Sunday, July 6, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Saleen's Little Girl Making First NASCAR START
Sources close to STOCK CAR NEWS are telling me that Molly Saleen, daughter of Steve Saleen founder and president of Saleen, Inc., a specialty vehicle manufacturer, is making her first NASCAR start, in the #07 Ford owned by Baker Curb Racing (formerly Brewco Motorsports), sponsors on board are reportedly Arctic Ice and Mag-Z. She will be testing the next couple weeks but is due to start in the Camping World East race at Music City Motorplex on July 19 in the Camping World Series 150.
Her father Steven Saleen started Saleen Autosport in 1983. Saleen began improving the appearance and performance characteristics of the Ford Mustang. By 1984, Saleen had completed the first Saleen Mustang. He equipped the car with special aerodynamic, suspension and handling packages, and an attractive and highly functional cockpit. Proving that his car could successfully compete against the world’s top sports cars, Saleen brought home a win at the grueling 24-hour race in Mosport, Canada.
Molly Saleen is reportedly receiving training for her first race by a driver not named, but is a team mate of hers at Baker Curb Racing
Friday, July 4, 2008
NASCAR NEWS FOR THE WEEKEND
Top Sponsors Fuel the Return of TNT's 'Wide Open Coverage': TNT announced its full lineup of sponsors for this year's highly-touted Wide Open Coverage race telecast, which will air once again during the primetime Coke Zero 400 race from Daytona International Speedway on Sat., July 5th. The ten national sponsors, which matches last year's sponsorship commitment, featured in this year's innovative telecast include Coke Zero, Coors Light, HP, Papa John's, Sprint, Subway, Toyota, US Army, Viagra and Warner Bros. TNT's exclusive Wide Open Coverage telecast is a groundbreaking television presentation format that provides continuous race coverage free of national commercial breaks and features 22% more unobstructed race action than that of a standard telecast by using a letterbox widescreen format. In place of the national ads, the telecast features a variety of animated sponsor messages, unique branded content and distinct on-screen graphic elements. Wide Open Coverage debuted on TNT during the 2007 Daytona 400 race and showcased extended non-stop green flag racing, missing only three laps of green flag racing. The network's race coverage begins at 6:30pm/et with the NASCAR Live pre-race show hosted by Marc Fein with analysts Kyle Petty and Larry McReynolds, followed by the Allstate Countdown to Green at 7:30pm/et with Bill Weber, Wally Dallenbach and Petty with reports from pit reporters Marty Snider, Matt Yocum, Ralph Sheheen and Lindsay Czarniak. The race will begin at 8:00pm/et with a brief Wide Open Coverage introduction by Sprint Cup Series drivers Tony Stewart, Jamie McMurray and Greg Biffle
Martin back to fulltime in 2009, to the #5 HMS car: Mark Martin has signed a two-year agreement to drive for Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2009. Martin will race the full 2009 Sprint Cup schedule in the #5 Kellogg’s/CARQUEST Chevy, becoming teammates with #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson and #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. It will mark his first full season of Cup competition since 2006, when he finished ninth in points. A Batesville, Ark., native, Martin also is slated to run a partial Sprint Cup schedule for Hendrick Motorsports in 2010, sharing the #5 Chevys with a to-be-determined second driver. Martin will enter 26 events, including the non-points Budweiser Shootout and Sprint All-Star Race. “Mark is an incredible racer and one of the classiest guys around,” said Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, whose organization will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2009. “He is a driver who makes everyone around him better, and our entire company is going to benefit from his presence.”
