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.

(Army) National Guard has no plans to retreat as sponsor for Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Karen Pistone

WASHINGTON, July 12, 2012

Press Release

WASHINGTON, July 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The National Guard Association of the United States today released the following statement by retired Maj. Gen. Gus L. Hargett Jr., the association president:

There is an effort underway in Congress to prohibit the U.S. military from sponsoring professional motorsports as part of military recruiting.

On the surface, this may seem like a good idea in the face of current fiscal challenges. But a closer look reveals that such a ban would provide no real savings and only serve to hinder Defense Department efforts to reach the most qualified potential recruits.

Recruiting for our all-volunteer force isn’t what it used to be. Only one in every four young people is even eligible to join. And television advertising no longer carries the payoff it once did.

Today, you have to know how smart, fit young people think, where they live and play, and go to them.

The Army National Guard learned these lessons a few years ago. Traditional recruiting approaches no longer worked and our troop strength was shrinking. So we abandoned convention and focused our limited resources on an innovative marketing mix that linked recruiting messages to popular musicians and motorsports.

It was a bold move, but it paid off. Recruiting steadily improved, both in terms of the quantity and quality of the applicants. Today, the Army National Guard has the fittest, most intelligent force in its history. Other military services noticed and have taken similar approaches.

The link between military recruiting and motorsports is temporary. The results prove it’s a match that works today. It may not in the future when other approaches may provide a better payoff. And that’s the point.

We applaud lawmakers like Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., and Rep. Barbara McCollum, D-Minn., for asking tough questions about how and where scarce defense dollars are spent. But we believe military marketing experts should evaluate return on investment and determine without restriction where best to put increasingly scarce recruiting dollars.”

“Drive for the Cover” finals: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Karen Pistone

After four rounds of voting, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (no surprise there!) and Kasey Kahne are the two drivers who have survived and one of them will be gracing the NASCAR The Game: Inside Line cover.

Voting for the finals of the “Drive for the Cover” campaign begins today with two weeks remaining.

The final round will be closing JULY 15 (Champion) to select the driver who will adorn the cover of NASCAR The Game: Inside Line.

NASCAR fans can vote in the bracketed tournament that is hosted entirely on NASCAR The Game’s Facebook page, which can be easily accessed at NASCARTheGame.com/Vote.

NASCAR Press Release

FOUR YEARS LATER: Will Earnhardt Jr. capture another Father’s Day weekend win at MIS?

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Karen Pistone

Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Lifelock 400 at the Michigan International Speedway on June 15, 2008 Photo credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The date: June 15, 2008

This is a date that Junior Nation hasn’t forgotten. June 15, 2008 marked Dale Earnhardt Jr.‘s first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points win, a year almost to the exact day, June 13, 2007, when Junior announced he had signed a five-year contract with Hendrick Motorsports, replacing Kyle Busch. Earnhardt expressed that his decision was based entirely on his desires to achieve his career goal of a NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship, and he would not be able to achieve that goal while driving for DEI. Earnhardt Jr. said that unless he could gain majority ownership of DEI, he was not confident in the organization’s ability to field the level of equipment that would allow him to be competitive enough to win the title. Along with leaving DEI, the new contract also meant leaving behind the familiar #8, moving into the #88, and disconnecting from his long-time sponsor, Budweiser.

This win at MIS allowed Junior to break his 76-race winless streak by stretching his fuel mileage to allow him to win under a caution on the last lap of a green-white-checkered.

Just recently at Pocono Raceway, Earnhardt Jr. posted his 11th top-10 finish, one fewer than his entire 2011 total and is on track to reach 28 top 10s – a career best (21, in 2003 and 2004).

Yes, this win was a special win, but not just for Hendrick Motorsports, but for ALL Father’s in NASCAR Nation. Earnhardt Jr.’s win came seven years after the death of his father, NASCAR Champion and great, Dale Earnhardt. Reflecting on Father’s Day, Earnhardt Jr. said, “It’s special. You know, my daddy, he meant a lot to me. There’s a lot of people that I look up to that just happen to be great fathers themselves, role models for their sons. It means a lot to me to do well on Father’s Day. It’s a special day for my family, special for my sister. She’s very, very happy at home and in tears on the telephone, so it means a lot to her. I’m glad she’s as happy as she could possibly be today under circumstances. And it makes me feel good. I know I can’t tell my father happy Father’s Day, but I get the opportunity to wish it upon all of the other fathers out there, and I genuinely mean that when I say it, because that’s what today is all about. It’s for all of the fathers out there.”

