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1 1 REASONS TO ATTEND A NASCAR RACE » DRIVER PROFILES » NASCAR HALL OF FAME: THE EXPERIENCE » BREAKING DOWN THE 180-MPH BILLBOARD » WOMEN IN NASCAR: KAREN PARKER

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GREEN FLAG THE FAST & THE FABULOUS NASCAR HALL OF FAME 11 UNIQUE REASONS TO ATTEND A NASCAR RACE 180-MPH BILLBOARD DRIVER PROFILES: NASCAR KNOWLEDGE NASCAR WOMEN: KAREN PARKER FUEL CAREERS FUEL LIFESTYLE FUEL FUN PAGES FUEL TRIVIA ROSTERS & SCHEDULES GEAR & GOODS DID YOU KNOW?

Carl Edwards spends time signing autographs for his fans

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news & notes

from the world of nascar

REAGAN LIBRARY HOSTS RACING EXHIBIT In honor of President Ronald Reagan’s relationship and fascination with auto racing, the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif., is hosting “Start Your Engines: American Race Cars at the Reagan Library.” The exhibit features a wide array of storied vehicles from the history of American auto racing from the 1930s to today, including those from NASCAR and the IndyCar Series. Visitors will view historic cars driven by legends such as Dale Earnhardt

and Richard Petty, as well as cars wheeled by current race car drivers Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Austin Dillon. “Ronald Reagan’s connection to American car racing dates back to the 1930s, where, as a young radio announcer, he was calling races,” said John Heubusch, executive director for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. “That love stayed with him, and as President of the United States he spent the fourth of July at the Daytona Firecracker 400, where he became the first sitting president to call a race.” In addition to the cars, personal items from drivers such as trophies, driving suits, helmets and other artifacts, along with photos and videos are also on display. The exhibit runs through Oct. 23 and additional information can be obtained by calling 1-800-410-8354 or online at reaganlibrary.com.

NEW NASCAR TOYS COMING IN 2012 In an effort to build its merchandising program and to further its reach with the youth demographic, NASCAR Team Properties has selected Spin Master to develop and produce a line of toys that will begin hitting store shelves in 2012. The multi-year agreement provides Spin Master with exclusive licensing rights for NASCAR branded toy categories including replica vehicles, play sets, action figures, remote-control items and much more. “Spin Master is not only one of the largest toy companies in the world, they are renowned for creating innovative products that combine play and technology in an interactive manner rarely seen in the industry,” said Blake 06

POLE POSITION // 2011

Davidson, vice president, NASCAR licensing and consumer products. “The NASCAR products that Spin Master will produce will be original and relevant to our sport and will be products that our young fans can connect with in a fun and creative way.” Spin Master has been designing, developing and marketing consumer products for children around the world and is recognized as a global growth leader in the toy industry with a strong track record of breaking into new categories and identifying what kids want. They are ranked as the third largest toy company in North America and best known for such popular brands as Bakugan, Air Hogs, Tech Deck and Liv Dolls.

NASCAR NONSTOP FOR CHASE RACES ESPN’s telecasts of the final 10 races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season will have a new look with the introduction of NASCAR NonStop, a commercial format designed to bring more racing action to viewers. The new format will be in effect for the races that make up the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and will debut during coverage of the Sept. 18 race at Chicagoland Speedway. In NASCAR NonStop, ESPN’s commercial breaks will feature a split-screen format showing the advertisement on the left side of the screen and a continuation of racing action on the right side.

BRIAN FRANCE RECEIVES INTREPID SALUTE AWARD Brian France, chairman and CEO of NASCAR, was among this year’s recipients of the Intrepid Salute Award, which recognizes support of the military, business achievements and important philanthropic activities. France was joined by George Bodenheimer, president of ESPN and ABC Sports, as the first sports personalities to be bestowed with the honor since the award was founded in 1992. “It is an honor to accept this award on behalf of NASCAR, our drivers, teams and tracks who have all been ardent supporters of active and retired members of our nation’s Armed Forces since our sport’s inception,” France said.

green flag STEWART AND HAMILTON SWAP RIDES Two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and 2008 Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton swapped race cars during a June publicity event at Watkins Glen International in upstate New York. The teams’ shared lubricant technology partner, Mobil 1, orchestrated the event as Hamilton took laps in Stewart’s No. 14 Chevrolet Impala stock car while Stewart climbed into the cockpit of Hamilton’s McLaren Mercedes MP4-23. The drivers each enjoyed a few laps around The Glen’s long course, a 3.4-mile, 11-turn circuit. “It’s just amazing what the capabilities of the car are.” Stewart said about the F-1 machine. “I told the guys on pit road out there that it’s probably going to make my crew chief a little more stressed during the weekends because I’m going to want [my car] to handle like that all the time. I don’t think we’re ever going to get it there. “It was fun. That is truly an experience of a lifetime,” Stewart added. “I just can’t thank the people at Mobil 1 enough for helping facilitate this, everybody at Watkins Glen.”

FAN TO RECEIVE HUMANITARIAN AWARD The NASCAR Foundation will recognize the outstanding charitable and volunteer efforts of NASCAR fans by awarding the first Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award, which includes a $100,000 donation from The NASCAR Foundation to the children’s charity of the recipient’s choice. The award honors the passionate commitment Betty Jane France has demonstrated with her charitable works and community efforts. France has been a pioneer of charitable works in the NASCAR community and serves as chairwoman of The NASCAR Foundation. “Since 2006, The NASCAR Foundation has been inspired by the selfless dedication of our NASCAR fans to improve the lives of the children,” said France. “We have champions in every community and we are thrilled to recognize them with this Humanitarian Award.” The four finalists chosen will receive a $25,000 donation to a children’s charity of their choice, a trip to a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in 2011 and will attend the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week in Las Vegas, where the winner will be announced. The winner receives the $100,000 donation from The NASCAR Foundation to their children’s charity along with a 2012 Ford Explorer. For information about The NASCAR Foundation and its many initiatives, visit NASCAR.com/unites.

TRACKS DONATE UNUSED FOOD

AMERICROWN, THE CONcessions division of International Speedway Corporation, is donating all extra food items from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races it services to local food banks. The donations are being made on behalf of the Drive to End Hunger, AARP’s national effort to end hunger among older Americans and the primary sponsor of Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 Chevrolet. Nineteen of the 36 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races take place at tracks owned by ISC. The program began in February when more than 7,000 pounds of excess food was donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida following the Daytona 500.

TICKETS ON SALE FOR SEASON FINALES Tickets are now on sale for Ford Championship Weekend Nov. 1820 at Homestead-Miami Speedway during which champions will be crowned in each of NASCAR’s top three series. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season concludes Friday, Nov. 18, with the Ford 200 while the Ford 300 on Saturday, Nov. 19, brings down the curtain on the NASCAR Nationwide Series title fight. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship will be decided during the Ford 400 on Sunday, Nov. 20. Speedway officials have introduced several new fan-friendly amenities and details can be obtained by visiting www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com or calling 132981 1-866-409-RACE.

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D4D BLOG BRYAN ORTIZ

RACING IS MORE THAN JUST DRIVING

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KEEP STOMACHS

CALM AND CARRY ON

he past six months, since I moved to North Carolina, have no doubt been a roller-coaster ride. To be competitive in any sport you have to have a certain skill level, conditioning, and good teamwork. Race car driving, on the other hand, requires that and much more. Luck, money and good equipment are also critical to a successful racing career. Revolution Racing and I have being working very hard on the Late Model program to keep pushing for wins. Our last race was at Kingsport Speedway: a small, but physically challenging 3/8-mile oval track, which provides for some very intense racing. We were very happy and hopeful about our third place in qualifying. Unfortunately, the exhaust broke after only the sixth lap and I had to come in to fix it. Restarting from the back of the pack, and determined to regain my position, I drove as hard as I could, passing car after car, forcing myself and my equipment to the limit. As the checkered flag dropped, I found myself in fourth place, a great finish for an unlucky start. In situations like this, a true race car driver will keep his head up high, making the best of what he’s got, never giving up and always aiming for the top spot. Even though we haven’t had much luck, our hard work and determination have resulted in solid top-five finishes week after week. In auto racing, the race does not start and end at the track. To be a complete race car driver you also need to participate in activities with sponsors and partners. I have attended several events with fellow Hispanics, and now I find myself back in Puerto Rico, fulfilling my role as the spokesperson for the Young Blood Donor program for the local American Red Cross chapter. It truly has been a pleasure because, even though I am still not a very big name, I know that as a young race car driver I can influence the younger generations to recognize the need to donate blood and save lives. As a driver I am not a stranger to real danger and I know how important this can be. I will not only be going to interviews and talking to sponsors, I will also be teaching by example; I am on my way to donate blood for the second time in my life. Though we have yet to win a race, I can still be grateful for everything I have; a supporting family, friends, good health and the opportunity of continuing to live my dream. I want to thank Revolution Racing and all our partners, NASCAR, Toyota, TRD and the U.S. Army for making my dream a reality and I look forward to many more good things in the future. Be sure to follow me on twitter, @BryanORacing, on my fan page on facebook.com/BryanOrtizRacing and on my website bryanortizracing.com and revolutionracing.net for all the upcoming racing action.

