Catchfence » SPEED TV

SPEED Adds NASCAR ‘Ironman’ Ricky Rudd as SPEED Center Analyst

Press Release — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:26:12 +0000

Ricky Rudd - Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR

FORMER MISS SPRINT CUP MONICA PALUMBO SIGNS

WITH SPEED AS SOCIAL MEDIA REPORTER

Former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Ricky Rudd signed with SPEED this week to be an analyst on the popular weekend motor sports news program, SPEED Center. Rudd, a winner of 23 Cup Series races, including the 1997 Brickyard 400, was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers.

“Anytime you add someone with Ricky’s credentials, you give the viewers a voice and a perspective that has real impact,” said SPEED President Scott Ackerson.

Scheduled to begin Feb. 12, Rudd could be in for a long run on the network. After all, his 788 consecutive starts are the most in Cup history, earning the Chesapeake, Va., native the honorary title of NASCAR’s “Ironman.”

“I’m really looking forward to the next chapter,” said Rudd, the 1977 Rookie of the Year. “It’s going to be a lot of fun working with the gang at SPEED.”

Former Miss Sprint Cup Monica Palumbo

Also added to the SPEED team this week, former Miss Sprint Cup Monica Palumbo joins the network as a Social Media Reporter. Palumbo, the longest-serving Miss Sprint Cup, held the position from 2008 through last season and appeared on NASCAR Race Hub and other SPEED programs in that role.

As a Social Media Reporter, Palumbo works with producers, creating original SPEED content for Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social media outlets. In addition, she provides reports from various tracks and locations and serves as a broadcast contributor with social media updates from second-screen touch points.

About SPEED™

SPEED, anchored by its popular and wide-ranging coverage of NASCAR, is the nation’s first and only cable television network dedicated to automotive and motorcycle racing, performance and lifestyle. Now available in nearly 84 million homes in North America, SPEED, a member of the FOX Sports Media Group, is among the industry leaders in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services, including SPEED2, a groundbreaking new broadband network featuring live, streaming and on-demand events complementing offerings of the linear network. For more information, please visit SPEED.com, the online motor sports authority.

About FOX Sports Media Group

FOX Sports Media Group (FSMG) is the umbrella entity representing News Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets under Chairman & CEO David Hill. Built with brands that are capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FSMG includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FSMG now includes FOX Sports, the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; Fox’s 19 regional sports networks, their affiliated regional web sites and FSN national programming; SPEED and SPEED2; Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus; FUEL TV; and Fox College Sports. In addition, FSMG also includes FOX Sports Interactive Media, which comprises FOXSports.com on MSN, whatifsports.comand scout.com, reaching almost 30 million unique visitors monthly. Also included are Fox’s interests in joint-venture businesses FOX Deportes, Big Ten Network and STATS, LLC, as well as licensing agreements that establish the FOX Sports Radio Network, FOX Sports Skybox restaurants and FOX Sports Grills.

Source: SPEED, Press Release

SPEED Daytona Television Schedule

Press Release — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:35:22 +0000

SPEED Logo

GATORADE DUEL AT DAYTONA HEADLINES 100 HOURS

OF SPEEDWEEKS ON SPEED™

NASCAR RACE HUB OPENS SPEED COVERAGE

LIVE FROM MEDIA DAY

SPEED opens its extensive Daytona Speedweeks programming lineup Feb. 16 with reports from Media Day on a special live two-hour edition of NASCAR Race Hub. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars take to the track the following day for the first Budweiser Shootout practice session and SPEED brings viewers the Budweiser Shootout Selection Show on Feb. 17 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

NASCAR Race Hub, which enjoyed a 27-percent ratings increase in 2011, goes live from Daytona on Feb. 20-22, with Steve Byrnes hosting, Danielle Trotta reporting and analysis from Larry McReynolds, Randy Pemberton and Matt Clark.

Byrnes, covering Daytona Speedweeks for the 27^th time, has two main goals in bringing NASCAR’s season-opening action to SPEED audiences.

“First off, look at the scale at Daytona … it’s a huge venue,” said Byrnes, who also serves as a pit reporter for FOX Sports during the Daytona 500. “We have to use all the tools at our disposal and find the best ways to deliver a sense of speed in a place that can be overwhelming. And secondly, we have to keep finding stories that convey just how special the Daytona 500 is. It’s more than our Super Bowl … it’s much more than the money … for the drivers, it’s all about the trophy and for the fans it’s all about creating memories that often last a lifetime.”

On Thursday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. ET, SPEED is live from the Gatorade Duel at Daytona as drivers battle for the final spots on the Daytona 500 starting grid. Krista Voda and Jeff Hammond host, with the NASCAR on FOX team of Darrell Waltrip, Larry McReynolds and Mike Joy calling the action and Byrnes, Dr. Dick Berggren and Matt Yocum reporting from the pits.

Coming off its most-watched season ever, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series opens its season under the lights Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. ET as NCWTS Setup w/ Krista Voda sets the tone for the green flag at 7:30 p.m. ET. Rick Allen hosts with Michael Waltrip and Phil Parsons providing analysis and Hermie Sadler and Ray Dunlap reporting from the pits.

Working with NASCAR and Sportvision, SPEED adds full telemetry to the NCWTS broadcasts in 2012. The network also will continue to explore more ways to connect with viewers through social media initiatives.

SPEED also offers live coverage of the ARCA Racing Series race Feb. 18 at 4:30 p.m. ET, with Allen and Parsons in the booth and Dunlap, Jim Tretow and Jamie Howe in the pits.

NASCAR RaceDay, which saw huge audience increases during last season’s 10-race NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup, returns for three pre-race editions with John Roberts as host, Kyle Petty, Kenny Wallace and McReynolds providing analysis and Wendy Venturini, Rutledge Wood, Clark and Howe reporting from the garage.

NASCAR RaceDay offers pre-race coverage of the Budweiser Shootout, Gatorade Duel at Daytona and a special three-hour show (Feb. 26, 9 a.m. ET) leading into FOX Sports coverage of the Daytona 500.

Wallace gets a little extra attention as the network special Chasing Daytona: Kenny Wallace chronicles the veteran driver and SPEED personality’s quest to make the Great American Race. The program premieres Feb. 22 at 9 p.m. ET.

Making a special appearance at Daytona Speedweeks, car customizer and racer Jimmy Shine, host of the SPEED original Car Warriors, stops by several shows during the week to talk season two, which gets a special preview Feb. 24 at 10 p.m. ET, following the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race.

Trackside, the network’s longest-running NASCAR program, returns Feb. 25 at 4:30 p.m. ET. Voda hosts with Petty, Wood and Marianela Pereyra all returning to the show.

Live coverage of practice and qualifying sessions, as well as up-to-the minute updates from NASCAR Live!and SPEED Center round out the schedule, with Dave Despain’s Wind Tunnel returning for a 10^th season Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. ET.

NASCAR Performance kicks of its season on Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m., with Trotta making her hosting debut.

SPEED.com’s online coverage is anchored by Editor-In-Chief Tom Jensen and Senior NASCAR Editor Mike Hembree, who will provide daily breaking news stories, feature reports and analysis, contributing to SPEED’s robust video and photo offerings from Daytona. SPEED also will debut additional social media elements in Daytona. In addition to the NASCAR on SPEED Facebook page, there will be new Facebook fan pages for the popular “Trackside” and “RaceDay” shows. And SPEED’s television and online talent will be integrated across platforms, including SPEED.com, Facebook and Twitter.

Daytona Speedweeks on SPEED (All times Eastern and subject to change):

February 13

· NASCAR Race Hub – 6 to 7 p.m.

February 14

· NASCAR Race Hub – 6 to 7 p.m.

February 15

· NASCAR Race Hub – 6 to 7 p.m.

February 16

· NASCAR Race Hub (two-hour Media Day special) – 6 to 8 p.m.

February 17

· NASCAR Live! – 4 to 5 p.m.
· Budweiser Shootout practice – 5 to 6 p.m.
· NASCAR Live! – 6 to 6:30 p.m.
· Budweiser Shootout final practice – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
· SPEED Center – 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
· Budweiser Shootout Selection Show – 8:30 to 10 p.m.
· The Day – Remembering Dale Earnhardt – 10 to 11 p.m.

