Ford Racing

Ford Racing announces the launch of SuperFan Sweepstakes, a national contest giving one lucky fan a chance to win the ultimate Ford Racing experience.

All fans need to do to be eligible is enter at www.fordracingevents.com and register to receive Fast News from Ford Racing, at no charge.

One grand prizewinner will be able to choose from one of the four following exclusive Ford Racing experiences:

·         Meet Ford Rally driver Ken Block, as a guest of Ford Racing at an invitation-only event, hosted by Block himself (location and event TBD)

·         Attend the NHRA series finale event in Pomona, Calif.

·         Be there as NASCAR® crowns its 2010 champions at Ford Championship Weekend in Homestead, Fla.

·         Attend NASCAR Champions Week in Las Vegas

The grand prize package includes round-trip airfare for two, hotel accommodations, transportation, tickets to the event of their choosing, a special meet and greet opportunity, and a Ford Racing gift package. The grand prize drawing will be held, on or about, November 1st, 2010.

Fans who do not win the grand prize are still in luck. Ford Racing will be giving away special prizes every month – memorabilia, such as autographed framed posters, racing helmets and diecast – to those who sign up at www.fordracingevents.com from now until December 31st, 2010.

“We wanted to give loyal race fans a unique opportunity to experience racing in a way that most fans aren’t able to,” said Tim Duerr, Ford North America Motorsport Marketing Manager. “By creating the SuperFan Sweepstakes, we’re giving fans a chance to win a piece of authentic Ford Racing memorabilia every month. And, one lucky SuperFan will have the opportunity to choose from four great racing packages that any Ford Racing fan would love to experience.”

The Ford Racing Superfan sweepstakes is open to licensed U.S. citizens over the age of 18. Visit http://www.fordracingevents.com/ to register and learn more.

- PCGCampbell for Ford Racing, Press Release

NSCS Red Bull Racing Teams No. 82 & No. 83

+ FOUR DOWN, 32 TO GO

We paused and reflected during the off week. Let’s reset the first 11 percent of the Sprint Cup Series season:

82 . SCOTT SPEED DURING DOWN TIME, I …: Took a road trip to the NHRA Gatornationals in Florida. Golfed. Visited the hair salon for a black dye job with blue chunks. Made a guest judge appearance at the Red Bull 3Style competition in Charlotte.

VITAL SIGNS: Tied for 11th in points. He’s never been higher, sits 206 points ahead of 35th place in the car owner standings and owns 226 more points than at this stage one year ago.

BIG MOMENT: A strong and consistent start to his second Sprint Cup season. Speed has finishes of 19th, 11th, 22nd and 10th. He’s led 19 laps — matching his total from all of last year — and the top 10 at Atlanta is the best finish of his career at a track that doesn’t require restrictor plates.

BAD MOMENT: A 22nd-place finish at Las Vegas. “If our bad days are 22nd, then we’re doing something good,” he said. Speed ended up one lap down — the only lap he’s failed to complete.

GRIP’S HIS THING: Speed’s taken quite a liking to Bristol’s concrete high banks. The first time he ever saw the .533-mile track he won the pole and finished third in the 2008 Camping World Truck race. In round two, he finished eighth in the Nationwide race. Rounds three and four came in Sprint Cup, where he’s qualified 11th and third with a best finish of 15th in October 2009.

THE HELL WITH THE HILL: The No. 82 is one race away from a guaranteed spot in the top 35, meaning the team can have stress-free qualifying days beginning with the March 28 race at Martinsville. And if all goes as planned, never again will the No. 82 crew have to make the uphill trek to Bristol’s overflow lot for team transporters.

83 . BRIAN VICKERS DURING DOWN TIME, I …: Went skiing with some friends in Aspen and Jackson Hole. Wondered why some people prefer to exercise in the gym rather than outdoors.

VITAL SIGNS: Ranked 16th in points. But the 2009 Chase participant is only 16 points out of the top 12.

BIG MOMENT: Lap 332 at Atlanta. A multi-car wreck unfolded just ahead of Vickers during an attempt at a green-white-checkered finish. He couldn’t see anything through the smoke and described it as “straight up Days of Thunder,” but spotter Chris Lambert helped guide him through. What could have been disastrous turned into a seventh-place finish — Vickers’ first top 10 of the season. www.redbullracingusa.com

BAD MOMENT: A 31st-place finish at Las Vegas. BV described the race as perhaps the No. 83 team’s worst in three-plus years.

BULLRING BITES BACK: Bristol has never been particularly kind to Vickers. In 11 starts, he has six finishes of 20th or better. The other five times, he’s ended up 29th or worse. Bristol is one of five tracks on the Sprint Cup schedule where Vickers has failed to record a top 10 (Texas, Darlington, Infineon and Homestead).

CENTURY MARK: Vickers will make his 100th start in a Red Bull Toyota on Sunday. BV and Red Bull Racing Team were part of Toyota’s inaugural driver/team lineup in 2007. Since then, Vickers has earned one win (Michigan, August 2009), eight top-five finishes, 24 top 10s and seven poles. He was also the first driver in Toyota’s freshman class to earn a spot in the Chase.

+ TO THE CAR GOES THE SPOILER

Brian Vickers was one of three drivers to record a fast lap above 200 mph during Tuesday’s spoiler test at Talladega Superspeedway, though reports say speeds sometimes eclipsed 210 mph. His lap of 200.163 mph in the afternoon drafting session was third best, while teammate Scott Speed — driving a second No. 83 — was 20th of 25 cars (197.602).