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green flag RACING WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES 17-YEAR-OLD RYAN REED DOESN’T ALLOW DISEASE TO DERAIL HIS NASCAR DREAMS

n February, the yellow ﬂag was waved over Ryan Reed’s career when the 2010 Super Late Model rookie of the year was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Ryan, a 17-year-old driver from Bakersfield, Calif., was diagnosed just as his racing career was picking up speed, and he has no intention of allowing the disease to slow his pace. Halfway through his senior year of high school, Ryan had just reached a developmental agreement with Kyle Busch Motorsports and was getting ready to relocate to Mooresville, N.C., when he fell ill. He was returning home from North Carolina, where he was organizing his new race shop, when he first felt the symptoms. “When I picked up Ryan from the airport, my heart sank as I knew something was seriously wrong,” said his father, Mark Reed. “I know Ryan better than anyone and he had lost so much weight in just 10 days.” Ryan immediately went to see his doctor and he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. The news was devastating. Here he was on the brink of a major breakthrough and his dreams of a NASCAR career were suddenly in jeopardy. Ryan’s parents pulled out all the stops to get him healthy. After weeks of testing, he found his medical savior in Dr. Anne Peters, director of Clinical Diabetes Programs at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine During initial consultations, Reed was told that if treated properly he could live a healthy and normal life – but a future in racing was questionable. That all changed when Ryan walked into Dr. Peters’ office. Dr. Peters, who also treats the Type 1 diabetes of IndyCar Series driver Charlie Kimball, told Ryan, “You will race and you will be fine.” As far as Ryan was concerned, the green flag was back out. “I can’t thank my parents and Dr. Peters enough for helping me,” he said. “I was just going through life … and overnight everything changed. I had to trust that God had a plan for me and it would all be OK.”

POLE POSITION // 2011

Ryan’s 2011 plans have been delayed, but he is slowly getting back on track. Since February, he has had to change his daily routine: diet, exercise, blood glucose readings, on-track data, and reporting all of this information weekly to his medical team in California. But he received NASCAR medical clearance to return to the track in June.

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With one of the best medical team’s available and sophisticated wireless monitoring systems in place, Ryan headed back to the track. The remainder of the season will see Ryan racing all over the Southeast in select Super Late Model and NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Series races, along with possibly a few NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events. Most of the early races will be fielded out of Ryan’s shop in Mooresville, N.C., as the final details are worked out with KBM concerning his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series program. “We’re happy to hear that Ryan’s doctors have his diabetes under control and he’s cleared to race again,” said Busch. “He definitely hit a little bump in the road, but this challenge has made him a stronger person and even more determined to have a successful career in racing. We look forward to helping Ryan continue to develop as a driver and also help in his effort to spread awareness about diabetes.” Ryan has decided to take a very aggressive role in spreading diabetes awareness, and has asked his fans and sponsors to help support this effort. To learn more about Ryan and his quest to manage his diabetes while competing in NASCAR, visit RyanReedRacing.com.

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■■ Jeff Gordon with Ellen Degeneres. Photo by Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.

Ella Gordon: Future Racing Superstar?

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

POLE POSITION // 2011

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?

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 aired during the show’s second season 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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nascar hall of fame THE NASCAR HALL OF FAME EXPERIENCE

A SUPER BOWL PARTY WITHOUT FOOTBALL? PIGSKIN NOT REQUIRED AT NASCAR HALL OF FAME RACE-WATCHING PARTIES

or years a common phrase has floated around the NASCAR Industry. “We host a Super Bowl every Sunday, 38 weeks a year.” While every NASCAR race doesn’t draw the same worldwide attention as the famous football event, almost every NASCAR race draws a similar crowd. It is common for more than 100,000 fans to filter into the race track every weekend to watch their favorite driver compete for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. Millions more watch at home on television. The new NASCAR Hall of Fame in uptown Charlotte, N.C., is offering race fans a chance to experience races in the same fun, social manner that has become such an American tradition. In 2011, a limited number of tickets will be sold to Race Day Experiences and Race Night Experiences in the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s state-of-the-art Belk High Octane Theater. Imagine watching a 500-mile race on the big screen at your local movie theater. Add in a few adult beverages, some race team chatter on your own scanner, a few in-car camera views on side screens and realistic race simulator rides.

■■ Season tickets to the Race Experience are $60 for non-members and $50 for members. Each Race Experience ticket includes the race on the big screen, a simulator ride, use of a scanner and additional screens with in-car camera feeds. Combo tickets are available the day of the event and also include admission to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Visit NASCARHall.com or call 704-654-4431 for details. ■■ The iRacing simulators, included with a Race Experience ticket, have been recognized as some of the most realistic race simulations on the market. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was instrumental in developing the software to ensure the authenticity of the on-track experience. The state-of-the-art, racing-simulation experience allows rookie drivers and avid fans to “feel” what it’s like on the track. Guests can get behind the wheel, start their engines, shift the gears and race other competitors. ■■ Conveniently located in uptown Charlotte, N.C., the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and nonfans alike, includes artifacts, interactive exhibits, 278-person movie theater, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Media Groupoperated broadcast studio. The venue is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. seven days a week and has a convenient attached parking garage.

Now you have a Race Day or Race Night Experience at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The 278-seat theater features comfortable high-back rocking chairs and a 64-foot curved projection screen with surround sound. Fans are invited to participate in free iRacing Simulator rides prior to the start of the race. Concessions stands are open and food and beverage is allowed inside the theater. The ticket also includes a race scanner for every person in attendance, which allows the viewer to listen to teams and drivers communicate during a race, something that has historically only been possible at the race track. To cap off the experience, two large side screens feature unique feeds directly from the race track. They may be in-car camera shots or Hot Pass Channels, but they are guaranteed to bring an additional piece of the action not seen in the main broadcast. The remaining events on the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s race-viewing schedule are Bristol (Aug. 27), Atlanta (Sept. 4), Richmond (Sept. 10), Talladega (Oct. 23) and HomesteadMiami Nov. 20.Complete information can be found at NASCARHall.com. BY KIMBERLY MEESTERS // PHOTOS COURTESY OF NASCAR HALL OF FAME

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LIVE AND IN PERSON

ELEVEN UNIQUE REASONS TO ATTEND A NASCAR RACE

hat do you love most about watching a NASCAR race in person? For many fans, it’s hard to pinpoint just one element of the race-day experience that gets their heart pounding and blood pumping. From the unmistakable smell of burning tire rubber and the thunderous roar of the engines, to the absence of commercial breaks and the opportunity to be near their heroes, fans have many reasons for going to the track instead of watching the race on television, following it on the Internet or listening on the radio. True NASCAR fans know there’s no substitute for being at the track.

The Speed

Good luck trying to pretend you can truly feel the speed of the cars without seeing them in person. Even at a tiny track like Martinsville Speedway, where speeds “only” reach about 120 mph, there’s a world of difference in how much faster the cars appear when you’re only feet away. At the larger and faster tracks, the speed is all the more vivid. Better not sit that soda down; it might just topple over when 43 cars blow by at Talladega while running in a tight pack above 180 mph. Trying to get an accurate sense of the speed from television is hard to do. You’ll never understand how fast the cars go until you’ve seen them live.

