NASCAR: Stewarts Goes Face to Face with Goodyear's Stu Grant

BRISTOL, Tenn., (March 14, 2008) – The following are statements from NASCAR driver Tony Stewart and Goodyear General Manager of Worldwide Racing Stu Grant, respectively, following a meeting between the two this afternoon at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Tony Stewart:

“I’m glad the weather gave us a break in the schedule that allowed us to meet this afternoon, and I appreciate Stu taking the time to meet with me. We’re hoping that Goodyear will now work with us a little better on the racing side of things and rely on our input a little more, because we are the ones driving the cars. It was a good meeting, but at the end of the day, it’s up to Goodyear to make it right. If having this meeting helps to make things better down the road, then this meeting was a success.

“My comments last week (following the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway) were made in frustration and made to get Goodyear’s attention. But what I overlooked when I made those comments was that they affected people who had nothing to do with the racing program. I want to apologize to the people who work in the factories and the union workers at Goodyear. We realize that they’re working hard just like everybody else, and we realize that Goodyear as a whole works hard too. But our comments last week were not meant to offend those people, because they’re not the ones making the decisions about the racing tires we use here at the track.

“A lot of the people that Goodyear brings to the track aren’t necessarily engineers and they don’t make the decisions on what compounds and constructions (of tires) that we’ll race on, but they’re the people who are here as early as the teams are and leave as late as the teams do because they’re here mounting and dismounting tires and unloading and loading trucks. A lot of those people have become friends over the years, and that’s another group of people we didn’t mean to offend with our comments. Our comments were strong to get somebody’s attention high up in corporate at Goodyear. It wasn’t meant to offend anyone else.”

Stu Grant:

“I was very pleased with the meeting that I had with Tony. It was an excellent meeting. It was constructive. It was extremely worthwhile to sit down and have a discussion with him. Tony was able to express his concerns and I listened to his concerns. I was able to explain our process, and we both talked about how moving forward, we can improve the process of developing tires for NASCAR Sprint Cup racing together.”

NASCAR: Carpentier Humbled Again by Mother Nature

For the second time this year Mother Nature turned her back on Patrick Carpentier, the driver of the No. 10 Valvoline Dodge. However, this time the old gal may have spared the affable Canadian a bit of embarrassment.

Carpentier, 44th fastest in practice, was going to need a minor miracle to find the half-tenth of a second needed on the high-banked half mile to grab one of the 43 starting spots for the Sharpie 500 scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

Jeff Green, in the No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford and John Andretti, in the #34 Chevrolet were also locked out of the event. Andretti was 11th fastest in practice and Green ninth fastest, almost guarantees they would have made the race had qualify gone off as scheduled.

Performance World Show this weekend

Scott Murfin of Can-Alignment sent along some pictures of his car, which will be at Performance World this weekend. Thanks Scott and have a great show!

As an FYI to people who usually visit the Inside Track booth at Performance World Custom Car and Truck Show, we won't have a presence at the show this year.
We've decided to diversify our promotional efforts to include different shows and venues, especially those that focus on motorsports.
But to everyone who is there, we wish them a successful show.

NHRA: Gainesville / Gatornationals qualifying washed out for Friday

From NHRA
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The first day of qualifying for the 39th annual ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals, the third of 24 races in the NHRA POWERade Series, was cancelled after persistent rain Friday at Gainesville Raceway. Action will resume on Saturday with professional qualifying rounds scheduled for noon and 2:30 p.m.

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series: Thomson stays 'Home' for the next three years

Continuing one of the longest running sponsorship arrangements in Canadian racing, Fitzpatrick Motorsports driver Don Thomson Jr. and Home Hardware have reached an agreement for their partnership to continue for the next three seasons in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (NCATS).

"We're thrilled to be continuing to work with the great people at Home Hardware" said driver of the #4 Home Hardware Chevrolet Don Thomson Jr. "The toughest part was coordinating schedules to get everyone face to face so we could finalize all of the details. Once we all got together everything came together very quickly and the support that Home Hardware is giving us with this new long term deal is fantastic. It really says a lot about their commitment to Fitzpatrick Motorsports and this series. I can't thank them enough".

