Four time defending champion Jimmie Johnson and his wife Chandra Johnson announced they are expecting their first child. Chandra is due in July, but no other details were given just yet.  The couple recently celebrated their 5 year wedding anniversary, having been married on December 11th, 2004. Congratulations to the Johnson’s.

Looking at the Cup Series schedule, here are the races and tracks that the Johnson’s will be looking at around the time of birth.

Jun 27 Sun. New Hampshire Motor Speedway TNT 1:00 PM
Jul 3 Sat. Daytona International Speedway TNT 7:30 PM
Jul 10 Sat. Chicagoland Speedway TNT 7:30 PM
Jul 25 Sun. Indianapolis Motor Speedway ESPN 1:00 PM
Aug 1 Sun. Pocono Raceway ESPN 1:00 PM

Coniam named crew chief; McArdle competition director, Rondeau car chief

DENVER (Jan. 4, 2010) — Furniture Row Racing announced today that it has filled three key positions as the Colorado-based NASCAR team prepares to run a full Sprint Cup schedule in 2010 with driver Regan Smith.

Ryan Coniam has been promoted to crew chief while Mark McArdle joins the team as managing director of competition and Pete Rondeau, also new to the team, will serve as car chief for Smith’s No. 78 Chevrolet Impala.

“What’s exciting about Ryan, Mark and Pete spearheading three essential areas is that it brings a special synergy to Furniture Row Racing,” said team general manager Joe Garone. “I worked with Mark back when we helped start PPI Motorsports in the Cup series. Ryan and Regan worked together at Ginn Racing and Mark and Pete were teammates at Richard Petty Motorsports. We have good chemistry which most likely will shorten the all-important learning curve. The addition of these three individuals has generated a new wave of optimism to our team.”

Coniam, 30, a native of Burlington, Ontario (a Toronto suburb) joined Furniture Row Racing in early November following two years as a race engineer at Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR). During his stint at MWR he was the race engineer for Michael McDowell’s entry in 2008, and the past year he was liaison between MWR and Germain Racing while overseeing the race engineering duties for driver Max Papis.

Coniam began his engineering Cup career in August 2005 with MB2 Motorsports and worked the following two seasons with the race team, which eventually merged with Dale Earnhardt Inc. A 2000 mechanical engineering graduate from Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario, Coniam is a former sprint car racer in the World of Outlaws and All Star Circuit of Champions series.

“I am both excited and humbled to have been offered a position that I have dreamed about,” said Coniam, son of Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee Warren Coniam. “With the driving talent of Regan plus the resources at Furniture Row Racing, I am full of confidence that we can achieve success in 2010.”

McArdle, a successful veteran of Indy Car and Stock Car racing, previously worked at Richard Petty Motorsports where he served as vice president and managing director of competition.

The 52-year-old La Crosse, Wis. native was a renowned engine builder and technical specialist in Indy Car Racing, dating back to 1986. He was the engine builder for two of Penske Racing’s Indianapolis 500 victories — Rick Mears in 1991 and Emerson Fittipaldi in 1993. McArdle later joined Ilmor Engineering and served as the engine builder for the Mercedes Benz pushrod engine project that powered Al Unser Jr. to the Indy 500 win in 1994.

McArdle moved to stock car racing in the fall of 1999 as technical director with PPI Motorsports. After two years at PPI, he became general manager of Yates Racing Engines from the fall of 2001 to the spring of 2003. He joined Evernham Motorsports (now Richard Petty Motorsports) in May 2003 where he directed the team’s engine program for more than six years, and at the end of the 2007 season was named managing director of competition.

“I am full of enthusiasm and eagerly look forward to this new endeavor,” said McArdle, who has been involved in 18 career Cup wins in various capacities. “What is appealing is the team’s unyielding commitment to build on its already solid foundation.”

Rondeau, 44,joins Furniture Row Racing from Richard Petty Motorsports where he served as the team’s director of research and development since July 2005. Prior to his employment at Richard Petty Motorsports, which was formerly known as Gillett Evernham Motorsports, Rondeau worked at Dale Earnhardt Inc. (2001 to May 2005) and Jasper Motorsports (1998-2001). During his three-plus years at DEI, Rondeau’s positions included the crew chief role for both Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

“It’s an exciting time at Furniture Row Racing and I am happy to be joining the organization,” said Rondeau, a native of Saco, Maine. “This is a great opportunity and can’t wait to kick off the 2010 season at Daytona.”

La Rioja, Argentina (January 3, 2010) – Today marked the second stage for the 2010 Dakar Rally and was delayed at the start due to weather in the area for an half an hour. Once the weather cleared up it was time for Team HUMMER to keep up with the success they had the day before. Robby Gordon was the first HUMMER off from Cordoba and was ready to run hard in order to win. Despite the terrain favoring other 4-wheel drive cars than the 2-wheel drive HUMMER, Robby Gordon was able to keep pace and even lead the stage at one point. Only major issue of the stage was a flat left front tire which was caused by a big rock on the race course. “Only problem we had today where we lost a lot of time was a flat tire – Andy and I haven’t practiced changing a tire in a while. To lose 12 minutes isn’t too bad at this point and it’s all desert tomorrow so it should be good for us.” Commented Robby Gordon. Robby Gordon and the Monster Energy / Toyo Tires HUMMER would end up 11th in the stage and 9th in overall time – 12 minutes 28 seconds back from the leader.

