Around the Track: August 2014

Friday, August 29, 2014

2014 Oral-B USA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway Weekend Schedule

Friday, August 29
2:30 - 4:00 pm Oral-B USA 500 Practice (FS1)
7:10 pm Oral-B USA 500 Qualifying (FS1)

Saturday, August 30
3:00 - 3:50 pm Oral-B USA 500 Practice (FS2)
4:10 PM Great Clips 300 to Benefit Feed the Children QUALIFYING (FS2)
6:00 - 6:50 pm Oral-B USA 500 Final Practice (FS2)
7:30 PM 2014 Great Clips 300 to Benefit Feed the Children (ESPN2)

Sunday, August 31
1:30 PM 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 250 (FS1)
7:30 pm 2014 Oral-B USA 500 (ESPN)

ALL POSTED TIMES LOCAL TO TRACK

Stewart to Return at Atlanta

Tony Stewart will return this weekend to NASCAR racing for the first time since his accident in upstate NY that took the life of Kevin Ward Jr. Tony read a prepared statement in the media center at Atlanta Motor Speedway, it is the first time Stewart has been seen since the NASCAR weekend at Watkins Glen International. Stewart was visibly still dealing emotionally with the fallout of the incident.

"This has been one of the toughest tragedies I've ever had to deal with both professionally and personally. This is something that will definitely affect my life forever. This is a sadness and a pain that I hope no one ever has to experience in their life. With that being said, I know that the pain and the mourning that Kevin Ward's family and friends are experiencing is something that I can't possibly imagine. I want Kevin's father, Kevin Sr., and his mother Pam, and his sisters Christi, Kayla, Katelyn, to know that every day I'm thinking about them and praying for them. The racing community is a large family, as you guys know. Everyone's saddened with this tragedy. I want to thank all my friends and family for their support through this tough emotional time, and the support from the NASCAR community, my partners, all of our employees, it's been overwhelming. I've taken the last couple weeks off out of respect for Kevin and his family, and also to cope with the accident in my own way. It's given me the time to think about life and how easy it is to take it for granted. I miss my team, my teammates. I miss being back in the racecar. I think being back in the car this week with my racing family will help me get through this difficult time. I also understand that all of you have many questions and want a lot of answers, however I need to respect the ongoing investigation process and cannot answer and address the questions at this time. Emotionally I'm not sure if I could answer them anyway. We're here to race this weekend, and I appreciate your respect. There will be a day when I can sit here and answer the questions. Thank you."

To further complicate the situation NASCAR president Mike Helton has announced that Tony Stewart will be eligible to participate in the Chase if he wins this weekend at Atlanta or next weekend at Richmond. According to Helton NASCAR consulted with unnamed outside experts before granting this exception for Stewart.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Ownership Issues at TSM

Harry Scott and Steve Turner appear to have different opinions when it comes to the operation of their co-owned race team Turner Scott Motorsports. Turner Scott Motorsports operates in the Nationwide Series with car No.31 driven by Dylan Kwasniewski and car No. 42 driven by Kyle Larson. They also operate a Camping World Truck Series with truck No. 30 driven by Ron Hornaday, Jr. along with No. 31 driven by Ben Kennedy and the No. 32 truck. Harry Scott recently flew down to Texas to meet with Steve Turner to discuss their differences. According to a report by Fox Sports Ray Dunlap the meetings did not go well and it was reported that TSM had suspended operations of their Truck Series teams.

Wednesday afternoon Harry Scott released the following statement

“Turner Scott Motorsports remains in operation and will compete in this weekend’s NASCAR events. TSM’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race teams represented by the No. 42 driven by Kyle Larson and the No. 31 driven by Dylan Kwasniewski will complete this weekend as scheduled at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

“The No. 31 driven by Ben Kennedy and the No. 32 driven by Cameron Hayley in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will compete as scheduled at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park this coming Sunday.

“My investment company, a co-owner of TSM, will continue to do all that it can to keep the team moving forward with or without our business partner Steve Turner. To all TSM employees, sponsors, partners and fans I pledge we will continue to do what we can to keep the teams racing hard each and every week of the season.”

