NASCAR OFF SEASON WITHDRAWAL AND THERAPY THREAD

Local and Internet ^ | 12/10/2014 | Self

[mabarker1]

USAF Thunderbirds to Perform Flyover for the Daytona 500: For the fifth straight year, the world-renowned U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will provide the flyover for the 57th annual DAYTONA 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season opener on Sunday, Feb. 22. The Thunderbirds, officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, will fly their signature "Delta" formation over the "World Center of Racing" during the finale of the national anthem for "The Great American Race." The Thunderbirds have visited Daytona International Speedway to perform the flyover for the DAYTONA 500 for the past five years. In addition, the Thunderbirds also provided the flyover in 2008 for the historic 50th running of the DAYTONA 500. "The flyover by the Thunderbirds is a signature moment in the pre-race festivities for the DAYTONA 500," Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. "We're proud and honored to be able to host this elite flying team and the thousands of race fans and the millions more watching on FOX Sports are looking forward to seeing them soar over Daytona International Speedway."
"We have a long-standing relationship with the Daytona 500," said LtCol Greg Moseley, the squadron's commander and lead pilot. "We're grateful to the Speedway for allowing us to share the Air Force story with race fans." The Thunderbirds feature six F-16 Fighting Falcons, the Air Force's premier multi-role fighter aircraft. Assigned to Air Combat Command, the squadron is composed of 12 officers and more than 100 enlisted Airmen serving in about 30 Air Force job specialties. Since the unit's inception in 1953, more than 350 million people in all 50 states and more than 60 countries have witnessed the distinctive red, white and blue jets in thousands of official aerial demonstrations. Tickets for the 57th annual DAYTONA 500 are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or visiting daytonainternationalspeedway.com.(DIS)((12-10-2014)

[TexasCajun]

I bet most have not seen this Red Bull racing series:

Red Bull Crashed Ice

Downhill ice racing.

[Chode]

if he doesn't finish better in the points next year or two it's prolly a real possibility

[mabarker1]

No the 54 car hit the wall and stopped on track in flames (fuel) Colin Braun crashed right after the Bus Stop and then catches fire.

[mabarker1]

Thank You- been somewhat sickly again and had to take GMa in for another toe surgery so it’s been a bit crazy here.

[mabarker1]

Thank You- see above post

[mabarker1]

Thank You- Cool, them Red Bull folks are all over the place!

[mabarker1]

I doubt Smoke is gonna pack it up anytime soon.

First He has to win the New Title Sponser Championship.

A) To keep 6whine from getting #7

B) To be the ONLY Driver to have the 4 different Championship Trophies- something 6whine or anyone else can't claim

[mabarker1]

NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson recovering from stroke: NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson is recovering after he suffered a mild stroke Dec. 9. A statement provided by Pearson's family Wednesday said the stroke affected his left side, but the 80-year-old is 80-85% back to normal as a result of therapy. The family said "we expect a full recovery soon." Nicknamed the "Silver Fox" for his sly, quick moves on the track and his prematurely graying hair, ?Pearson is considered by some to be the greatest NASCAR driver of all time. He is second on the all-time wins list with 105 victories and won three championships -- in 1966, '68 and '69, before retiring in 1989. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011, the leading vote-getter in his class. Only Richard Petty has more Cup wins -- he retired with 200. Petty also has seven titles. The Pearson family statement also said: "He is able to walk slowly and his arm continues to get better with maneuverability. He has great grip with his left hand, so we are very much encouraged. He continues to have therapy on both his leg and arm and progresses each day. ... Thanks to the NASCAR family and all of his fans and friends for their support and concern." The stroke followed another health issue for Pearson -- an abdominal aneurysm, which occurred in October and left him hospitalized for more than a week.(USA Today)(1-29-2015)

[mabarker1]

NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and TV: the 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Charlotte, NC is scheduled for Friday, January 30, 2015 and to be broadcast live at 8:00pm/et on NBC Sports Network, Motor Racing Network Radio and SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

[mabarker1]

