Jimmie Johnson Talks About Winning Upcoming Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway

After finishing 12th in Chicago and 5th in New Hampshire, Jimmie Johnson sits fourth in the Chase heading to Dover International Speedway this weekend

Raleigh, North Carolina (Sept. 23, 2014) – NASCAR driver and six-time Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson has been heard talking about his race car driving like a tank. Tuesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway Jimmie Johnson met with the media and fans to talk about the upcoming Bank of America 500 and take a comparison drive in a World War II tank.

“I have made references to how bad my race car is driving and it driving like a tank. Today I will find out if it’s true,” Johnson joked before climbing aboard. “It’s usually relative to our car not turning sharp enough and from our debriefing earlier, it doesn’t turn very sharp.”

“The comparison’s fair,” Johnson said of driving the 75,000-pound battle-tested beast. “They don’t turn very well. I just feel bad that I tore up the grass so bad.”

You can watch Jimmie Johnson compete in the fifth race in the Chase for NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series Championship, the Bank of America 500, at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 10 and 11th. Check ESPN and local providers for details on possible television coverage of the upcoming race.

“When we get to Charlotte – granted the format is far different now – but you usually have an idea of who the players are. We’ll have a good idea of who’s showing strength,” Johnson said. “I want another win sticker. This has been a great track for me over the years. It has changed a lot. The surface in May was finally starting to lose its grip. We have a lot of little bumps building around the race track which over the next few years will turn into big bumps and allow us to move around the race track and find some different lines.”

Read about the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals Eliminations.

Kentucky Speedway Expanding Parking .

Read about the third annual better half dash

Joey Logano Wins Fourth Straight Nationwide Series Race at Dover International Speedway

Joey Logano wins 2013 5-Hour Energy 200 Nationwide Series race

Dover, Delaware (September 28, 2013) – Joey Logano raced his way into the history books again on Saturday, winning his fourth straight NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Dover International Speedway in the 5-Hour Energy 200. Joey Logano is now the only NASCAR Nationwide driver to ever win four times on the Monster Mile of Dover and the only driver to win four consecutive events in any racing series at the mile long superspeedway in Delaware.

When asked about his historic day, Joey answered. “This has been my favorite place ever since I started here. Even when I barrel-rolled down the straightaway, it’s still my favorite place.”

With four straight wins at the Monster Mile, it is not hard to see why this track is his favorite place to race. The race on Saturday at the old track was recorded as the fastest ever in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, beating the previous record of 130.152 set in 1998 by Dale Earnhardt. Jr. by 1.082 mph.

The fast race was really due to the 160 laps they raced under a green flag. Logano had the pole advantage and due to this was ahead for the first 18 laps, before Kyle Busch made his move. By the time they reached the 26th lap things became a lot tighter on the track, when the caution flag was raised due to a spin by Brian Scott. The caution flag was raised again during Lap 37, when Donnie Neuenberger ran into the wall. By this time in the race, the race car of Joey Logano was running noticeably slower on the track. This prompted Joey to come into the pits for a long stop, during which time he had this to say.

“[Busch was] really fast in the beginning of the race and we were really loose,” Logano said. “I even wanted to stop at the caution before that. But we decided to stay out a little bit longer and got that next caution. We took that hit on pit road making these big adjustments. “These Nationwide races are short and you have to make big swings early. [Crew chief] Jeremy [Bullins] made some big swings on this thing and got it close, and we just needed the one more stop to fine tune it. I was just able to run my race and take care of the tires, and do the right things in the car.”

The extended pit stop worked wonders for the race car of Logano and Busch had elected to stay out on the track and gain ground, instead of pitting. When Busch eventually had to head into the pit during Lap 87, the rest of the field followed his example a few laps later, and this put Busch behind the rest of the racers on pit stops, and would mean he would need to stop one more time before the end of the race.

By this time the tires of Logano were 30 laps newer than the race tires of Busch and he started to rapidly gain ground on the leader. He caught Busch on Lap 141 and from that point on there was nothing but open race track between him and the finish line.

Logano “When your car drives good here and you have what you need, when you have lapped traffic it doesn’t even slow you down,” Logano said. “When you’re loose, you get stuck. In these Nationwide races, being able to get through the lapped traffic as quick as possible is key to winning these things.”

At the press conference after the 5-Hour Energy 200 Joey Logano had a few things to say.

