NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team penalized following race at Kansas Speedway

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Karen Pistone

NASCAR announced today penalties and fines to the No. 98 team (Johnny Sauter) that competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, as a result of rule infractions at Kansas Speedway.

The No. 98 truck was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4K (if in the judgment of NASCAR Officials, race equipment that has been previously verified or previously approved and/or sealed by NASCAR for use in an event, pursuant to sub-section 8-6 and/or 8-12, has been altered, modified, repaired, or changed in any manner); 20B-16 (once a fuel cell or fuel cell components have been certified, modifications of any kind will not be permitted to the fuel cell or fuel cell components); and 20B-16.1B (standard black, safety foam with minimum free-standing height of eight (8) inches, acceptable to NASCAR Officials, and used as provided by an approved fuel cell manufacturer, must be used: Fuel cell safety foam modification.) of the 2013 rule book.

As a result of this violation, crew chief Joel Shear has been fined $10,000 and suspended from NASCAR competition until the completion of the next four (4) NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events. He has been placed on NASCAR probation until December 31. The team has also been docked 25 championship driver (Johnny Sauter) and 25 championship owner (Mike Curb) points.

The violations involving the No. 98 truck occurred in opening day inspection.

NASCAR PR

Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown set to go green at Richmond International Raceway

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Karen Pistone

For the third year in a row, the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown is set to open the Spring race weekend at Richmond International Raceway. The Showdown benefits Denny Hamlin’s Cystic Fibrosis Research Lab at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.

The Showdown and BLUE OX 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races will run on Thursday, April 25, as part of the Spring NASCAR weekend at Richmond International Raceway. The race typically features a dozen NASCAR drivers and celebrities racing local Late Model Stock Car on the ¾-mile track. Hamlin, who won the inaugural Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at RIR in 2011, will be joined by 2012 winner Tony Stewart, two-time Short Track Showdown winner Kyle Busch, Michael Waltrip, Darrell Wallace Jr., and Virginians Gray Gaulding and Curtis Markham, as they race against some of the best Late Model Stock Car drivers in the region.

All tickets are general admission at $25. Children 12 and younger are admitted free with a ticketed adult. Thursday’s ticket also includes the BLUE OX 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race. Click here for tickets.

Tickets are on sale now for the Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Advance tickets, including seats in Turns 1 and 4, start at $45, and can be purchased online or by calling 866-455-7223. Tickets for the ToyotaCare 250 start at $30 in advance and can be purchased online by clicking here or by calling 866-455-7223. Children 12 and younger are admitted free with a ticketed adult in general admission sections on Friday.

For additional information, please visit www.rir.com or call 866-455-7223.

Source: Richmond International Raceway

NASCAR Statistical Advance: Auto Club 400

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Karen Pistone

Season Race #: 5 of 36
Track Size: 2-miles
Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 14 degrees
Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 14 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 11 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 3 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 3,100 feet
Backstretch Length: 2,500 feet
Race Length: 200 laps / 400 miles

SPEED’s NASCAR Raceday Pre-Race Show: 12:30 pm/et

NASCAR Pre-Race: Fox – 2:30pm/et
TV Race Coverage: FoxSports, 3:00pm/et

Scheduled Green Flag (approx): 3:16pm/et

Practices

Friday, March 22, 2:30 – 3:30 pm/et, TV-SPEED Saturday, March 23, 12:30 – 1:25 pm/et, TV-SPEED

Happy Hour ‘Final’ practice: Saturday, March 23, 3:30 – 4:20pm/et, TV-SPEED

Qualifying

Friday, March 22 at 7:10 pm/et, TV-SPEED, re-air scheduled at 11:00pm/et.

