Kyle Busch Makes Announcement Official
Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), winners of three NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championships and over 70 NASCAR races, has signed 22-year-old Kyle Busch to drive for the No. 18 team in Nextel Cup beginning in 2008.

“We’re extremely pleased to have Kyle Busch as a part of the family here at Joe Gibbs Racing,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR. “Kyle is extremely talented, as his track record has proven, and he had a lot of teams to choose from in determining who would give him the best chance to win. Obviously, we’re glad he chose JGR, and he’ll have all the tools and resources he needs to win races and contend for championships.”

Busch comes to JGR a proven winner in each of NASCAR’s national touring series, with four NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victories, eight NASCAR Busch Series wins and four Nextel Cup triumphs.

“After talking with a lot of different teams and visiting their shops, Joe Gibbs Racing is where I want to be,” said Busch, whose contract with JGR runs through the 2010 season. “The Nextel Cup Series is filled with good teams and good people, but the moment I saw the shop and began talking with Joe and J.D. Gibbs, there was a level of comfort that made me feel like this is where I belong. I want to win races and championships, and Joe Gibbs Racing’s three-car/one-team philosophy gives me the best opportunity to do that.”

Busch will take over for J.J. Yeley, current driver of the No. 18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet, following the conclusion of the 2007 season. He’ll begin pre-season testing as a teammate to two-time Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart and 2006 Nextel Cup rookie of the year Denny Hamlin.

The 2008 season will mark Busch’s fourth full season in Nextel Cup. He currently competes for Hendrick Motorsports, where he ran a six-race schedule in 2004 before joining the series full-time in 2005.

While at Hendrick, Busch scored a number of milestones. The Las Vegas-native began racing at age 12 and reached NASCAR’s premier series in just eight years. As a result, Busch lays claim to being the youngest Nextel Cup rookie of the year, winning the title at age 20 on the heels of two wins, a pole, nine top-five finishes and 13 top-10 finishes. His inaugural win at California Speedway in September 2005 made Busch the youngest Nextel Cup race winner (20 years, 4 months, 2 days). A prelude to that win was Busch’s pole at California when the series first visited the track in February, making Busch Nextel Cup’s youngest pole winner (19 years, 9 months, 24 days).

Busch’s sophomore season proved his rookie year was no fluke, as the 2002 honor graduate from Durango High School finished the 2006 season with one win, a pole, 10 top-fives and 18 top-10s. The strong season earned Busch yet another milestone, as he became the youngest Nextel Cup driver to qualify for the Chase for the Nextel Cup.

Busch continues to showcase his skills in 2007. He currently sits eighth in points with a March win at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway highlighting his five top-fives and 12 top-10s, and he appears poised to make a repeat appearance in this year’s Chase for the Nextel Cup.

“While excited about my new opportunity with Joe Gibbs Racing, I remain committed to finishing this year strong and running for the championship,” Busch said.(joegibbsracing.com)

Testing At Nashville
Four NASCAR Nextel Cup teams are testing at Nashville Superspeedway on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. On Tuesday, scheduled to test are Carl Edwards of Roush Fenway Racing, Kasey Kahne of Gillett Evernham Motorsports, Robby Gordon of Robby Gordon Motorsports and David Gilliland of Yates/Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. Only Robby Gordon will stay for a second day and will test on Wednesday also.

Doug Randolph Named Labonte Crew Chief
Petty Enterprises announces veteran Doug Randolph as crew chief for the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge driven by 2000 NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Bobby Labonte. Randolph, who takes over the crew chief duties from Paul Andrews, will be on top of the pit box for this weekend’s 3M Performance 400 at the two-mile Michigan International Speedway.

“Doug Randolph brings an outstanding resume to Petty Enterprises,” said Vice President of Race Operations Robbie Loomis. “He was a winner in the Busch Series and he brings a wealth of knowledge to this team. Bobby (Labonte) and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team need to take the next step. Doug is the leader that we feel can do that for us.”

“Paul Andrews is a championship crew chief that did some great things during his time at Petty Enterprises,” continued Loomis. “He is a man of high character that built a solid team around Bobby Labonte. We wish Paul all the best. We’re still very involved with Tim Andrews (son of Paul Andrews) as a development driver for Petty Enterprises and will continue that relationship."

