NRA SPONSOR ATLANTA LABOR DAY RACE

National Rifle Association Named Title Sponsor for Labor Day Weekend NASCAR Nationwide Series Event at Atlanta Motor Speedway

NRA American Warrior 300 to Honor America’s Bravest Men and Women

HAMPTON, Ga. (June 30, 2012) – The National Rifle Association, America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group, and its NRA American Warrior magazine, will serve as title sponsor of the NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 1, with the event being called the NRA American Warrior 300.

The announcement was made by Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North, USMC (Ret.), who is an NRA Board Member and reports on American heroes for NRA Life of Duty, along with AMS President and General Manager Ed Clark, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Office of the NRA, Wayne LaPierre and Richard Childress, owner of Richard Childress Racing who is an NRA board member.

“Atlanta Motor Speedway is proud to celebrate and honor America’s bravest and most respected fighting men and women,” said AMS President and General Manager Ed Clark. “Many shooting sports enthusiasts are also race fans, and this partnership will highlights those long standing relationships. We look forward to saluting those that protect and serve the United States.”

“As Americans gather in the back yard for barbecues this Labor Day weekend and celebrate the upcoming school year, the return of hunting season and the worth ethic which makes America great, we wanted one race that focuses entirely on the life’s work of the American Warrior,” said Wayne LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President. “This is a labor of patriotism and gratitude. As a tribute to these wonderful people, the NRA and Atlanta Motor Speedway came together to make possible the NRA American Warrior 300.”

The NRA American Warrior magazine is the NRA’s bi-monthly salute to all who serve, from the armed forces to law enforcement to first responders. Fans that visit www.NRA.org/warrior and sign up for a free subscription to the magazine will receive a complimentary ticket to the NRA American Warrior 300.

The NRA American Warrior 300 will feature 195-laps of racing under the lights on the speedway’s 1.54-mile high-banks. The race will mark 10 events remaining in the 2012 season, meaning drivers will be battling for positions in the points standings and trying to build momentum for the season’s final three months, all while striving for the coveted AMS trophy.

NASCAR night racing returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway on Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 2012. Tickets for the NRA American Warrior 300 start at just $30. For more information, call the Atlanta Motor Speedway Ticket Office at (877) 9-AMS-TIX, (770) 946-4211 or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.

Kentucky Speedway:

Kentucky Speedway:

History

·         In 1998, the track broke ground in Sparta, Kentucky, and opened as a 1.5-mile speedway in 2000.

·         The original owners, Jerry Carroll and four other investors owned the track until 2008, when current owners, Speedway Motorsports Inc. purchased the facility.

·         Since 2000, the track has hosted 11 NASCAR Nationwide Series (2001-2011) and 13 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races (2000-2011).

·         The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race was held in 2011.

Notebook

·         There has been one NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Kentucky Speedway (2011).

·         The first NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying at Kentucky was cancelled due to weather. The starting line-up was set per the NASCAR Rule Book.

·         Kyle Busch won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup race; he started from the first position.

·         The 2011 event had 20 lead changes among 20 leaders.

·         Of the scheduled 267 laps, Kyle Busch led the most with 125, followed by Brad Keselowski with 79 laps led.

·         23 cars of the 43-car field finished on the lead lap, with 34 cars running at the finish.

·         The margin of victory for the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Kentucky was 0.179 seconds.

·         Youngest/Oldest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kentucky Speedway winner: Kyle Busch (07/09/2011 – 26 years, 2 months, 7 days).

·         Jimmie Johnson leads all drivers in wins at 1.5-mile race tracks(16 wins).

Second Year On Cup Schedule For Kentucky

Second Year On Cup Schedule For Kentucky

Kyle Busch dominated last year’s inaugural Quaker State 400 leading the most laps from a pole position that was set via the rule book due to inclement weather that canceled qualifying. Busch needs a pick-me-up for sure. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has averaged a finish of 27.0 over his past four starts and has fallen from ninth to 12^th in the points standings.

Two drivers who could use a Bluegrass State victory to close on career track sweeps are Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. Each lacks wins on one additional scheduled facilities – Gordon at Homestead and Stewart at Darlington. Gordon led his 23,000^th lap in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition on Sunday in Sonoma. He’s the active leader of the category and seventh in the history of laps led.

