Courtesy: Infineon Raceway

SONOMA, Calif. (April 30, 2008) — Driver Townsend Bell has proven himself behind the wheel of an IndyCar traveling at speeds of more than 190 mph. On Wednesday, he mastered another skill on the back patio of the main office at Infineon Raceway.

Bell, a native of San Francisco, demonstrated his cow-milking skills on Mabel, a six-year-old, 800-pound cow from nearby Mulas Dairy Farm in the Sonoma Valley.

Bell, the only California driver entered thus far in the Indianapolis 500, produced some premium California milk that will come in handy if he is fortunate enough to win the historic race on May 25. A bottle of milk, complete with a Townsend Bell label, will be shipped to Indianapolis for a proper California celebration in Victory Lane.

“When you get an invite like this prior to the Indy 500, you just can’t turn it down. I’d do anything to get an edge in the car,” said Bell, who lived in San Francisco for 12 years. “When you have a chance to come out and milk your own Indy 500 milk, you can’t turn it down. If I win the Indy 500, my enthusiasm will know no bounds, and I’ll drink just about anything.”

Bell was also in the Bay Area to promote the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County, Aug. 22-24, at Infineon Raceway. This will mark the IndyCar Series’ fourth straight visit to the Sonoma Valley, and the first since unification.

“This is one of the best road courses in the country.  It’s close to the wine country and close to San Francisco,” Bell said. “When you have a challenging set of turns and elevation changes like this, it makes for a great course and a great race.”

Bell drives for Dreyer and Reinbold Racing on the IndyCar circuit, and he posted a season-best 10th-place finish at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan on April 20. This will mark his second Indy 500 — he competed in the event in 2006.

“When I was 10 years old, my dad took me to the Indy 500 and I couldn’t believe all the people. Being a part of the race is the first step; winning it is the next step for me.”

Courtesy: Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Updated after April 26

SUPER LATE MODELS
1 Scott Gafforini 112
2 Taylor Barton 92
3 Steve Anderson 82
4 Robert Ewing 80
5 Jeff Connors 76
6 Dennis rock 72
7 Wayne Jacks 58
8 Josh Gross 52
9 Jim Petrie 40
Fabian Bray 40
11 Matt Jaskol 30
Fabian Bray 30
13 Bob Barker Jr. 28
14 Charles Price 24
Billy Mitchell 24
16 Rich Attisani 20
17 David Anderson 18
18 Derek Frohlich 16
   Jason Secor 16
   Greg Hanneman 16
21 Mike Ray 14
22 John Keller 10
23 Nick Antrillo 8
24 John Taylor 6
25 Jeff Bargerhuff 4

LATE MODELS
1 Branden Giannini 259
2 Chris Bray 244
3 John Spilotro 214
4 Dave Campoverde 197
5 Joe Deguevara 191
6 Stan Mullis 155
7 Glen Burke 140
8 Matt Frady 132
9 Jeff Bargerhuff 128
10 John Taylor 101
11 Skylar Mortensen 93
12 Austin Murphy 90
13 Rich Attisani 75
14 Eric Martin 70
15 Dan Howell 64
16 Chuck Franck 56
17 Mike McKearn 55
18 Chris Clyne 53
19 Mike Gubler 36
20 Mike Heck 34

MODIFIEDS
1 Scott Osborn 153
2 Tim Richter 151
3 Dow Woerner 141
4 Charlie Wahl 134
5 Pat Petrie 117
6 Kenny Thompson 108
7 Dennis Lovelady 93
8 Doug Hamm 92
9 Richard Streker 88
10 Tom Barber 39
11 Mark Hodges 36
   Darrel Zweifel 36

CHARGERS
1 Phil Goodwin 200
  Mario Opipari 198
3 Mike Heck 188
4 Vince Raucci 180
5 Matt Cunningham 165
6 Tim Maserang 149
7 Chad Mattos 146
8 Jerry Jentry 129
9 Travis Boye 126
10 Steve Dessormeau 116
11 Joe Finger 113
12 Drew Dixon 102
13 John Wright 101
14 Don Sargent 70
15 Chuck Burgess 57
16 James Lauk 50
17 Rick Morales 48
18 Darren Rollins 42
19 Becky Torbergson 28

THUNDER ROADSTERS
1 Justin Johnson 159
2 Josh Gross 148
3 Jared Carpenter 146
4 Johan Timmer 138
5 Roger Hocking 130
6 Ron McIntyre 112
7 Ed Hohman 110
Bob Dresser 110
9 K.J. Garrison 54
10 Tony Gugliuzza 36
11 Fred Chase 36
12 Nick Degidio 34

