Posted on 04/01/2014 7:36:22 PM PDT by ican'tbelieveit
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Welcome
Under Armour enters NASCAR with Hendrick & MWR:
The sporting goods company, Under Armour, has signed multiyear sponsorships with Hendrick Motorsports and Michael Waltrip Racing. It becomes the official apparel provider for both teams, outfitting everyone from the pit crew to the front office in Under Armour-branded apparel. The deals don’t include the teams’ drivers, and financial terms weren’t available. Last year, Under Armour signed a one-year, trial sponsorship with Hendrick Motorsports and outfitted the team’s pit crews. It opted to expand that deal this year with a three-year extension that will see it outfit not only the pit crews but the rest of Hendrick’s 500 employees. It provides everything from footwear and hats to polos and pullovers. It also has branding on Hendrick pit crew members’ fire suits (Under Armour does not produce fire suits) and on the team’s pit wall banners, haulers, pit box and pit toolbox. The deal doesn’t include Hendrick’s drivers - #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson or #5-Kasey Kahne - but Under Armour does have rights to use their likeness as well as the likeness of their car and number, which it could use on apparel.
Under Armour signed with Michael Waltrip Racing because it saw similarities between its identity as an upstart brand that’s challenged established apparel companies and the team’s identity as a relatively new, gritty team that’s pushing its way into the upper echelon of NASCAR. Terms of the two-year sponsorship are similar to the deal with Hendrick. Under Armour will supply pit crew apparel and team and executive apparel and receive the same mix of pit assets it is getting from Hendrick. It also will become the presenting sponsor of a new athletic facility and gym that MWR built at its headquarters in Cornelius, N.C., which has been branded as the MWR Performance Center Presented by Under Armour. The deal is the first apparel sponsorship for MWR. The team previously bought its apparel from Oakley.(SportsBusiness Journal)(4-1-2014)
Eckrich “Operation Inspiration” campaign returns at Texas:
Aric Almirola and the #43 Eckrich Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) Ford team head to the mile-and-a-half Texas Motor Speedway this weekend for Sunday’s 500-mile event at the Texas Motor Speedway fresh off a top-10 finish at Martinsville. This weekend will be the first of six primary sponsorship races for Eckrich, part of the John Morrell Food Group, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods. It also marks the return of the Eckrich “Operation Inspiration” campaign that supports and honors military families. RPM and Almirola have worked with Eckrich over the past three race seasons to surprise military families and reward them with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. With hundreds of military families already honored, Eckrich and its award-winning “Operation Inspiration” campaign will now reach millions of people from coast-to-coast in 2014 thanks to a new partnership with leading country music network CMT. In efforts to bring awareness to the heroes behind our heroes, Eckrich will partner with the CMT Hot 20 Countdown to highlight and show appreciation for our military families during three special Operation Inspiration-themed episodes that will air throughout the summer in advance of Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. The CMT Hot 20 Countdown is a weekly, two-and-a-half-hour series hosted by CMT favorites Cody Alan, Alecia Davis and Katie Cook, who count down the 20 biggest country music videos of the week with the hottest news stories, in-studio live performances and candid interviews from country music’s biggest superstars and up-and-coming artists. Eckrich will add to the excitement of each sponsored episode with special guest appearances and stories of military families and their sacrifices. “Operation Inspiration” will continue to give back to military families this year not only on CMT, but also in conjunction with NASCAR, country music and college football events. Eckrich will highlight military families in conjunction with its nine sponsored NASCAR races across the country. Herbstreit will also continue his support of Operation Homefront as a spokesperson and guest during special events throughout the year. You never know when a military family will be recognized and how, which is what has made this campaign one of the most exciting in the company’s history. From May 1st through July 4th, Eckrich will donate five cents for every purchase of specially marked products up to $250,000. Consumers can also donate directly to Operation Homefront by texting* “INSPIRE” to 27722 to donate five dollars. For more information on Operation Inspiration please visit www.eckrich.com/operationinspriation.(RPM), see an image of the scheme on the #43 Team Schemes page.(4-2-2014)
Rear Tire Carrier Jon Moore of Roush Fenway Racing is going into surgery today (March 31st) to replace a torn labrum. Moore currently pits for the #99 of Carl Edwards and is expected to miss around 12 weeks over the wall. Moore decided to get the surgery done once Edwards won the race at Bristol. The recoverery time is expected to take 12-weeks, so Moore plans to be back for the Chase. Moore's replacement is Rapheal Diaz, of the #16 Roush Fenway Racingt NNS team of Ryan Reed. Pit Talks caught up with Moore to see how things were going, see the full interview at Pit Talks.(4-2-2014)
Teams to test at Michigan:
A few NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams will test at Michigan International Speedway on Tuesday, April 8 & Wednesday, April 9. Scheduled to test are: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #16-Greg Biffle, #15-Clint Bowyer, #21-Trevor Bayne and #31-Ryan Newman. The Turn 1 grandstand seats will be open for fans free of charge on April 8-9.(MIS)(4-2-2014)
Special DOW scheme for Dillon at Texas:
Austin Dillon will be supporting #NASCARGreen by sporting a Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingle paint scheme this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingles are a revolutionary innovation in sustainability, protecting your home as a roof while generating electricity with energy from the sun. That’s why NASCAR, which has the largest sustainability program in all of sports, is a great place with see Powerhouse. The shingles are also one of the most aesthetically attractive options in the solar industry. Dillon has been vocal about the #NASCARGreen initiative, and is encouraging fans to participate by planting a tree and taking energy conservation steps in their own homes. See how by visiting NASCAR.com/green (RCR), see an image of the scheme on the #3 Team Schemes page.(4-2-2014)
Entry List for the Duck Commander 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway is posted, 47 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
#21-Bayne
#33-Hill
#35-Reutimann
#66-Nemechek
#77-Blaney
#95-McDowell
With 46 cars entered, 3 drivers will miss the race. The drivers who must qualify on speed are:
#35-Reutimann
#44-Yeley
#77-Blaney
#95-McDowell
UPDATE: #44-J.J. Yeley was added on Tuesday.
