2011-10-21

Maryeve Dufault Closes Out First Stock Car Season; Focused On 2012

MOORESVILLE, North Carolina (October 21, 2011) - - ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards driver Maryeve Dufault had high hopes for last Sunday’s season finale at Toledo Speedway in her final run of the season in the No. 12 Mad Croc / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger for Tony Marks Racing. Unfortunately, a series of obstacles outside the control of the Sorel, Quebec native left her unable to really strut her stuff.

 

The former NASCAR Canadian Tires Series (NCTS) driver entered the Federated Car Care 200 with high hopes, especially after a private test session at the half-mile oval, a week before the 19th race of the season allowed Dufault the opportunity to run consistent and competitive lap times alongside teammate Jared Marks.

 

With the United States Auto Club (USAC) sharing Saturday with the ARCA Racing Series at Toledo Speedway, practice which was normally run as one session would now be combined into two forty minute-efforts. In one of the stoutest fields of the season, Dufault posted the 33rd and 35th fastest laps in the two sessions respectively, which was discouraging not only for Dufault and her crew chief Tommy Buzze. 

 

With a faulty ignition box change and other routine adjustments made to their No. 12 Mad Croc / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger before the start of qualifying, the team was optimistic. In qualifying, Dufault picked up the pace considerably and would start her second ARCA Racing Series event from the 31st position.

 

However, following her time trials run, she explained to her team that the motor wasn’t up to song. The team agreed with their fellow driver’s intuition as a “rich” sound from underneath the hood would potentially hinder the team during the 200-lap race.

 

Unfortunately, teams returned to the ARCA-owned racetrack on Sunday under gloomy skies and consistent rain showers. Ultimately, the start of the contest would be pushed-back nearly two hours before the command to fire engines was given. Dufault had to bring her Chrysler nameplate to pit road for a carburetor change under the pace laps, and unfortunately there was not enough time to complete the change as ARCA would choose to utilize the 35-car starting field to finish the track drying process throwing both the green and yellow flags simultaneously for the first 40 circuits of the contest. With the yellow flag retracted and the green “officially” given to the field, TMR had already experienced its fair share of misfortune.  Luckily, the former open-wheel driver did not lose as many laps as she could have because of the adverse conditions. Still, though Dufault returned to the track three laps down and would have a battle within a battle once the field was turned loose.

 

A masterful job of car control allowed the female sensation to log laps under her belt despite still having to make adjustments to their carburetor during the race. Still, she kept a good head on her shoulders and overcame diversity to post a respectable 26th place finish.

 

“I’m not happy with the finish, but I was glad that we were able to finish the race,” said Dufault. We definitely had some issues that were out of the team’s control which hindered us from racing competitively. Still, we have great sponsors and supporters at Tony Marks Racing, so we to give 110 percent, despite the circumstances. We all learned something from the mishaps and we can just move forward and concentrate on 2012.”

 

Dufault made 14 ARCA Racing Series starts in 2011 with a career-best finish of 10th at Chicagoland Speedway. She also posted seven top-20 finishes and 11 top-25 runs. Her best qualifying run occurred at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in June where she started 15th.

 

Overall, Maryeve Dufault finished 16th in the final ARCA Racing Series championship standings accumulating 2,105 points in her 14 races.

 

“I learned a lot this year,” Dufault added. “If I didn’t learn something at the shop, it was on the track and so on. We had our ups and downs, but we made it through. I had a lot of support and I’m very appreciative for the opportunity. We’ll get refocused on next year and look to come out bigger and better than ever.”

 

Next up for the ARCA Racing Series is the 2011 championship banquet which is set for Saturday, December 10th at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Ky., near Cincinnati. The top-20 drivers and top-10 owners and drivers will be recognized for their participation in the series this year.

 

To learn more about Tony Marks Racing, please click over to Tmr-racing.com.

 

For more on Maryeve Dufault, please log onto Maryeveracing.com.

 

For additional information on TMT, Inc. please visit; tmtcompanies.net.

 


Pour lire le reste / Read more...

Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 21.10.11 0 comments

2011-10-20

New venue for the PASS Mason Dixon Meltdown/Thanksgiving Classic

Naples ME (10/17) The Pro All Stars Series has announced that the Mason Dixon/Thanksgiving Classic, previously scheduled for Orange County Speedway, has been moved to Concord Speedway on November 25-26.

 

The Concord event will see both the 2011 PASS South and 2011 PASS National Champions.c.rowned.

 

According to series President Tom Mayberry, “After a meeting on October 6th with the new management of Orange County Speedway, we felt it was in everyone's best interest to seek a new venue for this event   I would like to thank track owner Melvin Stanley for the opportunity to race at Orange County over the years.  He has been a pleasure to work with.”

