Friday, October 31, 2008

Kumho Develops World’s First 15 Series Tires


(Seoul, Korea – October 29, 2008) Kumho Tires, one of the world’s leading tire manufacturers, today announced that it has developed the lowest aspect ratio tire available, the 15 series ECSTA SPT 385/15ZR22. These high performance tires, designed for exotic sports cars like the Dodge Viper, Ferrari F430, or Chevrolet Corvette Z06, deliver incredible handling, stability, control and safety.

A tire’s aspect ratio refers to the ratio of the sidewall height to the width. These low aspect ratio tires, sometimes called low profile tires, have a very wide contact patch, or tire area touching the road. This helps drivers feel the road better and react more quickly.

In 2006, Kumho Tires developed the first 20 series tires, drawing attention form car makers, dealers and the international media. Kumho Tires expects that the ECSTA 15 series tire will make it more appealing in new areas including the tune-up segment for supercars and high-end tuner cars.

“The world’s first 15 series tire is a perfect example of what we have achieved through our ongoing commitment to research and development,” said Sae-chul Oh, President and CEO of Kumho Tires. “This is one of many innovations that we have pioneered at Kumho, including our aroma, colored smoke, run-flat and X-speed tires. We will continue to innovate as we race ahead toward our goal of becoming one of the top five tire makers.”

Kumho Tires used cutting-edge computer simulation technology to perfectly engineer its ECSTA 15 series with an optimized sidewall structure. This prevents the formation of standing waves, or ripples in the contact patch, which form when heat builds up at high speeds. Kumho was also able to give these tires a semi run-flat capability, ensuring that the tires remain firmly on the rim even after a puncture or loss of pressure. The ECSTA 15 series tires not only deliver a sporty driving experience, but also a sense of security.

Kumho Tires will introduce the ECSTA 15 series at the SEMA Show 2008, being held from November 4 through 7 in Las Vegas, USA. The SEMA Show is the annual exhibition held by the Specialty Equipment Market Association and is the biggest automotive specialty products trade event in the North America.

Spencer Lewis' Q4 Power Rankings... 11-25

The top 10 list of Spencer Lewis' Ontario Short Track Power Rankings are in Volume 12, Issue 9 of Inside Track Motorsport News (click here to subscribe). But in the meantime, Spencer has posted his 11-15 rankings at the Inside Track Pit Board, here.

Anyone wanting to join the Pit Board, remember, you must use your full first and last name as your username to successfully register.

Delaware Speedway Announces New Management Team

(editor's note: Every year or two, Delaware issues a release of this nature. Seems like a million years ago that the track was the base of CASCAR and 'the rock' of Canadian motorsports. Best of luck to the new team! - GM)

From John Houghton // Delaware Speedway PR
October 30, 2008

Delaware Speedway Announces New Management Team
Dedicated, Experienced Team Looks for Success in 2009
 
Delaware Speedway is pleased to announce Paul Houghton as the new Operations Manager for the 2009 racing season.  Paul will immediately take over the day-to-day business operations of the speedway.

Paul Houghton is not a new face to Delaware Speedway.  For the past four years he has served as the Krown Junior Racing League program director.  Under his leadership, which he plans to continue, the league has seen an explosion of growth and recently saw its largest season ever with 32 drivers competing as well as increases in spectator attendance.

On Friday evenings Paul has been a familiar face and could often be seen greeting fans at the gate and along the main concourse.  He has also worked closely with the management team in the past in an operational capacity.  Paul is a project manager by trade and recently retired from the financial services industry where he worked for 32 years.  He hopes to put his skills to use in his new role where he will be working to expand sponsor involvement and also on continuous improvement of the day-to-day operations. 

“I thank the owners for giving me the opportunity to expand my role at the track.  I also want to recognize Jerry for the hard work and dedication he’s given the track over the past two years.” said Houghton. “I very much look forward to the opportunity to work with John and Jeff to create a very exciting 2009 season at Delaware Speedway.”

Paul will follow in the footsteps of Jerry Wilcox, who served as operations manager since the 2007 season.  Jerry was successful in cleaning up many operations and successfully completed his two-year mandate prior to retirement.  Jerry will use his experience to advise Delaware Speedway in its strategic planning with the speedway owners, but will not be involved in the day to day operations of the speedway.

“Jerry will be missed by all of us at Delaware Speedway,” said Dave McDonald of the ownership group.  “We wish to thank him for all he’s done for the speedway and wish him the very best in his retirement.”

Paul is joined by experienced team members Jeff Wilcox and John Houghton.  All operations of the speedway will be shared between these three key and experienced employees with increased responsibilities going to Jeff Wilcox and John Houghton.

Jeff Wilcox will be returning as Race Director and will be working more closely with the speedway owners on long-term planning objectives.  Jeff joined the speedway team in November 2004 and has been working to increase the competitiveness of the racing at the track.

“I’m excited to be working with this team moving into the 2009 season,” said Wilcox.  “I’m happy the ownership group continues to move forward with these programs and feel we’re going to have an excellent year.”

John Houghton will continue as the Public Relations Director.  John has been employed at the speedway since 2001 in various roles and was transferred to the speedway broadcast tower in 2004.  He was later placed as announcer in 2005 before taking his position as Public Relations Director two years ago.

“Paul and I have done a lot of work together over the years on many speedway projects,” said John.  “We’re looking forward to applying what we’ve learned for the benefit of the racers, fans and business partners.”

The immediate responsibilities of the team will be to prepare and release the 2009 schedule and rule book by mid-late November.  The team will also be working towards the track’s long-term planning and goals.

Also planned is the launch of a new 2009 Speedway Marketing Package.  The new package is aimed at enhancing relations with current speedway partners and also opening the door to new perspective partners.  Individuals or businesses interested in receiving a copy of the package are encouraged to contact John Houghton at the speedway office (519) 652-5068 Ext 201 with mailing information.

With a solid team in place and planning well underway, the 2009 racing season is gearing up to be one to look forward to!

For more information on any of Delaware Speedway’s programs contact the track offices (519) 652-5068 or e-mail info@delawarespeedway.com.

 
John Houghton
Announcer / PR
Delaware Speedway
519/652-5068 ext. 201
info@delawarespeedway.com

Yokohama adds more heavy-duty coverage to light truck line-up

LANGLEY, B.C. (October 31, 2008) – The addition of 13 new sizes to the successful Geolandar line of Yokohama light truck tires will extend the appeal of these popular tires to consumer and commercial truck owners alike.

The additions include 11 new sizes to the expanded Geolandar A/T-S line and two new sizes added to the line of Geolandar M/T+ light truck tires. The new sizes will be available early in 2009.

The new Geolandar A/T-S sizes, in the 17-inch to 20-inch range, include seven new high load index sizes ideal for heavy duty use in commercial applications. The new sizes are a response to demand from customers in industries like forestry, construction and mining, and will be popular with the owners of Ford F-Series, Dodge Ram, GM Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado pick-ups as well as the new generation Nissan Titan and Toyota Tundra trucks.

The two new sizes in the Geolandar M/T+ line are additions to the 17-inch range.

