NASCAR Pole Postion 2011 June/July

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block | WOMEN IN NASCAR KAREN PARKER | DID YOU KNOW? ANATOMY OF A PIT STOP

| DAY IN THE LIFE RYAN NEWMAN

| 1 1 THINGS TO LOVE NASCAR HALL OF FAME

THE FAST & THE FABULOUS | FUEL FOR THOUGHT | FUN PAGES | GEAR & GOODS | TAILGATING | SCHEDULES & ROSTERS

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GREEN FLAG THE FAST & THE FABULOUS

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON 11 THINGS TO LOVE: THE NASCAR HALL OF FAME DON’T FORGET ABOUT US!

NASCAR: The Game 2011 IN STORES NOW! PAGE 6

A DAY IN THE LIFE: RYAN NEWMAN DRIVER PROFILES: BRINGING THEIR “A” GAME NASCAR WOMEN: KAREN PARKER FUEL CAREERS FUEL LIFESTYLE FUEL FUN PAGES FUEL TRIVIA ROSTERS & SCHEDULES GEAR & GOODS DID YOU KNOW?

Regan Smith celebrates his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win

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news & notes

from the world of nascar

NASCAR PARTNERS WITH TEN80 EDUCATION

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ASCAR and Ten80 Education’s Student Racing Challenge have formed a partnership aimed at attracting youth into science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.

“Motorsports, and NASCAR in particular, is the only sport won or lost with the consistent application of science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said Jim Obermeyer, NASCAR managing director of brand and consumer marketing. “NASCAR hopes to provide ‘heroes’ for students of STEM, encouraging them to study fields widely used in the sport. We look forward to playing a major role in the educational development of America’s youth.”

The Ten80 Student Racing Challenge uses a NASCAR-themed curriculum for students in grades 6-12, paralleling student activity to the arduous preparation of real NASCAR teams. Students are challenged to optimize performance of a 1:10 scale race car just like the NASCAR professionals.

Mini-race teams composed of students earn points between October and May and points leaders will then compete in the National Finals at a NASCAR track each May. Teams can earn points in various categories including sanctioned races, aerodynamic design, creative engineering and alternative energies and sustainable design. Marketing and graphic design are also rewarded as teams seek sponsorship and media presence.

Information about the Student Racing Challenge is available at fasttrackrc.com.

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POLE POSITION // 2011

NASCAR racing is back in the hands of the fans with the release of NASCAR: The Game 2011, now available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii gaming systems.

Produced by Activision Publishing and leading independent developer Eutechnyx, NASCAR: The Game 2011 captures the thrill and spectacle of NASCAR racing with a complete field of 43 cars and drivers, 23 authentic race tracks, full damage modeling, realistic wrecks, pit stops and truly authentic details from pre-race flyovers to victory donuts.

Players have full access to NASCAR drivers such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Mark Martin, Danica Patrick, Tony Stewart and Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne.

Fans also have the ability to create their own driver, embarking on a career that will gain sponsors, endorsements, friends and foes. The driving style of each driver has been meticulously recreated and the game factors in points standings, past encounters and team affiliations as players progress through to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

“This game embodies the spirit of our sport, along with the intensity and pure excitement of racing upwards of 180 mph,” said Blake Davison, vice president of licensing and consumer products at NASCAR. Visit NASCARTheGame.com for additional details or follow the game on Twitter @NASCARTheGame.

DRIVING BUSINESS AWARD FOR FORD

Ford Motor Co. was honored with the NASCAR Driving Business Award during the inaugural NASCAR Fuel for Business Council Meeting in Las Vegas, Nev. The award recognizes a NASCAR official partner who has driven business and results through its NASCAR official partnership on the NASCAR Fuel for Business Council. “Ford continues to demonstrate leadership, results and is a very active member of the Fuel for Business Council,” said Norris Scott, NASCAR managing director, partnership marketing and business solutions.

“They work with all of NASCAR’s official partners to sell thousands of Ford vehicles as well as create and implement fan sweepstakes and co-marketing platforms.”

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MIKE JOY EARNS JOURNALISM HONOR

NASCAR, WALMART SUPPORT MILITARY FAMILIES

NASCAR on FOX anchor Mike Joy is the 2011 recipient of the prestigious Henry T. McLemore Motorsports Journalism Award.

Raised in Windsor, Conn., Joy’s career in motorsports journalism started in 1970, working as the public address announcer at New England short tracks. He rose through the ranks of MRN Radio and chronicled the growth of NASCAR by announcing races on CBS, TNN, ESPN, TBS and now FOX, along with ancillary programming on SPEED. His television career began on pit road, where he defined the position. He moved from pit road to the CBS anchor booth in 1998.

NASCAR and Walmart have partnered to produce a series of public service announcements recognizing the sacrifices and challenges military families face throughout the United States.

The campaign is in response to the “Joining Forces” initiative launched by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden in support of military families.

The PSAs, which will feature a number of NASCAR drivers and will be shown in more than 500 Walmart locations, will highlight opportunities for NASCAR fans and Walmart customers to support military families in their local communities.

“NASCAR has a long history of supporting our men and women in uniform and their families,” said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR managing director of public affairs. “We are proud to partner with Walmart to produce a PSA campaign in support of the First Lady and Dr. Biden’s call to action in support of military families.”

Launched during Memorial Day Weekend, the NASCAR-produced spots direct viewers to a website – joiningforces.gov – where they can learn more about opportunities to support local efforts.

Support of the “Joining Forces” initiative falls in line with a number of other military initiatives for NASCAR, including the seventh annual Tribute to the Soldiers to be held in August at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

© 2010 Michelin North America, Inc. POLE POSITION // 2011

Photo courtesy of NASA

green flag

TMS FLAG HEADS INTO SPACE NASA astronaut Doug Hurley, a Texas Motor Speedway season-ticket holder since 2005, will take a memento from his favorite NASCAR track into space during the final Space Shuttle flight.

Hurley will serve as the pilot among the four-astronaut crew on Atlantis, which will launch June 28 from Kennedy Space Center. Hurley’s “luggage” will include a “No Limits” flag he received from Eddie Gossage, president and general manger of Texas Motor Speedway.

“I took a Texas Motor Speedway sticker up the last time I went and gave it to Eddie,” said Hurley. “But I look forward to taking the flag up there.”

NEW NASCAR FUEL GOES FROM FARMLAND TO VICTORY LANE FROM THE GREEN FIELDS OF AMERICA’S HEARTLAND TO THE GREEN flag on race day, NASCAR is proud to run Sunoco Green E15 – a racing fuel that promotes energy independence, puts Americans to work and advances environmental responsibility.

America’s Farmers: The process starts as farmers harvest corn throughout the country. The U.S. is the world’s No. 1 producer of this renewable resource.

Ethanol Conversion: An ethanol production facility processes the corn into grain ethanol using the latest, most efficient ethanol production technologies that have made American ethanol a viable energy source.

Blending & Refinement: The grain ethanol is then moved to the Sunoco refinery in Marcus Hook, Pa., where it is blended with gasoline to create Sunoco Green E15, the high-performance racing fuel.

At the Race Track: Sunoco Green E15 is used at NASCAR race tracks across North America, providing increased horsepower and decreased greenhouse gas emissions.

1 2

3 4 LYNYRD SKYNYRD TO PERFORM AT AMS

Lynyrd Skynyrd, the most-celebrated Southern rock band in history, will headline the Fast Cars & Guitars pre-race concert prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Sunday night, Sept. 4, at Atlanta Motor Speedway. A limited number of stage-front passes are available for $59 that will allow fans to enjoy the Fast Cars & Guitars concert along with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver introductions while standing on the track’s frontstretch. Tickets, which include both the concert and the Labor Day weekend race, start at just $39 and can be purchased by calling 1-877-9-AMS-TIX or online at atlantamotorspeedway.com.

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green flag

D4D BLOG BRYAN ORTIZ

RACING HAS ONLY BEGUN, BUT NOW IT’S ON!

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KEEP STOMACHS

CALM AND CARRY ON

T

he season has just begun and great things are already happening.

Up to now, I have raced two weekends in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and they have definitely been interesting experiences. Although, as a competitor I want to win every single race, I am aware that we are all on a learning curve. The team is trying new things with the car setup; we are learning from each other; and I am learning about race tracks that I have never seen or driven before.

Finishing in seventh and fifth place after starting 14th and ninth isn’t necessarily an impressive feat, but I know they are only the first two races. I will take it, learn from it, and go on from there. The team is doing a great job, working hard and improving the performance of the cars. I have been doing my part as well: watching videos of the tracks, talking to people with experience racing on them, and even practicing more on iRacing. We are aiming to win!

I have also been doing a lot of traveling. I went to the Calle 8 Festival in Miami representing the Revolution Racing team and one of our biggest sponsors, the U.S. Army. As a Puerto Rican, I had heard a lot about this festival and it was a great experience to attend and reach out to the Hispanic community, exposing them to the world of NASCAR and the involvement of the U.S. Army. I personally feel that it was a huge success. I also traveled back home to Puerto Rico, where I have been doing a lot of interviews and participating in media events. But more importantly, I was offered the tremendous opportunity to become the Youth Spokesperson of the American Red Cross, Puerto Rico chapter. I am very honored and proud to be the one selected as the campaign spokesman, reaching out to the younger population and encouraging them to donate blood. I gave my first blood donation and, even though I can say it was not an easy task, I know that any difficulties are trumped by the knowledge I am helping others in great need. I have seen that many of the best drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series are not just awesome race car drivers but also incredible human beings. They do a lot of charitable work outside the track to help people, and this is something I truly love about this sport. I know I can make a difference in people’s lives, but so can you. We all have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the world in some way, even if we are not famous race car drivers or celebrities.

There is a lot coming up, on and off the track. Follow me on twitter, @BryanORacing, my fanpage on facebook/BryanOrtizRacing, and on my website, bryanortizracing.com.

Racing has only begun, but now it’s on!

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CARING FOR ANIMALS THE MISSION OF THE GREG BIFFLE FOUNDATION

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ASCAR race car driver Greg Biffle and Foster are inseparable.

Of course, Gracie, Foster’s daughter, and Savannah are now members of the Biffle household, but it was the bond between the Roush Fenway Racing driver and his elder boxer that led to the creation of the Greg Biffle Foundation.

Foster, who was featured on a Milk Bones box in 2004, underwent surgery for a tumor in his neck. Shortly thereafter, the Greg Biffle Foundation was created by the Washington state native and his wife, Nicole, to promote the well-being of animals. Since its creation in 2005, the foundation has awarded grants to more than 400 humane societies and animal shelters across the nation. In 2010, the foundation received more than 400 grant applications and awarded 87, totaling more than $200,000.

However, awarding grants isn’t the Biffles’ only activity. Nicole is the board president of the Iredell Friends of the Animals, while Greg is the board’s vice president. They also are on the North Shore Animal League’s national advisory board.

Greg has served as a spokesman for the North Shore’s Tour for Life program and the

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POLE POSITION // 2011

BY DEB WILLIAMS

couple has represented the North Shore’s Spay USA program.

When hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, the foundation donated $50,000 to help the storm’s animal victims. Four shelters received $10,000 each as did the North Shore Animal League, which flew a plane to the area and rescued more than 300 animals that had been evacuated to Texas and were in danger a second time from hurricane Rita.

The Biffles also use their private plane to transport animals between states so they can be adopted. When that’s not possible, the foundation partners with the North Shore Animal League of America to transport 40 puppies monthly from several North Carolina kill-shelters to the organization’s no-kill shelter in Port Washington, N.Y. One of the foundation’s key fundraisers is the NASCAR Pets calendar, which is sold in 30 PETCO stores and by animal welfare agencies across the country, on NASCAR.com, on various NASCAR driver fan club websites and in Mooresville, N.C., area veterinarian clinics.

Visit gregbifflefoundation.com for additional information on the Greg Biffle Foundation.

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Sunoco Checkered Flag Sweesptakes Feb. 18 – Nov. 18, 2011 speed.com/programs/ nascar-victory-lane

WELCOME TO NASCAR TAILGATING THE ULTIMATE RACING EXPERIENCE

J

o Ann Hlavack can’t look at life through the rearview mirror – there is too much stuff in the way.

“When we go tailgating, it is packed to the gills,” Hlavack laughed. “You don’t leave an inch of space and, if you have an inch, find something and stick it in there.”

So last year Hlavack used the side mirrors, turn signals, hand gestures, blind faith and memory to once again navigate her way to Charlotte Motor Speedway. She really knows the way blindfolded, because she has seemingly been making the trek to the “Mecca” of motorsports before Bruton Smith even imagined it.

“We know every spot there,” Hlavack said.

They, Jo Ann and her husband Jimmy, got just the spot they wanted last year at Charlotte. They crow-barred out all the essentials – yes, that meant the portable hot tub as well, and headed back home to Charleston, S.C., for more. The race was still more than a week away.

“We just wanted to be prepared,” she said.

