Ontario Stocks: Elginburg, Ontario's Bobby Herrington Races Back to the Books

Bobby Herrington Races Back to the Books

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications

Bobby Herrington has a thirst for knowledge.  As the shrink-wrap comes off 2009 calendars the Elginburg, Ontario teen – a 12th grade student at Sydenham High School – is pouring through notebooks and journals.  The 3rd year DIRTcar small block modified racer is making a list of words that will help define the renewed sense of optimism that he hopes to bring to his racing program for the new season.

“It’s no secret.  As a team, we struggled in 2008”, Herrington says with a smile.  “We know we can do better and the new season will be a chance to show our stuff.  We’ve picked-up a new Bicknell chassis and while we were there, had the chance to pick the brain of Randy Williamson.  The Bicknell folks have been great partners for a number of years and we’re proud to be running their equipment again in ’09.  Randy (Williamson) gave us open access to their shock adjustments and set-up notes.  We’ll have the same car and set-ups as Pete Bicknell this year”.

Herrington says they’re already taking the steps needed to get the car ready for the new season and is sure many of the marketing partners that were on-board in ’08 will be back, with some new supporters still to come.  The 17 year-old thinks they’ll be back at their 2 regular home tracks for the 2009 season.  Depending on how things go early in the year, fans could even expect to see the #25 DIRTcar small block modified picking and choosing some of the extra distance special events and maybe even some of the Super DIRTcar tour stops.

“There have been so many rumours flying around during the off-season, it’s hard to know what to believe”, says Herrington. “I’d like to get back to Edelweiss and Brockville this year.  I think we have some unfinished business where each venue is concerned.  Some of the on-line forums have even talked about an early season tour show at Edelweiss.  We’ll just have to wait for the official schedule announcements and separate the fact from the fiction.  If we start the season well at the early Super DIRTcar events, we’ll probably do some more touring”.

Paint-scheme plans for Herrington’s 2009 Bicknell small block mod are on the drawing board and the team has their primary power plants – a Kevin Enders prepped Chevy and a DSE 358 out of Dale Stroud’s shops – back from being freshened and the countdown to the season openers is underway.

“I think we’re ready to go racing and if the season was to start tomorrow, we’d be there and be quite competitive”, says the young speedster.  “2007 was a great season, but every racer has bumps in the road.  We can get back to that level.  It’s all about attitude and we’re heading into the new season with a positive state of mind.”

Learn more about Bobby Herrington at www.herringtonmotorsports.com  

Photo attachments (by Jim Clarke)
The cars of Bobby Herrington...
#1).  The 2005 Bicknell DIRTcar sportsman modified
#2).  The 2006 Bicknell DIRTcar 358 modified
#3).  The 2007 Bicknell DIRTcar 388 modified

Media contact:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications // clarkemotorsports@hotmail.com

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Sports Car Club of BC - January newsletter

Click here or on the image at right to download the January '09 edition of the Sports Car Club of BC Newsletter. Thanks to Peter Weedon for passing it along.

Rick Young's 'Rick at the Races' 2008 Review... Part 2

PIC 1   RICK @ the ICAR CIRCUIT RACES

PIC  2    Chris Raabe with Mark and Angie Rinaldi at the Brighton Speedway

PIC  3     Martin Roy # 90 (Que) leads Tim McCreadie # 35 (NY) at the Airborne Speedway

PIC 4    Martin Lacombe wins the Toromont CAT 100 at the Capital City Speedway

PIC  5  Steve Paine # 7x and Frankie Caprara # FX1 tangle during the Cornwall Motor Speedway SDS race.

PIC 6    Old friends reunite at Brafield (UK) , L to R , Chris Pickup , Colin Herridge, Rick, Steve Bird

PIC 7     BriSCA F1 action at Brafield (UK)

PIC 8    Miss Motorsports poses by the Brett Hearn # 20 Modified at SUPER DIRT WEEK 2008

PIC 9   Mike Colsten , winner at the Five Mile Point Speedway

PIC 10  Action during the Eastern States Weekend at the Orange County Fair Speedway NY

PIC  11    JR Fitzpatrick beside the SS Chevelle he drove at the Flamboro Speedway

PIC 12  Randy Zimmer in his Suburu en-route to a seventh place in the RALLY OF THE TALL PINES

When I decided to do a review of my 2008 escapades, I knew it would take more than one episode, so planned for it to be in two parts. Well, I think I underestimated the task in hand and after squeezing the remainder of 2008 into this episode, I realized it could quite easily have been a three part series. I persevered with the original plan and hope I didn't leave anything out !

Part One brought us to the end of June after I'd attended 32 events. I'll continue with the remaining 43 events from my 2008 total count of 75.

In June I put my house in Maxville, that I'd lived in for twelve years, on the market, in an attempt to be nearer to Cornwall (Ontario). This meant I had to be available when needed to show prospective buyers. Luckily this didn't effect my racing schedule too much.

There was plenty of action taking place at my local tracks during July so I was able to stay close to home . The ADVANCE AUTOPARTS SUPER DIRT SERIES came to Canada for four scheduled events, and kicked off at the Brockville Ontario Speedway (Thurs July 10). Billy Decker took this first one. The next night, the Series moved to the Autodrome Granby (Que) where Brett Hearn took the checkers. Work commitments forced me to miss this one but I made it to the third stop of the tour on Saturday (July 12) when it visited the Autodrome Drummond (Que).

Before going to Drummond I gained another 'new track' on my way there, when I attended the afternoon races at the new ICAR Circuit at Mirabel (Que). The road course located on the former Mirabel Airport was having it's inaugural event. I watched most of the action there before heading up to Drummondville to see Dale Planck take the big one.

The final stop on the 'Great Northern' tour should have been the Cornwall Motor Speedway (Ont) but Mother Nature intervened , and the fixture became another wet weather casualty. It was postponed to August 17.

A week later the LUCAS OIL CANADIAN DIRT SERIES was scheduled to start at Autodrome Granby ( Fri July 18) but once again rain caused a cancellation. The decision to call it off was made early enough for me to make alternative plans and instead of heading north to Quebec, I set off down HWY 401 to the Brighton Speedway ,Ont. They were holding a LUCAS OILS SPORTSMAN SERIES race and I was there to see Chris Raabe collect one of his many victories of 2008.

Following the Brighton visit, it was back home to Maxville before traveling to Quebec for the Autodrome Drummond round of the LUCAS OILS CANADIAN DIRT SERIES on Saturday. David Hebert took this round, and did the same thing at the next one, held at the Mohawk Int Raceway (Thurs 31 July).

On Friday night (Aug 1) the LUCAS OILS CANADIAN DIRT SERIES continued at the Autodrome Edelweiss where Mario Clair took the honors. When the Series moved on to the Brockville Ontario Speedway the next day, once again rain became an issue forcing a postponement. The Cornwall Motor Speedway round on Sunday (3 Aug) went unhindered where former track champion Dale Planck scored the win.

A few days after this I received a formal offer on my house sale , which I decided to accept. This meant I had to be 'out' before October 3. In between accepting the offer and the move date,  I had lots of racing planned, including a trip to the UK. It was a challenge I was determined to overcome.

On Wedneday August 6,  I visited the Airborne Speedway Park at Plattsburg NY for a special Modified Challenge event. World Of Outlaw Late Model drivers Tim McCreadie and Tim Fuller were guest driving loaned cars.

Tom Curley and his ACT Late Model Series payed a visit to the Capital City Speedway on August 9, which again proved to be a battle against the elements. After all the necessary track drying delays we eventually saw Martin Lacombe take the TOROMONT CAT 100.

On the weekend of 16/17 August the ADVANCE AUTOPARTS SUPER DIRT SERIES was back in my area with back to back races at the Can Am Speedway (Lafargeville NY) and the Cornwall Motor Speedway. ( the Cornwall event that had been postponed from July 13). At Can Am after a long absence of big wins, we saw Gary Tompkins back in Victory Lane . When the tour crossed the St Lawrence Seaway into Canada the next day, he repeated the feat.

It was then the turn of the 358 SUPERDIRT SERIES to visit my area. There were two rounds, one at the Mohawk Int Raceway (21 Aug) and the other at the Cornwall Motor Speedway ( 1 Sept). Both went ahead without weather related issues with Mario Clair winning at the MIR and Danny O'Brien at Cornwall.

