CHRISTIAN MILLER RE-JOINS COMPASS360 RACING IN 2009

December 31st, Toronto, Canada -- Compass360 Racing has added another long-time Grand-Am competitor to their driver roster. Christian Miller, who drove full-time with the team last year, returns to drive one of C360R's Honda Civic Si's in 2009.

"We're so glad Christian's joining us again," enthused Team Principal Karl Thomson. "He had a great year in 2008, but I feel we have a little unfinished business to take care of: Chris really deserved a podium last season!"

In fact, although Miller had six top-ten finishes (including a remarkable five sixth-place results), he and initial co-driver Kevin York were the only C360R driver pairing who were denied a top-three finish in 2008. Adam Burrows and Trevor Hopwood took two wins last year (at Watkins Glen and Trois Rivieres) and were second at VIR, while Thomson and Travis Walker were third (at Daytona), as were Jeremy Willard and Ken Wilden (at Iowa).

"After Mosport last year we did our best to give Christian a good co-driver who would help him to bring that top-three finish home, and for a variety of reasons, it never worked out," noted Thomson. "We're looking to resolve that this year!"

Miller worked with the team developing the new Civic Si platform throughout 2008, and is bullish on the car's prospects. "I've come to know these cars pretty well," he remarked, "and (Technical Director) Ray Lee sure has put together one heck of a package. We worked on improving a lot of little things last year and I think the new C360R Hondas will be strong from the get-go."

Interestingly, all of the drivers signed to the team are alumni: Travis Walker has been with the team since 2005. Matt Pritiko began his KONI Challenge career with Compass360 Racing in 2007, and Thomson's been part of the Grand-Am community since 2003. "We've got a solid group of drivers who have proven results in the series, and specifically with our team," noted Lee. "We'll be finalizing our line-up for our Hondas over the next few weeks and are confident we can once again field equal team cars that can challenge for race wins and the KONI championship."

The KONI Challenge race schedule starts on January 22nd in Daytona, Florida, and will be televised on SPEED.

Compass360 Racing (C360R) is the motorsports division of Compass360 Marketing Communications, a firm offering branding expertise to clients in diverse industries across North America. For details visit http://www.c360r.com/ or http://www.compass360.com/

PR inquiries about the Compass360 Racing team should be directed to Team Principal Karl Thomson at (416) 465-2299 x21 or email karlt at compass360 dot com

Rick Young's 'Rick at the Races' 2008 Review... Part 1

2008 SEASON REVIEW     (Part One)

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY AND PROSPOROUS NEW YEAR!

PIC 1      SUPERSTOX action at ARENA ESSEX (Thurrock, UK)

PIC 2    TRACKCHASERS at CLARENCE CREEK (Ont) .. L to R . Randy Lewis ( Calif),Yours Truly (Ont), Carol Lewis (Calif), Will White (Pa) Guy Smith (Pa), PJ Hollebrand (NY) Mike Knappenburger (Pa) Paul Weisel (Pa)

PIC 3    Action at the  BERTRAND FABI CIRCUIT, SHERBROOKE , QUE

PIC 4    KASEY KAHNE at the WILLIAMS GROVE SPEEDWAY (Pa)

PIC  5   Action at the CAYUGA COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY, WEEDSPORT (NY)

PIC 6   Action at the MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY (Ont)

PIC 7   Action at the HUMBERSTONE SPEEDWAY, PORT COLBORNE (Ont)

PIC 8   Action at the CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY,OTTAWA (Ont)

PIC 9   Rain stops the action at the AUTODROME ST EUSTACHE (Que)

PIC 10  JESSICA ZEMKEN wins at the BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY

PIC 11  'KID ROCKET' JOSH RICHARDS before his win at the CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)

PIC  12  WoO LATE MODEL Victory Lane celebrations at the CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

As 2008 comes to an end , it's time to reflect on the year that's just passed. Last January I had no idea how eventful 2008 would be for me. This fall, after living in Maxville, Ontario since 1996, I sold my house and moved to Long Sault nearer to my work in Cornwall (my regular 'day job' is based in the city, and I'm also part of the media team at the Cornwall Motor Speedway).

The relocation kept me busy but I still managed to attend 75 racing events , including two trips back to the UK. Somehow I still found time to launch the www.rickattheraces.com web-site, as well as taking on additional media commitments at the Capital City Speedway (Ottawa). It definitely was an eventful year!

Things started early (Jan 19) when I attended the Arena Essex track in England. It was my Dad's eightieth birthday on Jan 16 so my brother Chris, and sister Anne, secretly arranged for a flight back to the UK, so I could make a surprise appearance at the celebrations. I was only over there for a few days but managed a trip down to 'Arena' located East of London , near to the Dartford Tunnel (that goes under the River Thames).

Once back in Canada, I attended ice racing events during January and February at Mont Carmel, St Eulalie, Kahnawake, Sherbrooke and Beauharnois in Quebec as well as gaining my first 'new track' of the year, at Clarence Creek in Ontario. At Clarence Creek I met up with many of my TRACKCHASING friends who'd traveled far and wide to claim the new track

My Easter weekend (21/22 March) was spent at the Williams Grove and Lincoln Speedways in Pennsylvania. The original plan was to be at the 'Grove' for Sprint Cars on Good Friday and then at Hagerstown (Maryland) on Saturday for the ADVANCE AUTO PARTS SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES for Big Block Mods. This didn't materialize as once again Hagerstown canceled due to predicted bad weather. I have now made four attempts to see racing at this track and I've only been lucky once.

It's a ten hour drive to get there, so it's got to be my unluckiest track for 'long distance' rain-outs. Thankfully, like on one of my previous visits, the Lincoln Speedway ( about 50 miles away) were in no haste to cancel. Once again they saved many long distance race fans from a wasted trip. The highlight of the Sprint Car racing witnessed at the 'Grove' and Lincoln was the appearance of NASCAR SPRINT CUP driver Kasey Kahne in the spare Joey Saldana car ( owned by Kahne).

In April I had two racing weekends away from home. I went to the Can Am Speedway at Lafargeville NY  on April 19 , where I slept overnight before moving on to the Cayuga County Fair Speedway at Weedsport NY the next day.

The following week (April 26 ) I was down in the Niagara Falls region where I attended the Merrittville Speedway (Ont), opener of the 358 SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES. This was won by Dale Planck .The next day (April 27) I gained my second 'new track' of the year when I payed a first time visit to the nearby Humberstone Speedway at Port Colborne Ont.

In May, my local tracks had their season openers, so I took a break from the long distance treks for a while. I have five tracks which I consider my 'locals'. They are the Cornwall, Brockville and Capital City Speedways in Ontario, the Autodrome Edelweiss in Quebec and the Mohawk International Raceway just across International Bridge in Hogansburg NY.

Another track that's not far away from me which I rarely visit is the Autodrome St Eustache, just north of Montreal. On June 1 the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series was taking place there so I decided to go along. Unfortunately, like so many other big races in 2008 it got rained off.

In between dodging wet weather at my local tracks I made a trip to the Fulton Speedway NY  on June 7 for the ADVANCE AUTO PARTS SUPERDIRT CAR SERIES , which was won by Billy Decker.