Welcome to NASCAR tailgating, where race fans come early, come in droves, preparation is the better part of valor and valiant efforts are on display everywhere one turns. Even on the side of I-95 outside of Jacksonville, Fla., where Chris Dotson

Fetha Styx Fishing Rods

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Whether you’re throwing worms, jigs, flipping, jerking, drop-shotting, cranking, swimming, pitching

performed an undercarriage crawl the day after the Daytona 500.

Dotson’s 40-foot motor home had wheezed and died. The towing company needed some specs about the undercarriage before it sent a truck. And there was the little matter of the 28-foot car carrier on back on the motor home too.

“You should have seen the size of the truck they used to tow it,’’ Dotson said.

A full day later, Dotson was still waiting at the Jacksonville South Travel Center for the right alternator. He didn’t mind. He’d just been tailgating at Daytona and this was another chance to savor the memory before getting back to the real world. A real sacrifice would have been breaking down on the way to the race, instead of on the way home.

The thing about NASCAR and its legions of fans is that to them no sacrifice is too great when it comes to tailgating.

“There are million dollar motor homes right next to people in tents,’’ Hlavack said.

“I’ve seen those motor homes pull in right next to a tent and then invite the people in the tent to watch the race from on top of the motor home.

“Everybody gets along. We are all there to tailgate,’’ she said. “The race, that is just the cherry on top of the tailgating.’’

or top water, Fetha Styx’s line of NASCAR-licensed rods has an action for you. They come with a split-grip handle and a weighted butt cap to help eliminate casting fatigue. Each rod is built with PAC Bay’s SIC, ultra-light guides with commercial-grade diamond inserts ensuring they’ll withstand plenty of use, but will deliver a smooth, seamless action. Fetha Styx rods have the versatility to cover whatever application you choose, and are designed to provide the feel, durability and performance anglers of all levels demand.

Share Your Passion for Speed!

Tailgating with the kids?

Share your passion for speed. The new NASCAR Foldable Aluminum Scooter ($39.99) and 16-inch BMX Bike ($89.99) will have your kids racing around the parking lot in style with their own manual transmissions. They feature a deluxe Daytona 500 paint finish and the NASCAR bar logo. The scooter is available in two colors and is foldable for easy transport. It’s time for you to get pole position. Race to Toys“R”Us now and be the first to pick one up!

Speaking of performance, these rods are built to satisfy even the most discerning angler, at the highest level, as evidenced by FLW Touring Pro BInk Desaro fishing with the Fetha Styx NASCAR line of rods on the 2011 Walmart FLW Tour. Fetha Styx Fishing Rods are also used exclusively by Bassmaster Elite Series Professional Andy Montgomery.

Fetha Styx rods are available at NASCAR.com and at dealers across the country. To learn more about Fetha Styx please visit fethastyx.com.

BY CARTER STRICKLAND

FREERACEMAG.COM

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RACE ROCK EGYPT CENTRAL

D

uring the third or fourth flip of his go-kart coming off Turn 3 at Atoka Race Track outside Munford, Tenn., John Falls got the idea that maybe, just maybe, racing wasn’t going to be his future.

That is even if there was a future when his kart came to a rest seven rolls later.

Luckily, there has been. Falls walked away uninjured, and undeterred. So while he may not be speeding around race tracks anymore, Falls is still laying tracks down and racing up the charts.

Falls, after a few more years of weekend racing, took his hands off the steering wheel and wrapped them around a microphone. Now he is the hard-charging lead singer of Egypt Central, an up-and-coming rock band based in Memphis.

Six guys go over the wall during a pit stop. Which job would you want?

J.F.: “Probably the guy that refuels the car. If I was changing the tires or the jackman or something like that, I could mess it up and hurt the car. But if I did the gas …

I could do that and even if I messed it up some, it would still be OK.” You do realize if you mess that up

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POLE POSITION // 2011

BY CARTER STRICKLAND

you’d be the guy who catches on fire?

J.F.: “Yeah, but I would take one for the team. I just don’t want to mess up the car or the driver. I’m a team player. If I catch on fire and everything else is good, the car gets out of the pit. Then it’s OK.” If you could run on any track which would it be?

J.F.: “I would have said Daytona, but they had all those wrecks this year. I love watching Bristol because there is so much action. And being from Tennessee, Bristol is my track.

But I would probably run Indy. There is just so much history and then to say you ran Indy, that is something that would be amazing.”

OK, running a race might not be a reality, but what about singing the national anthem before a race?

J.F.: “That would be so much pressure.

I mean football games you have a huge crowd, but NASCAR, those crowds are twice the size of a football game. If you aren’t perfect they are going to be on you.

You can’t come to the South and mess up the national anthem. That is sacred.”

If you could pick a song from Egypt Central’s library to be NASCAR’s

theme song, which would it be?

J.F: “That depends on how much language the guys at NASCAR would allow. We have a song on White Rabbit that is coming out now, ‘Kick Ass,’ that would be a great song for NASCAR, or ‘Taking You Down.’

Those two would be good songs.”

Who would you pick as a drafting partner?

J.F.: “You have to go with Trevor Bayne right now. He was ready to settle for second at Daytona. He is a team player. But I am really a huge Hendrick Motorsports fan, and [Dale Earnhardt] Junior. He will push as much as he gets pushed.”

Egypt Central features John Falls, vocals; Joey Chicago, bass; Blake Allison, drums; and Jeff James, guitar.

The band’s first single and title track, “White Rabbit,” was released to active rock radio on Feb. 15, debuting at No. 37.

The full CD, White Rabbit, was released nationwide in May. Egypt Central hit the road earlier this year with COLD. The band recently launched a revamped website. Check it out at egyptcentral.net.

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the fast and the fabulous

■■ Jeff Gordon with Ellen Degeneres.

Photo by Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.

Ella Gordon: Future Racing Superstar?

J

ust before the Auto Club 500 in Southern California, Jeff Gordon made an appearance on “The Ellen Degeneres Show” to discuss the upcoming Disney Pixar movie, Cars 2. Jeff voices the character “Jeff Gor-vette” in the animated film. While chatting with Ellen, Jeff shared the cutest story about his daughter, Ella. Ellen told him that she’d heard that Ella wants to be a race car driver.

Jeff responded, “I get asked this all the time. Do you want your daughter to be a race car driver? I just want to approach it the same way that my parents approached it with me and my sister. Whatever opportunities or passions you see as a parent that your kids are interested in, pursue that and see where that takes them. That’s what happened with me. We found racing at a young age. My parents introduced me to it and it just took off. I hadn’t thought about

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BY VALLI HILAIRE

it a whole lot, certainly with my daughter, and we were driving down the road the other day and out of nowhere, she said, ‘Papa, I want to be a race car driver.’ And I said, ‘You do? Why do you want to be a race car driver?’ [She said] ‘Because I love you.’

It just crushed me, and at the same time, I thought, ‘Oh, now I’m going to have to get a race car.’”

Johnny Sauter, driver of the No. 13 Safe Auto/ Curb Records Chevrolet, and his wife, Cortney, welcomed their second child into the world just two days after Johhny won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Kroger 250 at Martinsville this April.

Their daughter, Paige Gertrude Sauter, joins older brother, Penn.

David Stremme is poised to return to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with the newly formed Inception Motorsports, but he’s also embarking on a new adventure as a husband! David proposed to his girlfriend, Ashley Deihl, during Thanksgiving last year and the couple plan to wed later this year.

Jimmie Johnson: The Actor?

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o be a successful NASCAR driver it’s enough to be able to wheel a race car around a superspeedway at super high speeds, having the personality and ability to act doesn’t hurt either. A recent example includes Jimmie Johnson playing himself on the new FOX show, “Breaking In.” The half-hour comedy centers around a high-tech security firm that goes to the extreme to sell its protection services, and in the episode, aptly named “The Need for Speed,” Jimmie receives help from the firm’s motley crew of employees.

“It was a very cool experience, and I’m excited to see how the episode turned out,” said Jimmie. “Fred Savage [the episode’s director] was really encouraging and gave me great direction and I had a blast with Christian Slater. I think the hardest part was not laughing at Michael Rosenbaum [who plays character Dutch]. That guy is what you’d call high energy. The whole experience was great. I hope the fans enjoy seeing me do something different, but trust me, I won’t be leaving my day job any time soon.”

For his part, the show’s star, Christian Slater, was impressed with Jimmie’s acting chops. “Jimmie was just as smooth on the set as he is on the track. Everyone was excited to have him be part of the episode,” said Christian. “It was even more special for me as he made my son’s birthday by autographing a pair of racing shoes.”

Christian also served as the Grand Marshal of the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway–where a portion of Jimmie’s episode was filmed a week earlier.

“The Need for Speed” episode originally aired on April 20.

Other NASCAR drivers are getting in some practice in the arena of acting as well. Brian Vickers, Joey Logano, Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart have filmed scenes for the A&E crime drama “The Glades.”

Filming took place at Homestead-Miami Speedway and the episode will air during the show’s second season sometime in June.

■■ Jimmie Johnson with wife Chandra and daughter Genevieve ■■ Johnson (second from left) poses with (left to right) Brett Harrison, Michael Rosenbaum and Christian Slater during the taping of the “Need for Speed” episode of “Breaking In.” Photo by: Jordin Althaus/FOX ■■ (Left to right) Johnson, Slater and Rosenbaum. Photo by: Jordin Althaus/FOX ■■ Christian Slater at Auto Club Speedway

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special feature

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ou’ll always see plenty of action on the track during a NASCAR race, but you probably won’t see the cars convert into giant alien robots and shoot lasers at each other. For that, you’ll have to head to the theaters on July 1 for the new Paramount Pictures live-action movie from Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg, Transformers: Dark of the Moon. In the third installment of the epic big-screen Transformers franchise, three NASCAR race cars zoom onto the big screen as heroic Autobots—alien robots in disguise!

Collectively dubbed “The Wreckers,” all three NASCARracing robots are now available as Hasbro Transformers action figures, which convert from robot to vehicle and back again.

Transformers, one of the hottest global entertainment properties, has delivered “More Than Meets the Eye” fun to kids around the world for more than 25 years. In 2011, the Transformers brand launches a deep and innovative product line that captures the excitement of the movie while introducing new experiences to the brand for kids and fans alike, including the brand-new Mechtech and Cyberverse segments.

The No. 48 Lowe’s race car, known as Autobot Topspin in the movie, and Roadbuster, which is a Transformers version

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of the No. 88 AMP Energy Chevrolet, are each available separately as Mechtech Deluxe class action figures. Roadbuster and Autobot Topspin are each equipped with a unique converting Mechtech weapon that is interchangeable with all other core Mechtech figures—each weapon connects with other weapons for even more transforming action.

Both figures convert from robot to vehicle and are available for approximately $11.99.

The third Transformers character representing a NASCAR race car is the No. 42 Chevrolet known as Leadfoot.

This Transformers figure is available as part of the Cyberverse line of more than 20 action figures created in fun, small collectible scales that are easy to convert from robot to vehicle. The Leadfoot figure can hold weapons and interact with Cyberverse playsets, and is available for approximately $4.99.

Of course, the summer’s hottest movie is rolling out more than these three NASCARthemed good guys. Both Mechtech and Cyberverse feature popular characters like Megatron and Bumblebee, as well as characters from the new film like Sentinel Prime. But the ultimate new Transformers item is hitting shelves in August—Mechtech Ultimate Optimus Prime. An action figure fit for the world-famous Autobot leader, the figure includes Optimus’ classic trailer that doubles as a weapons arsenal. This Optimus is definitely “more than meets the eye,” with three modes of conversion: vehicle, robot, and robot with “mech suit.”

The trailer also converts into a “mech suit” that Optimus can wear when it’s time to rumble. Featuring lights, launching projectiles, electronic battle sounds and Optimus Prime phrases, this is the must-have item for kids and fans alike. With his Mech Suit deployed, Optimus will stand nearly twofeet tall, and will retail for $79.99.

If you find yourself wanting more highoctane vehicle action, look no further than the Transformers Speed Stars Stealth Force line! In the heat of the ongoing epic battle between the Autobots and Decepticons, both the heroes and villains often need to remain “Hidden in Plain Sight” while in vehicle mode. With the new Stealth Force feature, Transformers characters battle in vehicle mode with hidden weapon reveals! The line of Speed

Stars Stealth Force vehicles highlights this element of the Transformers fantasy with automatic or simple conversions from traditional vehicle mode to a vehicle battle mode featuring “pop-out” weapons for high-speed battles. The biggest item from the line is Stealth Force Bumblebee, which features electronic lights and sounds, motorized conversions and firing projectiles, on shelves now for $24.99.

This Stealth Force transformation—Transformers vehicles not completely converted into robots, but shifted into vehicles tricked out with all sorts of weaponry—plays a much bigger role in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, as evidenced by the vehicle mode of Mechtech Deluxe Autobot Topspin. That’s no ordinary No. 48 Lowe’s race car! This Autobot is ready to race and to handle anything the Decepticons might throw at him!