During the test, NASCAR decreased the size of restrictor plates and later asked teams to shave down the traditional spoiler, which is expected to replace the rear wing for the March 26-28 weekend at Martinsville.

“The test went well. We tried several different packages,” Vickers said. “The racing was great … different, but great. I commend NASCAR for trying new things. I feel like the package we ended with was better than the package we started with.

“We plan to see a great race (in April) — a very strategic race — and a lot of three- and four-wide racing. It will definitely make for a great race from the fans’ perspective.”

+ SPEAKING OF TESTING …

Red Bull Racing Team development driver Cole Whitt tested at Greenville- Pickens Speedway on Tuesday in preparation for the NASCAR K&N Series East opener March 27. Whitt, an 18-year-old from Alpine, Calif., drove the No. 84 Red Bull Toyota for 162 laps around the half-mile oval in the upstate of South Carolina.

“Our test went really well, and I’m pretty excited to go back to Greenville to actually race,” Whitt said. “We focused a lot yesterday on race setup and getting our car good for long runs. We have a little bit more work to do at the race shop, but we think it will really pay off on race day.”

Whitt’s only other stock car test took place March 1 at South Boston (Va.) Speedway — the second stop on the K&N East schedule.

“Cole has far exceeded our expectations each time he’s tested,” said RBRT’s Elton Sawyer. “Both the 2008 and 2009 K&N Pro Series East champions were also at the test, so we had a good baseline for comparison. For the Greenville race, we’ll need to work on getting the car a little bit better for long runs. That race will be all about tire management and being patient.”

+ CAN YOU FEEL THE SPEED?

A race at Bristol is as much about feel as it is sound, from the thunder of a 43-car herd on the track to the roar of the 160,000 fans seated above. Ashley Fiolek will rely on feel as she takes in Sunday’s Food City 500 with Red Bull Racing Team.

Ashley’s a 19-year-old Red Bull athlete and superstar motocross racer. And she’s been deaf since birth, but that hasn’t stopped her from achieving the ultimate in motocross.

Nicknamed “The Fastest Woman in Motocross,” Ashley won back-to-back WMA Pro national championships in 2008-09. She won her first X Games gold medal in women’s moto X super X in 2009 (right) and also received an ESPY nomination for “Best Female Action Sports Athlete.”

“Before a race, I can’t hear people talking smack to me or bothering me at the line,” she once told ESPN The Magazine. “If somebody is coming up behind me, I don’t have the pressure of knowing they’re there. But if I’m coming up on someone, they have that pressure.”

Ashley, who reads lips quite well, often relies on her mother, Roni, to translate. Ashley will take a pace car ride Sunday morning and follow drivers Brian Vickers and Scott Speed through their race day routines. She’ll watch the Food City 500 from atop the Red Bull Racing Team pit boxes.

- Red Bull Racing Team, Press Release

Brandon McReynolds (sitting) with father Larry McReynolds - Photo Credit: Brandon McReynolds

I was impressed with Brandon then. He was an excited High School student, enjoyed racing in the UARA-STARS Series competing with some friends who have well known last names, as well. I found him to be a likeable young man…one I genuinely wished good luck and hoped would eventually make it in the upper racing series of NASCAR. So, when I read about a couple of his very successful ARCA tests with Eddie Sharp Racing, I decided to contact young McReynolds to have him tell his fans and our readers something they might not have read in articles or on Facebook. I’m glad I did. WOW…what a difference a few months have made. I am even more impressed with Brandon now than the first time we spoke.

The interview last week began with congratulations on his 3rd place finish in the UARA-STARS Series points for 2009 and the fact that he is not on the UARA schedule this season.

“Yeah, we’re obviously trying to move up and trying to run some bigger cars, whether that’s an ARCA Series, the K&N Pro Series or maybe even the trucks if sponsorship allows us to,” he began. “I still have both my UARA late models and I’m actually going up there today and tomorrow to Hickory Motor Speedway to spot for my buddy, Coleman Pressley. So I’ll still be around the racetrack. We had our success last year and now we’re just trying to move up and run some other stuff this year. I just actually flew back in from Texas Motor Speedway yesterday morning. We tested down there with Eddie Sharp Racing and did really well.”

I told him I wanted to get back to that in awhile, but I wanted to start with the ARCA test at Daytona on December 23rd. His father accompanied him.

“He was there and that definitely helped. That test sprung up pretty quick and we really didn’t know which direction we were going to go. We knew we still wanted to run a couple of late model races, but, we also knew we were working to try to move forward with my career. Luckily Eddie Sharp called me up and said he was willing to give me a shot to go down there and test for him. Obviously he has real good equipment. They won the championship last year with Justin Lofton, so, we put it together and went down there. I think there was like 50 some cars and we were top 5 all weekend. And I got to experience the draft and work with Danca Patrick a little bit in the draft, which was pretty cool, especially from the media side because it brought a lot to the table for us, as well.”

“The preparation for that is totally different from our late model stuff because we own our own cars and I work on my own cars. I went over to Eddie Sharp Racing and hung out with all the guys. I think that’s the biggest thing especially when you’re in a higher level series. You might not be able to work on the race cars because there are guys that get paid to do that, but, it’s really good to get that camaraderie with the guys. It was great to meet everyone and know who I was going to be working with. I sat in the cars to make sure the seat and all the safety equipment was good to go. I spent a couple of weeks out there. Luckily I already knew the crew chief, Johnny Allen, and had already worked a little bit with him before because he is a really good friend of my dad’s. They go way back.”

