Tag Archives: NASCAR Racing

Notes for Kentucky Speedway

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As we head into Kentucky Speedway for a tripleheader weekend, here are the headlines to pay attention to:

Tripleheader action opens on Thursday with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – UNOH 225 and continues Friday with the NASCAR Nationwide Series- Feed The Children 300, then Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the Quaker State 400.

  • Kentucky Speedway tweeted on Twitter (@KYSpeedway) that they have room for additional 20,000 vehicles and all their parking woes are a thing of the past. As you may recall, during the inaugural race at Kentucky in 2011, the parking was a mess and fans were still on the highway in traffic at the start of the race. On June 21, the Kentucky Highway Patrol held a media conference regarding the plan for traffic on race day. The plan which calls for KSP to control all parking operations, station a trooper in each parking lot and direct 300 attendants employed by a new parking service contracted by Kentucky Speedway. Fans will be able follow @kystatepolice and @KySpeedway on Twitter along with finding “Kentucky State Police” and “Kentucky Speedway” on Facebook. Fans within five miles of the track can tune to information radio 1620 AM. To read more about the plan of action, go to www.kentuckspeedway.com
  • Roush Fenway Racing’s Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle again are one-two in series points.
  • Kyle Busch dominated last year’s inaugural Quaker State 400 leading the most laps from a pole position that was set via the rule book due to inclement weather that canceled qualifying.
  • NASCAR Nationwide Series fans attending the Friday, June 29 “Feed The Children 300” will receive a free 32-ounce Kentucky Speedway cup courtesy of Levy Restaurants while supplies last. The cup features a checkered-flag pattern along with the Kentucky Speedway and Levy Restaurants logo. The keepsake will be distributed as guests exit the event at speedway gates.
  • You may NOW bring in one 14-inch by 14-inch by 14-inch cooler as well as one carry-in item such as a backpack or purse into our speedway on race days! Coolers may contain any food you’d like to enjoy during our races and unopened water or soft drinks in plastic or aluminum containers. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted, by law, in the grandstands at Kentucky Speedway.
  • Brad Keselowski will being doing triple duty at Kentucky Speedway beginning with Thursday night’s NCWTS race – UNOH 225.
  • Joey Logano won three consecutive NASCAR Nationwide events in Kentucky (2008-2010) before Brad Keselowski stopped his streak a year ago.
  • NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards will help call the NNS race Friday evening (Green flag at 7:45 p.m.) as an analyst, his second of two scheduled races in the booth this year for ESPN.
  • Twitter lends a hand… After Nelson Piquet Jr.‘s native Brazil got wind of his pole position for Saturday’s race, they used social media efforts to pressure Brazilian media into showing the Sargento 200 live on television. Their efforts paid off, a scheduled soccer match in Brazil was shown at a later time so Piquet Jr.’s fans at home could witness him make history. Piquet has two prior starts at Kentucky with a best finish of fourth in last October’s race. All eyes will be on Piquet, Jr. at Kentucky.

 

Sources: PR, NASCARMedia

No. 88 team heads to Sonoma pumped up, ready for road course challenge

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I just knew it would happen!

Dale Earnhardt Jr. won a race! FINALLY!

2011 Infineon - June NSCS Practice Dale Earnhardt Jr - Photo credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR

I was just seven races too early, is all. I thought for sure Junior was going to take Talladega – after all, he does race well on restrictor plate tracks. But wouldn’t you know, almost four years to the day of his last win, he places Michigan in his pocket and ends his 143-race winless streak.

A teleconference was held today with Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick and the No. 88 crew chief Steve Letarte. The question was asked to Rick Hendrick if Junior’s win will help build the momentum from here on out. Hendrick replied, “Oh, absolutely! Seeing him run up front every week, seeing him win a race, seeing him running for the championship, that’s going to just build the sport, the TV ratings, fans in the seats.”