February 18

· NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
· NASCAR Live! – 1 to 2 p.m.
· NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice – 2 to 4 p.m.
· NASCAR Live! – 4 to 4:30 p.m.
· ARCA Racing Series race – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
· NASCAR RaceDay (Budweiser Shootout) – 6:30 to 8 p.m.
· SPEED Center – 8 to 8:30 p.m.
· NASCAR Victory Lane (Budweiser Shootout) – 11:30 to midnight

February 19

· NASCAR Live! – Noon to 1 p.m.
· SPEED Center – 7 to 8 p.m.
· Daytona 500 Pole Day – 8 to 9 p.m.

February 20

· NASCAR Race Hub (Live from Daytona) – 6 to 7 p.m.

February 21

· NASCAR Race Hub (Live from Daytona) – 6 to 7 p.m.

February 22

· NASCAR Live! – 11:30 a.m. to noon
· NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice – Noon to 1:30 p.m.
· NASCAR Live! – 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
· NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice – 2:30 to 4 p.m.
· NASCAR Race Hub (Live from Daytona) – 6 to 7 p.m.
· Chasing Daytona: Kenny Wallace – 9 to 10 p.m.

February 23

· NASCAR Camping World Truck Series practice – Noon to 1 p.m.
· NASCAR RaceDay (Gatorade Duel at Daytona) – 1 to 2 p.m.
· Gatorade Duel at Daytona – 2 to 5:30 p.m.
· NASCAR Victory Lane – 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
· NASCAR Camping World Truck Series final practice – 6:30 to 8 p.m.
· Gatorade Duel at Daytona prime time replay – 8 to 11:30 p.m.
· Chasing Daytona: Kenny Wallace – 11:30 p.m.

February 24

· NASCAR Live! – 10:30 to 11 a.m.
· NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice – 11 a.m. to noon
· NASCAR Live! – Noon to 12:30 p.m.
· NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice – 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
· NASCAR Live! – 1:30 to 2 p.m.
· NASCAR Camping World Truck Series qualifying – 4 to 5:30 p.m.
· SPEED Center – 5:30 to 6 p.m.
· NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice – 6 to 7 p.m.
· NCWTS Setup – 7 to 7:30 p.m.
· NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race – 7:30 to 10 p.m.
· Car Warriors Season II Special Preview – 10 to 11 p.m.

February 25

· NASCAR Live! – 10 to 10:30 a.m.
· NASCAR Sprint Cup Series final practice – 10:30 a.m. to noon
· Trackside – 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
· Chasing Daytona: Kenny Wallace – 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
· NASCAR Performance – 6:30 to 7 p.m.
· SPEED Center – 7 to 7:30 p.m.

February 26

· NASCAR Performance – 8 to 8:30 a.m.
· SPEED Center – NASCAR Edition – 8:30 to 9 a.m.
· NASCAR RaceDay (Daytona 500) – 9 a.m. to noon
· NASCAR Victory Lane – 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
· SPEED Center – 7 to 8 p.m.
· Wind Tunnel w/Dave Despain – 8 to 9 p.m.

About SPEED™

About FOX Sports Media Group

Source: SPEED, Press Release

Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain Celebrates 10th Year on SPEED in 2012

Press Release — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:00:18 +0000

Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain

NEW SEASON, 535^th EPISODE PREMIERE FEB. 26 FOLLOWING DAYTONA 500

Aside from multiple championships, what do John Force, Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart have in common?

For assorted reasons, they’ve all made Dave Despain’s list of favorite interviews over the last decade ofWind Tunnel with Dave Despain on SPEED, which celebrates its 10^th year in 2012.

Despain, who anchors his 535^th episode of the popular program Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. ET, credits Force for being the most colorful interview; Gordon as his favorite, and Stewart … well, Stewart for being the most difficult.

“I really didn’t have any expectations when we started Wind Tunnel,” Despain reflected. “The show had a very experimental feel in the beginning and I don’t think anyone knew quite what to expect. But it caught on very quickly and developed a fan following, which in turn gives the host a nice, secure feeling about the future. There are always doubts — it’s television after all — but I’ve always felt we were filling a niche.”

Wind Tunnel first premiered Feb. 23, 2003, as a half-hour show featuring Chip Ganassi as the first guest. Two weeks later, it expanded to an hour program, where it remains to this day, with in-studio guest Steve Matchett and Miguel Duhamel live from Daytona Bike Week.

After 534 shows, Despain has grown fond of certain guests and a bit circumspect about others despite his penchant for them.

“My most colorful guest and one of my favorites is John Force for the obvious reason –.he makes my job so easy,” reflected Despain, who has covered NASCAR for 40 years. “I only need one question per segment. Toss it out there and it’s like lighting the fuse on a five-minute bottle rocket. Sparks fly and there’s no stopping him.

“Jeff Gordon is probably my favorite interview because he always gives you something worthwhile,” Despain continued. “He never phones it in. No matter what else might be happening in his life or in his racing world, once he makes the commitment to do the interview, you’re guaranteed he’s going to show up with something worthwhile to say. It’s all very professional but also very entertaining and informative.”

On the flip side of the coin, no one has ever accused Stewart of being an easy interview. Despain, however, has learned to find the silver lining in the three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion’s interview style.

“Tony Stewart keeps you on your toes for a couple of reasons,” Despain stated. “First is the need to keep track of all your options when he’s late for a live interview. Then comes the interview itself. Tony does not suffer fools gladly so it puts pressure on the interviewer to not ask what ‘Smoke’ considers foolish questions. When it comes to racing, I think Tony is a pretty good judge of what constitutes ‘foolish,’ so in the end it’s a good thing.”

In its first nine seasons, Wind Tunnel has become a Sunday night destination for many in the industry.

“I think the biggest surprise along the way was the extent to which Wind Tunnel caught on in the garage area, among drivers, crews, owners and sponsors,” Despain explained. “Most of those folks are working on Sunday so I’m really impressed that they make time at the end of their racing day to watch us or made the effort to record it and watch it later.”

In addition to 534 episodes of Wind Tunnel, Despain specials have centered on veteran journalist Chris Economaki and a comparison of Gordon and Dale Earnhardt when Gordon tied Earnhardt’s win record.

About SPEED™

About FOX Sports Media Group

FOX Sports Media Group (FSMG) is the umbrella entity representing News Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets under Chairman & CEO David Hill. Built with brands that are capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FSMG includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FSMG now includes FOX Sports, the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; Fox’s 19 regional sports networks, their affiliated regional web sites and FSN national programming; SPEED and SPEED2; Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus; FUEL TV; and Fox College Sports. In addition, FSMG also includes FOX Sports Interactive Media, which comprises FOXSports.com on MSN, whatifsports.comand scout.com, reaching nearly 30 million unique visitors monthly. Also included are Fox’s interests in joint-venture businesses FOX Deportes, Big Ten Network and STATS, LLC, as well as licensing agreements that establish the FOX Sports Radio Network, FOX Sports Skybox restaurants and FOX Sports Grills.

Source: SPEED, Press Release

Kyle Petty, Dunlap React to Kyle Busch’s Suspension at Texas

Press Release — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:27:42 +0000

SPEED Logo

Dunlap: “He had already come to the realization he made a major mistake and this would be more than a slap on the wrist. He knew NASCAR would make a big example out of him.”

NASCAR drew a line in the sand Saturday morning at Texas Motor Speedway by suspending Kyle Busch from Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race for his actions in Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. Busch intentionally wrecked Truck Series championship contender Ron Hornaday, Jr. early in Friday’s Truck Series race after the two got together racing for position. Busch’s retaliation relegated Hornaday to a 34^th-place finish and eliminated him from championship contention.

NASCAR immediately parked Busch for the remainder of the Truck Series race, briefly met with him and stated they would review the matter and again meet with Busch Saturday morning. The sanctioning body emerged from that meeting to announce it had suspended Busch from the remainder of the weekend’s events.

