Monday, December 27, 2021

Erik Jones Tops Talented List of Early SpeedFest 2022 Super Late Model Entries

Erik Jones Tops Talented List of Early SpeedFest 2022 Super Late Model Entries

The NASCAR Cup Series competitor hopes to start 2022 with an early win

NASCAR Cup Series competitor Erik Jones tops the talented list of early entries to date for the upcoming Super Late Model event at SpeedFest 2022 Presented by Racing America, that will take place at Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Georgia Friday, January 28th and Saturday January 29th.

 

Erik Jones Tops Talented List of Early SpeedFest 2022 Super Late Model Entries

 

As was announced this past Monday, the SpeedFest 2022 Super Late Model event, which is a co-sanctioned special non-points event for the ARCA/CRA Super Series and the Southern Super Series, will now be 150 laps and will pay the winner $12,000. The entire Super Late Model purse was raised after making it a 150 green flag lap event and an anonymous sponsor added a $5,000 bonus to the winner making the winners payoff $12,000 for the event.

 

Jones was the inaugural JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Champion in 2011. Shortly after that he started his climb in NASCAR, going from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series where he was the 2015 Champion, to the NASCAR Xfinity Series and moved up to the NASCAR Cup Series where he started racing full-time in 2017. Jones has two NASCAR Cup Series wins to date, one at Daytona in 2018 and one at Darlington in 2019. He was a nine-time winner in the Xfinity Series and a seven-time winner in the NASCAR Trucks.

 

Jones has always loved Super Late Model racing, winning the Winchester 400 three times, including the JEGS Triple Crown in 2015 when he won the Battle at Berlin 251, the Redbud 400 and the Winchester 400 to collect the $100,000 Triple Crown bonus. Jones is also a former Snowball Derby and Governor’s Cup winner. After seven years of not racing in a Super Late Model, Jones returned to make selected starts at the end of the 2021 season and will make selected starts again in 2022, starting with SpeedFest 2022.

 

 

“I’m really looking forward to getting back to SpeedFest at Watermelon Capital Speedway,” remarked Jones. “We’ve had some good runs there and I really enjoy all the people down there as well. We’ve only got a few races in this new super late model and are just coming off a good run at the Derby, so I’m hoping to go to SpeedFest and knock out our first win at the beginning of the season. There is always a great group of drivers there, so it’s definitely another trophy that I want!”

 

Erik Jones Tops Talented List of Early SpeedFest 2022 Super Late Model Entries

 

 

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Merry #NASCAR Christmas

Merry #NASCAR Christmas

Who said it Best
















Sunday, December 19, 2021

Keeping Bob Keselowski in Our Prayers

Keeping Bob Keselowski in Our Prayers UPDATE: Rest In Piece Bob Keslowski
August 1, 1951 - December 22, 2021



 

 

Robert Alexander Keselowski (born August 1, 1951) is a former American professional stock car racer. He owns K Automotive Racing and was a competitor in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series. 

 

Robert Alexander Keselowski
Robert Alexander Keselowski

 

 

It has been reported that he is loosing his battle with cancer (see tweet below)

 

 


 

In the ARCA Series, Bob earned twenty-four wins, twenty-six poles, and a 1989 championship.

Bob Keselowski in 1997
Keselowski in 1997

Keselowski was one of the original drivers in the Camping World Truck Series in 1995 when it raced under the name the NASCAR SuperTruck Series.  After finishing 15th in the inaugural season, he finished 16th in the second season. Keselowski won his only NASCAR race when he won the "1997 Virginia Is For Lovers 200" at Richmond International Raceway. He competed one more full season and two part-time season before his NASCAR career was over.

 

Bob Keselowski's sons, Brad and Brian compete in NASCAR. Brad won the 2012 Cup championship and has 35 career victories in NASCAR's premier series.

Thoughts and Prayers to the Keselowski Family.

