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Danica Patrick’s 2011 NASCAR Schedule was announced and she will be racing in 12 events this year, including the first 4 on the Nationwide Series schedule and another 4 new tracks she’ll be racing at. Look for Patrick to drive the #7 car at Daytona, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Bristol, Chicago, Daytona, Montreal, Richmond, and Kansas. Then she’ll finish of the season in the last 3 races at Texas, Phoenix, and Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Michael Annett was charged with DWI, texting while driving, and resisting police last weekend in Moorsville North Carolina, and this is similar to his excuse the last time this happened 7 months ago. He posted a $3000 bond, and will appear in court on March 18th. Annett said “I am deeply remorseful for my actions and my extreme lack of judgment. I let down my team, my sponsors, my fans and my family; I sincerely apologize to everyone that I hurt. This was truly a life-changing moment for me. Despite all of the negativity that will undoubtedly arise from it, I’m going to strive to use this incident as the impetus to make a lot of positive changes in my life.” Michael drives for Rusty Wallace Racing

Phoenix International Raceway is getting a racing surface later this year. They will begin after their race weekend in a couple of weeks, and be ready for their events in November. Besides the new surface, among the track changes are a wider front stretch from 52-62 feet, concrete pit stalls, push the dog leg out 95 feet, and add banking in the turns. All of these features should bring even better side-by-side racing and faster speeds.