Motorsports Journal 2008-07-04T04:12:34Z tag:,2008:/1 Movable Type Copyright (c) 2008, Motorsports Journal MARK WEBBER SIGNS A NEW CONTRACT TO DRIVE FOR RED BULL RACING IN 2009 2008-07-04T04:12:34Z 2008-07-04T04:11:02Z tag:,2008:/1.49075 2008-07-04T04:11:02Z Red Bull Racing 3 July 2008 Red Bull Racing is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Mark Webber for him to continue driving for the team in 2009.... Motorsports Journal contact@racingmerchandise.com Auto Racing - Formula 1 Red Bull Racing
3 July 2008


Red Bull Racing is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Mark Webber for him to continue driving for the team in 2009.

]]> MARK WEBBER:
"I'm very happy to have signed up for another year with Red Bull Racing so early in the season. As far back as the middle of last year, it was very clear to me that I enjoyed working with the team, playing my part in its development and helping it move forward. So far this year, our reliability has improved and that's allowed us to exploit our performance. The progress the team has made in the last ten months has been excellent and I am looking forward to carrying that momentum through to the end of the season. Continuing with Red Bull Racing for 2009 was a very easy decision for me to make, as I enjoy being part of this team and that has shown through in my driving. It's very difficult to predict how any team will perform in twelve months time, but we have some clever people here, with a stable team and I believe 2009 will see us in even better shape for next year, when the technical regulations go through a major change."

CHRISTIAN HORNER:
"Earlier in the season both parties expressed a desire to continue working together and so it was a very quick and short discussion that led to an extension of our agreement. Mark has driven fantastically well this year. He has really demonstrated that he is a world class driver and this year the team has been able to give him the tools to endorse that fact. While all our efforts are currently concentrated on maintaining our fourth place in the Constructors' Championship, the next challenge facing us is to make the big step and challenge the top three teams and we believe Mark is absolutely the right guy to have in the car to help us achieve that."


www.redbullracing.com

]]> GAINSCO Pontiac On Front Row At Daytona 2008-07-04T04:12:14Z 2008-07-04T04:07:33Z tag:,2008:/1.49074 2008-07-04T04:07:33Z Pontiac Motorsports Daytona, Fla., July 3, 2008 Connolly Motorsports GTOP.R top Pontiac GT qualifier The GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Pontiac Daytona Prototype (DP) will start second for tonight’s running of round eight of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by... Motorsports Journal contact@racingmerchandise.com Auto Racing - GT / Prototype / Endurance Pontiac Motorsports
Daytona, Fla., July 3, 2008


Connolly Motorsports GTOP.R top Pontiac GT qualifier

The GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Pontiac Daytona Prototype (DP) will start second for tonight’s running of round eight of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 going off at Daytona International Speedway. The Matt Connolly Motorsports GTO.R was the top qualifying Pontiac GT car and will start seventh.

]]> Jon Fogarty was at the wheel of the No. 99 GAINSCO Pontiac DP car in qualifying. Fogarty posted a time of 1:41.627. The team from Texas are the defending Daytona July race winners and are looking to repeat. Fogarty is joined by co-driver Alex Gurney and the pair are also the 2007 series champions as well as the victors from the last race at Mid-Ohio.

“We are happy with our starting position,” Fogarty said. “We would like to get a win and keep the steam rolling from Mid-Ohio. We are ahead of the 01 car which is our competition for the championship. We are liking where we are at. We also have the possibility of rain for the race, which wouldn’t be that bad.”

In GT Ryan Phinny drove the Matt Connolly Motorsports Pontiac GTO.R to a seventh place qualifying position. The time of 1:52.618 represents the top Pontiac qualifying time in GT. Phinny joins Connolly regular Diego Alessi in the two year old No. 21 Pontiac. Since the Lime Rock Park round Pontiac GT competitors have been saddled with a 100lb. weight increase and no more than 49% weight balance on the rear of the car.

“The car is running well,” Phinny said. “I am not that happy with qualifying. The weight of the car is really slowing us down on the banking. We are doing as good as we can with the weight and balance we are mandated to run by Grand-Am. This is my first time running here and I have had to get up to speed quickly. We will go back and look at the data and see where maybe we can improve.”

The race from Daytona will be televised live on the Speed Channel, tonight starting at 8:00 p.m. ET.


Grand-Am Top Ten Daytona Prototype Top Ten Daytona Qualifiers:

1. Wilkins, Frisselle, Ford Dallara 1:41.223

2. Gurney, Fogarty, Pontiac Riley 1:41.627

3. Valiante, Angelelli, Pontiac Riley 1:41.881

4. Pruett, Rojas, Lexus Riley 1:41.927

5. Donohue, Law, Porsche Riley 1:42.422

6. Jaeger, Gidley, Ford Dallara 1:42.983

7. Auberlen, Hand, Porsche Crawford 1:43.206

8. Patterson, Negri, Ford Riley 1:43.257

9. Taylor, Frisselle, Ford Dallara 1:43.488

10. Pew, James, Ford Riley 1:43.633

*

11. Matthews, Goossens, Pontiac Riley 1:43.654

13. Jonsson, Zonta, Pontiac Lola 1:44.022

17. van de Poele, Krohn, Pontiac Lola 1:46.874

18. Kimber-Smith, Garcia, Pontiac Coyote 1:47.053


Top 10 Grand-Am GT Daytona Qualifiers:

1. Ham, Trembly, Mazda RX8 1:50.621

2. Miller, Werner, Porsche GT3 1:50.850

3. Segal, Assentato, Mazda RX8 1:51.580

4. Smith, Stone Mazda RX8 1:51.613

5. Gue, Bucknum, Corvette 1:51.966

6. Lux, Keen, Porsche GT3 1:52.328

7. Phinny, Alessi, Pontiac GTO.R 1:52.618

8. Davis, Liddell, Pontiac GXP.R 1:52.719

9. Nastasi, Dumoulon, Ford Mustang 1:52.785

10. Collins, Edwards, Pontiac GXP.R 1:53.308

*

13. Borcheller, Lewis, Pontiac GXP.R 1:53.949

16. Bunting, Aschenbach, Pontiac GXP.R 1:54.385


Pontiac Powered DP and GT Cars Entered for Daytona:

10 SunTrust, Pontiac Riley, Max Angelelli, Michael Valiante

16 Cheever Racing, Pontiac Coyote, Antonio Garcia, Matteo Bobbi

75 Krohn Racing, Pontiac Lola, Tracy Krohn, Eric van de Poele

76 Krohn Racing, Pontiac Lola, Nic Jonsson, Ricardo Zonta

91 Riley Matthews, Pontiac Riley, Jim Matthews, Marc Goossens

99 GAINSCO Bob Stallings, Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty

06 Banner Engineering Pontiac GXP.R, Leighton Reese, Marc Bunting, Lawson Aschenbach

07 Banner Engineering Pontiac GXP.R, Kelly Collins, Paul Edwards

21 Connolly Motorsports Pontiac GTO.R, Matt Connolly, Diego Alessi

57 Stevenson Motorsports Pontiac GXP.R, Andrew Davis, Robin Liddell

72 Autohaus Motorsports Pontiac GXP.R, Tim Lewis Jr., Terry Borcheller

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 274,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 35 countries. In 2007, nearly 9.37 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

]]> GARY SCELZI TO APPEAR ON WIND TUNNEL SUNDAY 2008-07-04T04:09:14Z 2008-07-04T04:05:46Z tag:,2008:/1.49073 2008-07-04T04:05:46Z DON SCHUMACHER RACING 2008 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES FRESNO, Calif. (July 3, 2008) Four-time NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series champion Gary Scelzi will appear on Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain this Sunday, July 6, on Speed Channel. The show... Motorsports Journal contact@racingmerchandise.com Auto Racing - Drag Racing DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2008 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES
FRESNO, Calif. (July 3, 2008)


Four-time NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series champion Gary Scelzi will appear on Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain this Sunday, July 6, on Speed Channel. The show airs live from 9-10 p.m. EST.

]]> Scelzi, who drives the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car for Don Schumacher Racing, will participate in a discussion about track safety issues following Scott Kalitta's fatal accident in Englishtown, N.J., and on NHRA's recent decision to shorten the tracks as an interim step from 1320 feet to 1000 feet, beginning at the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals in Denver July 11-13.

Viewers may call in questions to the show on 1-866-WTUNNEL or send an email to windtunnel@speedtv.com.

]]> Pro Stock champ Coughlin to honor NORAD's 50th anniversary in Denver 2008-07-04T04:07:51Z 2008-07-04T03:58:45Z tag:,2008:/1.49072 2008-07-04T03:58:45Z JEGS DELAWARE, Ohio (July 3) Reigning Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. will don a specially-designed racing helmet for the upcoming Mile-High NHRA Nationals to honor the 50th anniversary of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which is located... Motorsports Journal contact@racingmerchandise.com Auto Racing - Drag Racing JEGS
DELAWARE, Ohio (July 3)


Reigning Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. will don a specially-designed racing helmet for the upcoming Mile-High NHRA Nationals to honor the 50th anniversary of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which is located in nearby Colorado Springs, Colo.

]]> Noted helmet artist Jason Beam was contracted to paint the helmet, which will be presented to Lieutenant General Charlie Bouchard of the Canadian Armed Forces, NORAD's Deputy Commander. General Bouchard, the highest ranking Canadian Officer on U.S. soil, is slated to be the honorary starter of the Mile-High NHRA Nationals.

"Much like the North American Aerospace Defense Command team, world champion driver Jeg Coughlin Jr. and his racing team are committed to excellence," Lieutenant General Bouchard said. "NORAD and Jeg are also both in the business of high performance and we share working in an area where there is no room for error.

"I would like to thank Jeg for honoring the 50th anniversary of the NORAD agreement between the United States and Canada. Seeing him wear the NORAD logo at the Mile-High Nationals is a nice gesture. It is a pleasure to host him in Colorado Springs and I look forward to showing him our facility."

A 52-time national event winner with four championships to his credit, Coughlin will be signing autographs and meeting with various American and Canadian service personnel at NORAD and Peterson Air Force Base on July 14, the Monday after the national event at Bandimere Speedway.

"This is our way of saying thanks to the men and women of NORAD, both Canadian and American, who have dedicated their lives to protecting our two countries," Coughlin said. "Brian Lihani (a retired Lt. Col. from the U.S. Air Force) has been a friend of Team JEGS and the NHRA, for that matter, for quite awhile and he organized this whole deal.

"As they do every year when the NHRA comes to town, NORAD is opening its doors to us for a private tour of the facility and I'm really excited to meet Lieutenant General Charlie Bouchard and see the inner workings of his place. I've heard it's a must-see deal and I'm bringing little Jeggy with me so he can see it as well. It should be fun.

"It's always great to meet our military heroes in person and spend time with them. I really enjoy hearing all the stories they have to tell. We have some amazing people protecting our way off of life and NORAD is at the center of it all."

Information regarding JEGS Mail Order can be found at www.jegs.com and for media/fan resources check out www.teamjegs.com.

]]> GRAYBAR DENVER TO SUPPORT DAVID POWERS MOTORSPORTS DURING MILE-HIGH NATIONALS 2008-07-04T04:01:42Z 2008-07-04T03:53:32Z tag:,2008:/1.49071 2008-07-04T03:53:32Z News From David Powers Motorsports BROWNSBURG, Ind. (July 3, 2008) Graybar Denver will support David Powers Motorsports and the Hot Rod Fuller-driven Caterpillar dragster during the 29th annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway it was announced today. Graybar Electric... Motorsports Journal contact@racingmerchandise.com Auto Racing - Drag Racing News From David Powers Motorsports
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (July 3, 2008)


Graybar Denver will support David Powers Motorsports and the Hot Rod Fuller-driven Caterpillar dragster during the 29th annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway it was announced today. Graybar Electric Company, Inc., is a Fortune 500 company.
The Graybar logo will feature prominent placement in the driver’s compartment area on Fuller’s Caterpillar rail during the popular Denver NHRA race, July 11-13, at scenic Bandimere Speedway near Denver. Graybar also will host more than 100 guests at the team’s Iron Eagle Club hospitality area during the weekend to entertain customers and employees.

]]> "We are excited about the opportunities with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA),” Steve Stricker, Graybar Denver Area Manager, said. “Bandimere is a great venue, and we look forward to creating memorable track experiences, positive customer engagement and an overall relationship-building atmosphere. We believe that business is a team sport, and NHRA exemplifies the word team. In conjunction with David Powers Motorsports and the NHRA, we hope to create an environment for building long-term relationships with our suppliers and customers.”

