NASCAR: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Martinsville pre-race press conference transcript

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES // GOODY’S FAST PAIN RELIEF 500 // MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY

DALE EARNHARDT, JR., NO. 88 AMP ENERGY SUGAR FREE LIGHTNING/NATIONAL GUARD CHEVROLET, met with members of the media at Martinsville Speedway and discussed the improvement in his team, being in the top-12 and other topics.  Full transcript: 

TALK ABOUT THE SPECIAL PAINT SCHEME YOU HAVE ON THE CAR THIS WEEKEND: “I appreciate it. I think it turned out pretty good. It is the Sugar Free Lightning flavor of AMP. I like the lightning. I try to do my best on designing cars. I think this might be the best one we have come out with so far. I am pretty proud of it. I actually really do like the Lightning flavor, that is probably what I drink the most of back home. It is kind of cool to have the Sugar Free here unveiled and on the car for this weekend. I wish this kind of thing more often. Go through all the flavors week after week. It would be kinda cool to have different colored cars every week. Change it up a little bit. It is fun for me to be able to do the one-off stuff like we are doing this weekend. A lot of fun.”

JIMMIE JOHNSON SAID EARLIER TODAY THAT HE THOUGHT YOU WERE PUSHING YOURSELF HARDER IN AREAS YOU AREN’T COMFORTABLE IN AND THAT IS HELPING YOU. ARE YOU PUSHING YOURSELF, DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY? “I don’t feel uncomfortable. Lance (McGrew, crew chief) made a lot of changes in the off season and he made a lot of calls he had to make and knew he had to pull the trigger on a few things. The guys, and myself included, really forgot and erased what happened in the past and tried to start fresh and imagine a better future for ourselves. And imagine ourselves being more competitive. The changes helped a lot, the people that we moved in and moved around helped a lot. Chris Heroy, he is the engineer-we call him Sunshine, I don’t know where he got the name, but he’s been a big help and a couple of other guys that have come on board. The relationship with Lance, I was counting and I think I have worked with about six different crew chiefs, Lance, we aren’t kin or related, we have to respect each other more, I think, because of our different backgrounds and upbringing, whatever, what have you. The longer we work together, the more respect we have for each other. I read in an article where he said there is a lot of respect back and forth. He backs me up a little bit more than I am than I’m used to I guess. He sorta has my back in a lot of situations. The reason why I guess I was able to keep my composure because I knew that he wanted the same result I wanted. I knew he was pulling for me; we were on the same path, on the same page even though I was upset. I wasn’t upset at him, I was upset at NASCAR, but I wasn’t upset and him or anybody on the team. I just sort of had to get all that shit off my chest. I think the reason we are running better is because of the changes we made in the off season mainly and that has given us some confidence. The guys that were already there are more confident because of those changes. Everybody can see a little different step in our walk. Last year when we were struggling and we would show up and unload the car and it was a little bit off, it was really easy to accept it. It was disappointing as hell. There was no reaction of we can fix it.  You didn’t really have that feeling of confidence that that could happen. If it was the practice before qualifying at any of those races, those last 10, that was the feeling that I had. I figured if we did fix it, oh well. If we didn’t, that wouldn’t surprise me either. But this year you have that feeling that anytime there is that little thing that goes wrong; a little switch comes on where we can probably fix this. This is not a problem because we just have so much more communication going on. It is good. Lance has done a lot of great things. He started off when he came in as the crew chief building a few cars that he thought needed to be a little different in some ways. I drove them, I liked them. In the off season, once he understood that was his position and his right to do so, he made the changes to the team. He deserves a lot of credit.”

HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE YOU HAVE FELT LIKE YOU COULD MAKE THE CHANGES TO MAKE IT BETTER? “Probably three-quarters of the way through the first season with Rick (Hendrick). We were running pretty good all year then it all went to hell. Right around then.”

HOW FAR CAN A CREW CHIEF PUSH SOMEBODY AND ARE YOU A GUY THAT NEEDS TO BE COACHED IN A DIFFERENT MANNER? “I just think you talk to people…it is real easy. Every situation is different and the good people know exactly what each situation calls for at that very moment. Throughout my career, everybody has always sort of said I wasn’t focused, especially when my Daddy was alive and he was out there running he did and was. Everybody would compare me to him and say that I lacked so much determination, didn’t have the will power, all that he had. He wore it on his sleeve and I don’t really do that. Even after he passed away, I still got that I didn’t have focus and this that and the other. That sort of followed me throughout my career. Anytime somebody would say that I laid down or insinuated that I might or whatever, just sort of pisses me off a little bit. Which, I have a right to feel however I want to feel or get upset about things that I want to get upset about. I’m just a human being. The thing about a really good crew chief is he will know exactly what to say for each situation. Lance knew to cheer me back to my game and steer me in that direction with a little pep talk and he did it and that is what I needed. Maybe at times it is his job, maybe it ain’t. Maybe it is my job to keep my head together. If he sees me going off on the wrong path, he cares enough to want to fix it and helped me out a lot at that moment. Because I was really really upset about how that went down, regardless of who was right or wrong, I wasn’t thinking about what I was supposed to be thinking about, my job. He did the right thing. I go on the internet and listen to all the audio files of everybody else and I don’t see or hear anything that is really different. To be honest, what happened at Bristol on the radio, hell, that probably happens to half the field during every race at some point. It is really not all that uncommon. There are some lines that you just don’t cross when you are pissed off and you are talking dirty, even if you are really mad at your crew chief, there are just lines you don’t cross.

As long as we don’t cross them, we will be in good shape. We have to be able to speak up when we feel strongly about something but we have to be able to have respect at the same time and I think we have done that. He knew Sunday I wasn’t mad at him, but I needed to tell somebody what I was mad about and why I felt that way.”

HOW MUCH DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE PUSHED YOURSELF? “I don’t feel like I’ve really had to change a bunch. The thing about Lance is, Lance just works on my confidence all the time, which that is what I need. Certain times there are moments during the bulk of the work of the weekend on Friday’s and Saturdays. During that time there are little moments where he goes ‘we’re going this little bit right here, we’re going to work and you’re going to do this for us and we’re going to do this and that is going to get us to where we want to be on the time chart, that is going to get us to the target lap time that we want’. That is kind of refreshing and he just asks you to step up a little bit and he really sort of does that to the whole team at the same time. He say’s ‘all right, everybody just step up a little big’ and that is really is a lot of fun especially when it works which it does most of the time. Even if it only worked half the time, it is worth the effort. It is good. He has just done a good job. He has got a good group of guys around him and they keep improving and I’m happy to be working with them.”

HOW MUCH HAVE YOU MISSED BEING IN THE MEDIA CENTER AND ARE YOU GLAD TO BE BACK? “Honestly, I try not to say too much when I get in here, which never happens. Cause I like to go on the Internet and not read about myself. A couple of years ago, we were in the top-12 all the time for quite a bit of the season and it was frustrating having to sort of bullshit your way through a top-12 media session when there was nothing to talk about but we would find something. That was what would be all over the news whether it was me talking about it or another driver. I enjoyed last week and everything that went on with you guys. I was watching it from the guys and I am glad to be in the top-12 so I will come in here every damn week if I have too. (LAUGHS) As long as I can stay in the top-12. I remember that first year, I complained a lot to Mike Davis about having to do the top-12 media every week. But after this spell I have been in, I will put up with it.”

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH GETTING YOUR CONFIDENCE BACK IN ADDITION TO THE PRESSURE OF BEING THE FACE OF NASCAR? “I have the confidence that we can do this the right way and we can accomplish our goals. We haven’t turned a corner. We are maybe turning the corner, but we haven’t quite got there yet. We are approaching it maybe. But as a team, we got a lot to fix still. We have a lot to improve upon and I think that the next 10 races will surely reveal where we are still weak and where we need to work as a team. I think we showed at Fontana, Atlanta and Vegas where we need to be better. We got sort of fortunate last week to be able to get enough of a finish to get ourselves in the top-12. We have a lot of work to do. I have the confidence we can fix it but I just know we need to be better. I think that it is important not to get too really satisfied with how things are going. Always trying to strive to get more out of your team performance.”

