Saturday, December 19, 2009

God's Speed Jason Mitchener

In January of 2009, NASCAR Race Mom had the pleasure of interviewing and reporting on her twitter buddy, Jason Mitchener. {Jason Mitchener - Obstacles Don't Get In His Way!}

Mitchener, a Phoenix, Arizona resident was born with a rare neuromuscular disease that confined him to an electric wheelchair and required him to use a ventilator to breathe. Nevertheless, while his body may have been confined, but his spirit soared free. He was a very upbeat and positive individual.

I was saddened to learn that Jason passed away on the 16th of December 2009 at 39 years of age.

He is survived by Julie Simmons (mother, Arizona) Greg Loucks (brother, Arkansas) David Loucks (brother, Arizona) Angie Loucks (sister-in-law, Arizona) John Erhardt (uncle, North Carolina) Lil Erhardt (aunt, North Carolina) Jack Mitchener (uncle, Indiana) Dave Erhardt (uncle, Washington) Marge Erhardt (aunt, Washington) Larry Erhardt (cousin, Washington) Lacy Kelly (cousin, Washington) Aubrie Byrne (cousin, Washington)and 24,378 twitter followers.

Jason was interested in NASCAR Racing and religiously voted for Moses Smith for the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Series West Most Popular Driver award. Since Jason’s van had received its needed repairs, we had planned on him attending Moses’ race in Phoenix in 2010. You can visit Jason’s memorial site by clicking here .

His service will be held this coming Tuesday, Dec. 22nd at 2:00 PM at Sunnyslope Mennonite Church, 9835 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85020 - (602) 997-7171

I’m just passing through
Another traveler on the road
And I hear your gentle voice
As it beckons me home.
Should I want to settle here
Like I know I’m bound to do,
Keep reminding me, Lord
That I’m just passing through.

- From the song, "Just Passing Through"
by Jason Mitchener and Kitty Hart

Rest in peace sweet friend - We will miss you Jason.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

2010 Camping World Series West Schedule

2010 Camping World Series West Schedule Announced
Official Release
December 16, 2009 - 4:02pm

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The 2010 NASCAR Camping World Series West schedule, highlighted by two visits to Phoenix International Raceway – including the championship season finale -- was announced today by NASCAR.

The 12-race schedule, with stops at 10 venues in seven states, also features a first-time visit by the series to the high-banked oval of Montana Raceway Park in Kalispell, Mont., on Aug. 7.

The season finale on Nov. 11 at Phoenix will be part of the big NASCAR week at PIR that includes the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The NASCAR Camping World Series West makes its first visit of the year to Phoenix on April 8, for a companion event also with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SCHEDULE

“The NASCAR Camping World Series West continues to visit key markets and top race tracks throughout the western United States,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR Managing Director of Racing Operations. “The 2010 calendar should make for another exciting season of tough competition,culminated by crowning our series champion at Phoenix in November.”

The schedule will once again include the annual combination race between the NASCAR Camping World Series East and West at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa on May, 23. Past winners of the prestigious event include Kyle Busch in 2009; Brian Ickler in 2008; and Joey Logano in 2007. The event has also attracted NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standouts Kevin Harvick and Kasey Kahne.

Also in 2010, the NASCAR Camping World Series West will make its annual visit to Infineon Raceway on June 19 during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend at the 1.99-mile road course in Sonoma, Calif.

Other 2010 highlights include:
  • The NASCAR Camping World Series West will kick off its 57th season on March 27 with the first of two visits to All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif. The historic fairgrounds track will host a second event on Oct. 16.
  • The NASCAR Camping World Series West will visit Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.) on July 3 for what has become a big Fourth of July holiday attraction for Southern California race fans.
  • Two other popular short-track events on the 2010 schedule for the NASCAR Camping World Series West include a visit to Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg, Ore., on June 5 and a trip to Colorado National Speedway in Dacono, Colo., on Aug. 14.
  • In addition to the race at Sonoma, the schedule includes two other road course events. A visit to Portland (Ore.) International Raceway is slated for July 18. The series will travel to Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah Sept. 12 for an event that will be part of a big weekend of racing for the Grand-Am Road Racing series.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown

NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown
January 29-30 - Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, California

Alex Kennedy, Moses Smith, Todd Souza
2009 Toyota Showdown

The seventh running of the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown will bring together the top racers from across North America for the ”Daytona 500 of short-track racing.” It will be highlighted by the 225-lap Camping World Series All-Star race.

Each race winner during the 2009 Camping World Series East and Camping World Series West seasons is eligible for a protected starting spot, as are the 2009 champions from each of NASCAR’s six regional touring series and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion.

In addition to eligible 2009 race winners and series champions, the starting lineup will be determined through time trials, limited provisionals for Camping World Series regulars, and the last-chance "Open" race that provides drivers one final chance to make the grid.
Rain plagued the 2009, Showdown.

Last edition of the Toyota All-Star Showdown was plagued by rain which caused a shortage lack of practice. Joey Logano, the 2007 Camping World East Series champion, crossed the finish line first in the Camping World Series race, but he never got to victory to celebrate.



NASCAR penalized Logano immediately following the finish of the 250-lap event for rough riding Peyton Sellers in the final turn, giving the victory to Matt Kobyluck. Logano was credited with a 40th place finish.

Moses Smith, in the #16 Hasa Pool Products Toyota Camry, had worked himself into a top-ten finishing position. However, all did not go according to plan. During the final restart, with just seven laps to go, the right rear tire went flat.

“It was all I could do to keep the car on the track.” Moses chuckled. “I almost lost it twice in turn four. It was pretty wild.” With so few laps to go, the team elected to stay out, and try to finish on the lead lap. Moses managed to keep the #16 Hasa Pool Product car on the lead lap for a respectable twelfth place finish.

The 2010 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown schedule also includes 100-lap Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model and 75-lap Late Model races. Both nights of racing will air live on SPEED.

2010 Confirmed Drivers:
Steve Park
Ryan Truex
Jason Bowles
Matt Kobyluck
Greg Pursley
Eddie MacDonald