Canadian Motorsports Expo profiled in today's Toronto Star / Wheels section

In his motorsports column in today's Toronto Star / Wheels Section, Norris McDonald wrote about next weekend's Canadian Motorsports Expo. Thanks to Norris for all his support of the show and Canadian racing. Click here to see the story.

Delaware Speedway to host NASCAR Sprint Cup stars Kyle Busch, David Reutimann and Regan Smith on July 7, 2010

The first annual “Delaware Summer Showdown” will take place the evening of Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at Delaware Speedway, near London, Ontario. The event will feature current NASCAR Sprint Cup Stars, Kyle Busch (above), David Reutimann and Regan Smith competing against the best drivers from Delaware Speedway’s weekly NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

Recent Delaware Speedway champions from the APC NASCAR Late Model division, such as Steve Robblee, Jesse Kennedy, Scott Lindsay and DJ Kennington will lead an elite field into this unprecedented showcase event.

“It will be a privilege to have them (Busch, Reutimann and Smith) come up, to introduce them to Delaware and to find out what they’re about,” said Robblee, a 9-time Delaware Speedway Champion and current NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Canadian National Champion. “I think it will be a good deal for Delaware and its competitors. I don’t see how we can go wrong. The fans are in for a treat.”

Kennington, who has competed against Busch and Smith in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, is looking forward to having those drivers come north. “For me it’s gonna be awesome because they get to kick my butt every week down there (in the United States) and we hope this will even out the playing field a little.”

The excitement over the event has even caused a “rift” in the house of Ron Sheridan, one of Delaware Speedway’s most popular and competitive drivers over the last ten years. “My son Jake says he doesn’t know who to cheer for now because he’s a Kyle Busch fan,” laughed Sheridan. “But I think it’s great. It’s very exciting. It’s great for the racers, great for the speedway and great for the fans.”

An exhibition (non-points) event, the “Delaware Summer Showdown” will see Busch, Reutimann and Smith compete in a 35-lap feature race against an elite field of Delaware Speedway competitors. The NASCAR Stars will drive in the same Late Model-style car as the Delaware Speedway drivers.

Specifics about the event format and driver qualification (including the possibility of competitors from other tracks to participate) will be announced separately.

As for whether or not the NASCAR Sprint Cup stars will adjust to both the Late Model-style car and the race track itself – which is renowned in stock-car circles for being a little tricky to navigate – Delaware’s top drivers don’t seem to be concerned.

“I don’t think it’ll be a big deal for them,” said Robblee. “They grew up racing cars like that. I’m sure they’ve driven lots of late model cars.”

Asked if they’re ready to take on some of NASCAR’s best, Kennington was quick to respond: “Game on.”

Regarding the visiting drivers: Many know Kyle Busch as a brash, outrageously talented and outspoken competitor. Perhaps NASCAR’s fastest rising star, he is a driver whom many fans love to hate for his hot temper mixed with magic on the track. Busch is thee only NASCAR driver to win races in two of its national touring series on the same day, winning the Camping World Truck Series and Nationwide Series races held on February 21, 2009.

Currently driving for Joe Gibbs racing, Busch won five races at NASCAR’s highest level in 2009 including one of the Daytona “Duel” events in Florida as well as wins at Richmond, Las Vegas and both races at Bristol which, like Delaware Speedway, is a half-mile oval.

“They’re the same as we are,” Kennington said of Busch, Reutimann and Smith. “Kyle’s actually a really funny guy, really down to earth. It will be cool to have him here.”

David Reutimann is a Florida native, and a third generation driver who races for Michael Waltrip in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and for Braun Racing in the Nationwide Series. He drives the #00 in Sprint Cup, the same number used by his father, Emil “Buzzie” Reutimann during his driving career. He was the Truck Series’ Rookie of the Year in 2004, won his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pole Award in 2008 and earned his first Sprint Cup victory in May of 2009 in a rain-shortened event at Charlotte. He ended the season in 16th place in championship points.

Regan Smith began his NASCAR career racing in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2002 and moved to the Busch (now known as Nationwide) Series full-time in 2006. Last year, Smith ran in 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. However, he has a lot to look forward to in 2010 as Furniture Row Racing has announced that it will run the full 36-race schedule with Regan Smith at the wheel. Smith’s crew chief, Ryan Coniam, is from Burlington, Ontario.

“What pleases us most about this event is the opportunity to showcase the competitors that have supported Delaware Speedway for so long, and to give their loyal fans a great show,” said track General Manager, Joe Czernai. “We are committed to building awareness of our NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and its competitors and creating added value for the many corporate partners that help keep the race teams coming to the track each week. We believe this is another step in the right direction.”

“This is a sign of how far the speedway has come,” Sheridan said. “I love the format of a Wednesday night race. It’s gonna be a fun day. It’s going to be great for the speedway.”

General admission tickets for the event will soon be available online at www.delawarespeedway.com and will also be available at Delaware Speedway’s display at the CPT Racing Experience trade show, this Saturday and Sunday (January 16 and 17) at the Western Fair Agriplex, as well as at the track’s display at the Canadian Motorsports Expo in Toronto, January 22 – 24, 2010.

More information about Delaware Speedway is available online at www.delawarespeedway.com, through the track’s new Official Facebook Group or via Twitter “@DelawareSpdwy”.

For further information: Kevin Bulmer, CPT Entertainment // Cell: (519) 280-8301 // Email: kevin@cptentertainment.com

Tagliani and FAZZT Race Team unveil their IndyCar in Montreal

Today at the Montreal International Auto Show the FAZZT Race Team has announced a partnership with Bowers & Wilkins (B & W), the worlds leading producers of reference quality hi-fi and home theater speakers, and unveiled their livery for the inaugural race of the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series March 14 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In addition to the car livery; the team firesuits, pit equipment, and uniforms will also carry the B & W branding.

"Our partnership with FAZZT is a great opportunity for Bowers and Wilkins to promote our expanding range of multi-media products to the Brazilian consumer and the global IZOD IndyCar audience," said owner and Chairman Joe Atkins. "We feel strongly that the profile of this event and the entire Series fit very well with the demographics of the new digital consumer and provides us with a unique opportunity to showcase our new products and to support this exciting new team."

Team principals Andre Azzi and Jim Freudenberg joined driver and Montreal native Alex Tagliani at the unveiling of the #77's livery during the media tour at the famed Montreal International Auto Show. "It is an honor and the fulfillment of a long time dream to unveil the FAZZT Race Team #77 in my hometown of Montreal," said Andre Azzi. "It has been a huge process to get our team to this point and we are excited to not only be a part of the grid in 2010 but to be a competitive entity in the IZOD IndyCar Series."

The team will begin the season with the B & W livery and then continue their campaign with additional partners and liveries. "The Montreal Auto Show is a wonderful opportunity for us to unveil our livery and B & W partnership to a worldwide audience in anticipation of the 2010 season opener," said team chief operating officer Jim Freudenberg. "The global marketing platform that we are able to provide our partners through the IZOD IndyCar Series will be showcased with B & W in Sao Paulo in March."