Qualifying/Race Data
2012 pole winner: Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 186.403 mph, 38.626 secs. 03-23-12
2012 race winner: Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 160.166 mph, (1:36:39), 03-25-12
Track qualifying record: Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 188.245 mph, 38.248 secs. 02-25-05
Track race record: Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 160.166 mph, (1:36:39; rain shortened), 03-25-12

AUTO CLUB-SPECIFIC STATISTICS

Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Window Film Ford)

· One win, four top fives, six top 10s

· Average finish of 17.2

Clint Bowyer (No. 15 5-Hour Energy Toyota)

· Two top fives, seven top 10s

· Average finish of 10.8

Kurt Busch (No. 78 Furniture Row Racing-Serta Chevrolet)

· One win, four top fives, nine top 10s; three poles

· Average finish of 12.7

Kyle Busch (No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota)

· One win, six top fives, 10 top 10s; one pole

· Average finish of 11.3

Carl Edwards (No. 99 Subway Ford)

· One win, seven top fives, 12 top 10s; one pole

· Average finish of 8.7

Jeff Gordon (No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet)

· Three wins, 10 top fives, 11 top 10s; two poles

· Average finish of 11.8

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota)

· One top five, four top 10s; two poles

· Average finish of 18.5

Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet)

· One win, four top fives, nine top 10s

· Average finish of 15.5

Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s/Jimmie Johnson Foundation Chevrolet)

· Five wins, 12 top fives, 14 top 10s; one pole

· Average finish of 5.4

Kasey Kahne (No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet)

· One win, four top fives, nine top 10s; one pole

· Average finish of 14.9

Matt Kenseth (No. 20 Dollar General Toyota)

· Three wins, eight top fives, 13 top 10s

· Average finish of 10.3

Mark Martin (No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota)

· One win, six top fives, 10 top 10s

· Average finish of 13.6

Tony Stewart (No. 14 Rush Truck Centers/Mobil 1 Chevrolet)

· Two wins, six top fives, 12 top 10s

· Average finish of 13.5

Chase Contenders

The Top 12 Following Race 4 of 36

Driver	Points	Wins	Poles	Week	Rating
1. Brad Keselowski	166	0	0	2	110.0
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr.	157	0	0	3	101.7
3. Jimmie Johnson	151	1	0	1	117.4
4. Clint Bowyer	128	0	0	9	88.9
5. Greg Biffle	126	0	0	8	89.9
6. Denny Hamlin	125	0	0	4	99.0
7. Kasey Kahne	124	1	0	14	105.2
8. Carl Edwards	124	1	0	5	87.7
9. Paul Menard	118	0	0	12	81.7
10. Kyle Busch	115	0	1	17	95.2
11. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	115	0	0	11	76.9
12. Joey Logano	104	0	0	15	84.5

HISTORY

· Groundbreaking for California Speedway, as Auto Club Speedway was originally known, took place in November 1995.

· The first race at Auto Club Speedway was a NASCAR K&N Pro Series, West race won by Ken Schrader on June 21, 1997.

· The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on June 22, 1997 and won by Jeff Gordon.

· September 2004 was the first night race at Auto Club Speedway and that also was the first year both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Nationwide Series ran two races in a season there.

· The track name was changed to Auto Club Speedway (ACS) in February 2008.

· Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in wins at Auto Club Speedway with nine, followed by Roush Fenway Racing with seven.
· Youngest ACS winner: Kyle Busch (09/04/2005 – 20 years, 4 months, 2 days).

· Oldest ACS winner: Rusty Wallace (04/29/2001 – 44 years, 8 months, 15 days).

· Jimmie Johnson leads the series in runner-up finishes at Auto Club Speedway with five; followed by his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon with four.

· Jimmie Johnson lead the series in top-five finishes at Auto club Speedway with 12; followed by Jeff Gordon (10) and Matt Kenseth (eight).

· Jimmie Johnson leads the series in top-10 finishes with 14; followed by Matt Kenseth (13), Carl Edwards (12) and Tony Stewart (12).

· Jeff Burton and Bobby Labonte lead the series with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Auto Club Speedway without visiting Victory Lane at 23.
· This weekend will be Danica Patrick’s first attempt at Auto Club Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Stats compiled from NASCAR Media

NSCS driver stats: BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Karen Pistone

Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee going into the Food City 500 on March 17.

