No. 23 GunBroker.com Ford F-150 (Jason White) - Getty Images for NASCAR

“I am extremely honored to continue my relationship with GunBroker.com and greatly appreciate their support of my racing career,” stated Jason White. “Sponsors such as GunBroker.com are what make this sport so special and I am lucky to have such a loyal supporter and partner. We have worked hard to build this program and we have assembled a talented group of dedicated employees that are working hard to prepare for Daytona and the 2012 season.”

Doug George has joined the organization as Crew Chief for the No. 23 Ford. George is a veteran within the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with 113 career races as Crew Chief including two career victories with driver Kyle Busch.

Jason White

Jason White has become one of the veteran drivers in the NASCAR Camping World Series having compiled 129 career starts in the series. He competed for Joe Dennette Motorsports last season where he finished 15th in the final standings after finishing 10th in the 2010 season standings.

Currently a single truck team, GB Racing is considering expanding into a multi-team operation.

About GunBroker.com:

GunBroker.com is an informative, detailed, secure and safe way to find guns for sale, hunting / shooting accessories, and much more. GunBroker.com is an online gun auction that promotes responsible gun ownership. We make sure ownership policies and regulations are followed using licensed firearms dealers as transfer agents. GunBroker.com is not just a gun auction, as we offer hunting gear, collectibles, vehicles, and much more. Start buying and selling guns today at GunBroker.com!

- Integrity Sports Marketing Press Release

Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM)

Since becoming a KBM corporate partner in 2010, Flexco has achieved stronger customer partnerships by teaming with one of the most successful teams in all of NASCAR. In addition to logo placement on the No. 18 Tundra, the company’s sales representatives have strengthened relationships with customers by providing behind-the-scenes access to Truck Series races. The global company also invited KBM team owner-driver Kyle Busch to personally meet with customers at one of the largest mining shows in North America, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011.

“Flexco is pleased to once again partner with Kyle Busch Motorsports, one of the most exciting race teams in all of NASCAR. Our partnership with KBM allows Flexco to provide prospective and current customers an up-close, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience every aspect of a NASCAR race day,” says Mike Stein, vice president of marketing for Flexco. “This experience is also a great way to get to know our customers on a more personal level, which in turn, enhances our business relationships.”

“The success we’ve experienced at KBM the first two seasons wouldn’t have been possible without Flexco’s commitment to our truck program and we look forward to their continued support in 2012,” said Busch. “Their sales representatives and guests are extended members of the No. 18 team – interacting and assisting our crew members from the time they arrive at the track until the celebration in Victory Lane is complete. They’re all about it!”

In 2010, KBM’s No. 18 Tundra became the first team since the Truck Series originated in 1995 to win an Owner’s Championship in its inaugural season. In just two seasons of competition, the team has already visited Victory Lane 16 times and produced 32 top-five finishes in 50 starts.

About Flexco

Flexco provides the world’s belt conveyor operators with efficient, safe products, services, and solutions for belt splicing, belt cleaning, belt tracking, spillage, slippage, and bulk material transfer. The company is based in Downers Grove, Illinois and operates subsidiaries in Australia, Chile, China, England, Germany, India, Mexico, Singapore, and South Africa. Flexco markets its broad line of products through a worldwide network of distributors, under the Flexco®, Clipper®, Alligator®, Novitool®, Mineline®, CoreTech™, and Tasman Warajay Technology™ brands. Learn more about Flexco at www.flexco.com.

About Kyle Busch Motorsports

Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) has quickly established itself as one of the most successful teams in all of NASCAR, capturing the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Owner’s Championship in its inaugural season and 16 Truck Series victories over its first two seasons. 2012 marks the team’s debut in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with team owner and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Kyle Busch sharing the driving duties behind the wheel of the No. 54 Monster Energy Camry with his brother Kurt, the 2004 Sprint Cup Series champion. Veteran driver Jason Leffler joins the KBM driver lineup and will be the primary pilot of the No. 18 Tundra in the Truck Series.

KBM prepares a fleet of race-winning Toyotas out of its 77,000-square-foot facility in Mooresville, N.C. Pending LEED certification, the facility’s state-of-the art equipment and innovative green initiatives make it unmatched among its peers. Fans can stay up-to-date with all the latest KBM news online at www.KyleBuschMotorsports.com, by liking the team on Facebook (KyleBuschMS) and following the team on Twitter (@KBMteam).

– Kyle Busch Motorsports Press Release

EASLEY, SC (January 30, 2012) – If race officials at SpeedFest 2012 kept gave an award for the most cars passed through the course of Sunday’s event at Georgia’s Watermelon Capital Speedway, 14-year-old Kyle Benjamin would be the run-away winner. Between the CRA Super Series’ 200-lap Super Late Model feature and the Rheem 150 JEGS /CRA All-Stars Tour Pro Late Model race on January 29th, Benjamin came from the back of the pack four times for various reasons en route to two solid finishes.

Whether it was from an early tangle and subsequent lost lap in the Pro Late Model race or a pit road malady in the Super Late Model run, Benjamin had to slice his way back to the front pack with the precision of a veteran. The charges to the front worked out well in both races, as he started the day off with a 12th-place finish in the Pro Late Model race, then followed it up with an impressive seventh-place result in his first-ever Super Late Model event, the SpeedFest 200.

“I’m really proud of our effort,” said Benjamin. “It was my first Super race and there were a bunch of Cup drivers like Kyle Busch and David Ragan in it. It was like a professional race in Super Late Models. I learned a ton all weekend and I’m really pleased with how we ran.”

SpeedFest feature day nearly got off to a disastrous start in the Pro Late Model 150-lapper. A first-lap tangle resulted in Benjamin getting stuck against the inside wall and having to make a series of pit stops to get back into contention.

“We got caught up in an early wreck and that wasn’t a good way to start that race,” added Benjamin. “We had to go to the back, but we were able to get the Lucky Dog and got back on the lead lap. Between the stops and the Lucky Dog, we were able to get to the front three separate times. By that point, the tires were gone, but I’m happy with the way we finished that one.”

The Super Late Model race was as good of a learning experience as the 14-year-old could have asked for. Racing against NASCAR stars in a 200-lap test of endurance, Benjamin didn’t fold against the competition. He ran inside the top-10 most of the race before a pit penalty prior to halfway put him to the rear of the field one more time.

But, since he had already come from the back three times in a 150-lapper earlier in the day, doing it one more time was a piece of cake for the young racer.

“The Super race was a lot of fun. We got sent to the back because Freddie (Query, crew chief) made a call to come in for tires before the halfway break. We weren’t allowed to do that. We were able to overcome that setback and came back for a good finish.”

While the finish will look good on the stat sheet, the seventh-place run also was a valuable learning tool

“I learned a lot of throttle control and some techniques to use from other people I got to race around with the Super Late Model. There was a lot of things I learned running the Super that I didn’t know by running the Pro. It’s just a lot of new stuff that will be very helpful as we go through the season.”

Benjamin’s 2012 schedule will continue in the Super Late Model division during the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway. Benjamin will make his first appearance in a Super Late Model at the nine-night racing extravaganza during Florida Speedweeks. The World Series event kicks off on Friday, February 17th, but Benjamin and his number-71 team will likely begin competing on Tuesday, February 21st. Action continues through Saturday, February 25th.

For more information on Kyle Benjamin, be sure to visit an all-new KyleBenjamin.com coming soon.

- 51 Sports Press Release

CONCORD, NC (January 30, 2012) – Bubba Pollard won 19 races in 2011, but beating NASCAR driver Kyle Busch in the closing laps of a short track race would have trumped those feats as Busch is has proven to be nearly unbeatable in Super Late Model events in recent seasons.

Pollard traded the lead with Busch several times over the 200-lap SpeedFest event at Watermelon Capital Speedway (GA). Pollard may have had more experience at Watermelon Capital than Busch, who was making his first-ever start there, but Busch wasn’t going to be denied. Busch made the final pass on lap 184 to finish ahead of Pollard at the checkered flag.

