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Lowe’s will not renew rights at Charlotte speedway

admin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 02:15:01 +0000

Lowe’s will not renew naming rights with speedway UPDATE confirmed: Lowe’s has decided not to renew its naming-rights deal at Lowe’s Motor Speedway after this year, ending an 11-year relationship that began as the first racetrack naming-rights sponsorship. After more than a year of renewal talks, the home improvement retailer informed Speedway Motorsports Inc., the track’s parent company, of its decision within the last two weeks, industry sources said. The initial 10-year, $35 million deal ran through 2008 and last year the two sides agreed on a one-year extension through 2009 when they could not finalize a long-term deal. Talks continued this year, but the two sides have not been able to reach an agreement. Barring a late agreement with Lowe’s or the signing of a new corporate partner, the track is expected to go back to its former name, Charlotte Motor Speedway, in 2010. The Lowe’s deal with Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports expires at the end of 2010 and those renewal talks are expected to begin later this year

UPDATE: Lowe’s confirmed today the company will not renew its naming rights sponsorship of Lowe’s Motor Speedway, a track owned by Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (SMI), when its contract expires at the end of the year. Both companies continue to be in discussions about potential future marketing opportunities. “When Lowe’s entered into this marketing relationship in 1999, it was during the time of our company’s rapid national expansion, and Lowe’s Motor Speedway gave us the platform to introduce the Lowe’s brand to millions of NASCAR fans and consumers across the country,” explained Robert J. Gfeller, Lowe’s senior vice president of marketing and advertising. “We’ve enjoyed a great partnership with SMI over the years. However marketing strategies change, and it was time after 11 years to direct our marketing resources in other areas.”
“Lowe’s has been a tremendous partner for Speedway Motorsports and their corporate involvement has strengthened our sport for NASCAR fans,” said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “We look forward to moving in new directions to help them accomplish their marketing goals in 2010 and beyond.

Reutimann still miffed at Hamlin over Pocono wreck:

admin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 02:13:32 +0000

Reutimann still miffed at Hamlin over Pocono wreck: #00-David Reutimann doesn’t buy the explanation #11-Denny Hamlin gave for the wreck in Monday’s Sprint Cup race at Pocono that may also have wrecked his chances of making the Chase. Reutimann said he never brake-checked Hamlin, as the eventual race winner claimed occurred prior to the accident on Lap 174 that not only took out Reutimann but also Michael Waltrip Racing teammate #47-Marcos Ambrose. He said Hamlin basically ran over him in an effort to get position. “I was just trying to get away from him,” Reutimann said on Wednesday. “In the end, if you push a guy sideways enough he’s not going to be able to bring it back. I didn’t hear [his] explanation, but I can tell you it’s pretty inaccurate. I was in the throttle all the time to the point I was hung out so far I kind of had to do something.” Reutimann went on to say he was as “mad as heck” at Hamlin, even though the two have exchanged text messages in which Hamlin apologized. “If a guy says he’s sorry I tend to believe it,” Reutimann said. “Look back at Daytona at what I did to Ryan Newman. Everybody’s capable of making mistakes. I’m a forgiving guy if he sincerely apologizes or says he was in the wrong. In the end I’m still confused at why it happened. It wasn’t just one shot. It was multiple shots.” Reutimann entered the race in 13th place in points, 68 out of the top 12 who would qualify for the Chase. He was in position to possibly move into the top 12 with a solid finish after having run up front most of the day. The wreck left him 16th in points, 121 off the cutoff point, after finishing 29th

Carpentier to drive the 55 next week

admin — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:45:10 +0000

Carpentier to Return to the Driver’s Seat of the #55: Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced that Patrick Carpentier will return to the driver’s seat of the #55 NAPA Auto PArts Toyota for driver Michael Waltrip at the upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup event at Watkins Glen International. Earlier this season, the Canadian driver produced an 11th-place finish for Waltrip at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway. “Patrick is being rewarded for perserverence,” said Waltrip, who has 22 starts that equate to one top-five, four top-10 and 14 top-20 finishes at the 2.45-mile road course. “At Sonoma, he drove for me and started out with a car he wasn’t happy with. He worked with my crew chief Bootie (Barker) and my NAPA boys to get an 11th-place finish. We also had a little deal on the side. If he was able to finish solidly at Infineon Raceway and he deemed the experience of working with my team as fun and wanted to do again, then he and I would ask NAPA to allow him to drive again. We all agreed so Patrick will drive the #55 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota for NAPA and me at Watkins Glen.” The NAPA Auto Parts team prepared for the upcoming event by testing with Carpentier at Virginia International Raceway on July 22nd

How to use the search function

admin — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:46:09 +0000

I got a email today asking on how to use the search function. He was trying to look up a post about MWR.
So I figure I would make a quick post on how to use it.