And finally, to make sure the action onscreen feels as real as the action at the track, you’re definitely going to want to catch Transformers: Dark of the Moon in 3D. It’s the first Transformers film to hit the big screen in 3D! And for fans who want to add an extra dimension of excitement to their film-going experience, Hasbro has a one-of-a-kind new product. The Transformers Cine-Mask 3D masks, on sale now for $9.99 each, are role-play masks featuring the likenesses of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. But even these masks are more than meets the eye! Each Cine-Mask is also equipped with built-in RealD 3D lenses that people can take with them to the theater to watch any RealD 3D compatible movie.

From the race track to the theater to the playroom, Hasbro is bringing the excitement of Transformers everywhere this summer!

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11 THINGS TO LOVE

ABOUT THE NASCAR HALL OF FAME

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nly open since May 2010, the NASCAR Hall of Fame has quickly morphed into a must-see attraction for even the most casual observers of America’s fastest sport. The sprawling entertainment venue in Charlotte, N.C., is unequivocally a NASCAR lover’s dream. Stop in and you won’t be able to leave after just a few minutes.

There’s so much to take in that hours will pass and fans will feel like they’ve just arrived.

Still young compared with other monuments to the sport, the NASCAR Hall of Fame figures to hold an even more prominent place in NASCAR lore as time passes and more visitors experience all it has to offer.

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THE HISTORY The NASCAR Hall of Fame is a shrine like no other to the history of the sport.

While other areas of the building focus on modern-day NASCAR, the fourth floor is devoted mostly to the sport’s past.

“We kind of saved the best for last,” Winston Kelley, executive director of the Hall, said in reference to the building layout.

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The centerpiece of this floor is Heritage Speedway, which consists of individual galleries telling the story of NASCAR’s past. Among the nearly 1,000 artifacts are Richard Petty’s seven championship rings, a full-size moonshine still built by Junior Johnson, along with a pair of cowboy boots and a pair of dress loafers that belonged to Dale Earnhardt.

BY JARED TURNER // PHOTOS COURTESY OF NASCAR HALL OF FAME

The Honoring Our Legacy Theater, also on the fourth floor, serves as a memorial area where visitors can reflect on late NASCAR heroes.

THE FUN FACTOR In addition to artifacts, memorabilia and legendary race cars, the NASCAR Hall of Fame boasts 50 interactive attractions that will thrill visitors of all ages.

Want to drive a race simulator? Get behind the wheel and see if you have what it takes to be a NASCAR driver. If you would prefer to sit in front of a screen and race rather than strapping into a vehicle painted like a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car, there are more conventional iRacing simulators that allow guests to pursue their speed passion through an alternative virtual means.

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Want to broadcast a race by adding voice commentary to video footage from an old event? You’ll have the chance. Want to tour the inside of a NASCAR team hauler? The No. 48 Lowe’s team rig is here and waiting.

THE SIZE Of the 150,000 square feet in the NASCAR Hall of Fame, approximately 40,000 feet are reserved for exhibit space showcasing the history and heritage of NASCAR. The four-story NASCAR Hall of Fame sits on a five-acre site that includes a privately developed 393,000-square-foot, 19-story office building known as the NASCAR Plaza. A 40,000-square-foot ballroom is part of a 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center. The

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Crown Ballroom has a seating capacity of 2,400 banquet style and more than 4,200 theater style. A 278-seat state-of-the-art theater inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame features an informational film about the history of NASCAR. FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACCESS, AFFORDABILITY The NASCAR Hall of Fame is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week, 362 days a year. Average visits last about three hours.

Shoppers certainly won’t be disappointed as the NASCAR Hall of Fame includes a 5,800-square-foot retail store with an array of NASCAR gear and memorabilia ranging from T-shirts and die-casts to videos and books.

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11 things to love Visitors won’t leave hungry, either. There’s a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant and Pit Stop Café on site. Admission is under $20 for all ages, with veterans, senior citizens and children receiving a discount. Children under 5 are admitted free. Ticket combinations, coupon books and group discounts also are available. A ticket upgrade allows fans to make unlimited visits for one year.

Baby strollers, cameras and wheelchairs are permitted.

THE LOCATION Charlotte was one of three finalists in the running to serve as host city for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Ultimately, Charlotte got the nod over the other two contenders – Atlanta and Daytona Beach – because, ultimately, it just makes sense for the NASCAR Hall of Fame to be there.

Indeed, nearly every major NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team is based within an hour of Charlotte’s downtown area where the NASCAR Hall of Fame resides. Less than a half hour away is Charlotte Motor Speedway, home of two annual points-paying NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races plus the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame’s location is ideal for fans attending races at CMS and the thousands of NASCAR enthusiasts who call Charlotte home.

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GLORY ROAD A banked ramp bearing characteristics of various race tracks, Sunoco Glory Road showcases 18 historic cars and highlights 40 current and historic tracks. It also mimics the various degrees of banking at race tracks, including the impressive 33-degree incline at Talladega Superspeedway. Fans have the opportunity

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to walk on the surface and experience the high banks at 14 and 33 degrees.

Glory Road, which connects the second and third levels of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, has been captured in numerous photos since the building opened and probably serves as the facility’s most iconic and well-known symbol. Cars on the impossibleto-miss ramp include a famous black No. 3 driven by the late Dale Earnhardt and a rainbow-colored No. 24 Jeff Gordon car.

THE INDUCTEES The first class enshrined into the NASCAR Hall of Fame last May represents a who’s who in motorsports.

Dale Earnhardt, Bill France Sr., Bill France Jr., Junior Johnson and Richard Petty – arguably five of the most influential people in NASCAR history – each now have a permanent place in the Hall of Honor where fans can watch videos and view pictures dedicated to their accomplishments.

A high level of suspense surrounded the selection of the first five-member class, which obviously couldn’t include all of the sport’s prominent contributors. Three-time champion and NASCAR legend David Pearson had his day when he was enshrined with the second five-member class this May. He was joined by Bobby Allison, Ned Jarrett, Bud Moore and Lee Petty.

THE SUPPORT When officials of Charlotte and NASCAR broke ground on the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Jan. 25, 2007, anticipation began building for the grand opening. That day finally came on May 11, 2010 – and some of the most accomplished figures in the sport’s history were there to witness the kick-off ceremonies.

It’s safe to say those on hand were impressed by what they saw.

“I had no idea it was going to be as magnificent as it is,” said 10-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion team owner Rick Hendrick. “I wanted to see more of it. I wanted to learn more. I wanted to look at all of the interactive areas and to look at the memorabilia. I am just so proud of our city. I’m proud of our sport. But it is way more than I ever dreamed it could be.”

THE COMPETITION If you think competition is reserved only for the race track, think again. Visitors to the NASCAR Hall of

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Fame compete against each other for the high score of the day in the NASCAR Hall of Fame Challenge.

Fans can earn up to 800 points at eight different stations that test skill, knowledge and performance. Contestants can monitor their progress and compare their score with others by clicking their hard card – an all-access pass – at stations with hardcard activities.

Finding infractions on pit road and tracking the order of the cars; performing a live pit stop; conducting a pre- or post-race inspection on a car; matching pictures and videos with historic NASCAR events; and playing NASCAR trivia games are just some of the ways to earn points.

THE EDUCATION Think you know something about NASCAR? You’ll know a lot more after spending time at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Exhibits provide rare insights into race-car aerodynamics, technical and safety features on the cars and types of crashes that NASCAR’s Research & Development Center reviews to improve safety.

You’ll also get to rev up an engine and learn how teams maximize performance, scan car parts and learn how teams check to see if they’re usable for another race, and see how shocks are tested on a dynamometer that simulates conditions at Charlotte Motor Speedway. If that’s not enough, you can set up the tire pressure, shocks and springs for an upcoming race based on driver/crew chief input. By the time you’re done, you’ll feel like a crew chief.

THE CARS If you’re a car lover, get ready for this. It’s all but impossible to leave unsatisfied. Automobile buffs have a chance to get a close-up look at 31 meticulously maintained cars spanning seven decades.

“One of the cars from the racing community that’s extremely popular is Richie Evans’ modified,” Kelley said, “because it helps validate that we’re a NASCAR Hall of Fame and not a NASCAR Sprint Cup Hall of Fame – and people don’t expect that.

People expected to see a Richard Petty car, a Dale Earnhardt car – you’ve got to have it, it’s historic, it’s iconic – but they didn’t necessarily expect Richie Evans’ and Jack Ingram’s cars.”

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Don’t Forget About Us

THESE GUYS ARE NOT HOUSEHOLD NAMES, BUT THEY STAR ON A TRACK NEAR YOU

T

he NASCAR Nationwide Series features a unique mix of drivers. There are young, up-and-coming race car drivers who are trying to earn their way into NASCAR Sprint Cup rides. There are those who have been to the NASCAR Sprint Cup level and have dropped back for a variety of reasons. And there are NASCAR Nationwide Series regulars who have chosen to concentrate their careers in that particular series.

Add in NASCAR Sprint Cup stars such as Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick who often do “double duty,” competing in both series during a NASCAR weekend, and it’s easy to see why the NASCAR Nationwide Series is this country’s second most popular form of auto racing.

But the unique mix of drivers also created an issue for the sanctioning body as the five most recent NASCAR Nationwide Series champions captured their crowns while also competing full-time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. That issue was addressed last winter when officials mandated that drivers could only compete for points in one of the three NASCAR national series, putting the NASCAR Nationwide Series title chase back into the hands of drivers focusing on that series.

“I love it,” NASCAR Nationwide Series title contender Trevor Bayne said about the change. “I was hoping they didn’t take away the [NASCAR Sprint] Cup drivers altogether because that’s just competition. We want to race against the best and that’s the only way we’re gonna become the best, is if we’re racing against them and bettering ourselves all the time.

“But I also like the point that we’re gonna be able to shine as champions now. One NASCAR Nationwide regular is gonna win the championship this year. I think that’s really cool and gives us something to look forward to, and it just gives us some credibility moving forward.”

The remaining schedule of NASCAR Nationwide Series races appears on page 56 and additional information about the series is available at NASCAR.com.

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HOMETOWN: RIVERTON, ILL. BIRTHDATE: JUNE 6, 1986

JUSTIN ALLGAIER

JUSTIN ALLGAIER GREW UP IN A RACING FAMILY AS HIS FATHER, Mike, has fielded teams in the ARCA Racing Series for more than four decades. So it was no surprise when Justin started racing Quarter Midgets at age 5 and had more than 100 victories by his 12th birthday. He advanced through the Midget and Late Model ranks and ultimately won the ARCA championship with his family’s team in 2008. This is his third full season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

HOMETOWN: TAMPA, FLA. BIRTHDATE: MARCH 14, 1984

ARIC ALMIROLA

ARIC ALMIROLA IS THE FIRST DRIVER OF CUBAN HERITAGE TO capture a pole and a victory in NASCAR national series competition.

He began racing go-karts at age 8 and became part of the Joe Gibbs/Reggie White Drive for Diversity program in 2004. Almirola has competed sporadically in each of NASCAR’s top three series, and he finished second in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points standings last year. This is his first full season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

HOMETOWN: KNOXVILLE, TENN. BIRTHDATE: FEB. 19, 1991

TREVOR BAYNE

TREVOR BAYNE SHOCKED THE RACING WORLD WHEN HE WON THE Daytona 500, but his primary focus is on the NASCAR Nationwide Series where he is chasing the championship. Bayne began racing go-karts at age 5 and over the next eight years amassed three world championships and more than 300 feature victories. He then quickly advanced through the Late Model ranks and made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in 2009. This is his second full season in the series.

HOMETOWN: OLIVE BRANCH, MISS. BIRTHDATE: OCT. 2, 1987

RICKY STENHOUSE JR.

RICKY STENHOUSE JR. CAME TO THE NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES with dirt on his shoes. He began racing go-karts at age 6 and eventually starred in USAC Sprint Cars and Midgets while driving for team owner Tony Stewart. Stenhouse Jr. won two ARCA Racing Series events during 2008 and made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut the following season. He had three top-five finishes in 2010 en route to the NASCAR Nationwide Series’ rookie-of-the-year title.

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A DAYIN ryan THE with

LIFE newman

7:30 a.m.

I’m an early riser, so this was my wake-up call.

I had a little work to do and I wanted to spend time with my daughter, Brooklyn, before I headed to my appearance at Walter Reed Medical Center and then on to Richmond for the weekend’s race.

After getting on my work clothes, I headed to work with the guys who work on my property.

We had to finish knocking down the rest of a tree in the yard that was damaged in Wednesday night’s storm. The tree pretty much wiped out the pier that goes out to our pond, so we had some work to do.

The yard work is done – at least my part. I know the guys will be working hard this weekend. It’s time to eat a little cereal – raspberries and a strawberry cereal bar. I also got some quality time with

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Brooklyn before I showered, changed and headed to the airport.

Arrived at the Statesville Airport and played the waiting game on the weather in BWI [Baltimore].

Received clearance to BWI and we take off.