During May and June, Jessica Zemken was making a name for herself at my local tracks with three feature wins. Driving the 358 Modified # 96z of Mike and Lori Lasalle she picked up two wins at Brockville and one at Edelweiss. 

Mother Nature was kind to us on Jun 22 when the Cornwall Motor Speedway held one of Canada's biggest dirt racing shows of the year. The Triple Crown was an event which headlined the WORLD OF OUTLAW Late Models and had a support program of ESS SPRINT CARS and 358 DIRTCAR Modifieds. It was held on a lovely sunny day in front of a massive crowd who saw 'Kid Rocket' Josh Richards take the big win.

PART TWO (July To December) to follow...

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2008 ARCA Racing: By the Numbers

From Jackie L. Franzil / ARCA

2008 ARCA Racing: By the Numbers

5…..Record setting number of different drivers who came into the final race of the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series at Toledo Speedway with a chance to win the championship.

6…..Number of race wins by Justin Allgaier, who broke Frank Kimmel’s streak of eight consecutive (nine overall) titles by earning the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series Championship. Allgaier posted race wins on a variety of tracks on the diverse ARCA RE/MAX Series tour, including Salem, Cayuga, Pocono, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Talladega and Toledo. Six is also the number of SunTrust Rookie of the Year contenders who finished in the top-10 in the final point standings this season.

7…..Race wins in 2008 by Canton, Michigan’s Paul Hahn en route to the 2008 ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series title, bringing his career total to 22.

10…..Different ARCA RE/MAX Series race winners in 2008, including Matt Hawkins, Scott Speed, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Matt Carter, Michael Annett, Justin Allgaier, Frank Kimmel, Scott Lagasse, Jr. and Justin Lofton.

17…..Number of consecutive years that Frank Kimmel has finished in the top-10 in the final ARCA RE/MAX Series point standings. Kimmel’s career has included an unprecedented nine driving championships (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007) and a Series’ leading 9,958 laps led in 184 races among 74 career victories. He finished second in the 2008 point standings during his first year as a car owner/driver.

20…..Approximate number of cases of Red Bull that the No. 2 Eddie Sharp Racing team went through each race weekend while stocking the fridge next to their hauler. The supply usually consisted of ten cases of Red Bull and ten cases of Sugar Free Red Bull.

38…..Days until the 2009 Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona Int’l Speedway.

62.75…..Average percentage of green flag laps during ARCA RE/MAX Series races in 2008.

95…..Age of ARCA Matriarch Mildred Marcum upon her upcoming January birthday. Marcum founded ARCA in 1953 with her husband John Marcum and still works at the ARCA Home Office in Temperance, Michigan, on a daily basis.

100…..Total career ARCA sanctioned feature wins by Flat Rock-Toledo Speedway racer Ron Allen in ARCA Late Model, Street Stock and Sportsman division racing. Other drivers with more than 100 career race wins include Joey Fair and Bob Studt.

110…..Number of ARCA-sanctioned events in 2008; spread out among the ARCA RE/MAX Series, ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series, Flat Rock Speedway, Toledo Speedway and demolition derby racing at the Monroe County Fairgrounds in Michigan. The number does not include ARCA West-sanctioned events.

161…..Number of drivers that made ARCA RE/MAX Series starts in 2008. Drivers in the Series represented 31 U.S. states and four countries, including Canada, France, Belgium and Scotland. A total of 203 drivers attempted to make ARCA RE/MAX Series race events.

407…..Number of laps that Scott Speed led in 2008, spread out among 14 races, to clinch the Aaron’s Lap Leader award for Eddie Sharp Racing. Frank Kimmel and Tim Steele, who are ranked first and second among all time lap leaders, both have multiple seasons which they have led 1,000 laps or more in a single season of competition. Steele led 1,513 laps in 20 races in 1996 and 1,412 laps in 19 races in 1997. Kimmel led a career high 1,474 laps in 20 races in 2001 and went on to lead more than 1,000 laps in 2002, 2003 and 2004. In 2005, Joey Miller earned the lap leader award in his rookie season of ARCA RE/MAX Series competition with 1,002 laps led in 15 races.

1,159…..Racecars inspected by ARCA RE/MAX Series officials in 2008.

3,042…..Number of people who have signed up for ARCA Nation, the community-based social networking enhancement to arcaracing.com that allows fans, teams, sponsors and ARCA to communicate in real time.

3,406…..Miles of ARCA RE/MAX Series racing in 2008, spread out among 21 events.

30,424…..Highway miles logged by a typical full time Concord, North Carolina-based race team transporter driver to get to and from ARCA RE/MAX Series race events in 2008.

$3,607,850…..Total prize, point and contingency money paid to ARCA RE/MAX Series race teams this year.

For more information on the ARCA RE/MAX Series, visit www.arcaracing.com.

Brighton Speedway gears up for Winterfest January 31

 
The New Year is just around the corner and planning for the 2009 Brighton Speedway schedule is well under way!!
 
It promises to be jampacked with ultimate racing action starting with the 6th Annual Winterfest Oval Ice Races on Saturday, January 31st. The lineup includes snowmobiles, four wheelers and enduro cars taking their turns on the 1/3 mile iced oval.

Gates open at 9am and racing will begin at 11 am. Admission is only $10.00 for the grandstands or the pits. (All minors entering the restricted pit area must have current 2009 parental consent forms filed with the Speedway Office prior to their entry to the facility).

Further information including registration forms, waivers, consent forms and racing information can be found at www.brightonspeedway.com.

As the crew begins to brave the cold and prepare an amazing icy racing surface, the Rinaldi family and staff of Brighton Speedway wish all of our fans a safe and Happy New Year.

DIRTcar: Alan Johnson joins Thompson Motorsports to kick off '09 in Florida

Weedsport, NY – December 29, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing Northeast PR Director

All-time DIRTcar Racing Northeast Big-Block Modified feature winner Alan Johnson is all set to make the trip to Florida for a seventh straight winter come February. The car carousel continues to turn for ‘A.J. Slideways’ as 2009 will mark the sixth different team that he has opened the season with down south since the start of the new millennium.

When the mighty Modifieds compete in February for the 38th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida, Johnson will be buckled into a familiar no. 14J Troyer ride although this season sporting sponsorship from Chiefs Tobacco & Gas and owned by Dave Thompson.

“It’s definitely been hard to get into a good rhythm lately, but certainly better than not racing,” figured Johnson, now 51, who kicked off the ’08 campaign at Volusia steering the Sherlock Motorsports Tri-State Roofing TEO entry before closing out the season up north aboard the no. 1J Jake Spraker Used Cars & Trucks-Spra-King Racing/Bicknell machine.

“Dave actually wanted me to run his small-block a couple times over the summer but we just had too many conflicts. I stayed in touch and things finally came together when I went to his shop in November. It’s over a five hour drive from my place to Hogansburg (NY) so I’ll probably just be going back maybe one more time to get fitted (seat). I still don’t even know the guys on the team very well yet,” remarked Johnson, who owns a DIRTcar NE high total of 358 Big-Block wins and 114 more in a Small-Block although just one has come at VSP despite capturing Florida tour point titles in 1983 and ’89.

