Autism outreach runs deep within NASCAR family

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Holly Cain

Many are affected, but all pitch in to effort of spreading awareness

DOVER, Del. — Race sponsorship for this weekend’s FedEx 400 Benefiting Autism Speaks is especially near to NASCAR’s heart and an example of what the sport’s commitment to a cause can do.

With nominations for the 2013 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award due by June 14 (submit them at NASCAR.com/foundation) the 2012 winner Lorri Unumb is at Dover International Speedway this weekend on behalf of Autism Speaks explaining what a difference NASCAR and this award can make to an organization.

“It’s hard for me to express actually the impact the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award has had on my life,’’ Unumb said. “My husband and I founded the Autism Academy of South Carolina, which was the recipient of a $100,000 charitable donation from the NASCAR Foundation.

“So just the financial impact alone has been incredible but more than that, I’ve had a continuing relationship with NASCAR and the NASCAR Foundation,’’ continued Unumb, whose 12-year son Ryan has autism.

"It just means so much to the autism community."

— NASCAR on FOX coordinating producer Artie Kempner

“That’s why I’m here today. The platform it has raised for Autism has been incredible. I really encourage other people to apply for it.’’

NASCAR’s commitment to autism awareness includes an official partnership with Autism Speaks. NASCAR Chairman Brian France and his wife, Amy, co-chaired the “Speeding for a Cure Gala” that benefitted the organization earlier this year at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

And while the familiar blue puzzle piece logo for Autism Speaks will be prominently displayed around the race track this weekend, it is an important cause to many in the garage all year long.

The condition — which affects one in 88 children — has directly affected many associated with the sport, including driver Jamie McMurray whose niece has autism. NASCAR on FOX coordinating producer Artie Kempner has a teenage son with autism, who will be attending the race Sunday.

“He is so excited about it,’’ Kempner said. “This partnership with Dover Motorsports and Autism came together in 2007 and now FedEx came on board the last three years and it just means so much to the autism community.’’

“The awareness is that much greater because of that. Autism is not a foreign word to people now. You’ve got families that don’t feel it’s a hopeless situation as it was considered 15 years ago.

“To be involved with NASCAR is an incredible opportunity because the NASCAR community gets behind what the NASCAR drivers get behind and drivers like Jamie and Hermie and Elliott Sadler, who are impacted.

“I’m just tickled we’re talking about autism on a great NASCAR weekend.’’

READ MORE:

READ: Latest news
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READ: Harvick’s late charge
leads to 600 win

READ: Kenseth, Johnson hopes
wrecked in 600

READ: Pit crew key as
Hamlin claws back

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Posted on June 1, 2013 by Staff Report

Team signs him to participate in two road-course events this season

For the first time since a failed drug test cost him a Sprint Cup ride last year, AJ Allmendinger will be in a stock car for Penske Racing.

Allmendinger, who has been participating in a part-time schedule with the Team Penske IndyCar program, will drive the No. 22 Discount Tire Ford Mustang in two NASCAR Nationwide Series road-course events, June 22 at Road America and Aug. 17 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

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“I’ve always really enjoyed the road-course racing in NASCAR, so to get the opportunity to compete in two events in the Nationwide Series with Penske Racing is amazing,” Allmendinger said.

Allmendinger lost his ride in the No. 22 Sprint Cup Series car for Penske last year because of the failed drug test. Suspended by NASCAR, Allmendinger completed the sanctioning body’s Road to Recovery program and has competed in four Cup races in the No. 51 for Phoenix Racing. His best finish this season was 11th in the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.

"He is a great talent on road courses and has been doing a great job for Team Penske already this year in the IZOD IndyCar Series," team owner Roger Penske said. "With his stock car experience and his road-course experience, we think this is the perfect opportunity for him and for the team.”

Allmendinger has eight career starts in the Nationwide Series, the last coming in 2008 in Phoenix.

READ MORE:

READ: Latest news
from Dover

READ: Harvick’s late charge
leads to 600 win

READ: Kenseth, Johnson hopes
wrecked in 600

READ: Pit crew key as
Hamlin claws back

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Posted on June 1, 2013 by Staff Report

Coors Light Pole Award Winner Austin Dillon gets his pick of pit stalls

Just like Denny Hamlin in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Austin Dillon won his second consecutive Coors Light Pole Award in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, taking the top spot at Dover International Speedway.

