Tuesday, January 31, 2017

2017 Roush Yates Engines' Season Preview

2017 Roush Yates Engines' Season Preview
The 2017 race season is about to begin and the excitement is building. This is the 14th year that Roush Yates Engines and Ford Performance have partnered to design, develop and build world-class race engines for Ford Motor Company’s NASCAR and Road Racing programs.

In 2017, the sound of Roush Yates Engines’ horsepower will be heard around the world, across three continents and nine countries; including the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, Japan, China, Bahrain and at home in the USA.  


2017 Roush Yates Engines' Season Preview



“We are focused on the 2017 season,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “The entire team has been working very hard over the off season and we are extremely excited to get back to racing. As my father {Robert Yates} would say, ‘we are not here to practice, we are here to WIN!’ "

Roush Yates Engines welcomes Stewart-Haas Racing to the Ford Performance NASCAR family. This February, at the Daytona 500 Stewart-Haas Racing will join the premier race teams of Roush Fenway Racing, Team Penske, Wood Brother Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, Front Row Motorsports and Go Green Racing in carrying the Ford blue oval on the car and FR9 EFI race engine from Roush Yates Engines under the hood.

The four road racing teams of Ford Chip Ganassi Racing are also looking to build on their 2016 season success {8 pole positions and 6 wins} including the memorable 24 Hours of Le Mans victory. Two Ford GTs will run in the IMSA and FIA series respectfully.

The IMSA road race season kicked off on January 27th at Daytona International Speedway. All four Ford Chip Ganassi Racing cars {No. 66, No. 67, No. 68 and No. 69} united to run in the Rolex 24 at Daytona on January 28th.



2017 Roush Yates Engines' Season Preview


About Roush Yates Engines  Roush Yates Engines is a leading edge engine development company, with three state-of-the-art facilities based in Mooresville, NC; which include Roush Yates Engines, Roush Yates Performance Engines Group, focused on road racing and Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions, a world class manufacturing center. The company’s core business includes designing, building and testing race engines.
Ford Performance in partnership with Roush Yates Engines is the exclusive engine builder of the NASCAR Ford FR9 V8 engine and twin-turbo Ford EcoBoost V6 race engine that powers the Ford GT supercar.
With the unparalleled culture of winning and steeped in rich racing history, Roush Yates Engines continues to follow the company’s vision to lead performance engine innovation and staying true to the company’s mission, provide winning engines through demonstrated power and performance.
 

 13 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 283 WINS – 251 POLES! 

2017 Roush Yates Engines' Season Preview

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Monday, January 30, 2017

Jeff Gordon Gets A New Watch

Jeff Gordon Gets A New Watch

Taylor Brothers, Angelelli, Gordon Finally Score Breakthrough Win After Trouble-Free Performances the Previous Four Years Come Up Short

Jeff Gordon Gets A New Watch


This was Jeff Gordon’s second attempt at the Rolex 24. His first was in 2007 when he finished third. Gordon, along with three other drivers for Wayne Taylor Racing — Max Angelelli, Ricky Taylor and Jordan Taylor — took turns behind the wheel of the new Cadillac DPi-V.R. The race started at 2:30pm on Saturday, Jan. 28 and finish 24 hours later.

“This is very surreal to me, this whole experience and moment, to have this on my résumé,” Gordon said. “It’s a very elite group that’s won the Daytona 500 and the Rolex 24 together. That’s something I’m very, very proud of. But I think more than anything is this experience for me of – not to take anything away from 2007 with Max and Jan and Wayne –what amazing race car drivers both Ricky and Jordan are and how difficult this race is.”

Jeff Gordon Gets A New Watch


Gordon had nothing but praise for his co-drivers.

“I was able to learn just how talented they are,” Gordon said. “I mean, I was so impressed while watching all night. I was glued to the TV every second, every lap. I couldn’t sleep because I wanted to watch these guys do what they did in the rain, in the cold, in the most treacherous conditions, and they did it at a level, that I’ll be honest, I’m not capable of doing, and I was so impressed. Then you go to the last stint of a 24 hour race and you see it come down to that, and it was a thrill of a lifetime, and I’m just so honored to be sitting here and be a part of this experience.”