TELL US ABOUT MARTINSVILLE, WHAT YOU LIKE? “This was one of the race tracks that I could count on coming to as a kid so I saw a lot of races here when I was young. One of the amazing things about Martinsville is the ability to be so close to the action, especially a lot of you guys will walk down on pit road. When you stand out there during qualifying you feel like you can almost reach out and touch the cars when they are going by. And you can see, you are so close to the cars, you can really see them working. You can almost guess how the car is handling so much easier than you can at the other tracks. I remember that as a kid, just being so close to the cars, even when there was a little bit of infield down there in the corners, we could still get close enough to see them coming through there and working the throttle and the brake all the way through the corners. There is just a lot of good history here and it is an old race track and it is a short track. I always complain about the lack of short tracks in the schedule. It is fun to come to any one of them. Martinsville is so unique being a paperclip and flat. You have to really get your car working pretty good through the corners and be able to be competitive in the race, it is really really imperative that your car handles well, because there is not much adjustment to the line in the corner that you can make to try to make up for something that you car isn’t doing correctly. So you really have to work hard with your team and show up pretty good out of the box. I love coming here and I hope as long as I am a driver that we are always visiting this race track.”

WHAT WERE YOU REALLY MAD ABOUT AT BRISTOL AND IS IT UNFAIR HOW THEY DETERMINE THAT? “It’s not unfair. We all know where the little loop holes are and how to use them. I just wish they weren’t there. I just wish it was a little more cut and dried on how things are done. We know what the tricks are and that one stall is better than another and why and how to make that work to your advantage. If somebody picks it before you, then you have to pick the next best one that has a little less advantage but still something. Eventually you get down to the bottom line and you are in the stalls that are a total disadvantage. At the short tracks they really show up more, there is quite a bit bigger tolerance between a good stall and a poor stall. We all know that going in so I don’t feel as if the chips are stacked against me. I will be the first to admit that I obviously sped, I went over the speed limit and that is speeding so it wasn’t that I was arguing that I wasn’t speeding, it is just that I saw the guy in front me that was going to pit before the start/finish line and the timing line gun his car for about five stalls and I gunned mine for maybe one and a half or two stalls and it is just frustrating to be caught. We are out there trying to get everything we can. They gave us five miles an hour over the original speed limit and we still complain when we get caught speeding but we are competitors, we’re racers.”

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON WHAT WE SHOULD EXPECT TO SEE AT TALLADEGA? “During the testing, I really enjoyed it. My car was super fast. The racing seemed pretty entertaining. I think it will be really close to what you’ve seen there the last several trips. We’ll start the race, run a little bit. Everybody will find some position they are happy with and we will all probably go to the top and ride around for about 300 miles and then start racing. Riding around the top is fun. Even though we are all in a line, it is pretty cool getting up against the wall like that going over 190 mile an hour. Probably super boring for you guys but a way to pass the time until the real race starts. It will probably be a lot like that.”

From Chevrolet

Delaware Speedway: First showing of Kyle Busch's Summer Showdown car at Auto Expo

LONDON, ON - Look for Delaware Speedway’s display at this weekend’s Auto Expo at the Western Fairgrounds, London.  It will be the first opportunity to see the NASCAR Late Model car to be driven by Kyle Busch at Delaware’s first annual Summer Showdown, this summer.

Busch will get behind the wheel of #51 Stubbs Communications Toyota Camry prepared by Abby Motorsports when he takes on local and area racers as well as fellow NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers David Reutimann and Regan Smith, Wednesday July 7th at Delaware Speedway, just outside of London.

Tickets for the Summer Showdown and the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race will be available for purchase during the show, March 26-28. 

Show-goers can test their skills as Delaware Speedway presents the Tire Change Challenge.  The fastest times each day in three divisions (men, women and children) will win a pair of general admission tickets to the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race at Delaware, Saturday June 5th.

Auto Expo hours: Friday noon- 10 pm, Saturday 10 am – 10 pm and Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm.

From Lisa Brandt / Delaware Speedway

Happy Birthday JEEEEEEM ROBENSOOOOOOHN

I hope there's a file baked into this cake, because Jim Robinson is going to run afoul of some Earth Hour laws if he lights this baby up tomorrow.

On Saturday, the legendary Canadian motorsports TV producer celebrates another birthday. I'm sure our Rob Morton will arrange something special for him, in person, at the Delaware NCATS opener on June 5. But until then.... Happy Birthday Jeeeeem from everyone at Inside Track!

CSC Racing has a new phone number

CSC Racing Inc. has a new '866' number. Effective immediately, you can reach them at (866) 954-0520. For those near their Newmarket (ON) location, the number is (905) 954-0520. CSC will be open for a rare Saturday again tomorrow (March 27) from 9 a.m. until noon.

GRAND-AM: Wilkins and AIM Autosport bring momentum and history to Barber Motorsports Park

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - Canadian Mark Wilkins has both momentum and history on his side when he returns to Barber Motorsports Park in the AIM Autosport No. 61 Pacific Mobile Ford Riley for the Porsche 250 on April 10, Round 3 of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16.

The race will take the green flag at 1:36 p.m. ET, with live SPEED coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Wilkins is riding a streak of three top-five finishes with three different teams in 2010. He finished fifth in the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona, when he and AIM Autosport co-driver Burt Frisselle joined Ozz Negri and John Pew with Michael Shank Racing. AIM Autosport debuted its bright blue Pacific Mobile colors for the Grand Prix of Miami, with Wilkins and Frisselle finishing fourth.

Last weekend, Wilkins joined Level 5 Motorsports for the 12 Hours of Sebring, winning the LMPC class with Scott Tucker and Christophe Bouchut by 46 laps.

"It's been a strong start to the season, and we've got to keep the momentum going," said the 26-year-old Canadian. "It was great at Sebring to show that the guys in GRAND-AM are at the top of the field and we can go out there into other series and get great results. It also keeps the other guys on the AIM team motivated - they want to show we can win Daytona Prototype races like we did in 2008."

While the results show only a 15th-place finish in the 2008 Porsche 250 at Barber, that race was a turning point for the team. Former co-driver Brian Frisselle passed both Scott Pruett and Alex Gurney to take the lead, and paced 15 circuits before he suddenly lost power with only 13 laps remaining. In the following event, Wilkins went from fourth to first on the last lap to win the Montreal 200 in the closest finish in Rolex Series history. The following weekend, Wilkins and Brian Frisselle combined to lead 79 of the 82 laps in winning the Crown Royal 200 at Watkins Glen International.

"Once we got that momentum in 2008, we kept plugging away," Wilkins said. "We had a great, cohesive team that year. We struggled a little bit with our setup last year and got a little bit discouraged. Over the winter, we regrouped and worked to get back that magic we had in 2008. With Pacific Mobile on board and the new livery that Ian Willis and the team did so much work to make the car look good, it gave everybody that little extra push. If we keep working hard, the results will come. I think it's going to be a really strong season."

Wilkins is excited about returning to Birmingham, Ala., for the Porsche 250.

"Barber Motorsports Park is one of the nicest facilities for racing in North America. It's nice and smooth, and we enjoy that," Wilkins said. "Burt is really excited to get back to Barber. We're strong there. We've got a good car and we know that we can do well there, and the team is motivated to get some awesome results."

Practice for the Porsche 250 begins at 2:55 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 8, with qualifying at 11:40 a.m. on Friday.

