Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Only 53% of NASCAR Fans Vote

Does the economy have you down?
 


Well, all of us want the economy to get back on track. Whether it is to keep our job, prepare for our children's future, or even to feel like we can simply enjoy our lives again. But, the economy won't get any better if you don't get out and make your voice heard. 

If you don't vote . . . . .you don't have a voice.  Only 53% of NASCAR Fans Vote.   Please remember to vote.


Penalty Changes K&N East Title Fight

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR has announced a penalty against the No. 07 entry driven by Corey LaJoie in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, which drastically changes the battle for the series championship.

A 25-point penalty against Corey LaJoie has taken him out of the
NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship lead. (NASCAR Photo)
The No. 07 team was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-I (Race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and Section 20C-5.10.1A: (Carburetor Eligibility: The Holley 4150HP Series, list number 80509, four (4) barrel carburetor is the only carburetor approved for the NASCAR-approved “Spec Engine”. The carburetor must remain as supplied by the NASCAR-approved supplier (refer to sub-section 20C-4.1B)); Section 20C-4.1B: (No modifications to the carburetor and carburetor spacer – Must remain as supplied by the NASCAR-approved supplier: Unapproved modification to the carburetor metering block). The violation was discovered during post-race inspection on Oct. 27.

Ron Otto, crew chief of the No. 07 car, has been fined $5,000, suspended from NASCAR until the fine is paid and placed on NASCAR probation for the next NASCAR K&N Pro Series East event. No. 07 car owner, Randy LaJoie, and No. 07 driver, Corey LaJoie, have been penalized with the loss of 25 championship owner and driver points, respectively.

The 25-point penalty dramatically changes the battle for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East title, which will be decided Saturday at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway. Before the penalty LaJoie had a six-point lead over Kyle Larson. Now, Larson leads the standings by 19 points over LaJoie.
In addition to the penalty against LaJoie, NASCAR also announced a penalty against the No. 97 entry driven by Jesse Little.

The No. 97 team was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing); Section 12-4-I (Race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); Section 20C-12.1A(1): (Front coil springs must be constructed with a minimum wire diameter of 0.575 inch); Section 20C-12.1A(3): (The free height of the bare front coil springs must not be more than 9-1/2 inches and must not be less than 7-1/2 inches: The left front spring was less than the minimum diameter and exceeded the maximum height). The violation was discovered during post-race inspection on Oct. 27.

Kris Bowen, crew chief of the No. 97 car, has been fined $750 and suspended from NASCAR until the fine is paid.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Google+ Hangout With NASCAR Chase Drivers

REMINDER:  The livestream will take place at 12:00 p.m. (Central) on 11/03/2012 via @CocaColaRacing page.  You do not have to have a Google + account to be able to watch the hangout with the drivers.  

Follow @cocacolaracing and tweet using the designated hashtag - #CokeRacingHangout, for a chance to have your questions asked live.

NEW - Just a minor change:  Dale Jarrett will no longer be able to participate in the Hangout on Saturday – instead the moderator will be Kyle Petty!

UPDATE - Congratulations to Nancy S - the winner of the awesome Coca Cola Racing Prize (ARV $120.00).


NASCAR Chase Drivers Greg Biffle, Tony Stewart, & Denny Hamlin


What fan wouldn’t want to hang-out with Chase drivers Greg Biffle, Tony Stewart, and Denny Hamlin?   Here is your chance! 

Coca-Cola Racing (@CocaColaRacing) is hosting a Google+ Hangout with Greg Biffle (@Gbiffle), Tony Stewart (#Tony Stewart) and Denny Hamlin (@DennyHamlin) on 11/03/2012.  

In case you are like NASCAR Race Mom, and not familiar with Google+ Hangouts; it is  basically a multi-screen video chat system. 

To make this innovative event even more interactive, Coca-Cola Racing is securing one question from NASCAR Race Mom and one question from one of my readers, to be asked by the moderator during this Hangout with the drivers. 

So think of a good question for Greg Biffle, Denny Hamlin, or Tony Stewart. Share your question in the comment section of this post. Your question could be selected for this event. 

