Fain Skinner

Skinner, a well-known Floridian noted for his skills on the short tracks has obtained backing from CarportEmpire.com while carrying associate sponsorship from American Steel Carports, Rimrock Flooring.com and CSBdirect.com. The team’s car number for the first of 20 events on the ARCA Racing Series tour will be announced next week.

“I’m very excited about the race,” said Skinner, who gained attention for his attentiveness in his limited NASCAR Nationwide Series starts last year. “We have a very competitive car and the very best I feel that horsepower has to offer. Our shots of winning the race are not out of the playing cards by any means, but the race will ultimately come down to patience, strategy and luck. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to working with Mario and his DGM Racing team.”

The 26-year old tested extremely well at the 2.5-mile superspeedway two months ago during the open ARCA Racing Series test continued, “I have always dreamed of racing at Daytona, ever since I was a little kid sitting in the stands. Now, thanks to everyone that’s come on board, I’m able to live that dream, I’m incredibly grateful.”

The team’s automobile was acquired from the potent Roush Fenway Racing stables and is being closing monitored by three time ARCA Racing Series winner Gosselin who himself has made five ARCA starts at the “World Center of Racing.”

The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona (80 laps / 200 miles) is the first of 20 events on the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 49th ARCA race held at Daytona is a three-day show. Practice begins Thursday, February 16 with a four hour practice session planned from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for Friday, February 17 slated to begin at 2:00 p.m. A forty-five minute final practice session is etched in on Saturday, February 18th from 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. The event will take the green flag later that day shortly after 4:30 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional race coverage including live timing and scoring and radio broadcast through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local. ARCA, celebrating its 60th season in 2012 is the preamble for the highly anticipated Budweiser Shootout for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) set to ignite under the lights later that night.

Additional input on Carport Empire is available by logging onto carportempire.com and through its Social Media networks of Twitter @carport_empire and Facebook.

Check out Fain Skinner online at Fainskinner.com.

ABOUT CARPORTEMPIRE.COM:

CarportEmpire.com is one of the largest distributors of quality carports, carport garages, steel buildings and RV carports in the United States. They currently offer installation in all 48 continental states and have a trained staff of steel building specialists waiting to take your phone call. If you are looking to make a smart investment in a steel building or carport, then you are looking for Carport Empire!

CarportEmpire.com has several distribution centers to allow for prompt delivery and installation of your new steel building, carport, carport garage or RV carport. Their corporate offices are conveniently located in north Florida near the intersection of Interstate 75 and Interstate 10 in Live Oak, Florida. This is also home to our superior service department and our team of qualified service technicians who are waiting to assist with all your service needs.

ABOUT AMERICAN STEEL CARPORTS:

Located in Kewanee, Illinois; Pioneer, Ohio; Colusa, California; Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; and Joshua, Texas, American Steel Carports, Inc. is your source for quality steel buildings. Choose from our full line of buildings ranging from Open Carports, Partial Carports, Mini Storage Units, Warehouses, Garages and even Portable Hunting Blinds. Their engineer certified, steel buildings are carefully constructed to provide you with the highest quality construction. Their steel buildings are reinforced in order to withstand large amounts of weight or wind. And they use steel with a commercially baked on finish providing years of low maintenance. Your choice of anchors can provide the additional security you need to put your mind at ease. If you can’t find exactly what you need in our catalog, just ask and we’ll work with you to create the building that matches your requirements. For more information, please visit Americansteelinc.com.

- Fain Skinner Racing Press Release

Venturini Motorsports

The 18 year-old from Bakersfield, California will be behind the wheel of the No.15 JDRF– Venturini Motorsports race car for the ARCA Racing Series Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona. Ryan and his team are also excited to announce support from Advance Auto Parts for Ryan’s superspeedway debut.

“Racing at Daytona is a dream-come true,” said Reed. “Since I was a kid I dreamed of the day I would have the opportunity to compete on the historic track. And then to go to the test with Venturini Motorsports in December and be at the top of the charts on the first day was unreal!”

Reed was diagnosed with T1D exactly one year ago – February 2011.

His untimely diagnosis changed his life forever and threatened his promising racing career. After being told his racing career was over, Reed made a decision not to allow T1D to dictate his legacy behind the wheel.

Ryan Reed

Reed’s tenacity and ‘never quit’ attitude has allowed him the good fortune to return to the race car and use his racing platform and personal story to inspire others living with T1D to continue living life to its fullest.

Reed’s off-track goodwill has made him a National Celebrity Advocate of JDRF, the world’s largest funder of research toward curing, treating and preventing T1D and its complications.

Ryan's Mission (Ryan Reed)

Today, Reed is only one of three professional race car drivers in the world to compete at the highest levels of racing with T1D. Indy Racing League driver, Charlie Kimball was diagnosed with T1D in 2007. The two drivers not only share the same circumstances but also share the same doctor, Dr. Anne Peters, MD of USC Clinical Diabetes Program in California.

Reed’s partnership with JDRF will be prominently on display when his JDRF themed racecar is unveiled next week when the ARCA Racing Series returns to Daytona.

To commemorate this historic moment, Reed teamed up with NASCAR’s first officially licensed artist and design icon, Sam Bass to create the paint scheme for Reed’s JDRF car.

Although Bass has designed hundreds of paint schemes for many of today’s NASCAR superstars, the JDRF project with Ryan Reed has a very personal meaning to the motorsports artist.