“It really meant a lot to me. I’ve been going there every year since I was a baby and to finally get out on the race track was an amazing feeling. I was a little bit nervous because I had never tested an ARCA car at such a big track, so, they threw me the keys and said here is a 2 1/2 mile race track so have at it. It was really cool. The first day was rain shortened but to be 4th fastest was awesome. That was reassuring. It ended up being three days. The other 2 days were just drafting practice. At the end of the day, I think if you do your homework as a race car driver and you really study what you’re supposed to be doing and put a lot of time and effort in to it, you can pretty much drive anything.”

Brandon explained that he only had 4 laps when they called the 1st day of testing due to rain. He felt that was to his advantage, because he was able to go back to the hotel and really study and think about those laps and what he learned. When he returned for the remaining 2 days, he felt confident and just concentrated on what he needed to improve on.

Then on the 9th and 10th of this month, Brandon headed to Texas Motor Speedway for more ARCA testing. His father accompanied him that time, as well. He finished 2nd out of 21 cars testing. No small feat.

“Texas is a whole different animal than Daytona,” McReynolds continued. “At Daytona you fight handling a little bit, but, it’s pretty much wide open. You have to work with the draft and understand it, but, Texas is totally different. It’s really, really fast. I think our average speed around there was 186 which means somewhere around 200 getting off of the corners and you’ve got to let off there and fight handling and stuff like that, so it was cool. Eddie said whether you’re 20th or first you can’t underestimate that place because you’ll get in trouble in a hurry. So we went down there and I stood on top of the hauler for the first few minutes of practice. Scott Wimmer was there helping  RCR (Richard Childress Racing) out so I watched him get some pretty good lap times. Then I went out there and ran 4 laps and they told me I was top of the charts and to shut the motor off. I was like, there’s no way, but, they said to come on in and they’d work on it a little bit. Man that was awesome! That’s one of the fastest places ARCA or NASCAR goes to, so hopefully we’ll get the chance to go back there and race in April.”

Right now Brandon and McReynolds Racing are working hard to find the sponsorship that will allow him to run some upper series’ races. Several possibilities are being examined. Testing results at two of the toughest tracks on the upper series’ schedule show this young man has what it takes to get the job done with quality equipment. And ability is definitely a part of his genetic make up, obviously. All of that doesn’t matter, however, says young McReynolds,

“If you don’t have sponsorship to get involved with one of the better teams, you pretty much don’t have anything. It’s really tough to swallow that pill because it’s like you’re running faster than some of the RCR cars and cars involved with Penske and then nothing comes out of it. I think if we can get some sponsorship we will do okay. Eddie Sharp’s equipment is good enough and I think I’m where I need to be, as far as a racecar driver, so that we could prove to some of these people that I’ve got what it takes. We’ve talked to a lot of big name teams and they know my ability, but, the number one question is money. That’s just how it is.”

They have hopes of running 3 ARCA races this season. I hope he gets the chance. And so do, according to today’s Facebook figures, 1285 Facebook followers. They have the chance to actually interact with Brandon. I check in there from time to time and enjoy reading the posts between him and his fans.

“I think social networking is a huge hit right now. I like Twitter a lot, but, Facebook is more like a personal thing. I think this is really helping NASCAR right now because instead of seeing (only) the corporate side of people, Johnson or Logano or whoever, the fans get to see a personal side, what those guys or what I’m doing this week. Any opportunity I get, whether it’s racing or it’s personal, it’s nice to be able to give this (type of) attention to the fans. It’s neat to see how it’s grown (the number of fans on Facebook) and it’s neat to see the number of emails we get at brandonmcreynolds.com. It’s neat to see all the responses to some of the successes we’ve had at the start of this year, whether it’s testing or some of the late model races we are announcing that we’re going to run. It’s just cool to know some people care. I mean, I don’t need someone behind me patting me on the back, but, it does feel good just to know someone is out there and someone’s listening. The fans get a comfortable feeling when they know they can be a part of something, as well.”

“I just want the fans to keep watching racing. I know it’s tough right now, and I’m not dogging on Dale Jr in no way at all, but I know that things with him are going slow and he’s really the heartbeat to our sport . I just want to say stick with racing. It’s going back to the grass roots like they said. This year NASCAR is letting guys do whatever they want. It was really neat to sit in a NASCAR rookie meeting and see the next generation of NASCAR drivers. It’s kind of good to know who you’re going up against. No way will this new set of racecar drivers take Jeff Gordon or Dale Jr or Jimmie Johnson, or any of these great racecar drivers off the platform. Those guys will always be at the top and always be doing good things. But, I think if we (the new group of rookies) can come in and work with those guys and understand where they’re coming from and they understand where we’re coming from and maybe do some good things in NASCAR, then maybe it can add, not character, but maybe some more personality which is what I think NASCAR needs right now.”

