JR Motorsports

Speedco joins the No. 88 late model team and 21-year-old driver Josh Berry. Berry was recently named the 2011 recipient of the Speed51.com / AR Bodies Late Model Most Popular Driver award, a competition which encompassed multiple late model drivers across the United States and Canada. His on-track performance last year netted one win, nine top fives, and 16 top-10 finishes.

Speedco is also returning for its second season sponsoring L.W. Miller in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour. In addition to his driving duties, Miller will serve as crew chief and team manager for the No. 88 late model team this season.

“Having Speedco join JR Motorsports in support of all our racing programs is a privilege,” Kelley Earnhardt said. “Our company is greatly appreciative of their involvement. Speedco has been a phenomenal supporter of local racing, and now we’re proud to showcase their brand at both the local and national level.”

In the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Speedco receives b-post placement on the No. 5, 7 and 88 Chevrolets. The cars will be piloted by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick and Cole Whitt, respectively. Patrick and Whitt are competing for the series championship, while Earnhardt Jr. will race sporadically throughout the season starting at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 25.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to continue working with Speedco and look forward to building a relationship with everyone at JR Motorsports and our Speedco late model driver Josh Berry,” said Darin Odle, director of motorsports for Speedco. “I especially want to thank my good friend, L.W. Miller, for helping put our program together for 2012.”

ABOUT SPEEDCO

Speedco Truck Lube and Tire is a provider of on-highway truck lubrication and routine tire services to commercial truck owner-operators and fleets. Speedco is owned by Bridgestone Bandag, LLC, which has an 87.5 percent interest in Speedco, Inc. Bridgestone Bandag, LLC is part of Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS), an operating unit of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC. BBTS provides new Bridgestone, Firestone and Dayton brand medium and heavy duty truck tires, and Bandag brand retreading materials and equipment to more than 2,500 dealers, truck stops and franchised Bandag retreaders throughout the U.S. and Canada.

ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:

Based in Mooresville, N.C., JR Motorsports is the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s nine-time Most Popular Driver and winner of more than 40 NASCAR-sanctioned races. JR Motorsports competes in multiple racing divisions, including the NASCAR Nationwide Series where the team owns 10 victories. To learn more about the organization and its stable of drivers which include Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick and Cole Whitt, visit www.JRMracing.com. The JR Motorsports facility also houses the JR Nation retail store, Hammerhead Entertainment and JRM Licensing.

- JR Motorsports Press Release

JR Motorsports

Which nation might that be? None other than, “Junior Nation.”

The legions of fans of popular NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his JR Motorsports Late Model team helped propel 21-year-old Tennessee native and JR Motorsports Late Model Stock Car driver Josh Berry to the title of the 2011 Speed51.com/AR Bodies Late Model Most Popular Driver.

“That’s awesome to be the Most Popular Driver and I’m honored to be a part of it,” said Berry, who was a weekly competitor at Virginia’s Motor Mile Speedway in 2011. “It’s really exciting. I don’t think I’m necessarily one of the most recognized of all the drivers out there; maybe this will help that.

“Really though, all the credit goes to JR Motorsports and being tied to Dale Jr. Our company really prides itself on its social media and I think that played a big role in getting all the votes. It’s become such a huge part of sponsorship and interacting with fans. Having that kind of exposure and pull is a big plus, not only for my sponsors we have already, but the sponsor we have coming on board for next year, Speedco Truck Lube. One of their big selling points with us was our social media exposure.”

As the winner of the Late Model Most Popular Driver voting, Berry will receive a new “A” Package ABC-style Late Model body from AR Bodies. Jerry Criswell and his staff of the Tennessee-based AR Bodies team will also extend their prize give-aways to the second and third-place drivers.

Georgia Super and Pro Late Model racer and 19-time winner in 2011, Bubba Pollard finished second in the voting, roughly 1,000 votes behind Berry. Michigan’s Erik Jones, the 2011 JEGS / CRA All-Stars Tour Champion, finished third in the voting. Both drivers will be recognized with a $500 product certificate from AR Bodies.

“ARbodies is proud to once again have the opportunity to award a new body to the nation’s Most Popular Driver,” said Jerry Criswell of AR Bodies. “Congratulations to Josh Berry and the entire JR Motorsports team on their successes both on and off the track. Bubba Pollard and Erik Jones have also had a great year of racing and we would like to congratulate them on their first and second runner-up finishes in the Most Popular Driver voting. In recognition of their achievements, ARbodies has decided to award each with a $500 off a ‘M’ Package certificate.”

Driving for JR Motorsports in 2011 after befriending Earnhardt, Jr. on the racing simulation iRacing, Berry picked up his first win of his young Late Model Stock Car career in April. He continued strong showings in the tough NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model division all season while racing against veteran and championship-winning drivers every Saturday night at Motor Mile. When he ventured out and into one of Late Model racing’s most prestigious events, the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 at Martinsville Speedway (VA), Berry continued turning heads with an impressive qualifying effort. The achievements on track this season, plus a savvy social media presence and affiliation with one of the sport’s most popular figures all helped Berry earn the MPD title.

“When we went into 2011, we had two goals: to win my first race and just to prove myself every week,” said Berry. “I had a new crew chief, L.W. Miller, and we had people come in for a whole transformation with the Late Model team. It was a big year for us, so to come out and win that early was a big shot in the arm. It proved that we’re there and we turned some stuff around. Towards the end of the year, we still ran well and in the top-five, but we still improved every week.

“We went to the big race of the year at Martinsville and qualified ninth out of 80 cars. That was pretty good to end my first full year of Late Models and my first time at Martinsville. I’m still pretty inexperienced in Late Models compared to a lot of people I’m racing against. L.W. helped me with that because he’s so experienced. He could help me understand that I’m racing against a ton of talent. When I’m racing against a Philip Morris or a Frank Deiny, Jr. or even a Lee Pulliam like we did every week at Motor Mile, I’m racing against years and years of experience in those type of cars.”

In 2012, armed with a new AR Bodies body on his number-72 Late Model, Berry will look to continue to rack up the impressive statistics at Motor Mile.

“We’ll change our colors a little bit with Speedco on board for this season,” said Berry. “We’ll run full-time at Motor Mile and we’re definitely looking at opportunities to hopefully branch out a little bit and get me some more experience. That’s all dependent on sponsorship and how we can work it out. We want to wait on the right opportunity for that, for sure. So for now, we’ll do full-time at Motor Mile and some of the big shows here and there.”

Wisconsin Super Late Model racer Blake Brown was fourth in the voting, while Ohio’s Tyler Strickland was fifth.

AR Bodies has become an innovative leader in the ABC body field, which was developed several years ago to help create a uniform set of body rules for Late Model series and tracks throughout the country, while also offering the bodies at an economical price for racers.

For more information on AR Bodies, visit them online at www.arbodies.com and follow them on Twitter, @arbodies.

Since 2001, Speed51.com has been the home for short track news, behind-the-scenes stories and in-depth race coverage and radio broadcasts of series all around the country, from ARCA and NASCAR’s Touring Divisions, to the Super Late Model and Modified series and much more. Speed 51 Radio is also the exclusive production team for NASCAR Home Tracks Radio.

For more information on Speed51.com and the rest of the 51 Companies, contact Matt Kentfield at 51 Sports at (704) 785-4013 and visit Speed51.com. Speed51.com is on Twitter at @speed51dotcom and on Facebook by searching Speed51.com.