Front Row Motorsports 2022 Team Lineup

Front Row Motorsports 2022 Team Lineup

Reigning Daytona 500 Champion Michael McDowell to Lead Young Duo

In 2022, Front Row Motorsports (FRM) will again have a mix of veteran leadership and young, winning drivers stepping into new roles.

 

 

Michael McDowell will pilot the No. 34 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series. He will be teammates with Todd Gilliland who takes over the No. 38 Ford Mustang. Two-time NASCAR Camping World Series championship runner-up Zane Smith joins FRM to race the No. 38 Ford F-150 in the truck series.

 

 

Gilliland makes the jump to the NASCAR Cup Series to compete for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year title after three full-time seasons in the truck series, the past two with FRM. In 2021, Gilliland had one win, 16 top-10 and 10 top-five finishes, resulting in a career best year. He led FRM to fourth in the owner’s championship. Gilliland will work with crew chief Seth Barbour.

 

 

Gilliland follows his father, David, as a driver of the No. 38 Ford for FRM in the NASCAR Cup Series.

 

“I feel like I’ve found a home at FRM,” said Gilliland (Todd). “I’ve been around the team when I was growing up and watching my dad race. I joined the truck team here and it has been a good place for my career. I can’t wait to step up into the NASCAR Cup Series. I know the challenges ahead, but I’m planning to be here and help grow with this team for a long time.”

 

“Todd has been a part of the FRM family before he even started his own racing career,” added owner, Bob Jenkins. “We know that Todd is committed to helping our No. 38 program. He helped us launch our truck program into a winning team and that’s our goal for him and the 38 Cup team.”

 

McDowell returns to the No. 34 Ford Mustang. This past season he again set new records for the organization with five top-10 and two top-five finishes. Their season was highlighted by winning the Daytona 500.

 

“It was a storybook season for Michael, Drew (Crew Chief) and the 34 team,” continued Jenkins. “They helped elevate us to the next level and now we need to sustain and take the next step. The new car gives us a wonderful opportunity to do that.”

 

“I’m really looking forward to 2022 and the fresh start it brings across the sport,” said McDowell. “It’s an exciting time for the NASCAR Cup Series and for us at FRM. We have proven that we can win and now we want to find that consistency throughout the season to be even better.”

 

 

FRM welcomes Smith to its NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team, fresh off consecutive seasons as championship runner-up in the series Smith recorded three race wins and 27 top-10 finishes in his two full seasons in the series. The 22-year-old Huntington Beach, Calif. native will work with crew chief Chris Lawson with the goal of winning the championship in 2022.

 

“I’ve been watching Zane the past few seasons,” said Jenkins. “He’s a young driver who is a proven winner and he shows a lot of promise. We want to get him that championship in 2022, but also, we want to have Zane with us for a long time. We see a bright future for him.”

 

“I competed against Front Row for wins this past season and I know how competitive the team is,” said Smith, the 2021 Most Popular Driver in the NASCAR Camping World Series. “Bob Jenkins has given me a wonderful opportunity to race for the truck series championship again. More importantly, there is an opportunity to grow with them in the future.”

 

The 2021 season will mark its 13th with Ford Performance, the team’s manufacturing partner since expanding to a multi-car organization in 2010.

 

FRM will announce team partners leading into the 2022 Daytona 500 and throughout next season.

 

About Front Row Motorsports

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Camping World Truck Series and the 2021 Daytona 500 champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team– from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM,  Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports

 

 

Friday, December 17, 2021

Petty GMS Motorsports To Compete With Two Full-Time Teams

Petty GMS Motorsports To Compete With Two Full-Time Teams

NASCAR CUP SERIES With Ty Dillon and Erik Jones

 

Ty Dillon will pilot the No. 42 Chevrolet; Erik Jones will drive the No. 43 Chevrolet
Ty Dillon will pilot the No. 42 Chevrolet
Erik Jones will drive the No. 43 Chevrolet

Maury Gallagher, owner of GMS Racing and majority owner of Richard Petty Motorsports, along with motorsports icon Richard Petty announced today the creation of Petty GMS Motorsports.  The organization will field two full-time NASCAR Cup Series entries in 2022 with drivers Ty Dillon and Erik Jones and be housed at GMS Racing’s current multi-building complex in Statesville, North Carolina.