Like Reed, Sam Bass is also living with T1D. He was diagnosed in 1992.

Bass used this opportunity and his heart to design a show piece and leave his personal imprint on this project to help create more awareness to JDRF and the millions of people affected by this life-long disease.

“I am thrilled to be working with such a talented, young, up and coming driver as Ryan Reed,” said Sam Bass. “His partnership with JDRF has a tremendously special meaning to me, as I also have type 1 diabetes, and have dealt with the disease all of my life. I can relate first hand to the goals and initiatives JDRF has set to help people living with diabetes, and to find a cure. JDRF does very impactful work, and I am extremely proud to assist them in their marketing efforts with the Venturini Motorsports Team and Ryan.”

While November is the official National Diabetes Awareness Month on a worldwide initiative, February marks a significant month for diabetes in Ryan’s life.

Ryan was diagnosed with T1D in February 2011 and 1-year later he will be running the JDRF painted racecar for the first time at Daytona International Speedway in honor of everyone that is affected by T1D.

Practice for the season-opening race starts on Thursday, February 16, while qualifying is Friday, February 17 at 2pm. The race, scheduled to be televised live by SPEED-TV, is Saturday, February 18 at 4:30pm ET.

About Venturini Motorsports

Venturini Motorsports (VMS), fielding cars in the ARCA Racing Series, is one of the premier NASCAR driver development programs in the country. The 2012 season marks the teams 30th Anniversary of competition in the ARCA Series. Multiple team championships and consistent on-track success, VMS has evolved into one of the most recognizable names in motorsports.

Since 2007, VMS has assisted in the career development of notable NASCAR drivers such as Joey Logano, Justin Allgaier, Steve Arpin, Brian Scott, Max Gresham, Miguel Paludo, Josh Richards, Mikey Kile and Scott Lagasse, Jr.

- Venturini Motorsports Press Release

Joe Denette Motorsports (JDM) Logo

Among those recently certified to use the classic red, white and blue Made In The USA Brand Certification Mark is Joe Denette Motorsports, a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) team located in Kernersville, NC.

“We are honored to be associated with the Made In USA Brand Certification Mark,” said Joe Denette of Joe Denette Motorsports. “Racing was born in the south and NASCAR team members are hardworking American’s. This association goes way beyond the label in a t-shirt. This certification mark supports America, and the American people by supporting American made products and keeping the American people working. I hope the use of this trademark will grow with companies across the United States and help flourish stateside business. It’s a simple action that can make a big difference.”

Joe Denette Motorsports will have one of the more unique ways of showing off the Made In USA Brand Certification Mark this year placing it front and center on the No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Max Gresham in the NCWTS.

Made in USA Brand

“American companies now have a distinctive registered certification mark for labeling the United States as country of origin on their products. Conscientious consumers will be able to identify at a glance products that are made in the USA,” said Gabor.

JDM and Gresham will debut the Made In USA Brand Certification Mark in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA Racing Series event at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) on Saturday, February 18. He will also pilot the No. 24 Made In USA Brand Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway in the NCWTS NextEra Energy Resources 250 on Friday, February 24.

The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA Racing Series event will roll off at 4:30 Eastern Time on Saturday, February 18. The race will be telecast live on SPEEDTV. Meanwhile, SPEED will also telecast the NextEra Energy Resources 250 NCWTS race live on Friday, February 24. That event takes the green flag at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

“It’s very cool that my race team – Joe Denette Motorsports – has become a Made In USA Brand certified company,” said Gresham. “It’s really important that Americans look to support companies that produce American goods and services. By doing that, you’re helping to stimulate our economy and secure American jobs. JDM and I will be asking fans at Daytona and throughout the rest of the 2012 season to look for and buy products that are American made and have the Made In USA Brand Certification Mark. I’ve pledged to do that and I now check twice before I scan anything at the checkout.”

Race fans interested in pledging along with Joe Denette Motorsports and Max Gresham to purchase made in USA manufactured goods can do so for free by logging on to http://www.PledgeForUSA.com.

Companies interested in securing the Made In USA Brand Certification Mark for their products are encouraged to log on and register at http://www.madeinusabrand.com.

Additionally, firms approved to use the Made In USA Brand Certification Mark who are interested in partnering with Gresham’s NASCAR Made In USA Brand marketing initiatives this season should contact J.R. Longley at jrlongley@maxgresham.com.

For more information about Max Gresham, please visit www.MaxGresham.com.

You can also follow Gresham on Twitter @MaxGresham and at Max Gresham Fan Page on Facebook.

- Joe Denette Motorsports Press Release

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Racing

“In forging our relationship with Krispy Kreme, Coulter Motorsports envisions the sponsorship as the merging of two families who strive for the same goals and values,” explains Coulter Motorsports owner, Joe Coulter. “We strive to impact not only our fans lives, but also our young drivers’ careers by creating lasting memories on and off the track. We are very excited about building upon this new venture with Krispy Kreme and Gray Gaulding, as our goal has always been to create lasting family memories, be a force to be reckoned with on the race track and win races for our team. Gray shows the poise of a veteran racecar driver with an instilled family spirit, which we believe represents Coulter Motorsports and Krispy Kreme to the fullest extent.”

