NASCAR At Texas Motor Speedway 2012

Here are some storylines and favorites to watch heading into tonight’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway:

Carl Edwards looking to recapture last year’s form

In the offseason, Carl Edwards was tabbed as one of the favorites to win the Sprint Cup Series championship. While he hasn’t struggled to the level of Jeff Gordon or Kasey Kahne, Edwards thus far has yet to live up the preseason hype. Despite three top-10s in six races, the Roush Fenway driver is still searching for consistency – which was his trademark a year ago – and more glaring, he surprisingly has yet to lead a single lap.

Expect that to change tonight, as Edwards has a track-best three wins at Texas and finished second and third here last year.

Another win for Stewart-Haas Racing?

With wins in 50 percent of the races ran this year and both its drivers comfortably inside the top 10 in points, no team has performed better this season than Stewart-Haas Racing. There is little reason to think that success won’t continue this evening on the 1.5-mile track.

At least that was the thinking before Tony Stewart wrecked on his very first lap during Friday’s practice session. It was a serious blow considering that was the same chassis he won with last year at Chicagoland and a few weeks back at Las Vegas – not so coincidently both tracks are of mile-and-a-half variety just like the one they’ll be racing on tonight.

Perhaps the SHR banner will again be carried by Stewart’s teammate Ryan Newman, who is coming off a victory two weeks ago at Martinsville. Newman has struggled here recently, but he does have a Texas win under his belt (2003) and registered top 10 finishes earlier this year at Vegas and Fontana.

The time is now for Kahne, Gordon and others

We’ve stated it many times, but it continues to be a theme through the early part of the season as many a big name are off to slow starts and need to kick things into high gear. Primarily, we mean the Hendrick Motorsports duo of Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon, both of whom have been saddled with serious bouts of back luck. But this also applies to Kyle Busch, who is 16th in points with two finishes in the 30s in his last three races; Jamie McMurray, 24th overall; and Kurt Busch, just one top-10 on the year and 26th in the standings.

A happy return to speedway racing for Greg Biffle

If any driver is happy to put Bristol and Martinsville in his rearview mirror, it has to be Greg Biffle. The series points leader has only finished outside the top 10 twice this season and in both instances it came on the two short tracks. But with a return to a bigger track and the style of racing he has had much success on throughout his career, the driver of the No. 16 Ford should be a constant presence up near the front of the field. And don’t be surprised if Biffle, who qualified third, scores his first win of 2012 and his second Texas win overall.

Worth Noting

* Nine of the last 12 races at Texas Motor Speedway have been won by a driver starting in the top 10. According to Denny Hamlin, this is because the faster speeds run in the cool evening air make it harder to pass, putting a premium on starting up front.

* Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Mark Martin are the only four drivers to have started all 22 Texas races.

* Both Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s first career Nationwide Series win (1998) and his first career Sprint Cup win (2000) occurred here.

Assuming no mechanical gremlins crop up like they did in Vegas, and there are no issues on pit road like there were at Fontana, expect to see the blue deuce somewhere in the top 10 by race end.

Article Source: http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2012/4/14/2947418/nascar-texas-motor-speedway-race-2012-preview

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NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway

Only a few weeks away from her NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut in the Daytona 500 on Feb. 26, former IZOD IndyCar Series star Danica Patrick revealed Monday that she will be skipping the 2012 running of the Indianapolis 500.

Instead, Patrick revealed during the opening stop of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway that she will be behind the wheel of the No. 10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet fielded by Stewart-Haas Racing during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 27.

“I’ve wanted to race stock cars for a little while here and it’s happening,” Patrick said. “We’ve added another challenge with the Coke 600, or Coke 6,000 as I’ve been told.”
The decision, Patrick said, was mainly a business decision. Patrick has raced in the past seven Indianapolis 500s, earning a best finish of third in 2009 while driving for Andretti Green Racing.

“I hope to do it in the future, the Indy 500 that is. Maybe it’ll be a double,” Patrick said, referring to the Coca-Cola 600 and Indianapolis 500 double that her Sprint Cup team owner Tony Stewart, John Andretti and Robby Gordon have done in the past.

Patrick is scheduled to run up to 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events this year for Stewart-Haas Racing in addition to the full NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule with JR Motorsports.

Pressure is On Tony Stewart and Steve Addington in 2012

Members of the media got their first look at the new driver/crew chief combination of Tony Stewart and Steve Addington Monday and the pair already look like they’ve been working together for years.

But still, the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Stewart admits they have a lot to learn about each other.