“From the oil fields to the farm to the construction site, light truck owners put their tires through some extreme conditions. Owners have told us what they like about our tires, and we’ve expanded our coverage to match what truck manufacturers are offering to commercial buyers and consumers,” says Jonathon Karelse, Marketing Manager of Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc. “Whether you own a single truck or a fleet, there is a hard-working Yokohama Geolandar truck tire ideally suited to what you do.”

Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc. markets and distributes a full line of tires for high performance, passenger car, light truck, and commercial truck applications, as well as off-the-road tires for mining, forestry and construction applications. It maintains distribution centres across Canada to serve more than 700 independent tire dealers.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

ACT Late Models Returning to Beech Ridge in 2009

PHOTO: A full field of American-Canadian Tour Late Models is expected for the July 2009 event at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Maine (Karl Baitz photo)

SCARBOROUGH, ME – The American-Canadian Tour Late Model Championship stock cars will return to Scarborough, Maine’s Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in 2009, ending a 16-year absence.  The 1/3-mile, semi-banked oval outside Portland was pivotal in deciding the first-ever ACT Late Model Tour champion, as Dave Whitcomb of Essex Jct., VT spring-boarded from a Beech Ridge victory in September 1992 to secure the title.  Pat Corbett won the Tour’s only other event at the track in July 1993.

The 150-lap event will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2009, on the weekend following the TD Banknorth 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, ME.

“We are very excited to welcome ACT back after all these years,” said Beech Ridge Motor Speedway Promoter Andy Cusack.  “Not only are we happy to have ACT back, we’re happy to welcome a whole new generation of talented young drivers to Beech Ridge; most of the drivers running with ACT right now have never raced at our facility, and it’s always fun to have new teams at our track.”

For the Beech Ridge Motor Speedway event, ACT will allow any unused tires that Late Model teams have remaining in their inventories from the TD Banknorth 250 to be used in competition.  In addition, Oxford Plains Speedway Promoter Bill Ryan will close his track for the weekend to allow his local Late Model teams a chance to compete at Beech Ridge.

ACT President Tom Curley said that the return to Beech Ridge Motor Speedway is long overdue, and that he appreciates the support he has received from Cusack and Ryan.

“Andy Cusack and Bill Ryan understand as race track promoters the value and potential that this race has for not only the State of Maine, but northeastern Late Model racing in general,” said Curley.  “Beech Ridge and Oxford Plains are the showplaces of Maine racing, and the fact that the two promoters are willing to work together to help this event is pretty special.  We all feel that the one-race rollover tire rule will save teams a substantial amount of money while giving them a chance to race on tires that they otherwise may not be able to use.”

Curley said that in addition to the ACT Late Model Tour regulars and Oxford Plains Speedway teams expected for the race, he thinks there will be interest from other teams from tracks including Lee USA

Speedway in New Hampshire, Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl in Vermont, and Wiscasset Raceway in Maine.

The full 2009 ACT Late Model Tour schedule will be released in the coming days.  Patrick Laperle of MontrĂ©al will be honored as the 2008 Champion at the annual ACT Banquet of Champions at the Sheraton-Burlington Hotel and Conference Center in South Burlington, VT on Saturday, January 10, 2009.  For more information, call (802) 244-6963 or visit www.acttour.com.

From Justin St. Louis / ACT Tour

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NASCAR TRUCKS: Paul Tracy to start 22nd at Texas

Click here for the full qualifying results. PT will be on the outside of Row 11 on Friday. Speaking of Trucks, JR Fitzpatrick is going to race at Phoenix and Homestead.

Ohsweken Speedway announces major dates for 2009

For Immediate Release – Ken Pelkie, OHSWEKEN Speedway
 
Ohsweken Speedway is please to announce the gates will once again swing open to greet race fans on May 15th for “Friday Night Thunder”. 360 Sprint Cars will headline the weekly program for the second year with the backing of Corr/Pak Merchandising Inc. Also returning to the regular program will be the Thunder Stocks and Mini Stocks on a weekly basis along with our entry level “BOMBERS” (formerly Fun Stocks) who will compete on the smaller inside oval.

 
Several major events appear on the 2009 schedule which is being prepared for release in its entirety early in the New Year.

Among them will be the return visit of the World of Outlaws Late Models on June 18th for a 50 lap, $10,000 to win program.

The World of Outlaw Sprint series will also make its way back to Ohsweken on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 28th and 29th for a pair of complete programs including qualifying, heats, dash, and main events also paying the winner $10,000 each night.

And closing out the season will be the 5th edition of the “Canadian Sprint Car Nationals” to be contested on the weekend on September 18th and 19th. This year $9,000 of a posted $60,000 plus purse awaits the winner of the 30 lap main that will feature 28 of the finest 360 sprint cars in the north east.

For ticket info, visit www.ohswekenspeedway.com
 
And finally, everyone is reminded that the annual awards banquet will take place on Saturday night, November 15th in Ancaster at the Merritt Hall located at the fairgrounds. Accomplishments of the 2008 season will be recognized with champions in all 4 divisions being crowned. Ticket information is available on the speedway website.

2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule released... at Cayuga June 28, 2009

TOLEDO OH (10-30-08) – The ARCA RE/MAX Series, long recognized as the most versatile touring series in motorsports, has released its 2009 schedule to include 22 events in 13 states and Canada. A diverse combination of superspeedways, short tracks, dirt tracks and road course racing will make up the 2009 tour, in its 57th consecutive season of competition.

“We’re extremely proud of the depth of quality of the venues on the 2009 schedule, each of which is very important to the identity and industry position of the ARCA RE/MAX Series,” said ARCA President Ron Drager. “The number of scheduled events remains stable at a level we’ve found to be appropriate, and we’re pleased with the geographic coverage represented by the markets we’ll be racing in.”

The season, as it has since 1964, will open at Daytona Int’l Speedway with the 46th annual ARCA 200 at Daytona on February 7th, live on SPEED TV. The event will serve as a preamble for the same-day NASCAR Sprint Cup Budweiser Shootout. The ’09 tour will conclude at Rockingham Speedway on October 11th, the second of two appearances at “The Rock”. In between, the series will appear at a wide variety of venues, including the 2.25-mile New Jersey Motorsports Park road course and a return trip to Cayuga Motor Speedway in Canada, giving the series international flavor.

Superspeedways returning for events in 2009 include Daytona, Kentucky Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Michigan Int’l Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Talladega Superspeedway. The 2009 Talladega event is the 48th RE/MAX Series appearance at the renowned 2.66-mile Alabama speedplant since 1969, and the upcoming events at Pocono mark the 48th and 49th appearances of the ARCA RE/MAX Series at Pocono since 1983.

Alterations to the superspeedway schedule include dates at Talladega and Kansas, both of which are changing in 2009. The traditional Talladega date, which had been in early October, will shift to April 24th in companion with the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series. The date at Kansas, which had been in late April, will move to October 1st, also in conjunction with NASCAR’s two top series. 

Short-tracks hosting events include Salem Speedway in Indiana, Toledo Speedway in Ohio, Berlin Raceway in Michigan, Iowa Speedway, Cayuga in Hagersville, Ontario, the annual mile-dirt races at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, and the Music City Motorplex in Nashville, Tennessee. The ARCA RE/MAX Series has conducted 23 races at the Nashville fairgrounds oval beginning in 1959, but has not appeared there since 1992.

