With 15 consecutive top-15 finishes at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, no wonder Jeff Gordon is looking to make gains in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings this Sunday in the Camping World RV Sales 301.

Since 2005, Gordon has posted seven top-five finishes at "The Magic Mile" with no finish worse than 15th. He enters the 301-lap event 14th in the point standings - a position that leaves few options.

"We don't have any choice but to go out there and race hard and be aggressive," said Gordon, driver of the No. 24 Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet. "I feel like we have so much more potential.

"If we live up to our potential, we can earn a Chase spot."

Last year at this juncture, Gordon was 17th in the standings with 485 championship points. With a win and five top-five finishes in the eight races leading up to the 2012 "Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup," he earned one of the 12 spots to battle for the title. In 2013, the 87-time race winner is in nearly an identical position. Gordon is currently 14th in the standings with 487 markers.

"We've had such an inconsistent year," said the four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. "We need to make sure we do well at some of the tracks coming up like New Hampshire.

"We've had some great runs recently. We need to make sure we have the good finishes to go along with them."

In 36 starts at the 1.058-mile track, Gordon has three wins and four poles, while his 16 top-fives, 21 top-10's and 1,316 laps led are tops at the New Hampshire track.

"This track is very flat but it has long straightaways, so you carry a lot of speed into the corners," said Gordon. "It's hard to maintain a lot of speed for such a long, flat corner.

"Even though flat tracks weren't my favorite types of tracks growing up, I've always enjoyed racing here. We've run well the last couple years, and we just did the tire test here a few weeks back. We're definitely excited about the race this weekend.

"And optimistic about how we can do."

PPR PR

Daytona International Speedway broke ground on a $400-million rebuilding project Friday and longtime Martinsville Speedway employee Tracie Slack was on hand to participate in the historic ceremony.

Slack was one of 14 veteran employees from throughout International Speedway Corporation’s tracks and other business unites invited to take part in the occasion.

Slack, who is celebrating her 21^st anniversary at Martinsville Speedway this year, was hired as a ticket agent and worked her way up to Director of Ticket Operations.

“I’ve enjoyed seeing all of the improvements made here at Martinsville Speedway throughout the years and I’m honored to have been selected to represent Martinsville Speedway at the historic groundbreaking at our sister track,” said Slack.

“Tracie has been instrumental in the growth here at Martinsville Speedway. She is not only a valued member of Martinsville Speedway but also an integral part of International Speedway Corporation. Her commitment and contributions to the track make her a natural fit to represent Martinsville Speedway at this event,” stated Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell.

Slack and her ISC peers waved the green flag over a competition which pitted pairings of current and former NASCAR drivers in a test of competitive driving skills guiding huge pieces of excavation machinery through a series of obstacles and construction-site skill tests. The winners, Greg Biffle and Trevor Bayne, got to officially break ground on the project.

The vision for the frontstretch redevelopment places an emphasis on enhancing the complete fan experience, beginning with five expanded and redesigned fan entrances, or injectors, along International Speedway Boulevard. Each injector will lead directly to a series of escalators and elevators that will transport fans to any of three different concourse levels, each featuring spacious and strategically-placed social “neighborhoods” along the nearly mile-long frontstretch.

Every seat along the Daytona International Speedway frontstretch will be widened. The project will include additional restrooms and concession stands throughout the facility.

The groundbreaking at Daytona International Speedway marked the start to the second half of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season, and the battle to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup. The Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 27 is the only short track in the Chase, and that means plenty of wild Martinsville action.

Tickets to theGoody’s® Headache Relief Shot® 500are available now. Be sure to order your tickets early for the best seats and the best pricing.

Martinsville Speedway PR

Kyle Busch is a regular winner at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, (NHMS) in all three of NASCAR’s top-tier racing series. Among 30 career races at the “Magic Mile,” Busch has recorded seven total wins, including victories in three NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) races between 2009 and 2011, as well as the last three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events he participated in during those same years. The last two Truck Series wins for Busch in 2010 and 2011 were also accomplished from the pole position. This year Busch hopes to add another victory to his resume in the Nationwide Series, this time behind the seat of the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) No. 54 Monster Energy Camry.

