Press Release - Results from #10

Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 39 Quicken Loans Chevrolet SS for Stewart Haas Racing (SHR), finished 21st in his Budweiser Duel qualifying race after a cut right-rear tire with 20 laps remaining forced an unscheduled pit stop and dropped him off the lead lap.

The Budweiser Duel consists of twin qualifying races that set the 43-car field for the season-opening Daytona 500, and Newman’s 21st-place finish in the second Duel race credited him with the 34th starting spot for the 55th Daytona 500 on Sunday. However, Newman will start the Great American Race from the back of the 43-car field, as the damage sustained from the flat tire prompted the team to switch to its backup racecar.

Despite the setback, Newman’s run in the Budweiser Duel got off to a fast start. He led the first lap of the 150-mile race around the 2.5-mile superspeedway before being shuffled to the back of the pack. He stayed there until lap 40, where he came to pit road for routine service.

But as he entered pit road, fellow driver Jamie McMurray locked up his brakes, and Newman was forced to make an evasive maneuver to avoid a crash.

“That’s the first time in 12 years that I’ve wheel-hopped at a superspeedway,” Newman said. “I didn’t expect it, and when it happened, I was steering to the right to avoid the No. 1 car (McMurray) because he was locking up his brakes. It was one of those worst-case scenarios, and I wound up spinning the Quicken Loans Chevrolet around. It was entirely my fault. I was trying to gain some ground getting to pit road. It was a little too aggressive, but that was the time to do it. That was the time to learn.

“We learned some things today. We made some adjustments that got our car driving a little better today. The good thing is that our backup car is the same car we had down here for testing last month, so we have confidence in that car.”

Tony Stewart led the way for SHR by finishing sixth in his Budweiser Duel race. The result slots him and his No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet SS 13th for the Daytona 500.

Danica Patrick, driver of the No. 10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet SS for SHR, joined Stewart in the first Budweiser Duel race. She finished 17th, but will start from the pole for the Daytona 500. She set the fastest lap in qualifying last Sunday, which locked her into the No. 1 starting position.

Kevin Harvick won the first Budweiser Duel by .165 of a second over Greg Biffle. Juan Pablo Montoya, Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch took spots three through five. The rest of the top-10 consisted of Stewart, Brad Keselowski, Casey Mears, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Joey Logano.

Kyle Busch won the second Budweiser Duel by .093 of a second over Kasey Kahne. Austin Dillon, Clint Bowyer and Matt Kenseth took spots three through five. The rest of the top-10 consisted of Mark Martin, Paul Menard, Jeff Burton, Jamie McMurray and David Ragan.

With the Budweiser Duel now complete, the field for the Daytona 500 is set. On the pole is Patrick, and alongside her is Jeff Gordon. By notching the two quickest times during last Sunday’s time trials, both drivers were able to lock themselves into the front row for the Daytona 500.

TSC PR

Tony Stewart continued a solid Speedweeks at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway by finishing sixth in Thursday’s Budweiser Duel, twin qualifying races that set the 43-car field for the season-opening Daytona 500. Stewart, driver of the No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), will start 13^th in the 55^th Daytona 500 on Sunday.

Stewart finished fourth last Saturday night in the non-points Sprint Unlimited, set the fifth-fastest speed in time trials for the Daytona 500 last Sunday, and has been among the top-11 in each practice session in which he’s participated. It’s been a strong outing for Stewart and the debut of his sixth-generation racecar (Gen-6) – the 2013 Chevrolet SS.

“The top line seemed to be where you needed to be,” said Stewart after his Budweiser Duel qualifying race. “I think there were a lot of guys who weren’t going to be content just riding in line. They kept trying to make a move, and it seemed like the more guys did it in the back half (of the field), the more guys started getting lined up together and working with each other, and I think we started to make a dent at it before pit stops.

“Pit crews are going to make a huge difference on Sunday. That’s going to be the difference between which pack you come out in. You’re going to have to have good stops to stay up there all day.”

