ThatsRacin.com: FanSpace

Write the Caption - What's that you say, Rick?

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:36 EDT

Speed Street: Cars, stars, and guitars

Wed, 14 May 2008 07:03 EDT

Media day at Michigan features Smoke and Aces

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:05 EDT

BROOKLYN, Mich. – Two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and Detroit native Kid Rock scored a royal flush for Michigan International Speedway’s LifeLock 400 media day on Wednesday at Motor City Hotel & Casino in Detroit.

Stewart was in town promoting MIS’ Father’s Day event, scheduled for June 15, when his longtime friend Kid Rock made a guest appearance.

“Kid’s been a great friend of mine,” Stewart said. “It was nice of him to stop by and be a part of the LifeLock 400 event for MIS. He’s as good of musician and performer in his business as I am as a racecar driver in mine.”

Stewart played poker with members of the local media who cover MIS in Motor City Casino’s poker room. Although he is a regular poker player, Stewart was feeling the heat playing against some very good media members with no actual money being exchanged for the event.

“Some of these guys really mean business,” he said jokingly. “I was having a tough time for a while. I finally ended up getting a few good hands at the end though.”

MIS got race fans involved in the event as well. Ten-year MIS ticket holder Mark Casteele of Romulus, Mich., and girlfriend Debbie, a Home Depot employee, were given the opportunity to play poker with Stewart. WIOT radio in Toledo, Ohio, promotional winners Michele Tallent and Chris Rutledge also played poker with the two-time NASCAR champion, each saying it was a dream come true to hang out with one of their favorite drivers.

“I was so excited. Tony is the nicest guy and it was an experience I’ll never forget,” Casteele said. “MIS was very gracious in including us in this event. I can’t wait to get out to MIS this summer and see him race.”

Getting fans involved with the LifeLock 400 media day event was something track President Roger Curtis was excited about.

“I really enjoyed watching the fans interact with Tony,” Curtis said. “Adding a fan element to these events is fun for them and for us. We want our fans to be a part of many of our events, not just on race weekends.”

Tickets and camping for the LifeLock 400 on June 15 are available by calling the MIS ticket hotline at 800-354-1010 or by visiting MISpeedway.com.

For its 40th anniversary in 2008, MIS is hosting the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400 on June 15 and the 3M Performance 400 on August 17. Other events include the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Cool City Customs 200 on June 14, the NASCAR Nationwide Series CARFAX 250 August 16 and the ARCA RE/MAX Series Michigan 200 June 13. Tickets are available for all events, including qualifying days.

To order tickets, pit passes, camping or hospitality packages, call the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010 or visit MISpeedway.com.

Write the Caption - Drug Test

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:52 EDT

Welcome to "Write the Caption" on ThatsRacin.com. It's pretty simple -- we select a recent photo from the track and all you have to do is submit a caption by clicking on the Comments link (below). Click on the photo to make it larger.

A NASCAR fan wears a shirt focusing on a recent drug story involving Aaron Fike (not pictured) during the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. (Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE)

Write the Caption - Tool Time

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:17 EDT

Dennis Setzer climbs out of his truck after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Kroger 250 in Martinsville, Va., Saturday, March 29. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Free visitors guides to NASCAR shops

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:17 EDT

Feel the need to race around to the NASCAR race shops in North Carolina? Then check out the new, free visitors guide from the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The guide contains a pull-out map detailing where all the shops are, as well as handy contact information.

It includes details about stops along the Dale Trail, a self-guided tour around the Kannapolis area relating to the life and career of native son Dale Earnhardt, the late NASCAR star.

To get a copy of the guide, call 800-848-3740 or go to www.visitcabarrus.com.

The bureau printed 100,000 copies of the guide, at a net cost of $20,000, spokeswoman Judy Root said.

Hey Mom! Wanna wave the green flag?

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:54 EDT

Darlington Raceway, working in conjuction with Dodge Boys Racing, has come up with the Wave the Green Flag contest -- just in time for Mother's Day.

The contest, stacked with an all-expenses-paid package for a mom and three guests to the May 10 Cup Series race, runs through April 10. To submit your entry, visit www.dodgeboysracing.com and enter the Wave the Green Flag contest.

Also required with the entry is a 100-words-or-fewer essay on why your Mom should be declared the best NASCAR mom, according to a Darlington Raceway news release. The winning mom will wave the green flag during the May 9 Nationwide Series race.

For more information, log on to the Darlington Raceway site.