Once up in the air, I had my pilot, Preston, make a quick detour. I asked him to fly over our house so he could see the size of the stump that downed tree left. It was pretty impressive.

A little over an hour later we’re in for a bumpy landing at BWI thanks to all the storms. In fact, it was so bumpy I hit my head on the plane’s roof, but it’s all good.

That just gives me something to give Preston a hard time about later.

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BY DEB WILLIAMS // PHOTOS COURTESY OF U.S. ARMY RACING

11:50 a.m.

There’s no time to waste once we land. There’s someone waiting on us at the airport and we’re in the car and en route to Walter Reed pretty much as soon as I get off the plane. Since I’m not driving, I’m in the passenger seat. What’s a little car ride without me taking some time to “critique” the driver? [You can hear Ryan laughing as he does this.]

We arrived at Walter Reed and we were greeted by the NASCAR Media Group, as well as our guide for Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Our first stop was the dining facility where we had lunch with some Wounded Warriors and their families. This is probably my fifth trip to Walter Reed and each time it is a very emotional and humbling experience. For

12:30 p.m.

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me, it’s part of my job as a representative of the U.S. Army, but it is so much more than that. It’s actually a pretty tough experience to talk about because it’s a great thing, but it’s a different kind of great thing when you go there because it’s not something you want to see. It’s a function that you’re trying to perform to make things better for everybody. I’ve always said that I walk into there and I am trying to cheer up somebody and they end up cheering me up. They want to meet me and say thank you to me for coming and to be honest, that’s all I want to do – I want to thank them for their service which gives me the opportunity to do what I love to do each and every day.

After a quick lunch, we toured the rehab facility at Walter Reed. It’s pretty cool to visit with the soldiers and sign autographs for them. I talk to them about driving cars fast, doing things fast and the teamwork. There is a great correlation between an army soldier and a NASCAR driver and the crew members and everybody else for that matter. Normally, they ask me a lot of questions about racing – and I’m asking them a lot of questions about their role. I’ve had a chance to shoot a lot of weapons at different bases, so I always ask about that.

We toured Ward 57 where there are Wounded Warriors under constant care who have not made it to rehab yet. It’s neat to see the correlation between the soldiers, what we do in NASCAR and just trying to represent them.

It’s really an honor for me to get to talk to them and thank them for their service and what they do for our country.

I made final comments to the NASCAR Media Group before departing for BWI executive airport to fly to Richmond.

We arrived at the airport to head to Richmond. Unfortunately, we had a small delay due to a weather system that was in their area, so I caught up on some phone calls and checked in with some folks.

We departed for Richmond and thanks to the weather it was another bumpy ride.

We landed in Richmond. Then I picked up my rental car and dropped off a Stewart-Haas Racing marketing manager, who had traveled to Walter Reed with me, at her hotel.

6:15 p.m.

I parked in the motor home lot at Richmond International Raceway and got ready for the weekend.

Once I got settled, I checked in with Krissie and Brooklyn, who came to Richmond on Saturday. Then, Beth Gibson, my crew chief’s wife, made spaghetti for us for dinner. So I went over to their motor home and had dinner. We hung out, watched the K&N race, Denny Hamlin’s Late Model race and talked about our plans for practice on Friday. After that, it was time to turn in for the night. I have a busy schedule at Richmond.

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ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE WHEN EVERYONE BANDS TOGETHER

It may seem like an ordinary wristband, but in the right hands it is transformed into a powerful symbol of generosity and goodwill. Display yours proudly and unite to help kids live happier and healthier lives.

Get yours at NASCAR.COM/Unites and discover two million ways to unite for kids in need. And pledge 5 hours towards Wear this band to show your support for kids in need.

our goal of 1 million volunteer hours.

“A”

Bringing Their

Game With the season in high gear, here is what drivers must do to qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

BY BEN WHITE

FREERACEMAG.COM

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bringing their “a” game

▐ OWNERS: RICK HENDRICK, JEFF GORDON ▐ TEAM: HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS ▐ CAR: LOWE’S CHEVROLET ▐ CREW CHIEF: CHAD KNAUS

48 jimmie johnson

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fter claiming five consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships, Jimmie Johnson is once again the man to beat.

Johnson and the No. 48 Lowe’s team went winless in the first seven races this season, but the native of El Cajon, Calif., logged three top-five and four top-10 finishes during those early events.

Then, at Talladega Superspeedway in April, he squeaked out a victory by two-one-thousandths of a second over Clint Bowyer with Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. close behind.

Johnson seemingly breezed through his first four title runs, but mechanical issues and crashes ended up being part of the story during the team’s “drive for five.” In the final race of the 2010 season at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Johnson had to work hard to secure the title by a mere 39 points over Denny Hamlin.

Can Johnson continue to make history and win an incredible sixth straight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship? It’s definitely possible, but there can be no hiccups at any point during the season. This Chad Knaus-led team traditionally starts slow, has its plan in place by the end of May and comes on strong by the start of the Chase in September.

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Two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion™ Tony Stewart and the Stewart-Haas Racing team rely on the cutting-edge synthetic technology of Mobil 1, the Official Motor Oil of NASCAR®.

©2011 Exxon Mobil Corporation. Mobil, Mobil 1 and the 1 Icon are trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries. ™2011 Stewart-Haas Racing. NASCAR ® is a registered trademark of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc.

Choice of Champions

bringing their “a” game

▐ OWNER: MARGARET HAAS ▐ TEAM: STEWART-HAAS RACING▐ CAR: OFFICE DEPOT/MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET ▐ CREW CHIEF: DARIAN GRUBB

1 4 tony stewart

T

ony Stewart, driver of the No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet, would love nothing more than to collect his third NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, which would be his first as an owner-driver.

But with best finishes of seventh at Phoenix International Raceway and second at Las Vegas Motor Speedway through April, it appears as if this team has a lot of work to do if it hopes to be in the title hunt when the leaves begin to change.

One thing in Stewart’s favor is the fact he has surrounded himself with people who believe in him as both a driver and team owner. They were there during his first season as an owner in 2009 when he won four races and logged 23 top-10 finishes. But since that incredible season, there have been only two more victories for the Darian Grubb-led team.

Stewart must put together a string of victories and top-five finishes if he hopes to get his championship effort back on track. Finishes such as 19th at Bristol Motor Speedway, 34th at Martinsville Speedway and 17th at Talladega Superspeedway simply are not good enough to secure one of the 12 spots in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

bringing their “a” game

▐ OWNER: RICK HENDRICK ▐ TEAM: HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS ▐ CAR: AMP ENERGY/NATIONAL GUARD CHEVROLET ▐ CREW CHIEF: STEVE LETARTE

88 DALE EARNHARDT JR.

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ale Earnhardt Jr. has had to deal with a tremendous amount of frustration and disappointment since joining the powerful Hendrick Motorsports organization prior to the 2008 season. But this year, the third-generation NASCAR race car driver and his No. 88 National Guard/AMP Energy team have a new attitude that is producing results on the race track.

During the offseason, team owner Rick Hendrick shuffled his crew chief lineup and Steve Letarte, who previously worked with Jeff Gordon, was paired with Earnhardt Jr. The team suffered a disappointing 24th-place finish in the season-opening Daytona 500, but immediately bounced back with several extremely strong runs.

In the first eight races, Earnhardt Jr. had five top-10 finishes along with an 11th at Bristol Motor Speedway and a 12th at Auto Club Speedway. Heading into the Easter break, he was third in points and looked to be well on his way to earning a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. But in order to actually secure that spot, Earnhardt Jr. must continue to communicate with Letarte so they can keep the consistent finishes coming week after week during the long, hot summer. He simply cannot return to the disappointing finishes of the past.

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bringing their “a” game

▐ OWNER: ROGER PENSKE ▐ TEAM: PENSKE RACING ▐ CAR: SHELL/PENNZOIL DODGE ▐ CREW CHIEF: STEVE ADDINGTON

22 kurt busch

K

urt Busch, driver of the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge, began the season with victories in the Budweiser Shootout and one of the twin 150-mile qualifying races at Daytona International Speedway. Unfortunately for Busch’s title hopes, neither of those races awarded championship points.

Through the first three months of the year, Busch failed to find Victory Lane in a points race but had five top-10 finishes. He entered the Easter break fifth in the standings, just 28 points behind leader Carl Edwards.

Busch’s secret weapon comes in the form of crew chief Steve Addington. Their union has shown great promise since they joined forces in 2009, but they have yet to become a solid championship contender.

Busch is incredibly strong and dominant when he is on top of his game. He proved that when he won both the Coca-Cola 600 and NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May 2010. But he struggles and gets frustrated when the chassis set-up is not to his liking.

If Addington can keep his driver happy, victories and top-five finishes will become more common than double-digit results and the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion will have a legitimate shot at a second title.

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POLE POSITION // 2011

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bringing their “a” game

▐ OWNER: JACK ROUSH ▐ TEAM: ROUSH FENWAY RACING ▐ CAR: AFLAC FORD ▐ CREW CHIEF: BOB OSBORNE

99 carl edwards

E

ven though he finished a disappointing 28th in the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, Carl Edwards has a plan to end Jimmie Johnson’s reign as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and the driver of the No. 99 Aflac Ford was atop the points standings after eight races.

Edwards’ victory in race No. 3 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway offered hope that he can match his nine-win season of 2008.

After that amazing campaign in which he battled Johnson for the title, Edwards and crew chief Bob Osborne managed only two more victories over the next two seasons and those didn’t come until the final two races of last year. It was as if the chemistry between Edwards and Osborne had faded, but the problem was with the team’s race cars and there is still plenty of magic left in the driver-crew chief combination.

In order to still be in the title hunt when the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup begins in September, Edwards simply needs to continue doing what he did during the first eight races. He and his Roush Fenway Racing crew must also eliminate mistakes on pit road as small problems can easily become big ones.

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POLE POSITION // 2011

WHEN IT’S IN YOUR GARAGE IT’S A HOBBY WHEN IT ROLLS OUT OF THE HAULER IT BECOMES YOUR DESTINY

In a sport where every split second is critical, somehow it’s the hours beforehand that matter most.

NASCAR Home Tracks. Where what happens after the green flag drops is only part of the story.

THE SOUL OF NASCAR Visit NASCARhometracks.com

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bringing their “a” game

▐ OWNER: RICK HENDRICK ▐ TEAM: HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS ▐ CAR: DRIVE TO END HUNGER CHEVROLET ▐ CREW CHIEF: ALAN GUSTAFSON

24 jeff gordon

T

he early part of Jeff Gordon’s season was either hot or cold. The driver of the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet was flawless en route to victory in the second race of the year at Phoenix International Raceway. A fifth-place finish at Martinsville Speedway and a third at Talladega Superspeedway definitely helped his quest for a fifth championship, but disappointing results at Daytona, Las Vegas and Texas erased any gains he and new crew chief Alan Gustafson tried to build upon.

Gustafson, who previously worked with Mark Martin, was paired with Gordon during the offseason crew chief shuffle by team owner Rick Hendrick. And even though the union showed early promise with the victory at Phoenix, it simply hasn’t produced the desired results.

The team’s lack of consistency during the early races indicated Gordon and Gustafson were still searching to find a solid baseline for their chassis set-ups.

Can Gordon rebound and make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup? Yes, possibly as the driver outside the top 10 in points with the most wins. But he would have to get on a hot streak and become the story of the year in order to make that happen.

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POLE POSITION // 2011

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bringing their “a” game 43 ▐ OWNER: RICHARD PETTY ▐ TEAM: RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS ▐ CAR: BEST BUY FORD ▐ CREW CHIEF: MIKE SHIPLETT AJ allmendinger IF THERE IS A SURPRISE AMONG THE 12 DRIVers in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field, it could be former open-wheel racer AJ Allmendinger. The California native has logged many finishes just outside of the top 10 and his best result through the first eight races was ninth at Phoenix. He runs well on the superspeedways and, with more experience, could be the guy who pulls off a surprise victory before season’s end.

16 ▐ OWNER: JACK ROUSH ▐ TEAM: ROUSH FENWAY RACING ▐ CAR: 3M FORD ▐ CREW CHIEF: GREG ERWIN greg biffle NOW THAT GREG BIFFLE HAS SIGNED A CONtract extension with Roush Fenway Racing, he can rest easy and concentrate on making the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Biffle and his No. 16 team have battled a lack of consistency.

They have enjoyed several strong top-five finishes, but there have also been some finishes at the rear of the 43-car fields. There’s little hope of making the Chase unless the poor finishes can be eliminated.

33 ▐ OWNER: RICHARD CHILDRESS ▐ TEAM: RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING ▐ CAR: CHEERIOS/HAMBURGER HELPER CHEVROLET ▐ CREW CHIEF: SHANE WILSON clint bowyer CLINT BOWYER’S TITLE HOPES WERE HAMpered early in the season by poor finishes that left him deep in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points standings. But after finishing seventh at Auto Club Speedway, Bowyer rebounded with a ninth at Martinsville and two seconds at Texas and Talladega to put his championship drive back on track. If Bowyer and his team can continue to consistently finish among the top 10, they will be in the Chase.

