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.

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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.

Dover International Speedway:

Dover International Speedway:

History

·         The official opening of Dover International Speedway, then called Dover Downs International Speedway, was in 1969.

·         The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on July 6, 1969.

·         The first two races at Dover were 300 miles. The race length was changed to 500 miles in 1971.

·         The track surface was changed to concrete in 1995.

·         The race length was changed to 400 miles beginning with the second race in 1997.

·         The track name was changed to Dover International Speedway in 2002.

Notebook

·         There have been 84 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Dover International Speedway since the track opened in 1969.

·         There was one race in 1969 and 1970. There has been two-a-year since 1971.

·         Richard Petty won the track’s first NASCAR Sprint Cup race.

·         There have been 35 different pole winners, led by David Pearson (six).

·         David Pearson won the first pole in July 1969.

·         Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon and Ryan Newman lead all active drivers, each with four poles.

·         33 different drivers have posted victories led by Bobby Allison and Richard Petty, each with seven.

·         Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers, with six victories.

·         Hendrick Motorsports has a series-high 13 wins.

·         51 races at Dover have been won from a top-five starting position; 18 races have been won from a starting position outside the top 10.

·         13 drivers have won from the pole. The last to do so was Jimmie Johnson, in the 2010 September race.

·         The furthest back in the field a race winner started was 37th, by Kyle Petty in 1995.

·         Several active drivers had their first start at Dover: David Ragan (finished 42nd in 2006), Kurt Busch (18th in 2000), Matt Kenseth (sixth in 1998) and Bobby Labonte (34th in 1991).

·         In addition, Matt Kenseth (2002) and Michael Waltrip (1991) earned their first pole at Dover. Martin Truex Jr. won his first race there (2007).

·         Youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Dover International Speedway winner: Kyle Busch (06/01/2008 – 23 years, 0 months, 30 days).

·         Oldest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Dover International Speedway winner: Harry Gant (05/31/1992 – 52 years, 4 months, 21 days).