Petty Enterprises has plans of entering Tim Andrews in the ARCA Series event at the Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway this October.

Randolph, 41, brings over 20 years of NASCAR experience to Petty Enterprises. He most recently directed the NASCAR Busch Series efforts of Reagan Smith.

“Looking at other options I felt working with everyone at Petty Enterprises was right for me,” said Randolph. “Bobby is a championship driver and the organization is very determined to get back to victory lane.” (PR)

Autograph Seeker Faces Jail
A man from the Niagara Falls area could wind up in jail for one year, all because he really wanted NASCAR racer Matt Kenseth's autograph. Brett Hilbert, of Kenmore, NY., jumped over a barrier surrounding the track at Watkins Glen International Sunday during a red flag, approached Kenseth's car, and asked for an autograph. Kenseth told his crew Hilbert asked him for an autograph, and responded, "I'm a little busy right now."

Hilbert was arrested soon after he jumped back over the fence. A Schuyler County prosecutor says Hilbert's desire for an autograph could lead to a jail sentence, probation, or a fine.(WETM TV)

Ernie Irvan Returns To Michigan Speedway
The Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI) and Ernie Irvan's non-profit organization Race2Safety will hold the third annual LAPS Walk, presented by AAA and endorsed by NASCAR, beginning at 11 a.m. on August 16 at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in Brooklyn. Irvan, fellow NASCAR celebrities, members of the American military, NASCAR fans and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) survivors will unite on the track at 10:30 a.m. for opening ceremonies and a Tribute Lap in the quest to conquer TBI in America.

This year's walk will honor "Helmets and Heroes," with a portion of the funds raised helping to treat and care for returning veterans with traumatic brain injuries. Two-thirds of American service personnel wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan sustain TBIs, and many returning veterans will participate in this year's event. The Michigan Army National Guard will have a strong presence trackside, with activities including an obstacle course and rock-climbing wall, display of military hardware and a fly-in by Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters.

"AAA has a history of serving the motoring public since 1916," said Mike Yost, AAA Motorsports Director. "We know national statistics show half of all TBIs to people under age 75 are due to transportation accidents involving automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians. We are proud to participate in this effort to help those who have been injured, both overseas and here at home, and to hopefully prevent future injuries."

NASCAR celebrities scheduled to appear include Irvan's former crew chief Larry McReynolds, Jeff Hammond of SPEED Channel, and NASCAR legend Bobby Allison. Current drivers are expected to commit in the next few days.

A Tribute Lap will include AAA-branded Miller Industry tow trucks driving beside the LAPS Walk pace car and military vehicles to honor those who have sustained TBIs. Additional elements of LAPS Walk will include a live musical performance by country singer and TBI activist Christi Bauerlee, and the announcement of prizes for LAPS Walk's top fundraisers. The top fundraiser, to be announced at LAPS Walk, will win a ride with a friend in the Busch race fly-over at MIS on Saturday, August 18 in an authentic WWII B-25 Bomber courtesy of the Yankee Air Museum. Each participant raising $250 or more will be entered in a drawing to win a stock car driving experience for two at MIS care of Track Time Driving Schools, Inc., and each participant raising $100 or more will be entered to win the chance to interview Ernie Irvan live on-air on 106.7 The Fox during LAPS Walk.

"NASCAR is proud to support Ernie Irvan in his efforts for Traumatic Brain Injury awareness and prevention through this great event. The LAPS Walk provides NASCAR fans with a unique experience, all while supporting a great cause," said Mike Helton, NASCAR President.

Registration for LAPS Walk is now available at (www.lapswalk.org) or by calling the Brain Injury Association of Michigan at 800.772.4323. Participants may also register on-site at LAPS Walk in Turn Four of the infield of MIS starting at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 16. PR Newswire

NASCAR Night At The Ballpark
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and the Cincinnati Reds are teaming up for NASCAR Night on Mon., Aug. 20 when the Reds take on the Atlanta Braves at 7:10 p.m. at the ballpark.