- 51 Sports Press Release

January 15, 2012 – Forsyth, GA -

“I’ve been a guest on a lot of hunting shows and have always had a burning desire to do more within outdoor entertainment. I’m excited about turning the page to a new chapter of my career. Aside from being behind the wheel of a race car, I can’t think of any other place I’d rather be than in the wide open spaces of the outdoors,” says Earnhardt. “I’m good friends with Haley and her husband G.O. and have always enjoyed watching their show. We share the same family values and that was important to me coming on board.”

The Heaths’ feel that, “in 2012 you will get to see a glimpse of what Family Traditions has in-store for the 2013 season. Kerry is an intense hunter and true outdoorsman. We are looking forward to bringing Kerry in as a Co-Host and know that the viewers will enjoy spending time with him as well.”

About Kerry Earnhardt

Kerry Earnhardt has been racing since the early 1990’s. Son of the legendary, 7-time NASCAR Champion Dale Earnhardt, Kerry claimed the Rookie of the Year title driving the Late Model Stock ranks before he started running select Bush Series races in 1998 / 1999. Earnhardt moved to the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Series in 2000. In six starts, he posted four top five finishes and a first victory celebrated at Pocono Speedway in the Winner’s Circle with his proud father. During the same season, Kerry made his debut in NASCAR’s Winston Cup Series when he raced at Michigan International Speedway competing against both his father and his brother. Kerry claimed three ARCA victories in 2001 including a win at Lowes Motor Speedway and then went on to compete within all three divisions of NASCAR.

Kerry’s same passion for racing is reflected in his commitment to the great outdoors. Today he has swapped the driver’s seat for the tree stand. He is an avid outdoor enthusiast committed to supporting and educating the importance of land and animal preservation and conservation.

To find out more information about Kerry Earnhardt please contact Earnhardt Outdoors Public Relations at info@earnhardtoutdoors.com [mailto:info@earnhardtoutdoors.com]

About Family Traditions with Haley Heath

Family Traditions with Haley Heath is as much about family as it is the pursuit of big game. This show takes an inside glimpse into the life of successful outdoorswoman Haley Heath and her family of avid hunters. Lessons learned in the show extend beyond hunting tips and delve into the importance of family traditions. In a crazy world where spending time with family takes a back seat to providing for one, this program showcases how accomplishing both at the same time is possible.

Let this entertaining, All-American family take you on a journey into the wild and introduce you to a new family tradition…

Family Traditions with Haley Heath airs exclusively on the Sportsman Channel Wednesday at 10 p.m., Thursdays at 1:00 a.m., and Thursdays at 1:00 p.m., EDT.

To learn more about Family Traditions with Haley Heath, please visit www.FamilyTraditionsTV.com

About Haley Heath

At first glance, Haley Heath is a striking young woman with a friendly smile and obvious warmth. She is the dedicated mother of two young children and wife of her 1st grade sweetheart, G.O. She is a devoted daughter and dependable sister and the kind of person you quickly call friend.

This All-American girl-next-door is also a fifth- generation avid outdoorsman with a passion for the pursuit of wild game. Her love of hunting was honed at her father’s knee as he patiently introduced her to the outdoors. Her first claim to fame was when, at the age of 6, she shot her first deer, a basket-rack, seven-pointer that still hangs proudly on her wall today. Since those early days, the size of her trophies has increased along with her fame.

What began in 2006 with Haley’s participation in a ‘Survivor-like’ competition on the ESPN television show, “ESPN’s Ultimate Outdoorsmen Search,” evolved into the popular television show, Family Traditions with Haley Heath.

Since the show began, Haley has earned much-deserved recognition. In 2008, she was the first woman to receive the “Viewer Favorite Personality” Sportsman Award. In 2009, she was appointed as the Ambassador for The Sportsman Channel’s organization Hunt Fish Feed, which works to feed needy families. In 2009, Haley was highlighted in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and ABC Nightly World News.

Today, Haley is the host of Family Traditions with Haley Heath and earns the respect of hunting enthusiasts around the world.

- Earnhardt Outdoors Public Relations Press Release

Dale Earnhardt Jr Diet Mt Dew - Photo Credit: Geoff Burke/Getty Images

DALE EARNHARDT JR, NO. 88 DIET MOUNTAIN DEW CHEVROLET met with media and discussed Pre-Season Thunder at Daytona, the off-season, team changes for 2012, and more.

KERRY THARP:  We’re here with Dale Earnhardt, Jr., driver of the No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew National Guard Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, and Dale, first thing I’m going to ask you, you’ve won the Daytona 500, you know what it’s like to go to victory lane here at Daytona.  What would it be like to go into victory lane here at Daytona again in 2012?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.:  Winning the 500 is the biggest race of the year.  It’s the greatest feeling.  When it comes to winning single events, you can’t beat it.  A lot of effort goes into this race.  Just like down here testing for three days, we don’t really do it anywhere else.  Same amount of work that you’re seeing down here for three days, that’s what’s happening back at the shop with the engines for this race, for that whole Speed Weeks.  The effort is quadruple when it comes to how much goes into the engines just for that race and the bodies on the cars just for that race.

Audio: 2012 NSCS Preseason Thunder Press Conference with Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.

A lot goes into it for whatever reason, more than any other event.  So it’s a pretty big deal when you win. 

            Q.  Just a simple question:  What’s your mindset entering the season?  How did the off season go as far as you thinking about this season and what’s your approach going to be?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.:  The off season has been good.  I’ve been able to relax a lot, and I’ve been looking forward to getting in the car.  I really wasn’t ready to get out of the car, and I’ve been asking Steve when we were going to test, when we’re going to go to the racetrack just to be doing something instead of sitting around at home.  We plan to test a little bit more than we did last year before the season starts, which I think will be good for our team.

It’s been good, though.  I’ve been just enjoying the time off and really getting charged up and ready for the year to start.

Q.  What’s your thoughts on the speed y’all are running out there now?  Do you think it’ll be faster, slower?  Do you like it better than last year?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.:  Yeah, I like going faster than we’ve been going.  The cars are really, really slow by themselves the last couple years at Daytona and Talladega.  Qualifying in the mid-180 range is just way too slow.  You know, when I was growing up as a kid, hearing the numbers that guys were trying to put up and how fast they would go, 210 here and 214 at Talladega when Elliott was doing that in ’85, maybe it was ’84, but just back then those kind of numbers, man, that was awesome stuff to read about, and it gets you really excited.

So going 30 miles an hour slower than that doesn’t sound like a lot of fun, and it’s not.  So I’m glad that they opened up the cars a little bit, took a little plate away, took a little spoiler away and gave us a bigger plate.

I could always    the cars, the track is brand new, and the tire is really good, so the cars don’t handle.  I like the cars to handle some.  I’d like to have to adjust on my car and work on the handling and get it to drive good, but it doesn’t go fast enough to have a problem.  So that’s a little disappointment.

But I think that the changes they made are really good.  I can feel that I’m going around the corner faster than I have been the last couple years, which is good.

Q.  What kind of racing do you think we’ll see if it’s not tandem racing?  What kind of racing will fans see from the grandstands?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.:  I’ve only run single car runs today, so I don’t really know how to answer that question.  If I had to guess, I’d guess it’s going to look like last year’s race.

Q.  I was just curious your thoughts about what kind of impact the stories we’ve seen about limiting communications between drivers on the track might make.

