2011-03-29

CURLEY'S CORNER - SPRING 2011

SPRING

The Spring of 2011 is taking a long time to get here!!!!

Usually, we who work at ACT throughout the winter season would kind of like the

‘off-season’ to last as long as possible. However, this year with the great results

of the Florida Goodyear Cup events, most of us came away wanting to see the

cold weather get out of here, get through ‘mud season’ here in Vermont, and to

jump on the momentum we gathered at New Smyrna heading into the 2011

season.

 

With just three weeks until the Lee USA Governor’s Cup opening event, we still

have lots of snow, cold weather, and not many signs of melting and warmer

times in Vermont. In spite of this, there is a lot of enthusiasm and some very

positive and healthy signs for the upcoming season. I am particularly excited

about the schedules we have put together for 2011; the many specials we have

for the ACT Late Models on both sides of the border; the healthy expansion we

are experiencing on the US Tour into Maine, New Hampshire and

Massachusetts; and the emergence of some of the new talent we have been

fostering over the past few years on our Castrol Edge Series. I am also very

excited about the apparent addition of as many as a half dozen new quality ACT

Late Model teams heading to Thunder Road; the expansion of the Bond/Wix Tiger

Tour; the new Street Goodyear tire, and the introduction of new rules for the

Allen Lumber Streets; and the specials we have coming to Thunder Road for the

coming season. It should be a great year for all our teams and fans. We can’t

wait to get started, and appreciate all the effort and support you continue to give

ACT Late Model racing.

FLORIDA

We continue to get very positive feedback from the two events we promoted at

the New Smyrna Speedway a couple of months ago. I wrote a full report when

we returned, so I will just mention again how much we appreciated all the teams

that made that experiment such a success. I am sure those that participated

have also enjoyed hearing from many people, both fans and industrial types,

letting them know just how impressed they were with your efforts to put on a

couple of high quality race events.

I read this week about Pat Summit, the very successful Tennessee Vols

Women’s basketball coach. Apparently her team was not playing up to her

standards in an early NCAA Tournament playdown game during the first half.

She pretty much unloaded on them with a patented ‘rant’, which captured

headlines around the country. The second half was considerably different. The

Vols went on the win easily and will probably make it to the Final Four for the

woman’s NCAA Tournament. It reminded me of a few ‘rants’ I have had over the

years, but sometimes you just have to do what you have to do!!! The bottom line

is that the Florida trip was a great success, and we all appreciate the efforts

made.

SCHEDULES

We have tried to put together for all divisions a manageable schedule for the upcoming

season. Here are a few thoughts:

ACT AFFILIATE WEEKLY RACING - I want to remind competitors that our

first priority at ACT has always been to have a strong program for racing weekly

at our weekly affiliate tracks. The reality is that with our kind of program, if there

is not a lot of support for our weekly tracks, there would, in all likelihood, not be

much incentive for promoters to offer ‘tour type’ events. We make an effort to try

and ‘front load and back load’ our schedules to accommodate that philosophy

so that many of you can race your weekly tracks during the bulk of the race

season. We hope you will support your weekly tracks, they are the backbone of

short track racing and the foundation of any success we have enjoyed with the

ACT tours and special events.

Although we have lost Lee USA as an ACT weekly affiliate track in 2011, they will

continue to support ACT Late Model racing with the traditional opening New

Hampshire Governor’s Cup over the April 16-17 weekend. (Entries have been

sent or can be found on line at acttour.com).

We also have added Riverside Speedway in Groveton, New Hampshire, Canaan

Fair Speedway, Devil’s Bowl Speedway and Albany Saratoga Speedway to our

list of ACT affiliate tracks who have fully incorporated, or are in the process of

integrating, the ACT Late Model rules package into their programs. They join

long-time supporters Thunder Road, White Mountain, Oxford Plains, Seekonk,

Waterford Speedbowl, Twin State Speedway, Capital City in Ottawa, and

Kawartha Speedway in Ontario. We urge Late Model teams to support these

tracks whenever they can…again, they make up the foundation of our touring

and special event opportunities.

TOURS

A quick addition of the purse and prize money being posted for the 2011 season

shows that between the US and Castrol Edge tours and ‘special events’ (Oxford

TD Bank 250, NHMS Challenge, NHMS Invitational, Chaudiere Showdown, point

funds etc.,) there will be over $900,000.00 up for various purse and prize money

during the 2011 campaign.

We will be announcing the criteria for the August New Hampshire Motor

Speedway Late Model Challenge before the opening of the season at Lee USA

on April 17th.

This is the time of year when we ask race teams to ‘give back’. Events like the

Autism Foundation Casino Night in Barre has been supported by the ACT Late

Model teams for the past three years, various Car Shows, New Hampshire Motor

Speedway fan appreciation day, press conferences are all important parts of the

overall short track racing program that we involve ourselves with. For most,

time has become less and less available, and while that is understandable, the

business of short track is not just about racing, and more than ever before, the

race industry is fragile and all the promotional events that lead to the racing

events are equally important and necessary…please lend a hand when and

where you can.