B & W (www.bowers-wilkins.com) will be joined on the #77 FAZZT Race Team car by associate partners: TorcUP-makers of hydraulic and pneumatic bolting tools and a division of Edmonton based Cantorque, a previous supporter of Alex Tagliani (www.cantorque.com); Fast Eddie Racewear-the Canadian based official clothing supplier for FAZZT Race Team (www.fasteddieracewear.com); Inner City Promotions (ICP) ---a loyalty and card marketing agency who have begun production of the FAZZT Race Team fan loyalty card (www.innercitypromo.com); La Capsule Sportive---a Quebec-based retailer of sports merchandise including the FAZZT Race Team apparel  (www.lacapsulesportive.com) and Sharp Business Systems-an Indianapolis based office equipment and electronic systems provider that as been a longtime partner of Freudenberg's racing endeavors (www.sbsindiana.com).

About Bowers-Wilkins:  To find your nearest Bowers & Wilkins stockist, visit www.bowers-wilkins.com. Bowers & Wilkins has over 40 years of audio engineering experience. It makes the world's most advanced home cinema, hi-fi and iPod® speakers, which are used by Abbey Road Studios and music lovers everywhere. Its New Media products redefine the audio experience for the digital consumer.

About FAZZT Race Team: The FAZZT Race Team was formed in July 2009 as a partnership between Andre Azzi of the Azzi Race Division, ATG, and Jim Freudenberg and Jason Priestley of the Rubicon Sports Agency. The team will field a full-time IndyCar Series team beginning in 2010. The team has four Dallara chassis and has signed Canadian driver Alex Tagliani to drive the #77 entry. Andre Azzi, a Montreal based entrepreneur, is the teams' Chief Executive Officer and motorsports veteran Jim Freudenberg is the teams' Chief Operating Officer. The team is housed in a 25,000 ft. race shop on the north side of Indianapolis with a second facility that will house their Research and Design division in Montreal. For more information, go to www.FAZZTRaceTeam.com.

Media contacts:  Jana Watt // FAZZT Race Team // (317) 709-3855 or janaw@fazztraceteam.com
Max d'Orsonnens: For FAZZT Race Team //  (514) 990-4988 or maxdo@videotron.ca

CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour Awards Banquet Just Around the Corner

(Halifax, NS) – The CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour banquet is fast approaching and Tour staff are busy finalizing preparations. The CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour’s top 20 drivers of 2009 will be honoured on January 23rd, when the teams come together at the Holiday Inn Harbourview Hotel in Dartmouth, NS, to celebrate the past season. Family, friends and sponsors will join the drivers and crew, as they trade their race day uniforms for business attire for the awards presentation, dinner and dance that make up the gala evening. Over $75,000 in cash, trophies and awards will be presented to the drivers during the event.

Shawn Turple (Enfield, NS), the 2009 champion will receive $10,000 and the winner’s trophy from the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour year-end point fund. The remaining $40,000 of the year-end point fund and finish place trophies will be paid to the remaining 19 drivers during the presentations.

EIT Race Radios will present cash awards and trophies to the 2009 EIT Race Radio rookie of the year, Josh Jaillett (MacDougall Settlement, NB) and runner-up Jason Carnahan (Stilesville, NB).

Parts For Trucks will honour the three drivers who earned the most points in the Parts For Trucks Challenge, the four races sponsored by Parts For Trucks. A pair of Shawns were on top of the board once the tally was completed. Shawn Turple captured the 2009 Parts For Trucks Challenge, while Shawn Tucker, (Fredericton, NB) was runner-up. Greg Proude (Springvale, PE) grabbed the third place hardware.

Proude captured the Atlantic Tiltload Time Trial award to be presented to the driver recording the most “fast times” in Atlantic Tiltload qualifying during the season. Proude set the fastest qualifying times at three events in 2009.

Coast Tire & Auto Service will present the Coast Tire & Auto Service Most Laps Led award to the three drivers who led the most feature race laps. Wayne Smith (Timberlea, NS) led the most laps in 2009. Greg Proude was runner-up, while John Flemming (Halifax, NS) rounded out the top three.

The Cathy Ledwidge Memorial Award, one of the most prestigious of the night, will be presented to the most sportsman driver. What makes this award so special is that the drivers in a secret ballot decide the winner. That and the fact it is named after a long time racing official and member of the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour family who was well liked and respected.

Awards will be presented to the drivers in the top finishing cars for each automobile manufacturer. Recognition to the top Dodge, Ford, General Motors and Toyota drivers will be made.

As well, R&D Performancenter, Linde Canada and Lonnie Sommerville Racing will make a number of vendor awards during the evening.

All those who gather to celebrate the 2009 CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour racing season are sure to have a great evening.

About the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour: The CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour (CPST) is the highest level of stock car racing in Canada.  The Tour is recognized in the industry as one of the healthiest stock car racing series in North America. CPST visits five tracks throughout the Maritimes during its May through September season. The CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour is owned and operated by Maritime Pro Stock Tour Limited. For more information, call our administration office at 902.481.2531 or click www.maritimeprostocktour.com

Media Contact: Tara Foster // 902.429.4069 // 902.488.0809 mobile // 902.832.6668 fax // Media@maritimeprostocktour.com 

STEVE MATHEWS PREPARING TO ENTER NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES

January 13, 2010. After two very successful outings last year and getting a taste of the competition, Nineteen year old racer Steven Mathews of New Liskeard, Ontario is now set to savor the flavour of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (NCATS) full-time in 2010 beginning with the season opener at Delaware Speedway on June 5^th.

“Speedy Steve” as he is known to his fans and Late Model competitors showed his quickness at both NCATS events he participated in last year qualifying in the top-ten at two challenging tracks; Mosport Speedway and Kawartha Speedway. Mathews would also lead the race at Kawartha Speedway for sixteen laps and overall was reasonably satisfied with his showing at both races. “The competition is so strong in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series that I thought to finish in the top-ten at our first race was pretty good” said Mathews. “While I was leading at Kawartha I got bumped by another car and ended up at the back of the field. I think we passed the most cars that day but ultimately didn’t get the finish we anticipated, again though we showed how competitive this team can be” he added.

A student of racing since he first climbed behind the wheel at age eight Mathews worked tirelessly preparing for the two NCATS races well before he arrived at the track. “I watched a lot of video of both races to learn as much about the tracks and the competition that I could” said Mathews. “I always do that before going to a track I’ve never raced at before, and I always ask a lot of questions and talk with the other competitors to try and get as much help as I can” he stated.

One of the biggest adjustments for Steve Mathews was getting used to the length of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series events. “These are tough races” said the young man. “I’m used to running much shorter races so I had to learn to try and be patient instead of wanting to charge hard on every lap the way I’m used to. You need to take care of your equipment and make sure you are in a position to go hard for the finish” he added.

In addition to his two NCATS events last season the experience Steve Mathews has gained in other racing disciplines has prepared him to take the next step into NASCAR full-time. Last year alone he scored Two Late Model victories at Delaware Speedway, multiple top-five finishes at Sunset Sauble, Barrie and Peterborough Speedways including a win at the prestigious Chase for the Colours event.

In 2008 he qualified fourth in his first ever ASA series event at Dixie Speedway, claimed the most wins in the Ontario Sportsman Series taking four checkered flags, while also collecting, four poles and two track records. That season he also piloted USAC Ford Focus Midgets and Full Midgets in the Western United States scoring numerous Focus Midget victories and coming second overall in North America. Steve scored several top-ten finishes in USAC Midget races including Las Vegas and Irwindale.

