PENSKE RACING’S No. 22 CLAIMS TOP SPOT

AJ Allmendinger

August 22, 2013 – For most of the summer only one team has held the top spot in the NASCAR Nationwide Series owners’ championship points standings – the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. That was until last Saturday at Mid-Ohio when the No. 22 Penske Racing Ford claimed the position with a 22-point cushion.

The No. 54 JGR team took its first owners’ lead after the season’s sixth race at Texas, which Kyle Busch won. The point margin reached its zenith of 51 points in mid-July at New Hampshire.

Since then, the drivers of the No. 22 Ford have gradually chipped away at the No. 54’s lead knocking it down to five points entering Mid-Ohio’s road race. AJ Allmendinger’s win in the inaugural NNS event at the Lexington, Ohio, road course, propelled the No. 22 into the top spot in the owners’ points standings.

When the series travels to Bristol for Saturday’s Food City 250, Penske Racing and the No. 22 will arrive on a hot streak having won four of the last five events. Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Allmendinger and Sam Hornish Jr. have combined for eight wins in 2013, seven of them coming in the No. 22.

Source: NASCAR 

 

TENT CAMPING NOW AVAILABLE AT HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY

New packages include campsite and three-day ticket package

MIAMI August 21, 2013 – For the first time ever, Homestead-Miami Speedway is offering tent camping packages for 2013 Ford Championship Weekend (Nov. 15-17).  The packages come complete with three-day race weekend tickets and a campsite in the new tent camping area.  Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer made the announcement Wednesday.

Packages start with a campsite for up to five nights for as little as $60 and include customizable ticket packages for all three championship races.  The tent camping comes in addition to RV camping packages currently available at the speedway.

“We are pleased to offer yet another fun way for our fans to enjoy Ford Championship Weekend and the crowning of three NASCAR champions,” said Becherer. “With the new tent camping spots, fans can enjoy idyllic weather — certainly an escape for fans visiting from the north — and a family-friendly environment. It’s yet another reason why this is a ‘can’t miss’ weekend.”

Each site is 20’ x 30’ and campers will have access to portable restrooms, a dog park, 24-hour security, and an on-site convenience store.  Private portable restrooms, showers, and potable water delivery will be available for a nominal fee. The tent camping will be located within the footprint of the GEICO Gecko RV Park adjacent to Palm Drive.

A limited number of tent camping packages are available now online at HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com; by phone at 305.230.5255; or in person at the Homestead-Miami Speedway box office (One Ralph Sanchez Speedway Blvd, Homestead, FL 33035).

The weekend slate of racing includes: The Ford EcoBoost 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crowning the 2013 Sprint Cup Champion, the Ford EcoBoost 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship event, and the Ford EcoBoost 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship.

Defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Brad Keselowski, five-time champion Jimmie Johnson, four-time champion and last year’s race winner Jeff Gordon, and Miami’s own Juan Pablo Montoya are among the top drivers scheduled to compete. They will race door-to-door around the 1.5-mile variable banked Homestead-Miami Speedway oval in the Ford EcoBoost 400.

CHASE CLINCHES: ONE DOWN, 11 TO GO AND A BUNCH MIGHT COME AT BRISTOL

In terms of Chase clinches, expect a few drivers to join Johnson this weekend at Bristol

August 21, 2013 – Jimmie Johnson has stood alone for two weeks as the only driver to clinch a spot in the 2013 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Already guaranteed a top-10 spot – and the three bonus points per win that go with it – Johnson will enter the Chase with at least 2,012 points. After race No. 26 at Richmond, all 12 Chase drivers will have their points reset to 2,000, but only the top 10 will have three points added to their total for each victory over the first 26 races. Johnson currently has four victories (both Daytona events, Martinsville and Pocono).

In terms of Chase clinches, expect a few drivers to join Johnson this weekend at Bristol.

Three drivers can clinch a top-10 spot: Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick. The magic number for a top-10 clinch is 97 points; leaving Bristol, anyone 97 points ahead of 11th will clinch a top-10 spot.

Bowyer is currently 113 points ahead of 11th. He is guaranteed to clinch a top-10 spot by finishing 12th or better, or 13th and at least one lap led, or 14th and most laps led. Edwards is currently 103 points ahead of 11th. He is guaranteed a top-10 clinch with a win or runner up; or third and at least one lap led, or fourth and most laps led. Harvick is currently 90 points ahead of 11th. He’ll clinch by improving upon his current cushion by seven points.

A number of drivers can clinch at least a Wild Card spot this weekend. Because they own multiple wins this season, after this weekend, a few drivers could fall out of the top 10 yet still be guaranteed a Wild Card spot after race No. 26. The Wild Card spots go to the two drivers outside the top 10 with the most wins, provided they are in the top 20.

Matt Kenseth, who has four wins but has yet to clinch a top-20 spot, can clinch at least a Wild Card this weekend (a win would guarantee it). The same goes for Kyle Busch (three wins) and Kasey Kahne (two wins).