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Schedule

2015 NASCAR Nationwide Series Schedule

2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Schedule

Stewart-Ward investigation 'finishing up'

The Ontario County (N.Y.) Police Department is in the final stages of its investigation into the death of Kevin Ward Jr., but there is no timetable yet for its completion, a department spokesperson told FOXSports.com Monday morning. Officer Nathaniel Ross, the OCPD's Senior Communications Officer, said Monday morning that the police are "finishing up" the Ward investigation. Asked if there was a timetable for when it would be completed and when the findings would be made public, Ross said, "Not that I'm aware of." The investigation will determine whether or not Stewart will face any criminal charges. Regardless of the outcome of the police findings, Stewart potentially could face civil liability.(FoxSports)

UPDATE: Tony Stewart is on the entry list for this weekends Oral-B USA 500 at Atlanta.

Monday, August 25, 2014

Logano Wins at Bristol

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Joey Logano believes he has the car and Team Penske believes they have the team to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

Logano took the lead from Matt Kenseth with 44 laps remaining and scooted to his third Sprint Cup victory of the season in Saturday’s IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

"We can win the championship. We’ve showed it at every kind of race track. We’ve just got to keep doing it," said Logano, 24, who held off his Team Penske teammate Brad Keselowski in the final laps.

"What a year we’re having. I’m having so much fun. The past six or seven races have been unbelievable."

Logano has finished no worse than sixth in any of the last five races but took special pride in winning at the track known as the "World’s Fastest Half-Mile."

"It’s just the baddest mamma jamma race track ever built," said Logano, who two years ago was struggling with a loss of confidence at Joe Gibbs Racing.

"At that point, I would never think I’d have a year like this," he said. "That’s why the mental side of this is just as important as the physical side. But I’m happy I went through all that. It’s made me what I am now and made me aware of how I have to be, mentally, to win these things."

It was a big weekend for both Penske and Ford Racing with Keselowski winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event in a truck he owns, Ryan Blaney winning for Penske in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race and Logano and Keselowski finishing 1-2 in the main event.

"I think we’re legitimate threats to win a championship this year and I’m proud of that," said Keselowski, the 2012 Sprint Cup champion and the ‘old man’ of the group at 30. "To have all three drivers win races, I think that’s a testament to how bright the future is. I think the results speak for themselves. We’ve just got to keep rolling."

It’s also the first time that Ford Racing has swept a NASCAR weekend series since 2006 when Mark Martin won in truck and Kenseth won both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races at Bristol. Ford’s nine Sprint Cup victories this season are its most since 2008 when it won 11 times.

Like Logano, Keselowski has three victories this season. The difference between the two drivers on Saturday was minimal.

"I think our two cars were really, really equal," Keselowski said. "Whoever got out front and got the clean air first was going to win the race and Joey was able to do that.

"The last lap I just dive-bombed it in there on a prayer, kind of hoping it would stick or he would slip or something would happen for me. It made it look cool but it really wasn’t that close."

Team Penske Executive Vice President Walt Czarnecki couldn’t be happier with the way things are working out with his team in its second year with Ford.

"When Joey came on board, we told him, ‘There’s no No. 1. There’s no No. 2. Everybody’s equal. We all contribute, we all have the came access to information, the same access to resources. I think it’s really been demonstrated in the performance of the team this year with six wins."(Seth Livingstone, NASCAR Media)

