https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/ CanadianRacingOnline.com Discussion Board en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:07:43 +0000 wpForo 60 https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/2018-nascar-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony-honors-five-nascar-legends/ Sat, 20 Jan 2018 08:08:33 +0000
Byron, Evernham, Hornaday, Squier, Yates Officially Enshrined



DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 19, 2018) – Five NASCAR icons – two drivers, a crew chief/owner, an engine builder/owner and a broadcaster – were enshrined into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, tonight during the Induction Ceremony held in the Crown Ball Room at the Charlotte Convention Center.



Red Byron, Ray Evernham, Ron Hornaday Jr., Ken Squier and Robert Yates make up the ninth class of The NASCAR Hall of Fame, which now holds 45 inductees.



A pioneer of the sport, Red Byron won the first NASCAR race at the Daytona Beach Road Course in 1948. That year, he went on to win NASCAR’s first season championship in the NASCAR Modified division. The next season, Byron won NASCAR’s first Strictly Stock title – the precursor to today’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Byron achieved these feats despite having to drive with a special  brace for his left leg, which he injured serving in the Air Force during World War II.



In the 1990s, Ray Evernham paired with Jeff Gordon to rewrite the NASCAR record books. Evernham guided Gordon to three championships in four seasons (1995, ’97, ’98). The pair collected a series-high 47 wins in the 1990s, taking the checkered flag in two Daytona 500s (1997, ’99). A skilled innovator, Evernham’s ‘Rainbow Warriors’ pit crew revolutionized the modern pit stop. He won 13 times as an owner and led the return of Dodge back to NASCAR in the 2000s.



“I stand here tonight before you very humble, very thankful, and very grateful to be a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” Evernham said. “Martin Luther King said that if a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep the streets as Michael Angelo painted or as Beethoven composed music. He should sweep the street so well that the host of heaven and earth will pause to say, there goes a great sweet sweeper. And I read that quote a long time ago, and I realized the best way I could pay back everyone who believed in me was to work hard and be a good street sweeper.” 



Ron Hornaday is statistically the greatest driver in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series history. The Californian boasts a record four Truck Series championships and won 51 races. He also tops the series annals with 158 top-five finishes. In 2009, Hornaday won five straight races, a feat matched by only two other drivers in NASCAR national series history.



“This is for every short track racer that ever had a dream, ever had a heart, ever believed in anything that you can believe in, this is it … the Hall of Fame,” Hornaday said.



Few broadcasters in any sport could weave words together like Ken Squier. He is best known for calling the 1979 Daytona 500 on CBS, providing the play-by-play for the first live flag-to-flag coverage of “The Great American Race” – a moniker he coined. Following that event, Squier called races on CBS and TBS until 1997 before shifting to the studio as a host for NASCAR broadcasts until 2000. He founded MRN Radio in 1970.



“In our sport, there are innovators, builders, advocates, challengers, heroes, and an announcer now and then, who all have a part to play,” Squier said. “This is always a thank you time speech, so many to deal with. Some of us are inconceivably lucky to call these folks friends.  I think we all call them heroes.  And I'm feeling like an odd duck in a flock of fancy geese, let me tell you.”


A dual-threat, Robert Yates’ excelled in engine building and team ownership. He provided the engines that powered Bobby Allison to his 1983 championship and Richard Petty to his 200th win. He launched his own team – Robert Yates Racing – in the 1980s. As an owner, he won three Daytona 500s, and the 1999 premier series championship with Dale Jarrett. Overall, his team claimed 57 victories.



Yates lost a tough fight to cancer last October, but wrote his acceptance speech before he passed. The highlight of the night was a video of Jarrett reading the words of his late team owner.



“I never prayed to win a race, I just prayed for the wisdom to help me make good decisions,” Yates wrote. “My creator didn’t always give me what I asked for, but he gave me more than I deserved.” 



Each of the five inductees had an inductor who officially welcomed them into The Hall: Winston Kelley (Executive Director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame) for Red Byron; Ray J Evernham (son) and Jeff Gordon (former driver) for Ray Evernham; Wayne Auton (former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Managing Director) for Ron Hornaday Jr.; Phil Scott (Vermont Governor) for Ken Squier; and Edsel Ford (member of the board of directors for Ford Motor Company) for Robert Yates.