JGR statistics in the Nationwide Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway record four wins in 26 races, with 12 top-five finishes, 16 top-10 finishes, one pole and 532 laps led. The No. 54 Monster Energy team’s crew chief Adam Stevens, however, experienced disappointment in 2011 when an on-track accident knocked out the team and then JGR driver Joey Logano.

In 2011, Busch achieved a milestone when he tied NASCAR veteran Mark Martin for the Nationwide series Career Victory lead (49 wins), with a win in that year’s New Hampshire event. The 2011 win was also Busch’s 100th victory in NASCAR’s top-three series combined. Busch has since gone on to achieve 115 total career NASCAR series wins, along with top billing as the winningest Nationwide Series driver, with 57 checkered-flag grabs to date.

Busch was unable to secure a win in New Hampshire in 2012, but did produce one pole and a second-place starting position in both NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events. Last year’s Nationwide Series attempt ended when a fuel pressure issue placed him 28th, so he’s looking for a chance to improve statistics there once again. The now 28-year-old looks to notch his seventh victory of 2013 and continue the team’s successful Nationwide Series season, at a New Hampshire short track where he is very familiar with victory lane.

KBM/JGR PR

Maintaining consistency at Kentucky, Mike Bliss and his No. 19 Tweaker Energy Shot Camry were looking for much of the same as they returned to the Sunshine State’s fastest 2.5-mile superspeedway of Daytona International Speedway. At the start of the race Bliss knew the challenges of superspeedway racing as he rolled off 21^st for the 12^th Annual Subway Firecracker 250. Bliss was smooth around Daytona International Speedway’s high banks as he made racing 250-miles look effortless; resulting in a 14^th place finish.

Within the first 10 laps, Bliss met up with his TriStar Motorsports teammate Cole Whitt and drafted into the top-10. Bliss noted his water temperature gauge reading on the higher side as he pushed Whitt. “I’m running really hot pushing right now; ask the 44 if we can try switching,” he said.

Waiting for an opportune moment, Bliss and Whitt switched drafting positions in turn one on lap 21. Momentarily losing the draft, Bliss and the No. 77 of Parker Klingerman linked up as drafting partners to try and catch the lead pack. Bliss’ Spotter Toby Whealdon said, “The 77 can push all day long.” Driving two strong Toyota’s, Bliss and Klingerman set out to hunt down the leaders.

With 11 laps to go, Bliss radioed his Crew Chief Paul Clapprood. “Paul, I’m starting to spray steam.” Bliss was concerned his Tweaker Camry was running too hot. Just then, the infamous “big one” occurred, in turn four causing NASCAR to throw the red flag. Sitting idle during the ten 10-minute delay, Bliss’ Tweaker Toyota cooled down a bit.

As the field restarted the race on lap 100, Bliss was in the 20^th position with plenty of drafting help. Bliss’ No. 19 soared around Daytona International Speedway, inching closer and closer to the front. Bliss gained six spots during the three lap green-white-checkered finish; bringing the Tweaker Energy Shot Camry home in the 14^th position.

“I can’t thank Tweaker Energy enough for coming on board for this weekend,” said Bliss.” We had a strong Toyota Camry and anything can happen at Daytona. We lost the draft there in the middle of the race but we rallied towards the end. “I’m really proud of my guys and the hard work they put in. A top-15 finish, with the car in one piece, is a great accomplishment.”

Bliss’ 14^th place finish at Daytona marks his sixth top-15 finish of the season. Gaining one spot in the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver point standings (12^th), Bliss and his crew will head North to New England for the 24^th Annual F.W. Webb 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 13^th at 3:30 p.m. (ET).

TMI PR

SHORT TRACK PROMISES: For Germán Quiroga, his 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year season has a variety of firsts. The driver of the No. 77 OtterBox Toyota Tundra will visit the 0.875-mile track of Iowa Speedway for his debut at the track. Quiroga has found impressive speed with Red Horse Racing team on its short track program. The three-time Mexico Series Champion qualified fifth at Martinsville Speedway and finished 13th at Dover International Speedway after qualifying eighth.  

