehensive additive package that helps keep fuel systems clean, enhances shelf life and reduces fuel system deposits. The cautionary risks remain as with those of any type of racing fuel. This fuel is extremely flammable liquid and vapor. It contains material or materials that can cause cancer.

To limit problems with condensation, Sunoco distributes the Green E15 blend to race teams from on-site tankers that travel to each and every NASCAR event throughout the season.

The grain ethanol is then moved to the Sunoco refinery in Marcus Hook, PA where it is blended with gasoline to create the Sunoco Green E15, the high-performance racing fuel.

The process – Ethanol Conversion

An ethanol production facility processes the corn into grain ethanol using the latest, most efficient ethanol production technologies that have made American ethanol a viable energy source. It goes from Storage (where it’s grounded into a flour-type substance) < Fermentation (Enzymes and heat are added) > Distillation (Enzymes and heat are added) > Sustainable Power > to the market.

Sunoco Green E15 is used at all NASCAR tracks while increasing horsepower and decreased greenhouse gas emissions.

A side view of an engine that was used during NASCAR Electronic Fuel Injection testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 17, 2011. Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images for NASCAR

ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION

The carburetor on NASCAR Sprint Cup Series engines mixed Sunoco Green E15 and air together to power the engines. Guess what? That’s the exact purpose of the EFI. Instead of mixing Sunoco Green E15 and air together in the carburetor, multiple port EFI efficiently injects fuel into each intake runner and mixes it with the air from the throttle body. A collection of sensors and a Freescale/McLaren Electronic Control Unit (ECU) provide maximum performance and engine efficiency.

NASCAR will still require EFI engines to use a restrictor plate at Talladega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway. The plate will be placed beneath the Holley EFI throttle body and limit the amount of air made available to the engine. Unlike carburetored engines, Sunoco Green E15 will not pass through the restrictor plate openings.

Crew Chiefs and engine technicians will be receiving data directly from the Freescale/McLaren ECU. Once the race is started, the EFI technology constantly makes adjustments, eliminating the need for teams to monitor the data in real time.

KEY PARTS

Freescale/McLaren Electronic Control Unit (ECU) – The brain of the EFI system that receives data from sensors to determine the amount of fuel to inject into the engine and when to fire the spark plugs.

Holley EFI Throttle Body – The only thing passing through this part is air, despite being similar in appearance to a carburetor. Four air valves are actuated by stainless steel throttle shafts, throttle levers and linkage designed for the extreme NASCAR racing environment.

BOSCH O2 Sensors – These sensors provide the ECU with key data so the system can adjust the air/fuel ratio to maximize horsepower and engine performance. Other network of sensors provide the ECU operating information at a rate of up to 100 times per second.

Fuel Injectors – Each cylinder has it’s own injector that precisely sprays Sunoco Green E15 into the engine for ignition.

Ignition Coils – Eight individual ignition coils send electricity to the spark plugs making distributors obsolete.

Spark Plugs – Use electricity from the coils to ignite the Sunoco Green E15 and air mixture.

Sources: Google, Sunoco Racing Fuels, NASCARMedia, R&D Research

NASCAR Preview ’12 big hit among race fans, media

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Rutledge Wood carries on a Q & A Session with Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski at the NASCAR Preview '12 in Charlotte, NC.

This was my second time visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame located in Uptown Charlotte. Actually, this past weekend was the inaugural NASCAR Preview 2012 Presented by Sprint at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Charlotte Convention Center that actually brought me there.

First off, I was a little confused as to why Charlotte-onians called Downtown, Uptown? So, I asked some local race fans and did some research and found it to be quite interesting.

There is much confusion brought about by the use of the terms “Uptown” and “Downtown” for Charlotte’s center city area. The history of the dual names is contested, yet prior to the mid-late 1980s, the term “Downtown” was used by residents, media and city leaders for the center city. As “history” has it, during the 1980s, after the release of “Uptown Girl” by musician Billy Joel, first released in 1983, caused a massive campaign to revamp the image of the downtown area and the term “Uptown”. Then on February 14, 1987, the local newspaper, the Charlotte Observer, began using the term “Uptown” as a way to promote a more positive upbeat image of the center city area.

All because of a song? Really….?

My routine during the weekend consisted of traveling to “Uptown” only a few miles away from where I was staying. I was so looking forward to this trip. It’s the “off season” for NASCAR, and only a week after the Preseason Thunder Fest/Testing at Daytona, but it was something to get back where my passion is….. and that’s with anything that has to do with NASCAR racing. After all, it had to with NASCAR……  after a 9 hour drive, I WAS SO THERE!

