Joey Logano stands on the hood of his No. 22 Ford Fusion at the after race celebrationLogano edges ahead of teammate Brad Keselowski at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday August 23, 2014
Bristol, Tennessee – Joey Logano took the lead at Bristol on Saturday night in his No. 22 Ford Fusion race car with just 44 laps to go and then won the race to the finish line in amazing fashion. This first win at Bristol Motor Speedway cements his position in the race to the Sprint Cup Chase in two weeks time and serves notice to the other drivers with three wins this season that he’s definitely ready to battle for the championship.
Currently, the three teammates Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Logano’s teammate Brad Keselowski also have three race wins this Sprint Cup season. It appears the main battle for the Sprint Cup Championship for 2014 is going to be headed by the three drivers for HendrickMotorsports and two for Penske Racing.
During the after race interview Joey Logano said he wants this win to say one thing, “That we can win the thing. What a Shell/Pennzoil Ford there. When I woke up this morning I wasn’t sure if we were a winning car or not, but Todd Gordon is good salesman. He pretty much sold me into thinking we had a winning car and we made some small adjustments on it all night and got our third win of the year. What a year we’re having. I’m having so much fun. The past six or seven races have been unbelievable. We’ve been running up front and it’s just been so much fun. I’ve got to thank Shell, obviously Ford, Sprint and everyone that helps out at Penske – Discount Tire, Hertz, Auto Trader. This is like one of the three biggest races of the year, I feel like – the Bristol Night race – and to have this in the record books with your name on it is really, really cool.” HOW IMPORTANT WAS PATIENCE TONIGHT? “Important and not important. On the restart there when we were sixth with tires I said, ‘I’ve got to capitalize right now.’ So I went as hard as I could, raced the 20 really hard and got everybody I could and then I was trying to keep up. The 20 was really fast and then there at the end I had something going wrong. I don’t know if it was the brakes or a hub failing in the rear, but it started vibrating really bad and getting really loose. I’m like, ‘Oh, come on. A couple more laps, a couple more laps.’ So of course there’s always added drama at the end that you don’t want, but patience didn’t come into play and then when I was racing the 24 there at the end it did come into play. We were able to make there at the end.”
“I feel like the Bristol night race is maybe the third or fourth biggest race of the year,” Logano said. “Just the atmosphere before the race, if it doesn’t pump you up, nothing does. It’s just the baddest mamma jamma race track ever built.”
The full race result for the Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 23, 2014 are below.
Sparta, Kentucky ( 2012-03-12) – Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI) just announced they had acquired 143-acres of land to be used to expand parking facilities at the Kentucky Speedway. They are also hiring new staff and engineering personnel to help manage automotive and pedestrian traffic at the track during race days. Presently, the firm plans on investing $7.5 million in order to achieve these goals in the months ahead.
Speedway Motorsports Inc. is improving parking facility at the Kentucky Speedway
The Kentucky Department of Transportation is also planning on enhancing parking access by improving connecting highways to the Kentucky Speedway.
“We learned meaningful lessons during our inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend and we committed that the traffic congestion that occurred on race day would not happen again. It was important for us to act quickly and I am thrilled to report this solution, which was formed in only seven short weeks. I compliment and thank SMI Chairman and CEO Bruton Smith, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and KYTC Sec. Mike Hancock for working collaboratively on this plan,” Kentucky Speedway General Manager Mark Simendinger said.
Speedway Motorsports expects the expanded parking facilities to increase available parking at the race track by about 35 percent with this announcement. They also plan on further improving the track by reenforcing all areas using gravel and by implementing new painting guidelines to maximize parking at the site.
The firm has hired Veteran’s Security and Patrol to manage parking during up coming races at the Kentucky Speedway. This security firm currently provides similar security and parking services at racing venues like the Daytona International Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Watkins Glen International. The Kentucky Speedway will also use the services of a top traffic engineering firm to help implement and assimilate the changes being planned and create the best possible traffic plan for the site.
