FLAMBORO: Oktoberfest conclusion postponed to Oct. 21

From Flamboro Speedway's website:

We regret to inform that due to the unsettled weather conditions this weekends race program is postponed until Saturday, October 21.
Pits open at 10:00 am
Racing Starts at 3:00 pm.

Kendall Hebert's mother responds....

In a piece in today's Toronto Star Wheels section, Beth Hebert says that her daughter Kendall did not die in vain. The article is in response to Norris McDonald's article one week ago.

ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT: Castrol Oil

Castrol Oil

STICKY POST: This will be the top post until Friday, October 13. Check below for current news.

GREAT NEWS: Benny Parsons announces he's "cancer free"

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Lowe’s named legendary race car driver and NBC broadcaster Benny Parsons the honorary millionth member of the Team Lowe’s Racing Fan Club on Friday. With almost a million members, the fan club is one of the largest, if not the largest racing fan club in the world.

“Benny symbolizes what is good about the sport of NASCAR and why we think our customers have joined the fan club and made it one of the biggest racing fans clubs around,” said Bob Gfeller, senior vice-president at Lowe’s. “It’s a natural fit to select someone who has given so much to NASCAR as our honorary millionth member.”

Lowe’s Chevrolet driver Jimmie Johnson and Rick Hendrick joined Parsons at the Team Lowe’s Racing Fan Experience on Friday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway where Johnson presented Parsons with a framed cover of a special issue of Track Record – the quarterly fan club magazine.

“Benny is one of my heroes,” Johnson said. “I’ve also gotten to know him over the years and I am glad to call him my friend.”

Lowe’s also made a $10,000 donation in Parsons’ name to the Blumenthal Cancer Center which serves western North Carolina as well as the southeastern United States.

The Blumenthal Center has played a key role in helping Parsons in his fight with lung cancer. Parson’s Oncologist Steven A. Limentani attended Friday’s ceremony and accepted the check on behalf of the Blumenthal Cancer Center.

“This is an honor for me,” said the 65-year-old Parsons who owns 21 Nextel Cup victories over his 21-year career. “It’s hard to believe a fan club in NASCAR could generate a million members and to be the honorary millionth member is gratifying. I certainly appreciate the support racers like Jimmie, fans, and sponsors have shown me over my career and especially in the last few months. Lowe’s donation is certainly appreciated and I hope it will do a lot of good for people fighting cancer.”

Parsons said Limentani gave him “the best news ever” this week.

“Three months ago my family doctor called me into his office and told me I had lung cancer. So Rick Hendrick told me if I was going to fight cancer you have to get Steve Limentani. He helped Rick through his leukemia ten years ago. So we did. The last three months we have been battling the disease. Then Wednesday I had a scan and he called me Wednesday afternoon with the best news…..the cancer is gone…see ya.”

The Team Lowe’s Racing Fan Club expects to surpass the million member mark during October. Members receive a free subscription to Track Record – the official fan club magazine four times a year - plus behind-the-scenes race coverage of race weekends, email updates, and members-only discounts on Team Lowe's Merchandise. Club members can interact with Team Lowe's Racing fans across the world on members-only message boards.

To watch a portion of Parsons announcement go to http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7618450354159890482&hl=en

To join the Team Lowe’s Racing fan club go to http://www.lowesracing.com/.

Your morning laugh

CASCAR, er, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series racer Jeff Lapcevich sent along this picture of a "horrific F1 accident....."

Elliott critical of NASCAR on safety

In Bill Elliott's new book, he points the finger at NASCAR, accusing them of "sticking their heads in the sand" when it comes to safety.

There's a link to a story on the piece here.

Sportsnet has more on Elliott's book here.

Flamboro: Oktoberfest Finale this Saturday

Lucas Oil Flamboro Speedway will hold the second half of its Oktoberfest Classic this Saturday.

WHEN: Saturday October 14, 2006

Last chance qualifying for Late Model, Ltd. Late Model and Thunder Car. Qualifying for OSCAAR Super Late Models.

Feature Races 100 laps for Late Models, 50 laps for Ltd Late Models, 40 laps for Thunder cars, 30 lap Mini Stocks Feature, two 25 lap races for Canadian Vintage Modifieds and 50 laps for OSCAAR Super Late Models.

Pits open at 10:00 am Racing Starts at 2:00 pm.

Motocross star Ricky Carmichael signs with NASCAR's MB2 team

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Ricky Carmichael, a 15-time American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) national champion and holder of a record 144 career wins in Supercross and motocross, is moving to NASCAR. On Thursday, he announced a multi-year agreement with the Bobby Ginn-owned MB2 Motorsports operation, which fields NEXTEL Cup Series teams with Joe Nemechek and Sterling Marlin.