The weekend started Friday night at the Charlotte Convention Center in the Ballroom. That’s where the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held. Wow, I couldn’t believe the size of the convention center. It was huge and very nice.

Fans sit in a conference room waiting for their turn to get in line for their driver's autograph. Photo by Karen Pistone.

More than 60 drivers were on hand to sign autographs and greet fans, with several participating in fan Q&As.The conference rooms were set up for individual driver autograph sessions, broken up into sections for which ever driver was signing. This way, it was very organized and the fans actually had a place to sit while waiting their turn.

Additionally, NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees new and old led fans on personal guided tours of the Hall’s exhibits. Jeff Gordon also entertained fans during a question and answer session with Richard Petty, unveiling a new paint scheme commemorating 20 years in the sport with longtime sponsor DuPont.

New Miss Sprint Cup (middle) Kristen Beat joins Miss Sprint Cup Kim Coon and Miss Sprint Cup Jaclyn Roney. Photo by Karen Pistone

Two other pieces of news came out of event, as Sprint unveiled its Miss Sprint Cup lineup for 2012, and American Ethanol announced sponsorship for two highly visible race teams. Kristen Beat, a former on-air talent for Fuel TV and replaces Monica Palumbo, joins returning Miss Sprint Cup members Kim Coon and Jaclyn Roney for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

They had the NASCAR Preview ’12 event spread out through the two floors of the convention center. Driver autograph sessions were going on, while at the same time, each track had booths available for race fans to win free prizes and sign up for tickets and to answer any questions. There were vendors showing what new racing memorabilia will be available for 2012, including mugs, tumblers, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and so on.

Ryan Newman's No. 39 Quicken Loans Chevy is on display "refelcting" the new paint scheme - a matte finish- for 2012. Photo by Karen Pistone

Another interesting tidbit – as I was walking around looking at the new 2012 team cars on display, both of Newman’s No. 39 Chevy’s (his Army and Quicken Loans sponsored cars) caught my attention. I noticed both of his cars are painted with a matte finish – no glosss/or shine. I thought those two cars looked pretty awesome. I walked over and introduced to myself to the gentleman standing near the spoiler and asked “so what’s with the matte finish?” The gentleman, Todd Carte, is the Director of Business Development NASCAR for Quicken Loans – who just happens to be Ryan Newman’s sponsor for nine races in 2012 – replied, “we wanted something different. Today was really the first time I saw the car with the matte finish because I just got back into town and the guys at the shop were working on it. I like it. It turned out better than I thought it would.”

You know what, I totally agree!! I think it makes the graphics “pop” more. What a great idea!!

Additionally, American Ethanol announced that it will continue relationships with Richard Childress Racing and RAB racing for the 2012 season. Austin Dillon, the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion, will drive the No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet for six races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, as well as one race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2012. Dillon’s No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet paint scheme was unveiled at the event. American Ethanol will also partner with Kenny Wallace and RAB Racing for the Daytona 500 on FOX, as well as five races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

As I walked around, I met a few more of my Facebook friends, which is always nice when I attend NASCAR events. It’s a great time to mingle and swap racing stories. I also saw how Sprint pre tapes race fans’ questions for the new season… they have race fans ask certain questions, such as “What is camber?” or “What is wedge?” recorded during the Acceleration Weekend, and they use it as filler throughout the season. Of course, the questions get answered and are aired throughout the season at the tracks.

I watched as crew members quickly assembled an engine with the electronic fuel injection. I also read about the Electronic Fuel Injection, which I thought I would share (in another blog!) because YOU WILL be hearing about this A LOT during the 2012 season.

As the day went on, I went and sat in the media work room updating my Facebook Fan page and uploading/tweeting photos of the days events, and it was very cool that at one time, I turned to look and there came walking in was NASCAR Hall of Famer, “Gentleman Ned” Jarrett. He said “hello” and perused around the media room, stopping to talk the media personalities. Then I hear an interview going on at the table in front of me, and I look up from computer and there sat Ty Dillon, talking about his favorite foods. I place my focus back to my keyboard to try to get more work done, but it happened again – I look up and there stood Kevin Harvick.

I will always say this about the sport of racing – NASCAR drivers are the most accessible sport figures available to media as well as to their fans. Being able to witness the Induction of some of NASCAR’s greatest drivers and to walk around checking out the NASCAR Preview ’12 was really an experience I will never forget.

Here’s looking forward to the NASCAR Preview 2013!!

