NASCAR Pole Position 2012 Oct/Nov

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CHARGING AHEAD

DALE EARNHARDT JR. N A S C A R NE W S & N O TE S | TA I L G AT I N G T I P S | G E A R | N A S C A R F UE L | H O L I D AY G I F T G U I DE O N T HE R O A D W I T H H A U LE R D R I VE R S | T HE L A S T E I G H T C H A S E R A CE S | d i d yo u k n o w ? | I N S I DE R ’ S V IE W

The Last Eight Chase Races AND THE DRIVERS WHO EXCEL AT EACH TRACK

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he facilities that make up the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup can be broken down as follows: five intermediate tracks, three one-mile tracks, a short track and a restrictor-plate track. While this mix inevitably plays to the strengths of some drivers more than others, the bottom line is that winning a championship in NASCAR’s top series requires near perfection over the decisive run. Following are the final eight Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup tracks, and the drivers who typically excel at each.

DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY ■■ GOOD TRACK FOR: JIMMIE JOHNSON, MATT KENSETH AND GREG BIFFLE In claiming his seventh Dover victory earlier this year, Jimmie Johnson joined NASCAR Hall of Fame drivers Richard Petty and Bobby Allison as all-time win leaders at The Monster Mile. Expect Johnson to be no less stout when Round 3 of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup returns.

If anyone is to dethrone the reigning king of the high-banked concrete oval, it might be Greg Biffle or Matt Kenseth. The Roush Fenway Racing teammates have two Dover wins apiece, and both have enjoyed a stellar 2012. Kenseth finished third behind Johnson and Kevin Harvick in the spring.

TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY ■■ GOOD TRACK FOR: DALE EARNHARDT JR., BRAD KESELOWSKI AND CLINT BOWYER Despite not winning at Talladega since 2004, Dale Earnhardt Jr. remains a favorite at the 2.66-mile track. And, given the renaissance he’s enjoyed this season, it would surprise no one to see Earnhardt return to Victory Lane. The same can be said for spring Talladega winner Brad Keselowski and fall 2011 winner Clint Bowyer. Both men have a pair of Talladega triumphs to their credit and both always seem to be around at the finish. But Talladega – with its familiar three- and four-wide racing in tight packs – is the “wild card” in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, and a place to expect the unexpected.

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CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY ■■ GOOD TRACK FOR: KASEY KAHNE, JIMMIE JOHNSON AND MATT KENSETH Kasey Kahne won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, and teammate Jimmie Johnson took the victory in the 1.5-mile track’s annual NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. When it comes to racing at CMS, no one is better than the two Hendrick Motorsports drivers, who have seemingly taken turns dominating here on and off for the better part of the last decade. Matt Kenseth, who earned his first career victory here in 2000, is also generally a factor at CMS. The Roush Fenway Racing driver earned a second victory at CMS last fall and figures to be a threat once again.

KANSAS SPEEDWAY ■■ GOOD TRACK FOR: TONY STEWART, GREG BIFFLE AND JIMMIE JOHNSON When it comes to racing and winning at Kansas Speedway, the names Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle and Jimmie Johnson stand out above the rest. The trio has accounted for six of the last eight wins at the 1.5-mile venue, with each going to Victory Lane twice. If one member of the dynamic threesome has the edge, it might be Biffle, only because of the consistency that Roush Fenway Racing as an organization has shown at the intermediate tracks over the last several years. Another driver to watch is Denny Hamlin, who won here in April.

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MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY ■■ GOOD TRACK FOR: DENNY HAMLIN, JIMMIE JOHNSON AND TONY STEWART Before Ryan Newman claimed the victory at Martinsville in April, only one driver – Kevin Harvick – not named Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson or Tony Stewart had conquered the tiny paperclip-shaped oval since 2006. From 2006 through 2011, Johnson captured five Martinsville wins, with Hamlin claiming four and Stewart taking two. The odds strongly favor one of these three drivers leaving town with one of Martinsville’s famous grandfather clocks again in October. Stewart is the defending race winner, having captured the third of his five Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup victories here on the way to the 2011 title.

TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY ■■ GOOD TRACK FOR: MATT KENSETH, GREG BIFFLE AND DENNY HAMLIN Texas has been consistently kind to the Roush Fenway drivers, and this year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the fast, 1.5-mile track should be no different.

Roush teammates Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth have won two of the last three races here, with Biffle and his No. 16 team taking the victory this spring. Biffle and Kenseth have a combined four wins at TMS, but Roush Fenway has collectively captured nine wins here since the track opened in 1997. If anyone is to rain on the Roush drivers’ parade, it might be Denny Hamlin, who swept the two races at TMS in 2010.

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PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY ■■ GOOD TRACK FOR: JIMMIE JOHNSON, KEVIN HARVICK AND DALE EARNHARDT JR. Jimmie Johnson has been virtually unstoppable at Phoenix at times, winning four out of five races at PIR from fall 2007 through fall 2009. Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Dale Earnhardt Jr., won back-to-back races at PIR in 2003 and 2004 while driving for Dale Earnhardt Inc., but hasn’t fared as well here in recent years. Another winner of multiple races here is Kevin Harvick, who swept the 2006 events at the flat one-mile circuit in his Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin won at Phoenix this spring for the first time.

HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY ■■ GOOD TRACK FOR: GREG BIFFLE, TONY STEWART AND MATT KENSETH Greg Biffle won three consecutive races at Homestead-Miami Speedway from 2004-2006, and remains a threat every time the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series visits the South Florida facility. Tony Stewart is also a three-time winner here, having triumphed twice on the track’s former layout (in 1999 and 2000) and once on the current one. That win on the current layout came in memorable fashion last November when Stewart out-dueled Carl Edwards to take the race victory and the series title. Edwards finished second in the race, losing the championship on a tiebreaker.

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Past Champions Four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champions

DALE EARNHARDT SEVEN-TIME NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES CHAMPION

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n 1979, second-generation race car driver Dale Earnhardt embarked on his first full season of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing after several years of driving selected races in part-time rides.

Earnhardt’s career break came when team owner and business magnate Rod Osterlund selected him to drive the No. 2 Chevrolet fielded by Rod Osterlund Racing. That season, Earnhardt won his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on April 1, 1979, and earned the rookie-of-the-year title, putting his career on the fast track.

Earnhardt shocked the racing world the following year by winning five races and claiming the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. At just 29 years of age, the Kannapolis N.C., resident accomplished something countless other drivers had been unable to achieve despite years of trying.

Osterlund sold his team to J.D. Stacy in

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1981, causing Earnhardt to look for another ride. With 11 races remaining, he joined Richard Childress Racing when Childress relinquished his seat to give Earnhardt the opportunity to finish the season.

Earnhardt then moved to Bud Moore’s operation in 1982, but won only three races during the next two seasons. Earnhardt returned to Childress’ team in 1984 and one of NASCAR’s greatest dynasties was born.

During the remainder of the 1980s, Earnhardt won two more championships as the No. 3 Chevrolet became a threat to win every race. In addition, the blue-collar race car driver built a tremendous following of fans that enjoyed seeing Earnhardt perform his magic behind the steering wheel.

But there were nearly as many fans that didn’t care for his often rough driving style.

Earnhardt’s aggressive actions on the track made fellow drivers furious and made his fans stand their ground as they justified his rough-and-tumble style of racing.

Earnhardt added NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships in 1990 and 1991

and again in 1993 and 1994, wheeling the legendary black-and-silver No. 3 Chevrolet that helped develop the “Man in Black” persona he carried throughout the remainder of his career.

Earnhardt finished a close second to Bobby Labonte in the 2000 title fight and started the season-opening Daytona 500 in 2001 feeling as if an eighth championship was on the horizon. Sadly, Earnhardt died as a result of a crash on the final lap of that race.

FAST FACTS DALE EARNHARDT STARTED 676 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races from 1975 through the first race of the 2001 season. During that 27year period, he won 76 races and started from the pole 22 times. He had 281 top-five finishes and finished among the top 10 in 428 starts.

Earnhardt was the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rookie of the year in 1979 and his championships came in 1980, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1994. He and fellow seven-time champion Richard Petty were among the inaugural inductees into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

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rowing up in Columbus, Ind., Tony Stewart dreamed of one day competing in the Indianapolis 500. Stewart started racing in go-karts, where he won two national championships, and then advanced to the nomadic threequarter midget organization that competes throughout central and southern Indiana.

As he enjoyed more and more success, Stewart’s drive to make it to Indianapolis grew stronger and stronger, and he worked hard in the USAC sprint car, midget and Silver Crown ranks in an effort to catch the eye of an Indy car owner who would give him an opportunity.

Stewart eventually realized his dream and although he did not win the Indy 500, he claimed the 1997 IZOD IndyCar Series championship. But there was another venture on the horizon that offered a much more rewarding outcome, one that was suggested by Stewart’s hero and Indianapolis 500 legend A.J. Foyt.

In 1996 and ’97, Stewart entered select NASCAR Nationwide Series races for team owners Harry Ranier and Bobby Labonte before joining Joe Gibbs Racing in 1998.

Stewart drove for Joe Gibbs in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 1999 where he collected three wins and finished fourth in the points. It was the beginning of an incredible NASCAR career.

Stewart drove for Gibbs until 2008, collecting NASCAR Sprint Cup Series titles in 2002 and 2005, as well as 33 victories. But starting in 2009, Stewart elected to field his own team, StewartHaas Racing, with co-owner Gene Haas as the other principal.

While with Gibbs, Stewart was able to realize his dream of winning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but it came in a stock car as he won the Brickyard 400 in 2005 and again in 2007.

Stewart and crew chief Darian Grubb were the surprise of the 2011 season as Stewart won his third NASCAR Sprint Cup championship, stopping Jimmie Johnson’s streak of five in a row.

Ironically, Stewart and Carl Edwards ended the season tied in points. The title went to Stewart by virtue of his five victories to only one win for Edwards. Stewart became the first owner/driver to win the title since the late Alan Kulwicki in 1992.

“This was one of the great championship battles,” Stewart said after securing last year’s title. “We all dug deep and nobody gave up. It was just an awesome night for all of us. If this doesn’t go down as one of the greatest championship battles in history, I don’t know what will.”

FAST FACTS SINCE JOINING THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP Series in 1999, Stewart has three championships, 47 victories, 170 top-five finishes, 275 top-10 finishes and 13 poles. His championships came in 2003, 2005 and 2011 and Stewart has finished among the top 10 in the final standings in 12 of his 13 seasons. Stewart campaigns the No. 14 on his Chevrolet in honor of his racing hero, A.J. Foyt.

TONY STEWART THREE-TIME NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES CHAMPION

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nder the guidance of his stepfather, John Bickford, Jeff Gordon set out to build a motorsports career that was aimed toward winning the Indianapolis 500. As a teenager, Gordon and his family moved from Vallejo, Calif., to Pittsboro, Ind., so he could race sprint cars and be closer to the open-wheel racing community.

Gordon’s success in USAC’s three openwheel divisions attracted the attention of television broadcaster Larry Nuber, an analyst for ESPN who worked a select number of NASCAR races for the cable channel.

Nuber mentioned Gordon’s phenomenal ability to those in the stock car world and the youngster soon earned an audition in the full-bodied machines.

In 1990, Gordon attended the Buck Baker Driving School and took a special test at North Carolina Motor Speedway to see just how good he was – and Gordon didn’t disappoint. As expected, he quickly adapted to stock cars and began thinking of a major career change.

In 1991, Gordon drove Fords in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for team owner Bill Davis. That’s where he caught the eye of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owner Rick Hendrick, who was looking to expand his operation. By the end of the following season, Gordon had a top-flight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series ride. With crew chief Ray Evernham at his side, Gordon generated plenty of buzz in the garage area.

During his first full NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season in 1993, Gordon won the rookie-of-the-year title and finished 14th in points. He won his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in May of 1994 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and followed it with a victory in the inaugural Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway a few months later.

