Shorter Silver Crown Schedule for 2007/ Santos Wins Race, Phillip Claims 1st PRA Title

Shorter Silver Crown Schedule for 2007

USAC released their 2007 Silver Crown schedule this morning at the Performance Racing Industry trade show in Orlando. The 2007 schedule is a shortened version of 2006. Gone are new generation pavement races at Kentucky Speedway and the Milwaukee Mile. The series has added a 50 lap dirt race at Manzanita Speedway to replace the pavement version of the Copper World Classic. The pavement race at Phoenix International Raceway now falls on the Thursday of the NASCAR weekend in November. USAC will race at the same venue as the IRL only twice this season, at Homestead Miami Speedway and Richmond International Raceway. The series will race on NASCAR weekends four times at Chicagoland Speedway, O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, Kansas Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway. The Iowa Speedway “Triple Crown” race featuring all three of USAC’s national divisions is the only stand-alone pavement race. The Iowa race moves to May and the Terre Haute race moves back to its early June date.

The Hoosier Hundred, Springfield, DuQuoin and the Four Crown Nationals all return to the schedule to close the count, seven pavement races to six dirt races. USAC also released the schedules for their National Midget and Sprint Series. Those schedules are available at http://www.usacracing.com/. The full schedule is published below.

2/9-10 Phoenix, AZ Manzanita Speedway
3/23-25 Homestead, FL Homestead Miami Speedway
5/5 Newton, IA Iowa Speedway
5/25 Indianapolis, IN Indiana State Fairgrounds
6/2 Terre Haute, IN Terre Haute Action Track
6/29-30 Richmond, VA Richmond International Raceway
7/13 Joliet, IL Chicagoland Speedway
7/26 Indianapolis, IN O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis
8/18 Springfield, IL Illinois State Fairgrounds
9/2 DuQuoin, IL DuQuoin State Fairgrounds
9/22 Rossburg, OH Eldora Speedway
9/28-29 Kansas City, KS Kansas Speedway
11/8 Phoenix, AZ Phoenix International Raceway

Santos Wins Race, Phillip Claims 1st PRA Title
Chet Phillip came to Florida with his sights set on the 2006 Inaugural PRA Big Car Series Title. The Avon, Indiana native qualified 20th and moved through the field to finish 4th clinching the championship. Bobby Santos III scored Carl Edwards/ R.E. Technologies Racing’s first win in the Premiere Racing Association Big Car Series Wednesday night. Santos, driving the No. 99 Ford powered Beast, qualified third turning a time of 20.197. Marc Jessup took the pole with a time of 19.827 around the ¾ mile oval. Bobby Santos however won the draw and would start on the pole but the fast Jessup would get by Santos to take the lead early in the race. Bobby Santos would conserve his equipment and later retake the lead from Jessup. Fellow Ford powered driver, Bobby East would pressure the Franklin, Massachusetts native. The Carl Edwards/ R.E. Technologies Racing team would then use a red flag to make a few minor adjustments to the No. 99 Ford powered Beast. Bobby Santos III was able to pull away when the race resumed winning by a straightaway. Bobby East finished second and Teddy Beach rounded out the top three. Santos’ teammates, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Cameron Dodson brought home top ten finishes 7th and 8th respectively in their first PRA starts.