Source: NASCAR

 

KASEY KAHNE MOTIVATED BY LATE SEASON PRESSURES

Having an insurance policy lessens the immediate pressure

kasey kahne

August 21, 2013 – And if you’re Kasey Kahne with two victories – one of them this spring at Bristol Motor Speedway – this isn’t a week to stress over “will I or won’t I” make the Chase. Kahne and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet are better than 50/50 proposition to make NASCAR’s postseason. They currently hold the first Wild Card entry and stand 11th, four points outside the top 10.

“I’ve (gone) through it; I kind of enjoy it. I kind of enjoy the pressure, like to have to be perfect that weekend, things like that.” said Kahne, who’s finished in the top three six times but has suffered three, accident-caused DNFs.

A year ago, Kahne overcame a difficult early season to make the Chase. He came on strong finishing fourth in the final standings. Kahne sees no reason this can’t happen again – especially if he can keep his Chevrolet SS out of harm’s way.

“It’s a tough part of the season,” he said. “But it’s kind of what we’re all here for, too, to step up when times are tough. I know we have a really strong team. I think we’ll be in a really good spot, must to put those final 10 (races) together. That’s what it’s all about.”

Source: NASCAR

 

SFHR’s TWO-CAR TEAM SET FOR SUCCESS IN SONOMA

Sonoma, Calif. August 21, 2013 – The gorgeous views of the San Francisco area, paired with the tastes of America’s top-notch wine, makes the Go Pro Grand Prix of Sonoma one of the IZOD IndyCar Series’ top destinations for a fun-filled race weekend.

Though the surrounding atmosphere is enticing, Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (SFHR) is eager to head west for more than vineyards and the Golden Gate Bridge. The young and prosperous team is eager to deliver results with a two-car team for the first time in 2013. Full-time driver Josef Newgarden will be joined by five-time American Le Mans Series (ALMS) champion Lucas Luhr, and together SFHR hopes for success.

“It’s a huge opportunity to have Lucas (Luhr) in the car,” Newgarden said. “I think it will be great for the team in general. He is quick, knowledgeable, experienced and he is going to be an incredible asset to the team. It will be a big help for myself to try and help push forward. I’m really looking forward to working with him.”

Luhr believes he will also benefit from Josef Newgarden‘s behind-the-wheel experience in an IndyCar.

“It is for sure a help to have a guy around you that’s done this the whole year,” Luhr said. “Someone who knows the team and knows how the race weekend itself will play out. It’s a totally different format than sports car racing and everything for me is an unknown until I get there.

“For the team I think it’s good to have four eyes compared to two. I think two drivers feel more than one can, and that’s a general benefit for the entire team -“two drivers giving their comments, sharing information, and collecting different kinds of data.”

Newgarden and Luhr got a glipse of the 12-turn, 2.385-mile road course last week in an unofficial test at Sonoma Raceway.

“[Driving in an IndyCar for the first time] was nothing totally unexpected,” Luhr said. “I didn’t have too much seat time, but for the amount of driving I did I feel quite comfortable already. I don’t know every reaction the car is going to make, but that just comes with more laps. Overall I’d have to say I’m very positive from my first impression.”

The 34-year-old Germany-native, who will drive the No. 97 SFHR/RW Motorsports Honda-powered entry, is looking forward to gaining more kowledge from today’s test at Sonoma Raceway.

“After Wednesday’s test it’s going to be a lot better and a lot more comfortable for me,” Luhr said. “[Last week] I avoided traffic because it was my very first time in the car.”

Both Newgarden and Luhr believe the 85-lap race will be physically demanding.

Sarah Fisher

“It will be physically tough in Turns 3A, 3B and 6,” Luhr said. “That’s where you really feel the downforce on the car and where the steering gets heavy. It takes a little time to get used to, but I’m used to the downforce level and the braking performance from LMP1 in ALMS, so it isn’t anything shocking.”

“The track is slippery and it’s a tough one to master,” Newgarden added. “It’s very technically challenging. It’s a great venue though, which makes it a fun weekend and a tough weekend at the same time.”

Whether fans choose to spend the entire weekend at the track, or make their way into the city, Newgarden thinks Sonoma is a spectacular spot for racing.

“It’s a beautiful area,” he said. “It’s wine country so anyone that comes out likes to take in that experience. There is usually great weather and awesome restaurants and you are right next to San Francisco, so it’s fun to go into the city and see some of the views. I love that aspect of going out there.”

Open testing for Newgarden and Luhr at Sonoma Raceway begins today at 1 p.m. ET. For live coverage of the Go Pro Grand Prix of Sonoma, tune into NBC Sports Network on Aug. 25 at 4 p.m. ET, and for the latest updates from the No. 67 and No. 97 cars, follow @SFHRindy and @RWMotorsports on Twitter.