Friday, August 22, 2014

Watkins Glen plans on safety improvements

This year's Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen International once again also featured a violent multi-car wreck -- something that has been a trend over the past few years at WGI. This time the incident occurred exiting the Carousel corner, when Ryan Newman hit the Armco barrier before shooting across the track and into the path of Michael McDowell. After the two cars made contact, McDowell's car lifted in the air, hitting another Armco barrier, leaving a hole in the wall and causing a lengthy delay as crews made repairs. While both drivers were able to walk from their cars, Newman -- among other drivers -- heavily criticized the state of safety around WGI, saying the track has not adapted to the changes in safety developed over the years. Throughout the years, Watkins Glen has made a number of changes to the track, run-off areas and walls with the goal being to produce safer racing, including in the area of the track where Newman's incident occurred. After hard wrecks by the late Jason Leffler in the Nationwide Series and Sam Hornish Jr., Jeff Gordon and Jeff Burton in the Sprint Cup Series, the track paved the grass that was next to the track and adjusted the wall and barriers where both Leffler and Hornish had hit.
For WGI track president Michael Printup, "safety is obviously paramount" to WGI, saying the best thing about the Newman-McDowell incident was that all drivers walked away and nobody had to go to the hospital. While admitting there always is room for improvement and innovation, Printup said he does not fully agree with Newman's tough words. "I think Ryan's a little off in his harsh criticism, because it that was a SAFER wall -- like Dale (Earnhardt) Jr. said, you don't want to be hitting concrete," he pointed out. "Concrete stops you, the barrier gave; but there are definitely issues we have to address." For the record, Earnhardt Jr. actually called for concrete and SAFER barriers in that section of track, saying the Armco barriers were not enough.
"I'd love to have some concrete walls and SAFER barriers but it's a lot of concrete that would have to be put up here," Earnhardt Jr. said during the race's red-flag period that day. "We've been running through guardrails for 50 years, so I don't think they've got them perfected. They do the best they can and we're going way faster here than we used to go and so when the car bounces back out on the race track it's hard to avoid. And you're going to get slung into the guardrail and hit that thing harder than you would expect, but I don't know what else they can do. It would be too expensive to put walls around it and SAFER barriers and all that stuff. You trust in what they're doing and I'm glad nobody is hurt."
Printup indicated after that after the race at The Glen, he flew to International Speedway Corp. headquarters in Daytona Beach, Fla., and spent three days working with ISC president John Saunders and the design team to address the issue. "We'll get the University of Nebraska up there, we'll get NASCAR up there, we're going to evaluate everything we can," he said. "We'll do whatever we need to do to make sure it is the safest track we can." While driver input is always a valuable resource when looking at safety innovations, Printup indicated they have to marry that up with the University of Nebraska safety experts, and let them take the lead. Hosting only one NASCAR race a year, Watkins Glen also features a host of other racing series, all of which use "the boot" section of the track that NASCAR does not. Any safety innovations implemented with an eye to the NASCAR weekend will also have implications for the other racing series as well. "There was some curbing there that made the back of that car hop. A lot people can't see it. It's a black-and-white checkered curbing that is about a seven-inch curb rise. So when the car hits it, it pops it up. So that was one thing we have to look real hard at and see if maybe that curbing doesn't need to be there. But for the road-course guys who race the boot, they want that curbing there. So, we have to figure out that happy medium." Serving as track president since June 2009, Printup understands that his lone NASCAR weekend each year has to not only put on a good show on the track, but also be accommodating for everyone involved -- and the results show his team is doing its best to get the job done.(FoxSports/WGI)

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Lowe's goes back to blue on the #48

After a series of subpar finishes, Jimmie Johnson reached out to Lowe's to ask if the partner could switch up the paint scheme on the #48 Chevy. Lowe's, a 13-year sponsor of Johnson, agreed wholeheartedly. The blue-and-white paint scheme first appeared on Johnson's Chevrolet for the 2012 season and Johnson wrapped up his sixth championship in 2013 in the familiar blue scheme. This car has visited Victory Lane five times since its debut. Johnson chose "Let the Good Times Roll" by The Cars for his introduction song at Bristol Motor Speedway.(HMS/TeamLowes)

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Gibbs says Stewart has strength, courage to return

Joe Gibbs believes Tony Stewart has the strength to return to racing at some point following the Aug. 9 incident which left sprint car driver Kevin Ward Jr. dead. Gibbs, who employed Stewart at Joe Gibbs Racing from 1999-2008, said he has not spoken to Stewart since the incident but thinks the driver will be able to come back and race again. Stewart has missed the past two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races and also has canceled his non-NASCAR racing appearances until further notice. He has not said whether he will drive this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. "From what I saw with Tony, he's got great courage, he's smart, he loves this sport," Gibbs said Tuesday. "He's totally focused on it." Gibbs said he was told by Stewart's representatives the driver is taking some time for himself right now, so he has been hesitant to reach out. But the driver has been in his prayers, Gibbs said. "We all love Tony, we love what he did for us here," he said. "We know he's a racer's racer and he's big for our sport. I would love to have a chance to speak with him at some point and encourage him."(USA Today)

Grassroots campaign hopes to show support for Tony Stewart.

Tony Stewart has taken his share of fan criticism from the electronic media regarding his actions on the evening of August 9, when his sprint car collided with fellow racer Kevin Ward, Jr., 20, who was on foot following an on-track incident.

Ward, as you are likely aware, was upset with the three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, and left his car to confront Stewart, whose car was still under power. Ward was killed. The criticism of Stewart involves to what extent – indeed, if at all – Stewart should share the blame.

Stewart’s fans have responded, via Twitter, Facebook, email and other electronic outlets, to mount a grassroots campaign supporting Stewart this Saturday night at the NASCAR Irwin Tools 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The suggestion is a simple one: Stand up on lap 14, which is the number of Stewart’s NASCAR Chevrolet, as well as the number of his sprint car.