Hendrick also noted that they were bombarded yesterday with emails and different blogs to their sites about Junior Nation having Christmas early this year. ”It’s fun because they’ve waited. They’re loyal fans. He cares about them,” continued Hendrick, “It’s good for the sport. It’s good for him. I think it helps everybody.”

We all witnessed the absence of owner Rick Hendrick during Junior’s big win and got to talk to the boss man via cell phone in Victory Lane. But where exactly was Hendrick during Junior’s victory?  Hendrick explains: “I was hating myself because I was in Michigan.  I was sitting at the airport in the rain, waiting to get in the helicopter,” said Hendrick, “In one way I’m glad I wasn’t there because nobody got to put the camera on me and see how nervous I was those last 20 laps. I had a big meeting in Atlanta Monday morning and I had to have the pilots back at 6:30.  It was a 7:00 deal in Atlanta, I had to make it, so I had to leave and come home, said Hendrick.  And we all want to know what he told Junior: “I told him I knew we was going to get it done, I’m so proud of you. Enjoy it. The world is proud of you. Take a deep breath and have some fun.”

Now that Junior Nation has taken their deep breath, now what?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is currently second in points, only -4 behind points leader Matt Kenseth. NASCAR Sprint Cup heads to Sonoma – a place where Junior has yet to win. And just a reminder – as of June 1, 2012, the track is known as just simply “Sonoma” and will no longer be called Infineon Raceway. Why? Sponsorship has ended. The 10-year naming-rights with Infineon Technologies ends in June. Under the terms of their contract, the name Infineon will be removed from signs, brochures and any other materials identifying the raceway.

Junior obviously wants a road course victory, but has yet to finish in the top 10 at the 1.99-mile road course but has a pair of top-five finishes at Watkins Glen International, the other road course on the schedule. Accident damage and overheating steered Junior to a 41st-place finish at Sonoma in 2011.

Added Steve Letarte, “Sonoma is a place we look forward to improve. We felt we had an okay car there last year, got caught up in an accident. Those things are going to happen. That hurts our stats at Sonoma because it was just an accident. We look forward to going out there, having a good time. I don’t think the win could have come at a better time. We’re going to go out there and enjoy ourselves. We are pretty confident that if we go out there and have fun with it, we can get a car that drives very good.”

“There’s a lot of opportunities there with restarts, fuel strategies,” Letarte added. “There’s a lot of opportunities to have a good run there and we’re looking forward to it,”

Hendrick concluded, “Oh, yeah, we had one good year, a couple of not good years, but now I think we have the foundation and the base to show the Junior Nation and the NASCAR community what Dale Jr. can do and what he’s all about.

Family sport of racing (and talent) passed from generation to generation

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It’s a family sport where the love of racing (and talent) have been passed from generation to generation.

Richard Petty became the first son to win a NASCAR premier series race in which his father, Lee Petty (3/ 14/1914 – 4/ 5/2000), also ran. His first of a record 200 victories came on Feb. 28, 1960 at the Southern States Fairgrounds in Charlotte, N.C. The elder Petty, a NASCAR Hall of Famer like his son, won the pole but finished 20th.

Fathers and sons who won races head-to-head in NASCAR’s premier series include Richard and Kyle Petty, Bobby and Davey Allison (2/25/1961 – 7/13/1993), Dale (4/29/1951 – 2/18/2001) and Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Buck (3/4/1919 – 4/14/2002) and Buddy Baker.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the only current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver to have traded victories with his NASCAR Hall of Fame father. “He’s taught me a lot of things by watching him on the race track,” said Dale Jr. “But the things he taught me off the race track have profited me more than the things I have learned on it.”

David Gilliland, who also competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, will induct his father, Butch Gilliland, into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame on June 21 prior to the event at Sonoma, Calif. The elder Gilliland is a former NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion.