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.:  I don’t think it’ll be a big deal.  You know, pretty much everybody is working with teammates anyways.  I don’t think they’re going to limit that.  I don’t think it’ll be any big deal.  When we first started tandem drafting, you might end up working with somebody outside of your company, but then everybody sort of got a little strict on who they were going to work with and how they were going to do it, and they stuck with that plan the entire races.  So I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.

Q.  Do you have any changes at all really with your team this year, and if not, can you just talk about kind of the difference going into this year compared to last year?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.:  We had a couple people move around.  I had a really, really good interior guy that went to work at RCR because it’s a little closer to where he lives.  A lot, actually.  And we got a new guy who works out really good.

A couple other positions like that, similar to that, that can really affect a team.  Everybody’s personalities have to mesh and everybody has to get along good.  You get one guy in there that everybody doesn’t like, then you’ve got a big problem, kind of a bruise over the entire season and can really bring a team down from the inside out.

But I feel pretty good about the changes we’ve made.  I believe in what Steve chooses when it comes to personnel, to put the team around him that he thinks he needs.  So I’m excited about some of those changes that we’ve made.

But other than that, we have nothing really huge that’s been done.  I think they did hire a fellow to come in and manage the fabrication department or something like that, which is a pretty big deal, but the effects of that won’t be felt for another month or so.

Q.  When Danica came here in ’09 for the ARCA test she talked about how nervous she was and had trouble figuring out how to put her hair in the uniform and things like that.  Did you pay any attention to her today?  Did you feel like this is routine stuff for her, that she’s kind of gotten past all that?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.:  I didn’t even remember that she was supposed to be here.  I didn’t know who was in the 10 car until Steve told me because I saw 10 on the board, and I’m thinking, There’s no 10; who’s in the 10?  But she’s been relatively quiet, and that’s probably good for her to be able to come in here and work and get everything done she wants to get done and concentrate on her driving and concentrate on her new team and everybody.  She’s learning a whole new group of guys, and the nuances of the Cup car versus the Nationwide car.  As far as I can tell it’s been a pretty quiet day, considering.

Q.  Just wanted to ask you about Cole Whitt in your Nationwide car, about that deal.

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.:  All right.

Q.  Tell me how you came to pick him over the other drivers who are out there and what you think he brings to your team.

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.:  Well, I thought that, no disrespect to any of the guys that we didn’t choose, they know who they are, but we considered a lot of different people.  I just felt like Cole had some potential that was untapped, that we hadn’t    he had potential and ability that we hadn’t been able to    he hadn’t even discovered yet, and I feel like in the guys that we looked at, we sort of know what kind of hand and cars they had and what kind of talent they had and where they would take us.

And I think it’s more exciting, a lot more risky but more exciting to go with a guy who you don’t really know what he’s capable of and could be big things, but you’ve just got to take that risk.  And that’s really why I do it.  I don’t do it to make money.  I don’t have a whole lot of other reasons to be in the Nationwide Series other than just to help somebody.  When I’m able to do that    I enjoy seeing what happened to Brad and seeing Eric get a deal like he’s got now.  That’s why I do it, you know.

It’s funner to help the new guy than it is to help the guy that’s kind of been through the ringer a few times.  Everybody deserves their opportunity, and I just feel like that was going to be Cole’s only shot.

Q.  You had watched Keselowski and seen him on the track and kind of had him on the radar screen.  Did you have that same kind of interest with Cole because this really came together very quickly with Eric leaving.  Was he somebody that you said, my goodness, if we could give this kid a shot somewhere down the road    because you also have Josh under roof, too.

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.:  Well, Josh did a good job for us.  I didn’t really watch Cole like I did Brad.  I knew Brad before I even thought about hiring him as a driver.  I just knew him, knew his family and stuff and would see him and watch him drive and watch him do stuff.

And he impressed me, but I didn’t have the opportunity to sort of    I didn’t have the opportunity to watch Cole.  The only time I really got to see Cole race was at Phoenix in the Cup car when I was out on the track with him.  I never watched any of his truck races, never seen him drive before then.  But everybody who works in that garage in there that has my phone number called me and told me Cole was the guy.  Every  one of them.  People I don’t even talk to, people that I don’t really have relationships with took time out of their day to call me and say, that’s the guy you need to hire.  They had no other interest, other than interest in seeing Cole do well and get an opportunity.  I thought it said a lot for people to do that.

And the ones that I reached out to, that was the first guy on their list.  I trusted all these people, and I feel like the guy    from what I can tell, what I can see, that he deserves an opportunity.  This might be his only opportunity, so I wanted to be the one to give it to him.

Q.  How did your ’70s themed New Year’s Eve party go, and who did you end up dressing up as?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.:  I’m glad you asked.  I was Evel Knievel, of course.  Has Matt Kenseth been in here today?  Is he coming in?

KERRY THARP:  He’s coming in in about 30 minutes.

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.:  Y’all can remind him that he owes me $2,500 because he had a beard that night and I bet him he couldn’t keep it through the test, and we actually sent a few texts back and forth to confirm the bet, and he shaved his beard.  You guys can remind him    I told him to go to the bank, but maybe he forgot.  I want my $2,500.

KERRY THARP:  Thank you, Dale.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports

About Chevrolet

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free” solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com .

- Team Chevy, Press Release

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR)

Lucas, who has spent the past two seasons as the race engineer for the No. 18 team, replaces Jason Ratcliff, who was named crew chief for JGR’s No. 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team last month. Lucas’ background in racing is deep with extensive experience as an engineer and mechanic in NASCAR as well as CART and IndyCar racing.

“Matt has done a great job for us the past two years and he will provide the team continuity going into next season,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. “He has a close relationship with Jason (Ratcliff) that will also be beneficial as he fills that role. We are fortunate to have people here at JGR like Matt that allow us the opportunity to promote from within. That team has been one of the best in the Nationwide Series over the past several years and we look forward to Matt continuing to build upon that success.”

Prior to joining Joe Gibbs Racing at the start of the 2010 season as race engineer for the No. 18 Nationwide Series team, Lucas spent four seasons with Roush Fenway Racing as a Nationwide Series engineer. As a member of the No. 60 team from 2006-2008, he would help lead Carl Edwards to the 2007 Nationwide Series Championship. In 2009 he worked with the No. 98 car driven by Paul Menard.

“I am excited about the opportunity to lead our No. 18 team going into next season,” said Lucas. “We have a tremendous group of guys on this team and throughout our Nationwide shop and we plan to continue to deliver the type of success our sponsors expect and deserve.”

Lucas spent five seasons as a race engineer with Penske Racing prior to joining Roush Fenway. In addition, he has extensive experience in racing as a mechanic having worked with A.J. Foyt Racing in IndyCar and Dan Gurney’s All-American Racers in CART.

He is a graduate of Cedarville College in Cedarville, Ohio and currently lives in Mooresville, N.C.

About Joe Gibbs Racing:

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is one of the premier organizations in NASCAR, currently fielding three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams, three NASCAR Nationwide Series teams and a driver development program. Its driver lineup consists of Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch and Joey Logano in the Sprint Cup Series, while Brian Scott joins those three in the Nationwide Series along with Michael McDowell and Mark Martin. JGR also boasts Darrell Wallace, Jr. in its driver development program and he will compete in the 2012 K&N Pro Series East and the Nationwide Series. Based in Huntersville, N.C., and owned by Joe Gibbs – a three-time Super Bowl winner as head coach of the Washington Redskins and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame – JGR has competed in NASCAR since 1992, winning three Cup Series championships, and three Nationwide Series owner’s championship along with more than 150 NASCAR races, including three Brickyard 400s and the 1993 Daytona 500.