BOMBERS
1 Larry Dittman 50
2 Fred Harding 48
3 Billy Grasser 46
4 Nick Walters 44
5 J.J. Nunn 42
6 Wade Pearson 40
7 Bryan Gerald 38
8 Dan Nelson 36
9 Anthony Finley 34
10 Ben Sherard 32
11 Jennifer Cunningham 30
12 Harold Sherard 28
13 Michael Takami 26
LEGENDS CARS – PRO
1 Bear Rzesnowiecky 256
2 Jeremiah Wagner 201
3 Dusty Davis 141
4 Daren Amidon 94
5 Derek Frohlich 91
6 Jonathan Mawhinney 54
7 Jimmy Hansen 50
8 Dustin Ash 49
9 Chad Schug 44

LEGENDS CARS – MASTERS
1 Frank McCourt 260
2 Mark Young 244
3 Jeffrey King 146
4 B.J. Bollman 138
5 Fletcher Hammond 110
6 Jim Glaza 98
7 Robby Guevera 50

LEGENDS CARS – SEMI-PRO
1 Zach Zimmerly 226
2 Jack Madrid 211
3 Austin Childs 207
4 Brecken Snow 188
5 Justin Hurdle 177
6 Jacob Bishop 174
7 Karl Forman 173
8 Josh White 168
9 John Davis 158
10 Robert D’Ambra 152
11 Cheyanne Schindler 150
12 Dylan Kwasniewski 148
13 Brianna Holley 138
14 Damon Blakemon 128
15 Brandon Snow 116
16 Jay Beasley 112
17 Shawn Snow 96
18 Joe Weitekamp 92
19 Scott Swinford 74
20 Broc Murphy 66
21 Zac Price 32
22 Blake Leuth 20
   Connor Kassik 20
Kyle Spayde 20

BANDOLERO – BANDITS
1 Jacob Tilton 204
2 Jonathan Eakin 187
3 Nicholas Thigpen 185
4 Sullivan Winsett 166
5 Michael Morris 163
6 Ian Anderson 160
7 Kayli Barker 158
8 Christian Warren 155
9 Christian Glass 134
10 Vince Raucci 92
11 Nicholas Huggins 82
12 Giles Thornton 38

BANDOLERO – YOUNG GUNS
1 Patrick O’Hanley 199
2 Hayley Lager 193
3 Ashlee Ambriz 179
4 Rachel Brown 166
5 Jacksen Smith 156
6 Kolleen Dresser 152
  Amanda Gubler 152
8 Gabriella Glass 132
9 Johnny Spilotro 110
10 J.Avila Jr. 84
11 Mariah Talbert 79
12 Brooke O’Hanley 68
13 Jacob Bishop 52

Courtesy: Las Vegas Motor Speedway

        LAS VEGAS – Las Vegas Motor Speedway and McCarran International Airport are working together to improve the speedway’s parking areas.

        The speedway is paving 40 acres, roughly 30 percent, of its dirt and gravel parking areas with “mill chips” that were collected recently when parts of the airfield at McCarran International Airport were replaced.

        “This is a prime example of two major entities in the community working together,” said LVMS general manager Chris Powell. “We are appreciative that our friends at McCarran have allowed us to claim some of the discarded pavement from the improvement projects at the airport. This will provide for much-improved dust-free parking for race fans who come to events here at the speedway.”

        McCarran is in the midst of a ramp rehabilitation project at its B Gates. The discarded material from this project is being used at LVMS.

         “After years of supporting aircraft that carried millions of travelers through McCarran, we’re pleased that our recycled paving material can continue to serve visitors and local race fans alike,” said Randall H. Walker, director of the Clark County Department of Aviation. “We welcome these opportunities to recycle and commend Las Vegas Motor Speedway for its efforts to put this material to good use and keep it out of our landfills.”

        The use of the airport’s millings by the speedway is another part of the speedway’s “Going Green” initiative. The speedway has begun the recycling of all aluminum cans at its major events and installed a geo-thermal heating and cooling system in the media center, which opened in 2007.

Courtesy Phoenix International Raceway

(PHOENIX, Ariz.) – To celebrate the fifth annual NASCAR Day in support of The NASCAR Foundation, and to observe the 60th Anniversary of NASCAR, Phoenix International Raceway will open its ticket office doors to fans on Friday, May 16 for a special promotion to mark the milestone events.
 
Beginning at 8 a.m. at the PIR Ticket Office, the first 60 NASCAR fans who make an order – in person – for tickets to the Lower Bobby Allison Grandstands to the Sunday, November 9 Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will receive a special discount. Normally priced at $82, the special NASCAR Day tickets will be on sale for just $60 – a markdown of over 25%.
 