The highly recognizable Krispy Kreme logo will adorn Gaulding’s Chevrolet and firesuit for 16 races during the 2012 PASS-South Super Late Model Series, including South Boston Speedway 10/10, Wake County Speedway (5/11), Hickory Motor Speedway (9/22), and Fairgrounds Speedway (10/6).

In addition to racing his way to the checkered flag, the 13 year old Gaulding will make a number of scheduled pit stops to meet and greet fans at Krispy Kreme shops throughout the country.

“Krispy Kreme thoroughly considers any partnership or sponsorship opportunity to ensure that the relationship is in alignment with our corporate mission and brand attributes,” explains Dwayne Chambers, Chief Marketing Officer for Krispy Kreme. “Joe Coulter has dedicated himself to the betterment of young drivers and their careers. And, Gray Gaulding is setting a standard for bright, talented and compassionate drivers of the future. We’ve chosen to partner with Gray Gaulding and Coulter Motorsports because we believe they share our commitment to touching and enhancing lives.”

Gray Gaulding

Dubbed the “future of NASCAR”, and poised for another spectacular winning season, Gaulding’s racing accomplishments to date include:

- Youngest Winner ever in a Legend Car at age 12

- Youngest Legend National Champion at age 12

- Youngest Race Car Driver to make the Legends Million at age 12

- Youngest Driver to sign with a cup driver (KHI) at age 12

- Youngest PASS (Pro All Star Series) Series Rookie of the Year at age 13

Get LIVE updates as Gray races with Coulter Motorsports towards another winning season on Twitter @GrayGaulding, @CoulterMtrsprts, and Facebook at facebook.com/GrayGauldingRacing, facebook.com/CoulterMotorsports

And visit www.KrispyKreme.com/racing to find out when Gray Gaulding and #2 will be at a Krispy Kreme Shop near you.

About Coulter Motorsports

Coulter Motorsports’ driver development program started with humble beginnings in 2009 and today has grown to become the premier program in the ARCA Racing Series. They have worked with drivers from multiple series and helped mold them in both on-track racing and off track presentation. Through the program, they have garnered over 20 wins in series ranking from ASA Late Models, FASTRUCK Series, Late Model Stocks, Super Late Models and the ARCA Racing Series. Visit www.CoulterMotorsports.com for more information.

About Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme is an international retailer of premium-quality sweet treats, including its signature Original Glazed® doughnut. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C., the company has offered the highest-quality doughnuts and great-tasting coffee since it was founded in 1937. Today, Krispy Kreme can be found in more than 660 locations around the world. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. (NYSE: KKD) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Visit www.krispykreme.com for more information.

- Coulter Motorsports Press Release

Max Gresham And His No. 9 Made In USA Brand Chevrolet Impala

Just over a year later, Gresham will be more involved at Daytona when he climbs behind the wheel of the No. 9 Made In USA Brand Chevrolet in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA classic on Saturday, February 18.

“It’s been a year since we were there last year, but I’ve waited a lifetime for this opportunity,” said Gresham, who will be making his first-ever start on the giant 2.5-mile Daytona oval. “Ever since I started driving racecars, I’ve always dreamed about racing at Daytona. To be down there and racing at Speedweeks in front of everybody is going to be really exciting. Daytona International Speedway is the biggest stage in all of motorsports and to finally be racing there is something I have dreamed about for a long time.”

Gresham’s inaugural Daytona appearance in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 will be his 13th career ARCA start. The 18-year-old Griffin, GA native left an immediate impression on the series in 2010 winning the pole at Salem (IN) Speedway in his first career ARCA start. In his third ARCA start later that season, Gresham took his family-owned stock car to victory lane winning the Tim Richmond Memorial at Mansfield (OH) Speedway.

Last year, Gresham wheeled a Venturini Motorsports entry to four top-10 finishes in just seven ARCA starts. Included in his 2011 ARCA highlights were pole positions at both Pocono (PA) Raceway and Kansas Speedway. His best finish was a second at Michigan International Speedway.

In all three cases, it was the first time Gresham had competed at those raceways.

Those positive, first-time out experiences in the ARCA Racing Series have Gresham confident he can post a top finish in his Daytona debut as well.

“I have a history of doing pretty well the first time I go to a racetrack,” stated Gresham. “I’m hoping that will be the case at Daytona. The biggest thing I may have to contend with will be tandem racing. If it’s going to be pack racing, then I think I will have some time to learn and adapt. But if it’s tandem-style racing, I’ll have to adapt right away because if you don’t you crash.”

The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA Racing Series event will be the first of two events Gresham will compete in during Speedweeks at Daytona this year. Gresham will also pilot the No. 24 Made In USA Chevrolet in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 on Friday, February 24.

Gresham will wheel a Joe Denette Motorsports prepared entry in both the ARCA and Truck Series Daytona events.

“I’m going to have two very strong vehicles thanks to Joe Denette Motorsports,” said Gresham. “They have given me every opportunity to run well at Daytona. As strong as our ARCA car is, I think our Truck will be even better. I’m really looking forward to getting to Daytona and racing the rest of the 2011 season with these guys.”

The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA Racing Series event will roll off at 4:30 Eastern Time on Saturday, February 18. The race will be telecast live on SPEEDTV.

Meanwhile, SPEED will also telecast the NextEra Energy Resources 250 NCWTS race live on Friday, February 24. That event takes the green flag at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

For more information about Max Gresham, please access www.MaxGresham.com. You can also follow Gresham on
Twitter @MaxGresham and on Facebook at Max Gresham Fan Page.