I really like this young man. Brandon is not only a talented young driver, but, he is very business/sponsor smart. We talked at length about the commitment between driver and sponsor, Brandon referring to it as a “relationship”. He has learned the very important “other” part to successful competition. Brandon is so young, but, he jumps right in to an interview with wisdom and eagerness beyond his years. He is confident in his abilities, yet anything but boastful. He is knowledgeable, yet listens to suggestions and others opinions. He wants to be known as a racecar driver, yet is so very proud of his father and family. The young man appears to me to have everything he needs except funding. Personally, I hope he finds it very soon. I think he is exactly what this sport needs. He’s handsome, personable and very likeable. He values all aspects of this sport and knows without the fans, there is no sport. What is not to like?

Brandon, I hope you get to run those 3 ARCA races and more this year. And for those who are interested, you can follow Brandon on Facebook. I think you will enjoy the experience. And for more information on Brandon and their plans for 2010 be sure to check out his website at www.brandonmcreynolds.com

Good luck and I look forward to speaking with you again soon.

ATHENS, GA (March 17, 2010) – There are those who say stats are just numbers, but they likely haven’t seen 20 year-old David Wilson’s stats. The Florida-born ‘driving machine’ has racked up an unbelievable 122 top-ten finishes in 146 starts during his career. To bolster that figure, Wilson has laid claim to 52 wins, 18 poles, and 109 top-five’s.

Wilson was the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series North Carolina Rookie-of-the-year in 2009, which he used three victories to help achieve. He finished third in both the Dwight Huffman Memorial and Firecracker 150.

Amazingly, there is an even brighter light shining on Wilson’s 2009 season; he took the pole and the win in his first-ever USAR Pro Cup Series start. USAR Pro Cup Series racing is and has always been one of the toughest proving grounds in motorsports, but Wilson is ready to solidify his win, and show skeptics that he is no fluke.

Kirk May Racing of Athens, GA is proud to announce that David Wilson will join Ryan Heavner as a teammate for the full 2010 USAR pro Cup Series schedule. Wilson will be fielding the #41 Elite Auto Collision / McCallister Precision Marketing Chevrolet, beginning with the season-opening event at Gresham Motorsports (GA) Park on March 27.

“I am excited to be with Kirk May Racing,” said Wilson. “I am surrounded by a great group of guys, including my teammate: Ryan Heavner. Ilook forward to racing out of the same stables with Ryan. We will work well together. It will be great to share information and learn from one another.”

Kirk May seems equally excited to have Wilson on-board with Heavner and the rest of the existing KMR staff.

“We just couldn’t ask for a better package than Wilson and Heavner,” stated a cheerful May. “These guys are on their way to the top, and we are thrilled to have them here at KMR. I believe that they are two professionals who will work very well together and compliment each other. We are really looking forward to getting to Gresham on March 27 and to the rest of the Pro Cup season.”

McCallister Precision Marketing has a long history of providing the sole marketing representation for Kirk May Racing and all of their drivers. The staff at MPM is excited to market such a high caliber of driver as Wilson, and it was the MPM team who brought he and May together.

“MPM is extremely pleased to represent David Wilson,” said Tonya McCallister of McCallister Precision Marketing. “He has a tremendous amount of talent.” David is a threat to win in any race he enters. By partnering David’s talent with KMR and his successful program and staff, he will easily make them a 2010 USAR championship contender.”

- Kirk May Racing Press Release

USARacing Pro Cup Series Logo

“We welcome FLUIDYNE High Performance to the USARacing Pro Cup Series,” said Jimmy Wilson, Vice President and Series Director for the series. “These innovative cooling products will be a great benefit to our competitors. We look forward to having FLUIDYNE affiliated with the Pro Cup Series for a long time into the future.”

Based in Mooresville, N.C., FLUIDYNE High Performance manufactures cooling products for a wide variety of cooling applications including all-aluminum radiators, water-to-oil heat exchangers and aluminum oil coolers for engines, rear ends, power steering units and transmissions of all types.

“All of us at FLUIDYNE are thrilled about our new association with USARacing and look forward to attending the Pro Cup Series races and working closely with the Series’ participants,” said Owner/President Gary Johnson, who started FLUIDYNE in 1993. “In recent years we have tried to reconnect with the grass roots racers across this great country and we feel like the Pro Cup Series offers the perfect setting to achieve that objective.”

During it’s nearly 20 years of service to the High Performance Industry, FLUIDYNE has provided cooling solutions for racing applications that range from Dirt Tracks to Super Speedways and from off-road venues like Baja to the Salt Flats at Bonneville. To learn more about the products and services available from FLUIDYNE High Performance, please visit their website at www.fluidyne.com.

The USARacing Pro Cup Series, formerly Hooters Pro Cup, is owned by Interstate Investment Group (IIG) and is based in Concord, N.C. For more information on USARacing, visit www.usarprocup.com.

- USARacing Pro Cup Series Press Release

Gresham Motorsports Park Logo

Effective immediately, DOT street tires will be allowed on cars competing in the division. According to GMP General Manager Dan Elliott, the change should benefit racers and fans alike.

“The Renegade Street Stock Division is a real fan favorite and we want to make sure we provide as many cars and drivers as possible an opportunity to race in this class at our track,” said Elliott stated. “We feel we can make the switch to the DOT tire now that the track has some ‘seasoning’ to it. We’re paying $300 to win the main event in Renegade division, so along with the more economical DOT tire rule, we’re really looking forward to having more Street Stock cars come and race with us.”

For more information about the Renegade Street Stock Division rules at GMP, please check the 2010 Rules section on www.GreshamMotorsportsPark.com.