Johnson will have an entire week to get well acquainted with crew chief Mike Burdick and his new Troyer team when the Advance Auto Parts Modified mini-series at Volusia begins February 11 and runs through February 14. DIRTcar’s 21st trip to gator country for the Big-Blocks features three 30-lap main events and a $5,000-to-win 50-lap finale on Saturday with optional practice sessions offered Tuesday, February 10.

Thompson hopes to make a return trip to the Sunshine State in February and see his squad leave the same way it did two years ago when younger brother Danny Johnson dominated in the no. 27J car with two wins to sew up the 2007 Florida DIRTcar Nationals Championship. Thompson last attended race weeks ‘06 at Volusia with current Advance Series hotshoe Dale Planck and Canadian standout Stewart Friesen doing double duty in a pair of his King Enterprises/Troyer mounts.

“I thought about getting out this last season with the family getting bigger and the business taking up more time,” said Thompson, 32, who fielded a car in ’08 for Frankie Caprara that he drove to seventh-place in the final Mr. DIRTcar point standings. Before initially teaming up with Danny Johnson in July of 2006, Thompson made his Advance Series debut earlier in the season with third-generation driver Friesen and Planck followed up by a brief stint employing the services of Kyle Jacobs in his Quality Concrete rides.

“I’ve been good friends with Alan for awhile and helped him when he won Mr. DIRT in ’06 for Tony (Laughing) and the NativePoker.Com team. We talked more lately and the timing was just right. We’ll have three new Troyer cars and some new Bedell big-block motors. I’ve also got a couple small-blocks for Alan to use in special shows so we’ll see what we can do,” Thompson added.

Johnson won the first of two consecutive Mr. DIRTcar crowns for Elaine-James Motorsports in 2002 and drove the same Doughboy Racing no. 1 at Volusia the following February. Upon termination of that team he joined forces early in ’04 with Troyer Race Cars operator Billy Colton and the H&H Motorsports tandem of John Holland and Al Heinke.

Prior to finishing third in Florida points last winter, Alan made a trial run with Roby and Randy Sherlock in 2005 while the Laughing/Rudalavage duo kicked off their championship campaign at Volusia in ’06. Johnson teamed with Canadian car owner Wallace Stacey down south in 2007 and may use his equipment on weekends once again for the upcoming season.

“Right now I’m planning to drive for Dave in the Advance Series and on Sundays at Cayuga County, anything else is on my own,” noted reigning Cayuga County points king Johnson, a five- Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Champion, who remains the only driver to win at least one Big-Block feature every year of DIRTcar’s existence beginning in 1976. “And that would mean using Wallace’s stuff on Friday and Saturday. It’s a long season, anything can happen. Hopefully, we’ll get off to a good start and keep things going the rest of the way.”

Joining Johnson on the list of more than 30 chauffeurs expected to make the haul south are all-time Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Big-Block feature winner and defending Florida Tour co-champion Brett Hearn, reigning Mr. DIRTcar points king Billy Decker and his Gypsum Express teammate Larry Wight, fellow New Yorkers Planck and Matt Sheppard, New Jersey star Jimmy Horton, Delaware driver Jamie Mills, Vermont invader Dave Camara, Massachusetts native Andy Bachetti plus Texans Doug and Jason Ingalls

Any drivers wishing to update team information for the pre-race roster, please contact DIRTcar Northeast PR Director Tom Skibinski by phone (585/350-8997) or through e-mail tskibinski@dirtcar.com correspondence. Specific questions regarding rules can be directed to Cory Reed (315/224-9009), DIRTcar NE Director of Competition & Track Sanctioning. <<JohnsonA_08.jpg>>

World of Outlaws: Countdown to 2009... A Look Back at Five Memorable World of Outlaws Races from 2008

From Tony Veneziano // WoO PR

Concord, NC— December 30, 2008—With just two days remaining in 2008, five of the most exciting races of the World of Outlaws season will be re-visited for five consecutive days in chronological order.

The fourth event that will be featured will be the October 17 race from Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, California. The race saw Jac Haudenschild battle Steve Kinser in heavy lapped traffic on the ¼-mile, nearly taking the lead a couple of times, before the 20-time series champion prevailed. Both drivers climbed out of their cars on the front straightaway after the race and gave each other high-fives.

“It’s always fun to run with Haud,” said Kinser with a smile after the win. “We have had some fun ones over the years. We’re both fortunate that we are able to stand up in the seat and still get the job done once in a while.”

For a full race report as well as complete results from this race and a photo of Kinser visit: http://www.worldofoutlaws.com/sprint/News/2008/October/101708_SP_RACEREPORT.aspx.

Kinser started sixth in the 40-lap contest, but moved up to the outside of the front row after Daryn Pittman and Terry McCarl who lined up second and fourth got together on the initial start after McCarl’s car broke, bringing out a red flag. On the second start, Kinser won a drag race down the front straightaway with Danny Lasoski and led high into turn one. Lasoski dove under him in the second corner to take the lead, which he would hold for the first eight laps.

On the ninth lap, Kinser looked high on Lasoski for the lead in turn three and then dove under him exiting turn four to take the point as the pair negotiated lapped traffic. He would lead the rest of the way, though Haudenschild closed in late.

Haudenschild made a bid for the lead on the 35th lap, on the high side of turns one and two, drawing even Kinser. He used the same line on the next lap to inch ahead of Kinser on the back straightaway as the latter was held up by a lapped car. As the pair entered turns three and four Haudenschild was bottled up, allowing Kinser to get back by. Haudenschild battled back and rode the high side of the track for the last three laps of the race as he tried to catch Kinser.

“The car felt good tonight and has felt good all year long,” said Haudenschild. “We are really glad to be driving that car. Leonard (Lee) has it working good. We have a good race car and have been hanging in there up front all year long.”

The 2009 World of Outlaws season opens on February 6 at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida, with the 38th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH.

BIKE DRAGS: 2009 CMDRA Western Race Schedule

The Canadian Motorcycle Drag Racing Association's All Bike Drag Series presented by Drag Specialties/Parts Canada featuring the Screamin' Eagle Nitro Series is pleased to announce our 2009 Western Race Schedule.

2009 CMDRA WESTERN RACE SCHEDULE

May 23-24 - N'lakapxm Eagle Motorplex, Ashcroft, BC - www.eaglemotorplex.com

June 20-21 - Grand Bend Motorplex, Grand Bend, ON - www.grandbendmotorplex.com

June 27-28 - Castrol Raceway, Edmonton, AB - www.castrolraceway.com

July 18-19 - N'lakapxm Eagle Motorplex, Ashcroft, BC - www.eaglemotorplex.com

August 8-9 - MHDRA Drag Strip, Medicine Hat, AB - www.mhdra.com

August 22-23 - Mission Raceway Park, Mission, BC - www.missionraceway.com

September 12-13 - Castrol Raceway, Edmonton, AB - www.castrolraceway.com

September 14 - Year-end Awards Banquet

The CMDRA was formed in 1993 by a group of West Coast Professional drag bike racers and motorcycle enthusiasts. The CMDRA has become known throughout Canada and the USA for its commitment to safety, development and enhancement of All Make Motorcycle Drag Racing. The CMDRA, a non-profit association, is the only fully sanctioned drag bike racing association in Canada.

For more information please contact: Shannon McNeney or Adele Tompkins // Canadian Motorcycle Drag Racing Association // info@cmdra.com // Website: www.cmdra.com

Inside Track Short Track Contingency Program

As noted in my last commentary in Inside Track, we didn't formally launch the Inside Track Short Track Contingency Program in 2008. We moved offices, underwent a difficult server upgrade, yada yada.

Our plan is to re-launch it properly for 2009.

That said, we were still very appreciative at how how many short track racers continued to display our stickers on their cars throughout 2008.

Therefore, we are going to make the same 'FREE AD to Thank your Sponsor(s)' offer as in the past to those who A) ran our decals in 2008, and B) finished in the top 10 in the points at their local short track.

For those eligible racers who are subscribers in good standing (i.e. all paid up) as of February 13, 2009, they will receive a larger ad (2x the size) with a photo. Non-subscribers are eligible for a text-only 'thank your sponsor(s)' ad.

It is up to the individual racers to download, complete and return the forms to us (either via fax at 416-962-7208 ... or email: contingency@insidetracknews.com).

It is also the responsibility of those who are eligible for photo ads to supply high-resolution JPG images (i.e. right-clicking and saving a web image isn't good enough!) for which they own the rights to distribute. The image should also include evidence of an Inside Track sticker on your racecar.

If you have any questions about the program, send me an email and I'll get back to you.

You can download the Word file version of the ITMN Short Track Contingency Submission form here.

You can download the PDF file version of the ITMN Short Track Contingency Submission form here.

You can see a sample PDF of the Contingency Program pages as they appeared in the magazine here.

Thank you again to those who ran our stickers in 2008!

Greg MacPherson

Rick Young's 'Rick at the Races' for Christmas 2008

Rick Young's Rick at the Races for Christmas 2008

PIC 1   A 1975 Brafield (UK) program scan that shows # 348 Tony Allen's light-weight BriSCA F1 he took to New Zealand when he emigrated.

PIC 2  The same light-weight stock car of Tony Allen ( now # 2) at the Waikaraka Park Speedway in Auckland NZ ( ANDRE REUTERMAN PHOTO)

PIC 3  Brian Holmes and his grandson Paul at the Westworld track in Cornwall (UK)

PIC 4   That's me sitting in Brian Holmes stock car during a visit back to the UK in 2000.

First of all let me wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas holiday , and to say a big thank you to all those who sent greetings.

We had three major snow storms hit Eastern Ontario over the past week, and it has guaranteed us a 'White Christmas'. The temperatures have been very low too ( nearly minus 30 centigrade, with the wind chill factor) . A bit chilly to say the least, but heh ! , we're Canadians, we can take it !

With a bit of luck the proposed ice racing events in Quebec and up-state NY should go ahead unhindered this season , but until they begin, I'll be confined to the warmth of home, sitting behind my PC.

The latest 'RETRO' report ( EPISODE 5) has now been added to www.rickattheraces.com

It deals with the year 1971 when I passed my driving test and became the owner of my first car. 1971 was the year that Lancashire's Doug Cronshaw # 396 won the BriSCA F1 World Final at Coventry and Dave Brown # 583 of Cornwall ( UK, not Ontario ! ) won the BriSCA F2 gold at Brafield. One of my long-time RICK @ the RACES recipients, Geoff Goddard # 294 , now residing in South Africa won the Superstox World Final at Wimbledon.

Following my latest 'RETRO' report Both Geoff and his son Kai have been in contact. Kai a racer now based in Phoenix AZ  has a new website www.kaigoddard.com.

He say's , << Please have a look, there is also some insight on Dad's Touring Car career. This Is not a solid deal yet, but we are planning to race together next year at Kyalami in an endurance race. It will be an emotional, exciting, awesome and long overdue experience. I will keep you posted on that .>>

That definitely is exciting news, I hope it happens Kai , and if it does please arrange for some pics for www.rickattheraces.com.

In last weeks RICK @ the RACES , I mentioned a contact I'd made with Gavin Evitt who is involved in collecting New Zealand stock car racing archives . I happened to mention to him that Tony Allen # 348 , one of my old buddies emigrated there over thirty years ago, and asked if he had any photos. Tony, who is mentioned in EPISODE 4 of the 'RETRO' report was one of the UK's top BriSCA F1 drivers and relocated to NZ in 1975. Just prior to his departure he built and raced a lightweight Jaguar engined car which was 'crated up' and taken with him to his new home. Thanks to Gavin, I have two photos ( taken by Andre Reuterman) of that very same car he raced both sides of the world ! . I've included one in the photo section.

One of my Christmas cards was from Brian Holmes, who is another name from the past, and mentioned in the latest 'RETRO' Report. I first met Brian in 1971 when I lived in the Totternhoe/Eaton Bray area of the UK. He was one of our local oval racers. He started Banger racing at Brafield in the late 1960's then progressed to BriSCA F2. Brian, now in his sixties, is still racing today alongside his grandson at the Westworld track in Cornwall (UK) near to his new home. Click on www.rickattheraces and check out Episode 5 of the 'RETRO' Report.

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World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series News & Notes

From: Tony Veneziano / WoO PR Director

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series News & Notes

Concord, NC — December 26, 2008 — With only a few days left in 2008, a number of World of Outlaws drivers are getting a jump on the 2009 season by racing in a couple of different parts of the world over the holiday season. Craig Dollansky and Joey Saldana have been competing in New Zealand for the last couple of weeks, while three-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz, 20-time title winner Steve Kinser, 2003 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Kraig Kinser, Jason Sides, the series top rookie in 2004 and Kerry Madsen, the 2007 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year, recently began a stint at Parramatta City Raceway in Australia. A number of other series drivers will also compete Down Under beginning next week.

Winning Down Under: Steve Kinser led all 30 laps on Friday at Parramatta City Raceway in Sydney, Australia to earn the win in the Valvoline Sprintcar Grand Prix for the first time in his career. The native of Bloomington, Indiana has eight total victories in his career at the track dating back to 1979. Jason Sides finished a very solid third in his first start of the off-season Down Under, with Australian native Kerry Madsen in fourth and Kraig Kinser, Steve’s son, rounding out the Top-Five. Donny Schatz lost a driveline in the main event, ending his night. All five drivers will be back in action on Saturday night, as they continue to gear up for the annual $50,000 to-win event which will be contested at Parramatta City Raceway on January 2-3.

Victorious in New Zealand: After finishing second in two consecutive events in New Zealand, Joey Saldana picked up a win on Friday at Springs Speedway as he gears up for the $20,000 to-win International championship on January 3. The native of Brownsburg, Indiana currently leads the standings in the chase for the International Sprintcar title. Saldana is driving for the always potent Salter Motorsport team as a teammate to Craig Dollansky, who will also be his teammate at Kasey Kahne Racing in 2009 on the World of Outlaws trail.

