Newman On Lowe's Pole
On Thursday Ryan Newman knocked Jimmie Johnson out of the top spot to take the pole for Saturday night's Bank of America 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Newman's lap of 28.512 seconds around the 1.5-mile track translated to a speed of 189.394 mph. Johnson will join Newman on the front row, he turned a lap of 28.573 seconds for a speed of 188.990 mph. It is the seventh pole for Newman at Lowe's, his fifth pole this year and it's the 42nd pole in Newman's 219 career tries.

Bobby Labonte will start third on the grid and NASCAR Nextel Cup point leader Jeff Gordon rolls off in fourth. Kasey Khane hold down the fifth spot followed by Jamie McMurray, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Casey Mears and Greg Biffle. Six drivers failed to qualify, Dale Jarrett, Joe Nemechek, Brian Vickers, Sam Hornish Jr., Carl Long and Kirk Shelmerdine. This marks the 11th race this year that Dale Jarrett has not qualified -- in 31 races, and it is the fourth straight miss for Sam Hornish Jr.
For Full Starting Lineup...     (Insider Racing News)

3M To Back Biffle
3M announced today a multi-year partnership with Roush Fenway Racing to become the primary sponsor of the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion. The contract calls for 3M to be the primary sponsor for driver Greg Biffle for 23 NASCAR Sprint Cup races in 2008. Terms were not disclosed.

“Greg is one of the most respected drivers in NASCAR and we’re looking forward to building on the great relationship that has grown over the years with Greg and with Roush Fenway Racing,” said Bob MacDonald, 3M Senior Vice President of Marketing. “He’s great on the track and just as good with our customers and employees and with all the fantastic NASCAR fans.

“The 3M Motorsports team is really working hard to drive brand awareness and sales growth with the great NASCAR fans through our association with NASCAR and Roush Fenway Racing,” MacDonald added. “Jack Roush has been instrumental in helping us take 3M’s NASCAR program to the next level, and I appreciate everything he and his team have done. I also thank Todd Kluever for his contributions to our program over the last two years. We wish him every success in the future. ”

In 2007 3M sponsored Biffle (19 races) and Kluever (14 races) in the Busch Series, and seven races with Biffle in the Nextel Cup Series. In 2006 3M became the primary sponsor of the No. 06 3M Ford Fusion driven by Kluever in the NASCAR Busch Series. In 2005, Biffle drove the No. 16 3M Post-it Ford in nine NASCAR Nextel Cup races, winning at California and Texas on his way to finishing second in the Nextel Cup Championship.

Since 1995 3M has been a Contingency Decal sponsor of NASCAR in the Nextel Cup, Busch Series and the Whelen All-America Weekly Racing Series and has many products that have been designated Officially Licensed Products of NASCAR.

“I’ve been fortunate in my career to be associated with some top-notch sponsors and by that I mean companies that are respected in their field as well as by the American public,” said Biffle. “3M is definitely one of those companies and I am very excited to be driving the 3M Ford Fusion in 23 Cup races next season. We had success right off the bat in 2005 with the Post-it brand on the car and I’d love to get the 3M Ford back into victory lane.”

Team owner Jack Roush shares Biffle’s enthusiasm about the continued partnership with the Minnesota-based company.

“I’ve spent a lot of time with the folks from 3M both on and off the track over the last three years and it’s clear that their dedication to excellence in the way they conduct business and run their motorsports program is at the highest level,” said Roush. “Our continued partnership is a valuable asset for both of our companies, and I look for much success as a result. I feel that 2008 will be a competitive year for Greg Biffle and the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion.”

Martinsville Improvements
When fans roll into Martinsville Speedway for the SUBWAY 500 next week, they’ll notice quite a few not-so-subtle improvements. Almost 10,000 tons of asphalt has been put down, new accessible amenities, including paved parking, have been added and a VIP RV area overlooks the backstretch.

“For 60 years, we’ve always tried to go the extra mile to make things comfortable for our fans,” said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell. “This year is our 60th birthday and in all those years, I don’t know that we’ve ever done more in one off season to help improve the fan experience than we’ve done this year.”

While Campbell would not put an exact price tag on the project, he said it topped seven figures.

The large display and souvenir area adjacent to the fourth turn is perhaps the biggest eye-catcher among the improvements. Paving of the five-acre display area, along with the souvenir-row area, was completed last week. The paving project will make shopping and browsing in the area more enjoyable for both fans and vendors. At the opposite end of the track, outside of the second-turn area, work has been completed on a paved accessible parking lot with just over 200 spots. Each of the spots is large enough to accommodate accessible vans.

The new parking area is close to recently completed accessible seating overlooking the first and second turns. The seats are elevated to eliminate any obstruction by standing fans. Fans will be greeted by the Champions’ Overlook above the backstretch. The Overlook is a VIP motor coach lot, offering an amazing view of the entire race track.

“The Champions’ Overlook is unique. It’s one of the few places in our sport where fans can watch the race while enjoying all the comforts of their motor homes,” said Campbell. “And not only can they watch the race, they can watch the entire race. They can see the entire track from that area.”

There has been other extensive work in the speedway’s campground during the past few months. The main road to the campground has been paved for about a quarter-mile into the campground. Also large portions of the campground have been leveled or filled to make for a better camping experience. The competitors also will notice improvements. The driver/owner motor coach lot has been expanded, with unpaved areas graded and paved.

Tickets remain for both the SUBWAY 500 on Sunday, October 21, and the Kroger 200 NASACAR Craftsman Truck Series race, on Saturday, October 20, and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX. Tickets may also be purchased online at (www.racetickets.com). Ticket prices for the SUBWAY 500 range from $42 to $77. Tickets for the Kroger 200 are $37 in advance and $42 at the gate. Kroger 200 tickets for children ages 6 to 12 are $5.

The SUBWAY 500 weekend kicks off on October 19 with Carilion Pole Day, featuring time trials and practice for the SUBWAY 500. The Kroger 200 is scheduled for October 20 and the SUBWAY 500 on October 21.

Dustin Skinner Tests Truck For BDR
Dustin Skinner, son of 1995 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Champion Mike Skinner, tested a Bill Davis Racing Toyota Tundra Monday and Tuesday at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway. The younger Skinner exceeded everyone’s expectations. Mike’s No. 5 Tundra team tested at New Smyrna in preparation for next week’s event at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Since the Skinners live in Florida, the elder Skinner decided to see how his son, Dustin would do behind the wheel.

“Dustin did incredibly well,” Mike reported. “I was pleasantly surprised with how well he ran. Heck, he ran just as fast as I did, and I don’t know any rookies that have ever done that. Jeff [Hensley, crew chief] threw a lot of things at him over the two days, and he adapted to everything. He gave incredible feedback. It was amazing. He reminds me of a younger Kyle Busch behind the wheel: very trainable.”

The proud father was not the only one pleased with Dustin’s performance. Other Bill Davis Racing employees noticed the young driver’s talent. “Dustin did a good job,” said Team Manager Mark Chambers. “He did a great job of adapting to the truck and gave good feedback as well. Dustin has the potential to be a great racer for someone. He did great,” Hensley commented. “I made several adjustments to the truck Dustin was in during the test session, and he adapted to everything rather well. There’s no doubt about it he can go fast.”

This test session will not be Dustin’s lone venture into NCTS racing. According to Mike, expect to see the young driver behind the wheel next year.

“Angie and I are seeking sponsorships for him,” Mike said. “Our goal is to run him in some races next year. Right now we are focusing on winning this Championship, and we don’t need to take our focus off that. But our long term goal is to have Dustin in a Craftsman Truck next year.”

GEM Hires Carpentier
Gillett Evernham Motorsports announced today that they have added Patrick Carpentier to their driver lineup for 2008. The Quebec native and former open wheel stand out will drive fulltime in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series next year as well as select races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The car number and sponsorship have not yet been announced.

Carpentier made his NASCAR Nextel Cup Series debut earlier this season driving the No. 10 Valvoline/Stanley Tools Dodge Avenger at Watkins Glen, leading seven laps in the event. Just one week earlier, he had made his NASCAR Busch Series debut at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. The road course veteran proved to be a quick study as he won the pole for the event and led 14 laps en route to a second-place finish. Carpentier has compiled two Champ Car World Series wins, three CART victories, and a Toyota Atlantic Championship.

“We are excited to add Patrick Carpentier to our organization for 2008,” said George Gillett co-owner of Gillett Evernham Motorsports. “Patrick (Carpentier) has shown tremendous talent in every series he has driven throughout his career and has a bright future in NASCAR. We are committed to giving Patrick (Carpentier) the best resources and opportunities available to make this transition and we look forward to a great deal of success together both on and off the track.”

Roush Hires Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
Roush Fenway Racing announced today that they have signed Olive Branch, Miss. native Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to a multi-year contract. Stenhouse will race full-time in the ARCA RE/MAX Series for Roush Fenway beginning in 2008. Stenhouse is currently racing in USAC's National Sprint Car and National Midget Car Series'.

"I've been waiting for this for a while," said Stenhouse. "I'm really excited about this opportunity. Since I was six years old and starting to race this is what I've wanted to do. To be racing for Jack Roush, John Henry and a team like Roush Fenway Racing, it's a dream come true."

Stenhouse has looked brilliant in both a Sprint and Midget car in 2007 racing for Tony Stewart Racing. In 22 Sprint car starts, Stenhouse has chalked up two wins, seven top-five and 14 top-10 finishes and currently sits fifth in the overall point standings. In the USAC National Midget Series, Stenhouse has looked just as strong claiming five wins in 23 starts along with 10 top-five and 15 top-10 finishes while occupying third in the overall point standings.