One week later ( 6 Sept) the Capital City and Brockville speedways weren't so lucky . Capital City had another big Late Model event planned and Brockville had an ambitious program of a postponed LUCAS OILS CANADIAN DIRT SERIES race plus their round of the 358 SUPER DIRT CAR Series. My intentions were to attend Capital City in the afternoon and move on to Brockville in the evening. Mother Nature was to intervene once more, both events were canceled and I saw nothing !

On Monday 15 Sept I flew out of Ottawa bound for a four race tour of the UK. After landing at Gatwick ( south of London) on Tuesday morning I based my self at my Mum and Dads place in Bedfordshire.

Wednesday evening ( 17 Sept) was spent at the Arlington Stadium on the South coast where I witnessed the rough and tough Spedeworth Stock Saloons in action.

I was on the East coast at the Skegness Stadium on Friday night ( 19 Sept) for the first of the three World Final weekend meetings.

The BriSCA F1 World Final , the big race, and the reason for my visit was at the Foxhall Stadium in Ipswich on Saturday. It was an event I'd been looking forward to. It was the first ever staging of the race at this historic venue, where 50 years ago , I had seen my first ever stock car race, as a four year old 'toddler'. Winner was Rochdale, Lancashire's Andy Smith.

Before heading back to Canada, my fourth stop on the tour was the traditional 'day after' meeting at the Brafield Stadium ( Northamptonshire). This was the track I used to consider 'home' and a place I've spent plenty of time over the years. One of the many highlights of the day was meeting up with two of old buddies from my racing days. When former BriSCA F1 drivers Chris Pickup # 50 and Steve Bird # 52 had heard of my visit, they came along specially for the day to say 'Hi'. That was a really nice gesture.

I landed back in Ottawa on Monday (22 Sept) and was in my regular post, taking photos at the Capital City on Friday night (Sept 26) . On Saturday I was heading down HWY 401 to the Brighton Speedway for their annual 'Applefest Shootout' . Once again wet weather caused problems, but not before Pete Bicknell took the checkers in a rain shortened feature.

The following Friday (Oct 3) , I relocated from Maxville to my new home in Long Sault, situated just ten minutes away from the Cornwall Motor Speedway. The move went smoother than expected, so the next day I set off for Fulton Speedways (NY)  traditional race ( FKA VICTORIA 200) that precedes SUPER DIRT WEEK. This year sail panels were allowed on the 'Big Block' modifieds and it was the 'Doctor' Danny Johnson who took the honors.

Following the Fulton trip, I returned to Canada for a few days before heading south again on Wednesday (8 Sept) for the SUPER DIRT WEEK 'Happy Hour' at the New York State Fairgrounds (Syracuse). My plan was to see some of the practice laps then move up to the Can Am Speedway for the evening 358 SUPER DIRT CAR race. Once again, rain spoiled everyones enjoyment, Can Am was rained out, and I returned to Canada early. Work commitments prevented me from attending the 358 SUPER DIRT SERIES races at Brewerton NY (Thurs) and Rolling Wheels NY (Friday) but I was back down at SUPER DIRT WEEK in Syracuse first thing on Saturday morning to resume the action.

Billy Decker won the 150 lap 358 Modified race which was completed by late afternoon. Instead of staying for the SPORTSMAN race, I left the fairgrounds early and took a one hour drive south of Syracuse. My destination was the Five Mile Point Speedway near Binghampton NY ( an independent track which is not part of the DIRTCAR organization) was holding a Southern Tier Modified Show. Five Mile Point is a track I hadn't visited before so I was eager to add it to my 'track totals' . I arrived a bit late but was still in good time to see the 50 lap feature. Mike Colsten was the winner.

Five Mile Point became TRACK # 172 on my TRACKCHASING TOTALS.

The next day (Oct 12)  I was back at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse to see Frank Cozze of Wind Gap PA take a popular win in the 2008 RITE AID 200.

It was then time to return to Ontario for a few days (back to work !) before setting off on my last racing tour of the year. On Friday night (Oct 17) , I crossed in to the USA from Cornwall Ont , straight from work and sped along I 87 over the Adirondack Mountains on the six hour trek to the Orange County fair Speedway at Middletown , NY. It was the annual Eastern States Weekend, the big event that attracts many Canadians each year. It's the curtain closer of the North Eastern dirt racing season, and a feast of racing not to be missed.

Although the dirt season was over , the paved tracks have the ability to run a bit later, and on November 3, I visited the Flamboro Speedway south west of Toronto,Ont. This was my second time 'ever' visit , the first time being more than five years ago. NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES driver JR Fitzpatrick was there guest driving a beautifully prepared SS Chevelle.

2008, wasn't over for me yet ! On November 22, I got up at the crack of dawn so I could attend the start of the RALLY of THE TALL PINES at Bancroft , Ont. Long time RICK @ the RACES reader Randy Zimmer Of Buffalo NY was competing in his Suburu and picked up a creditable seventh place. It had been a long time since I took a look at Rallying and it was an enjoyable way to end my year.

Phew ! I never realized my review would last so long !

 
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Davis And Logano To Face Off Again At NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 6, 2009) – In a race where there are no points at stake and the only thing on the line is bragging rights, Marc Davis will get the chance to even the score with Joey Logano, his friend and teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing, when he heads out to Irwindale, Calif., in two weeks for the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown.

“It’s going to be a pretty cool experience,” said Davis. “I can’t wait to get out there and run it again. It’s the Showdown – it’s big. Everybody is going to be there.”

Including the defending champion, Logano.

As the initial batch of entries for the prestigious event arrived in Daytona Beach, Fla. for the race, the names of the two 18-year-old up-and-coming superstars were among those to first to finalize their intentions of running in the postseason showcase at the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale.

The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown will feature two days of exciting action Jan. 23-24 among some of the top drivers in NASCAR Camping World Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action. The competition will air live on SPEED beginning at 7 p.m. PT both nights.

“I can’t wait to go back,” said Logano of returning to the fast, multi-grooved half-mile track. “I’ve got the same car and that track is just a real cool race track. And we had a great time out in Southern California. I really enjoyed being out there.

“It’s pretty much the Daytona 500 of short-track racing, and it would be awesome to go back and win it again.”

Logano knows that returning to Irwindale as the defending race winner he will carry a big target on his back. And nobody may be gunning for him more than Davis.

Davis qualified fourth in the last NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, starting one row behind his teammate. But carburetor issues that surfaced at the start of the race quickly put him 16 laps down. Once he got back on the track, his time was among the leaders but the opportunity to contend for the win was gone.

“We have a lot to prove this year – being so strong last time and having nothing to show for it,” Davis said. “We’re taking the same baseline as last year. We should be pretty good off the truck and we have a whole lot of stuff to experiment with and see how the track has changed.”

In his NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown win, Logano led the final 87 laps and held off a fierce challenge from Peyton Sellers on a green-white-checkered finish.

“In the beginning of the race, we weren’t a bolt of lightning,” Logano said. “We made a couple of changes and got it to the front. It was exciting.”

Among those joining Davis on the early entry list looking to dethrone Logano is three-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday Jr., 2008 NASCAR Camping World Series West champion Eric Holmes, former NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champions Peyton Sellers and Greg Pursley, and Eddie MacDonald – who swept the NASCAR Camping World Series East races at New Hampshire last year.

The list of top short-track drivers who have already committed to the event includes NASCAR Camping World Truck Series veteran Matt Crafton, 2008 NASCAR Camping World Series East champion and 2006 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown winner Matt Kobyluck, and 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion Scott Steckly.

Also confirmed to compete are four drivers who have earned rookie of the year honors in the NASCAR Camping World Series in the last three seasons (Jason Bowles, Sellers, Jeff Barkshire, and Austin Dillon), and Brian Ickler, winner of the NASCAR Camping World Series combination race in Iowa this past May.

Champions of each of NASCAR’s developmental series earned secured spots in the event. In addition to Holmes, Kobyluck and Steckly, those champions include Philip Morris (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series), Antonio Perez (NASCAR Mexico Series), Ted Christopher (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and Brian Loftin (NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour).

