Ricky Stenhouse Jr. holds a 41-point lead over second-place Elliott
Sadler in the NASCAR Nationwide Series standings going into Saturday’s
Ford 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway and needs to finish 37th or
better to clinch the championship. Stenhouse Jr. took part in
NASCAR’s championship contenders press conference on South Beach in
Miami, FL, to talk about this weekend and possibly taking home the
series title.
STAGE REMARKS
RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – No. 6 Blackwell Angus/Cargill Ford Mustang –
WHAT HAS THIS JOURNEY BEEN LIKE FOR YOU? “It’s been a journey that’s
obviously up-and-down, but I think one of the biggest things that
makes me feel good is to be able to bring a consistent year to the
guys that have stood behind me. Our team, everybody at Ford Racing,
Roush Fenway, everybody that stood behind us and to see them just as
excited as I am, I think that’s been one of the key things for me to
appreciate this year. It’s definitely been a journey and I’ve learned
a lot from it.”
DO YOU LET ANY BAD THOUGHTS LIKE BLOWING A TIRE ON THE FIRST LAP OR
SOMETHING LIKE THAT? “I’m not really worried too much. We’re just
gonna go out there and do the same thing we’ve been doing since
Daytona at the start of the year. We’re gonna go out and get our car
as fast as we can in practice, qualify as well as we can and just race
as hard as we can. I think when you start trying to control things, I
think that’s when you get in trouble, so we’re just gonna go out and
do our same deal as we always do. Homestead is one of my favorite
race tracks and I think we’ll have a good shot to win this weekend. I
think that would be a good way to cap off Ford Championship Weekend.”
IS THERE ANY SMALL PART OF YOU THAT WISHES ELLIOTT WOULDN’T HAVE HAD
HIS ACCIDENT LAST WEEK AND THIS WAS A CLOSER BATTLE? “We’ve been
having a great battle all year. It was exciting. Obviously, it took
a lot of pressure off our shoulders, but, looking back, that could
have happened to us. You don’t wish that on anybody and, like I’ve
told Elliott before, I really learned a lot from him coming down the
homestretch running for this championship. He’s given me a lot of
room. I don’t think we’ve touched. We’ve raced really hard and
really clean and I really respect that, and I’ve learned a lot from
him.”
HOW HAS THIS SEASON GONE WITH TREVOR BAYNE AS A TEAMMATE – ANOTHER
YOUNG DRIVER? “Trevor and I, we both have obviously had different
years with him having to be out of the race car for a while. I was
there to support him and back him up when he came back and started
running with us. Obviously, I was trying to keep up with him when he
was running around after Daytona and showed him some support, and now
he’s getting to do that for me, so it’s been a good year for both of
us.”
HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM NEXT YEAR? “It’ll give
our team confidence for sure, but we’ve got to get some sponsorship
sold before we can get back out there and keep going. Obviously,
that’s been a struggle for us this year, to secure that sponsorship,
and I think that’s gonna be our first goal is to get that secured, but
after the championship is over, we’re gonna go back to the grind. The
guys are gonna keep working hard and you can’t ever relax. These guys
have got to work as hard as they can in the off-season and make our
cars better. It’s a business that if you’re not keeping up with it,
you’ll fall behind.”
ONE-ON-ONE QUESTIONING
RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – No. 6 Blackwell Angus/Cargill Ford Mustang – CAN
YOU TALK ABOUT THIS CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE? “It’s been exciting. It’s
been an exciting race so far. We’ve had some really good races. The
last month and a half or two Elliott and I have been battling each
other in the top five, and I think that’s all you can ask for to have
an exciting championship.”
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO POSSIBLY BE THE CHAMPION WHEN CUP GUYS AREN’T
ELIGIBLE? “It’s gonna be cool. Nationwide Insurance has done an
awesome job with our Nationwide Series and I couldn’t be more proud to
win this thing and go represent them. It is a different era now, but
I think it’s a great era. I think it’s for the good.”
HAS IT HELPED YOURSELF NOT HAVING CUP GUYS ELIGIBLE AS FAR AS GROWING
A FAN BASE? “Definitely. I think it’s great that the Cup guys still
get to come down and run with us because I think to know you’re ready
for racing on Sundays, you’ve got to race with those guys at some
point, so I enjoy racing with them and I learn a lot from them. I
definitely still appreciate them coming down and racing with us.”
WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS WHEN NASCAR MADE THAT RULE ABOUT DECLARING
WHICH SERIES YOU WOULD COMPETE IN FOR THE TITLE? “I felt like we were
gonna contend either way. My crew chief and I, Mike Kelley, were
sitting at this banquet last year watching Brad Keselowski get the
trophy on stage. We said to ourselves then that we wanted to be there
next year some how, some way. That’s what we were working for and
that was before they changed the point system. When they changed the
point system, nobody really counted us in, but we felt as a race team
that gave us an even better shot to win it, and we just fought really
hard all year. We came into this season feeling like we had a shot at
it.”
HOW BIG OF AN EFFECT DID THAT RULE CHANGE HAVE ON YOUR RUN TO THIS
POINT? “It would have been tough to beat the full-time guys like Carl
and Brad, but we’re third in owner’s points, so I feel like we’ve done
our fair share of running up front with those guys and getting a
couple wins. We beat Carl and we beat Brad, so we know we can do it.
I think with everything that we learned this year, the way we start
next year could be even stronger than what we ended this year with.
Ultimately, I’d like to win the championship and the owner’s
championship for Jack. That would mean a lot.”
HOW DO YOU THINK THIS SYSTEM HAS WORKED? “Looking at the point
standings, knowing that you’re up there, gives you a little more
confidence. When you look at a championship and you look at the
series standings, if you’ve had a bad week and you’re still leading
those points, you still have the confidence and I think that’s one of
the main things that it has done is just built a lot of confidence in
us.”
WHAT HAS BEEN A KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS THIS YEAR? “The key thing I would
say is Ford Racing has put a lot of hard work in our Nationwide Series
and everything that we do at Roush Fenway. All the guys in the shop
have worked really hard. We’re bringing better pieces to the race
tracks. I think that’s a main point. I feel as a race car driver
I’ve had more patience and more focus over last year. I think I
started learning that about halfway through last year as far as what I
needed to do as a race car driver to run up front and run consistent
and we kind of just merged everything together this year.”