Gordon put his career in high gear in 1995, winning seven races and his first series championship. Over the next three seasons, Gordon won 33 races and two more titles (1997 and ’98) for Hendrick Motorsports.

After finishing sixth in points in 1999 and ninth in 2000, Gordon returned to championship form in 2001 with crew chief Robbie Loomis orchestrating the No.

24 team’s efforts. Since Gordon’s last title run, he has only finished outside the top 10 in points when he was 11th in 2005.

Gordon feels his maturity will help him secure a fifth title before he decides to retire.

“I think back to what kind of driver I was back then versus what I am today,” Gordon said. “I think anyone in any industry, especially for race car drivers, that experience and knowledge and patience and all of the things that you gain from experience is a benefit. There’s no doubt that today, I’m a more patient driver and a smarter driver.”

FAST FACTS IN HIS 20TH SEASON OF NASCAR SPRINT CUP Series racing, Jeff Gordon has built a career that will eventually earn him a spot in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He has four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships and is tied for third on the all-time win list with 86. Through most of July, Gordon had 289 top-five finishes, 403 top 10s and 71 poles in NASCAR’s premier series.

JEFF GORDON FOUR-TIME NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES CHAMPION 54

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JIMMIE JOHNSON FIVE-TIME NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES CHAMPION

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oming from a background of motorcycle and off-road racing in Southern California, Jimmie Johnson spent the formative years of his racing career far removed from the NASCAR spotlight.

But his championships in various types of off-road competition were noted by Chevrolet executives who were searching for the next rising star to wheel their stock car entries. Under the stewardship of the folks at GM, Johnson switched to pavement stock car racing. He initially honed his skills in the late models of the American Speed Association and then graduated to the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

During the 2001 NASCAR Nationwide Series season, Johnson caught the eye of Jeff Gordon, who recommended the young race car driver to his boss, Rick Hendrick, as a possible driver for a new team being assembled by Hendrick Motorsports.

Johnson had incredible charisma, was

easily a fan favorite and was an incredible find for corporations who wanted to sponsor his racing efforts. His clean-cut nature and ease with the media made him an even more viable prospect as a future race winner and champion.

Hendrick eventually signed Johnson and he entered three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in 2001 as a test for the new team, which was led by crew chief Chad Knaus. Johnson’s best finish was 25th in the penultimate event of the year at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The following year, Johnson was behind the wheel of the No. 48 Chevrolet for the full season. He won the pole for the season-opening Daytona 500 and went to Victory Lane three times – once at Auto Club Speedway and twice at Dover International Speedway.

Johnson finished second in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points standings in 2003 and 2004 and ended up fifth in 2005. As the 2006 season dawned, no one could have imagined what Johnson, Knaus and their Hendrick Motorsports team were capable of accomplishing in seasons to come.

Amazingly, Johnson put together an

incredible string of five consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships from 2006 through 2010. He recorded 35 of his 57 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories during those championship seasons.

“Driving Chevrolets for Hendrick Motorsports has been the greatest blessing that has ever happened to me,” Johnson said.

“It’s so hard to believe what we have accomplished in our championship seasons as well as everything we’ve accomplished since forming this race team. I am truly honored and humbled to be a [NASCAR] Sprint Cup champion. The success we’ve enjoyed has just been unbelievable.”

FAST FACTS THROUGH THE FIRST 19 RACES THIS SEASON, Johnson had 57 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories, 26 poles and 157 top-five finishes in 382 starts. The native of El Cajon, Calif., claimed five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships consecutively from 2006 through 2010. Now in his 12th season, Johnson’s entire NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career has been behind the wheel of No. 48 Chevrolet fielded by Hendrick Motorsports.

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insider’s view FRESH FACES

Joey Coulter

NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES DRIVER

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THINGS YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT JOEY COULTER

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s self-descriptions go, Joey Coulter offers the following candid insight into his personality: “I’m kind of a boring person.”

While Coulter might not exactly consider himself “Mr. Personality,” the 22-year-old is undoubtedly well-equipped in another department: speed. Coulter has possessed plenty of it the last two seasons as driver of the No. 22 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Silverado in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

After earning rookie-of-the-year honors over stiff competition in 2011, Coulter reached another milestone in August when the young Florida native claimed his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory in only his 36th career series start.

And – it should be noted – Coulter didn’t just win. He won in dramatic fashion, snatching the lead at Pocono Raceway with a bold three-wide move to the inside of the two frontrunners on a restart with seven laps remaining.

From there, Coulter cruised to victory – and further cemented his budding reputation as one of NASCAR’s promising young talents.

“They say once you win one, the others are easier,” Coulter said. “I hope they’re right.”

One particularly valuable asset that Coulter possesses is a strong dose of mental fortitude to complement his driving talent. A junior mechanical engineering major at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Coulter has proven to be extremely bright in the classroom.

But he can get up on the wheel of his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series vehicle, too, as evidenced by his accomplishments in a relatively short time.

“When I was 8 years old I had pretty much decided I wanted to be a race car driver, and really put a lot of time and a lot of effort into becoming a professional race car driver,” Coulter said. “I guess that’s why I’m so boring because that’s really like all I’ve done my whole life, and it’s really rewarding, and at the same time I’m extremely thankful to be in the position I’m in because I know a lot of people my age that are probably just as good of a driver if not better than me who didn’t get this opportunity.”

Team owner Richard Childress has expressed an interest in moving Coulter up to a full-time NASCAR Nationwide Series ride next season. But Coulter, true to his tempered personality, isn’t one to get too caught up on the future.

“My whole goal is just to race,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what. I mean, obviously, the [NASCAR] Sprint Cup Series is the goal. Any of the top three series is a goal. I would not complain one bit if I never went farther than the [NASCAR Camping World] Truck Series. It’s a great series, racing’s an awesome sport to be in, and I know a lot of people that don’t have this opportunity and just aren’t even racing anymore. I have a hard time going through the offseason without driving something, so I want to be in something from now until it’s over with.”

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“I stay pretty calm almost all the time.

There’s a lot of things in racing that can really get you fired up, and I see it in some other teams – they just get too frustrated too quick – and, to me, you can’t be productive like that. So I’ve tried, and I guess do a pretty good job, at just staying as calm as possible and really talking through problems and situations we get into, whether it’s me or the truck or just something that happened.”

“I’m pretty big into those nitro-powered remote-controlled cars. I’ve got about six of them, and I spend a lot of time working on them. It’s kind of like having your own little race team. They require pretty constant attention.”

“I’m a big dog lover but I just now got my first dog back around the beginning of the year.

He’s a tan, brown-colored Cocker Spaniel. He’s unbelievably hyper, but a lot of fun.”

“I love being down on the water, like in the Florida Keys.

I grew up basically down in Islamorada. Before I started racing, basically all I did was go down to the Keys and fish, scuba dive, all kinds of stuff like that.”

“I recently bought a dirt super late model. I’m really excited for that. I’ve never done any kind of dirt racing before, so that will be a lot of fun.”

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careers Chris Lambert

SCOTT MILLER

SPOTTER, JOE GIBBS RACING

EXECUTIVE V.P. OF COMPETITION FOR MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING

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here are undoubtedly few occupations that require more attention to detail than that of a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team spotter.

Faced with the task of telling a driver where to position his car on the race track in order to avoid wrecks and various other forms of trouble, it’s the spotter – not the driver or the crew chief – who has the most complete view of the racing action at all times.

Perched high atop a stand that overlooks the entire track, the job of all spotters is to relay the most accurate information possible to the driver and crew chief over the in-car radio. The crew chief, meanwhile, is stationed on pit road, and must rely on television feeds to monitor his driver’s whereabouts.

Unlike the crew chief, whose communication with the driver is two-way, the spotter’s communication with the driver is one-way.

The spotter talks, the driver listens and everyone on the team hopes the right information is being parlayed. In a sport where split-second decisions on the track can be the difference between winning and leaving with a torn-up car, the role of the spotter has become one of NASCAR’s most important – and sometimes one of the most forgotten.

“The crew chief really can’t see the whole picture and understand everything that is going on,” said Chris Lambert, spotter for Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin. “So it’s just figuring out what the driver wants as far as talking, not a lot of talking and stuff like that, and then just helping the crew chief pretty much call the race and helping him understand how the whole race is playing out.”

But spotters are human, of course, and mistakes are occasionally made. Such instances occur, for example, when a spotter tells a driver to “go high” or “go low” on the track, only for the driver to obey orders and end up on a collision-course with another car.

The most common mistake spotters make is telling a driver that he is “clear,” of another car, when he has yet to complete a pass or be completely passed by a competitor. These errors typically result in contact – and wrecks.

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The bottom line: The driver expects the spotter to be his second set of eyes on the race track. And when a driver is given wrong information about where to go, the spotter is to blame.

Understandably, the job of a spotter can be extremely stressful.

“It’s definitely pressure-packed,” said Lambert, who is in his first season spotting for Hamlin after spending the last four-anda-half years as a spotter at Red Bull Racing.

“As long as we do our job and have no issues, you very rarely hear anything about us. It’s sort of like a field goal kicker on a football team. As long as we do our job, everything’s fine, but as soon as one of us messes up, everybody knows about it and everybody understands that it was the spotter’s fault for whatever reason.”

Getting hired as a spotter for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team can be as tough as the job itself. Lambert reached the sport’s top level only after spending several years spotting for local drivers on Saturday nights at North Carolina short tracks.

Lambert recommends that others aspiring to become a spotter in one of NASCAR’s national series follow a similar course.

“There is no direct path to it,” Lambert said. “It’s just right place, right time and getting your name out there.”

cott Miller, like most folks in managerial roles with NASCAR teams, didn’t get to where he is overnight.

The executive vice president of competition for Michael Waltrip Racing, Miller is a 17-year veteran of NASCAR garages where he has worked as a crew chief for several drivers, the most recent being Jeff Burton at Richard Childress Racing.

After guiding Burton to two victories and a Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup appearance in 2008, Miller was promoted to director of competition at RCR – a position he held before joining MWR after the 2011 season.

These days, Miller is responsible for managing all aspects of MWR’s competition department — including design, manufacturing and engineering — as well as the technical relationship between Toyota Racing Development’s resource facilities in Salisbury, N.C., and Costa Mesa, Calif.

In short: Miller is a very busy man with a bucket-load of experience in making race cars go faster.

He’s also a terrific source of wisdom on the type of people that top-level NASCAR teams are looking to hire as mechanics, crew members and engineers.

“If we were going to look for an entry-level guy who just wanted to try to get into the sport, the first thing is the desire to do it,” said Miller, 55, who moved from Indianapolis to North Carolina in 1994 to chase a career in NASCAR. “You can tell the ones who might want to do it from the ones who are somehow or another going to manage to do it, because of their attitude. The second thing is actual experience. I’ve found that can come in many, many forms but two of the best ones are engineering kids that have participated in the Formula SAE thing [a student design competition organized by the Society of Automotive Engineers], and the other way is just volunteering at the Saturday night short track, honestly, because that’s hard work.

“If someone says, ‘I volunteered for two seasons and went to every race at Bowman Gray Stadium or Hickory Motor Speedway or Caraway’ [all North Carolina short tracks] or wherever, then that provides the practical experience and shows that the young man has a work ethic and really, really wants to do it.

It’s easy to say you want to do this, but that guy who has done two seasons at Caraway and frozen his butt off and all that stuff, he’s proven that he really does want to do it because it’s not easy.”

lifestyle DOWNTIME WITH TIMOTHY PETERS

A

s a guy who makes a living going fast, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Timothy Peters has come to appreciate taking life away from the track at a slower pace.

“To be honest with you, I’m pretty boring,” said the 32-year-old resident of Danville, Va. “I don’t really play golf or anything. I’ll go play but I’m horrible at it and sometimes it’s hard to enjoy it because I’m so bad. I do like going and hanging out at local Saturday night race tracks.”

When Peters isn’t at a local short track or spending time at his Red Horse Racing team’s shop in Mooresville, N.C., the soft-spoken Virginian is usually at home taking it easy.

