Saturday, August 31, 2013

Float Like A Butterfly And Sting Like A Bee

Video highlights of Virginia International Raceway K & N Pro Series East Biscuitville race. August 2013.


Awesome Video from wonderful Rob Harris! Dylan Kwasniewski's win at Virginia International Raceway.
 

Friday, August 30, 2013

Win Jeff Gordon's Personal
2012 Corvette Convertible

Jeff Gordon, Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation, Kids of NASCAR, NASCAR Race Mom, The NASCAR Charitable Community, Helping children is always near and dear to NASCAR Race Mom’s heart. However, what could be better than helping kids in need AND having the chance to meet a NASCAR Racing great – Jeff Gordon.



You can win Jeff Gordon's personal 2012 Corvette Convertible Grand Sport 4LT. The best part is the TAXES ARE ALREADY PAID!

In addition, the winner and a guest will fly to meet Jeff for a private meet and greet where Jeff will hand over the keys to his personal Corvette!


Over $400,000 has already been raised this year for childhood cancer research through this amazing program! 
 

You Must purchase by Monday, September 23rd!
NASCAR Race Mom did!






Saturday, August 24, 2013

Pursley Soars To Third Victory Of 2013

Greg Pursley celebrates 3rd victory of 2013 & 16th career series
in the Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts 150. (William Mancebo/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Greg Pursley made sure that the second time he took the lead in the Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts 150 at Spokane County Raceway he held on to it.

The 2011 series champion pulled away in the closing laps en route to his third win of the season and 16th career victory in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. Pursley, behind the wheel of the No. 26 Gene Price Motorsports/Star Nursery/Real Water Ford, initially took the lead from teammate and pole winner Cameron Hayley on the first lap, only to relinquish it five laps later. The Newhall, Calif., native fell back and ran just inside the top five for much of the race.

He made his charge to the lead on a restart following the fourth and final caution of the event – taking the lead on Lap 115 and stretching that margin to 2.259 seconds at the finish.

“We just tried to hang out and save my tires as long as possible,” Pursley said. “The track has a lot of history here. It’s pretty abrasive. You’ve got to save your stuff. We hung out as long as we could, until about Lap 100, Lap 120. I told (crew chief) Jerry (Pitts), ‘just tell me when I’ve got to go.’ The two restarts before we made our move we got up to third. With 30 to go we had to make our move and go.

“We got to the front and got a little bit of a lead there and were able to save it out front there,” he said. “They were battling hard in the back. I was trying to save enough for a green-white-checkered (finish) and thank goodness we didn’t have to.”

The win came one week after Pursley slammed the Turn 1 wall after crossing the finish line in second at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash.

“We destroyed a car last week at Monroe, getting second – just totaled it,” he said. “We brought this one as a backup. Everybody at Gene Price Motorsports rebounded and did an awesome job. I can’t thank them enough.”

Derek Thorn – who faded back as far as ninth early in the race – also made a late-race charge, but had to settle for second.

“I’ve never been to Spokane before,” Thorn said. “It’s one those places, similar to Monroe, The track is fairly worn out and has a lot of character to it. It kind of allows you to save your tires. Some of the younger guys maybe seemed to over drive it a little bit.”

Hayley, who has dominated qualifying this season, came home third. He turned a record lap in time trials to capture his third consecutive and sixth overall 21 Means 21 Pole Award by Coors Brewing Co.

“It was a good run for our Cabinets by Hayley Ford Fusion,” Hayley said. “I think we might have gained a point for the championship. That’s a positive out of the day, but we took a gamble. We thought it was going to go green the whole way. We got a couple of cautions there. I just went too hard early, trying to get to the front so that if it did go green, we’d be there. But the yellows came out and we just didn’t have enough there at the end. Overall it was a good run, but we’ll learn from this.”

