02.22.12: CONGRATS to Austin Dillon and his brother Ty Dillon - both in Victory Circle Tuesday at Florida's Volusia County Speedway after Austin won the DIRTCar Nationals A-Main feature - and Ty clinched the points championship. Fellow NASCAR racer Kenny Wallace won three of seven A-Mains in the series at Volusia over the past week - the most wins of anyone...

02.21.12: Lake Doucette Motor Speedway (near Digby, NS) has posted 2012 rules on their website. Two divisions are shown: Cavalier/Sunfire and Modified (formerly Outlaws). More on their site [here]...

02.21.12: To help celebrate Tony Stewart's incredible 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup championship, race fans can enter for a chance to win a 2012 Camaro Synergy Edition and meet Stewart at the race track at www.WinCamaroSynergy.com now through March 20, 2012. One Grand Prize Winner will receive a 2012 Camaro Synergy Edition, and trip for two to Talladega Superspeedway for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in May and a meeting with three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart. The prize is compliments of Chevrolet.

02.21.12: According to a tweet from Speedway Miramichi after this past Sunday's general meeting...they had "great responses and we will keep you posted on rules and schedules soon." After a two-year hiatus the track will re-open this season under new ownership.

02.20.12: Scotia Speedworld has posted its 2012 25th Anniversary season schedule; pretty much status quo from previous years with the Weekly Racing Series Friday nights for the most part, along with special event Saturday's. Check it out [here]...

02.20.12: Centre for Speed has posted [rules for the 2012 season] - the notice says they are tentative for a week to allow input - however, we have no idea when the week is up - so best to call 506.388.2415 ASAP if you have questions or concerns...

02.19.12: CONGRATS & HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Dad, Laurie Roué, who turns 80 today. Veteran Nova Scotia race fans will remember him driving No. 21 'The Golden Hawk' in the late 60s (pictured above), and then in the 90s driving the MASCAR pace car. In the 70s & 80s we ran the roads chasing races from Nova Scotia to Florida to Ontario - and all points in between. He is why I love racing, which is why this site exists. So thanks - and love you Dad!

02.19.12: Management at Petty Int'l Raceway announced several new sponsors for 2012 at their drivers meeting held yesterday. Check them out at www.pettyraceway.com.

02.18.12: REMEMBERING Dale Earnhardt Sr., seven-time NASCAR champion and legend, who died 11 years ago today in a crash on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. In keeping with tradition Dale Earnhardt Inc. in Mooresville NC will hold their annual candlelight tribute to the "Intimidator" tonight, Feb 18, at DEI headquarters from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

02.18.12: (at 7:30 a.m.) Management for Petty International Raceway have advised they are either in or en route to the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame in Petitcodiac NB for today's final pre-season drivers meeting.

02.18.12: SAD NEWS - FOX Sports NASCAR studio host and NFL on FOX sideline reporter Chris Myers will miss Daytona Speedweeks broadcasts due to the death of his son, Christopher. Myers' son was involved in a fatal car accident in Southern California on Thursday. John Roberts, Speed studio host, will fill in as the NASCAR on FOX studio host for the Budweiser Shootout, Daytona 500 Qualifying and the Daytona 500 and will be available until Myers' return.

02.17.12: CONGRATS to Kelley Earnhardt-Miller, sister to Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-owner of JR Motorsports, who gave birth to her first child Thursday afternoon. Kelley is married to modified driver L.W. Miller. Wyatt Wayne Miller weighed in at 8 pounds 13 ounces...a new fan for "Uncle Dale" just in time for Daytona...

02.17.12: Just a reminder that live coverage of all the Daytona Speedweeks action starts today at 5 p.m. on SPEED with NASCAR Live followed by practice for saturday's Budweiser Shootout. Download and print our "Speedweeks TV Guide" [here]...