Graybar specializes in supply chain management services and is a leading North American distributor of high-quality components, equipment and materials for a number of industries. With more than $5.25 billion in revenue (2007), Graybar employs approximately 8,600 men and women at more than 250 distribution centers throughout the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Graybar procures, warehouses, and delivers just about any kind of electrical, data communications and security product, component or related service to its customers. Graybar stocks and sells hundreds of thousands of items from thousands of manufacturers.

“We’re excited to begin this relationship with the folks from Graybar at an awesome race like the Mile-High Nationals,” Fuller said. “We’ve had some Graybar guests at a few races earlier this year, and we look forward to hosting more folks from Graybar next weekend, along with Wagner Equipment and Matco Tools. Our goal is to put this CAT car back in the winner’s circle and give all of our guests a great showing.”

Headquartered in Houston with race operations located in Brownsburg, Ind., David Powers Motorsports fields the two-car Top Fuel operation of drivers Rod Fuller and Antron Brown. DPM proudly represents racing partners Matco Tools, Caterpillar, Forward Sports Marketing, Valvoline, Toyota, Ringer’s Gloves, Go Fast Sports, Goodyear, FRAM and Autolite.


www.graybar.com
www.davidpowersmotorsports.com
www.forwardsportsmarketing.com

]]> COULTHARD TO RETIRE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR 2008-07-03T14:20:40Z 2008-07-03T14:14:38Z tag:,2008:/1.49070 2008-07-03T14:14:38Z Red Bull Racing 3 July 2008 Following David Coulthard's announcement that he plans to retire from race driving in Formula 1 after the end of the 2008 season, Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner commented:... Motorsports Journal contact@racingmerchandise.com Auto Racing - Formula 1 Red Bull Racing
3 July 2008


Following David Coulthard's announcement that he plans to retire from race driving in Formula 1 after the end of the 2008 season, Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner commented:

]]> "Working with David has been an absolute pleasure and his contribution to the team over the past four seasons has been significant. He is a consummate professional and I think that one of the key elements to the length of his career is the dedication he has applied and the commitment he has shown to the team. He has demonstrated that he is a real team player, a fact reinforced by the statistic that he has only driven for two other F1 teams in his career. To date, he has won thirteen grands prix and there could have been many more if you count the near misses and the ones he gifted to other drivers! He scored our first point, our first podium and was the first of our drivers to lead a grand prix. Above all, he is a gentleman and I regard him as a good friend. Within the team there's a huge amount of respect for David. His retirement brings to a close not just his career as a grand prix racing driver but also a chapter in the history of Formula 1, if one considers the changes the sport has been through while he has been involved with it.

"Now he heads off to face a new challenge. Red Bull Racing will still be utilising his services and he will on occasion drive the car in test sessions for us so that we can draw upon his vast experience and knowledge. He will be involved as a consultant to the team and to the technical group as we look to extract the maximum from his considerable experience of Formula 1. I don't think he will be struggling to fill his time!"

DAVID COULTHARD

Nationality: British
Date of Birth: 27 / 03 / 1971
Lives: Monaco

STATISTICS (up to and including the French GP 2008)

- David has won 13 F1 races

- David has had 12 pole positions

- David has led 60 grands prix

- David has had 62 podium finishes (his most recent was in Canada 2008 for Red Bull Racing, when he finished third)

- David has set 18 fastest race laps

- David has scored 533 points up to and including the French Grand Prix 2008. Based on points, he's the most successful British GP driver in the history of the sport.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2008 Red Bull Racing Formula One driver
Third place podium finish (Canada)

2007 Red Bull Racing Formula One driver
Scored 14 points
10h in Drivers' Championship

2006 Red Bull Racing Formula One driver
Third place podium finish (Monaco)
Scored 14 points
13h in Drivers' Championship

2005 Red Bull Racing Formula One driver
Two fourth place finishes (Australia and Nürburgring)
Scored 24 points
12th in Drivers' Championship

2004 McLaren Mercedes Formula One driver
Fourth place (Germany)
Scored 24 points
Ninth in Drivers' Championship

2003 McLaren Mercedes Formula One driver
Wins Australian Grand Prix
Scored 51 points
Seventh in Drivers' Championship

2002 McLaren Mercedes Formula One driver
Wins Monaco Grand Prix
Scored 41 points
Fifth in Drivers' Championship

2001 McLaren Mercedes Formula One driver
Wins Brazilian Grand Prix and Austrian Grand Prix
Scored 65 points
Second in Drivers' Championship

2000 McLaren Mercedes Formula One driver
Wins in Great Britain, Monaco and France
Scored 73 points
Third in Drivers' Championship

1999 McLaren Mercedes Formula One driver
Wins British Grand Prix and Belgian Grand Prix
Scored 48 points
Fourth in Drivers' Championship

1998 McLaren Mercedes Formula One driver
Wins San Marino Grand Prix
Scored 56 points
Third in Drivers' Championship

1997 McLaren Mercedes Formula One driver
Wins Australian Grand Prix and Italian Grand Prix
Scored 36 points
Third in Drivers' Championship

1996 McLaren Mercedes Formula One driver
Second in the Monaco Grand Prix
Scored 18 points
Seventh in Drivers' Championship

1995 Williams Renault Formula One driver
Wins Portuguese Grand Prix
Scored 49 points
Third in Drivers' Championship

1994 Williams Renault Formula One driver
Promoted from Test Driver to Race Driver

1993 Formula 3000 Championship
Third in Championship
Winner of GT Class at Le Mans 24 Hours
Official F1 Test Driver for Williams Renault

1992 Formula 3000 Championship
Ninth in Championship
Eighth in Euro-Macau-Fuji Formula 3

1991 British Formula 3 Championship
Second in Championship
Wins Formula 3 Macau GP
Wins Marlboro Masters of Formula 3

1990 Formula Vauxhall-Lotus Championship / GM Lotus Euroseries
Championship

1989 Dunlop / Autosport FF1600 Champion
Wins P&O Ferries Junior FF1600 Series
Third Formula Ford Festival, Brands Hatch
Wins McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the Year Award

1988 Scottish Open Kart Champion
1986-1987 Scottish Open Kart Champion & British Super Kart 1 Champion
1983-1985 Scottish junior Kart Champion

More follows….

www.redbullracing.com

]]> David Coulthard Announcement to Retire from Racing in Formula One 2008-07-03T13:44:43Z 2008-07-03T13:38:33Z tag:,2008:/1.49069 2008-07-03T13:38:33Z Red Bull Racing 3 July 2008 David Coulthard I would like to announce today my decision to retire from racing in Formula One at the end of this season. I will remain actively involved in the sport as a consultant... Motorsports Journal contact@racingmerchandise.com Auto Racing - Formula 1 Red Bull Racing
3 July 2008


David Coulthard
I would like to announce today my decision to retire from racing in Formula One at the end of this season. I will remain actively involved in the sport as a consultant to Red Bull Racing focusing on testing and development of the cars. I have an open mind as to whether or not I will compete again in the future, in some other form of motorsport, so I am definitely not hanging up my helmet!

]]> My decision to retire was taken earlier in the year and is based on a desire to stop while I am still competitive and enjoying the immense challenge that Grand Prix driving represents. I also have the desire to look for new challenges within the sport.

The decision to make this announcement at the British GP should be an obvious one for all to understand, as I have achieved two of my thirteen F1 victories at Silverstone and I am a member of the British Racing Drivers' Club, which hosts this event.

I am proud of my work at Red Bull Racing and will continue to race with the same focus until the last lap in Brazil. Thereafter I will continue to help the team develop and move towards their ultimate goal of winning races.

There are many people who have played a part in my career and I would like to list a few of them below;

- My parents whose energy and encouragement through my entire career has been amazing
- Dave Boyce who guided me through Karting
- David Leslie Senior and Junior for teaching me how to set up and race a car
- Sir Jackie and Paul Stewart for putting me through their "staircase of talent"
- Sir Frank Williams and Williams Renault for having the faith to promote me from test driver to race driver, which lead to my first GP victory

- Ron Dennis and the McLaren team where I spent nine seasons and achieved the majority of my success.

- Norbert Haug and Mercedes for being racers through and through
- Dietrich Mateschitz and his Red Bull Racing team for providing me with the chance to contribute to the development of a new team, while continuing to compete and add to my tally of podiums

- Christian Horner for his open and professional management style in association with Helmut Marko
- Bernie Ecclestone for providing such a strong platform for us all to develop our skills and be able to call ourselves professionals. In years to come, my future family will still be thanking him for the financial success of F1

- My management team of Martin Brundle and David Cawthorne in association with Annette Hutchinson and Iain Cunningham for providing their valued opinions.

- There have been three teams but only one designer, so Adrian Newey deserves special thanks for all the champagne that I have sprayed

- And last but not least, all the media, officials, marshals, medical support, mechanics, engineers, sponsors, lawyers, accountants and back room staff that I have worked with during this period.

DC
Silverstone 2008

]]> Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green Dominate the Top 10 at Thunder Valley 2008-07-03T03:57:01Z 2008-07-03T03:50:43Z tag:,2008:/1.49068 2008-07-03T03:50:43Z Monster Energy Kawasaki Irvine, Calif. (July 2, 2008) “ Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green was well represented in the AMA/WMA National Championship event at Thunder Valley Raceway in Lakewood, Colo. as four Team Green riders earned top-10 finishes.... Motorsports Journal contact@racingmerchandise.com Motorcycle Racing - Motocross Monster Energy Kawasaki
Irvine, Calif. (July 2, 2008)


“ Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green was well represented in the AMA/WMA National Championship event at Thunder Valley Raceway in Lakewood, Colo. as four Team Green riders earned top-10 finishes.

]]> Young rider Tatum Sik led the way to finish sixth overall. Sik went 10-5 in the motos with her riding improving every time she went out on the track. Elisabeth Bash finished eighth overall, going 7-8 in the motos, while Monster Energy Team Green’s newest addition Mariana Balbi went 6-10 for ninth overall.

Balbi has ridden a Kawasaki KX250F all season and in between the Texas and Colorado rounds began receiving support from Team Green. Local favorite Ashley Boham finished 10th overall. Boham is from nearby Loveland, Colo. and she rode well at her home track.

In the season points standings, Balbi currently sits in sixth, just one point outside of the top five. Sik is seventh in the standings, four points back of Balbi with Bash is tenth.

Round four of the six round schedule will take place July 26-27 in Washougal, Wash.

]]> Johnny Love Vodka Sponsors Rookie Points Leader Tim George Jr. 2008-07-03T03:52:09Z 2008-07-03T03:44:31Z tag:,2008:/1.49067 2008-07-03T03:44:31Z TRG PETALUMA, Calif. July 2, 2008 TRG and Tim George Jr. are proud to announce that Johnny Love Vodka will be joining the team as the primary sponsor for the No. 67 Johnny Love Vodka/ 994 Magazine TRG Porsche.... Motorsports Journal contact@racingmerchandise.com Auto Racing - GT / Prototype / Endurance TRG
PETALUMA, Calif. July 2, 2008


TRG and Tim George Jr. are proud to announce that Johnny Love Vodka will be joining the team as the primary sponsor for the No. 67 Johnny Love Vodka/ 994 Magazine TRG Porsche.

]]> “I am very excited to run the Johnny Love Vodka/944 Magazine TRG Porsche at Daytona this week,” George said. “The car should be the best it has ever been here, and I am looking forward to seeing how the new height rule will effect the banking. My co-driver still holds the record for the fastest race lap at Daytona in a Porsche, and I feel comfortable here as well.”

Johnny Love Vodka – JL Beverage Company of Las Vegas, Nevada prides itself on making the most unique and exotic flavored vodkas imaginable which embody a new age spirit with a timeless feel.

The Johnny Love Vodka product line is made in the U.S.A. and can be found in most states, as well as served on Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. Their classic, triple distilled, multi-filtered, 80 proof premium vodka is also the basis of their flavored offerings which are formulated with exotic natural essences. The results are mouth watering varieties such as Tangerine, Passion Fruit, Apple, and their renowned pineapple-coconut blend, trade named Johnny Love Aloha.

“We are very proud to associate ourselves with such a well respected race team as TRG” said T.J. Diab, Chief Executive Officer of Johnny Love Vodka. “Above that, the first class nature with which Tim George Jr. carries himself along with his pure determination, excitement, and ability to be the best embodies our brand’s identity wholeheartedly.

Looking ahead, George is focusing hard on earning his team, and his new sponsor, a top finish. “I’m looking forward to getting a good result for my new sponsor Johnny Love Vodka. I look forward to creating a future partnership that will last and be very productive for all of us.”

George’s rookie season has produced remarkable results. A podium finish at the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, leading the Rolex Series GT points early in the season, and impressive second-place showings at Homestead Miami Speedway, Virginia International Raceway, and Mazda Raceway Laguna-Seca.