Below, SPEED reporter Ray Dunlap, who interviewed Busch post-race Friday night live on SPEED, and SPEED analyst Kyle Petty react to the news:

“One of the more intriguing things about my job is reading the non-verbals in drivers, and by looking in Kyle’s eyes when he stepped out to be interviewed last night, I was aware he had already come to the realization he made a major mistake and this would be more than a slap on the wrist. He knew NASCAR would make a big example out of him. It was evident in his eyes and the way he held his posture. I’ve known Kyle for a long time and I could tell that he knew he was in trouble, despite what he said in the interview. But I respected the fact he came out and talked to us last night because he could have stayed sequestered and refused to talk. But he faced the music and came out for the questioning.

“I don’t think, though, that this necessarily sets a precedent for future circumstances between drivers who retaliate against each other. Drivers never know exactly what is acceptable and what isn’t. At Martinsville last week, certain aggressive moves and reactions were tolerated and no penalties were given. But that was a different track with different circumstances and drivers.”–Ray Dunlap, SPEED reporter

“NASCAR got Kyle’s punishment right today. While many are saying on-track retaliation has gotten out of hand across the sport lately and something has to be done about it, I don’t necessarily agree with that. I think the history of Kyle’s action in the past, right, wrong or indifferent, forced NASCAR’s hand on this one. NASCAR drew a line with Kyle specifically, but I don’t think this tells us anything about where the line is in general when it comes to ‘Boys, have at it’ and all the on-track aggressiveness we’ve seen lately. But I will say that there is nothing worse than sitting in the motorhome lot watching someone else drive your car. That will be a tough one for Kyle to swallow. But whether or not it drives home the point to him, only time will tell.”–Kyle Petty, SPEED analyst

- SPEED, Press Release

Biffle Discusses Boris Said Incident on NASCAR Race Hub

Press Release — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:56:02 +0000

Greg Biffle Shares His Side of the Story on NASCAR Race Hub

Greg Biffle

When it was all said and done, Greg Biffle didn’t have to hide from Boris Said, and Said wasn’t forced to find him as he had promised. The two spoke and aired their differences via phone Tuesday, and then Biffle headed to the SPEED Studios to share his side of the story with NASCAR Race Hub (Monday through Thursday at 7 p.m. ET)

Following is a transcript from host Steve Byrnes’ interview with Biffle:

On his team’s performance issues this year:

Biffle: “We’ve had a lot faster cars this year, which sounds ironic compared to all of our top 10s last year … but on top of that, we’ve had problems getting fuel in the car. We’ve had poor fuel mileage. We’ve had to stop short of the field – caution comes out. Michigan – we led the most laps and we stopped. Caution comes out. Last run of the day, we start 25th. We finish 18th or something like that, so all of our finishes are not conducive of where we’ve been running. That’s the biggest thing. I hate to say it – this engine’s got great, a lot of power. Doug (Yates) and the guys have done a great job. We’ve hurt on fuel mileage this year because of that new engine. For some reason, when you make a lot of power, it takes a lot of fuel. That’s been one thing. There have been some pit calls. I spun out at Pocono trying too hard, trying to make up track position from a bad pit stop or something, and spun out. There have been a lot of little things that have caused us not to get those top fives or wins.”

On his response to Said’s post-race comments:

Biffle: “Several things to come mind. One – he wrecked me there last year. Never called me, never said anything about it. Number two – he ran me off in the carousel. That’s what ticked me off. Same place we saw the 24 and 31 in that huge wreck – ran me off the track there and that was why I was mad at Boris Said. Then he goes and hits the 6 car off the track. We just heard him say (on video replay) that he had no choice. Well, I disagree about having no choice of turning a guy the wrong way into the wall. And then after the race, not concerned about the safety of those guys (David Ragan and David Reutimann), he drives to my truck and parks behind my car. I was fine after the race and that just set me off. He pulled up behind my truck like he had a problem. I didn’t act properly there. I shouldn’t have been as aggravated as I was. He should have went and parked at his truck, took his gear off and talked to me or whatever he wanted to do.”

On whether he was upset with Said that he seemed unconcerned about David Ragan and David Reutimann post-race:

Biffle: “Yeah. That was kind of what fired me up because I had kind of forgotten about Boris Said running me off in the carousel. Let’s face it – I could have turned him anywhere on that race track that I wanted to. I got more respect for our race cars and other competitors on the race track to do that. Did you see the video footage of his car (with damage) when they were putting it on the lift gate? That was the opposite side of the car that he had the scuffle with the 6 on. So, he had been in a lot more incidents in that race than that one. You can’t come and race in this series and race guys with no respect at all. Come race hard, do your thing. Boris has a lot of talent, a lot of skill. He’s just not showing it.”

On his Tuesday phone conversation with Said:

Biffle: “He understands and he apologized for running me off in the carousel. He didn’t know he did. That was probably the whole thing that led to him coming up to my truck because he didn’t understand why I was so mad at him. He ran me off the race track in a very vulnerable spot, similar to what he did to the 6. We talked about it and I told him, ‘You can very well be where Marcos Ambrose was yesterday. You need to get in a fast car and show your talent, not be beating and banging and running guys off the race track at spots like that.’ We kind of said our peace and that’s that.”

(jokingly) On whether Said is going to give him a black eye as promised Monday:

Biffle: “I don’t know (laughing). I felt like it was like fifth grade, right, which means after recess, 3 o’clock on Wednesday, we’re going to fight over by the fence.”

About SPEED™
SPEED, anchored by its popular and wide-ranging coverage of NASCAR, is the nation’s first and only cable television network dedicated to automotive and motorcycle racing, performance and lifestyle. Now available in nearly 84 million homes in North America, SPEED, a member of the FOX Sports Media Group, is among the industry leaders in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services, including SPEED2, a groundbreaking new broadband network featuring live, streaming and on-demand events complementing offerings of the linear network. For more information, please visit SPEED.com, the online motor sports authority.

About FOX Sports Media Group
FOX Sports Media Group (FSMG) is the umbrella entity representing News Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets under Chairman & CEO David Hill. Built with brands that are capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FSMG includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FSMG now includes FOX Sports, the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; Fox’s 19 regional sports networks, their affiliated regional web sites and FSN national programming; SPEED and SPEED2; Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus; FUEL TV; and Fox College Sports. In addition, FSMG also includes FOX Sports Interactive Media, which comprises FOXSports.com on MSN, whatifsports.com and scout.com, reaching over 20 million unique visitors monthly. Also included are Fox’s interests in joint-venture businesses FOX Deportes, Big Ten Network and STATS, LLC, as well as licensing agreements that establish the FOX Sports Radio Network, FOX Sports Skybox restaurants and FOX Sports Grills.

- SPEED, Press Release

Earnhardt Jr. Sits Down with NASCAR Race Hub Tonight in In-Depth Interview

Press Release — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 20:08:09 +0000

SPEED TV

SEARNHARDT JR. OFFERS A RARE ALL-ACCESS GLIMPSE INTO HIS LIFE AND CAREER ON NASCAR RACE HUB

Dale Earnhardt Jr. showed NASCAR fans a side of himself many may have never seen before Thursday night on NASCAR Race Hub in a lengthy sit-down interview with host Steve Byrnes. Earnhardt openly discussed a variety of topics that ranged from everything from his perspective on retirement and marriage to what irks him and how he thinks his Hendrick Motorsports team has performed this season.

Following is a transcript of the interview:

Byrnes: People want to know what Dale Jr. thinks or what he feels about a certain topic but when you’re interviewed, it’s almost like people trying to psycho-analyze you. Does it seem that way to you?

Earnhardt: “I guess so. I don’t stand on that side of the fence and see it that way because I feel pretty normal and I feel like I have normal conversations with people. I don’t really see the celebrity buzz. I don’t really realize my level of fame. I don’t categorize individuals like ‘This guy is famous. This guy is a hero.’ And I feel like when people start asking me questions and I want to do a sit-down or print interview, I get a little more guarded as the interview goes because I get nervous about being too open. You want to have some privacy and you don’t want to be a blabbermouth either and act like you’re just … if someone wants to know my opinion, I appreciate that, but I don’t feel that special. I just like going and driving my car and having fun racing.”

Byrnes: I don’t think it’s fair sometimes when an athlete is really passionate for everyone to think he loves the sport, as opposed to a guy who is quietly effective. Do you understand that?

Earnhardt: “Yeah, I get that and I think you would find that every driver in the sport is passionate. Some people are introverts and some people are outward about how they feel, kind of like Carl (Edwards). If he falls out of the race, he’ll go up in the (TV) booth and talk and have fun. Some guys react differently – they want to go home, they’re mad. I think I’m mostly an introvert when it comes to most things. Everybody has their days, I guess.”

