Pocono Raceway History and Notes

At Pocono Raceway:
History
· Opened in 1968 as a three-quarter-mile track, Pocono Raceway held the first race on the 2.5-mile track in 1971.

· The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race was in 1974.

· The 2.5-mile track was repaved during the fall of 2011.

Notebook
· There have been 69 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Pocono Raceway.

· There was one race from 1974 through 1981, and two per year since.

· This season will mark the first time the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Pocono will be scheduled for 400 miles. Prior to 2012 all NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races were 500 miles at Pocono Raceway.

· Buddy Baker won the first pole.

· There have been 38 different pole winners, including David Pearson who won the pole there in June 1984 but did not race; 17 drivers have more than one pole there.

· The pole has been swept just three times: Bill Elliott (1985), Ken Schrader (1993) and Denny Hamlin (2006).

· Richard Petty won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Pocono.

· 31 different drivers have won races at Pocono, led by Bill Elliott and Jeff Gordon, each with five victories; 20 drivers have won more than once there.

· There have been six season sweeps at Pocono, the last by Denny Hamlin in 2006.

· Bobby Allison (1982, ’83) and Tim Richmond (1986, ’87) each won three consecutive races at Pocono.

· 48 of 69 Pocono races have been won from a top-10 start.

· The June 2005 race was won by Carl Edwards from the 29th starting position, the deepest in the field that a race winner has started.

· 14 of 69 races have been won from the pole, Bill Elliott (1985, 2002) and Denny Hamlin (2006 sweep) are the only drivers to have done it twice. Joey Logano is the most recent driver to win from the pole earlier this season.

· Rick Hendrick leads all car owners with 12 Pocono victories.

· Mark Martin leads all drivers in top fives (20) and top 10s (34), but has yet to win at Pocono. His best finish was second, seven times (most recently last June). In June, Martin set the record for most runner-up finishes at a track without winning.

· Jimmie Johnson (8.7) and Denny Hamlin (9.3) are the only active drivers to average a top 10.

· Youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pocono Raceway winner: Joey Logano (06/10/2012 – 22 years, 0 months, 17 days).

· Oldest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pocono Raceway winner: Harry Gant (06/17/1990 – 50 years, 5 months, 7 days).

Pocono Raceway Data
Race #: 21 of 36 (08-05-12)
Track Size: 2.5-miles
Race Length: 160 laps / 400 miles
· Banking/Turn 1: 14 degrees
· Banking/Turn 2: 8 degrees
· Banking/Turn 3: 6 degrees
· Frontstretch: 3,740 feet
· Backstretch: 3,055 feet
· Shortstretch: 1,780 feet

- NASCAR

Manufacturers Meet Necessary Targets For 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Car

Based upon the final aerodynamic test results from July 18, NASCAR has announced that all four of its Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have met the necessary targets for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car. This represents another step forward in the new car process and means manufacturers can begin making parts and pieces for the new models.


The 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car is the result of more than two years of collaborative efforts between the manufacturers and NASCAR. With goals of enhancing product relevance, featuring race cars that more closely resemble their respective manufacturer models on the showroom floor, and building upon the highly competitive racing the series features, the roll out of the new car is highly anticipated by NASCAR fans.


The four new models – Chevrolet’s SS, Dodge’s Charger, Ford’s Fusion and Toyota’s Camry – will make their race debuts next February at Daytona International Speedway, with the first championship points event being the 55th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 24, 2013.


“We commend the manufacturers and our team at the R&D center on all the hard work they’ve put into this new car,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “With all the designs and surface areas of the car now approved, manufacturers can now move forward with building the components needed to outfit their cars. The wind tunnel testing we’ve had with the manufacturers over the past several months has given us the timely and necessary data we needed to come to this confirmation. We believe the new car is going to be a milestone opportunity for our sport, one that our fans will embrace.”


-NASCAR 

Brickyard 400 Chassis Selections

Not all teams announce their weekly race chassis'. Here is a list of those teams that do reveal the chassis in the teams race preview:

#1- Jamie McMurray - Chassis #1112.  Crew Chief Kevin “Bono” Manion and the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats team will bring chassis #1112 back to Indianapolis.  Chassis #1112 raced at Indianapolis last year earning a fourth- place finish, and at Darlington earlier this year, finishing 34th after sustaining damage from an on-track incident.


#2- Brad Keselowski - The No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger team will race chassis PRS-830 during Sunday’s Crown Royal presents the Curtiss Shaver 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This is a brand-new chassis to the No. 2 fleet. The featured tag line on the rear bumper of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge this weekend in Indianapolis is “Cheers 2 Kissing Bricks.”


#5- Kasey Kahne - For Sunday’s Brickyard 400, crew chief Kenny Francis has selected Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 5-739. This is a new car that has not been raced.


#9- Marcos Ambrose - The No. 9 RPM team has prepared chassis No. 805 for this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Indy. This DEWALT Ford was run previously this season at Phoenix, Richmond and Pocono.

