2011 Silly Season

[MJ_N_09]

The Wood Bros........it was hinted somewhere that depending on how the first 5 races go for them, they may run the full season if they can get some more funding. Well, I think Daytona will help push them in favor if a full sked.

[MJ_N_09]

For youknowwho: Bill Elliott is now talking about adding races to his 2011 schedule in the Finch car, possibly even the full season!

[rustyfan]

According to Jayski, who in turn reports a tweet by TV-commentator Ralph Shaheen, Ken Schrader might do a few races in the #32 later this year. Martinsville and Bristol are mentioned as the most likely tracks.

[HJJ]

You have to love this story about Morgan Shepard.

Shepherd catches shoplifter: Most NASCAR drivers don't come to mind when you think of Las Vegas crimefighters, but then again, most NASCAR drivers aren't 69-year-old Morgan Shepherd. The veteran of 44 NASCAR seasons was getting out of his rental car in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart store Monday evening just minutes away from Las Vegas Motor Speedway just as three men burst from the store's entrance with security forces trailing behind. Thats when Shepherd, a daily jogger and fitness perfectionist, sprang into action. "I just got out and took off after them," Shepherd said. "I caught one of them just as they were getting ready to hop a little wall at the end of the parking lot. I yanked him down and got on top of him." Shepherd said in a matter of seconds a Las Vegas police officer pitched the ageless NASCAR driver a pair and handcuffs and continued pursuit of the other two suspects, along with the store's security force. "I cuffed him and sat on top of him," Shepherd said. "The police department officers showed up and asked if I could hold him a while longer while they ran down the others. I told them he wasn't going anywhere." Shepherd said while the young shoplifter pleaded with him to let him go and about the possibility of going to jail, Shepherd used the time to lecture the youth about his poor choices. (Faith Motorsports)(3-1-2011)

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

For youknowwho: Bill Elliott is now talking about adding races to his 2011 schedule in the Finch car, possibly even the full season!

Wow, missed that one. Would be good to see him stick around, but he sure is just hanging in like a loose tooth. Top 20 in points thus far.

Be nice to have decades streak of an Elliott in the Cup series; the way Chase is moving up, Bill just needs to stick it out one more year.

And speaking of the "Old Guys Club", how bout that Morgan Shepard!!

[MJ_N_09]

Originally Posted by rustyfan

According to Jayski, who in turn reports a tweet by TV-commentator Ralph Shaheen, Ken Schrader might do a few races in the #32 later this year. Martinsville and Bristol are mentioned as the most likely tracks.

To add, it seems that Boris Said will run Infinion and Watkins Glen for this team. Great news for a team that has been a huge surprise so far.

[MJ_N_09]

McMurray, Scott Dixon to swap rides: NASCAR, ARCA, INDYCAR and GRAND-AM all make stops in Alabama during April, with only one week and 30 miles separating the events. Earnhardt-Ganassi drivers McMurray and Dixon will get a chance to experience what each race offers when they take turns driving each other's cars at their respective venues - McMurray will drive Dixon's #9 Target Honda Indy car at Barber Motorsports Park and Dixon will drive McMurray's # 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevy at Talladega Superspeedway. The event takes place starting at noon on March 16, but is not open to the public.(Talladega PR)(3-4-2011)

Interesting...

[MJ_N_09]

I know you all love Marcos Ambrose, so here you go:

Marcos Ambrose starts UARA team: #9-Marcos Ambrose knows very well that the path to the top of NASCAR is tough, and now he is using his years of experience to assist young up and coming Australian drivers through the North American stock car ranks. Based in the motorsport hub of North Carolina, Marcos Ambrose Motorsport has been set up to field Late Model stock cars in the UARA Stars Touring Series, with the team set to field 24 year old Australian George Miedecke in the Jeld-Wen Australia sponsored #9 racer. The program has been developed to equip drivers with the best possible race machinery, give exclusive access to Ambrose's advice, guidance and industry connections, as well as to his marketing and public relations team.(Marcos Ambrose Motorsport)(3-5-2011)

[FIRE]

TRG switches to Ford.

Before the season Robby Gordon made the switch, now TRG. Is Ford pouring more money into NASCAR?

[PabloTeK]

Originally Posted by FIRE

TRG switches to Ford.

Before the season Robby Gordon made the switch, now TRG. Is Ford pouring more money into NASCAR?

I thought Gordon went with Dodge this year? Either way with the way Roush-Fenway are running I'd want a slice of the Ford pie right about now!

[MJ_N_09]

^Maybe not Ford pouring more money in, but definitely the alliance with Roush.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by PabloTeK

I thought Gordon went with Dodge this year? Either way with the way Roush-Fenway are running I'd want a slice of the Ford pie right about now!