The supporters are rallying around the “StandWithSmoke” logo that Stewart’s team introduced for his return at the Daytona 500, his first race back since he himself suffered a badly broken leg in a sprint car crash in Iowa in August, 2013. Smoke is, of course, Stewart's nickname.

#StandWithSmoke

The Bristol movement is “100 percent fan driven” said Mike Arning, who handles communications for Stewart.

The team used the hashtag #StandWithSmoke at Daytona, and through the first couple of races, when Stewart returned to the car. They began using it again just before Watkins Glen to “pump up support for Tony to make the Chase,” Arning said. They dropped it Sunday at the Glen, and haven’t used it since.

Still, there is a Facebook group using the name StandWithSmoke that is a “closed group” with, at present, 407 members who, says the group’s mission statement, is “For all of us that know Smoke didn’t mean to hit Kevin Ward Jr.”

Stewart did not race at Watkins Glen, or at the next race at Michigan. Arning says no timetable has been set for a decision as to whether Stewart will race at Bristol.(Motorsport)

2014 IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway Weekend Schedule

Wednesday, August 20
4:40 PM UNOH 200 QUALIFYING (FS1)
8:30 PM 2014 UNOH 200 (FS1)

Friday, August 22
1:30 - 2:20 PM IRWIN Tools Night Race Final Practice (FS1)
3:40 PM Food City 300 QUALIFYING (FS1)
5:40 PM IRWIN Tools Night Race Qualifying (ESPN2)
7:30 PM 2014 Food City 300 (ESPN & TSN2)

Saturday, August 23
7:30 PM 2014 IRWIN Tools Night Race (ABC & TSN)

ALL POSTED TIMES LOCAL TO TRACK

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Carl Edwards joins Joe Gibbs Racing in 2015

For several months, the question has not been if but when it would be announced that Carl Edwards would shift from Roush Fenway Racing to Joe Gibbs Racing.

On Tuesday, we’ve finally had that question answered.

Edwards has been officially confirmed as driver of Gibbs’ new fourth entry, the No. 19 ARRIS Toyota Camry. He’ll join Gibbs holdovers Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch, and reunite with former Roush Fenway teammate Matt Kenseth.

The No. 19 falls perfectly in-between Busch’s No. 18 and Kenseth’s No. 20. In recent years, Gibbs’ part-time fourth car carried the No. 81 in the selected races it was entered.

ARRIS Group Inc., a global innovator in IP, video and broadband technology, is a sponsor new to NASCAR and will have a presence both on Edwards’ Cup car for 17 races and also for rising Mexican star Daniel Suarez, who will compete in the full 2015 Nationwide Series (under its new name) and selected Camping World Truck Series races.

During Tuesday’s press conference, Joe Gibbs said the remaining 19 races for Edwards’ Cup car will be announced shortly, but most deals are done. He said he was “thrilled” to have companies coming to JGR.

For Edwards, while he reiterated the focus will remain on closing out strongly with RFR, he expressed his excitement with the switch.

“This is a huge day for me. It means the world to me to have this opportunity, means a lot to have Denny, Kyle, Matt here and to be a part of this organization,” Edwards said. “It’ll be nice to finally be able to talk about this.(NBC Sports)

Possible 2015 Sprint Cup schedule changes

Jim Noble of ESPN/SiriusXM/PRN tweeted Monday evening, "The Southern 500 at Darlington (SC) Raceway will return to its traditional Labor Day weekend date when NASCAR announces the 2015 Sprint Cup schedule, perhaps as early as this weekend. Atlanta Motor Speedway - which has raced on Labor Day weekend since 2009 - will have its lone Sprint Cup race weekend moved earlier in the season to week #2 - Sunday, March 1, 2015. One other notable change will be the Bristol (TN) spring weekend -- often plagued by weather issues in March, Bristol successfully lobbied for a later date, and will now hold its spring Cup race on Sunday, April 19, 2015."