Write the Caption - Super Fan

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:31 EDT

Truck series drivers on hand for AutoFair at Charlotte track

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:06 EDT

The NASCAR Truck series has a weekend off, but several drivers from the series will be at Lowe’s Motor Speedway at 2 p.m. Friday signing autographs at the annual AutoFair sponsored by Food Lion.

Rick Crawford, Brendan Gaughan and Chrissy Wallace are be among those scheduled to attend.

The AutoFair runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $10 per day for adults. Parking is $5.

Driver issues fundraising challenge

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:07 EST

NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Martin Truex Jr. has a challenge for his friends in the motorsports community, this one off the track.

His foundation is raising money for the Dove House Children's Advocacy Center's larger planned facility in Statesville.

Dove House provides services for sexually abused children and their non-offending family members in a home in downtown Statesville. Work on the larger location off Simonton Road is scheduled to begin in April or May.

At 6,400 square feet, the new home will be more than double the size of the one downtown. The home will be valued at $1.2 million to $1.5 million, but Dove House hopes to make it mortgage-free through ongoing community donations of labor, materials and money.

The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation launched its "TAG, You're It!" fundraising campaign this week. The foundation is "tagging" NASCAR team owners, drivers, crew chiefs and others in the motorsports community to contribute to the project.

Truex's foundation purchased the project's first engraved brick paver for $1,000 and hopes others will follow suit. A custom-etched message is engraved in each 10-inch hexagonal paver that will go in the walkways of the new center's meditation gardens.

Author, university set 'The Physics of NASCAR' lecture

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:36 EDT

Physics professor and author of “The Physics of NASCAR,” Diandra Leslie-Pelecky will visit UNC Charlotte Monday, April 7, to present a free, public lecture about the science of racing.

Through a visual presentation, Leslie-Pelecky will take participants behind the scenes of NASCAR race shops and onto the track of Texas Motor Speedway and Daytona International. She will explore aerodynamics, materials science and vehicle dynamics, including why superspeedways have banking, why race cars don’t have mufflers and how drafting makes it possible for two cars to travel faster than either could alone.

Sponsored by the Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education and the Department of Physics, the lecture will take place in the College of Health and Human Services, Room 281, at 7 p.m.

For more information, visit www.stockcarscience.com.

Write the Caption - Carl flips

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 09:12 EST

Welcome to "Write the Caption" on ThatsRacin.com. It's pretty simple - we choose a recent photo from the track and all you have to do is submit a caption.

Write the Caption - Can you hear me now?

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:05 EST

New dating site geared toward NASCAR lovers

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 10:57 EST

Racing enthusiasts who want to meet like-minded singles may be surprised to learn that throughout the nation, on weekend days and nights, tracks are packed with eligible fans – many of them single – cheering on their favorite auto racing heroes.

Meetmeattheraces.com offers singles many ways to identify and make contact with each other.

The site’s charter year membership fee entitles members to search the year’s race schedule for others who live near any of the 30 major auto race tracks in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Members can also indicate their interest in attending any of 90+ major scheduled races during the 2008 season, including: the NASCAR Sprint Cup events, NASCAR Nationwide races and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races.

The website provides a system for members to reach out to each other electronically. In addition to finding the nearest race tracks and determining interest in particular races, members may search for compatible soul mates using dozens of additional criteria and personal preferences.

Meetmeattheraces.com has teamed with Hotels.com to offer a special listing of NASCAR cities for those traveling to the races Enthusiasts of stock car racing tend to be male (60%) between the ages of 18 and 44, slightly younger than national averages, with slightly higher incomes than the general U.S. population with 41% earning $50,000 per year; 46% earning $30,000 to $70,000, and 12% earning between $70,000 and $100,000 each year, according to NASCAR statistics.

Meetmeattheraces.com is not affiliated with the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR).

Drivers find a reel diversion at Daytona

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:54 EST

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The infield of Daytona International Speedway isn’t exactly the Great Outdoors, but the focus here will turn to fishing and the search for largemouth bass for a few hours Friday morning.

The infield might not be a back-to-nature scene, yet the relationship between racing and fishing is a natural. The 29-acre Lake Lloyd in the infield has been a part of Daytona 500 lore for many years.

“Fishing and racing are as American as you can get,” said Darrell Gwynn, whose foundation uses the annual Hot Rods and Reels Fishing Tournament here as a major fund-raiser. “Most everyone in America has a car and fishing pole in their garage. We don’t have any trouble getting guys to fish.”