Logano won the NASCAR Camping World Series East title in 2007 and became the youngest winner in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2008. He is preparing to make his debut in the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in February in his brand-new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series ride, the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota.

His first on-track racing action of the 2009 calendar, though, will be at the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown – where he capped his breakthrough rookie season in NASCAR in Victory Lane.

Logano won the event in October of 2007. The event has been moved to January, where it will share the racing weekend with the Grand-Am Series Rolex Daytona 24. The move provides a break in the monotony of winter and an opportunity to get back to racing.

“I can’t wait to get back into a race car,” said Logano, who has got his racing fix running go-karts against his friends and participating in the Whelen Bodine Bobsled Challenge at Lake Placid, N.Y. “It’s been a while and I’m just getting antsy to race. It’s going to be great to get back on track at the Showdown.”

Davis is coming off a 2008 season in which he finished fifth in points in the NASCAR Camping World Series East. He led a race-high 57 laps at Iowa Speedway in the combination race between the NASCAR Camping World Series East and West.

He also made his debut in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Davis again plans a mixed schedule of the three national series in 2009, but not before taking care of some unfinished business.

“We had a car to win it last year but came up empty,” Davis said. “We’re just going to have to go out there and perform and win it all.”

In addition to competition for the NASCAR Camping World Series, which is NASCAR’s top developmental series, action in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series will feature a Late Model race and a Super Late Model race.

To purchase tickets for the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, fans can go to www.toyotaspeedwayatirwindale.com or call the track at (626) 358-1100.

From NASCAR PR

South Buxton Raceway... rules and dates for 2009

South Buxton Raceway owner Scott Mihalco and tech inspector J.P. Marchand announced there will be no changes to track rules in any of the four classes for the 2009 season.

Tech rules can be found on the track's web site (www.southbuxtonraceway.com) under the DRIVERS icon on the home page, click on RULES and scroll to each class.

Late Model and Modified drivers are advised to check the UMP web site for any late-breaking rule changes.

For drivers in the Sport Stock class, the proposed implement of mandatory Crate Motors by the 2010 season has been rescinded. Crate Motors remain an option for drivers in the class.

However, changes will be made to the points format for the 2009 season, which will be disclosed at a general drivers meeting (the date and location to be announced).

Regular racing action takes place every Saturday night from the Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day weekend, capped off by the fifth annual Castrol UMP Late Model/Modified Shootout on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Following are confirmed special event  dates for the 2009 season.

*May 16 – Opening Night

May 23 – Southern Ontario Sprints

June 13 – Sprints On Dirt

June 19-20 – Ohsweken/South Buxton Modified Special

July 4 – Modified Special Night

*July 31-August 1 – Ohsweken/South Buxton Late Model Special

August 22 – Southern Ontario Sprints

*September 5 – Championship Night

September 26 – Castrol Late Model/Modified Shootout

(* ­ indicates holiday weekend)
 
From Mike Bennett // South Buxton Raceway // www.southbuxtonraceway.com

 

Tim Russell Wins the Red Eye 125 at New Smyrna Speedway

Tim Russell Wins the Red Eye 125 at New Smyrna Speedway
2009 Season Perfect So Far With a Pole and a Feature Victory

CONCORD, NC (January 6, 2009) – Some people might ask what does Tim Russell have left to prove to people that he’s a legit racecar driver?  He’s won countless races and just wrapped up his second-consecutive Sunbelt Super Late Model Series Championship.  Even champions can find something to race for, as Russell knew that Wayne Anderson had his number at New Smyrna Speedway (FL) in 2008; but this was a new year.  Throw in the mix Mike Skinner, a former Camping World Truck Series Champion, and Russell had all the reason he needed to step up his game.  When the dust settled, Anderson and Skinner could only watch as the checkered flag went to Russell.  

“It was an awesome win for us,” said Russell.  “We knew we had to beat Wayne (Anderson).  He’s won a lot of races here in the last few months.  Beating a NASCAR driver like Mike Skinner for the win just makes it all the more special.  It feels really good to come out on top.”

Russell started outside the top 10 and picked his way to the front.  When he got to third, he took advantage of race leader Skinner’s bobble that stacked up Anderson in the second spot.  Russell dove to the bottom and grabbed the runner-up spot.  Only a few laps later, Russell made the pass for the lead and held on over the final 45 laps.   

“We had a really good car right from the get-go.  We were fast in practice, and we won the pole in qualifying,” said Russell.  “They put 15 numbers in the pill draw and we drew 11th and started working our way to the front from there.  We got around Wayne Anderson and then by leader Mike Skinner.  I knew after that all I had to do was hit my marks.”

As most of the country is covered with snow or foul weather, Florida seems to have the shortest off-season of any of the states that run Super Late Models.  It was in the final weeks of November that the last race was run on the east cost of Florida, and only five weeks later cars were back at the track ready to go in 2009.  Russell said it was like it had only been a few days.

“It was like I never got out of the seat,” added Russell.  “The track was a little slower with the lack of rubber on it.  We changed a few things before the race and made it a lot more drivable.  I’m happy to get the win, but now we are right back in the shop getting things ready for Speedweeks.” 

Tim Russell is already gearing for Speedweeks at New Smyrna Speedway.  The nine nights of racing has the Super Late Model teams racing eight times including the Annual Pete Orr Memorial 100.  Russell will be looking to win his first-ever Speedweeks title.

For more information on Tim Russell, please contact Matt Dillner at (704) 788-2134 x 9, and be sure to check out his website at www.timrussellonline.com.

From Matt Dillner, 51 Sports

INDYCAR SERIES NEWS AND NOTES - Jan. 6, 2009

INDYCAR SERIES NEWS AND NOTES – Jan. 6, 2009

Today's IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights headlines

1.      Can Dixon repeat?
2.      IndyCar Series drivers geared up for Rolex 24 at Daytona
3.      Fisher signs endorsement contract
4.      Duno featured in parade

1. Can Dixon repeat?: Three months from the start of the IndyCar Series season and reigning champion Scott Dixon is being pressed for a prediction. Can he make it two in a row against another formidable field on the most diverse set of racetracks in motorsports?

Dixon takes the middle of the road - attempting not to appear arrogant while not devaluing confidence in his abilities or those of the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing crew.

"Winning is tough, but to defend is harder," said Dixon, who though he won a series record-tying six races in 2008 claimed his second IndyCar Series championship by a scant 17 points over Team Penske's Helio Castroneves. "Last time we tried it, it didn't work out too well. But next year I think the team looks very strong, the development has been good in the off-season, already the car is super fast and I have a new teammate (Dario Franchitti) joining me."

Dixon led a series record-high 899 laps and started from the pole six times over the 17-race 2008 season. He remained the points leader after winning the 92nd Indianapolis 500 from the pole, and finished out of the top 10 only three times all season in race fields that averaged 26 cars.

"I think there's definitely momentum one season over another, though '03 to '04 is probably a bad choice," said Dixon, who followed the championship in his rookie season with a 10th-place points ranking. "There wasn't much carryover. Actually, for the first three or four races there was. I led at Homestead in '04 and finished second at Phoenix. Then we went into the Month of May (started fourth and finished 17th at Indianapolis)."

The 28-year-old New Zealander sees the 2007 season, in which he finished runner-up to Franchitti by 13 points in another title battle that wasn't decided until the final race, as setting up his '08 success. In the five-race closing stretch, Dixon won at Infineon and finished second at Kentucky and the Chicagoland finale.

"2007 to '08 was a scenario where momentum definitely carries on," he said. "We were very strong in the latter part and carried that right through winning the first race (from the pole at Homestead) in '08."

Dixon again closed strong last season, finishing first or second in three of the final five events (three street/road circuits, two 1.5-mile ovals).

"I hope we can definitely carry that on," he said.

***

2. IndyCar Series drivers geared up for Rolex 24 at Daytona: The past two IndyCar Series champions and the 2007 Firestone Indy Lights champion will co-drive one of the two Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates cars in the 47th Rolex 24 At Daytona later this month.

Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti will join Alex Lloyd in the No. 02 Target/TELMEX Daytona Prototype. The drivers participated in testing at Daytona International Speedway Jan. 2-4.

