Dodge Motorsports

Atlanta Motor Speedway

* Dodge in 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series

NASCAR Nationwide Series Dodge Chargers have earned six poles, five wins, 24 top-five and 35 top-10 finishes. The Penske duo of Brad Keselowski and Justin Allgaier has led 1,051 laps this season.

DODGE NUGGETS

• Three Dodge Chargers finished inside the top-10 last weekend at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

• Penske Dodge’s have completed 8,829 of 8,978 laps this season.

• Brad Keselowski has completed all but one of the 4,489 laps completed this season.

• Penske Racing is seeking its first NASCAR championship in all three levels of NASCAR – Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series.

No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge Charger

Highlights:

• Earned his first NASCAR Nationwide Series win earlier this year at Bristol Motor Speedway, leading a 1-2 finish for Penske Racing and Dodge.

• Has one win, six top-five, and 14 top-10 finishes in 25 Nationwide races in 2010.

• Is fourth in the Nationwide Series driver standings and best among full-time Nationwide – 404 points over Steve Wallace.

• Career-best finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway – 17th (2009).

• Won the 2008 ARCA championship.

• Was the 2009 Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year.

No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Charger (Brad Keselowski) - Photo Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR

Highlights:

• Currently leads the Nationwide Series standings by 365 points over Carl Edwards. He has led the standings since his win at Talladega in April.

• In 25 Nationwide races in 2010, Keselowski’s average starting position is 8.2 and average finishing position is 5.4.

• Career-best finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway – 4th (2009).

• Earned back-to-back wins at Talladega and Richmond and has four wins in 2010.

• Leads the Nationwide Series in top fives (18), top 10s (21). He has only one finish outside the top 15 (Chicago – 21st).

• Has a NASCAR record 92 consecutive Nationwide Series races without a DNF (Did Not Finish).

Riverton, Illinois., native Justin Allgaier waves to the fans prior to the 2009 Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Gateway International Raceway. Photo by Bill Barrett.)

“Atlanta is a fun, extremely fast track. When you talk to drivers about speed, Atlanta is definitely one of the first tracks that come to mind. The biggest thing about Atlanta is how hard you can race the track, despite how little grip there is compared to some of the other tracks we race at. Atlanta definitely has character; there are bumps and seams that can cause some problems. We didn’t run very well in this race last year, but we didn’t feel that our mile-and-a-half program was very good at that time.”

- Justin Allgaier, No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge Charger

“We had a tough race last year in Atlanta. Justin had never been there before, and with the schedule the way it is with practicing in the morning, qualifying in the afternoon then racing at night, it certainly provided us a challenge. Atlanta is quite a fast track, and a lot of fun. As the race goes on, there are multiple lines that form through the corners. We’ve got to make sure that our Verizon Dodge is comfortable to take advantage of this. Track position will be key, so our qualifying effort will be critical. The engine department has continued to deliver us outstanding horsepower that will certainly give us a clear cut advantage.”

– Chad Walter, crew chief, No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge Charger

Brad Keselowski

A couple of bad races and Carl (Edwards) will be right there on our heels. But, yeah, it’s a great barometer for the season that we’ve had this year. It’s still amazes me that we are a first- year team because Paul (Wolfe) has them operating like a bunch of veterans. We just need to concentrate on finishing strong and catching the No. 18 car in the owner point’s standings.”

– Brad Keselowski, No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Charger

“We’re very confident in the car we are taking to Atlanta this weekend. Brad finished second at Charlotte in it and we were running second at Chicago when we ran out of fuel. It’s really run well everywhere we’ve raced it. When you look at Atlanta you see similarities to Texas and Charlotte.

We want to build on the success we had at both of those tracks this year. Goodyear is bringing a new tire this weekend, so that will be a new challenge that we’ll have to deal with. Managing tire wear is always the name of the game at Atlanta. Brad has shown he can do it as well as anyone.”

– Paul Wolfe, crew chief, No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Charger

- Darnell Communications Press Release

2010 Denny Hamlin (Photo Credit: Greg Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR}

This is Hamlin’s fifth series win of the 2010 season, his thirteenth series career win and his first series win at Michigan International Speedway.

Following Hamlin and Kahne to the drop of the checkered flag were Kurt Busch finishing third, Jeff Gordon fourth, Tony Stewart fifth, Jimmie Johnson sixth, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. seventh, Jeff Burton eighth, Greg Biffle ninth and Joey Logano rounding out the top-ten finishers.