Bristol Motor Speedway Data
Season Race #: 4 of 36 (3-17-13)
Track Size: 0.533-miles
Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 24-28 degrees
Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 24-28 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 4-8 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 4-8 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 650 feet
Backstretch Length: 650 feet
Race Length: 500 laps / 266.5 miles

Scheduled Green Flag (approx): 1:13pm/et

Practices

Saturday, March 16, 9:00 – 10:00 am/et, TV-SPEED

Happy Hour ‘Final’ practice

Saturday, March 16, 12:00 – 1:00pm/et, TV-SPEED

Qualifying

Friday, March 15 at 3:40 pm/et on SPEED, re-air scheduled at 10:30pm/et &12:30am/et.

Qualifying/Race Data
2012 pole winner: Greg Biffle, Ford, 125.215 mph, 15.324 secs. 3-16-12
2012 race winner: Brad Keselowski, Dodge, 93.037 mph, (2:51:52), 3-18-12
Track qualifying record: Ryan Newman, Dodge, 128.709 mph, 14.908 secs. 3-21-03
Track race record: Charlie Glotzbach, Chevrolet, 101.074 mph, (2:38:12), 7-11-71

BRISTOL-SPECIFIC STATISTICS

Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford)

· Six top fives, 11 top 10s; one pole

· Average finish of 12.2

Kurt Busch (No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet)

· Five wins, six top fives, 13 top 10s; one pole

· Average finish of 13.8

Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota)

· Five wins, seven top fives, 11 top 10s

· Average finish of 10.3

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 National Guard Chevrolet)

· One win, seven top fives, 12 top 10s

· Average finish of 11.8

Carl Edwards (No. 99 Kellogg’s/Frosted Ford)

· Two wins, four top fives, seven top 10s; two poles

· Average finish of 14.4

Jeff Gordon (No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet)

· Five wins, 16 top fives, 22 top 10s; five poles

· Average finish of 11.9

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Freight Toyota)

· One win, four top fives, seven top 10s

· Average finish of 14.8

Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet)

· One win, nine top fives, 12 top 10s

· Average finish of 12.5

Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet)

· One win, seven top fives, 13 top 10s; one pole

· Average finish of 14.0

Matt Kenseth (No. 20 The Home Depot / Husky Toyota)

· Two wins, 10 top fives, 17 top 10s; one pole

· Average finish of 12.1

Brad Keselowski (No. 2 Miller Lite Ford)

· Two wins, two top fives, two top 10s

· Average finish of 13.7

Ryan Newman (No. 39 Haas Automation Chevrolet)

· One top five, 12 top 10s; three poles

· Average finish of 17.4

Tony Stewart (No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet)

· One win, six top fives, eight top 10s; one pole

· Average finish of 17.6

Chase Contenders

The Top 12 Following Race 3 of 36

Driver	Points	Wins	Poles	Week	Rating
1. Jimmie Johnson	129	1	0	1	125.4
2. Brad Keselowski	124	0	0	3	110.5
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.	119	0	0	2	105.8
4. Denny Hamlin	102	0	0	4	97.4
5. Carl Edwards	98	1	0	11	97.2
6. Mark Martin	95	0	1	7	92.7
7. Matt Kenseth	93	1	0	18	112.2
8. Greg Biffle	93	0	0	6	89.7
9. Clint Bowyer	89	0	0	5	86.0
10. Aric Almirola	88	0	0	10	81.3
11. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	87	0	0	9	78.6
12. Paul Menard	82	0	0	17	78.7

UPDATED: Chris Buescher makes Bristol debut with Roush Fenway Racing

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Karen Pistone

Twenty-year old ARCA Champion Chris Buescher will make his debut at Bristol Motor Speedway this Saturday for the Jeff Foxworthy’s Grit Chips 300. Buescher will be behind the wheel of Roush Fenway Racing’s No. 16 Ford Mustang. Seth Barbour will serve as Crew Chief on the No. 16 Ford Mustang. Barbour most recently worked as an Engineer on the RFR No. 6 team.