That’s especially been true since Peters learned that his wife, Sara, is expecting the couple’s first child in December.

“We stay on the road, so when we have a weekend off, we usually stay around the house,” he said. “It’s just kicking back at the house, staying around family and friends.

And especially with her being pregnant now, priorities kind of change a little bit.”

TRAINING WITH DAVID RAGAN

A

sserting that “to be a race car driver, you don’t have to be an Incredible Hulk,” David Ragan still recognizes the value of physical fitness for manhandling a race car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

That’s why Ragan typically works out four days a week, with two days dedicated to cardiovascular routines and the other two focused on strength training.

“You don’t have to be able to bench press two times your body weight, but you do need to be physically fit, you need to have a high endurance, and be able to really withstand heat and grueling conditions for an extended period of time,” said the 26-year-old Georgia native.

“Whether it is riding a bike or playing tennis or something where I can get my heart rate up for several hours, I think doing activities that are outside really helps you get used to the heat during the summer months.”

Ragan lifts for 45 minutes on his strength-training days and often rides a road bike 20 to 30 miles on his cardiovascular-intensive days.

“It’s nothing where I’ve got to see muscles bulging out of my shirt, but I’d like to say that I’m very fit,” he said.

MENTAL PREP WITH RON FELLOWS How do you mentally prepare to race? Is there anything special you do to get your mind ready?

I’ll review tapes of previous races to get that mindset of the stock car and also the nuances of the various race tracks.

There’s a certain amount of muscle memory. Where I feel like it takes a little bit longer is in terms of the really precise feedback when you’re getting down to fine tuning.

FUELING UP WITH ARIC ALMIROLA

Breakfast: Lunch: “USUALLY, I’LL SCRAMble up some eggs and eat some bacon with that, or I’ll grill up some ham and eat some ham and some eggs, and probably toast a couple pieces of wheat bread. I’ll either make a sandwich or eat it all separate.”

“I’LL EAT A HAM SANDwich or a turkey sandwich just about every day. I bet I eat a sandwich for lunch six days a week. It’s just easiest for me and it’s convenient, and I prefer it. I’ll eat that with an apple or a banana or something like that.”

Dinner:

VEGETABLES SUCH AS squash, asparagus and sweet potatoes are among Almirola’s dinner favorites. “My rule of thumb has always been to try and make my plate colorful,” said the Florida native, adding that his dinner beverage of choice is milk.

Snack:

ALMIROLA ENJOYS PROtein bars between lunch and dinner, while generally – but not always – avoiding candy snack foods. “For me, sweets would be dark chocolate covered almonds, and it’s hard to pass up a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream.”

FREERACEMAG.COM

61

trivia CHAMPIONSHIP TRIVIA Test Your Knowledge of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup 0-20 30-40 50-60 70-80 90-100

2

Which track hosted the opening race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup from 2004 to 2010?

A. Chicagoland Speedway B. Darlington Raceway C. Dover International Speedway D. New Hampshire Motor Speedway

62

POLE POSITION // 2012

3

Who is the only driver to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship under both the traditional format and the Chase format?

A. Tony Stewart B. Jimmie Johnson C. Kurt Busch D. Dale Earnhardt

1

4

5

Pace Car Rookie Veteran Intimidator Trivia King

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

Add up your points and see how you rank!

Who was the first driver to win three consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships?

A. Richard Petty B. Cale Yarborough C. Jimmie Johnson D. Dale Earnhardt

When Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards tied in points, what tiebreaker was used to determine the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion?

A. Total prize money won B. Average finishing position C. Number of race wins D. The flip of a coin

Who are the only brothers to win NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships?

A. Junior and Jimmie Johnson B. Terry and Bobby Labonte C. Darrell and Michael Waltrip D. Tim and Fonty Flock

6

Homestead-Miami Speedway has hosted the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season finale each year since when?

A. 2002 B. 1999 C. 1995 D. 2004

78

Who is the only driver to qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in each of the format’s nine seasons?

A. Jeff Gordon B. Tony Stewart C. Matt Kenseth D. Jimmie Johnson

Prior to Tony Stewart in 2011, who was the most recent owner/driver to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship?

A. Dale Earnhardt B. Alan Kulwicki C. Jeff Gordon D. Darrell Waltrip

Who was the first driver to win consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships?

A. Joe Weatherly B. Lee Petty C. Buck Baker D. David Pearson

10

The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is comprised of how many races?

A. 12 B. 10 C. 36 D. 18

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

FREERACEMAG.COM

63

VICTORY AT WATKINS GLEN

Marcos Ambrose

FREERACEMAG.COM

©2012 NASCAR

EVERY DRIVER

H A S A S T O R Y.

B U T O N LY

ONE WILL

H AV E A

PERFECT

E N D I N G.

The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Where heroes are made, fates are determined, and endings are written.

WHOTOWATCH contenders for the

Championship

BY JARED TURNER FREERACEMAG.COM

31

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

88

No. TEAM

DIET MOUNTAIN DEW/ NATIONAL GUARD CHEVROLET

Hendrick Motorsports

PREVIOUS APPEARANCES IN THE CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP

FOUR

BEST CHASE FINISH BEST POINTS FINISH IN THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

FIFTH in 2004 & 2006 THIRD IN 2003

C H A M P I O N S H I P C H A T T E R : Following a 2011 season that was much improved over his previous two campaigns, Earnhardt and his legions of supporters had reason for optimism entering 2012.

But no one – perhaps not even Earnhardt himself – was banking on the No. 88 being this strong. Much to the delight of Junior Nation and virtually the entire NASCAR universe, Earnhardt has risen to the occasion like at no time in recent years. In his second season with crew chief Steve Letarte, Earnhardt collected an impressive 15 top-10 finishes over the first 20 races.

32

POLE POSITION // 2012

Matt Kenseth

17

No. TEAM

BEST BUY FORD

Roush Fenway Racing

PREVIOUS APPEARANCES IN THE CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP

SEVEN BEST CHASE FINISH

BEST POINTS FINISH IN THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

SECOND IN 2006

CHAMPION IN 2003

CHAMPIONSHIP CHAT TER:

Kenseth was enjoying one of the best seasons of his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career and sailing toward an easy Chase berth when June 26 rolled around and a bombshell dropped. Roush Fenway Racing, which has fielded cars for Kenseth since the Wisconsin native’s entry into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2000, announced Kenseth would be leaving the company at season’s end. The news immediately fueled speculation of where the 2003 series champion would land. But Kenseth, who claims no ill-will toward his longtime team, has some unfinished business before moving on.

34

POLE POSITION // 2012

Greg Biffle

16

No. TEAM

3m ford

Roush Fenway Racing

PREVIOUS APPEARANCES IN THE CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP

four

BEST CHASE FINISH BEST POINTS FINISH IN THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

SECOND IN 2005

SECOND IN 2005

CHAMPIONSHIP CHAT TER:

Biffle’s biggest advantage in the Chase lies in the fact that most of the 10 tracks play perfectly to his strengths. Of the five 1.5-mile venues, Biffle has won at three of them (Kansas, Texas and Homestead) and done so multiple times in each case.

The Roush Fenway Racing driver is also a past winner at New Hampshire and Dover, the second and third stops in the 10-race playoff. So if anyone gets off to a fast start in the Chase, it could be Biffle. The driver of the No. 16 Ford is also particularly hungry after missing the Chase in 2011, following three consecutive years of Chase participation.

36

POLE POSITION // 2012

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1

Jimmie Johnson

48

No. TEAM

lowe’s Chevrolet

Hendrick Motorsports

PREVIOUS APPEARANCES IN THE CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP

EIGHT

Champion in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010 BEST POINTS FINISH Champion in 2006, 2007, IN THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES 2008, 2009 & 2010

BEST CHASE FINISH

CHAMPIONSHIP CHAT TER:

With five championships in the last six years, it’s hard to bet against Johnson and veteran crew chief Chad Knaus at Chase time. But, as Johnson proved in 2011 with a careerworst points finish of sixth, he is human after all. Just how human remains to be seen, however. After running well but failing to win in this season’s first 10 races, Johnson broke through in a big way at Darlington Raceway by delivering team owner Rick Hendrick his long-awaited 200th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory. But Johnson was just getting started. The fivetime champion added victories at Dover and Indianapolis and appears poised to challenge for yet another title.

38

POLE POSITION // 2012

AVAILABLE AT

Denny Hamlin

11

No. TEAM

FEDEX TOYOTA

Joe Gibbs Racing

PREVIOUS APPEARANCES IN THE CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP

SIX

BEST CHASE FINISH BEST POINTS FINISH IN THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

second in 2010 second in 2010

CHAMPIONSHIP CHAT TER:

After battling Jimmie Johnson down to the wire for the 2010 title only to come up short, and then being a non-factor in the 2011 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, motivation shouldn’t be a problem for Hamlin as he hunts an elusive first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title in the 2012 edition of NASCAR’s playoff. Neither should lack of experience be an issue. Hamlin has plenty of it, having made the Chase in each season since joining the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series full-time in 2006. A year after barely making the Chase, Hamlin is back in championship form with first-year crew chief Darian Grubb, the man who guided Tony Stewart’s incredible title march last year.

40

POLE POSITION // 2012

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Kevin Harvick

29

No. TEAM

budweiser/rheem chevrolet

Richard Childress Racing

PREVIOUS APPEARANCES IN THE CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP

five

BEST CHASE FINISH BEST POINTS FINISH IN THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

third in 2010 & 2011

third in 2010 & 2011

C H A M P I O N S H I P C H A T T E R : Harvick must be tired of finishing runner-up to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship runner-up.

After all, that’s where the Richard Childress Racing driver has stacked up the last two seasons. But with two third-place finishes to his credit, this could be the year that the he has a breakthrough and brings the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship trophy back to the Richard Childress Racing shop in Welcome, N.C., for the first time since Dale Earnhardt won the last of his seven titles in 1994. If Harvick is to become king of the hill, however, he’s likely going to need to win a few races in the Chase.

42

POLE POSITION // 2012

Martin Truex Jr.

56

No. TEAM

NAPA AUTO PARTS TOYOTA

Michael Waltrip Racing

PREVIOUS APPEARANCES IN THE CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP

ONE

BEST CHASE FINISH BEST POINTS FINISH IN THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

ELEVENTH IN 2007

ELEVENTH IN 2007

CHAMPIONSHIP CHAT TER:

With only one Chase appearance under his belt, Truex Jr. is relatively untested in late-season championship battles at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series level. The New Jersey native did win a pair of NASCAR Nationwide Series titles, however, in 2004 and 2005, so it’s not as if he’s a complete stranger to the big stage. The one advantage Truex Jr. may possess over most of the competition is that he won’t be expected to contend for the title, since most observers didn’t even expect him to make the Chase in the preseason.

FREERACEMAG.COM

43

Tony Stewart

14

No. TEAM

OFFICE DEPOT/MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET

Stewart-Haas Racing

PREVIOUS APPEARANCES IN THE CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP

SEVEN

BEST CHASE FINISH

BEST POINTS FINISH IN THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

CHAMPION IN 2005 & 2011 CHAMPION IN 2002, 2005 & 2011

C H A M P I O N S H I P C H A T T E R : With his unforgettable run to the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title, Stewart proved once and for all that he is not be underestimated in the Chase – even if the odds appear to be stacked against him, and even if the driver himself declares his title chances to be all but non-existent. Of course, if Stewart is to claim a second straight and fourth overall championship in NASCAR’s top series, it won’t be with Darian Grubb – the crew chief who guided the team owner/driver to the 2011 crown. Stewart let Grubb go after last season and hired veteran Steve Addington.

44

POLE POSITION // 2012

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Brad Keselowski

No.