The second-fastest qualifier, Sam Hornish Jr., picked Stall 18 behind the second stall opening on pit road. Third-fastest Kyle Busch picked Stall 10 behind the first pit stall opening on pit road.

READ MORE:

READ: Latest news
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READ: Harvick’s late charge
leads to 600 win

READ: Kenseth, Johnson hopes
wrecked in 600

READ: Pit crew key as
Hamlin claws back

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Posted on June 1, 2013 by Staff Report

Front Row Racing driver caps Sprint Cup practicing, followed by Kenseth, Montoya, Johnson, and Gordon

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RELATED: Lineup | Full Dover coverage

DOVER, Del. — Kurt Busch wrapped up NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice at Dover International Speedway today with the top speed in the final session.

The Furniture Row Racing driver’s 153.224 mph lap around the 1-mile concrete oval put him on top of the scoreboard as the second and final practice for Sunday’s FedEx 400 came to a close.

Matt Kenseth, quickest in the opening practice, was second quickest in the final session with a lap of 153.074 mph.

Juan Pablo Montoya, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon rounded out the top five.

Sixth through 10th were Jamie McMurray, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Martin Truex Jr., Kasey Kahne and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Pole winner Denny Hamlin was 13th while defending series champion Brad Keselowski checked in at 24th overall.

The FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks is scheduled for a 1 p.m. (ET) start on Sunday.

READ MORE:

READ: Latest news
from Dover

READ: Harvick’s late charge
leads to 600 win

READ: Kenseth, Johnson hopes
wrecked in 600

READ: Pit crew key as
Hamlin claws back

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Posted on June 1, 2013 by Staff Report

Beats out Hornish Jr., Kyle Busch to earn pole after topping practice

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RELATED: Lineup | Full Dover coverage

DOVER, Del. — Austin Dillon used the last two laps of qualifying to win his second straight pole position of the season and will lead the field to green for this afternoon’s 5-Hour ENERGY 200 Nationwide Series race at Dover International Speedway.

Dillon’s speed of 152.951 mph in the No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet was a mere .017-second faster than Sam Hornish Jr.’s No. 12 Wurth Ford, knocking Hornish off the pole in the final minute of the session around the concrete 1-miler known as the “Monster Mile.”

Kyle Busch, rookie Alex Bowman and Kasey Kahne rounded out the top-five qualifiers.

Neither the 23-year old Dillon nor Hornish expected their qualifying times to put them on the front row, however.

“I was not surprised to be on the pole,’’ said Dillon, who had been quickest in final practice.

“But I was surprised that lap ended up on the pole because I was actually going for a different one (time). So it’s pretty impressive to know we are on the pole with that lap.

“Dover is an awesome track and being out here in the middle of the summer with the grip changes, you just have to find that grip. But I’m a dirt racer and I’m used to that.’’

The temperatures in the Dover areas have neared 90 degrees, with local weather forecasters declaring a heat wave. Other than the drivers being uncomfortable in the car, the high temperatures will cause the track conditions to vary greatly in the race.

“We were too free in the first lap of qualifying and when the told me I had pulled that time, I decided not to do another lap,’’ said Hornish, who had been only 11th fastest in final practice.

“I decided let’s not take a chance. We qualified 14th here last year and drove up to second, so I know starting second will be a lot better for us. We just need to make better adjustments.

This is Dillon’s fifth pole in 55 Nationwide Series starts. Defending race winner Brad Keselowski isn’t competing today.

READ MORE:

READ: Latest news
from Dover

READ: Harvick’s late charge
leads to 600 win

READ: Kenseth, Johnson hopes
wrecked in 600

READ: Pit crew key as
Hamlin claws back

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Posted on June 1, 2013 by Staff Report

Kahne, Keselowski, Busch brothers round out top five

RELATED: Lineup | Full Dover coverage

DOVER, Del. — Matt Kenseth led the day’s first practice for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams as preparations for Sunday’s FedEx 400 at Dover International Speedway continued.

Kenseth, a three-time winner this season, posted a top lap of 156.788 mph. Kasey Kahne was second at 156.638.

Defending series champion Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch and Kurt Busch were third through fifth, respectively.