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

Honda Canada signs on as title sponsor of the 2010 Honda Indy Edmonton

EDMONTON, AB – Northlands is pleased to welcome Honda Canada on board as the title sponsor for the 2010 Honda Indy Edmonton, July 23-25. The announcement was made earlier today at a media conference attended by Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel, Northlands President Ken Knowles, and Honda Canada Inc. Executive Vice-President Jerry Chenkin.

“Northlands is very pleased to welcome a national sponsorship partner like Honda Canada as the title sponsor for the 2010 Honda Indy Edmonton,” said Ken Knowles, Northlands President. “Honda Canada is a national leader in supporting innovation and community involvement in motor sports across Canada. As one of Edmonton’s leading international sporting events and tourism destinations, the 2010 Honda Indy Edmonton will provide an incredible international platform to showcase this new sponsor partnership.”

“We will be working closely with Northlands and the event sponsors to ensure the Honda Indy Edmonton remains as the largest motorsports event in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest for this year and beyond,” said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc. 

Soichiro Honda's love of victory helped launch a small company into a racing giant. He possessed an uncanny ability to develop technology for racing and adapt it to the consumer market. At age 22, and drawing upon his skills as a mechanic, Mr. Honda developed a V-8 Curtis Wright aircraft engine to race. He took the wheel himself that year and set a Japanese speed record hitting 75 mph. Honda Racing was born. Soichiro Honda began to tackle racing from the development standpoint, producing some of the finest engines ever to race.

Honda Canada’s commitment to racing extended well beyond international borders, and could be found in communities across Canada. The company made a visible commitment to ‘grassroots racing initiatives’ for years as evidenced through the popular Honda Michelin Challenge that ran for 17 straight years in the 1980s and '90s.

From the Honda Indy Edmonton

PHOTO GALLERY: Frontenac Mall Show featuring cars from Brighton and Brockville Speedways

PHOTO GALLERY by Rob Morton, Inside Track Motorsport News. Press release from Angie Rinaldi, Brighton Speedway.

Brighton Speedway kicked off its 2010 racing season on Thursday with a joint venture display at the Frontenac Mall in Kingston, Ontario. The annual show hosted by the Frontenac Mall is organized and put on by Ed Palmer and Glen Stewart to serve as an early season sneak peak for area racers and fans to look at the line up of new stock cars for the upcoming season.

Many different cars are on display including four Brighton Speedway regulars; Pro Stock rookie Sean Johnson with his #15 Monte Carlo and the #9 Canadian Modified driver Matt Vanderlinden. Showing off their new Pro Late Models are #57 Charlie Sandercock and the #77 Caley Weese.

There are numerous other race cars on display including vintage race cars that will appear at Brighton Speedway on three different occasions throughout the upcoming season. Many DIRTcar Sportsman and DIRTcar 358 Modifieds are also on display and will make regular appearances at the Brockville Speedway but return again during the season ending Applefest Shootout that is shaping up to be even bigger and better in 2010.

Fans, drivers and crews can see these cars on display today through Saturday, March 27th and after that it is on to the Quinte Mall on April 5th through April 11th. After that you will find Brighton Speedway cars at the Northumberland Mall in Cobourg from April 12th until April 16th and then straight onto the Motorsports Expo on the weekend of April 17th and 18th.

The weekend of April 25th and 26th we will be doing triple duty as cars will be on display at the Brighton Country Living Show, the Northumberland Home show in Baltimore as well as in Campbellford at Campbellford Chrysler as they host an open house with Brighton Speedway providing complimentary hot dogs and beverages from 11:30am till 3:00pm. Don’t miss your chance to check out the 2010 line up and enter to win a chance at a free season pass at each exhibition.

All this excitement leads up to the May 8th Coca Cola Full Throttle season opener. Admission is only $2 with a food donation to the Brighton Food Bank and for that you will receive an exciting night of racing and family entertainment!

These shows are a great chance to get out, see the cars and get your hands on the 2010 schedule of events. For further information visit www.brightonspeedway.com or email info@brightonspeedway.com.

OSCAAR: Building for the future in 2010

The 2010 racing season will be remembered as the year that OSCAAR ensures that Super Late Model racing will remain the top touring series in Ontario. Racing has not been spared from the economic crunch, but the drivers and teams of OSCAAR are tackling the problem head on.

OSCAAR is very happy and proud to announce that three new economic motor options have been approved for competition in 2010.

The first new option comes from McGunegill Engines, out of Indiana. During the past few years many touring series in the States have utilized this motor and have enjoyed success and growth. For more information on the motor you can visit their website at www.mcgunegillengines.com under part # GM-EQUALIZER –LM.

Perhaps the most popular spec motor in competition in Ontario is the 400hp GM Crate Motor. This motor is currently used by many of the top late model teams. The approval of this motor will now give teams an option to come and compete with OSCAAR in 2010 and experience the thrill of Super Late Model racing. Veteran car builder and OSCAAR competitor Jeff Hanley will be using this motor option for the upcoming season. OSCAAR has also opened the door to Late Models and template bodies to compete for a maximum of three weeks before being required to adapt the outlaw body style. For more details please refer to the rulebook section.

OSCAAR also realizes that some teams are more comfortable with locally built engines. 

Renowned engine builder John Stefko has developed an economically built engine option as well. Drivers are encouraged to call Stefko Engines directly for all the details. Their number is 905-642-6289.

OSCAAR is looking forward to coming to a track near you this summer and provide the excitement of racing that only a Super Late Model can provide.

From OSCAAR

KARTING: Incredible weekend for Pserra Racing in Ocala

OCALA, FLORIDA – The Ontario based Birel team of Pserra Racing had an incredible final weekend in the 2010 Florida Winter Tour. "I am really happy – and proud – of the way our team performed," said Pserra Racing owner Peter Serravalle. "This performance is a great way for Pserra Racing to start off the year.

In Micro Max, it was 7-year-old Antonio Serravalle leading the charge for the team. Serravalle was the youngest competitor in the class, but that didn't stop him from posting the second fastest time in practice. Serravalle also showed speed in qualifying with a 3rd in Saturday's event. Serravalle suffered in the pre-final he got pushed out, resulting in a 21st place finish. That didn't faze the youngster as he motored his way through the field to finish a very respectable 10th in the final. Serravalle will be training with driver coach Lorenzo Mandarino and will be making his racing debut in Italy later this year.

In Rotax Max Masters, it was James Vance upholding the honor of Pserra Racing. On Sunday, he qualified second then finished in the pre-final after leading most of the race. In the final, Vance again led most of the distance before having to settle for a podium finish in second. "This is the kind of performance that makes me enjoy these weekends," Peter Serravalle said. "There is nothing better than seeing our customers do well."

Vance's strong final weekend performance saw him take fourth in the Rotax Max Masters Championship. In DD2, it was up to Michael Lombardi and Cory Luciano to bring home the results for Pserra Racing. Lombardi was solid both final days with a fifth place finish on Saturday. "Lombardi was strong all weekend," Serravalle said.

Luciano was also very strong on the final weekend and he led the Pserra Racing team on Sunday with a podium finish in third. "Both drivers worked hard to prepare for this race weekend," Peter Serravalle said. "It's a strong team environment where we all work together from tuning engines to chassis setup. I am really proud of our driver results in the Florida Winter Tour this year."

›› Pserra Racing Quick Facts: Pserra Racing is based in Stouffville, Ontario. They are the largest Birel dealer in Canada. It is also the home of the current Rotax Max Senior Brian Stewart Racing Kart Championship. Pserra Racing also provide Rotax engine services and they have won titles in Rotax Max Senior, Junior and DD2. For more information on Pserra Racing, visit www.pserraracing.com for more information or email them at peter@pserraracing.com.

Courtesy Russ Bond Agency

INDYLIGHTS: Hinchcliffe Set for Opener

TORONTO, CANADA – James Hinchcliffe will be the first to tell you that it was a long off-season but that’s about to change for the Canadian racer with the opening round of the 2010 Firestone Indy Lights Series taking place this weekend in St. Petersburg, Florida, Friday 26th – Sunday 28th March.