Companion events in 2009 include races with the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series as well as with the IndyCar Series and the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series.

SPEED TV will return in 2009 with coverage of ARCA RE/MAX Series races as established in its multi-year agreement. The televised event schedule is traditionally released at the ARCA RE/MAX Series’ championship awards banquet in December.

2009 ARCA RE/MAX SERIES SCHEDULE

        TRACK

        LOCATION

        TRACK

       
2-7

        Daytona Int'l Speedway

        Daytona Beach, FL

        2.5 paved

       
4-5

        Salem Speedway

        Salem, IN

        .555 paved

       
4-19

        Rockingham Speedway

        Rockingham, NC

        1 paved

       
4-24

        Talladega Superspeedway

        Talladega, AL

        2.66 paved

       
5-9

        Kentucky Speedway

        Sparta, KY

        1.5 paved

       
5-17

        Toledo Speedway

        Toledo, OH

        .5 paved

       
6-6

        Pocono Raceway

        Long Pond, PA

        2.5 paved

       
6-12

        Michigan Int'l Speedway

        Brooklyn, MI

        2 paved

       
6-20

        Music City Motorplex

        Nashville, TN

        .625 paved

       
6-28

        Cayuga Motor Speedway

        Hagersville, ON

        .625 paved


       
7-11

        Iowa Speedway

        Newton, IA

        .875 paved

       
7-18

        Kentucky Speedway

        Sparta, KY

        1.5 paved

       
7-25

        Berlin Raceway

        Marne, MI

        .4 paved

       
8-1

        Pocono Raceway

        Long Pond, PA

        2.5 paved

       
8-23

        Illinois State Fairgrounds

        Springfield, IL

        1 clay

       
8-28

        Chicagoland Speedway

        Joliet, IL

        1.5 paved

       
9-4

        Toledo Speedway

        Toledo, OH

        .5 paved

       
9-7

        DuQuoin State Fairgrounds

        DuQuoin, IL

        1 clay

       
9-13

        New Jersey Motorsports Park

        Millville, NJ

        2.25 road course

       
9-19

        Salem Speedway

        Salem, IN

        .555 paved

       
10-1

        Kansas Speedway

        Kansas City, KS

        1.5 paved

       
10-11

        Rockingham Speedway

        Rockingham, NC

        1 paved


From Don Radebaugh // ARCA PR/Media Director

Calgary City Council to vote on Motion regarding Race City Speedway

Aldermen McIver and Connelly have a motion before City Council that will be voted on during the Council meeting on Monday November 3 or Tuesday November 4. The motion basically asks Council to direct the City Administration to honour the existing lease they have with Race City Speedway. This would give Race City Speedway the opportunity to continue to exist and keep Motorsport active in Calgary...if it passes. I would ask that you, as a user or fan of this facility, email your local alderman and ask them to support this motion, and explain the affect of the loss of this facility on your business or life. The motion does not ask for anything not already granted by the City, and I think our Aldermen need to recognize that their constituents are affected if Race City Speedway is forced to close. This is the website for the Ward offices:

http://www.calgary.ca/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_771_200_0_43/http%3B/content.calgary.ca/CCA/City+Hall/Municipal+Government/Office+of+the+Aldermen/Ward+Offices/Alderman+by+ward.htm

Thank you for taking the time to do this so that your local alderman gets the message before they vote on Monday.

Art MacKenzie, President, Race City Motorsports Inc.
(403) 272-7223 ex 101
amackenzie@racecity.com

FOR SALE: Daytona Beach condo of Inside Track's NASCAR columnist Ernie Saxton

Remember when George Costanza paid extra for what he thought was Jon Voight's car?

You, too, can own your own piece of celebrity property if you purchase the Daytona Beach condo belonging to longtime Inside Track NASCAR columnist Ernie Saxton....

GREAT DAYTONA BEACH CONDO FOR SALE

Located less than two miles from Daytona International Speedway. Two bedrooms, two baths, full kitchen, laundry room with washer and dryer, enclosed porch, 1100 square feet. Ground floor. Reserved parking spot. Great clubhouse workout room, heated pool, and more. Ready to move in. Priced to sell at firm $125,000 (US). We can supply photos by e-mail. Telephone Ernie Saxton at 215.752.2392 or e-mail Esaxton144@aol.com.

Raceline Radio Network Newsletter - October 30, 2008

From Erik Tomas, Raceline Radio

The latest on The Canadian Grand Prix Montreal/Formula One debacle shows a rather refreshing change, in that government heads are willing to help save the race, but at the same time aren’t just going to spend our tax dollars like they’re printing it in the basement.

Quebec Minister of Economic Development Ray Bachand, Micheal Fortier, the Federal Minister of International Trade, and Montreal Mayor Gerald Trembley flew to London for a 2 hour meeting with F-1 dictator Bernie Ecclestone last week. Mayor G. told us the meeting was productive, as they now know how much it’s going to cost to get the race back.

Trembley says there is hope the race can be saved, but no offer was made to Ecclestone at this point.

But here’s the difference: The Governments are willing to “help” pay the bill!

Unlike other F-1 cities and countries, they are not willing to simply whip out the cheque book and pick up the entire tab. Minister Bachand says they need to have partners. If Montreal hotels, restaurants and shopping centers are interested in the profit the race brings them, they will need to open their wallets and help pay for it!

Former promoters deny they owe Ecclestone back sanctioning fees, and the current contract impasse that prompted the removal of Canada from the schedule, deals with this year’s Grand Prix only.

So now the governments and the city have to decide if paying Bernie the 50 million he needs for his races now, is worth the investment against the 75-100 million the race brings to the Montreal and Quebec economy.

Can they afford it in the long run? Can they compete against Middle and Far East nations who can pay Ecclestone’s wildly inflated price tags with petty cash?

That’s the multi-million dollar question.

While I would hate to lose this race, I fear if they pay Bernie now to get it back, are we not on a very slippery slope? How much will Mr. E want next time?

And just say for the sake of argument, they pay the man. To recover costs, what does dumb-old race fan then pay for his tickets? Montreal hoteliers double the price for a hotel room during race weekend now. If the sanctioning fee goes from 20 to 50 million, and the Montreal Hotel Association, not to mention the restaurants are on the hook for a portion of the bill, what happens to the price of hotel rooms and restaurant meals?

Want to take a guess? The friction could cause your credit card to burst into flames!

In the end, if Montreal gets The Formula One Canadian Grand Prix back, and even if they don’t… either way….. the forgotten fan is going to pay through the nose.

I just wonder if we can afford Formula One in Canada anymore?

And I really have a problem contributing to Ecclestone’s wealth by paying his price to bring a series to Canada that ranks “maybe” a 5 out of 10 when it comes to actual on-track competition with absolutely ZERO fan-driver interaction.

Is it just me, or does this sound like a lousy deal?

Until next time…

ET

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Rick Young's 'Rick at the Races' October 25-26, 2008

PHOTO PARADE OF SUPER DIRT SERIES WINNERS

Pic 1 BILLY DECKER # 91 with his wife and daughters following a BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY win.