There were no on-track incidents, although Dale Earnhardt Jr. did sustain minor damage to his No. 88 entry after slight contact with the wall.

Pole winner Denny Hamlin was sixth on the speed chart, while Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer, Jimmie Johnson and Juan Pablo Montoya completed the top 10.

A final practice for Cup teams is scheduled to begin at 12:50 p.m. (ET).

Sunday’s race, the final race of the season for television partner FOX, is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. (ET)

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READ MORE:

READ: Latest news
from Dover

READ: Harvick’s late charge
leads to 600 win

READ: Kenseth, Johnson hopes
wrecked in 600

READ: Pit crew key as
Hamlin claws back

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Posted on June 1, 2013 by Staff Report

Coors Light Pole Award winner Denny Hamlin gets the first pick of pit stalls

For the second consecutive weekend, Denny Hamlin claimed the Coors Light Pole Award, which comes with it the opportunity to have the first choice of pit stalls.

Hamlin picked the first stall at pit out heading into Turn 1 at Dover International Speedway.

Martin Truex Jr., a native of Mayetta, N.J., will take pit stall 10 at the first opening on pit road at his home track, the Monster Mile.

READ MORE:

READ: Latest news
from Dover

READ: Harvick’s late charge
leads to 600 win

READ: Kenseth, Johnson hopes
wrecked in 600

READ: Pit crew key as
Hamlin claws back

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Posted on June 1, 2013 by Nascar

Joe Gibbs Racing team plagued by issues with Toyota parts

DOVER, Del. — A week after suffering his second engine failure of the season, the durability of the Toyota piece was still something of a sore spot for Kyle Busch.

“What’s explained to me each and every time I break … there’s no fix for it,” Busch said May 31 at Dover International Speedway. “It is what it is, sort of the luck of the draw.

“The bummer is that I keep picking the wrong straw. I hate that it keeps happening to us … but like I said, there’s nothing to fix it.”

Toyota Racing Development provides the engines for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams of Joe Gibbs Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing.

Busch and JGR teammate Matt Kenseth suffered engine failures in the season-opening race at Daytona this year, while the teams of Busch and teammate Denny Hamlin made engine changes before the start of the following week’s race at Phoenix.

An engine-related issue felled MWR’s Clint Bowyer at Auto Club Speedway.

"The bummer is that I keep picking the wrong straw. I hate that it keeps happening to us."

— Kyle Busch

But engine problems haven’t been limited to those in the Toyota camp. And the number of failures for the various groups providing engines isn’t noticeably higher than in previous years.

In addition to Busch, the Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet of Dale Earnhardt Jr. also had engine problems during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte.

“I think there’s a label attributed to Toyota or TRD with engines,” Dave Wilson, senior vice president for TRD, said June 1. “But look across the entire garage. Other than Penske (Racing) who went two years without a single problem, it was a tough year for engine builders (last year). We had 12 failures last year. Hendrick (Motorsports) had 10, Earnhardt Childress Racing has 12, Roush Fenway had 11.”

Much of that, Wilson said, could be attributed to the repaving of several tracks, noting that drivers were able to “get back on the gas sooner, which means more RPM over extended periods.”

That Busch suffered engine failures in three consecutive races last season (at Dover, Pocono and Michigan) “always comes to the surface,” Wilson said.

“Any time any of our folks have an engine problem, we take that personally. That’s our measure of success. As an engine builder, I’ve always maintained that you don’t do it for pats on the back. The biggest compliment from a driver is when you don’t hear anything because that just means that the engine isn’t top of mind and they’re focused somewhere else.”

Hamlin said that when a teammate has had an engine-related problem, the worry begins.

“Usually when one (engine) goes, multiple go,” he said. Busch’s incident was thought to be an isolated incident, “a freak issue,” according to Hamlin.

“It doesn’t really bother me honestly,” he said. “I think that TRD has really come a long way with their durability and obviously horsepower has been better this year, but we’ve got to continue to get better.”

Exacerbating Busch’s situation is the fact that the JGR driver spends a lot of time either leading or battling for the lead. Thus, when an issue arises that takes him out of contention, the setback is doubly painful.

Through this year’s first 12 points races, Busch is second in percentage of laps led and 29th in percentage of laps completed.