Entering his sophomore season in IndyCar’s official feeder series, ‘Hinch’ is confident of a strong showing on the 1.8-mile temporary street circuit on Sunday. While he’s set to make his race debut with Team Moore Racing, the Toronto native has already demonstrated pace-setting form in pre-season testing and he enjoyed a strong showing in last year’s event in St. Petersburg – claiming a third-place podium finish.

James topped the timetables in pre-season testing last month at Barber Motorsports Park, home to Round 2 of this year’s championship battle.  It was an encouraging start for the Canadian as he dialed himself into the #2 Team Moore Racing Dallara-Firestone entry.

“I can’t wait to get going,” stated James as he departed.  “I’ve kept myself busy during the off-season, in particular working on my fitness, but there’s no substitute for the thrill of racing and seeing how everyone stacks up.  I’m delighted to be competing for Team Moore Racing and we’ve proved already that we have the potential to be front-runners.

“I’m also looking forward to this weekend as it’s my first as an official member of IndyCar’s pace-car team.  It’s great to have that level of participation with the main series and we’ll be kept busy as part of that team both on and off track. It was hard seeing IndyCar having their opening race a couple of weeks ago in Brazil but now it’s our turn and the start of what I’m sure will be another great season.”

James’ return to the cockpit follows a successful 2009, his first in Indy Lights competition.  An impressive rookie year netted Hinchcliffe a total of five podium finishes, recorded on both road-courses and ovals – including a popular home podium in Toronto last July.  He finished the season fifth overall in the Driver Standings.

Round 1 of the 2010 Firestone Indy Lights Series gets underway at Noon ET on Sunday, March 28. Visit www.indycar.com or www.hinchtown.com for more info.

Courtesy SM-PR

Merrittville / Brighton 'Duel on the Dirt' to rage again in 2010

THOROLD & BRIGHTON, ON - When the three Super DIRTcar Series for Big Blocks, 358 Modifieds and Sportsman respectively pay a visit to Merrittville Speedway – the 2010 version of the Duel on the Dirt will also be featured in each blockbuster event. The sixth edition of the battle of the QEW will again see Merrittville’s Hoosier Stocks challenge the Pro Stocks that call the Brighton Speedway home. For the Thorold track’s full fendered stars – a quest for a sixth straight title in the series that features the best grass roots racers from across the province will have a new look.

The Duel on the Dirt Big 6 Series will now boast 4 home track events at each facility in addition to the two traditional combined events. New friendships amongst each team are sure to develop when the rivalry resumes when Merrittville takes the lead with it’s first event in the very first event to take to the track. One of the Triple 50 lap features – for the Hoosier Stocks presented by Baron Roofing and Siding April 24th is the first event of the new season.

The Brighton Pro Stocks will get their first event – Saturday May 15th when Campellford Dodge presents Dollar Dog Night.

“My guys are preparing to be the Top Dogs this year,” boasts (Brighton Speedway Owner and Duel on the Dirt co-founder) Mark Rinaldi, “they raced hard every lap last year … I’m so proud of how far they’ve come … I really expect to see our Pro Stocks out front more often this year.”

Zavitz Financial Strategies and Employee Benefits Night – Monday May 24th will find Team Merrittville in it’s second event as a companion to the 100 lap 358 Modified Super DIRTcar Series Main Event.

In what is shaping up to be ‘the event’ of the summer for race fans across Southern Ontario and beyond – when the World of Outlaws Late Models make their inaugural visit to Merrittville Speedway – the Hoosier Stocks will also be in the spotlight with their third home track event.

The Thursday June 17th spectacular presented by Brian’s Tire Repair, Turn 4 Collision and PineView Drywall and brought to fans by 91.7 Giant FM, TV Cogeco, Modern Corporation, Cotton Inc. and IBEW Local 303 Niagara, Toolneeds and Auto FX Graphics and Signs will surely expose the door handle to door handle … bumper to bumper excitement to one of the largest crowds in history!

Vanderlaan’s Building Supplies Night at Brighton June 19th will see the Pro Stocks get their second event in the books. When the Big Block Super DIRTcar Series visits Merrittville Monday August 2nd for the 1st Annual Bob St. Amand Senior Memorial presented by L. St. Amand Enterprises – the Hoosier Stocks will have their final home track event.

Behan Construction will be presenting the $5 Price Slasher Saturday at Brighton August 14th with the third home track event on the schedule for the Pro Stocks.

The Labor Day Classic Weekend at Brighton at one time featured the first combined event of the series but like last season – the Sunday September 5th event presented by Hutchinson Fuels, Lucas Oil, Custom Carts and Rock 107 will be the final Home Track Event.

When the Sportsman Super DIRTcar Series visits Merrittville September 12th – the first combined event will take to the d-shaped Thorold Track with a $1000 payday awaiting the winner after the 50 lap J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Event.

It all comes to a conclusion during the Cool 100 Applefest Shootout Weekend presented by Lucas Oil at the Brighton Speedway.

September 26th’s Benson Auto Parts Night at Brighton will see the Duel on the Dirt Big 6 Series conclude with another $1000 to win 50 lapper.

Between the home track events and the two combined – how is the 2010 Duel on the Dirt Big 6 Overall Champ crowned? Drivers must be registered at either track to receive their home track points. There will be bonus points for Heat Winners at each event. If a driver has 75% or more attendance at their home track – they will each receive a 100 point bonus and for attending 100% of the Series – another 100 point bonus.

The overall series champion driver will be awarded $1000 at his or her banquet. Two drivers at each track with 100% attendance will also win $100 cash awards via a draw at each banquet as well.The Top 20 teams will also be rewarded point fund awards. The Overall Champion of course leads to the Track honours as well with either Team Merrittville or Team Brighton named as 2010 Duel on the Dirt Big 6 Champion! 

“Our hats off once again to Merrittville’s Hoosier Stocks … but my Pro Stocks … look out,” added Rinaldi … “especially with our home track advantage in the finale”

“My Hoosier Stocks are always ready to step up to the plate,” pitches Merrittville Speedway’s Nancy Bicknell, “this season’s it’s a whole new game though and fans can expect another awesome Duel on the Dirt Series … home or away … nothing beats our Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series of the Hoosier Stock division-each and every Saturday Night as they battle door handle to door handle – what a season it will be!”

For further information on the 2010 Duel on the Dirt Big 6 that will once again feature the finest Street Stock Drivers from across Ontario competing for individual and team honors – visit either www.merrittvillespeedway.com , www.brightonspeedway.com or www.merrittvillespeedway.com/duelstats.htm

From Jim Irvine - Merrittville Speedway Public Relations - 905-685-7223 – Winter Office or jimirvine@cogeco.net or Brighton Speedway’s Angela Rinaldi can be reached at 1-866-681-1102

DJ Kennington to make NASCAR Truck Series debut this weekend at Martinsville

Former Delaware Speedway track champ (and current NASCAR Canadian Tire Series front-runner) DJ Kennington is in Virginia, where he’s about to make his debut in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville for Rick Ware Racing.  He’s preparing to take his first ever laps in the #6 Chevrolet sponsored by Northern Provincial Pipeline.  He has never competed or even practiced in a Truck before and it’s his first time at Martinsville.  It takes a bit of adjustment.

“We’re trying to get the gas pedal fitted right now," laughed Kennington. "I tried to sit in it and my legs are up around my ears.”

The half-mile Martinsville oval, nicknamed the “paper clip”, should provide ample challenge to the first-time truck racer but DJ says it’s not entirely unfamiliar territory.

“Martinsville is pretty flat. It's like Ste Eustache (near Montreal, Quebec) - just a lot bigger:  long straight-aways and sharp corners."