Kentucky Etc. Edwards can join Kyle Busch as a winner in all three NASCAR national series at Kentucky Speedway. He won his first NASCAR Camping World Truck race there in 2003 as a rookie and added a Nationwide Series victory in 2005.

Kentucky's new traffic plan

State police will lead Kentucky's new traffic plan

By Track Release
June 25, 2012

SPARTA, Ky. -- Kentucky State Police outlined its parking and traffic management plan for Kentucky Speedway's June 28-30 Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 weekend during a news conference last Thursday.
The plan will make full use of infrastructure projects completed by the State of Kentucky, Kentucky Speedway and Speedway Motorsports Inc., that widened the Interstate 71 exit ramp to Kentucky Highway 35 to three lanes, expanded Ky. Hwy. 35 to seven lanes, yielded parking for an estimated 20,000 additional vehicles and constructed a pedestrian tunnel which connects 170 acres of new parking to the original speedway property.

Autostock

At the 100-lap mark of the Quaker State 400, traffic was still in a gridlock waiting to get into Kentucky Speedway. (Autostock)

Captain Dean Hayes, Trooper Brad Arterburn and Trooper Michael Webb presented the plan which calls for KSP to control all parking operations, station a trooper in each parking lot and direct 300 attendants employed by a new parking service contracted by Kentucky Speedway.
KSP will additionally manage Quaker State 400 traffic by establishing a contraflow lane on northbound I-71 which will allow non-event traffic traveling southbound to safely bypass the speedway and decrease the potential for delays. State police will additionally divert as much commercial traffic as possible from I-71 to Interstate 64 and Interstate 75 with highway signage.
Speedway guests traveling southbound on I-71 will be directed to Exit 57 where police will utilize cones, signs and six lanes of Ky. Hwy. 35 to funnel traffic into the new Ford parking areas created on 170 acres of land just east of the speedway as well as lots accessible from Kentucky Speedway Entrance 3. Traffic traveling northbound on I-71 will access new and original Kentucky Speedway parking lots via I-71 Exit 55, state Route 1039 and the venue's Speedway Blvd.
All traffic entering the venue from access roads will be parked simultaneously.
"Each car will be directed to a specific location in each parking lot," Hayes said. "Our goal is to keep a constant vehicular movement in each open parking lot. Our team is committed to getting this right and we will."
KSP and Kentucky Speedway will utilize a media mix of local outlets, roadside message boards, Facebook and Twitter to provide fans traffic updates every 30 minutes or as necessary on Quaker State 400 race day.
Fans will be able to follow @kystatepolice and @KySpeedway on Twitter along with finding "Kentucky State Police" and "Kentucky Speedway" on Facebook. Fans within five miles of the track can tune to information radio 1620 AM.
Following the Quaker State 400, exterior traffic will be held 30 minutes to allow pedestrians to safely return to their vehicles. Infield traffic will be held 90 minutes to reduce congestion.
KSP encourages Quaker State 400 guests to leave early to avoid delays, be conscious that delays are possible as is the case with any major public or sporting event, exercise patience, avoid aggressive driving habits, maintain awareness of thousands of pedestrians near the speedway, and use extra caution when returning home.

CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY UNVEILS NEW BRAND

CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY UNVEILS NEW BRAND IDENTITY AND ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP WITH CHICAGO-BASED LEVY RESTAURANTS

Chicagoland Speedway will bring the best of Chicago to the track

 

Joliet, Ill. – June 21, 2012 – This afternoon Chicagoland Speedway celebrated the start of summer and two upcoming Summer NASCAR Weekends of racing by unveiling its new brand identity at a “Summer Beach Party” at Oak Street Beach. The beach party featured NASCAR stars Danica Patrick, 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr and 2011 Chicagoland Speedway race winner Justin Allgaier. 

The new brand identity, which includes a refreshed logo and a strategic push to bring the very best of Chicago to the Speedway, also included the announcement of a multi-year partnership extension with Levy Restaurants, the leader in sports and entertainment dining.

“As we kickoff our 11th year as NASCAR’s home in Chicago, we are proud to host two major event weekends of racing for one of the most watched and attended sports in the country.  Each year we welcome thousands of guests from all 50 states and several different countries who expect to see elements of Chicago when they come to an event at our facility, and we intend to deliver on that,” said Chicagoland Speedway president Scott Paddock. “In addition to our new branding, we’re proud to have our partners at Levy Restaurants, a long-time staple of the Chicago sports and restaurant scene, committed to enhancing the food and beverage experience by bringing classic Chicago foods and introducing signature offerings to the Speedway. Their expertise will allow fans to experience one of the world’s greatest cities each time they visit.