While the racing competition doesn't begin for a couple of months Don Thomson Jr. and the Home Hardware team have been hard at work preparing two new cars for this years thirteen race schedule. "Our new oval track car is completed and all painted up and ready to go as soon as the snow clears" said Thomson. "We still have a bit of work to do on the new road course car".

This hard work day in and day out during the off season is one of the reasons that the Home Hardware Chevrolet is a front runner every weekend at the track. Last season Thomson claimed victory in the first ever NCATS race at Cayuga Speedway and also claimed the win at Mosport Speedway. In twelve events last year Thomson was on the podium four times and the Home Hardware team also collected a total of eight top-ten finishes. "We were pretty pleased with the overall results last year, but we fell a bit short in the championship and that's what the Home Hardware team is focused on for this season" said Thomson.

The #4 Home Hardware Chevrolet team will be back to defend their title in the first NCATS event of the season at Cayuga Speedway on Saturday May 24th. The 2008 NCATS schedule has expanded to thirteen events this year run on ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits across Canada. You can watch all thirteen races this season on TSN. For information about the NCATS including schedule, results and more, log onto www.nascar.ca

This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment // Photo of Don Thomson winning the NCATS race at Cayuga in 2007 by Greg MacPherson / Inside Track

New Helmet from Pyrotect

Pyrotect’s newest addition to their helmets line is the new Flat Black SA and M rated helmets available in both Full Face and Open Face Models. Prices starting @ $98.00 US http://www.pyrotect.com/

Edmonton IRL / NCATS date scenario?

From a little bird...

As you know, the IndyCar race in Edmonton will not take place on the originally scheduled Champ Car weekend due to a conflict with the IRL race at Mid-Ohio. According to a source, the new date for the Edmonton IndyCar race will be Saturday, July 26, on the weekend immediately after the original Champ Car date.

The Brickyard 400 is taking place on Sunday, July 27... hence the reason why the Edmonton IRL race will be on the Saturday and not the Sunday.

And where does this leave the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race? Most likely as the main event on Sunday, July 27 in Edmonton.... leaving precious little time for the teams to make their way to Montreal for the NASCAR Nationwide Series event the next weekend.

Making matters even more interesting, if the NCATS race is on Sunday, it will likely be upwards of 70 laps. The event was 32 laps in '07.

Inside Track Readers' Choice Awards.... voting closes on Friday!

TORONTO, ON – Voting for the Inside Track Readers’ Choice Awards presented by Castrol comes to a close at midnight on Friday (March 14, 2008). This is your last chance to have your say in who will be named Canada's top and future racers based on their performances in 2007.


To date, more than 3,000 Canadian racing fans have visited http://www.insidetracknews.com/ to register their votes for the Inside Track Readers Choice Awards presented by Castrol.

Results will appear in print and online shortly thereafter.

Note: The voting system allows each individual to register one vote throughout the course of the program. This is done by tracking computer IP numbers (by Surveymonkey). If you have already voted, you will automatically be redirected to the Inside Track homepage.

Merrittville Speedway Press Release: March 12

ENOUGH OF THE SNOW ALREADY - MERRITTVILLE'S SPRING SIZZLER 45 DAYS AWAY - BRING IT ON - PLEASE! (obligatory Editor's note... Al Gore is an idiot!)

THOROLD, ON - The Southern Ontario and Western New York racing community woke up this morning to more snow. Race fans and teams alike have got to be thinking... enough with the snow already... we're tired of shoveling... we don't want anymore wet feet from trudging through all the slush... we want just want to go racing!

That wish is not all that far away as Merrittville Speedway's 57th Season will kick off in just 45 days with the Baron Roofing Spring Sizzler 100 - Saturday April 26th!

And it just got a whole lot closer as Canada Blooms opens today - meaning spring is not all that far away.