Pittman Takes on Aussie Speedweek: Daryn Pittman finished fourth on Friday at Speedway City in Adelaide, Australia in the opener of the annual Speedweek for the World Series Sprintcars. Pittman, the only American driver to ever win the World Series title, was the second fastest qualifier in the 42-car field. The native of Owasso, Oklahoma returns to action on Saturday at Murray Bridge Speedway aboard the Titan Racing machine.

DIRTcarNationals.com Up and Running: A new web site dedicated to the 38th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida is now up and running. Information pertaining to all 12 nights of action at the blazing fast half-mile can be found at www.dirtcarnationals.com. Tickets for the event can also be purchased by visiting the web site. The 38th annual Alltel DIRTcar National begins on February 3 and runs through February 14, with the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series taking to the track February 6-8, for three full nights of racing, with the winner each night taking home $10,000. In the 11 events the series has contested at the track dating back to 1979, 11 different drivers have earned wins.

Thunderbowl Raceway Tickets: Tickets for the World of Outlaws two-day event at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, California on March 20-21 are now on sale. For tickets call the track at (559) 688-0909 or visit www.thunderbowlraceway.com to find a seating chart for the race. Jac Haudenschild won in the series last visit to the track on October 18, in one of the most exciting races of the 2008 season, passing Steve Kinser in heavy lapped traffic for the victory on the high-banked 1/3-mile.

NASCAR Camping World Series West 2009 Schedule Announced

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 24, 2008) – The 2009 schedule for the NASCAR Camping World Series West, which features two visits to Iowa Speedway, will be comprised of 13 races, NASCAR announced today.

The schedule – with stops at 11 venues in seven states between March and September – features a balance of short tracks, speedways and road courses.

It includes the addition of a second visit to Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa on Sept. 4. The event will be in conjunction with the inaugural NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at the ultra-competitive 7/8-mile track.

The NASCAR Camping World Series West will make an earlier trip to Iowa during the month of May for the third edition of the combination race between the NASCAR Camping World Series East and West. Joey Logano edged Kevin Harvick in the first combination race at Iowa in 2007, while West Coast native Brian Ickler topped Kasey Kahne there in 2008.

Venues joining the NASCAR Camping World Series West schedule in 2009 include Portland (Ore.) International Raceway, a road course visited by the circuit in 1986, and Madera (Calif.) Speedway, which last held a series event in 2003. The Portland event, one of three road course races on tap for 2009, is set for July 19; while the Madera race is slated for April 25.

Two events will once again run in conjunction with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekends again in 2009. The NASCAR Camping World Series West will travel to Phoenix International Raceway on April 16 to be part of the big NASCAR weekend in the Valley of the Sun. The series will also share the stage with NASCAR’s premier series on the road course of Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., on June 20.

“The 2009 schedule features many of the popular venues in key markets that have hosted some of the greatest racing in the 55-year history of the NASCAR Camping World Series West,” said NASCAR’s Managing Director of Racing Operations, George Silbermann. “We thank our promoters and competitors throughout the region for their continued support, and look forward to returning to Madera Speedway and Portland International Raceway. The package of events overall should make for another exciting season of competition.”

Other 2009 highlights include:

·         The NASCAR Camping World Series West will kick off its 56th season at Thunder Hill Raceway in Kyle, Texas on March 14. It marks the fifth annual visit to the 3/8-mile track.

·         The series will make two visits to All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif. The historic fairgrounds track, which attracted a sell-out crowd to open the 2008 season, will host an event on April 4. As it did in 2008, the series will return to Roseville to close out its season on Sept. 19.

·         The NASCAR Camping World Series West will visit Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.) on the Fourth of July for what has become a big holiday attraction for Southern California race fans.

·         Two other popular short track events on the 2009 schedule include a visit to Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg, Ore., on June 6 and a trip to Colorado National Speedway in Dacono, Colo., on Aug. 15.

·         A visit to the expansive Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, on Aug. 1 will mark the third road course event for the year.

From NASCAR PR

2009 NASCAR CAMPING WORLD SERIES WEST SCHEDULE

Date                             Track (Length)                                                             Location         

Sat., March 14               Thunder Hill Raceway (.375-Mile)                                     Kyle, Texas

Sat., April 4                   All American Speedway (.333-Mile)                                 Roseville, Calif.

Thur., April 16                Phoenix International Raceway (1-Mile)                            Phoenix, Ariz.

Sat., April 25                 Madera Speedway (.333-Mile)                                         Madera, Calif.

Sun., May 17 *              Iowa Speedway (.875-Mile)                                             Newton, Iowa

Sat., June 6                   Douglas County Speedway (.375-Mile)                             Roseburg, Ore.

Sat., June 20                 Infineon Raceway (1.9-Mile road course)                          Sonoma, Calif.

Sat., July 4                    Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (.5-Mile)                            Irwindale, Calif.

Sun., July 19                 Portland International Raceway (1.967-Mile road course)   Portland, Ore.

Sat., Aug. 1                   Miller Motorsports Park (3.06-Mile road course)                Tooele, Utah

Sat., Aug. 15                 Colorado National Speedway (.375-Mile)                          Dacono, Colo.

Fri., Sept. 4                   Iowa Speedway (.875-Mile)                                             Newton, Iowa

Sat., Sept. 19                All American Speedway (.333-Mile)                                 Roseville, Calif.

* Combination race with NASCAR Camping World Series East
All dates subject to change

Daytona ARCA Test... J.R. Fitzpatrick update

Jason Sharpe sent me the following update following J.R. Fitzpatrick's recent ARCA test at Daytona.

"J.R. Fitzpatrick has just wrapped up three successful days of testing at Daytona International Speedway.

In single car runs on Friday, J.R. and the team struggled to find the speed. They knew the car was built more for superspeedway drafting as opposed to qualifying but they worked hard at making it much faster and picked up several tenths.

During drafting practice J.R. proved to be a quick learner, and with the help of veteran Cup Series driver Tony Raines he finished Day 2 2nd fastest.

Day 3 had J.R. at the top of the speed chart most of the day. The team decided to shut down early and loaded up. In the end, J.R. closed out the day second fastest again.

More news coming soon.

Thanks for all of you support.
Jason."

You can see J.R. Fitzpatrick's website at: www.jrfitzpatrick.com

Finish Line Racing School 2009 Schedule

There are still openings for courses at the Finish Line Racing School at Florida's New Smyrna Speedway. See below for availability...

Finish Line's website is located at: http://www.finishlineracing.com/ ... and their schedule is updated at: www.finishlineracing.com/schedule.htm

Jan 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th @ New Smyrna Speedway (this class is full)
Jan 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th @ NSS
Feb 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st @ NSS
Mar 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th @ NSS
Mar 31st, April 1st, 2nd, 3rd @ NSS
April 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th @ NSS
May 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th @ NSS
June 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th @ NSS
Aug 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th @ NSS
Oct 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th @ NSS
Nov 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th @ NSS
Dec 15th, 16th, 17th,18th @ NSS

Scott Steckly adds Canadian flavour to NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown

From Shon Sbarra / NASCAR Canadian Tire Series

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 22, 2008) – Scott Steckly, the 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion, has secured a ride for the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown providing international flavour for this one-of-a-kind all-star event.