NASCAR Hall of Fame inducts Class of 2012

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The Induction Ceremony ticket. Photo by Karen Pistone

The Class of 2012

The five inductees:

Richie Evans

Dale Inman

Darrell Waltrip

Glen Wood

Cale Yarborough

The Ring

Photo courtesy of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Each inductee receives a NASCAR Hall of Fame ring. The ring symbolizes each inductees passion, courage and skill. It’s also a symbol of achievement and excellence in a group of professionals. It’s crafted in 10k white gold, the NASCAR ribbon adorns the ring to represent the speed and spectacle about the sport. The ring is embellished with 25 diamonds totaling .303 carats, enhanced with two diamond cut blue sapphires. One side is personalized with the honoree’s name and year date he was inducted. The other side features the NASCAR Hall of Fame logo to represent “Where the Race Lives on.” The name of the honoree is engraved into the inside of the ring

The Induction Ceremony

The induction ceremony on Friday evening which was held in the Crown Ballroom of the Charlotte Convention Center and has increased the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s membership to 15.

Dale Inman, Richie Evans, Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, and Glen Wood joins the previous two classes of Inductees into the NASCAR Hall of Fame as the Class of 2012.

The night was set in elegance, yet down to earth as women wore evening dresses and guys wore suits, some with cowboy hats, and some with cowboy boots. As the Evans clan gathered before entering the ball room for the ceremony, there were plenty of orange ties to be seen as friends, colleagues and family were there in support of Richie Evans induction. I had the opportunity to talk to Richie Evans children, Jodi and Richie Jr. They were excited and very appreciative to have their father inducted. I was also very pleased to find out that Richie Jr. is a fan of Racingal.com as well as being a friend of mine on Facebook!! How cool is that?

As the night went on, the filming of the ceremony took place just as if it was airing live on TV. The first of the five inductees was Dale Inman. Richard Petty had the responsibility of inducting Dale into the Hall of Fame. How fitting was that? Inman, Richard Petty’s cousin, was credited for winning seven championships with Petty Enterprises. When Inman was presented with his NASCAR Hall of Fame ring, he noted “I’m kind of familiar with this ring. For the last two or three years, Richard has put it in my face a bunch of times.”

In conclusion to his speech, Inman said, “And I want to wish all the luck in the world to all the active crew chiefs now, and especially to the 9 and 43 – get after ‘em boys!“

The second inductee was Glen Wood. Wood, a four-time NASCAR premier series winner, stopped racing to become a full-time owner of the No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford team. With his four brothers, who include NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and crew chief Leonard Wood, the organization counts 98 victories, including its fifth Daytona 500 win in 2011 with 20-year-old Trevor Bayne. Wood went on to remark that it took two families of working together that had resulted in him being inducted – the Wood family and the Ford family.

Next was the induction of the King of Modifieds, Richie Evans. His induction comes almost 27 years after his passing from a practice accident while at Martinsville Speedway, at the age of 44. Evans, nicknamed the “Rapid Roman” by virtue of racing out of Rome, N.Y., won nine championships over a 13-year span – including eight in a row – driving modified stock cars. His wife, Lynn, was there to accept his induction, which was presented by former crew chief Billy Nacewicz.

The fourth inductee was Cale Yarborough. His inductor was none other than Ken Squire. Yarborough made NASCAR premier series history in 1978 when he won his third consecutive championship, a record that stood until Jimmie Johnson claimed his fourth straight title in 2009. Yarborough, now 72, won 83 times – sixth all-time – including four Daytona 500s. The majority of his wins came in cars fielded by Junior Johnson.

“Racing is like a big, tall ladder,” Yarborough said. “When you begin, you’re at the bottom. And it’s a long, hard climb. And tonight, I feel like I’m standing on the top step.”

The final inductee was Darrell Waltrip. Did they save the best for last or what? But with all do respect, Darrell Waltrip finally made it into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, especially after last year’s class was announced, Darrell felt as though he was “dissed.”

Jeff Hammond was his inductor. Within five minutes of his speech, with no beating around the bush, it all came out…. Jeff Hammond (former crew chief for Junior Johnson’s team)  did NOT like Darrell Waltrip. He did NOT want him as their driver. “Why did it have to be Darrell Waltrip that came walking through those doors when Cale decided to cut back on his schedule?” asked Hammond. “Part of it is because he was beating us on the track more frequently, but the other part was, and you’ve heard this before…he would never shut up. He was always running his mouth.”

Hence, Cale’s famous nickname for Darrell – “JAWS.”  (cue the music to JAWS here).