“We’re just a bunch of low-key, down to Earth racers, hardcore racers that just want to race. That is the attitude Steve has,” Stewart said. “I’m not putting any pressure on him (Addington). I’m looking forward to going out and racing with him.

“We both know there is going to be a period of learning each other and just little things. Daytona, that 10 day period is not going to get it done. It is going to take getting through Phoenix and Vegas and some of those races to really get in tune with each other,” Stewart added.

If Addington was concerned about any potential learning curve, he certainly didn’t show it.

“One guy isn’t going to make a big difference,” said Addington, who moved to Stewart-Haas Racing from Penske Racing. “I’ve gotta keep the communication with him going as far as the race car is concerned. Having that supporting cast, the people that are around you and throughout the organization, that is what makes you successful.”

Another new piece of the puzzle at Stewart-Haas Racing is Greg Zipadelli, Stewart’s former crew chief at Joe Gibbs Racing. Zipadelli joins Stewart-Haas Racing as the organizations new competition director and will also serve as Patrick’s crew chief during her 10-race venture into Sprint Cup.

Stewart Eyes Seventh Daytona Nationwide Win

Tony Stewart will attempt to win his seventh NASCAR Nationwide Series race on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 25. This year Stewart will drive the No. 33 Oreo 100th Anniversary Chevrolet fielded by Richard Childress Racing. Stewart has won the last four NASCAR Nationwide season openers at Daytona and hopes to add a fifth-straight victory next month.

Aspen-Dental to Sponsor Newman; Outback Steakhouse, Quicken Loans Join SHR

Stewart-Haas Racing announced Monday that it reached a multi-year agreement with Aspen Dental, one of the largest networks of dental-care providers in the United States, as a new sponsor for Ryan Newman’s No. 39 Chevrolet.

The Syracuse-based dental care provider will be the primary sponsor for Newman in 2012 for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Daytona in July and New Hampshire in September and will serve an associate sponsor at other events.

Stewart-Haas Racing announced in late 2011 that it would add Outback Steakhouse and Quicken Loans to its stable of sponsors for 2012.

New Crew Chiefs Settling In At Joe Gibbs Racing

After what many would consider a down year for the Joe Gibbs Racing organization, the team decided that a little bit of change was in order.

Darian Grubb, who won the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship with Tony Stewart, was hired to replace Mike Ford as crew chief for Denny Hamlin on the No. 11 FedEx Toyota.

“I’m really excited to join Joe Gibbs Racing and the No. 11 FedEx team,” Grubb said Monday. “We’re having lots of fun, we’re having lots of meetings. We’re kind of setting the course for what we want to do. We want to go out there and be competitive.”

Elsewhere, crew chief Jason Ratcliff was promoted from the JGR NASCAR Nationwide Series operation to replace Greg Zipadelli as crew chief of the No. 20 Home Depot/Dollar General Toyota driven by Joey Logano.

“J.D. (Gibbs) gave me the opportunity about seven years ago to come over and work on the Nationwide program,” said Ratcliff. “It has been great for seven years and I knew it would have to be a really special deal to move beyond that.

“They’ve given me an opportunity that fits well with a great driver, with great sponsors like Home Depot and Dollar General, and a team that is eager to go out and win races,” Ratcliff added.

The one driver at Joe Gibbs Racing that didn’t get a new crew chief is Kyle Busch, who will again partner with Dave Rogers for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

Read more here: http://www.northcarolinaspeedway.com/media/news/nascar-sprint-media-tour-hosted-charlotte-motor-speedway-notes-quotes-monday-jan.html

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Round Four on Tap of Premier Legends Car Event at Charlotte Motor Speedway

CHARLOTTE, NC (July 10, 2012)- Round four of the prestigious Jack in the Box Summer Shootout for Legends cars resumes tonight on the quarter-mile layout of Charlotte Motor Speedway. The 19th addition of the marquee event brings together the top Legends car drivers from across the country competing on a national stage in hopes of propelling their careers.

Kyle Weatherman is 14-years old and competes in the Legends Pro division having already racked up twenty starts prior to the Summer Shootout. He has scored eight wins along with 14 top five and 15 top ten performances with only one DNF. He has made starts in his Legend car, Dirt Super Late Model, and in IMCA Modified this season. He is also the 2011 USLCI Legends Nationals champion.

In three races so far this summer in the Shootout, he has posted a best finish of fifth but looks to change all that tonight in round four.