“I feel very fortunate to have this chance to win races and go after a championship with Hendrick Motorsports,” Martin said. “Coming back full time wasn’t something we planned, but driving the #5 car, with all its history, was an impossible opportunity to pass up. Rick and I have enjoyed a great relationship over the years, and we’ve always talked about doing this. Now it’s working out, and we’re both excited about the possibilities.” Martin, 49, will be paired with crew chief Alan Gustafson, who now is in his fourth season at the helm of the #5 Kellogg’s/CARQUEST Chevy team. Gustafson has posted four Sprint Cup wins as a crew chief and has a history with Martin, having worked with him in multiple Nationwide Series events
Menard and Yates? John Menard, the wealthy businessman (Menards, the privately owned home improvements company), may be losing interest in NASCAR racing after so many years, according to sources. Menard, whose son #15-Paul is driving for DEI, is reportedly in negotiations with Ford’s Jack Roush, perhaps to help fellow owner Doug Yates keep afloat in this sport, which would involve a move from Chevrolet to Ford. “I don’t have any idea what might be going on there,” DEI’s Story said. “We just met with John, and everything is good.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Hornaday Wins NCTS O'Reilly 200
By Tim Tuttle, Special to Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (June 28, 2008) -- Ron Hornaday Jr. led the final 129 laps and survived a green-white-checkered finish to win the O'Reilly 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race Saturday night at Memphis Motorsports Park.
Hornaday's victory in the Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet was his third of the season and boosted him into the points lead, 27 in front of Matt Crafton. It was Hornaday's 36th career victory in the series, tops all-time.
Erik Darnell was second in a Roush Fenway Racing Ford and Crafton third in his ThorSport Racing Chevrolet.
Hornaday led 139 of the 204 laps, four over the scheduled distance on the .75-mile track. He pulled away from Darnell on the overtime restart, leading by two truck lengths into the first corner, and was never threatened. Hornaday's margin of victory was .269 seconds.
Each Memphis race winner is presented with a statuette of Elvis Presley, a copy of the full-size statue on Memphis' famous Beale Street.
"That Elvis (Presley) Trophy is the coolest in the world," Hornaday said. "I really wanted that trophy."
Hornaday started third and passed polesitter Johnny Benson for the lead on the inside in Turn 1 on the 44th lap. He tapped Benson's Bill Davis Racing Toyota in the rear in Turn 4 to set up the pass.
"Benson got loose and I got into the back of him," Hornaday said. "I'll take the blame. I didn't want to pass him that way, and Johnny knows that."
Hornaday was seventh and Benson eighth for a restart on Lap 58 following their first pit stops, trailing trucks that had either not pitted or pitted earlier.
The two blasted in tandem to the front, passing Stacy Compton on the inside of Turn 1 on Lap 76.
On the next restart on Lap 83, Benson's truck didn't accelerate. He limped around the track with an engine that didn't have any power and dropped out, finishing 33rd. Benson, who led 43 laps, fell from first to fourth in the points, 56 behind Hornaday.
"Benson had the truck to beat," Hornaday said. "He needed to break for us to win. I don't know if we want to be in the points lead. Everybody who gets in it seems to have problems."
Darnell's second-place run was his third straight top-five and fifth of the season.
"It was a really good night," Darnell said. "We qualified well and kept it up front most of the night. We were good on long runs. Ron (Hornaday) was better on restarts all night."
Darnell was 10th for the restart on Lap 83 and steadily worked his way forward. He passed Rick Crawford for second on the inside in Turn 1 on Lap 139 and stayed there to the checkered flag.
Crafton started 16th and charged to third, passing Crawford for the position on Lap 181 and holding it to the end. Crawford was fourth and David Starr finished fifth.
Stewart bags fifth Nationwide win at Loudon
By Reid Spencer, Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
LOUDON, N.H. (June 28, 2008) -- Aside from Tony Stewart becoming the 22nd different winner in 22 Nationwide Series races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the outcome of Saturday's Camping World RV Sales 200 was more of the same for NASCAR's Triple-A division.
Stewart's victory was the eighth of the season for the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, which has carried four different drivers to victory lane this year -- Stewart on five occasions and Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and rookie phenom Joey Logano once each.