You are right (but with Robby switching every year you can't blame me for making this mistake )

[MJ_N_09]

Speaking of Ford, Gunselman said that his team would switch for Fords last year, but didn't. However, this has been in effect since at least Bristol:

Gunselman managing #37 team: From the Front Row Motorsports Facebook page, "The #37 car is now managed by Larry Gunselman in a partnership between Front Row Motorsports and Larry's Max Q Motorsports team. The team will have a more formal announcement coming with more information about plans moving forward."(3-25-2011)

Also, Austin Dillon will run in Cup later in the year!

Austin Dillion to make Cup debut: UPDATE: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation's Centennial Celebration and the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma will be the primary sponsors when Austin Dillon makes his Sprint Cup Series debut later this season in the #98 Curb-Agajanian Performance Group Chevy. The Ronald Reagan Centennial is a historic, year-long celebration to commemorate the 100th birthday of the 40th President of the United States of America. A series of substantive and celebratory events, partnerships, and initiatives sponsored by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation are planned throughout 2011. The specific race will be announced at a later date.(RCR)(3-27-2011)
UPDATE: Austin Dillon will make his Sprint Cup debut later this year at either Kansas in October or Phoenix in November in a car built by his grandfather's Richard Childress Racing. Team co-owner Mike Curb, owner of Curb Records, was a lieutenant governor under Reagan as well as co-chairman of Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign. The team for Dillon will get its car from RCR, an engine from Earnhardt Childress Racing and will use Dillon's RCR crew that fields his car in the Camping World Truck Series.(Scene Daily)(3-28-2011)

[kurski]

http://www.ts.fi/moottoriurheilu/muut/208761.html

Raikkonen goes Nascar

Turun Sanomat 29.3 2011 15:07:20

The world champion of Formula One and current rally star Kimi Raikkonen expands his field of experiences: The 31-year-old Finn is going to race in the most popular North American race series NASCAR

The spectacular NASCAR debut for Raikkonen will be already before the becoming summer. Kimi is going to carry on with WRC Rally, too. He has agreed to do eight more rallies this year.

With the world famous newcomer driver there will be also a brand new team to race in NASCAR level: ICE1 Racing. Raikkonen joins forces with Foster Gillett. He will be the major partner of the Finnish team.

Foster's family was the former majority owners of the Montreal Canadiens NHL franchise and the former co-owners of Liverpool football club.

Last year Foster Gillett was operating with Richard Petty Motorsport in NASCAR. Now he is about to break new ground with Raikkonen and ICE1 Racing.

American spirit
inspires Raikkonen

– I’m really looking forward to get there to familiarize to the world of NASCAR. I have been following it for a long time. I know, it’s a very tough and open top racing series. I just love the American spirit of racing. It feels just great to get involved with that. Obviously, it will be very challenging and great fun for me, Raikkonen assures to Turun Sanomat.

As every rookie Raikkonen will start his NASCAR career with a race in World Camping Truck series. After that Kimi is going to Nationwide and will be adding the Sprint Cup series as well upon successful completion of the NASCAR approval process.

Most of the drivers are competing in all three main series.

The negotations for the car for ICE1 Racing team are just about to be finished. Raikkonen will race both in ovals and normal track circuits.

Racing with
Montoya again

NASCAR has hit the top of popularity almost without Formula One champions. The latest F1 champion involved with NASCAR was Jacques Villeneuve a couple of years ago. The local hero Mario Andretti had his spell in NASCAR, too.

With Raikkonen going to NASCAR there will be exciting meeting of two previous McLaren team mates. Juan Pablo Montoya was a thundering pair of Raikkonen in 2005 and 2006. Now the Columbian is one the few F1 stars who have made it to top of this highly challenging class of motor sports.

[MJ_N_09]

In other non Raikkonen news Jay Robinson will move up to Cup, possibly within 2 months. They'll likely continue their Nationwide effort as normal.

And of all things....

Jeff Gordon to appear in Cars 2: #24-Jeff Gordon will make an appearance in Cars 2 as Jeff Gorvette, an up-and-coming Chevrolet Corvette C6.R that's "turning hoods wherever he competes." More than just a cameo, Gordon's character will compete as a "respected competitor - and legitimate threat - at the World Grand Prix." Pixar makes no obvious connection to Gordon's actual roots in NASCAR, but the character of Jeff Gorvette is a Chevrolet and will wear #24 like Gordon's actual racecar, although obviously it isn't an Impala.(Jeff Gordon site)(3-29-2011)

[Axeman444]

Originally Posted by kurski

Kimi Article

Gillett hey? Are my internal alarm bells the only ones ringing?