Thirty-nine Trucks are entered for Saturday’s race but only 36 will make the field.  DJ’s job is to keep from being one of the three drivers who are sent home.  He figures he’s already raced against approximately 15% of the field in the Nationwide Series, including Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick.  Although it seems like an unexpected turn in his career, the chance to get into a NASCAR truck race for RWR has been in the works for a while.

“I’ve been talking to Rick (Ware) about an opportunity for almost a year and a half. He wanted to put a second truck out there for Martinsville.   I think it's going to be a whole bunch like the Nationwide car. Same tires, same kind of set-up.”

It’s a tremendous opportunity for a young racing star on the rise and he outlines his expectations. 

"More experience basically, just trying to get more exposure. It's hard to get down here and do these things. Any opportunity you get, you try and jump on it.  We're trying to put stuff together to run some Nationwide stuff and some more Truck stuff. But I've got stuff to concentrate on up there too (NCATS). "

DJ will be back to defend his title as the reigning champ of the Delaware 200 NCATS race June 5th.  But in Virginia, he continues to talk up his home track every chance he gets.

"Thanks Rick Ware and Dwight Kennedy from Northern Provincial Pipeline for the opportunity. Also thanks to Arlen and the folks at Delaware Speedway. We’re down here promoting Delaware and letting people know about it any way we can."

Read more about DJ at Rick Ware Racing: http://wareracing.com.

From Kevin Bulmer & Lisa Brandt // Delaware Speedway // www.delawarespeedway.com

David Ostella, Star Mazda St. Petersburg Preview

Having had just a matter of days to pack up shop at Sebring International Raceway and slide across the state of Florida to St. Petersburg, Canadian David Ostella and his AIM Autosport team swing back into action this weekend with the second round of the 2010 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. A new venue for the series, all drivers will be on completely equal footing beginning at square one on Friday.

“We’ve never been here before but I love street circuits so I’m looking forward to the weekend,” Ostella said between rounds this week. “I’m still a little disappointed with how the race went at Sebring, but it’s behind me now and I’m fully focussed on St. Pete. I’m already looking forward to walking the track and getting things underway.”

When the weekend does kick off, it will do so in a very big way as for the first time in history, all levels of the Indy Racing League’s Road to Indy Program will be together. Along with the Star Mazda Championship, fans will have open-wheel talent from USF2000, Indy Lights, and the IZOD IndyCar Series on track. It means a standard race weekend for the Star Mazda drivers, as after a morning and afternoon session on Friday, a single qualifying session will come Saturday before Round 2 on Sunday.

“It’s going to be crazy with the Indy and F2000 drivers there as well, a lot of great racing,” said Ostella. “We’ll really have to focus our efforts with just three sessions before the race, but it’s the same for everyone, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure we’re ready come Sunday. I’m sure the engineers already have some ideas, and we’ll make the most of the Friday runs, for sure.”

With his recovery run to P13 at Sebring, Ostella holds the same spot in the championship with 23 points but will be looking for many more at St. Petersburg. After qualifying fifth and moving forward early in Round 1, the remainder of the race proved a disappointment for the eighteen-year-old and has him charged to make amends. He will race once again with support from Global Precast Intercontinental, Alpinestars, and RAW Integrated Ltd. For more information on David and the Star Mazda Championship, please visit www.davidostella.com, aimautosport.com and www.starmazda.com

Photo Credit: www.otp.ca // Photo Cutline: Star Mazda debuts at St. Petersburg this weekend.

From Jason Holland

Canadian Steve Arpin (of Venturini Motorsports) tops 2-day ARCA test at Talladega

(NOTE: There is an exclusive, 2-page feauture on Canada's Steve Arpin in the next issue of Inside Track Motorsport News.)

TALLADEGA, AL (3-24-10) - Venturini Motorsports swept the top five positions on the speed charts at Talladega Superspeedway during the two-day ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards open test. Steve Arpin, in the no. 55 Toyota, led the Venturini Motorsports contingent with a top speed of 190.666 mph.

"The open test is a true testament to the hard work and long hours that the Venturini guys have put into this program," said Arpin. "We have five really good cars and that shows in the speed charts. My car was better in drafting than single car runs and drafting was our main focus today. We have made leaps and bounds from where we were in Daytona and I really look forward to coming back here in April."

NASCAR Nationwide Series veteran John Wes Townley, also in a Toyota, was second quickest overall at 190.624 mph. Townley finished third in the ARCA opener at Daytona. ARCA veteran and two-time series winner Mark Thompson was third fastest at 190.552 mph. Thompson finished second in the Daytona opener.

Mikey Kile made it four Toyotas in the top-five positions after the West Lake, Louisiana rookie wound up fourth on the overall chart.

"We were really pleased with the way the car handled in the draft runs," said Kile. "It felt good all day and we continued to get faster. We were top of the speed charts in single car runs and fourth overall in drafting. It is pretty neat when your team brings five cars to the test and all five cars were quickest all day. We are 100% at test sessions this year! Unstoppable."

Kile was referring to Venturini's perfect track record in ARCA testing in 2010. After four early-season open tests at Daytona, the Palm Beach Int'l Raceway road course, Texas Motor Speedway and Talladega, the Concord, North Carolina-based Venturini multi-car team has been fastest at every test.

Alli Owens, the only Chevy in the Venturini five-car team, was fifth fastest overall at 189.156 mph.

"I am really strong at superspeedways and it really showed during the test session," said Owens. "Coming from Daytona and after we got a couple races under our belts, I was able to concentrate and figure out what the car really needs and wants. All five of Venturini's cars were at the top of the charts and that is what we expected. We felt confident coming into test and we feel very confident going into the race."

Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch commented on the ARCA open test.

"We always enjoy having the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards at Talladega Superspeedway," said Lynch. "This test and NASCAR's last week, really got the adrenaline flowing as we head toward an exciting Aaron's Dream Weekend, April 23-25. We look forward to welcoming all our fans to the track very soon."

Notables:

Patrick Sheltra, in a Dodge, led the non-Venturini Motorsports cars, with a sixth-best speed of 188.999 mph. Motocross legend and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Ricky Carmichael was seventh fastest in a Win-Tron Racing Chevy at 188.973 mph. Daytona's ARCA winner Bobby Gerhart was ninth fastest of the day with a speed of 188.193 mph. Alabama's own Grant Enfinger posted a top speed of 187.357 mph.

The April 23 -25 Aaron's Dream Weekend begins a new era at Talladega Superspeedway with new rules, new seats and new lower ticket prices.  For more information on tickets to Talladega Superspeedway, please visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.

ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards     
Talladega Superspeedway Open Test (3/23-24/10)         
Overall Results                        
                                               
        NO       DRIVER/HOMETOWN         MAKE    TIME    SPEED 
1        55      Steve Arpin/Fort Frances ON     Toyota  50.224  190.666       
2        35      John Wes Townley/Watkinsville GA        Toyota  50.235  190.624       
3        66      Mark Thompson/Cartersville GA   Toyota  50.254  190.552       
4        25      Mikey Kile/Westlake LA  Toyota  50.268  190.499       
5        15      Alli Owens/Daytona Beach FL     Chevy   50.625  189.156       
6        60a     Patrick Sheltra/Indiantown FL   Dodge   50.667  188.999       
7        32c     Ricky Carmichael/Tallahassee FL         Chevy   50.674  188.973       
8        32b     Justin Marks/Rocklin CA         Toyota  50.686  188.928       
9        5       Bobby Gerhart/Lebanon PA        Chevy   50.884  188.193       
10       77      Tom Hessert/Cherry Hill NJ      Dodge   50.899  188.137       
11       22      Dakoda Armstrong/New Castle IN  Dodge   50.956  187.927       
12       01      Bill Baird/Sturgis KY   Toyota  50.961  187.908       
13       09      Grant Enfinger/Fairhope AL      Ford    51.111  187.357       
14       43      Kyle Martel/Lebanon PA  Chevy   51.113  187.350       
15       06      Brett Hudson/Owensboro KY       Dodge   51.262  186.805       
16       131     Brent Brevak/Eau Claire WI      Dodge   51.293  186.692       
17       38      Alex Kennedy/Aztec NM   Dodge   51.338  186.528       
18       44      Frank Kimmel/Clarksville IN     Ford    51.551  185.758       
19       16b     Randy Renfro/Willow Springs NC  Chevy   51.551  185.758       
20       1       Chad McCumbee/Supply NC         Ford    51.561  185.722       
21       16a     Joey Coulter/Miami Springs FL   Chevy   51.742  185.072       
22       31      Tim George Jr./New York NY      Chevy   51.924  184.423       
23       0       Butch Jarvis/Blountville TN     Dodge   52.224  183.364       
24       48a     James Hylton/Inman SC   Ford    52.281  183.164       
25       48      Jill George/Cedar Falls IA      Ford    52.340  182.958       
26       42      Scott Stenzel/Orlando FL        Ford    52.411  182.710       
27       75      Benny Chastain/Tallahassee FL   Chevy   53.406  179.306