Almost 20 Sprint Cup drivers will be fishing the tournament, which raises money for Gwynn’s foundation to cure paralysis and the Betty Jane France Pediatric Center at Halifax Hospital.

The list of fishermen who will race in the Daytona 500 on Sunday is long. Some of them fish occasionally around their race schedule but often fish extensively in the off-season, and have been for many years.

Ryan Newman holds his own Foundation Charity Fishing Trip each December.

He had 300 fishermen there in 2007 in Mooresville, N.C., raising $100,000 for charity. Among those who fished were Kevin Van Dam, one of the leading fisherman on the pro BASS Tour.

“Fishing is the polar opposite of racing, at least the way I fish,” Newman said last week. “Kevin Van Dam fishes differently. He fishes how I race. I do it to enjoy the outdoors, to relax and get away from racing.”

The money from his tournament becomes a source for grants to nonprofit groups that work toward conservation of America’s natural resources and to educate and encourage others to appreciate the outdoors.

Newman spends much of his offseason on fishing and hunting trips. Among his recent favorites were a fly-fishing trip for trout to Alaska and another for northern pike in a part of Saskatchewan that was accessible only by small plane.

“The whole idea is to get people back outdoors,” he said. “I played a lot of video games when I was in college, but I sure enjoy the act of fishing, and catching fish a lot more. We’d like everyone to get that chance.”

Also scheduled to fish Friday are Tony Stewart, Kyle Petty, Carl Edwards, Bobby Labonte, Kyle Busch, Jeff Burton, Brian Vickers, Scott Riggs, David Gilliland and Martin Truex Jr., among others.

Truex – an avid fisherman – is lucky enough to be sponsored by BASS Pro Shops, which provides him with all the outdoor gear that he wants.

“It’s been a dream come true for me,” he said last week. “I love to fish. I’ve always been a water guy, growing up in coastal New Jersey. I’ve always fished and hunted.”

Truex’s family owns a large independent clam and specialty seafood company.

When he was younger, he worked as a deckhand on a clamming boat, long enough to know he’d rather be racing for a living.

He was fishing on Lake Norman in North Carolina the day before he left for Daytona Beach. He spent parts of Monday and Tuesday fishing in the Disney World area, filming promotional spots for BASS.

“Sometimes fishing isn’t so relaxing. Sometimes you get ticked off and want to throw the rod in the water,” he said. “But I’ve been enjoying it since I was a kid with my grandfather and my father.”

Casey Mears said he loves the salt-water fishing and still was talking last week about the recent trip on team owner Rick Hendrick’s boat off Key West. There were a dozen other friends on the boat, which went 20 miles offshore.

“We were catching the heck out of those fish, three or four lines hooked up all day long,” he said. “But I’d like it even if we didn’t catch anything. I love the ocean, and I just love getting out there, getting away from what I do on a weekly basis. It’s just a good time.”

Gilliland said his best fishing memories came when he and the family were following his father around on the Winston West Series years ago, helping drive the motor home. He and his father occasionally found time to stop in the Mount Hood area in Oregon and fish for Steelhead trout.

“Our schedule now just doesn’t allow you to get out as often as you would like, but I still love to fish,” he said. “We live near Lake Norman, and I take my 7-year-old son with me. It’s a great way to get away and focus on the time I can spend with him.”

Write the Caption - Jeff Burton hard at work

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:36 EST

Owners finally realize what everyone else has always known

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:41 EST

The obvious can only be ignored for so long.

Tony George, the Champ Car World Series crew and its predecessors tried mightily for more than a decade, but even they came to recognize what everyone else has known for years: There is room enough for only one open-wheel series.

After years of bickering, the Indy Racing League and Champ Car finally managed to set aside their differences Friday and reach a unification agreement. Champ Car will cease operations in 2008, leaving all of open-wheel racing to the IRL.

Now that the charade of the two series is just about over, they can get on with the bigger challenge: reviving their sport.

“It’s very hard to compete against NASCAR here because of the level where NASCAR is,” said Juan Pablo Montoya, an Indianapolis 500 winner who defected first to Formula One and now drives in NASCAR.

“But I think for the hardcore open-wheel fan, it’s going to be good to see all the drivers together again.”

It seems hard to believe now, but there was a time when open-wheel racing was one of the country’s premier sports. Fans loved the drama and thrill of it all, and there was nothing quite like the high-pitched whine of an open-wheel engine as cars sped around tracks well above 200 mph.

Drivers were household names, and the Foyts and Unsers and Andrettis were dynasties. The Indianapolis 500 was an “event” as much as it was a race, with fans nationwide planning their Memorial Day barbecues around the famous call of “Gentlemen, start your engines.”

