Backstretch Motorsports

PEORIA, Ill. (June 18, 2008) — Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) and Richard Childress Racing (RCR) have agreed to a multi-year partnership for the No. 31 Chevrolet driven by Jeff Burton beginning with the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

Burton, a 20-time winner in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition, is currently second in the 2008 point standings with one victory, four top-five and 10 top-10 finishes in the season’s first 15 races. The No. 31 team has made the “Chase for the Championship” the past two seasons, finishing seventh in 2006 and eighth last year.

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With the half-way point in NASCAR’s 26 race regular season just past (Dover), its time to take a look at the season so far see who is doing what.

With his victory Sunday at Michigan, Dale Earnhardt Jr. became the latest addition to the 2008 winners list. Nine different drivers have posted victories in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2008, led by Kyle Busch with four. Carl Edwards (three), Kasey Kahne
(two), Ryan Newman (one), Jeff Burton (one), Denny Hamlin (one), Jimmie Johnson (one) and Clint Bowyer (one) are the others. If those drivers make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, each will get 10 points per win toward their Chase “seeding.” Ties in number of wins are broken by the NASCAR rule book (number of seconds, thirds, etc.).

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Still the Scottish Racer

The classic Gulf colors of the Aston Martin were just too strong for the familiar Velocity Yellow of the Corvette, The Audi R10 TDI found it’s way through the strains of rains and endless long stints to handily defeat the home team advantage of the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, even though each team provided one thrilling challenge after another to the other for the entire distance of the endurance classic.

The afternoon’s final chase began in dramatic fashion at 12.48pm when the No.8 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP went straight on into the tires at Arnage with Pedro Lamy at the wheel. He was pulled clear by marshals and was able to return to the Peugeot pits for checks and a replacement of damaged body parts, without dropping down the order.

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Brad Keselowski currently pilots the No. 88 U.S. NAVY Chevrolet for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He has two top-five and nine top-10 finishes in 45 career NASCAR Nationwide Series races.

Keselowski, who is 24 years old, hails from Rochester Hills, Michigan, and got his start in racing at Waterford Hills in Waterford, Michigan. Brad began racing at Waterford Hills when he was 12 years old in Quarter Midget competition.

He is a third-generation driver who follows in the footsteps of his father, Bob and grandfather, John. Bob won his one and only NASCAR race in the 1997 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Richmond International Raceway. Brad’s brother, Brian, competed in four NASCAR Nationwide Series races last season. The first race Brad ever won was a go-kart race in Pensacola, Florida. He was 7 years old and was in Florida with his family for the ARCA race his dad was competing in.

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“…they were just racing so hard there and you knew it was going to happen. I just took advantage of a misfortune right there.” — Clint Bowyer

“…he is going to need some security.” — Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the Jr.Nation’s feelings toward Kyle Busch

It just writes itself, this racing biz. Last night being the prime example. It was Richmond, the little track that provides — for it’s fans, for the drivers, for the teams — it provides good racing and it provides the “more than occasional” controversy.

Nobody is guaranteed anything — not even Dale Jr.

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WORSHAM SEEKS A MONUMENT TO TROPHY-CASE EXPANSION

ST. LOUIS — It sits at the foot of the Mississippi River, a mammoth 630-foot inverted catenary curve made of stainless steel, and has become one of the most iconic National Monuments in the United States. It is, of course, the Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis, and it can be easily seen from the staging lanes at Gateway International Raceway, in nearby Madison, Ill., where the NHRA tour heads this weekend for the O’Reilly Midwest Nationals. Though most simply call it “the Arch” it is more officially part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, which commemorates rapid westward expansion during the early history of the United States. With most pioneers setting off from St. Louis, the last great western outpost, the city became known as the “Gateway To The West” and the Gateway Arch symbolizes that history to this day.

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(Ed. note: this one is a little more personal, Cristiano is a great driver and a great person to know)

Sunday at VIR held one the most pleasant surprises I ‘ve had in a while. Walking through the garage area I saw Cristiano da Matta standing near the Bob Stallings/GAINSCO Racing hauler with headset on, watching as Jon Fogarty and Alex Gurney made final prep to compete in the Bosch 250 Grand-Am race.

He had a huge smile on his face. Being around racing has been the best therapy.

I immediately went to talk to the young Brazillian. “The accident is like a blur to me, many things I don’t remember about it” he said, “it was an unfortunate thing, but it is behind me. Now its time to race.”

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First it was Danica Patrick and Japan, Now there’s Ashley Force , and there’s Antron Brown following JR Todd from last season.

Diversity is alive and well in racing. At least in the IRL and NHRA.

Scott Speed not only took the Red Bull team to an ARCA win at the Kansas Lottery 150, he scored another top ten finish in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event there.

Speed is acclerating the learning curve with style. Watch for seat vacancy to both appear and be filled with Speed before Cup seasons’ end over at Red Bull NASCAR. I don’t think there will be a third car.

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Wilkerson blasts his way to the top spot

ATLANTA, Friday: At the close of the first day of qualifying at the Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals, Tim Wilkerson blasted his way to the top, putting his Levi, Ray & Shoup Chevrolet Impala SS in the No. 1 qualifying position.

During the winter months the entire quarter-mile length of the Atlanta Dragway surface was replaced. So, as the day began, the tuners and drivers didn’t know what to expect of the racing surface. But Wilkerson didn’t let the unknown deter him. In the opening round of qualifying, Wilkerson dropped a cylinder and ran 4.950 at 301.60 mph, and ended in the fourth spot. Then as the air became cool and skies overcast, Wilkerson made a monster leap to the top, posting an impressive 4.774 at 325.92 mph.

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“In recognition of Danica’s talents, she did a good job. She passed me fair and square. I didn’t have enough fuel, even if I wanted to, to fight with her, and today I guess it’s part of history again. Last race in this car, and now she wins the race.
She was very competitive. Any driver that comes with a good package and a good organization, they can put a good job and they’ll be competitive.” ~~ Helio Castroneves on Danica Patrick’s win at the Japan 300.

A huge part of auto-racing is strategy. One of three key elements , equipment, personel and execution of plan. Any crew chief or race strategist will tell you that end of a race is a chess game, thinking backward from the checkered flag to the final pit stop. Knowing how and when you could and should make your move for the best possible finish position.

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