HOW DO YOU STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN RUNNING GOOD AND BEING AGGRESSIVE
VERSUS TAKING CARE OF YOUR EQUIPMENT AND NOT WRECKING A LOT? “I’ve
run for one championship before in my life, so this is still all new
to me. I think towards the end of the year I really learned how to
run for a championship, whether that be not taking as many chances on
restarts or making sure I got to the end of the race. I can think
about stuff earlier in the year that at this point now I would not do
on the race track. It’s just a learning process and it’s tough to
balance that act of just going out and getting all you can get and
then kind of holding back. But what I’ve learned over the last two
months is you’ve got to be around for those last 50 laps. You’ve got
to turn it up those last 50 laps and you’ve got to maintain and
survive until you get there. Earlier this year, I probably got
ourselves in some trouble and gave some more points away, but it’s all
about learning.
WHAT ABOUT NEXT YEAR? ARE YOU ALL SET? “We’re waiting on sponsors.
Right now, there hasn’t been any talk other than we’re gonna talk
after Homestead. We’ll sit down with Jack and Steve Newmark, our
president, and kind of lay everything out and see what our best
possibility is. Right now, we don’t have anything secured, so,
hopefully, we can secure the championship and then, hopefully, secure
some sponsorship later.”
BUT YOU EXPECT TO BE BACK IN THIS SERIES? “I expect to be back here
for sure. I would definitely enjoy it. I think there’s a lot more to
learn. If it was up to me, I would like to run some Cup races because
I still think there’s a lot to learn over there running part-time, but
that’s me – that’s what I would do. Ultimately, it’s not up to me,
it’s up to Jack.”
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Stenhouse Jr. Turnaround; Tale of a Champion
“He’s going to be as good in this business as anybody has been.”
Jack Roush on Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Jack Roush on Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
MIAMI (Nov. 17, 2011) – A year and a half ago Roush Fenway’s Ricky Stenhouse Jr., was fighting for his job in the No. 6 Roush Fenway Ford Mustang in the Nationwide Series . This weekend he heads into the NASCAR Nationwide Series finale with a 41-point lead and on the cusp of his first NASCAR Championship.
“Ricky Stenhouse a year ago, was just a possibility,” said Roush Fenway co-owner Jack Roush. “He was not a reality for sure. Ricky has matured over the winter. His Dad, Ricky Sr., has certainly counseled him and Ricky Jr., has taken his advice.”
Roush goes on to point out that the rejuvenation of Roush Fenway’s Ford Mustangs has played a role in Stenhouse’s continued development but the veteran owner adds that he feels Stenhouse is going to grow into one of the sports’ elite drivers.
The title would be Roush Fenway’s third Nationwide Series driver title and its sixth overall NASCAR Championship.
“We’ve managed to put him in better cars this year than he had last year, which could account for some of the missed wrecks that we’ve benefited from,” added Roush. “But he’s just matured. He’s arrived on the scene and he’s going to be as good in this business as anybody has been.”
Stenhouse rebounded in 2010, scoring top-10 finishes in five of the last 10 races and finishing the year by earning Rookie of the Year honors in the Nationwide Series; the 12th Rookie of the Year Award for Roush Fenway Racing.
Entering the 2011 season the team was poised to compete for the championship.
“Our goal coming into the season was to compete for the Nationwide Championship,” said Stenhouse. “We’ve led the points for the majority of the season, we’ve led quite a few laps and we’ve contended for and been able to win races. That has been the key this season for this No. 6 team.”
Stenhouse earned his first career NASCAR win earlier this year at Iowa in May and followed it up with another win at Iowa in August.
In a year to remember for the Mississippi native, Stenhouse also made his Sprint Cup debut in 2011, an 11th-place finish driving the famed No. 21 Wood Brothers’ Ford in the Coca-Cola 600 in May.
Roush Fenway Racing is NASCAR’s largest team operating in both the Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series with drivers Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, David Ragan, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Trevor Bayne. Celebrating 25 winning years in 2012, Roush Fenway is the leader in NASCAR marketing solutions with its exclusive Roush Fenway OnTrack sponsorship measurement services, motorsport’s only team-focused TV show, and its social marketing channel RickyvsTrevor.com bringing unmatched brand opportunities to sponsors. Visit www.RoushFenway.com, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/roushfenway and follow on Twitter at @roushfenway.
Romain Grosjean - ?My life as number 3?
L'Equipe (a big French newspaper) asked Romain Grosjean the Lotus Renault GP team's third driver, to describe his weekend at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix? Romain: It's always the same two questions: ?So you're testing for the team?? ?No. Unfortunately there's no more testing in F1.? ?So what are you doing if you're not driving?? The knockers would say ?not much,' but my weekends are very busy. As the third Lotus Renault GP driver, I go to all the winter tests and all the Grands Prix to replace one of (...)
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Tony Stewart Vampire Slayer
With his win in the 2011 AAA Texas 500 Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway, Tony Stewart cut Carl Edward’s Chase to the Sprint Cup lead to 3 just points.
Smoke has won four of the eight 2011 Chase races, including the last two. And even though Edwards leads in the standings, it is the Stewart wins [...]
Smoke has won four of the eight 2011 Chase races, including the last two. And even though Edwards leads in the standings, it is the Stewart wins [...]
Fantasy Racing Darkhorse Picks: Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami
Expert
Website
Pick to Win
Finish
Experts Avg
Josh Lobdel
12.74
Jerry Lagger
One and Done Game Winner
14.63
Dennis Michelsen
RaceTalkRadio.com
Marcos Ambrose
16.20
Steve Wronkowicz
On Pit Row
16.06
Eric McClung
KFFL
Kasey Kahne
14.86
Eric McGuire
free agent
Greg Biffle
16.20
Dan Beaver
Fantasy Racing Games
A J Allmendinger
15.20
Matt Mercer
On Pit Row
13.20
Adam Ansell
Roto Experts
Chris Leone
On Pit Row
22.31
Bob Ellis
NASCAR Ranting and Raving
17.00
CharlieTurner
On Pit Row
Kasey Kahne
12.97
Jordan McAbee
On Pit Row
A J Allmendinger
14.91
Jon Rodgers
Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner
Mark Martin
15.31
James Jones
On Pit Row
13.49
Mike Wells
Racing4Glory.com
12.57
Darren [...]