#14-Tony Stewart - Chassis No. 14-735: This is a brand-new race car that has never turned a wheel on the racetrack, but it has been wind tunnel tested numerous times. 

#15- Clint Bowyer - Primary Chassis is No. 716, it finished sixth at Las Vegas, 36th at Kansas (mechanical issue), 13th at Charlotte, and 16th at Kentucky. Backup chassis is No. 730, it raced at Texas where it started 18th and finished 17th. It also raced in the Sprint All-Star Race where it started 12th and finished 14th. 


#16- Greg Biffle - Primary chassis is RK-817, a brand new chassis. Backup chassis is RK-786. Last ran Homestead – finished 35th.


#17- Matt Kenseth - Primary: RK-808 , it last raced at Michigan, finished 3rd


#22- Sam Hornish Jr - Hornish and his Todd Gordon-led Penske Racing No. 22 Team will be racing their "PRS-829" Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Charger this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This is a new chassis in the "Double-Deuce" team's fleet of Dodge Chargers. The "PRS-819" chassis will serve as the backup Shell-Pennzoil Dodge for this weekend. This was the car that AJ Allmendinger drove to a second-place finish in the April Martinsville race.


#24- Jeff Gordon - Gordon will drive Hendrick Motorsports chassis #24-732 at the Brickyard. This is a brand new car for this event.


#27- Paul Menard - Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 380 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. This No. 27 Chevrolet was built new for the 2012 season and will be utilized in competition for the first time at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.


#29- Kevin Harvick - Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 371 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend’s Brickyard 400. This former No. 33 racer was transformed to a No. 29 entry during the off-season and will run its first competitive laps this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The sponsor this week is Jimmy Johnn's.


#31- Jeff Burton - Jeff Burton will race chassis No. 359 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. Burton drove this No. 31 Chevrolet to a top-10 finish (sixth) earlier this season at Bristol Motor Speedway after starting 33rd. The chassis was utilized three times last season including the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (started-fifth, finished-21st), Pocono Raceway (started-eighth, finished 17th) and Dover International Speedway (started-13th, finished 11th).


#31- Dave Blaney - Blaney will drive the No. 293 chassis, which he drove five times this season and five times during the 2011 season. The Harford, Ohio native’s best start with the No. 293 chassis was 17th at Richmond and best finish was 23rd at Phoenix this season. TBR purchased the chassis from Richard Childress Racing, where Jeff Burton drove the chassis prior to its debut with TBR.


#39- Ryan Newman - Chassis No. 39-733 is a brand new chassis for the No. 39 Quicken Loans team. The chassis has been wind-tunnel tested twice in preparation for Sunday’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.


#42- Juan Pablo Montoya - Chassis #1107.  Crew Chief Chris “Shine” Heroy and the No. 42 Target team will return to Indianapolis with chassis #1107.  This chassis has two races of experience, the October, 2011 Kansas race and last year at Indianapolis, finishing 23rd and 28th,respectively.


#43- Aric Almirola - The team has prepared chassis No. 783 for the Indianapolis race.  The No. 43 team has previously raced this car at Kentucky; Charlotte, where Almirola won the pole; Texas; and Las Vegas. 


#48- Jimmie Johnson - Chassis No. 728 serves as the primary for Jimmie Johnson at Indianapolis. Chassis No. 669 serves as the backup. Chassis 728 won the race at Dover this year in June.


#51- Kurt Busch -  Chassis No. 676: Sunday’s Brickyard 400 will be the first race of the 2012 season for Chassis No. 676. This car is a new chassis for Phoenix Racing. Prior to becoming part of the Phoenix Racing fleet of cars, this chassis was used by the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports team.


#55- Mark Martin - CHASSIS: 726 – finished 12th at Fontana and 20th at Darlington with Martin behind the wheel. Backup – 732 finished 34th at Charlotte. 

#88- Dale Earnhardt Jr - Steve Letarte and the No. 88 team will unload Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 88-734, which is a brand new chassis.


#99- Carl Edwards - The No. 99 Fastenal team will be bringing chassis RK-820 to Indy. This is a brand new Ford Fusion.


- Reported in Team News/Press Releases

Brickyard 400 Driver Statistics

Not all teams announce their weekly race previews'. Here is a list of those teams that do reveal the information in the teams race preview: 

#1- Jamie McMurray - McMurray will make his 350^th NSCS career start at IMS on Sunday. McMurray has made nine starts at IMS, earning one win (2010), three top-fives and five top-10 finishes. He has completed 1,420 laps out of a possible 1,441 laps, or 98.5 percent. He has led 43 laps, and has an average starting position of 15.3 and an average finishing position of 13.1.


#2- Brad Keselowski - Keselowski has two starts at Indianapolis with one top ten finish, 9th last year at the track.


#5- Kasey Kahne - In eight Cup starts at Indianapolis, Kahne has two top-five finishes and four top-10s, including a runner-up finish in 2005. He has qualified in the top-10 six times at the Brickyard. In this event last year, Kahne started from the outside pole and led a race-high 48 laps.


