Friday, December 31, 2010

2010 Review:


A Look Back At K&N West Year

Busy year on and off the track as 57th season is celebrated


By Kevin W. Green, NASCAR
December 31, 2010 - 12:05pm

The 57th season of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West marked another great year for the West’s oldest stock car circuit – with a new series sponsor being announced, the crowing of a three-time champion and tough competition throughout. The 2010 season featured seven different race winners, including a couple of first-time winners, and eight different pole winners.


PICTURE THIS: THE BEST OF 2010 IN PHOTOS


Welcome K&N

The announcement at the beginning of the year that K&N Engineering, Inc., would be the title sponsor for NASCAR’s top developmental series met with great excitement, especially from teams on the West Coast who are delighted to have such a great sponsor right in their own backyard. The Riverside, Calif.-based K&N Engineering – which has grown from a family-run business to a global company – traces its involvement with NASCAR back to the days of supplying parts for races at the old Riverside International Raceway, which hosted events when the series was known as the NASCAR Winston West Series.

BMR domination on short tracks
Eric Holmes won his third championship in 2010 and delivered Bill McAnally his fifth title as a car owner. While Holmes scored his first win of the year at Phoenix International Raceway, it was his domination of the short tracks that paved his way to the championship. Holmes won four of the six short-track races – Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg, Ore.; Montana Raceway Park in Kalispell, Mont.; Colorado National Speedway near Denver; and All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif. Bill McAnally Racing’s success on short tracks was evident with its other teams, as well, with Paulie Harraka winning one of the other two short track events to open the season.


Mayhew shadows Holmes
David Mayhew kept the pressure on Holmes throughout the year, often shadowing him as the pair battled for the 2010 crown. In three of the races Holmes won, Mayhew was filling up in his rear view mirror – coming across the finish line in the runner-up spot. Mayhew was not always trailing Holmes, however. Mayhew led seven races, more than any other driver – running out front for 345 laps. He finished ahead of Holmes on three occasions.


Turning around his season

After encountering all kinds of bad luck through much of the year, Greg Pursley and the Gene Price Motorsports team finally got things turned around late in the season – winning two of the final three races. Pursley led the championship standings early on – but after getting caught up in accidents in three of the first six races, he dropped to 10th by the midway point of the season. Pursley eventually rebounded, accumulating enough points in the final four races to move up to fifth in the final standings.

Newcomers

The 2010 season featured a large field of rookies. It’s always great to see new talent develop as they come into the series. Drivers competing in their first full season of competition had a good showing this year, taking the sixth through 12th positions in the final standings. Expect to see more from these drivers, particularly three of them who scored top five finishes during the season – Luis Martinez Jr., Jonathon Gomez and Michael Self. Martinez, who took home the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award, also won a pole award.

Series veterans prevail

While newcomers to the series made a strong challenge, it was the veteran drivers who prevailed in the end. Holmes, Mayhew and Pursley registered eight of the wins, with second-year driver Paulie Harraka also scoring a victory. Others to notch a win in the series in 2010 included Andrew Ranger, a two-time champion in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1; Patrick Long, a Porsche factory driver who races in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series on his off weekends; and veteran West Coast driver Auggie Vidovich.

Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts Bonus Challenge

Drivers and teams had a little something extra to shoot for in 2010, thanks to a special bonus package put together by Bill McAnally Racing Promotions and sponsored by Toyota and NAPA Auto Parts. The Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts Bonus Challenge offered a variety of bonuses to teams who registered and competed in five select events on this year’s schedule. While Eric Holmes and his BMR team collected a $10,000 bonus for winning three of the five races, registered teams that raced all five of the events each took home a $3,000 bonus.

Teen Safe Driving Campaign

Bill McAnally Racing Promotions also stepped up to help put on a special teen safe driving presentation in conjunction with select NASCAR K&N Pro Series West events during the year. BMRP partnered with Impact Teen Drivers, a public awareness and education program, headed by Kelly Browning that focuses on distracted and reckless driving, and local safety organizations to deliver the message of teen safe driving to six communities in 2010. It’s great to see them use their racing platform to deliver such an important message to teenagers and their families.

First visit to Montana

The 2010 season included the inaugural visit by the series to Montana Raceway Park in Kalispell, Mont. With the Montana and Colorado events on back-to-back weekends, there were many in the series who opted to make this venture into a road trip and do some sightseeing during the week. After visiting Glacier National Park just to the north, Yellowstone National Park was a popular stop en route to Denver. For those who took the opportunity to make the drive, they saw some majestic scenery and came away with some great stories. Some also hauled home a load of souvenirs.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Friday, December 24, 2010

Team Beads of Courage

NASCAR’s Moses Smith Joins Team Beads of Courage
by Patty Lakinsmith on December 23, 2010

Moses Smith, recently voted NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver for the second year in a row, has recently joined Team Beads of Courage! In November at the last race at the Phoenix International Raceway several special handmade beads accompanied Moses in car #16, the Hasa Pool Products Toyota Camry. The beads were later given to children in the Beads of Courage program, along with special encouragement notes.