02.17.12: For the second straight night, Kenny Wallace found his way to UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment victory lane at Volusia Speedway Park. Wallace, who was raised in Arnold, Mo., gave credit to his crew first and foremost in the winner's circle. "All the credit goes to my guys and crew chief Billy Smith of Farmington, Mo., who will pilot my car (in qualifying Friday) while I participate in activities surrounding next weekend's Daytona 500. For me to compete with guys like Michael Long who won the most DIRTcar UMP Modified features last year means a lot," Wallace said. "I've finally started to run good in the dry slick." Wallace switches his focus to asphalt racing starting Friday at Daytona International Speedway...

02.17.12: Competitor registration for the 2012 Napa Sportsman Series is now open. Currently, the series will feature four races at Riverside Int'l Speedway near Antigonish. A new website is under development where drivers and fans will have access to the schedule, rules, and more. In the meantime competitors that have not already received the 2012 registration form and rules can contact Bill Vasil at 902.971.0416 - or Lynne Delorey-Vasil by email at lynne@antigonishevergreeninn.com.

02.16.12: Kenny Wallace found his groove Wednesday night at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida winning the 20-lap feature event, besting a record field of 78 DIRTcar UMP Modifieds at the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment. "It was an awesome win," said Wallace, who will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 next week. "What makes wins special is when you have the best modified racers in the United States. This is like a championship race every night. Every night is a big race. This isn't any old feature..."

02.16.12: Two former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions, both now semi-retired, will enter the Daytona 500. Bill Elliott will be in the No. 97 car driving for and as a teammate to Joe Nemechek, and Terry Labonte will be in the No. 32 car for FAS Lane Racing. In other new entry news Phil Parsons Racing has announced Micahel MacDowell will pilot No. 98 for them on the entire 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, starting at Daytona next week.

02.16.12: Chip Bolin will serve as crew chief this weekend at Daytona International Speedway on the No. 99 Fastenal Ford with Carl Edwards due to the passing of Bob Osborne's father. Osborne will return to Daytona next week to lead Edwards and the team in the Gatorade Duels and the Daytona 500. Bolin is currently the head engineer for Roush Fenway Racing and previously served at Matt Kenseth's Sprint Cup crew chief.

02.15.12: David Reutimann has been entered as driver of the #93 Toyota for BK Racing in the Daytona 500. Todd Anderson, the former car chief at TRG Motorsports [the #71 team in 2011], will serve as crew chief for the team. Travis Kvapil will take over the driving duties in the #93 Toyota at Phoenix for the March 4 Sprint Cup race.

02.15.12: Canada's TSN and TSN2 2012 package of NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Nationwide Series races kicks off with live coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Shootout on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. ET on TSN2. All races are also available live on TSN Mobile TV. Along with the Daytona 500, highlights of TSN and TSN2's 2012 NASCAR schedule include the Sprint Cup: Gatorade Duel at Daytona on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. ET on TSN2, which determines the starting grid for Sunday's championship race, and the NASCAR Nationwide Series' annual stop in Montreal on Aug. 18 at 2 p.m. ET on TSN. Check out TSN/TSN2's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series broadcast schedule [here], and NASCAR Nationwide Series broadcast schedule [here]....

02.13.12: The Kevin Harvick Foundation have announced the launch of "Win Happy's Chevy." For the second consecutive year, one lucky winner will take home Kevin Harvick's custom designed Chevrolet Camaro, while helping children in need. Starting today, tickets for the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Convertible can be purchased for $29 each at www.winhappyschevy.com. The vehicle includes gray leather interior, 21" black painted wheels, 6-speed manual transmission, V8 engine, rear parking assist and much more. Proceeds will be used to further the mission of the Kevin Harvick Foundation.

Ryan Mackintosh at his ARCA test...

02.12.12: CONGRATULATIONS to Amherst Nova Scotia teenager Ryan Mackintosh (pictured above) who tested last week for his ARCA racing license; Mackintosh passed the test and is now cleared to participate in the series. According to a team spokesperson they are working on a few deals that will hopefully culminate in Mackintosh's ARCA debut.