 

A complete schedule for the Concord event will be posted at   www.proallstarsseries.com  shortly.

 

The complete 2012 PASS schedule will be released in November.

 

  PASS South returns to Hickory Motor Speedway on October 29th for the “Over the Mountain 150.

 


Pour lire le reste / Read more...

Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 20.10.11 0 comments

Wayne Helliwell, Jr. Locks Up Second Ford Blue Oval Title

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                     ACT-101711-64

Waterbury, VT – For the second straight year, Wayne Helliwell, Jr. of Dover, NH and car owner Bruce Bernhardt won the Ford Blue Oval Cup Challenge and the $5,000 top prize. The E-Keys 4 Cars team competed in a total of 21 eligible events, which was the most of any of the fifteen Challenge teams.

 

The former Lee USA Speedway Championship team competed full-time on the ACT Late Model Tour for the first time in 2011. They finished second in the ACT final standings.

Including weekly wins at affiliate tracks, Twin State Speedway (Claremont, NH) and Waterford Speedbowl (Waterford, CT), Helliwell earned 9 top fives and 15 top tens during his 21 races. He earned three podium finishes during the 12-event ACT season at White Mountain Motorsports Park (N. Woodstock, NH), Beech Ridge Motor Speedway (Scarborough, ME) and Circuit Riverside Speedway (Ste-Croix, QC).

“This has been a great program for our race team,” said Bruce Bernhardt. “We set a goal to try and repeat as winners of the Blue Oval Challenge and decided to race as many races as we could to achieve that. I am very proud of our team and appreciate the support that Ford has given us over the past couple of years.”

Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. of Hudson, NH finished second in the Blue Oval Cup standings for the second straight season. He scored three Ford wins, including the Goodyear Speedweeks Cup at New Smyrna Speedway (New Smyrna, FL) in February and the Rent-A-Wreck Fall Foliage 200 at Airborne Speedway (Plattsburgh, NY) last weekend.

Second place Blue Oval winner Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. said, “I think it is great that Ford has supported the ACT racing in our region. We really wanted to win the Challenge this year, and, after our win in Florida, felt our chances were pretty good. In 2011 we had no problems with our engine program, but things are so competitive in ACT racing that we tried a bunch of new things on chassis set-up and fell behind for the first part of the season. We kind of got things together by the end of the year, but Wayne (Helliwell) and his team are not easy to catch when you fall behind. Like the Red Sox, I guess we will just have to wait until next year,” said Polewarczyk.

During its second full season as part of the American Canadian Tour Late Model rule book, the Ford S347JR engine earned over a dozen wins. Ford Racing handed out nearly $20,000 during the 2011 season.

The field of Ford powered ACT Late Models doubled this season, and for the second straight year Ford earned a track championship. In 2010, Helliwell won the Lee USA Speedway title in his Ford, while this season Dave Pembroke of Middlesex, VT earned his second career Thunder Road International Speedbowl (Barre, VT) Championship. Pembroke earned two feature wins on his way to the championship in his first season in a Ford.

For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, www.acttour.com, or media@acttour.com. Information is also available at www.fordracingparts.com/circletrack

-30-

Attached Photos:

pic1.jpg – 2011 Blue Oval Cup Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. (27NH) competing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with Jimmy Linardy (77MA) and Dennis Spencer, Jr. (3ME). Photo by Alan Ward.

pic2.jpg – Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. wins the ACT season finale at Airborne Speedway (Plattsburgh, NY). Photo by Leif Tillotson.

pic3.jpg – 2011 Thunder Road Track Champion Dave Pembroke (44VT) and fellow Blue Oval Cup Challenge competitor John Donahue (26VT) battle at Thunder Road (Barre, VT). Photo by Alan Ward

 


Pour lire le reste / Read more...

Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 20.10.11 0 comments

Devil's Bowl Speedway "Town Meeting" October 30

For Immediate Release                                  DBS-101711-1

 

RUTLAND, VT -- All stock car competitors are being called upon to take part in a “town meeting” to discuss future plans at Devil’s Bowl Speedway.  The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn-Rutland on Route 7 in Rutland, VT on Sunday, October 30.

 

Vermont business owners Mike and Alayne Bruno are in the final stages of purchasing the Devil’s Bowl Speedway facility in West Haven, VT, and work has already begun behind the scenes in preparation for the 2012 racing season.

All drivers, crew members, and team owners are welcome to attend, regardless of current division, track, affiliation, or membership.