#9- Marcos Ambrose - Ambrose' best career start at the Indianapolis, Ind., track is 11th. His best career finish (21st) came in 2010. Ambrose has completed 637 of 640 laps attempted at the Brickyard. Ambrose enters this weekend’s 400-mile race in 18th place in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings


#14-Tony Stewart - Stewart has one pole, two wins, three top-threes, six top-fives, nine top-10s and has led a total of 227 laps in 13 career Sprint Cup starts at Indianapolis. He only has two finishes outside the top-12 – a 17th-place result in 2001 and a 23rd-place finish in 2008. His average Sprint Cup start at Indianapolis is 15.8, his average Sprint Cup finish at Indianapolis is 8.1 and his lap completion rate is 100 percent.


#15- Clint Bowyer - Bowyer will make his seventh career start at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday. In six previous Indy starts, he has two top-five finishes (4th in 2006 and 2010) and four top-15 finishes. Bowyer has finished 19th or better in each of his six starts. He started 26th, led two laps and finished 13th in 2011.


#16- Greg Biffle - Biffle will make his 350th Sprint Cup Series career start Sunday at Indianapolis. Biffle has completed 100 percent of the laps he has raced at Indianapolis
 Motor Speedway and has an average starting position of 16.4 and average finish of 13.1 at the famed 2.5-mile track. Biffle has two top fives, five top 10s at Indy.


#17- Matt Kenseth - In 12 races at Indy, Kenseth has five top five and seven top-10 finishes and has finished inside the top 10 in seven of the last 10 starts at IMS


#18- Kyle Busch - Busch has one top-five, five top-10s and has led a total of 39 laps in seven career Sprint Cup starts at Indianapolis. Busch’s average Indianapolis finish is 13.1.


#22- Sam Hornish Jr - In his three Indianapolis Sprint Cup starts to date, Hornish has a 26.0 average start and a 29.3 average finish. He has completed 90.6 percent (435/480) of possible laps and is looking to lead his first lap in NASCAR competition there this weekend.


#24- Jeff Gordon - Along with topping the list for most NASCAR Sprint Cup victories at the 2.5-mile track with four wins, Gordon also ranks first in: pole positions (3), top-five finishes (10; four more than any other driver), top-10s (14) and laps led (476; 249 more than any other driver) in 18 Cup starts at IMS.

#27- Paul Menard - In five previous starts at the Speedway, Ind.-based track, Menard has completed 94.5 percent of his laps (756 of 800). He has an average starting position of 26.8 and a 21st-place average finishing position. He claimed his best starting position of 15th and finished first in his last visit to the famed 2.5-mile flat oval (July 2011).


#29- Kevin Harvick - Harvick has made seven starts at the Indianapolis-based facility since the inception of NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics in 2006. The Bakersfield, Calif., native has run 781 laps within in the Top 15 while completing 176 Quality Passes ranking him seventh in both categories. Harvick holds a 93.5 Driver Rating and an average Speed in Traffic of 167.200 mph positioning him ninth amongst his fellow competitors. The 2003 Brickyard 400 Champion has also been credited for leading 41 laps, which positions him 10th in the category of Most Laps Led. He has earned  One win, four top fives, seven top 10s; one pole and an Average finish of 10.0


#31- Jeff Burton - Burton has started every Sprint Cup Series event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (18) and this weekend’s Brickyard 400 will mark his 639th-career Sprint Cup Series entry. He has amassed one top-five and five top-10 finishes at the 2.5-mile facility, starting from the pole position in the 2006 event.


#36- Dave Blaney - In thirteen starts at the Brickyard ,Blaney has one top 10 and a best finish of ninth which he earned in 2007.


#39- Ryan Newman - The Brickyard 400 will mark Newman’s 388th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start and his 12th Sprint Cup start at Indianapolis. Newman has one top-five and one top-10 finish in 11 starts at the 2.5-mile oval.


#42- Juan Pablo Montoya - Montoya has made five NSCS starts at IMS.  He qualified on the pole in 2010, and earned a second-place finish in 2007.  Montoya has completed 749 laps out of a possible 800 laps, or 93.6 percent.  He has led 202 laps and has an average start of fifth and an average finish of 22.4.


#43- Aric Almirola - Sunday's Brickyard 400 will mark Almirola's career debut at the storied 2.5-mile oval in Indianapolis, Ind.


#48- Jimmie Johnson - At Indy, Johnson has three wins (2006, 2008, 2009), one pole (2008), three top-five finishes (30 percent) and four top-10s (40 percent) in 10 starts and an average finish of 18.4.


#51- Kurt Busch - Busch has scored one top-five and four top-10 finishes in 11 career Sprint Cup starts at Indianapolis. Busch’s average Indianapolis finish is 18.4 while his average starting position is 18.5.