Active and former drivers introduced each inductee during tonight’s program: Martin Truex Jr. for Red Byron; Ben Kennedy for Ray Evernham; Kevin Harvick for Ron Hornaday Jr.; Dale Earnhardt Jr. for Ken Squier; and Brad Keselowski for Robert Yates.



In addition to the five inductees enshrined today, Jim France was honored as the fourth recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.



France, the chairman of the board for International Speedway Corporation, began working in the NASCAR industry as a teenager in 1959, learning all aspects of the business from his father, NASCAR Founder Bill France, Sr. France founded the GRAND-AM Road Racing Series in 1999. In 2012, he led the merger of GRAND-AM and the American Le Mans Series, forming the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA).



“No one deserves this award more than Jim France,” said France’s niece, ISC CEO Lesa France Kennedy. “He is the epitome of what the Landmark Award represents.”



Prior to tonight’s Induction Ceremony, trailblazing motorsports journalist Norma ‘Dusty’ Brandel was awarded the Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence.


Brandel became the first woman to report from the NASCAR garage when she covered her first race at Ontario Motor Speedway in 1972. She reported on NASCAR for more than six decades for several papers, including: the Hollywood Citizen-News, San Fernando Sun and Valley View, and Glendale News-Press. She serves as president and executive director of the American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association



About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’). For race tickets, visit www.NASCAR.com/tickets.



Contact:                                                                                             
Mike Forde
NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications
(704) 348-9754
mforde@nascar.com]]> NASCAR CanadianRacingOnline https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/2018-nascar-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony-honors-five-nascar-legends/ https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/2016-nascar-kn-pro-series-west-schedule/ Mon, 11 Jan 2016 12:42:42 +0000
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2016 NKNPS East Schedule: http://hmtk.co/1Gtuz5p

2016 NKNPS West Schedule: http://hmtk.co/1xrDrHn



For Immediate Release



NASCAR Announces 2016 K&N Pro Series Schedules

·        East Returns To Stafford, Adds Dominion, Mobile & New Jersey

·        Utah Doubleheader, Addition Of Orange Show Headline West



DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 11, 2015) – The NASCAR K&N Pro Series has become the preeminent development proving ground for the sport’s future stars.



The 27 races on the 2016 schedule – from New England to Southern California, and from Washington to Florida – provides a comprehensive slate of venues and events designed to test drivers and showcase the best and brightest for NASCAR fans.



The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West schedules, announced today, comprise of 14 points races for each championship. It is highlighted by the annual meeting in the Heartland for the combination race at Iowa Speedway on July 29.



Both calendars include some of the best short tracks in the United States, as well as several companion events with NASCAR’s three national series, and three road-course races in each series.



In addition to returns to iconic staples of the East and West, both schedules feature some exciting new events for 2016: New Jersey Motorsports Park, Alabama’s Mobile International Speedway and Virginia’s Dominion Raceway in the East, and West’s first trip to California’s Orange Show Speedway in more than 30 years.



The West slate also features the return of Douglas County Speedway in Oregon, as well as the first doubleheader weekend in series’ modern history with a pair of September races at Utah Motorsports Campus, formerly Miller Motorsports Park. The East celebrates the return to Connecticut’s historic Stafford Motor Speedway for the first time since 2008.



The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will race at 13 different tracks in 12 states. Highlights of the 2016 schedule include:



The championship season will kick off once again at Florida’s high-banked New Smyrna Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 14, and the champion will be crowned at The Monster Mile, Dover International Speedway, on Friday, Sept. 30.
The series will be the centerpiece of the inaugural season of the brand-new Dominion Raceway, a .4-mile oval 25 minutes south of Fredericksburg, Virginia with a trip on Memorial Day (Monday, May 30).
New Jersey will join New York’s Watkins Glen International and VIRginia International Raceway to give the schedule a trio of road-course venues.
Stafford was a staple of the series’ early years as the NASCAR Busch North Series with 29 races in 22 years, and will be the second trip to New England for the series along with New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
The series will again race at two of NASCAR’s most venerable tracks with a pair of trips to South Carolina’s Greenville Pickens Speedway, and the July 2 event at Ohio’s Columbus Motor Speedway.


