Nascar Info: 1/29/12

Saturday

Points deal guarantees Danica Patrick entry into Daytona 500

Rest easy, Danica Patrick fans: your lady is going to be driving in the Daytona 500 no matter what.

[ NASCAR preseason countdown: No. 14 AJ Allmendinger]

Stewart-Haas Racing, Patrick's team, has arranged to transfer necessary points from Dave Blaney's No. 36 of Tommy Baldwin Racing, meaning Patrick won't have to qualify on speed but Blaney will. Blaney finished inside the top 35 in owner's points last year, 32nd to be exact, which means he's guaranteed entry into the first five races. Blaney does have good experience with qualifying, and fewer race teams on the track (thanks to the departure of Red Bull and the contraction of Roush Fenway, among other moves) means the opportunity to get in on speed isn't quite as difficult as it might have been.

Here's how the deal shakes out: Stewart-Haas Racing has "entered into a collaborative partnership" with Tommy Baldwin Racing so that, technically speaking, TBR is now fielding Patrick's No. 10 GoDaddy.com Chevy Impala, not just for the Daytona 500 but for all 10 of the races Patrick will run at the Sprint Cup level. TBR is thus now a two-car team, and SHR goes back to being a two-car team. Makes perfect sense, right?

[ThePostGame: NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Jr. opens up about girlfriend]

If all this leaves a bit of an unsavory taste in your mouth, you're not alone; points-swapping is one of the more oily aspects of the NASCAR race experience. It's common, it's done every single year, but that doesn't make the wheeling-and-dealing, not racing for position, sit any easier.

Patrick already has enough problems with the perception that she's been handed opportunities at turn after turn, and this latest move, leapfrogging into the Great American Race, will do nothing to stem that perception. Yes, it's a marketing necessity, given the investment in Patrick, and yes, she's a talented driver in her own right, but the stakes are growing higher with every benefit she receives. Going to be one hell of an interesting race to watch.

Patrick locked into Daytona 500, thanks to TBR [NASCAR.com]

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/points-deal-guarantees-danica-patrick-entry-daytona-500-205103358.html

Ruby Tuesday Dodge Carl Edwards Copart Ford Denny Hamlin

SPEED Announces Changes to NASCAR Programs

SPEED LogoNASCAR ON SPEED?�ROLLS INTO 2012� TRACKSIDE�EXPANDS TO TWO NIGHTS A WEEK; STUDIO SHOWS UPDATE SETS� TROTTA ADDS�NASCAR PERFORMACE�HOST ROLE� �� NASCAR on SPEED opens its season tonight, as�NASCAR Race Hub�returns at 6 p.m. ET with hosts Steve Byrnes and Danielle Trotta, along with analyst Larry McReynolds and race team veteran Matt Clark. The Hub,...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2012/sprintcup/01/23/speed-announces-changes-to-nascar-programs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=speed-announces-changes-to-nascar-programs

Kevin Harvick Armour Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet Clint Bowyer Zaxby s Chevrolet

Why I Love NASCAR: Clean Slate by Chief 187?

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/01/why-i-love-nascar-clean-slate-by-chief.html

Miguel Бngel Guerra Roberto Guerrero Maurнcio Gugelmin Dan Gurney

Fantin, Jaafar to race for Carlin

Pietro Fantin and Jazeman Jaafar have completed Carlin's line-up for this year's British Formula 3 Championship. The pair join Carlos Sainz Jr, Harry Tincknell and Jack Harvey in the team's five-car line-up and are both aiming to give the Volkswagen-powered squad its eighth drivers' title. Fantin (pictured), who finished eighth in last year's championship with Hitech, said: "I've really enjoyed winter testing with Carlin so far.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/fantin-jaafar-to-race-for-carlin/

Jeffrey Tyler Burton Richard Allen Craven Kerry Dale Earnhardt Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr

Friday

Michael Angelo?s Pizza, in Ontario, California is hosting a Daytona 500 viewing party and fundraiser benefiting the NASCAR Foundation

The NASCAR FoundationRANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA February 3, 2012 ? Bruce Kilgour, Local Regional Ambassador Leader for the NASCAR Foundation, announced today that Michael Angelo?s Pizza of Ontario, Ca. will host their annual Daytona 500 viewing party and fundraiser. Funds raised through the event will be donated to The NASCAR Foundation. There will also be NASCAR...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2012/sprintcup/02/03/michael-angelos-pizza-in-ontario-california-is-hosting-a-daytona-500-viewing-party-and-fundraiser-benefiting-the-nascar-foundation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=michael-angelos-pizza-in-ontario-california-is-hosting-a-daytona-500-viewing-party-and-fundraiser-benefiting-the-nascar-foundation