#55- Mark Martin -  In 18 starts Martin owns six top-five finishes - only Jeff Gordon’s 10 is better. Martin has not finished outside the top eight in the last seven races and not outside the top 11 in the last nine races.

#88- Dale Earnhardt Jr - In 12 Sprint Cup starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Earnhardt has recorded two top-10 finishes and led 61 laps. In five of those races, Earnhardt lined up sixth or better for the historic event. He scored his best finish -- sixth-place -- at the 2.5-mile oval in 2006.


#99- Carl Edwards - Edwards will make his eighth Cup start at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend.  In his previous starts, Edwards has one top-five and three top-10 finishes. His average start is 24.9 and his average finish is 11.0.  Edwards captured his best start (ninth) and best finish (second) at the Brickyard in 2008. Edwards has completed 100 percent of his laps attempted in Cup competition at Indy, and has the fourth-best average finish among active drivers there.



- Reported in Team News/Press Releases

NASCAR Driver Press Conference Schedule - Indianapolis

Press Conference Schedule, Indianapolis

NASCAR schedules driver press conferences at every race weekend event. These normally include the Top 12 drivers in championship points in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, along with other drivers of note. The press conferences will last approximately 15 minutes each and may be viewed at NASCAR.com. Times listed are local time.

Thursday, July 26:

3 p.m. – Chip Ganassi (team owner), Juan Pablo Montoya, Jamie McMurray, Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas – Press Conference Room

5 p.m. – GRAND-AM’s Paul Tracy and Eliseo Salazar – Press Conference Room

5:15 p.m. – Elliott Sadler (No. 2 One Main Financial Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series) – Press Conference Room

5:30 p.m. – Danica Patrick (No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series) – Press Conference Room

5:45 p.m. – Richard Childress (team owner), Austin Dillon, Ty Dillon – Press Conference Room

6:05 p.m. – Paul Menard (No. 27 Menards/Nibco Chevrolet, 2011 Brickyard 400 winner) – Hauler Parade

Saturday, July 28:

7:45 a.m. – Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet, 4th in points/2 wins) – Press Conference Room

8 a.m. – Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Jimmy Johns Chevrolet, 6^th in points/ 0 wins) - #29 hauler

9:45 a.m. – Carl Edwards (No. 99 Fastenal Ford, 11^th in points/0 wins) - #99 hauler

12:30 p.m. – Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford, 3^rd in points/1 win) - #16 hauler

12:45 p.m. – Trevor Bayne (No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford) and NASCAR Hall of Famer Leonard Wood– Press Conference Room

1 p.m. – Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet, 2^nd in points/1 win) – Press Conference Room

1:15 p.m. – Jeff Gordon (No. 24 Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet, 17^th in points/0 wins) – Press Conference Room

1:30 p.m. – Matt Kenseth (No. 17 5^th/3^rd Ford, 1^st in points1 win) – Press Conference Room

Note: Tony Stewart (No. 14 Mobil 1/Office Depot Chevrolet, 7^th in points/3 wins) & Ryan Newman (No. 39 Quicken Loans Chevrolet, 14^th in points/1 win) will be available in the media bullpen following qualifying (begins at 2:10 p.m.)

Note: Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota, 5^th in points/2 wins) will be available in the media bullpen following Nationwide Series qualifying (begins at 12:35 p.m.)

- NASCAR 

SRT Motorsports Presents THE NUMBERS: Brickyard Curtiss Shaver 400

THE NUMBERS for Indianapolis Motor Speedway

 (All 18 Sprint Cup Races) 

1 – fewest cautions (8/5/95)

 

2 – races won from the pole; three from the front row

 

3 – most poles (Jeff Gordon)

 

3 – races won from outside a top-20 starting position

 

4 – most wins (Jeff Gordon)

 

4 – drivers with more than one win (Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Jarrett, Tony Stewart

 

4 – fewest caution laps (8/5/95)

 

5 – fewest leaders (8/5/00)

 

6 – number of jet dryers available for track drying this weekend

 

9 – fewest lead changes (three times, most recent 7/26/09)

 

11 – different race winner

 

11 – fewest laps led by race winner (Dale Jarrett, 8/3/96)

 

13 – most cautions (8/8/04)

 

14 – fewest cars on lead lap at finish (8/5/00)

 

15 – different pole winners

 

26 – most lead changes (7/27/08)

 

27 – fewest cars running at finish (8/8/04)

 

36 – most cars on lead lap at finish 7/27/08)

 

41 – most cars running at finish (7/27/08)

 

52 – most caution laps (7/27/08)

 

150 minutes – approximate amount of time it takes to dry the 2.5-mile track

 

124 – most laps led by race winner (Jeff Gordon, 8/8/04)

 

2012 Caution Update

 

1 – fewest cautions this season (Fontana)

 

5 – races extended beyond scheduled distance (Daytona1, Martinsville, Talladega, Darlington and Sonoma)

 

10 – most cautions this season (Daytona1)

 

103 – cautions in the first 19 races of 2012; includes 43 for accidents, 31 for debris and 12 for spins

 

541 of 5,488 – laps under caution in 2012

 

775.871 of 7,374.956 – miles under caution in the first 19 races

 

- Darnell Communications for SRT Motorsports Press Release

Indianapolis Motor Speedway History and Notes

At Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
History
· Indianapolis Motor Speedway has existed since 1909, and is the original "Speedway," the first racing facility to incorporate the word into its name.

