January 2007 Archives

Kertus Davis was named as driver for Kevin Harvick Inc. in the team's No. 77 Busch Series Chevrolet Monte Carlo on Wednesday. He will join drivers Bobby Labonte and team owner Kevin Harvick as driver of the car.
Davis is scheduled to race in 13 events, starting with the California Speedway Stater Bros. 300 on Feb 24.
Davis started his racing career in the backyard of his family's home in South Carolina. When he turned 8, Davis began competing at go-kart tracks near Gaffney, S.C.
“When I was a kid growing up I didn’t have much of a choice, if I wanted to race I had to work on my own cars,� said Kertus Davis. “It wasn’t until the 2005 and 2006 seasons that we had four full-time employees and that included myself and my father.
“We took nothing and did a lot with it,� Davis said. “To even make races was an achievement. There was a lot of hard work and dedication, and a lot of times I was working for free.�
At the age of 17, Davis had won the South Carolina State Karting Championship, finished second in the State Nationals in North Carolina and was third in the World Karting Association Nationals.
In 1998, Davis began racing late model stock cars at asphalt tracks around South Carolina to gain experience. Between 1998 and 1999, Davis competed in 15 late model stock car events in Greenville Pickens, Myrtle Beach and Timmonsville in South Carolina.
In addition to racing late model stock cars, Davis made three starts in a USAR Pro Cup car in 1999. Davis made his first start in a USAR Pro Cup car in Mobile, Ala. In between the races, Davis helped his father work at the family owned go-kart racing business. Between the ages of 14 and 17, he built go-karts to sell. As Davis got older he also helped his father run a business that built show cars for sports agency Keystone Marketing.

Forget Eddie Shore hockey. How about Eddie Gossage hockey?
Apparently the NHL is looking to Gossage, the president of Texas Motor Speedway, to become an executive in the hockey league.
Gossage said in a statement that he is flattered by the attention, but he has not spoken to anyone in the NHL.
"The speculation surrounding me says a lot about the growth and popularity of NASCAR and its place among today’s mainstream sports," Gossage said. "But I have the dream job right now and the perfect relationship with SMI [Speedway Motorsports, Inc.] Chairman Bruton Smith. I have no intention of leaving Texas Motor Speedway and my personal goal is to be here as long as Tom Landry was with the Dallas Cowboys. He is, in my mind, the icon of sporting success in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and that remains a lofty goal for me to reach someday.�

The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona will be featuring an exhibit of several of the 75 most significant '32 Ford hot rods called Deuces Wild starting Feb. 7.
Some of the cars featured in the exhibit will be the Chili Catallo Little Deuce Coupe, which appeared on the Beach Boys album cover of the same name, a recreation of Fred Allen's Devil Deuce, the Orange Crate and roadsters from Tommy Foster, Neal East and the Berardini Bros. The exhibit concludes June 18.
"You'll never see these historical cars together again," said Museum Executive Director Tony Thacker, who was on the judging panel and has authored a book on the Deuce. "If you're a Deuce fan, this is a once-in-a-lifetime collection."
The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Current NHRA members are admitted free. Admission for non-members is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors 60 and older, $4 for children 6 to 15, and free for children under 5. The museum is also available for private parties, meetings, corporate events, weddings and special group tours. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona. For further information on special exhibits, museum events or directions, call (909) 622-2133 or visit museum.nhra.com.

NASCAR will limit the number of times a past champion can use a provisional spot to start a race, it was announced Wednesday.
Teams with a champion driver can use only six provisional starts during the course of the season. Previously, teams with a champion driver could use as many provisional spots as they wanted. The eligible driver was given the 43rd and final starting position in the race.
"As NASCAR seeks to place more emphasis on competition, we have decided the time is right to limit the number of provisionals allowed,� said NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton. “We believe this revision brings the provisional policy in line with the continued growth of the sport.�
This rule could be potentially damaging to Dale Jarrett and his newly formed Toyota team at Michael Waltrip Racing. Jarrett, a former NASCAR Cup champion, was guaranteed a starting spot in every NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race under the old rule.
Now Jarrett and his team are only guaranteed six races to start.

Roger Penske, who owns teams in NASCAR and the Indy Racing League, combined his operations into one building in North Carolina.
Now, his NASCAR teams, with Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman, are working side-by-side with his IRL teams and drivers Sam Hornish Jr. and Helio Castroneves.
Busch said during testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway that it's great to have everybody in one building.
"Right now it's a matter of getting settled in for those guys," said Busch, who drives the No. 2 Dodge for Penske Racing South. "Some of those guys have actually helped with extra hands around the racetrack, whether it's a semi-truck driver driving to one our tests, whether it's Tom German, the guy that actually makes the calls for Sam on the pit box, Tim Cindric, general manager and president of Penske Racing. He now has his hands on the Cup and Busch program. He's the guy that makes the calls for Helio Castroneves in the pit box. We're starting to see all of that intertwine, how it can produce results."
Hornish, a three-time IRL champion, will be entered in some NASCAR Busch Series events this year. Castroneves, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, has indicated he would like to drive in some NASCAR races eventually as well.
Busch was asked if he had any interest in trying to race in an Indy car event any time soon.
"All of our guys love to drive," Busch said. "That's why Roger chose Sam and Helio, Ryan and myself. I'd love the chance to have Sam repay the turn on teaching me in an IRL car, as much time as we spent together in that Busch car getting him up to speed. Just some nice test sessions here and there.
"I look forward to the future of possibly running some road racing events after I retire, but that's 20 years down the road. Nothing on the forefront. I have a good home with the NASCAR program, working with Miller and Dodge to make our No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge go faster."

Starting Feb. 5, bids can be made for a spot in the 31st annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity race, part of the 33rd annual Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 13-15.
Bidding begins at $50,000 and starts at 12:01 a.m. Feb. 5. The auction will continue until midnight Feb. 14. All proceeds from the winning bid will go to the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach, which has contributed more than $2 million to a number of charitable organizations throughout the greater Long Beach area.
The winning bidder will join the rest of the celebrity and professional field for four days of professional driver's training with Fast Lane Racing School at Willow Springs Raceway located in Rosamond.
Practice and qualifying on April 13 will lead up to the green flag on April 14 when a group of celebrity and professional drivers will compete in race-ready Scion tCs in a 10-lap sprint race over the 1.97-mile seaside Long Beach street course.
The high bidder will also receive a custom-made professional driver's suit, including shoes, gloves and helmet, and a $5,000 donation from Toyota will be made in the winning bidder's name to "Racing for Kids," a national program benefiting two childrens' hospitals in Southern California.
For full details and rules, log on to www.longbeachgp.com, then click the auction link.

The first five NASCAR drivers have been selected for DIRECTV's new HOTPASS package, which will debut during the Daytona 500.
They are Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart and Michael Waltrip.
NASCAR HOTPASS will offer viewers five channels to watch specific drivers during races.
“We’re proud that the first five drivers who have decided to participate in this incredible new service are among NASCAR’s most elite competitors,� said David Hill, president of entertainment for DIRECTV. “The drivers are energized and excited about this new way to translate the incredible NASCAR experience, but it is the fans who are in for a truly amazing experience.�
With NASCAR HOTPASS, each of the five dedicated driver channels will offer multiple camera angles, real-time car telemetry, in-car audio communication and an announcer team. The new service, combined with race day telecasts and nascar.com coverage, will give fans the most comprehensive and powerful NASCAR experience possible.
DIRECTV customers can now purchase NASCAR HOTPASS. The full-season price of the package is $99, but customers can take advantage of an early bird offer by purchasing the package by Jan. 31 for $79. The exclusive service is also available on a pay-per-week basis for $29.99. More information is available on www.directv.com/hotpass.
DIRECTV is an official sponsor of NASCAR and an official sponsor of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and the # 07 car.

During the Lowe's Motor Speedway media tour last week, Mike Accavitti, the director of Dodge Motorsports and SRT planning, offered the winner of the Daytona 500, if he is a Dodge driver, his choice of vehicle from the SRT line.
The choices are an SRT-10 Viper, an SRT-8 Charger, an SRT-8 Magnum, an SRT-8 Chrysler 300 or an SRT-8 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The drivers for Evernham Motorsports, which uses Dodge engines, were asked what Dodge they would choose if they won the race.
Kasey Kahne, driver of the No. 9 Dodge for Evernham Motorsports said he would take the Grand Cherokee.
"I’ve already got the Viper," Kahne said. "They gave me one for winning the most races last year.�
Scott Riggs said he would pick a car that would suit his family.
"I’d probably pick the SRT-8 Magnum," said Riggs, who drives the No. 10 Dodge for Evernham Motorsports. "When Mike announced that, Jim Rocco from Valvoline said he was going to take the car home. As long as I got the trophy and picture, I might let him.�
Elliott Sadler already has an SRT-10 truck he received as part of a signing bonus when he moved from Robert Yates Racing to Evernham Motorsports last year.
"I like the Viper," said Sadler, driver of the No. 19 Dodge for Evernham Motorsports. "If he’s willing to stick a Viper out there, that’s a little extra incentive. I might have to make sure that Josh (Team Director Browne) and the guys put a little extra bumper in front of this thing. That’s cool that Dodge will reward their drivers that much.
"They definitely create a team atmosphere and support their team owners and drivers a lot. I’ve been very impressed with that since I’ve been over here. To put something like that on the line, that’s pretty amazing. They want to win the Daytona 500 pretty bad.�

By being part of the winning team in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Juan Pablo Montoya joined Mario Andretti in an exclusive class of drivers.
Montoya became the first driver since Andretti to win a 24 at Daytona race, a Formula One race, an Indianapolis 500 and a Champ Car/IndyCar Series title.
Montoya, who will drive for Chip Ganassi Racing at the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series level in 2007, won the 45th Rolex 24 at Daytona driving with Scott Pruett and Salvador Duran.
“It’s like winning a championship in one race,� Ganassi said.
It was the second straight win for Ganassi's Lexus Riley entry. It was Pruett's second 24 at Daytona victory. And it was Moran and Montoya's first win in the 24 at Daytona.
“It was incredible after 20 hours there were three cars on the lead lap, three really fast cars,� Montoya said. “It was like qualifying on every lap over and over again.�
NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon was part of the team that finished third in the 24 at Daytona. He drove with Jan Magnussen, Wayne Taylor, Max Angelelli in the No. 10 SunTrust Riley. Gordon and Montoya are entered in the Daytona 500, set to run on Feb. 18.