ACT - US

Beyond the repeat events of past years, like those taking place at TR, Oxford,

Twin State, White Mountain, Lee, Airborne, Beech Ridge, Riverside, QC etc., we

are very much looking forward to the first-ever ACT US event at the Devil’s Bowl

Speedway on May 22. Some of you participated in the Thunder Road event last

year and had a very positive experience. Management has told us they plan to

change some of their spectator gate policies that were of concern and we hope

our fans will give them credit for these decisions based on your remarks and

concerns of last year. I am sure your event support at Devil’s Bowl will be

rewarded with another spectacular ACT Late Model event on May 22nd.

In addition, the second race at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway has

generated a lot of interest and enthusiasm. The format for the August NHMS

event is going to be similar to the New Smyrna Speedway events. The major

difference is that the NHMS event will pay a very large purse for ‘QUALIFING’!

Based on the large number of teams that we hope will take advantage of the

opportunity to race at NHMS, we have designed a program that will provide: a)

lots of laps of practice and racing, even if after qualifying, because of the large

number of entrants a team does not qualify for the feature, there is still a great

racing experience, and b) the money paid for heat races and last chance races

is significant enough to help underwrite some of the expenses of this first-ever

NHMS Late Model Challenge.

The NHMS experience should be one to always remember, we will be joining the

NASCAR Whelen Modifieds and will also be in the garage area with the Indy cars

and Indy Lights. The weekend should be one of the most anticipated ever for

short track fans and teams that support ACT Late Model racing.

The 3rd ACT Invitational at NHMS now has some history. After the first two

Invitationals, the third edition should really be the one that will cement ACT

racing at New Hampshire for years to come. We will be announcing the details

for this year’s Invitational soon. We do know that whoever wins the opening

event at Lee will once again be the first to receive the Invitational bonus money

and a spot in the 2011 ACT Invitational.

OXFORD TD BANK 250

With the surprise announcement that the PASS Super Late Models will be

appearing at the Oxford 250 on the Saturday night before the 250 (sound familiar

older ACT Late Model teams??!!!), this is going to be a defining moment in the

multi-year debate between the ACT Late Models and the Super Late Models (Pro

Stocks). Because ACT was responsible for Pro Stock racing for over a decade

during the 80s and 90s, I know how well they are capable of racing at the Oxford

oval. I also have seen some of the best ever racing by the Late Model division at

OPS. Never again as a full group of Late Model supporters will we have the

opportunity to show the region’s Super Late Model fans how successful our

teams have been at OPS and in particular the ‘250’. This season should be one

of the great 250 experiences. I hope as many Late Model teams as possible will

put the date of July 24th on their calendar and support what has always been one

of the signature races, not only in our region but throughout the country.

CASTROL EDGE SERIE

The Castrol Edge Série has produced some of the best young race teams in the

overall ACT organization. The growth and maturity of those teams over the past

few seasons has made the four years of work well worth the effort for those of us

at ACT who manage that series. The Quebec promoters are very supportive of

the ACT Castrol Edge Série and continue to present very team and fan friendly

events.

The mix of veterans and competitive young teams in the Castrol Edge Series has

also given depth to some of the US events like Airborne, NHMS and certainly the

Florida project. They have also provided the Quebec and Ontario fans with some

very exciting racing and we are looking forward to the coming season. Castrol

management has agreed to become more involved with the Series in 2011 and

that can only be very healthy for the future of racing in the region.

COMBO EVENTS

Events like the TD Bank 250, Chaudiere Showdown, and the ACT Invitational are

non-point events, which have posted the largest purses of the season and have

been well-supported by ACT teams from both sides of the border. That

continued support will be appreciated by fans, promoters, and ACT.

In 2011 there will be three ‘combo’ point-counting events. As in 2010 there will

be the $40,000 Riverside Speedway 200-lap event with points for both the US

teams and the Castrol teams. Two additional venues will be added this coming

season. The NHMS Late Model Challenge in August will carry points for both the

ACT and Castrol Edge touring series, and the Airborne Fall Foliage will be the

concluding events on both the ACT US and Castrol Series.

TIRES

I had a very interesting trip last week to Akron, OH. I was invited to go through

the Goodyear plant and see exactly how the tires that we use for all our divisions

are manufactured. From the high security to enter the facility until the end of the

day, which was full of meetings, it was a very productive, interesting and

educational trip.

With early indications from the initial orders we have received this year and after

the Akron trip I am very encouraged that we have three of the best tires on the

short track market. Sizes look great; construction of the new Street Stock unit

has been completed with all the items we tested throughout last summer; Tiger

tires were tested with the new ‘venting’ at both Thunder Road and Riverside,

(Groveton) last fall, and the 2011 LM tires look great as well. The Late Models

and Tigers will have strict tire usage controls put in place for the 2011 season in

the interest of costs. The Street/Warrior tire tested so well that we do not expect

the need for tire limits, but if usage gets out of control, it may be implemented.

There will be tire memos sent to both the Thunder Road Late Models and Tiger-

Sportsman outlining the tire policies in both divisions for the coming season

before the opening of Thunder Road weekly point races. Any suggestions will be

appreciated.

TIGER SPORTSMAN

The Sportsman will have a great opportunity to do some touring at different

tracks in 2011 with the Bond/Wix Tiger Tour. We are very pleased to have White

Mountain, Thunder Road, Canaan and Riverside (Groveton) back on the

schedule. We are also very excited about taking the ACT Tigers to Airborne on

the new ½ mile in October, along with the Late Models for the Fall Foliage. The

rules for participation in this series will be 100% ACT legal Tiger Sportsman cars

ONLY and there will be no exceptions at any BOND Tour events.