With 188 points, George currently leads the MESCO Building for the Future Rookie of the Year Award. He is six points ahead of second-place Lawson Aschenbach and 11 markers in front of TRG teammate Ted Ballou, former teamate Jeff Segal, in addition to leading former Formula 1 driver Ricardo Zonta and ex-NASCAR racer Bill Lester among others.

The No. 67 team has had a rough go of it for the last few races, but George and Pumpelly were integral parts of the team’s third-place performance in the Rolex 24 and could get their season back on track in the Brumos Porsche 250.

“I also really have to thank Brock Wagner and the crew for really pushing hard to get my car together. We have had a few hurdles the past two races at Watkins Glen with the brake failure, and then at Mid-Ohio with the rainstorm. My crew has worked really hard day and night to get my car in tip top shape for the Brumos Porsche 250 race.”

The green flag is scheduled to drop on the Brumos Porsche 250 at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday night. The race will be televised live on SPEED beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET and live Timing & Scoring data from all on-track sessions will also be available on www.grand-am.com.

TRG was founded in 1993 and has been competing at the top level of sports car racing ever since. The team has the most wins of any team in the Grand-Am Rolex Series with 23, including the 2005 and 2006 Rolex Series GT championship trophy to go along with wins at the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 24 Hours or Le Mans.

TRG is a manufacturer and distributor of high-performance racing parts. The group specializes in engine and chassis building as well as full service professional racecar preparation. The company also provides electrical and mechanical engineering services, driver development and arrive-and-drive opportunities. TRG is based in Petaluma, Calif., near its home track of Infineon Raceway in Sonoma as well as its new facility in Charlotte.

More information and a complete press kit can be found at www.theracersgroup.com. Please contact press@theracersgroup.com or 707-935-3999 for additional information.

]]> Heating Up at the Right Time 2008-07-03T03:46:16Z 2008-07-03T03:40:11Z tag:,2008:/1.49066 2008-07-03T03:40:11Z Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) INDIANAPOLIS (July 2, 2008) Tony Stewart Racing’s Donny Schatz Looks to Continue WoO Winning Streak in South Dakota, Arkansas and Indiana With the calendar turning to July and the temperatures rising, Tony Stewart Racing’s (TSR) Donny... Motorsports Journal contact@racingmerchandise.com Auto Racing - Sprint / Midgets / Modified Tony Stewart Racing (TSR)
INDIANAPOLIS (July 2, 2008)


Tony Stewart Racing’s Donny Schatz Looks to Continue WoO Winning Streak in South Dakota, Arkansas and Indiana

With the calendar turning to July and the temperatures rising, Tony Stewart Racing’s (TSR) Donny Schatz has turned up the heat on the competition. After winning seven of his 11 starts during the month June behind the wheel of the TSR No. 15 Armor All/Chevy/ParkerStore J&J, Schatz heads into the season’s busiest month on a three-race winning streak.

]]> Following last weekend’s sweep of Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Series events at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D., and at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis., the two-time-defending WoO champion marches on with three races during the Independence Day weekend beginning Thursday at Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, S.D., continuing Saturday at Riverside International Speedway (RIS) in West Memphis, Ark., and concluding on Sunday at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind.

The upcoming events this weekend are the first of 17 nights that the TSR No. 15 Armor All/Chevy/ParkerStore J&J will be on the track during July. Schatz, who has 79 career WoO feature wins, will look to continue his current winning streak on Thursday night at Huset’s Speedway. He has 19 career starts at the track, winning twice, including last season’s race on July 3, and he finished second earlier this year on June 13.

In each of his last three victories, the Fargo, N.D., resident was a first-time WoO winner at each track. It started at Dodge City (Kan.) Raceway Park on June 21, continued at River Cities Speedway last Friday and at Cedar Lake Speedway Sunday night. This week, he’ll be looking to add two more tracks to the list of 45 facilities where he has already scored a WoO triumph. He’s never won at RIS, where he will be racing for the second time, or Tri-State Speedway, where he has 10 career starts.

Schatz continues to lead the way in the 2008 WoO campaign through 24 nights of racing. He is on top of the WoO standings with 3,510 points, 96 ahead of Jason Meyers, and has nine victories, 18 top-fives, and 24 consecutive top-10 finishes.

Thursday night at Huset’s, pit gates will be open at all day and the grandstand gates will open at 5 p.m. CDT. Hot laps are tentatively scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. The pit and grandstand gates will open at 2 p.m. CDT Saturday at Riverside International Speedway. Hot laps are tentatively scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. On Sunday at Tri-State, pit gates open at 2:30 p.m. CDT Saturday and grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. Qualifying is tentatively scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for the Huset’s Speedway event can be purchased by calling (605) 582-3536, or by visiting the track’s Web site,
www.husets-speedway.com. Race tickets for Saturday’s event at RIS can be purchased by calling (901) 840-1970 or visiting the track’s Web site, riversideinternationalspeedway.com. Tri-State Speedway tickets can be purchased by calling (812) 768-6025, or by visiting the track’s Web site, www.tristatespeedway.com.

Race fans can also listen to all the action this week on the DIRTVision.com cybercast, as well as on the DIRT Radio Network. Visit www.DIRTVision.com for more information on all the features, including updated results from each night of racing, as well as a chat room to interact with other fans listening to the action.

Donny Schatz, driver of the No. 15 TSR/Armor All/Chevy/ParkerStore J&J:

For the second time this season, the Armor All team has a three-race winning streak. What’s been the key?

“The biggest thing is that we keep working as hard as we can every night. There is no substitute for hard work and Ricky Warner, Shane Bowers, Kyle Sundby and Evan Funk keep doing everything they can to give me a great race car. That’s a testament to Tony Stewart Racing. They’ve put this team out here to win races and right now, that’s what we are doing.

“Each of the last three wins has come in different ways. In Dodge City, we found the rubber first and then had to be willing to risk it all to find a way around Daryn (Pittman) to get the job done. We fought through some adversity at Grand Forks after setting fast time in qualifications and crashing in the heat race. To come from 11th to win a feature against these guys is really something. And at Cedar Lake, we just had some things go our way. We qualified on the front row of the heat and won it, drew the pole for the dash, won it, started on the pole for the feature, and won it.

“We understand that we’ve got things going good right now, and we’re trying to do whatever it takes to keep them going that way.”

July kicks off with three races and a lot of miles between them. Is this where experience pays off?

“I’ve always said, to be successful with the World of Outlaws, you have to put in a few years on the road, go through the hard times and learn from your mistakes and understand that every night is a new one. This week, we’re going to three small tracks, where anything can happen and things happen quickly.

