Backstretch Motorsports

Typing Is Tough, Talking Not So Much… Result: New Podcast

Diecast Dude — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:44:59 +0000

Copyright © 2008 Backstretch Motorsports. All Rights Reserved.
If you are not reading this in a news reader, the website you are viewing it on is guilty of copyright infringement.
Please report this site through the contact link on Backstretch Motorsports.
(digital signature: 6ea9e345f2cca6a2af9e40912785736b (38.107.191.108) )

The Dude also returns.

Typing is super-painful this evening. Luckily, or not depending on how you look at it, my vocal chords are still intact. Hence a longer than usual podcast. Had a lot to talk about.

Yes, including the Carl Edwards/Brad Keselowski incident.

The spoken portion of the audio is unedited, so please forgive the occasional clunkers and microphone noise. I recorded it on my iPhone with earphones that have a mic attachment. Cut down on some noise, but picked up on others.

I’ll list the songs later this week.

You can listen to it here, or if you have iTunes subscribe to it here. The RSS feed is here. As always, please let me know what you think, and thanks.

Trundling Through Tuesday

Diecast Dude — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:28:56 +0000

A few assorted thoughts on this soggy Tuesday morning:

The spoiler’s coming! The spoiler’s coming! Jimmie Johnson will keep on winning anyway! Because that’s what he does.
Another crew member suspended for violating NASCAR’s substance abuse policy. Have you noticed it’s almost invariably someone on lesser teams who gets busted? Wonder why that is. The power players do a better job of screening job applicants, perhaps?
Since what happens in Vegas stays on the Internet, about last weekend, starting with Saturday. Somehow, the media managed to insert itself into both the major stories. First, Danicaphobia.
Over on the political side of things, one of the standard tactics used by the left whenever anyone says anything against President Obama is accusing them of being racist. Which far, far more often than not isn’t the case, as it is an ideological / political / philosophical divide creating dissent. Nevertheless, the charge of bigotry remains a favorite gambit. Using a chess reference, it’s something of a Sicilian Defense approach, one permitting an immediate switch from reaction to action should whoever made the first move falter. It also conveniently sidesteps any effort to actually defend against arguments based on ideology, politics and/or philosophy.

That all said, ofttimes those speaking against Obama leave themselves wide open to being labeled racist. How? They are unwilling, or unable, to phrase their statements in a logical, factual manner. They use emotion and sarcasm for sarcasm’s sake as their foundation. This invites being tagged as racist regardless of whether it has any part of their argument.

Now, switch this from racism to misogyny.

When a male journalist — unlike Bumpdrafts, I’ll name a name, that being Jeff Gluck — endlessly harps on the performance of a driver in their third Nationwide race, obsessing over their every moment and cackling with glee when said driver is something other than instant Jimmie Johnson, it is difficult to not suspect the motivation is based in something outside a dispassionate reporting of the facts. While certainly all are entitled to express their opinion, there is a point when enough is enough. There’s a race going on. In case you haven’t noticed.

When Danica Patrick and Michael McDowell had a close encounter of the unfortunate kind on the track, many including Gluck tripped over their own fingers in haste to label her as being the one responsible. When after the fact McDowell stated the entire incident was his fault, you never knew there were so many crickets in Las Vegas.

Whether Gluck and others incessantly snipe at Patrick for reasons other than professional opinion of her driving ability and/or warranting her ride is something known only to those involved. Labeling them sexist is a serious charge. Nevertheless, that is how they’re coming off.
As to Sunday, about all that can be said is come crunch time Chad Knaus will make the right call eleven times out of ten. Steve Letarte, not so much.

Finally, a personal note of thanks to everyone for your prayers and love during the past several days. It’s been rough. My aunt is now at peace, enjoying the fruits of a quiet life well lived. In a world where so many, not excluding myself in the least, forget to follow Christ’s teachings about doing what we are called to do without constantly calling attention to ourselves, her example is one I know in my heart is the right one to follow.

David Ragan - Atlanta Advance

NASCAR PR — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:01:16 +0000

Team:	No. 6 UPS Ford Fusion
Crew Chief:	Donnie Wingo
Chassis:	Primary: RK-615	Last ran Texas – finished 17th
	Backup: RK-670	Ran Homestead in 2009 as the No. 26 – finished 18th

Ragan, NSCS at Atlanta Motor Speedway:

Date	Event	S	F	Laps	Led	Status	Money
9-6-09	Pep Boys Auto 500	16	33	322/325	0	Running	$93,425
3-8-09	Kobalt Tools 500	39	19	327/330	0	Running	$85,650
10-26-08	Pep Boys Auto 500	13	8	325/325	0	Running	$119,625
3-9-08	Kobalt Tools 500	14	23	323/325	0	Running	$83,950
10-28-07	Pep Boys Auto 500	37	33	320/329	0	Running	$120,700
3-18-07	Kobalt Tools 500	38	33	322/325	0	Running	$104,125

	Races	Wins	Top-5s	Top-10s	Poles	Led	Money
Spring	3	0	0	0	0	0	$273,725
Fall	3	0	0	1	0	0	$333,750
Cumulative Races	6	0	0	1	0	0	$607,475

Ragan on racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway:

“I’m pretty pumped up to be going back to my hometown track. I love going to Atlanta, it’s close to home and the track is fun to race at. It’s a fast track with multiple grooves, which lets us choose different lines around the track. We’ve had some average weeks so far, but need to step it up and get a good hometown finish. UPS is also based in Atlanta, so we really want to get a good finish for them.”