Damon Hill Graham Hill Phil Hill Peter Hirt

IndyCar Testing Update

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/02/indycar-testing-update.html

Peter Hirt David Hobbs Gary Hocking Ingo Hoffmann

No Shortage of 2011 Season 4 Champions

iRacers never like to give up a good thing, which goes a long way toward explaining why Season 4 of 2011 didn?t conclude until 23:59 GMT on January 23, 2012 . . .� Not only can we look forward to the start of 2012 Season 1, we can take a final look in the rear view mirrors at the season just past and celebrate the achievements of iRacing?s most successful and prolific sim racers. Kalle Ruokola certainly qualifies on both counts.� He bested Yoeri Gijsen and Rami Kaukola to capture the Time Trial (TT) honors in the Corvette Class of the iRacing Prototype and GT Challenge (Fixed), and collected no fewer than four runner-up finishes in everything from Classic Lotus Grand Prix TT (behind Mark Mullineaux and ahead of David [...]

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/iracing-news/no-shortage-of-2011-season-4-champions/

Kerry Dale Earnhardt Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr Carl Michael Edwards III

Honda Prices 2012 Four-Cylinder Crosstour EX, Starts at $28,465

Honda has priced the new four-cylinder version of the humpbacked Accord-based Crosstour?note that it’s no longer called the Accord Crosstour?from $28,465. That figure applies to the entry EX model; the EX-L adds leather and costs $31,515, while the top-shelf EX-L with navigation rings in at $33,615. Pricing for the V-6 Crosstour starts at $31,150 for [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/MU_oCWWaS6s/

Jean Marc Gounon Emmanuel de Graffenried Lucas di Grassi Cecil Green

Lapierre: Toyota was a better option

Nicolas Lapierre says he felt Toyota was a better option for his sportscar career than a potential Peugeot seat even before the French manufacturer withdrew from Le Mans racing. Lapierre won last year's Sebring 12 Hours in an ORECA-run Peugeot, and admitted that he had talks with Peugeot over joining its works team. But he was ultimately announced as part of the driving strength for Toyota's return to sportscars' top class.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/lapierre-toyota-was-a-better-option/

Kyle Busch Toyota Kimmy Z Line Designs Toyota Parker Kligerman

Thursday

Button hopes car is fast from the start

Jenson Button is hoping the new McLaren MP4-27 will hit the ground running and allow the team to enjoy a stronger build-up to the season than in 2011. The Woking team launched its 2012 car on Wednesday hoping it will allow it to stop Red Bull Racing's run of titles after a dominant 2011 campaign for the team and Sebastian Vettel. McLaren endured a troubled pre-season last year, with several problems hindering its preparations ahead of the first race.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/button-hopes-car-is-fast-from-the-start/

Georges Grignard Bobby Grim Romain Grosjean Olivier Grouillard

IRC chiefs praise Ireland route

IRC motorsport development manager Jean-Pierre Nicolas has praised the organisers of the Circuit of Ireland Rally after completing his route survey this week.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/irc-chiefs-praise-ireland-route/

Al Keller Joe Kelly Dave Kennedy Loris Kessel

2013 Acura ILX Sedan Spy Photos, Including Interior

Acura is less than two weeks away from revealing its production-ready ILX compact sedan at the Chicago auto show, but our spy shooters spotted a test vehicle and managed to take a clear picture of the car’s dash. The ILX concept, which appeared in January in Detroit, was an exterior buck with no interior. Surprise, [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/i2y0zOtGvqk/

Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr Carl Michael Edwards III William Clyde Elliott

Kyle and Samantha: Taking on the World

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/01/kyle-and-samantha-taking-on-world.html

Brian Hart Gene Hartley Masahiro Hasemi Naoki Hattori

Kyle and Kurt Busch join forces in Nationwide Series

Kyle Busch announced Thursday that he and brother Kurt Busch will team up to compete in the Nationwide Series in 2012 for Kyle's team, Kyle Busch Motorsports, with full-season sponsorship from Monster Energy.

Kyle Busch will drive 13-15 races for his team as it moves up from the Camping World Truck Series, while Kurt Busch will drive the rest, including standalone Nationwide races, as the team competes for the Nationwide owner's championship. Kurt will also compete in the Nationwide Series restrictor plate races for Phoenix Racing, his new Sprint Cup Series team. The pairing means that Kurt will be driving a Chevrolet in the Cup Series and a Toyota in the Nationwide Series -- a rare occurrence.