The Renegades will be one of the featured divisions at GMP’s next event on Saturday, March 27. In addition to the thrill-a-minute Street Stocks, the USARacing Pro Cup cars will compete in a 250-lap main event. The always exciting Outlaw Late Models will complete the racing card at the March 27 GMP speedtacular.

Adult Tickets for the Saturday, March 27 event are just $25 and are available at http://GreshamMotorsportsPark.ticketforce.com

And remember – if you have a ticket stub from the Saturday, March 13 season opener at GMP, you’ll get $5 off an adult Grandstand or Trackside Parking admission at the GMP ticket window the day of the event courtesy of Jim Gresham and Gresham Motorsports Park.

Finally, don’t forget to attend the Georgia Electric Car Rally at Gresham Motorsports Park this Saturday, March 20. The event – which begins at 9 a.m. Saturday – will feature several schools and different types of electric vehicles in multiple competitions.

The event is free of charge to the public.

- Gresham Motorsports Park Press Release

South Boston Speedway Logo

That is the advance forecast for Saturday afternoon from the National Weather Service for South Boston, Va. And, that is good news to race fans and competitors as America’s Hometown Track is slated to return to action with the running of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model 150 racing program. The event will have a special 2 p.m. starting time.

The racing engines roared to life last weekend at South Boston Speedway; however, Mother Nature did not cooperate in getting all five scheduled events in before rains doused the four-tenths mile asphalt oval. Rain checks from last weekend’s partially rained out event will be honored for this week’s event only at South Boston Speedway. Grandstand ticket stubs from the March 13 event must be presented.

Highlighting the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model 150 racing program on March 20 will be a 150-lap event for the drivers in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Late Model Stock Car Division.

Last weekend, one of two 75-lap races for the division were completed before rain washed out the remainder of the program and defending division champion Justin Johnson scored a triumph in the season-opening event. Johnson moved into the lead position on the 63rd circuit, just one lap before rain began falling on the four-tenths mile oval, forcing the race to end under caution.

Also scheduled as part of this weekend’s five-race program will be a race for the Limited Sportsman Division, twin races for the drivers in the Budweiser Pure Stock Division and competition for the touring Legendary Flathead Series.

Justin Snow claimed a victory in the season-opening Limited Sportsman Division race on March 13 after starting from the pole and leading all 50 laps.

Pit registration will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday. Practice for all divisions will be held from 10:30 a.m. until noon and qualifying time trials will get underway at 12:45 p.m. Grandstand gates will open at noon. Adult admission is $10 with children, ages 7-12, admitted for $5 and children six and under admitted free with a paying adult.

For more information visit the track’s Web site or phone the track at (434) 572-4947 or toll free at 1-877-440-1540.

- South Boston Speedway Press Release

Cory Joyce

Last season Joyce enjoyed a successful rookie campaign in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Limited Late Model Division at Hickory Motor Speedway. His first career win coupled with 12 top-five finishes in 16 races helped Cory claim Rookie of the Year honors at Hickory. Results from limited late model competition fueled the interest to move to USAR Pro Cup racing.

After making the decision to take the next step in Cory’s career, Cory Joyce Racing began a full assault to put together a successful program for the 2010 USAR schedule. Much to the dismay of the team and its supporters, proper resources haven’t surfaced to complete that program.

“Due to sponsorship we’re going to attempt a limited Pro Cup schedule, but we’re definitely not giving up on our plan,” driver Cory Joyce expressed. “It’s unfortunate that a lack of sponsorship support is holding me back from getting into the Pro Cup car, but we’re fortunate to have the limited late model we had great success with last year.”

Not losing focus on his racing endeavors, Cory will attempt to compete in as many events with his late model as possible. “I’m glad that I’ll be able to stay on the track while we continue our efforts lining up sponsorship, and I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel.”

While continuing with late model racing, Joyce and his team are continuing to search, determined to find the resources and funding they need to get back on track. The team is also prepping to make the journey to Motor Mile Speedway on Saturday, April 3rd, where Cory will make his first attempt to race on the .416 asphalt oval in his No. 33 Limited Late Model.

Stay tuned to CoryJoyce.com for updates on Cory and the team.

- Cory Joyce Racing Press Release

Revolution Racing Logo

Also for Revolution Racing, Becca Kasten (eighth and eighth) and Megan Reitenour (13th and 11th) made their season debuts in the twin Late Model features at Greenville Pickens.

“We ran good tonight, all things considered,” said Cherry. “We had the carburetor issue in the first race that really took us out of contention, so it was good to rebound in the second race and run up front with the leaders. I’m happy to get out of here with a solid top-five finish and the Distribution One late model in one piece.”

Cherry, driving the No. 6 Distribution One Late Model, qualified third for the first 50-lap event but knew early on that his car wasn’t running as it should. By lap 10, he had slipped to the tail end of the field. A well timed caution allowed Cherry the opportunity to bring his car in for the necessary repairs. He restarted 14th on lap 12 and worked his way back to a seventh-place finish.

Cherry started the second race where he finished the first, in the seventh spot. A long green-flag run spread out the field and Cherry knew a restart would be his only shot at picking off the leaders. A series of late race cautions bunched up the field, helping Cherry move from seventh to fourth. On the final restart, Cherry made the pass for third but couldn’t hold on to the position. He settled for a fourth-place finish.

Kasten piloted the No. 5 D4D Crew Member Development Program presented by Sprint Late Model to a pair of eighth-place finishes, despite trouble in qualifying.