Looks llike when Dale Earnhardt Jr. talks, Eddie Gossage listens.
Earnhardt Jr. voiced his concerns about a dip between turns 1 and 2 at Texas Motor Speedway and Gossage, the president of the race track, has spent the past few months researching and evaluating the complaints.
“Texas is a fun race track,� Earnhardt Jr. said in November. “We’ve had a lot of success here and it is a fun track so I’m glad it is in it (the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup). (The track surface) is starting to age a little bit and it is starting to move the grooves up a little bit so you can race side by side through the corners a bit. It’s really starting to come into its own. The asphalt or the dirt underneath the asphalt has settled over the tunnel, which it does at every race track they build, but it seems to be a little more pronounced here. And that will hold this place back for a few years to come until they repair that. As far as being able to run two and three wide through that corner, it will hold it back a little bit.�
The track concluded a renovation on Friday to correct the flaw in the turn. The process, known as “concrete lifting by structure urethane,� will in essence pump up the surface below the track and ultimately raise targeted areas in the affected 200-foot stretch over the South Tunnel that is situated in the middle of the two turns. The depth of the dip varies throughout, but it is at a maximum of two inches at any given point.
“While Junior’s comments at the time surprised me since he never mentioned it before, it was a concern and we thought it would only be appropriate to investigate the issue further and determine if it warranted any action,� Gossage said. “We spoke with several drivers, team owners and NASCAR officials in carrying out our due diligence. After further consultation, we decided it would be beneficial to alleviate the dip as much as possible through this process. We’ve been pro-active since Day 1 to the suggestions of the drivers and fans of this facility and we will continue to do so in the future.�

Samsung Electronics America, Inc., will be an associate sponsor on the No. 66 Haas CNC Racing Chevrolet driven by Jeff Green.
Samsung will appear on Green's car for the 21 events in which Best Buy is the team's primary sponsor. Samsung will also be featured as the primary in one race, which has yet to be determined.
“It’s awesome to have brands like Samsung and Best Buy supporting our team,� Green said. “We’re looking forward to a great 2007 season, and with these companies in our corner, we’re confident we’ll find our way to victory lane this year.�
Barry Judge, senior vice president of marketing, Best Buy, said the company was thrilled to have Samsung join the No. 66 team.
“Samsung is focused on bringing a great experience to consumers, which is what Best Buy and stock car racing are all about, so it’s a great fit," Judge said. "We’re looking forward to working with them on exciting and innovative ways to activate their sponsorship, both at-track and at Best Buy retail locations.�
Tim Baxter, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Samsung, said his company understands how passionate sports fans can be and his company's sponsorship will allow Samsung to expand its reach to auto racing fans and promote its line of Samsung HDTV products.
“Watching a race on one of our HDTVs is a close second to being at the track," Baxter said. "We want fans to know they can feel like they’re sitting on the start/finish line without leaving the comfort of their couch, and sponsoring the No. 66 Best Buy Chevrolet is a great way to get the word out.�

California Speedway is offering race fans a chance to visit the track's garage for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Feb. 23.
The Truck Series garage will be open to fans with a weekend pit pass and a ticket to the San Bernardino County 200 Truck Series race.
“We are excited to be able to offer this opportunity to our loyal California Speedway race fans,� said Gillian Zucker, California Speedway President. “We are constantly looking for ways to enhance the fans experience here and what better way than to allow them garage access to see some of their favorite drivers and teams up close.�
Weekend pit passes can be purchased for $55 and allow pit road access when the track is cold. Fans must have a grandstand or infield ticket for each day they use the weekend pit pass.
Access to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series garage on Feb. 23 is limited to fans 18 years and older. NASCAR requires long pants, no open-toed shoes and no sleeveless shirts for garage access. Children 12 and under are admitted in the pits free on Sunday with a ticketed adult.
Tickets for the San Bernardino County 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Feb. 23 are $30 in general admission sections and $40 for a reserved seat. Tickets for the Stater Bros. 300 NASCAR Busch Series race on Feb. 24 are $40 in general admission sections and $50 and $60 in reserved seating.
Tickets for the Auto Club 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race on Feb. 25 are $55, $75 and $105 in reserved seating. Children 12 and under are admitted free in the general admission sections on Feb. 23 and Feb. 24.
To purchase tickets or to receive more information, call (800) 944-RACE or visit racetickets.com or www.californiaspeedway.com.

The RaceCooler is coming, but NASCAR fans who go to California Speedway will have to wait unti Labor Day to use one at a race.
The RaceCooler, an insulated cooler made from used NASCAR tires, is designed to hold 78 long neck bottles or 144 cans with as much as 40 pounds of ice.
This may be taking recycling a little too far.
The RaceCoolers won't be available until April, leaving California Speedway fans to have to use conventional coolers for the races in February.
According to a release distributed by RaceCooler, for every tire converted in a RaceCooler, the environment is spared 26 pounds of rubber in a landfill. That translates into 2 million pounds of non-biodegradable rubber and metal that won't find its way into the dump.
The RaceCooler is also saving NASCAR fans from themselves. Manufacturers destroy tires after every race to prevent people from trying to use them on their commuter cars.
The initial product run will only be available on www.racecoolers.com for$299 plus shipping and handling. Once all of the official race tires have been converted to RaceCoolers,
production will cease for the remainder of the year. Current estimates for a year’s supply are less
than 80,000.

The Impala SS will be the choice of Chevrolet-powered teams in the 16 races in which the Car of Tomorrow will be entered in this year.
The Chevrolet teams currently use the Monte Carlo SS.
The Impala's debut will be at the first Bristol Motor Speedway race in Tennessee in March. Additionally, the Impala will be entered in the races at tracks that are less than a mile-and-a-half in length.
The return of the Impala to NASCAR marks the 50th anniversary of the debut of the car. It was first introduced in 1957 as a 1958 model and raced on Daytona Beach before hitting the speedway in 1959.
Bob Welborn scored a victory with an Impala for the qualifying race of the 1959 Daytona 500 - the first 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Impala drivers won consecutive NASCAR championship titles in 1960 (Rex White) and again in 1961 (Ned Jarrett). In 1963, stock-car legend Junior Johnson ran 32 races of the 55-race schedule in his white No. 3 Impala owned by Ray Fox and collected seven wins, 12 top-fives, 13 top-tens and nine poles.
"The Impala is a name associated with performance, from the earliest models which raced on the sands and Speedway at Daytona to the newest SS sedan," said Pat Suhy, GM Racing NASCAR group manager. "The Impala has been extremely successful in the marketplace (best-selling domestic car of 2005) and we look forward to aligning that success with additional accomplishments on the race track."

Who will be the next Gillette Young Gun? NASCAR fans will get to decide.
Go to GilletteYoungGuns.com before the start of the Daytona 500 and select who you think will be the newest member of the Gillette Young Guns team. Gillette is offering prize packages for those who predict the next Young Gun. The grand prize winner receives a trip for two to a 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race, where a new Phantom car will be presented by the newest Young Gun driver.
The newest member of the team will be revealed prior to the Daytona 500 and will officially join the Gillette Young Guns team of drivers – Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman and the reigning Daytona 500 and NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson.
“There’s nothing quite like the energy at the start of a new racing season and the atmosphere of the Daytona 500. We’re proud to add to the excitement this year,� said Mike Norton, external relations, Gillette. “This unique consumer promotion connects fans with six of the top drivers in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and offers a unique prize package.�

Jay Robinson Racing and Haas CNC Racing have formed a technical and engineering alliance for the No. 28 Chevrolet Monte Carlo entry in the NASCAR Busch Series.
NASCAR Nextel Cup Series drivers Jeff Green and Johnny Sauter will share driving duties in the Jay Robinson Racing Chevy. They will combine to race 24 Busch Series events.
Green and Sauter drive for Haas CNC Racing at the Nextel Cup Series level.
Robert Richardson Jr. is scheduled to race the remaining 11 Busch Series races, starting with the season-opening Orbitz 300 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 17.

The Fernandez Racing team for the American Le Mans Series was the second-fastest among 18 entrants in three days of testing at Sebring International Raceway in Florida.
The Andretti Green Racing and the Highcroft Racing entries, the other two Acura-powered teams ins the American Le Mans Series, were among the top-five in the three days of testing at Sebring.
Drivers Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz completed more than 180 laps over three days in the team’s No. 15 Acura Lola B05/40 in the LMP2 division. Their best lap was at 124.479 mph around the 3.7-mile road course. Only the Dyson Racing team entry was faster at 124.506 mph.
“It was a good test. We were working on the final setup for the car more than trying to put the fastest lap, focusing on long runs and the race,� Fernandez said. “We are making good progress. Luis and I are getting better all the time – as is the whole team – and our driving styles are very similar. There is a lot of strong competition in this series – great teams and good cars. I’m excited. We will be ready for a good fight.�
The Fernandez Racing Team is one of three Acura-powered teams entered in the American Le Mans Series LMP2 division. All three teams will be making their debut with the Acura cars in the series.
“We have been making a lot of improvements and taking a lot of big steps every day,� Diaz said. “I think we were very competitive against teams with a lot more experience which speaks well about the team and the whole package we have here. Sebring is one of the most difficult tracks that I have ever driven. It is super bumpy and super fast. It’s really different, and I enjoy driving here.�
The Andretti Green Racing Courage LC75-Acura had its best lap on the third day of testing at 124.039 mph.
"We're getting there," said Andretii Green Racing driver Dario Franchitti. "There still is a long way to go and a lot of work to do. It's an ongoing process in the development of a new program."
The Highcroft Racing Courage LC75-Acura had its best lap on the second day at 122.89 mph.
"We really haven't done much to the car," said Stefan Johansson, a Highcroft Racing driver from Sherman Oaks. "Neither have we done enough to know how we are on reliability. We'll find out for sure in a few weeks."