But George, president and chief executive of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, couldn’t leave well enough alone. Concerned about growing costs in open-wheel, the move away from the tradition of oval races and dwindling opportunities for young American drivers, he broke away from CART and began the IRL in 1996.

Some of his concerns were valid, though that really isn’t the point anymore. Egos and self-interests dominated, and both sides dug in for a long and nasty fight. CART had the bigger names initially, but George had the Indy 500.

Fans, meanwhile, got the short end. A race in rural Michigan can never replace Indy, no matter if it’s also on Memorial Day weekend. And the Racing Dentist, Jack Miller, isn’t a worthy heir to A.J. Foyt just because he’s got a ride at Indy.

But neither side could – or cared to – see the bigger picture. George may have “won” the open-wheel war (CART went bankrupt in 2004 and was bought by Kevin Kalkhoven, Gerald Forsythe and Paul Gentilozzi), but the cost was immeasurable.

Fans long ago gave up on open-wheel racing, and it’s largely been reduced to a fringe sport. NASCAR is where racin’ is at these days. Once a regional pastime, it took full advantage of the split and turned itself into a nationwide phenomenon.

Even the Indianapolis 500 has lost its luster. Empty seats are now visible at the Brickyard – something unthinkable just 15 years ago. And it really isn’t the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” anymore. That mantle now belongs to “The Great American Race” – the Daytona 500.

The Indy 500 may be Tony Stewart’s holy grail, but he realized long ago that NASCAR was the place to be. Jeff Gordon spent part of his youth back home in Indiana, but he never gave Indy cars much thought.

Just this year, reigning Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti jumped to NASCAR along with three-time IndyCar champion Sam Hornish Jr.

In fact, these days, the IRL’s biggest names are better known for what they’ve done OFF the track. Helio Castroneves may have won Indy twice, but it took a win on “Dancing with the Stars” to take him mainstream. Danica Patrick generates more interest in a bikini than a fire suit.

Indeed, IndyCar racing will essentially be starting from scratch. There are obvious technical and logistical hurdles to work out, but those will be minor compared to the big-picture barriers. IndyCar racing will have to win back its old fans and make new ones, groom new drivers, and prove to sponsors that a single open-wheel series can still be relevant in the age of NASCAR dominance.

“This is a great day for open-wheel racing,” longtime car owner Bobby Rahal said. “I truly believe that this is the first step toward restoring open-wheel racing and the Indianapolis 500 to not only where it once was, but beyond.”

Maybe, maybe not. But this is the only way for open-wheel racing to have a fighting chance.

Nancy Armour is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to her at narmourap.org

Write the Caption - Time to Relax

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 18:29 EST

Racing on TV this weekend

Wed, 14 May 2008 12:13 EDT

Weekend television coverage (all times Eastern and subject to change):

NASCAR SPRINT CUP

NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge

Site: Concord, N.C.

Sprint Showdown Schedule: Friday, qualifying (Speed Channel, 5:10 p.m.); Saturday, race (Speed Channel, 7:30 p.m.).

All-Star Challenge Schedule: Friday, qualifying (Speed Channel, 6:15 p.m.); Saturday, race (Speed Channel, 9 p.m.).

Track: Lowe's Motor Speedway (quad-oval, 1.5 miles, 24 degrees banking in turns).

Sprint Showdown Race distance: 60 miles, 40 laps.

All-Star Race distance: 150 miles, 100 laps.

Last race: Kyle Busch won the battle of attrition, overcoming a pit-road penalty and several scrapes with the wall to win at Darlington Raceway. The third Cup victory of the season for NASCAR's least popular driver hardly thrilled the crowd, which booed him lustily in prerace introductions and hadn't softened by the time he took the checkered flag. He led a race-high 169 of the 367 laps en route to his eighth victory of the season spanning NASCAR's top three series.

Last year: Kevin Harvick held off Jimmie Johnson to pick up $1 million in the Nextel All-Star Challenge.

Fast facts: The Sprint Showdown will consist of 40 laps, 60 miles, and will be run in two 20-lap segments. The top two finishers in the Sprint Showdown will earn starting spots in the all-star race. A third driver will also advance as determined by a fan vote. ... The All-Star race is run in four segments of 25 laps each. ... This weekend does not count in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Kyle Busch leads the standings with 1,690 points, 79 ahead of Jeff Burton.

Next race: Coca-Cola 600, May 25, Concord, N.C.