 

“I’m very excited about this opportunity to work with Richard (Petty), arguably the greatest driver in NASCAR history, and form Petty GMS Motorsports,” Gallagher said. “Petty GMS will have a sole focus of winning. Both teams have a track record of winning and we have a strong desire to continue this legacy in a new chapter. Ty (Dillon) and Erik (Jones) have proven themselves through the years and we are looking forward to the success they will have as teammates.”

 

Richard Petty, a member of the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame class of 2010
Richard Petty, a member of the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame class of 2010, will serve as Chairman of the newly formed organization and remain a face of the team at the racetrack. 

 

Affectionally known as “The King,” Petty has accumulated over 200 wins, 123 poles, the most wins in a single season (27), the most Daytona 500 victories (seven), most consecutive wins (10) and was the first of three drivers to win seven championships in the NASCAR Cup Series.

 

“Maury (Gallagher) and Mike (Beam) have built a really solid organization at GMS,” said Petty. “They’ve won a lot of races and a couple of championships in the Truck Series, and I really look forward to doing the same in the Cup Series. Maury’s commitment to competing and winning is obvious in everything he does, that’s something we really needed. The opportunity to combine our two organizations on the Cup front makes a lot of sense for all of us for a number of reasons, one of which is the talent we have between the two organizations; this will make us a lot stronger together.”

 

 

To further the Petty tradition, Dillon will now drive the No. 42 – the original number Lee Petty sported from 1949-1961. The eldest Petty earned three championships and 54 wins in the No. 42. In addition, Kyle Petty raced the number from 1979-1982 and 1989-1996, with Beam as the crew chief of the No. 42 in 1981-1982.

 

 

Jones will continue to pilot the iconic No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Previously announced partnerships and crew chief pairings for both Dillon and Jones will remain in place.

 

“As for the car number for the second car, I don’t know that I can express how special it is to me personally to have the No. 42 number racing alongside the No. 43 again,” Petty continued. “I grew up watching my dad race that car, I worked on cars with that number way before I started racing. Dad had a lot of success winning races and championships with that number. Kyle drove cars and won races with the No. 42 as well. It’s really special to me that Petty GMS will be racing that car number.”

 

Petty GMS Motorsports will be led by President Mike Beam, who will oversee the day-to-day operations. Brian Moffitt will assume the role of Executive Vice President of Sales.

 

“Mike (Beam) will lead the effort as President of Petty GMS,” said Gallagher. “During the seven years we have been together, he has won at all levels, producing hall-of-fame numbers – five championships, 65 wins, and 41 second-place finishes. We look forward to competing at the highest level of motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series.”

 

GMS Racing will continue to compete full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series. Since forming in 2012, Gallagher’s organization has captured two NASCAR Truck Series championships, one ARCA Menards Series title, and two ARCA Menards Series East championships, as well as 65 wins, 235 top-five, and 427 top-10 finishes across six series.

 

“The legacy of GMS Racing has been focused on winning and achieving high success, no matter the series,” added Beam. “Our 25-acre, three-building complex in Statesville has roughly 150,000 square feet and is equal to many current Cup shops in size and sophistication. We are ahead of most of the new Cup entrants this year because of our infrastructure. This highly functioning race shop will allow us to hit the ground running. This facility combined with our race-winning personnel gives me confidence that we can make an impact as soon as this season. I have competed in the Cup Series before and understand how things should work.”

 

The 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season kicks off at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the annual exhibition race on Sunday, February 6.

 

 

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Kyle Larson Celebrates With Teammates

Kyle Larson Celebrates With Teammates

The Victory Bell is back!

2021 #NASCAR Cup Champ - Kyle Larson
2021 #NASCAR Cup Champ - Kyle Larson

 

Kyle Larson and crew chief Cliff Daniels brought the Victory Bell around the Hendrick Motorsports campus to celebrate the duo's NASCAR Cup Series title and the organization's 14th championship.

