ESPN2 to Air NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series Season Reviews

With one of the most competitive NASCAR seasons in history now in the record books, ESPN2 will take a look back at the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series seasons in a pair of programs to air later this week.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, which ended with Tony Stewart winning his third championship in a hotly-contested battle that went to the final lap of the final race, will be reviewed on Friday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m. ET.

The NASCAR Nationwide Series season, in which Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won his first NASCAR championship, will be reviewed on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m.

Both 30-minute programs, produced by the NASCAR Media Group, will feature highlights and interviews with drivers and other newsmakers who contributed to the competition in 2011.

In 2012, ESPN networks will again televise the final 17 races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, including all 10 races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. In addition, ESPN networks will again be the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season. NASCAR Now, ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program, will return in February.

All NASCAR programming on ESPN and ESPN2 throughout 2012 will be available on computers, smartphones and tablets through WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app.

- ESPN MediaZone 

Penske Racing, Kurt Busch Mutually Agree to Separation

Penske Racing announced today that it has reached a mutual agreement with driver Kurt Busch to end its driver/race team relationship, effective immediately. 

The team will evaluate its options for the driver of the No. 22 Sprint Cup Series car in the future while Busch will seek new opportunities with another race team.

"I appreciate the victories that Kurt has brought Penske Racing and our sponsors over the past six years," said Roger Penske. "While I am disappointed that Kurt will not be racing for our team in the future, both Kurt and I felt that separating at this time was best for all parties, including our team and sponsors. I wish Kurt the best in his future racing endeavors."

"I am grateful to Penske Racing for six very productive years," said Busch. "Together we won a lot of races -16 in all. Leaving a great organization and a lucrative contract is not easy, but it's an important step for me and allows me to take a deep breath to work on things that can make me a better driver and a better person. I want to personally thank Roger Penske for the opportunity that he has given me."


- Penske Racing Press Release

NASCAR And Sprint Announce Agreement On Sponsorship Extension

NASCAR and Sprint have signed a multiyear agreement for Sprint to remain the entitlement partner of the sport’s premier series. The extension keeps NASCAR and Sprint as partners through 2016, and ensures that the No. 1 finisher in the sport’s top series will be a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™ champion. The agreement coincides with NASCAR’s Five-Year Industry Action Plan, which is designed to help grow the sport and reach new audiences.

“Sprint has been very successful in using our sport as a platform to enhance its brand and drive their business,” said Brian France, NASCAR chairman and CEO. “They have been a fantastic partner and we are immensely pleased to continue with Sprint as the entitlement partner for our premier series. This new agreement aligns perfectly with ouraggressive five-year plan, which is laser-focused on continuing to improve our product, keep our existing fans engaged, and reach new fans.”

“NASCAR fans are great customers who reward us with their loyalty,” said Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO. “We’re very pleased to continue to have our brand associated with the most competitive and exciting form of racing in the world.”

Since Sprint became the title sponsor in February 2004, it has activated the sponsorship in a number of creative and innovative ways, including the introduction of NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile, the exclusive application that allows millions of Sprint customers to keep up with every lap of NASCAR action on their wireless devices each year; the Sprint Experience mobile marketing display, which entertains more than 500,000 fans each year at NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events across the country; and the introduction of Miss Sprint Cup, a fan favorite who boasts more than 1.2 million followers in the social media space on Facebook and Twitter.

- NASCAR Media

Nascar Drivers Speeches - Preview

 If each of the 10 drivers stepped on stage and said what they're really thinking, it would be a lot more entertaining — and it might go something like this:

10. Ryan Newman"First of all, I'd like to congratulate my teammate on winning the championship. Amazing what you can do when you get all the best equipment (laughs) ... Seriously, we had a good season, won a race, made the Chase. Not bad in second-hand equipment (laughs) ... But seriously, folks, for a second team in a two-car operation, I'm pretty proud of how we ran … all except in the Chase, when, well, you know how that went. Maybe I should have fired my crew chief. ... And, by the way, I'll be sending out Christmas cards soon and you'll all get one — except for Juan Pablo Montoya. Juan, I'll be sending you a bill for $50,000. That's the most expensive punch I've ever thrown. ... Oh wait, I wasn't supposed to mention that. That was supposed to be a secret fine. Uh, sorry … Happy Holidays everyone, and congratulations, Tony, you had a great run in that great equipment."

9. Denny Hamlin"Wow, what a great year we had. Winning eight races, almost winning the championship ... Oh, wait, was that last year? Seems like it was just yesterday. ... We would have won it, too, if my crew hadn't of run me out of gas at Phoenix ... and then I had that little slip-up at Homestead, hard to forget that ... What? Oh, sorry, that was 2010, wasn't it? ... 2011? Well, I guess I need to thank NASCAR for creating that wild card. And I guess I need to thank my crew chief Mike Ford. Is he still my crew chief? … Anyway, we had a great year, won at Martinsville, won at Texas, won Darlington, Pocono, Michigan, Richmond, Texas again ... would have won the whole thing if they hadn't run me out of gas … What? ... Look, I know everybody thinks I struggled this year because I can't get over 2010, but I'm over it, OK ... It's just that, well, if they hadn't run me out of gas at Phoenix ..."