Chase Elliott in the #25? UPDATE Elliott to drive #24 in 2016: was sent an image taken during a photo shoot showing the #25 NAPA Chevy that Chase Elliott will supposedly drive in some NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races during the 2015 season. One rumor has Elliott making his Sprint Cup Series debut at Atlanta on March 1st. Atlanta is his 'home track' as he and his father, Bill, are both from Georgia. See the little bit fuzzy image of the car on the #25 Team Schemes page.(1-28-2015)
UPDATE: Chase Elliott, who became the youngest national series champion in NASCAR history last season, will join Hendrick Motorsports as a full-time Sprint Cup driver beginning in 2016. Elliott's #24 Chevy team will be led by crew chief Alan Gustafson, who has earned 19 wins, 18 pole positions, 98 top-five finishes and 165 top-10s at the elite Cup level.
"Chase brings the kind of intangibles that make him the total package as a driver," said Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, who announced the news this morning during the team's season kickoff employee event. "Not only is he a special talent inside the race car, but there's a natural combination of competitiveness, work ethic and smarts that you rarely see. Chase's personality and demeanor make him popular with fans, teammates and sponsors. He's a great fit for our organization on many levels, and we feel he and Alan will be a successful combination. There's a lot to be excited about."
In preparation for 2016, Elliott, 19, will make his Sprint Cup debut later this year as part of a five-race schedule with primary sponsorship from NAPA AUTO PARTS. The Dawsonville, Georgia, native will be paired with veteran crew chief Kenny Francis during the limited campaign. Driving the #25 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevy fielded by Hendrick Motorsports, Elliott will be entered in 2015 Cup events March 29 at Martinsville Speedway, April 25 at Richmond International Raceway, May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, July 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Sept. 6 at Darlington Raceway.
"Chase has been a fantastic ambassador for NAPA," said Gaylord Spencer, senior vice president of marketing for NAPA AUTO PARTS, which also is primary sponsor of Elliott's JR Motorsports team in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. "As he embarks on this important next step in his career, we're proud to support him across both series in 2015 and look forward to an exciting year on and off the track. The NAPA Family is behind Chase 100 percent."
At the age of 18 years, 11 months and 18 days, Elliott became the youngest champion in any NASCAR national touring series when he won the 2014 XFINITY Series title. The first racer in NASCAR history to win a championship and rookie of the year honors in the same season, he also was voted by fans as the series' most popular driver. Elliott's 2014 season included three wins, two pole positions and 26 top-10 finishes in 33 races. His first victory (Texas Motor Speedway) came in his sixth career series start and made him the second-youngest winner in XFINITY Series history (behind Joey Logano). He completed 99.6 percent of the 6,063 total laps run and became the first driver since 2010 to clinch the championship before the season finale.
Elliott and father Bill are only the fifth father-son duo to win NASCAR national series championships. They are members of an elite group that includes Lee and Richard Petty, Ned and Dale Jarrett, David and Larry Pearson, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Bill Elliott, the 1988 Sprint Cup Series champion, will be enshrined into the NASCAR Hall of Fame tomorrow evening.
"So many people have been behind me, and the first thing I want to do is thank them," said Chase Elliott, who will run the full 2015 XFINITY Series schedule as the defending champion. "My parents especially have believed in me every step of the way, and I know this wouldn't be possible without all the sacrifices they've made to focus on my racing career. This is such a big week for our family. I'm also extremely grateful to Mr. Hendrick and my teammates at both Hendrick Motorsports and JR Motorsports for believing in me. NAPA has been a huge supporter, and I'm honored to represent them on and off the track. Of course the fans have been amazing to me, and I'm so appreciative of that. I know how rare this opportunity is and will work as hard as I can to make everyone proud."
Hendrick Motorsports will announce sponsorship for Elliott's 2016 Sprint Cup season at a later date.(Hendrick Motorsports)
See images of the #25 car on the #25 Team Schemes page.(1-29-2015)

[mabarker1]

