Bruton Smith Buys New Hampshire International Speedway
NASCAR Scene is reporting, according to multiple sources, that Bob Bahre has agreed to sell New Hampshire International Speedway to O. Bruton Smith, CEO and chairman of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. The report goes on to say the transaction will give Smith control of two more NASCAR Sprint Cup races each season with the option of moving at least one of those, pending NASCAR approval. NASCAR officials have stated previously that track ownership groups, such as SMI or International Speedway Corp. (which owns 12 tracks hosting Cup events) could possibly move dates within their own group of facilities, pending NASCAR approval.

Smith has been trying for years to get a second date for the Las Vegas track and this could be the perfect opportunity. But a possible sale doesn't automatically mean a date or dates would be taken from the New Hampshire track. NHIS has had 25 consecutive sellouts and the recent crowds have exceeded 100,000 in attendance. Smith is scheduled to hold a press conference on Friday morning at Texas Motor Speedway to confirm the transaction.

ISC Sells New York Land
International Speedway Corporation is about to officially close the book on the Staten Island speedway project. According to a recent Securities and Exchange Commission filing, ISC subsidiary 380 Development has agreed to sell the 676-acre parcel to a Maryland real estate investment trust for approximately $100 million in cash, net of commissions and other transaction related expenses. The transaction is expected to close in December.

ISC reportedly purchased the property at the end of 2004 for $100 million, with plans to build a .75-mile, 80,000-seat racetrack on the site within five years, at a cost estimated at $600 million. But the company was forced to abandon those plans last year because of widespread local opposition and lack of political support.

"While we are disappointed that we could not complete the speedway development on Staten Island, our enthusiasm for the metropolitan New York market is in no way dampened," ISC president Lesa France Kennedy said at the time. "We continue to view the region as a prime location for a major motorsports facility."

A public hearing on the project last April drew an overflow crowd, overwhelmingly opposed to the project, and resulted in a contentious confrontation between a city councilman and union workers.(nascar.com)

NASCAR Hands Down Penalties
NASCAR announced on Wednesday that Greg Tester, crew chief of the No. 71 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Busch Series, has been suspended until Dec. 31 and fined $15,000 due to rule violations this past weekend at Memphis Motorsports Park. Tester was found to be in violation of Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules), 20A-12.3A (unapproved shock absorber piston) and 20A-12.3B(7) (shock absorber base valves will not be permitted) of the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series Rule Book.

Additionally, Ron Young, driver of the No. 71 Chevrolet, was penalized with the loss of 50 NASCAR Busch Series driver championship points while Jerry Young, owner of the No. 71 Chevrolet, was docked 50 NASCAR Busch Series owner championship points. The infractions were found during post-race inspection on Oct. 27.

Also Tommy Perkins, crew chief of the No. 05 Chevrolet driven by Brett Rowe, was placed on probation until Dec. 31 and fined $2,000 after violating Sections 12-4-A, 12-4-Q and 20A-12.A (mounting points on the axle housing were not evenly spaced).

Kevin Buckler Enters NASCAR Through Truck Series
Darrell Waltrip Motorsports (DWM) announced today that Kevin Buckler and The Racer's Group (TRG) has assumed immediate controlling interest of its truck racing operations. DWM has fielded Toyota Tundras in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (CTS) since 2004. David Reutimann drove DWM's truck to a third place finish in the 2006 CTS points and won the 2005 Nashville event. TRG will continue an alliance with DWM through 2007 and 2008.

The newly formed partnership will take its No. 00 TRG Toyota Tundra to this weekend’s Silverado 350K at Texas Motor Speedway. Andy Lally will take on the driving duties as he acquaints himself with the team and the truck for the first time in preparation for a full CTS in 2008.

“We will be running the last three races in our new Tundra and are looking forward to getting our feet wet and really learning the ropes in this type of racing,” Buckler said. “In our 13 year sports car history, we have had the benefit of working with some top level people and brands. Many of the conversations regarding motorsports, marketing, sponsorships and long term business goals, always seem to lead to NASCAR. We decided that it was time to take our racing partnerships to the next level. We have a strong association with Porsche and the Grand-Am Series, and this endeavor will only benefit our multiple Porsche programs and our presence in the Rolex Series. The Rolex Series has been good to us and has served as the entrée to NASCAR.”