Highlights of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, which will race at 13 different tracks across eight states, include:



The 2016 run will begin and end in California. The campaign will get underway in Southern California with a Saturday, March 19 race at Irwindale Speedway, just north of Los Angeles. And in a race that promises an electric atmosphere and fireworks before a traditionally sold-out crowd, the West will decide its champion on Saturday, Oct. 15, at All American Speedway, near Sacramento.
In an unprecedented race weekend, the series will compete in two full championship races on Sept. 10-11 at Utah Motorsports Campus, the state-of-the-art road course 30 minutes southwest of Salt Lake City. The series ran at the track from 2007-2014 before it was closed temporarily last year. It is the first time the series will run back-to-back days since 1979, and first time since the series’ modern era began in 1971 that the two races in two days will be run at the same track.
After successful inaugural events in 2015, Arizona’s Tucson Speedway and Idaho’s Meridian Speedway are again on the schedule and join series’ staples Kern County Raceway Park in California, Colorado National Speedway and Washington’s Evergreen Speedway.
In addition to Utah’s two races, California’s Sonoma Raceway will be the third road course event as it hosts its 38th West race on the NASCAR Sprint Cup weekend in June.
Orange Show Speedway, the quarter-mile oval in San Bernardino, California, has been in continuous operation since 1947. It held eight West races between 1968 and ’78.


In addition to Iowa, Watkins Glen, New Hampshire and Dover, companion events for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series feature East stops at Bristol Motor Speedway, as well as the annual West race at Sonoma. The 27 races that make up the NASCAR K&N Pro East and West calendar will be contested on 26 different weekends.



NASCAR K&N Pro Series television broadcast schedules on NBCSN will be announced at a later date.



Contact:

Jason Christley

NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications

386-310-6094

jchristley@nascar.com





2016 NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES EAST SCHEDULE

Date
Track
Location

2/14
New Smyrna Speedway
New Smyrna, Fla.

3/12
Mobile International Speedway
Mobile, Ala.

3/26
Greenville Pickens Speedway
Greenville, S.C.

4/16
Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol, Tenn.

4/30
VIRginia International Raceway
Alton, Va.

5/30
Dominion Raceway
Woodford, Va.

6/17
Stafford Motor Speedway
Stafford, Conn.

7/2
Columbus Motor Speedway
Columbus, Ohio

7/15
New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Loudon, N.H.

7/29
Iowa Speedway
Newton, Iowa

8/5
Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen, N.Y.

9/5
Greenville Pickens Speedway
Greenville, S.C.

9/17
New Jersey Motorsports Park
Millville, N.J.

9/30
Dover International Speedway
Dover, Del.




2016 NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES WEST SCHEDULE

Date
Track
Location

3/19
Irwindale Speedway
Irwindale, Calif.

4/2
Kern County Raceway Park
Bakersfield, Calif.

5/7
Tucson Speedway
Tucson, Ariz.

5/21
Orange Show Speedway
San Bernardino, Calif.

6/11
Colorado National Speedway
Dacono, Colo.

6/25
Sonoma Raceway
Sonoma, Calif.

7/9
Stateline Speedway
Post Falls, Idaho

7/29
Iowa Speedway
Newton, Iowa

8/13
Evergreen Speedway
Monroe, Wash.

8/27
Douglas County Speedway
Roseburg, Ore.

9/10
Utah Motorsports Campus
Toelle, Utah

9/11
Utah Motorsports Campus
Toelle, Utah

9/24
Meridian Speedway
Meridian, Idaho

10/15
All American Speedway
Roseville, Calif.


SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE]]> NASCAR CanadianRacingOnline https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/2016-nascar-kn-pro-series-west-schedule/ https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/nascar-legend-buddy-baker-passes-away-at-74/ Mon, 10 Aug 2015 09:09:12 +0000
Baker’s NASCAR Career as Driver and Broadcaster Spanned Parts of Seven Decades



DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 10, 2015) – Elzie Wylie “Buddy” Baker Jr., the 1980 Daytona 500 champion and famed NASCAR commentator, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 74 (b. 1-25-41).



At 6 feet 6 inches tall, Buddy Baker was often called the “Gentle Giant,” though the nickname “Leadfoot” was more apropos due to the blistering speeds he often achieved during his 33-year career.



In 1970, Baker became the first driver to eclipse the 200-mph mark on a closed course while testing at Talladega Superspeedway. Although he didn’t win at the 2.66-mile superspeedway that year, Baker visited Talladega Victory Lane four times throughout his stellar career.



A race commentator and radio host during a lengthy and prolific post-racing career, the Charlotte, North Carolina native’s biggest win came in the 1980 Daytona 500. He finished with an average race speed of 177.602 mph – a track record that still stands.



