J.R. Fitzpatrick slated for 3 Nationwide races with JR Motorsports

J.R. Fitzpatrick just posted the following on his Facebook page: "J.R Fitzpatrick is very happy to be a part of JR Motorsports and Team Schick Canada."

The NASCAR Home Tracks page has the full story here.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Rising talent J.R. Fitzpatrick was named driver of the JR Motorsports No. 7 Chevrolet for three road-course events in NASCAR’s Nationwide Series, co-owner and general manager Kelley Earnhardt announced today. Schick Canada will serve as primary sponsor for Fitzpatrick’s three starts at Road America on June 19th, Watkins Glen International on Aug. 7th and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Aug. 29th.

“J.R. is a talented young driver, and we look forward to giving him the chance to drive some upcoming races for JR Motorsports,” Kelley Earnhardt said. “With Schick Canada sponsoring his three races, this gives J.R. the chance to showcase his abilities. We are committed to giving young drivers the chance to prove themselves in this No. 7 Chevrolet, and work with a proven crew chief in Tony Eury Jr. J.R. Fitzpatrick is someone we’ve had our eye on, and the timing is right to give him a shot.” .... see link above for full story.

Craig Graham Readies His Ride for Kawartha Speedway's 2010 Season

To a casual observer, the sport of stock car racing is nothing more than the ultimate battle of man and machine. The man with the fastest machine wins, takes home the checkered flag and trophy and comes back the next week hoping to do it again. Hardcore race fans know there’s more to the picture than what everyone else sees on the surface. They’re aware of the emotional involvement each team and driver face getting their equipment ready for the trip to their favourite place to race.

Craig Graham is the man at the controls of the #98 JP Larkin Salvage/Bill Spencer Chevrolet/Sperry Contracting/C & K Fabrication/ CCS Industrials/Dan McHattie Racecars Chevrolet and prior to the start of Kawartha Speedway’s 2009 season, he and his crew had prepped their machine for its inaugural foray in the NAPA Auto Parts Late Model wars. The 37 year-old father of 2 from Orono, Ontario who earns a weekly paycheque as parts and service manager at Bill Spencer Chevrolet was moving-up from the track’s limited late model division, a class where he’d achieved a reasonable level of success with 1 win and 18 top 5 finishes. Graham says he was looking forward to continuing the strong showings that saw him record a 6th place point run in 2007 and a 5th place finish at the end of the 2008 campaign.

“We had some strong nights in the ‘limited’ and when Kawartha blended the 2 late model classes for ’09, I thought things would just continue that way,” said Graham. “The first couple weeks turned-out okay, but by the time the 3rd week rolled-around, the bottom seemed to drop out of our plan. We got collected in someone else’s mess and the car sustained some serious damage. When we first got it home, the crew and I knew there’d be some work to do to be ready for the next week. Then, as time we by, we learned that there was actually more damage than we’d first thought. A decision was made to park the car for the season and come back for a fresh start in 2010. It was a hard choice to make, but we knew it would be an uphill fight to make the car right.”

Even with a crash that brought a premature end to his 2009 season, Craig Graham’s spirits remained high. He knew there’d be a chance to regroup and make a new start in the next season. He says just climbing into the car for every show is a thrill and during the off season, Graham made a deal that should put him in a strong position for Kawartha’s 10th Anniversary season. The 12 year veteran racer traded his Dan McHattie built machine for Chris Mitchell’s ACT Tour legal Lefthander chassis. He says he hopes the swap is something that will help him run near the front of the pack for the new campaign.

“Mitchell was having his car re-built. Dan McHattie had it at his farm and had just finished putting a new clip on it,” said Graham. “I knew that if Dan had his hands on the racecar, it would be a good piece. He’s once of the best guys you’ll race with anytime, anywhere. He wants to win every time he runs, but he’ll also help you with anything he can. My guys – crew members Ian Graham, Steven Beavis, Brandt Graham, Brent Smale, Mark Routine and especially my father-in-law, Marten Routine – spent some long hours in the shop over the winter making changes to the car to make it my own, but when the green flag drops I think we’ll be strong out of the box.”

With a new ride at his disposal, a fresh attitude and a solid emotional outlook, Craig Graham looks to have what it’ll take to find success in Kawartha Speedway’s NAPA Auto Parts Late Model class.


Photo: Craig Graham (#98) battles with Cole Powell and Dan McHattie heading into the 3rd turn at Kawartha Speedway.

Photo and Release Prepared by Jim Clarke - Clarke Motorsports Communications
clarkemotorsports@hotmail.com
613.968.6410 / 613.922.0654

Delaware Speewday: Racing cancelled tonight (May 7)

(Friday, May 7, 2010) The wet weather has forced the cancellation of tonight's racing program at Delaware Speedway.

Please visit www.delawarespeedway.com for the latest updates.

From Lisa Brandt // Public and Media Relations, Delaware Speedway

Chevy NSCS at Darlington: Jimmie Johnson Press Conference

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
SHOWTIME SOUTHERN 500
DARLINGTON RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT
MAY 7, 2010

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET, met with members of the media and discussed having decal of Bill France, Sr. on his car this weekend, racing at Darlington, season to date and other topics. Full transcript:

TALK ABOUT HAVING THE NASCAR HALL OF FAME DECAL HONORING BILL FRANCE, SR. ON YOUR CAR: “It is pretty cool for me. Bill, Sr. was before my time so I didn’t have a chance to get to know him or meet him. To have him on my car is really neat for myself and the race team. I certainly respect his vision and all of his hard work and everything he did to start NASCAR and make it what it is today and then to pass it on to Bill, Jr. then to Brian, it’s really cool to have him on the car. I know what Bill, Jr. was like, I can only imagine what his father was like and I just wish I was a little older and had a chance to meet him.”

TALK ABOUT MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY AND HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR YOU TO GET A VICTORY THERE? “I feel like we have been snake-bit at Michigan a few times here lately. Obviously, last year we ran out of gas in both races leading. Years before that we have had some fuel mileage things that have come in to play that have kept us out of victory lane. We know that track is a fuel mileage race track and we’re doing everything in our power to get better fuel mileage but I think with my driving style and with the horsepower we have built at Hendrick Motorsports, it’s just tough to just really get an extra lap, especially on a track that big. On a short track, it’s pretty easy to get a few laps but at Michigan it is impossible. Mark (Martin) was able to capitalize on (Greg) Biffle and I racing really hard. It really slowed down and just made it so, it is tough to make up two-miles of race track. But, I feel very good about the way we have raced there over the last few years and I would love to shorten that list of tracks that we haven’t won on with the No. 48 team.”

YOU HAVEN’T WON IN FIVE RACES, YOU ARE SECOND IN POINTS, WHAT’S UP WITH THAT? (SMILES) “We were close at Texas. At Martinsville we were experimenting with some new things and certainly found a direction in Martinsville. We were hopeful to find a new package that worked really well and it just didn’t turn out for us. Talladega, we raced really well until the end, had some issues late. Richmond, it’s been such a hot or cold track for us. We fought so hard the other night to finish 10th and I am proud of the effort and the result, but if you look our history there, it is either on or off. And we were off unfortunately. I was last year’s race of Darlington and the commentators made note about a two or three race rough patch that we had been through. As I am on the treadmill running, watching the race and thinking “Hmmm, ok, well, history is repeating itself. Here we are again.” There are just tracks that work for you. Tracks that don’t. I think that it was well documented at the start of the year, we didn’t have the dominant car but we really took advantage of opportunity. Here lately, we’ve been working hard to find new speed and some new stuff to make the No. 48 car strong when it is the right time of the year. I think we are getting close. I know Jeff (Gordon) and those guys have been working in some areas and it has been working well for them. Mark (Martin) has been experimenting and hasn’t really found what he needs. Junior’s stuff has been getting better. So we are all kind of massaging our packages and I hope that we get what we need out of the No. 48 car soon so we can get back to victory lane.”

IS IT POSSIBLE TO GAME PLAN AT ALL FOR THE POTENTIAL NUMBER OF GREEN-WHITE-CHECKERED BEFORE THE RACE STARTS OR YOU ARE AT THE POINT WHERE YOU HAVE TO ASSUME THEY ARE GOING TO HAPPEN AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY? “I think you look at track history a little bit and you are kind of in a position where if you need fuel with 20 to go and you know you can’t make the full three attempts, you come in for fuel and maybe pump the tires up a little bit and you go for it. So I think it is encouraging guys to take four (tires) later in the race in the event of. Then also with the fuel that is bringing us to victory lane, again, man, we have it scienced out to the lap of the checkered, you are going to be out of fuel. So, it is bringing those two opportunities around where for fuel and then since you are there with 20 to go, you may as well take some tires and pump them up.”

TALK ABOUT THE ALL STAR RACE: “I think there is a smile on everyone’s faces, from the competitors to the fans to a great facility, great race track, we are all at home. They find different ways to make it more exciting each and every year and then obviously at the end, the paycheck for $1 million bucks to the winner motivates everybody and it is off the races. I am excited for it. I really look forward to the date each year and I enjoy the tags on television where it is counting down. It keeps it fresh in my mind of what is around the corner. I know that in our sport, we have a true All Star event and we really put on a great show and everybody is out there giving 100%.”