From ARCA. Photo by DaveFranksPhotos.com
        

SOUTHERN ONTARIO SPRINTS ANNOUNCE 2010 SCHEDULE

By Tommy Goudge (March 24, 2010) – The fifteenth season of Southern Ontario Sprints competition is set to kick off in less than two months time. The touring Sprint Car club will award championship points in events at Autodrome Edelweiss, Brighton Speedway, Merrittville Speedway, and Ohsweken Speedway, and has signed on as an affiliate once again for the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals at Ohsweken.

Brighton Speedway is once again the anchor track for the tour, and hosts the season opener for the eleventh year in a row on Saturday, May 22. The tour will also travel to Brighton on Saturday, June 19, Saturday, July 10, Saturday, August 7, and the annual Labour Day Classic weekend Saturday, September 4, and Sunday, September 5. Winners at Brighton last season included Glenn Styres (May 9, June 6, September 5), Adam West (July 11), Rick Wilson (August 8), and Ryan Hunsinger (September 6). More information about Brighton Speedway can be found on the official website at www.BrightonSpeedway.com.

The club returns as an affiliate sanction for the third annual Northern Summer Nationals at Ohsweken Speedway on Friday, July 2. For this year’s edition of the Summer Nationals, points towards the SOS season championship will be awarded to SOS members. The tour will also be back at Ohsweken in a non-points capacity to support the sixth annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals September 16 to 18. More information about Ohsweken Speedway can be found on the official website at www.OhswekenSpeedway.com.

The SOS tour will visit Autodrome Edelweiss in Cantley, Quebec just outside Ottawa for the first time ever on Friday, July 9, creating a doubleheader weekend with Brighton the next evening. The event will be the first ever championship points race for the club in the province of Quebec, and figures to be a contest for provincial pride with many Quebec drivers set to take on the travelers from the SOS. Autodrome Edelweiss is a fast 1/4 mile oval which regularly features Sprint Cars lapping in the eleven second range. The track has hosted twenty-eight Sprint Car events since 1990, including feature wins by Steve Poirier and Tommy Wickham in Empire Super Sprints competition last season. More information about Autodrome Edelweiss can be found in both English and French on the official website at www.AutodromeEdelweiss.com.

Merrittville Speedway will also host a round in the SOS championship for the first time since 2003. The 2010 championship chase will come to a conclusion for the SOS at Merrittville on Friday, September 10 as part of Merrittville's Championship Triple Header Weekend. Four SOS races were held at the historic 1/3 mile clay oval located just outside St. Catharines between 2001 and 2003. All-time SOS feature wins leader Rick Wilson won two of those, while Billy Krull took a victory, along with Warren Mahoney who was the most recent SOS winner at Merrittville on August 16, 2003. More information about Merrittville Speedway can be found on the official website at www.MerrittvilleSpeedway.com.

Make your plans to attend events on the 2010 calendar and celebrate fifteen years of homegrown Canadian Sprint Car racing!

2010 SOUTHERN ONTARIO SPRINTS SCHEDULE

1. May 22 – Brighton Speedway
(Rain Date – May 23)

2. June 19 – Brighton Speedway

3. July 2 – Ohsweken Speedway
(Northern Summer Nationals – Points for SOS members)

4. July 9 – Autodrome Edelweiss

5. July 10 – Brighton Speedway

6. August 7 – Brighton Speedway

7. September 4 – Brighton Speedway
(Labour Day Classic)

8. September 5 – Brighton Speedway
(Labour Day Classic)

9. September 10 – Merrittville Speedway
(SOS Championship)

NP. September 17 – Ohsweken Speedway
(Night Before the Nationals)

NP. September 18 – Ohsweken Speedway
(Canadian Sprint Car Nationals)

Please visit www.SouthernOntarioSprints.com for more news and information about the Southern Ontario Sprints! 2010 marks the fifteenth year of operation for the Southern Ontario Sprints, brought to you this season by Wiseco Piston, Kenetic Photos, Stealth Racewear, Triple X Race Co., ASI Racewear, The Racers Edge, BS&B Radiator, www.ImageFactor.ca, Hepfner Racing Products, Saldana Racing Products, Kreitz Oval Track Parts Inc., Keizer Aluminum Wheels, and Have Bus Racing Tours.

Formula 1600 Series Returns to the Canadian Grand Prix

MONTREAL, QC - One of the Quebec crowd favorite open-wheel series, Formula 1600, is returning to the Canadian Grand Prix as a support series for the June 11-13 weekend of activities on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Octane Racing Group, promoter of the event, is happy to announce today that close to 40 drivers from Québec, Ontario and the North East of the United States are expected to take part in the two races scheduled for Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. A regular feature on the Grand Prix program, Formula 1600 last competed during an F1 weekend in 2007.

"If there is an open wheel series where Quebec drivers are plentiful, it's in the Formula 1600 Series," said François Dumontier, president of Octane Racing Group and promoter of the event. "Not only does this group of motor racing passionates always put on a great show on the track, they also make their presence felt in the Canadian Grand Prix support paddocks with great social gatherings with family, friends, and fans. We are happy to support them once again with an opportunity to be part of our event. Our numerous Quebec supporters can relate in many ways to the drivers of that series, and it is important that a local motor car series be part of our race weekend. Despite many drawbacks, those who oversee the Formula 1600 keep this open wheel series running with seasoned veterans clashing against up and coming drivers."

"We are happy to return to the Canadian Grand Prix. For all our drivers, team members and their sponsors, this is great news," remarked Marcel Lafontaine, driver and also President of the Formula Tour 1600. "Everyone loves to run at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, and to know that we will be sharing the same track, the same podium on the same weekend as Formula One drivers is an extraordinary source of motivation. Once again, I am convinced that the level of competition will be very high. I think that this announcement will draw close to 40 drivers from Quebec, the Atlantic Provinces, Ontario and the United States to come and compete at the Canadian Grand Prix."

This type of series has a long and glorious 40 years of motor racing history. Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button, Mark Webber, Pedro de la Rosa, and Adrian Sutil of the current field of Formula One drivers have all excelled in this series at the beginning of their career. Former World Champions Mika Hakkinen, Damon Hill, James Hunt, Nigel Mansell, Jody Scheckter, and the great Ayrton Senna, just to name a few, have all made their marks in this open wheel series. The current Canadian version of the F1600 championship uses spec engines and tires. The wingless open wheel cars are powered by a four-cylinder Ford engine, and are shod on Dunlop treaded tires used for dry and wet track conditions. To illustrate the range of ages of drivers that compete in Formula 1600, fans could see at the Canadian Grand Prix 16-year old up-and-coming Quebec driver Jerimy Daniel locking wheels with racing enthusiast Lewis MacKenzie, born in Truro, Nova Scotia in 1940.