Race Notes:

Average Speed: 156.386 MPH
Time of Race: 2 Hrs, 33 Mins, 28 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 1.246 Seconds
Lead Changes: 18 among 9 drivers
Cautions: 4 for 14 laps
Attendance: 95,000

Unofficial Top-12 in the Points Standings: 1. Kevin Harvick - 2169; Kyle Busch – 2147 (-22 Points Behind the Leader) 3. Denny Hamlin – 2122 (-47) 4. Kurt Busch – 2051 (-118) 5. Matt Kenseth – 2019 (-150) 6. Jimmie Johnson – 1999 (-170) 7. Jeff Gordon – 1987 (-182) 8. Jeff Burton - 1945 (-224) 9. Greg Biffle – 1865 (-304) 10. Carl Edwards – 1856 (-313) 11. Tony Stewart – 1840 (-329) 12. Mark Martin – 1826 (-343 )

On the Outside Looking In to Make the Chase: 13. Clint Bowyer – 1783 (-386 Points Behind the Leader) (-43 Points Behind 12th-Place) 14. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - 1745 (-424) (-81) 15. Ryan Newman – 1735 (-434) (-91) 16. Martin Truex Jr. – 1733 (-436) (-93) 17. Joey Logano – 1719 (-450) (-107).

2010 NSCS Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 Race Results

Another female driver from another form of motorsports looks to be waiting in the wings to also invade the NASCAR world, though.

Milka Duno, a winning American LeMans Series driver, will participate in an ARCA test for Braun Racing at Daytona International Speedway, driving a No. 90 Toyota for Braun Dec. 18-20 at the track. - Full Story by Amanda Vincent – Louisville NASCAR Examiner

France first caught the racing bug by turning laps in the familly Ford Model T as a teenager at a board track in Maryland, that is without his parents knowledge.

When he got older he owned and operated his own service station in the Washington, D.C., area before packing up his family and relocating to Daytona in 1935. - Full Story by Amanda Vincent – Louisville NASCAR Examiner

Daytona International Speedway

For the second straight year, Daytona International Speedway is joining forces with the Central Florida Sports Commission, the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Daytona Beach Sports Council of Volusia County to host the Daytona Beach Half Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 6 a.m.

The 13.1-mile race will start at historic Daytona International Speedway, proceed through the streets of Daytona Beach, including a run along the boardwalk of the “World’s Most Famous Beach,” before concluding at the Speedway’s legendary start/finish line.

Advanced entry fee for the Daytona Beach Half Marathon is $60 per person (must sign up by Oct. 1) and includes an event t-shirt, finisher’s medal, post-race party admission and Daytona 500 Experience motorsports attraction admission. Registration is open until race day and is available on the event website: www.daytonabeachhalf.com. The half marathon is open to anyone who can complete the course in 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Approximately 700 competitors from around the country and the world are expected to race. To date, athletes have registered from as far away as Canada and the United Kingdom.

For more information on the Daytona Beach Half Marathon, visit www.daytonabeachhalf.com

- Daytona International Speedway, Press Release

Brad Keselowski - Photo Credit: Harry How/Getty Images

At Michigan, his home track, Brad Keselowski went from third to first on the last lap of the Carfax 250, to capture Nationwide Series win number three in 2009. Just after Brian Vickers and Kyle Busch who combined led 110 of the 125 laps got to battling over the final two miles. Leaving Keselowski an opening to the outside, when Vickers dropped down low to block Busch’s inside move, as they took the white flag.

Keselowski:
I knew they’d do what they did and that’s why I was sitting there lurking. The two of them together are a recipe for what you saw. That’s just putting it the way it is. I knew I didn’t have to go out there and pass both of them running in a single file. So I just was ready and jumped on it when I could.

That left Busch hopping mad and when he came onto pit road he bumped into Vickers’ car and leaped out of his Toyota to yell at Vickers, who was still strapped in.

Brian Vickers:
Kyle was crying like a little girl. After the race he came up and he was whining because I was racing him so hard. I don’t know, I thought this was racing, I thought this was what we were supposed to do. We raced fine the whole race. I called him and he let me go and he called me and I let him go. Then the race we are racing for the win and he’s crying about. I don’t know what he wants.

Kyle Busch:
He just hung on my right rear corner panel side drafted me and wasn’t paying attention to the mirror that the 88 was coming. I knew the 88 was coming, man I was stuck, I had no where to go. If I would have moved up I would have been into him, if I would have gone lower I would have been in the dirt so I had nothing to do. It was just unfortunate there that the side draft played that big of role and loss both of the winning cars a chance to win the race.

Vickers:
Whether the 88 was coming or not it’s irrelevant, my jobs to try to win the race, it’s the last lap. At that point the greatest threat was the 18. I didn’t hit him, I didn’t move him, I didn’t do anything dirty. We raced down the front stretch, the 88 got into my side and him and I raced down the backstretch. I didn’t think anything of it until he hit me in the pits.