SS/WARRIORS

The Allen Lumber Streets and Warriors enter a new era. The introduction of the

OHC option and the new tire will make for a very interesting Thunder Road

season. ACT had meetings and discussions with several area tracks during the

off season to try and start the process of a ‘universal’ 4-cylinder set of rules for

all the tracks in our region. Although we did not get a full understanding

between all the tracks, both Thunder Road and Riverside (Groveton) have gotten

their rules very close. Plans are for a ‘home and home’ series with Riverside in

2011. There is another event being worked on for the Thunder Road Street

Stocks, hopefully before the weekly season begins on Memorial Day weekend at

Thunder Road. There will be more information on these events in the next few

weeks.

THUNDER ROAD

TR had such a great 50th anniversary year in 2009. Last year we caught our

breath, worked through the recessionary issues like most other businesses, and

like many racers did also. We are encouraged by the prospects of an increase in

Late Model teams, the maturity and signs of growth in the Tiger Sportsmen and

the excitement generated in the SS/Warrior division with the new rules and tires.

We are working on some drivers for the June Vermont Governor’s Cup Event.

Hopefully, we can have an announcement on that within a month or six weeks.

We will also have the NEMA Midget group coming back to TR for the first time in

many, many years. The Airborne Renegade division was started back when we

owned Airborne and has turned into one of the most competitive and fun

divisions at AIR. We are going to have them at Thunder Road for a special event,

and then again on our Fall Foliage program in October, along with the ACT

BOND Tiger Tour and ACT US.

The People’s United Bank Milk Bowl will finish the season at TR the first

weekend of October. In 2012, it will be the 50th anniversary of the Milk Bowl. The

celebrations for that historic event are already in the planning stages.

CONCLUSION

Ken and I had a target goal to be involved with Thunder Road for the 50th

anniversary. With your help we were able to celebrate that with what became a

very memorable season.

Following that season, I set a goal of wanting to be a full time promoter and

manager through the 50th anniversary of the Milk Bowl at TR. As long as my

health allows, that still remains a target goal for me personally.

The end of 2012 will also be the end of 35 years of being involved on a full time

basis in the race promotion and organizing business. In the interest of keeping

the racing programs we have established over the years viable for the future, my

hope is that over the next two seasons we can aggressively put some people in

positions to take over and/or share much of the grueling 7 months of nearly 7

days a week work that is required to organize and run some 42-45 events per

year. My goal would be to begin to phase out some of my responsibilities

following the 2012 season. It is a necessary decision and certainly not an easy

one. I feel an obligation to all the race teams to keep you informed of what I see

for the future of the various businesses we all have helped establish over the

past three plus decades. The goal is to try and make sure they remain

successful and available to all who enjoy the sport at the levels we offer for

many years to come. That will be very much in my planning and efforts over the

next couple race seasons.

For now it is get ready for the 2011 season opener at Lee on April 16-17, the

Merchants Bank 150 at Thunder Road on April 30-May 1st, and the Oxford

opening on May 15th. The anticipation of beginning another season for the 34th

time is just as exciting for me today as it used to be when we would try to open

the season with the Spring Green at Catamount Stadium in mid-April many years

ago! I hope you all can share in that same kind of anticipation and enthusiasm

as you prepare for your opening events.

See you at Lee.

Tom

 


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RPM Speedway - Programmation 2011

La direction du RPM Speedway est fière de dévoiler sa programmation pour la saison 2011 qui saura sans doute plaire aux nombreux amateurs de courses sur terre battue. Plusieurs nouveautés ont été ajoutées dont la principale qui verra 10 programmes être disputés les samedis soir.

 

            C’est aussi le retour pour les Modifiés des 6 épreuves de la Coupe JPS qui ont connu le succès l’an dernier; cependant au lieu d’une confrontation de 100 tours, à chaque occasion, ce seront deux finales distinctes de 40 tours auxquelles les amateurs auront droit avec chacune leur podium et bourses ce qui laisse l’opportunité à plus d’équipes de se partager les grands honneurs.

            Toujours chez les Mods, tel qu’annoncé antérieurement, une nouvelle série fait son apparition et ce dans les trois autodromes de Drummond, Granby et RPM Speedway; deux épreuves de 100 tours disputées par circuit serviront à couronner le grand champion de la Super Série 2011.

            Chez les Sportsman, s’inspirant de la même formule, c’est le Challenge Sportsman avec une épreuve de 50 tours disputée dans ces trois mêmes autodromes. Le Challenge Sportsman JPS aura lieu le 2 juillet et se terminera à l’Autodrome Drummond couronnant Mr. Sportsman Québec 2011. En tout, nous verrons la catégorie Sportsman à sept occasions.

            Au tour des Semi-Pro; sept épreuves seront présentées dont deux dans le cadre de Soirées Familiales de 40 tours. Des activités spéciales et forfait famille seront à l’horaire.

            Autre nouvelle classe au RPM Speedway; les Vintage « bottines » Modifiés le dimanche 5 juin avec le style des belles années mais avec la puissance d’aujourd’hui, à ne pas manquer.