“Carrying the Beads of Courage during the race gave me a boost of enCOURAGEment!” Moses said, after the race in which he safely finished in 10th place amidst a flurry of crashes. Moses Smith finished the year recently by winning the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award. The award is presented to a driver who demonstrates the most improvement in terms of finishing position from race to race. Congratulations, Moses!




*Note: Moses actually claimed his third Most Popular Driver Award on December 11th, at the series banquet held at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.



Saturday, December 11, 2010

2010 NASCAR K&N Most Popular Driver
Moses Smith

Burt Myers, Ted Christopher, Moses Smith, Ryan Truex


For the third year, the fans were given the opportunity visit www.nascar.com and vote for their favorite driver for the 2010 Most Popular Driver of the Year Award in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West.

Also for the third year, #16 Hasa Pool Products / White Flyer driver, Moses Smith won the honor.

"WE DID IT!!! I just received the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series MOST POPULAR DRIVER AWARD...this makes it 3 years in a row...thanks to all of you that made this happen!" Moses exclaimed shortly after winning the award. "And a very special thanks to Mom...love you..."

Smith also collected the 2010 Featherlite Most Improved Driver award. He finished fourth in the K&N Pro Series West Championship.

Remembering Spencer Clark



Spencer Clark Driven Foundation




2006 recipient Mike Duncan presents the
2007 Spencer Clark Memorial Award to Eric Hardin


After years of involvement in open-wheel racing, I followed my son, Moses Smith, into the world known as NASCAR in 2006. While the differences between the two modes of motorsports were somewhat overwhelming at times; the sense of family among the competitors bridged the disciplines.

By 2006, Spencer Clark, age nineteen (19) had proved to be an immensely talented young race car driver. His passion and desire was evident to everyone who came in contact with him.

After fourteen (14) years, progressing from the Mickey Thompson’s PeeWee Motorcycles Series; to the Junior and Junior Sportsman Go-Kart Classes; the INEX Legend car series; the NASCAR Super Late Model series, and the ASA Speed Truck Challenge, Clark was preparing to race the entire K&N Pro Series West.


Sadly Spencer’s career and life were cut short on May 21, 2006 when he was a passenger in a fatal car accident outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Both Spencer and teammate Andy Phillips were killed when their vehicle rolled.

With hope for the future, the Spencer Clark Driven Foundation was established in the young racer’s memory and is fueled by his family and friends. The foundation is dedicated to helping young drivers, with the same passion and desire Spencer possessed, to achieve their goals in racing.

Past recipients of the award include Mike Duncan (2005 K&N Pro Series West Champion, Eric Hardin (a K&N Pro Series West driver who lost part of one leg to cancer as a youngster), and Bob and Kathy Butcher (MROA Chaplain/Pastor to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West).

While the Foundation has not done anything in 2010, NASCAR Race Mom has heard that they are getting ready to make a press release about 2011 very soon.

Although I did not have the honor of meeting Spencer Clark, I have had several conversations with his mom Debbie. Her strength and resolve has me wonder where Spencer Clark’s passion and desire would have taken him in his quest for a NASCAR career.



Spencer Clark is survived by his parents T.J. and Debbie Clark, his sister Candice, his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins as well as his Allegiant Air race team, race fans and friends. Spencer will truly be missed on and off the track.





*****Congratulations to team owner, Bill McAnally, recipient of the 2010 Spencer Clark Award (K&N Pro Series West)

Moses Smith - Most Improved Driver Award


Moses Smith received the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award at the Grand Champions Breakfast this morning. Featherlite, the “Official Trailer” of NASCAR, is proudly presents the NASCAR /Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award following each NASCAR Nationwide Series, Camping World Truck Series and regional series races. The award is presented to a driver who demonstrates the most improvement in terms of finishing position from race to race. Moses won this year-end award in 2009 also.


Watch the K&N Pro Series West Banquet Live!


Fans throughout the U.S. and Canada, and around the globe, will again be able to watch the festivities via a live webcast on nascarhometracks.com. The Red Carpet Pre-Show begins at 6 p.m. and the banquets get underway at 7 p.m.

The NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards Gala will feature the series champions and top drivers from NASCAR’s regional touring series including invitees from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, and the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1.


To learn more about Featherlite, please visit the Featherlite’s website and/or the Featherlite’s Specialty website .

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

NASCAR Night of Champions
Touring Awards Gala

K&N Pro Series West Teammates Moses Smith and Eric Holmes



On Saturday, December 11, 2010, the NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards Gala will bring together the series champions and top drivers from all seven of the NASCAR regional touring series. The NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards Gala will include invitees from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, the NASCAR Mexico Series, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, and the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1.