Website
Pick to Win
Finish
Experts Avg
Josh Lobdel
12.74
Jerry Lagger
One and Done Game Winner
14.63
Dennis Michelsen
RaceTalkRadio.com
Marcos Ambrose
16.20
Steve Wronkowicz
On Pit Row
16.06
Eric McClung
KFFL
Kasey Kahne
14.86
Eric McGuire
free agent
Greg Biffle
16.20
Dan Beaver
Fantasy Racing Games
A J Allmendinger
15.20
Matt Mercer
On Pit Row
13.20
Adam Ansell
Roto Experts
Chris Leone
On Pit Row
22.31
Bob Ellis
NASCAR Ranting and Raving
17.00
CharlieTurner
On Pit Row
Kasey Kahne
12.97
Jordan McAbee
On Pit Row
A J Allmendinger
14.91
Jon Rodgers
Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner
Mark Martin
15.31
James Jones
On Pit Row
13.49
Mike Wells
Racing4Glory.com
12.57
Darren [...]
INTERIM COMMON SENSE REPORT!!!
Ladies & Gentlemen,
I am publishing this interim report to hopefully address the war of words that is rumbling on between some members of our series on Facebook.
I fortunately do not subscribe to this site and if the unpleasantness that seems to proliferate there is anything to go by I am glad I don?t use it.
Let [...]
I am publishing this interim report to hopefully address the war of words that is rumbling on between some members of our series on Facebook.
I fortunately do not subscribe to this site and if the unpleasantness that seems to proliferate there is anything to go by I am glad I don?t use it.
Let [...]
The Mechanic's Wife
At race weekends this season, we have documented the daily trials and tribulations of various members of the LRGP race team. For Abu Dhabi, we decided to speak to someone from outside of the race team ? a mechanic's wife! Here, Number 2 mechanic Norman Ballantyne's wife Bernadette tells us about her experience? After five years of husband spotting on the TV and listening to his accounts of race weekends (usually involving the words monumental or epic), I decided that it was time to go to a (...)
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Thursday, November 17, 2011
I Guess Danica Patrick is a 10 After All
Danica Patrick is a helluva driver. She’s also a marketing person’s dream. Funny too. Now she’s officially a ten. No more argument.
Photo credit: Getty Images for NASCAR
Photo credit: Getty Images for NASCAR
CPR Car Planet Racing World First Twin Turbo'd Mitsubishi Evo 9 RS
CPR - Car Planet Racing UK run the world's first successful Twin Turbo'd NON MIVEC! Evo (Karl Jackson's Evo 9 RS) up on their Dyno Dynamics 4 Wheel Rolling Road
CPR's Race Twin Turbo Kit is the World's First successful Twin Turbocharger Kit for the Mitsubishi Evo.
This Evo 9 has been built and mapped entirely by CPR, at their premises in Cheshire, UK.
This car produces 493.2HP at the wheels, around 650hp at the flywheel (using 24% Transmission Loss) and 600lbft at 3800 rpm!
All of this is achieved on 97 PUMP GAS!!!
We have no doubt that on Race Fuel, this setup will produce 750-800hp at flywheel, as this setup is currently been run extremely conservatively on Pump Gas.
WATCH THIS SPACE!!!
Full Boost of 2.0bar is achieved by 3800rpm!, making it an extremely responsive car, with virtually zero turbo-lag.
This is the most responsive setup we have built here at CPR, with response and torque delivery unlike any other conventional single turbo'd Evo. The sheer acceleration of this setup is unbeatable!
Karl Jackson runs this Evo 9 RS in the Harewood Hill Hillsprint Championships, where he is defending his 2007 and 2008 Champion Title again in 2009.
Car Planet Racing offer Mitsubishi Evo owners the CPR Race & Street Twin Turbo Kits.
CPR's Race Twin Turbo Kit is the World's First successful Twin Turbocharger Kit for the Mitsubishi Evo.
This Evo 9 has been built and mapped entirely by CPR, at their premises in Cheshire, UK.
This car produces 493.2HP at the wheels, around 650hp at the flywheel (using 24% Transmission Loss) and 600lbft at 3800 rpm!
All of this is achieved on 97 PUMP GAS!!!
We have no doubt that on Race Fuel, this setup will produce 750-800hp at flywheel, as this setup is currently been run extremely conservatively on Pump Gas.
WATCH THIS SPACE!!!
Full Boost of 2.0bar is achieved by 3800rpm!, making it an extremely responsive car, with virtually zero turbo-lag.
This is the most responsive setup we have built here at CPR, with response and torque delivery unlike any other conventional single turbo'd Evo. The sheer acceleration of this setup is unbeatable!
Karl Jackson runs this Evo 9 RS in the Harewood Hill Hillsprint Championships, where he is defending his 2007 and 2008 Champion Title again in 2009.
Car Planet Racing offer Mitsubishi Evo owners the CPR Race & Street Twin Turbo Kits.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
McMurray takes Martinsville pole
MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Jamie McMurray took a step toward jump-starting his season Saturday by winning the pole at Martinsville Speedway.does anyone know when this will take effect
ESPN Agenda Still Bothers Stewart
It was just a post-race press conference after the Sprint Cup Series race in Phoenix on Sunday. The second and third place drivers were sitting on a stage with three chairs only feet away from the NASCAR media corps.
The laptops were buzzing as various media members asked questions that they would be including in online stories, radio updates and TV reports. Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards looked tired, but both were very pleased they had continued the championship fight by finishing behind winner Kasey Kahne.
Shannon Spake currently is a utility player for ESPN. She works on NASCAR Now, is a part-time pit reporter and provides NASCAR news for various ESPN outlets like SportsCenter. Her question was different in tone from the previous media inquiries.
Spake: We watch you come in and sit down next to each other after battling on the track. What is it like to sit down and have to talk about your race and the Chase next to the guy you're battling?
Stewart: We've been doing this how long together? I mean, it's no different. Our demeanor isn't any different than we always are.
It's you guys and ESPN that loves to try to build that crap in between everybody. The total drama network, for sure. At least they're consistent about it.
Everybody at ESPN is consistent about it.
I don't see it being any different than normal. If you want, we can eliminate the chair, if that will make you feel better.