- Joe Gibbs Racing Press Release

JR Motorsports

Whitt, a 20-year-old native of Alpine, Calif., will also compete for Sunoco Rookie-of-the-Year honors. He comes to JR Motorsports from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, where he finished ninth in last year’s championship standings with one pole, two top-five and 11 top-10 finishes. To date he is the youngest driver ever to win the USAC (United States Auto Club) National Midget championship, as his title-winning effort in 2008 put him alongside esteemed former USAC national champions such as Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne.

“Cole is the guy we wanted, and we’re lucky to get him,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “He’s got raw, untapped talent, but we are most impressed with his ambition. I sought advice and input from people I respect in the industry, and the overwhelming consensus was that Cole has the potential to do great things in this sport.”

The signing of Whitt completes the 2012 driver line-up for JR Motorsports, which will compete in Nationwide Series competition with Whitt in the No. 88 Chevrolet, Danica Patrick in the No. 7 Chevrolet, and Earnhardt Jr. in select races in the No. 5 Chevrolet. All three drivers will compete in the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 25.

“This is a big opportunity for me, and I’m happy to be a part of the JR Motorsports team,” said Whitt, who was introduced to employees Wednesday morning. “I’m grateful to Dale, Kelley and everyone at JR Motorsports for giving me this chance. It’s an honor to work with the Eurys, and I will do everything in my power to put this No. 88 team where it belongs in Victory Lane.”

Whitt got his start racing karts and saw immediate success with eight International Karting Federation championships and two World Karting Association grand national championships. He was the Hoosier Sprint Car Rookie of the Year in 2006 and earned 34 top-10 finishes in 60 USAC starts in 2007 before winning the championship in 2008. Whitt advanced to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East in 2010, promptly notching two poles and finishing fourth in points in his first year.

OTHER NEWS: JR Motorsports has hired Bruce Cook as crew chief for the No. 5 team, which will run primarily with Earnhardt Jr. in select races. Cook comes to JR Motorsports from Kevin Harvick, Inc., where he served as crew chief in 2011 in the Camping World Truck Series, predominately for the No. 2 KHI Chevrolet, which won the owner’s championship. With Cook atop the pit box, his team scored six wins, 19 top-fives and 22 top-10s. Cook was also the winning crew chief of the Nationwide Series season-opener at Daytona in 2011 with driver Tony Stewart.

ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:

Based in Mooresville, N.C., JR Motorsports is the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s nine-time Most Popular Driver and winner of more than 40 NASCAR-sanctioned races. JR Motorsports competes in multiple racing divisions, including the NASCAR Nationwide Series where the team owns 10 victories. To learn more about the organization and its stable of drivers which include Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick and Cole Whitt, visit www.JRMracing.com. The JR Motorsports facility also houses the JR Nation retail store, Hammerhead Entertainment and JRM Licensing.

- JR Motorsports Press Release

Host Jamie Little talks with six of the 12 drivers during NASCAR After the Lap at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Dec. 1, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nev. - Photo Credit:Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR

Top-12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Drivers Hold Nothing Back

LAS VEGAS (Dec. 1, 2011) – The 2011 top-12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series^TM drivers held nothing back today at the third annual, fan-favorite NASCAR After The Lap held at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas and sponsored by Coca-Cola and Ford. ESPN pit road reporter Jamie Little hosted the event along with co-host Miss Sprint Cup Monica Palumbo.

A list of the top-10 unfiltered, driver “tell-all” comments are outlined below. 

Top-10 List

Number 1

• · Ryan Newman was asked if he purchased his boss (2011 Champion Tony Stewart) anything special after winning the championship.
• · “No!”
• · Jamie Little followed with “Ryan, you told me earlier there was a waxing appointment but that no appointment was long enough to cover Tony’s needs.”

Number 2

• · Question for Kyle Busch: “Kyle, we hear your wife cooked her first Thanksgiving this year…How did she do?”
• · Response: “It was good. That’s what she said.”

Number 3

• · Comment from host Little: “There are a lot of single women in Vegas.”
• · Response from Stewart: “Why do you think I’m just happy to be here?”

Number 4

After comments about brothers Kurt and Kyle Busch dressing alike and being confused for each other, Kurt Busch responded:

• · “When the fine comes in the mail, they know how to spell our name right.”

Number 5

• · Question: What if Delana Harvick (wife of Kevin Harvick) showed up (to the race) without a fire suit?
• · Special guest and Blue Comedy Tour comedian Bill Engvall responded: “We talking no suit at all? Cus, that would be awesome.”
• · Harvick followed with “If she walked out without a fire suit and I missed the race, you’d know why.”
• · “At least for the first 10 laps…” said Matt Kenseth.

Number 6

• · Earnhardt Jr. was asked about his future wife…
• · “Yea, she’s real,” said Earnhardt Jr.
• · “Not real’s a blow-up doll.” Engvall
• · Little asked if she was a blonde.
• · “She’s like Snooki … he hasn’t noticed,” said Gordon. Earlier in the show, Stewart had commented that “For the first three episodes, I didn’t even know Snooki had a head.”

Number 7

• · Stewart was positioned in a chair next to Little who was standing nearby. “Why do you think she sat me next to her? Always sit the fat kid next to the tall girl.”

Number 8

• · Kurt Busch noted that he was “camera shy. I think the best form of communication is cussing.”

Number 9

• · “I felt uncomfortable today for the first time in a long time because I was changing next to Carl.” Stewart
• · “You’ll always have me beat with that back hair.” Carl Edwards
• · “Hey, I’m out here working hard to represent all fat kids.” Stewart

Number 10

• · Four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Gordon break dancing for fans at NASCAR After The Lap.

- ASPIRE Communications, Press Release 

Nathan Tuggle (Wheaties FUEL) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (HHP Photo)

Wheaties FUEL Presents Trophy at NASCAR Post-Season Ceremony

Minneapolis, Minn. (December 1, 2011) - Junior Nation has spoken once again. Fans of Dale Earnhardt Jr. voted the Sprint Cup Series driver the NASCAR® NMPA Most Popular Driver for the ninth straight year. Earnhardt Jr. earned the award after receiving the most online fan votes among all eligible drivers throughout the 2011 racing season.

The trophy was presented by award sponsor Wheaties FUEL to Earnhardt Jr. at the National Motorsports Press Association’s Myers Brothers ceremony Thursday in Las Vegas, Nev.

Fans cast nearly 1.5 million total votes throughout the 2011 campaign, voting up to once per day for their favorite driver at www.WheatiesFuelMostPopularDriver.com. The field was narrowed to 10 finalists and the vote counts were reset to zero for the final 10 races of the season. The nine other finalists were (in alphabetical order): Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart.

“It’s a big honor. My fans have been real supportive throughout my career,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “This has been a little bit of a turnaround year from the last couple of years, and we want to keep getting better on the racetrack and give our fans what they expect. We’ve got a lot of momentum going into 2012, and I’m proud to accept this award on behalf of all the fans who voted.”

Bill Elliott holds the record for most consecutive Most Popular Driver wins with 10, and he also holds the record for total wins with 16. He removed himself from voting after earning the honor the 16th time.

“Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s fans showcase the passion NASCAR drivers can instill,” said Rea White, president of the National Motorsports Press Association. “The NMPA appreciates all the fans who vote to make this award an important part of NASCAR.”

Since 1956, the NASCAR NMPA Most Popular Driver Award, now sponsored by Wheaties FUEL, has recognized NASCAR’s most beloved Sprint Cup driver. The award has been won by champions such as Dale Earnhardt, Bobby Allison, Richard Petty and Darrell Waltrip. It is still the only NASCAR award determined solely by the fans.

The contest once was decided by a poll among the drivers taken at the end of the season. Later, only the press was able to vote for the winner. Today, race fans from all over the world make the ultimate decision. General Mills became involved with the award in 2001 and today the Wheaties FUEL brand is the presenting sponsor.

By Champions. For Champions. Wheaties FUEL was developed in 2009 with the help of Peyton Manning, triathlete Hunter Kemper, Kevin Garnett, gold medal-winning decathlete Bryan Clay, Albert Pujols and sports nutritionist Dr. John Ivy. After a year-long development process, the result is a delicious honey cinnamon crunch that helps meet the nutritional needs of today’s champion athletes and delivers long-lasting energy from complex carbohydrates, includes b-vitamins to help your body release energy provided by food, and provides an excellent source of fiber to help you feel full.

For more information about the NASCAR NMPA Wheaties FUEL Most Popular Driver Award, including a list of past winners, visit www.WheatiesFuelMostPopularDriver.com.

- Breaking Limits Marketing for General Mills, Press Release

Tony Stewart, right, jokes around with teammate Ryan Newman during the Newlywed Game at the Fan Festival presented by Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week at the Fremont Street Experience on Nov. 30, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nev. - Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR

Stewart, Teammate Ryan Newman, Winners of Humorous Newlywed Game Parody

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 30, 2011) — Tony Stewart’s on a roll. And that’s a good feeling when you’re in Las Vegas.

Stewart and Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Ryan Newman won Wednesday’s “This Ain’t the Newlywed Game,” a riff on the television original hosted by Bob Eubanks. Stewart and Newman edged the team of Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch by most accurately recalling the estimated attendance of March’s Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The game had a myriad of humorous moments – some broad, others ribald – and in some cases more resembled a roast of the top 12 finishers in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™.

Stewart, who suggested engineering graduate Newman would be a better driver “if he didn’t think all the time,” got in the final zinger to his teammate’s incorrect answer that he would be the driver the champion most likely would bump out of the way on the final lap to win the race.

“I figured you’d pick me,” said a disappointed Newman. Stewart answered, “There you go thinking again.” Stewart thought Newman’s answer would’ve been “Brian Vickers.”

Carl Edwards said Roush Fenway Racing partner Matt Kenseth would be a better driver “if he didn’t qualify in the back.” Kenseth responded, “Are you kidding me? I beat Ryan Newman for poles this year.” Actually, they both won three Coors Light Poles during the 2011 season.

Kenseth set up Eubanks by telling Edwards his most annoying habit was always being late. Eubanks said, “Even late crossing the finish line” in reference to Edwards’ second-place finish to Stewart in the championship deciding race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

“This could be the end of my career,” said Eubanks. “I’m not sure I’ll ever do it again but it’s been fun.”

The Newlywed-style event, held on downtown Las Vegas’ historic Fremont Street Experience, drew several thousand fans. Some carried signs welcoming their favorite drivers.

The six teams were comprised of Stewart/Newman, Hamlin/Kyle Busch, Edwards/Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr./Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon/Jimmie Johnson and Brad Keselowski/Kurt Busch.

There were other activities as well, as NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week rolled into its second day working toward Friday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Banquet at Wynn Las Vegas, a signature event that will feature same day coverage (9 p.m. ET) by SPEED, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and MRN Radio.

Travis Pastrana sat for a featured one-on-one interview during Wednesday’s second and final day of the Motorsports Marketing Forum at Caesars Palace. Pastrana noted his recovery process from a broken ankle, which delayed his NASCAR Nationwide Series career, saying, “I actually became a bigger fan and feel like I learned a lot by watching on television.”

Pastrana said the biggest challenge he faces in 2012 is working with crew chief and crew to make the optimum adjustments. “In Rally, if you want to make up time, you can take chances to jump up further,” he said. “In NASCAR, you really have to not only know what the car is doing, but how to relate that.”

Stewart hosts the popular 5th Annual “Stewie Awards” with co-host Matt Yocum at 9:30 p.m. ET Thursday on the

Matt Kenseth, center, teamed up with Carl Edwards, gestures during the Newlywed Game at the Fan Festival presented by Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week at the Fremont Street Experience on Nov. 30, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nev. - Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR

SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. The Stewies honor the best, boldest and funniest moments from the NASCAR season.

Thursday is Champion’s Week longest day with the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon, NASCAR Victory Lap and NASCAR After the Lap on the schedule. Details can be found below.

Media members still have the opportunity to vote on the greatest moments during the 2011 NASCAR national series season. Among the nominations are Stewart’s come-from-behind championship run and Trevor Bayne’s surprising and dramatic Daytona 500 victory. Results will be announced beginning early next week. To vote: http://bit.ly/2011topstories.

Thursday, Dec. 1

· NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon: Beginning at 11 a.m. in the Bellagio Ballroom at the Bellagio, this annual industry/media gathering includes the presentation of awards to the Champion Crew Chief (Darian Grubb), Champion Sponsor (Office Depot and Mobil 1), Sunoco Rookie of the Year (Andy Lally) and Most Popular Driver (to be announced). Co-hosted by NASCAR and the National Motor Sports Press Association, fans can attend this exclusive event for the second-consecutive year. Fans can watch the event on NASCAR.COM via this link: http://www.nascar.com/Myers_Brothers_Luncheon.

· NASCAR Victory Lap: Set for 3 p.m., the fan-favorite NASCAR Victory Lap will feature the top 12 drivers parading – with engines growling – down the famed Las Vegas strip in their teams’ respective race cars. NASCAR Victory Lap will feature an authentic pit stop along the route and two burn-out sections for drivers. NASCAR Victory Lap will start in front of Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino on Las Vegas Boulevard and end at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Fans can watch the event on NASCAR.COM via this link: http://www.nascar.com/Victory_Lap.

· Coca-Cola Fan Zone: Fans can get a front-row seat for the conclusion of NASCAR Victory Lap at the Coca-Cola Fan Zone, a free event located at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. Beginning at noon, the Coca-Cola Fan Zone offers interactive displays from The Sprint Experience, Game Show Network, Ford, Coca-Cola, and is a prelude to NASCAR After the Lap.

· NASCAR After the Lap: Starting at 4:30 p.m., NASCAR After The Lap is one of the highlights of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week. Tickets for the third-annual event will be available for purchase at www.NASCARAfterTheLap.com for $20 each, with proceeds benefitting The NASCAR Foundation, a non-profit organization which raises funds that support children’s charities and important causes throughout the nation. Sponsored by Ford Motor Company and Coca-Cola, the event is renowned for its unfiltered, “tell-all” format featuring the 2011 top-12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers. Fans can watch the event on NASCAR.COM via this link: http://www.nascar.com/After_The_Lap.

· The 5th Annual Stewie Awards: A champion’s week tradition, 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Tony Stewart and co-host Matt Yocum return to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas for the 5th Annual Stewie Awards, broadcast live on the SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90 at 9:30 p.m. ET. The annual highlight of NASCAR Champion’s Week honors the best, boldest and funniest moments from the NASCAR season. Here’s the link for the list of awards: http://www.siriusxm.com/stewieawards.