Unofficial Results
1 . 99 - Bobby Santos III Franklin, PA 100 Running2 . 6 - Bobby East Brownsburg, IN 100 Running3 . 15 - Teddy Beach Donnelsville, OH 100 Running4 . 77 - Chet Fillip Avon, IN 100 Running5 . 91 - Dave Steele Tampa, FL 100 Running6 . 41 - Kyle Nicholas Naples, FL 100 Running7 . 135 - Ricky Stenhouse Olive Branch, MS 100 Running8 . 35 - Cameron Dodson Greenfield, IN 100 Running9 . 92 - Dave Darland Lincoln, IN 100 Running10 . 192 - Levi Jones Olney, IL 100 Running11 . 4 - Eric Gordon Indianapolis, IN 100 Running12 . 198 - Michael Roselli Jr. Brodheadsville, PA 100 Running13 . 110 - Alex Pruett Los Angeles, CA 100 Running14 . 52 - Travis Pastrana Annapolis, MD 100 Running15 . 51 - Russ Gamester Peru, IN 100 Running16 . 5 - Jimmy Kite Stockbridge, GA 100 Running17 . 20 - Ron Gregory Noblesville, IN 99 Running18 . 32 - A. J. Fike Galesburg, IL 77 Accident19 . 1 - Wayne Reutimann Sr. Zephyrhills, FL 67 Mechanical20 . 0 - Wayne Reutimann Jr. Zephyrhills, FL 52 Mechanical21 . 29 - Tony Stewart Columbus, IN 44 Mechanical22 . 25 - Marc Jessup Camby, IN 41 Mechanical23 . 90 - Johnny Heydenreich Bloomsburg, PA 40 Accident24 . 37 - Tracy Hines New Castle, IN 40 Accident25 . 94 - Mike Lichty Ontario, Canada 34 Mechanical26 . 95 - Jerry Coons Jr. Tucson, AZ 26 Accident27 . 89 - Brad Davis Clermont, FL 21 Mechanical28 . 28 - Brian Paulus Mechanicsburg, PA 1 Mechanical

You Can’t Believe Everything You Read
Some times my gut us right and sometimes it is wrong. On Wednesday I reported that Dirt Motorsports would make an announcement regarding title sponsorship in the World of Outlaws. They did name a title sponsor Thursday after noon at PRI but it wasn’t for the World of Outlaws Sprint Series, it was for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. That series will be called the 360 OTC World of Outlaws Late Model Series. Rockford-Montgomery Labs has signed a three-year deal with Dirt to make their 360 OTC pain reliever brand the title sponsor. There was no announcement today on the WoO Sprint Series, which at this time does not have a title sponsor. I regret the error. I hope you will continue to read this blog knowing that speculation is speculation unless it is confirmed which in this case it was not.

Note: The views and opinions expressed in today’s blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of his employers, this website or any other person or company on the planet.

Images appearing in this blog courtesy of Open Wheeler.

Dirt Lands Dough

Dirt Lands Dough

Dirt Motorsports will announce Thursday their title sponsor presumably for their World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series. This will mark the first time since O’Reilly was the title sponsor under the late Ted Johnson’s ownership that the series will have a title sponsor. The word on the street says that the new title sponsor could be Quaker State’s Q brand but we have not confirmed that rumor. The official announcement is set for 3:30pm eastern in the PRI Press Room in Orlando.

The new title sponsor will enjoy the return of the King, Steve Kinser to the series along with Danny Lasoski and other drivers that are expected to follow. The new sponsor will enjoy a stronger television package that includes races on SPEED and for the first time races on ESPN2. Expect more announcements from Dirt Morosports in the upcoming weeks.

All Images Courtesy of Open Wheeler

Mopar Switch-a-roo/ Chevrolet to Tony Stewart/ USAC Rule Changes/ PRA Wraps Up Season/ Striking a Chord/ Truckin News/ Guaranteed Wrecks/ ESPN Racing

Mopar Switch-a-roo

Mopar is leaving Tony Stewart Racing and will sponsor Kasey Kahne Racing’s efforts in 2007. A news conference is scheduled for Friday at 10am at the PRI show to make the announcement official. Kasey Kahne Racing will field a car with Joey Saldana behind the wheel in the World of Outlaws Sprint Series. Kahne told Dave Moody on Sirius Speedway on Sirius Satellite radio that KKR would also filed sprint and midget cars in USAC in 2007 with Mopar backing. It was unclear listening to the program if Kahne would reopen his Silver Crown program or if the program would run USAC Silver pavement, dirt or PRA pavement. Kahne did tell Moody that he would be spending two weeks in Australia sharing a sprint car ride with Saldana.

Chevrolet Enters USAC Sponsoring Tony Stewart Motorsports
Chevrolet will sponsor and power the engines for Tony Stewart Motorsports in 2007. The three-year deal includes his World of Outlaws team driven by Paul McMahn No. 20, his USAC National Midget Series team driven by Levi Jones driving the No. 20 and Tracy Hines in the No. 21. Jones and Hines will also drive the same numbered cars in the USAC National Sprint Series. The team will also field cars in the USAC Silver Crown Series on dirt. Bass Pro Shops will be an associate sponsor on the USAC cars while remaining the primary sponsor on the WoO car.