See the full entry list at my Jayski’s Texas Entry List
Track Specifications:
Track/Race Length: 1.5-mile quad oval, 334 laps, 501 miles
Track Size: 1.5 miles
Race: 334 laps, 501 miles
Width: 58 feet (minimum)
Turns: 750-foot radius
Degree of Banking: Turns: 24 degrees
Straightaways/dogleg: Banking: 5 degrees;
Straights: Front Straight - 2250 feet; Back Stretch - 1330 feet
Front Straightaway Grandstand: 66 rows, 112,522. Includes: PSL seats (36,000 w/armrests); and Handicapped Seating (1,595 - Row 28 at portal entrances)
Back Straightaway Grandstand: 12 rows, 9,855
Luxury Suites: 144 with seating for 9,992
Victory Lane Club Suites: 50 with seating for 3,152
Condominium Seating: 2,571
Infield Capacity: Approx. 53,000
Grandstand Seating: 122,377
Total Permanent Seating: 138,122
Total Estimated Capacity: 191,122
Pit Road: 45 pit stalls for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Pit Road Speed: 45mph
Pace Car Speed: 55mph
Opened: 1997
Carry-in items:
Coolers: allowed (14-inch by 14-inch by 14-inch limit)
Glass containers: not allowed
Alcoholic beverages: allowed
Cameras/binoculars: allowed
Race Festivities/Officials:
Grand Marshal: Si Robertson
Command to start engines: Si Robertson
Honorary Starter/Wave Green Flag: Phil Robertson
Invocation: Sadie Robertson
National Anthem: Missy Robertson
Flyover: TBA (? A Flock of Ducks and the Boys will “Cut ‘em” ?)
better than a torn ummm, well he's a guy so i guess he's safe from that one...
Yeah, I’m fairly “medically inclined” but did have to look that one up.
Maybe it’s because I failed to stay at a Holiday Inn last night;)
(((ping))) for later.
Goodyear to run multi-zone tread right-side at Texas:
One of the technical highlights of the 2013 NASCAR season was Goodyear’s introduction of its multi-zone tread tire. After running the concept that combines two distinct rubber compounds on the same right-side tire at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway last year, this week the tiremaker adds Texas Motor Speedway to its roster of tracks at which this technology will be used. Goodyear’s multi-zone tread tire combines one compound that is run on the outside 10 inches of the tread that is designed for traction with another compound on the inside two inches that is designed for durability. The inside compound is toughened up because that is the part of the tire that sees the most heat and takes the most abuse.
Like Atlanta, Texas has proven to be one of the toughest tracks on the NASCAR circuit. On the one hand, it is abrasive and wears tires quickly. On the other hand, it produces high speeds and high loads. That combination makes Texas the ideal track for the multi-zone tread technology. “With this 2014 rules package, we expect speeds and loads to be up at Texas,” said Greg Stucker, Goodyear’s director of race tire sales. “Like at Atlanta last year, we didn’t want to sacrifice grip on a worn racing surface. We decided to bring our multi-zone tread to enhance the durability on the right-side, and we are coming back with the Texas left-side we’ve run there in the past to maintain grip. This season, we’ve already broken track records on the two intermediate tracks we’ve raced so far - Las Vegas and California. There’s no reason to think Texas won’t be more of the same.”
In preparation for NASCAR’s early season races, Goodyear has worked throughout the off-season, testing and confirming its tire recommendations with the new rules package. Because of the scheduling demands of producing 150,000 NASCAR tires each season, at-track testing is not always an option. That make’s Goodyear’s lab testing, which replicates actual race conditions, more important.