02.11.12: RAB Racing with Brack Maggard announced Friday that as a result of his recent DUI arrest, John Wes Townley will be replaced as driver of their No. 09 Toyota Tundra until his return is deemed appropriate. "Obviously, this is an unfortunate situation," said Robby Benton, owner of RAB Racing with Brack Maggard. "However, we have to react to the severity of the incident accordingly. His actions do not reflect those of RAB Racing, nor the sponsors associated with the team. "John Wes has accepted full responsibility, and will take the necessary personal steps in order to correct his actions, among other internal sanctions," Benton continued. "We stand by John Wes, and will welcome him back to the team at the appropriate time."

02.10.12: UPDATE - DATE CHANGE - REMINDER - The second and final pre-season drivers meeting for Petty Int'l Raceway is Saturday Feb 18 (changed from Feb 12 due to pending storm) at the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame in Petitcodiac (NB). The Bandolero meeting is from 11 a.m. to Noon; the 4 Cylinder and Street Stock meeting from Noon to 1:30 p.m.; and the Sportsman meeting is from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Drivers not already registered for the 2012 season can do so at the meeting.

02.10.12: Management for Oyster Bed Speedway in PEI have posted their 2012 race schedule; the season starts May 21 and runs through September 16 featuring weekly racing as well as special events. Check it out [here]...

02.08.12: As Grand Marshals, co-stars from the new Three Stooges movie Jane Lynch and Kate Upton will deliver the four most famous words in motorsports – "Drivers, start your engines." Sean Hayes, Chris Diamantopoulos, and Will Sasso -- starring as Larry, Moe & Curly – in the all new The Three Stooges movie from Twentieth Century Fox, will start the action by delivering the green flag at the Daytona 500, NASCAR's most prestigious race, on Sunday, February 26th (FOX, 1 p.m. ET).

02.08.12: SUBWAY®, the world's largest restaurant chain, has expanded its partnership with Carl Edwards and Roush Fenway Racing from the primary sponsor of the No. 99 Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for three races in 2011 to six races starting in 2012. The multi-year partnership also includes four additional races as a major associate sponsor and becoming the Official Training Restaurant of Carl Edwards and Roush Fenway Racing.

02.07.12: The facility that was USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida is no more. The 0.75-mile oval saw its last race in 2008 before being sold and then stripped of most infrastructure. Even then, with the oval still remaining, there was still hope it might be resurrected to host more great racing. The final blow came in late January when heavy equipment moved in to tear up the track and demolish whatever else was left standing. No word on how the land will be used. (Thanks to Don Mahar for the picture, taken Jan 26)

02.07.12: WWE Superstar John Cena will wave the green flag as Honorary Starter of the 54th annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 26 at historic Daytona International Speedway (FOX, 1 p.m. ET). Cena was invited to participate in this year's big race by 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series runner-up Carl Edwards last night on WWE's Monday Night Raw®. Edwards got out of his official No. 99 Fastenal Ford and told Cena, "NASCAR asked me to come to Monday Night Raw and personally invite you to drop the green flag and officially start the Daytona 500 on February 26." An appreciative John Cena enthusiastically accepted with an emphatic "Yes!"

02.07.12: He is the person most race fans and guests likely don't want to see when they visit Michigan International Speedway. But if they do, they are in good hands. NASCAR has named Dr. John Maino, Michigan International Speedway's medical director, as medical director of the year during its annual meeting with racetracks. NASCAR annually recognizes a medical director who excels in leadership and organizational skills in the daily operations of a racetrack's infield care center. Maino always assures medical standards are met, and that issues are quickly addressed with an immediate and positive outcome.

02.05.12: Race fans looking for a stress-free, convenient and affordable way to get to Auto Club Speedway's Auto Club 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race need not look any further. Auto Club Speedway has partnered with Metrolink to provide direct train service to the Auto Club 400 on Sunday, March 25 at Auto Club Speedway.

02.03.12: Speedway Miramichi management will hold a general meeting Sunday February 19 to discuss plans for the upcoming season, rules, and other information that may be of interest to drivers and fans alike. The meeting will start at Noon in Mike's Bar, Newcastle, NB (across from the Civic Centre).

02.02.12: SAD NEWS - Nicola (Nicki) Kenseth, mother of NASCAR's Matt Kenseth, passed away January 31 after a long battle with Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease. Mrs. Kenseth, 63, is survived by her husband Roy, children Kelley and Matt, several grandchildren, as well as siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Mrs Kenseth lived in Wisconsin. The family has established a memorial with the Alzheimer's Association where donations can be made in lieu of flowers.

01.30.12: Scotia Speedworld's 2012 rules and regitration information is now posted on their website. Check it out [here]...

01.29.12: Petty Int'l Raceway has posted details for its second and final pre-season drivers meetings to be held Sunday February 12 at the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame in Petitcodiac (NB). The Bandolero meeting is from 11 a.m. to Noon; the 4 Cylinder and Street Stock meeting from Noon to 1:30 p.m.; and the Sportsman meeting is from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Any drivers planning to run for points can register at the meeting - or beat the rush and register now at www.pettyraceway.com.

01.27.12: Richard Petty Motorsports has announced the formation of a new NASCAR Nationwide Series team with driver Michael Annett and his long-time partner Pilot Flying J. The team will be run out of RPM's Concord, N.C. race shop and will vie for the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship. Annett, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, comes to Richard Petty Motorsports after spending last season at Rusty Wallace, Inc. He has posted 13 top-10 finishes in 105 Nationwide Series starts and drove to a ninth-place finish in the championship points standings last season. Born into a family with a rich racing heritage, Annett began his own racing career in 2007 competing in the ARCA Series. In only his fourth start, Annett drove his Pilot Travel Centers machine to victory lane at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. He drove to victory once again in the ARCA Series the next season at Daytona International Speedway and also piloted an entry in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in eight events that season. In 2009, he moved to the Nationwide Series with Germain Racing and posted four top-10 finishes en route to a 10th-place effort in the point standings. He remained at Germain through 2010 and in 2011 competed for RWI.

01.26.12: CONGRATS to Kevin and Delana Harvick who are expecting their first child this year. Kevin announced during Wednesday's media tour that Delana is 14-weeks pregnant...

01.26.12: NASCAR will no longer issue fines that are undisclosed. We looked at this issue from every angle and gathered feedback from the industry. While there are always sensitivities related to sponsor relationships and other leagues may continue issuing disclosed and undisclosed fines, NASCAR has decided that all fines moving forward will be made public after the competitor or organization that has been penalized has been informed.

01.25.12: Riverside Int'l Speedway has put Premium Seat renewals for 2012 in the mail; fans with top row seats in sections, D,E, & F have until March 31 to reserve them for the upcoming season featuring four big events: two Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour "regular" races, the IWK 250, and the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race. Management continues to work at securing a guest NASCAR driver for the IWK 250 and hopes to make an announcement in the coming weeks.

01.23.12: Last week Regan Smith went from the high banks of Daytona to the skip slopes of Colorado in his No. 78 NASCAR racecar. Smith and world tour freeskiing champion Jess McMillan were shooting scenes for an upcoming ski movie produced by Warren Miller Entertainment.

01.21.12: RAB Racing with Brack Maggard announced today that they will attempt to make their NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut in the 54th-annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 26, with driver Kenny Wallace behind the wheel of their No. 09 American Ethanol Toyota Camry. With Wallace behind the wheel of their NASCAR Nationwide Series Toyota in 2011, the No. 09 team finished seventh in the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver championship standings, a career-best for the Concord, N.C.-based team, after posting 11 top-10 finishes. Wallace will attempt to make his 11th Daytona 500 start. His last start in the Great American Race came in 2008, when he raced his way into the starting lineup via an eighth-place finish in the first Gatorade Duel.

01.17.12: The Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame (MMHF) will host its inaugural Wedding & Prom Gala Expo February 24-25. A Diamond Ring Dinner will be held Friday night (tickets are limited) and the public Expo will happen Saturday. Both events will be held at the MMHF conference room in Petitcodiac (NB). The event is a fundraiser for the organization. More info at www.mmhf.ca...

01.17.12: Carl Edwards says he is not planning to run any NASCAR Nationwide Series races this year - maybe. Edwards says that if he finds he is going crazy on Saturday's and would be better off racing, than not, then the plan could change. He has competed in the Nationwide Series for the past seven seasons while also doing a full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule.

01.16.12: The Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame website is undergoing a makeover; plans are to see a new site launched in the coming weeks that will be more interative and also pay due homage to the facility, the mission of its founders, and the accomplishments of its homoured inductees. The current site remains active in the meantime. The first step in making the site more interactive is in the creation of an abbreviated address; you can now use either www.mmhf.ca or www.maritimemotorsporthallof fame.com to visit the site.

01.15.12: Gary Crooks and Jason Enders have been working overtime to put together the inaugural GRIP Seminar for short track racers in Portland, Maine next weekend (January 19-22). According to their website, registration includes top racers from the northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada. A full schedule for the four-day seminar is now posted as is a new option offering the Spotter's Only session via live streaming online. All the details are at www.gripseminars.com...

01.14.12: Management at Petty International Raceway are working toward announcing details for their planned 2012 six-race sportsman series. So far we know the features will be a minimum 100-laps and that competitors will accumulate points toward an overall championship. Bigger purses are also part of the plan with specific details to be revealed as the season gets closer. Rules for Petty's street stock and 4 cylinder divisions have been posted on their website [here]...

01.13.12: Don't forget you can watch today's (and tomorrow's) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series test session at Daytona Int'l Speedway ALL DAY and LIVE. The morning sessions (10 a.m. to 1 p.m. AT) will be streamed online via SPEED's website and the afternoon sessions (2 p.m. to 6 p.m. AT) will be on SPEED television. Those wanting to watch on their computer can tune in online by clicking [here] - and those wanting to use their iPhone or iPad can use this link: http://stream.speedtv.com/mobile/idevice/daytona. The online boradcast had some overloading issues due to extreme traffic (just like at a track) Thursday so please be patient if the link doesn't work right away...

01.12.12: In a sport where drivers are constantly striving to be leaders of the pack, a few NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars – and one lucky NASCAR fan – are taking a back seat to learn a thing or two about how to control their pets. "Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan," airing on Nat Geo WILD, is going all-NASCAR when they bring the show to Daytona Beach, Fla. this February to shoot an upcoming episode. This episode, which will be filmed around Daytona 500 events on February 17-18, will feature NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers Greg Biffle and Kevin Harvick for two of the first three segments. For the final segment, Millan will work with a NASCAR fan. Kevin Harvick and his wife DeLana will be featured with their Chihuahua, Little One (LO), and Greg Biffle will select animals in need through his charity, the Greg Biffle Foundation. His foundation strives to create awareness and serve as an advocate to improve the well-being of animals by engaging the power and passion of the motorsports industry.

01.12.12: Phoenix Racing has announced that in addition to running the complete NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule with Kurt Busch, they will field the No. 1 Chevrolet in a limited amount of NASCAR Nationwide Series races (NNS), starting at Daytona. The team plans to run all major events and are looking for sponsorship for these races.

01.11.12: The Riverside Sportsman Super Series will hold a very important meeting this coming Sunday (January 15) between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. in Antigonish at the STFX Millenium Centre (conference room A). Series organizers Bill Vasil and Lynne Delorey-Vasil will discuss rules and other details for 2012, and teams will be able to register for the upcoming season. All drivers and other interested parties are encouraged to attend.

01.11.12: Tickets are now available for the 2011 Speedway 660 Awards Banquet to be held January 28 at the Fredericton Inn. Tickets can be purchased in Fredericton at RV World, in Moncton at Moncton RV Centre, and in Saint John at Leisure Time RV Centre - or phone orders can be placed with a credit card by calling 506-454-7223. Tickets are $35 each.

01.11.12: The second phase of Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barriers is underway at Rockingham Speedway in advance of the April 15, 2012 running of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Good Sam Club Roadside Assistance Carolina 200. When complete, this installation will encase the south and north ends of the speedway (turns one and two and turns three and four, respectively) in the force absorbing barriers. For the first phase, crews installed SAFER barriers along the inside backstretch wall in October 2011 before the American 200 and Polar Bear 150.

01.09.12: Three Nova Scotia stock car racers have been nominated in two different categories for the 2011 Inside Track Reader's Choice Awards. Wayne Smith, three-time and defending Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour champion, is included in the Canadian Stock Car Racers of the Year category; and both Dylan Blenkhorn and Ryan Mackintosh are included in the Upand Coming Canadian Stock Car Racer category - Blenkhorn was the 2011 Scotia Speedworld Legends champion and Maritime Legends Tour champion and Mackintosh finished fifth in the U.S.-based Allison Legacy Series. Votes can be palced online until Jan 25 [here] and the winners will be announced February 11.

01.08.12: Officials of Rusty Wallace Racing have announced that the team's on-track activities will be put on a temporary hiatus. While the organization's day-to-day competition activities will temporarily cease, key elements of RWR's business staff will remain in place to continue development of future opportunities. The team is currently assisting No. 66 driver, Steve Wallace, in exploring several exciting opportunities for 2012, with backing from his current RWR sponsors. RWR will continue to maintain and manage those sponsor relationships on Wallace's behalf. No. 62 driver, Michael Annett has been released from the team and will pursue other 2012 opportunities with his longtime family sponsor, Pilot Flying J.

01.07.12: Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) will announce the sponsor and driver lineup for its 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series program next Thursday at 2:00 p.m. (EST) at the team facility in Mooresville, N.C. No hints in the media advisory as to attendees, other than Kyle Busch...

01.04.12: Carl Edwards will take a turn co-hosting the syndicated morning program "LIVE! with Kelly" on Tuesday, January 10, during a special themed week of sports co-hosts with Kelly Ripa. Edwards was selected along with Reggie Bush, Boomer Esiason, Jesse Palmer and Apolo Anton Ohno. Actress Kate Beckinsale will be a guest on the show when Edwards co-hosts with Ripa. Edwards was a guest on the popular show last June after his win in the Sprint All-Star race, and has appeared in the past with the NASCAR Chase contenders. This will be his first stint as co-host. Check your local listings for broadcast information.

01.02.12: Dale Earnhardt Jr. is scheduled to perform the opening coin toss at the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl today (Jan. 2) at 2 pm AT. The Florida Gators will face off against the Ohio State Buckeyes - check your local lisiting for broadcast information.

01.02.12: Industry sources say an announcement is expected this week by Richard Petty Motorsports that will name the new driver of the fabled No. 43 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car. Aric Almirola is the driver rumoured to be filling the seat left vacant when AJ Allmendinger joined Penske Racing just before Christmas.

01.01.12: In an ongoing effort to provide fans with the most exciting and enjoyable race experience in NASCAR, Dover International Speedway is pleased to announce a seat-widening plan for the track's grandstands beginning in 2012. The multi-year process, which will take place throughout the entire outdoor grandstands, will begin in all seating sections located in Turns 2 and 3. Additional widening of seats toward Turns 1 and 4 and the frontstretch will begin after the conclusion of the 2012 season. When the process is complete, all seats will have increased from 18" to 22" in size throughout the venue.