"Our goal when we formed Tony Stewart Racing was to create a grassroots motorsports program that would compete for wins and championships while promoting qualified drivers to the next level," said Stewart, who earned his NASCAR success by way of USAC as he captured four USAC national championships, including the elusive Triple Crown in 1995 when he earned titles in each of USAC's top divisions - Sprint, Midget and Silver Crown. "We've been successful, but in order to remain successful we needed a partner committed to us and committed to motorsports. We found the perfect partner in Chevrolet."

Stewart drives Chevrolet powered cars in the NASCAR Nextel Cup and NASCAR Busch Series. Chevrolet's sponsorship of TSR marks its first official foray into USAC and the World of Outlaws. Chevrolet will also provide the "Official Pace Truck of Eldora Speedway." The brand will also be the title sponsor of a major, to be determined auto racing event at Eldora. (Maybe the Four Crown Nationals? Just a guess.) Mark Kent from GM Racing said his company wants to make their mark in grass roots Motorsports.

"Our sponsorship of Tony Stewart Racing ensures Chevrolet's future success in motorsports," said Kent. "We want to establish Chevrolet as the engine of choice for open-wheel racers around the country.

Since its formation in November 2000, TSR has earned seven owner championships. Danny Lasoski WoO 2001
J.J. Yeley USAC National Sprint 2003
Josh Wise USAC National Sprint 2006
(with co-owner Bob East) Won four straight USAC Silver Crown championships from 2002 to 2005 with Yeley, Kasey Kahne and Dave Steele driving.

USAC Rule Changes

With the New Year come new rule changes for USAC midget, sprint and Silver Crown divisions. If a team wants to retain their number from 2006, they must have entered 51% of the races in 2006 in their division. All competitors will be required to wear a head and neck restraint system. The early entry points rule is out the window. The rules for red flags have changed including a new rule that mandates that all drivers remain buckled in on red flags unless a USAC official says otherwise. The Silver Crown division is allowing SB-2 cylinder heads and the weight rules have also changed. The Silver Crown division is also mandating that all drivers become USAC members in order to race.

One way radios are now required in USAC’s sprint divisions. Both sprint and midget divisions have other new rules regarding sail panels and noses of the cars. You can read the new rule changes at USAC’s website, www.USACRacing.com.

PRA Wraps Up Inaugural Season
The Premier Racing Association is wrapping up their inaugural Big Car Series season Wednesday at USA Speedway in Lakeland, Florida. The Big Cars have a scheduled an open practice session today at USA International Speedway. No word yet on how the practice sessions went. The action Wednesday begins with practice at 3pm, qualifying at 5:30pm followed by a scheduled 100-lap feature.

Striking a Chord
I about slit my wrists trying to get through Jay Mohr’s terrible jokes trying to watch the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Awards Ceremony. If Mohr is banned from Jim Rome’s Jungle, there is a good reason. His jokes are in terrible taste. Thankfully he did not host the NASCAR Busch Series Awards program that was taped in Florida last weekend. The Busch program did have a few bright moments according to Amanda Brahler in her article at http://www.bgnracing.com/. Brahler reports that Open Wheeler Carl Edwards joined recording artists Robert Randolph and The Family Band on guitar. Edwards started his own record label this season, Back 40 Records. Images shot by Phil Cavali of Edwards jam session can be viewed at this link. http://www.bgnracing.com/modules.php?name=BGNPhotos&op=album&id=120&min=32
Unfortunately fans will have to set their VCRs to record the ceremony that airs on TNT on December 19th at midnight eastern. Speed did fans a favor with a better time slot for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Awards Ceremony. That is scheduled to air on December 29 9pm eastern.

Fike to the Truck Series
According to a story in NASCAR Scene, Aaron Fike will drive the No. 11 Toyota Tundra in the NASCAR Truck Series in 2007.

Schrader Goes Truckin in 2007
Ken Schrader will drive the No. 18 Fastenal Dodge for Bobby Hamilton Racing during the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.