For the first time, the banquet will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center's Crown Ballroom adjacent to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.


“With the recent opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, this is a tremendous opportunity to honor the top drivers throughout NASCAR’s developmental series in a most appropriate setting: the showcase of our sport’s history,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR managing director of racing operations.


Watch the K&N Pro Series West Banquet Live!

Fans throughout the U.S. and Canada, and around the globe, will again be able to watch the festivities via a live webcast on nascarhometracks.com. The Red Carpet Pre-Show begins at 6 p.m. and the banquets get underway at 7 p.m.



Photo by Geri Amani

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Win a 50" x 60" #16 Hasa Pools Products
Moses Smith Racing Team Fleece Throw


The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West has completed their 2010 race season. As the weather turns chilly, drivers are preparing for their year-end banquet to be held on December 11th at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC.

During this break in the on-track action, NASCAR Race Mom would like to introduce you to a friend, Personalization King. Personalization King has personalized photo gifts for everyone in your life; family, friends, teammates, sponsors - Photo blankets, mugs, cutting boards, mats and more.

When giving a gift, there's nothing like a gift that says, "You're one of a kind!" Whether for birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers - or every special event in between - a personalized gift always delivers the brightest smiles.

As an incentive to NRM’s readers to visit and explore Personalization King’s new website, we are offering a wonderful opportunity. Three lucky participants can win a 50" x 60" #16 Hasa Pools Products Moses Smith Racing Team Fleece Throw ; perfect for the colder weather.



Entering is easy. However, please be sure to follow the instructions below to be entered.

There are many ways to enter; but remember you only need one entry to win!


Giveaway Guidelines:

Giveaway ends Saturday January 8, 2011. There will be three (3) grand prize winners. Three lucky participants can win a 50" x 60" #16 Hasa Pools Products Moses Smith Racing Team Fleece Throw. (ARV $55.95) I love mine!


Main Entry – You must complete this entry in order for the extra entries to count:

Visit the Personalization King’s new website; look around and then leave a comment on this post describing another personalized item you would like to own.


Extra One-Time Entries:

  • Follow me (@zwriter) on twitter - and leave a comment on this post with your twitter identification. If you are already a follower, just leave a comment with your twitter identification. (One-time only)
  • Follow Personalization King (@yourphotogifts) on twitter - and leave a comment on this post with your twitter identification. If you are already a follower, just leave a comment with your twitter identification. (One-time only)
  • Publicly follow the NASCAR Race Mom blog (with Google Friend Connect on right side) and leave a comment on this post with your blog name. If you are already a follower, just leave a comment with your blog name. (One-time only)
  • Follow Personalization King on Facebook and leave a comment on this post with your facebook identification. If you are already a follower, just leave a comment with your facebook identification. (One-time only)

You can earn one extra entry per day:

  • Tweet using the words “ Three winners will receive a Personalization King’s Moses Smith Photo Throw – easy to enter http://tinyurl.com/2gyk6dp #nascar #contest ” @yourphotogifts ; then come back to this post and comment leaving the link to your tweet. (once per day)
  • Post on your Facebook wall, “Three winners will receive a Personalization King’s Moses Smith Photo Throw – easy to enter http://tinyurl.com/2gyk6dp ” then come back to this post and comment leaving the link to post. (once per day)

  • Extra Bonus Entry worth twenty (20) entries: Buy an item from the Personalization King; then come back to this post and comment telling us about the personalized item you bought!

    Rules:

    *** Important - Each entry must be left in a separate comment.

    ***Off topic – generic comments (such as “hope I win”) will be disqualified from the competition.

    Additionally,
  1. Make sure there is a way for NRM to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger, you may leave it in your comment. NRM hates to have to disqualify a potential winner because there is not a way to contact that winner – I will need your email address to contact you, should you be the winner.
  2. The winner will be chosen by Random.org.
  3. The winner will be announced on this post and be notified by email; if the winner does not respond WITHIN 7 DAYS, another winner will be chosen.
  4. NASCAR Race Mom not responsible for missing or incorrect contact information.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Up Next: NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown


The 2011 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, the sport’s premier short-track racing showcase will return to the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.) on Jan. 28-29.

The eighth running of the event, which brings together the top racers from across North America and has grown into the ”Daytona 500 of short-track racing,” will be highlighted by the 225-lap NASCAR K&N Pro Series all-star race.

The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown main event is broken up into three sections – two 100-lap segments preceding a 25-lap dash to the finish. Last year, Joe Gibbs Racing driver Joey Logano became just the second driver to win two Showdowns when he held off a furious challenge over the closing laps from the 17-year-old Sergio Pena, who was making his series debut for Revolution Racing/Drive for Diversity.

