Wednesday, May 26, 2010

[Heather Meyer]

T H E  *  S T O C K  *  C A R  *  G A Z E T T E
   by http://MotorSportsNews.Net
 
   Do you know for sure?
   http://motorsportsnews.net/you-can-know-for-sure
____________________________________________________________
 
The Stock Car Gazette is sponsored by:
 
Hasco Collectibles
Div. Hasco Services, LLC
701 Mantooth Ave.
Lufkin, TX 75904
http://www.hascodiecastcars.com
ha...@diecastcars.net
866-66-HASCO (866-664-2726)
 
PRE-ORDERS:

Dale Jr.: Honoring Soldiers, AMP Juice, Lightning Sugar Free, #3 Wrangler 

Mark Martin: Carquest

Jimmie Johnson: 2009 Cup Champ Raced Win

Joey Logano: 2009 Rookie Of The Year

2010 IN-STOCK:

Dale Jr. AMP And NG

Danica Patrick: Go Daddy

Kyle Busch: 2009 Nationwide Champ Raced Win

Jeff Gordon: Dupont

Jimmie Johnson: Lowes And Kobalt, 4X Champ Coin Set

Mark Martin: Go Daddy

Regular Sale Pricing:

All 2009 1/24th Cars: 30 Per Cent

All 2008 1/24th Cars:40+ Per Cent

All 2007 Or Older Items: 50+ Per Cent

AND Ground Flat Rate Shipping Is Still Offered.

Hasco Collectibles
Div. Hasco Services, LLC
701 Mantooth Ave.
Lufkin, TX 75904
http://www.hascodiecastcars.com
ha...@diecastcars.net

___________________________________________________________
 
     E d i t o r ' s  *  N o t e s
___________________________________________________________
 
 ok why do people have to be idiots and drive in the fog without their lights on?? No need to answer.
___________________________________________________________
 
    Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
___________________________________________________________
 
 http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/4785
TV Times - A Busch Wins All-Star Race; Surprise, It's Not Kyle
by Lou Modestino

The All-Star race at Charlotte was Kurt Busch's type of event.

He managed to dodge the bullets at the end and take the win in that rough-house race. Getting the leftovers was Martin Truex.

http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/4780
Track Trash - The Winston ‘10
by Racing Maniac

Hey, you can almost still hear a few of the drivers crying in their beer. All in all it was a lively evening, and although the favorites were cut down one by one, the last few laps lived up to expectations.

________________________________________________________
 
     N A S C A R * S P R I N T * C U P * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
 
Courtesy of www.Catchfence.com

 

Creed helps select NASCAR’s 2010 Burnout winner

Creed helps NASCAR's Joey Logano show off his Pennzoil Ultra Victory Challenge burnout trophy on Saturday, May 22, before the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Showdown and NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Creed's Scott Stapp and Mark Tremonti were among the panel of judges who selected this year's winner of the third annual competition, which pits some of NASCAR's top drivers against one another to see who can deliver the best tire-smoking, 30-second burnout.  Logano, who drives the #20 Home Depot Toyota, claimed the $10,000 prize, which will be donated to his charity of choice, the USA Paralympics Hockey team. More than 100,000 NASCAR fans were treated ...

http://www.catchfence.com/2010/sprintcup/05/26/creed-helps-select-nascars-2010-burnout-winner/

 

Mikey Kile, Venturini Motorsports Top Testing Charts at Michigan

"Points Leader Sheltra Second Overall" (BROOKLYN, Mich.) - Make it five. Venturini Motorsports soared to the top of the chart yet again in ARCA Racing Series Presented by RE/MAX and Menards testing, achieving the highest lap speed on the board Tuesday ...

http://www.catchfence.com/2010/arca/05/25/mikey-kile-venturini-motorsports-top-testing-charts-at-michigan/
___________________________________________________________
 
Courtesy of www.FrontStretch.com

 Mike Skinner Needs New Crew Chief

 

Randy Moss Motorsports is looking for a new head wrench for its No. 5 truck. Gene Nead left the team Monday, mutually agreeing to leave his job after just seven races working with driver Mike Skinner. Team engineer Stacy Johnson will serve as interim crew chief for Texas and beyond.

 

Skinner has struggled this season, failing to score a top-5 finish while leading just 26 laps. He’s eighth in the series standings, 184 points behind leader Todd Bodine and fading. The team has also had problems securing a full-time sponsor, surviving through one-race, patchwork deals with several companies so far in 2010.

No official comment on the change was available at press time.

 

No Investigation Into Loose Lug Nuts

 

According to tweets from SceneDaily’s Bob Pockrass, NASCAR has no evidence to launch a full-scale investigation into loose lugnuts from Friday night’s Truck race. In that event, the No. 18 truck of Kyle Busch complained of loose wheels just prior to the race start. Busch was able to fix the problem, but Austin Dillon – who was impounded alongside – wasn’t so lucky. The rookie blamed the condition for a wreck that knocked his No. 3 Chevrolet out of the race on Lap 10.

 

"They left the left-rear lugs loose,” he said afterwards. “We don't know what happened."

 

Some believe the cars were sabotaged after being rolled out of impound. However, there is no video footage of the incident, leaving NASCAR officials unable to pursue the matter further unless someone claims responsibility.

 

Ekstrom Tests For Red Bull; Infineon Cup Debut?

 

Mattias Ekstrom shook down Team Red Bull’s No. 83 at Virginia International Raceway Tuesday, helping the crew prepare for the upcoming road race at Infineon this June. The 31-year-old Swede is a full-time competitor in the German Touring Car Masters Series (DTM), winning the championship in 2005 and 2008 while building an extensive resume of European success.

 

"With Brian Vickers sidelined for the rest of the season, we needed a road-racing expert to help prepare the No. 83 for Sonoma," explained Jay Frye, Team Red Bull's Vice President and GM. "We appreciate Mattias' willingness to help out, and we look forward to his insight."

 

There’s no word on whether Ekstrom will be selected to make his Cup debut. Casey Mears has been named as Vickers’ full-time replacement the rest of the season, but is not in contention to make the Chase and could be benched for the road courses. Former Cup regular Patrick Carpentier, with Toyota ties, is also among a handful of other road racing veterans available should TBR choose to make a change.

 

Final All-Star Ratings Down 10.3 Percent, Hall of Fame Numbers Weak

 

While the overnights for the Sprint All-Star race equaled last year, today’s final numbers were disappointing for NASCAR. The main event pulled a 3.30, down 10.3 percent from the 3.68 cable rating registered in 2009. In addition, just 2.496 million households watched, a 7.2 percent decline from the previous season.

 

The race still won the night in basic cable for men in the 35-54 and 55-and-over category. However, it placed second in the crucial 18-to-34 demographic to Magic-Celtics on ESPN and was just the 11th-most watched cable program for the week overall.  Among those shows beating NASCAR last week in overall viewership included Spongebob: The Movie on Nickelodeon, two WWE shows, and all five NBA playoff games.

 

As for the inaugural Hall of Fame induction, it pulled an 0.92 rating with just 694,000 households tuning in.