Crew chief Donnie Wingo on racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway:

“I really like racing at Atlanta. There are multiple grooves and the tires wear out fast so it makes the driver have to work their way around the track to find different lines. It really is a challenging track because of the rate the tires wear out. So if you aren’t too fast to start with and you can be consistent on a long run, you’ll be better off in the end. Atlanta is home to David and our sponsor UPS, so we’re looking to get a good finish for everyone.”

FAST FACTS

Hometown Boy: Atlanta Motor Speedway is David Ragan’s hometown track. Ragan is originally from Unadilla Ga., located approximately 90 miles from Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Ragan has six prior starts in the Cup Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway. His best finish was eighth place in the fall of 2008.
A win this weekend would make David the first driver to win at Atlanta with primary sponsorship from Atlanta-based, UPS.
Ragan has three Nationwide starts at Atlanta. His best finish was ninth in the fall race of 2009.
Ragan made two Truck Series starts in 2006 at Atlanta for Roush Fenway Racing.

UPS Maximum Center Recognition— Atlanta Motor Speedway

The Pleasantdale West Center (SLIC - 3014) in the Georgia District was selected for the March 7 Kolbalt Tools 500 as part of the UPS Center Recognition Program. The Pleasantdale West Center, one of the top two centers in the district for 2009, is recognized for its exceptional service performance, which includes range of dispatch, exception scan and delivery scan frequency, and net delivered per piece and inside pieces per hour performance.

New Pennzoil Ultra Hyper Cleansing Technology Under the Hood of Richard Childress Racing Vehicles in 2010

NASCAR PR — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:24:46 +0000

Technical Relationship with Pennzoil Helps Team Develop Winning Motor Oil Formulations

HOUSTON, March 1 - In 2010, Richard Childress Racing will run with Pennzoil’s cutting edge Hyper Cleansing Technology(TM). When Pennzoil and Shell Oil Company began a multi-year agreement in 2007 with Richard Childress Racing as the primary sponsor of the No. 29 Chevrolet driven by Kevin Harvick, an important technical support program between Pennzoil and RCR began as well. Pennzoil scientists worked directly with the race team to engineer their most technologically advanced motor oil available on the market, Pennzoil Ultra(TM).

Building new engines and keeping them clean and protected week in and week out is essential for race teams. Pennzoil and RCR work together throughout each race season to test motor oils in the harshest racing environments in an effort to gain insight and develop technology that can be used both on-track and in consumer vehicles on-the-road. The payoff of that relationship is evident in the new ultra-class synthetic motor oil, Pennzoil Ultra(TM), which is an advanced proprietary synthetic formula that far exceeds the most stringent car manufacturer standards(1) and already exceeds the 2010 GF-5 specification’s requirements for cleanliness and protection. Nothing keeps an engine closer to factory clean.(2)

“Our engines are built to be extremely efficient. With engine heat rising up in some cases to over 280 degrees Fahrenheit in tolerances that we measure to a thousandth of an inch, it is essential that our engines are maintained in clean, pristine condition and we look to our team at Pennzoil to provide that,” said Danny Lawrence, Engine Builder and Trackside Manager for Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines, the high performance engine production and research and development company established in 2007. “In racing, even the smallest deposits can rob performance and lead to catastrophic engine failure and Pennzoil technology helps provide exactly what we need to keep our engines running clean.”

Kevin Harvick remained atop the leader board after a second-place finish at the Shelby American at Las Vegas Motor Speedway presented by Pennzoil Ultra on Sunday, February 28. On February 6, in an invigorating start to the 2010 NASCAR season, Kevin Harvick became the fourth driver to win back-to-back Budweiser Shootout titles. The achievement marked the seventh win in the exhibition race for the RCR team, more than any other organization.

“We ran Pennzoil racing motor oil with Hyper Cleansing Technology(TM) in the car during the Budweiser Shootout and the Las Vegas race,” said Gil Martin, Crew Chief, Shell-Pennzoil No. 29 car. “Pennzoil always provides tremendous support on and off the track that allows for our cars to challenge for the head of the pack.”

The new Pennzoil Ultra(TM) ultra class synthetic motor oil is the output of a global team of scientists pursuing the goal of maintaining an engine in factory-clean condition. Pennzoil’s technical support program with RCR provides the race team with the most advanced motor oil technology along with the support of a team of industry leading scientists. Through excellent collaboration, Pennzoil’s team of scientists engineer motor oils that resist heat, shear and wear, while keeping the engine clean even during the most demanding race conditions.