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS OF KASEY KAHNE’S ADJUSTMENT TO HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS? “I’ve said it before. It is a really weird situation. I’m extremely happy and proud to call Mark Martin a teammate and a friend and think he brings a lot to Hendrick Motorsports but at the same time, knowing that Kasey is out there and will be coming in, I’m extremely excited for that opportunity as well. Adjusting is part of the NASCAR world. You need to have broad shoulders to deal with the struggles from week to week, stay open minded to the ever-changing sport we live in and then through the course of a race, you always have to adjust and worry about races that start in the day and go to the night. Long races and how much the track changes. Those are things that if you are going to make it at the Cup level, you’ve got to be good on your feet and have to be able to adjust mentally, physically, from a technical standpoint of the car. Adjustibility needs to be in all areas to succeed.”

WHAT DO DRIVERS THAT EXCEL AT DARLINGTON HAVE IN COMMON? “The game has changed a little bit here with the track being resurfaced. A lot more falls into the hands of the setup and I think as the track ages again, setup is going to be very important like it was in the old days. I say old days, before the paving job, I know the track has been around for a long time so my version of old days may not really apply to the true old day. As a driver you had to pick what you wanted. If you wanted to go fast and be a hero and lead for 10 laps, you could do that and you would wear your tires out. But to survive, this track has really always been a driver’s track. I look forward to the track losing some grip and migrating back that direction. You have to be extremely disciplined here and I’m hopeful that the track has gone that way a little bit with a year going by.”

JEFF GORDON SAID HE THINKS YOU ARE GOOD FRIENDS NOW BUT WILL BE BETTER FRIENDS IN 15 OR 20 YEARS WHEN YOU’RE NOT WANTING THE SAME THING ALL THE TIME. YOUR REACTION TO THAT: “I don’t know. Did he mentioned that a long time ago, or did he mention that recently? A week or two ago? I remember months back, maybe the start of the year, some comments along those lines and it is a very competitive world we live in. Whoever the champion is, the rest of the field uses that driver as the mark and says they have to beat that driver and that team. We’ve always found a very good way to be competitive inside of our walls at Hendrick Motorsports and especially inside of that 24-48 shop. To push each other and to fight for positions but really not cross over that line. At Texas we got to a point where, in my opinion it wasn’t on equal ground and I pushed back and the push back led me to run in to the side of him. We lived through that episode for a week and at Talladega, I made a mistake and it re-fired it all up and opinions went and he is frustrated and it turned into a circus. We’ve always walked that fine-line of being respectful and teammates and challenging each other. It’s not easy to do. But we’ve done it. We’ve had a little bump in the road. We’re through that and in time, I see us working very closely together like we always have to make our stuff better.

“On the personal side, he is the guy that introduced me to my wife, so we definitely have a friendship there. Competition does crazy things to people. Our lives have changed a lot is kind of what I am getting at too. Now that I am going to be a father soon, maybe we will have more in common and be around each other more in a personal setting. There hasn’t been an issue with our friendship. I think our lives have changed some and in time, at the end of our careers, I am sure we will sit back and have a few beers and talk about a lot of things. Right now we are competitive teammates doing our thing.”

WITH THE TIRES NOT FALLING OFF TOO MUCH AND TRACK POSITION SO IMPORTANT, ARE YOU THINKING THAT YOU ARE JUST GOING FUEL STOP TO FUEL STOP AND NOT STOPPING FOR TIRES MIGHT BE A LEGITIMATE STRATEGY TO STAY IN FRONT OF ALL THE CRASHING? “I think that is the plan going in. We will certainly have to see what the tire drop-off is; the track should have lost some grip this year. But, we will be looking at that closely and I am positive early in the race, you will see guys rolling the dice and seeing if there is anything there to gain. We’ll all pay attention and say ‘ok, it worked for this team or that team’ and that process will start if it is available. I’m not sure you don’t want any tires, but two tires, you are going to see that. Maybe even at the end, just guys staying out. Mark and I did that last year and made it on fuel and nobody came to chase us down because it is so tough to pass here.”

Chevrolet is one of America’s best-known and best-selling automotive brands, and one of the fastest growing brands in the world. With fuel solutions that range from “gas-friendly to gas-free,” Chevrolet has nine models that offer an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway, and offers two hybrid models.

More than 2.5 million Chevrolets that run on E85 biofuel have been sold. Chevrolet delivers expressive design, spirited performance and strives to provide the best value in every segment in which it competes. More information can be found at www.chevrolet.com. For more information on the Volt, visit http://archives.media.gm.com/volt.

CONTACTS:
Nancy Wager
727.415.3109
nmwager@aol.com

Judy Kouba Dominick
317.408.1049
jkdracer@aol.com

CONOR DALY TOPS THE TIME SHEET IN TWO-DAY STAR MAZDA

O'Reilly Raceway Park, IN / May 5 & 6 -- With Indianapolis native Conor Daly leading the way, drivers from six countries took to the track for two days of intensive testing at O'Reilly Raceway Park. After eight 45-minute on-track sessions, a total of six hours, Daly's lap of 20.187 sec. (122.336 mph) around the .686-mile oval asphalt oval in his #22 Juncos Racing / INDECK / The College Network / Merchant Services Ltd. / Tom Lange Co. Mazda put him among the open-wheel elite who have made their mark at this historic track.

The outright open-wheel lap record of 20.016 sec. (123.381 mph) was set by Jason McCord in an 800-horsepower USAC Sprint Car in 2001. Jason Leffler set the lap record of 20.298 sec. (121.667 mph) in his 700-horsepower Silver Crown car in 2001 and the lap record for the 350 horsepower USAC midgets was set in 1997 by Chris Schultz at 20.373 mph (121.219 mph). The Star Mazda race car weighs 1,335 pounds with fuel and driver and the Mazda 'Renesis' rotary engine produces 250 horsepower.

"The track temperature makes a huge difference here, and we qualify in the afternoon and race at night," says Daly, who graduates from Heritage Christian High School on May 14th. "So we might or might not out-qualify the Midgets, but either way the fans are in for a hundred laps of wheel-to-wheel Star Mazda racing. The fast line around the track is right up next to the wall where the banking is the steepest, so the keys to the race will be qualifying up front, managing your tires and setting your car up so you can move to the inside to pass when you start hitting traffic. The Iowa oval was probably the most fun race last year so I'm really looking forward to the Night Before the 500 and I know the Juncos Racing team will give me a competitive car."
The O'Reilly Raceway Park / Night Before the 500 race will be Round 4 of the 11-weekend, 13-race Star Mazda Championship 2010 schedule. This is one of two ovals the Series will compete on during the season, including the 1.0-mile Iowa Speedway track on June 19th of the IndyCar weekend. As part of both the IRL 'Road to Indy' program and the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder, Star Mazda drivers receive a comprehensive education, competing on road courses, street circuits and both long and short ovals.

Connor De Phillippi, driver of the #11 JDC Motorsports / MAZDASPEED Motorsports / Skip Barber Mazda won the both the prestigious Walter Hayes trophy at the Formula Ford Festival in England and the 2009 Skip Barber Pro Series Championship. His prize for the Skip Barber Championship included a Mazda-backed drive in the 2010 Star Mazda Championship.
"I did a midget test at few years ago, and I've run a couple of Legends races at the Las Vegas bullring, but this will be my first oval-track race in a high-downforce open-wheel car with wings and slicks," says the resident of San Clemente, California. "O'Reilly Raceway Park is a high-risk track because you have to run so close to the wall to be fast, but once you've got the car set up and the rhythm of the place figured out, its good racing. There are a lot of variables for the driver to deal with, qualifying in the day and racing at night, fuel loads, tire wear and track temperature, which has a huge effect on handling and lap times. The key to the race will be engineering a consistent car that maintains its performance over the course of the race – and staying out of trouble."

On-track activities for the Star Mazda Championship begin with multiple practice sessions starting Friday afternoon at 4:10 pm and ending with a final 1-hour session from 9:50 - 10:50 pm. Single-car qualifying begins at 2:30 pm Saturday, May 29, with the field scheduled to take the green flag for the start of the 100-lap/45 minute race at 8:10 pm.

Activities surrounding the O'Reilly Raceway Park / 'Night Before the 500' event begin with a Road to Indy autograph session during Community Day at the Speedway on Wednesday, May 26. Thursday, May 27 will be taken up with various Road to Indy activities at the Speedway. On-track action begins with a 3:00 pm practice session on Friday, May 28. Sessions alternate between Star Mazda and USF2000 until 10:00 pm in the evening. The 1-hour qualifying session for Round 4 of the 2010 Star Mazda Championship begins at 2:30 pm, Saturday, May 29, with the green flag scheduled to wave for the start of the 100-lap / 45-minute race at 8:10 pm. The record for a 100-lap USAC Midget race was set in 1965 by Bob Wente; he covered the distance in 44:04.38 at an average speed of 93.391 mph.

About Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear
For 2010, the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear will feature an 11-weekend, 13-race schedule, most on major race weekends with American Le Mans and the Indy Racing League. Rising stars from around the world will compete for prizes valued at $1.5 million and benefit from two driver development programs, including the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder and the Indy Racing League's 'Road to Indy' program. Series alumni include Indy Car stars Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal and Raphael Matos, rising NASCAR drivers Michael McDowell, Scott Speed and Colin Braun and prototype racers Dane Cameron and Guy Cosmo. Drivers 16 and older are welcome to compete and the Star Mazda Championship also features Expert (30 to 44) and Master (45 and older) classes for more mature racers. The Star Mazda Championship features standing starts, wheel-to-wheel racing at 150 mph and budgets a fraction of other top open-wheel ladder series. For more information on the Star Mazda Championship please visit www.starmazda.com. Selected Star Mazda Championship races are broadcast on HDnet and syndicated through a variety of international, national and regional networks. Information on the TV schedule can be found at www.MazdaRacing.tv. Additional information, including search links and affiliates, can be found at the 'TV Information' link on the Series web site.
________________________________
For more information on the Star Mazda Championship and its drivers, as well as the Mazda Motorsports ladder system, please visit www.starmazda.com and www.mazdausa.com. For information, interviews and photos, contact Star Mazda Communications Director Peter Frey at (818) 398-5733 or StarMazdaPR@aol.com.
________________________________
On any given weekend, there are more Mazdas on the road-race tracks of America than any other brand of vehicle. At the track, you’ll see MX-5 Miata, RX-8, MAZDA3, MAZDA6, RX-7 and other vintage Mazda models competing, because every Mazda has the Soul of a Sports Car.
For more information on the various Mazda spec series, visit:
www.usf2000.com www.skipbarber.com www.mx-5cup.com

OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY: TEST AND TUNE RESCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, MAY 13

From Ken Pelkie: With the impending weather forecast for this weekend with rain and cold temperatures, we are going ahead and cancelling the scheduled Saturday practice and Staff meeting along with the field training for the Fire / Safety crew.

All of these activities will be rescheduled for next Thursday evening (May 13) with Pit Gates opening at 5:30 and on track practice beginning at 6:30. A brief Staff meeting will take place at 5:30 in the Tech Barn. Fire / Safety crew field training will also be completed that evening.

Cordeiro report; Season 3, VIR 1 & 2 - Another year, something new, something old

I am fortunate. I have been blessed with great friends and family. For without them, I would be at home playing Forza on Xbox, as opposed to doing the real thing. April 23rd kicked off the first race weekend of the year with rounds 1 & 2 of Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup at Virginia International Raceway (VIR). I was very excited for VIR because I had cut down a great lap time last years' race and ended last season with a great 2nd place finish at Road Atlanta. On top of that, the new kids on the block are super talented and push me to perform better.

Being a double header weekend, we had one practice, two qualifiers and two races. I was able to replicate my lap times from last year with 2min 14.xx seconds and placed 6th in times for practice. I was in good shape for qualifying, or so I thought. Maybe it was the long day, getting up at 5am and being out there till late in the day, but things didn't go my way. On a very rare occasion, do I ever go slower than my previous tries, and never have I gone slower for the rest of the day. I qualified at 2min 15.xx and 2min 16.xx for the first and second races. That put me starting at 12th and 13th grid positions.

I have never been so frustrated with producing lap times as this not so spectacular weekend. Mind over matter, I tried. I was anxious to blame something, anything that would give me an excuse to being slower than last year. Lets be practical, I have produced faster times last year and everyone else was getting faster, why couldn't I? What was I doing wrong? Why did I hit a brick time wall and then start to slip back? Argh. Some time ago I was working with a friend in the shop and I mentioned I was having a bad day and his reply was, " So what? I'm having a bad week!" So it clicked, I was having a bad weekend - it happens. I couldn't change where I qualified, I could only get my stuff together and focus on the races, were I perform better.

Saturday was race 1, I started 12th. Green light, great launch, made it to 10th by turn one. Lap three, down to seventh place. Cruising up the ladder, chasing the carrot. Carrots make rabbits go faster. Find the carrot. Need to go faster, try something new to find time. No brake for turn 10, just a small lift and back on it. Things were going great, used the whole track to make the most of my speed but then suddenly, in the left handed high speed sweeper, my right rear tire decided to "casually" trickle off the track. "This is exciting", I thought. Here I am, at 180 kph, opposite lock steering, trying to catch the car down the hill on the absolute edge of adhesion. I just about caught the car and then all four wheels became light and airborne. The track fell away like a scaled down version of turn four at Mosport. Did a few spins and came to a stop dead center on the track on a high speed downhill blind turn. I should have worn diapers because I just about needed them! Five cars whizzed by me as I dodged to the grass and came back on at 12th position.

I shook it off down the back straight and collected myself. Did my best to curb the adrenaline as too much can make a driver wreck or pull stupid moves. Two laps later I was being drafted and passed by a new driver. Going into turn one I braked at the same spot I always do, making him earn the pass on me. He overshot his braking point and blew past me. It was a fantastic move for an over under. I went for it. Somehow, someway, he saved the car. It hooked at the edge of the track and headed back in towards the apex. WHAM. Two bulls collided. He went to protect his racing line and I went spinning off the track. Completely freight trained by the field, I came back on at 22nd. For those of you familiar, I thought F.M.L. What a great weekend I was having. I was fuming but somehow managed to keep my anger in check and I fought my way back down the ladder and finished 15th.

Sunday's race was just as exciting, I promise! I qualified 13th and was up in top 10 by a few laps. Halfway into the race I was in a pack of four cars being second in line. I was making a pass on the lead car of the pack at turn one. Everything was going great until suddenly my car was smoked from behind by a veteran driver from last year. Apparently he made a bold attempt to pass all three cars from the back of our four car pack. He wasn't successful at passing. But he was able to completely mangle the rear of my car, parts of the other cars nearby and amazingly tore off the front of his car. Hopefully he rethinks that move for next time. Driving an equal car, you'd probably realize that you can't out brake three others. Yes, I was furious. I took my twisted metal to a 9th place finish.

I am fortunate. For without my friends and family, it would have been very easy for me to give up that weekend. It was over the top, frustrating and disappointing. But they help me realize that life is just as Forrest Gump would say,"like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get" and they keep my head and spirit up in hard times. I am very thankful for all of you, for being in my life and guiding me into the future.

ACT Spring Green 100 at Airborne Postponed

Waterbury, VT – The 36th Annual Furniture World of Vermont Spring Green 100 scheduled for this Saturday, May 8 at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY has been postponed due to forecasted heavy rains. The event will be rescheduled for another date which will be announced as soon as possible.

The Spring Green 100 at Airborne was scheduled to be the second event on the 14 race 2010 ACT Late Model Tour schedule. The Tour will now be back in action on Sunday, May 16 at Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, ME for a 150 lap event. It will be opening day for the 1/3 mile speedway, admission is just $18 for adults and post time is scheduled for 2:00pm.

RYAN LITT: MUST SEE AT SALEM

by Tommy Goudge (May 6, 2010) – Ryan Litt and the #07 BS&B Radiator/OTC Tools Sprint Car team are all geared up and ready for a trip to Southern Indiana this Saturday, May 8. While the twenty-three year old London, Ontario resident competed in four February events in Florida with the TBARA series, Saturday’s event at Salem Speedway marks the beginning of his and the team’s “regular season”.

When Ryan hits the track with the #07 Claxton powered Beast chassis on Saturday, it will be with a brand new sanctioning body called the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series. Ryan and the team are excited to be a part of the new series, with television coverage in sixty million households thanks to Comcast.

“This is one of our most anticipated seasons to date,” says Ryan. “We are starting 2010 off with a brand new car, new paint scheme, and (we’re) competing in a new series. My goal for the year is to win races and run consistently. Hopefully with the added exposure of television, we can attract more fans to our sport, and pick up sponsors.”

Ryan and the team are hoping to get back to contending for wins after a sub-par end to their 2009 season.

“Last year was going to end up one of our better years, but the wreck at Toledo in June which destroyed our primary car really hurt us,” recalls Ryan. “We were forced to run our backup car which we had no time with. It turns out that (backup) frame was a copy and some of the key components were modified, which is one reason we struggled so much to get it consistent.”

Ryan and the team spent the off-season preparing a brand new car for the 2010 season, and testing last month showed the new mount has promise.

“I’m hoping our new car will be fast right out of the trailer (at Salem),” says Ryan. “We tested at Delaware Speedway in April, and on old tires from last year we were only three tenths off our current track record. It felt good and comfortable so let’s hope it translates well to the high banks.”

Ryan has competed three times at the ultra high-banked .555 mile Salem Speedway before, twice with a wing over his head. In each of those winged races, he finished 2nd.

"Salem has always been a really good track for us," says Ryan. "In my mind we should have won there last year, but Chad (Goff) started up front and took off from the pack. I closed the gap to about half a straightaway in the late stages of the race. Going into Saturday I just want to have a strong qualifying run, and get a good starting spot for the race, and hopefully come out on top."

WHAT:
Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series 2010 Season round #1
"Winged Sprint Spectacular" @ Salem Speedway
www.MustSeeRacing.com

WHERE:
2658 State Route 56
Salem, IN 47167
On the Web: www.SalemSpeedway.com
Phone: 812 883-6504 or Toll Free 888 246-7223

WHEN:
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Gates Open @ 3:00 p.m., Qualifying @ 5:45 p.m., Racing @ 7:00 p.m.