Byrnes: You’re a fan of other sports. This is a question I’ve never asked a driver. Top-level athletes have a bad day. Do drivers ever have a bad day or do you ever not feel on top of your game?

Earnhardt: “I feel the same before every race. I’ve never went into a race where I thought,’ I don’t have it together today or my brain’s not put together right or whatever.’ But duringf the actual race itself, you’ll do things and then you’ll make a mistake or make another mistake and they kind of pile up and when the race is done, you look back and you go,’ Yeah, I made a lot of mistakes in that race, where the week before was smooth sailing.’ So, there’s days where you foul up a lot. I think concentration level in a race car is above any other sport. If you don’t really have it going for you that day, and you’re not really focused and not appreciating and respecting that, you’re going to have trouble.”

Byrnes: We think in terms of the car so often …

Earnhardt: “I don’t know if everybody is going to agree with this, but for the most part, the car is the key factor. If a guy’s not running well, in most cases, it’s the car. The crew chiefs or other people might say it’s more the driver. But for the most part, the deciding factor is the equipment you’re driving and whether it will go around the corner as good as the other guy’s car. The percentage of decent talented drivers is much larger than it used to be years ago, at least in my opinion. There’s more talented guys in the sport and guys that can win races than there’s ever been.”

Byrnes: On the Hub a couple of weeks ago, we showed a graphic of your finishes in the last five races. I got lit up on Twitter by people saying I stabbed you in the back. But I want you to make the Chase. It’s pretty amazing by how dedicated your fans are.

Earnhardt: “Oh yeah, and things like Twitter come around and give them a platform to speak from and they can be more vocal than they used to be years ago, so you kind of have to be careful where you step. Being a football fan going to football games, when I’ll sit there and see people that at face value, look out of control. But at the moment, everybody can get to that level. I think it’s healthy for the sport. Anything that fans can do, where they can plug into the sport, communicate with drivers, with you, with anyone involved is good for them. It makes them a part of it and that’s the way it needs to be.”

Byrnes: Your foundation does some really good things with Make-A-Wish and you have a promotion coming up.

Earnhardt: “I went to the plant in Canada where they build the Camaros. We were there to drive the first three off the line. Rick (Hendrick, owner) drove the first two off the line; I drove the third one off the line. Before the end of the day, I found out I’d bought the car. We do an auction and kind of a party concert thing every year in Charlotte to raise money for Make-A-Wish. We decided to give this Camaro to the auction and it’s windalejrsride.com and it ends September 1. Raffle tickets are $25 a piece. The reason I got involved with Make-A-Wish basically was because I was just following in my father’s footsteps. He was a big supporter.”

Byrnes: What stage of your career would you say you’re in? Some guys say they’re better than they’ve been. I’m curious how you see that.

Earnhardt: “I wonder sometimes if I could go back and know what I know now and drive in 1998. You’ll think about sometimes races you let slip away or races that got away from you and you’ll wonder whether with what you know now whether you could have gone back and done it better or done it differently. For example, I won the last … the last Nationwide Series championship we won we finished second in the last three races in a row and I would like to have one of them races. I think back to myself, ‘If I could go back, would I have been better or faster or was I driving well?’ I can’t even remember if I was a good driver back then or whether the car was carrying me or what. I feel like I’m about halfway into my career. I feel like I could go another 10 years. I think I really have to ask myself a lot of questions once I got to that age whether I was being productive or wasting anyone’s time or whether I was still having fun, all those things that pop up once you get older. But for the most part, I feel like I’m about halfway through.”

Byrnes: How about what stage of life you’re in?

Earnhardt: “There are things that make me think back on how I used to party all the time. I still like to party. I still like to get with my friends and try to pull an all-nighter. We can’t pull them like we used to. I still like to do that. I still get the bug to cut up and have fun. But I think back to five, 10 years ago, how we did it all the time, and I just can’t even imagine it. I haven’t changed my life a whole lot in the last eight years and I don’t want to change it that much. I like being … I have no real interest in being married. I’d like to have kids one day, but that’s not something I’ve got planned out. I feel like I know what my responsibilities are and I’ve got that sort of uniform and organized and I feel good with what I’m doing. As long as I’m racing under contract with an owner, I’m going to keep it the way it is right now. Once it changes and the world is different to me as far as whether I want to go race for myself or slip back into the Nationwide Series before I hang it up or whatever, I’ll change it up when I get there.”

Byrnes: Earlier in the season, people would say, “You’re back,” as if you had gone somewhere. But you were quick to say “I’m not buying into the hype.”

Earnhardt: “I just think that ideology of ‘I’m back’ or ‘This guy’s back’ is so hokey. You show up, you do a job, you either do it great that day or you don’t. And you just keep showing up. Some days I’m going to run well and some days I’m not. I think I know what my potential is. I know that they got to ask those questions, and they got to write the column, and they got to spin the story up. But if they don’t know what my potential is or have a good gauge what my potential is. I’ve been in it a long time. They should have a good idea of what they think I am as far as what caliber of race car driver.”

Byrnes: When you do post-race interviews, it seems like your message is, “We’re doing the best we can and I’m doing the best job I can.” In other words, “We’re controlling what we can.” That’s the way it looks.

Earnhardt: “That’s the way I feel it is. People want to ask if you feel like a win is around the corner or ‘do you think this is going to happen.’ You just don’t know. Maybe the answer is no. I don’t know. I show up at the race track and I try to do my job and I try to work well with the people around me and work as a team and try to make the car faster on Friday and try again on Saturday and hopefully on Sunday, it’s where it needs to be. You do that over and over. It’s real systematic. When you’ve worked in the series for as long as I’ve worked in it, it all gets repetitive and you get comfortable with that repetition. I’m confident I’m going to show up one day and we’re going to hit it one of these days and we’re going to win a race. I don’t know when it’s going to be. But I know I can do it. I’ve done it before. We’ve run well this year. Our performance is up from the last couple of years. We made some changes in the off-season that obviously have helped us.”

Byrnes: From your point of view, how much of the sport is confidence, or the mental part? Is it better this year than it has been the last two?

Earnhardt: “When you show up and you’re not confident or you don’t like the race track or it’s not one of your favorite places, the whole weekend sort of runs on that tone. You don’t really know until you get back looking at it afterwards. When you go into a place you’re excited about or looking forward to, the weekend sort of goes on that tone. Everybody working around you feeds off your emotions and if they think you’re upbeat, they’re upbeat. If you’re not in a good mood, you’re going to bring people around you down and the whole thing sort of crumbles and the result usually is not too good. Steve Letarte is perfect at it. I don’t know how he does it but he knows exactly how to set the tone for the day and his remarks throughout the day, if you really pay attention to it, he’ll put a little behind it to try to boost the guys, keep the guys’ morale up, keep them working hard. If something doesn’t go right, his tone doesn’t change. He stays positive and he stays, ‘Hey man, we’re going to get this sorted out. I know what happened there.’ Like everything’s under control even when maybe there might be some doubt. He’s really, really good at that.

(following a crash during a Daytona 500 practice session in February that forced him to a backup car):
“I was as sick as I could be because I knew that car was really fast. We had talked about it and knew the cars in the trailer weren’t that good that we would have to race. That was my first impression of the new team I was working with, this new group of guys, and I imagined if I was one of them, I’d be sitting there thinking, ‘Man, it’s going to be a long year.’ He knows how to say what needs to be said at that moment to keep people together and keep whatever momentum we have going.”

Byrnes: What will make this season successful in your mind or is it already?

Earnhardt: “We’ve improved. If we don’t win a race, we’re going to be disappointed. If we don’t make the Chase, we’re really going to be disappointed. I think we’re a good enough team and fast enough to make the Chase and there’s no reason we shouldn’t make it. I can think back over the year and count every point that I gave up as a driver and it bugs me. I think we’re a better team than ninth in points. Like I said, if we don’t win a race, it will be pretty disappointing coming as close as we have. We’ve pretty much had top-15 cars every week and 75-percent of those weeks, we had top-10 cars. We’ve been pretty good this year and I’ve been pretty happy with that.”