Fifteen-year-old Giles Thornton finished fourth, followed by Patrick Staropoli – who was making his series debut. Michael Self, who dominated much of the race in leading 78 laps, faded to sixth at the finish. Dylan Lupton, Travis Milburn, Braeden Havens and Luis Tyrrell rounded out the top 10.

Michael Waltrip, who was making his seventh career series start and his first of two series appearances planned this season, qualified eighth and finished 11th.

The race featured four lead changes among three drivers. The pace of the event was slowed by four cautions for 26 laps.

With his victory, Pursley joined Thorn and Self as three-time winners this season. Lupton is the only other driver to visit Victory Lane so far.

Thorn continues to lead the championship standings with a 23-point edge over Hayley – 431 to 408. Self is third with 402, followed by Pursley with 400 and Lupton with 362. Completing the top 10 in points are Taylor Cuzick at 327, Carl Harr at 323, Daryl Harr at 308, Thornton at 307 and Dylan Hutchison at 298.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West is back in action on Sept. 14, for the iON Utah Grand Prix at Miller Motorsports Park.


Tuesday, August 20, 2013

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Statistical Advance: Spokane

Analyzing The Toyota / NAPA Auto Parts 150 At Spokane County Raceway

Michael Self will be looking to improve on the sixth-place finish he had when the
NASCAR K&N Pro Series West last visited Spokane County Raceway.
(Getty Images for NASCAR)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 20, 2013) – The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West visits Spokane County Raceway in Airway Heights, Wash., on Saturday, Aug. 24. Below is a statistical look at the recent performance of the series and selected drivers at Spokane, as well as some other statistical trends:

Spokane Race Setup

  • The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West completes its swing through the Pacific Northwest this week with a return to Spokane County Raceway. It is one of three half-mile tracks on the series schedule this season – along with NAPA Speedway in Albuquerque, N.M., and Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield, Calif.
  •  Derek Thorn leads the championship standings by 23 points, which is the largest margin of the season for the points leader.

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West At Spokane

  • This race will be the third series visit to Spokane County Raceway. The series visited the track in 1979 and again in 2011.
  • Spokane County Raceway is a multipurpose motorsports facility. In addition to the half-mile oval, it features a drag strip and 2.5-mile road course.


Monday, August 19, 2013

Is it NASCAR Silly Season already?

Tony Stewart won't be back any time soon after breaking his leg during a dirt track race.

Well this time last year, Matt Kenseth had already stated his intention to leave Roush Fenway Racing for Joe Gibbs Racing. He followed the path of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne, who in years previous were among those who cemented their future plans well before July.

There were a couple of important NASCAR announcements today: 

  • Stewart-Haas Racing announced that Tony Stewart will be out the remainder of the year.
    • Mark Martin will drive the No. 14 at Bristol and 11 other races. 
    • Austin Dillon will drive for Stewart at Talladega.
  • Michael Waltrip Racing announced that Brian Vickers will race 12 out of the 13 remaining races in the No. 55 car as Martin was enabled an early release to fill-in for Stewart.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Lupton Earns First Career Win

19-Year-Old Holds Off Veteran For Evergreen Victory

Dylan Lupton celebrates his first career victory in Saturday's NAPA 150 presented by Toyota
from Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington. Stephen Brashear/Getty Images.

MONROE, Wash. – It took just 12 races, but Dylan Lupton is a NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race winner.

The 19-year-old from Wilton, Calif., held off a fierce charge by Greg Pursley to win the NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by Toyota at Evergreen Speedway on Saturday.

The close finish of .194 seconds capped off a highly competitive 150-lap event on the historic .646-mile oval in Monroe, Wash. Lupton captured the lead in the closing stages by dodging a multi-car pileup among the leaders just after a restart.

Pursley, who won at Monroe in 2011, tried to overtake Lupton after the final restart, but was forced to settle for second. He was followed by points leader Derek Thorn, who recovered from the late-race accident with Eric Holmes. Braeden Havens and Carl Harr completed the top five.

