Bobby Labonte suffers broken ribs in cycling accident

 

   From team press release:

   TRINITY, N.C. (August 28, 2013) - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Bobby Labonte is currently being treated at a local hospital near his home in Trinity, North Carolina after being involved in an accident while riding his bicycle near his home on the morning of Wednesday, August 28.

   Labonte was transported to the hospital by ambulance where he was diagnosed and is being treated for three broken ribs. There are no other injuries. He is being held overnight for observation.

   An update on Labonte's condition will be sent when determined. Mike Bliss will replace Labonte in the No. 51 Phoenix Racing entry this weekend in Atlanta.

Harry Scott Jr. agrees to buy Phoenix Racing

   Team press release:

 

   Harry Scott, Jr. has come to a definitive agreement with James Finch to purchase Phoenix Racing. Scott will formally take over control of the team as its owner on September 10, 2013 with Justin Allgaier behind the wheel of the No. 51 Chevrolet in time for the Geico 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.

 

   "This is a very proud day for me as I will have the opportunity to compete against the best teams in motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as the owner of Phoenix Racing," said Scott. "I am going to build a championship contender with hard work, the right people and the right partners. This team has a great foundation thanks to the efforts of James Finch. There is a lot to build upon and I am looking forward to getting started."

 

   Scott's role as a co-owner in Turner Scott Motorsports (TSM) is unchanged and he will continue to take an active role in that team on and off the track. "I owe a lot of gratitude to Steve Turner for bringing me into the sport as an owner. My experience at TSM will continue to serve me well in this next step," said Scott.

 

   Driver Justin Allgaier is making the move with Scott from TSM to Phoenix Racing and will be the team's driver in the No. 51 Chevrolet for its debut at Chicagoland Speedway on September 15 and two additional races this year. Allgaier, who is currently 5th in points in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS), will continue his pursuit of a championship in that series for TSM.

 

   "I'm thrilled for the opportunity and grateful to Mr. Scott that he's asked me to drive for him in the No. 51. Chevrolet. I love competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series but I must admit that making my debut in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will be a special day for me," said Allgaier.

 

   Scott has signed a deal with BRANDT to be the primary sponsor of the No. 51 for three NSCS races this season. BRANDT, which also sponsors Allgaier in the NNS for Turner Scott Motorsports, will be the primary sponsor of the No. 51 at Chicagoland, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. Allgaier will be the driver for each of those races.

 

   "We are celebrating the company's 60th Anniversary and so this move to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is made even more special because we are debuting at our home track at Chicagoland," said Brandt CEO Rick Brandt.

 

   Phoenix Racing, which was established in 1989, has one win, four Top Fives and 15 Top 20 finishes. The one win was the memorable 2009 victory at Talladega's Aaron's 499 with Brad Keselowski behind the wheel.

 

   Scott has committed to keeping the Phoenix Racing team intact for the remainder of the season. Allgaier's crew chief will be Nick Harrison. Harrison is a third year crew chief and has worked with several drivers including Kurt Busch, Landon Cassill and A.J. Allmendinger. Phoenix Racing's general manager, Steve Barkdoll, will continue in his role after Scott takes over.

 

   The team will continue its relationships and alliances with Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing.

 

   Scott is working with NASCAR for final approval.  

Kyle Larson is moving on up to the Sprint Cup Series in 2014

   Kyle Larson isn't staying put very long.

    Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates will move the 21-year-old upstart to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series fulltime in 2014, multiple sources confirmed Tuesday to The Observer and ThatsRacin.com.

   An official news conference to introduce the team's new driver is scheduled Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

   Reached by phone on Tuesday evening, a team spokesman declined comment.

   Larson and team members of the Ganassi organization were notified of the decision this week, sources said. Larson will replace Juan Pablo Montoya in the No. 42 Chevrolet.

   Larson is in his first full season in the Nationwide Series, running with Turner Scott Motorsports. He has yet to win in Nationwide but is eighth in the series standings and has finished second twice this season.

   The native of Elk Grove, Calif., earned his first Truck series victory earlier this season at Rockingham, N.C., and won the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship.

   As a teenager, Larson raced open-wheel cars, including USAC midget, Silver Crown and sprint cars. He also raced World of Outlaws sprint cars.

Martin Truex Jr. fractures wrist at Bristol; will race with cast

 

   Statement from Michael Waltrip Racing:

    An MRI on Monday confirmed a scaphoid fracture and sprain of Martin Truex Jr.’s right wrist suffered in Saturday night’s accident at Bristol Motor Speedway.

    Doctors fitted Truex with a special cast Tuesday he’ll wear indefinitely. The cast enables him to better grip the steering wheel and compete in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway as well as the 11 remaining races.

    Truex worked closely with NASCAR this week and has been cleared to race.

    A multi-car crash collected Truex on lap 448 Saturday sending the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota into the outside wall. Truex was treated in the medical center Saturday. MWR has yet to determine if a stand-by driver is needed for this weekend.

    Truex is 14th in the points and holds the first of two wildcard entries as he seeks his second consecutive berth in NASCAR’s Chase the for Sprint Cup.

Furniture Row Racing's response regarding Kurt Busch's decision

   Joe Garone, general manager of Furniture Row Racing in regards to Kurt Busch's decision not to continue as the driver of the No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet after the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

   “It was always our intention to extend Kurt's contract with Furniture Row Racing. We made him an offer last week to to continue as the driver of the No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet in 2014 and beyond. Though he did not accept our offer we respect his decision and wish him future success. His driving skill and being a dedicated team player will always be appreciated at Furniture Row Racing. But for right now the main focus for Kurt and the team is to qualify for the Chase and contend for the 2013 Sprint Cup Series championship.

   “Furniture Row Racing’s technical and engineering programs along with a talented road crew have made great strides this season, which have been evident with the consistently fast race cars that we have brought to the track week in and week out. We, along with our technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing, are deeply committed to continuing the work in progress. We are currently in a search process for a new driver in 2014, one who shares the same commitment and winning attitude that we all do at Furniture Row Racing.”

Kurt Busch to join Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014

   As expected, former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kurt Busch will join Stewart-Haas Racing next season to drive a fourth car and become teammates with Tony Stewart, Danica Patrick and Kevin Harvick.

   Busch confirmed the signing of a multi-year deal with several reporters on Monday. An official announcement with team co-owner Gene Haas - the man behind the decision - is set for 2 p.m. Tuesday at SHR headquarters in Kannapolis, N.C.

   Sources say SHR is attempting to obtain the No. 00 for Busch to use beginning next season in the Sprint Cup Series.

Take that Joey Logano haters

 

   Joey Logano's Sprint Cup Series win was big for several reasons, including giving the driver of the No. 22 Penske Racing Ford a chance to make the Chase for the first time.

   Teammate Brad Keselowski was a big proponent of Logano getting the No. 22 ride and obviously, owner Roger Penske wouldn't have hired him if he were not talented. I asked Logano on Friday if he honestly had some self-satisfaction after winning last Sunday toward the people who doubted whether he belonged at Penske or would have preferred another driver in the ride.

   Here was Logano's answer:

   “Of course. I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t. Anytime you win it’s kind of like an in-your-face thing. You want to do that.  We’re all competitors, so we’re gonna be excited when we win and I feel like I’m very privileged to be sitting in the seat that I’m in right now with a great team. Roger, I could never ask to work for someone better than that. He’s an amazing person, so it’s the best second chance I could ever have, obviously, and it will really be the best chance I’ll ever have, so I’m having a lot of fun with it," he said.

   "Yes, it was important for me to go out there and run well, and it is important for me to win races, especially after last year and going through all of that."