Pic 2 PETE BICKNELL # 42 at the Brighton Speedway (Ont) following his win in the LUCAS OILS 'AppleFest' race.

Pic 3 CHRIS RAABE # 01 following one of his many 2008 Brockville Ontario Speedway victories

Pic 4 PETE STEFANSKI # 2 after winning the ProStock Series race at the Cornwall Motor Speedway.

Mother Nature returned with vengeance this past weekend and drowned out what was to be the Finale of the 358 Modified and SPORTSMAN DIRTCAR season. Following a rain-out at the Can Am Speedway ( Lafargeville NY) during SUPERDIRT WEEK, the event was rescheduled for 25 Oct. This also fell victim of wet weather when the organizers were forced to pull the plug early Saturday morning.

There's no re-make date so the SUPER DIRT SERIES champions in all devisions have now been decided. Pete Bicknell (St Catherines ,Ont). clinched the Small Block Series with Chris Rabbe (Napanee ,Ont) taking the SPORTSMAN title. They join Billy Decker of Unadilla NY (Big Block Modifieds) and Wheatfield NY's Pete Stefanski ( Pro Stock) as this years DIRT CAR CHAMPIONS. I was lucky enough to catch them all in Victory Lane during the past few months.

With my racing plans literally 'gone down the drain' and nothing definite planned for the rest of the year, this past weekend will probably be the first of many, spent sitting at home. As things turned out, it was a good weekend to be marooned behind the TV set.

Not only was the RITE AID 200 from SUPER DIRT WEEK ( Syracuse NY) transmitted on the SPEED channel , but also CTV's 'Hockey Night In Canada' was featuring the Sen's versus the Leafs game. So, on Saturday night I found myself with 'remote' in hand switching between the two. By the way , webmaster Craig, is a Maple Leafs fan but I wont hold that against him !

I must mention the excellent commentry of the Syracuse event by Shane Andrews and Tim 'T MAC' McCreadie. They make a great team.

The NASCAR race from Atlanta was my choice of Sunday's viewing and what a race that turned out to be ! Although Carl Edwards took the checkers all eyes were on the late charge on 'fresh tires' by Jimmy Johnson.

As usual, watching the Ottawa Senators and visiting the occasional ice racing event will get me through the winter but I also have plans to get the RETRO section of the website up dated.

It was during a winter weekend two years ago that I decided to start the RETRO Reports. They were memoirs from my life and times around the racetracks and were sent out to the recipients of my RICK @ the RACES mailing list. I'd got as far as the end of 1986 when Craig and I launched the website mid way through 2008 . They have all been 'saved' and my winter project is to edit and tidy them up so they can be included on the site. Episode One dealing with the late 1950's to 1966 has just had more photos added and Episode Two (1967 and 1968) should be ready shortly.

www.rickattheraces.com





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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

NASCAR Sprint Cup: Texas pre-race notes

  • Chase Race 8: Jimmie Johnson Leads The Way To Texas
  • Texas Challengers: Roush Fenway Racing and Jeff Burton
  • One Crew Chief To Another: Dale Inman On Chad Knaus
  • On The Line: Carl Edwards This Week’s Teleconference Guest
  • Five Points Separate Top Three In Manufacturers’ Battle

Jimmie Johnson Bolsters Chase Lead, Hopes To Defend Texas Win

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Reigning and two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson’s (No. 48 Lowe’s/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet) is in familiar territory as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series prepares for Sunday’s Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

He’s out front, leading the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings by 183 points over second-place Carl Edwards (No. 99 Office Depot Ford) and 185 over third-place Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford). And once again, Johnson heads to a track where he won during last year’s remarkable, late Chase run.

In 2007, Johnson won four of the final five races to clinch his second series title. He didn’t win last week at Atlanta, but he rallied from early trouble to finish second behind Edwards, the winner.

Now, he approaches the fall event at Texas with similar confidence, thanks in part to excellent pre-race Loop Data statistics.

Johnson is tied with two-time series champion Tony Stewart (No. 20 Home Depot Toyota) for the top pre-race Driver Rating (107.9). His average finish of 9.2 is second-best.

Certainly, much racing remains. Johnson must average a ninth-place finish over the final three races — at Texas, Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway — to clinch a third consecutive series title.

“I’m living inside my own head,” Johnson said. “I feel very good about where we’re at and I’m trying hard not to pay attention to outside opinions and what’s really going on out there. So, I’m just keeping my head down and staying focused on the things I can control.”

What To Expect At Texas: A Roush Fenway Charge

While Jimmie Johnson continues to pursue a championship, many factors loom at Texas Motor Speedway, where Roush Fenway Racing in general and Carl Edwards in particular have excelled.

Roush Fenway drivers have won six of the 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup events held at Texas, including the April race, which Edwards won.

Edwards has two wins, two top fives, two top 10s and one DNF (did not finish) in seven career starts at Texas. He claims the sixth-best pre-race Driver Rating (96.0) and is second in Fastest Laps Run with 177.

Biffle has one win, one top five, two top 10s and four DNFs in nine career starts there. His pre-race Driver Rating for Texas ranks 10th, at 88.8, but he’s second in Fastest Laps Run there with 178.

Former Roush Fenway driver Jeff Burton (No. 31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet), fourth in the Chase and in his third season with Richard Childress Racing, has two wins, three top fives, seven top 10s and one DNF in 15 career starts at Texas.

He’s also the only driver with two wins there.

Edwards may be on a mini-roll. He won last Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway and also won Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Memphis. He has seven wins this season, trailing only Kyle Busch’s (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota) series high of eight.

And Edwards’ wins have come in bunches.

Twice, he’s won back-to-back races in 2008 — at Las Vegas and Atlanta in March, and at Michigan and Bristol in August.
  
On The Line: Carl Edwards on NASCAR Teleconference

Carl Edwards was this week’s guest on the NASCAR Teleconference, held Tuesday afternoon. Excerpts follow:

On trying to catch Chase leader Jimmie Johnson (Edwards is second in the standings): “The last couple of weeks, we have to go out and try to win all of these races, which we do normally. But at this point it's pretty much all or nothing. We just go out to win. If we can catch Jimmie on a day where he has some trouble or something happens, we have to be there getting the most amount of points we can so that we can capitalize on that ...

On trying to catch NASCAR Nationwide Series leader Clint Bowyer (Edwards is second and the defending champion): “It would just be a huge, huge accomplishment. You know, last week was a spectacular race for us. Everything went our way at Memphis in the Nationwide Series. And it's the first time in a long time we've picked up a bunch of points on Clint, so that was definitely a pleasant surprise.
“We didn't expect to go there and be able to close that many points on him. But I feel like if we do our jobs and we keep running like we're running, you know, then we're putting ourselves in the best position to, like I said, capitalize if Clint or Jimmie has any trouble …

On his appreciation for fan support during tough economic times: “You can't get around the fact that right now are tough times. It just makes everybody more grateful for the fans that do decide to come spend their entertainment dollars and their shrinking discretionary income on auto racing.