Ryan and the team would like to thank all their sponsors for their support during the 2010 season, including OTC Tools, BS&B Radiator, Linton Media, Linde Gases, Leaf Racewear, and Xtreme Metal Worx.

Do you want to be an insider and have Ryan Litt Racing news delivered straight to your e-mail? Got a question for Ryan? Just send an e-mail to ryanlittmedia@hotmail.com and we'll do the rest. Questions may be featured in future Ryan Litt Racing news updates so be sure to include your name and hometown! If you're a Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube user, make sure to join the official Ryan Litt Racing pages by searching "Ryan Litt".

For more information on Ryan and the team, including schedules, news releases, photos, videos, merchandise, and contact information, please visit Ryan's official website powered by Linton Media at www.RyanLitt.com.

Kawartha Durham Kart Club Race 2 Preview‏

On May 9, the Kawartha Durham Kart Club will hold their second race of the season at Kawartha Downs and Speedway, Fraserville ON.

The club is proud to announce race day sponsor will be the Toronto Tourist Office of Spain. This will be of special interest to all of the mothers in attendance as there will be gifts, prizes and a special treat planned for the end of the day.

Spain: Come. Discover. Enjoy. Taste. Experience. Everything you need to know about experiencing one of the most incredible vacation destinations on the planet.

Everyone is encouraged to attend. Fans, friends and family members are welcome to visit and watch at no cost, and visiting competitors can take part for only $65. Additional family member’s race for $35 (must be KDKC member). 2 stroke classes will be included in the schedule if there is interest from anyone wishing to get on the high speed banking of Kawartha Speedway ahead of the Brian Stewart Kart Racing Series event.

Visit the club website for complete schedule, rules, membership forms and additional information. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with comments or questions.

www.spain.info/ca
www.kawarthadurhamkartclub.com

NASCAR: Sizzler Win Puts 'TC' At Top Of Hunter Index

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - Ted Christopher has been so successful at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway that they already have a section of the grandstands named after him. His win there last weekend in the Spring Sizzler, the second race of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season, was a record sixth in the event that the late Jack Arute Sr. billed his track's signiture event 'Greatest Race In The History Of Spring.'

It earned Christopher the traditional swig of milk in Victory Lane, and helped him secure the top spot in the May edition of the Hunter Index.

The Hunter Index is a new feature in 2010 on NASCARHomeTracks.com that will spotlight the top 10 drivers in the NASCAR Developmental Series in a monthly power poll. Drivers are ranked on their performance over the previous month. The rankings are compiled by a panel of auto racing writers and NASCAR representatives.

Despite Christopher's impressive recent run – which included a fourth-place finish in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour opener at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway, and a first and second in three starts in the asphalt Modified divisions at Stafford and Thompson in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series – his top spot was by no means unanimous.

Thirty-five different drivers received votes and five drivers received first-place votes.

In fact, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour points leader Bobby Santos received the most first-place votes, with three. Connecticut's Keith Rocco and Nebraska's Craig Preble earned two each with their nearly flawless performances in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. But their overall point totals based on the panel's voting ranked Rocco, Santos and Preble second through fourth, respectively, behind Christopher.

In the end, it was Christopher's ability to find success on both the weekly and touring level as well as the depth of competition on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour that earned the Plainville, Conn., driver a consistent set of high marks that yielded him the No. 1 overall spot.

" 'TC' seems to just be heating up and hitting his stride," said Spencer Lewis, representing the Canadian publication Inside Track Motorsports News on the panel.

Rocco, from Wallingford, Conn., and Preble, from Yutan, Neb., were almost perfect running multiple tracks. Each won four of their last five starts.

Rocco competes in the asphalt Modified divisions at Stafford, Thompson and Waterford (Conn.) Speedbowl, and his only finish outside of Victory Lane was a runner-up – to Christopher – in a Sunoco Modified race at Thompson on April 11.

Running his dirt Late Model at I-80 Speedway in Omaha, Neb., and Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., Preble was a fourth at Junction in his only non-win.

"Four wins in five starts, and it was done between three different tracks. It's hard to see anything comparable over the last month," said Shawn Courchesne of the Hartford (Conn.) Courant of Rocco.

Santos nearly came close. The Franklin, Mass., driver won the Coors Light Pole Award and the race in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour opener at Thompson. He won the pole and finished second to Christopher at Stafford.

Eric Holmes, who won at Phoenix in the only NASCAR K&N Pro Series race in the past month, rounded out the top five.

Justin Johnson, who has wins at both Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va., and South Boston (Va.) Speedway in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, was sixth, followed by Eric Schmidt (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series), Philip Morris (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series), Mike Stefanik (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and CE Falk III (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series).

Tim Haddock of HaddockInThePaddock.blogspot.com, who covers racing on the West Coast, weighed in with a first-place vote for David Mayhew, after Mayhew's fifth-place run at Phoenix meant he was the only one in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West with top-five finishes in the season's first two races. Mayhew was among five drivers to earn honorable mention.

The Hunter Index is named for Jim Hunter, NASCAR's vice president of corporate communications and a longtime supporter of the weekly and touring series that make up the NASCAR Developmental Series.

The Index was designed in the off season as an opportunity to compare the top drivers from the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series all the way up to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series. It will also encompass drivers from the NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour and NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in the time period did not hold events since the previous Index was released.

The panel also included media members Courchesne representing the Northeast, Adam Fenwick of National Speed Sport News from the Southeast, Haddock from the West Coast, and Lewis representing Canada. They are joined by Brett Bodine, who is the chairman of the NASCAR resumé committee and represented the NASCAR competition side on the panel, and NASCAR public relations representative Jason Christley.

The panel will conference on the first Wednesday of each month, and the Hunter Index will be released the following day.

NASCAR fans are encouraged to weigh in with their own opinions through the NASCAR Home Tracks Community page on www.NASCAR.com.

MAY HUNTER INDEX

1. TED CHRISTOPHER
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series / NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour

Why he's here: Known simply as TC, he added another Spring Sizzler win on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour to his lengthy resumé. He also has a win and a second in three starts in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series asphalt Modified competition, where he's a former national champion as well.

2. KEITH ROCCO
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series

Why He's Here: Four wins in five asphalt Modified starts last month in Connecticut. Did we mention he's 2-for-3 head-to-head with Christopher this year?

3. BOBBY SANTOS
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour

Why He's Here: Since taking over the No. 4, all he's done is win two Coors Light Pole Awards, and finish first and second in the season's first two races.

4. CRAIG PREBLE
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series

Why He's Here: Is there a new dirt Late Model king in Nebraska? Over the last four weeks, he's rolled off four wins in five starts at I-80 and Junction Motor Speedway.

5. ERIC HOLMES
NASCAR K&N Pro Series West

Why He's Here: Rebounded from a disastrous season opener to finally claim a win at Phoenix International Raceway – site of the series finale in November.

6. JUSTIN JOHNSON
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series

Why He's Here: Defending Late Model champ at South Boston (Va.) Speedway, he's found the winning combination up the road at Motor Mile in Radford, too.

7. ERIC SCHMIDT
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series

Why He's Here: Has gone 3-for-3 in Western Late Models on the All American Speedway's 1/3-mile, high-banked asphalt bullring.

8. PHILIP MORRIS
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series

Why He's Here: Two-time defending national champion has a pair of wins at his home track of Motor Mile as he pursues his fourth title overall.

9. MIKE STEFANIK
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour

Why He's Here: Consistency has netted him a NASCAR record-tying nine titles. Don't look now, but back-to-back third-place runs to open 2010 has the veteran in the hunt for No. 10.

10. CE FALK III
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series

Why He's Here: 2009 NASCAR Virginia runner-up put himself on national radar when he knocked Denny Hamlin out of the way to claim Hamlin's charity Late Model race. Oh yeah, and he out-raced a star-studded field in the process.

HONORABLE MENTION: Tim Brown, Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem, N.C. (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series); Jorge Goeters (NASCAR Mexico Series); Rafael Martinez (NASCAR Mexico Series); David Mayhew (NASCAR K&N Pro Series West); and Marty Ward, Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series).

From Jason Christley, NASCAR Public Relations

NPP Late Model Series: Opener postponed... yet again‏

SEASON OPENER POSTPONED

EDMONTON, AB. – Race teams with the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series will have to wait one more week before they get to go racing again. Below normal temperatures and excessive moisture from Tuesdays massive snow storm have forced Castrol Raceway officials to postpone the 2010 season opener to Saturday, May 15th.

“It doesn’t surprise me one bit,” says NPP Series announcer Gord Craig, “there were two foot snow drifts at the track after the storm. Right now there is a bit of a lake on the front straight and the pit area is a muddy mess.” This is the fifth season in a row that the scheduled season opener has been postponed at the home track of the NPP Late Model Series.


(Photographs taken on Tuesday, May 4th)

Gord Craig
Cellphone: (780) 886 – 5232
www.npp-racing.com

Tillsonburg Outlaw have exciting Season Opener May 4

Clear skies and mild weather is the stuff dreams are made of for most outdoor tracks, but it is racing as usual for the Tillsonburg Outlaws as great weather seems to encompass every Indoor race.