Crocker May Not Run Trucks in 2007
According to a story posted at http://jayski.com/cts/ctsnews.htm, Erin Crocker’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team has closed its operations. Jayski reports that her team members have relocated to other Ray Evernham Motorsports. The article goes on to say that Crocker will run some ARCA ReMax Series races in 2007. The Evernham Motorsports website http://www.evernhammotorsports.com/main.cfm?pagename=standings98&driverId=112
only lists 2006 Busch and ARCA results for Crocker and makes no mention of her 2006 run in the truck series which landed her in 25th in the points, the lowest points finish of any driver to start every race. The second worst finisher points wise that started every race was Kerry Earnhardt. He finished 22nd.

In other related news, Crocker accompanied her boss Ray Evernham to the NASCAR Nextel Cup Awards Ceremony week as seen in these two images. http://www.flickr.com/photos/answer_this/312576279/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/answer_this/311361874/Ray Evernham has repeated told the media that he will not discuss his personal life.

Guaranteed Wrecks

I really doubt that a series that seems to wreck every time they head into turn one on the first lap of a race is ready for this but it appears that the folks at Champ Car World Series would disagree with me. CCWS officials announced that the series would make “standing starts“ (think F1) at venues where it is safe to do so.

Hey folks, this isn’t a good idea unless you want guaranteed carnage. But then again, studies have found that the casual race fan watches the sport for the wrecks.

ESPN Change
I reported earlier this season that ESPN.com created an IRL icon at the top of their page. With the addition of CCWS to their program lineup, that icon has been changed back to “autos.” The NASCAR icon remains unchanged.

ARCA on Speed
SPEED will broadcast 14 ARCA RE/MAX Series races in 2007 beginning Saturday afternoon, February 10 at Daytona Int’l Speedway, with live, flag to flag coverage of the 44th annual Daytona ARCA 200 season opener. In addition to Daytona, events scheduled for coverage in ’07 include both at Toledo Speedway on May 20 and October 14 and both at Pocono Raceway on June 9 and August 4. Kansas Speedway on April 27, Iowa Speedway on June 2, Michigan Int’l Speedway on June 15, Kentucky Speedway on July 13, Nashville Superspeedway on August 11, the Milwaukee Mile on August 26, Gateway Int’l Raceway on August 31, Chicagoland Speedway on September 8 and Talladega Superspeedway on October 5 will complete the coverage.

ESPN Steps Up Busch Coverage

The ESPN family of networks (ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC) will air all of the NASCAR Busch Series races in 2007. The networks will also provide coverage of practice and qualifying from 17 races as well as broadcast the season ending banquet (hopefully at a better time slot than 12am.) The network also plans a pre race program and their news program NASCAR Now. The NASCAR programs will all air in High Definition. Technicians are currently working on HD cameras that will be placed in cars for a totally HD broadcast for the first time.

The ESPN family of networks will go from having only the IRL and NHRA in 2006 to NASCAR, Cup, NASCAR Busch, Champ Car World Series and the World of Outlaws Sprints in addition to the IRL and NHRA. Look for ESPN to utilize some of the new angles and broadcast formats that they used in the IRL broadcast this past season in the NASSCAR broadcasts. The first NASCAR race back on ESPN will be the Busch Series opener on February 17th on ESPN2.

Images appearing in this blog courtesy of Open Wheeler, Lonnie Weatley, SPEED, ABC, NBC and NASCAR Images.

Mopar Switch-a-roo/ Chevrolet to Tony Stewart/ USAC Rule Changes/ PRA Wraps Up Season/ Striking a Chord/ Truckin News/ Guaranteed Wrecks/ ESPN Racing

Mopar Switch-a-roo

Mopar is leaving Tony Stewart Racing and will sponsor Kasey Kahne Racing’s efforts in 2007. A news conference is scheduled for Friday at 10am at the PRI show to make the announcement official. Kasey Kahne Racing will field a car with Joey Saldana behind the wheel in the World of Outlaws Sprint Series. Kahne told Dave Moody on Sirius Speedway on Sirius Satellite radio that KKR would also filed sprint and midget cars in USAC in 2007 with Mopar backing. It was unclear listening to the program if Kahne would reopen his Silver Crown program or if the program would run USAC Silver pavement, dirt or PRA pavement. Kahne did tell Moody that he would be spending two weeks in Australia sharing a sprint car ride with Saldana.