Third generation drivers, Richard Childress’ grandsons, Ty & Austin Dillon’s father, Mike Dillon, competed in five NASCAR Nationwide Series races at the Michigan International Speedway 2.0-mile track. Austin Dillon makes his second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start on Sunday at Michigan. His grandfather, Richard Childress, drove in 17 Michigan races with four top-10 finishes.

Chase Elliott’s father, Bill Elliott, is a former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion.

Corey LaJoie, a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East winner, learned at the knee of two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Randy LaJoie. The elder LaJoie, who manufactures seats found in many NASCAR cars, at first, discouraged his son from competing. “He actually tried to get me to become a golfer and not be a race car driver because he told me it would be hard,” said Corey LaJoie, 20.

Ryan Blaney is the son of NASCAR Sprint Cup driver and open-wheel champion Dave Blaney.

Jeb Burton is starting his NASCAR career by driving (hopefully) 20 races in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Jeb is the son of former 2002 Daytona 500 champion, Ward Burton.

Happy Father’s Day to all Dad’s in NASCAR Nation!

Bristol Motor Speedway to bring excitement back – for the fans – with modifications

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Bristol Motor Speedway’s Bruton Smith, Marcus Smith, BMS General Manager Jerry Caldwell and NASCAR Hall of Famer & FOX Commentator Darrell Waltrip met with the media this week to discuss the changes coming to Bristol Motor Speedway.

Bruton Smith commented on how he approached fans to hear their feedback on what they believe should be done to make the racing more exciting at Bristol. He said the comments were coming in, for a while, then died off. Bruton Smith would put the results of what he read as a 40-60 comparison – with 40% of fans wanting a change to Bristol, while a whooping 60% said don’t change it. But according to Bruton, they are going ahead anyways and will be “modifying what we already have.” And by that, Bruton means the engineers will get creative and take away the top groove that allowed many drivers to pass on – without the old bump and run. “There’s just too much room for movement,” said Bruton.

Normally, as history has been etched into stone at Bristol, hardly anyone could pass without having to do the “get out of my way bump & run.”

When the deteriorating BMS track surface was replaced in 2007, variable banking was added. Often referred to as “progressive” because the degrees increase from bottom to top, the layout provided multiple lanes of racing on the famed short track. The modifications being focused on is taking away the “progressive” banking, or the top line (as a matter of speaking) in all the turns. In addition, Bristol executives have asked Goodyear to return with a softer tire in August. With that said, to me and this is only my opinion, but wouldn’t it make sense for Bristol to try the softer tire, first, to see if that helps before making modifications to the track that will cost millions? Bruton stated that Bristol will pay for the modifications. I just hope it doesn’t come in a form of higher prices for the fans on ticket costs or other hidden fees… you do get what you pay for, after all.

Bruton Smith believes he’s doing the right thing by removing the progressive banking from Bristol.

A question asked by the media was “Has NASCAR racing become to sterile?” Bruton believes it has. “Just look at Texas Motor Speedway. Only two cautions. NASCAR should have thrown the caution flag when Jimmie Johnson swiped the wall,” said Bruton. Kansas Speedway had only three cautions. One for a single-car spin, and debris – race fans don’t want to see caution free races, or freight train racing, either. They look for the excitement of bumping, the side-by-side racing. “Most tracks this season have become record setting tracks, is all,” stated Bruton.

Bristol Motor Speedway has always had the reputation of flaring up tempers of drivers, as well as crew members, bumping, spinning, lots of cautions and sending drivers to the NASCAR hauler after the race. “We want to bring that back… we want the excitement back,” stated Bruton. When asked about what the NASCAR drivers thought about the track, a majority of them replied “I love it the way it is, don’t change it!”

Bruton stated he has never consulted with any drivers while building a race track.

“Sometimes we have to look at the bottom line and that is what’s good enough for the drivers, just isn’t good enough for the fans,” stated Bruton.

So have fan opinions outweighing those of the drivers? Seems to be. Discussions have been on going – But what if it’s just that the racecars have become that good? Or maybe it’s Goodyear developing the perfect tire? Maybe it’s just the drivers becoming too conservative in their racing….trying to save their points positions as well as equipment?