Tweet 'N' Greet

by Jay Pennell

 

Editor's Note: With the NASCAR Twitter community expanding by leaps and bounds this year, it's become a place for instantaneous news, reactions, and a whole lot of inside jokes. We understand if you don't want to join the Twitter community - but as a fan, it's important to know the news and info you're missing out on! That's why, every week, Jay Pennell will sort through the thousands of messages and give us a little taste of what's going on each Wednesday.

 

So, without further ado, here's a look at what those in NASCAR were thinking over the past seven days...

 

@RikiRachtman: Oh, it's just me interviewing The King http://twitpic.com/1r0ylw

 

@BrianLVickers: Not the way I wanted to see the All-Star Race, but was good to be there. Here is a message to the fans on http://www.facebook.com/BrianVickers

 

@Regan_Smith_: I hope to someday be half the man that all today's Hall of Fame inductees are and were. Very cool!

 

@MikeCalinoff: After watching the @NascarHall ceremonies today, it makes me even more proud to be a part of #NASCAR.

 

@mw55 (Michael Waltrip): i just tried MnMs pretzel. I like Kyle Busch more now than ever.

 

@Elliott_Sadler: Just left Finish Line Festival. One word sums up the Gibbs family! "CLASS!" We are very lucky to have a family like that in NASCAR!

 

@Kenny_Wallace: Hall Of Fame was long "But Necessary"..I watched every second and it was GREAT!..Kyle Petty said "My dad worked half days and Won 200 races."

 

@bigdalsky (Brandon Igdalsky, President, Pocono Raceway): Morgan Shepherd has his famous roller skates with him @NascarHall ceremony #nascar http://tweetphoto.com/23677934

 

@maxpapis: Met many fans at Hall of Fame, and best compliments was "max thanks for being in the Sport u r a great Man" Proud of that; thanks, fans!

 

@bigdalsky: THANK YOU to all that have come in the last 60 years in making this sport what it is today! Congrats to this FIRST @NASCARHALL class

@dennyhamlin: Disappointed about not getting the win tonight but damn proud of how well we ran after no practice.. Feeling really good about next week.

@dennyhamlin: Comment on kyle.. He's a guy that wants to win just as bad if not more than me.. I was leader and used all the track in front of me.

 

@dennyhamlin: And if roles were reversed, kyle would check up and pull down?? Lol.. OK back to reality. Love u all.. Peace

 

@mw55: if you ain't first, you're last. Unless you're the NAPA Know How team and Martin Truex, Jr. From Showdown to 2nd in the All-Star race. So cool

 

@19Spotter (Brett Griffin): Move the All-Star race to Bristol. #nascar #wakeup #buyatanktopnwatch

 

@Regan_Smith_: Fun race to watch, I wish we had more events with this style format... crews don't though, lots of wrecked race cars, that part sucks.

 

@kaseykahne: Heading home. Not a good night. Car was horrible. Hope we're better for the 600. Man, I was pumped going into the night.

 

@Regan_Smith_: Had a good car, s$#% happens. Not going to give up positions in a race where only 2 transfer, was trying to chop me off I wasn't having it.

 

@Elliott_Sadler: Can't thank the fans enough for your support, we finished a close second and the support you gave me was absolutely amazing!! U guys rock!!

 

@scottspeed: It's been real guys, really thanks so much for all the support! We were able to try a lot this week for the 600 so we should be ready to rip.

 

@SamSarcinella (Kyle Busch's Fiancee): Taylor Gibbs in his firesuit!! Sooooooo cute!!!! http://tweetphoto.com/23558987

 

@scottspeed: I love @KyleBusch, only he would be mad after not winning a burnout comp lmao perfect!!!

 

@scottspeed: Nope lol RT @Slapnutjoey: Was it wrong to vote for @scottspeed for the All-Star race because @Amanda_Speed is the hottest NASCAR wife?

 

@BrianLVickers: At the All-Star Race. Weird to be playing Tiger Woods in the bus while the drivers meeting is going on. http://bit.ly/9BP7Yn

 

@DeLanaHarvick: wooooooo hooooooooo flyers score! my day keeps getting better. :)

 

@bigdalsky: Gotta love the creativity of race fans! http://tweetphoto.com/23518880

 

@DeLanaHarvick: Big things happening this afternoon & i can finally talk about them! carter is back in for the flyers & well an hr. to wait on the other :)

 

@RTruex00: Do this http://tweetphoto.com/23488190

 

@KyleBusch: Great nite last nite w the @TeamZLine @KyleBuschMS Tundra. That truck was fast. I tried to ruin it, guys did awesome job w/repairs!

 

@SamSarcinella: Victory Lane!!! http://tweetphoto.com/23422069

 

@KevinHarvick: Wow, I never thought I would see this day but @ronhornaday is on Twitter!

 

@Kenny_Wallace: Earnhardt Ganassi has asked me to Emcee an announcement at 3:20 today in the Media Center at Charlotte "No, I am not driving for them"..

 

@RikiRachtman: Just scored tix to All-Star race. Grandstands turn 2. Ya, I can sit in the suites, but it's not 1/2 as cool as seats w/the race fans.

 

@Tommy_Baldwin: Steve Park & TBR Daytona July race. We want to do a Richie Evans replica design.need to generate some $.need some ideas. #nascar

 

@MikeDavis88: I am privileged to join the entire Earnhardt family at Hall of Fame Induction dinner tonight. Start of a special wknd for Big E. #TheMan

 

 

___________________________________________________________
 
Courtesy of Google Alerts
 
 NASCAR Hall of Fame: How it all started
Albany Herald On-line
The NASCAR Hall of Fame, the “street” car version of the Smithsonian, opened its doors in Charlotte the other day, and that's precisely where it should be. ...

http://www.albanyherald.com/sports/headlines/94892849.html?ref=849

 

Hellmund: 'Austin is more F1 than NASCAR'
The F1 Times
"Austin is more of an F1 crowd than a NASCAR crowd," Hellmund explained. "The geography, the tech money, the nightlife, the music. ...

http://www.thef1times.com/news/display/01156

 

Food Lion Speed Street expands to embrace the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Charlotte Observer
By Lisa Du and Steve Lyttle NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. greets the crowd during the 2005 edition of Food Lion Speed Street. 2005 OBSERVER FILE PHOTO ...

