NASCAR 2012

[4re Nut]

Thought I'd get an early start on next year's thread plus this news probably doesn't warrant its own thread...

Scott Speed secures 15-race NASCAR Sprint Cup deal with Leavine Family Racing

Scott Speed has signed a deal to enter 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup races next year with new team Leavine Family Racing.

The ex-grand prix driver, who made 13 Cup starts for Whitney Motorsports this year, hopes to help the team gain competitiveness as it expands for its second season of racing.

"I am excited to team up with Bob Leavine and his guys at Leavine Family Racing," Speed said. "They have a solid group of guys working on the team and I think it will be a real fun deal.

"Our goal is to build this race team to become competitive. We know it will be baby steps, but we are all excited to get it rolling."

Leavine was formed in 2011, racing in ARCA and entering the #95 car in eight Cup races with David Starr. The team qualified for four of those races, taking a best finish of 27th at Bristol in August.

Team co-owner Bob Leavine added: "We are pleased to have Scott join our team. He is a proven driver who was the first American to race in Formula 1 since Michael Andretti, and has a lot to offer our programme."

Speed, who lost his full-time drive with Red Bull at the end of 2010, will start his 2012 campaign at Bristol in March.

See, it's not all about Danika.

[Whisky]

Scott isn't 'the guy' to be doing this.

[GuyIncognito]

Originally Posted by Whisky

Scott isn't 'the guy' to be doing this.

the "Leavine family" probably aren't the people to be doing this, either.

seems like a good fit

[Whisky]

If Red Bull would have started with two drivers that had the experience to DEVELOP the cars they would have been a lot better off, that was their only mistake, I agree with Randy Pemberton totally on that. Scott STILL isn't that guy, neither was AJ or Brian Vickers.

[GuyIncognito]

Originally Posted by Whisky

If Red Bull would have started with two drivers that had the experience to DEVELOP the cars they would have been a lot better off, that was their only mistake, I agree with Randy Pemberton totally on that. Scott STILL isn't that guy, neither was AJ or Brian Vickers.

I'm not sure that would have made a difference, I think for Red Bull the decision was based on sales/demographics and not on-track performance.

[4re Nut]

Didn't see this coming: http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup...ition-director

Despite winning the 2011 Sprint Cup championship, Tony Stewart is not resting. Instead, he continues to add key personnel to Stewart-Haas Racing.

Greg Zipadelli, the crew chief who paired with Stewart to win the 2002 and 2005 series championships, will reunite with his former driver at SHR in 2012 as the organization's competition director, the team announced.

"Greg and I have a long and successful history together," Stewart said in a prepared statement announcing the hire. "I know him and he knows me, and we both know what it takes to build race teams.

"We took our time in searching for a competition director because it's an important role with a lot of responsibility. Greg knows all that goes into the job, understands the importance of teamwork and communication across all levels of the organization, and is ultimately someone I have a great deal of trust in."

The team had been without a competition director since it released Bobby Hutchens in June.

Zipadelli was granted a release from his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing. Jason Ratcliff will replace Zipadelli at JGR as Joey Logano's crew chief. Ratcliff had been the crew chief for JGR's No. 18 Nationwide Series car, driven by Kyle Busch.

"Joe Gibbs always says that you win with people, and Tony Stewart is a winner," Zipadelli said in the Stewart-Haas statement. "We won a lot together at Joe Gibbs Racing, and it was a sad day when (Stewart) left.

"But Tony had an unbelievable opportunity with Stewart-Haas Racing, and he's obviously made the most of it. To become a part of what he's already built, but to do it in a new role with a new set of responsibilities, was a challenge I wanted."

At Stewart-Haas Racing, Zipadelli will oversee building Danica Patrick's team as she debuts in the Sprint Cup Series on a part-time basis in 2012, though it is unknown at this time who will serve as her crew chief, sources said.

Two weeks ago, it was announced that Steve Addington will serve as Stewart's crew chief next season, while Darian Grubb, who directed Stewart's team to the 2011 Sprint Cup title, will move to JGR as Denny Hamlin's crew chief.

Zipadelli had been the crew chief of the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 car since Stewart's rookie year in 1999.

[GuyIncognito]

Originally Posted by 4re Nut

Didn't see this coming: http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup...ition-director

I'll take "poorly kept secrets" for $500, Alex.