Monday, August 18, 2014

Michigan International Speedway continues on track to a greener Michigan

Michigan International Speedway is waving the green flag, making a commitment with the help of Consumers Energy to match 100 percent of its electricity use with renewable energy. Officials from the racetrack and from Consumers Energy on Sunday announced plans to improve Michigan's environment through actions at its largest racetrack -- and largest campground. Those include support for renewable energy, a new initiative to plant trees and a commitment by MIS to reduce energy usage. Michigan International Speedway now becomes the largest customer to enroll 100 percent in Consumers Energy's Green Generation program. Close to 20,000 homes and businesses in Michigan participate in Green Generation, contributing each month to purchase power from renewable sources, all made in Michigan.(MIS)

NSCS Recap: Late Restart Catapults Gordon to Michigan Victory

So much for restarts being a problem for Jeff Gordon.

The four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion broke away after a late caution to win Sunday's Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

Gordon, who faced questions about his struggles on restarts earlier this season, passed Joey Logano at the start of lap 183 and kept his Chevrolet in front when Logano got next to him on the following lap. Logano fell back after falling out of a draft and Gordon never was challenged again as he rolled to his third series victory of the season.

His win at Indianapolis last month followed a similar script.

"I thought he had a good start, but I had one, too," Gordon said. "It’s pretty nice to have the last two wins come down to restarts.

"Those restarts are so crucial but also intense because of the speed we’re carrying here."

The pole winner went to victory lane at MIS for the third time—his first since June 2001—and collected the 91st win of his career. He also gave Hendrick Motorsports, which saw Jimmie Johnson win here in June, a sweep of this year’s races at the track closest to General Motors Corp.’s world headquarters.

Kurt Busch hit the turn 2 wall shortly after a lap 178 restart and the ensuing yellow flag bunched the field for a final sprint to the finish.

"I wish the last caution didn’t come out," said Logano, who started second and led a race-best 86 laps. "I thought we had a better shot at it.

"I won every single restart I was on the front row except the last one."

Kevin Harvick was second for the fourth straight race here, followed by Paul Menard, Logano and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt, who started the day with a four-point series lead on Gordon, dropped to second after the checkered flag.

"We had a solid day but the 24 (Gordon) just had a little more speed than us," Harvick said.

Gordon had a little more speed all weekend. He set a new track record with a 206.558 mph qualifying lap and was the only car faster than 200 mph in Saturday’s final practice session. He led 68 laps and seemed to keep the car wherever he wanted on the track throughout the race.(NASCAR WireService)

Friday, August 15, 2014

NASCAR Announces New Incident Rules

NASCAR officials will now require drivers involved in accidents on the race track to remain inside their vehicles until safety and/or officials with NASCAR or the track arrive on the scene, according to Robin Pemberton, vice president of competition and racing development for the sanctioning body.

"As we have demonstrated in our history that we are willing to react quickly to different incidents … this morning we are formalizing one of … our at-track regulations," said Pemberton, speaking Friday at Michigan International Speedway.

According to the addendum to the NASCAR rule book (Section 9-16), "if a race car is involved in an on-track incident on or near the racing surface, and is unable to continue to make forward progress, unless extenuating emergency conditions exist with the race car (such as smoke or fire inside the car)," the driver is to remain inside the car until directed to exit by workers on the scene.

The addendum also states that a driver or crew member(s) is not to approach any portion of the racing surface or apron and should not approach another moving vehicle.

According to officials, as with other behavioral infractions, NASCAR will handle any instances individually when determining possible penalties.

Drivers are always reminded of safety measures to be taken when competing in an event, Pemberton said, typically during the weekly drivers meeting on race day.

The move comes a week after three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart struck and killed a fellow competitor in a sprint car race at Canandiagua Motorsports Park in upstate New York. Kevin Ward Jr. had climbed out of his car and was walking across the track when he was hit.

Stewart To Sit Out Michigan; Jeff Burton To Serve as Interim Driver for 14 Car

Tony Stewart has decided not to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event this weekend at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. Veteran driver Jeff Burton, a winner of 21 Sprint Cup races, will pilot the #14 Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet SS for Stewart-Haas Racing in place of Stewart. This driver change pertains only to Michigan. Stewart's plans for upcoming Sprint Cup races have yet to be determined. At 10:00am/et on Friday in the deadline room of the infield media center at Michigan, Burton will be part of a press briefing featuring SHR executive vice president Brett Frood and SHR vice president of competition Greg Zipadelli. By skipping an entire weekend, he would need NASCAR to waive the requirement that a driver must qualify or race every weekend to be eligible for the Chase. NASCAR officials would not speculate Thursday whether they would grant a waiver if one is requested(Sporting News/SHR)