Those wishing to obtain grandstand tickets and general admission can contact the Canadian Grand Prix box office at 514 350-0000 which is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. They can also visit www.circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca, at any time to order online.

As a reminder, the organizers are also offering a variety of corporate packages for both small and large companies and other groups who wish to attend the 2010 Canadian Grand Prix. To make a reservation or to obtain further information, those interested should contact Julie Rioux-Paquette and Marie-Claude Boucher at 514 350-4731. Always popular, corporate packages for the Canadian Grand Prix sell out quickly.

A Canadian company established in Montreal, Octane Racing Group Inc. is the promoter of the FORMULA 1 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX by virtue of an agreement made with Formula One Administration Limited and Formula 1 World Championship Limited (together the holder of commercialization rights to F1).

Photo Schraenen F-1600: 2009 F1600 Series Champion, Didier Schraenen #94, battling with Pat White and Michel Bonnet #2 in the Senna esses at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Photo credit: Muriel Brousseau

Photo Sweeney - Labbée: Patrick Sweeney #77 pulls away from Jonathan Labbée #47 in the East Hairpin of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Photo credit: Muriel Brousseau

From Celina Machado // National Press Officer // Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada

Michigan Int'l Speedway to host wine festival June 26-27

BROOKLYN, Mich. (March 24, 2010) — Here’s looking at you, Michigan. Michigan International Speedway, a 1,400-acre historic NASCAR racetrack in Southeastern Michigan’s Lenawee and Jackson Counties, will host the inaugural Great Lakes Wine Fest, June 26-27.

This first-ever event of its kind in the state is a partnership between MIS and the Michigan Wine Foundation. The event will feature the tastes and toasts of Michigan wineries, breweries and eateries in a unique setting — a NASCAR racetrack.

“We are really excited to add another great event to our season,” MIS President Roger Curtis said. “We’re known primarily for being a NASCAR racetrack, but our natural beauty and resemblance to a national park and the ‘great escape’ feel our guests have when they’re here make hosting a wine festival a natural extension for us.  Once again, we’re proud to be the host venue for a collection of businesses that make the Great Lakes State truly awesome and we look forward to growing this event into one of the largest in the region.”

Award-winning wineries from across the state of Michigan will be on hand showcasing more than 100 varieties of wine including, Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet and others.

“I am excitedly anticipating the MIS wine fest,” said Liz Berger, president of the Michigan Wine Foundation and Operations Manager at Chateau Chantal Winery in Traverse City, Mich. “This will be a great venue in which to offer the public a taste of all the great wineries and breweries in Michigan.  People will be able to meet the wine makers and brewers, learn about our Michigan grown and crafted beverages, and mostly have a great time.  Michigan has been lacking a festival that represents the entire state, but this centrally located, top- notch facility will be able to offer an unmatchable summer festival.  No one will want to miss this inaugural event!”

Guests may sample wines, beer and food from Michigan vendors, and buy favorite wines by the bottle or case. The festival’s on-site retail store will have select wines available for purchase at the event.

In addition to wine and beer sampling, seminars covering wine, food and other topics of interest will be held throughout the venue. Live entertainment throughout the weekend will also be featured.

Advance one-day tickets are $25; two-day tickets are $45. Each ticket includes $10 worth of tasting tickets per day. Designated driver tickets are $15. This event is for guests 21 and older.

Camping is also available for $40 in the track’s MISCamping.com Infield, or $100 in the MISCamping.com Turn 2 Retreat.  Turn 2 camping includes water and electric hookups.  Need an RV? A turn-key camping option is available for the wine and brew fest at www.MIScamping.com.

Tickets and details are available at www.GreatLakesWineFest.com or by calling 800-354-1010. Also, please visit our Twitter feed @GLWineFest for information about the wine festival.

From MIS

KAWARTHA SPEEDWAY: Dave Waite gets ready to begin his summertime ritual

To say that Dave Waite is excited about the start of Kawartha Speedway’s 2010 season would be a definite understatement.  If you’ll forgive the obvious pun, he can’t wait.  The 50 year-old veteran racer from Carleton Place, Ontario says making the regular 3 hour trek from his home near the nation’s capital to a venue he calls his absolute favourite racetrack is the highlight of the week for his family, friends and crew members.

“We’ve been doing this for 26 years and I’ve been to a lot of different places,” said Waite.  “The staff at Kawartha is easily the best I’ve seen at any speedway.  No matter how well we do on the racetrack, everyone we meet greets us with a smile and is very friendly.  From the moment we come through the tunnel and get to the sign-in table, our entire team feels respected and appreciated.  That makes a big difference and keeps us wanting to come back again.”

Like most short-track racers, Waite says his biggest disappointment is the cost of the sport.  He admits that if it came down to funding the entire operation out of his own pockets, he’d probably step away from running regularly.  His car owner Dave Wood and support from long time sponsors Jade Transportation, A & B Ford, Wood Construction, Norcan Hydraulic Turbine and his own company, Sign Design help keep the finances in check.

“Some people go boating or fishing.  We’re racers,” Waite said emphatically.  “Our team travels together and we stay at the Beavermead Campground overnight before heading back home.  Some people say we’re crazy to drive 3 hours to race every weekend, but we’ve met so many wonderful people and really had a chance to get to know the area.  We love it, so our response is that we’d be crazy not to.”

Even with their travel schedule, Dave Waite and his team race for fun. A big cheque and the roar of the crowd are a welcomed reward for a job well done, but his biggest praise comes from his wife of 26 years, Joyce and children Tom and Julia.  Travelling to the track together has long been a family tradition.  Son Tom spots for his father when he’s able to make the trek.  Waite says his team wouldn’t be able to get by without the behind the scenes help from Mark Wood, Dave Boyd and Rory Morrison, the dedicated crew that keeps the #25on NAPA Auto Parts Late Model machine on the track week after week.

Kawartha Speedway’s new season is just around the corner and there’s a certain driver from Carleton Place, Ontario who can’t wait to get started.

For full details on the 2010 10th Anniversary schedule – including the late model summer sizzler Friday, July 9th – see www.kawarthaspeedway.com.

PHOTO: Dave Waite regularly makes the 3 hour trek from Carleton Place, Ontario to campaign his #25on Chevrolet in Kawartha Speedway’s NAPA Auto Parts Late Model division.

Release and Photo by Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

GRAND-AM: OTHER MARQUES LOOK TO DERAIL MAZDA'S WINNING STREAK

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - Teams fielding Camaro, Corvette, Porsche and BMW race cars are looking to snap Mazda's two-race winning streak in the Porsche 250 on April 10 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala., Round 3 of the 2010 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16.

The race will take the green flag at 1:36 p.m. ET, with live SPEED coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Andrew Davis and Robin Liddell won the 2009 Porsche 250 in a Pontiac GXP.R. Stevenson Motorsports is fielding a pair of Camaros for 2010, the No. 57 for Davis and Liddell and the No. 97 for Jan Magnussen and Gunter Schaldach.

Three teams will field Corvettes. Banner Racing has the No. 07 Mobil 1 Corvette for 2008 GT co-champion Paul Edwards and motorcycle legend Scott Russell. Lou Gigliotti's LG Motorsports debuted the No. 28 Corvette for 2008 co-champion Kelly Collins and Eric Lux in the recent race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, while Marsh Racing makes its GRAND-AM debut at Barber with the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Corvette for Eric Curran and Sonny Whelen. Collins and Edwards teamed to win GT honors in the 2007 Porsche 250 in the No. 07 Banner Racing Pontiac GXP.R.

Three Porsches are entered in the event. John Potter and Craig Stanton share the No. 44 Magnus Racing Porsche GT3, Shane Lewis and Richard Zahn co-drive the No. 46 Autohaus Motorsports entry while Luke Hines and Bryce Miller compete in the No. 48 Miller Barrett Racing GT3.