“We had the car where we wanted it in final practice and I just messed up in qualifying,” said Kasten, who was competing at Greenville Pickens Speedway for the first time. “We had to start at the tail end of the field but I was able to pick up some spots and get some experience racing with these guys.”

Reitenour had limited practice time at Greenville Pickens Speedway on Saturday due to an engine change for the No. 1 Revolution Racing Late Model. Reitenour qualified 12th and finished 13th and 11th in the Twin 50 events.

“I was out there trying to get all I could out of it,” said Reitenour. “In the first race, I could catch [the field] in the corners but I had nothing for them on the straightaway. We picked up a little bit for the second race and I thought we had a shot at a top 10, but we came up just a little short tonight.”

Cherry, Kasten and Reitenour will return to action April 2 at Tri-County Motor Speedway in Hudson, N.C. Their Revolution Racing teammates – Jessica Brunelli, Katie Hagar and Jason Romero – will make their late model season debut at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway on March 20.

About Revolution Racing

Headquartered in Mooresville, N.C., Revolution Racing, owned by Max Siegel and John Story, brings together championship caliber executives, competition staff and equipment in a unique academy-style environment. Revolution currently operates four NASCAR K&N Pro Series East teams, under the direction of four-time K&N Pro Series champion Andy Santerre, and six NASCAR Whelen All‐American Series teams, led by former Greenville-Pickens (S.C.) Speedway track champion Blair Addis. In addition, Revolution Racing manages a youth racing initiative that allows kids ages 8-14 to compete in the INEX Bandolero and INEX Legend cars. The team also trains aspiring female and minority pit crew athletes through the Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development program presented by Sprint.

- Revolution Racing Press Release

Bristol Motor Speedway Logo

Drivers who are competing in the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown Saturday, March 20, will be captaining cornhole teams while Carl Edwards will be the tournament host that evening.

A total of 10 teams which have pre-registered for the Cornhole Classic will be selected to team up with the legendary drivers. Participating are David Pearson, Harry Gant, Dave Marcis, L.D. Ottinger, Charlie Glotzbach, Tommy Houston, Jack Ingram, Jimmy Hensley, Phil Parsons and Rick Wilson.

All 10 EZ Seed Showdown drivers also will take part in an autograph session from 5:30-6:30 at the Scotts Turf Builder Cornhole Classic, which takes place in the display area at BMS (the paved lot between the Speedway and the creek). The Classic will start at 6:30 p.m.

The two-person teams, along with their NASCAR captain, will compete for Irwin Tools Night Race tickets, as well an autographed cornhole board that will be signed by all 10 NASCAR drivers Carl Edwards at the tournament that evening.

The Scotts Turf Builder Cornhole Classic is a three-day tournament with the championship set for Sunday, March 21.

Teams play for some great prizes, including $500, suite seats to the Food City 250 and the Irwin Tools Night Race Aug. 20-21, a camping space for the August race weekend, and trophies which will be awarded to the overall champion. The runner-up will receive $200 and suite seats to the Food City 250.

Two 64-team double-elimination qualifying tournaments take place March 19 and 20. The top finishers in the qualifiers receive $200, Irwin Tools Night Race tickets and trophies for first, $150, Food City 250 tickets and trophies for second, and ACO cornhole board sets for third place.

The top four teams in each qualifying tournament advance to Sunday’s championship tournament to determine the Scotts Turf Builder Cornhole Classic champs.

Cost to enter is $40 per team. Each player on each team receives a goody bag and a t-shirt. Teams may register now at www.bristol.speedwaycharities.org.

For an alternative method of entry, email Barbara Kaiser-Pigg at barbara@bristolmotorspeedway.com.

All proceeds from the Cornhole Classic will benefit the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for children’s agencies in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. In the first 12 years of its existence, the Bristol Chapter of SCC has raised in excess of $12 million.

Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The Company, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the following premier facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Infineon Raceway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. The Company provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties subsidiaries; manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars and parts through its 600 Racing subsidiary; and produces and broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to radio stations nationwide through its Performance Racing Network subsidiary. The Company also equally-owns Motorsports Authentics, a joint venture formed with International Speedway Corporation to produce, market and sell licensed motorsports merchandise. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.speedwaymotorsports.com

- Bristol Motor Speedway, Press Releae

Austin, TX 3/11/10- Over the past few years Casey Smith has owned the South Alabama Speedway when it comes to super late model racing, however, the track’s biggest event deemed the Rattler 250 has always given Smith problems for one reason or another. After a qualifying mechanical mishap it looked to be more of the same for Smith, but lady luck finally shined its light on Casey rewarding him and his Texas based team with a solid third place podium finish.

“It wouldn’t be a Rattler 250 for Casey Smith Racing unless we had some kind of problem,” laughed Smith after bringing home his best career Rattler 250 finish out of his four previous attempts. “For some reason or another we always have some kind of mechanical problem or get wrecked out early every year at this race and it was more of the same this year. It was just that this year it happened to us in qualifying and not the race so we were able to bring home a third place finish.”

The gremlin Smith was referring to was a broken trailing arm bolt that let loose during his qualifying run almost resulting in a wrecked racecar. Fortunately for Casey, his 2009 Alabama 100 win guaranteed him a starting position of tenth or better for the 2010 Rattler, thus allowing him to take the green flag from the outside of row five.

