NASCAR Nationwide Series Crew Chief fined; Crew Chief, Car Chief placed on probation for infractions at Darlington Raceway

NASCAR 4C(PRT)NASCAR announced that NASCAR Nationwide Series crew chief Adam Stevens (No. 54 team) has been fined and placed on probation for violations during this past weekend’s event at Darlington Raceway. In addition, the team’s car chief Christopher Landis has been placed on probation for the remainder of the year.

Stevens has been fined $10,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. Landis has likewise been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.

The rules violations referred to Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20-A of the rule book); 20A-2.1E (streamlining of the contours of the car, beyond what is approved by the series director will not be permitted. Installation of air directional devices, underpans, baffles, shields or the like beneath the car or the car’s hood and fender area, front firewall, floor, rear firewall area, rear deck and quarter panel area will not be permitted. If, in the judgment of NASCAR officials, any part or component of the car not previously approved by NASCAR has been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance, will not be permitted. Addition of body fillers of any type, to the underside of the body, chassis or suspension components will not be permitted.  All cars must remain standard in appearance); 20A-3.10A (front upper bumper cover must be from the respective OEM manufacturer and must be approved by NASCAR. The front lower bumper cover and rear bumper cover must be from an approved manufacturer and must be approved by NASCAR. Once approved, the front lower bumper covers may be used on all approved models. NASCAR officials may use bumper covers provided by the respective manufacturer as a guide in determining whether a competitor’s bumper cover conforms to the specifications of the NASCAR rule book. Unless otherwise authorized by the series director, cutting and reshaping of bumper covers will not be permitted.)

The infractions were discovered during opening day inspection on May 9.

NASCAR PR

He’s baaack! Carl Edwards back in ESPN Broadcast Booth for three NASCAR Nationwide Series races

Photo courtesy of ESPN.

Photo courtesy of ESPN.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards will return to the ESPN broadcast booth as an analyst for the next three races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Edwards will join lap-by-lap announcer Allen Bestwick and analyst Andy Petree in the booth to call the 300-mile race at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday night, April 12, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Edwards also will call races at Richmond International Raceway on Friday night, April 26 and at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday, May 4 (2:30 p.m. on ESPN). In each case, Edwards will compete in the next day’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the same track.

Carl Edwards made his debut in the ESPN booth last year, calling Nationwide Series races at Darlington Raceway and Kentucky Speedway. Moving to the booth was a progression in broadcasting for Edwards, who had been doing post-race analysis for ESPN SportsCenter during ESPN’s portion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule the previous two seasons.

Edwards, who drives for Roush Fenway Racing, stopped competing in NASCAR Nationwide Series races last season after racing fulltime in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series the previous seven years. He was the Nationwide Series driving champion in 2007, and earned the 2011 series owner’s championship for Roush Fenway Racing, but decided to concentrate his efforts on the Sprint Cup Series exclusively beginning last season.

Official Statement from Daytona International Speedway

Daytona_International_Speedway

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood provided the following statement Saturday evening:

First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with our race fans.

Following the incident, we responded appropriately according to our safety protocols and had emergency medical personnel at the incident immediately.

We transported 14 people off property and 14 were treated at our on-track care center.

We are in the process of repairing the facility, and we will be ready to go racing tomorrow.

The Motorsports Group is hiring pit crew support and mechanics

Immediate Release:

(MOORESVILLE, NC) 2/2/2013 – TMG is looking for pit crew members, shop and track mechanics for our Nationwide Series team, 1-3 years racing experience recommended. Chassis team and pit crew leadership experience recommended. Must be willing to start immediately.

Job Description: 

This position performs the required engineering related functions for the race team. In this role, crew members report to the crew chief.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Works with the crew chief to build cars and setups for all racing and testing events.

2. Works with shop personnel, ensuring that they have the required information to assemble racecars in a timely manner.
3. Works with crew chief and the other team mechanics to continually improve cars performance.
4. Race car tear down after races/ building cars and fabrication knowledge is a must.

5. Executes pit stop practices during race weeks. 
6. Accurately enters all of the required information (i.e., vehicle/component information, setup information, run comments, test and race summaries, etc.) pertaining to the running of the racecar in the TMG database.
7. Supports and plays an active role in the crew chief’s and driver’s decision making process to extract maximum performance out of the racecar.
8. Must be able to multi task and work efficient under pressure. 
9. Attends all scheduled race meetings.
10. As required, works on special projects designated by the Crew Chief.
11. Performs any additional tasks, as required by the Crew Chief or Team Owner.
12. Position requires individual to travel to all test and racing events.
13. Must have own tools.