Chip Ganassi and co-owner Felix Sabates are the first team owners to win three consecutive Rolex 24 At Daytona overall titles. Last year, Franchitti, Juan Pablo Montoya, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas teamed up to win the race on the 3.56-mile circuit.

Other IndyCar Series drivers entered in the twice-around-the-clock race in the Daytona Prototype class include:

● Danica Patrick with Childress-Howard Motorsports (Casey Mears, Andy Wallace and Rob Finlay teammates).
● Ryan Briscoe with Penske Racing (Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas teammates).
● Buddy Rice with Brumos Racing (Darren Law, David Donohue and Antonio Garcia teammates).
● Ryan Hunter-Reay with Michael Shank Racing (Colin Braun, Oswaldo Negri and Mark Patterson teammates).
● Darren Manning with Orbit Racing (Kyle Petty, Marc Goossens and Leo Hindery Jr. teammates).

Also competing in Daytona Prototypes are: KV Racing Technology co-owner Jimmy Vasser, who will co-drive the No. 99 GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Daytona Prototype with Jimmie Johnson, Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty, Tomas Enge, who will compete with Alegra Motorsports, and former Firestone Indy Lights competitor Brad Jaeger, who will compete with Doran Racing.

Vision Racing co-owner Patrick Dempsey heads the Dempsey Racing lineup in the GT class with Joe Foster, Tim Lewis Jr. and Charles Espenlaub. IndyCar Series competitors Max Papis (Mastercar-Coast 2 Costa Racing) and Jeff Bucknum (Stevenson Motorsports) also will compete in the GT class.

Also competing in the GT class will be Jim Michaelian, race director of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. The IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights will headline the annual street race for the first time April 19.

***    

3. Fisher signs endorsement contract: IndyCar Series team owner and driver Sarah Fisher signed an endorsement deal with SimCraft Racing Simulators. Fisher will appear at the company's booth Jan. 8-11 at the 2009 International CES when it launches its series of racing simulators.

SimCraft's car racing simulators include the APEX SC830 and the APEX SC320, patent-pending military-grade simulators that bring the sense of touch to the home market. The APEX SC830 was developed for the training of professional racers (and fanatics of SimRacing) and offers three degrees of freedom (roll 40º / pitch 25º / yaw 40º). The APEX SC320 was designed for the hardcore gamer and offers two degrees of freedom (roll 20º / pitch 20º). Two models of the APEX SC830 will be displayed at the 2009 CES.

"The APEX SC830 is possibly the best real-life simulator I've ever experienced," Fisher said. "As far as the feedback the driver receives from the device, it's very similar to being in an actual race car. To be honest, the first time I used it, I was speechless. I'm very impressed with the capabilities and I will definitely be spending more time on the APEX as I prepare to run the 2009 IndyCar Series circuit."

***

4. Duno featured in parade: IndyCar Series driver Milka Duno will be among the guests of honor in the Three Kings Day Parade on Jan. 11 in Miami.

Duno will be featured during the 39th annual event with actor Fernando Allende and Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez. The parade begins at noon (local time) along 8th Street between 4th Avenue and 22nd Avenue.

***

The 2009 IndyCar Series season opens April 5 with the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. The race will be telecast live at 2 p.m. (EDT) by VERSUS. The 2009 Firestone Indy Lights season begins with a doubleheader race weekend April 4-5 at St. Petersburg.

From John Griffin, Indy Racing League

NHRA - Kalitta Motorsports restructures for the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series

Kalitta Motorsports restructures for the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series

YPSILANTI, Mich., (Jan. 6, 2009) –Kalitta Motorsports, a legendary professional drag racing team founded and owned by drag racing icon Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta and based in Ypsilanti, Mich., just minutes from the Detroit city limits, will compete in the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series with one full-time entry, the DHL Toyota Solara Funny Car driven by Jeff Arend. Also in 2009, Kalitta Motorsports will celebrate 50 years of drag racing by Connie as he commemorates the golden landmark as a driver, tuner, and owner.

Jon Oberhofer and Nick Boninfante will serve as co-crew chiefs on the nitro-fueled DHL Funny Car in 2009, replacing Glenn Mikres who was relieved of his duties as crew chief of the DHL car after the conclusion of last season. Arend joined Kalitta Motorsports last season to assume the driving duties of the DHL entry after the tragic death of Scott Kalitta as the result of injuries he suffered in a high-speed racing accident in June in New Jersey.

Top Fuel veteran Doug Kalitta, Connie’s nephew, will compete in the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series in the Top Fuel class on a part-time, race-by-race basis as the team searches for full-time primary sponsor. Doug’s Top Fuel entry will be helmed by crew chief Jim Oberhofer and assistant crew chief Troy Fasching. Doug, a two-time Top Fuel championship runner-up and 30-time NHRA national event winner, and Kalitta Motorsports were notified last December that longtime backer Mac Tools would not return as the dragster’s primary sponsor in 2009, but will remain with Kalitta Motorsports as an associate sponsor.

The Top Fuel dragster driven by Hillary Will last season, owned by Ken Black and managed by Kalitta Motorsports, will not compete until primary sponsorship funding is acquired. Also sidelined until a primary sponsor can be found will be the Top Fuel machine piloted by Dave Grubnic at Kalitta Motorsports since 2004.

“We run our race team just like a business, and in these economically difficult times, our business has to make some tough decisions,” Jim Oberhofer, Kalitta Motorsports general manager, said. “Connie’s business, Kalitta Air, has been no exception to fiscal challenges either, so we have made the changes to our race team that we feel will give us the best financial stability possible as well as the best opportunity to compete at the highest level. We certainly hope that opportunities will arise for us to bring our other dragsters back into competition, but until those happen, we will carry on the best we can.

“Despite the challenges, we are very excited about the 2009 season. Connie has done so much for our sport, and we want to celebrate that at every event. Over the past 50 years, Connie has dedicated so much of his time and resources to building one of the most successful teams in the history of auto racing. We want to make sure everyone knows how important he is to us and to drag racing throughout 2009 and beyond.

“We’re also very thankful to DHL for their commitment to our team and to NHRA drag racing. They have been wonderful partners since joining our organization in 2007. We’re looking forward to continuing to build upon our great partnership and great friendship with them in 2009.”

Kalitta Motorsports has won five world championships and over 50 national event titles in five different drag racing sanctioning bodies since it was established by Connie in 1959.

Associate sponsors on Kalitta Motorsports’ race cars include Red Line Oil, Summit Racing Equipment, Technicoat Companies, K2M, Toyota, and Mac Tools.

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From Todd Myers / Kalitta Motorsports <<50Gold.jpg>>

SOS New Year update from Peter Turford

We do hope that everybody enjoyed the holidays and that all of you had a safe, happy and healthy Christmas and a Happy New Year. We all recognize this as a time of renewal and hope. So in my mind that means that everybody has purchased a bunch of new racecar stuff!

I did want to pass along word that we are still in the midst of putting the 2009 schedule together and as always, it is a bit of a challenge to get everything to "work". We can pass along word that it looks like we will not be returning to Humberstone in '09 as it looks like we will be alternating that event on an annual basis with the Patriots. So look for us to return there in 2010.

For 2009 it looks like 6 events at Brighton, 2 at South Buxton and 1 each at Brockville and Ohsweken. We are trying to make the Brockville event a part of a 2 race weekend to make the travel more "worthwhile" for the teams. We are continuing to work with other tracks and 1 or 2 more events may be in the offing. Early word has the Oct event at Brockville as a non sanctioned "open" - that is entirely unofficial.

Other than that, there is not much to report and I cannot give a date when the final schedule will be released but we generally try to have things sewn up in time to have schedules printed for the Performance World Car Show in March. Speaking of car shows, again a reminder of the Inside Track News Canadian Motorsports Expo Jan 16, 17 & 18 at Toronto's International Center.

Also the CPT Racing Experience presented by CASE ‘N DRUM OIL LP and Kendall Motor Oil will be January 24 & 25, 2009 at the Western Fair Agriplex in London. FYI Adam West will at the London show representing the SOS (and ODLM) in a celebrity Go-kart race (read that kicking butt and taking names). Finally there is the Performance World Show in Mississauga March 13, 14 & 15- and we will probably be looking for a car or 2 for that one - let me know if you are interested in "representing."

