Wednesday, November 30, 2011

NASCAR Race Mom to Race Matt!


I don’t know if you remember or not, but back in April, I was lucky enough to be selected to participate in the Crown Royal 'Capture the Crown ' event.

The ‘Capture the Crown’ was a two-day-event held at the Richmond International Raceway during the Crown Royal “Your Name Here” 400. The program featured nine online ‘influencers’ competing in team play in a Scavenger Hunt to accomplish tasks for points. The team with the highest number of points at the end of the race was named the winner. NASCAR Race Mom (NRM) had a blast!

Well, luckily it appears that lightning can strike twice! NASCAR Race Mom is excitingly getting ready for her flight to Las Vegas tomorrow. Crown Royal has arranged another once-of-a-lifetime experience!

This weekend, NASCAR Race Mom will be meeting up with writers from The Smoking Jacket; Complex; Midwest Sports Fans; Hot For NASCAR; The Rugged; Bleacher Report; Gunaxin and Daddy Tips.


The Itinerary: Friday night is reserved for the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo to check out the Crown Royal Riders. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending how you look at it, NASCAR Race Mom had previously been invited to the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series black-tie Awards Ceremony, which is held at the same time. Therefore, I will have to skip the rodeo!

We are scheduled to go to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday morning. There we will be joined by the three Crown Royal “Race Matt” Sweepstakes Grand Prize Winners. We all will participate in the Richard Petty Driving Experience and for a timed trial race against NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Matt Kenseth! The media member with the fastest time will be able to donate $2,500 from Crown Royal to a charity: either Operation Patriot or Honoring Heroes.

During the weekend, Crown Royal will also be treating us to numerous fine dining experiences at Wolfgang Puck, Sea Blue, Centrifuge and more. Of course I will be blogging at www.nascarracemom.blogspot.com and posting updates to facebook! Additionally, be sure to follow us on twitter – we will be using hash tags #racematt #crownroyal. My twitter id is @zwriter.



Full disclosure: expenses for this trip are provided by Diageo, the parent company of Crown Royal.

Photos taken at the Crown Royal 'Capture the Crown ' event - April 2011
1-
The Royal Chasers in the Crown Royal Trailer with Rodney Atkins and Matthew Hansen
2-My Crown Royal Host, Zack and I .
3-Matt and Katie Kenseth participating in the Opening Ceremonies (Richmond International Raceway - April 30, 2011)

Simplified Points System


Touring Series Will Intergrate National Series Structure

NASCAR announced today that the points system all NASCAR national series began using this year will be instituted in the regional touring level for 2012.

The points system was simplified to make it easier for fans, competitors and the industry to understand.

Beginning in 2012, the system will be integrated into the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and NASCAR Mexico Series.

The new structure awards points in one-point increments. As an example, race winners earn 43 points, plus three bonus points for the win. Drivers also can earn an extra point for leading a lap and leading the most laps, bringing the race-winning total to a possible maximum of 48 points.

All other drivers in a finishing order are separated by one-point increments. A second-place finisher earns 42 points, a third-place driver 41 points, and so on.

“Implementing the simplified points system at the regional touring level will make the points structure consistent with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president, regional and touring series. “The change at the national level was welcomed in the industry this year and has provided a points system that is much easier for everyone to understand.”

This year’s NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup ™ demonstrated that use of the new points structure is viable with a shorter schedule, such as with each touring series.

“Considering the tight competition in NASCAR’s touring series, we anticipate that with the new points system in place we will see close championship battles similar to the ones this year in all NASCAR national series,” Silbermann said.

The move to bring the simplified points system from NASCAR’s national series to the regional touring level is part of an effort to integrate uniform race formats and procedures throughout the NASCAR ranks. Earlier this year, two race procedures were changed to bring the touring series in line with the national series. One of those procedures stipulated that if a green-white-checkered finish is necessary, a maximum of three attempts will be made. The other change directed that on all restarts, passing will not be permitted until the car reached the start-finish line.

In some cases, race procedures developed at the touring level have been adopted at the national level. In 2009, the double-file restarts that had come about in the regional series, became a part of the national series race procedures.

Source

Friday, November 25, 2011

Crown Royal
& the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

Will you in Las Vegas for the 2011 NASCAR Championship week? Are you wondering if there is anything else new or exciting to do while there. Why not check out the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo!?!

The 1st National Finals Rodeo (NFR) was held in Dallas in 1959. Later, it was held in Los Angeles and Oklahoma City before coming to Las Vegas in 1985 with the help of Las Vegas visionary Benny Binion.