Jeff Gordon Gets A New Watch


With the victory, Gordon joins the ranks of A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, and Jamie McMurray as the only drivers to win both the Daytona 500 and Rolex 24.





 
Jeff Gordon Gets A New Watch

 

 

2017 IMSA Weathertech Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona Finish



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Saturday, January 28, 2017

WIX® Filters Announces Partnership with Furniture Row Racing

WIX® Filters Announces Partnership with Furniture Row Racing
WIX® Filters Announces Partnership with Furniture Row Racing

WIX® Filters, a global manufacturer of filtration products, has joined Furniture Row Racing as a key technical partner, which includes a primary and associate sponsorship role with the Denver, Colo.-based team during the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 78 Toyota Camry will carry the WIX Filters primary paint scheme in the July 16th race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon. In addition to the primary sponsorship, WIX Filters will have logo placement for the full season under the hood and on the C-post of Truex’s race car and also on the chest of his firesuit.

Additionally, Furniture Row Racing’s No. 77 Toyota Camry, driven by rookie Erik Jones, will showcase WIX Filters for the season under the hood and on the B-post. The sleeve of Jones’ firesuit will also have a WIX Filters logo.

“The competitive spirit of racing is a perfect reflection of our own commitment to excellence, and our new partnership with Furniture Row Racing is an exciting continuation of our longstanding support of the teams and drivers who share our love of hard work, determination, and high-performing engines,” said Jennifer Gibson, brand manager for WIX. “It’s going to be an exciting 2017 season, and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the track.”

Joe Garone, president of Furniture Row Racing, said the team is thrilled to form a new partnership with an iconic brand in the automotive industry.

“As long as I have been in motorsports, and many years before me, WIX Filters has been the gold standard with filtration products,” said Garone. “To have a notable company as a new partner gives everyone at Furniture Row Racing a boost of confidence and gratification. We look forward to providing WIX Filters with on-track performances that mirror their quality products.”

The sponsorship marks a rich history between WIX and teams on NASCAR’s most competitive racing circuit, which provides a storied testing ground for WIX and its high-performance automotive filters.

WIX® Filters Announces Partnership with Furniture Row Racing

“This is exciting to have WIX Filters, an innovative and industry-leading company, join our team,” said Truex. “Since I consider New Hampshire one of my home tracks and a place where the Truex family has enjoyed success over the years, I can’t think of a better place for the No. 78 WIX Filters Toyota primary branding debut. We’re overdue in New Hampshire and the WIX Filters Toyota would look awesome in Victory Lane.”

About WIX Filters

WIX® Filters Announces Partnership with Furniture Row Racing
Since 1939, WIX® Filters has been an innovator in filtration products. WIX designs, manufactures and distributes products for automotive, diesel, agricultural, industrial and specialty filter markets. Part of the MANN+HUMMEL family of brands, WIX's product line includes oil, air, cabin interior, fuel, coolant, transmission and hydraulic filters for automobiles, trucks, off-road equipment and manufacturing applications.

For more information, visit www.wixfilters.com or any of our social channels: Facebook, TwitterInstagram, Snapchat and/or YouTube.

 

About Furniture Row Racing

Furniture Row Racing began its NASCAR journey in 2005 by participating in the XFINITY Series in addition to running two races in NASCAR’s Cup Series. The Denver, Colo.-based team shifted its main focus to NASCAR’s premier division in 2006. While operating as a single-car team, Furniture Row Racing qualified for the Chase playoffs in three of the past four seasons. The team announced in August 2016 that it will add a second car, beginning in 2017. The team’s driver lineup includes Martin Truex Jr. in the No. 78 Toyota Camry and rookie Erik Jones in the No. 77 Toyota Camry. The team’s owner -- Barney Visser – is also the founder and CEO of the Furniture Row Companies, one of America’s largest, family-owned and operated specialty home furnishings and bedding retailers. Furniture Row operates more than 330 stores in 30 states. For race team information visit www.FurnitureRowRacing.com and for Furniture Row company information visit www.FurnitureRow.com .