Among the items to be discussed at the “town meeting” are rules for all race divisions, purse structures, possible sanction affiliation(s), point funds, and schedules.  The meeting will be segmented into three blocks: Modifieds (open-wheel, dirt-style, all engine types), 2:00pm-4:00pm; Late Models (American-Canadian Tour-type), 4:00pm-5:00pm; and Renegades (8-cylinder) and Bombers (4-cylinder), 5:00pm-6:00pm.

For more information, email devilsbowlspeedway@gmail.com or contact Mike Bruno at (802) 236-9141 or Justin St. Louis at (802) 355-3282.

-30-

 


Pour lire le reste / Read more...

Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 20.10.11 0 comments

Brian Hoar Tops Quarter of a Million Dollars in Career ACT Earnings

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                ACT-102011-65

Waterbury, VT – Eight-time American Canadian Tour Champion Brian Hoar of Williston, VT topped the $250,000 mark in career earnings during the 2011 season. Including special events, Hoar pocketed $65,000 in 2011 alone.

Hoar and his Rick Paya Motorsports team put together one of the greatest ACT Late Model seasons ever to claim their third straight title. While finishing outside the top ten just once in twelve starts, the team managed to tie the previous record for most wins in a season with five, which Hoar set back in 1999. Those five wins bring Hoar’s record career wins total to 33.

 

Not included in those statistics are the special events of 2011. The Goss Dodge Chrysler team claimed wins in the 49th Annual People’s United Bank Milk Bowl at Thunder Road (Barre, VT), the Showdown at Chaudiere at Autodrome Chaudiere (Vallee Jct., QC), and a 100-lap segment of the Goodyear Speedweeks Cup at New Smyrna Speedway (New Smyrna Beach, FL). Their Milk Bowl win alone earned them over $13,000 with combined special event winnings surpassing the $20,000 mark.

Hoar will be honored as the Champion for the 8th time in twenty ACT Late Model seasons at the 2011 Banquet of Champions in January of 2012. More details on the banquet will be announced soon.

-30-

 

Attached Photo: Brian Hoar, Rick Paya and the RPM Motorsports team celebrate their 2011 ACT Championship. Photo by Eric LaFleche

 

 


Pour lire le reste / Read more...

Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 20.10.11 0 comments

NASCAR to issue B-post decals to honor Dan Wheldon

NASCAR will provide teams with a B-post decal in honor of Dan Wheldon for all the cars and trucks this weekend in Talladega.  A rendering of the decal is attached. 

 

As many of you know, the Lionheart Knight image is one that was included on the back of every one of Dan’s helmets. NASCAR also is producing helmet decals for any of the drivers who would like to run a version of the decal on their helmets. The decals will be delivered trackside on Friday.  As always, the decals will be provided to the teams during the inspection process throughout the course of the weekend. Additionally, some of the drivers also have their own personal plans to recognize Dan this weekend.

 

As part of the NASCAR Pre Race run of show, we will include a moment of silence in Dan’s honor prior to the invocations Saturday and Sunday.

 


Pour lire le reste / Read more...

Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 20.10.11 0 comments

La Classique ENDURANCE 250, présenté par Oxygène 640.

Ce dimanche 23 octobre

 

UN TOUR  DU  MINI-JET DM MARTEX ET 1000$ AU GAGNANT

 

C’est en ce dimanche 23 octobre, alors que Dame Nature semble nous être favorable que sera présenté une des courses les plus courues à l’Autodrome St-Eustache, le Oxygène 640 « Endurance  250 », la course « ENDURO » la plus populaire au Québec.

 

Les organisateurs s’attendent à une grille de départ de plus de 150 voitures 4, 6 et 8 cylindres de type « de rue » pour cette course de 250 tours. Au moment d’écrire ces lignes (mercredi) le nombre de participants ayant réservé leurs numéros atteignait déjà l’objectif fixé. L’an passé, 183 pilotes avaient pris le départ de cette classique annuelle.

 

C’est toujours aussi captivant de voir les plus hasardeux se faufiler parmi les trois lignes de concurrents dès le signal du départ. Chose certaine, ce n’est pas nécessairement le plus rapide qui franchira la ligne d’arrivée le premier, mais bien ceux qui parviendront patiemment à éviter toutes les embûches en conservant la voiture et sa mécanique jusqu’à la fin.

 

On se rappellera que c’est Jean-François Bouvrette, le policier de St-Jérome qui avait remporté la course ENDURO 200 en début de saison, suivi de Maxime Pelletier et Ray Potvin jr..

