Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Additions to the #NASCAR Better Half Dash Roster #BetterHalfDash

Annual Charlotte Event Raises Money for Charity

Four more ladies have joined the roster for the #BetterHalfDash:

Melanie Self

MRO Community Center Coordinator

Home Town: Dallas, NC

Spotter: Matt Dillner

Sponsor(s): Trailers of East Coast

Special Supporters: My husband of 33 years, Monty Self. My children Ashley Fannin, Ryan Self, son-in-law Jeremy Fannin, Karly Kisler and Me Me’s favorite little man, Mason Blake Fannin.

Winning Strategy: "If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough.” – Mario Andretti

Tandra Greenfield

Wife of Clay Greenfield

Sponsor: Murfreesboro, TN

Hometown: Murfreesboro, TN

Sponsors: T.B.A.

Special Thanks: My amazing family and friends for all of their love and support!

Bio: My name is Tandra Greenfield, wife of Clay Greenfield. We met and were engaged at the Talladega Superspeedway. This will be my first time racing in the Better Half Dash. I'm a former Tennessee Titans Cheerleader and love giving back to our community. I can't think of a more awesome way to give back to such a wonderful charity than to have fun racing with the other ladies!

Winning Strategy: When in doubt, throttle it out!

Twitter:@Tandra_TTC
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tandra.caldwell
Instagram: @TandraDanelle



Wendy Venturini (Wife of Jarrad Egert)and Katelyn Sweet (Girlfriend of Kyle Larson) also signed up for the charity race. Their bios will be coming soon.


In this race for charity, each participant raises money prior to the event, with the highest-earner winning the opportunity to pick her starting spot for the race.

Click Here for more details and/or to donate

 

Related Post:

#NASCAR Better Half Dash #BetterHalfDash

Monday, July 27, 2015

Kyle presents Gordon with Crown Royal XR (#nascar)

Crown Royal XR is made for celebrating special moments and is the top variant in the whisky's portfolio. (Take it from me – it is tasty!) Sunday’s race is expected to be the final Brickyard start for NASCAR Star, Jeff Gordon, who is calling it quits from full-time racing at season's end. 




Nominated for Crown Royal's "Your Hero's Name Here" program by one of his heroes, 2014 "Your Hero's Name Here" Brickyard namesake John Wayne Walding, Jeff Kyle learned that he was this year's winner while attending a Texas Rangers baseball game in his home state earlier this summer.

Along with this honor came many perks including a once-in-a-lifetime experience throughout the weekend – meeting NASCAR drivers, touring the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway and waving the green flag for race qualifying, before handing the trophy bearing his name to the race winner in Victory Lane. 




Invited inside Jeff Gordon's No. 24 hauler, Kyle presented the five-time Brickyard 400 winner with a bottle of Crown Royal XR -- short for extra rare -- and a specially embroidered bag congratulating Gordon on his racing career.

"Just being able to meet him in person and shake his hand and chit-chat with him for a minute, for him to take the time before qualifying, is huge," said Kyle, a recipient of the Navy Achievement Medal for leading the first Marine detachment to transport a nuclear submarine through hostile waters. "For him to be able to talk to little ole me, that was really cool."

#jeffkyle400

Photo Credit: Marianna Massey

Smith, Sadler, Blaney and Suarez advance to #NASCAR Dash 4 Cash at Bristol




Regan Smith's eighth place finish in Saturday's Lilly Diabetes 250 XFINITY Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway provided his JR Motorsports team a reason to celebrate. Smith’s top-ten finish was good enough to earn him a check for $100,000 as the second round winner of the Dash4Cash program.


Smith bettered championship leader Chris Buescher, Chase Elliott and Brendan Gaughan to claim Saturday's portion of the winnings. 




More importantly, since Regan also collected $100,000 on May 30, after winning the first round at Dover, Delaware, he is one step closer to winning a million dollars in the series' Dash 4 Cash incentive program.

If Smith wins the next Dash 4 Cash award and then wins the final round race outright on September 5th at Darlington, the NASCAR Driver would receive a total $1 million for the effort.

Smith, along with Indianapolis' runner-up Ryan Blaney, third place finisher Daniel Suarez and fifth place finisher Elliott Sadler now advance and are eligible for the third round of competition Aug. 21 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

In the meantime, Smith joked that he already had an idea how to spend at least a portion of his now $200,000 Dash 4 Cash effort.

"I'd like to buy a cool box, I'm really hot right now," he joked with a big smile.

Dash 4 Cash - Designed to highlight the unique competition between championship-eligible NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers, the highly recognizable program will potentially result in $1 million awarded to one talented driver.

Fans can enter to win their own chance to win $100,000 in the Dash 4 Cash event. Click here for the entry form. This sweepstakes ends on 08/22/15.


Saturday, July 25, 2015

#‎JeffKyle400‬ Recognizing heroes - Crown Royal Presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard

Yesterday was an exciting day for Jeff Kyle, the winner of Crown Royal’s annual “Your Hero’s Name Here” program. “Your Hero’s Name Here” awards the naming rights to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to a deserving hero. Jeff Kyle certainly fits that bill! 


Crown Royal's "Your Hero's Name Here" winner and Brickyard 400 race namesake, U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Jeff Kyle, right, is honored by Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard with the proclamation of Jeff Kyle Day  in Indianapolis, Friday, July 24, 2015. (AJ Mast /AP Images for Crown Royal)
Crown Royal's "Your Hero's Name Here" winner and Brickyard 400 race namesake,
U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Jeff Kyle, right, is honored by Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard
with the proclamation of Jeff Kyle Day in Indianapolis, Friday, July 24, 2015.
(AJ Mast /AP Images for Crown Royal)

Kyle, of Lorena, Texas, was deployed multiple times to Iraq and Africa while serving in the military for eight years. During his time with the 3rd Marine Division, Kyle received the Navy Achievement Medal for leading the first Marine detachment to transport a nuclear submarine through hostile waters.

After leaving the military, Sergeant Kyle has dedicated his life to helping his fellow servicemen and women through his tireless efforts to bring awareness to veterans’ needs. Kyle advocates for veterans across the nation and provides support through his involvement with a handful of organizations.

Crown Royal's "Your Hero's Name Here" winner and Brickyard 400 race namesake, U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Jeff Kyle, center right, is honored by Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, center left, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles, left, and Crown Royal Brand Director Matt Pechman with the proclamation of Jeff Kyle Day in Indianapolis, Friday, July 24, 2015. (AJ Mast /AP Images for Crown Royal)
U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Jeff Kyle, center right, is honored by Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, center left, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles, left, and Crown Royal Brand Director Matt Pechman with the proclamation of Jeff Kyle Day in Indianapolis, Friday, July 24, 2015. (AJ Mast /AP Images for Crown Royal)

As the city gears up for an action-packed weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a few key individuals including Track President Doug Boles and Mayor Greg Ballard took time out of their busy schedules to honor one deserving individual, whose name you may recognize if you visit IMS this weekend.

During a special ceremony in downtown Indianapolis, Mayor Ballard proclaimed it “Jeff Kyle Day” in honor of Marine Corps Sergeant Jeff Kyle. After Mayor Ballard delivered the official proclamation to Kyle, the city dyed the canal purple in his honor. It will remain purple throughout the race weekend.

Crown Royal's "Your Hero's Name Here" winner and Brickyard 400 race namesake, U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Jeff Kyle, right, dyes the downtown canal purple with Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard after the proclamation of Jeff Kyle Day in Indianapolis, Friday, July 24, 2015. (AJ Mast /AP Images for Crown Royal)

Although Kyle served with the Marines, he says his true service started when he returned from deployment and began working to help fellow veterans. In addition to serving as a board member for the Guardian For Heroes Foundation, Kyle also works extensively with American Valor, the foundation which runs the memorial benefit to honor his brother, CPO and U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle.

Kyle will take part in a once-in-a-lifetime experience throughout the weekend – meeting NASCAR drivers, touring the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway and waving the green flag for race qualifying, before handing the trophy bearing his name to the race winner in Victory Lane.

Kyle was nominated by the 2014 “Your Hero’s Name Here” race namesake John Wayne Walding.


#‎JeffKyle400‬ Recognizing heroes - Crown Royal Presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard

Stay informed about the latest exciting Jeff Kyle 400
at the Brickyard events by using the hashtag #‎JeffKyle400

Friday, July 24, 2015

#NASCAR Better Half Dash #BetterHalfDash

Annual Charlotte Event Raises Money for Charity


#NASCAR Better Half Dash #BetterHalfDashGirls, have at it! When racing returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 8th, the ladies of #NASCAR will add their own element of speed, danger and fun to Bank of America 500 Week when they take to the front stretch quarter-mile for the third annual Better Half Dash on Bojangles' Pole Night.

