August news for NASCAR
Nascar News
Truckers Connection
8/4/2008
August 3
Pennsylvania 500
Pocono Raceway
August 10
Centurion Boats at The Glen
Watkins Glen International
August 17
3M Performance 400 presented by Bondo
Michigan International Speedway
August 23
Sharpie 500
Bristol Motor Speedway
August 31
Pepsi 500
Auto Club Speedway
Petty Enterprises gets new money, new chief
Lots of new life is being breathed into the winningest team in NASCAR history. First, money-plentiful Boston Ventures entered into a partnership with Petty Enterprises, sparking raised eyebrows by many that arguably the most famous family racing operation would bring in a non-family outsider. But in these times, money often means better opportunity, so fans should see this as a move in the right direction—returning to winning ways. It also was considered key in resigning past champ Bobby Labonte to a four-year contract extension.
Now, along with new funding comes a new CEO at the helm of the operation. But while he may be new to working in NASCAR, David Zucker is certainly no new face to heading up success. Zucker spent time working for Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner as well as 11 years working for Disney, eight of which saw him at ESPN. So he’s not exactly new to sports either. He did work with NASCAR while at ESPN and it doesn’t hurt that he’s a self-proclaimed fan of racing’s most prestigious circuit.
Here’s to watching the #43 and #45 teams (and possibly a third team??) return to some of their former glory. With the amazing success of the Petty Racing Experience and the Victory Junction Gang Camp, fans are no doubt pulling for success on the track as well.
Lack of funding claims race team
Chip Ganassi Racing closed up ceased operations on one of its three teams earlier this summer due to a “lack of funding,” as reported by the team. Gone from the tracks is the #40 team driven by rookie Dario Franchitti. “This is a difficult decision for [co-owner] Felix [Sabates] and I that did not come without its share of anguish,” Ganassi said in a news release. “In this tough business environment, continuing to run the car without proper funding has become increasingly difficult.” Franchitti—the reigning Indy Racing League (IRL) champion--may still have a set of wheels with the Ganassi Racing operation. At press time, he was in talks to run the balance of the 2008 Nationwide season in the #40 Fastenal Dodge. Franchitti missed five Cup races because of a broken ankle he suffered during the Nationwide Series race at Talledega earlier in the season.
The most colorful fan of NASCAR contest
Love him or hate him, Kyle Busch is one of Sprint Cup’s most talented drivers, racking up more wins this season that any other driver; in fact, no other driver is even CLOSE. Think you could race with Kyle? Then check out the offer his sponsor, one of the most colorful in the sport, is offering. M&Ms wants to know if you are the sport’s most colorful fan.
Upload your Most Colorful NASCAR photos and let the NASCAR.com community decided if you know what it means to be a NASCAR fan. Five lucky fans will win a trip to the Ford 400 at Miami Speedway for a shot at the grand prize: a chance to race with Kyle Busch. For more information and to enter to win, go to NASCAR.com and look for details in the Crews Section under Community.
Perfect NASCAR weekend yours for the taking
Are you a truck driver who’s looking for a free ride to Miami for the final race weekend of the season? Then you’ve already found the place to do so. This very magazine, Trucker's Connection, has teamed up with Barr-Nunn Transportation to bring you an opportunity to hit the track in November for racing action: Nationwide and Cup Series race finales.
Our grand prize winner will be flown, along with a guest, to Miami for an excellent weekend of sun, fun, sand and speed. Trucker's Connection and Barr-Nunn Transportation will provided top notch accommodations, all ground transportation, pit passes to the Nationwide Series final race and seats for the Sprint Cup final race, along with cash for food and souvenirs.
Sound like a plan? You must only be a CDL holder to qualify. Fill out and send in the entry form in the back of this issue or hop online at thetrucker.com to enter quickly, easily and cheaply. Look for the NASCAR Giveaway link on the left side of the screen. Good luck.