He ended the 2012 season second in percentage of laps led as well, and was 21st in percentage of laps completed.

The year before that? No. 1 in percentage of laps led. No. 27 in percentage of laps completed.

Run hard or go home. There seems to be little room for anything in between. So his frustration is “understandable,” Wilson said.

“I don’t think it’s just frustration about the engine. I looked at Kyle’s performance through our first 12 races. Six of them he’s either won or finished no worse than sixth. Very strong.

“The other six, he’s DNF’d or finished 23rd or worse. And of those six, two were engine failures.

“Kyle is so competitive. He hates not winning so much that … he has trouble dealing with that. Contrast Dale Jr. and Kyle after the (Coca-Cola) 600, just their overall demeanor. He hates it.

“It’s not a criticism, it’s just a measure of how intensely competitive that individual is.”

READ MORE:

READ: Latest news
from Dover

READ: Harvick’s late charge
leads to 600 win

READ: Kenseth, Johnson hopes
wrecked in 600

READ: Pit crew key as
Hamlin claws back

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Posted on May 31, 2013 by

Network’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule to begin June 9 at Pocono Raceway

The green flag is set to wave on TNT’s 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series action with the network offering all-access coverage throughout the six-week NASCAR Summer Series beginning Sunday, June 9, at Pocono Raceway at 1 p.m. ET.

"We’re bringing fans an all-access pass to TNT’s NASCAR Summer Series coverage this year. These deeper layers of access will provide fans with a look under the hood to some of the great personalities and teams in the sport and the level of teamwork and commitment it takes to be successful."

—Craig Barry, senior vice president and executive creative director, Turner Sports

TNT’s all-access pass will include behind-the-scenes content featuring a select driver and their team (one per week) throughout the NASCAR Summer Series along with special “off the track” segments and more.

TNT will follow a driver and their team over the course of the entire week as they travel and prepare for the upcoming race, with coverage beginning when the driver leaves the previous track and continuing throughout the network’s next NASCAR Summer Series telecast. Featured drivers will include Denny Hamlin (Pocono), Brad Keselowski (Michigan), Juan Pablo Montoya (Sonoma) and Kurt Busch (Kentucky), among others. The all-access pieces will air weekly during the pre-race Countdown to Green Presented by Kelley Blue Book show.

Additionally, TNT will televise a special feature each week highlighting a select driver away from the track. During the Pocono telecast, TNT will focus the spotlight on Dale Earnhardt Jr. TNT’s Ralph Sheheen and Earnhardt will talk racing and life outside of NASCAR while visiting with Earnhardt at his “Whiskey River” property including his “Car Graveyard.”

Inside Trax will also return for another season and will showcase audio and video from select crew chiefs and teams during each race telecast.

“We’re bringing fans an all-access pass to TNT’s NASCAR Summer Series coverage this year,” said Craig Barry, senior vice president and executive creative director, Turner Sports. “These deeper layers of access will provide fans with a look under the hood to some of the great personalities and teams in the sport and the level of teamwork and commitment it takes to be successful.”

TNT, in its 31st consecutive year of exclusive NASCAR Summer Series coverage, will feature six consecutive races – Pocono (June 9), Michigan (June 16), Sonoma (June 23), Kentucky (June 30), Daytona (July 7) and New Hampshire (July 14). Each of the six races feature a diverse blend of tracks – ovals with three turns (Pocono); the first road race of the year (Sonoma); a long track (Michigan) and a short track (New Hampshire) – which have led to unpredictable outcomes. Over the last 14 races airing on TNT, dating back to 2010, there have been 14 different winners crossing the finish line.

The network will return its marquee commentator crew with analysts Kyle Petty, Wally Dallenbach and Larry McReynolds joining play-by-play announcer Adam Alexander in the booth for each race. Alexander will also host the network’s 60-minute Countdown to Green presented by Kelley Blue Book pre-race show with Petty, Dallenbach and McReynolds. In addition, veteran reporters Ralph Sheheen, Marty Snider, Matt Yocum and Chris Neville will patrol pit road to bring viewers comprehensive coverage and access prior to and during each race.

Fans engaging via social platforms during TNT’s NASCAR coverage are encouraged to use the hashtag #NASCARonTNT.