Joey Logano – No. 22 Hertz Ford Mustang – We had a fast race car.  I don’t know what else I need to say.  This Hertz Ford was really good when we unloaded and then throughout practice the track changed on us a little bit and last night we made some good changes on the race car.  Jeremy and all the guys and girls on the team did a good job tuning the thing up for me.  We started the race too loose and they went for it.  These Nationwide races are short.  You’ve got to make big swings real early and I feel like Jeremy and I have worked enough together now that when I say loose and how loose he kind of knows how much it is and he made some big swings on this thing and got it pretty close.  Then we needed one more stop to just kind of fine-tune it.  After that second green-flag stop it was dialed in pretty good.  I was just able to run my race and take care of the tires, make sure I was doing the right things in the car, and get another victory.  It’s just really cool to get four in a row here at Dover.  That’s pretty awesome.  It’s been my favorite race track ever since I started here, yes, even when I barrel-rolled down the back straightaway it’s still my favorite place, and I think we showed it today.  Hopefully, my Shell/Pennzoil Ford tomorrow is just as fast as this one.  If that’s the case, it’s gonna be a lot of fun.”

The No. 22 Hertz Ford

The crew chief for the No. 22 Hertz Ford Mustang, Jeremy Bullins, also had few comments on the race and car.

Jeremy Bullins – Crew Chief -No. 22 Hertz Ford Mustang “It means a lot that we’re continuing to build good cars.  This is another brand new car that the guys at the shop built.  We just keep pushing forward and, like Joey said, the first race here we learned a lot about what the car needs for him.  I feel like we’ve learned a lot about, like what he says, when he says ‘loose’ we’re learning how to work on it and we’re getting closer with that.  We talked about it before the race, there were a lot of streaks to be kept alive today and I think we managed to pull that off, so it was just a great day on pit road.  The guys did a good job.  The whole team just did an excellent job today.”

When asked why it has been so hard for him to have success on the race track on Sunday at Dover International Speedway, Joey answered.

Joey Logano “I tell you what, on the Cup side I really do feel like I’ve had some strong cars here.  I’ve had a lot of misfortune in the Cup races, but I’ve had a lot of fast race cars here that are capable of running top five.  I’ve had loose wheels.  I’ve had flat tires.  I’ve had motors blowing up.  I’ve gone through a lot here at this race track and that’s why if you look at the stats like you did, you wouldn’t know that we ran as well as we did, but we have run really well at this race track on the Cup side.  I’m expecting tomorrow to be similar, I hope.  As far as the way the Chase has gone, Chicago, we were doing everything we were supposed to do.  We got the pole and we were leading laps, but unfortunately things break on race cars every now and again and that cost us a really good finish there and a lot of points, obviously.  Last week at Loudon, it’s probably my toughest race track that I go to.  I go from the place that I hate the most to the place I love the most this week and we came out of there with a 14^th-place finish, which is not good, but, for me, is decent actually.  We come here this weekend and we know that we can still run up there.  We still have a lot of momentum on this team and we know what we did to get in the Chase and how good we are, and we’ve just got to keep pushing forward and keep fighting.  I always say that the 22 team over there never quits and they never die and that’s what we did to get here.  We’re not out of it yet.  We can still win it.  We’ve got a tough road ahead of us and we really can’t have a bad race in the next eight, but we can still do it.  We’re not out yet.  The fat lady is not singing yet.  She’s warming up her voice, but she’s not singing yet.”

Was it surprising to see this race run 160 laps to the finish line without a caution and were you surprised how easily you caught up to Busch after the series of green flags evened out? 

Joey Logano “Yes and yes.  They were really fast in the beginning of the race.  We were really loose, so I even wanted to stop the caution before that because we were hanging on.  We were pretty loose, but we decided to stay out a little bit longer and then got that next caution.  We took our hit on pit road a little bit making these big adjustments that we were gonna lose a couple spots and some guys took two, and then we were able to drive our way close to the front and then, obviously, he didn’t pit so he has to pit earlier than us, and then at that point we have newer tires so we were able to kind of run him back down.  I don’t really know what happened after that.  I was just driving in circles as fast as I could.”

“That’s when we just came out on new tires and I radioed in to Jeremy and said, ‘This car is right on.  It’s right where I need it to be,’ and I was able to carry really fast lap times.  When your car drives good here and you have exactly what it needs, when you get to lap traffic it doesn’t even slow you down.  But if it’s loose like it was, you get to a lapped car and you’re just kind of stuck and you can’t go anywhere.  He had it right where I needed to be that I was able to pass cars when I got to them and really make up that gap a lot because in these Nationwide races having a fast car is one thing, but being able to get through the lap traffic as quick as possible is key to winning these things.”

 

 

 

 

Kyle Busch Looks for First Sprint Cup Series Win at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Kyle Busch will be even happier if he wins the up coming Bank of America 500

Concord, North Carolina (Oct. 12, 2013) – Kyle Busch will be looking to win at the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the thirteenth time during the upcoming Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race on October 12, 2013. His twelve victories at the old track in North Carolina rank him first in Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series wins, but he still hasn’t managed to win a Sprint Cup Series race on the legendary 1.5-mile superspeedway in Charlotte.

Charlotte Motor Speedway is a 1.5-mile monster drivers either love or hate, or both

Kyle recently stated he was looking forward to getting his first Sprint Cup Series win during the Bank of America 500, and taking home a Bruton Smith trophy to put on his mantle.

