Wendell Scott to be honored with VA historical marker

   The first African American to win a race in what is now known as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will receive a state historical marker in Danville, VA.

    The Virginia Department of Historic Resources approved six new markers recently. One will honor NASCAR driver Wendell O. Scott Sr. He became the first African-American to win a NASCAR Grand National race, which took place in 1963.

    The marker will read: “Persevering over prejudice and discrimination, Scott broke racial barriers in NASCAR, with a 13-year career that included 20 top five and 147 top ten finishes.”

NASCAR announces 2013 Drive for Diversity class

   Four drivers selected from the NASCAR Drive For Diversity Combine will join three returning drivers to compete for Rev Racing in 2013.

    Bryan Ortiz, from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and Ryan Gifford, of Winchester, Tenn., will return to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. Ortiz finished second to teammate Kyle Larson in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors last season and fifth in the standings.

    They will be joined by Daniel Suarez of Monterrey, Mexico, and Mackena Bell of Carson City, Nev. Suarez is coming off a third-place finish in Mexico’s NASCAR Toyota Series, while Bell drove in Rev Racing’s Late Model program last year.

    Annabeth Barnes from Hiddenite, N.C., and Jack Madrid from San Clemente, Calif., will pilot the Late Models for Rev Racing. While Devon Amos, from Rio Rancho, N.M., will compete for the team’s Legends program.

    Seventeen hopefuls went through a three-day driver evaluation of on-track performances and physical fitness assessments to be considered for a spot in the 2013 D4D class. For the second-consecutive year, the combine was held at Langley Speedway, a .4-mile asphalt oval.

2013 Daytona Speedweeks schedule

2013 Daytona Speedweeks schedule

 

Thursday, Feb. 14
1-5 p.m. ARCA practice

Friday, Feb. 15
2 p.m. ARCA qualifying
5-5:45 p.m. Sprint Unlimited practice
6:30-7:30 Final Unlimited practice

Saturday, Feb. 16
10-10:45 a.m. Final ARCA practice
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sprint Cup practice
2-3:45 p.m. Cup practice
4:30 p.m. ARCA race
8:10 p.m. Sprint Unlimited (non-points)

Sunday, Feb. 17
1:05 p.m. Cup qualifying for Daytona 500

Monday, Feb. 18
UNOH Battle At The Beach

Tuesday, Feb. 19 UNOH Battle At The Beach

Wednesday, Feb. 20
Noon-1:30 p.m. Cup practice
2:30-4 p.m. Cup practice

Thursday, Feb. 21
9-9:50 a.m. Nationwide practice
10:15-11:50 a.m. Final Nationwide practice
12:10-1 p.m. Truck practice
2 p.m. Gatorade Duel qualifying races
6-7:20 p.m. Final Truck practice

Friday, Feb. 22
11 a.m.-noon Cup practice
12:30-1:30 p.m. Cup practice
1:40 p.m. Truck qualifying
3:35 p.m. Nationwide qualifying
7:30 p.m. Truck series race (100 laps)

Saturday, Feb. 23
10:30 a.m.-noon Final Cup practice
1:15 p.m. Nationwide Series race (120 laps)

Sunday, Feb. 24
1 p.m. Daytona 500 (200 laps)

Brad Keselowski Racing to field two NASCAR Trucks in 2013

   Brad Keselowski Racing will field two fulltime entries in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series this season, including a fulltime season by Ryan Blaney, who became the series' youngest winner in 2012 with his victory at Iowa.

    Michigan-based Cooper Standard will sponsor Blaney's No. 29 Ford for the entire season.  Doug Randolph will again serve as crew chief.

    Cequent Consumer Products and Cequent Performance Products (Cequent Group) will sponsor 15 races on the No. 19 Ford, which will be driven by several drivers including team owner Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Dave Blaney and Ross Chastain. Dave Blaney will drive in the July 24 race at Eldora Speedway, the series' first race on dirt.

    Chastain will drive in 15 races in the No. 19, including the season opener at Daytona.

Former NASCAR crew chief Ray Evernham offers muscle car for auction

   NASCAR legend and ESPN racing analyst Ray Evernham, known as an avid classic and race car collector, can now add “car designer” to his resume. Evernham unveiled a street-legal 1964 Plymouth Belvedere that combines old school American style with modern NASCAR racing technology at 2012 SEMA that marked Evernham’s debut as a car designer and builder.

    On Saturday, Jan. 19, Evernham will present the ForPly as a featured vehicle at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction. The ForPly is listed in lot number 1394 and is offered with no reserve. The auction will be featured live on Speed Channel.

    “We set out to design the ultimate street machine that takes a vintage American muscle car with great motorsports heritage and brings it into the modern age,” said Evernham. “There is not another one like it in the world. We hope it draws the attention of racing and non-racing enthusiasts, as well as the collector who is looking for that one-of-a-kind vehicle.”

    Net proceeds from the sale will go to Evernham Family Racing for a Reason, a foundation that is funding IGNITE, a new program and facility in Davidson, N.C., operated by the Autism Society of North Carolina. IGNITE enables adults with High-Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome to enjoy a better quality of life as valued members of the community in which they live and work.

How bad do NASCAR drivers want to win the Daytona 500?

   NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton offered up an entertaining answer on Saturday when asked if teams might still employ "bump drafting" in the final lap of the Daytona 500 in an attempt to win.

   “When it comes down to the trophy, the check and the trophy queen, all bets are off,” he said.

   “I expect them to run hard at the end (of the race) and make sure they are around for the end of the race and make sure they are positioned where they can get (to the checkered flag). There is no telling what you’ll see.”

   That may end up ranking up there with "Boys, have at it" as one of NASCAR's most quotable statements. 

New windshield improves safety in Cup cars

   One of the less-publicized changes to the 2013 model cars is the adaption of a new windshield.

   The windshields continue to be made of Lexan – a transparent plastic of high impact strength – but it will be slightly thicker overall since it consists of two thinner pieces laminated together.  

   “I liked to see the windshield. I am really happy about that. That has always been a concern of mine, something coming through the front of the car,” said driver Greg Biffle.

   “It’s similar to a passenger car windshield that has the protective stuff in the middle of it. Typically when you layer something it becomes stronger than a single piece anyway.”