“Many of today’s fans may know Buddy Baker as one of the greatest storytellers in the sport’s history, a unique skill that endeared him to millions,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “But those who witnessed his racing talent recognized Buddy as a fast and fierce competitor, setting speed records and winning on NASCAR’s biggest stages. It is that dual role that made Buddy an absolute treasure who will be missed dearly.”



Baker, son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Buck Baker, accumulated 19 wins in the premier series, including a victory in the 1970 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway where he lapped the rest of the field. In 1972-73, Baker became the first driver to win consecutive World 600s. He also won the inaugural preseason event now known as the Sprint Unlimited in 1979. He was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998, and in 2014 was first nominated for inclusion into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.



After retiring in 1992, Baker made a successful transition to the television booth as a commentator for The Nashville Network and CBS. He most recently served as a radio co-host on “Late Shift” and “Tradin’ Paint” for SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.



Contact:                                                                                             
Josh Hamilton
NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications
(704) 348-9742
jhamilton@nascar.com]]> NASCAR CanadianRacingOnline https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/nascar-legend-buddy-baker-passes-away-at-74/ https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/shepherd-claims-track-championship/ Mon, 16 Feb 2015 13:52:33 +0000
Veteran Driver Celebrates Winning Provincial Title As Well

                                                                   

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 16, 2015) — For those fortunate enough to have visited a short track in Canada, one thing is for certain, Canadian fans love stock car racing.



One of the unique characteristics of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series is that it is not limited to within the borders of the United States, and that is one reason Gord Shepherd can celebrate a second consecutive NASCAR track championship won at Barrie Speedway. The 35 year old driver also claimed the provincial title in Ontario.



Barrie was one of 11 tracks that host NASCAR-sanctioned events in the country until new ownership decided to no longer operate the facility as a race track in 2015. That doesn’t diminish the pride Shepherd had in winning what would become the final NASCAR championship at the historic track.



“It’s always great to win a championship anywhere you race and it was a good year for us last year at Barrie,” Shepherd said. “We had an up and down year but it all worked out.”



Shepherd began the year on a roll winning right out of the gate the first few weeks before things got interesting for his team.



“You couldn’t ask for a better start to the season over the first month or so until we got caught up in a wreck,” Shepherd said. “But we just fought through it and with the hard work and dedication by the guys on the crew we were able to rebound.”



Crew chief Marcus Keeler, along with crew members Jeff Cuculick, Aldo Granada, Jamie Soule and car owner Peter Shelswell, rolled up their sleeves and went to work with the end result being a title.



Despite being in the accident and having to rebuild cars and get them tuned in, Shepherd was still able to finish in the top-10 in every start going a perfect 28-for-28, he also scored seven wins and 23 top-fives during the season.



“After we got the car worked out and back to where we liked it we were able to get back to winning races” Shepherd said. “We were able to win three of the last four races and claim the championship at Barrie Speedway. And to top off the season we finished second in the Velocity 250 at Sunset Speedway and won the pro late model race at the Autumn Colours Classic at Peterborough Speedway. I couldn’t have accomplished all of this without the help of a lot of great people.”



In addition to the crew Shepherd was also quick to thank his parents, Ray and Marilyn Shepherd, for their continued support.



“I can’t thank my wife, Dayna Shepherd, enough for everything she does for myself and the team. The entire team celebrates this title with me as we did it together,” Shepherd added.



Although he won’t be able to defend his track championship at Barrie in 2015, that hasn’t stopped Shepherd from setting new goals and dreams driving his Port City car sponsored  by Progressive Waste Solutions, Cookstown Auto, Puzzle Partner, Seasoned Painting and Contracting, Hwy. 400 Transmission, Krueger Electric and Shepherd Trucking.



“With Barrie closing it looks like we will head down to Sunset Speedway and race there more this year since they are now a NASCAR (sanctioned) track,” he added. “We are really looking forward to getting back on the track.”



Shepherd also knows with Barrie no longer operating as a race track the car counts should be strong at Sunset.



“I would imagine there will be 30 or more late models racing at that track this year,” he said. “If we go there and do well we should be able to reach one of my goals which is to have a Canadian driver finish in the top-10 in the final standings next year at the banquet in Charlotte.”



Although Shepherd has been to Charlotte before in December, he is ready to come back.