Stewart started the 60-lap race around the 2.5-mile superspeedway in third, earned by virtue of his fifth-place qualifying effort on Sunday.

After 10 laps, Stewart drifted to the back of the 23-car field to better gauge the ebb and flow of the draft with the new Gen-6 racecar. His Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 machine was a tick tight through the track’s corners, and after a two-tire pit stop while under caution on lap 54 where Stewart received a slight chassis adjustment, he made a run to the front in the four-lap dash to the finish.

What Stewart and his No. 14 team will have to do now is weigh what can be learned in the next handful of practice sessions on Friday and Saturday with taking care of their racecar for Sunday.

“It’s just risk versus reward,” Stewart said. “Every time you go out there you’ll try to be selective about who you go with, and I think you’ll see what we’ve already seen to this point in practice. I don’t think you’ll see big packs. I think you’ll see a lot of smaller packs go out and run with each other versus one big group.”

Forty-five drivers were split among the two Duels, putting 23 drivers in the first 150-mile race and 22 drivers in the second 150-mile race.

“We only raced against half the field in this qualifier,” Stewart said. “It’s a long race on Sunday, and a lot can happen. Even though we learned some things today, it’s no guarantee for Sunday.”

SHR driver Danica Patrick joined Stewart in the first Budweiser Duel and wheeled her No. 10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet SS to a 17^th-place finish. Patrick, however, will start from the pole for the Daytona 500, as she set the fastest lap in qualifying, which locked her into the No. 1 starting position.

Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 39 Quicken Loans Chevrolet SS for SHR, finished 21^st in the second Budweiser Duel after a cut right-rear tire with 20 laps remaining forced an unscheduled pit stop and dropped him off the lead lap. Newman earned the 34^th starting spot for the Daytona 500, but because he’s going to a backup car due to the damage sustained from the flat tire, he’ll be forced to start the Great American Race from the back of the 43-car field.

Kevin Harvick won the first Budweiser Duel by .165 of a second over Greg Biffle. Juan Pablo Montoya, Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch took spots three through five. The rest of the top-10 consisted of Stewart, Brad Keselowski, Casey Mears, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Joey Logano.

Kyle Busch won the second Budweiser Duel by .093 of a second over Kasey Kahne. Austin Dillon, Clint Bowyer and Matt Kenseth took spots three through five. The rest of the top-10 consisted of Mark Martin, Paul Menard, Jeff Burton, Jamie McMurray and David Ragan.

With the Budweiser Duel now complete, the field for the Daytona 500 is set. On the pole is Patrick, and alongside her is Jeff Gordon. By notching the two quickest times during last Sunday’s time trials, both drivers were able to lock themselves into the front row for the Daytona 500.

Failing to qualify for the Daytona 500 were Brian Keselowski and Mike Bliss.

TSC PR

Mike Wallace, JD Motorsports, Daytona. The three names go hand-in-hand. This year the team, returning with Mike Wallace in the No. 01 G&K Services Chevrolet and adding Danny Efland in the No. 4 FLEX SEAL Chevrolet for the majority of the season, will try to repeat the success and finish the drill.

After the past few races at super speedways, the JD Motorsports organization is looking to continue its proficiency for leading laps and running up front, but this time hope to finish strong. The No. 01 led laps at both races last season, but ultimately got caught up in the ‘big one.’ The No. 4 car, however, executed a different race strategy, and ended up in the top 15 at both events. Both teams expect to have good power under the hood, and a race ready vehicle prepared for 300 miles at the 2.5 mile speedway.

The term ‘off season’ would not accurately describe the JD Motorsports shop over the winter. The team made many changes in a variety of areas. A new and updated fleet of racecars coupled with new talent has the team excited for the season. Marc Browning has been added as crew chief of the No. 01, and Dave Smith will return to the team to work with Danny Efland and the No. 4 car.

The team has also made many changes in the marketing and business development departments by bolstering digital media content. A new website and updated programs have been created to add value to the program and increase the return to sponsors.