[4re Nut]

http://www.nascar.com/news/111220/mk.../headlines/cup

MINNEAPOLIS -- Best Buy Co., Inc. announced Tuesday a new sponsorship deal for the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season. Best Buy will serve as primary sponsor of the Matt Kenseth No. 17 Ford for nine races and Carl Edwards' No. 99 Ford for two races. In addition, Best Buy will serve as associate sponsor for each...

Best Buy has been a NASCAR sponsor for the past seven years, most recently as a primary sponsor for A.J. Allmendinger and the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports team.

"We have had a successful and rewarding relationship with Best Buy for the past few years and appreciate all they have done for us," Richard Petty, co-owner of Richard Petty Motorsports, said in a statement. "Although it is very disappointing that Best Buy is changing directions at this late date, we wish all of our friends there the best in their future endeavors.

"Our plan has always been to run a two-car team in the Sprint Cup Series in 2012 and we are continuing down that path," Petty added. "We have several partners that remain committed to the No. 43 team. We will move forward and explore all of our options in regard to the No. 43 program in the coming weeks."

Fingers crossed that the King pulls a competitive deal together.

[4re Nut]

http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup...cup-car-penske

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- AJ Allmendinger was named the new driver of the No. 22 Sprint Cup car at Penske Racing on Wednesday.

Allmendinger finished 15th in points this past season driving the No. 43 Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports. He became available after RPM lost primary sponsor Best Buy to Roush Fenway Racing.

"I am honored to join Penske Racing and I will do my very best to continue to build on the standard of excellence established across the organization," Allmendinger said in a statement.

Allmendinger, who will have Todd Gordon as his crew chief, replaces 2004 Cup champion Kurt Busch, who reached a "mutual'' agreement to leave Penske Racing after a 2011 season in which he had several profanity-laced run-ins with the media and his team.

The 30-year-old was picked over David Ragan, who interviewed with the Dodge team and sponsor Shell Pennzoil shortly after Busch was released.

"AJ is a very talented and motivated driver and we believe he will be a terrific fit with our team," owner Roger Penske said in a statement. "He has shown great promise and consistent results on the track over the last few seasons and working with Todd and the Shell-Pennzoil Dodge team will allow him to take the next step and compete for race wins and a spot in the Chase in 2012."

Ragan could be a candidate for the 43, although sources said the team has talked to Busch twice about the job and he appears to be the front-runner if sponsorship can be found.

Ragan also could drive for Phoenix Racing, with which he had a tentative agreement before pursuing the 22.

In 152 career starts, Allmendinger has no wins and four top-five finishes. He is coming off his best season, with 10 of his career 26 top-10 finishes...

[GuyIncognito]

Originally Posted by 4re Nut

http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup...cup-car-penske

good, I like AJ.

would still rather see him in an IndyCar, though...

[4re Nut]

Originally Posted by GuyIncognito

good, I like AJ.

would still rather see him in an IndyCar, though...

Yep, I wonder what Sam Hornish is thinking about this.

[4re Nut]

http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup...religious-side

...But for the 20-year-old Bayne, this is more than being charitable and doing good. It is a God thing. He expresses his Christian beliefs openly and frequently on a daily basis, whether it's in a public interview, to a stranger on the street or on Twitter.

He does this perhaps more than any other driver.

You could call the reigning Daytona 500 champion NASCAR's version of Tim Tebow, the Denver Broncos quarterback who seems to be all over the popular media.

"On a much smaller scale," Bayne says with a laugh over the phone on his final day in Mexico.

Bayne's faith isn't a major subject of debate on radio and television talk shows like it has been for Tebow. People aren't calling for Bayne to tone down the way he expresses his beliefs like some have with Tebow...

"Obviously, this thing with Tebow is a media-driven thing," says Bayne, who talked with the former University of Florida star shortly after winning the Daytona 500 and again at the ESPY Awards. "A lot of people love him and a lot of people hate him. That's what [the Bible] says will happen. It says people won't believe what we believe.

"But it's important for them to know why we believe, not just put it out there so we can be ridiculed. It has to be true. That's what's so cool about Tebow. It doesn't change. That's the kind of person I want to be."

Not all athletes, even those with strong Christian beliefs, express themselves like Bayne and Tebow. They keep their religion private, or simply are afraid to share it for fear of the criticism and jokes -- a la Tebow being called the "Mile High Messiah."...

[GuyIncognito]

Originally Posted by 4re Nut

Yep, I wonder what Sam Hornish is thinking about this.

I'd REALLY like to see Hornish back in IndyCars.

that whole deal bums me out like you can't believe. way too good of a driver to be sitting on the sidelines with a crap Nationwide deal.

who knows, he could have been a 4 time Indy winner by now.