Taylor Cuzick recorded his best finish of the season with a sixth place finish. Jack Sellers, Daryl Harr, Matt Tifft and pole winner Cameron Hayley rounded out the top 10.

The race featured seven lead changes among five drivers.


The NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by Toyota is slated to air on Fox Sports 1 on Sept. 8 at 9 a.m. ET.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West continues its swing through the Pacific Northwest with a visit to Spokane County Raceway in Airway Heights, Wash., for the Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts 150 on Saturday, Aug. 24.

Dylan Lupton battles Greg Pursley for the lead late in Saturday's NAPA Auto Parts 150
presented by Toyota, edging him out by .194 seconds for his first career victory.
Stephen Brashear/Getty Images for NASCAR



Saturday, August 17, 2013

FIRST and 3M team up
with NASCAR driver Greg Biffle

What do science education and sports car racing have in common? Hundreds of kids and parents will find out this Sunday, August 18, during the Pure Michigan 400 Sprint Cup Race as FIRST and 3M team up with NASCAR driver Greg Biffle to ignite kids’ passion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).


Families will rally around the track in Brooklyn, Michigan to watch Biffle race the No. 16 Ford Fusion, vying for a winning spot with just four races left before the season cut-off. During this race, Biffle will prominently display the red, white and blue FIRST logo on the hood of his car. Biffle is helping the organization and partner, 3M, educate families about the exciting career connection between science and sports. 


Families are in for a fast-paced thrill this weekend,” said Biffle. “Just as FIRST offers robotic competitions that combine the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology, the FIRST teams and their families will learn ‘first hand’ that speed racing is also based on the application of building and engineering fast-paced machines, offering heart-pounding lessons in innovation.

Biffle’s awareness efforts at the NASCAR event will underscore a long-standing collaboration that 3M and FIRST have based on a common goal: to inspire young, innovative and creative minds to explore science and technology via hands-on robotics challenges.

Be sure to tune into ESPN on Sunday, August 18th at 1PM ET to see the No. 16 FIRST Ford Fusion car in action!

K&N West Statistical Advance: Monroe

Analyzing The NAPA Auto Parts 150 At Evergreen Speedway

Second-generation driver Daryl Harr has seven series starts
at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash. (Getty Images for NASCAR)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West visits Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash., on Saturday, Aug. 17. Below is a statistical look at the recent performance of the series and selected drivers at Monroe, as well as some other statistical trends:

Monroe Race Setup

  • As the series heads into the second half of the season, the points remain close for drivers throughout the top 10 of the championship standings. The battle to make the top 10 is tight, as well – with 15-year-old series rookie Giles Thornton in 10th holding a one-point edge over John Wood.
     
  • Two previous winners at Monroe are entered in this year’s event – Greg Pursley, who won in 2011, and Eric Holmes, who won last year.

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West At Monroe

  • Evergreen Speedway has hosted 52 NASCAR K&N Pro Series races, dating back to 1964.
     
  •  Evergreen Speedway is located on the fairgrounds facility in Monroe, Wash. The track features a .646-mile oval, a .375-mile oval and a 1/5-mile oval.
     
  • Jack McCoy and Ray Elder have the most wins at Evergreen Speedway, with five each. McCoy won three consecutive races – one in 1967 and two in 1968 – and again in 1969 and 1973. Elder won in 1971, twice in 1972 and twice in 1975. Other multiple winners include Ron Eaton (1979, 1980 and 1982), Chad Little (1986, 1988 and 1989), Bill Amick (1964 and 1965), Dick Bown (1964 and 1970), Brendan Gaughan (2000 and 2001), Butch Gilliland (1996 and 1998), Harry Jefferson (1974 and 1977), Neil Newberry (1976 and 1979), Jim Robinson (1983 and 1984) and Bill Sedgwick (1990 and 1992).
     