In this race for charity, each participant raised money prior to the event, with the highest-earner winning the opportunity to pick her starting spot for the race.






Select your favorite driver featured below and then click "Donate"  to donate online securely via PayPal.   Help your driver raise the most money so they can select their starting spot for the 2015 #BetterHalfDash fun race!

#NASCAR Better Half Dash #BetterHalfDash - Ashley Deihl Stremme

Ashley Deihl Stremme

Wife of David Stremme

Hometown: Mifflintown, PA

Spotter: Frank Bolter & David Stremme

Sponsor: T.B.A.

Special Supporters: My husband David, my parents Joe & Dianne, as well as my entire family and friends. Also my awesome sponsors who came onboard with me this year. Lastly, but certainly not least, Winged Nation friends and my entire dirt track racing family!

Winning Strategy: Stand on the loud peddle, turn left, don't jump the cushion and bring home that trophy again! ;)

Jenna Robinson#NASCAR Better Half Dash #BetterHalfDash - Jenna Robinson

Wife of Clay Robinson

Hometown: Santa Clarita, California

Spotter: Clay Robinson

Sponsors: T.B.A.

Special Thanks: My awesome family and friends for all their support!

Winning Strategy: Take all the advice I get and throw it out the window and go fast and use my front bumper!


#NASCAR Better Half Dash #BetterHalfDash - Jordan FishJordan Fish

Girlfriend of Denny Hamlin

Hometown: Fort Mill, SC

Spotter: Denny Hamlin

Sponsors: T.B.A.

Special Supporters: My awesome family and friends for all their support!

Winning Strategy: My other half & best friend, Denny, our beautiful and fun loving daughter Taylor James. His parents, Big Denny and Momma Lou. My dad Dennis, and his wife, Rita. My mom & biggest supporter, Sharon. My sisters and brother-in-laws Linsey & Josh Nealey and Dana & David Richardson. My nieces and nephews: Hannah, Rebekah & Nathan Richardson, and of course my newest and most sweetest nephew, Asher Nealey.

Twitter: missjfish

Facebook: www.facebook.com/xojordanfish

Blog: xojordan.com


#NASCAR Better Half Dash #BetterHalfDash - Kristen Yeley Kristen Yeley

Wife of JJ Yeley

Home Town: Charlotte, NC

Sponsors: T.B.A

Special Supporters: My wonderful husband JJ and daughter Faith Anne.

Everyone who had voted and donated for me last year in the dash for the poll! Let's get it this year!

Winning Strategy: Run my lines-not someone else's! That's what kept me in p2 last year.

Twitter: kristenyeley


#NASCAR Better Half Dash #BetterHalfDash - Shannon Koch Shannon Koch

Wife of Blake Koch

Sponsor: Leaf FilterGutter Protection

Bio: My name is Shannon Koch from West Palm Beach, Florida. I have been married to Blake Koch for 5 years and we have 2 little cuties, Carter 3 and Bailey 1. This is my second time competing in the Better Half Dash and I am so excited to race and raise money for such a great organization.

Race Strategy: To win.

Twitter: @ShannonLKoch

Facebook: Shannon Crytzer Koch

Instagram: @ShannyLKoch

#NASCAR Better Half Dash #BetterHalfDash - Whitney Scott

Whitney Scott

Wife of Brian Scott

Sponsor: RIMZ One

Race Strategy: Drive it like I stole it!

Bio: I have been married to my amazing husband for almost 2 years. We have a little girl, Brielle (4) and son, JoJo (8months) and we are having the best time traveling and raising these munchkins together. I am so excited to be running this race for such a good cause and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous!




Twitter: whitneykay_

Instagram: Whitneykayscott

Blog: www.whitneykayscott.wordpress.com






On a personal note - NASCAR Race Mom wishes she were entered in this field of #nascar ladies!

Saturday, July 18, 2015

#NASCAR Pro Series East vs West
Who Will Win in Iowa?

Iowa Speedway, a .875-mile asphalt tri-ovaI designed by NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace, has held one East-West combination race each season from 2007-2011 and has had two each year since 2012.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West will compete again on Friday, July 31, 2015 for the second of their two annual East-West combination races in Newton.