Kyle is ready to race on October 12 for his chance at a championship

Kyle Busch “That elusive win in the Cup series has eluded us here,” Busch said. “We’ve had a lot of great runs – some second place finishes and third place finishes and a lot of good runs where we’ve led a lot of laps, but in the last run of the race it seems like we’re just a little bit off. But we’re looking forward to Oct. 12 here at the Bank of America 500 and being able to take home one of those nice gold (Bruton Smith) trophies.”

Kyle will need to have a strong Bank of America 500 on October 12, if he wants to make a run at winning the Chase. This race will be the fifth of the ten races included in the Chase, and he’ll need to have a strong position heading into this event. His overall record on this superspeedway gives him a good chance, one would think, but anything can happen out on the track. Once you get out there all previous records get thrown out the window and it’s everybody for himself. He’ll need Lady Luck on his side, if he’s going to be successful.

Kyle certainly knows the value of this race, “You want to get off to a good start (in the Chase),” he said. “Our team, the Joe Gibbs Racing team, obviously has gotten off to a good start. Once you get past the halfway point, that’s sort of when you define the contenders… That’s when you know who you’re going to be racing against for the championship.”

Winner of two Bank of America 500 races and NASCAR legend Dale Jarrett was recently asked if he had some advice to give Kyle Busch on how to win at the old track in North Carolina. “What am I going to tell Kyle Busch about winning here? He obviously knows how to win,” said Jarrett, who was seated in front of all 12 of Busch’s trophies from his Nationwide and Camping World Truck series wins at Charlotte. “He’s, if not the best driver I’ve seen come through the ranks of NASCAR, he’s certainly one of the top three. It’s just incredible what he does with a racecar. What I can offer is that, as much as you can have a good car – he has plenty of talent – but good fortune is probably the best thing you can have on your side.”

Kyle Busch fans can watch their hero race for his thirteenth win and first Sprint Cup Series victory at the superspeedway in Charlotte on October 12, 2013. They can also catch all of the fun happening on October 10 and 11, like the Bojangles’ Pole Night and the UNOH Southern Slam, and the Dollar General 300. Just tell them Warren sent you over to have some fun.

Third Annual Better Half Dash on Bojangles’ Pole Night

The 201 Better Half Dash is expected to be even more fun

Concord, North Carolina (Sept. 26, 2013) – Ladies start your engines! The girls of NASCAR are set to race 25 laps for charity during the third annual Better Half Dash on October 10 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The last two events saw Jacquelyn Butler walk away with the prized six-foot pink trophy in 2011. Last year the wife of NASCAR driver Travis Pastrana, Lyn-z Pastrana, drove to victory during the second annual Better Half Dash. This year last seasons champion indicates she is looking forward to repeating her success at Charlotte.

Lyn-z showing off her 2012 big pink Better Half Dash trophy

The ladies of NASCAR are set to run down the track in North Carolina just before the NASCAR Sprint Cup racers head out on the track to see who can do the fastest lap on Bojangles’ Pole Night. The ladies of NASCAR will drive U.S. Legend Cars International Banderos around the frontstretch quarter-mile for bragging rights and charities like Motor Racing Outreach and Speedway Children’s Charities.

The ladies from the 2012 Better Half Dash

Below you can check out which ladies are set to drive during the 2013 Better Half Dash.

Wendy Venturini, motorsports analyst for Fox Sports 1

Lyn-z Pastrana, wife of NASCAR driver Travis Pastrana

Kristen Yeley, wife of NASCAR driver J.J. Yeley

Michelle Gilliland, wife of NASCAR driver David Gilliland

Ashley Stremme, wife of NASCAR driver David Stremme

Heidi Stoddard, wife of NASCAR team owner Frank Stoddard

Jessica Park, wife of NASCAR driver Steve Park

Gina Cope, wife of NASCAR crew chief Ernie Cope

Amy Gordon, wife of NASCAR crew chief Todd Gordon

Melanie Self, a representative of Motor Racing Outreach

The better half of the team of Pastrana, Lyn-z is a sports professional, being a eight-time X Games medalist, and keeps her trophy from last year in their bedroom. She apparently likes her big pink trophy and expectations are for Lyn-z to be very competitive during the 2013 Better Half Dash.

Better Half Dash defending champion and eight-time X Games medalist, Pastrana is no stranger to winning, and she has a special fondness for her six-foot pink Better Half Dash trophy. “It’s actually sitting in our bedroom. None of Travis’ trophies are in our bedroom,” Pastrana said. “I’ve never gotten a trophy like that ever in all my action sports.” “It’s definitely a really fun experience,” Pastrana said. “It’s cool to get to know some of the other wives and bring the community together a little bit more.”

The starting positions for the 2013 Better Half Dash will be determined by qualifying on October 7, 2013, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Race enthusiasts hoping to lend a hand to their favorite driver can show up to add their support, since the driver collecting the most donations will be in front of the field heading to the green flag. You can also help the charities each driver is helping by donating a few dollars in their name by visiting www.go2mro.com/betterhalfdash.