Canada Blooms is celebrating its 12th year as Canada's premier flower and garden festival. For racers that aspire to have green thumbs or if you are planning on calling upon the Landscape Division of L. St. Amand Enterprises to do the work for you - you will find plenty of ideas at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre until Sunday.

That may be one thing for parents to consider taking in eventhough March Break is half over. For those of us that weren't lucky to hop on a plane or pile the family in the car in search of some sun - there is plenty to do in Niagara.

If any of the Ripley's properties including the Great Wolf Lodge don't wet your whistle - then contact your local CAA Niagara Office - a day trip may provide some entertainment.

Welland's Boston Pizza provides for "two experiences under one roof," with a full service, family friendly casual dining restaurant and a separate sports bar. Their Niagara Street location is perfect for families, teams and groups of all ages and the sports bars feature sports memorabilia, big screen TV's and games in a contemporary setting.

Merrittville Race Fans will soon learn of a new partnership with that organization.

Race fans that enjoy the stick and ball sports can also catch a local Junior B playoff game or watch a Grapefruit League game on TV. Kahunaville Pizza and Game Emporium at the Pen Centre offers games for all ages. March break shoppers can also find activities for kids in the Sears Court area beginning today.

The Pen Centre of course will play host to Merrittville Speedway's Annual Race Car Show during the week starting March 31st.

And until then, Performance World at the International Centre in Toronto will surely satisfy your need for speed starting Friday.

All this leads to one thing. Spring is almost here and with it - Merrittville Speedway's 57th consecutive racing season.

Race fans and teams unable to wait for the Pen Centre Race Car Show to get a copy of the 2008 Schedule can visit the Winter Office at Bicknell Racing Products in St. Catharines during business hours Monday to Friday as well as from 9 to 12 on Saturdays or visit any of the Merrittville family of advertisers and sponsors beginning the week of Monday March 17th.

Your local Dirt Track is where it's at and it's at Merrittville Speedway in just 45 Days - Saturday April 26th.

The star studded 358 Modified Super DIRTcar Series Stars are set to challenge our home town heroes in the Spring Sizzler 100 Super DIRTcar Series presented by Baron Roofing. April's Event also includes a 40 lap event for the Sportsman and a 25 lap Street Stock Open Event.

With plenty of free camping - it puts Merrittville Speedway on the map as a must see event and it's just the start of 2008 - you won't want to miss a single event all season!

To learn more call 905-685-7223 until April 1st or visit http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/.

From Jim Irvine - Merrittville Speedway Public Relations - 905-685-7223 - Winter Office

SEBRING: Ed Moody sets the stage

By Ed Moody...

SEBRING, FL - A small village of about 2000 has been camping just outside the entrance gate to Sebring for the last two weeks. Golf tournaments, card games, pool and assorted activities are planned over the course of the event. On Wednesday at 6 a.m., the crowd will have swollen to about 20,000 and the land rush for spectator spots will begin.

On the racing side, the 'Peugeot vs. Audi' battle is beginning and will be the challenge of the week. Yesterday, one of the Audis had a argument with one of the walls so the crews have been at work repairing the machine.

Temperatures are expected to be hot by week's end so expect a barn-burner on Saturday. Today is a full practice for all classes running.

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series: Crane Lake Resort partners with Micks Motorsports

Kerry Micks looking relaxed and refreshed, possibly after a vacation at Crane Lake Resort.... (photo by Perry Nelson)

PARRY SOUND, ONTARIO (March 10, 2008) - Micks Motorsports is happy to announce that Crane Lake Resort will join the team in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series as an associate sponsor and official resort for 2008.

"Fishing and snowmobiling is really what I enjoy doing in my spare time, this is what the doctor ordered for sure," said Micks, driver of the Beyond Digital Imaging Inc. Ford Fusion. "We are very happy to have Crane Lake Resort on board. This fantastic four season facility has something for everyone and caters to serious snowmobilers in the winter."