Sitting uncomfortably side by side in the Michigan media center during the post race press conference both Busch and Vickers were asked, where do those two go from here.

Busch:
I don’t know, ever since Richmond I’ve had a problem with him racing with him on the racetrack. It’s just another escalation of that.

Vickers:
The Richmond incident, the first turn he got to me, moved me off the racetrack and I moved him back off the racetrack the next turn. After that we have been fine so I don’t know what else to do. We were racing for the win. I mean Kyle if you are going to be upset at that, I mean I’m sorry that’s my job is to try and win the race and if anyone else disagrees, If anyone else thinks I should have just rolled out of it and let Kyle win then please raise your hand. I don’t know what else I’m supposed to do. I’m fine; the only thing I’m mad about is how he handled it after the race. I’m sure we can get pass that but there again I’m always going to race everybody the way they race me.

Coming home forth was David Ragan with Kevin Harvick fifth. The rest of the top 10 Ryan Newman, Justin Allgaier, Greg Biffle, Jeff Burton and Paul Menard. Finishing 40th was title contender Carl Edwards, who wrecked on just lap two after bumping rookie, Trevor Bayne.

Carl Edwards:
It’s very frustrating but it’s part of it. Sometimes things don’t the way you want. That’s just the way it is. I just drove down the corner, it surprised me we got together because for some reason in my mind I thought I had more room but I didn’t. It’s nobody’s fault but my own. I should have been cautious.

Edwards is still second place in the Nationwide Series championship battle but with 12 races to go is now down 339 points to Kyle Busch.

Edwards:
Anything can happen, you just have to keep working, keep going at it. No you don’t ever give up, that’s not part of it.

Michigan winner Brad Keselowski is third minus 389 points and had this to say sitting with crew chief Tony Eury Sr. when asked if he was worried about running out of room, when he made his winning pass.

Keselowski:
Yes, but what are you going to do. I’d rather win the race. If I would have wrecked right then trying to pass him for the win then I don’ think pops would have been too mad at me. Would you have been mad at me pops?

Tony Eury Sr.:
No.

Keselowski:
Nah. There you go, there’s your answer.

- Nationwide Insurance, Press Release

No. 6 Con-Way Freight Ford F-150

After winning the pole Braun elected to start on the outside of the front row. When the green flag flew for the 200-lap event Mike Skinner made a charge to the front and took the lead. Braun fell back to third as he told crew chief Mike Beam his Con-way Freight True LTL Ford was tight and needed to roll through the center better. The longer he ran the truck came to him and he was back up to second by lap 62.

With surprisingly few cautions, Braun did not pit for adjustments until just before halfway on lap 95. The crew gave him four tires with an air pressure adjustment in just 13.65 seconds, and then he returned to the pits for fuel and a wedge adjustment. He was fourth for the restart on lap 102.

Braun ran in fourth following veterans Todd Bodine, Ron Hornaday and Sprint Cup driver Kyle Busch until lap 149 when he passed Busch for third. A caution on lap 161 brought a few lead-lap trucks to pit road, but the top eight trucks stayed out. Braun was still third for the restart on lap 166 and tried to make his move on Bodine for second place. Braun could get outside of him through the turns, but Bodine pulled away on the straightaways. With 30 laps to go coming off turn four when Bodine cut down on him, Braun made contact with Bodine’s bumper which sent Bodine into the wall. Braun’s truck was fine and he moved into second place.

The final restart of the race came with 10 laps to go. Braun was second behind Hornaday, but Mike Skinner was coming through the field quickly with fresher tires since he pitted on lap 161. When Skinner passed Braun two other trucks with newer tires were also able to get by which left Braun in fifth place. Hornaday held off Skinner for the win, his fourth consecutive win and fifth of the season.

Colin Braun

The No. 6 Con-way Freight True LTL team gained two positions and is now 10th in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series point standings. The next race will be on Saturday, August 1 at Nashville Superspeedway. It will be live on SPEED at 8:00 p.m. (ET).

- Roush Fenway Racing Press Release

No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge Charger

No. 12 Penske Racing Verizon Wireless Dodge Charger News and Notes

This week’s Charger… The No. 12 Verizon Wireless team will race chassis PRS-018 during Friday night’s 300-mile NASCAR Nationwide Series event outside the “Windy City.” PRS-018 has seen action at both Bristol Motor Speedway as well as Kentucky Speedway during the 2009 campaign. The car produced fifth-place finishes at both events this season.