  • Ron Eaton and Bill Elliott have the most poles at Monroe, with four each. Eaton won his in 1977, 1980, 1982 and 1985; Elliott won his in 1986, 1987, 1989 and 1990.
     
  • The late Roy Smith leads the lists for most top-five finishes (nine) and top-10 finishes (14) in competition at the track since 1971.
     
  • Chad Little has led the most laps around the Monroe track since 1971, staying out front for 1,183 circuits.
     
  • Among active drivers, Jack Sellers has the most starts at Monroe, taking the green flag there 20 times.
     
  • Ten of the 43 races in the modern era of the series at Evergreen Speedway were won from the pole position. Geoff Bodine came from deepest in the field to win, starting 21st in 1991.
     
  • None of the series races at Evergreen Speedway have ended in a green-white-checkered finish.
     
  • Ford has been in Victory Lane 13 times since 1971 at Monroe, followed closely by Dodge with 12 wins.
     
  • At Monroe, 341 different drivers have raced in series competition since 1971.
Source

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Dreaming NASCAR – Sylvania 300!

Sylvania Bright and Colorful - I Am The Ultimate 300 Fan! 

For the 11th year in a row, SYLVANIA will host the fall Cup race at NHMS in the form of the SYLVANIA 300. The race will again serve as the second race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, where it functions as a stepping stone for aspiring champions.

The race weekend will feature its traditional FanFest on Thursday, FansFirst Pole Day on Friday, and Short Track Saturday. The Saturday events will feature a packed schedule with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, American Canadian Tour, Granite State Legends Cars and Gifford's Ice Cream Bandolero Series.

You all know what a NASCAR Nut I am! I am in a voting contest to win a Grand Prize, consisting of a trip for the winner and a guest to Loudon, New Hampshire to the SYLVANIA 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway scheduled to take place September 22, 2013 AND a trip for the winner and one (1) guest to Concord, North Carolina to the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway scheduled to take place October 12, 2013. 

NASCAR Race Mom's SYLVANIA 300 fan entry
Click on the photo to vote please!

As you can tell I am Dreaming NASCAR! I would really love to win this exciting NASCAR VIP Experience!

Please help NASCAR Race Mom
get there by voting for my entry
by clicking here.
 
I promise that it is a very quick and easy vote. Of course should I be lucky enough to win this competition, I will be Facebooking, Tweeting and Blogging my NASCAR Adventures in real time!

NASCAR Race Mom would really love to win this one, so please ask your friends to send a vote my way also! It would also be nice if you left me an encouraging comment also.

You can vote once every 24 hours and this contest ends on 08/16/2013!

Monday, August 12, 2013

Thorn Sets Pace Heading Into Second Half Of Season

Derek Thorn leads the championship standings by 12 points as the NASCAR
K&N Pro Series heads to Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash. Getty Images for NASCAR
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West has passed the midway point of its season as it visits the Pacific Northwest this week for the NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by Toyota at Evergreen Speedway.

The event marks a traditional series stop at the historic track that is part of the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, Wash. The venue has a long heritage that includes the label, “The Super Speedway of the West.”

/files/napa_150_logo_monroe_0.jpgDerek Thorn leads the championship standings by 12 points as the series heads into the final seven events of the 15-race schedule. The Lakeport, Calif., driver registered eight consecutive top-five finishes – including three wins – through the first eight races. Thorn, who pilots the No. 6 Sunrise Ford/Lucas Oil/Eibach Ford for car owner Bob Bruncati, came away with a third-place finish last year in his first visit to Monroe.

Michael Self, also with three wins this year, trails Thorn in the standings – 346 to 334. The driver of the No. 21 RCR/Golden Gate Meat Co. Chevrolet from Park City, Utah, will be looking to add to his runner-up Monroe finish from a year ago.