Edwards: We're good.
Stewart: I think that answers your question, though, doesn't it? Can you make sure everybody at ESPN understands that? Thank you.
Edwards: Thanks, Tony (laughter).
While the media session rolled on, one important thing to remember is that all of this was streamed live on NASCAR.com as part of the normal post-race online feed. NASCAR fans on the Internet saw this as it happened.
It was the fall of 2007 when Stewart first clashed with ESPN over a perceived agenda of TV-driven hype and innuendo. His target was then NASCAR Now reporter David Amber, who had absolutely no motorsports experience. Amber tossed a loaded question to Stewart. It did not go well.
"If every time we do an interview you want to stand here and dig-up dirt, you might as well go and find somebody else because we will wait until you leave," said Stewart. "Do we always have to leave with a dagger in our back from ESPN? That's all I'm curious about." Click here to read the original TDP column from 2007.
Over the past few years, ESPN has assembled a solid group of reporters who work for NASCAR Now, ESPN the Magazine and the ESPN.com website. In stark contrast to these veterans, many other ESPN news and anchor personalities have to be literally force-fed NASCAR content.
Inside the live race telecasts, ESPN continues to juggle a complicated agenda. Norby Williamson, the executive in charge of both studio and remote production, emphasizes what he calls "storytelling" in event coverage. That has shifted the focus from catering to the hardcore fan to more of a hunt for stories within the race itself.
In 2008, both Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. spoke out about ESPN's repeated use of a heated radio conversation between Stewart and then crew chief Greg Zipadelli moments after the Richmond Sprint Cup Series race.
What was shown to TV viewers and Internet users was the outburst, but not the apology that was offered minutes later. The video clip was used all over the ESPN TV networks and the ESPN.com website for days after the race.
"I think it's just poor taste by the networks and I'm seeing it too often," said Dale Earnhardt Jr., making reference to multiple problems this season.
"That's ESPN," said Stewart. "We've had a terrible relationship with ESPN for years. We've been very outspoken with them as a company about how they treat the drivers, treat the teams."
"They're a (TV) production team that wants to do everything they can to stir the pot up," continued Stewart. "It's no secret ESPN and I don't get along."
"Do they have a right to air it?" Stewart continued. "Absolutely. Trust me, if there's anything negative I do, ESPN is going to pick up on it and run with it every chance they get."
"That just shows you what's important to them (ESPN). It's not the positive things in the sport. They want to pick up on everything negative they can," said Stewart.
"It's taking it too far where they're putting those type of conversations on network television and it's getting the kind of press it's getting," said Earnhardt. "It looks terrible for Tony. (It was) heat of the moment. You're going to say things you regret and I'm sure he regrets saying what he said and maybe Zippy regrets coming back at him."
"It's just what angle do they (ESPN) want to work with and how they use that," Stewart said. "Should they or shouldn't they? I don't think it's right or wrong. I don't think right or wrong comes into play."
It's really about class...or the lack of it," said Earnhardt. Click here to read the entire TDP column.
We recently saw Dr. Jerry Punch press a clearly embarrassed Joe Gibbs for a verdict on the continued employment of Kyle Busch when it was apparent a decision had not been made. Gibbs was gracious, but Punch kept chasing what was just not there.
This past weekend, Nationwide Series driver Jason Leffler halted pit reporter Jamie Little in her tracks after she skewed his words from a previous answer about his accident with Elliott Sadler. Little was trying to drive up the conflict level between the two, despite Leffler just having said the accident was his fault.
It's a fine line to walk between calling the race on TV and also trying to develop stories or pay-off topics set-up in the pre-race show. Jumping from the reality of simply racing and moving to the scripted agenda of conflict has not been the best mix.
As ESPN now heads into its final Sprint Cup Series race in year 5 of covering the sport, what is your opinion of the network's efforts to date? Thanks as always for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.
Additional story links on this topic:
Just how big is the Cup drivers vs. ESPN feud? (from 11/2/08)
The two faces of ESPN on display (from 9/14/08)
Why SportsCenter hates NASCAR (from 6/16/11)
Monday, November 14, 2011
BMW Motorrad Sales Up 6.5% for Q3 2011
A mixed quarter for BMW Motorrad, as the Bavarian company has once again posted a positive sales quarter of 6.5% growth over Q3 2010, despite losing money overall in the current inclement financial weather. Selling 28,862 units in this year’s third quarter, BMW Motorrad’s sales, as usual, were primarily carried by the BMW brand, which sold 26,312 motorcycles. Perhaps lending even further credibility to the business case for the Husqvarna Nuda 900, the Swedish motorcycle ...
Hendrick Airplane Incident In Key West
News came out Monday night that a Hendrick Motorsports airplane had skidded off the runway while landing at the airport in Key West, FL. Rick and Linda Hendrick were on board with two pilots.
This is the original news story from Keysnews.com:
A private G150 Gulfstream jet containing four people missed the runway while landing at Key West International Airport and ran into the salt ponds at 7:45 p.m. No one was seriously injured.
The airplane was co-owned by Jimmie Johnson Racing II Inc. and Hendrick Motorsports LLC of Charlotte, N.C. Monroe County Airports Director Peter Horton confirmed the famous NASCAR driver was not on board.
Everyone was taken by ambulance to Lower Keys Medical Center for evaluation. Only two complained of injuries: one for neck pain and one for shortness of breath/heart palpitations, according to Monroe County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Deputy Becky Herrin.
There were two pilots and two passengers, but it was unclear who was injured. The airport was closed for about an hour, but has reopened. Some fuel spilled, but it was unknown how much. The small-business jet was approaching the west end of the runway. The pilot said he landed, but had no brakes, Herrin said.
The picture above of the plane was provided by the Monroe County Sheriff's Dept. and posted on Twitter by AP reporter Jenna Fryer.
Additional information was subsequently posted by the Miami Herald and revealed that the plane benefited from a recent safety improvement at the airport.
Here is the story from Cammy Clark at the Miami Herald:
The Gulfstream 150, which was registered to NASCAR?s five-time champion Jimmie Johnson, who drives for Hendrick Motorsports, apparently lost its brakes upon landing at the small airport at about 7:45 p.m.
Horton said the pilot and co-pilot radioed to the tower saying they had ?no brakes.? The plane skidded completely off the 4,800-foot runway and came to a stop along a 600-foot unpaved safety area that had just been added at the airport in May .
