Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Regan Smith, MADD Tie One On For Safety


Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s "JR Motorsports" team is helping spread MADD's Tie One On For Safety message this holiday season. 

NASCAR driver Regan Smith, part of the JR Motorsports team and driver on the Nationwide series, is featured in a new video promoting the idea of planning ahead for a non-drinking designated driver, while standing in front of a race vehicle with "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving" on the hood and "Drive Sober, Arrive Alive" on the side, courtesy of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety.

One Of Closest Four-Way
Championship Battles In Series History

Derek Thorn won his first NASCAR title
in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West
(Streeter Lecka/Getty Images-NASCAR)
The 2013 season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West featured one of the closest four-way battles for the championship in the history of the series, with Derek Thorn capturing the title by six points over Cameron Hayley, Greg Pursley and Michael Self.

In his final year of a two-year stint driving car owner Bob Bruncati’s No. 6 Sunrise Ford/Lucas Oil/Eibach Ford, Thorn had a textbook season in winning his first NASCAR championship.

The 27-year-old Californian jumped out front in the championship standings early and built on that lead with consistent finishes. Thorn – who was originally from Lakeport, but now resides in Bakersfield – carried that margin through the season to clinch the title in the final race of the year.

As a side note, the final points for the top two drivers in 2013 mirrored the points of the top two drivers the previous year. Thorn won the 2013 series championship by six points over Hayley – 622 to 616. In 2012, Dylan Kwasniewski had won the championship by six points over Pursley – 622 to 616.

Last Chance To Help The NASCAR Foundation

Last Chance To Help The NASCAR Foundation

Friday, December 27, 2013

2013 NASCAR Championship video for NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion Derek Thorn




“Our whole goal in 2013 was the championship,” said the tall, soft-spoken 27-year-old Californian – who won the title in just his second full season of series competition. “We sat down and had a long talk about it in March, before we came to Phoenix the first time. We just happened to put together an awesome season for ourselves. We weren’t always the fastest; but we were a model of consistency and we always put together good solid strong runs – and to win a championship, that’s exactly what we had to do.”

NASCAR During the Holiday Season?

NASCAR greats Curtis Turner, left, and Fireball Roberts in a Ford Motor Co. publicity  photo prior to the start of the NASCAR racing season on Jan. 1, 1957.
NASCAR greats Curtis Turner, left, and Fireball Roberts in a Ford Motor Co. publicity
photo prior to the start of the NASCAR racing season on Jan. 1, 1957. (Getty Images)


NASCAR at Christmastime? Are you going through NASCAR withdrawals like NASCAR Race Mom? December has always meant NASCAR off season – right?

Wendell Scott scored his landmark victory
Wendell Scott scored his landmark victory
(Getty Images)
Well as a matter of fact; not always.

On December 1, 1963, African-American Wendell Scott won in Jacksonville, Florida.

This historical win is the first and only win for an African-American at stock car racing's highest level.

NASCAR's top series has held a total of eight races in December.


 

NASCAR's December Grand National Races


Date Location Winner

12/11/1955 West Palm Beach, Fla. Herb Thomas

12/02/1956 Concord, N.C. Marvin Panch

12/30/1956 Titusville, Fla. Fireball Roberts

12/01/1963 Jacksonville, Fla. Wendell Scott

12/29/1963 Savannah, Fla. Richard Petty

12/08/1968 Macon, Ga. Bobby Allison

12/07/1969 College Station, Texas Bobby Isaac

12/12/1971 College Station, Texas Richard Petty


Source

Monday, December 23, 2013

A Debut In Review: Gen-6 Race Car By The Numbers


Clint Bowyer, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver of the No. 15 5-hour Energy Toyota

"Look at these highlights. Isn't this awesome! I love this sport. I'm telling you. Whoever designed this new car, we should kiss 'em every weekend. It's [Gen-6] creating drama. We haven't seen racing like this in years, since I first started in this sport (in 2004). When you can leave a race track and there's people in tears because they won, and in tears because they got crashed, that's what brings us to the race track, that kind of racing and determination and passion." – Clint Bowyer, driver of the No. 15 5-hour Energy Toyota

3 – Number of track qualifying records broken by Jimmie Johnson this season, the series’ most.

5 – Number of drivers who won in 2013 after going winless in 2012: Brian Vickers, Carl Edwards, David Ragan, Jamie McMurray and Martin Truex Jr.

5 – Number of races that saw records in green flag passing numbers this season (NASCAR started keeping passing records in 2005). They were: Daytona-2, 9,574 passes; Atlanta, 3,748; Richmond-2, 3,013; Chicagoland, 3,366; and Talladega-2, 23,765.

5 – Number of races that saw records in green flag passes for the lead numbers this season (NASCAR started keeping passing records in 2005). They were: Las Vegas, 31; Auto Club, 41 (tied record); Dover-1, 25; Pocono-2, 38; and Talladega-2, 219.

