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Thousands Enjoy Return Of Offseason Fan Event In Charlotte

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 21, 2012) – For one day at least, Sam Alverson of Jacksonville, Fla., could lay claim to being NASCAR’s No. 1 fan. It wasn’t just because of his devotion to the sport; it’s because he was first in line.

After a marathon 26-hour campout session, Alverson was the first of thousands of fans through the doors Saturday for the inaugural NASCAR Preview 2012 Presented by Sprint at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Charlotte Convention Center. The fan-friendly event, part of NASCAR’s Acceleration Weekend, followed an overflow crowd for Friday evening’s NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony of Richie Evans, Dale Inman, Darrell Waltrip, Glen Wood and Cale Yarborough.

Many fans were in line the day before the event, forming a human chain that went halfway around the convention center and weathered cool, drizzly conditions. For Alverson, the reward of a 5 1/2-hour drive and extensive wait in the elements was a chance to greet his favorite driver, four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon.

Continue reading “Photos: NASCAR Fan Preview Event Builds 2012 Season Excitement”

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DENVER, Colo. (Jan. 20, 2012) — Within one week, Regan Smith went from driving the No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway to the high ski slopes in Telluride, Colo.

And that begs the question: Why was the 28-year-old Smith, dressed in his Furniture Row firesuit, driving the race car at 9,000 feet above sea level on icy and snow-packed roads where tandem drafting would never work no matter how many rule packages were introduced?

While last week’s Daytona test session was all about preparation for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season-opening Daytona 500, Telluride was all about shooting scenes earlier in the week (Monday and Tuesday) for the annual Warren Miller Entertainment ski movie.

Continue reading “Regan Smith takes 78 car for a spin in the snow”

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Variety Spices NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Third Class
Legends Inman, Waltrip, Wood, Yarborough, Evans Enshrined In Charlotte Ceremonies

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Jan. 20, 2012) — “A legend for everyone” describes the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s third class of inductees enshrined tonight, Friday, Jan. 20.

FULL PHOTO GALLERY AFTER THE BREAK BELOW

Here’s the versatile list. Dale Inman – an eight-time champion, he’s the first to be inducted based on his primary role as a crew chief. Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough – a pair of three-time NASCAR premier series champions, who won a combined 167 races. Glen Wood – the legendary car owner whose team has raced in seven decades, compiling 98 wins. And the late Richie Evans – a nine-time NASCAR Modified champion, the first to be inducted from outside NASCAR’s premier division.

Continue reading “Legends Inman, Waltrip, Wood, Yarborough, Evans become class of 2012”

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Sprint Introduces 2012 Miss Sprint Cup Lineup

Newcomer Kristen Beat Joins Returning Members Kim Coon and Jaclyn Roney

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – Jan. 21, 2012 – Thousands of fans met the 2012 Miss Sprint Cup lineup during today’s NASCAR Preview Presented by Sprint in Charlotte, N.C. Sprint announced that returning members Kim Coon (Orlando, Fla.) and Jaclyn Roney (Ann Arbor, Mich.) have been joined by newcomer Kristen Beat of El Cajon, Calif.

Coon, Roney and Beat make up the most geographically balanced Miss Sprint Cup lineup since the program’s inception in 2008, representing the Southeast, Midwest and West Coast.

Continue reading “Photos: Sprint Introduces 2012 Miss Sprint Cup Lineup”