Martinsville Speedway

In town to help promote the March 28th Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Gordon spent a couple of hours with third and fourth graders at Patrick Henry Elementary School. It was an eye-opener to say the least.

“Things have changed a lot, a whole lot since I was in school,” said Gordon, who has a four-year-old daughter and a second child on the way. “Especially now that I’m a parent it’s an education for me to see what I’ll be going through in a few years, seeing what the kids are learning these days. It’s been a while since I’ve visited a school…don’t think I have since I’ve been a parent and I see it in a whole different perspective now.”

Patrick Henry principal Dr. Joan Montgomery led Gordon and a large media contingent on a tour of the school, making stops along the way in classes outfitted with electronic and computer learning aids that would rival the electronics in Gordon’s race shop. Patrick Henry Elementary School is a 2009 Distinguished Title 1 School and a School of Excellence, according to the Virginia Board of Education

In one class, students had prepared a racing version of Jeopardy with a Smart Board projected on a wall. Gordon selected the topic and money amount and the answer appeared on the wall awaiting Gordon to come up with the question, just like the TV version. The fix was in though. The students had come up with math problems that all had the same answer: 24 … the number of Gordon’s car.

“Are all the answers 24?” Gordon asked with a laugh. “I think I’m going to like this game.”

Gordon’s tour took him through several more classrooms, including one where he appeared to be stumped on a question involving the metric system and another class where he was serenaded in Spanish by a fourth-grade Spanish class.

The tour ended in the school’s library where students who had written essays with “Why I Like Jeff Gordon” as the topic had gathered for the chance to meet the four-time Spring Cup champion. Several were selected to read their essays.

“He’s my favorite, favorite of all drivers,” read Aidan Hart. “He’s my favorite even on my video game.”

“I think it’s important to meet him because he is a delightful gentleman,” Anasia Flood read as she stood beside Gordon in front of her classmates.

Chad Monday praised Gordon’s concern for others. “He has raised and donated millions of dollars to his foundation.”

And then Monday admitted that Gordon really wasn’t his favorite NASCAR driver, which doubled Gordon over with laughter.

“Jeff Gordon is my second favorite race car driver. My favorite race car driver is Kyle Busch But I like them both better than Jimmie Johnson.”

Tickets for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 on Sunday, March 28, the Kroger 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday, March 27 and the Duracell Battery Kroger Pole Day on Friday, March 26 are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.racetickets.com.

Tickets for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 begin at just $25.

- Martinsville Speedway, Press Release

“Dale Earnhardt: The Legend Lives” – available nationwide March 30 for .99.

The 100-page book celebrates every step of Earnhardt’s rise through NASCAR’s ranks, from turning a wrench on his daddy’s late-model sedans to showing his youngest boy, Dale Jr., the quickest way around a track. The stories and rich photography show sides of Earnhardt rarely seen by fans, told by those who knew him best: his son, Dale Jr., his team owner, Richard Childress, his gas man, Chocolate Myers, and NASCAR’s CEO, Brian France; along with a team of the most respected motorsports writers in the business—Ed Hinton, Ryan McGee and Marty Smith, to name a few.

Dale Earnhardt on the cover of ESPN The Magazine.

FEATURES INCLUDE:

ALONG FOR THE RIDE

Being a passenger with Dale at the wheel was anything but dull. BY ED HINTON

FIRST-CLASS DRIVERS

Junior Johnson and Richard Petty remember their Hall of Fame classmate. BY RYAN MCGEE

THE WHOLE PACKAGE

Earnhardt changed NASCAR with his mind as much as with his right foot. BY BRIAN FRANCE

FATHER KNEW BEST

Dale didn’t finish school, but his daddy gave him a true education. BY RYAN MCGEE

RIGHT BESIDE HIM

Teresa Earnhardt is the engine that’s kept DEI going. BY MIKE HEMBREE

THE DALE TRAIL

Pilgrims flock to Kannapolis to uncover their hero’s roots. BY RYAN MCGEE

SON OF A GUN

Add to the legend this tale of a boy, a dad, a toy car and a pistol. BY MARTY SMITH

