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Iquique, Chile (January 7, 2010) – Stage 6 was a very disheartening outing for Robby Gordon in his Monster Energy / Toyo Tires HUMMER as he experienced what the world’s toughest race can do to a driver. Robby Gordon would end up stuck in the sand, costing him valuable time against the leaders. By the time that Gordon was able to free his HUMMER, it was too late in the stage to make up any more time. The Monster Energy / Toyo Tires HUMMER finished the stage in 17th place, more than 49 minutes after stage winner, Stephane Peterhansel. Dropping to sixth place in the overall standings, Gordon is roughly 1 hour and 48 minutes down to the leader, Carlos Sainz.

As disappointing as it may be, Robby Gordon knows that it’s still not over. “Unfortunately, today was a big setback for Team HUMMER. Andy and I got stuck and lost a bunch of time – both in today’s special and overall. This resulted in us dropping in the overall standings; we went from fourth to sixth. We still have a long way to go before the race is over. As disappointed as we are with today’s finish, tomorrow’s special is 600 km and will be the toughest day of the entire Rally. We hope to regain some of today’s lost time.”

For the Vanguard HUMMER, it was a turnaround from what the earlier stages had show for the driver. The Vanguard HUMMER’s driver would take the early lead in the stage. A brake line issue late in the special caused the Vanguard HUMMER to lose his earlier advantage. Regardless, it was a good showing for the Vanguard HUMMER who would end up in the 15th position.

Tomorrow the competitors will enter Stage 7, the longest stages of the entire rally. It will take teams back to Antofagasta from Iquique. Team HUMMER looks to rebound and make up as much time as possible to the leader.

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.

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January 7, 2010 — When NASCAR announced a revised format for this season’s Shootout race, two-timeShootout winner Ken Schrader came knocking on Red Bull Racing Team’s door. With Schrader’s past winners spot, and a No.82 team eager to start the season, the pairing just made sense. Schrader will pilot the No. 82 Red Bull Toyota for the February 6 feature race at Daytona International Speedway. Scott Speed, the fulltime driver of the No. 82, is not one of the drivers eligible to compete in the Shootout. Speed will take back the reins of the Red Bull Toyota for the Daytona 500 on February 14.

“Kenny’s desire and dedication to NASCAR has always made him a favorite among fans and throughout the garage area,” said VP and General Manager Jay Frye.

“We’re excited he approached us with the idea and are looking forward to giving him the opportunity he deserves and has earned.”

The NASCAR veteran earned a starting spot in this season’s race by winning the event in both 1989 and 1990. Schrader has graced the high banks of Daytona 45 times in his 25-year NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career, leading 298 laps, and earning seven top-five and 22 top-10 finishes.

“I am tremendously excited to be in a top-caliber car,” said Schrader. “Pairing up with a strong teammate like Brian Vickers and the whole Red Bull organization for this event has me on Cloud 9.”

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KERNERSVILLE, N.C. (January 7, 2010) — Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) announced today that Kevin Harvick and Elliott Sadler will climb behind the wheel of the No. 2 Chevrolet Silverado for KHI in 15 of 25 Truck Series events in 2010.

In 2009, the No. 2 competed as the No. 4 with Truck Series rookie Ricky Carmichael.

Sadler will kick off the 2010 season for KHI and the No. 2 team in the series opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway as he returns to the Truck Series for the first time since 2003.

Over the past 10 years, Sadler has made three starts in the Camping World Truck Series. All of his Truck Series starts have been made in his home state of Virginia as he competed in two races at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway in 2000 and 2001, each time experiencing mechanical troubles recording finishes of 29th and 30th respectively. He also made one start at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway in 2003 where he had an engine failure and finished 30th.

Sadler is looking forward to returning to the series for a little redemption and a new challenge.

“Racing in the truck series in 2010 with KHI will be a blast,” said Sadler. “It’ll be nice to jump in the truck and go out and race for wins and not have to worry about points. We’re going to kick the year off with a bang in Daytona and have some great races to run between then and the finale in Homestead.”