Each of the first 60 on-site purchasers will also receive one special NASCAR Day pin for free.
 
Every non-promotional grandstand ticket order made on site for the Checker Auto Parts 500 throughout NASCAR Day at PIR will also earn ticket buyers one complimentary NASCAR Day pin each. PIR will donate $5 to The NASCAR Foundation for each pin given away throughout the entire day.
 
Those who are not buying tickets but wish to obtain a commemorative NASCAR Day pin or simply make a donation to The NASCAR Foundation may do so by visiting www.nascar.com/nascarday on the Web.
 
The PIR Ticket Office is located at 125 S. Avondale Blvd. in Avondale, just south of I-10 at Exit 131.
 
The NASCAR Foundation embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and is committed to serving communities. The Foundation supports a wide range of charitable initiatives that reflect the core values of the entire NASCAR Family, and uses the strength of the sport and its people to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
 
Tickets are now available for the November NASCAR event weekend at PIR, including the Semi-Final Showdown in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, the Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil on Sunday, November 9. Fans can call 1-866-408-RACE (7223) or go online to www.racetickets.com to secure their NASCAR tickets today.
 
-PIR-

Courtesy: Las Vegas Motor Speedway

LAS VEGAS – Monaco Las Vegas will be host a pre-race kick-off party for the inaugural Speed Spectacular on Thursday, May 1, from 4-8 p.m. at its showroom at 7445 Dean Martin Dr. in Las Vegas.  The free party will feature hot rods, race cars, Monaco’s luxury motor coaches and a barbeque.  Included in the race car display at Monaco’s showroom will be the legendary Pisano & Matsubara Vega nitro Funny Car and Mendy Fry’s Future Flash Dodge Charger.

        “Vintage drag racing participants spend a great deal of time, money and energy preparing for – and competing in – a sport that is strictly a hobby,” said Daryl Rogers, co-owner of Monaco Las Vegas.  “Our motto, ‘Driving Your Dream’ is exactly what these racers are doing. Monaco Las Vegas’ pre-race celebration simply is an opportunity for the racers, enthusiasts and coach owners to relax and enjoy their hobby away from the track.”

        The inaugural Las Vegas Speed Spectacular will include nostalgia drag racing featuring the NHRA’s Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series.  The traveling NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series was created to preserve the rich history and tradition of drag racing and will contest nostalgia drag racing classes, including: nostalgia nitro-burning Funny Cars, A/Gas, B/Gas, C/Gas, D/Gas, Hot Rod and three Nostalgia Eliminator classes.  A pair of Fuel Altereds also will battle in heads-up, first-man-to-the-finish-line-wins match racing.

        A car show, hosted by the Las Vegas Cruisin’ Association, will exhibit nostalgia machines: hot rods, street rods, custom cars, competition cars and classics.

        Live music will include Danny Dean & The Homewreckers and Mad Max & The Wild Ones.  DJ “Flattop Tom” Jacob (of Rockabilly Rod Reunion fame) will spin classic rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly tunes while Master of Ceremonies Nathan Hirschi handles the announcing chores on the main stage.

        A huge midway, next to the auto swap meet, will showcase the wares of hot rod and automotive vendors.

        On Saturday, The Strip will host its annual $500-to-win pin-up girl contest.

        More than 200 Quarter Midgets will be in competition as the Las Vegas Quarter Midget Association presents races on the midway.

        Racer and car show gates will open at 7 a.m. each day.  Spectator gates will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.  Racing will take place on the quarter-mile drag strip from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with feature cars scheduled for runs at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

        On Saturday night, the action switches to the Bullring – LVMS’ 3/8-mile asphalt oval – for nostalgia Midget and Sprint Car races, in addition to the regular program of NASCAR-sanctioned stock cars.  Las Vegas Speed Spectacular attendees may present their ticket stub at the Bullring to receive a $5 discount on adult admission (regularly $10).  A number of Las Vegas Speed Spectacular car show entries will be invited to participate in the hot rod nostalgia parade prior to the National Anthem at the Bullring.

Las Vegas Speed Spectacular admission:
Adult one-day ticket: $20.
Kids 6-12 one-day ticket: $6.
Adult two-day pass: $30.
Kids 6-12 two-day pass: $10.
Kids 5 and under: Free.

        For more information, please contact The Strip at LVMS’ office at (702) 632-8213 or visit www.LVMS.com.

