NASCAR Pole Position 2013 June/July by A.E. Engine

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ContEnts

FEAturE story

sECrEt wEApon

DRIVER PROFILES

grEAtEst momEnts

Mobil 1 helps make SHR the team to beat at Daytona and Talladega

Every season showcases twists, turns and surprises. What will happen in 2013? nasCar Pole Position raCe Fan guiDe AN OFFICIALLY LICENSED PUBLICATION OF NASCAR

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NASCAR POLE POSITION MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER: Craig baronCelli VICE PRESIDENT, SALES: DaViD watson VICE PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE ACCOUNTS: Dayne MaasDorP

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nAsCAr dEFinEd

The view from the track.

4 to wAtCh in thE nCwts

Four drivers to keep an eye on in 2013.

grEEn FlAg

06 08 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20

news & notes new nascar-themed slot machine racing 101 driver Q&a: brian vickers series schedules nascar partner contests twitter racin’ recipes did you know? race time at walmart building the green machine tailgating

nAsCAr history: thE 1980s

Sleek cars, colorful drivers.

photo Finish: dAniCA pAtriCk

Danica steals the show at Daytona.

nAsCAr FuEl

56 careers 57 lifestyle 58 fun pages rostErs

62 nascar sprint cup series 63 nascar nationwide series nascar camping world truck series 64 fresh faces: ryan blaney

NATIONAL ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Chris Vita, alexanDer wang, CaZ PiurowsKi, Kristy liMotta

PRODUCTION ART DIRECTOR: Jason teDesChi GRAPHIC DESIGNER: staCey Foster WEB DEVELOPER: niCole hess COPY EDITOR: Keith waltZ ASSISTANT EDITOR: Kyle bennett WRITERS: JareD turner, Keith waltZ, ben white • PHOTOGRAPHY: Cia stoCK PhotograPhy • SPECIAL THANKS TO: John Farrell, brittany Meyer, nasCar A.E. ENGINE SPECIFIES THAT POST-PRESS CHANGES MAY OCCUR TO ANY INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PUBLICATION AND TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR GOODS OR SERVICES ADVERTISED. NASCAR® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR STOCK CAR AUTO RACING, INC. Mail orDer: TO RECEIVE A 2013 SUBSCRIPTION TO NASCAR POLE POSITION MAGAZINE, SEND A CHECK OR MONEY ORDER FOR $20.00 TO: POLE POSITION, C/O A.E. ENGINE, 11880 28TH ST. N, SUITE 101, ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33716. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR RETURN MAILING ADDRESS AND AN EMAIL ADDRESS. online orDer: SUBSCRIPTIONS CAN BE ORDERED ONLINE AT POLEPOSITIONMAG. COM/BUY. Distribution: IF YOU ARE A BUSINESS OR AN ORGANIZATION INTERESTED IN DISTRIBUTING COPIES OF NASCAR POLE POSITION MAGAZINE, PLEASE CONTACT CRAIG BARONCELLI AT (727) 2091750 OR CB@AE-ENGINE.COM. sales inQuiries: IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING IN NASCAR POLE POSITION MAGAZINE OR WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A FIELD REPRESENTATIVE, PLEASE CONTACT DAVID WATSON AT (727) 209-0789, OR DKW@AE-ENGINE.COM. PrinteD in the u.s.a.

gEAr

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green flag news & notes

the number

5,500

n 2012, Ford sold more than 5,500 vehicles to NASCAR Official Partners through its Partner Recognition Program, with one of its largest vehicle sales deals being worth more than $5 million. More than two-thirds of the NASCAR Fuel for Business Council members participated in Ford’s program.

Most Popular Voting

Ford Earns Business Award Ford Motor Co., which has been competing in NASCAR since 1949, recently received the NASCAR Driving Business Award for the second time in three years. ■ The annual award was presented at a ceremony in Las Vegas during the NASCAR Fuel for Business Council. It is bestowed upon the Official NASCAR Partner that demonstrates extraordinary leadership and results through its participation in the NFFB Council. With its win, Ford becomes the award’s first two-time recipient. ■ The NFFB Council brings together more than 55 Official NASCAR Partners to get more out of their sponsorships, specifically aligning partners to buy and sell products and services. Building Business “Ford continues to be among the top blue-chip brands that are building business within the NASCAR Fuel for Business Council,” said Norris Scott, NASCAR vice president of partnership marketing. “A model B-to-B partner in NASCAR, Ford continues to be a leader in developing strategic ways to generate business from its sponsorship.”

POLE POSITION 2013

oting is underway for the NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association Most Popular Driver Award. Fans can visit MostPopularDriver.com and vote once a day for their favorite NASCAR Sprint Cup driver among the 39 eligible. All 39 will remain eligible for voting throughout the entire NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Voting will conclude Nov. 17 following the season’s final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The winner will be announced at the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon in December.

Digital Media

igital sports video news agency SendtoNews has signed to distribute NASCAR race highlights and other event content to thousands of member news outlets via its News Partnership Network. “We’re always thinking about ways to offer fans more NASCAR content, no matter where they are. This partnership allows us to better reach fans in communities across the country and enhance the coverage of our sport at the local level,” said Marc Jenkins, vice president, Digital Media at NASCAR.

A Champion’s Story “Alan Kulwicki: A Champion’s Story” is currently a featured exhibit at the Milwaukee County Historical Society in Milwaukee, Wis. The exhibit showcases numerous artifacts from the 1992 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion’s career, including driving suits, helmets, trophies and souvenirs, as well as extensive racing and interview footage. Of particular note are interactive kiosks that feature interviews with Kulwicki’s racing family and an interactive racing game that allows visitors to compete against Kulwicki for the fastest lap. “Alan’s story is truly inspirational. Through hard work, a commitment to education and learning, and strong family and community ties, Alan pursued and achieved his dream with passion and enthusiasm,” said Scott Stroh, executive director of the Milwaukee County Historical Society. The exhibit runs through the end of the year.

green flag

Liberty Tire Recycling Joins NASCAR Green

ASCAR and Liberty Tire Recycling have announced a new partnership that designates the tire recycling services provider as the Official Tire Recycler of NASCAR Green. NASCAR has the largest recycling program in sports, including a comprehensive effort that accounts for approximately 120,000 Goodyear tires being recycled across NASCAR’s top three national series each year. “By recycling more than 140 million tires annually, we reclaim nearly 1.5 billion pounds of rubber for innovative, eco-friendly products,” said Thomas Carter, Liberty Tire Recycling vice president of alternative fuels. “We look forward to enhancing NASCAR Green’s best-in-class recycling program by keeping its discarded tires out of landfills and transforming them into smart, sustainable products that improve people’s lives.” Liberty’s rubberized asphalt will also be used to repave race tracks and parking lots at NASCAR tracks across the country.

n conjunction with the NASCAR Green Clean Air Tree Planting Program Delivered by UPS, Liberty Tire Recycling will provide GroundSmart Mulch that will enhance the landscaping of trees that are donated to areas of need throughout the country. The rubber mulch lasts longer than its wood mulch counterpart and prevents soil erosion.

ASCAR and FDP Friction Science have reached an agreement that designates the Duralast brand as the Official Brakes of NASCAR. With more than 50 years of friction development experience, FDP manufactures Duralast Brakes, which are sold exclusively at AutoZone stores. “Our brand loyal fan base associates NASCAR with quality and authenticity,” said Jim O’Connell, NASCAR chief sales officer. “NASCAR fans are more likely to shop at automotive specialty stores and the NASCAR bar mark will help differentiate Duralast Brakes at retail.”

ocono Raceway and Strike Ten Entertainment, the sponsorship activation arm of the bowling industry, have announced a partnership that brings together two of the nation’s favorite sports brands: NASCAR and GoBowling. com. As part of the two-year sponsorship, the August NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., will be known as the GoBowling.com 400. This year’s race is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 4, and information can be obtained by visiting poconoraceway.com.

owe’s Companies Inc. is continuing its relationship with Hendrick Motorsports after signing a contract extension that secures primary sponsorship of the No. 48 NASCAR Sprint Cup team and five-time series champion Jimmie Johnson through the 2015 season. The agreement builds on a partnership that was launched in 2001 when Johnson was selected to drive for the new No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team. “Lowe’s believed in me before I had any success,” said Johnson. “They are all I’ve ever known in my [NASCAR] Sprint Cup career, and their support of me and the No. 48 team is second to none in the sport.”

lready one of the few tracks in NASCAR to offer a tent-covered, prerace gathering for fans inside the track, Atlanta Motor Speedway is giving ticket buyers the opportunity to gain even more access and amenities during the Sept. 1 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500. For $60 per person, the High Speed Hospitality ticket upgrade gives ticket holders an infield hospitality package that includes a pit tour prior to the race, food and beverage, entertainment by a DJ and a cash bar. Menu items include hot dogs, sirloin burgers, fried chicken, corn on the cob and peach pie. Visit atlantamotorspeedway.com for details.

revost, a leading manufacturer of premium touring and conversion coaches, has been named the Official Luxury Motorcoach of NASCAR. A fixture at NASCAR race tracks each weekend, Prevost motorcoaches are utilized across the driver and team owner lots, sponsor hospitality compounds, manufacturer engineering stations and fan camping areas.

esa France Kennedy and Glenn Ritchey have been elected to The NASCAR Foundation board. Kennedy is CEO and vice chairperson of the board of directors for International Speedway Corp., as well as a vice chairperson for NASCAR. She is actively involved with several civic organizations in the Daytona Beach, Fla., area. Ritchey, a former mayor of Daytona Beach, Fla., is the president and CEO of the Jon Hall Automotive Group/Ritchey Autos Southeast Automotive Management, one of the nation’s most successful automotive companies. The NASCAR Foundation is a nonprofit entity that embodies the compassion of the NASCAR family and its commitment to serving communities. POLEPOSITIONMAG.COM

grEEn FlAg

new nAsCAr-themed slot machine Gambling – whether on the track or on pit road – is often the key to winning a NASCAR race. It seems only fitting, therefore, that these two pastimes have now collided on the casino ﬂoor.

ueled by a new partnership between nasCar and bally technologies, a Las Vegas-based slot-machine manufacturer and operator of advanced gaming devices, a first-of-its-kind NASCAR-branded slot machine has arrived at multiple gaming properties in Las Vegas, with more headed to casinos throughout the United States and across the globe in the near future. The new slot, known in gaming jargon as a “widearea progressive,” utilizes five of NASCAR’s most recognizable drivers – Clint Bowyer, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson – to attract gamers. While playing as one of these drivers, participants hear audio and video of the drivers, delivered through a 32-inch vertical touch-screen display and the Pro Surround Chair.

also featured are three notable bonuses – the Pit Stop Bonus, Burnout Free Games and the U-Race Bonus – that offer numerous awards and chances for player advancement and substantial cash winnings. “It is tied to a life-changing jackpot,” Bally Technologies vice president of corporate marketing Dan Savage said of the new slot machine. “When you win on the NASCAR video slots, you’re going to be winning $700,000, $800,000, $1.4, $1.6

million-type jackpots.” Founded in 1932 and responsible for gaming products and systems found in gaming locations worldwide, Bally Technologies approached NASCAR about the partnership in 2011 at the annual Licensing Expo in Las Vegas. The agreement, which was formally announced last September after 15 months of negotiations, is expected to place the NASCAR slot machine in 65 to 70 percent of the roughly 700 casinos in North America, Savage said, with hundreds expected to be installed in the next six months. Prior to making its pitch to NASCAR, Bally devoted considerable time and resources into deciding what kind of sports theme to pursue for its newest slot machines. “We looked at car racing, we looked at hockey, we looked at golf, we looked at soccer,” Savage said. “How we determined which one is the most valuable to us from a brand or from a player point of

by jared tuner 08

polE position 2013

green flag view is we send all that stuff out online to our player database of more than 1,000 active gamblers, and we say, ‘Hey, what do you prefer?’ NASCAR scored really high.” Boyd Gaming, a Las Vegas-based casino entertainment company with 22 gaming properties nationwide, was one of the first casino operators in Las Vegas to offer the NASCAR slot machine, at seven of its Las Vegas properties – The Orleans, Sam’s Town, Gold Coast, Suncoast, Fremont, California and Main Street Station. Plans call for additional Boyd Gaming casinos in Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and New Jersey to feature the slot machine in the near feature. Boyd Gaming has sponsored Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s annual NASCAR Nationwide Series race every year since 1997, making it the longest-running title sponsor on the NASCAR Nationwide circuit. The company recently entered into a new four-year agreement to remain the title sponsor of the Las Vegas NASCAR Nationwide race. “Our customers love NASCAR,” said

Chris Gibase, senior vice president of operations for Boyd Gaming. “They love this brand, so it makes perfect sense for Boyd Gaming to be the first casino operator to offer this game at our properties.”