?If this area hadn?t been added the outcome would have been different and probably catastrophic,? Horton said. ?Before we had only 100 feet of overrun and then they would have gone into a salt pond and hit an embankment.?
The pilot and co-pilot, whose names were not available Monday night, were walking after the accident and did not appear to be injured, Horton said. But both pilots were taken to the hospital for evaluation.
Hendrick and his wife were put on stretchers and taken to the hospital. The extent of their injuries was not available Monday night.
It's easy to click on Google maps and view the safety area at the Key West International Airport that is referenced in the story. The Hendricks have a compound on the private Sunset Key island that contains a main house and several guest cottages. It is used for corporate entertainment and as a family get away.
Team Hendrick had not released any additional information, but there is no indication that either Rick or Linda Hendrick was admitted to the hospital. Tuesday should bring some more specific information.
Thanks to the Florida-based news outlets for this information. We welcome your comments on this topic.
MICHELLE OBAMA AND DR. JILL BIDEN TO SERVE AS GRAND MARSHALS FOR FORD 400
As part of their Joining Forces initiative, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will visit Homestead-Miami Speedway as it hosts the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup finale, the Ford 400, and join NASCAR in honoring America’s troops and military families. NASCAR, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden will recognize service members and military families from the local community at a special BBQ lunch prior to the race. Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden will also invite a military family to join them as they serve as Grand Marshals for the championship race to lead the pre-race ceremony and offer the most famous words in racing: “Gentlemen, start your engines.”
“We are honored that First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will be joining us as we crown the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion,” said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer. “Most importantly, we are pleased that they are both coming to Homestead-Miami Speedway to personally thank the men and women who sacrifice so much to ensure our freedom and allow us to enjoy events like Ford Championship Weekend.”
The crowd will consist of 5,000 active duty and retired military personnel and families and thousands of NASCAR fans. As part of the season-ending NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship race, NASCAR will rally its millions of fans at the speedway and online to serve military families through the holiday season by asking them to visit WWW.NASCAR.COM/Unites and JoiningForces.gov to find service opportunities and ideas to give back to those who serve our country.
At the launch of Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden’s Joining Forces initiative, Walmart and NASCAR developed a Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign designed to recognize military families for the sacrifices they make when our troops are called to action and to inspire customers and fans to recognize and support the needs of military families in their own communities. The PSAs feature NASCAR drivers Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne and Parker Kligerman, are broadcast in 500+ Walmart stores and will air at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The PSA can be found here:http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/06/10/nascar-helps-drive-americans-support-military-families
About Homestead-Miami Speedway:
The Speedway has been open since 1995 following an initiative to spur economic recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. The 640-acre facility is active more than 280 days per year and hosts NASCAR’s Championship Races during Ford Championship Weekend (November 18-20, 2011). The Sprint Cup Championship Ford 400 is broadcast live on TV and radio to 175 countries and into 24 languages. Homestead-Miami Speedway, featuring a 1.5-mile oval and 2.21-mile road course, generates more than $250 million annually for the region. Tickets start at just $55 for the Ford 400 (Sunday, November 20) – NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series Championship. For more information, please visit www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com or call 866.409.RACE.
New for 2011: The Ford 400 winner will take home a 25-foot Tournament model fishing boat, built by Homestead-based Contender Boats.
“We are honored that First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will be joining us as we crown the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion,” said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer. “Most importantly, we are pleased that they are both coming to Homestead-Miami Speedway to personally thank the men and women who sacrifice so much to ensure our freedom and allow us to enjoy events like Ford Championship Weekend.”
The crowd will consist of 5,000 active duty and retired military personnel and families and thousands of NASCAR fans. As part of the season-ending NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship race, NASCAR will rally its millions of fans at the speedway and online to serve military families through the holiday season by asking them to visit WWW.NASCAR.COM/Unites and JoiningForces.gov to find service opportunities and ideas to give back to those who serve our country.
At the launch of Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden’s Joining Forces initiative, Walmart and NASCAR developed a Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign designed to recognize military families for the sacrifices they make when our troops are called to action and to inspire customers and fans to recognize and support the needs of military families in their own communities. The PSAs feature NASCAR drivers Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne and Parker Kligerman, are broadcast in 500+ Walmart stores and will air at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The PSA can be found here:http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/06/10/nascar-helps-drive-americans-support-military-families
About Homestead-Miami Speedway:
The Speedway has been open since 1995 following an initiative to spur economic recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. The 640-acre facility is active more than 280 days per year and hosts NASCAR’s Championship Races during Ford Championship Weekend (November 18-20, 2011). The Sprint Cup Championship Ford 400 is broadcast live on TV and radio to 175 countries and into 24 languages. Homestead-Miami Speedway, featuring a 1.5-mile oval and 2.21-mile road course, generates more than $250 million annually for the region. Tickets start at just $55 for the Ford 400 (Sunday, November 20) – NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series Championship. For more information, please visit www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com or call 866.409.RACE.
New for 2011: The Ford 400 winner will take home a 25-foot Tournament model fishing boat, built by Homestead-based Contender Boats.
Sprint To The End: Tough Run For Rowan Pennink Closes Once Promising Whelen Modified Tour Season
It was a run that few fans who were at Thompson International Speedway on Sunday won't soon forget.
On a day that saw wild storylines all over the place when it came to the season ending event for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Pennink's sprint across the Thompson Speedway infield after getting wrecked will be remembered as one of the signature moments of Sunday's 2011 finale for the division.
END OF SEASON - CAR PLANET RACING ACHIEVEMENTS
* T.O.T.B. 2009 DRAG SHOOT-OUT CHAMPIONS
* T.O.T.B. 2009 OVERALL RUNNERS UP
* TIME ATTACK 2009 CHAMPION CLUB-PRO CLASS
* TIME ATTACK 2009 PRO-CLASS HIGHEST FINISHING MITSUBISHI EVO
* ULTIMATE STREET CAR U.S.C. 2009 DRAG CHAMPION
* WORLD TIME ATTACK 2009, ASSEN, 1ST + 2ND + 3RD PLACE PRO-CLASS
CPR - Car Planet Racing would like to thank our following sponsors and partners for their continued support throughout CPR's motorsport season;
Also special thanks to Bob Moore, James Nicholls & Gareth Lloyd for their commitment and drive in achieving victory.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Lewis Hamilton ? Another Race, Another Collision
The British Grand Prix – another Formula One race and another collision involving Lewis Hamilton; though not entirely his fault, it must be said.
