05.31.11: It's not stock car racing but...Dan Wheldon earned $2,567,255 from an overall purse of $13,509,485 for his victory Sunday in the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Wheldon's passed JR Hildebrand on the final straightaway of the race after Hildebrand drifted high to avoid traffic in Turn 4 and hit the wall. It was the only lap of the race that Wheldon led, breaking the record for the fewest laps led by a winner, two, set by Joe Dawson in 1912. Hildebrand crossed the finish line on three wheels to place second, earning $1,064,895. He also won the prestigious Indianapolis 500 Chase Rookie of the Year Award, which includes a $25,000 bonus and the Chase Rookie of the Year Trophy.

05.30.11: Quebec native Patrick Carpentier will return to the NASCAR circuit next weekend driving Frank Stoddard Jr's #32 Ford at Kansas Speedway. Carpentier, who now lives in Las Vegas, has confirmed that he will compete in his first NASCAR Sprint Cup race of the year on June 5 at the 1.5-mile (2.414 km) banked oval, round 13 of the 2011 schedule. And, for the first time in the history of his 39 Cup starts, Carpentier will arrive at the track with a car that is already qualified for the race (by virtue of his car owner's point standings).

05.29.11: Speedway 660 management were forced to cancel Saturday night's season opener after persistent drizzle settled over the area. The event will not be made up. The 2011 season is now set to start next Saturday (June 4).

05.28.11: Petty Int'l Raceway has posted a practice session on June 3 from 4 p.m. until dusk and open to teams from all three divisions that are registered to compete June 4 at Petty's grand re-opening. Pit admission is $25 per car; grandstand admission is free. THIS IS THE ONLY PRACTCIE/TESTING BEFORE JUNE 4 More info [here]...

05.27.11: Dale Jr.'s reaction to Kyle Busch being caught for doing 128 mph on a public road earlier this week... "Sometimes you go a little fast, even away from the race track I guess. I've been guilty of the same thing myself just been lucky enough not to get caught."

05.27.11:SPEED is set to cover the tonight's World of Outlaws Sprint Car race from The Dirt Track at Charlotte starting at 9 p.m. AT (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT). The race is part of May speed week at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which culminates in Sunday with NASCAR's historic running of the annual Coca-Cola 600.

05.27.11: Speedway 660's upcoming 18th season is profiled in today's edition of the Daily Gleaner. Click here to read the story...

05.27.11: Anyone planning to attend the June 4 grand re-opening at Petty International Raceway should leave early and make it a double-header by visiting the nearby Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame as they host their fourth annula Petty Autofest. The show has grown to include entries from all over New Brunswick coming together with their hot rods, antiques, classics, race vehicles of all types, special interest vehicles, and more. Admission is only $5 with proceeds going to support the Hall of Fame. The show gets underway by 10 a.m. with trophies expected to be awarded by 4 p.m.

05.26.11: Petty International Raceway has posted general policies with regard to camping and other need-to-know info that will help make your visit to the facility a most enjoyable one. Visit their website for more - click here...

05.26.11 Jeff Gordon, alongside Partners In Health representatives, Dr. Larry Shulman and Dr. Sara Stulac, gathered friends and supporters on Wednesday evening to announce their new partnership to bring accessible cancer treatment to children of Rwanda. The Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation has committed to raise $1.5 million over the course of three years to participate in the development and implementation of proper protocols for pediatric cancer patients in that region.

05.26.11: Roush Fenway Racing's seven combined NASCAR wins in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series to start 2011 is the team's best total since starting the season with 11 wins in 2005. Only twice in the team's 24-year NASCAR history has Roush Fenway started the season with more wins before the Memorial Day weekend.

05.25.11: NASCAR's "king" Richard Petty will make his first visit to Toronto in 20 years next week to help announce the "Richard Petty Driving Experience Canadian Summer Tour" - rumour has it a track in the Maritimes is on the schedule - stay tuned...

05.25.11: Gary Frost, a crew member for the No. 31 team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body's substance abuse policy. On May 23, Frost was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19 (violation of the NASCAR substance abuse policy) of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rule book.

05.25.11: Two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams received penalties today as a result of rule violations last weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 33 truck was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20B-10.6-B (unapproved final drive (rear end) gear ratio) of the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rule Book. Crew chief Jeff Hensley has been fined $10,000, while team owner DeLana Harvick and driver Ron Hornaday Jr. have been penalized with the loss of 25 championship owner and 25 championship driver points, respectively. The infraction occurred during post-race inspection May 20. The No. 3 truck was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1, 12-4-J and 20B-10.4-K (shifter lever was not metal). Crew chief Gary Stockman has been fined $1,000. The infraction occurred during opening day inspection on May 19.