Boyd Gaming was particularly impressed by the sophistication of the product, which was preceded by Bally Technologies’ rollout last October of a systems-based virtual racing application that features eight top NASCAR drivers and a floor-wide experience where all gaming customers under

the same roof engage in a two-minute NASCAR bonus round. The new slot figures to be a terrific complement to the virtual gaming application. “Slot machines have really evolved over the last 20 years,” Gibase said. “These games have become immersive entertainment experiences. Slot machines today feature many levels of payouts and bonus awards designed to reward and entertain our guests. Bally’s design of these games that feature multilevel jackpots were simply not technologically possible in the past. Gibase said that it has become essential to offer a slot product that’s going to engage the guests in a manner that is exciting and memorable. “We see the NASCAR game as a perfect example of what our guests are looking for,” Gibase said. “It’s an engaging experience that’s going to appeal to a broad portion of our guests across the country. The game simply provides a much broader entertainment experience.”

POLEPOSITIONMAG.COM

grEEn FlAg rACing 101

understanding the terminology of racing

presented by

NASCAR competitors and hard-core fans often use words or phrases that can be confusing to new or casual fans of America’s most popular form of auto racing. Consider the following a NASCAR Pole Position study guide as these definitions will help you better understand the racing “lingo.”

apron: The paved portion of a race track that separates the racing surface from the infield. bell housing: A bell-shaped cover that surrounds the flywheel and clutch, and connects the engine to the transmission. binders: A slang term for a NASCAR race car’s brakes. blister: An overheating of the rubber compound that causes bubbles on the smooth surface of a racing tire. Cam shaft: A rotating shaft within an engine that opens and closes the intake and exhaust valves. Drag: The resistance a car experiences when passing through the air at high speeds. A resisting force exerted

polE position 2013

on a car parallel to its airstream and opposite in direction to its motion. Drive shaft: A steel tube that connects the transmission of a NASCAR race car to the rear-end housing. engine block: An iron casting from the manufacturer that envelops the crank shaft, connecting rods and pistons. Fabricator: A person who specializes in creating the sheet metal body of a stock car. Firewall: A steel plate that separates the engine compartment from the driver’s compartment of a NASCAR race car. gasket: A thin material – made of paper, metal, silicone or other synthetic materials – used

as a seal between two machined metal surfaces such as cylinder heads and the engine block. heat Cycle: Each time a tire is raised to operating temperature is a heat cycle. horsepower: A measurement of mechanical or engine power. Measured in the amount of power it takes to move 33,000 pounds one foot in a minute. interval: The time or distance between two race cars. It is referred to roughly in car-lengths or precisely in seconds. loose stuff: Debris such as sand, pebbles or small pieces of rubber that collects on a track’s apron or near the outside wall during a race. oil Pump: This device pumps oil in order to lubricate all moving engine parts. Pit stall: The area along pit road that is designated for a particular team’s use during pit stops. Each car stops in the team’s pit stall before being serviced. ride height: The distance between the car’s frame rails and

the ground. roll Cage: The steel tubing located in the interior of the race car. Designed to protect the driver from impacts or rollovers, the roll cage must meet strict NASCAR safety guidelines and is inspected regularly. scuffs: Slang term for tires that have been used at least once and saved for further racing. A lap or two is enough to “scuff” a Goodyear tire. Scuffed tires are often used during qualifying. splash and go: A quick pit stop that

a bar that resists or counteracts the rolling force of a car’s body through the turns. template: A device used to check a race car’s body shape and size to ensure compliance with NASCAR rules. The primary template closely resembles the shape of the factory version of the race car. 200-MPh tape: Also known as “racer’s tape.” It is a special grade of duct tape that is so strong it will hold a banged-up race car together long enough to finish a race.

involves nothing more than refueling the race car with the amount of fuel necessary to finish the race. sway bar: Sometimes called an “anti-roll bar.” It is

window net: A woven mesh that hangs across the driver’s side window to prevent the driver’s head and limbs from being exposed during an accident.

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grEEn FlAg driVEr Q&A

Q&A with Brian Vickers

nAsCAr nAtionwidE sEriEs driVEr

who were your biggest insPirations growing uP?

My parents. In motorsports, it was probably Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon and Ayrton Senna. iF you weren’t raCing For a liVing, what woulD you Do?

in racing and I feel very fortunate, but winning the championship with him was special. It was just an incredible year, my first full-time year in the [NASCAR] Nationwide Series. Winning the championship, winning a bunch of races, it was just incredible.

ViCkErs At A glAnCE pApEr or plAstiC ■ Paper

FAVoritE Food ■ Pizza

I like the sound of being an astronaut. I’ve just always loved space and science. I’ve always wanted to go into space.

what Do you still

I want to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

■ Money

what FaCtors

iF you CoulD, what

■ Jackson Hole in Wyoming

insPire you to raCe?

woulD you Change

I love the thrill of being in the car and going fast. I love the adrenaline rush. I love competition, competing at a high level.

about the worlD?

what is your best MeMory in raCing?

I would say it was winning the [NASCAR Nationwide Series] championship with Ricky Hendrick [in 2003]. I’ve had so many great moments

want to aCCoMPlish in raCing?

I think that question deserves a little bit of thought. I don’t really know exactly how to structure it, but I think some form of term limits on Congress, because I think America has some of the greatest ability to kind of influence world events, and I don’t think that we’ve managed that in the best

FAmE or monEy FAVoritE VACAtion spot FAVoritE holidAy ■ Thanksgiving

FAVoritE moViE ■ Dumb and Dumber, “That’s pretty funny”

FAVoritE musiC ■ Frank Sinatra

dEmoCrAt or rEpuBliCAn ■ Republican

way in recent times. America, especially the U.S. government, does more in charity around the world than any other nation and probably most of them combined. So, I think if you fix our political system a little bit, you can have a huge impact in the world as a whole. We’re far from it right now. We’ve got how many trillions of dollars in debt? And now we’re asking to borrow more. I think if you could have a substantial impact on the way the U.S. government works, you could therefore have a substantial impact on the world. And I don’t mean that in a like, “I’m an American” conceited kind of way. Just at least for the moment, we’re the biggest from a monetary standpoint to a military standpoint to a political standpoint, influential standpoint, kind of across the board. Now, that hasn’t always been so and it may not always be so. I hope so. What’s the biggest foundation in the world? The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation? And it has what, $40 billion, $30 billion? The U.S. government spends that in like an hour or 30 minutes. So if you could affect the

government, you could have a tremendous impact. how DiD your illness anD tiMe away FroM the sPort Change you?

It changed me in a lot of ways. I think my appreciation for so much in the sport has changed dramatically, and my appreciation for life in general. You think about things differently, you live in the present, you appreciate more, and it’s kind of all of the stereotypical things. It’s not that I wasn’t appreciative before, but when it’s jerked out from underneath you, you really appreciate it even more. what are the iMPliCations oF Veteran DriVers raCing FulltiMe in the nasCar nationwiDe series?

I don’t know what the overall implications are, but I think it’s good for the series. I’m having a lot of fun. There have always been [NASCAR] Sprint Cup guys in the series. Ten years ago when I was racing in the series, I was battling every week for wins with [NASCAR Sprint] Cup drivers — racing against Mark [Martin] and Matt Kenseth and a lot of different guys. It was great experience for me.

by jared turner 12

polE position 2013

series schedules green flag 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series SCHEDULE Feb. 24 March 3 March 10 March 17 March 24 April 7 April 13 April 21 April 27 May 5 May 11 May 18 May 26 June 2 June 9 June 16 June 23 June 29 July 6

Daytona International Speedway Phoenix International Raceway Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bristol Motor Speedway Auto Club Speedway Martinsville Speedway Texas Motor Speedway Kansas Speedway Richmond International Raceway Talladega Superspeedway Darlington Raceway *Charlotte Motor Speedway Charlotte Motor Speedway Dover International Speedway Pocono Raceway Michigan International Speedway Sonoma Raceway Kentucky Speedway Daytona International Speedway

July 14 New Hampshire Motor Speedway July 28 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Aug. 4 Pocono Raceway Aug. 11 Watkins Glen International Aug. 18 Michigan International Speedway Aug. 24 Bristol Motor Speedway Sept. 1 Atlanta Motor Speedway Sept. 7 Richmond International Raceway Sept. 15 Chicagoland Speedway Sept. 22 New Hampshire Motor Speedway Sept. 29 Dover International Speedway Oct. 6 Kansas Speedway Oct. 12 Charlotte Motor Speedway Oct. 20 Talladega Superspeedway Oct. 27 Martinsville Speedway Nov. 3 Texas Motor Speedway Nov. 10 Phoenix International Raceway Nov. 17 Homestead-Miami Speedway *Non-points special event

TOUGH Foaming, Sticks to Everything

GLUE

2013 NASCAR nationwide Series SCHEDULE Feb. 23 March 2 March 9 March 16 March 23 April 12 April 26 May 4 May 10 May 25 June 1 June 8 June 15 June 22 June 28 July 5 July 13

Daytona International Speedway Phoenix International Raceway Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bristol Motor Speedway Auto Club Speedway Texas Motor Speedway Richmond International Raceway Talladega Superspeedway Darlington Raceway Charlotte Motor Speedway Dover International Speedway Iowa Speedway Michigan International Speedway Road America Kentucky Speedway Daytona International Speedway New Hampshire Motor Speedway

2013 NASCAR camping world truck Series SCHEDULE Feb. 22 April 6 April 14 April 20 May 17 May 31 June 7 June 27 July 13 July 24 Aug. 3 Aug. 17 Aug. 21 Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 13 Sept. 28 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 1 Nov. 8 Nov. 15

Daytona International Speedway Martinsville Speedway Rockingham Speedway Kansas Speedway Charlotte Motor Speedway Dover International Speedway Texas Motor Speedway Kentucky Speedway Iowa Speedway Eldora Speedway Pocono Raceway Michigan International Speedway Bristol Motor Speedway Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Iowa Speedway Chicagoland Speedway Las Vegas Motor Speedway Talladega Superspeedway Martinsville Speedway Texas Motor Speedway Phoenix International Raceway Homestead-Miami Speedway

July 21 July 27 Aug. 3 Aug. 10 Aug. 17 Aug. 23 Aug. 31 Sept. 6 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 11 Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Nov. 16

Chicagoland Speedway Indianapolis Motor Speedway Iowa Speedway Watkins Glen International Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Bristol Motor Speedway Atlanta Motor Speedway Richmond International Raceway Chicagoland Speedway Kentucky Speedway Dover International Speedway Kansas Speedway Charlotte Motor Speedway Texas Motor Speedway Phoenix International Raceway Homestead-Miami Speedway

NASCAR partner CONTESTS My Coke Rewards Sweepstakes January 1 - December 31, 2013 mycokerewards.com

M&M’s When We Win You Could Win Game January 14 - November 24, 2013 mms.com/us/racing Nabiso’s NASCAR Racing Sweepstakes February 1 - September 30, 2013 nabisconascar.com

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green flag twitter

Tweets from the Track Got a late night workout in solely for the purpose of feeling guilt free while eating a butterfinger bar at midnight. And it was gooodd!!! April 11 @keselowski

I can not wait to get back in the car. The smell of fuel and tires Ahhh april 30 after sitting out four races following a fractured vertabrae

@dennyhamlin

As much as I wud like to, hard to complain about a bad race after 87 wins and 4 championships. Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s way of keeping balance? Maybe April 15 two days after a 38th-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway

@JeffGordonWeb

Relaxing day for @kylebusch, chillin on couch, watchin the truck race w the pup! Rockin his m&m pj pants of course april 14 after her husbandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win the night before at Texas Motor Speedway

@SamanthaBusch

POLE POSITION 2013

Hanging out in the @ColbertReport green room waiting for my highly necessary hair/makeup. april 24 @danicapatrick

rACin’ rECipEs grEEn FlAg ingrEdiEnts ■ 1 can (21.5 ounces) 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

Bush’s® pEppEry ChiCkEn kABoBs

For kABoBs

■ Servings: 4 to 6 ■ Preparation Time: 30 mins. (plus 3 hours to overnight for marinating) ■ Cooking Time: 10 minutes

E ©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.

njoy this recipe 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.