"Also," Micks continued, "spending some time at Crane Lake would be ideal for Susan and I to relax, gather our thoughts, and get prepared for a weekend of non-stop racing activity."

Crane Lake shares 49 acres of beautiful forest surrounding a pristine lake. The resort offers tennis courts, exploring the shores of Crane Lake with canoes, kayaks or paddleboat or the rental one of a 15-foot fiberglass boat. Or guests can just relax on the sandy beach while watching the kids play on the water slide.

"Crane Lake Resort is very pleased to be involved with Micks Motorsports and their NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Team," explained John Baglieri, General Manager of Crane Lake Resort. "We expect to host many events involving the team and strive to make Crane Lake Resort the NASCAR teams' Canadian resort and vacation racing headquarters of the north."

Crane Lake Resort features full seasonal cabin winter rentals for snowmobilers and features on-site dining, lounge/bar facilities, and gas services which make the spot a favorite with the winter crowd. Crane Lake Resort will be hosting both the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup races broadcast on TSN on its big screen televisions with food and drink specials.

The facility will also host a car rally in October to support local charities, and will include involvement from several of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series teams, making this event one of the highlights of the year.

Crane Lake Resort is situated 2.5 hours north of Toronto. The website is www.cranelakeresort.ca. Beyond Digital Imaging Inc. (BDI), Canadian Detailing Services, Cathcart Trucking, APX Racing Gear and Incentives Inc., Ultraflex and Crane Lake Resort are sponsors of Micks Motorsports.

From Bruce F. Mehlenbacher // Director of Public Relations

AIM Autosport Looks Ahead to 2009 for Mazda Program

Toronto (March 7,  2008) - AIM Autosport will not take part in the 2008 season-opening Star Mazda Championship race at Sebring International Raceway as part of the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring event. The team is looking to take a sabbatical from Mazda competition to concentrate on an extensive 2008 test schedule in advance of an anticipated two or three-car 2009 Star Mazda Championship campaign.
 
The Mazda side of the AIM Autosport organization will remain in tact and will stay sharp with the testing program and will continue to be ready to race throughout the 2008 season. AIM Autosport first raced in the Star Mazda Series in 2005, powering to the winners circle multiple times with James Hinchcliff while also proving themselves as winners with a parallel Formula BMW program. AIM scored fifth in the 2007 Mazda team championship standings.
 
AIM is continuing to develop the 2008 testing calendar and interested drivers should contact the team directly.
 
"There are several multi-car teams in the series and that has changed the marketplace significantly," said AIM Autosport�s Keith Willis. "However we believe that the most professional approach is a properly funded two or three-car operation, and we weren't willing to compromise any aspect of our program just to go racing. We really enjoy competing in the Star Mazda Championship, but we are taking the long view with this category. To that end, we are looking forward to working with some talented drivers during our summer testing program and will be preparing for a proper campaign again in 2009."
 
"The uncertainty that the open wheel world dealt with during the off-season and the resulting changes in the schedule effected our program, but there are things that we are working on currently that could see us back on the Mazda grid sooner rather than later," continued Willis. "With the strong support of Mazda and some clarification within open wheel racing, we know that the Series continues to grow its profile, and will maintain its tradition as a tremendous place for drivers and teams to compete and we are looking forward to being part of it."
 
Established in 1995, AIM Autosport  has a mandate to identify, train and manage emerging motorsport talent. AIM has provided many young drivers with a solid foundation on which to build a career in professional racing. The success of the AIM driver development programs has been achieved through the dedication of our employees and the ongoing support of our commercial and technical partners. Away from the track, AIM Autosport serves the needs of the racing community with a purpose-built preparation shop situated in the Toronto suburb of Woodbridge, Ontario.