“Kentucky Speedway is a premier destination for the country’s best racing, and it’s clear that tens of thousands of people want to be right here to experience those events. The NASCAR race weekend this July was a huge success, but it did experience traffic problems, caused largely by inadequate parking,” said Gov. Beshear. “To assure visitors have an even better experience next year, we’ve worked hand in hand with SMI to plan improvements that will benefit fans on race day and Gallatin County residents year-round.”
Joey Logano wins the 2013 Nationwide Series 5-Hour Energy 200
Dover, Delaware (September 28, 2013) – Joey Logano raced his way into the history books again on Saturday, winning his fourth straight NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Dover International Speedway in the 5-Hour Energy 200. Joey Logano is now the only NASCAR Nationwide driver to ever win four times on the Monster Mile of Dover and the only driver to win four consecutive events in any racing series at the mile long superspeedway in Delaware.
When asked about his historic day, Joey answered. “This has been my favorite place ever since I started here. Even when I barrel-rolled down the straightaway, it’s still my favorite place.”
With four straight wins at the Monster Mile, it is not hard to see why this track is his favorite place to race. The race on Saturday at the old track was recorded as the fastest ever in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, beating the previous record of 130.152 set in 1998 by Dale Earnhardt. Jr. by 1.082 mph.
The fast race was really due to the 160 laps they raced under a green flag. Logano had the pole advantage and due to this was ahead for the first 18 laps, before Kyle Busch made his move. By the time they reached the 26th lap things became a lot tighter on the track, when the caution flag was raised due to a spin by Brian Scott. The caution flag was raised again during Lap 37, when Donnie Neuenberger ran into the wall. By this time in the race, the race car of Joey Logano was running noticeably slower on the track. This prompted Joey to come into the pits for a long stop, during which time he had this to say.
“[Busch was] really fast in the beginning of the race and we were really loose,” Logano said. “I even wanted to stop at the caution before that. But we decided to stay out a little bit longer and got that next caution. We took that hit on pit road making these big adjustments. “These Nationwide races are short and you have to make big swings early. [Crew chief] Jeremy [Bullins] made some big swings on this thing and got it close, and we just needed the one more stop to fine tune it. I was just able to run my race and take care of the tires, and do the right things in the car.”
The extended pit stop worked wonders for the race car of Logano and Busch had elected to stay out on the track and gain ground, instead of pitting. When Busch eventually had to head into the pit during Lap 87, the rest of the field followed his example a few laps later, and this put Busch behind the rest of the racers on pit stops, and would mean he would need to stop one more time before the end of the race.
By this time the tires of Logano were 30 laps newer than the race tires of Busch and he started to rapidly gain ground on the leader. He caught Busch on Lap 141 and from that point on there was nothing but open race track between him and the finish line.
Logano “When your car drives good here and you have what you need, when you have lapped traffic it doesn’t even slow you down,” Logano said. “When you’re loose, you get stuck. In these Nationwide races, being able to get through the lapped traffic as quick as possible is key to winning these things.”
At the press conference after the 5-Hour Energy 200 Joey Logano had a few things to say.
Joey Logano – No. 22 Hertz Ford Mustang – We had a fast race car. I don’t know what else I need to say. This Hertz Ford was really good when we unloaded and then throughout practice the track changed on us a little bit and last night we made some good changes on the race car. Jeremy and all the guys and girls on the team did a good job tuning the thing up for me. We started the race too loose and they went for it. These Nationwide races are short. You’ve got to make big swings real early and I feel like Jeremy and I have worked enough together now that when I say loose and how loose he kind of knows how much it is and he made some big swings on this thing and got it pretty close. Then we needed one more stop to just kind of fine-tune it. After that second green-flag stop it was dialed in pretty good. I was just able to run my race and take care of the tires, make sure I was doing the right things in the car, and get another victory. It’s just really cool to get four in a row here at Dover. That’s pretty awesome. It’s been my favorite race track ever since I started here, yes, even when I barrel-rolled down the back straightaway it’s still my favorite place, and I think we showed it today. Hopefully, my Shell/Pennzoil Ford tomorrow is just as fast as this one. If that’s the case, it’s gonna be a lot of fun.”
The No. 22 Hertz Ford
The crew chief for the No. 22 Hertz Ford Mustang, Jeremy Bullins, also had few comments on the race and car.