Martin Truex Jr. has been named the 2016 Eastern Motorsport Press Association National Driver of the Year. The award was voted on by members of the EMPA. Driving the No. 78 Toyota Camry for Denver-based Furniture Row Racing, Truex’s stellar 2016 season in NASCAR’s premier division included four wins, five poles and a series’ leading 1,805 laps led, all career season highs for the native of Mayetta, N.J. His dominating victory at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway set a NASCAR record for miles led (588) and an event record for laps led – 392 out of 400.

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Friday, January 27, 2017

Petty Raises $170,000+ for Paralyzed Veterans

Richard Petty Raises More Than $170,000 for Paralyzed Veterans of America at Mecum Auto Auction For three years, “The King” Richard Petty, his race team Richard Petty Motorsports and his high performance speed shop, Petty’s Garage, partnered to build a limited edition Ford Mustang for the Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans). Petty, a long-time supporter of Paralyzed Veterans, made a recent stop at the Mecum Auto Auction in Kissimmee, Fla., as the 2017 Ford Mustang GT was auctioned off. 


Petty’s Garage 2017 Ford Mustang GT Custom Built for the Veterans Service Organization
Petty’s Garage 2017 Ford Mustang GT Custom Built for the Veterans Service Organization

Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) purchased the 2017 Ford Mustang GT and commissioned Petty’s Garage to build the one-of-a-kind, high-performance vehicle. The Mustang was stripped down and repainted with a custom Petty Blue, white and red design. A Whipple Supercharger was added to boost horsepower to a ground pounding 825 ponies. A custom interior from Katzkin was installed featuring the Paralyzed Veterans brand and a stainless exhaust by Magnaflow. The finishing touches were added by Forgeline wheels and Continental Tires. Petty was vigilant through the build process at Petty’s Garage to ensure every element of the Mustang met his meticulous standards. When the car was complete, RPM donated the car to the Paralyzed Veterans for the January 14 auction. The finished, one-of-a-kind automobile raised $170,500 for the non-profit veterans service organization.


Petty Raises $170,000+ for Paralyzed Veterans

“We’re very proud that this car raised $170,500 for Paralyzed Veterans,” said Petty. “We spent a lot of time ensuring this was a special car and would raise a good amount of funds for their organization. We’ve worked with Paralyzed Veterans for a while now, and to see what the men and women in our armed services have given for our freedom is something very special. I’m honored to be a small part in giving back to them. I would also like to thank Dana and Frank Mecum for their continued support of Paralyzed Veterans. They graciously provide the platform for this auction, and this year, they made an additional donation to the organization.”

Petty Raises $170,000+ for Paralyzed Veterans

“Richard Petty, Petty’s Garage and Richard Petty Motorsports are tremendous supporters of Paralyzed Veterans of America and the entire veteran community,” said Larry Dodson, national secretary of Paralyzed Veterans of America. “We cannot thank them enough for helping our organization raise critical funds through a popular platform such as Mecum Auctions. It is unique opportunities such as this that further Paralyzed Veterans’ mission to make a difference in the lives of disabled veterans, their caregivers, and their families.”

For more information on Paralyzed Veterans of America and how to give back to paralyzed veterans, visit pva.org.


Petty Raises $170,000+ for Paralyzed Veterans

About Richard Petty Motorsports

A performance and marketing driven company, Richard Petty Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and successful business entrepreneur Andrew Murstein, is one of the most recognized brands in all of motorsports. With a history of over 200 wins and business partnerships with national and global leaders, today the race operation fields one team in competition in the NASCAR premier series with driver Aric Almirola. Almirola will return to the iconic No. 43 Ford with partners Smithfield Foods, STP, United States Air Force and Fresh From Florida. The team is headquartered in Mooresville, N.C.

About Petty’s Garage

Founded in 2008, Petty’s Garage is a high performance speed shop owned by “The King” Richard Petty. Headquartered in Level Cross, North Carolina, Petty’s Garage occupies the legendary Petty facility that produced winning stock cars for more than 50 years. Petty’s Garage specializes in performance upgrades, restorations, luxury personal builds, custom builds, supercharged engines, paint and body, exhaust upgrades, brake systems, custom interiors, tires and wheels, custom fabricated projects, and corporate builds. If you can dream it, Petty’s Garage can build it. For more information on Petty’s Garage, please call 336-495-6626 or visit www.pettys-garage.com.