 

 

Photo Gallery

Kyle Larson Celebrates With Teammates  #NASCAR
Kyle Larson Celebrates With Teammates  #NASCAR
Kyle Larson Celebrates With Teammates  #NASCAR
Kyle Larson Celebrates With Teammates  #NASCAR
Kyle Larson Celebrates With Teammates  #NASCAR
Kyle Larson Celebrates With Teammates  #NASCAR
Kyle Larson Celebrates With Teammates  #NASCAR
Kyle Larson Celebrates With Teammates  #NASCAR
Kyle Larson Celebrates With Teammates  #NASCAR
Kyle Larson Celebrates With Teammates  #NASCAR

 

 

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

NASCAR Practice & Qualifying Returns

#NASCAR Practice & Qualifying Returns

Knockout-Style Format in 2022

NASCAR to Implement Group-Based Qualifying for Three National Series

NASCAR announced the return of practice and qualifying to its race weekends in 2022, with a dramatic knockout-style qualifying format setting the starting lineup for each NASCAR Cup Series race.

 

The announcement comes after nearly two seasons with race weekends largely held without practice or qualifying – a procedure born out of necessity to reduce travel days and on-site personnel while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

In 2022, all events across all three NASCAR national series are scheduled to include qualifying.

 

“NASCAR is excited to return practice and qualifying to its race weekends,” said Scott Miller, NASCAR senior vice president of competition. “We missed seeing cars and trucks on track all weekend long, and so did our fans. We worked closely with our broadcast partners, teams and racetracks to create an exciting, unique qualifying format, while keeping several of the efficiencies that helped our entire industry successfully navigate the pandemic.”

 

For a majority of the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, the field will be split into two groups and participate in a practice and qualifying event that will last approximately two hours. The two-hour window will allow broadcast partners ample time and ability to cover the entire field, bringing wide-ranging, in-depth stories and insight to millions of fans each and every weekend.

 

During six NASCAR Cup Series weekends, five NASCAR Xfinity Series weekends and eight NASCAR Camping World Truck Series weekends, NASCAR will implement an extended practice weekend schedule, which will feature one standalone 50-minute practice as well as a qualifying event.

 

Daytona International Speedway’s Speedweeks and the lead-up to the DAYTONA 500 will employ the extended practice format for all three series. Busch Pole Award Qualifying for the DAYTONA 500 is scheduled for Wednesday evening, Feb. 16, 2022.

 

Below is the format for each of the national series.

 

NASCAR Cup Series

Oval Qualifying

 

  • • Group A and Group B will each receive 15 minutes of practice 
    • o Groups set by odd/even finishing order of previous race 
  • • Qualifying Round 1 (Group A) – single car, one lap* 
    • o Top 5 transfer to Final Round 
  • • Qualifying Round 1 (Group B) – single car, one lap* 
    • o Top 5 transfer to Final Round 
  • • Qualifying Final Round (10 cars) – single car, one lap*

 

* — Two laps at Bristol, Dover, Martinsville and Richmond

 

Superspeedways

 

  • • Qualifying Round 1 (all cars) – single car, one lap 
    •     o Top 10 transfer to Final Round 
  • • Qualifying Final Round (10 cars) – single car, one lap

 

Road Course

 

  • • Group A and Group B will each receive 20 minutes of practice 
  • • Qualifying Round 1 (Group A) – 15-minute timed session 
    •     o Top 5 transfer to Final Round 
  • • Qualifying Round 1 (Group B) – 15-minute timed session 
    •     o Top 5 transfer to Final Round 
  • • Qualifying Final Round (10 cars) – 10-minute timed session

 

Dirt

 

  • • Two 50-minute practice sessions 
  • • 4 qualifying races determine the field and lineup for the main race; order of qualifying races based on random draw

 

Extended Practice Weekends

 