During the next few months Mathews will be completing his first year of the Automotive Business Management Degree Program and Georgian College and also continue to prepare for what he expects to be an exciting rookie season in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. “I’ll be starting back into my work out program now that the holidays are over” he smiled. “Seriously though, we want to start preparing cars and getting ready for the first race at Delaware Speedway as soon as possible. The group at Mathews Motorsports has always worked hard to be prepared and bring a good car to whatever track and event we’re racing at, that really helps us succeed”.

Mathews Motorsports and their representatives are nearing completion of sponsorship agreements and expect to make official announcements shortly. You can find out more about “Speedy Steve” Mathews at his newly launched website www.stevemathews.net and also keep up with the latest news, and the teams progress preparing cars, sponsor announcements and much more on this new site. You’ll also be able to track the progress of Steve Mathews all season long in the 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.

Of Note: Steve Mathews will also be appearing at the CPT Racing Experience this Saturday January 16^th in London, ON at the Western Fair Agriplex

Amico Racing is preparing their BMW 330i for the 2010 Castrol Canadian Touring Car Season

(Windsor, On) Amico Racing is actively preparing their BMW 330i for the 2010 Castrol Canadian Touring Car Season. In 2010 Amico Racing will debut a new 3.0L BMW straight six power plant, this new addition brings hope of a championship year in Castrol Canadian Touring Car. Dean Fantin will return as the driver of the #13 BMW for 2010, Dean showed us his skill by scoring several top 10 finishes in his rookie year despite the power deficit to the other top teams. It is also with great enthusiasm that Amico Racing would like to announce its latest partner, KML Building Solutions. KML Building Solutions utilizes Genesis framing technology to provide builders with a higher quality, faster, and more cost effective framing solution. The 2010 Amico Racing BMW 330i will be unveiled at the CPT Racing Experience Expo in London Ontario, January 16th & 17th . The entire Amico Race team will be on hand all weekend to answer questions. For tickets please visit http://www.cptentertainment.com/store/store/index.php?showcat=6.

For team info follow us at http://www.amicoracing.com
For media and marketing contact Dino Fantin at dfantin@amicoracing.com

Canadian Motor Speedway to have a presence at the Cdn. Motorsports Expo

(Top: John Bickford.... Above: Paxton Waters)

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CANADIAN MOTOR SPEEDWAY PROJECT TO APPEAR AT THE CME
John Bickford of Jeff Gordon Inc. and motorsports facility architect Paxton Waters will be at the Canadian Motorsports Expo to meet fans and discuss the proposed Ft. Erie, Ont. facility

(TORONTO, ON // JANUARY 11, 2010) Many Canadian racing fans are aware that Ft. Erie, Ontario has been designated as the host site for a multi-purpose, carbon-neutral motorsports facility called the Canadian Motor Speedway (CMS).

Valued at $150 million, CMS will incorporate a 1-mile ‘Jeff Gordon Design Signature Speedway’ oval, a 2.6-mile FIA grade road course, 65,000 seats (expandable to 100,000), a Motorsports and Automotive R&D Park in collaboration with McMaster University, and much more into an 820 acre parcel of land along the QEW highway, just kilometres from the Canada/US border.

Late in 2009, CMS received overwhelming support from Ft. Erie and Niagara Region councils, paving the way for construction to commence in the Spring of 2010. As part of its campaign to inform and educate the racing public about plans to create a world-class facility in Southern Ontario, the Canadian Motor Speedway will have a booth at the Canadian Motorsports Expo (CME). The CME takes place January 22-24 at the International Centre, adjacent to Toronto’s Pearson Airport.

Internationally respected motorsports facility designer Paxton Waters – the lead architect on the CMS project – will be on hand at the CMS booth at the CME, as will John Bickford, the Vice President and General Manager of Jeff Gordon, Inc. Bickford is also the stepfather of Jeff Gordon; the four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champ who is heavily involved in the design of CMS.

Fans who visit the Canadian Motor Speedway booth will be able to meet the CMS development team, ask the architect about the design, and get the inside scoop on CMS and the development process planned for between now and the track’s inaugural race day, scheduled for 2011. The booth will feature ‘never before seen’ renderings and souvenir giveaways. As well, the CMS team will be available for B2B discussions to explore partnerships and potential business opportunities with the facility.

“We are extremely excited that the Canadian Motor Speedway group is going to be at the Canadian Motorsports Expo,” said Greg MacPherson, of the CME. “In my role as Editor of Inside Track Motorsport News, I’m very familiar with this exciting project that appears poised to make a major impact on the Canadian racing scene. Having the facility architect Paxton Waters and John Bickford, of Jeff Gordon Inc., at their booth to educate the fans, racers and media about what is about to unfold in our own backyard is a real coup for the CME.”

The Canadian Motor Speedway booth is #1225, located in Hall 1 of the International Centre. Paxton Waters will be at the CMS booth throughout the entire show. John Bickford will be at the booth throughout Friday (1 to 9 p.m.) and from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday of the CME.

ABOUT THE CANADIAN MOTOR SPEEDWAY: Canadian Motor Speedway is a $150 million racetrack development situated on 820 acres of land in Fort Erie directly adjacent to the QEW within 5 miles of the Canadian/U.S. border and 11.2 miles from Niagara Falls. It will include ancillary construction for; infrastructure, recreational, commercial, industrial and educational uses that will expand the build-out to $400 million.
The core of the project consists of a standalone 1-mile oval which combines to form a 2.6 mile FIA grade road course through an innovative system of tunnels. Every one of the 60,000 stadium seats provides expansive views of both; the speedway and road course, as well as, vistas for maximum enjoyment of a comprehensive list of motorsports events. 5,000 enclosed club seats and 80 suites will favour the customer with first class catering and access. The development will provide world class racing events for up to 100,000 spectators in a variety of motorsports including automobiles, motorcycles, karting and various motorized and non-motorized public events. CMS is committed to improving on industry best practices by providing handicapped and limited maneuverability patrons with a best case scenario in terms of access, support and enjoyment. For more info, visit: www.cdnmotorspeedway.com

ABOUT PAXTON WATERS: Paxton Waters, AIA, OAA, is president of Paxton Waters Architecture, an Indiana design firm whose main focus is on Motorsport Facility design. A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Paxton has 34 years of experience as an architect and is registered in 22 states. Paxton’s first involvement with motorsports was in 1990 with the design of various buildings at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including their 60,000-sft headquarters. In 1994, Paxton was the lead designer for the California Speedway, shortly followed by the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Pikes Peak International Raceway near Colorado Springs.
Other facilities designed by Paxton are US 131 Speedway, Monroe Speedway, Mansfield Motor Speedway, and Iowa Speedway. Paxton has consulted on more than 50 feasibility studies from New York to California. Paxton is currently co-designing the Canadian Motor Speedway, in Ontario, Canada, with NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon.

ABOUT JOHN BICKFORD: John Bickford is Vice President and General Manager of Jeff Gordon, Inc. He is also step-father to NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon. Bickford started Gordon’s racing career on a makeshift racetrack in Vallejo, California in 1976 at the age of 5. At the same time, he started MPD which is a company that produces products for physically challenged people to enable them to drive cars without the use of their feet. The company also produces race car products.
In 1985, he moved east to further Jeff Gordon’s racing establishing a base in Pittsboro, Indiana. In 1996, following a move from Pittsboro to Concord, North Carolina he became the Executive Vice President of Action Performance. While with Action, he spent 18 months in Europe working on Formula One and SBK World Super Bike. In 2004, he returned to Jeff Gordon, Inc. where he remains Vice President and General Manager.

ABOUT THE CME: The Canadian Motorsports Expo is a three-day celebration of Canadian racing that runs January 22 to 24 at the International Centre (6900 Airport Road in Mississauga). The show is powered by Inside Track Motorsport News and supported by companies like Lucas Oil Canada, NASCAR Canada, Mosport International Raceway and Canadian Tire. In addition to booths and racing vehicles representing the entire spectrum of Canadian motorsports, the show is loaded with seminars and forums to entertain and inform racers and fans alike. Star drivers Matt Kenseth, Paul Tracy, Ron Fellows, Derek Daly and Jessica Zemken will be at the CME to sign autographs and meet the fans. Please check the show’s website for updates and changes.
For more information about the Canadian Motorsports Expo, visit www.canadianmotorsportsexpo.com, call Glenn Butt at (905) 721-1762 or email him at glenn@canadianmotorsportsexpo.com. You can reach co-promoters Inside Track at (416) 962-7223 or email expo@insidetracknews.com.

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Canadian Motorsports Expo: Race Time Radio to broadcast live from the CME

RACE TIME RADIO TO BROADCAST LIVE FROM THE CANADIAN MOTORSPORTS EXPO

(TORONTO, ON // JANUARY 12, 2010) An exciting new addition to the 4th Annual Canadian Motorsports Expo will be a pair of live broadcasts by Race Time Radio, direct from the floor of the International Centre. Running from noon to 1 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday of the CME (January 23 & 24), hosts Joe Chisholm and Bob Sanders will conduct interviews with top drivers, racing personalities and show exhibitors.

The Race Time Radio (RTR) duo will talk about what’s going on at the Canadian Motorsports Expo and get a feel for what racing fans can look forward to in 2010. Both broadcasts from the CME will be carried live on AM560; the home of Race Time Radio (www.racetimeradio.com). AM560 has a daytime ‘reach’ of over 200 km from Owen Sound, Ontario. And for those outside the listening area, the shows will be streamed live, around the world on the internet, at www.560cfos.ca.

“It’s going to be really cool to broadcast live from the Canadian Motorsports Expo,” said Race Time Radio co-host Joe Chisholm. “The CME is jammed with content that appeals to the racers and fans who listen to Race Time Radio. The bottom line is that it makes for great radio content. We’re hoping to encourage people to listen and then come down to the see show for themselves.”

Speaking on behalf of the CME, show founder Glenn Butt said, “We’re very pleased to welcome the Race Time Radio guys to the show for 2010. To have them giving a blow-by-blow of everything that’s going on will really add to the atmosphere. Everyone who hears them is going to wish they were live on the floor at the International Centre.”

ABOUT THE CME: The Canadian Motorsports Expo is a three-day celebration of Canadian racing that runs January 22 to 24 at the International Centre (6900 Airport Road in Mississauga). The show is powered by Inside Track Motorsport News and supported by companies like Lucas Oil Canada, NASCAR Canada, Mosport International Raceway and Canadian Tire. In addition to booths and racing vehicles representing the entire spectrum of Canadian motorsports, the show is loaded with seminars and forums to entertain and inform racers and fans alike. Star drivers Matt Kenseth, Paul Tracy, Ron Fellows, Derek Daly and Jessica Zemken will be at the CME to sign autographs and meet the fans. Please check the show’s website for updates and changes.

For more information about the Canadian Motorsports Expo, visit www.canadianmotorsportsexpo.com, call Glenn Butt at (905) 721-1762 or email him at glenn@canadianmotorsportsexpo.com. You can reach co-promoters Inside Track at (416) 962-7223 or email expo@insidetracknews.com.

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CANUSA Motorsports and RKR Motorsports Team Up to Announce NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Entry for 2010

New NASCAR Team Emerges as Ron Sheridan and CANUSA Motorsports Join Forces in 2010

(Dorchester, ON) – A brand new alliance has been formed between some of the heavy hitters of the Southwestern Ontario stock car scene. The partnership will include a limited three-race schedule for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in 2010. RKR Motorsports and CANUSA Motorsports have teamed up with Delaware Speedway veteran Late Model driver Ron Sheridan, and Sheridan will pilot the Total Lubricants / Belfor / APC Chevrolets for three events this season. The team will debut on June 5 at Delaware Speedway, also competing at Autodrome Ste. Eustache on July 3, and closing out the season with the Kawartha Speedway event on September 25.

Sheridan, who is a co-owner of RKR Motorsports, has experience at the National tour level, where he competed on a limited schedule in
2003 and 2004 under the CASCAR Super Series banner. Despite a small body of work, he was able to impress and put up some solid runs, including a career high fourth-place fi nish in the historic Labour Day event at Delaware Speedway and a fi fth-place fi nish at Kawartha Speedway. “I’m really excited about getting another shot at the series, and racing against the best teams in Canada,” explained Sheridan. “We were looking at doing at least the Delaware event, and then we started talking with the folks from CANUSA Motorsports, and they were looking at expanding their marketing. We were able to put the deal together from there.”

Ron continued to speak about the alliance between all parties, “CANUSA Motorsports, with their Total and APC brands have been such a big part of the track. For our team, we were never involved directly with them, but they have done so much with their Delaware program, which helps all the guys that race at Delaware. We were able to get to know them a little better after winning the APC 300 event in 2008, and we were very proud to win their event. They have a fi rst class operation, and do all the things that we try to do with our operation to present a professional appearance – trying to keep the rig looking good, and presenting good looking race cars. We were also thrilled to bring Belfor (formerly Restoration Masters) on board as part of the program as well. They have been with me for a long time, and we’re looking forward to continue to represent them, as well as Total Lubricants and APC.”

CANUSA Automotive Marketing Manager Luke Ramsay spoke about putting the deal together between CANUSA Motorsports and RKR Racing. “We’re thrilled about having Ron in a car that has our name on the side of it. We’ve raced against him for a number of years every Friday night and know how hard he drives and how talented he is, and we think his is going to do a tremendous job representing all three major marketing partners.”

As for selecting those three events, Ramsay explained, “We picked them for a number of different reasons. Obviously Delaware is the home track for Ron and his team, and we have a tremendous relationship with the track, so that was a natural fi t. Total Lubricants Canadian headquarters are in Montreal so that made Ste. Eustace a logical choice. We think that Kawartha will support our marketing efforts in the Toronto market, and while we had a couple of races to choose from, that one fi ts because it’s after the Delaware season is all wrapped up.”

The Chevrolet Impala will carry the number 52 and be on display for the fi rst time this weekend at the CPT Racing Experience in London, ON, Saturday January 16th, and Sunday January 17th at the Western Fair Agriplex.

For more information on CANUSA Motorsports, Delaware Speedway, Autodrome Ste. Eustache, Kawartha Speedway, Total Lubricants, Belfor, APC, CANUSA, NASCAR Canadian Series, or the CPT Racing Experience, please visit www.canusa.on.ca, www.delawarespeedway.com, www.autodrome.ca, www.kawarthadowns.com, www.lubricants.total.com, www.belfor.com, www.autopartscentres.com, http://localracing.nascar.com/series/6, or www.cptrace.com or contact Luke Ramsay at (519) 268-7070.

Release courtesy of www.maudsleymotorsports.com.

RACE 101 announces Canadian scholarship winner

Brockville driver Billings headed to North Carolina

DENVER, NORTH CAROLINA, January 13, 2010 – RACE 101 announced today that DIRT sportsman racer Matt Billings is its first Canadian scholarship winner.
An acronym for Research, Analyze, Consult, Educate 1 on 1 – RACE 101 was founded by successful crew chief Tony Blanchard. The one-year program is designed for short track racers looking to further their careers in motorsports through education.
“I can’t wait to start the program,” said Billings. “I look forward to learning more about the industry when I go to North Carolina. This is a big opportunity for me to reach the next level.”
The classes focus on the mechanics of a race car, communication with the crew chief, and public relations and image as core areas. Seat time in one of RACE 101’s house cars will accompany the classroom education. Blanchard – best known for his work with NASCAR Sprint Cup racer Joey Logano as crew chief for Joe Gibbs Racing in the USAR Pro Cup Series – focuses on quality rather than quantity.
“We carefully selected the scholarship winners based on their passion for racing and their desire to learn,” says Blanchard. “We plan to provide a quality education for these talented drivers. Our mission is to improve the sport of auto racing by educating drivers in their areas of need.”
The entire 2010 class will be announced on January 29th, with an 11 a.m. press conference from Charlotte, North Carolina. The conference will be streamed live at Race101.net along with various media outlets carrying the presentation.
“Matt Billings represents everything we’re looking for in a driver,” says RACE 101 Canadian representative Adam Ross. “At just 16 years old he has a great deal of maturity combined with youthful enthusiasm. He is an ideal match for RACE 101.”
Five Canadians will be introduced on January 29th in the inaugural class of 20 students.
“There’s a great deal of talent north of the border,” says Blanchard. “Canada has produced great racers, and we will help our students achieve their goals in motorsports.”
For more information on RACE 101, contact Adam Ross at (519) 212-8632, adam@race101.net, or visit Race101.net.
- 30 -

Northeast Big-Block Teams Ready To Relocate For Florida DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park

With entries already representing six states and two Canadian provinces, an admirable Big-Block Modified preliminary pre-race roster for the 39th Annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park boasts nearly 40 drivers geared up to take the trip south in February.

The anticipated trek to Volusia kicks off with an optional practice day on Tuesday, Feb. 9, opens for racing on Wednesday and concludes Saturday, Feb. 13 with a big $5,000-to-win 50-lapper. Two more Big-Block shows are scheduled in between, Feb. 11-12.

“The momentum is building as more teams continue to firm up plans to make the haul to Florida next month,” remarked Joe Skotnicki, DIRTcar Racing Northeast Director of Competition & Track Sanctioning. “There’s a great mix of series veterans and rising young talent ready to carry on a tradition that is like no other during the winter months.”

The current cast of stars and cars from the Northeastern Big-Block Modified ranks includes over 20 drivers from last year, with 11 of the Top-12 in final 2009 Florida Tour points once again slated to depart for the Sunshine State in the coming weeks.

Headlining the list are defending overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Champion Brett Hearn, reigning Florida DIRTcar Nationals points king Pat Ward and DIRTcar Northeast's all-time winningest Big-Block Modified driver Alan Johnson. Hearn holds the current mark with 19 career DCN victories while Johnson is the only driver to win at least one Modified feature every season in DIRTcar Racing’s 34 years of existence.

That legendary trio is joined by Super DIRTcar Series standouts Jimmy Phelps, Danny Johnson, Gypsum teammates Billy Decker and Larry Wight, Xtreme Lubricants racers Matt Sheppard and teammate Jeff Brownell Jr., and ’09 Motorsports Safety Systems/G-FORCE Presented By ButlerBuilt DIRTcar NE Big-Block Modified Rookie of the Year Rich Scagliotta.

New York notables include Bobby Varin, Dave Rauscher, Keith Flach, Rob Bellinger, brothers Randy & Roger Chrysler, plus Jeremy Markle and rookie Billy VanInwegen in his maiden voyage from the Empire State. Tim Kerr is the lone entry from Ontario while Frenchmen Mario Clair, Michel Chicoine along with Wallace and Dexter Stacey are slated to make the long haul from Quebec.

Veteran Jimmy Horton, brothers Ryan & Mark Forte Jr. and partners Richie Pratt Jr. and Brett Ballard are signed up from New Jersey while Rick Laubach, Ray Swinehart, Dan Vauter and Darwin Greene will be representing Pennsylvania in their journey south.

’09 DCN points runner-up Andy Bachetti from Massachusetts is the only New Englander ready to roll into gator country while Rex & Rex King Jr. will be flying the Ohio banner for another year. A race winner last February at VSP, Jamie Mills will be towing into town for the 13th consecutive winter while First State foe H.J. Bunting III can’t wait for his inaugural start in DIRTcar’s 22nd Sunshine State showdown.

Drivers wishing to update team information for the pre-race roster, please contact DIRTcar Northeast PR Director Tom Skibinski by phone (585/350-8997) or through e-mail tskibinski@dirtcar.com correspondence. Specific questions regarding rules can be directed to DIRTcar NE Chief Technical Inspector Bob Dini (845/358-5049, bdini@dirtcar.com) and Director Joe Skotnicki (704/796-4566, jskotnicki@dirtcar.com).

Tickets are on sale for the 39th Annual DIRTcar Nationals, February 2-13, available for any individual night and also in blocks for each headline division at Volusia. Along with the Big-Block Modifieds, competition also features Sprint Car racing (Feb. 3-7), Late Model action (Feb. 8-13) and UMP/DIRTcar Modified activity (Feb. 2-9).

A FREE Fan Pit Pass has been made available to every ticket buyer who comes through the main gates each night of the DIRTcar Nationals at VSP beginning on Feb. 2. All fans have to do once they arrive at the track is take their grandstand ticket and head toward the pits, where a table will be set up to sign-in for an up-close look at the cars and stars who will be racing that night. To purchase tickets call Volusia Speedway Park at 386/985-4402, for more information visit www.DIRTcarNationals.com.

In addition, every person that purchases a ticket for the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia before January 15 will be entered in the “Fan of February” contest currently being held. The winner will be announced on January 16 and will receive two tickets for each of the (4) Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified shows run at VSP In February, as well as a free hotel stay during that time. Winners will also be selected for the World of Outlaws Sprint Car and WoO Late Model Series portion of the 2010 DCN, as well as the UMP DIRTcar Modified segment. For more information visit www.fanoffebruary.com.

Big-Block Modified news is always available on-line at www.superdirtcarseries.com <http://www.superdirtcarseries.com/> . Be sure to sign up as a Super DIRTcar Series follower on Twitter by visiting http://www.twitter.com/SuperDIRTcar and receive updates anywhere at anytime as the 2010 season gets underway.