TOTAL ACCESS: THE JUNKYARD DOGS

No. 3‘s infamous gas man takes us over the wall. By CHOCOLATE MYERS

THE WINNING CUT

Think Dale was intimidating on the track? Try cutting his hair. BY MARTY SMITH

“I WISH I COULD’VE RACED HIM”

Today’s top driver remembers his first encounter with Big E. BY JIMMIE JOHNSON

- ESPN Communications, Press Release

The NASCAR Foundation

• The NASCAR Day commercial will debut this weekend encouraging fans to “Get Your Pin On.” The overall message of the campaign is that with just a $5 donation, you can help support The NASCAR Foundation’s efforts to help children live happier, healthier lives

o   Numerous industry insiders are featured in the commercial including Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Greg Biffle, David Ragan, Mike Skinner, Todd Bodine, Alan Gustafson, Darrell Waltrip, Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds and more

o   See behind the scenes photos and footage from the commercial shoot at the NASCAR Day fan page (www.facebook.com/NASCARFoundation)

o   Click here for your sneak preview of the 2010 NASCAR Day commercial

Notes for Bristol:

• The NASCAR Foundation has partnered with Speedway Children’s Charities to have NASCAR Day pins available to fans at the Speedway Children’s Charities rig in the fan midway at BMS
• NASCAR Nationwide Series driver James Buescher will be out at the Foundation’s booth at the Sprint Experience on Saturday at 11am to sign autographs for fans who have a NASCAR Day pin
• Miss Motor Speedway representatives will be out at the booth Saturday and Sunday collecting donations
• Fans can always make their donation online for a pin at WWW.NASCAR.COM/NASCARDay

General Facts About NASCAR Day:

• Started in 2004
• Has raised nearly $8 million for charity since it began
• Past celebrity spokespeople include Will Ferrell, Kelly Clarkson, Garth Brooks and Kevin Costner
• “The Big Five” projects include: renovation and race theme decoration of a portion of the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in Atlanta, Ga.; partnering with Bank of America for a racing-themed educational initiative at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.; working with Sprint, Inc. for a playground build at the Kansas City Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City, Mo.; A Place for Hope project outside Charlotte, N.C., and a youth initiative at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
• Fans are encouraged to bring their family and friends to a NASCAR Day service project and experience how together they can improve the lives of those we care about the most.

Visit WWW.NASCAR.COM/NASCARDay to register as a NASCAR Day team member, to find out about volunteer opportunities or to learn more about how The NASCAR Foundation is helping children in need.

- The NASCAR Foundation, Press Release

Talladega Superspeedway

The Easter Bunny will start the event by judging the Easter Basket competition and pose for pictures with the children.  The winner of the Easter Basket competition will get a special prize this year, a 3-foot stuffed Lucky Dog provided by Aaron’s.

When it’s time to hunt for eggs, kids will find that 17,500 plastic eggs stuffed with candy and prizes have been hidden throughout the infield.  50 eggs have special prize slips for an 18-inch stuffed Lucky Dog redeemable at the Aaron’s tent.  Many other eggs have been stuffed with prize slips for Talladega Superspeedway merchandise, redeemable at the Talladega Superspeedway TOW Unit.

“This will be our largest Easter Egg Hunt to date,” said Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch.  “Each year we have increased the number of eggs we hide and the number of activities we have during the day.  And, each year, more and more guests show their support for the track and attend ready to hunt eggs.  We look forward to welcoming everyone for the day and making it our best Easter Egg Hunt yet.”

A detailed list of events follows:

● Easter Basket Contest – Kids are encouraged to decorate their own Easter baskets and arrive with them ready for judging!  Everyone should arrive a little early in order to park, because the Easter Basket Contest will be held as soon as the event begins at 10 a.m.

● Egg Hunts By Age Group – The hunt for prize-filled eggs will begin at 10:30 a.m. for kids age 1 through 3. Then at 10:45 a.m., kids age 4 through 6 will participate in a hunt, followed by kids age 7 through 10 at 11:00 a.m.