From the Associated Press:

"We've had a lot of talks about how this whole deal is going to work out, what we're both looking to get out of this and what a great opportunity this is to race in the Nationwide Series," Kyle Busch said. "Kurt's never done a full Nationwide deal, he's always had the itch but never really cared about it."

The two donned matching Monster Energy shirts for the announcement.

Because of the arrival of Monster Energy as the team's sponsor, NOS, a competing energy drink, will no longer sponsor Kyle. Kyle will also not compete in the� Truck Series this year at the suggestion of his Sprint Cup owner Joe Gibbs. If he runs 15 Nationwide races and all 36 Sprint Cup Series events, that's 51 2012 events. Kyle ran 71 NASCAR events in 2011 and 81 NASCAR events in 2010. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Kurt. He's run just 12 Nationwide races in his career so far.

Earlier in the week, Carl Edwards announced that -- as of now -- he wouldn't be participating at all in the Nationwide Series in 2012 and Brad Keselowski is expected to run a partial schedule as well again. That may provide us with some sorely-needed new faces in victory lane in the Nationwide Series. The trio won 21 of 34 Nationwide races last year.

So, what do you think about the Busch brothers running for the same team? Will they be the perfect antidote for each other as they look to distance themselves from tumultuous conclusions to 2011 or will their intensity combining cause a spontaneous combustion? Drop us a line in the comments.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/kyle-kurt-busch-join-forces-nationwide-series-222205872.html

Cuth Harrison Brian Hart Gene Hartley Masahiro Hasemi

Wednesday

iRacers Take Rolex 24

Congratulations to iRacers AJ Allmendinger, John Pew and Justin Wilson who, together with Mike Shank Racing co-driver Oswaldo Negri, captured the 2012 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona in their Ford-Riley.� Allmendinger took the lead for the final time on Lap 692 and led the final 69 laps of the 50th running of the race to take the win 5.198s ahead of the second place finisher ? also a Ford-Riley ? piloted by Ryan Dalziel, Lucas Lohr, Allan McNish, Alex Popow and Miguel Potolicchio.�� A third Ford-Riley, driven by Jorge Goncalvez, Michael McDowell, Felipe Nasr and Gustavo Yacaman finished on the lead lap in third place to give veteran team owner Shank two cars on the victory podium. Photo: Dave Moulthrop

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/iracing-news/iracers-take-rolex-24/

Olivier Gendebien Marc Genй Elmer George Bob Gerard

Join my new Facebook page just in time for the Daytona 500

Source: http://www.4ever3blog.com/2012/1/12/2704030/join-my-new-facebook-page-just-in-time-for-the-daytona-500

Nick Heidfeld Theo Helfrich Mack Hellings Brian Henton

Preseason testing in Daytona: Day 2 results

Thirty-two cars took the track Friday morning for Day 2 of testing at Daytona International Speedway. Here are the results from Session 1. (NOTE: The drastic speed difference between Juan Pablo Montoya in seventh and everyone below him is because only the first seven cars ran in the two-car draft.)

Day 2: Session 1

1. Martin Truex Jr. (Toyota): 204.722 m.p.h.
2. Clint Bowyer (Toyota): 204.722 m.p.h.
3. Marcos Ambrose (Ford): 203.142 m.p.h.
4. Aric Almirola (Ford): 203.142 m.p.h.
5. Mark Martin (Toyota): 201.748 m.p.h.
6. Jamie McMurray (Chevrolet): 201.378 m.p.h.
7. Juan Pablo Montoya (Chevrolet): 201.374 m.p.h.
8. Jeff Gordon (Chevrolet): 196.049 m.p.h.
9. Kurt Busch (Chevrolet): 196.014 m.p.h.
10. AJ Allmendinger (Dodge): 195.818 m.p.h.
11. Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet): 195.410 m.p.h.
12. Tony Stewart (Chevrolet): 195.385 m.p.h.
13. Danica Patrick (Chevrolet): 195.355 m.p.h.
14. Paul Menard (Chevrolet): 195.346 m.p.h.
15. Kyle Busch (Toyota): 195.266 m.p.h.
16. Jeff Burton (Chevrolet): 195.105 m.p.h.
17. Ryan Newman (Chevrolet): 195.084 m.p.h.
18. Joey Logano (Toyota): 195.080 m.p.h.
19. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Chevrolet): 194.995 m.p.h.
20. Greg Biffle (Ford): 194.873 m.p.h.
21. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Ford): 194.839 m.p.h.
22. Kasey Kahne (Chevrolet): 194.835 m.p.h.
23. Kevin Harvick (Chevrolet): 194.788 m.p.h.
24. Denny Hamlin (Toyota): 194.767 m.p.h.
25. Regan Smith (Chevrolet): 194.670 m.p.h.
26. Trevor Bayne (Ford): 194.418 m.p.h.
27. Brad Keselowski (Dodge): 194.116 m.p.h.
28. Matt Kenseth (Ford): 193.303 m.p.h.
29. Carl Edwards (Ford): 192.707 m.p.h.
30. Casey Mears (Ford): 192.505 m.p.h.
31. Dave Blaney (Chevrolet): 191.804 m.p.h.
32. Joe Nemecheck (Toyota): 187.566 m.p.h.