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/05/26/1458294/speed-street-expands-nascar-hall.html

 

NNS: Will Harvick Run Full Season?
SPEEDtv.com
Saturday's NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is expected to be Kyle Busch's last Nationwide appearance for a while. ...

http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/nns-will-harvick-run-full-season/

 

Brian Vickers reminded that NASCAR drivers aren't invincible
Orlando Sentinel
"I woke up and being young and 26, I thought I was invincible," the NASCAR driver said said. "So I just went back to sleep, brushed it off. ...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/motorracing/os-ganguli-nascar-brian-vickers-blood20100525,0,3926308.column

 

Mattias Ekstrom Fulfills NASCAR Dream
PaddockTalk
"It's no secret that the NASCAR series fascinates me and that it's been a long-harbored dream of mine to drive such a car," says Mattias Ekström, ...

http://paddocktalk.com/news/html/story-136500.html

 

Chris Buescher Just Saved Ford's Stock Car Reputation
Stock Car Spin
In 2010, Ford has virtually disappeared off the stock car racing map. While Ford's Mustangs dominate in NHRA's Funny Cars, its Fusions and F-150s are having ...

http://stockcarspin.com/2010/05/25/chris-buescher-just-saved-fords-stock-car-reputation/

 

Time for Junior to move on from Hendrick
msnbc.com
By Reid Spencer Roughly 30 minutes after Sunday's induction ceremonies at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, three giants of the stock car racing ...

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/37336893/ns/sports-motor_sports/

 

Bakersfield driver credited with NASCAR K&N Pro Series West win at Iowa Speedway
Los Angeles Times (blog)
David Mayhew, a driver from Bakersfield, was the fifth-place driver in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series race at Iowa Speedway on Sunday, finishing behind four ...

 http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/05/bakersfield-driver-credited-with-nascar-kn-pro-series-west-win-at-iowa-speedway.html

_________________________________________________________
 
Courtesy of Insider Racing News
  http://www.insiderracingnews.com
 
 All-Star Ratings Down

Ratings for the Sprint All-Star Race, televised live on Speed, dropped 10.3 percent from 3.68 in 2009 to 3.30 in 2010, according to a network spokesman. The race peaked at a 4.38 this year, compared with a peak of 4.69 in 2009. Speed reached the most households of any basic cable network during the race in the 35-54 male category and 55-and-over male category. It ranked second in the 18-34 male category. The overall number of households watching the race was 2,496,000. Speed also provided live coverage of the NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which drew a 0.92 (694,000 households)... ...Daily Headlines

Race and Commercial Breakdown for the Showdown and All-Star Race

·  Total number of commercials: 115

·  Total number of companies or entities advertised: 70

·  Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 24

·  Total number of companies or entities advertised in brief promos or crawlers: 16

·  Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 2 min. 55 sec.

·  Start time to record race/commercial periods for the All Star Showdown: 7:21 PM

·  End time to record race/commercial periods for the All Star Showdown: 8:34 PM

·  Total minutes: 73 min.

·  Start time to record race/commercial periods for the All Star Race: 8:34 PM

·  End time to record race/commercial periods for the All Star Race: 11:15 PM

·  Total minutes: 161 min.

·  Total minutes of both races: 234

·  Minutes of race broadcast: 185

·  Minutes of commercials: 49

·  Number of missed restarts: 0

·  Number of ‘mystery cautions’ (debris not shown): 0...MORE AT...(cawsnjaws.com)... ...More

Engine Building Record Set

Pro Motor Engines once again made history Thursday, capturing their fourth consecutive MAHLE Engine Builder Showdown championship with a record-breaking build time. In a fierce neck-and-neck battle, the Pro Motor Engines team of Josh Hypes and Matt Jackling built a complete Chevrolet R07 race engine and successfully ran it for one minute in an astounding 18 minutes, 3 seconds, beating last year's record by over a minute and defeating the Hendrick Motorsports team of Mike Maiwald and Scott Vester. Team Hendrick Motorsports and team Pro Motor were neck-and-neck in the competition, with Pro Motor firing their engine first. Maiwald and Vester were close behind, but while their engine was running during the mandatory one minute, it became silent at the 57-second mark due to a disconnected fuel line. Hendrick reconnected and re-fired their engine, ending with a final build time of 20 minutes, 1 second.  ...More

Motorsports This Week on ESPN and ABC

·  NASCAR Nationwide Series Live from Charlotte on ABC
The NASCAR Nationwide Series races for 300 miles at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 29, and ABC will have a live, flag-to-flag telecast. NASCAR Countdown presented by Hellman’s airs at 2 p.m. ET, while the race telecast starts at 2:30 p.m. with the green flag at 2:46 p.m. ESPN2 is the home of the series all season, with selected races airing on ESPN and ABC. Allen Bestwick will be the lap-by-lap announcer, joined in the booth for analysis by 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Dale Jarrett and two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief Andy Petree. Pit reporters will be Dave Burns, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake. Reports from two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief Tim Brewer will air from the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage. Nicole Briscoe will host NASCAR Countdown from the ESPN pit studio, with analysis by Jarrett and Brad Daugherty, a team owner in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. ...More

Kyle Busch Feuds With Hamlin

·         Kyle Busch was so mad at Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin that he wanted to talk to him right after he crashed out of the Sprint All-Star Race Saturday night. The only problem was that Hamlin, whom Busch felt forced him into the wall with less than two laps remaining, was still on the track. So Busch drove his wrecked car to Hamlin’s hauler, parked it there, stormed inside and waited for Hamlin to finish the race. “Somebody better keep me away from Denny Hamlin after this … race," Busch screamed over his in-car radio after a flat tire caused him to crash on lap 98. “I swear to God, I’m going to kill that [expletive]. All his [expletive] fault. I had this race won! It was won!” Hamlin, who finished fourth, walked into his hauler and talked for about 20 minutes... ...More
___________________________________________________________
 
Courtesy of Jayski
  http://www.jayski.com
 
 Front Row Working as One Team for Optimal Results: Using a unified approach to give its three-car team the best opportunities to continue to succeed as a whole, Front Row Motorsports announced changes to its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series line-up effective this week for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The team is moving Kevin Conway and the ExtenZe Racing sponsorship to the #34 Ford Fusion, David Gilliland and the Taco Bell program to the #37 Ford Fusion, and Travis Kvapil and the Long John Silver's program to the #38 Ford Fusion. The changes are aimed to optimize all three teams' ability to score more points and strengthen the organization. "I'm proud of how we've performed this year - our first year with three full-time cars," said Bob Jenkins, owner of Front Row Motorsports. "We are not a powerhouse three-car team, but we work as an organization to grow together as one. Our teams have to be unified to be stronger instead of operating as three separate groups. Moving our drivers, along with their respective sponsors, to different cars gives us the best chance to succeed as an entire team. It has been this attitude and strategic growth plan that has allowed us to become the team we are today." All three Front Row cars have made the starting lineup of all 12 Sprint Cup Series races in the 2010 season. The team is working with potential sponsors now to become stronger and take the next step to become a top-25 team.(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits)(5-26-2010)