The Different Tracks

NASCAR tracks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each featuring unique characteristics. It’s a must that real fans visit at least one of each type of venue — short track, superspeedway, intermediate track and road course. How different is the experience at a flat 2.5-mile circuit like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway versus a short, high-banked track 18

POLE POSITION // 2011

BY JARED TURNER

like Bristol Motor Speedway? Not only is the racing vastly different, so is the culture of a small-town, southern track like Bristol versus a flashy, western facility surrounded by a major city like Las Vegas Motor Speedway. “It’s amazing how something I love could be so different, but just as awesome at a different track. The entire feel of the track, the location, the racing – all different, but so similar,” said April Gates, a fan from Sultan, Wash.

The Wrecks and Spins

It’s impossible to experience the full effect of a crash without being at the actual site. If you think those pileups and Talladega tumbles look wild on television, just wait until you’ve seen them in person. Wrecks, especially those notorious melees at the restrictor-plate tracks, take on new meaning when you can actually feel the grandstands shake. Crumpled sheet metal and bruised fenders don’t look nearly as bad on TV as they do in person, either. “Screaming when your driver takes the lead and cussing when they crash, the energy at a live race can be electric and keeps you pumped for hours on end,” said Karen Burrell, of Ontario, Canada.

The Drivers

Being at the track increases fans’ chances of getting near their heroes. If you’re lucky enough to secure a garage pass, you’ll eventually see every driver from Mike Bliss to Jimmie Johnson moving from Point A to Point B in the always-bustling team work area. Car owners and crew chiefs also tend to be highly visible here, with the more laid-back ones stopping to sign autographs and pose for pictures. Throughout the race weekend, drivers make various sponsor and fan appearances. “There is no other sport on earth that you can get that close to your heroes and they are friendly and kind,” said Burrell.

The Sounds

There’s nothing in the world like hearing the sound of 43 racing engines simultaneously roar to life. A chill is likely to run up and down the spine of even the most fair-weather fan when the greatest stock cars drivers on Earth fire their engines on pit road. Of course, the noise doesn’t achieve maximum decibels until the drivers are on the track at full speed. That’s when you know you’re not in Kansas anymore (unless the race is at Kansas Speedway), and it’s only then that the power of a 3,400-pound stock car becomes fully evident. You’ll need a good set of earplugs – especially at places like Bristol and Martinsville – to avoid potential auditory trauma, but it just wouldn’t be a race without the noise.

The Smells

Burning tire rubber, concession foods and high-octane fuels provide the olfactory senses with an eclectic combination that can’t be found anywhere but the track. Pretend as one may, it’s impossible to inhale such a potent confluence from the comforts of the living room. To get the full effect, one must be in the stands or infield as 43 drivers and pit crews get down to business for three-plus hours. The smells are a major attraction for fans such as Burrell and Kim Sonefeld, of Clearwater, Fla. Both women say the odors are a highlight of their race-day experience. This year, fans will breathe in a slightly different fuel smell as NASCAR moves to an ethanol mix for its three national series.

The Thrill of Victory

Wonderful as it is to witness your favorite driver win a race anytime from anywhere, including the home sofa, the thrill of victory is more gratifying in person. Is anything really sweeter than knowing the money spent on a ticket, gasoline and hotel room, and the time invested in getting to the track, culminated in a victory by your favorite driver? Seeing him cross the finish line first makes the sacrifices of attending a race all worth it. Of course, it’s tough spending hours in traffic, then sweltering or shivering for several hours only for your driver to run poorly. But when your guy wins, you’ll always be able to say, “I was there.” And you’ll have the ticket stub to prove it. FREERACEMAG.COM

Souvenirs and Memorabilia Galore

Race tracks are a NASCAR memorabilia collector’s dream come true. Most NASCAR Sprint Cup teams show up each weekend with a souvenir hauler that resembles the big rigs that tote the cars, but actually serves as the unofficial command center for all things merchandise. Had a hard time finding that favorite driver’s die-cast car? Been searching desperately for a flag drenched in your favorite driver’s colors and car number? Looking for a big poster of Junior or Jeff to hang on the bedroom wall? You’ll find them all at the track, where souvenir shopping is essential to the true fan experience. Generally, the souvenir trailers are sprinkled throughout the grounds near the track. If you don’t see them at first, just keep looking. They’re impossible to miss.

The Diversity of the Fans

Those who attend NASCAR events differ vastly in age, background, creed and socioeconomic status, and they hail from all over the world – not just the United States. Burrell, a Canadian, said, “People think I am absolutely crazy for being in love with this sport.” While some observers may not understand Burrell’s passion, she’s quick to note the eclectic nature of NASCAR’s fan base, which has extended well beyond its original hub in the Southeastern United States. Witnessing the diversity among the spectators in the stands enhances her race-day experience. “I love that people from all walks of life get together and just hang out and watch their favorites do their thing,” Burrell said.

Memories, Preparation, Anticipation

NASCAR races typically entail a fair amount of buildup as the big day approaches. The anticipation is greater when fans know they’re about to spend a whole weekend at the track. Before the engines fire or the green flag

is waved, some NASCAR enthusiasts have their own unique rituals for getting juiced up for the drama to come. April Gates, of Sultan, Wash., has no problem getting “amped.” “The excitement of leaving days in advance of the race, loading in our RV and waiting in line to enter the track, setting up and then living in the infield for four days all while enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of NASCAR is ... lifealtering,” she said. Formal pre-race events such as qualifying and practices also add to the race-day hype.

TRUE NASCAR FANS KNOW THERE’S NO SUBSTITUTE FOR BEING AT THE TRACK.

The Dearth of Commercials

At the track, there are no breaks from the action. Rather than missing any key moments, you get them all. In-person viewing is particularly beneficial at venues such as Bristol, Martinsville, Daytona and Talladega where circumstances notoriously change in a hurry. Only an ill-timed visit to the restroom or the concession stand will make one say, “I can’t believe I missed that,” when there are no commercials to interrupt. 20

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ponsorship dollars fuel NASCAR racing and a majority of the cars prominently display a wide variety of corporate logos as they zoom around the track at speeds at or above 180 mph. Teams and companies spend a great deal of time and money, especially in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, designing paint schemes and logo layouts for their race cars. But much like the actual construction of the car, the placement of sponsor logos is tightly controlled by NASCAR and all car designs must be approved by the sanctioning body. These pages include an overview of where sponsor decals can be placed and what type of sponsorship is typically represented in a specific area.

180-MPH BILLBOARD RULES DICTATE THE PLACEMENT OF SPONSOR LOGOS

FRONT BUMPER: Advertising logos, other than identification for the automobile manufacturer, is not permitted forward of the hood pins.

FRONT FENDERS: This area is reserved for series sponsors and NASCAR contingency program sponsors. Each car is required to display the series sponsor decals as well as decals for Goodyear and Sunoco, but participation in the various NASCAR contingency programs is optional, which is why all cars do not carry exactly the same decals on their front fenders. However, in order to collect money from a NASCAR contingency program the appropriate decal must be displayed in its assigned location.

HOOD: The hood is traditionally reserved for the logo of the carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary sponsor while an associate sponsor is sometimes placed on the leading edge of the hood. NASCAR rules allow the hood decal to continue laterally beyond the hood seams to the top of the fenders and longitudinally beyond the rear hood seam to the forward edge of the cowl opening.

ROOF: The roof panel of the race car is reserved for the car number and advertising logos are not permitted. The roof number must be solid and at least 36 inches high, reading from the driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side. For numbers that contain two numerals there must be a separation of two inches between the first and second numerals.

POLE POSITION // 2011

REAR QUARTER PANELS: This is the area where a majority of the business is done. The top of the rear quarter panel carries the logo of the carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary sponsor. Major associate sponsors are traditionally placed on the lower rear quarter panel behind the rear wheel while the logos of smaller associate sponsors are placed in front of the rear wheel.

B-POSTS: This is the metal piece that runs from the top of the door to the roof between the front and rear windows. Teams use the B-posts to display the logos of smaller associate sponsors or major product suppliers.

FUEL PORT: New for 2011, all race cars in the three national series will be required to carry the American Ethanol decal that circles the fuel port. C-POSTS: This is the metal piece that runs from the back of the roof to the top of the rear quarter panel between the rear quarter window and the rear window. Teams use the C-posts to display the logo of a major associate sponsor.

REAR BUMPER: Advertising logos, other than identification for the automobile manufacturer, are not permitted on the rear bumper.

