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.

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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INAUGURAL KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES QUAKER STATE 400 SELLS OUT

 

Infield Pit Road Club and standing room only tickets are on sale now

SPARTA, Ky. – Kentucky Speedway announces it has sold out the 107,000 grandstand tickets available for the inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series “Quaker State 400.”

Fans who wish to witness NASCAR history July 9 can still take advantage of the speedway’s Pit Road Club that offers an infield view of the race action from behind pit road wall or $60 standing room only tickets that will provide access to the Turn 1 and Turn 4 concourses.

Both can be purchased at http://www.kentuckyspeedway.com or by phone at 888-652-7223 and 859-578-2300.

“Selling out the inaugural ‘Quaker State 400’ with more than a week before the event is a great testament to this market and our fans. Our packed stands will combine with overflowing corporate display, hospitality and camping to create an electric atmosphere as we make Kentucky sports history,” Kentucky Speedway General Manager Mark Simendinger said.

The speedway’s sold out exterior and infield campgrounds will open on Tuesday, July 5 at noon. Fans still seeking race week campsites can visit http://www.kentuckyspeedway.com and click “Camping” in the top navigation bar for a listing of campgrounds offering good options within walking distance of the speedway and in the surrounding area.

Race week festivities begin Wednesday, July 6, when NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team haulers visit Cincinnati, Ohio, Lexington, Ky., and Louisville, Ky.

Roush Fenway Racing (RFR) haulers will visit Fourth Street Live! in downtown Louisville from 11:30 a.m., to 1:00 p.m.; Cincinnati fans can meet Mayor Mark Mallory while viewing Joe Gibbs Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing team haulers at the corner of Fifth St., and Race St., near the Millennium Hotel from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; and Lexington, Ky., will play host to 35 to 40 haulers at Hamburg Place at 2350 Grey Lag Way from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., before they depart on a 12-mile parade that will traverse the city by way of Sir Barton Way, Winchester Rd., Midland Ave., E. Main St., and Newtown Pike.

Kentucky Speedway’s first NASCAR tripleheader weekend opens Thursday, July 7 with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series “UNOH 225” and additionally features the NASCAR Nationwide Series “Feed The Children 300” on Friday, July 8. Tickets for both events can be reserved through the Kentucky Speedway Web site and ticket office phone numbers.

New NASCAR-Themed ESPN “It’s Not Crazy, It’s Sports” Spot Debuts Friday

The latest spot from ESPN’s “It’s Not Crazy, It’s Sports” campaign celebrates the connection of NASCAR fans to the car number of their favorite drivers.

 

In the spot, Jeff Gordon fans incorporate his number 24 into their everyday lives, in decorations and license plates and even in a child’s mashed potatoes. The commercial features the theme song from the classic racing movie “Six Pack” and was created by Wieden+Kennedy New York.

 

The spot debuts on ESPN networks on Friday, July 1, and is the 13th in ESPN’s ongoing “It’s Not Crazy, It’s Sports” campaign, which launched in 2010.

 

ESPN’s live telecasts of the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races of the season begin with the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 31, at 1 p.m. ET.

Visit http://www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.

 

 

 

About NASCAR on ESPN:

 

ESPN produces comprehensive, multi-platform coverage featuring telecasts of the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Additionally, ESPN2 is the television home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series. ESPN’s NASCAR coverage extends to ESPN.com, SportsCenter, ESPN the Magazine, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio and ESPN International, among other ESPN platforms. ESPN aired 262 NASCAR Cup Races over a 20-year period starting in 1981 and returned to NASCAR coverage in 2007. The network’s award-winning, live flag-to-flag coverage on ESPN has been honored with 19 Sports Emmy Awards, as well as many industry honors. It is widely credited for helping to popularize the sport nationwide.

 

 

 

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TBR Makes Steps Toward Growth

Hires seven crew members; Philippe Lopez to crew chief Blaney

 

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. (June 30, 2011) – Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) recently hired seven key crewmembers for both the No. 35 and 36 teams. With the addition of the second-team, owner Tommy Baldwin hired crew chief Philippe Lopez for the No. 36 Chevrolet. The new hires allowed for shifting to create two solid teams. All teams will work their first races together in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway this weekend.