The good news is Kevin Costner will be the grand marshal for the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway on Feb. 25.
The bad news is his band, “The Kevin Costner Band,� will be performing on the Opportunity Fan Zone stage before the race starts.
Why do I get the feeling his band will be about as good as “The Postman?�
Costner has one line as grand marshal: Gentleman, start your engines. Even he can’t screw that up.
Perhaps his band can be as surprising as Alan Rickman as the Sheriff of Nottingham in “Robin Hood.�
California Speedway president Gillian Zucker has landed an A-list celebrity for the race and continues to give the track a unique Hollywood flavor.
“Having an Academy Award winner like Kevin Costner as the grand marshal of the Auto Club 500 solidifies California Speedway’s position as the NASCAR playground for Hollywood, and continues to demonstrate how popular NASCAR Nextel Cup racing has become,� Zucker said. “In addition to being grand marshal, Kevin's live performance at California Speedway is truly a unique and exclusive opportunity for our fans to get to know his musical side.�
The NASCAR weekend of races at California Speedway starts Feb. 23 with the Craftsman Truck Series San Bernardino County 200. It follows with the Busch Series Stater Bros. 300 on Feb. 24 and the Auto Club 500 on Feb. 25.

The Ford Motor Company announced today that it no longer will be a sponsor of the Champ Car World Series. Ford had been involved in Champ Car and CART open wheel racing circuits since 1992.
“Today’s decision was made from a business standpoint on both sides and in no way should tarnish the long legacy of success that the Ford Motor Company has established in Champ Car competition," said Champ Car President Steve Johnson. "We thank Ford for what it has done for the series, but we are continuing building a bright future for the series and are exploring a number of other options for a manufacturer partner.�
The decision to no longer sponsor the Champ Car World Series will not affect Ford's association with NASCAR, the NHRA, USAC or the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series.

Four NHL All-Stars and a fifth NHL YoungStar tested their skills in NASCAR at Texas Motor Speedway on Tuesday.
The NHL All-Star game is in Dallas on Wednesday night. Buffalo Sabres defenseman Brian Campbell, Atlanta Thrashers forward Marian Hossa, Chicago Blackhawks forward Martin Havlat and San Jose Sharks forward Jonathan Cheechoo participated in the Team Texas Driving Experience at the race track. San Jose Sharks defenseman Matt Carle, who is in the YoungStars game, also took part in the driving experience.
Campbell and Carle were the fastest of the group, turning laps at more than 150 mph.
“My heart was pounding and I was a little nervous, but I managed,� said Campbell, a starter for the Eastern Conference squad. “It is unbelievable and I cannot imagine 43 cars out there at one time.�
Each driver took a brief instructional class then ran two 10-lap stints on the 1.5-mile oval.
“I watch [NASCAR] once in a while, but after this I should have a better appreciation for the sport and know more about what I am watching,� said Cheechoo, a starting forward for the Western Conference All-Star squad.
Hossa said the experience was "unbelievable."
“It is difficult to realize until you are sitting there how fast these things actually go,� he said.
Havalt said everyone should try driving a stock car, if they have the chance.
“I really appreciate the opportunity to try it here at Texas Motor Speedway,� Havlat said.

Casey Mears isn't the type who likes to miss a race. That was evident when he worked out a deal to race in the annual Turkey Night Grand Prix at Irwindale Speedway in November.
But after leaving Chip Ganassi's NASCAR Nextel Cup Series team for Hendrick Motorsports, Mears was left looking for a team to drive for in the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Mears was part of the winning team for Ganassi last year. He shared driving duties with Dan Wheldon and Scott Dixon in the team's Lexus Riley.
But now that he's with a General Motors-backed team, racing a Lexus was not an accpetable option.
“I’m already missing it,� Mears said. “I had the opportunity to run it again this year. There were a couple of teams. Being that I’m with Chevrolet, it needed to be a GM team. It looked like Tony (Stewart), Jeff (Gordon) and Jimmie (Johnson) kind of had the top teams sewed up on the GM side. If I come back and do it, I wanted to make sure it was a team capable of winning after going through what I did last year."

Indy Racing League driver Sam Hornish Jr. has his eye on the Daytona 500. Before he gets there, though, he will test his NASCAR skills in the Busch Series.
Hornish, an IRL champion and winner of the Indianapolis 500, will be entered in the NASCAR Busch Series Orbitz 300 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 17.
In testing on Sunday, Hornish was the fastest driver, taking the No. 12 Penske Racing Dodge around the 2.5-mile track at 187.833 mph.
“I’ve been here at Daytona in sports cars, been here in the IROC Series, been here in the IndyCar,� Hornish Jr. said. “So now I’ve been here in the Busch car. I guess I can find my way around OK.�
The IRL season doesn't start until March 24 and ends in September. That has given Hornish the opportunity to test and drive a NASCAR Busch Series car and pursue a chance to perhaps race in the Daytona 500 at some point.
“It’s more for experience and something new . . . to be able to someday come here run the Daytona 500,� Hornish Jr. said. “That’s probably my goaI right now. You are not just going to jump in a Cup car and go out there and be able to win. I want to come here for my first time as a rookie for that and somewhat be competitive. I don’t want to go home and not make the race. This is part of practice to be able to go out and do that.�
In addition to preparing for the NASCAR Busch Series race, he will be competing in this weekend’s Rolex 24 At Daytona with Michael Shank Racing.
“That’s one of the things that has pushed me to want to do this,� Hornish Jr. said. “I’ve finished second twice here in the IROC race. Obviously I haven’t been to Victory Lane but I’ve been pretty close. I want to see if I can win one of these races. This obviously gives me an opportunity to do that.
“To win a race here, whether a 24-hour race or someday the Daytona 500 – you can’t ask for a whole lot more than that,� Hornish Jr. continued. “It’s hard to compare the two because the two tracks are so different but as far as Indianapolis and Daytona go, they are the two most historic places in the motor racing in the United States if not the world. They’ve got some of the greatest history that you are ever going to find. Whether starting off as a 2 ½-mile track that was paved with bricks or if it was starting off racing on a beach, there’s so much history involved. So many people look to these two races as the greatest races and as the only races they watch all year. To put your name on the winner’s list is pretty cool.�

A number of key changes were made to the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Chase for the Championship, including expanding the field from 10 to 12 drivers and increasing the points awarded to drivers who win races before the Chase starts.
NASCAR CEO and chairman Brian France made the announcement Monday morning at NASCAR’s Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. He stressed looking for a balance between winning races and consistency.
The key change in the Chase, the 10-race playoff to determine the Nextel Cup Series champion, is awarding drivers who qualify 10 bonus points for each race won in the first 26 races.
For example, Kasey Kahne would have been awarded 50 points for winning a series-high five races before the Chase started last year. In effect, Kahne, who was the 10th-place driver when the Chase started last year, would instead have been the Chase standings leader at New Hampshire International Speedway.
The Chase field is also expanding from 10 to 12 drivers and NASCAR is eliminating the rule that stated any driver within 400 points of the leader when the Chase started would qualify.
Every driver who makes the Chase will have his points reset to 5,000. Every win a driver in the Chase has is worth 10 points. The standings will be adjusted, with the driver with the most wins leading the standings.
“Wins are going to mean a lot more than used to be, especially early on,� France said.

Bobby Hamilton Jr., whose father died two weeks ago from cancer, said he was happy to be back in a race car and testing at Daytona International Speedway this weekend.
Hamilton Jr. is driving the No. 35 Ford for Team Rensi Motorsports. Between 2002 and 2004, he won five races, four poles and had two top-10 finishes in the championship standings with Team Rensi Motorsports.
Since then, Hamilton Jr. has been in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the Craftsman Truck Series without much success.
“I’m glad to be back,� Hamilton Jr. said. “I walked into the garage and told my wife (Stephanie), this is where I’m supposed to be. Pretty much my whole career has been in the Busch Series. With everything we’ve been dealing with I was glad to get to the race track where I don’t have to answer phone and do everything else."
Hamilton Jr. was in the No. 32 Ford for PPI Motorsports in the Cup Series. He was in the No. 18 Dodge for Bobby Hamilton Racing when his father was not able to race in the Truck Series.
He said he is eagerly anticipating his return to Team Rensi Motorsports.
“Whether it’s going to be a home run from the green flag at Daytona, it’s like anything else, it’s a building process,� Hamilton Jr. said. “We will build it. I think after having the drought of success that I had the last two years, nothing burns more than to run good and take home trophies.�

Usually it's the father who has reservations about letting his son drive his new car.
In the case of Rusty and Steve Wallace, maybe the younger Wallace is the one who needs to take away his father's driving prvileges.
Rusty Wallace, the former NASCAR Winston Cup champion and owner of his son's Busch Series entry at Rusty Wallace Inc., took the car out for some test laps at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday.
“I don’t drive competitively anymore, but I like to test drive," Rusty Wallace said. "As soon as I went out we made four laps and blew up. We’re going to change engines and try and get back out by the end of the day.�
They did and Steve Wallace was able to lay down some test laps of his own on Saturday.
Wallace posted the 28th best time in the morning run at 180.552 mph.
“I’ve been working really hard, trying to get my race car to go fast,� Steve Wallace said. “But sometimes it gets frustrating when you work all day long and either lose speed or don’t gain any.�

For the first time in a long time, the NASCAR Busch Series might actually have the look of a developemental series instead of a place for Cup drivers to kill time.
Drivers Steve Wallace, David Ragan, Aric Almirola and Stephen Leicht lead the list of young drivers who will be racing at the Busch Series level this year.
Even the established, but virtually untested, Juan Pablo Montoya will make his share of Busch Series starts.
“It’s really refreshing to see this many young faces in the garage,� Joe Balash, NASCAR Busch Series director, said Friday from Daytona International Speedway in Florida.
The 19-year-old Wallace will be driving the No. 66 Dodge for his father's team, Rusty Wallace Inc.
Ragan will be driving for Roush Racing at the Busch and Nextel Cup series levels.
Almirola will be in the No. 20 Chevrolet for Joe Gibbs Racing and sharing a ride with Denny Hamlin this season.
Leicht, who just turned 20 and made 20 Busch Series starts last year, is driving the No. 90 Ford for Robert Yates Racing.
And finally, Montoya, a Formula One and Indy car veteran, will be in the No. 42 Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing in both the Busch and Cup series.
“This place is so much fun,� Montoya said of Daytona, where he turned his first laps last week during NASCAR Nextel Cup Series testing last week.

The votes are in and the Greatest Moments in Sports will be announced Sunday night on FSN Prime Ticket.
Online voters were able to select the greatest moments in sports in the Los Angeles/Orange County area on the L.A. Sports Council web site: www.lasports.org.
Voting concluded Jan. 8 in 18 categories.
One of those categories was in motor sports.
The nominees were:
Sebastien Bourdais winning the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Ben Spies' performance in the Suzuki Superbike Challenge at California Speedway.
Kasey Kahne winning the NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch series races at California Speedway.
The Los Angeles Sports Council created the Greatest Moments Awards to salute the year’s best in local sports. Bill Macdonald and Petros Papadakis of Fox Sports will host the awards show gala, which will be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.
In addition, Sportsman, Sportswoman and Sports Executive of the Year will be named.

Braun Racing has formed an alliance with Biagi Bros. Racing and ppc Racing to field three teams in the NASCAR Busch Series.
Long Beach's Jason Leffler, Dave Blaney and John Andretti will race Toyota Camrys out of the Braun Racing camp.
Andretti will be in the No. 10 Toyota. Leffler will drive the No. 38 Camry and Blaney will be in the No. 32.
“I’m very excited about this opportunity for Braun Racing to align itself with two very strong Busch Series teams,� said Braun Racing owner, Todd Braun. “With the knowledge of these two previous owners, Braun Racing will be even stronger in the 2007 season. In 2006 Braun Racing merged with Akins Motorsports and that partnership proved beneficial for both teams so we have high expectations for this alliance. We have created one team with the combined experience of four seasoned owners allowing us to compete on a level playing field in (the) series.

Those wanting to watch the SCORE Laughlin Leap can go online for exclusive internet broadcasts of the weekend events.
Digital 1 Unlimited will be providing coverage of this week’s 13th Annual SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge. In cooperation with SCORE International and Aura360 this internet broadcast will be featured through thebajaunlimited.com and can also be reached from the home page of score-nternational.com.
The internet broadcast will be the same footage displayed on the SCOREvision screens at the course's main grandstand and VIP areas. Supplemental coverage will include helicopter and in-car cameras.
Cameron Steele, entered in five vehicles in Laughlin, will spend his free time as the featured host covering the personalities and lifestyles that surround the SCORE racing community. The live programming will start with tonight’s SCORE Laughlin Leap at 6 p.m.

The first race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is about a month away and driver Travis Kvapil is already being tabbed as a championship favorite.
His team, his truck and his resume all point to a championship run. Kvapil said his expectations are high and he has "a team that’s capable of winning a bunch of races and running for the championship.�
Kvapil has spent the past two year racing on the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. He will be in a Ford truck for Roush Racing this year. It is the same truck and team that won a series-high six races for Mark Martin last year.
“There aren’t a lot of changes on the team apart from me as a driver, so the pressure is on to go out and live up to the mark that Mark set last year,� he said from Homestead-Miami Speedway where the NASCAR truck teams are testing this week. “Everybody at Roush and Ford is gunning for a championship, so it’s a big goal.�

NASCAR fans are going to be seeing a lot of Kelly Clarkson this year.
Clarkson, an "American Idol" and Grammy-winning singer, has a deal with NASCAR that will have her performing at races, acting as spokesperson during special events and appearing in promotional spots for NASCAR throughout the year.
She will headline the Nextel Tribute to America show on Fox prior to the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 18.
"Anyone who knows me knows I'm a race fan and love NASCAR," Clarkson said. "It's been cool doing things with NASCAR in the past and I'm honored to have the opportunity to play such a huge role for the sport in 2007. I look forward to hanging out with the fans, drivers and the entire NASCAR community."
NASCAR has developed advertising and at-track campaigns with artists including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jewel, Lenny Kravitz, Leann Rimes and Sheryl Crow. The deal with Clarkson, however, is the culmination of a symbiotic model in which artists utilize the second-most watched sport in America as a marketing and promotional vehicle, while NASCAR attracts new fans by connecting with the artists' base.
"NASCAR's relationship with Kelly Clarkson will be unique not only due to the depth of her involvement in the sport all season long, but her enthusiasm for NASCAR as a fan of NASCAR will surely develop into an unparalleled relationship," said Sarah Nettinga, Managing Director, Film, Television and Entertainment, NASCAR Digital Entertainment.
As part of the deal, Clarkson will also serve as spokesperson and ambassador for the fourth annual NASCAR Day on May 18. NASCAR Day is a one-day celebration of the NASCAR spirit that gives fans across the country a chance to show their support for the sport they love and help worthwhile causes. As part of her role as official spokesman, Clarkson will appear in an ad campaign promoting NASCAR Day for the recently-formed NASCAR Foundation. The ad will premiere during the 2007 Daytona 500.
Finally, Clarkson is scheduled to perform at the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series' 27th annual Champions Banquet in New York City on Dec. 3. The awards show banquet honors the top performers of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season and officially crowns the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Champion. The event will be broadcast live on ESPN.

The NASCAR Busch Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 17 will be called the Orbitz 300.
Orbitz signed on as the title sponsor of the 49th annual NASCAR Busch Series race at Daytona.
Tony Stewart won the Busch Series race at Daytona last year. The two-time NASCAR Cup champion is expected to be entered again this year. Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch are also expected to be entered in the Busch Series race.
“Sports travel continues to be an important target audience for our business, and there are few venues with more recognition than Daytona,� said Steve Barnhart, president and CFO of Orbitz Worldwide. “We know race fans will relate to Orbitz, a business dedicated to making travel faster as well as easier and more enjoyable.�

Ken Schrader has a reputation for racing anything, anywhere. He will live up to his repuation Saturday night when he enters the inaugural Rumble in the Buckeye State for the USAC Midget race at the Ohio State Fairgrounds Expo Coliseum in Columbus.
It will be Schrader's first USAC Midget race in 11 years. But he is no stranger to open-wheel race cars. He won the 1982 USAC Silver Crown championship and the 1983 USAC National Sprint Car championship.
Schrader will be in the No. 7 C & A Kenyon Midget at Columbus. Kevin Besecker, who won the 1999 Thunder in the Dome Midget race in Indianapolis, will serve as Kenny’s crew chief. The car posted a pair of feature victories at Anderson Speedway in Indiana in 2006, driven by Caleb Armstrong, son of car owner Craig Armstrong.
Schrader has been competing full-time in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series since 1985 and his last USAC race was 11 years ago (Jan. 20, 1996) in the Seymour Enterprises Midget at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. Although he never won USAC’s National Midget title, he finished third in the 1982 and 1983 standings. He owns 21 National Midget feature victories, including the inaugural 4-Crown Nationals a pair of wins in the Copper World Classic and one in the Night Before the 500 classic. He also claimed six Silver Crown, four Sprint Car and two Stock Car victories during his USAC career.

NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon said he was extremely saddened after hearing the news of the death of Benny Parsons.
"Benny was a special person and anyone who came in contact with him knew it," Gordon said. "He was one of the most genuine and generous individuals I’ve ever met. He was a great racecar driver, broadcaster and friend. I will miss him very much.�
Doug Fritz, the president of Richmond International Raceway, said Parson was approachable, friendly and one of the best personalities the sport has ever know.
"He was universally liked by the fans, the drivers, the media and the promoters," Fritz said. "To me, that means more than the success he had on the race track as a champion and the increase in popularity he gained by working in TV and radio. ‘Good guy’ clearly defines Benny Parsons. I will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.�
Parsons won two races in NASCAR’s top series- then known as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series- at Richmond International Raceway.
Eddie Gossage, president of Texas Motor Speedway, said Parsons was a great broadcaster, but may have been an even better racer.
"I remember the ticket to the first Cup race I ever went to featured Benny’s photograph as the defending champion," Gossage said. "It was an honor to get to know him well through the years. The last time we visited, we had a warm conversation because we thought he had beaten cancer. Sadly, though, that wasn’t the case. He was one of the great ambassadors of the sport.�

The Champ Car World Series is returning to Europe for two races, officials announced Tuesday.
Races in Holland and Belgium are scheduled to be run in September. This is the first time since 2003 that the Champ Car World Series will race in Europe.
Champ Car preident Steve Johnson said he anticipates the 2007 season to be full of excitement.
“We considered a number of options for our return to Europe and these two events will prove to be very successful for our teams, fans and sponsor partners," Johnson said.
Events added to the Champ Car World Series will take place Sept. 2 at the TT Circuit in Assen, Holland, and Sept. 9 at the Zolder circuit in Belgium. It will be the first time that Champ Car has raced in either of the two European nations.
The Assen circuit, long fabled for hosting exciting Grand Prix motorcycle events, underwent major modifications for the 2006 season, resulting in a 4.5-kilometer track that will provide a stern challenge for the Champ Cars.
Zolder is a 3.977-kilometer circuit which also underwent safety renovations for the 2006 season, after hosting Formula 1 events in the 1970s and 80s. The track will carry the process a step farther for the 2007 Champ Car visit, making further improvement to ensure a safe and challenging event.
“We are excited to bring the American equivalent of Formula 1 racing to Europe,� said event promoter Bart Rietbergen. “Champ Car provides close racing that is easy for European fans to understand, and they will be very impressed with the access that they will have in the Champ Car paddock.�
The addition of the two European events brings the number of races on the 2007 Champ Car schedule to 17, marking the most races on a Champ Car calendar since 2003. The last time that the series went to Europe served as the coming-out party for three-time Champ Car champion Sebastien Bourdais, who took his first series victories by sweeping races in Brands Hatch and EuroSpeedway Lausitz.