For more information on Joe Denette Motorsports please visit: www.JoeDenetteMotorsports.com.

Companies interested in securing the Made In USA Brand Certification Mark for their products are encouraged to log on to http://www.madeinusabrand.com.

Race fans interested in pledging along with Max to purchase made in USA manufactured goods can log on to http://www.PledgeForUSA.com.

- Max Gresham Motorsports Press Release

Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR)

MOORESVILLE, NC (Jan. 30, 2012) –

Have a Twitter account

- Re-tweet/answer the Tweet from Brad in which he asks fans to predict his finishing position in the race; and

- Follow Keselowski (@keselowski), Cequent’s Reese Towpower brand (@ReeseTowpower) and Cooper Standard (@CooperStandard) on Twitter.

At the conclusion of the contest period, all the fans who have responded to Keselowski’s Tweet and are followers of @keselowski, @ReeseTowpower and @CooperStandard will be entered into a pool. From this pool, 5,000 Twitter handles will be drawn. Decals of these 5,000 Twitter handles will be featured on the bed of the No. 19 BKR RAM driven by Keselowski. Subsequently, an additional ten (10) Twitter handles will be drawn. The ten (10) grand prize winners will have their Twitter handles prominently featured on the sides of the Truck (five (5) Twitter handles per side).

All of the contest winners will receive an autographed photo of Keselowski with the Truck. The grand prize winners will receive a personalized autographed photo of the Truck with Keselowski standing next to their respective Twitter handles, as well as BKR team gear. Additionally, throughout the week of the contest, every 72nd re-tweet (up to 5,000 re-tweets) of Keselowski’s contest-launching Tweet will be eligible for a prize. Prizes will include gear and merchandise from BKR, Cequent, and Cooper Standard. The number “72″ represents the combined number of all the Dodges and RAMs Keselowski owns and/or drives in NASCAR’s top three series (No. 2 in the Sprint Cup Series, No. 22 in the Nationwide Series, and No. 19 and No. 29 in the Camping World Truck Series).

The contest winners will be announced on Wednesday, February 8th. The grand prize winners will be announced on Friday, February 10th. In the weeks leading up to the race, Keselowski will Tweet renderings of the Truck, photos of his driving uniform, photos of the contest winners’ Twitter handles being applied to the Truck, and the finalized Truck as it will roll onto the track in Daytona.

“During the off-season, I have been putting a lot of thought into how to further engage with the fans,” said Keselowski. “Social media, and Twitter in particular, is an important tool for NASCAR, for the drivers, and for the sponsors. This contest is designed to bring all three of these elements together in way that can uniquely reward the fans. It will be cool to, in a way, carry all of the prize winners with me in the race. Hopefully they will get a thrill out of being on the Truck and having their Twitter handles appear on TV. Twitter represents a fun way for me to communicate with our sport’s fans. Hopefully I can take that fun to the next level and bring all of them to victory lane In Daytona!”

The NextEra Energy Resources 250 will air live on SPEED Channel, Friday, February 24th at 7:30 pm ET. For more information, please visit www.bradracing.com or follow Keselowski on Twitter @keselowski.

About Cequent Consumer Products

Cequent Consumer Products, Inc. is the industry’s leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative consumer products for the automotive aftermarket industry. For more than 85 years, Cequent Consumer Products has produced some of the most dependable products in today’s market including superior-quality towing and hitch systems, trailer components and accessories, as well as electrical, brake, cargo carrying and rack systems for cars and trucks. Our established brands are sold through leading automotive retailers nationwide. Our brands are leaders in the industry and include: Reese Towpower, Reese Carry Power, Highland, Rola, Fulton, and Bulldog. Cequent Consumer Products is part of the Recreational Accessories business segment of TriMas Corporation headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. For more information, please visit Cequent Consumer Products at www.CequentConsumerProducts.com.

About Cooper Standard

Cooper Standard, headquartered in Novi, Mich., is a leading global supplier of systems and components for the automotive industry. Products include body sealing systems, fluid handling systems and anti-vibration systems. Cooper Standard employs more than 21,000 people globally and operates in 19 countries around the world. For more information, please visit Cooper Standard at www.cooperstandard.com.

About Brad Keselowski Racing

Based in Mooresville, North Carolina and led by NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series driver Brad Keselowski, Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR) fields the No. 19 and the No. 29 RAMs in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. BKR, with the aim to provide young talented drivers the opportunity to improve their skills with a professional, competitive team, has also fielded entries in the ARCA Series and other developmental motorsport series.For more information, please visit www.bradracing.com.

- Brad Keselowski Racing Press Release

Ansell Protective Products Inc.

“Since Toyota opened their first plant in North America, Ansell was there, protecting their employees with Ansell gloves. As a company, we’re proud to have such a strong relationship of protection and safety with such an esteemed organization both inside and outside of motorsports,” said Steve York, Director of Channel and Vertical Development at Ansell. “We’re encouraged that while Toyota keeps Frank Kimmel safe while driving upwards of 190mph on the racetrack, we’re also keeping Toyota’s associates safe as they enter the workplace to provide for their families.”