2010 Florida DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH – Volusia Speedway Park
Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Roster (thru Jan. 11)
0          Richie Pratt Jr./Woodbury Heights,NJ….Only other Florida trip made in 2004
01        Brett Ballard/Pennsville,NJ….Pratt’s partner in Sal DeBruno’s South Jersey ride
07        Tim Kerr/Picton,ONT….4th voyage to VSP with 12th-place best in ’09 opener
1          Darwin Greene/Susquehanna,PA….Now with both dirt & asphalt experience
3d        Dexter Stacey/Kahnawake,QUE….2nd-generation teenager set for Fla. debut
7          Rich Laubach/Quakertown,PA….Returns for title run with best equipment ever
8          Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook,NJ....Furthest traveler on ’09 Big&Small-Block tours
8r         Rob Bellinger/Dexter,NY….Qualified for 3 races in 2008 inaugural appearance
9s        Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY….DIRTcar NE’s winningest in ’09 looks for more
10v      Bobby Varin/Sharon Springs,NY….Secures proven ride with Saya & Kingsley
14        Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ….Past DCN champion & winner knows VSP
14j       Alan Johnson/Middlesex,NY….Launches 35th straight year in DIRTcar Big-Block
20        Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ….Since 1998, went home winless only once in Feb. ‘07
21k      Randy Chrysler/Lewiston,NY….2002 overall Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Champion
t21       Roger Chrysler/Lewiston,NY….Older half of popular Western New York tandem
22        Mario Clair/St-Edmond,QUE….2007 overall Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Champ
23        Billy VanInwegen/Sparrowbush,NY….Transition from open-cockpit to open-wheel
29        Jeff Brownell Jr./Waterloo,NY….Out of Sheppard’s shadow after ’09 track title
30        Jamie Mills/Milford,DE….Sunshine State staple ready to open 3rd decade at VSP
33        Ray Swinehart/Bechtelsville,PA….DCN’s most seasoned chauffeur at 57 years
34        Andy Bachetti/Sheffield,MA….Earned lone VSP feature win & points crown in ‘05
m40    Mark Forte Jr./Blue Anchor,NJ….Joined father Mark Sr. for 2008 trip to Florida
r40      Ryan Forte/Blue Anchor,NJ….Set for maiden voyage with Big-Block brother
42p     Pat Ward/Genoa,NY….Kicks off new decade as defending Fla. tour champ
43        Keith Flach/Ravena,NY….3 Top-10s solid in 3rd trip to Volusia last winter
48too  Dave Rauscher/Waterloo,NY….Posted 14th-place best a year ago
49er    Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY….Experimental ride lined up for Fla. DCN veteran
65        Rex King/Bristolville,OH….Veteran recovered after last winter hip surgery
66w     Wallace Stacey/Kahnawake,QUE….Hauling down 3 cars w/son & Alan Johnson
79        Jeremy Markle/Port Jervis,NY….Teaming with Modified rookie VanInwegen
85        Dan Vauter/Forest City,PA….Consistent competitor with 4th-place best in ‘09
85j       H.J. Bunting III/Milford,DE….DCN debut for ’08 Georgetown Super Series winner
91        Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY….Only Mr. DIRTcar champ in field without DCN crown
97        Michel Chicoine/Ste-Cecile Milton,QUE….2 starts in 1st trip to Fla. last winter
98h     Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY….Only other DCN runs made in 2006 & ‘08
99L     Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY….1 of 3 17 year-olds registered for 2010 at Volusia 
165     Rex King Jr./Bristolville,OH….Scored 7th-place best in 1st trip last February

By Tom Skibinski, Super DIRTcar Series PR Director

Sixteen-Year-Old Tatiana Calderon Joins Juncos Racing for 2010 Season

VERO BEACH, Fla., January 11, 2010 - International karting star Tatiana Calderon, 16, has joined Juncos Racing for the 2010 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. The young Colombian first impressed everyone at Juncos Racing with her talent when she competed as a member of their karting team in 2005 and 2006. Now after winning several titles in karting over the past few years, she will return to Juncos Racing, but this time driving a Pro Formula Mazda.

"The first time I tested a Formula Mazda was an amazing experience," said Calderon. "The car was so powerful, and I just felt very comfortable with it the whole time. I know I still have a lot to learn and a lot of experience to gain if I want to win, and that is why joining Juncos Racing is the best decision for me. I know how professional Juncos Racing is because I had the chance to race with them in the past on their karting team. We've known each other for several years already, so the connection as well as the communication I have with the whole team is really good. When I tested with them last November, they were able to explain everything to me so well that it just clicked in my mind and made everything look so easy.

"I am really excited about this year and what is coming next in my life. I know what a high level of racing the Star Mazda Championship is, and I know how many experienced drivers there are going to be who are competing for the title. Knowing that motivates me even more and makes my challenge even bigger."

Calderon has won several impressive titles over the past few years including finishing third in the Rotax Junior Colombian Kart Championship in 2007, becoming the IAME International Challenge Champion in 2008, and claiming second in both the Radical European Master Series Championship and the Colombian Rotax Senior Max Challenge in 2009. She also made racing history as the first female competitor to win the Snap-on Stars of Karting Divisional Championship when she took home the JICA Eastern Division title in 2008.

"I'm so happy to have Tatiana back on the team," said Juncos Racing Team Owner Ricardo Juncos. "We've known each other for several years now, since back when she used to race as an official Juncos Racing go-kart driver in 2005 and 2006. I'm very impressed with the way Tatiana has grown in the last few years and how her driving, skills and performance qualities are getting better and better.

"We did some school days and practice sessions with Tatiana in a Renault 1600cc in 2008, a Renault 2000 at Roebling Road in 2009, and finally tested her in a Star Mazda racecar in early November 2009. When we tested her in the Star Mazda car, I found that not only were her performance and attitude while driving the car fantastic, but also her interpretation and feeling for the racecar. This told me that if we work together with 100 percent dedication and effort in 2010, Tatiana can be at the top of the field without a doubt."

After finishing second in the Championship in the team's inaugural season last year, Juncos Racing looks forward to another successful season in the Star Mazda Championship in 2010. With Calderon on board, Juncos Racing now sets its sights towards the first official series test of 2010 at Sebring International Raceway in Fla. from January 22-24.

About Juncos Racing: Juncos Racing is centrally located in Vero Beach, Florida, U.S.A. to offer diverse levels of racing year round. Juncos Racing operates out of a state of the art facility which houses vehicles suitable for all levels of racing, from go-karts to open wheel Formula race cars. It is one of the few teams in the United States which offers a development program starting from racing go-karts to racing professional open wheel race cars. The team's goal is to provide young and older drivers alike with a foundation upon which they can build a career in motorsports. Juncos Racing offers two and three-day racing schools which cover theoretical and hands-on driving techniques. With your dedication and the team's expertise and advanced training techniques, Juncos Racing is confident that you will achieve and master the fundamentals of racing. For more information, please visit www.juncosracing.com.

Derek Daly to present his Advanced Driver Development Seminar at the Canadian Motorsports Expo

Former F1 and CART Series driver to share his expertise with aspiring young racers at the CME

(TORONTO, ON // JANUARY 11, 2010) Respected motorsports personality Derek Daly will make a special appearance at the Canadian Motorsports Expo on Saturday, January 23. Daly, who competed in Formula 1, CART (now IndyCar) and other series during his 17-year career as a professional racer, will present his Advanced Driver Development Seminar and sign autographs for CME showgoers.

Since retiring as a racer, Daly has gone on to become a successful motorsports broadcaster, author, motivational speaker, racetrack designer and business consultant.

“I have always had a soft spot for Canadian motorsports fans,” said Daly. “I scored my first Formula One world championship point in Montreal in 1978 when Gilles Villeneuve won. Canadian racing fans are among the most knowledgeable anywhere.”

Daly’s book, Race to Win, is the basis of his Advanced Driver Development presentation to aspiring racers and motorsports fans. Discussing his upcoming appearance at the CME, Daly continued, “I look forward to sharing the principles of driver development with existing and future Canadian drivers. I highly encourage any parents whose children are interested in racing to attend. The seminar has been well-received from Indianapolis to Silverstone and it will be a delight to deliver the message in Toronto. I have a passion for the young driver and it will be a pleasure to attend the Canadian Motorsports Expo.”