10 – Average number of leaders per race, up from 9.39 in 2012.

11 – Number of drivers who broke a track qualifying record this season. They are Jimmie Johnson (three), Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Ryan Newman, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth (two each), Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Marcos Ambrose (one each).

17 – Number of different winners this season, up from the 15 different winners last season. The modern era record for different winners in a season is 19.

19 – Number of track qualifying records broken this season.

19.4 – Average number of lead changes per race, up from 18.9 last season.

20 – Number of races that ended with a margin of victory under one second, up from 17 races last season.

46 – Number of drivers who led at least one lap, up from 42 last season.

51.2 – Percentage of cars that finished on the lead lap, the highest percentage since 2009.

76 – The perception that the race cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series "are cars that I would be interested in buying" increased from 49% to 76%**

79 – The perception that the race cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series "make me more interested in the car manufacturers" increased from 41% to 70%**

83 – The perception that the race cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series "look similar to new cars in the showroom" increased from 28% to 83%.**

83.1 – Percentage of cars that were running at the finish of races, up from 74.7% in 2012.

86 – The perception that the race cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series "have distinctive body styling" increased from 35% to 86%**

88 – Appeal (likeability) of the race cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series increased from 65% to 88%.**

971 – Number of Green Flag Passes for the Lead, an increase from the 946 Green Flag Passes for the Lead in 2012.

1.267 – In seconds, the average margin of victory in 2013. It’s the lowest average MOV since 2005.


** Source: Official NASCAR fan Council, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Gen 6 Car Tracking Survey


Ruston Joins Ben Kennedy Racing

Okla. driver tabbed for run
at K&N Pro East championship


Kenzie Ruston will drive the No. 96 Ben Kennedy Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series in 2014.
Kenzie Ruston will drive the No. 96 Ben Kennedy Racing Chevrolet
in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series in 2014. (Getty Image for NASCAR)


Ben Kennedy is headed to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. But Ben Kennedy Racing isn't going anywhere.

The 21-year-old rising star and great-grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. announced Thursday the team is staying in its shop in Daytona Beach and will field a team in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.

At Thursday's press conference, the team also announced they have tapped 22-year-old Kenzie Ruston to drive the No. 96 Ben Kennedy Racing Chevrolet fulltime in 2014.

"Getting an opportunity in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with Turner Scott Motorsports was due in large part to the time and hard work the team at Ben Kennedy Racing put in over the last two years," said Kennedy. "To be able to maintain the team here in Daytona and put another talented young driver in the seat is a really cool deal."

Ruston, like Kennedy, was a member of the NASCAR Next program last year. The industry initiative, in its third year, is designed to spotlight the sport's rising stars. The pool of talent that has been identified by the program includes Kyle Larson, Darrell Wallace Jr., Chase Elliott and Dylan Kwasniewski.

As a rookie in 2013, Ruston finished sixth in the points standings in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. The El Reno, Okla., native had four top-five, including a third-place finish at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway in April.

Her points standing and her run at Greenville were both records as the highest finishes for a female in series history.

"Jumping into the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East last year was a great experience and I really learned a lot in my first year," said Ruston. "Having competed against Ben and his team, I've seen firsthand the dedication and level of excellence they bring to the track.

"I saw how they were really able to help Ben grow in the series from one year to the next, and get him prepared for the national series. I'm really looking forward to getting into that car in New Smyrna and Daytona in February."

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season kicks off Sunday, Feb. 16 at New Smyrna Speedway. Two days later, the series will compete on the 0.4-mile oval on the backstretch at Daytona International Speedway in the UNOH Battle At The Beach.

The series also makes another in-state visit Friday, June 13 at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola. Kennedy won that race last year.

Kennedy, a senior at the University of Florida, drove three full seasons in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and progressed from 13th to ninth to fourth in the points. He picked up his first two series wins last year, first at Five Flags and then another at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. He started five NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races in 2013, including a fourth-place finish in October at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

Ben Kennedy and Kenzie Ruston at Thursday's announcement that Ruston will pilot the No. 96 in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East in 2014.
Ben Kennedy and Kenzie Ruston at Thursday's announcement that Ruston
will pilot the No. 96 in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East in 2014.  (NASCAR)

Friday, December 20, 2013

K&N Pro Series Alumni Moves
To Wauters Motorsports

John Wes Townley will move to Wauters Motorsports for the 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season.
John Wes Townley will move to Wauters Motorsports for the
2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. (NASCAR Photo)
MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Wauters Motorsports announced Thursday that John Wes Townley will drive the No. 5 Zaxby’s Toyota Tundra during the 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.


“We are excited to have John Wes and Zaxby’s join us in 2014,” said team owner Richie Wauters. “He has made significant gains in his NASCAR career and we feel this is the right fit for him this season. We expect to have John Wes in the top-five in points and, hopefully, bring home some wins for Zaxby’s. And we are thrilled to be back fielding Toyotas with Joe Gibbs Racing Engines.”