Do you think Dale Earnhardt Jr. will repeat after a four-year lapse this Father’s Day weekend at MIS? We’ll see.

Also to note, the No. 3 RCR car will return to the track at MIS this weekend, driven by Austin Dillon with sponsor American Ethanol on board.

NASCAR Nationwide Series News – Heading to ‘Dega

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Karen Pistone

Race #: 8 out of 33
Track Size: 2.66 miles
Race Length: 311.22 miles
Banking/corners: 33 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 16.5 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch: 4,300 feet
Backstretch: 4,000 feet

NNS Qualifying: Friday, May 4, at noon on ESPN2

NASCAR Countdown: 3 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Race: Aaron’s 312 ABC, Saturday, May 5th. Green flag at 3:34 p.m.

Top 10 Driver standings following Richmond:
1) #2-Elliott Sadler
2) #6-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
3) #3-Austin Dillon
4) #12-Sam Hornish Jr.
5) #43-Michael Annett
6) #88-Cole Whitt
7) #31-Justin Allgaier
8) #19-Tayler Malsam
9) #60-Trevor Bayne
10) #44-Mike Bliss

RACIN’ NOTES

There are 44 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday’s Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway.

Kurt Busch will be in the #1 for Phoenix Racing;

Danny Elfand returns to the #4 for JD Motorsports;

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will drive the #5;

Tim Andrews returns to the Randy Hill #08;

Jeffrey Earnhardt will drive the Rick Ware #15, Timmy Hill remains in the #41, and Blake Koch will be in the #75;

Ryan Truex returns to the JGR #20;

Kenny Wallace returns to RABs #99

DID YOU KNOW?
The twelve extra miles are tacked on to what would normally be a 300-mile race for targeted advertising purposes. The race’s sponsor, Aaron’s, is a lease-to-own retailer. The distance was set to reflect the sponsor’s slogan (“3 ways to buy, 12 reasons to shop at Aaron’s”).

• 2005, 2007, & 2009: Race extended due to a Green-white-checker finish.

• 2010: Race postponed from Saturday to Sunday due to rain and extended due to a Green-white-checker finish.

• 2011: Race extended due to a Green-white-checker finish (2 attempts). This was the first time a NASCAR Nationwide Series race used the Green-white-checker format 2 times to finish a race:

In the most frantic race in the history of the class in its various incarnations from Late Model Sportsman division to Busch Grand National to Nationwide Series, points leader Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. hit the wall and caused a red flag, then on Lap 88 Michael Waltrip got turned into the backstretch wall by Jamie McMurray, who was attempting to draft pole sitter Elliott Sadler. The wreck ended up taking out sixteen cars and bringing out another red flag. Kyle Busch and Joey Logano finished 1-2 while Mike Wallace got blasted by Sadler and flipped on his roof once, crossing the finish line in 17th. The race also broke the record of the most lead changes in Nationwide Series history with 56.

Since Bristol, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. has one win and two other top fives bringing the reigning series champion to within two points of Elliott Sadler’s lead heading to ‘Dega.

There’s also a manufacturer challenge to go along with the Sadler-Stenhouse clash. Chevrolet, despite being the series’ all-time winner (12) at Talladega – hasn’t won at there since 2007. Ford last won in 2009.

The No. 3 Chevrolet will make its first series run at Talladega since 2000 this weekend with driver Austin Dillon. … Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his nephew Jeffrey Earnhardt will be sharing the track with the No. 3 Chevy.

Brad Sweet, will make his second start of the season in the #38 Great Clips Chevy this weekend at the famed Talladega Superspeedway. His first start of 2012 came at Auto Club Speedway where he proved impressive by bringing home a sixth-place finish. Sweet shares driving duties of the #38 with Kasey Kahne this season with Kahne scheduled to compete in 15 races and Sweet competing in the balance of the 33-race schedule.

Danica Patrick will be making her series debut at Talladega. She won her first career Nationwide Series pole in February at Daytona. Along with Patrick, Johanna Long will be making her NASCAR Nationwide Series debut at Talladega as well. Long, age 19, is the youngest female to compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and a current Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate. She more than held her own in her NASCAR debut at Talladega last October, starting eighth and finishing 16th in the NASCAR Camping World Series race. Long drives for ML Motorsports in the Nationwide Series and the team collected its only top five to date at ‘Dega in 2008.