■ 2 pounds skin on chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces ■ ½ each large white onion, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces ■ 1 each red bell pepper, cut intoB:8.625” 1-inch pieces ■ Salt and pepper T:8.375” ■ 1 12-inch sheet plastic S:7.875” wrap ■ 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 three 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 one 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 four minutes. Using tongs, flip kabobs and cook five 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.

polEPOSITIONmAg.COM

green flag did you know?

Race Tire Vs. Street Tire

n a typical race weekend, a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team will use between nine and 14 sets of tires depending on the length of the track and type of track – short track, intermediate speedway, superspeedway or road course. By comparison, an average set of street tires gets replaced approximately every three years. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race tire specifications also differ from race to race depending on the degree of track banking and type of racing surface – asphalt, concrete or a mixture of both. Goodyear uses about 30 distinct tire codes to cover the needs of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series during the course of a racing season.

Goodyear Eagle Radial Race Tire Tread Width: 11.5 inches

Goodyear Eagle High-Performance Street Tire Thread Width: 9 inches

POLE POSITION 2013

■■ Source: NASCAR/Goodyear

GOODYEAR LIFEGUARD INNER LINER SAFETY SPARE

s a rule, the Goodyear Lifeguard Inner Liner Safety Spare is used on oval tracks one mile or more in length. It’s also used on the right-side tires at Bristol Motor Speedway. The inner liner can be reused up to a dozen times if not damaged. It weighs 10 pounds and is generally inflated 12 to 25 pounds higher than the outer Goodyear Eagle race tire. The original version of this tire was first tested by drivers Richard Petty and Darel Dieringer, and was used until 1992 before it was replaced by the current tubeless model.

rACE timE At wAlmArt grEEn FlAg

Fans win with relationship Between walmart and nAsCAr rACE timE is BACk!

upComing FAn EVEnts At wAlmArt storEs doVEr

Wed., May 29, 2013 Wed., May 29, 2013 Thurs., May 30, 2013 Thurs., May 30, 2013 Fri., May 31, 2013 Fri., May 31, 2013 Sat., June 01, 2013

poCono

Wed., June 05, 2013 Wed., June 05, 2013 Thurs., June 06, 2013 Thurs., June 06, 2013 Fri., June 07, 2013 Fri., June 07, 2013 Sat., June 08, 2013

miChigAn

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. Throughout the season, Walmart will provide shoppers with affordability and accessibility to the NASCAR experience. The retail program, branded “Race Time,” is the largest retail promotion in NASCAR’s history and was launched in 2011. This year, it has been expanded to include more than triple the companies offering authentic merchandise. There is also an increase in the number of fan events in race markets and more tracks are partnering with Walmart to offer 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 and four sodas for just $99, a savings of more than $100, while supplies last. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster kiosks in select markets. Race Time brings NASCAR to life at your local Walmart with exclusive fan events, featuring authentic stock car displays, racing simulators, product sampling and driver appearances in every NASCAR market all season long. This year, Walmart will put its customers in the driver’s seat. Walmart will be the title sponsor of the Party in the Poconos 400 race, which will be both dedicated to and customized by the fans. Throughout the promotion, customers will select elements of the race, as well as have the opportunity to get to the track through Walmart’s discounted ticket offer. Most every seat will be sold for the same low price as the Walmart Family Track Pack game-changing offer of $25! For more information, visit Walmart.com/NASCAR.

Wed., June 12, 2013 Thurs., June 13, 2013 Fri., June 14, 2013 Sat., June 15, 2013 Sat., June 15, 2013

sonomA

Wed., June 19, 2013 Thurs., June 20, 2013 Fri., June 21, 2013 Sat., June 22, 2013

kEntuCky

Tuesday, June 25, 2013 Tuesday, June 25, 2013 Wed., June 26, 2013 Wed., June 26, 2013 Thurs., June 27, 2013 Thurs., June 27, 2013 Fri., June 28, 2013 Fri., June 28, 2013

dAytonA

Monday, July 01, 2013 Monday, July 01, 2013 Tuesday, July 02, 2013 Tuesday, July 02, 2013 Wed., July 03, 2013 Wed., July 03, 2013 Thurs., July 04, 2013 Thurs., July 04, 2013 Fri., July 05, 2013 Fri., July 05, 2013

loudon

Wed., July 10, 2013 Wed., July 10, 2013 Thurs., July 11, 2013 Thurs., July 11, 2013 Fri., July 12, 2013 Fri., July 12, 2013 Sat., July 13, 2013

indiAnApolis Wed., July 24, 2013 Wed., July 24, 2013 Thurs., July 25, 2013 Thurs., July 25, 2013 Fri., July 26, 2013 Fri., July 26, 2013 Sat., July 27, 2013

poCono

Wed., July 31, 2013 Wed., July 31, 2013 Thurs., August 01, 2013 Thurs., August 01, 2013 Fri., August 02, 2013 Fri., August 02, 2013 Sat., August 03, 2013

10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 9:00am -3:00pm

705 Middletown Warwick Rd. 939 North Dupont Blvd. 263 Walmart Dr. 36 Jerome Dr. 939 North Dupont Blvd. 263 Walmart Dr. 36 Jerome Dr.

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

10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 9:00am - 3:00pm

1091 Millcreek Rd. 3722 Easton Rd. 2150 Wilkes Barre Twp. Mktpl. 900 Commerce Blvd. 500 Route 940 355 Lincoln Ave. 500 Route 940

Allentown, Pa. Easton, Pa. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Dickson City, Pa. Mount Pocono, Pa. E. Stroudsburg, Pa. Mount Pocono, Pa.

11:00am - 5:00pm 11:00am - 5:00pm 11:00am - 5:00pm 8:00am - 2:00pm 9:30am - 3:30pm

800 East Chicago St. 701 Olds St. 7000 East Michigan Ave. 1601 U.S. 223 1700 West Michigan Ave.

Coldwater, Mich. Jonesville, Mich. Saline, Mich. Adrian, Mich. Jackson, Mich.

11:00am - 5:00pm 11:00am - 5:00pm 11:00am - 5:00pm 9:00am - 3:00pm

2701 North Texas St. 6650 Hembree Ln. 4625 Redwood Dr. 7011 Main St.

Fairfield, Calif. Windsor, Calif. Rohnert Park, Calif. American Canyon, Calif.

10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm

3450 Valley Plaza Pkwy. 7625 Doering Dr. 500 Taylorsville Rd. 1015 New Moody Ln. 20 Ferguson Blvd. 200 Floyd Dr. 567 Ivy Tech Dr. 200 Floyd Dr.

Ft. Wright, Ky. Florence, Ky. Shelbyville, Ky. La Grange, Ky. Dry Ridge, Ky. Carrollton, Ky. Madison, Ind. Carrollton, Ky.

10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm

1521 West Granada Blvd. 1699 North Woodland Blvd. 174 Cypress Point Pkwy. 1521 West Granada Blvd. 1905 North Nova Rd. (NHM) 3155 State Rd. 44 1101 Beville Rd. 1590 Dunlawton Ave. 1101 Beville Rd. 1590 Dunlawton Ave.

Ormond Beach, Fla. DeLand, Fla. Palm Coast, Fla. Ormond Beach, Fla. Daytona Beach, Fla. New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Daytona Beach, Fla. Port Orange, Fla. Daytona Beach, Fla. Port Orange, Fla.

10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 9:00am - 3:00pm

59 Walton Way 35 Fresh River Rd. 3 Commerce Dr. 116 Farmington Rd. 344 Loudon Rd. 116 Farmington Rd. 344 Loudon Rd.

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

10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 9:00am - 3:00pm

7245 US 31 South 9500 U.S. 36 8191 Upland Bend. 2373 East Main St. 1133 North Emerson Rd. 400 West Northfield Dr. 9500 U.S. 36

Indianapolis, Ind. Avon, Ind. Camby, Ind. Plainfield, Ind. Greenwood, Ind. Brownsburg, Ind. Avon, Ind.

10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 11:30am - 5:30pm 9:00am - 3:00pm

1091 Millcreek Rd. 3722 Easton Rd. 2150 Wilkes Barre Twp. Mktpl. 900 Commerce Blvd. 500 Route 940 355 Lincoln Ave. 500 Route 940

Allentown, Pa. Easton, Pa. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Dickson City, Pa. Mount Pocono, Pa. East Stroudsburg, Pa. Mount Pocono, Pa.

■ All dates and locations are subject to change.

polEPOSITIONmAg.COM

building the green machine

Deep Roots

the Longstanding Relationship between New Holland and NASCAR New Holland provides an extensive network of agriculture sales, parts and services through approximately 1,100 stores across the United States and Canada. The company, which traces its roots to 1895, boasts a total of 3,000 stores serving customers in 160 countries. Since September, New Holland has been an official partner of NASCAR Green.

ew Holland, which has served farmers and ranchers across North America for more than 110 years with its innovative line of agricultural equipment, is no stranger to NASCAR. The Pennsylvania-based company has done business with NASCAR tracks for over 30 years, most notably in its role as the Official Tractor of International Speedway Corporation’s tracks for more than a decade. New Holland is also the Official Tractor at several NASCAR tracks owned by Speedway Four Areas of Collaboration between Motorsports, Inc., along New Holland and NASCAR Green with independently owned Dover Internae15 biofuel biomass scr technology tional Speedway and Pocono Raceway. In 2011, NASCAR New Holland works New Holland aids Last year when announced a switch in with NASCAR partner NASCAR’s Green NASCAR named New its three national series DuPont and its “geninitiative by reducing Holland the Official to Sunoco Green E15, eration 2” piece of the gas emissions through Agricultural Equipment a 15-percent ethanol ethanol area: biomass. its role as a leader in of NASCAR, along with blend fuel made with The leader in hay SCR technology, an a NASCAR Official corn grown in the forage equipment, New after-treatment system Partner, the arrangeUnited States. The Holland specializes in in farm vehicles that ment was a natural fit. low-carbon fuel emits packaging the product. is separate from the “We were never 20 percent less greenAs farmers increase main engine function the official tractor or house emissions than yields and plant more and doesn’t compartner of NASCAR, so unleaded gasoline. New corn, more residues promise horsepower to speak, so we saw an Holland manufactures are left out in the or torque. The SCR opportunity to leverage a variety of equipment field – not an optimal system transforms a partner that we were – including tractors, hay situation. New Holland nitrogen oxides into working with,” said Ron and forage equipment focuses on the “second harmless water and Shaffer, New Holland’s and material handling generation” and the nitrogen. Today, director of Growth equipment – essential collection, which goes it would take 100 Initiatives for Institufor the production and hand in hand with tractors to yield the tional and Specialty harvesting of corn used NASCAR Green, since engine emissions of Sales. “The partnership to produce the E15 ethanol is produced one tractor built 20 or really worked.” biofuel. from biomass. 30 years ago.