Race fans can also have a little fun watching their favorite drivers act as crew chiefs and spotters during the 2013 Better Half Dash. The husbands will be in the pit taking care of the girls’ cars, but aren’t allowed to make any engine, chassis or suspension changes.

The lady that walks away with the 2013 Better Half Dash Championship will be given $10,000. $5,000 she can hand out to her favorite charities, while the other $5,000 will be given to Speedway Children’s Charities and Motor Racing Outreach.

People looking for more information on the 2013 Better Half Dash should check out www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or www.go2mro.com/betterhalfdash. You can also follow all the fun and action by following #BetterHalfDash on Twitter.

This event is a must attend party for all race fans and ladies looking to have a little fun. Men can bring their better halves, while the ladies can hang out and talk to the girls of NASCAR.

See you at the track in Charlotte on October 10, 2013, for the 2013 Better Half Dash.

Greg Biffle Talks About the Chase

Greg looked pretty good during the practice session

This weekend the NASCAR Sprint series will be at Dover International Speedway. Ford racing fans are looking forward to another great run on this track for Greg Biffle, who always seems to run well at this venue.

Greg Biffle is currently fifty in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings as we head to Dover International Speedway this weekend for the AAA 400. We asked him if he would drop by the infield media center after his practice session to talk about his chances of driving his way to the Chase championship in the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion.

Greg looked pretty fast on the track during the practice session

“What are your thoughts on the race this weekend?”

Greg Biffle “It’s been a great track for us, although as of late we’ve struggled a little bit here as an organization.  We’re looking forward to turning that around like we’ve been able to do at Richmond and some of the short tracks we’ve been a lot better on as of late.  We targeted this place to be a place we need to improve at and I feel that so far we’ve been a little bit better than we had been in the spring time here.  That gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the weekend and what we’re able to do with the car tomorrow.”

“Some think the Chase is really a three-man race this year. What are your thoughts on making it a four-man race? You always seem to have success during the Chase.”

Biffle “The Chase, from what I understand, is made up of 10 races and to be two races into the Chase and say it’s a three-man race already, to me, seems silly as to why somebody would want to put themselves in that position and say it’s a three-man race.  Obviously, you don’t have anything on the line.  It’s not like we’re making a wager in Vegas that it’s a three-man race.  It’s somebody’s opinion and everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but I can’t imagine with eight races to go that somebody would be willing to say, ‘Oh, this is a three-man race.’  Take for instance last week, we finished third and moved up six spots in the points to fifth.  I don’t know how one would say it’s a three-man race.  Now, if Kenseth goes on and wins the title does that mean it’s a three-man race or does that mean it’s a one-man race?  I don’t know.  I just think there are more than three cars in this thing right now.  Now, if we get past Talladega and there are four races to go or three races to go, I could see that.  But they could break for three races in a row and maybe not even go to Vegas and not even be in the top 10.  So I’d say it’s a little early is all I was getting at.  I wouldn’t be the one putting my name on the line to say there are only three cars in this hunt right now.  I wasn’t necessarily saying that for the 16 team.  I wasn’t making the case that it’s not a three-man race because of us, I wouldn’t count out Carl Edwards or any of those other guys that are right there in the hunt.  Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, I wouldn’t be counting those guys out just yet is all I was saying.  I wasn’t saying it just because of our case of one race we finished third and moved to fifth in points, that wasn’t the point I was making.”

“Ford racing hasn’t won a Chase in quite awhile. Are there any common reasons you can think of that would have caused this during the last decade? Do you feel a lot of added pressure, because of this, to win the championship this year?”

Biffle “I can’t really answer why we haven’t won a title.  You look at Carl and Carl tied for the points championship.  It doesn’t get any close than that and in 2005 we finished under the old point system 35 points behind Tony with a  major hiccup with three races to go.  Potentially, with not much in history changed, we’ve got two championships right there.  Some teams have probably done a little better job than we have and you look at Matt Kenseth for example.  He’s got seven wins on the season.  That might indicate some of the reasons why they’ve got more championships than we’ve got.  We’ve still got a little bit more work to do.  We’ve come a tremendously long way and I think we’re fairly competitive right now.”

There have been people who have suggested you Ford racers haven’t always garnered the attention other drivers get, even though you have showed pretty good, finishing in the top five year after year. Do you feel these comments are warranted?

Biffle “I think that’s just historically the way it’s been.  You talk about the guys that are having success and how great it is.  That’s sort of been the way it is.  Am I surprised they’re not talking about Carl?  A little bit.  Am I surprised they’re not talking about the 16?  Not really because we tend to slide a little bit under the radar all the time anyway, so it doesn’t bother me.  It gives you motivation to do well and compete every week and try to get what you can.  Like I always said before, if you’re winning races or you win the championship, they have to talk about you so put yourself in that position – put yourself in the position Matt is and they’re gonna be talking about you.”

