Qualifying changes to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series road course events

   From NASCAR:

   NASCAR announced Monday that the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will implement the group-based road course qualifying procedure used in NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Touring Series competition during its road-course events at Sonoma Raceway and Watkins Glen International. Under the new procedure, cars will qualify in groups instead of the traditional single-car qualifying runs held on oval race tracks.

 

   “The change will add an exciting element to road-course qualifying,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “Fans will be treated to new strategy and increased competition with several cars on track at once.”

   The new qualifying rules for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at road courses are as follows:

 · Cars attempting to qualify will be divided into groups. The number of groups, and amount of cars in each, will depend on the number of cars that practice for the event.

 · Group assignments will be based on final practice times.

 · Each qualifying group will be on-track for a set period of time, determined by the Series Director.

 · A car’s best lap time during the group session will be the qualifying lap time of record.

 · A group’s time begins when the first car receives the green flag at the start/finish line.

   “This is going to be a terrific new format for our NASCAR weekend,” said Steve Page, president and general manager of Sonoma Raceway. “It will intensify the action, with multiple cars on the track at the same time. It’s a very positive development for our fans.”

    "The new format of qualifying at Watkins Glen International enhances the fan experience which is our top priority,” said Michael Printup, president of Watkins Glen. “Qualifying on Saturday for our Cheez-It^TM 355 at The Glen is even more of a not-to-be missed aspect of a weekend of high-quality racing.”

The new format will debut with the Toyota Save-Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 23 and will return at Watkins Glen for the Cheez-It^TM 355 at the Glen on August 11.

Have you heard "The Joey Logano Song?" Joey Logano has.

   Megan McCormick, a high school sophomore from Ohio, describes herself as a big stock-car racing fan, a girl who “enjoys the sound of roaring engines.”

    The 16-year-old’s favorite NASCAR driver is Joey Logano and Megan, a singer/songwriter penned "The Joey Logano Song," a sort of sappy, tongue-in-check teen love song.

    Check out the video.

    Also, check here to read the story from The Toledo Blade on Megan getting to meet her favorite driver.

Is solar power on NASCAR's radar? "Absolutely yes" says official

   Dr. Mike Lynch, NASCAR's Managing Director of Green Innovation, recently took part in a question and answer session with Fortune magazine about how NASCAR is "going green."

    During the interview, Lynch was asked about solar power:

    "Do you ever think that NASCAR could exist racing cars that are driven by solar?"

    Here was Lynch's answer:

    "Well, you know, then you're kind of getting into the concept of a very exotic sort of solar car or charging an electric car or plug-in hybrid batteries with solar power. Is that something that we have on our advanced concept radar screen? Is this something that we're actively analyzing? Is this something we're paying real professional attention to? The answer is absolutely yes," he said.

    "Just like with the introduction of Sunoco Green E15 and all the other things that we've been doing, we have - like any other organization - very long lead times of analysis and prudent consideration before we're going to pilot or introduce something, especially when you're talking about something in a core racing series."

    Go here to read the entire interview.

Shall we call this the "Danica Patrick Rule?"

   NASCAR has issued the following bulletin to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rule book, which makes an update to the section dealing with overall car weight.

    In Section 20-2.2, the rule book has added the following new or altered sections which became effective April 3:

    * The driver's weight will be measured by NASCAR Officials at one (1) or more date(s) and time(s) determined by NASCAR in its discretion. This weight may be added to the left side of the car.

    *The following is a schedule of overall car weight in relationship to the starting driver weight:

    DRIVER WEIGHT // OVERALL CAR WEIGHT
    180 lbs. - Above // 3,300 lbs.
    170 lbs. - 179 lbs. // 3,310 lbs.
    160 lbs. - 169 lbs. // 3,320 lbs.
    150 lbs. - 159 lbs. // 3,330 lbs.
    140 lbs. - 149 lbs. // 3,340 lbs.
    139 lbs. and under // 3,350 lbs.

    Previously, the rule book only addressed driver weight down to 140 pounds. The bulletin adds a new "139 lbs. and under" category. In effect, drivers under 140 pounds must now add an additional 10 pounds of weight to their car.