Former world champions Niki Lauda and Jackie Stewart have recently piped up that Lewis Hamilton is driving in a dangerous and life threatening way, but I disagree.
The chiefs of F1 are aware [...]
Former world champions Niki Lauda and Jackie Stewart have recently piped up that Lewis Hamilton is driving in a dangerous and life threatening way, but I disagree.
The chiefs of F1 are aware [...]
Friday, November 11, 2011
Cirebox makes it to Abu Dhabi
After one more very difficult race in India, Cirebox reminds us how it happened and looks forward to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix! Check it out below and let us know your (...)
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Blogs
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Chris Pasteryak Wins Second Valenti Modified Racing Series Championship; Rowan Pennink Wins Season Finale
Chris Pasteryak used a ninth place finish in Sunday's Oktoberfest 100 at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, N.H. to capture his second Valenti Modified Racing Series championship.
Hinckley finished second to Rowan Pennink of Huntingdon Valley, Pa. in Sunday's Valenti Modified Racing Series season finale.
Pasteryak also won the Valenti Modified Racing Series title in 2008. He finished the 2011 season with three victories and nine top-five finishes and never finished outside the top-10 in 15 races.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
New Forgestar Rims arrive at CPR!
Our shipment from Forgestar arrived today from USA, with a very quick lead time, we are now ready to install our new Demo Car - 2009 Porsche 997 Carrera.
Introducing the Forgestar F14, 19 x 8.5" Front, 19 x 11" Rear in CUSTOM Offset spec'd to our requirements for the best possible stance.
Installed photos coming soon!!
Rosberg extends Merc deal
CPR Circuit Evo records new personal best: 956HP/810lbft!
Car Planet Racing's Circuit Evo 5 produces 727.0HP at the wheels during a recent Dyno Session on CPR's Dyno Dynamics 4 Wheel Rolling Road.
This is CPR's personal highest best HP figure, using 24% Transmission Loss, this equates to around 956HP and 810lbft!
The car was ran on Sunoco 109 GT Plus Race Fuel, at 45psi Boost Pressure.
The YouTube Video Link shows the car on the dyno, producing over 3500lb's of Tractive Effort (around 810lbft) and full 3.0bar boost pressure by 4500 rpm!
The Orange Evo 5 currently runs in the Pro-Class of the UK Time Attack Series, and is entirely built and mapped by CPR, featuring;
CPR Race 2.4L Stroker Kit - 4G64
CPR Full Race Cylinder Head
CPR Large-Frame Turbo Cam Spec (NEW!)
Garrett GT42R Turbocharger
AEM Engine Management System
Aeromotive + RC Engineering Fuel System Components
HKS Type R Intercooler
Drenth Group N Dog-Gear Set
Ikeya Formula Sequential Shifter
Bespoke Suspension Arms & Rear Subframe
MOTEC Diff Controller
Nitron Coilover Suspension
CT9A Front Running Gear
AP Racing Brake System
Performance Friction Brake Pads
Rays Engineering 18x10.5" Wheels
Varis ASSO Extremor Widebody Kit
C-West GT Wing with Custom Mounts
Hendrick Airplane Incident In Key West
News came out Monday night that a Hendrick Motorsports airplane had skidded off the runway while landing at the airport in Key West, FL. Rick and Linda Hendrick were on board with two pilots.
This is the original news story from Keysnews.com:
A private G150 Gulfstream jet containing four people missed the runway while landing at Key West International Airport and ran into the salt ponds at 7:45 p.m. No one was seriously injured.
The airplane was co-owned by Jimmie Johnson Racing II Inc. and Hendrick Motorsports LLC of Charlotte, N.C. Monroe County Airports Director Peter Horton confirmed the famous NASCAR driver was not on board.
Everyone was taken by ambulance to Lower Keys Medical Center for evaluation. Only two complained of injuries: one for neck pain and one for shortness of breath/heart palpitations, according to Monroe County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Deputy Becky Herrin.
There were two pilots and two passengers, but it was unclear who was injured. The airport was closed for about an hour, but has reopened. Some fuel spilled, but it was unknown how much. The small-business jet was approaching the west end of the runway. The pilot said he landed, but had no brakes, Herrin said.
The picture above of the plane was provided by the Monroe County Sheriff's Dept. and posted on Twitter by AP reporter Jenna Fryer.
Additional information was subsequently posted by the Miami Herald and revealed that the plane benefited from a recent safety improvement at the airport.
Here is the story from Cammy Clark at the Miami Herald:
The Gulfstream 150, which was registered to NASCAR?s five-time champion Jimmie Johnson, who drives for Hendrick Motorsports, apparently lost its brakes upon landing at the small airport at about 7:45 p.m.
Horton said the pilot and co-pilot radioed to the tower saying they had ?no brakes.? The plane skidded completely off the 4,800-foot runway and came to a stop along a 600-foot unpaved safety area that had just been added at the airport in May .
?If this area hadn?t been added the outcome would have been different and probably catastrophic,? Horton said. ?Before we had only 100 feet of overrun and then they would have gone into a salt pond and hit an embankment.?
The pilot and co-pilot, whose names were not available Monday night, were walking after the accident and did not appear to be injured, Horton said. But both pilots were taken to the hospital for evaluation.
Hendrick and his wife were put on stretchers and taken to the hospital. The extent of their injuries was not available Monday night.
It's easy to click on Google maps and view the safety area at the Key West International Airport that is referenced in the story. The Hendricks have a compound on the private Sunset Key island that contains a main house and several guest cottages. It is used for corporate entertainment and as a family get away.
Team Hendrick had not released any additional information, but there is no indication that either Rick or Linda Hendrick was admitted to the hospital. Tuesday should bring some more specific information.
Thanks to the Florida-based news outlets for this information. We welcome your comments on this topic.
Stewart Wins 4th Chase Race ? Trims Edwards? Lead to 3 Points
[ by Reid Spencer - The Sporting News Wire Service ] Tony Stewart backed up his smack talk with a convincing victory in Sunday?s AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, the eighth race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. With his fourth victory in the Chase and the 43rd of his career, [...]