Mike Wallace Quotes: “I am very excited about going to Daytona. It is a track I have had a lot of success at in the past. As a team, we are ‘all-in.’ For our team, that means we have the best motor, best car, and best crew possible. It’s now in my hands as the driver to get it done. I am ready to get the win on Saturday, as a momentum builder for the remainder of the season.”

“I am also excited about returning to JD Motorsports. This is the fifth year of our relationship, and I appreciate all the work that goes on in the shop to make this deal possible. We are all looking forward to getting the season started off right in Daytona. G&K Services is on board for this big race, and I want to run well and finish strong!”

 Danny Efland Quotes: “Daytona is our Superbowl, at least that’s how I feel about it. I have done well there in the past, and got my best finish there. Last year we had two good finishes, but they were done by strategizing. Leading laps and running up front is important, but maintaining the racecar and being there at the finish is the first goal. In addition to the on track activity, the team must make good stops on pit road. With a little luck, I think we can finish in the top 10. It is an honor to represent the FLEX SEAL brand at our most important race, and I want to bring them home a good finish.”

“As far as the season goes, I am excited to be with Johnny and the team for the majority of the races. The consistency will improve our communication and our results will hopefully improve. I know the guys have worked hard to prepare, and I hope I will continue to learn and improve as the season goes.”

JD Motorsports PR

The neon yellow stripe on the back of Travis Pastrana’s No. 60 Roush Fenway Racing Ford Mustang may blend in with the bright paint scheme that adorns the car, but little else about the action sports star blends in.  The 6-foot-2 athlete brings a fresh perspective to NASCAR for his first full-time season with Roush Fenway Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS).

By NASCAR’s standards, Pastrana is not a rookie, having made nine starts in the NNS.  Nonetheless, Pastrana will make his first NNS start at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) with a rookie stripe on his rear bumper.

“It’s a scary feeling to be a rookie again,” Pastrana said.  “As I come into NASCAR with success in other forms of racing and enter this year as a full-time driver with a top team – everyone’s expectations are pretty high.  I’ve always liked to be thrown into the deep end.”

Although Saturday marks his first start in the NNS at DIS, Pastrana is no stranger to winning at the track.

“My first Supercross win was on the infield here at Daytona,” said Pastrana.  “Daytona Speedweeks and Daytona Bikeweek have been two of my favorite events for as long as I can remember.  Having the opportunity to race here in a NASCAR event is truly a dream come true.”

The driver of the No. 60 Ford Mustang knows that racing at DIS presents a new set of challenges, unique to restrictor-plate racing.

“Every driver I’ve talked to seems to agree that there is nothing that can prepare you for a restrictor-plate race,” said Pastrana.  “Nearly 200 mph – three and four wide and not being able to see anything in front of the car you are pushing – not being able to slow down when you are being pushed and all heck breaks loose in front of you.”

Roush Fenway Racing teammate, Trevor Bayne, who will pilot the No. 6 Cargill Ford Mustang this season, is a strong teacher for Pastrana, having already won the Daytona 500.

“Hopefully, I can earn Trevor's trust because he's the man here and I couldn't ask for a better teammate for my first race here.”

Pastrana feels as though he has placed himself in a perfect situation to capitalize on success in the 2013 season and beyond.

“I'm lined up with great equipment and an amazing crew,” added Pastrana.  “I'm surrounded by a lot of knowledge and I'm ready to learn.  This season is going to be an epic ride.  Game on.”

RFR PR

NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin and Dennis Bickmeier, president of Richmond International Raceway, joined forces today to announce a star-studded lineup for the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdownat RIR on Thursday, April 25, 2013. 

The duo didn’t show their full hand, announcing only a partial list of the celebrities committed to participating in the event, which typically features a dozen NASCAR drivers and celebrities battling on the ¾-mile track with some of the best local Late Model Stock Car drivers.