[4re Nut]

http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/sto...andstand-seats

DOVER, Del. -- Dover International Speedway in Delaware is hoping to make race fans' experience a little more comfortable by widening seats in the track's outdoor grandstands.

The speedway announced Thursday that the process of increasing seats from 18 inches to 22 inches will start next year and will be complete by 2014.

Denis McGlynn, president and CEO of Dover Motorsports, says the widening comes in response to fans' suggestions. The change will reduce the capacity of the speedway from 140,000 to 113,000.

[GuyIncognito]

Originally Posted by 4re Nut

http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/sto...andstand-seats

fatties.

[BartonWorkman]

Dammit Guy you beat me to it!

Let the hylarity ensue.

BHW

[BartonWorkman]

Does the addition of wider seats open a national
cultural phenomenon (adding wider seats in airplanes,
theatres, stadiums, etc.) or is this a way for Dover
(not an ISC track) to kill two birds with one stone?

They cater to the cliche NASCAR fan base and as
a European colleague puts it, "They will be able to
mask ever declining ticket sales and empty seats by
about 30,000 in order to get their 'sell out'".

BHW

[Whisky]

Originally Posted by BartonWorkman

Does the addition of wider seats open a national
cultural phenomenon (adding wider seats in airplanes,
theatres, stadiums, etc.) or is this a way for Dover
(not an ISC track) to kill two birds with one stone?

The former more than the latter.

I think the fact that nascar racing is more politics and IROC cars has finally
caught up with it. Their grassroots audience has left, for the most part, because
it simply isn't the racing that it used to be.
Oh, yeah, it's competition, but the cars are all basically the same, just like in IRL,
and we have seen what THAT series has evolved into. This also doesn't mean
'nobody' goes to the races anymore, and there ARE some real fanatics, but it
doesn't have the same KIND of following it did 10-20 years ago.

'Ever declining ticket sales'?
Not THAT 'ever', but since 2008, when the economy took direct aim at the very folk that follow
nascar racing - the blue collar guys and gals. And nascar isn't the only sport to suffer declining
ticket sales. I still think it has more to do with the mechanical product losing its' identity.

[GuyIncognito]

Originally Posted by Whisky

The former more than the latter.

I think the fact that nascar racing is more politics and IROC cars has finally
caught up with it. Their grassroots audience has left, for the most part, because
it simply isn't the racing that it used to be.
Oh, yeah, it's competition, but the cars are all basically the same, just like in IRL,
and we have seen what THAT series has evolved into. This also doesn't mean
'nobody' goes to the races anymore, and there ARE some real fanatics, but it
doesn't have the same KIND of following it did 10-20 years ago.

'Ever declining ticket sales'?
Not THAT 'ever', but since 2008, when the economy took direct aim at the very folk that follow
nascar racing - the blue collar guys and gals. And nascar isn't the only sport to suffer declining
ticket sales. I still think it has more to do with the mechanical product losing its' identity.

I agree 100%...the racing isn't as good, nor are the racers. bunch of crybabies and d-bags now.

NASCAR has massive overcapacity on all levels. too many series, too many races, too many seats to sell, too much TV time. IMO they need to axe the truck series (which would remove 30 races, 300,000 tickets and ~150 hours of TV programming a year). then, increase the difference between the cars so manufacturers have some input and innovation. want to succeed in NASCAR? build a faster car, not lobby for sanctions against the others.

sadly it will be a while before the current crop of drivers cycles out. we need more Dales, Terrys, Rustys and Rickys and fewer Kyles, Kurts and Kevins

[4re Nut]

http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup...ts-sources-say

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Aric Almirola will be named driver of the famed No. 43 for Richard Petty Motorsports, sources told ESPN.com on Wednesday.

Almirola finished fourth in the Nationwide Series standings this past season for JR Motorsports. He will replace AJ Allmendinger, who two weeks ago was named Kurt Busch's replacement in the No. 22 at Penske Racing.

Cole Whitt is expected to replace Almirola at JRM, sources said.

This won't be Almirola's first stint at RPM. He replaced Kasey Kahne for the final five races in 2010 after Kahne moved to Red Bull Racing.

Almirola's best finish was fourth in the season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The Tampa native has 30 other Cup starts, mostly for Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. He also finished second in the Truck Series in 2010 with two wins for team owner Billy Ballew.

Sponsorship for the 43 remains to be determined. Best Buy recently announced it was leaving to sponsor Matt Kenseth for nine races and Carl Edwards for two at Roush Fenway Racing.