Jeremy Bullins – Crew Chief -No. 22 Hertz Ford Mustang “It means a lot that we’re continuing to build good cars. This is another brand new car that the guys at the shop built. We just keep pushing forward and, like Joey said, the first race here we learned a lot about what the car needs for him. I feel like we’ve learned a lot about, like what he says, when he says ‘loose’ we’re learning how to work on it and we’re getting closer with that. We talked about it before the race, there were a lot of streaks to be kept alive today and I think we managed to pull that off, so it was just a great day on pit road. The guys did a good job. The whole team just did an excellent job today.”
When asked why it has been so hard for him to have success on the race track on Sunday at Dover International Speedway, Joey answered.
Joey Logano “I tell you what, on the Cup side I really do feel like I’ve had some strong cars here. I’ve had a lot of misfortune in the Cup races, but I’ve had a lot of fast race cars here that are capable of running top five. I’ve had loose wheels. I’ve had flat tires. I’ve had motors blowing up. I’ve gone through a lot here at this race track and that’s why if you look at the stats like you did, you wouldn’t know that we ran as well as we did, but we have run really well at this race track on the Cup side. I’m expecting tomorrow to be similar, I hope. As far as the way the Chase has gone, Chicago, we were doing everything we were supposed to do. We got the pole and we were leading laps, but unfortunately things break on race cars every now and again and that cost us a really good finish there and a lot of points, obviously. Last week at Loudon, it’s probably my toughest race track that I go to. I go from the place that I hate the most to the place I love the most this week and we came out of there with a 14th-place finish, which is not good, but, for me, is decent actually. We come here this weekend and we know that we can still run up there. We still have a lot of momentum on this team and we know what we did to get in the Chase and how good we are, and we’ve just got to keep pushing forward and keep fighting. I always say that the 22 team over there never quits and they never die and that’s what we did to get here. We’re not out of it yet. We can still win it. We’ve got a tough road ahead of us and we really can’t have a bad race in the next eight, but we can still do it. We’re not out yet. The fat lady is not singing yet. She’s warming up her voice, but she’s not singing yet.”
Was it surprising to see this race run 160 laps to the finish line without a caution and were you surprised how easily you caught up to Busch after the series of green flags evened out?
Joey Logano “Yes and yes. They were really fast in the beginning of the race. We were really loose, so I even wanted to stop the caution before that because we were hanging on. We were pretty loose, but we decided to stay out a little bit longer and then got that next caution. We took our hit on pit road a little bit making these big adjustments that we were gonna lose a couple spots and some guys took two, and then we were able to drive our way close to the front and then, obviously, he didn’t pit so he has to pit earlier than us, and then at that point we have newer tires so we were able to kind of run him back down. I don’t really know what happened after that. I was just driving in circles as fast as I could.”
“That’s when we just came out on new tires and I radioed in to Jeremy and said, ‘This car is right on. It’s right where I need it to be,’ and I was able to carry really fast lap times. When your car drives good here and you have exactly what it needs, when you get to lap traffic it doesn’t even slow you down. But if it’s loose like it was, you get to a lapped car and you’re just kind of stuck and you can’t go anywhere. He had it right where I needed to be that I was able to pass cars when I got to them and really make up that gap a lot because in these Nationwide races having a fast car is one thing, but being able to get through the lap traffic as quick as possible is key to winning these things.”
Concord, North Carolina (Oct. 12, 2013) – Kyle Busch will be looking to win at the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the thirteenth time during the upcoming Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race on October 12, 2013. His twelve victories at the old track in North Carolina rank him first in Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series wins, but he still hasn’t managed to win a Sprint Cup Series race on the legendary 1.5-mile superspeedway in Charlotte.
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a 1.5-mile monster drivers either love or hate, or both
Kyle recently stated he was looking forward to getting his first Sprint Cup Series win during the Bank of America 500, and taking home a Bruton Smith trophy to put on his mantle.