Townley had a career year in 2013, which started with Townley winning the ARCA Racing Series opener at Daytona Int’l Speedway. In 22 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts last year with Red Horse Racing, Townley finished inside the top 10 seven times.

“I’m looking forward to working with a well-respected truck owner like Richie Wauters,” said Townley. “He builds some of the best trucks in NASCAR. I know together we will post some top-fives and, hopefully, a few wins this season.”

Thursday, December 19, 2013

2014 K&N West Schedule Announced

Fourteen Race Calendar
Spans Seven States


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West opens and closes with its traditional Phoenix dates, and in between tackles some tricky ovals and battles on a pair of premier road courses.


The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West opens the 2014 season on Feb. 27 at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. Getty Images for NASCAR
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West opens the 2014 season on Feb. 27 at
Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. (Getty Images for NASCAR)


A 14-race schedule that covers seven states and includes five companion events with NASCAR’s National Series awaits the West portion of the top step on the NASCAR’s developmental ladder.
New to the 2014 slate is a return to one of the sport's finest short tracks in Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway. The series also will make a visit to State Line Speedway in Post Falls, Idaho. Kern County Raceway Park has added a second date, as well.

“The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West features the stars of tomorrow competing against the top stock-car drivers in the west,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president, regional and touring series. “The 2014 calendar is an excellent mix of short tracks, national series companion events and challenging road courses to give fans an exciting season and help prepare the drivers for the next level.”

The 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West schedule rundown:

Phoenix International Raceway – The 2014 season kicks off at the D-shaped, one-mile track on Feb. 27 and the new champion will be crowned on Nov. 6 in a return to the Arizona desert. Both dates are in conjunction with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series visits.

Irwindale Speedway – After a year away, the K&N West makes its return to the half-mile West Coast jewel on March 22 on the same weekend the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series visits nearby Auto Club in Fontana, Calif.

Stockton 99 Speedway – The series makes it visit to the Northern California quarter-mile for the season’s third event on May 3.

Iowa Speedway – For the eighth consecutive year, the Newton, Iowa, track will host the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West combination events. The first clash will be May 17 and the two series will again meet for bragging rights on Aug. 1. Both will be part of the NASCAR Nationwide Series weekends.

Kern County Raceway Park – After a successful debut at the newly-constructed half-mile track, the series makes a pair of trips to Bakersfield, Calif., on May 24 and Aug. 30.

Sonoma Raceway – California’s Napa Valley is the setting on June 21 as the series joins the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for its first of two road-course dates.

State Line Speedway – New to the slate this season is a July 12 visit to the quarter-mile oval located in Post Falls, Idaho.

Colorado National Speedway – Another trip to the Rocky Mountain region is in store for July 26.
Evergreen Speedway – The series makes its annual trip to the Pacific Northwest on Aug. 16 to take on the historic .646-mile oval just north of Seattle.

Miller Motorsports Park – The pristine Utah racing complex will host the series’ second road-course date on Sept. 13 for a battle on the 2.2-mile East Course.

All American Speedway – The California third-mile oval will play host to the series for the 16th time on Oct. 11 for the series’ penultimate event.



2014 NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES WEST SCHEDULE


Date Track (Length)
Location 
Feb. 27  Phoenix International Raceway (1-mile) Avondale, Ariz.

March 22

Irwindale Speedway (.5-mile)

Irwindale, Calif.

May 3
Stockton 99 Speedway (.25-mile) Stockton, Calif.
May 17 * Iowa Speedway (.875-mile) Newton, Iowa

May 24

Kern County Raceway Park (.5-mile)

Bakersfield, Calif.

June 21

Sonoma Raceway (1.99-mile road course)

Sonoma, Calif.

July, 12

State Line Speedway (.25-mile)

Post Falls, Idaho

July 26

Colorado National Speedway (.375-mile)

Dacono, Colo.

Aug. 1 *

Iowa Speedway (.875-mile)

Newton, Iowa

Aug. 16

Evergreen Speedway (.646-mile)

Monroe, Wash.

Aug. 30

Kern County Raceway Park (.5-mile)

Bakersfield, Calif.

Sept. 13

Miller Motorsports Park (2.2-mile road course)

Tooele, Utah

Oct. 11

All American Speedway (.333-mile)

Roseville, Calif.

Nov. 6

Phoenix International Raceway (1-mile)

Avondale, Ariz.