·         Additional sponsor for Conway; 'ExtenZe Local Hero: This week in the Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Wings (America's best beach store) along with ExtenZe Racing, announced a three-race deal with Conway that begins this weekend at CMS. As part of this deal, Wings will start carrying ExtenZe Racing slogan T-shirts and board shorts in some of its stores across the best beaches in America. Also, Wings will adorn Conway's Ford Fusion as an associate sponsor at the Daytona Cup race in July and at the season finale in Homestead in November.
AND: Chief Warrant Officer 4 and Silver Star recipient Jim Herring says he was just doing what he had to do. At first that sounds pretty simple and you may be lulled into thinking that he is just another guy, but when you hear what it was that he felt "he had to do" you quickly learn why Herring was named an 'ExtenZe Local Hero.' For his selfless acts and heroism, Herring will serve as Honorary Crew Chief for the leading NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year driver Kevin Conway and his ExtenZe Racing team at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the running of the Coca-Cola 600. Herring, who is stationed in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., is only the second soldier since World War II to receive the Silver Star while serving with the North Carolina National Guard. The 'ExtenZe Local Hero' program pays tribute to people who have gone to great lengths to make a difference. Those selected have faced danger, sacrificed their own safety for others or in some way displayed leadership that changed their community for the better. Award recipients become ExtenZe Racing Honorary Crew Chiefs, receive a tour of the paddock, attend the pre-race NASCAR Driver/Crew Chief meeting, and sit atop the pit box with Crew Chief Peter Sospenzo to root on rookie driver Kevin Conway piloting the royal blue and red #34 ExtenZe Ford Fusion. Each recipient also receives a $1,000 award from ExtenZe, the world's best selling male enhancement product, in recognition of their selflessness. (Breaking Limits/Extenze Racing), More info on ,y #34-Teams News page.(5-26-2010)

·         TV Ratings for the All- Star UPDATE: The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Challenge earned a 2.1/4 Saturday night on SPEED, which matched last year's overnight ratings.(5-24-2010)
UPDATE: Ratings for the Sprint All-Star Race, televised live on Speed, dropped 10.3% from 3.68 in 2009 to 3.30 in 2010, according to a network spokesman. The race peaked at a 4.38 this year, compared with a peak of 4.69 in 2009. Speed reached the most households of any basic cable network during the race in the 35-54 male category and 55-and-over male category. It ranked second in the 18-34 male category. The overall number of households watching the race was 2,496,000.(SceneDaily), see race-by-race chart, with 4 years of ratings and news on my 2010 TV Ratings page.(5-25-2010)

·         AJ and Best Buy Employees Volunteer at Victory Junction: It's a busy time right now for #43-AJ Allmendinger, and he's making the most of it. After spending time at Charlotte Motor Speedway with the three stars and Best Buy-supported karters from the recently-released "Racing Dreams" this weekend, AJ got busy once again on Monday as he teamed up with over 100 Best Buy employees to make a visit and volunteer at Victory Junction. "It was a really good day at the Victory Junction Camp today," said AJ. "There were a ton of Best Buy employees out and some of my team to help get the camp ready for the campers coming. I did some landscaping and things like that. This is such a great camp and place for these kids and their families to go and find some fun. I'm always happy to lend a hand and really proud of the turn out from my Best Buy team." Allmendinger will see a different set of friends from Richard Petty Motorsports and Best Buy on Tuesday, as everyone gets geared up for the Kings Cup karting race to raise money for PVA.org. More than 30 teams are expected to participate, with a host of NASCAR drivers joining the fun. On Wednesday, AJ will be joining the folks at the Best Buy in Concord for an in-store appearance, with Thursday making for another Sharpie kind of day as RPM throws the doors open for Fan Day on the 27th before he heads to the track for practice and qualifying.(PR)(5-25-2010)

·         NAPA Batteries scheme for Truex Jr.: #56-Martin Truex Jr.'s NAPA ride will sport a special look for the Coca-Cola 600. The well-known NAPA shield will be joined by NAPA Batteries. The high-energy paint scheme kicks off a great promotion for consumers. In June, visit a NAPA Auto Parts Store or a NAPA AutoCare Center, and get the following mail-in rebates$20 rebate on the NAPA Optima Heavy-Duty batteries, $15 rebate on NAPA Legend 84-month battery and $10 rebate on all NAPA LEGEND 75-month batteries.(MWR), see images of the car on my #56 Team Schemes page.(5-25-2010)

·         More testing at South Carolina road course: hearing that #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #5-Mark Martin and #18-Kyle Busch are testing today at 2.3 mile Carolina Motorsports Park road course in Kershaw, SC in preparation for the upcoming road course race at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA.(5-25-2010)

·         Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2010 All Star Showdown and Race: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, or wonder how often your driver was focused on, here is the breakdown for Saturday's races. SPEED was the broadcast team for this event.
Total number of commercials: 115
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 70
Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 24
Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 2 min. 55 sec.
Start time to record race/commercial periods for the All Star Showdown: 7:21 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods for the All Star Showdown: 8:34 PM
Total minutes: 73 min.
Start time to record race/commercial periods for the All Star Race: 8:34 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods for the All Star Race: 11:15 PM
Total minutes: 161 min.
Total minutes of both races: 234
Minutes of race broadcast: 185
Minutes of commercials: 49
Number of missed restarts: 0
Number of 'mystery cautions' (debris not shown): 0
Number of basketball superstar Honorary Race Starters: 1 Michael Jordon
For driver focas times, info on past races and ore. see my 2010 TV Commercials page.(5-25-2010)

·         Bass Pro Shops looks to stay with EGR: Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris says while he's good friends with a number of owners and drivers in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series, he doesn't anticipate the company's sponsorship moving from Earnhardt Ganassi Racing anytime soon. "I saw [team co-owner] Chip [Ganassi last night at the NASCAR Hall of Fame," Morris said Friday. "We don't have any contract for next year or anything, but Chip and [co-owner] Teresa [Earnhardt] & I think they're happy. And we're happy." Morris was at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday to help unveil a special Bass Pro paint scheme to be run by EGR driver Jamie McMurray later this year, honoring NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Dale Earnhardt. Earnhardt fielded a similar Bass Pro-themed paint scheme in the 1998 all-star race. Bass Pro, which is sponsoring McMurray's car in half of this year's Sprint Cup races, is headquartered in Springfield, Mo., and the fact that McMurray, winner of the 2010 Daytona 500, grew up in nearby Joplin "is huge back home," Morris said. "It's not been a surprise, but back around Springfield and the Joplin area, with Jamie's affiliation with Bass Pro, it's been pretty cool," Morris said.(SceneDaily)(5-25-2010)

·         Martin says he will be in the #5 in 2011: MARK MARTIN, #5 DELPHI/GODADDY.COM CHEVY, met with members of the media at Charlotte Motor Speedway and discussed his plans. A partial transcript:
ANYTHING NEW IN YOUR FUTURE IN TERMS OF NEXT YEAR OR 2012? DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING YET?
"No. Everything is still as planned. There are scenarios beginning to formulate, but I would expect it to be a long time until those boil down to real options. It could be as much as a year until those boil down to real options. Everything is pretty quiet; there is a little bit rumbling around out there. By the way, I heard you guys talk about the speedway and I've been around a long time. I came here the first time in 1981, and it's always been Charlotte Motor Speedway to me."
SO YOU WILL DEFINITELY BE IN THE 5 CAR IN 2011? "Yes."(Team Chevy)(5-25-2010)