Fifteen points back of the leader is Cameron Hayley, who opened the season by winning the inaugural UNOH Battle at the Beach non-points event at Daytona International Speedway and has been in contention for his first career series points win at multiple events through the first half of the season. The 17-year-old from Calgary, Alberta drives the No. 24 Cabinets By Hayley Ford for championship car owner Gene Price. Hayley finished 19th last year in his first visit to Monroe.

Hayley’s teammate at Gene Price Motorsports, Greg Pursley, is 36 points out of first place in the standings. Pursley, the 2011 series champion, finished sixth at Monroe last year in the No. 26 GPM/Star Nursery/Real Water Ford.

This year’s leading Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender, Dylan Lupton, is 56 markers back of first in the overall standings. The Wilton, Calif., driver – who wheels the No. 9 Vadio/Lupton Excavating/Sunrise Ford/Lucas Oil Ford – is a teammate to Thorn in the Bruncati camp.

The balance of the top 10 drivers in the standings feature Carl Harr of Edmonton, Alberta in the No. 2 WestWorld Computers Chevrolet; Taylor Cuzick of Tolleson, Ariz., in the No. 42 Freightliner of Arizona Chevrolet: Daryl Harr of Edmonton, Alberta in the No. 71 iWorld Connect Chevrolet; Dylan Hutchison of Fair Oaks, Calif., in the No. 5 Karl Kustom/Bay Bio Diesel Chevrolet; and 15-year-old series rookie Giles Thornton of Whitefish, Mont., in the No. 12 TTC Racing Chevrolet.


Sunday, August 11, 2013

PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge Winner

Patrick Staropoli Wins the 2013 PEAK SCD Challenge!



Watch as Danica Patrick, Clint Bowyer, Martin Truex Jr, Michal Waltrip and others give advice on his next challenge...taking on the NASCAR K&N West Series at the Spokane County Raceway on Aug 24th, 2013 under the watchful eye of team owner, Bill McAnally.
Patrick Staropoli's father and grandfather were professional stock car drivers who owned their own auto repair shops, so it seemed logical that he would enter the family business. Star Racing was established in 1986 by Nick Staropoli and built into a successful race team in South Florida. The family tradition has continued as Patrick Staropoli now pilots the #97 Super Late Model in Florida.

Highlights of a three-day contest where ten drivers compete for a spot on Michael Waltrip's developmental team can be seen: 
  • Sun 8/11 at 9:00PM-10:00PM On Speed 
  • Mon 8/12 at 1:00AM-2:00AM On Speed 
  • Fri 8/16 at 6:30PM-7:30PM On Speed
Patrick Staropoli, #97 Super Late Model