Kyle is ready to race on October 12 for his chance at a championship
Kyle Busch “That elusive win in the Cup series has eluded us here,” Busch said. “We’ve had a lot of great runs – some second place finishes and third place finishes and a lot of good runs where we’ve led a lot of laps, but in the last run of the race it seems like we’re just a little bit off. But we’re looking forward to Oct. 12 here at the Bank of America 500 and being able to take home one of those nice gold (Bruton Smith) trophies.”
Kyle will need to have a strong Bank of America 500 on October 12, if he wants to make a run at winning the Chase. This race will be the fifth of the ten races included in the Chase, and he’ll need to have a strong position heading into this event. His overall record on this superspeedway gives him a good chance, one would think, but anything can happen out on the track. Once you get out there all previous records get thrown out the window and it’s everybody for himself. He’ll need Lady Luck on his side, if he’s going to be successful.
Kyle certainly knows the value of this race, “You want to get off to a good start (in the Chase),” he said. “Our team, the Joe Gibbs Racing team, obviously has gotten off to a good start. Once you get past the halfway point, that’s sort of when you define the contenders… That’s when you know who you’re going to be racing against for the championship.”
Winner of two Bank of America 500 races and NASCAR legend Dale Jarrett was recently asked if he had some advice to give Kyle Busch on how to win at the old track in North Carolina. “What am I going to tell Kyle Busch about winning here? He obviously knows how to win,” said Jarrett, who was seated in front of all 12 of Busch’s trophies from his Nationwide and Camping World Truck series wins at Charlotte. “He’s, if not the best driver I’ve seen come through the ranks of NASCAR, he’s certainly one of the top three. It’s just incredible what he does with a racecar. What I can offer is that, as much as you can have a good car – he has plenty of talent – but good fortune is probably the best thing you can have on your side.”
Kyle Busch fans can watch their hero race for his thirteenth win and first Sprint Cup Series victory at the superspeedway in Charlotte on October 12, 2013. They can also catch all of the fun happening on October 10 and 11, like the Bojangles’ Pole Night and the UNOH Southern Slam, and the Dollar General 300. Just tell them Warren sent you over to have some fun.
The 2013 Better Half Dash is set for October 10 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Concord, North Carolina (Sept. 26, 2013) – Ladies start your engines! The girls of NASCAR are set to race 25 laps for charity during the third annual Better Half Dash on October 10 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The last two events saw Jacquelyn Butler walk away with the prized six-foot pink trophy in 2011. Last year the wife of NASCAR driver Travis Pastrana, Lyn-z Pastrana, drove to victory during the second annual Better Half Dash. This year last seasons champion indicates she is looking forward to repeating her success at Charlotte.
Lyn-z showing off her 2012 big pink Better Half Dash trophy
The ladies of NASCAR are set to run down the track in North Carolina just before the NASCAR Sprint Cup racers head out on the track to see who can do the fastest lap on Bojangles’ Pole Night. The ladies of NASCAR will drive U.S. Legend Cars International Banderos around the frontstretch quarter-mile for bragging rights and charities like Motor Racing Outreach and Speedway Children’s Charities.
The ladies from the 2012 Better Half Dash
Below you can check out which ladies are set to drive during the 2013 Better Half Dash.
Wendy Venturini, motorsports analyst for Fox Sports 1
Lyn-z Pastrana, wife of NASCAR driver Travis Pastrana
Kristen Yeley, wife of NASCAR driver J.J. Yeley
Michelle Gilliland, wife of NASCAR driver David Gilliland
Ashley Stremme, wife of NASCAR driver David Stremme
Heidi Stoddard, wife of NASCAR team owner Frank Stoddard
Jessica Park, wife of NASCAR driver Steve Park
Gina Cope, wife of NASCAR crew chief Ernie Cope
Amy Gordon, wife of NASCAR crew chief Todd Gordon
Melanie Self, a representative of Motor Racing Outreach
The better half of the team of Pastrana, Lyn-z is a sports professional, being a eight-time X Games medalist, and keeps her trophy from last year in their bedroom. She apparently likes her big pink trophy and expectations are for Lyn-z to be very competitive during the 2013 Better Half Dash.