Hamlin and Busch, in fact, chased Stewart for the final 64 laps, after Stewart took the lead for good on Lap 136. Hamlin, driving Braun Racing's No. 32 Toyota, was within a half-second of the leader when Greg Biffle crashed on Lap 200, the final circuit. The race ended under caution with Stewart, Hamlin and Busch in the top three spots, followed by Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards.
Stewart credited crew chief Dave Rogers, a native of the neighboring state of Vermont, with the consistently excellent performance of the No. 20 Camry.
"There've been four drivers (to) win in this car, so it's not the drivers -- that's for sure," Stewart said. "We're the fortunate ones to be able to drive this thing."
A two-tire call on Stewart's final pit stop in Lap 129 got the No. 20 Toyota out in third place for a restart on Lap 133. Three laps later, Stewart took the lead from Edwards, who had taken fuel only on the pit stop, with a smooth pass entering Turn 1.
On Lap 138, Hamlin passed Edwards for second, and Busch followed into third position three laps after that, but neither could overtake the leader.
"We didn't know it would come down to a track position race," said Busch, who took four tires on his final pit stop, restarted eighth and had to work his way through traffic. "We got out-strategized there at the end."
Notes: Todd Braun's No. 32 and No. 38 Toyotas were painted black, with no sponsor decals on either car. The cars were a symbol of mourning for the team owner's mother, Linda Braun, who died Wednesday. . . The race marked the first 1-2-3 Nationwide Series finish for Toyota. . . Stewart led 75 laps and Busch 63, as the Gibbs cars dominated. . . Series points leader Clint Bowyer finished ninth. . . Polesitter Landon Cassill had to start from the rear of the field because of an engine change. He gained 28 positions before a tap from Bobby Hamilton Jr. sent his No. 5 Chevy into the wall and out of the race on Lap 47. He finished 34th.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
MacDonald Takes NCWS East Checkered Flag at New Hampshire
LOUDON, N.H. (June 27, 2008) - Eddie MacDonald reached Victory Lane for the first time in 16 NASCAR Camping World Series East career starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Friday evening in the Heluva Good! Summer 125.
MacDonald (No. 71 Grimm Construction/NEMO Chevrolet) and Trevor Bayne (No. 1 Dale Earnhadt Chevrolet) traded the lead several times down the stretch before the final caution came out on lap 122. On the ensuing restart MacDonald got the jump on Bayne to pull away for the win by half a second.
"This is just awesome," MacDonald said. "The one goal we had this year was to win Loudon, and we got it."
The victory for MacDonald was the fourth of his NASCAR Camping World Series East career. A native of Rowley, Mass., his previous best career finish at New Hampshire was seventh in 2004. His last trip to Victory Lane was on June 18, 2007 at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway.
"We've led a lot of laps here," MacDonald said, "but never seemed to be able to finish it off."
Bayne, a rookie, wound up as the runner-up, followed by Matt Kobyluck. It was the best career finish for Bayne, who had been third twice. Kobyluck tied his best New Hampshire finish in his 25th start at the 1.058-mile oval.
Rookies Austin Dillon and Ricky Carmichael registered top-five finishes in their first race at New Hampshire.
Marc Davis, Mike Olsen, John Salemi, Brad Leighton and Brian Ickler rounded out the top 10.
The NASCAR Camping World Series East will return to New England for the sixth race of the 2008 season on Saturday, July 12 at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway.
NASCAR Camping World Series East-Heluva Good! 125 ResultsAt New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Loudon, N.H.
Lap length: 1.058 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (10) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Mass., Chevrolet, 127 laps, 81.011 mph, $13,900.
2. (6) Trevor Bayne, Knoxville, Tenn., Chevrolet, 127, $10,215.
3. (4) Matt Kobyluck, Uncasville, Conn., Chevrolet, 127, $8,450.
4. (1) Austin Dillon, Lewisville, N.C., Chevrolet, 127, $7,400.
5. (12) Ricky Carmichael, Clearwater, Fla., Chevrolet, 127, $6,500.
6. (7) Marc Davis, Mitchelville, MD., Toyota, 127, $5,900.