While the level of performance in most street cars won’t match that of an ECR engine, the cleansing and protection of passenger car engines is still vital. Pennzoil Ultra(TM) offers Hyper Cleansing Technology(TM) that is designed to seek out and dissolve contaminants safely into the oil before harmful deposits form that can create sludge or corrode engine parts. In fact, nothing keeps your engine closer to factory clean than Pennzoil Ultra(TM). The oil not only prevents deposits, but it also gently lifts existing sludge deposits off engine surfaces and dissolves them safely into the oil. Pennzoil Ultra(TM) also cleans out more engine sludge than the brand’s next best oil, Pennzoil Platinum®. (3)

“At Pennzoil, we leverage our global technology to develop technically advanced motor oils,” said Luis Guimaraes, general manager, North American marketing, for Pennzoil. “We are very proud of our newest addition to the Pennzoil family of motor oils. Pennzoil Ultra(TM) is an advanced synthetic motor oil that keeps engines close to factory clean, and no leading synthetic motor oil provides better wear protection than Pennzoil Ultra(TM).(4)”

Richard Childress Racing uses and recommends Pennzoil Ultra(TM) technology exclusively as the formulations provide cleansing and protection even in the most rigorous racing conditions. New Pennzoil Ultra(TM) 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 viscosities can be found in major automotive retailers nationwide. Pennzoil Ultra(TM) 5W-40 and 10W-60 viscosities can be found at retailers and installers servicing mostly European cars. For additional information, please visit www.Pennzoil.com.

About Pennzoil®

Pennzoil® is the #1-selling motor oil and one of the most trusted brands in America. The Pennzoil line of quality products meets or exceeds industry specifications to offer exceptional engine protection, and includes Pennzoil Ultra(TM) motor oil with Hyper Cleansing Technology(TM), Pennzoil Platinum® Full Synthetic motor oil, Pennzoil® Advanced Protection motor oil, Pennzoil® SUV, Truck & Minivan motor oil, Pennzoil High Mileage Vehicle® motor oil, and Pennzoil Marine® engine oil. For more information about Pennzoil products, please visit www.pennzoil.com

Pennzoil is produced and marketed by Shell Lubricants. The term ‘Shell Lubricants’ collectively refers to the companies of Royal Dutch Shell that are engaged in the lubricants business. Shell Lubricants companies lead the lubricants industry, supplying 13% of global lubricants volume.(5) The companies manufacture and blend products for use in applications ranging from consumer motor oil and food processing oils to heavy industrial lubricants and commercial transport oils. The Shell Lubricants portfolio of top-quality brands includes Pennzoil®, Quaker State®, FormulaShell®, Shell TELLUS®, Shell CASSIDA®, Shell RIMULA®, Shell ROTELLA® T, Shell SPIRAX®, a portfolio of leading car care brands and Jiffy Lube® lubrication services.

About Royal Dutch Shell

Royal Dutch Shell is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 100 countries with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of Liquefied Natural Gas and Gas to Liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects including wind and solar power. For further information, visit www.shell.com

Based on GF-4, Ford, Chrysler, GM and Ferrari specifications
Based on Sequence VG sludge test using SAE 5W-30
Based on a severe sludge clean-up test using SAE 5W-30
Based on Sequence IVA wear test using SAE 5W-30
Kline & Company, “Competitive Intelligence for the Global Lubricants Industry, 2008 - 2018.”

Crown Royal to Pit Fans against NASCAR Driver Matt Kenseth in Race Competition

NASCAR PR — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:12:57 +0000

“Race Matt” Promotion Allows Fans to Get Behind the Wheel to Win $17,000

After securing another top-five finish this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth will return to the Nevada track later in the year when the driver may face his stiffest competition yet. Crown Royal will run a season-long “Race Matt” promotion, where fans (where legally eligible) will be able to enter to race the former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, prior to the season-ending banquet.

In all, three fans will be selected at various intervals throughout the season to compete in the finale in Las Vegas for the chance to win $17,000. Each of the three winners will also receive a trip for two to Charlotte, N.C., where they will complete a mentorship program and tour the Roush Fenway Headquarters in an effort to prepare for their big day against Kenseth.

Crown Royal continues to identify new and exciting ways for their fans to feel like royalty throughout the race season, all while reinforcing its commitment to reminding fans to always “drink responsibly.”

Adult fans (21 and over) can enter the promotion at CrownRoyal.com throughout the season, and by entering will also automatically receive entry to a local market sweepstakes for a VIP at-track experience to a nearby track. The local program will be fulfilled at various tracks throughout the season, beginning on April 10, 2010.

NASCAR Hall of Fame Highlights Sport’s Roots with Latest Artifact

NASCAR News — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:22:10 +0000

Junior Johnson’s Moonshine Still to be Highlight of Pre-NASCAR Exhibit

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Feb. 28, 2010 – 71 days until opening) – Inaugural Inductee Junior Johnson revealed today a unique contribution to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the 150,000-square-foot interactive, entertainment attraction set to open May 11, 2010 in Charlotte, N.C.

Johnson, almost as famous for running moonshine as his racing career, is providing the NASCAR Hall of Fame a full-size, authentic moonshine still to be displayed in the pre-NASCAR Theater of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The still, which was built by Johnson, is identical to the stills used by Johnson and his family in years past.

“The still represents many facets of the sport for the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “It helps show a key aspect of the true roots of stock car racing and NASCAR, and it displays the authenticity of the NASCAR Hall of Fame telling the breadth and depth of NASCAR’s past and present. We look forward to showing fans and non-fans all aspects of the sport, from its fascinating beginnings to the sophisticated technology used by teams today. NASCAR has thousands of vibrant stories to share, and this story is at the heart of the sport’s folklore.”