    In February, questions were raised if Danica Patrick could enjoy a weight advantage in her Cup car due to her low weight.

    To read what NASCAR officials said about it at the time, go here.

Dale Earnhardt Day set for April 29

    

   Dale Earnhardt Inc. and The Dale Earnhardt Foundation are proud to announce the 2013 Dale Earnhardt Day on Monday, April 29, at the DEI Corporate Headquarters on Hwy. 3, Mooresville, NC. The event will run 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

   The annual event in celebration of “The Intimidator’s" birthday is free and open to the public.

   The DEI Showroom will be opening its newest exhibit on Dale Day: “Being Dale Earnhardt”, which highlights the many facets of the life of the seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion. The new displays will allow fans to step inside the world of Dale Earnhardt.

   The Grand Showroom will also be open to the public, for the newest Dale Earnhardt Inc. vehicle display. The Grand Showroom is occasionally opened to the public, and this special event will give fans a rare opportunity to see these special vehicles up close.

   Cupcakes will be served in the afternoon – an annual tradition on Dale’s birthday celebration.

   For more information, check www.daleearnhardtinc.com.

Statement from Michael Waltrip Racing regarding NASCAR penalty

   STATEMENT FROM MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING:

   “Michael Waltrip Racing is sensitive to working within the guidelines of NASCAR policy. This infraction clearly occurred as a result of a malfunction caused by race conditions. Therefore, we will not appeal. We thank NASCAR for providing a fair and equitable platform for all of its competitors and respect its decisions.”

NASCAR announces penalties on Nos. 2, 22 and 56 Sprint Cup teams

Three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Teams Penalized Following Race At Texas Motor Speedway

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 17, 2013) – Penalties have been handed down to three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams following last Saturday’s race at Texas Motor Speedway.

   The No. 2 and No. 22 cars have been penalized. Both cars were found to be in violation of Sections 12-1; 12-4J and 20-12 (all suspension systems and components must be approved by NASCAR. Prior to being used in competition, all suspension systems and components must be submitted, in a completed form/assembly, to the office of the NASCAR Competition Administrator for consideration of approval and approved by NASCAR. Each such part may thereafter be used until NASCAR determines that such part is no longer eligible. All suspension fasteners and mounting hardware must be made of solid magnetic steel. All front end and rear end suspension mounts with mounting hardware assembled must have single round mounting holes that are the correct size for the fastener being used. All front end and rear end suspension mounts and mounting hardware must not allow movement or realignment of any suspension component beyond normal rotation or suspension travel.)

As a result of this violation and as it pertains to the No. 2 car the following penalties have been assessed:

·          Crew chief Paul Wolfe has been fined $100,000 and suspended from NASCAR until the completion of the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship points events (including the non-points Sprint All-Star Race) and placed on probation until Dec. 31.

·       Car chief Jerry Kelley, team engineer Brian Wilson and team manager Travis Geisler (serves as team manager for both the No. 2 and No. 22 cars) have been suspended from NASCAR until the completion of the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship points events (including the non-points Sprint All-Star Race) and placed on probation until Dec. 31.

·         The loss of 25 championship driver (Brad Keselowski) and 25 championship owner (Roger Penske) points.

As it pertains to the No. 22 car the following penalties have been assessed:

    · Crew chief Todd Gordon has been fined $100,000 and suspended from NASCAR until the completion of the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship points events (including the non-points Sprint All-Star Race) and placed on probation until Dec. 31.

   · Car chief Raymond Fox and team engineer Samuel Stanley have been suspended from NASCAR until the completion of the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship points events (including the non-points Sprint All-Star Race) and placed on probation until Dec. 31.

   · The loss of 25 championship driver (Joey Logano) and 25 championship owner (Walt Czarnecki) points.

   The No. 56 car was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-12.8.1B (the car failed to meet the minimum front car heights during post-race inspection) of the 2013 rule book.

   As a result of this violation, crew chief Chad Johnston has been fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until June 5. The team has also been docked six championship driver (Martin Truex Jr.) and six championship owner (Michael Waltrip) points.