Benny Parsons, a championship driver in NASCAR in 1973 and television analyst for ESPN, NBC and TNT, died early Tuesday at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C.
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France expressed his sentiments about the death of Parsons in a statement released Tuesday morning.
"Benny Parsons was a true champion – both on the race track and in life," France said. "Benny loved our sport and the people that make it up and those people loved him. He will be remembered as being a great ambassador for the sport. Our thoughts and prayers go to Terri and all of Benny’s family."
Parsons was diagnosed with lung cancer in July, a day after turnning 65. He started aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatment and missed several TV broadcasts. He returned to the NBC/TNT team by the end of the season and worked the season's final races.
“The Wednesday before the Bank of America 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, I had another scan,� Parsons wrote in a story for the NBC Sports web site, referring to the October race at the race track in Charlotte. “My doctor couldn't believe what he saw. ‘Remarkable!’ he told me. ‘Ninety-nine percent of the cancer is gone!’�
When the season ended, however, Parsons experienced trouble breathing and his doctors put him on oxygen. His condition progressively worsened as examinations showed the aggressive treatments damaged his left lung. In late December, Parsons was taken to Carolinas Medical Center.
Parsons retired as a driver following the 1988 season. He won 21 races and 20 poles in 526 races in a career, including victories in the 1975 Daytona 500 and the 1980 Coca-Cola 600.

It's been two years since Ward Burton raced a Cup car on a regular basis. It's been so long, the last time he was with a team full time, the top tier of NASCAR was known as the Winston Cup.
Burton made his return to Daytona International Speedway on Monday with Morgan-McClure Motorsports in the No. 4 Chevrolet.
He won the Daytona 500 in 2002 driving for Bill Davis Racing, but hasn't raced full time in the Cup series since 2003. He has spent the past two years with his family and doing charity work.
"It is certainly quite a bit different than the old traditional way but probably for the better," Burton said of Daytona's now-two-year-old, state-of-the-art garages and Nextel Fan Zone.
His first visit to Daytona since the 2003 season hit a little snag. His rental car never arrived and he had to get a ride to the track with his public relations representative.
"It's a lot of fun," Burton said of NASCAR Nextel Cup competition. "I obviously missed driving. I'm a little concerned about where we are at on the preparation for this race and where the speeds are at right now. Racing is something I was brought up doing and I love it, but I also want to be competitive doing it."

Looks like Tony Stewart is off to a winning start in 2007.
Stewart, a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, won the 21st annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals at the Tulsa Expo Center in Oklahoma. It was his second career Chili Bowl win and the first of the year for his Tony Stewart Racing team.
Stewart took the lead on lap 10 of the 50-lap feature race and didn't surrender it. He finished well ahead of his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate J.J. Yeley, who came in second.
It was Stewart's first Chili Bowl win since 2002.
"This win was probably a little less dramatic on the track than in 2002, but it was probably three times more dramatic off the track," said Stewart, as this year marked his first Chili Bowl win as both owner and driver. "To win in one of my own cars and to get our first win for Chevrolet - I can't think of a better coming out party for our new sponsor. To have the weekend we had for Chevrolet and to win the biggest midget race of the year, that's what I'm excited about."
The victory gave Tony Stewart Racing, Chevrolet and Bass Pro Shops their first feature win of 2007.
"If you came to our shop three weeks ago, we had one car built out of the five that we brought here," said Stewart, whose Chevrolet-sponsored team fielded four cars for drivers Tracy Hines, Levi Jones, Josh Richards and Stewart, as well as one backup. "In a three-week period, Steve Smith and Hawk Racing Engines worked really hard getting five motors ready, and our team really put some long hours in to get the other four cars ready to come here. To be able to come to the Chili Bowl and not only win the event, but start two cars in the A-Main, really says a lot about the dedication of this race team."

Travis Kvapil again had the fastest lap of the day during NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series testing at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday.
He was the only driver to break the 179 mph barrier and led the trio of Roush Racing drivers atop the speed charts.
Erik Darnell had the second fastest time, followed by Peter Shepherd. Both were almost 2 mph slower than Kvapil in practice.
A.J. Allmendinger and Mike Skinner, both in Toyotas, rounded out the top-five in testing.

Rick Ren led Johnny Benson and his Bill Davis Racing Toyota on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series to six wins and a runner-up finish in the standings last year.
But Ren left Bill Davis Racing and now heads Ron Hornaday's team at Kevin Harvick Inc.
Regardless, Benson said he likes his chances to become the 10th champion of the Truck Series.
"Even if our team was 100 percent intact and didn’t have Rick as a change, we’d face the same changes coming in here anyway," Benson said. "With the changes to the front end of the truck and the tire change those challenges are made no matter what. It’s not like we unloaded a truck that came right off the track last year."
Benson's new crew chief is Trip Bruce, who has worked with Evernham Motorsports and Ultra Motorsports previously.
"Momentum is key," Benson said, "because it gives the guys a great attitude coming into the season for sure."

The drivers and teams for Bobby Hamilton Racing were on the track for Friday's test session. Hamilton, the owner of the two-truck team, died of cancer earlier this week.
Chase Miller in the No. 4 Dodge and Ken Schrader in the No. 18 Dodge were two of the first drivers on the track at Daytona International Speedway.
Schrader’s crew chief, Jeff White, said the past few days have been tough and coming to the track “is the best medicine we could have asked for. He would want us to be here and be competitive. I think several of us felt him kicking us in the rear during the first practice. It’s our job to carry on the dream he built for us.�
Other drivers described the feeling at the track.
“There’s definitely an empty spot in the garage but he was one of those racers that would kick us all in the butt if we didn’t come down here and have fun and go racing – and go to the bar and just raise a toast for him one more time," said Todd Bodine. "That’s what we’re going to do.�

Revised versions of the entries used in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series were on the track for Friday's test session.
They will all make their race debuts in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 16.
The Fords were the fastest of the lot in Friday's session. Toyotas followed, then Chevrolets and Dodges.
Rick Ren, newly appointed crew chief for Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 33 Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet), likes the truck’s potential. He was a five-time winner in 2006 with Johnny Benson.
“You’re going to have to do some chassis tuning for the aero package,� said Ren, a winner in the series with four different drivers. “This package is quite different on the front aero than what any of us are used to. This is a deal where I think whoever strikes up on a combination the quickest is going to get a jump on the field.�
All four models are identical from the windshield back, enabling NASCAR inspectors to use a single template to measure each one. Each manufacturer submitted a revised nose piece which is 1½ inches higher than a year ago.
“I think that everybody’s improved on it,� said Mike Beam, crew chief of the No. 6 Roush Racing Ford that will be driven this season by 2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil. “I think this is the first year I’ve seen NASCAR really work hard to make the trucks equal and put it back on the team for hard work (and) get rewarded for it.�
One crew chief said the new trucks are quicker than last year's versions.
“So far we’re faster this year than we were last year at the same time,� said Jeff Hensley, crew chief for Mike Skinner’s No. 5 Toyota Tundra Toyota. “Things seem to react real good out there, too. It’s different but it’s different for everybody. I think we should be fine.�

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series teams were able to test at Daytona International Speedway on Friday.
Travis Kvapil, driver for Roush Racing, had the top speeds of the day. He took out a pair of Roush Racing Fords and was the only driver to top the 178 mph barrier
Ron Hornaday Jr., driver for Kevin Harvick Inc., and a former Saugus Speedway champion from Palmdale, was 13th fastest of the day. His best lap was 175.165 mph. It was the fastest lap of the day for a Chevrolet entry.
Fords had the top-four laps of the day. Peter Shepherd and Eric Darnell, both drivers for Roush Racing, had the third and fourth best laps, respectively.

Roush Racing revealed its plan for its No. 16 Ford Fusion entry in the NASCAR Busch Series.
Greg Biffle will drive the No. 16 Ford for both California Speedway races. Todd Kluever will be in the car for the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway.
Biffle will compete in 19 races. Kleuver will race in 16 events.
Eddie Pardue will lead the team as crew chief for both drivers. Pardue and Biffle worked together last season in the Busch Series to earn one win, eight top-five and 15 top-10 finishes in 26 starts. Kluever drove the 3M Ford Fusion full-time last season with four top-10 finishes and one pole.

The NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series, will see some changes when the season starts March 31 at Thunder Hill Raceway in Kyle, Texas.
First, the 2007 Toyota Camry has been approved for Grand National Division competition. Models from the 2004 to the 2006 Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge entries are eligible.
A number of teams have decided to enter or expand their teams in the West Series.
Jim Offenbach and his Golden Gate Racing Team are returning to the West Series this season, with series rookie Ryan Foster of Anderson, Calif., as part of a driver development program with Richard Childress Racing. Offenbach’s team competed in the West Series from 1997 to 1999. His lineup of drivers included Jay Sauter and Mike Dillon. Steve Portenga, who finished fifth in the final standings in 1999 while driving the GGRT entry full-time in the series, will serve as the team’s crew chief this year.
Following a successful rookie season, Justin Lofton has relocated his West Series team to the Sacramento, Calif., area under the direction of veteran crew chief Rob Dixon. Lofton is taking advantage of his off-season time to compete in this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona on Jan. 27-28. Lofton, who participated in testing at the Florida track last week, is slated to drive the Racers Edge Motorsports entry in the GT class.
Long-time series veteran Jack Sellers has announced that Jack Sellers Racing will field a two-car effort on a regular basis in 2007, with the addition of series rookie Thomas Martin. Sellers, who has been busy during the off-season deer hunting in Wyoming and duck hunting in Northern California, will be celebrating his 23rd season in the series. Martin, who finished 12th in his first of two series starts last year, is coming off a successful season in the NASCAR Elite Division, Southwest Series in which he garnered eighth in the championship standings and capped off his year by finishing second in the Elite portion of the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale Speedway in November.
Jimmy Dick has joined as a partner with MRG Motorsports to form Motorway Motorsports/MRG. His son, Jamie Dick, is slated to compete in at least five races this year. In addition, the team intends to field a second car in the series.
After racing in four events in the West Series in 2006 – Stan Silva Jr., plans to tackle the full schedule this year. Silva, who finished eighth at Sonoma in one of those races last year, also competed in selected events in the NASCAR Elite Division, Southwest Series between 2002 and 2005.
The West Series will make its annual appearance at Irwindale Speedway on July 4. A road course event is scheduled for California Speedway on Aug. 11.

Jeff Jones, a graduate of Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley, landed Cerwin-Vega as a sponsor on his drift racing team.
The 23-year-old driver and owner of Jeff Jones Racing, plans on racing in drifting events at Irwindale Speedway later this year.
"We are absolutely delighted to be associated with Jeff Jones Racing, a team that will contend for drift racing supremacy in the years to come,� said Rick Richardson, Cerwin Vega’s Marketing Manager. “It is no coincidence that we are joining a team that has clearly demonstrated a 'whatever it takes' winning attitude and dedication to excellence."
Jones recently took eighth place out of 500 drivers in the Pro Am Nationals that took place in Laughlin, Nev. In addition to the driving, Jeff also acts as chief mechanic on the Cerwin Vega! Mazda RX7.
“We are honored to have a truly impressive global brand like Cerwin Vega as sponsors for our team,� Jones said.
“I have been using Cerwin Vega equipment for years, and highly respect the organization and we're proud to carry their logo during our racing season."

Stefan Johansson, a native of Sweden who lives in Sherman Oaks, will join Highcroft Racing in the American Le Mans Series, the team announced Wednesday.
Johansson will join David Brabham and owner/driver Duncan Dayton in the team's Acura Courage entry in the LMP2 division.
"I'm very excited to join Highcroft Racing and Acura in their new sports car project," Johansson said. "I've known Duncan Dayton for several years as a great racing driver, and when he invited me to come and join his team it was a very easy decision for me."
Johansson is a veteran of Formula One, Champ Car and endurace sports car racing. He has driven for some of the top factory efforts, including Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche, Mercedes, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda and Audi.
He won the 12 Hours of Sebring twice (1984 and 1997) and he was also victorious at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1997).
The 50-year-old driver from Vaxjo, Sweden reached the F1 ranks in 1980 and drove in the World Championship
for 11 years, competing in 103 F1 events. He switched to CART Champ Cars in 1992, running primarily with Bettenhausen Motorsports. He was immediately impressive, winning the series' Rookie of the Year Award that season. He has three Indy 500 starts (1993, 1994 and 1995) prior to the IRL's first race in 1996.
"The team has already assembled a group of very high-quality people," Johansson said. "Some of them are old friends, like Danny Sullivan, who adds a tremendous amount of experience and expertise to the program."
The team's first race with its new Acura Courage will be the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in Sebring, Fla., March 17. All three drivers will compete in that event. Brabham and Johansson will share the car equally in most of the other races, which are typically two-hour-and-45-minute sprints. All three drivers also plan to participate in the series' annual winter test at Sebring Jan. 22-24.
"I'm very pleased to announce that Stefan will be joining Highcroft Racing's 2007 ALMS program," Dayton said. "His experience and talent will undoubtedly be very helpful in the development of our new Acura LMP2 package, and as
everyone can clearly see, he is bloody quick."
The Acura engines and entries for the American Le Mans Series are being developed at Honda Performance Development, which is based in Santa Clarita.
"Stefan and I have been friends and competitors for over 25 years," said Danny Sullivan, Highcroft Racing's senior advisor. "He has proven to be very competitive in all forms of the sport that he has competed in, but more
importantly he brings a wealth of experience in prototype sports cars. As a very new entry in the ALMS, we believe that both Highcroft and the Acura program will benefit from Stefan's years of experience. We are really excited to have such a strong driver lineup in Duncan, David and Stefan, and are looking forward to a challenging and very competitive season."

Rahal Letterman Racing revealed its two drivers for its American Le Mans Series team that will make its debut in the 12 Hours of Sebring in March.
Ralf Kelleners and Tom Miner will drive the Rahal Letterman Porsche GT2 entry in the American Le Mans Series.
Kelleners, a 38-year-old native of Dinslaken, Germany, has driven factory entries at Le Mans for Porsche and Toyota and for Ferrari at Sebring and Daytona. Last season he split his season between ALMS for Ferrari (third at Sebring) and a run in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring for BMW in Germany. Kelleners is a second-generation driver whose father Helmut was a three-time European Touring Car champion.
Milner, a 20-year-old native of Washington, Virginia, joins RLR with two full seasons of sports car experience, including last season in the ALMS GT2 series when he drove for Multimatic Motorsports and posted nine top-10 results in 10 races. Milner is the son of Team PTG owner, Tom Milner, and has spent his entire life in racing and around the family business of racing.
“In Ralf and Tom I think we have found a combination of experience and potential that will serve as an excellent foundation for our Porsche GT2 entry,� said Rahal Letterman co-owner Bobby Rahal. “We had a lot of interest in these opportunities from drivers in ALMS and from other series. I feel strongly that in a first year program it is important to have a level of familiarity in the program with the series and the competitors. Our drivers will set the tone for our program and they will certainly have a wealth of input in our on-track efforts in 2007. Nobody at RLR is underestimating the enormity of the task that competing in GT2 will comprise.�
The American Le Mans Series will race during the Long Beach Grand Prix April 13-15, the third race of the ALMS season.
“This is a great opportunity for me as a young driver to race for Rahal Letterman Racing and to utilize the experience I have gained in ALMS over the last couple of years,� Milner said. “Having grown up around racing and having seen how tough it is to find opportunities when you are first starting out, I appreciate the chance to compete for a championship caliber team in Rahal Letterman.�

Given Jimmie Johnson's background racing motorcycles when he was growing up near San Diego and it's easy to understand how he broke his wrist riding on top of a golf cart during the off season.
The defending NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champ and driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports said it was his motocross mentality that led him to climb on top of a moving golf cart, fall off and break his wrist.
"I grew up racing motorcycles and one of the cool moves was to jump the bike through the air and hang on the handlebars and put your feet behind you like Superman, and that was a cool trick and that's what I grew up doing," Johnson said. "We're a little skewed that way as drivers and competitors. And I can guarantee you that all of the men especially in this room have been on a golf cart and have done something that's quite humorous or have could flipped it over possibly, right?"
I can relate. I have put a golf cart in a water hazard and a dry creek bed. That's at least two times I can remember getting a little adventurous playing golf. But, then again, I had no chance of becoming a NASCAR champion and driver for one of the most successful teams in stock car racing.
Johson said he is all but healed and it doesn't look like his attitude toward golf carts or motorcycles has changed much. He plans on doing the 24 Hours of Dayton sports car race before the Daytona 500 and his broken wrist does not appear to be holding him back.
"As you know I have the show on XM; you learn a lot about (yourself) and drivers in general," Johnson said. "We all do things that are quite humorous. Maybe things that are not the safest within our profession isn't the safest thing, so it's normal to us."

Danica Patrick will be the latest GoDaddy Girl for the Super Bowl.
GoDaddy.com confirmed Tuesday morning that Patrick, the only woman driver in the Indy Racing League, will be in its Super Bowl commercial with established GoDaddy girl Candice Michelle.
The commercial, one in a series of controversial ads that have debuted during the Super Bowl in the past, is being shot in Los Angeles. Patrick and Michelle will be in the spot with Paul Teutul Sr. and his sons Paul Jr. and Michael, of reality television fame and Valerie Thompson, a motorcycle drag racing competitor.
“We’ve been lucky with great results from our Super Bowl advertising campaigns,� said Parsons. “Each
year, we work to top the previous year’s success and for 2007, we’re going all out – but you’ll have to
wait to see how all these characters fit in a 30-second spot,� GoDaddy.com CEO and Founder Bob Parsons said.
Last year, GoDaddy.com submitted 14 commercials before the ABC TV network approved its spot. This year, GoDaddy.com has purchased three slots in the Super Bowl broadcast and, like all advertisers, must receive prior approval from network censors for its commercial content. CBS TV is broadcasting this year’s game Feb. 4 from Miami.
“It’s one thing to come up with a good idea for your commercial, but for us, it’s another challenge
altogether to have it approved. The key is to capture and entertain the audience,� said Parsons.
Secrecy on the set is a priority and no one is discussing script specifics.
“They wouldn’t even tell me the storyline and I’m in it. When you consider Go Daddy’s Super Bowl history, I will tell you, I’m not second-guessing any of it,� Patrick says.
Last year, GoDaddy.com aired its commercial twice and attracted more visitors to its Web site than any
other advertiser, according to comScore Networks. Also, Akamai Technologies, a company that
monitored Internet usage during last year’s Super Bowl, credited GoDaddy.com as the site accounting
for 80 percent of two separate and significant Web spikes on game day.
In 2005, many considered GoDaddy.com to be the most effective commercial in Super Bowl history.
The FOX TV network pulled the controversial commercial after it aired just once, saying it wasn’t
“appropriate.� The ensuing controversy resulted in an unprecedented 51.14 percent “Share of Voice,�
according to multivision, inc., a company that measures advertising buzz.