Better Half Dash defending champion and eight-time X Games medalist, Pastrana is no stranger to winning, and she has a special fondness for her six-foot pink Better Half Dash trophy. “It’s actually sitting in our bedroom. None of Travis’ trophies are in our bedroom,” Pastrana said. “I’ve never gotten a trophy like that ever in all my action sports.” “It’s definitely a really fun experience,” Pastrana said. “It’s cool to get to know some of the other wives and bring the community together a little bit more.”
The starting positions for the 2013 Better Half Dash will be determined by qualifying on October 7, 2013, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Race enthusiasts hoping to lend a hand to their favorite driver can show up to add their support, since the driver collecting the most donations will be in front of the field heading to the green flag. You can also help the charities each driver is helping by donating a few dollars in their name by visiting www.go2mro.com/betterhalfdash.
Race fans can also have a little fun watching their favorite drivers act as crew chiefs and spotters during the 2013 Better Half Dash. The husbands will be in the pit taking care of the girls’ cars, but aren’t allowed to make any engine, chassis or suspension changes.
The lady that walks away with the 2013 Better Half Dash Championship will be given $10,000. $5,000 she can hand out to her favorite charities, while the other $5,000 will be given to Speedway Children’s Charities and Motor Racing Outreach.
This event is a must attend party for all race fans and ladies looking to have a little fun. Men can bring their better halves, while the ladies can hang out and talk to the girls of NASCAR.
See you at the track in Charlotte on October 10, 2013, for the 2013 Better Half Dash.
This weekend the NASCAR Sprint series will be at Dover International Speedway. Ford racing fans are looking forward to another great run on this track for Greg Biffle, who always seems to run well at this venue.
Greg Biffle is currently fifty in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings as we head to Dover International Speedway this weekend for the AAA 400. We asked him if he would drop by the infield media center after his practice session to talk about his chances of driving his way to the Chase championship in the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion.
Greg looked pretty fast on the track during the practice session
“What are your thoughts on the race this weekend?”
Greg Biffle “It’s been a great track for us, although as of late we’ve struggled a little bit here as an organization. We’re looking forward to turning that around like we’ve been able to do at Richmond and some of the short tracks we’ve been a lot better on as of late. We targeted this place to be a place we need to improve at and I feel that so far we’ve been a little bit better than we had been in the spring time here. That gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the weekend and what we’re able to do with the car tomorrow.”
“Some think the Chase is really a three-man race this year. What are your thoughts on making it a four-man race? You always seem to have success during the Chase.”
Biffle “The Chase, from what I understand, is made up of 10 races and to be two races into the Chase and say it’s a three-man race already, to me, seems silly as to why somebody would want to put themselves in that position and say it’s a three-man race. Obviously, you don’t have anything on the line. It’s not like we’re making a wager in Vegas that it’s a three-man race. It’s somebody’s opinion and everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but I can’t imagine with eight races to go that somebody would be willing to say, ‘Oh, this is a three-man race.’ Take for instance last week, we finished third and moved up six spots in the points to fifth. I don’t know how one would say it’s a three-man race. Now, if Kenseth goes on and wins the title does that mean it’s a three-man race or does that mean it’s a one-man race? I don’t know. I just think there are more than three cars in this thing right now. Now, if we get past Talladega and there are four races to go or three races to go, I could see that. But they could break for three races in a row and maybe not even go to Vegas and not even be in the top 10. So I’d say it’s a little early is all I was getting at. I wouldn’t be the one putting my name on the line to say there are only three cars in this hunt right now. I wasn’t necessarily saying that for the 16 team. I wasn’t making the case that it’s not a three-man race because of us, I wouldn’t count out Carl Edwards or any of those other guys that are right there in the hunt. Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, I wouldn’t be counting those guys out just yet is all I was saying. I wasn’t saying it just because of our case of one race we finished third and moved to fifth in points, that wasn’t the point I was making.”
“Ford racing hasn’t won a Chase in quite awhile. Are there any common reasons you can think of that would have caused this during the last decade? Do you feel a lot of added pressure, because of this, to win the championship this year?”