But even with his stock car aspirations, Carmichael is not forgetting about continuing his success at Daytona International Speedway where he owns a record five Daytona Supercross by Honda victories.

While he starts a developmental program in 2007 that will consist of events in late model stock cars, ARCA and possibly the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the 26-year-old Carmichael is also planning on competing in an abbreviated Supercross and Motocross schedule with Team Makita Suzuki Racing.

He says defending his Daytona Supercross By Honda victory on Friday night, March 10 is one of the items at the top of his to-do list.

"That’s probably one of my most favorite races that I do all year,” Carmichael said. “I’m definitely looking forward to it. I’ve got it penciled in on my Supercross schedule. I’m looking forward to it. I love that race. That’s my favorite race."

When he captured his record fifth Daytona Supercross By Honda in 2006 breaking Jeff Stanton’s mark, Carmichael admitted he was a little bit distracted by the intimating 31-degree high banks of DIS.

"When we go there for that race, we park our transporters coming up for the tri-oval there,” Carmichael said. “It’s hard for me to focus on the motorcycle race because it’s such a dream of mine to get out there in a stock car on that track. Especially this year, when I wanted to get something going in NASCAR, that’s all I could think about the whole time I was there. Man, I would just love to get in a stock car out there.”

From Daytona Int'l Speedway

CSC Racing: Roll Cage holds up at Targa Newfoundland

During the recent Targa Newfoundland, competitors Arnold Hoar and Greg Turner had a major incident in their Toyota Echo. Fortunately they emerged largely unscathed. The pair credit their CSC Racing Products roll cage for their safety.

Below are some photos of the wreck, as well as a letter from Arnold Hoar to CSC, thanking them for the quality of their products.

Here are some other comments from the CSC site...

David Ragan named to replace Mark Martin in Roush's #6 for 2007

CONCORD, N.C. (Oct. 11, 2006) - Roush Racing today announced that David Ragan will be the full-time driver of the team's flagship No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion in 2007. The No. 6 has been the foundation of the Roush Racing stable, dating back to Jack Roush's beginning into NASCAR's premier series in 1988.

"We are very pleased to have David Ragan going into the No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion next season," said Jack Roush. "David is a driver with outstanding talent and as a result of his actions he is the young man I selected to fill the seat. The No. 6 is obviously a special car to me personally and this organization and we are confident in David's ability to step up and get the job done."

Ragan currently shares the No. 6 Scotts Ford F-150 with Mark Martin and also pilots the No. 50 Roush Racing Ford F-150. Ragan started his first career Nextel Cup race at Dover three weeks ago. He is set to make four more starts in the Nextel Cup Series in 2006 and will make his first start in the No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion in next season's famed Daytona 500.

"This is a tremendous opportunity and I look forward to racing on behalf of AAA's millions of loyal members in 2007. Obviously, I've got big shoes to fill and quite a legacy to follow, but I look forward to the challenge and the next chapter of the No. 6 race team," said Ragan.

"AAA has great confidence in Jack Roush and his entire organization, including their selection of David Ragan as the promising new driver of the No. 6 AAA car," said Kristin Warfield, director AAA Motorsports.
We look forward to cheering David on as he competes in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup racing for the first time, and to introducing him to our members and other race fans at tracks and special appearances throughout the coming year."

Ragan has one pole and six top-10 finishes in 15 starts in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2006. He will make his next Cup start at Martinsville Speedway on October 22nd.

###
Contact: Kevin Woods, Roush Racing

Kasey Kahne to fly MOPAR's "Midnight Camo" scheme at Lowe's this Saturday

Center Line, Mich. — When Evernham Motorsports' Kasey Kahne rolls off the starting grid for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event at Lowe's Motor Speedway this weekend, the No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger will have race fans seeing blue. Midnight blue camouflage, that is. For the third consecutive year, Kahne's car will carry a Mopar paint scheme in the fall event at Charlotte.



"The Mopar Blue Camo paint scheme on the No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger will be spectacular under the lights at Lowe's Motor Speedway," Kahne said. "This is a cool paint scheme; a different look for the No. 9 Dodge. It would be great to take the Mopar Dodge Charger to victory lane in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series at one of our favorite racetracks. We know how to win at LMS. We won the Coca-Cola 600 in May."