Even though it took time and effort, Smith methodically worked his all new looking #99 Rapid Disposal Chevy Impala all the way through traffic and was passing for the lead at the race’s halfway point when the yellow flag waived in the air for the event’s mandatory halfway caution. The team added fresh rubber and fuel and made an adjustment to tighten the car up a bit for the final run to the finish.

As the field went back green Casey jumped to the lead for several laps before settling in to the top three of the next sixty plus laps when the leader pitted for tires. With lapped cars to the inside each restart was a crucial one, and for Smith, battling with lap cars was not what the doctor ordered to have a shot at the race win.

“We just couldn’t race with Fultz (Jeff Fultz) on the short run; we needed really long runs in order to have a shot at the win. We tightened up the car a bit too much on that halfway break but I think we had a car that could have finished second so it was a little disappointing. As a racer you want the best finish you are capable and I think we had a second place car, but regardless this was a great Rattler for us especially compared to years past and it’s a great way to start off our 2010 season,” stated Smith.

Stay tuned to www.caseysmithracing.com for all the latest news and information regarding Casey Smith and be on the lookout for an all new Casey Smith Racing website design coming soon

- Casey Smith Racing Press Release

USARacing Pro Cup Series Logo

The popular special event race returns to Bristol again in 2010 and features some of the top drivers in NASCAR history racing wheel to wheel immediately following the Scotts Turf Builder 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race earlier in the day. Drivers will be competing in cars provided by the USARacing Pro Cup Series. The race is scheduled for 35 laps and caution laps do not count. The event will be carried live on ESPN beginning at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time.

With live television coverage and a huge grandstand audience, the special event is a tremendous opportunity for the USARacing Pro Cup Series, which returns to the .533-mile speedway September 11 for a 200-lap race.

“With live coverage on ESPN and being able to say that we’ve had drivers like Harry Gant and Cale Yarborough in a USARacing Pro Cup car, I think it’s absolutely huge,” Jimmy Wilson, Vice President and Series Director for the USARacing Pro Cup Series. “And to be competing in our cars in that arena at Bristol in front of the Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series personnel is huge. It’s going to be instrumental in driving fans to our race when the Pro Cup Series comes back to Bristol on September 11.”

Tommy Houston, a 24-time NASCAR Nationwide Series race winner, is eager to compete in the event.

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Houston. “I really thank all the people at Bristol who thought about me and invited me to come over there and be able to be part of this. I think it’s going to be a fun deal to be able to race against a lot of the guys that I made a lot of laps with and against.”

Houston says one his most memorable races at Bristol came when he and Harry Gant raced hard for the win. Gant was credited with the win but Houston still has his doubts.

“Harry Gant and I were dueling pretty good for the lead and he wound up winning the race but had a flat about three or four laps to go,” Houston said. “I passed him two or three times and I was sure that we’d won the race and they said no, Harry had won the race. We checked the scoring and we went back through that deal but they eventually gave it to Harry. I still feel pretty certain that we won that race [laughs].”

Other drivers scheduled to compete in the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown:

L.D. Ottinger Rick Wilson

Charlie Glotzbach Dave Marcis

Cale Yarborough Phil Parsons

Jack Ingram Jimmy Hensley

David Pearson Harry Gant

Larry Pearson

The USARacing Pro Cup Series will open its 2010 season with a 250-lap race March 27 at Gresham (Jefferson, Ga.) Motorsports Park. For more information visit www.greshammotorsportpark.com or www.usarprocup.com.

- USARacing Pro Cup Series Press Release

Gresham Motorsports Park Logo

Heading the list of new associates this year is Northeast Georgia, Inc., franchisee of 11 area McDonalds restaurants. The company’s partnership Gresham Motorsports Park will include several cross promotions throughout 2010 including McDonalds Night – complete with an appearance by Ronald McDonald – on Saturday, October 9.

Additionally, McDonalds associates will be on hand to distribute coupons for a free Southern Style Chicken Sandwich and Southern Style Chicken Biscuit to all fans attending the season-opening event at Gresham Motorsports Park this Saturday, March 13.

“We’re very excited to be involved with such a premier race facility in North Georgia,” stated Kimberly Scott, Director of Operations at Northeast Georgia, Inc. “We know this partnership will be a good one for the community and for all the local businesses in the area as well.

“We’re thrilled Ronald McDonald will be at Gresham Motorsports Park on October 9,” Scott continued. “We hope all the children and their parents will come out and have some fun at that event.”

Also joining the list of GMP partners this season is Hometown Community Bank, the Official Bank of Gresham Motorsports Park and Funopolis Family Fun Center in Commerce, GA. Funopolis will provide playground activities and intermission entertainment at Gresham Motorsports Park this season as well as host a NASCAR/Fan Fun Night on Friday, August 27, the day prior to the GMP NASCAR K&N Pro Series East event.

Meanwhile, Tanger Outlet Stores located at Banks Crossing in Commerce, GA returns to the list of GMP partners in 2010 as does Monolith Companies, an Alpharetta, GA company that specializes in hotel renovation services. Monolith will again sponsor Pole Position Awards including the Monolith Pole Award for the 2010 World Crown 300.

Johnson and Bryan Insurance, a full-service commercial insurance brokerage firm since 1931, is back again with GMP in 2010 as is KFC / Taco Bell of Jefferson, GA.