As an added bonus, your comment could also be randomly selected for a prize pack, containing the essentials to throw one of the best NASCAR Chase viewing parties. 

The pack is valued at $120.00 and includes:
  •  1 Coca-Cola branded Grandstands Cooler 
  • A Coca-Cola Branded Recycling Koozie to keep your drink chilled 
  • A Coca-Cola Carabiner Key Light 
  • A Coca-Cola NASCAR Decal Pack 
  • A Coca-Cola and NASCAR Race Day Cap 
  •  3 Coca-Cola Tumblers (16oz. insulated tumbler) 

After you post your entry, be sure to watch the livestream of the Google hangout to see if your question is asked and answered. The livestream will take place at 12:00 p.m. (Central) on 11/03/2012 via @CocaColaRacing page.  You do not have to have a Google + account to be able to watch the hangout with the drivers.


 



Giveaway Guidelines:

The giveaway ends 10/30/2012, at 5:00 p.m. (PST.)

Please make sure that your submission is entered before 10/30/2012 at 5:00 p.m. (PST) to be eligible for the opportunity to win the Coca Cola Racing Prize (ARV $120.00).  There will be one (1) winner.

Important: You must publicly follow the NASCAR Race Mom blog (with Google Friend Connect on right side bar) before entering this contest.

One - Time Entry: – Leave a comment on this post with a question you would like to be asked to one of the drivers during the Google hangout.  (Also leave your Google Friend name and an email address so that you can be contacted if you are the winner.  You can also leave your facebook url or twitter id if you would like to be notified that way)

Yup it is that easy. That one comment will put you in the running for the awesome Coca Cola Racing Prize (ARV $120.00).

Bonus Entry: –  You can come back once daily and post a new question for an additional entry.

 
Rules:

*** Important - ***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 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 from valid entries.

  3. The winner will be announced on this post and be notified by email; if the winner does not respond WITHIN 2 DAYS, another winner might be chosen.

  4. NASCAR Race Mom not responsible for missing or incorrect contact information.

Enjoy yourselves with this contest, and please share with your friends, family, co-workers.



*** Disclosure: Coca Cola Racing and NASCAR Race Mom, support ethical blogging and strict adherence to the FTC guidelines pertaining to free samples and gifts. As a participant in a Coca Cola Racing campaign, NASCAR Race Mom was compensated by Coca Cola Racing. However, NRM would have been pleased to share this news with my readers without said compensation. ***

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Now comes the hard part. (NASCAR D4D)

After three days of evaluations – the last two of which consisted of on-track testing at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va. – Rev Racing personnel will pour over their notes from the 2012 NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) Combine and pick their team for the 2013 racing season

It won’t be an easy task, which for Rev Racing and the NASCAR Drive for Diversity is a good thing.

“We saw a ton of talent – a lot more talent than ever before,” said Jefferson Hodges, Rev Racing’s director of competition. “And some of them were the same kids. I don’t know what they did between last year and this year, but they really stepped up their game. I was really happy about it.

“I think there are a lot more drivers that deserve an opportunity in our Late Model program than there are openings, so that part of is going to result in some tough decisions.”

“The success of that program is based on the fact that we’re able to really concentrate and develop these drivers.”

For drivers like Daniel Suarez, it’s Rev Racing’s reputation for development that makes a spot on the team so valuable. Suarez is leading the Mexico’s NASCAR Toyota Series in points and is a member of the Next9 initiative, an industry program that helps identify the next wave of NASCAR starts coming up through the ranks. In the past two years, he has run against Rev Racing drivers such as Kyle Larson, Darrell Wallace Jr. and Sergio Pena.

“It’s a really good experience being with all these drivers,” said Suarez of the Combine. “This is one of the best teams for development of young drivers who are in my position. I’m really excited to get the chance to get this opportunity to try out for Rev Racing.

“It’s a really important step for me and my career to be one of the 17 drivers [invited to the Combine], but that’s not the ultimate goal. The ultimate goal is to be a member of the team and I’m working really hard for that.”

Thursday’s final session was a half-day, with a handful of drivers making additional runs as officials got a second look to help gather more information. All drivers are still in the running for spots on the 2013 Rev Racing team, which will be selected from among the 2012 Rev Racing drivers and the Combine participants.