Hamlin, who won the inaugural Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at RIR in 2011, will be joined by 2012 winner Tony Stewart, two-time Short Track Showdown winner Kyle Busch, Michael Waltrip, Darrell Wallace Jr., and Virginians Gray Gaulding and Curtis Markham, as they race against some of the best Late Model Stock Car drivers in the region. 

“The Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown has always been a fun race and I’m looking forward to racing in it again this year,” said Busch, who has won twice in the charity event. “It’s fun for us drivers to get back behind the wheel of the NASCAR-type late models where many of us grew up racing. We enjoy getting to go out there and race – which is what we love to do – but at the same time it’s a great way to raise funds for the Denny Hamlin Foundation and Cystic Fibrosis. It’s cool to see the support he gets from some of his fellow drivers from the Sprint Cup Series and some of the local short track guys. I hope the fans come out to Richmond and enjoy some great short track racing, while helping us raise some funds for charity.”

The Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at RIR has brought some of the best late model racing action to Hamlin’s hometown track for the past two years and is sure to provide another great show for fans who come out to support cystic fibrosis research.

The event, which serves as a fundraiser for the Denny Hamlin Cystic Fibrosis Research Lab at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, kicks off the Spring race weekend at RIR.

"I love racing at Richmond, whether it's in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series or a Late Model Stock Car," said Tony Stewart, defending champion of the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at RIR.  "It's an added bonus to get to race against local Late Model drivers, put on a great show for the fans and to raise money for a deserving charity in the Richmond area."

In 2012, the Denny Hamlin Foundation committed to a 3-year grant totaling $150,000 for the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR).  Funds from the grant, which are raised through events like this year’s Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at Richmond International Raceway, will help accelerate the Denny Hamlin Cystic Fibrosis Research Lab's ability to bring new therapies to cystic fibrosis patients.  In addition, the newly established Denny Hamlin Foundation Summer Scholars program will help train the next generation of CF research scientists.

RIR PR

Phoenix International Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber announced today that Auramist, Inc. has signed on as a promotional partner, joining PIR’s family of brands.  Auramist offers consumers and businesses a range of uniquely dry misting fans that are designed to enhance people’s comfort, safety and productivity.

“We’re delighted to welcome Auramist on board for the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 weekend,” said Sperber.  “Auramist’s product line of cooling devices and dry misters is a great fit for the fans in the Southwest, we’re certainly looking forward to helping introduce the Auramist experience to the NASCAR fan base.” 

“It is very exciting for our Nashville based company to be positioned on a national stage with Phoenix International Raceway for the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ NASCAR Event Weekend,” said Jeff Badovick, President of Auramist. “We are very excited about being a part of the professional motorsports community and sharing unique, innovative products with loyal race fans.”

Guests attending the Subway Fresh Fit 500™ event weekend, March 1-3, will have an exclusive opportunity to learn more about the Auramist product line at the Auramist experiential marketing display in the midway. These innovative cooling solutions use patented proprietary misting technology, and are available online at www.auramist.com and at retailers nationwide.

PIR PR

NASCAR gives UPS (NYSE: UPS) the green flag in sustainability as it upgrades its Trackside Services operation for the 2013 racing season. This "best practice" aims to reduce environmental impacts and create a model for other racing teams and sponsors to leverage in their own sustainability efforts by reducing emissions and optimizing power generation with state-of-the-art solar power.

UPS became an official NASCAR partner in 2000 and has provided critical behind-the-scenes pick-up and delivery services for race teams, sponsors, racing officials, vendors and news media at NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events across the country. Throughout the 2012 season, UPS began developing plans to further reduce the environmental impact of its Trackside Services operation that serve as an example of improved efficiency to drive superior environmental performance throughout the sport.

Beginning with this season's opening events at Daytona International Speedway, UPS Trackside Services will operate with a truck equipped with a diesel exhaust fluid (D.E.F.) system used to reduce exhaust particulate matter. Additionally, the service trailer has been outfitted with high-tech, state-of-the-art solar panels, designed and installed by Suniva to help supplement sustainable energy needed to run the operation. The mobile unit features a photovoltaic (PV) powered system with a large array of battery power, which also provides for a generator and access to shore power.