Come and See Me… Allgaier will be signing autographs at the Penske Racing souvenir trailer on Friday, July 10 from 12:30 p.m. -12:50 p.m. The trailer is located on souvenir row behind the front stretch.

Rookie Watch… With a top-10 result at the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway last Friday night, Allgaier regained the lead in Nationwide Series Rookie-Of-The-Year battle. The Riverton, Ill. native is currently six points ahead of Brendan Gaughan after 17 of 34 events.

Half Way Home… The Verizon Wireless Dodge team has hit the halfway point of the 2009 campaign. In this season’s first 17 races, Allgaier has three top-five and eight top-10 finishes.

Moving On Up… After last week’s top-10 performance, Allgaier moved up two spots in the season long championship point battle. The 23-year-old now sits sixth in the standings.

Media Availabilty… Allgaier will visit the media center at Chicagoland Speedway on Friday, July 10 at 1 p.m. CT to meet with members of the media.

Past History… Allgaier has three ARCA RE/MAX Series starts at Chicagoland Speedway. He has accumulated one top-five result at the venue with a best finish of fourth, coming in 2008. The 23-year-old Verizon Wireless Dodge driver has an average finish of 20.0 at the 1.5 mile Chicagoland Speedway

Listen and Watch… The Dollar General 300 can be seen on Friday, July 10 live on ESPN with coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. The event can also be heard live on MRN radio as well as Sirius Satellite Radio channel 128.

Justin Allgaier

“I am excited about this weekend. I love Chicagoland Speedway. It is a great track and we get to run under the lights. Night racing is so much fun. There is something about it that is electrifying. We are taking one of my favorite cars this weekend. Chad Walter and all the guys on this Verizon Wireless team are just awesome. We seem to be hitting our stride.I know every time I get into the car it is going to be fast. We just need to continue to ride this wave.

Crew chief Chad Walter on racing at Chicagoland Speedway

“Chicagoland Speedway is a great mile-and-a-half track. Handling and track position are the keys to success. You have to have your car pinned to the bottom on both ends of the track in order to have a shot to win. We are going to spend part of Thursday’s practice getting Justin [Allgaier] some seat time to get acquainted with the track. He has done a great job all year getting acclimated to tracks where he has never raced a Nationwide Series car before. He has been here a couple of times in an ARCA RE/MAX Series car, which gives him a baseline. He knows the approximate braking points which are crucial. Track position is paramount. These cars are so aero dependent that you need to keep your machine in clean air, and the only way to do that is to be leading.”

- Penske Racing Press Release

You know it just means a lot to me to be able to win at Daytona

No doubt Clint Bowyer spiced up his Nationwide Series season by winning the Subway Jalapeno 250. Holding off Kyle Busch during a green white checkered flag finish, that quickly turned into a yellow flag finish, when a number of cars crashed.

Bowyer:

He tried to loosen me up, he gave me a big shove off in the three and I was loose, I was all over the place as hard as he was pushing me but I knew I had to protect the bottom and I was just trying to hold it down there as much as I could and try to protect that, that was my only line of defense.

And it was good enough for the 30 year old Kansas native to capture not only his first Nationwide Series win this season, but also the first for Richard Childress Racing. With five wins on the year already, Kyle Busch was the runner up for the third time in the last four races.

Busch:

You know, we make some adjustments to our car there throughout the pit stops, just little minor things trying to get more grip in it. Didn’t really seem to change it much but overall the car was really good on long runs, we seemed to be able to get up through there pretty well. The 29 was really good on the long runs as well too, he was about the best car and had the most motors so you know, unfortunately we had to settle for second tonight but it was a hard fought and well battled second so we’ll take it.

Finishing third was Carl Edwards.

There at the end I didn’t want that caution to come out because Clint was getting so loose. I thought man this is going to be good. I think Kyle was right behind me and I thought man if we could just get Clint moved over here it’s going to be to great but he ended up hanging on he did a really good job on that restart we just couldn’t get back up there and get with those guys from the outside lane but a real good night for us.

Then coming home forth, it was Joey Logano.

Logano:

It’s hard to get to the lead and it’s hard to pass the leader that’s just kind of how a lot of these things are. I haven’t figured out the whole draft thing, as far as getting myself into the lead. You know, I can get myself up to second, third but to get myself into the lead is, it takes a lot, I mean you don’t see many cars able to do that. You have to have a massive run of guys lining up with you to get up there. It takes the whole package to get up to the lead but I can push people pretty good with this car.

Fifth across the stripe was Kasey Kahne, he was followed by Brad Keselowski, then it was Brian Vickers seventh and in eighth the top finishing rookie Justin Allgaier.