·         Mattias Ekström to test #83 for Red Bull: When Red Bull driver and two-time DTM champion Mattias Ekström visited Red Bull Racing Team in 2008, he "dreamed" of driving a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car. Fast-forward two years, and Ekström finally gets his chance. The 31-year-old Swede will drive the #83 on Tuesday at Virginia International Raceway to provide the team testing support for the upcoming road race in Sonoma, Calif. Both of the Red Bull Toyotas [also #82-Scott Speed] will test at VIR a road course of varying configurations and distances in southern Virginia. Considering Ekström's current résumé, the #83 team expects to have its car dialed in come June 18-20 at Infineon Raceway. "With Brian Vickers sidelined for the rest of the season, we needed a road-racing expert to help prepare the #83 for Sonoma," said Jay Frye, RBRT vice president and general manager. "We appreciate Mattias' willingness to help out and we look forward to his insight." Ekström, a Red Bull-backed driver for the past nine years, heads to the States after claiming his first victory of 2010 in Sunday's second round of the DTM Championship in Valencia, Spain. The Audi factory driver currently sits second in the DTM standings. In addition to his success in the Germany based touring car series only twice in nine seasons has he finished outside the top five Ekström has proven his versatility and class in other motorsports disciplines. He's an active rally racer and three times has won the individual title at the Race of Champions. "It's no secret that the NASCAR series fascinates me," Ekström said. "It's been a long-harbored dream of mine to drive such a car." Tuesday's test at VIR is private and not open to the public.(Red Bull Racing)(5-25-2010

___________________________________________________________
 
Courtesy of Racin' Today
  http://www.racintoday.com

Minter: No Richard, Thank You

http://www.racintoday.com/archives/18026

 

Woody: Danica’s NASCAR Dalliance Brings Boos

 http://www.racintoday.com/archives/18034

 
___________________________________________________________
 
     P R E S S  *  R E L E A S E S
___________________________________________________________
 
 Nothing Pressing but I know there are several fan things going on in the Charlotte area the next few days.
___________________________________________________________
 
     N A S C A R * N A T I O N W I D E * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
 
Courtesy of Jayski
  http://www.jayski.com
 
 NEXT RACE: TECH-NET Auto Service 300, 2:30pm/et, Saturday, May 29, 2010 at Charlotte Motor Speedway

 

·         Entry List: There are 47 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday's TECH-NET Auto Service 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Some notes:
Ryan Newman is back in the #1 for Phoenix Racing;
Steve Arpin returns to the JR Motorsports #7;
Chad McCumbee remains in the RAB #09;
Brian Ickler makes his debut in the Roush #16;
Peyton Sellers returns to the Nationwide Series in the #25;
Reed Sorenson will be in the Braun #32 in place of Brain Vickers, who was originally scheduled to drive the car;
Parker Kligerman and the Team #42 team return.(5-24-2010)
See the complete list on the Charlotte entry list page.

·         If qualifying is rained out or canceled the teams making the race would be:
#81-Michael McDowell [31st in owner points, 11 attempts], #6-Ricky Stenhouse [32nd, 11], #35-Jason Keller [33rd, 11], #70-Mark Green [34th, 11], #26-Brian Keselowski [35th, 11], #05-Willie Allen [36th, 11 attempts], #61-Josh Wish [37th, 11], #89-Morgan Shepherd [38th, 11], #73-Derrike Cope [39th, 11], #56-Kevin Lepage [40th, 11], #92-Dennis Setzer [41st, 11], #90-Danny O'Quinn [42nd, 9 attempts], #91-David Gilliand [43rd, 9 attempts]
4 missing the race would be: #04-Jeremy Clements [45th, 7 attempts], #07-Danny Efland [46th, 4 attempts], #42-Parker Kligerman [49th, 4 attempts], #25-Peyton Sellers [0, 0 attempts]

·         Charlotte Race Officials:
TECH-NET Auto Service 300 powered by CARQUEST Auto Parts - May 29
Honorary Starter: Rollin Hansen, ASE Master Automotive Technician of the Year
Grand Marshal: Don Frantz, Owner of Frantz Automotive Center, Cary, N.C.
Invocation: Reverend Joe Andresen
National Anthem: Rhonda Vincent, seven-time Female Vocalist of the Year, International Bluegrass Music Association

·         Nationwide Series Live from Charlotte on ABC: The NASCAR Nationwide Series races for 300 miles at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 29, and ABC will have a live, flag-to-flag telecast. NASCAR Countdown presented by Hellman's airs at 2 p.m. ET, while the race telecast starts at 2:30 p.m. with the green flag at 2:46 p.m. ESPN2 is the home of the series all season, with selected races airing on ESPN and ABC. Allen Bestwick will be the lap-by-lap announcer, joined in the booth for analysis by Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree. Pit reporters will be Dave Burns, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake. Reports from Tim Brewer will air from the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage. Nicole Briscoe will host NASCAR Countdown from the ESPN pit studio, with analysis by Jarrett and Brad Daugherty.(ESPN PR

·         Charlotte Rookie Notes:
" Brian Scott was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Heluva Good! 200 at Dover International Speedway. Scott scored a ninth-place finish, his third top-10 of the 2010 season. He claimed top rookie honors for the FIFTH time this season and for the second consecutive race.
" Scott leads Ricky Stenhouse Jr. by 13 points (116-103) in the overall Raybestos Rookie standings entering the TECH-NET Auto Service 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
" Colin Braun posted a 10th-place finish at Dover, his first top-10 of the season and his second in 16 NASCAR Nationwide Series races. He became the fourth Raybestos Rookie to score a top-10 finish this season, joining Scott, James Buescher and Stenhouse Jr.
" Brendan Gaughan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2009 TECH-NET Auto Service 300, scoring a second-place finish.
" A Raybestos Rookie has scored a top-10 finish in four of the past six spring races at Charlotte.
" Kyle Busch won the 2004 TECH-NET Auto Service 300 and is the only Raybestos Rookie driver to win the spring Nationwide Series race at Charlotte since the rookie program was created in 1989 (21 previous races). Busch also led the most laps in the race (three times for 93 laps).
" Greg Biffle holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the spring race at Charlotte. Biffle led the 2001 event three times for 154 of the 200 laps on his way to a sixth-place finish. Biffle and Busch are the only Raybestos Rookies to lead the most laps in the TECH-NET Auto Service 300.(Raybestos/Camp & Assoc PR)(5-26-2010)

·         Congressional candidate on the #40 at Charlotte: IMAGE Tim D'Annunzio said he is sponsoring a car in the NASCAR Nationwide Series TECH-NET Auto Service 300. Mike Bliss' #40 Chevy will be decked out in a "Vote Tim D'Annunzio for Congress" paint scheme for Saturday's race. The campaign spent $25,000 to be the car's main sponsor for one race, said D'Annunzio's press secretary, Lauren Slepian. Former NASCAR driver Lake Speed recently endorsed D'Annunzio and made a television ad for him. Speed recommended D'Annunzio to Bliss as a potential sponsor, Slepian said. D'Annunzio has spent more than a $1 million of his own money and has raised more individual contributions than his opponents in his race to unseat U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell.(Independent Tribune), see an image of the car on my #40 Nationwide team paint schemes page.(5-25-2010)