- SPEED, Press Release

SPEED to Air NASCAR Truck Series Race Live Sunday; Delayed ARCA Series Race Coverage

Press Release — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 23:21:11 +0000

SPEED TV

SPEED will offer live coverage of Sunday’s rain-postponed NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race from Pocono Raceway Sunday at 9 a.m. ET. NASCAR RaceDay Built by The Home Depot follows the Truck Series race live at 10 a.m. ET. The network also provides same-day delayed coverage of the ARCA Racing Series race from Pocono Sunday at 10 p.m. ET following Wind Tunnel.

- SPEED, Press Release

Robin Miller Discusses Danica Patrick, Andretti Autosport to NASCAR & Attendance at the Brickyard 400 on NASCAR Race Hub

Press Release — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:20:32 +0000

SPEED.com open wheel reporter Robin Miller - Photo Credit: Catchfence Open Wheel Editor: Paul Powell

Miller: “Everybody is assuming if Andretti goes to NASCAR, he’ll just keep Danica. I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

SPEED.com open wheel reporter Robin Miller joined Steve Byrnes on NASCAR Race Hub on SPEED Thursday evening to discuss Danica Patrick, Andretti Autosport and the future of the Brickyard 400 weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Following is the transcript from the interview:

On whether rumors are true that Danica Patrick is headed to NASCAR fulltime:

Miller: “We’ve been saying for six months that she’s gone. I don’t think anyone in IndyCar thinks that she’s going to be around. I think everyone is resigned to the fact that IMG is going to take her to NASCAR. Where she lands in NASCAR, I think that’s what is going to be interesting. Tony Stewart lately has been saying, ‘I’d really like to see her come here. She’s got a lot of potential.’ I think that potential might be assigned to that GoDaddy paycheck, which is pretty big.”

On whether she has anything left to prove in IndyCar other than winning the Indianapolis 500:

Miller: “I would think so … here’s the thing that is so crazy. She came up as a road racer and she really doesn’t want to road race anymore because she wants ovals because she knows it’s her best chance to win, whether in an IndyCar or a stock car – her best chance is on an oval. She never dreamed that. When she was coming up through Atlantics and stuff, she wanted to be a kart driver and road racing was all she cared about. I always say to her, ‘Isn’t is amazing you’re always screaming you want more ovals but you were a road course driver?’ But she says, ‘Yeah, but I changed because I have a much better chance on an oval than I do a road course.’ I just think the whole thing is she still loves Indy. Bob Parsons of GoDaddy was at Indy for the first time this year and he was pretty much blown away by the crowd and the race and the atmosphere, so I think you can see something like she’ll still run the Indy 500 but she’ll be a fulltime NASCAR driver. I think that’s what’s going to happen.”

On any traction to the rumors of Andretti Autosport going to NASCAR:

Miller: “John Lopes (CFO of Andretti Autosport), who puts all their sponsorships together, said last week … I said, ‘Hey, is there anything to this rumor that you guys might be going stock car racing?’ He said, ‘We’re exploring. We’re definitely looking into it.’ So, we’ve heard that they might be connected to Roush, that they might be doing something with Ford Motor Company, but that kind of makes me wonder that Michael (Andretti) is probably not going to go with General Motors when the new engines come along next year, but everybody is assuming if Andretti goes to NASCAR, he’ll just keep Danica. I don’t think that’s going to happen. I don’t think that’s going to happen at all. They’re looking at opportunities to replace this GoDaddy money with some NASCAR money and I tell you what – that’s a huge deficit to make up when you lose somebody like GoDaddy because it’s probably the second or third biggest sponsorship in IndyCar racing and that’s going to be tough to replace.”

On rumor that the NASCAR Nationwide Series race might move from O’Reilly Raceway Park over to Indianapolis Motor Speedway and other big news for the Brickyard next year:

Miller: “For the last few years, they’ve always talked about taking the Nationwide race away from O’Reilly Raceway Park. What you’ve got to look like is what is 30,000 people going to look like at the (Indianapolis Motor) speedway Saturday and that’s probably optimistic. The IRP race is one of the best on the circuit and it’s also one of the best-attended with 25 or 30,000 people. It would be a huge loss for Raceway Park to lose that race. At the same time, the speedway is thinking about maybe a Grand-Am race on Friday, like a three-hour race, then change the road course over to the oval, then you’d have Cup qualifying, you’d have the Nationwide race and Sunday you’d have the Brickyard, because right now, ticket sales are 40-percent off what they were last year and it was about half full last year … I think for a long time they were just content to leave it alone and let Raceway Park have their own race, but I think now the speedway is looking at how we’re going to get more people and keep the Brickyard weekend going.”

- SPEED, Press Release

SPEED Quotes: McReynolds, Petty, Despain and Wallace on Childress/Busch Incident

Press Release — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 17:17:24 +0000

SPEED TV

The Richard Childress/Kyle Busch watch shifted into high gear Sunday after NASCAR concluded Busch’s involvement in an altercation with car owner Richard Childress following Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway did not violate his six-race probation. However, the sanctioning body continues to look into any possible punishment it may impose on Childress for allegedly punching Busch in the Truck Series garage Saturday following the race.

Below, SPEED on-air personalities weigh in on the incident, the motivation behind Childress’ frustration and in what manner NASCAR should intervene:

“I can relate to Richard Childress’ frustration and motivation behind punching Kyle Busch because of all my years spent as a crew chief and my 11 years in the broadcast booth. We all preach this but I’ve probably preached it the loudest – you don’t use your race cars or race trucks for retaliation. They’re so delicate and so expensive to repair. I think Richard just had enough of it. Between Kyle pushing and destroying the No. 29 car in post-race at Darlington, and then what he did to Joey Coulter’s truck post-race yesterday at Kansas when the truck didn’t have a scratch on it, I think Richard was fed up. I can understand his frustration and motivation. I don’t even see Kyle Busch or any particular driver when I make this statement. This is about an owner getting race cars and trucks torn up unnecessarily by one driver in particular.

“As far as what NASCAR should or shouldn’t do to penalize Richard, this probably is not what people want to hear, but Richard did it in the garage area. Despite the ‘Boys, have at it’ mentality, we still can’t have the Wild, Wild West. NASCAR still has to have lines in the sand. My personal opinion is NASCAR shouldn’t do anything to Richard. But they can’t have an owner just going up to a driver in the garage area, putting him in a headlock and punching him. But I hope the penalty is so minimal that we hardly realize he’s received it – kind of like the probation that Kyle and Harvick are finishing up.” –Larry McReynolds, SPEED/FOX Sports analyst and former crew chief for Richard Childress Racing

“I predict NASCAR will take strong action to further confuse the issue of just what ‘Boys have at it’ really means.” –Dave Despain, host of Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain on SPEED

“This is not the first incident between Kyle Busch and RCR. We can go back to Darlington where they got into it. Remember the 29 of Kevin Harvick and the 18 and how the 18 pushes the 29 into the wall. Childress was extremely upset. You see it (No. 29) hit the inside wall – not a scratch on it. Now it’s wiped out (after Busch pushed it). Now they have to put it back together. There’s a lot of things like that. It’s going to be interesting to see what NASCAR does. Those guys got $25,000 fines and six weeks of probation. NASCAR hands out probations like candy companies hand out free samples. It means absolutely nothing. So, this is going to be interesting … I’d hate to be – what is Kyle? 25 (26 years old)? And I got my butt kicked by an old man. Let’s be honest – The King used to kick my butt all the time.”