2

miller lite Dodge

penske Racing

TEAM

PREVIOUS APPEARANCES IN THE CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP

ONE

BEST CHASE FINISH

FIFTH IN 2011

BEST POINTS FINISH IN THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

FIFTH IN 2011

C H A M P I O N S H I P C H A T T E R : With three wins in the first 20 races of the season, Keselowski will likely start the Chase at or near the top of the standings due to bonus points from his regularseason victories.

Jeff Gordon

24

No. TEAM

drive to end hunger

Chevrolet

Hendrick Motorsports

PREVIOUS APPEARANCES IN THE CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP

seven BEST CHASE FINISH

second in 2007

BEST POINTS FINISH IN THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

champion in 1995, 1997, 1998 & 2001 C H A M P I O N S H I P C H A T T E R : Beseeched by misfortune for most of the season, Gordon finds himself in a most unusual position: A driver whose Chase prospects are not at all promising. With no wins in the first 20 races, and sitting well outside the top 10 in points, Gordon’s only hope of a Chase berth was to score a couple of late victories.

46

POLE POSITION // 2012

Clint Bowyer

No. TEAM

15

5-hour energy toyota

Michael Waltrip Racing

PREVIOUS APPEARANCES IN THE CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP

THREE BEST CHASE FINISH

THIRD IN 2007

BEST POINTS FINISH IN THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

THIRD IN 2007

C H A M P I O N S H I P C H A T T E R : Never flashy but typically one of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ most consistent drivers, Bowyer has an uncanny way of slipping into championship battles with hardly anyone noticing. But he might be a year away from contending for the title.

Kasey Khane

5

No. TEAM

farmers insurance Chevrolet

Hendrick Motorsports

PREVIOUS APPEARANCES IN THE CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP

TWO

BEST CHASE FINISH

EIGHTh IN 2006

BEST POINTS FINISH IN THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

EIGHTh IN 2006

C H A M P I O N S H I P C H A T T E R : Despite not being a serious contender for the championship in past seasons, this is undoubtedly Kahne’s best chance to challenge for the title. Competing under high expectations in his first campaign with Hendrick Motorsports, Kahne sputtered early but needed only 12 races to reach Victory Lane.

ADVERTIORIAL

PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

PROFESSIONAL ADVICE QUICK & EASY CAR CARE TIPS: HOW TO MAKE WAXING EASIER & LONGER LASTING

L

et’s face it, whether it’s your show car or daily driver, there is nothing better than a paint finish that feels “smooth as glass”. This represents a finish that is free from “bonded contaminants” such as tree sap mist, environmental fallout and overspray just to name a few. And while this type of finish certainly feels good while you wash and detail your ride, a smooth as glass finish also offers other benefits.

A smooth surface will allow polishes and waxes to be applied and removed easier. A smooth finish also allows waxes to last much longer. It is now even easier to create this smooth as glass finish by using Clay Kits that include everything needed to remove all of the bonded contaminants before you apply polishes and waxes.

to our car’s finish, and if not dealt with will continually accumulate, gradually dulling and blurring the paints reflection. “Claying” quickly and safely removes these bonded contaminants and brings back that ”smoothas-glass” finish prior to polishing and waxing.

But Isn’t Claying Just For The “Pro’s”?!

Absolutely NOT! Claying couldn’t be easier, or safer when used as directed. If you can do the “Parade Wave” motion with your hand, then you can clay! Always start with a freshly washed & dried vehicle, then mist on the lubricating detailer [1] onto a small, 2’ x 2’ area. Knead the clay into a small, flat wafer or pattie about 3” in diameter.

Holding the clay with your fingertips, place it onto the lubricated surface and use that “parade wave” motion to rapidly move the clay back & forth over the surface, making 2 passes.

After washing and drying your vehicle, simply, rub the face of your clean, dry hand over your paint finish allowing your sense of touch to tell you what your eyes can't see. Your paint finish should feel nice and smooth. If it isn’t, the roughness that you feel is caused by contaminants that have bonded to your paint like tiny speed bumps.

You will generally feel the clay get easier to move as the contaminants are removed. And if the clay begins to stick, simply mist on a bit more detailer.

When done with a section, wipe dry with a high quality microfiber towel, then use your fingertips to determine if further claying on that section is required. If not, move on to the next section until the car is complete. Generally, horizontal surfaces will require claying more frequently than vertical surfaces. Periodically evaluate how dirty your clay is getting, and re-knead it to expose fresh, uncontaminated clay as needed.

What Exactly Are Bonded Contaminants?

Tips for Claying: 1) Always work in the shade and on a cool surface. 2) Always wash and dry your vehicle first to remove loose dirt and dust.

3) Work in one section at a time to ensure you do not miss an area. 4) If you drop the clay bar, throw that piece away, and start with a new piece. 5) For maximum protection, follow with a coat of your favorite polish and/or wax.

6) Clay is also works great on glass, chrome and even wheels.

So… How Do I Know If I Need To Clay?

The most common is tree sap mist. There's no escaping tree sap mist, as nearly every tree emits a fine mist of sap that can travel for blocks before landing on our cars. Paint overspray is another surprisingly common contaminant that is usually microscopic and undetectable at first glance.

Most everything that flies, from a gnat to a 747 expels contaminants that land on our car finishes. Add to that industrial fallout, alkaline ash, airborne salts, road tar, hard water spots and the like and you realize that our cars are continually in environments that are hostile to their appearance.

While most of these contaminants will wash right off, others immediately begin to attach

How long does clay last?

Clay has a limited life cycle because it is removing bonded contaminants and particulates off of your vehicle. To determine when a new piece of clay is needed, check the color and texture of the clay you are working with. If the clay is dark in color, particulates are visible, or the clay feels rough to the touch, throw away that piece and utilize new piece of clay. If you continue to use a “loaded” piece of clay, there is a potential of scratching your surface. Additionally, switch to a new piece

of clay if you accidentally drop the piece you are working with. When clay hits the ground, it will pick up large dirt particles.

These dirt particles will scratch your vehicle.

Do I clay before waxing?

If [2] you determine that your finish is not smoothas-glass by inspection, you most definitely need to clay before polishing or waxing. By prepping [4] the surface properly with clay, your polish and wax will perform at a higher level.

Can I use water as a lubricant?

For best results, a product like Meguiar’s® Quik Detailer® is the recommended lubricant to use while claying a vehicle. What you are looking for is maximum lubrication, in order for the clay to slide across the surface effortlessly, and water alone is not capable of doing this.

Does clay remove wax?

Yes, while clay is designed to remove above surface bonded contaminants, clay will also remove any wax protection you may have on the surface. It is recommended to follow the claying process with a coat of polish and/or wax for maximum gloss and protection.

How do I store clay?

Clay needs to be stored in a cool, dry place in order to keep it clean and fresh. When you’ve completed your clay process, and you have a piece of clay that needs to be kept, we recommend using the storage container found in the Smooth Surface Clay Kit. Simply mist the clay with Meguiar’s® Quik Detailer®, place it in the storage container, and close it tightly. Then place that container in a cool, dry location. You’ll be ready in no time for the next clay session.

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

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food & fun at the track Destination ‘Jelloville’

PASSION FOR TAILGATING UNITES THIS GROUP OF NASCAR FANS

F

or Susan Stafford, a NASCAR fan who lives in Oceana, W.Va., it all started with a Jell-O shot. Actually, it was more like 800 Jell-O shots, to be precise.

That’s how many of the gelatin dessert concoctions Stafford prepared for the first official get-together of a group of NASCAR fans who had become connected through some three years’ worth of interaction on Bristol Motor Speedway’s online message board.

At the urging of Stafford and about two dozen of her Web cohorts, the group decided to meet up for the first time, faceto-face, after the August 2007 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Bristol.

Stafford, who took the lead in planning the occasion, offered to host the gathering in her camper, and arrived at the track almost a week early to begin making preparations.

And it was during that weekend at Bristol that “Jelloville” – a loose network of NASCAR fans united by their passion for tailgating – was born. The group now meets up at multiple events each year, boasts members from three countries, and even has its own members-only Facebook page.

Participants call themselves “Jellovillians.”

“It’s really hard to describe the bonds we have made,” said Stafford, a 50-yearold mother whose day job is working as director of a Head Start program. “We truly are a family and many of us talk on a daily basis through the forum, Facebook, texts and emails. We are supportive of each other in times of need and celebrate successes together.

“We started a Jelloville donation fund a couple of years ago, and have supported the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities and a couple of other racing/ children charities.

“Many of us meet at other tracks, visit each other’s homes and some have gone on vacation together. Jelloville is the ultimate tailgating experience that lasts for

several days and sometimes weeks.”

Stafford, who attended her first NASCAR race and tailgate at Martinsville Speedway in 2002, will have participated in five tailgates by the end of 2012 with stops at Bristol (twice), Martinsville, Charlotte and Darlington.

Stafford never leaves a tailgate hungry.

“In addition to the friendships and the bonds you make with the people you meet, my other favorite part is the food,” she said.

“It is unbelievable how creative people can be when tailgating and/or camping at the track. It’s not your usual hamburgers and hot dogs. We have had everything from a low country boil, stuffed mushrooms, smoked turkey, stuffed jalapeno peppers, fried cabbage. I can go on and on.”

Stafford has also gleaned a few valuable tips from her NASCAR tailgating experiences, which now go back more than a decade.

“Always plan for any type of weather no matter what the forecast might be, especially if you are at Bristol,” she said, adding that the popular Tennessee track is her favorite tailgating destination. “We actually have a checklist somewhere, but I think you can tailgate in any type of vehicle; you just need to have the proper equipment, which I think would include a small table, chairs and an awning of some sort. Always have plenty of liquids and snacks and sunscreen. And get out and meet people. You never know who may be set up beside you!”

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20

POLE POSITION // 2012

BY JARED TURNER

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on the road presented by In the Hunt

TITLE SHOT PUTS A BOUNCE IN HAULER DRIVER DEWAYNE ZIRKLE’S STEP

A

s t h e h a u l e r d r i ve r f o r a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team, DeWayne Zirkle logs in the neighborhood of 70,000 miles on the road each year. Grueling as his gig can be at times, Zirkle – known in NASCAR garages by the nickname “Ryder” – has had no trouble keeping refreshed this season. Apparently, being part of a championshipcaliber team can put an extra bounce in a guy’s step.

While 2012 is Zirkle’s fourth season as a hauler driver for Roush Fenway Racing, Zirkle is in his first season with a Chaseeligible team – the No. 16 team of Greg Biffle. For the 51-year-old hauler-driving veteran, 2012 has been worth the wait.

“I’ve been out here probably off and on for 20 years,” said Zirkle, who got his NASCAR start in the early 1990s, driving the transporter for Barry Owen Racing, and drove a Petty Enterprises rig before the famed organization shuttered its operations in 2009. “This is probably the first time I’ve really worked for what I call a top contender, and a Chase vehicle.

“You’re not just going to the track to put in a day’s work and then go back home.

You’re actually going to the track to do something – to win a race – and with Greg I know that every week we’ve got a chance of winning that race, and it puts a whole lot of spark in your life. You’re a whole lot more proud of your team; you’re a whole lot more proud of your truck; yourself and everything because you know that you are with a winning team.”

Zirkle’s first year at Roush Fenway was spent wheeling the No. 26 hauler of nowformer RFR driver Jamie McMurray, whose victory in the November 2009 race at Talladega Superspeedway provided Zirkle his first trip to a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Victory Lane.

The Roanoke, Va., native returned to Victory Lane with a different Roush Fenway team – the No. 6 – when another former RFR driver, David Ragan, triumphed at

22

POLE POSITION // 2012

BY JARED TURNER

Daytona International Speedway last July.

But neither Ragan nor McMurray was a serious contender for the Chase during Zirkle’s time with their respective teams.

Then 2012 arrived and everything changed. With Roush Fenway’s No. 6 team no longer competing on a full-time basis, Zirkle moved over to Biffle’s No. 16 team

during the offseason. And it became obvious from the very beginning that 2012 would be unlike any season that Zirkle has spent toting cars up and down roads to race tracks.

Thanks to a fast start, highlighted by a victory at Texas Motor Speedway in April, Biffle has been virtually assured a Chase berth all season.