Telling these stories has been a massive undertaking for the NASCAR Hall of Fame exhibit team. Historian Buz McKim is charged with uncovering hidden treasures of the sport for display in the facility, which houses more than 40,000 square feet of exhibits and has more than 50 interactive displays. Even as the exhibits are being prepared for display, more great stories are being created.

“As we prepare the artifacts for display, some present unexpected challenges,” said McKim. “That was the case last week with the still. I called Junior to ask how to connect a couple of the parts of the still, and he just said he would drive down and help out. Sure enough, two hours later, Junior arrives with wrenches in hand and starts installing the still himself and offering direction to our exhibit fabrication team. Those are some of the cool moments of this job that really make you appreciate the people of this sport. Junior is a class act.”

Aside from cars and a transporter, the moonshine still is one of the largest historic items in the building. It is constructed of wood, metal and copper and features a cooker, two boilers, a dry barrel, a flake stand, condenser and strainer. The artifact will be on display in the Pre-NASCAR Theater, which tells the story of what led to the formation of NASCAR. It also highlights the history of the automobile prior to the 1948 inception of NASCAR. The Theater is on the fourth floor of the facility in Heritage Speedway, the artifact-rich area of the venue that focuses on the history of the sport.

A North Carolina native, Johnson made his first moonshine run at the age of 14. After years in the family business, he was convicted in 1956 on a charge of producing illegal liquor. He served 11 months in federal prison and years later was pardoned by President Ronald Reagan. It was the decades of running moonshine that led to Johnson’s career as a race-car driver, along with many other famous names in the sport.

Despite the colorful upbringing, it was Johnson’s illustrious racing career that earned him a place in history as one of NASCAR’s five Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductees. He won the second Daytona 500 in 1960 and was credited for the discovery of drafting on superspeedways. He won 50 races at NASCAR’s premier level before becoming a car owner. His success continued as an owner where his drivers won 132 races and six championships. Johnson also was responsible for connecting R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company executives with Bill France Jr., which led to the 33-year partnership of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, predecessor to today’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Beginning May 11, fans can see Johnson’s moonshine still and learn more about NASCAR by visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Tickets are on sale now at www.nascarhall.com or by calling 877-231-2010. Tickets are $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and military, $12.95 for children 5-12, and free for children younger than 5. Memberships provide unlimited entry for one year and start at $25 for children and $50 for adults annually. Group discounts, facility rentals and sponsorships also are available by calling 704-654-4400.

###

Opening May 11, 2010 in uptown Charlotte, N.C., the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, includes artifacts, interactive exhibits, 275-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Media Group-operated broadcast studio. The five-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000 square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. www.nascarhall.com

Mike Bliss Finishes 39th With Kim Kardashian Fragrance Chevrolet In Las Vegas

NASCAR PR — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:21:54 +0000

(Las Vegas, NV) March 1, 2010 – Mike Bliss cut the right front tire and hit the wall on lap 44 of Sunday’s Shelby American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, ending the day in 39th position. The Tommy Baldwin Racing crew brought the Kim Kardashian Fragrance Chevrolet to the garage after the contact with the wall and replaced the entire right front assembly. The team was able to get the car back out to the track on lap 160 in order to complete the necessary laps to finish 39th.

“We cut a tire down in turn one, which was too bad because I felt like we had a pretty good race car,” said Bliss, who was unhurt in the crash. “Before we blew the tire I really believed we were in the process of a strong run and was hoping to get a nice finish for Tommy and the folks with Kim Kardashian Fragrance.”

The blown tire put a damper on an otherwise exciting weekend in Las Vegas for Tommy Baldwin Racing. The No. 36 Chevy sported a custom Kim Kardashian Fragrance paint scheme in conjunction with the launch of her first signature fragrance, Kim Kardashian, which can be found at Sephora.com. The team also hosted Kardashian Sunday, and got the chance to meet with her prior to the race.

“It was a big weekend for the team and I was excited to get the chance to meet Kim,” said Bliss. “Kim and her group were great and it was fun getting to share the NASCAR experience with them. It did not even bother me that I was wearing a pink fire suit”.

Team owner Tommy Baldwin added, “I thought the weekend went well and we were happy with all the excitement and attention brought to the team thanks to the involvement with Kim Kardashian Fragrance. I was pleased with the effort the team put forth; unfortunately we ran over something, got a flat tire and hit the wall. Although we do not have the finishes to show for it so far, I truly believe we have a top-25 caliber team, we just need to start stringing together some nice results and we will be fine.”

Bliss started the day in the 30th position and was running 32nd when the tire went down on lap 44. The team will look to rebound next Sunday March 7th at the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The No. 36 Chevrolet will feature the new 2010 Wave Energy Drink paint scheme for the race airing at 1pm EST on FOX.

Statistical Advance: Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway

NASCAR News — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:07:46 +0000

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 1, 2010) – Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Atlanta Motor Speedway going into the Kobalt Tools 500 on March 7.

Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford)
· Three top fives, eight top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 15.5
· Average Running Position of 12.1, seventh-best
· Driver Rating of 95.0, seventh-best
· 213 Fastest Laps Run, third-most
· 481 Green Flag Passes, 13th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.660 mph, ninth-fastest
· 2,361 Laps in the Top 15 (72.4%), fifth-most
· 278 Quality Passes (passes of cars in the top 15 under green), ninth-most

Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)
· Two wins, two top fives, six top 10s
· Average finish of 19.7
· Driver Rating of 93.4, eighth-best
· 195 Fastest Laps Run, fifth-most
· 534 Green Flag Passes, 11th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.640 mph, 10th-fastest
· 1,882 Laps in the Top 15 (57.7%), 13th-most
· 281 Quality Passes, sixth-most

Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota)
· One win, two top fives, two top 10s
· Average finish of 17.7
· Average Running Position of 15.2, 13th-best
· Driver Rating of 90.3, 10th-best
· 136 Fastest Laps Run, eighth-most
· 560 Green Flag Passes, 10th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.504 mph, 12th-fastest
· 265 Quality Passes, 10th-most

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 AMP Energy Drink/National Guard Chevrolet)
· One win, eight top fives, 10 top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 11.9
· Average Running Position of 10.6, third-best
· Driver Rating of 99.8, fourth-best
· 219 Fastest Laps Run, second-most
· 631 Green Flag Passes, third-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 172.044 mph, third-fastest
· 2,545 Laps in the Top 15 (78.1%), fourth-most
· Series-high 352 Quality Passes

Carl Edwards (No. 99 Aflac Ford)
· Three wins, six top fives, eight top 10s
· Average finish of 13.1
· Average Running Position of 11.9, sixth-best
· Driver Rating of 105.0, second-best
· Series-high 289 Fastest Laps Run
· Series-best Average Green Flag Speed of 172.189 mph
· 2,593 Laps in the Top 15 (79.6%), third-most
· 306 Quality Passes, third-most

Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)
· Four wins, 14 top fives, 23 top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 12.3
· Average Running Position of 10.0, second-best
· Driver Rating of 102.2, third-best
· 145 Fastest Laps Run, sixth-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.684 mph, seventh-fastest
· 2,709 Laps in the Top 15 (83.1%), second-most
· 344 Quality Passes, second-most

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Toyota)
· One top five, three top 10s
· Average finish of 15.3
· Average Running Position of 11.6, fifth-best
· Driver Rating of 93.2, ninth-best
· 110 Fastest Laps Run, 11th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.684 mph, eighth-fastest
· 1,901 Laps in the Top 15 (64.8%), 12th-most
· 261 Quality Passes, 11th-most

Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet)
· Three wins, nine top fives, 11 top 10s
· Average finish of 10.7
· Series-best Average Running Position of 7.7
· Series-best Driver Rating of 110.1
· 210 Fastest Laps Run, fourth-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 172.121 mph, second-fastest
· Series-high 2,929 Laps in the Top 15 (89.9%)
· 296 Quality Passes, fifth-most

Kasey Kahne (No. 9 Budweiser Ford)
· Two wins, five top fives, seven top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 17.0
· Driver Rating of 88.8, 11th-best
· 133 Fastest Laps Run, 10th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.443 mph, 13th-fastest
· 1,924 Laps in the Top 15 (59.0%), 11th-most

Matt Kenseth (No. 17 Crown Royal Ford)
· Seven top fives, 11 top 10s
· Average finish of 13.7
· Average Running Position of 13.4, ninth-best
· Driver Rating of 95.4, sixth-best
· 134 Fastest Laps Run, ninth-most
· 593 Green Flag Passes, seventh-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.777 mph, fifth-fastest
· 2,290 Laps in the Top 15 (70.3%), seventh-most
· 304 Quality Passes, fourth-most

Mark Martin (No. 5 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet)
· Two wins, 14 top fives, 23 top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 16.9
· Average Running Position of 15.0, 12th-best
· Driver Rating of 88.2, 13th-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.630 mph, 11th-fastest
· 2,135 Laps in the Top 15 (65.5%), ninth-most
· 259 Quality Passes, 12th-most

Tony Stewart (No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet)
· Two wins, eight top fives, 13 top 10s
· Average finish of 12.0
· Average Running Position of 11.4, fourth-best
· Driver Rating of 98.6, fifth-best
· 137 Fastest Laps Run, seventh-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.687 mph, sixth-fastest
· 2,345 Laps in the Top 15 (72.0%), sixth-most
· 280 Quality Passes, eighth-most

Martin Truex Jr. (No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota)
· Two top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 24.4
· Average Running Position of 13.0, eighth-best
· Driver Rating of 88.5, 12th-best
· 109 Fastest Laps Run, 12th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.792 mph, fourth-fastest
· 2,021 Laps in the Top 15 (68.9%), 10th-most
· 256 Quality Passes, 13th-most

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Top 12 at Atlanta Motor Speedway

	Driver	Races	Poles	Wins	Top Fives	Top 10s	DNFs	Average Finish	Driver Rating*
1	Kevin Harvick	18	0	1	4	5	3	20.4	82.4
2	Clint Bowyer	8	0	0	0	4	0	15.6	83.8
3	Mark Martin	48	2	2	14	23	14	16.9	88.2
4	Matt Kenseth	20	0	0	7	11	3	13.7	95.4
5	Jimmie Johnson	17	0	3	9	11	1	10.7	110.1
6	Greg Biffle	14	1	0	3	8	2	15.5	95.0
7	Jeff Burton	31	0	0	7	13	3	17.1	85.8
8	Joey Logano	2	0	0	0	0	0	26.0	55.6
9	David Reutimann	5	0	0	1	1	0	24.8	60.4
10	Carl Edwards	11	0	3	6	8	1	13.1	105.0
11	Tony Stewart	22	0	2	8	13	3	12.0	98.6
12	Kyle Busch	11	0	1	2	2	1	17.7	90.3

* – Based on last 10 Atlanta Motor Speedway races.