Hosted by Chesterman Power Products in Tillsonburg every Tuesday night, the May 4 season opener went without a problem weather wise. Although there were a lot of new things at the track this night, including multiple new Outlaw karts, there were also new racers, new electronic scoring, new containment wall, a new starter on the stand, new radio communication for track crew and new computerized scoring.

The last was the only glitch in the night as an incorrect setting had the staff scrambling faster than the racers to flip to manual scoring. All was well by the third heat as the improper setting was discovered and corrected.

Wayne Stainton did a bang up job his first night as starter both reviewing the flagging procedure for the new and old racers as well as looking after the race action on track for the night. Being in constant radio contact with the scorer and track, Marshall sure made things go better even when they were going wrong. The radios are a great addition to the track.

Beginners
Several new racers did not make the first race but the five that did provided some great action. Andrew Marshall, #48 proved that the combination of years of racing experience and a new kart may just have made him too fast for the Beginner class.

He got some tough competition though from Dylan Westbrook, #47, with Westbrook driving his first race and he also looks ready for the Junior's. Scott Hall, Carter Adcock and Rayse Meyer rounded out the field as they all made their driving debut and when joined in the coming weeks by Cole MacDonald, Dylan Watson, Kolton Couvillon, Jacob Sheridan, Paige Mahoney and Likely Jr. Green, we are going to have some very interesting action from the futures stars class of our club as they cut their racing teeth and find out what works and what doesn't.

Juniors
It’s a safe bet that the champion of this class is far from decided. Although last years champ DJ McRae, #20, took each race win, the margin of victory in the 30 lap final was an incredibly small seven one hundredths of a second, with a lapped kart in between, over Hannah Ferrell, #8. Finishing third on the night was Cody Adcock, #73.

Seniors
Can you say Cody Coburn? Coburn figured he was going to be starting from the rear of the field a lot as the result of the handicapping system and took the chance this week to start up front. He was the man as the rest of the field tried to keep up.

There are likely four other racers that could keep up but the fight over second place was so fierce that Coburn was hard to get to. With the spread of one point between four racers, Josh Beecroft, Dustin Churcher, Devin Jarvis and Conor Mahoney were basically tied for second when the night was done.

With this group having only experienced drivers this year there was hardly a caution making for non stop action. Consistent great results are going to be what it takes to win this division. Only time will tell who that racer will be.

Release Prepared by Dave Chesterman
Tillsonburg Indoor MX
Chesterman Power Products
www.chesterman.ca
519-842-5977

ROCKSTAR Energy Drink & EHR / Team 3 Red partner on #3 NCATS Dodge

Photo: NASCAR Canadian Tire Series racer Jason Hathaway beside EHR's #3 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Dodge at Kawartha Speedway on Wednesday. Prior to the test session, it was announced that Rockstar Energy Drinks would be on the team's hood starting in 2010. (Credit: Inside Track Motorsport News)

Ed Hakonson Racing (EHR)/Team 3 Red (T3R) is pleased to announce the addition of Rockstar Energy Drinks as a major affiliated sponsor on their #3 Snap-on Dodge Avenger for the 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season.

“We are proud to announce our new multi-year partnership with NASCAR Canada’s – EHR/T3R Racing. Rockstar is sure to bring a new and exciting energy to the team this year!” said Dave Giancoulos, Vice-President of Rockstar Energy Drinks in Canada. “We now have the ability to bring another exciting marketing property to our retail partners across Canada!”

“This deal is a multi-faceted agreement that will give Rockstar Energy Drinks a firm place and belonging within the Canadian Motorsports industry, while furthering the growth of our team and sport,” said Jamie Hakonson, Team Manager of EHR/T3R.

“The sport of NASCAR has brought a strong identity to Canadian Motorsports. We are excited to join forces with Ed Hakonson, a prominent figure head in Canadian Motorsports. This is the perfect platform for Rockstar which we feel reflects our brands personality and speaks to our core consumers." added Giancoulos.

EHR/T3R is based out of Stouffville, Ontario. EHR/T3R is partnered with Snap-on Tools, Vortex Brake Pads, Napoleon Grills and Fireplaces, DSC Security Products, Castrol, Fast Eddie Racewear, Choko Authentic Apparel and Praxair.

About ROCKSTAR: ROCKSTAR is the world's most powerful energy drink, enhanced with a potent herbal blend of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng and Milk Thistle, ROCKSTAR is formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhaustive lifestyles - from athletes to rock stars. ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK is available in eleven amazing flavors: Original, Sugar Free, Burner, Juiced Mango Orange Passion Fruit, Juiced Pomegranate, Tropical Punched, Punched Citrus, Guava Punched, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Latte, and Roasted Light Vanilla. ROCKSTAR ENERGY SHOTS are available in Wild Berry and Tropical Punch flavors. ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK is available at convenience and grocery retail outlets across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, United Arab Emirates, and throughout Europe.

For additional Information please contact: Jamie Hakonson ~Team 3 Red 905-642-1010 www.team3red.com

Jake Thompson heads to New Jersey for Round 3 of the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup

Racing for the Right To Play continues this weekend with Round 3 of the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Our first weekend with the program was a huge success, as I was able to complete 27 laps on track, and added 10 bonus laps by finishing on the podium in Race 2. All together over $1000 was pledged towards our final donation.

Thanks to your support our current pledge total is now at $26.95 per lap. I am also happy to report that the program seemed to generate a great deal of interest at the track with several people asking for more information about Right To Play.

Once again, you can follow the action all weekend long at www.jakethompson.ca/righttoplay/, where you can also find out more information about the program or fill out the pledge form. For live updates from the track be sure to check out my twitter feed at twitter.com/jakethompson19.

About Racing for the Right To Play
For the 2010 Racing Season, Jake Thompson Motorsports has partnered with Right To Play to help raise money and awareness for children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world. Companies and individuals will have the opportunity to pledge a small donation for every lap Jake completes as part of the 2010 TDI Cup Season. In return for their support, at the final event of the year the #19 car will have the name of every contributor proudly displayed on the hood. To learn more about the program or to follow along with our progress please visit www.jakethompson.ca/righttoplay

Jake Thompson Motorsports
Jake Thompson, from Calgary, AB, is the driver of the #19 car in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup. In his rookie season, Jake was a multiple race winner and in 2010 will return to the series as a strong contender for the championship. You can follow Jake online at www.jakethompson.ca or www.twitter.com/jakethompson19.

Enjoy all the Hits as Z101 Presents a Special for Moms at Merrittville

Thorold, Ontario– Z101.1 is all about great radio – playing all the new music first! Z101 is not the norm but the exception – playing the latest and best Top 40 has to offer.

When it comes to Merrittville Speedway and what they have to offer, on May 8, is a $2 discount for all Moms in celebration of Mother’s Day!

“Z101 is a uniquely Niagara station with an international spirit, that serves both a large Canadian audience and an even larger one in Buffalo,” reveals Merrittville GM Erica Bicknell. “We’re confident their listeners will enjoy all the hits at the track as well!”

The 2010 Championship Chase launched last week with the help of Z101’s sister station, 105.1 The River, and it was an action-packed night with Pete Bicknell, Greg Panunte and Dolf McCready remaining undefeated in the early season.

Race fans in attendance May 8 may wish to play one of Z101’s weekday contests – predicting the Top Nine @ Nine. One of the feature events should be on the track at that time – so make a note of the Top Nine @ Nine and see how the order shuffles when the checkered flag on the event drops.

Race fans can connect with Z101.fm on the internet and become a member of the Z VIP Club that features exclusive member offers all the latest news on Z Contests and Z Events.

To call the Studio lines in Canada dial 905-371-9453 or in Western New York – 716-639-9101.

The Top Nine @ Nine has Z101 counting down the most requested songs of the day Monday to Friday at 9 PM. Make your requests and tune in to hear if others like the songs you do!

Z101 also features specialty Mix shows showcasing up and coming talent, presenting fun contests with great prizes, providing the latest pop culture news, and focusing on content appropriate to all ages.

When the gates open at 5:30 – all Moms will receive a $2 Discount on Grandstand Admissions. Showtime is 7:00!

For further information on the 59th Season call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266 or visit the award winning merrittvillespeedway.com. Race fans and Race teams alike can follow Merrittville on Face Book and Twitter.

Join us this season on a Saturday Night for a LUCAS OIL WEEKLY RACING SERIES EVENT featuring FIVE Divisions featuring local heroes and up and coming new stars and special events including the inaugural June 17th WoO LMS Extravaganza presented by Brian’s Tire Repair Turn 4 Collision and PineView Drywall and brought to race fans by GIANT FM, TV Cogeco, Modern Corporation, Cotton, Inc, Toolneeds, Auto FX Graphics and Signs and IBEW Local 303 Niagara.WoO LMS Adult Tickets are $35 and Children are $12.

Phone orders are accepted with either VISA or MasterCard by calling 905-892-8266.Crazy Offer! Race fans – check your 2010 Ticket Stubs for a Crazy Offer from Little Caesars Pizza – located at 572 Niagara Street in Welland. With the purchase of a HOT-N-READY Pizza and Crazy Bread – receive a Free Crazy Bread! Sounds Good!