Thursday, August 14, 2014

2014 Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway Weekend Schedule

Friday, August 15
12:00 - 1:20PM Pure Michigan 400 PRACTICE (FS1)
4:40PM Pure Michigan 400 QUALIFYING (FS1)

Saturday, August 16
8:30 - 9:20AM Pure Michigan 400 Practice (ESPN2)
9:40 AM Nationwide Children's Hospital 200 QUALIFYING (ESPN2)
9:40 AM Careers for Veterans 200 QUALIFYING (FS1)
11:00 - 11:55AM Pure Michigan 400 FINAL PRACTICE (ESPN2)
12:30 PM 2014 Careers for Veterans 200 Presented by Cooper Standard (FS1)
2:45 PM 2014 Nationwide Children's Hospital 200 (ESPN & TSN2)

Sunday, August 17
1:00PM 2014 Pure Michigan 400 (ESPN)

ALL POSTED TIMES LOCAL TO TRACKS

Harvick's team penalized, #98 team warned after Watkins Glen

The 4 team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has been penalized due to a rules infraction committed during the Aug. 10 race at Watkins Glen International. The infraction is a P3 level penalty and is outlined in Section 12-4.3 of the 2014 rule book:
" A. Violation examples could include but are not limited to:

1(c): Unapproved added weight and/or weight affixed improperly (e.g. Unapproved added weight (size and material); unapproved added weight location, but not of a nature rising to a higher numbered penalty.

The infraction violates the following sections in the rule book:

" 12-1: Actions detrimental to stock car racing;
" 20-2.3: Added car weight
A. Any weight added to the car must be bolted inside the body shell in an approved weight container and in a position acceptable to NASCAR officials
Added weight must be in block form of not less than five pound blocks (no pellets) and painted white with the car number or team identification permanently legible on it.

As a result of this violation, crew chief Rodney Childers has been fined $25,000.

Per Section 12-4.1 of the NASCAR rule book, a Warning has been issued to the 98 team for an infraction occurring on Aug. 8. The infraction was:

" 20-16.6: Fuel filler cans
G. When adding or removing fuel to/from the car in the garage area, the car must be outside the garage structure.

Multiple warnings issued to the same vehicle number/member within a given time period will result in one or more penalties in accordance to Section 12-4.1 of the rule book.(NASCAR)

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Watkins Glen Weekend Recap

I want to start out by thanking the Watkins Glen International staff for their hospitality this weekend, they have been extremely helpful and accommodating. Upon arriving the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East was on track practicing. It was very evident that these were the first laps many of these drivers were making at the Glen. Most of them had heavy wheel hop going into turn 1 and had issues smoothly navigating the esses. Australian rookie Brodie Kostecki was fastest in practice. He also won the 21 Means 21 pole award setting a new track record for the K&N Pro Series with a lap of 72.869 seconds (121.039 mph). Brodie Kostecki had to retire 4 laps into the Bully Hill Vineyards 125 with suspension issues. Andrew Ranger lead 30 laps during the race before giving up the lead to Scott Heckert a second year K&N Pro Series East driver. The Bully Hill Vineyards 125 was the first career win for Heckert and the race was finished under a green-white-checkered. Both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series had practice sessions on Friday with Marcos Ambrose being fastest in Nationwide and AJ Allmendinger being fastest in Cup. Saturday featured qualifying for the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series along with the Nationwide Series Zippo 200. In Nationwide qualifying the Penske Fords of Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano claimed the front row, followed by Kyle Busch and Marcos Ambrose. Sprint Cup qualifying ended with Jeff Gordon and Marcos Ambrose on the front row with Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick occupying the second row. The afternoon featured the Nationwide Series Zippo 200 race. Kyle Busch and Marcos Ambrose made contact early into the race at the inner loop. Both drivers made quick recoveries and went on to battle for the win with Marcos Ambrose taking the victory in the Zippo 200. It would be his 5th victory in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Chase Elliott finished in the 6th position extending his points lead over fellow JR Motorsports driver Regan Smith to 12 points. We then moved our attention to Sunday. Under the cloud of the Kevin Ward Jr/Tony Stewart situation we had the Cheez-it 355 at the Glen to run. Gordon and Ambrose lead the field to green for 90 scheduled laps. Kevin Harvick had to pit on lap 1 to remove a loose weight bag from the car. On lap 11 we went under the first caution for Cole Whitt going hard into the tire barrier outside turn 1. On lap 52, Jeff Gordon, who lead most of the race to that point lost power in the car and had to coast around to pit road, leading to the second caution of the day. The race was on pace to finish in record time until lap 57 when Ryan Newman got turned sideways and collided with the Armco and tire barrier. He then ended up back in traffic, where he made contact with Michael McDowell who was sent backwards at an awkward angle into the Armco and fence. NASCAR had to place the field under the red flag to make repairs to the Armco barrier. After about and hour and a half the field went back to green. On lap 88 Denny Hamlin made contact with the sand barrels at the entrance to pit road, this once again brought out the red flag and the caution laps lead to another green-white-checkered finish. The action packed finish saw Marcos Ambrose battle with AJ Allmendinger. Allmendinger ended up winning the Cheez-it 355 at the Glen, it was his first career win and the first win for JTG Daugherty Racing. The checkered flag marked a close to a very action packed weekend from Watkins Glen International.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