“I wish I was doing that,” said Pollard as he pointed to Busch’s burnout in victory lane.

Pollard managed to smile after finishing second to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star because he knew he had been beaten by one of the best in the business.

“Our car was real good on the short run and I could get by him on the restarts,” added Pollard. “He had a much better car on the longer runs, but I wanted to get out in front of him on that last restart and let him know I could race with him and I had a lot of fun doing it.”

Finishing second found Pollard in front of fellow Georgian and NASCAR driver David Ragan. Also in the mix were defending race winner Chase Elliott, Ross Kenseth, Erik Darnell, Johnny Sauter, Clay Rogers and several other top drivers in the Super Late Model world.

“That’s the best in the country,” said Pollard motioning to Busch. “We hung with him pretty good today and we can’t hold our heads down after a strong run like this. We made a few adjustments at halfway and we came up a little short at the end. It’s pretty fun to race against these guys.”

Pollard ran the Pro Late Model race as well and led the first 76 circuits before giving up the lead. He would end up finishing fourth after a last lap scramble cost him a podium finish.

The two top-five finishes go along with his pair from the 2011 SpeedFest events and his average finish for the last four events at SpeedFest is a 2.75 at two different venues in the state of Georgia.

Pollard’s next schedule race is the Rattler 250 and the Pro Rattler 125 at South Alabama Speedway. Pollard is the defending Viper Series Champion at the track and is looking to capture the track’s biggest events.

For more information on Bubba Pollard visit his website at www.BubbaPollard.com.

- 51 Sports Press Release

Casey Smith

“It’s been forever since I’ve raced here so I really didn’t know what to think when we showed up, but we got up to speed pretty fast. The car felt good in practice so I knew I had a good racecar underneath me. I can’t explain how good it feels to finish fourth in our first race of 2012; we went all year without finishing in the top five last season so to get this finish means a lot for this team’s confidence right now,” said Smith after the race.

It didn’t take long for Smith to showcase the speed his #99 SealMaster of Austin Chevy Impala had in it as he quickly made his way just outside the top five after qualifying seventeenth in less than sixty laps. At the events halfway break on lap 100 Casey positioned himself in the third position just behind eventual winner, NASCAR Sprint Cup series driver Kyle Busch.

It soon became a four car breakaway battle for the lead with Casey right in the middle of it all. With laps winding down and Busch in the lead Smith battled fellow super late model regular Bubba Pollard for the second place position before slight racing contact sent Smith back to third. In the final few laps it would be another NASCAR Sprint Cup series driver in the form of David Ragan who would come between the #99 machine and the top spot as the checkered flag waved.

“Anytime you can say you race with Kyle Busch and David Ragan for the win your saying a lot. I really thought though we might have something for Kyle, but then I was trying to get around Bubba for second and we made some contact that cost us a few car lengths on them both,” added Smith. “It was just one of those racing deals I guess but it cost us in the end I think. Regardless I couldn’t be happier with our finish and can’t wait for the Rattler in March.”

For more information on Texas super late model driver Casey Smith and his Casey Smith Racing team visit his website at www.caseysmithracing.com.

- Tex Motorsports Marketing Press Release

Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM)

Event: SpeedFest 200

Series: CRA Super Series

Location: Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Ga. (3/8-mile D-shaped oval)

Start / Finish: 3rd/1st (Running, completed 200 of 200 laps)

Winner: Kyle Busch of Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) (Toyota)

The 2012 CRA Super Series SpeedFest 200 may have started at a new venue, but for Kyle Busch and his No. 51 KBM Camry the race ended in a familiar location – Victory Lane. Busch, who won back-to-back SpeedFests in 2009 and 2010 when the event was held at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, Ga., led 86 of the final 100 laps of Sunday’s race at Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Ga. en route to his third career SpeedFest title.

Kyle Busch wins SpeedFest 200 (Photo Credit: 51 Sports)

Busch, who started the 200-lap race from the third spot, attempted to take the lead for the first time on lap 2, but race leader and 2011 CRA South Champion Bubba Pollard was able to close the door. The No. 51 KBM Camry settled into the second spot and would remain in the top four for the first 100 laps.

On lap 96, the Las Vegas native escaped near disaster as he battled Erik Jones for the runner-up position. Jones blew a motor just ahead of Busch as the field entered Turn 3, and the oil pouring from his car sent the No. 51 Camry fishtailing off the edge of the track. Busch was able to correct his course and returned to the race track scored in the second position, as the race reached the halfway mark under caution.

During the 10-minute break, KBM crew chief Chris Gabehart called for a two-tire stop which enabled his driver to remain near the front of the field for the start of the final 100 laps. Chase Elliott, the 16-year old son of Bill Elliott, was running fifth at the break, but his crew decided to forgo putting fresh tires on allowing their driver to lead the field to green for the final 100 laps.

Busch made quick work of Elliott and assumed the lead for the first time on lap 102. The No. 51 Camry remained out front until a restart on lap 149. Pollard’s strong push on the outside line allowed him to regain the lead on lap 150, but it was short-lived as Busch retook the top spot one lap later.

Pollard once again worked his way past the No. 51 Camry with another strong restart on lap 171 and checked out to a three-car length lead as the race headed into the final 25 laps. Busch, whose Camry proved to be faster on the long runs throughout the race, chased down the Georgia native and retook the lead on lap 184. As the race proceeded caution free for the final 15 laps, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star slowly stretched his lead and crossed the finish line 1.843 seconds ahead of the 2011 CRA South Champion.

Pollard finished second, followed by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regular David Ragan in third. Casey Smith and T.J. Reaid rounded out the top-five finishers.

The race featured 13 cautions for 86 laps. Seven of the 30 cars were unable to finish the race.

The next event for Busch and KBM will be the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. KBM’s driver-owner will be behind the wheel of the No. 54 Monster Energy Camry in the team’s much-anticipated Nationwide Series debut.

- Kyle Busch Motorsports Press Release

Wauters Motorsports LLC.

Wauters’ career began at tracks around his hometown Green Bay, Wis. and quickly moved into the NASCAR Touring Series. Wauters crewed successful NASCAR Sprint Cup teams with drivers Kenny Wallace, Elliott Sadler, Robert Pressley and Jeff Green.

Wauters, in his tenure as a crew chief in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, led teams to 18 victories from 2004-2010 with drivers Shane Hmiel, Kyle Busch and Aric Almirola.

“It is something I thought about for awhile,” Richie Wauters said of his decision to become a team owner. “I had the opportunity to buy some trucks and have a great driver headlining the team. It hasn’t been a difficult transition so far and we are really excited about the season. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is very competitive and I’m certain Paulie and the guys on this team will be right in the thick of that competition.”

Paulie Harraka

Harraka is finishing up his final semester at Duke University, and his graduation will make him part of a very small group of NASCAR drivers with their college degrees. Harraka has focused his education on “anything that can help me in racing; engineering, leadership, finance, you name it. I’ve challenged myself at Duke to become a completely differentiated NASCAR driver.” Harraka said.

“Having the opportunity to jump into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is an opportunity I’ve worked for since I was 7 years old,” Harraka said. “I am fortunate to see it coming to fruition. To be doing so with a championship crew chief like Richie Wauters and with the team he’s assembled is exciting. I’m the kind of driver that will put in whatever time, effort or work that is needed to win races, and I know that Richie is the same kind of crew chief. Together, we’ll hold nothing back, and that makes me confident that we’ll find the winner’s circle in short order.”

The Wauters Motorsports F150 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will be utilizing Doug Yates and Roush Racing Engines in their debut at Daytona International Speedway for the running of the NEXTERA Energy Resources 250, Friday, Feb. 24th.