“Fortunately, we’ve got a great organization in place here and the people involved know what it takes to be at their best every night. We’re hoping for three more good nights at the track for Armor All, Chevy, ParkerStore and everyone involved with Tony Stewart Racing. And then we’ll look forward to starting the “Month of Money” next week at Eldora Speedway.”
For complete Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series results, log on to www.worldofoutlaws.com. For information regarding TSR, Schatz, Armor All, Chevy, or ParkerStore, log on to www.tonystewartracing.com, www.donnyschatz.com, www.aa-ownercenter.com, www.chevrolet.com, or www.parkerstore.com.

-TSR-


About Armor All
The Armor All/STP Products Company is a subsidiary of The Clorox Company, headquartered in Oakland, Calif. Clorox is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products with fiscal year 2007 revenues of $4.8 billion. With 7,600 employees worldwide, the company manufacturers products in two dozen countries and markets them in more than 100 countries. For more information about Clorox, visit www.TheCloroxCompany.com. For more information on Armor All, go to www.armorall.com or www.aa-ownercenter.com.

]]> U.S. Nationals will be blend of old and new for JEGS series 2008-07-03T03:41:51Z 2008-07-03T03:38:15Z tag:,2008:/1.49065 2008-07-03T03:38:15Z JEGS DELAWARE, Ohio (July 2) The JEGS ProMod Challenge field for the 54th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals will be one of the most star-studded in NHRA history. Four of six former JEGS series champions -- Josh Hernandez (2007), Jay... Motorsports Journal contact@racingmerchandise.com Auto Racing - Drag Racing JEGS
DELAWARE, Ohio (July 2)


The JEGS ProMod Challenge field for the 54th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals will be one of the most star-studded in NHRA history. Four of six former JEGS series champions -- Josh Hernandez (2007), Jay Payne (2006), Shannon Jenkins (2002), and "Tricky Rickie" Smith (2001) -- will lead the way, but will certainly be challenged by many of today's top drivers.

]]> Tour regulars like points leader Tony Pontieri will be joined by two-time '08 winner Joe Baker and Bristol champ Steve Engel in the fight for drag racing's biggest prize.

Six-time IHRA champion Scotty Cannon, veteran Von Smith, and NOS standout Mike Castellana also will compete.

"It should be quite a show," said tour organizer and racer Troy Coughlin, who will be back in racing trim at Indy for the first time since his accident on April 27 in Atlanta. "I believe we've assembled an awesome group here. I wish we could open the doors and invite everyone who wants to race, but given the confines of our agreement with NHRA, I think we've done a good job of putting together a competitive field.

"Indy is drag racing's longest-running and most prestigious event and everyone wants to be a part of it. We're excited by the response we've received, not only for Indy but for all of our races, and the growth of the series has been very encouraging. Indy will certainly be a big deal, as it always is each year."

The rest of the field will be filled out by JEGS regulars like Roger Burgess, Raymond Commisso, Mike Knowles, Kirk Kuhns, defending race champion Harold Laird, Taylor Lastor, Shelly Payne, turbo racer Brad Personett, Scott Ray, Danny Rowe, John Russo, Rick Stivers, and Tim Tindle.

Racers wishing to be added to the list of alternates for the U.S. Nationals should e-mail their intentions to JegsProMod@earthlink.net.

The JEGS ProMod Challenge is sponsored in part by BAE, Ohio Crankshaft, Lend America, and Tindle Enterprises.


Information regarding JEGS ProMod Challenge can be found at www.jegspromod.com.

]]> Worsham & Fink Racing regarding safety and racing procedures 2008-07-03T03:39:25Z 2008-07-03T03:34:29Z tag:,2008:/1.49064 2008-07-03T03:34:29Z Worsham & Fink Racing Quote from Del Worsham: "We all talked about this a lot, last weekend in Norwalk, and the 1,000-foot idea was the one we were all discussing the most. We need to do something while people analyze... Motorsports Journal contact@racingmerchandise.com Auto Racing - Drag Racing Worsham & Fink Racing


Quote from Del Worsham:
"We all talked about this a lot, last weekend in Norwalk, and the 1,000-foot idea was the one we were all discussing the most. We need to do something while people analyze how to make the sport safer for the nitro cars; we can't just close our eyes to what happened and hope it doesn't happen again. I know this is pretty radical, but we have some issues with 330-mph race cars and tracks that weren't built to hold them, and until we settle those issues we have to be aggressive and not just stand by.

]]> "By going to 1,000 feet, we've just added 320 feet of shutdown area to every track, and we've successfully slowed the cars down in terms of the speed they're running at the finish line. A 300 mph run in a Funny Car now will be an absolutely huge lap, not a run-of-the-mill deal, and we'll all have more room to get stopped. If they tried to just slow us down, whether it was with aerodynamics, or tires, or whatever, there are smart people out here who would immediately find ways to go faster again, because we're all trying to win and that's what we're here for. 1,000 feet is 1,000 feet, no matter who you are. It will be the same for all of us.


"I'll admit I have some mixed feelings, because drag racing has always been a quarter-mile deal and this is really a big change, but I know in my heart that this is the right thing to do while we figure this all out for the future. It's going to be strange, but we're all in it together so the playing field is completely level, and I'm happy to see that NHRA acted so quickly and strongly on this. At the track, the fans are still going to see the most powerful and quickest-accelerating cars on the planet, and we might just find out that the racing is even more exciting."

]]> NHRA SHORTENS RACE DISTANCE FOR TOP FUEL AND FUNNY CAR CLASSES TO 1,000 FEET 2008-07-03T03:36:36Z 2008-07-03T03:32:04Z tag:,2008:/1.49063 2008-07-03T03:32:04Z NHRA GLENDORA, Calif. (July 2, 2008) AS INTERIM SAFETY STEP WHILE KALITTA ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION CONTINUES As the investigation continues into the tragic accident that took the life of driver Scott Kalitta, NHRA announced today that beginning at the Mopar Mile... Motorsports Journal contact@racingmerchandise.com Auto Racing - Drag Racing NHRA
GLENDORA, Calif. (July 2, 2008)


AS INTERIM SAFETY STEP WHILE KALITTA ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

As the investigation continues into the tragic accident that took the life of driver Scott Kalitta, NHRA announced today that beginning at the Mopar Mile High Nationals in Denver, Colorado, both the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes will race to 1,000 feet instead of the traditional 1,320 feet or one-quarter mile. This is an interim step that is being taken while NHRA continues to analyze and determine whether changes should be made to build upon the sport's long standing safety record, given the inherent risks and ever-present dangers associated with the sport.

