NASCAR Daily News Headlines * August 13, 2008

2009 Schedule Due Soon

But it's possible we'll see some trades made with speedway dates, including the Labor Day weekend race going from Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., to Atlanta.

"We're all for it," ACS president Gillian Zucker said. "I'm really fighting for our fans on this. It's not acceptable to them or the competitors to be here in 115-degree heat [on Labor Day weekend].

"So many of our fans have e-mailed me saying they want us to move the date to more temperate weather. But it's not as easy as just swapping dates. A lot of things have to be worked out."

Speedway Motorsports Inc., International Speedway Corp. and NASCAR still are trying to work out all the logistics of moving fall dates among Atlanta, Talladega and ACS.

SMI, which owns Atlanta Motor Speedway, would get the Labor Day weekend race, and ACS would get a race inside the Chase. Talladega would take Atlanta's late October event, and ACS would take Talladega's early October race. Both ACS and Talladega are owned by ISC.

A triple-swap like this is difficult because it has a ripple effect on other events, schedules and sponsors. But most of the teams are in favor of this because it's a more reasonable travel schedule with cooler weather conditions at Fontana. (espn.go.com)

Kentucky Deal In Peril

Smith wants to work out a plan to bring a Cup date to the 70,000-seat Sparta, Ken., facility. He knows that won't happen as long as a lawsuit is pending from the former owners, who allege NASCAR and ISC colluded to keep Kentucky from getting a Cup race.

This is a poker game between two big guns. Who's bluffing? If Carroll refuses to drop the suit, will Smith nix the deal? Or will Carroll take his chances and trust the sale will go through with the suit pending? (espn.go.com)

Michigan Rookie Notes

Regan Smith leads Sam Hornish Jr. by three points (176-173) in the Raybestos® Rookie standings entering the August 17 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

David Ragan was the Raybestos® Rookie of the Race in the 2007 3M Performance 400 at Michigan, scoring an 18th-place finish.

Bobby Hutchens Named VP of Competition at DEI

Hutchens’ new position came as the result of a joint decision between DEI and RCR. The championship-winning NASCAR racing organizations have a long history of successful collaboration including, among others, ECR Engines and the RAD aerodynamics program that also included Andy Petree Racing.

“We are very pleased to have Bobby Hutchens join our team at Dale Earnhardt Inc.,” said DEI Vice President of Motorsports Operations John Story. “Bobby will make a strong addition to Dale Earnhardt Inc. He brings two decades worth of experience and a tremendous amount of knowledge to our race teams. This is another piece of the puzzle that we feel will definitely further strengthen our organization.”

Hutchens, who graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1982, is highly regarded in Sprint Cup racing for his research, development and computer testing accomplishments. Hutchens has managed and developed all facets of RCR’s R&D program, while overseeing RCR’s engineering, engines, engine R&D, manufacturing, chassis R&D and aerodynamics programs. He was named general manager of ECR Engines when the program was put together in May 2007.

He started at RCR in 1989 as a member of the No. 3 GM Goodwrench team with driver Dale Earnhardt. During his 20-year career at RCR, Hutchens worked his way from team engineer to shop foreman to crew chief and, eventually to vice president of competition.

“I’m very excited about becoming a part of Dale Earnhardt Inc.,” said Hutchens. “Hopefully in the next few weeks and months we can begin to chart a path that will see Dale Earnhardt Inc. win a lot of races and compete for championships. I feel that my experience at RCR will be a great benefit and pay big dividends in both the areas of car and engine development,” added Hutchens. “Hopefully at the end of the day we’ll all be very happy with what we are able to accomplish.”

Hutchens is also an accomplished third generation Modified racer. In addition, he helped co-develop the Hutchens Device, a driver head-and-neck safety restraint system utilized in motorsports.

Dale Earnhardt Inc., based in Mooresville, N.C., employs more than 350 people at its two state-of-the-art campuses. Dale Earnhardt Inc. is comprised of four Sprint Cup teams featuring drivers, Paul Menard, Martin Truex Jr., Regan Smith, Mark Martin and Aric Almirola. The organization has amassed more than 100 wins, and has won six NASCAR Championships as well as three Daytona 500s. In addition, Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies, a joint engine venture between Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Richard Childress Racing, employees more than 125 people.