Five Points to Ponder: Same Ol' Same Ol', Rubber, and the Former Franchise [6]
Let’s get the whole Kyle Busch/Ron Hornaday deal out of the way. Yes, there is precedent that NASCAR followed to a T in parking Kyle Busch for the weekend. Yes, there is no defense for Busch doing what he did—making contact under yellow is one thing, but running a truck at nearly full speed into the fence at a high speed oval like Texas is taking that even further towards unacceptability. And yes, this Busch incident was a feud that’s been building for years. It was only a matter of time before the sanctioning body stepped in, right or wrong.
Gaynalysis: The Pinball Wizard 500 at Martinsville
Apologies for the lateness of this week’s Gaynalysis.� The 83 put my computer into the wall.� As always, the Gaynalysis is just one gay fan’s take on the race.� You can follow me on Twitter at @OmnisexualTwist or email me your comments at carla@queers4gears.com. Many of the 2011 Chasers called Martinsville the real wild card [...]
Lewis Hamilton ? Another Race, Another Collision
The British Grand Prix – another Formula One race and another collision involving Lewis Hamilton; though not entirely his fault, it must be said.
Former world champions Niki Lauda and Jackie Stewart have recently piped up that Lewis Hamilton is driving in a dangerous and life threatening way, but I disagree.
The chiefs of F1 are aware [...]
Former world champions Niki Lauda and Jackie Stewart have recently piped up that Lewis Hamilton is driving in a dangerous and life threatening way, but I disagree.
The chiefs of F1 are aware [...]
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Sprint To The End: Tough Run For Rowan Pennink Closes Once Promising Whelen Modified Tour Season
It was a run that few fans who were at Thompson International Speedway on Sunday won't soon forget.
On a day that saw wild storylines all over the place when it came to the season ending event for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Pennink's sprint across the Thompson Speedway infield after getting wrecked will be remembered as one of the signature moments of Sunday's 2011 finale for the division.
Pre - Race Report Donington 2011
Greetings Race Fans,
Or should I say where have all the drivers gone?
We are back at Donington at last following their F1 fiasco where they dug a load of holes and then went bust.
I hear the track is as good as it ever was so how come we have only got 16 cars shown on� the [...]
Or should I say where have all the drivers gone?
We are back at Donington at last following their F1 fiasco where they dug a load of holes and then went bust.
I hear the track is as good as it ever was so how come we have only got 16 cars shown on� the [...]
�lvaro Bautista Leaves Rizla Suzuki for Gresini Honda
UPDATE:��lvaro Bautista has signed with the San Carlo Honda Gresini team for the 2012 MotoGP season. The Spaniard is not expect to have a factory support within the team. Rizla Suzuki has announced today that rider��lvaro Bautista has left the factory Suzuki team for the 2012 season. It has not been announced where Bautista will race next next year, though best guesses would peg the Spaniard as headed to the LCR Honda squad. Certainly linked ...
2 different setups for McLaren drivers
As Monza is by far the lowest downforce circuit on the racing calendar, teams usually develop new front and rear wings to achieve higher top speeds. As did McLaren, bringing a new front wing with significantly less frontal surface and without an F-duct, a first for McLaren this year.
After both drivers tested a variety of [...]
After both drivers tested a variety of [...]
FOTA set for crucial RRA meeting in Abu Dhabi | F1 Fanatic round-up
In the round-up: F1 teams face further talks over the Resource Restriction Agreement.
ASA Racing Weekend Results for November 4-6, 2011
Billy Boyd Jr. won the East Bay Sprints feature this past Saturday night at East Bay Raceway Park, an ASA Member Track in Tampa, FL.
Photo by East Bay Photo.
By Kevin Ramsell
DAYTONA BEACH, FL (Monday, November 7, 2011) ? Three ASA Member Tracks hosted some great racing action this past weekend. Champions were honored at three ASA Member Track banquets on Saturday night.
Here is a look at what happened this past weekend.
ASA MEMBER TRACKS
ACE SPEEDWAY (Altamahaw, NC)
The Fallout Invitational scheduled for this past weekend was cancelled.
www.acespeedway.com
DESOTO SUPER SPEEDWAY (Bradenton, FL)
Dalton Baldwin held off Ralph Bowman to win the Open Wheel Modified feature this past Saturday night. John Stewart won the Bombers main event. Darrin Ellis won the Pure Stock feature. David Davis won in the Modified Minis and Larry Saffold won in the Trophy Dash cars.
www.desotosuperspeedway.com
EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK
Billy Boyd Jr. held off a late challenge from Stephen Davarlics to win the final East Bay Sprints feature event of the year this past Saturday night. Roger Crouse held off Phillip Cobb to win the Late Model main event. Jeff Rodgers collected his tenth feature win of the season in the Street Stocks. Raymond Vann and Patrick Fiore swapped the lead back and forth, but it was Vann picking up the win in the 4-Cylinder Bombers. Raymond Folwell won the Outlaw 4?s main event. Bill Dixon celebrated his birthday by holding off his wife Janien for the win in the Dirt Daubers.
http://www.asa-racing.com/news.aspx?Id=50859
HAVASU 95 SPEEDWAY (Lake Havasu City, AZ)
It was another great night of action this past Saturday night. Rick Bezansen held off Jerry Snell to win the ASA Street Stocks feature event. Chris Weiss held off Chris Blackwell and Nathan Hovdal to win the Factory Stocks feature. Chris Weiss led his team to the win in the Team Factory Stocks main event.
www.havasu95speedway.com
ILLIANA MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Schererville, IN)
Illiana Motor Speedway honored their 2011 track champions this past Saturday night at the Halls of St. George in Schererville, IN. Congratulations to the 2011 Champions: Blake Brown ? Late Models, Eddie Wolf ? Turbo Stox, Legends ? Alex Arelano, and Chris Czaszwicz ? Pure Stocks.
www.illianaspeedway.com
LEBANON I-44 SPEEDWAY (Lebanon, MO)
The Kenneth Cowan Civic Center hosted the 2011 championship banquet this past Saturday night. Congratulations to the 2011 Champions: Chrissy Wallace ? Late Models, Tyler Scott ? Modifieds, Rick Sharp ? Sportsman, Mike Scott ? Road Warriors, and Shawn Jones ? Chargers.
www.i44speedway.net
ROCKY MOUNTAIN RACEWAYS (West Valley City, UT)
RMR honored their 2011 Super Oval champions this past Saturday night at the RMR Convention Center. Congratulations to the 2011 Champions: Michael Hale ? ASA Maverik Modifieds, Dillion Lawrence ? Super Stocks, Kori Combs ? Mini Cups, Tracy Eaton ? Figure 8?s, Train Shake Rattle N Roll ? Figure 8 Trains, and David Baity ? Hornets. Special congratulations to Tyler Whetstone who was honored as the Overall Sportsman of the Year.
www.rmrracing.com
To learn more about the ASA Member Tracks and Sanctioned Series in your area, please visit www.asa-racing.com. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/american.speed.assoc or Twitter at @amerspeedassoc.