So for now have a safe and prosperous New Year and pray that fuel costs keep dropping!!!!

Yours in Racing

Pete Turford

Rehagen Racing Stays Atop Leader Charts in Sunday's KONI Sports Car Challenge Testing at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 4, 2009) - Rehagen Racing stayed at the top of the charts for the second straight day of testing Sunday during the "Roar Before the Rolex 24" Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge Grand Sport (GS) practice session at Daytona International Speedway, leading a fleet of Mustangs preparing for the Fresh From Florida 200 later this month at the 3.56-mile track.

Bryan Ortiz led the day in the No. 57 Rehagen Racing Ford Mustang GT with a time of 2:01.051 (105.873 mph), good enough for second quick during the first two days. Saturday, Ken Wilden drove the No. 59 Rehagen Racing RehagenRacingProducts.com Ford Mustang GT to a lap of 2:00.918 (105.989 mph) during the afternoon session, and that continues to lead overall.

Tom Long of Freedom Autosport put the No. 146 Mazda MX-5 atop the Street Tuner (ST) charts with a lap of 2:10.131 (98.485 mph), also during the morning session Sunday, and that time also leads overall during two days. Kristian Skavnes, whose No. 111 Subaru Road Racing Team Subaru Legacy led Saturday's practices, laid down a lap of 2:10.223 (98.315 mph) during Sunday afternoon's session.

Thirty-three cars have tested over the two days. Monday's practice session, which includes the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16, is scheduled from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

JBS Motorsports Where Team Wants to Be

Defending KONI Sports Car Challenge GS runner-up Bret Seafuse said he believes his JBS Motorsports team is where it needs to be after two days of testing at Daytona.

Seafuse and co-driver James Gue were 11th at Daytona last year and finished second in the point standings in 2008, driving the No. 37 JBS Motorsports Ford Mustang GT.

"Daytona is going well so far," said Seafuse, whose car was fifth after two days of action. "The cars are running well. We're pretty happy with where we're at. We have a good race car. We're not at the top of the leader board, but we're close."

Also happy was Nick Igdalsky, who is teaming with cousin Chase Mattioli in the team's No. 47 JBS Motorsports Ford Mustang GT. Igdalsky, who has spent most of his career in open-wheel racing, has never competing in a car as heavy as the Mustang. Still, Mattioli has tested at Daytona before in a stock car, and Igdalsky said he believes the two are ahead of where they need to be right now.

"Everything is positive so far," Igdalsky said. "The car really seems to be hooked up. Right now, we're just trying to get acclimated to it. These cars are a lot heavier than what we're used to running. So we're getting used to the braking. We're a lot better off than we thought we'd be. We're only a couple seconds off the lead, which for the first time in the car, is not too bad."

Defending Daytona Winner BGB Motorsports Struggles Early; Finds Speed Late

One of the last teams to switch to the mandatory KONI shocks for 2009, BGB Motorsports struggled during the first day of action Saturday with the No. 83 BGB Motorsports Porsche 997, but finished in the top 10 in Sunday's affair with drivers Craig Stanton and Josh Hurley.

"We're off to a bumpy start," team manager John Tecce said, but added the team had a strong test session last month.

"I'm confident we'll be able to prepare two good cars for the race," Teece said. "Sometimes too much testing can be a detriment to progressing. But we're going to continue to work on the chassis and other things leading up to the race. I'm not concerned yet."

Stanton won the 2008 Fresh From Florida 200 after moving from fourth to first in the final laps. His co-winner last season was Tim Traver. Nick Longhi and Joe Masessa are expected to drive the team's No. 38 Porsche 997.

Hurley has not yet been signed to drive fulltime for BGB Motorsports, but the 23-year-old has gelled well with the team and is close to going full speed. Hurley is the defending Jetta TDI Cup champion. The team is ninth overall in two days.

Kinetic Motorsports Brings Four Cars to Test

Kinetic Motorsports remained one of the strongest teams not fielding Ford Mustangs. The team's No. 80 BMW M3 is 10th overall with team principals Nic Jnsson and Russell Smith, who is running in GS for his first full season.

The team also brought the No. 78 BMW M3 - with Jnsson, Smith and Lee Davis entered - and No. 32 BMW M3, which will be piloted this season by defending ST race winner Glenn Bocchinio and Todd Lamb.

Lamb ran multiple races for Kinetic in 2008 and looks for a strong season with Kinetic in 2009.

"The car is running very well," Lamb said. "It's pretty much the same setup as we had last season. It feels really good. We're doing little things here and there to make the car better. We'll change some things up for tomorrow, and see if we can put together a good time."

The Buford, Ga.-based team also brought its No. 79 BMW M3, which is the newest version of the car. It did not contest the first two days of testing and is not expected to run Monday, but Lamb said may contest the Fresh From Florida 200, which is scheduled for Jan. 23.

Cardiosport Happy So Far with Porsche 997

Terry Heath said his No. 07 Cardiosport Racing Euromotorworks Porsche 997 felt "the best it's ever been, right out of the box," when the team took the car out one on the track for practice Saturday.

Heath and co-driver Dr. Gary Grigsby, who met while competing against each other in club racing, are preparing for their fourth season on the KONI Sports Car Challenge circuit together in 2009. The team's crew consists of family members and friends.

"We've been here a few times, so we knew where we needed to be," Heath said. "It feels awesome. There are other teams out there going faster than us, but things are okay. The Mustangs are fast and have great brakes; we have the handling."

Heath's Euromotorworks business specializes in fixing Porsches and other German cars. Grigsby is a cardiologist in Lexington, Ky.

Long Puts Freedom Autosport Up Front

After setting the second and third fastest times of Saturday's testing, Tom Long took Freedom Autosport to the top of the charts Sunday. Long earned a time of 2:10.131 during the morning session.

Despite the fast times, Long contests the track isn't the best platform for the Mazda MX-5. He said the team would be happy with a top-10 performance, but also doesn't want to mistake that for a podium finish.

"This, so far, really compliments the team and all of its hard work this winter," Long said. "We're working on developing the car and making sure the package is as good as possible. When we come back at the end of the month, we can pat ourselves on the back hopefully and say we did the best we could. It's an odd-ball track for us and not our strong suit, but we'll take what we learn and apply it where we can."

Freedom Autosport calls Daytona International Speedway its home track, as the team is based out of Tallahassee, Fla., about a six-hour drive away. The team recorded a pair of second-place finishes in 2008, with Long a runner-up at Lime Rock Park. The team ran three cars in 2008 and plans to again in 2009. Drivers listed so far include Long and team owners Derek Whitis and Rhett O'Doski.

Meyer Motorsports Finding Speed Near End of Second Day

Meyer Motorsports team owner Eric Meyer was hoping his hard work would pay off after the team made a number of changes following Saturday's first day of testing. It did, with the No. 30 Mazda RX-8 taking the third fastest ST time in the afternoon session.

Payton Wilson was behind the wheel when the car turned its fastest lap of the weekend, which came in at 2:11.939.

"We're doing things out there just to pick up some speed," Wilson said. "We're not quite where we want to be, but the car is doing well this weekend. I think we're heading into the right direction, but we still have a ways to go."

-30-

From Grand-Am / Michael Harker

Bouchut, Farnbacher Pace Second Day of 'Roar Before the Rolex 24' Testing

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 4, 2009) - Christophe Bouchut and Dominik Farnbacher recorded the fastest laps in their respective classes during Sunday's second day of activities of the "Roar Before the Rolex 24" at Daytona International Speedway.

The three-day session has 52 cars entered in preparation for the 47th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona Jan. 24-25, the opening race in the 2009 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 season.

Bouchut led the Daytona Prototypes with a lap of 1:41.884 (125.790 mph) in the No. 55 Edata Solutions/Supercar Life Racing LevelFive Motorsports BMW Riley co-driven by Scott Tucker and Ed Zabinski, while Farnbacher ran a lap of 1:51.424 (115.020 mph) in the No. 86 Farnbacher Loles Racing Porsche GT3. Both speeds were unofficially better than the existing track records for their classes.