* Combination race with NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
Subject to change

Source

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Chase Elliott’s Quote
About Snowball Derby DQ

From Bob Dillner’s interview with Chase Elliott in regards to Chase's disqualification that stripped the win from the young racer. Seventeen-year-old Elliott is the son of racing legend William Clyde "Bill" Elliott. (read more from the Dillner/Elliott interview – click here)

A rule is a rule and we broke it


"Well, they are consistent. I am a little biased because of what happened to us. At the same time I
NASCAR Drivr - Chase Elliott "A rule is a rule and we broke it."
Chase Elliott in Victory Lane before
DQ - (Speed51.com Photos)
respect what they did. It was our fault. It was a mistake on our end that should not have happened. That's something we have to accept and move forward with. Bottom line, it shouldn't have been there. I respect Ricky and the fact that he is consistent with what he does. They had a rule and they stuck to it. If it was us in second place and it was the (winning) car that had a piece of tungsten on it, then I would want things to be done fair. You have to put the shoe on the other foot. You have to look at not only Ricky Brooks, but Tim Bryant (Promoter, Five Flags Speedway). Their position is tough because had they let something like that slide, then it would have been a huge black eye on them. They have to be fair and consistent. A rule is a rule and we broke it." (Chase Elliott)

Saturday, December 14, 2013

NASCAR’s 2013 Champions Week Honorees

NASCAR’s 2013 Regional Touring and Weekly Series Top Drivers
NASCAR’s 2013 Regional Touring and Weekly Series Top Drivers
NASCAR’s top drivers throughout its regional touring and weekly series will be in the spotlight this week in Charlotte, N.C., with a bevy of activities leading up to the awards ceremonies Friday and Saturday night. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards took place Friday, Dec. 13. NASCAR’s touring series champions will be recognized at the traditional NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards. Set for Saturday, Dec. 14.

2013 Champions Week Honorees

NASCAR 2013 Champions

 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East

Champion Dylan Kwasniewski
Crew Chief: Mardy Lindley

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West
Champion Derek Thorn
Crew Chief: Bill Sedgwick

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1
Champion Scott Steckly
Crew Chief: Randy Steckly

NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series
Champion Rodrigo Peralta
Crew Chief: Ricardo Robles

NASCAR Whelen Euro Series
Champion Ander Vilariño
Crew Chief: Tony Pereira

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Champion Ryan Preece
Crew Chief: Stan Szaban

NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour
Champion George Brunnhoelzl III
Crew Chief: George Brunnhoelzl Jr.

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
Champion Lee Pulliam
Crew Chief: Winston Brooks

Cameron Hayley Has A Great Year

Cameron Hayley Motorsports - NASCAR Champions breakfast - Charlotte, N.C
Cameron Hayley Motorsports - NASCAR Champions breakfast - Charlotte, N.C
(Driver Haley is standing on the left; Driver Greg Pursley is
sitting on left; Team Owner Gene Price is sitting in the middle)
Born July 21, 1996, seventeen-year-old Cameron Hayley’s 2013 season was productive. He finished second in the K&N Pro Series West and captured the Most Popular Driver title along the way.

“Racing is my life. When I am not on the track I am always thinking about it. Ever since I was little and I got my first go-kart, I have been living, breathing and eating race cars.” (Cameron Hayley’s Website)

Career Highlights

  • Won NASCAR K&N Pro Series portion of inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach in 2013.
  • Finished second in NASCAR K&N Pro Series West debut at 15 years of age.
  • Youngest driver to compete in NASCAR K&N Pro Series West (15 years 23 days at Montana 8/13/11).
  • K&N Pro Series West WINS: 1 – Roseville (2013)
  • K&N Pro Series West POLES: 6 – Stockton, Lebanon, Sonoma, Iowa, Monroe, Spokane (2013)





Friday, December 13, 2013

Kwasniewski’s Champions Team Dinner

Dylan Kwasniewski, from Las Vegas, Nev., came to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East with plenty of expectations. The reigning NASCAR K&N Pro Series West titlist switched coasts and series, and as a championship favorite, he became the default torch-bearer for Turner Scott Motorsports’ newly-established K&N Pro Series program.

When the dust had settled on the 2013 season, Kwasniewski tied the K&N Pro Series East mark for the second-most victories in a single season with six, and he became the first driver ever to win championships in both the K&N Pro Series West and East.

From Mom Jen Kwasniewski ‘s Facebook: 



Champions Team Dinner - can't thank these people enough for all their hard work this year!! You guys are amazing. — with Deanne Nash, Jeni MacDonald, Chris Bray, Mardy Lindley, Kari Bray, Teresa Allen Thompson, Leslie Teasley, Peggy Greci and Taylor Kwasniewski at Sullivan's Steakhouse - Charlotte.

Champions Battle In iRacing Challenge

Preece Top-Finisher Among Title Winners

NASCAR fan and occasional iRacing competitor Ricky Hardin (middle) won the NASCAR Champions iRacing Challenge finale over runner-up Ryan Preece (right) and third-place Tyler Hudson.
NASCAR fan and occasional iRacing competitor Ricky Hardin (middle) won the
NASCAR Champions iRacing Challenge finale over runner-up Ryan Preece (right) and
third-place Tyler Hudson. (Scott Hunter/NASCAR)

Fans and champions competed side-by-side in the first NASCAR Home Tracks Champions Challenge presented by iRacing.com Wednesday at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

NASCAR fan and occasional iRacing competitor Ricky Hardin, of Fort Mill, S.C., edged NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ryan Preece to win the final event that was competed in NASCAR Sprint Cups Series Generation-6 cars on the 1.5-mile oval at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“It was a lot of fun to race against these guys,” said Hardin. “To be completely honest, the key for me was starting up front and being able to stay there. iRacing is something I enjoy doing as often as I’m able.”