This will be Buescher’s third start overall in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Buescher’s two previous NNS starts came in 2011 at Richmond and Darlington, finishing 17^th in both events. In 2012, the 20-year-old driver participated in the full ARCA schedule, earning the ARCA Championship with four wins, 12 top-fives and 16 top-10s in the 19 race season. Overall, in five seasons of ARCA Racing, Buescher has made 54 starts, with one Championship, nine wins, 32 top-fives and 42 top-10s.

“I really want to finish the race and a top-10 would be great. It’s Bristol and so much can happen that is out of our control. I want to keep my Ford in one piece,” said Buescher.

ESPN2 will have the live telecast on Saturday, March 16. NASCAR Countdown begins at 1:30 p.m./et with the green flag at approximately 2:13 p.m.

Good luck, Chris!!

*********************************************************UPDATE*********************************************************

Roush Fenway driver and ARCA Champion, Chris Buescher, led the RFR effort with a seventh-place finish – his first career top-10 Nationwide Series run – in his first career start at BMS in the Grit Chips 300.

Buescher led the RFR effort on the day, with Trevor Bayne finishing 12th and Travis Pastrana running 16th.

Greg Biffle’s No. 16 3M Ford Fusion features Sustainable Fire Suppression Fluid

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Karen Pistone

NASCAR driver Greg Biffle will once again be racing with the environmentally sustainable, 3M™ Novec™ 1230 Fire Protection Fluid as a new standard in the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion. Novec 1230 fluid balances performance requirements with favorable environmental and safety properties, giving Biffle added reassurance and peace of mind.

On March 3 at the Phoenix raceway, the car will showcase the Novec brand name on the hood. Additionally, the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion will feature a system using Novec 1230 fluid throughout the entire 2013 racing season. Biffle’s car had previously been upgraded with Novec 1230 fluid through Roush Fenway Racing, who jumped on board early in 2012 to help protect Biffle, as well as the environment.

The No. 16 3M Ford Fusion is the first racecar that incorporates a sustainable fire suppression fluid. Metalcraft, Inc., an international leader in fire suppression, equipped the cockpit of the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion with its Fire-Trak™ branded fire suppression system using Novec 1230 fluid. The Fire-Trak system and 3M’s Novec 1230 fluid received NASCAR approval in 2012.

3M researchers developed Novec brand products to be a safe, sustainable chemistry used to replace ozone-depleting substances being phased out under the Montreal Protocol, potent greenhouse gas such as HFCs and agents that have undesirable toxicity. Novec 1230 fluid has an exceptional environmental profile with zero ozone depletion potential and a global warming potential of one. It stays in the atmosphere only five days, compared to HFC-236fa that lingers for 240 years.

Novec 1230 fluid is a clean extinguishing agent that is stored as a liquid but is discharged as a gas that leaves no residue. The fluid does not damage sensitive electronics or equipment in the racecar and provides a wide margin of safety if deployed in an enclosed area near Biffle. It also does not affect the surface of the racetrack, keeping it clean for other drivers. Novec 1230 fluid comes with 3M’s Blue SkySM Warranty, offering peace-of-mind protection against future regulatory bans or restrictions. And when used in commercial buildings, it offers an opportunity to earn innovation credits toward Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

Other notable applications of 3M Novec 1230 fluid include use in helping to protect high-value assets such as data centers, aviation equipment, marine vessels, museum artifacts, library documents, and financial, health care, power generation and oil/gas petrochemical facilities, as well as computers and other critical devices where water cannot be used. Additionally, Novec 1230 fluid has found its way into the archives at the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library at the Alamo.

For more information regarding 3M Novec 1230 fluid use in racing applications visit www.3M.com/novecracing or for other Novec branded products log onto www.3M.com/Novec. Also visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/3MNovec1230fluid. For more information about 3M’s sustainability initiatives visit www.3M.com/sustainability.

You can also follow the No. 16 3M/Novec Ford Fusion on Twitter at @3MRacing.