The race features secured starting spots for the 2010 champions of NASCAR’s developmental series and race winners of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series from the 2010 season. Eighteen-year-old Ryan Truex leads the field of drivers who have already earned spots, having recently wrapped up his second straight NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship.

Other drivers who have secured starting spots include NASCAR K&N Pro Series race winners Ty Dillon, Max Gresham, Paulie Harraka, Erik Holmes, Patrick Long, David Mayhew, Brett Moffitt, Andrew Ranger, Greg Pursley, Auggie Vidovich, and Darrell Wallace Jr., in addition to NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion Keith Rocco and NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 champion DJ Kennington.

The schedule also includes a 75-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model race and a 50-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model race. The top five NASCACR state champions in attendance will have secured starting spots in the Late Model race. New to this year, the 25-car fields for each of those races will be set by a pair of heat races – 25 laps for the the Super Late Models and 20 laps for the Late Models.

Both nights of racing will air live on SPEED as part of full weekend of racing on SPEED that includes the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series’ Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown main event – contested in NASCAR K&N Pro Series cars – is open to any driver approved to drive on a half-mile or longer tracks in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series.

Current national series drivers such as Logano, Ricky Carmichael, Brian Ickler, Trevor Bayne, Matt Crafton, Ron Hornaday Jr. and Justin Lofton have competed in the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown.

By Shon Sbarra, NASCAR

Friday, November 26, 2010

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West 2011 Schedule


2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Schedule Announced

58th Season Features 14 Races At 12 Venues

02/24/11
Phoenix International Raceway
04/16/11
All American Speedway
04/30/11
Miller Motorsports Park
05/21/11
Iowa Speedway
06/11/11
Las Vegas Bullring
06/25/11
Infineon Raceway
07/02/11
Toyota Speedway at Irwindale
07/10/11
Evergreen Speedway
07/24/11
Portland International Raceway
08/06/11
Colorado National Speedway
08/13/11
Montana Raceway Park
09/03/11
Spokane County Raceway
10/15/11
All American Speedway
11/12/11
Phoenix International Raceway

(January 29, 2010 Toyota All-Star Showdown)

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Moses Smith Video Interview


Moses Smith interviewed by Amanda Nicole at the Phoenix International Raceway, NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Race (11/13/2010). Moses qualified 28th and finished the race in 10th.

Daryl Harr Video Interview


Daryl Harr interviewed by Amanda Nicole at the Phoenix International Raceway NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Race (11/13/2010). Daryl qualified 11th and finished the race in 9th.

Robbie Brand Video Interview


Robbie Brand interviewed by Amanda Nicole at the Phoenix International Raceway, NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Race (11/13/2010). Robbie qualified 33rd and finished the race in 12th.

Ty Dillon Video Interview



Ty Dillon interviewed by Amanda Nicole at the Phoenix International Raceway NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Race (11/13/2010). Ty qualified 10th and finished the race in 3rd.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Power Rankings: Live From Phoenix

By: Farrah Kaye
(http://rubbingsracing.com/)


Since I had the pleasure of being at the track this weekend, I decided to make a special Power Rankings for you! With a quadruple header (Truck, Nationwide, K&N West and Cup) this list will include drivers in all series. Since there are so many to choose from, the list will be expanded from 15 to 25. Hope you enjoy!


(Also, I was told I need to clarify my Power Rankings. While most sites keep a running tab of who stays, who goes, who moves up, who moves down … these rankings are only based on the current week’s events. I don’t care who did what last week. Like the driver’s say, I leave it at the track.)