● Visit With The Easter Bunny– The Easter Bunny will be available to pose for pictures with eager egg hunters during the event.

● Face Painting – Face painters from Starshine Faces will be ready to create miniature masterpieces on the cheeks of all who visit.

● Refreshments – Two of Talladega Superspeedway’s official sponsors, Pepsi and Golden Flake, will provide refreshments and snacks.

● Prizes– Talladega Superspeedway sponsor Aaron’s will have a display with prizes for the Easter Basket contest and the Easter Egg Hunt, plus handouts to be given away throughout the day.

● Displays and Games –Talladega Superspeedway Pace Cars, the Talladega On Wheels promotions vehicle, displays from the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, Dodge trucks and cars and various other special vehicles utilized by the track will be on display for all to enjoy.

The April 23 -25 Aaron’s Dream Weekend begins a new era at Talladega Superspeedway with new rules, new seats and new lower ticket prices.  For more information on tickets to Talladega Superspeedway, please visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA. For our hearing impaired guests, please call TDD 1-866-ISC-TRAK (1-866-472-8725). Tickets also are available in person by visiting the Talladega Superspeedway Ticket Office from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. CDT, Monday- Friday.

- Talladega Superspeedway, Press Release

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Logo

The two-day session is devoted entirely to spoiler work. Spoilers will replace the current wings on backs of cars beginning with the March 26-28 race weekend at Martinsville Speedway, and this test gives teams and officials the opportunity to fine-tune variables.

Approximately 24 teams participated in this week’s test at Talladega Superspeedway, where spoiler work was included among other mechanical tests for the NASCAR Sprint Cup event on Sunday, April 25 at Talladega.

NASCAR Vice President for Competition Robin Pemberton said that the Charlotte test gives teams the opportunity to test the new spoiler on a 1.5-mile track in preparation for this season’s future competition.

“It’s been quite some time since we’ve had a test of this magnitude at any race track,” Pemberton said. “I think the teams will be working hard.”

The switch from wing to spoiler was one of several rule changes announced on Jan. 21.

The wing replaced the traditional stock-car spoiler on NASCAR’s new car, now in its third fulltime season. Returning to the spoiler means on-track testing, a final step before spoilers are used in competition.

Both the Charlotte and Talladega tests are exceptions to the current testing policy. For the second consecutive season, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams may not test at facilities that host national-series events. This year, teams may test at tracks that host regional touring series events, but not national series events.

The Charlotte Motor Speedway test runs from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, and from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., on Wednesday, with a noon-1 p.m. lunch break each day.

Fans are welcome to attend, with free admission. The track’s frontstretch grandstands will be open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Tuesday and from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Grandstand concessions will be open. Ticket-holders to any 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway have the opportunity to watch testing from an infield seating area behind pit road. Those fans also may participate in a question-and-answer session with available drivers and NASCAR competition officials, meet Miss Sprint Cup and have photos taken with the Charlotte Motor Speedway show car.

For more fan information, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

- NASCAR, Press Release

ESPN

The five nominations in motor sports included both NASCAR and the Indianapolis 500.

Outstanding Live Sports Special: The Indy 500
Outstanding Technical Team Remote: NASCAR on ESPN
Outstanding Technical Team Studio: ESPN Pit Studio and ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage
Outstanding Production Design/Art Direction: The Indy 500
Outstanding Editing: NASCAR Sprint Cup Season in Review (produced by NASCAR Media Group for ESPN2)

In addition, ESPN’s marketing department received a nomination for Outstanding Sports Promotional Announcement: NASCAR on ESPN – Feel Your Heart Race

ESPN has won 19 Sports Emmy Awards for motor sports in its history, 17 during the 1990s and one in each of the last two years since the network’s return to NASCAR. Overall, ABC has won 160 Sports Emmys since the awards were first given in 1980, while ESPN has won 128 in 21 years of eligibility.

Click here for ESPN’s motorsports latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.