Fans will have the unique opportunity to experience the trackside excitement of NASCAR and interact with local athletes in downtown Cincinnati at the Pit Stop Festival, which lasts from 12 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. The Pit Stop Festival will include a performance by country recording artist Kellie Pickler, interactive NASCAR displays, show cars and appearances by the Reds Rally Pack and the Reds Crew. Fans can also have their picture taken with the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Trophy thanks to a Kodak Picture Station that will be located inside the Fan Zone.

“Ohio is a hotbed for NASCAR racing so we’re very excited to be teaming with the Reds to bring the excitement and passion of NASCAR to the fans in Cincinnati,” said Blake Davidson, NASCAR’s managing director of licensed products. “NASCAR fans in the Ohio Valley Region watch our races and travel to our events so we’re thrilled to be able to reward them with NASCAR Night, a celebration of America’s number two sport on television in conjunction with America’s favorite pastime.”

The Pit Stop Festival will also feature a raffle with more than $10,000 worth of prizes, including four competition tires from Kyle Busch’s No. 5 Kellogg’s/Carquest Chevrolet race car, posters of drivers competing in the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series compliments of the local Goodyear Gemini dealers, tickets to the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race and packages from the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., drivers Kyle Busch, Terry Labonte and Eric McClure will join NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace and other NASCAR celebrities for a one hour autograph session. Current and former Reds players and coaches will also sign autographs for the first 200 fans in line in the NASCAR Pit Area at 2 p.m.

“We are so excited to be working with NASCAR to bring two major league organizations together in a synergistic effort to entertain fans,” Reds Senior Vice President of Business Operations Phil Castellini said. “Reds country also has a great NASCAR following, so it seemed natural to bring the two together for an action-packed day of NASCAR and Reds baseball.”

As part of the first ever NASCAR Night with the Reds, fans will have the chance to participate in a question and answer session with all of the NASCAR celebrities, hear a live broadcast of the KOI Racing Report Show with WLW’s Seg Dennison and compete in the Tailgate Tri-Fect-A tournament where the winner receives NASCAR licensed Chuck-O, Bulls-Eye Washers and Top Toss games to take home.

NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers will be featured in pre-game ceremonies, which will include Wallace, 55 time winner on NASCAR’s top series and current host of the nationally syndicated program, “NASCAR Angels,” throwing out the first pitch.

To enter the Pit Festival, fans are asked to show a ticket for that evening’s game or to make a $5 contribution to the Reds Community Fund. Tickets to this game are still available, including outer view level seats for $5. Once inside, all interactive games and displays are free.

Hornish Entered In Busch Race At Michigan
Three-time IndyCar Series champion Sam Hornish Jr. will make his Michigan International Speedway NASCAR Busch Series debut Saturday, Aug. 18 in the CARFAX 250. Hornish is currently fifth in IndyCar Series driver point standings and will return to the Irish Hills of Michigan for the fourth time this summer, his second visit in less than two weeks. He first visited MIS at the end of May during an ARCA RE/MAX Series test in preparation for his stock-car debut on the two-mile oval in the June 15 ARCA RE/MAX Series event.

The laps Hornish took in preparation proved to be worth his time. The Defiance, Ohio, native took the AAA Pole Award and led 29 of 100 laps before Roush Fenway Racing’s Erik Darnell took the lead and eventually the checkered flag with Hornish close behind in second place.

Only two weekends ago on Aug. 5, the 2006 Indianapolis 500 winner returned to the high-banked oval to compete in his sixth IndyCar Series race at the track. In the Firestone Indy 400 Hornish didn’t have the luck he had just a few months earlier as he was caught up in a crash on lap 143 that had this year’s Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti flip into the air at nearly 220 mph. Although Hornish was able to get his Team Penske Indy-car back on track for a few laps, he finished 52 laps down in ninth place.

If he qualifies for the CARFAX 250 on Aug. 18 it will mark Hornish’s eighth start at MIS in a total of three different series. He shared his hopefulness to race on the two-mile oval more than once this summer after his test in May.

“MIS is the closest superspeedway of any kind that I can race on each year, and it would be neat to run here three times in one year,” Hornish added. He will also have the added luxury of driving from his home in Napoleon, Ohio, “From home, [MIS] is maybe an hour and fifteen minutes. It’s always fun to drive wherever you go and I like not having to go to the airport.”