About Paralyzed Veterans of America

Paralyzed Veterans of America is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of veterans with spinal cord injury or disease. For 70 years, Paralyzed Veterans has ensured that veterans have received the benefits earned through their service to our nation; monitored their care in VA spinal cord injury units; and funded research and education in the search for a cure and improved care for individuals with paralysis.

As a partner for life, Paralyzed Veterans also develops training and career services, works to ensure accessibility in public buildings and spaces, provides health and rehabilitation opportunities through sports and recreation, and advocates for veterans and all people with disabilities. With more than 74 offices and 34 chapters, Paralyzed Veterans serves veterans, their families, and their caregivers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

To learn more, please visit pva.org.



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Thursday, January 26, 2017

#NASCAR D4D Announces 2017 Driver Class

NASCAR Drive for Diversity Announces 2017 Driver Class
After a season of milestones for NASCAR Drive for Diversity graduates competing across NASCAR national series, the industry’s flagship development program for multicultural and female drivers has announced that six drivers will join its 2017 class. The drivers were selected after a competitive combine held last October at New Smyrna Speedway and will compete for Rev Racing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.


#NASCAR D4D Announces 2017 Driver Class


The 2017 class features a former NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series champion, the granddaughter of one of the sport’s female pioneers, and NASCAR Drive for Diversity’s first sibling teammates. The drivers will attempt to follow in the footsteps of program graduates and current national series drivers Kyle Larson, Darrell Wallace Jr., and 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion Daniel Suárez.

"Now more than ever, we’re seeing the impact of NASCAR’s development program in producing drivers who excel at the highest echelons of our sport," said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. "There’s a great deal of talent and potential in this year’s class. With the strong foundation that NASCAR Drive for Diversity provides, these drivers will have the opportunity to develop the skills needed to elevate their racing careers."

The 2017 class is led by four returning drivers, Collin Cabre, Jay Beasley, Madeline Crane and Rubén García Jr., who first competed in stock car racing in his native Mexico. Collin’s younger brother, Chase Cabre, joins 16-year-old Macy Causey as this year’s NASCAR Drive for Diversity newcomers. Causey’s grandmother, Diane Teel, was the first woman to compete in a NASCAR XFINITY Series race in 1982.

Rev Racing, the operational arm of NASCAR Drive for Diversity, will field four teams in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and two in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

The 2017 NASCAR Drive for Diversity roster features:

#NASCAR D4D Announces 2017 Driver Class - Collin Cabre
Collin Cabre: An impressive second year in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program was highlighted by four top-five and six top-10 finishes and a sixth-place finish in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship standings. After winning the 2015 season finale at Dover International Speedway, Cabre was named to the 2016-2017 NASCAR Next class. The 23-year-old from Tampa, Florida, will compete in his third season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East with Rev Racing.

#NASCAR D4D Announces 2017 Driver Class - Chase Cabre
Chase Cabre: Cabre, 20, registered 12 race wins in 21 starts in a 600 Mini Sprint Car and is a two-time Fall Brawl Champion at Florida’s Ocala Bullring. In 2016, he averaged a fourth-place finish in races at Hickory Motor Speedway and set two poles during the season. Chase will compete in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East in his rookie season with Rev Racing.

#NASCAR D4D Announces 2017 Driver Class - Rubén García Jr.
Rubén García Jr.: At age 20, the Mexico City native became the youngest NASCAR PEAK Mexico driver to win the series championship in 2015. García was also part of the NASCAR Next program in both 2015 and 2016. He returns to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East after finishing 10th in the series last season.

#NASCAR D4D Announces 2017 Driver Class - Jay Beasley
Jay Beasley: Beasley, 24, made history in 2013 by becoming the first African-American driver to win a Super Late Model race at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In his first season with the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program in 2014, he earned two top-five and five top-10 finishes in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. He returns to the series for his third season with Rev Racing.