- ESPN Communications, Press Release

BUBBA Burger 250 at Richmond International Raceway

The BUBBA burger 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway on Friday, April 30 will be an old-school, short track shootout “under the lights,” featuring all of the full-time Nationwide Series drivers, as well as many NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers running double-duty.

“We’re so excited to add BUBBA burger® to the NASCAR Nationwide Series entitlement for our Spring NASCAR Doubleheader Weekend,” said track president Doug Fritz. “BUBBA burger® is an outstanding company with—as I can attest—really great products. They are a great addition to our exciting opening weekend at Richmond International Raceway.”

“BUBBA burger® is proud to partner with Richmond International Raceway to host the NASCAR Nationwide Series race now known as the BUBBA burger 250 at Richmond International Raceway,” said CEO/President of BUBBA burger®, Billy Morris. “The nationally televised BUBBA burger® 250 will help to expand the awareness of what is already the number one-selling branded frozen burger in the United States.”

BUBBA burger® features a variety of burgers including: the Original, Reduced Fat, Certified Angus, Sweet Onion, Jalapeno, Minis (BUBBA sliders) and the brand new Turkey BUBBA burger®.  They can be found in your local grocer’s freezer section.

The April 30-May 1 NASCAR doubleheader weekend will kick off with a full day of on-track activity at Richmond International Raceway on Friday, April 30, highlighted by the Bubba Burger 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race “under the lights.” Friday’s ticket includes Wawa Pole Qualifying and practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and pole qualifying and practice for the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Tickets are $40 (reserved) and $30 (general admission). Children 12 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult in general admission sections on Friday only.

On Saturday, May 1, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will have at it for a night of short-track action “under the lights” in the Crown Royal Presents The Heath Calhoun 400 race. Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased by logging on to www.rir.com or calling 866-455-RACE (7223).

About BUBBA burger:

The BUBBA burger® has become America’s #1 selling branded frozen burger. The BUBBA burger® is made from 100% USDA Choice Chuck and contains no trimmings, no additives and no added salt. The BUBBA burger® is designed to be cooked frozen. So whether you choose to grill it or cook them in a skillet they are “Simply Delicious.”  Find them in your local grocer’s freezer! And remember, Bubba says, “You’ll Never Bite A Burger Better Than A Bubba!” For more information on BUBBA burger® visit their website at www.bubba-burger.com or check out The Official BUBBA burger Fan Page on Facebook®.

About Richmond International Raceway:

Richmond International Raceway, known as America’s Premier Short Track, offers great night racing action and a commitment to the fan experience. One of the most popular facilities among drivers and fans in all of motorsports, Richmond International Raceway annually hosts all of its major events, two NASCAR Doubleheader weekends featuring the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series, under the lights on a ¾-mile D-Shaped oval. The unique layout traditionally produces exciting side-by-side racing, yet drivers reach high enough speeds for a superspeedway feel. Combined with first-class amenities and a focus on the fans, guests at Richmond International Raceway can expect to experience what “Racing Perfection” truly is. For tickets to events at Richmond International Raceway, call 866-455-RACE or visit www.rir.com online.

- Richmond International Raceway, Press Release

The Pepsi Max Tailgate Zone

The Pepsi Max Tailgate Zone is an all-inclusive package for race fans featuring:

• A reserved tailgate area that includes the use of a 10×10 tent, table and chairs
• A premium parking pass
• Use of a portable generator provided by Honda Generators
• Four reserved grandstand tickets to the Aaron’s 499 on Sunday, April 25

The Pepsi Max Tailgate Zone will also feature tailgate activities and contests with prizes from Pepsi Max and other participating partners.  The area is located directly behind the Gadsden Grandstands, just steps away from all the action.

“This is a new area we created for our race fans,” said Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch.  “With so many of our fans travelling long distances to get to the races, we want to make it simple for them to have a great tailgate party that is hassle-free.  I believe the Pepsi Max Tailgate Zone is going to be a big hit during the Aaron’s Dream Weekend.”

The Pepsi Max Tailgate Zone package is $299 and available by calling the Talladega Superspeedway Ticket Office at 1-877-Go2-DEGA or visiting the website at www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.