Jeff Gordon, left, and Jimmie Johnson team up for the Newlywed Game at the Fan Festival presented by Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week at the Fremont Street Experience on Nov. 30, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nev. - Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR

2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony: The big show starts at 6 p.m. (9 p.m. ET), crowning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion driver and owner and honoring the other drivers who finished in the top 10 in the final series standings. The star-studded entertainment lineup for the ceremony includes country music icon Reba as host, a performance by Grammy-award winning rocker Kid Rock, as well as performances by two recent additions: up-and-coming country artist Ella Mae Bowen and Broadway sensation Jersey Boys.

• Sixteen-year-old Ella Mae Bowen is an emerging country singer-songwriter who is featured on the new “Footloose” soundtrack with her enthralling remake of “Holding Out For a Hero”. Bowen is originally from Walhalla, South Carolina, and is currently signed with Big Machine Label Group, which is the record label home to country superstars like Reba, Taylor Swift and Martina McBride.

• “Jersey Boys” is the smash-hit musical winner of the 2006 Tony Award on Broadway and Best Musical accolades in both London and Australia. This critically-acclaimed musical tells the tale of four blue-collar boys working their way from the streets of Newark to the top of the charts taking audiences behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Jersey Boys, voted #1 show in Las Vegas by the Las Vegas Review Journal, is currently performing at The Palazzo and is coming to Paris Las Vegas in March 2012.

SPEED, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and MRN Radio provide same-day coverage, starting at 9 p.m. ET.

- NASCAR, Press Release

Team Chevy Logo

Also nailing down a top-10 starting position was five-time defending NSCS champion Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, who will start ninth in the 43-car field.

Championship contender Tony Stewart, No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet, will roll off 15^th in Sunday’s 267-lap/400.5 mile race in his bid for a third NSCS driver’s crown.

Carl Edwards (Ford) was the pole winner. Martin Truex, Jr. (Toyota), Kasey Kahne (Toyota), Kurt Busch (Dodge) and Brad Keselowski (Dodge) completed the top-five qualifiers.

DALE EARNHARDT, JR., NO. 88 NATIONAL GUARD/AMP ENERGY CHEVROLET, QUALIFIED 11^TH: ON HIS QUALIFYING: “It was pretty decent. We had a car and a good opportunity at qualifying well. We haven’t all year long. This weekend the car has been pretty good. Had good speed. I probably could have done a little bit better on the line and the car was a little bit loose on the throttle off the corner that just cost us a little bit of time here and there. But, I was pretty pleased.”

WAS THE WIND A FACTOR AT ALL DURING QUALIFYING? “No. It will be a factor in race trim, when you put the car in race trim it is a little bit of a factor on older tires.”

TONY STEWART, NO. 14 OFFICE DEPOT/MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET – QUALIFIED 15^TH: ON QUALIFYING AND GOING INTO THIS WEEKEND’S RACE: “Well, the qualifying deal isn’t how our race is going to play out. So, this is one lap of how many hundred miles we’ve got to go. I don’t know where we’re going to end up here, but it looks like we’re going to be solid. That’s the main thing. We didn’t have a pole-winning car today, but our Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevy is pretty good in race trim. I’m glad we spent more time working on race trim than qualifying trim. So, we’ll see how it plays out.”

YOU’VE GOT QUALIFYING DONE AND YOUR PRACTICES ARE DONE. YOU’VE JUST GOT ONE THING LEFT. DO YOU HAVE A CAR GOOD ENOUGH TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP HERE IN 2011? “We’ll know in 399 miles. I’ll let you know after that.”

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET – QUALIFIED 9^TH: ON HIS LAP: “It wasn’t bad. It was decent. It wasn’t bad at all. We felt better about our qualifying than our race trim. So I think we have a little bit of work to do yet on our set-up for the race. But the qualifying aspect has gone well today.”

WAS THE WIND A FACTOR IN QUALIFYING TODAY? “No, it’s definitely been there; but fortunately it’s been the same all day. So I kind of knew what I had to do. But it is gusty, for sure.”

JEFF GORDON, NO. 24 DRIVE TO END HUNGER CHEVROLET – QUALIFIED 7^TH: HOW WAS YOUR RUN? “I’m really happy with it. We had a good day today and I felt like going out late certainly helped and I thought the Drive to End Hunger team did a great job tuning for qualifying. The car was really close.”

WAS THE WIND A FACTOR? “I didn’t feel it to be a big factor in qualifying; I thought it would be a bigger factor with the tire started to fall off.”

About Chevrolet

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free” solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com .

-  Team Chevy, Press Release

Dale Earnhardt Jr (Photo Credit: Doug Pensinger / Getty Images)

The current series points leader, Carl Edwards, was second quickest with a lap speed of 172.678 mph, while second in the points, Tony Stewart, was 15th quickest with a lap speed of 171.249 mph.

Rounding out the top-ten quickest during practice were Matt Kenseth (172.298) who was third quickest, Ryan Newman (172.068) fourth, Jimmie Johnson (172.013) fifth, Kasey Kahne (171.920) sixth, Landon Cassill (171.887) seventh, Jeff Gordon (171.674) eighth, Kevin Harvick (171.652) ninth and Juan Pablo Montoya (171.581) posting the tenth quickest lap speed.

Following shortly after this session, the teams “Happy Hour” (final) practice session (the last series practice session of 2011)  is scheduled to run from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (ET) with qualifying set to get underway at 2:40 PM (ET).

The Ford 400 is scheduled to start around 3:20 PM (ET) on Sunday afternoon, and ESPN will begin their (pre-race) television coverage at 2:00 PM (ET).

2011 NSCS Ford 400 First Practice Session Speeds

(i) Ineligible for Points in this Series
# Denotes Rookie
* Required to Qualify on Time

Austin Dillon soaks in the glory after becoming the youngest NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion following Friday night's race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images for NASCAR)

“Everyone at Chevrolet is extremely proud of Austin Dillon’s accomplishment this year,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. Vice President of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “Throughout his young career, he has proven himself to be a very talented driver. After winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of Year in his 2010 debut, to come back and win the championship this year clearly demonstrates the bright future Austin has in NASCAR.

“We are very proud of our long partnership with Richard Childress Racing and couldn’t be more pleased to be a part of every victory and every championship Richard’s teams have won.”

Dillon, 21, led the series with five poles, and added two wins, 10 top-fives and 16 top-10s in 25 races this season.

Dillon, who carried a 20-point lead into the season finale’, is the sixth Team Chevy driver to win the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship, joining Ron Hornaday Jr. (2009, 2007, 1998 and 1996), Jack Sprague (2001, 1999, and 1997), Travis Kvapil (2003), Mike Bliss (2002) and Mike Skinner (1995).

This is Childress’ second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship; Mike Skinner won the first in the series’ inaugural season, 1995 – also in the No. 3. Childress also won six NASCAR Sprint Cup championships with Dale Earnhardt (1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1994).

“It’s been a very successful season for Team Chevy in the Camping World Truck Series,” Campbell said. “We’d also like to congratulate Kevin Harvick Inc. on winning the Owners’ Championship. What a way for KHI to close out a tremendous 10-year run in the series.

“In addition, our congratulations to Joey Coulter for winning the Series’ Sunoco Rookie of the Year.”