Additional information available: www.aimautosport.com // From: Sunday Group Management/AIM Autosport

MOSPORT: Lola to be Honored Marque at VARAC Vintage Festival

The Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada (VARAC) and Lola Heritage announce that the 29th Annual Vintage Festival at Mosport International Raceway June 20-22, will honor the Fiftieth Anniversary of Lola Cars. A Lola from each Race group will be selected for a special award based on preparation, history, and paddock presentation. Additionally there will be a Lola parade lap , Lola Group Photo and a display of the stunning T70 MK2 Spyder Continuation car.

Established in 1958 by Eric Broadley MBE, Lola is proud to be Great Britain�s longest-serving manufacturer of racing cars. After an extraordinary rise to prominence, in which it mastered all spheres of the sport from humble club classes to Formula 1, and endurance sports racers to Indycars, Lola has continually been at the forefront of the worldwide motorsport industry. Its enviable position has been consolidated under the ownership of Martin Birrane since 1997, with the introduction of advanced technologies to keep its products winning in the 21st century.

Drivers of Lola cars scored points in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship from the marque�s debut season in 1962. Lola's roll of honour also includes no fewer than nine CART/OWRS championship titles, three Indianapolis 500 wins and the 1978 USAC Triple Crown, eight US/European/Tasman Formula 5000 titles, victory in the 1963 Monaco Formula Junior Grand Prix, the inaugural Can-Am Challenge series of 1966, the 1969 Daytona 24 Hours, the 1973 European 2-litre Sportscar Championship, five successive Can-Am titles, eight Japanese Formula 3000 crowns, numerous FIA International F3000 championships and three Sports Car Championships in 2001 alone. Additionally, Lolas have carried amateur and professional competitors to countless championships and race victories on every major continent.

It is fitting that Lola chose to have Mosport as one of the venues to honor their Fiftieth Anniversary. Lola's have competed at Mosport since that first spectator race back in 1961 and can count the first ever Can-Am at Mosport among the outright victories they have achieved at Mosport. This is a don't miss opportunity to join the ranks of those already committed to enjoying these historic cars on one of North America's most historic tracks, see you there.

For further information Bob Harrington 905-332-7889 or visit http://www.harringtonphoto.ca/ or http://www.varac.ca/

Photo: Syracuse's Motorsports Expo

Stewart Friesen of Niagara on the Lake, ON shows off his 2008 358 DIRT Modified at the Motorsports Expo in Syracuse.
Photo by Rick Young

Photo: Motorsports Expo 2008 in Syracuse

The newly crowned Miss DIRTCAR (Jo Marie Rankin) and Miss Accord Speedway pose by the Ronnie Johnson DiRT Modified at the Motorsports Expo at Syracuse (NY) this past weekend.
Photo by Rick Young

NASCAR: Atlanta and California Face Similar Issues

Jeff Clark, President of Atlanta Motor Speedway, sympathizes with Gillian Zucker, President of the newly renamed Auto Club Speedway in California.

"We have a lot of the same issues," said Clark his eyes scanning a sea of empty seats during driver introductions.

Bad weather, according to Clark, has played a significant role in a decline in tickets sales. That and the after effects of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City.

"We noticed a drop in ticket sales that started with the event where we had rain, the race was delayed, the race started, then it rained again and we finished very late in the evening. Then after 9-11 we noticed a drop in corporate ticket sales. Those two areas have yet to recover."

Weather, both rain and severe heat, is having an effect on ticket sales at Auto Club Speedway. Clark's advantage, he has exterior camping, something Zucker lacks.

"Yea, but would you like to be in a tent for two nights in 24 degree weather?" Clark asked, speaking of the sudden drop in overnight temperatures that swept over the area after a week of warmer days and nights. "What we need is a date about three weeks later than our current date. On average three weeks would make a big difference in temperature."

Clark isn't anymore hopeful of a date change than Zucker might be, even though SMI CEO Bruton Smith has suggested some sort of date swap with the Auto Club Speedway.

"It's just not likely to happen," Clark admitted as the loudspeaker's boomed out the top ten starters before a thin but enthusiastic crowd.