Daly’s seminar is scheduled to start at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday morning (Jan. 23) in the CME’s Seminar Room. Following his presentation, Daly – who took part in six Indy 500s and twice won the Sebring 12 Hour – will be available for a fan Q&A and autographs. Copies of his book, Race to Win, will also be available at the show.

Commenting on Daly’s appearance at the CME, show founder Glenn Butt said, “We are extremely honoured that Derek Daly is coming to the Canadian Motorsports Expo. He competed at the highest levels of the sport, and since retiring as a racer, he’s successfully continued in motorsports in several prominent and exciting roles. He has a unique perspective and we’re excited that he’ll be at the CME. For anyone who wants to learn what it takes to progress as a racecar driver – from someone with a proven track record and a lifetime of experiences – this is an invaluable opportunity.”

ABOUT THE CME: The Canadian Motorsports Expo is a three-day celebration of Canadian racing that runs January 22 to 24 at the International Centre (6900 Airport Road in Mississauga). The show is powered by Inside Track Motorsport News and supported by companies like Lucas Oil Canada, NASCAR Canada, Mosport International Raceway and Canadian Tire. In addition to booths and racing vehicles representing the entire spectrum of Canadian motorsports, the show is loaded with seminars and forums to entertain and inform racers and fans alike. Star drivers Matt Kenseth, Paul Tracy, Ron Fellows, Derek Daly and Jessica Zemken will be at the CME to sign autographs and meet the fans. Please check the show’s website for updates and changes.

For more information about the Canadian Motorsports Expo, visit www.canadianmotorsportsexpo.com, call Glenn Butt at (905) 721-1762 or email him at glenn@canadianmotorsportsexpo.com. You can reach co-promoters Inside Track at (416) 962-7223 or email expo@insidetracknews.com.

Sunset Speedway releases its 2010 schedule

Click here to view a PDF of Sunset Speedway's 2010 schedule.
The facility is currently undergoing a full renovation. Be sure to stop by Sunset's booth at the Canadian Motorsports Expo, Jan. 22-24 at the International Centre.

Visit Sunset Speedway on the web at: www.sunsetspeedway.ca

Ice Racing Photos: St Guillaume, Quebec - January 10, 2010 by www.rickattheraces.com

Ice Racing Photos: St Guillaume, Quebec - January 10, 2010 by www.rickattheraces.com.

Thanks to Rick Young for sending them along.

Canada's Grenier to Return To Andersen Racing For Complete 2010 Star Mazda Season

PALMETTO, Fla., Jan. 8 - Canadian racing phenom Mikael Grenier plans to contest the entire 2010 schedule in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear as a member of Andersen Racing.

The announcement was made this morning at a press conference in Quebec City, Quebec at the law offices of Heenan Blaikie Aubut. One of its lawyers, André Lapage, is Grenier's legal advisor. One of that firm's principals, Marcel Aubut, is the former president and chief executive officer of the Quebec Nordiques National Hockey League team in Quebec, and is currently the president of the Canadian Olympic Committee for the 2010 Winter Olympics to be held in Vancouver next month.

Grenier, 17, of Stoneham, Quebec, tested the waters in the Star Mazda series last year by running in six of its 13 events as a member of the Palmetto, Fla.-based super team. He finished on the podium in both races at New Jersey Motorsports Park, which were won by two of his teammates, Conor Daly and Richard Kent. Grenier placed fourth at Trois-Rivieres, Quebec in his homeland, and had two other strong top-10 finishes in his initial foray into the series.

He'll attempt to build on that in 2010, and will test with the team at Sebring, Fla. Jan. 22-24 in preparation for the season opener at Sebring International Raceway on March 19. The first Star Mazda race of the year is a support event for the American Le Mans Series' Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

Sponsoring the young gun will be NAPA Auto Parts, CAA Québec, HS Télécome, Desharnais Pneus & Mécanique and 66graphx.

"Mikael drove for us last season in six races, and in that short time he demonstrated what a remarkable talent he is," said Andersen Racing co-owner Dan Andersen. "He combines tremendous ability, focus and determination with maturity beyond his years, and there is no doubt that he will win races and challenge seriously for the Star Mazda championship title in 2010. We expect a lot from him, and I am delighted to add him to our full-time driver lineup."
"It is a pleasure for me to be back with Andersen Racing in 2010!" said Grenier. "I did six races with them last year and I really felt great! It is a very professional team, and they all have the same goal as I do - to win the 2010 championship - and I really think we can do it!

"A special thanks to Dan Andersen for giving me the opportunity to drive for him and for everything he did for me last year," Grenier added. "Now I can't wait to show everybody what Andersen Racing and I can do on a racetrack!

"Also, thanks to my sponsors, NAPA Autoparts, CAA Québec, HS Télécome, Desharnais Pneus & Mécanique and 66graphx!" he added. "Without them I would just be watching racing at home!"
"I am very happy that we have reach an agreement with Andersen Racing early in the year," said Vincent Bernier, Grenier's agent and the former president of the Quebec Kebs, the only professional basketball team in Quebec province. "I feel that Andersen Racing is the best racing team for Mikael to be a part of in order to reach his goal of becoming the Star Mazda champion in 2010."

One of Grenier's teammates at Andersen Racing in 2010 will be Anders Krohn of Sandnes, Norway, whose signing was announced on Dec. 21. A limited number of additional seats are still available with the team. Potential drivers may obtain more information by contacting the team by telephone at (941) 723-3900 or by e-mail at info@andersenracingteam.com.
Grenier started his racing career in karts at the age of 5. Andersen Racing, the development team of Rahal Letterman Racing, uses karting, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights to prepare young drivers for careers at the top of the sport. The team, which is sponsored by Allied Building Products and Lafarge North America, even has its own 1-mile road course test track at its headquarters in Palmetto, Fla.

Andersen Racing's sister company, Andersen Promotions, will also administer a new Indy Racing League-sanctioned F2000 series called "The Cooper Tires presents the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda" in 2010. That series and Star Mazda are both part of the IRL's Road to Indy program and the MAZDASPEED Motorsports driver development system.
Andersen Racing's Web site is at andersenracingteam.com. Grenier's is at mikaelgrenier.com. The Star Mazda series' Web site is located at starmazda.com.
　
　
About Allied Building Products Corp.:
Allied Building Products Corp., headquartered in East Rutherford, N.J., is one of the largest roofing and siding distributors in the United States.
Founded in 1950 with five employees and two trucks, today it is a $1.8 billion building material distribution company with over 3,500 employees, more than 200 branches in 30 states, well over one million square feet of office and warehouse space, and an inventory of approximately 85,000 products, from residential roofing and siding to doors, windows, waterproofing, manufactured stone, interior products and commercial roofing systems. For more information see alliedbuilding.com.

About Andersen Racing:
Andersen Racing strives to provide the best and most comprehensive training possible for future open-wheel superstars while giving its marketing partners media exposure and hospitality opportunities at some of the most prestigious events in North America. It provides a unique program utilizing multiple entries in three different platforms: karting, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights. A sister company, Andersen Promotions, administers a series called "The Cooper Tires presents the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda." It is part of both the Indy Racing League's Road to Indy program and the MAZDASPEED Motorsports driver development system.