Enjoy all the play by play from the Merrittville Announce Team of Clint Geoffrey, Mikey Kruchka and Fran Buschardt and special guests all season long on our new state of the art Yorkville NX Series Loudspeakers. Race fans and teams can also tune into 89.9 FM to listen to live feeds from our FM Transmitter. Make your plans call your friends and maybe even get a carpool together and enjoy a staycation at the speedway with plenty of free parking and camping spots – a night at the races is so much fun and so close to home!

Your Local Dirt Track is where it’s at!!! Merrittville Speedway ‘The Best Family Entertainment in Niagara.”

Release Prepared by Jim Irvine
Merrittville Speedway Public Relations
905-892-8266

jimirvine@cogeco.net or www.twitter.com/merrittville

IZOD Indycar News and Notes for May 5, 2010

1. IZOD IndyCar Series Q &A - Paul Tracy, Barry Green, Jimmy Vasser

2. Meira jumps from race car to triathlon

3. Franchitti Joins Forces With VisitScotland To Launch Personalized Driving Itineraries For Scotland Tourism:

1. IZOD IndyCar Series Q &A - Paul Tracy, Barry Green, Jimmy Vasser: IZOD IndyCar Series driver Paul Tracy, KV Racing Technology co-owner Jimmy Vasser and GEICO-KV Racing race strategis Barry Green participated in a Q&A session. Below are select quotes from the interview. The complete transcript and audio MP3 file are posted at www.indycar.com/media.
Paul Tracy

· 41-year-old native of Scarborough, Ontario competing in his fourth season in the IZOD IndyCar Series in 2010.

· Will drive the No. 15 GEICO-KV Racing Technology car for KV Racing Technology at the Indianapolis 500.

· Has two top-five finishes and five top-10 finishes in eight IZOD IndyCar Series starts.

Q. First for Paul, talk about yesterday's announcement that you would be working with Barry Green in the 2010 Indy 500. Was it as simple as making a call and saying, "Let's get this band back together?"

PAUL TRACY: Well, it really kind of was. Obviously, Jimmy and I have been discussing what our plans have been, are going to be, since the last 500 last year. Obviously, Jimmy and I talk daily, multiple times a day, living in the same town (Las Vegas).

Jimmy's concerns coming into this year's race with three young drivers is that he wanted to keep a more watchful eye on those three guys and felt that if there was anybody out there that could help us with our program, that we should explore that. Obviously, I reached out to Barry and proposed that question to him.

At first I think he was caught a bit off guard. I think he may have been laying out on his boat suntanning. I think I caught him off guard. He called me back the next day and said, "I'm in, so let's go."

Q. Paul, how difficult is it for you to not race this year to get in a car and drive it and be ready to go?

PAUL TRACY: Well, I feel this year I'm more prepared than I was last year. Obviously, you know, last year the deal to run Indy kind of happened kind of last minute, about a month before. At this point right now versus where I was last year, I'm about 35 pounds lighter than I was last year. I've been training. I've had this whole winter to get ready for it. Really that's all I can do other than driving the car. I feel I'm ready to go. Obviously I'll have to use my experience and knowledge of being in the car, being on the tracks to my advantage. That's all I can really do.

Q. What are you doing training‑wise? 35 pounds is a noticeable difference. What have you been doing in the off season?

PAUL TRACY: Well, I really started, to be honest, about eight weeks ago. I've been pretty busy in the off‑season. I've been filming a TV show for SPEED Channel. It's a car driving show, a high‑end kind of super car show. That's kind of been keeping me busy.

They had sent me some raw footage to watch from one of the first episodes we filmed. I saw myself on TV and I said, 'I got to lose some weight.' You know, I just started riding my bike, going to the gym. I hooked up with the trainer that I had in 2003 when I won the championship.
Really just been putting in about two, two and a half hours on the bike in the morning, training with a trainer in the afternoon for an hour and a half. Really just watching what I eat.

Q. That's 35 pounds in eight weeks or is that from last season?

PAUL TRACY: Eight weeks.

Q. Barry, you do have quite a successful résumé at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the 1995 win with Jacques Villeneuve. Came back in 2002 with Paul and Team Green. Then in 2006 you came back with Michael Andretti and nearly won the race. What is it about Indy that keeps bringing you back?

BARRY GREEN: It's just the Indy 500. It's such a challenge, such a great challenge. To be honest, I missed IndyCar racing dearly. I'm not very involved at the moment.

Paul called me. When we first chatted about it, I first had a bit of a conflict. But once Paul laid out what Jimmy had lined up team‑wise, I really thought these guys are really serious, and it would be a great opportunity for me to come back and hopefully enjoy myself and work for Paul again.

I've never worked with Jimmy Vasser himself. I've raced against him on many occasions. We've been great friends. But if you look at the team he's put together, the engineering staff, his team manager, these guys are very, very serious.

I think if you look back at last year's 500, they had a really good run. Paul might have finished even further up towards the front last year had he not had a bit of an incident with the car.
You know, everything seemed to line up. It sounded exciting. So I'm in.

Q. Barry, I know in the last couple years you came back and did one‑offs when it was still AGR. The car has been the same since '03 with the exception of a few little tweaks here and there. How much has that helped you get your own thought process back up to speed in calling race strategy at the speedway?

BARRY GREEN: No big difference helps a little bit. But I'm just sort of the team leader in the group, you know. It's the engineers that have to keep up with all that. I certainly don't get involved in the nuts and bolts. I listen to everything being discussed between the engineers. I'm in every meeting between the engineers and Paul and the team meetings. I might pick up on something that might help, a suggestion one way or the other. But the engineers are the guys that make the decisions, put the tweaks on, figure out how they can make him more comfortable.
I think probably more importantly is Paul, Paul and Barry Green's relationship. We've had some great times together, great laughs. We've been through some tough times together which made us better friends and stronger friends. To me that's the easy part. I think that would be difficult going back and jumping in with a driver that I did not know.

I know John Dick very well. He worked for me. Terrific guy. Terrific friend. Jimmy, I've raced against. I think my comfort is with the people and I feel very comfortable about that.

Q. I know the first time you came back there after '02 you said there's times people have a tendency to put too much emphasis on it. You'd like to remember '95 when you helped Jacques Villeneuve come back and win the race.

BARRY GREEN: That was a great race, a great one to remember for me. I have to go back to that was a team effort. The amount of talk that went amongst the group in the pits to come up with a plan and to keep Jacques focused. That's my specialty, are the people.
I think the engineering side we'll leave up to the engineers, and Paul and I will try to mold together and work with the group and see what we can come up with.


Q And Jimmy, you went from one to three cars for the start of the 2010 season. Does adding that fourth car put any strain on the KV Racing Technology?

JIMMY VASSER: We ran three cars at Indianapolis last year. Things went pretty smoothly. I have all the confidence in the world of Mark Johnson and Dave Brzozowski over there. They tell me what's possible and what's not. They said, "Hey, we can do this, we can do it well."

Especially with it being P.T., he brings a wealth of experience to the table. We have some young guys, a rookie. Mario (Moraes) did a fantastic job last year. I think with EJ (Viso), everybody working together, the group of engineers that we have, I think it only strengthens our possibility to have one of those cars win the race.

2. Meira jumps from race car to triathlon: Twelve hours after scoring a 10th-place finish in the Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 at Kansas Speedway, IZOD IndyCar Series driver Vitor Meira made his way to the staging area of the Mack Cycle Tri-Miami Olympic Triathlon in Key Biscayne, Fla.

The A.J. Foyt Racing driver decided to compete in a triathlon consisting of a 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-kilometer bike ride and 10-kilometer run the morning after putting in 200 physically demanding laps against 26 competitors on a high-banked 1.5-mile oval.

"I knew this triathlon was going to happen and it could be a possibility," said Meira, who competed in a triathlon earlier this year in Chile. "But my priorities are very clear. Racing is first above all, always. So I didn't really think about it much. Since I left the car physically good, I thought to myself, 'Why not do it?' They were still accepting entrants until Saturday at midnight so I enrolled myself (online). When the alarm clock went off (at 4:30 a.m.), I thought, 'This is not a good idea.' But I had it set in my mind that I was going to do it and that was the end of it."

Meira finished 33rd overall and fourth in his age division (30-33) after completing the 1.5-kilometer swim in 28 minutes, 12 seconds; the 40k bike in 1 hour, 5 minutes, 44 seconds; and the 10k run in 47 minutes, 50 seconds.

"Where it really it hit me was on the last 5k of my run, and by then I was really tired, and thought to myself, 'What the hell am I doing here?' '' he said. "When I got back home, I was wasted for the rest of the weekend. I didn't do anything, just watched TV on the couch. I placed really good in my category though so it was fun."

3. Franchitti Joins Forces With VisitScotland To Launch Personalized Driving Itineraries For Scotland Tourism: Two-time IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti has teamed up with Scotland's national tourism organization VisitScotland to launch "Dario Franchitti's Great Drives" three car-touring itineraries highlighting routes from Edinburgh to Inverness, the West Coast and Far North and the South of Scotland.