“NASCAR just does a great job with the banquet making each champion feel appreciated and special,” Shepherd said. “But I want to go back and be the first to be in the final top-10 and let all of the southern race fans know how much we love NASCAR racing in Canada and that we have a lot of talent driving up here.”



Contact:
Tim Southers
NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications
(704) 348-9738
tsouthers@nascar.com]]> NASCAR CanadianRacingOnline https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/shepherd-claims-track-championship/ https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/nascar-makes-two-key-competition-personnel-announcements/ Mon, 02 Feb 2015 13:52:34 +0000
Little Named to Inspection/Officiating Post; Sawyer to Lead Truck Series



DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 2, 2015) – NASCAR today announced two leadership changes in its Competition department, including the selection of Chad Little to the new role of Managing Director, Technical Inspection/Officiating and Elton Sawyer to Managing Director, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Both assume their new responsibilities immediately.



“NASCAR recently has made significant investments in both the technical inspection and officiating areas of our sport,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “Those areas have become flagship examples of innovation, keeping NASCAR as a premier sport. Chad is an ideal candidate to provide oversight and lead us to further evolve in those critical areas.



“Similarly, we’re fortunate to have a professional in Elton, who has substantial experience across the racing industry, to direct the popular NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.”



In the new role, Little will provide high-level oversight in all areas of technical inspection and officiating for the Competition department, bringing to bear NASCAR’s Research & Development. The updated officiating model includes the introduction of NASCAR’s new Pit Road Technology, which debuts during Speedweeks in Daytona later this month.



Little, who has spent more than 10 years at NASCAR, most recently served as Series Director in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the Weekly/Touring Series. A former driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Little brings a strong background in key areas of competition to this new role.



Sawyer joins NASCAR after serving as Director of Team Operations for Action Express Racing in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship governed by IMSA. Prior to that role, he held competition roles at Red Bull Racing and Evernham Motorsports. Sawyer also spent part of his career driving in NASCAR’s national series.



“We’re pleased with the development of our competition team,” O’Donnell said. “Chad and Elton will join the collaborative model already in place at the R&D Center. They will work very closely with Gene Stefanyshyn and Robin Pemberton and the rest of our series directors to help NASCAR capitalize upon its strong momentum heading into the 2015 season.”



About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit http://www.NASCAR.com and follow NASCAR at www.Facebook.com/NASCAR and Twitter: @NASCAR.



Contact:                                                                                             
Kurt Culbert
NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications
(704) 348-9749
kculbert@nascar.com]]> NASCAR CanadianRacingOnline https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/nascar-makes-two-key-competition-personnel-announcements/ https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/statement-from-brett-jewkes-nascar-vice-president-chief-communications-office/ Mon, 07 Jul 2014 11:02:23 +0000


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 7, 2014) – “We are aware of the alliance concept the team owners have announced, but have very few specifics on its structure or purpose. It is apparently still in development and we’re still learning about the details so it would be inappropriate to comment right now. NASCAR’s mission, as it has always been, is to create a fair playing field where anyone can come and compete. Our job is to support and strengthen all of the teams, large and small, across all of our series and we’ll continue to do that. NASCAR is a unique community with hundreds of stakeholders. They all have a voice and always will.”



Contact:                                                                                             
Brett Jewkes
NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications
(704) 348-9760;
bjewkes@nascar.com]]> NASCAR CanadianRacingOnline https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/statement-from-brett-jewkes-nascar-vice-president-chief-communications-office/ https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/wounded-u-s-marine-staff-sergeant-liam-dwyer-wins-imsa-race-at-lime-rock-park/ Sat, 24 May 2014 18:21:25 +0000
Three Years After Losing Left Leg In Afghanistan, Staff Sgt. Dwyer Wins Race On Memorial Day Weekend



LAKEVILLE, Conn. (May 24, 2014) – Three years ago, U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Liam Dwyer lost his left leg in Afghanistan.



Saturday, he celebrated the anniversary of his “Alive Day” with a victory in the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) race at Lime Rock Park.



Staff Sgt. Dwyer – who drives with a custom-made prosthesis that begins above his left knee – joined co-driver Tom Long in winning the two-hour, 30-minute IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge race at Lime Rock in a Mazda MX-5 prepared by Freedom Autosport.