• Richard Petty: #9 is Chase Elliott's if he wants it: On Wednesday, NASCAR Sprint Cup team owner Richard Petty said he's not "emotionally attached" to #9, which Marcos Ambrose carried at Richard Petty Motorsports and which Sam Hornish Jr. will carry this year. "We inherited that number [when Petty bought the remnants of the Ray Evernham/George Gillette team]," Petty said. "It doesn't mean anything to me, but it does to the sponsors we'd already signed for this year. If the kid wants it next year, though, that's fine with us."
  "The kid" he refers to is Chase Elliott. His famous father carried number 9 for most of his career, getting 38 of his 44 victories and his championship with it. "Awesome Bill" carried 17 other numbers during his Sprint Cup career, most notably 11 with Junior Johnson, 21 with the Wood brothers and 94 with the team he created and owned late in his career. Chase Elliott will run five Cup races this year in #25 for Hendrick Motorsports. Don't be surprised if that number is 9 when the 2016 season opens in Daytona Beach.(AutoWeek)(1-29-2015)

[mabarker1]

NASCAR Hall of Fame sponsorships fall: A review of the NASCAR Hall of Fame's commitments for sponsorships shows that projected revenue is declining significantly, dropping from $1.5 million in 2012 to $110,000 for the fiscal year starting in July. The loss of sponsorship revenue could further explain why Bank of America and Wells Fargo recently agreed to a deal in which they would forgive $17.6 million in interest and principal from a hall-related loan in exchange for a $5 million payment. The reason: The bank's chances of getting their money back were more grim than the city outlined to City Council. Tom Murray, chief executive of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, said the hall is now focused on selling new sponsorships to help its bottom line. Under the deal reached with the banks, all sponsorship money in the future can go to pay the hall's bills. But he said it will be a challenge. "We don't think we will be selling sponsorships at the $1 million range," CRVA chief executive Tom Murray said in an interview. "The sponsorship world in general is challenging today. (Businesses) are looking for more of a return on their investment." Some of the hall's initial sponsors, such as Belk, Sunoco and M&M, have let sponsorships expire. For the sport overall, Sprint announced last year that it would end its sponsorship of NASCAR's highest racing level in 2016. Two of the biggest hall of fame sponsors were Bank of America and Wells Fargo, who each paid $150,000 last year. Under the deal reached with the city, the two banks will continue to sponsor the hall but won't have to pay.(Charlotte Observer)(1-29-2015)

[mabarker1]

• RCR Names Ahnna Parkhurst to Driver Development Program: Richard Childress Racing and Team Dillon Racing have named Ahnna Parkhurst as one of two female drivers in their development program for the 2015 season. The other driver joining the program is 17-year-old Kate Dallenbach. Parkhurst, 14, is an Augusta, Ga. native and is entering her second season of competitive racing. The student at Riverside Middle School will compete in dirt Crate Late Models under the RCR banner driving cars built and maintained by Team Dillon Racing this year. "Ahnna has an incredible natural talent and absorbs everything she can to become a better driver every time she races," said Richard Childress, CEO and Chairman of RCR. "Everything I have seen and heard about her racing has been positive. She is going to learn and improve even more this year on the dirt tracks and I look forward to watching that progress." Parkhurst competed in 42 Mini Outlaws race last season, winning 13 and finishing second in 12 of them at Millbridge (N.C.) Speedway. This year, her schedule calls for 40 races in RCR/TDR Crate Dirt Late Models at Boyd (Ga.) Speedway, Swainsboro (Ga.) Speedway and Modoc (S.C.) Speedway. "I raced just about every other Wednesday night from March until November of last year," Parkhurst said. "RCR and TDR said they are going to give me their best effort to be competitive and try and win races. It's up to me to give them my best efforts in return. "This is a great opportunity and I can't thank Richard, TDR and my sponsors enough for making me part of the team. Austin and Ty Dillon have already been very supportive and I have learned a lot from them this past year." Parkhurst will have sponsorship from LauriesFund.org, Tgen, Hunt Brothers Pizza and Bad Boy Buggies.(RCR)(1-29-2015

