Friday, September 30, 2011

The 2011 K&N Pro Series East Champion & Rookie of the Year are Crowned

Tonight's race at Dover marked the end of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East 2011 season and the race was anything but boring.  Darrell Wallace, Jr. won the pole for the race, qualifying an amazing 1.3 miles per hour faster than all of his other competitors - a pretty impressive feat!


Credit to NASCAR
Max Gresham receiving his
Championship trophy
Early in the race, Wallace and his teammate, Sergio Pena, collided, bringing out the caution - also putting Wallace a devastating two laps down.  When all hope was gone, Wallace was able to rebound.  With only five laps to go, Brett Moffitt, who was currently second in points, was leading, and if he won, there was a chance that he might have won the Championship; but with four laps to go, his right front tire blew and he crashed, allowing Wallace, who was previously in the second position, to capture the lead.    Darrell Wallace, Jr. was able to maintain the lead for the last four laps, getting himself the win!


Max Gresham, at the young age of 18, took the 2011 K&N Pro Series East Champion, having a 66 point lead as the last lap of the season was recorded in the record books.  Gresham drives in the Joe Gibbs Racing developmental program, with Bryant Frazier as his crew chief; Frazier was Tony Stewart's first crew chief when he started driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. 


Gresham said in a post-race interview, "It means everything in the world right now," "To be a NASCAR champion is pretty much the biggest thing I wanted to do when I started racing, and now I am.  This is as sweet as it could be right now."


Following Gresham in the Point Standings were Darrell Wallace, Jr. with 1871 points, Brett Moffitt with 1851 points, Matt DiBenedetto with 1741 points, and rounding out the top-five was Sergio Pena with 1657 points.  To see the full 2011 Standings, click here.


Finally, Alex Bowman was the K&N Pro Series East Rookie of the Year, accumulating seventy-six points over the twelve race season.  Bowman is followed in Rookie points by Corey LaJoie with 67 points, Chase Elliott with 63 points, Andrew Smith with 47 points, and finally, Cody Hodgson with 46 points.  For the complete list of Rookie points, click here.


I hope all of you K&N Pro Series East fans enjoy the off season!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The K&N Pro Series West 2011 Rookie of the Year

As I said a month ago, I was going to try to cover the K&N Pro Series [East and West] in addition to the three
Credit to Racingwest.com
major NASCAR divisions. 

Some of you may remember reading about Dylan Kwasniewski, the youngest winner in the K&N Pro Series about a month or so ago. If you don't, here's a little recap.

Dylan, piloting the No. 3 Rockstar/Royal Purple Ford, became the youngest ever K&N Pro Series winner when he won at Colorado National Speedway, then backed that win up with one at Montana Raceway Park. By becoming the youngest winner, he broke the "Youngest Winner" record previously held by NASCAR 2009 Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year, Joey Logano.

Credit to Racingwest.com

With two races left in the 2011 season, Kwasniewski was able to clinch the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award, diminishing the hopes that Ryan Philpott and Justin Funkhouser had of winning this title. Philpott and Funkhouser are left battling it out two see who will become the Rookie of the Year runner-up.

Kwasniewski, Philpott, and Funkhouser (if they remain second and third) will all be able to attend the NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards Gala at the Hall of Fame's Charlotte Convention Center on December 10th to receive their awards.  

Greg Pursley, with six wins so far this season, is currently the points leader with 2050 points; 294 points ahead of Moses Smith.  

Check back Friday night for a K&N Pro Series East article!

2012 Sprint Cup Series Schedule

Credit to NASCAR.com
We aren't even three races into the Chase yet, but today the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule was announced, starting with the 54th annual Daytona and ending with Homestead, the schedule looks very different.   With announcing the schedule this early, it does, in fact, give NASCAR fans the ability to plan ahead and buy their tickets. 


Even though the track order has changed, the channels will remain the same; FOX will be broadcasting the first thirteen races, TNT will broadcast the next six, and ESPN/ABC will broadcast the final seventeen races.  


2012 Schedule:

  • Non-Points Races
    • February 18 - Shootout
    • February 23 - Duel 1
    • February 23 - Duel 2
    • May 19 - All-Star Showdown
    • May 19 - All-Star Race
  • Points Races
    1. February 26 - Daytona
    2. March 4 - Phoenix
    3. March 11 - Las Vegas
    4. March 18 - Bristol
    5. March 25 - Fontana
    6. April 1 - Martinsville
    7. April 14 - Texas
    8. April 22 - Kansas
    9. April 28 - Richmond
    10. May 6 - Talladega
    11. May 12 - Darlington 
    12. May 27 - Charlotte
    13. June 3 - Dover
    14. June 10 - Pocono
    15. June 17 - Michigan
    16. June 24 - Sonoma
    17. June 30 - Kentucky
    18. July 7 - Daytona
    19. July 15 - Loudon
    20. July 29 - Indianapolis
    21. August 5 - Pocono
    22. August 12 - Watkins Glen
    23. August 19 - Michigan
    24. August 25 - Bristol
    25. September 2 - Atlanta
    26. September 8 - Richmond
    27. September 16 - Chicago
    28. September 23 - Loudon
    29. September 30 - Dover
    30. October 7 - Talladega
    31. October 13 - Charlotte
    32. October 21 - Kansas 
    33. October 28 - Martinsville
    34. November 4 - Texas
    35. November 11 - Phoenix
    36. November 18 - Homestead
Brian France said today, "We believe the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule will once again provide fans with what they've come to expect every season - the world's most exciting and competitive form of motorsports."