8. Jeff Gordon
"First of all, I'd like to thank Jimmie for winning the championship ag ... What? Jimmie didn't win the championship again? Wow, that's hard to believe. ... Actually, I think I even won more races than him, didn't I, Jimmie? Where is Jimmie? He's usually up here. Oh, there he is, out there in the audience. Hey Jimmie, didn't I win more races than you this year? Thought so. ... It was a really good year for us. Got to do a lot of neat things with the Drive To End Hunger campaign, got to visit the Congo, Rwanda, a lot of rewarding things ... And did I mention that I won more races than Jimmie? Where is Jimmie, anyway? Oh, there he is. Merry Christmas, Jimmie."

7. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
"Well, I guess I need to thank all the fans for voting for me again. It's really neat to win this Most Popular Driver Award again ... Oh, yeah, we did that yesterday ... Sorry, just got up, and I haven't been up here in a while ... Anyway, I'd like to thank Stevie for keeping me pumped up all year, keeping me from having a meltdown. He did good, we had a good year, made the Chase, that's good I guess. ... We just ... well, you know ... It's been a long time since ... well, you know ... since 2008 ... anyway, thanks, gotta go."

6. Jimmie Johnson
"Thank you, Jeff, for those kind and thoughtful words. I’m still here, not going anywhere. I'm sure I'll run into you soon. Just ask Kurt Busch. ... Congratulations to Tony, he finally ended our streak. Of course, I guess all of you people out there are happy about that. I know you got tired of me winning all the time, and you finally got your wish — a champion with some personality. Good luck with that. ... We didn't have the year we wanted, or are used to. We can thank Kurt Busch for that. Where is he, by the way? Flipping someone off, I guess. ... Anyway, we'll be back up here next year — after we kick everyone's butt again. Maybe by then I'll develop a little personality ..."

5. Brad Keselowski
"I only have a few things to say since ... well, I don't want to get fined or something for speaking my mind. ... Want to thank my doctor for patching up that broken ankle good enough for me to win at Pocono and go on a hot streak. ... And I guess I need to thank NASCAR for creating that wild card that got me into the Chase. ... And, well, I guess that's it ... except for two things ... Kyle Busch is still an ass, and I still hate fuel injection. ... Merry Christmas ... Or am I not supposed to say that, either?"

4. Matt Kenseth
"Unlike Brad, I really am a man of few words. We had a good year, won some races, might have won the championship if it hadn't been for Brian Vickers. Where is he, anyway? Is he not here? Oh, that's right — you have to have a ride to get in. ... I want to congratulate my teammate on a great year and almost winning the championship. By the way, Carl, can you teach me to fight? ..."

3. Kevin Harvick
"Well, it was certainly an interesting year (grins). ... But before I get started, I want to know one thing — where's Kyle? He's not here? He get suspended again? Maybe somebody finally gave him a whooping and he couldn't make it. That's a shame. Maybe he wrecked a cab driver on the way over and got his ass whipped. ... Anyway, I'd thank my crew ... if we hadn't finished THIRD AGAIN. ... Could have won it this year if we'd had better pit stops ... and better pit calls ... and better cars ... and won some FREAKING RACES IN THE CHASE ... Anyway, I'd like to thank my crew chief ... What? He's not my crew chief anymore? That's a shame. ... Well, guess I better wrap it up, looks like Richard's taking his watch off. ... We'll be back next year to give it another shot ... and give Kyle another shot (grins)."

2. Carl Edwards
"You mean I get to go first? Shouldn't Tony be up here, too? We tied, you know. (laughs) ... Seriously, I'm glad I get to go first — it's the first time I've finished ahead of him in a while. (laughs) ... Really, I think NASCAR should take a serious look at this points system and this Chase. I mean, really, who wants to see a guy win half the Chase races and win the championship? That's not fair, is it? (laughs) ... I promised I was going to be NASCAR's best loser, and I'm trying really hard, but seriously, shouldn't it be about consistency? You know, all 36 races, and not just 10? I'm just saying ..."

1. Tony Stewart
"First of all, I'd like to thank Carl ... thank him for staying out of my way so I didn't have to wreck him. 'Cause he knows I would have wrecked him, don't you, Carl? (grins). I would have wrecked his mother, too. (laughs) ... I'd also like to thank the media ... NOT! They all ask stupid questions anyway, and look like porn stars. And by the way, guys, we won't be meeting outside my hauler every week next year. Just letting you know. ... And I'd like to thank my crew chief Darian Grubb. Where's Darian? Oh, I forgot, I fired him. ... And in conclusion, I'd just like to say one more thing — when I tell you we're going to do something, you can take it to the bank. We're going to do it again next year, too. To be the man, you've got to beat the man ... Wooooo!"

-Excerpted from FoxSports.com

2011 NASCAR After The Lap: Top-10 List

The 2011 top-12 NASCAR Sprint Cup SeriesTM drivers held nothing back today at the third annual, fan-favorite NASCAR After The Lap held at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas and sponsored by Coca-Cola and Ford. ESPN pit road reporter Jamie Little hosted the event along with co-host Miss Sprint Cup Monica Palumbo.

A list of the top-10 unfiltered, driver “tell-all” comments are outlined below.

Top-10 List
Number 1· Ryan Newman was asked if he purchased his boss (2011 Champion Tony Stewart) anything special after winning the championship.
· “No!”
· Jamie Little followed with “Ryan, you told me earlier there was a waxing appointment but that no appointment was long enough to cover Tony’s needs.”

Number 2· Question for Kyle Busch: “Kyle, we hear your wife cooked her first Thanksgiving this year…How did she do?”
· Response: “It was good. That’s what she said.”

Number 3· Comment from host Little: “There are a lot of single women in Vegas.”
· Response from Stewart: “Why do you think I’m just happy to be here?”

Number 4
After comments about brothers Kurt and Kyle Busch dressing alike and being confused for each other, Kurt Busch responded:
· “When the fine comes in the mail, they know how to spell our name right.”

Number 5· Question: What if Delana Harvick (wife of Kevin Harvick) showed up (to the race) without a fire suit?
· Special guest and Blue Comedy Tour comedian Bill Engvall responded: “We talking no suit at all? Cus, that would be awesome.”
· Harvick followed with “If she walked out without a fire suit and I missed the race, you’d know why.”
· “At least for the first 10 laps…” said Matt Kenseth.

Number 6· Earnhardt Jr. was asked about his future wife…
· “Yea, she’s real,” said Earnhardt Jr.
· “Not real’s a blow-up doll.” Engvall
· Little asked if she was a blonde.
· “She’s like Snooki … he hasn’t noticed,” said Gordon. Earlier in the show, Stewart had commented that “For the first three episodes, I didn’t even know Snooki had a head.”

Number 7· Stewart was positioned in a chair next to Little who was standing nearby. “Why do you think she sat me next to her? Always sit the fat kid next to the tall girl.”

Number 8· Kurt Busch noted that he was “camera shy. I think the best form of communication is cussing.”

Number 9· “I felt uncomfortable today for the first time in a long time because I was changing next to Carl.” Stewart
· “You’ll always have me beat with that back hair.” Carl Edwards
· “Hey, I’m out here working hard to represent all fat kids.” Stewart

Number 10· Four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jeff Gordon break dancing for fans at NASCAR After The Lap.

- NASCAR 

NMPA Meyer Brothers Nascar Awards

Here is the complete list of Thursday’s award winners from the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon:

Myers Brothers Award: Drs. Joe and Rose Mattioli

NASCAR Foundation Track of the Year Award: Michigan International Speedway

Wheaties Fuel Most Popular Driver Award: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Buddy Shuman Award: Richard Childress

NASCAR Marketing Achievement Award: Toyota

Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award: Andy Lally

Growth Energy American Ethanol Green Flag Restart: Matt Kenseth

Coors Light Pole Award: Carl Edwards

Mobil 1 Driver of the Year Award: Tony Stewart

DIRECTV Crew Chief of the Year Award: Bob Osborne

MOOG Chassis Part Problem Solver of the Year Award: Alan Gustafson

O’Reilly Auto Parts Position Improvement Award: Tony Stewart

Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award: Roush Fenway Racing No.99

Mahle Engine Builder of the Year Award: Roush Yates Engines No. 99 (Doug Yates)

Goodyear Gatorback Belts & Hoses Fastest Lap Award: Kyle Busch

Sunoco Diamond Performance Award: Tony Stewart

Goodyear Tires Award: Tony Stewart

Champion Sponsor Award: Office Depot and Mobil 1

Champion Crew Chief: Darian Grubb

Keselowski, Wolfe Will Continue to Lead #2 Dodge Team for Penske Racing

One of the most successful combinations in NASCAR will continue for years to come at Penske Racing as the organization announced today that both driver Brad Keselowski and crew chief Paul Wolfe have agreed to multi-year contract extensions. Keselowski and Wolfe will continue to lead the No. 2 team as it pursues the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship in 2012 and beyond.

In their first season of working together in 2010, Keselowski and Wolfe teamed up to produce six wins and five poles on their way to winning the Nationwide Series championship for Penske Racing. That team also established a new series single-season record with 26 top-five finishes and completed all but one lap of competition throughout the 2010 season.

Wolfe was named crew chief of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge team prior to the start of the 2011 Sprint Cup Series season and the success continued with Keselowski in his first season behind the wheel of the iconic “Blue Deuce.” The team recorded three victories and one pole position in 2011 as it qualified for The Chase and finished fifth in the final Cup Series standings. Over the course of the last two seasons, Keselowski and Wolfe have worked together to produce nine wins, six poles, 36 top-five finishes and one NASCAR crown combined across Nationwide and Cup Series competition.

A former driver who accumulated six top-20 finishes in 16 career Nationwide Series starts, Wolfe first became a crew chief in 2006 with Fitz Racing. He moved on to CJM Racing in 2009 before he joined Penske Racing as crew chief of the No. 22 Nationwide Series team in November of 2009.

Penske Racing Press Release