#NASCAR D4D Announces 2017 Driver Class - Macy Causey
Macy Causey: Causey was honored with the NASCAR Young Racer Award in 2016. The year prior, she won the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Virginia Rookie of the Year Award and earned top rookie honors at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Virginia, where in 1978 her grandmother became the first woman to win a NASCAR-sanctioned race at the track. Causey will compete for Rev Racing in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series.

#NASCAR D4D Announces 2017 Driver Class - Madeline Crane
Madeline Crane: The Georgia native began her career racing Bandoleros at Atlanta Motor Speedway at age 10. Crane, 19, moved into Legend cars, and by the time she was 14 had garnered 59 top-five finishes in 82 starts. Returning for a second season with NASCAR Drive for Diversity, she will compete in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series following two top-five and 12 top-10 finishes in 2016.

NASCAR Drive for Diversity aligns drivers with a team of executives, athletic directors, crew chiefs and mentors tasked with helping them achieve career successes, and thus improving their goal of reaching one of the three NASCAR national series.

Since it began fielding NASCAR Drive for Diversity cars in 2010, Rev Racing has been one of the most consistent teams in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, registering 17 wins, 65 top-five and 124 top-10 finishes with drivers finishing in the top-10 in points each season.

"Each year the applicant pool and talent level rises and our program continues to evolve and create more opportunities for advancement," said Max Siegel, CEO and owner of Rev Racing. "NASCAR Drive for Diversity and Rev Racing are proud of the impact that we have had in the sport and we look forward to graduating the next generation of athletes to the national series."

The 2016 NASCAR season was a historic year for NASCAR Drive for Diversity alumni. Larson, who is Asian-American, became the first program graduate to win a race and reach the playoffs in the sport’s premier series, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

With his NASCAR XFINITY Series victory at Michigan International Speedway, Suárez was the first Mexican-born driver to win a national series race, and last November he became the first foreign-born driver to win a national series championship. Suárez will make his debut in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series racing for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2017.

The 2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season opener will take place on Feb. 19 at New Smyrna Speedway, where Rev Racing scored a win with Suárez in 2014.

For more information on NASCAR Drive for Diversity, visit NASCARDiversity.com.

About NASCAR


The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR XFINITY Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit http://www.NASCAR.com and http://www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

About Rev Racing


Headquartered in Concord, North Carolina, Rev Racing is owned by Max Siegel and operates the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program, which is the industry’s leading developmental program for ethnic minorities, women drivers, and pit crew members. For more information about Rev Racing visit www.revracing.net and follow us on Twitter @RevRacin.

Source: Official NASCAR Release

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Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Changes to Race Format, Points Structure Intrigue Koch and Team

Changes to Race Format, Points Structure Intrigue Koch and Team Koch and the No. 11 LeafFilter ® Gutter Protection team will return to action at DIS on Saturday, February 25th at 3:30 p.m. ET.  




NASCAR announced today changes to the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) points structure and race format, effective starting February 25th when the series kicks off the 2017 season at Daytona International Speedway (DIS).

Each race of the 33-race NXS schedule will consist of three segments, with championship implications in each stage. The top-10 finishers in each stage will be awarded additional championship points. The winner of the first two stages of each race will receive one playoff point, and the race winner will receive five playoff points. Each playoff point will be added to a driver’s reset total following the 26th race, if that competitor makes the playoffs.

Kaulig Racing driver Blake Koch, who finished seventh in the inaugural NXS playoffs in 2016, applauded NASCAR for implementing the changes Monday.

“I think the fans will really like the changes and it adds a different level of excitement for the drivers, too, going into a new season not necessarily knowing what to expect,” said Koch.  “I think we will have a different strategy going into the races now and the goal will be to get as many bonus points as we can to carry over into the playoffs.”

All playoff points will reset after the eighth race of the playoffs, with the Championship 4 racing straight-up at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the title.

Championship points following the first two stages of each race will be awarded on a descending scale, with the stage winner receiving 10 points, second earning nine points, and so on. The race winner following the final stage will receive 40 points, second-place will earn 35, third-place 34, fourth-place 33, and so on.

Additionally, the top-10 drivers in regular-season points will receive playoff points with second place earning 10 points, third place getting eight points, fourth place obtaining seven points, and so on.