Courtesy Mansfield Motorsports Park News Release

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver David Starr will make an appearance at Mansfield Motorsports Park during The Rehab Wing and Chili Cook-Off on Saturday May 17. Starr will compete the previous night in the series’ sixth event of 2008 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte before making his way up to Mansfield. He will return to action the following Saturday, May 24, in the track’s fifth annual Ohio 250.
 
“I’ve always enjoyed racing at Mansfield,” Starr said. “The fans are great, and the staff at the track really goes out of their way to make it seem like it’s the Daytona 500 for the drivers and teams. It was a real honor when they asked if I would come up and make an appearance during The Rehab Wing and Chili Cook-Off. I always like to support a good cause, and my schedule was open so I was happy to do it.”
 
The Rehab Center Wing and Chili Cook-Off has been a part of the Mansfield community for two decades. It will be held at MMP for the first time in 2008.
 
“We are so proud to have the chance to host this event,” said MMP president Mike Dzurilla. “We are a race track first and foremost, but we also want the community to know we can host just about any type of community event you can think of. We’ll have thousands of people on hand and we have plenty of room for everyone. It’s going to be a great event with the proceeds going to a great cause.
 
“We can’t thank David enough for taking time out of his busy schedule to help promote the Cook-Off,” Dzurilla continued. “Hopefully some of the people that get a chance to meet him then will come on back and watch him race the next weekend. He’s such a great guy, hopefully he’ll make some new fans and they’ll have a chance to see him fight for a win up here too.”
 
Gates open to the public at 3 P.M. on Saturday May 17. Tickets are just $5 for adults. For entry information, contact Pam Jacobs at (419) 756-1133.
 
Tickets for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Ohio 250 are now on sale, and can be purchased via the track website, www.mansfieldmotorsportsonline.com. Fans can also call the track ticket office at (419) 525-RACE (7223), or visit the speedway office at 100 Crall Road.
 
-MMP-
 
Official 2008 Mansfield Motorsports Park Schedule and Events Calendar

(**Editors: It has come to our understanding that some publications and websites have published conflicting scheduled dates for MMP events; please note that the dates listed below are the correct dates for all events at MMP in 2008.)
 
2008 Mansfield Motorsports Park Racing Schedule

2008 Mansfield Motorsports Park Community Events Calendar

I’ve been working on adding some structure to the forums.  Check them out when you get a chance.  If you know of a driver, track, team, owner or even a fan group that is interested in a forum, have them contact me. 

Enjoy

Courtesy: Macon Speedway Press Release

Macon Speedway  

PO Box 170                 Phone: 217-764-3000

Macon, IL  62544                      

APRIL 29, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

THIS WEEK AT MACON SPEEDWAY

$10,000 Big Ten Series/Kenny’s Car Giveaway

      The Chevrolet Late Models are back in action this Saturday night at Macon Speedway. Last week’s POWRi Midgets and Micros lit up the track, but it’s time to get back to chasing the elusive track championships. 

Saturday’s Cinco de Mayo festival will feature a jalapeno eating contest and free sombreros for the first 30 adults and the first 30 kids. Fans will also get their chance to win a Cadillac Deville in Kenny’s Car Giveaway and drive their prize home courtesy of Advantage Auto Sales.

      This week, Kyle Logue will have to finish near the front to defend his points lead over an improved Cory Daugherty from Blue Mound. Jeremy Nichols sits atop the BARBECK Communications Modifieds standings with tested veteran and defending track champion Jim Leka looming in the distance. Mike Pickering and Norm Wood are in a dogfight and tied in points for the Sportsman championship. Larry Russell Jr. finally broke out in the street stock class with a feature win and Joe Reed’s hornet winning streak is at three.

      Saturday’s racing will also include the next segment of the MidWest Big Ten Series. Logue’s Late Model won race number one and he’ll have to pull it off again to keep chasing that $10,000 prize. The MidWest Big Ten series is held in cooperation with Morgan County Speedway in Jacksonville.  New to Macon Speedway this Saturday night the AFCO KID Modz will come to town.  AFCO Kid Modz is a new racing series designed for kids who are geared toward racing.  The Kid Modz series features drivers whose age ranges from 10-18.

      Bring your cameras to Macon Speedway on May 10 where Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Army National Guard #88 show car will reside from 5 to 7p.m. Macon Speedway will also play host to the Tony Stewart Home Depot #20 show car on June 7.

      Macon Speedway is located 9 miles south of Decatur, IL on US 51 then .6 miles west on Andrews Street, then south on Wiles.  For more information, call 217-764-3000(track), 217-764-3220(information hotline)  Also visit www.maconracing.com or www.trackenterprises.com .

