photos

on

Partnership Strengthens Military-Motorsports Connection To Boost Troop Morale

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 15, 2011) –NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 2 Dodge for Penske Racing, and Joey Logano, driver of the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing,brought holiday cheer, smiles and good times to troops and their families on the NASCAR-USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during their NASCAR-USO visit Dec. 12-14.

The tour of Guantanamo Bay was part of an ongoing partnership between NASCAR and the USO to strengthen a connection between the military and motorsports in an effort to help boost the morale of U.S. troops and their families stationed around the world. The partnership also included NASCAR and the USO hosting a group of wounded warriors at the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas.

PHOTO CREDIT: NASCAR MEDIA

During the visit, Keselowski and Logano visited hundreds of sailors and coast guardsmen and their families. The pair also dined with troops, visited the U.S. Navy Hospital, signed autographs and patrolled the waters with service members.

Continue reading “Logano and Keselowski Visit Troops at Guantanamo Bay Cuba”

on

Day 3: Grubb Stands Tall; Stewart Gets Call
* Award Winners Announced At Annual NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon
* Fans Line The Strip For NASCAR Victory Lap Return, NASCAR After The Lap

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 1, 2011) – Darian Grubb spoke for mere minutes at Thursday’s NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon, but the words that tumbled from the champion crew chief’s mouth were a good two months in the making.

Prior to October’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Grubb learned that his tenure as Tony Stewart’s crew chief would end after the season. Then, six races and three victories later, Grubb won an improbable NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship atop the pit box for the No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet. A few days later, the move was confirmed. Grubb was out, Steve Addington was in as Stewart’s crew chief in 2012.

That draining sequence of events framed the highlight of Thursday’s traditional NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon at the Bellagio – Grubb’s acceptance speech as champion crew chief.

With emotion in his voice, Grubb thanked Stewart for the opportunity – and his friendship. During the post-event media availability, Grubb explained his feelings from the roller-coaster ride.

Continue reading “Photos: Champion’s Week Las Vegas 2011 – Victory Lap, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Popular Again”

on

FYI WIRZ: NASCAR fans might be wary of the hot Sprint Cup garage

It seems the adage—be careful what you wish for, you might get it—pops up in many places throughout many lives. Here’s a motorsports happening.

Author: Dwight Drum racetake.com

Photo credit: Dwight Drum racetake.com

Often when at a NASCAR race, fans will inquire about the hot pass dangling from a credentials lanyard. They know it means access. Usually fans want to know how to get a hot pass that would allow them into the Sprint Cup garage.

Some fans with sponsor and team connections gain access to the hot Sprint Cup garage, but they are among a select few. Other select fans obtain a cold pass which allows them into the Nationwide and Camping World garages and into the Sprint Cup garage before race car activity when the race cars are not practicing or qualifying.

Continue reading “FYI WIRZ: NASCAR fans might be wary of the hot Sprint Cup garage”