- Wauters Motorsports Press Release

Drew Charlson

“I can’t wait to get to Daytona for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200. We are so thankful to Aluma Trailers, AgriGold Seed and Heitkamp Crop Insurance for giving us this opportunity. With the increased sponsorship dollars, we were able to purchase a car from Richard Childress Racing. This car has visited victory circle at Daytona and Talladega so we know that we have the equipment to be a contender” said Charlson. Daytona is the biggest race on the ARCA schedule, and the list of former winners includes Benny Parsons, Kyle Petty, Ryan Newman and Kyle Busch. “I really feel we can join the ranks of ARCA winners this year. We tested Daytona in December and ended up 8th fastest of over 50 cars so we are very confident in our ability.”

Aluma Aluminum Trailers (Bancroft, Iowa) is a relatively new company that produces light weight, strong, rust free trailers for many purposes. With over 60 models of open utility and enclosed cargo trailers to choose from, you are sure to find a perfect trailer for any need. Today, Aluma builds an average of 50 trailers a day and ships them to all 50 states and Canada. Aluma Trailers also feature an all inclusive five year warranty on all of their products, the best in the industry! “Aluma has provided us with amazing trailers to transport our race cars. We log tens of thousands of miles annually and could not be happier with our trailers. They pull so smooth and easy that sometimes I forget they are behind me. They have the most complete aluminum utility and recreational trailer line in America and we couldn’t be more pleased to expand our relationship with them” added Charlson.

Charlson is also proud to welcome AgriGold Seed Company (The Corn Specialists) and Heitkamp Crop Insurance on board. “If you are a farmer, you already know about AgriGold Seed. If not, you are missing out. I recommend you plant those AgriGold Giants and then see John Heitkamp for all your crop insurance needs. Because of these new marketing relationships, as well as our ongoing relationship with Elmer Schaeffer Amsoil Dealer and Mid America Properties, we are able to step up our racing program to levels only dreamt of in the past!”

Charlson will be running a limited ARCA schedule this year. Confirmed races include the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, Talladega ARCA 250 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4th, and the Iowa ARCA 200 at Iowa Speedway on July 13th. All of these races will be televised live on SPEED channel. More races may be added as sponsorship allows. Charlson will also be running the full Main Event Racing Series Outlaw Late Model schedule, where he finished 6th in points last year. He has had a successful racing career so far with over 150 kart wins and 17 championships, 5 USAC Midget Feature wins and a runner up points finish. He also set a USAC record as the youngest driver (age 13) in his 1st USAC National Level Midget race, the Ft. Wayne Rumble indoor, qualifying 15th, winning his heat and finishing 6th behind NASCAR veteran Tony Stewart.

For more information, please call Heitkamp Crop Insurance at 419-305-4798 or visit www.alumaklm.com, www.agrigold.com, and www.drewcharlson.com.

- D C Racing Team Press Release

Team members look on as Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, speaks with the media during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway on Jan. 23 in Concord, N.C. - Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR

DARIAN GRUBB, crew chief, No. 11 FedEx Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

How do you feel starting 2012 with a new team? “It feels really good to be a part of Joe Gibbs Racing. The professionalism that they have is pretty impressive. It’s good to be a part of that. Yeah, we had a lot of turmoil at the end of the year last year — still came out all positive. Won the championship and won five races. Came out of there with my head held high and then went on to my next endeavors. I’m really looking forward to getting a new chapter started at Joe Gibbs Racing.”

Do you look at this as a new challenge? “I definitely do. I feel like I’ve checked a lot of things off the bucket list and now it’s time to go out there and just race for fun and try to win races and win championships. It’s a whole new endeavor and a lot of new people and a lot of new faces to learn and learn how to deal with and how to talk to them. I’m really looking forward to that.”

How different are Joe Gibbs Racing and Stewart-Hass Racing in their operations? “It’s very similar. The work that everybody does in the Cup Series is very even across the field. The competition level is so high. It’s hard for anybody to really be that far behind and these guys are definitely on top of their game when it comes to the technology side of things, the engineering, support they have from Toyota. I’m really looking forward to learning all those different people and the different aspects of the sport and try to make the 11 FedEx team stronger.”

How much confidence do you bring to the team coming off your 2011 championship? “It’s really exciting for me just because coming in talking to the guys in the shop you can tell there’s just the attitude there that they just felt like they were beat down because they had such a bad year in 2011 and now there’s just a breath of fresh air. They know that I was lucky enough to go out there and win that championship. They all want a piece of that. They know how close they were and everybody just realizes now it’s all about just having fun, working in one direction so we’re all going out there trying to win races and put ourselves in the Chase with a chance to go for that championship.”

What have you learned about Denny Hamlin? “He’s (Denny Hamlin) a really good character. He’s a fun guy. He likes to joke with the guys and carry on and that’s a big part of it. We want to have Denny included in the team and make sure he’s one of the guys that’s leading the team. He has to be a leader and make sure all those guys are following him. He’s the guy that everybody shows up to work for every morning and as long as he’s connected to us we’ll be working our hardest for him.”

Is your experience an advantage for you and your new team? “I definitely think so. Working with Chad Knaus (crew chief, No. 48) and the Hendrick Motorsports group was a great learning experience for me. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the greats all the way through even back to my first days in Cup with Dale Inman at Petty Enterprises — just went into the Hall of Fame — so there’s guys like that that I have learned a lot of lessons from. I hope to take all those things and put them to my best use.”

What are your thoughts on moving from Chevrolet to a Toyota team? “It’s definitely different. It’s a different mentality about the way they approach the race cars and the race track, the data and what they do with it. But then again, everything this year is different because of the EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) introduction for NASCAR. There’s a lot of new things. There’s a lot of new technology and we’re all kind of growing with that as well. I haven’t seen anything that’s a weak link. We’re looking forward to going out there and hitting the race track.”

How is the communication among your team and with Toyota? “They work together really well there at Joe Gibbs Racing with the Toyota development program and TRD (Toyota Racing Development) engines and all those things. The communication level probably needs to be picked up a little bit because there was a lot of things new. I think most of that just comes from the fact that fuel injection (EFI) and all those things are being introduced this year and we’ve got a lot of new people, new faces that we’re trying to get introduced and make sure everybody is doing the right thing at the race track, so we’re looking forward to that and getting those relationships built.”

Is it an advantage to have one full-time Toyota team to work with in Michael Waltrip Racing? “I think it’s a little easier because now we have the one team that we can go out there and lean on as far as technology. We know as long as we’re both going in one direction with TRD (Toyota Racing Development) that support is going to follow.”

DAVE ROGERS, crew chief, No. 18 M&M’s Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

How was Joe Gibbs able to bring these three crew chiefs together? “I think if you look back at Joe Gibbs’ (team owner) career, he’s been really good at that. He says he hires good people and let’s them do their job. I think he’s made a home run right now with putting Darian (Grubb, crew chief, No. 11), Jason (Ratcliff, crew chief, No. 20) and I together — I hope it does come across as magic. The people part is so big and our personalities just mesh. When you wake up in the morning and you enjoy going to work and work with the people you work with — that makes such a big difference. I think that bleeds throughout the entire company. I think right now all 400 employees at Joe Gibbs Racing see how excited Jason, Darian and I are to work with each other. Whether that’s magic or Joe and J.D. (Gibbs, president, JGR) doing their job — I don’t know — just excited to be part of it.”

Will the three JGR NSCS teams be more unified this year? “I think the best way to answer that is to look back at 2007, 2008 and 2009 on the Nationwide side. When I moved over to the Nationwide shop in 2006, there wasn’t a whole lot of win banners hanging on the wall. I’m not telling you that I went over there and hung a lot — I think the teamwork and the team chemistry between Jason (Ratcliff) and I being able to lead the group and get the entire Nationwide shop to go in one direction as one unified team — I think that’s what hung all those banners. Jason and I know that. We know that we were only a small part of it. It was really the direction that we provided and the guys back in the shop just slugging it out and making it happen. Jason and I know that if we provide that type of leadership that we have 400 of the best employees in the business sitting at Joe Gibbs Racing. We know they will respond and provide really good race cars and our drivers are all top notch — all three of them. I think Darian (Grubb) really respects the relationship that Jason and I had and I think he wants to be part of that. From all signs, he’s trying to be part of that. I think you’re going to see one unified team with three race cars every Sunday.”