Notebook
· There have been 18 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway since the first race in 1994.

· Four drivers have competed in all 18 races: Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Mark Martin.

· Rick Mast won the first pole in 1994.

· Jeff Gordon won the 1994 inaugural race.

· There have been 15 different pole winners.

· Jeff Gordon leads all pole winners with three.

· 11 drivers have won, led by Jeff Gordon with four victories.

· Jimmie Johnson (three), Dale Jarrett and Tony Stewart (two each) are the other multiple winners.

· Hendrick Motorsports has won seven races, more than any other organization.

· Nine races have been won from a top-five starting position.

· The furthest back a race winner has started at Indianapolis was 27th, by Jeff Gordon in 2001.

· Two drivers have won from the pole: Kevin Harvick in 2003 and Jimmie Johnson in 2008.

· Dale Jarrett (1996), Jimmie Johnson (2006) and Jamie McMurray (2010) are the only drivers to win both the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 in the same season.

· Tony Stewart (8.0), Jeff Gordon (9.0) and Kevin Harvick (10.0) are the only active drivers to average a top-10 finish.

· Three of the last five Indianapolis races ending under green had a margin of victory under one second.

· 14 of the 18 races have been won by a past, reigning or future NASCAR Sprint Cup champion. The only four that were not: Ricky Rudd in 1997, Kevin Harvick in 2003, Jamie McMurray in 2010 and Paul Menard in 2011.

· The winner of the Indianapolis race has won the championship in the same year seven times in the 18 years the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has raced there:

2009: Jimmie Johnson

2008: Jimmie Johnson

2006: Jimmie Johnson

2005: Tony Stewart

2001: Jeff Gordon

2000: Bobby Labonte

1999: Dale Jarrett

1998: Jeff Gordon

· Youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Indianapolis Motor Speedway winner: Jeff Gordon (08/06/1994 – 23 years, 0 months, 2 days).

· Oldest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Indianapolis Motor Speedway winner: Bill Elliott (08/04/2002 – 46 years, 9 months, 27 days).

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Data
Race #: 20 of 36 (07-29-12)
Track Size: 2.5-miles
Race Length: 160 laps / 400 miles
· Banking/Turns: 9 degrees
· Banking/Straights: 0 degree
· Frontstretch: 3,330 feet
· Backstretch: 3,300 feet

- NASCAR

Goodyear expects 28 teams for tire test at Michigan on July 30

Michigan International Speedway will host 28 teams on Monday, July 30 when Goodyear holds a one-day tire test for all NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams.


The best drivers in NASCAR will once again descend on the Irish Hills to continue their preparations for the Pure Michigan 400 on Sunday, August 19. The star-studded list includes 28 drivers and teams who will take advantage of the added practice time.


“This test will help Goodyear select a tire that is more compatible with the fast Michigan racing surface, and improve an already competitive race weekend from start to finish,” NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said, “Goodyear invited a majority of teams to Michigan, and we’ll work together on all elements to put on the best show possible for our fans.”


The following drivers are scheduled to attend the test at MIS on July 30. The drive lineup is tentative and subject to change. Teams may not reflect full-time roster driver.  


# 1 Jamie McMurray
#2 Brad Keselowski
#5 Kasey Kahne
#9 Marcos Ambrose
#11 Denny Hamlin
#13 Casey Mears
#14 Danica Patrick for Tony Stewart
#15 Clint Bowyer
#16 Greg Biffle
#17 Matt Kenseth
#18 Kyle Busch
#20 Joey Logano
#21 Trevor Bayne
#24 Jeff Gordon
#27 Paul Menard
#29 Kevin Harvick
#30 David Stremme
#31 Jeff Burton
#39 Ryan Newman
#42 Juan Pablo Montoya
#43 Aric Almirola
#51 Kurt Busch
#55 Mark Martin
#56 Martin Truex, Jr.
#78 Regan Smith
#83 Landon Cassill
#93 Travis Kvapil
#99 Carl Edwards


The track will open the Turn 1 Grandstand from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 30 for fans to watch the test free of charge.


“This is a unique opportunity for fans to see the drivers again test the repaved racing surface,” MIS President Roger Curtis said. “The 28 teams who will be here feature some of the best in the sport as they continue to prepare for the upcoming Pure Michigan 400. The test falls at a perfect time for our fans as they get a chance to see cars on track between our two races.”


Testing times, track schedule and drivers are subject to change due to weather or other circumstances.


Fans are asked to park in Lot 10 off US 12 and enter the grandstands through Gate 17, just behind the water tower. The restroom facilities will be open and concession stands will be available. Fans are also allowed to bring in coolers that meet the MIS grandstand gate policies for any race weekend.


- Michigan International Speedway 

NASCAR This Week on ESPN

ESPN’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Coverage Launches at Indianapolis
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the Brickyard 400 on Sunday, July 29, at the race will launch ESPN’s coverage of the final 17 races of the season for the series. ESPN also will televise the inaugural NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Indianapolis on Saturday, July 28. Full coverage details.
The Nationwide Series race will be the third of four consecutive events that comprise the NASCAR Nationwide Series Dash 4 Cash, a bonus program that will award an extra $100,000 to the highest-finishing of four eligible drivers in each of the four designated races and could award an additional $600,000 at the fourth race at Iowa Speedway next month.

Katie Couric Interviews Danica Patrick in NASCAR Countdown
ABC News journalist Katie Couric talks with NASCAR driver Danica Patrick at Indianapolis Motor Speedway about her transition to NASCAR, how people perceive her as a person and the possible sexism she might face on a daily basis at the racetrack. The interview airs during NASCAR Countdown prior to Patrick competing in the inaugural NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Indianapolis on Saturday, July 28, at 4 p.m. on ESPN. PREVIEW. 


NASCAR Now Schedule
ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program NASCAR Now will preview the Brickyard 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the one-hour weekend edition that airs Sunday, July 29, at 9 a.m. Host Shannon Spake will be joined in the studio by ESPN analyst Ricky Craven, with reporters Marty Smith and Jim Noble at the speedway. On Monday, July 30, ESPN analyst Dale Jarrett will join Spake and Craven to review the race at 3 p.m. Craven also will be in the studio with Spake for programs airing Thursday and Friday of this week leading into the Indianapolis race weekend.

Date Time Show Host Network
Tue., July 24 3 p.m. NASCAR Now Shannon Spake ESPN2
Wed., July 25 3 p.m. NASCAR Now Shannon Spake ESPN2
Thu., July 26 3 p.m. NASCAR Now Shannon Spake ESPN2
Fri., July 27 3 p.m. NASCAR Now Shannon Spake ESPN2
Sun., July 29 9 a.m. NASCAR Now Shannon Spake ESPN2
Mon., July 30 3 p.m. NASCAR Now Shannon Spake ESPN2


- ESPN MediaZone

Indianapolis NASCAR Event Schedule

INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY 2012 

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES 

NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES 

GRAND AM ROLEX SERIES / CONTINENTAL TIRE SPORTS CAR CHALLENGE 

EVENT SCHEDULE 

Wednesday, July 25TH
9:00 AM  NNS HAULERS ENTER
12:00 PM  GA REGISTRATION OPENS
12:00 PM  GARS HAULERS ENTER
1:00 PM  GA GARAGE OPENS
1:30 PM  CTSCC HAULERS ENTER
5:00 PM  GA GARAGE CLOSES
Thursday, July 26TH
7:00 AM  CTSCC DRIVER & CREW CHIEF MEETING
7:00 AM  GA GARAGE OPENS
7:30 AM  GARS DRIVER & CREW CHIEF MEETING
9:30 AM  NNS REGISTRATION OPENS
9:30 AM  GA REGISTRATION OPENS
10:00 AM  NNS GARAGE OPENS
10:30 AM 11:30 AM  Indianapolis Motor Speedway Pace Car Rides
10:30 AM    TRACK SERVICES MEETING
11:00 AM  NNS MANDTORY DRIVER & SPOTTER MEETINGS, RANDOM DRAWING
12:00 PM 3:00 PM NNS PRACTICE
3:30 PM 5:00 PM NNS FINAL PRACTICE
5:00 PM  NNS REGISTRATION CLOSES
6:00 PM  GA GARAGE CLOSES
6:00 PM  GA REGISTRATION & GARAGE CLOSES
6:30 PM 7:30 PM  Indianapolis Motor Speedway 4K Run
7:00 PM  NNS GARAGE CLOSES
8:00 PM  NSCS HAULERS ENTER
Friday, July 27TH
6:30 AM    TRACK SERVICES MEETING
6:30 AM  GARS GARAGE & REGISTRATION OPENS
8:00 AM  NNS GARAGE & REGISTRATION OPENS
8:00 AM 9:00 AM CTSCC PRACTICE
9:15 AM 9:30 AM  CTSCC QUALIFYING-GS
9:35 AM 9:50 AM  CTSCC QUALIFYING-ST
10:00 AM 11:00 AM GARS PRACTICE
11:15 AM 11:30 AM  GARS QUALIFYING-DP
11:30 AM  NSCS REGISTRATION OPENS
11:35 AM 11:50 AM  GARS QUALIFYING-GT
12:00 PM 12:45 PM  Indianapolis Motor Speedway Pace Car Rides
12:00 PM 12:45 PM GA FAN PIT WALK & FAN FEST
12:00 PM  NSCS GARAGE OPENS
12:00 PM    TRACK SERVICES MEETING-PIT ROAD
12:50 PM  CTSCC DRIVERS INTRODUCTION
12:50 PM  GARS REMOVE CARS FROM PIT ROAD
1:00 PM  CTSCC RECON LAPS
1:00 PM  CTSCC RACE (2.5 HOURS)
3:45 PM  GARS DRIVERS INTRODUCTION
4:00 PM  GARS RECON LAPS
4:00 PM  NNS GARAGE & REGISTRATION CLOSES
 4:00 PM  NSCS REGISTRATION CLOSES
4:10 PM  GARS RACE (3 HOURS)
4:30 PM  GARS REGISTRATION CLOSES
5:00 PM  NSCS GARAGE CLOSES
Saturday, July 28TH
7:00 AM  NSCS GARAGE & REGISTRATION OPENS
7:00 AM    TRACK SERVICES MEETING
7:30 AM   NSCS ROOKIE & SPOTTER MEETINGS, RANDON DRAWING
8:00 AM  NNS GARAGE & REGISTRATION OPENS
8:00 AM   NSCS ** HOT PASS IN EFFECT **
8:30 AM 9:30 AM NSCS PRACTICE
9:30 AM 10:00 AM TV Exhibition Run
9:30 AM 10:00 AM  Indianapolis Motor Speedway Pace Car Rides**
10:00 AM  NNS DRIVER/CREW CHIEFS MEETING (PLAZA MEETING ROOM)
10:30 AM 11:30 AM NNS Autograph Session
10:30 AM 12:20 PM NSCS FINAL PRACTICE
12:35 PM   NNS QUALIFYING (TWO LAPS, ALL POSITIONS)
1:40 PM   NSCS ** HOT PASS IN EFFECT **
2:00 PM 3:00 PM NNS Minors Admitted in the NASCAR Garage Area*
2:00 PM    TRACK SERVICES MEETING-PIT ROAD
2:10 PM   NSCS QUALIFYING (TWO LAPS, ALL POSITIONS)
4:00 PM  NNS DRIVERS INTRODUCTION-SECURITY –CLEAR PIT ROAD
4:30 PM  NNS RACE (100 LAPS, 250 MILES)(100 LAPS, 250 MILES) 1:50
5:00 PM  NNS REGISTRATION CLOSES
5:00 PM  NSCS REGISTRATION CLOSES
6:00 PM  NSCS GARAGE CLOSES
Sunday, July 29TH
 *With Proper Credentials
7:00 AM  NSCS GARAGE & REGISTRATION OPENS
7:00 AM 11:30 AM NSCS Minors Admitted in the NASCAR Garage Area*
8:00 AM 9:00 AM  NASCAR Pace Car Rides
9:30 AM   TRACK SERVICES MEETING
9:00 AM  10:00 AM  Indianapolis Motor Speedway Track Walk
10:30 AM 11:30 AM  Indianapolis Motor Speedway Pace Car Rides
11:00 AM  NSCS DRIVER/CREW CHIEFS MEETING (PLAZA MEETING ROOM)
12:00 PM  NSCS ** HOT PASS IN EFFECT **UNTIL ONE HOUR AFTER RACE
12:30 PM  NSCS DRIVERS INTRODUCTION-SECURITY–CLEAR PIT ROAD
1:00 PM  NSCS RACE (160 LAPS, 400 MILES)
1:30 PM  NSCS REGISTRATION CLOSES
 ALL TIMES ARE LISTED IN EASTERN
06/30/12 NSCS IND  12-01 TENTATIVE, SUBJECT TO CHANGE

- NASCAR

Chad Norris Named Crew Chief Of No.99 Fastenal Sprint Cup Team

Bob Osborne is transitioning away from his role as crew chief of the No. 99 Fastenal Sprint Cup team at Roush Fenway Racing, team owner Jack Roush announced today. Roush Fenway veteran Chad Norris will be the crew chief for the No. 99 effective immediately. Osborne will remain with the organization as a senior member of the organization’s management team and steering committee.


“I have had the pleasure of working with Carl Edwards for the past nine years and, during that time, my focus has been building a championship-caliber program,” Osborne said. “I’m proud of the 18 wins we’ve had together in Sprint Cup Series competition and our two second-place points finishes.”


“At this time in my life, however, concerns with my health have necessitated that I change my role within the organization,” Osborne added. “This transition is not an easy one, but I’m thankful to have the full support of Jack, Carl and the entire organization. I also have every confidence in Chad Norris, and I look forward to working with him as we continue to pursue a championship in 2012. I also appreciate the privacy and respect that the community will give me and my family during this difficult time.”


Osborne was Edwards’ first crew chief for his Sprint Cup debut in 2004, and the two have combined for 18 wins and two runner-up finishes in season-ending Sprint Cup Series point standings.