"Having a fast car actually has no affect on how you will do in the race," said Bouchut, the 1995 overall winner of the Rolex 24. "When I won this race, I was 16th on the grid. But, especially for a new time coming to Daytona with a Daytona Prototype, it's a nice feeling. We are not quite happy with our setup right now, and we are working to be closer to our setup. For sure, our time will be faster, and it would be nice to win the pole position."

Scott Dixon led the second session with a lap of 1:42.298 (125.281 mph) in the No. 02 Target/TELMEX Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Lexus Riley, while Romain Dumas led the third and final session with a lap of 1:42.154 (125.458 mph) in the No. 7 Penske Racing Porsche Riley.

In GT, David Haskell led the second session with a time of 1:52.039 (114.389 mph) in the No. 70 Castrol Syntec Mazda RX-8, while Andy Lally was fastest in the final hour with a lap of 1:51.739 (114.696 mph) in the No. 67 TRG Porsche GT3.

Michael Valiante's lap of 1:41.760 (125.943 mph) set on Saturday in the No. 6 Michael Shank Racing Ford Riley remains the fastest lap during the opening two days. Sylvain Tremblay leads the GT class with a lap of 1:51.205 (115.247), recorded during Saturday's opening session in the No. 70 SpeedSource Mazda RX-8.

Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson was a late arrival at Daytona International Speedway, but managed to run a handful of laps in the No. 99 GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Pontiac Riley he will share with Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty and Jimmy Vasser.

"I had a few laps today, and I will be back in the car again tomorrow," Johnson said. "The guys were nice enough to get me a few laps this afternoon to give me something to sleep on tonight. I'm not in these cars too often, so it's nice to do a few laps, look at some data and come back tomorrow and be ready."

While Johnson is looking for an unprecedented fourth consecutive NASCAR crown in 2009, he also wants to win the Rolex 24 for the first time.

"I'm here to win, that's what we're all here for," said Johnson, who finished second in both 2004 and 2008. "I've been on the second step twice now. It's such an accomplishment just to finish this race, so to be there in Gatorade Victory Lane and be part of the ceremonies is great. But second in anything is first loser. It's fun, but it's not the most fun."

Rob Finlay had a scare late in the afternoon when he cut a tire and spun in the No. 2 Childress-Howard Motorsports Pontiac Riley, but he missed hitting anything and escaped with only bodywork damage. He will co-drive in the Rolex 24 with three-time winner Andy Wallace, IndyCar Series regular Danica Patrick and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Casey Mears.

The "Roar Before the Rolex 24" concludes Monday with a pair of sessions for both the Rolex Series and KONI Sports Car Challenge, beginning at 9 a.m. Official practice and qualifying for the 47th Rolex 24 At Daytona begins on Thursday, Jan. 22. The race takes the green flag at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

From Grand-Am / J.J. O'Malley

Dempsey Racing, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Team Up for Rolex 24 At Daytona

Dempsey Racing, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Team Up for Rolex 24 At Daytona… The No. 40 Mazda RX-8 will Sport Pink Trim to Support Breast Cancer Awareness

       
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 4, 2009) - Dempsey Racing will partner with the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer for the 2009 Rolex 24 At Daytona, and will carry pink trim on the black and white No. 40 Mazda RX-8 driven by Patrick Dempsey, Joe Foster and Charles Espenlaub.

 
The team will compete in the GT class of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 in the January 24-25 event, the 47th running of America's premier sports car race.

 
"Real men can wear pink," said Dempsey, who races in the Rolex Series when his busy shooting schedule for the popular television program, Grey's Anatomy, allows. "All of us at Dempsey Racing are proud to partner with the Avon Foundation in its fight against breast cancer. By wearing pink on our suits and on our cars, we hope to raise awareness for this important cause and for an extraordinary series of events: the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer."

 
Dempsey made his first start in the Rolex 24 last year, his first of 10 races. His best finish was ninth at Montreal. In addition to racing in the Rolex Series, Foster won the KONI Sports Car Challenge Grand Sports championship, co-driving the Hyper Sport Ford Mustang with Canadian Scott Maxwell.

 
"I am so proud to support the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, which raises funds that directly save lives," Dempsey said. "To help inspire fundraising for this important cause, there will be a special contest for top fundraisers - you can visit the web site avonwalk.org for details on how you can win a chance to meet me and my racing team."

 
Dempsey and Foster are co-owners of Hyper Sport Racing. The team's Rolex effort will be under the new Dempsey Racing banner beginning with the Rolex 24.

 
The Avon Walk series is a project of the Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, encompassing nine weekend-long walk events that attract thousand of participants and raise significant funds to ensure that everyone can get the breast cancer screening, support and treatment they require, and to fund research to ultimately eradicate breast cancer.  The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series has raised more than $265 million from 2003-2008. 

 
"While two very different types of endurance events, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and sports car racing have the common tie of the mental and physical stamina required to achieve success," Dempsey said. "With that juxtaposition in mind, a special contest for top fundraisers of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer will be unveiled during The Rolex 24 at Daytona, January 24-25, 2009."

 
Contest winners will have the opportunity to meet Dempsey and his team at the Rolex 24.

From Grand-Am / J.J. O'Malley

Todd Bodine Earns Bobsled Title In Lake Placid

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (Jan. 4, 2009) – Todd Bodine carried over his success from Saturday’s qualifying round to the finals as he earned his first Whelen Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge championship Sunday at the Olympic Sports Complex.

The top qualifier on Saturday, Todd Bodine was first out of the chute in Sunday’s first round of Race 1, which featured NASCAR and NHRA racers competing against the clock for a trip to the podium. His maiden run of 49.83 seconds stood as the fastest in the round as the top eight of 12 drivers advanced. In the second round, with the race order inverted, nearly each driver that went bested the one before him. Joey Logano, who went next-to-last, posted a 49.56 to set the bar for Bodine. The younger brother of the event’s namesake did not disappoint as he crossed the finish line at 49.35. Bodine’s two-round combined time of 1:39.18 earned the Race 1 title.

“I’ve had a good sled,” Bodine said. “During qualifying and the first round I had really clean runs. The second round wasn’t quite as fast as Larry’s [Gunselman], and what I needed to do was just stay with them, and we got it done.”

Logano, in his second year of competition in the Bodine Bobsled Challenge, finished with a combined time of 1:39.58. Logano, who will contend for the 2009 Raybestos Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, earned his first invitation last year as the 2007 NASCAR Camping World Series East championship. Gunselman came in third at 1:39.60. Gunselman’s second run of 49.33 seconds was the fastest run of either round in the morning session.

Morgan Lucas was the highest finishing NHRA competitor in Race 1 at 1:39.83.

Boris Said, the defending Race 1 champion and five-time winner in the Bodine Bobsled Challenge settled for a sixth-place finish.

The event also included NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour champion Brian Loftin, who finished eighth in his first bobsledding experience. Philip Morris earned a return trip to Lake Placid with his second NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national championship in three years, finished 10th.

Sunday afternoon’s Race 2 featured two rounds of eliminations and two head-to-head competitions. NASCAR was represented by Todd Bodine, Geoff Bodine, Logano and Said while the NHRA contingent included Lucas, Jeg Coughlin J.R. Todd and Bob Vandergriff. Geoff Bodine and Vandergriff were eliminated in the first round while defending race winner Said and Coughlin failed to advance past the second round.

In the semifinals of Race 2, which pitted the two fastest NASCAR and NHRA drivers against each other for a spot in the championship, Todd Bodine once again edged out Logano with a time of 49.25 for an advantage of .71 seconds. Meanwhile, Lucas defeated Todd by .03 seconds to earn a spot in the finals against Bodine.

For the final round, Bodine and Lucas were setup in competition Bo-Dyn sleds used by the USA National Bobsled team. USA Men’s Coach Brian Shimer served as brakeman for Bodine while Women’s Team Coach Bill Tavares rode with Lucas.

Lucas, who was defeated by Said in the 2008 Bodine Bobsled Challenge Race 2 finals, registered a 47.78-second run in the articulated sled, nearly two seconds faster than his semifinal run. In Bodine’s run, the NASCAR veteran had gained on Lucas’ time through nearly every stage, but rolled the sled coming out of Turn 18. Bodine and Shimer were fine, but Lucas took home the title.

“I felt bad about wrecking the sled, but I had this old-time racer tell me once, ‘boy, if you can’t win, be spectacular,’ and we were spectacular,” Todd Bodine said.