“I think as long as we keep giving them the racing that we've been giving them, and we keep doing all the things that we're doing on the racetrack to make it exciting, we'll have fans. And, hopefully, we'll get through this time and it won't cost the sport anything that we can't rebound from. …

On his friendship with University of Missouri head football coach Gary Pinkel: “He's got a pretty tough schedule, and so do I. So we end up texting each other back and forth all the time. But I've been following him. He's an inspiring guy. He's an amazing person and a really great competitor ...

On his recent engagement to his girlfriend, Kate: “I can't believe I'm getting married, but I mean just if you asked me four years ago if I'd be proposing to someone I would have said, no way, but she just got me. She's awesome. She couldn't be any better. So I'm really excited about it. So it's something that no one could have described to me, and I'm really, really pumped about spending my life with her.”

Note to media: For a transcript and full audio teleconference recording, go to NASCARMedia.com, NASCAR’s media-only Web site.

Legendary Crew Chief Dale Inman On Chad Knaus’ Title Pursuit

If two-time and reigning series champion Jimmie Johnson clinches his third consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup title, crew chief Chad Knaus will join him in the historical spotlight.

NASCAR legend Cale Yarborough is the only driver to win three consecutive series titles. He did it in 1976-78, but with different crew chiefs — Herb Nab in ‘76 and ‘77 and the combination of Tim Brewer and Travis Carter in ‘78.

Knaus, 37, would be the first crew chief to oversee three consecutive title runs.

“There’s so many things that you can’t control and there‘s so many things you can control,” said former Petty Enterprises crew chief Dale Inman of Knaus’ possible accomplishment. “And if you don’t make mistakes there, you’re in good shape.”

Inman, 72, knows. He’s won more NASCAR Sprint Cup titles than any other crew chief — the architect of Richard Petty’s NASCAR-record seven series titles, plus two-time series champion Terry Labonte’s 1984 title run.

Twice, “The King” and Inman won back-to-back titles, in 1971-72 and again in 1974-75.

Each time, a third one eluded them.

Inman says so many uncontrollable variables are part of what make winning three consecutive titles so difficult. He cites the 1968 season, which followed his and Petty’s 1967 title run.

“In ‘67 we couldn’t do no wrong and ’68 we couldn’t do anything but wrong,” Inman said of an eventual third-place finish in the standings. “Stuff broke that you weren’t supposed to be able to break with a hammer.”

As for Knaus, Inman marvels at the work ethic and commitment he’s observed from afar.

“Chad’s on top of his game right now,” Inman said. “To win two in a row is big. It’s just about a foregone conclusion. And they’ve worked hard for it, and he gives his all on it and I’m sure the crew chief and the driver are on the same page.”

Although a crew chief’s job has changed over the years, Inman warns that chemistry between driver and pit box can’t be overestimated.

“You’ve got to believe in each other,” he says. “There’s no question about that. And the driver’s got to explain to the crew chief what he wants and you’ve got to be able to interpret that.

“In mine and Richard’s case, we grew up working on his daddy’s (Lee Petty’s) race car, so it was a foregone conclusion for us. We just put it to good use and it worked out for us.”

Johnson and Knaus hail from different backgrounds, but their seven-year partnership has proven productive.

“Give it to Chad,” Inman said. “He’s been on top of his game all season long and it’s looks like he’s going to win it again.”

Recaptured Form: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Wrapping Up Solid Debut With Hendrick Motorsports

NASCAR’s most popular driver once again looks like one of NASCAR’s best drivers.

That’s a summation of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s 2008 season, with three weeks remaining. It’s also solace for the millions of fans who support the driver of the No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet.

Earnhardt has fallen out of contention for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, but from a big picture perspective, what’s important is that he was in contention to begin with. Earnhardt returned to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field this season, his first season with Hendrick Motorsports following his dramatic departure from Dale Earnhardt Inc.

Earnhardt comes into Texas 10th in the series standings He also comes in with a lasting memory: In 2000, as a rookie fresh off winning back-to-back championships in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Earnhardt got his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory at Texas.

Afterward, he was joined in Victory Lane for an emotional celebration with his father, seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt.

“I feel pretty good about how we ran this year and how we have been able to be fast pretty much every week,” Earnhardt said last week at Atlanta, where he finished 11th. “I will just try to go in, do it again, do it better next year … I’m real confident in our ability to go out next year and make a better showing.”

Double-Duty Paying Off Big For Edwards, In Quest For Two Titles

Carl Edwards nabbed victories in two different series – and two different states – this past weekend, further proving his NASCAR versatility.

His Memphis and Atlanta wins tightened a championship gap, as Edwards sits second in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series. His double duty performance this season is shaping up to be the best in NASCAR history. A driver has finished in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Nationwide standings top 10 eight times, the first being Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet) in 2001. Edwards, who accomplished the feat in both 2005 and 2007, is a near-lock to do it again.

His ultimate goal, though, is not to finish in the top 10, but to win the championships.

Three races remain for Edwards to close triple-digit deficits to Jimmie Johnson in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Clint Bowyer in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Edwards’ biggest challenge is overtaking two-time defending champion Johnson, who holds a 183-point edge over Edwards.

The comeback is daunting, but not impossible. Edwards can turn to history for hope. The winner of the Atlanta race has followed up with a Texas win in each of the last three seasons. Earlier this season, Edwards made a points gain on Johnson of more than 183 points in three consecutive races. At Richmond, Darlington and Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Edwards scored a combined 454 points. During that stretch, Johnson scored 248 points – a difference of 206 points.

Carl Edwards is currently having the most successful national series double-duty season ever.

Below are the top five double-duty drivers who have ranked in the top 10 in both series:

                                      NSCS          NNS
Driver              Year    Point Pos.   Point Pos.
Carl Edwards    2008           2                 2
Kevin Harvick    2006           4                 1
Carl Edwards    2005           3                 3
Denny Hamlin   2006           3                 4
Clint Bowyer     2008           7                 1
Kevin Harvick    2001           9                 1
Carl Edwards    2007           9                 1

Texas Loop Data: Stats Indicate Stewart Could Intrude On Championship Battle

Much of the Tony Stewart news throughout 2008 has centered on off-track activities – mainly about his 2009 endeavors.

Stewart, who will leave Joe Gibbs Racing to become part-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing in 2009, may again appear in the news because of his on-track prowess once the checkered flag falls at Texas Motor Speedway.

He is strong at Texas, with a win, three top fives and eight top 10s in 13 starts. He also ranks atop most of the pre-race Loop Data statistical categories at the 1.5-mile Fort Worth tracks.

Since 2005, Stewart has a 107.9 Texas Driver Rating, which ties him with Jimmie Johnson for best in the series. He also has series-best stats in Average Running Position (8.0), Fastest Laps Run (196) and Laps in the Top 15 percentage (89.8%). Over the last seven Texas races, Stewart has been passed 222 times, the fewest among drivers who have competed in all seven races.

Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth (No. 17 DEWALT Ford)  will likely be another growing storyline over the next three races. The two former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions have yet to win a race in 2008. Gordon has won at least two races in each of the last 14 years. Kenseth has won at least one race in the last six seasons.

Time is running out for both.

Statistically, Texas sets up better for Kenseth. Over the past seven Texas races, Kenseth has a Driver Rating of 104.9 (third-best), an Average Running Position of 9.6 (third), 120 Fastest Laps Run (sixth) and a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 76.3% (fourth). In his 12-race Texas career, Kenseth has one win, five top fives and seven top 10s.