NASCAR driver and two-time Cup champion Tony Stewart will bring four of his cars to the 21st annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals at the Tulsa Expo Center in Oklahoma.
Stewart, who won the Chili Bowl in 2002, is bringing cars for three of his drivers: Levi Jones, Tracy Hines and Josh Richards. Stewart will be driving one of his own cars in the Chili Bowl for the first time in his career. He has driven for other teams and owners in the past.
"I'm excited about bringing my own team to the Chili Bowl this year," said Stewart. "It's great that we're going to be able to kick off our new partnership with Chevrolet at one of the biggest open-wheel races of the year. It will be kind of like a coming out party for Tony Stewart Racing and Chevrolet. I'm looking forward to working with Ray Smith, the program manager for Chevrolet, as well as the entire Chevrolet team."
Chevrolet is also unveiling a new engine for its USAC Midgets teams.
"We'll be taking four brand new cars and we'll be competing with the new Hawk-prepared Chevrolet engines," Stewart said. "Our team has worked really hard to make this all happen and we're ready to go."
The Chili Bowl begins Tuesday and ends Saturday. This year's edition will feature five full days of racing action. More than 280 competitors - the largest number in event history - will compete in four qualifying nights of racing in an attempt to qualify for Saturday night's A-main finale.
Each qualifying night will feature heat races, last chance races, A-qualifier events, two B-main events and a qualifier A-main feature event. Saturday's 50-lap A-main event finale will be preceded by the running of numerical main events, fondly referred to as the alphabet soup.
Passing points also play into the mix. Race fans will see the top-24 competitors go head-to-head in Saturday's A-main event, with the winner taking bragging rights and a $10,000 purse.

Rick Ren was named crew chief for Ron Hornaday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team Monday.
Hornaday, driver of the No. 33 Chevrolet Silverado for Kevin Harvick Inc., is a two-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion and the career leader in series wins with 29.
Ren has 32 years of experience in NASCAR, most recently with Johnny Benson's Truck Series team. Benson won five races, had 13 top-fives, 17 top 10s and ended the season second in the point standings.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to join Kevin Harvick Inc. I am looking forward to playing a role in the future growth of the organization,� said Ren. “Ron Hornaday’s record speaks for itself. Our main goal for 2007 is to run in the top-five every week, that’s how you win a championship.�
Ren was also the 2006 Truck Series crew chief of the year and worked with Robert Yates Racing on their Busch Series program in previous years.
“Rick Ren brings years of truck experience and will be a great asset to the team,� Kevin Harvick said. “He has won at every organization he has worked for, and I believe that he and Ron Hornaday will get along very well.�
Hornaday, a former Saugus Speedway champ from Palmdale, finished seventh in the Truck Series standings last year.

Bobby Hamilton, owner of Bobby Hamilton Racing and a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, died Sunday of cancer at his home in Nashville, Tenn. He was 49.
The team made the announcement of his death Monday morning. The family released the following statement through the team.
“He will be greatly missed as a husband, a father, a grandfather, an owner and a friend,� said the Hamilton Family. “We want to thank everyone for their love and support of our racing operation and the outpouring of care and concern during his cancer battle. One of Bobby’s greatest loves in life was racing and we will continue on in his honor.�
Hamilton won four Nextel Cup Races and the 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
NASCAR was equally saddened by the news of Hamilton's death.
"NASCAR is saddened by the passing of Bobby Hamilton. Bobby was a great competitor, dedicated team owner and friend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the Hamilton family."
Doug Fritz, president of Richmond International Raceway in Virginia, said he remembers Hamilton's first win at his track, which came in the Commonwealth 200 NASCAR Busch Series on Sept. 9, 1989.
“Bobby Hamilton was a pleasure to be around and was one of the most versatile, experienced drivers in NASCAR. He touched many lives in our sport and he will be missed," Fritz said in a statement. "On behalf of our staff at Richmond International Raceway, our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.�

There are several reasons why the Dakar Rally is one of my favorite races to follow.
Maybe because it lasts two weeks and covers two continents. Maybe it's because part of the course goes over the Mediteranean Sea. Maybe it's because competitors use terms like fortnight and holiday in Djibouti to describe their experiences in the race. Maybe it's because there are times when the only way to follow the intricacies of the race are on Web sites written entirely in French.
And I am not a very big fan of French, but learned enough to keep pace with daily events.
This year's race started on Jan. 6 in Lisbon, Portugal. It will end in Dakar, Senegal on Jan. 21.
One year, U.N. Peacekeepers had to be brought in to protect racers from Morrocan rebels as the race went through West Africa. Another year, the course was rerouted through Libya because it was safer than going through some of the countries on the West Coast of Africa.
Even this year's course was altered for safety reasons, as per this release on Dec. 23:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised against the organisation of the 10th and 11th stages of the 29th edition of the Dakar. The rally organisers, who resolved to follow the recommendations of the Ministry, have thus decided to cancel the two Nema-Timbuktu and Timbuktu-Nema stages, programmed for the 16th and 17th of January 2007. In spite of the extensive surveillance and the guarantees provided by the Mali authorities, this precautionary measure is vital in safeguarding the security of the competitors.
Initially planed in Timbuktu, the appointment with Mali where the welcome of the spectators confirms the interest of the nation’s leaders for the Dakar, will be pushed two days later.
The sporting teams of the rally having considered an alternative solution, a loop stage Nema-Nema, including a timed sector of 376 kilometres, will be organised on the 16th of January. The following day, the competitors will enjoy half a rest day, and will then take to the road for a liaison stage of approximately 280 km towards Ayoun-el-Atrous (Mauritania), where the start of the stage will be given on the 18th January, towards Kayes (Mali).
Helder Rodrigues of Portugal, riding a Yamaha, is the leader after the second stage of the rally, from Portimeo, Portugal to Malaga Spain.
The highest ranking American was Jonah Street, in seventh place and riding a PAI.
Carlos Sousa and Andreas Schulz in a Volkswagen Touareg 2 are leading the car division. Mark Miller, an American driving with Ralph Pitchford, are in seventh after two stages.
Robby Gordon, a NASCAR driver from California and teamed with fellow American Andy Grider, are entered in the Dakar Rally in a Hummer. They were 13th after the first stage.

Frank Kerr and Larry Carter were announced as crew chiefs for their respective teams this week. Kerr will be the crew chief for David Reutimann and the No. 00 Toyota Camry with Michael Waltrip Racing. Carter will be with Jamie McMurray and the No. 26 Ford Fusion at Roush Racing.
“Michael has made some significant decisions for his company over the past months and I’m happy Frank has been presented with this opportunity and has accepted,� Reutimann said. “We’ve worked together during test sessions and that has given us time to get to know each other. Frank has been a driver, a crew chief and a car chief in his career, which will be beneficial to our team. Since he has raced cars and worked on them, it will help us communicate successfully as driver and crew chief. He has an understanding of the inner workings of a race team and what I need to be an effective driver.�
The 46-year-old Kerr joined Michael Waltrip Racing in August 2006 to lead the organization’s research and development department.
“I have seen our prospects firsthand with Toyota and this is the type of opportunity that I have hoped for during my career,� Kerr said. “Michael Waltrip Racing believes in David and so do I. He’s been doing a great job and I’m glad we are able to continue our work together on a greater scale.�
Carter will lead McMurray's team, which finished 25th in NASCAR Nextel Cup Series points last year.
"It was a great opportunity when I first got the call from Jamie," Carter said. "I know last year the No. 26 team had their struggles, but I think with the team we have assembled for next year, we'll have everything in place to have a good season.
"I'm looking forward to starting this season with Jamie. Not only will I be working with Jamie, but with the other four crew chiefs here at Roush. Being able to put five heads together is what makes Roush such a great team."
McMurray had three top-five finishes and seven top-10s as part of the five-car team for Roush Racing. Teammates Matt Kenseth and Mark Martin made the Nextel Cup Series Chase for the Championship, the 10-race playoff for the top-10 drivers in the series. Two years ago, Roush Racing qualified all five of its teams for the Chase.
"I'm really excited to have Larry (Carter) over here as the crew chief," McMurray said. "I've known Larry for a long time and can't wait to get the 2007 season started with him. Larry is a smart guy and has a lot of years of experience under his belt. It's going to be to our advantage having Larry on top of the box making the calls next season.
"We've been working together this week in the shop looking at different options for the Daytona test next week and how we are going to make this No. 26 car faster. I'm really looking forward to having a better season than last year. Near the end of the year we didn't have any luck on our side. Hopefully that is all behind us and we can focus on the upcoming season."