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCKS

North Carolina Education Lottery 200

Site: Concord, N.C.

Schedule: Friday, qualifying (Speed Channel, 3:35 p.m.); race (Speed Channel, 8 p.m.)

Track: Lowe's Motor Speedway (quad-oval, 1.5 miles, 24 degrees banking in turns).

Race distance: 201 miles, 134 laps.

Last race: Ron Hornaday Jr.'s fuel gamble with 59 laps paid off thanks to five of the record 12 cautions at Kansas Speedway, helping him win the wreck-filled O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 on April 26. Hornaday started at the pole and led 136 of the 167 laps around the 1.5-mile oval. But when Andy Lally slammed into the wall on lap 108, crew chief Rick Ren quickly calculated fuel mileage and took a gamble by sending Hornaday out with four new tires, but no gas.

Last year: Hornaday passed A.J. Allmendinger with 36 laps to go, then held on over two restarts to win at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. It was Hornaday's first truck victory at LMS.

Fast facts: Kyle Busch, a two-time winner in 2008, returns to the series after missing the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway. Busch gave up the points lead when he missed Kansas because of a scheduling conflict. He is in sixth-place, 130 points out of the lead. ¼Ron Hornaday holds a 61-point lead over Rick Crawford (775-714). ...In late April, New England wide receiver Randy Moss announced the formation of Moss Motorsports, LLC with its intended participation to begin in the second half of the 2008 Truck Series season. ... Dennis Setzer is the only North Carolina-born driver to win the 201-mile race at Lowe's.

Next race: Ohio 250, May 24, Mansfield, Ohio

NHRA

Thunder Valley Nationals

Site: Bristol, Tenn.

Schedule: Friday, qualifying, 4 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN2, 6:30 p.m., tape); Sunday, eliminations, Noon (ESPN2, 6:30 p.m., tape).

Track: Bristol Dragway.

Last event: John Force cemented his position as the top Funny Car driver in NHRA history on May 4, becoming the first to reach 1,000 round wins with a first-round victory over Ron Capps in the O'Reilly Midwest Nationals at Madison, Ill. Tim Wilkerson denied one of John Force Racing's other drivers, Mike Neff, his first career win and took Pro Stock on his home track. Rod Fuller (Top Fuel), Kurt Johnson (Pro Stock), and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also claimed victories.

Last year: Force finally recorded his first win of 2007 after defeating Cruz Pedregon in the Funny Car final during the Thunder Valley Nationals. Brandon Bernstein won Top Fuel and Jeg Coughlin took the Pro Stock category.

Fast facts: Ron Capps beat John Force by a hundredth of a second to win the 2006 event. ...Tony Schumacher has a 68-point lead over Antron Brown in Top Fuel (608-540). ...Tim Wilkerson, off his victory last week, leads the Funny Car division with 497 points, 24 ahead of Ashley Force. Jason Line (527) holds a seven-point lead over Jeg Coughlin (520) in Pro Stock. ...Bristol Dragway is known as "Thunder Valley" because it cuts a path between mountains.

Next event: O'Reilly Summer Nationals, June 1, Topeka, Kan.

NASCAR NATIONWIDE

Last race: Tony Stewart was dominant throughout in gliding to victory at Darlington Raceway. Stewart led 90 of 147 laps for his fourth Nationwide victory this year and Joe Gibbs Racing's sixth straight. It was the sixth win for his No. 20 Toyota and the eighth for Gibbs' racers. JGR teammates Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch have also won. The two-time Sprint Cup champion had never won at Darlington in 19 previous races.

Next race: Carquest Autoparts 300, May 24, Concord, N.C.

FORMULA ONE

Last race: Felipe Massa of Ferrari has won his third straight Turkish Grand Prix. Massa finished ahead of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen in the 58-lap event at Istanbul Speed Park.

Next race: Monaco Grand Prix, May 25, Monte Carlo

INDY RACING LEAGUE

Last race: Dan Wheldon won at Kansas Speedway, his first victory since taking the checkered flag at the track a year ago. It was the 14th career victory for Wheldon, a former series champion, giving him some momentum heading into this month's Indianapolis 500. Wheldon won Indy in 2005.

Next race: Indianapolis 500, May 25

Write the caption - NASCAR-style

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:09 EST

Fan calls Daytona 500 Club ‘too good to miss’

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:41 EST

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Paulette Williams of Kansas City wanted to do something special – really special – this year for her mother, Janis, who has been a race fan for many years but never had been to the Daytona International Speedway.