Monday, August 5, 2013

Results - NASCAR K&N Pro Series East/West Combination Event

Unofficial Results

Pork Be Inspired 150 At Iowa Speedway, Newton, IA
Lap length: 0.875 miles
Cole Custer led every lap en route to winning the Pork Be Inspired 150 Friday night at
Iowa Speedway.  (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images for NASCAR)
  1. (1) Cole Custer, Ladera Ranch, Calif., Chevrolet, 150 laps
  2. (18) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Mass., Chevrolet, 150.
  3. (11) Daniel Suarez, Monterrey, Mexico, Toyota, 150.
  4. (3) Greg Pursley, Newhall, Calif., Ford, 150.
  5. (4) Jesse Little, Sherrils Ford, N.C., Chevrolet, 150.
  6. (2) Cameron Hayley, Calgary, Alberta, Ford, 150.
  7. (10) Kenzie Ruston, El Reno, Okla., Chevrolet, 150.
  8. (25) Ryan Gifford, Winchester, Tenn., Toyota, 150.
  9. (6) Brett Moffitt, Grimes, Iowa, Toyota, 150.
  10. (15) Ben Rhodes, Louisville, Ky., Chevrolet, 150.
  11. (29) Michael Self, Park City, Utah, Chevrolet, 150.
  12. (7) Dylan Kwasniewski, Las Vegas, Nev., Chevrolet, 150.
  13. (35) Brandon McReynolds, Mooresville, N.C., Chevrolet, 150.
  14. (9) Ben Kennedy, Daytona Beach, Fla., Chevrolet, 150.
  15. (30) Brandon Gdovic, Yorktown, Va., Toyota, 150.
  16. (24) Derek Thorn, Lakeport, Calif., Ford, 150.
  17. (28) Giles Thornton, Whitefish, Mont., Toyota, 150.
  18. (19) Johnny Van Doorn, Coopersville, Mich., Chevrolet, 150.
  19. (34) Anthony Giannone, Colorado Springs, Colo., Toyota, 149.
  20. (21) MacKenna Bell, Carson City, Nev., Toyota, 149, engine.
  21. (27) Dylan Lupton, Wilton, Calif., Ford, 149.
  22. (33) Taylor Cuzick, Tolleson, Ariz., Chevrolet, 149.
  23. (17) Anderson Bowen, Suwanee, Ga., Dodge, 148.
  24. (14) Austin Hill, Winston, Ga., Ford, 144, accident.
  25. (40) Jack Sellers, Sacramento, Calif., Chevrolet, 144.
  26. (36) Carl Harr, Edmonton, Alberta, Chevrolet, 144.
  27. (12) Scott Heckert, Ridgefield, Conn., Chevrolet, 137.
  28. (39) John Wood, Eagle, Idaho, Toyota, 134.
  29. (22) Brandon Jones, Atlanta, Ga., Chevrolet, 97, accident.
  30. (16) Cale Conley, Vienna, W. Va., Toyota, 97, accident.
  31. (31) Austin Dyne, Malibu, Calif., Chevrolet, 97, accident.
  32. (38) Akinori Ogata, Kanagawa, Japan, Toyota, 95, alternator.
  33. (5) Gray Gaulding, Statesville, N.C., Toyota, 90.
  34. (26) Matt Tifft, Hinkley, Ohio, Chevrolet, 87, engine.
  35. (23) Brodie Kostecki, Western Australia, Chevrolet, 81, handling.
  36. (8) David Mayhew, Atascadero, Calif., Chevrolet, 79, clutch.
  37. (20) Eric Holmes, Escalon, Calif., Toyota, 70, wheel bearing.
  38. (37) Dylan Hutchison, Fair Oaks, Calif., Chevrolet, 56, ignition.
  39. (13) Bryan Ortiz, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Toyota, 52, accident.
  40. (32) Daryl Harr, Edmonton, Alberta, Chevrolet, 31.
(Start position in parentheses)

Race Statistics

Time of Race: 1 hour 33 minutes 37 seconds
Margin of Victory: 2.679 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: C. Custer * (133.063 mph, 23.673 seconds)
Caution Flags: 6 for 36 laps.
Lead Changes: 0 among 1 drivers.
Lap Leaders: C. Custer 1-150.
Drivers on the Lead Lap: 18

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Snuffy the Seal

This is a commercial my friend Tracy starred in. Tracy is a big NASCAR Fan!


Please watch video and then
share with your Facebook and Twitter friends.


This video is currently at 959,691 hits - would love to see it hit 1,000,000 before Shark Week starts tonight!

Leave Tracy a tweet at  @TracyPendergast

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Pride Runs Deep – Crown Royal “Heroes”

NASCAR Race Mom has just gotten back on track (pardon the pun) after an awesome weekend participating in the 3rd annual ‘Capture the Crown’ at the Crown Royal Presents the Samuel Deeds 400 at The Brickyard Powered by BigMachineRecords.com.

The ‘Capture the Crown’ bloggers and their Coaches; great people all.
NASCAR Race Mom is center. (Photo by@tracypendergast)
‘Capture the Crown’ is a mad dash scavenger hunt, where teams of bloggers earn points for each task they complete. Along with my teammates, David Dennis (@DavidDTSS); Francisco Lopez (@sysko212); and Vashti Hurt (@dahurtlocktress); “Team Christina” had a blast as we navigated through the challenges which were sorted into three different categories: NASCAR, Crown Royal, and Heroes.