That selection will take place following the completion of the 2012 season. Rev Racing still has a pair of NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races on the schedule.

The first NASCAR race weekend of 2013 is the UNOH Battle At The Beach on the .4-mile oval on the backstretch of Daytona International Speedway during February’s Speedweeks, which will feature both a NASCAR K&N Pro Series race as well as a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model event.

Headquartered in Concord, N.C., Rev Racing, owned by Max Siegel, operates the NASCAR Drive For Diversity program, which is the industry's leading developmental program for multicultural and women drivers and pit crew members. Rev Racing fields cars in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

The Combine has been held the last two years at Langley, a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series sanctioned track. The track’s characteristics help play a large role in evaluating drivers.

“The track is tough. It’s hard,” said Jefferson, who has more than 15 years experience with Late Models throughout the southeast. “Turns 3 and 4 are simple. It’s just a corner. But 1 and 2 is extremely difficult. So it really separates the great drivers from the good drivers.”

The drivers at the Combine boast a variety of backgrounds in racing, from open-wheel to stock car. Limited experience in full-fendered cars, though, did little to slow down the competitors. Collin Cabre, a Florida driver with extensive sprint car experience, said the challenges of those cars actually helps drivers to adapt quickly to their new surroundings.

“These two days have been an incredible experience,” said Collin Cabre. “Running from a sprint to a Late Model is totally different. They’re both fast in their own ways.

“What might spook another driver won’t spook a sprint car driver; what they say is out of shape and what I say is out of shape is totally different. They might say it’s totally sideways and it’s not really,” said Cabre. “The cars are very well set up. Rev Racing did a great job setting them up in the shop. They’re a pleasure to drive and I hope I’ll be driving them more.” 


Participants of the NASCAR Drive For Diversity Combine pose for a photo at
Langley Speedway on October 17, 2012 in Hampton, Virginia.
(
Credit: Tom Whitmore/Getty Images for NASCAR)
The NASCAR D4D program created in 2004 is now executed by Rev Racing. Currently the top two rookies in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Larson and Bryan Ortiz are in the 2012 D4D class, while Larson and Wallace, a Rev Racing graduate, made their national series debuts this year. Earlier this season, Wallace became the first African-American to win a pole award in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, while Larson has been impressive in several NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts.

Drivers at the Combine include:
Devon Amos, Rio Ranch, N.M.; Dustin Ash, Las Vegas; Annabeth Barnes, Hiddenite, N.C.; Collin Cabre, Thonotosassa, Fla.; Kayla Cazares, Goffstown, N.H.; Amber Colvin, Mooresville, N.C.; Jessica Dana, Olympia, Wash.; Paige Decker, Eagle River, Wis.; Cassie Gannis, Phoenix, Ariz.; Lindsay Katz, Kalmazoo, Mich.; Jack Madrid, San Clemente, Calif.; Kate McCall, Port Orange, Fla.; Dallas Montes, Bakersfield, Calif.; Hannah Newhouse, Twin Falls, Idaho; Dylan Smith, Randolph, Vt.; Daniel Suarez, Monterrey, Mexico; Erica Thiering, Sherwood Park, Alberta.

For more information on NASCAR diversity initiatives visit NASCARDiversity.com or follow @NASCARDiversity on twitter. Rev Racing’s official website and Twitter is RevRacing.net and @RevRacin.

Friday, October 19, 2012

What would you like to ask Dale Jr.?

There is a lot of controversy involving NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. at this time.

Earnhardt was not given medical clearance to participate in this past Saturday's Sprint Cup race at Charlotte Motor Speedway or this week's race at Kansas after suffering multiple concussions over the past six weeks. His streak of 461 straight races came to an end.

Earnhardt first suffered a concussion in test at Kansas Speedway (August 29) in which the impact registered 40 G-forces. He then suffered symptoms of another headache after an October 7 crash (thanks Smoke) on the last lap at Talladega Superspeedway.

Earnhardt visited Dr. Petty following the Talladega crash. After several tests, Dr. Petty opted to sit NASCAR's most popular driver for at least two races.