Chevrolet Enters USAC Sponsoring Tony Stewart Motorsports
Chevrolet will sponsor and power the engines for Tony Stewart Motorsports in 2007. The three-year deal includes his World of Outlaws team driven by Paul McMahn No. 20, his USAC National Midget Series team driven by Levi Jones driving the No. 20 and Tracy Hines in the No. 21. Jones and Hines will also drive the same numbered cars in the USAC National Sprint Series. The team will also field cars in the USAC Silver Crown Series on dirt. Bass Pro Shops will be an associate sponsor on the USAC cars while remaining the primary sponsor on the WoO car.

"Our goal when we formed Tony Stewart Racing was to create a grassroots motorsports program that would compete for wins and championships while promoting qualified drivers to the next level," said Stewart, who earned his NASCAR success by way of USAC as he captured four USAC national championships, including the elusive Triple Crown in 1995 when he earned titles in each of USAC's top divisions - Sprint, Midget and Silver Crown. "We've been successful, but in order to remain successful we needed a partner committed to us and committed to motorsports. We found the perfect partner in Chevrolet."

Stewart drives Chevrolet powered cars in the NASCAR Nextel Cup and NASCAR Busch Series. Chevrolet's sponsorship of TSR marks its first official foray into USAC and the World of Outlaws. Chevrolet will also provide the "Official Pace Truck of Eldora Speedway." The brand will also be the title sponsor of a major, to be determined auto racing event at Eldora. (Maybe the Four Crown Nationals? Just a guess.) Mark Kent from GM Racing said his company wants to make their mark in grass roots Motorsports.

"Our sponsorship of Tony Stewart Racing ensures Chevrolet's future success in motorsports," said Kent. "We want to establish Chevrolet as the engine of choice for open-wheel racers around the country.

Since its formation in November 2000, TSR has earned seven owner championships. Danny Lasoski WoO 2001
J.J. Yeley USAC National Sprint 2003
Josh Wise USAC National Sprint 2006
(with co-owner Bob East) Won four straight USAC Silver Crown championships from 2002 to 2005 with Yeley, Kasey Kahne and Dave Steele driving.

USAC Rule Changes

With the New Year come new rule changes for USAC midget, sprint and Silver Crown divisions. If a team wants to retain their number from 2006, they must have entered 51% of the races in 2006 in their division. All competitors will be required to wear a head and neck restraint system. The early entry points rule is out the window. The rules for red flags have changed including a new rule that mandates that all drivers remain buckled in on red flags unless a USAC official says otherwise. The Silver Crown division is allowing SB-2 cylinder heads and the weight rules have also changed. The Silver Crown division is also mandating that all drivers become USAC members in order to race.

One way radios are now required in USAC’s sprint divisions. Both sprint and midget divisions have other new rules regarding sail panels and noses of the cars. You can read the new rule changes at USAC’s website, www.USACRacing.com.

PRA Wraps Up Inaugural Season
The Premier Racing Association is wrapping up their inaugural Big Car Series season Wednesday at USA Speedway in Lakeland, Florida. The Big Cars have a scheduled an open practice session today at USA International Speedway. No word yet on how the practice sessions went. The action Wednesday begins with practice at 3pm, qualifying at 5:30pm followed by a scheduled 100-lap feature.

Striking a Chord
I about slit my wrists trying to get through Jay Mohr’s terrible jokes trying to watch the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Awards Ceremony. If Mohr is banned from Jim Rome’s Jungle, there is a good reason. His jokes are in terrible taste. Thankfully he did not host the NASCAR Busch Series Awards program that was taped in Florida last weekend. The Busch program did have a few bright moments according to Amanda Brahler in her article at http://www.bgnracing.com/. Brahler reports that Open Wheeler Carl Edwards joined recording artists Robert Randolph and The Family Band on guitar. Edwards started his own record label this season, Back 40 Records. Images shot by Phil Cavali of Edwards jam session can be viewed at this link. http://www.bgnracing.com/modules.php?name=BGNPhotos&op=album&id=120&min=32
Unfortunately fans will have to set their VCRs to record the ceremony that airs on TNT on December 19th at midnight eastern. Speed did fans a favor with a better time slot for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Awards Ceremony. That is scheduled to air on December 29 9pm eastern.