Really special might be an understatement for a race fan. Judging by the look on both of their faces Saturday afternoon, she gave her the ultimate experience.

Paulette and Janis watched the Camping World 300 from the same place they will watch the Daytona 500 on Sunday – from President’s Row, the top floor of the Daytona 500 Club.

“I don’t think you could get anything better than this,” Janis said just before the green flag dropped Saturday. “I love it.”

The Daytona 500 Club is the four-story building that hangs over victory lane, the start-finish line and pit row. It includes a white tablecloth dining room, a spacious sports bar, and an open-air patio area with seats and room to roam, where you can view every corner of the race track.

“I wasn’t sure about everything because we had never been here. I just called up last fall and asked what was available. Now I know, it’s worth it,” Paulette said. “This is phenomenal.”

Mother/daughter had two of only 96 President’s Row packages available that included tickets to nine different events–mostly during Speedweeks – and this summer’s Coke Zero 400.

The cost is $5,250 for an all-inclusive package. All 96 have been sold for 2008.

Without being in the driver’s seat, you can’t get any closer to victory lane than you can with the 96 seats that also come with a spot in victory lane. In Friday night’s Chevy Silverado 250, Mother/daughter found themselves watching the race next to, and chatting with, former Daytona 500 winner Geoff Bodine, while his brother Todd Bodine won. They left with autographs from both of them.

“They treat you like royalty up here,” said Renee Dedrick, who was sitting with her son Bill, who brought her as a gift. “It’s just an awesome experience.”

They were in the sports bar before Saturday’s race, one floor above the dining room, where there was everything from a chef’s carving station to a piano player tickling the ivory while they enjoyed lunch.

Every seat comes with a radio headphone to hear the give-and-take between drivers and spotters. Every ticket includes a golf-cart ride from the infield parking area to the elevator door of the Daytona 500 Club. It’s open bar from entry to exit. On the top floor is where the U.S. Air Force directs the dramatic pre-race flyover.

There is an open-air feel to the top floor, where in recent years on Daytona 500 race day, you could see anyone from Vice-President Dick Cheney, to Demi Moore and Ashton Kucher to Matthew McConaughey or other high-rolling race fans.

The Club first opened for Speedweeks in 2005 as part of a major renovation of the infield viewing experience, catering to the fans who had the money to spend.

“We’ll be back in July,” Paulette Williams said. “We’ve never been here before, but this is too good to miss.”

Patrick poses for Sports Illustrated

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 10:03 EST

Cup stars to assist Speedway Childreen's Charities auction

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:10 EST

LAS VEGAS - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer and David Ragan are scheduled to headline the NASCAR Driver Auction at Sam’s Town Live!, inside Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall.

The 10th annual event is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities. NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Jason Keller is also scheduled to appear. More drivers are expected to be added as the event draws near. TV and film star Mickey Jones (Home Improvement) also will make an appearance.

Race fans will have the opportunity to bid on a ride around the speedway in the bed of a pick-up truck with their favorite NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star during driver introductions prior to the start of the UAW-Dodge 400 at LVMS on Sunday, March 2.

Fans also will have the opportunity to ride with their favorite NASCAR Nationwide Series driver during pre-race parade ceremonies prior to the start of the NASCAR Nationwide Series Sam’s Town 300 on Saturday, March 1.

The gala also features a silent auction with a variety of racing and non-racing items including autographed team uniforms, race-car sheet metal and tickets to various shows in the Las Vegas area.

All proceeds will go to the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, which supports the increased quality of life for the children of southern Nevada. Last year, the auction raised more than $160,000 for the children of Las Vegas and southern Nevada. To date, the driver auction has raised nearly $1 million. Last December, the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities granted $315,000 to 64 local children’s causes during its annual grant distribution ceremony.

NASCAR license plates now available to Florida residents

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:54 EST

The NASCAR Foundation, in partnership with the Florida Sports Foundation (FSF), has announced a new NASCAR-themed, official Florida license plate that will be available to fans for purchase this week at Daytona International Speedway.

Net proceeds from the sale of the specialty plate will benefit The NASCAR Foundation and the Florida Sports Foundation.

“We are happy to partner with the Florida Sports Foundation and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to be able to offer our fans this specialty plate,” said Sandy Marshall, executive director of The NASCAR Foundation. “This is a great opportunity for fans to show their love of the sport, while at the same time contributing to two organizations that do a lot of good work in the state of Florida.”

The FSF will distribute proceeds to support the marketing of motorsports-related tourism in the state and 50% to support The NASCAR Foundation's charitable organizations. Last year alone, The NASCAR Foundation donated more than $400,000 to Florida based charities.