TV PANEL: The area above the rear bumper has become known as the TV panel because it is most often visible from an in-car camera shot. Some teams include the TV panel as part of the primary sponsorship package while others sell it to an associate sponsor.

DOORS: No sponsor identification is allowed on the sides of the race car between the back edge of the air deflector and the B-post. This area is reserved for the car number. Numbers must be solid and at least 21 inches high, excluding borders and silhouettes. A door number must be at least four inches wide and slant no more than 30 degrees. No mirror-foil numbers are permitted. For numbers that contain two numerals there must be a separation of two inches between the first and second numerals.

DECK LID: The area covering the trunk between the back edge of the rear window and the spoiler is traditionally sold to an associate sponsor, but it can also be part of the carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary sponsorship package.

MISCELLANEOUS: Decals, advertising logos, text or identification of sponsors are not permitted on the windshield, rear window, rear quarter windows or the rear spoiler. All sponsor logos are subject to approval by NASCAR.

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Sweepstakes ends September 4, 2011. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open only to persons who are, as of entry, 18 years of age; legal residents of 50 U.S. and D.C. Sweepstakes starts 12:00:01 AM (EST) on 7/18/11 and ends 11:59:59 PM (EST) on 9/4/11. To enter, and for Official Rules, go to www.NASCAR.COM/Auto. The NASCAR® Performance logo and word mark are used under license by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. The Roush Fenway Racing trademarks and Greg Biffle’s name and/or likeness used by authority of Roush Fenway Racing, LLC.

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NASCAR Knowledge

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

48 jimmie johnson

immie Johnson has won five consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships driving the No. 48 Chevrolet fielded by Hendrick Motorsports. The amazing streak started in 2006 in just his fifth full season in the series. One might think Johnson grew up driving only stock cars with his sights set on NASCAR’s most prestigious arena. But that is far from the case. Actually, the native of El Cajon, Calif., spent his early years building a successful legacy in off-road racing before stock cars and asphalt racing ever came into the picture. He aspired to become a legend on the dirt from a very early age. Johnson began racing motocross at age 5. He eventually switched from two to four wheels and won six off-road championships, including the Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group Superlite title in 1992 and ’95, the 1993 SCORE Class 10 Desert championship and the 1996 and ’97 SODA Winter Series overall titles. His success in stock cars began in 1998 when he won the rookie-of-theyear title in the American Speed Association’s ACDelco Challenge Series. A move to the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 1999 put his incredible NASCAR career in motion. “I started in motocross at such a young age that I guess racing is all I’ve ever known,” Johnson explained. “The years in motocross and off-road racing are very special to me and helped set the stage for where I am today. I will always cherish those memories.”

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NASCAR Knowledge

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

1 4 tony stewart

ost race fans associate Tony Stewart with stock car racing as he joined the NASCAR ranks through the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 1996. But Stewart’s career actually began in open-wheel cars, dating back to when he won the 1983 International Kart Federation Grand National championship. Growing up as a racer in Indiana usually sparks a passion for racing Indy cars at what many view as one of the greatest race facilities in the world – the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Karts, midgets and sprint cars gave Stewart formative experience and set his career in motion. Stewart won the 1994 USAC National Midget championship and in 1995 he became the ﬁrst driver to claim championships in USAC midget, sprint car and Silver Crown competition in the same season. There was nothing left to pursue except his dream of winning the Indianapolis 500. During his time in the Indy cars, Stewart never won the Indy 500, but he did claim the IndyCar Series championship in 1997. When team owner Joe Gibbs offered an opportunity to drive in NASCAR, Stewart couldn’t resist and jumped at the chance. In an ironic twist of fate, he is now a two-time winner at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as he captured the Brickyard 400 in 2005 and 2007, in addition to NASCAR Sprint Cup championships in 2002 and 2005. “My goal from an early age was to have a successful career in Indy cars and I did that,” Stewart said. “I’ve also enjoyed great success in NASCAR, so I feel very, very fortunate.”

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NASCAR Knowledge

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

88 DALE EARNHARDT JR.

ale Earnhardt Jr. spends 38 weekends a year hustling his No. 88 Chevrolet around race tracks of all shapes and sizes. But when the native of Kannapolis, N.C., isn’t at speed in his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series machine, he can often be found at his computer doing none other than – you guessed it – driving race cars. It’s not uncommon to ﬁnd NASCAR’s most popular driver at the controls of an online game in the early morning hours, mixing it up with others who simply love the thrill of online competition. The 2004 Daytona 500 champion and winner of 18 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races has been racing online for several years, taking on some of the very best online racers from around the world. Ironically, a few of the racers he battles online are some of the same ones he battles at speeds above 180 mph on Sunday afternoons. “I love to race online as much as I can,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “It’s relaxing and I get to race some really good drivers from all around. It’s incredible to me just how close the computer racing and actual racing is. You feel every bump in the wheel and you get to set up your own chassis with stuff you put in the computer. I love racing my friends late at night and sometimes I‘m able to get a few wins.”

POLE POSITION // 2011

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NASCAR Knowledge

▐ OWNER: RICHARD CHILDRESS ▐ TEAM: RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING ▐ CAR: CHEERIOS/HAMBURGER HELPER CHEVROLET ▐ CREW CHIEF: SHANE WILSON

33 clint bowyer

lint Bowyer started racing on two wheels when he was 5 and he won more than 200 motocross races during a nine-year period. He eventually switched to four wheels and his NASCAR career began in 2002 on the short tracks of the NASCAR Whelen AllAmerican Series. He steadily progressed through the short-track ranks, but his big break came very close to not happening. Bowyer ﬁnished second in an ARCA race at Nashville Superspeedway and caught the eye of sixtime NASCAR Sprint Cup champion car owner Richard Childress. After that race, Childress set out to ﬁnd Bowyer and make him an offer that would change his life. While working in his Emporia, Kan., shop, Bowyer’s phone rang and a friend announced it was someone from Richard Childress Racing on the line. Feeling a buddy was playing a practical joke, Bowyer hung up, not knowing one of NASCAR’s most iconic team owners was about to offer him a job. “I was told it was RCR but I didn’t believe it,” Bowyer said. “I think I said something like, ‘Yeah, right,’ and hung up the phone, thinking a trick was being played on me. The phone rang again and it was Richard. He told me it really was him and he wanted to talk about me driving for him. I couldn’t believe it. I felt about two inches high. I couldn’t understand why anyone from RCR would be calling me. I couldn’t believe I had just hung up on Richard Childress.”

POLE POSITION // 2011

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NASCAR Knowledge

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

99 carl edwards

oush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards is a rather unique individual for what he does off the race track as well his success in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. As of the end of June, the native of Columbia, Mo., had 19 career victories since joining the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series full-time in 2005. But the NASCAR Camping World Truck and NASCAR Nationwide Series rookie of the year and NASCAR Nationwide champion also has several interests outside of the race car. While attending college at the University of Missouri, Edwards worked as a substitute teacher in addition to racing at nearby short tracks between studying and classes. He’s also spent countless hours cycling and working out in his gym. During the days prior to his 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series victory at Gateway International Raceway, Edwards rode his bicycle from his hometown to suburban St. Louis via the Katy Trail, which is more than 100 miles in length. His cycling and passion for physical fitness is why he was chosen to serve on the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. Edwards also enjoys flying his own airplane, reading and working with charitable causes. “Staying fit and helping to encourage others to do the same is so important to me,” Edwards said. “Of course, being fit helps me to perform better in the race car. I’ve been fortunate to be able to do many things in my life. I always enjoy experiencing new things. Flying is also something I’ve developed a passion for.”

POLE POSITION // 2011

NASCAR Knowledge

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

24 jeff gordon

hen Hendrick Motorsports driver Jeff Gordon eventually decides to retire from driving in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, he’ll have a promising career as a broadcaster waiting. For years, Gordon, a four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, has been the subject of many interviews and has shown he can conduct a few of his own. Over the past decade, the native of Vallejo, Calif., has spent a great deal of time working on a variety of movies, sitcoms and talk shows. He seems to be a natural behind the microphone and could possibly become a television analyst for one of the major networks. In January of 2003, Gordon created a national buzz when he hosted NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” He’s also co-hosted ABC’s “Live with Regis and Kelly” show when one of the hosts had to be away. In 2005, he played himself in the movie “Herbie Fully Loaded” and has voiced a character in the animated series “Speed Racer/Next Generation.” In April of last year, Gordon was a guest celebrity on an episode of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” His most recent work comes as the voice of Jeff Gorvette, a Corvette C6R in Disney-Pixar’s animated hit, “Cars 2.” “Various opportunities have come along to do work in television and movies and it’s just something I enjoy,” Gordon said. “All of them have been a lot of fun and I’ve met a lot of great people. It’s something I feel very comfortable doing.”