“That wasn’t the incident that started it. Just putting a doughnut on someone’s truck is not a big deal. You see congratulatory donuts on the side of trucks but you also know when someone is mad at you. I think it goes back … I think Richard supposedly had spoken with Kyle and said, ‘Don’t touch my cars again. Ever.’ And the incidents we’re talking about are happening after they throw the checkered flag. So, you can see how Richard would be upset enough to at least go up and confront Kyle.” –SPEED analyst/former driver Kyle Petty on Sunday’s NASCAR RaceDay Built by The Home Depot

“Richard (Childress) had one bad nerve left in him. Kyle Busch jumped on that nerve and really made Richard mad. Let’s have fun and speculate. Speculation is this: When Richard Childress and those two got into it, Kyle Busch said, ‘You punch like an old man.’ Here’s what infuriates everybody. Kyle Busch never punches. He just stops this thing and walks away. It’s the Hatfield and McCoys. –SPEED analyst/driver Kenny Wallace on Sunday’s NASCAR RaceDay Built by The Home Depot

- SPEED, Press Release

Kyle Busch Speaks out on Childress Incident Exclusively on NASCAR RaceDay on SPEED

Press Release — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 16:32:11 +0000

SPEED TV

Kyle Busch joined reporter Wendy Venturini live Sunday on NASCAR RaceDay Built by The Home Depot on SPEED to discuss for the first time Saturday’s incident with car owner Richard Childress following the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway. Following is a transcript from the interview:

On what happened between Busch and Childress Saturday following the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race:

Busch: “There was an incident yesterday in the Truck Series garage as I was leaving my hauler on my way out to the motorhome lot. Unfortunately, it was an altercation between myself and Richard and NASCAR is looking at it to decipher through all the facts of what happened and everything and make a decision based on that.”

On whether this been brewing between Busch’s camp and RCR:

Busch: “That’s not something I can answer. I wasn’t the aggressor or the instigator here. All I can say is I was just trying to head back to my hauler and deal with my own business.”

On how he moves forward:

Busch: “I think the best thing to do is just try to put it behind you the best you can. It may be a thought on everybody else’s mind but when you get a helmet on and you get back behind the wheel of a race car and you get down to business, that’s what matters most. I’ve got a bunch of guys on my team that pull for me, that love what I do and work their guts out all weekend to give me a good race car. We struggled a little bit but we made some gains on it, qualified well, so hopefully we can translate that to a strong run today.”

On any words Coach Gibbs had for Busch on the meeting with NASCAR this morning:

Busch: “He just said that he talked to them. He didn’t go into specifics about it really … that we were just trying to figure out the message of everything and exactly how and what happened. Other than that, we’re looking forward to today’s race and trying to concentrate on moving forward.”

On whether it’s difficult to focus on the race with everything going on:

Busch: “It is and it isn’t. Maybe that’s a strategy. I don’t know. Once you get a helmet on and get down to business, that’s all that matters.”

- SPEED, Press Release

Everything Old is New Again as NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Marks 400th Start

Press Release — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:27:50 +0000

COMPETITION THE CONSTANT AS TRUCK SERIES ROLLS OFF SATURDAY
AT 2 P.M. ET FROM KANSAS LIVE ON SPEED™

SPEED TV

Carelli: “As soon as the first trucks went around the race track … everyone wanted to be a part of it.”

Dunlap: “It didn’t take me long to realize those bizarre contraptions – those trucks – were for real and Bill Sr.’s idea was sheer genius.”

In a world increasingly fixated on superfluous updates and upgrades, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in some ways looks refreshingly similar to the way it did 400 races ago. But the crux of its focus and its primary constant remains the competition.

When Greg Biffle leads the field to green in the pace truck for Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway (2 p.m. ET live on SPEED; NCWTS Setup with Krista Voda at 1:30 p.m. ET), he guides a highly-successful property to its 400th start.

Despite the warp speed at which the Truck Series’ popularity took off with the first green flag at Phoenix International Raceway in 1995, no one really knew what those 33 trucks in the field would ever produce.

“We were like the new kid on the block showing up for something,” said Rick Carelli, who drove in the inaugural Truck Series race and competed fulltime in five of the first six seasons. “When anything new comes on board, no one knows what it’s going to be like. Could those trucks even race? But then all of a sudden, at the end of the day, everyone was very satisfied with what they got in the Truck Series. There were a lot of unknowns but there was excitement. I think as soon as the first trucks went around the race track … everyone wanted to be a part of it.”

“When Bill France, Sr. first made the announcement that NASCAR was starting a series that raced pickup trucks, I thought he had lost his marbles,” said Ray Dunlap, longtime SPEED reporter in the Truck Series. “Coming from a background in Late Models and full-bodied stock cars, I couldn’t begin to grasp the concept of trucks out there, and when I saw them for the first time, I found them very boxy and strange-looking. However, it didn’t take me long to realize those bizarre contraptions – those trucks – were for real and Bill Sr.’s idea was sheer genius.”

Drivers, teams and sponsors have come and gone in the series, now in its 17th season, since France first dreamed it up and Carelli first wheeled a Truck, but the more things change in the Truck Series, the more they stay the same.

“If there is a series that has stayed pretty much the same over the years, it’s the Truck Series,” said Andy Houston, former driver who now serves as the spotter for the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet and driver Austin Dillon. “Yeah, the venues have changed and we’ve gotten away from a lot of the Saturday night short tracks, but as far as the atmosphere of the garage or crew members or competitors or the competition level, I don’t think it’s a ton different. It’s more close to what it was than Cup or Nationwide are.”

“I remember thinking in 1995 what a cool group of drivers they had assembled in that series because the average race fan hadn’t heard of many of them, although they all had some pretty incredible credentials in their respective backgrounds,” Dunlap recalled. “But that was part of what really intrigued me. ‘Who were these drivers and why should I like them?’ But that eclectic, diverse pool of drivers still is part of what makes the Truck Series so interesting. We don’t have a bunch of corporate spokespeople or polished and shined puppets. We’ve got some down-to-earth, dirt-under-the nails guys who love to race and happen to be very good at it.”

Perhaps the biggest change in the series over the years, though, was the transition from “halfway breaks” to pit stops.

“When the series first started, we really ran two races in one day,” NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Director Wayne Auton explained. “Most of the time it was 100-lappers. We would run 100 laps, take a break, then come back and run another 100 laps. We then allowed teams to change two tires and eventually four. Then halfway breaks had run their course and we knew that if we wanted to run with the big boys in the national series, we had to implement full pit stops. It took small steps but over time it evolved into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series we see today.”

The popularity of the Truck Series hasn’t waned, either, over the course of 399 races. Fans still love the Truck Series, as evidenced in increased television ratings on SPEED in the last four consecutive races.

“The races are very good,” Houston said. “They always have been. The trucks race well and draft very well. In the early days, I don’t think they took that into consideration as much as they do now because we were not running on as many speedways, but as soon as they started running at places like Texas and Las Vegas, they realized they put on a really good show and draft well. They make for a tight field and a very competitive race.”

“You have to wheel them from the green flag to the end,” explained Carelli, now General Manager of Kevin Harvick Inc., which fields Truck and NASCAR Nationwide Series teams. “You’re driving on the edge all the time and I think that’s what has given the series the support it has now.”

The first rung on NASCAR’s top-three ladder system still enjoys the support of the sport’s most veteran drivers. Many continue to return to their old stomping grounds to compete, including fulltime NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer, who cut their NASCAR teeth in the Truck Series. Additionally, Busch and Harvick own proven Truck teams and Busch and Bowyer are entered at Kansas, with Busch looking to notch his 98th NASCAR win in Saturday’s Truck Series race in his quest to reach 100.

“I learned so much in the Truck Series,” said Biffle, 2000 Truck and 2002 Nationwide champ. “They gave me my start and gave me my opportunity. I really miss the Truck Series and all the people there ….”

“If it weren’t for the Truck Series, I wouldn’t be here,” stated Carl Edwards, 2007 Nationwide champion. “Mike Mittler reluctantly hired me to drive his truck in 2002. I ran seven races for Mike, so if NASCAR hadn’t come up with the Truck Series and guys like myself didn’t get those opportunities, this sport would look a lot different today.”

The Truck Series long has served as an excellent proving ground for young drivers such as the aforementioned success stories.

“You’ve seen guys go straight from Trucks to Cup and be successful,” Houston explained. “You’ve seen guys go from the Trucks to Nationwide and be successful. You come in as a young guy and you get to go to all the venues the Cup cars do. They don’t have nearly the power but the way they drive and handle is pretty similar to Cup or Nationwide. If you have a lot of success Truck racing, I think you can make it to Cup without running Nationwide. I think it’s that competitive and you can learn what you need to be successful in the higher ranks.”