·         Motorola on the #12 at Charlotte: Motorola, an official handset partner of Verizon Wireless, will have branding on Allgaier's #12 Dodge this weekend at Charlotte. In addition to their presence on the car, Motorola will host a number of clients and customers at the speedway.(Penske PR)(5-25-2010)

·         Ickler making Roush-Feway debut: Brian Ickler will be making his Roush Fenway Racing debut this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the #16 Con-way Freight Ford. The San Diego, Calif. native has made three previous Nationwide Series starts, but this will be his first series start at the 1.5-mile speedway.(Roush-Fenway PR)(5-25-2010)

·         HelpTruckers.com on the #23: R3 Motorsports and HelpTruckers.com have signed a marketing partnership for the team's #23 Chevy in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. HelpTruckers.com is the newest, innovative online source for over-the-road truckers and the trucking industry. In addition to offering a 24-hour, nationwide breakdown service, they will also offer personal service to the entire trucking business in regards to industry blogs/forums, shopping and a travel network.(R3 Motorsports PR)(5-25-2010)

·         TireBuyer.com sponsoring Mike Wallace: Mike Wallace announced that TireBuyer.com will sponsor his #01 Chevy for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Charlotte May 29, 2010. TireBuyer.com is the place to buy tires and wheels on-line. With millions of top brand tires and wheels in stock, TireBuyer.com typically will have your choice of tires and/or wheels shipped locally to one of thousands of qualified installers in 1-3 days.(J-D Motorsports PR)(5-25-2010)

·         Catawba County sheriff candidate on the #89: Nationwide Series driver Morgan Shepherd will carry a message of support for Catawba County, NC sheriff candidate Coy Reid during the Tech-Net Auto Service 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. Shepherd has great respect for the Catawba County Sheriff's Department and current Sheriff David Huffman due to their many years of service and dedication to keeping their community safe. Reid joined the Catawba County Sheriff's Department in 1977 where he has served in various capacities, including road patrol, criminal investigations, and most recently the department's chief executive officer.(Faith Motorsports PR)(5-24-2010)

·         Sellers returns to Series at Charlotte: Peyton Sellers returns to where he most wants to be, behind the wheel of a Nationwide Series car in the upcoming Tech-Net Auto Service 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 29th. The Danville, Virginia native makes his first return to the Nationwide series since 2009 where he had a solid rookie performance, running 11 races with Cardinal Motorsports. Sellers, a former NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National Champion, will drive the #25 Sellers Racing Chevy powered by Earnhardt-Childress Racing engines and carrying the SkillsUSA banner. Sellers Racing is a small, family-run team that will be making its first outing in the Nationwide Series this year. Marcus Richmond will serve as crew chief. Richmond worked as a crew chief for Bobby Hamilton Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series from 2006-2008. In 2009, Richmond moved to Wyler Racing with driver Stacy Compton, the team finished 11th in series point standings.(Sellers PR)(5-24-2010)

___________________________________________________________
 
Courtesy of The Hot Lap
  http://www.TheHotLap.com
 
 The Latest News

• Ickler Makes Roush Fenway Debut This Weekend 0 CommentsPosted by THL on May 25, 2010 under Nationwide News, Pre Race

MAKING HIS ROUSH FENWAY DEBUT - Brian Ickler will be making his Roush Fenway Racing debut this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the No. 16 Con-way Freight Ford. The San Diego, Calif. native has made three previous Nationwide Series starts, but this will be his first series start at the 1.5-mile speedway. ICKLER AT CHARLOTTE - Ickler has made one previous start at Charlotte Motor Spee... more.

• Discount Tire Back on No. 22 for Charlotte 0 CommentsPosted by THL on under Nationwide News, Pre Race

This Week’s Charger… The No. 22 Penske Racing/Discount Tire Dodge Charger team will use chassis PRS-031 during Saturday’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This is the first race for this brand-new chassis.  The No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Charger in 2010... After 11 races, Keselowski and the No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge team currently lead the Nationwide Series driver point standings by... more.

• Arpin and McMurray Talk Charlotte 0 CommentsPosted by THL on under Nationwide News, Pre Race

Jamie McMurray No. 88 Hellmann’s Chevrolet   “It’s been a lot of fun racing with Pops [Tony Eury Sr.] and this entire Hellmann’s crew over the last five races. There have been a few races where we didn’t necessarily unload strong, but we made the right calls at the right times to secure good finishes. That’s the sign of a good team. I hope we come out of Charlotte with another good... more.

• Motorola Joins Allgaier Entry for Charlotte 0 CommentsPosted by THL on under Nationwide News, Pre Race

Justin Allgaier will pilot Penske Racing chassis PRS-032 in Saturday’s TECH-NET Auto Service 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Built new for 2010, this Dodge Charger debuted at Texas Motor Speedway in April, where Allgaier started 18th and finished 11th. Allgaier at Charlotte … In three Nationwide Series starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Allgaier has a 12th-place finish, which came in his ... more.

• Bayne Looks for Solid Finish This Weekend 0 CommentsPosted by THL on under Nationwide News, Pre Race

Diamond-Waltrip Racing driver Trevor Bayne believes he will end his recent run of late-race, bad luck this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The 19-year-old owns a top-10 and five top-15 finishes in six races on the high speed 1.5-mile ovals like Charlotte. Bayne earned a career-best finish of sixth at the 1.5-mile Las Vegas track in February. The Knoxville, Tenn. native said he will put ext... more.

• Harvick Turns His Attention to Charlotte Motor Speedway 0 CommentsPosted by THL on under Nationwide News, Pre Race

Having most recently survived the ‘Monster Mile’ and the ‘Track too Tough to Tame,’ Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) co-owner Kevin Harvick now turns his attention to the ‘Beast of the Southeast’ where he will be making his 18th-career Nationwide Series start at the 1.5-mile track of Charlotte (N.C) Motor Speedway. In 17 previous Nationwide Series starts at the track, Harvick has recorded t... more.

• Robert Richardson, Jr. looking for good Charlotte finish in HelpTruckers.com Chevrolet 0 CommentsPosted by THL on under Nationwide News, Pre Race

Robert Richardson, Jr. and the No. 23 HelpTruckers.com Chevrolet team of R3 Motorsports head to Charlotte Motor Speedway with high hopes this weekend. In addition to welcoming HelpTruckers.com to the team, driver and crew are seeking a good run on the 1.5-mile oval. With this being a home “game” for many of the team members, they want to perform well in front of friends and family who are i... more.

• Preliminary NNS Entry List for Charlotte 0 CommentsPosted by THL on under Nationwide News, Pre Race

1 1 Ryan Newman James Finch Marc Reno 10 Chevrolet Phoenix Construction 2 01 Mike Wallace Lori Davis Patrick Magee 10 Chevrolet TBA 3 104 Jeremy Clements Gene Vess Richard Harriman 10 Chevrolet TBA 4 05 Willie Allen Wayne Day Newt Moore 10 Chevrolet 31-W Insulation 5 6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr Jack Roush Michael Kelley 10 Ford Citifinancial 6 107 Danny Efland Thomas Efland Jr Micah Horton...