hospitality A visible presence at NASCAR tracks, New Holland entertains customers at up to 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events each season. As a way to show its appreciation for its customers and attract potential new ones, New Holland hosts hospitality gatherings at the track on Sunday mornings before the races, sometimes in conjunction with other NASCAR Green partners. Displays are set up throughout the weekend for New Holland to showcase its impressive tractor lineup.

by jared turner 18

POLE POSITION 2013

green flag tailgating

Food & Fun at the Track

arret Zendt, a 28-year-old who hails from Perry County, Pa., participated in his first NASCAR tailgate at age 13. He’s been a tailgating machine ever since. Having now taken part in tailgates at more than 20 NASCAR events, Zendt is somewhat of an authority on this activity that has morphed into one of the most popular race weekend pastimes among NASCAR fans. But, while Zendt does have plenty of tips to offer on ways to enhance the tailgating experience, it’s the stories he has to tell — from 15 years of tailgating on and off at a variety of tracks — that make his situation particularly compelling. Zendt recalls one time, for example, when fellow tailgaters at Bristol Motor Speedway set off fireworks, only for one to fall and set another person’s tent on fire. On another occasion, also at Bristol, Zendt witnessed a fan try to chain down a generator on the bed of a pickup truck and refuel it while still running. The result was the generator catching on fire and burning the vehicle to the ground. Zendt, likewise, will never forget one year, while camping at Dover International Speedway, his friend, Bill, wandered away from the tailgate and couldn’t be found for several hours. Thankfully, that story had a happier ending as Zendt and cohorts found their friend just moments before the race began. “The memories you make at a tailgate last a lifetime, which is something you cannot put a price on,” said Zendt, who typically tailgates with a large group that includes his girlfriend and multiple co-workers. “Sometimes you remember the people you made friends with, and other times you remember the key moments of the race. It all is one big enjoyable experience that no other sport can match.” Zendt has tailgated at six tracks – Bristol, Richmond, Dover, Martinville, Pocono and Kentucky – but has found Bristol to be the most enjoyable. In general, Zendt prefers tailgating at night races, which allow considerably more time for hanging out and eating than day events.

presented by “You get 12 hours to party before the race, instead of six hours like at a daylight race,” Zendt said. “Bristol is my favorite because there is usually concerts in the parking lot, and everyone is so nice and the whole parking lot turns into one big tailgate. It really is one big party. Richmond is awesome, too, because they let you set up canopies without paying for an extra space.” Wherever Zendt is tailgating, he has learned from experience what items to bring to enhance the experience. Highest on his list of essentials are a canopy tent, firewood, a fire ring, sunscreen, lots of ice and drinks, tables for eating and drinking, and Sirius Satellite Radio for music and NASCAR weekend coverage. And, Zendt, a fan of Dale Earnhardt Jr., also makes sure to bring more than one flag to display. “I have Earnhardt flags that I stitch up and NASCAR banners that I got from tracks after the races,” he said. “Everyone cuts them down to use next year at their set-up to add some new spice. I once got my banner from a restaurant that was taking them down. They said if I gave some money toward the charity that they were collecting for, then I could have them all.” For Zendt, the biggest challenge of tailgating is finding the room he needs to fit everything into the vehicle he drives to the track. “I used to go in a car and it is not so easy to pack everything like a grill, canopy, chairs and cooler,” said Zendt, who works for the Pennsylvania-based Hershey’s ice cream company. “I had to jump up into a means of transportation with more room – a truck. You would think that would be enough space, but I end up just getting more games and making my set-up bigger.” Speaking of games, there are several that Zendt and friends are fond of playing at NASCAR tailgates. Among them: cornhole, beer pong and a game in which participants throw Frisbees and aim to knock a beer bottle off a pole without the other team catching the Frisbee or the beer bottle. Through all the games, food and friendly NASCAR gossip, Zendt says there’s nothing quite like a NASCAR tailgate.

by jared turner 20

POLE POSITION 2013

Porta-Party.

Get the party started and keep it going strong with a Honda Generator. You’ll enjoy quiet, fuel-efficient power, plus legendary Honda reliability. From RVing, camping and tailgating to home backup and jobs around the house, a Honda Generator is your portable party machine.

gen.honda.com THE OFFICIAL GENERATOR OF

Please read the owner’s manual before operating your Honda Power Equipment and never use in a closed or partly enclosed area where you could be exposed to poisonous carbon monoxide. Connection of a generator to house power requires a transfer device to avoid possible injury to power company personnel. Consult a qualified electrician. ©2013 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

feature story

secret weapon

Mobil 1 Helps Make SHR the Team to Beat at Daytona and Talladega Stewart-Haas Racing has an edge at NASCAR’s two restrictorplate tracks that currently sets the organization apart from most others.

Need proof? Simply look at the results from the last few races at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. Need a reason? Look no further than SHR’s relationship with Mobil 1, the co-primary sponsor on team co-owner Tony Stewart’s No. 14 Chevrolet SS. Unlike many sponsors, which pump millions of dollars

into race teams, the partnership between Mobil 1 and SHR goes well beyond cash exchange and product placement. Upon becoming a co-primary sponsor of Stewart’s car prior to the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, Mobil 1 also became a lubricant technology partner of the entire Stewart-Haas Racing organization.

All over the world, the Mobil 1 family of products and lubricants is known for performance, innovation and expertise. Those elements have provided a major boost to Stewart-Haas at every track, but especially Daytona and Talladega – the only two tracks where restrictor plates are used to restrict airflow into the engine, thereby

by jared turner 22

POLE POSITION 2013

reducing horsepower and speed. While there are multiple factors that go into being successful at the plate venues, Stewart sees the Mobil 1 partnership as a key difference-maker. “I really truly believe it’s the Mobil 1 products,” said Stewart, when asked how SHR managed to post three of the top five speeds in qualifying for the Daytona 500. “We’ve been working really hard the last year trying to find stuff specifically for restrictor-plate tracks. The technology that we get from those guys makes a real difference. It’s so cool to have a partner that not only is painted on the hood of the car, but can actually help our race cars go faster. The Mobil 1 people have done an awesome job. I told them they should be proud.” Matt Borland, crew chief on the No. 39 car of SHR driver Ryan Newman and the organization’s primary contact with Mobil 1 Technology, sees several areas where lubricant technology and engineering support from Mobil 1 has made SHR stronger. Those areas include friction reduction – which increases speed – and reducing wear to extend component life. Since entering into the partnership with Mobil 1, the SHR cars have been particularly stout at Daytona and Talladega. Stewart won

the July 2012 race at the World Center of Racing, and won his qualifying race for the 2012 Daytona 500. Newman qualified second and finished fifth last July at Daytona, finished fifth in this year’s Daytona 500 and qualified second last fall at Talladega. SHR newcomer Danica Patrick won the pole for this year’s Daytona 500, with Stewart and Newman also posting qualifying laps that ranked among the top five. Newman finished fifth in the Daytona 500, while Patrick ran near the front throughout the race and finished a career-best eighth. Mobil 1 provides SHR with special engine and gear oils for the two superspeedways, where engine efficiency is at a premium because drivers are running at wide open throttle in both qualifying and race conditions. “The plate motors are very different from the open motors, so the requirements of what the oil needs to do and how the oil needs to perform has always been different,” Borland noted. “We just try to take advantage of every possible way we can to make more horsepower.” The SHR cars utilize a number of Mobil 1 lubricants, including some that can be purchased in stores and others that are

tailor-made for the SHR teams. The lubricants include engine oil, transmission oil, rear gear oil, power-steering fluid and greases for the wheel bearings, splines and suspension joints. Mobil 1 dials-in the properties of its lubricants to specifically fit the setups

performance out of the car, while still protecting it until the finish of the race.” The Mobil 1 Motorsports Technology staff are in weekly communication with Stewart-Haas seeking ways to improve the partnership and make

While Mobil 1 is the chosen motor oil of some 50 percent of NASCAR teams, only Stewart-Haas has the additional resources of a lubricant technology partnership. Borland believes the partnership played a key role in Stewart’s win in the

on the SHR cars, while SHR uses engineering customization to extract the maximum performance from the product. “Wherever there are two rubbing surfaces there is friction, and the lubricant is designed to minimize the friction between the two surfaces,” said Bruce Crawley, who in his role as Motorsport Technology Manager with Mobil 1 works closely with Borland and the SHR engineering staff. “In a nutshell, what we are trying to do is make the car more efficient, and in making it more efficient, it will go around the track faster. So we’re looking to improve the lap times, but there is also a need to ensure we maintain reliability. So, you want to get more

the SHR cars faster. The engineering support from Mobil 1 also extends to most of the races with the StewartHaas teams. “The product is great, the sponsor money is great, but the ability to be able to talk to the experts in the industry about the things that we’re trying to do at the shop and at the track, and being able to bounce ideas off of them and learn from those people is such a huge advantage for what we do,” Borland said. “You’re always trying to find the extra speed, but you try to be an expert in every field and you end up being an idiot in all the fields, so you get a chance to draw a lot of knowledge from someone that’s really good in one area. So you try to soak up every bit of that you can.”

July 2012 Daytona race and his run to the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, as well as the organization’s 1-2 qualifying performance and finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July 2011. “They’re constantly creating new things for us to try,” Borland said of Mobil 1. “Three or four of them might work, and three or four of them might not work and then you hit that one combination that really wakes things up and then they go back and look at why that one worked, and come up with three or four more to make more gains. “It’s really that willingness on their part to keep pushing the envelope of what they can do from their side to make our race team better.” POLEPOSITIONMAG.COM

NAsCAr defined

top ■ Sam Hornish Jr. (No. 12) won the Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, beating Las Vegas native Kyle Busch. It was Hornish’s second win in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

First row ■ Sam Hornish Jr.’s No. 12 Wurth Ford Mustang pit crew works on his eventual race-winning car. ■ Dale Earnhardt Jr. during a media session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. ■ Sam Hornish Jr. waves the checkered ﬂag at the ﬁnish line.

pole positioN 2013

seCoNd row ■ Matt Kenseth and the No. 20 team celebrate their victory at Las Vegas. ■ Jimmie Johnson and the 48 team celebrate their victory at Daytona.

tHird row ■ Denny Hamlin in a quiet moment at Daytona. ■ Ryan Newman in the garage at Daytona.

the view from the track

top ■ Brad Keselowski (No. 2) and the ﬁeld race around the track at Bristol.

First row ■ Casey Mears wipes down his car at Bristol. ■ Clint Bowyer and Juan Pablo Montoya share a laugh at Bristol. ■ Fan favorite Bobby Labonte checks out the scene at Bristol.

seCoNd row ■ Danica leans into the car to talk with Tony Stewart at Auto Club Speedway. ■ Austin Dillon prior to the Jeﬀ Foxworthy’s Grit Chips 300 at Bristol. ■ Kasey Kahne, winner of the Food City 500 at Bristol.

tHird row ■ Austin Dillon signs an autograph at Daytona. ■ The No. 15 5-Hour Energy team gives driver Clint Bowyer a push at Phoenix.

polePOSITIONmAG.COM

NAsCAr deFiNed

top ■ Jimmie Johnson (No. 48) on pit road in Phoenix.

First row ■ Kyle Busch (No. 54) burns out to celebrate his victory in the Dollar General 200 Fueled by AmeriGas at Phoenix. ■ The ﬁeld runs through turn 3 during the Subway 500 at Phoenix.

seCoNd row ■ Kyle Busch (No. 54) makes a pit stop during the Dollar General 200 Fueled by AmeriGas. ■ NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick prepares for action.

tHird row ■ Danica Patrick and her beau, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., in Daytona. ■ J.J. Yeley and friends perform the Bristol Shake.

pole positioN 2013

top ■ Kyle Busch (No. 18) leads the ﬁeld during the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway.