Hummm…..

As Darrell Waltrip put it, he used the phrase “Bristol took a blue collar joint and spiffed it up.” Another great example is what a lot fans could understand – social media. “It’s just like Facebook, as many of us do have Facebook pages,” said Darrell, “They changed it and I hate it. Some like it, others don’t. You can’t appeal to everyone,” continued Waltrip, “but if enough people complain about it, maybe they’ll change it back.”

Weighing the pros and cons of progressive banking, Waltrip stated “I’m not sure if progressive banking is good for a short track, such as Bristol. Maybe on a mile and a half track where there’s more speed.” Yet when asked how he felt about the changes about to take effect, Waltrip replied, “I don’t want them to change it.”

Bruton Smith said the Bristol “modifications” will take place within the time frame allowed before race day and will likely lead to an August sellout. Bristol will accommodate for a day for Goodyear Tire testing, as well as opening the track for fans to walk on and check out the changes for themselves.

SiriusXM to broadcast NASCAR races online, SiriusXM App

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Sirius XM Radio and NASCAR announced today an agreement to simulcast the programming on the SiriusXM NASCAR Radio channel in its entirety – which includes live broadcasts of every national series race, plus daily NASCAR talk – online for SiriusXM subscribers nationwide.

Starting with this weekend’s races in Fontana, CA (March 24-25), subscribers who have SiriusXM Internet Radio access can listen to live broadcasts of every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on the SiriusXM NASCAR radio channel through their computers at siriusxm.com and through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphone and wireless devices.

SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90, is available to Sirius subscribers, XM Premier (formerly known as “The Best of Sirius”) and SiriusXM Premier subscribers.

SiriusXM NASCAR Radio is the only radio channel dedicated to NASCAR racing 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The channel’s daily talk programming will begin simulcasting online on Thursday, March 22. Throughout the season, NASCAR fans get a daily lineup of call-in talk shows that feature up-to-the-moment news, expert analysis and interviews with the biggest names in the sport, plus specials hosted by three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart.

SiriusXM and NASCAR recently agreed to a five-year extension of their satellite broadcasting agreement. SiriusXM will continue to broadcast every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race live nationwide through 2016. Listeners also get daily NASCAR talk and expert analysis 365 days a year on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

For further information, visit the website http://www.siriusxm.com/nascar.

Source: NASCARMedia

Winning at Bristol Motor Speedway was a special ‘Tweet’ for Brad Keselowski

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NSCS Race Victory Lane at Bristol Motor Speedway Twitpic Keselowski. Photo credit: Getty Images for NASCAR

Yes, it wouldn’t be Brad without seeing him and his phone out while at the track. But how special is is when your in Victory Lane? Brad Keselowski, driver of the Penske No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger R/T and winner of the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday, focused more on the social media (Twitter) on Sunday afternoon in Victory Lane and here’s his reason why:

“It’s something that I thought would be really cool to do, for sure.  I know that NASCAR and all of its partners are working really hard to continue to do the best they can to provide the best service possible.  When you have over 60 thousand people in a very confined area that can be difficult to do, especially an area that’s probably not extremely populated or urban area I guess you can say.  I know I’ve been to Michigan football games where they have a hundred thousand people in the middle of Ann Arbor which is kind of a tech hub, so to speak, and there’s no service there.  You know, it’s an ongoing battle and challenge that I know NASCAR is working very hard with their partners to work on.  It’s something that I’ve been in conversation with them about and certainly, for our generation, timeliness is of extreme importance.  I’d like to see that process obviously get a little bit faster and the right people are working on it to make it happen.  When it does happen, it’ll be less than a half hour.”