While Chicago classics like the Italian beef, Chicago-style hot dog and other local favorites will star on the new menu, Chicagoland Speedway and Levy have also collaborated to create several new signature items that can only be found at the Speedway. The Blueberry Moonshine, the Chicken and Waffle Sandwich, Brisket Slider and “The Intimidator” Dog, fully loaded with homemade mac and cheese and crispy bacon, are just a few new items that will debut at Chicagoland Speedway in 2012.

“Nothing gets your adrenaline going more than an incredible day at the races and we are excited to continue our partnership with Chicagoland Speedway,” said Andy Lansing President and CEO of Levy Restaurants.”Matching the excitement on the track with the dynamite flavors of our home town is a true thrill for us so we look forward to continuing to welcome racing fans with Chicago style food and hospitality.”

In addition to the rebranding efforts and new food and beverage experience, Chicagoland Speedway will bring other elements of Chicago to fans that will enhance the overall guest experience, including integrating iconic architectural elements from the City, on-site entertainment, and new strategic partnerships with Chicago area-based businesses.

For tickets to any Chicagoland Speedway event, call 1-888-629-RACE (7223). For more information on Chicagoland Speedway, stay connected on Twitter and Facebook or by visiting www.ChicagolandSpeedway.com.

#                        #                      #

Chicagoland Speedway & Route 66 Raceway
Chicagoland Speedway is a 1.5-mile, paved oval race track located in Joliet, Ill.  The track has hosted racing events of the major U.S. racing series, and currently conducts races in all three NASCAR national series, including the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.   Along with Route 66 Raceway, a multimillion-dollar complex that includes a ¼ mile stadium-style drag strip and a ½ mile dirt oval track, Chicagoland Speedway is wholly-owned by International Speedway Corporation (ISC), a major promoter of motorsports activities.  ISC owns and/or operates 13 of the nation’s major racing venues, including Daytona International Speedway. The 2012 Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway Seasons are presented by Illinois. Mile After Magnificent Mile.  Visit EnjoyIllinois.com and discover everything Illinois has to offer.  For more information on Chicagoland Speedway, visit www.ChicagolandSpeedway.com.

About Levy Restaurants

Levy Restaurants, founded in Chicago in 1978, is recognized as one of America’s fastest growing and most critically acclaimed restaurant companies, and is the leader in premium sports and entertainment dining. Levy was recently named one of the 10 most innovative companies in sports in the world by Fast Company magazine. The company’s diverse portfolio includes award-winning restaurants such as James Beard Award-winning Spiaggia in Chicago, Fulton’s Crab House, Portobello and Wolfgang Puck Grand Café at Walt Disney World Resort, renowned sports and entertainment venues like Churchill Downs in Louisville, STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, and American Airlines Arena in Miami, and events including the Super Bowl, World Series, U. S. Open, Kentucky Derby, NHL and NBA All-Star Games and the GRAMMY^® Awards.

Sonoma:

Sonoma:

History

·         The track opened as a 2.52-mile road course and drag strip in 1968.

·         The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held in 1989.

·         The first nine races were 300 kilometers and switched to a 350k format in 1998.

·         The track was reconfigured to 1.949 miles in 1998 with the installation of an 890-foot chute between the original Turns 4 and 7.

·         The track was reconfigured to 2.0 miles in 2001 and re-measured at 1.99 miles in 2002.

Notebook

·         There have been 23 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Sonoma since the first race there in 1989.

·         Rusty Wallace won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup pole.

·         Ricky Rudd won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup race.

·         14 different drivers have won poles; only four have won more than one.

·         Jeff Gordon (five) leads all pole winners. Ricky Rudd has four, including three consecutive (1990-92), Rusty Wallace and Kasey Kahne each have two.

·         There have been consecutive pole winners three times: Ricky Rudd (1990-92) and Jeff Gordon (1998-99 and 2004-05).

·         15 different drivers have won races; five have multiple victories there – led by Jeff Gordon with five. Ernie Irvan, Ricky Rudd, Tony Stewart and Rusty Wallace (all with two) are the other multiple-race winners.

·         Jeff Gordon is also the only driver with consecutive wins, winning in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

·         Five of 23 races have been won by the pole winner, including three times by Jeff Gordon. His victory from the pole in 2004 is the most recent.