ThorSport Racing

“I couldn’t be happier with the change to Toyota Camrys for my No. 44 Ansell/Menards team,” said Frank Kimmel. “With the pre-existing relationship between Ansell and Toyota, it seems to marry the sport and the manufacturing world perfectly. Ansell has such a proud tradition of safety and messaging in safety awareness – and we’re hoping to build on that success this year, both on and off the racetrack. We’re also hoping to visit several Toyota locations to help celebrate that strong partnership of protection onsite – by meeting the employees and staff on the front lines.”

“ThorSport Racing is a first-class organization and a championship-caliber race team, as well as one of the most respected teams in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series,” said Lee White, president and general manager of TRD, U.S.A.(Toyota Racing Development). “We look forward to working together with the entire ThorSport race team and are confident that it will raise the level of our entire Toyota racing program.”

“We’re always on the forefront of competition in whatever series we are competing in,” said Matt LaNeve, Vice President of Motorsports Partnerships for ThorSport Racing. “We’re looking forward to forging ahead with Toyota in the competition arena in 2012. Toyota and Ansell have a strong industry bond in the industrial solutions arena, and we hope to celebrate that through Frank Kimmel, the No. 44 team, and awareness campaigns throughout the motorsports community on how Ansell engages a reputation of protecting workers in many different arenas – from first responders to the military to auto workers.”

ABOUT ANSELL:

Ansell is a global leader in protection solutions, with operations in North America, LAC, EMEA and Asia-Pacific. Ansell designs, develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of surgical, examination, industrial and household gloves, protective clothing and condoms. People in over 100 countries around the world put their trust in Ansell’s innovative, high-quality solutions to offer superior protection, combined with high levels of comfort and performance.

Ansell holds its operational headquarters in Red Bank, NJ, USA and its parent, Ansell Limited, is registered in Melbourne, Australia. Worldwide, the group employs over 10,000 people in 33 countries. In its Fiscal Year 2011, Ansell achieved sales of USD 1.2 bn. For more information visit www.ansell.com, www.safetypro.com, www.activarmr.com and www.ansellconstruction.com.

ABOUT THORSPORT RACING

ThorSport Racing, based in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest tenured active NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. NASCAR’s only Ohio-based team, which has run full season schedules annually beginning in 1998, will run in 2012 the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra driven by Matt Crafton; the No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb Records Toyota Tundra driven by Johnny Sauter; the No. 98 Ferrell Gas/Agrisure Toyota Tundra driven by Dakoda Armstrong; and the No. 44 Ansell/Menards Toyota Camry driven by Frank Kimmel in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. ThorSport Racing operates in a state-of-the-art, world-class 100,000 square foot racing facility in Sandusky. For more information, visit us on Facebook: Facebook/ThorSportRacing or Twitter: Twitter.com/ThorSportRacing.

Toyota Logo

TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) Powering all of Toyota’s American racing programs is TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) in Costa Mesa, Calif., and Salisbury, N.C. A subsidiary of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., TRD serves as the North American racing arm for design, development and assembly of Toyota’s factory racing engines.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion. Established in 1957, TMS markets products and services through a network of nearly 1,500 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers which sold more than 1.76 million vehicles in 2010. Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 people in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion. For more information

- Girl Friday PR Press Release

Mobile International Speedway

But NASCAR Senior Vice President for Racing Operations Steve O’Donnell said Thursday that improvements are needed at the track.

“Obviously we need SAFER barriers at that facility,” he said, referred to the impact-absorbing wall system at NASCAR tracks that Mobile lacks.

Other infrastructure improvements are also needed for the track to be able to handle a NASCAR race, but he said NASCAR wouldn’t go into those until the SAFER barrier system is in place.

The Truck Series started out on short tracks and would like to race at more short tracks in the future but O’Donnell acknowledged that the expense of making improvements like SAFER barriers makes it difficult.

SAFER barriers are not a problem for the ARCA Series, which will race in Mobile in March.

- The Huntsville Times – al.com

Richard Petty Motorsports

Annett, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, comes to Richard Petty Motorsports after spending last season at Rusty Wallace, Inc. He has posted 13 top-10 finishes in 105 Nationwide Series starts and drove to a ninth-place finish in the championship points standings last season.

“They say that when one door closes, another door opens, and that is most definitely true,” said Annett. “We were left scrambling a bit because of the situation with RWI and were unsure what the future held, but I couldn’t be happier with the way things have turned out. To have the chance to race for Richard Petty and to be under the RPM umbrella is amazing. It has all come together really quickly, but together with Pilot Flying J and Ford, this is the best opportunity I have ever had to race a Nationwide Series car. There’s a lot to be done before we get to Daytona in a few weeks and I can’t wait to dive in and get started.”

“It’s exciting to have the opportunity to partner with a brand as prestigious as Pilot Flying J,” said team Co-owner Richard Petty. “We are happy to welcome them to the Richard Petty Motorsports family and to our partner family as well.

“This has been an exciting couple of months for Richard Petty Motorsports,” continued Petty. “We are looking forward to getting back into the Nationwide Series full time and seeing what Michael Annett can do in an RPM Ford Mustang. Michael has improved every season he has raced in the Nationwide Series and has the dedication and drive to be a success.”

“Pilot Flying J is excited for Michael and our new partnership with Richard Petty Motorsports,” stated Mark Hazelwood, Executive Vice President, Pilot Flying J. “PFJ has had a longstanding relationship with both Michael and the Petty family. Richard Petty is a NASCAR legend and this opportunity further extends our commitment to Michael and the sport. We look forward to a great partnership.”