 

C’est dès la barre du jour, à 7h00 que les puits ouvriront pour permettre une inspection sécuritaire complète de tous les bolides inscrits. Ce sont les 75 premières voitures ayant subi avec succès l’inspection, dont les pilotes auront eu à  de piger les positions de départ qui s’élanceront des 25 premières rangées de trois lors du signal du départ. Les autres seront positionnées en ordre de réussite de l’inspection sécuritaire.

 

L’épreuve principale de 250 tours sera précédée d’essais en piste des voitures conformes de 10h à midi et par les recommandations d’usage du directeur de course aux marqueurs et pilotes de 13h à 14h, heure du départ. Départ qui sera précédé de l’Hymne National et du passage aérien du Mini Jet COSY DM MARTEX *. *(si météo favorable)

 

C’est finalement vers 17h00 que le vainqueur de cette épreuve d’endurance sera connu et encaissera le montant de 1 000$ décerné au gagnant, et d’un tour dans le Jet DM MARTEX à la date de son choix,  après avoir subi avec succès l’inspection technique d’après course.

 

Nous rappelons aux amateurs que les inscriptions des retardataires seront acceptées jusqu’au signal du départ.

 

En cas de pluie, ce qui n’est pas prévu par les météorologues d’environnement Canada,  cette épreuve sera reprise le 30 octobre avec le même horaire.

Pour plus d’informations,  on consulte les site web www.autodrome.ca  ou www.anca-qc.com et pour s’inscrire à la course on  appelle Yves Ladouceur au 450-472-6222.

-30-

 


Pour lire le reste / Read more...

Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 20.10.11 0 comments

2011-10-19

NASCAR de retour à Montréal les 17 et 18 août 2012, OCTANE MANAGEMENT sera le nouveau promoteur

Communiqué pour publication immédiate

NASCAR de retour à Montréal les 17 et 18 août 2012,

OCTANE MANAGEMENT sera le nouveau promoteur

 



Montréal, le mercredi 19 octobre 2011 - Par la voix de son président François Dumontier, Octane Management est heureuse d'annoncer qu'à compter de maintenant, elle agira à titre de promoteur du NAPA Pièces d'auto 200 présenté par Dodge, les 17 et 18 août 2012 au circuit Gilles-Villeneuve de Montréal. La confirmation aujourd'hui par NASCAR que Montréal figurait au calendrier de sa série Nationwide pour la saison 2012, consacre du coup le nouveau statut d'Octane Management qui, de 2009 à 2011, a agi à titre de promoteur délégué, sous mandat de Stock-Car Montréal. Cette dernière ayant choisi de se retirer, Octane Management prend la relève après avoir négocié et acquis les droits de sanction, auprès de NASCAR.

News Release For Immediate Publication

NASCAR Returns to Montréal August 17-18, 2012

OCTANE MANAGEMENT is the new promoter of the event


Montréal, Wednesday October 19, 2011 - François Dumontier, President of Octane Management, is pleased to announce that his company will become the new promoter of the NAPA Auto Parts 200, presented by Dodge on August 17-18, 2012 at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montréal. NASCAR has confirmed today that Montréal has been included in the 2012 Nationwide Series schedule. From 2009 to 2011, Octane Management acted as the delegated promoter of the event under the mandate of Stock-Car Montreal. With SCM no longer involved with the event, Octane Management is taking over the sanctioning rights with the approval of NASCAR.

 

« Nous sommes fiers de la confiance dont NASCAR témoigne à l'endroit de notre équipe en nous octroyant la sanction nécessaire à l'organisation et à la promotion d'une course de série Nationwide au circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, a déclaré François Dumontier, président d'Octane Management. Depuis la venue de NASCAR à Montréal en 2007, comme plusieurs membres de mon équipe, j'ai eu le plaisir de travailler à développer cet événement de sport motorisé dont Montréal, le Québec et le Canada peuvent être fiers. Nous sommes heureux d'avoir contribué à en faire en quelque sorte un incontournable dans l'esprit de NASCAR. D'ailleurs, le sanctionneur a maintes fois témoigné de son grand plaisir d'être chez nous chaque été, pour la seule présentation à l'extérieur des États-Unis d'une manche d'une de ses séries majeures. »


« Je ne peux négliger de mentionner que nous devons également aux amateurs québécois de stock-car, présents depuis cinq ans dans nos tribunes, la réputation qu'a désormais le rendez-vous du circuit Gilles-Villeneuve et ce, dans l'esprit des officiels, des dirigeants d'équipes et des coureurs, de même que des représentants des médias affectés à la couverture de NASCAR. Nous les remercions de leur soutien et nous nous engageons avec joie à rendre l'événement encore plus intéressant et plus spectaculaire, a aussi déclaré aujourd'hui le président d'Octane Management avant de conclure que « le soutien de nos partenaires commerciaux, nommément UAP-NAPA et Dodge, nous est précieux. Il nous permet de nous engager dans l'avenir avec confiance. »