Now more than ever, consistency will be key for drivers and teams as every segment of the race presents an opportunity to secure a seat in the playoffs. Kaulig Racing General Manager and Crew Chief Chris Rice adds that pit crews will also feel that pressure with pivotal pit stops coming during caution periods after each segment.

“Having solid pit stops is going to be so important with this new format since the field lines up for the start of the second segment based on where drivers come off pit road under caution,” said Rice. “Being able to strategize on the fly will be key. You have to be prepared for every scenario ahead of time and focus on getting those bonus points to carry you through the playoffs.

NASCAR gave fans and competitors a taste of some of these changes in 2016 as the NXS ran four heat races in 2016. Koch and Kaulig Racing finished in the top 10 in each heat race and ultimately finished seventh in the Championship standings in their first year of NXS competition.





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Source: Team Release

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Parks and Parson’s #NASCAR Hall of Fame Acceptance Speeches

Parks and Parson’s #NASCAR Hall of Fame Acceptance Speeches One of stock car racing’s earliest – and most successful – owners, Raymond Parks dominated the sport with his team in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He paired with mechanic Red Vogt to help Red Byron win the first NASCAR title (modified, 1948) and first premier series championship (1949).

Known for always donning a suit and keeping his cars in pristine condition, Parks is credited for helping to transform NASCAR into a nationally recognized sport. 

Raymond Parks’ family during the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Induction Ceremony at NASCAR Hall of Fame on January 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Raymond Parks’ family during the NASCAR Hall
of Fame Class of 2017 Induction Ceremony.


PATRICIA DePOTTEY (Raymond Parks’ Granddaughter): I will tell you knowing my grandfather, anybody who knew him, he could speak a whole book in two words. And the first time, to let you know how he was, I asked him how did you get into racing, and in less than 10 minutes, he told me his whole life story. His story was, well, I got some cars, and I just started winning. And I went, okay.

And you could go into his store, and he had that wooden table that you saw in the picture. He had his trophies. And I'm not kidding you, if you went over to look at one of the trophies, he would stand there and he'd say, well, oh, I got that when Red Byron won the championship. That was the end of the story.

But what really hit me, I think, was the first time I went to the Daytona Speedway, I was sitting in the stands, and it hit me, because everything I had heard growing up, I could see all of them in the Streamline Motel. I could see the cars racing around in the sand. I could just envision everything that he accomplished, and it was like all of the stories became real.

And I think that was just a very momentous time for me.



* * * * *


Terri Parsons (widow of 2017 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Benny Parsons and Dale Jarrett (NASCAR Hall of Fame)
Terri Parsons (widow of 2017 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee
Benny Parsons and Dale Jarrett (NASCAR Hall of Fame)

Benny Parsons drove a taxi for a living in Detroit before embarking on his storied racing career. He won the 1973 NASCAR premier series title and finished fifth or better in the premier series standings in nine consecutive seasons (1972-80). Parsons won 21 races in 526 career starts, and tallied 283 top-10 finishes – a 53 percent ratio.

He took the checkered flag in the 1975 Daytona 500 and was the first driver to qualify a stock car at more than 200 mph (200.176 in 1982 at Talladega Superspeedway). Following his driving career, he made a seamless transition to the broadcast booth as a commentator for NBC and TNT until his passing in 2007, at the age of 65.

TERRI PARSONS (Wife): Most of all, the most important thing about tonight for him would be the people and especially the fans, understand how much they meant to him and how much he loved each and every one of you. You all have such great stories, and tonight is really a celebration of his life. This is not sad, this is happy. I'm the only one that's sad.

(Regarding the induction ring) Well, all this is shared with all the family and the crew members and the car owners that are here. We're going to put it in the Hall of Fame, because we think about it, the people at home, the fans that are visiting the Hall of Fame, never get to see a ring because we all take them home with us, so we thought we'd like to share this with the people that come through the Hall of Fame so they can see what an actual Hall of Fame ring looks like.




The living members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame gather as a group at the conclusion of the 2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at NASCAR Hall of Fame on January 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The living members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame gather as a group
at the conclusion of the 2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at NASCAR
Hall of Fame on January 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Winston Kelley, Executive Director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, speaks prior to the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Induction Ceremony at NASCAR Hall of Fame on January 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Winston Kelley, Executive Director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, speaks
prior to the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Induction Ceremony.


Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Source: NASCAR.com Release




Monday, January 23, 2017

Mark Martin’ #NASCAR Hall of Fame Acceptance Speech

Mark Martin’ #NASCAR Hall of Fame Acceptance Speech Considered "the greatest driver to never win a championship," Mark Martin finished runner-up in the premier series standings five times. During his 31-year Cup career, Martin totaled 40 wins (17th all-time), 61 runner-ups (sixth), 271 top fives (seventh) and 453 top 10s (third) in 882 starts (fifth).

Successful at every NASCAR level, the Batesville, Arkansas, native visited Victory Lane 49 times in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and held its wins record for 14 years. He retired with 96 wins across NASCAR’s three national series – seventh on the all-time list.

MARK MARTIN: Thank you. Tonight for me is about recognizing the VIPs that made this happen. But the MVP is Arlene Martin. We met Christmas 1983, and Arlene, from that day, that day and every day since then, you have made me better. It's incredible what we've seen and what we've done to get here.

I've got to give an honorable mention to your sweet little girls, who we moved seven times in the first five years, and I never heard a word of complaint from them. It was a major, major sacrifice for those girls. So that was really, really special.

I can't tell you how it feels to stand up here in front of you tonight. It's a feeling that my words could never do justice. To me it's an honor -- to say it's an honor would be an understatement. To say it's a culmination is a fact. It's an honor beyond the wildest imagination of a kid from Arkansas that just loved to drive fast cars and win races.

Most importantly, it's the recognition of hard work, determination, drive and focus, not of myself, but of those that gave their blood, sweat and tears to put me up here tonight. I want to thank all the Hall members, all the ones that came before me. If not for the groundwork they laid with their relentless passion and effort and sacrifice to the sport, there might not be a NASCAR at all, and there certainly wouldn't be no Hall of Fame.

When I was informed that I'd be inducted into the Hall of Fame, I was greatly humbled and speechless to even be mentioned in the same breath with my racing idols. I was overwhelmed with appreciation and gratitude for all those that helped put me in a position to even compete in NASCAR races.

I think about my mom and dad. They were the most incredible parents anyone could have ever had, can-do spirit, hard workers, and accomplished anything they set out to do, and they told me, my dad always told me, that Mark, you can do anything you set your mind to.

I don't remember them telling me what to do very much, but they never, ever told me what I couldn't do.

I think about Larry Shaw, who was driving by the trucking company shop when he saw that '55 Chevy going together for my first race car, and he stopped in and started working and never quit for four-and-a-half years, and then went on to be a legendary dirt-car builder himself. I think about Larry Phillips, future Hall of Famer, gave me my first job right out of high school. I went up there to Springfield and worked for him in the shop and learned how to fabricate, and then he raced me on Friday and Saturday night and gave me driving lessons.

I hooked up with Banjo Grimm at 18 years old, and I fed off his work ethic and he fed off mine. It was absolutely impossible to outwork us, and that was an amazing time.

I think about Rex Robbins and everyone at ASA that gave me the opportunity to race 200, 300 and 400-lap races that were pit-stop races, but not only that, but he took the time to teach me how to promote races, talk to fans, represent sponsors, and deal with the media, tools that I would have to have years later in NASCAR.

I hooked up with Ray Dillon in '79, and we designed the Mark 2 chassis which revolutionized short track asphalt racing. All the who's who in short track racing had to have one of those cars. It was an incredible time and he supplied me those cars which I really needed at the time. And then I hooked up with Ron Neal of Prototype Racing Engines, Wheeling, Illinois, and he supplied the horsepower of all kinds of race cars that I had to race in 1981, and without him, there's no way that I could be here tonight because I couldn't have done what I did in 1981.

Bud Reeder came along, as well, and wrote the check for that first Winston Cup car for 1981 that we did five races in.

I was just a kid like Jeff Gordon was when he came along, 22 years old, I had never failed at anything, and it looked like it was going to be pretty easy. I sat on two poles out of five races, worst I ever qualified was sixth, led two races decisively, and finished third, seventh and 11th in those two races. It looked like it was going to be pretty easy.