3 1 ▐ OWNER: RICHARD CHILDRESS ▐ TEAM: RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING ▐ CAR: CATERPILLAR CHEVROLET ▐ CREW CHIEF: TODD BERRIER jeff burton JEFF BURTON IS CLEARLY IN RECOVERY MODE when it comes to his championship hopes. Burton’s finishes during the first three months of the season weren’t impressive enough to think about a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. His highlight through eight races was an 11th-place finish at Texas in April. The native of South Boston, Va., needs to shine during the summer months if he wants to salvage a respectable season.

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POLE POSITION // 2011

18

▐ OWNER: JOE GIBBS ▐ TEAM: JOE GIBBS RACING ▐ CAR: M&M’S TOYOTA ▐ CREW CHIEF: DAVE ROGERS

kyle busch DESPITE A PAIR OF DISAPPOINTING EARLY finishes, Kyle Busch’s chances of being in the Chase looked very good after the first eight races. Busch finished 38th at Las Vegas and 35th at Talladega, but won at Bristol and had four other solid top-10 finishes. Expect more of the same during the second half of the season.

11

▐ OWNER: J.D. GIBBS ▐ TEAM: JOE GIBBS RACING ▐ CAR: FEDEX TOYOTA ▐ CREW CHIEF: MIKE FORD

denny hamlin AFTER CHALLENGING JIMMIE JOHNSON TO THE final checkered flag of the 2010 season, Denny Hamlin had high hopes of claiming his first championship in 2011. Unfortunately, his only highlight in the first eight races was a seventhplace finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Wins will most likely come for the Virginia native as the season progresses, and it will be interesting to see if this experienced team can dig out of its early season hole.

▐ OWNER: RICHARD CHILDRESS ▐ TEAM: RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING ▐ CAR: BUDWEISER CHEVROLET ▐ CREW CHIEF: GIL MARTIN

29

kevin harvick AFTER SUFFERING A BLOWN ENGINE THAT resulted in a 42nd-place finish at Daytona, Kevin Harvick’s championship aspirations seemed to be over after just one race. But back-to-back victories at Martinsville and Auto Club Speedways put the No. 29 team back in the title discussion.

Five top-five finishes during the first eight starts proved Harvick is a serious contender. So even if the wheels come off, he’s looking good for one of the wild-card spots in the Chase.

4

▐ OWNER: DIETRICH MATESCHITZ ▐ TEAM: RED BULL RACING TEAM ▐ CAR: RED BULL TOYOTA ▐ CREW CHIEF: KENNY FRANCIS

kasey kahne KASEY KAHNE BEGAN DRIVING FOR RED BULL Racing with four races remaining in the 2010 season. He brought along several key crew members, including crew chief Kenny Francis, from Richard Petty Motorsports in hopes of getting a jump on 2011. Kahne finished 25th at Daytona, and ended up 39th at Martinsville and 21st at Texas. But consecutive ninth-place finishes at Bristol and Auto Club and a sixth at Phoenix offered hope for the second half of the season.

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bringing their “a” game 1 7 ▐ OWNER: JOHN HENRY ▐ TEAM: ROUSH FENWAY RACING ▐ CAR: CROWN ROYAL FORD ▐ CREW CHIEF: JIMMY FENNIG matt kenseth MATT KENSETH IS PRETTY QUIET AROUND FANS and media members. The Wisconsin native would rather express himself through success on the track. Kenseth began the season with a 34th-place finish at Daytona, followed by a 12th at Phoenix and an 11th at Las Vegas before putting together four top-10 finishes, including a victory at Texas. Kenseth must continue collecting top-five finishes if he hopes to challenge for his second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

2

▐ OWNER: ROGER PENSKE ▐ TEAM: PENSKE RACING ▐ CAR: MILLER LITE DODGE ▐ CREW CHIEF: PAUL WOLFE

brad keselowski UNFORTUNATELY, SOMETHING HAS BEEN MISSING this season with the No. 2 Dodge driven by Brad Keselowski. Evidence comes in the form of numerous double-digit results with the team’s best finish through April being a 15th at Phoenix International Raceway. In all but the Bristol race, Keselowski finished off the lead lap. His only chance for a Chase bid is to win races and hope he can gain an invitation through the new wild-card element.

1

▐ OWNER: TERESA EARNHARDT ▐ TEAM: EARNHARDT GANASSI RACING ▐ CAR: BASS PRO SHOPS CHEVROLET ▐ CREW CHIEF: KEVIN MANION

jamie mcmurray JAMIE MCMURRAY REJOINED TEAM OWNER CHIP Ganassi in 2010 and won races at Daytona, Indianapolis and Charlotte. The hopes of a spot in the Chase didn’t materialize last season, and it doesn’t appear as though it will happen this year either. A seventh-place finish at Martinsville and two 18thplace finishes at Daytona and Richmond served as the team’s best performances through April. All other finishes were deep in the field, which will be extremely hard to overcome.

5

▐ OWNER: MARY HENDRICK ▐ TEAM: HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS ▐ CAR: GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET ▐ CREW CHIEF: LANCE MCGREW

mark martin NOTHING WOULD MAKE MARK MARTIN HAPPIER than to make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in his final year driving for Hendrick Motorsports.

The NASCAR veteran from Batesville, Ark., has not won a championship during his 29-year NASCAR Sprint Cup career but would love to call 2011 his own. Other than a 36th-place finish at Texas, Martin enjoyed consistent top-20 finishes early in the season. Improvement to top 10s and wins would greatly enhance his Chase chances.

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POLE POSITION // 2011

27

▐ OWNER: TOM PUMPELLY ▐ TEAM: RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING ▐ CAR: MENARDS CHEVROLET ▐ CREW CHIEF: RICHARD LABBE

paul menard OF THE FOUR NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES drivers at Richard Childress Racing, newcomer Paul Menard has been this season’s surprise.

The No. 27 team was fast right out of the gate and Menard quickly established himself as a Chase hopeful. Should he continue logging topfive and top-10 finishes as he did at Daytona, Bristol and Texas, victories in the second half of the year may leave him in great shape when it’s time to set the 12-driver Chase field.

42

▐ OWNER: CHIP GANASSI ▐ TEAM: EARNHARDT GANASSI RACING ▐ CAR: TARGET CHEVROLET ▐ CREW CHIEF: BRIAN PATTIE

juan pablo montoya DURING HIS SIX-YEAR NASCAR CAREER, JUAN Pablo Montoya has consistently kept his No. 42 in position to win on his favorite tracks – the superspeedways. Montoya’s sixth-place finish in the Daytona 500 was followed with a third at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and a 10th at Auto Club Speedway. Still, finishes of 19th or worse kept the team searching for ways to improve.

However, the numbers may just be good enough for a third Chase bid.

39

▐ OWNER: TONY STEWART ▐ TEAM: STEWART-HAAS RACING ▐ CAR: U.S. ARMY CHEVROLET ▐ CREW CHIEF: TONY GIBSON

ryan newman THREE FIFTH-PLACE FINISHES EARLY, COMbined with a 10th at Bristol Motor Speedway, show promise for Ryan Newman. However, there were just as many finishes outside the top 20 in the first eight races that put a dent in his Chase aspirations. Newman and his Stewart-Haas Racing team must take each race one at a time and think consistent performance. He can build a road to the Chase if wins and top-five finishes replace the top 20s.

▐ OWNER: MICHAEL WALTRIP ▐ TEAM: MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING ▐ CAR: NAPA AUTO PARTS TOYOTA ▐ CREW CHIEF: PAT TRYSON

56

martin truex jr.

MARTIN TRUEX JR.’S HOPES OF MAKING THE Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup took an early hit as the New Jersey native scored only one top10 finish in the first eight races. He walked away from crashes at Martinsville and Talladega, but the resulting poor finishes left the Michael Waltrip Racing team deep in the standings. A big turnaround and several victories are needed if there’s to be any chance of a championship run.

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NASCAR WOMEN

KAREN PARKER

V.P. OF MARKETING AT MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY

K

aren Parker gravitated toward athletics in high school, running track, playing softball and basketball. That’s why she was shocked when the public relations person at then Pulaski County Speedway asked her to enter the track’s contest to select its trophy queen.

Parker lost the contest, but track officials asked her to remain and sell advertising.

The Radford, Va., native and college student agreed. For the hard-working Parker, it was the beginning of a career path that has led to her current position – vice president of marketing at Martinsville Speedway.

“I don’t consider my work a job. I consider it my life,” said Parker, who has been with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ oldest track for 17½ years. “It really is a part of me. I have done everything from credentials to writing press releases to selling.”

Her current responsibilities include overseeing PR, marketing and sales, and ticketing. However, at last year’s Late Model race there was such a large walk-up crowd that she sold tickets for several hours.

Stock car racing entered Parker’s blood at an early age. During her childhood, her

46

POLE POSITION // 2011

father took her and her brother to races at Martinsville, North Wilkesboro, Charlotte and Bristol. When she reached college age she elected to attend Radford University so she could remain at home with her mother who was battling an autoimmune disease.

While selling advertising for the Pulaski track, now known as Motor Mile Speedway, she met Martinsville’s current president, Clay Campbell, when he occasionally raced at the speedway. After the original owner of the Pulaski track filed bankruptcy, the bank asked Campbell to be the track’s promoter. He accepted on one condition, the then 21-year-old Parker manage the track for him.

At the end of the season, Campbell offered Parker a marketing job at Martinsville.

Campbell’s grandfather, Clay Earles, opened Martinsville Speedway in 1947 and was still chairman of the board and CEO when Parker joined the facility in December 1993. At the time, he didn’t want Campbell to hire Parker because he didn’t believe the track needed a marketing person since it had a PR director. However,

BY DEB WILLIAMS // PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY

Parker’s strong work ethic eventually won over the “old school” Earles.

“Our parents showed us we needed to work hard, be honest and have good values,” said Parker. “I won’t ask anyone to do something for me that I would not do or haven’t done.”

Parker’s lone daily challenge isn’t confined to her job. The energetic woman with the bubbly personality has multiple sclerosis. Parker first became aware she had the disease in 1999 when she began losing the vision in her right eye during a return trip from the Sugar Bowl with her husband.

Parker has regained 80 percent of the vision in her right eye and has now been off medication for about five years.

Her MS is in remission.

Parker and her husband also were told they would never have children. They considered adopting, but before they progressed with adoption plans Parker was

I don’t consider my work a job. I consider it [a part of] my life. told she was pregnant – with twins. The couple’s daughters – Emma and Sophia – will celebrate their third birthday in September.

“Between losing my mom to scleroderma at such a young age; Mom was 57, and my best friend at age 40 to a brain tumor last August, if there is something I want to do, I do it,” Parker said. “I try to live life to the fullest, enjoy my family and friends and my work. I feel blessed every day.”

careers

DON ROHR

Marketing Director, Brian Vickers

KARI FAHEY: LIFE OF THE PARTY

F

or anyone who’s ever planned a wedding, imagine six gargantuan ones over a period of 45 days that attract up to 1,500 people from all over the country.

That’s “crunch season” for Kari Fahey, director, Banquet and Events for NASCAR, who for 12 years has been involved in planning and executing NASCAR’s year-end banquets. Fahey also helps pull off other significant gatherings for the sport like the annual NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and charity events such as visits to Walter Reed Army Hospital.

As the sport has grown, the events have become more corporate. But Fahey still appreciates the intimacy of a family-owned enterprise.

“What I like the most about my job, beside the hard-working, fast-paced environment, is the feeling of family,” Fahey said.

“I am blessed to have worked with people like Bill France Jr. and Jim Hunter and so many others from that bygone era. I heard so many great stories about old-school racing. It’s important to the sport to keep those memories alive.”

Fahey, who grew up in a small town in

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POLE POSITION // 2011

upstate New York, says her most memorable year was 2001. Following the loss of Dale Earnhardt, Fahey’s department organized the production and set up of the emotional morning-after press conference.

Then came work on changing the NASCAR premier series’ banquet from a “dinner style” format to “theater style” by bringing in theater seats to the Waldorf-Astoria hotel.

“Mr. France was not convinced this would work effectively. In a small meeting, he looked across the table at three of us and sternly warned, ‘If this plan doesn’t work, you will all lose your jobs!’ I remember thinking, ‘Forget about it; let’s order dinner, linens and flowers!’

“The plan did not work very well, but luckily I’m still here today. Mr. and Mrs. France were always involved in some part of the banquet planning. Mrs. France always has final say on the invite, and Mr. France always had final say on the seating.

Nothing got past him! It was a pleasure to work with this legendary figure in American sports and business.”

■ Andrew Giangola is author of the book, The Weekend Starts on Wednesday: True Stories of Remarkable NASCAR Fans, available on the NASCAR.com Superstore.