First row ■ Aric Almirola at Auto Club Speedway. ■ Kyle Busch’s team celebrates a victory in the Royal Purple 300.

seCoNd row ■ Kyle Busch’s shredded tire. ■ Ryan Newman at Auto Club Speedway.

bottom ■ View from the grandstands at Auto Club Speedway.

polePOSITIONmAG.COM

NAsCAr deFiNed

top row ■ Danica Patrick (No. 10) leads the ﬁeld at the start of Budweiser Duel No. 1 at Daytona International Speedway. ■ Rachel Rupert, Miss Coors Light, at Daytona.

middle row ■ A superfan of the Earnhardt family at Daytona. ■ Ryan Newman and Mark Martin in the garage at Daytona.

bottom row ■ Kevin Harvick won the Budweiser Duel No. 1 at Daytona. ■ Danica Patrick won the Coors Light Pole for the Daytona 500.

pole positioN 2013

top ■ Martinsville Speedway in April.

First row ■ Clint Bowyer converses with a fan at Martinsville. ■ Kevin Harvick’s son, Keelan, takes the wheel of his father’s car at Martinsville.

seCoNd row ■ Kasey Kahne on pit road in Martinsville Speedway. ■ A crew member walks atop one of the haulers.

tHird row ■ Johnny Sauter enjoys a special moment with his family after winning the Martinsville truck race. ■ Marcos Ambrose (No. 9), Carl Edwards (No. 99) and Bobby Labonte (No. 47) go three-wide into the corner at Martinsville.

polePOSITIONmAG.COM

NAsCAr CAmpiNG world truCK series

presented by

to watch in the NAsCAr Camping world truck series With the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season in full swing, at least four drivers are worth keeping an eye on. The quartet of Johnny Sauter, Ron Hornaday Jr., Justin Lofton and Ty Dillon represent both the old and new guard of truck series drivers, but all four could have a major impact.

JoHNNy sAuter

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veteran driver with stints in all three national NASCAR series, Sauter has become one of the most formidable truck series competitors. The 35-year-old Wisconsin native has been a consistent frontrunner since joining NASCAR’s No. 3 division full time in 2009, scoring victories each season. Sauter’s best full season to date came in 2011, when the ThorSport Racing driver fi nished second in points to Austin Dillon. After a topsy-turvy 2012 that produced two wins but only a ninth-place points fi nish, Sauter came out of the gate swinging this season with victories in the fi rst two races. Expect him to remain in title contention to the end.

roN HorNAdAy Jr.

elebrating his 55th birthday on June 20, Hornaday Jr. is no doubt nearing the end of his storied career. But even if Hornaday never wins another race — and he almost certainly will — the California native has rang up some amazing accomplishments in a NASCAR truck. With series titles in 1996, 1998, 2007 and 2009, Hornaday is the series’ only four-time champion and also its all-time wins leader (51 wins entering 2013). Illuminating his achievements is the fact that Hornaday’s four championships came with two different organizations – the ﬁ rst two with Dale Earnhardt Inc., and the latter two with Kevin Harvick Inc.

JustiN loFtoN

ollowing a pair of winless seasons, Lofton enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2012. Competing for Eddie Sharp Racing, Lofton notched his ﬁ rst career victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May of last year and spent much of the season in championship contention before fading to eighth in the ﬁ nal standings. Still, it was a terrific season for Lofton, who recorded more top-10 finishes – 13 – than he did in 2010 and 2011 combined. Lofton, 27, is running only select races this season, but his first start – in the opener at Daytona – yielded a fourth-place finish. When Lofton actually races this year, he will be a factor.

by jared turner pole positioN 2013 CequentConsumerProducts.com

ty dilloN

he younger of legendary team owner Richard Childress’ two grandsons, 21-year-old Ty Dillon is following in the footsteps of older brother Austin, while making his own mark on the sport. Ty, who took over Austin’s Childressowned No. 3 truck in 2012 when Childress promoted the elder Dillon sibling to the NASCAR Nationwide Series, won one race and ﬁ nished fourth in points as a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series rookie. This came a year after winning the championship in the ARCA Racing Series. With clear talent and a strong racing pedigree, Ty Dillon could be primed to join his older brother as a truck series champion.

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every rACe seAsoN sHowCAses twists, turNs ANd surprises. mANy oF tHese beCome some oF NAsCArâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GreAtest momeNts. wHAt will HAppeN iN 2013?

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14 nUMBER

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PoLE PoSiTion 2013

Tony Stewart After a disappointing start to his 2013 season, Tony Stewart looks to get back to his winning ways.

THE 2011 CHASE without a doubt, tony Stewart’s improbable march to the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship is his defining career achievement to date. In fact, it will go down in NASCAR history as one of the greatest achievements by any driver – ever. Having backed into the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup with nary a win in the season’s first 26 races, Stewart conceded before the 10-race playoff that he didn’t believe his team was capable of contending for the championship, and didn’t even deserve to be in the Chase. Oh, how wrong he – and many, many others – turned out to be. With a remarkable run that included five wins in the 10 Chase races, Stewart won the title via a tiebreaker over Carl Edwards, who earned only one victory that season compared to Stewart’s five. Stewart truly saved his best for last, overcoming more than one obstacle in the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway to edge Edwards for both the win and the title. Stewart’s season began to turn the corner just in the nick of time – in the Chase opener at Chicagoland Speedway, where he finally broke into the win column. He was only heating up. Stewart won again the following week at New Hampshire, and then after mediocre outings at Dover and Kansas, netted consecutive top 10s at Charlotte and Talladega. The 2002 and 2005 NASCAR Sprint Cup champ then finished the season with three victories and a third-place finish in the last four events. The result was a third series title for the driver who had spent much of the season looking like a championship afterthought. After sending the NASCAR world into shellshock, no one was more surprised than Stewart himself. “If this doesn’t go down as one of the greatest championship battles in history, I don’t know what will,” he said.

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88 nUMBER

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt Jr. excels at restrictor-plate tracks, where he recorded ﬁve wins from 2001 through 2004.

RESTRiCToR-PLATE WinS From 2001 through 2004, dale earnhardt Jr. was virtually unstoppable at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ two biggest race tracks. Driving for Dale Earnhardt Inc., the organization owned by his legendary father, Earnhardt Jr. was the driver to beat at both Talladega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway every time the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series convened at these two high-speed venues where restrictor plates reduce horsepower and keep cars bunched together in tight packs. Over that four-year stretch, Earnhardt rang up ﬁve wins, including four in a row, along with a pair of runner-up ﬁnishes in eight starts at Talladega. “I feel like I know what I’m doing when I go there,” Earnhardt Jr. said of the 2.66-mile Alabama track where his late father was the undisputed master. “I’m driving the best cars. I feel like I understand how to get around the race track. We’ve had some bad luck in getting caught up in wrecks, but we’ve always at some point, even when those were happening, we’ve been up front and running well.” Since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2008, Earnhardt has challenged for victories on multiple occasions at Talladega but not quite managed to break through. He did, however, push teammate Jimmie Johnson to a Talladega victory in 2011. “I haven’t had a race since 2004 there where I felt like I didn’t know what I was doing or I was lost or making bad decisions one after the other; or that I had lost my savvy there or my mojo,” he said. Meanwhile, at Daytona, the third-generation driver found slightly less success, but major success nonetheless, in his time with DEI, scoring a victory in the summer 2001 race and the 2004 Daytona 500. Earnhardt also won several non-points-paying races at the World Center of Racing between 2001 and 2004.

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48 nUMBER

Jimmie Johnson Five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson shines at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

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As a five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, Jimmie Johnson has enjoyed any number of amazing moments throughout his stellar career in NASCAR’s top series. Some of Johnson’s most scintillating performances have been reserved, however, for one of NASCAR’s most prestigious races – the Brickyard 400 at famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Johnson, who grew up in California and idolized legendary IndyCar driver Rick Mears, has four Brickyard victories in his portfolio, with the latest coming in the 2012 edition of the race. With that most recent Indy triumph, Johnson joined Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon as the only NASCAR drivers to win four times at the historic 2.5-mile track, which hosted NASCAR stock cars for the first time in 1994. The victory also put Johnson among some top names in the track’s record books. Only three drivers – open-wheel legends Mears, A.J. Foyt and Al Unser – have won the Indianapolis 500 four times, as of press time. “I’m able to join racing legends, my heroes and people I looked up to my entire life,” said Johnson, whose other Brickyard wins were in 2006, ’08 and ’09. “To join them was a huge, huge honor.” Last year’s win was Johnson’s most dominant yet, as he led a whopping 99 of 160 laps and was 4.758 seconds ahead of second-place Kyle Busch at the finish. Johnson qualified sixth but quickly moved to the point and spent much of the afternoon seemingly in another zip code. “I knew the second or third lap on the track in practice that we were going to have an awfully good chance at winning,” said Johnson. “There were a couple moments where maybe an adjustment didn’t work and we lost a little pace, but I just had a feeling, and I just knew we were going to be fine.”

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39 nUMBER

Ryan newman The “Rocket Man” won the 2008 Daytona 500 with his father by his side.

2008 DAYTonA 500

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PoLE PoSiTion 2013

when Ryan Newman looks back over his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career someday, he will no doubt remember being fast on a lot of Fridays, making good on that speed by winning a lot of poles, and going to Victory Lane a fair number of times, as well. But one occasion stands above the rest for the driver nicknamed “Rocket Man.” That occasion was the 2008 Daytona 500, where Newman triumphed in dramatic fashion in the 50th running of the sport’s biggest race. Driving at the time for team owner Roger Penske, Newman used a push from then-teammate Kurt Busch to pass Tony Stewart down the backstretch on the final lap, and Newman held station to the checkered flag. While Newman has won races both before and after that memorable day at the World Center of Racing, no victory means quite as much to the Indiana native, who joined the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2002. “My favorite memory in racing was when my dad called me at the start/finish line at Daytona for the 50th race [Daytona 500],” Newman said early this year. “Winning there was so special, personally, and that was huge.” Newman did not win again for Penske after his Daytona 500 triumph, and he had not won in more than two seasons prior, so his drought made the victory even sweeter. “I told a few people, I just hope when I get back to Victory Lane, it’s a big one,” Newman said. “And it was.” Newman left Penske Racing at the end of 2008 for StewartHaas Racing, where he is now in his fifth season driving for the man he passed to win the Daytona 500. “Tony was very much a sportsman,” Newman said of his future boss. “He could have made that car extremely wide, and he chose to race.”

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24 nUMBER

Jeff Gordon Four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon looks to emulate his amazing 1998 season.

1998 SEASon

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through a long, illustrious career that’s now in its third decade, Jeff Gordon has earned his place as one of the best NASCAR drivers to ever sit behind the wheel of a stock car. With four championships and 87 career victories that place him third on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ all-time win list, Gordon has enjoyed more success in NASCAR’s top division than most drivers have or ever will. But no season even begins to compare to his 1998 campaign. Fresh off his second NASCAR Sprint Cup title in 1997, Gordon entered the ’98 season as a favorite to repeat, and make it three championships in four years after taking his first title in 1995. But no one – Gordon included – could have forecasted just how potent the driver and his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team would be. Under the guidance of crew chief Ray Evernham, the California native rolled up an amazing 13 wins – tying Richard Petty for most seasonal victories in NASCAR’s modern era. To say Gordon was dominant in 1998 is an understatement of epic proportions. With help from the “Rainbow Warriors” pit crew, Gordon won at literally every type of track – intermediate, superspeedway, road course and short track. Needless to say, Gordon made a mockery of the championship race, clinching the title with a race to spare and never being in any real jeopardy of losing the points lead over the season’s final months. Almost as incredible as his 13 wins was another stat: Gordon finished in the top 10 in 28 of 33 races, and missed the top-five only once from mid-June through the end of the season. The now four-time champion, who won his most recent title in 2001, has had fantastic seasons both before and since ’98, but none are in the same category.

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Brad Keselowski Reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion is ready for the big time.