Day 2: Session 2

1. Kurt Busch (Chevrolet): 206.058 m.p.h.
2. Regan Smith (Chevrolet): 43.678 206.053 m.p.h.
3. Kyle Busch (Toyota): 205.813 m.p.h.
4.Jeff Gordon (Chevrolet): 205.747 m.p.h.
5. Kasey Kahne (Chevrolet): 205.747 m.p.h.
6. Paul Menard (Chevrolet): 205.100 m.p.h.
7. Kevin Harvick (Chevrolet): 205.095 m.p.h.
8. Denny Hamlin (Toyota): 204.997 m.p.h.
9. Martin Truex Jr. (Toyota): 204.820 m.p.h.
10. Clint Bowyer (Toyota): 204.806 m.p.h.
11. Brad Keselowski (Dodge): 204.713 m.p.h.
12. AJ Allmendinger (Dodge): 204.708 m.p.h.
13. Danica Patrick (Chevrolet): 204.341 m.p.h.
14. Tony Stewart (Chevrolet): 204.341 m.p.h.
15. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Chevrolet): 204.332 m.p.h.
16. Joey Logano (Toyota): 204.202 m.p.h.
17. Ryan Newman (Chevrolet): 204.183 m.p.h.
18. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Ford): 204.068 m.p.h.
19. Matt Kenseth (Ford): 204.058 m.p.h.
20. Greg Biffle (Ford): 203.666 m.p.h.
21. Trevor Bayne (Ford): 203.491 m.p.h.
22. Mark Martin (Toyota): 203.160 m.p.h.
23. Casey Mears (Ford): 202.461 m.p.h.
24. Aric Almirola (Ford): 201.392 m.p.h.
25. Marcos Ambrose (Ford): 201.374 m.p.h.
26. Juan Pablo Montoya (Chevrolet): 201.297 m.p.h.
27. Jamie McMurray (Chevrolet): 200.544 m.p.h.
28. Carl Edwards (Ford): 200.526 m.p.h.
29. Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet): 196.610 m.p.h.
30. Jeff Burton (Chevrolet): 195.334 m.p.h.
31. Dave Blaney (Chevrolet): 192.620 m.p.h.
32. Joe Nemechek (Toyota): 192.078 m.p.h.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/preseason-testing-daytona-day-2-results-175232139.html

Jo Gartner Tony Gaze Geki Olivier Gendebien

JGR Statement On Today?s Fire At Race Shop

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR)A piece of equipment in the machine shop caught fire today at our Joe Gibbs Racing headquarters in Huntersville, NC. The fire department was called and the fire was quickly contained and extinguished. A few of our employees received treatment on site for issues related to smoke inhalation. All employees were able...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2012/sprintcup/01/31/jgr-statement-on-todays-fire-at-race-shop/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=jgr-statement-on-todays-fire-at-race-shop

Juan Jover Oswald Karch Narain Karthikeyan Ukyo Katayama

Tuesday

Francois Migault dies aged 67

Former Formula 1 and Le Mans racer Francois Migault has died at the age of 67.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/francois-migault-dies-aged-67/

John James Jean Pierre Jarier Max Jean Stefan Johansson

Teased: Tesla Model X crossover teased, full reveal to be live on Internet

Filed under: Crossover, Tesla, Electric

Perhaps the biggest reveal of 2012 for fans of luxury performance all-electric vehicles (or, perhaps, anyone automotively inclined with a pulse) is set for the 9th of February when Tesla Motors pulls the shroud from its Model X crossover at its new Los Angeles design studio. And now, we have been given a strong hint of what to expect.