Zirkle, while serving in a role that is lowprofile compared to that of the driver and crew chief but nonetheless critical to the team’s success, is pumped about being in the Chase.

“I don’t get all the fame and the glory like a lot of the other guys, but I’m just as excited as they are, and I’m right with them with that competitive level,” said Zirkle, who doubles as the team chef for the No. 16 group. “Most of us have a racing background so we want to win no matter what.

But when I pull out of that track and we’ve won, man, that’s a whole different feeling. It’s almost like a certain type of high. You’re ready to go and hoping you can come back next week and do it again.”

Zirkle admits that being part of a front-running team has even made him more motivated to do his job – one that involves being on the road and away from home more than any other in NASCAR.

“I’m honored,” Zirkle said. “I really am.

You actually work a whole lot harder; I can tell you that. This is probably one of the hardest-working years I’ve had so far.

Everybody’s got to pull up every inch of slack and everything, but when you’re running like this, you really don’t mind. You’ll go the extra mile to do whatever and help each guy.

“It’s a lot more stress because no longer are you just trying to qualify to get in the top 20 or top 10; you’re running to win the race, and if you’re not right there at that level of winning that race, it just seems like you’ve got to work harder to get back there.”

Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup UNIQUE FORMAT HAS ADDED DRAMA SINCE 2004

E

very NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competitor starts the season with the same goal: Earn a spot among the 12 drivers who will compete for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship during the season’s final 10 races.

NASCAR’s version of a playoff is known as the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and its 12-driver field is established following the 26th race of the season. Those dozen drivers then battle for the title while the remaining drivers work to get better in hopes of being among the elite group the following season.

Since its introduction in 2004, the Chase has injected drama into each NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. The Chase spotlights three key elements: The drivers who perform well enough to make the select group; a carefully selected package of 10 race tracks of various sizes and configurations; and the numerous strategies teams use in an effort to claim the ultimate prize.

Consistency is vital to not only making the Chase, but also being at or near the top of the standings when the final checkered flag is waved.

This year, the Chase starts at Chicagoland Speedway and concludes at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The 10-race stretch includes five 1.5-mile race tracks, three one-mile tracks, a short track and a restrictor-plate track. The 10 races give the competitors a variety of tracks on which to shine.

Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 29 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, 24

POLE POSITION // 2012

BY BEN WHITE

has been no lower than seventh in the points standings since the season-opening Daytona 500. The Bakersfield, Calif., driver claims he uses the same mental approach in each race, whether it’s leading up to the Chase or in the middle of it.

“I think you approach them just like you would any other week,” Harvick said. “If we were in the Chase or it was the first race of the year, you’re going to go out and try to get the best finish that you can.

“Obviously, you don’t want to take any huge risks [in the summer months], being that there are seven or eight weeks to go. ... It’s just been one of those deals where we’ve been in position to win a few races.

We made a lot of mistakes and we haven’t caught the breaks that we need to,” Harvick added. “Last year we caught a lot of breaks, and that stuff just goes in cycles.

So, you just ride it out and you try to keep putting yourself in position and the tide turns at some point.”

According to five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, the Chase offers plenty of pressure for drivers and teams. But that’s what makes it

exciting for fans, as they wonder how the many variables in each race will play out.

“When you get in the Chase, all the pressure you’ve felt for an individual race win magnifies so much in those 10 races because it’s everything you ever wanted in the championships we’re all here for,” Johnson said. “So our strategy has been more along those lines. There was one year when we kind of ventured out and it backfired on us pretty bad.”

SCORING POINTS

T

Setting the Field

HOW DRIVERS QUALIFY FOR THE CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP

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he NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship is the most coveted prize in American auto racing. Forty three of the best race car drivers in the world compete in 36 points races that are run on a variety of race tracks across the nation from mid-February to mid-November. But how does a driver win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship? It’s a rather simple plan that concludes with NASCAR’s version of a playoff.

The first 26 points races determine the drivers eligible for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and, ultimately, the series championship. After race No. 26 – Sept. 8 at Richmond International Raceway – the top 10 drivers in the series standings qualify for the Chase. These drivers are joined by two wild-card qualifiers, specifically the two drivers ranked between 11th and 20th in the series standings who have the most regular-season race wins.

The 12 drivers’ points are reset to a base of 2,000 per driver. Each of the 10 automatic qualifiers receives a three-point bonus for each win during the regular season to determine their seeding, while the two wild-card qualifiers receive no bonus points and start the Chase in the 11th and 12th positions.

Each week, all 43 drivers battle for victories and money as they continue the season under the standard points system. The driver who tops the Chase standings at the end of the final 10 races will be crowned the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion.

The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup starts Sept. 16 with the GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway and concludes Nov. 18 with the Ford EcoBoost 400 at HomesteadMiami Speedway.

In recent years, NASCAR fans have only seen two drivers earn the prestigious championship. Jimmie Johnson made racing history by winning five consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series titles from 2006 through 2010 while Tony Stewart is the defending champion as the Indiana native claimed his third title in 2011.

26

POLE POSITION // 2012

BY BEN WHITE

he basic format of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is unchanged, but a totally revamped points system, introduced prior to the 2011 season, is being used for the second consecutive year. It awards points in one-point increments based on a driver’s finishing position.

For example, a race winner earns 43 points, plus three bonus points for the victory. The winner can also earn an extra point for leading a lap and another for leading the most laps, bringing his total to a possible maximum of 48 points.

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

NASCAR has utilized several points systems to crown its champions through the years and most have been complicated. Complex formulas, based on the number of laps completed and the size of the track, were among those used. The points system that was utilized from 1975 through 2010 was easier to understand than its predecessors, but was still far too complicated.

When the new system was introduced, NASCAR’s CEO Brian France explained why the change was necessary.

“Many of our most loyal fans don’t fully understand the points system we have used to date,” France said. “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 simplified points system makes it much easier to know exactly where a driver stands as the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup draws to a close.

When Stewart and Carl Edwards ended the 2011 season tied in points, fans had a better idea of how it happened. Both drivers had good races and bad races, including numerous top-five finishes and top-10 showings. Bonus points for winning, leading at least one lap and leading the most laps were easily tallied.

Even so, the two drivers miraculously came away with exactly the same number of points. The fact Stewart had five wins to Edwards’ one served as the tiebreaker. It proved to be one of the most exciting championship battles in NASCAR history.

■■ NASCAR CEO Brian France

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Trophy Towers Above the Others

T

hrough the decades, race car drivers have often said they race for the trophies, and there are certain trophies that are easily recognizable as to the achievements they honor.

The cherished prize for early American racers was the Vanderbilt Cup, while the Borg-Warner Trophy became the symbol of victory in the Indianapolis 500 in 1936. After the Daytona 500, it’s the Harley J. Earl trophy that goes to the victor.

However, when it comes to championships the most exquisite and cherished trophy is the one awarded to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion.

Designed in late 2003 and prepared by master artisans at the internationally famous Tiffany & Co., the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series trophy takes nearly four months to complete at Tiffany’s silver workshop in New Jersey. At least eight master craftsmen work on the trophy that features flowing, sterling silver checkered flags atop an ebonized wood base.

Traditional production techniques used in preparing the coveted trophy include silversmithing, etching, spinning and polishing. The etching process that creates the unique checkered pattern design on the trophy’s flag requires nearly 80 hours of precision work. When completed the

magnificent, gleaming trophy weighs 27 pounds, stands 24 inches tall and is 17 inches deep. Two new trophies are produced annually for the championship team owner and driver.

Since the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup was instituted in 2004, Jimmie Johnson has collected the unique trophy five consecutive times, Tony Stewart twice and Kurt Busch once. And it’s that trophy that receives the honored place in one’s house for it signifies you are in a champion’s dwelling.

Stewart showed how much the trophy meant to him last year during his postrace interview after the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. When asked what he wanted the history books to say about him and his 2011 season in which he won five of the last 10 races, Stewart summed it up quite simply.

“They can write whatever they want,” Stewart said. “The biggest thing to me is we got the trophy.”

Fans can have their photo taken with the trophy each January during the Sprint Preview in Charlotte, N.C. During the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season that stretches from February through November, the fabulous trophy is on display at the Sprint Experience that travels to each track.

FAST FACTS

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES TROPHY Height 24 inches Width 12 inches Base Diameter 12.25 inches Flag’s Diameter (approx.) 15 inches Depth 17 inches Weight 27 pounds Material Sterling Silver Base Ebonized Wood Manufacturer Tiffany & Co. Source: Tiffany & Co.

NASCAR® Licensed Hitch Covers, Grill Emblems & Mud Flaps.

Scan this QR Code with your smartphone & learn more about this product.

Visit us at www.cloud-rider.com today!

NASCAR-PolePositionMAg-Ad.indd 1

©2012 HGJ Licensing, LLC. ™ 2012 Stewart-Haas Racing ©2012 Hendrick Motorsports,LLC. ©2012 Cloud-Rider Designs® Ltd. All Rights Reserved. ©2012 Joe Gibbs Racing, Inc. ®/TM/© Mars, Inc. 2012.

Visit www.mms.com. Toyota trademarks used with permission.

NASCAR® is a registered trademark of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc.

BY DEB WILLIAMS

12/06/12 8:38 AM

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27

Chase Chatter

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP “I THINK IF YOU SEE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON, WE’RE ENCOURAGED BY THAT. BY THAT, I MEAN SOME OF THE STORYLINES AND HOW IT’S SHAPING UP. YOU’VE GOT DALE [EARNHARDT] JR., OBVIOUSLY, IN CONTENTION. HE WON A RACE, IS COMPETING HARD AND COULD BE A FACTOR IN THE CHASE. THAT WOULD BE A GOOD THING FOR HIM, FOR SURE, AND EVERYBODY ELSE. … SO THAT’S KIND OF WHAT WE WANT SHAPING UP TO TRY TO MATCH THE INTENSITY AND COMPETITIVE ZEAL OF LAST YEAR’S CHASE, WHICH WAS PROBABLY OUR BEST EVER.” – NASCAR Chairman Brian France “Usually I win later in the year. So to have that victory early [at Sonoma in June], relatively early in the season for me was cool, really fun, and it changes expectations, yes. Now I feel like we can make this Chase.

I feel like we can compete in this Chase and be a top-five team within the Chase. I think as competitive as this sport is right now, if you’re a top-five team in the Chase; you’re going to have a shot at a championship.”

– Clint Bowyer

“The urgency to win starts in Daytona in February. So, we’re not doing anything different than we have all year long. We’re just trying to cross our T’s and dot our I’s, and just do everything right. We know how hard it is to win, and we also know how easy it can be when you do things right and have a fast race car.”

– Jeff Gordon

ON WHETHER HE’S FEELING MORE URGENCY TO WIN AND EARN A WILD-CARD SPOT AS THE CHASE APPROACHES

28

POLE POSITION // 2012

COMPILED BY JARED TURNER

“We have been doing this a long time. We haven’t really competed for a title yet, but this seems to be my best opportunity. I expect to be in that conversation or answering questions related to that as long as we can keep up our consistency and keep being strong.” – Dale Earnhardt Jr. “WHEN YOU GET IN THE CHASE, ALL THE PRESSURE YOU’VE FELT FOR AN INDIVIDUAL RACE WIN MAGNIFIES SO MUCH IN THOSE 10 RACES BECAUSE IT’S EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED IN THE CHAMPIONSHIPS WE’RE – Jimmie Johnson ALL HERE FOR.” “WE’LL BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THIS TRACK AND REALLY HAVE A GOOD GAME PLAN GOING INTO THE CHASE RACE HERE. WE KNOW SOME OF THE OTHER CARS THAT WILL RUN REALLY GOOD HERE WHEN WE COME BACK. WE NEED TO BE A LITTLE BETTER. I GOT THE RIGHT GUY [CREW CHIEF KENNY FRANCIS] TO WORK ON THAT.” — Kasey Kahne ON RETURNING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY FOR RACE NO. 2 OF THE CHASE AFTER WINNING AT NHMS IN JULY

“OUR APPROACH EVERY WEEK FOR 14 YEARS IN MY CAREER NOW HAS BEEN TO TAKE IT ONE WEEK AT A TIME. WE’VE NEVER TAKEN A RACE WEEKEND AND SAID, ‘ALRIGHT, WE’RE IN GOOD ENOUGH SHAPE. WE’RE JUST GOING TO THROW THIS WEEKEND AWAY AND TRY DIFFERENT THINGS AND DO THAT.’ WE WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN IN A POSITION WHERE WE’VE BEEN FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO DO THAT.” – Tony Stewart ON WHETHER HIS TEAM CAN SAFELY GAMBLE ON STRATEGY IN THE RACES LEADING UP TO THE CHASE

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©2012 NASCAR

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The sun sets on the IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol as Denny Hamlin powers his way to victory.

