NASCAR Daily News Headlines * November 6, 2009

Jeff Gordon On Texas Pole

Kurt Busch (190.941 mph) qualified third, followed by Tony Stewart (190.624 mph) and Kyle Busch (190.523 mph). Carl Edwards, Mark Martin, Greg Biffle, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Clint Bowyer will start from positions six through 10, respectively. Chase leader Jimmie Johnson starts 12th.

Kahne said he was disappointed to fall .021 seconds short of Gordon's 28.255-second lap time. Tony Raines, Dave Blaney, Max Papis and Mike Bliss failed to make the 43-car field.... (nascar.com)
For Full Starting Lineup...     (Insider Racing News)

Little Debbie Renews With Ambrose

Chris McKee, EVP of Marketing & Sales, says the sponsorship of Ambrose has paid dividends in 2009. “Marcos is a tremendous driver and a great spokesperson for our Little Debbie brand. Little Debbie is all about adding simple fun and enjoyment to life and Marcos’ ever-present smile and upbeat attitude really illustrates our brand message. We are impressed with his performance in his first full season in NASCAR Sprint Cup racing and we are excited about the possibilities for next year. 2010 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Little Debbie Brand –so it’s a big year for Little Debbie and I think it is going to be a big year for Marcos and JTG-Daugherty Racing.”

2010 will mark the fifth consecutive season that Little Debbie has been a business partner with JTG-Daugherty Racing. Team co-owner Tad Geschickter is proud of the partnership. “Little Debbie is a great, family-oriented brand and we are proud to help promote their products. In a year when many sponsors are leaving the sport, I’m thankful for their continued support of our team. We look forward to rewarding them with an even bigger return next season on the track and in the stores.”

Since 1960, Little Debbie® snacks have remained a value leader. Currently, they sell for less than other leading brands while providing quality products. More than 75 varieties are available. Little Debbie snacks are available in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, as well as on U.S. military bases throughout the world.

TUMS To Sponsor David Reutimann

TUMS will be prominently displayed as the primary sponsor on the No. 00 Toyota Camry for five races during the 2010 and 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series seasons with Coca-Cola 600 winner Reutimann as the driver. The brand also will have visibility as a full-time associate sponsor beginning with the season-opening Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Fla.

“As we grow TUMS’ footprint in this sport, we wanted an organization and driver that shared our passion for speed and have found an invaluable match for the TUMS brand with MWR and Reutimann,” said Darren Singer, vice president of marketing for TUMS.

For Reutimann, TUMS is a natural fit for the Zephyrhills, Fla. native, because he admits he is an avid fan of the popular heartburn medication.

“First, I’m honored that TUMS is expanding its role in NASCAR, and I am the driver they chose to represent their company,” Reutimann said. “They must have known how familiar I am with their product. During my rookie season in 2007, I had a roll of TUMS in my console, in my driver’s locker, in my motor home and in my medicine cabinet at home. I thought I owned stock in the company.”

In addition to winning the 50th running of the Coca-Cola 600, Reutimann has claimed two poles this season and was a strong contender for a berth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

“MWR has been fortunate to have great sponsors and we’re happy to now have TUMS on board,” Reutimann said. “We want to make sure they know we really appreciate them and are thankful for their support. It is a powerful statement for NASCAR that a company like TUMS is investing more in the sport because they believe in its marketing power. We realize that they could have gone anywhere and they chose Michael Waltrip Racing and we will never stop working to make their sponsorship successful.”

Reutimann has won in all three major NASCAR series and was the 2007 Nationwide Series championship runner-up. In addition to the win at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, he has three poles, five top-five and 13 top-10 finishes in 96 career Sprint Cup starts.

TUMS will continue to be featured as a primary sponsor for one race and a full-time associate sponsor on the No. 42 Chevrolet driven by Juan Pablo Montoya through a partnership with Target.

Texas Goodyear Tire Notes

RCR Signs Zaxby’s and John Wes Townley

Zaxby’s success is rooted in a simple operating philosophy developed by its founders that has matured into the company’s mission statement: “Consistently create encore experiences that enrich lives one person at a time.” The fast-casual chain built its business, which now includes more than 410 restaurants throughout the Southeast, by providing the freshest chicken fingers, Buffalo wings, sandwiches and more in a fun, relaxing atmosphere. Zaxby’s restaurants are currently in 10 states throughout the Southeast -- Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.

"Zaxby's has experienced significant growth over the past several years and we attribute part of that to greater brand awareness from our association with NASCAR," said Molly Huff, Zaxby's Director of Marketing. "This sponsorship has given us invaluable exposure with new and existing audiences, and we are thrilled it will continue in 2010. Richard Childress Racing has a great reputation for success, and we're happy to be working with them for Zaxby's fourth season in NASCAR."

Townley, 19, is completing his first full season of NASCAR Nationwide Series competition. The Watkinsville, Ga., native is currently 24th in the point standings despite competing in just 23 of the 32 events. He finished seventh in the 2008 ARCA Re/Max Series point standings on the strength of eight top-10 finishes in his rookie season.

"I look forward to the opportunity to drive for Richard Childress Racing next year," Townley said. "It's a thrill to be part of their organization. They have such a well-respected history and have produced solid results over the years. I'm confident we'll run well next season."

The number to be used by RCR for the Zaxby’s Chevrolet Impala has yet to be determined.