Richard Petty Motorsports Medical Update on Michael Annett

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Karen Pistone

Concord, N.C. (February 26, 2013) – After further evaluation by two different doctors in North Carolina, it has been determined that Richard Petty Motorsports driver Michael Annett has suffered a fracture and dislocation of his sternum. He will immediately undergo surgery for his injuries in Charlotte. He suffered the injury as a result of an accident during Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series event in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Annett will not be able to compete for an indefinite amount of time as he heals from the surgery. Richard Petty Motorsports driver Aric Almirola will drive the No. 43 Pilot Flying J Ford this weekend at the Phoenix International Raceway as the team evaluates its options moving forward.

Richard Petty Motorsports’ primary concern is the health of Annett and getting him the proper treatment he needs for a full recovery.

After Duel races, Daytona 500 field set

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Karen Pistone

Credit: 282929 Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Regan Smith, driver of the #51 Guy Roofing Chevrolet, Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 Fastenal Ford, and Trevor Bayne, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford, spin out after an incident during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Duel 1 at Daytona International Speedway.

Qualifying Procedure for the Budweiser Duel 150′s / Daytona 500

Step 1) Positions 1-2: set by first round qualifying, the fastest two drivers.

Step 2) Positions 3-32: set by the results of the Budweiser Duel 150, 32 drivers, not already in by step 1. Drivers who finish in the top 15 in their respective races earn spots in the Daytona 500 and the 16th-place driver gets in as long as one of the top-15 drivers already occupies one of the two front row spots.

Step 3) Positions 33-36: the fastest four drivers from qualifying not in already from steps 1 and 2.

Step 4) Positions 37-42: the highest drivers in the previous season’s OWNERS points standing not already in the race.

Step 5) Postion 43: to a former Sprint Cup Champion not already in by the criteria set in steps 1 thru 4. If there is no former champ not in, the next driver whose team in the highest in the previous OWNERS points standings

Kevin-Harvick-victory-lane-first-duel-NASCAR-Daytona-500-2013

Credit: 282930Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Kevin Harvick, driver of the #29 Budweiser Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Duel 1 at Daytona International Speedway.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race – Duel #1
1. (13) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet
2. (14) Greg Biffle, Ford
3. (7) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet
4. (11) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet
5. (17) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet
6. (3) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet
7. (12) Brad Keselowski, Ford
8. (8) Casey Mears, Ford
9. (6) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet
10. (5) Joey Logano, Ford
11. (20) Bobby Labonte, Toyota
12. (15) David Gilliland, Ford
13. (22) Joe Nemechek(i), Toyota
14. (16) Michael Waltrip, Toyota
15. (18) Scott Speed, Ford
16. (21) David Reutimann, Toyota
17. (1) Danica Patrick, Chevrolet
18. (19) Regan Smith(i), Chevrolet
19. (10) Martin Truex Jr, Toyota
20. (4) Denny Hamlin, Toyota
21. (23) Brian Keselowski, Toyota
22. (9) Carl Edwards, Ford, Accident
23. (2) Trevor Bayne (i), Ford, Accident

Credit: 282934Jared C. Tilton/NASCAR via Getty Images
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Duel 2 at Daytona International Speedway

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race – Duel #2

1. (4) Kyle Busch, Toyota
2. (3) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet
3. (8) Austin Dillon(i), Chevrolet
4. (9) Clint Bowyer, Toyota
5. (5) Matt Kenseth, Toyota
6. (14) Mark Martin, Toyota
7. (7) Paul Menard, Chevrolet
8. (10) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet
9. (11) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet
10. (15) David Ragan, Ford
11. (12) Marcos Ambrose, Ford
12. (1) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet
13. (13) Aric Almirola, Ford
14. (6) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford
15. (19) Dave Blaney, Chevrolet
16. (16) Josh Wise, Ford
17. (21) Travis Kvapil, Toyota
18. (18) Terry Labonte, Ford
19. (17) Michael McDowell, Ford
20. (20) JJ Yeley, Chevrolet
21. (2) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet
22. (22) Mike Bliss, Chevrolet

