Bill Romanowski to be minority owner in NASCAR team

   Bill Romanowski, who played 16 seasons in the NFL, has signed on as a minority-owner of Swan Racing, a fulltime competitor in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The retired NFL star joins forces with team owner Brandon Davis, who is leading Swan into its first full racing season.

    Romanowski's health supplement company, Nutrition53, also signed on as a team sponsor and will be the primary sponsor for ten races on the No. 30 Toyota driven by David Stremme. Nutrition53 will have an associate sponsor position on the car for the other 26 races.

    Romanowski started in an astounding 243 consecutive games highlighted by 5 Super Bowl appearances as a linebacker and was selected twice to the Pro Bowl. He played for the San Francisco 49ers, 1988-1993; Philadelphia Eagles, 1994-1995; Denver Broncos, 1996-2001; and Oakland Raiders, 2002-2003.

    Romanowski is founder and CEO of Nutrition53, which markets a line of supplemental health drinks and vitamins developed by a team of doctors, scientists and nutritionists to help with weight loss, energy, mental performance and sleep.

Sprint car star Kevin Swindell adding to his NASCAR schedule

   Sprint car standout Kevin Swindell will return Biagi-DenBeste Racing this season to compete in 15 races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, with his first race set for March 9 at Las Vegas.

    The recently crowned four-time consecutive Chili Bowl Champion competed in two of the final three Nationwide races for Biagi-DenBeste Racing in 2012, earning a best finish of ninth at Texas Motor Speedway.

    "We are really proud to have an outstanding young talent like Kevin driving for our team," said Biagi-DenBeste Racing co-owner Fred Biagi. "After coming off of his fourth consecutive Chili Bowl win, Kevin enters the 2013 season with a lot of momentum. We plan to run 15 races in 2013 and are actively working with sponsors and already building for 2014."

    Said the 23-year-old Swindell: "I have been waiting for a chance to gain experience and race for a top-notch team for a long time. I really enjoyed the two races I competed in for Biagi-DenBeste Racing at the end of last season, and I look forward to seeing what the team and I can achieve together this year."

Steve Wallace plans limited 2013 NASCAR schedule

Rusty Wallace Racing plans to make a return to the NASCAR Nationwide Series, campaigning the No. 66 Ford Mustang in a limited schedule in 2013 with 25-year-old Steve Wallace.

Wallace last compete in the series fulltime in 2011. Charlotte-based mortgage and real estate firm Richard Tocado Companies will serve as the primary sponsor for several races. The team plans its debut this year in May at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

2013 Nationwide Series race start times

2013 Nationwide Series race start times

All times Eastern.

 

Feb. 23, Daytona, ESPN, 1 p.m.
March 2, Phoenix, ESPN2, 4:30 p.m.
March 9, Las Vegas, ESPN2, 4 p.m.
March 16, Bristol, ESPN2, 2 p.m.
March 23, Auto Club Speedway, ESPN, 5 p.m.
April 12, Texas, ESPN2, 8:30 p.m.
April 26, Richmond, ESPNEWS, 7:30 p.m.
May 4, Talladega, ESPN, 3 p.m.
May 10, Darlington, ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.
May 25, Charlotte, ABC, 2:30 p.m.
June 1, Dover, ESPN, 2:30 p.m.
June 8, Iowa, ESPN, 8 p.m.
June 15, Michigan, ABC, 2 p.m.
June 22, Road America, ESPN, 5 p.m.
June 28, Kentucky, ESPN, 7:30 p.m.
July 5, Daytona, ESPN, 7:30 p.m.
July 13, New Hampshire, ABC, 3:30 p.m.
July 21, Chicagoland, ESPN, 3 p.m.
July 27, Indianapolis, ESPN, 4:30 p.m.
Aug. 3, Iowa, ESPN2, 8 p.m.
Aug. 10, Watkins Glen, ABC, 2 p.m.
Aug. 17, Mid-Ohio, ESPN, 2:30 p.m.
Aug. 23, Bristol, ESPN, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 31, Atlanta, ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6, Richmond, ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 16, Chicagoland, ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 21, Kentucky, ESPNews, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28, Dover, ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 5, Kansas, ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 11, Charlotte, ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 2, Texas, ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 9, Phoenix, ESPN2, 4 p.m.
Nov. 16, Homestead, ESPN2, 4:30 p.m.

2013 Sprint Cup Series race start times

2013 Sprint Cup Series race start times

All times Eastern.