“I cannot say enough good things about Bob Osborne,” added driver Carl Edwards. “I’m so thankful for what he’s done for me as a driver, and he is without a doubt one of the smartest guys in the sport.  I’m also appreciative of the fact that he’ll continue to be a resource for me and our team as we focus on these final races. We’re very fortunate to have Chad Norris as part of our organization to take over for the No. 99. I’ve known Chad for a long time and he is a fierce competitor. We’ve got our work cut out for us over the next seven races, and I’ve got every confidence Chad can lead our team to where we need to be.”


Norris has been with Roush Fenway Racing since 2005, and since 2011 has led Roush Fenway’s research and development test program that has seen him serve as crew chief for Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., in his limited Sprint Cup Series schedule and Trevor Bayne in his limited Nationwide Series schedule.


Norris’ first role as crew chief at Roush Fenway came in 2005 with the No. 17 Nationwide Series team. In his eight years with Roush Fenway, Norris has led multiple teams to victory lane, including Bayne’s inaugural Nationwide Series win at Texas Motor Speedway in November of 2011.


“Our commitment to winning a championship with the No. 99 in 2012 has not waivered,” said team owner Jack Roush. “I’m committed to providing the resources to Carl and to his team to do that, and this restructuring of Bob’s role and the introduction of Chad Norris as the crew chief for the No. 99 will put us in the best possible position for these final seven races before the ‘Chase’ begins.”


- Roush Fenway Racing PR

RCR Minority Partner Considering Selling Equity Position

Richard Childress Racing has advised its employees, drivers and key sponsors that Chartwell Investments is considering exiting its minority equity position in RCR.

“Since 2003, I have had a minority partner at RCR in Chartwell Investments,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “Like any private equity business, Chartwell has a duty to its investors to return capital and maximize profits in a reasonable timeframe. With my support, they have determined that now is an appropriate time to exit their investment in RCR. Chartwell has been a great partner and I will always be appreciative of our partnership. We will remain good friends. 

“We have informed the key people and sponsors of RCR about Chartwell’s decision and assured them this will have no impact on the current affairs at RCR or our continued vision for strong performance on and off the track. We have advised them that if a new investor comes on board as RCR’s new partner they will be strategically chosen to help RCR continue to grow. Our family of corporate partners has all been very appreciative of our letting them know and remain committed to moving forward. I love what I do and plan to be involved in NASCAR and in running RCR for many years to come.”

“RCR is one of the elite NASCAR organizations and we are honored to be a part of the RCR family and partners with racing icon Richard Childress for close to ten years,” said Michael Shein, Managing Partner of Chartwell Investments. “During this period, RCR has continued to prosper, more than doubling the size of its business.  We are equally optimistic about RCR’s future performance both on and off the track, remaining confident in NASCAR’s long-term potential.  We have engaged The Raine Group to explore the potential sale of our interest in RCR in order to monetize our investment.”

The Raine Group is a global merchant bank focused exclusively on the digital, media & entertainment and sports & lifestyle sectors.


- Richard Childress Racing Press Release

New Hampshire NASCAR DIRECTV HotPass Lineup

Ride Along with Hamlin, Stewart, Biffle and Earnhardt at New Hampshire on DIRECTV 
Event:     Lenox Industrial Tools 301
Previous Winner:   Ryan Newman (beat Tony Stewart by .773 of a second on July 17, 2011) 
Date / Time:    Sunday, July 15 at 1 p.m. EDT 
Track:     New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon 
Configuration:    1.058-mile oval (301 laps = 318.458 miles) 
Banking in Turns:   12 degrees 
Banking on Frontstretch:   2 degrees 
Banking on Backstretch:   2 degrees 
Frontstretch:    1,500 feet 
Backstretch:    1,500 feet 
First Sprint Cup Series Race:  July 11, 1993 – Slick 50 300 (Winner – Rusty Wallace) 
Grandstand Seating Capacity:  91,000


NASCAR HOTPASS on DIRECTV is back, and it’s FREE to all DIRECTV customers. Four dedicated driver channels offering viewers multiple camera angles, real-time statistics and audio of the network broadcast augmented by live communication between the drivers and their pit crews are available for all 36 points-paying races during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. 

 The NASCAR HOTPASS lineup for the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon is as follows: 

DIRECTV Channel 795: Denny Hamlin and the No. 11 FedEx Freight Toyota team of Joe Gibbs Racing.

DIRECTV Channel 796: Tony Stewart and the No. 14 Mobil 1/Office Depot Chevrolet team of Stewart-Haas Racing. 

DIRECTV Channel 797:  Greg Biffle and the No. 16 3M – WB Mason – Post-It Ford team of Roush Fenway Racing.

DIRECTV Channel 798: Dale Earnhardt Jr., and the No. 88 National Guard /Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet team of Hendrick Motorsports.

About NASCAR HOTPASS on DIRECTV:NASCAR HOTPASS is available free to all DIRECTV customers. More information is available at www.directv.com/hotpass.

- TrueSpeed Communications Press Release