Does having TRD (Toyota Racing Development) build engines this year allocate more resources for you? “The engine program has always been a separate entity from the crew chief’s perspective. Mark Cronquist (JGR engine builder) has always provided engines for us and now the engines are coming from Costa Mesa (Calif.). I think what it does do is gives us better resource allocation. Last year we were putting a lot of our resources into the engine basket — TRD (Toyota Racing Development) was putting a lot of their resources into the engine basket and we were getting redundancy. Now we’re able to eliminate some of that redundancy. We still have Mark Cronquist as an integral part of TRD so he’s providing that tribal knowledge that’s crucial. We’re going to better use our resources and hope we have a stronger product. We had our documented issues last year, but I’m a team player and I support our engine room. I wouldn’t have traded anything last year for nothing. We wish we didn’t have the failures, but that’s part of racing and I’ll take it. There are a lot of things in this sport that you wish didn’t happen.”

What can help to make the Toyota engines stronger? “I think the combination of Mark Cronquist working with TRD (Toyota Racing Development) — Mark is going out to Costa Mesa (Calif.) every week. He’s always out there working with their lead designer and there’s a lot of work going on between Joe Gibbs Racing and TRD. I think that combined effort will make the engines better. You have to look at the Toyota package — back before the gear rules when people could turn 10,000 or 10,500 RPM — Toyotas were the team to beat. Their package that they have designed is designed around a high rev limit and no gear rule. When NASCAR implemented the gear rule, in some regards to that, has out-dated the Toyota motor. It’s nothing that Toyota has done wrong, it’s nothing that Joe Gibbs has done wrong — it’s just what it is. I know that the Toyota folks are working on some stuff to produce a better motor that works in the 9200 RPM range that we operate in today. Over the course of the next couple years, we would like to see NASCAR make some rule changes to open that box a little bit. We’re not going to use that as an excuse. We’re going to demand that TRD and Mark Cronquist and all of our guys put their heads together to produce as much horsepower with the given rules as possible. We’ll take that to the race track and try to win races.”

How do you feel about Kyle entering the 2012 season running less NNS and NCWTS races? “Each year Kyle (Busch) gets older and older and he gets more mature and more dedicated. I think he re-dedicates himself every off-season and he’s made some personal decisions this year to free up more time for him to focus on the Cup program and help us get to where we want to be. I think he’s doing a good job of it. I think cutting out some of the Nationwide races and taking a step back — he’s done some other things at KBM (Kyle Busch Motorsports) to hire some really good people. I know Mike Beam (crew chief, No. 54 NNS) is over there now. Rick Ren (general manager, KBM) is still working hard. He’s hired some really good people that can give that company direction with a little less involvement from him. The less time he has to spend at KBM working on that deal, the more time he has for Joe Gibbs Racing and the 18 and I think that is going to add up at the end of the year.”

Will you get less feedback from Kyle not running as many NNS races? “I think there’s pluses and minuses — there’s days where we’ve gotten really good feedback and there’s days — Bristol comes to mind. Right before the Bristol race we made some radical setup changes to our car based on how the Nationwide Series race went and the track didn’t go through the same transition in the Cup Series as it did in Nationwide. We felt like we dialed ourselves out. There’s other times where it’s played to our favor and we’ve seen other track transitions — made adjustments accordingly and it worked for us. I think if you look at it — Carl Edwards is backing off, Kyle’s (Busch) backing off, Jimmie Johnson hasn’t done it — those are the guys you are going to have to race against. Denny Hamlin hasn’t done it. They’re all freeing up their schedule for a reason. It’s not because it’s a competitive disadvantage. That’s the way I look at it. There’s never a win-win — there’s always a compromise. I do think Kyle will have more time to just relax and spend some time with Sam (Samantha Busch, wife) and freshen up a little bit. That is going to help us out.”

Have you seen any changes in Kyle from the end of last season? “He’s (Kyle Busch) the same old Kyle. Our fans are going to see the same aggressive driver. I think it would be terrible for our sport if Kyle changed all together. There’s some things we all love about him. Some boo, some cheer, but everyone loves the fact that he gets out of the car and does his bow. That’s Kyle Busch and that makes NASCAR, NASCAR. He’s matured — he’s definitely matured. We talked about it and each year he’s done a little bit of growing up. Last year, we were talking about his wedding. This year, we can talk about the end of the season. All of us were young kids at some point. All of us made mistakes. Hopefully, most of us learned. Kyle’s a very intelligent person. He’s had a lot of consequences to deal with for his mistakes. He’s gone through a lot of remorse and I think in the end it’s going to make him a better person and he’s going to make better decisions based on it. We’re still going to have Rowdy Busch driving our race car and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

JASON RATCLIFF, crew chief, No. 20 Home Depot Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

Did you think you would have the opportunity to be a Cup Series crew chief? “You know, you set goals — and I was telling the guys when they brought me over — and you kind of have this motion picture that runs in your head. We play it out like we think it’s going to be and then you get to a point like this and you think, ‘Wow, that’s way better than what I had.’ This script is way better — I couldn’t have planned it this well. I think as humans, hopefully we all set goals and hopefully they’re somewhat intimidating. If they’re not, then we’re selling ourselves short. To think I would be in this series one day and have these kind of opportunities — sure I thought I was capable of doing that if the right opportunity came along. Did I think I would be with an organization like Joe Gibbs Racing and working with a great talent like Joey Logano, with Toyota and Home Depot and Dollar General and all these — working alongside guys like Kyle Busch? The opportunity that I’ve had with him over the last three or four years — to win championships and win races and set new records — it’s crazy. You set your goals high and you hope you can go out there and accomplish them. To really look back, it’s way bigger than what I could ever imagine. It’s a tremendous blessing across the board.”

How will it be working with Joey Logano this year? “A lot of times when you work with a new driver, it takes a couple of events just to get aware with what they like and get that communication going. I feel like stepping in here, I’ve worked with Joey (Logano) enough on the Nationwide side and I’ve known Joey for a long time. I know him well enough to know where I can build confidence with, obviously fast race cars. I kind of got a feel for what he wants and each driver’s different. Even though the setups are going to be very similar, I think I know enough about Joey to put that detail and he’s going to be able to go out there and be competitive from the beginning. I’m glad that we’ve had that opportunity over the years to work close enough together and communicate in a race-type situation that we can come out of the box running.”