Kevin Harvick will once again pilot the No. 2 truck during the 2010 season. At the end of 2009, Harvick experienced great success behind the wheel of a KHI truck, earning back-to-back wins at Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway while his teammate Ron Hornaday went on to win his fourth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series title and the second Truck Series Owner’s championship for KHI.

“I really enjoy being a part of the Truck Series,” said Harvick. “I feel like the combination of Doug George as crew chief and Elliott and I will bring experience and success to the team immediately.”

Sadler is confident of his Truck Series equipment at KHI and the tracks that he has chosen to compete at.

“Every track that’s on my schedule in the No. 2 truck is a place I know we can go out and win,” Sadler said. “I’ve won races at some of the tracks during my career and I know Kevin and Ron Hornaday contend for wins when they climb behind the wheel of a KHI truck. This is going to be a lot of fun.”

The remainder of the driver lineup for the No. 2 team will be announced at a later date.

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BRAUN RACING ANNOUNCES VICKERS AND SORENSON TO SHARE SEAT OF THE NO. 32 DOLLAR GENERAL TOYOTA IN 2010

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 7, 2010) – Braun Racing is pleased to announce the 2010 driver line-up for the No. 32 Dollar General Toyota in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS). Brian Vickers and Reed Sorenson will share time at the helm of the No. 32 Dollar General Toyota. Crew chief Trent Owens will return for his sixth year at Braun Racing to lead the Dollar General team.

Vickers, 26, returns to Braun Racing for his fourth consecutive season. He joined the stand-alone Nationwide Series team in 2007, running a limited schedule in their No. 10 Toyota Camry. The following year he was back as part of a star-studded cast behind the wheel of the No. 32 and No. 10 Camrys, bringing home six top-five and eight top-10 finishes and earning two pole positions in his 12 starts. In 2009, Vickers drove the No. 32 Dollar General car for 17 races, running a personal best for the most NNS events in a season since his 2003 championship. He led the team to seven top-five and 11 top-10 finishes and claimed one pole position.

“I am happy to be back with Braun Racing and Dollar General in 2010,” said Vickers. “It is a family that I am honored to be a part of. Crew chief Trent Owens and I have great chemistry and our team has a rock solid foundation going into next season. Running in the Nationwide Series is a lot of fun. I’m able to run at tracks where I know we will run well together, focusing on putting the car in victory lane. We came close to a few wins in 2009 and we will capitalize on what we learned for a great 2010.”

Sorenson, 23, has built an impressive winning record in his young career. In the six seasons since his Nationwide Series debut in 2004, Sorenson has collected a total of three wins, 21 top-five and 45 top-10 finishes, leading for 582 laps and earning two pole positions. He has spent the last four years racing full-time in the Sprint Cup Series. He joined Braun Racing in 2009, driving the No. 32 Dollar General entry at Gateway International Raceway. His stellar performance earned his return to the seat at Phoenix International Raceway, in addition to three starts in the No. 10 Braun Racing Camry.

“I look forward to returning to Braun Racing and the No. 32 Dollar General car,” said Sorenson. “Braun Racing is a great organization and I am excited to be a part of its future. I know they will provide me with the opportunities that every driver wants – to be in solid equipment and to win races. I’m also honored to be driving for Dollar General, one of the top teams in the NNS. 2010 looks very bright indeed.”

Braun Racing owner Todd Braun is very pleased with the line-up for the Dollar General Toyota and has high hopes for a successful 2010 season.

“I am very happy to have Vickers and Sorenson back at Braun Racing next year,” said Braun. “We will have a strong group of veterans behind the wheel of the No. 32 Dollar General Toyota and I think we are in position to have a solid season and contend for the 2010 owner’s championship.”

Dollar General Chairman and CEO Rick Dreiling echoed Braun’s sentiments and looks forward to the Dollar General Racing team’s future.

“Dollar General is pleased to have Vickers and Sorenson in the seat of the No. 32 Dollar General car for another season,” said Dreiling. “We look forward to watching their experience, skill and leadership combine to create a winning team behind the wheel. Dollar General proudly supports their efforts on the track and we’re glad they will be wearing the yellow and black in 2010.”