3M partnering with Hendrick to sponsor Gordon

3M will join 11-time Sprint Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports beginning with the 2015 NASCAR season when it will become a primary sponsor of driver Jeff Gordon and his #24 Chevy SS team. The new relationship will feature 3M as a primary sponsor in 11 Sprint Cup races annually and as an associate-level partner in all other events. The agreement covers the 2015, 2016 and 2017 NASCAR seasons. All five of 3M's business units, which comprise more than $31 billion in annual sales, will use the sponsorship in consumer promotions, product launches and business-to-business opportunities. With more than 65 of its products used in the construction and maintenance of Sprint Cup Series race cars, 3M for decades has played a key role in the success of NASCAR teams. The company manufactures more than 80,000 different products and has been an official NASCAR partner across several categories since 1995.(Hendrick Motorsports)

NASCAR could consider rule to prevent drivers from getting out of cars

Kevin Ward Jr.'s death occurred in a sprint car race, but its implications could reach Sprint Cup - not only because the fatality involved a car driven by Tony Stewart. When NASCAR officials hold their weekly competition meeting Tuesday, it's likely they will discuss the circumstances that allowed Ward to exit his cockpit and angrily scramble down the banking to confront Stewart under a yellow flag at Canandaigua Motorsports Park. Ward's death has prompted suggestions that rules are needed that keep drivers in their cars under caution until safety personnel arrive. At least two dirt tracks in New York made changes Monday as Brewerton Speedway and Fulton Speedway announced in a website release that drivers would be required to stay in their cars during an accident. If a driver were to exit the car during a yellow, the race would be placed under a red flag, and the penalty could include a fine or suspension. There is precedent for deaths in other series being the impetus for immediate changes in NASCAR. "We always have discussions to become better," NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp told USA TODAY Sports. "NASCAR has a history of looking at situations, and we're not afraid to react to them."(USA Today)

Monday, August 11, 2014

Sunday gallery from Watkins Glen

Newman critical of safety at Watkins Glen

Ryan Newman was very critical of Watkins Glen International when interviewed outside of the medical center at WGI. On lap 56 Newman made contact with a Armco barrier & tire wall that sent him back out into traffic. He was then hit by Michael McDowell who's car went awkwardly backward into the Armco barrier, damaging a section of the barrier. This caused a red flag that lasted 1 hour 21 minutes to repair the barrier.When interviewed after leaving the medical center Newman said "It's just a very antiquated racetrack and the safety is not at all up to NASCAR's standards, It's a shame that we have to have accidents like that to prove it." ESPN spoke with NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton, who stated "It's a constant improvement process, and as you know, many of the places we go to, the facilities, are multi-purpose, and we're only here one weekend a year-and it's busy throughout the rest of the year. Watkins Glen has made great advancements. You remember Turn 1 and 2 and all that, moved grandstands and fencing and SAFER barriers, and that's worked quite well for us. But not all places are places for SAFER barriers. There are different types of systems to help slow cars down."

Thoughts on the Tony Stewart Situation

As most of the world knows by now on Saturday night Tony Stewart participated in a sprint car race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park & during the race he collided with Kevin Ward Jr. Following the crash Ward got out of his car to approach Stewart, who was still running. Stewart's car hit Ward causing injuries which lead to his death. Racers know that they should stay in or near their car following a wreck and stay out of the racing groove, however Ward was doing something that he has seen Stewart do a few times during his Sprint Cup career. In his younger years it was not uncommon to see Stewart loose his temper and approach a fellow driver following a wreck. This behavior is not just limited to Stewart or NASCAR, it is something that can be seen among all levels of motorsports.