2012 CHAMPionSHiP

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when the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup season arrived, lots of folks believed Brad Keselowski had the potential to someday become a champion in NASCAR’s top series. But few people believed it would happen as quickly as it did. Competing in only this third full NASCAR Sprint Cup season, Keselowski went out and proved the pundits wrong with a convincing run to the championship, which was the first at the NASCAR Sprint Cup level for Keselowski’s legendary team owner, Roger Penske. Just as impressive as Keselowski winning the championship at the tender age of 28 was how he did it. By no means was this championship a fluke or a mere stroke of good fortune. Keselowski was a consistent frontrunner throughout the season, winning five races and performing at his best when it mattered most – in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup from which the champion is crowned. In addition to displaying spectacular driving talent, Keselowski showed a mental toughness that few others have in championship battles with Jimmie Johnson, who won five consecutive titles from 2006-2010 and remained in the hunt all the way to the final race of 2012. Keselowski actually trailed Johnson in the standings with two races left, but used a strong run – coupled with a Johnson wreck – to seize the points lead at Phoenix and then took care of business in the season finale at Homestead. Keselowski remained a paragon of focus in the days leading up to the final race, failing to be unnerved by Johnson’s suggestion that a 15th-place finish at Homestead – the spot where Keselowski needed to be to clinch the title – wasn’t “a layup.” In the end, Keselowski won the championship with plenty of points to spare and showed the NASCAR world that he was indeed ready for the big time.

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GREG BIFFLE

deSpite hAviNg AChieved notable success as a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, greg Bifﬂe holds an even rarer distinction: he’s a champion of both NASCAR’s No. 2 and No. 3 divisions. Bifﬂe is one of only a select few drivers to be crowned champion of two major NASCAR series. Brad keselowski is another.

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the 2012 SeASoN the 2012 NASCAR SpRiNt Cup Series season, Clint Bowyer’s first with Michael waltrip Racing, was also the affable kansas native’s best season to date. despite being with a new team after spending his whole NASCAR Sprint Cup career pre2012 with Richard Childress Racing, Bowyer won a career-high three races.

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wheN NASCAR eMBARKed oN itS inaugural Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in 2004, the odds were against kurt Busch becoming the sport’s first champion under the new 10-race playoff. But that’s exactly what Busch did. he began the Chase seeded seventh out of 10 drivers, but battled his way to the points lead and held it.

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PoLE PoSiTion 2013

BeFoRe JoiNiNg the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series full time in 2012, Aric Almirola ran full seasons in both the NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping world truck Series. his greatest success came in trucks, where in 2010 he finished runner-up in the standings behind veteran todd Bodine.

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DRIVER PROFILES GREATEST MOMENTS

KYLE BUSCH

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TEAM joe gibbs racing sponsors M&M’S/interstate batteries manufacturer toyota CREW CHIEF dave rogers

carl edwards

Carl Edwards has yet to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title. But he’s been darn close – twice. The first time was 2008, when the Roush Fenway Racing driver finished second in the standings to Jimmie Johnson. In 2011, Edwards tied Tony Stewart in points but lost out on the title because Stewart had more wins. Despite the disappointment of finishing second, the two finishes are Edwards’ foremost claim to fame.

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99 ‘Permanent’ Chase Spot While no driver is guaranteed a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the 10-race playoff has virtually become the Denny Hamlin Invitational. Since joining the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2006, Hamlin has made the Chase every season. That’s seven Chase bids and seven Chase berths. Hamlin’s streak is in jeopardy this season, however, due to an early season back injury.

CREW CHIEF darian grubb

Kevin Harvick has never claimed NASCAR’s biggest prize – the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title – but the Richard Childress Racing driver has made a habit of excelling in the sport’s biggest races. Harvick has triumphed in each of the three marquee events – the Daytona 500 (2007), the Brickyard 400 (2003) and the CocaCola 600 (2011). POLE POSITION 2013

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Twice a Bridesmaid

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For all Kyle Busch has accomplished as a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, his greatest success has come in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, where he’s the alltime wins leader. Busch, who has double-digit victories in all three major NASCAR series, has consistently been his best in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

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OWNER LINDA HENDRICK TEAM henrick motorsports sponsors farmers insurance/ quaker state manufacturer chevrolet CREW CHIEF kenny francis

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Many drivers go their entire career and never win the Daytona 500. Matt Kenseth has won it twice – in a span of four years. With wins in 2009 and 2012 at NASCAR’s most prestigious race, Kenseth is part of an elite group with multiple triumphs in the sport’s premier event. Oddly, both of Kenseth’s triumphs were affected by rain.

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All-Star Race Victory Kasey Kahne has never been so thankful for NASCAR fans. Unable to earn one of the two transfer spots into the 2008 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kahne was awarded the last spot in the event courtesy of winning the Sprint Fan Vote. Starting shotgun on the 24-car field, Kahne pulled away for an improbable win.

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2012 Pocono Win When Joey Logano scored his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory in 2009, there was major luck involved. When Logano picked up NASCAR Sprint Cup trophy No. 2 in 2012, he had to earn every bit of it. Logano, whose first win came on a strategy gamble in a rain-shortened event at New Hampshire, claimed his second victory by fending off veteran Mark Martin.

manufacturer ford CREW CHIEF todd gordon

Paul Menard needed 167 starts to break into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win column. But when he finally did, he couldn’t have picked a better place. Menard, whose family’s ties to Indianapolis Motor Speedway run deep, became the surprise winner of the 2011 Brickyard 400 by playing the fuel-strategy game to perfection and withstanding a late charge from four-time series champion Jeff Gordon.

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The kickoff to Danica Patrick’s first full campaign in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series couldn’t have been much more memorable. Patrick generated plenty of headlines during 2013 Daytona Speedweeks. After becoming the first woman to win the pole for the Daytona 500, Patrick finished an impressive eighth in the race.

All told, Casey Mears has endured a bit of a bumpy ride as a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver. However, on a warm night at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2007, all the pieces fell in place for the nephew of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears. Mears scored his only victory to date by stretching his fuel to the finish.

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Two NASCAR Nationwide Titles Once benched by team owner Jack Roush for wrecking too many cars, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. clearly got the message. NASCAR Nationwide Series championships in 2011 and 2012 were enough to convince Roush to not only keep Stenhouse, but to promote the driver.

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As a two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion, Martin Truex Jr. entered the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series facing high expectations. And it didn’t take very long for the New Jersey native to deliver. In the first half of only his second full season in NASCAR’s premier division, Truex scored a dominant victory in the summer race at Dover where he led 216 of 400 laps.

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nascar history

The 1980s: Sleek Cars, Colorful Drivers

hen Dale Earnhardt won the first of his seven NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships in 1980, it was the final season for the heavy, box-shaped race cars that had been in NASCAR’s premier division for decades. Then in 1981, Detroit automakers provided smaller, sleeker cars for their dealers’ showrooms. Fans loved them and wanted to see them battle at high speeds on the NASCAR tracks. The redesigned Chevrolets, Dodges and Fords heavily contributed to some of stock car racing’s best years. Drivers with a flair for the camera and lucrative sponsorships from major corporations also helped move the sport into the national spotlight.

NASCAR’s popularity grew quickly during the early 1980s after series sponsor R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and the newly formed ESPN cable channel gave stock car racing sophistication and a place from which to grow. At Darlington Raceway in 1985, Bill Elliott earned a $1 million bonus from RJR for winning three of the sport’s four biggest races. Media outlets from around the world covered NASCAR for the first time. “We were able to win the Winston Million, but we worked very hard to get it,” Elliott said. “We had a small family team

with only a handful of people. I worked on the car, set up the chassis, drove the car and did all the media stuff that season. I didn’t have a minute to spare. That’s what made it so tough.” Dale Earnhardt’s humble beginnings deeply resonated with his fans. Two of his seven championships came in 1986 and ’87. Richard Childress was Earnhardt’s team owner in 1981 and again from 1984 until 2001. “We had a lot in common,” Childress said. “We both lost our fathers at an early age and began racing at an early age. He

was my closest friend. Something comes along every day that reminds me of him. I really miss him.” Charismatic Tim Richmond raced in NASCAR from 1980 through 1987. His ability to manhandle a race car made him a fan favorite each time he climbed behind the wheel. “Tim was so good with the media and with his sponsors,” said team owner Rick Hendrick. “He had a way of making your hair stand on end because he would get so close to the wall, especially at Charlotte. He was a great driver.”

by ben white 50

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Best of the 1980s These ďŹ ve drivers left indelible marks on NASCAR history.

DALE EARNHARDT: During a NASCAR career that started in 1975, Earnhardt claimed 76 victories and seven NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships. One title came with team owner Rod Osterlund while the others were with Richard Childress Racing. Earnhardt won rookie-of-the-year honors in 1979 and his first championship in 1980.

BILL ELLIOTT: Driving a Ford owned by his father, George, Bill Elliott started his NASCAR career in 1976 at Rockingham, N.C. His accomplishments include winning the 1988 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. Elliott won 44 races and 55 pole positions while driving for his family operation, Harry Melling, Junior Johnson and Ray Evernham.

TIM RICHMOND: A native of Ashland, Ohio, Richmond began his NASCAR career after earning rookie-of-the-year honors at the 1980 Indianapolis 500. Flamboyant on and off the race track, Richmond brought a new persona to stock car racing. He won 13 races during his brief career while driving for Jim Stacy, Raymond Beadle and Rick Hendrick.

RUSTY WALLACE: Wallace finished second in his first NASCAR race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1980 and went on to collect 55 wins during a 25-year career. He won the 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship while driving for drag racer Raymond Beadle. Wallace ended his career driving for Roger Penske.

NEIL BONNETT: The short-track veteran from Alabama began his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career in 1974 and scored his first of 18 victories three years later at Richmond International Raceway. Bonnett won back-toback races twice in his career: 1980 (Pocono and Talladega) and 1988 (Richmond and Rockingham).

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Photo finish

Danica steals the show at Daytona Danica Patrick made NASCAR history by winning the pole for the 55th annual Daytona 500. Patrick, driving the No. 10 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing, turned a fast lap of 196.434 mph around the 2.5-mile tri-oval to become the first woman to win a pole for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event. “It’s really amazing how much effort is put into a qualifying car for Daytona and really only the front row is what sticks for Sunday,” Patrick said. “It’s nice that all that hard work can pay off and that we can give ourselves that opportunity to lead the pack down into the tri-oval for the green flag of the Daytona 500.” Patrick followed her memorable pole effort with an eighth-place finish in “The Great American Race.”

PoLE Position 2013

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NASCAR Dreams NASCAR Dreams grants once-ina-lifetime opportunities to young fans of the sport by allowing them to meet their heroes, learn from Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educational initiatives and experience NASCAR in ways they never thought possible. Since The NASCAR Foundation began the program in 2006, we have granted 700 NASCAR Dreams to children suffering from illnesses, underprivileged youth, kids of parents who are serving in the U.S. military, and others.

Speediatrics

NASCAR Unites

Speediatrics began with the humble goal of importing the color, excitement, and fun of NASCAR into children’s hospital rooms, wings, and waiting areas. Today, we provide medical treatments for 24,000 children each year at our two permanent Speediatrics facilities in Daytona Beach and Homestead, and continue to extend our reach beyond the hospital walls by supporting other causes related to helping children live a healthy life.

In 2011, The NASCAR Foundation introduced NASCAR Unites as a vision for the future of the sport’s charitable mission. It is a rallying cry for the entire sport, our drivers, our tracks, our sponsors, and our fans to take the passion they have for NASCAR and funnel it into compassion for those who need it most. NASCAR Unites is a broad, all-encompassing way to benefit a wider and larger range of causes.

About Us Our mission is to embody the compassion of the NASCAR family and its commitment to serving our communities. The NASCAR Foundation seeks 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.