]]> This interim change was made by NHRA in collaboration with professional race teams. NHRA believes that racing the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes to 1,000 feet will allow NHRA and the racing community time to evaluate, analyze and implement potential changes based on the safety initiatives outlined last week.

With the change, fans will still be able to enjoy the sights, sounds and thrill of NHRA nitro racing with speeds around 300 mph and quick elapsed times to 1,000 feet.

Over the years, NHRA has implemented many initiatives to enhance safety including measures to limit speeds from increasing, personal protective gear, vehicle improvements, and track enhancements such as sand traps, catch nets and concrete barriers the entire length of the drag strip.

In the wake of the tragic series of events that took Kalitta’s life, the following technical issues are currently under investigation: 1) what might be done to reduce engine failures; 2) parachute mounting techniques and materials as well as identifying a parachute material that could be more fire resistant; 3) exploring whether there is a way to increase brake efficiency when cars lose downforce due to the loss of the body; 4) analyzing additional methods that might be developed at the top end of the race track to help arrest runaway vehicles; 5) considering whether current speeds should be further limited or reduced to potentially improve safety.

“The board members of the Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO) wholeheartedly and unanimously support this decision,” said its president Kenny Bernstein. “We want to thank NHRA for listening to our input and suggestions to incorporate these changes. It is not lost on any of us that this constitutes a change in our history of running a quarter-mile, but it’s the most immediate adjustment we can make in the interest of safety which is foremost on everyone’s mind. This may be a temporary change and we recognize it is not the total answer. We will continue to work hand in hand with NHRA to evaluate other methods of making Top Fuel and Funny Car competition safer so that we might return to our quarter-mile racing standard. We also want to thank Connie Kalitta for his invaluable input. He has been a rock through these difficult times.”

]]> ASHLEY FORCE AND TONY SCHUMACHER NOMINATED FOR 2008 ESPY AWARDS 2008-07-03T03:34:31Z 2008-07-03T03:28:07Z tag:,2008:/1.49062 2008-07-03T03:28:07Z NHRA GLENDORA, Calif. (July 2, 2008) Second-year Funny Car phenom Ashley Force has been nominated for the ESPY Hummer Like Nothing Else Award and five-time NHRA POWERade Series Top Fuel world champion Tony Schumacher was nominated for the ESPY Best... Motorsports Journal contact@racingmerchandise.com Auto Racing - Drag Racing NHRA
GLENDORA, Calif. (July 2, 2008)


Second-year Funny Car phenom Ashley Force has been nominated for the ESPY Hummer Like Nothing Else Award and five-time NHRA POWERade Series Top Fuel world champion Tony Schumacher was nominated for the ESPY Best Driver Award, it was announced this week by ESPN.

]]> The ESPY Awards, for Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly, was created by ESPN in 1993. Sports fans can vote for Force, Schumacher and other sports heroes in each category via an online poll at: http://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2008/

Force, 25, who won the 2007 NHRA Auto Club Road to the Future Award as NHRA’s best performing rookie for the year and was voted “Hottest Athlete” in a nationwide poll on AOL over finalists Tom Brady and Danica Patrick, made history on the dragstrip earlier this season when she became the first woman in NHRA history to win a race in the 7,000 horsepower Funny Car category that her legendary father – John Force -- has dominated for much of the past two decades.

During the memorable season, Force also became the first woman to lead the POWERade Series point standings, and has been ranked in the top five for most of the season. She is currently third with two runner-up finishes to compliment her lone victory. She seems poised to not only make the Countdown to 1, NHRA’s championship playoffs, but be a major contender for the world championship title.

“I’m really excited and surprised to be nominated,” said Force, driver of the Castrol GTX Ford Mustang. “It’s neat to be in a category with athletes from other sports and I am glad (the ESPYs) thought of me. I hope this opportunity will bring more awareness to NHRA Drag Racing, which is just an incredible sport that has a great mix of competitors of different ages, genders, ethnic backgrounds and personalities. I just love being a part of it.”

Boston Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez, Pittsburgh Penguins scoring machine Sidney Crosby and former NFL player George Martin also are nominated alongside Force in the Hummer Like Nothing Else Award category.

This is the second year that the ESPYs will present the Hummer Like Nothing Else Award, which recognizes athletes who have attained unique accomplishments in their respective sports. San Diego Chargers running back LaDanian Tomlinson was the inaugural winner.

Schumacher, 38, driver of the U.S. Army dragster, finished the 2007 season once again in dramatic fashion, by winning his record-breaking fourth consecutive and fifth overall Top Fuel championship on the final run of the season. On that final pass at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California, Schumacher won the race and in the process the championship title over season-long leader Rod Fuller. The previous season, Schumacher used a national record-setting run in a final round win over Melanie Troxel to claim the championship title at the last instant from Doug Kalitta.

Schumacher's mythic world championship-winning runs the last two seasons, along with his six victories in the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis, have solidified his legend in the world of NHRA Drag Racing.

“Yet again, I’m excited that I’m being considered for such a prestigious award,” said Schumacher, who has raced to five victories this season, holds a commanding points lead in his category and has already clinched a berth in the Countdown to 1. “Hopefully, this time around, I can bring home an ESPY for our Soldiers. Without their hard work and sacrifice each day, we wouldn’t be enjoying these events.”

Joining Schumacher on the ESPY Best Driver ballot are NASCAR drivers Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch and Dario Franchitti (formerly IRL), Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton and IRL driver Scott Dixon.

“That’s a pretty stout group of guys,” said Schumacher. “I’m honored to be included in such a select circle.”

Past ESPY Best Driver winners include last year’s winner, Jeff Gordon, and fellow stock car racers Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Bobby Labonte, and Dale Jarrett, and open-wheel drivers Jimmy Vasser, Al Unser Jr., Nigel Mansell, and Michael Schumacher.

It is the second time Schumacher, from Chicago, has been nominated for the ESPY Best Driver Award. Force, from Yorba Linda, Calif., is a first-time nominee for the ESPYs. They join Melanie Troxel, Tony Pedregon, Greg Anderson, and John Force as the only professional drag racers to be nominated for the prestigious ESPY Awards. No drag racer has ever won an ESPY Award.