Would you rather be in the position Matt was in? Can you think of any particular reason Matt didn’t have consistent success during his run with Roush?

Biffle “That’s a hard one.  I couldn’t pinpoint any particular reason why, but the other thing is I don’t mind flying a little under the radar.  It’s a little less pressure sometimes.”

How does it feel to have a teammate in the Chase? What things do you share with each other? How do you compete against each other?

“Carl and I have a lot of respect for each other.  We had an incident earlier in the season at Michigan where the whole organization sat down and I think we understand each other and appreciate each other’s abilities a lot more since that meeting and we kind of do what we can to help one another that doesn’t hurt yourself and that’s what came out of that meeting in Sonoma after the Michigan race and that’s the way we’ve really handled it since then.  Carl and I are parked next to each other in the garage and we’re talking about our cars and competition and how our car is in race trim versus qualifying trim, so we share everything and try to help one another with what we can.”

Ford Racing Makes Henry Proud in 2011

One hundred and ten years after first Ford racing victory

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 15, 2011 – Henry Ford would certainly be proud.

One hundred and ten years after the Ford Motor Company founder brought home a victory in his one and only auto race as a driver, Ford racing teams and drivers around the world brought home victories and championships in the program’s 110th anniversary season.

In Ford’s most visible worldwide programs, Ford Fiesta drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala of the Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team finished second and fourth in the World Rally Championship after a spirited battle that went down to the final event. The Ford WRC duo captured three wins during the season. In all, Fiesta had its most successful year in rally, capturing 16 regional and national championships worldwide.

In NASCAR Sprint Cup, Ford Fusion driver Carl Edwards ended up in a points tie for the Championship, but lost the tie-breaker (number of wins). Edwards ended up second and Roush Fenway teammate Matt Kenseth fourth in the most competitive NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship in history. In addition, rookie driver Trevor Bayne won the Daytona 500 for the Wood Brothers, capturing Ford’s 600th win at the Cup level.

In NASCAR Nationwide, Mustang scored its first NASCAR win and Ford driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. captured his first NASCAR Nationwide Driver’s Championship, and helped Ford capture the series’ manufacturer’s title as well.

In NHRA Funny Car drag racing, all five Ford Mustang drivers made the championship playoffs, Ford drivers won 12 times (including Ford’s 200th win in the class), and John Force Racing’s Mike Neff finished fourth and Robert Hight fifth in the championship.

In Rallycross, Ford Fiesta driver Tanner Foust captured the inaugural Global Rallycross Championship and Ford Focus driver Sverre Isachsen captured the European Rallycross Championship, with Foust finishing second. Brian Deegan led a 1-2-3 Ford Fiesta sweep of X Games medals with Foust and Marcus Gronholm.

In off-road racing, Ford continued to showits dominance in desert competition, winning seven total championships in LOORS, Best in the Desert and ABSA Off-Road competition.

In Touring Car, Andy Yan captured the ChineseTouring Car Championship in a Ford Focus, Paul Brown won the SCCA World Challenge GTS title in a Mustang Boss 302S and there were successful winning efforts put forth for Mustang Boss 302R in Grand-Am and Focus in British Touring Car.

“It’s been an incredible year for Ford racing teams and drivers around the world,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing, NorthAmerica. “And we’re proud that we still race today for the same reasons Mr. Ford did – to prove out our products against the best competition, and then to market that success to help the company sell more cars and trucks. There’s no question that our winning racing program worldwide helps lift the favorability of the Ford brand.”

“This has been an outstanding season for the Ford Fiesta in rallying, winning so many championships around the world,“ said Gerard Quinn, Ford of Europe motorsport chief. “In its competitive debut the Ford Fiesta RSWRC took a podium lock-out at Rally Sweden and finished the season in similar fashion at the final round, Wales Rally GB. As a factory prepared rallycar or in the hands of private competitors the Ford Fiesta is proving to have the competitive DNA that has seen Ford so successful in rallying over many decades.“

Here’s a listing ofFord championships and awards for 2011 around the world:

· Tanner Foust, Ford Fiesta – Global RallyCrossSuper Rally Championship

· Tanner Foust, Ford Fiesta – Global RallyCrossRallyCross Championship

· Tanner Foust, Ford Fiesta – Global RallyCrossChampionship Overall Champion

· Brian Deegan, Ford Fiesta – X GamesRallyCross Champion

· Ford Motor Company – Global RallyCrossChampionship Manufacturers Champion

· Brian Deegan, Ford F-150 Raptor – Lucas OilOff Road Racing Series Pro 2 Unlimited Champion

· Brian Deegan, Ford Ranger – Lucas Oil OffRoad Racing Series Pro Lite Unlimited

· Sverre Isachsen,Ford Focus – European Rallycross Championship

· Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford Mustang – NASCAR Nationwide Championship

