Speedway Digest Staff - Results from #55220

Michigan International Speedway President Roger Curtis has been elected as chairman of the Michigan Travel Commission in recognition for his dedication to growing the tourism industry in the state.  His peers on the commission selected Curtis for this top leadership position.

Curtis was originally appointed to the Michigan Travel Commission in 2007 and was reappointed for a second term on the commission by Governor Rick Snyder in 2011. He will serve through 2015.  

As one of only 13 individuals selected by the commission, Curtis and his team are tasked with helping to expand tourism business in the state.

“The award-winning Pure Michigan campaign has become more than just a slogan – it has become a powerful brand and rallying cry for our great State,” Curtis said. “Though we are proud that MIS is the State’s largest welcome center with our two NASCAR race weekends and the new Faster Horses Festival, there is so much more to our amazing state - from the resurging Detroit to the ‘west coast’ to the beautiful Upper Peninsula. It is going to be an honor to serve as the chair and continue to help spread the word to the world about all that Michigan has to offer.”

The Michigan Travel Commission is in charge of promoting tourism in the state of Michigan and implementing the Michigan Tourism Strategic Plan. The plan focuses on two key areas of promoting tourism in Michigan. The first is helping the tourism industry to grow and prosper over the next five years. The second part of the plan describes the eight goals in helping Michigan to prosper.   

Curtis is also co-chair of the Promotion, Marketing and Communications subcommittee working to implement the Strategic Plan. He shares this role alongside Barry Owens, general manager of Treetops Resort. The goal of the committee is to discuss strategies to increase tourism through a variety of communication objectives.

The Michigan Travel Commission consists of 13 members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Members of the committee represent all geographic areas of the state and are all experienced in the travel, tourism and recreation industry or an associated field.

A member of the commission is appointed for a four-year term and cannot serve more than two full terms. The Travel Commission meets four times annually, including the annual meeting.

Curtis, the president of the state’s largest welcome center twice a year, has been a large proponent of Pure Michigan, the states official marketing campaign. Michigan International Speedway biannually hosts guests from around the United States and Canada for two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.

In addition, Michigan International Speedway is the home to numerous events all year long. The Irish Hills backdrop provides a perfect setting for any company looking to host meetings of any size. MIS has welcomed businesses from not just the state of Michigan, but globally.

The 1,400 acres at Michigan International Speedway offers a range of amenities to meet all the needs of businesses and organizations. The newly remodeled Champions Club presented by CP Federal Credit Union offers a unique setting overlooking the frontstretch. Businesses can also use any of the Pit Road suites for meetings or networking functions.

Besides its pair of NASCAR races which annually see about 200,000 people at the racetrack – 60 percent of whom are from outside the state of Michigan – MIS officials have opened its property to new business opportunities.

MIS PR

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr. will play host to "BBQ Pit Stop with Dale Jr." to benefit Speedway Children's Charities-Texas Chapter on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 3, at Hard Eight Pit BBQ in Roanoke. 

Earnhardt Jr.'s passion for barbequing, coupled with his special visit to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex to promote the Nov. 3 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway,  spurred the creation of this intimate setting for this one-time speedway charity event in the city known as the "Unique Dining Capital of Texas."

For only $88, guests will enjoy:

• A Hard Eight Pit BBQ dinner featuring brisket, sausage, potato salad, the bean pot and banana pudding as well as pre-dinner appetizers.
• An audience Q&A with Earnhardt Jr. and Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage.
• A barbeque grilling demonstration and tips from Hard Eight Pit BBQ Owner & President Chad Decker and Earnhardt Jr.
• An opportunity to bid on unique Earnhardt Jr. items during a live auction including "Honorary Pit Crew Member" for the AAA Texas 500; autographed, race-worn Goodyear tire from his No. 88 Chevrolet that raced in April's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway; pre-race parade lap with him at the AAA Texas 500; autographed racing shoes; and an autographed vintage Earnhardt Jr. 1998 NASCAR Busch Series No. 3 ACDelco championship car die-cast.

Those in attendance also will have the chance to bid on the ultimate seat upgrade at the event. A handful of seats will be available to the highest bidders that will allow them to rub elbows with Earnhardt Jr. at his personal eight-seat dining table; enjoy an upgraded barbeque dinner featuring beef tenderloin and chicken, sides and dessert; and receive a VIP gift bag that includes an autographed item from Earnhardt Jr. and a photo taken with him.