In 2006, Troxel became the first NHRA driver to be nominated in multiple categories, for Best Driver and Best Female Athlete. Anderson, a three-time Pro Stock world champion (2003-'05) was nominated in 2005. Pedregon, the 2003 and ‘07 Funny Car world champion, was nominated in 2004. John Force, a 14-time Funny Car world champion and winner of an NHRA record 126 events, was nominated for the ESPY Best Driver award in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003.

The 2008 ESPY winners will be announced during the ESPY Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. on July 16 and hosted by Justin Timberlake, who will be joined by a wide variety of the world’s premier athletes and Hollywood’s biggest stars. The ESPYs will be televised on ESPN July 20 at 9 p.m. ET.

Ashley Force career highlights
* First woman to win a Funny Car race in NHRA history
* First woman to lead the Funny Car point standings in NHRA history
* First woman to advance to a final round in Funny Car in NHRA history
* Named 2007 Auto Club Road to the Future Award winner, which recognizes NHRA’s best-performing rookie driver for the season
* She has advanced to four final rounds in Funny Car, winning once and posting three runner-up finishes
* Voted “Hottest Athlete” during a 2007 nationwide poll conducted by AOL, where she defeated many notable athletes for the title, including New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for the overall title and IRL racer Danica Patrick in the female category
* During her sportsman career, she earned her first career victory in Top Alcohol Dragster at the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis in 2005
* Later in 2005, she shared an emotional winner’s circle with her father, John Force, at Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., as she won in Top Alcohol Dragster and he won in Funny Car at the same event; They remain the only father-daughter to win the same NHRA event

Tony Schumacher career highlights
* Five-time NHRA POWERade Series world champion, including last four in a row (1999, 2004-'07), an NHRA Top Fuel record
* First driver in NHRA history to earn four consecutive Top Fuel world championships, also tied Joe Amato for most Top Fuel championships in NHRA history (five)
* Six-time winner of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, the world's most prestigious drag race
* Holds national records for time (4.428 seconds) and speed (336.15 mph) in Top Fuel
* Has earned 46 NHRA victories
* Has earned 50 NHRA No. 1 qualifying awards
* Son of Funny Car pioneer Don Schumacher

Past ESPY Hummer Like Nothing Else Award winners
2007 – LaDanian Tomlinson, NFL

Past ESPY Best Driver Award winners
2007 – Jeff Gordon, NASCAR
2006 – Tony Stewart, NASCAR
2005 – Michael Schumacher, F1
2004 – Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR
2003 – Tony Stewart, NASCAR
2002 – Michael Schumacher, F1
2001 – Bobby Labonte, NASCAR
2000 – Dale Jarrett, NASCAR
1999 – Jeff Gordon, NASCAR
1998 - Jeff Gordon, NASCAR
1997 – Jimmy Vasser, IRL
1996 – Jeff Gordon, NASCAR
1995 – Al Unser Jr., IRL
1994 – Nigel Mansell, F1
1993 - Nigel Mansell, F1

]]> Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team brings much needed force to Daytona for Brumos Porsche 250 2008-07-02T13:58:16Z 2008-07-02T13:53:56Z tag:,2008:/1.49061 2008-07-02T13:53:56Z Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team TAVARES, Fla. In the 1977 box office hit "Star Wars," Obi-Wan Kenobi told his Jedi protégé Luke Skywalker to use "the force." Much like Skywalker, Alex Job and the Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team have... Motorsports Journal contact@racingmerchandise.com Auto Racing - GT / Prototype / Endurance Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team
TAVARES, Fla.


In the 1977 box office hit "Star Wars," Obi-Wan Kenobi told his Jedi protégé Luke Skywalker to use "the force." Much like Skywalker, Alex Job and the Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team have also been in search of some force - well, downforce that is.

]]> Crawford Composites has spent the past month developing a new front splitter for the No. 23 Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team Porsche-powered Crawford. Unlike the original front splitter on the Crawford DP08 bodywork, the new front splitter should provide the No. 23 machine with the necessary downforce it needs to run with the leaders. In fact, the splitter was tested during a coast down test last week and it showed some promising results.

Now armed with some improved downforce, drivers Bill Auberlen and Joey Hand are set to do battle in Thursday's Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Brumos Porsche 250 at Daytona International Speedway.

"It sounds like the coast down test went really well," Hand said. "Greg Fordahl [team engineer] was there and I trust him. He seems to think that they've [Crawford] made some good progress. We are all optimistic that we can turn this thing around at Daytona, which is where we'll start the second part of this season. I think everyone has high hopes for this race."

"The numbers that came out of the coast down test were very good," Auberlen said. "So, I am cautiously optimistic at this point. We will know how good we are as soon as we hit the track. Crawford has made a good effort of making a lot of parts for the car and it looks like we might have something for Daytona."

"I am encouraged by the new developments from Crawford," Job said. "It appears that they've made some sizeable progress. The results from the coast down test were very encouraging. The true test will be this Thursday at Daytona. This new front splitter should be the answer that we've been looking for. I am really looking forward to this race."

The last time the team was at Daytona for the Rolex 24, driver Joey Hand drove the Alex Job Racing-prepared No. 23 Porsche Crawford to the front for 25 laps before handing it over to co-driver Bill Auberlen, who led the race for an additional 27 laps. Before the race was over, Hand and Auberlen led for 59 laps.

Thursday will a busy day for the drivers in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series. The one-day event will see Daytona Prototype and GT drivers practice, qualify and race within 12 hours. Practice runs from 10 a.m. (ET) to 12:35 p.m., with two 15 minute breaks. DP qualifying is from 1:45 to 2 p.m. SPEED will air the Brumos Porsche 250 live beginning at 8 p.m. (ET). Live Timing & Scoring is available at www.grand-am.com.


Ruby Tuesday is one of the nation's leading casual dining restaurant companies, with more than 900 restaurants worldwide. It was founded in 1972 by Sandy Beall, who serves as Chairman and CEO today. The company is committed to uncompromising freshness and quality, served by passionate employees who take pride in delighting guests with an excellent dining experience. The menu features a wide variety of fresh signature items and entrees, among them the Fresh Garden Bar, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Chicken Fresco and Premium Aged Prime Sirloin. Guests can also enjoy Ruby Tuesday's renowned fresh handcrafted burgers, featuring its exclusive Triple Prime Burger. Ruby Tuesday, Inc. is traded on the NY Stock Exchange (symbol: RT). To find out more about Ruby Tuesday, visit www.rubytuesday.com.

For more information regarding the Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team,
visit www.alexjobracing.com

]]>