NASCAR has fined driver Denny Hamlin $25,000 for comments he made following the March 3 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway.

NASCAR determined that Hamlin violated Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the 2013 NASCAR Rule Book.

NASCAR issued the following statement regarding the penalty:

“Following the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event last Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway, Denny Hamlin made some disparaging remarks about the on-track racing that had taken place that afternoon. While NASCAR gives its competitors ample leeway in voicing their opinions when it comes to a wide range of aspects about the sport, the sanctioning body will not tolerate publicly made comments by its drivers that denigrate the racing product.”

NASCAR PR

Statement From Joe Gibbs Racing

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) releases the following statement in response to NASCAR’s issuance of a fine to driver Denny Hamlin for his post-race comments in Phoenix last weekend:

“We have spoken with NASCAR and will continue to keep an open dialogue with them on this matter, but we will keep those discussions between the parties involved.

We will fully support Denny in his appeal process.”

Jimmie Johnson’s season is off to a competitive start with a win in the season-opening Daytona 500 and a runner-up finish in last weekend’s race at Phoenix International Raceway. While those numbers don’t guarantee a jackpot ending to this weekend’s Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Johnson’s odds look good at the 1.5-mile oval.

Johnson will drive his No. 48 Kobalt Tools Chevrolet in the eponymously titled race. He has won four of the 11 races he has run at the speedway – with victories in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010 – and has five top-five finishes. Of those finishes, last March’s battle with Tony Stewart in the closing laps resulted in a hard fought runner-up finish as Stewart beat Johnson on the final restart to claim the win.

With the highest driver rating at Las Vegas, the odds seem to be in Johnson’s favor. And with an impressive start to the 2013 season, it’s apparent five-time Sprint Cup champion Johnson has the tools he needs to improve upon last year’s result.

Johnson’s Las Vegas Motor Speedway Quick Stats:

• · Johnson has four wins (March 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010) at Las Vegas but has yet to earn a pole position.
• · Johnson has earned five top-five finishes and six top-10s in 11 starts.
• · His average start is 14.4 and average finish is 9.8. He has completed 2,955 of 2,958 laps (99.99 percent) and led 355.
• · He has finished every race in which he’s competed at the 1.5-mile oval.
• · Sprint Cup’s best driver rating (110.9 average of a possible 150 points).
• · Sprint Cup’s best in fastest laps run with 283.

 TSC PR

Stephen Oosterling answered The Glen’s call for a local artist late in 2012 to create a mural spanning a 10’ x 17’ wall and signify over 65 years of sports car racing history at Watkins Glen International. The Williamson, NY-based motorsports artist exceeded expectations with the final piece displayed at the Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce on Franklin Street.

“Guests of Watkins Glen need to stop into the Chamber and see this outstanding piece of work,” Michael Printup, Watkins Glen International President expressed. “It is great to work with Steve on such a significant project and see the final product.”

Printup’s only request was to ensure the final piece represented everything that has raced at The Glen.

Oosterling did that, selecting five cars that embody the storied racing history of Watkins Glen International. The No. 99 Toyota Eagle MKIII IMSA GTP driven by Juan Manuel Fangio II, the No. 6 Elf Tyrrell 006 Cosworth Ford piloted by Francois Cevert, the No. 9 Target Dallara/Honda taken to Victory Lane by Scott Dixon, Hurley Haywood’s No. 59 Porsche 911 GRAND-AM GT and Tony Stewart’s No. 14 Office Depot Chevrolet Impala.

“It was a really great experience,” Oosterling said. “It is the first mural I have ever done and I am really pleased with it. Everything came together through the collaboration with The Glen.”

Seventeen-year old son, Alex Oosterling, a junior at Williamson Central, helped his father complete his first-ever mural in eight days. Oosterling and his son worked every Saturday for eight weeks, totaling to approximately 70 hours.

“Watkins Glen International is an integral part of our community and it is so important for the track to have a significant presence at our Visitors Center,” Rebekah LaMoreaux, President and CEO of Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce said. “It is a fantastic piece of art and truly represents the history of The Glen.”

Oostering’s work is part of private and corporate collections through North America. His career in motorsports art began in 1994 and Oosterling started working with The Glen in 2000 after displaying artwork during September vintage weekends.

WGI RP

A limited number of reserved tent camping spots are available for the April 25-27 NASCAR weekend atRichmond International Raceway, featuring theToyota Owners 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race,ToyotaCare 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series event,BLUE OX 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series race and theDenny Hamlin Short Track Showdown, benefiting the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.

Fans may purchase a reserved 20’ x 30’ tent camping spot for $75 by calling 866-455-7223. Fans MUST have two or more Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tickets in their account in order to purchase a reserved tent camping spot in that account. For tickets to the Toyota Owners 400, please call 866-455-7223. We are also offering a tent camping ticket package, which includes two tickets (in Henrico Grandstand, rows 1-10) to the Toyota Owners 400 and a reserved tent camping spot for $145.