About SPEED™
SPEED, anchored by its popular and wide-ranging coverage of NASCAR, is the nation’s first and only cable television network dedicated to automotive and motorcycle racing, performance and lifestyle. Now available in nearly 84 million homes in North America, SPEED, a member of the FOX Sports Media Group, is among the industry leaders in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services, including SPEED2, a groundbreaking new broadband network featuring live, streaming and on-demand events complementing offerings of the linear network. For more information, please visit SPEED.com, the online motor sports authority.

- SPEED, Press Release

President George H.W. Bush to Welcome Lee Petty Into NASCAR Hall of Fame Via Video on SPEED

Press Release — Fri, 20 May 2011 22:34:58 +0000

NEWSMAN BROKAW, ALABAMA COACH SABAN SALUTING INDUCTEES

SPEED TV

Kyle Petty: “ … When he raced, I don’t think there was a president in the White House who knew what stock car racing was.”

President George H.W. Bush is no stranger to successful family dynasties, and the 41st President of the United States will share some of his perspective as he welcomes Petty family patriarch Lee Petty into the NASCAR Hall of Fame via video on May 23 at 8 p.m. ET on SPEED.

SPEED, the official television network of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies, offers extensive coverage of this year’s events, welcoming David Pearson, Lee Petty, Bobby Allison, Bud Moore and Ned Jarrett into enshrinement.

Pre-event programming begins at 7 p.m. ET with NASCAR Race Hub, with the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at 8 p.m. ET and post-event wrap-up beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET.

“President Bush welcoming my grandfather into the NASCAR Hall of Fame is huge because when he raced, I don’t think there was a president in the White House who knew what stock car racing was,” said Kyle Petty, Lee Petty’s grandson and SPEED analyst. “It’s kind of like when President Reagan was there for The King’s 200th win. That was a big deal for The King but it also was a big deal for our family and our sport. I don’t think my grandfather would ever have expected anything like this because the president recognizing a NASCAR driver’s accomplishments was so far outside of the realm of what he thought possible back then.”

“The participation by President Bush amplifies the significance of the roles these inductees played as part of the fabric of our country,” said SPEED President Hunter Nickell. “SPEED is honored to be sharing an event of this magnitude with passionate race fans everywhere.”

Tom Brokaw, longtime anchor of NBC Nightly News and the author of The Greatest Generation, the best-selling book about the men and women who lived through the Great Depression and fought in World War II, will welcome Moore into the Hall. Moore, a veteran of WW II and successful NASCAR team owner, was among the soldiers who stormed the beach at Normandy on D-Day.

The University of Alabama’s national championship-winning coach Nick Saban pays tribute to Allison, a founding member of racing’s famed Alabama Gang, which included Allison, his brother Donnie, Red Farmer, Bobby’s son, Davey, Neil and David Bonnett and Hut Stricklin.

Richard Petty, a member of the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the undisputed “King” of NASCAR racing welcomes arch-rival David Pearson into the Hall, as the pair combined for an amazing 63 first/second place finishes. Legendary race broadcaster Ken Squier welcomes two-time NASCAR champion and broadcasting pioneer Ned Jarrett.

About SPEED™
SPEED, anchored by its popular and wide-ranging coverage of NASCAR, is the nation’s first and only cable television network dedicated to automotive and motorcycle racing, performance and lifestyle. Now available in more than 82 million homes in North America, SPEED, a member of the FOX Sports Media Group, is among the industry leaders in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit SPEED.com, the online motor sports authority.

- SPEED, Press Release

SPEED Revs Up for NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Coverage

Press Release — Tue, 10 May 2011 15:35:21 +0000

SPEED™ ENERGIZES
NASCAR SPRINT ALL-STAR RACE COVERAGE

NASCAR HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY
MAY 23 AT 8 P.M. ET ON SPEED

F1 CHAMP RAIKKONEN MAKES NASCAR DEBUT IN MAY 20
NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES LIVE ON SPEED AT 8 P.M. ET

SPEED TV

SPEED marks its fifth consecutive year as the exclusive television home of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race with 70 hours of programming beginning Thursday, May 19, and concluding Saturday, May 21, with the 7 p.m. ET live telecast of the race and subsequent post-race analysis on NASCAR Victory Lane. Less than 48 hours after the checkered flag waves over Charlotte Motor Speedway, the network shifts gears and heads to the NASCAR Hall of Fame for the annual Induction Ceremony Monday, May 23 at 8 p.m. ET.

“All-Star Week is the biggest week of the year for SPEED,” said SPEED President Hunter Nickell. “What started as a wide-open race has turned into a full week of celebrating the sport, and what’s so cool is that Monday night’s NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony also gives us the chance to honor those who helped get us here.”

New for SPEED’s 2011 coverage of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race are upgraded production elements that include a touch screen and enhanced graphics interface inside the Hollywood Hotel, as well as increased radio communication with drivers during the event. Also added to the mix this year is the SPEED Social Tracker, a social media dashboard comprised of at least 20 SPEED on-air personalities answering fans’ questions in real time and posting analysis via Twitter and SPEED’s Facebook page during the All-Star Race and in the preceding weeks. Several on-air personalities will be seated on a specially-equipped pit box that enables them to be fully interactive during the All-Star Race. All social media interaction will live on the SPEED Social Tracker, located at www.SPEED.com/Allstar or SPEED’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/speed under the “SPEED Social Tracker” tab.

Fans also can enter for the chance to win $10,000 on the SPEED Facebook page, with special codes offered during SPEED coverage of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race for more chances to win.

The network is live from Charlotte Motor Speedway all day Friday, May 20, including the popular live-audience program Trackside at 11 p.m. ET with Steve Byrnes, Darrell Waltrip and Jeff Hammond welcoming guests Juan Pablo Montoya and Jamie McMurray. SPEED’s more than 13 consecutive hours of at-track coverage on Friday concludes with its 8 p.m. ET live telecast of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, in which former Formula One champion Kimi Raikkonen is scheduled to make his NASCAR debut (NCWTS Setup with Krista Voda at 7:30 p.m. ET). Rick Allen, Phil Parsons and Michael Waltrip call the race with pit road reporting from Ray Dunlap and Hermie Sadler.

As part of the traditional “24 Hours of All-Star,” Adam Alexander is up first on Saturday, May 21, at 9:30 a.m. ET with SPEED Center live from the SPEED Studios with reporter Danielle Trotta. The NASCAR RaceDay Built by The Home Depot gang takes to the SPEED Stage at 4 p.m. ET Saturday for a special three-hour edition with hosts John Roberts, Kyle Petty, Larry McReynolds, a special co-host and reporters Hermie Sadler, Wendy Venturini and Rutledge Wood offering their thoughts and answering fan questions on Twitter throughout the broadcast. A special feature with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will air during NASCAR RaceDay, as well as the fan-favorite Pennzoil Victory Challenge with NASCAR drivers Trevor Bayne, Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano showcasing their best celebratory burnouts and donuts.

The RaceDay gang hands off to Voda, Jeff Hammond and McReynolds, co-hosts of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, when live race coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET. Calling the action for SPEED are Mike Joy, Darrell Waltrip and Michael Waltrip, with pit road reporting by Dick Berggren, Matt Yocum and Steve Byrnes. NASCAR Victory Lane’s post-race analysis with Roberts, Petty and McReynolds is scheduled for 11 p.m. ET.

Before the cars ever hit the track, SPEED kicks off All-Star Week by shining a spotlight on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pit crews Thursday at 8 p.m. ET with coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge from Time Warner Arena in Charlotte, N.C. Steve Byrnes hosts alongside former crew chiefs Larry McReynolds and Jeff Hammond with Bob Dillner reporting from the arena floor. To set the stage for All-Star Week on SPEED, NASCAR Race Hub focuses on all things All-Star the week of May 16 (Mondays-Thursdays at 7 p.m. ET).

Inside the Headsets, a 30-minute, all-access show chronicling the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race from the morning through the night’s final post-race interview, airs Sunday, May 22 at 8:30 p.m. ET. With less than 18 hours to turn the program around, this NASCAR Media Group-produced Emmy-winning show utilizes more than 20 additional cameras to capture the race with images and access not seen in SPEED’s telecast.

SPEED switches gears less than 48 hours after the All-Star Race and heads to uptown Charlotte for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Monday, May 23 at 8 p.m. ET. Mike Joy hosts Induction Ceremony coverage with backstage hosting assistance from Krista Voda. NASCAR Race Hub sets the stage for the Induction Ceremony with live interviews and pre-event ceremonies from the Hall of Fame at 7 p.m. ET.