The Aaron’s Dream Weekend features qualifying for the NASCAR Nationwide Series, followed by the ARCA Racing Series 250 race on Friday, April 23.  On Saturday, April 24, fans will see qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, followed by the Aaron’s 312 NASCAR Nationwide Series race.  On Sunday, April 25, NASCAR’s greatest drivers face off in the Aaron’s 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

For more information on tickets to Talladega Superspeedway, please visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA. For our hearing impaired guests, please call TDD 1-866-ISC-TRAK (1-866-472-8725). Tickets also are available in person by visiting the Talladega Superspeedway Ticket Office from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. CDT, Monday- Friday.

- Talladega Superspeedway, Press Release

2010 NSCS Tony Stewart - Photo Credit: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images for NASCAR

Hugely successful since it opened in 1961, Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway has become the best-selling track in the elite NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. And just as The Wall firmly established Pink Floyd in the public lexicon, the wall at Bristol has firmly established the .533-mile bullring as one of the toughest tracks in NASCAR.

As the series gets ready for Sunday’s Food City 500 at Bristol, the track’s walls will again be a subject of discussion. That’s because track officials added 160 feet of SAFER Barrier at the exits of turns two and four in an effort to increase driver safety. But the changes also will create a different transition at the exit of the turns and, while no one knows exactly how this will affect the racing, what is known is that there will be less room for error than ever before.

But for 43 of the world’s greatest drivers, that’s not a problem, right? Umm… the last Sprint Cup race at Bristol saw 11 caution periods for a total of 76 laps, and the track’s high-water mark of 167 laps run under caution was back on July 25, 1965 in the Volunteer 500.

The assembled talent isn’t what’s in question. It’s more the physics, for 43 cars lapping the half-mile oval in 15 seconds at speeds over 100 mph inevitably leads to problems – specifically, a lack of real estate.

As any good realtor will tell you, real estate is about location, location, location. And when it comes to navigating Bristol’s high banks, which vary from 26 to 30 degrees, location means a lot, which is why less room for a driver to catch his sideways racecar as he careens off the corner will be high on the minds of the drivers and the roughly 160,000 people in attendance.

Tony Stewart mastered the Bristol Stomp in August 2001 when he successfully navigated his way from 18^th to first after 500 hard-fought laps in the track’s signature night race. It’s his only win at Bristol, and in his 21 other Sprint Cup starts at the East Tennessee facility, Stewart has found more famine than feast, which is especially ironic since most of his famine has come in the Food City 500.

The driver of the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing has a pole, a win, five top-fives, seven top-10s and a total of 1,352 laps led in 22 career Sprint Cup starts at Bristol. He should have more, but the bullring has shown its horns to Stewart more than once, leaving the man they call “Smoke” emitting as much steam as his battered racecar.

But that’s just the nature of Bristol. You’re either really happy or really mad. Middle ground is as hard to find at Bristol as it is in Congress. Yet, just like in Washington, people keep coming back to Bristol to duke it out over what they believe is rightfully theirs.

Sunday’s Food City 500 marks the track’s 99^th Sprint Cup race, and it’s Stewart who expects to be at the head of the table when the checkered flag drops and the trophy is served.

TONY STEWART, Driver of the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet Impala for Stewart-Haas Racing:

Do you have any concerns about less racetrack being available at Bristol because the SAFER Barriers have been extended off the corners?

“The wall is where it is. They paint them so we can see them. After all these years of doing this, it doesn’t matter where they put it. We have to stay a fraction of an inch off of it and use every bit up to it. I’m sure it’s going to make a difference, there is no doubt about it. We all use every bit of room we can get there, anyway. It will make the exits of the corners a little tighter, but I think the racing will still be good there because of it.”

Even though you have an up-and-down track record at Bristol, do you like racing there?

“Yeah, I love it. Ever since they repaved the place and added to two true grooves, it’s made it racier. We have true side-by-side racing, now. Drivers can make their way through the pack without having to wreck each other while they’re doing it. Before, guys got wrecked who weren’t even involved in what was going on, a lot of times, because you’d go to get stopped and somebody behind you wouldn’t get slowed down enough, and you’d get picked up and turned around and your day was ruined. Now, you’ve got a lot more cars finishing the race. You’ve got a lot more cars finishing on the lead lap. And it’s more exciting because of that. The drivers can pass, now. It’s not just sit there and follow the leader and when you finally run out of patience, you nudge the guy out of the way. You still can do that, but at least you can nudge a guy without wrecking him. I think, from the competitor’s standpoint, we like that a lot more knowing that if somebody has to check up in front of you and you get into the back of him, you’re not necessarily going to wreck him because of it.”

Can you summarize your history at Bristol?

“Bristol is one of those places where you’ve got to have everything kind of go your way. If you have one hiccup, it’s hard to recover from it. We’ve only won one race there and we’ve kind of been all over the board. It’s been feast or famine for us. It’s like if you have one problem in the first half of the day, it’s hard to recover from it. It makes for a very long day. We’ve had more long days than good days.”

How important is track position at a place like Bristol, where everything happens so quickly?

“It’s really important. What you’ve got to keep in mind is that every time the competition gets closer, it makes it harder and harder to start further back and pass cars. If you’re a half-second faster than the 20 cars in front of you, you’re probably going to be able to work your way through. If you’re half of a tenth of a second (faster), it’s a lot harder to make up those spots. With the sport and the competition level going up every week, passing is harder. That’s why track position is so important. The thing about Bristol is that, at the end of the day, you still have to have a good-handling racecar. You can get good track position but, if you don’t have a good car, you’re not going to be able to hold onto it.”

On that note, how important is to have a good qualifying effort at Bristol?

“It’s no different than anywhere else because track position is important everywhere we go. Obviously, Bristol is action-packed and everybody gets in a hurry and there are a lot of cautions. So, it is a little more important this week than some of the other tracks we go to about qualifying because you want to get a good starting position, but more so a good pit spot. These boxes can be tricky during the race, and it’s easy to get stuck in your pit box and lose eight or 10 spots if you get boxed in. If you can get a good qualifying run and get a good pit selection, it helps you through the whole day. No matter whether your car is good or bad, you’re going to gain spots.”

TONY STEWART’S BRISTOL PERFORMANCE PROFILE

× Race length extended due to green-white-checker finish.

† Qualifying canceled due to weather, starting position set via car owner points.

◘ Race was finished by Todd Bodine, who took over for Stewart in a relief role on lap 367.

- True Speed Communication for Stewart-Haas 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

NASCAR Returns to The Spoiler at Martinsville Speedway - Photo Credit Harold Hinson Photography

“Quite frankly, the wing wasn’t accepted as widely as we had hoped it would have been by competitors and fans alike,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s vice-president of competition. “After much effort we started looking and decided to go back to the spoiler.”

Monday morning NASCAR shipped out more than 80 of the new spoilers to all of the NASCAR Sprint Cup teams allowing plenty of time for them to be installed before the Martinsville event.

“I think it was a great move by NASCAR, especially for the fans,” said Martinsville Speedway President W. Clay Campbell. “I think that was the one thing about the new car design that just didn’t connect with fans. I think we will see a really good response from our fans with the move back to the spoiler.”

While teams are just getting the official version of the new spoilers, most have been testing with a version of it for quite a while. There was an open NASCAR test of the spoiler Tuesday at Talladega Superspeedway and there will be another test next week at Charlotte Motor Speedway. And teams have made their own trips to shorter tracks for unofficial tests to get ready for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500.

“My first reaction is that it looks better,” said Michael Waltrip Racing’s Martin Truex. “Every car I’ve ran in my entire life except the last two years had had a spoiler on it, so I feel more comfortable with (the spoiler) on the car.

“Everything we’ve done with the spoiler has gone really well. We had the Talladega test yesterday. That went very well. We actually ran it about two months ago down in New Smyrna (FL) on a short track.”

The return of the spoiler is one of several changes NASCAR has made to help increase the excitement level of the sport, including a move to multiple green-white-checkered finishes to help make sure races finish under green and the decision to let competitors be “self-policing” when it comes to on-track incidents.

“As a fan I’m excited about what we’re going to see here at Martinsville next week,” said Campbell. “NASCAR has worked hard to make things more interesting for the fans. The excitement level has always been high here at Martinsville, so I can’t imagine what it may be like with these changes.”

Tickets for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 on Sunday, March 28, the Kroger 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday, March 27 and the Duracell Battery Kroger Pole Day on Friday, March 26 are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.racetickets.com.

Tickets for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 begin at just $25.

- Martinsville Speedway, Press Release

Infineon Raceway

SONOMA, Calif. (March 17, 2010) —

Fifteen people participated in the St. Patrick’s Day Sobriety Challenge at Infineon Raceway on Wednesday, a controlled wine and beer tasting demonstration that graphically illustrated the dangers of drinking and driving, even at levels below the legal limit of .08-percent.

The raceway teamed with the CHP and the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School’s Highway Survival Program on the event, which was held purposely on St. Patrick’s Day, one of the top days each year in terms of alcohol consumption.

“This event was a great demonstration of the dangers of drinking and driving, even at levels well below the legal limit,” said CHP Officer Jaret Paulson.  “It’s also a reminder to drivers that if they are impaired, even below the legal limit, they could be arrested for a DUI.”

Of the 15 people who took the Sobriety Challenge, 14 failed the driving test, further illustrating the dangers of drinking and driving.

“It was scary because I really thought I did better the second time (after drinking),” said Kellie Fuller of Napa.  “I failed the sobriety tests, so I knew I was in trouble, but I had no idea.  Now I really know I shouldn’t ever drink and drive.”

Fuller was joined a variety of Bay Area residents, including Tim Sbranti, city of Dublin mayor; Captain Tom Cullen, Deputy Commander, United States Coast Guard, Sector San Francisco; Brendan Moylan, owner of Moylan’s Brewery and Restaurant in Novato; Captain Rich Cairns, retired San Francisco Police Officer; and two students from Sonoma State University, among others.

Testers were given anywhere from one-to-three glasses of wine or Moylan’s beer before submitting to a field of sobriety tests, including a breathalyzer analysis administered by the CHP. Once they reached approximately half the legal limit (.04-percent), they tested their driving skills on a pre-determined course at the raceway. All drivers were accompanied by an instructor from the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School, and tests included lane changing, parallel parking, turning radius and speed drills.

“It’s amazing that everyone was below the legal limit, but even with a few drinks, they were different people behind the wheel,” said Paul Gerrard, director of global training for the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School.  “In just about every case, everyone thought they did better while intoxicated, but that certainly wasn’t the case.”

Statistics reflect the need for continued focus on drunk-driving prevention.  Between 1991-2002, drivers statewide were 23-percent more likely to be killed or injured in an alcohol-related crash on St. Patrick’s Day, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.  And, in 2009, two people were killed and 60 people were injured in 118 alcohol-involved collisions statewide on St. Patrick’s Day, according to the CHP.

- Infineon Raceway, 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.

This marks the duo’s fifth Nationwide attempt over the past three years. The team always has the challenge of qualifying in on time due to lack of owner points. Last season Chris made his Nationwide series debut at O’Reilly Raceway Park. In Phoenix the team missed the race by only two one-thousandths of a second, after picking up over 1.5 seconds from practice.

This weekend the No. 52 Ford will have the power of a Roush Yates engine under the hood. “Over the past few months we have been working hard to change some things in order to better our chances of making the race,” says Chris.

The duo is very optimistic about the weekend and feels they have been moving in the right direction. If all goes well, Means and Lawson hope to come together for several more events.

This weekend’s race coverage begins Friday with practice sessions at 1:40 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. Qualifying starts Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. and the green flag drops for The Scott’s Turf Builder 300 at 2:30 p.m., live on ABC.

- Chris Lawson Motorsports Press Release

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