Thursday, January 29, 2015
NASCAR Hall Of Fame Profile: Rex White
This is the fourth and final installment in a series of profiles on the five members of the Class of 2015 of the NASCAR Hall Of Fame. The five will be inducted in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Friday night, in a ceremony to be broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, Motor Racing Network Radio and SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
Over
the years, NASCAR premier series champions have come in all shapes and sizes –
tall, short, muscular and lean. The single constant? It’s impossible to
judge a book by its cover.
Based
upon first impressions, Rex White – at 5 feet 4 inches, weighing just 135
pounds and with his right leg withered by childhood polio – might have seemed
the unlikeliest championship contender of all.
White,
however, was tough as nails fearing neither competitor nor track conditions. He
won the 1960 premier series title and posted 28 victories over five seasons,
finishing among the top five in nearly half of his 233 starts.
“He
looked more like a jockey than a race car driver,” fellow competitor Buddy
Baker told the Gaston Gazette, “but he lived large once they started the
race. On short tracks, he was very aggressive. He didn’t mind going in the turn
with (NASCAR Hall of Famer and three-time premier series champion) Lee Petty
and saying, ‘I’m inside and if you come down we’re not going to agree on
stuff.’
“He
raced hard.”
NASCAR
Hall of Famer Bobby Allison, the 1983 premier series champion, said, “I admired
Rex as a race driver because he was a little guy. I started out small. Seeing
him winning encouraged me to chase my dream.”
What
might have been a handicap to many only served as motivation to White, born
Aug. 17, 1929 in Taylorsville, N.C.
“Most
of the lessons I have learned (from childhood illness) have stayed with me all
my life,” said White in his autobiography “Gold Thunder,” written with Dr. Anne
B. Jones. “The biggest one was how to conquer fear.”
White
learned to drive at age six, driving a neighbor’s truck in surrounding fields.
Two years later he was working on his family’s Ford Model T. “I was unaware the
car on which I labored represented hope to people around me (and) frustration
to those trying to stop illegal moonshine,” said White. “I saw automobiles as
transportation, not the symbol of an upcoming billion-dollar sport.”
White
dropped out of school, moving to the Washington D.C., area where he found
employment as a cook and, after marriage, a service station job. A poster
advertising stock car races took White to Lanham (Maryland) Speedway where he
caught on as an unpaid crew member for 1952 NASCAR Modified champion Frankie
Schneider.
A
year later, White returned to the track with a 1937 Ford purchased for 600ドル
lettered “X.” He won his heat race, the semi-main and the feature. “I’d never
won a trophy at anything,” said White.
White
made his premier series debut in 1956 on Daytona’s beach/road course. In 1958,
he teamed with crew chief Louis Clements in an “off the books” program by GM’s
Chevrolet Division. They won twice in 1958 and five times the following year.
The 1959 season also saw the debut of White’s iconic No. 4 gold and white
Chevrolet.
The
1960 season was the first in which White ran a full schedule, going to the post
only after he and Clement built a car for a competitor, the sale of which
netted 2,000ドル for their own Chevrolet.
White
won six times finishing 35 of 40 races among the top 10. White’s ninth-place
finish at Birmingham, Alabama on Aug. 3 was his worst performance in the year’s
final 15 races. The championship was a runaway, White beating NASCAR Hall of
Famer Richard Petty by nearly 4,000 points.
“The
thing about Rex is he thinks,” said Clements in a 1960 interview with Sports
Illustrated. “When he’s out on the track, he’s planning and figuring out
which cars he has to race to stay ahead.”
Car
owner and engine builder Smokey Yunick, quoted in the same article, said, “Rex
is not a cautious driver but he know when to use caution.”
White
didn’t disagree. “I couldn’t run quite as fast as some of those other guys,” he
said. “So long as I was smart and kept running; if any of those other guys had
trouble, I had a chance.”
White
nearly defended his title in 1961 winning seven times but finished second to
NASCAR Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett. He added two more top-10 championship
finishes before retiring at the conclusion of the 1964 season. Between 1959 and
the 1963 seasons, White won more races than any other driver. He won 36 premier
series poles – at least one in eight consecutive seasons – and finished second
in NASCAR’s Short Track late model championship in 1959.
In
retirement, White has owned an automobile dealership and for 25 years a
trucking company, both in the Atlanta area where at age 85 he continues to
reside. Named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998, White holds
membership in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, National Motorsports
Press Association Hall of Fame and the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.
Chase Elliott To Replace Gordon In 2016
Chase Elliott, who
became the youngest national series champion in NASCAR history last season,
will join Hendrick Motorsports as a full-time Sprint Cup driver beginning in
2016. Elliott’s No. 24 Chevrolet SS team will be led by crew chief Alan
Gustafson, who has earned 19 wins, 18 pole positions, 98 top-five finishes and
165 top-10s at the elite Cup level.
“Chase brings the kind of intangibles that make him the total package as a driver,” said Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, who announced the news this morning during the team’s season kickoff employee event. “Not only is he a special talent inside the race car, but there’s a natural combination of competitiveness, work ethic and smarts that you rarely see. Chase’s personality and demeanor make him popular with fans, teammates and sponsors. He’s a great fit for our organization on many levels, and we feel he and Alan will be a successful combination. There’s a lot to be excited about.”
In preparation for 2016, Elliott, 19, will make his Sprint Cup debut later this year as part of a five-race schedule with primary sponsorship from NAPA Auto Parts . The Dawsonville, Georgia, native will be paired with veteran crew chief Kenny Francis during the limited campaign.