« UAP et la marque NAPA sont fiers d'avoir été principal commanditaire du NAPA Pièces d'auto 200 présenté par Dodge à ses cinq premières éditions. En plus d'offrir une visibilité unique de notre marque et de nos produits, l'événement a su attirer à Montréal les plus grands pilotes et des milliers de passionnés de course automobile à Montréal, a déclaré M. Robert Hattem, président et chef de l'exploitation de UAP inc. Nous anticipons avec joie notre nouvelle entente avec Octane Management, avec qui nous avons été enchantés de faire équipe ces dernières années. Nous sommes très fiers d'affirmer que, tous ensemble, nous avons réussi à faire du NAPA Pièces d'auto 200 présenté par Dodge l'un des événements sportifs les plus populaires dans l'Est du Canada et, bien sûr, un des plus courus, chez nous à Montréal. »


Afin de présenter les 17 et 18 août 2012 le NAPA Pièces d'Auto 200 présenté par Dodge, le nouveau promoteur dispose également d'un accord de principe avec la Société du parc Jean-Drapeau en vue de la location du circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.


« À titre de président du conseil d'administration de la Société du parc Jean-Drapeau, j'ai consacré beaucoup de temps et d'énergie afin d'assurer la présentation d'une épreuve NASCAR à Montréal en 2012. Je suis donc très heureux de l'annonce d'aujourd'hui qui garantit la tenue d'un second événement international de sport automobile sur le circuit Gilles-Villeneuve », a déclaré monsieur Normand Legault.



Octane Management inc. est une entreprise canadienne établie à Montréal, désormais promoteur du NAPA Pièces d'auto 200 présenté par Dodge. Groupe de course Octane inc., est promoteur du GRAND PRIX FORMULE 1 DU CANADA, en vertu d'une entente conclue avec Formula One Administration Limited et Formula 1 World Championship Limited (ensemble, le détenteur des droits de commercialisation de la F1) et Octane Motorsports Events inc., promoteur du Edmonton Indy. Il s'agit du seul promoteur au monde à promouvoir à la fois des événements de la FOM, de NASCAR et de l'INDYCAR.

- 30 -

"We are very pleased with the fact that NASCAR has entrusted our team with the sanctioning and promotional rights for the Nationwide Series race at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve," said François Dumontier, President of Octane Management. "Ever since the introduction of NASCAR in Montréal in 2007, our team has worked very hard to promote this motorsports event in order to make Montréal, Québec and Canada proud of our efforts. We are happy to see that we have contributed to making this an essential event in the minds of NASCAR, one of the "crown jewel" of the series. Several times over the years, the sanctioning body has expressed its satisfaction about coming to our city for its only major series race held outside of the United States.


We cannot forget the fact that we owe our stock car fans the fine reputation that our event has acquired over the past five years. In the minds of series officials, team owners and members and the drivers, as well as the media attending our NASCAR event, Montréal is a major stop on the tour. We want to thank everyone for their support, and we want to assure them that we will be hard at work to make this event more interesting and more spectacular. We also want to mention that the support of our business partners, UAP-NAPA and Dodge, in this venture is of the utmost importance. It enables us to foresee with confidence a bright future," concluded the President of Octane Management.


 "UAP and it NAPA brand are proud to have been the major sponsor of the NAPA Auto Parts 200, presented by Dodge for the first five years of competition. Beside offering a unique window for our brand and our products, the event has attracted the best drivers in the series and thousands of motorsports fans to Montréal," said Robert Hattem, President, and Chief Operating Officer, UAP Inc. "We look forward to a new agreement with Octane Management, with whom we have been partners these past years. We are also proud to say that all together, we have been able to make the NAPA Auto Parts 200, presented by Dodge one of the most popular sporting events in Eastern Canada, and of course one of the best attended event here in Montréal."


In order to stage the NAPA Auto Parts 200, presented by Dodge on August 17 and 18, 2012, the new promoter of the event has also entered into an agreement with La Société du parc Jean-Drapeau for the rental of Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.


"As President of the Board of Administration of La Société du parc Jean-Drapeau, I have spent a lot of time and energy to ensure the presentation of a NASCAR race in Montréal for 2012. I am very happy that today's announcement guarantees the coming of a second international motorsports event on Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve," commented Mr. Normand Legault.