  • • Events: Daytona 500, Atlanta-1, Bristol Dirt, WWT Raceway at Gateway, Nashville, Phoenix-2 
  • • One standalone 50-minute practice replaces group practice sessions 
  • • Qualifying procedure is based on the track type, following the procedures above

 

 

NASCAR Practice & Qualifying Returns - Cup

________________________________________

NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (90 minutes)

Oval Qualifying

 

  • • 20-minute practice for all vehicles 
  • • Qualifying (all vehicles) – single vehicle, one lap*

 

* — Two laps at Bristol, Dover, Martinsville and Richmond

 

Superspeedways, NCWTS Dirt

 

  • • Same as NASCAR Cup Series format

 

Road Courses

 

  • • All vehicles receive 20 minutes of practice in a single session 
  • • Qualifying Round 1 (Group A) – 15-minute timed session 
    • o Top 5 transfer to Final Round 
  • • Qualifying Round 1 (Group B) – 15-minute timed session 
    • o Top 5 transfer to Final Round 
  • • Qualifying Final Round (10 vehicles) – 10-minute timed session

 

Extended Practice Weekends

 

  • • NXS: Daytona-1, Atlanta-1, Portland, Nashville, Phoenix-2 
  • • NCWTS: Daytona, Atlanta, Bristol Dirt, Knoxville, Sonoma, Mid-Ohio, Nashville, Phoenix-2
  • • One standalone 50-minute practice replaces group practice sessions 
  • • Qualifying procedure is based on the track type, following the procedures above

 

NASCAR Practice & Qualifying Returns - Xfinity

 

NASCAR Practice & Qualifying Returns - Trucks

 

 

source: NASCAR Media

Saturday, November 20, 2021

What Will #NASCAR Do Now – Bubba Wallace Tweet

What Will #NASCAR Do Now – Bubba Wallace Tweet
Bubba Wins the “YellaWood 500” at Talladega Superspeedway


Most everyone alive is aware that the Kyle Rittenhouse Verdict came in as “Not Guilty.” There has been an enormous response to this episode of justice – some are relieved, while others outraged. This post will not address the right and/or wrong of the jury’s decision.

 

 

The above was posted by NASCAR Driver Bubba Wallace. By his own words on his twitter account – Bubba is the only “driver from an African American background at the top level of our sport.. I am the 1. You're not gonna stop hearing about "the black driver" for years. Embrace it, accept it and enjoy the journey..”

 

Darrell “Bubba” Wallace drives the No. 23 Toyota Camry for the new Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin owned 23XI Racing team in the NASCAR Cup Series.

 

NASCAR Series regulations say participants can be fined, suspended or terminated for "public statement and/or communication that criticizes, ridicules, or otherwise disparages another person based upon that person’s race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, or handicapping condition."

 

Now in the past NASCAR has been quick to sanction a participants for controversial statements. Just last year, veteran NASCAR driver Mike Wallace was placed on indefinite suspension due to a violation of the league’s member conduct guidelines with a social media post.

 

It will be interesting to see if there is any response from the NASCAR upper management regarding Bubba's demonstration of freedom of speech.

 

You will not have to wait to hear from the NASCAR fans regarding this situation. Below is just a sampling:

 

 

Mark Mcvey (@mark_mcvey) replied “Nothing wrong with Bubba’s tweet and everyone has a right to their opinion.”

 

Debbie (@wickeddebbie1) replied “If nascar does nothing to bubba, then they’re as racist as he is and will lose even more fans, sponsors and credibility than it has. Playing the ‘race card’ goes both ways. For and against ALL colours. Suspend bubba NOW or be counted with him. Do the right thing.”

 

lyn doyle (@ldddoyle) replied “Punished for what? Last time I checked we have a right in the U.S. to free speech. From an old white woman who is tired of the hatred in this country. Drivers in NASCAR could be an agent for change instead of perpetuating hatred.”