How will the new crew chiefs at JGR help shape the team’s future? “I think just the relationship that I’ve had with Dave (Rogers, No. 18 crew chief) from our Nationwide days is hopefully going to be a plus. We were able to build a pretty strong Nationwide program. Dave and I started working together in 2006. So we’re like-minded in a lot of ways, but in a lot of ways we’re not. The thing that we learned was to really take advantage of a multi-car team. At that time we were two cars in the Nationwide Series and now we’re three teams. You have to find that compromise at the end of the day and you have to be willing to push each other and challenge each other. At the end of the day, sitting across the table and shake hands and say, ‘Yeah man, that’s a great idea, I’m going to give you a little on this one and take a little on that one.’ At the end of the day we’re going to go out there and try to beat each other and most importantly, we’re going to try to beat the other 40 cars out there. I think that relationship with Dave and I hopefully encourages Dave and encourages me to be back in the same building with him. Then for Darian (Grubb, No. 11 crew chief), I just think a new look — not that we don’t think outside the box on a daily basis, but a lot of times you can’t see the forest through the trees so to speak. Great ideas — brilliant crew chief in Dave Rogers and really this whole shop, Darian alluded to it earlier, our engineering program, the group we have is phenomenal. I’d put them up against anyone. They impress me quite often, usually daily which I don’t have an engineering background, so it doesn’t take a lot to impress me, but they do a phenomenal job. I’m so excited about working with that group. I’ve been working with a lot of those guys even on the Nationwide side. Darian brings in a different thought process, opens our minds to some different things. Maybe some things we overlooked or kind of set on the back burner and he opens that back up and we’re like, ‘Yeah.’ So, he’s spurring that thought process. Just sitting down with us over the last week and a half and really brainstorming about what you talked about. How do you make this program better? How do we get it back to where it was two or three years ago? These guys, when Denny (Hamlin) was out there winning seven, eight races and battling for championships. That’s what we’re pulling for. The whole Joe Gibbs (Racing) organization, 400-plus employees in the Cup shop and 60-something employees in the Nationwide division — it’s a great group of people and one thing I can say about them is they all really work close together. They challenge each other and they make it a point and you’re extremely aware of the compromise it takes to work with that many teams. At the end of the day, we encourage each other and challenge each other.”

What do you think you have to offer to Joey Logano this season? “I think it’s really simple. I don’t think it’s much different than it would be for any of us, especially at that age. There’s no substitute for experience, obviously. The thing that I would be thinking if I was in his (Joey Logano) shoes would be, ‘Can I do this? What am I missing? What do I need to do as a driver?’ I think that a lot of those pressures have been put on him that weren’t really his problems. I think building some confidence is going to be a big deal and I think I can see that already going into some pre-season meetings. He’s excited about opportunities. Really, it’s not so much good team, bad team, doing things right, doing things wrong — sometimes it’s just taking a different approach. Sometimes it’s just painting a different picture. Hopefully that’s what I can do is just paint a different picture and look at things from a different perspective and really build a team for Joey. There was a successful team that Joey stepped into years ago, that had won championships and won races and done all the things that you could want to do in this sport. Even though it was a great race team, sometimes when those things are not built around you that chemistry may or may not be there. It’s too early to tell that. My focus is making sure all that we do — even though the guys are the same on this No. 20 team — is really making it about Joey and trying to craft it and mold it to fit him and to build the chemistry we need.”

Source: Toyota Motorsports, Press Release

Casey Smith

“Yeah, it has been close to twelve years since I’ve raced at Watermelon Capital (Speedway) so I’m sure there have been a few changes since then. I know the car count looks good and towards the end of the year last year we really found out what made our car fast, so I’m pretty eager to get there and hit the track for practice,” said Smith. “Supposedly Kyle Bush and David Ragan, whose hometown in just up the road, will be racing this weekend with us which is always something to look forward to especially when you are able to out run them.”

In conjunction with this weekend’s January event, one of the earliest dates ever to kick off the season for the #99 team, Casey is proud to announce his 2012 season plans which span seventeen races long, throughout four states, including a series debut in PASS South competition. Longtime fans will continue to see the #99 SealMaster of Austin Chevy Impala at both five race mini series at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida and Mobile Int’l Speedway located just outside of Mobile, Alabama.

In addition to the races at the two above mentioned tracks Smith will hit three events at Jefferson, Georgia’s ultra fast Gresham Motorsports Park highlighted by the 29th Annual World Crown 300 on November 11th. Two of the most historic super late model races in the country will highlight Casey’s 2012 schedule. The Texas native will make his return to Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee for his PASS South series debut as the series will bring back the traditional 400 lap All American 400 event on Saturday October 6th. From there Casey will do what he has done for years now and close out his 2012 schedule with the 45th running of the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway on Sunday afternoon December 2nd.

“I didn’t get to race as much as I wanted to in 2011, so this year we came up with a little bit more of an aggressive schedule,” stated Smith. “This year’s schedule is awesome especially with the chance to go back to the Fairgrounds at Nashville for a chance to win the All American 400 again. I think this could really be the year that we get back to victory lane and it feels like a long time coming. I honestly couldn’t be more ready for racing season to get here.”

For all the latest news on Texas native Casey Smith visit his home on the web at www.caseysmithracing.com.

- Tex Motorsports Marketing Press Release

Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 FedEx Toyota, speaks with the media during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway on Jan. 23 in Concord, N.C. - Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR

DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 FedEx Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

How different will your team look this year? “I think our team is going to look totally different even though there’s just a few changes here and there. It’s going to be a total different race team I feel like. I’ve got two different people speaking in my ear and you’ve got a lot of energy within the shop. I know you hear that a lot, but we’ve really gone through some big changes with our team and it’s obviously got a lot of people excited.”

How good of a hire was it for your race team to get Darian Grubb? “It was big for us because he (Darian Grubb, crew chief) had so many good options and he had an offer from every race team in the garage area. For him to pick me as his driver and continuing to want to be a crew chief, that’s a big deal. So, at least it gives you the faith that the guy has got a lot of faith in your talents and that you can bring him another championship.”

How much different will it be for you to have a new crew chief? “I think there’s a lot of things that are going to be different. I’ve got to be a little bit more aware of what’s going on with my feedback. I think at times I kind of took for granted that Mike (Ford) just always knew what I needed at certain times even though I might not say it. With him (Darian Grubb, crew chief) I’ve got to make sure I continue to voice those things and tell him the specifics because he’s not worked with me before. Working with other drivers, he’s got different ideas and stuff that he can bring up to me. I think it’s going to be key for me the first six months to really communicate a lot with him.”

How much information can you use from Darian Grubb? “You’ve got to listen to a guy that’s won five of 10 Chase races in one year. He’s (Darian Grubb, crew chief) obviously got that experience. He’s got a lot of Hendrick (Motorsports) information that’s coming over to (Joe) Gibbs (Racing). That part of it is always good. New blood sometimes is just what you need to kind of get your team fired up.”

What does it say about Darian Grubb to know he won five of 10 Chase races when he knew he was being let go? “It tells me in those situations that the guy is mentally tough. When he knows his job is on the line and might not know what he’s doing next year, he’s still got the focus to bring what he brought to the race track. For me, I think he’s one of the most well-respected guys within our garage and that’s going to be a key asset to have.”

How long did it take you to get reenergized after last season? “I just had to get away from Charlotte for a little while. That’s all it took. Get away from racing and you know when you have such a bad year like we had last year, you’re waiting for the season to be over with. You always kind of get that second breath of life where you’re like, ‘Okay, the Chase is starting so it’s a fresh start.’ And, then when we come out of the gates and had the issues that we had in the very first race, it’s like that year is just not meant to be for us. It doesn’t take long before you’re starting to count down how many weeks are left in the season to just get it over with. Let’s go through the motions, get to the track, do our job and get out of there. And, obviously it’s going to be hard to win races with that attitude. Now, we’ve got a lot of reasons to be optimistic.”

What have you done during the off-season to get your mind away from the race track? “I’ve been racing since I was eight years old — 23 straight years of living and breathing this sport every single day and every single week. Our schedule is not driver friendly with all of the obligations that we have on and off the race track, we’re doing so much during the week. We just don’t have that much time at home. For me, I had to get away from Charlotte, get away from the same people that I see all of the time, just to kind of relax and do my own grocery shopping, do my own laundry, cook my own food and just feel like I was on an island by myself. So, I feel like that has all been really good for me personally and it’s just gotten me super energized for a new season because I really do feel like I’ve had a break now.”

Why are you so confident going into this season? “I think we’re going to be going to the race track with completely different race cars. I can’t get a heck of a lot in depth with it, but just some of the things that we’re building in our race cars and things like that are just, gosh, things that I’ve wanted for a long time but it’s been hard to get past the departments here and there. We feel like we’re heading in a good direction, there’s no doubt about it. I feel like Toyota is getting stronger than what they were last year, all three teams are on the same engine program, we’ve got an alliance with Michael Waltrip Racing – there’s a lot of things that are stronger this time around. And, on top of that my confidence is way higher right now than it was to start 2011.”