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6 News & Notes from Around 8 10 14 16 16 17 17 18 18 19

the World of NASCAR Walmart Race Time 2012 NASCAR Pole Position Gift Guide Richard Petty: Still Winning NASCAR After the Lap Giveaways & Getaways NASCAR Trivia Book NASCAR Drive for Diversity Q&A with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Title Contender Clint Bowyer Tweet This Racin’ Recipes

the 2012 chase sprint cup

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FEATURES 22 31

on the road

Life on the road for team hauler drivers

driver profiles

Who to Watch: Contenders for the championship

48

the last eight chase races

24 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup:

52

past champions

26

56

INSIDER’S VIEW

for the nascar

26 27 28

Unique Format has Added Drama Setting the Field Scoring Points NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Trophy Chase Chatter

58

And the drivers who excel at each track Four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions

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news & notes from the world of NASCAR

Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Starts with Fan Event

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Tracks Move Qualifying to Friday

Race Day with Juan

T

hree tracks hosting events during the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup have adjusted their schedules to a more traditional format by moving NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying from Saturday to Friday.

Qualifying for the Oct. 28 TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway will now be at 3:40 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, Oct. 26. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars will have a 90-minute practice session prior to qualifying with two additional practice sessions before the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday, Oct. 27.

At Phoenix International Raceway, Gatorade Pole Qualifying for the Nov. 11 Phoenix 500 is now scheduled to start at 4:10 p.m. (MST) on Friday, Nov. 9. Qualifying will take place before the Lucas Oil 150 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race.

“We are pleased that NASCAR has moved qualifying to Friday,” said Bryan Sperber, president of PIR. “It will add excitement to an already fantastic day that features the Lucas Oil 150 [NASCAR] Camping World Truck Series event.”

Gatorade Pole Qualifying for the Nov. 18 Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway is now scheduled for 6:10 p.m. (EST) on Friday, Nov. 16. It will take place prior to the Ford EcoBoost 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race.

06

Stewart Earns ESPY Award

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he 2012 edition of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup kicked off with a special interactive fan event – NASCAR Contenders Live sponsored by Toyota and Sprint – on Wednesday, Sept.

12, at the House of Blues in Chicago.

The 12 Chase contenders interacted with NASCAR’s biggest supporters – the fans – and shared their strategies and insight on how they plan to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

“NASCAR has the most passionate fans in all of sports,” said Norris Scott, NASCAR vice president of partnership marketing and business solutions. “What better way to kick off the Chase than with an event that gives fans exclusive access inside a room with the sports’ top 12 drivers. This also serves as a unique program for Toyota and Sprint who support the sport heavily.”

“We always strive to deliver experiences to fans that create memories that will last a lifetime,” said Tim Considine, director of sports and entertainment marketing for Sprint. “NASCAR’s most important asset is the fans as they are the most loyal in all of sports. NASCAR Contenders Live sponsored by Toyota and Sprint will bring fans an incredible opportunity to interact with this season’s top drivers as we kick off the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in Chicago.”

A sweepstakes was held in conjunction with one lucky fan winning a 2012 Toyota Camry SE, two tickets to NASCAR Contenders Live sponsored by Toyota and Sprint, two VIP tickets for the GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, a one-year subscription to SiriusXM Satellite radio and $500 cash.

POLE POSITION // 2012

efending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart received the 2012 ESPY for “Best Driver” during the 20th annual ESPY Awards on ESPN, beating four-time IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti, Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel and NHRA Top Fuel titlist Del Worsham.

“I am thrilled to win the ‘Best Driver’ award after what turned out to be a great NASCAR season last year. I was fortunate enough to be able to take the checkered flag when it mattered most,” said Stewart. “There were some great drivers and great champions in this category, so I cannot thank the NASCAR fans and everyone who voted enough for their unbelievable support.”

F

or the fourth consecutive year, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Juan Pablo Montoya has partnered with HomesteadMiami Speedway and will host Race Day with Juan prior to the Nov. 18 Ford EcoBoost 400 season finale at the South Florida speedway.

The Race Day with Juan package is priced at $142 with $42 going to Montoya’s Formula Smiles Foundation. The package includes a frontstretch ticket for the race, a pre-race Q&A session with Montoya, pre-race pit access and Montoya merchandise.

To purchase the Race Day with Juan package, call the Homestead-Miami Speedway ticket office at (305) 2305255. Information is available by visiting HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com/Montoya.

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green flag Fans Win with Relationship Between Walmart and NASCAR RACE TIME IS BACK!

W

almart and NASCAR have once again teamed up to give race fans new NASCAR branded merchandise and special savings on tickets for select races nationwide.

The retail program, branded “Race Time,” is the largest retail promotion in NASCAR’s history and was launched last year. This year, it has been expanded to more than triple the companies offering authentic merchandise, double the number of fan events in race markets and increased the number of tracks where Walmart is offering the Walmart Family Track Pack.

Walmart customers and NASCAR fans can save money by purchasing a “Walmart

Family Track Pack,” discounted ticket packages available exclusively through Walmart.com/NASCAR for select NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. Ticket packages include four race tickets, four hot dogs, four soft drinks and one race program for just $99, a savings of more than $100, while supplies last. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster kiosks in select markets.

Special NASCAR fan events, featuring stock car displays, racing simulators and driver appearances, are also planned at select Walmart stores in each race market.

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Walmart sponsored racing legend Bill Elliott in the Walmart No. 50 car during the Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona on July 7. Elliott also appeared at select Walmart stores before race day, along with his show car.

“We want to bring affordability and accessibility to NASCAR fans,” said Rand Waddoups, senior director, Entertainment Properties and Brands, Walmart. “We’ve offered authentic NASCAR merchandise in our stores for years, and we’re excited to expand our offerings and provide great Race Time experiences in stores and at the track.”

Upcoming Fan Events at Walmart Stores CHICAGO

Thursday, Sept. 13 Thursday, Sept. 13 Friday, Sept. 14 Friday, Sept. 14 Saturday, Sept. 15 Saturday, Sept. 15

LOUDON

Wednesday, Sept. 19 Wednesday, Sept. 19 Thursday, Sept. 20 Thursday, Sept. 20 Friday, Sept. 21 Friday, Sept. 21 Saturday, Sept. 22 Saturday, Sept. 22

DOVER

Wednesday, Sept. 26 Thursday, Sept. 27 Friday, Sept. 28 Saturday, Sept. 29

TALLADEGA

Thursday, Oct. 4 Thursday, Oct. 4 Friday, Oct. 5 Friday, Oct. 5 Saturday, Oct. 6 Saturday, Oct. 6

CHARLOTTE

Tuesday, Oct. 9 Wednesday, Oct. 10 Wednesday, Oct. 10 Thursday, Oct. 11 Thursday, Oct. 11 Friday, Oct. 12 Friday, Oct. 12 08

KANSAS

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

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11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

333 East U.S. Route 6 16241 South Farrell Rd. 16241 South Farrell Rd. 2424 W. Jefferson 501 E. Lincoln Highway 2424 W. Jefferson

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11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

59 Walton Way 35 Fresh River Rd. 39 E Main / I-93 Exit 20 344 Loudon Rd. 3 Commerce Dr. 344 Loudon Rd. 116 Farmington Rd. 344 Loudon Rd.

Somersworth, N.H. Epping, N.H. Tilton, N.H. Concord, N.H. Hooksett, N.H. Concord, N.H. Rochester, N.H. Concord, N.H.

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

705 Middletown Warwick Rd. 939 North Dupont Blvd.

263 Walmart Dr. 36 Jerome Dr.

Middletown, Del. Milford, Del. Camden, Del. Dover, Del.

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

12:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

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10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

214 Haynes St. 165 Vaughan Lane 8551 Whitfield Ave. 92 Plaza Lane 92 Plaza Lane 165 Vaughan Lane

Talladega, Ala. Pell City, Ala. Leeds, Ala. Oxford, Ala. Oxford, Ala. Pell City, Ala.

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

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169 Norman Station Blvd.

2420 Supercenter Dr. NE 323 South Arlington St. 7735 North Tryon St. 150 Concord Commons 5825 Thunder Rd. NW 150 Concord Commons

Mooresville, N.C. Kannapolis, N.C. Salisbury, N.C. Charlotte, N.C. Concord, N.C. Concord, N.C. Concord, N.C.

POLE POSITION // 2012

Wednesday, Oct. 17 Wednesday, Oct. 17 Thursday, Oct. 18 Thursday, Oct. 18 Friday, Oct. 19 Friday, Oct. 19 Saturday, Oct. 20 Saturday, Oct. 20

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

TBD 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

8301 North Church Rd. 8551 North Boardwalk Ave. 395 North K-7 Hwy. 13600 South Alden St. 5000 10th Ave. 16199 West 65th St. 10824 Parallel Pkwy.

12801 Kansas Ave.

Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City, Mo. Olathe, Kan. Olathe, Kan. Leavenworth, Kan. Shawnee, Kan. Kansas City, Kan. Kansas City, Kan.

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

515 Mount Cross Rd. 6711 North Carolina 135 304 East Arbor Lane 976 Commonwealth Blvd. E

Danville, Va. Mayodan, N.C. Eden, N.C. Martinsville, Va.

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

801 W. Main St. 1515 S Loop 288 4101 Highway 121 1601 W. State Hwy 114 1732 Precinct Line Rd. 1401 North Saginaw Blvd.

1228 North Hwy. 377 8520 N. Beach St.

Lewisville, Texas Denton, Texas Bedford, Texas Grapevine, Texas Hurst, Texas Saginaw, Texas Roanoke, Texas Fort Worth, Texas

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

18551 North 83rd Ave. Glendale, Ariz.

1607 W. Bethany Home Rd. Phoenix, Ariz.

5010 North 95th Ave. Glendale, Ariz.

2020 North 75th Ave. Phoenix, Ariz.

1100 North Estrella Pkwy.

Goodyear, Ariz.

1060 South Watson Rd. Buckeye, Ariz.

13055 W. Rancho Santa Fe Blvd. Avondale, Ariz.

7575 W. Lower Buckeye Rd. Phoenix, Ariz.

MARTINSVILLE

Wednesday, Oct. 24 Thursday, Oct. 25 Friday, Oct. 26 Saturday, Oct. 27

TEXAS

Wednesday, Oct. 31 Wednesday, Oct. 31 Thursday, Nov. 1 Thursday, Nov. 1 Friday, Nov. 2 Friday, Nov. 2 Saturday, Nov. 3 Saturday, Nov. 3

PHOENIX

Wednesday, Nov. 7 Wednesday, Nov. 7 Thursday, Nov. 8 Thursday, Nov. 8 Friday, Nov. 9 Friday, Nov. 9 Saturday, Nov. 10 Saturday, Nov. 10

HOMESTEAD

Wednesday, Nov. 14 Thursday, Nov. 15 Friday, Nov. 16 Saturday, Nov. 17

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

8651 NW 13th Terrace 15885 SW 88th St. 33501 South Dixie Hwy. 33501 South Dixie Hwy.

Doral, Fla. Kendall, Fla. Florida City, Fla. Florida City, Fla.