CLOSE TO HOME: Team mechanic, Rick Bennett is looking forward to the visit to Iowa Speedway this weekend. Bennett grew up in Cedar Rapids just 90 minutes from the track. A racer himself, Bennett grew up racing on asphalt at Hawkeye Downs Speedway and is the only driver to have a win in every class there. He got his NASCAR break in 1999 when he moved to North Carolina and began working in the Truck Series.

OTTERBOX®: Red Horse Racing and Germán Quiroga are looking forward to continuing their success as OtterBox serves as primary sponsor on the No. 77 Toyota Tundra this weekend at Iowa Speedway. The company known for their protective solutions for the leading global handheld manufacturers, wireless carriers and distributors will sport a brand new paint scheme. For more information on OtterBox visit www.OtterBox.com.   

CHASSIS HISTORY: Quiroga brings Chassis No. 002 this weekend to Iowa Speedway. The chassis earned a 13th-place at Dover International Speedway and was raced at Martinsville Speedway in April where Quiroga qualified fifth. In 2012 the truck saw action at Rockingham Speedway, Martinsville Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway and had its best finish (3rd) at Iowa Speedway in the series second visit to the track.

MEET & GREET: Quiroga, along with teammates Timothy Peters and John Wes Townley will join the NASCAR Camping world Truck Series drivers for an autograph session on Saturday, July 13th from 2:30 - 3:15pm at Iowa Speedway under the Turn 4 grandstands.

REARVIEW MIRROR - KENTUCKY: Germán Quiroga and his No. 77 Red Horse Racing team is currently on the momentum train. OtterBox signed on for a nine-race sponsorship package with Quiroga beginning at Kentucky Speedway. Quiroga proudly sported his new black and yellow colors at the 1.5-mile track and qualified in the eighth position. He adapted to the track, tuned in his Tundra and showed his patience bringing home his second consecutive top-10 finish. His eighth place-finish moves Quiroga up to 16th-place in the driver point standings, up three positions from the previous race.

Germán Quiroga on Iowa Speedway:

Has your teammate Timothy Peters given you the secret to winning at Iowa Speedway?

"I was watching the race the other night, actually and it looked like Timothy was really aggressive on the last restart. I'm confident that our Red Horse Racing Tundras will be very fast there. Hopefully we can score our best finish in the Truck Series at Iowa. It would be great for my team and my country to put the OtterBox Toyota Tundra in victory lane.

How comfortable have you been approaching the majority of the tracks this year for the first time?

Daytona International Speedway is the breeding ground for action-packed, edge of your seat racing; NASCAR fans were not disappointed during last night’s Subway Firecracker 250. Making its’ Daytona debut, Cole Whitt and the Gold Bond Camry teamed up to try and tame the famous World Center of Racing.

The California native made his third start at the 2.5-mile, palm tree lined superspeedway. Whitt started the 12^th Annual Subway Firecracker 250 from the 23^rd spot and was quick to draft with TriStar teammate Mike Bliss. Whitt raced as high as third and competed in the top-10 for most of the 100 lap event. While racing in the draft at over 190 MPH Whitt’s Gold Bond Camry became minimally involved in the final caution with 10 laps to go. With virtually no damage, Whitt rallied into the top-20 to salvage a respectable 16^th place finish in his No. 44 Gold Bond Toyota.

 “I greatly appreciate the support of my sponsors Gold Bond and Moen for coming on board this weekend. I had a really strong Toyota Camry that could push all day long,” said Whitt.  “We had a car capable of a top-five finish if not a win if the circumstances were right. I hate it for my guys that we got shuffled around, but I am grateful we were able to finish in the top-20,” Whitt continued.

Friday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway was the sixth race for Whitt with TriStar Motorsports. Whitt’s 16^th place finish helped maintain the 21^st spot in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Owner Points Standing for the No. 44 team.  Going into New Hampshire Whitt will have a weekend off from driving the 44, allowing rookie driver Chad Hackenbracht to make his first career NASCAR Nationwide Series start.