Younger brother Clayton (13),  competes in the Young Lions division of the USLCI Legend Car Series and is a five-time champion having scored nine wins in sixteen starts so far this season. Clayton is hoping to turn his Summer Shootout around looking for his first top ten finish of the series.  Clayton has previously won in this series back in 2010 claiming wins in the Bandelaro division.

You can follow both Kyle and Clayton during the entire Shoot out all summer at http://www.weathermanmotorsports.com, http://www.kyleweatherman.com, http://www.claytonweatherman.com or on Facebook.

About Weatherman Motorsports

Weatherman Motorsports is owned by successful business entrepreneur Daryn Weatherman who operates a large commercial and residential glass business in suburban St. Louis, MO. The team features his sons, Kyle and Clayton, who compete primarily in Legend cars. This season Kyle will also make starts in IMCA Modifieds, Dirt Late Models, and in ARCA Racing Series. You fan follow all the action all season at http://www.weathermanmotorsports.com.  The team is supported by loyal sponsors that include: United Nissan, CashBack, St. Charles Glass & Glazing, Mittler Brothers Machine, Tanner by Mittler Brothers, Richardson Racing Products, James Dent Racing, and Vandergriff Toyota.

About DJ Shannon Enterprises LLC

From one-time press releases, event coverage, to a full season public relations campaign, we have a grassroots motorsports marketing program to fit your budget and needs.  Get started today by calling Derrick at 208/870-8066 or email derrick@djssportsmarketing.com

Prestigious Event in Charlotte Draws Competitors From Across the Country

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CHARLOTTE, NC (July 3, 2012)- The Big Money “100” offers Legend car racers from across the country the opportunity to showcase their talent in perhaps the biggest event of the year at Charlotte (NC) Motor Speedway. Tonight the 3rd annual event takes place under the lights after two days of practice and preliminary races.

The Legends Big Money 100 at Charlotte Motor Speedway is the largest grassroots race in history will again offer the largest Legend Car and Bandolero purse of the year as drivers from all across the U.S. do battle on the speedway’s frontstretch quarter-mile oval.

“There is no doubt this race is a big deal for us,” stated Kyle Weatherman, the 2011 USLCI Legend Car National Championship event winner. “We are spending all summer in Charlotte racing in the Summer Shootout and this race is one that I really want to win.”

Kyle Weatherman is 14-years old and competes in the Legends Pro division having already racked up twenty starts prior to the Summer Shootout. He has scored eight wins along with 14 top five and 15 top ten performances with only one DNF. He has made starts in his Legend car, Dirt Super Late Model, and in IMCA Modified this season. He is also the 2011 USLCI Legends Nationals champion. His start to the Jack in the Box Summer Shootout has not been as expected only notching one top five finish in three starts.

Kyle will have his work cut out for him as he will have to work is way through the “B” feature today and finish in the top ten in order to gain a transfer spot into The Big Money “100” tonight.

Meanwhile, younger brother Clayton (13) who competes in the Young Lions division of the USLCI Legend Car Series has scored nine wins in sixteen starts so far this season but his performance at the Summer Shootout has not gone the way he planned. Clayton is healing from a broken thumb that required surgery and pins after a devastating crash in Texas back in May.

“Clayton is trying to get his mojo back,” stated Daryn Weatherman (father and owner of the team). “This will be a great race to do it.”
Clayton is set to roll off 19th on the grid and will have to use some patience to work through the field but he has proven he is more than capable at Charlotte. In 2010 he won in the Summer Shootout from deep in the field.

You can follow both Kyle and Clayton during the entire Shoot out all summer at http://www.weathermanmotorsports.com, http://www.kyleweatherman.com, http://www.claytonweatherman.com or on Facebook.

About Weatherman Motorsports

Weatherman Motorsports is owned by successful business entrepreneur Daryn Weatherman who operates a large commercial and residential glass business in suburban St. Louis, MO. The team features his sons, Kyle and Clayton, who compete primarily in Legend cars. This season Kyle will also make starts in IMCA Modifieds, Dirt Late Models, and in ARCA Racing Series. You fan follow all the action all season at http://www.weathermanmotorsports.com. The team is supported by loyal sponsors that include: United Nissan, CashBack, St. Charles Glass & Glazing, Mittler Brothers Machine, Tanner by Mittler Brothers, Richardson Racing Products, James Dent Racing, and Vandergriff Toyota.

About DJ Shannon Enterprises LLC

From one-time press releases, event coverage, to a full season public relations campaign, we have a grassroots motorsports marketing program to fit your budget and needs. Get started today by calling Derrick at 208/870-8066 or email derrick@djssportsmarketing.com

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