Wednesday, November 11, 2009

WIX Filters signs with Richard Petty Motorsports' No. 43: WIX Filters
has signed on with Richard Petty Motorsports in 2010 as an associate
sponsor of the No. 43 car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. In
addition, WIX is offering their customers the unique opportunity to
join the WIX team to cheer the No. 43 car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup
Series Banking 500 in October 2010 and the ability to treat their best
customers or salespeople to a once in a lifetime race weekend. The
associate sponsorship with Richard Petty Motorsports provides WIX
secondary brand placement on the No. 43 car, and driver and pit crew
suits, pit box and car hauler for the entire 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Series schedule. It also puts WIX as the primary sponsor of the NASCAR
Sprint Cup paint scheme for the October 2010 NASCAR Banking 500 at
Charlotte.(Camp and Assoc)
http://www.racewayreport.com/rpm

Almirola files breach-of-contract suit against EGR: Aric Almirola has
filed a lawsuit in North Carolina Superior Court alleging that
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. have breached their
contract with him. Almirola, who drove in seven Sprint Cup races this
year for the team before his car was parked because of a lack of
sponsorship, filed the complaint last Thursday. DEI had announced last
year that Almirola would run a full season in 2009, but the
organization later merged its Cup operation with Chip Ganassi Racing
to form Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. The complaint does not detail the
circumstances surrounding the breach-of-contract claim and asks the
court to refer the matter to arbitration. Almirola had filed two
notices of a claim last month, and he had until Thursday to file the
actual complaint. He is dismissing his claim against Chip Ganassi
Racing and EGR co-owner Teresa Earnhardt but proceeding in the one
against EGR and DEI. The team had no comment.(SceneDaily.com)
http://www.racewayreport.com/egr

Dale Earnhart to be honored by North Carolina Motorsports Association:
The North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA) announced that Dale
Earnhardt Sr. will be the 2010 Achievement in Motorsports Tribute
Award Recipient. Earnhardt will be honored on January 25th, 2010 at
the NCMA's 4th Annual Motorsports Industry Awards Banquet. Past
recipients have included; Benny Parson's (2007), Richard Petty (2008)
and Richard Childress (2009). In addition, 10 Industry related
organizations were announced to be awarded at the upcoming banquet for
their 2009 achievements and contributions to the industry. The
announcements were made during the NCMA's Annual Membership Luncheon
held at Lowes Motor Speedway.(NCMA Release)
http://www.racewayreport.com/drivers/news/dearnhardt.html

Montoya insist NASCAR is best series around: Juan Pablo Montoya says
the racing in NASCAR is better than any other series he's competed in.
Montoya, who has competed in various series, including Formula One and
Indy Car, lends a different perspective to the debate. "I think people
that complain about a NASCAR race, they haven't watched anything else
of motor racing," Montoya said Tuesday. "Honestly, if you don't like
what you're seeing, you shouldn't be seeing it because it's the
greatest racing you can have in any motorsport scene. It doesn't get
any better than this." (Virginian-Pilot)
http://www.racewayreport.com/juanpablo

Newman reflects on Veterans Day: The timing was only appropriate for
Ryan Newman to reflect on what it has meant to drive a race car
sponsored by the U.S. Army. He spoke about the sponsorship the day
before Veterans Day, an annual United States holiday observed on Nov.
11 to honor military veterans. "My Army heart is heavier this week
based on what happened in Fort Hood last week," said Newman, driver of
the No. 39 U.S. Army/Haas-Automation Chevy. "Since tomorrow
(Wednesday) is Veterans Day, every citizen needs to sit back and offer
remembrance to our Veterans for their unselfish commitment and fight
to preserve freedom. I am so proud to drive the U.S. Army car, it's
been an eye-opening experience this year with the Army as our primary
sponsor. I've had the privilege of visiting with so many Soldiers at
Army bases, Walter Reed Army Medical Center and at the track. They are
my heroes and it's an incredible feeling and honor knowing that our
Stewart-Haas Racing team represents more than one million Soldiers in
the NASCAR world. That is awesome!"(U.S. Army Racing)
http://www.racewayreport.com/ryannewman

Johnson didn't think record was possible: Even Jimmie Johnson has
difficulty believing he is in position to do what no others have. "I
didn't think it was possible," said Johnson, who is about to join Lee
Petty (11) and Buck Baker (eight) as the only drivers to finish in the
top five in the championship standings in each of their first seven
full-time seasons. "I looked at what Jeff had accomplished, race wins
and four championships, and that was probably the last we'd see
something like that with how competitive the sport is. "I'm blown away
and honored and enjoying every minute of what we're doing here, and
hopefully that we can do it right these next (two) races, and do
something that's never been done before." (Arizona Republic)
http://www.racewayreport.com/jimmiejohnson

Did you know: 85 points largest deficit ever overcome: Jimmie Johnson
finished a season-worst 38th and saw his lead trimmed to 73 points
over Mark Martin, who finished fourth. The largest deficit ever
overcome with two races remaining occurred in 1992 when Alan Kulwicki
trailed by 85 points, but edged Bill Elliott for the Cup title by just
10 points, making it the second closest points battle in series
history. Right now, 178 points separate Johnson from fifth-place Tony
Stewart. It's not likely but possible that Johnson could clinch the
championship on Sunday at Phoenix. He would need to gain 122 points.
(ThatsRacin.com)
http://www.racewayreport.com/jimmiejohnson

NASCAR announces penalties against No. 1: NASCAR announced penalties
for the car No. 1 team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for a violation
that occurred during post-race inspection last Sunday at Texas Motor
Speedway. The team was penalized for violating Sections 12-1 (actions
detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR
officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform
to NASCAR rules); and 20-12.8.1B (front of the car did not meet the
required height specification; too low in post-race inspection). Crew
chief Kevin Manion was fined $50,000 and remains on NASCAR probation
until Dec. 31, 2009. Car owner Teresa Earnhardt and driver Martin
Truex Jr., were penalized with the loss of 50 championship owner and
50 championship driver points, respectively.(NASCAR PR)
http://www.racewayreport.com/drivers/news/martin_truex_jr.html

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