05.25.11: The Times-Transcript newspaper carried a great story over the weekend about pro stock driver Dave O'Blenis and his two daughters Alexandra and Courtney. The girls will follow in their dad's footsteps by starting racing careers this season at Speedway 660. Read the story [here]...

05.25.11: Maritime pro stock racer was the subject of a feature article in Saturday's Times-Transcript newspaper in which Stevens talks about his goals for 2011. Story [here]

05.24.11: Starting this morning at 11 a.m...fans who plan to attend the June 4 grand-reopening of Pett International Raceway can purchase advacne tickets through Ticket Atlantic. More info [here]...

05.24.11: In an effort to improve on-track performance, Rusty Wallace Racing has announced several changes within its competition department. Headlining them is the addition of veteran Rick Viers as Crew Chief for the No. 62 Toyota, currently piloted by Michael Annett. An eight-time Nationwide Series winner, Viers comes to RWR after serving as Crew Chief for Roush-Fenway Racing's No. 16 entry last season. Before that Viers led teams at Baker Curb Racing, Red Bull Racing and Richard Childress Racing. Former No. 62 Crew Chief, Jason Overstreet, will assume the role of Car Chief for RWR's No. 64 Toyota, piloted by David Reutimann and Jason Bowles.

05.23.11: Speedway 660 is looking for talent in the announcing booth. They need a Junior announcer for the fast growing Bandolero division. The Junior announcer needs to be outgoing and able to talk a mile a minute while describing the on-track action. He or she would interview Bandalero drivers, do play-by-play of their races, talk about upcoming events, read sponsor lists and other announcer duties. Click here to contact them if you are intereested...

05.22.11: PEI's Oyster Bed Speedway opens its 2011 season Monday with a full race card and demolition derby. The gates open at 10:30 a.m.; racing starts at 2...

05.22.11: Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush has taped a tribute to Lee Petty that will air during the Monday evening broadcast of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - to be aired live on SPEED starting at 9 p.m. AT...

05.22.11: Quebec's Andrew Ranger has won the pole for Sunday's ARCA race in New Jersey but will need to start at the rear of the field after blowing the engine in his racecar during final practice. Ranger, a two-time NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion, will make his ARCA debut in the race...

05.21.11: The PASS North SLM race scheduled for today at White Mountain Motorsports Park in New Hampshire has been cancelled due to rain. The make-up date will not be Sunday; it will announced ASAP.

New Glasgow's George Koszkulics was at Scotia Speedworld Thursday preparing for Sunday's Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour season opener...

05.19.11: Petty International Raceway is close to being ready for its June 4th re-opening, according to five-time pro stock champion Wayne Smith - also co-owner of Petty; Smith is featured in an article in today's edition of [The Chronicle Herald]. The driver turned track owner has been in New Brunswick working at refurbishing the track every weekend over the winter, except for two when it snowed, as well as for two full weeks this spring. He, along with fellow co-owners, their family and friends have done the majority of the renovations at the track. Smith will make the trek to Petty again this weekend, working there Saturday then returning to Scotia Speedworld in Halifax for Sunday's Parts for Trucks Tour season-opener where he hopes to start a campaign that will result in his sixth championship, a feat that would put Smith atop the scoreboard for the most touring series championships in the Maritimes - ever. He is currently tied with Greg Sewart for the honour; Sewart is retired from driving...

05.17.11: The Petty International Raceway [website] has been updated with recent photos of the ongoing renovation process - check out five-time Maritime Pro Stock Tour champion Wayne Smith installing overhead lighting. Smith is a co-owner of the facility...

05.17.11: Lesa France Kennedy, the CEO of International Speedway Corporation, joined approximately 2,500 cyclists at Homestead-Miami Speedway this past weekend in a 150-mile ride to benefit the fight against multiple sclerosis. The riders left the speedway Saturday and pedalled their way to Key Largo, returning Sunday. More than $41,000 was raised...

05.17.11: Linde Canada has stepped up their involvement with the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour as the new Most Laps Led sponsor starting this Sunday at Scotia Speedworld in the series season opener. Linde was previously involved as an associate series sponsor as supplier of an electric welder that was available for use by the teams during the season, and then given away to one of them at the banquet. With the new entitlement Linde adds a cash award for the driver who leads the most laps at each of the 2011 events.

05.16.11: Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne hopes to be cleared by NASCAR this week to return to the drivers seat in time for Saturday's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. He will test with Roush Racing in Georgia before a final decision is made. Bayne, 20, spent more than a week at the Mayo Clinic recently after suffering an undisclosed illness with symptoms that included pain in his left shoulder and elbow, nausea, and periodic blurred vision.

05.15.11: As of 10:40 a.m. Sunday morning the Scotia Speedworld Weekly Racing Series Test'N'Tune has been cancelled due to rain. It will not be rescheduled. The WRS season opener is May 29...

05.15.11: Glen Wheeler, a member of the No. 33 Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) team, will be kept overnight at a local Dover hospital for further observation after sustaining left leg injuries by debris from the accident at the conclusion of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Dover International Speedway. Wheeler was evaluated in the infield care center before being transported to the area hospital for additional evaluation.

05.15.11: Rain in the Toledo, Ohio area Saturday caused the cancellation of ARCA series qualifying at Toledo Speedway. As a result the starting grid for Sunday's Menards 200 will be set by 2010 owner standings with rookie Mika Duno on the pole. Her No. 63 carries points earned last year by champion Patrick Sheltra. ARCA rules call for the previous season owner points to set a starting grid if qualifying is cancelled in any of the first four races of a season; the Menards 200 is fourth race of 2011 for the ARCA series...

05.14.11: Carl Edwards is known for giving away his trophies from victory lane, but after winning the Nationwide race at Nashville Superspeedway last month he decided to auction off his Sam Bass-painted Gibson guitar trophy with the funds raised going to benefit the family of Roush Fenway employee Jonathan Bunting, who passed away in an automobile accident. When the auction closed late Sunday night the guitar and one of a kind Sam Bass sketch sold for $20,400. The winning bid came from Sedalia, Mo., which is located approximately 70 miles from Edwards' hometown of Columbia, Mo. In addition to the auction proceeds, Roush Fenway employees, drivers and sponsors contributed over $30,000 to the Bunting family.

05.14.11: After a banner 2010 that included a sweep of America's biggest auto racing events, NASCAR race team owner Chip Ganassi and his organization are among the nominees at next week's Fourth Annual Sports Business Awards. Ganassi is the first race team executive to be nominated for Sports Executive of the Year, and Chip Ganassi Racing Teams is the second race team to receive a Professional Sports Team of the Year nomination. The awards, given by Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal, honor excellence in sports business and will be announced next Wednesday, May 18 in New York City.

05.13.11: Riverside International Speedway and Ron MacGillivary Chev Buick GMC have joined forces for the Season Opener at Riverside Speedway during the Ron MacGillivray Chev Buick GMC 100 Parts For Trucks Maritime Pro Stock Tour event on June 18. Anyone that owns a pre 1970 Chevy and brings it to the races between 3-5pm on June 18 will receive two free tickets to the event . Ron MacGillivray will also be giving away 15 Chevy jackets with a random draw plus may other door prizes. You must pre register your Chevy before June 14 to qualify; to register please email chevyday@riversidespeedway.ca asking to have a registration form sent to you.

05.12.11: Petty International Raceway management has launched "Raceway Radio" on their website where fans can get audio updates for all things Petty. The first edition is in anticipation of the facilities grand-re-opening on June 4 - visit [www.pettyraceway.com] to listen in...

05.12.11: A reminder that the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour pre-season test session is set for Saturday at Scotia Speedworld - weather permitting. And the Scotia Speedworld weekly racers get their test session Sunday. The track is open between Noon and 5 p.m. both days and pit admission is $5 both days. Grandstand admission is free...

05.12.11: From the Centre for Speed website..."Due to weather related concerns and the current 14 day forecast, CFS is announcing it will reschedule the D.R. Scrap Metals Demo and Enduro to be run at a date in the future TBA. "We've been undergoing major renovations at the speedway" said Tim Wile of the CENTRE. "The weather however has been causing delays with some of the work and with the current 14 day forecast showing some mostly rain each day between now and the 22nd of May we're going to give everybody ample notice that we'll be postponing. When we open we want everyone to see the new facility completed, not just a work in progress" Wile concluded. CFS is undergoing major renovations and will work toward opening the new facility to the public on June 5th with the stock car season opener, Maritime Super Series Race 1."

05.12.11: Race fans came from hundreds of miles and many different states to participate in last weekend's Donate and Drive 'DEGA event at Talladega Superspeedway, raising close to $34,000 for the American Red Cross and Alabama relief efforts. The NASCAR Foundation netted more than $58,000 for disaster relief through donations and online sales of $5 NASCAR Unites wristbands, with more yet to come. The nearly $100,000 is in addition to the $100,000 that Talladega Superspeedway already committed on April 28.

05.11.11: Tickets to NASCAR's biggest, richest and most prestigious race – the 54th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 26 – will go on sale Saturday, May 14 at 9 a.m. (ET). Prior to Saturday, May 14, only renewals for the 2012 Daytona 500 were accepted by the ticket office. The Speedway is also introducing a new feature for the 54th Daytona 500 - special youth pricing. Children 12 and under will receive 50 percent off all Superstretch grandstand seats for the Daytona 500. The special offer expires Feb. 1. Visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com for more information...

05.10.11: North Wilkesboro Speedway is closing. A statement was released Monday saying the business climate and a lack of working capital has now brought everything at the historic facility to a screeching halt. The track closed in 1996 and was taken over by new owners in 2009. The most recent event was "The Race" sanctioned by PASS held April 7-9. In spite of the closure officials feel their mission to give the historic facility its rightful place in motorsports history has been accomplished...Read the complete statement on the track website [here]...

05.10.11: Though he is a native of El Cajon, Calif., and currently lives in Charlotte, it appears as if Jimmie Johnson has found himself yet another home here in the First State. Based on his extensive success at Delaware's NASCAR track, Dover International Speedway, as well as the charitable work done nationwide by the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, the 146th Delaware General Assembly, in a joint resolution from the House and Senate, declared in Senate Joint Resolution No. 2 that Sunday, May 15, 2011 will be known as "Jimmie Johnson Day." Johnson's day coincides with the return of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series to the Monster Mile on May 15.

05.09.11: Andy Loden won the PASS South event at South Boston Speedway in Virginia Saturday night. Preston Peltier and Philip Morris were second and third, respectively. There were no notable "northerners" in the field...

05.09.11: Turns out Regan Smith's Southern 500 win Saturday night will pay more dividends than just the purse and the trophy... The win makes Smith's No. 78 team eligible for the pit crew challenege and Smith gets an automatic entry in the May 22 All-Star Race. It will be the first attempt for the team and for Smith in their respective competitions. And, assuming Smith makes it into the top 20 in point standings (cuurently 27th), the win gives him a shot at the wildcard entry for the Chase for Championship...

05.09.11: Centre for Speed has renamed its "County Days" events to "Community Days", when postal codes will determine which areas will get free admission. More details at www.centreforspeed.com.

05.07.11: NASCAR driver Carl Edwards revealed Friday at Darlington that his wife, Kate, had given birth to their second child this past Wednesday. Michael Edwards weighed in at 8 lbs, 6 ozs; mother and baby are doing well...

05.06.11: Donald J. Trump today informed the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that he may be announcing shortly his intention to run for the office of President of the United States, and therefore he thought it would be inappropriate to drive the Pace Car for the 100th anniversary running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 29. "I very much appreciate the honor, but time and business constraints make my appearance there, especially with the necessary practice sessions, impossible to fulfill," Trump said. "I look forward to watching the race from New York."

05.05.11: An announcement is expected today from Roush-Fenway Racing as to whether Trevor Bayne will race in Friday's NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Darlington. It appears unlikely as Bayne remained at the Mayo Clinic on Wednesday. The young Daytona 500 winner was hospitalized last week after complaining of fatigue, nausea, and blurred vision, at the time thought to be related to an insect bite, which has since been ruled out. It is not known whether doctors have made a final diagnosis. Chris Buescher replaced Bayne in the drivers seat last week at Richmond...UPDATE @ 10:49 a.m AT Trevor Bayne has tweeted this morning that he is returning home to North Carolina today "waiting patiently to get better." More [here]...

05.05.11: Ryan Newman's foundation, headed by his wife Krissie, will champion efforts to help displaced animals after tornadoes ripped through six southeastern states last week. They have partnered with a local agency to provide assistance for pets that have lost their owners, or that are lost, while also providing emergency relief to injured horses.

05.05.11: SIRIUS Satellite Radio fans of the NASCAR channel should make note of its new location, moving from channel 128 to channel 90 as a result of the SIRIUS XM merger. The new channel lineup is effective May 4 and can be found [here]..

05.04.11: Canada's Steve Arpin will drive for Turner Motorsports in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Arpin will run the No. 32 Mike's Hard Lemonade Chevrolet Silverado in a multi-race deal and is scheduled to make his NCWTS debut at Texas Motor Speedway in June.

05.03.11: Riverside Int'l Raceway has announced a new partnership with Subway restaurants - a partnership that will see value-added benefit for fans this summer in two ways...Not only will 1,200 subs be given away free at Riverside this summer, but every admission ticket will include a 2-1 coupon valid at Subway locations in Antigonish, New Glasgow, and Cape Breton...

05.03.11: A reminder that the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame annual general meeting is this Friday May 6 at the Hall of Fame building in Petitcodiac. Start time is 7 p.m. All members are asked to attend...

05.02.11: Trevor Bayne remained in hospital Sunday - tweeting from his hospital bed: "Still at the hospital! Don't think its related to the bite.. But we'll see! God has something cool going on that we can't yet see!

05.01.11: Start times have been posted for the 2011 Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour schedule. Check them out here...