DAYTONA 500 LINEUP

DAYTONA 500 STARTING LINEUP
Pos.	No.	Driver	Pos.	No.	Driver
Row 1
1	10	Danica Patrick	2	24	Jeff Gordon
Row 2
3	29	Kevin Harvick	4	18	Kyle Busch
Row 3
5	16	Greg Biffle	6	5	Kasey Kahne
Row 4
7	42	Juan Pablo Montoya	8	33	Austin Dillon
Row 5
9	48	Jimmie Johnson	10	15	Clint Bowyer
Row 6
11	78	Kurt Busch	12	20	Matt Kenseth
Row 7
13	14	Tony Stewart	14	55	Mark Martin
Row 8
15	2	Brad Keselowski	16	27	Paul Menard
Row 9
17	13	Casey Mears	18	31	Jeff Burton
Row 10
19	88	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	20	1	Jamie McMurray
Row 11
21	22	Joey Logano	22	34	David Ragan
Row 12
23	47	Bobby Labonte	24	9	Marcos Ambrose
Row 13
25	38	David Gilliland	26	43	Aric Almirola
Row 14
27	87	Joe Nemechek	28	17	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Row 15
29	26	Michael Waltrip	30	7	Dave Blaney
Row 16
31	95	Scott Speed	32	35	Josh Wise
Row 17
33	21	Trevor Bayne	34	39	Ryan Newman
Row 18
35	11	Denny Hamlin	36	99	Carl Edwards
Row 19
37	56	Martin Truex Jr.	38	51	Regan Smith
Row 20
39	93	Travis Kvapil	40	83	David Reutimann
Row 21
41	32	Terry Labonte	42	36	JJ Yeley
Row 22
43	98	Michael McDowell
* – Unofficial lineup; according to SPEED TV

SOURCE: NASCAR Media

Michael Waltrip Racing hires first female pit crew member

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Karen Pistone

Photo credit: Megan from Poetic Edge Photography

It’s ‘Christmas’ at MWR this 2013 season. Christmas Abbott, that is.

Michael Waltrip Racing announced today it has hired professional CrossFit competitor Christmas Abbott as a full-time pit crew member for its NASCAR Sprint Cup operation.

Abbott, 31, will be a “weekend warrior” with MWR, traveling to all NASCAR Sprint Cup events in a pit support role. Her long-term goal is to go over the wall as a tire changer.

“This is just the first step for me,” said Abbott who competed in several CrossFit competitions since 2006 and can overhead squat 200 lbs. “I’ve been training for several months. This is the most challenging thing I have ever done. I’m here to do whatever my coaches ask of me, and I don’t want any handouts. I’m ready to work three races a weekend if that’s what it takes to get me where I want to be. I’m in this for the long haul.”

MWR’s pit coaches have seen enough development of the 5’3 115-pound Abbott to name her to the MWR travel squad.

Welcome to NASCAR, Christmas!!

ESPN NASCAR Spot to air Earnhardt’s Legendary No. 3

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Karen Pistone

ESPN will debut a new promotional spot paying homage to the legendary No. 3 of the late NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt in a new promotional spot that will begin airing in the telecast of Saturday’s season-opening NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Austin Dillon uses No. 3 in the series, driving a car owned by his grandfather, Richard Childress, who also was Earnhardt’s car owner and had stopped using the number following Earnhardt’s death in the 2001 Daytona 500 until Dillon began racing in the NASCAR Truck Series three years ago.

In the spot, images of NASCAR fans and their reverence for the No. 3 run under a narration from Dillon, who speaks of his respect for Earnhardt, the number and NASCAR fans, as well as his desire to make his own mark in the sport.

Watch the NASCAR SPOT:

The commercial continues ESPN’s “Names Are Made Here” campaign for the NASCAR Nationwide Series, which ESPN airs for the full season. The spot will air across ESPN programming through July.

Racingal.com

A NASCAR Fan Blog by Karen Pistone

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