"We're very excited to have Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. as part of our Roush Fenway Racing stable of drivers and as part of the Ford family," said team owner Jack Roush. "Ricky has shown tremendous talent in the USAC series this year with six wins and we feel he'll do a great job for us in the ARCA series in 2008."

Stenhouse will fulfill his obligations in the USAC Series' through 2007 but will begin testing with Roush Fenway in the coming weeks.

"I never thought I'd sign with Roush Fenway, the largest team out there, especially coming from Mississippi. I'm looking forward to getting into a stock car and learning as much as I can from all my new teammates at Roush Fenway. I can't thank Jack and Ford enough for this opportunity, I'm anxious to get on track in 2008."

Key Motorsports To Move Up
Key Motorsports founder and owner Curtis W. Key, Sr. is planning a return to the NASCAR racing series in which he first toiled 15 years ago. Currently a full-time competitor in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Key Motorsports took ownership this week of its first four NASCAR Nationwide Series cars. This new race car fleet may soon expand by as many as four additional cars as the organization gears up for the addition of a Nationwide Series program to compliment its truck racing activity.

Key purchased four intermediate track Chevrolet Monte Carlos models from the inventory that became available following the recent merger of Ginn Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt, Inc. The additional purchase of a speedway car, two short track cars and a road course car is also being planned.

“With NASCAR now going full-time with the COT cars in the NASCAR Sprint Series starting next season, field should open up and allow organizations like ours to compete. We see an opportunity to expand our program into that circuit to provide our sponsors with some alternatives,” Key explained. “We have had talks with some drivers and prospective crew chiefs, and some of these drivers have the potential to bring some sponsorship money with them. If this all happens, Key Motorsports will have a presence in the Nationwide Series in 2008,”

Currently, Key Motorsports is in its second full season of Craftsman Truck Series action with its #40 Chevrolet Silverados with veteran driver Chad Chaffin now behind the wheel for the balance of the 2007 schedule. Chaffin is one of six drivers who have piloted the #40 this year while two other drivers drove the #44 Key Motorsports entries in selected races earlier in the season. In its first full-time truck racing campaign in 2006, the #40 truck saw action in 20 of the 25 races with five different drivers having to qualify in to every event. But after several major changes Key made involving the team’s motor program, race trucks and personnel, the #40 started the final 17 races last season and has qualified for and run in all 20 races this season. Prior to 2006, Key Motorsports had never run a complete NASCAR season on any level.

The organization fielded a race car in limited NASCAR Busch Series races from 1993 through 1998; first operating out of Chesapeake, VA where Curtis Key Plumbing, Key’s primary business, is based, and then in a new shop in Mooresville, NC. Key left the industry in 1999 following the untimely death of his brother but returned four years later as Craftsman Truck Series team owner.

Key Motorsports is situated on a 5.5-acre property in the new Mooresville Performance Park off of State Highway 152 East. Its truck operation is based in one of two shops that sit parallel to each other on the property but the lease for the other building, currently owned by Mac Hill Motorsports, will not be renewed and Key’s Nationwide Series team will begin work out of that second shop. Key has had the equipment ready to field a second truck series team since mid-year if sponsorship developed. That equipment could be transferred over to the Nationwide Series program, but if sponsorship is secured for either the Nationwide Series team or the second truck series operation, then additional equipment will be secured and people hired.

Colin Braun Will Run Truck Race
Roush Fenway Racing’s newest driver, 19-year old Colin Braun, will race the No. 50 F-150 at Martinsville Speedway on October 20, 2007. This will be Braun’s first Craftsman Truck Series start.

“The goals are the same as they were in all the ARCA races, to finish all the laps and get as much experience as I can,” said Braun. “I’m looking forward to getting out there and driving the No. 50 F-150. There will be a lot to learn and I will need to give a lot of room to the drivers who will want to push me around a little bit, but I will certainly do that. I want to make all the laps I can and gain as much experience as I can. I’m looking forward to racing against guys like Travis Kvapil and Erik Darnell, I think I’ll learn a lot from them.”

The announcement comes on the heels of Braun’s impressive ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Talladega Superspeedway where he qualified third and finished ninth after leading his first career laps in a stock car. Braun has three ARCA starts on his resume never finishing outside the top-10. In his first career ARCA start, Braun impressed Roush Fenway brass by qualifying 13th and finishing ninth then followed that up with a fifth place qualifying effort and third place finish at Chicagoland.

“Colin has done everything we’ve asked him to do,” said Roush Fenway general manager, Max Jones. “The goal at the beginning of every race has been to finish every lap and learn as much as possible and that’s exactly what he’s done. He’s one of the hardest working drivers I’ve seen in a while. He’s in the shop, watching practices, participating in pit practice, talking to our other drivers, just trying to learn as much as possible and that shows. We feel like he’ll do a good job for us in the truck at Martinsville.”

In his short tenure with Roush Fenway, Braun has been a keen observer of how the Craftsman Truck Series works and he’s relied on the advice of fellow teammates to help him make the transition from road course to oval racing.