Driving the No. 25 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet SS fielded by Hendrick Motorsports, Elliott will be entered in 2015 Cup events March 29 at Martinsville Speedway, April 25 at Richmond International Raceway, May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, July 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Sept. 6 at Darlington Raceway.
“Chase has been a fantastic ambassador for NAPA,” said Gaylord Spencer, senior vice president of marketing for NAPA Auto Parts, which also is primary sponsor of Elliott’s JR Motorsports team in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. “As he embarks on this important next step in his career, we’re proud to support him across both series in 2015 and look forward to an exciting year on and off the track. The NAPA Family is behind Chase 100 percent.”
At the age of 18 years, 11 months and 18 days, Elliott became the youngest champion in any NASCAR national touring series when he won the 2014 XFINITY Series title. The first racer in NASCAR history to win a championship and rookie of the year honors in the same season, he also was voted by fans as the series’ most popular driver.
Elliott’s 2014 season included three wins, two pole positions and 26 top-10 finishes in 33 races. His first victory (Texas Motor Speedway) came in his sixth career series start and made him the second-youngest winner in XFINITY Series history (behind Joey Logano). He completed 99.6 percent of the 6,063 total laps run and became the first driver since 2010 to clinch the championship before the season finale.
Elliott and father Bill are only the fifth father-son duo to win NASCAR national series championships. They are members of an elite group that includes Lee and Richard Petty, Ned and Dale Jarrett, David and Larry Pearson, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Bill Elliott, the 1988 Sprint Cup Series champion, will be enshrined into the NASCAR Hall of Fame tomorrow evening.
“So many people have been behind me, and the first thing I want to do is thank them,” said Chase Elliott, who will run the full 2015 XFINITY Series schedule as the defending champion. “My parents especially have believed in me every step of the way, and I know this wouldn’t be possible without all the sacrifices they’ve made to focus on my racing career. This is such a big week for our family.
“I’m also extremely grateful to Mr. Hendrick and my teammates at both Hendrick Motorsports and JR Motorsports for believing in me. NAPA has been a huge supporter, and I’m honored to represent them on and off the track. Of course the fans have been amazing to me, and I’m so appreciative of that. I know how rare this opportunity is and will work as hard as I can to make everyone proud.”
Hendrick Motorsports will announce sponsorship for Elliott’s 2016 Sprint Cup season at a later date.
“Chase brings the kind of intangibles that make him the total package as a driver,” said Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, who announced the news this morning during the team’s season kickoff employee event. “Not only is he a special talent inside the race car, but there’s a natural combination of competitiveness, work ethic and smarts that you rarely see. Chase’s personality and demeanor make him popular with fans, teammates and sponsors. He’s a great fit for our organization on many levels, and we feel he and Alan will be a successful combination. There’s a lot to be excited about.”
In preparation for 2016, Elliott, 19, will make his Sprint Cup debut later this year as part of a five-race schedule with primary sponsorship from NAPA Auto Parts . The Dawsonville, Georgia, native will be paired with veteran crew chief Kenny Francis during the limited campaign.
Driving the No. 25 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet SS fielded by Hendrick Motorsports, Elliott will be entered in 2015 Cup events March 29 at Martinsville Speedway, April 25 at Richmond International Raceway, May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, July 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Sept. 6 at Darlington Raceway.
“Chase has been a fantastic ambassador for NAPA,” said Gaylord Spencer, senior vice president of marketing for NAPA Auto Parts, which also is primary sponsor of Elliott’s JR Motorsports team in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. “As he embarks on this important next step in his career, we’re proud to support him across both series in 2015 and look forward to an exciting year on and off the track. The NAPA Family is behind Chase 100 percent.”
At the age of 18 years, 11 months and 18 days, Elliott became the youngest champion in any NASCAR national touring series when he won the 2014 XFINITY Series title. The first racer in NASCAR history to win a championship and rookie of the year honors in the same season, he also was voted by fans as the series’ most popular driver.
Elliott’s 2014 season included three wins, two pole positions and 26 top-10 finishes in 33 races. His first victory (Texas Motor Speedway) came in his sixth career series start and made him the second-youngest winner in XFINITY Series history (behind Joey Logano). He completed 99.6 percent of the 6,063 total laps run and became the first driver since 2010 to clinch the championship before the season finale.
Elliott and father Bill are only the fifth father-son duo to win NASCAR national series championships. They are members of an elite group that includes Lee and Richard Petty, Ned and Dale Jarrett, David and Larry Pearson, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Bill Elliott, the 1988 Sprint Cup Series champion, will be enshrined into the NASCAR Hall of Fame tomorrow evening.
“So many people have been behind me, and the first thing I want to do is thank them,” said Chase Elliott, who will run the full 2015 XFINITY Series schedule as the defending champion. “My parents especially have believed in me every step of the way, and I know this wouldn’t be possible without all the sacrifices they’ve made to focus on my racing career. This is such a big week for our family.
“I’m also extremely grateful to Mr. Hendrick and my teammates at both Hendrick Motorsports and JR Motorsports for believing in me. NAPA has been a huge supporter, and I’m honored to represent them on and off the track. Of course the fans have been amazing to me, and I’m so appreciative of that. I know how rare this opportunity is and will work as hard as I can to make everyone proud.”
Hendrick Motorsports will announce sponsorship for Elliott’s 2016 Sprint Cup season at a later date.
Media Tour Filled With Sponsor Announcements
The annualCharlotte Motor Speedway Media Tour
rolls on this week, with a number of sponsor announcements highlighting major
NASCAR teams.
WIX Filters has announced an extension of its partnership with Richard Childress Racing, including primary
branding of select events with the No.
31 Chevrolet and driver Ryan Newman.
WIX Filters will also be featured as primary sponsor for one race with the No. 62 XFINITY Series Chevrolet and
driver Brendan Gaughan.
As part of the
partnership, WIX Filters continues its technical support of both RCR and ECR Engines by supplying air and oil
filters and providing research and development support. All RCR race cars will
feature the WIX Filters logo under the hood. Last season, WIX's collaboration
with RCR produced a championship-contenting effort with just one-point
separating Newman from hoisting the Sprint Cup trophy. Adding to the
accomplishment for RCR, Gaughan visited Victory Lane twice in the XFINITY
Series. Newman will compete in the No. 31 WIX Filters Chevrolet starting at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 19.
RCR and Grainger have announced
a multi-year partnership that makes Grainger the primary sponsor of the No. 31 Chevrolet driven by Newman for
select NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races beginning with the June 7 event at Pocono Raceway. Grainger also will be
featured as an associate sponsor on the No. 31 for all Cup Series events in
which it is not the primary sponsor. Newman earned a second-place finish in the
2014 championship standings, which came down to the final lap of the season.
Visser Precision, LLC
will join Furniture Row Racing as an
associate sponsor on the team's No. 78
Chevrolet driven by Martin Truex Jr.
in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Headquartered in a state-of-the-art
facility in Denver, Colorado, Visser Precision has manufactured products for
industries ranging from aerospace and defense to luxury goods since 2011.
Visser Precision, owned by FRR owner Barney
Visser, operates with cutting-edge technologies in the areas of super
alloys, precision machining, amorphous metal casting and 3D metal printing to
help solve difficult engineering and manufacturing challenges. The
company's president is Ryan Coniam,
a former race engineer and crew chief in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
"This is an exciting
move for not only our teammates at Visser Precision but also for our growing
list of domestic and international clients," said Coniam. "With its advanced technologies,
Visser Precision shares many of the same attributes found in the
high-tech, competitive world of NASCAR. There is definitely some DNA
between the two businesses and we are thrilled to be included with Furniture
Row Racing."
Visser Precision joins
Furniture Row's specialty stores -- Denver
Mattress, Oak Express, Bedroom Expressions and Sofa Mart -- as associate sponsors, with its name to be positioned on
the roof of the No. 78 Chevrolet.
Leavine Family Racing has announced an extended sponsorship with Thrivent Financial for the 2015 NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series season. The financial services organization will be the
primary sponsor on the No. 95 Ford
Fusion driven by Michael McDowell
for 10 races and an associate sponsor for another 10 races.
Thrivent is a Fortune 500, not-for-profit financial services membership
organization that helps Christians be wise with money and live generously. Headquartered
in Minneapolis, Thrivent offers a broad range of products and
services—including life insurance, annuities and mutual funds—along with
guidance from financial representatives nationwide. For more than a century,
Thrivent has helped its nearly 2.4 million members make wise money choices that
reflect their values and provided opportunities for them to be even more
generous.
Thrivent will kick off this season as the primary sponsor on the No. 95 at
the 57th annual DAYTONA 500,
NASCAR’s season-opener and most prestigious race. Other prominent races for the
organization will include Bristol, Indianapolis and Charlotte.
“Thrivent Financial is a perfect fit
for me and our team,” said McDowell. “I became a Thrivent member last
year after learning first-hand about their mission to help Christians
strengthen their families and communities.”
Tommy Baldwin Racing will unveil its
plans for the upcoming season with the return of #TBR7in7 , a grassroots social media
campaign pioneered in 2013. The team will be announcing the new driver of the No. 7 Chevrolet SS, as well as sponsors
and crew chief for the team. #TBR7in7 launches Friday, and will continue
through February 5th.
"Our first 7
in 7 campaign was a great success for both TBR and our sponsors," said
owner Tommy Baldwin Jr. "We are
looking forward to seeing the reactions to this year's announcements. We have a
great lineup of news coming up throughout the 7 and 7 campaign and are ready
for the start of the season."
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Stewart Says Fans, Friends Have Fueled Recovery
Photo: Bob Leverone
Coming off what he called “the worst two years in the history of
me,” Tony Stewart said Tuesday that he is on the road to regaining both his
physical and mental health, and ready to retake his traditional place at the
front of the NASCAR pack.
A shattered right leg suffered in an August 2013 Sprint Car crash in Oskaloosa, Iowa impacted Stewart’s performance for a time. A
horrifying accident at New York’s Canandaigua Motorsports Park on August 9, 214
that saw driver Kevin Ward, Jr. die after climbing from his disabled vehicle
and being struck by Stewart put the former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion
into an emotional tailspin from which he has admittedly struggled to recover.
Time heals all
wounds, however, and Day Two of NASCAR’s annual preseason Media Tour featured a
rejuvenated Stewart crediting friends and fans for playing a major role in his
recovery.
“My leg is healing very well right now, and my head got a
good break during the offseason,” said Stewart in an exclusive interview on
SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s SiriusXM Speedway
with Dave Moody. “Typically, I go to a race in Fort Wayne, Ind., between
Christmas and New Year’s. I actually stayed home from that this year, then left
on the second of January and went to Yuma, Ariz., for the Winter Heat Sprint
Car races.
“That was the first time I had been back to a Sprint Car race
(since the Canandaigua accident),” said Stewart. “I didn’t even think about it
until I got there, but it was the first time I had seen those guys. It was good
to be there. I had a lot of fun working with Steve Kinser on his car, then I
went straight to the Chili Bowl and spent my time driving a (track preparation)
tractor at 1.6 mph for the week.
“I enjoyed it,” he laughed. “I probably could have had a few adult
beverages and watched the racing like everyone else, but if I’m not going to be
racing, (I would rather) have a job like that where every night, 85 guys are
relying on me to do a good job and give them a good race track. It’s a lot of
pressure, but I thrive on stuff like that. It was something I really looked
forward to.”
Stewart said the reception he received in Arizona caught him by
surprise.
“I didn’t realize that I hadn’t seen any of those people since
everything happened last year,” he said. “Once I got there and started seeing
and talking to everyone, it was so nice. Everyone said how happy they were to
have me there, and how they had been thinking about me all summer.
“That meant more to me than I could possibly have imagined. I hadn’t
anticipated that aspect of it, but it made a huge impact. The same thing
happened in Tulsa the next weekend, with a different set of friends and people that
I’m used to being around.
“Those were two really big weeks for my head and my heart, and I’ve
had a great 2015 so far. I’m hoping to carry that on.”
Stewart said he was also humbled by the positive reception he received
from NASCAR fans when he returned to competition at Atlanta Motor Speedway in
late August.
“It helped,” he said. “In a major way, it helped. Sometimes you
realize the impact you make as a driver, but you don’t really realize the
impact that you have on people as a person. I hope the fans realize the impact they’ve had
on me, helping me feel better about everything.
“Racing is a huge family,” said Stewart. “It doesn’t matter if you’re
watching on TV, listening on the radio, or if you’re a car owner or driver;
everyone is in this family together.”
The three-time Sprint Cup Series champion also displayed a bit of
his customary swagger, promising to “put on a show” at next month’s
season-opening Daytona 500.
“I have every intention of running up front this year,” he grinned.
“I usually take it easy for the first two-thirds of the race, then make my way
forward. But that’s going out the window this year.
“I’m feeling racy, and I’m ready to get out there and make my name
known again.”
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Smokey Mountain Backs Sauter In 2015
Smokey Mountain Herbal
Snuff and Pouches has extended their partnership with ThorSport Racing and
driver Johnny Sauter for the 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. The
eight-race partnership kicks-off with the season opener, NextEra Energy
Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, Feb. 20.
In 2014, Sauter finished
fourth in the final NCWTS driver point standings and collected two Top-5 and
four Top-10 finishes while carrying the Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff colors on
the No. 98 Toyota Tundra.
"Smokey Mountain
Herbal Snuff was looking for a competitive team and a specific type of driver
to fit our brand identity," said Dave Savoca, president of Smokey Mountain
Chew, Inc. "Johnny showed us through our partnership last year that he has
the same passion for driving that we have about our product. We believe both
ThorSport Racing and Johnny Sauter are a great fit for the Smokey Mountain
brand."
Sauter has a long
history of success that spans a decade and includes 152 series starts, 10 wins,
five poles, 56 Top-5and 86 Top-10 finishes. In 2015, with guidance from new
crew chief Doug George, the Necedah, Wis., native will be a strong contender
for the one thing that has eluded his career; a NCWTS championship.
"Smokey Mountain
has been a huge supporter of our series, and every year they are able to
increase their presence in NASCAR," said Sauter. "I'm honored they
have chosen not only to extend their partnership with myself and ThorSport
Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, but to have also increased
their presence in 2015. This kind of partnership is hard to find these
days, so I'm honored to be carrying their colors and representing their brand
again this season."
In addition to the
season opener at Daytona International Speedway, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff
and Pouches will also adorn Sauter's No. 98 Toyota Tundra at both Martinsville
(Va.) Speedway races (March/October), Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway (May),
Dover (Del.) International Speedway (May), Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway
(Aug.), Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway (Oct.), and Texas Motor Speedway in Fort
Worth (Nov.).
Yeley To Drive For BK Racing
JJ Yeley will
pilot a BK Racing Toyota for the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season,
starting at Daytona International Speedway in a few weeks.
Yeley, who filled in for the team at the end of the 2014 season, has signed on for a full 36 race season. Best known for his accomplishments on dirt, Yeley has been involved in NASCAR circuit since 2004, achieving two Top 5's, eight Top 10's and one Coors Light Pole Award.
JJ Yeley commented,
"I am looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of my BK Racing
Toyota Camry. I filled in for the team at the end of the 2014 season, and I'm
glad to be given the opportunity to come back again for another season. I am
ready to get the 2015 season started and head to Daytona International Speedway
for some restrictor plate racing."
"JJ has been a
great asset to the BK Racing team," owner Ron Devine commented. "He
has been involved in the motorsports industry for several years now, and has
the knowledge and skill to help build this organization."
CONFIRMED: Annett To HScott Motorsports In 2015
HScott Motorsports confirmed
today what GodfatherMotorsports.com first reported on Jan. 20, that Michael
Annett will join the team at the wheel of a new Chevrolet sponsored by Pilot/Flying
J.
Annett will race as a teammate
to Justin Allgaier, who will return to the team’s No. 51 BRANDT Chevrolet.
"The addition of a second
team increases HScott's overall ability to better utilize its resources at
track and at the shop to be even more competitive," said team owner Harry
Scott Jr. "I'm proud to have seen Justin truly mature as a NSCS
driver last year, and I can't wait to see what he does this year. Like Justin,
Michael is coming off his rookie year following six years of competition in the
NASCAR Xfinity Series. Michael is a quality driver with a great future at
HScott Motorsports. These drivers complement one another and will make great
teammates."
In his rookie season, Allgaier
posted 10 Top-20 finishes, including 17th at Bristol; 16th at Michigan and
Pocono and 15th-place finishes at Charlotte and Homestead to conclude the 2014
season.
"This is as excited as
I've been for a new season, I can't wait to get to Daytona and fire the
engines," said Allgaier. "I'm looking forward to carrying the
momentum from the end of last season over to this year. Michael is a
great addition to our organization and I'm glad to have a teammate to compete
with each week."
BRANDT Professional
Agriculture, a leading agriculture retailer and manufacturer of agricultural
specialty products, returns as the primary sponsor of the No. 51 Chevrolet for
21 races, beginning with the Daytona 500 on February 22. Auto-Owners
Insurance will also be the primary partner on the No. 51 for three races.
"Justin and the No. 51
team continue to be a great source of pride for BRANDT employees and customers,
and we are all looking forward to a great 2015 season," said BRANDT
President and CEO Rick Brandt.
Annett competed in all 36
points races during his 2014 rookie NSCS campaign and posted several Top-20
finishes, including 19th at Fontana, 16th at Talladega and 18th at Kentucky.
From 2008 through 2013, Annett competed full time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series,
where he started 163 races and earned seven Top-5 and 34 Top-10 finishes.
Prior to his NASCAR career, Annett competed in the ARCA Racing Series in
2007 and 2008, winning races at Talladega and Daytona.
"I'm excited for the
opportunity to drive for HScott Motorsports," said Annett. "I
am impressed with the way Harry is building his NASCAR teams. Harry and
competition director Steve Addington have a long-term vision and I'm honored to
be part of it. I'm also looking forward to having Justin as a teammate."
Pilot Flying J, the largest
operator of travel retail centers, will be a primary partner on Annett's car.
Other partners include Cypress Associates, Inc., Allstate Peterbilt Group
and Northland Oil.
Moffitt To Drive For MWR At Atlanta
Michael
Waltrip Racing announced today Brett Moffitt will drive the No. 55 Aaron’s
Dream Machine Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor
Speedway on March 1.
The
22-year-old Grimes, Iowa native replaces Brian Vickers, whose return from
December heart surgery begins the following weekend at Las Vegas Motor
Speedway.
“What
a great honor and opportunity,” said Moffitt. “I hate that Brian has to miss
the first two races of the season, but everyone is glad he is coming back at
Las Vegas. My goal is to work closely with (Crew Chief) Billy Scott and the
guys and get the most out of the Aaron’s Dream Machine that I can.
“This
is the best car I will have ever driven and I know my role is to leave Atlanta
with a result that will make MWR, Aaron’s and the 55 team happy they showed
faith in me.”
Moffitt
has worked with MWR and Toyota Racing Development for the past few years as a
test and development driver. Moffitt is a nine-time winner in K&N Pro
Series East competition and raced in eight NASCAR Sprint Cup races driving the
No. 66 for Jay Robinson Racing/MWR in 2014.
Scott
said Moffitt was the team’s clear choice.
“Brett
was the first guy we thought of when we knew we needed a driver for Atlanta.
He’s been part of MWR for several years. We’ve worked with him at tests and in
the shop. The only thing missing from Brett’s career is an opportunity and I
think Atlanta will be a track where he shows everyone how much talent he has.”
MWR
founder and co-owner Michael Waltrip will drive the No. 55 in the 2015 Daytona
500.
Jarrett Joins NBC Sports' NASCAR Team
Former NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series Champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett will serve as a pre- and post-race analyst during
live coverage of select NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR XFINITY Series racing on
NBC and NBCSN.
Jarrett, a
three-time Daytona 500 winner, will be among the first to welcome fans to NBC
Sports’ 10-year chapter as the home of NASCAR’s championship run when he, Krista Voda and Kyle Petty open up NBC’s live pre-race coverage from
Daytona International Speedway this 4th of July weekend. In addition to
handling pre- and post-race coverage, Jarrett will also serve as a booth
analyst during select NASCAR XFINITY Series races and contribute to NASCAR
AMERICA on NBCSN.
“We are
excited to welcome Dale and his Hall of Fame credentials to our NASCAR
broadcast team,” said Sam Flood,
Executive Producer, NBC Sports and NBCSN. “As a former Champion, his
experience and insights will help us set the stage and break down key races
throughout the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.”
The appointment
of Jarrett follows previous NBC Sports NASCAR on-air announcements for analysts Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte and Kyle Petty, race announcer Rick Allen, pre- and
post-race host Krista Voda and reporters Marty Snyder, Kelli Stavast, Mike Massaro, Dave Burns and Rutledge Wood.
“I'm very
pleased and excited to be a part of NBC Sports and their NASCAR coverage,” said
Jarrett. “NBC has assembled an All-Star crew for their coverage, and I'm
honored to be a part of this group that will bring NASCAR fans inside the sport
we all love.”
Jarrett grew up
in and around the sport of NASCAR, eventually turning down a golf scholarship
from the University of South Carolina in order to follow in the footsteps of
his iconic father, Ned Jarrett, a two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion.
The Newton-Conover, N.C., native earned his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
victory in August 1991 at Michigan International Speedway in a car owned by the
famed Wood Brothers. In the 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series seasons that spanned
from 1993-2002, Dale achieved 29 of his 32 victories, three Daytona 500 wins, a
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship in 1999, and seven seasons among the
Top-5 in points. Jarrett raced in his final full season of NASCAR Sprint Cup
Series competition in 2007. He made his final appearance behind the wheel in
the 2008 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Challenge race, and was inducted into the
NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2014. Jarrett joined ESPN full time in 2008, and
quickly took over the reins as their lead NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing
analyst, a position he held for the last seven seasons.
On July 23,
2013, NASCAR and NBC Sports Group reached a comprehensive agreement that grants
NBCUniversal exclusive rights to the final 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races,
final 19 NASCAR XFINITY Series events, select NASCAR Regional & Touring
Series events and other live content, beginning this coming 4th of July weekend
from Daytona International Speedway.
With this
partnership, NBC’s 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race schedule includes a
designation as the exclusive home to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, when
the elite national series races through its final 10 events of the season. The
Chase culminates with the season-ending championship event, which returns to
network television in 2015 for the first time since 2009. Of NBC Sports Group’s
20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, seven will be carried on NBC annually, with
13 airing on NBCSN. Four of NBC Sports Group’s 19 NASCAR XFINITY Series races
will air on NBC, with 15 airing on NBCSN.
Axalta To Sponsor June Pocono Race
Pocono Raceway and Axalta Coating Systems have announced a multi-year
entitlement agreement which includes the renaming of the annual June NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series race held at ‘The Tricky Triangle’ as the Axalta “We Paint Winners” 400.
“We are very excited to share this great news, in cooperation with everyone
at Axalta Coating Systems,” said Pocono Raceway President/CEO, Brandon
Igdalsky. “They have been a great addition to the Pocono Raceway family, and we
look forward to growing this relationship in 2015 and beyond. What makes this
even more special is the fact we get to work hand-in-hand with a true global
powerhouse who also calls the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ‘home.’”
“Axalta is proud of its 22-year motorsports partnership,” said Axalta Vice
President and head of its North America business, Nigel Budden. “As a leader
in the US refinish business, our paint graces race cars that burn rubber on the
track each season and we proudly support four-time NASCAR Cup
Series champion Jeff Gordon. Now, we are pleased to expand our racing
involvement as Pocono Raceway’s title sponsor of the upcoming race on June 7.
We look forward to cheering on Gordon as he vies for a seventh win at Pocono
Raceway.”
Axalta Coating Systems is “The Official Finish” of Stewart-Haas Racing and
Hendrick Motorsports, the two most recent NSCS championship organizations. They
also sponsor the No. 24 Axalta Coatings Chevrolet SS
driven by Jeff Gordon, who is the winningest NASCAR driver at Pocono with six
victories (June 1996, June 1997, July 1998, June 2007, June 2011 and August
2012).
Tickets for the June 7th Axalta “We
Paint Winners” 400 start at
45ドル. Kids, ages 12 and under are eligible for half-price grandstand
tickets starting at 22ドル.50. For tickets and more information, visit www.poconoraceway.com
or call 1-800-RACEWAY (1-800-722-3929).
NASCAR Announces 2015 Drive For Diversity Lineup
NASCAR
Drive for Diversity announced its 2015 class Monday, welcoming four program
newcomers to the roster of six drivers striving to transition into the sport’s
national series spotlight. Rev Racing, the program’s competition arm, has
played a key role in the development of 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sunoco
Rookie of the Year Kyle Larson and NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers Darrell
Wallace Jr. and Daniel Suarez.
In
alphabetical order, the 2015 NASCAR D4D roster includes:
Devon Amos
Devon Amos:
Returning to the team, the 23-year-old Rio Rancho, New Mexico, native will make
the jump to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East after two full seasons in the
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
Jay Beasley:
Finishing 13th overall and sixth in a loaded Sunoco Rookie of the Year field in
the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East last season, the 23-year-old from Las Vegas,
Nevada will return for a second season, aiming to best his rookie campaign.
Collin Cabre:
After an impressive NASCAR D4D Combine performance, the 21-year-old
Thonotosassa, Florida, native will compete in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series
East in his first year with Rev Racing. Cabre has spent the past five years
racing asphalt and dirt sprint cars.
Natalie Decker: A
17-year-old newcomer to the Rev Racing roster from Eagle River, Wisconsin,
Decker collected feature wins in a limited late model and super late model, as
well as earning Rookie and Sportsman of the Year honors in ARCA SCAG Midwest
Truck Tour. She will compete in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series in 2015.
Kenzie Ruston: Entering
her third season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and first with Rev
Racing, the 22-year-old El Reno, Oklahoma, native is also a member of NASCAR
Next, an industry initiative to identify tomorrow’s stars. Ruston broke her own
record in 2014 as the highest finishing female driver in the K&N Pro Series
East with a runner-up finish at Iowa Speedway on her way to finishing ninth in
points.
Dylan Smith
Dylan Smith: The
22-year-old from Randolph, Vermont earned a spot with Rev Racing in the NASCAR
Whelen All-American Series after competing in his own Late Model last year. The
Stewart-Haas Racing employee ran 15 races and finished 38th in the NASCAR
Whelen All-American Series Division I national standings.
Rev
Racing will field four teams in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and two in
the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
“Taking
steps to find and develop young female and multicultural athletes who could
represent the future of NASCAR is at the core of our organization’s mission,”
said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “We were
impressed by the talent displayed at the Combine (in October of 2014), and are
eager to help this group develop their strengths on and off the track.”
Under
Rev Racing owner and CEO Max Siegel’s leadership, the development program
aligns drivers with a team of executives, athletic directors, crew chiefs and
mentors tasked with helping NASCAR D4D drivers achieve career successes; thus,
improving their goal of reaching one of NASCAR's three national series.
“NASCAR
Drive for Diversity goes much deeper than putting drivers behind the wheel of
race cars,” said Siegel. “The program is all encompassing, providing
competition, athletic training and professional development opportunities for
drivers who have the determination and talent to reach NASCAR’s top levels.
We’ve seen this with Larson, Suarez and Wallace Jr. and are excited about the
potential of this talented group of drivers.”
Growth
of the program extends to pit crew members under the NASCAR D4D Crew Member
Development Program, also managed by Siegel. In 2014, more than 30
multicultural athletes pitted fulltime for teams across all three national
series.
Darlington Unveils Commemorative Retro-Ticket
With
the Bojangles’ Southern 500 returning to Labor Day weekend in 2015,
Darlington Raceway has announced that it will commemorate its history with a
retro-style ticket for the September 5-6 race weekend.
The
design will incorporate the look of the 1974 ticket, and features South
Carolina and Darlington Raceway legend Cale Yarborough, who was highlighted as
the defending champion in 1974 after winning his first career Southern 500
in 1973.
The
ticket will also honor last year’s Bojangles’ Southern 500 winner and
2014 defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, in a similar
fashion.
These
special tickets will be used for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles’
Southern 500 and NASCAR XFINITY Series VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero 200
races. Tickets are expected to be mailed to all customers beginning in
mid-June.
“We
announced in December that we would make some exciting announcements each month
leading into our race weekend. This new ticket design will be unique for our
fans because it captures our storied history with a retro feel and celebrates
our defending race champion Kevin Harvick,” said track president Chip Wile.
“This is just one of many initiatives we have planned over the next several
months as we celebrate the tradition returning to Labor Day weekend in
September.”
In
addition, Darlington Raceway will introduce a “Fan Hall of Fame” program. The
program will honor longtime ticketholders and supporters of the track. A
minimum of five fans will be selected in the first year and will be honored
during Bojangles’ Southern 500 pre-race ceremonies. Fan Hall of Fame
members will be asked to provide feedback and ideas to the track in future
years, serving in a Fan Advisory Board capacity.
“We
have many loyal race fans who have attended events here for decades, so it only
made sense to thank and celebrate them through this new program,” Wile said.
“Our fans are the number one reason Darlington Raceway has enjoyed a history
steep in tradition. Without them, we would not be in existence today. Their
stories are what we need to recognize and honor moving forward.”
Ticket
renewals have been mailed, reminding fans to renew their seats for the 2015
Labor Day race weekend. Renewing tickets early guarantees seats at the best
prices available prior to the opening of all remaining seats to the general
public on February 18.
“We
want our fans to take advantage of all the great pricing and benefits we offer
during the renewal period,” Wile said. “This is the best way to guarantee your
seats or campsites when NASCAR racing returns to Labor Day weekend at
Darlington Raceway. This is going to be one of the most exciting events of the
season, and we encourage everyone to get their tickets now and start preparing
as the Tradition Returns to Darlington Raceway on Labor Day weekend in 2015!”
Renewing
customers receive many great benefits for being a loyal customer, including the
raceway’s best pricing for Labor Day weekend.
Renewal benefits include the track’s best prices for the Bojangles’ Southern 500,
a flexible, six-part
payment plan option, the opportunity to auto-renew for three or five years at
2015 prices, special renewal pricing for Darlington Stripe Zone Hospitality (a 30ドル
savings), special renewal pricing for pre-race pit passes (5ドル savings), special
renewal pricing for driver intro/pre-race concert access (10ドル savings), special
renewal pricing for FanVision rentals (15ドル savings), special renewal pricing
for Racing Electronics scanner rental (10ドル savings).
Guests
may renew their tickets and campsites by calling 866-459-RACE (7223) or
visiting www.DarlingtonRaceway.com/renewals. Renewal deadline is Friday, Feb.
6.
Kyle On Media Reports: “It’s The Wrong Brother”
"I think it's stupid..."
Kyle Busch said
yesterday that he is bothered by erroneous media reports linking him with a domestic
assault allegation involving his brother.
Former NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series champion Kurt Busch – older brother of Kyle – faces possible
domestic violence charges after former girlfriend Patricia Driscoll accused him
of slamming her head against the wall of his motorhome at Dover International
Speedway in late September. A handful of media commentators – including ESPN2’s
Keith Olbermann – have misidentified Kurt Busch as his brother in on-air reports.
''I think it's
stupid,” said Kyle Busch on the opening day of NASCAR’s annual preseason media tour.
“I think people need to do a little bit more background before they write names
or say names if they don't know what the heck they are talking about.
''It's not that
hard to differentiate between two people that have the same last name. I think
people need to do a better job and not be so slackish.''
Busch said he has
not spoken to his brother about the case, and has no plans to.