Chevrolet earlier clinched the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Manufacturers’ Championship for the seventh time.

Tonight’s season-finale was won by Johnny Sauter, No. 13 SafeAuto / Curb Records Silverado.

About Chevrolet

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free” solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com .

- Chevrolet Press Release

NASCAR HotPass on DIRECTV

Event: Ford 400
Previous Winner: Carl Edwards (beat Jimmie Johnson by 1.608 seconds on Nov. 21, 2010)
Date / Time: Sunday, Nov. 20, at 3 p.m. EST
Track: Homestead-Miami Speedway
Configuration: 1.5-mile oval (267 laps = 400.5 miles)
Banking in Turns: 18-20 degrees (variable)
Banking on Straightaways: 4 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,760 feet
Backstretch: 1,760 feet
First Sprint Cup Series Race: November 14, 1999 – Pennzoil 400 (Winner – Tony Stewart)
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 65,000

NASCAR HOTPASS™ on DIRECTV is back, and it’s FREE to all DIRECTV customers. Four dedicated driver channels offering viewers multiple camera angles, real-time statistics and audio of the network broadcast augmented by live communication between the drivers and their pit crews are available for all 36 points-paying races during the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

The NASCAR HOTPASS lineup for the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway is as follows:

DIRECTV Channel 795:

Tony Stewart and the No. 14 Office Depot / Mobil 1 Chevrolet team of Stewart-Haas Racing

Tony Stewart will make his 464^th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start and his 13^th at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Has two wins (1999 and 2000) and six top-10 finishes in 12 Sprint Cup starts at Homestead … The 40-year-old Columbus, Ind., native has won 43 races and has 265 top-10 finishes in 463 Sprint Cup starts … 2011 marks Stewart’s 13^th full year in Sprint Cup and he won the points championship in 2002 and 2005 … Started eighth and finished third last week at Phoenix International Raceway … Ranks second in Sprint Cup Series points with four wins and 18 top-10 finishes.

DIRECTV Channel 796:

Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet team of Richard Childress Racing

Kevin Harvick will make his 394^th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start and his 11^th at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Has eight top-10 finishes in 10 starts at Homestead … The 35-year-old Bakersfield, Calif., native has 18 wins and 173 top-10 finishes in 393 Sprint Cup starts … 2011 marks Harvick’s 11^th full year in Sprint Cup with a career-best points finish of third in 2010 … Won 2001 and 2006 NASCAR Nationwide Series championships … Started 27^th and finished 19^th last week at Phoenix International Raceway … Ranks third in Sprint Cup Series points with four wins and 18 top-10 finishes.

DIRECTV Channel 797:

Dale Earnhardt Jr., and the No. 88 National Guard / AMP Energy Chevrolet team of Hendrick Motorsports

Dale Earnhardt Jr., will make his 435^th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start and his 12^th at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Has two top-15 finishes in 11 Sprint Cup starts at Homestead … The 37-year-old Kannapolis, N.C., native has won 18 races and has 162 top-10 finishes in 434 Sprint Cup starts … 2011 marks Earnhardt’s 12^th full year in Sprint Cup with a career-best points finish of third in 2003 … Won 1998 and 1999 NASCAR Nationwide Series championships … Started 22^nd and finished 24^th last week at Phoenix International Raceway … Ranks seventh in Sprint Cup Series points with 12 top-10 finishes.

DIRECTV Channel 798:

Carl Edwards and the No. 99 Aflac Ford team of Roush Fenway Racing

Carl Edwards will make his 265^th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start and his eighth at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Has two wins (2008 and 2010), one pole (2005) and six top-10 finishes in seven Sprint Cup starts at Homestead … The 32-year-old Columbia, Mo., native has won 19 races and has 143 top-10 finishes in 264 Sprint Cup starts … Won 2007 NASCAR Nationwide Series title … 2011 marks Edwards’ seventh full year in Sprint Cup with a career-best points finish of second in 2008 … Started ninth and finished second last week at Phoenix International Raceway … Ranks first in Sprint Cup Series points with one win and 25 top-10 finishes.

About NASCAR HOTPASS on DIRECTV:

NASCAR HOTPASS is available free to all DIRECTV customers. More information is available at www.directv.com/hotpass.

- True Speed Communication for NASCAR HotPass on DIRECTV

John Darby (L), NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Director talks with Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard/Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet in the garage during the NASCAR Aerodynamic and Fuel Injection Test at Daytona International Speedway. - Photo Credit: Jerry Markland, Getty Images for NASCAR

DALE EARNHARDT, JR., NO. 88 AMP ENERGY/NATIONAL GUARD/DIET MOUNTAIN DEW CHEVROLET, met with the media during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Test at Daytona International Raceway.

An interview with DALE EARNHARDT, JR.

Q. Did you find the secret?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: We’re still working.

Q. What were some of the things out there you saw the car maybe doing a little bit different in the draft? Anything in particular?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: We have tried smaller spoilers at half-inch increments down to a three-inch blade. We have went down a hundred or more pounds in the rear springs, and the cars drive and draft the same. They just go faster.

Q. So that’s not the answer?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: We haven’t found it.

Q. You haven’t found the answer?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: No.

Q. Anything else you can do before the day is over?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: I’m sure there are some creative minds around here. There’s all kinds of options and ideas. I still feel positive about finding a solution. I felt like when we came down here, it was going to take more than one day of testing to get there.

This is part of the work. This is part of the work that’s got to get done. Whether we find a solution or not today, we know a lot of things about what we learned today. We’re better off than we were yesterday.

Q. Does what you saw today make you think it’s going to take something out of the box, something radical?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: No, no, no. The answer is in the past. The answer is in the history of the sport. I’ve heard people comment that, The tandem drafting was always there, it just took this long for people to figure this out. That’s not true. You couldn’t tandem draft in 1998 or in 2004. You bump-drafted, but when you went in the corner, you would spin somebody out if you stayed on their bumper.

We have to get to that point, however that is. It’s going to be difficult with the surface of the racetrack being as grippy as it is. That’s not helping us at all. We got to figure out a way to take a little bit of grip out of the cars where it’s back in the drivers’ hands and the lead guy doesn’t want anybody pushing. That’s what you want to do.

I didn’t anticipate coming down here and finding the magical solution. I just knew we needed to come down here, put in some work, figure out what we can while we’re here. This is an important thing to do. We also get an opportunity to work on our fuel injection. That’s all going really well.

Like I said, we’ll be better off and smarter than we were before we got here today, and hopefully that helps us and gives us an opportunity going forward with NASCAR and their engineering staff to come up with a solution eventually.

Q. About an hour ago you were running in a three-car group with Joey and Marcos. Two cars were trying to catch you and couldn’t. Is that the direction you’re trying to go, where a group can outrun a tandem?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: I don’t think you’ll ever have it to where a group can outrun a tandem. Just the physics of that won’t work.

What we want is to make the car become controllable to drive when you’re being pushed through the corner. Definitely your going down to the smaller spoiler takes away some rear downforce back in the back of the car. Those are some steps in the right direction. From the looks of it today, that’s not the entire answer to it.

There’s definitely some other things we need to look at, and we will look at. I’m speaking out of turn because I don’t know where NASCAR is today after what we’ve learned at this point. But I feel positive and confident that what we’re doing here is important.