· Ford – NASCARNationwide Manufacturer’s Championship

· NASCAR EngineBuilder of the Year – Doug Yates, FR9 NASCAR Engine

· SCCA WorldChallenge GTS Championship – Paul Brown, Ford Mustang Boss 302S

· SCCA WorldChallenge GTS Manufacturer’s Championship – Ford Mustang Boss 302S

· Best in the Desert Series Class 7100 – BlakeHenn; Ford Ranger

· Best in the Desert Class 7200 – AlHogan; Ford F-150

· Best in the Desert Class 8000 – Dr. MacraeGlass; Ford F-150

· Best in the Desert Class 8100 – Tim Casey; Ford F-250

· Norwegian Rally Championship – Mads Ostberg,Ford Fiesta

· Swedish Rally Championship – Pontus Tideman,Ford Fiesta

· Finnish Rally Championship (R2 Cup) – JukkaKorhonen, Ford Fiesta

· Australian Rally Championship (2WD) – RazvanVlad, Ford Fiesta

· New Zealand Rally Championship (2WD) – BenHunt, Ford Fiesta

· British Rally Challenge Championship (2WD) –Jack Rowe, Ford Fiesta

· Turkish Rally Championship – Yagiz Avci, FordFiesta

· Austrian Rally Championship (2WD) – PiaSchirnhofer, Ford Fiesta

· South Africa Rally Championship – ConradRautenbach, Ford Fiesta

· FIA African Rally Championship – ConradRautenbach, Ford Fiesta

· Argentine Rally Championship – FedericoVillagra, Ford Fiesta

· FIA Middle East Rally Championship – NasserAl-Attiyah, Ford Fiesta

· Chinese Touring Car Driver’s Championship –Andy Yan, Ford Focus

· Chinese Touring Car Team Championship –Changan Ford Racing Team

· Brazil Prototype S2000 – Ford, Best RacingEngine

· Brazilian Touring Car Championship – Ford,Best Racing Engine

· ABSA Off Road Championship –Ford Ranger TDCi, Manufacturer’s Championship

# # #

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

Drivers Revved Up On Return of Legends Million to Charlotte Motor Speedway

CONCORD, N.C. (June 23, 2011) – Just one week after the announcement

was made about the second-annual Legends Million race at Charlotte Motor

Speedway, buzz is already beginning to circulate among drivers anxious for

another shot to win the prestigious race.

The Legends Million, held Aug. 1 and 2, will once again provide the

biggest Legend Car and Bandolero purse of the year and is expected to draw a

large field of competitors including some of the biggest names in racing.

 

Kevin Harvick, Inc. development driver Gray Gaulding made history in

2010 as the youngest competitor to run in the Legends Million at the tender

age of 12. The youngster is thrilled that Bruton Smith, chairman and CEO of

Speedway Motorsports, Inc., the parent company of Charlotte Motor Speedway

and U.S. Legend Cars International, is bringing the event back for a second

year.

“I first have to thank Bruton Smith for bringing back the Legends

Million,” said Gaulding. “You’ve got 300 cars trying to make a 30-car field.

It’s really special for the young talent coming up through the ranks to put

up that big of a check.

“I’m really looking forward to it. Hopefully we can get a win. Last

year we had some bad luck with a coil going out, but there is always this

year.”

The 2009 U.S. Legend Cars International Semi-Pro Asphalt Oval

champion, Kenzie Ruston, shares a similar opinion with Gaulding.

“I was surprised to hear about the second-annual Legends Million,”

said Ruston. “It really shows how considerate Bruton is to put up that money

for a young kid to have the chance to win again. I haven’t been in a Legend

Car since the last Million, so I will just be happy to make the show and I’d

be thrilled with a top-10 finish.”

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver David Ragan turned some heads in the

garage during Monday’s Summer Shootout practice at Charlotte Motor Speedway

when he showed up to run his No. 6 UPS Legend Car.

“With the second-annual Legends Million coming up it gives me an

opportunity to practice a little bit,” said Ragan. “I’ve got Aug. 1 and 2

kinda marked out in my calendar, so hopefully we can make it and get a

little practice that will go a long way.”

Last year, Ragan started on the outside pole for the feature event

and stayed near the front to take home a fourth-place finish.

Tyler Green, the 2010 Summer Shootout Pro division champion at

Charlotte Motor Speedway, is ready to improve upon his fifth-place finish

from last year’s $1 million race.

“I’m definitely excited that they are going to have another one,”

said Green. “It’s going to be a huge race again. I was disappointed in my

fifth-place finish last year because we ran a lot better through the season.

I just feel like we have a lot to prove in this year’s Million.”

Wentzville, Mo., native, Kyle Weatherman, finished 21st in the

inaugural event last year and is looking forward to a second chance to win

the big money.