 

Kim Clarke (@KimClar13163291) replied “ There is a no tolerance policy in Nascar. Doesn’t matter what skin color you are. Bubba needs to be punished for this comment! I realize we have freedom of speech, I’m sick of all this black n white bullshit! Segregation will never go away because we won’t let it!

 

Now we NASCAR Fans will just have to wait and see . . . . . .

 

***Kyle Rittenhouse stood trial for shooting three white men killing two. He traveled to Kenosha, Wis., and took up arms asserting he did so because he wished to help protect businesses and residents from protesters demanding justice after the police shooting of a Black man, Jacob Blake. Kyle is white.

 

 

source: NASCAR Media

Thursday, November 18, 2021

RFK Racing Launches with Robust Rebranding Strategy

RFK Racing Launches with Robust Rebranding Strategy

Roush Fenway Racing changes Name to RFK Racing

RFK Racing Launches with Robust Rebranding Strategy


 

Roush Fenway Racing announced today a robust rebranding strategy that will see the organization change its official name to Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (going by RFK Racing). The team unveiled a new branding campaign and all new marks at a media luncheon at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Tuesday. The branding includes a new organizational logo structure, as well as a rebranding of the team’s iconic No. 6 mark.

 

“We are excited about this next chapter in our team’s history,” said team president Steve Newmark. “For our whole team, it has been vitally important to spend time and energy around this process to capture the right message about who we are as we move forward as an organization.”

 

 

For the rebranding, the team enlisted the services of the award-winning marketing firm RARE Design, who has handled rebranding for several major league stick and ball sports, as well as the NASCAR league rebranding. RARE conducted interviews with over 40 Roush Fenway employees, ranging from drivers, owners, board members and executives to crew members and shop employees with years of service ranging from a few months to 35-plus years. In addition, the change to the No. 6 Cup imagery is the first in two decades, signifying the team’s launch into a new era of success and performance.

 

For the rebranding, the team enlisted the services of the award-winning marketing firm RARE Design


 

“After all of the interviews and evaluation of our legacy, what stood out was that our ownership group represents three fundamental pillars, and each will contribute to our success going forward,” said Newmark.

 

“The heritage and innovation of Jack Roush, the championship swagger of Fenway Sports Group and the passion for racing of Brad Keselowski are what merges together to create RFK Racing,” added Newmark. “These principles form and drive the fundamentals of our team and the new brand, as we lay out the roadmap that will lead us into the future.”

 

 

“Today’s announcement is more than a fancy new logo,” said Keselowski. “It’s an acknowledgment to our heritage, a renewed commitment to our people and a stake in the ground that says we are here to operate top-tier race teams in the sport of NASCAR for decades to come. I’m thrilled to be a part of this next chapter with Jack Roush and John Henry.”

 

RFK Racing will field two NASCAR Cup teams in 2022, with NASCAR and perennial Cup contender Brad Keselowski taking part ownership in the team, while piloting the team’s No. 6 Ford Mustang. Chris Buescher returns to pilot the No. 17 Ford. The team announced earlier this month that veteran crew chief Matt McCall will call the shots for Keselowski and the No. 6 Team.

 

Scott Graves will lead the No. 17 team and Buescher in 2022. The duo of Buescher and Graves combined to win the 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship and were paired together again with five races remaining in the 2021 season, scoring three finishes of 12th or better, including a pair of top 10s and a third-place finish at the Charlotte ROVAL.

 

 

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Life-long NASCAR Fan Wins Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award

Life-long NASCAR Fan WinsBetty Jane France Humanitarian Award

Down Syndrome of Louisville to receive $100,000

Jeff Harmon Wins #NASCAR's  Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award
Jeff Harmon Wins #NASCAR's  Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award

 

The NASCAR Foundation announced Louisville, KY native Jeff Harmon as the winner of the 11th annual presentation of the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award during a live-streamed announcement on NASCAR’s YouTube channel today. As the award winner, Harmon secured $100,000 from The NASCAR Foundation to Down Syndrome of Louisville.

