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NASCAR Daily News Headlines * December 13, 2008
Drivers Cutting BackFive private planes were stacked on the runway of the small airport in Statesville, N.C., earlier this year for Denny Hamlin and four other Sprint Cup drivers to make the trip to Eldora Speedway in Ohio for Tony Stewart's annual celebrity race. Each plane had two people aboard."It was the craziest thing I saw all year," Hamlin recalled. "We're all leaving at the same time for the same place. We all need to start using our head a little more." Many are. Tough economic conditions have caught the attention of race fans who struggle to pay bills and buy tickets to events. They also have caught the attention of the millionaire drivers the fans idolize.
"It's stupid what we spend on motorhomes and planes," four-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon said. "Do we need that? No, but things have been good for us. The sport has been good. I've had success. I'm living this way because things have been very good. Obviously, we're having to cut back. I have to cut back, too."(espn.go.com)
Glen Without Title SponsorWatkins Glen International needs a title sponsor for its NASCAR Sprint Cup race after Centurion Boats opted out of the final year of its contract. Company officials said the decision was based on the downturn in the national economy. Centurion spokesman Les Clark said the company has cut production 50 percent and laid off half its work force at its North Carolina manufacturing facility."The economy is not going to make this easy. It is having an effect on our sport; it's going to have an effect on our year. These are tough times," Watkins Glen International president Craig Rust said Friday. "I don't think we ever expected it to get this bad. I haven't seen it this bad in sports from a sponsorship standpoint in a long time." The value of a Cup title sponsorship can exceed a million dollars, but Rust would not put a figure on the Watkins Glen race. "A title sponsor is important, because it gives us a marketing partner to promote the race," Rust said. "We're working hard on it, but no matter what, it's important for fans to know we'll have a Sprint Cup race in 2009."(usatoday.com)
Robby Gordon Re-Signs Jim BeamJim Beam® Bourbon, the world’s No. 1-selling bourbon, announced today that it will continue its partnership with Robby Gordon Motorsports (RGM) as a primary sponsor of the No. 7 driven by team owner and veteran driver Robby Gordon during the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season."With so many teams merging or taking on investors, Robby Gordon represents a one-of-a-kind driver and owner in NASCAR’s top racing series. His tenacity and commitment shows he has the competitive spirit, that our customers value and respect," said Brian Gallagher, Motorsports Marketing Manager, Jim Beam. "We are proud to continue our support of Robby and his race team as they demonstrate true character and achieve success on the track." Jim Beam will be the primary sponsor for 13 Sprint Cup Series races in 2009, and will serve as an associate sponsor for the remaining events. The deal marks the company’s fifth year of partnership with RGM, a relationship that began when Gordon created the team in 2005. "Jim Beam has been with me since the beginning," said Gordon. "To have them back with us for a fifth straight year is exciting and a credit to everyone here at RGM. It’s challenging being one of the few single-car teams remaining and yet, we have shown we can still be competitive. With Jim Beam’s continued support for the No. 7 team, we can focus on improving our race program and build our way towards a successful 2009 season." Jim Beam will utilize its sponsorship to reach race fans both on and off the track through a variety of racing related promotions, including the second annual Beam Bash, a concert featuring Grammy-nominated country music duo, Montgomery Gentry, scheduled to take place prior to the Daytona race weekend. Gordon will also support and serve as spokesperson for Beam Global Spirits & Wine reminding legal age consumers to drink responsibly throughout the year. Through its drink smart® responsibility platform, Beam Global educates consumers on how to make responsible decisions about alcohol and reminds them of these six basic principles: Respect Others, Obey the Law, Take Responsibility, Drink in Moderation, Be a Responsible Host and Drive Safe. Robby Gordon finished the 2008 season in the top-35, which guarantees the No. 7 a starting spot in the first five races of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. The team scored three top-10 and seven top-20 finishes and displayed a solid performance at the superspeedway events, finishing second in restrictor-plate points. Gordon, 39, a six-time off-road champion and owner/driver of Robby Gordon Motorsports started his own NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team in 2005 after spending three seasons driving for Richard Childress Racing. Gordon, a versatile driver has competed in a variety of series including NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide Series, Indy Cars, SCORE International Off-Road, sports cars and the prestigious Dakar Series. He swept both 2003 road course races in NASCAR’s top series and is a three-time off-road Baja 500 and three-time Baja 1000 winner. In addition, in 2007 Gordon became the first American in history to win a stage in the Dakar Rally, a grueling two-week off-road adventure. Jim Beam Racing 2009 Primary NASCAR Sprint Cup Events Date Venue