TMI PR

Travis Kvapil and the No. 93 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry team finished 18th at "The World Center of Racing" in Daytona Beach, Fla. on Saturday night. Kvapil had a strong race car and logged several laps inside the top 10; however, when a late accident left debris on the grill of his car the driver was forced down pit road and had to fight his way back through the pack during the closing laps. Dodging two wrecks during the final green-white-checkered finish, Kvapil crossed the finish line in the 18th position.

Marking the halfway point in the 2013 season, the Sprint Cup Series competitors returned to Daytona International Speedway for their second and final stop of the year at the famed 2.5-mile superspeedway. With only two practice sessions to prepare for the 400-mile race and realizing that starting positions don't carry much importance at a track where positions change quickly, Kvapil and his BK Racing team spent their time preparing their car for the race. After recording the 11th-fastest lap during final practice, Kvapil secured the 40th starting position for Saturday night's race.

Kvapil began his charge to the front of the field as soon as the green flag waved. In the opening 10 laps, Kvapil had picked up 20 positions but noticed that his car started to overheat if he stayed in line too long. Knowing that it is a long race, Kvapil gave up his track position and fell back in the field where he was able to get more air on the grill and cool the motor. As the race progressed, the No. 93 Burger King / Dr. Pepper team made minor adjustments to their Toyota Camry to keep the balance dialed in throughout the night.

During the closing laps, the action on the track started to heat up and Kvapil needed to stay alert to avoid any trouble on the track in front of him. A multi-car pile-up on lap 150 resulted in grass on the grill of the No. 93 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry and forced Kvapil down pit road to avoid overheating. Following a nine-minute red flag period, Kvapil restarted the race in the 30th position. After running three laps under green, the field was slowed again for one last caution period before a green-white-checkered finish. Dodging two separate on-track incidents on the final lap of the race, Kvapil crossed the finish line in the 18th position after 161 laps of competition at Daytona International Speedway.

"I'm happy we were able to survive all the chaos tonight for a clean race at Daytona International Speedway," commented Kvapil. "We had a few close calls with the No. 93 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry, but we were able to avoid any significant damage and brought home a solid finish. Our car was capable of the speed necessary to run up front; we just had to watch our temperatures to ensure we didn't overheat the motor while racing in the draft. The guys built a really strong car, and I'm looking forward to taking what we learned this weekend and applying it at Talladega Superspeedway later this season."

BK Racing PR

David Reutimann and the No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry team drove to a 30th-place finish on Saturday night at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. After racing inside the top 20, the driver was caught in a multi-car pile-up with just 10 laps remaining in the 400-mile event to result in a 30th-place finish.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returned to Daytona International Speedway this weekend, marking the halfway point in the 2013 race season. At a track where starting position doesn't matter and being able to run well with other cars can make or break the weekend, Reutimann spent both practice sessions preparing his car for race trim. The No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry topped the leader board during final practice with a 45.561-second lap. Later, Reutimann went on to secure the 41st starting position during his single-car qualifying run.

As soon as the green flag waved, Reutimann began picking up positions on the 2.5-mile superspeedway. Moving up 16 positions in just 10 laps, the No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry proved its ability to race through the field.

In a fairly clean race for Daytona International Speedway's standards, Reutimann was able to avoid any on-track incidents and ran a clean race for the first 375 miles. However, with just 10 laps remaining in the scheduled distance for the Coke Zero 400, one of the front runners turned across the track causing a chain reaction from the other competitors. A car turned down the track and directly into the right front fender of the No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry, leaving Reutimann no way to escape the incident. The driver brought his Toyota down pit road and the BK Racing crew quickly made repairs allowing Reutimann to cross the finish line in the 30th position.

"Things happen on the track so quickly at Daytona International Speedway," commented Reutimann. "We came so close to having a clean race; it's just really disappointing to have our day take a downturn so close to the finish. The guys did a great job building us a competitive Toyota Camry. Our No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry was able to run anywhere I needed it to at any point in the race. I feel like we learned some things that we'll be able to apply later this season when we go to Talladega Superspeedway. Until then, I'm looking forward to getting to New Hampshire Motor Speedway next weekend."

BK Racing PR