2011-11-28

Steve Addington Named Crew Chief for Tony Stewart

For Immediate Release

Contact Mike Arning

True Speed Communication on behalf of Stewart-Haas Racing

 

 

KANNAPOLIS, N.C., (Nov. 28, 2011) – Steve Addington, winner of 16 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races as a crew chief, has been named to the same position for three-time Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart and the No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 team of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) effective immediately.

 

The Spartanburg, S.C., native is only the third crew chief Stewart has had during his 13-year Sprint Cup career, and it comes just a week after Stewart captured the 2011 Sprint Cup title.

 

“I know Steve well and I know how he goes about setting up a racecar,” said Stewart, who worked with Addington from 2005 through 2008 during his time at Joe Gibbs Racing. “My comfort level with him is already strong. He balances the technical part of our sport with the real-world experiences we get at the track, and that will allow for a smooth transition as we prepare to defend our title in 2012.”  

 

Addington has served as crew chief for Bobby Labonte (2005), J.J. Yeley (2006-2007), Kyle Busch (2008-race No. 33 of 2009) and Kurt Busch (2010-2011) during his ongoing Sprint Cup career. Twelve wins were scored with Kyle Busch at Joe Gibbs Racing and four wins were notched with older brother Kurt during his most recent tenure at Penske Racing.

 

Prior to rising to the elite Sprint Cup ranks, Addington spent 15 seasons as a crew chief in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, 11 of which came with driver Jason Keller where the duo won 10 races, 11 poles and scored 69 top-five and 122 top-10 finishes.

 

“Tony and I are a lot alike and we’re able to push each other,” Addington said. “I saw how he worked when we were at Gibbs together and I’m not surprised at all at the success he’s created at Stewart-Haas Racing. He expects a lot and he knows a lot. His talent behind the wheel is obvious, but his ability to motivate and get everyone to believe that whatever goal they set is attainable is something every crew chief wants, and I plan to make the most of it.”

 

Addington has proven he can win with all kinds of drivers at all kinds of tracks. From the quiet and low-key drivers of Keller and Mike Bliss, whom Addington worked with in the Nationwide Series, to the competitive personalities of Kyle and Kurt Busch, Addington has steered his pilots to victory, and he’s done so at every conceivable type of racetrack – superspeedways, road courses, intermediates and short tracks.

 

“Steve has proven himself everywhere he’s been,” Stewart added. “Our expectation when we unload each weekend is to win, and that’s Steve’s expectation, too. Getting there is never easy, but we’ve both been around long enough to know what it takes to be successful.”

 

Addington replaces Darian Grubb, who served as Stewart’s crew chief since the inception of SHR in 2009.

 

“Darian was a very important part of the success we’ve had at Stewart-Haas Racing,” Stewart said. “I’m very proud of everything he helped accomplish, especially this year when we all rallied to win the championship. He’s a great person and I know he’ll continue to be successful in this sport.”

 

About Stewart-Haas Racing:

Stewart-Haas Racing is the title-winning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team co-owned by three-time Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation – the largest CNC machine tool builder in the western world. The team fields two entries in the elite Sprint Cup Series – the No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet Impala for Stewart and the No. 39 U.S. Army/Quicken Loans/Tornados/ Outback Steakhouse/Haas Automation Chevrolet Impala for 2008 Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman. Based in Kannapolis, N.C., Stewart-Haas Racing operates out of a 140,000-square-foot facility with more than 160 employees. For more information, please visit us on the Web at www.StewartHaasRacing.com, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/StewartHaasRacing and on Twitter at @StewartHaasRcng.

 

-SHR-

 


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NEW OWNERS AT DELAWARE SPEEDWAY

Nov 28, 2011
Delaware, Ontario

Effective December 1, 2011, Delaware Speedway will be operated by a new ownership group.  The members of this group are the de Melo and family and the Spivak family.

The de Melo family has been involved in Delaware racing for quite some time.  Having them join in this new ownership group is a great asset to fans and drivers at Delaware.  Their valued input in decisions will help tie the new ownership in with many aspects of the racing community.

