NASCAR Daily News Headlines * December 28, 2007

Stewart Will Run Rumble In Fort Wayne

Stewart will again pilot his “Our Gang Poker Club” munchkin in pursuit of his fourth and fifth consecutive Fort Wayne wins. A feature victory would give Stewart at least one USAC victory in 16 of the last 17 seasons since 1992. He did not have win in 1999. A 60-lap midget feature caps each night’s activity, marking the 164th and 165th USAC events held under a roof. The late Rich Vogler was the winningest USAC indoor driver, with 10 feature triumphs, while Sleepy Tripp recorded nine and Gary Bettenhausen eight.(journalgazette.net)

Virginia Tech Football Coach Will Be Grand Marshal

“It is real privilege for Coach Beamer to agree to be our Grand Marshal,” said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell. “He is truly one of the premier college football coaches in America. What he has done at Virginia Tech is legendary. And on top of that he’s a good guy that really enjoys NASCAR racing. We’re looking forward to a great day with Coach Beamer.”

Beamer is the most successful football coach in the history of Virginia Tech with a 167-84-2 mark since taking over the program in 1987. His overall coaching record is 209-107-4. He was the national coach of the year in 1999 and is ranked third in wins among all active Division I coaches.

His teams have won three Big East championships and a pair of ACC championships and lost to Florida State in the national championship game after the 1999 season. The Hokies have been to bowl games for 15 consecutive years. While football is the sport of his passion and livelihood, racing is a sport of relaxation for the Hillsville, VA, native. Twice he has been honorary starter for NASCAR Sprint Cup races, but this will be his first stint as Grand Marshal.

“I’m very honored to be the Grand Marshal of the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 Sprint Cup race at Martinsville Speedway,” said Beamer. “I think most people know how much I love racing, and I’m delighted by the honor.”

With team colors of maroon and orange, and having a date in the Orange Bowl, Beamer is the perfect fit for the Goody’s Cool Orange 500, a race named after the newest flavor of Goody’s headache powder.

“Coming off one of the most successful seasons of his illustrious career, Coach Beamer will be a huge hit as grand marshal of the 2008 Goody’s Cool Orange 500,” said Darren Singer, Vice President Marketing, Goody’s Headache Powders. “With Virginia Tech going to the Orange Bowl this year, it is only fitting to have the Coach kick off the action at the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 with the most famous words in racing – ‘Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!'.”

Tickets are on sale for both the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race on March 30 and the Kroger 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Saturday, March 29, and may be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or online at (www.martinsvillespeedway.com). Ticket prices for the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 range from $42 to $77.

You Can Bid On Earnhardt Car

Earnhardt, known as the "Intimidator," drove the car in five races between 1993 and 1995. The car was later moved to the show-car division. In 1997, Richard Childress Racing converted two cars from Earnhardt's black paint scheme to the Wheaties trademark bright orange in order to promote the Winston Select Race in Charlotte, N.C.

After the race, one car was returned to the original paint scheme while the other retained the Wheaties colors. In 2001, Richard Childress Racing sold the Wheaties car.

"Mike Tuminello, a private collector in DeLand, bought the car for $60,000 and donated it last April to be auctioned off to benefit the two charities," said Mark Hess, a board member of Edgewood Children's Ranch and raffle co-chairman with Mark Bender of the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

"It is on display in the lobby of the Orlando Science Center during its Daytona 500 exhibit, which ends Jan. 6. After that it will go to Gainesville to be displayed in the Brasington Cadillac dealership," he said.

Raffle tickets are $20, payable to either charity. They may be purchased online at (windalescar.com) up to 4 p.m. Feb. 23.

The drawing will be in Old Town in Kissimmee at 5 p.m. the same day. Ticket holders do not need to be present to win.(orlandosentinel.com)

Ambrose Auctions Race Suit For Charity

Ambrose wore this very suit on 8 July 2006 when he became the first Australian to win a pole position in NASCAR by timing fastest in qualifying in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Kentucky Speedway. All proceeds go directly to the Animal Adoption League. Further auctions planned in 2008, with all information to be posted on (MarcosAmbrose.com).

“It’s tremendous that we had such great interest in this race suit,” said Ambrose. “This will forever be my first pole suit in NASCAR but I am very happy we have been able to auction it off to get a great result for all our friends at the Animal Adoption League. We’ve got some other auctions planned, so stay tuned.”

ABOUT ANIMAL ADOPTION LEAGUE

The Animal Adoption League was started in 1992 by several individuals concerned by the growing number of animals in and around the Charlotte, North Carolina area being euthanised at local shelters, being killed or injured the streets and highways or being without a home and trying to survive on whatever scraps of food they could find.

Volunteers with the Animal Adoption League offer an alternative to animals who would otherwise have little chance for survival. Thousands of animals previously homeless are now in permanent, loving homes as a result of League efforts.

The Animal Adoption League’s Mission: