Posted on by Staff Report

Driver nabs award for 12th straight year

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Dale Earnhardt Jr., winner of four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in 2014 and eighth overall in the final points standings, has been named the 2014 recipient of the Sprint NMPA Most Popular Driver award for the series.

It is the 12th consecutive year that Earnhardt Jr., 40, has won the award. In addition to the trophy he received during Friday evening’s season-ending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony at the Wynn Las Vegas, Earnhardt will collect a check for $10,000 earmarked for the charity of his choice.

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"Even after all these years, I never have an assumption that I have won it," Earnhardt Jr. said after receiving the award. "You just never know. I never anticipated having the support that we have. When I began racing, I knew of my father’s support, he had a ton of fans. … I didn’t assume or anticipate the following that we have, even today it really is just overwhelming. It really is hard to believe and hard to fathom that we continue to win this award; this was a good year because of the victories we were able to deliver on the race track but all those years when we weren’t … it was very difficult to accept the award because I felt we hadn’t performed. But our fans stood behind us. It just says a lot about their loyalty."

In his speech, accepting the award, Earnhardt Jr. thanked the fans numerous times. And Junior shared an interesting fact about the speech, he didn’t use the teleprompter.

"It was the first time I gave my speech without reading it from the teleprompter or a piece of paper so I hope my remarks came across well because I genuinely do appreciate all the efforts the fans put in.

"I was able to literally witness it in the palm of my hand all year long. The fans were up all day every day voting … that was the most impressive thing."

Earnhardt Jr. joined Twitter after his Daytona 500 win this year and he got to converse with his fans in a whole new way this season.

"People ask me all the time about what the most positive thing about being on Twitter this year was and I never could give them my honest opinion because I hadn’t won the award, but having won it tonight, seeing those votes every day, seeing that commitment and determination was really inspiring knowing that we had that kind of support. They were up before I was every day, going to town on that … computer. It really meant a lot to me."

And that fan support was there for Junior on social media, in good times and bad.

"I got to know my fans really in a whole new way this year. We got to talk a lot on social media. When we lost we talked, when we won we talked and that was a great experience for me as well, and all-around an eye-opener to make that connection that wasn’t there before."

Completing the top 10 in total votes for this year’s award were (listed alphabetically): Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Danica Patrick, Tony Stewart and Josh Wise.

The MPD award, sponsored by Sprint and overseen by the National Motorsports Press Association, is the only NASCAR award determined solely by fan vote. It has been awarded annually since 1953.

Beginning in July, fans were able to vote once daily by visiting www.sprint.com/speed. Those who chose to share their votes via social media (Facebook, Twitter) were allowed one additional vote during each 24-hour window.

Additionally, fans were able to cast votes for their favorite driver by visiting the Sprint Experience at the track during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekends throughout the year.

Bill Elliott holds the record for most MPD awards, winning the fan vote 16 times during a career that spanned 37 years.

Previous MPD Winners
Year, recipient
2014, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2013, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2012, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2011, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2010, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2009, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2008, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2007, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2006, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2005, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2004, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2003, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2002, Bill Elliott
2001, Dale Earnhardt
2000, Bill Elliott
1999, Bill Elliott
1998, Bill Elliott
1997, Bill Elliott
1996, Bill Elliott
1995, Bill Elliott
1994, Bill Elliott
1993, Bill Elliott
1992, Bill Elliott
1991, Bill Elliott
1990, Darrell Waltrip
1989, Darrell Waltrip
1988, Bill Elliott
1987, Bill Elliott
1986, Bill Elliott
1985, Bill Elliott
1984, Bill Elliott
1983, Bobby Allison
1982, Bobby Allison
1981, Bobby Allison
1980, David Pearson
1979, David Pearson
1978, Richard Petty
1977, Richard Petty
1976, Richard Petty
1975, Richard Petty
1974, Richard Petty
1973, Bobby Allison
1972, Bobby Allison
1971, Bobby Allison
1970, Richard Petty
1969, Bobby Isaac
1968, Richard Petty
1967, Cale Yarborough
1966, Darel Dieringer
1965, Fred Lorenzen
1964, Richard Petty
1963, Fred Lorenzen
1962, Richard Petty
1961, Joe Weatherly
1960, Rex White
1959, Jack Smith
1958, Glen Wood
1957, Fireball Roberts
1956, Curtis Turner
1955, Tim Flock
1954, Lee Petty
1953, Lee Petty

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Posted on by Staff Report

K&N East champ to share seat with Earnhardt Jr., Harvick and Kahne

Ben Rhodes, the reigning NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion and a NASCAR Next driver, will drive 10 NASCAR XFINITY Series races in 2015 for JR Motorsports in the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro, the team announced Friday.

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In addition to winning the K&N East title, the Louisville, Kentucky, native also took Sunoco Rookie of the Year and most popular driver honors in the NASCAR touring series, running for Turner Scott Motorsports. He had five wins, 11 top-five finishes and 13 top-10s in 14 races this season for crew chief Mark McFarland, a former JR Motorsports driver.

"Ben is one of the rising talents in NASCAR," JR Motorsports general manager Kelley Earnhardt Miller said. "As a company, JRM takes pride in cultivating young drivers, and together with Alpha Energy Solutions, we’re thrilled to give Ben a platform to further develop his skills at the next level. I’m excited to see what this coming year will bring for him and the 88 team."

The 17-year-old, who turns 18 on Feb. 21, ran four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races in 2014 at tracks a mile in length or shorter. He earned three top-10 finishes at Martinsville Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway.

Earlier this week, it was announced that former Hendrick Motorsports engineer, Dave Elenz, will serve as the team’s new crew chief.

Rhodes won his K&N East title with sponsor Alpha Energy Solutions, and the Louisville-based commercial and industrial mechanical service provider will join him at JR Motorsports.

"I’m thrilled to be joining one of the top teams in NASCAR for the 2015 season," Rhodes said. "It’s been my goal to compete in NASCAR’s top tiers, and this is a tremendous opportunity with JR Motorsports and Alpha Energy Solutions to race in the XFINITY Series.

"I couldn’t think of a better group of people to surround myself with to continue my growth in the sport. I am looking forward to working with crew chief Dave Elenz, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet with Dale Jr., Kevin Harvick and Kasey Kahne, as well as sharing the track with my teammates Chase Elliott and Regan Smith."

The No. 88 team will compete in the full 33-race XFINITY Series schedule in 2015.

Rhodes’ complete schedule in the No. 88 Alpha Energy Solutions Chevrolet includes races at Iowa Speedway (May 17), Chicagoland Speedway (June 20), New Hampshire Motor Speedway (July 18), a second event at Iowa Speedway (Aug. 1), Watkins Glen International (Aug. 8), Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Aug. 15), Road America (Aug. 29), Kentucky Speedway (Sept. 26), Dover International Speedway (Oct. 3) and the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 21).

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Posted on by Zack Albert

Jay Mohr roasts 2014 Sprint Cup Series champion before giving him his due

RELATED: See all the driver speeches | View the Red Carpet Arrivals

LAS VEGAS — The spot at the head table at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards was all Kevin Harvick‘s, with wife DeLana and 2-year-old son Keelan joining the Stewart-Haas Racing group in the celebration. The only problem was that host Jay Mohr had become accustomed to finding six-time champion Jimmie Johnson and Co. to his right, jokingly mistaking the Harvicks’ identity.

The jokes came fast and heavy in Friday night’s awards gala at the Wynn Las Vegas with first-time champion Harvick not immune from Mohr’s skewering. But there were also moments of sincerity among the levity as a family photo of father, mother and young son cherishing their victory moment was shown on the screen.

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"It’s pictures like this that show you what NASCAR is all about," Mohr said. "And we all know in this room, it’s about family. This is a family, and Kevin Harvick, my friend, what better way to celebrate your first Sprint Cup Series championship than here tonight being honored by your NASCAR family."

Harvick’s closing kick to the season, with wins in the final two races of 2014, captivated fans and the industry in the first year of the new playoff format, but so did the season-long show of speed that made his No. 4 Chevrolet the car to watch nearly every single weekend. Friday night, he gave his words of thanks after a well-earned first title.

"From a kid in Bakersfield who just wanted to race," Harvick said, "just wanted to live out his dream, just for fun, did it as a hobby, this season has been a dream come true."

With this season’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field expanded under the new format, all 16 qualifiers walked the red carpet and were honored on stage at the black-tie event. Almost all took some good-natured ribbing from the comedian/host.

Mohr initially opened up with the promise of a "kindler, gentler" monologue after last season’s stint as presenter got him on Danica Patrick‘s bad side. This year, the targets were wide-ranging — everything from NASCAR’s winner stickers, Joey Logano‘s pit-crew misstep in the championship race and Michael Waltrip‘s tenure on "Dancing with the Stars" made the joke list.

Brad Keselowski, who netted the most victories in the 2014 season (six) but also made the most waves in the Chase with a handful of well-publicized run-ins late in the year, saw his turn into NASCAR’s pre-eminent villain among fans make him an easy target.

"In Kentucky, Brad Keselowski cut his hand in Victory Lane opening a bottle of champagne," Mohr said. "Even booze hates Brad Keselowski. "

Keselowski took the joke well.

"I think he’s just great. He puts us all back down," Keselowski said. "Sometimes we get stuck in — it kind of reminds me of ‘Talladega Nights’ — we kind of get stuck in this place where we put ourselves. Jay does a good job of knocking us back down and putting it in perspective that we’re race car drivers, right?"

Gordon, the four-time champion at age 43, was the oldest driver in the Chase, leading Mohr to list his season statistics as "four wins, 23 top-10s and five cases of Ensure." The age jokes were a continuation of the barbs from the previous night’s NASCAR After the Lap tell-all, but Gordon didn’t seem to mind.

"If they were making fun of me and I wasn’t here, maybe it would bother me," Gordon said. "The fact that we made it here, you have to be very appreciative of the efforts that got you here and the fact that it is a very competitive series. And I am the oldest guy in the Chase, and I’m proud of that. I don’t look at it so much as age — I’ve been around a long time. I started at a young age, been doing this a long time, and to still be doing it at the level that I’m doing it, yeah, I don’t mind being made fun of."

Dale Earnhardt Jr. took home the NMPA Most Popular Driver Award for the 12th straight year, tipping his cap to his nation of fans for their votes and engagement with him on Twitter.

Daniel Noltemeyer of Louisville secured the fourth annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award, winning a $100,000 donation from The NASCAR Foundation and a 2015 Camry from award sponsor Toyota on behalf of Best Buddies Kentucky, a group that organizes social programs and awareness for people with developmental disabilities.

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Team shuffles the deck for 2015 Sprint Cup Series season

RELATED: See other changes for 2015

Joe Gibbs Racing announced its crew chief lineup Thursday, with multiple changes coming to its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams. The crew chief shuffle comes months after the news that Carl Edwards would join JGR in 2015, making the team a four-car operation.

Two of Joe Gibbs Racing’s returning three drivers will have new crew chiefs after the organization decided to swap some positions internally.

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The changes: Darian Grubb will shift from Denny Hamlin to Edwards; Dave Rogers will shift from Kyle Busch to Hamlin; Adam Stevens will be Busch’s new crew chief. Jason Ratcliff will remain with Matt Kenseth.

Grubb has 21 career wins in NASCAR’s premier series, seven of which came with Hamlin over a span of three years. Previously, Grubb was atop the pit box of Tony Stewart and Casey Mears, with his three-year stint alongside ‘Smoke’ producing 11 wins and one championship.

Ironically, Grubb’s championship effort came at the expense of Edwards, who lost to Stewart on a tiebreaker in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup three years ago.

"To be able to work with Darian is very special for me. I saw firsthand how tough he is in 2011," Edwards said. "I mean, he was flawless on the box, and from where I was sitting, that was extremely impressive so the opportunity to work with him and especially to work with him coming off this season and I know how bad he wants it.

"He’s different than a lot of the crew chiefs I’ve worked with. He’s very calm and he’s like Bob Osborne, and that relationship was really good. We did very well together, and I’ve worked with great crew chiefs. Jimmy Fennig, this year, I mean he showed me just how hard of a racer a person can be. But to be able to work with Darian, I think it’s an opportunity for me to be able to learn."

Rogers had been Busch’s full-time crew chief since 2010 and has 13 wins with the No. 18 team. Their best finish in the points standings was fourth last year, and the change comes on the heels of a season in which the two had an instance or two of displeasure over the radio.

Rogers told SiriusXM’s NASCAR Radio said his familiarity with Hamlin from their work together in the Nationwide Series will help the transition (Hamlin won seven races in NASCAR’s No. 2 series with Rogers) and that the comfort level of some of the crew chiefs past work helped to set up the pairings.

"Denny and I have worked together on the Nationwide side," Rogers said. "Really had a great working relationship over there with the Rockwell Automation car. And then Adam now has a great relationship with Kyle working on the Monster Energy car. So it’s kind of a deal where, quite honestly, none of our teams are running as well as we wanted to so it’s a good way to liven things up by making some changes. But you’re pairing a new crew chief in Adam Stevens with a driver he’s comfortable with. And you’re pairing a driver and a crew chief, in myself and Denny, together that also has that same comfort. I think from Joe’s perspective it made sense on a lot of fronts."

Hamlin equated the personnel swap to virtually taking over the wheel of Busch’s No. 18 team — the exception being that his pit crew, one of the best in the business, remains intact on the No. 11.

"I think it’s a great deal for me and really, Carl’s stepping into a great situation with Darian, and I know what he’s capable of doing, and he’s getting really all of my A-team mechanics and everything," Hamlin said. "No one got slighted on this deal whatsoever, so we’ve really got some good things going for us."

Stevens is getting promoted from the NASCAR Nationwide Series to fill Rogers’ spot atop the No. 18 pit box. In just four years in the series, he won 31 races — most with Busch behind the wheel of the No. 54 Toyota.

"The guys that he works around and the team and everything that he’s put together on the Nationwide series level, everyone respects him, they love him, they think he’s smart and of course I do as well, Busch said. "The relationship we’ve had over the last year that’s gone really well, we’ve won lots of races and been competitive. I think that Nationwide level (of competition) is obviously a lot less than at Sprint Cup level but still I think he’s got a good repertoire within the shop and with his guys. When you can have all that, there’s no better thing than to try and move that guy up."

Ratcliff and Kenseth have been together for two years, finishing second and seventh in the final standings. The duo won six races together in 2013. (Kenseth won seven races himself, one with a substitute crew chief.)

"With the expansion of our NASCAR Sprint Cup Series operations to four teams next year with the addition of Carl Edwards, we have been able to take a step back and evaluate each of our teams and make decisions that we feel are best for our organization long term," said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing, in a team release. "Like Jason and Dave previously, Adam (Stevens) has clearly proven that he is ready to move into the Cup Series and we feel that his familiarity with Kyle provides the opportunity for us to make that move now. We think pairing Dave with Denny and Darian with Carl will also make each team stronger heading into next season. Jason and Matt came together quickly and we felt it was in the best interest of the 20 team to keep it as is."

The organization also announced its crew chief lineup for the 2015 XFINITY Series.

Eric Phillips will lead the efforts of Daniel Suarez in the No. 18, Mike Wheeler — who filled in for Grubb during a six-race stretch on the No. 11 Sprint Cup team — will lead the No. 20 group (mutiple drivers) and Chris Gayle will replace Stevens on the No. 54.

Zack Albert contributed to this report.

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Posted on by NASCAR Official Release

Dale Jr. wins Myers Brothers Award, Harvick earns seven honors

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.– In recognition of his career achievements as a champion driver, team owner and philanthropist, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was named the recipient of the 2014 NMPA Myers Brothers Award, a prestigious accolade recognizing those who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of stock car racing.

"This doesn’t even seem real," said an emotional Earnhardt after receiving the honor at the 2014 NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon held at Wynn Las Vegas. "The truth is obviously I’m extremely humbled by this award, but I feel like I share it on so many levels – my sister Kelley (Earnhardt Miller) along with everyone at JR Motorsports is as deserving of this as anyone. I have a lot of passions with NASCAR, but I wouldn’t be able to know how to make them realities without all those folks."

An accomplished driver, evidenced by his 23 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories and two NASCAR Nationwide Series championships, Earnhardt was cited just as much for his achievements outside his No. 88 Chevrolet, namely as the owner of JR Motorsports and a tireless community benefactor.

This season, JR Motorsports driver Chase Elliott became the youngest competitor to win a NASCAR national series championship after clinching the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series title. The 18-year-old will likely join Brad Keselowski, Aric Almirola, Danica Patrick and Cole Whitt as Sprint Cup regulars who have developed under Earnhardt full time at the Nationwide level.

In addition to his Nationwide Series program, Earnhardt contributes to racing at its grassroots levels, fielding Late Model or Street Stock cars since founding JR Motorsports. His Late Model drivers Josh Berry and William Byron finished first and second, respectively, this season in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series at Hickory Motor Speedway.

Earnhardt’s work extends off the track into the community. He has made 235 appearances on behalf of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a number that ranks in the top five among professional athletes. Furthermore, his Dale Jr. Foundation raised $913,000 to be distributed to more than 70 different charities.

"I’m just as proud of what we’ve accomplished there as anything we’ve ever done on the race track," Earnhardt said about his foundation.

The NMPA Myers Brothers Award has been presented annually since 1958 in the names of pioneer NASCAR competitors Billy and Bobby Myers and its winner is chosen by a vote of the National Motorsports Press Association. Past recipients are a virtual who’s-who of the industry – drivers, owners, track operators, sponsors and members of the media – and include nearly every current member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Seventeen other awards were given out at the luncheon, spanning from achievements in marketing, performance on the track and exemplary work in the garage. 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick garnered seven honors, including the 3M Lap Leader Award and Mobil 1 Driver of the Year.

"This is really the first time I’ve gotten to stand up here and actually realize what we’ve accomplished," Harvick said. "Thank you to everyone who has participated in making our sport what it is."

Here is the complete list of Thursday’s award winners from the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon:

• NMPA Myers Brothers Award: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
• Buddy Shuman Award: Bill Joyner, Sunoco’s Manager of Automotive Events
• NASCAR Marketing Achievement Award: Toyota
• 3M Lap Leader Award: Kevin Harvick
• American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award: Kevin Harvick
• Coors Light Pole Award: Brad Keselowski
• Duralast Brakes “Brake in the Race” Award: Kevin Harvick
• Freescale “Wide Open” Award: Kevin Harvick
• Goodyear Tires Award: Kevin Harvick
• MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Year Award: Billy Davis, Hendrick Engines No. 4 team
• Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 4 team
• Mobil 1 Driver of the Year Award: Kevin Harvick
• MOOG Steering & Suspension Problem Solver of the Year Award: Luke Lambert, crew chief No. 31 Richard Childress Racing team
• Sherwin-Williams Fastest Lap Award: Matt Kenseth
• Sunoco Diamond Performance Award: Kevin Harvick
• Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award: Kyle Larson
• Champion Sponsor Award: Budweiser
• Champion Crew Chief: Rodney Childers

Champion’s Week will conclude tomorrow with the following events (all times local PT unless noted):

Friday, Dec. 5
• Pit Pass Check-In: Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 3, fans can pick up a Pit Pass at NASCAR fan headquarters, Champion’s Week Live at The LINQ Promenade, and start checking in at various locations around the city where NASCAR partners will feature displays, including show cars. Running from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. each day, check-in locations include Tropicana (Ford), Treasure Island (Daytona International Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway and Auto Club Speedway), Paris Las Vegas (Las Vegas Motor Speedway), Caesars Palace (Chevrolet), Lagasse Stadium at The Palazzo (Toyota), and Excalibur (Mechanix Wear).

• 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards: This black-tie celebration will be held at Wynn Las Vegas, where the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion driver and owner and the other Chase drivers will be honored. The drivers and stars will walk the Red Carpet from 4 – 5 p.m. and NASCAR.com will live stream the arrivals from 4:30 – 5 p.m. FOX Sports 1 will air the show live beginning at 9 p.m. ET. Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will begin coverage at 8 p.m. ET.

• Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award Reveal: The Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award will be given to one dedicated NASCAR fan who has made a profound impact on children in his or her community. The NASCAR Foundation will announce the national award winner during this year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards. Fans can cast their vote for the 2014 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award winner by visiting www.NASCAR.com/Award before 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 4.

For more information on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week in Las Vegas, visit www.NASCAR.com/ChampionsWeek.

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Decade-long partner advances sport with innovative activation that goes beyond the track

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 4, 2014) — Toyota will be honored today with the 2014 NASCAR® Marketing Achievement Award at the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon held in the Encore Ballroom at Wynn Las Vegas.

An official partner since 2004, Toyota joins Coca-Cola as the only multiple-time winner of the award. Utilizing an integrated marketing approach, Toyota has engaged fans, customers and employees across every facet of the NASCAR industry, including intellectual property, promotions, B2B, online, broadcast, at track, event marketing, and social media.

"Toyota is a world class marketer that consistently demonstrates how to effectively leverage its strong brand across all NASCAR platforms to drive measurable performance both on and off the track," said NASCAR Chief Operating Officer Brent Dewar. "Celebrating its 10th year in the sport, Toyota is a true partner to NASCAR at all levels."

This year, Toyota played a vital role in advancing core NASCAR initiatives including engaging fans across digital platforms, heavily investing in creative and media to connect with fans, developing activation geared toward reaching diverse audiences, and leading the way in promoting the new Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ format.

"Toyota is honored to receive the NASCAR Marketing Achievement Award for the second time in only four years," said Ed Laukes, vice president of marketing, performance and guest experience for Toyota. "Our commitment to NASCAR, both on the race track and to our fans and consumers, has grown each and every year since we formed our partnership in 2004. Our continued development of new initiatives to engage the fans and help enhance their experience is paramount. We thank NASCAR for its continued support, and look forward to introducing everyone to the 2015 Camry along with other initiatives when we get to Daytona in February."

Key Toyota integrated marketing highlights that reached NASCAR stakeholders this year include:
• Partnered to help launch the Air Titan 2.0, NASCAR’s innovative track drying system, which is pulled by Toyota Tundra trucks
• Supported The NASCAR Foundation by contributing a Toyota Camry to the 2014 Betty Jane France Award winner
• Became the first founding partner of the Daytona Rising Project
• Introduced its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™, 2015 Camry race car in unison with its Camry production cars’ arrival in the showroom
• Executed four race entitlements across three tracks and major at-track presence, activating at 32 tracks
• Prominently featured NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Clint Bowyer and Matt Kenseth in national TV creative
• Continued support of NASCAR multi-cultural marketing efforts, including; integration with NASCAR Te Mueve Hispanic marketing platform, entitling the NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series Toyota 120 at Phoenix International Raceway, sponsoring NASCAR Drive for Diversity and Rev Racing drivers Darrell Wallace, Jr., German Quiroga and Daniel Suarez
• First Official Partner to support and integrate into the new NASCAR Chase Grid™ digital game platform
• Sponsored the new interactive Chase fan event in Chicago, Chase Grid Live Sponsored by Toyota and Sprint
• Built cultural relevance in NASCAR by using its "Made in America" core message to establish the company as an American carmaker, and supported our nation’s military and their families through its backing of Hiring Our Heroes and NASCAR — An American Salute initiatives

Other previous winners of the NASCAR Marketing Achievement Award include: Mars, Incorporated; ESPN; FOX / TNT / NBC; Nationwide Insurance; and Sprint.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week™ will culminate with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards™, where this year’s Chase drivers will be recognized for their accomplishments on stage before a star-studded audience comprised of teams, owners, celebrities and fans. FOX Sports 1 will provide coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards beginning at 9 p.m. ET. Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will begin coverage at 8 p.m. ET.

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Four-time champion explains late stop in season finale

LAS VEGAS–Jeff Gordon appeared to have a race-winning car in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but a decision to pit for four tires late in the race dropped him far back in the running order and relegated the driver of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to a 10th-place finish.

In tying up that loose end from Homestead, Gordon explained that his decision was dictated by a choice made earlier in the race.

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"I think the question really needs to be about, before that, why we didn’t pit," Gordon told the NASCAR Wire Service after the Myers Brothers Luncheon. "You take all the information you have from past history of long green-flag runs to the end of the race, track position, who’s coming, who’s not…

"We dominated that race, had a car that I think could have and should have won that race. But we all came in and got four tires, they throw the green, and caution comes out in three or four laps. We stay out, and I think we went one more round of green-flag run, four or five laps, and caution comes out again.

"At that point, that’s where the race changed for us and really took us out of contention, because we decided to stay out, and all those other guys decided to come in, and there were just too many cautions at the end."

Gordon scoffed at the suggestion that he might not have wanted to restart up front on old tires at the end of the race, with the potential to effect the outcome of the championship battle.

"Heck, no, that had nothing to do with it," Gordon said. "It was all about winning the race, and knowing that those guys behind us had fresh tires, because they elected to pit—and that place eats tires up…

"What’s really interesting is, when you look at (Sprint Cup champion) Kevin Harvick‘s position, he came down pit road and took four (tires) where some other guys took two, and he saw his championship chances completely go out the window. If you listened to his radio communication, it was ‘We’re done, we’re done.’

"But enough cautions fell after that to bring them back into it, and he did a great job, obviously, moving up through there. And that exact same thing that helped win him the championship is what cost us the win for that race."

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Network’s approach ‘reinvigorates’ him as son Adam’s entry into the sport did

Kyle Petty has joined the race-day broadcast team for NBC Sports Group, the organization announced Thursday, and is the latest figure to join the network’s ever-growing cast of NASCAR experts in preparation for the 2015 season and beyond.

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Petty will work alongside Krista Voda, whose hiring was announced in late October, as an analyst on pre- and post-race shows surrounding NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series coverage. He will also remain a regular contributor to "NASCAR America" on NBCSN.

"Kyle Petty brings a lifetime of experience to our team that is unmatched," said Sam Flood, executive producer, NBC Sports and NBCSN. "As a driver, team owner, philanthropist and multigenerational observer of the sport, he has seen it all, and has great perspectives across NASCAR’s full spectrum."

Petty joins a group that already includes race announcer Rick Allen and on-air analysts Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte, along with reporters Marty Snider, Kelli Stavast, Mike Massaro and Dave Burns.

The son of Richard Petty and grandson of Lee Petty, both NASCAR Hall of Famers, Kyle grew up entrenched in the sport and made 829 starts in NASCAR’s premier series.

A guest on "The Morning Drive" on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio when the news was released, Petty joked, "Breaking news after I’ve been on "NASCAR America" on NBC for 23 weeks this year. Breaking news, I have a job next year."

From his work on the nightly NBCSN show, Petty said the staff has "reinvigorated" him. He compared the network’s fresh-eyed return to NASCAR to his late son’s approach to racing when Adam became a national series competitor.

"…when Adam came along, it was like I was seeing these race tracks for the first time because he was so excited," Petty said. "Even though he had been around the sport, he hadn’t driven, and he was so excited.

"(He would) tell me what the race track felt like or tell me what was going on at the race track or what he learned today at the race track. And I get that same feeling from these people at NBC.

"They’re just excited to be at the race track, and they’re excited to be a part of the sport."

FOX and NBC have exclusive NASCAR broadcasting rights, beginning next year. NBC will broadcast the final 20 Sprint Cup Series races, final 19 NASCAR XFINITY Series events, select NASCAR Regional & Touring Series events and other live content, beginning next year.

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Posted on by Staff Report

Miss Kentucky USA 2012 to replace Rachel Rupert in 2015

From a six-pack of candidates, the next Miss Coors Light has been chosen to replace retiring Rachel Rupert.

"I like drinking beer, fast cars and left turns!"

—Miss Coors Light Amanda Mertz

Amanda Mertz was introduced today at Champion’s Week Live at The LINQ in Las Vegas, in between the NASCAR Victory Lap and NASCAR After the Lap, as part of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week.

Mertz will begin shadowing Rupert at her favorite race track, Daytona International Speedway, where the first Coors Light Pole of the new season for the Daytona 500 will be awarded on February 15 on FOX. Next April or May, she’ll don the Coors Light fire suit at tracks across the country as she presents the Coors Light Pole Award in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the NASCAR XFINITY Series.

A perfect pick for the position, Mertz said, "I like drinking beer, fast cars and left turns!" She’s also represented Coors Light at various races in the Daytona Beach, Florida market.

The winner of Miss Kentucky USA 2012 hails from Louisville, Kentucky. She has been an entertainment correspondent for Got Country Online and was featured in music videos for Brantley Gilbert’s "Small Town Throwdown" and Jason Aldean’s "Burnin’ It Down."

Her hobbies include fishing, working out, racing, football, traveling, the lake, bow hunting and anything outdoors.

Posted on by Zack Albert

Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award winner announced Friday

LAS VEGAS — NASCAR’s top drivers mixed and mingled at a reception Wednesday night at the Wynn Las Vegas, but their customary star power was outshone by four special individuals making a life-changing impact in the NASCAR community.

The four finalists for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award took center stage Wednesday night, introduced by the award’s namesake, the widow of former NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr. After the four were introduced, France said this year’s selections "raised the bar" with their contributions to philanthropy.

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"That wasn’t easy to do," France said. "The bar was already pretty high."

Voting for the fourth annual award continues through Thursday at midnight ET at NASCAR.com/award. The winner will be announced Friday night during the annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony, with the recipient collecting a $100,000 contribution for his or her charity from Bank of America and a 2015 Camry provided by award sponsor Toyota.

The other three finalists will receive $25,000 donations for their causes. France was quick to point out that regardless of Friday’s announcement, all of the four nominees were already winners.

"Their stories are emotional and impactful," France said. "They truly represent the heart and soul of the NASCAR world, which we all know is much more than racing. Caring, compassion and commitment — that’s what we’ve been introduced to this evening."

The four finalists — who were announced at Kansas Speedway in October — come from all regions of the country. Wednesday evening, they converged in Las Vegas to take photos and exchange greetings with the 2014 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers.

The four nominees for this year’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award are:

• Tammy Anderson-Lee, San Diego: A longtime volunteer with the Autism Society of San Diego, Anderson-Lee has been instrumental in teaching survival swimming to the community with her innovative Pool PALS program.

• Amber Larkin; Windermere, Florida: Larkin founded the Noah’s Light Foundation in 2010 to help fund research and raise awareness for finding a cure for pediatric brain cancer. The foundation is named after her son, who passed away from the disease in 2012.

• Chris McElwee; Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: The founder of Michael’s Way, named in memory of his brother’s bout with leukemia, has raised more than $400,000 to help families of children with cancer.

• Daniel Noltemeyer; Louisville, Kentucky: Noltemeyer, a 32-year-old living with Down Syndrome, helped form Best Buddies Kentucky with the goal of helping raise awareness and furthering social activities for people with developmental disabilities.

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