With that said, here’s my segway to say ( and everyone knows DW… the man loves to talk!) that the media had a little bet going on how long his acceptance speech would be… (laughing). I was actually betting for DW to cry throughout the whole speech, but he held his composer pretty well.

Waltrip looked like a little kid in a candy store….he was excited and full of energy. “I was telling Stevie, (his wife) earlier this week that I hoped I wouldn’t get emotional tonight, but she reminded me ‘Honey, you always get emotional about the things you are passionate about,’” Waltrip said.

He got a little choked up when he started talking about his daughters, and that right there, impressed me…. and, of course, lost the bet. We all found out that Darrell’s going to become a Grandfather – his oldest daughter, Jessica and her husband, Fausto are expecting their first child. His other daughter, Sarah, was in the Philippines on a mission trip, but took a surprise 25 hour flight from the Philippines to be there for her father’s big night – that was his que to choke up… “and that means A LOT to an old dad, trust me.”

Overall the induction ceremony was well laid out and nicely done and I had a wonderful time. Congratulations to all the new members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame – the Class of 2012.

Rules configuration set for Daytona – but not etched into stone

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NASCAR will return to Daytona International Speedway in February with the same restrictor plate that it left with when testing ended earlier this month. Teams were informed Friday of the rules configuration for Daytona, which includes a restrictor plate with holes 29/32nds of an inch in diameter. In hopes of limiting the use of the two-car draft used by the Sprint Cup cars during the Daytona 500, NASCAR officials have made changes that they hope would result in overheating if the two-car draft is used for an extended period of time during the race. The biggest change is the rear bumper has been moved two inches closer to the ground. Teams will have a front grille opening of 50 square inches – it was 40 square inches by the time testing ended last week at the 2.5-mile trioval. The radiator pressure release valve will be set at 25 psi, the same as it was when teams left Daytona on the final afternoon of testing.

The restrictor plate is the same as what was used for the first and third days of the three-day test. In the second day of that three-day test, teams used a restrictor plate with holes 30/32nds of an inch, but not only did speeds climb to 206 mph, but the RPMs were well over the 9100 that engine builders say is the maximum for the engines they’re building to last 500 miles.

SOURCE: Scenedaily.com

2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee: DARRELL WALTRIP

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Birthday: 2/5/47
Hometown: Franklin, Tenn.
Competed: 1972-2000
Starts: 809
Wins: 84
Poles: 59

2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee, Darrell Waltrip. Photo credit: Getty Archive/NASCARMedia

A three-time NASCAR premier series champion (1981-82, ’85), Waltrip won all three with legendary driver/owner Junior Johnson. Waltrip is tied with Bobby Allison for fourth all-time in series victories with 84. His 59 poles rank fifth all-time in NASCAR Sprint Cup history.

His first race car was two-tone brown, Terminal Transport, No. 95. Waltrip limped into the garage area during his first race with a blown engine and finished 38th.

Waltrip went through crew chiefs and had battles with crew members and car owners, all while locking in 26 wins with team owner Bill Gardner, and the No. 88 Gatorade – sponsored cars owned by DiGard Racing.

During Waltrip’s early years, he picked up the nickname “Jaws,” from no other than – and how ironic for it to be – NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee, Cale Yarborough.

Darrell Waltrip's No. 11 Chevrolet, nicknamed "Bertha" sits in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC. Photo credit: Sandi Goodall / Racingal.com

Waltrip’s key car during that period was a Chevrolet Monte Carlo nicknamed “Bertha,” which now sits in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC.

Waltrip’s first series title came in 1981, when he finished with 12 wins and 21 top fives in 31 races. He won the title by 53 points over Bobby Allison. In his second championship season, 1982, he finished with 12 wins and 20 top 10s in 30 races, sweeping both races at four tracks (Nashville, Bristol, Talladega and North Wilkesboro). In his third championship season, 1985, Waltrip finished with three wins and 21 top 10s in 28 races.

In 1979, Waltrip lost the Championship to Richard Petty by 11 points.

In 1989, driving for team owner Rick Hendrick, he finally won the Daytona 500. He competed from 1972-2000, unfortunately, the final years of his career saw steady decline in his performance.

Waltrip didn’t win a race for the final eight seasons of his career, but his 84 victories put him in a tie with Allison for fourth on the all-time win list.

Watch video about Darrell Waltrip:

Video supplied by NASCARMedia

He signed on with Fox Sports as a NASCAR race commentator and remains one of the key players in Fox and SPEED telecasts.

So Darrell will be saying “Boogity, Boogity, Boogity” all the way into the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this Friday night.