Want to get involved or learn more? Visit NASCAR.com/foundation or contact The NASCAR Foundation, One Daytona Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114 • 386-310-5736 Follow us on

SPECIAL ADVERTISING PAGE

Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award The NASCAR Foundation awards the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award to a NASCAR fan who embodies the ideals of charity and community that Mrs. France has championed throughout her life. These applicants honor the spirit of NASCAR, demonstrating goodwill and generosity in the interest of helping children in need. One winner receives a $100,000 donation to the children’s charity of their choice along with a NASCAR experience of a lifetime.

nascar fuel careers

Adrian Parker

Business Manager for Matt Kenseth As the business manager for 2003 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Matt Kenseth, Adrian Parker carries a job description much different than that of a driver public relations representative employed by a NASCAR team.

or starters, Parker doesn’t work for a team – at least not anymore. Parker did work for a team – Roush Fenway Racing – from December 2005 through March 2008 as an account manager for Kenseth. At RFR, Parker carried out typical public relations duties such as managing Kenseth’s at-track media schedule, attending team sponsor events, writing driver press releases and serving as Kenseth’s road manager some 35 weekends a year. Parker left RFR to join the communications department at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but reunited with Kenseth late last year when the Wisconsin

native officially made the move from RFR to Joe Gibbs Racing. While back in familiar territory with a driver he considers a good friend, Parker’s role with Kenseth is considerably changed from their first stint together. No longer in charge of traditional PR duties (those are handled in-house at Joe Gibbs Racing), Parker is mainly responsible for enhancing and helping grow what he calls “the Matt Kenseth brand.” “Matt Kenseth resonates very well with NASCAR’s core demographic,” Parker said. “He has solid, Midwestern values; he’s blue collar; what you see is what you get. “He is very relatable

T Jessica Stroupe Trackside Communications Representative for Chevy Racing

to the people that support NASCAR. It’s a brand that he has owned, he has built and the only thing I’m hoping to do is think of things from time to time that can potentially enhance it.” Parker oversees business deals, personal appearances, endorsements, licensing deals and merchandising agreements as they relate to the veteran driver. In short, Parker is the go-to-guy for Kenseth’s personal and business interests – which in some cases include, but are not limited to, his role as driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Parker’s formal job title is senior director account management

wo years ago at this time, Jessica Stroupe didn’t see herself being in this position. Having spent her entire professional career working in the public relations department for various NASCAR teams; that side of the proverbial media fence was all she knew. But when the opportunity arose in January 2012 to join Chevy Racing in the role of trackside communications representative, Stroupe made the somewhat bold move of linking up with a manufacturer and entering into a whole new arena of the NASCAR media landscape.

for Fuel Sports Management Group, a Mooresville, N.C.based company that represents a number of well-known NASCAR personalities, including Kenseth’s fellow NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Kasey Kahne, Denny Hamlin and Jamie McMurray. But Parker’s job is almost exclusively focused on Kenseth, including sponsor acquisition for Kenseth’s 19-year-old son, Ross, who is currently racing Late Models and hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps through the NASCAR ranks. “Matt boils my job description down to one line which is, ‘Keep Matt happy,’” Parker said with a

“I was used to working with a driver, specifically, and pitching a driver,” said Stroupe, who handled public relations at Kevin Harvick Inc. and Red Horse Racing, and interned at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, before joining Chevrolet. “And now my position is more working with the brand, rather than necessarily a specific driver, and making sure that the brand’s message is heard. So it has similarities, but it is a lot different.” Stroupe’s primary responsibility with Chevrolet is transcribing manufacturer driver and team quotes for media members in attendance on race weekends,

grin. “Sometimes that’s very simple and sometimes that’s fairly challenging.” Parker, whose formal education includes communication degrees from Catawba College and the University of Southern Mississippi, recommends that those aspiring for a similar career path pursue an array of college business courses – something he regrets not doing – and also become familiar with sports law. But that’s not all. “I’m passionate about what I do, and I’ll use the advice my father gave me: ‘Find something you enjoy doing, and you’ll never work a day in your life,’” Parker said. “And I’m doing that.”

but that’s certainly not the extent of her duties, which include conducting interviews with Chevrolet’s engineering staff, handling social media requests and assisting Chevrolet’s marketing team with at-track displays. Stroupe, 28, considers being hired by KHI, where she spent 3 ½ years, to be her big break in the sport. “The biggest thing I learned there was relationship-building,” she said. “This business is all about building relationships and working with people to try to find a common denominator so that both people get what they need.”

by jared turner 56

POLE POSITION 2013

lifestyle nascar fuel

downtime with DARRELL WALLACE JR.

arrell Wallace Jr., a rookie driver and NASCAR Drive for Diversity graduate in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, enjoys racing as much as any 19-year-old kid anywhere. But when Wallace isn’t at the track, he has no trouble making use of his downtime. “Photography, I have fun with that,” said Wallace, who drives for Kyle Busch Motorsports and is part of Joe Gibbs Racing’s driver development program. “You will usually see a camera in my hand or me with my phone no matter what time of day it is.” When it comes to taking pictures, Wallace has no specific target. “Anything and everything,” he said of his picture-taking preferences. “Right now I’m working on a time-lapse project. I know that takes a long time to do, but it’s just something I know is going to take about four or five months to complete … but whenever I have off time, I grab my camera and grab my rig and go have fun.” Of course, photography is just one of the ways Wallace keeps busy when he’s not hard at work behind the wheel of his truck. “Whatever keeps me unbored — Xbox, you name it, I’m doing it,” he said.

mental prep with RICKY STENHOUSE JR. What do you do to get mentally prepared to race? Have any rituals?

I don’t do anything. I could be sleeping five minutes before a race, or I could be listening to music, or eating, or playing golf or basketball. It doesn’t matter. I just try to stay relaxed doing whatever I feel like doing at the moment. There’s no putting one sock on before the other. I just kind of go with the flow.

training with cLINT BOWYER

lint Bowyer, like so many NASCAR drivers, understands the important role that physical fitness plays inside a race car. However, the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship runner-up is also keen to point out another key reason for staying in shape. “Drivers are a lot more of a spokesperson these days than they used to be,” said Bowyer, who drives for Michael Waltrip Racing. “You’re in front of the cameras and everything. You need to be fit. You can’t be ‘slobby’ out there representing sponsors who are paying millions of dollars. That’s a big part of it.” Bowyer believes it’s important to incorporate exercise into the daily routine, rather than just working out whenever one feels the urge. “I just try to stay active,” said Bowyer, who likes to run but admittedly is no fan of weight-lifting. “I’m wide open all the time, bouncing off the walls, and I think that’s a big part of physique and everything else. If you’re sitting at a desk all day or sitting in meetings, you better do some exercises when you get home. It’s common sense. “You better be doing something to burn some of those calories off. That’s something I try to focus on and pay attention to.”

fueling up with KYLE BUSCH

Breakfast:

When it comes to the first meal of the day, Kyle Busch isn’t prone to skip out. But he’s not one to overindulge, either. “Breakfast is pretty easy. That’s every day,” said the driver of the No. 18 Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. “That’s like a wholegrain cereal with milk and orange juice.”

LUNCH:

One of NASCAR’s most flamboyant personalities, Busch keeps it rather simple when it comes to eating lunch. “On a given day, sometimes it’s a sandwich, sometimes it’s a little microwave pasta deal or whatever,” he said.

DINNER:

“Dinner is very, very different. [My wife] Samantha does an awesome job cooking for me. It could be chicken breasts or a steak, or sometimes she goes to doing stir-fry and stuff like that,” Busch said. “So she does a pretty good job.

SNACK:

Sponsored by M&M’s and parent company Mars Inc., Busch undoubtedly has plenty of candy at his disposal.However, he also has other snacks he enjoys. “Snacks, to me it’s just a protein bar here or there.

by jared turner POLEPOSITIONMAG.COM

PHOTOHUNT

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

POLE POSITION 2013

ANSWERS // (1) Chevy logo missing on war wagon • (2) GoDaddy logo missing on war wagon • (3) Computer monitor missing on war wagon • (4) “O” on the wall, far right, missing the four-leaf clover • (5) “com” missing on the GoDaddy pit road wall banner • (6) Rabbit on pit road • (7) The number “0” on car is filled in • (8) “Quaker State” logo missing from pit road wall, far left • (9) Black window missing from NASCAR Nationwide Series hauler in the background • (10) “Texas Motor Speedway” logo missing from light pole on pit road.

nascar fuel fun pages

RAC E During a race, anything can happen. You could come flying out of a corner pulling 3Gs. You could blindly launch into the unknown at 200 mph. You could slingshot your way to victory. Or you could have it all ripped away in a photo finish and lose by 0.13 seconds. Anything can happen. And will.

ÂŠNASCAR 2013

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nascar fuEL fun PagEs

craZy MaZE

Test your driving skills and find the exit!

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

danica PATRICK

can, dart, pat....

tracK hunt

Match the state with the correct track.

Who aM i? • I was born in South Bend, Indiana

5 6

1 _ Pocono Raceway _ Kentucky Speedway _ Sonoma Raceway

_ Homestead-Miami Speedway _ Chicagoland Speedway _ Martinsville Speedway

ansWErs // (5) Pocono Raceway, (6) Kentucky Speedway, (3) Sonoma Raceway, (1) Homestead-Miami Speedway, (2) Chicagoland Speedway, (4) Martinsville Speedway 60

PoLE Position 2013

• I won the Daytona 500 in 2008 • I race for Stewart-Hass Racing • My first win was the 2002 New Hampshire 300 • Quicken Loans is my sponsor

ansWEr // Ryan Newman

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nascar sEriEs rostErs 2013 nascar sPrint cuP sEriEs rostEr No.

Driver

Team

Sponsor & Make

Crew Chief

Hometown

Birthdate

Jamie McMurray

Earnhardt Ganassi Racing

McDonald’s/Cessna Chevrolet

Kevin Manion

Joplin, Mo.

June 3, 1976

Brad Keselowski

Penske Racing

Miller Lite Ford

Paul Wolfe

Rochester Hills, Mich.

Feb. 12, 1984

Kasey Kahne

Hendrick Motorsports

Farmers Insurance/Quaker State Chevrolet

Kenny Francis

Enumclaw, Wash.

April 10, 1980

Dave Blaney

Tommy Baldwin Racing

SANY America Chevrolet

Tommy Baldwin Jr.

Hartford, Ohio

Oct. 24, 1962

Marcos Ambrose

Richard Petty Motorsports

Stanley Ford

Drew Blickensderfer

Launceston, Australia

Sept. 1, 1976

Danica Patrick

Stewart-Haas Racing

GoDaddy.com Chevrolet

Tony Gibson

Roscoe, Ill.

March 25, 1982

Denny Hamlin

Joe Gibbs Racing

FedEx Toyota

Darian Grubb

Chesterfield, Va.

Nov. 18, 1980

Casey Mears

Germain Racing

GEICO Ford

Robert “Bootie” Barker

Bakersfield, Calif.

March 12, 1978

Tony Stewart

Stewart-Haas Racing

Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet

Steve Addington

Columbus, Ind.

May 20, 1971

Clint Bowyer

Michael Waltrip Racing

5-Hour ENERGY Toyota

Brian Pattie

Emporia, Kan.

May 30, 1979

Greg Biffle

Roush Fenway Racing

3M Ford

Matt Puccia

Vancouver, Wash.

Dec. 23, 1969

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Roush Fenway Racing

Best Buy/Zest Ford

Scott Graves

Olive Branch, Miss.

Oct. 2, 1987

Kyle Busch

Joe Gibbs Racing

M&M’s/Interstate Batteries Toyota

Dave Rogers

Las Vegas, Nev.

May 2, 1985

Matt Kenseth

Joe Gibbs Racing

Husky Tools/Dollar General Toyota

Jason Ratcliff

Cambridge, Wis.

March 10, 1972

Trevor Bayne

Wood Brothers Racing

Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford

Donnie Wingo

Knoxville, Tenn.

Feb. 19, 1991

Joey Logano

Penske Racing

Shell/Pennzoil Ford

Todd Gordon

Middletown, Conn.

May 24, 1990

Jeff Gordon

Hendrick Motorsports

Drive to End Hunger/Axalta/Pepsi Chevrolet

Alan Gustafson

Vallejo, Calif.