I got on Twitter and got kind of PO’d at some people that said I won it because of the timing line.  I knew this Blue Deuce was fast enough to win the race last fall with or without timing lines.  It feels so good to just prove it here today in the spring race.  This car here, a brand new car that Penske Racing built, everybody back in the shop did a phenomenal job.  The last few races have been really good, and I knew we had a shot at winning one if we ran like we were.  , we closed the deal.  I love Bristol and Bristol loves me (laughs).

As we all know a few weeks ago at Daytona International Speedway, Juan Montoya brought out the red flag after his No. 42 Target Chevy plowed into the jet dryer. During that red flag period of 2 hrs., 5 minutes, Brad Kesewloski was tweeting pictures of the drivers and answered fans’ questions via Twitter while standing out of their cars on the track. His tweets and photos were being viewed on the jumbotron’s around Daytona International Speedway.

NASCAR Cup drivers during the red flag at Daytona International Speedway. Twitpic by, yes, Brad Keselowski, himself!

It appeared that having a phone in the car could violate NASCAR rules regarding the use of radios and recording devices in cars, however, the next day, NASCAR released a statement saying they would not penalize Keselowski. Other drivers, one being Kevin Harvick who has remained against having cell phones in the cars, aren’t so sure that they agree with NASCAR. He already has found a miles-per-hour application for his phone that he believes he could use to monitor his speed down pit road. “I’m going to look for every app I can for mile-per-hour, GPS mapping, and anything I can find to put in my car,” Harvick said. “I’m looking for it because I’m looking to outlaw this rule as fast as I can because I don’t want to have to keep up with it. I have found a mile-per-hour app, so that’ll be good down pit road.”

When asked why he carries his phone with him, Keselowski said he doesn’t keep his phone in the car to tweet, but to be able to contact family if he gets in an accident. He said since that bad crash at California in September 2007 where he was airlifted to a hospital, he had no way to contact his parents. After his August 2011 accident at Road Atlanta, he had his phone and could text his mom from the helicopter before she heard it on the news.

In the meanwhile, NASCAR’s Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said that NASCAR will watch and see where this all heads, but there’s not much of a concern about it.

You can follow Brad on Twitter @brad_keselowski. Just look for the 252,900+ followers and you know you have the correct account.

Sam Bass presents Tony Stewart with Gibson Guitar during Media Day at Daytona

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Tony Stewart and Sam Bass. Photo credit: Karen Pistone / Racingal.com

Today during Media Day at Daytona International Speedway, I was walking around and

Tony Stewart kneels to check out the new Sam Bass guitar that was just presented to him. Photo by Karen Pistone / Racingal.com

noticed this guy…. a very excited man talking to Tony Stewart. My first though was a desperate fan got into the Media Center and wanted to give Tony Stewart something very dear and close to him. He handed Tony a guitar case – Tony took it, placed it on the stage next to him and knelt down to open it.

It was a painted Gibson guitar. Just for him.

Then it clicked. The guy wasn’t just a crazed fan that got into the Media area…. it was Sam Bass.

It turned out to be another Sam Bass great, painted just for the three time NASCAR Champion himself. I asked Sam what was the importance to this guitar and he said, “I just love Tony. He’s a great guy, a great driver and he really enjoys my stuff.”

I told Sam that it amazed me to see just how excited he was. He was like a little boy in a candy store for the first time – his eyes were lit up, his smile reached cheek to cheek. Sam is a huge fan of the sport. He loves to support the drivers that show appreciation to their fans. “If it weren’t for the fans, they wouldn’t be where they are today.”

Sam Bass and his two guitars from today's Media Day at Daytona International Speedway. Photo credit: Greg Engle.

“We are opening my Gibson guitar exhibit for the Sprint Rock and Racing Sweepstakes,” said Bass. A lucky fan at seasons end will win one of my custom painted Gibson Les Pauls and I will personally paint their favorite driver on it!!!….ROCK ON!!!”

Sam will be holding an autograph session at Universal City Walk’s NASCAR Sports Grille Wednesday, February 22 from 4-6 p.m. Please stop by. If there’s anyone besides me that wants to talk racing, Sam’s the guy!