 

“I’m so excited and humbled to win this award”, said Jeff Harmon when he first received the news. “The other three finalists were all deserving as well, I’m blessed, what an honor. The $100,000 will go a long way in helping Down Syndrome of Louisville grow and expand to help even more kids. Thank you to The NASCAR Foundation and all who voted!”

 

Harmon, who has served, supported, and uplifted Down Syndrome of Louisville and the surrounding communities for 18 years, earned the most online votes from a pool of volunteers, including: Erin Collins of the Dallas Hearing Foundation, Jaeleen Davis of Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, and Beverly Hodson of Richie McFarland Children’s Center, all of whom have impacted a combined number of 6,330 kids through their continual service. Each of these organizations has each earned a $25,000 donation from The NASCAR Foundation in recognition of their nominated volunteers’ achievements.

 

“We’re very proud to present this award to Jeff Harmon, he has been doing extraordinary work for Down Syndrome of Louisville and exemplifies the values of Betty Jane France,” said Mike Helton, The NASCAR Foundation Chairman. “Our fans had a tough decision because all four are passionate people who devote hours of their time to help their respective organizations. We’re delighted to present this recognition to Jeff to honor the work he’s doing in the Louisville community.”

 

Throughout the 11 years of its existence, the Betty Jane France Award has highlighted 44 different individuals who have served and uplifted children in their local communities. The NASCAR Foundation, through this program, has acknowledged 622 years of combined service from these community heroes who have touched at least 374,763 children’s lives overall.

 

Harmon began his tenure volunteering for the Down Syndrome of Louisville (DSL) 18 years ago, when his son, Justin, was born with Down Syndrome. Serving in the capacity of coach and fundraiser, he logs around 20 hours per month with the organization. The organization serves as a support system for local families and individuals that have dealt with Down Syndrome. 

 

Harmon began his tenure volunteering for the Down Syndrome of Louisville (DSL) 18 years ago

 

 

Harmon and the DSL plan to use the $100,000 cash prize to help implement modern playground equipment and sensory room renovations, as well as launching satellite campuses to further support the Down Syndrome community.

 

Aside from his service, Harmon has been a committed life-long fan of NASCAR, with his all-time favorite driver being Darrell Waltrip. The racing fan grew up racing modified stock cars with his family and friends, and now gets to share his love of the sport with his own family and children.

 

To learn more about The NASCAR Foundation’s programs, including the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award and Speediatrics Children’s Fund, please visit NASCARfoundation.org.

 

 

Down Syndrome of Louisville - Providing support, education, and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome!
Down Syndrome of Louisville - Providing support, education,
and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome!

 


 

source: NASCAR Media

Sunday, November 14, 2021

Racing Legend Bob Bondurant Passes at Age 88

Racing Legend Bob Bondurant Passes at Age 88

Champion Race Car Driver and Founder of The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving

 

Bob Bondurant 1965 courtesy Bondurant Racing School
Bob Bondurant 1965

Breaking overnight, America's iconic World Champion Bob Bondurant has passed away in Paradise Valley, Arizona. He is survived by his wife, Pat. Bondurant is the only American to bring home the World Championship trophy back to the U.S. while racing for Carroll Shelby. 

 

Bob Bondurant circa 2018
Bob Bondurant
circa 2018
He won his class at Le Mans and has been inducted into ten motorsports halls of fame. Bondurant Racing School was founded in 1968 and has graduated celebrities for car movies like James Garner, Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, Nicholas Cage, and Christian Bale, along with over 500,000 graduates from around the world. 

 

His legacy will remain with us forever.

 

 

On a personal note, this writer had the privilege of speaking with Mr. Bondurant at a 2016 Barrett-Jackson Auction.  Bob was a true gentleman who seem genuinely please to meet you. He served as a mentor to an overabundance of up-and-coming racers, including my son, Moses Smith.

 

Bob Boundurant & NASCAR Race Mom (2016)
Bob Bondurant & NASCAR Race Mom (2016)

 

You will be remembered and miss Bob Bondurant! 