The FSF will also be distributing the proceeds from the NASCAR plate to support its regional grant program, which is designed to assist communities and host organizations in attracting sporting events that generate out-of-state economic impact for the state of Florida.

“NASCAR and auto racing annually bring thousands of visitors and millions of dollars in economic impact to the state of Florida,” said Larry Pendleton, president and CEO of the Florida Sports Foundation. “We are happy to be working with NASCAR to assist these programs and to give racing fans another way to support their favorite sport by purchasing a NASCAR license plate.”

This weekend, Florida residents traveling to Daytona International Speedway can pick up their plate at a mobile FLOW (Florida Licensing On Wheels) unit stationed at the track. The units are equipped with the technology and ability to bring valuable DHSMV services right to the customers, including the ability to issue specialty plates on the spot. The units will be parked in the Display Midway outside Turn 4 from Feb. 14-17.

To purchase a NASCAR specialty plate, fans must prove that they have a vehicle registered in the state f Florida, a valid Florida driver’s license and proof of insurance. The annual specialty license plate is $27.

Residents not traveling to the track this weekend may still purchase a NASCAR specialty plate at their local Department of Motor Vehicles. For more information, please visit www.hsmv.state.fl.us.

About The NASCAR Foundation

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc., (NASCAR) launched The NASCAR Foundation in January 2006. The Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit entity that embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and its commitment to serving communities. The Foundation supports a wide range of charitable initiatives that reflect the core values of the entire NASCAR Family. The NASCAR Foundation will use strength of the sport and its people to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. For more information on The NASCAR Foundation, please visit the website: www.nascar.com/foundation.

About Florida Sports Foundation

The Florida Sports Foundation is the official sports promotion and development organization of the state of Florida. The Foundation’s mission is to promote and develop professional, amateur and participatory sports for the citizens of Florida. The Florida Sports Foundation also oversees specialty license plates programs from the nine professional sports teams in Florida, Olympic Spirit and the Golf Capital of the World license plates.

About Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), comes into contact with nearly every Floridian as well as many visitors.

People get a driver’s license to operate their vehicles or for photo identification purposes. They register and title their automobiles, mobile homes, and boats. They may receive assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol if they are involved in a crash or their vehicle breaks down along Florida's highways. Often the Patrol will remind drivers to slow down and buckle up.

There is more to DHSMV than meets the eye. The mission is making highways safe through service, education, and enforcement. The department members around the state are dedicated to accomplishing this mission. You may be surprised by some of the duties performed and the numerous on-line services now available.

Visit the home page at www.hsmv.state.fl.us for more information on all that DHSMV can do for you.

| On pit road and the media tour

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:38 EST

N.C. Motorsports Association salutes Hickory track, others in industry with 2nd annual awards

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:12 EST

Hickory Motor Speedway received the event facilities award Thursday night as the N.C. Motorsports Association presented its second annual honors.

Richard Petty was the guest of honor for the evening and received the group’s Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award.

Other winners were Catawba Valley Community College for two-year or trade-school programs, UNC Charlotte for four-year programs; Imagine This! Creative Concepts for workforce diversity, the JHE Production Group for regional marketing, World Racing Group (formerly DIRT Motorsports) for national marketing, Cabarrus County for ecomonic development, Safety Solutions for safety innovation, Koolmat Insulation for small company achievement and Stock Car Steel & Aluminum for large company achievement.

| Hamlin fastest, Petty slowest in Cup sessions at California Speedway

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:48 EST

Fastest speeds for each driver during two days of Sprint Cup testing at California Speedway, with position, car number, driver, car make and speed:

1. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 182.523.

2. (12) Ryan Newman, Dodge, 181.511.

3. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 181.470.

4. (8) Mark Martin, Chevrolet, 181.456.

5. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford, 181.228.

6. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 181.036.

7. (55) Michael Waltrip, Toyota, 180.918.

8. (41) Reed Sorenson, Dodge, 180.764.

9. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 180.578.

10. (07) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 180.537.

11. (70) Jeremy Mayfield, Chevrolet, 180.487.

12. (26) Jamie McMurray, Ford, 180.388.

13. (29) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 180.180.

14. (20) Tony Stewart, Toyota, 180.167.

15. (00) David Reutimann, Toyota, 179.703.

16. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 179.672.

17. (31) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 179.542.

18. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 179.497.

19. (6) David Ragan, Ford, 179.453.

