Entry list for 2014 Sprint Unlimited

Entry Veh # Driver Owner Crew Chief Mfg

1. 1 Jamie McMurray Felix Sabates Keith Rodden  Chevrolet

2. 2 Brad Keselowski Roger Penske Paul Wolfe  Ford

3. 4 Kevin Harvick Tony Stewart Rodney Childers  Chevrolet

4. 9 Marcos Ambrose Richard Petty Drew Blickensderfer  Ford

5. 10 Danica Patrick Tony Stewart Tony Gibson  Chevrolet

6. 11 Denny Hamlin J D Gibbs Darian Grubb  Toyota

7. 14 Tony Stewart Margaret Haas Chad Johnston  Chevrolet

8. 17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr John Henry Michael Kelley  Ford

9. 18 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Dave Rogers  Toyota

10. 20 Matt Kenseth Joe Gibbs Jason Ratcliff  Toyota

11. 22 Joey Logano Walter Czarnecki Todd Gordon  Ford

12. 24 Jeff Gordon Rick Hendrick Alan Gustafson  Chevrolet

13. 31 Ryan Newman Richard Childress Luke Lambert  Chevrolet

 

14. 32 Terry Labonte Frank Stoddard Jr Daniel Stillman  Ford

15. 41 Kurt Busch Gene Haas Daniel Knost  Chevrolet

16. 48 Jimmie Johnson Jeff Gordon Chad Knaus  Chevrolet

17. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr Rick Hendrick Steve Letarte  Chevrolet

18. 99 Carl Edwards Jack Roush James Fennig  Ford

NBC set to launch new weekly NASCAR TV show on Feb. 24

 

 

  NBC Sports Network will debut its new, weekly NASCAR TV show "NASCAR America" on Monday, Feb. 24, the day after the 2014 Daytona 500.

   The 30-minute show will debut at 5 p.m. ET and return each week at the same time and place. "NASCAR America" will cover the sport from all angles, delivering news, highlights and access to NASCAR’s dynamic stars and personalities. Each episode will include in-depth access to the drivers, crew chiefs and team owners that are integral to the sport, opinions and analysis from NASCAR’s most prominent personalities, and exclusive looks inside the high-tech race shops and storied racing venues that dot the country.

   Originating from NBC Sports Group’s International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn., as well as a new NBC Sports’ studio located in the racing hotbed of Charlotte, "NASCAR America's" primary host is Rick Allen. Allen, who will usher in NBC Sports’ live coverage of NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series racing as lead announcer in July 2015, will interact daily with NBC Sports motorsports reporters Marty Snider and Kelly Stavast. Snider and Stavast, both based in Charlotte, will operate on location throughout the country to deliver the latest news and features on NASCAR’s drivers and race teams. NBC Sports Group’s IndyCar and Formula One play-by-play voice Leigh Diffey will also serve as host.

   Alongside Allen in the studio will be a constant rotation of guest analysts offering fresh perspectives and insights. Guest analysts throughout February and March include NBC Sports NASCAR analyst Jeff Burton, Sprint Cup Champion Bobby Labonte, Kyle Petty, Ken Schrader, and crew chief Frank Stoddard. Future guest analysts, which will include former and current drivers and crew chiefs, NASCAR executives, and even prominent fans such as NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams, will be announced at a later date. 

   “The excitement and energy that the NBC Sports team is pouring into all the great ideas and concepts for NASCAR America has me convinced that this show will be special for race fans,” said Burton. “I’m looking forward to contributing to NASCAR America, and watching it as well.”  

Charlotte Bobcats will honor six-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson

  

 

   The Charlotte Bobcats announced that the team’s game against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, Feb. 11, will be presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and the evening will  be highlighted by an in-game presentation recognizing six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson of Hendrick Motorsports.

   As part of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Night, every fan that shows their BCBSNC insurance card at the box office within 2 hours of tip-off will receive a discounted ticket to the game: $35 lower-level seats and $10 upper-level seats. In recognition of Johnson’s success, the Bobcats will play a video tribute highlighting Johnson’s 2013 achievements and he will be honored with an on-court presentation by the team.

   “We are thrilled to recognize Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports on their championship,” said Bobcats Sports & Entertainment President & COO Fred Whitfield. “He and his team continue to work hard to maintain a certain level of success on and off the track.

   "The work Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina do throughout our community is phenomenal and we are proud to partner with such great organizations who continue to be a strong presence throughout the Carolinas.”

Jimmie Johnson won the 2013 NASCAR title and the offseason, too

 

 

   NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson was referenced in more than 6,000 news media stories this offseason.