Octane Management Inc, a Canadian company established in Montréal, is the new promoter of the NAPA Auto Parts 200, presented by Dodge. Octane Racing Group Inc is the promoter of the FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DU CANADA by virtue of an agreement made with Formula One Administration Limited and Formula 1 World Championship Limited (together the holder of commercialization rights to F1), and Octane Motorsports Events Inc is the promoter of the Edmonton Indy. We are the only company in the world to promote events from FOM, NASCAR and IndyCar.

 

- 30 -

 


Pour lire le reste / Read more...

Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 19.10.11 0 comments

2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Dates Announced For 30th Anniversary Season

For Immediate Release

 

Inaugural Brickyard Race, Montreal Return, Star Power Highlight Milestone Year 

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 19, 2011) – Highlighted by an inaugural visit to one of the most historic race tracks in motorsports, a return trip to Montreal and plenty of driver star power, NASCAR announced today the 2012 schedule for the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

 

Full-time rides for Danica Patrick and Austin Dillon plus the addition of action sports superstar Travis Pastrana who plans to run the majority of the schedule, give the 2012 season a huge dose of anticipation.

 

“From the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway to the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the 2012 schedule has a great mix of tracks that will continue to deliver great racing for our fans,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “We're excited to bring the NASCAR Nationwide Series to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, along with the addition of a second date at Kentucky Speedway.”

 

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season features 33 race dates, including the series’ first visit to Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of a companion weekend with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and GRAND-AM Road Racing. The inaugural Brickyard event will take place on July 28.

 

Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve – a fan-favorite that has evolved into a “crown jewel” for the series – returns for a fifth-consecutive season, on Aug. 18. The 14-turn layout is one of three road-course events on the calendar, joining Road America (June 23) and Watkins Glen International (Aug. 11).

 

Additional 2012 schedule highlights:

·   Daytona International Speedway again opens the season, on Feb. 25, a week later than past years.

·   Iowa Speedway hosts the series’ first stand-alone event on May 20, with a second date on Aug. 4.  

·   Homestead-Miami Speedway will once again host the season-finale, on Nov. 17.

·   For the first time, Kentucky Speedway will have two NASCAR Nationwide race dates, on June 29 and Sept. 22.

·   Chicagoland Speedway also returns with two dates, one a stand-alone affair on July 22.

·   Daytona’s summer event and Kentucky Speedway’s race will swap weekends in 2012, as the July 4th holiday falls mid-week next year. Daytona will run on July 6.

·   In conjunction with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ schedule shift, Kansas Speedway’s date moves to Oct. 20 to accommodate the track’s repave, scheduled for April of 2012.

 

Below is the entire 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule.

 

2012 NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES SCHEDULE

Date                Site                                                    

2/25                  Daytona International Speedway                                                           

3/3                    Phoenix International Raceway                                                              

3/10                  Las Vegas Motor Speedway                                                                 

3/17                  Bristol Motor Speedway                                                                                   

3/24                  Auto Club Speedway                                                                            

4/13                  Texas Motor Speedway                                                                        

4/27                  Richmond International Raceway                                                           

5/5                    Talladega Superspeedway                                                                    

5/11                  Darlington Raceway                                                                              

5/20                  Iowa Speedway                                                                                    

5/26                  Charlotte Motor Speedway                                                                    

6/2                    Dover International Speedway                                                               

6/16                  Michigan International Speedway                                                           

6/23                  Road America                                                                                      

6/29                  Kentucky Speedway                                                                             

7/6                    Daytona International Speedway                                                           

7/14                  New Hampshire Motor Speedway                                                          

7/22                  Chicagoland Speedway                                                                        

7/28                  Indianapolis Motor Speedway                                                               

8/4                    Iowa Speedway                                                                                    

8/11                  Watkins Glen International                                                                     

8/18                  Circuit Gilles Villeneuve                                                                         

8/24                  Bristol Motor Speedway                                                                       

9/1                    Atlanta Motor Speedway                                                                       

9/7                    Richmond International Raceway                                                           

9/15                  Chicagoland Speedway                                                                        

9/22                  Kentucky Speedway                                                                             

9/29                  Dover International Speedway                                                               

10/12                Charlotte Motor Speedway                                                                    

10/20                Kansas Speedway                                                                                

11/3                  Texas Motor Speedway                                                                        

11/10                Phoenix International Raceway                                                              

11/17                Homestead-Miami Speedway                                                                

 


Pour lire le reste / Read more...

Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 19.10.11 0 comments

Tony Marks Racing Ends Inaugural ARCA Season On High Note

TOLEDO, Ohio (October 19, 2011) - - Tony Marks Racing (TMR) started the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season strong and they ended the season in the same fashion as the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team earned yet another top-10 finish in Sunday’s Federated Car Care 200 at Toledo Speedway with development driver Jared Marks.

