Dave Franks' photos from Daytona (Friday)

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - Dave Franks sent me some shots from Daytona Int'l Speedway yesterday and gave me permission to post them online. Click on this link for the full gallery. Thanks Dave!

SOURCE: Bosox group buys half of Roush's NASCAR operation

It was announced a while back that Jack Roush was in negotiations to sell half of his NASCAR team to a group led by Boston Red Sox owner John Henry. Looks like they got it done.

But then there's the small matter that you can't watch ESPN in Canada...

This is from a story in today's Toronto Star, by Rick Matsumoto, on the rosy future of Champ Car and the Grand Prix of Toronto.

(Steve) Johnson (Champ Car President) also feels Champ Car's new multi-year television package, which includes ESPN and three major U.S. networks, will help attract more sponsors.
"That will show (sponsors) that Champ Car is back," he said. "We're healthier in '07 than we were in '06 and we'll be even healthier in '08. But it's one of those things that's going to be a building process over several years."

As if DEI isn't going to sign him...

I don't know for sure, but I would suspect that it would take about 3 seconds for Budweiser to follow Little E out the door to RCR and the #3 car if Teresa Earnhardt doesn't sign him to a contract for 2008 and beyond.

Do you think she and her people don't know that, too?

TSN has a story about an upcoming chat between the two sides here.

RACELINE RADIO NETWORK WINS EMPA AGAIN!

(Congratulations to everyone at Raceline! --- GM)

Burlington Ontario: RACELINE RADIO, still Canada’s only nationally syndicated motorsport magazine radio program, has scored yet another major international broadcast journalism award, winning the “Best Radio Show” category in the 2006 Journalism Contest staged annually by the Eastern Motorsport Press Association, and sponsored by Performance Racing Industry Magazine.

Their “NASCAR buys CASCAR” September 17, 2006 broadcast took top honours in the EMPA contest against entries from radio shows and networks across Canada and The United States.

“We’ve entered this very prestigious contest since RACELINE RADIO launched in 1993, and we’ve been fortunate enough to win the radio division, or finished runner-up in the judging at least 13 times. As we enter our 15th year on the air, this tells us our initial concept still works!”, boasted RACELINE RADIO Anchor, Writer and Producer Erik Tomas.

“And again, we certainly share this award with every one of our affiliate stations along the RACELINE RADIO NETWORK. Special thanks also goes to our head Technical Producer Brad Hoffman, Programmers Jeff Storey, Rick Zamperin and the Production and Engineering staff at our Network Flagship station AM 900 CHML Hamilton, and of course to our Assistant Affiliate Coordinator Wendy Taylor!”, Tomas added.

“ET and everyone involved with the show can take another well deserved bow!”,
commented RACELINE RADIO NETWORK Executive Producer John Massingberd. “We enter these journalism contests to gauge RACELINE RADIO against similar shows in Canada and the States. Competition keeps you sharp. Erik and the crew have sustained the excellence of this show over a 14 year span. It’s something we’re very proud of and we know our loyal sponsors share that pride. They’re right there with us presenting one of the best motorsport radio shows on the air!” Massingberd continued.

The RACELINE RADIO NETWORK airs year-round, coast-to-coast in Canada. Flagshipped out of AM 900 CHML Hamilton, markets include: Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal, Fredericton, Windsor, Kitchener, Sudbury, Niagara Falls, Sarnia, Peterborough, Truro, New Maryland and Oromocto.

Network broadcast partners include: Subaru Canada, Texaco-Havoline, Tissot Swiss Watches, and Inside Track Motorsport News.

From Raceline

DELAWARE: General Meeting Scheduled for Thursday, February 8

From Delaware Speedway's main page:

ATTENTION TEAMS, DRIVERS, SPONSORS, STAFF AND FANS:

All teams, drivers, sponsors, staff and interested fans are encouraged to attend a Speedway General Meeting this Thursday, February 8, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the the Four Points Sheraton hotel in London, ON.

The hotel is at 1150 Wellington Rd. South (London).

Everyone is invited to attend this meeting. Registrations will also be available.

WHEN: Thursday, February 8, 2007 @ 7 p.m.

WHERE: Four Points Sheraton Hotel // 1150 Wellington Rd. South, London

(Delaware's Jeff Wilcox called to note that all four of the track's owners will be in attendance at the meeting.)

EDMONTON INT’L RACEWAY ANNOUNCES NEW TITLE SPONSOR

EDMONTON, AB – Edmonton Int’l Raceway (EIR) is proud to announce that Lucas Oil Products have come on board as the title sponsor for the NASCAR Late Models competing in the Whelen All-American Series at EIR.

Lucas Oil is one of the fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry and hosts a premium line of motor oils, motorcycle oils, greases and problem solving additives. Along with this sponsorship, Lucas Oil is awarding a $10,000 points fund to the Lucas Oil NASCAR Late Models racing at EIR, this will be in addition to the NASCAR year-end contingency and points fund money totaling over $30,000 (Canadian) and is still growing, making this the highest paying year-end points fund for an asphalt Late Model Class in Alberta.

The Lucas Oil EIR NASCAR Late Model Series provides Late Model racers the opportunity to compete for a Provincial & International NASCAR Championship Title by racing at their local track. This is part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series is North America’s number one weekly short track program with thousands of competitors racing at over 50 premier facilities across the U.S. and Canada.

The Lucas Oil NASCAR Late Models will debut on May 12th, 2007 at Edmonton Int’l Raceway, located 30 minutes south of Edmonton, Alberta. A full schedule and additional information is available on our website www.edmontonraceway.com

Submitted by: Loretta Thiering // Edmonton Int’l Raceway