KERNERSVILLE, N.C. (February 1, 2011) — Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) announced today a multi-year partnership with world-renowned mixed martial arts (MMA) apparel brand TapouT, an Authentic Brands Group company. TapouT will make its NASCAR debut at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 5, 2011 as sponsor of the No. 2 Chevrolet Impala in the Nationwide Series event with driver Elliott Sadler. KHI co-owner Kevin Harvick will also carry the world renowned black and white logo on the hood of the No. 2 TapouT Chevrolet Silverado in the Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway in 2011.

This partnership marks an unprecedented expansion for the TapouT brand, which to date has only sponsored MMA fighters and events. With the rise in popularity of MMA, TapouT is now branching out into new markets and reaching new fans in other sports.

Co-founders of TapouT, Skyskrape and Punkass, believe that NASCAR and MMA fans alike will be excited about the company’s new sponsorship venture.

“I expect NASCAR and MMA fans to be in a bit of shock – in a good way,” said Skyskrape. “TapouT has never ventured outside of MMA like this, but seeing how the fans love both sports, I think they will be the real winners here. TapouT loves doing things out of the ordinary and we think this is going to be a great partnership.”

Punkass echoed Skyskrape’s sentiments. “There are so many crossover fans that will love to see TapouT breaking ground into other competitive sports.”

Fellow MMA fan and supporter Kevin Harvick is also looking forward to the opportunity to help TapouT expand into this market.

“TapouT has become one of the most well known brands in sports,” said Harvick. “To have the opportunity to become part of the TapouT organization means a lot to not only me, but the KHI racing family. DeLana and I are very excited about this program and look forward to kicking it off in Las Vegas.”

Elliott Sadler will be exposing the TapouT brand to the NASCAR nation for their first event in Las Vegas.

“TapouT is coming on board with us in the perfect NASCAR market to launch our partnership,” said Sadler. “When you think of Las Vegas you think of all the historic fights that have been held in that town. I’m a huge fan of mixed martial arts and TapouT apparel. They have some really bold designs that will definitely be appealing to NASCAR fans. We’re going to work very hard to get these guys into victory lane in Vegas and work really hard to market the TapouT brand to all of the NASCAR fans.”

The multi-year sponsorship includes co-branded Kevin Harvick and TapouT product launching in Spring 2011.

This year we are playing ESPN’s Stock Car Challenge Fantasy Racing game. Visit the link below to sign up and get ready for the upcoming Daytona 500 on February 20th. This year we found a game that is free to sign up, easy to play, and also provides prizes league-wide.

Once at the ESPN site, sign up for an account, and then join the group “THEFINALLAP”

For 2011 The Final Lap will award the year-end Champion of our Fantasy League a $100 gift card (US dollars) of their choice, and some Final Lap swag to be determined. Standard Contest rules apply

Note: The Final Lap is not responsible for the gameplay, prizes or anything else related to ESPN’s Stock Car Challenge. By clicking the logo/link above you agree to these terms, and just want to have some fun playing along with The Final Lap Group.

Please forward this page to anyone else you think would like to play.

Good luck!

Kerry Murphey
The Final Lap

SHOW #143 – We discuss the 43-1 Points System, the Toyota All-Star Showdown, Rolex 24, and fantasy racing returns for 2011. Hosted by Kerry Murphey and Paul Northrop.

LISTEN HERE (About 42 mins)

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DOWNLOAD HERE

SUBSCRIBE FROM iTUNES: Take us with you! Subscribe to our audio shows from iTunes, and they will automatically show up on your computer as soon as we post fresh shows..it’s easy, FREE, and we take no information. It’s like a DVR for audio so you can take us with you anywhere and listen on your schedule!

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NOTE: Also HEARD on Stitcher Radio

CREDITS:
Hosts: Kerry Murphey & Paul Northrop
Production: Kerry Murphey
Music: Radium Sound
Voice Over: Thomas Moog

Travis Pastrana, No. 99 Boost Mobile Toyota Camry – finished sixth in Toyota Allstar Showdown at Irwindale Speedway

Race Summary: No. 99 Boost Mobile Toyota driver Travis Pastrana impressed the NASCAR world Saturday night posting a sixth-place finish in his NASCAR debut in the action-packed Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale Speedway.

The race was divided into three segments (100 laps,100 laps and 25 laps.) Pastrana had to take action to avoid accidents most of the night including three crashes in the first segment. The action sports star started 20th and raced there for the first two segments. On the final 25-lap segment Pastrana restarted 15th and a multi-car incident helped propel him into the top 10. In the closing laps, the 27-year-old driver raced three-wide with several competitors and crossed the finish line sixth.

Pastrana expects to race in the K&N Pro Series West race at Phoenix in February. He’ll enter his first of seven 2011 Nationwide races at Indianapolis in July.