Chase Contenders
The Top 12 Following Race 3 of 36

	Driver	Points	Wins	Poles	Rank Last Week	Season Driver Rating
1.	Kevin Harvick	506	0	0	1	116.4
2.	Clint Bowyer	459	0	0	2	107.8
3.	Mark Martin	457	0	1	6	95.7
4.	Matt Kenseth	448	0	0	7	92.2
5.	Jimmie Johnson	443	2	0	12	113.0
6.	Greg Biffle	443	0	0	3	101.7
7.	Jeff Burton	430	0	0	5	97.3
8.	Joey Logano	413	0	0	9	80.3
9.	David Reutimann	397	0	0	8	81.4
10.	Carl Edwards	389	0	0	10	89.1
11.	Tony Stewart	386	0	0	17	88.1
12.	Kyle Busch	375	0	0	13	98.3

___________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL DRIVERS

13.	Jeff Gordon	373	34.	Robby Gordon	215
14.	Jamie McMurray	363	35.	Max Papis	186
15.	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	357	36.	Boris Said	185
16.	Scott Speed	348	37.	Mike Bliss	180
17.	Paul Menard	345	38.	David Gilliland	158
18.	Brian Vickers	320	39.	Michael McDowell	138
19.	Kurt Busch	312	40.	Kevin Conway	125
20.	David Ragan	308	41.	Dave Blaney	121
21.	Martin Truex Jr.	304	42.	Joe Nemechek	117
22.	Denny Hamlin	304	43.	Michael Waltrip	109
23.	Kasey Kahne	277	44.	Bill Elliott	82
24.	Elliott Sadler	269	45.	Robert Richardson	70
25.	Regan Smith	252	46.	Aric Almirola	68
26.	J.P. Montoya	248	47.	John Andretti	49
27.	AJ Allmendinger	248
28.	Sam Hornish Jr.	246
29.	Travis Kvapil	245
30.	Brad Keselowski	240
31.	Bobby Labonte	231
32.	Ryan Newman	225
33.	Marcos Ambrose	219

Note: The first 26 races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season determine which 12 drivers qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, contested over the final 10 races of the season.

At Atlanta Motor Speedway:
History

Originally called Atlanta International Raceway, the track was then a 1.5-mile paved speedway.
The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Atlanta was on July 31, 1960, won by Fireball Roberts from the pole.
The track was re-measured to 1.522 miles in the spring of 1970.
It was renamed Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1990.
The track layout was reversed and the track was re-configured to 1.54 miles between the two races in 1997.

Notebook

There have been 101 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Atlanta Speedway, two races per year except 1961, which had three.
Fireball Roberts won the pole and race for the first NASCAR Sprint Cup race in 1960.
44 drivers have won a pole, led by Buddy Baker and Ryan Newman, each with seven.
Six of Newman’s seven poles came in consecutive races between March 2003 and October 2005.
42 drivers have won a race; 22 have won more than once, including Kurt Busch, who won the first race last season. In that event, Busch scored a perfect Driver Rating of 150.0.
Dale Earnhardt scored nine victories, more than any other driver. Cale Yarborough is second with seven.
Bobby Labonte heads the list of active drivers with victories, with six. Labonte is tied with Richard Petty for third on the all-time win list at Atlanta.
The Wood Brothers are the most productive car owners with 12 victories. They last won there in 1993 with Morgan Shepherd.
14 races have been won from the pole. The last to do so was Kasey Kahne in 2006. Both races last season were won from the second starting position.
58 races at Atlanta have been won from the first five starting positions.
Bobby Labonte won the 2001 fall race from the 39th starting position, the deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Atlanta.
There have been seven season sweeps, most recently by Jimmie Johnson in 2007.

NASCAR in Georgia

There have been 160 NASCAR Sprint Cup races in Georgia.
169 NASCAR national series drivers all-time have their home state recorded as Georgia.
There have been 14 race winners from Georgia in NASCAR’s three national series:

Driver	NSCS	NNS	NCWTS
Bill Elliott	44	1	0
Tim Flock	39	0	0
Jack Smith	21	0	0
Fonty Flock	19	0	0
Bob Flock	4	0	0
Frank Mundy	3	0	0
Gober Sosebee	2	0	0
Harold Kite	1	0	0
Sam McQuagg	1	0	0
Jody Ridley	1	0	0
Reed Sorenson	0	3	0
Buckshot Jones	0	2	0
David Ragan	0	2	0
Ronald Cooper	0	1	0

Atlanta Motor Speedway Data
Race # 4 of 36 (3-7-10)
Track Size: 1.54 miles
Race Length: 325 laps/500.5 miles
· Banking/Corners: 24 degrees
· Banking/Straights: 5 degrees
· Frontstretch: 2,332 feet
· Backstretch: 1,800 feet

Driver Rating at Atlanta

Jimmie Johnson	110.1
Carl Edwards	105.0
Jeff Gordon	102.2
Dale Earnhardt Jr.	99.8
Tony Stewart	98.6
Matt Kenseth	95.4
Greg Biffle	95.0
Kurt Busch	93.4
Denny Hamlin	93.2
Kyle Busch	90.3

Note: Driver Rating compiled from 2005-2009 races (10 total) at Atlanta.