Only absolutely top notch candidates (2/1/13)

Contact: hudson@themotorsportsgroup.com

Important dates/times for BUDWEISER SPEEDWEEKS

2641CC7522B242FBA5B31010265C751A

Saturday, February 16th
4:30 PM ESTSPEED
ARCA RACING SERIES
Lucas Oil 200 Presented by MAV TV American Real
Twitter: #LUCASOIL200

 

E7AC815A1C7C4ED5B7EAD62106D617E6

Saturday, February 16th
8:00 PM EST
FOX
THE SPRINT UNLIMITED (formerly Bud Shootout)
Twitter: #SPRINTUNLIMITED

 

76913A6384774BF698A56B25FC1BC980

Sunday, February 17th
1 p.m.
FOX
DAYTONA 500 QUALIFYING PRESENTED BY KROGERTwitter: #DAYTONA500
E3358

Mon. & Tue., February 18-19th
Time TBA
UNOH BATTLE AT THE BEACH
NASCAR K&N Pro Series, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tours,and Late Model division of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series at Daytona’s new 0.4-mile short-track oval.
Twitter #NASCARBATTLE
74D7DE1C28494822A5C571B9F9DB9683

Thursday, February 21st
2:00 PM EST
SPEED
BUDWEISER DUEL
Twitter: #BUDWEISERDUEL

 

4095D6FA67D44D33A7B288005434E733

Friday, February 22nd
7:30 PM EST
SPEED
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
NEXTERA ENERGY RESOURCES 250
Twitter: #NE250

 

4DB97D74928E4240B79AA0AEA41B6F92

Saturday, February 23rd
1:00 PM EST
ESPN
NASCAR Nationwide Series
DRIVE4COPD 300
Twitter: #DRIVE4COPD300

 

5CBADEB5F6444B05B9CCF6A50B41A663

Sunday, February 24th
1:00 PM EST
FOX Sports
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
DAYTONA 500
Twitter: #DAYTONA500

TMG Hiring Race Engineers and Shock Specialist

 

Immediate Release

(MOORESVILLE, NC) TMG is looking for a race engineer/ shock specialist for our
Nationwide Series team, 3-6 years racing experience recommended. Chassis team
leadership experience recommended. Must be willing to start immediately. Job duties
of a race engineer/ shock specialist are as follows, however tasks will be appropriately
divided between the race engineer and the crew chief.

Position: Race Engineer/ Shock Specialist

Department: Engineering

Reports to: Crew Chief, Team Owner

Job Description:
This position performs the required engineering related functions for the race team. In
this role, the race engineer reports to the crew chief.

Job Responsibilities:
1. Works with the crew chief to specify race car build and setup for all racing and testing
events. Works with shop personnel, ensuring that they have the required information to
assemble race cars in a timely manner.
2. Works with crew chief and the engineering department to continually improve
component designs in a motivated fashion.
3. Develops and executes test plans (objectives, run lists and sensor requirements) for
all vehicle tests (track, 7-post, Kinematics and Compliance, Shocks etc.). Part of the
position’s main focus will be on utilizing the 7-post for various studies. Test reports for
all tests (track, 7-post etc.) will be written in a timely fashion.
4. Executes simulation studies to aid in determining optimal setup configurations.
5. Accurately enters all of the required information (i.e., vehicle/component
information, setup information, run comments, test and race summaries, etc.)
pertaining to the running of the racecar in the TMG database. At race and testing
events, this must be done in a timely fashion.
6. Technically supports and plays an active role in the crew chief’s and driver’s decision
making process to extract maximum performance out of the racecar.
7. Oversees data system installation and calibration for testing.
8. Attends all scheduled race engineering meetings.
9. As required, works on special projects designated by the Crew Chief.
10. Works with the team to continuously improve and perfect the racecar and the
various tools (simulation, 7-post, windtunnel, shock development etc.) used by TMG to
optimize its performance.
11. Performs any additional tasks, as required by the Crew Chief or Team Owner.

Job Requirements:
1. Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering or equivalent, Mechanical preferred.
2. Solid foundation in component design and manufacturing.
3. Solid foundation and understanding in vehicle dynamics.
4. Strong communication skills, verbal and written.
5. Strong interpersonal skills. Must be able to “get-along” with a broad spectrum of
individuals and personalities.
6. Ability to perform in high-pressure, high-stress competitive situations.
7. Strong computer skills. Will be required to run simulation models and analyze the
results.
8. 1-3 years experience in a race engineer capacity at Nationwide or Cup level is desired.
9. Position requires individual to travel to all test and racing events.
10. Ability to lift and carry 50 lb of deadweight.
11. Experience with shocks is desired

Only absolutely top notch candidates will even be considered, please do not waste time
with sub par resumes. (1/17/13)
Contact me at hudson@themotorsportsgroup.com

 

Hauler catches fire at JD Motorsports

JD Motorsports, the No. 01 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, suffered a total loss to their hauler on Sunday evening when it caught fire at their race shop.