   When comparing the size of the audience generated by the news media coverage to the cost of reaching the same audience through traditional advertising, the mentions of Johnson's name drew an estimated exposure value in excess of $10 million. 

   According to research conducted by Joyce Julius & Associates, Inc., which specializes in measuring the scope of sponsorships across all forms of media, Danica Patrick actually was referenced in about 700 more media stories appearing on television, print and the Internet than Johnson this past off season. However, the estimated audience of Patrick's media coverage was smaller than Johnson's, and as a result, she amassed slightly less estimated exposure value ($9.8 million) from her coverage. 

   The Joyce Julius study began the day after the NASCAR Banquet last December and concluded this past Monday following the Super Bowl.

15-year-old Gray Gaulding's NASCAR career takes off

 

 

   Team release

 

   Kernersville, N.C. (February 7, 2014) – NTS Motorsports announced the addition of 15 year-old NASCAR Next driver Gray Gaulding to their lineup in 2014. Gaulding will make his debut in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) in eight races and will compete alongside Brennan Newberry in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE) full-time. 

 

   Virginia native Gaulding, has set NASCAR records as the youngest winner and pole sitter in NASCAR K&N Pro Series competition. With primary sponsorship from Gemini Southern, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and TruMoo Chocolate Milk, Gaulding hopes to claim the NKNPSE championship and contend for victories in the NCWTS. As a NASCAR Next driver, Gaulding has claimed one win, 11 top-10’s and five top-5’s in 18 NKNPSE starts in 2013.

 

   “Signing with a competitive and successful team like NTS Motorsports is a tremendous opportunity for me,” stated Gaulding. “With our new sponsorship from Gemini Southern and continued support from Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and TruMoo Chocolate Milk, I am eager to return to the NKNPSE to build upon our success in 2013 and go after the championship. I look forward to achieving my goal of competing in the NCWTS and capturing the “Youngest Race Winner” title in that series as well.”

 

   Gaulding will turn 16 years old on Monday.

 

   As Newberry enters his third season driving in the NCWTS, he is primed to use that experience to compete for the NKNPSE championship in the No. 24 Chevy Impala, where he is a three time pole award winner.  Winning the Keystone Light Pole Award at Daytona International Speedway in the opening NCWTS race in 2013, is the momentum the 23 year-old driver will bring into each one of his 12 NCWTS races this season. 

 

   Dwayne Gaulding has moved into the role of Vice President of Operations at NTS Motorsports. As such, he is excited to reshape the organization into a competitive powerhouse in the NCWTS and NKNPSE. “Taking on the role of VP of Operations is a big commitment that comes with very important responsibilities,” states Gaulding. “The people we at NTS Motorsports have put in place are what will make this team successful. As a preacher once stated, ‘it’s not the building that makes up the church, it’s the people.” 

   NTS Motorsports will compete full-time in the NCWTS with the No. 24 and No. 20 Chevrolet Silverado trucks. Newberry has been confirmed for 12 races, with the remaining 10 races to be filled by an unannounced driver. Gaulding will make his NCWTS debut at Martinsville Speedway on March 29th and will compete in an additional seven races in the series. The remaining fourteen races will be filled in by an additional driver to be announced. Gaulding will pilot the No. 20 entry in the full NKNPSE season. 

How much money is on the line in this year's Daytona 500?

  

   The purse for the 56th running of the Daytona 500 is $19,784,864.00

   Here's how it shapes up:

   Top 10 Total Posted Awards by position:

   1st - $1,454,600

   2nd - $1,071,125

   3rd - $780,225

   4th - $633,975

   5th - $510,700

   6th - $409,150

   7th - $368,650

   8th - $344,150

   9th - $332,100

   10th - $322,200

   Total Posted Awards include Racing Purse, Television Awards, Special Plans listed herein, Qualifying Awards, Manufacturer Contingency Awards and Special Awards, and a prorated share of season-end Point Fund Award. Actual pay-outs are determined by recipient eligibility, receipt of Television and Ancillary revenues, and are also subject to change based on the outcome of any penalties, protest, appeals, or reviews by NASCAR Supervisory Officials in accordance with the Rule Book. The timing and payment of certain awards such as Point Fund Awards, Manufacturer Contingency Awards and Special Awards, Net Ancillary Rights Income, and Plans are governed by separate agreements. All Posted Awards won by a driver and/or any other eligible competitor of a particular team shall be paid by NASCAR to the team owner. The team owner, and not NASCAR, shall be solely responsible for the distribution of such prize money to the driver and/or other eligible competitor(s), and the sole recourse of such driver or other competitor(s) shall be against the team owner.