Qualifying/Race Data
2009 pole winner: Mark Martin (187.045 mph, 29.640 secs.)
2009 race winner: Kurt Busch (127.573 mph, 3-8-09)
Track qualifying record: Geoffrey Bodine (197.478 mph, 28.074 secs.,
11-15-97)
Race record: Dale Earnhardt (163.633 mph, 11-16-97)

Estimated Pit Window: Every 48-52 laps, based on fuel mileage.

Service Central Expands Sponsorship To Five Races For Jay Howard; Kansas Added

IRL PR — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:00:29 +0000

SFR’S Jay Howard Will Take to the Track with Teammate Sarah Fisher at Kansas Speedway May 1

Indianapolis, IN (March 1, 2010) - TBC Retail Group announced today their sponsorship expansion between IZOD IndyCar ® Series driver Jay Howard and Sarah Fisher Racing (SFR) in 2010. The automotive service company will sponsor Howard and the No. 66 Service Central car at Kansas Speedway, in addition to their sponsorship of Howard at Indianapolis, Texas, Mid-Ohio and Chicago.

“We are excited with the opportunity to have Jay Howard run the No. 66 Service Central car at the Kansas City race,” said Bob Crostarosa, Senior Vice President Marketing and Advertising, TBC Retail Group. “We added this race to our schedule because of the optimism the entire SFR team demonstrated during the recent practice sessions and we think this is a great kick-off to Jay’s race season. Jay is the driver to watch this year.”

The sponsorship expansion means Howard will have the opportunity to be in the car, on an oval, before the Indianapolis 500.

“TBC Retail Group has become a great marketing partner of our No. 66 program this year and to be adding Kansas is a huge plus for our 2010 efforts,” said Howard, who participated in the first IZOD IndyCar Series open test of the 2010 season at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham last week. “The track time at Kansas prior to heading into the Month of May for the Indianapolis 500 is huge for our growing program. I’ve competed at Kansas before and I’m grateful that TBC has added that to my schedule to start out the season.”

Howard will be joining SFR team owner/driver Sarah Fisher, author of 99 Things Women Wish They Knew Before Getting Behind the Wheel of Their Dream Job, which is due out in May, on track at Kansas Speedway for the Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 on May 1. The combination of the two drivers competing in Kansas will be a great way to start the oval part of the season for SFR.

“Adding the Kansas race to the No. 66 Service Central program will be a great opportunity to help us prepare the No. 66 car, team and Jay for the month of May,” said Fisher, who will compete in 10 IZOD IndyCar Series events for SFR this season. “As we approach that event, Service Central will have a large following from a corporate standpoint. They have been very understanding in acknowledging that anything we can do to get Jay up and going to ready himself with our team for the biggest race of the year is greatly important and that this can be one of those techniques. We are very lucky to have this opportunity and hope that it will prove to be a big asset for the Indy 500.”

The IZOD IndyCar Series kicks off its 2010 schedule on March 14 on in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The race will be shown live in High Definition (HD) on the VERSUS (VS) Network at noon (EST). Additional coverage will be available on the IMS Radio Network and XM Satellite Radio’s “IndyCar Racing” channel 145, with a broadcast coverage summary available at www.indycar.com.

About Sarah Fisher:

At just 29 years old, Sarah Fisher has already competed in eight Indianapolis 500’s, been voted “Most Popular Driver” four times in two separate Series (IndyCar and NASCAR), been awarded “Indy’s Best & Brightest Leaders Under 40″ and enters her third season as a team owner in 2010. Fisher is the first woman to qualify fastest for a major North American open-wheel event, the fastest woman to ever qualify for the Indy 500 and is the youngest woman to compete at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Fisher has been a guest or profiled on a variety of national platforms such as, LIVE! With Regis & Kelly, The Tonight Show, The Today Show, Glamour, People and Forbes Magazine, to name a few. In 2008, she formed her own race team: Sarah Fisher Racing (SFR), and made her first start as a team owner in the IndyCar Series’ Indy 500. In May 2009, Fisher made her eighth start in the Indy 500, marking the most number of starts for a woman in the 93-year history of the race.