Preece recorded the fastest lap en route to his runner-up finish.

“It was a fun time to relax and enjoy ourselves,” said the Berlin, Conn., driver. “iRacing is really a great tool to get the feel of a track you haven’t been to before or stay sharp during the offseason.”

NASCAR iRacing.com world champion Tyler Hudson, of Houston, Texas, finished third in the championship race.

 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion Dylan Kwasniewski and NASCAR iRacing Series champion Tyler Hudson competed in Wednesday's champions event at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Kwasniewski & Hudson competed
(Scott Hunter/NASCAR)
Throughout the afternoon, all of the NASCAR touring and weekly series champions – Dylan Kwasniewski (NASCAR K&N Pro Series East), Derek Thorn (NASCAR K&N Pro Series West), George Brunnhoelzl III (NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour), Ander Vilariño (NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), Scott Steckly (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1), Rodrigo Peralta (NASCAR Toyota Mexico Series), Lee Pulliam (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series) and Preece – raced on ovals and road courses around the world.

The unique experience was held on the iRacing simulator pods at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. iRacing.com is the world’s premier motorsports racing simulation which allows drivers, race fans and gamers alike to hone their skills and enjoy the thrill of the racetrack from the comfort of their home.

Conveniently located in Uptown Charlotte, N.C., the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.

The event is part of a weeklong series of special activities in the Charlotte area for drivers and track representatives leading up to the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards on Friday, Dec. 13, and the NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards on Saturday, Dec. 14. Both ceremonies along with a Red Carpet pre-show will be streamed live on www.nascarhometracks.com. Coverage will get underway at 5 p.m. ET each evening.

Later Wednesday evening, the series champions will be honored at a special dinner affair in The Hall of Honor inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame.





Thursday, December 12, 2013

Derek Thorn's Trophy

From @KipChildress :Here is @DerekThorn6's new lid. #KNWest #NASCARChampions @NASCARHall pic.twitter.com/ZbNuYGBu59




@DerekThorn6 response -  Awesome trophy to get! (https://twitter.com/DerekThorn6/status/410959558300143616)

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

NASCAR Champions To Be Honored
Friday And Saturday Night.

The official 2013 NASCAR Champion's photo shoot was held today at Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Whiskey River Ranch in Mooresville, N.C.
The official 2013 NASCAR Champion's photo shoot was held today at
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Whiskey River Ranch in Mooresville, N.C.
NASCAR’s top drivers throughout its regional touring and weekly series will be in the spotlight this week in Charlotte, N.C., with a bevy of activities leading up to the awards ceremonies Friday and Saturday night.

The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards will take place Friday, Dec. 13. Among those honored will be the 2013 national champion Lee Pulliam, as well as track champions from 55 tracks across the United States and Canada, state and provincial champions and top rookies.

"We've been really looking forward to this," said Lee Pulliam, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion. "A lot of hard work has gone into this year to get us to this point. Charlotte was a blast last year, and it's already started off that way this year.

"I'm just really proud of everybody's hard work and determination that's gotten us here. Getting that handshake from NASCAR President Mike Helton and receiving that coveted trophy, that’s something I've always dreamed of."

On the following evening, NASCAR’s touring series champions will be recognized at the traditional NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards. Set for Saturday, Dec. 14, honorees will include the champions from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1, Mexico’s NASCAR Toyota Series and NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.

"It's great - this week is always a blast," said Ander Vilarino, who won his second straight NASCAR Whelen Euro Series in 2013. "All the moments are very special. Just having the car in the NASCAR Hall of Fame -- all the champions cars are there. And you can see Petty's car and Johnson's car, and there is our car.

"And obviously the awards ceremony is the key moment - the most exciting moment of the week - when you receive that NASCAR championship ring."

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

A special message for
One Direction

A business friend, Rich asked me for help this morning:

"There is a girl in our town, 15 years old, that was diagnosed with cancer a few years back along with a boy that unfortunately passed away last year. They were in the same grade. Her cancer was gone, but unfortunately she has relapsed. She now needs a bone marrow transplant. While I know it is a long shot, she is hoping to be able to meet One Direction at her Philadelphia Hospital before she needs her bone marrow transplant. She made a video and I was hoping you could share it anywhere you can!”


 

Rich has affirmed that this is “100% on the up and up.”

So here is what NASCAR Race Mom is asking.
  1. First please simply watch the video and leave a supportive comment if possible.
  2. Secondly, please share with your friends, family, co-workers etc.
It would be wonderful if we could band together and have this video go viral for this deserving child! This video only has 2,382 views and 81 thumbs up at the moment. Let’s get more for Brittany Santana!