''(I) haven't
spoken to him, don't know nothing, trying to stay away from it all and let him
handle his business.”
He said the media
reports have not created issues for his sponsor, M&Ms.
''It hasn't been
bothersome from a sponsorship standpoint yet, that I know of,'' he said. ''(But)
I know it could be if it continues. I think the relationship I have with the
Mars family is far beyond that, hopefully.''
Monday, January 26, 2015
Motor Racing Network Earns NMPA Honors
Motor
Racing Network – “The Voice of NASCAR” – was honored by the National Motorsports Press
Association last night with seven awards for radio excellence in 2014,
including first place in the Live Event Broadcast category for the second year
in a row.
Barney
Hall, the legendary voice who has been part of the MRN family since the
network’s debut in 1970, was named Broadcaster of the Year and Darrell Smith
was honored as Producer of the Year.
MRN’s
coverage of the dramatic, season-ending Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami
Speedway – with Kevin Harvick edging Ryan Newman for the Sprint Cup Series
championship -- took top honors in the Live Event Broadcast category. It
was produced by Brian Nelson, and MRN President and Executive Producer
David Hyatt accepted the award.
“The
2014 season will be remembered as one of the most thrilling, dramatic years in
NASCAR history,” Hyatt said. “Our team performed exceptionally well in
delivering that excitement to our listeners and NASCAR fans across the
country. We humbly accept these accolades from the NMPA.”
In
addition to being named Producer of the Year, Smith won two other first-place
awards. He produced a feature on Hall’s retirement from full-time race
coverage in July, and was also cited for his work on MRN’s “Talespin,” which features
Hall as a master storyteller, spinning some of the sport’s most interesting
yarns from years past. Smith won with a feature titled “Creative
Engineering in NASCAR,” which was produced in collaboration with Alex Hayden,
Hall’s co-host. These awards were in Event-oriented Feature Radio and
Topic-oriented Feature Radio, respectively.
“Talespin”
is available for download at www.MRN.com
and also at itunes.
Smith
and Hall also teamed up to win second place in Topic-oriented Feature Radio
with MRN’s pre-season special “1979 Daytona 500: NASCAR Storms America.”
Nelson
won second place in Spot News for producing a story which outlined NASCAR’s new
qualifying procedures that were put in place for the 2014 season.
“Race
teams use success at the end of one year to build momentum for the next
season,” Hyatt said. “We are no different. All of us at the Motor
Racing Network are honored for the achievements of 2014 and eager to get
2015 rolling.”
MRN
Turn Announcer Mike Bagley and Pit Reporter Pete Pistone won third-place honors
in Event-oriented Feature Radio as co-hosts of SiriusXM’s “Morning
Drive.”
Turn
Announcer Dave Moody also won three awards for his work outside the network;
second place in Spot News for coverage of the Tony Stewart sprint car accident,
fifth place in Race Coverage for Brendan Gaughan’s XFINITY Series win at Road
America -- both posted online at GodfatherMotorsports.com
-- and third place in Broadcast Spot News for a feature titled “Remembering
Lynda Petty” that aired on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s SiriusXM Speedway.
Motor
Racing Network’s 2015 event broadcast
schedule will begin this Friday with exclusive radio coverage of the sixth
annual NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony from Charlotte, N.C. Air
time will be 8 p.m. (EST), with live streaming at MRN.com.
Coverage
of Budweiser Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway will follow,
beginning Feb. 13 and culminating with the 57th running of the
Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 22. Joe Moore and Jeff Striegle will anchor Motor
Racing Network’s broadcast of “The Great American Race” starting at 12
p.m., also with live streaming at MRN.com.
Martinsville's Mike Smith Honored By NMPA
Mike
Smith, Director of Public Relations at Martinsville Speedway, has always gone the
extra mile to ensure everyone leaves the track having a positive experience.
Apparently,
his hard work has not gone unnoticed.
Smith
was named the 2014 recipient of the Ken Patterson Helping Others Award by the
National Motorsports Press Association at the organization’s annual Awards
Dinner last night.
“Ken
Patterson set the standard in working with the media and I’m beyond humbled to
receive the award that honors his legacy,” said Smith. “I’m very fortunate to
work with a team at Martinsville Speedway that appreciates the media and
understands their importance in what we do. When I was in the newspaper
business, our track’s founder, H. Clay Earles, always told me that next to race
fans, the press were the most important people a track works for. It’s a
philosophy that I hold close.”
Smith’s
award was well-received by those who work with him on a daily basis.
“Mike
Smith embodies everything the Ken Patterson Helping Others Award stands for,” said
Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “Not only is he great in his
role as the Director of Public Relations, he treats everyone with the highest
level of respect and compassion. The NMPA couldn’t have picked a more deserving
person and I couldn’t be more proud to have him on my team.”
Smith
started work at Martinsville Speedway in 2001, after a long career as the
sports editor of the Martinsville Bulletin. It was in this role that he
was first introduced to NASCAR, covering the sport for more than 20 years
before working in it.
Named
for the former Talladega Superspeedway Director of Public Relations Ken
Patterson, the award recognizes a public relations representative in the
motorsports industry who has exhibited the kind, generous qualities that
Patterson always demonstrated.
Patterson
died in 2004 from complications of myelodysplasia syndrome.
In
addition to the award, Talladega Superspeedway will donate 1,000ドル in Smith’s
name to the Ken Patterson Educational Trust Fund.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)