You can’t always see what’s coming. But the reinvented, technologically advanced 2012 Toyota Camry has got eyes where you don’t. With the available Blind Spot Monitor (BSM),

you’ll be alerted to vehicles that are

hiding there on your left and right. And when combined with a cabin that’s redesigned for better visibility, you’ll be able to see like never before. Because one of the best ways to avoid an accident is to see it coming.

Prototype shown with optional equipment. Production model may vary. 1. Do not rely exclusively on the Blind Spot Monitor to determine if a lane change is safe. Always look over your shoulder and use your turn signal before changing lanes. There are several limitations to the function, detection, range and clarity of the monitor. For a complete list of limitations and directions regarding use of the monitor, please see the Owner’s Manual. 2. Blind Spot Monitor available on XLE and Hybrid XLE models only. ©2011 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

toyota.com/camry

green flag 2012 NASCAR POLE POSITION

GIFT GUIDE

Have a Holly-Jolly NASCAR Holiday

W

ith the holiday season quickly approaching, the editors at NASCAR Pole Position reached out to several NASCAR licensees to see what they will be serving up to the delight of NASCAR fans.

SLOT CARS FROM CARRERA The speeds and the wings were high during the 1970 NASCAR premier series season and those amazing races can be brought back to life with the Winged Warriors, Evolution 1/32 slot car set from Carrera.

Each set includes a pair of highly detailed, super-fast Dodge Daytona race cars, 24.3 feet of track, a transformer and two speed controllers.

The track slides together easily and stays together because of an exclusive fastening system that holds the pieces in place during hot laps. A fast 18,000-rpm motor provides the power for the cars. Wide tires and traction magnets give the cars excellent handling around the two-lane track that you create. Visit carrera-toys.com/us for additional information.

NEW NASCAR TRAINS FROM LIONEL For more than 100 years, Lionel trains have been a part of holiday celebrations around the world, and now race fans can ride the rails with a new line of Lionel NASCAR trains.

Each of these Ready-to-Run O-Gauge trains are designed with driver and team graphics. The gondola car, for instance, even holds two 1:64 scale die-cast cars of the driver’s primary paint schemes.

Driver train sets are currently available for Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart. Each set includes exciting features, such as: ■ 2-4-2 locomotive and tender, gondola, hopper, caboose, eight curved O-36 FasTrack sections, one straight FasTrack section, one FasTrack terminal section and PowerMax transformer.

■ Transformer controlled forward, neutral and reverse operations.

■ A realistic air whistle in tender.

■ Operating headlight.

■ Puffing smoke unit.

■ Two 1:64 scale die-cast race cars.

■ Operating coupler on rear tender.

■ Powerful maintenance-free motor.

■ Die-cast metal locomotive body.

To get a NASCAR train in time for the holidays, visit your hometown die-cast dealer, independent retailer, or NASCAR.com.

10

POLE POSITION // 2012

green flag 2012 NASCAR POLE POSITION GIFT GUIDE

HANG IT ON THE WALL Wallhaulers are full-size, NASCARlicensed race car doors that feature the numbers and colors of NASCAR’s legendary drivers. Produced by The Real Art of Racing, a Wallhauler is the ultimate wall piece to complete any entertainment room. Wallhaulers are 100-percent made in the USA. Learn more at therealartofracing.com or on Twitter at @wallhaulers.

free!

P O S I T I O N : R ACE FA N G U I D E . : .

0 8 . 2 0 1 2 . : . m I C h I G A N

Order a five-issue subscription to NASCAR Pole Position magazine for the NASCAR fan on your holiday list. Published since 2005, NASCAR Pole Position is printed every two months from February through November. Each issue is packed with NASCAR-related features, news, games and photography. NASCAR Pole Position is a must-have for the NASCAR enthusiast. Order now at polepositionmag.com/buy.

p g . 2 2 j o e y l o g a n o : g r e at e x p e c tat i o n s p g . 3 5 d r i v e r p r o f i l e s

P O L E

NASCAR POLE POSITION: A SEASON-LONG GIFT

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n a sc a r ne w s & note s | ta ilg atin g tip s | ge a r | n a sc a r fue l | roste rs & sche dule s o n t he ro a d w i t h h a u le r d r i ve r s | n a s c a r c o l le c ta b le s | d i d yo u k n o w ? | d a n i c a pat r i c k | i n s i de r ’ s v ie w

ONE POWERFUL GIFT FROM HONDA Looking for the perfect tailgating gift? Let the Honda EU2000i Super Quiet Series generator provide the best in portable power for your next NASCAR event.

This fuel efficient, lightweight generator is ideal for powering a TV/DVD, satellite, fridge or coffee pot.

Need more power? Parallel two EU2000i models with an optional cable for up to 4,000 watts of power.

Finally, customize your EU2000i with one of more than 75 Skinit Kits to show off your team pride.

To order, go to your nearest Honda Power Equipment Dealer and purchase a PIN card redeemable for the skin kit of your choice at honda.skinit.com.

12

POLE POSITION // 2012

Relief for Race Day Whiplash.

All that neck and head turning watching the big race can cause strain and pain.

Luckily, Tiger Balm delivers safe, fast and effective relief for neck, shoulder and muscle aches and strains. It’s the perfect race day companion.

Pain relief without the pills.ÂŽ Available at major drug stores, supermarkets, mass merchandisers and health food stores.

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green flag Richard Petty: Still Winning

14

POLE POSITION // 2012

BY BEN WHITE

off the brakes and I thought, ‘Man, I’m gonna be stuck here in second.’ Then, all of a sudden I’m starting to slide around in some oil and I couldn’t work out where it was coming from, whether it was from my car or if it was on the track. Then I saw Kyle backing up to us and then brake up past me, and it was absolutely crazy at the end. …

We earned it.”

Petty was elated and smiled broadly as one of the Fords he co-owns rolled into Victory Lane.

“It was kind of unexpected at the end of the race,” Petty said. “We had a good car.

He ran good all day long. I think [Ambrose] was the excitement in the race because he was about the only one I saw pass anybody.”

For Petty, seeing Ambrose battle so closely with Keselowski at the end brought

back memories of aggressive finishes with two of his longtime rivals, Bobby Allison and David Pearson.

“I know some of you old guys [in the media] remember that me and Allison used to do a lot of beating and bashing the last two or three laps – me and Pearson have been in a couple of different ones,” Petty said. “I’ve been in there with a lot of them; I’ll put it that way. You go and you run and you do the best you can and then you try to take advantage of the circumstances that are there.”

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D

uring a driving career that spanned from July 1958 to November 1992, Richard Petty proved to be NASCAR’s greatest of all-time with 200 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins in 1,185 starts and seven career championships.

In February 1993, Petty began his new role of team owner and consultant, advising his drivers, making sponsor appearances and working to build his family’s iconic race team, Petty Enterprises. All told, the team, formerly based in Level Cross, N.C., amassed 10 NASCAR titles and 268 victories through the talents of a number of drivers, including its founder, the late three-time champion Lee Petty.

At age 75 and 20 years after his final NASCAR start, Richard Petty is still winning. Marcos Ambrose and Aric Almirola now drive for Richard Petty Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series while Michael Annett wheels the team’s entry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Heading into the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, each of Petty’s team had enjoyed impressive seasons. Ambrose gave the organization, now based in Concord, N.C., its first win of 2012 on the road course at Watkins Glen International in Upstate New York on Aug. 13.

Ambrose, an Australian-born road racing expert, maneuvered his No. 9 Ford around Penske Racing’s Brad Keselowski to claim his second-career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory, successfully defending his win at Watkins Glen in 2011. Grass, dirt and smoke flew as the two drivers traded paint on their way to the checkered flag.

Oil from Bobby Labonte’s Toyota caused race leader Kyle Busch to spin his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota on the final lap after being tapped by Keselowski. Keselowski and Ambrose then aggressively went for the win, sliding around the serpentine track right up to the checkered flag.

Ambrose was able to close on Keselowski’s rear bumper and made the winning pass in the final turns.

“It was absolutely chaos at the end,” Ambrose said. “The three cars were very evenly matched. Kyle got a head start on us there and I was trying to chase him and I burned my tires off it and I really burned

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green flag FIVE WORDS SUM IT UP: UNPREDICTABLE, UNFORGETTABLE DRIVER TELL-ALL

N

ASCAR After The Lap has quickly become one of the best, unedited and most unpredictable events in all of sports. As one of the premier, fanfavorite events held during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week, the awardwinning NASCAR After The Lap is a mustsee for fans with its unfiltered, amusing question-and-answer session with the top12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week honors the champion of the sport’s premier series as well as celebrates loyal and passionate fans. With thousands of NASCAR fans converging on Las Vegas, Nev., for a week of activities, no other event will give them a more entertaining insight into their favorite drivers’ personalities than NASCAR After The Lap. At the fourth-annual event set for Thursday, Nov. 29, at PH LIVE, NASCAR fans can expect the unexpected from the top-12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers as well as from sponsors Ford Motor Co. and Coca-Cola.

Last year, following the encouragement of fellow drivers and fans, four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon entertained fans by break dancing, a completely unexpected act. After NASCAR After

The Lap, Gordon tweeted, “I can't believe I got pressured into break dancing just now on stage in Vegas! Wow!” Countless other moments demonstrated the wit and humor behind the sport’s top athletes. The Busch brothers, Kyle and Kurt, happened to be dressed alike for the 2011 NASCAR After The Lap, and several drivers commented confusing the two of them. Referring to the racing-related fines he and his brother have received from NASCAR over the years, Kurt Busch responded with, “When the fine comes in the mail, they know how to spell our name right!”

One fan who tuned in to NASCAR After The Lap via NASCAR.com’s webcast shared on social media, “Just watched #Natl.

Literally died laughing, mainly because of @keselowski. Thanks for that.”

In addition to the drivers’ jokes and humor, Ford Motor Company also surprised fans by generously giving away a second vehicle, a Ford F-150 XLT, to a random fan in attendance at the 2011 NASCAR After The Lap. Driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Brad Keselowski summed up the 2011 event best in his post-event Tweet, “NASCAR After The Lap (#natl) was a blast. Thanks to all the fans who attended.”

WIN A VIP TRIP TO NASCAR AFTER THE LAP AND A FORD F-150 FX4

N

ASCAR After The Lap is the unpredictable, unforgettable, driver tell-all event of the year. Mark your calendars now for Thursday, November 29 at PH LIVE located in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

As a sponsor of the event, Coca-Cola invites fans to “Open Happiness” to NASCAR After The Lap by purchasing tickets at NASCARAfterTheLap.com.

Proceeds benefit The NASCAR Foundation, a nonprofit organization seeking to raise funds and increase volunteerism to support nonprofit charities and charitable causes throughout the nation with an emphasis placed on initiatives that affect the ability of children to live, learn and play.

Fans also have a chance to win a VIP trip to NASCAR After The Lap and a 2013 Ford F-150 FX4. Until Nov. 18, fans can enter to win the NASCAR After The Lap sweepstakes. The winner will receive two nights stay at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, roundtrip airfare for

16

POLE POSITION // 2012

the winner and one guest to Las Vegas, $500 cash and two VIP tickets to NASCAR After The Lap. The ultimate prize will be a 2013 Ford F-150 FX4 valued at up to $40,000. The winner will be notified after the season final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race of the season.

This is truly an experience NASCAR fans don’t want to miss. Tickets are on sale now at NASCARAfterTheLap.com, and while there, also enter for a chance to win a 2013 Ford F-150 FX4 and a VIP trip to NASCAR After The Lap.