Can you use the adversity that you’ve faced during your career will help you to the next level? “I think the adversity that I’ve had in my career and the ups and the downs is going to make it sweeter when I finally do win that championship.”

Do you need to improve on speed in your race cars for the 2012 season? “It’s just things weren’t as easy as what they were in 2010. In 2011, for us, I was sweating like a dog in practice to be 20th fastest. It’s just having to work too hard to get the speed out of the car and that tells us that we’ve got to improve on a couple of different areas. I think we’ve shifted our focus this year to those areas and I think that there’s no doubt that when we get to the race track that we’re going to be much more competitive.”

Do you think having Darian Grubb as a crew chief is what you need to win a championship? “I just think that he (Darian Grubb, crew chief) brings so much good information over to our race team. Just the way that he was doing things over at Stewart-Haas and Hendrick and the way we were doing things at Gibbs, there’s a lot of good things that both teams were doing that we’re going to mesh together and make for hopefully a team that performs. Really, for me, it’s just hearing the different voice of reason. That gets you fired up sometimes and obviously when you know a guy has been as successful as him, it’s hard not to have confidence when you’re behind the wheel. All of this stuff has worked out it seems like perfectly for my career. There’s a lot of things that’s been put into place for me to be successful and I feel like this year is my best opportunity to do that.”

Will adding fuel injection to the race cars level all of the teams out? “No, I don’t think that will change much. I think that what’s driving the back tires is still that engine, it’s not the fuel injection. Us having Toyota on our side as far as that’s concerned on all three teams this year will be a big benefit because we’ve obviously got a lot of technology that they’re going to bring from their street program to our race program — whether it be fuel mapping or things like that to try to help us with fuel mileage. Look how many races have been fuel mileage races here lately. It’s just you’ve got to have every aspect of your race team as good as possible.”

Do you think NASCAR’s current points system is the right formula? “I do and I think that the emphasis on winning is more than it’s ever been. That’s the mentality that you have to have. If you’re going to have to wreck a few race cars in the process to do it, then so be it because if you’re winning, you’re going to be in the Chase and that gets you a shot at the championship. I’m probably going to take a little bit more risk here and there to try and get those wins because we see how valuable it was last year.”

What did you do when you heard Darian Grubb was available? “When we heard about Darian (Grubb, crew chief) becoming available of course we were one of many teams that were after him pretty heavy. We knew he was going to have a tough decision. He’d had a relationship with Hendrick (Motorsports) for many, many years and when he got offered that position we thought we could possibly lose him to that because we know he is a loyal guy. But, it’s through sitting there and talking to him and I asked him about his motivation to win another championship. He says he feels like he wanted to crew chief until he was 40 years old and his son got to a certain age. His job now, he says, is to win another championship and show everyone that he can win with multiple drivers.”

How much does it increase your confidence to have Darian Grubb as your crew chief? “A lot. Everyone knows that the driver and crew chief relationship is very, very important. It’s as important as anything as far as being successful so we know it’s going to work. It’s going to take some time for him (Darian Grubb, crew chief) to understand what I need in my car and for me to tell him what he needs to hear. That part is going to be a little bit of a transition, but I think right now we have enough motivation and confidence that should carry us until that point happens.”

Will you use last year as motivation for this season? “I can’t even remember more than about five races last year in the sense of that we were really competitive, had a shot to win and those are the races that get me motivated. The rest of them, I feel like I was just there. I was one of those cars in the middle of the pack and that’s not me. I’m too competitive for that, I won’t stand for it and I’m not going to have the rest of my career go that way. We’re going to go back to the front where we belong.” -more-

Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M's Toyota, speaks with the media during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway on Jan. 23 in Concord, N.C. - Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR

Do you see any situations where you may start competing in the NCWTS again in the future? “To me, I think we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Truthfully, I don’t have to run Truck races. My fans love it and I love racing Truck races for them, but, like I said, I would love to see Kyle Busch Motorsports be able to sustain itself on its own and not have to have me in the seat every single week in a Truck race or Nationwide Series race.”

Does this make your 200 wins goal more difficult and eliminate something you find fun? “We’ll see. There’s no telling. Certainly, I wish that we could win eight races a year in Cup and eight races a year in Nationwide and right there you’re at 16 wins a year, so that’s not that bad. Granted, you run Truck races you can probably win five or six, so that puts you at 21 or 22 races a year. The focal point now is — and has been — although I want the 200 wins someday, the focal point needs to be on the Cup deal and trying to win a championship there, of course, and put my primary focus into that.”

Is the goal of cutting the NCWTS races to be stronger in the Chase? “Certainly, it all relates to one another. It’s all circumstantial upon something else. I think running less races is also a conditioning tool. I’ve been working really hard in the off-season in doing some things and running less races will also help that, but just being more focused and just trying to operate more on a level field with Dave (Rogers, crew chief) and how much he works and how hard he works and I’ve got to do the same.”

Do you think cutting back on your Nationwide and Truck schedule will be beneficial? “It’s certainly a possibility, but you know in 2008 and 2009 I ran the most races that I’ve ever run in a season and didn’t have any issues. Things went pretty well those couple of years. I think it’s been most frustrating for me because I’m getting more and more into my Cup Series career and I have yet to win a championship. For me, you get down to the end of the season and the first 26 races go well and then you start the Chase and you kind of fumble a little bit and you’re chasing a ball sometimes. We still had a shot — we were running fourth or fifth in points at Talladega and then got crashed out there. Then we’re fifth in points or something like that in Martinsville and we get crashed out there. Your whole season’s shot. It’s not like one week’s gone — like you didn’t win that race or something. You’ve got to wait all the way until next February to start a whole new year in order to get down to November. Think about it — when you throw a whole year of your life away, it’s like, ‘Damn, this sucks.”

Is it a balance to determine how to not lose your drive and handle frustration better? “It certainly is and I’ve had a lot of fans, whether it’s been in meeting them in person or seeing them on Twitter or whatever — they all tell you, ‘Don’t change anything — we love the way you are and keep that attitude.’ At the end of the day, it doesn’t seem like me not changing anything is helping anything. I have to change something, I just have to figure out what that is and make it work for me.”

How is your relationship with Joe Gibbs? “He (Joe Gibbs, team owner) is a phenomenal character and has a lot of personality to him because he’s probably seen so much over the years. For me, him and I have a great dialogue — we talk quite a bit. It’s been really good. He believes in me. I wouldn’t be here if the guy didn’t believe in me. He knows what kind of person I am and it’s not that I have to convince the people that are closest around me what kind of person I am — I have to convince those that are furthest from me that don’t ever get to see me.”

Do your results in last year’s Chase give you more motivation for 2012? “I don’t need any extra motivation, trust me. I’ve been here long enough. I’ve been here plenty of times and I’ve run plenty of laps where I’m not just getting tired of not winning a championship, I think people are.”

Are you ready to get back to racing in February? “You get an off-season and you’re not racing so you kind of miss the bug a little bit. You spend some time relaxing and hanging out and just letting the New Year come to you. For me, I’ve been ready. I think I’m pretty well versed in what we need to have happen this year and what we’d like to have happen and what we’d like to see.”

Do you race all 36 races the same or separate from the first 26 to the Chase? “We’d like to have the whole 36-race season go according to plan. You don’t run the first 26 and then the final 10. We like to run the whole 36 the same way. You go out there and you try to win every single week. If you can’t win, then you go to the best of your opportunity and the best of your ability and what’s given to you on that day. Whether it’s a third, a second, a fifth or whatever. You do have to keep conscious of not putting yourself in bad positions or wrecking out and finishing back in the 20s or 30s.”