Rank Driver Comment
1 A victory in Nationwide. Led all Cup practices. Took the Cup pole. Won the Cup race. This was his best weekend in a long time. No doubt about it, he deserved the number one spot. (*Note: This is the first “perfect” Cup weekend since Jimmie Johnson did it at Charlotte last year.*)
2 Hamlin immediately went to the front of the pack during the Cup race after starting 17th. He also held a rare off-track appearance for fans on Friday night, despite being exhausted and having nearly no voice. However, he failed to win the race when fuel mileage came into play. Hamlin still leads Jimmie Johnson heading into Homestead by 15 points.
3 Since this is the super list, I can finally put the superstar on here. Allgaier has stood out all season in the Nationwide Series and finished eighth in this weekend’s race. With only one race left at Penske (he’ll be with Turner Motorsports starting in 2011), Allgaier has a lock on fourth place heading into Homestead.
4 While most of the “heavy hitters” are used to triple headers, it’s rare to see the lesser known drivers do it. But Almirola made the list for driving in all three main races this weekend. In the Truck race he finished fifth (battling for the Championship with Todd Bodine), sixth in the Nationwide race and 27th in the Cup race. Next year he’ll be driving for JRM full-time in Nationwide and hasn’t announced his Cup plans as of yet (if there are any).
5 The 2010 Camping World Truck Series Champion had to do more than just show up to win his trophy. He qualified 15th and finished 12th, while his competition – Aric Almirola – qualified ninth and finished fifth. But Almirola had to win the race and lead all the laps in order to hold off Bodine (who still would have needed to finish fourth or better to win in that situation). He still has a battle for the Owner Championship with Kyle Busch that will wrap up next week.
6 After taking the pole in Nationwide, he finished third. Meanwhile, on the Cup side, he’s been steadily improving all season. After qualifying 10th, he finished third in the Cup race as well. That “real” win he’s looking for isn’t far off.
7 Bowyer was double duty driver in Phoenix. In the Truck Series, he got behind the wheel of Kevin Harvick’s No. 2 Kroger Chevrolet. He led 97 laps and took the win. On the Cup side, he qualified 14th and finished 21st. While he normally runs in the Nationwide Series, he traded the Truck ride and let Morgan Shepherd take the wheel of the No. 21 Chevrolet. Although he vows he will walk across the stage in Vegas, he is currently 11th in points.
8 Can someone say making lemonade out of lemons? After dropping like a rock after missing a lugnut on pit road, and runs staying green, Harvick became one of the “lucky ones” who didn’t need to stop for fuel. He finished sixth after going as low as 18th. He’s still third in points and will most likely end the year there.
9 He was asked to do media availability despite not being in the Chase and said the Jeff/Jeff fight was like a “bad reality show meeting a soap opera” which made everyone laugh. And although he may not have had much to do with it, his paint scheme is the reason he’s in the Power Rankings. His car carried the pictures of soldiers, past and present. Newman may not be fan-friendly at the moment (he didn’t sign a single autograph on the way to driver introductions, upsetting many fans), but he sure made a lot of people happy with that paint scheme. Oh, and he finished second in the race. Not too shabby.
10 Having already wrapped up the 2010 Nationwide title, Keselowski still is trying to get Roger Penske an Owner’s Championship. The battle heading into Phoenix was 81 points behind Joe Gibbs Racing. Thanks to Keselowski, the point difference has been lessened to 41 heading into the final race. On the Cup side, Keselowski didn’t fare so well, blowing a tire only 58 laps in to the race and ending his day early.
11 The rookie that is often in and out of his car started 20th and finished seventh in the Nationwide race, making him the best-finishing rookie of the race. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come for the RFR driver.
12 The owner/driver/broadcaster drove in the K&N West race. He started seventh and finished third. As for his drivers, on the Nationwide side they finished 23rd and 34th and in the Cup race they finished 15th and 26th.
13 The younger Dillon brother competed in the K&N West race while his older brother was busy driving in the Truck race. Dillon stayed out of the 11 cautions and finished the race in fourth place after starting 10th. Look for big things to come next year from him.
14 The elder Dillon brother earned his sixth pole of the year in the Truck Series and fans thought he would earn another win. But he didn’t, losing to his grandfather’s driver (Clint Bowyer). He led 24 laps and finished seventh, earning the Rookie of the Race Award. Look for him next year in some more Nationwide races and to be on the Power Rankings more often.
15 Junior Nation must be saying their prayers because Junior was second in practice, qualified 31st (only two spots behind Chase-racer Kevin Harvick) and finished 14th. He’s steadily proving again why there’s an entire nation of fans behind him.
16 The K&N West driver not only finished top 15 (11th place) but ended the year fourth in points. The Tempe, AZ native was popular amongst fans.
17 Last week, Biffle was headed towards a victory when his transmission went. This week, he redeemed himself with a solid fourth-place finish after starting in the same position. He leaves Phoenix eighth in points and should walk across the stage in Vegas as long as Homestead treats him well.
18 Although Smith started eighth, he finished 23rd and leaves Phoenix 29th in points. However, he has shown steady improvement all year and doesn’t let much get in his way. Plus, gotta give a guy who sneaks into driver introductions with Jack Roush some kudos.
19 The Red Bull driver made his Nationwide debut this weekend in the No. 84 Toyota. Unlike other debuts, this was low key but people still watched (including Red Bull Cup driver Scott Speed, who stayed on top of the pit box). Although he started 23rd, he made his way through the field and finished 15th, one position ahead of Kyle Busch (who was the last car on the lead lap). A bright future is ahead for this driver.
20 The Truck and Nationwide driver led four laps in the Lucas Oil 150 in Phoenix. After starting 18th, he finished 11th. On the Nationwide side, he started 24th and finished 22nd.
21 After the debacle that was last weekend, Gordon rebounded and qualified 22nd, used his “new” pit crew and finished 11th (all HMS cars finished in the top 15). He also earns brownie points for stopping to sign autographs for fans, which is something the four-time champ usually avoids.
22 The other four-time champion started 21st and finished fifth. A caution was brought out after Jamie McMurray through a water bottle out his window that hit Johnson’s windshield. In his post-race comments, there was definitely some tension between Johnson and Hamlin, who are now separated by a mere 15 points.
23 He’s in his hometown and since the other hometowm boy (Michael McDowell) failed to make the field, it was nice of Yeley to give the fans something to cheer about. He finished 31st, running the entire race in front of a full crowd.
24 The 2010 K&N West Series Champion just had to literally start his car to win the Championship. In a race that had 11 cautions and 3 red flags, I’m sure he’s glad to have locked that thing up in the previous race.
25
The start-and-parker ran for over 100 laps and locked himself into the top 35 in owner points for next week.