            Mod Lite Québec pour un total de dix épreuves; même si nous avons pu les voir à quatre occasions à titre de démonstration, cette nouvelle série fait son apparition officielle sur le circuit de St-Marcel. Des pilotes du Québec et de l’Ontario forment ce groupe de pilotes qui saura vous en mettre plein la vue.

            Nous avons vu leurs prouesses l’an dernier et ils sont de retour; les ESS Sprint Car seront présents pour une fin de semaine spéciale le samedi 6 et dimanche 7 août. Ce sera une première pour ce groupe car ils évolueront le dimanche sans leur traditionnel aileron. ESS WINGL ESS. Épluchette de blé d’Inde, feu de joie et orchestre suivront les épreuves du samedi. Camping sur place.

            Nous verrons les Pro-Stock en une occasion soit lors d’une tranche de la série Pro-Stock Mohawk le dimanche 14 août. Des représentants de différentes pistes ont déjà rendez-vous au RPM Speedway.

            Maintenant place aux électrisants « Lightning Sprints » qui nous offrent à chaque occasion un spectacle haut en couleurs et dont le vainqueur n’est certainement pas connu à l’avance tellement la parité est grande. Pour la plupart, le RPM Speedway est la piste qu’ils affectionnent le plus et le spectacle est toujours de haut niveau. 8 programmes au calendrier pour cette classe dont le tout dernier le samedi 24 septembre déterminera le champion 2011 de la série.

            D’autres classes seront de la programmation 2011 et toutes déjà très bien connues des amateurs de par leur désir de victoires. Chez les Midget 9 épreuves dont plusieurs comporteront des bolides de la série Lightning qui enlèveront leur aileron pour se disputer le podium. Les Mini-Modifiés du Québec qui forment un groupe de plus de 20 bolides en piste se produiront pour un total de 9 épreuves. Autre série spectaculaire les VTT seront de la partie en 5 occasions; ces bolides ne laissent personne indifférent et les embardées quand elles se produisent sont souvent catastrophiques pour les pilotes. La fameuse série STR se produira le 11 juin avec encore une fois un groupe de pilotes déterminés qui foncent vers le quadrillé à grande vitesse.

Championnat fin de saison

            Le samedi 24 septembre aura lieu le spectacle fin de saison au RPM Speedway et pour ce faire, les classes Modifiés, Lightning Sprints, VTT, Mini-Modifiés et Lightning Sprints donneront un dernier rendez-vous aux amateurs. Le tout sera remis au lendemain si les conditions climatiques ne permettent pas de présenter le spectacle le samedi.

 

            La grille complète de la programmation avec les dates et classes en action est disponible sur le site internet www.lerpmspeedway.com . Plus de détails vous seront fournis en cours de saison pour chacune des épreuves inscrites à la programmation.

 

 

 

Pour 2011… réservez vos samedis et dimanches soir à St-Marcel !

 


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2011-03-28

STEWART PR: Office Depot/Mobil 1 Racing: Tony Stewart Fontana Race Report

Frustrating Finish for Stewart at Fontana

Office Depot/Mobil 1 Driver Fades from Third to 13th in Final Nine Laps

 

Date:               March 27, 2011

Event:             Auto Club 400 (Round 5 of 36)

Series:             NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Location:        Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. (2-mile oval)

Start/Finish:    5th/13th (Running, completed 200 of 200 laps)

Winner:           Kevin Harvick of Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet)

 

Tony Stewart ran among the top-five for nearly all of Sunday’s 200-lap Auto Club 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. It was the final nine laps around the 2-mile oval that posed a problem.

 

After the race’s final restart on lap 192 where Stewart was second behind race-leader Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson, Stewart’s No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet Impala faded. The driver/owner of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) quickly found himself outside the top-10, and when the checkered flag dropped, he was an agonizing 13th.

 

It was a bitter pill to swallow, as Stewart led four times for 11 laps and spent much of the race behind Busch, who led five times for a race-high 151 laps.

 

But before Stewart got to the lead, he and crew chief Darian Grubb had to fine tune their Office Depot/Mobil 1 ride.

 

After starting fifth, Stewart immediately found his car much too loose for his liking, and he fell to 10th before a green flag pit stop on lap 33. Four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment were made by the SHR crew under the guidance of Grubb, and the changes began working almost immediately.

 

Stewart began a charge toward the front of the field and was back to fifth by lap 52. He took over the top spot for the first time on lap 68 as the race went caution free for the first 75 circuits. He would swap the point with Busch and run shotgun to him for much of the race.

 

But with 25 laps remaining, things began to get difficult for Stewart and Co. On lap 175, the race restarted after the third caution of the day, with Busch leading, Stewart in second and Johnson holding down the third spot.

 

Johnson was able to get past Stewart on lap 180, while Busch continued to build his lead as the laps wound down.

 

The fourth and final caution on lap 187 gave hope to the No. 14 team that they would be able to make one final charge for their first victory of the season. None of the lead cars opted to go to pit road, and it appeared as though a fantastic trophy dash to the finish was set to take place, with Stewart right in the thick of it.

 

However, when the race restarted on lap 192, Stewart’s car couldn’t hang with the leaders, and he fell outside the top-10 after just one lap. He did all he could to gain ground in the final laps, but the 13th-place result was all that could be attained.

 

“We’re not really sure what happened,” Grubb said. “Obviously, we’re pleased with the way the car ran for the majority of the race, but it’s pretty disappointing that we ended up where we did. For whatever reason, we couldn’t get going in the laps after the final restart and it cost us a ton of positions.”