 

BOBBY LABONTE NO. 47 BUSH’S® BEANS TOYOTA CAMRY BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY PREVIEW

Track:  Bristol Motor Speedway

Event:  Irwin Tools Night Race

Date:    Saturday, August 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET

TV/Radio: ESPN / MRN Radio / SiriusXM

BOBBY LABONTE NOTES:

In 41 starts at Bristol Motor Speedway, Bobby Labonte has three top-five and 10 top-10 finishes and has led 60 laps. His average start is 22.073 and his average finish is 21.122. His best finish is third (3/23/03).

The 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion’s best finish of the season is 15th, which occurred at Daytona International Speedway in February.

QUOTES:

Speedway to short track racing: “We are coming from a two-mile track with a wide racing surface to a fast, action-packed fun short track,” driver Bobby Labonte said. “We had a good run the last time we were at Bristol Motor Speedway and we feel good about the setup we have this weekend. The last time we raced at the .533-mile concrete oval, we were running around the top 15 before our motor blew up. We just wrapped up our competition meeting and  we feel like we have a good package this weekend with our No. 47 BUSH’S Beans Toyota Camry.”

Key factor:  “The spotter is really important at a track like Bristol because things happen so fast,” Labonte said. “You have to have great communicate between the driver and spotter. You have got to be ready for anything. I feel really comfortable having David Green spotting for me.”

In sync:  “Basically, the driver and spotter need to be in sync at a place like Bristol,” spotter David Green said. “Communication becomes more important than ever. It only takes 15 seconds to get around that place and things happen quickly. Some tracks are easier to spot, but at Bristol there are 43 cars on track at all times and that starts with practice on Friday. The timing of what you are saying and the wording is vital. At Bristol, I come in with the mindset that I’ve got to step everything up three notches.”

Getting in the mode:  “I’m going to spot the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race to get into the flow of things,” continued Green. “Any amount of practice and race time before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race is good to get you in that mode and mindset because it is different.”

Sense of danger:  The neat thing about Bobby and I working together is that he knows when something is going to happen before I even get it all out of my mouth. He can sense it before I say it with just my adjectives or inflection in my voice. It is one track where I use my voice level a little more effectively than any other track. It is due to the close quarters where everything is happening.

Fast forward:  “When you go to Bristol it’s like watching a movie on play,” Green said. “As soon as the cars hit the track, you are going in fast forward times three from simply getting on track, merging in traffic and getting off the track. Sometimes after the race at Bristol, I walk away from that track thinking, ‘Man, it’ has got faster and faster.’ It really has sped up over the years.”

 

MICHAEL WALTRIP WILL RACE WITH THE No. 20 NAPA AUTO PARTS TOYOTA CAMRY AT SPOKANE COUNTY RACEWAY THIS SATURDAY

CORNELIUS, N.C. August 21,2013 – Two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip flies to Spokane County (Wash.) Raceway this week to compete in Saturday night’s K&N Pro Series West race on the half-mile oval.

The founder and co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing will drive the No. 20 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota for Bill McAnally Racing in the 10th race on the 15-race schedule. Waltrip finished fourth at Talladega and fifth at Daytona in Sprint Cup competition in 2013.

Saturday night’s race marks the 50-year-old Waltrip’s first K&N start in 2013. In addition to Spokane, Waltrip is slated to race Oct. 12 at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif. He owns one win (Pikes Peak—1997), three top-five and 5 top-10 finishes in six series starts. Waltrip finished sixth at Colorado in his only series start last year.

WALTRIP ON RACING AT SPOKANE: “I can’t wait to fly out to Washington State to see all the fans out there. I watched the 2011 race from Spokane and the track and fans sure made it look like a great place to race. I have a blast whenever I get to race and that’s a part of the country we don’t get to visit too often. I enjoy racing in the NASCAR K&N Series. It’s a place where you get to see the upcoming stars of NASCAR. That’s where drivers like Kevin Harvick, Trevor Bayne, Martin Truex Jr. and Clint Bowyer learned their lessons. This series is fun to race and you’re helping develop the future of NASCAR.”

 NOTES:

 · PEAK Challenge’ Winner To Compete: The winner of the PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge, Patrick Staropoli, is slated to race in the K&N West event at Spokane. In the Challenge, which premiered on FOX Sports 1 earlier this month, nine stock car racing hopefuls competed for the chance of a lifetime. Clint Bowyer, Mark Martin, Danica Patrick, Martin Truex Jr. and others coached the drivers in front of a panel of judges. Staropoli – a Florida driver who in his racing career, progressed from karting to late model stock cars – will be competing for Bill McAnally Racing at Spokane.

 · The Race: The starting field is 24 cars, including provisional. The first 20 cars will qualify through two-lap time trials. The remaining four spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 150 laps and begin at 9:50 p.m. Practice is 2:30—3:15 p.m. and 4:15-5 p.m. on Saturday followed by qualifying at 7:30 p.m. All times Eastern. The race is not broadcast.

 · NASCAR Stats: Waltrip has 1,061 starts in NASCAR’s three top series. He owns 16 wins, 103 top-five and 241 top-10 finishes. He won the Daytona 500 in 2001 and 2003.