Justin Lofton/Eddie Sharp Racing Press Release


After top qualifying run, CollegeComplete.com hopes for top finish by Lofton in Kentucky

Sea Cliff, NY…...Justin Lofton piloted the #6 CollegeComplete.com Chevrolet to a 7th place start as the race began. 

In a day where passing was not something that happened often, Justin had to deal with a few issues to be able to bring his Chevrolet to a 15th place finish.   These included an issue in the pits where a tube disconnected from the gas can as well as a strong vibration towards the end of the race which turned out to be damage to the wheel itself.
Credit to CollegeComplete.com

This week the College Complete (http://www.CollegeComplete.com) Chevrolet pulls into Dover with momentum pushing them to the front.  When asked about the performance since changing over to Chevrolet, Dan Haim, Principal and Co-Founder of College Complete said “while it has been something of a learning experience, it looks like the team has quickly been able to get a great understanding of these trucks and we are looking forward to the opportunity to attack the track at Kentucky for a second time.”

He continued, “race after race the team is learning more and I think that you are going to see some great things coming out of this race team as the season progresses.   The increased performance of the team is also bringing attention to our goal, to provide educational opportunities to all.”

CollegeComplete.com helps the public navigate the ever-changing and highly complex landscape of higher education, connecting students with the institutions whose offerings maximizes the likelihood of success.  Partnered with hundreds of educational institutions and across all types of education goals, including traditional college degrees, trade and vocational certifications, and professional licensure, College Complete helps students assess all of the information that exists in the public domain, allowing them to understand and make sense of their educational opportunities. College Complete has an initiative to assist those in the US Armed Forces and their families and is able to assist in identifying schools that will not only provide the educational requirements of the soldier, veteran or family member but will do so in a cost effective manner. CollegeComplete.com is the student facing subsidiary of ed ideas, inc.

Justin's next race will be the Kentucky 225 at Kentucky Speedway at 8pm on Saturday October 1, 2011 where he and his teammates hope to continue their climb to the top.  During the tour’s first stop to Kentucky in July, Lofton started 17th and finished 15th. The race marked his return to ESR and his first with long-time friend Dan Bormann serving as crew chief. At the time, Lofton was 19th in the point standings. Entering the race this weekend, he sits 15th. Additionally, team owner Eddie Sharp was 22nd in the owner points. This week, the team shows 18th. In previous visits to the Cincinnati-area race track, Lofton has two top-five finishes (second and fifth), scored during his 2009 title run with Sharp within the ARCA Racing Series. Last season he earned an 11thplace finish in his NCWTS debut at the track.

Lofton on Kentucky Speedway: “Kentucky is an important track to us since it is where we reunited. It was our first race back at ESR, and we had a good run. Kentucky is a fun track, and I always love racing under the lights.”

The No. 6 will also feature sponsor support from Grand Canyon University, Anthem College Online and Advance Payment Services (http:www.joinAPS.com).

Founded in 1949, Grand Canyon (http://www.gcu.edu) is an Arizona-based, private, Christian university that offers online and campus-based bachelors, masters and doctoral degree programs in business, education, nursing and health sciences, liberal arts, and fine arts and production. GCU's flexibility and expertise appeals equally well to both traditional undergraduate students, as well as working professionals, and the benefits they provide for our active and former military students is second to none.

Anthem College Online (http://www.anthemcollege.edu) provides associate and bachelor’s degrees in the fields of healthcare, business, accounting, paralegal, and criminal justice.  Online students benefit from 24/7 access to their programs, live lectures and chat, individual tutoring, and personalized career services.