TNT’s 2013 NASCAR Summer Series Schedule:
(All Times Eastern)

Sunday, June 9
Noon – 1 p.m. ET
Countdown to Green presented by Kelley Blue Book

1 – 4:30 p.m.
Party in the Poconos 400 presented by Walmart (Pocono Raceway)

Sunday, June 16
Noon – 1 p.m.
Countdown to Green presented by Kelley Blue Book

1 – 4:30 p.m.
Quicken Loans 400 (Michigan International Speedway)

Sunday, June 23
2 – 3 p.m.
Countdown to Green presented by Kelley Blue Book

3 – 6:30 p.m.
Toyota/SaveMart 350 (Sonoma Raceway)

Saturday, June 29
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Countdown to Green presented by Kelley Blue Book

7:30 – 11 p.m.
Quaker State 400 (Kentucky Speedway)

Saturday, July 6
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Countdown to Green presented by Kelley Blue Book

7:30 – 11 p.m.
Coke Zero 400 at Daytona powered by Coca-Cola (Daytona International Speedway)

Sunday, July 14
Noon – 1 p.m.
Countdown to Green presented by Kelley Blue Book

1 – 4:30 p.m.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing from New Hampshire (New Hampshire Motor Speedway)

READ MORE:

READ: Harvick’s late charge
leads to 600 win

READ: Post-Coca-Cola 600
Driver Reports

READ: Kenseth, Johnson hopes
wrecked in 600

READ: Pit crew key as
Hamlin claws back

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Posted on May 31, 2013 by

Looks to make sweep of three series races at Dover

Related: Lucas Oil 200 results | Wallace post-race reaction | Video

DOVER, Del. — Pulling away from runner-up Matt Crafton during a four-lap run to the finish, Kyle Busch won Friday’s Lucas Oil 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Dover International Speedway.

Busch sped away after a restart on Lap 197 of 200, as Crafton and third-place finisher Ryan Blaney battled for the second spot.

The victory was owner/driver Busch’s second of the season, his second win in a row, his third at Dover and the 32nd of his career. Chase Elliott, who started on the outside of the front row, overcame two pit road speeding penalties to finish fourth, one spot ahead of Brendan Gaughan, who posted his fourth straight top-five finish.

For Busch, however, the 21st victory on concrete in all three of NASCAR’s top touring series combined was not a typical dominating win.

Busch started fifth and had to fight traffic throughout the early stages of the race, while his crew made adjustments in the pits. Busch didn’t take the lead until he blew past David Starr on Lap 142 after a cycle of green-flag pit stops.

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"It was unbelievable how loose it was following those guys," Busch said of the early racing. "I had to get outside of their wake and kind of move around, and that’s where I started making up some ground. It was more later in the run than it was early in the run.

"These things are just so fast going around here, early in the run with a lot of tire grip and a lot of aero grip, but as the rubber goes down, it certainly gets slick and everybody has their hands full. These guys (the No. 51 crew) made some nice adjustments for me to keep us on top of the race track and up front."

Polesitter Darrell Wallace Jr., who finished 10th, led the first 119 laps of the race but surrendered the top spot Matt Crafton during a green-flag pit stop on Lap 120. By the time the round of pit stops had cycled through, Busch, who pitted on Lap 117, was at the front of the field with an advantage of more than five seconds over Wallace.

Saving fuel for a possible 83-lap run to the finish, Busch saw his lead dwindle to just over two seconds before crew chief Rudy Fugle gave him the green light to run at full speed. But a caution for debris in Turn 2 on Lap 158 made fuel strategy moot and gave the lead-lap cars a chance to pit.

Crafton won the race off pit road and surged ahead of Busch after a restart on Lap 164, but five laps later, Busch passed Crafton to the outside and began to stretch his advantage as Wallace and Timothy Peters battled for the fourth spot behind him.

Busch’s margin was just under a second when NASCAR called the fifth caution of the race on Lap 179, for debris on the frontstretch. Busch chose the outside lane for the restart on Lap 185 and got the jump on Crafton into the first corner.

Busch opened a lead of more than one second before Tim George Jr. blew a tire and smacked the Turn 3 wall on Lap 191 to cause the sixth caution and set up the dash to the finish.

Crafton now leads the series standings by 30 points over rookie Jeb Burton in second place.

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