In the three-day event a total of 12 drivers piloted specially-made bobsleds down the track in Lake Placid, site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. The Bodine Bobsled Challenge is geared to raise money for the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project, which was started in 1992 by former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Geoff Bodine, who partnered with Chassis Dynamics. The Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project has built American-made bobsleds for United States athletes competing in the World Cup, World Championships and Olympic Winter Games.

Funds raised from the Bodine Bobsled Challenge go directly to the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project. The annual dinner auction held in conjunction with the event took place at the Lake Placid Crowne Plaza Hotel & Resort Saturday night with proceeds also benefiting the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project. Whelen Engineering Vice President for Motorsports and Bodine Bobsled Project President Phil Kurze was satisfied with the results.

“The auction was on par with last year’s successful event,” Kurze said. “In 2010, with it being an Olympic year, we look for the Fifth Annual Bodine Bobsled Challenge and auction to be an even bigger and better event.”

SPEED will televise four hours of the Whelen Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge on Jan. 18 at noon and Jan. 25 at 2 pm.

From Jason Cunningham, NASCAR Public Relations

Jimmie Johnson Joins GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Sunday in Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Testing

Jimmie Johnson Joins GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing For First 2009 Laps Sunday in Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Testing

Johnson and Vasser Drive in Final Practice; Gurney Turns Top Lap Of Weekend in a.m. Run

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 4, 2009) — Jimmie Johnson joined his GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing teammates Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty and Jimmy Vasser Sunday afternoon at Daytona International Speedway and quickly got up to speed in the afternoon's final practice in the No. 99 GAINSCO Auto Insurance Pontiac Riley.

"It took about three or four laps and then I was like "OK, got it,'" said Johnson, who will run in his second-consecutive Rolex 24 At Daytona with GAINSCO later this month.  "I can get within a second, but getting that last bit is the hardest in any sport.  It is one thing to get close but to be competitive is the hard thing.  My reference points, I have got those down as far as where the braking zones are, but the track has changed a little bit with some of the curbs through the bus stop (chicane).  It is just going to take some more laps."

Johnson will likely get many more laps in the third and final day of the test on Monday.  He is expected to do the majority of the driving for the team after Gurney, Fogarty and Vasser shared the No. 99 for the first half of the test.  The reigning three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion is preparing for his fifth career Rolex 24 At Daytona start and knows how difficult but rewarding the day-long race can be.

"Man, it's so worth the pain," Johnson said.  It is so much fun to do this event.  I have been second twice and it is so sweet to finish the race, I can only imagine what it would be like to win.  I would love to add that credential to my resume with the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400.  It would be awesome."

Johnson shared the car in Sunday's final one-hour practice with Vasser after Gurney set the team's fastest lap of the weekend so far in the morning practice.  Gurney's time of 1:42.230 (125.364 mph) ranked fourth fastest in that session and the lap put the GAINSCO team back within range of the competition's fastest times.

Johnson and Vasser joined lead drivers Gurney and Fogarty in finishing second in last year's Rolex 24 At Daytona and GAINSCO is one of the few teams to return with the same driver lineup in 2009.  Johnson's first second-place Rolex 24 finish came in 2005 when he was part of the runner-up lineup in a Pontiac Crawford.

Monday's testing schedule includes a morning practice at 10:15 a.m. and the final run of the test that afternoon at 2:30 p.m.  Testing is open to the public for a $10 admission, which includes access to the infield, garage and Sprint FANZONE.

From Adam Saal

Michael Shank Racing Quickest in "Roar Before the Rolex 24" Opening Session

Michael Shank Racing Quickest in "Roar Before the Rolex 24" Opening Session

Valiante fastest driver in three practice sessions Saturday; Sunday's testing starts at 9 a.m.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 3, 2009) - Michael Valiante ran the fastest lap of the day in the No. 6 Michael Shank Racing Ford Riley, leading the opening round of the "Roar Before the Rolex 24" at Daytona International Speedway.

Valiante ran a lap of 1:41.760 (125.943 mph) to lead the first day of the three-day session in preparation for the 47th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona Jan. 24-25, the opening round of the 2009 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16.

The "Road Before the Rolex 24" continues Sunday with practice for the Rolex Series and Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The test concludes Monday, with practice from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Spectator admission is $10 both days, and includes access to the Sprint FANZONE and Grand-Am garage areas.

"The car is working real well, and the team has been phenomenal," said Valiante, who will be running his first race with Michael Shank Racing, co-driving with AJ Allmendinger, John Pew and Ian James. "The team is working well together in the short amount of time I've been here, and they've made it real easy for me to come in and drive the car. We've been working well since the first test here in October."

Meanwhile, Scott Pruett led the opening session with a lap of 1:42.163 (125.459 mph) in the No. 01 TELMEX Target Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Lexus Riley. While Pruett is seeking his fourth career and third consecutive overall victory in the Rolex 24, Ganassi Racing is going for a fourth consecutive triumph, dating back to a 2006 triumph by the team's No. 02 entry.

"It's always nice to pick up after a winning season," said Pruett, who won second Daytona Prototype championship last season. He will be joined by defending co-champion Memo Rojas and Juan Pablo Montoya in the No. 01 entry.

"Last year was huge for Ganassi Racing, winning our third in a row. Now, we're going for four, and that says a lot about the team and the commitment Ganassi has made. We haven't been in these cars since the end of last season, and we missed the testing here in October and November. To come here right out of the box and be fastest in our opening practice is a great way to start the year."

Montoya will be seeking his second consecutive victory in the event.

"I'm pretty excited, because the car is pretty quick," said Montoya, the 2000 Indianapolis 500 winner. "It's probably a little easier to drive around here, so we'll have to wait and see what happens."

Dario Franchitti was part of the 2008 winning Ganassi lineup. For 2009, he shifts to the No. 02 entry, co-driving with Target Chip Ganassi IndyCar Series teammate Scott Dixon and 2007 Indy Lights champion Alex Lloyd. Dixon is the defending Indianapolis 500 winner and IndyCar Series champion, while Franchitti accomplished both fetes in 2007.

"Chip's going for four in a row, so it should be pretty exciting," Franchitti said. "That's an amazing statistic, and it speaks volumes for the job that this team does. The team has done a great job preparing the car, as usual, and it's always exciting to come back to Daytona. It's good to be in the car with Scott. We've raced against each other for a long time, so it's nice to be in the same car now, because it gives us a chance to work with each other. My engineer, Chris Simmons, is engineering the No. 02 car, so that will also help get us ready for the IndyCar season.

"If you look at the entry list, there are many, many strong teams," Franchitti added. "But these guys are up to the challenge."

David Donohue led the evening session, waiting until the closing minutes to run a lap of 1:42.217 (125.380 mph) in the No. 58 Brumos Racing Porsche Riley co-driven by Darren Law, Buddy Rice and Antonio Garcia.

"The Brumos guys did a great job, because we had issues with the engine in the afternoon session," said Donohue, who missed October and November testing while recuperating from shoulder surgery. "It started making funny sounds, so the guys went ahead and changed it between sessions. We went out towards the end of the session, and what can I say, the car is good. We've done a lot of testing here, so we're pretty pleased."

Also on Saturday, Childress-Howard Motorsports announced its driver lineup for the 2009 Rolex 24. IndyCar Series regular Danica Patrick and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Casey Mears will join three-time Rolex 24 winner Andy Wallace and Rob Finlay in the No. 2 Pontiac Crawford.

"We think we've got a real good package, running with Richard Howard and Max Crawford," said Richard Childress, a six-time championship-winning car owner in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. "We've got a great driver lineup. Danica will do a real good job here. She's a great road racer, and we're excited to have her in the car. Casey's real excited. He won this race three years ago with Chip Ganassi, and he called me and said, If you've got a seat, put me in.'"

A total of 49 cars - 20 Daytona Prototypes and 29 GT - participated in the opening day's testing, with 52 teams filing entries for the event.