Biffle “I can’t really answer why we haven’t won a title. You look at Carl and Carl tied for the points championship. It doesn’t get any close than that and in 2005 we finished under the old point system 35 points behind Tony with a major hiccup with three races to go. Potentially, with not much in history changed, we’ve got two championships right there. Some teams have probably done a little better job than we have and you look at Matt Kenseth for example. He’s got seven wins on the season. That might indicate some of the reasons why they’ve got more championships than we’ve got. We’ve still got a little bit more work to do. We’ve come a tremendously long way and I think we’re fairly competitive right now.”
There have been people who have suggested you Ford racers haven’t always garnered the attention other drivers get, even though you have showed pretty good, finishing in the top five year after year. Do you feel these comments are warranted?
Biffle “I think that’s just historically the way it’s been. You talk about the guys that are having success and how great it is. That’s sort of been the way it is. Am I surprised they’re not talking about Carl? A little bit. Am I surprised they’re not talking about the 16? Not really because we tend to slide a little bit under the radar all the time anyway, so it doesn’t bother me. It gives you motivation to do well and compete every week and try to get what you can. Like I always said before, if you’re winning races or you win the championship, they have to talk about you so put yourself in that position – put yourself in the position Matt is and they’re gonna be talking about you.”
Would you rather be in the position Matt was in? Can you think of any particular reason Matt didn’t have consistent success during his run with Roush?
Biffle “That’s a hard one. I couldn’t pinpoint any particular reason why, but the other thing is I don’t mind flying a little under the radar. It’s a little less pressure sometimes.”
How does it feel to have a teammate in the Chase? What things do you share with each other? How do you compete against each other?
“Carl and I have a lot of respect for each other. We had an incident earlier in the season at Michigan where the whole organization sat down and I think we understand each other and appreciate each other’s abilities a lot more since that meeting and we kind of do what we can to help one another that doesn’t hurt yourself and that’s what came out of that meeting in Sonoma after the Michigan race and that’s the way we’ve really handled it since then. Carl and I are parked next to each other in the garage and we’re talking about our cars and competition and how our car is in race trim versus qualifying trim, so we share everything and try to help one another with what we can.”
Charlotte Motor Speedway (Sept. 18, 2013) – The hovercraft comes of age this weekend during the Charlotte AutoFair at the speedway in North Carolina. People on hand will have a chance to have a closer look at a vehicle that can travel over just about any land surface and talk to experts on hand about their all-terrain vehicle. Expectations are for the co-creator, Michael Mercier, to possibly be on hand at times to talk about his invention and everything it is capable of doing.
Hovercraft were first mentioned in the documents of Swedish scientist Emanuel Swedenborg back in the early 1800s.
The first recorded vehicle capable of travelling over water, like an invention of this type, was built around 1915 by Dagobert Muller.
Christopher Cockerell is credited with designing and engineering the first practical all-terrain vehicle supported on air during the 1950s.
Michael Mercier and his invention were on hand Tuesday at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and we had a chance to take a look at the vehicle. The driver sits in an open cockpit, with the co-pilot next to him for support. The overall length of the hovercraft is around 150 inches and it comes in at only 800 pounds, which is reasonably light. This vehicle is constructed using materials and techniques first developed in the aerospace, marine and automotive industries, like carbon fiber and metal alloys.
The driver sits in an open cockpit
This vehicle is powered by a 40-horsepower engine, similar to the one on a V-twin Harley, that provides the energy to operate three independent motors, which are connected to the fans used to push this baby around. Getting from zero to 50 mph takes about ten seconds on average, with top speed reaching around 80 mph. The designers also added a 10-gallon fuel tank to this vehicle, which allows it to cruise for around 150 miles, before being refuelled.
You can expect to pay around $30,000 for this new hovercraft, once they begin selling this vehicle, sometime in the future. Drop by the apocalypse survival vehicles display this weekend during the Charlotte AutoFair and have a look at this vehicle. This new invention could be the best way to survive the next zombie infestation and you want to be able to outrun the dead.
While you’re at the fair check out the vehicles on display and the latest in automotive parts and memorabilia for sale. Expectations are for sellers to bring around 1500 collectible cars and 200 newer cars to the fair to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. There will even be rides, games and other forms of entertainment on hand to keep the kids happy.