“Home track, Memorial Day, my Alive Day … surreal does not describe the jubilation I’m feeling right now,” said Staff Sgt. Dwyer, who grew up in nearby Litchfield, Conn. “Memorial Day is not a day that I take lightly. I know exactly what it means to myself and to my fellow service members. To be here in Connecticut, at Lime Rock, at my home track, a place I’ve camped at before … I can’t explain how awesome this feels right now.”



On Thursday, May 22, Staff Sgt. Dwyer celebrated the three-year anniversary of the day that he was clearing a compound in Afghanistan and stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (I.E.D). Many military members refer to the day in which they narrowly escaped a fatal injury as their Alive Day.



The explosion took off his left leg, and he had severe injuries to his other limbs, as well as shrapnel in his abdomen and torso. Four other Marines were also injured in the explosion.



Staff Sgt. Dwyer is still active in the military and undergoes four-to-five hours of rehab daily at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. To drive a racecar, he keeps contact with the clutch pedal via a bracket and Velcro strap, enabling him to race without needing any hand controls or additional modifications.



“I was told by a therapist at Walter Reed that I wouldn’t be able to drive a stick-shift again, so obviously that leads into racing,” said Staff Sgt. Dwyer, who began racing at an amateur level and made his professional debut in the Continental Tire Challenge on May 3 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “I’ve had therapists there at the hospital that have driven me and have pushed me. I’ve had great people around me that have supported me.



Mazda took me right under their wing. Two years ago, I met them. Freedom Autosport, they’re the guys I met two years ago that are giving me this opportunity. They’re the guys that are guiding me, and they’re the guys that are giving me the confidence to get out here and do this.”



Contact:
Nate Siebens
Sr. Manager, IMSA Communications
(386) 310-6568
nsiebens@imsa.com]]> NASCAR CanadianRacingOnline https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/wounded-u-s-marine-staff-sergeant-liam-dwyer-wins-imsa-race-at-lime-rock-park/ https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/2015-nascar-hall-of-fame-class-announced/ Wed, 21 May 2014 16:37:39 +0000
2015 NASCAR Hall Of Fame Class Announced

Elliott, Lorenzen, Scott, Weatherly, White Comprise List Of New Inductees



DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 21, 2014) – NASCAR announced today the inductees who will comprise the 2015 class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The five-person group – the sixth in NASCAR Hall of Fame history – consists of Bill Elliott, Fred Lorenzen, Wendell Scott, Joe Weatherly and Rex White. In addition, NASCAR announced that Anne B. France won the inaugural Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. Next year’s Induction Day is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, broadcast on NBC Sports Network from Charlotte, N.C.



The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met today in a closed session in Charlotte to vote on both the induction class of 2015 and the Landmark Award. NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France made the announcements this afternoon in the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s “Great Hall.”



Next year’s class was determined by votes cast by the Voting Panel, which for the first time included the reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion – in this case, Jimmie Johnson. The panel also included representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, media members, manufacturer representatives, retired competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs), recognized industry leaders and a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com – which counted for the 54th and final vote. In all, 54 votes were cast, with two additional Voting Panel members recused from voting as potential nominees for induction (Jerry Cook and Robert Yates). The accounting firm of Ernst & Young presided over the tabulation of the votes.



Voting for next year’s class was as follows: Bill Elliott (87%), Wendell Scott (58%), Joe Weatherly (53%), Rex White (43%) and Fred Lorenzen (30%).



The next top vote-getters were Jerry Cook, Robert Yates and Benny Parsons.



Results for the NASCAR.com Fan Vote, in order of votes received, were Wendell Scott, Bill Elliott, Benny Parsons, Rex White and Terry Labonte.



The five inductees came from a group of 20 nominees that included, in addition to the five inductees chosen:



Buddy Baker, Red Byron, Richard Childress, Jerry Cook, Ray Fox, Rick Hendrick, Bobby Isaac, Terry Labonte,  Raymond Parks, Benny Parsons, Larry Phillips, O. Bruton Smith, Mike Stefanik, Curtis Turner and Robert Yates.



As was announced last December during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week, potential Landmark Award recipients could include competitors or those working in the sport as a member of a racing organization, track facility, race team, sponsor, media partner or being a general ambassador for the sport through a professional or non-professional role.



The five nominees for the inaugural Landmark Award were France, H. Clay Earles, Parks, Ralph Seagraves and Ken Squier.



