November 2011

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Kyle Busch Removed from Driving M&M’S® Car
for Remaining 2011 Sprint Cup Series Races
Busch to Return as Mars Driver in 2012

AVONDALE, Ariz. (Nov. 10, 2011) – Today Mars, Incorporated, primary sponsor of the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Toyota Camry, removed Kyle Busch from driving the M&M’S® car for the remaining two races of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The decision was a result of the incident during last Friday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.

The car will not run with an M&M’S® paint scheme until 2012, at which time Kyle Busch will be the driver, with the expectation that no future incident takes place.

“We strongly support Mars’ decision,” said Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. “This gives us all time to work together to foster a positive change where Kyle can continue racing in a way we can all be proud of.”

Interstate Batteries, a partner of Joe Gibbs Racing since the team’s inception 20 years ago, will be featured on the No. 18 Toyota Camry driven by Busch for the final two races of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

A press conference with Joe Gibbs Racing owner Joe Gibbs and driver Kyle Busch will be held in the media center of Phoenix International Raceway on Friday at 9:30 a.m. MST to further address this situation.

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MARS TAKES ACTION ON KYLE BUSCH’S BEHAVIOR

Busch Removed From Driving M&M’S® Car for Remaining 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races; Set to Return as Mars Driver in 2012

Hackettstown, NJ, November 10, 2011…Mars, Incorporated announced today that they will be removing Kyle Busch from driving the M&M’S® car for the remaining two races of the 2011 NASCAR season as a result of the incident during last Friday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. The car will not run with the M&M’S® paint scheme until 2012, at which time Kyle Busch will be the driver with the expectation that no future incident take place.

“As a proud member of the racing community, Mars and the M&M’S® brand strongly support the partnership we have with Joe Gibbs Racing and are committed to NASCAR. Yet, Kyle’s recent actions are unacceptable and do not reflect the values of Mars,” said Debra A. Sandler, Chief Consumer Officer, Mars Chocolate North America. “While we do not condone Kyle’s recent actions, we do believe that he has shown remorse and has expressed a desire to change. We believe our decision will have a positive impact on Kyle and will help him return next season ready to win.”

“We strongly support Mars’ decision,” said Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. “This gives us all time to work together to foster a positive change where Kyle can continue racing in a way we can all be proud of.”

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FYI WIRZ: NASCAR’s Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick Talk Phoenix

A newly configured and repaved Phoenix International Raceway track presents a huge question mark for drivers and teams as Carl Edwards totes a skinny three-point advantage over Tony Stewart with two races and 96 total points remaining for their championship runs.
The Kobalt Tools 500 in Phoenix, Ariz., will consume 312 stock car laps on a one-mile oval with 11-degree banking to a sold-out audience.
Fans not shoulder-to-shoulder in the stands can tune into ESPN at 3 p.m. Sun., Nov. 13.

Author: Dwight Drum racetake.com

The media focus may shift from Kyle Busch’s dilemma should he return to the track—with probation limitations—to the tight fight between Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart for the trophy.

Continue reading “FYI WIRZ: NASCAR’s Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick Talk Phoenix”

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Track President Bryan R. Sperber today announced that Phoenix International Raceway’s grandstands are sold out for the Kobalt Tools 500 on November 13. Race fans wishing to attend NASCAR’s final West Coast race of the season – the first Sprint Cup Series event on Phoenix International Raceway’s newly repaved and reconfigured 1-mile oval – may still purchase general admission tickets to PIR’s hillside area or infield passes by calling 866-408-RACE or visiting PhoenixRaceway.com. PIR also sold out its grandstands for February’s SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

Continue reading “Phoenix International Raceway Grandstands Sold Out”

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World Renowned Recording Artist To Perform ‘Born Free’ On Dec. 2 At Wynn Las Vegas

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 9, 2011) – The house will be rockin’ – literally – when Kid Rock takes the stage to open the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony on Dec. 2 at Wynn Las Vegas.

NASCAR announced today that the renowned singer-songwriter and musician will perform the title track and lead single “Born Free” from his latest platinum-selling album, which was released last November. Kid Rock joins multimedia superstar and event host, Reba, on the list of top name celebrities performing at the year-end awards ceremony.

Much like Reba, Kid Rock is a natural fit for NASCAR as a mainstream artist who appeals to a wide fan base, as his past hits have ranged from country to hard rock to rap. Kid Rock also aligns nicely with NASCAR through his sense of pride for America. He performed live for U.S. troops during an MTV USO Special at Ramstein Air Base in Germany in 2002, recorded “Warrior” for a National Guard advertising campaign in 2008 and regularly makes charitable contributions to “Operation Homefront”, which provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors.

Continue reading “Kid Rock joins list of Sprint Cup Series Awards performers in Las Vegas”