Paul Menard

Richard Childress Racing

Menards Chevrolet

Richard “Slugger” Labbe Eau Claire, Wis.

Aug. 4, 1971 Aug. 21, 1980

Kevin Harvick

Richard Childress Racing

Budweiser/Jimmy Johns/Rheem Chevrolet

Gil Martin

Bakersfield, Calif.

Dec. 8, 1975

David Stremme

Swan Racing

Swan Energy/Nutrition53 Toyota

Steven Lane

South Bend, Ind.

Jun 19, 1977

Jeff Burton

Richard Childress Racing

Caterpillar/Cheerios Chevrolet

Luke Lambert

South Boston, Va.

June 20, 1967

Ken Schrader

FAS Lane Racing

Oxywater Ford

Frank Stoddard Jr.

Fenton, Mo.

May 29, 1955

Port Tobacco, Md.

Feb. 25, 1993 Dec. 24, 1985

Timmy Hill 34

David Ragan

Front Row Motorsports

Peanut Patch Ford

Jay Guy

Unadilla, Ga.

Josh Wise

Front Row Motorsports

MDS Transport Ford

Frank Kerr

Riverside, Calif.

Feb. 7, 1983

J.J. Yeley

Tommy Baldwin Racing

Golden Corral/Accell Construction Chevrolet Joe Lax

Phoenix, Ariz.

Oct. 5, 1976

David Gilliland

Front Row Motorsports

Front Row Motorsports Ford

Steven Lane

Riverside, Calif.

April 1, 1976

Ryan Newman

Stewart-Haas Racing

Quicken Loans Chevrolet

Matt Borland

South Bend, Ind.

Dec. 8, 1977 Sept. 20, 1975

Juan Pablo Montoya

Earnhardt Ganassi Racing

Target Chevrolet

Chris Heroy

Bogota, Colombia

Aric Almirola

Richard Petty Motorsports

Smithfield Foods/STP Ford

Todd Parrott

Tampa, Fla.

March 14, 1983

Bobby Labonte

JTG Daugherty Racing

Kingsford/Clorox/Scott/Bush’s Beans Toyota Brian Burns

Corpus Christi, Texas

May 8, 1964

Jimmie Johnson

Hendrick Motorsports

Lowe’s/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet

Chad Knaus

El Cajon, Calif.

Sept. 17, 1975

Regan Smith

Phoenix Racing

Phoenix Construction Chevrolet

Nick Harrison

Cato, N.Y.

Sept. 23, 1983

Las Gatos, Calif.

Dec. 16, 1981

Michael Waltrip Racing

Aaron’s Toyota

Rodney Childers

Batesville, Ark.

Jan. 9, 1959

A.J. Allmendinger 55

Mark Martin

Thomasville, N.C.

Oct. 24, 1983

Brian Vickers Martin Truex Jr.

Michael Waltrip Racing

NAPA Auto Parts Toyota

Chad Johnston

Mayetta, N.J.

June 29, 1980

Kurt Busch

Furniture Row Racing

Furniture Row Chevrolet

Todd Berrier

Las Vegas, Nev.

Aug. 4, 1978

David Reutimann

BK Racing

Burger King Toyota

Pat Tryson

Zephyrhills, Fla.

March 2, 1970

Joe Nemechek

NEMCO Motorsports

NEMCO Motorsports Toyota

Scott Eggleston

Lakeland, Fla.

Sept. 26, 1963

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Hendrick Motorsports

National Guard/Diet Mt. Dew Chevrolet

Steve Letarte

Kannapolis, N.C.

Oct. 10, 1974

Travis Kvapil

BK Racing

Burger King Toyota

Todd Anderson

Janesville, Wis.

March 1, 1976

Scott Speed

Leavine Family Racing

WRL General Contractors Ford

Wally Rogers

Manteca, Calif.

Jan. 24, 1983

Michael McDowell

Phil Parsons Racing

K-Love/Curb Records Ford

Gene Nead

Glendale, Ariz.

Dec. 21, 1984

Carl Edwards

Roush Fenway Racing

Fastenal/Aflac/UPS/Geek Squad Ford

Jimmy Fennig

Columbia, Mo.

Aug. 15, 1979

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Richmond, Va. St. Louis, Mo. Boise, Idaho Lewisville, N.C. Cedar Rapids, Iowa Enumclaw, Wash. Grass Valley, Calif. Knoxville, Tenn. Cato, N.Y. St. Augustine, Fla. Owensboro, Ky. Emporia, Va. Defiance, Ohio Chilhowie, Va. Milwaukie, Ore. Thomasville, N.C. Rochester Hills, Mich. High Point, N.C. McKinney, Texas Brasilia, Brazil Riverton, Ill. Elk Grove, Calif. Bakersfield, Calif. Riverside, Calif. Phoenix, Ariz. Des Moines, Iowa Galliano, La. Spartanburg, S.C. Cedar Rapids, Iowa Las Vegas, Nev. Annapolis, Md. Pensacola, Fla. Westport, Conn. Lakeland, Fla. Conover, N.C. Kahnawake, Quebec Germantown, Tenn. Tucson, Ariz.

Jason White Mike Wallace Brian Scott Austin Dillon Landon Cassill Kasey Kahne Brad Sweet Trevor Bayne Regan Smith Scott Lagasse Jr. Jeff Green Elliott Sadler Sam Hornish Jr. Eric McClure Mike Bliss Brian Vickers Brad Keselowski Ryan Blaney Robert Richardson Jr. Nelson Piquet Jr. Justin Allgaier Kyle Larson Kevin Harvick Josh Wise J.J. Yeley Michael Annett Hal Martin Jeremy Clements Joey Gase Kyle Busch Travis Pastrana Johanna Long Parker Kligerman Joe Nemechek Morgan Shepherd Dexter Stacey Kevin Swindell Alex Bowman

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Las Vegas, Nev. Lewisville, N.C. South Boston, Va. New York, N.Y. Westmorland, Calif. Watkinsville, Ga. Stockbridge, Ga. Palmdale, Calif. Kansas City, Kan. Bakersfield, Calif. Providence, N.C. Miami Springs, Fla. Alva, Fla. Rochester Hill, Mich. Copper Hills, Va. High Point, N.C. Plano, Texas Nova Prata, Brazil Tucker, Ga. Las Vegas, Nev. Mobile, Ala. Level Green, Pa. New Castle, Ind. Las Vegas, Nev. Mexico City, Mexico Houston, Texas Lakeland, Fla. Tulare, Calif. Bahama, N.C. Necedah, Wis. Stuart, Fla.

Rick Ware Racing Richard Childress Racing Turner Scott Motorsports Wauters Motorsports Eddie Sharp Racing Red Horse Racing Eddie Sharp Racing NTS Motorsports Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing NTS Motorsports Red Horse Racing Kyle Busch Motorsports Brad Keselowski Racing

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

Carl Long Marcus Richmond Mike Hillman Jr. Richie Wauters Eddie Troconis Mike Beam Chris Showalter Bruce Cook Dan Kolanda Eddie Pardue Butch Hylton Harold Holly Chad Kendrick

Mike Hillman Racing Brad Keselowski Racing Turner Scott Motorsports Turner Scott Motorsports RSS Racing Kyle Busch Motorsports Kyle Busch Motorsports Norm Benning Racing Turn One Racing Richard Childress Racing Red Horse Racing Green Light Racing Glenden Enterprises ThorSport Racing RBR Enterprises ThorSport Racing T3R Racing

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

Doug Weddle Doug Randolph Michael Shelton Jeff Hensley Kevin Starland Ryan Fugle Jerry Baxter Gary Ritter Gene Kennon Shane Wilson Dan Stillman Jason Miller Dave Fuge Jr. Carl Joiner Michael Hester Joe Shear Jr. Gary Cogswell

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Dusty Davis Ty Dillon Jeb Burton Tim George Jr. Justin Lofton John Wes Townley Max Gresham Ron Hornaday Jr. Jennifer Jo Cobb Brennan Newberry Timothy Peters Joey Coulter Ross Chastain Brad Keselowski Jeff Agnew Ryan Blaney James Buescher Miguel Paludo Ryan Sieg Kyle Busch Darrell Wallace Jr. Norm Benning Dakoda Armstrong Brendan Gaughan German Quiroga David Starr Chris Fontaine Matt Crafton Scott Riggs Johnny Sauter Bryan Silas

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insider’s view fresh faces

Ryan Blaney

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Driver It’s safe to say third-generation driver Ryan Blaney is a quick learner as he wasted little time making an impact in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Along with having a strong mentor in Keselowski, Blaney also has another source to lean on — his father. A former World of Outlaws and USAC Silver Crown Series champion turned NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, Dave Blaney has competed mostly full time in

acing in the series for only the third time, Blaney went to Victory Lane last fall in a truck owned by Brad Keselowski, the man who would go on to become the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. Blaney, a Penske Racing development driver, was picked by Keselowski to wheel a Brad Keselowski Racing truck in nine of the season’s final 10 races. He collected five top-10 finishes and made an equally impressive part-time run in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, where he netted seven top-10s in 13 starts divvied up between Penske and Tommy Baldwin Racing. The overall results convinced Keselowski to give Blaney a full-time truck ride this season with BKR. Blaney is also running another part-time NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule for Penske Racing — the team Keselowski drives

for in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. For Blaney, who celebrated his 19th birthday on Dec. 31, the transition to NASCAR’s big leagues has seemed to happen at a whirlwind pace. “I look at this time last year and I would never have thought that I’d be running for Penske and I’d be racing for Brad on this truck team full time,” said Blaney, who as recently as 2011 drove a Late Model, but cut his teeth racing Quarter Midgets, Bandoleros and Legend Cars.

NASCAR’s top series since 2000. Slightly biased as he may be, the elder Blaney certainly has the background and expertise to identify talent. And, in the case of his son, there was no denying it. “I probably saw it when he was 14 years old,” the elder Blaney said. “I thought he had what it took to keep going. … He uses his head way better than I expected for an 18-year-old, or now a 19-year-old, so that part was a pleasant surprise.”

Despite achieving only modest success in NASCAR, Dave Blaney is a wealth of knowledge for his son, who at age 18 became the youngest winner in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series history. “He’s definitely been the biggest influence on me doing this,” said Ryan. “He’s taught me everything; he’s brought me up and taught me the whole game and what it’s all about. He’s been my biggest supporter.” Ryan Blaney comes from a family rich in racing heritage. His paternal grandfather, the late Lou Blaney, was a sprint car and modified racing legend that piled up more than 600 victories and multiple championships. Ryan’s uncle, Dale Blaney, is a very successful winged sprint car racer in his own right, much like Ryan’s father. It’s no wonder Ryan, who remembers attending his first race at age 4, caught the bug. “His grandfather would be proud,” said three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart. “He definitely follows suit with a great racing family that has a lot of talent. And, he’s learned from the best; he’s got a father and an uncle that are some of the best in the business, and his grandfather was a

great race car driver, so he’s got a great foundation.” While growing up in a racing family has its advantages, it can also be a source of stress for some drivers due to heightened expectations and increased scrutiny. But, Ryan enjoys being the son of a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver. “I don’t really see any pressure that comes with it,” he said. “It’s kind of more opportunity, and it kind of drives me to be as good, if not a little bit better, than him.”

Things You 5 Don’t Know

About Ryan Blaney

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“It may not look like it, but I go to the gym a lot.”

“I knew I wanted to race full time when I was about 14 and it was really my first Late Model race I ever did – the first Super Late Model race. We ran so good in it. I just loved it so much, that’s really when I decided that’s what I wanted to do.” “I listen to a lot of country music and a lot of rap, also, so kind of a broad span across the board.” “I’ve always been shy in big crowds. No matter how well I know the people, I’ve always been kind of shy.” “I drink a lot of milkshakes; milkshakes and ice cream. I’m a big ice cream guy.”

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by jared turner 64

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