___________________________________________________________
 
     C A M P I N G * W O R L D * T R U C K * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
 
Courtesy of Jayski
  http://www.jayski.com
 
 Texas Motor Speedway - WinStar World Casino 400, Friday, June 4, 2010, 9:00pm Eastern

SPEEDtv: Prerace - 8:30pm;   Race - 9:00pm

 

• Crafton to race ARCA at Iowa: Matt Crafton will return to the ARCA Racing Series for the Prairie Meadows 200 at Iowa Speedway in July. Crafton finished fifth in his debut with the Kimmel Racing team this past weekend at Toledo.(Frontstretch.com)(5-26-2010)
• Nead gone from RMM: UPDATE confirmed RMM & Nead part ways: Hearing that Gene Nead has left Randy Moss Motorsports and is no longer crew chief for the #5-Toyota driven by Mike Skinner.(5-24-2010)
  UPDATE: A team representative has confirmed that Randy Moss Motorsports and crew chief Gene nead have mutually agreed to part ways. RMM engineer, Stacy Johnson will serve as interim crew chief.(5-24-2010)
• Racing Resources - Monday Rundown:
  *Kyle Busch won the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It was Busch's 18th series victory in his 74th start, tying Dennis Setzer for fourth all-time. It marked Busch's 70th NASCAR win and third Truck victory at Charlotte.
  *Busch led four times for 69 laps, including the final 17.
  *Kyle Busch Motorsports posted its second series victory, both in 2010. The 18 team leads in owners' points.
  *Toyota posted its first Truck win at Charlotte and fourth win in 2010.
  *Todd Bodine (second) scored his sixth top-5 of 2010. He took over the points lead by two over Aric Almirola.
  *Ron Hornaday (third) scored his fourth top-3 finish in the past four races.
  *James Buescher (fourth) scored his second consecutive top-5 finish.
  *Elliott Sadler (fifth) scored his best career Truck finish.
  *The highest-finishing rookie of the year contender was Justin Lofton (15th).
  *The top 10 consisted of six Toyotas, three Chevrolets and one Dodge.(ESPN

 

 
___________________________________________________________
 
     A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
___________________________________________________________
 
Courtesy of ARCA
  http://www.arcaracing.com
 
 

Kile, Venturini Motorsports Top Testing at MIS

(BROOKLYN, Mich. - May 25, 2010) - Make it five. Venturini Motorsports soared to the top of the chart yet again in ARCA Racing Series Presented by RE/MAX and Menards testing, achieving the highest lap speed on the board Tuesday at the 2-mile Michigan International Speedway with driver Mikey Kile and the No. 25 Toyota. Kile's late afternoon lap of 39.430 seconds (182.602 mph) helped the Concord, N.C.-based team achieve the best speed for the fifth consecutive open test for the 2010 season, dating back to an open session at Daytona International Speedway in December.

http://www.arcaracing.com/news.php?contentid=9708

Goess Fastest in Morning Testing at MIS

BROOKLYN MI (5-25-10) - Eddie Sharp Racing's Craig Goess led the charts in morning testing at Michigan Int'l Speedway Tuesday, turning the two-mile Michigan oval in 39.475 seconds, for an average speed of 182.394 mph.

http://www.arcaracing.com/news.php?contentid=9707

___________________________________________________________
 
     U S A R (United Speed Alliance Racing)
___________________________________________________________
 
Courtesy of USAR
  http://usarprocup.com
 
 John Gibson Knocking On Victory, Point Lead Door

HAMPTON, Va. (May 24, 2010) – Since joining the USARacing Pro Cup Series in 2006, John Gibson has always fielded a car that performed well, but Lady Luck seemed to never want to visit the Springfield, Mo., native. That, however, isn't the case this year.

Heading into Saturday's Hampton Virginia 250 at Langley Speedway, Gibson is not only   close to scoring his first career USAR Pro Cup Series victory, but taking the point lead as well.

“I feel like if we could get ahead of Clay [Rogers, standings leader] in one of these races and lead some laps and finish a few spots ahead of him, we could come out of Langley leading the points,”  said Gibson, who trailed Rogers by 54 points heading into the season's fifth race. “But Clay and Caleb [Holman, third in points] are real strong at Langley, so we're going to have to be as good as they are, which I think we can.” 

In the season's first four races, Gibson hasn't finished outside the top 10. In fact, he's placed outside the top four only once and he took second at New Smyrna [Fla.] Speedway in his Mitigator Ford Fusion. The 25-year-old Gibson readily admits it's the best start he's had to a season since he joined the series.

“We've had a lot of good runs, but we've always ended up having some bad luck,” the Statesville, N.C., resident said. “Like a couple of years ago in the first race at Lakeland [Fla.] we were running in the top 5, someone missed a shift in front of us with 20 (laps) to go and we got caught up in a wreck. It just always seems like we have these good runs, but not had the luck that usually needs to come with it.

“This year, it's all kind of come together. We've known we were capable of running this way for quite some time, but we just haven't had the luck to go with it. The way we ended last year where we knocked off seven straight top 10s (before finishing 17th in the season finale) I knew we could come into this year running that well if we could keep the momentum going. I think some people are surprised (at our performance), but everybody with our team isn't because we've known that we can run this way.

“I'll admit I was kinda surprised at Gresham, first race of the year, that we led 50 laps and finished third. It kinda caught me off guard because I didn't think we'd hit the ground running that quick, but we've been able to use some pit strategy a couple of times and we've caught the breaks that we needed. It's been a good year so far and we're just hoping we can keep it going.”

Gibson cites acquiring Jody Lavender as his crew chief and a second car, as well as a change in the team's luck, as instrumental in the team's good performances this year. However, the 0.395-mile, slightly-banked Langley Speedway could present Gibson with his biggest challenge this season. Gibson describes Langley as being “one of my worst tracks” last year even though he finished 10th and seventh, respectively.

“For some reason, last year I just didn't get around that track that well,” Gibson said. “I think we can be decent there, but we're just going to have to work on it a little bit. It's a fun track and I absolutely love going there and racing because the fans pack that place. We had that four-wide finish there last year, so I really like racing there. It makes it more fun for us when you come around on the frontstretch and you see that place packed. It's a pretty neat place. To pass somebody, you either have to show a lot of patience or put the chrome horn to them, but it's a fun place to get around. I just need to get around it a little better.” 

Saturday's USAR Pro Cup Series action begins at noon with qualifying at 4:30 p.m. Fans will have the opportunity to meet the drivers during an autograph session at 5:45 p.m. The May 29 race begins at 7 p.m.