Boris Said proved to be the class of the field in the second annual Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge at the Lake Placid Olympic bobsled course in New York.
Said won the one of the two bobsled races that featured NASCAR drivers Randy LaJoie, Mike Stefanik and NHRA driver Morgan Lucas.
Lucas, an NHRA top fuel racer, won the other bobsled race. Said finished first with his combined finishes in both races. LaJoie, was second and Stefanik was third.
“We came up a little short because we got up on two runners in (turn number) 18 and we lost out to Randy at the bottom but neither of us had anything for Boris,� Stefanik said after the first race. “Loose is fast,� he continued, “but if you hit the wall you’re going to bounce off and hit the other wall and act like a ping-pong ball.�
Bodine, who became interested in bobsledding 15 years ago and has been a driving force in the upgrading of the sport in the USA since that time, declared the second annual event a success and expressed no surprise at Stefanik’s outstanding performance. Stefanik is the reigning NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion and scored a pair of third-place finishes during the bobsled event.
“There was no doubt he would be good, because these sleds are like modifieds - small, fast, and quick,� Bodine said.

Racing in the annual Chili Bowl in Tulsa, Okla., is nothing new to J.J. Yeley. He will be making his 10th career start and his first with Interstate Batteries on his cars.
Yeley, a driver on the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series for Joe Gibbs Racing, has two cars entered in the Chili Bowl. He will be driving his No. 47 entry and Ricky Gaunt will be in his No. 18 entry. Interstate Batteries, the title sponsor on Yeley's Cup car, will be backing both entries in the Chili Bowl.
"I am elated that my Nextel Cup sponsor, Interstate Batteries, has decided to partner with me for the Chili Bowl," Yeley said. "Interstate, through its extensive network of dealers and distributors, has been very supportive of my NASCAR career. Having Interstate pull together to support us is just another example of their dedication. We couldn't be more grateful for both the Tulsa Interstate All Battery Center and the Interstate Batteries of Tulsa distributorship for their support during the Chili Bowl. Ricky and I will carry the Interstate Batteries logos very proudly in Tulsa."
Yeley and Interstate Batteries have designed a special firesuit and helmet for the Chili Bowl. At the conclusion of the event on Jan. 13, a few lucky fans will leave with Yeley's uniform and helmet, with separate drawings scheduled for each item.
All proceeds from the uniform and helmet raffle will go to Yeley's preferred charity - St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
"I had the opportunity to visit St. Jude last year, and the facility and the atmosphere is amazing," Yeley said. "To see these young children face incredible circumstances, it makes you want to do all you can to support them and their families."
Yeley will be competing in his 10th Chili Bowl, but has never won the race. In 2004, Yeley put on one of the most exciting performances in Chili Bowl history. After breaking a steering gear in an early heat race tangle and an accident in another early qualifying round, he stormed all the way from the second F-Main on the final day to make the final race. Yeley completed 120 laps, passed 69 cars and finished third overall after a wheel-to-wheel battle with Tony Stewart - his Nextel Cup teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing - over the last several laps.
One of the most accomplished racers in United States Auto Club (USAC) history, Yeley has 51 career USAC wins and five overall championships to his credit.
During the 2003 season, Yeley set a USAC record of 24 wins in a single season, breaking A.J. Foyt's record of 19 wins, set in 1961. Yeley handily won the Triple Crown that year by earning titles in the Sprint, Midget and Silver Crown divisions, becoming only the second driver to win all three of USAC's top divisions in a single season - a feat first accomplished by Stewart in 1995.
In addition to raffling off his driver's uniform and helmet to benefit St. Jude, J.J. Yeley T-shirts will be available for purchase at the Chili Bowl, the Tulsa Interstate All Battery Center and online at www.jjyeley.com while supplies last.

Stanton Barrett, a movie stuntman and NASCAR driver, will be included in the Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge Jan. 5-6 in Lake Placid, N.Y.
This will be the second year of Bodine's bobsled challenge. Boris Said and Kevin Lepage won last year's bobsled races. They are expected to participate in this year's race down the Mount Van Hoevenberg course in Lake Placid, home of the 1980 Winter Olympics. The United States National Championships will be held concurrently as the nation’s best will battle for the Billy Fiske Trophy, named after the American who captured Olympic gold medals in 1928 and 1932.
NASCAR drivers Todd Bondine, Mike Stefanik and Philip Morris are also expected to participate in the races.
Barrett, a 34-year-old from Bishop, is trying to race bobsleds on the America’s Cup circuit, a minor league for emerging sledders who aspire to the World Cup, World Championships and Olympic Winter Games.
To achieve this, Barrett took a driver’s course on the 1988 Winter Olympic track in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. After finishing 26th in the Nov. 11 NASCAR Busch Series race in Phoenix, he placed ninth in his bobsled debut, an America’s Cup two-man race in Calgary on Nov. 15. The field featured several Russian Olympians. His next America’s Cup start will take place in Lake Placid after Thanksgiving.
“I hope to bring more awareness to the sport for the U.S. team and the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project,� said Barrett. “I love speed and this is an ultimate speed sport. It’s very different from what I’m used to. I really believe that I can drive, but the question is whether or not I can start the sled.�
The Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge is designed to raise needed funding to continue research and development for the United States men’s and women’s bobsled teams. The initiative began in 1992 when NASCAR icon Geoff Bodine ended the Americans reliance on used European bobsleds with his made-in-America sleds. He has teamed with Bob Cuneo of Connecticut-based Chassis Dynamics, to build bobsleds that have since won four Olympic medals in the past two Winter Olympics, many World Cup races and threatens the European stronghold each season on the World Cup tour.
SPEED will cover the bobsled races on television from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 5 and 6. Barrett’s bobsledding experiences will be chronicled during SPEED’s coverage of World Cup Bobsledding during the winter season.

California Speedway is on Mark Martin's list of tracks he will visit in the first half of the NASCAR Nextel Cup season as driver with his new team, Ginn Racing.
Martin, previously driver of the No. 6 Ford for Roush Racing, will be in the No. 01 Chevrolet for Ginn Racing in 2007.
He will race 14 races in the first half of the season, the team announced Thursday. They include the Budweiser Shootout, Daytona 500, Nextel All-Star Challenge and the Feb. 25 race at California Speedway.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am about what we have going on in 2007,� Martin said. “It’s just a dream come true to be able to pick the races that we want to run in and to be able to do it with a full-time Cup team like the No. 01 Army team, it’s just more than I could have asked for."
Martin will pilot the No. 01 Army Chevrolet for Ginn Racing in the season’s first four point events and in the Budweiser Shootout in February. After starts in the Daytona 500 and at California, Las Vegas and Atlanta, Martin will take off the following races at Bristol and Martinsville. The break will put an end to Martin’s string of 617 consecutive starts dating back to Feb. 14, 1988.
“Basically we were able to sit down and work on a schedule that worked for everyone,� added Martin. “I just wasn’t ready to step completely back from Nextel Cup racing and I felt I had a little more to give out there. At the same time, I was ready to be done with the grind of the 38-race Cup schedule, and fortunately I was able to move over to Ginn Racing and have the opportunity to do what I wanted to do."
Martin will return in mid-April at Texas and make his first start in the Car of Tomorrow at Phoenix. After taking Talladega off, Martin will take part in the next seven events including the All-Star Challenge and the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
Martin has a combined 20 wins and 17 poles at the 12 tracks that make up the first half schedule. In addition he has won the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona once (1999) and the Nextel All-Star Challenge twice.
“Streaks and numbers like that really say more about the fact that you were fortunate enough to stay healthy and keep your ride for a lot of years,� Martin said. “It is something that I’ve been proud of, but it’s also something that it’s time to step away from. It’s been a great run with that, but we’ll be back in a few weeks and that’s perfect for me.�

MARK MATIN’S FIRST HALF 2007 NEXTEL CUP SCHEDULE
Feb. 10 Budweiser Shootout @ Daytona International Speedway
Feb. 18 Daytona 500
Feb. 25 California Speedway
March 11 Las Vegas Motor Speedway
March 18 Atlanta Motor Speedway
April 15 Texas Motor Speedway
April 21 Phoenix International Raceway
May 5 Richmond International Raceway
May 12 Darlington Raceway
May 19 Nextel All-Star Challenge
May 27 Cola-Cola 600
June 3 Dover International Speedway
June 10 Pocono Raceway
June 17 Michigan International Speedway

As if there was much doubt, Dario Franchitti will return to Andretti Green Racing in the Indy Racing League for the 2007 season.
Franchitti, Andretti Green and Canadian Club whiskey will partner for the No. 27 entry. Canadian Club will also be an associate sponsor on the Andretti Green teams for Tony Kanaan and Danica Patrick.
Andretti Green Racing is the winningest team in IRL history and has four drivers, Franchitti, Kanaan, Patrick and Marco Andretti.
Franchitti will also team with Valencia's Bryan Herta and Marino Franchitti in select events in the American Le Mans Series. Andretti Green Racing is making its debut in the ALMS in 2007 with an Acura-powered Courage LMP2 entry.
Dario and Marino Franchitti are brothers. Dario Franchitti has won four IRL races and three poles in his career.
The season-opening race on the IndyCar Series schedule is March 24 from Homestead-Miami Speedway. Franchitti can also expect to see some time in the No. 26 XM Satellite Radio ALMS car at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, the first event on the 2007 ALMS schedule. Canadian Club will also be an associate sponsor of the No. 26 XM Satellite Radio ALMS car.

Looks like Tony Stewart has been keeping busy over New Year's.
Stewart, a two-time NASCAR Cup champion, won a pair of USAC Midget races at Memorial Coliseum Expo Center, otherwise known as the ninth annual Rumble in Fort Wayne in Indiana.
Stewart won races on the Friday and Saturday nights before New Year's Day.
He led 52 of 60 laps to win the race over Dave Darland on Friday night. The next night, he led 53 of 60 laps to win the race over Darland again.
The next USAC event is Jan. 20 in Columbus, Ohio, at State Fairgrounds Expo Center: The Rumble in The Buckeye State.