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

Sponsors carrying more leverage than ever before in NASCAR

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The No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Penske Dodge comes to pit road at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Photo credit: Sandi Goodall/Racingal.com

When one mentions NASCAR, you think of speed and sponsorship before anything. After all, it is the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Race cars and haulers are wrapped with team sponsors and associate sponsors; driver suits are plastered with logos and names from sponsors; drivers hold drinks for sponsors… are you following where I’m going with this? The point I’m trying to get at is the money a sponsor will put into a team and what sponsor expects in return from a driver and team is huge. Sponsors have become the savior of NASCAR and what the sponsor says, goes…they are the bread and butter that keeps a team running. It’s very safe to say if a sponsor isn’t happy – NO ONE  IS HAPPY.

So how important is a sponsor?

VERY IMPORTANT.

NASCAR Sprint Cup races are by far the most popular in the United States, right as we come out of the best season we’ve seen in a while. For a company to be a Primary Sponsor on a Sprint Cup car, they shell out a lot of money – being a primary sponsor of a team could cost between $350,000 to $500,000 per race / or even up to millions of dollars for a season. The “Primary Sponsor” has the main spot for their logo/company name – on the hood – as well as being able to pick the color scheme and team colors (as well as additional items may be negotiated in).

 

Photo shows the "B-pillar" on the Tony Stewart No. 14 Office Depot / Mobil1 Chevy. Photo by Sandi Goodall/Racingal.com

Associate Sponsors are what are known as “smaller contributors.” Locations of logos are across the fenders and the rear windows. Size and placement influence the cost, with the quarter panels being the most expensive place to add a logo. The rear window on both sides of the car, called the C-pillar, is the next most expensive spot. A logo in that area costs about $500,000 a season. The B-pillar, which is the area right next to the driver’s shoulder, is the smallest associate sponsorship possible. Those little stickers cost $200,000 for a full season’s placement. These sponsors will more than like not have as much “say” as a primary sponsor when things go awry with a driver or team, but they will be heard.

 

Many companies that have entered into sports marketing remained with NASCAR because of fan loyalty to their product and have used this sport as a viable way to get their messages across. It seems like sponsors have become the “owners.” Drivers will perform to their expectations for their branding of their name, or else…

 

This season, we saw the leverage a sponsor actually has. After the Kyle Busch vs  Ron Hornaday incident at Texas Motor Speedway, sponsor Z-Line Designs made their unhappiness with Kyle Busch very well known by announcing they did not want Kyle Busch to pilot the No. 18 Nationwide car at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and rather requested Denny Hamlin to be in the driver seat.

Done deal.

M&M’s showed their displeasure by pulling sponsorship from the JGR’s No. 18 Sprint Cup car for the last two races of the 2011 season. They claim they will be back for the 2012 season. But imagine the money lost to the team.

More Leverage Than Ever

Upon the news that Kurt Busch had lost his ride, David Ragan, driver of the No. 6 UPS Ford for Roush Fenway Racing, had requested to be released from Roush Fenway Racing Monday morning to make himself a valuable player for the open seat of the No. 22 Penske Dodge. David Ragan got his wish.

Ragan said he then talked to Penske Racing president Tim Cindric to express an interest in the vacant #22 ride.

“I want to be in consideration for that car,” Ragan said.

So who are the other drivers available and currently looking for a ride? Well, here’s the list:

Justin Allgaier – Ex-Penske driver

David Ragan – One victory in 2011

David Reutimann – Mr. Non-personality; Nothing gained during stint with MWR – Sponsor unpleased

Elliott Sadler – Ready for Cup? (once again)

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – Nationwide Champion/Sponsor issues with Roush-Fenway Racing in Nationwide

Brian Vickers – Loses ride with Red Bull; Has own “on-track pay back” issues (at times)

 

So what about Sam Hornish Jr. – an ex-Penske driver from 2008-2010 with two- top 5 finishes and never finished better than 28th in points? Penske Racing executive Bud Denker said that Sam Hornish Jr. will not be under consideration, as Penske wants the former IndyCar Series champion to focus on a full Nationwide Series run in 2012 before returning to Cup.