·         The lowest starting position by a race winner was 32nd, by Juan Pablo Montoya; it also was his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win.

·         Boris Said posted his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pole.

·         Jeff Gordon is the all-time leader in road-course victories, with nine. Tony Stewart is second, with seven.

·         Youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sonoma winner: Kyle Busch (06/26/2008 – 21 years, 1 month, 2 days).·         Oldest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sonoma winner: Ricky Rudd (06/23/2002 – 45 years, 9 months, 11 days).

Michigan International Speedway:

Michigan International Speedway:

History

·         Michigan International Speedway sits on more than 1,400 acres in the “Irish Hills” of Southeastern Michigan. Ground-breaking took place on Sept. 28, 1967.

·         The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan was held June 15, 1969.

·         The track was known as Michigan Speedway during the time Roger Penske was the primary owner (1996-99).

·         The 2-mile speedway underwent a repave this season.

Notebook

·         There have been 85 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Michigan International Speedway since the first race there in 1969. Other than 1973, which had just one race, there have been two races each season since 1969.

·         The first race was 500 miles in length; the second was scheduled for 600. The track was re-measured to 2.04 miles for the last race in 1970 and both races in 1971 – with the race distance being 402 miles. All other races have been scheduled for 400 miles.

·         Donnie Allison won the first pole.

·         The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was won by Cale Yarborough.

·         There have been 41 different pole winners, led by David Pearson with 10. Mark Martin has five poles. 

·         34 different drivers have won races, led by David Pearson (nine); 19 drivers have more than one victory at Michigan.

·         The race winner has started from the pole 16 times, the most productive starting position. Brian Vickers (August, 2009) was the last driver to win from the pole.

·         66 of 85 races have been won from a top-10 starting position, including 46 from the first four spots.

·         The deepest in the field a race winner has started was 32nd, by Mark Martin in the June race of 2009.

·         The Wood Brothers and Roush Fenway Racing both have 11 wins, more than any other team.

·         Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth are the only drivers to average a top-10 finish. Edwards, who has two Michigan wins, has an average finish of 8.2. Coincidentally, Edwards’ first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start came at Michigan. Kenseth, who also has two victories, has an average finish of 9.5.

·         Youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Michigan International Speedway winner: Kurt Busch (06/15/2003 – 24 years, 10 months, 11 days).

·         Oldest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Michigan International Speedway winner: Harry Gant (08/16/1992 – 52 years, 7 months, 6 days).

TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY DECLINES INDYCAR SEASON FINALE

TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY DECLINES OPPORTUNITY TO HOST 2012 INDYCAR SEASON FINALE

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (June 15, 2012) - Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage announced Friday that he has declined the opportunity from INDYCAR officials to host the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series finale at the Fort Worth motorsports venue.

The opportunity arose Wednesday following the cancellation of the IZOD IndyCar Series race scheduled for Aug. 19 in Qingdao, China and INDYCAR seeking another event to fulfill a 16-race schedule. INDYCAR reached out to Gossage to see if Texas Motor Speedway had an interest in hosting the season finale in late September or early October.

"We appreciate INDYCAR reaching out to us for that opportunity, but there were numerous issues and obstacles to overcome to successfully promote the event like the past 23 IZOD IndyCar Series events we have hosted here," Gossage said. "Our focus during that fall period - ranging from operations to marketing - is squarely on the November 1-4 AAA Texas 500 NASCAR tripleheader weekend, especially with it being a key Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race. We couldn't justify dividing resources between the two events to make it happen and it would be an injustice to both due to the scheduling."

Texas Motor Speedway just played host to last Saturday night's Firestone 550 won by Justin Wilson, its 23rd IZOD IndyCar Series event and most of any speedway in the history of the series. The IZOD IndyCar Series has run annually at Texas Motor Speedway since it opened in 1997 and two races were held at the facility from 1998 to 2004, including the season finale on six occasions (1999-2004).

TEXAS POSSIBLY HOSTING 2012 INDYCAR SEASON FINALE

STATEMENT FROM TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY PRESIDENT EDDIE GOSSAGE REGARDING POSSIBLY HOSTING 2012 INDYCAR SEASON FINALE

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (June 13, 2012) - With the announcement Wednesday of the cancellation of the IZOD IndyCar Series race scheduled for Aug. 19 in China, Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage confirmed the speculation that INDYCAR officials have approached him about the Fort Worth facility playing host to their 2012 season finale.