There were no injuries and the tractor was detached and pulled away before suffering any damages. However, their hauler loaded with equipment, some uniforms, back-up parts, engines, shocks and springs for their operation was a total loss.

The only good part was the primary and backup No. 01 Restaurant.com Chevrolets for this weekend’s NASCAR race at Talladega Superspeedway were not on the hauler. The race shop itself didn’t suffer any damage, as well.

“The fire department told me the fire started near the refrigerator on the hauler;” said Johnny Davis, team owner. “That’s powered by propane, like everyone else’s is on these haulers. It started around 7 p.m. and we were able to detach the tractor before anything happened to it and get that out of the way.

“The hauler itself is a total loss; almost everything on there is burnt beyond use. Luckily, the fine folks at Robby Benton Racing (NASCAR Camping World Truck Series) stepped up and will let us use their hauler for this weekend’s race. We were also fortunate enough to have Black’s Tire helps us out to get to race this weekend, too. On behalf of everyone on my team, we’d all like to thank them for their help.

“Our spirits are down here a little bit at JD Motorsports today, we just didn’t need something like this right now with all we’re trying to do to go racing. Our spirits might be down, but not broken – we’re going to be racing at Talladega.”

Media Release

 

 

Official: Austin Dillon going full time Nationwide, 2012 driving No. 3 Chevy

The No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet Impala to be driven by Austin Dillon full time in Nationwide 2012. Photo by RCR.

Richard Childress Racing and AdvoCare, an award-winning premier health and wellness company, have entered into a partnership for the company to be the primary sponsor of the No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet Impala driven by Austin Dillon for 20 races in the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season.

 

Dillon, who currently drives the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, has an 11-point lead in the driver championship point standings with two races remaining. The 21-year-old from Lewisville, N.C., made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in 2008 and, in 11 races in the series, has earned two top-five and four top-10 finishes.

 

RCR returns full time to the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2012 after a one-year hiatus but with a strong heritage to build from. RCR has earned 56 victories and five series championships since its first season in 2000. Kevin Harvick won overall championships (driver and owner) in 2001 and 2006, Harvick and Johnny Sauter won the owner championship in 2003, Jeff Burton and Scott Wimmer won the owner championship in 2007 and Clint Bowyer won the driver championship in 2008.

 

AdvoCare was the title sponsor of the AdvoCare 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Plano, Texas, based company is also a platinum sponsor of Operation Homefront, an organization dedicated to providing emergency assistance to those serving in the military and their families. The AdvoCare National Spokesperson is NFL championship-winning and championship game MVP quarterback Drew Brees.

 

Dale Earnhardt, Jr., earned back-to-back NASCAR Nationwide Series championships (1998, ’99) driving the No. 3 Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt Inc. He also earned two Nationwide Series victories in the No. 3 for RCR, in February 2002 at Daytona International Speedway and July 2010 at Daytona International Speedway.

 Source: RCR PR

Reed Sorenson released, Vickers to drive NASCAR Nationwide at Kansas

Turner Motorsports announced Tuesday that Reed Sorenson, who is currently third in the Nationwide Series standings,was released from the #32 Dollar General Chevy. Brian Vickers will assume driving duties from Sorenson beginning this weekend at Kansas Speedway.

Turner offered no reason why Sorenson has been sidelined despite the driver currently sitting third in the Nationwide Series points standings.

The announcement comes on the same day that Turner Motorsports acknowledged that Dollar General was leaving at the end of the year. Dollar General is expected to be a limited sponsor on one of Joe Gibbs Racing’s Sprint Cup cars and as a primary sponsor in the Nationwide Series.

Source: Fox Sports

RCR, KHI announce merger for Nationwide Series for 2012

I bet Kyle Busch is shaking his head and shrugging his shoulders…. two of his worst enemies are coming together as one in 2012.

Richard Childress Racing and Kevin Harvick Incorporated have reached agreement on a collaborative effort that will have KHI’s current NASCAR Nationwide Series program merge with RCR beginning in 2012.

The decision is the coming together of the best of the two organizations. KHI will continue to be involved on the business and competition sides with RCR and KHI co-owner Kevin Harvick will still be very active in the Nationwide Series program. The No. 2 and No. 33 teams will continue with drivers Elliott Sadler (No. 2 Chevrolet) and a combination of RCR’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers in the No. 33 Chevrolet. The merger will benefit KHI’s current sponsors with increased resources and business-to-business opportunities.

RCR and KHI have enjoyed more than a decade of success in the Nationwide Series. RCR earned 55 victories and five championships from 1999 to 2010, with Harvick responsible for 32 victories and three championships (overall in 2001 and 2006, owner-only in 2003 with co-driver Johnny Sauter). KHI has earned 10 victories since beginning its program in 2004.

PR – Richard Childress Racing