 

With a two-car entry in place, the odds were doubled for the organization to have success. Jared Marks, the Napoleon, Ohio native was returning to the wheel in No. 8 Terry Henricks Chrysler / Dodge / Jeep / Ram Dodge Charger and female sensation Maryeve Dufault in the No. 12 Mad Croc Energy / Dodge Motorsports / Tony Marks Racing Dodge Charger. Marks entered the season on the heels of a career-best fourth place finish in his most recent start at Salem (Ind.) Speedway. Dufault making her second Toledo Speedway start and on the momentum of a commendable solid top-20 finish the week before at Kansas Speedway.

 

With the United States Auto Club (USAC) sharing Saturday with the ARCA Racing Series at Toledo Speedway, practice which was normally run as one session would now be combined into two forty minute-efforts. Mounting the fourth and 10th place positions in each practice respectively, Marks and his TMR entry were optimistic about qualifying.

 

In qualifying, Marks posted the seventh quickest lap picking up the pace considerably.

 

Unfortunately, teams returned to the ARCA-owned racetrack on Sunday under gloomy skies and consistent rain showers. Ultimately, the start of the contest would be pushed-back nearly two hours before the command to fire engines was given. ARCA would choose to utilize the 35-car starting field to finish the track drying process throwing both the green and yellow flags simultaneously for the first 40 circuits of the contest. With the yellow flag retracted and the green “officially” given to the field, TMR had already experienced its fair share of misfortune.

 

Despite running at slower speeds, both drivers were forced to bring their machines respectively to pit road for separate engines issues which included a carburetor change for Dufault and an examination for Marks. After review, it was determined that Marks would have to settle with just seven cylinders for the remainder of the ARCA Racing Series event.

 

Now under routine green flag conditions, both drivers had their work cut out for them. The main objective for both teams was to try and thunder their way towards the front of the pack. Despite not fully up to par, Marks hustled his way through the field and utilize some pit strategy which not only put the rising star back in the hunt – but also inside the top-10.

 

In fact, Marks found himself battling with cars with full horsepower but the rookie’s determination behind the wheel made up for the disadvantage underneath the hood and he was able to mount a 10th place finish in a green-white-checkered finish.

 

“We had our work cut out for us, but we made the best of it,” offered 17-year old Marks. “We really didn’t have any indication about the motor, it just happened all of a sudden. As a team though, we still knew that we had a good handling car, so we just had to use push it all race long. I want to thank everyone from Terry Henricks Chrysler / Dodge / Jeep / Ram Dodge Charger and of course Dodge for jumping aboard this weekend and for crew for their efforts in times of doubt.

 

Car owner and Ohio entrepreneur Tony Marks offered his insight on the final race of the season. “We definitely had some ups and downs, but we made the best of it. Jared did a great bouncing back from something completely out of his control and Maryeve continued to strengthen her short track skills by finishing the race. We’ll regroup and plan to return to the circuit bigger and better than ever in 2012.”

 

A separate release relating to Maryeve Dufault’s overall performance of the Federated Car Care 200 at Toledo Speedway will be issued in the immediate future.

 

Next up for the ARCA Racing Series is the 2011 championship banquet which is set for Saturday, December 10th at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Ky., near Cincinnati. The top-20 drivers and top-10 owners and drivers will be recognized for their participation in the series this year.

 

To learn more about Tony Marks Racing and Jared Marks, please click over to Tmr-racing.com.

 

For additional information on TMT, Inc. please visit; tmtcompanies.net.

 

 


Pour lire le reste / Read more...

Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 19.10.11 0 comments

2011-10-18

Sam Schmidt Statement Regarding Dan Wheldon

For Immediate Release           

 

Contact Ron Green

True Speed Communication

 

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 16, 2011) – A statement from Sam Schmidt, owner of the No. 77 IndyCar Series team, about driver Dan Wheldon, who suffered fatal injuries in a crash during the IndyCar Series season finale Oct. 16 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

 

“Dan Wheldon was a tremendous competitor, a great racer and an even better person. It was an honor to have him be a part of our team. All of us at Sam Schmidt Motorsports are deeply saddened by his passing. On behalf of everyone at Sam Schmidt Motorsports, our prayers go out to all of his family, especially his wife, Susie, and their two children.”

 

 

-SSM-

 


Pour lire le reste / Read more...

Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 18.10.11 0 comments

2011-10-17

PASS, Sunoco and Joe Gibbs Racing Partner to Recognize Drivers From Five Regional Series

Sunoco Driven Challenge Offers Unique Nationwide Competition For Drivers

 

NAPLES, M.E. (October 14) - The Pro All Stars Series (PASS) has announced its participation in the Sunoco Driven Challenge for both the North and South Super Late Model divisions. Sunoco and Joe Gibbs Racing have partnered to develop the Sunoco Driven Challenge where drivers across the country have a chance to compete for a unique opportunity to test with one of NASCAR’s top teams.

