New Ford engine to debut at Talladega

Friday, Oct. 23, 2009

Ford Motorsports' new FR9 engine will make its debut in the Sprint Cup Series next weekend at Talladega, Ala.

Roush Fenway Racing drivers David Ragan and Matt Kenseth will utilize the engine in theAmp Energy 500.

“Those of us who have been involved in this project agree that one of the biggest hurdles we've faced in making this transition has been the fact the current Ford engine is still so competitive, along with the economics of making obsolete the inventory of the current engine and parts,” said Brian Wolfe, director of Ford North America Motorsports.

“This has been a tough year for us and our teams on the track and the priority for everyone this year has been solving the on-track performance.”

Asked when the engine might debut at a non-restrictor-plate track, Wolfe was noncommittal.

“It's something we do want to phase in and one of the benefits of building a new engine from scratch is it will result in less machining time and shop time required to put it together,” he said.

Driver Greg Biffle said it will take some time to phase in the engines, particularly if the proposed merger between Yates Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports is completed and that organization moves to Ford.

Drivers to host WWE Raw:Kyle Busch and Joey Logano will appear as guest hosts of WWE's “Monday Night Raw,” which will be broadcast live from Buffalo at 9p.m. Monday on USA Network.

Logano and Busch will makethe appearance as part of promoting the Nationwide Series race at Texas, when both drivers' cars will feature paint schemes for the new WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 video game.

Several other professional athletes have served as guest hosts on Raw this season, including NBA player Shaquille O'Neal, boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and NFL quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Campe headed elsewhere:Tony Eury Jr. is serving as crew chief this weekend for JR Motorsports' No.5 Chevrolet in the Nationwide race at Memphis, Tenn., after the team and former crew chief, Brian Campe, agreed to part ways.

Campe has been on the radar screen for several organizations. Sources said he likely will end up at Penske Racing or Braun Racing next season.

Mayfield is “Outside the Lines”: Suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield joins reporter Steve Delsohn in one-on-one interview which will air on “Outside the Lines” at 9a.m. Sunday on ESPN.

In the interview, Mayfield claims NASCAR is using his suspension for failing a drug test to scare the sport's marquee drivers who he says use drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine.

Charity ride for veterans: The Paralyzed Veterans of America and retired seven-time champion Richard Petty kick off their inaugural “King of the Road” charity ride today, which will traverse through the Piedmont.

Riders will begin the 100-mile ride from the former home of Petty Enterprises in Level Cross.

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