  RCR Names Kate Dallenbach to Driver Development Program: Richard Childress Racing and Team Dillon Racing have named Kate Dallenbach as one of two female drivers in their development program for the 2015 season. The other driver joining the program is 14 year-old Ahnna Parkhurst. Dallenbach, 17, is the daughter of Wally, Jr., NASCAR driver-turned-broadcaster, and Robin Dallenbach, a former driver herself with two starts in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Her grandfather, Wally Dallenbach, Sr., was a successful Indy car driver and Chief Steward. The student of Davidson Day High School will compete in dirt and asphalt races under the RCR banner driving cars built and maintained by Team Dillon Racing.
  "Some RCR and TDR members and I have been watching Kate for several years and have been impressed with her driving ability," said Richard Childress, CEO and Chairman of RCR. "She is a quality driver in races and the results from her testing dirt Late Models have been very positive. I look forward to what the future holds for Kate and we will do all we can to help her succeed." Dallenbach started racing Quarter Midgets at age eight and was the 2007 Texas Regional Champion in two different divisions. Dallenbach also competed in Bandoleros at Texas Motor Speedway in 2008 and was part of the Lyn St. James Driver Academy in 2010.
  In 2011, she earned championship and rookie of the year honors in the Allison Legacy Series at Thunderhill (Tex.) Raceway. Dallenbach tested dirt Late Models for RCR/TDR in 2013 and drove Whelen Late Models at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway capturing Rookie of the Year honors and finishing second in points. Last year, she raced 10 events for RCR/TDR at Boyd (Ga.) Speedway and ran 15 asphalt Late Model races for Lee Faulk Racing at various tracks in the Southeast. For the 2015 season, Dallenbach will increase her schedule to more than 20 events with Faulk and 10 races on dirt for RCR/TDR at Boyd Speedway. "I am honored and looking forward to being a larger part of RCR's Driver Development Program this year," Dallenbach said. "As a driver, I'm looking forward to improving my racing skills and winning some dirt and asphalt races. I hope to start testing Trucks in the future, as well. I can't thank Richard (Childress), Mike (Dillon) and Johnny Morris of Bass Pro Shops enough for this opportunity." Dallenbach currently has sponsorship from SHE Outdoor Ladies Hunting Clothing from Bass Pro Shops.(RCR)(1-29-2015)

[mabarker1]

Earnhardt Jr. interested in driving in Truck Series race: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Thursday admitted an interest in making at least one start for JR Motorsports' new Camping World Truck Series program, which will field a part-time entry for 17-year-old Cole Custer this season. "I've never driven a truck before and I've always had that interest to race in the truck," Earnhardt Jr. said. "I'd tell you I would run Martinsville, today, but Cole's going to get all the shorter tracks due to his age, and we need to get him that experience when we can, and it's a great opportunity at Martinsville for him to run. So if I run a race, it'll be at a bigger track where Cole's not quite cleared to run through NASCAR's process. It ain't going to be Daytona."(FoxSports)(1-30-2014)

[mabarker1]

#28 Back on Track? It's been more than five years since the famed #28 Yates Racing Ford last spun laps around a NASCAR track. March 22, 2009 to be exact. And while the #28 is free for teams to use - with NASCAR's permission, of course - there is a certain respect that follows that number. It's with that respect that former team owner Doug Yates occasionally fields a call for permission to use the number that was driven famously by the likes of Fred Lorenzen, Davey Allison and Ernie Irvan. "I got a call at the beginning of last season from a driver that asked me if it would be OK to use the number," said Yates. "He asked that I think about it and he'd check in a little later." Yates did think about it, and even talked it over with family. And when that driver called back, it didn't take long for him to figure out the answer. Said Yates: "I answered my phone and immediately the driver said to me - 'I get it. Don't say any more.' "(CMS)(1-30-2015)

[mabarker1]