Feb. 16, Sprint Unlimited, Fox, 8:10 p.m.
Feb. 21, Daytona Duels, Speed, 2 p.m.
Feb. 24, Daytona 500, Fox, 1 p.m.
March 3, Phoenix, Fox, 3 p.m.
March 10, Las Vegas, Fox, 3 p.m.
March 17, Bristol, Fox, 1 p.m.
March 24, Auto Club Speedway, Fox, 3 p.m.
April 7, Martinsville, Fox, 1 p.m.
April 13, Texas, Fox, 7:30 p.m
April 21, Kansas, Fox, 1 p.m.
April 27, Richmond, Fox, 7:30 p.m.
May 5, Talladega, Fox, 1 p.m.
May 11, Darlington, Fox, 6:45 p.m.
May 18, Charlotte All-Star, Speed, 7:30 p.m.
May 26, Charlotte Coke 600, Fox, 6 p.m.
June 2, Dover, Fox, 1 p.m.
June 9, Pocono, TNT, 1 p.m.
June 16, Michigan, TNT, 1 p.m.
June 23, Sonoma, TNT, 3 p.m.
June 29, Kentucky, TNT, 7:30 p.m.
July 6, Daytona, TNT, 7:30 p.m.
July 14, New Hampshire, TNT, 1 p.m.
July 28, Indianapolis, ESPN, 1 p.m.
Aug. 4, Pocono, ESPN, 1 p.m.
Aug. 11, Watkins Glen, ESPN, 1 p.m.
Aug. 18, Michigan, ESPN, 1 p.m.
Aug. 24, Bristol, ABC, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 1, Atlanta, ESPN, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 7, Richmond, ABC, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15, Chicagoland, ESPN, 2 p.m.
Sept. 22, New Hampshire, ESPN, 2 p.m.
Sept. 29, Dover, ESPN, 2 p.m.
Oct. 6, Kansas, ESPN, 2 p.m.
Oct. 12, Charlotte, ABC, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 20, Talladega, ESPN, 2 p.m.
Oct. 27, Martinsville, ESPN, 1:30 p.m.
Nov. 3, Texas, ESPN, 3 p.m.
Nov. 10, Phoenix, ESPN, 3 p.m.
Nov. 17, Homestead, ESPN, 3 p.m.

Schedule change could benefit Rockingham NASCAR Truck race

   A change in the schedule of this season's Camping World Truck Series race at Rockingham Speedway could pave the way for more big-name entries in the race.

    Qualifying for the race will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 14. The green flag is scheduled to drop at 2 p.m. the same day for the 200-lap event.

    The change would theoretically allow drivers competing in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide races in Texas Friday and Saturday to run in Sunday's Truck race without starting from the rear of the field due to missing qualifying.

    "Qualifying and racing on the same day gives fans more value for their race ticket," said Rockingham Speedway President Andy Hillenburg. "It also builds some excitement among the drivers and fans if everyone wakes up on Sunday morning not knowing where the trucks will start come 2 o'clock."

    For this year's event, the trucks will arrive at Rockingham on Friday, April 12 and will practice on Saturday, April 13 before Sunday, April 14's time trials and race. The UARA-STARS Late Model Series and the Frank Kimmel Street Stock Nationals will also hold twin laps races on April 13.

    Tickets, suite packages and camping are now available for the April 12-14 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Carolina 200 presented by Cheerwine weekend at www.rockinghamspeedway.com or by calling 910.205.8800. General admission tickets for Saturday are $15 in advance ($20 at the gate) and grandstand tickets for Sunday range from $20 to $35.

Vettel edges Keselowski for Speed Performer of the Year

   Motorsports icon Mario Andretti presented his namesake trophy to 2012 Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel as this year’s Speed Performer of the Year on the Sunday night edition of Speed Center.

    “You are going up against the best of the best for this award,” said Andretti, the only driver to ever win the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500 and the Formula One World Championship. “We’re considering every major discipline in motor sports. That’s what you are up against … that’s the grandeur of this award.”

    Vettel, who captured his third consecutive Formula One title in dramatic fashion to become the youngest triple champion in series history, came out atop five Speed Performer of the Year finalists, including NASCAR champion Brad Keselowski, versatile youngster Kyle Larson, IndyCar champ Ryan Hunter-Reay and WRC legend Sebastien Loeb. 

   Ten of this year’s 16 nominees earned at least one first-place vote in the balloting.