So I started off 1982 and left Daytona broke, a sponsor that never paid, and I proceeded to just struggle all year long. Pretty much lost everything.

But you know, you can never, ever give up.

So then in 1984, I'm standing outside the fence looking in the garage area at Daytona. I was watching the mechanics changing springs, the engine tuners working on the carburetors, crew chiefs going over their notes, and the drivers walking back and forth from the cars to the transporters, and I said, I can beat those guys. Now, understanding I wasn't waiting to go inside and get in my car. I wasn't worried about sitting on a pole or winning a race. I didn't even have a credential. I was on the outside looking in.

Sometimes you just need a second chance. And I needed that second chance.

For me, that chance came by way of a highly driven, engineer minded, drag and road racer from way up north. He wore this full-brimmed hat and used more words than most of us know. Most importantly, he was hellbent and determined as I was to make a name for himself winning races and competing for championships at NASCAR's highest level. Jack Roush gave me that second chance.

Jack, we battled side by side for nearly 20 years, and I never once questioned your will to win or determination to succeed. We not only won a lot of races, but you helped mold me into the man I am today. I can't thank you enough for what you've done for me, for everything -- for the opportunity to even stand up here tonight on this stage, or more importantly, the role you played in me becoming the person I am today.

I think about Steve Hmiel and Robin Pemberton and a small group of guys that built Roush Racing brick by brick. What an honor it was to be by their side. I was so fortunate to work with Jimmy Fennig. Jimmy was crew chief for me for 40 percent of my ASA wins and one of my championships and probably about 30 or 40 percent of my Cup wins. I never realized that he was a part of such a big part of my career because we were really only together for a short period of time.

And my good friend Benny Ertel. Benny might have had the toughest job over the past 30 years of anybody but one, and that would be Arlene. Keeping me straight, calming me down, talking me off the ledge, and up until tonight, making sure I got where I was supposed to when I was supposed to. Well, here I am, so good job, buddy, once again.

I also have to thank the many sponsors that supported us over the years. There were quite a few, and we were -- we promoted some pretty interesting products.

To everyone at NASCAR and the France family, to each official, I commend the work they put in each week, work that continues to enable us to go out and race against the best in the world in front of the best fans in the world.

And to the fans, I appreciate every one of you, the passion and the inspiration that you've given me. I always tried to live up to that inspiration and represent you on and off the track in a worthy manner, worthy of your respect.

And to the media, I didn't always agree with you, but I always admired your dedication to the sport I loved so much. This is truly an honor for me and my family, but to me, it's about recognition, recognition not only to those I had time to talk about tonight, but literally hundreds and hundreds of people that worked so hard over the past 40 years to make this happen.

From every single crew chief to every guy that ever held a pit gun, to guys that volunteered their time slaving over dirt cars in early years, to the engineers, tire changers, over the wall crews, engine tuners and all, teams went from one or two guys to 15 or 16 or more, but the passion remained the same, and that passion and your effort are what I'm most grateful for tonight.

So for every person that ever worked on any of our teams, I salute you. This is your moment, our moment. The road was long, and sometimes the mountains seemed insurmountable. But in the end, here we stand in the grandest victory lane of all. We made it to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Mark Martin receives his Hall of Fame jacket from NASCAR Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Brian France.
Mark Martin receives his Hall of Fame jacket from
NASCAR Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Brian France.

Mark Martin speaks during the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Induction Ceremony.
Mark Martin speaks during the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Induction Ceremony.

Mark Martin reaches out to Jack Roush during his induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Mark Martin reaches out to Jack Roush during his induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Mark Martin poses on the red carpet with his wife Arlene.
Mark Martin poses on the red carpet with his wife Arlene.

NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Mark Martin and family during the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Induction Ceremony at NASCAR Hall of Fame on January 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Mark Martin and family during
the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Induction Ceremony at
NASCAR Hall of Fame on January 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Mark Martin (left) greets NASCAR Hall of Famer Leonard Wood.
Mark Martin (left) greets NASCAR Hall of Famer Leonard Wood.




Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Source: NASCAR.com Release 






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