Gordon has had an uncharacteristically difficult time at Texas in his career. He finished 43rd there this spring, and Texas is one of only two tracks at which he has yet to win (Homestead is the other).

Since 2005, Gordon has a Driver Rating of 85.1 (12th-best), an Average Running Position of 16.0 (13th), 90 Fastest Laps Run (ninth) and a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 55.2 (14th).

On The Bubble: Scott Speed And No. 84 Toyota In 35th

With three races remaining in the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, those teams involved in the top-35 “bubble” battle are just as driven as their Chase peers.

Each week, the top 35 in the owner standings are guaranteed starting positions, while those outside the cutoff must qualify on speed. And there’s crucial carryover at season’s end.

The top 35 teams in the owner standings from the previous year are guaranteed starting berths through the first five races of the following season. So much is at stake.

This week, the No. 84 Team Red Bull Toyota driven by Scott Speed and owned by Dietrich Mateschitz is 35th in the owner standings, heading to Texas.

Speed, whose team had been 34th, dropped one spot in the owner standings after a 34th-place finish at Atlanta.

Meanwhile, the No. 7 Mapei/Menards Dodge owned and driven by Robby Gordon, climbed one spot to 34th in the owner standings.

The No. 7 team is 55 points out of 33rd. The No. 22 Caterpillar Toyota driven by Dave Blaney and owned by Bill Davis, holds the 33rd spot heading to Texas.

The No. 84 team trails the No. 7 — and 34th place — by 25 points.

Behind 35th, the No. 47 Little Debbie’s Toyota driven by Marcos Ambrose and owned by Rob Kauffman is 36th, 80 points out of 35th.

The No. 77 Penske Truck Rental Dodge, driven by Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate Sam Hornish Jr., and owned by Roger Penske is 37th, 130 points out of 35th.

Note: Hornish leads Dale Earnhardt Inc.’s Regan Smith (No. 01 DEI/The Principal Financial Group Chevrolet) by three points in the Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings.

The No. 10 Country Crock Dodge, driven by AJ Allmendinger and owned by George Gillett Jr., is 37th, 101 points out of 36th and 231 points out of 35th.

NSCS Etc.

Tripleheader … Kyle Busch will have a busy weekend at Texas, competing in Friday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series events in addition to Sunday’s Dickies 500.

Germain Racing Debut … Veteran open-wheel driver Max Papis will attempt to qualify the No. 13 Geico Toyota for Germain Racing this weekend. If successful, it will be the team’s NASCAR Sprint Cup debut. Germain fields teams in NASCAR’s other two national series, and recently announced plans to run 18 NASCAR Sprint Cup races in 2009 with Papis.  

Manufacturers Battle On … With three events remaining in the 2008 season, three manufacturers are locked into a race of their own for the annual manufacturers’ title. 

Heading into Sunday’s Dickies 500 at Texas, Chevrolet holds the top spot with 198 points and 10 wins.

Close behind is Toyota, also with 10 wins, and 197 points. Ford is third, with 193 points and nine wins.

Chevrolet, the defending champion, has won six of the last seven manufacturers’ titles, including five straight since 2003.

Up Next: Phoenix International Raceway

Race 9 in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup will be the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil, Sunday, Nov. 9 at Phoenix International Raceway.

Two-time and defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, also the current standings leader, is the defending race champion.

Carl Edwards was last year’s polesitter.

Three Chase participants — Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. — are tied with Davey Allison for the most wins at Phoenix, two each.

Dickies 500: Race 8 in the Chase
The Place
: Texas Motor Speedway
The Date: Sunday, Nov. 2
The Time: 3:30 p.m. (ET)
The Track: 1.5-mile tri-oval
The Distance: 334 laps/501 miles
TV: ABC, 3 p.m. (ET)
Radio: PRN (Local Affiliate: KLLI-Live 105.3), SIRIUS Satellite Radio
2007 Winner: Jimmie Johnson
2007 Polesitter: Martin Truex Jr.
2008 Points
    Driver                Points
 1 Johnson               6,248
 2 Edwards               6,065
 3 Biffle                    6,063
 4 Burton                  6,030
 5 Harvick                 5,941
 6 Gordon                 5,936
 7 Bowyer                 5,934
 8 Stewart                 5,847
 9 Kenseth                5,835
10 Earnhardt Jr.         5,829
11 Hamlin                 5,823
12 Ky. Busch            5,783
Pre-Race Schedule: Friday—Practice, noon-1:30 p.m. Qualifying, 3:40 p.m. Saturday—Practice, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and 12:50-1:50 p.m.

From NASCAR

Flamboro Frost Fest 200... this weekend at Flamboro Speedway

Didn't get your fill of short track action this summer? Flamboro Speedway is pushing the envelope on the 2008 racing season by hosting the Frost Fest 200 this weekend.



COMPASS360 RACING HAS SUCCESSFUL MOSPORT TEST




Bowmanville, Ontario -- While Grand-Am's Rolex teams were en route to Daytona for the October test days, Compass360 Racing spent some time doing testing of their own at Mosport International Raceway.

Conveniently located just an hour from the C360R shop, Mosport is the site of some of the team's greatest successes, including a dramatic win in 2007 by Billy Johnson and Karl Thomson in the team's #76 TSX. The team used the test time to baseline its new platform, the Honda Civic Si, against the outgoing TSX.

The team's test drivers swapped between the #76 TSX and the new development Civic over the course of the day, allowing Technical Director Ray Lee the opportunity to evaluate not only the cars but the guys behind the wheel as well.

Despite the inclement weather, which featured a rainy, wet track and oppressive fog at times, the crew and drivers did a lot of work over the course of the day, especially as the track dried (before it rained again). For Thomson, the chance to drive both cars in the wet was a welcome opportunity. "I've not had the chance to drive in the rain for a few years," said Karl. "And I love the rain!"

So too did the drivers who attended, including team regular Travis Walker, warming up for what will be his fifth Grand-Am season next year. Jamie Holtom, who as 2008 KONI ST Champion narrowly beat C360R out for top spot this year, relished his opportunity to take the helm of the cars that dogged him in every race. Matthew Bell, who impressed in his first season in Grand-Am this year (driving the #95 Turner BMW), was quickly up to speed in his first time in a front-wheel-drive car on a wet track. And newcomer Kevin Tyndall, who's recently graduated from the Jim Russell school, stunned us with fast lap times in every session.

So the driving talent was all there, even if the weather wasn't.

At the end of the day Ray Lee had gained some more valuable data from the drivers that will help us to refine the development of our Civic Si's. He thinks the Hondas will prove very competitive, as the platform already managed to win a race this year at New Jersey.

Compass360 Racing plans on running three new 2009-spec Civics in the KONI Challenge next year, with the two TSX's moving to the Canadian Touring Car Championship (a series that runs eight weekends in Ontario and Quebec, including an event at Mosport).

For Thomson, it was great to spend the day with great talents like Jamie, Kevin, Matt and Travis. Even though it rained, everyone had a good time, compared notes and enjoyed the opportunity to jump from car to car without the pressure of a race weekend.