 

“Sunoco has been with the Pro All Stars Series since day one,” said Tom Mayberry, President of PASS. “We are proud to be associated with the Sunoco Driven Challenge, Sunoco and Joe Gibbs Racing for this great opportunity for the racing community.”

 

Drivers in five qualifying grassroots racing series will compete in a uniquely developed points system throughout the 2012 season to determine one overall winner. The winner will receive a test in a JGR NASCAR K&N Pro Series car at the conclusion of the season, a tour of JGR’s Huntersville, NC headquarters and a meeting with JGR President, J.D. Gibbs.

 

There will also be an opportunity for one lucky fan and a guest to join in the winning driver’s experience with an all expenses paid trip to Charlotte, NC where they will tour the JGR race shop, meet J.D. Gibbs, and attend the test session. Prizes will also include Joe Gibbs Driven oil products, Sunoco fuel, and the opportunity to attend a driving school. The consumer promotion will begin in 2012.

 

“Sunoco is committed to fueling victories both on and off the track,” said Cynthia Archer, Sunoco’s vice president of marketing. “The Joe Gibbs Racing partnership helps strengthen that commitment by fueling the dreams of the next generation of drivers while also rewarding one lucky fan.”

 

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to work with Sunoco on the Challenge,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR. “Identifying talented young drivers is obviously something that has always been of interest to NASCAR’s top teams and certainly when you look at our team there are a lot of great stories behind the development of our guys. This has been something we’ve participated in over the past few years through our Joe Gibbs Driven oil brand and a Sunoco partnership allows us to enhance the program.”

 

To be eligible drivers must be entered in one of the following grassroots series: PASS North, PASS South, CRA, ASA Midwest, or SRL Southwest. Each week points will be totaled based upon a driver’s finish in their respective Series’ race and once each Series concludes its season, a winner will be determined.

 

All participating drivers will be evaluated based on a standardized points system with the top 10 drivers in each race, as well as the pole sitter, earning points. Points will then accumulate across the season and will be standardized based on the total number of races in each series. The driver with the highest average number of points at the end of the season will be named the Sunoco Driven Challenge champion and win the grand prize of a test in a JGR K&N Pro Series car.

 

For more information on the Pro All Stars Series, go to www.proallstarsseries.com.

 

##

 

About Joe Gibbs Racing:

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is one of the premier organizations in NASCAR, currently fielding three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams, three NASCAR Nationwide Series teams and a driver development program. Its driver lineup consists of Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch and Joey Logano in the Sprint Cup Series, while Brian Scott joins those three in the Nationwide Series along with Michael McDowell, Drew Herring, Ryan Truex. JGR also boasts Max Gresham in its K&N Pro Series East and Darrell Wallace, Jr. in its driver development program. Based in Huntersville, N.C., and owned by Joe Gibbs – a three-time Super Bowl winner as head coach of the Washington Redskins and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame – JGR has competed in NASCAR since 1992, winning three Cup Series championships, and three Nationwide Series owner’s championship along with more than 150 NASCAR races, including three Brickyard 400s and the 1993 Daytona 500.

 

About Sunoco:

Sunoco is a leading transportation fuel provider with operations located primarily in the East Coast and Midwest regions of the United States. The company sells transportation fuels through more than 4,900 branded retail locations in 24 states. APlus convenience stores are operated by the company or independent dealers in more than 600 of its retail locations. The retail network in the Northeast is principally supplied by Sunoco-owned refineries with a combined crude oil processing capacity of 505,000 barrels per day. Sunoco is also the General Partner and has a 31-percent interest in Sunoco Logistics Partners, L.P., a publicly traded master limited partnership which owns and operates 7,600 miles of refined product and crude oil pipelines and approximately 40 active product terminals. Sunoco has an 81-percent ownership interest in SunCoke Energy, Inc., (NYSE: SXC) which makes high-quality metallurgical-grade coke for major steel manufacturers. SunCoke Energy has facilities in the U.S. which have the capacity to manufacture approximately 3.7 million tons of metallurgical-grade coke annually and is the operator of, and has an equity interest in, a 1.7 million tons-per-year coke making facility in Vitoria, Brazil.

 

 

Media contacts: Chris Helein

Thomas Golembeski, Sunoco

Norm Desjardins, PASS

 

 


Pour lire le reste / Read more...

Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 17.10.11 0 comments

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)