 

The Spivak family has owned the land that Delaware Speedway is on for many years and has seen the track through many changes in that time.  Although for the past years they have only been involved as the land owners, they now join as part of the new ownership group and will be actively involved in working with the de Melo family.

Arlen Scherba has announced he will not be returning to Delaware Speedway.  The ownership group would like to thank the Scherba family for their countless contributions over the past ten years.  Arlen and his team have made many positive changes to Delaware Speedway and have put many hours of hard work and persistence into making Delaware Speedway the track it is today.  "I've had a lot of fun with this track, and can't thank everyone enough for all your support and I wish the new ownership group success" Arlen states. The de Melo and Spivak Families wish the Scherba family the best in their future endeavours and many years of health and happiness.

The race track will be in full operation for the 2012 season.  The speedway has already secured some major race dates including the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and ISMA Super Modifieds.  The track is currently working on the official release of the full-season schedule.

“We would like to thank all the drivers, partners, and fans for their patience as we sort through the opportunities and challenges ahead of us as the new ownership group,” the de Melo and Spivak families said in a statement.  “We are very eager to move forward and can’t wait to work with everyone to continue to improve Delaware Speedway, the iconic track it is.”

The new team is aware there is a great deal of interest from the racing community and many questions about the ownership.  There will be a general meeting scheduled in December to discuss these changes and the opportunities that are ahead.  Drivers are encouraged to keep an eye to the speedway website for more information.

About Delaware Speedway: Delaware Speedway is a half-mile paved oval stock-car track located just west of London, Ontario, Canada. Since 1952, Delaware Speedway has been the home to some of the best stock car racing in Canada. Its unique natural amphitheatre-like setting allows a family or group of friends to enjoy exciting, comfortable and affordable evening or afternoon of action at the track.

 


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De l'intérêt des deux cotés de la frontière.

Comme l’avaient fait les pilotes SPORTSMAN-ANCA et la direction de l’Autodrome St-Eustache samedi, les pilotes SPORTSMAN de Plattsburgh NY et les dirigeants de la piste AIRBORNE PARK SPEEDWAY se sont réunis dimanche à Plattsburgh NY en vue de la saison de stock car 2012.

 

Tout comme le promoteur américain Mike Perrotte pour la réunion de samedi, le directeur des opérations course de l’Autodrome St-Eustache, Yves Ladouceur et son adjoint Howard Romanado ont accepté l’invitation de M. Perrotte de participer à la rencontre Sportsman en sol américain et ont été agréablement surpris de l’accueil qui leur a été réservé et par l’engouement des pilotes de la piste Airborne lors de l’annonce de la mise sur pied le la Série de la Coupe Master Canada USA pour les Sportsman des deux pistes.

 

L’annonce de l’utilisation des mêmes pneus, avec les mêmes procédures en ce qui concerne le contrôle des achats que ceux des pilotes québécois à été très bien accueillie par les pilotes américains réunis en grand nombre pour l’occasion.

 

Les bourses, le fond de points et les procédures de déroulement de cette série en ont épatés plusieurs qui se promettent déjà d’être de la partie lors de la journée porte ouverte qui se tiendra le printemps prochain à l’Autodrome St-Eustache.

 

Si on se fie à tout ce qui a été annoncé et aux réactions positives notées lors de ces rencontres de samedi et dimanche, on peut déjà prévoir toute une saison 2012 pour les pilotes SPORTSMAN, tant canadiens qu’américains des pistes de St-Eustache et de Plattsburgh et un intérêt des plus grandissants pour cette Coupe Master Canada USA.

 

Comme déjà annoncé, la première manche de cette série de 6 courses aura lieu à Plattsburgh NY le 12 mai 2012, tandis que la 2e course aura lieu à St-Eustache la semaine suivante, soit le 19 mai. Quatre autres épreuves  auront lieu en alternance entre les 2 pistes les 7 et 14 juillet, le 4 août et la dernière, un « shoot out » de 125 tours à l’ASE le 1er septembre.

 

                                                -30-



Yves Ladouceur
Directeur des opérations courses
Racing operation Manager
AUTODROME ST-EUSTACHE
www.autodrome.ca
www.anca-qc.com
Tél.: (450) 472-6222
Rés.: (450) 735-4444

 


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