Seating for the "BBQ Pit Stop with Dale Jr." is extremely limited and a sellout is expected. Doors open at 7 p.m. A cash bar will be available.

To reserve your tax-deductible seat, contact Speedway Children's Charities-Texas Chapter at (817) 215-8421.

Between now and Monday, Sept. 30, fans that purchase the AAA Texas 500 "4-Pack," which consists of tickets for four days of NASCAR racing action Oct. 31-Nov. 3 and begins at $121 for adults, will be entered into a special drawing to win two seats to this event. Those who already have purchased the AAA Texas 500 "4-Pack" also will be automatically entered into the drawing.  

For those interested in purchasing the AAA Texas 500 "4 Pack" ticket and be automatically entered to win seats for "BBQ Pit Stop with Dale Jr.," please call the Texas Motor Speedway ticket office at (817) 215-8500 or visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com. Winners will be contacted on Tuesday, Oct. 1. 

Visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com for a complete list of rules.

TMS PR

Alexandria, Ind. resident Danny Combs can't help but smile when he thinks about his upcoming trip to visit his children and grandchildren this fall. Finally, he is beaming proudly from ear-to-ear after an experience with Aspen Dental in Anderson, Ind.left his smile, and his confidence, renewed.

His smile transformation has taken some time as his first attempt – resulting in wasted time and money following a partial denture and limited extractions with a local dentist in 2011 – failed to satisfy his needs. 

"What was left of my teeth after that procedure wasn't satisfactory," he told Aspen Dental. "When it came down to it, nearly two years later, my teeth – and my smile – were still broken. I had a tooth that was going bad and one day I drove past Aspen Dental and decided that it was time to just do it right. I went home and called them and now am so thankful that I did."

Danny has been chasing a healthy mouth for years, but now, thanks to a post he made on the Aspen Dental Facebook wall thanking Dr. Maharshi Desai, DDS and his team for their efforts, the only chasing he will be doing will be for a NASCAR Sprint Cup championship with Aspen Dental driver Ryan Newman. Aspen Dental and Stewart-Haas Racing will showcase Danny's story as they feature his photo on Newman's No. 39 Chevrolet SS during the Sylvania 300 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon Sunday. Heading into the second race of the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Newman currently sits eighth in the point standings.

"I'm used to going fast, but to think that my smile will be traveling at upwards of 135 mph this weekend is surreal. Aspen Dental has really gone above and beyond for me in all aspects," Danny said. "I'm a Harley-Davidson owner and can't wait to tell my friends at Brandt's Harley-Davidson (Marion, Ind.) that my smile is going to be on the car. They'll be ecstatic to hear that my newest ride is a racecar!"

Aspen Dental began featuring patients' photos on Newman's No. 39 Chevrolet during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, and will continue the tradition throughout the 2013 season.

Aspen Dental was the primary sponsor of the No. 39 Chevrolet for the May 18 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway and the Sept. 1 AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. For all other races during the 2013 season, Aspen Dental is an associate sponsor with placement on the lower-rear quarter panels of the No. 39 Chevrolet and prominent positioning on Newman's uniform. In addition to Newman, Aspen Dental is also featured on the uniform of Mark Martin, interim driver of the No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet of Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner, Tony Stewart.

Aspen Dental PR

The battle for the 2013 ASA Member Track National Championship is unchanged this week with the Top 5 remaining the same for the first time since the standings were released for the first time on August 10.
 
Dalton Zehr of Norway Speedway leads the way for the seventh consecutive week followed by Jeremy Lepak (State Park Speedway), Ryan Stiltner (Lonesome Pine Raceway), Shelby Stroebel (Meridian Speedway) and Brian Blevins (Newport Speedway).
 
Due to a spring and summer that caused significant weather issues for many track operators, these standings are still considered early in the season and it is anticipated that significant change will be seen in the coming weeks.
 
The Top 5 in the ASA Member Track National Championship standings are:
 
Dalton Zehr, Norway Speedway – 4.3540
Jeremy Lepak, State Park Speedway – 3.1436
Ryan Stiltner, Lonesome Pine Raceway – 2.9690
Shelby Stroebel, Meridian Speedway – 2.1711
Brian Blevins, Newport Speedway – 1.8569
 
Zehr runs the Late Model division at Norway (MI) Speedway, a 1/3-mile asphalt oval, and has seen his average increase to 4.3540.