Neither Stewart or Ward are solely responsible for the circumstances that lead to Wards death, it was a bunch of split second decisions made by all drivers on the track, its just racing.

Many drivers offered their thoughts in the hours following the news, however Dale Earnhardt Jr put it best. "We will all loose someone in our time. When a loss is sudden and unexpected, the pain & sadness is suffocating. Prayers for the Ward family." - +Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Moving forward from this situation Stewart has four more races, starting this weekend at Michigan International Speedway to win a race to put himself in the Chase. Tony & SHR are staying quiet, as they should until the media firestorm & investigation blows over. Stewart decided it was best that he did not race Sunday at Watkins Glen, a place where he has five career victories. Stewart has also pulled out of a sprint race at Plymouth Speedway planned for Saturday. He also has canceled any non-NASCAR racing events he planned to participate in until further notice. SHR officials state that at this point a decision has not been made as far as Stewart's participation in this weekends race at MIS. Many times people do not think about the drivers feelings & thoughts, but Stewart demonstrated that these drivers are human too and he needs his time away.

NSCS Recap: Allmendinger stakes claim to Chase spot with thrilling win at the Glen

In a battle between two drivers with everything on the line, AJ Allmendinger held off Marcos Ambrose in breathtaking fashion to win Sunday’s Cheez-It 355 at the Glen and claim an almost certain spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

In the closing laps, Allmendinger and Ambrose bumped each other, leaned on each other, raced each other side-by-side through the esses without wrecking—astoundingly—and swapped the lead before Allmendinger secured his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory with a pass in Turn 6 with just over one lap left.

The 2.45-mile road course at Watkins Glen International gave both drivers their best chance to qualify for the Chase, and it was Allmendinger who prevailed in a two-lap battle that that was a long-time coming, thanks to three red-flag periods needed to repair safety barriers at the track.

Kurt Busch ran third, hoping during the final two laps that Ambrose and Allmendinger would take their aggression over the line and give him a chance to win. Rookie Kyle Larson kept his Chase hopes alive with a fourth-place run, and Carl Edwards came home fifth.

Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth and Brian Vickers completed the top 10. Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 11th and took the series lead from pole winner Jeff Gordon, who ran 34th after losing four laps while his team diagnosed and repaired an electrical-system failure.

On the next-to-last lap, Allmendinger controlled the restart and held the lead through Turn 1, but Ambrose applied pressure up through the esses, gained ground when Allmendinger ran wide in the bus stop chicane and got past the No. 47 JTG/Daugherty Chevrolet after setting up a pass with a tap at the exit from the bus stop.

But Allmendinger stayed to Ambrose’s outside through Turn 5 and leaned on the No. 9 Ford through Turn 6, gapping Ambrose down the front straight and pulling away for the win.(NASCAR Media)

NNS Recap: Marcos Ambrose holds off Kyle Busch for fifth Nationwide Series road course win

Recovering from an early spin after contact with Kyle Busch’s Toyota, Marcos Ambrose held off Busch in the closing laps of Saturday’s Zippo 200 at the Glen to win the series-best fifth road course race of his Nationwide Series career.

The Australian driver has won four consecutive NNS starts at 2.45-mile Watkins Glen International, having triumphed in three straight from 2008 through 2010 and this year after a three-race hiatus from competition at the Glen.

Though Ambrose knows full well the big prizes—a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory in the Cheez-It 355 at the Glen (1 p.m. ET on ESPN) and a berth in the Chase—will be contested on Sunday, he was eager to savor the NNS win.

"I just want to enjoy today," Ambrose said. "You get to victory lane, and it’s special. I would love to repeat, but it’s a lot of work tomorrow. I want to think about this and get a good night’s rest and come attack them tomorrow."

During an exchange of pit stops with 32 of 82 laps left, Ambrose surged past Joey Logano as the driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford exited pit road. When the sequence of stops cycled through, Ambrose, who had pitted one lap earlier than Logano, held the lead, with Logano running second.

Ambrose kept the top spot after a restart on Lap 63 that followed the fifth and final caution of the race. With five laps left, Busch roared past Logano but couldn’t get to the bumper of Ambrose’s No. 9 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford in time to make a move for the win.

Logano came home third, followed by pole winner Brad Keselowski and Matt Kenseth. Rookie Chase Elliott ran sixth and extended his series lead to 12 points over JR Motorsports teammate Regan Smith, who finished 17th.(NASCAR Media)