BY ANDREW GIANGOLA // PHOTOS COURTESY OF NASCAR

GROWING UP IN ROCHESTER, N.Y., DON Rohr’s dad worked at Kodak. No surprise, the young boy was drawn to the bright yellow Kodak car in NASCAR. “Watching Ernie Irvan win the 1991 Daytona 500 in that Kodak car, I never thought in a million years I’d work in a sport that bit me like a vulture and swallowed me like Jaws,” said Rohr, now marketing director for Brian Vickers.

Rohr has gone from the wide-eyed fan lugging a tent and sleeping bag in the pouring rain to Watkins Glen, to celebrating in Victory Lane with Vickers.

Throughout college at SUNY Delhi and SUNY Oswego, his focus was music and entertainment. Rohr promoted local shows, often gambling book and food money that enough kids would come out to recoup his investment.

He spent time in New York helping find new acts for LAVA/ATLANTIC and Virgin Records.

Rohr’s a prolific networker, and when the music industry began to crater, he was hooked into Brian Vickers, a smart driver testing progressive marketing.

Rohr is the consummate idea man – creatively working Vickers into the marketing plans of NASCAR, Sprint and Nationwide, pitching media, shooting iMovies, and overseeing Vickers’ social networking and fan club.

“I hope one day Brian looks back and says, ‘Wow, that kid wore really weird band shirts, but darn, he had good ideas, and we had a lot of fun,” Rohr said.

Now in his fourth season with Vickers, Rohr has had the best and worst experiences of his life. “From seeing Brian win the race at Michigan, to getting the phone call about the blood clot, it’s been a rollercoaster.”

He relishes a sport allowing an individual to forge his own career path. “You just need to have the fire, desire, love, and passion to make that happen. If you don’t have that, you’re just another paycheck.”

You can’t imagine Rohr, with his flurry of ideas and boundless energy, ever mailing it in.

“I still get a thrill every time we go to the race track, with goose bumps the size of golf balls the whole way,” he concluded.

lifestyle DOWNTIME WITH KASEY KAHNE

N

ASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne likes to relax.

It’s just that Kahne’s idea of relaxation revolves mostly around racing, which also happens to be his paying job.

“I think the more you race, the more relaxed you get with it,” he said.

“There are days when you’re definitely not really relaxed, but when things are going good, you’re pretty relaxed going to the shop, spending time during the week with the guys or Kenny Francis [crew chief] or looking into the upcoming races.”

Outside of his role as driver of the No. 4 Red Bull Racing Toyota, Kahne also spends time working with the World of Outlaws sprint car teams he owns and operates out of a North Carolina shop. He just can’t get enough of turning left and going fast.

“I think racing is about as relaxed as I get. It’s where I feel the most comfortable,” Kahne said. “Everything kind of leading up to that these days – I’m pretty comfortable with everything.

“When you do get to go on vacation – maybe go to the Bahamas or somewhere where it’s hot and you can just sit out and relax. That’s about all I do. I don’t do a whole lot more.”

TRAINING WITH JASON LEFFLER

MENTAL PREP WITH MATT CRAFTON How do you mentally prepare to race?

Is there anything special you do to get your mind ready?

I wear a Davey Allison shirt. That’s the only thing I do the same every week. It had been the same [Allison] shirt until, say, about four years ago, and finally I had to retire that one because it literally had huge holes in it from just wearing it so much. … Davey Allison’s pilot last year at Pocono actually talked to me and gave me one of the old Davey shirts that he had. So I’ve been wearing that since then.

DON’T EVER ACCUSE NASCAR NATIONwide Series driver Jason Leffler of being lackadaisical about working out.

Leffler is somewhat of a fitness fanatic. The 35-year-old walks or runs three miles – in addition to weightlifting – on days he’s not at the race track.

“It varies day-to-day but we lift, we do cardio,” Leffler said. “Luckily, I work out with Kasey Kahne’s trainer and Kasey’s got a really nice gym, so I use that every day. He has a lot of pieces of equipment, we have some hand-eye coordination stuff, but I’ll lift weights, run on the treadmill.”

So how much weight does Leffler typically lift?

“If we’re doing dumbbell curls, it’s 40 pounds,” he said. “You do more repetitions than you do high weight being a race car driver. It’s just about endurance.”

Leffler admits he takes his workouts very seriously, and he believes they pay off come race day.

“It’s not crazy, but it’s enough,” he said. “And I notice it in the car not necessarily when everything’s going good. I notice it more when you have a bad day or something like when I was sick last year in Montreal. If it had been a couple years earlier, I don’t know that I would have made it through the race.

“Just mentally it helps you and physically, obviously, it helps you.”

FUELING UP WITH TIMOTHY PETERS

Breakfast

PETERS DOESN’T CONSIDER himself “a breakfast person.”

However, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver often does eat breakfast on mornings when a break truck comes by the Red Horse Racing shop. “Usually it’s a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich or something like that,” Peters said. “If it’s there I’ll eat it, for sure.”

Lunch

PETERS OFTEN GOES OUT for lunch with members of his racing team at restaurants near the shop in Mooresville, N.C. “I look at the menu and sometimes I try to watch what I eat and sometimes you just feel like getting whatever you want,” he said. “If we go to an Italian place for lunch, I really like getting antipasto salad.”

Snack

PETERS AIRS ON THE SIDE of healthy when it comes to snacks. “Lance crackers, that ain’t too bad for you,” he said. Peters also enjoys tuna and water. Sometimes water is replaced by Diet Coke, however. “I’m hooked on Diet Coke,” Peters said.

“Probably 50 percent of the time, it’s Diet Coke.”

Dinner

WHEN IT COMES TO DINNER, Peters is partial to dishes prepared by his wife, Sara.

“She likes to be a little Martha Stewart so we can go home and have a whole chicken, that beer-can chicken,” he said. “That seems to be pretty good and tasty. So that’s kind of my favorite meal for dinner.”

BY JARED TURNER

FREERACEMAG.COM

49

PHOTOHUNT

Study the top photo, then see if you can find the 10 changes that were made in the bottom photo.

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POLE POSITION // 2011

ANSWERS: PHOTOHUNT – (1) Smiley face was added to NASCAR official’s white helmet • (2) Middle of the “a” on the pit stop sign is missing • (3) Tony the Tiger has been added to the NAPA pit crew • (4) Tire-pressure gauge is missing from the wall • (5) Airplane has been added • (6) Best Buy sticker is missing from the front-tire carrier’s helmet • (7) Car is msssing from track • (8) Light pole is missing • (9) Two red vertical stripes on race track wall missing • (10) The word “Camry” is missingfrom the front of the NAPA car.

fun pages

PICTOGRAM

Which driver was NASCAR’s Rookie of the Year in 1993?

WORDSPELL How many words can you spell using only the letters that appear in this driver’s name?

T J X C E I KHO J

AJ Allmendinger all, men...

WS A L D G N B F R

ANSWER: Jeff Gordon

WINNER’S CIRCLE

■■ AND THE WINNER IS... Nick K., of Buford, Ga. Nick is 12 years old and his favorite driver is Jeff Gordon. To learn more about the Winner’s Circle, visit freeracemag.com.

CAN YOU DRAW NASCAR?

N

ow is your chance to be featured in the pages of NASCAR Pole Position. Send us your NASCARthemed artwork - car, driver, track, etc. We will feature the best drawings during the 2011 season, and five lucky winners will receive a race jacket of their favorite driver!

On a piece of paper, send us your name, age, complete mailing address, e-mail address or phone number and the driver jacket you would like to win.

Send your artwork in an oversized envelope (try not to fold it!) to: Pole Position Magazine c/o A.E. Engine, Attn: Stacey Foster 11880 28th St. North, Suite 101 St. Petersburg, FL 33716 No purchase necessary. All entries are eligible. Unfortunately, submissions cannot be returned. Questions? E-mail us at poleposition@ae-engine.com.

FREERACEMAG.COM

51

trivia How Well Do You Know Four-Time NASCAR Champion Jeff Gordon?

0-20 Rookie 30-40 Spectator 50-60 Fan 70-80 Race Chaser 90-100 Superfan

2

Jeff made his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start on Nov. 15, 1992, at which track?

A. Charlotte Motor Speedway B. Atlanta Motor Speedway C. North Wilkesboro Speedway D. Richmond International Raceway

3

1

POLE POSITION // 2011

The Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital is located in what city?

A. Vallejo, Calif.

B. Pittsboro, Ind. C. Concord, N.C. D. Topeka, Kan.

Who was Jeff’s crew chief during his first three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship seasons?

A. Brian Whitesell B. Gary DeHart C. Jeff Hammond D. Ray Evernham

4

52

Take the quiz and score 10 points for each correct answer.

Add up your points and see how you rank!

Jeff first gained national attention through his performance in which televised racing series?

A. “Thursday Night Thunder” on ESPN B. “Slick 50 Sprint Car World Series” on TNN C. “NASCAR Winter Heat” on TNN D. “Wide World of Sports” on ABC

5

Which company was the primary sponsor of the No. 67 Pontiac Jeff drove during his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in 1990?

A. DuPont B. Baby Ruth C. Outback Steakhouse D. Pepsi

6

Jeff’s family moved from California to which state so he could race sprint cars at age 13?

A. Iowa B. Indiana C. Pennsylvania D. Ohio

7

How many NASCAR Sprint Cup races did Jeff win during his 1998 championship season?

A. 7 B. 13 C. 6 D. 10

8

At which track did Jeff win his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race?

A. North Carolina Motor Speedway B. Pocono Raceway C. Riverside Raceway D. Charlotte Motor Speedway

What was the nickname of the controversial car Jeff drove to victory in the 1997 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race?

A. T-Rex B. Bertha C. Maxine D. Rainbow

10 When was Jeff born?

A. Aug. 4, 1973 B. April 4, 1971 C. Aug. 4, 1971 D. May 15, 1972

ANSWERS // 1. C; 2. B.; 3. D; 4. A; 5. C; 6. B; 7. B; 8. A; 9. D; 10. C

FREERACEMAG.COM

53

rosters & schedules 2011 NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES ROSTER No.

Driver

Team

Sponsor & Make

Crew Chief

Hometown

Birthdate

00

David Reutimann

Michael Waltrip Racing

Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota

Rodney Childers

Zephyrhills, Fla.

March 2, 1970

09

Landon Cassill

Phoenix Racing

Phoenix Construction Chevrolet

Nick Harrison

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

July 7, 1989

1

Jamie McMurray

Earnhardt Ganassi Racing

Bass Pro Shops/ McDonald’s Chevrolet

Kevin Manion

Joplin, Mo.

June 3, 1976

2

Brad Keselowski

Penske Racing

Miller Lite Dodge

Paul Wolfe

Rochester Hills, Mich.

Feb. 12, 1984

4

Kasey Kahne

Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Toyota

Kenny Francis

Enumclaw, Wash.

April 10, 1980

5

Mark Martin

Hendrick Motorsports

Go Daddy.com/CARQUEST Chevrolet

Lance McGrew

Batesville, Ark.

Jan. 9, 1959

6

David Ragan

Roush Fenway Racing

UPS Ford

Drew Blickensderfer

Unadilla, Ga.

Dec. 24, 1985

7

Robby Gordon

Robby Gordon Motorsports

SPEED Energy Dodge

Sam Stanley

Orange, Calif.

Jan. 2, 1969

9

Marcos Ambrose

Richard Petty Motorsports

Stanley/DeWalt Ford

Todd Parrott

Tasmania, Australia

Sept. 1, 1976

11

Denny Hamlin

Joe Gibbs Racing

FedEx Toyota

Mike Ford

Chesterfield, Va.

Nov. 18, 1980

13

Casey Mears

Germain Racing

GEICO Toyota

“Bootie” Barker

Bakersfield, Calif.

March 12, 1978

14

Tony Stewart

Stewart-Haas Racing

Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet

Darian Grubb

Columbus, Ind.

May 20, 1971

16

Greg Biffle

Roush Fenway Racing

3M Ford

Greg Erwin

Vancouver, Wash.

Dec. 23, 1969

17

Matt Kenseth

Roush Fenway Racing

Crown Royal Ford

Jimmy Fennig

Cambridge, Wis.

March 10, 1972

18

Kyle Busch

Joe Gibbs Racing

M&M’s Toyota

Dave Rogers

Las Vegas, Nev.

May 2, 1985

20

Joey Logano

Joe Gibbs Racing

Home Depot Toyota

Greg Zipadelli

Middletown, Conn.

May 24, 1990

21

Trevor Bayne

Wood Brothers Racing

Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford

Donnie Wingo

Knoxville, Tenn.

Feb. 19, 1991

22

Kurt Busch

Penske Racing

Shell/Pennzoil Dodge

Steve Addington

Las Vegas, Nev.

Aug. 4, 1978

24

Jeff Gordon

Hendrick Motorsports

Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet

Alan Gustafson

Vallejo, Calif.

Aug. 4, 1971

27

Paul Menard

Richard Childress Racing

Menards Chevrolet

“Slugger” Labbe

Eau Claire, Wis.

Aug. 21, 1980

29

Kevin Harvick

Richard Childress Racing

Budweiser Chevrolet

Gil Martin

Bakersfield, Calif.