POLE POSITION // 2011

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NASCAR Knowledge 43 ▐ OWNER: RICHARD PETTY ▐ TEAM: RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS ▐ CAR: BEST BUY FORD ▐ CREW CHIEF: GREG IRWIN AJ allmendinger AJ ALLMENDINGER, DRIVER OF THE NO. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford, is best known for his accomplishments in the Champ Car World Series. The Los Gatos, Calif., native is married to Canadian model Lynne Kushnirenko, a licensed chiropractor in the Charlotte, N.C., area. When he’s not at the track, the highly personable rising star enjoys playing golf, bowling and playing video games. “I’m not the best golfer in the world, but I’m still swinging,” Allmendinger said.

9 ▐ OWNER: RICHARD PETTY ▐ TEAM: RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS ▐ CAR: DEWALT FORD ▐ CREW CHIEF: TODD PARROTT marcos ambrose RACE CAR DRIVERS HAVE THEIR OWN HEROES AND, as fate would have it, Marcos Ambrose drives for his in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Ambrose followed Richard Petty through magazines his father received in the mail while growing up in Launceston, Australia. A quarter century later, he wheels the No. 9 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford. “Driving for Richard Petty is a dream come true,” said Ambrose. “He‘s been my driver all along.”

16 ▐ OWNER: JACK ROUSH ▐ TEAM: ROUSH FENWAY RACING ▐ CAR: 3M FORD ▐ CREW CHIEF: MATT PUCCIA greg biffle GREG BIFFLE, DRIVER OF THE NO. 16 ROUSH Fenway Ford, holds a rare honor that’s shared with only one other driver. Biffle and Johnny Benson are the only competitors thus far to win championships in both the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Biffle’s titles came in 2000 and 2002, respectively, while Benson collected the trophies in 1995 and 2008. “Anytime you can win a championship in anything, it’s great,” Biffle said.

3 1 ▐ OWNER: RICHARD CHILDRESS ▐ TEAM: RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING ▐ CAR: CATERPILLAR CHEVROLET ▐ CREW CHIEF: TODD BERRIER jeff burton JEFF BURTON HAS 21 NASCAR SPRINT CUP Series victories over 18 seasons. His best ﬁnish in points came in 2000 when he ended up third while driving for team owner Jack Roush. Burton, a native of South Boston, Va., has expressed an interest in a political career once his racing days are over. “Anytime you can serve your community it’s a good thing,” Burton said. “There might be an opportunity there someday.”

POLE POSITION // 2011

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

KURT busch 2004 NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES CHAMPION Kurt Busch is from Las Vegas, Nev., but Chicago is also close to his heart. It’s where his beloved baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, and favorite ballpark, Wrigley Field, are located. His favorite athlete, Ryne Sandberg, played almost his entire career with the famed ball club. “I love Chicago and the Cubs. They’re my team,” Busch said. “I’m also a big fan of Italian food and I love to eat there.”

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

kyle busch THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF JULY, KYLE BUSCH had 22 NASCAR Sprint Cup, 49 NASCAR Nationwide and 29 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victories. Those numbers include wins in all three series on the same weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway last August. Busch is good at setting records. He graduated with honors from Durango (Nev.) High School in 2002, a year early so he could focus on racing. “Finishing ﬁrst is what it’s all about,” Busch said. “The more the better.”

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

denny hamlin JOE GIBBS RACING DRIVER DENNY HAMLIN enjoys several activities away from the race track. The Chesterﬁeld, Va., native loves basketball, boating and skiing. And whenever his busy schedule permits, Hamlin likes to travel and race online. Word on the street is that he’s also a pretty good poker player during rain delays at the track. “I like to win no matter what I do,” Hamlin said. “Mainly, I just like to have fun.”

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

kevin harvick OF THE 22 RACE TRACKS ON THE NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule, Richard Childress Racing driver Kevin Harvick loves the high banks of Bristol Motor Speedway. The Bakersﬁeld, Calif., native ﬁrst raced on the famed Tennessee track in 1998 and by 2005 had a NASCAR Sprint Cup win there. He also won a NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Bristol in 2009. “Bristol is a fast track where a lot happens,” Harvick said. “I always love going there.”

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NASCAR Knowledge 4 ▐ OWNER: DIETRICH MATESCHITZ ▐ TEAM: RED BULL RACING TEAM ▐ CAR: RED BULL TOYOTA ▐ CREW CHIEF: KENNY FRANCIS kasey kahne RED BULL RACING’S KASEY KAHNE HAS 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories since joining the circuit in 2004. His favorite tracks are the 1.5-mile ovals at Las Vegas, Charlotte, Texas and Atlanta. Six of his wins have come on those tracks. “I really enjoy racing at Texas,” Kahne said. “It’s a great facility and with great fans! Racing under the lights just adds to the excitement, for the drivers, as well as the fans.”

1 7 ▐ OWNER: JOHN HENRY ▐ TEAM: ROUSH FENWAY RACING ▐ CAR: CROWN ROYAL FORD ▐ CREW CHIEF: JIMMY FENNIG matt kenseth ROUSH FENWAY RACING’S MATT KENSETH CAME to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 1998, but as a teenager the Wisconsin native collected 56 short-track feature victories over three seasons. In 1991, he became the youngest driver to win an ARTGO Racing Series Late Model feature, breaking a record set by Mark Martin. “I had a lot of success on the short tracks in Wisconsin,” Kenseth said. “I guess you could say it set my career in motion.”

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

mark martin WHEN HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS DRIVER MARK Martin is away from his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series duties, he’s still a busy man. Martin owns Mark Martin Performance which operates a variety of short-track racing teams. He also helped build a quarter-midget track in Samsula, Fla., and owns a car dealership in his hometown of Batesville, Ark. “What can I say, I love racing and I love cars,” Martin said. “Both are a big part of my life.”

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

jamie mcmurray EARNHARDT GANASSI RACING DRIVER JAMIE McMurray had six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories through the end of June, including the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 in 2010, but he also loves to drive the much smaller remote-controlled race cars. The native of Joplin, Mo., sets up cones in his driveway and turns laps for relaxation. “I don’t do it just as a hobby,” McMurray explained. “It also helps for hand-and-eye coordination when I’m in the race car.”

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

paul menard Paul Menard, driver of the No. 27 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, has a diverse motorsports background. En route to NASCAR, the Eau Claire, Wis., native had four top-five finishes in only five SCCA Trans-Am Series starts in 2002 and won the only two Grand-Am Rolex Series races he entered. Further, he started racing on ice when he was 15. “Ice racing is a lot of fun,” Menard said. “It’s something we do up in Wisconsin since we have really cold winters.”

▐ OWNER: CHIP GANASSI ▐ TEAM: EARNHARDT GANASSI RACING ▐ CAR: TARGET CHEVROLET ▐ CREW CHIEF: JIM POHLMAN

juan pablo montoya EARNHARDT GANASSI RACING’S JUAN PABLO Montoya is the first Formula One driver to find a home in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. In 2002, Montoya got a glimpse of the future when he swapped his Formula One car for Jeff Gordon’s Chevrolet during a publicity event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. When he’s not racing, Montoya enjoys golf, wind-surfing and radiocontrolled airplanes. “NASCAR is a great place to be,” Montoya said. “This is where I want to stay.”

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

ryan newman RYAN NEWMAN, DRIVER OF THE NO. 39 STEWARTHaas Racing Chevrolet, graduated from Purdue University in 2001 with a degree in Vehicle Structural Engineering. He was the second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver to earn an engineering degree, following the late champion Alan Kulwicki. Newman enjoys collecting vintage cars and is an avid ﬁsherman. “I really enjoy ﬁshing and I love collecting cars. I buy them when my wife, Krissie, allows me to spend the money,” Newman said.

