March 3, 2008

By Connie Felix

Team Owner Becomes Indiana's Motorsports Director

Midget and Silver Crown Series followers will know the name, Rollie Helmling, once the team owner for drivers Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and John Andretti before they moved to NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series. Helmling served as President of United States Auto Club (USAC) from 2001 until late 2007. Today the racing veteran will join the Indiana Economic Development Corporation as that state's new Motorsports Development Director. Race fans might be surprised to read that Indiana is known as the "Motorsports Capital of the World", home to the Indy 500, the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, NHRA’s U.S. Nationals and the new Moto GP. The state is also home to the most racetracks per capita of any state in the United States.

Opening April 2008

Haas Automation, will open Windshear the only commercially available full scale, single belt, 180 mph rolling road wind tunnel in the world next month in Concord, North Carolina. The recent hiring of specialized technicians, Bryan Randolph and Peter Schneider bring 35 years of experience to Windshear, which has been in development for several years.

Stunning In Orange

The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 made its worldwide debut at the Chicago Auto Show in February. Set to hit showrooms in May for a suggested retail price of $37,995, the two door 6.1 Liter HEMI with 425 Horsepower V-8 engine and 20 inch wheels, is an improved shortened version of the 1960's model. Whether you're looking for a new vehicle to buy or just a car buff you won't want to miss seeing this vehicle.

Not Offended

The NASCAR television/radio crews recently started calling Ryan Newman - (N E W M A N). A take from the Seinfeld show where Wayne Knight, played a mailman called Newman. Supposedly Knight turned down an opportunity to meet NASCAR's own Ryan Newman, driver of the No.12 Alltel Dodge, at California Speedway last weekend. Ryan was unaware and commented, "I don't call myself Newman. You guys are the ones that call me Newman, and No, I wasn't offended."

Cooking Rookies

Raybestos Rookies Cook-off

Three Raybestos Rookie Contenders, Cale Gale No. 77 Rheem Chevrolet and Landon Cassill No. 5 JR Motorsports driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, plus Michael McDowell No. 00 Aaron's Toyota, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver participated in the Third Annual Raybestos Rookie Cooking Challenge. The event took place Thursday afternoon at ESPN Zone on the Las Vegas Strip in front of 25 members of the Las Vegas Boys & Girls Clubs of America who tasted and voted on the winning recipe. ESPN Zone Executive Chef Tom Keaveny, set the event in an "Iron Chef" style competition. Like many such challenges, the ingredients and recipes were set out in advance and two chefs were there to keep the event running smoothly, in case the Rookies had trouble remembering the order of things given in the run though.

The winner was Landon Cassill who created Chicken Pesto Penne Pasta that the children voted as best tasting. The restaurant has conducted many similar events with professional baseball teams.

Cars For Charity

Richard Martin of Delaplane, Virginia placed the winning bid of $228,143.43 on eBay for the No. 43 production one of a kind 2008 Dodge Challenger, B5 Blue paint scheme vehicle with numbered dash plaque. 100% of Martin's bid went to the Victory Junction Gang Camp. The check presentation took place in the infield at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this past weekend, in front of the Richard Petty Driving Experience office. The first and second vehicles off the assembly line also sold for charity, the three vehicles made a total of $800,000.

Las Vegas NASCAR Sprint Cup Illegal Parts

Noon on Sunday NO illegal parts or pieces were on display in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series hauler at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the UAW-Dodge 400.

Thunderbird Crew Chief Takes Us Up

An eight year Air Force veteran, stood tall and silent running the elevator taking race fans and media to the suites and press box this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Not unusual as the race track has always hired military in part-time race weekend positions, their organized minds and desire makes it a win win situation. What I did not expect was a Thunderbird Crew Chief pressing the buttons. This talented young man stated, he had the job with the Thunderbirds for the past two and a half years and was proud to say he too would be flying in just over a week.

Hamilton Replaces Edward's Trophy

Bobby Hamilton Jr. personally paid to replaced the Pepsi 300, Gibson Guitar Trophy, Carl Edwards won in April 2007's NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Nashville Superspeedway. Edwards known for giving away his trophies, gave the winning guitar to Bobby Hamilton Jr. the following week at Texas Motor Speedway. He did this knowing how badly Bobby Jr. wanted to win the race in honor of his father, Bobby Hamilton Sr. who lost his life to cancer in January 2007 and in respect of a man who meant so much to the sport.

Bobby Jr. honored and touched by the gift, felt this was one trophy that should be kept. Contacting Nashville Superspeedway a replacement Gibson Guitar was made and presented to a surprised Edwards at a recent luncheon in Nashville, TN with Carl's Mother and local media in attendance. "This cost a lot of money out of my own pocket," stated Hamilton," so don't give it away or I'll have to come after you." Continuing he told of how he had learned a lot from Carl admiring his dedication to the fans, plus his ability to always smile no matter how bad the circumstances.

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