The upstart California startup has just sent out a new version of its invitation to customers, and included on the summons is a partially silhouetted image of something seemingly very sleek and very sexy. Indeed, it must be the Model X. While there is some of the same design language used in the Model S sedan, the teaser suggests a vehicle with a shorter hood, a taller roof and less-pronounced creases in its sheet metal.

We'll have a presence at the event, but you can witness the unveiling in real time from the comfort of your own home. CEO Elon Musk has tweeted that the reveal will be shown live on the Tesla Motors website at 8:00 PM (we presume that's Pacific Standard Time). He also adds, "Most cars are pretty blah. This is not."

After seeing the image above and adding the "Quicker than a Porsche 911 and roomier than an Audi Q7" statement we've heard previously to the equation, we're going to give him the benefit of the doubt. For now.

Tesla Model X crossover teased, full reveal to be live on Internet originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/tesla-model-x-crossover-teased-full-reveal-to-be-live-on-intern/

Denny Hamlin Z Line Toyota Kyle Busch Toyota Kimmy

Chase History: Homestead-Miami Speedway

I hate to borrow from another sport’s marketing campaign to explain this weekend’s Chase for the Sprint Cup finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but I feel like the NHL’s playoff slogan says it all: History will be made.
We have a two-way battle for the championship between Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart, and if either of them [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BenchRacingWithSteveAndCharlie/~3/-4wA77bsWQ8/chase-history-homestead-miami-speedway.html

Jim Hall Duncan Hamilton Lewis Hamilton David Hampshire

American Ethanol Announces Partnerships with Richard Childress Racing And RAB Racing with Brack Maggard

American EthanolCHARLOTTE, NC – In a nod to its commitment to the sport, American Ethanol today announced at the NASCAR Preview fan event in Charlotte, N.C., that it will continue relationships with Richard Childress Racing and RAB Racing for the 2012 season. Austin Dillon, 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion, will drive the iconic...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2012/sprintcup/01/21/american-ethanol-announces-partnerships-with-richard-childress-racing-and-rab-racing-with-brack-maggard/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=american-ethanol-announces-partnerships-with-richard-childress-racing-and-rab-racing-with-brack-maggard

Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica

Toyota wraps up first TS030 test

Toyota completed on Friday its first full test with the new TS030 Hybrid car that will compete in the Le Mans 24 Hours this year.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/toyota-wraps-up-first-ts030-test/

Sam Hanks Walt Hansgen Mike Harris Cuth Harrison

Monday

All-New 2013 SRT Viper Previewed, Will Debut at New York Auto Show in April

What has 10 cylinders and wants to eat your children? The 2013 SRT Viper. Well, probably. We won’t know for sure whether the Viper has 10 cylinders until it’s revealed to the public?and Chrysler has just announced that debut will take place at the 2012 New York auto show in April. Judging by this drawing, [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/jNqKa-4gxhI/

Jeffrey Tyler Burton Richard Allen Craven Kerry Dale Earnhardt Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr

2011 TaxSlayer.com Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence Announced

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/01/2011-taxslayercom-motorsports.html

Miguel Бngel Guerra Roberto Guerrero Maurнcio Gugelmin Dan Gurney

Emily Maynard to be this season?s ?The Bachelorette?

Now you have another NASCAR-related reason to watch reality television.

Emily Maynard, the former fiancee of Ricky Hendrick, NASCAR owner Rick Hendrick's late son, will be the main contestant on ABC's new season of "The Bachelorette."

[ OMG: More on the new 'Bachelorette' ]

Maynard won the "The Bachelor" last season, but her relationship with Brad Womack quickly fizzled. And to accommodate Maynard and her daughter Ricki -- named after Ricky -- the show will be taped in Charlotte.

Ricky Hendrick, along with nine others, perished in the Hendrick Motorsports plane crash in October 2004.