"The thought is intriguing to potentially have Texas Motor Speedway once again play host to the INDYCAR season finale, just like we did from 1999 to 2004, in the nation's fourth-largest media market. However, we did not have the AAA Texas 500 NASCAR triple-header in early November at that time and a September or early October date could pose several obstacles on a variety of fronts that we would have to consider before making a decision. Considering the shrinking window to properly promote the season finale to its fullest, we will have to make a decision fairly quickly."

Texas Motor Speedway just completed the running of its 23rd IZOD IndyCar Series event, the most of any speedway in the history of the series, with this past Saturday night's Firestone 550 won by Justin Wilson. The IZOD IndyCar Series has run annually at Texas Motor Speedway since it opened in 1997 and held two races at facility from 1998 to 2004, including the season finale on six occasions (1999-2004).

Michigan's fast, fresh pavement more than a surface matter

Michigan's fast, fresh pavement more than a surface matter

June 13, 2012: Weekend preview

NASCAR Wire Service

When the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule was released, it didn't come with road construction signs for the first two weeks in June. Perhaps it should have.

For the second consecutive race, NASCAR tackles a track with fresh asphalt as it makes the first of two annual stops at Michigan International Speedway for Sunday's Quicken Loans 400 (1 p.m. ET, TNT). While the configuration of the 2-mile D-shaped oval remains unchanged, speeds are expected to climb at what is already one of the fastest tracks on the circuit.

"It's going to be challenging to maintain the pace that we're going to be able to run there," said Jeff Gordon, a two-time Michigan winner, "but I've always loved Michigan and I was just happy to know that other than new pavement and a smooth race track, other than that, not a lot changed, which I was happy to hear."

As with last week's event at newly repaved Pocono Raceway, series officials have allotted extra track time for teams to adjust to the speedway, which has its first fresh coat of asphalt since 1995. Sprint Cup drivers begin testing Thursday morning before additional practice Friday.

Venturing into the unknown doesn't seem to bother Brad Keselowski, a Michigan native who called the track a "thrill ride" after a Goodyear tire test on the new asphalt in April. Conditions will be much warmer this time around, with temperatures forecast to reach the upper 80s all weekend.

"I don't think anyone really knows what to expect," said Keselowski, who ranks 10th in the standings. "Those are always the cool races to me, the races where everybody comes in with no experience and you just kind of go."

Going around Michigan hasn't been a problem in recent years for Joe Gibbs Racing, which has won three of the last four races held in the Irish Hills. Denny Hamlin has won the last two June races at Michigan and teammate Kyle Busch sealed a JGR season sweep there last August. With Joey Logano registering a convincing win last weekend at Pocono, each Gibbs driver has at least one victory this season.

While no Gibbs driver needed a turnaround more desperately than Logano, whose job security has been rumor mill fodder for much of the season, it's Busch who is in most need of a rebound this week. Two straight engine-related DNFs -- after a stretch of four straight top-fives -- have dropped Busch from eighth to 12th in the Sprint Cup standings, throwing his name into the hotly contested Chase wild-card fight.

"It's very frustrating," Busch said. "These guys here at Joe Gibbs Racing and everybody on this team deserves better than this. It's unfortunate that we just aren't getting the results we need because (crew chief) Dave (Rogers) and the guys have been working hard and bringing good cars to the race track. We just haven't been able to figure out what has caused our problems the last two weeks. I know a lot of people are working hard to get it figured out."

Sunday's race is expected to mark the second career Sprint Cup start for Austin Dillon, last year's champion in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and current Nationwide Series rookie. The 400-miler would also be the 600th Cup start for veteran Joe Nemechek. Both Dillon and Nemechek are among 10 drivers outside the top 35 in series owners points vying for eight starting berths based on qualifying speed.

Pocono Raceway:

Pocono Raceway:

History

·         Opened in 1968 as a three-quarter-mile track, Pocono Raceway held the first race on the 2.5-mile track in 1971.

·         The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race was in 1974.

Notebook

·         There have been 68 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Pocono Raceway.

·         There was one race from 1974 through 1981, and two per year since.

·         This season will mark the first time the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Pocono will be scheduled for 400 miles. Prior to 2012 all NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races were 500 miles at Pocono Raceway.

·         Buddy Baker won the first pole.