:EDIT: just noticed other peoples opinions in the "Kimi to NASCAR" thread... oh well, at least i'm not alone

[MJ_N_09]

New Cup team, full time next year:

Stremme gets ride with new team: Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has learned that 2003 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year David Stremme will return to the series at Richmond later this month with the new Inception Motorsports team. Stremme will drive the #30 Inception Chevy in a select schedule of events this season, beginning with the Crown Royal Presents the Matthew and Daniel Hansen 400 at Richmond on April 30, with a goal of running the full 2012 Sprint Cup schedule. Veterans Steve Lane and Gus Larkin will be a part of the new operation, with Lane serving as crew chief and Larkin -- who most recently served as the Team Manager at JR Motorsports - managing managing the team's day-to-day business. Inception Motorsports will be based in Mooresville, N.C., and will be privately funded through the Inception Investment Group. "The plan is solid," said Stremme, who has a combined total of 20 Top-5 and 52 Top-10 finishes in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, Penske Racing, Rusty Wallace Racing and Braun Racing. "We're going to pick our shots this season, earn respect and establish ourselves as a competitive race team. Then we'll make a points run in 2012. The exciting thing about Inception is that everyone involved is experienced in the sport," he said. "I think this will be a good deal. We all share a common belief system about how to build and operate a successful race team."

[MJ_N_09]

I wonder how much longer K automotive will be around, because after they destroyed what was likely their only car, they don't have anything to run.

Copied from my accidental post in the other thread.

[MJ_N_09]

2013 Sprint Cup designs moving forward: Development of the proposed new 2013 Sprint Cup Series body styles is progressing on schedule, as the sanctioning body works hand-in-hand with automakers to increase brand identity on the race track. Multiple sources say Chevy, Ford, Dodge and Toyota are expected to submit their final roof and rear deck lid designs in the near future, allowing NASCAR to move forward with the process of creating a unique body for each brand, while maintaining a similar aerodynamic footprint. The current Sprint Cup Series bodies are virtually identical, with the exception of a vinyl graphics package applied to the headlight, grille and rear taillight areas of each car. Beginning in 2013, however, the sanctioning body hopes to have each model be easily identifiable from the front, rear and sides. In an effort to allow manufacturers more design leeway, NASCAR will reportedly cease to distinguish between steel and lexan, allowing manufacturers to contour their NASCAR windshields and side windows identically to those found on their stock, production models. The change would allow teams to do away with the bulky, steel B-pillars required under current NASCAR rules, replacing them with thin "support strips" anchored to larger, lexan side windows. The move will greatly enhance brand identity, something automakers have lobbied hard for in recent years. It could also remove the main stumbling block cited by General Motors executives for not keeping their popular Chevy Camaro out of NASCAR competition. GM has staunchly refused to modify what it calls the "iconic body line" of the Camaro for NASCAR competition. But with new rules in place for the 2013 season, there is a chance the Detroit automaker could reconsider that decision.(Sirius Speedway)(4-6-2011)

[MJ_N_09]

Johnson to run the #5 in All-Star race? hearing Jimmie Johnson will run the #5 Lowe's car in the All Star Race to promote a special promotion for Lowe's 5% discount for using their credit cards. Could be one reason Mark Martin is running the #25 in the event. Have seen nothing to confirm this yet or any images.(4-20-2011)

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

Johnson to run the #5 in All-Star race? hearing Jimmie Johnson will run the #5 Lowe's car in the All Star Race to promote a special promotion for Lowe's 5% discount for using their credit cards. Could be one reason Mark Martin is running the #25 in the event. Have seen nothing to confirm this yet or any images.(4-20-2011)

The horror.

[MJ_N_09]

I should mention that Martin running the 25 for the All Star race is a Tim Richmond tribute.

Also, with an amazing performance at Dega, Tommy Baldwin goes from possibly having to start and park after Kansas, to fully funded and sponsored for the rest of the year! Golden Corral and Big Red will be the sponsors. Hoping that other sponsors will step up and offer multi race deals to other unfunded teams, so that we can have 43 comprtitive teams again.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

I should mention that Martin running the 25 for the All Star race is a Tim Richmond tribute.

Now that is cool. Can't think of too many guys in the field that I'd like to have driving a Tim Richmond Tribute car other than Mark Martin.

Unfortunately, they aren't gonna stick Folgers on the car....Farmers Insurance will sponsor the car but it will at least be red and white.

http://blog.1aauto.com/2011/04/22/ma...all-star-race/

[Axeman444]

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

Also, with an amazing performance at Dega, Tommy Baldwin goes from possibly having to start and park after Kansas, to fully funded and sponsored for the rest of the year! Golden Corral and Big Red will be the sponsors. Hoping that other sponsors will step up and offer multi race deals to other unfunded teams, so that we can have 43 comprtitive teams again.

get in quick for the fantasy teams, cheap as chips

[MJ_N_09]

Hey, every time the team gets a top 10 finish, if that ever has a chance of happening on non RP tracks, kids eat free at Golden Corral.