No word if this season will also include a contrived racing-themed episode. When Maynard was on "The Bachelor," the show filmed an episode at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Ricky Hendrick's driving career ended after a crash at Las Vegas.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/emily-maynard-season-bachelorette-013110399.html

Rupert Keegan Eddie Keizan Al Keller Joe Kelly

Rebellion opts for WEC, adds Primat

Rebellion Racing has committed to the new World Endurance Championship for 2012 and announced the signing of ex-Aston Martin driver Harold Primat. The Le Mans Series LMP1 champion team confirmed in November that its Lolas would remain Toyota powered despite the Japanese firm launching its own factory effort, and has now finalised a two-car WEC programme. With the LMS opting to make LMP2 its top class from 2012, Rebellion has chosen to move into the WEC rather than switching to the American Le Mans Series

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/rebellion-opts-for-wec-adds-primat/

Yves Giraud Cabantous Ignazio Giunti Timo Glock Helm Glцckler

Fantasy NASCAR Preview: Phoenix 2 - Kobalt Tools 500

As I’m sure you have heard many times by now, Phoenix International Raceway got a face-lift after the race here in February. There’s a great write-up about the changes that Darren Fauth sent me, and if you would like to view that, you can by clicking here. I don’t think anybody really knows what exactly [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BenchRacingWithSteveAndCharlie/~3/9-HuNHABw3E/fantasy-nascar-preview-phoenix-2-kobalt-tools-500.html

Nico Hьlkenberg Denny Hulme James Hunt Jim Hurtubise

Sunday

Chase History: Homestead-Miami Speedway

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BenchRacingWithSteveAndCharlie/~3/-4wA77bsWQ8/chase-history-homestead-miami-speedway.html

Ernst Klodwig Kamui Kobayashi Helmuth Koinigg Heikki Kovalainen

Dr. Joseph Mattioli, Pocono Raceway Patriarch, Passes

Dr Joe Matioli Long Pond, PA (January 26, 2012) ? Dr. Joseph Mattioli, Pocono Raceway Founder and Chairman of the Board, passed away today at the Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, surrounded by his loving family, following a lengthy illness. He was 86. ?Doc? as he was known to friends and associates, was one of the...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2012/sprintcup/01/26/dr-joseph-mattioli-pocono-raceway-patriarch-passes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dr-joseph-mattioli-pocono-raceway-patriarch-passes

Walt Hansgen Mike Harris Cuth Harrison Brian Hart

De la Rosa fired up for racing return

Pedro de la Rosa says he is not back in Formula 1 racing just to make up the numbers, the Spaniard eager to show he can still be competitive.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/de-la-rosa-fired-up-for-racing-return/

Tony Gaze Geki Olivier Gendebien Marc Genй

Carl Edwards will halt Nationwide run; ESPN next?

Hey, here's good news for some of the Nationwide drivers tired of getting beaten down like LSU in the national championship: Carl Edwards is leaving the Nationwide series.

Not that it matters from a standings perspective, as Edwards and other Sprint Cup drivers aren't eligible to win the Nationwide championship, but on the track, Edwards was one of the most dominant drivers in the series. He won the Nationwide owners' championship for Roush Fenway, and got that fancy trophy you see above, but in his quest to win championships in both series, he came up 0-for-2.

The question for Edwards, of course, is whether the Nationwide races helped or hurt his Cup runs. Certainly, three straight days of qualifying and racing can run you ragged, but you can learn tricks on Saturday that can help you on Sunday. Edwards, Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch have all testified to that.

[NASCAR Power Rankings: The biggest stories of the offseason]

"I'm hoping this lets me focus more on the Cup car, lets me be a better Cup racer by maybe having more time during the race weekend to maybe hone the setups in," Edwards told NASCAR.com. "I don't know how it will actually affect our performance but I do know my calendar is a lot more open and I'm able to breathe a little more. And I know my family and everyone will really appreciate [the open schedule]."

Another possibility is that Edwards is leaving the track for the cozy confines of the broadcast booth. The Daly Planet hinted at this late last season, as Jack Roush dropped a big hint that, in the heat of the Chase, went almost unnoticed. Edwards often drops into the broadcast booth, sometimes even during the same races from which he's crashed out, so this isn't big news.

Either way, we'll be seeing plenty of Carl Edwards this season.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/carl-edwards-halt-nationwide-run-espn-next-150445818.html

Bobby Grim Romain Grosjean Olivier Grouillard Brian Gubby

Lotus to reveal ?12 car on website

Kimi Raikkonen will get his first taste of the new Lotus Formula 1 car when it runs for the first time at Jerez on February 7, two days after the car is revealed on the team's new website. The team has announced that it will reveal its 2012 contender, which carries the comeback hopes of the 2007 Formula 1 world champion after two years away from the sport, live on its new website - www.lotusf1team.com - at 1700 CET on Sunday February 5

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/lotus-to-reveal-12-car-on-website/

Divina Galica Nanni Galli Oscar Alfredo Gбlvez Fred Gamble