DARLINGTON, S.C. (April 29, 2008) – SPEED television personality Bob Dillner will serve as Grand Marshal for the fourth annual Darlington Hauler Parade on Wednesday, May 7 track officials announced today.
“We are extremely excited to have Bob be a part of the fourth annual Darlington Hauler Parade,” said track President Chris Browning. “Bob’s enthusiasm for NASCAR makes him a fan favorite and there are no better fans in NASCAR than those here in Darlington.”
Dillner is best known for his work covering NASCAR racing on various SPEED network programs including: NASCAR Victory Lane, NASCAR Live and The SPEED Report.
“I am really excited to be the Grand Marshal for the Darlington Hauler Parade,” said Dillner. “Darlington holds such a special place in NASCAR history, it is certainly one of my favorite tracks on the NASCAR circuit.”
A native of Huntington, Long Island, New York, Dillner got his start in racing at an early age following racer father to short tracks all over the Northeast. He began writing about racing for several trade publications such as Area Auto Racing News and Speedway Scene at the young age of 15.
Dillner moved to North Carolina in 1997 to pursue a career covering NASCAR and was hired by the SPEED network in 2002.
In addition to covering racing, Dillner is also an owner/driver in various forms of Super Late Model racing, the Pro Challenge Series and Legends Car racing with drivers Zach Stroupe and his daughter Meghan.
Don’t miss your chance to see another incredible finish at Darlington Raceway when the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series take on the track “Too Tough to Tame” in the Dodge Challenger 500 on May 10, 2008. The racing action kicks off with the NASCAR Nationwide Series Diamond Hill Plywood 200 on May 9th. Order your tickets now by calling 1-866-459-RACE or logging onto http://www.racetickets.com.

Courtesy: Darlington Raceway Public Relations Press Release

Courtesy: Darlington Raceway Public Relations Press Release

DARLINGTON, S.C. (April 29, 2008) – Economic times are tough and tough times call for a trip to the track “Too Tough to Tame.”
Race fans looking for ways to spend their economic stimulus payments from the federal government need look no further than the Dodge Challenger 500 race weekend, May 8-10 at Darlington Raceway.
“Timing of the Dodge Challenger 500 could not be better for race fans,” said track President Chris Browning. “Stimulus funds began being transmitted from the Internal Revenue Service on April 28, just in time for race fans to get their tickets to the upcoming race weekend at Darlington Raceway.”
Fans who wish to spend some of their stimulus money at Darlington Raceway have plenty of options:
 
·         Tickets to the Dodge Challenger 500: Ticket prices start as low as $45 and great seats on the frontstretch are still available. Tickets to the mother of all race tracks make a great Mother’s Day gift.
 
·         Tickets to the Diamond Hill Plywood 200: Ticket prices start as low as $30 and get you admission for a full day of on-track activity. Each Friday ticket includes Sprint Cup Series practice, Sprint Cup and Nationwide qualifying and the excitement of Nationwide Series racing under the lights at Darlington – an amazing deal, all for only $30.
 
·         Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum and NMPA Hall of Fame: Are you an old school NASCAR fan? We have got the answer for you; a trip to the Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum and National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Hall of Fame. The Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum and NMPA are located just behind the Colvin grandstands at Darlington Raceway. Fans who tour the museum will be treated to some of the most legendary cars of NASCAR’s yesteryear, including the Plymouth Johnny Mantz drove to victory in the first Southern 500 in 1950. Fans can see all of this and much more for only $5.40.
 
·         Driver Gear: Still trying to get your wardrobe up-to-date with your driver’s new colors for 2008? Look no further than the gift shop at Darlington Raceway. The gift shop at Darlington Raceway can help get you outfitted in the latest driver apparel for your favorite driver. Located behind the Colvin grandstand, the Darlington Raceway gift shop carries all of the latest in driver apparel, die-cast and other novelty items to help you show your support for your favorite driver.
 
·         Darlington Stripe Zone: For fans looking for the ultimate Darlington Raceway experience look no further than the Darlington Stripe Zone. The pre-race Stripe Zone package includes: appearances by current Sprint Cup Series stars Clint Bowyer and Kasey Kahne, pre-race pit passes, a premium parking pass with each order, pre-race food and beverage, track souvenir, live entertainment, and additional giveaways. This package can be added to any grandstand ticket for the Dodge Challenger 500 for only $140.
 
Don’t miss your chance to see another incredible finish at Darlington Raceway when the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series take on the track “Too Tough to Tame” in the Dodge Challenger 500 on May 10, 2008. The racing action kicks off with the NASCAR Nationwide Series Diamond Hill Plywood 200 on May 9th. Order your tickets now by calling 1-866-459-RACE or logging onto http://www.racetickets.com.