Please help – it will only take a second yet mean so much.

One Direction – Boys are you paying attention?
One Direction – Boys are you paying attention?

Monday, December 9, 2013

Thank You Speed51.com

For us racing freak who are suffering from withdrawals - - - - Thank You Speed51.com for your awesome coverage of the 46th Annual Snowball Derby Presented by JEGS.

Thank You Speed51.com for your awesome coverage of the 46th Annual Snowball Derby Presented by JEGS.
Top row (from left to right): Tim Quievryn, Adam Mackey, Matt Kentfield,
Mikayla Kugler, Bob & Angie & Lucas Dillner, Brandon Paul, Bruce Nuttle



Sunday, December 8, 2013

Full Results for the Snowball Derby

46th Annual Snowball Derby Presented by JEGS

UPDATE:  In postrace inspection, Elliott's car was disqualified for having a prohibited tungsten part, elevating second-place finisher Erik Jones to first place and giving the teen from Byron, Mich., back-to-back Snowball Derby victories.

Chase Elliott wins the 46th annual Snowball Derby from Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL. (photo credit Speed51.com)
Chase Elliott wins the 46th annual Snowball Derby from Five Flags Speedway
in Pensacola, FL. (photo credit Speed51.com)

  1. Erik Jones
  2. Grant Enfinger
  3. Austin Theriault
  4. Hunter Robbins
  5. John Hunter Robbins
  6. David Rogers
  7. Kyle Benjamin
  8. Ross Kenseth
  9. Derek Thorn
  10. Donnie Wilson
  11. Landon Cassill
  12. Ben Kennedy
  13. Chad Finley
  14. Cale Gale
  15. Casey Smith
  16. Johanna Long
  17. Paul Shafer
  18. Jeremy Pate
  19. Clay Rogers
  20. Daniel Hemric
  21. Stephan Nasse
  22. Josh Hamner
  23. Mason Massey
  24. Spencer David
  25. Anderson Bowen
  26. Logan Bowen
  27. Zac Hausler
  28. David Ragan
  29. Mason Mingus
  30. Bubba Pollard
  31. Preston Peltier
  32. Chris Davidson
  33. TJ Reaid
  34. Boris Jurkovic
  35. Mike Garvey
  36. Augie Grill
  37. Chase Elliott - DQ

Tweet from Chase Elliott ‏@chaseelliott --- Simply sorry to everyone. One Mistake on our part costed us the race. I Can't thank the ones who are still supporting us tonight enough.

46th Annual Snowball Derby Presented by JEGS-
Speed51.com is the Official News Site of the Snowball Derby

Once again in 2013, Speed51.com is the Official News Site of the Snowball Derby. Be sure to check out their website for live “46th Annual Snowball Derby Presented by JEGS” coverage today (Sunday, December 8.)

A full schedule and more information can be found on Speed51.com’s Schaeffer's Racing Oil Snowball Central

Today’s Snowball Derby schedule (Sunday Dec 8th)

  • 7 am Pits Open (Team members only),
  • 9 am Hauler exit deadline; Pits open
  • 9:30 am Drivers Meeting
  • 10 am Worship Service
  • 12 pm Engine Warm Ups, Cars to Grid
  • 1 pm Drivers Introduction and Pre Race Festivities
  • 2 pm Snowball Derby 300

Should NASCAR Race Mom use her head to pick a race winner; she would pick - Ross Kenseth


Ross Kenseth and No. 25 Enterprise Iron & Metal/Boyne Machine team prepare to return to Five Flags Speedway
Winning the All American 400, Redbud 300, and Winchester 400 all in the same year is pretty impressive.

However, Ross needs the Snowball Derby to complete his short track resume. It should be noted that in his four precious Snowball starts, Kenseth has complete all 300 laps.

Kenseth is starting just outside the top-ten (11).

“The Snowball Derby has so much history behind it and so many great drivers have competed there and won that event, it just makes it a huge weekend,” said Kenseth. “The fan support that is seen throughout the entire weekend is second to none, which makes it really exciting from the day you get there.”

Should NASCAR Race Mom use her heart to pick a race winner; she would pick – Derek Thorn


Newly crowned K&N Pro Series West Champion, Derek Thorn.
This newly crowned K&N Pro Series West Champion is the West’s best opportunity to contend with the East.

However, starting mid-field with a 22 grid berth; California native Thorn will have to have a perfect race to pull off an upset win. Thorn and three other members of his race team traveled a couple thousand miles from Bakersfield, Calif., to Pensacola. They arrived on November 23rd. The Snowball Derby is that important.

“The last time we went there we blew two motors and we ended up upside down in the race and destroyed everything we owned,” said Thorn. “I looked at it as one of the coolest things I have even done.”

Thorn understands that running the Snowball Derby made him a part of a brotherhood of a historic line of Super Late Model drivers.