▐ OWNER: MICHAEL WALTRIP ▐ TEAM: MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING ▐ CAR: NAPA AUTO PARTS TOYOTA ▐ CREW CHIEF: CHAD JOHNSTON

martin truex jr. MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING’S MARTIN TRUEX JR. worked on his father’s clam boat before focusing on his short-track driving career at Wall Township Speedway in his home state of New Jersey. Capturing NASCAR Nationwide Series championships in 2004 and 2005 helped Truex Jr. land a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series ride in 2006. Truex Jr. follows all of Philadelphia’s pro sports franchises. “I’m a big sports fan,” he said. “It’s cool to see those teams win championships.”

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NASCAR WOMEN

KAREN PARKER

V.P. OF MARKETING AT MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY

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

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

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

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

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

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PHOTOHUNT

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

POLE POSITION // 2011

ANSWERS: PHOTOHUNT – (1) “M” on wall is missing. • (2) M&M’s character on wall is missing. • (3) “Ms” on three pit crew guys are missing. • (4) Eyes on M&M’s chracter are missing (on the car itself). • (5) Helmet is green on pit crew guy. • (6) NASCAR “official” word is missing from uniform. • (7) Sponsor stickers are missing on the car. • (8) The appersand in M&M’s is missing on the wall. • (9) Air hose line is partially removed from pit crew member’s hand. • (10) Inside of the No. 8 of the 18 on top of the roof is filled. PICTOGRAM – TONY STEWART

fun pages

PICTOGRAM

WORDSPELL

This hot-tempered NASCAR driver was the first to complete the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the same day. Who is he?

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

dale earnhardt jr.

T J X OV AN H L Q

ear, ale, hard...

WS AB E YMU G R

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?

ow is your chance to be featured in the pages of NASCAR Pole Position. Send us your NASCAR-themed 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

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

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

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

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

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

Jeffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

How many NASCAR Sprint Cup races did Jeff win during his 1998 championship season? A. 7 B. 13 C. 6 D. 10

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

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rosters & schedules 2011 NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES ROSTER No.

Driver

Team

Sponsor & Make

Crew Chief

Hometown

Birthdate

00 1 2 4 5 6 7 9 11 13 14 16 17 18 20 21 22 24 27 29 30

David Reutimann Jamie McMurray Brad Keselowski Kasey Kahne Mark Martin David Ragan Robby Gordon Marcos Ambrose Denny Hamlin Casey Mears Tony Stewart Greg Biffle Matt Kenseth Kyle Busch Joey Logano Trevor Bayne Kurt Busch Jeff Gordon Paul Menard Kevin Harvick David Stremme

Michael Waltrip Racing Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Penske Racing Red Bull Racing Hendrick Motorsports Roush Fenway Racing Robby Gordon Motorsports Richard Petty Motorsports Joe Gibbs Racing Germain Racing Stewart-Haas Racing Roush Fenway Racing Roush Fenway Racing Joe Gibbs Racing Joe Gibbs Racing Wood Brothers Racing Penske Racing Hendrick Motorsports Richard Childress Racing Richard Childress Racing Inception Motorsports

Aaron’s Toyota Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet Miller Lite Dodge Red Bull Toyota Go Daddy.com/CARQUEST Chevrolet UPS Ford SPEED Energy Dodge Stanley/DeWalt Ford FedEx Toyota GEICO Toyota Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet 3M Ford Crown Royal Ford M&M’s Toyota Home Depot Toyota Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Shell/Pennzoil Dodge Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet Menards Chevrolet Budweiser Chevrolet Chevrolet

Rodney Childers Kevin Manion Paul Wolfe Kenny Francis Lance McGrew Drew Blickensderfer Sam Stanley Todd Parrott Mike Ford “Bootie” Barker Darian Grubb Matt Puccia Jimmy Fennig Dave Rogers Greg Zipadelli Donnie Wingo Steve Addington Alan Gustafson “Slugger” Labbe Gil Martin Steve Lane

Zephyrhills, Fla. Joplin, Mo. Rochester Hills, Mich. Enumclaw, Wash. Batesville, Ark. Unadilla, Ga. Orange, Calif. Tasmania, Australia Chesterfield, Va. Bakersfield, Calif. Columbus, Ind. Vancouver, Wash. Cambridge, Wis. Las Vegas, Nev. Middletown, Conn. Knoxville, Tenn. Las Vegas, Nev. Vallejo, Calif. Eau Claire, Wis. Bakersfield, Calif. South Bend, Ind.

March 2, 1970 June 3, 1976 Feb. 12, 1984 April 10, 1980 Jan. 9, 1959 Dec. 24, 1985 Jan. 2, 1969 Sept. 1, 1976 Nov. 18, 1980 March 12, 1978 May 20, 1971 Dec. 23, 1969 March 10, 1972 May 2, 1985 May 24, 1990 Feb. 19, 1991 Aug. 4, 1978 Aug. 4, 1971 Aug. 21, 1980 Dec. 8, 1975 June 19, 1977

31 33 34 36 38 39 42 43 46 47 48 51 56 66 71 78 83 87 88 99

Jeff Burton Clint Bowyer David Gilliland Dave Blaney Travis Kvapil Ryan Newman Juan Pablo Montoya AJ Allmendinger J.J. Yeley Bobby Labonte Jimmie Johnson Landon Cassill Martin Truex Jr. Michael McDowell Andy Lally Regan Smith Brian Vickers Joe Nemechek Dale Earnhardt Jr. Carl Edwards

Richard Childress Racing Richard Childress Racing Front Row Motorsports Tommy Baldwin Racing Front Row Motorsports Stewart-Haas Racing Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Richard Petty Motorsports Whitney Motorsports JTG Daugherty Racing Hendrick Motorsports Phoenix Racing Michael Waltrip Racing HP Racing TRG Motorsports Furniture Row Racing Red Bull Racing NEMCO Motorsports Hendrick Motorsports Roush Fenway Racing

Caterpillar Chevrolet Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet Taco Bell Ford Golden Corral Chevrolet Long John Silver’s Ford United States Army Chevrolet Target Chevrolet Best Buy Ford Chevrolet Little Debbie/Clorox Toyota Lowe’s Chevrolet Security Benefits Chevrolet NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Toyota Ford Furniture Row Chevrolet Red Bull Toyota Toyota National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet Aflac Ford

Todd Barrier Shane Wilson Peter Sospenzo Kevin Buskirk Jay Guy Tony Gibson Jim Pohlman Mike Shiplett Tony Furr Frank Kerr Chad Knaus Nick Harrison Chad Johnston Gene Nead Doug Richert Pete Rondeau Ryan Pemberton Philippe Lopez Steve Letarte Bob Osborne

South Boston, Va. Emporia, Kan. Riverside, Calif. Hartford, Ohio Janesville, Wis. South Bend, Ind. Bogota, Colombia Los Gatos, Calif. Phoenix, Ariz. Corpus Christi, Texas El Cajon, Calif. Fairfax, Iowa Mayetta, N.J. Glendale, Ariz. Northport, N.Y. Cato, N.Y. Thomasville, N.C. Lakeland, Fla. Kannapolis, N.C. Columbia, Mo.

June 20, 1967 May 30, 1979 April 1, 1976 Oct. 24, 1962 March 1, 1976 Dec. 8, 1977 Sept. 20, 1975 Dec. 16, 1981 Oct. 5, 1976 May 8, 1964 Sept. 17, 1975 July 7, 1989 June 29, 1980 Dec. 21, 1984 Feb. 11, 1975 Sept. 23, 1983 Oct. 24, 1983 Sept. 26, 1963 Oct. 10, 1974 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

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

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 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 22 23 28 31 32 33 38 40 51 60 62 66 81 87 88 89 99

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

St. Louis, Mo. St. Louis, Mo. Emporia, Va. Olive Branch, Miss. Roscoe, Ill. Boise, Idaho Defiance, Ohio Kansas City, Kan. Chilhowie, Va. Port Tobacco, Md. Knoxville, Tenn. Las Vegas, Nev. Milwaukie, Ore. Middletown, Conn. Rochester Hills, Mich. McKinney, Texas Spanaway, Wash. Riverton, Ill. Peachtree City, Ga. Bakersfield, Calif. Long Beach, Calif. Wausau, Wis. Spartanburg, S.C. Columbia, Mo. Des Moines, Iowa Charlotte, N.C. West Palm Beach, Fla. Lakeland, Fla. Tampa, Fla. Conover, N.C. Annapolis, Md.