Sources: SPEED.com, NASCARMedia

2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee: DALE INMAN

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Birthday: August 19, 1936
Hometown: Level Cross, N.C.
Competed: 1958-92
Wins: 193
Poles: 129

Dale Inman, from Level Cross, North Carolina., Richard Petty’s crew chief at Petty

NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee and Crew Chief Dale Inman. Photo credit: Getty Archives

Enterprises for nearly three decades, set records for most wins (193) and championships (eight) by a crew chief.

Inman won seven of those championships with inaugural Hall Of Fame Inductee Petty (1964, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, and 1979), and another one in 1984 with Terry Labonte.

Inman grew up playing with his first cousins, Lee’s sons – Richard and Maurice Petty. Richard started racing in the late 1950′s with Maurice and Inman as part of his pit crew, as they were too young to be his crew chief. As time went on, Maurice and Inman had become NASCAR mechanics. Maurice had been the mechanic and crew chief at the races. Petty Enterprises had him start concentrating on engine building for the team, and Inman became the crew chief at the races.

Petty described him as the sport’s first official crew chief.

Credited with revolutionizing the crew chief position, Inman’s standout year was 1967. That season, Inman and Petty won a NASCAR record 27 races – 10 of them consecutively. All 27 victories were in the same car they built a year earlier.

After Petty won his seventh Daytona 500 in 1981, Inman surprised everyone by resigning from Petty Enterprises. He went to Rod Osterlund’s team that was fielding cars for 1980 NASCAR Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt. In 1983, Inman moved to Billy Hagen’s racing team where Terry Labonte was behind the wheel. One year later, Inman guided Labonte to his first NASCAR Winston Cup championship. In 1986, after five years of wearing a different uniform and working in another pit, Inman returned to his roots at Petty Enterprises. Inman worked with drivers Rick Wilson, John Andretti, and Bobby Hamilton until he retired, officially, from NASCAR in 1998.

Richard Petty's Plymouth Belvedere that Petty drove to 27 wins in 1967 along with Dale Inman as crew chief as it sits in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC. Photo by Sandi Goodall / Racingal.com

In 2008, Inman helped unveil the first artifact at the NASCAR Hall of Fame – the Plymouth Belvedere that Petty drove to 27 wins in 1967.

His contributions to racing led to him receiving the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame’s first Golden Wrench Award in 2000. In 2008, he received the Smokey Yunick Award.

Watch video on Dale Inman:

Today, Inman enjoys working around his North Carolina home with his wife of more than 40 years, Mary. They have two children, Tina Dale Hussy and Jeffrey Inman, as well as two grandchildren, Taylor and Logan Hussy.

Dale Inman was elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame on June 14th, 2011 with Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Richie Evans and Glen Wood. The induction ceremony will take place Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame located in Charlotte, NC.

 

Sources: NASCARMedia, Google, Wikipedia

 

 

 

Front Row Motorsports adds David Ragan to team line-up

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Front Row Motorsports will follow up its best season in the team’s young history by bolstering its line-up for 2012, adding race winner David Ragan to drive the No. 34 Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Front Row veteran David Gilliland will build off an impressive 2011 season, returning to the team behind the wheel of the team’s second entry, the No. 38 Ford Fusion.

Ragan joins Front Row after completing a 2011 season that delivered his first Cup win (Daytona International Speedway in July), two poles, and four top-five and eight top-10 finishes. The 26-year-old Unadilla, Ga., native is already a NASCAR veteran, first joining the national stock-car ranks at the age of 18 and quickly ascending to premier-level Sprint Cup racing. His No. 34 team is locked in to the starting line-up entering the 2012 season, including a guaranteed starting spot in the prestigious Daytona 500 next month.

Gilliland returns for his third season with Front Row and his seventh in the Cup series. The 35-year-old Riverside, Calif., native will return to the No. 38, the number he drove as a Sprint Cup rookie as well as the car he drove in his first season with Front Row. The No. 38 team is also locked in to the field entering 2012. Last season, Gilliland raced his way to a third-place finish in the Daytona 500 to start off an impressive 2011 run, in which he proved to be a force on superspeedways and road courses.

Front Row Motorsports, which is owned by restaurant and transportation entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, enters its fourth full-time season in the Sprint Cup Series. The team turned in its best results in its young history in 2011, earning one top-5, two top-10, three top-15 and five top-20 finishes in 2011, including the history-best third at Daytona.

Sponsorship for the Front Row Motorsports entries is being finalized and will be announced soon.

Source: Breaking Limits PR