About ed ideas
Ed Ideas, Inc. helps institutions of higher education optimize their admissions pipeline - from initial inquiry to graduate, and everything in between.  Ed Ideas has 50 years of success in student outreach, application, and enrollment generation for the world's leading public, private, for-profit, and traditional institutions.  Outsource your needs to Ed Ideas, or let us help you improve your existing processes and practices.  Whether your need is large or small, Ed Ideas is your higher education resource.
For additional information contact:


Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Pattie Petty: Fighting Parkinson's and Still Dedicated

Pattie watching a young girl paint a race car at Victory
Junction Gang in North Carolina.
Photo Credit: momlogic.com
It was announced today that Pattie Petty, 60, wife of Kyle Petty, has been diagnosed with a mild case of Parkinson's Disease.  She has assured everyone that even though being diagnosed with this disease, she will still give her all to the Victory Junction Gang Camp - a camp started in 2004 after the death of Kyle and Pattie's son, Adam, in North Carolina where children (from the age of six up until the age of sixteen) with severe illnesses can go to get the treatment they need for free, and still be able to interact with other children and have fun.


 "I don’t think anything can slow me down when it helps a chronically ill child.”  


Pattie is keeping herself busy by working on the details and funding for the second Victory Junction Gang Camp, which will be built in Kansas on sixty-five acres off Interstate 70, not too far from Kansas Speedway.  This facility will help serve the families in the mid-west, making the travelling easier.


To learn more about the Victory Junction Gang, please check out the website at http://www.victoryjunction.org/.    



Monday, September 26, 2011

Weekend Schedule for 9/29-10/2

With NASCAR's top three series all back this week, the schedule is all filled up again. 


Credit to Ashley Schindler
Lug Nuts of Information

  • This week, live from Dover International Speedway, the K&N Pro Series East rolls of the starting grid for the last time of the 2011 season - where the 2011 Champion will be crowned. 
    • Max Gresham leads the point standings by 21 points over second-place, Brett Moffitt.
  • On Saturday, the Truck Series will be roaring into Kentucky Speedway with only six races to go.  
    • ARCA Series Rookie of the Year and Championship contender Ty Dillon will make his Camping World Series debut in the Bad Boy Buggies No. 21 Kevin Harvick, Inc. Chevrolet.
    • Ron Hornaday will be piloting the Hollywood Casino, No. 2 for Kevin Harvick, Inc.
    • Brian Ickler will be in the Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota No. 18.
    • Blake Feese will be in the AccuDoc Solutions No. 32 for Turner Motorsports.
    • Josh Richards will be in the Billy Ballew, Joy Mining Machinery No. 51.
    • Cale Gale will be in the Kevin Harvick, Inc. No. 33.
    • Dakoda Armstrong returns to the seat of the No. 98 ThorSport Racing No 98.
    • Austin Dillon is the points leader with 661 points; two points ahead of James Buescher.
  • The Nationwide Series comes back from a week off to the Monster Mile.
    • Forty-six cars will be entered.  
    • Only six races remain in the 2011 season before a Champion is crowned.
    • Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. is your current points leader with 986 points; 14 points ahead of Elliott Sadler.
  • The Sprint Cup Series heads to Dover for the third Chase race.
    • With the first two Chase races becoming a fuel mileage race, many fans are left wondering if that's how this weekend's AAA 400 will end up.
    • Tony Stewart is the points leader with 2094 points; 7 points ahead of Kevin Harvick.

Thursday, September 29

  • 2:00 p.m. ET - K&N Pro Series East Practice (Not Televised)
  • 3:50 p.m. ET - K&N Pro Series East Practice (Not Televised)
Friday, September 30
  • 10:00 a.m. ET - K&N Pro Series East Qualifying (Not Televised)
  • 11:00 a.m. ET - Sprint Cup Series Practice (Not Televised)
  • 12:30 p.m. ET - Nationwide Series Practice (On ESPN 2)
  • 2:30 p.m. ET - Sprint Cup Series Practice (On ESPN 2)
  • 4:45 p.m. ET - K&N Pro Series East Race (Not Televised)
  • 6:00 p.m. ET - Camping World Truck Series Practice (Not Televised)
Saturday, October 1
  • 12:00 p.m. ET - Nationwide Series Qualifying (On SPEED)
  • 1:30 p.m. ET - Sprint Cup Series Qualifying (On SPEED)
  • 3:30 p.m. ET - Nationwide Series Race (ESPN 2)
  • 4:15 p.m. ET - Camping World Truck Series Qualifying (Not Televised)
  • 8:00 p.m. ET - Camping World Truck Series Race (On SPEED)
Sunday, October 2
  • 2:00 p.m. ET - Sprint Cup Series Race (On ESPN)

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Camping World Truck Series F.W. Webb 175 Starting Lineup


Credit NHMS.com

Camping World Truck Series starting lineup for the F.W. Webb 175 live from New Hampshire Motor Speedway.  Tune into SPEED at 3:00 p.m. ET for the race.