Along with the 13 drivers from the NASCAR Camping World Series, who secured a guaranteed starting position in the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown by winning a series event in 2008, each of the champions from NASCAR’s other developmental series also have a guaranteed slot in the main event. This truly makes the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, considered to be the ‘Daytona 500 of short-track racing,’ more than just any all-star event. It brings together the finest short-track racers from all over North America.

The prestigious postseason event, slated for Jan. 23-24 at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.). It will feature two days of racing and will air live on SPEED beginning at 7 p.m. PT both nights.

Steckly’s record-setting 2008 season in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series was, at times, dominating as he collected his first NASCAR championship. He posted a series-record four victories en route to the title. He also notched four runner-up finishes. All told, the driver out of Milverton, Ont., finished in the top five nine times. He took the points lead after winning the season-opening event at Cayuga Motor Speedway and did not loosen his grip on the top spot the rest of the way.

The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown is contested in NASCAR Camping World Series cars which are different from those used in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series meaning that, while he held a guaranteed starting position in the race, Steckly had to find a suitable fit in order to participate in the race.

Steckly will be driving a Chevrolet out of the NDS Motorsports stable based in Milton, Vt. He will be teaming up with Steve Park, who is NDS Motorsports’ regular entrant in the NASCAR Camping World Series events. Park holds the distinction of being the only driver to win races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR Camping World Series and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Although teaming with Park, Steckly will use his normal NASCAR Canadian Tire Series crew led by crew chief Greg Gibson.

Steckly is familiar with NASCAR Camping World Series cars having tested one in October. He also competed in a similar vehicle at the NASCAR Nationwide Series event in Montreal in August.

“They’re a little different, but nothing terribly drastic,” Steckly said. “We’re not as familiar with the cars or the track, obviously, as most of the other competitors, but I think we can figure it out.”

It has been a whirlwind few months for Steckly, who at the beginning of the 2008 season was not sure how deep into the season he would get, but a sponsorship package materialized in the early portion of the year.

“It really has been a dream season,” he said. “From the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series championship and everything that goes with it right up to this chance to compete in the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. I want to thank everyone at NDS Motorsports for giving us this opportunity. We are confident we can give them a good finish.”

Steckly joins a list of top short-track drivers who have already committed to running in the event, including NASCAR Camping World Series East and West champions, Matt Kobyluck and Eric Holmes. Also confirmed to compete are 2007 NASCAR Camping World Series West champion Mike David, four drivers who have earned rookie of the year honors in the NASCAR Camping World Series in the last three season (Jason Bowles, Peyton Sellers, Jeff Barkshire, and Austin Dillon), and Brian Ickler, winner of the NASCAR Camping World Series combination race in Iowa this past May along with three-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday Jr.

In addition to Steckly, Holmes and Kobyluck, champions in NASCAR’s other developmental series include Philip Morris (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series), Antonio Perez (NASCAR Mexico Series), Ted Christopher (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and Brian Loftin (NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour).

The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown’s two days of racing will also include action in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series with Late Model and Super Late Model races.

To purchase tickets for the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, fans can go to www.toyotaspeedwayatirwindale.com www.toyotaspeedwayatirwindale.com or call the track at (626) 358-1100.

New Race Director for the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour

New Race Director for the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour

 

(Halifax, NS) – The CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour is pleased to announce that Scott Alexander has been appointed as the new Race Director for the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour.  The position became available following the end of the 2008 season when long time Race Director Mike Ledwidge stepped down from the position due to family commitments.

 

General Manager Ron Clarke made the announcement Friday afternoon.  “Scott is very well known in the racing community and we are confident he will make an excellent addition to the Tour.” said Clarke.  “Mike Ledwidge and his father Ernie have been pillars of the Tour for the last decade, replacing them was not something we wanted to do but we understand that they want to spend more time with their families.”

 

Scott Alexander was born to a racing family. His parents, Don & Marlene Alexander, were very involved in racing and owned Seabreeze Raceway in the late 60's and early 70's. Scott grew up in Cole Harbour with his brother Kirk and sister Janet.

 

Scott’s racing career began in 1990, when he was at Scotia Speedworld helping an old friend, Ronnie Parker. Ronnie told Scott to take his hobby stock out for the feature and see how he liked it. Scott finished 3rd in that race and has never looked back. Within a couple of weeks, he purchased a Street Stock and raced in the division for 4 years.

 

Scott decided in 1995 to move up and try the "Late Model" Division. This division proved to be his most successful. In 1997, Scott won his first and only championship. He continued to race occasionally until the fall of 1998, when Scott purchased the Pro Stock of Steve Piccott and decided to give MASCAR a try. In 1999, Scott ran his only full tour of MASCAR. He finished 2nd in the Rookie of the Year chase to future Pro Stock Tour Champion Shawn Tucker.

 

In addition to his racing activities, Scott has been successful in the business world. He, brother Kirk, and wife Corrina operate R&S Sign Design. His son, Michael races weekly at Scotia Speedworld in the Hobby Stock division.

 

The CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour is operated by the Maritime Pro Stock Tour Limited and features an 11 race series at five different venues throughout the Maritime Provinces.  Top drivers from all three provinces compete, including previous champions Shawn Tucker, John Flemming, Rollie MacDonald, and Wayne Smith.  For more information, call our administration office Monday to Friday at (902) 481-2531. 

 

From the Maritime Pro Stock Tour 

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series - Brad Moran Named As Series Director

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 20, 2008) – NASCAR has named Brad Moran as Series Director for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by SIRIUS Satellite Radio. He succeeds Richard Coughlin, who resigned to take a position with NASCAR Canada.

Moran, 47, comes to NASCAR with over 20 years of experience in the motorsports industry. Most recently, he was the owner of Barrie (Ontario) Speedway. There, he reconfigured the race track which included adding a pit road in an effort to attract bigger events. He built a top-notch local racing program at the .333-mile bullring that remains one of the finest in Ontario. In 2007, Moran and Barrie Speedway hosted a pair of NASCAR Canadian Tire Series events in its inaugural season. He also brought the speedway into the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series family of tracks.

In addition to his seven seasons at Barrie Speedway, Moran has had a varied presence in the sport since the early 1990s. Primarily, though, racing was a hobby as he owned and operated businesses in the printing industry until purchasing Barrie Speedway prior to the 2001 racing season.

“The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series is off to a great start in its first two years,” said Moran. “I simply want to help grow the series by attracting more Canadian companies to become involved, along with the continuation of developing the stock-car talent base here in Canada.”

The third season for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series is slated to get underway in May 2009.

From: Shon Sbarra, NASCAR Public Relations

Do the right thing.

I received the following from Jennifer de Winter at CSC Racing Products. It boggles the mind that someone would do something like this to one of our own. I can't imagine someone who would do this sort of thing in the first place would have enough of a conscience or heart to do the right thing now, but it's worth a shot. (GM)

Sometime during the week of December 8 we had $840.00 cash stolen from our showroom counter. As a family run business, that comes right out of our pocket. In these bleak economic times, it was a very harsh blow. Of course, we have no idea who took it, but if it was someone from the racing community, we implore them to put it in an envelope and stick it through the front door one night when no one is around. We would be very grateful.
Regards,
Jennifer de Winter
CSC Racing Products Inc.

