Has former NASCAR champ Brad Keselowski really been muzzled?

   There have been many headlines on stories of late asking whether former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion has been "muzzled" by the sport, or in some fashion  not as outspoken as he has been in the past.  

   I asked Keselowski during Thursday's Daytona 500 Media Day if he felt that assessment were true and if it were, what would be the reason. Here is his response, along with some follow-up questions:

   “I don’t have a muzzle on my face right now, but maybe I should have. I’m in an increasingly difficult position as a champion of this sport to try to convey the very strong situation and the health of this sport, which, although it could always be better is not terrible. And also my own personal agenda to be a champion that moves this sport forward. I think the most significant way I can answer that question is I think quite a few back channels have opened up within NASCAR over the last six to eight months that have given me the ability to not have to go to the media to get something done," Keselowski said. "That fits my personal and professional agenda, and out of respect for that I think it maybe creates a situation where what might look like a muzzle to you or to the outside is perhaps more a moment of opportunity I just don’t want to piss away.”

   Do you feel that's the benefit of becoming a champion? "Either that or just being so damn annoying that people start listening to you – one of the two.”

   Do you feel by being outspoken may have opened some doors, but were there misktakes?
"Are there things I could do better? Absolutely, but the mistakes is what builds your character and helps you become the person that you are and that you can learn from, so they’re only a mistake if you don’t grow and learn from them."

   Why do you feel these back channels have opened up? "I don’t know why channels are the way they are. That’s probably a better question for someone else, but I do feel like this sport has grown a lot over the last year in the sense of new people, new hires, and a new level of transparency that will serve it for years to come. It’s not really fair for me to answer why it has been the way it has, but from my perspective it certainly has gotten better.”

Jimmie Johnson's biggest regret in racing? Hint: It involves the No. 3

  

 

    What is six-time Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson's biggest regret of his racing career?

    Not having the opportunity to "get spun out or crashed" by Dale Earnhardt Sr.

    Johnson touched on that topic and more in a wide-ranging interview with Fox NFL Sunday host Curt Menefee, which will air Friday, Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.

    Johnson is the first auto racing personality featured on Fox Sports 1’s signature interview show, which has included past sit-downs with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Denver Broncos legend John Elway and former NBA star and now TV analyst Charles Barkley.

    Among the many topics covered in the Johnson interview; he recounts a critical moment in his relationship with crew chief Chad Knaus, his place in NASCAR history and one of his greatest regrets … involving Dale Earnhardt.

    Here is an excerpt of part of Johnson's interview discussing the late seven-time NASCAR champion:

    Johnson: "That’s one regret I have. Again, Richard (Petty) was too far removed for me to say that I had a chance to drive with him on the track. But Dale (Earnhardt), that could have happened. And I so regret that I'll never have that chance to honestly get spun out or crashed by him. That opportunity will never be there for me."

    Menefee: "Really?"

    Johnson: "I mean every kid, especially my generation, that black No. 3, the black No. 3, you know, that's what you wanted to be and race against. And knowing Jeff Gordon as I do and watching him race with Dale all those years and then talking about it with Jeff now there's some really cool experiences there that I would have loved to have had."

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.