Honorable mention: TJ Majors (Dale Jr’s spotter came to meet fans at a Tweet Up and answered every question, took pictures and really exceeded many’s expectations; he epitomizes what this sport is about), pace car driver and flag man for the 3 Amigos Tequila K&N West race (there were 11 cautions for 49 laps and three red flags during the race!)


Dishonorable mention: Handicap Accessibility of Phoenix International Raceway





Sunday, November 14, 2010

A Lot To Lose

Photo by Jae Jae W.

Taking the green flag at the Phoenix International Raceway for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season finale, Hasa Driver Moses Smith knew he had a lot to lose.

The 2010 Championship Points battle had been extremely tight all year. A mere eighty-eight (88) points separated eighth place from Moses’ position in fourth. With the season high starting grid of forty cars, a mistake could close that cushion quickly.

“We did not qualify where we should have,” Smith recalled. “I think that I over drove it just a bit.” Starting the #16 Hasa Pool Products / White Flyer Toyota Camry from twenty-eight position, Moses had to be both cautious yet aggressive.

At the first of eleven caution periods, Moses had maneuvered his way up to the nineteenth position. From there he ran as high as third. However, as the race progressed, the race car’s handling deteriorated, making it difficult to turn. The team assessed that adverse situation, Crew Chief Mario Isola made the call to make two extra pit stops for chassis adjustments.

Just after the mid-point of the 125 lap race, the #16 Hasa Pool Product Toyota Camry rejoined the pack in thirty-first position. At this point, the “worst case scenario“ loomed large. However, the driver and crew chief’s chatter on the race radio remained calm and focused.

“Just dig Buddy; we have plenty of time left to get them.” Mario counseled. Moses followed his instructions and unwearyingly drove his way back through the pack; avoiding several crashes in the process.

The last caution flag of the finale was thrown with just seven laps to go. The #16 Hasa Pool Products / White Flyer Toyota Camry was back in the top-ten. Moses steered clear of trouble and brought home an eleventh place finish. With that late race charge, he placed fourth in the championship battle.

“I knew what was on the line this race, but you have to run each race individually and not let that pressure build inside you.” Moses explained in the pits after the race. “There was a lot of crashes and stuff going on all around me, but I can’t let that distract me from my purpose.”

As a side note, Moses raced as part of the TEAM Beads of Courage program. Please check out their wonderful efforts to provide Arts-in-Medicine for Children with Serious Illness.

You can also interact with the Beads of Courage on Facebook.

When you look at the labor the Beads of Courage put into their program and the children they benefit, it puts the severity of losing on the race track in an entirely different prospective.

“Carrying the Beads of Courage during the race gave me a boost of enCOURAGEment!” Moses interjected.


The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West - 3 Amigos Tequila 125 race will air on SPEED at 3:00 p.m. (PT) on Thursday, Nov. 18.

Unofficial 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Standings:
1. E. Holmes, 1942; 2. D. Mayhew, 1818; 3. P. Harraka, 1704; 4. M. Smith, 1674; 5. G. Pursley, 1641; 6. J. Gomez, 1627; 7. L. Martinez,Jr., 1590; 8. M. Self, 1548; 9. T. Souza, 1493; 10. T. Milburn, 1412.

Video Interview

Saturday, November 13, 2010

K&N Pro Series West Starting Lineup

3 Amigos Tequila 125 Starting Lineup


#
Driver
Time
1
26
Greg Pursley
27.700
2
86
Tom Dyer
27.724
3
17
David Mayhew
27.743
4
94
Dusty Davis
27.858
5
70
Eddie MacDonald
27.907
6
97
Justin Johnson
28.036
7
55
Michael Waltrip
28.056
8
65
Matt Crafton
28.124
9
39
Brennan Newberry
28.141
10
31
Ty Dillon
28.149
11
2
Daryl Harr
28.199
12
9
Patrick Long
28.237
13
20
Eric Holmes
28.328
14
46
Jeff Barkshire
28.354
15
8
Johnny Borneman
28.358
16
99
Timmy Hill
28.359
17
9
Gary Lewis
28.408
18
6
Luis Martinez Jr
28.469
19
35
Andrew Ranger
28.488
20
88
Jamie Dick
28.576
21
19
Auggie Vidovich
28.582
22
13
Todd Souza
28.641
23
24
Zach Germain
28.648
24
61
Brett Thompson
28.726
25
12
Paulie Harraka
28.766
26
23
Jacob Gomes
28.807
27
22
Jonathon Gomez
28.878
28
16
Moses Smith
28.883
29
89
Brian Wong
28.928
30
21
Mike Self
28.959
31
3
Wes Banks
29.055
32
14
Travis Milburn
29.179
33
37
Robbie Brand
29.211
34
90
Toni McCray
29.220
35
51
Justin Funkhouser
29.465
36
36
Cody Cambensy
29.593
37
7
Greg Rayl
Pro
38
38
Troy Ermish
Pro
39
71
Carl Harr
Pro
40
0
Paul Pedroncelli, Jr
Pro