 

Stewart’s SHR teammate, Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 39 U.S. Army Partners for Youth Success (PaYS) Chevrolet Impala, led once for eight laps en route to a fifth-place finish. It was his third top-five finish of the season and his fourth top-five in 17 career Sprint Cup starts at Fontana.

 

Kevin Harvick passed Johnson on the final lap to win the Auto Club 400 and score his 15th career Sprint Cup victory, his first of the season and his first at Fontana. Johnson finished .144 of a second behind Harvick in the runner-up spot, while Busch, Matt Kenseth and Newman rounded out the top-five. Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer, Brian Vickers, Kasey Kahne and pole-sitter Juan Pablo Montoya comprised the remainder of the top-10.

 

There were four caution periods for 16 laps, with seven drivers failing to finish.

 

With round five of 36 complete, Newman moved up one spot to second in the Sprint Cup championship point standings and sits just nine markers back of new leader Edwards. Stewart fell three spots to sixth in the standings and is 17 points back of Edwards.

 

The next event on the Sprint Cup schedule is the April 3 Goody’s Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The race starts at 1 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by FOX beginning with its pre-race show at 12:30 p.m.

 

- TSC –

 

                       

 

 


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BUSCH PR: Interstate Batteries Racing: Kyle Busch Auto Club 400 Race Report

Busch Dominates, but Settles for Solid Third-Place Finish at Fontana

Interstate Batteries Team Leads Race-High 151 Laps, Gains Two Spots in the Standings

 

Date:               March 27, 2011

Event:             Auto Club 400 (Round 5 of 36)

Series:             NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Location:        Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. (2-mile oval)

Start/Finish:    8th/3rd (Running, completed 200 of 200 laps)

Winner:           Kevin Harvick of Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet)

 

Kyle Busch dominated Sunday’s Auto Club 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., leading five times for a race-high 151 laps. But despite the strong effort, the driver of the No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) couldn’t hold off the hard charges of Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick in a nine-lap shootout to the finish, and he wound up third.

 

“We had such a great Interstate Batteries Camry today,” said Busch, who now has nine top-10 finishes in 14 career Sprint Cup starts at Fontana. “We seemed to lose the handle a little bit two runs from the end and, especially with that last set of tires, we just didn’t quite have what it took in order to keep the front end under the car and then the back end under the car on the exits of the corner. I just couldn’t get the right speed that I needed. 

 

“The guys did a great job this weekend. The Interstate Batteries Camry was good from when we unloaded the second one on Friday after I wrecked the primary car in practice. I can’t say enough about the guys on pit road and the guys back at the shop. They did a great job for us and got us in position and, unfortunately, I couldn’t get the job done today. I didn’t have what it took there at the end. It’s kind of disappointing to end up third after such a strong day.”

 

Busch won Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at the 2-mile oval and came into Sunday’s Sprint Cup race looking for his second consecutive weekend sweep, as he took both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races last weekend at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.

 

After starting eighth in the 43-car field, Busch appeared to have what it took for another weekend sweep as he quickly grabbed the lead from teammate Denny Hamlin on lap 22. From there, Busch set the pace for much of the 400-mile race. Even though he had a strong car, crew chief Dave Rogers made small adjustments on each stop to help the handling of Busch’s Interstate Batteries Toyota, using air pressure and track bar adjustments to help an ever so slight tight-handling condition in the center of the track’s corners.


During a race that saw several long, green flag runs, the Interstate Batteries over-the-wall crew helped lengthen Busch’s lead as they outpaced the competition on pit road time and time again.

 

But as the laps wound down and with Busch ahead by a healthy margin, a caution on lap 172 of the 200-lap race erased his comfortable lead. On the ensuing restart, Busch jumped ahead of the second and third-place Chevrolets of Johnson and Tony Stewart, respectively, and continued to hold the lead as another caution appeared on lap 187.

 

The fourth and final caution of the day setup a nine-lap shootout as Busch, Johnson, Stewart and Harvick battled it out for the win. Busch did his best to stay ahead of the pack behind him, holding off Johnson for the first six laps. But with just three laps remaining, Busch couldn’t hold the five-time and reigning Sprint Cup champion behind him any longer. He lost the lead to Johnson, and soon afterward, Harvick was also able to make his way past Busch before slipping by Johnson for the win on the final lap.

 

“I could see them growing bigger in the mirror, so I knew they (Johnson and Harvick) were coming,” said Busch of the final nine-lap shootout. “I knew that the top was my best friend all day – all weekend. But when I got up there, it was just real tight and it just wouldn’t turn and I’d get in the fence almost. I just had to slow the car down in the center of the corner so I wouldn’t get in the wall and then when I’d try to leave the corner, I’d be too loose. Those guys were just better at the end.”

 

Busch’s JGR teammates – Joey Logano, driver of the No. 20 Toyota Camry, and Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 Toyota Camry – finished 25th and 39th respectively. Hamlin experienced engine problems and completed only 105 laps.

 

Harvick’s victory in the Auto Club 400 was the 15th of his Sprint Cup career, his first of the season and his first at Fontana. Johnson finished .144 of a second behind him in the runner-up spot, while Busch, Matt Kenseth and Ryan Newman rounded out the top-five. Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer, Brian Vickers, Kasey Kahne and pole-sitter Juan Pablo Montoya comprised the remainder of the top-10.