"NASCAR has stated its commitment to making the sport more environmentally responsible and as an official NASCAR partner, UPS is equally committed to this important goal," said Ron Rogowski, UPS vice president, global brand and sponsorships. "UPS is leveraging its knowledge of alternative fuel and advanced fleet technology, renewable energy and carbon mitigation to reduce our carbon impact at sports venues."

One of the most recognized tools for the UPS Trackside Services team is a miniature UPS package car that makes pick-ups and deliveries for customers throughout the race weekend. This year, the mini car is a battery powered electric cart that is also outfitted with Suniva solar panels to serve as an additional source of power. These upgrades, which allow for an additional five miles a day of travel and deliveries around the track, will be visible to fans and promote UPS's commitment to sustainability.

As part of its ongoing sustainability efforts, UPS also will continue to provide its NASCAR customers the ability to offset the climate impact of the CO2 emissions that result from their shipments through the company's popular carbon neutral shipping service. These offsets have been applied to carbon offset projects such as the Garcia River Forest in California. By working with globally recognized certification and validation groups, UPS is helping its customers around the world meet their own sustainability goals in meaningful ways.

"UPS is always looking for new ways to apply our sustainability-focused expertise and experience to everything we do, including our sponsorship programs," stated Rogowski. "Logistics is more than our core business. It's also the engine that drives our contributions to a more sustainable world."

"NASCAR Green has become one of the most influential environmental awareness platforms in the history of the US since its inception in 2008," said Mike Lynch, NASCAR managing director of green innovation. "NASCAR's millions of fans are now 100% more likely than nonfans to view their household as very green and always looking for ways to positively impact the environment, up from 70% more likely in 2011. A major reason for this unprecedented impact has been the efforts of partners like UPS in reducing our sport's environmental impact by transferring solutions from their core business."

UPS PR

Swift Response LLC, makers of FLEX SEAL, has completed a marketing partnership to partner with JD Motorsports for the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. The relationship will kick off at Daytona, by sponsoring the No. 4 FLEX SEAL Chevrolet driven by Danny Efland in this weekend’s DRIVE4COPD 300, at Daytona International Speedway.  FLEX SEAL will also be the Associate Sponsor of the No. 01 car driven by Efland’steammate Mike Wallace in the same race.

The multi race marketing partnership will place the familiar FLEX SEAL logo across the No. 4 machine for multiple races throughout the year. The deal will also include Mike Wallace in the No. 01 Chevrolet for races both as a primary and associate sponsor.

“I am excited to partner with FLEX SEAL for the 2013 racing season at JD Motorsports. They have a neat brand that I look forward to supporting throughout the year. Everyone has seen the commercial with Phil in the boat, and I hope the fans will rally around the product to make this partnership successful for the future.” –Danny Efland, driver of the No. 4 FLEX SEAL Chevrolet

“JD Motorsports is looking forward to working with Swift Response LLC and their FLEX SEAL brand for 2013. We are pleased with their decision to join our team, and want  to provide results on and off the track to support their brand.” –Johnny Davis, owner and CEO of JD Motorsports

Danny Efland will race for JD Motorsports as the driver of the Nationwide Series No. 4 Chevrolet for 27 races in 2013. Danny drove 17 races for the Johnny Davis owned team as Mike Wallace’s teammate during 2012. Finishing 21st in the driver standings, Danny had 5 top 20s and completed all of the laps at both super speedways.

JD Motorsports PR

As teams make final preparations to start the 2013 race season, NASCAR announced today the lineup of 2013 Contingency Program sponsors for all three national series.