Source: NASCARMedia, Wikipedia

NASCAR Statement on Brad Keselowski’s use of Social Media during the Daytona 500

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Karen Pistone

NASCAR will not penalize Brad Keselowski for his use of Twitter during last night’s Daytona 500.

Nothing we’ve seen from Keselowski violates any current rules pertaining to the use of social media during races. As such, he won’t be penalized.

We encourage our drivers to use social media to express themselves as long as they do so without risking their safety or that of others.

Post-Race Transcript from the DIS Media Center with Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Greg Biffle on the Twittering/phone usage:

Q. During that delay, I mean, you obviously were entertained by Brad Keselowski’s Twitter account. Did you guys Twitter anybody or did you play with it at all during that time-out?

GREG BIFFLE: I didn’t. I think he was looking at the data on there.

DALE EARNHARDT JR.: Yeah, I heard he was in trouble for having a recording device in his car. But I think that’s how Brad is, man. That’s what he makes and what he enjoys. I thought it was pretty funny. We did take the phone and put it to some use and looked up the weather, because it was drizzling a little bit, so it did come in handy.

GREG BIFFLE: That’s for sure.

Dale Earnhardt Inc. to hold annual “Candlelight Remembrance of Dale Earnhardt”

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Karen Pistone

Dale Earnhardt Inc. will be holding their annual “Candlelight Remembrance of Dale Earnhardt” on Saturday, February 18th, 2012, from 6pm until 9pm. The Showroom will be open to the public and will be illuminated with candles. Commemorative decals and prayer cards will be distributed to all in attendance. A memorial guest book will be available throughout the day, for those who would like to share their memories of Dale. Fans are invited to attend at Dale Earnhardt Inc. on Highway 3, in Mooresville, NC.

Those unable to attend are encouraged to light a candle at home that evening in remembrance of Dale Earnhardt’s remarkable spirit and life, and all fans of Dale Earnhardt are asked to help “Continue The Legend” through your support of The Dale Earnhardt Foundation and Dale’s passions: Children, Education, and Environmental/Wildlife Conservation.

Source: Jayski

NASCAR Cup teams to test Nov. 15 at Daytona – open to the public

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Karen Pistone

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams will test at Daytona International Speedway in an effort to evaluate and prepare aerodynamic baseline packages for the January 12-14, 2012 Preseason Thunder Test at DIS on Tuesday, November 15 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Teams scheduled to participate include: Hendrick Motorsports (two cars with drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Aric Almirola); Roush Fenway Racing (two cars with drivers David Ragan and Marcos Ambrose); Joe Gibbs Racing (one car with driver Joey Logano), Michael Waltrip Racing (one car with driver Martin Truex Jr.), and NEMCO Motorsports (one car with driver Joe Nemechek).

A section of the Oldfield Grandstands will be open free to the public with access available through the lobby of the Daytona International Speedway ticket office.

Thomas Kinkade portrays the “Dominator” of Talladega, Dale Earnhardt

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Karen Pistone

Thomas Kinkade's brother, Patrick Kinkade, reveals the Tribute to Earnhardt Painting, "This is Talladega." Photo credit: Sandi Goodall, Racingal.com

The Thomas Kinkade Company (TKC) today announced the release of Thomas Kinkade’s newest image entitled, “This is Talladega”. The image is one of the artist’s most exciting sports paintings to date. The rumble and roar of the cars is almost heard as they cross the finish line in this depiction of Talladega. Thomas Kinkade portrays the “Dominator” of Talladega, Dale Earnhardt, the famed No. 3 car, as taking the checkered flag to win the race.

Thomas Kinkade’s brother, Patrick Kinkade, will be at Saturday’s press conference at Talladega Superspeedway® as a representative for TKC to answer questions and talk about this exceptional painting. “For fans of Dale Earnhardt and Talladega Superspeedway®, this image will bring you back to the days of the ‘Dominator’ at Talladega…what a thrilling time,” noted Patrick Kinkade. “But fans of any motorsport will enjoy this masterpiece – the speed and excitement depicted on this canvas truly embodies the core rush felt by those who follow the spectacle of auto racing,” he added.

"This is Talladega" tribute. Photo by Sandi Goodall, Racingal.com

Thom painted this image to make the viewer feel the thrill of the finish. Race fans will also notice the artist has blended the past with present, making it a timeless part of each fan’s favorite memory of the track.

During race weekend, Oct 21st through 23rd, The Thomas Kinkade Company and the local Thomas Kinkade Gallery of Birmingham will be onsite at Talladega Superspeedway® selling a variety of products showcasing this image.

Source: NASCAR PR

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