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

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

Brad Parrott Scott Zipadelli Ernie Cope Mike Kelley Tony Eury Jr. Kevin Kidd Charles Walter Steve Kuykendall Gary Cogswell Bobby Burrell Chris Andrews Jason Ratcliff Paul Clapprood Adam Stevens Todd Gordon Walter Giles Curtis Aldridge Jimmy Elledge Trent Owens David Hyder Eddie Pardue Gary Showalter Ricky Pearson Mike Beam Ricky Viers Doug Randolph George Ingram 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

No.

Driver

Hometown

Team

Make

Crew Chief

2 3 4 5 7 8 9 13 17 18 20 22 23 29 30 31 32 33 39 46 50 57 60 62 66 77 81 88 92 93 99

Kevin Harvick Austin Dillon Ricky Carmichael Travis Kvapil Miguel Paludo Nelson Piquet Jr. Max Papis Johnny Sauter Timothy Peters Kyle Busch Johanna Long Joey Coulter Jason White Parker Kligerman Todd Bodine James Buescher Steve Arpin Ron Hornaday Ryan Sieg Craig Goess T.J. Bell Norm Benning Cole Whitt Brendan Gaughan Justin Marks Justin Lofton David Starr Matt Crafton Clay Rogers Shane Sieg Chase Mattioli

Bakersfield, Calif. Lewisville, N.C. Clearwater, Fla. Janesville, Wis. Nova Prata, Brazil Brasilia, Brazil Como, Italy Necedah, Wis. Providence, N.C. Las Vegas, Nev. Pensacola, Fla. Miami Springs, Fla. Powhatan, Va. Westport, Conn. Chemung, N.Y. Plano, Texas Fort Frances, Ont. Palmdale, Calif. Tucker, Ga. Woodbury, N.J. Sparks, Nev. Level Green, Pa. Alpine, Calif. Las Vegas, Nev. St. Louis, Mo. Westmorland, Calif. Houston, Texas Tulare, Calif. Mooresville, N.C. Tucker, Ga. Long Pond, Pa.

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

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

Bruce Cook Danny Stockman Mike Rette Dan Stillman Rick Gay Jr. Chris Carrier Randy Goss Joe Shear Jr. Butch Hylton Eric Phillips Kevin Starland Harold Holly Chad Kendrick Jeff Stankiewicz Mike Hillman Jr. Michael Shelton Doug George Jeff Hensley Mike Garvey Tripp Bruce Thomas Buzze James Dugger Marcus Richmond Bryan Berry Doug Wolcott Ryan Fugle Jason Miller Bud Haefele Barry Elvis Tony Wilson Cal Boprey

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

ADVERTORIAL

A REAL KEEPER

WHAT MAKES A CAR… A COLLECTOR CAR?

n spite of our current economic dec line, or per haps bec ause of it, the Car Hobby has experienced extraordinary growth over the last three years on a global basis. Even in Third World Countries, we’re finding record numbers of people joining Car Clubs and attending Car Guy events. While Americans often feel like we have a corner on the market for cool cars, it’s not nec essar ily so. It really depends on how you def ine the word “cool” as it relates to a car. The old adage that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder ” plays an obvious role in this assessment. A 17-year-old teenager in Seoul, South Korea, holds a decidedly different opinion on this subject from a British Sports Car enthusiast or an American Hot Rodder. There’s even wider disagreement on how we categorize cars. Even the term “Classic Car,” the most used term of all in the Car Hobby, is wrongly being applied to everything from antique cars to cars of the ’50s and ’60s, right here in the U.S.

Internationally, the term is being applied to 4- and 5-year-old cars. Correctly speaking, Classic Cars are the large American and European cars with sweeping lines that represented the Golden Era of car making from the late ’20s to the late ’30s, prior to WWII. For obvious reasons, the misuse of the term Classic Car has greatly of fended the owners and possibly diminished the value of those cars that rightly deser ve the distinction of being called Classic Cars. Following WWII, the only cars deemed worthy of collecting and showing were those that were manufactured prior to the war. As silly as it seems today, there were no significant events where you could display a ’50’s vintage car as late as 1974. It was in that year that two great Car Guy friends, Bill Miller and Chip Miller, created Post War ’74 at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Carlisle, Pa., … and the term “Collector Car” was established. It was a new day for the Car Hobby. The door was thrown wide open with the ripple effect of cars of the ’50s and ’60s being honored and considered to be Collector Cars. Today, Collector Cars manufactured after 1954 represent more than t wo thirds of the entire Car Hobby globally. So what makes a car, a c ollector c ar ? Is it simply the era in which it was made or does it require exc eptional styling or performance or perhaps an impor tant role in a famous movie? All of these factors and more can greatly affect the value of collector cars. However, in the

truest sense, ever y car now holds the potential of being a collector car. After 40 years of supporting every type of car show imaginable in all parts of the world, I’ve come to appreciate this fact. Literally every make and model of car, no matter how ugly or badly engineered or dangerous to drive, is eventually sought after by a quantity of people. With great enthusiasm, they will pay substantially more than the car’s original selling price,

if the car is in “like new” condition. Here’s the bottom line: no matter what kind of car you drive, if you keep it long enough and keep it looking like new, even your car will become ... a collector car!

For more information or free advice on your speciﬁc car or condition, visit Meguiars.com or call 800-347-5700 to speak with one of our car care experts.

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2 THE WORKS®

The Works® is a full line of high-performance cleaning products for your home, including toilet bowl cleaners, tub and shower cleaners and drain openers. The Works® Disinfectant Toilet Bowl Cleaner is a heavy duty cleaner that wipes out rust, lime scale and hard water stains on contact all while disinfecting bowl surfaces, killing germs, bacteria and viruses. Visit theworksworks.com for more information.

4 5

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Chain and Cable Fluid – Penetrating Oil. A superior, cleansing, non-gumming penetrating oil for wire rope, chains, cables and general lubrication. Prevents rust and corrosion, protects brightwork and loosens rusty nuts and bolts. Excellent for drilling, tapping and sawing. Available in a 12-ounce spray can, Part No. L0135-063. Buy it today at lubriplate.com or CARQUEST Auto Parts stores.

4 SPRAYWAY

Automotive professionals and car enthusiasts alike trust Sprayway Glass Cleaner to cut through smoke, bugs, grit and grime, and deliver a streakfree shine to their windows, windshields and mirrors every single time. With no Ammonia and no-drip foam, no wonder it’s the “World’s Best Glass Cleaner.” spraywayretail.com

5 FOLEX®

FOLEX® is perfect for removing stains from upholstery, vinyl, clothing and practically any other material that is “colorfast” and “color-stable.” Even hard surfaces, painted surfaces, walls and woodwork that can be safely dampened with water will be quickly and easily cleaned with FOLEX®! Please visit folex.net for a list of retailers in your area and other useful information!

6 TIGER BALM

When you need industrial-strength pain relief, but don’t want to risk the side effects caused by pills, Tiger Balm is your best tool for the job. For more than 100 years, Tiger Balm’s proven blend of natural herbal ingredients has delivered safe, fast, and effective pain relief without the pills. It’s no wonder millions of users around the world reach for Tiger Balm to soothe their aches and pains. Available at Walgreens and CVS.

7 WHITE CLOUD

Premium quality at an affordable price – that’s why White Cloud® is The Smart Alternative for bath tissue. Some bath tissue brands believe that a high price proves they’re “premium.” Not us! White Cloud two-ply bath tissue has all the softness you want and now it’s even thicker so you get more comfort with more money left in your pocket. Why pay more? mywhitecloud.com

POLE POSITION // 2011

7 6

8 QUIK INTERIOR DETAILER™ SPRAY AND WIPES

You practically live in your car and with Meguiar’s Quik Interior Detailer you can quickly and easily keep it clean. The gentle formula is safe for use on all surfaces – even LCD and navigation screens. Available in spray and wipes for your convenience.

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Meguiar’s® Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner/ Conditioner not only cleans your leather seats, it also conditions them, leaving behind a soft and supple look and feel. This unique formula dries clear so there’s no white residue in stitching or perforations.