20. (1) Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, 179.453.

21. (22) Dave Blaney, Toyota, 179.430.

22. (44) Dale Jarrett, Toyota, 179.399.

23. (88) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 179.350.

24. (2) Kurt Busch, Dodge, 179.341

25. (15) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 179.265.

26. (84) AJ Allmendinger, Toyota, 179.167.

27. (9) Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 179.162.

28. (27) Jacques Villeneuve, Toyota, 179.051.

29. (5) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 179.029.

30. (38) David Gilliland, Ford, 179.002.

31. (66) Scott Riggs, Chevrolet, 178.851.

32. (28) Travis Kvapil, Ford, 178.687.

33. (83) Brian Vickers, Toyota, 178.629.

34. (01) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 178.580.

35. (78) Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 178.523.

36. (7) Robby Gordon, Ford, 178.280.

37. (10) Patrick Carpentier, Dodge, 178.213.

38. (19) Elliott Sadler, Dodge, 177.936.

39. (65) Chad McCumbee, Chevrolet, 177.791.

40. (21) Bill Elliott, Ford, 177.892.

41. (77) Sam Hornish Jr., Dodge, 177.870.

42. (42) Juan Pablo Montoya, Dodge, 177.866.

43. (43) Bobby Labonte, Dodge, 177.550.

44. (34) John Andretti, Chevrolet, 177.423.

45. (96) J.J. Yeley, Toyota, 177.187.

46. (49) Ken Schrader, Dodge, 176.987.

47. (40) Dario Franchitti, Dodge, 176.935.

48. (45) Kyle Petty, Dodge, 175.966.

It's a speed trap

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 08:09 EST

Mercifully, preseason testing for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wrapped up Friday at California Speedway. Now, forget it happened.

If you've been following the daily lists of fastest laps and you're downhearted about where your favorite driver ranked, allow me to absolve you from further concern. The same goes if you're jacked up because your guy popped up on the top of those lists.

I've typed a lot of speeds during the past few weeks, and we've presented them as though they might mean something.

Look, it has been a couple of months since engines were fired in anger. Even though that "offseason" is relatively short, we understand fans crave any information they can get in the run-up to a season.

The speeds are recorded and, for lack of any real insight into how the tests at Daytona, Las Vegas and California have been going, are distributed. But if you think a list of fastest laps is going to provide any real information about what's going on, you're selling what goes on at a test way too short.

Every car has equipment to record and/or transmit data, and that is analyzed in excruciating detail. Teams break down laps into segments and compare speeds. They also compare lap-to-lap results to see how much tire wear and weight change from fuel burn-off changes speed.

How far down into the data do they drill? One crew chief said one thing from Daytona they look closely at is how far -- exactly -- a car goes on a qualifying lap. The track is listed at 2.5 miles, but if a driver runs an additional 10 or 20 feet, that can be enough to matter.

The car introduced last year, which will be used in all 2008 races, puts even more of a demand on such analysis.

"I used to be able to feel like I was more important," Matt Kenseth lamented at California. "I used to get out of the car and, if it wasn't handling right, I could tell them to change that spring and more times than not it would make it better. Or I could say that really feels like we need a different sway bar and it would help. I can't do that anymore.

"It's kind of frustrating. I won't even really necessarily ask what's in my car for a set-up before I come to the track because most of it was spit out of the computer simulation."

Some fans think the new car is too ugly to love. But a lot of the driver complaints, I believe, has more to do with what Kenseth is talking about. This car still is relatively new to them. When you don't have the "feel" of something, it's hard to convince yourself you have the kind of mastery of it you need to compete at a high level,

If you don't believe "feel" has anything do with how you like something you work with, change computer systems.

Some people believe all the technology in NASCAR will lead to its ruination. I doubt that. People used to build race cars under the shade of a tree in their yard. Just because that moved indoors to a shop that looks more like rocket labs doesn't mean the modern-day car builders aren't racers, too.

Every team could submit to NASCAR data from tests at the first three tracks on this year's Cup schedule. A computer whiz could conduct a simulated race for each track and "determine" where each team would finish. It would be statistically accurate, I guess, but there's no chance the results would turn out how they will when the cars actually run at Daytona, California and Las Vegas.

When I became the NASCAR beat writer for the Observer in 1997, I wrote in my first column that I am not nearly as interested in the "motor" part of motorsports as the people. That hasn't changed.

The mechanisms are a part of the game, but it's the people who employ those mechanisms -- cars or computers -- who make the difference.

It's that time again, folks.

Let's race.