 

There were four caution periods for 16 laps, with seven drivers failing to finish.

 

With round five of 36 complete, Busch now leads the JGR trio in the championship standings. He moved up two spots to fourth with 176 points, 11 markers back of new series leader Edwards.

 

Hamlin dropped to 21st in the standings with 112 points, 75 markers out of the top spot. Logano gained one spot and now sits 29th with 93 points, 94 markers behind Edwards. 

 

The next event on the Sprint Cup schedule is the April  3 Goody’s Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The race starts at 1 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by FOX beginning with its pre-race show at 12:30 p.m.

 

-TSC-

 

 

 

 


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NEWGARDEN PR: Sam Schmidt Motorsports: Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Indy Lights Race Report

Sam Schmidt Motorsports 1-2 in Indy Lights Opener

Newgarden, Daly Lead the Way at St. Petersburg; Polesitter Guerrieri Ends Up Sixth

 

Date:                  March 27, 2011

Event:                Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (Round 1 of 13)

Series:                Firestone Indy Lights Series

Location:           Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. (1.8-mile, 14-turn road course)

Winner:              Josef Newgarden of Sam Schmidt Motorsports

SSM Team:        Josef Newgarden (Started 3rd, Finished 1st / Running, completed 45 of 45 laps)

                           Conor Daly          (Started 2nd, Finished 2nd / Running, completed 45 of 45 laps)

                           Esteban Guerrieri (Started 1st, Finished 6th / Running, completed 45 of 45 laps)

                           Victor Carbone     (Started 12th, Finished 9th / Running, completed 45 of 45 laps)

 

It can be said that Sam Schmidt Motorsports (SSM) was flexing its muscles Sunday in the Firestone Indy Lights Series race that was part of the IZOD IndyCar Series season-opening Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

 

After capturing the first three positions in Saturday qualifying, the four-car SSM team of all Indy Lights Series rookies backed up that performance Sunday when Josef Newgarden in the No. 11 Robo-Pong/SSM entry, and Conor Daly in the No. 77 Mazda Road to Indy/SSM entry, finished first and second, respectively, in the 45-lap race.

 

Perhaps more impressive was the fact the SSM trio of Newgarden, polesitter Esteban Guerrieri in the No. 7 Lucas Oil/SSM car, and Daly were running 1-2-3 for more than 20 laps. While Newgarden and Daly went on to finish 1-2, a late-race restart saw Guerrieri get shuffled back to sixth after an unsuccessful bid to pass Newgarden for the lead on lap 43.

 

The fourth SSM driver, Brazilian Victor Carbone in the No. 3 Nevoni/SSM Indy Lights car, was able to battle back for only a ninth-place finish after qualifying 12th on Saturday.

 

The 20-year-old Newgarden drove a flawless race after taking the lead from Peter Dempsey on lap 12. He went on to give team owner Sam Schmidt his 38th Indy Lights race win – more than any other car owner.  

 

“The Lights team really did a good job over there,” said Schmidt, whose Indy Lights teams have won four series titles, including last season with driver J.K. Vernay. “If not for that crazy last restart, we would have had our 1-2-3 with an eighth, so that cost us a little bit. Certainly, though, 1-2-6 and 9 is not a bad way to start that season.”

 

There were two lead changes in the 45-lap race. Fifth-place qualifier Peter Dempsey took advantage of a great start to jump into the lead. He stayed there until Newgarden’s pass on lap 12. Newgarden led a total of 34 laps, and there was just one caution period that lasted five laps.

 

The next Firestone Indy Lights Series race is part of the Honda Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala., on Sunday, April 10. The race will be televised live on VERSUS beginning at noon EDT.

 

Josef Newgarden (Finished 1st), Driver of the No. 11 Robo-Pong/Sam Schmidt Motorsports Entry:

 

“I don’t know what to say, I am so happy for everyone else. This is way beyond me. It takes the efforts of the entire team that worked so hard over the winter to make this win happen. I am so happy for Sam Schmidt and proud to be driving for him and give him a victory. Sam is a remarkable man, and what kid wouldn’t want to do this. I feel so blessed and happy to be here with the team and have these remarkable partners. I hope we can continue this all year because this is what we are here to do. I think the best plan is not to have a plan. I thought about it a lot last night and you just have to go with what you are feeling at the right moment because anything can really happen. I was so thrilled that we got a good start, and Esteban gave me plenty of room and fought me really clean.  It was a nice, easy pass and Peter (Dempsey) actually got by me, as well. I just thought it was a long race and, if you stay cool and pressure him, he will make a mistake and I could capitalize on it. That is exactly what happened and it is unbelievable. This is a dream come true, and it is so great.”

 

Conor Daly (Finished 2nd), Driver of the No. 77 Mazda Road to Indy/Sam Schmidt Motorsports Entry:

 

“It is great to race here again and a good day for Sam Schmidt Motorsports. We had really fast racecars and were running 1-2-3 until that restart. Unfortunately, on that initial start, I was just in the wrong gear. It was my mistake and, next time, I will be able to learn from it. It was unfortunate for us there, but it is also good to know that we can make passes happen in this car. It was a valuable experience for me if I ever have to get into a dogfight situation again. The last restart was epic, and Esteban went straight down the inside and he saw I was coming and he was trying to make a move on Josef, as well. I could tell that it was basically an ice rink on the inside of the track as there was dust flying everywhere. Me and Josef haven’t raced together since 2008, and we always seem to end up together on the podium as 1-2, one way or another. It was a great day for the entire Mazda Road to Indy Team.”