#NASCAR Pro Series East vs West<br> Who Will Win in Iowa?
Brandon McReynolds celebrates in Victory Lane at Iowa Speedway
after winning the Casey's General Store 150.
(Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for NASCAR)


In May of this year, Brandon McReynolds, a West driver, earned his first NASCAR victory in the Casey's General Store 150, the first 2015 combination race. Driving the No. 16 - NAPA Auto Parts Toyota for Bill McAnally Racing, McReynolds became only the second West driver in twelve events to win the combination competition. He led twice for 22 laps, including the ‘all important’ final eight.

After capturing his first ‘21 Means 21 Pole Award’ Rookie William Byron steered the pack to the green. The currant East Series Points Leader led a race-high 128 laps yet finished second to McReynolds. However, as the first East driver across the Start/Finish Line, he was credited with the victory in his series.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series is the top step in NASCAR’s developmental ladder. The optional “spec” engine (introduced in 2006) and composite body help teams control costs while providing them the opportunity to advance their drivers from their hometown short tracks to the next level and to one of the three national series.

Overall Combination Race Winners include NASCAR Notables:
Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, and Joey Logano. 


#NASCAR Pro Series East vs West<br> Who Will Win in Iowa?
The 2015 K&N Pro Series East and West schedules include a combined
27 dates across 17 different states. (Getty Images for NASCAR)

The series continues to introduce NASCAR fans to their next generation of stars and these races are always thrilling to witness. If you are in the area do not miss this opportunity to witness these young and eager motorsport athletes as they battle their path toward prominence. 

After Eight Races - East Driver Points: 


1
  William Byron *
331
2
  Austin Hill
302
3
  Scott Heckert
298
4
  Kyle Benjamin *
288
5
  Dalton Sargeant *
285

After Seven Races - West Driver Points: 


1
  Chris Eggleston
274
2
  Noah Gragson *
273
3
  Gracin Raz *
271
4
  Ryan Partridge *
267
5
  David Mayhew
261

 

The West Series Championship Points spread is extremely close – with six races remaining, only thirteen points separate the top five drivers.

* Denotes rookie of the year contender

Remembrance of Passion, Talent and Perseverance #RIPJules

Remembrance of Passion, Talent and Perseverance #RIPJules

Twenty-five-year-old Race Car Driver, Jules Bianchi drove for Marussia F1 in the FIA Formula One World Championship. He started in Formula One (F1) as a test driver in 2011. In 2013, Jules made his debut driving for Marussia; finishing fifteenth in his opening race in Australia. However, after failing to score any points, he ended the season in nineteenth position.

In the 2014 season, with his ninth place performance, Jules Bianchi scored both his and the Marussia's first points in Formula One at the Monaco Grand Prix. Such a promising start to his young career!

Remembrance of Passion, Talent and Perseverance #RIPJules
This young Frenchman is a well-liked figure inside the sport – if not a little unknown outside of F1. Sadly his tragic accident, involving a recovery tractor parked on a live race track corner at Suzuka, stirred up both controversy and with that recognition.

This author will not debate the wisdom of that decision; rather as the mother of a racer, concentrate on the dreadful loss of an athlete dedicated to his craft.

It is a little known fact that Jules Bianchi, who started racing karts at the age of five, was a passionate and talented driver, with a great sense of humor. His dedication and hard work will never be fully grasped by the average fan. However, I am sure that his family, friends and co-workers witnessed that perseverance daily.

Jules Bianchi died yesterday after being in a coma for nine months. He is the first driver to be killed in a Formula One race since the notorious accident that killed Ayrton Senna in 1994. Nonetheless it serves as a reminder of the reality of our sport.


Remembrance of Passion, Talent and Perseverance #RIPJules

Rest in Peace Jules Bianchi
Our thoughts are with your family and friends





The statement released from the family reads as follows:


It is with deep sadness that the parents of Jules Bianchi, Philippe and Christine, his brother Tom and sister Mélanie, wish to make it known that Jules passed away last night at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) in Nice, (France) where he was admitted following the accident of 5th October 2014 at Suzuka Circuit during the Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Jules fought right to the very end, as he always did, but today his battle came to an end, said the Bianchi family. The pain we feel is immense and indescribable. We wish to thank the medical staff at Nice’s CHU who looked after him with love and dedication. We also thank the staff of the General Medical Center in the Mie Prefecture (Japan) who looked after Jules immediately after the accident, as well as all the other doctors who have been involved with his care over the past months.