Q. So you expressed you might have some concern about how this went, but at no point today where you uncomfortable in the car?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: Not really at all. We’ve tuned the cars up 10 mile an hour. By themselves I assume they were going about 12 mile an hour faster than what they were when we showed up this morning. That tandem draft we were able to achieve, we’re going anywhere from 6 to 10 mile an hour faster and the cars are just as comfortable.

You know, I didn’t expect a big difference between 190 to 205. Those are both large numbers. 15 miles an hour, I didn’t expect really to shake things up at all, and it didn’t. But I feel positive that we’re learning things and we’re learning what we need to know to try to do whatever NASCAR is trying to achieve.

I’m not exactly sure exactly what they’re trying to achieve to the point. I know that they would like to have the pack racing we used to have. I will say, too, that NASCAR and the drivers are all in agreement that there is no way possible to get rid of the tandem drafting. But what we would like to do is make it possible to race without having to tandem draft the entire day, get back to where we’re having passing, racing amongst the leaders, guys jostling around, moving in and out of packs and lines, and then at the end if it comes down to a one- or two-lap tandem draft that wins the race, that would be expected by everyone here, NASCAR and the drives as well. The bumpers match up so perfectly. We’re so comfortable even at 206 miles an hour getting into the corner that I don’t think you’ll ever be able to get rid of it, but you can make it to where it’s not the norm as much as it is now. We’re doing it every single lap to stay in these races at this point. We’d like to get away from that a little bit. Have it as a tool, but not something that’s a necessity.

Q. Have it in your playbook?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: Right, exactly.

Q. Is it possible that Daytona and Talladega could see a template change on the car?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: No, I don’t think they’ll go that far.

Q. Can you talk about the EFI? Learn anything there today?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: I haven’t. That stuff is way above my head. I know the guys on the computer over there seem to be real happy with what’s going on with our cars. They’re really smooth.

Ever since I’ve been testing any of the fuel injection cars with Hendrick, with HMS, they have felt exactly, if not better, than the carburetor engines we’ve been running. I’m extremely pleased with the efforts.

Q. As we look down the road to Homestead, a two-man championship, who do you like?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: I’m pulling for the Chevy, Tony Stewart. I want a Chevrolet to be on top.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports

About Chevrolet

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free” solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com .

- Team Chevy, Press Release

JR Motorsports

EVENT – Ford 300 (200 laps / 300 miles)

TRACK – Homestead-Miami Speedway (1.5-mile oval)

DATE – Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011

TV / RADIO – ESPN2 (coverage begins at 4:30 p.m. EST) / MRN (broadcast begins at 4 p.m. EST)

Aric Almirola

No. 88 GT Vodka Chevrolet

“Homestead is a track that’s a lot of fun to race on. It has progressive banking through the corners. That’s why you see drivers go into the corner and move around a lot. Anytime you go somewhere that you can move around, it’s good. As a racecar driver, you want options on where you can run.

“I’m looking forward to a bit of a break following Homestead. But at the same time, when you’re running well and things are going your way, you can’t wait to get back to the racetrack. So at times, the few weeks we have off seem a lot longer.”

Danica Patrick

No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet

“I remember the car feeling really loose most of the time last year at Homestead. It’s a challenging track, even in IndyCar. I think we wasted a lot of good time during practice, because I was unfamiliar with how to drive the corners. Aric (Almirola, teammate) told me, ‘you’ve got to drive it in the corner, and you’ve got to get it on the right front.’ The corners are very tight compared to a lot of other mile-and-a-halfs. Toward the end of practice we got it better.

“I went into qualifying and surprised myself by qualifying fifth. I feel like I’m getting into the swing of qualifying a little bit more. More than anything, it will be nice to start off the weekend driving the track as it needs to be driven so we can work on the car, as opposed to figuring it out during the last part of practice.”

JR MOTORSPORTS NOTEBOOK –

PATRICK SEES IMPROVEMENT THROUGH SOPHOMORE CAMPAIGN – Danica Patrick will put an end to an eventful and noteworthy sophomore season this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. In 11 starts this year, Patrick earned one top-five and three top-10 finishes. Her fourth-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway rewrote the history books, making Patrick the highest finishing female in any NASCAR national touring series race. The effort bested the 62-year-old record of Sara Christian, who finished fifth at Heidlberg, Pa. on Oct. 2, 1949 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Patrick also has led a career-high 14 laps, 13 of which came in a dramatic finish at Daytona in July when she took the lead with two laps to go. Her victory chances were ruined by a multi-car accident within sight of the checkered flag. Patrick’s average finish this year is 16.1 as compared to 28.0 in her 13-race rookie season in 2010.

PATRICK’S MEDIA AVAILABILITY – Danica Patrick will be available to members of the NASCAR media at 10:45 a.m. local time on Friday, Nov. 18 in the Homestead-Miami Speedway media center deadline room.

MILE-AND-A-HALF STRENGTH – Patrick has not finished outside the top-15 in the four 1.5-mile races she’s competed in this season (Las Vegas, Chicago, Kansas and Texas). The 29-year-old holds one top-five and two top-10s with an average finish of 10.0 at those facilities.

PATRICK AT HOMESTEAD – Patrick’s second-best qualifying effort of her short career came at Homestead last year with a fifth-place start. The mark was eclipsed only by a fourth-place starting spot at Daytona in February. She also led the first laps of her Nationwide Series career at Homestead in 2010, leading once for four laps.

NO. 7 SEASON STATS – Every driver of the No. 7 this season has scored a top-10 finish. The list includes Dale Earnhardt Jr., Ron Fellows, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Jamie McMurray, Patrick and Josh Wise. The No. 7 team holds six top-five and 12 top-10 finishes in 2011. The team occupies the 11th position in owner points.

ALMIROLA WRAPS UP FIRST FULL SEASON WITH JRM – Despite owning 72 starts in Nationwide Series competition over the span of five years, the Homestead event concludes Almirola’s first full season with JR Motorsports. His season totals feature one pole (Phoenix 11/12), seven top-five and 17 top-10 finishes, including a string of nine top-10s in a 10-week mid-summer stretch. Almirola has led 101 laps in 2011. He led 66 last week at Phoenix International Raceway. He has earned an average finish of 12.2. He enters the weekend fourth in championship points, trailing third-place Justin Allgaier by 15 points. The No. 88 Chevrolet is ninth in owner points.

ALMIROLA AT HOMESTEAD – Almirola has seven starts at Homestead across NASCAR’s top-three series, earning two top-five and two top-10 finishes. His best finish of fourth came during the Sprint Cup Series season finale last year. Almirola’s best finish in Nationwide Series competition is 18th.

QUALIFYING EFFORTS – JR Motorsports competed in its first Nationwide Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2005 with driver Mark McFarland. Statistically it is one of the organization’s best qualifying tracks. In nine starts there a JRM Chevrolet has qualified in top-10 six times.

ALMIROLA’S APPEARANCES IN HOMESTEAD – Almirola will attend the NASCAR Nationwide Series’ Championship Drive event on Thursday, Nov. 17th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. EST located at Lummus Park, Miami Beach, Fla. Almirola, a Florida native, will be featured in a fan Q & A and then will sign autographs. On Saturday, Nov. 19 from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST, Almirola will sign autographs at the JR Nation merchandise hauler, located in the fan concourse area.

WATCH JRM RACING.COM’s VIDEO SERIES – In a continued effort to be at the forefront of web-based content through its website www.jrmracing.com, the team has added a multitude of videos into its video gallery. Click here to view race preview videos, the “JRM 360” series and more.

- JR Motorsports Press Release