Dec. 8, 1975

31

Jeff Burton

Richard Childress Racing

Caterpillar Chevrolet

Todd Barrier

South Boston, Va.

June 29, 1967

33

Clint Bowyer

Richard Childress Racing

Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet

Shane Wilson

Emporia, Kan.

May 30, 1979

34

David Gilliland

Front Row Motorsports

Taco Bell Ford

Peter Sospenzo

Riverside, Calif.

April 1, 1976

36

Dave Blaney

Tommy Baldwin Racing

Golden Corral Chevrolet

Kevin Buskirk

Hartford, Ohio

Oct. 24, 1962

38

Travis Kvapil

Front Row Motorsports

Long John Silver’s Ford

Jay Guy

Janesville, Wis.

March 1, 1976

39

Ryan Newman

Stewart-Haas Racing

United States Army Chevrolet

Tony Gibson

South Bend, Ind.

Dec. 8, 1977

42

Juan Pablo Montoya Earnhardt Ganassi Racing

Target Chevrolet

Brian Pattie

Bogota, Colombia

Sept. 20, 1975

43

AJ Allmendinger

Richard Petty Motorsports

Best Buy Ford

Mike Shiplett

Los Gatos, Calif.

Dec. 16, 1981

46

J.J. Yeley

Whitney Motorsports

Whitney Motorsports Chevrolet

Tony Furr

Phoenix, Ariz.

Oct. 5, 1976

47

Bobby Labonte

JTG Daugherty Racing

Little Debbie/Clorox Toyota

Frank Kerr

Corpus Christi, Texas

May 8, 1964

48

Jimmie Johnson

Hendrick Motorsports

Lowe’s Chevrolet

Chad Knaus

El Cajon, Calif.

Sept. 17, 1975

56

Martin Truex Jr.

Michael Waltrip Racing

NAPA Auto Parts Toyota

Pat Tryson

Mayetta, N.J.

June 29, 1980

66

Michael McDowell

HP Racing

HP Racing Toyota

Gene Nead

Glendale, Ariz.

Dec. 21, 1984

71

Andy Lally

TRG Motorsports

Eco-Fuel Saver Ford

Doug Richert

Dacula, Ga.

Feb. 11, 1975

78

Regan Smith

Furniture Row Racing

Furniture Row Chevrolet

Pete Rondeau

Cato, N.Y.

Sept. 23, 1983

83

Brian Vickers

Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Toyota

Ryan Pemberton

Thomasville, N.C.

Oct. 24, 1983

87

Joe Nemechek

NEMCO Motorsports

NEMCO Motorsports Toyota

Philippe Lopez

Lakeland, Fla.

Sept. 26, 1963

88

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Hendrick Motorsports

National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet

Steve Letarte

Kannapolis, N.C.

Oct. 10, 1974

99

Carl Edwards

Roush Fenway Racing

Aflac Ford

Bob Osborne

Columbia, Mo.

Aug. 15, 1979

2011 NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES SCHEDULE Feb. 12 *Daytona Int’l Speedway

Daytona Beach, Fla.

May 29 Charlotte Motor Spdwy.

Concord, N.C.

Sept. 10 Richmond Int’l Raceway

Richmond, Va.

Feb. 20 Daytona Int’l Speedway

Daytona Beach, Fla.

June 5

Kansas City, Kan.

Sept. 18 Chicagoland Speedway

Joliet, Ill.

Feb. 27 Phoenix Int’l Raceway

Avondale, Ariz.

June 12 Pocono Raceway

Long Pond, Pa.

Sept. 25 N.H. Motor Speedway

Loudon, N.H.

March 6 Las Vegas Motor Speedway Las Vegas, Nev.

June 19 Michigan Int’l Speedway

Brooklyn, Mich.

Oct. 2

Dover Int’l Speedway

Dover, Del.

March 20 Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol, Tenn.

June 26 Infineon Raceway

Sonoma, Calif.

Oct. 9

Kansas Speedway

Kansas City, Kan.

March 27 Auto Club Speedway

Fontana, Calif.

July 2

Daytona Int’l speedway

Daytona Beach, Fla.

Oct. 15 Charlotte Motor Spdwy.

April 3

Martinsville Speedway

Martinsville, Va.

July 9

Kentucky Speedway

Sparta, Ky.

Oct. 23 Talladega Superspeedway Talladega, Ala.

April 9

Texas Motor Speedway

Ft. Worth, Texas

Loudon, N.H.

Concord, N.C.

July 17

N.H. Motor Speedway

Oct. 30 Martinsville Speedway

Martinsville, Va.

April 17 Talladega Superspeedway Talladega, Ala.

July 31

Indianapolis Motor Spdwy. Indianapolis, Ind.

Nov. 6

Ft. Worth, Texas

April 30 Richmond Int’l Raceway

Richmond, Va.

Aug. 7

Pocono Raceway

Long Pond, Pa.

Nov. 13 Phoenix Int’l Raceway

May 7

Darlington, S.C.

Aug. 14 Watkins Glen Int’l

Watkins Glen, N.Y.

Nov. 20 Homestead-Miami Spdwy. Homestead, Fla.

Darlington Raceway

May 15 Dover Int’l Speedway

54

Kansas Speedway

Aug. 21 Michigan Int’l Speedway

Brooklyn, Mich.

May 21 *NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race

Dover, Del.

Aug. 27 Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol, Tenn.

Sept. 4 Atlanta Motor Speedway

Hampton, Ga.

Charlotte Motor Speedway Concord, N.C.

POLE POSITION // 2011

Texas Motor Speedway

*Non-Points, Special Event

Avondale, Ariz.

A T T O G U O Y ADVERTORIAL

E !

V S Y O U L G R A C

C

ar Guys are special! The friendships becoming more and more rare only problem is that we need more in today’s world, the Car Hobby provides of them. Only about 10 percent of instant friendships that are genuine and our population or 30 million Americans are wholesome.

Car Guys currently and we need to do our It seems there’s a natural screening collective best to grow that number. It’s in process that allows only the best of our everyone’s best interest. Really! culture to become bona fide Car Guys. Just Having been a Car Guy all my life, to start, you have to make a commitment selling products to Car Guys in over 9 0 to a spec ial c ar and under stand that countries, sponsoring 9,000 car shows in yo u a r e i t s c ur r e nt c u sto di a n r at h e r the U.S and 3,000 more outside the U.S. than its owner. It’s your responsibility to and having the longest-running TV show preserve, if not restore, how it looks and on the SPEED Channel, I know what I’m feels and drives for its next custodian. talking about. While ever y people group In this respect, it’s a shared hobby and has its fringe participants that go outside we’re all doing our part to preserve our the lines, I’ve found that Car Guys around automotive heritage. Every Car Guy has the world share a common value system huge admiration for what every other Car that is desperately needed today.

Guy is doing with their car regardless of Barry Meguiar, third-generation owner of Without any orchestration or forethought, its value. It’s not about the money!

Meguiar’s, and proud Car Guy. the normal social barriers of gender, age, One of the things I love most about et hni c it y o r e c o n o m i c st atus a r e n o n the Car Hobby is the impact it has on existent among Car Guys. A ll of that is transc ended by a families. I don’t know of anything that keeps adolescents (boys mutual passion for collector cars and for those who share that and girls) connected to their dads like working on a project car passion. It is, in fact, this shared passion that makes the Car that they can have when they turn 16 –if they keep their grades Hobby the greatest fraternity in the world. Go to any car show up! You can buy project cars cheap and the quality time it and you’ll see every people type from blue-collar workers to provides with your kids is priceless. corporate tycoons celebrating their passion for cars without O n top of ever y t hing else, C ar G uys natur ally deve lo p any differentiation. an uncommon sense of loyalty and generosity that is more Put any two Car Guys together, regardless of the type or than refreshing. They’re the first ones there if you need a part, value of the cars they own, and it’s guaranteed they will form a tool or a helping hand along with a big smile…and that’s a lasting friendship. It’s like fi nding a new family member. Ask what you’ll see when you go to car shows...Big Smiles! any Car Guy what the best thing is about the Car Hobby and With almost ever y thing in decline over the last couple of they will unanimously say, “It’s the people.” And even better, years, car shows have continued to thrive because they’re it’s non-exclusive. New people become “old friends” in the Car an oasis for all of the values that have made America what it is Hobby faster than anywhere else I know. With real face-to-face today. That’s why we need more Car Guys!

rosters & schedules 2011 NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES ROSTER & SCHEDULE No.

Driver

Hometown

Team

Make

Crew Chief

01 09 2 6 7 11 14 16 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 28 31 32 33 38 40 41 51 60 62 66 70 87 88 89 99

Mike Wallace Kenny Wallace Elliott Sadler Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Danica Patrick Brian Scott Eric McClure Trevor Bayne Kyle Busch Mike Bliss Joey Logano Brad Keselowski Robert Richardson Jr. Kevin Lepage Kelly Bires Derrike Cope Justin Allgaier Reed Sorenson Kevin Harvick Jason Leffler Scott Wimmer Jennifer Jo Cobb Jeremy Clements Carl Edwards Michael Annett Steve Wallace David Stremme Joe Nemechek Aric Almirola Morgan Shepherd Travis Pastrana

St. Louis, Mo. St. Louis, Mo. Emporia, Va. Olive Branch, Miss.

Roscoe, Ill. Boise, Idaho Chilhowie, Va. Knoxville, Tenn.

Las Vegas, Nev. Milwaukie, Ore. Middletown, Conn.

Rochester Hills, Mich.

McKinney, Texas Shelburne, Va. Mauston, Wis. Spanaway, Wash.

Riverton, Ill. Peachtree City, Ga. Bakersfield, Calif.

Long Beach, Calif.

Wausau, Wis. Kansas City, Kan. Spartanburg, S.C. Columbia, Mo. Des Moines, Iowa Charlotte, N.C. South Bend, Ind. Lakeland, Fla. Tampa, Fla. Conover, N.C. Annapolis, Md.

Davis Motorsports RAB Racing Kevin Harvick, Inc. Roush Fenway Racing JR Motorsports Joe Gibbs Racing TriStar Motorsports Roush Fenway Racing Joe Gibbs Racing TriStar Motorsports Joe Gibbs Racing Penske Racing R3 Motorsports Team Rensi Motorsports Team Rensi Motorsports Jay Robinson Racing Turner Motorsports Turner Motorsports Kevin Harvick, Inc. Turner Motorsports Key Motorsports Rick Ware Racing Davis Motorsports Roush Fenway Racing Rusty Wallace, Inc. Rusty Wallace, Inc. ML Motorsports NEMCO Motorsports JR Motorsports Faith Motorsports Pastrana-Waltrip Racing

Chevrolet Toyota Chevrolet Ford Chevrolet Toyota Chevrolet Ford Toyota Chevrolet Toyota Dodge Chevrolet Ford Ford Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet Ford Chevrolet Ford Toyota Toyota Chevrolet Toyota Chevrolet Chevrolet Toyota

Brad Parrott Scott Zippadelli Ernie Cope Mike Kelley Tony Eury Jr. Kevin Kidd Gary Cogswell Chris Andrews Jason Ratcliff Wes Ward Adam Stevens Todd Gordon Walter Giles Chris Wright Richard Russell Jay Robinson Jimmy Elledge Trent Owens David Hyder Eddie Pardue Gary Showalter Scott Stolzenberg Ricky Pearson Mike Beam Jason Overstreet Doug Randolph Chris Rice Steven Gray Tony Eury Eric Locke Jerry Baxter

Feb. 19 Feb. 26 March 5 March 19 March 26 April 8 April 16 April 23 April 29 May 6 May 14 May 22 May 28 June 4 June 18 June 25 July 1 July 8 July 16 July 23 July 30 Aug. 6 Aug. 13 Aug. 20 Aug. 26 Sept. 3 Sept. 9 Sept. 17 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 14 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 19

Daytona Phoenix Las Vegas Bristol Auto Club Texas Talladega Nashville Richmond Darlington Dover Iowa Charlotte Chicagoland Michigan Road America Daytona Kentucky New Hampshire Nashville LOR at Indy Iowa Watkins Glen Montreal Bristol Atlanta Richmond Chicagoland Dover Kansas Charlotte Texas Phoenix Homestead

2011 NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES ROSTER & SCHEDULE

56

No.

Driver

Hometown

Team

Make

Crew Chief

1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 13 15 17 18 20 22 23 25 30 31 32 33 39 46 50 51 57 60 62 66 77 81 85 88 92 93

Jeffrey Earnhardt Kevin Harvick Austin Dillon Ricky Carmichael Travis Kvapil Miguel Paludo Nelson Piquet Jr. Max Papis Chase Mattioli Johnny Sauter Dusty Davis Timothy Peters Kyle Busch Johanna Long Joey Coulter Jason White Tayler Malsam Todd Bodine James Buescher Brad Sweet Ron Hornaday Ryan Sieg Craig Goess T.J. Bell Justin Johnson Norm Benning Cole Whitt Brendan Gaughan Justin Marks Justin Lofton David Starr Brent Raymer Matt Crafton Clay Rogers Shane Sieg

Mooresville, N.C. Bakersfield, Calif.