“The whole operation is unlike anything we see out west,” said Thorn. “We have big shows, but the Derby is so big for so many days. It’s a completely a different experience. What I like about the Derby is racing against great cars and equipment. For most it’s the camaraderie of the drivers and the teams. It’s hard to put into words until you experience it for yourself.”

NASCAR Race Mom wishes all the “46th Annual Snowball Derby Presented by JEGS” competitors a safe and fun race.

Snowball Derby Starting Line Up
Chasing Chase Elliott


The cars sit on pit road waiting for qualifying for the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013.
The cars sit on pit road waiting for qualifying for the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway
in Pensacola, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (Mark Inabinett/minabinett@al.com)

A 18-year-old Chase Elliott, became the first driver to win the pole for both the Snowflake 100 and the Snowball Derby with track records in both qualifying events.

Elliott, son of NASCAR legend Bill Elliott, turned in a time of 16.303, shattering the previous record of 16.602.

It took a little longer than expected, but Mason Mingus, the runner-up in the 2013 ARCA Racing Series championship standings, managed to secure a spot in today’s Snowball Derby by winning Saturday’s last chance race.

Mingus will be joined by David Rogers, Cale Gale and Josh Hamner as the four drivers advancing from Saturday’s last chance race.

Rodgers will be making his 29th appearance in the Snowball Derby.

Gale and Hamner finished fifth and sixth, but got the nod after the second and fourth-place finishers were disqualified.

Gale, a winner on the NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series when he sent Kyle Busch into the wall in Miami, is driving Scott Carlson’s No. 21.

“We’ve been working really hard all weekend,” Gale said. “Scott Carlson gave me a great opportunity. We’ll see what we can do. We’ll just keep plugging away at it.”

Brady Boswell and Chris Wimmer — seeking their first appearance in the Snowball Derby — finished second and fourth, respectively, but were DQ’d after their cars failed the postrace inspection.

Here's the starting lineup for the Snowball Derby:

  1. Chase Elliott
  2. Bubba Pollard
  3. John Hunter Nemechek
  4. Daniel Hemric
  5. Augie Grill
  6. Casey Smith
  7. Austin Theriault
  8. David Ragan
  9. Zak Hausler
  10. Grant Enfinger
  11. Ross Kenseth
  12. Erik Jones
  13. Stephen Nasse
  14. Kyle Benjamin
  15. Paul Shafer, Jr.
  16. Ben Kennedy
  17. Chad Finley
  18. T.J. Reaid
  19. Preston Peltier
  20. Hunter Robbins
  21. Mason Massey
  22. Derek Thorn
  23. Johanna Long
  24. Spencer Davis
  25. Boris Jurkovic
  26. Jeremy Pate
  27. Mike Garvey
  28. Logan Boyett
  29. Landon Cassill
  30. Anderson Bowen
  31. Mason Mingus
  32. Cale Gale
  33. David Rogers
  34. Josh Hamner
  35. Chris Davidson
  36. Donnie Wilson
  37. Clay Rogers


The crowd check out racing action Saturday night during the Snowflake 100 at Five Flags Speedway.
The crowd check out racing action Saturday night during the Snowflake 100
at Five Flags Speedway. (John Blackie/jblackie@pnj.com)

Chase Elliott became the first driver to win the Allen Turner Hyundai Snowflake 100 three times and the first to win the pro late model race from the pole on Saturday night at Five Flags Speedway.

2014 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

At least NASCAR Race Mom is not the only one going through NASCAR Withdrawals.
At least NASCAR Race Mom is not the only one going through NASCAR Withdrawals.

According to the Sporting News, the newly-crowned six-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and his 2013 title rival Matt Kenseth are atop the first list of the 2014 Sprint Cup Championship Odds.

Johnson is listed as the favorite for 2014 at 3-to-1 odds, while Kenseth sits at 11-to-2 odds – a fair reflection of their solid respective seasons.

Next up is Kyle Busch, who has his title bid derailed at Kansas but hung tough with four Top-10s in the final six races to claim fourth in the championship at season’s end.

Dale Jr. with his 2014 National Guard Chevy (#88)
Dale Jr. with his 2014 National Guard Chevy (#88)

“Rowdy” has been placed at 13-2 odds by William Hill, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. right behind him at 7-1 odds after putting together a fine post-season stretch of his own following his blown engine in the Chase opener at Chicagoland.

Rounding out the Top 5 is Jeff Gordon at 10-1. The four-time champ’s big win at Martinsville catapulted him into the title picture with three races left, but a wreck at Texas forced his “Drive For Five” to continue into 2014.

Austin Dillon Displays his Championship Rings (NASCAR Nationwide & Truck Series)
Austin Dillon Displays his Championship Rings (NASCAR Nationwide & Truck Series)

Other notables include Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin and the returning Tony Stewart each at 15-1 odds; rookie of the year Ricky Stenhouse and Austin Dillon both at 75-1; Kyle Larson at 150-1; and Danica Patrick at 250-1.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

CHAMPION PROFILE: Derek Thorn

Derek Thorn - the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West 2013 Champion (Getty Images for NASCAR)
Derek Thorn - the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West 2013 Champion
(Getty Images for NASCAR)

Thorn Captures Title In Second Full Season Of K&N West Competition 


Derek Thorn and the Sunrise Ford Racing team set a goal for themselves early in 2013. Fifteen races later their goal was accomplished, with Thorn winning the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West championship.