“When they first announced the Legends Million race this year, I was

excited and I was pumped up because I feel like I struggled in the last

one,” said the 13-year-old Weatherman. “I think I can make an improvement

this year.”

Weatherman’s 12-year-old brother Clayton will make his first

appearance in the Legends Million this year after winning the Bandolero

Bandits feature at the event in 2010.

“When they came out with the second Legends Million, I was excited

because I didn’t think I was going to get to race one,” said the younger

Weatherman. “My brother got to do one last year and I didn’t get to because

I was too young. I’m just really excited and I think I can get a top five.”

Drivers can register for the Legends Million at

http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com. All Legend Car competitors 12 years of age

or older may register. The race is not restricted by division. All minors 17

or younger must complete a minor waiver, which is available for download at

http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/waivers.

Registration is free with the purchase of a new Legend Car from U.S.

Legend Cars International.

For additional information on competitor registration for the

Legends Million, visit http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call the Charlotte

Motor Speedway events department at (704) 455-3205. For more information

about U.S. Legend Cars International and Legend Cars, visit

http://www.uslegendscars.com or call U.S. Legend Cars International’s headquarters

at (704) 455-3896.

Tickets to the Legends Million race are just $10 for adults and

children 12 and under are admitted free. To purchase tickets, call the

Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or go online

to http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway on Twitter at

http://www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or become a Facebook fan at

http://www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.

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Roush Yates Engines Putting on a Show

Mooresville, NC (June 27, 2011) Roush Yates Engines put on an impressive show this weekend, winning in three different racing series. Roush Yates Performance Engine Group has been working hard to build powerful engines for all forms of motorsports, from professional to grassroots, and they backed up that effort with wins in the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series, World of Outlaws Late Model series, and the Bowman Gray modified division.

 

Carl Renezeder is the proud owner of a new Roush Yates Off-Road engine and it paid off for him big time on Sunday afternoon. Renezeder took the lead early in the race and held on to win the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series Pro 4 Class at Miller Motorsports Park. This was Renezeder’s 96th short course career win and his first with Roush Yates power under the hood.

 

“It went real well for us,” said Renezeder, a seven-time national champion. “We had to follow for a while but a couple of opportunities opened up and we had the power to take them.”

 

Keeping with Roush Yates’ tradition of power and performance, Scott Bloomquist capped a big night with an impressive showing at Friday’s rain-delayed World of Outlaws Late Model feature at Lernerville Speedway. Bloomquist started off the night by setting the track record during qualifying, coming in at 15.226 seconds, or 118.219 mph. He then went on to win the first heat with his Roush Yates 436 Ford motor and hold off fellow Roush Yates powered driver Rick Eckert to take the win in the feature. This is Bloomquist’s third win in six starts this season in the World of Outlaw series.

 

Lee Jeffreys and Burt Myers won in front of a massive crowd at Bowman Gray Stadium this weekend in the modified divison. Jeffreys has had a year full of bad luck, but Saturday night the entire field followed him as he took the checkered flag. Jeffreys led every one of the 25 laps to win the first race in dominant fashion.

 

Defending Champion Burt Myers brought home win number two for Roush Yates at Bowman Gray Saturday night. Myers held off Tim Brown to take the win in the second race of the night.

 

“You don’t have to be the best,” said Myers. “You just have to be good enough to put yourself in a place to take advantage of the good luck when it comes your turn – and that’s what we did tonight. The car and engine package are awesome right now, you just have to have a little luck to go with it.”

Roush Yates continues to produce powerful winning engines for all levels of racing. To learn more about Roush Yates Engines and keep up with all of this season’s wins, please visit http://www.roushyates.com or call Jeff Clark at 704-658-1540.

Luke and Associates Extend Partnership with Tommy Baldwin Racing

Become Associate Partner for the No. 36 Chevrolet

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 27, 2011) – Tommy Baldwin Racing is pleased to announce that Florida-based Luke & Associates, Inc. extended the company’s partnership to include associate placement on the No. 36 Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet driven by Dave Blaney. Luke & Associates previously announced a partnership with Tommy Baldwin Racing fielding the No. 35 Luke & Associates Chevrolet driven by Geoffrey Bodine for five races.

Luke & Associates will make the company’s debut on both the No. 36 and No. 35 Chevrolets at Daytona International Speedway for the Coke Zero 400 on July 2. Luke will run associate logos on the No. 36 Chevrolet for the duration of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) season. The company will adorn the hood of the No. 35 Luke & Associates Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Luke & Associates, Inc. (Luke) is one of the largest providers of healthcare for the U.S. military and is rapidly expanding into national and local healthcare systems. Headquartered on the Space Coast of Florida, Luke formed in 2004 and has grown exponentially in the last six years. The company now has more than 1,300 medical and support personnel worldwide. Luke provides services for the U.S. military and private industry to include healthcare services, advisory and assistance services, technical services, engineering, staff augmentation and information management. Luke is responsible for recruiting, qualifying, hiring and retaining healthcare workers for positions that include physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and ancillary personnel in addition to all dental positions. The company’s primary focus is the company values, which include integrity, innovation, communication, community and a focus on the employees.

