24/7 JIMMIE JOHNSON: RACE TO DAYTONA
Debuts January 26 at 10 p.m. ET

The first episode of 24/7 Jimmie Johnson: Race to Daytona debuts Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO. The all-access show follows reigning four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, giving viewers an inside look at the driver and his race team as they prepare and compete in the Daytona 500, the sports premiere event.
Other episodes of 24/7 JIMMIE JOHNSON: RACE TO DAYTONA debut on subsequent Tuesdays – Feb. 2, 9 and 16 – in prime time at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT). The Feb. 16 series finale debuts two days after the race, with cameras tracking all the drama and excitement surrounding Johnson and his team on race day. All four episodes will have multiple replay dates on HBO, and the series will also be available on HBO On Demand.

This is HBO Sports’ first non-boxing series with the “24/7” franchise. The executive producers of 24/7 JIMMIE JOHNSON: RACE TO DAYTONA are Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; senior producer, Dave Harmon; coordinating producer, Scott Boggins; writer, Peter Nelson. Liev Schreiber narrates.

Concord, N.C. – RAB Racing has announced that Scott Riggs will pilot the No. 09 Ford in the NASCAR Nationwide Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 13.

“We are thrilled to have Scott in our car at Daytona,” stated Robby Benton, Co-owner and General Manager of RAB Racing with Brack Maggard. “Scott’s experience in all three levels of competition in this sport and the solid foundation of this team will produce a great combination for success. We’re on track to deliver great results for the 2010 season opener at Daytona and hope to build the partnership between RAB Racing and Scott Riggs to run a full 2010 schedule.”

Riggs, the 2002 NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year, will be making his 81st NASCAR Nationwide start and his fifth series start at Daytona International Speedway. The Bahama, N.C. native has an impressive four wins, 19 top fives and three poles to his series resume, and in just four starts at “The World Center of Racing,” has two top-10 finishes.

“I’m really looking forward to making my debut with RAB Racing at Daytona,” stated Riggs, “I’ve been out of the Nationwide Series for two years now and I honestly don’t think there is a better team for me to be involved with. RAB Racing is an independent team of dedicated individuals that have the same goals and have invested themselves in what it takes to win. It’s an honor to be partnering with such a driven team for such a prestigious race.”

Denny Hamlin tore his ACL ligament in his left knee on Friday while playing basketball.  Seeing as this is his left knee which is used for his clutch,  he does plan to race the full season with the injury and have it repaired next off season.  Denny had minor surgery this past December on his right knee.  The NASCAR season starts in just two weeks with the Bud Shootout.

Kurt Busch on Steve Addington as Crew Chief

In 2010 Kurt Busch, the driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge for
Penske Racing, will have a new crew chief sitting on top the pit box. Steve Addington, who was with Joe Gibbs Racing as Kyle Busch’s crew chief in 2009, will be leading the Miller Lite team during the upcoming season.

Kurt Busch was with his family, including his brother, getting a
picture taken for their Christmas cards when Kyle received a phone call.
“I went ‘what just happened?’ Cause he hung up the phone in a weird
manor and kind of was mumbling around and kicking the grass,” said Kurt. “He said, ‘Well Steve’s not going to be my crew chief anymore.'”

Once Kurt heard this news, he didn’t waste time starting his efforts
to have Addington be his crew chief.
“I said, ‘Well give me his phone number,'” stated Kurt. “I mean
that’s how fast I said it because I knew Pat was leaving us months ago. And
he said, ‘Well your smart enough, you can find his number on your own.’
“He wouldn’t give it to me. He was still a bit distorted on what had
just happened. He’s always tough like that.”

Kurt saw the experience that Addington had and that’s why he wanted
to work with him.
“The credentials he brings was the deciding factor. We looked at a
guy internally; I was ready to go with him. But somebody of his caliber and
status made me think and reevaluate where we needed to go.”

Mark Martin gets New Sponsor, Keeps Shirt on

The familiar blue and yellow paint scheme of the No. 5 Chevrolet
driven by Mark Martin will be no more as the Hendrick Motorsports driver will have a new primary sponsor for the 2010 season in GoDaddy.com.

Although Kellogg’s did not continue their sponsorship with Martin’s
car, sponsors CARQUEST Auto Parts and Delphi still remain.
“It’s exciting. GoDaddy.com has got some really cool stuff,” said
Martin. “It’s a little bit edgy and brings a little bit of edginess to the
No. 5 car, which is different than you’ve seen in years.”

The edginess he may be referring to is the new lime green, black and
orange color scheme adorning his Chevrolet or perhaps the sponsor itself.

JR Motorsports driver Danica Patrick, who also has GoDaddy.com as a
sponsor, has been featured in the company’s commercials, but Martin has yet
to star in one himself.
“We worked on the possibility of doing one together with Danica and
that hasn’t worked out with timing and scripts, but it will happen,” said
Martin. “It’s just a lot going on. Everybody is going in different
directions. It just hasn’t happened yet.”

During the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour stop, a media member jokingly
asked Martin whether GoDaddy.com had asked him to wear a bathing suit,
referring to one of Patrick’s commercials.
“They haven’t asked me to take my shirt off yet,” Martin replied.