Furthermore, we thank Jules’ colleagues, friends, fans and everyone who has demonstrated their affection for him over these past months, which gave us great strength and helped us deal with such difficult times. Listening to and reading the many messages made us realise just how much Jules had touched the hearts and minds of so many people all over the world.

We would like to ask that our privacy is respected during this difficult time, while we try to come to terms with the loss of Jules.

Remembrance of Passion, Talent and Perseverance #RIPJules

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Crown Royal #NASCAR Race Naming Winner Continues to Serve At Home.



Jeff Kyle, 37, of Lorena, Texas is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant who served for eight years from 2000 – 2008 in the infantry and reserves. While serving with the 3rd Marine Division, Kyle received the Navy Achievement Medal for leading the first Marine detachment to transport a nuclear submarine through hostile waters. During his time in the military, Kyle was deployed to Iraq twice, Africa and several other locations overseas. 

When Kyle retired from the Marine Corps in 2008 he says “my military career didn’t start till I left because now I am able to truly serve my country through helping my fellow brothers.” 

As one of the founders of Texas Elite Tactical Academy, Kyle trains individuals about firearms safety through his passion to educate those in a safe environment. As a board member for the Guardian For Heroes Foundation, Kyle helps to oversee the organization’s mission – to provide free, in home fitness equipment, facilitation of donated health club memberships, individualized programs, personal training, as well as life coaching and comprehensive support to in-need veterans with disabilities. 

In addition, Kyle plays a large role as a board member on American Valor, the foundation which runs the memorial benefit to honor his brother, CPO and U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. 

Nominated by the person he considers one of his heroes, former 2014 “Your Hero’s Name Here” race namesake John Wayne Walding, Kyle continues to dedicate his efforts to champion for military veterans and their families.

Schedule of Events - Thursday, July 23, 2015

  • 05:00pm - Festivities Begin
  • 05:00pm - Jai Baker Performance
  • 06:00pm - Hauler Parade
  • 07:00pm - Jessie Brown Performance
  • 07:55pm - Haulers Depart
  • 08:00pm - Hauler Parade Conclusion


Schedule of Events - Friday, July 24, 2015

  • 09:00am - Gates Open
  • 09:00am - 06:00pm - Fan Midway Open
  • 09:00am - 10:25am - NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice
  • 11:30am - 12:55pm - NASCAR XFINITY Practice
  • 01:00pm - 02:25pm - NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice
  • 02:30pm - 03:55pm - NASCAR XFINITY Practice
  • 04:00pm - 05:55pm - NASCAR Sprint Cup  Practice
  • 06:00pm - Gates Close

Schedule of Events - Saturday, July 25, 2015

  • 07:00am - Gates Open
  • 08:00am - 06:00pm - Fan Midway Open
  • 08:00am - NASCAR XFINITY Series Autograph Wristband Distribution - Plaza
  • 08:00am - Kids Only Autograph Wristband Distribution - Kids Zone
  • 10:00am - 10:45am - NASCAR XFINITY Series Autograph Session - Pavilion - Must have wristband to attend 11:35am - NASCAR XFINITY Series Qualifying
  • 12:00pm - 12:30pm - Kids Only Autograph Session - Pavilion - Must have wristband to attend Learn More
  • 01:10pm - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Qualifying
  • 02:50pm - 03:00pm - NASCAR XFINITY Series Driver 'Brick Walk' - Plaza
  • 03:00pm - Driver Introductions
  • 03:30pm - Invocation - George Davis
  • 03:31pm - National Anthem
  • 03:37pm - Drivers Start Your Engines Command
  • 03:50pm - Lilly Diabetes 250 (100 Laps)
  • 06:00pm - Gates Close

 

Schedule of Events - Sunday, July 26, 2015

  • 10:00am - Gates Open
  • 10:00am - 03:50pm - Fan Midway Open
  • 12:00pm - 01:30pm - Fan Track Walk - Enter North Pit Gate, Exit South Pit Gate
  • 02:21pm - Military Salute
  • 02:30pm - 02:55pm - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver 'Brick Walk' - Plaza
  • 03:00pm - Driver Introductions
  • 03:27pm - "America the Beautiful"
  • 03:30pm - Invocation - Reverend Howard Brammer
  • 03:31pm - "National Anthem"
  • 03:33pm - Flyover
  • 03:37pm - Drivers Start Your Engines Command - Mari Hulman-George
  • 03:50pm - 22nd Running of the Crown Royal presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard (160 Laps)
  • 07:30pm - Gates Close