All of the fun runs from Thursday to Saturday at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and we expect thousands of car, and hovercraft, lovers to be on hand. Prices for the affair are very reasonable, at $10 for adults, while kids under 13 enter free when with an adult. Just tell them Warren sent you down to have a good time.
For more information on the Charlotte Motor Speedway and the events occurring this weekend, drop by www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.
The Ford race cars of Roush Yates were setting new time records all weekend, first on the race grid and record-book fast both in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series, and ARCA Series.
Sam Hornish Jr. turned in the fastest time in the battle for pole position for the Nationwide Zippo 200 on Saturday for the second straight year at The Glen in the record lap of 123.291 mph. This speed beat the previous mark of 123.241 mph set two years ago by Kurt Busch.
Eventually, Brad Keselowski would beat his teammate Sam Hornish Jr. to the finish line on Saturday to win the Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International. In the end, all three Penske race cars led the 200-mile race for the duration, accept for nine laps. This Nationwide Series win is the fourth in a row for Brad Keselowski and the ninth Nationwide Series win of 2013 for Ford Racing and Roush Yates Engines.
The performance by Brad Keselowski was truly amazing. Starting in fifth position he managed to move steadily up the ladder and would eventually lead a total of 46 laps in the No. 22 Hertz Ford Mustang.
He had to take the lead from his teammate and friend Joey Logano with just 16 turns around the track to go and keep Sam Hornish Jr. behind him to win by just 1.418 seconds in the end to win.
Mason Mitchell drove his No. 82 Happy Cheeks Ford to the pole position in the record lap of 93.963 on the Berlin Raceway on Saturday for Empire Racing-Mason Mitchell Motorsports during the ARCA Series. Mason will now see his name in the record books, with the top qualifying lap at the .4375-mile race track.
The driver for the No. 9 Stanley Ford, Marcus Ambrose, won the pole for the Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International on Sunday in the record-breaking lap of 128.241 mph. This mark is one mile an hour faster than the old mark of 127.020, set by Juan Pablo Montoya just one year ago. The 128 mph mark set by Marcus Ambrose occurred during the last qualifying group and proved too much for the other drivers on the track to match on Sunday.
The new Gen-6 race car appeared to handle the track better than the old car and it was obvious drivers were able to stay off the gas a little more, which seemed to help the brakes on the cars a bit. Watkins Glen appears to be a good track for Gen-6 race cars and the times recorded back this up.
All in all, a really good day for Penske Racing, but they still have some work to do to catch Austin Dillon. They sit just three points behind after this race, as the battle for the Nationwide Series Championship continues in Mid-Ohio next week.
DOVER, Del. – Dover International Speedway and 5-hour ENERGY® are proud to announce that they have renewed their partnership into the future, with 5-hour ENERGY serving as the title sponsor for the June 2, 2012 “5-hour ENERGY 200” NASCAR Nationwide Series race at the Monster Mile.
Race fans who visit the track on race weekend will have the chance to try 5-hour ENERGY while enjoying the action on the track, as brand representatives will be stationed throughout the Speedway and Dover Downs Hotel & Casino passing out complimentary samples.
“We are pleased to extend our partnership with Dover International Speedway and Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. The staff does a great job in helping us achieve our marketing objectives and expose new consumers to the benefits of 5-hour ENERGY. We look forward to another great 5-hour ENERGY 200,” said Rise Meguiar, vice president of sales for Living Essentials, makers of 5-hour ENERGY.
The extension at Dover International Speedway is just another step in a growing NASCAR presence for 5-hour ENERGY, as the company was the sponsor for the 2011 spring NASCAR Nationwide Series race at the Monster Mile. In addition, 5-hour ENERGY will have a full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series presence next year as the primary sponsor for the Michael Waltrip Racing No. 15 Toyota, driven by Clint Bowyer.
“We’re happy to extend our partnership with 5-hour ENERGY,” said Denis McGlynn, president and CEO of Dover Motorsports, Inc. “Our unique location in the heart of the mid-Atlantic region, which features the largest sporting venue in the area, a 500-room hotel and full-service casino, provides 5-hour ENERGY with the opportunity to interact with hundreds of thousands of existing and potential customers.”