___________________________________________________________
 
     C O L U M N S / C O M M E N T A R I E S
___________________________________________________________
 
 Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/KR/052610.html
Conversations With Junior Johnson and Richard Petty
By Kim Roberson

 

Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/CA/052610.html
Kurt Busch brews, Kyle stews and some Vickers news
By Chuck Abrams

Red Bull turns to road course expert for VIR test

http://www.mtrmedia.com/cupseries/2010/05/red-bull-turns-to-road-course-expert-for-vir-test.html

RCR and ECR employees make trip to Nashville

http://www.mtrmedia.com/cupseries/2010/05/rcr-and-ecr-employees-make-trip-to-nashville.html

 

Preview: Live Chat With T.J. Majors and Steve Letarte, 5:15 p.m. May 26

http://www.sbnation.com/2010/5/25/1486782/dale-earnhardt-jr-amp-energy-hendrick-motorsports

 

NASCAR Fan Events Fill Charlotte Speedweeks

http://www.sbnation.com/2010/5/25/1487146/nascar-fan-events-fill-charlotte

___________________________________________________________
 
     T V  *  L I S T I N G S
___________________________________________________________
 
Courtesy of Race Fan TV
  http://www.racefantv.com/

 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 26
1:00A-1:30	espn2	NASCAR Now
7:30P-8:00	SPEED	NASCAR Race Hub, HD, N
10:00P-11:00	SHOW	Inside NASCAR, N
THURSDAY, MAY 27
12:00A-1:00A	SHOW	Inside NASCAR, R
1:30A-2:00	espn2	NASCAR Now
1:00P-2:00	SPEED	NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Iowa Speedway, Newton, IA, May 23/10, HD, N
2:00P-3:30	SPEED	NASCAR Nationwide Series PRACTICE, Tech-Net Auto Service 300, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC, HD, L
3:30P-5:00	SPEED	NASCAR Sprint Cup PRACTICE, Coca-Cola 600, Charlotte, NC, HD, L
5:00P-6:30	SPEED	NASCAR Nationwide Series FINAL PRACTICE, Tech-Net Auto Service 300, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC, HD, L
7:00P-9:30	SPEED	NASCAR Sprint Cup QUALIFYING, Coca-Cola 600, Charlotte, NC, HD, L
FRIDAY, MAY 28
1:30A-2:00	espn2	NASCAR Now
7:00A-8:30	SPEED	FIA Formula 1 PRACTICE, Turkish Grand Prix, Istanbul, Turkey, L
11:00A-12:30	VS	IRL IndyCar Indy 500 Carburetion Day Part #1, IMS, Indianapolis, IN, L
12:30P-1:30	VS	IRL Indy Lights Firestone Freedom 100, IMS, Indianapolis, IN, L
1:30P-4:00	VS	IRL IndyCar Indy 500 Carburetion Day Part #2, IMS, Indianapolis, IN, L
8:00P-10:30	SPEED	World of Outlaws, late models, Charlotte Motor Speedway, HD, L
SATURDAY, MAY 29
6:55A-8:00	TSN	FIA Formula 1 QUALIFYING, Turkish Grand Prix, Istanbul, Turkey, 16:9, L
7:00A-8:30	SPEED	FIA Formula 1 QUALIFYING, Turkish Grand Prix, Istanbul, Turkey, L (may be blacked out in Canada)
9:30A-11:30	SPEED/TSN2	NASCAR Nationwide Series QUALIFYING, Tech-Net Auto Service 300, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC, HD, L
11:30A-12:30	SPEED	NASCAR Sprint Cup PRACTICE, Coca-Cola 600, Charlotte, NC, HD, L
12:30P-2:00	SPEED	NASCAR Sprint Cup FINAL PRACTICE, Coca-Cola 600, Charlotte, NC, HD, L
1:30P-3:00	CBS	American Le Mans Series Monterey Sports Car Championships, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA, May 22/10
2:00P-2:30	ABC/TSN	NASCAR Nationwide Series COUNTDOWN, Tech-Net Auto Service 300, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC, HD, L
2:30P-5:30	ABC/TSN	NASCAR Nationwide Series Tech-Net Auto Service 300, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC, HD, L (expect green at 2:46P)
5:00P-7:00	SPEED	Australian V8 Supercars, Winton Motor Raceway, Winton, Victoria, AUS, May 16, N
6:30P-7:00	VS	IRL IndyCar Indy 500 pre-race show
SUNDAY, MAY 30
6:00A-7:30	SPEED	FIA GP2 Championship Series – at the Turkish Grand Prix, Instanbul, Turkey, May 29-30/10, N
7:30A-10:00	RDS	Les Grands Prix De Formule 1: Turquie, 16:9, L
7:30A-10:00	SPEED	FIA Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix, Istanbul, Turkey, L (may be blacked out in Canada)
7:55A-10:00	TSN	FIA Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix, Istanbul, Turkey. 16:9, L
9:00A-10:00	espn2	NASCAR Now, pre-race, L
12:00n-1:00P	ABC/TSN	IZOD Indycar Series PRE-RACE, Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis, IN, HD, L
1:00P-4:30	ABC/TSN	IZOD Indycar Series, Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis, IN, HD, L
3:00P-5:00	SPEED	NASCAR RaceDay, preview of today’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, HD, L
4:30P-5:30	VS	Indy 500 post-race show, L
5:00P-6:00	FOX/TSN2	NASCAR Sprint Cup PRE-RACE, Coca-Cola 600, Charlotte, NC, HD, L
6:00P-11:00	FOX/TSN2	NASCAR Sprint Cup Coca-Cola 600, Charlotte, NC, HD, L (expect green at 6:16P)
7:00P-8:00	SPEED	The SPEED Report, HD, N
9:00P-10:00	SPEED	Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain, HD, L
11:00P-12:00m	SPEED	NASCAR Victory Lane, Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, HD, L

 
We do not list all the programming offered by SPEED; for complete listings go to their website, http://www.speedtv.com/schedule/
 
Always CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS!
___________________________________________________________
 
The Stock Car Gazette
Copyright 2002-2009 by MotorSportsNews.Net
All Rights Reserved
 
DONATIONS
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=6356277

 

Find us on Twitter
http://www.twitter.com/motorsportsnews
 
SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE  INFORMATION
http://groups.google.com/group/StockCarGazette
 
Miss an edition of the Stock Car Gazette?  Visit the E-ZINE ARCHIVE:
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/stock-car-gazette/
 
IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE:  The Stock Car Gazette mailing list is maintained completely by MotorSportsNews.Net.  Therefore, we can tell you we have not and will not ever share your e-mail address with anyone for any reason.
 
IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE:  ALL broadcast, publication, retransmission to e-mail lists, WWW or any other copying or storage, in any medium, online or not, is STRICTLY PROHIBITED without PRIOR written permission from the editor. However, you MAY manually forward an issue by e-mail to your friends IF 1.) The text is forwarded IN ITS ENTIRETY including all subscription and web page information, and 2.) NO FEE is charged. We ALWAYS appreciate readers who report violations of the copyright to webm...@motorsportsnews.net.
 
IMPORTANT PERSONAL NOTICE:  Do you know for sure?  You can.  http://motorsportsnews.net/you-can-know-for-sure
___________________________________________________________