Tent Camping Policies and Information:

• · Number of reserved tent camping spots is limited, and they are expected to sell out quickly.
• · Tent camping is located ONLY in Lot G, on Richmond International Raceway’s property.Click here for a map.
• · Lot G will open at noon Thursday and guests may stay through Sunday at noon.
• · Each camping spot is numbered, reserved and measures 20’ x 30’.
• · 24-hour security will be on site in Lot G.
• · There is no tram service from Lot G. Time to walk the pedestrian path from Lot G to the track is approximately 15 minutes.
• · Shower facilities are available in Lot G for $5 per shower.
• · Click here for our campfire policy and additional camping rules.

Click here to purchase tickets for the Saturday, April 27, Toyota Owners 400, or call the ticket office at 866-455-7223. Advance tickets, including seats in Turns 1 and 4, start at $45.

RIR PR

Trevor Bayne and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane crew are hoping that Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be the place where they put their Daytona bad luck behind them.

The Wood Brothers crew has retooled its best intermediate-track Ford Fusion from last year into a 2013 model as part of NASCAR’s conversion to Generation-6 race cars for the Sprint Cup Series. The first true test of the Gen-6 cars on one of the intermediate-length tracks that comprise the bulk of the Wood Brothers’ limited schedule will come in Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 400. First and foremost, there are two practice sessions on Thursday, and Donnie Wingo; crew chief of the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion, is hoping to use those to gather as much data as possible.

“We’re actually going to run the back-up car in the test, because that will allow us more time on the track,” Wingo said, explaining that if the team ran its primary car in the test, valuable time would be lost getting the test equipment removed before race practice begins on Friday.

He said the two cars are so much alike that anything learned with one can be applied to the other.

“They both blew about the same numbers in the wind tunnel,” he said. “We’ll try some different things and figure out what works the best for us and for Trevor.”

Wingo said that any time there’s a change to a new vehicle, there will be a learning curve, and this weekend will offer one of the big lessons.

“Like anything new, it’ll take a little time to figure it all out.”

Team co-owner Eddie Wood said he’s anxious to see his 2013 Ford Fusion in competition, especially in light of Carl Edwards’ win in a Roush Fenway Racing Fusion last weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. He’s proud to once again have his team’s Ford Fusion painted in a more traditional Motorcraft/Quick Lane scheme.

“We ran a special paint scheme at Daytona to honor Tiny Lund’s win in the 1963 Daytona 500 and my uncle Leonard’s induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” Wood said. “Now we’re back to one based on the cars driven by Cale Yarborough and David Pearson.”

Qualifying for the Kobalt Tools 400 is set for Friday at 6:40 p.m. Eastern Time, and the race is set to get the green flag just after 2:30 p.m. Eastern with TV coverage on FOX.

Wood Brothers Racing PR

It seems like just yesterday Ricky Rudd and Rusty Wallace were swapping paint along the hillside at Turn 7 at the inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Sonoma in 1989.

Rudd survived the battle and took the checkers by just .05 seconds over Wallace in what is still the closest margin of victory for a NASCAR Cup race at Sonoma Raceway. That race included legends like Dale Earnhardt, Bill Elliott and Richard Petty, among others.

Fast-forward to 2013 and stock-car racing is alive and well in Northern California as Sonoma Raceway celebrates the 25^th running of the Toyota/Save Mart 350, June 21-23.

Some of the names and faces may have changed over the years, but one thing hasn’t: the race is still one of the most exciting and explosive events on the NASCAR calendar each year.

“You never know what’s going to happen in Sonoma,” said 2012 Sonoma winner Clint Bowyer. “It’s one of those races where there’s a lot of banging going on and you’re just trying to survive. We were lucky enough to win it.”

The raceway has plenty in store for race fans in honor of this very special weekend, including:

• Silver Celebration Ticket: Race fans can save $25 per ticket with this special package that includes seats in either Turns 2, 7 or 9 (rows 6-10), and the first 1,000 accounts will receive a limited-edition 25^th Running die-cast car.
• Silver Celebration Q&A: NASCAR legends and contemporary drivers will be front-and-center on the road course at Turn 11 on Sunday, June 23, for a very special Q&A looking back on NASCAR racing in Sonoma.*
• Historic Stock Car Display: The raceway will host a display and parade lap for some of the most iconic stock cars of the last few decades, including cars driven by Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Richard Petty.
• Web-site: Visit racesonoma.com/silvercelebration during the season for special photo galleries and commentary on the first 24 years of Cup racing in Sonoma.
• Social Media: Stay tuned to facebook.com/racesonoma and @racesonoma for contests, as well as special driver ticket giveaways. Sonoma Raceway wants to hear about your memories at the track as well as any pictures or videos you'd like share. Send it all toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or facebook.com/racesonoma.
• Bring on the Jets: A very special 25-minute jet show on Sunday, June 23, by the Patriots Jet Team, honoring a quarter-century of Cup racing in Sonoma.