Friday, November 12, 2010

Moses Joins with Team Beads of Courage

Every Bead Tells A Story

As the 2010 racing season for the K&N Pro Series West winds down with their season finale at the Phoenix International Raceway; the #16 Hasa Pool Products Toyota Camry is pleased to be racing as part of Team Beads of Courage.


A resilience-based intervention designed to support and strengthen the protective resources in children coping with serious illness. Through the Beads of Courage program, children tell their story using colorful beads as meaningful symbols of courage that commemorate milestones they have achieved along their unique treatment path.


TEAM Beads of Courage helps to bring awareness to arts-in-medicine programs, provides opportunity for our active Friends of Beads of Courage who wish to train towards a goal and raise funds for Beads of Courage and bring honor and recognition to children who are members of Beads of Courage.


Moses will be racing tonight with several Beads that are individually hand crafted by a talented artist. After the race Moses will send the beads with encouragement notes back to Beads of Courage. The bead will then be given to children receiving treatment at a Beads of Courage member hospital.


“I am privileged to be allowed to participate in the TEAM Beads of Courage program.” Moses reported. “If you get the chance, check out their website at http://www.beadsofcourage.org .”

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

HASA Team Phoenix Preview


NASCAR K&N Pro Series West veteran driver Moses Smith will climb behind the wheel of the No. 16 Hasa Pool Products/White Flyer Toyota Camry for Bill McAnally Racing for the final time this year as the series wraps up the 2010 season at Phoenix International Raceway on November 13th.

Unfortunately for the Hasa team, a three car tangle-up last April caused the race to finish under a green-white-checked scenario. Restarting running in eighth, Smith avoided a multi-car crash coming out of turn four but was hit by two other cars from behind ending in a disappointing finish.

Smith, an Arizona resident, is looking forward to putting the Hasa Toyota Camry into Victory Lane. “I know we can win this race,” said Smith. “Last April we didn’t qualify where we should of. We came from the back of the field and had a solid top-five finish in sight when bad luck struck us.” Since last April, Smith has recorded four top-five finishes including a podium finish at a new track to the Hasa team, Montana Raceway Park.

Smith is fourth in the chase for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West championship and only 70 points out of the top-three. “We’re not done with this season yet. Mario Isola (crew chief) and the Hasa boys are thirsty for a win. It would be great to finish the season in Victory Lane.”

There will be a Fan Open House at PIR on Friday November 12th from 11:30 – 5:00 pm. Come out and meet your Hasa Pool Products team. Ticket information for the 3 Amigos Tequila “125” can be found at www.phoenixinternationalraceway.com. The green flag for the race will drop at approximately 6 pm on November 13th following the NASCAR Nationwide Series race.

The 3 Amigos Tequila “125” can be seen on SPEED Channel on November 18th at 3 pm pacific from Phoenix International Raceway.

For more information on Bill McAnally Racing and our race partners, please visit our website at www.billmcanallyracing.com. Bill McAnally Racing is now on Facebook. Become a fan and stay up to date with the latest happenings with your favorite BMR race teams.

For more information on Moses Smith, please visit www.mosessmith.com. You can visit our sponsors’ websites at www.hasapool.com, www.whiteflyer.com, and www.tcitransportation.com .

Please visit the NASCAR Home Track page to vote for the Most Popular Driver. Smith was the recipient of the 2008 and 2009 MPD Award for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Contest

***Win an autographed Kyle Petty Charity
Ride Across America Event Hat***

Kyle Richard Petty is an American NASCAR driver and racing analyst. He drove the #45 Wells Fargo/Marathon Petroleum Company Dodge Charger for Petty Enterprises. He also appeared in the 1983 Burt Reynolds movie Stroker Ace.

***** Congratulations to our winner - Miranda Ward!

Bikers from across the state and country pulled out of the zMAX Dragway in Charlotte for the eighth annual Ride to Victory. The fundraiser benefits the Victory Junction Gang Camp.


Kyle Petty said while the rides are a lot of fun, they pale in comparison to the end result that they achieve. "These are people who give up a Sunday afternoon to come out and ride motorcycles and hopefully we'll be able to send a bunch of kids to camp," said Petty.