Darlington announces commemorative ticket design: With the Bojangles' Southern 500 returning to Labor Day weekend in 2015, Darlington Raceway is excited to announce it will commemorate its history with a retro-style ticket that will be issued for its events on September 5-6, 2015. The design will incorporate the look of the 1974 ticket. It features South Carolina and Darlington Raceway legend Cale Yarborough, who was highlighted as the defending champion in 1974 after winning his first career Southern 500 in 1973. The ticket will also link eras by honoring last year's Bojangles' Southern 500 winner and 2014 defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, Kevin Harvick, in a similar fashion. These special tickets will be used for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 and NASCAR XFINITY Series VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero 200 races. Tickets are expected to be mailed to all customers starting in mid-June.
"We announced in December that we would make some exciting announcements each month leading into our race weekend. This new ticket design will be unique for our fans because it captures our storied history with a retro feel and celebrates our defending race champion Kevin Harvick," track President Chip Wile said. "This is just one of many initiatives we have planned over the next several months as we celebrate the tradition returning to Labor Day weekend in September."
In addition, Darlington Raceway will introduce a "Fan Hall of Fame" program. The program will honor longtime ticketholders and supporters of the track. A minimum of five fans will be selected in the first year and will be honored during Bojangles' Southern 500 pre-race ceremonies. Fan Hall of Fame members will be asked to provide feedback and ideas to the track in future years, serving in a Fan Advisory Board capacity.
"We have many loyal race fans who have attended events here for decades, so it only made sense to thank and celebrate them through this new program," Wile said. "Our fans are the number one reason Darlington Raceway has enjoyed a history steep in tradition. Without them, we would not be in existence today. Their stories are what we need to recognize and honor moving forward."
Ticket renewals have been mailed reminding fans to renew their seats for the 2015 Labor Day race weekend. Renewing your tickets early guarantees your seats at the best prices available prior to the opening of all remaining seats to the general public on February 18.
"We want our fans to take advantage of all the great pricing and benefits we offer during the renewal period," Wile said. "This is the best way to guarantee your seats or campsites when NASCAR racing returns to Labor Day weekend at Darlington Raceway. This is going to be one of the most exciting events of the season, and we encourage everyone to get their tickets now and start preparing as the Tradition Returns to Darlington Raceway on Labor Day weekend in 2015!"
Renewing customers receive many great benefits for being a loyal customer, including the raceway's best pricing for Labor Day weekend.
Renewal benefits include:
· The track's best prices for the Bojangles' Southern 500
· Flexible six-part payment plan option
· Opportunity to auto renew for three or five years at 2015 pricing
· Special renewal pricing for Darlington Stripe Zone Hospitality ($30 savings)
· Special renewal pricing for pre-race pit passes ($5 savings)
· Special renewal pricing for driver intro/pre-race concert access ($10 savings)
· Special renewal pricing for FanVision rentals ($15 savings)
· Special renewal pricing for Racing Electronics scanner rental ($10 savings)
Guests may renew their tickets and campsites by calling 866-459-RACE (7223) or visiting DarlingtonRaceway.com/renewals. The renewal deadline is Friday, Feb. 6.
The Tradition Returns to Labor Day weekend as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 is set for Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015. The NASCAR XFINITY Series VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero 200 will race on Saturday, Sept. 5. Tickets are on sale now by calling 866-459-7223 or visiting DarlingtonRaceway.com.(Darlington Raceway)(1-30-2015)

[mabarker1]

Truex's girlfriend passes milestone in cancer recovery: #78-Martin Truex Jr. shared some welcome off-track news during Furniture Row Racing's media session on Thursday morning at the Charlotte Convention Center. Truex's girlfriend Sherry Pollex has been battling ovarian cancer and recently completed her last chemotherapy treatment. "We had a little celebration for her," Truex said. "She's feeling good, and it seems like every day she's getting more back to normal, and it's only been four days. So, hopefully, in the next couple weeks she's going to be back to her old self, running 180 miles an hour. It's been great to see. It's been a tough road, and obviously it's had its challenges. But, all in all, she did an amazing job. She's special. The way she was able to get through it-like no one had ever done before-was inspiring. It's going to make me work harder, that's for sure."(NASCAR Wire Service)(1-30-2014)

[Chode]

i know a couple that were Elliott fans bought everything with 9 on it and he moved, they were not happy... bought same-same with new number, lotta $$$$$

[mabarker1]

LOL! Sounds like Mama! When JR changed his # because the Wicked Witch of the Southeast wouldn’t let Him take it to Hendrick Mama toss All the 8 stuff in the attic and scraped it off the Truck then made an appointment to get Her ‘Tats modified.

I was still in Texas and I’m pretty sure I heard Her SCREAMING!!!!

The 1st year We were together I called Her at work one day and all I said was “He’s changed His number” (and pulled the phone back from My ear)

She cussed for about 45 seconds and the asked “REALLY?”

I fessed up;)

CLICK!

After about 2 hours She calmed down enough to call Me back.

And now She’s pissed about the National Guard deal...

[Chode]

LOLOL!!!