Class of 2015 Inductees:



Bill Elliott

In a 37-year driving career, Bill Elliott compiled a list of accolades that put him near the top of a number of NASCAR’s all-time lists. His 44 wins rank 16th all-time and his 55 poles rank eighth. But his most prestigious accomplishment came in 1988 when he won the NASCAR premier series championship with six wins, 15 top fives and 22 top 10s in 29 races. In addition, he won a record 16 Most Popular Driver Awards, in part because of his excellence on the big stage; he won the Daytona 500 twice and the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway three times.



Fred Lorenzen

Fred Lorenzen was one of NASCAR’s first true superstars even though he was a “part-time” driver, never running more than 29 of the season’s 50-plus races. Lorenzen got his start in NASCAR as a mechanic with the famed Holman-Moody team in 1960, but was elevated to lead driver by the end of the year. Lorenzen won three races in only 15 starts the following season. Lorenzen’s best overall season came in 1963 as he finished with six wins, 21 top fives and 23 top 10s in 29 starts. Despite missing 26 races that season, he finished third in the standings. In 1965, he won two of NASCAR’s major events – the Daytona 500 and the World 600. 



Wendell Scott

One of NASCAR’s true trailblazers, Wendell Scott was the first African-American to race fulltime in NASCAR’s premier series, as well as the first to win a NASCAR premier series race. Scott posted a remarkable 147 top 10s and 495 starts during his 13-year premier series career. He won more than 100 races at local tracks before making his premier series debut, including 22 races at Southside Speedway in Richmond, Virginia, in 1959 en route to capturing both the Sportsman Division and NASCAR Virginia Sportsman championships. Part of Scott’s NASCAR legacy extends to present day with NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, the leading youth development initiative for multicultural and female drivers across the motorsport industry since 2004.



Joe Weatherly

Joe Weatherly won two championships (1962-63) and 25 races in NASCAR’s premier series. But that’s only part of his story, which is long on versatility. A decade earlier in 1952-53, he won 101 races in the NASCAR Modified division, capturing that championship in 1953. He even tried his hand in NASCAR’s short-lived Convertible Division from 1956-59 winning 12 times. When he won his first NASCAR premier series championship, in 1962, he drove for legendary owner Bud Moore. When he repeated as champion a year later, he drove for nine different teams.



Rex White

Consistency was the hallmark of Rex White’s NASCAR career. He finished among the top five in nearly a half of his 233 races and outside the top 10 only 30 percent of the time. White was a short-track specialist in an era in which those tracks dominated the schedule. Of his 28 career wins in NASCAR’s premier series, only two came on tracks longer than a mile in length. Driving his own equipment, White won six times during his 1960 championship season, posting 35 top 10s in 40 starts. He finished in the top 10 six of his nine years in the series including a runner-up finish in 1961.



Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR:



Anne Bledsoe France

Anne Bledsoe France, paired with her husband, NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., would create what today is one of the largest and most popular sports in the world. Anne played a huge role in the family business. “Big Bill” organized and promoted races; she took care of the financial end of the business. She first served as secretary and treasurer of NASCAR, and when Daytona International Speedway opened in 1959, served in the same roles for the International Speedway Corporation. She also managed the speedway's ticket office. France remained active in family and business life until her passing in 1992.



About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) governs the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and follow NASCAR at www.Facebook.com/NASCAR and Twitter: @NASCAR.



About the NASCAR Hall of Fame

Conveniently located in Uptown Charlotte, N.C., the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, opened May 11, 2010, and includes artifacts, hands-on exhibits, 278-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Media Group-operated broadcast studio. The venue is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. seven days a week and has an attached parking garage on Brevard Street. The five-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000 square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. www.nascarhall.com



Contact:
Josh Hamilton
NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications
(704) 348-9742
jhamilton@nascar.com]]> NASCAR CanadianRacingOnline https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/2015-nascar-hall-of-fame-class-announced/ https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/enhancements-to-nascar-penalty-structure-appeals-process-announced-deterrence/ Tue, 04 Feb 2014 19:47:54 +0000
Deterrence, Appeal Changes Aimed Toward Better Effectiveness, More Transparency



DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 4, 2014) – As part of its wide-ranging initiatives to transform its competition model, NASCAR today announced enhancements to its penalty structure and appeals process beginning this season. In addition to these changes, NASCAR also announced the appointment of a Final Appeals Officer for the sport.