Buckler and the TRG group have been planning this step for the last two years. After multiple trips to Charlotte to visit with top teams, as well as taking advice from fellow team owners, friends, and partners, the group felt the time was right to enter into the CTS.

“After meeting with numerous teams and discussing many possible scenarios, I was most impressed with this opportunity to begin a long term relationship with one of the world’s most respected companies-Toyota. We are a brand new team running in the Craftsman Truck Series and will have to earn our stripes with both the manufacturer and the other competitors and we are willing to do that. The team of people at DWM and Toyota has been absolutely fantastic to deal with and that really helped make our decision to be here.”

“Assembling a top team in anything we do has always been one of our secrets and we are bringing along a group of partners and friends from the racing and business world to be a part of our journey into NASCAR. These guys are at the top or their game in everything they do and will be valuable resources and partners in the long term building of our NASCAR program. These are hallowed grounds we are about to enter and we are heading into NASCAR with our heads down with the utmost respect for the series and everyone involved. We are going at it with our usual work ethic and professional approach. It will be a big learning process. We will be on an aggressive testing schedule and will be looking to compete in the entire 2008 season.”

Kevin Buckler and his driver, Lally, have been a fixture in sports car racing since 2004. The Lally/ Buckler combination has resulted in two championships and 15 race wins to date. Lally is entrenched in the TRG racing business as lead driver and driver coach and mentor to TRG’s list of loyal customers and upcoming young professional drivers.

“Of all the drivers that I have seen, driven against and worked with Andy is the most complete package,” Buckler said. “He is steadfast with his goals and he has always had his sights set on NASCAR. Since joining us three-years ago, it has been a magical relationship. He is a team player and knows how to drive and how to win. In addition, he has a strong understanding of the value of marketing and sponsor relationships. I have a lot of confidence in Andy and his ability to learn and adapt to the NASCAR philosophies - we are betting on him.”

“I am as excited for this opportunity as I have ever been in my racing career," Lally said. "Growing up, the first kind of racing I was exposed to was NASCAR and those guys were my early role models and heroes. To be in a truck that has been managed by the legend Darrell Waltrip is awe inspiring. I’m looking at this as an opportunity to make a dream come true. We have set reasonable goals for these last three races and want to run from green to checker with as few errors as possible. I know I have a lot to learn and will be trying to absorb every bit of information that I can and completely immerse myself into all aspects of this program. I can’t thank Kevin and all of our friends at TRG enough for allowing me this chance, I know that the work ethic within this organization is second to none and so is the determination. I was very happy with the mindset of the guys at Darrell Waltrip Racing when we met and I think that the combination of the two organizations will just elevate them both to increased success."

Lally made his NASCAR debut this year in Montreal where he ran as high as sixth. The following weekend at Watkins Glen, the Georgia resident, posted a top-10 finish in only his second start. Lally's main focus in past seasons has been the Grand-Am Rolex Series where he has set records for the most championships in series history as well as most top three finishes, he has also won more races in the last three years than any other driver in the Rolex Series. On the weekends that the Rolex Series was not racing this year Lally found himself in no less then seven other racing series including ARCA, Busch, ALMS and KONI Challenge as well as occasional Late Model and Legends races.

TRG was founded by Kevin and Debra Buckler in 1993 and has been competing at the top level of sports car racing ever since. TRG has the most wins of any team in the Grand-Am Rolex Series with 25, including the 2005 and 2006 Rolex Series GT championship trophy to go along with wins at the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 24 Hours or Le Mans.

TRG is a manufacturer and distributor of high-performance racing parts. The group specializes in engine and chassis building as well as full service professional race car preparation. The company also provides electrical and mechanical engineering services, driver development and arrive-and-drive services. TRG is based in Petaluma, Calif., near its home track of Infineon Raceway in Sonoma.

Summary of TRG Grand-Am Racing Accomplishments: