News Tidbits...
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2008 Tidbits - January to April...



• 4/30: Fresh off a record breaking NFL season, New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss has announced the formation of Moss Motorsports, LLC with its intended participation to begin in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Moss anticipates that the team will debut at some point in the second half of the 2008 season and run selected races through the conclusion of the year. The partial schedule is a prelude to a full-time campaign in 2009. Sponsors and manufacturer alignments will be announced at a later date...
  
  
• 4/29: Scotia Speedworld is hosting a Family Fun Day for Bandolero and Legends Cars teams this Sunday (May 4). Teams will have the chance to shake down their racecars for the forthcoming '08 season, and all will be treated to lunch during the Noon hour Meet'N'Greet. Admission is $7 per person and those interested in attending must contact their respective division representative in advance. More details at the Speedworld site [here]...
  
  
• 4/27: Juan Pablo Montoya, NASCAR Sprint Cup driver for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, will make his first appearance in People en Español’s special-edition magazine as one of its 50 Most Beautiful of 2008. Montoya earned a spot beside singer Christina Aguilera, designer Daisy Fuentes and actor and current participant on “Dancing with the Stars” Christián de la Fuente on the exclusive list. Montoya is one of just four athletes whose photos will appear in the magazine along with NFL quarterback Tony Romo, NHL center Scott Gómez and basketball player Alexis Castro. Montoya participated in a special photo shoot on location in Miami for the magazine in February before the NASCAR race at California Speedway...
  
  
• 4/26: Officials at Roush Fenway Racing admitted Friday they have had recent conversations with IndyCar winner Danica Patrick with regard to the lady driver joining the NASCAR ranks. According to Jack Roush, who was not directly involved in the Patrick conversation, Danica has a great amount of interest in stock car racing, maybe enough to look at trying it at some point - down the proverbial road...
  
  
• 4/25: The entry list for the July 18/19 IWK 250 at Riverside Int'l Speedway continues to grow. As of this morning there are 47 teams registered for the event - that with a total purse expected to exceed $100,000 - is poised to become the richest stock car race ever held in Eastern Canada. The latest entry is none other than Kennetcook's Roger Miller - who veteran regional race fans will remember as driver of the No. 80 and a top contender on the MASCAR Tour in the late 80s and 90s...
  
  
• 4/24: The racing rumour mill has Tony Stewart looking to opt out of the final year of his contract to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing (2009). Stewart is reportedly interested in being self-employed on NASCAR's top circuit and looking at team ownership opportunities...
  
  
• 4/24: The new Dover "monster" is ready for shipment to his new home...the 46-foot Monster Monument will be shipped to Dover International Speedway on Friday, April 25. Six flatbed trucks carrying the monster’s head, torso and arms will be shipped from its "birth-site" in Lancaster, Pa. The wide-load convoy will have a police escort from the Delaware border, and will head down Route 1. Starting Monday the design team will be on-site at the Speedway assembling the Monster Monument at its permanent location in the new Victory Plaza area outside of Turn 4. The full fiberglass monster structure will be erected by the end of the day, weather permitting. The team will spend the following days in Dover putting the finishing touches on the structure in preparation for a dedication ceremony at the track on May 14...
  
  
• 4/24: Ricky Rudd has been announced as the United Way of Richmond County/Fast Track High Performance Driving School “chauffeur” for the lucky winner of the charity auction. Rudd, recently retired from the NASCAR ranks, will be driving a special two-seat race car that will allow the auction winner to roll off with the other 50-cars starting the Carolina 500. Rudd and co-driver will follow the field during the pace laps before pulling onto pit road at “one-to-go.” Additionally the winning bidder will attend the drivers meeting, be announced during driver introductions and receive two passes to watch the remaining laps from a track suite...
  
  
• 4/23: Wayne Smith's race team is hosting a chicken dinner and auction this coming Sunday (April 27) at the Timberlea Beverage Room. Tickets are just $15 each and include good food, door prizes and draws. The NASCAR Talladega race will be broadcast in conjunction with the event; the fun starts at 3 p.m. Dinner tickets can be purchased at the Timberlea Beverage Room or by calling 902.876.0397; tickets are not required to attend the auction - for which the proceeds go to Smith's 2008 racing campaign...
  
  
• 4/22: Jon Wood will be driving the Wood Bros No. 21 this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, making his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut. Bill Elliott, who has been wheeling the car so far this year, is expected to return to the drivers seat next week for the Richmond race...
  
  
• 4/21: It's not stock car racing - but...Congrats to Danica Patrick who made history this past weekend by becoming the first female to win an IndyCar event, capturing the Japan 300 in her 50th series start...The now 26-year-old first captured the public eye three years ago with a fourth-place finish in the Indy 500...
  
  
• 4/19: Both western events on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Sirius Satellite Radio schedule will move forward one week due to the change of dates for the Rexall Edmonton Indy weekend. The race at SunValley Speedway in Vernon, B.C. is now scheduled for Saturday, July 19 and the new Edmonton dates have qualifying on Friday, July 25 and the race on the 1.973-mile temporary road course at Edmonton’s City Centre Airport will be held on Saturday, July 26. See the updated series schedule here...
  
  
• 4/19: On Tuesday of next week (Apr 22) Lowe's Motor Speedway President H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Clint Bowyer will announce an innovative new pre-race event for the May 17 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Officials will also reveal plans for a pre-race concert by a legendary classic rock artist and discuss other activities, including celebrity guests...
  
  
• 4/18: Sprint announced Thursday the start of the '08 campaign where fans will vote one team a starting spot in the May 24 NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway (NC). To be eligible for the Sprint Fan Vote, drivers must have been in the top 50 in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver point standings in 2007 or have attempted to qualify for a 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race prior to March 10. The driver with the most votes who finishes the Sprint Showdown on the lead lap will transfer to the prestigious field. The Sprint Fan Vote winner will be announced following the completion of the Sprint Showdown May 17. Unfortunately - for Canadian NASCAR fans - the voting methods preclude participation; unless you're going to be in the U.S. in the next three weeks and find a Sprint store to vote at...
  
  
• 4/17: Anyone within listening range of XFM radio station out of Antigonish should tune into "Inside Sports" Sunday at 6 p.m. to hear a 30-minute interview with NASCAR's Regan Smith and track manager Paul McLean; discussing Smith's return to Riverside for the July 18/19 IWK 250 - and much more...
  
  
• 4/17: Taylor Hicks, who won the fifth-season of the American Idol competition, will sing the National Anthem prior to the Aaron’s 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on April 27 at Talladega Superspeedway. The 31-year-old Hicks, born in nearby Birmingham Ala., captured more than 63 million votes to win the fifth season of American Idol, which has a tradition of producing today’s greatest singing stars...
  
  
• 4/16: BAM Racing has announced a further reduction in their '08 NASCAR effort, effectively limiting operations until they secure sponsorship - and leaving driver Ken Schrader's Sprint Cup season in limbo...The team did note enter the No. 49 at Texas or Phoenix after switching form Dodge to Toyota for the Martinsville race...
  
  
• 4/16: Donnie Wingo and Jimmy Elledge are switching places as crew chiefs at Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. Wingo moves from the No. 42 team, where he has worked with driver Juan Pablo Montoya, to the No. 41 Dodges and driver Reed Sorenson. Elledge, who has been with the 41 team, will now work with Montoya’s team...
  
  
• 4/16: The bright colors of race cars will give way to the softer shades of spring flowers next week when Martinsville Speedway in Virginia hosts a stop on the Historic Garden Week tour. The 75th Virginia Historic Garden Week is the oldest and largest statewide house and garden tour event in the nation. Earlier this year, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources deemed Martinsville Speedway a site of historical significance and placed a historic marker at the entrance to the track. Visitors taking the Garden Club Tour of the track will be treated to a guided tour of the race track by members of the Patrick Henry Community College Motorsports Association. Campbell will have his eloquently, but comfortably outfitted motor coach open for visitors to tour...
  
  
• 4/15: Talked to Halifax's John Flemming yesterday; he's ready for Saturday's PASS North season opener at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Maine. "Seth has the car ready so we'll be there when they open the gates for practice Thursday - and then we'll have two days to finesse the setup before the race Saturday." Flemming is planning to make a run for the 2008 PASS North championship title...
  
  
• 4/13: Earlier this week Unity Raceway in Maine announced it was suspending the 2008 season, and that the track is now available for lease or purchase. Although sometimes described as primitive - and well-deserved of its self-professed "Maine's Toughest Oval" moniker - many a memory was made at the track since it first opened in 1948...
  
  
• 4/12: Scotia Speedworld Race Director Rob Bowness has announced that Saturday, May 17 as the the date for the 2008 Pre-Season Test'N'Tune Practice day at Scotia Speedworld. The pit gate will open at 10 a.m., followed by two practice sessions as follows: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Thunder/Lightning, Hobby Stock, Legends; 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Sportsman, CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour. Admission fee is $5 per person. Only competitors who have submitted a Scotia Speedworld registration form or CARQUEST Tour registration form will be permitted to practice...
  
  
• 4/11: Former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Aaron Fike has publicly admitted this week in an interview that he drove races while under the influence - causing a big stir among several NASCAR drivers this weekend in Phoenix - calling for the sanctioning body to implement a random testing policy...
  
  
• 4/11: NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. was inducted posthumously into the U.S. Business Hall of Fame on Wednesday night in Nashville, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. France, who died in 1992, founded NASCAR in 1947 and was the sanctioning body’s first president, serving in that capacity until 1972 when he was followed by his son Bill France Jr. France is part of an illustrious 2008 class of inductees that also includes: USA Today founder Al Neuharth; Thomas Frist, Jr., M.D. Chairman Emeritus, Hospital Corporation of America; Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of the RLJ Companies and the Black Entertainment Network; John E. Pepper Jr., retired chairman and CEO of Procter & Gamble; and Meg Whitman, president and CEO of eBay. France’s grandson, J.C. France – who races Daytona Prototypes in the Rolex Sports Car Series – will accept the induction honor on behalf of the France family. J.C. France is the son of NASCAR vice chairman and executive vice president Jim France...
  
  
• 4/9: There is a Raceway Park drivers meeting at the North River Fire hall April 24 at 7 p.m...
  
  
• 4/9: Any racers intending full-time competition with either the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour or at Scotia Speedworld NEED to get their 08 Registration Forms in - like yesterday; or chance not being included in the '08 souvenir programs which will go to press soon...Printable Registration Forms can be found at the respective websites...
  
  
• 4/9: Country singer superstar Garth Brooks is a spokesman for the NASCAR Foundation and its forthcoming NASCAR Day (May 16). Click here to view Brooks NASCAR Day message...
  
  4/9: Brienne Davis, one of a few full-time inspectors employed by NASCAR on race weekends was killed Tuesday in a single car accident near Huntersville, North Carolina. Davis, 27, started her racing career in 2002 at Dale Earnhardt Inc. as an engine builder, joining NASCAR in 2004...
  
  
• 4/9: NASCAR has issued penalties and fines to the No. 12 team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, as a result of rule infractions found last Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway. The No. 12 car driven by Ryan Newman was found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules); and 12.8.1C (right rear quarter panel height did not meet the required specification; too high in post race inspection) of the 2008 NASCAR rule book. As a result, Newman and car owner Roger Penske have been penalized 25 championship driver and 25 championship owner points, respectively. Crew chief Roy McCauley has been fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31...
  
  
• 4/8: Speedway Motorsports Inc. and International Speedway Corp. are suing each other over the radio broadcast rights at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. ISC has had a long-standing contract with the track to broadcast the races on its Motor Racing Network. SMI, which bought the track in January, wants the races on its own Performance Racing Network. The current contract awarding MRN the option to broadcast races at the track was signed in 2000 and required a three-year notice of termination. The New Hampshire track was purchased last year by SMI/PRN principal Bruton Smith; ISC - owner of MRN also owns NASCAR, sanctioning body for the events in question...
  
  
• 4/8: Bill Davis, President of Bill Davis Racing, announced today a reorganization of the company’s management team. Davis, who with wife Gail has fielded teams in NASCAR for over 20 years, has added several key personnel and shifted several others within the organization. All changes are effective immediately; Davis has appointed a new VP, general manager and director of marketing in an effort to buoy his company in their NASCAR racing efforts which include the No. 22 Caterpillar Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, four Toyota Tundras in the Craftsman Truck Series and one team in the ARCA/REMAX Series...
  
  
• 4/7: Denny Hamlin was taken to the infield care centre after Sunday's Sprint Cup race in Texas. Hamlin nearly fainted when being interviewed. According to he officials "he just needed to get some fluids in him."
  
  
• 4/7: Sad News - The Maritime sportsman racing family will miss Murray Richardson who passed away Saturday. Richardson was a longtime motorpsorts fan and crew member, most recently working with Scotia Speedworld's Craig Doggett...
  
  
• 4/7: More Sad News - A racer lost his life after a wreck at Thompson Motor Speedway (CT) Sunday. Shane Hammond was was involved in a crash on the fourth lap of a scheduled 25-lap NEMA Midget feature that saw his car vault over the concrete barrier and through a billboard above the wall...
  
  
• 4/5: Gillett Evernham Motorsports announced Friday that LifeLock®, the nation’s leading identity theft protection service, will sponsor the No. 10 Dodge with Canadian driver Patrick Carpentier in eight races in the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season. LifeLock will sponsor Carpentier at Phoenix on April 12, Talladega on April 27, Richmond on May 3, Darlington on May 10, Charlotte on May 25, Michigan on June 15, Chicagoland on July 12 and Kansas on Sept. 28...
  
  
• 4/5: There seems to be a tad bit of discord at Petty Enterprises this week with regard to why Kyle Petty was not behind the wheel of the 45 car in Texas. Crew chief Robbie Loomis told ESPN it was Petty's choice and Petty says he told his team to do what they felt they had to in order to make the team better - which ended up being replacing Petty with rookie Chad McCumbee for this weekend. The team was outside the top 35 in points so had to make the show on time - which McCumbee failed to do. Petty further indicated in another interview he would consider driving for another team if there was no place for him at Petty Enterprises...
  
  
• 4/5: The PASS South division Carolina Clash set for this weekend has been postponed due to a wet weather forecast; the make-up date for the Dillon Motor Speedway (SC) event is yet to be announced. 15 teams including Maine's Ben Rowe and Corey Williams had pre-registered for the race...
  
  
• 4/3: Anyone out there planning a visit to the greater Charlotte (North Carolina) area and wanting to visit race shops and do other race-related activities should check out the refurbished Cabarrus County website...It's got lots of great info!
  
  
• 4/2: Phoenix Racing has announced the signing of veteran NASCAR driver Mike Bliss to drive the No. 1 Miccosukee Resorts and Gaming Chevrolet. Bliss looks forward to the opportunity to challenge for the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship as he sits fifth in driver points with two top 10s in 2008. The O’Reilly 300 this Saturday at Txeas Motor Speedway will be the first race for Bliss in the Miccosukee Chevrolet...
  
  
• 4/1: Fans who watch the Dodge Challenger 500 at Darlington Raceway will see a special one-time-only throwback paint scheme on the No. 88 Mountain Dew AMP Energy/National Guard entry driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. To kick off Mountain Dew's "Old School New School" promotion, Earnhardt will pilot the No. 88 Mountain Dew AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet with a throwback paint scheme modeled after the 1981-82 entry driven by Darrell Waltrip...
  
  
• 3/31: River Glade Speedway, located near Moncton NB, has posted six events on their website as their tentative 2008 schedule: June 8 - Sportsman 100 (or more) plus all other classes; June 22 - Legends Invitational (or double features in all classes) plus all classes; July 13 - All Classes (for points) plus Atlantic Burnouts; August 17 - 44th Annual International (144 laps) plus points racing all classes; Sept. 7 - 50 lap Enduro (cars must have never raced previously) plus points racing; and Sept. 28 - Outlaw 100 plus points racing...
  
  
• 3/31: Sad News for many in the NASCAR community today...Max Helton, founder of the Motor Racing Outreach (MRO) Christain ministry organization, died Sunday afternoon. Mr. Helton was diagnosed with brain cancer last August. Mr. Helton has been involved with NASCAR since 1988 when Darrell Waltrip and his wife Stevie invited Helton to lead a bible study class in the garage area at a NASCAR event. Within a year Mr. Helton moved to North Carolina to begin MRO, conducting chapel services in the garage area at every Sprint Cup event and providing spiritual counselling to dozens of NASCAR drivers and members of the NASCAR workers community. In 2002 Mr. Helton founded World-Span, an organization formed to serve racing series around the world. Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced...
  
  
• 3/29: Jeff Gordon has announced the production of a wine to honour the birth of his daughter. Grapes cultivated in 2007 at the California winery where Gordon's label is produced will eventually become a high quality, limited production Gordon wine named for his daughter "Ella Sophia". The wine will be bottled this July...
  
  
• : 3/29: Elliott Sadler is hurting this weekend at Martinsville. The Sprint Cup driver injured his back this week and the pain is affecting some nerve endings; Dennis Setzer is on standby to fill in, if necessary. The nature of the incident that led to the injury is not being discussed by Sadler, of course leading to lots of good-natured speculation by the TV broadcasters...
  
  
• 3/29: Effective immediately, Fitz Motorsports will move forward with plans to utilize an array of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series veterans throughout the remainder of the 2008 season in its Supercuts-sponsored No. 22 Dodge. The first driver tapped for the ride is owner and driver of the NASCAR Sprint Cup No.7 Dodge, Robby Gordon. Beginning with the upcoming races at Texas and Phoenix, Gordon will drive the No.22 Supercuts Dodge, with a variety of Dodge drivers scheduled to round out the season...
  
  
• 3/28: Roush Fenway Racing driver, Jamie McMurray, who will pilot the No. 26 IRWIN Industrial Tools Ford Fusion at Martinsville this weekend, will be joined by his Australian counterpart, Marcus Marshall. Marshall drives the No. 26 IRWIN Industrial Tools Ford Falcon in the V8 Supercars Series in Australia. Marshall, who lives on the Gold Coast in Australia, will travel more than 9,300 miles to attend his first NASCAR race...
  
  
• 3/27: Spoke with John Flemming yesterday about his race in Hickory, North Carolina this past weekend...While he finished a very respectable seventh among the star-studded field, Flemming came home disappointed. "After we crashed Friday we never got the car back as good as it had been," he said. "It (the finish) was OK but wasn't what we were looking for. We'll just have to dig harder preparing for the race next month (April 19) in Maine." Flemming had tested at Hickory March 12-13 with times that would have put him on the pole for the Easter Bunny 150, then crashed during the first practice session last Friday. The crew worked all day to effect the repair giving Flemming two practice sessions Saturday to make adjustments. He started the race 26th, had a flat tire early on - and restarted from the rear, finishing seventh. The race was round one of four on the PASS National Mini-Series...
  
  
• 3/27: Michael Waltrip Racing announced that Bobby Kennedy and Paul Andrews will switch managerial roles beginning this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. Kennedy will now serve as crew chief for Michael Waltrip and his #55 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota team as Andrews will continue in a leadership role to supervise Michael Waltrip Racing's test teams...
  
  
• 3/26: Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman and Greg Biffle are back at Darlington today with Goodyear for a second tire test. The trio tested the new surface at the South Carolina track dubbed "Too Tough To Tame" March 10-11 approaching a scary fast speed of close to 200 mph on the 1.5 egg-shaped oval. Industry sources say today's test, which is closed to media and the public, is to try and find a tire that will slow the speeds down before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races there May 10...
  
  
• 3/25: A racecar driver has been convicted of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon for crashing his car into a rival Twin State Speedway in Claremont (New Hampshire). Forty-two-year-old Robin Blake slammed into the side of a car being driven by David Bly during a championship race at the track in September 2006. Neither driver was hurt...
  
  
• 3/23: NASCAR has announced that the sixth edition of the postseason NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown special event will be held Jan. 23-24, 2009 at the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (CA). In its five-year history, the event has quickly become a showcase of top short-track racing. The race includes protected starting spots for the champions of each of the NASCAR Developmental Series. The move of the race from the Fall to January allows for increased preparation and provides greater exposure for the teams and drivers...
  
  
• 3/22: There is a Raceway Park (PEI) driver registration and information meeting set 7 p.m. April 24 at North River Fire Hall...
  
  
• 3/22: Short track legend and veteran Dick Trickle underwent a heart procedure last week that will keep out of a racecar for this year. The following statement was released by his daughter: "Dick Trickle began to experience chest pains shortly after hip replacement surgery in November. Numerous medical tests turned up nothing until doctors performed a catheterization last week to check blood flow to his heart. They found two blockages and put in stents - tiny wire tubes designed to keep the arteries open - during an outpatient procedure. Because Trickle is taking blood thinners and cannot take unnecessary risk of internal injuries, he won't race this season." Trickle's daughter went on to say her 66-year-old dad is overwhelmed by the outpouring of concern...
  
  
• 3/20: Just learned that defending NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Sirius Satellite Radio champion Andrew Ranger suffered three fractures of his left foot during a qualifying session for a ice motorcycle race at the Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt in Quebec on February 17. A cast was placed on the foot, but surgery was not required. His doctors estimate a four to six week recovery period and no future complications are anticipated according to a representative from his management company. The injury should not affect the defense of his Canadian Tire Series title which will commence on May 24 at Cayuga International Speedway near Hamilton, Ontario. He will spend the next several weeks recuperating and rehabilitating the injury while watching tapes of last year’s Canadian Tire Series events to continue his rapid acclimation to stock car racing after making the switch from the open wheel world a year ago. Ranger, of Roxton Pond, Quebec, is a former Canadian motorcycle ice racing champion. Competitors use spiked tires for traction on oval-type tracks and reach speeds of over 100 mph on the ice-covered surface...
  
  
• 3/20: Anybody ever wonder what happened to Gary Crooks? The Dartmouth (NS) native moved to North Carolina in 1996 to pursue a full-time career in racing in which he's succeeded with flying colours. "Crooks Racing" found a home in North Carolina and with Gary's leadership and hard work is now a mainstay in southern short track circles. Learn more about Gary by visiting the Crooks Racing website here...
  
  
• 3/19: Kevin Harvick was a guest on Tony Stewart's weekly SIRIUS Satellite Radio show Monday night - for two reasons: they had already planned to wax Stewart's hairy back for charity, and they discussed the Bristol crash. First things first...the back wax was challenge Stewart made to Harvick last year saying if they could raise $100,000 for the Victory Junction Gang in donations supporting Stewart's back waxing, he'd do it. Well, they raised $125,000 - and the deed was done by Harvick and some friends on the air Monday. Stewart compared the experience with hitting a concrete wall - "but it didn't hurt as long." The two driver's took the chance to discuss the contact that took Stewart out of Sunday's race with two laps to go. Harvick took full blame and Stewart said it was behind them, that he continues to trust Harvick on the track more than anyone else. The two laughed about their post-race TV comments, both lamenting that it would help if they had the benefit of some cool-down time before speaking with the media...
  
  
• 3/19: Jay Robinson Racing announced that veteran NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace will be behind the wheel of the No. 28 U.S. Border Patrol Chevrolet for the remainder of the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. Wallace will make his debut in the car in Nashville during the running of the Pepsi 300. “Jay Robinson is a well respected car owner in the NASCAR Nationwide Series,” Wallace said. “I am excited about the challenge of taking the No. 28 U.S. Border Patrol Chevy to the front and competing in the top 10 every week. I am very grateful for the opportunity to become part of the JRR team and I’m ready to go racing. I feel especially proud that I am part of the U.S. Border Patrol team and I look forward to helping them continue to raise awareness to recruit men and women to protect our borders.”
  
  
• 3/18: Riverside Int'l Speedway has announced the Kenworth Maritime Legends Challenge as part of the IWK 250 weekend July 18 & 19. Not much more detail than that - so far - so stay tuned...
  
  
• 3/18: And then there were three...Maritimers...entered in this weekends Easter Bunny 150 PASS National/South season opener at Hickory Motor Speedway (NC). Dartmouth native Dean Clattenburg - who now resides in North Carolina - has joined the entry list alongside fellow Bluenoser's John Flemming and Shawn Turple. CTW.com contributor Ken MacIsaac tells us Dean will drive a car owned by Ron Langley and if all goes well the team will likely compete in the four PASS National races. Dean's own car was wrecked last fall but not before he drove it to a fifth-place overall finish on the PASS South season...
  
  
• 3/16: With Bristol being Dale Jarrett's last NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points race, the veteran driver admitted Saturday during the rain fill broadcast on the Nationwide race that he is having a much tougher time dealing with his decision this week than he head anticipated. Jarrett said he's not had a lot of sleep since leaving Atlanta last weekend and realizing all the things he will experience for the last time. Added to the emotional roller coaster for him was the announcement earlier this week that his father Ned Jarrett will wave the green flag to start the Food City 500. Bottom line, regardless of how much he'll miss it, is that Jarrett does not want to push his luck to the point that he gets injured and would be unable to enjoy all of the blessings his NASCAR career has afforded him...
  
  
• 3/15: In the wake of the concerns over the tire situation at Atlanta last week, there are rumblings about a NASCAR driver union...Whoa Nellie! Just in case any of you don't remember...A driver union was attempted in NASCAR was in 1969 in a showdown between the series and the drivers - over tires. Driver spokesperson David Pearson asked NASCAR's Bill France (Sr) to postpone the next race until they had a better tire. France told Pearson there would be no postponement: "If you don't want to run, then load your car and go home" - exactly what happened as then NASCAR stars boycotted the event. France patched together a 36-car field and 60,000 spectators watched a relatively unknown Richard Brickhouse win - in a race that Richard Childress calls his biggest break. Childress had run the Grand American race Saturday but after the boycott stuck around to enter Sunday's race. "I won some money on Saturday, and they paid me extra money to race on Sunday. I came home with $10,000 or $12,000 and I thought, 'Hell, I'll never have to work again.' That's the most money I'd ever seen," Childress said. "But I came back and bought some land and built a shop with that money." The "regulars" were back in their cars at NASCAR's next race four nights later in South Carolina...
  
  
• 3/13: The Chevrolet of Jeff Gordon, the Ford of Greg Biffle and the Dodge of Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman were all clocked unofficially at 200 mph at the end of this old track's smooth, newly repaved backstretch. Who would have believed stock cars would ever top 200 mph at NASCAR's original superspeedway? Darlington Raceway President Chris Browning almost couldn't believe it himself. "We had some of the telemetry numbers from the teams and I couldn't believe it when they told me they were hitting 200 mph at the end of the backstretch," said Browning. "That's incredible!" Jeff Gordon, a seven-time winner on the tricky, treacherous, 1.366-mile, egg-shaped oval, said the track was fast and smooth. "The old humps and bumps are gone," said Gordon. "It's still Darlington. It's just a lot smoother and a lot faster." The three teams were at Darlington earlier this week doing a tire test for Goodyear in preparation for the May 10 stop there for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series...
  
  
• 3/11: Slugger Labbe, crew chief for the No. 27 Toyota out of the Bill Davis Racing shop, announced Monday during a SIRIUS NASCAR Radio interview that the team has suspended operations due to a lack of sponsorship funding. The team started the year with Canadian open wheel start Jacques Villeneuve, but when he failed to qualify for the Daytona 500 the team let him go. Davis Racing truck series drivers MIke Skinner and Johnny Benson have filled the driver seat since...Labbe said the team may run Talladega but that is all they can look at without some funding help...
  
  
• 3/11: Butch Miller, veteran short track legend and three-time ASA champion, has entered the PASS South Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina next weekend (March 22); Miller's familiar No. 52 will challenge a talent laden entry list with participants from 12 states and Nova Scotia (Shawn Turple and John Flemming)...
  
  
• 3/9: Talked to John Flemming Saturday...He was just about to leave for North Carolina where he will test his No. 97 at Hickory Motor Speedway later this week in preparation for the March 22 PASS National Easter Bunny 150. Flemming is eager to start this next chapter in his racing career, planning to challenge for both the PASS National and North titles this season. He promised to call us later this week with an update after the test session - and if we're lucky - he'll find someone to email some pictures to us...
  
  
• 3/8: Centre for Speed (Shediac, NB) has posted their 08 schedule...It runs May 19 through October 12 and features weekly racing shows most Saturday's along with several special events including the Maritime Super Series (five dates), CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour (August 2) and Atlantic Speedweeks (September 20 to October 18). Click here to be connected to the complete schedule on the track's website...
  
  
• 3/7: TRACKSIDE fans should note the show is on early tonight - at 6 p.m./AT on SPEED - live from Atlanta Motor Speedway, just prior to Sprint Cup qualifying...
  
  
• 3/7: CTW.com reader Brian Speight was in Las Vegas for the Sprint Cup race last weekend and was lucky enough to have a photo taken with Quebec native Patrick Carpentier, driver of the No. 10 out of the Gillet Evernham stable; thanks for sharing this with us Brian! Fan Fotos are always welcome via email...
  
  
• 3/7: Two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Martin Truex Jr. will compete in the No. 5 National Guard Chevrolet for JR Motorsports next weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, joining a list of top-tier drivers who have driven or will drive the car this year. A 13-time race winner in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Truex earned consecutive titles in 2004 and 2005 for Chance2, a team co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Teresa Earnhardt. Truex’s first victory came in the very race in which he’ll compete for JR Motorsports next weekend, the 2004 spring event at Bristol. In 94 Nationwide Series starts, Truex has earned 37 top-five finishes, 57 top-10s and 10 pole positions. This will mark the fourth time Truex will drive a JR Motorsports entry He scored a pair of top-10 finishes in three starts for JRM in 2006...
  
  
• 3/6: Stewart ready for the weekend...After taking two hard hits in Las Vegas last weekend, one Saturday in the Nationwide car and another Sunday in the Sprint Cup car, Tony Stewart said Wednesday: "I battled through a lot of soreness, but the (right) foot’s just bruised and I got a lot of bruises everywhere else, but that’s just a part of this deal. By the weekend, it’ll be healed, or almost healed, so it’s no different than a normal racing rheumatism, as the doctors call it, and we’ll be just fine. We’re race car drivers. We’re tough."
  
  
• 3/6: Paving of the racing surface at Darlington Raceway has been completed, track President Chris Browning announced. Paving at Darlington Raceway began in mid-January, took nearly 15,000 tons of asphalt to complete and replaced a surface that was laid in 1994. Construction crews utilized 4 million reference points around the legendary track to ensure that the transitions in the corners and banking stayed true to the track’s original design. The new racing surface was part of a $10 million capital improvement project that also included an infield access tunnel large enough to accommodate car haulers, motor homes and emergency vehicles and the addition of SAFER barrier walls to interior concrete walls on the frontstretch and backstretch. The new asphalt will be tested by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers March 10 and 11 in preparation for the May 9 Dodge Challenger 500...
  
  
• 3/5: Maritime racing veteran and mutli-time pro stock champion Wayne Smith has announced his 2008 schedule which includes the 11-race CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour plus two other shows, the Atlantic CAT 250 at Scotia Speedworld August 9 and the Peterbilt 250 at Speedway 660 (NBIS) August 31...
  
  
• 3/5: Speedway 660 has posted their 2008 schedule, with the race season running from May 24 to September 20 and featuring Saturday evening weekly racing shows, four enduros, and several special events including two CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour events, two "Best of the Best" pro stock events, the seventh annual Speedweekend highlighted by the August 31 Peterbilt 250...Click here for the Speedway 660 website schedule...
  
  
• 3/5: Canadian Patrick Carpentier will attempt to qualify for his fifth career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race this weekend in Atlanta driving the No. 10 Gillett Evernham Motorsports car. Since he remains outside the coveted top 35 in point standings, Carpentier again faces the daunting task of needing the get in the show based on his qualifying time trial speed... in
  
  
• 3/5: SPEED adds two NASCAR programs to its line-up beginning this weekend with the introduction of NASCAR Confidential and NASCAR in a Hurry. NASCAR Confidential premieres March 23 at 9 p.m./AT on SPEED, offering a new twist on the behind-the-scenes genre. Instead of focusing on at-track competition, teams or drivers, the program will tell a unique and untold story on a variety of subjects through the eyes of several participants. It will be a one-hour, highly-produced narrative covering a 24-hour period. NASCAR in a Hurry, a 30-minute weekly program hosted by Adam Alexander and a number of rotating SPEED on-air personalities, premieres Sunday at Noon/AT from Atlanta Motor Speedway. It will recap the weekend's early highlights from the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series, in addition to clips from various NASCAR on SPEED programs...
  
  
• 3/5: Nothing from NASCAR Tuesday on any type of penalty for the Carl Edwards team as a result of the "irregularities" found on the 99 car during post-race inspection Sunday in Las Vegas. While Tuesday is the traditional day for penalties to be assessed, it's not cast in stone, so stay tuned to see what happens...
  
  
• 3/5: The Victory Junction Gang Camp has announced the new addition of industry veteran Dean Kessel to the leadership team. Kessel, formerly the director of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series marketing for Sprint, will assume the role of president for the Camp located in Randleman, N.C. in April 2008. For the past two years, Kessel has spearheaded the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series sponsorship for Sprint including marketing and public relations, marquee events, brand awareness, leveraging corporate partnerships and sponsorship strategic planning. During his time at Sprint, he was a board member at the Victory Junction and in benefit of the Camp launched a wireless recycling program – Recycle for Victory – and a text-to-pledge program that allows supporters the opportunity to make a pledge from their handset...
  
  
• 3/4: 2008 driver registration forms/car number applications for Scotia Speedworld and for the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour are now posted online at the track and series websites...
  
  
• 3/4: Jeff Gordon says the hit he took during Sunday's Sprint Cup race in Las Vegas was the hardest he's had in his racing career - and is thanking his lucky stars for the calibre of car provided him by his Hendrick Motorsports team. Gordon blames the heavy impact with his 24 car on the fact he hit at an opening in the concrete retaining wall - and has called for Vegas track officials to both eliminate such openings in the wall and to install more SAFE (soft) walls around the track. The Speedway has responded to Gordon's call for action in a statement saying they began looking at the section of the track (where Gordon hit) Monday and will work with NASCAR to make whatever improvements they recommend...
  
  
• 3/3: AJ Allmendinger has been temporarily replaced by Mike Skinner as driver in the No. 84 Red Bull NASCAR Sprint Cup Series ride, starting this weekend in Atlanta. A team spokesperson says they remain committed to Allmendinger but that they "need to get him pointed in the right direction" and hope putting a veteran in the car will help get that done...
  
  
• 3/2: ARCA Re/Max fans will be interested to know the series will make a stop in Canada this year - June 29 at the 5/8-mile Cayuga Speedway Park in Nelles Corners, Ontario. It is the only Canadian stop on the series 21-race schedule...The 250-lap feature race will highlight the weekend which kicks off Friday June 27 when the haulers arrive for a parade and pit parking. Saturday's schedule sees ARCA practice and qualifying time trials along with ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series practice and a 50-lap race...
  
  
• 3/1: With the February numbers just in, we continue to be amazed - and appreciative to our ever-growing audience...In comparison with Feb 07, Feb 08 saw three times as many hits by three times as many users; with our "off-season audience" now equal to our "racing season audience" last year. All tolled, more than 8 million hits since May 1 of last year!!! Many thanks for your continued support...
  
  
• 3/1: Kyle Busch may change his plan and decide to run full-time on the NASCAR Nationwide Series this year - in addition to the Sprint Cup Series. Busch says the decision will be made after Vegas, and if they are leading the Nationwide Series points, they will likely look at running both series...Busch currently leads the Sprint Cup and Craftsman Truck series point standings, and is second in the Nationwide Series. Should he leave Vegas with the lead in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series, and since the Crafstman Truck Series is idle this weekend, he could be the first driver in NASCAR history to hold the lead in all three top series concurrently...
  
  
• 3/1: More on the Robby Gordon penalty/forthcoming appeal...Gordon spoke with ESPN Friday saying he truly believes the $100k/100 point penalty to his team to be disproportionate. Gordon says it amounts to a clerical error by someone not even on his team (Dodge) as the part in question - the nose for his car - is distributed to the teams by the manufacturer. Gordon also beleives the penalty to be harsh since the problem was found during opening day inspection in Daytona, before his car even saw the track. Gordon also eluded to the network he may do the Coca-Cola 600/Indy 500 double May 25 if he loses the appeal, believing the loss will negate any chance he may have to make the 2008 Chase...Gordon's appeal will be heard in Daytona Beach this coming Wednesday...
  
  
• 3/1: Landon Cassill is one of the few who can truthfully say he left Las Vegas a winner. Cassill, who drives the No. 5 National Guard Chevorlet for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, won the Third Annual Raybestos® Rookie Cooking Challenge Thursday at ESPN Zone on the world famous Las Vegas Strip. He created a delicious serving of chicken pesto penne pasta that wowed the judges – 25 members of the Las Vegas Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Drivers Cale Gale (Kevin Harvick Inc.) and Michael McDowell (Michael Waltrip Racing) joined Cassill for the competition and learned cooking tricks of the trade from ESPN Zone Executive Chef Tom Keaveny. The event was an “Iron Chef” style competition featuring healthy cooking tips and recipes with friendly competition. Immediately following the competition, the drivers and kids enjoyed fun and games in the ESPN Zone’s Sports Arena...
  
  
• 2/29: In the second installment of the ground breaking “Your Name Here” contest, in which one fan will receive official naming rights to the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway on May 3, Crown Royal announced Dan Lowry as the grand prize winner. From this point forward, the race will officially be entitled “Crown Royal Presents The Dan Lowry 400.” As part of Crown Royal’s first ever press conference from the sky, Dan Lowry, 29, of New Waterford, Ohio, took part in an elaborate unveiling ceremony in which several helicopters flew high above the Las Vegas Strip to a 10,000-square-foot desert mosaic featuring Lowry’s name as part of the official race logo to be used at Richmond International Raceway. Lowry’s name will be incorporated into all official race logos, used for thousands of pieces of merchandise and recognized by NASCAR’s broadcast and media partners as the race’s official title. In addition, Lowry will take part in pre-race festivities at Richmond International Raceway, and participate in the trophy presentation to the race winner in Gatorade Victory Lane. During the race weekend he will receive VIP accommodations for himself and a guest. Approx. 10,000 entries were received for the contest...
  
  
• 2/28: Veteran maritime race fans will remember Dan St. Andrews (pictured right), GM Goodwrench Service representative for the GM Goodwrench MASCAR Tour in the 90s....We recently heard from our good friend Dan, who now lives in British Columbia, has retired from General Motors, and started a new career as a full-time actor!!! Dan says "Hi" to all his east coast friends and hopes to see us at a race this summer. Click here to learn more about Dan's acting career (you will leave this website)...
  
  
• 2/28: Robby Gordon's appeal will be heard in Daytona Beach (FL) next Wednesday March 5...A three-member board will hear Gordon's petition to have his $100k/100 point Daytona penalty overturned...
  
  
• 2/27: SAD NEWS - Scott Jennings, a lifetime motorsport fan and former competitor at Scotia Speedworld, passed away Monday at his home in Dartmouth. He was 52. Visitation will be held Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in A.L. Mattatall Funeral Home, 217 Portland St., Dartmouth. Funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Friday in Port Wallis United Church, Waverley Road...Our condolences to Scott's family and friends - especially his wife Coleen and sons Eric and Jim...
  
  
• 2/27: Race fans have an opportunity to add a truly unique keepsake from the historic 50th Running of the Daytona 500 as well as donate to a great cause. Newly crowned 2008 Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman will autograph 200 street pole banners which were displayed along International Speedway Blvd. welcoming race fans to Daytona Beach for the historic running of “The Great American Race.” The banners, made out of either mesh or vinyl material, are double-sided and is 2’ wide by 6’ tall, will be sold through NASCAR Foundation beginning Feb. 25. Click here for more information (you will leave this website)...
  
  
• 2/27: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has chosen to focus on the positive aspects of his early race wreck last weekend in California, saying yesterday: "I hate it for my team that we ended up in an early wreck. I know with the rainout and everything, the team had to stay another day just to run 40th all day. But we're here to race, and, believe me, they fixed that wrecked car so good we were running in the top-five on the speed charts with it. It says a lot about my guys, and the dedication they have..."
  
  
• 2/26: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Robby Gordon continues to petition NASCAR with regard to his $100,000 fine and 100 point less stemming from a Daytona penalty. And now his car manufacturer (Dodge) is supporting his cause. It seems the part # on the nose NASCAR deemed to be illegal was the same as should appear the right piece; an error Dodge has owned up to. Gordon's appeal has yet to be heard but he is hoping for some leniency from the sanctioning body...
  
  
• 2/24: The IWK 250 entry list shows 10 more cars now registered, including: Kevin Moore, Kirk Thibeau, Sandy Livingston, Robbie MacLean, Greg Fahey, L. Sommerville #1, L. Sommerville #2, D. MacKay #1, D. MacKay #2, Lowell Affleck, Peter Miller... The expected total now sits at 34...
  
  
• 2/22: The entry list for the IWK 250 now sits at 24! The following 12 have signed up since yesterday's update: Wayne Smith, Kris Fournier, Kent Vincent, Johnny Clark, Darren MacKinnon, Chris Hughes, Travis Benjamin, Dale Holmes, Jonathan Hicken, Shawn Pierce, Roger Crane, Kevin Moore...
  
  
• 2/21: There are 12 entries already filed for the July 19 IWK 250 at Riverside Int'l Speedway: John Flemming, Mike Stevens, Daryl Mahar, Rollie MacDonald, Shawn Turple, Shawn Tucker, Nova Entries (3), Scott Alexander, Dave OBlenis and Darren Sherwood...
  
  
• 2/20: Jacques Villeneuve, who has been silent since Bill Davis Racing announced last week they were replacing him in the No. 27 Sprint Cup car, has scheduled a press conference for today when he is expected to announce his future plans...UPDATE Villeneuve says he is not giving up on his NASCAR effort and will attempt to put a deal together where he can run the Nationwide Series race in Montreal August 2...
  
  
• 2/20: Jason Leffler, driver of the No. 38 NASCAR Nationwide Series Great Clips Toyota Camry, will be honored in his hometown of Long Beach, California today. Smooth's Sport Grille, which this year celebrates its 26th year of business, will hang Leffler's firesuit and helmet for permanent display as a way to pay tribute for his hard work and success, and of course, his roots in Long Beach. Leffler cut his teeth in racing around the Long Beach area, racing quarter-midgets. Over the course of his open-wheel career Leffler won three United States Auto Club (USAC) Midget National titles, becoming the first driver in 37 years to capture three consecutive National Midget titles as well as one Silver Crown National Championship...
  
  
• 2/19: Three-time CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour champion John Flemming from Halifax is the first driver to enter the PASS South season opener - the "Easter Bunny 150" - at Hickory Motor Speedway (NC) March 22. Flemming announced a full-time PASS program for 08 earlier this year...We hope to have an update from him in the coming days - so stay tuned...
  
  
• 2/19: Rules are now posted for 2008 racing divisions at Speedway 660 (aka NBIS) - click here to view - you will leave this website...
  
  
• 2/18: There was much ado at Daytona Sunday about the race being the 10th anniversary of Dale Earnhardt's (Sr.) historic win of the event in 1998 - a day any NASCAR fan - Earnhardt fan or not, will always remember; it was eight years ago today we lost the seven-time champion, hero to many - Dale Jr's dad - in a last-lap wreck in the Daytona 500...Another day any NASCAR fan will always remember...
  
  
• 2/18: Rules are posted for 2008 racing divisions at Scotia Speedworld - click here to view - you will leave this website...
  
  
• 2/17: Did ya know that if the driving thing hadn't worked out for Dale Earnhardt Jr. he would have pursued a career as a mechanic? Chevrolet has produced a video clip featuring Dale Jr. talking about how much he enjoyed the trade - click here to view - you will leave this website...
  
  
• 2/17: Jacques Villeneuve has apparently lost (or left) his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series ride with Bill Davis Racing...Villeneuve, one of Canada's top racers, failed to qualify for the Daytona 500 Thursday - and on Friday Bill Davis Racing issued a statement saying the No. 27 car (supposedly Villeneuve's ride) would see driving duties split bewteen Johnny Benson and Mike Skinner for the foreseeable future. The statement went on to say Bill Davis Racing will continue to support Jacques Villeneuve in his pursuit of a successful career in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. “We know that Jacques has the talent and the desire to be in NASCAR, and are diligently working on a long term relationship with him," commented team owner Bill Davis. Skinner will drive the No. 27 Toyota Camry next weekend at California Speedway in Fontana, California...
  
  
• 2/16: According to a report in an Atlanta (GA) newspaper Friday, Bill Elliott will retire after the 2008 season; this report coming on the heels of Elliott's failure to qualify his Woods Brothers ride for Sunday's Daytona 500...
  
  
• 2/15: This just in...Halifax-based pro stock racer Daryl Mahar just got back from Florida where he did some laps at New Smyrna Speedway in a late model owned by Kevin Ingram of Auburndale FL. Mahar hopes to take his own car to the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna at some point in the next couple of years...
  
  
• 2/14: It's been a slow week in Maritime Motorsports - apparently because most of the regional industry "movers and shakers" are in Florida for Speedweek...Things should pick up next week...
  
  
• 2/14: Enormous interest in Australian NASCAR driver, Marcos Ambrose, has resulted in Network Ten securing the television rights to the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series and selected races of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The deal marks the first time that a full season of NASCAR will appear on free-to-air television in Australia and will also be the first time NASCAR has been shown in Australia in high definition. Before moving to the United States in 2006 to pursue a career in NASCAR, Ambrose raced in the Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series for five seasons...
  
  
• 2/12: Goodyear and NASCAR officials confirmed Monday there were some tire blistering issues during Saturday's Budweiser Shootout at Daytona. According to Sprint Cup Series director John Darby, racing conditions for the 70-lap race caused a "worse-case scenario" for tires. "It was nice, cool air, night time racing, maximum grip in the racetrack, all those things," Darby said. Both NASCAR and Goodyear have assured race teams the problem is correctable, and that they will continue to monitor the situation...
  
  
• 2/11: The 2008 Scotia Speedworld schedule has been posted showing a total of 22 shows over 17 weekends between May 24 and September 12. Weekly racing goes Friday nights featuring sportsman, hobby stock, thunder & lightning, legends and bandoleros; special events go Saturday's on three occasions for the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour (May 24, July 5 and Sept. 6) and once for the Pro All Stars Series (Aug. 9). The USHRA Monster Jam returns for three shows June 6 and 7...See the Speedworld website for the complete schedule [here]...
  
  
• 2/10: The World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing is underway at New Smyrna Speedway (FL)...Nine straight nights of racing that usually features several super late model driver names familiar to Maritime race fans - but not this year. Only Trevor Sanborn and Louie Mechalides, both who have raced PASS shows in this region, are on the roster. Sanborn's sixth-place finish in Saturday nights feature is the best showing of those two driver's - so far...
  
  
• 2/10: NASCAR announced Saturday Chad Little has been named the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour director. Little, a former NASCAR driver, has been an official with NASCAR since 2005, most recently as advisor to the NASCAR Mexico Series. Former tour director Ed Cox will handle special projects with the NASCAR competition division. Little got his start racing NASCAR-sanctioned short tracks in the northwest and was the NASCAR Camping World Series West champion in 1987. He went on to make more than 200 starts in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He will continue to serve in his advisory role to the NASCAR Mexico Series...
  
  
• 2/9: The rumour mill is running rampant there were some fisti-cuffs between Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch in the NASCAR trailer following the their much publicized wreck Friday night during final practice for the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona. NASCAR VP Communications Jim Hunter is keeping a lid on the altercation saying: "What happens in the NASCAR trailer, stays in the NASCAR trailer..."
  
  
• 2/9: The Pepsi 400 July 4th classic at Daytona is no more. Pepsi rival Coca-Cola will assume title rights for the race starting this year, calling it the Coke Zero 400...
  
  
• 2/8: FOX has sold out its advertising space for the Daytona 500 where a 30-second spot goes for $550,000 - up from $475,000 last year - and compared to an average $200,000 for a 30-second spot on other NASCAR Sprint Cup races...
  
  
• 2/8: Jacques Villeneuve's 08 NASCAR season starts this weekend as he attempts to qualify for the Daytona 500 driving an unsponsored Toyota for Bill Davis Racing. Published reports say Villeneuve is on the brink of signing a sponsor for the season and his performance at Daytona could seal the deal. To help make that happen, and so he can focus on driving, Villeneuve has hired former CART car owner Barry Green to handle his business affairs after the recent split with his longtime manager...
  
  
• 2/8: Tony Stewart addressed the issue of his long hair last night on the Budweiser Shootout Selection show broadcast on SPEED. After Stewart drew his starting spot for Saturday night's race co-host Kenny Wallace asked "the" question...Stewart replied that it all started when he moved back to Indiana and the gal who cuts his hair was in Charlotte - but now that it seems to be aggravating so many people he's decided to leave it go...
  
  
• 2/7: Yates Racing announced Wednesday that FreeCreditReport.com will sponsor the No. 38 entry for seven races at the beginning of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. David Gilliland will pilot the racecar for Yates...
  
  
• 2/6: Richmond International Raceway’s new front stretch escalator system is progressing at a rapid pace, now that two of the six escalators have been installed in the Commonwealth Grandstand. In order to enhance the experience for those fans seated in the Commonwealth Mezzanine and Tower sections, a new escalator system will be in place in time for the May 2-3 NASCAR doubleheader weekend at America’s Premier Short Track. The escalator system will take fans from the ground level to the Commonwealth Mezzanine and the first row of the Commonwealth Tower, which will allow fans in these sections to access their seats easier and quicker than ever...
  
  
• 2/6: The initial phase of Lowe's Motor Speedway's $200 million renovation project will mark a key milestone Thursday when Coca-Cola 600 ticketholders help H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler install the first of 22,850 new seats along the frontstretch of the legendary 1.5-mile superspeedway. A new steel-and-aluminum structure is being built over the lower concrete bleacher sections of the Chrysler, Ford and General Motors grandstands. The massive structure will feature 20-inch wide stadium-style seats with backs and arms, and the width of each row has been increased to give fans additional leg room. The unique green color of the seat uprights will be very familiar to area media members as they have been recycled from the Charlotte Coliseum...
  
  
• 2/6: Dale Earnhardt, Jr will debut the adidas three stripes at the 2008 Daytona Speedweeks, which starts this Saturday with the Budweiser Shootout and ends Feb. 17 with the year’s premier NASCAR event, the Daytona 500. On Feb. 15, Dale Jr.’s exclusive adidas JR Nation Gear will go on sale at Sports Authority available first in Daytona...
  
  
• 2/5: A few rules changes to keep in mind as we head for the start of the 2008 NASCAR season: Cup teams not guaranteed a starting spot (not in the top 35 in owners points) will qualify together at the end of a session, starting at California; Fines levied by NASCAR will go to charity - instead of going in the season-ending point fund; Pit crew members cannot roll tires back to the pit wall during a pit stop; Crews cannot push a car on pit road more than three pit stalls; All three national series will run the same fuel cell in 2008 that was used by the Sprint Cup Series in 2007 ...
  
  
• 2/5: Infineon Raceway (California) continued its bustling recycling program in 2007, collecting nearly 16 tons of recyclable materials at its major events during the motor-racing season. Since the raceway began this program in 2004, it has recycled more than 56 tons of materials (112,956 pounds); nearly the equivalent of 29 NASCAR Sprint Cup stock cars. Materials collected in 2007 included: 17,450 pounds of glass (32,981 glass bottles); 11,955 pounds of plastic bottles (160,668 plastic bottles); 2,199 pounds of aluminum cans (64,431 cans); Total: 31,604 pounds (258,080 beverage containers)...
  
  
• 2/4: A 60-year old man passed away Sunday while participating in the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Daytona International Speedway (Florida). The man was on lap four of his eight scheduled laps when the incident took place. According to published reports he started driving erratically going through turn one before hitting the concrete retaining wall on the inside of turn two. The Medical Examiner’s report shows the man passed away of a heart attack and not from any mechanical issue with the car...
  
  
• 2/1: Riverside Int'l Speedway has posted their 2008 schedule as follows: June 7 - CARQUEST Maritime Pro Stock Tour; July 18/19 - IWK 250 presented by DuPont Refinish & Steve Lewis Auto Body; Aug 16 - CARQUEST Maritime Pro Stock Tour; Sept 20 - NASCAR Canadian Tire Series; Sept 27 or Oct 5 - Sportsman plus TBA...Event details will be announced as finalized...
  
  
• 2/1: Pro All Stars Series (PASS) President Tom Mayberry announced Thursday that Sunoco Race Fuel will return as the official fuel of the Pro All Stars series as well as the spec fuel for both the PASS Super Late Model North and South series. 2008 will mark the eighth season that PASS has been fueled by Sunoco...
  
  
• 1/31: SAD NEWS - Dave Currie, former tech inspector with the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour and long time Scotia Speedworld Hobby Stock competitor, passed away January 29, 2008. Remains are resting at Snow's Funeral Home in Halifax. Visitation is Friday Feb 1 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral service is Saturday Feb 2, 2008 at Snow's Funeral Home on Windsor Street in Halifax at 2:00 p.m.
  
  
• 1/31: The 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule of 25 races has been revised. Kentucky Speedway’s previously announced race of Saturday, July 12 has been rescheduled for Saturday, July 19. The switch resolves a conflict with the July 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Chicagoland Speedway that in past years was held on Sunday afternoon, but becomes a Saturday night race in 2008...
  
  
• 1/31: Roush Fenway Racing driver Carl Edwards will appear on advertising's largest stage this Sunday, February 3 - Super Bowl Sunday in a 60 second Under Amour spot, the brand's first-ever Super Bowl Commercial. The commercial, showcasing several professional athletes will mark the first time audiences will see Under Armour's new performance trainers. "I am really looking forward seeing the commercial. I'm going to the Super Bowl and I hope that they show the commercials at the game," said Edwards. "The scale of the production was huge and I'm looking forward to seeing the end product. To be associated with so many quality athletes is very exciting."
  
  
• 1/30: The Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame will hold an informational meeting for Halifax and area motorsports fans this Friday (Feb. 1) at Forbes Chev Olds in Dartmouth. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. and items on the agenda include a general overview of the association and its objective, an update on where they are in relation to current goals, fundraising endeavours, and a call to secure regional racing artefacts. The Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame encompasses all genres of motorsports - everyone is welcome to attend to meeting - regardless of which motorsports class they might support...
  
  
• 1/28: Fitz Motorsports announced Sunday that veteran Kenny Wallace will be driving a second car for the team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2008. Following its successful 2007 season Fitz Motorsports was eager to field a second car alongside Mike Bliss in the No.22 Supercuts Dodge. After much consideration, the organization decided to bring Wallace on board to fill the seat. Wallace has nine wins in series competition and will enter the 2008 season with 384 starts, 16 shy of 400. He could join only two other drivers who have accomplished the feat; all-time starts leader Jason Keller (422) and recent NMPA Hall of Fame inductee Tommy Houston (417). An official announcement will be made prior to Daytona to reveal the sponsor, car number, and crew chief...
  
  
• 1/27: We're hoping to soon learn what the big announcement scheduled for last night at the NBIS banquet was...Stay tuned...NOON UPDATE - a name change for the track we have known as NBIS for the last 15 years...[Click here] for the story...
  
  
• 1/27: SAD NEWS - The two young sons of Top Fuel racer Doug Herbert were killed in an automobile accident Saturday morning in Lake Norman (Cornelius, NC). Jon, 17, and James, 12, died instantly when their Mazda3 collided with a second vehicle [2004 Hummer]. Herbert, was in Phoenix for preseason testing...
  
  
• 1/26: Jacques Villeneuve has parted company with longtime manager Craig Pollock. The news surfaced in today's edition of the Journal de Montreal with Villeneuve telling the paper the move came as a result of the two seeing their lives going in different directions. Villeneuve chose his native Canada as his home base while he pursues his NASCAR career, and Pollock chose to stay in Europe with his new wife. The story also says Villeneuve is so far only sure to be running the first five races on the 08 Sprint Cup season - with the balance of the season pending securing sponsorship for his Bill Davis Racing Toyota...
  
  
• 1/25: Riverside Speedway's manager Paul McLean tells us he's had some good meetings of late resulting in finalizing the rules package and more for the big 250 set for July 18 & 19. Just a few more i's to dot and t's to cross and they will be announcing all the details, as well as the balance of their 08 schedule; if all goes well by the end of this month...
  
  
• 1/25: We're getting tips from all over that the 08 CARQUEST Tour schedule is close to completion - so we hope to be able to bring it to you in the near future...
  
  
• 1/25: Lesa France Kennedy, President of International Speedway Corporation, received the Lou Fuchs Award on Wednesday from the Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce. The award is named for a champion of the local tourism industry who organized an effort to prevent weekend closings of gas stations during the oil embargo of the 1970s. Kennedy, daughter of the late William C. France Jr., also is the Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of NASCAR...
  
  
• 1/24: The 2007 New Brunswick Int'l Speedway Awards Banquet goes this Saturday evening in Fredericton (NB). The function will honour division champs Glenn Rasmussen (pro stock), Brian Gillespie (sportsman) and Mike Francis (street stock) as well as many other drivers who helped make 07 a success at NBIS. Track co-owner Chris Johnson tells us there will be some big announcements for the 08 season as well - so stay tuned...
  
  
• 1/24: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series drivers completed the second of a two-day test session under the lights at Atlanta Motor Speedway Wednesday. Terry Cook laid down a fast lap of 31.493 seconds, (171.467 mph) followed by Todd Bodine, Chad McCumbee, Jack Sprague and Ron Hornaday Jr. Teams used the session to prepare for the March 7 American Commercial Lines 200 at AMS, held under the lights immediately following Georgia Power Sprint Cup Qualifying. Mike Skinner, the defending ACL 200 winner, was seventh quick with a lap of 31.795 seconds (161.838 mph)...
  
  
• 1/23: Monster renovations are well underway at the Monster Mile...Plans for Phase II of the Monster Makeover, a multi-year capital improvement construction project at Dover International Speedway, will be unveiled this weekend at a motorsports convention in Philadelphia...
  
  
• 1/23: Not stock car racing but...thought you all might be interested to know Bruton Smith will this Thursday unveil his plans for an NHRA dragstrip at Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte (NC)...AND...Lou Palmer, whose rich, stirring voice was heard over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network for more than 30 years, died Jan. 19 in Indianapolis. He was 75. For approximately 30 years, Palmer would take a hiatus from the WIBC news department and spend the better part of May at the track, feeding daily reports every 30 minutes and anchoring WIBC’s day-long qualification coverage with a fascinating, unique style. By 1963, he had moved to the pits for Race Day, and he stayed there until 1988. For many of those years, his voice would be heard over the public address system as he conducted the winner's interview in Victory Lane.
  
  
• 1/22: NASCAR announced Monday that those outside the top 35 in all three series -- Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series and Craftsman Truck Series -- will qualify at the end of their respective session. It also was announced that teams will be provided tires for testing at non-sanctioned NASCAR tests. Sprint Cup teams will be given 200 tires, Nationwide teams 160 and Craftsman Truck Series teams 120...
  
  
• 1/22: NASCAR announced Monday that starting this season, all money collected from fines issued to drivers will go to the NASCAR Foundation for its charitable initiatives. “Now that the NASCAR Foundation is well established and supporting dozens of charitable organizations it is the logical place for fine money to be distributed,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “We are excited to be able to work with our charities and help them develop a program that will maximize the impact they can have with their organizations,” said Sandy Marshall, executive director of the NASCAR Foundation...
  
  
• 1/21: Tickets go on sale today for the 2008 edition of the NASCAR nationwide Series race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. The race is set for August 2. Call 514.397.0007 for tickets...
  
  
• 1/20: The annual NASCAR media tour starts Monday and ends Thursday in the Charlotte (NC) area so stay tuned all week long for lots of news about the forthcoming season...
  
  
• 1/19: Caught some "Super Saturday" action from the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction on Speed TV yesterday. Onlookers from the NASCAR ranks included team owners Robert and Carolyn Yates, Richard Childress and Ray Evernham. Childress was also involved as a seller offering a '69 Camaro "RCR Series 3 Coupe" that included two engines, one for street use and the other the power plant out of the racecar Dale Earnhardt ran in the 2000 Daytona 500. During the auction numerous bonuses were added including VIP suite tickets to the Daytona 500 as a guest of Childress and Featherlite, a grand tour of the Speed facility at Daytona, and a behind the scenes tour of the RCR engine shop in North Carolina. Driver Tony Stewart also took the microphone to help up the ante; the winner paid $575,000...
  
  
• 1/18: A Hamilton, Ontario businessman has commissioned a book to be written about Cayuga Speedway - located in Nelles Corners near Hamilton. The 5/8 mile oval has a vibrant 40 year history and has seen racing legends like Dale Earnhardt Sr., Rusty Wallace, and Don Biederman pit their skills against Canada's top racing talent. No word on when the book will be available...
  
  
• 1/17: Had an email from Andy Campbell yesterday...Good to learn he'll be back behind the microphone for the 2008 CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour - and will again contribute the popular "View From the Tower" column exclusive to this website...Andy also commented on how impressed he is with the enthusiasm of new Tour general manager Ron Clarke...
  
  
• 1/16: Sterling Marlin will run a part-time schedule in this year's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Marlin confirmed this week he will do just 10 races in the Phoenix Racing No. 09 entry. Marlin will run the two Daytona races and the two Talladega races, along with several short track events and the series season finale at Homestead (FL)...
  
  
• 1/15: Watch for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a Super Bowl TV ad promoting his new sponsor Pepsi Amp Energy. Jr. shot two commercials recently which now sit in a pool of ads for market testing by Pepsi - along with spots shot by other celebs - to see who gets the nod to appear in the Feb. 3 football classic...The ads are valued at approx. $10 million and will be seen by over 90 million viewers worldwide; it's important that the advertisiers get the most bang for their buck. Either way, Jr's new ads will be seen during the Daytona 500...
  
  
• 1/13: David Dollar, owner of Morgan-Dollar Motorsports (MDM), announced today that Erin Crocker has been tapped to pilot the No. 46 MDM Silverado in the first two events of the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) season. Crocker, who in 2007 became the first female in history to capture the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Superspeedway Challenge Championship, will return to NCTS competition in the series' opening event at Daytona International Speedway followed immediately by round two at California Speedway...
  
  
• 1/12: Closing documents were completed Thursday, finalizing Speedway Motorsports, Inc.'s purchase of New Hampshire Speedway, Inc. d/b/a New Hampshire International Speedway, from Bob and Gary Bahre for $340 million in cash. "Thanks to the support of our loyal fans, dedicated sponsors, and wonderful employees, the Speedway has grown more than Gary and I ever could have imagined," said Bob Bahre, former Chairman of the Board. "We are looking forward to working with Bruton, Jerry, and their team and fully supporting them in their efforts to take this to a higher level for our fans." The track has been renamed New Hampshire Motor Speedway to better align it with other SMI holdings...
  
  
• 1/12: As it turns out Friday's headline story caption was incorrect...Earl Ross was not the first Canadian to enter the Daytona 500; Ontario's Don Biederman ran the event in 1968, finishing 28th in a '66 Ford owned by James Brown (probably not the singer). "Daytona" Don completed 123 laps (of 200), exiting with engine woes, and won a whopping $1,110...Ross finished 11th in 1974 driving a '72 Chevy, earning $4,560. He was three laps down to winner Richard Petty...Thanks to CTW.com reader Cyril Hall for reminding us about Biederman's entry...
  
  
• 1/11: Riverside Int'l Speedway manager Paul McLean wants to let VIP seat holders (who need to renew for 2008) that they will receive their renewal information by April...
  
  
• 1/11: Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) has announced a new partnership with American Commercial Lines (ACL), a leader in the marine transportation and manufacturing business. ACL will join KHI as primary sponsor of three-time Truck Series champion Jack Sprague’s No. 2 Chevrolet Silverado for the 2008 NASCAR Truck Series season. Georgia Boot, the Official Boot Supplier of KHI, will be with the No. 2 Chevrolet as an associate sponsor...
  
  
• 1/10: Circle Bar Racing announced today the selection of Brendan Gaughan as the driver of the No. 10 International MaxxForce™ Diesel Ford F-150 for the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. With continued sponsorship from International® Truck and Engine Corporation of the two-truck effort at Circle Bar Racing, Gaughan will team with 11-year series veteran Rick Crawford. Bryan Berry, who led Gaughan’s truck series effort in 2007, will assume crew chief duties for the No. 10 entry. The announcement was made prior to this week’s Preseason Thunder test session at Daytona International Speedway (Jan. 11 – 13)...
  
  
• 1/9: Scotia Speedworld has asked us to let you know they are experiencing technical difficulties with their website - hoping to have it operational again ASAP...UPDATE 1/10 - The site is now operational...
  
  
• 1/9: Anyone who has yet to pick up tickets they have ordered for Saturday's Scotia Speedworld Awards Banquet is asked to call the Speedworld office today at 902.481.2514...
  
  
• 1/8: Tuesday is the last day to purchase tickets for the 2007 Scotia Speedworld Awards Banquet to be held at the Glengarry in Truro this coming Saturday January 12. Tickets are $35 each and include a reception at 6 p.m., dinner at 7, followed by the awards and a dance. Email admin@scotiaspeedworld.ca or call 902.481.2514 (office is closed but voice mail is being checked)...
  
  
• 1/7: Race fans with SIRIUS Satellite Radio will have a rare opportunity to talk to NASCAR CEO Brian France Tuesday night on NASCAR Live with Eli Gold. The hour long call-in show airs at 8 p.m./AT on SIRIUS NASCAR channel 128...
  
  
• 1/7: HOORAY - Canadian race fans with access to Viewer's Choice Pay-Per-View will be able to view the 22nd Annual Chili Bowl live this Saturday. The event cost is $24.99 (according to the Viewer's Choice site). A record 285 entries have been received including 07 event champ Tony Stewart along with fellow NASCAR drivers Jason Leffler and Kasey Kahne. The race is run on an indoor 1/4 mile-banked dirt oval aboard 800-HP sprint car midgets. Start time is 9 p.m.,/AT. Check with your cable or satellite provider for more information. [click here] to learn more about the Chili Bowl - you will be redirected to the event website...
  
  
• 1/6: Jeff Gordon is scheduled to make his 11th appearance as guest co-host on the popular daytime talk show “Live with Regis and Kelly” on Friday, January 18. The four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and driver of the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet will fill in for host Regis Philbin. Check local listings for time and channel...
  
  
• 1/5: Veteran driver Bill Elliott will once again serve as the driver of the Wood Brothers No. 21 Ford Fusion in this year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series opening events at Daytona Int'l Speedway (FL). The team will also test with Elliott on January 14-16th of this month. He will compete in all Speedweeks events, which will include the February 9th Bud Shootout, the Gatorade Duels—and the 50th running of the Daytona 500 on February 17th...
  
  
• 1/4: By unanimous consent, the United States Senate recently designated February 17th, 2008 – the date of the historic 50th running of the Daytona 500 – as “Race Day in America.” The resolution, introduced during the 110th Congress by Florida Senators Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez highlights the historic 50th running of the Daytona 500 and festivities surrounding the event. Noting that the Daytona 500 is the most prestigious stock car race in the United States; and that Daytona International Speedway is the home of “The Great American Race”; and that winning the prestigious Harley J. Earl Trophy is stock car racing’s greatest prize and privilege; and that well-known politicians, celebrities and athletes take part in the festivities surrounding the Daytona 500, the resolution passed easily...
  
  
• 1/4: Tickets for the Saturday, May 3, Crown Royal Presents The Your Name Here 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway will go on sale this Saturday, January 5, at 8:00 a.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.rir.com, by calling 1-866-455-7223 or 1-888-472-2849 or in person at the Richmond International Raceway ticket office. The Crown Royal Presents The Your Name Here 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway will be part of the NASCAR doubleheader to kick off the 2008 season at America’s Premier Short Track. Tickets are also available for the Friday, May 2, NASCAR Nationwide Series 250 race which also include practice and pole qualifying for both the Crown Royal Presents The Your Name here 400 and NASCAR Nationwide Series 250 races...
  
  
• 1/3: Spoke with new Scotia Speedworld and CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour G.M. Ron Clarke yesterday. He's knee-deep in learning and planning - and having a blast!!! He's hoping 08 schedules for both the track and the tour can be finalized in the coming weeks and published sometime in February...
  
  
• 1/3: Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans will have another reason to get excited about the upcoming NASCAR season and the March 9 Kobalt Tools 500 Sprint Cup race as Atlanta Motor Speedway today introduced an $88 ticket special in the frontstretch Earnhardt Grandstand. There will be a limited number of the $88 tickets now available through the AMS ticket office. The Kobalt Tools 500 will help usher in a new era in motorsports when Dale Earnhardt Jr. makes his first competition laps in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet at Atlanta Motor Speedway...
  
  
• 1/2: Got a tip from a reader in PEI that Canadian racing legend Earl Ross may be making a guest appearance on his native Island in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more...


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