Fike to the Truck Series
According to a story in NASCAR Scene, Aaron Fike will drive the No. 11 Toyota Tundra in the NASCAR Truck Series in 2007.

Schrader Goes Truckin in 2007
Ken Schrader will drive the No. 18 Fastenal Dodge for Bobby Hamilton Racing during the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.

Crocker May Not Run Trucks in 2007
According to a story posted at http://jayski.com/cts/ctsnews.htm, Erin Crocker’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team has closed its operations. Jayski reports that her team members have relocated to other Ray Evernham Motorsports. The article goes on to say that Crocker will run some ARCA ReMax Series races in 2007. The Evernham Motorsports website http://www.evernhammotorsports.com/main.cfm?pagename=standings98&driverId=112
only lists 2006 Busch and ARCA results for Crocker and makes no mention of her 2006 run in the truck series which landed her in 25th in the points, the lowest points finish of any driver to start every race. The second worst finisher points wise that started every race was Kerry Earnhardt. He finished 22nd.

In other related news, Crocker accompanied her boss Ray Evernham to the NASCAR Nextel Cup Awards Ceremony week as seen in these two images. http://www.flickr.com/photos/answer_this/312576279/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/answer_this/311361874/Ray Evernham has repeatedly told the media that he will not discuss his personal life.

Guaranteed Wrecks

I really doubt that a series that seems to wreck every time they head into turn one on the first lap of a race is ready for this but it appears that the folks at Champ Car World Series would disagree with me. CCWS officials announced that the series would make “standing starts“ (think F1) at venues where it is safe to do so.

Hey folks, this isn’t a good idea unless you want guaranteed carnage. But then again, studies have found that the casual race fan watches the sport for the wrecks.

ESPN Change
I reported earlier this season that ESPN.com created an IRL icon at the top of their page. With the addition of CCWS to their program lineup, that icon has been changed back to “autos.” The NASCAR icon remains unchanged.

ARCA on Speed
SPEED will broadcast 14 ARCA RE/MAX Series races in 2007 beginning Saturday afternoon, February 10 at Daytona Int’l Speedway, with live, flag to flag coverage of the 44th annual Daytona ARCA 200 season opener. In addition to Daytona, events scheduled for coverage in ’07 include both at Toledo Speedway on May 20 and October 14 and both at Pocono Raceway on June 9 and August 4. Kansas Speedway on April 27, Iowa Speedway on June 2, Michigan Int’l Speedway on June 15, Kentucky Speedway on July 13, Nashville Superspeedway on August 11, the Milwaukee Mile on August 26, Gateway Int’l Raceway on August 31, Chicagoland Speedway on September 8 and Talladega Superspeedway on October 5 will complete the coverage.

ESPN Steps Up Busch Coverage

The ESPN family of networks (ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC) will air all of the NASCAR Busch Series races in 2007. The networks will also provide coverage of practice and qualifying from 17 races as well as broadcast the season ending banquet (hopefully at a better time slot than 12am.) The network also plans a pre race program and their news program NASCAR Now. The NASCAR programs will all air in High Definition. Technicians are currently working on HD cameras that will be placed in cars for a totally HD broadcast for the first time.

The ESPN family of networks will go from having only the IRL and NHRA in 2006 to NASCAR, Cup, NASCAR Busch, Champ Car World Series and the World of Outlaws Sprints in addition to the IRL and NHRA. Look for ESPN to utilize some of the new angles and broadcast formats that they used in the IRL broadcast this past season in the NASSCAR broadcasts. The first NASCAR race back on ESPN will be the Busch Series opener on February 17th on ESPN2.

Images appearing in this blog courtesy of Open Wheeler, Lonnie Weatley, SPEED, ABC, NBC and NASCAR Images.