Backstretch Motorsports

News from the Backstretch

Veteran Road Racer will Sub for J.J. Yeley in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Aug. 5, 2008) – P.J. Jones will drive the No. 96 DLP HDTV Toyota Camry in Sunday’s Centurion Boats at The Glen NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International road course, Hall of Fame Racing officials announced today.

Jones, who has seven Sprint Cup starts at The Glen with two top-10 finishes, takes over for Hall of Fame Racing’s regular driver J.J. Yeley.

“We appreciate P.J. helping out the team this weekend at Watkins Glen,” said Tom Garfinkel, co-owner of Hall of Fame Racing. “P.J. is an experienced road racer and we look forward to having a great run with him in the DLP Toyota.”

“I’m excited to be driving the DLP HDTV Toyota for Hall of Fame Racing,” said Jones, the son of racing legend Parnelli Jones. “I’ve always enjoyed racing at Watkins Glen and look forward to having a successful weekend.”

Gregor Fisken makes American Le Mans Series return

Gregor Fisken is to return to modern racing for the first time this season after signing for Intersport Racing to compete at this weekend’s American Le Mans Series meeting at Elkhart Lake.

The Scottish born racing driver, who is also managing director of Fiskens, London’s premier historic automobile dealership, will pilot the team’s LMP1 Lola B06/10 AER alongside Ryan Lewis and John Faulkner at the four-hour race. As well as marking his first modern race of the year, the deal sees Fisken return to prototype machinery for the first time since 2006 when he raced a works Courage at the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the Le Mans Series.

Fisken raced a Larbre Competition Aston Martin DBR9 in the Le Mans Series and at the Le Mans 24 Hours last season, winning the GT1 class at the 1000 Milhas at Interlagos in Brazil. He also has previous experience with Intersport in the ALMS, including a class win at Portland and a class podium at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2005, and is relishing his return to both the team and the championship: “I’m looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of a prototype car although I know I have to adapt quickly to driving this type of car again. All season I’ve been driving a number of different historic cars and it really is a different world from driving a high down force machine such as this,” Gregor said.

“I don’t know the circuit and have never driven the Lola before, but this really was too good an opportunity to turn down. I have very fond memories of racing with Intersport and have a huge respect for the team. We’ve been talking all season with Clint and Jon Field about the possibility of doing some races, so when this opportunity came up at the last minute I decided to go for it. The American Le Mans Series, along with the LMS in Europe, really is the place to be at the moment and I am looking forward to the race immensely.”

Gregor also revealed one of the attractions was to race at the stunning Elkhart Lake circuit for the first time. “I’ve read so much about the place, from the great Can Am races of 1970s right through to the present day. It’s one of America’s greatest road racing courses and to drive there in an LMP1 car will be a very special experience for me.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the historic racing season so far and have driven some incredible cars, but I have missed modern racing. Throughout my career as a non-professional driver, I’ve thrown myself in at the deep end, but things have always worked out well for me. Ryan and John did superbly to score a class podium in the last round at Salt Lake City and my target is to do a good solid job alongside them this weekend.”

The race takes place on Saturday 9 August and can be watched in full, Delayed-as-Live, on Motors TV (Sky Digital 413, Virgin Media 545) on Sunday 10 August, visit www.motorstv.com for full listing details.

Owens Hopes Winning Combination Brings Nashville Guitar

- Racing in the Toyota 150 at Nashville Superspeedway means different things for different drivers. For 19-year-old Alli Owens, it means the opportunity to vie for the prestigious guitar trophy while showcasing her talents in a city she holds special. “I can’t even begin to say how excited I am to be racing in Nashville,” said Owens, driver of the No. 12 ElectrifyingCareers.com Chevrolet. My background is all country. I can’t go a day without listening to a country song. This is my first visit to the area and I plan to see as much of it as possible.” Owens is not only a country girl, she is also a seasoned racer who welcomes the challenge of competing for the first time on a concrete track. Leading her charge is team owner Mario Gosselin, who as a driver won the 2003 and 2006 ARCA events at Nashville. “Mario’s two wins gives me full confidence in the team and its ability to provide me with a great car,” said Owens. Since I don’t have to worry about finding a setup, it makes my job a bit easier. Now all I have to do is get into the car and go.” The car in which Owens is piloting is the same which carried Gosselin to victory in 2006. “A win in Nashville would mean so much to me,” said Owens. The guitar is probably the best trophy in motorsports. I can play Smoke on the Water on guitar and I can shred on Guitar Hero. If I win, I promise to learn more. I really want that trophy.”

OWENS ATTENDS NTI SHOW IN KNOXVILLE - Alli Owens spent August 1-3 at the National Training Institute (NTI) Trade Show in Knoxville, TN. The show is hosted by the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC), the largest apprenticeship and training program of its kind. This joint program between the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) has clearly demonstrated the most cost effective way to train qualified craft workers. The show participants are from all facets of the electrical construction industry. They attend the Trade Show to learn about new products and installation procedures. Also, a ceremony is held during the show to honor the recent graduates from the apprentice program. “It was a wonderful show,” said Owens, who drives the No. 12 ElectrifyingCareers.com Chevrolet. “It’s always great to mingle with the people who make up the electrical industry. I had the chance to see some old faces and meet new ones. It was awesome to see all the graduates knowing that they are heading into the workforce with outstanding training and a promising career ahead of them.”