Fans can follow 5-hour ENERGY on Twitter at @5hourENERGYGuy, “like” the Facebook page at Facebook.com/5hourENERGYShot or log on to www.5hourENERGY.com for more information about 5-hour ENERGY products, the motorsports program, and various contests and promotions.
In addition to the June 2, 2012 “5-hour ENERGY 200” NASCAR Nationwide Series race, tickets are now on sale for the June 1, 2012 “Lucas Oil 200” NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race and June 3, 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. For tickets or more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.
About 5-hour ENERGY®
5-hour ENERGY® is the original liquid energy shot. Introduced in 2004, it is designed to help working adults maintain a feeling of energy and alertness. It contains a blend of B-vitamins and amino acids, zero sugar, four calories, and as much caffeine as a cup of the leading premium coffee. It’s available at most major retailers.
# # #
Dover Motorsports, Inc. is a leading promoter of NASCAR sanctioned motorsports events whose subsidiaries own and operate Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware and Nashville Superspeedway near Nashville, Tennessee. For further information, log on to www.dovermotorsports.com.
Speedway, Americrown dole out more than $618,000 to local service groups in 2011
Brooklyn, Mich. (Dec. 22, 2011) – The spirit of giving isn’t just a seasonal belief at Michigan International Speedway; it’s the racetrack’s way of life, providing a valuable fund-raising platform for the community.
In 2011 alone, Michigan International Speedway and its catering and concession partner Americrown donated or paid out more than $618,000 to local charities and service groups through cash donations and work programs.
The speedway and Americrown annually work with service groups, church groups, Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions clubs, masons, high school sporting clubs and a host of other non-profit organizations to provide a platform for those groups to earn money for their causes and programs during the racetrack’s events.
Imagine how long it would take a high school cheer leading team to generate more than a half-million dollars. That’s a lot of bake sales, car washes and lemonade stands.
“We provide many annual opportunities for local clubs to earn some money for their groups,” speedway President Roger Curtis said. “We couldn’t run our business without the help of these clubs; but they certainly couldn’t raise the money they need without us, either.”
Service groups annually and frequently assist MIS in a number of ways including tram drivers, car parkers, ticket stubbers, program sellers, T-shirt folders, gate staffers, hamburger flippers and soda jerkers.
Members of Acts 4:9 Church, a Jackson, Mich., church and Bible study group, drive trams at MIS on race weekends so they can earn money to fund projects in the community. They adopt deployed soldiers and their families for Christmas, buy Thanksgiving and Christmas turkeys for local families in need and, most recently, enclosed a screened-in porch of a local food bank so the food bank could use the new space for much-needed storage with some of the funds they raised.
“By far, the most money we raise is at MIS,” Tim Lamphere, treasurer and project coordinator for Acts 4:9, said. “We would never be able to make as much money as we do to fund these important projects or make the impact that we do without the speedway. And we have fun while we’re there, too.”
The group has been working at MIS for about six years, though many of the members have worked at the racetrack for much longer.
Additionally, MIS Cares, the speedway’s charity arm, recently awarded $75,000 in cash donations to local charities through its annual grant program. Another $50,000 was awarded through sponsorships and tickets that groups raffle off, also to raise money for their clubs.
Service groups interested in assisting at MIS for future events may call Tim Booth, director of Guest Services, at 517-592-6666 to place your service group on a list.
Groups looking for grants or financial assistance should log onto http://www.MISpeedway.com and click the MIS Cares link at the top of the page.
Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.
The best, guaranteed lowest prices in 2012 will go to customers who make a $10 goodwill deposit. New customers can log onto http://www.MISpeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 to leave a deposit by Jan. 31. That deposit ensures race fans get the best pricing for 2012.
All other tickets go on sale Feb. 1.
Michigan International Speedway 2012 Schedule
Saturday, May 19 Great Lakes Wine Fest presented by Jackson County CVB
Friday, June 15 ARCA Racing Series RainEater Wiper Blades 200
Saturday, June 16 NASCAR Nationwide Series Alliance Truck Parts 250
Sunday, June 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Friday, Aug. 17 Gatorade Pole Day
Saturday, Aug. 18 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Entertainment History Today 