GIVEAWAYS & GETAWAYS

Your Ticket to the Track Feb. 1 - Dec. 30 3MCollision.com 40 Years of Respiratory Protection Sweepstakes May 1 - Oct. 31 40yearsofsafetysweepstakes.com Growth Energy’s Go Green on Race Day American Ethanol Ticket Giveaway April 1 - Nov. 18 americanethanolracing.com/ go-green-on-race-day Ford’s Win My Fusion Sweepstakes Feb. 24 - Oct. 28 winmyfusion.com Kraft’s Win a Nabisco VIP NASCAR® Experience Aug. 1 - Nov. 30 facebook.com/ritzcrackers M&M’s When We Win, You Could Win Sweepstakes Jan. 16 - Nov. 21 mms.com/us/racing/wewinyouwin NASCAR Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver Sweepstakes Sept. 21 - Nov. 3 nascar.com/nnsmpd NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Most Popular Driver Sweepstakes Sept. 21 - Nov. 3 nascar.com/ncwtsmpd Driver Pick’em presented by Nationwide Insurance Feb. 20 - Nov. 17 espn.com, keyword Nationwide Insurance Sunoco’s Weekends of Speed Sweepstakes Feb. 24 - Nov. 18 facebook.com/SunocoRacing Sunoco’s Checkered Flag Sweepstakes Feb. 24 - Nov. 22 facebook.com/SunocoRacing Freescale “Wide Open” Sweepstakes Sept. 10 - Nov. 2 facebook.com/freescaleracing Win a Ford F-150 FX4 and a trip to Las Vegas Aug. 17 – Nov. 18, 2012 NASCARafterthelap.com

NASCAR Trivia Book Hits the Shelves

T

he Official NASCAR Trivia Book, written

by John C. Farrell, challenges fans with over 1,001 NASCAR trivia questions and facts.

With an answer section also included, this book will make a NASCAR expert out of any fan, while offering the most seasoned of followers and casual fans hours and hours of fun, laughter and great NASCAR content.

This book makes the perfect complement to any NASCAR enthusiast’s collection of officially licensed NASCAR products. The 448-page paperback retails for $16.99 and is available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com and Books-A-Million.

NASCAR DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY

T

he NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program, Presented by Sprint, is a comprehensive training program for aspiring minority and female pit crew members. It is focused on instilling the fundamentals, discipline and confidence required to be a top athlete on a NASCAR pit crew.

Accepting applications for the Pit Crew Development Program Combine throughout the year, those selected are evaluated on strength and conditioning, footwork skills and position drills.

“Those who meet the requirements necessary and show that they have the skill, with the proper training, will be placed in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development training program,” said pit crew coach Phil Horton.

This program includes weekly hands-on, over-the-wall position training and coaching for tire changers, tire carriers, fuelers and jackmen. To assure that each participant has the best possible time for their suited position, a template is designed based on height, weight, foot speed, strength and

QUESTIONS

ANSWERS

■■ Which is the only race car number to be

■■ C. The No. 61 was retired

retired in a NASCAR series? a. No. 3 b. No. 43 c. No. 61 d. No. 76 ■■ When Dale Earnhardt made his famous “pass in the grass” in 1987, which driver did he supposedly overtake? a. Terry Labonte b. Ricky Rudd c. Tim Richmond d. Bill Elliott ■■ Five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion crew chief Chad Knaus served as a tire changer for Jeff Gordon’s original pit crew in the NASCAR premier series. a. True b. False

from competition in the NASCAR Modified Tour.

■■ D. Dale Earnhardt was actually leading Bill Elliott when the latter forced Earnhardt down into the grass. Since Earnhardt was already ahead and never gave up the lead to Elliott, Earnhardt never really “passed” Bill Elliott. Therefore, one of Earnhardt’s most famous moments on track is misnamed.

■■ True ■■ Streamline Hotel

■■ The __________ in Daytona Beach, Fla.,

is where Bill France Sr. organized a meeting on December 14, 1947, to discuss the future of stock car racing.

agility, hand-eye coordination, mechanical skills as well as past athletic success.

Each week is broken down into three areas: FUNDAMENTAL MONDAY Includes the use of several training aids like a metronome device, which helps changers achieve fast and controlled hand speed, foot speed pads that measure how fast a jackman can move from one side of the car to the other and resistant bands, which aid the carrier to learn how to index the tire with what is known as the perfect stud.

SITUATION TUESDAY Allows participants to learn different strategies vital for race-day success and allows them to move to the next level in the shortest period of time.

RACE TRIM WEDNESDAY Allows the pit crew members to practice race-day type pit stops that do not have adjustments and adverse situations that may slow the stop. Once this program is completed and each pit crew member has mastered the necessary skills, graduates are placed on an entry-level ARCA or NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team for one season. This progression continues

into NASCAR’s top two national series.

“The goal is to have the fastest pit stop possible,” said Horton. “We look for a pit practice average in the low 12-second or high 11-second range in hopes that the crew will average a 12.5-second pit stop on race day. A typical pit crew member who possesses the required skill level and talent will reach the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series level in about three to four years.”

Since its inception, the NASCAR Drive For Diversity Pit Crew Development Program has coached and trained over 40 minority and female pit crew athletes and has placed more than 20 members in permanent or contract positions within the ARCA, NASCAR Camping World Truck, NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

FREERACEMAG.COM

17

green flag

Q&A

with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Title Contender Clint Bowyer CLINT BOWYER AT GLANCE ■■FAVORITE BOOK: If you knew how much A.D.D. I have, [you’d know] I can’t get through a book ■■FAVORITE KIND OF FOOD: Probably Mexican ■■FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: The Atlantic; the Bahamas ■■FAVORITE GENRE OF MUSIC: Both kinds: Country and Western!

■■FAVORITE NON-RACING SPORT: When football season comes around, I really like watching the playoffs ■■FAVORITE ANIMAL: A dog; I’ve got an Australian Shepherd and he’s my buddy ■■FAVORITE SEASON: Summer; but if it keeps being 102 degrees outside, I’m looking forward to fall ■■MOST TREASURED MATERIAL POSSESSION: I’ve got a ’49 Mercury that’s pretty sweet ■■ONE THING I’D LIKE TO CHANGE: Make me a champion

What would you be doing for a living if you weren’t racing?

That’s a good question. I would be up a creek without a paddle. That’s the only thing I’ve ever done my whole life. I’ve raced motorcycles since I was four years old. When I was 16, 17 years old, I transitioned into car racing, and that’s really the only thing that I’ve ever been good at. So I don’t know.

What do you like to do for fun outside of racing?

I love all forms of racing. I have two dirt late model teams. That’s what I do, that’s what I enjoy is being at the shop, working on them, helping them guys, and then from there, working on hot rods and cars. We always seem to have a project going on with some sort of hot rod or something. And then we’re at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri quite a bit in the summertime, and just enjoy good people when we’re here, and it’s always a good time.

As a single guy, what’s a typical weekday like for you?

Monday is always the competition meeting [at Michael Waltrip Racing], and that’s something important that we do. There’s always something going on. Going to the shop, working in the office maybe for a day and working at the dirt shop.

Do you prefer eating dinner at home or out?

I don’t have the patience for cooking, so I’m pretty much an eating-out type of guy. I’m the guy that always gets my food, and is done eating and asking for the bill before most people are done eating. It’s because it’s hard for me to sit still, and I’m ready to get on the move again.

What’s your favorite childhood memory?

I don’t know a favorite one. I’ve just been very fortunate to have a good childhood and be raised with good parents and my two brothers. I enjoyed motocross racing. I met a lot of good people, a lot of good friends that I have today. It’s weird how life can take you in so many different ways.

What is the biggest fulfillment or joy that you derive from racing?

The joy is just winning. That’s what we race for. Everybody is in that same boat. I’m truly not happy unless I’m winning. That’s the only time you can leave a race track and be truly happy.

Do you ever forget about the risk and the speed?

That’s the farthest thing from your mind. When you’re racing, you’re focused on beating the next guy and getting around that track as fast as possible. That’s what your focus is. It never crosses your mind that what you’re doing is dangerous or anything else. It’s just how to be faster.

18

POLE POSITION // 2012

BY JARED TURNER

Tweet This COMPILED BY JARED TURNER @DENNYHAMLIN

I’ve been bored the last 6 hrs…

Just started raining. NOW I can sleep!

– Aug. 10, after a rainy day at Watkins Glen Following: Michael Vick, Mark Cuban @JEFFGORDONWEB

Still bummed about spinning in the fluid on the track in the last corner.

Would have been nice to pull off a top 10 today.

– Aug. 12, after a tough race at Watkins Glen Following: Ron Howard, Simon Cowell @KESELOWSKI

I’m in pure amazement at how so many peeps can think I wrecked Kyle Busch intentionally and feel the need to be jerks about it on twitter.

– Aug. 12, after a last-lap collision with Kyle Busch while racing for the lead at Watkins Glen Following: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Desmond Howard @CLINTBOWYER

Is anyone else watching the closing ceremonies kinda turning into a freak show?

– Aug. 12, while watching the closing ceremonies for the 2012 Summer Olympics Following: Charlie Daniels, Miranda Lambert @DELANAHARVICK

Is it wrong that I say “mommy” at least a million times a day to positively influence Keelan’s first word???

– Aug. 15, on teaching her infant son how to talk Following: Chipper Jones, Anderson Cooper @ELLIOTT_SADLER

Phelps is a stud… Fun watching him swim like that!!!

– Aug. 3, after watching United States swimmer Michael Phelps compete in the Olympics Following: Bucky Covington, DefeatObama

Racin’ Recipes

INGREDIENTS

■■ 1 can (21.5 ounces)

R

ecipes created for BUSH’S® Grillin’ Beans® exclusively by Chef Jeffrey Saad, grilling expert, television host of numerous food- and cooking-related shows and author of the new cookbook, Jeffrey Saad’s Global Kitchen: Recipes Without Borders.

BUSH’S® PEPPERY CHICKEN KABOBS ■■ Servings: 4 to 6 ■■ Preparation Time: 30 mins. (plus 3 hours to overnight for marinating) ■■ Cooking Time: 10 minutes

BUSH’S® Sweet Mesquite Grillin’ Beans® ■■ Optional Garnish: Fresh flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped FOR MARINADE ■■ 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped ■■ 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika ■■ ½ teaspoon ground (cayenne) red pepper ■■ 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves ■■ 2 tablespoons olive oil ■■ 2 teaspoons salt FOR KABOBS

■■ 2 pounds skin on chicken

©2012 Bush Brothers & Company. JTG Daugherty Racing,™ Bobby Labonte name and/or likeness and race team, race car and car number used by authority of JTG Racing, Inc. TOYOTA AND ALL ASSOCIATED MARKS, EMBLEMS AND DESIGNS ARE THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION AND USED WITH PERMISSION.

thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces ■■ ½ each large white onion, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces ■■ 1 each red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces B:8.625” ■■ Salt and pepper ■■ 1 12-inch sheet T:8.375” plastic wrap S:7.875” ■■ Wooden or metal skewers (recommend metal)

DIRECTIONS FOR MARINADE ■■ In large bowl, mix together garlic, paprika, red pepper, thyme, oil and salt.

FOR KABOBS

■■ Place chicken in bowl of marinade, turn

to evenly coat. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours to overnight.

■■ Using skewers create kabob by threading chicken, onion and pepper, leaving ½-inch of space between each piece for even grilling. Alternate between chicken, onion and pepper until all pieces are used. (Tip: If using wooden skewers, soak in cold water for at least 1 hour before use to prevent burning).

■■ Season kabobs with salt and pepper.

■■ Set clean, well-oiled grill to medium-high heat. When grill is hot, using tongs, place kabobs on grill. Cook 4 minutes. Using tongs, flip kabobs and cook 5 minutes or until chicken internal temperature is at least 165 degrees F˚ and onions and peppers are slightly crispy.

■■ Using tongs, remove kabobs from grill and place on platter. Garnish with parsley, as desired. Be sure to remove all ingredients from skewers before eating.

■■ Serve with BUSH’S® Sweet Mesquite Grillin’ Beans.

DRIVE BOLD. GRILL BOLD.

With New BUSH’S® Sweet Mesquite Grillin’ Beans®.

Root for Bobby Labonte, driver of #47 BUSH’S® Beans-sponsored car.

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