 

“We have recently hired seven more people and put them in the areas they need to be to make our program better,” explained Baldwin. “Philippe is a well-respected crew chief, and someone I can trust to do a good job for TBR. I’m excited that now this allows me to dedicate more time toward the future of TBR from both the competition and business sides.”

 

Lopez previously worked with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) drivers Darrell Waltrip, Ward Burton, Steve Park and Blaney. Lopez and Baldwin also worked together, as they were co-crew chiefs at Bill Davis Racing. Lopez collected four top-fives, 13 top-10s and one pole throughout his 15-year NSCS career.

 

“I’m excited to be with TBR,” explained Lopez. “I have always worked with underdogs. I really enjoy the challenge. I look forward to helping the team grow to where I see it can. I have a lot of respect for Tommy. We both started programs two years ago. He started TBR, and I started with Nemco. He has weathered the storm and turned a start-and-park program into a full-time team. He’s really the only one to do that.”

 

“Tommy and I work really well together because we are such opposites,” he continued. “Together, we made good co-crew chiefs. I would settle him down, and he would rile me up. We evened each other out. I look forward to continuing that relationship.”

 

Lopez will reunite with Dave Blaney for a third time. The pair previously worked together in 2005 at Richard Childress Racing and 2001 at Bill Davis Racing. The twosome made 26 starts and collected two top-10 finishes.

 

“I’m really happy to be back with Philippe,” explained Blaney. “We worked together a couple of times, and we have a really good relationship.”

 

“It’s cool to be back with Dave. We had a lot of success right off the bat. We had three top-15 finishes in our first four starts together at Bill Davis. We just clicked. We worked together again later at RCR and almost won at Dover.”

 

In addition to the personnel changes, TBR is also making changes on the competition side by taking the first steps to developing their own chassis.

 

“I am really excited about the state of TBR right now,” explained Baldwin. “We are quickly moving forward with our progress on the competition side. We have completed our first phase of wind tunnel testing with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and now have the direction we need to further along our program in that department. We have also just purchased an RCR car that we will be racing next week in Kentucky. While all this has been going on, we have completed the drawings for our first TBR-designed chassis. We will start building it next week with the goal of debuting in the September New Hampshire race.”

 

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.

Harrington to make NNS debut with WareRacing at Road America

Rick Ware Racing (RWR) is proud to announce that current Trans Am and Rolex Grand Am Series driver, Doug Harrington will pilot the #41New Orleans Voodoo Ford Mustang at Elkhart Lake Wisconsin’s, Road America this weekend.

Harrington joined Rick Ware Racing over the winter as theorganization made its debut at Daytona International Speedway for the running of the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in the GT Class finishing an impressive 11th.

“Harrington impressed us all during the tests and in the race. He is really quick and shouldadapt very smoothly to the heavier Nationwide Series cars,” stated Rick Ware.

Harrington recently finished second at VIR last month in hisown Trans Am Series car in preparation for the Bucyrus 200 at Road America.

“I have always wanted to race in NASCAR and thanks to RWRand the Arena Football Leagues, New Orleans Voodoo, I have the opportunity tocompete against NASCAR’s elite road racers,” said Harrington.

The Arena Football League’s, New Orleans Voodoo will be also making their debut in a cross marketing program set up with Rick Ware Racing.

“The paint scheme is awesome for the New Orleans Voodoo and we look to represent them well this weekend. We had the pleasure of visiting a home game last month and the fans arepumped to see their teams colors turn left and right this weekend,” claimedWare.

Action gets underway on Friday, June 24th at 1:00pm EST with Nationwide Series practice. Qualifying is scheduled to begin on Saturday at 3:05pm EST with the race at 5:30pm EST.