 

Esteban Guerrieri (Finished 6th), Driver of the No.7 Lucas Oil/Sam Schmidt Motorsports Entry:

 

“It was a really good race until the last two laps. We were lapping great, really consistent. I didn’t want to make any mistakes. I was trying to push on the restart, and we got to the first corner very close with other cars. I missed my braking point a little bit. That was my mistake. I went wide and got picked off. But, in the end, it’s an official race and we go for the next one.”

 

Victor Carbone (Finished 9th), Driver of the No. 3 Nevoni/Sam Schmidt Motorsports Entry:

 

“It was a shame in qualifying that I couldn’t qualify better because I was faster than some of the cars in front of me. The race was going well until the last restart. I was unable to get a good restart. That messed up the rest of my race. I have to thank my guys for the work they did in the winter and I look forward to the next race.” 

 

 

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TAGLIANI PR - Sam Schmidt Motorsports: Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg IndyCar Series Race Report

Tagliani Survives ‘Blistering’ St. Pete Race

Canadian Finishes Sixth for New Owner Schmidt in IndyCar Opener

 

 

Date:                  March 27, 2011

Event:                Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (Round 1 of 17)

Series:                IZOD IndyCar Series

Location:           Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. (1.8-mile, 14-turn road course)

Start/Finish:       10th/6th  (Running, completed 100 of 100 laps)

Winner:              Dario Franchitti of Target Chip Ganassi Racing

 

In a race that took its toll on equipment and nerves, Alex Tagliani survived the 100-lap IZOD IndyCar Series Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg by driving a damaged No. 77 Bowers &Wilkins Dallara/Honda/Firestone Indy car to an impressive top-10 finish on Sunday.

 

Tagliani climbed from the cockpit after the race to show that his Sam Schmidt Motorsports (SSM) car wasn’t the only thing damaged after the race. He immediately removed his left glove to find two deep gouges, along with swelling on the top of his hand, while his palm and fingers displayed several large, raw blisters. He attributed the damage to the car and his hand to contact he made in turn one on the third of four attempts to restart the race during the opening 12 laps.

 

Despite his struggle with a damaged racecar, Tagliani was upbeat after the race.

 

“It was the first race back for Sam (Schmidt) as a team owner (in the IndyCar Series) and I know he’s pleased,” Tagliani said while leaning on the pit wall just minutes after taking the checkered flag. “He’s a pretty excitable guy, and all weekend he showed a little nerves and stress by being back in the league as an owner in the IndyCar Series. To bring him his first sixth-place finish in the IndyCar series and to finish 1-2 in Indy Lights, I think, ‘mission accomplished’ for the whole team.” 

 

Tagliani was referencing the dominating performance of SSM in the Firestone Indy Lights Series race run just prior to the IndyCar Series race on Sunday. SSM cars driven by Josef Newgarden and Conor Daly finished first and second, respectively.

 

Still, Tagliani could not hide his emotions on what could have been a better finish if the first-turn contact hadn’t happened on lap 13.

 

“I think we’re just a couple of tenths off before we get the car being more consistent and fast,” he said. “But, what really hurt us today was the hit on the (third) restart when we went from fourth to seventh. Simona (de Silvestro) did a bonsai move and it stuck for her, but she landed on everybody else. In the contact, I hit my hand in the cockpit and the wheel burned my hands as I tried to keep it under me.”

 

Last year’s IndyCar Series champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti won the race by leading 94 of the 100 laps. Rounding out the top-five were Will Power, Tony Kanaan, de Silvestro and Takuma Sato. Tagliani, Raphael Matos, Vitor Meira, Oriol Servia and Justin Wilson comprised the remainder of the top-10. Power, who started on the pole, was the only other leader of the race.

 

Franchitti’s margin of victory was 7.l612 seconds over Power, who was last year’s Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg winner. There were five caution periods for a total of 13 laps.

 

The IZOD IndyCar Series races next at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala., at the Honda Grand Prix of Alabama on Sunday, April 10. The race will be televised live on VERSUS beginning at 3 p.m. EDT.

 

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PR REVSTAR - DASH FOR CASH

 

REVSTAR ABF,  Dash for Cash

 

La série Revstar ABF

1 000 $
au gagnant !

Le printemps arrive enfin et on sent beaucoup de fébrilité chez nos pilotes de REVSTAR, la saison des courses va débuter dans quelques semaines.

 

Il est encore temps de vous joindre à nous et vous procurer un tout nouveau Speed STR pour débuter la saison 2011.

Une promotion du concepteur des Speed STR
Rich Tobias vous offre l'opportunité de gagner une bourse de 1000 $ dans le cadre d'une compétition mettant aux prises tous les nouveaux propriétaires d'un bolide de REVSTAR neuf 2010 ainsi que tous les nouveaux acheteurs, qui vont se procurer un Speed STR avant le 14 mai prochain. Ces pilotes seront invités à une confrontation appeler "Dash for Cash".