  1. Kyle Busch
  2. Kevin Harvick
  3. Joey Coulter
  4. Austin Dillon
  5. Ron Hornaday
  6. Nelson Piquet, Jr.
  7. Justin Lofton 
  8. James Buescher
  9. Timothy Peters
  10. Matt Crafton
  11. Todd Bodine
  12. Brendan Gaughan
  13. Max Papis
  14. Johnny Sauter
  15. Miguel Paludo
  16. David Starr
  17. German Quiroga 
  18. Cole Whitt
  19. Parker Kligerman
  20. Jeff Agnew
  21. Ryan Sieg
  22. Ricky Carmichael
  23. Blake Feese
  24. Josh Wise
  25. J.J. Yeley
  26. Wes Burton
  27. Chris Jones
  28. Todd Peck
  29. Mike Harmon
  30. Butch Miller
  31. Austin Russell
  32. Norm Benning
  33. Bobby Santos
  34. Jason White
  35. Brennan Newberry
  36. Jennifer Jo Cobb

Friday, September 23, 2011

Eddie Sharp Racing Acquires Two Kevin Harvick Inc. Truck Series Teams

Credit TeamESR.com
Denver, N.C. (September 23, 2011) - Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR), currently a one-team operation in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS), announced today that they have acquired a controlling interest in two of Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) Truck Series teams.


With the acquisition of the No. 8 and No. 33 KHI trucks, ESR will field three full-time NCWTS teams in 2012. The NCWTS driver line up for ESR will be announced in October. The teams will operate out of Eddie Sharp Racing's current 40,000 square-foot five-star facility in Denver, N.C.

"The timing couldn't have been any more perfect," said team owner Eddie Sharp. "We are ready to take this opportunity head on to utilize what Kevin and DeLana have built. It was a marriage made in heaven, because we were ready to move forward at ESR, and this opportunity worked out perfectly. With KHI, you have a turnkey, successful program at the ready.

"I'm excited about the future of ESR, really excited," Sharp continued. "We'll have driver and sponsor lineup announcements coming within the next few weeks. To see everything progress with Kevin and DeLana's help, and the support from Chevrolet, it's a dream come true."

Eddie Sharp Racing's No. 6 truck is currently 19th in NCWTS owner point standings, only 57 points out of the top 12. The team was created in 2006 as Eddie Sharp envisioned his long-term goals as a team owner. The goal was to contend, not simply compete. That desire drove Sharp to obtain a five-star facility, which is what allowed the team to quickly transition from contender to champion.

About Eddie Sharp Racing

Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR) enters its sixth full-time season in motorsports, which has earned more than 15 victories and a 2009 ARCA Championship. With this approach, ESR became the place for up and coming talent. Since ESR's inception, Sharp focused on helping to usher in the careers of Scott Lagasse, Chase Miller, T.J. Bell, Michael McDowell, Scott Speed and most recently, 2009 ARCA Champion Justin Lofton. ESR is housed in a 40,000 sq. ft. facility located in Denver, N.C. For more information about ESR please visit www.teamesr.com

About Kevin Harvick Inc.

Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) enters 2011 celebrating 10 years of NASCAR racing. From the start, co-owners Kevin and DeLana Harvick set a goal to become leaders within the industry. With two Truck Series championships to their credit, the organization has built a reputation of integrity and competitiveness within the NASCAR community. KHI is housed in an over 80,000 sq. ft. facility located in Kernersville, N.C. This season, the organization will field three full-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams and two full-time NASCAR Nationwide Series teams, competing for the drivers and owners championships in each series. With a roster comprised of both up-and-coming and veteran championship-caliber drivers, KHI continues to establish itself as one of the top teams in NASCAR competition. For more information about KHI and its teams, please visit www.KevinHarvickInc.com


*Official Eddie Sharp Racing Press Release*

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Loudon Weekend Schedule

Credit to NHMS.com

With the ARCA and Nationwide Series having an off week, all eyes are on the Camping World Truck Series, as well as the usual Sprint Cup Series.  This weekend, live from Loudon, New Hampshire, don’t miss any of the racing action; and to be sure you don’t, here’s a schedule of the times and channels.  If you’re going to be there, have a great time!

Friday, September 23
  • 10:00 a.m. ET - Camping World Truck Series Practice (Not Televised)
  • 11:30 a.m. ET – Sprint Cup Series Practice (On ESPN 2)
  • 1:15 p.m. ET - Camping World Truck Series Practice (Not Televised)
  • 3:00 p.m. ET - Sprint Cup Series Qualifying (On ESPN 2)
  • 4:45 p.m. ET – K&N Pro Series East Race (Not Televised)

Saturday, September 24
  • 9:40 a.m. ET – Sprint Cup Series Practice (Not Televised)
  • 10:40 a.m. ET – Camping World Truck Series Qualifying (Not Televised)
  • 11:30 a.m. ET – Sprint Cup Series Practice (On SPEED)
  • 3:00 p.m. ET – Camping World Truck Series (On SPEED)

Sunday, September 25
  • 2:00 p.m. ET – Sprint Cup Series Race (On ESPN)

I hope you all enjoy the races, whether it’s the Cup race, the Truck race, the K&N East race, or any local race!