Kahne will look to earn his sixth NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series victory of the season at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Saturday. He drove Mopar's colors to the lead at Charlotte in both 2004 and 2005, before tire issues both years prematurely ended his hopes for a victory. Kahne won the Coca-Cola 600 event at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May of this year, and he'll be looking to return to victory lane again on Saturday.

NEXTEL CUP: Apparently Brian Vickers didn't get the memo....

You know, the one saying that it's OK for Earnhardt to spin you out on the final lap, but not the other way around.

And because he didn't get the memo, he needs extra security this weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) - Lowe's Motor Speedway is beefing up security for driver Brian Vickers after angry race fans called the track to complain that Vickers wrecked Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson on the last lap at Talladega.

Beaming in victory lane, Vickers didn't do much to calm people down, using the standard "I hate that it happened...." line. Talk about rubbing a little salt into the wound.

''I got into Jimmie and I hate it,'' Vickers said. ''The last thing I wanted to do was wreck either one of those guys, but what happened, happened. It wasn't intentional.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

What a great way to let yourself off the hook for something bad.....

"I hate that I robbed that guy's house and stole all his stuff..."

"I hate that I had an affair with my best friend's wife.... It wasn't intentional."

How convenient.

Seriously, though, NASCAR couldn't really do anything about Vickers' win after it has established time and time again that just about anything goes in the final laps.

In Cup, take-outs are racin'.

Inside Track - Sunday mixed bag

It looks like a great day for the finale of the Autumn Colours Classic at Peterborough Speedway this afternoon. John Fletcher will clinch his first OSCAAR crown by starting the race, so not even a flat tire can spoil his run.

Michael Schumacher's hope for another F1 title blew up today in Japan. His only chance is to win in Brazil and have Alonso score no points to win the championship in a tie-breaker (wins).

Was at the CASCAR Super Series / Sportsman Series banquet on Friday night in London. The tone was extremely positive, especially when compared to years passed. Teams have been told to watch for a 2007 NASCAR Cdn. Tire Series sked in early November, which would be about four months better than it's been. The series is also promising a media kit to the racers (at around the same time) to help them sell their programs.

Lots of tributes to Tony Novotny for getting the series so far. Peter Cadiou was honoured by the Novotnys for all his years of service. Most believe that Peter is the only person to have been at every single Super Series race over the years.

There were also lots of 'old timers' there, including original tech guy Louie Bennett and longtime series administrator Chris Hughes.

J.R. Fitzpatrick was toasted with milk (he's not old enough to drink) as part of his recognition for being the final CASCAR Super Series champion. Sportsman champ Shawn McGlynn and Super Series Rookie of the Year Jason Hathaway joined Fitzpatrick in delivering solid acceptance speeches.

There was also a large DaimlerChrsyler / Dodge / MOPAR contingent on hand to celebrate their second consecutive Manufacturers' Cup award.

I haven't seen the ARCA race (because I was at the banquet), but word spread quickly at the party that Pete Shepherd was running in fourth-place with 20 to go when he was involved in 'the big one' at Talladega.

Everyone's still in shock over Mark Martin leaving Roush to drive for another Cup team in 2007. One option that hasn't come up anywhere (that I've seen) was offered by Louie Bennett, at the banquet. Maybe Martin is feathering a bed for his son Matt at another team... an opportunity that Roush wouldn't offer the second-generation racer. Makes as much sense as anything else.

Speaking of Roush, it sounds as though Jack Roush and Geoff Smith have a different idea on whether or not Jacques Villeneuve might drive for the NASCAR team next season.

JACK ROUSH, Owner-Roush Racing - IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO THE RUMOR THAT JACQUES VILLENEUVE MIGHT DRIVE A ROUSH VEHICLE NEXT YEAR? "That's a possibility. I know we're in discussions. He came to see us in Detroit and he's been in Charlotte and had discussion around our program and what he can do and the rate of which he could get up to speed. If he's got the stomach for it and if we can find the sponsorship for it, that's certainly a possibility."

GEOFF SMITH, President Roush Racing - IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO THE RUMOR THAT JACQUES VILLENEUVE MIGHT DRIVE A ROUSH VEHICLE NEXT YEAR? "The report came over and was translated from Italian, poorly. I didn't really understand what it said, but if it said that he was going to be in a Roush Racing Cup car, the answer is no, we're full up. If the question is whether he's poked around the garage looking for possible opportunities in NASCAR, the answer is yes. I also think it would be fun and exciting for a 35-year-old Formula 1 world champion to be here. But, we do not have a place in our Cup stable. We are constrained. We can only have five. If would could have six, the next announcement that they're about to make would be different."

Hmm....

That's it for now. See some of you at Peterborough, I'm sure.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!