Speedweeks Opener Features Star-Studded Lineup

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 23, 2009) – NASCAR announced Wednesday a revision to the 2010 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona format that provides fans with a strong lineup of drivers highlighted by last year’s top performers and a collection of previous winners at the sport’s most-storied race track.

The 32nd annual season-opening event launches Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 6 with green flag set for 8:10 p.m. The new criteria are based upon the following qualifications, with eligibility based on a driver having competed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series within the last two seasons:

• The 12 drivers that qualified for the 2009 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup
• Past NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions
• Past Budweiser Shootout champions
• Past Daytona 500 and Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola champions
• The reigning Raybestos Rookie of the Year

Continue reading “New Bud Shootout Rules puts Dale Jr. in race”

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 21, 2009) – NASCAR announced today that it will continue its 17-year streak of racing on a national-series level in Wisconsin with the addition of the historic Road America course to its 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule.

The Road America 200 at the 4.048-mile, 14-turn track located in Elkhart Lake, Wis., replaces the event previously scheduled at the Milwaukee Mile and will be run on Saturday, June 19.

“We’re excited to be staying in Wisconsin and racing in front of the passionate fans there at a historic venue that’s new to our NASCAR Nationwide Series,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s vice president of racing operations.

Continue reading “Road America replaces Milwaukee Mile on 2010 NNS Schedule”

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 21, 2009) – With the recently completed 2009 season closing out another decade of NASCAR racing, media members have selected the top drivers and top races of the decade for all three national series as voted upon in a poll.

The listing of drivers and races for the poll was compiled following discussions with the three series directors and other long-time observers in the industry – and also resulted from direct input from NASCAR fans.

Jimmie Johnson was selected as the top NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver of the decade, followed by Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon. Johnson won an unprecedented fourth consecutive series championship in 2009 and posted 47 NASCAR Sprint Cup victories this decade – most of any driver. He is the only driver to earn a spot in the Chases for the NASCAR Sprint Cup all six years of the format’s existence.

Earlier today, the Associated Press named Johnson its Male Athlete of the Year, making him the first race-car driver to win that honor.

Kevin Harvick was chosen the top NASCAR Nationwide Series driver of the decade, followed by Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards. Harvick won two series titles in the decade – 2001 and ‘06 – and was named the series’ Raybestos Rookie of the Year in 2000. During the decade, he leads all NASCAR Nationwide drivers with 34 wins.

Continue reading “Media Selects 'Drivers of the Decade'”

Four-Time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Becomes First Race Car Driver To Receive Award

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 21, 2009) – The post-season honors keep piling up for Jimmie Johnson and once again, the four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion is making history.

Johnson has been named the Male Athlete of the Year by members of The Associated Press becoming the first race car driver to win this prestigious award in the 78 years it has been presented.

Johnson made history this season when he became the first driver to win four consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup titles, accomplishing a feat that the likes of Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough were unable to achieve. In 2009, Johnson won seven races, including four during NASCAR’s “playoffs” – the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Johnson and the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet team at Hendrick Motorsports have elevated themselves to the “dynasty” level. And, taking into consideration that this award has been presented in the past to such superstars as Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Joe Montana, Carl Lewis, Muhammad Ali, Sandy Koufax, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Byron Nelson, Joe DiMaggio, Jesse Owens, and Joe Louis, it’s safe to say that Johnson has etched his named alongside some of sports’ greatest of all-time.

Continue reading “The AP names Jimmie Johnson male athlete of the year”

In what appears to be our “All Danica, All the time” theme….

Open-wheel star preps for Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 during Speedweeks 2010

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Open-wheel racing star Danica Patrick turned her first laps in a stock car on Friday at Daytona International Speedway, the first day of a three-day test for the ARCA Racing Series presented RE/MAX and Menards in preparation for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 on Saturday, Feb. 6.

Patrick, behind the wheel of the No. 88 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, turned only four laps in Friday’s 35-minute session that was cut short due to rain showers. She was 12th on the speed chart with a lap of 51.095 seconds, 176.142 mph.

Continue reading “Danica Patrick Takes First Laps Around Daytona In Stock Car”