Bill Auberlen and Paul Dalla Lana are entered in the lone BMW, the No. 94 Turner Motorsport M6 that made its debut in the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona. The team had a strong showing in the Grand Prix of Miami, leading four laps and finishing fifth.

The four marques will be taking on Mazda, which has four teams fielding eight cars and won the GT class in both races this season.

SpeedSource owner Sylvain Tremblay and new regular co-driver Jonathan Bomarito, joined by Nick Ham and David Haskell, won the season opening Rolex 24 in the No. 70 Castrol Syntec Mazda RX-8, while Emil Assentato and Jeff Segal captured GT honors in the team's No. 69 FXDD Mazda at Homestead. SpeedSource also fields the No. 68 of rising stars John Edwards and Adam Christodoulou.

Dempsey Racing has expanded to two Mazdas this season. Racer/actor Patrick Dempsey and Joe Foster return in the No. 40, joined by defending GT champion Leh Keen and James Gue in the No. 41 - who scored Dempsey Racing's first podium finish by placing third at Homestead. Team Sahlen has a pair of Mazdas, with Joe Sahlen joining Joe Nonnamaker and his two sons, Will and Wayne Nonnamaker. Returning with one car is Racers Edge Motorsports, fielding the No. 30 for Todd Lamb and Jordan Taylor.

Practice for the Porsche 250 begins at 2:55 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 8, with qualifying Friday at 11:40 a.m.

Courtesy J.J. O'Malley

ARCA: Venturini Motorsports sweeps Talladega test ... Canadian Arpin 4th fastest

TALLADEGA, AL - (3-23-10) - There has been nary a test in 2010 during which the Venturini Motorsports team did not top the speed charts. Tuesday's ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards open test at Talladega Superspeedway was no exception.

In fact, Venturini Motorsports, with five teams in the line-up, took the top four positions with Westlake, Louisiana's Mikey Kile leading the charge. Kile, in the no. 25 Venturini Motorsports Toyota, circled the 2.66-mile superspeedway in 50.836 seconds, an average speed of 188.370 mph. Kile's teammates John Wes Townley, Mark Thompson and Steve Arpin followed on the chart giving Toyota the top four spots.

Fairhope, Alabama favorite Grant Enfinger (RAB Racing Ford) was fifth overall ahead of Alex Kennedy (Capital City Motorsports), Kyle Martel (Bill Martel Racing), Alli Owens (Venturini Motorsports), Frank Kimmel (Kimmel Racing) and Dakoda Armstrong (Cunningham Motorsports). Martel, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, made the most laps during the test, circling the track 55 times.

ARCA/NASCAR Camping World Truck Series veteran Chad McCumbee, who was 12th fastest overall, subbed for the absent Nick Igdalsky in the Andy Belmont Racing no. 1 Ford.

Today's test, originally scheduled to get underway at 9:00 AM local time Tuesday morning, was delayed until early afternoon because of overnight and early morning rain showers.

In all, 24 drivers posted time and speed in today's session in preparation for the 250-mile ARCA race at Talladega on Friday, April 23rd.

With weather forecasters predicting clear, sunny skies with temperatures in the mid-70s, the ARCA Racing Series will resume with a full day of open testing Wednesday with on-track time scheduled from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards     
Talladega Superspeedway Open Test (3/23-24/10)         
Results, Day 1 (3-23-10)                               
                                               
        NO       DRIVER/HOMETOWN         MAKE    TIME    SPEED 
1        25      Mikey Kile/Westlake LA  Toyota  50.836  188.370       
2        35      John Wes Townley/Watkinsville GA        Toyota  50.944  187.971       
3        66      Mark Thompson/Cartersville GA   Toyota  51.151  187.210       
4        55      Steve Arpin/Fort Frances ON     Toyota  51.241  186.882       
5        09      Grant Enfinger/Fairhope AL      Ford    51.325  186.576       
6        38      Alex Kennedy/Aztec NM   Dodge   51.338  186.528       
7        43      Kyle Martel/Lebanon PA  Chevy   51.345  186.503       
8        15      Alli Owens/Daytona Beach FL     Chevy   51.457  186.061       
9        44      Frank Kimmel/Clarksville IN     Ford    51.551  185.758       
10       22      Dakoda Armstrong/New Castle IN  Dodge   51.554  185.747       
11       16a     Joey Coulter/Miami Springs FL   Chevy   51.742  185.072       
12       1       Chad McCumbee/Supply NC         Ford    51.752  185.036       
13       77      Tom Hessert/Cherry Hill NJ      Dodge   51.767  184.983       
14       5       Bobby Gerhart/Lebanon PA        Chevy   51.834  184.744       
15       60a     Patrick Sheltra/Indiantown FL   Dodge   52.064  183.928       
16       0       Butch Jarvis/Blountville TN     Dodge   52.224  183.364       
17       01      Bill Baird/Sturgis KY   Dodge   52.257  183.248       
18       31      Tim George Jr./New York NY      Chevy   52.263  183.227       
19       32a     Justin Marks/Rocklin CA         Toyota  52.270  183.203       
20       42      Scott Stenzel/Orlando FL        Ford    52.411  182.710       
21       06      Brett Hudson/Owensboro KY       Chevy   53.001  180.676       
22       48a     James Hylton/Inman SC   Ford    53.243  179.855       
23       75      Benny Chastain/Tallahassee FL   Chevy   53.406  179.306       
24       131     Brent Brevak/Eau Claire WI      Dodge   55.650  172.076       
       
From Don Radebaugh, ARCA PR/Communications

FW: AJR IMPRESSIVE IN RETURN TO ALMS

Impressive doesn’t even begin to describe Alex Job Racing’s performance in its return to the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. Under the watchful eye of team owner Alex Job, AJR Porsches finished 1-2-3 in the GT Challenge class of the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida with the trio of Leh Keen, Butch Leitzinger and Juan Gonzalez leading the way.

It was the sixth Sebring win for Alex Job, whose team debuted at Sebring in 1989. All six have been with Porsche. The Bill Sweedler/Romeo Kapudija/Jan-Dirk Lueders car was second followed by the entry of Ricardo Gonzalez/Luis Diaz/Patrick Kelly.

“We’re back in a bigger way than we left,” said Job, who first came to Sebring as a spectator in 1965. “I was into cars when I was two years old, and this is what I always wanted to do. I’ve always had a passion for Sebring. It’s been the most successful place for our team over the years. It feels so great to be back. The entire crew put in a lot of work the past couple of weeks. This is a grueling race, but the driver lineup we have almost made it look easy. We had a few spins and a couple of penalties, but no one got rattled and everyone did their job. It is very rewarding to come down here with nine drivers, over 30 crew members and have everything go your way.”

That’s an understatement. Of the race’s 367 laps, the winning AJR Porsche led all but six. Three of those were led by the Diaz/Kelly/Gonzalez car. And the winning Keen/Leitzinger/Gonzalez entry led the final 97 laps. There’s more. Except for a three-lap period in the middle of the race, AJR cars ran 1-2 for the final 226 laps. They were 1-2-3 for the final 78 laps.

“I have to give it to Alex - one-two-three on the podium is a great achievement as well as the same result in qualifying,” said Keen, who posted the 20 fastest race laps in the class. “His team puts together some great cars. We didn’t have a dent or a scratch on our car. We kept it clean.”

The Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series at Long Beach is the second round of the 2010 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. The race, set at the historic Long Beach street circuit, is scheduled for 4:40 p.m. PT on Saturday, April 15 with coverage on SPEED set for 8 to 10 p.m. ET. Live radio coverage will be available on American Le Mans Radio presented by Porsche – a production of Radio Show Limited – as well as Sirius and XM. Visit www.americanlemans.com for ticket and accommodation information. Live Timing and Scoring, track schedule, entry list and much, much more will be available on the Racehub at americanlemans.com.

You can follow the Series on Twitter (almsnotes) and on our Facebook page and the official YouTube channel.

Courtesy americanlemans.com