For more information please visit http://www.wareracing.com or follow the team on twitter @rickwareracing

Tanner Foust Wins AWD RallyCross

Foust claims battle for second when a crash from behindpropels him across finish line

 

FOUNTAIN, Colo. – June18, 2011 – Friday afternoon Marcus Gronholm finished second in the SuperRally competition to Tanner Foust. The second-place podium served as an inspiration for the two-time WRC champion. The next day, Gronholm came out to dominate – , he topped qualifying and led the final race flag-to-flag to deliver Fiesta another Global RallyCross Championship victory in the AWD RallyCross, this time at Pikes Peak International Raceway.

 

“It was a goodfinish,” said Gronholm. “Everything is about the start here and I made it in front of Tanner and therefore I could turn in first into the corner and that was the key. “Once you are in front you can do your own driving and I knew that we were fast and I could choose my own lines. Plus we were lucky in that we didn’t hit anybody. I saw that Tanner had fallen behind, but I didn’t know thathe had crashed at the finish line.”

 

GRC championship leader Tanner Foust claimed second after his Rockstar Fiesta was punted across the timing line by Michael Jernberg. At first there was uncertainty if either car had finished but RallyCross Race Control confirmed Foust the second place finisher giving Ford and Fiesta a 1-2 finish, a result which is currently under review.

 

Foust’s epic battle with Jernberg in the RallyCross finale was an embodiment of RallyCross as a sport. It appeared Foust had narrowly topped the Swedish driver, when the Fiesta won a hard-fought battle into the final turn. However Jernberg’s desperation move spun both cars off the track as Foust brushed past the finish line, knocking over the scoring pylon as he went.

 

In the normal post-race confusion that was enhanced by the spectacular collision at the finish line, after Global RallyCross race control confirmed Foust as the second-place finisher and the podium celebration continued. Shortly thereafter Global Rally Cross Race Control put the result under official review pending a review of available video and photographical evidence. That review is ongoing and official results are not expected until Sunday or Monday.

 

“That was not the ideal finish,” said Foust the defending XGames champion who narrowly missed clinching the GRC championship this weekend.“We all knew that part of the track had some danger built into it as the cars came together. “ I saw Jernberg coming I could hear Ted (Foust spotter) in the microphone screaming “push, push push.” I came through and I tried to stay inmy lane but I knew I had a nose on him at least. He caught my back tire, he said he came through ‘a little bit hot,’ and we both ended up shooting off theside of the track. Unfortunately there was a big concrete wall off the side ofthe track. I went off and saw the concrete wall and I learned some new words in Swedish from my spotter on the radio. The Fiesta bounced on the wall and kind of pirouetted and then it landed. Luckily it didn’t go over. They say the caris fixable for X Games. So I claimed second place backwards. We will take it.”

 

In March Gronholm swept the season-opening weekend at Irwindale and after missing Round 2 in Snoqualmie, Wash., the WRC legend returned in his Best Buy Fiesta. Gronholm’s second-place finish to Tanner Foustin the Friday SuperRally, was the first time the native of Finland had lost a heat in the GRC. He quickly regained his form on Saturday.

 

Gronholm came back with a vengeance and posted a qualifyinglap of 52.51 seconds as he crushed the competition in qualifying, edging his teammates Foust (52.9 sec.) and Brian Deegan (53.47 sec.) who were second andthird overall. When the AWD A Main Final started Gronholm was quickest off the line and drove away running a flawless race en route to his second RallyCrossand third win overall in the GRC.

 

Brian Deegan qualified third for the A Main Final and wasrunning in the top four when a mechanical issue sidelined his Metal MulishaRockstar Fiesta. He finished eighth in the final race.

 

The Global RallyCross Championship will return to action at XGames 17 July 28-31 in Los Angeles. Invitations to X Games are expected to beissued in the next ten days and Foust, Gronholm and Deegan are all expected to participate.

 

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About Ford North America Motorsports

 

Ford North America Motorsports, based in Dearborn, Mich., is responsible for major racing operations in North America, including NASCAR (Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series, Camping World Trucks), Grand American sports car racing, NHRA drag racing, RallyCar and USAC midget car racing. The department also oversees the development and marketing of Ford Racing Engines and Performance Parts, the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts, and the marketing of the Ford Racing brand. For more information regarding Ford Racing’s activities, please visit http://www.fordracing.com.