2/15/09 Daytona
Rockingham Practice Wraps UpSixteen cars from all over the east coast came out of winter hibernation to get an early jump on their competition by practicing for 2009’s first race, the Polar Bear 150 at the Rockingham Speedway. The race on New Year’s Day will feature up to 99 street stock cars from the Frank Kimmel Street Stock Series which features cars made up of stock appearing American made models built between 1960 and 1988, powered by all-cast iron engines no larger than 410 cubic inches.“There is going to be nonstop action during this race,” said Joey Meier, Spotter for Martin Truex Jr. in the Sprint Cup Series. “I went out and drove high, low and in the middle so I think there will be multiple grooves here for these cars. It is a lot of fun and I am really looking forward to the race.” The unofficial fastest time of the day was set by Clint Watkins in his No. 91 Joe Metcalf Race Motors Camaro at over 119 mph. Bryan Silas will be making a unique feat by racing in all three of the major races held at Rockingham this race season. Silas has already raced in the Carolina 500 and American 200 and practiced today for the Polar Bear 150. “This is by far the most fun car I have driven before,” said Silas. “With the wing on top it took a while to get used to but I had a blast driving it.” Many race fans also took the opportunity to see these cars at Rockingham Speedway for the first time and helped collect food for the needy in the process. Fans were admitted to the grandstands for free by donating a can of food for the United Way of Richmond County’s “Race to Overcome Hunger” food drive. Over 50 cars have already entered the race at “The Rock” which will see up to 99 cars starting three wide for 33 rows. Among the entrants so far is Red Bull Racing Crew Chief Jimmie Elledge, David Bryant the Car Chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as well as ARCA drivers Brett Hudson and Bryan Silas. The Polar Bear 150 kicks off on December 31st with practice during the day and a New Years Eve celebration in the garage area of the track starting at 6:00 p.m. Fans can join the drivers and teams for the celebration for only $10. -- The Polar Bear 150, which will start up to 99 Street Stocks will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday January 1st with general admission seating only $15 when purchased in advance and $20 the day of the race. Kids 12 and under are free with a paid adult. For more information please call the speedway at 910-205-8800 or visit (www.rockinghamspeedway.com)
Infineon Spreads Christmas CheerInfineon Raceway helped spread some holiday cheer on Saturday to more than 500 people at the 4th annual Race to the Holidays Christmas Party. The raceway hosted 260 Sonoma Valley children and their families at the event, which featured caroling, refreshments, race cars and a visit from Santa Claus and two of his elves. The event, which has attracted more than 900 children since its inception in 2005, culminated with Santa presenting each child with a bag full of toys. Children ranged in ages from newborns to 18-year-olds.“The teen parents in our program ask about the party every year,” said Tracy Dorrance, coordinator of the Cal-SAFE Teen Parent Program in Sonoma. “It almost means more to the mothers than the babies because they can enjoy the gifts, but they also know it’s important for their children to see Santa.” The festive event was held under sunny skies and all of the children who attended left the raceway with new toys and wide smiles. Following the toy distribution, everyone was treated to a free lunch at the Infineon Raceway Café, which also featured face-painters and people crafting balloon animals. “This party is really great because I know during this time of year, some people don’t have a lot of money, so it’s nice to come here with my brother and sister to see Santa and get some toys,” said Maricela Jauregui, 12, who signed up with the Boys and Girls Club. “My favorite part was getting my picture taken with Santa,” added Estevan, 8, Jauregi’s younger brother. “I told him what I want for next year, so that was fun too.” All children who attended the party were pre-registered through one of the following Sonoma Valley youth groups: Hannah Boys Center; La Luz; Teen Parent Program; Valley of the Moon Boys and Girls Club; Valley of the Moon Teen Center; Stand By Me Mentoring; Valley of the Moon Teen Center; and Willmar Center for Bereaved Children. Every child who attended also received a free toothbrush, courtesy of DeVincenzi & Sorstadt in Sonoma. The raceway received a generous outpouring of support from the community as nearly 600 toys were donated for the party. Some of the drop-off locations included: Sonoma Valley Index Tribune; Sonoma Valley Sun; Gundlach-Bundschu Winery; Schell-Vista Fire Department; Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce; Sonoma Valley Fire Department; and The Swiss Hotel.
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