Team members look on as Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, speaks with the media during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway on Jan. 23 in Concord, N.C. - Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR

Are you excited to have Jason Ratcliff as your new NSCS crew chief? “Me and Jason (Ratcliff, crew chief), we’ve worked together for two races over in the Nationwide side and I felt like we connected really quick. I felt like the two of us, the communication at the race track, at the shop — it really accelerated at a really quick rate. So, I was excited about that. When the decision came up, I think Jason was kind of a shoe-in for that deal. I think he’s the perfect match for me. I think even in practice, we come in, sit down and talk to each other and try to make the best decision with the race car we possibly can. I feel like we’ve done a really good job for those first two races. I always felt like, ‘Man, I need to work with him more.’ I think we can do good things with it. I think he’s the right man for our Home Depot/Dollar General Toyota and we’ll go out there and do the best we can this year.”

What do you think about Greg Zipadelli leaving Joe Gibbs Racing? “Sometimes things just don’t match up perfectly. I love Zip (Greg Zipadelli) to death. I’m going up to New York this weekend to do his charity ride. The friendship is still there. Things sometimes just don’t match up perfectly and we probably will get along a lot better now that we’re not working with each other. I still like him. I think it’s a good call for him to go over there. He wants to be home with his kids more. His kids are growing up. I don’t have kids so I don’t know what that’s like, but I would assume you want to be with them a lot. I think that’s a really good call for him and I think it’s going to be really neat. I think it’s going to be the best for both of us in the long run. I think it’s something that the No. 20 team itself needed and I think Zip needed it, too.”

Do you feel more pressure this season? “No, not right now. I’m very relaxed. I feel like my head is in the right spot. I feel like I’m very confident in myself, I’m very confident in Jason (Ratcliff, crew chief) and my whole team and doing the right thing. I tell you, Jason – I’ve talked to him a ton. Everyday we’re on the phone, I’m at the shop talking to him, doing something with him. I think that’s gone along really well. Then, Jason is one of the hardest working guys I’ve ever seen in my life. He’s there all the time. Between Dave (Rogers, No. 18 crew chief) and Jason, I’ve seen them on the Nationwide side before and those two will keep getting each other to work harder and harder and they’re going to do that over here on the Cup side along with Darian (Grubb, No. 11 crew chief) involved with that too, it’s going to be unreal. I’m pretty pumped up about it. I think there are some really good changes at Joe Gibbs Racing that I think are going to help all three teams.”

Is it important for you to make the Chase this year? “Yes, it’s a hard to set goals. You go to race track to win every one of them, so I think everyone’s goal is to win a championship. I think you have to shoot for the moon. That’s the only way you are going to do it. If you just shoot for making the Chase, that’s all you’re going to do. You’re not going to do anything better than that. I think you have to shoot for the moon and keep shooting for that and see what comes out of it.”

Have you experienced any changes since Darian Grubb joined Joe Gibbs Racing? “Yeah, I think it’s refreshing. There’s new faces and there’s new changes. I think bringing Jason (Ratcliff, crew chief) in and Darian (Grubb, No. 11 crew chief), both of them are bringing a lot of new energy and a lot of new life. I think it’s something that was needed to be done. I think Joe (Gibbs, team owner) and J.D. (Gibbs, team president) made some really good calls. I know they’re tough decisions. I couldn’t imagine being put in that spot. I think it’s the right thing for our race teams and we’ll make it happen.”

What lessons have you learned in your racing career? “When you’re little and your mother is like, ‘You just wait, I’m stupid right now but you’ll get older and discover how smart I was.’ Yeah, that was the same thing, but in racing for me. Obviously you want to be confident, you need to think that you know a lot and think that you’re the best race car driver out there. But, at the same time you have to be humble and go ask questions, talk to the guys — do whatever you can to make yourself a better race car driver. I’ve learned that stuff very quickly. It’s something that is a very valuable experience. I’m going to take that in the rest of my life, whether that’s in racing or not.”

Is this going to be a make it or break it year for you? “I don’t make anything of it. It’s no difference to me. You should treat every year like it’s a make it or break it year. So, what’s the difference? That’s how I look at it. I should go out there and try to win every race, whether it’s contract year or not. There’s no difference there for me.”

Was last season a disappointing year for you? “Obviously last year was a disappointment I think for all three teams. I can speak for myself — that was terrible last year. We did everything as a team completely wrong in a lot cases, whether it’s driver mistakes, team mistakes — whatever it was, we weren’t on it. With a year like that, talk about being humble, that will humble you in a hurry. That’s when you have to dig down deep. You don’t want to do that again. It was seriously no fun at all to do something like that. That motivates you a ton to go out there and do a lot better. I know I have the guys behind me now. I’m very confident going into this season, probably more confident than I’ve ever been going into a season. Obviously with Jason (Ratcliff, crew chief), signing on a new sponsor like Dollar General, that brings some new life into the team, too. We’re excited about that.”

What can you do to make yourself better? “You can’t just pin point one thing. There’s a lot of different things. I can say now, I feel like I’m a lot more involved with what’s going on with Jason (Ratcliff, crew chief) — I feel like we’re working on the same level now. We’re bouncing ideas off of each other a lot more. The communication is huge. If you wanted to point out one thing, it would be communication and I feel that’s going to come naturally with me and Jason.”

Does getting a new sponsor this season put pressure on you? “It is pressure bringing them in, but it’s confidence when you get them. Think about how hard it is to get a great company like Dollar General in our sport. It’s very hard to do, there are a lot of other teams out there trying to get them. A lot of other teams with great drivers trying to get them. For us to be able to reel them in and get them, that puts a lot of confidence in our team and myself for sure.”

How have you been able to be positive with what your team experienced last year? “Positive thinking is very important no matter what is going on. That’s something I’ve learned more this last year than I’ve ever thought of. I went to a sports psychologist, you talk to those people and you find a new way of going to a race track and a new whole way of thinking about a lot of things. That’s very, very important. I was able to see the gains you can make in that stuff. That’s the stuff when you’re down, you look at anything. I think that was some really good things to look at. Jason (Ratcliff, crew chief) is good in that department.”

Source: Toyota Motorsports, Press Release

Erik Jones (Photo Credit: Detroit Free Press)

“We have a lot of momentum from the 2011 season,” said Jones. “It shouldn’t be too hard to carry that over into the new year. When you have a great season like 2011 you just can’t wait to get back on the track, the off season seems like it lasts forever.”

Jones was the 2011 Governor’s Cup 200 winner at New Smyrna Speedway (FL) after locking up the JEGS All Stars Tour title a few weeks prior to that. He also had a solid performance going in the Allen Turner Snowflake 100 at Five Flags Speedway (FL) in December before being swept up in a wreck.

2012 will kick off at a new track, as Jones will set his eyes on the 3/8-mile Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Georgia for the first time at SpeedFest.

“It looks like a fun track from the pictures and should put on a good show for the fans with our Paragon Corvette Reproductions Chevy,” said Jones. “I am really excited to go there. I always like to go to a new racetrack and hopefully race with some new people.”

Those new people will include drivers like NASCAR stars Kyle Busch, Johnny Sauter, Erik Darnell and David Ragan, as well as short track standouts such as Chase Elliott, Bubba Pollard and several other big Super Late Model names.

Three-time CRA Super Series Champion Scott Hantz has stepped in to be the head wrench and driver coach for the young driver.

“Scott Hantz will be working in collaboration with Venturini Motorsports, my ARCA team. I am really looking forward to being able to work with so much experience this year and I’m looking to pick up the 2012 season right where we left off.”

Jones will be focusing his efforts on the ARCA/CRA Super Series Super Late Model 200-lap portion of SpeedFest weekend and will not be competing in the JEGS Tour event.

“It is different not being able to hop into the (JEGS Tour) Pro Late Model at SpeedFest. It bums me out a little bit as I really enjoy running the Pro class. We have had great success with the Super Late Model though and I really enjoyed the faster pace of racing that I got to experience twice last year.

Jones and his Paragon Corvette Reproductions #4 team will start the action on Friday January 27th with practice. Qualifying will take place on Saturday, January 28th with the feature event being on Sunday, January 29th.

For more on Erik Jones, please visit his website at www.ErikJonesRacing.com.

- 51 Sports Press Release

Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM)

Kyle will drive the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway and the subsequent four races through California before splitting the balance of the season with Kurt. The team’s goal will be to capture an Owner’s Championship in its inaugural race season, similar to the Owner’s Championship accomplished by KBM in its first full season in the Camping World Truck Series in 2010.

The development of this duo as teammates fits perfectly for primary team sponsor Monster Energy, who foregoes traditional forms of advertising and instead seeks brand exposure through the use of Extreme Athletes. With Monster Energy looking for increased presence across the NASCAR fan base, the company identified the Busch brothers as the drivers that best fit its family of Monster Energy Team Athletes.

“Monster Energy has always stood for competing and winning no matter what the sport,” said Monster Energy Company President, Mark Hall. “To make this happen, we’ve always sought out the most determined, fearless and committed athletes for the Monster team. With the Busch brothers sharing the wheel of the Kyle Busch Motorsports Monster Energy Camry, we have every reason to believe we have drivers capable of running up front every weekend.”

Kyle Busch (L) and Kurt Busch (R) drivers of the No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota Camry For Kyle Busch Motosports In The NASCAR Nationwide Series For 2012

In 222 starts over nine seasons, Kyle has proven himself to be the winningest competitor in the history of the NASCAR Nationwide Series. In addition to his 51 career wins, Kyle has secured 120 top-five finishes, 149 top-10 finishes and 23 poles. In 2010, Kyle made Series history with a record 13-win race season. Past NASCAR Nationwide Series Championships for Kyle include a Driver’s Championship in 2009 and Owner’s Championships in both 2008 and 2010 — all with Kyle’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owner Joe Gibbs Racing.

Kurt has 12 career starts, three poles and three wins in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with his last Series victory coming at Watkins Glen in 2011. Kurt will spend additional seat time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, beginning with the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway through a part-time commitment to Phoenix Racing and the No. 1 NASCAR Nationwide Series entry.

“Kyle has done an impressive job in building this race team and I’m proud to be a part of it,” Kurt said. “He won a Truck Series Owner’s Championship in his first year and his team has kept on winning ever since. Now, it’s moving into the Nationwide Series, where the bar will remain high. His expectations are the same as mine, and we know each other better than anyone. We’re driven to win, and with Monster Energy driving us, we’ll be a tough team to beat.”

To complement the driver lineup, and ensure a strong competitive advantage, KBM brings industry veteran and winning crew chief Mike Beam into the fold as the No. 54 Monster Energy Camry team leader. Beam is a long-time fixture in NASCAR who has accomplished career victories across all three major touring series. At an early age, Mike became a successful contributor towards a variety of competitive racing organizations including Petty Enterprises and Roush Fenway Racing.

Most recently Beam obtained the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series Owner’s Championship. Through 48 career starts in the NASCAR Nationwide Series as a crew chief, Beam has accomplished 10 wins, 32 top-five finishes, 37 top-10 finishes and eight poles. Mike is also a past Late Model Sportsman (now the NASCAR Nationwide Series) National Championship winner with driver Butch Lindley so working towards an Owner’s Championship with Kyle Busch Motorsports is very familiar territory.

“I am excited to join the KBM team and to have Monster Energy as our sponsor,” stated Beam. “Kyle and Kurt are two of the best drivers in NASCAR. To contend for the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Owner’s Championship with Monster Energy and to have all of the elements in place that make a great team, you can not help being excited to be a part of this.”

Kyle Busch Motorsports and Monster Energy, two of the fastest-growing brands in their respective industries, have positioned themselves together for great success in 2012.

About Kyle Busch Motorsports

Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) has quickly established itself as one of the most successful teams in all of NASCAR, capturing the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Owner’s Championship in its inaugural season and 16 Truck Series victories over its first two seasons. 2012 marks the team’s debut in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with team owner and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Kyle Busch sharing the driving duties behind the wheel of the No. 54 Monster Energy Camry with his brother Kurt, the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. Veteran driver Jason Leffler joins the KBM driver lineup and will be the primary pilot of the No. 18 Tundra in the Truck Series.

KBM prepares a fleet of race-winning Toyotas out of its 77,000-square-foot facility in Mooresville, N.C. Pending LEED certification the facility’s state-of-the art equipment and innovative green initiatives make it unmatched among its peers. Fans can stay up-to-date with all the latest KBM news online at www.KyleBuschMotorsports.com, by liking the team on Facebook (@KyleBuschMS) and following the team on Twitter (@KBMteam).

About Monster Beverage Corporation

Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy refuses to acknowledge the traditional and the disingenuous. Monster always supports the scene and the sport. Whether it be motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MotoGP, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians symbolize. Much more than a drink, it’s a way of life lived by our athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans. See more about Monster Beverage Corporation – including all of its drinks – at
www.monsterenergy.com and Facebook.com/monsterenergy.

- Kyle Busch Motorsports Press Release

Sports Clips Haircuts

“We are excited to continue our growth and partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing for the upcoming 2012 season,” said Gordon Logan, founder and CEO of Sport Clips. “The sport has allowed us to build brand presence with broad exposure among the large and very loyal NASCAR fan base. We are proud to have both Denny and Joey continue to represent us in such a positive manner while they are running up front. Darlington will be a special weekend for Sport Clips, as we will partner with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in the title sponsorship of the Nationwide Series race Friday night and will be on board with Denny in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races.”

This is the fourth year Sport Clips has been a sponsor with JGR and the eight total races (seven Nationwide and one Cup) is the most the organization has ever sponsored in a single season.

“It is always a thrill to have a sponsor come on board and fully realize how the program can benefit their business and marketing efforts,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR. “Sport Clips has been a great partner and we want to continue to deliver the type of success they have grown accustomed to over the past three years.”

In addition to the Darlington Sprint Cup Series race, Sport Clips will appear on JGR’s No. 18 and No. 20 Nationwide Series Toyota a total of seven times in 2012 with drivers Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano. The schedule of Nationwide races is as follows:

DATE RACE CAR # DRIVER

April 13 Texas No. 18 Denny Hamlin

May 11 Darlington* No. 18 Denny Hamlin

May 26 Charlotte No. 18 Denny Hamlin

July 6 Daytona No. 20 Joey Logano

July 28 Indianapolis No. 18 Denny Hamlin

Sept. 7 Richmond No. 20 Denny Hamlin

Sept. 29 Dover No. 20 Joey Logano

*Also the Nationwide Series Race Sponsor (Events are subject to change.)

About Sport Clips:

Sport Clips is headquartered in Georgetown, Texas and was established in 1995 by founder and CEO Gordon Logan. The franchise ranks in Entrepreneur Magazine’s top 20 “fastest growing franchises” and in the top 100 in the “Franchise 500”, in the top 10 in Forbes’ “Top 20 Franchises To Start”, and in the top 50 in Dun & Bradstreet’s AllBusiness.com “2012 AllBusiness AllStars”. Sport Clips is the “Official Haircutter” of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and offers veterans preferential pricing on haircuts and franchises. Our “Help a Hero” program has donated more than three-quarters of a million dollars to help soldiers overseas and in hospitals call home through the VFW’s Operation Uplink. Sport Clips is a proud sponsor of Joe Gibbs Racing’s NASCAR drivers, Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin, and holds partnerships with several NCAA programs, and teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), and National Hockey League (NHL). To learn about franchise opportunities click here, and for locations throughout the United States, visit SportClips.com. For media resources and additional information on Sport Clips, visit SportClipsMedia.com.

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR)

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, Drew Herring, and Ryan Truex.. 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

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