“Our whole goal in 2013 was the championship,” said the tall, soft-spoken 27-year-old Californian – who won the title in just his second full season of series competition. “We sat down and had a long talk about it in March, before we came to Phoenix the first time. We just happened to put together an awesome season for ourselves. We weren’t always the fastest; but we were a model of consistency and we always put together good solid strong runs – and to win a championship, that’s exactly what we had to do.”

Derek Thorn – 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Champion
Thorn drove car owner Bob Bruncati’s No. 6 Sunrise Ford/Lucas Oil/Eibach Ford to three wins, three poles, 12 top-fives and 14 top-10s. He scored his first career road course win with a victory at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway in June. He also had wins on two short tracks – Stockton (Calif.) 99 Speedway in May and Colorado National Speedway in Dacono in July. He won Coors Light Pole awards at Colorado; NAPA Speedway in Albuquerque, N.M.; and All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif.

Thorn – who was originally from Lakeport, but now resides in Bakersfield – jumped out front in the championship standings early in the season. He built on his lead with top-five finishes through the first 10 events of the schedule. Thorn maintained his advantage in points with three runner-up finishes within a four-race span late in the year, enough to carry him through to the title despite an uncharacteristic 15th-place finish in the season finale. He held on to clinch the championship by a six-point margin over Cameron Hayley.

The strategy of the Sunrise Ford team this season was simply to approach each race one by one, according to Thorn.

“We took it one race at a time,” he said. “It’s taking the good with the bad. You have those weekends where your car is awesome and you can run up front, lead laps and not have to worry about running with anybody else. And then there’s those weekends where you’re running fourth, fifth, sixth place and you’re just making the most of what you’ve got. On weekends where we weren’t the best, we were able to keep a cool head and make the most out of it and salvage a few extra points out of a bad day.”

This year’s championship comes as Thorn wraps up his second year of a two-year deal driving for Bruncati.

“It’s definitely a good way to cap off a two-year stint we had with Bob Bruncati and the No. 6 team,” Thorn said. “I can’t thank Bob and Maureen Bruncati (enough) for giving me the opportunity to drive the (No.) 6 for two years like they did. Bill Sedgwick, the crew chief, and all these guys on the team have really, really worked hard to get us in the position to win the championship.

“This championship is by far an all-time high,” Thorn said. “I’ve been trying to cherish every moment.”


In 36 starts since making his series debut in 2011, Thorn has five career wins, four poles, 26 top-five and 30 top-10 finishes. His initial success came in the pre-season NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown in January of 2011, where he won the pole and finished eighth. He ran a limited schedule of six series events that season, including three after joining the Sunrise Ford Racing team late in the year.

Thorn began his racing career competing in Winged Outlaw Karts in Northern California, where he won two titles. He won a track championship racing street stocks at his hometown track of Lakeport Speedway in 2002 and then raced in the Modified division there in 2003 and 2004. Thorn moved on to compete in the North State Challenge Series in 2005 and 2006 and the ASA Late Model Challenge in 2007 and 2008. He also raced in six NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races in 2008, with a top-five finish at Music City. After returning to the West Coast, he began racing in the SRL Spears Southwest Tour Series in 2010 and won a title in that series a couple of years later. 


NASCAR President Mike Helton presents Derek Thorn with the championship trophy
(Getty Images for NASCAR)

Thorn will be honored as the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion for 2013 during the NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards ceremony in the Crown Ballroom of the Charlotte (N.C) Convention Center inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Saturday, Dec. 14. The awards ceremony is slated to be streamed live online in three languages – English French and Spanish – at www.nascarhometracks.com.


Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Legends Reveal Glory Road 2.0 Surprises

NASCAR Hall of Fame - Glory Road
The NASCAR Hall of Fame is readying to unveil a complete makeover of one of its signature exhibits, Glory Road, on Jan. 11, 2014.
 
To mark this major revamp, some fan favorites will be on hand to help the Hall reveal some of the exhibit’s newest additions.
 
Mark your calendar for a special birthday party in honor of Bobby Allison on Dec. 7 at 12:30 p.m. Then on Tuesday, Dec. 10, Rusty Wallace heads to the Hall at 1 p.m. for another special announcement with exactly one month to go before the Glory Road 2.0 unveil date.
 
In the meantime, stay tuned to nascarhall.com, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for sneak peeks of the NASCAR stock cars that will find a new home in this exhibit.


NASCAR Race Mom enjoyed her visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame (Dec. 2011)
NASCAR Race Mom enjoyed her visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame (Dec. 2011)