After vaulting into the standings just three weeks ago, Lepak continues to hold onto the second position with a 3.1436 average. He runs the Super Late Models at State Park Speedway, a 1/4mile asphalt oval outside Wausau, WI.
 
Stiltner has had a position in the standings since they debuted and remains in third with a 2.9690 average. He runs Late Models at Lonesome Pine Raceway, a 3/8-mile asphalt oval, in Coeburn, VA.
 
In fourth with a 2.1711 average, Stroebel runs the Modified division at the ¼-mile asphalt Meridian (ID) Speedway oval. He is the 2012 ASA Member Track National Champion.
 
Remaining in fifth is Blevins with a 1.8569 average running the Late Model Sportsman division at Newport (TN) Speedway, a 4/10-mile asphalt oval.
 
Throughout the season, drivers competing in the premiere divisions at eligible ASA Member Tracks are in the running for the 2013 ASA Member Track National Championship.  In order to have a chance for the national title, a driver must first win their 2013 track championship.
 
Speednetdirect.com, for the sixth year in a row, will tabulate the National Championship standings.  Using a proprietary formula that creates an average based on wins, finishing positions, number of cars passed, car counts and events.  The driver who wins their track championship and has the highest average over the other ASA Member Track champions will win the 2013 ASA Member Track National Championship.

ASA PR

The Dover International Speedway FanZone is getting a big addition this fall, as the largest military expo in all of NASCAR, the MAVTV American Real Military Village, will make its debut at the Sept. 27-29, 2013 race weekend.

Presented in conjunction with the USO and USO Delaware, the expo will feature a number of visual and interactive displays from various branches of the military. In addition, more than 100 members from several military branches will be on site to discuss their jobs in the military and the roles they play in protecting the freedom of our country.

At more than 40,000 square feet, the scale of the Military Village is fitting for the Monster Mile, as Dover has long been a military town as home to the Dover Air Force Base, which includes the 436th Airlift Wing and 512th Airlift Wing. The Delaware National Guard also has a strong presence in the capital of the First State.

“We are excited to be bringing such a large-scale military display to the Monster Mile, not only giving our race fans a new, interactive display to enjoy on race weekend, but also providing those fans with the opportunity to learn about and appreciate what our armed services do to protect us and our country,” said Mike Tatoian, executive vice president and COO of Dover Motorsports, Inc.

The MAVTV American Real Military Village will be open in Dover International Speedway’s FanZone throughout the entire fall race weekend. Located just outside Turn 4 of the track, the eight-acre FanZone is also home to numerous interactive displays, games, free sampling stations, driving simulators, live music and much more.

“MAVTV is very proud of our military and of our relationship with Dover Speedway. Working with both of them for this event is something that we are very excited about and we look forward to many more successful events together” said Bob Patison, president of MAVTV.

Dover Motorsports PR

It’s difficult to find the correct word to describe Lee Pulliam’s season. Tremendous would work. So would amazing. Unprecedented? Well, that also could be argued.

But one thing is certain: there have been only a small handful of drivers in the history of weekly short-track racing that ever matched the numbers Pulliam put up in 2013.

First, he backed up his 2012 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National Championship with another in 2013. Only two drivers – Larry Phillips and Philip Morris – had previously won back-to-back national titles in the series’ history.

The statistics Pulliam stacked up on the way to the championship are mindboggling: 27 wins, 40 top fives and 44 top 10s in 47 starts. He scored the maximum number of points possible in the national rankings, only the fourth time that has ever happened.

“We have been extremely blessed this year,” Pulliam said Friday shortly after hitting the road for another weekend of racing. “At the beginning of the season our goal was to defend the title. We won some big races. Everything clicked for us. We made some good calls off the track and we made some good calls on the race track.”

With everything he’s accomplished, he’s got one more thing on his 2013 bucket list: a second win in the Virginia is for Lovers 300 Late Model Stock race at Martinsville Speedway on October 6.

The first step in that direction for the 25-year-old Pulliam comes this Wednesday, September 25, when more than 80 cars are expected at Martinsville Speedway for the annual open test for the Virginia is For Racing Lovers 300.