Born into a family with a rich racing heritage, Annett began his own racing career in 2007 competing in the ARCA Series. In only his fourth start, Annett drove his Pilot Travel Centers machine to victory lane at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. He drove to victory once again in the ARCA Series the next season at Daytona International Speedway and also piloted an entry in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in eight events that season. In 2009, he moved to the Nationwide Series with Germain Racing and posted four top-10 finishes en route to a 10th-place effort in the point standings. He remained at Germain through 2010 and in 2011 competed for RWI.

About Pilot Flying J

Pilot Flying J, the driver driven company, is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, and has more than 550 retail locations across North America. Pilot Flying J is also one of the nation’s largest wholesale fuel providers, delivering over 500 million gallons of fuel to thousands of customers in 47 states and eight Canadian provinces. The company employs approximately 18,000 people and is the largest operator of travel centers and travel plazas in North America. Visit www.pilotflyingj.com for more information.

About Richard Petty Motorsports

Richard Petty Motorsports (www.richardpettymotorsports.com), co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty, Andrew Murstein and Douglas Bergeron, fields two teams in competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Aric Almirola pilots the famous No. 43 Ford Fusion and Marcos Ambrose drives the No. 9 machine with sponsorship from Stanley and DEWALT. In addition, Michael Annett wheels the No. 43 Pilot Flying J Ford Mustang full time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The team is headquartered in Concord, N.C.

- Richard Petty Motorsports Press Release

Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR)

“I am very excited to be joining Eddie Sharp Racing as a development driver in 2012,” commented Jones. “I wouldn’t be getting this opportunity if it wasn’t for the success I had in 2011 from the coaching and car management of Bubba Gale, Cale Gale and everyone else at Gale Force.”

Brandon Jones

“Brandon is a talented young driver, and I’m very honored and excited to be able to play a part in developing his career,” commented Miller. “We have a full schedule planned this season with him racing between 32 and 34 races across the three series. It should be a lot of fun.”

Over the years, ESR has proven to be a top-team for developing young talent with drivers like Justin Lofton, Michael McDowell, Scott Speed and Craig Goess all finding success in ESR equipment in the form of championships, rookie of the year honors, and race wins.

“Having the opportunity to work with Brandon at such a young age, and at the beginning of his career, is not only exciting, but it’s also what we do,” commented Eddie Sharp, team owner. “It keeps us well-grounded and close to the principles that built Eddie Sharp Racing into a successful team, while at the same time we move in to the upper ranks of NASCAR. Watching everything come together as an owner this season is both exciting and rewarding—I’m looking forward to realizing our potential and experiencing success with each of our racing programs.”

Jones will make his debut with Eddie Sharp Racing at SpeedFest 2012, January 27-29, at Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Ga., where he will race the No. 33s Rheem Chevrolet in the Rheem 150.

About Eddie Sharp Racing

Eddie Sharp Racing (TeamESR.com) is a championship winning race team housed in a 40,000 square-foot facility in Denver, N.C. After just four short years of competition within the ARCA Racing Series, the team impressively accumulated upwards of 20 race wins. 2009 was a pivotal year for ESR, as they dominated the series with six race wins, 15 top-fives and 19 top-10s en route to the series championship with driver Justin Lofton. In 2010, ESR made the transition to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. In 2011, Sharp and Lofton were reunited within truck competition. In 2012, ESR will expand to three teams, with Lofton set to return to the No. 6 Chevrolet Silverado, Cale Gale set to join the team behind the wheel of the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Silverado, and a third driver to be named later.

- Eddie Sharp Racing Press Release

Cunningham Motorsports

The 18 year old, from Tucson, Arizona competed in two ARCA Racing Series races in the 2011 season, where he certainly got a good feel for the stock cars, when he won both of those races in his first two starts. He is the first ARCA driver to accomplish this feat, winning at Madison International Speedway in Madison, Wisconsin and Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. In addition, Bowman earned the 2011 Sunoco Rookie of the Year award in the K&N Pro Series East, finishing the season with seven top-10 finishes in 12 races. With more than 170 main event wins, 14 track titles and six national titles in Quarter Midgets, Bowman has an abundance of experience to go along with Cunningham Motorsports ARCA expertise.

Alex Bowman

As a warm up for Daytona, the team will be testing at Talladega Superspeedway in a few weeks. This season, renowned championship NASCAR crew chief, Paul Andrews will be guiding Bowman’s efforts. The #22 Dodge driver will begin his quest to visit the ARCA Racing Series victory lane for the third time, when the four hour practice begins at 1 pm EST on Thursday, February 16. Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell will take place Friday at 2 pm EST, with a final practice session on Saturday, prior to the race, at 10:00. The garage will be open for fans for a 90 minute autograph session, beginning at 12:00. The 49th ARCA event at Daytona, the 200 mile race, will follow at 4:30. SPEED will cover the race live, with all on-track events also available at arcaracing.com. Follow Cunningham Motorsports on twitter at Cunningham_race.

- Cunningham Motorsports Press Release

Tommy Baldwin Racing Thumbnail Logo

Blaney, son of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) and TBR driver Dave Blaney, made a combined three starts last season in the NKNPS East and West, winning in his third start and capturing his first NASCAR victory at Phoenix International Raceway. Blaney also won the 2011 PASS South Championship and found success in the ARCA Racing Series where he finished in the top-10 in his two starts.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to run a mix of K&N and Nationwide races this season,” Blaney commented. “We were really competitive in the K&N Series last year, and I think we will be even more competitive this year. Hopefully, we will have an opportunity to win all six races. We will have good equipment racing with TBR. It will be great to race with and learn from the Nationwide guys. To be able to race on bigger tracks will be a good learning experience too. I’m grateful that SealWrap is supporting my progression in NASCAR and really excited to work with them throughout the season.”