“We conducted lab durability testing with this package to verify the performance of this tire set-up, including the validation of our air pressure recommendations,” said Stucker. “Our test process enables us to utilize track and car data to simulate actual race conditions. When time does not allow for a track test, this modeling, in essence, allows us to do the same thing. Once we generate this data, confirming our recommendation and at which air pressures the tires need to be run, we share that information with the teams. The teams have the ability to use this inflation data, along with the tire characterization data we supply each week, to make choices to optimize endurance and performance. Teams have asked for some flexibility with how they set up their cars. This information is just another tool in their toolbox.”
Goodyear will recommend minimum inflation pressures of 23 psi (front) and 21 psi (rear) on the left-side and 51 psi (front) and 47 psi (rear) on the right-side at Texas. As always on fast, abrasive tracks, tire management will be important this weekend at Texas. With its new multi-zone tread right-side tire, Goodyear has enhanced its durability while maintaining a good amount of grip. That should prove to be a good combination for the racing.(Goodyear PR)(4-2-2014)
France says ‘significant’ engine changes coming:
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said Tuesday on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that modifications to the engines — which would likely bring a reduction in horsepower — are the next step in further enhancing the sport's on-track product, although he was unsure if such changes would be in place for next season. “We're going to make that happen, and that's part of the overall rules packages that we design that hopefully control costs, hopefully make the racing better,” France said. “The engine is an integral part of that. We also have to be in step as much as possible with the car manufacturers and where they're going with technology and different things. It all has to come together, and that's the next significant part of the rules package. ... The engine will get a significant change. I'm not going to say (for) ‘15, but we are certainly sizing that up. It's very important for us to get that right.”
According to representatives of NASCAR’s three manufacturer partners, who took part in a conference call with reporters Tuesday, a potential reduction in engine horsepower is still in the very early stages. Sprint Cup Series engines generate 850 horsepower, and are built by five manufacturer-specific companies — TRD and Triad Racing Technologies (Toyota), Roush-Yates Engines (Ford) and Earnhardt Childress Racing and Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet). Most of the changes made in recent years have focused on the cars, beginning with the rollout of the more brand-identifiable Generation-6 vehicle for the 2013 season, and an aerodynamic package that was further refined before this year.(NASCAR.com)(4-2-2014)
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I still say they can do this Simply by remapping the ECM and it will be WAY MORE COST EFFECTIVE !
Fan Vote Opens for NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2015:
Fan voting for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2015 opens today on NASCAR.com and runs through Tuesday, May 20 at noon ET.
The five nominees receiving the highest percentage of votes will comprise the Fan Vote ballot. This ballot will be included among the 54 submitted by the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel to determine the Class of 2015. Voting Day for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2015 is Wednesday, May 21, 2014. “The NASCAR Hall of Fame is the only hall of its kind where fans have had a voice in the induction process since its inception,” said Brett Jewkes, NASCAR chief communications officer. “And the reason is simple. NASCAR fans are extremely passionate and knowledgeable about the sport and its history, and have demonstrated that with their selections for the first five classes.” The twenty nominees were voted upon by the 22-person Nominating Committee at its first-ever in-person meeting Feb. 21, and will appear on the Fan Vote ballot at NASCAR.com.(NASCAR)(4-2-2014)
I'm still hunting for clarification on this Wooden Boot Trophy stuff.
I call TMS and the Lady I talked to had no answer.
I have sent an E-Mail request for info.
Waiting...Waiting...Waiting...
I went through a search on Bing and the only thing I found was an article from last year’s spring race, which you remember was the NRA 500.
The only thing that was mentioned was that TMS might alter the Victory Lane procedures where the winner dons a cowboy hat and fires two 6-shooters (with blanks).
In another article, it did mention that the Duck Commander 500 trophy IS new and that Duck Commander signed a multi-year deal for sponsorship of the race. It mentioned nothing about ending the gun-firing tradition.
It’s not a total answer, but it’s the best I could do.
So Nationwide qualifying is on FS1, but Sprint qualifying is on FS2???
That is nuts.
I don’t get FS2 and I bet few others do.
What can we do about it?
Date: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 20:15:52 +0000
The winners always receive the boot trophy and the guns. Thank you!
Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at 2:52 PM
To: Emily Dickens
Subject: [BULK] Texas Motor Speedway Website Guest Feedback Form
I see that the Trophy is now a wooden boot!? No more Six Guns??? Please tell Me that Y'All did not cave to the gun control BS...
Let’s check with the King of .net TV on this.
What TV service do You have Captain?
If it’s DirecTV FS2 is Ch. 618
UA is run by a Republican type guy IIRC.
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