7. (21) Mike Olsen, North Haverhill, N.H., Chevrolet, 127, $5,100.
8. (24) John Salemi, Nashua, N.H., Chevrolet, 127, $4,600.
9. (22) Brad Leighton, Center Harbor, N.H., Chevrolet, 127, $4,100.
10. (2) Brian Ickler, San Diego, Calif., Chevrolet, 127, $4,200.
11. (18) Dustin Delaney, Mayfield, N.Y., Chevrolet, 127, $3,550.
12. (8) Jesus Hernandez, Fresno, Calif., Chevrolet, 127, $4,000.
13. (11) Jody Lavender, Hartsville, S.C., Chevrolet, 127, $3,900.
14. (33) Mike Johnson, Salisbury, Mass., Ford, 127, $4,800.
15. (16) Jeff Anton, Russell, Mass., Chevrolet, 127, $3,200.
16. (19) Max Dumarey, Gent, Belgium, Chevrolet, 127, $3,068.
17. (23) Jonathan Smith, Beacon Falls, Conn., Chevrolet, 127, $3,000.
18. (31) Charles Lewandoski, Stafford Springs, Conn., Toyota, 127, $2,950.
19. (15) Jamie Hayes, Norlina, N.C., Chevrolet, 127, $3,400.
20. (32) Joe Masessa, Franklin Lakes, N.J., Chevrolet, 127, $2,850.
21. (28) Alan Tardiff, Lyman, Me., Chevrolet, 127, $2,800.
22. (17) Craig Goess, Greenville, N.C., Toyota, 127, $2,750.
23. (13) Bryon Chew, Mattituck, N.Y., Chevrolet, 127, $3,200.
24. (26) Derek Thorn, Lakeport, Calif., Ford, 126, $2,675.
25. (36) Chase Mattioli, Long Pond, Pa., Ford, 125, $2,650.
26. (35) Antonio Perez, Mexico City, Mex., Dodge, 120, accident, $2,625.
27. (29) Scott Bouley, Wolcott, Conn., Chevrolet, 120, $2,600.
28. (3) Steve Park, East Northport, N.Y., Chevrolet, 118, $3,100.
29. (14) Peyton Sellers, Danville, VA., Chevrolet, 118, $3,100.
30. (20) Ryan Duff, Hazard, Ky., Chevrolet, 108, accident, $2,600.
31. (34) Patrick Dupree, Saranac Lake, N.Y., Dodge, 108, accident, $2,600.
32. (9) Rogelio Lopez, Aquascalientes, Mexico, Chevrolet, 102, $3,100.
33. (30) Todd Peck, Glenville, PA., Chevrolet, 81, accident, $2,600.
34. (5) Jeffrey Earnhardt, Mooresville, N.C., Chevrolet, 34, accident, $3,100.
35. (25) Bobby Hamilton, Jr., Nashville, Tenn, Dodge, 23, accident, $2,600.
36. (27) James Pritchard, Wharton, N.J., Dodge, 0, engine, $2,600.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 39 minutes 31 seconds
Margin of Victory: .515 secs
Fastest Qualifier: Field set as per rulebook, rain.
Caution Flags: 7 for 44 laps.
Lead Changes: 9 among 6 drivers.
Lap Leaders: M.Kobyluck 1-35; R.Lopez 36-41; E.MacDonald 42-70; B.Ickler 71-104; J.Hernandez 105-106; M.Kobyluck 107-118; T.Bayne 119-120; E.MacDonald 121-124; T.Bayne 125; E.MacDonald 126-127.
Standings: 1. A.Dillon, 807; 2. M.Kobyluck, 759; 3. B.Ickler, 731; 4. T.Bayne, 731; 5. M.Davis, 702; 6. E.MacDonald, 690; 7. J.Hernandez, 677; 8. S.Park, 669; 9. R.Carmichael, 654; 10. J.Earnhardt, 631.