The Chile HUMMER driven by Carlo Degavardo had an better day on Stage 2 than Stage 1 were he would end up 36th for the stage and become 38th – 1 hour 13 minutes back from the overall leader.

The Vanguard HUMMER had a big incident on race kilometer 5 were the driver made a mistake over correcting the steering which lead to the HUMMER rolling over twice, landing on its roof down a cliff. Luckily both driver and navigator were un hurt in the big crash – not to say the same for the Vanguard HUMMER. With the Vanguard HUMMER stuck down the cliff with zero help to get pulled out, the driver and navigator felt helpless as they saw their hopes of having a competitive Dakar Rally drive pass them. Hours later after one of Team HUMMERs’ support trucks got to the Vanguard HUMMER, they were able to get back on their way but with so much damage they would end up hours behind. The driver was forced to limp back to the bivouac in La Rioja were the team would be there waiting to assess the damage.

Stage 3 is set from La Rioja to Fiambala, a liaison for 259 kilometers and a special that will be 182 kilometers. A total distance of 441 kilometers in length. The first car is set to leave the bivouac at 7:07 am local time with Robby Gordon in the Monster Energy / Toyo Tires HUMMER rolling off in 11th place.

Race Coverage – For fans tracking the Dakar Rally at home, please visit robbygordon.com, planetrobby.com, and Robby Gordon’s twitter page for daily updates on the team’s performance including a daily recap, photos and videos. Versus will provide coverage throughout the United States. A 30-minute daily program featuring highlights from that day’s racing will be aired on Versus daily at 3:30 p.m. with a replay airing later in the day. The show is set to air daily from January 3rd through January 18th, check your local listing for exact show times. A 60-minute recap show featuring all fourteen stages will air on Versus on Sunday, January 24th at 3:00 p.m.

Team HUMMER: Opening Day

Buenos Aires, Argentina (January 1, 2010) – New Year’s Day was filled with emotions rising in anticipation for opening ceremonies of the 2010 Dakar Rally. In the middle of downtown Buenos Aires, more than 300,000 people watched as each driver was introduced. Robby Gordon and his navigator Andy Grider were fan favorites. After Robby Gordon was interviewed about last year’s impressive performance and what he expected for this year, he climbed back into his Monster Energy / Toyo Tires HUMMER as the announcer said to the thousands of people in the streets “…and now for what you have all been waiting for.” Robby Gordon backed up his Monster Energy / Toyo Tires HUMMER and jumped over the stage to the crowds delight.

“I feel good about the rally” Robby Gordon commented to the crowd. “I feel that our team is stronger than ever before with the addition of Carlo Degavardo and BJ Baldwin, our HUMMERs are stronger, faster and lighter. I look forward to getting off to a good start and the challenge that comes along with the Rally.” Robby Gordon was then asked what it’s like to be back in Argentina and happily replied, “it’s great to be back here in Argentina. You guys are wonderful and have a beautiful country.”

For tomorrow, there will be a 251-kilometre special stage from Colon to Cordoba. A total of 684 kilometers, including liaison stages, are on the agenda.

Race Coverage – For fans tracking the Dakar Rally at home, please visit robbygordon.com, planetrobby.com, and Robby Gordon’s twitter page for daily updates on the team’s performance including a daily recap, photos and videos. Versus will provide coverage throughout the United States. A 30-minute daily program featuring highlights from that day’s racing will be aired on Versus daily at 3:30 p.m. with a replay airing later in the day. The show is set to air daily from January 3rd through January 18th, check your local listing for exact show times. A 60-minute recap show featuring all fourteen stages will air on Versus on Sunday, January 24th at 3:00 p.m.

Buenos Aires, Argentina (January 1, 2010) –Team HUMMER celebrated New Year’s Eve by completing scrutineering. Teams from all over the world gathered at the Buneos Aires convention center to get race vehicles, support and assistance trucks along with press cars inspected for the 2010 Dakar Rally. It was a sight to be seen as Team HUMMER gathered their flight of vehicles and paraded down to the convention center. With Robby Gordon in his Monster Energy / Toyo Tires HUMMER leading the way, the crowd cheered and awed as he led the team through the streets of Buenos Aires.

Upon arrival at scrutineering , other teams and competitors in the Dakar Rally were amazed by Team HUMMER’s Freightliner support trucks. This was the first time that the public have seen them up close and personal. The support trucks are significantly longer and lower than the standard chase or support truck. They feature 4 doors on a Freightliner cab with hydraulic steps, leather seats, King off-road shocks and air suspension. With the massive support trucks and HUMMER H3s parked outside of the convention center, fans and competitors alike all stopped to take pictures.

Scrutineering can be a long process as teams have to go through checklists with the organization. Team HUMMER was the final team to go through inspection and by the end of the day every vehicle had made it through with no issues. This was the first step to lead Team HUMMER on the road to a Dakar Rally victory.

Race Coverage – For fans tracking the Dakar Rally at home, please visit robbygordon.com, planetrobby.com, and Robby Gordon’s twitter page for daily updates on the team’s performance including a daily recap, photos and videos. Versus will provide coverage throughout the United States. A 30-minute daily program featuring highlights from that day’s racing will be aired on Versus daily at 3:30 p.m. with a replay airing later in the day. The show is set to air daily from January 3rd through January 18th, check your local listing for exact show times. A 60-minute recap show featuring all fourteen stages will air on Versus on Sunday, January 24th at 3:00 p.m.