The Wrangler NFR is one of the hottest tickets in town, and it has sold out its last 220 performances (over 20 years worth). Held at the Tom & Mack Center of the University of Las Vegas, Nevada the NFR awards the best in bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, barrel roping, team and tie-down roping. It is the largest prize money rodeo in the world. In fact, it paid out over $5.5 million to contestants just last year.

For the fourth consecutive year MGM Grand is “Home of the Champions” as the resort hosts more than 25 cowboys throughout the 10 days of competition. The resort will offer guests the opportunity to watch the telecast live each night inside the 740-seat Hollywood Theatre. All NFR fans in attendance will enjoy nightly contestant appearances, drink specials, door prizes and giveaways.

Throughout the 10-day event, fans can visit the “Crown Royal Gold Buckle Zone” located at Centrifuge, the resort’s entertainment bar featuring live music, dancing, shows, drink specials and drawings in an energetic environment, where eight-time All-Around World Champion Trevor Brazile’s Championship Gold Buckles and Saddles will be on display

Crown Royal® is the proud sponsor of the most talented teams and individuals in sports today. The Crown Royal Riders line-up includes:
  • Clayton Williams (Carthage, TX) Bull Rider
  • Cody Whitney (Asher, OK) Bull Rider
  • Steve Woolsey (Payson, UT) Bull Rider and Saddle Bronc Rider
  • Tilden Hooper (Carthage, TX) Bareback Rider
  • Wesley Silcox (Santaquin, UT) 2007 PRCA World Champion Bull Rider

2011 Wrangler National Finals

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo to be held December 1-10, 2011

Friday, November 18, 2011

NASCAR Announces Talent For Banquets

Edwin McCain To Perform Both Nights



Mike Joy (left) and Dick Berggren (right) will once again co-host both the awards
programs and banquets on Dec. 9-10 in Charlotte. Getty Images for NASCAR


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR has announced the entertainment and emcees for the 2011 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards Banquet and NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards Gala, held Dec. 9-10 in the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Crown Ballroom in Charlotte, N.C.

Musical performer Edwin McCain will provide the entertainment for both programs. Originally from Greenville, S.C., the platinum-selling singer/songwriter has produced popular hits like “I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask For More.” The Edwin McCain Band is currently touring in support of McCain’s 10th album, Mercy Bound.

“I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to perform at the upcoming NASCAR banquets in Charlotte next month,” McCain said. “As a NASCAR fan and someone who loves auto racing in general, I have a tremendous amount of respect for the skill all of the drivers possess and the hard work required off them both on and off the track.”

The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards Banquet will be Friday, Dec. 9. The NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards Banquet – celebrating the champions of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series (East and West), the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and the NASCAR Mexico Series presented by Toyota – will be held the following night, Saturday, Dec. 10.

McCain is slated to perform two different songs each night.

Mike Joy and Dick Berggren, both of NASCAR on FOX and NASCAR on SPEED, will once again return to serve as co-hosts for both banquets. The duo will also serve as hosts of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and NASCAR Touring Series Grand Champions Awards programs, held on the mornings of Dec. 9 and Dec. 10, respectively.

“We are very excited to have a musician as talented as Edwin McCain on hand to perform for our attendees and fans around the world watching the banquets online,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president of regional & touring series. “We are always honored to have Mike Joy and Dick Berggren, great ambassadors of short-track racing, to host our awards programs.”

Bernadette Sanicola, pit road reporter for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race broadcasts on SPEED, will enhance the coverage of the events with special on-camera interviews of award winners off-stage each night.

Both banquets will feature live streaming video on www.nascarhometracks.com, with a one-hour pre-show for each. The banquets will be available online in both English and Spanish, with the NASCAR Touring Series Awards Gala also in French.



By Jason Cunningham, NASCAR
November 15, 2011 - 4:15pm



Scenes from the K&N Pro Series
West Race in Phoenix

Tough Season Finale


Moses Smith, driver of the No. 16 NAPA Filters/Hasa Pool Products Toyota Camry would finish out the 2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season third in the points race. In the fourteen races in the 2011 season, Smith recorded five top-five finishes and nine top-tens. This season he had his career best average finish in the five years he has competed in the NKPS West with two second place finishes coming at the short track of All American Speedway and the road course at Miller Motorsports Park.