NASCAR Sprint All-Star Week/Hall of Fame programming on SPEED (all times Eastern and subject to change):

Thursday, May 19

NASCAR Race Hub, 7 p.m.
NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge, 8 p.m.

Friday, May 20

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series practice, 9:30 a.m.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star final practice, Noon
NASCAR Live!, 3 p.m.
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series qualifying, 4 p.m.
NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race qualifying, 5 p.m.
NCWTS Setup with Krista Voda, 7:30 p.m.
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race from Charlotte, 8 p.m.
SPEED Center, 10:30 p.m.
Trackside, 11 p.m.

Saturday, May 21

SPEED Center, 9:30 a.m.
NASCAR Performance, 10:30 a.m.
SPEED Center, 3 p.m.
NASCAR RaceDay Built by The Home Depot, 4 p.m.
NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, 7 p.m.
NASCAR Victory Lane, 11 p.m.

Sunday, May 22

SPEED Center, 7 p.m.
NASCAR Victory Lane, 8 p.m.
Inside the Headsets, 8:30 p.m.
Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain, 9 p.m.

Monday, May 23

NASCAR Hall of Fame Biography: Lee Petty, 2 p.m.
NASCAR Hall of Fame Biography: Bud Moore, 3 p.m.
NASCAR Hall of Fame Biography: Ned Jarrett, 4 p.m.
NASCAR Hall of Fame Biography: David Pearson, 5 p.m.
NASCAR Hall of Fame Biography: Bobby Allison, 6 p.m.
NASCAR Race Hub, 7 p.m.
NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, 8 p.m.

About SPEED™
SPEED, anchored by its popular and wide-ranging coverage of NASCAR, is the nation’s first and only cable television network dedicated to automotive and motorcycle racing, performance and lifestyle. Now available in more than 82 million homes in North America, SPEED, a member of the FOX Sports Media Group, is among the industry leaders in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit SPEED.com, the online motor sports authority.

- SPEED, Press Release

NHoF Inductee Pearson Loved and Revered by All, Especially the Petty Clan

Press Release — Tue, 03 May 2011 19:00:40 +0000

KYLE PETTY RECALLS GROWING UP AND TRAVELING
WITH “THE SILVER FOX” AND HIS CHILDREN

SPEED™ PREMIERES ONE-HOUR PEARSON HALL
OF FAME BIOGRAPHY MAY 6 AT 11 P.M. ET

David Pearson/Wood Bros. Racing 1976 Mercury Montego

The wise adage “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” fits well in racing, but it wasn’t a proverb that Richard Petty ever needed to heed during his legendary battles with 2011 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee David Pearson.

The record books show Petty and Pearson finished first and second to each other a staggering 63 times. However, while they were arch rivals on the track, Kyle Petty says he and his three sisters viewed “The Silver Fox” as anything but the hated villain in black. Pearson was a friend and companion to the Petty family and the father of some of Kyle’s most cherished childhood friends all those years on the road.

As SPEED will chronicle in its one-hour NASCAR Hall of Fame biography special on Pearson premiering May 6 at 11 p.m. ET and during its 8 p.m. ET broadcast of the May 23 Induction Ceremony, Pearson was a quiet man who shirked the spotlight but always managed to find it by virtue of 105 victories and three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships. Perhaps more attention-grabbing for Pearson, though, were his legendary clashes with Richard Petty, inductee to the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

“Every battle was a battle with Petty and Pearson,” said SPEED analyst Kyle Petty, Richard’s son. “They ran first and second 63 times and swapped those spots in countless races. That was just typical Pearson/Petty racing. It was as much Pearson/Petty as it was Petty Enterprises/Wood Brothers, which was how we all viewed it. That era is what made the sport what it is today. Those two guys’ weekly battles were the fabric of the sport and launched the sport from its very beginnings to what we have today. Look back at the newspapers from those days and Pearson/Petty was all they wrote about. We sit here today and people talk about rivalries, but they’re usually talking about one that’s 40 years old because not too many worth mentioning have come along since then.”

Pearson and Petty defined and perfected a NASCAR rivalry.

“When we talk about how much we need rivalries in the sport, the Pearson/Petty rivalry should be held up as a great example of how two guys can be fierce rivals on the race track but also have a ton of respect for each other off the track,” Kyle Petty said. “If you ask Richard Petty who the best driver he ever saw drive was, he’d say David Pearson. It’s as simple as that. That was a different type of rivalry than we sometimes talk about today. We all think good rivalries involve guys talking junk and mouthing off at each other, but not necessarily always getting it done on the race track, but those two guys definitely got it done on the track, too.”

While Pearson was the driver most likely to steal victory from Richard Petty, Kyle Petty says his father’s primary opponent wasn’t a persona non grata among his family circle. Pearson was a respected and trusted friend, as were his children.

“There was a huge group of us kids that ran around together – Larry, Ricky and Eddie, Pearson’s kids, and Bobby’s (Allison) kids, Davey, Clifford, Bonnie and Carrie, and Donnie Allison’s kids,” Kyle Petty recalled. “So many of us hung out and stayed together at the hotels when our fathers went off to race. Some people might have expected us to hate each other or talk junk about the other’s father, but we all were close friends. We really thought Pearson was a good guy. He wasn’t the enemy. He and Bobby and Donnie would sit by the hotel pool and we’d all hang out together. It was a totally different sport and time than now. I never hated Bobby Allison or David Pearson. I loved David Pearson when drove that 17 car for Holman Moody because it was gold and blue. I was used to seeing straight Petty blue all the time, so to see a car painted a little differently was always fun.”

The Pearson and Petty children may not have harbored any ill will against the others’ parent, but they did concoct a friendly challenge all their own.

“The fiercest rivalry we had was at Martinsville, where they used to have a scoreboard down in turns one and two, and every 15 laps, a guy would walk down and change the scoreboard,” Kyle Petty reminisced. “At the end of the race, the Pearsons would get up and put 21 or 17 on it. Then we’d run over there and put the 43 on all the top-five positions. Then they’d put the 17 across the board. That back-and-forth was as heated as it ever got with us, and it was all in fun. We were just kids cutting up.”

Kyle and his siblings rooted for their father over Pearson, but he says they didn’t single out Pearson.

“I wouldn’t say we wanted The King to beat Pearson more than anyone else,” Kyle Petty explained. “You just wanted your father to win. Ricky and Larry (Pearson) felt the same way. We all watched in the infield and we all wanted our dad to win. But it wasn’t about beating somebody – it was about beating everybody. Pearson was the guy, especially on the speedways, that you knew you had to beat in order to win.”

Although decades have passed since Pearson and Petty faced off on the track, their rivalry remains unparalleled.

“Nothing I’ve seen since the mid-‘70s comes close to what The King and Pearson and their teams did on the race track,” Kyle Petty stated. “It would be like Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports going head to head every week with Carl Edwards or someone like that all season – it just doesn’t happen anymore. It’s 2011 now and we’re still talking about them.”

About SPEED™
SPEED, anchored by its popular and wide-ranging coverage of NASCAR, is the nation’s first and only cable television network dedicated to automotive and motorcycle racing, performance and lifestyle. Now available in more than 82 million homes in North America, SPEED, a member of the FOX Sports Media Group, is among the industry leaders in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit SPEED.com, the online motor sports authority.

- SPEED/FOX Sports Media Group, Press Release

NASCAR Nationwide Race on SPEED Tops One Million Households

Press Release — Tue, 03 May 2011 15:08:49 +0000

SPEED TV

SPEED coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series from Richmond scored a final Nielsen Household Rating of 1.08 (848,000 households), up 6 percent from last year’s 1.02. Race coverage ratings peaked at 1.37 (1,080,000 households) and led SPEED to its strongest Friday night prime time performance since February.

About SPEED™

SPEED, anchored by its popular and wide-ranging coverage of NASCAR, is the nation’s first and only cable television network dedicated to automotive and motorcycle racing, performance and lifestyle. Now available in more than 82 million homes in North America, SPEED, a member of the FOX Sports Media Group, is among the industry leaders in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit SPEED.com, the online motor sports authority.

- SPEED, Press Release