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

GM / Chrysler look for $10B to grease the merger wheels

"General Motors and Cerberus Capital Management have asked the U.S. government for roughly $10 billion in an unprecedented rescue package to support a merger between GM and Chrysler, two sources with direct knowledge of the talks said on Monday..."


The full story is here.

Monday, October 27, 2008

NCATS: Brad Graham Full Throttle Energy Drink 2008 Season Review

October 27 2008.  Driver Brad Graham and the Full Throttle / Logel’s Auto Parts / Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team showed their competitive spirit throughout the 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series racing season.  While they didn’t always achieve the results they deserved, they were a team that got stronger as the season went on.

The first part of the racing season looked promising for Graham and the Full Throttle / Logel’s Auto Parts / Challenger Motor Freight Dodge crew with top-ten finishes in three of the first four events.  “It was good that we had some pretty consistent finishes in the first part of the year” said Graham “but we knew that there was still more in the car and we were missing out on even better results”

It was a frustrating trip to western Canada with disappointing results at both Sun Valley Speedway and Edmonton.  “We’ve run so well at Sun Valley in the past and we did again this year but we had a mechanical failure that cost us a really good finish, maybe a podium and then in Edmonton we’re running in the top-five and we got touched from behind and that took us out of another good result.

Returning from the west the Full Throttle / Logel’s Auto Parts / Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team redoubled their efforts and were rewarded with a top-ten finish in Montreal. 

The Full Throttle / Logel’s Auto Parts / Challenger Motor Freight Dodge would also finish top-ten at Barrie and Riverside but wanted even more for the final race of the year at Kawartha Speedway.  They would succeed. 

They would start a disappointing fifteenth but Graham wouldn’t be there for long.  One of the quickest cars during practice he moved quickly into the top-ten and shortly after the top-five.  “We just stayed out of trouble and took it one position at a time knowing we had a long race ahead of us” said the driver.  Unfortunately the race wasn’t quite long enough.

As Graham set up the Full Throttle / Logel’s Auto Parts / Challenger Motor Freight Dodge for a run to the front for the finish, showers appeared and intensified to the point that the race was halted on lap 174.  They would have to settle for a fourth place result.  “Our car was great all night and our strategy was working perfectly it’s just the rain came a little too soon” said the driver.

Graham would finish the 2008 season with seven top-ten finishes and two top-five results.  Graham along with other series competitors this past Saturday at the year end awards ceremony collecting the trophy and awards for a tenth place overall result in th season standings.

The Full Throttle Team will return for the 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire series.  The full schedule will be released by NASCAR in the coming weeks.  For more information about the series log onto www.nascar.ca <http://www.nascar.ca/>   and for more news information about the team go to www.bradgraham.ca <http://www.bradgraham.ca/>  

Attached Photo:  Full Throttle Dodge at Sun Valley Speedway 
Photo Credit:    Todd Lewis
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment

 
<<#19 Sun Valley.JPG>>

NCATS: Home Hardware Team Honoured at Year End Awards

October 27, 2008.  Don Thomson Jr. and the Home Hardware Chevrolet team had a very successful season in the 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire series (NCATS) series.  While they came up a little short in the overall championship fight, the Home Hardware team can be proud of their accomplishments that were recognized this past weekend at the year end award ceremony. 

Starting up front in a race certainly goes a long way to helping you achieve a good result.  Well nobody did it better than the Home Hardware team in 2008.  Thomson would record a staggering seven pole position starting spots in the thirteen events.  “It really shows what a good job this team does every week at the race shop getting this car ready for the weekend” said Thomson.  “All the Home Hardware guys work really hard so that when we get to the track the car is ready to go.  If you don’t have to spend all your practice time working on the set up so the car handles properly it really gives you a leg up” he added.

While Thomson was the winner of the first race of the season during the inaugural year of NCATS competition it wouldn’t be until mid July that he would score his first win of the season, a memorable outing at Sun Valley Speedway.  The Home Hardware Chevy looked to have little difficulty in the first half of the race as Thomson led all but one of the first 128 laps.  However contact a flat tire and a spin would result in the Home Hardware Chevy going to the back of the pack and down a lap.  “Things didn’t very good but the Home team never panicked” said the driver.  “We got new tires and just slowly started to make our way back to the front”.  Thomson would put the Home Hardware Chevrolet back into the lead with just eight laps remaining to claim the victory.

Thomson’s other victory this season at Riverside Speedway was nearly as memorable.  Forced to make a pit stop due to body work that was dangling loose, again Thomson would run from the back of the pack toward the front.  And when the two leaders came together the Home Hardware Chevrolet was in position to take the lead and claim the checkered flag.  “It was pretty unusual, but I’ll take a win any way I can get it” said Thomson afterwards.

This past weekend at the year end awards ceremony Don Thomson Jr. and the Home Hardware team were recognized with the following accomplishments:  The Tow Truck in a box Free Pass award, given to the driver who receives a free pass during a race and has the best overall finish.  The NCATS Pole Award for a record seven pole position starts during the season.  The Home Hardware Team also finished second in the overall championship standings.

As always, Don Thomson was quick to pass along recognition to those that have helped achieve such great success in 2008.  “I have to thank John Fitzpatrick, without him I wouldn’t be here.  Sandy Hamilton, our crew chief made some great calls this season.  Everybody on the Home Hardware team and Fitzpatrick Motorsports, we all work together, we’re one family and they all do a great job.  And of course Home Hardware for their tremendous support of our program”.

The 2009 NCATS racing schedule is expected to be released in the coming weeks and the Home Hardware team is already beginning to prepare for the next racing season.  For information about the NCATS including stories, results and more, log onto www.nascar.ca

Photo:  #4 Home Hardware Chevrolet victory lap at Riverside.  
Photo Credit:   Todd Lewis 
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment


 
<<#4 Victory lap at Riverside.jpg>>

NCATS: Kennington Voted Most Popular Driver

October 27, 2008.  Castrol Dodge Driver DJ Kennington had another memorable season in 2008 in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.  And while Kennington came up a little short in his championship bid it was a season full of accomplishment that was recognized this past weekend at the year end award ceremony.

2008 certainly didn’t start out the way the Castrol Dodge team wanted.  Just pat halfway of round number one at Cayuga Speedway Kennington would suffer a mechanical failure and the Castrol Dodge was finished for the day.  “I don’t know what it is about Cayuga, but we’ve had our struggles there” said Kennington.  “I like the track but something always seems to bite us there” he added.

From that point on the Castrol Dodge team would bite back.  Kennington would begin an incredible run of success and reel off eight consecutive top-five finishes.  “That kind of run probably best shows how good this team is and how well we prepare for the race each weekend” said the driver.  “Dave Whyte deserves a lot of credit.  Everybody just gives everything they have so we’re ready to go each and every week”.

Round number ten of the season would find the Castrol Dodge team back at Cayuga with something to prove.  Kennington’s string of top-five finishes would end, but he did claim a top-ten in the event and also in the next race at Barrie Speedway.  The results at Riverside Speedway would officially end Kennington’s bid for the overall championship.  The Castrol Dodge would suffer a suspension failure that would send the car hard into the outside wall.  “That’s about as hard a hit as I’ve ever had” said the driver afterwards.  “I’ve crashed at Charlotte, Phoenix, Talladega but that was big”.