·         There have been 38 different pole winners, including David Pearson who won the pole there in June 1984 but did not race; 16 drivers have more than one pole there.

·         The pole has been swept just three times: Bill Elliott (1985), Ken Schrader (1993) and Denny Hamlin (2006).

·         Richard Petty won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Pocono.

·         30 different drivers have won races at Pocono, led by Bill Elliott and Jeff Gordon, each with five victories; 20 drivers have won more than once there.

·         There have been six season sweeps at Pocono, the last by Denny Hamlin in 2006.

·         Bobby Allison (1982, ’83) and Tim Richmond (1986, ’87) each won three consecutive races at Pocono.

·         47 of 68 Pocono races have been won from a top-10 start.

·         The June 2005 race was won by Carl Edwards from the 29th starting position, the deepest in the field that a race winner has started.

·         13 of 68 races have been won from the pole, Bill Elliott (1985, 2002) and Denny Hamlin (2006 sweep) are the only drivers to have done it twice. Tony Stewart is the most recent driver to win from the pole in 2009.

·         Rick Hendrick leads all car owners with 12 Pocono victories.

·         Mark Martin leads all drivers in top fives (19) and top 10s (33), but has yet to win at Pocono. His best finish was second, six times (most recently in August 2004). Martin is tied with Bobby Allison for most runner-up finishes at a track without winning. Allison also had six at Martinsville.

·         Jimmie Johnson (9.0) and Denny Hamlin (9.7) are the only active drivers to average a top 10.

·         Youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pocono Raceway winner: Jeff Gordon (06/16/1996 – 24 years, 10 months, 12 days).

·         Oldest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pocono Raceway winner: Harry Gant (06/17/1990 – 50 years, 5 months, 7 days).

 

Pocono: New Pavement, New Race Distance

Pocono: New Pavement, New Race Distance

Pocono Raceway is unlike any track on the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule: Three distinctly different turns and three straightaways of varying lengths and top speeds.
But this week, there are two new wrinkles. Pocono’s surface has received its first new coat of asphalt since 1995. And for the first time in the track’s history, neither 2012 race will be a 500-miler. Both Sunday’s Pocono 400 and August’s Pennsylvania 400 will be scheduled for 160 laps/400 miles over the 2.5-mile layout that became a part of NASCAR’s premier series in 1974.
This also will be the first race since January’s passing of Pocono founder Joseph "Doc" Mattioli. Each car in the starting field will carry a special decal in "Doc’s" memory.
Goodyear Tire tests suggest the "new" Pocono can be summed up in one word: speed. Smooth is another description that comes to mind. Teams test Wednesday and Thursday in advance of the weekend’s schedule.
Last year’s Pocono 400 winner Jeff Gordon said crew chiefs can leave their notes at the shop. "I am definitely not thinking about being the defending champion of that race at all just because there is nothing to compare to with a repave," said Gordon, whose five wins are tied with Bill Elliott for the all-time Pocono lead. "I think there is very little that we’re probably going to have in our set-up that would compare to what we had there last year."
Jimmie Johnson said repaving shouldn’t be a radical departure from the past because the same kind of materials were used in both old and new asphalt.
"Normally, it’s an edgy race track regardless of the tire that you come with on a new repave," said Johnson, whose two Pocono victories came in 2004. "It sounds like we didn’t have that [during the test] and Pocono made sure they used the same mix, the same asphalt that we were racing on.
"I would imagine that it’s going to be super smooth and really fast."
Greg Biffle won the track’s August race in 2010. He looks forward to the new format and thinks the fans should too. "I think the racing being shortened to 400 miles will create some excitement with the fan," said the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points leader. "There will be more urgency to go and different strategy."

AMERICAN ETHANOL SPONSOR Ncwts Chicagoland

                      

AMERICAN ETHANOL ANNOUNCED AS EVENT TITLE SPONSOR FOR NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES RACE AT CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY

Growth Energy and the Illinois Corn Marketing Board partnering to present the American Ethanol 225 at Chicagoland Speedway

Joliet, Ill. – June 5, 2012 – Chicagoland Speedway today announced Growth Energy and the Illinois Corn Marketing Board have partnered to become the event title sponsor of its 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. The American Ethanol 225 on Saturday, July 21, represents the return of summer night racing to Chicagoland Speedway.
“As we kick off our 2012 race season this July we are thrilled to welcome an entitlement partner as involved in the sport as American Ethanol,” said Scott Paddock, president of Chicagoland Speedway. “Their proactive commitment to reducing emissions has been a vital aspect of NASCAR’s Green Clean Air initiative, and American Ethanol has proven to be a tremendous partner not only for Chicagoland Speedway, but for NASCAR’s teams, fans and the industry as a whole.”