Allgaier:

Got stuck in the middle there one time and moved way back and tried to fight our way back up through and unfortunately got caught on the wrong side of that restart there but all in all it was a great night just glad to get out here in one piece. This is the first resctrictor plate race we’ve been able to finish so just glad to get out in one piece.

David Ragan wound up ninth with Kevin Harvick rounding out the top ten. After 17 of 35 races that make up the 2009 Nationwide Series season, Kyle Busch has increased his lead over Carl Edwards to win 172 points. Brad Keselowski remains third minus 268. Now this year Clint Bowyer is sharing the Holiday Chevrolet ride with Jeff Burton and Stephen Light. And that trio had made a bet before the season started, whoever had the best results half way through the year, that driver would have his name above the door for all of the remaining races. So with the Daytona win, Bowyer won the wager.

Bowyer:

Guess we’ll see if Burton holds his end of the deal won’t we. Steve has always focused on the Nationwide idea but you know Jeff and I have been focused so much on our cup cars that we’ve kind of forgot about our little wager we got, now they’ve reminded me tonight. Then he kind of half way through the deal said, “Well I don’t think anybody ought to get it unless they win.” So to be able to cap that off with a win and who knows maybe he’ll be driving my car. Well it’s Richard’s with my name on it.

- Nationwide Insurance, Press Release

ESPN

NASCAR Nationwide Series on ESPN in Prime Time from Chicagoland

The NASCAR Nationwide Series races in prime time on Friday night as it makes its only appearance of the season at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. ESPN will have a live, high definition telecast of the race on Friday, July 10, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown. ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC. The race re-airs Saturday, July 11, at 2:30 a.m. on ESPN2 and again at 1 p.m. on ESPN Classic.

Also this weekend, live coverage of NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying airs Friday at 3 p.m. on ESPN2, while coverage of final practice airs Thursday, July 9, at 7 p.m.

Dr. Jerry Punch will be lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN’s coverage, with analysis by 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Rusty Wallace and two-time NASCAR champion crew chief Andy Petree. Reporting from the pits will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake, with two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief Tim Brewer in the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage.

Allen Bestwick will host the pre-race NASCAR Countdown program with analysis by Wallace and Brad Daugherty, owner of a winning team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, in the ESPN pit studio.

Craven, Said, Blount on NASCAR Now Roundtable

ESPN NASCAR analysts Ricky Craven and Boris Said and ESPN.com reporter Terry Blount will be panelists on NASCAR Now’s weekly roundtable discussion program airing Monday, July 13, at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Allen Bestwick will host the edition of ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program.

Nicole Manske hosts half-hour episode of NASCAR Now airing Tuesday and Wednesday of this week at 5 p.m. and Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Manske also hosts the one-hour weekend edition that airs Saturday, July 11, at 10 a.m. with a preview of that night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway. Said will join Manske on the set, while Mike Massaro and Marty Smith will report from the track.

NASCAR Now originates from ESPN’s high definition studios in Bristol, Conn. Contributors include NASCAR Insiders Marty Smith and Angelique Chengelis, analysts Ray Evernham, Tim Brewer, Brad Daugherty, Boris Said, Ricky Craven and Randy LaJoie, and ESPN.com reporters Ed Hinton, Terry Blount and David Newton. The NASCAR on ESPN team event coverage team of Rusty Wallace, Dale Jarrett, Dr. Jerry Punch, Andy Petree, Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Spake and Vince Welch also make frequent contributions to NASCAR Now.

NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing from Denver on ESPN2

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series travels to Bandimere Speedway near Denver this weekend, and ESPN2 will air qualifying and eliminations action on a same-day basis. Qualifying from the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals airs Saturday, July 11, at 8 p.m. ET, with eliminations airing Sunday at 7 p.m. Finals coverage re-airs Monday, July 13, at 2 p.m. on ESPN Classic.

The second half of the season kicks off with the first of three consecutive weekends of racing and one of its greatest challenges. Teams travel high and deep into the Rocky Mountains to more than 5,800 feet, where the altitude affects everything from engine tune-ups to aerodynamics. Crews must make changes to established power-making combinations and battle lack of downforce to tackle the environs. The event is testament to the skill and adaptability of the racers.

Paul Page anchors ESPN2’s coverage with analysis by 22-time NHRA winner Mike Dunn. Gary Gerould and Dave Rieff report from the pits. Rieff and Dunn host NHRA RaceDay on Sunday at 11 a.m. to set the stage for that day’s eliminations action.

Other NHRA programming airing on ESPN Networks this week includes the 2003 Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals from Brainerd, Minn., airing Monday, July 13, at noon on ESPN Classic. Following at 1 p.m. is an hour of NHRA Lucas Oil Sportsman Series action from Atlanta Dragway.