Here are the results from the event:
  • Over 500 riders and approximately 400 motorcycles participated in the 8th Annual Ride to Victory: A Tribute to Click Baldwin;
  • It was a beautiful sunny day and they raised $20,000, enough money to send eight kids to Victory Junction for a summer session;
  • Celebrities in attendance included: Kyle Petty, Harry Gant, Waddell Wilson, Max Papis, Doug Herbert, Eddie Gossage of Texas Motor Speedway & Robert D. Raiford of the John Boy & Billy Show;
  • NASCAR Dads in attendance: Tom Logano, Gary Johnson and Chris Bowyer;
  • The entire ride was led by police escort and riders took a trip down the zMAX Dragway and participated in a "classic" Charity Ride pit stop at Pilot Flying J in Kannapolis, N.C.;
  • They performed a "Victory Lap" around Victory Junction to the cheers of Victory Junction campers and staff;
  • The ride ended with a Songwriters' Jam and raffle at Kyle Petty's Adaumont Farms. The lucky winners were able to choose from an autographed Richard Petty car hood, a signed Brian Vickers helmet, designer Harley-Davidson items, among many others;
  • Songwriters' performed famous country music hits recorded by Garth Brooks, Sara Evans, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney and many more.


What can you do to prepare for next year’s event:

  1. You can begin forming Dream Teams and raising money for the Ride Across America. If the team is along the route for the 2011 Ride they have the opportunity to present their check to Kyle Petty in person (route cannot be guaranteed yet) .
  2. You can help raising awareness during the ride’s down time. Check out their Facebook and Twitter pages daily.
  3. Supporting Victory Junction in their events. Papa Johns is running a promotion for VJ and Goody's will donate money to VJ through the Pick-A-Powder Campaign with Richard Petty.

How to Win an autographed Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Event Hat:

There are many ways to enter; but remember you only need one entry to win!

Giveaway Guidelines:

1. Giveaway ends Tuesday, November 30, 2010. There will be one grand prize winner.

2. Main Entry – You must complete this entry in order for the extra entries to count.

Go to the Victory Junction website and look around. Leave a comment that you have done so and tell us about one new thing you have learned about the charitable organization. (one time only)

3. Bonus Entry worth ten entries:

Help determining the route for the 2011 Ride. The route and overnight stops change completely every year. They never visit the same place two years in a row! It becomes tricky to find a cool town, the riders have never seen or a scenic highway they haven't ridden.

The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is open to any and all suggestions! (Cool hotels, beautiful sights, scenic highways… you name it!) Leave a comment, (at least fifty (50) words or more), suggesting a new route for the 2011 Ride and earn 10 entries.

How cool would it be if the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America roared past your house in 2011!

4. Extra One-Time Entries:
  • Follow me on twitter - and leave a comment on this post with your twitter name. If you are already a follower, just leave a comment with your twitter name. (one time only)
  • Follow the Kyle Petty Charity Ride on twitter – and leave a comment on this post with your twitter name. If you are already a follower, just leave a comment with your twitter name. (one time only)
  • Follow the Kyle Petty Charity Ride on facebook – and leave a comment on this post with your facebook name. If you are already a follower, just leave a comment with your facebook name. (one time only)
  • Follow the NASCAR Race Mom blog and leave a comment on this post with your blog name. If you are already a follower, just leave a comment with your blog name. (one time only)
5. You can earn one extra entry per day:
  • Tweet using the words “Win an autographed Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Event Hat-check it out #nascar #contest http://tinyurl.com/25l2est” then come back to this post and comment leaving the link to your tweet (once per day)
  • Post on your facebook wall “Win an autographed Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Event Hat-check it out http://tinyurl.com/25l2est” then come back to this post and comment leaving the link to post (once per day)
6. You can earn unlimited entries by recruiting your friends and family to join the Kyle Petty Charity Ride on facebook and/or twitter. Just come back to this post and comment leaving the name of the person you recruited and whether they join the Kyle Petty Charity Ride facebook or twitter page.

Lots of easy ways to enter for an awesome Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Event Hat. However, more importantly, you will be helping a super cause and that will leave you feeling like a million dollars.



Rules:

*** Important - Each entry must be left in a separate comment.

***Off topic – generic comments (such as “hope I win”) will be disqualified from the competition.

Additionally,
  1. Make sure there is a way for NRM to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger, you may leave it in your comment. NRM hates to have to disqualify a potential winner because there is not a way to contact that winner – I will need your email address to contact you, should you be the winner.
  2. The winner will be chosen by Random.org.
  3. The winner will be announced on this post and be notified by email; if the winner does not respond WITHIN 7 DAYS, another winner will be chosen.
  4. NASCAR Race Mom not responsible for missing or incorrect contact information.

























fb-4,915
tw-1699