Travis Pastrana, No. 99 Boost Mobile Toyota
· Travis Pastrana started 20th and finished sixth
· Recorded his first top-10 in his NASCAR debut
· Went a lap down to the leaders on lap 171 but was able to recover when the leader suffered a flat tire a few laps later.
· Suffered minor right-front fender damage on lap 61 caution
· Suffered from a tight-handling race car for much of the race

TRAVIS PASTRANA QUOTE: “It was absolutely awesome. I was just happy not to be a complete road block. I learned a lot. That last green, it was just chaotic, it was four wide, three wide. I just have to thank Matt Crafton (spotter) for keeping me out of most of the trouble. It was a lot of fun. It felt like a win. I know I had a lot of guys in front of me and a lot of guys faster than me. However, it was a good time out there.”

Race Results
· Jason Bowles won his first All-Star Showdown in front of a sold-out crowd
· Bowles is a three-time winner at Irwindale Speedway
· Bowles won the K&N Pro West Series championship in
· D.J. Kennington, Jonathon Gomez and Luis Martinez Jr. rounded out the top five

FINAL RESULTS (Unofficial)
FINDRIVER
1Jason Bowles
2D.J. Kennington
3Jonathon Gomez
4Luis Martinez, Jr. *
5Johnny Borneman
6Travis Pastrana
7Derek Thorn
8Travis Motley
9Moses Smith
10Steve Wallace
11Daniel Suarez
12German Quiroga
13Andrew Myers
14Chad Boat
15Lucas Lasserre
16Paulie Harraka
17Ryan Philpott
18Taylor Cuzick
19Travis Milburn *
20Greg Pursley
21Michael Self *
22Andrew Ranger *
23Matt Kobyluck
24Dale Quarterley
25Troy Ermish *
26Cole Cabrera
27David Mayhew
28Jason Fensler
29Sean Caisse
30Ruben Rovelo
31Darrell Wallace, Jr. *
32Brennan Newberry
33Spencer Gallagher
34Max Gresham *
35Eric Holmes
36Greg Rayl *
37John Salemi
38 Auggie Vidovich
39 Sergio Pena *
40Miguel Paludo *

GLENDORA, Calif. (Jan. 24, 2011) – Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has announced that he will be making his NHRA Full Throttle Series debut at the 41st annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, March 11-13, at historic Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway.

The 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion will be competing for one of the 16 qualifying spots in the ultra-competitive Pro Stock class in the Shell Dodge Avenger for Allen Johnson and J & J Racing.

“Pro Stock is the tightest pro category as far as the elapsed time is concerned and it’s not going to be an easy task,’ Busch said. “I feel me teaming up with Allen Johnson and the Mopar folks, we’ve given ourselves the best opportunity to make the show.”

Busch spent a good part of his busy offseason testing with Allen Johnson and he earned his NHRA Pro Stock license with an impressive best-pass of 6.576 seconds at 210.43 mph at Bradenton, Fla.

As a matter of reference (understanding conditions are not identical), Mike Edwards was the No. 1 qualifier at the 2010 Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals with a 6.537 at 211.53 and Rickie Jones was on the bump with a 6.601 at 209.10. Busch’s 6.576 would have qualified him 11th.

When Busch arrives in Gainesville for the 41st running of the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, he will get a total of four qualifying passes – two on Friday and two on Saturday – at which point the 16-car fields will be set for Sunday’s race.

Pro Stock cars have similar appearance to their showroom counterparts but feature extensive engine modifications, sophisticated chassis and suspension with a maximum 500 cubic-inch engine displacement. On average a Pro Stock car will cover the quarter-mile in six and a half seconds with a speed of more than 200 mph.

“It’s a whole different world than NASCAR. The toughest part is staging the car and of course cutting a good light, the thrill of the launch and the speed at the top-end is why I’m so fascinated with drag racing. But I do know that heading to the Gatornationals and running with the pros, I will get a full dose of ‘humble pie.’”

At the 2010 Tire Kingdom Gatornationals, Busch competed in the Super Gas category, which is part of the NHRA Lucas Oil Series, in a rebuilt 1970 Dodge Charger. Weather plagued the event which limited his time on the track and contributed to his first round loss in the category.

“The 2010 event was an experience of a lifetime, the camaraderie with the sportsman guys was a truly fun experience,” Busch said. “Although it was tough to watch it rain for four days, the grassroots effort of the sportsman guys is what makes the true heart of NHRA racing.”

Busch, a native of Las Vegas, was introduced to drag racing in the early 1990s when he met two Las Vegas based NHRA racers – George Marnell, a Pro Stock racer, and Dave Bush (no relation), a Super Comp competitor. He also became friends with three-time NHRA Top Fuel Champion Larry Dixon when both were sponsored by the same company.

COURTESY: kurtbusch.com