   Racing Purse Breakdown (by race finishing position):

   Total $1,949,077

   1st-$300,425

   2nd-$196,475

   3rd-$105,475

   4th-$97,375

   5th-$77,450

   6th-$47,450

   7th-$41,450

   8th-$39,950

   9th-$39,425

   10th-$39,025

   11th-$38,875

   12th-$37,375

   13th-$36,375

   14th-$35,375

   15th-$34,375

   16th-$33,375

   17th-$32,850

   18th-$32,550

   19th-$32,275

   20th-$32,025

   21st-$31,750

   22nd-$31,250

   23rd-$30,750

   24th-$30,250

   25th-$29,650

   26th-$29,250

   27th-$28,500

   28th-$28,000

   29th-$27,525

   30th-$27,325

   31st-$27,125

   32nd-$26,925

   33rd-$26,725

   34th-$26,525

   35th-$26,325

   36th-$26,130

   37th-$25,922

   38th-$25,700

   39th-$24,700

   40th-$23,700

   41st-$22,700

   42nd-$21,700

   43rd-$20,700

   Television Awards Breakdown (by race finishing position):

   Total $13,555,560

   1st-$1,034,425

   2nd-$864,750

   3rd-$669,250

   4th-$533,750

   5th-$430,250

   6th-$361,700

   7th-$327,200

   8th-$304,200

   9th-$292,675

   10th-$281,175

   11th-$271,875

   12th-$269,475

   13th-$266,050

   14th-$264,050

   15th-$263,950

   16th-$263,850

   17th-$263,750

   18th-$263,650

   19th-$263,500

   20th-$263,400

   21st-$263,300

   22nd-$263,200

   23rd-$263,075

   24th-$262,925

   25th-$262,825

   26th-$262,725

   27th-$262,625

   28th-$262,525

   29th-$262,425

   30th-$262,150

   31st-$261,900

   32nd-$261,650

   33rd-$261,400

   34th-$261,125

   35th-$260,875

   36th-$260,625

   37th-$260,345

   38th-$231,990

   39th-$228,990

   40th-$225,990

   41st-$222,990

   42nd-$219,990

   43rd-$216,990

K. Harvick expands 2014 Nationwide schedule with JR Motorsports

  

 

   Team release

   MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 5, 2014) – JR Motorsports announced today an update to Kevin Harvick’s 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series race schedule, as the addition of five sponsorship partners brings his schedule to 13 races.

   Headlining the partner lineup is Morton Buildings, which will sponsor Harvick at two venues – Indianapolis Motor Speedway (July 26) and Kansas Speedway (Oct. 4). Based in Morton, Ill., Morton Buildings specializes in constructing high-quality, long-lasting structures ranging from farm shops, equestrian facilities, hobby buildings, garages, churches, municipal buildings, airplane hangars, custom homes, commercial structures and general storage buildings.

   “We are thrilled to be expanding our relationship with NASCAR, Kevin Harvick and JR Motorsports,” said Brian Haraf, marketing manager for Morton Buildings Inc. “We are continually impressed with the fan base and the support from the teams and other sponsors.”

   Four additional partners have signed one-race sponsorships for Harvick – Great Clips at Phoenix International Raceway (March 1), TaxSlayer.com at Auto Club Speedway (March 22), Tide at Richmond International Raceway (April 25) and Bad Boy Buggies at Atlanta Motor Speedway (Aug. 30). They join primaries Hunt Brothers Pizza (four races) and Armour (three races) to make up Harvick’s current 13-race schedule in the NASCAR Nationwide Series this year. JR Motorsports is working to fill out inventory for the remainder of the season with additional drivers.

   “Kevin has generated a lot of interest in our racing program from new companies and our returning partners,” said Kelley Earnhardt Miller, general manager of JR Motorsports. “His excitement about the upcoming season is infectious and has really lit a fire under everyone at JR Motorsports to match that intensity with all three of our teams.”

   Specializing in all-terrain vehicles for both work and recreational use, Bad Boy Buggies has been a Harvick sponsor in each of NASCAR’s top three national touring divisions since 2011. Harvick’s lone Nationwide Series victory in 2013 came with Bad Boy Buggies on his car, as he led 289 of 390 laps in a winning effort at Atlanta.

   Tide, an industry leader in detergent products, began sponsoring Camping World Truck Series races for Harvick in 2010. The Bakersfield, Calif., native has taken them to victory lane twice, both at Martinsville (March 27, 2010, and March 31, 2012).