Written by Franchitti, the driving itineraries will target visitors from the U.S. and Canada interested in traveling in the tire tracks of the 2007 Indianapolis 500 winner.

"Scotland is my home and these are some of the roads I grew up on, so it's an honor for me to share the breathtaking views, the off-the-beaten-path sites and some of the rich tradition of our great country," Franchitti said. "I'm very excited to share these scenic drives with visitors looking to tour Scotland by car. The moment I have a break in my IndyCar racing schedule, I fly back to Scotland and quite often jump in my car and drive around the country on the same roads and routes that VisitScotland and I have showcased in these itineraries."
The car-touring itineraries are being promoted on the VisitScotland home pages at www.cometoscotland.com and www.cometoscotland.ca. They will also appear in several American and Canadian travel e-newsletters..

The 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series season continues May 30 with the 2010 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race will be telecast live in High Definition at noon (ET) by ABC. The race will air live on the IMS Radio Network, XM channel 145 and Sirius channel 211. The race also will be carried on www.indycar.com. The 2010 Firestone Indy Lights season continues with the Firestone Freedom 100 on May 28 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway The race will air live on VERSUS.


Media Contact:
Amy Konrath, Indy Racing League, (317) 492-6453,
akonrath@indycar.com
www.indycar.com

Two-Week Countdown to Mosport's Season Opener

World Challenge, SCCA Trans-Am, Castrol Canadian Touring Car and Sundown Grand Prix Highlight Mosport's Victoria Day SpeedFest Weekend

(BOWMANVILLE, ON - May 5, 2010) In a little over two weeks, Mosport International Raceway will kick off its 50th anniversary season with the sights and sounds of thundering GT and Touring car racers on the Victoria Day SpeedFest Weekend, May 21-23.

A fireworks show will light up the skies Saturday night and fans will also see fireworks on track all weekend long as some of North America's best road racing sedan championships - the World Challenge Series, the SCCA Trans-Am Series, the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship and the classic Sundown Grand Prix endurance race into darkness - take to the 4-km circuit for Mosport's traditional holiday season-opener.

Headlining the three-day weekend is a World Challenge doubleheader, with combined class races for GT, GTS and Touring cars. This year the Series has coined "Sports Car Wars" as their marketing theme and the entry list lives up to it, with a grid full of popular brands such as Acura, Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Honda, Mazda, Porsche, Viper and Volvo.

Montreal's Kuno Wittmer, coming off a victory at Long Beach to place him second in points, will have his work cut out for him as he battles against the Volvo one-two punch of Randy Pobst and Andy Pilgrim and Porsche driver and current GT points leader, Dino Crescentini.

The SCCA Trans-Am Series returned to Mosport last season after a six-year hiatus. They have a storied history at Mosport which dates back to 1976 and became a popular Victoria Day tradition beginning in the mid 1990's.

German Klaus Graf is coming off a win at Virginia and will be a race favourite in his Jaguar XKR.

The country's top sedan road-racing series, the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship, makes its first of three season stops at Mosport boasting a 40-car field with several new teams and marques competing in Touring and Super Touring classes. This is a doubleheader weekend for the Championship.

The Sundown Grand Prix endurance race into darkness on Saturday returns to SpeedFest for a sixth consecutive year. There will be GT and Touring cars competing for overall and class wins.

It wouldn't be a Victoria Day weekend celebration without Mosport's popular fireworks show scheduled for Saturday night after the Sundown GP.

The racing action starts Friday (May 21) with a full-day of testing for all four championships. Saturday (May 22) is a mix of practice and qualifying in the morning, followed by races for the Castrol Touring cars, World Challenge and the Sundown Grand Prix. Sunday (May 23) morning opens with more qualifying and then races in World Challenge, Castrol Touring and Trans-Am to close out the weekend.

The three-day weekend SuperTicket is just $50 until May 19 ($60 at the Gate). Single-day tickets are also available. Each ticket includes parking, access to the race team paddock, Motorsport Expo and Marketplace and admission to Mosport Speedway's Saturday Night Stock Car season-opener at the half-mile paved oval located on the grounds. As with all Mosport events, children 12 and under are admitted for free when accompanied by a paid adult admission.

Camping is a popular part of the Mosport experience, with advanced general camping passes just $35 for the weekend when purchased before May 19 (tents or pop-up trailers). Advance RV passes are $55.

For those who would like to get closer to the action, the SpeedFest Corral offers a VIP hospitality package which includes a meet and greet with the drivers, race team tech sessions, an opportunity to drive their car on the track in a parade lap and a BBQ lunch on Sunday, all for just $100.

For more information and to purchase tickets call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm ET), visit online at www.mosport.com, or email info@mosport.com.

For further information:
Ryan Chalmers, Mosport  
ryan@mosport.com
800-866-1072 (office)
(519) 981-3394 (cell)

Seburn, Ruch, Veihdeffer, Davidson, Majuery, and Bodman take Kart Wins at Merrittville to Kick off 2010 Season

Thorold, Ontario (May 5) – KC Auto Parts Victory Lane welcomed it’s first visitors May 4th as Merrittville Speedway kicked off the 2010 Lucas Oil Kart Weekly Racing Series.

Two drivers – Dylan Davidson and Travis Majuery won their first features as rookies in the Ed MacPherson Construction Junior 2 and Superior PetroFuels Junior Restricted Flat Head Divisions respectively.

Other Original Pizza Logs action saw Eric Veihdeffer, Brandon Ruch and Corey Bodman as winners in the RCM Racing Equipment Junior 1, Tim Phillips Garage Novice 2 and Philbrick Farm & Garden Equipment Wilder Racing Engines Divisions. Cassell Manufacturing Senior Flat Head Driver Dave Ruch was credited with first place points as well.

The first winner of the new season was Wyatt Seburn in the Drummond Home Hardware Garden City Automotive Novice 1 Division. Seburn’s win was the first career win for the sophomore driver.

Kart Racing continues Tuesday May 11th. Gates open at 5 PM and Grandstand Admission is free.

Hoosier Tire Canada Heat Results

Drummond Home Hardware Garden City Auto Complex Original Pizza Logs Novice 1 Division – 6 laps –
Heat 1 – Wyatt Seburn, Sarah Horton, Chase Kish.

Heat 2 – Wyatt Seburn, Ryleigh Sliter, Chase Kish, Sarah Horton.

Tim Phillips Garage Original Pizza Logs Novice 2 Division – 6 laps –
Heat 1 – Donald Hingston, Justin Kingsbury, Brandon Ruch, Joshua Hansen, Austyn Werstroh, Kyle Phillips, Zachary Kviring.
Heat 2 – Kyle Phillips, Brandon Ruch, Joshua Hansen, Austyn Werstroh, Donald Hingston, Justin Kingsbury, Zachary Kviring.

RCM Racing Equipment Original Pizza Logs Junior 1 Division – 8 laps –
Heat 1 – Kurtis Wiley, Eric Veihdeffer, Alex Riley, Bearick Speck, Jacob Wilson, Kyle Miller.

Heat 2 - Eric Veihdeffer, Jacob Wilson, Kyle Miller, Alex Riley, Kurtis Wiley, Bearick Speck.

Ed MacPherson Construction Original Pizza Logs Junior 2 Division – 8 laps –
Heat 1 – Jordan Cosco, Dylan Davidson, Gregory Beckett, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Stephen Beckett, Kourtney Kocarik, Kathleen Lampman.

Heat 2 – Dylan Davidson, Jordan Cosco, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Stephen Beckett, Kourtney Kocarik, Gregory Beckett, Kathleen Lampman.

Superior PetroFuels Original Pizza Logs Junior Restricted Heavy Flat Head Division – 8 laps –
Group 1 Heat 1 – Travis Miller, Greg Kohut, Caleb Vandervalk, Court Turner, Matthew Veihdeffer, Rian Richard, Kameron Kocarik, Lee Sleight.

Group 1 Heat 2 – Travis Miller, Court Turner, Caleb Vandervalk, Matthew Veihdeffer, Kameron Kocarik, Rian Richard, Lee Sleight, Greg Kohut.

Group 2 Heat 1 – Travis Majuery, Jordan Peters, James Moll, Jamie D’Ilario, Michael Brunton, Dylan Culp.

Group Heat 2 – Travis Majuery, Jordan Peters, James Moll, Michael Brunton, Jamie D’Ilario, Dylan Culp.

Philbrick Farm & Garden Equipment Wilder Racing Engines Original Pizza Logs Senior Animal Division – 10 laps –
Heat 1 - Blake Priestley, Corey Bodman, Matthew Farnham, Chris Watson, Dale Cooley, Larry Czinege, Dave Ruch, Mike Journeaux, John Matthews.

Heat 2 – Chris Watson, Blake Priestley, Dale Cooley, Larry Czinege, Corey Bodman, Matthew Farnham, John Matthews, Dave Ruch, Mike Journeaux.

Burris Tire Feature Results Drummond Home Hardware Garden City Automotive Original Pizza Logs Novice 1 Division – 7 laps – Wyatt Seburn, Ryleigh Sliter, Sarah Horton, Chase Kish.

Tim Phillips Garage Original Pizza Logs Novice 2 Division – 7 laps – Brandon Ruch, Joshua Hansen, Justin Kingsbury, Kyle Phillips, Donald Hingston, Austyn Werstroh, Zachary Kviring.