“We really enjoy working together,” said Luke President/CEO Jim Barfield. “TBR is an excellent organization that shares the same values and ethics as Luke. The associate agreement for the 36 car helps expand our partnership and makes sense as we look forward to our future with TBR.”

“I’m excited that we have already seen the relationship grow,” said TBR owner Tommy Baldwin. “Luke has already seen a lot of positives. The are a great partner to work with, and we are looking forward to growing with them.”

About Luke & Associates, Inc.:

Founded in 2004, Luke & Associates, Inc. has grown to become one of the largest providers of health care for the U.S. military. Headquartered on the Space Coast of Florida, Luke employs more than 1,300 medical and support personnel and provides services for the U.S. Government as well as commercial entities nationwide. Luke has expanded into engineering, information technology and consulting/advisory services for the military and commercial entities.

In 2010, Luke earned the No. three spot out of the INC 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. Luke placed No. one in government services for the United States, the second-largest business sector and first in generating jobs.

For more information on Luke & Associates, Inc., visit http://www.lukeassoc.com.

About Tommy Baldwin Racing:

Tommy Baldwin Racing was formed in 2009 by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crew Chief Tommy Baldwin. Baldwin utilized a slumping economy to open a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team with a stringent budget. The team competed in two full seasons with multiple drivers behind the wheel of the No. 36 Chevrolet and improved in the standings each year.

Based in Mooresville, N.C., TBR will compete in the full NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule in 2011 with NASCAR veteran Dave Blaney piloting the No. 36 Golden Corral Chevrolet. Looking to improve on-track performance, TBR found success early in the 2011 season with partners Golden Corral, Big Red and Accell Construction. TBR’s driver development program, Heinke-Baldwin Racing, will also compete in various NASCAR series in 2011.

For more information on Tommy Baldwin Racing, visit tommybaldwinracing.com or follow us on Facebook, facebook.com/TBR.HBR, and Twitter, twitter.com/TBR_Racing.

Avett Brothers July 9 Concert from Red Rocks to be Simulcast Live On World’s

CONCORD, N.C. (June 23, 2011) – Charlotte Motor Speedway will add

another fabulous first to its legacy on July 9 when the world’s largest HDTV

airs a live simulcast concert by American Recordings artists, the Avett

Brothers, from the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Co.

The simulcast will give local Avett Brothers fans the opportunity to

view the live show on Charlotte Motor Speedway’s massive 80-foot-by-200-foot

HDTV. The speedway will also supply concert-grade speakers for the event, to

turn the infield area in front of the HDTV into a one-of-a-kind concert

venue.

“The speedway has been a hometown landmark for us our whole lives

and we’re proud to have an opportunity for our music to echo through that

historical infield,” said Seth Avett. “For us, performing at Red Rocks and

airing live in Concord is about the most ideal situation for being in two

amazing places at once.”

The Avett Brothers front men, Scott and Seth Avett, who grew up on

their father’s farm in Concord, quickly grew their fan base throughout the

Charlotte, N.C., region with memorable energetic shows, which has become the

band’s trademark.

The Avetts’ popularity skyrocketed on the heels on their major label

debut, the 2009 album “I and Love and You.” Recently, the band has become

accustomed to performing sold-out concerts and in February they performed at

the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles alongside Bob Dylan.

“We are so fortunate to travel and play the many places we do,” said

Scott Avett. “To have an opportunity to share that with our supportive home

town in a setting where great men like Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and

David Pearson competed adds to the sense of pride that we feel to be a part

of the Charlotte community and this event at Charlotte Motor Speedway.”

“This is going to be an unbelievable event,” said Marcus Smith,

president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. “This is

something that would have never been possible without the world’s largest

HDTV. But, now we’re going to simulcast a live sold-out show from one of the

most famous concert venues in the world, featuring our home-town boys, the

Avett Brothers, to their loyal fan following here in Charlotte. It’s going

to be awesome!”

Speedway gates for the live simulcast on Saturday, July 9, will open

at 8 p.m. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are scheduled to begin at 9:30

p.m. with the Avett Brothers scheduled to perform around 11 p.m.

Tickets for the July 9 simulcast on the world’s largest HDTV at

Charlotte Motor Speedway are on sale now and can be purchased at the

speedway ticket office or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Tickets are only

$10 until July 1, when they will increase to $15 until July 8. Tickets

purchased the day of the event, July 9, will cost $20.

Tickets for October races at Charlotte Motor Speedway are on sale

now and can be purchased online at http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by

calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267). The Coca-Cola

Four Pack includes tickets, hot dogs and Coca-Cola drinks starting at just

$39.75 per person.

Connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway on Twitter at

http://www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or become a Facebook fan at

http://www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.

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