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For additional information contact Grand-Am:
J.J. O'Malley, Manager of Communications, 386-681-6910, jjomalley@grand-am.com

Ford Mustangs Dominate Saturday's Opening Day of KONI Sports Car Challenge Testing at Daytona

Ford Mustangs Dominate Saturdays Opening Day of KONI Sports Car Challenge Testing at Daytona

Rehagen Racing and ICY/Phoenix Racing strongest in GS and ST respectively in first of three test days

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 3, 2009) - Ford Mustang GTs were the class of the Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge field in Saturday's "Roar Before the Rolex 24" test session at Daytona International Speedway, sweeping the top six Grand Sport (GS) practice times on the first of three test days to open the 2009 campaign.

The lead car belonged to Ken Wilden, who set the fastest time of 2:00.918 (105.989 mph) late in the afternoon session in the No. 59 Rehagen Racing RehagenRacingProducts.com Ford Mustang GT. Wilden passed fellow Rehagen Racing driver Nick Gullatta, who had set a time of 2:01.262 (105.689 mph).

James Gue, the 2008 KONI GS runner-up with Bret Seafuse, was third on the charts in the No. 37 JBS Motorsports Trumansburg Shur Save Ford Mustang GT, followed by Hugh Plumb and Jack Roush Jr. in the No. 61 Horsepower Ranch Sunset Hills Vineyard Ford Mustang GT; Matt Plumb and Mike Canney in the No. 60 Horsepower Ranch Sunset Hills Vineyard Ford Mustang GT; and Bryan Ortiz and Roberto Bengoa in the No. 57 Rehagen Racing Ford Mustang GT.

In Street Tuner (ST) competition, Kristian Skavnes was quickest of the two practice sessions, setting a best time of 2:11.162 (97.711 mph) in the No. 111 ICY/Phoenix Racing Subaru Legacy.

Overall, 30 cars made on-track appearances. Sunday's KONI Sports Car Challenge practice begins at 11 a.m., and the final session ends at 3:45 p.m.

Rehagen Racing Continues Where Team Left Off

Dean Martin had to rebuild the Rehagen Racing team after losing three of its drivers during the offseason.

However, the team showed Saturday its driver power and horsepower in claiming three of the top six positions in practice. Leading the way was Ken Wilden in the No. 59 Ford Mustang GT; he was flanked by Nick Gullatta in the No. 58 Ford Mustang GT and Bryan Ortiz in the No. 57 Ford Mustang GT.

Rehagen Racing finished 1-2 in the season finale at Virginia International Raceway last October, with Mike Canney and Hugh and Matt Plumb charging to victory. In the offseason, Canney formed Horsepower Ranch, taking the Plumb brothers and Jack Roush Jr. with him. Martin was in the second-place finishing car.

But Martin landed Wilden, whom he won with at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 2007, and garnered the likes of Gene Martindale and Nick Gullatta for two cars on Saturday. Wilden will be a fulltime driver in 2009. Andrew Caddell was also driving the No. 58 car.

"I think this is a Mustang track for sure," Wilden said. "I don't think we are going any faster than we were last year. I think you'll see guys go for it tomorrow. Our car ran flawlessly today. We've got some issues we're going to try and sort out to make our car more manageable over the long run. We put on some new tires and I actually cooled down a lap before setting that fast one."

The newly-formed Horsepower Ranch didn't show any major issues Saturday. The cars came in at fourth and fifth on the charts Saturday, both cars faster in the afternoon session than the morning's practice. Hugh Plumb, who drove with Canney last season, was quickest on two of the three test days in the 2008 January Test Days, and said the No. 61 started out well.

"We're out to win a championship this year, and we need to be the best every weekend," Hugh Plumb said. "I think we're headed on the right course. Today, we did well, and we look to improve on that throughout the weekend. Come the race, we look to be on the top of the podium."

TRG Fastest Porsche on First Day

The fastest Porsche on the first day of KONI Sports Car Challenge was the No. 41 TRG Porsche 997, with Andy Lally and John Potter driving the car.

Lally drove for three teams in KONI competition in 2008, earning a victory driving for TRG with co-driver Scott Schroeder. TRG has two other cars - the Nos. 39 and 41 Porsche 997s - in its operation this weekend. Spencer Pumpelly and Duncan Ende drove the No. 39 and Schroeder and Beau Borders drove the No. 40.

Lally has several victories at Daytona in the past, but none have come in KONI action. TRG is also looking for its first KONI victory at the 3.56-mile track.

"We've got a very well set-up car," Lally said. "It's as finely tuned and about as good as it's going to get. It handles excellent, we've got a great brake package; we just can't go any faster.

"We're just going to have to have a perfect race," Lally said about having a shot to win the race. "The other thing is that we just have to have long runs."

Added Ende: "Daytona is exactly the perfect track for us, but we ran here very strongly last year before we fell out at the end of the race. Of course, a Porsche won last year (from BGB Motorsports) so it can be done. I think we're going to field the best Porsches, and if we call a good setup and stay up front we can have a good shot."

Ranger Sport Racing Team Starting Sixth Season in KONI Sports Car Challenge

Barry Ellis, Fraser Wellon and Frank Rossi will start their sixth season in KONI Sports Car Challenge GS competition in 2009, after debuting in 2004 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. In that race, the three piloted the car to a career-best second-place finish.

After admitting progression throughout each season, the team drivers and owners are looking forward to running at Daytona at the end of the month. The team's No. 88 Ranger Sport Racing Hop-A-Jet Porsche 997, which will be piloted by Ellis and Wellon, was built last season, while the No. 89 Porsche 997 is a veteran machine, and will have Rossi and Marcelo Abello as co-drivers

Though the team struggled to find speed its drivers and owners say is needed to be competitive, Ellis said one advantage was the team's presence. Several teams decided to forego the three-day test and concentrate on the single test day prior to the Fresh From Florida 200.

"We certainly hope to get a lot accomplished during the test here," Ellis said. "We came here with a list of things we're going to try. We know we're not going to have the horsepower here, so we're working on the handling and trying to make it the best handling car we can."

The trio's best finish at Daytona came in 2007, with a ninth-place result.

ICY/Phoenix Racing Quickest ST Team of Day

Notching the fastest KONI ST time of the day was Kristian Skavnes, who turned a lap of 2:11.775 (97.257 mph) in the No. 111 ICY/Phoenix Racing Subaru Legacy. Skavnes, who paired with Andrew Aquilante, was among the fastest cars in last year's three-day test session at Daytona as well.

Second and third went to the same driver - Tom Long - who piloted two Mazda MX-5s for Freedom Autosport. His fastest time came in the afternoon session, when he lapped the track at 2:11.162 (97.614 mph) in the No. 145 machine. He was also third quickest in the No. 146 Mazda MX-5.

Skavnes was fourth in the KONI ST point standings in 2008 and won at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with Chuck Hemmingson. The New Jersey native led the points twice in 2008 before falling victim to problems at the end of the season.

Burrows, Hopwood Pleased with RSR Motorsports' Mini Cooper S

Driving their third car in as many seasons, Adam Burrows and Trevor Hopwood are set to regain momentum from the middle portions of the 2008 season and claim their second championship since moving into the KONI Sports Car Challenge in 2007.

Burrows finished second and Hopwood sixth in the 2008 ST point standings, after winning the 2007 title despite not winning a race. This season, they will drive for RSR Motorsports in the No. 198 Mini Cooper S after signing with car owner Randy Smalley's team last fall.

Both noted brakes when discussing their first on-track performances, which came during the morning session. Burrows said he had "never driven so deep into a turn before and came out without crashing," and Hopwood said he was ecstatic with the handling.

"There is no question these guys have done a lot of detail work on these cars," Burrows said. "You can tell the quality and craftsmanship is there. The handling is amazing; the braking is great. These cars are well put together, and it's going to be a lot of fun."

The team's No. 196 Mini Cooper S also made on-track appearances with Smalley, veteran Owen Trinkler, Joe Toussaint and rookie Jade Buford behind the wheel.

Other News and Notes

Several drivers made rounds in the KONI Sports Car Challenge garage area looking for rides for Daytona and the season. Among them were Mark White and Chip Herr...The No. 5 Blackforest Motorsports Dodge Challenger made its on-track debut with Tom Nastasi behind the wheel. The car managed only five laps during the first session.

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For additional information contact Grand-Am:
Michael Harker, PR Coordinator, 386-681-6379, mharker@grand-am.com