NASCAR close to extension with Truck Series sponsor

 

 

   According to several recent reports, NASCAR is close to completing a long-term extension with Camping World to continue to sponsor its Truck series.

   NASCAR issued the following statement on Sunday in regards to the reports:

   "We are interested in extending our agreement with Camping World and we know the company is as well. While we don’t have a signed agreement yet, we are very pleased with the direction in which our discussions are headed. We love our partnership with Camping World and as soon as we have news to share, we will let you know."

  
   Camping World has sponsored the series since 2009.

Tony Stewart will be happy when you stop asking how he feels

 

 

   Speedweeks was NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart's first time back in the car since breaking two bones in his right leg last summer in a dirt track race.

   Obviously, along the way Stewart has been asked how his leg has felt. Stewart was asked yet again on Friday at Phoenix International Raceway.

   Here was his response:

   “I’ll be honest, I’ll be more happy when everybody quits asking me how I feel. I’m not 100 percent. I’m not going to be 100 percent for a while. It was fine. There wasn’t any drama, same as we said for the shootout, same as we said for the qualifying race and same as we said after the (Daytona) 500," he said.

   "I appreciate everybody checking on me, but it’s not going to change in a week. It wasn’t a big drama, everything is fine.  Everything is fine in the car this week so far. Hopefully, we will be able to talk a year from now about how far we have come.”
 

NASCAR supports veto of Arizona anti-gay bill

   NASCAR issued the following statement on Wednesday night: 

   "We are pleased with Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s veto of SB1062. NASCAR actively strives to promote diversity and inclusion throughout the motorsports industry. NASCAR has a zero tolerance policy against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, race, gender, national origin, age, color, disability, religion, or other factors which deny the essential humanity of all people."

   NASCAR's Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Mexico series will compete this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz.


  

The NFL's Redskins congratulate Daytona 500 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr.

   Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his second Daytona 500 on Sunday night and his favorite NFL team couldn't be more proud. LB Ryan Kerrigan, LB Nick Barnett and NT Chris Neild give their shout-outs to Junior as representatives of the Washington Redskins.

The 2014 Daytona 500 was NOT a primetime TV hit

   According to updated fast national ratings from The Nielsen Company, the Sunday night rain-delayed completion of the 2014 Daytona 500 on Fox - which began about 8:30 p.m. ET - drew an average of 9.3 million viewers.

   Dale Earnhardt Jr. captured his second career Daytona 500 victory in the event.

   The audience number is 44 percent lower than the 2013 Daytona 500, which was run on schedule in the afternoon (16.7 million viewers).

   The audience number is also 32 percent lower than the 2012 Daytona 500, which was also rain-delayed and run in primetime on Monday night (13.7 million viewers).

   The top five ranked markets were: Greensboro, N.C. (17.5 rating/26 share), Orlando, Fla. (13.2/21), Greenville, S.C. (13.0/20), Richmond, Va. (12.0/18) and Jacksonville, Fla. (11.8/18).

   The 2014 Daytona 500 experienced nearly a 6.5 hour rain delay, the longest in the event's history. In 2012, the reschedule primetime event received advance promotion since NASCAR rescheduled the event well in advance.

   NASCAR did see big year-to-year increases in discussion of the 2014 race on digital and social platforms, as well as a record traffic day on NASCAR.com.


 

Video highlights: Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins the 2014 Daytona 500

   After a 6 1/2 hour rain delay, Dale Earnhardt Jr. holds off Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski on Sunday night for his second win in the Daytona 500.

Sneak peak of Jimmie Johnson's new Chevrolet commercial

   A new Chevrolet commercial that will air Sunday during the Daytona 500 featuring six-time Sprint Cup series champion Jimmie Johnson.

   "Are you ready to see how #TheNew breed of motorsports will push the limits of what's possible between man and machine?"