IndyCar Series Races at Toronto Live on ABC

After a one-year absence, one of North America’s famous racing venues returns to action this weekend as the IndyCar Series races in Toronto on the famed Exhibition Place street circuit. ABC will have live coverage of the event on Sunday, July 12, at 1 p.m. ET.

The CART/Champ Car Series raced at Toronto for 22 years, starting in 1986, before the event took a year off last year when open wheel racing unified.

Marty Reid will call the race for ESPN on ABC’s coverage with analysis by former IndyCar Series star Scott Goodyear. Reporting from the pits will be Jack Arute, Brienne Pedigo and Vince Welch.

Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Action Airs Sunday on ESPN2

The Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, which features modified trucks, tractors and other vehicles, will be in action for more than two hours on Sunday, July 12, in five half-hour program beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET on ESPN2.

The programs will feature highlights from events held in Wheatland, Mo., and Henry, Ill. The league is sanctioned by the American Tractor Pulling Association.

- ESPN Communications, Press Release

Robert Richardson

Two minor nose benders, multiple pit stops to make repairs and fastest laps were the story of the night under the lights of the 2.5-mile trioval. When the initial green flag dropped, Richardson rolled off 32nd. However, during the second practice the night before, he and the R3 Motorsports team had the ninth fastest time.

This bolstered their confidence for race conditions and it didn’t take Richardson long to show how fast his Chevrolet could go.

The first caution on lap nine brought Richardson down pit road for fuel, four tires and a track bar adjustment to fix the loose conditions in the high-banked turns. In the first 10 laps, he moved up to 26th place and remained in the mid-20s for much of the race going from 27th to 21st to 25th in the running order.

The next caution on lap 44 was a call for tires and another chassis adjustment. This was the one the doctor ordered as the No. 23 Mahindra Tractors Chevrolet roared to life. By lap 53, Richardson logged the fastest laps of the 43-car field for four of the next three laps.

Then, a multi-car wreck unfolded in front of him on the backstretch. As he went low to avoid it, another car went low at the same time pulling in front of him. The front end of the No. 23 lifted up the back of the other causing nose, grill and fender damage to his car.

Several pit stops under caution for repairs and the Mahindra Tractors Chevrolet was good to go for the lap 64 restart in 30th place. In the next six laps, Richardson moved to 21st place. Because of the tires and fuel received on the previous pit stop, the R3 Motorsports team was able to stay out and restart in 16th place on lap 75.

Two laps later, another wreck started in front of Richardson and resulted in some more damage to the left-front fender and nose of the car. And, just like before, the R3 team leapt into action to make repairs through multiple stops.

For the lap 83 restart, Richardson was 29th because he got penalized to end of the longest line for pitting too early. But, they were still on the lead lap.

In just seven laps, Richardson was up to 21st place and looking to break into the top-20 again. Another multi-car wreck on lap 94 took six laps for clean up forcing a green/white/checkered finish restarting in 23rd on lap 100.

Knowing they had a fast car, the plan was to get as many positions as possible for a good finish. However, while coming to the white flag, Richardson got together with another car as it got in front of him and came down and resulted in them wrecking heavily along the outside wall.

Damaged beyond being able to drive back to the garage, the checkered and yellow waved giving the No. 23 Mahindra Tractors Chevrolet team of R3 Motorsports a 26th-place finish.

Robert Richardson, driver – “Wow, what a night. I think we went through just about everything we could here tonight at Daytona. We got caught up in two minor wrecks, made the repairs, got back to racing, passed people, ran three wide and even had the fastest laps on the track at times.

“That car was fast; so fast. We were a little loose in the beginning, but the crew did an awesome job to get it right. Then, they really went to work making those repairs after those two wrecks. I really, really have to hand it to the R3 team because they have been on their game lately and went above and beyond tonight.

“On that last lap deal, we were all fighting for positions out there trying to get all we could. I knew my car was fast, at I also knew I had to work it just right to get a top-20 or 15 tonight. Coming off the turn, I was making a move and the other guy came down and we ended up wrecking into the wall.

“I hated that we ended a great night like that, but the Mahindra Tractors Chevrolet was fast. So, I’ll take that knowledge and put it to use when we come back in February.”

- Packman Public Relations for R3 Motorsports, Press Release

Toyota Motorsports Logo

KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 NOS Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 2nd

How was your run tonight?