Penske Racing executive Bud Denker acknowledged that Ragan “and others” would be considered to replace Busch, whose behavior on and off the track led to the split. He did not give a timetable, but indicated it could be several weeks, as the process has just begun.

And guess what? Penske’s PRIMARY SPONSOR, Shell Pennzoil, will have to approve the winning candidate. Money talks.

Now that’s leverage!

Stats for Auto Club Speedway

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Qualifying/Race Data

2010 pole winner: Jamie McMurray (183.744 mph, 39.185 seconds)

2010 race winner: Jimmie Johnson (141.911 mph, 2-21-10)

Track qualifying record: Kyle Busch (188.425 mph, 38.248 seconds,

2-25-05)

Track race record: Jeff Gordon (155.012 mph, 6-22-97)

Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Auto Club Speedway going into the Auto Club 400 on March 27th.

Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford)

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

·          Average finish of 18.3

·          Average Running Position of 13.0, ninth-best

·          Driver Rating of 96.0, eighth-best

·          213 Fastest Laps Run, second-most

·          Average Green Flag Speed of 171.167 mph, fourth-fastest

·          2,020 Laps in the Top 15 (68.4%), ninth-most

·          500 Quality Passes (passes of cars in the top 15 under green), 11th-most

Clint Bowyer (No. 33 Cheerios Hamburger Helper Chevrolet)

·          Two top fives, six top 10s

·          Average finish of 11.0

·          Average Running Position of 13.6, 10th-best

·          Driver Rating of 90.6, 12th-best

Kurt Busch (No. 22 Southern California AAA Dodge)

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

·          Average finish of 12.7

·          Average Running Position of 13.7, 11th-best

·          Driver Rating of 91.9, 11th-best

·          87 Fastest Laps Run, 11th-most

·          964 Green Flag Passes, fourth-most

·          Average Green Flag Speed of 170.746 mph, 11th-fastest

·          2,090 Laps in the Top 15 (70.7%), seventh-most

·          616 Quality Passes, third-most

Kyle Busch (No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota)

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

·          Average finish of 12.7

·          Average Running Position of 11.0, fifth-best

·          Driver Rating of 100.7, fourth-best

·          135 Fastest Laps Run, seventh-most

·          915 Green Flag Passes, eighth-most

·          Average Green Flag Speed of 171.036 mph, seventh-fastest

·          2,275 Laps in the Top 15 (77.0%), fourth-most

·          640 Quality Passes, second-most

Carl Edwards (No. 99 Aflac Ford)

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

·          Average finish of 9.2

·          Average Running Position of 12.7, seventh-best

·          Driver Rating of 98.7, sixth-best

·          151 Fastest Laps Run, fourth-most

·          Average Green Flag Speed of 171.154 mph, fifth-fastest

·          2,163 Laps in the Top 15 (73.2%), sixth-most

·          540 Quality Passes, 10th-most

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

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

·          Average finish of 10.9

·          Average Running Position of 9.3, third-best

·          Driver Rating of 99.6, fifth-best

·          189 Fastest Laps Run, third-most

·          954 Green Flag Passes, fifth-most

·          Average Green Flag Speed of 171.123 mph, sixth-fastest

·          2,332 Laps in the Top 15 (78.9%), third-most

·          Series-high 649 Quality Passes

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Office Toyota)

·          One top five, four top 10s; one pole

·          Average finish of 17.2

·          Driver Rating of 88.4, 13th-best

·          Average Green Flag Speed of 170.749 mph, 10th-fastest

·          1,528 Laps in the Top 15 (62.3%), 13th-most

·          456 Quality Passes, 12th-most


Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Jimmy Johns Chevrolet)