This special weekend can mean only one thing: tickets will go fast. Act today by calling the raceway at 800-870-RACE (7223) or visit racesonoma.com/nascar for the latest information regarding the Silver Celebration of NASCAR in Sonoma.

*-- requires special ticket. Visit racesonoma.com/nascar.

Sonoma Raceway PR

Los Angeles-based rockers RATT will get race day started in classic rock-and-roll style at Auto Club Speedway on Sunday, March 24 when they perform a pre-race concert beginning at 10am on the FanZone main stage.

Hard rockers Stephen Pearcy (vocals), Warren DeMartini (guitar), Bobby Blotzer (drums), Juan Croucier (bass) and Carlos Cavazo (guitar) – will perform hits including "Round and Round," “Wanted Man,” and “Lay it Down” as well as many other fan favorites, shuttling listeners to a time when metal ruled the earth and real musicians wore eyeliner like a badge of honor.

This year RATT is preparing to enter the studio and begin work on what will be their eleventh studio album, expected to arrive later this year.

RATT released their self-titled first album independently in 1983 and never looked back. Their first major label release,Out of the Cellar proved a multi-platinum breakthrough and was subsequently followed by more platinum smashes including;Invasion of Your Privacy (1985), Dancin' Undercover (1986) and Reach for the Sky(1988).

ACS PR

Young fans have the chance to spend some time with five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson when he makes a stop in the Bristol Motor Speedway Kids Zone Sunday, March 17 prior to the Food City 500.

Johnson appears in the Kids Zone Sunday morning (please check back on BristolMotorSpeedway.com for exact time) for a special question-and-answer session with his youngest supporters. During that time, fans 15 and under will receive a Lowe’s Build and Grow kit of Johnson’s No. 48 machine to construct (Build and Grow Kits limited to first one hundred children in attendance), as well as a BMS matchbox car.

Johnson’s appearance is limited to children only, although they may be accompanied by Food City 500 ticket holding parent or guardian.

Bristol Motor Speedway’s Kids Zone is a free area for children 15 and under to enjoy the fun and excitement of BMS and NASCAR. Several entertaining activities take place throughout the weekend, including SpaceWalk inflatibles, ETSU Natural History Museum & Gray Fossil Site interactive display, corn hole, putt-putt, carnival games, face-painting and much more.

The BMS Kids Zone, located in the North parking lot (Display area in front of the Speedway), will be open Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March race weekend.

Special half-price ticket packages for fans 15 and younger are available for March race weekend. March race weekend ticket packages, which include the March 17 Food City 500 and Jeff Foxworthy’s Grit Chips 300/K&N Series doubleheader March 16 start at $99 for adults. A package in the Wallace Tower for both Sprint Cup races also is available for $99, while packages for fans 15 and younger are available for the March races at half price. Lower-row seating for the Food City 500 is available with tickets starting at $65 for adults and $32 for children 15 and under.

BMS PR

Husky Liners®, a leading supplier of automotive accessories for light trucks, SUV's, vans and cars, will continue its partnership with Richard Childress Racing in 2013 as a primary sponsor for two races with the No. 2 NASCAR Nationwide Series team and Brian Scott at the wheel.

The Husky Liners® brand will serve as the primary sponsor of the No. 2 Chevrolet Camaro under the lights at Texas Motor Speedway on April 12 and Bristol Motor Speedway on August 23. The Winfield, Kansas-based company will also serve as an associate sponsor throughout the season on Scott's No. 2 Nationwide Series Chevrolet.

"We're glad to continue our association with Richard Childress Racing this year, said Bob Tyler, President of Husky Liners. "They've proven to be a valuable partner to Husky Liners as their fan base aligns with our customer base. We look forward to bringing our brand to a whole new audience in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and given RCR's on track record; we'll be contending for wins."

RCR PR

Daryl Harr will return to race the No. 4 iWorld Chevy at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and looks to finish strong after disappointment in the desert. In running a limited schedule with JD Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Daryl looks to capitalize in Las Vegas to help build momentum for the No. 4 team.

Both JD Motorsports teams have remained out west from Phoenix to Vegas, allowing the crew the opportunity to work on the cars throughout the week. After Vegas, Daryl Harr will return to the No. 4 car at California.

Mike Wallace Quotes: “I love visiting and racing in Las Vegas, and I hope we can put together a good run following the disappointment last week. We have a new engine in the car, and hope to go the distance and race for the victory on Saturday.”

JD Motorsports PR