“It was good. We had a great race car really. It was a lot of fun out there tonight. We got cars that were starting to slide around like lap 9 and we made some adjustments there throughout the pit stops and just little minor things trying to get a little more grip in it. It didn’t really seem to change it much but overall the car was really good on long runs. It seemed to be able to get up through there pretty well. The 29 (Clint Bowyer) was really good on the long runs as well too. He was about the best car and had the most motor. Unfortunately we had to settle for second tonight but it was a hard fought and well battled second so we’ll take it.”

What was your plan on the last lap had it gone all of the way?

“There really wasn’t one. It was all going to depend on what happened with the 20 (Joey Logano) and I getting into turn one through one and two and down the back stretch. If we could’ve got teamed up together and he could’ve pushed me down the back maybe I could’ve done something like in February and got up underneath the 29 (Clint Bowyer) and packed some air underneath his spoiler and try to get him loose and move him up the track. Other than that man, it was pretty much just going to finish down in order. Whatever lane got the best push was going to be the lane that was going to have the overcome. The 20 (Joey Logano) did a great job on that last restart. We talked about that earlier today and he got us a good second-place finish there and knocked Carl (Edwards) back a little bit wherever.”

Was the bottom lane the place to be tonight?

“It was and I expected it to be that way tonight. The inside lane I figured was going to be the way to go because these cars are wide open the whole time almost. I think tomorrow it will be the top. The outside lane carrying the momentum is definitely going to be the better lane.”

Did you think you had a car capable of winning tonight?

“We didn’t have the best car tonight so we’ll take a second place. That car the 29 (Clint Bowyer) had was pretty fast and of course it’s a bowtie and we’re struggling with what we’ve got with Toyota. It was a great race for us. We got a good second place finish out of it instead of being torn up and being in the back. It does suck to finish second but I’m glad we did because the 29 (Clint Bowyer) was fast.”

JOEY LOGANO, No. 20 Great Clips Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 4th

Did you think your car was able to make a pass for the win at the end of the race?

“I don’t know. We were sitting there third behind Kyle (Busch). I’m not sure we could’ve got by the 29 (Clint Bowyer) there at the end. We were in a good position for what we had there. Maybe me and Kyle (Busch) could’ve ganged up and done something there. Overall, the SportsClips Toyota was good. It didn’t take off good there at the beginning of the race and we kept adjusting on it and got it good at the end and we got track position back. Front to the back, front to the back and that’s kind of how it cycled through on this track.”

Did your car seem to work well drafting with other cars on the race track?

“Quite a bit. Pretty much the first half of the race I was out there to make friends really and see what cars you work good with and all of that. Me and Carl (Edwards) just had a close call out there. He got loose there in the center and then I could’ve stuck my nose in there and caused a big wreck.”

Did you feel more comfortable drafting during this race?

“I was having a good time there the last 20 laps. I was like, ‘This is pretty fun.’ If you’ve got a big run you can try to get to the lead but it’s hard to get to the lead and it’s hard to pass the leaders. It’s just kind of how a lot of these things are. I haven’t figured out the whole draft thing as far as getting myself into the lead. I can get myself into second, third but getting myself into the lead takes a lot. You don’t see many cars able to do that. You can have a massive run and guys lining up with you to get up there. It takes the whole package to get up to the lead but I could push people pretty good with this car.”

KASEY KAHNE, No. 10 McDonald’s McCafe Toyota Camry, Braun Racing
Finishing Position: 5th

How did your car handle during tonight’s race?

“Our car was great. I’m real happy with the team and everything. It was fun to be in the Nationwide Series and work with Braun. We just had no help. I felt like my car was really fast and nobody wanted to push me. Every time I looked in my mirror there was nobody there. We need somebody to help. We still were fast without anybody but we needed somebody to get us to the front.”

BRIAN VICKERS, No. 32 Dollar General Stores Toyota Camry, Braun Racing
Finishing Position: 7th

MICHAEL WALTRIP, No. 99 Aaron’s Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
Finishing Position: 11th

MICHAEL McDOWELL, No. 47 Tom’s Toyota Camry, JTG-Daugherty Racing
Finishing Position: 13th

SCOTT LAGASSE, JR., No. 11 E-Pack Manufacturing Toyota Camry, CJM Racing
Finishing Position: 18th

JASON LEFFLER, No. 38 Great Clips Toyota Camry, Braun Racing
Finishing Position: 19th

MICHAEL ANNETT, No. 15 Pilot Travel Centers/Ventrilo Toyota Camry, Germain Racing
Finishing Position: 35th

- Toyota Motorsports, Press Release

No. 29 Holiday Inn / Holiday Inn Express Impala SS

Bowyer, who received his first ever victory at Daytona, his first victory of the season and his seventh in the series, was followed by Kyle Busch in second (who now has a 172 point lead over third-place finisher Carl Edwards) Joey Logano finished fourth and Kasey Kahne finishing fifth.