Remarkably the team made the repairs and had the car ready for the finale at Kawartha Speedway and scored a second place finish, though Kennington knew they should have won the race.  “I made a little mistake and gave the spot, unfortunately the rain came and they had to call the race.  I knew I could get the lead back I just didn’t get the chance” said the Castrol Dodge driver.

This past weekend at the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Awards ceremony Kennington and the Castrol Dodge team were recognized for their accomplishments: 

Powerade Power Move of the Race, given to the driver who improves his position the most over the course of the race – the most times during the season,  Second in the Mopar Fast-Five Program, Most Popular Driver as voted by race fans, and Third in the overall Drivers Championship.  “It’s great to pick up these awards, I’m happy to have helped Dodge win the manufacturers cup, having the fans vote for most popular driver is really nice too.  I’ve got thank all our sponsors that helped us out this year especially Castrol.  We’ve had such a great association for so many years this wouldn’t be possible without their tremendous support”.

The 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire series racing schedule is expected to be released in the coming weeks and once again all races will be broadcast on TSN.  More information can be found by logging onto www.djkennington.com and www.nascar.ca

Attached photo: #17 Castrol Dodge
Photo Credit:  Todd Lewis 
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment, todd@tlsportsent.com (239) 961-2618



 
<<Castrol Dodge.JPG>>

NCATS: J.R. Fitzpatrick looking ahead to 2009

October 27, 2008.  John Ryan (J.R.) Fitzpatrick and the #84 Fitzpatrick Motorsports team entered into the 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire series racing season on a mission to compete for the championship.  While a win early in the season on the Mosport Road course gave the team reason for optimism there was some tough luck on the road ahead.

A key element to any championship season is consistency and that is something that was missing for the #84 Fitzpatrick Motorsports team this season.  “Just when we’d think we were on the right track something would bite us” said the 20 year old driver.  “It was a year that our team had to battle for everything we achieved and while some guys would be happy with a seventh place overall season we’re not.  We believe that we’re a championship caliber team winning races and competing for the championship is our level of expectation”.

A high point of the season for the #84 Fitzpatrick Motorsports team came at Mosport Raceway on the very challenging road course on what would become the first ever NASCAR sanctioned event to run in the rain.  The afternoon started out dry but when the showers appeared the #84 team called J.R. to pit road for grooved tires and the driver did the rest.  Fitzpatrick charged to the front in the closing laps to take the checkered flag and celebrate a Father’s Day weekend win with his dad John watching.  “It was a special one for my dad who missed a lot of last season but to have him there for that win was awesome” said J.R.

There were other events that the #84 Chevrolet appeared to be in contention for the win but it didn’t materialize.  The one that upsets J.R. Fitzpatrick the most was in Montreal at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.  “I had the lead for most of the race but on the final lap I gave it away” says a still frustrated driver.  Fitzpatrick was passed at the start of the final lap but that’s not what upsets him.  “I knew there would be a chance to grab the lead back but I got too aggressive in the wrong spot, I put a wheel on the grass and the car just got away from me sending me off track.  I made a mistake, or we could have won” he concluded.

The Fitzpatrick Motorsports team leaves no stone unturned searching for ways to win, including a change in motors during the season.  “The Dodge motors seemed to have more horsepower than the Chevy’s were allowed so we figured we might as well experiment with them” said the driver.  They weren’t a quick fix but it did give the Fitzpatrick Motorsports team some valuable information to ponder this off season.  “As we make plans during the off season we’ll take a closer look at the motor rules and decide if we need to make a change for next year”.

J.R. Fitzpatrick finished the season with five top-five finishes including the victory at Mosport and was recognized at the year end awards banquet this past weekend with a seventh place finish in the overall championship.

OF NOTE:  J.R. Fitzpatrick continues his racing season with two more events planned behind the wheel of a NASCAR Truck series entry with TRG Motorsports.  Fitzpatrick finished a very respectable 21st at his first event in Martinsville is also scheduled to compete at Phoenix and Homestead.

The 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule will be released in the coming weeks and is expected to look similar to this past year.  All NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races are broadcast on TSN.  More information on the series can be obtained by visiting www.nascar.ca

 
Photo Caption:  #84 Fitzpatrick Motorsports Chevrolet set to qualify.
Photo Credit:  Todd Lewis
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment

<<#84 Kawartha.JPG>>

NCATS: Team Mopar Finishes 2008 Strong

October 27, 2008.  The Mopar Parts Dodge with Ron Beauchamp Jr. did not have the consistent success the team expected for the 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire series.  However with the changes the team has made and the incredible surge forward in the final few events 2009 looks to be a knockout year for Team Mopar.

At the season opening event Cayuga Speedway everything looked good as Beauchamp crossed the finish line in third position.  However a post race technical ruling against them would disallow the finishing spot.  “We’re still not satisfied with how the ruling was handled but we have to accept it” said the driver.  “But it wasn’t the only trouble spot during the first half of the year; we just seemed to have something bite us at too many races”.

Team Mopar would suffer through mechanical breakdowns, being collected in contact by other drivers and just about every other kind of trouble you can find on the race track during the season.  As the 2008 season reached the mid point the team returned former Crew Chief Chris Couvillion to the fold and things began to change for the better.

Even though the finishing results in the first couple of events weren’t what the reunited team members were looking for the foundation was being laid for the future.  “As soon as Chris came back, we just clicked” said Beauchamp.  “I can tell him what the car is doing and how it feels and it’s like he’s inside my head knowing what I mean.  He’ll make an adjustment and it’s exactly the right thing”.

The second race of the season at Cayuga Speedway would again have the Mopar Parts Dodge running up near the front and score a fifth place finish.  In the final two races at Riverside Speedway and Kawartha Speedway the #60 Mopar Parts Dodge would finish on the podium.  “I really don’t want the season to end” said a smiling Beauchamp after the final event.  This car is so good and this team has worked so hard all year I want to keep going”.

The Mopar Parts team would finish top-five in three of last four races and score back to back podium finishes to close out the 2008 racing season.  While they didn’t have the overall success in 2008, they expect to be running up front every weekend in 2009.  “I can’t thank our sponsors Mopar, Mobil 1, Exide and everybody else that stuck with us this year, we’re going to make you proud next season.  I’m also very happy for our great support from Dodge and to be able to help them win the manufacturers cup this year was terrific.”

The long term association with Mopar Parts and Beauchamp Motorsports will continue well beyond 2009 as both parties have agreed on a new multi year association.

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series 2008 season awards, including the Manufacturers Cup that goes to Dodge will be presented at the series annual banquet on Saturday October 25th.  This years racing schedule consisted of thirteen races on oval tracks, temporary street circuits and road courses.  All races once again broadcast on TSN.  You can read more about Team Mopar and Ron Beauchamp Jr. at www.beauchampmotorsports.com and www.nascar.ca 

Attached Photo: #60 Mopar Parts Dodge on track
Photo Credit:   Todd Lewis
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment <<#60 qualifing at Riverside.JPG>>