ARCA Wraps Up 3-Day Test at Daytona

ARCA RE/MAX Series Wraps Up 3-Day Test at Daytona Int’l Speedway

3^rd-Generation Racer Will Kimmel, Veteran Patrick Sheltra Quickest Overall

Logano, Carmichael, Hamilton, Gerhart, Jones Among the Testers

 

DAYTONA BEACH FL (12-21-08) – On the heels of a race event title sponsorship announcement, the ARCA RE/MAX Series wrapped up a three-day open test at Daytona Int’l Speedway over the weekend during which 62 drivers participated in preparation for the 46^th annual and newly-named Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 coming Saturday, February 7^th, 2009.

 

Several series regulars, an abundant collection of newcomers and an interesting combination of big names shared headlines throughout the open test under sunny skies and high temperatures in the low 80s.

 

Morning and afternoon test sessions Friday, Saturday and Sunday were divided up in separate single car runs and separate drafting runs.

 

Among the drivers who tested in the single car runs, third-generation ARCA racer Will Kimmel, nephew of nine-time series champion Frank Kimmel, circled the “World Center of Racing” quickest overall with a time of 49.730 seconds, for an average speed of 180.977 mph.

 

Kimmel, in the no. 44 Kimmel Racing Ford Fusion, attributed his on-track performance to, “Ford” and “an experienced crew.”

 

Steve Blackburn, in his own Dodge Charger, was second quickest overall among those who made single car runs with a speed of 180.955 mph. 

 

“We put on a new set (of tires) and they hooked up,” said Blackburn. “The test was a real boost to our team; we can walk out of here with our heads held high. Just hope we can come back in February and do it again.”

 

Blackburn was also second quickest overall among those who made runs in two separate drafting sessions Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

 

However, ARCA RE/MAX Series regular Patrick Sheltra, in a Dodge Charger, posted the quickest time of the entire three-day test in the Saturday afternoon drafting session during which the Indiantown, Florida driver set the bar with a top speed of 183.846 mph.

 

“We weren’t planning on drafting right away but we found ourselves right in the thick of the draft in our first three laps on the track and the car drafted brilliantly,” Sheltra said. “We just wanted to make sure it could suck up. It did that and more. I can’t take credit for everything. These guys that work on these racecars are the best and it’s because of their hard work that we’re sitting atop of the charts.”  

 

Newcomers’ JR Fitzpatrick, Parker Kligerman, Mikey Kile, and Beau Slocumb also showed promise in the draft as each spent time near the top of the charts.

 

Several teams with multi-car efforts participated including Bobby Gerhart Racing, Eddie Sharp Racing, TRG Motorsports, Venturini Motorsports, Andy Belmont Racing and Jones Group Racing to name a few.

 

Gerhart, a five-time ARCA winner at Daytona, tested several different drivers including Gomez, AJ Henriksen and Joey Coulter.

 

Gerhart’s team was one of the first to drive through the gates and one of the last to leave Sunday night.

 

“If there were five days, I would be here for all of them,” said Gerhart. “We try to get here first and we’re always the last to leave. That lesson was taught to me a long time ago.”

 

Gerhart, who hails from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, works tirelessly on his Daytona International Speedway cars and says that every year the field of drivers only gets tougher.

 

“The field is great,” Gerhart said of the 2009 entry list. “I know when I come here I become a very unpopular guy. In a way, it’s going to sound odd, but that’s a pretty big complement. That really goes to the level of exposure that this place has brought to this race.

 

“I’ve always felt that coming here to Daytona is a huge privilege for anybody. Just coming to the garage and be a part of this thing let alone get on the race track and in my case be unbelievably fortunate to win one (race) and looking back on it to be where we’re at today. I never could have envisioned that.”

 

Big names garnering headlines during the test included Joey Logano, Ricky Carmichael, Bobby Hamilton, Jr. and PJ Jones, all of whom spent time behind the wheel over the weekend.

 

Logano, testing under the Joe Gibbs Racing banner with Venturini Motorsports, took his first laps around the legendary motorsports facility.

 

“I’m just getting as many laps as I can and learn as much as I can,” Logano said, who will replace Tony Stewart as the driver of the Home Depot Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2009. “I’ve got a big year ahead on the Cup side . . . whatever I can do to make myself better.”

 

Logano is preparing to pull off the Saturday night doubleheader at Daytona.

 

“I’m doing it,” Logano added of his busy DIRECTV Speedweeks 2009 schedule. “I’m running both races (ARCA and Budweiser Shoot Out) and then I’ve got the Nationwide race with the Game Stop Toyota and then running the Cup race with the Home Depot Toyota. Between all that, I’ve got my hands full.”

 

Toss in the Gatorade Duel At Daytona 150-mile qualifying races, Logano will be racing five events during DIRECTV Speedweeks.

 

Carmichael, a five-time Daytona Supercross By Honda champion, added stock cars to the list as he too participated in the three-day ARCA RE/MAX Series test.

 

“This is what it’s all about; when you hear about Daytona, it’s stock car racing,” Carmichael said. “I’m having a great time here. This race track has a lot of character and a lot of history. This is what I want to do. I’ve been around here in a sports car and obviously a motorcycle a time or two. I’m just glad to be in a stock car. This is a dream of mine and I’m glad to have the opportunity to do that.”

 

Carmichael, utilizing the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Daytona as a tune-up for the 250-mile NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Daytona, tested a Chevrolet for Kevin Harvick Inc.

 

“We want to obviously get the car as fast as we can for qualifying and then drafting practice and see how the car drafts and make it handle as good as we can and do good in the actual race,” Carmichael said of this weekend’s testing goals. “For us, the main thing is going to be drafting practice and see how the car handles.”

 

Local Daytona Beach native/favorite Alli Owens was also on hand for the three-day test. The 20-year graduate from Atlantic High in Port Orange, in a D’Hondt Motorsports-prepared Toyota, was fourth fastest in the Saturday morning session.

 

“Every time I come back to Daytona, it’s always a special thing because I’m the hometown girl,” Owens said. “This is the first year in a Toyota and a new team with D’Hondt Motorsports and my sponsors that we still have with Electrifying Careers.com.

 

“Coming out here and seeing my name up front on the sheets for the last couple of days is exciting and cool. That’s something that’s never been never done before by me. It’s nice to see my name up there and hopefully it’s going to stay there.”

 

The Saturday afternoon, February 7^th Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona Int’l Speedway is LIVE on SPEED.