While not winning the big prize, an all-expense paid trip to New York for the 2014 Super Bowl stung just a tad . . . . There were no losers during race weekend.

The Crown Royal Presents the Samuel Deeds 400 at The Brickyard Powered
by BigMachineRecords.com. is run on the 2.5-mile oval.
As a guest of Crown Royal, NASCAR Race Mom had complete access to everything at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Our weekend was filled with fun and exciting activities:

  1. A Crown Royal Whisky tasting during a fine dinner at Mo’s (Both yummy);
  2. Pace Car Ride in the Impala pace car;
  3. Watching the race from the Crown Royal Pagoda Suite (Drinking responsibly of course!);
  4. A V.I.P. Justin Moore concert and later Meet & Greet;
  5. “Hot Pass” that allowed full access into the pits and garages;
  6. A tour of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Garages.

Our driver, Stefan Wilson, a Firestone Indy Lights driver
and Justin Wilson’s younger brother hit speeds of 120 mph on our pace car ride.

Some of our Scavenger Hunt Tasks included:
  1. Capturing a photo of a fan in Crown Royal purple (Easy to do);
  2. A game of "Corn Hole" with tailgaters (Lots of fun);
  3. Finding a race fan named Samuel Deeds (Impossible);
  4. Securing an autograph from a NASCAR driver;
  5. Putting together a Crown Royal puzzle (Very frustrating);
  6. Getting a retweet from a media member.

NASCAR Race Mom and Nationwide Series Driver, Blake Koch.
Of course, one should not forget why we were all there. The big race on July 28, 2013 was the highlight of Crown Royal's annual "Your Hero's Name Here" program and marked the seventh time Crown Royal had awarded race naming rights to an adult fan.

After receiving thousands of entries during the nomination period, five heroes were chosen as finalists and adult fans had the opportunity to cast their votes for the person they felt was most deserving of the honor.

April and Samuel Deeds interviewed after their pace car “hot lap.”
As the winner of the "Your Hero's Name Here" program, Samuel Deeds (@marinegunney) and his wife April (@April_Deeds) participated in a VIP race weekend experience which included delivering the trophy bearing his name to the race winner in Victory Lane, and participating in the “kissing the bricks” ceremony following the race!

NASCAR Race Mom think that Samuel Deeds* stated it best,

 “This weekend means everything to me. I have been looking for a way to honor the guys that I served with who are no longer here, and this is way beyond anything I could have come up with.”

It was very satisfying to witness Mr. Deeds’ joy as he received the celebrity treatment all weekend. He stopped to sign autographs and was introduced to the crowd by Justin Moore during the concert.

However, do you remember how earlier NASCAR Race Mom stated that there were no losers at the race? The other four heroes chosen as finalists were also treated to the Crown Royal Presents the Samuel Deeds 400 at The Brickyard Powered by BigMachineRecords.com!

It was a pleasure to spend time with each of them: Deputy Marshal Stephen Brady; American Widow Project founder Taryn Davis; Firefighter Kenneth Kurth; and LAPD Officer Deon Joseph. NASCAR Race Mom gained an extra appreciation for their sacrifices as us bloggers learned more about their patriotism and devotion.

NASCAR Driver Kurt Busch lifts $10,000 check, money
raise by free downloads of Moore’s “Heroes” song.
During Saturday’s concert, Deeds was joined on stage by NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver Kurt Busch as Crown Royal presented a $10,000 check to the Armed Forces Foundation. The check represented the dollar awarded for every free download of Heroes leading up to the race. NASCAR Race Mom felt a sense of pride and well-being as the concert crowd chanted, “USA” enthusiastically as Country Western Star Justin Moore belted out the Heroes song.