“NASCAR’s Deterrence System is designed to help maintain the integrity and competitive balance of our sport while sending a clear message that rules violations will not be tolerated,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president of racing operations. “This is a more transparent and effective model that specifically spells out that ‘X’ infraction equals ‘X’ penalty for technical infractions.



“At the same time, we believe the Appeals process allows a fair opportunity for our NASCAR Members to be heard, and have penalty disputes resolved by an impartial, relevant group of people with the ability to handle the complexities inherent in any appeal. This system has been tailored specifically to fit the needs of our sport.”



Bryan Moss, former president at Gulfstream Aerospace, has been selected as the Final Appeals Officer. Moss will hear matters on appeal from the lower three-member Appeals Panel, and serve as the last decision on penalty disputes for the sport.



NASCAR’s Deterrence System

NASCAR’s Deterrence System is easily understood and specifically lays out exactly what disciplinary action will be taken depending on the type of technical infraction listed from warnings to six penalty levels in ascending order. Some of the Deterrence System elements include:



§  The system starts with warnings (W) issued for very minor infractions, then are grouped into six levels – P1 (least significant) to P6 (most significant).

§  Lower P levels list penalty options from which NASCAR may select (fines or points) while higher P levels are an all-inclusive combination of multiple penalty elements (points and fine and suspension, etc.).

§  At the highest three levels of the system, if a rules infraction is discovered in post-race inspection, the one or more additional penalty elements are added on top of the standard prescribed penalty.

§  Repeat offenses by the same car are addressed via a “recurrence multiplier,” i.e. if a P4 penalty was received and a second P4 or higher infraction occurs in the same season, the subsequent penalty increases 50% above the normal standard.

§  Suspensions are explained in greater detail.

§  Behavioral infractions are still handled on case-by-case basis and are not built into the W, P1-P6 structure.



The 2014 Rule Book will explain how and why NASCAR issues penalties as well as the factors considered when determining a penalty. The Rule Book also will detail the types of infractions that fall within each level by citing examples that are included but not limited to:



·        Warnings are issued instead of penalties for certain types of minor, first-time infractions.

·        P1 penalties may result from multiple warnings to the same team.

·        P2 penalties may include but are not limited to violations such as hollow components, expiration of certain safety certification or improper installation of a safety feature, or minor bracket and fasteners violations.

·        P3 penalty options may include but are not limited to violations such as unauthorized parts, measurement failures, parts that fail their intended use, or coil spring violation.

·        P4 level infractions may include but are not limited to violations such as devices that circumvent NASCAR templates and measuring equipment, or unapproved added weight .

·        P5 level may include but are not limited to violations such as combustion-enhancing additives in the oil, oil filter, air filter element or devices, systems, omissions, etc., that affect the normal airflow over the body.

·        P6 level may include but are not limited to violations such as affecting the internal workings and performance of the engine, modifying the pre-certified chassis, traction control or affecting EFI or the ECU.



The National Motorsports Appeals Panel

The new Appeals process continues to provide two tiers for resolving disputes. On the first level before a three-member Appeals Panel, NASCAR has the burden of showing that a penalty violation has occurred. On the second and final level, only a NASCAR Member is allowed to appeal and they have the burden of showing the Final Appeals Officer that the panel decision was incorrect.



Some other Appeals changes include:

§  Clearly identifying the procedural rights of NASCAR Members

§  Detailing responsibilities of parties throughout the process

§  Allowing parties the option to submit summaries on issues before the Appeals Panel

§  Allowing NASCAR Members named in the penalty to be present during the entire hearing

§  Appeals Administrator is not allowed to be present during panel deliberations

§  Creating a clear Expedited Appeals Procedure when necessary

§  Changing the name of the Appeals Panel to The National Motorsports Appeals Panel



For Deterrence System charts per national series and an Appeals process flowchart, please visit NASCARMedia.com or NASCAR.com.



About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™, NASCAR Nationwide Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) governs the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information, visit www.nascar.com and follow NASCAR at www.facebook.com/NASCAR and Twitter: @NASCAR.



Contact:
David Higdon
NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications
(704) 390-3802
dhigdon@nascar.com]]> NASCAR CanadianRacingOnline https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/enhancements-to-nascar-penalty-structure-appeals-process-announced-deterrence/ https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/canadian-motorsports-expo-3/ Thu, 30 Jan 2014 17:21:14 +0000 NASCAR racenut https://canadianracingonline.com/community/canadian-dirt-news-nascar/canadian-motorsports-expo-3/