About Jay Howard:

While closing out his 2009 racing schedule, Howard signed a deal to complete a tailored IZOD IndyCar® Series schedule that would include five events for Sarah Fisher Racing (SFR) in 2010, driving the No. 66 Honda-powered Dallara with backing from Service Central. He’ll attempt to qualify for his first Indy 500 on May 15, 2010. In 2006, the England-born driver won the Firestone Indy Lights championship, an essential step into the top-level of open-wheel racing, the IZOD IndyCar Series. Howard won the championship by four points, marking the closest margin in the Series’ history. That same year, he won two races, had five podium finishes and won two pole positions. He ran five events for Roth Racing in the IndyCar Series in 2008, with a best start of 14th and a best finish of 13th. He competed in three Firestone Indy Lights events in 2007, and took home the U.S. Formula Ford Zetec Championship and Rookie of the Year Honors in 2005; breaking Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon’s Series record, with nine wins. That year, he captured six pole positions and established a Series record, with six consecutive victories. Howard has been a guest or profiled on national platforms such as MTV’s Real World Road Rules Challenge. For more information, please visit Jay Howard online at http://www.jayhoward.com.

About Sarah Fisher Racing:

Sarah Fisher Racing (SFR) is an auto racing team that competes in the IZOD IndyCar® Series, founded by IZOD IndyCar Series veteran racer, Sarah Fisher. Fisher announced plans to become the IZOD IndyCar Series first female owner/driver and the youngest team owner on February 27, 2008, at Homestead-Miami Speedway (HMS). The team competed in three events in 2008, grew 100 percent in 2009 to six races and will compete in nine events in 2010 with backing from Dollar General. The team also announced plans to run a tailored schedule in 2010 for 2006 Firestone Indy Lights Champion Jay Howard in the No. 66 Service Central-sponsored Honda powered Dallara at five events, including the 94th running of the Indy 500, giving the team its first two-car entry in its two-year existence. For more information, please visit Sarah Fisher Racing online at http://www.sarahfisherracing.com.

About TBC Retail Group:

Headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida, TBC Retail Group (TBC) operates more than 770 tire and automotive service centers. The contingent of over 1250 stores is united under Service Central™, the brand name of the automotive services offered exclusively at Tire Kingdom, NTB-National Tire and Battery, Merchant’s Tire and Auto, and Big O Tires. Their trained and certified ASE technicians use state-of-the-art equipment to provide quality service on cars and trucks. Their nationwide warranty provides peace of mind while it protects consumers and their investment in over 40 states. Visit www.tirekingdom.com or call 1-800-NEW-TIRE for a location near you.

IZOD IndyCar Series News And Notes – March 1, 2010

IRL News — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:58:53 +0000

Today’s IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights headlines

1. Indy Racing League re-launches official Web site

2. Angstadt co-chairman of “Good Scout” luncheon

1. Indy Racing League re-launches official Web site: The Indy Racing League re-launched www.indycar.com today, the official Web site of the Indy Racing League, IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights.

In addition to a new design, the Web site re-launch features several new interactive aspects to further immerse fans into the sport.

Highlights of the Web site include:

The re-launch of IndyCar Race Control presented by iRacing.com, providing quick access to live video streaming that features multiple camera views (including up to four in-car cameras) in HD quality.
Race Control also includes multiple timing and scoring views so fans can track all of the action, including Pit Board strategy that charts individual pit stops, and Leader Graph, which visually charts the cars around the track based on speed differentials.
An emphasis on social media on the homepage and driver/team pages. All driver and team Twitter accounts are aggregated into their respective pages on the site along with individual team Flickr and YouTube accounts.
Another unique feature is Nomee Cards, which allows fans to download their favorite drivers to their desktop and follow all social networks that the drivers participate in.
Simple navigation and seamless integration of news, photo and video content. In addition to up-to-the-minute news stories and off-track driver profiles, the site features up to four different video blogs from various drivers that take fans behind the scenes and provide track access.
PEAK Performance Fantasy Racing League will be offered to fans that are part of IndyCar Nation, an online fan community that provides extra benefits to members free of charge. Fans can create their own league or play individually to win prizes throughout the season.

“The newest version of indycar.com is designed to enhance the fan experience,” said John Lewis, vice president of marketing and league development, Indy Racing League. “Our new media team has focused on centralizing fan, drivers and League social media campaigns within one access location. We will continue to provide in-depth editorial news, behind the scenes access, IndyCar Nation, Race Control and more. Indycar.com will be a one-stop shop for all IZOD IndyCar Series fans, both rookies and veterans.”

The Indy Racing League has partnered with RACERSITES to create the new indycar.com. RACERSITES has provided design and development. The Indy Racing League will produce all editorial content for the site as well as overall strategy.

“This is a proud day for our company”, said Chuck Tate, founder and president of RACERSITES. “As avid fans of open wheel racing ourselves, we couldn’t be happier to announce, in partnership with the Indy Racing League, the launch of the new indycar.com. We are excited about our relationship with the league, and are committed to doing our part to continue to raise the profile of the series online over the next few years.”

2. Angstadt co-chair of “Good Scout” Luncheon: Indy Racing League commercial division president Terry Angstadt is co-chairman with National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman of the 2010 “Good Scout” Award Luncheon on March 2 that honors VERSUS president Jamie Davis.

The “Good Scout” Luncheon benefits tens of thousands of boys and girls of the Greater New York Council, Boys Scouts of America. VERSUS will broadcast 12 IZOD IndyCar Series races this season, beginning with the opener March 14 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The network also broadcasts NHL games.