Format de la course
Le nombre de tours prévu pour la course va dépendre du nombre de propriétaires. Actuellement, il y a eu 5 Speed STR neufs vendus l'an dernier, donc la course sera de 5 tours, mais pour chaque bolide vendu, on ajoute un tour. L'ordre de départ sera déterminé par tirage au sort. La course se tiendra à l'Autodrome Drummond le 14 mai prochain.

Voici les pilotes admissibles pour ce défi !

  • #10 Gabriel Richer
  • #28 Yannick Poirier
  • #35 Andre Manny
  • #53 Jean-Nicolas Gareau
  • #54 Daniel Nadeau

Vous pouvez vous joindre à ce groupe en vous procurant un STR neuf. D'ailleurs c'est en plein le temps avec la partié du dollar canadien avec celui des États-Unis. Pour aussi peu que 18 200 $ (US) vous pourriez être l'heureux propriétaire d'une voiture de course et être prêt pour débuter la saison 2011.

Voitures usagées à vendre

Il y a des bonnes opportunités avec des modèles usagers. REVSTAR en met 2 en vente et un propriétaire de deux REVSTAR a décidé de vendre un STR et rouler avec une seule voiture cette année.

Voici les détails :

 

Modèle

Description

SpeedSTR #66 / 2009

jaune frame rouge

  • moteur rafraichie à neuf seulement 2 courses.
  • en excellente condition! prête à courserprix:
  • 14850$  info Carl 819-470-0828

SpeedSTR #48 2011

rouge frame rouge

  • neuf seulement 5 courses sur glace
  • voiture neuve de janvier 2011
  • prix: 15995$  info Carl 819-470-0828

SpeedSTR #55 2010

noir frame noir

  • a roulé seulement la saison 2010
  • en excellente condition! prête à courser
  • prix:14850$   info demander Patrick 819-697-5555

 

Faites vite, et ajoutez du plaisir à votre passion !


REVSTAR ABF
http://www.revstar.ca

 


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2011-03-26

PATRICK LAPERLE pilotera à Granby en modifié


Patrick Laperle à l'Autodrome Montmagny en 2011

Un champion sur asphalte fait ses débuts sur  terre battue.

 

Patrick Laperle est né le 24 février 1976 à St-Denis sur le Richelieu. Il a débuté en tant que pilote au volant d’un Late Model Sportsman à Airborne Speedway (Platsburgh) en 1998 sur l'asphalte.


Laperle qui a fait quelques tours en modifié à Granby en 2010.

 

Ses pistes de course préférées sont New Smyrna (Floride) et Thunder Road Speedbowl (Barre, Vermont). Il a mérité 37 victoires depuis le début de sa carrière sur différentes pistes du Canada et des Etats-Unis. Patrick est le pilote québécois qui a mérité le meilleur résultat au TD BANKNORTH Oxford 250. Il a remporté le prestigieux Milk Bowl à trois reprises. Patrick a remporté deux ACT Showdown, dont l'épreuve inaugurale. Il est le seul pilote de l’histoire à avoir remporté un championnat ACT Tour (Canado-Américain) et un championnat de la série ACT Castrol (Série Québec/Ontario).

 

 

Patrick conduira un Téo 2011, comme plusieurs pilotes réguliers, il fera l’essai d’un moteur  GM Ct 525. Berthold Robidoux  (BERT Transmission) et son équipe vont tenter de partager leurs connaissances avec la nouvelle équipe. Patrick sera à bord du bolide # 91 dans la catégorie Modifié sur le circuit de l’Autodrome Granby seulement. Il poursuit sa carrière sur l’asphalte à bord du bolide numéro 91 dans la série ACT-Castrol. Patrick sera présent à tous les programmes de l’Autodrome Granby qui ne sont pas en conflit avec la série ACT. 

 

2010 - Vice-champion World Series of Asphalt (New Smyrna Speedway, New Smyrna Beach, Floride);
A remporté un 2e ACT Showdown  

2009 - Vice-champion Série ACT Castrol (Série provinciale au Québec) – Late model

2009 – Terminé 2e au réputé TD Bank North Oxford 250 (Course avec les bourses les plus importantes           du nord-est des États-Unis et du Canada)

2009 - Vice-champion World Series of Asphalt (New Smyrna Speedway, New Smyrna Beach, Floride) 2008 - Champion ACT Tour (Série Canado-Américaine) – Late model

2007 - Champion Série ACT Castrol (Série Québec / Ontario) – Late Model

2002 – Vice-champion ACT Tour (Série Canado-Américaine) – Late model

1999 – Première victoire en carrière - classe Late Model à Airborne Speedway (Plattsburgh, NY)

 

Josée Lyse Poisson

Relationniste Autodrome Granby

www.autodrome-granby.com

 

 


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NASCAR K&N Pro Series East at Greenville Postponed

For Immediate Release

 

Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150 rescheduled for April 2

 

 

GREENVILLE, S.C. (March 26, 2011) — The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season-opener at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway scheduled for Saturday, March 26 has been postponed to Saturday, April 2.

 

Rain moved into the Greenville area Saturday morning, and the forecast calls for persistent precipitation throughout the weekend.

 

The race-day schedule for the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150 will remain the same, with the green flag slated for 8 p.m. For ticket information, please call 864-269-8052 or visit the track’s official website, www.greenvillepickens.com.

 


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