Smith and the No. 16 NAPA Filters Toyota team spent the bulk of the nearly three-hour long practice session getting reacquainted with the 'new' Phoenix International Raceway. During the summer, the one-mile track was reconfigured.

Most noticeably was the back stretch where the dog-leg curve between turn 2 and 3 was pushed out 95-feet and the dog–leg tightened from 800 to 500 feet. "This is a weird track," Smith radioed in to the NAPA Filters/Hasa team. The back stretch was often compared to a roller coaster ride by many of the teams. Smith fought a tight race car for most of the practice session. He qualified on the inside of row fifteen.

"Green, green, green!" said spotter Mike David to begin the Casino Arizona "125". During the first caution at lap 12, Smith radioed in that the #16 was still tight. The No. 16 NAPA Filters Toyota came to pit road for adjustments at lap 16. Back underway, Smith radioed in that he was down on power and asked crew chief Mario Isola if he thought there might be a spark plug loose. He continued to report that the Camry was tight 'center off'. During the caution at lap 33, Smith returned to pit road for more adjustments on the right rear and the track bar.

Smith climbed thru traffic and was in 23th at the half-way break. At lap 72, Smith reported in that the No. 16 NAPA Filters Toyota was a tick snug coming out of turn four. When the caution came out at lap 96, Smith was now 16th on the board. He would return to pit road at lap 100 for additional adjustments. Smith would take the checkered flag in 17th.

The No. 16 NAPA Filters/Hasa Pool Products Toyota team and Bill McAnally Racing would like to thank our race partners Hasa Pool Products, NAPA Filters and White Flyer. Throughout the 2011 season, hundreds of Hasa Pool Products customers and fans came out to support their favorite team coming to races as far away as Newton, Iowa to Monroe, Washington to Phoenix, Arizona. We owe our success to their continued support for the past five seasons in the NKPS West.

For more information on Bill McAnally Racing, 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 race teams.

Please also visit NASCAR Hometracks to Vote for the Most Popular driver. Smith has received this honor for the past three consecutive years. Go to http://www.nascar.com/news/110719/2011-mpd-knwest/index.html and vote daily. Time is running out.

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.napafilters.com. You can also follow Moses on Twitter. Become a fan of Moses Smith on Facebook by going to https://www.facebook.com/MosesSmithFanClub

Friday, November 11, 2011

Kenseth / Crown Royal
Give Back for Veteran’s Day


Before hitting the track this weekend for the “Kobalt Tools 500,” NASCAR Champion Matt Kenseth and Crown Royal hosted a great event at the Luke Air Force Base yesterday to support the Phoenix-based charity, Packages from Home. The organization is located on the grounds of the Phoenix Memorial Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.

The mission of “Packages From Home” is to send care and comfort packages to deployed American military heroes who are stationed in active duty theaters around the world, as well as to facilitate activities that elevate morale of all veterans. While donations from the general public make up majority of their budget, fund-raising events help to fill in the gaps.

To kick-off “The Crown Royal Heroes Project*”—an on-going commitment from the whisky brand to recognize, honor and give back to America’s finest; Matt and adult consumers stuffed care packages for troops serving overseas this holiday season.

For every Camo Bag stuffed, Crown Royal pledged to donate $10.00 to Packages from Home. At the event, Matt and his helpers were able to stuff care packages for troops to make a donation of $5,000!

Matt Kenseth is looking forward to his next race at the Phoenix International Raceway this weekend. “Phoenix is going to be very different this weekend than the track we’ve been used to running in the past. Basically, we’ll look over our notes from the test and start from there to work on our set-ups throughout practices. The new layout of the track is very unique, so it’s going to be interesting for the fans to watch and for us to drive. This weekend is kind of an unknown for everyone. We got to test there but the track is so slick and there was only one lane, but I know that they’ve been working to widen the groove out, so I’m looking forward to seeing how different it is this weekend.” Kenseth’s strategy appears to be working. Kenseth posted second fastest time in the first Sprint Cup practice.




* The Crown Royal Heroes Project—Crown Royal has teamed with two national non-profit organizations and a selection of local charities to serve as the beneficiaries of the inaugural donation from The Crown Royal Heroes Project: Operation Patriot Foundation, whose mission is to pay tribute to all American military members who protect us daily and Honoring Heroes, a non-profit organization developed to recognize the service and sacrifice of all American First Responders.


** Note: Yesterday, the Senate passed the President's jobs plan to help veterans find work after returning home. It's a huge victory for the men and women who served with honor and distinction, and in many cases put their lives on the line for us.

