NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson featured in new SportsCenter promo

   NASCAR Sprint Cup star Jimmie Johnson is one of many athletes from different sports appearing in a new ESPN promotional spot launched this past weekend.

 

   The spot is part of a new ESPN campaign in support of its flagship program, SportsCenter. Entitled "DaDaDa DaDaDa," the campaign focuses on the iconic sound all fans associate with the show, and with great sports moments. The 60-second launch spot features a range of athletes – from professionals to little leaguers – who subtly and not-so-subtly call out their “DaDaDa” moments.  Wieden+Kennedy New York is the creative agency. 

Corey LaJoie wins ARCA race at Kentucky

 

   ARCA press release
 
   SPARTA, Ky. - Corey LaJoie grabbed the lead with 33 laps to go in Saturday's ZLOOP 150 at Kentucky Speedway and took his No. 17 Medallion Financial Ford into victory lane for the third time this season.

   "We've had really good set ups for these cars lately, but, for Iowa, for some reason, our car was off," LaJoie said. "We went back to the drawing board after Iowa and put together what we thought would be good at Kentucky, and it ended up being really good. It was a great day."

   LaJoie, a Richard Petty Motorsports Development Driver, won at Chicagoland Speedway in July and Pocono Raceway in August. In the Roulo Brothers Racing No. 17, LaJoie led the most laps in the ZLOOP 150, which was held Saturday after being rained out on Friday. LaJoie led 40 of 100 laps.

   Mason Mitchell finished second in the Happy Cheeks Ford, Spencer Gallagher third in the Allegiant Travel Chevrolet, Grant Enfinger fourth in the Motor Honey-Casite-Advance-Ford and Chad Boat fifth in the SteppingOut4Hope.com Toyota.

  

Statement from Michael Waltrip on NAPA's decision to leave MWR

   STATEMENT FROM MICHAEL WALTRIP:

   “NAPA has been with me from winning two Daytona 500s, to missing races with a new start- up team, and back to victory lane again. The relationship grew far past that of just a sponsor, but more of a partner and a friend. We will not be racing a NAPA car in 2014, but I have friendships that will last a lifetime.

   “To the fans and those who made their voice heard through social media, as the owner, I am responsible for all actions of MWR. I sincerely apologize for the role our team played and for the lines NASCAR has ruled were crossed by our actions at Richmond. NASCAR met with the competitors in Chicago and we all know how we are expected to race forward.”

 

Scandal fallout: NAPA to leave MWR at end of year

 

   NAPA posted the following statement on its Facebook page on Thursday morning:
 
   "Dear Facebook Fans and the NAPA Community:

   After thorough consideration, NAPA has made the difficult decision to end its sponsorship arrangement with Michael Waltrip Racing effective December 31, 2013. NAPA believes in fair play and does not condone actions such as those that led to the penalties assessed by NASCAR. We remain supportive of the millions of NASCAR fans and will evaluate our future position in motorsports."

   Following the penalties assessed by NASCAR to Michael Waltrip Racing for a team orders scandal in the Sept. 7 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond, Va., NAPA had indicated it was going to conduct an internal review of its relationship with MWR.

   MWR issued the following statement on Thursday:

   “Michael Waltrip Racing respects the decision NAPA announced today following the events at Richmond. There is no doubt, the story of Michael Waltrip Racing begins with NAPA Auto Parts, but there are many more chapters yet to be written. MWR has the infrastructure and support of Toyota for three teams plus three Chase-caliber, race-winning drivers. With the support of our corporate partners we are preparing to field three teams in 2014. MWR is a resilient organization capable of winning races and competing for the championship and that remains our sole focus.”

  

Who from NASCAR made cut in The Forbes 400?

  When it comes to NASCAR participation in Forbes newest list of the 400 richest people in America, let's just say it's little lacking.

   Only two NASCAR team owners made the list and one doesn't involved himself in the day-to-day operations of his team.

   John Henry, 64, owner of the Boston Red Sox and co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing, is listed at No. 327, worth approximately $1.7 billion.

   Longtime NASCAR and IndyCar series owner Roger Penske also made the list, in a tie for 386th. Penske, 76, is worth an estimated $1.3 billion.

   The only other NASCAR entry? Jim France, 68, chairman of International Speedway Corp. and vice chairman of NASCAR, is ranked No. 273, worth estimated $2 billion.

   See the whole list at Forbes here.

NASCAR race halted by rain

   JOLIET, Ill. - Sunday's GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway - the first of 10 races to decide this season's Sprint Cup Series championship - was halted after 109 laps due to heavy rain.

   The race had already started about an hour-and-a-half late because of early morning rain showers.

   The race 267-lap race is not official until at least 134 laps are completed. When the red flag was displayed Matt Kenseth was the leader, followed by Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch.


  


  

NASCAR makes changes to restart procedures

   NASCAR officials on Sunday unveiled some changes to race restart procedures which will go into effect immediately.

   The leader of the race will still begin the race in the "restart zone" - lines marked on each track - but once the leader begins to accelerate, the flagman will wave the green flag and the second-place driver can accelerate as well, even if he ends up beating the first place driver to the line.

   There is one other cavaet - all drivers must remain in their respective lane until crossing the start/finish line.   

   Currently, NASCAR's rules state the second place driver cannot beat the first place driver to the start/finish line - although the incidences of exemptions being allowed had been growing in recent seasons. 

   “To be honest with you, it needs to be in the hands of the drivers of who decides these races and not the tower," said NASCAR's vice president of competition, Robin Pemberton. "Things are getting too close and this year we’ve seen more wheel-spin than ever.”