This season will mark TBR’s fourth season of competition. TBR began as a part-time one-car NSCS team in 2009 and developed into a top-35 team by 2011. In 2012, TBR plans to compete with two NSCS teams. The part time NNS team will expand on TBR’s driver development program in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. The team would like to increase the number of races in both the NSCS and NNS schedules, barring more sponsorship opportunities.

“We are really looking forward to restarting our Nationwide program as we have had much success in the past in that series,” explained Tommy Baldwin. “Watching Ryan the last few years, we are excited to get to the track and see him perform. As we look to the future, this Nationwide program is a stepping-stone for the Cup program, and we are excited to start with Ryan.”

Blaney will join his dad, Dave Blaney, with TBR this season. The elder Blaney drove the No. 36 Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet last season where he locked the team in to the top-35 in NSCS points and captured a third-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway.

“I’m proud that Ryan is making the next step in his racing career,” Dave Blaney said. “I think it is a great opportunity for him to run with TBR and still run some races in the K&N Series. He has learned very quickly in every series he has driven, so I am anticipating what competing in the Nationwide series brings. Thanks to SealWrap and Heavy Duty who have stepped up their programs as Ryan has moved through the ranks. It’s really refreshing to build a relationship with companies at this level and be able to grow together.”

SealWrap Repair Tape, a self-fusing rubber tape, partnered with Blaney in 2010 in the NKNPS. SealWrap Repair Tape uses a stretch-and-wrap technology that makes repairing irregular forms and shapes easy. There are no bonding agents, adhesives or glues to make it work. SealWrap fuses to itself and creates an air and watertight seal.

“Everyone at SealWrap is extremely excited to be involved with such a professional organization as Tommy Baldwin Racing,” said Don Lux, SealWrap National Sales Manager. “We have been and will continue to support Ryan Blaney in his racing career, and this sponsorship opportunity is a perfect way for us to continue doing that. Nationwide and K&N fans are our customers. They are hard working, do-it-yourselfers who use our SealWrap product around the house and on their cars and trucks. We here are SealWrap are passionate about our product and passionate about racing!”

Ryan Blaney (Photo Credit: 51 Sports)

· March 17th – NKNSE – Bristol Motor Speedway

· April 26th – NKNSE – Richmond International Raceway

· April 27th – NNS – Richmond International Raceway

· May 11th – NNS – Darlington Raceway

· May 19th – NKNPSE – Iowa Speedway

· June 29th – NNS – Kentucky Speedway

· July 28th – NNS – Indianapolis Motor Speedway

· August 3rd – NKNPSE – Iowa Speedway

· August 24th – NNS – Bristol Motor Speedway

· September 28th – NKNPSE – Dover International Speedway

· October 12th – NNS – Charlotte Motor Speedway

· November 10th – NKNPSW – Phoenix International Raceway

About Tommy Baldwin Racing:

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) Crew Chief Tommy Baldwin formed Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) in 2009. Baldwin utilized a declining economy to open a NSCS team with a stringent budget. The team worked to build to full-time competition, and by the 2011 season, the team’s third season, TBR competed in every race and locked the No. 36 Chevrolet in the top-35 in NSCS Owner Points. Dave Blaney drove the No. 36 Chevrolet to TBR’s highest finish of third in the October 2011 event at Talladega Superspeedway. TBR also fielded a second car for select races in the past two seasons with multiple drivers.

Based in Mooresville, N.C., TBR will compete in the NSCS in 2012 with NASCAR veterans David Reutimann and Dave Blaney. The team will also compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with Ryan Blaney.

For more information on Tommy Baldwin Racing, visit tommybaldwinracing.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About SealWrap Repair Tape:

SealWrap is a great product that everyone can use. SealWrap is a repair tape that you just stretch-and- wrap around whatever you need- no adhesives or glues are needed!

The secret is SealWrap’s ability to fuse to itself. That means there are no bonding agents, adhesives or glues to make it work. It simply fuses to itself and won’t let go! Repairing irregular forms and shapes can now be handled easily. Simply STRETCH-N-WRAP!

SealWrap’s tape works in all types of weather conditions – from -55 degrees Fahrenheit to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, water tight and air tight to 100 psi of pressure. This 30 mil. tape will insulate 600 volts per mil. and can be stretched to three times its original length. In addition, the elements of weather will not affect it, allowing it to be a long lasting repair.

Visit www.sealwrap.com for more details

- Tommy Baldwin Racing Press Release

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

It’s an adage that certainly does ring true these days for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

In one of the biggest season-to-season upheavals since the formation of the series in 1995, the 2012 season will feature wholesale changes from 2011.

And the changes run deep.

In addition to a major influx of new faces in new places, the Truck Series’ annual calendar has been trimmed by three races from its 2011 slate.

Now featuring just 22 events, the series will no longer compete at Nashville Superspeedway (previously two dates), New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway and Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis.

The trucks will debut at Rockingam — which last hosted a NASCAR national series in 2004 — as Iowa picks up a second race.