 

Robert Lewis Bondurant, April 27, 1933-November 12, 2021

Friday, November 12, 2021, the world lost an iconic American racing hero, Bob Bondurant. Bondurant passed away at the age of 88 and is survived by his wife, Pat, President and CEO of the Bondurant Racing School,  who vows to continue the legacy of Bob's School.

 

Robert Lewis Bondurant was born on April 27, 1933, to John Roper Bondurant and Ruth Williams Bondurant of Evanston, Illinois. His father owned two luxury car dealerships named "Bondurant Motors." When Bob turned two years old, the family moved to Westwood Village, CA.

 

Bob and Pat Bondurant
Bob and Pat Bondurant
Bob began his fascination with speed as a three-year-old on his first tricycle with playing cards clothes pinned on his spokes for the sound of the rush. At age 8, his father introduced him to racing by taking him to Thursday night midget races.

 

By twelve years old, his parents were divorced, and he persuaded his mother to purchase a Whizzer electric bike to deliver his newspapers faster. By 14, he owned his first Indian motorcycle, and after the devastating death of his mother at 16 years old, he started racing flat track and even bigger Indians and Harleys. His mother's death left him inconsolable, which is where the seed of his fearlessness was realized.

 

Bob was then inducted as the youngest member of the "Galloping Gooses,"  which eventually became "Hell's Angels." At 23 years old, he discovered that he had more control with four wheels than he did with two, and his racing career began in a Morgan Plus 4.

 

From the age of 23 to 34, Bob became one of the most iconic race car drivers in the world. He had won the National Corvette Title, Le Mans GT, the World Championship, and the Baja 500... Between 1961 and 1963, he won 30 out of 32 races in Corvettes. Bob is the first and only American to bring the World SportsCar  Championship trophy home to America in the legendary Shelby Daytona Coupe #26. He then rose to the highest level in racing with Ferrari in Formula 1 and prototypes.

 

Bob in F1 Ferrari, Watkins Glen, 1965
Bob in F1 Ferrari, Watkins Glen, 1965

 

Bondurant left the Formula 1 race series to race the even faster Can-Am cars with best friend and team driver, Peter Revson, in the Lola T70 Mark II. In 1967, a fateful race at Watkins Glen  changed his entire career, and the Bondurant School was born. His steering arm broke at 150mph, and, lying in traction at the hospital, he vividly remembers his conversation with God explaining to Bob that he was needed more on Earth and to start a driving and safety school to save thousands of lives of those otherwise dying on the highways and in motorsports.

 

 

Answering the call, on February 14, 1968, Bob founded The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving. For 50 years, it earned and held a reputation as the number-one racing school in the world, crediting Bob as "the global expert authority on driver training and safety." Using his notorious racing skills, he copyrighted "The Bondurant Method." Personally, he taught his hand-selected instructors how to educate the world to be better drivers.

 

Le Mans Win 1965 courtesy Bondurant Racing School
Le Mans Win 1965 courtesy Bondurant Racing School


 

Bob and the Bondurant team graduated well over 500,000 students at his famous school, including Christian Bale, Paul Newman, Clint Eastwood, Nicolas Cage, and Tom Cruise, to name a few. Bondurant was actively at the track every day, enthusiastically greeting his new students until he was well over 85 years old. He kept racing, too. Bondurant's last Championship was 1997 for the World Cup Challenge, racing for Steve Saleen. Bondurant retired from racing at 79 after winning his last race at Pomona Raceway in his #72 ERA GT40.

 

Bob Bondurant has had a worldwide impact on the motorsports industry, and his legacy will live on eternally as the Bondurant Racing School moves forward into the future.

 

His wife Pat is the President and CEO of the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving dba/ BONDURANT RACING SCHOOL and is carrying his legacy forward into the future.

 

In the classroom, 1975 courtesy Bondurant Racing School
In the classroom, 1975 courtesy Bondurant Racing School


 

Bondurant concludes, "My life has been lived in two halves. The first was becoming a World Champion driver. The second was teaching the world to become champions."