Rounding out the top-10 were: Brad Keselowski finishing in sixth, Brian Vickers seventh, the highest finishing rookie Justin Allgaier was eighth, David Ragan ninth and Kevin Harvick finishes tenth.

Unofficial top-10 in the points standings: 1. Kyle Busch – 2756 2. Carl Edwards – 2584 (-172 Behind Leader) 3. Brad Keselowski – 2488 (-268) 4. Jason Leffler – 2367 (-389) 5. Joey Logano – 2200 (-556) 6. Justin Allgaier – 2006 (-750) 7. Mike Bliss – 1986 (-770) 8. Brendan Gaughan – 1956 (-800) 9. Steve Wallace – 1950 (-806) 10. Jason Keller – 1907 (-849)

2009 Subway Jalapeno 250 NNS Race Results

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 1, 2009) – While NASCAR celebrates its traditional Independence Day weekend events at Daytona International Speedway, four cars and drivers will participate in another racing tradition thousands of miles away – the annual Festival of Speed at Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, England.

Held since 1993, the Festival celebrates historic cars from all forms of racing. The three-day event, hosted by the Earl of March at his family’s estate, features a 1.16-mile hill-climbing competition for all classes and types of race cars and motorcycles, plus a 2.5-kilometer course for historic rally cars. This year’s Festival runs from July 3-5.

Four NASCAR teams will participate in the three-day event – Hendrick Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, Team Red Bull and Rusty Wallace Inc.

Landon Cassill, the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year, will drive Hendrick Motorsports’ “T-Rex” – the then-revolutionary No. 24 chassis that four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon drove to victory in the 1998 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.

Taylor Earnhardt, the 20-year-old daughter of seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Dale Earnhardt, will drive the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing chassis that her father drove to his last career win in October 2000.

Rusty Wallace Inc., is sending its namesake – 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Rusty Wallace, whose organization currently fields two NASCAR Nationwide Series teams. Also an ESPN commentator, Wallace will drive a No. 2 chassis fielded by his long-time former team, Penske Racing.

Mike Skinner, the 1995 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion, will drive a former NASCAR Sprint Cup chassis fielded by Team Red Bull, for whom he’s driven on a part-time basis while competing full time for another NASCAR Camping World Truck Series title.

Cassill, Earnhardt, Wallace and Skinner are among this year’s Festival-record 103 drivers and riders.

Also attending the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed: Jim Hunter, NASCAR Vice President of Corporate Communications. Hunter has over 40 years of experience in the sport, as a journalist, promoter, track president and administrator.

- NASCAR Press Release4

NNS No. 27 Scott Products Walmart Ford Fusion

JASON KELLER @ DAYTONA
. Led a lap at Daytona for the first time in his career and went on to finish 9th in the Camping World 300 in February
. Finished fourth in both NNS races at Daytona in 2002
. Best qualifying effort was in his first ever NNS race at Daytona when he started eighth in the Goody’s 300 on February 18, 1995
. Started 27th and finished 18th in the 2008 Winn-Dixie 250

BAKER CURB @ DAYTONA
. Richard Petty won his 200th race, the Firecracker 400 at Daytona on July 4, 1984, in a car owned by Baker Curb Racing co-owner Mike Curb
. Brad Coleman started fourth and finished 21st in the 2008 Winn-Dixie 250

JASON KELLER ON DAYTONA
“I’m really looking forward to getting back to Daytona. We ran up front and finished in the top 10 of both Superspeedway races this year. The double file restarts will be exciting for the fans and the drivers and a big track like Daytona is a good place to implement the new format and work out the kinks.”

JASON KELLER ON RUNNING RICHARD PETTY PAINT SCHEME
“Growing up I idolized Richard Petty and I have a ton of respect for what he’s accomplished on and off the track throughout his career. I was in Nashville last week and had a chance to see the car I’ll be driving at Daytona. It’s a very cool looking scheme and it’s a huge honor for me to be included in all of the festivities this week.”

MIKE CURB ON 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF RICHARD PETTY’S 200TH WIN
“I’ll never forget Richard Petty’s 200th win. Richard won in a car that I owned and having sitting President Ronald Regan in attendance made it extra special. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this momentous occasion than being in victory lane with Jason Keller and our Nationwide team Friday night!”

TODD GORDON ON DAYTONA
“I’m excited to go back to Daytona for some restrictor plate racing. Our primary car this week is Car 58, which we finished seventh with at Talladega. We’ve analyzed our information from both Superspeedway races this year made a few minor adjustments and feel that we’ve found a little more speed.”

- Baker Curb Racing, Press Release