Lewisville, N.C. Clearwater, Fla. Janesville, Wis. Nova Prata, Brazil Brasilia, Brazil Como, Italy Long Pond, Pa. Necedah, Wis. Las Vegas, Nev. Providence, N.C. Las Vegas, Nev. Pensacola, Fla. Miami Springs, Fla. Powhatan, Va. Seattle, Wash.

Chemung, N.Y. Plano, Texas Grass Valley, Calif.

Palmdale, Calif.

Tucker, Ga. Woodbury, N.J. Sparks, Nev. Roxboro, N.C. Level Green, Pa. Alpine, Calif.

Las Vegas, Nev. St. Louis, Mo. Westmorland, Calif.

Houston, Texas Concord, N.C. Tulare, Calif.

Mooresville, N.C. Tucker, Ga.

Rick Ware Racing Kevin Harvick, Inc. Richard Childress Racing Turner Motorsports Randy Moss Motorsports Red Horse Racing Kevin Harvick, Inc. Germain Racing Chase Mattioli Racing ThorSport Racing Vision Aviation Racing Red Horse Racing Kyle Busch Motorsports Panhandle Motorsports Richard Childress Racing GunBroker.com Racing Randy Moss Motorsports Germain Racing Turner Motorsports Turner Motorsports Kevin Harvick, Inc. Sieg Racing Eddie Sharp Racing Make Motorsports Vision Aviation Racing Norm Benning Racing TurnOne Racing Germain Racing TurnOne Racing Germain Racing SS-Green Light Racing Brent Raymer Racing ThorSport Racing RBR Enterprises Sieg Racing

Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet Toyota Toyota Chevrolet Toyota Ford Chevrolet Toyota Toyota Toyota Toyota Chevrolet Chevrolet Toyota Toyota Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet Toyota Toyota Toyota Chevrolet Chevrolet Toyota Chevrolet Toyota Toyota Ford Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet

Joe Lax Bruce Cook Danny Stockman Mike Rette Ricky Viers Rick Gay Jr. Chris Carrier Randy Goss Cal Boprey Joe Shear Jr. Doug Howe Butch Hylton Eric Phillips Kevin Starland Harold Holly Chad Kendrick Dan Stillman Mike Hillman Jr. Michael Shelton Trent Owens Jeff Hensley Mike Garvey Tripp Bruce Thomas Buzze Doug George James Dugger Marcus Richmond Bryan Berry Doug Wolcott Ryan Fuge Jason Miller Josh Raymer Bud Haefele Michael Hester Tony Wilson

POLE POSITION // 2011

Feb. 18 Feb. 25 March 12 April 2 April 22 May 13 May 20 June 4 June 10 July 7 July 16 July 22 July 29 Aug. 6 Aug. 20 Aug. 24 Sept. 2 Sept. 16 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 18

Daytona Phoenix Darlington Martinsville Nashville Dover Charlotte Kansas Texas Kentucky Iowa Nashville LOR at Indy Pocono Michigan Bristol Atlanta Chicagoland New Hampshire Kentucky Las Vegas Talladega Martinsville Texas Homestead

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DID YOU KNOW? Anatomy of a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pit Stop

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ix crew members are routinely allowed over the wall during pit stops per NASCAR rules. At times, NASCAR will inform teams that a seventh crew member will be allowed over the wall for a pit stop with the responsibility of cleaning the windshield or assisting the driver. An average pit stop that consists of changing four tires and adding a full tank of Sunoco Green E15 gasoline can take between 13 and 15 seconds. The number of pit stops during a race varies due to numerous factors – race length, caution flags, fuel mileage, tire wear and pit strategy to name a few. Below is a look at the pit crew members and their responsibilities during a driver’s routine visit to pit road.

[1] Rear Tire Carrier: Assists the rear tire changer by handing him a new Goodyear tire he has carried from behind the pit wall. He may also adjust the rear jack bolt to change the car’s handling.

[2] Rear Tire Changer: First removes and replaces the right-rear Goodyear tire using an air-powered impact wench to loosen and tighten the five lug nuts holding the wheel in place. He then moves to the opposite side of the car to change the leftrear Goodyear tire.

[3] Jack Man: Operates a 20-pound hydraulic jack that is used to raise the race car for tire changes. After new tires are bolted on the right side, he drops the car to the ground and repeats the process on the left side.

[4] Front Tire Carrier: Assists the front tire changer by hading him a new right-side Goodyear tire he has carried from behind the pit wall.

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[5] Front Tire Changer: First removes and replaces the right-front Goodyear tire using an air-powered impact wrench to loosen and tighten the five lug nuts holding the wheel in place. He then moves to the opposite side of the car to change the leftfront Goodyear tire.

[6] Gas Man: Empties two 12-gallon dump cans of Sunoco Green E15 gasoline into the car’s 18-gallon fuel cell. Each dump can weighs 81 pounds when full.

[7] Support Crew: Assists the over-thewall crew by rolling them tires, handing them fuel and retrieving air hoses and wrenches. According to NASCAR rules, support crew members are not allowed to go over the pit wall.

[8] Extra Man: On occasion, and at the discretion of NASCAR officials, a seventh or “extra man” is allowed over the wall to clean the windshield or assist the driver.

[9] NASCAR Official: Watches for rules violations and helps maintain pit road safety.

[10] Car Chief: The car chief works closely with the crew chief in figuring out setups for the car and is responsible for executing adjustments to the setups.

[11] Crew Chief: As “head coach” of the race team, the crew chief assumes responsibility for race strategy and setups as well as the actions of his driver, car owner and team members. He assigns and directs the activities of all crew members and others assigned to the racing team who enter the car-servicing area on pit road.

[12] Engineer: The engineer calculates the exact setup for the car, including precisely how each shock absorber should be built, which springs should be used and what tire pressures will generate peak performance.

Manufacturers Battling for a Title, Too Ford, Toyota and Dodge Trying to Stop Chevrolet’s Streak

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hile Jimmie Johnson’s battle for a sixth straight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship garners most of the headlines, another title fight is quietly being waged each time the green flag is waved over NASCAR’s premier series.

This battle is among the four participating automobile companies as Ford, Toyota and Dodge are trying to end Chevrolet’s string of eight consecutive NASCAR Manufacturers’ Championships.

Points are awarded at each of the 36 races with the winning manufacturer earning nine points. The second highest finishing manufacturer receives six points with four points for the next finisher and three points for the fourth and final manufacturer.

The NASCAR Manufacturers’ Championship was introduced in 1952 and Chevrolet has won the title 34 times, including each year since 2003. Ford has 15 championship trophies while Dodge has won the prestigious title twice. Toyota, which joined the series in 2007, has yet to claim the ultimate prize.

Manufacturer participation has been a critical part of NASCAR racing since the days when the cars literally rolled off the showroom floors. Manufacturers have long understood the role NASCAR racing plays in attracting customers to their products. In fact, “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday,” is much more than a clever promotional slogan.

“Motorsports is a marketing program, and, specifically, is part of our outreach to fans and enthusiasts who have really a rich, deep connection with the manufacturer,” said Jamie Allison, director of Ford Racing. “Ultimately, we will be judged on whether we were able to help the company communicate about its great products, its great pillars and what we stand for, and help sell cars and trucks. There’s no question that NASCAR allows us to do that.”

Today, each of NASCAR’s top teams has an alliance with one of the four participating manufacturers. Each team negotiates its own “deal,” so the details of the various manufacturer agreements are closely guarded secrets. But engineering expertise and wind-tunnel time are often among the key components.

So while selling cars and trucks is the primary objective for the manufacturers involved in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing, winning the Manufacturers’ Championship is certainly a nice bonus.

CHEVROLET ■■ ELIGIBLE MODEL: 2010 & 2011 Impala ■■ MANUFACTURERS’ CHAMPIONSHIPS: 34 ■■ FAST FACTS: Chevrolet’s first Manufacturers’ Championship came in 1958 and it has dominated in recent years, winning the last eight consecutive titles.

■■ TOP 2011 TEAMS AND DRIVERS: Hendrick Motorsports – Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Mark Martin Richard Childress Racing – Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Paul Menard Stewart-Haas Racing – Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman Earnhardt Ganassi Racing – Juan Pablo Montoya, Jamie McMurray Furniture Row Racing – Regan Smith

FORD ■■ ELIGIBLE MODEL: 2010 & 2011 Fusion ■■ MANUFACTURERS’ CHAMPIONSHIPS: 15 ■■ FAST FACTS: The “Big Blue Oval” earned its first NASCAR Manufacturers’ Championship in 1956 and its total includes seven straight between 1963 and 1969.

■■ TOP 2011 TEAMS AND DRIVERS: Roush Fenway Racing – Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, David Ragan Richard Petty Motorsports – AJ Allmendinger, Marcos Ambrose Front Row Motorsports – David Gilliland, Travis Kvapil

TOYOTA ■■ ELIGIBLE MODEL: 2010 & 2011 Camry ■■ MANUFACTURERS’ CHAMPIONSHIPS: None ■■ FAST FACTS: Toyota made its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut in 2007 and finished second in the 2010 Manufacturers’ Championship.

■■ TOP 2011 TEAMS AND DRIVERS: Joe Gibbs Racing – Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano Red Bull Racing – Kasey Kahne, Brian Vickers Michael Waltrip Racing – Martin Truex Jr., David Reutimann JTG Daugherty Racing – Bobby Labonte Germain Racing – Casey Mears

DODGE ■■ ELIGIBLE MODEL: 2010 & 2011 Charger ■■ MANUFACTURERS’ CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2 ■■ FAST FACTS: Dodge won the NASCAR Manufacturers’ Championship in 1970 and 1975, but ended its involvement two years later. The manufacturer returned to NASCAR racing in 2001.

■■ TOP 2011 TEAMS AND DRIVERS: Penske Racing – Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski Robby Gordon Motorsports – Robby Gordon

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DID YOU KNOW? STRAIGHT TO THE POINT NASCAR SIMPLIFIES POINTS SYSTEM, REVISES CHASE QUALIFYING FORMAT

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ASCAR has utilized several points systems to crown its champions through the years and most of them have been pretty complicated.

One used a sliding scale that was determined by the total prize money for a specific race while another was built around a complex formula based on the number of laps completed and the size of the track.

And those were in the days before computers or even calculators.

Now, after using the same basic points system since 1975, NASCAR has changed to a much simpler formula for each of its national series.

“Many of our most loyal fans don’t fully understand the points system we have used to date,” NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said while introducing the new system. “So, we are simplifying the points system to one that is much easier to understand. Conceptually, it is comparable to our previous system, but it is easier to follow.”

The new system awards points in onepoint increments. As an example, in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, race winners earn 43 points, plus three bonus points for the victory. Drivers can also earn an extra point for leading a lap and another for leading the most laps, bringing the total possible points to 48.

All other drivers in a finishing order are separated by one-point increments. A second-place finisher earns 42 points, a third-place driver 41 points, and so on. A last-place finisher – 43rd place – earns one point. In the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the last-place finisher receives eight

points, to account for that series’ 36-driver field.

Kevin Harvick is among those with an example of how the old system often confused race fans.

“I got done with the season last year, and I got a text from [New York Yankees manager] Joe Girardi. He says, ‘Hey, man, great year, good job; but I don’t understand how you can have the best year and not win. I don’t understand your points system,” Harvick said. “If you look at the new points system, I think it’s easy to understand. It’s the casual fan that we need to recapture by making it exciting and easily understandable.”

“As an industry, it is vital that we continually create a product full of drama and excitement,” said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “The changes NASCAR announced are certainly a step in the right direction. The American public is all about keeping it simple and the new points system accomplishes that goal.”

NASCAR officials have also adjusted how drivers qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The top 10 in points following Race No. 26 – the “cutoff” race – continue to earn Chase berths, while the final two spots in the 12man field are now determined by race wins.

Positions 11 and 12 are “wild card” positions and will go to non-top-10-ranked drivers with the most wins, as long as they’re ranked in the top 20 in points. The top-10 Chase drivers will continue to be seeded based on wins during the first 26 races, with each win worth three bonus points.

The wild card drivers will not receive bonus points for wins and will be seeded 11th and 12th, respectively. It’s a move aimed toward rewarding winning and consistency during the regular season.

“The fans tell us that winning matters the most with them, so we’re combining the tradition of consistency in our sport with the excitement that comes along with winning,” France said.

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nascar defined

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2 ■■ [1] Danica Patrick talks with Dale Earnhardt Jr. during practice at Daytona International Speedway.

■■ [2] A crew member makes repairs to the NAPA Toyota.

■■ [3] Seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Richard Petty looks under the famous No. 43 Ford during a final practice session.

■■ [4] Fans honor the late Dale Earnhardt on the third lap as Dale Earnhardt Jr. races under.

■■ [5] Marcos Ambrose sits in his car before practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody’s Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., on April 1.

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