·          Two top fives, seven top 10s

·          Average finish of 17.1

·          Average Running Position of 13.0, eighth-best

·          Driver Rating of 92.2, 10th-best

·          73 Fastest Laps Run, 13th-most

·          952 Green Flag Passes, sixth-most

·          Average Green Flag Speed of 170.763 mph, ninth-fastest

·          2,088 Laps in the Top 15 (70.7%), eighth-most

·          551 Quality Passes, eighth-most

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

·          Five wins, 11 top fives, 12 top 10s; one pole

·          Average finish of 5.3

·          Series-best Average Running Position of 5.2

·          Series-best Driver Rating of 124.2

·          Series-high 427 Fastest Laps Run

·          Series-best Average Green Flag Speed of 171.874 mph

·          Series-high 2,823 Laps in the Top 15 (95.5%)

·          611 Quality Passes, fifth-most

Kasey Kahne (No. 4 Red Bull Toyota)

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

·          Average finish of 15.4

·          Average Running Position of 14.4, 12th-best

·          Driver Rating of 93.9, ninth-best

·          106 Fastest Laps Run, ninth-most

·          885 Green Flag Passes, 12th-most

·          Average Green Flag Speed of 170.651 mph, 12th-fastest

·          1,914 Laps in the Top 15 (64.8%), 11th-most

·          549 Quality Passes, ninth-most


Matt Kenseth (No. 17 Crown Royal Ford)

·          Three wins, seven top fives, 12 top 10s

·          Average finish of 10.3

·          Average Running Position of 9.1, second-best

·          Driver Rating of 107.5, second-best

·          124 Fastest Laps Run, eighth-most

·          894 Green Flag Passes, 10th-most

·          Average Green Flag Speed of 171.219 mph, third-fastest

·          2,417 Laps in the Top 15 (81.8%), second-most

·          555 Quality Passes, seventh-most


 Mark Martin (No. 5 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet)

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

·          Average finish of 13.3

·          Average Running Position of 9.6, fourth-best

·          Driver Rating of 102.5, third-best

·          141 Fastest Laps Run, sixth-most

·          Average Green Flag Speed of 171.234 mph, second-fastest

·          1,938 Laps in the Top 15 (78.9%), 10th-most

Tony Stewart (No. 14 Office Depot Chevrolet)

·          One win, five top fives, 11 top 10s

·          Average finish of 14.2

·          Average Running Position of 11.2, sixth-best

·          Driver Rating of 98.6, seventh-best

·          148 Fastest Laps Run, fifth-most

·          896 Green Flag Passes, ninth-most

·          Average Green Flag Speed of 170.998 mph, eighth-fastest

·          2,173 Laps in the Top 15 (73.5%), fifth-most

·          593 Quality Passes, sixth-most

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 in February 2008.

Notebook

·         There have been 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Auto Club Speedway since the track opened in 1997.

·         Four drivers have competed in all 21 races: Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Joe Nemechek.

·         Joe Nemechek won the pole for the inaugural race in 1997.

·         There have been 14 different pole winners, led by Kurt Busch (three). Brian Vickers, Jamie McMurray and Jeff Gordon each have two poles.

·         Thirteen different drivers have posted victories. Jimmie Johnson leads all drivers with five wins. Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth each have won three races.

·         Hendrick Motorsports has won nine races, more than any other team.

·         Ten of the 21 races were won from starting positions outside the top 10; only one has been won from the pole (Jimmie Johnson in 2008). The most prolific starting position is third, with three victories.

·         Matt Kenseth won the 2006 spring race from the 31st starting position, the deepest in the field that a race winner has started.

·         Two active drivers have averaged a top-10 finish: Jimmie Johnson (5.3) and Carl Edwards (9.2).

·         Kyle Busch won his first NASCAR Sprint Cup pole (2/05) and first race (9/05) at Auto Club Speedway.

·         Jimmie Johnson won his first NASCAR Sprint Cup race at ASC on April 28, 2002.