10 GOOF OFF

Everybody goofs up sometimes – which is why every home, garage and workshop needs Goof Off. It removes the tough messes that ordinary household cleaners can’t. You’ll be amazed at how fast, easy and powerfully it works to remove everything from dried paint to gummy, sticky messes, grease, tar, ink and tough stains. Goof Off is the solution to irritating, embarrassing and potentially costly cleaning problems. goof-off.com

11 DAMPRID

DampRid is the worldwide market leader for effective, safe and affordable non-electric dehumidifiers. DampRid® products remove moisture from the air to prevent mold and mildew from growing, creating fresher, healthier indoor air. Use DampRid in bathrooms, closets, laundry rooms, basements, cabins, boats and much more. Our products solve your mold, mildew and odor problems to make your home life easier and healthier. damprid.com.

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15 EMETROL® FOR NAUSEA

16 14

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18 COOL COOLERS

POLE POSITION // 2011

Cool Works Cup™ now offers the first generation of concept coolers! You can make a personal statement by just showing up for that barbeque or NASCAR race. The high quality structure and artistic beauty is sure to wow neighbors and fans alike. We believe this unique product will be sought after, not only as a practical ice chest, but as a collectible souvenir and keepsake. The loyal NASCAR fan will now have a bragging piece and another way to show their support for that special team and driver. Coolers are available for purchase at the NASCAR.com Superstore.

DID YOU KNOW? NOT JUST NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES RACING NASCAR SANCTIONS MORE THAN 1,200 EVENTS A YEAR

he National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing was born during a December 1947 meeting at the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach, Fla. The meeting was called by Bill France, a local gas station owner and racing promoter, to discuss the problems facing stock car racing. When the meeting adjourned, few knew if the organization would be successful. In fact, there were skeptics who believed it never would work. Not even France, who believed a sanctioning body was exactly what the sport of stock car racing needed, could have envisioned what NASCAR would become. The fledging organization sanctioned its first race – a modified stock car event won by Red Byron on Daytona’s Beach-Road Course – on Feb. 15, 1948, and the rest is history. Today, the racing organization is best known for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series but the sanctioning body has a far-reaching impact on the sport. From its headquarters in Daytona Beach, Fla., NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races each year at 100 tracks in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico. It oversees nine major racing series in addition to the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, which features stock car and modified racing at nearly 50 weekly short tracks across the country. This is an overview of NASCAR’s racing series, including the defending champions and car specifications:

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

■■ TYPE: National Touring Series ■■ CARS: Late model stock cars with a 110-inch wheelbase. Engines are 358-cubic-inch V-8s. ■■ DEFENDING CHAMPION: Jimmie Johnson

NASCAR Nationwide Series

■■ TYPE: National Touring Series ■■ CARS: Late model stock cars with a 110-inch wheelbase. Engines are 358-cubic-inch V-8s. ■■ DEFENDING CHAMPION: Brad Keselowski

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West

■■ TYPE: Regional Touring Series – races are primarily in the Western states, ranging from Arizona to Washington. ■■ CARS: Late model stock cars with either a 105- or 110inch wheelbase. Engines are 358-cubic-inch V-8s. ■■ DEFENDING CHAMPION: Eric Holmes

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour

■■ TYPE: National Tour Series ■■ TRUCKS: Late model pick-up trucks with a 112inch wheelbase. Engines are 358-cubic-inch V-8s. ■■ DEFENDING CHAMPION: Todd Bodine

■■ TYPE: Regional Touring Series – races are primarily in the Northeastern states. ■■ CARS: A modified open-wheel car with a 107-inch wheelbase that is 11 inches shorter in height and over 23 inches wider than a NASCAR Sprint Cup car. Engines are small-block V-8s, usually 355 to 368 cubic inches. ■■ DEFENDING CHAMPION: Bobby Santos

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East

NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

■■ TYPE: Regional Touring Series – races are primarily in the Eastern states, ranging from Georgia to New Hampshire. ■■ CARS: Late model stock cars with either a 105- or 110inch wheelbase. Engines are 358-cubic-inch V-8s. ■■ DEFENDING CHAMPION: Ryan Truex

■■ TYPE: Regional Touring Series – races are primarily in the Southeastern states. ■■ CARS: A modified open-wheel car with a 107-inch wheelbase that is 11 inches shorter in height and over 23 inches wider than a NASCAR Sprint Cup car. Engines are small-block V-8s, usually 355 to 368 cubic inches. ■■ DEFENDING CHAMPION: Burt Myers

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series

■■ TYPE: International Touring Series – Canada ■■ CARS: Late model stock cars with a 105-inch wheelbase. Engines are small-block V-8s. ■■ DEFENDING CHAMPION: D.J. Kennington

NASCAR Mexico Series

■■ TYPE: International Touring Series – Mexico ■■ CARS: Late model stock cars with a 105-inch wheelbase. Engines are small-block V-8s. ■■ DEFENDING CHAMPION: German Quiroga

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series ■■ TYPE: NASCAR member drivers earn points at participating weekly short tracks toward a regional championship. A national champion is then crowned from among the regional titlists. ■■ CARS: Late model and modified stock cars. Specifications vary by track. ■■ DEFENDING CHAMPION: Keith Rocco

BY KEITH WALTZ

FREERACEMAG.COM

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

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 handing him a new rightside Goodyear tire he has carried from behind the pit wall. 58

POLE POSITION // 2011

COURTESY OF NASCAR

[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

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? DAVID HOOTS DIRECTOR OF EVERY NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES RACE SINCE OCT. 23, 1988

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POLE POSITION // 2011

mong David Hoots’ duties as NASCAR’s managing event director is the role of race director for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and earlier this year Hoots directed his 750th consecutive points race from the control tower at Michigan International Speedway. Working with a team of officials, Hoots is in charge of orchestrating each NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and his is the strong, but calm, Southern voice fans hear giving instructions and commands over the NASCAR radios. “I’ve got one of the greatest jobs in the world because I get paid to do what I enjoy doing, and that’s going to races,” said Hoots, who grew up watching races at legendary Bowman-Gray Stadium in his hometown of Winston-Salem, N.C. His career as a racing official actually started while still in high school when he figured out how to attend races at Bowman-Gray without actually buying a ticket. “A couple of times a year they would have extra-distance races and they would refund the ticket money for those who would score,” Hoots said. “I did that a couple of times and then a good friend of mine had an uncle who knew a guy, who knew a guy – long story short – this guy was a NASCAR official. We got hooked up and I started going over and helping him score the races at Bowman-Gray. “I did that for a couple years and then, about the time I graduated from school, there came an opportunity to do it and actually make a few dollars on the weekends.”

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Hoots tried college, but quickly learned he enjoyed working more than studying. He landed a job at UPS while continuing to serve as a racing official. “As I worked my way up through the weekly endeavors at Bowman-Gray, I had the opportunity to meet several NASCAR officials and I started going to some regional races,” Hoots explained. “I got to work some modified shows and some late model shows.” By the mid-1980s, Hoots had become the chief steward at Bowman-Gray and also served in that same capacity at Caraway Speedway and Hickory Motor Speedway in addition to working numerous regional NASCAR races. It was while working one of those regional races, a modified event at North Wilkesboro Speedway, that Hoots’ skill in the control tower caught the eye of Les Richter, who at the time was NASCAR’s vice president of competition. “He called one day and asked if I wanted to try the [NASCAR Sprint] Cup Series,” Hoots said. “I did Rockingham in the fall of 1988 and then went to Phoenix and I finished up the year in Atlanta. We had some meetings over the winter and I started calling the [NASCAR Sprint] Cup races in a part-time role along with my parallel career of driving a UPS truck.” Hoots continued his dual occupations until 1999 when he retired from UPS and joined NASCAR on a full-time basis. Today, his role encompasses far more than just directing the NASCAR Sprint Cup races. “I wear a bunch of different hats,” Hoots said. “I have several people who report directly to me in the track services arena. I also have a couple of race directors under me and the folks who train and dispatch the fire and safety teams are also under my direction. Members of our team go to each race track prior to the event and make sure everything is in place for us to conduct the event when we show up. “I also take the master event schedules and put together the daily event schedules, working closely with all the series directors, the race tracks and our broadcast partners.”

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

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 thirdplace 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.

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” posi-

fans tell us that winning matters the most.

POLE POSITION // 2011

“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

tions 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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