RCM Racing Equipment Cassell Manufacturing Original Pizza Logs Junior 1 Division – 15 laps – Eric Veihdeffer, Kurtis Wiley, Alex Riley, Jacob Wilson, Bearick Speck, Kyle Miller.

Ed MacPherson Construction Original Pizza Logs Junior 2 Division – 15 laps – Dylan Davidson, Jordan Cosco, Stephen Beckett, Gregory Beckett, Kathleen Lampman, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Kourtney Kocarik.

Superior PetroFuels Original Pizza Logs Junior Restricted Heavy Flathead Division - 15 laps – Travis Majuery, Jordan Peters, Michael Brunton, Matthew Veihdeffer, Jamie D’Ilario, James Moll, Court Turner, Caleb Vandervalk, Travis Majuery, Kameron Kocarik, Greg Kohut, Dylan Culp, Rian Richard, Lee Sleight.

Philbrick Farm & Garden Equipment Wilder Racing Engines Original Pizza Logs Senior Animal Division – 20 laps – Corey Bodman, Blake Priestley, Dale Cooley, Chris Watson, John Matthews, (Dave Ruch), Mike Journeaux, Matthew Farnham. DQ – Larry Czinege.

Join us in 2010 on a Tuesday Night for a Lucas Oil Kart Weekly Racing Series Event featuring SEVEN Kart Weekly Racing Divisions and the stars of tomorrow today!

Many of Merrittville’s Saturday night Stock Car Stars got their starts in Kart Racing including Lampman, Steele, Wood, Wutzke, Bicknell, D’Ilario, Chevalier, Williamson, Klager, Tallman, Mastroianni, Small, Conte, Leslie, Bleich, Pierce, Robbins and Small.

POINT STANDINGS

Drummond Home Hardware 
Garden City Auto Complex Original Pizza Logs 2010 Lucas Oil Kart Weekly Racing Series Novice 1 Division - (1)
* - denotes Burris Tire Feature Win

4-May
Wyatt Seburn # 31 *1
Ryleigh Sliter # 6 2
Sophie Horton # 31x 3
Chase Kish # 99 4


Tim Phillips Garage Original Pizza Logs 2010 Lucas Oil Kart Weekly Racing Series Novice 2 Division - (1) * - denotes Burris Tire Feature Win

4-May

Brandon Ruch # 85R * 40
Joshua Hansen # 88 40
Justin Kingsbury # 18K 40
Kyle Phillips # 21K 40
Donald Hingston # 83 40
Austyn Werstroh # 71 40
Zachary Kviring # 8z 40


RCM Racing Equipment Original Pizza Logs 2010 Lucas Oil Kart Weekly Racing Series Junior 1 Division - (1) * - denotes Burris Tire Feature Win

4-May
Eric Veihdeffer # 18V * 60
Kurtis Wiley # 7W 56
Alex Riley # 17 52
Jacob Wilson # 17J 50
Bearick Speck # 72 48
Kyle Miller # 22Jr 46


Ed MacPherson Construction Original Pizza Logs 2010 Lucas Oil Kart Weekly Racing Series Junior 2 Division - (1) * - denotes Burris Tire Feature Win

4-May

Dylan Davidson # 73 * 60
Jordan Cosco # 17c 56
Stephen Beckett # 08 52
Gregory Beckett # 20 50
Kathleen Lampman # 29K 48
Andrew Fitzpatrick # 97 46
Kourtney Kocarik # 3K 44


Superior PetroFuels Original Pizza Logs 2010 Lucas Oil Kart Weekly Racing Series Junior Restricted Flathead Division - (1) * - denotes Burris Tire Feature Win

4-May

Travis Majuery # 37 * 60
Jordan Peters # 1P 56
Michael Brunton # 44M 52
Matthew Veihdeffer # 81V 50
Jamie D'Ilario # 11 48
James Moll # 11J 46
Court Turner # 44 44
Caleb Vandervalk # 10 42
Travis Miller # 87 40
Kameron Kocarik # 8 38
Greg Kohut # 24K 36
Dylan Culp # 38 34
Rian Richard # 27 32
Lee Sleight # 11S 30


Cassell Manufacturing Original Pizza Logs 2010 Lucas Oil Kart Weekly Racing Series Senior Flathead Division - (1) * - denotes Burris Tire Feature Win

4-May

Dave Ruch # 85R * 60


Philbrick Farm & Garden Equipment Wilder Racing Engines 2009 Lucas Oil Kart Weekly Racing Series Senior Animal Division - (19) * - denotes Burris Tire Feature Win

4-May

Corey Bodman # 27B * 60
Blake Priestley # 66 56
Dale Cooley # 27 52
Chris Watson # 07 50
John Matthews # 4 48
Mike Journeaux # 73 44
Matthew Farnham # 7F 42
Larry Czinege # 23 0


Your Local DIRT track is where it's at!! Merrittville Speedway "The Best Family Entertainment in Niagara"

Release Prepared By Jim Irvine - Merrittville Public Relations -
905-892-8266 (Office)
jimirvine@cogeco.net or www.twitter.com/merrittville

Barcelona round 1 preview - The wait is finally over

Courtesy www.gp3series.com

The wait is finally over are just two days away from the start of the 2010 opening round in Barcelona, Spain. This historical event will mark the start of the brand new feeder series category, designed to give young upcoming drivers a chance to develop their driving skills and jump to the next step: GP2 Series.

As such, all the GP3 events will support Formula One giving drivers firsthand experience of racing in the Grand Prix environment and gaining that all important F1 exposure. With a brand new championship and thirty young drivers using the same chassis, engine and tyre suppliers, it is impossible to predict who will come out on top this weekend.

Although, the official test in Barcelona three weeks ago gave up a few clues: ART continued to stamp their authority on the Series with Mexican driver Esteban Gutièrrez topping three out of four sessions, while RSC Mucke Motorsport and Status Grand Prix continued their rise to the top. But the test also threw up a few surprises, and it was MW Arden who slowly crept up the time sheets. After a couple of second place finishes the Aussie team finally grabbed the coveted top spot in the last session of the day.

Since the last official test the GP3 grid has also taken shape, and the final eight GP3 drivers have been confirmed. Lucas Foresti will contest the 2010 season with Carlin, Oliver Oakes and Vittorio Ghirelli with Atech CRS GP, Felipe Guimarães with Addax Team, Daniel Morad with Status Grand Prix, GP3 rookie Adrian Quaife-Hobbs with Manor, and Daniel Juncadella alongside a second GP3 rookie, Jean- The 2010 season looks like being extremely competitive.

With 30 over zealous drivers ready to fight at the first corner, and the weather forecasters predicting rain for the weekend, the scene is set for a dramatic inaugural GP3 Series event. The action will start this Friday with Free Practice at 16.50 pm local time. Both races at Circuit de Catalunya will be 16 laps / 30 minutes long, and each will cover a total distance of 74.354 km.

Delaware Speedway: May 7 is the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series 2010 opener!

Competition has never been more fierce as Delaware Speedway welcomes racers and race fans back to Friday night action, May 7th at 8 pm.  The NASCAR Late Models, Delaware Super Stocks and Demar Aggregates Trucks take to the ½ mile track for the first time in 2010.

Dorchester's Steve Robblee will be defending his title in the Late Model Division, having finished the '09 season as champion – his 9th time taking the title.  Robblee was 6th overall out of the top 500 NASCAR weekly series drivers.  About the only thing left to round out his trophy case would be a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National Championship and this just might be Robblee's year to do it!

Ron Sheridan of Mt. Bridges may just be the Late Model driver who's hungriest for a win. Sheridan was just 16 points back of Robblee in '09 and 8th out of the top 500 NWAAS drivers.  He is considered the best driver never to have won a championship at Delaware.

Former track champion and former NASCAR Weekly Series track champ, Scott Lindsay of St. Marys, was fast right off the trailer on practice day and has to be viewed as a major threat. Last year, the season started off badly for him when he was collected in a wreck on opening night but he still managed a 4th place finish behind London's Jonathan Urlin.

In the Super Stocks, the #11 of Jason Lidster from St. Thomas In looks to repeat as champion, while former Junior Racing League graduates like Darrell Lake do their best to take the title away.

And in the Demar Aggregates Trucks, Paul Fothergill picks up this season after another truck championship last year and a solid run in the Enduro last weekend. The truck championship chase last year was a thriller - it came down to the final race, as Fothergill edged Jeff Showler by just 2 points for the title. In fact, two other drivers were within 8 points of the championship! Shawn Johns was third (7 points back) and Devon Bloemendal was fourth (8 points back of Fothergill).

Friday night's action also features a charitable component – something close to the hearts of everyone at Delaware.  Volunteers, race fans and track staff will walk the track in support of Jesse's Journey and the Walk Across Canada in a Day fundraiser.  It's a minimum $5 donation to help end Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and walk with us just before racetime. 

For more info: Joe Czernai, General Manager Delaware Speedway 519.851.5006
From Lisa Brandt, Publicity  226.448.7227
Public and Media Relations, Delaware Speedway // www.delawarespeedway.com