It does not matter; Dale Jr. is still one of my favorite all-time drivers! His hiatus is a blow to the chase. As most of my readers know, I have been working on the “Dew Crew.”

 NASCAR Race Mom has just learned that she has been honored to have been invited to participate in an exclusive digital press conference with the king of the Dew Crew himself, Dale Earnhardt Jr.



NRM needs to come up with three questions to contribute to the press conference. Leave a comment on this post and tell me what would you like to ask Dale Jr.?

Kwasniewski Toughs Out Roseville Win

ROSEVILLE, Calif. – Dylan Kwasniewski got what he needed.

Dylan Kwasniewski earned a huge NASCAR K&N Pro Series West victory on Saturday in the Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts 150 at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif.

Crucial Victory Gives Teen K&N West Points Lead
By Shon Sbarra, NASCAR
October 14, 2012 - 1:22am


The 17-year-old from Las Vegas rebounded from an early flat tire to win the Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts 150 in NASCAR K&N Pro Series West action on Saturday night at All American Speedway and regain the lead in the championship standings, with just one race left on the schedule.

After starting on the pole for the fifth time this season, Kwasniewski fell back through the 24-car field in the early going with the tire problem. After a quick pit stop to change the flat, he began to scratch and claw his way to the front of the field. Kwasniewski made a Lap 119 pass on Eric Holmes and led the rest of the way for his third victory of the season and the fifth of his career.

POS DRIVER
1 Dylan Kwasniewski
2 Eric Holmes
3 David Mayhew
4 Derek Thorn
5 Cameron Hayley
In Victory Lane after the race, Kwasniewski talked about his early misfortune and battling back for the win.

“We didn’t even lead a lap; then we got a flat tire,” he said. “Right after I got in and we changed that flat, I got taken out and went to the back again.”

Despite the tight battling that went on around the third-mile Roseville oval, Kwasniewski was able to work his way back to the front.



“We just had an awesome car,” he said of the No. 03 Royal Purple/Rockstar Ford. “That was by far the best race I’ve had all year. It was so good to finish in the front. There’s no better feeling.

“I’m in the lead by one or two points,” Kwasniewski said of the championship standings. “This was by far the best race. We not only gained the points lead, but we won the race. I can’t thank the guys enough, and my mom, too. This is the happiest I’ve been all year.”

Holmes, who led a race-high 101 laps, held on for second – finishing .436 seconds behind Kwasniewski.

“It was a great night for the NAPA Toyota No. 20 car,” Holmes said. “I’m disappointed we didn’t get the win, but Dylan had a really fast car coming through the pack. Congratulations to him. That was an awesome win for him. On long greens, I was a little better than him, I felt. But on the short greens, he got by me. It was great side-by-side racing through the front of the field.”

David Mayhew was close behind in third. Derek Thorn, who lost the lead to Holmes after contact on Lap 33, recovered to take fourth – while Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Cameron Hayley finished fifth. Jamie Krzysik finished sixth in his series debut, with Travis Milburn in seventh and rookie Dallas Montes in eighth. Former series champion Mike David, making his first start since 2009, and Jonathon Gomez rounded out the top 10.

Kwasniewski came into the night trailing Gene Price Motorsports teammate and defending NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion Greg Pursley by 14 points in the standings. It was a sub-par performance for Pursley. After starting 13th, he ran into early trouble and had to make a quick pit stop. Starting from the back, he also made his way to the front and was up to fourth by the midway point of the race. He faded in the second half, however, and ended up 13th.

Kwasniewski came away with a two-point lead over Pursley as the series heads to the season finale, Casino Arizona 50, at Phoenix International Raceway on Nov. 10. Thorn is third in the standings, with Holmes fourth and Mayhew fifth. They are followed by Michael Self, Hayley, Austin Dyne, Gomez and Ryan Philpott.

In addition to the series championship, the Sunoco Rookie of the Year title will be decided at Phoenix – with Dyne holding a slim lead over Hayley.

The Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts 150 will air on SPEED on Oct. 18 at 3 p.m. ET.


Dylan Kwasniewski (03) works past Eric Holmes en route to his victory at All American Speedway. Jason Watson/Getty Images for NASCAR