Andersen Racing is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp. and Lafarge North America. It is the official development team of Rahal Letterman Racing. The team is headquartered at Andersen RacePark, an 18-acre facility in Palmetto, Fla. that includes a 1-mile road course test track. For more information see andersenracingteam.com, andersenkarting.com, andersenracepark.com and usf2000.com.

Kawartha Speedway Late Model racer Ryan Kimball's career takes flight

Clever nicknames have long been a part of motorsports history.  Dale Earnhardt was known as ‘The Intimidator’ because of his aggressive driving style.  Darrell Waltrip went through the early stages of his career with the handle ‘Jaws’ thanks to the sound bites he constantly fed the media.  Nicknames are also present at the short track level.  Kawartha Speedway NAPA Auto Parts Late Model driver Ryan Kimball goes by the name of ‘Flyin’ Ryan’.  It’s very appropriate, considering how the 26 year-old Norwood, Ontario racer’s career took off in 2009.

“2008, my first season in the late model was a bit of a learning curve,” said the labourer at the Darlington power site in Bowmanville.  “We picked-up a car from Mowat Racing during the off-season and stripped it down to the basic frame and cage through the winter.  The crew and I wanted to learn as much as we could about the geometry and handling characteristics of how the car would act compared to our limited late model.”

After finishing 6th in 2008 – a year plagued by rain - Kimball’s team went into the off season with a notebook full of set-up information.  Proud of what they’d accomplished in their first year in a new division, they again stripped the body from the #16 Trails End/Archer Trucking/ Reaction Sportswear/Energy 99.7/Mayhew Graphics/Benson Auto Parts/E. Carter Concrete/Norwood Auto Care/Boss Roofing/J.J. Stewart Motors/Adrian Media/Heather Wiebe Wedding Photography Dodge and went to work getting things ready for their sophomore voyage.  The long hours in the garage paid-off and the car was featured in Kawartha Speedway’s display during the 2009 Peterborough Sportsman Show.

“Norm Mayhew did a great job on the graphics package,” said Kimball.  “We had so many compliments on the yellow and black paint scheme and how easy it was to spot the car on the track.  With the momentum from 2008 in our back pockets, we felt more confident in what we were doing and it showed in the results we were able to post.  The better we ran, the more we learned – about how we did things as a team and about the car.”

After losing much of the previous year’s schedule to the weather, 2009 proved to be just the opposite.  While other tracks saw their efforts ‘dampened’ by Mother Nature, Kawartha Speedway was very fortunate.  Since there is no alternative for experience, Ryan Kimball would benefit from the increased track time.  Even though he finished 8th in points – compared to 6th the year before – Kimball’s total of 590 was much better than the 2008 tally of 437.  Before the end of the season, he’d also find his way to the winner’s circle following a late model qualifying heat.

“I was driving the car, but that checkered flag meant a lot.  It was as much a win for the team as it was for me,” said Kimball.  “We’d worked long and we’d worked hard getting to that point.  Some racers might say it was only a heat race win, but where we’re concerned there’s no such word as only.  It gave us something we’d been chasing for 2 years and allowed us to focus on a much bigger picture.”

Ryan Kimball is looking forward to Kawartha Speedway’s 10th Anniversary season.  The full schedule is available now at www.kawarthaspeedway.com.  His NAPA Auto Parts Late Model racer will be featured in the track’s display at the 4th annual Canadian Motorsports Expo (www.canadianmotorsportsexpo.com) – Friday, January 22nd to Sunday, January 24th – at Toronto’s International Centre.

Press Release and Photo By: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

PHOTO: Ryan Kimball is looking forward to Kawartha Speedway’s 10th Anniversary Season.

NASCAR: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Q&A.... (Jan. 9, 2010)

KERRY THARP (Moderator): Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is kind enough right now to come on out and talk to you. Dale, as you look ahead to 2010 season, tell us your thoughts.

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: Well, it will get here as soon as it gets here, Daytona. We're kind of still in the middle of the off season. I'm still enjoying taking it easy, doing whatever I want to do. We've been doing a little bit of work. A lot of changes have happened with our race team to try to get better. We also have been working trying to prepare the Nationwide program and get it ready, shore up a few more relationships for that deal.
But, I don't know, off season was good. Holidays were really, really good with my family and everything, so... Pretty happy.

KERRY THARP: Questions for Dale.

Q. Obviously you've hired Danica Patrick. Do you think she's going to struggle? Do you think she's going to adapt? Will it take her long? Are you the perfect person to be a car owner for her because you understand the attention she's going to be getting?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: Yeah, I'm kind of going into it with an open mind. I mean, it's going to be an uphill battle for her to do well. But I think she can. She's a racecar driver. She should be able to adapt and do whatever she needs to do.
We're going to give her the best tools we can. I don't know if there's a perfect owner or whatever. But, you know, we'll just do the best we can for her. She has been in a car. Pretty happy with how that's gone. Pretty happy with what we've seen. I love her attitude. She gets along great with Tony, Jr. All that stuff is going better than planned. We just need to get to the racetrack. I mean, she's been around Daytona. Went to Orlando tested. Need to run some laps.
I hate testing myself. But, you know, the policy as it is now, it's difficult for someone like Danica to come in and really try to understand the cars, get to know them. We're going through that challenge, trying to help her as much as we can.
But feel pretty good about it. I don't know what she'll do. I wouldn't even know where to begin to sort of guess on how her performance will be or what her stats will look like. We'll just have to see.

Q. Dale, can you talk, there's been proposed rule changes to Daytona, perhaps no passing under the yellow line.

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: No, you can. They're going to let you, right?

Q. Right.

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: You said they're going to say no.

Q. I'm saying they're getting rid of that, perhaps getting rid of the no bump drafts, all that stuff. How will that affect the competition?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: It will be like going to a race about 10 years ago, I guess. They didn't have any of them rules then. We didn't see anything too crazy. I think it will just, you know racing will look a lot similar as it does now. I don't think you're going to see anything different. Passing below the yellow line, which will be a little different, but that's fine. There's a lot of asphalt down there, so it should be fine.

Q. Do you think if they take away the wing and go to a spoiler, will that help you? How will it impact the racing?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: I don't really know. I think it's more important that it seems to be what the fans want. The fans want to get rid of the wing, get the old spoiler back. So, you know, NASCAR seems to I don't really know what that will do to the racing. I don't think it will change it a whole lot myself. I don't know what that wing's really doing back there, what the spoiler would be like on this car. We've never really tested it so...
I don't really know what it would do to the racing. I don't think it would change too much. It could punch a little smaller hole in the air than the wing does and give us a little opportunity to get a little more grip on the front end, but it might do the opposite. You never know.

Q. Dale, Carl Edwards was in here earlier talking about Danica. He said he heard she's been fast in testing. You said she's been fast. Where have you been going? How has she been on the testing scene?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: We went to Orlando. It rained. Only got a couple laps the first day. She really took to it pretty good. The lap times were pretty good. I don't know what the second bracket is there, but we were about 3 or 4/10ths faster than what some other Busch teams had tested there the week before and the week after.
We felt good. We put her out on the track with Kelly Bires for a little spell. He had a hard time really kind of hanging on her bumper there for a while. I wasn't there. I'm just going by what Tony, Jr. and them said.
I called Tony, Sr. first because I knew he would tell me the truth. He was blown away. So that told me that things were going really, really good if he was happy.