How important is the day of testing? Invaluable, said Pulliam, who won the race in 2011 and finished second to Morris last fall.

“Test day means a tremendous amount. That’s the time when we can try so many different things with our car,” said Pulliam, whose car is family owned and maintained. “I feel like the test day is when we get our edge. It’s always been about race set up for me in testing. We work hard to get the car so it works good 20 laps into the race.”

Despite all the victories he’s racked up this season, the second national championship and all the acclaim that comes with it, there’s plenty of motivation for Pulliam headed back to Martinsville. First there is the money, $25,000 to win with several thousand dollars more in bonuses available. Then there’s the iconic grandfather clock trophy that goes to the winner. Sure, he’s got one, but he’d love another.

But there’s more. He has the opportunity to do what no one has ever done: become the first national champion to win the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 in the championship year. He was one spot away last year. He wants to fix that this time around.

“It would be tremendous for us to win again … for everybody on my team,” said Pulliam. “And I would like to be the first one to break that spell, to win Martinsville and the national championship the same year.”

Cars will be on track for testing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The grandstands will be open to fans at no charge.

Martinsville Speedway PR

The members of the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel have unanimously decided today to uphold the original penalties issued by NASCAR to the No. 9 team that competes in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West.

This decision applies to all three (3) Appellants.

The No. 9 car was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); Section 12-4J (Any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules) and Section 20C-12.3T (All shock absorbers must compress or extend a distance of six (6) inches in a time span of 1-1/2 minutes or less with the external adjustment set in any position: Shock travel exceeded maximum time limit) of the 2013 NASCAR rule book. The violation was discovered during post-race inspection Saturday, Aug. 17, at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash.

Jeff Schrader, crew chief of car No. 9, was fined $2,500 and suspended from NASCAR until the fine is paid. Dylan Lupton, driver of car No. 9, was penalized with the loss of 12 championship driver points, and Bob Bruncati, owner of car No. 9, was penalized with the loss of 12 championship owner points.

NASCAR PR

The ASA Pro Trucks will crown its 2013 champion this weekend at Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Idaho with Johnny Pierre leading the championship point battle.
                     
Since struggling at his hometown track when the ASA Pro Trucks raced there in July, Pierre’s season has turned around and he currently leads Hannah Newhouse, his closest competitor, by 28-points in the standings.
 
Pierre is an unfamiliar position leading the chase as he has finished runner-up in the championship four times.
 
Drew Reitsma sits in third in the point chase and hopes to repeat his last run at Magic Valley where he was fastest qualifier and won the race on July 27.
 
Of the ASA Member Tracks in action this weekend, Southern Oregon Speedway will be hosting its Championship Night. A breakdown of ASA Member Tracks in action this weekend follows:
 
BIG COUNTRY SPEEDWAY (Cheyenne, WY)
1/5-Mile Asphalt Oval
Divisions: Late Models; Sportsman; Grand American Modifieds; Mod 4; Super Stocks; Junkyard Warriors
September 21 Scheduled: Super Stocks; Mod 4; Junkyard Warriors; Late Models; Grand American Modifieds
Time: Gates Open at 3:00 PM; Racing at 6:00 PM
Web: http://warconline.com/Big_Country_Speedway.html
 
EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK (Tampa, FL)
1/3-Mile Clay Oval
Divisions: Late Model; Limited Late Model; Open Wheel Modifieds; East Bay Sprints; Street Stocks; Outlaw 4s; 4-Cylinder Bombers; V8 Warriors
September 21 Scheduled:  Late Models; Limited Late Models; Street Stocks; V-8 Warriors; 4-Cylinder Bombers
Time: Gates open at 5:00 PM; Racing at 7:30 PM
Web: www.eastbayracewaypark.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/eastbayracewaypark
Twitter: @eastbayracepark
 
GRUNDY COUNTY SPEEDWAY (Morris, IL)
1/3-Mile High Banked Paved Oval
Divisions:  Late Models; Mid-American Sportsman; Street Stocks; 4-Cylinders
September 21:  Midgets; Legends; Modifieds; Super Cups
Time:  Gates open at 6:00 PM; Racing at 8:00 PM
Web:  www.grundycountyspeedway.com
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/GrundyCountySpeedway
 
LONESOME PINE RACEWAY (Coeburn, VA)
3/8-Mile Asphalt Oval
Divisions:  Late Models; Mod 4; Super Street; Pure 4; Pure Street; Iron Warriors; Young Guns; Powder Puff
Of Interest:  Lonesome Pine Raceway is hosting a Modified Motorsports Driving Experience on Saturday.
Web: www.thepineraceway.com
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/Lonesomepineraceway
Twitter: @LPRaceway
 
MARSHFIELD MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Marshfield, WI)
1/2-Mile Asphalt Oval
Divisions:   Super Late Models; Super Stocks; 4-Cylinders; Bandits; 6-Cylinder Rockets
September 21 Scheduled:  Spectator Drags
Of Interest:  Marshfield Motor Speedway is hosting a car show this Saturday.
Web:  www.marshfieldspeedway.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/53090931911/?fref=ts
Twitter: @MarshfieldMS
 
MERIDIAN SPEEDWAY (Meridian, ID)
1/4-Mile Asphalt Oval
Divisions:  Winged Sprints; Sprints; Late Models; ASA Modifieds; Super Stocks; B Modifieds; Pro-4s; Street Stocks; Mini Stocks; Hornets; Legends; Stingers; Thunderdogs.
September 20 Scheduled:   Modifieds; Sprints; Street Stocks; Legends
September 21 Scheduled:   Sprints; Late Models; Legends; Thunder Dogs; Hornets
Time:  Gates open at 4:00 PM; Racing at 6:30 PM (both nights)
Of Interest:  On Friday, the third annual Alan Stroebel Open Show for Modifieds will attract the best racers in the area and beyond as the Intermountain Outlaw Modifieds Series comes out to play with hometown ASA Modifieds at Meridian Speedway.
Web: www.meridianspeedway.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/meridianspeed
 
NORTH FLORIDA SPEEDWAY (Lake City, FL)
3/8-Mile Semi-Banked Clay Oval
Divisions: Late Models; Sportsman; Street Stock; Box Stocks; Modifieds; Front
Wheel Drive; Mod-4
September 21 Scheduled:  Open Wheel Modifieds; Mini Sprints; Sportsman; Box Stocks; Pure Stocks
Time:   Gates open at 5:00 PM; Racing at 7:00 PM
Web: www.northfloridaspeedway.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/northfloridaspeedway
 
SOUTHERN OREGON SPEEDWAY (White City, OR)
.333-Mile, Semi-Banked Clay Oval
Divisions:  Modifieds; Pro Stocks; Super 4s; Sprint Cars, Mini Stocks; Dwarf cars
September 21 Scheduled:  Modifieds; B-Modifieds; Super 4s; Street Stocks; Mini Stocks; Dwarfs
Time: Gates open at 4:00 PM; Racing at 7:15 PM
Of Interest:  Saturday night is Championship Night at Southern Oregon Speedway.
Web: www.sospeedway.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Southern-Oregon-Speedway-Community/148453468499496?ref=ts

ASA PR

X Games and reality TV star turned NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Travis Pastrana is giving fans a new reason to follow him in NASCAR. Pastrana, regarded as one of the most talented motorsports competitors in the world, will participate in a fan Q&A session prior to making his NASCAR Nationwide Series race debut at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday, November 16.

Well known among action sports fans, Pastrana has raced just about everything with wheels, from motorcycles to monster trucks. The 11-time X Games gold medalist is currently running his first full NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule.  He drives the No. 60 Ford Mustang for Roush Fenway Racing.

The $120 package -- valued at more than $200 if priced individually -- will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

It includes:

► One ticket to the Ford EcoBoost 300 on November 16

► One ticket to the Ford EcoBoost 400 on November 17

► Question and answer session with Pastrana before the Ford EcoBoost 300

► Pre-Race Pit Pass (valid for Saturday and Sunday)

► Donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation

“It is our pleasure to announce our partnership with Travis Pastrana for Ford Championship Weekend,” said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer. “Travis brings a wave of new fans to NASCAR from his success in other forms of racing and his reality TV show, Nitro Circus. This is a tremendous opportunity for fans and the Miami community to come out and meet one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers before he gears up for the season finale. Best of all, it’s a chance for all of us to support him and his desire to be a ‘wish granter” for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.”

HMS PR