NASCAR Daily News Headlines * December 30, 2008

DEI Fights Engine Suit

Both DEI and Ginn have been sued by Hendrick in North Carolina Superior Court over $1.5 million in fees that Hendrick claims is owed under the termination agreement signed when DEI bought Ginn Racing in July 2007.

In its response to the suit filed Dec. 22, DEI claims that DEI and Ginn have a signed agreement that DEI would not be responsible for any claims or payments under the engine lease termination agreement. DEI asks the court to rule that Ginn is responsible for any payments.(scenedaily.com)

Dakar Rally Starts January 3rd

The team of Gordon and Grider has been a force in endurance off-road racing. In addition to winning the 2006 Baja 1000 while driving a Chevrolet trophy truck outfitted with Toyo Open Country M/T-R tires; the duo piloted their Monster Energy/Toyo Tires Hummer H3 to a Stage 6 win during Dakar 2007. The team also won the Open Class of Dakar 2007 and finished eighth overall. During 2008, they competed in the Central Europe Rally through Hungary and Romania. The team had an impressive showing, running second in the Car Class during Stage 1, then winning “specials” during Stages 5 and 6.

For Dakar 2009, veteran French driver, Eric Vigouroux with his long time navigator, Alexandre Winocq, will drive Team Dakar USA’s second Hummer H3 racer. Vigouroux was first introduced to the Open Country M/T-R tire during Dakar in 2006 when Gordon was forced to drop out of the event due to a badly damaged radiator. Vigouroux’s Chevrolet trophy truck was struggling for traction and speed in the desert, so Gordon provided his unused Open Country M/T tires for the remainder of the race. Vigouroux was impressed with the performance of the tires and soon after he joined Team Toyo as a sponsored driver in Europe.

Once again, Ramses Perez, project manager of events for Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp., will travel with Team Dakar USA throughout the race chronicling the team’s exciting journey. Check out the adventure on his blog Ramses’ Rally Journal which can be accessed by logging on to toyo.com. Toyo Tires manufactures and distributes a complete line of replacement tires for high performance cars, luxury vehicles, light trucks and SUVs as well as tires for commercial trucks, buses and off-road and construction applications.(racingwest.com)

Zaxby’s Steps Up To Nationwide

John Wes Townley, a rookie driver who has already proven himself in NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series, the ARCA RE/MAX Series and several turns behind the wheel already in NASCAR’s Nationwide series, will drive a full schedule for Zaxby’s and RAB Racing in 2009.

“Zaxby’s roots are in the Southeast, but just like the sport itself, we’re pushing beyond those traditional boundaries,” said Zaxby’s CEO and co-founder Zach McLeroy. “Our company has experienced significant growth over the past several years and we attribute part of that to greater brand awareness from our association with NASCAR. As we graduate to this next level in this sport, we hope to gain even more visibility for our brand in new places with new people.”

During Zaxby’s first full season as primary sponsor of RAB Racing’s No. 09 Ford Fusion in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, 18-year-old Townley amassed one top five, nine top 10 and 15 top 15 finishes. On the strength of his efforts, the team finished seventh in the series’ championship point standings.

“We are excited about the opportunity to make the jump to NASCAR’s Nationwide Series with RAB Racing,” McLeroy said. “Competing in front of large crowds at top-notch venues throughout the United States and Canada for 35 weekends, coupled with the live television coverage on ABC and ESPN networks, will take Zaxby’s to another level, in terms of brand recognition.”