An even more seismic shift, however, involves the drivers and teams.

Gone is Kevin Harvick Inc., which dominated much of 2011 but closed its doors at the end of the season.

Also missing will be reigning series champion Austin Dillon, who has been promoted to the Nationwide Series to compete for grandfather Richard Childress’ team.

But the Truck Series won’t be completely devoid of Dillons. Austin’s younger brother, 19-year-old Ty, has seized his brother’s former seat in the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.

Despite being just a rookie, the 2011 ARCA Racing Series champion could contend for the title with last year’s NCWTS championship-winning team.

- SPEEDtv.com

Andy Belmont Racing (ABR)

“I can’t wait to get the season going,” Kile said. “They’ve really set the bar high at Andy Belmont Racing, so it’s a tremendous challenge to take it to the next level. I believe our ModSpace team will come out of the blocks fast. This race team will start the year in full stride.”

Kile joins the team that won the prestigious Bill France Four Crown Award, finished fifth in ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards driver points with Chad McCumbee and sixth in car owner points.

The Westlake, La., native won a race and finished fifth in driver points in 2010 while driving for Bill Venturini.

The February 18th race at Daytona has been the traditional ARCA Racing Series opener since 1964 and Belmont as been coming to the World Center of Racing as a driver or owner since 1985. Team owner Jennifer Belmont has been fielding cars at Daytona since 1992. She believes Kile has the talent and desire to make ModSpace and Andy Belmont Racing a championship contender.

“I’m confident we’ll be in the championship hunt all year,” Belmont said. “Mikey is the driver I believe can make us a contender in our flagship car. He’s always been fast at Daytona, so we’re confident he will get us off to a good start. Everyone on this race team has spent a lot of hours making sure he will have a good car. Mikey will do the rest.”

Mikey Kile

ModSpace (http://www.modpace.com) returns as the primary sponsor for ABR for the third consecutive season.

Daytona is the biggest race of the ARCA season, and the list of former winners includes: Benny Parsons, Kyle Petty, Tim Richmond, Mike Wallace, Ryan Newman and Kyle Busch.

Belmont is ready for his 28-year-old driver to add his name to that list.

“ModSpace is always excited to start the season at Daytona,” William Mann, vice president of ModSpace Motorsports, said. “The history and energy that comes with this historic track always creates an exciting race! We are looking forward to seeing Mikey get behind the wheel the No. 1 ModSpace Ford and deliver a top-notch finish.”

“The entire team had a successful test at Daytona and they came back with a lot of notes to make the car even better,” Kile said. “This is an exciting time for everyone involved with this ModSpace race team. We’re all eager to get it started at Daytona. We will also be testing a new car at Talladega Superspeedway at the end of this month. ”

Team haulers will arrive at Daytona on Tuesday, February 12. Following a day of inspection on February 13, Kile will practice on February 14 and qualify a day later. The 80-lap main event is February 16 at 4:30 p.m., and it will be broadcasted live on SPEED.

About ModSpace:

Modular Space Corporation (ModSpace), based in Berwyn, Pa., is a leading provider of modular buildings, portable storage and services for temporary and permanent space needs. With more than 40 years of experience, ModSpace serves a diverse set of customers and markets through a network of 80 branches throughout the United States and Canada. http://www.modspace.com

About Andy Belmont Racing (ABR):

Andy Belmont Racing is a competitive and respected motorsports operation who fields race cars in the ARCA Racing Series. ABR has been serving the motorsports community and winning for nearly 25 years. AndyBelmont.com

- Andy Belmont Racing Press Release

RAB Racing with Brack Maggard Logo

Townley, 22, has made seven starts in the Camping World Truck Series, most recently at Phoenix International Raceway in November, 2008.

Townley will join teammate Kenny Wallace, driver of the No. 09 Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

“I’m looking forward to this year,” Townley said. “It’s good to be racing in the Camping World Truck Series again, and doing it with RAB Racing makes it that much better.”

While the season-opening event will mark Townley’s first laps at Daytona International Speedway in Camping World Truck Series competition, he is no stranger to the World Center of Racing. In three ARCA Racing Series starts, the Watkinsville, Ga., native has two top-five finishes, including a career-best finish of third in February, 2010.

“I’m looking forward to expanding our operation and racing in the Camping World Truck Series,” said Robby Benton, owner of RAB Racing. “We’ll have a presence in two NASCAR garage areas this year, and I’m happy to be adding another strong Toyota entry. We started our current Nationwide Series program with John Wes, and we’re happy to be starting our Truck Series presence with him, as well.”

Townley will be backed by new sponsors for the 2012 season, as well as current sponsors of RAB Racing’s NASCAR Nationwide Series program.

The 22-race NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule kicks off on February 24 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., and concludes November 16 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

A crew chief for the team will be named at a later date.

About RAB Racing with Brack Maggard

Founded in 2005, RAB Racing with Brack Maggard is a Concord, North Carolina-based auto racing team that fields entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its 2012 lineup includes Kenny Wallace in the Nationwide Series, and John Wes Townley in the Camping World Truck Series. For more information on RAB Racing with Brack Maggard, please call 704-788-7811, visit www.teamrab.com. Stay up-to-date with the latest happenings by liking the team on Facebook (RAB Racing) and by following the team on Twitter (@RAB_Racing).

- RAB Racing with Brack Maggard Press Release