Not since 2006, when Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup regulars Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer and Martin Truex Jr. battled for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award, has there been this much attention focused on the rookie title. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Timmy Hill and Danica Patrick, all eligible for 2013 Sunoco  Rookie of the Year honors, enter this season with high expectations. Stenhouse, the two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion, and Hill won the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Patrick finished the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series 10th in points. 

“This year’s Sunoco Rookie class is going to be truly exciting to watch,” said Andrew Kabakoff, Sunoco Brand Manager. “We are proud to support NASCAR’s rising stars and wish them the best of luck as we look forward to a very exciting season of racing."

The Coors Light Pole Award is another key contingency partner that will undoubtedly receive a lot of attention this season. Danica Patrick’s pole victory in Daytona placed the award in the spotlight this week, as did the season-opening Sprint Unlimited, where the field was set by 2012 Coors Light Pole winners and past champions of the event. The Coors Light Pole Award is presented to the fastest eligible qualifier in each NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

Duralast, the ‘Official Brakes of NASCAR,’ has become the newest addition to the stable of companies that participate in the NASCAR Contingency Program with the creation of the “Brake in the Race Award” across both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series. The weekly award will be given to the highest eligible driver in the running order at the time of the first caution of each race. The year-end award winner will be the driver who wins the “Brake in the Race Award” the most times during the course of the season. In the event of a tie, the final series point standings shall serve as the tiebreaker.   

“We are proud of the strong lineup of NASCAR Contingency Program sponsors across our three national series this year, and are enthused by the excitement surrounding the intense competition for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award,” said Norris Scott, NASCAR vice president, Partnership Marketing. “NASCAR contingency sponsors and teams display a level of collaboration and teamwork that is unmatched in sports and continues to be one of the major reasons companies choose to partner with NASCAR.”

The NASCAR Contingency Program strives to build strong relationships with high­ quality, performance­ driven brands that are leaders in their respective categories, and award money to NASCAR teams via per ­race and year-­end awards. Competitors become eligible for prize money by displaying sponsor decals on the front fender of their race cars and trucks. In some instances, use of a sponsor product is also required.

Below is the 2013 national series contingency sponsor lineup and special awards:

v    3M – NSCS*, NNS*

- Lap Leader Award

v    ARP Fasteners – NNS

v    Auto Meter Gauges – NSCS, NNS, NCWTS

v    COMP Cams – NSCS, NNS, NCWTS

v    Coors Light – NSCS*, NNS*, NCWTS* (Keystone Light)

                - Pole Award

v    Duralast Brakes – NSCS*, NNS*

- Brake in the Race Award

v    Edelbrock – NSCS, NNS, NCWTS

v    Freescale – NSCS*

- Wide Open Award

v    Goodyear Tires – NSCS*, NNS*, NCWTS*

- Goodyear Tires Award to Series Champions

v    American Ethanol – NSCS*, NNS*, NCWTS*

- Green Flag Restart Award (NSCS)

- Awarded to Series Champions (NNS, NCWTS)

v    Holley Throttle Bodies/Carburetors – NSCS (throttle bodies), NNS, NCWTS

v    JE Pistons – NNS, NCWTS

v    JEGS – NSCS, NNS

v    K&N Filters – NSCS, NNS, NCWTS

v    Lincoln Welders – NSCS, NCWTS

v    MAHLE Clevite – NSCS*, NNS*, NCWTS*

- Engine Builder of the Race/Year Award

v    Mechanix Wear – NSCS*, NNS, NCWTS

- Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew (Quarterly/Year ­End)

v    Mobil 1 – NSCS*, NNS*, NCWTS*

- Driver of the Race/Year

v    MOOG Steering & Suspension – NSCS*, NNS, NCWTS

- Problem Solver of the Race/Year

v    MSD Ignition – NNS, NCWTS

v    Simpson Firesuits – NNS, NCWTS

v    Sunoco – NSCS*, NNS*, NCWTS*

- Diamond Performance Award to Series Champions

- Rookie of the Year

*Indicates Special Award sponsor with a year-end bonus.

NASCAR PR