 

CONTACT: ARCA 734-847-6726

 

ARCA RE/MAX Series Open Testing
Daytona Int'l Speedway, Daytona Beach FL
December 19, 20, 21, 2008
Overall Single Car Runs
POS	NO	NAME	TIME	SPEED	MAKE
1	44	Will Kimmel	49.730	180.977	Ford
2	69	Steve Blackburn	49.736	180.955	Dodge
3	14	Tom Hessert III	49.738	180.948	Ford
4	74	JR Heffner	49.751	180.901	Chev
5	60A	Patrick Sheltra	49.813	180.676	Dodge
6	19	Alli Owens	49.849	180.545	Toyota
7	30B	Dominick Casola	49.861	180.502	Dodge
8	25	Joey Logano	49.870	180.469	Toyota
9	5A	Bobby Gerhart	49.906	180.339	Chev
10	30A	Terry Jones	49.954	180.166	Dodge
11	5B	AJ Henriksen	49.965	180.126	Chev
12	95	Chase Mattioli	49.997	180.011
13	09	John Wes Townley	50.006	179.978	Ford
14	1A	Brett Butler	50.026	179.906	Ford
15	33	Ricky Carmichael	50.027	179.903	Chev
16	30C	Jesse Smith	50.036	179.870	Dodge
17	00	Ed Kennedy	50.038	179.863
18	11A	Bryan Silas	50.044	179.842	Ford
19	32B	James Buescher	50.092	179.669	Toyota
20	20	Steve Arpin	50.092	179.669	Dodge
21	5C	Jonathan Gomez	50.100	179.641	Chev
22	71B	Beau  Slocumb	50.137	179.508	Chev
23	51	Eddie Mercer	50.176	179.369	Chev
24	99A	John Ferrier	50.210	179.247	Ford
25	07	AJ Frank	50.279	179.001	Chev
26	15B	Marc Davis	50.296	178.941	Chev
27	07A	Matt Lofton	50.322	178.848	Chev
28	99	Randy Baker	50.336	178.798	Ford
29	5D	Joey Coulter	50.352	178.742	Chev
30	71A	JR Fitzpatrick	50.353	178.738	Chev
31	29	Mikey Kile	50.356	178.727	Chev
32	39	Mark Thompson	50.372	178.671	Ford
33	77	Parker Kligerman	50.391	178.603	Dodge
34	47	Peyton Sellers	50.421	178.497	Chev
35	7A	Stephen Mccurley	50.467	178.334	Chev
36	54	Roger Carter	50.520	178.147	Dodge
37	15B	Justin Lofton	50.564	177.992	Chev
38	37	PJ Jones	50.574	177.957	Chev
39	96	Todd Hoddick	50.590	177.901
40	9	Derek Murphy	50.630	177.760	Dodge
41	75B	Benny Chastain	50.643	177.715	Ford
42	80B	Scott Alves	50.651	177.687	Ford
43	80D	Charlie Vest	50.664	177.641	Ford
44	9A	Matt Merrell	50.703	177.504	Dodge
45	81B	Craig Goess	50.740	177.375	Toyota
46	80E	Mark Easton	50.751	177.336	Ford
47	4	Nur Ali	50.791	177.197	Dodge
48	0	Butch Jarvis	50.937	176.689	Dodge
49	80	Rick Clifton	50.965	176.592	Ford
50	31	Troy Wangerin	50.989	176.509
51	62	Larry Hollenbeck	51.099	176.129
52	27	Dicky Williamson	51.204	175.768	Ford
53	75A	Bob Schacht	51.208	175.754
54	80C	Alex Ciompi	51.340	175.302	Ford
55	75C	Charles Walker	51.355	175.251	Ford
56	2	Tim  George Jr.	51.485	174.808	Toyota
57	48	Leilani Munter	51.857	173.554	Ford
58	34	Darrell Basham	52.080	172.811	Chev
59	80A	Barry Fitzgerald	52.437	171.635	Ford
60	14A	Marcus Fux	52.674	170.862
61	7	Donny Kelley	53.075	169.571	Chev

 

 

ARCA RE/MAX Series Open Testing
Daytona Int'l Speedway, Daytona Beach FL
December 19, 20, 21, 2008
Overall Drafting Runs
POS	NO	NAME	TIME	SPEED	MAKE
1	60A	Patrick Sheltra	48.954	183.846	Dodge
2	71A	JR Fitzpatrick	49.183	182.990	Chev
3	15A	Ryan Fischer	49.205	182.908	Chev
4	71B	Beau  Slocumb	49.229	182.819	Chev
5	69	Steve Blackburn	49.335	182.426	Dodge
6	29	Mikey Kile	49.391	182.219	Chev
7	4	Nur Ali	49.414	182.135	Dodge
8	25	Joey Logano	49.471	181.925	Toyota
9	32B	James Buescher	49.480	181.892	Toyota
10	15B	Justin Lofton	49.486	181.870	Chev
11	20	Steve Arpin	49.500	181.818	Dodge
12	09	John Wes Townley	49.528	181.715	Ford
13	19	Alli Owens	49.529	181.712	Toyota
14	37	PJ Jones	49.547	181.646	Chev
15	47	Peyton Sellers	49.577	181.536	Chev
16	51	Eddie Mercer	49.579	181.528	Chev
17	33	Ricky Carmichael	49.583	181.514	Chev
18	14	Tom Hessert III	49.588	181.496	Ford
19	74	JR Heffner	49.603	181.441	Chev
20	77	Parker Kligerman	49.624	181.364	Dodge
21	95	Chase Mattioli	49.650	181.269
22	81A	Craig Goess	49.681	181.156	Toyota
23	30A	Terry Jones	49.720	181.014	Dodge
24	44	Will Kimmel	49.728	180.985	Ford
25	30B	Dominick Casola	49.813	180.676	Dodge
26	5C	Jonathan Gomez	49.826	180.629	Chev
27	1A	Brett Butler	49.886	180.411	Ford
28	11A	Bryan Silas	49.889	180.400	Ford
29	00	Ed Kennedy	49.926	180.267
30	99A	John Ferrier	49.944	180.202	Ford
31	5A	Bobby Gerhart	49.972	180.101	Chev
32	54	Roger Carter	49.981	180.068	Dodge
33	62	Larry Hollenbeck	50.005	179.982
34	2	Tim  George Jr.	50.071	179.745	Toyota
35	5D	Joey Coulter	50.102	179.634	Chev
36	48	Leilani Munter	50.125	179.551	Ford
37	30C	Jesse Smith	50.261	179.065	Dodge
38	99	Randy Baker	50.405	178.554	Ford
39	07A	Matt Lofton	50.474	178.310	Chev
40	14A	Marcus Fux	50.536	178.091	Ford
41	96	Todd Hoddick	50.549	178.045
42	9	Derek Murphy	50.552	178.034	Dodge
43	5B	AJ Henriksen	50.622	177.788	Chev
44	80C	Alex Ciompi	50.624	177.781	Ford
45	75C	Charles Walker	50.757	177.315	Ford
50	0	Butch Jarvis	50.873	176.911	Dodge
51	80A	Barry Fitzgerald	50.923	176.737
52	75B	Benny Chastain	50.960	176.609	Ford
53	31	Troy Wangerin	51.030	176.367
54	27	Dicky Williamson	51.337	175.312	Ford
55	34	Darrell Basham	51.989	173.114	Chev
56	7A	Stephen Mccurley	52.459	171.563	Chev
57	7	Donny Kelley	53.024	169.734	Chev

 

From  Don Radebaugh  PR/Media Director