You can also download the ASA Racing App for your iPhone and Android smartphone. Just search for ?ASA Racing? in iTunes and the Android Market.
The American Speed Association started as a single racing series in 1968 and is a fast growing racing sanctioning body today. The ASA Member Track program sanctions dirt and asphalt short tracks along with road courses around the United States, as well as a variety of regional and national touring series. For more information call (386) 258-2221, or send an email to info@asa-racing.com. The latest news and information from all the racetracks and tours involved in the ASA can be found by visiting www.ASA-Racing.com.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
IndyCar Series Driver Dan Wheldon Killed Sunday In Event At Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon was killed following a crash Sunday during an IndyCar Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Wheldon's car was involved in a fiery 15-car crash on the 11th lap of the event Sunday on the 1.5-mile oval. IndyCar Series officials made the decision not to restart the event.
Drivers participated in a five-lap salute to honor Wheldon hours after the fatal crash.
"IndyCar is sad to announce that Dan Wheldon passed away from unsurvivable injuries," read a statement from IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Dan and his family. INDYCAR, its drivers and teams have decided to end the race."
Interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. came to Las Vegas on Monday night to speak to guests of Chevrolet who are gathering in town this week for the annual SEMA Show.� Queers4Gears had a chance to catch up with Dale Junior at this event hosted at the Wynn Hotel and Casino.� �Q4G:� You said on Sunday (after Martinsville) [...]
2012 Ducati Superbike 848 EVO Corse Special Edition
Confirming our earlier report on Ducati releasing a “Corse” version of the Superbike 848 EVO, the 2012 Ducati Superbike 848 EVO Corse Special Edition was unveiled today in Milan. The Corse-kitted Superbike 848 EVO comes with an �hlins rear shock (same Showa front forks though), upgraded 330mm front brakes, Ducati traction control (DTC), and an electronic quick-shifter (DQS). There is also of course the very attractive Corse paint job, which the special edition derives its ...
Updated: High Noon For "RaceDay" On SPEED
Updated Sunday 11AM: Facebook statement from M&M USA - "The recent actions by Kyle Busch are not consistent with the values of M&M'S and we're very disappointed. Like you, we hold those who represent our brand to a higher standard and we have expressed our concerns directly to Joe Gibbs Racing."
Saturday evening a letter was released via the Kyle Busch website. It referenced the incident in Friday night's race and other issues associated with his being parked for the entire weekend at the Texas Motor Speedway.
Here is the text:
To all,
I've had a lot of time today to sit and reflect, and try to put my thoughts into words as best I can. I want to sincerely apologize for my actions during Friday night's Truck Series race at Texas.
I apologize to my fans, all my sponsors, everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing and Kyle Busch Motorsports. After talking with my team, it's great to have their support and encouragement to assure me that there are better days ahead. Even though this took place while driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports, I am sorry for how difficult this has been for everyone associated with Joe Gibbs Racing's Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series teams.
I'd also like to apologize to Ron Hornaday Jr. and everyone associated with the No. 33 team in the Truck Series. I understand why I was taken out of the car for the rest of the weekend. NASCAR officials had to act, and I accept their punishment and take full responsibility for my actions.
As a race car driver, the hardest thing to do is to sit on the sidelines listening to cars on the track when you know you should be out there competing. For this, I have no one to blame but myself.
Through a lot of support from the people around me, I feel like I've made a lot of strides this year, but this was certainly a step backward. Moving forward, I will do everything I possibly can to represent everyone involved in a positive manner. However, I know my long-term actions will have more of a bearing than anything I say right now.
Sincerely,
Kyle Busch
All of that serves to set-up Kyle Petty and Kenny Wallace to offer comments on this situation on SPEED's RaceDay show. Sunday at noon the network gets two hours before ESPN hits the air with the pre-race to discuss this topic.
ESPN2's NASCAR Now show is buried at 9AM on Sunday morning. Mike Massaro has Ricky Craven in the studio with Shannon Spake and Marty Smith at the Texas Motor Speedway. Craven's comments will be interesting, but the timeslot is not.
Instead, it will be Petty and Wallace front and center for two hours. Saturday, Wallace tweeted that he will be telling his opinion of the situation with Busch, but that was before the public letter or apology was released. Wallace finished 13th in Saturday's Nationwide Series race.
Few of NASCAR's media personalities have a higher profile right now than Kyle Petty. Unlike Darrell Waltrip and Dale Jarrett, Petty is on the air every week on multiple platforms. RaceDay on SPEED, Inside NASCAR on Showtime and even 30 Minutes You Won't Get Back on NASCAR.com are all in addition to his highest-profile TV position as the Lead Analyst for the six TNT Sprint Cup Series races.
Petty has a very unique perspective on these types of issues and has been speaking his mind this season without reservation on key NASCAR issues. One aspect of Petty's interaction with NASCAR fans has been his ongoing Twitter conversations. Petty is blunt and to the point with fans who ask questions on more topics than any TV show could handle. He tweets constantly during the RaceDay show.
Wendy Venturini and Hermie Sadler are the reporters for RaceDay. While both have deep personal ties to the sport, they have shown the ability to chase down stories and often use those same connections for access. Sunday's show should be a good indicator of those abilities.
This post will serve to host your comments about the Sunday TV coverage of the Kyle Busch incident, subsequent parking and public apology. To add your comments on this topic, just click the comments button below. Thanks for stopping by.
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