Simpson Trucking and Grading, a Gainesville, GA company, Thomas Concrete – one of the largest ready mix concrete producers in Georgia – and Chapman Fence Company , all major contractors in the 2009 total facility renovation at Gresham Motorsports Park in 2010, have partnered with GMP in 2010.

CARQUEST Auto Parts of Jefferson, GA and Automotive Parts and Supply, a CARQUEST Auto Parts dealer in Commerce have again joined forces with Gresham Motorsports Park in 2010 as has US Auto Sales, Atlanta’s biggest ‘Buy Here, Pay Here’ dealer with more than 800 vehicles in inventory at 11 convenient Atlanta metro locations.

Racing Radios will again be the official Radio Communications Partner at GMP providing radio equipment to the track while Pruitt Performance, a top Georgia race car, hot rod and muscle car engine and parts shop is back on board as s sponsor of GMP in 2010.

Companies interested in being part of the Gresham Motorsports Park family of official partners are encouraged to call GMP General Manager Dan Elliott at 706-367-9461.

Gresham Motorsports Park will open its 2010 racing season with a multi-division spectacular on Saturday, March 13. That event will be headlined by a Champion Racing Association (CRA) 125-lap Super Late Model feature. Also on the March 13 GMP season-opening program will be the Outlaw Late Models, Trucks, Renegade Street Stocks and the US Legends International and Bandoleros.

About Gresham Motorsports Park

Opened as Jefco Speedway with a NASCAR Late Model Sportsman (now Nationwide) race in 1967, Gresham Motorsports Park has served the auto racing community for more than 40 years. The half-mile asphalt oval located just outside Jefferson, GA underwent a complete renovation in 2009. In 2010, the multi-use motorsports facility will host a wide range of Stock Car Racing events including the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, USARacing Pro Cup Series, Super, Pro and Outlaw Late Models, Trucks Street Stocks and US Legends International competition. Additionally, Jackson County’s largest event center will be the site of numerous other events including Drifting and Motorcycle shows, local and regional Craft Shows, Car Shows, Concerts and other community activities. For more information about Gresham Motorsports Park – or to enquire about booking a 2010 event at the facility – please log on to www.GreshamMotorsportsPark.com

- Gresham Motorsports Park Press Release

South Boston Speedway Logo

Highlighting the afternoon of racing will be a pair of 75-lap shootouts for the drivers in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Late Model Stock Car Division.

In addition to the twin 75-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Late Model Stock Car events, Saturday’s five-race program will also include events for the Limited Sportsman Division, the Budweiser Pure Stock Division and the Southern Vintage Modifieds.

A host of competitors from all divisions were on hand last weekend for South Boston Speedway’s annual Open Practice and Media Day and the competition is expected to be intense on the four-tenths mile asphalt oval this weekend as well.

“We are very excited about getting the season started,” South Boston Speedway General Manager Cathy Rice said. “We know our competitors are anxious to begin racing and our fans are also looking forward to the new season.”

The 2010 campaign will mark the 53rd year for America’s Hometown Track. This weekend’s event will mark the first of back-to-back weekends of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action at South Boston Speedway. A full slate of races is also planned for Saturday, March 20, when the green flag will also wave at 2 p.m.

Pit registration will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 13. Practice for all divisions will be held from 10:30 a.m. until noon and qualifying time trials will get underway at 12:45 p.m. Grandstand gates will open at noon and admission will once again be $10 for adults and children six and under will be admitted free.

For more information visit the track’s Web site or phone the track at (434) 572-4947 or toll free at 1-877-440-1540.

- South Boston Speedway Press Release

Mooresville, NC 3/11/10- With the inaugural Crooks Racing Short Track Racing Seminar just weeks away, all indications point to a very successful event in its first year. Preparations are now in full swing as the seminar taking place at Moncton, New Brunswick’s Coastal Inn on March 20th-21st is filling up quickly with pre-registered attendees, only leaving seventeen seats remaining for those who have not registered.

“So far I have been really pleased with the response we’ve gotten from people who are excited to learn the new technology that has translated to success for myself and my clients over the years,” stated Crooks. “We still have a few seats left but we’re hoping we can get those seats sold for those who plan on signing up on the day of the event.”

The instructional seminar will focus on in depth racecar setup for the short track racer. Roll centers, front end geometry, bump stop setups, and track tuning in addition to much more will all be covered. The seminar will be a first of its kind and will not only feature instructional information but each pre-registered attendee will receive a DVD copy of the entire two day seminar so they can easily refer to the knowledge they will be presented throughout the racing season. In addition, each and every attendee will be automatically registered for several seminar giveaways courtesy of the various vendors taking part in the activities. ARP Bodies, RE Suspension, Advance Racewear, R&D Performance, Tex Motorsports Marketing, and Brunhoelzl Pit Equipment are just a few of the confirmed supporters of the inaugural event.

Registration for the 2010 seminar can be completed via the Crooks Racing website at www.crooksracinginc.com. Attendees can still pre-register completely on the Crooks racing website by clicking the PayPal button. The cost of the seminar for one team member is $549.95 or you can save by registering two individuals for $995.95. For registered attendees who need accommodations, the Coastal Inn has reserved a block of ten rooms at a special discount rate of $99 per night when mentioning you are attending the “Crooks Racing Short Track Seminar”.

For more information or to register for the Crooks Racing Short Track Racing Seminar visit www.crooksracinginc.com or call Gary Crooks directly at 704-224-6672.

- Crooks Racing Press Release