Revised - Casino Arizona 125 Entry List

NKNPS West Phoenix 11/12/11 Entry List
CAR
DRIVER CREW CHIEF
1
Brady Flaherty * Chris Machado
2
Carl Harr Rudy Rech
3
Dylan Kwasniewski * Jeff Jefferson
3
Wes Banks Scott Griffith
6
Luis Martinez Jr. Bill Sedgwick
07
Greg Rayl Dan White
8
Johnny Borneman Steve Teets
9
Derek Thorn * Andy Santerre
10
Brandon Davis * Bryant Frazier
11
Ryan Blaney * Trent Owens
13
Todd Souza Michael Munoz
14
Travis Milburn James Wood
16
Moses Smith Mario Isola
17
David Mayhew Tommy Hurst
18
Billy Kann Jim Korneman
20
Eric Holmes Ty Joiner
21
Michael Self Steve Portenga
22
Jonathon Gomez Craig Raudman
23
Spencer Gallagher * Chris Diederich
24
Cameron Hayley * Rob Dixon
25
Alex Bowman * Jonathon Davis
26
Greg Pursley Jerry Pitts
29
Brennan Newberry * Mark Reynolds
31
Jason Bowles Dusty O'Connell
37
Robbie Brand Randy Nelson
38
John Wood * Mike Holleran
41
Jason Fensler * Jesse Jenson
50
Dylan Presnell * Mark MacFarland
51
Carlos Vieira * Joe Cordeiro
52
Ryan Philpott * Dwayne Koski
54
Justin Philpott * Dave Philpott
61
Brett Thompson Charlie Wilson
70
Cassie Gannis John Gannis
71
Daryl Harr Mike Brown
74
Carlos Iaconelli * Jerry Babb
75
Dylan Lupton * Matt Goslant
76
Daniel Suarez * Coleman Pressley
81
DJ Kennington Dave Whight
88
Jessica Brunelli * Eddie Taronto
89
Brian Wong Dave McCarty
94
Chase Elliott * Billy Wilburn
96
Ben Kennedy * Mike Fritts
98
Chad Boat * Eddie Dickerson
* Sunoco Rookie of the Year Candidate

Monday, November 7, 2011

Casino Arizona 125 Entry List

NKNPS West Phoenix 11/12/11 Entry List
CAR
DRIVER CREW CHIEF
1
Brady Flaherty * James Cooley
2
Carl Harr Rudy Rech
3
Dylan Kwasniewski * Jeff Jefferson
3
Wes Banks Scott Griffith
5
Dylan Hutchison * John Martin
6
Luis Martinez Jr. Bill Sedgwick
7
TBD Dan White
8
Johnny Borneman Steve Teets
9
Derek Thorn * Andy Santerre
10
Brandon Davis * Bryant Frazier
11
Ryan Blaney * Trent Owens
13
Todd Souza Michael Munoz
14
Travis Milburn James Wood
15
Jack Sellers Jim Hall
16
Moses Smith Mario Isola
17
David Mayhew Terry Henry
18
Billy Kann Jim Korneman
20
Eric Holmes Ty Joiner
21
Michael Self Steve Portenga
22
Jonathon Gomez Craig Raudman
23
Spencer Gallagher * Chris Diederich
24
Cameron Hayley * Rob Dixon
25
Alex Bowman * Kevin Caldwell
26
Greg Pursley Jerry Pitts
27
Bobby Hillis
29
Brennan Newberry * Mark Reynolds
31
Jason Bowles
37
Robbie Brand Randy Nelson
38
John Wood * Mike Holleran
41
Jason Fraser *
50
Dylan Presnell * Mark MacFarland
51
Carlos Vieira * Joe Cordeiro
52
Ryan Philpott * Dwayne Koski
54
Justin Philpott * Dave Philpott
59
Jason Fensler * Roger Bracken
61
Brett Thompson Charlie Wilson
70
Cassie Gannis
71
Daryl Harr Mike Brown
74
Daniel Suarez * Jerry Babb
75
Dylan Lupton * Matt Goslant
76
Carlos Iaconelli * Coleman Pressley
81
DJ Kennington Dave Whight
88
Jessica Brunelli * Eddie Taronto
89
Brian Wong Calif. Dave McCarty
94
Chase Elliott * Ricky Turner
96
Ben Kennedy * Glenn Garrison
98
Chad Boat * Eddie Dickerson
* Sunoco Rookie of the Year Candidate