Representing a wide array of ethanol supporters, from farmers to bio-engineering firms, American Ethanol was established by Growth Energy in partnership with the National Corn Growers Association and others. Ethanol represents the most commercially-viable alternative to 100% petroleum-based fuel that America currently holds, and corn ethanol reduces emissions by 59 percent. By utilizing Sunoco Green E15 race fuel, a 15% blend of corn ethanol and gasoline, NASCAR has demonstrated that American Ethanol-blended fuel performs when held to the highest standards.

“Growth Energy is thrilled to sponsor the American Ethanol 225, and work in conjunction with Chicagoland Speedway and Illinois family corn farmers’ checkoff program, to promote a homegrown, American fuel,” stated Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. “The drivers at Chicagoland Speedway and across the nation rely on E15 for superior horsepower and performance, and as they will tell you, it delivers.”

“Today is a shining example of how Americans across the country are embracing a homegrown renewable fuel, and Growth Energy along with American Ethanol and its partners are glad to be leading the charge.”

“We can’t wait to spend some time getting to know more racing fans at the American Ethanol 225,” said Bill Christ, a family farmer from Metamora, IL, who is Chairman of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board. “Illinois family farmers had a ball interacting with the racing community in our exhibits in the Speedway’s Champions Park display area last year, and we plan to do the same this year. Fans and drivers alike have committed to supporting the farmers that grow the corn to make ethanol, and we’re glad to return the favor with this elevated partnership.”

To purchase tickets to the American Ethanol 225, or any other events at Chicagoland Speedway visit www.ChicagolandSpeedway.com or call 1-888-629-RACE (7223).
Date                                         Event

Saturday, July 21                      American Ethanol 225 (NASCAR Camping World Truck Series) & Ansell ActivArmr® 150 (ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards)

Sunday, July 22                        STP 300 (NASCAR Nationwide Series)

Saturday, Sept. 15                    Dollar General 300 powered by Coca-Cola (NASCAR Nationwide Series)

Sunday, Sept. 16                      GEICO 400 (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series)

For more information on Chicagoland Speedway stay connected on Twitter and Facebook.

#          #          #

About Growth Energy
Growth Energy represents the producers and supporters of ethanol who feed the world and fuel America in ways that achieve energy independence, improve economic well-being and create a healthier environment for all Americans now. More information can be found at www.growthenergy.org.
About National Corn Growers Association
Founded in 1957, the National Corn Growers Association represents 35,000 dues-paying corn farmers nationwide and the interests of more than 300,000 growers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in their states. NCGA and its 48 affiliated state associations and checkoff organizations work together to create and increase opportunities for their members and their industry. For more information, visit www.ncga.com.

About Illinois Corn Marketing Board

The Illinois Corn Marketing Board was established in 1982 to manage the voluntary checkoff investment that corn farmers in the state agreed to implement that year. The farmers that make up ICMB are elected by their peers to serve unpaid, three year terms. The ICMB farmer leaders are tasked with developing and maintaining markets for corn which is Illinois' highest valued agricultural commodity. Find out more about ICMB at www.ilcorn.org and the family farmers who contribute to the checkoff at www.watchusgrow.org.

Chicagoland Speedway & Route 66 Raceway

Chicagoland Speedway is a 1.5-mile, paved oval race track located in Joliet, Ill.  The track has hosted racing events of the major U.S. racing series, and currently conducts races in all three NASCAR national series, including the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.   Along with Route 66 Raceway, a multimillion-dollar complex that includes a ¼ mile stadium-style drag strip and a ½ mile dirt oval track, Chicagoland Speedway is wholly-owned by International Speedway Corporation (ISC), a major promoter of motorsports activities.  ISC owns and/or operates 13 of the nation’s major racing venues, including Daytona International Speedway. The 2012 Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway Seasons are presented by Illinois. Mile After Magnificent Mile.  Visit EnjoyIllinois.com and discover everything Illinois has to offer.  For more information on Chicagoland Speedway, visit www.ChicagolandSpeedway.com.