A born and bred Hoosier, race winner Ryan Newman revered Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was very special to watch the hometown boy hold off challenger Jimmy Johnson for his first Brickyard win.

Hometown boy, Ryan Newman and his winning team
doing the “hat dance” in Victory Lane.
Spending time at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long been on this NASCAR fan’s bucket list. However, never in my wildest dream did I imagine that I would do so in such style. NASCAR Race Mom gives huge thanks to Crown Royal, Taylor Strategy, Team Coach Christina, Samuel and April Deeds, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for making NASCAR Race Mom’s experience at the Crown Royal Presents the Samuel Deeds 400 at The Brickyard Powered by BigMachineRecords.com amazing and unforgettable. It was wonderful catching up with old friends and making new friends as well.

However, more importantly, a thanks is due to Crown Royal for a program that recognizes and honors everyday heroes -- whether it be a police man, fire fighter, or military personnel . . . . by crowning that hero the weekend's big race namesake. This program focused on and encourages all of the unsung heroes who make a difference in their communities!

Spending time with Gunnery Sgt. Samuel Deeds was both an honor and a pleasure.
* While deployed in Iraq in 2005, Gunnery Sgt. Samuel Deeds came across an improvised explosive device (IED) while setting up a vehicle checkpoint. Upon seeing fellow Marines approaching, he exposed himself to the device, risking his own life to save others. He was severely injured and underwent more than thirty surgeries before recovering. Three years later, while still recovering, his instincts kicked in when he saved the lives of three individuals caught in a rip tide off the coast of North Carolina.

**I must say just one more thing about my weekend. Before this race event, NASCAR Race Mom had heard about Crown Royal Maple, but had never tasted it. I thought it would be too sweet. Well, I was wrong; its nice maple finish makes this the perfect whiskey to drink neat. Crown Royal Maple quickly became my favorite.

Please, remember to drink responsibly and enjoy! 

Additional Photos:

A Crown Royal Manhattan Toast to a wonderful NASCAR Race weekend.
NASCAR Race Mom is as colorful as Kyle Busch’s car practicing in the background.
This NASCAR Freak had to get that photo
by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Bricks.
The 55 Toyota of Driver Mark Martin going through tech.
Martin is 54 years young.
NASCAR Race Mom enjoying the Garage Tour.
NASCAR Officials insuring all is fair and safe.
This is what a Happy NASCAR fan looks like.
Excellent "Hot Pass" Access.
Newman became one of just eight drivers with wins
in both the Brickyard 400 and the Daytona 500.
The #39 during his celebratory burnout;
photo taken from the Crown Royal Pagoda Suite.
Happy ending to a long NASCAR Race Weekend
NASCAR Race Mom became a huge Justin Moore fan.
The crowd chants "USA" during the Moore Concert.
The Justin Moore Concert before the Crown Royal Presents the Samuel Deeds 400
at The Brickyard Powered by BigMachineRecords.com.
Great Food at Mo’s Restaurant.
Tremendous view from the Crown Royal Pagoda Suite.
Justin Cole Moore’s “Off The Beaten Path” hits stores on 9/17.

Pride Runs Deep Purple #crownHeroes

Friday, August 2, 2013

The "Pork Be Inspired 150" Schedule

The second annual NASCAR K&N Pro Series East-West summer combination race, the "Pork Be Inspired 150" will be contested today (Friday, Aug. 2) at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa.

Eric Holmes is the only driver to start all eight NASCAR K&N Pro Series East-West
combination races at Iowa Speedway.  (Getty Images for NASCAR)

Time Event
Thursday
9:30 a.m. Haulers Enter
10 a.m. Garage Opens

Friday
9 a.m. Garage Opens
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Practice
1:30-2:30 p.m. Final Practice
3:15-4 p.m. Driver Autograph Session
6:30 p.m. Driver/Crew Chief Meeting
8 p.m. Race (150 Laps, 131.25 Miles)

All times CT and subject to change


You can "watch" the event live at
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