NASCAR: Commission Ruling Will Not Change Penalties

Sprint Cup Series Director John Darby has no intention of altering the consistency of penalties established with the introduction of the Car of Tomorrow.

"If a team comes to Bristol next week and presents a car with an unapproved part I'll write it up exactly as we did in Gordon's case," said Darby. "The commission doesn't officiate the races."

The commission also has the opportunity to do something Darby cannot; they can sympathize. Establishing consistency means enforcing the rules as written, without bias. If the commission sees a violation in a different light so be it according to Darby.

Proof of Darby's words is the revelation that Dodge officials did meet with NASCAR prior to the issuance of the penalty against Gordon. In that meeting Dodge took the blame for Gordon's car having the wrong nose. All well and good, however Darby doesn't have a rulebook that penalizes manufacturers. His rulebook deals with the individual teams and the product they present each week at the racetrack.

NASCAR: Carpentier Finishes a Long Day in Atlanta

“It was a long day and a long race," exclaimed Patrick Carpentier after 320 laps at Atlanta Motor Speedway. "Being loose makes it pretty long. We fixed it at one point, got it tighter and started running some decent laps; but at the beginning I was way loose and using the rear tires a little too much there. We’re learning and trying to figure out ways to make it smoother and try making it better a little bit and make myself better and everything. To run the whole race makes us pretty happy.

"We got some points this weekend, so that’s not too bad. It’s hard work. It’s a tough deal.”

For Carpentier, who missed the first two events of the season and then was involved in a wreck early in the event at Las Vegas, points are like gold. Unlike Franchitti and Hornish, Carpentier did not have the efforts of another to fall back on through the first five races of the season. He has been forced to scratch and claw his way on qualifying day and again on race day.

Now 44th in the point standings, there will be little release in the pressure on qualifying as the 35th driver in the point standings, J.J. Yeley, has outdistanced Carpentier by 197 points exiting Atlanta. A good performance on the half mile at Bristol is going to be critical.

"It’s important, but missing Daytona cost us some good points there. Missing California put us behind. We got put in the wall at Vegas, so we basically missed three races. We’re behind, so we’ll see if we can get back into it a little bit later. We seem to not be too bad qualifying, so hopefully we can keep making races and getting those points.”

NASCAR: Stewart Calls Goodyear Crap

Tony Stewart took a huge swing at Goodyear following his second place finish from the 32nd starting position in the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

The engine in the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota was barely cool enough to touch as Stewart waded chest deep into heated comments against the Akron (Oh) tire manufacturer.

"That was the most pathetic racing tire that I've ever been on in my professional career," Stewart asserted during his post-race interview. "If I were Goodyear, I would be really embarrassed about this weekend and what they brought here."

Stewart's comments, often on the raw side, were actually backed up by third place finisher Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and four-time Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon who finished fifth.

"“I felt like I was going to crash every single lap," Gordon said. "I think right now Goodyear just overreacted. The initial thing would be to see, now that Goodyear has looked at the tire and the wear and didn’t have any problems with tire failure…. A tire is supposed to wear. It’s supposed to. And that’s a good performing tire. It’s not supposed to wear to the cords and blow. It’s not supposed to blow if you put a little tiny bit of camber or too little air. So they’re in a tough position. This car doesn’t help them any. It’s really, really hard on right sides. But they’ve been doing a good job the last three weeks with what we’ve had. So I’m going to try to go to Darlington and make sure that we have something good when we go back there and race.”

Goodyear's Justin Fantozzi, Racing Marketing Manager, said he won't not respond to questions concerning specific driver comments. He did say Goodyear engineers would sit down, evaluate the data collected over the course of the weekend and respond accordingly at that time.

Fantozzi did admit that building a tire to work with the new car offered the same challenges present in any other vehicle change in all forms of auto racing.

With or without any changes Stewart was clear in his concerns saying, "Goodyear can't build a tire worth a crap."

It could be Stewart's attitude will turn 180 degrees next week as the circuit pulls in to the first track on the schedule where the new car has been previously run.