ALL of my posted are tagged, For example, A post about Tony Stewart adding a new team, Since this is about silly season and tony Stewart my tags were, Tony Stewart, Stewart – hass racing and silly season. So all you have to do is go to the search and type in silly season, or Tony Stewart and it will show all of the post with that tag in it.

Another example is this post will have the tag of Search function, So you can type in search, or search function and it will bring this post up with the other post that have the same tag.

Thanks

Scott

Johnson and other drivers to visit the White House UPDATE:

admin — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:41:29 +0000

Johnson and other drivers to visit the White House UPDATE: President Barack Obama will welcome three-time defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson to the White House on Monday (August 3rd). Obama, the 44th president, will also honor other former NASCAR champions and other drivers who qualified for the 2008 Chase for the championship. Johnson’s #48 Lowe’s Chevy also will be parked at the White House.(Associated Press)
UPDATE: #48-Jimmie Johnson’s White House visit will have to wait. So will the start of the Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway. Steady rain postponed Sunday’s race and it has been rescheduled for 12:15pm/et Monday. NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said the date of a future visit was being discussed with White House officials.

Stewart still considering a third team:

admin — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 04:47:40 +0000

Stewart still considering a third team: #14-Tony Stewart met with members of the media, part of the transcript:
STEWART – WHERE ARE YOU ABOUT ADDING A THIRD TEAM TO STEWART-HAAS RACING: “We are definitely open to it for sure. We are interested for sure. We feel like it is a matter of timing, it is everything. I don’t know that something would happen for next year. I think we are getting close to the stage of the season where it may get too late to have that opportunity to add a third car for next year. It is something that at least as a company we feel comfortable with and feel like with the right opportunity, that it is definitely possible.”

Danica Patrick

admin — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:39:59 +0000

Patrick in no hurry to rush decision on future: Danica Patrick is in no hurry to make a decision about her racing future. The IndyCar star is in the final year of her contract with the Andretti-Green Racing team. She has been considering a jump to stock cars and recently toured several NASCAR shops in North Carolina. Chip Ganassi owns NASCAR and IndyCar teams. He said last week Patrick should stay in the open-wheel series because she’s close to making the last step toward a championship. Patrick says she’s not surprised by Ganassi’s position, but that won’t affect her decision.

Lowe’s speedway gone?

admin — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:38:53 +0000

Lowe’s tells speedway it won’t renew deal: Lowe’s has decided not to renew its naming-rights deal at Lowe’s Motor Speedway after this year, ending an 11-year relationship that began as the first racetrack naming-rights sponsorship. After more than a year of renewal talks, the home improvement retailer informed Speedway Motorsports Inc., the track’s parent company, of its decision within the last two weeks, industry sources said. The initial 10-year, $35 million deal ran through 2008 and last year the two sides agreed on a one-year extension through 2009 when they could not finalize a long-term deal. Talks continued this year, but the two sides have not been able to reach an agreement. Sources said it’s not inconceivable for Lowe’s to change its mind, given that five months remain on the current deal and the unpredictable nature of the economy, but such a change of heart is considered unlikely. Barring a late agreement with Lowe’s or the signing of a new corporate partner, the track is expected to go back to its former name, Charlotte Motor Speedway, in 2010. Industry sources say that SMI initially came to the table asking for close to $9 million annually, and while that number dropped over the course of their discussions, the two sides could not come together. There were other factors. Lowe’s must also consider its future with driver Jimmie Johnson, who has won three straight Cup championships and stands as the sport’s most dominant figure. The Lowe’s deal with Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports expires at the end of 2010 and those renewal talks are expected to begin later this year. Industry sources say that Lowe’s will be expected to pay a hefty increase to maintain its position as the only primary sponsor on Johnson’s #48 car, which is uncommon in this time of co-primary and “tri-mary” sponsorships on a car. The most expensive sponsorships go for the mid-$20 million range annually. Lowe’s also is navigating the recession, which has struck the home improvement and building sector especially hard. Lowe’s earnings fell 22% in 2008 and 60% in the final quarter of the year.

RPM

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:56:27 +0000

RPM downsizing? Sorenson out? UPDATE: Rumors persist that Richard Petty Motorsports will shrink to three cars in the next few weeks, with A.J. Allmendinger moving to the #43 Dodge, replacing Reed Sorenson, and the #44 team being shut down.(Ford Racing)(7-29-2009)
UPDATE: An internet report claiming that Reed Sorenson will be released by Richard Petty Motorsports as part of a downsizing of the team’s Sprint Cup roster appears to be premature. The Ford Racing website reported on rumors that Sorenson will be replaced by former Champ Car star A.J. Allmendinger when Allmendinger’s #44 Dodge is mothballed within the next few weeks. However, a source close to the team - speaking on the condition of anonymity - said today that while the move is being discussed, Sorenson’s release is not yet a done deal. “No one is sure that it’s going to happen,” said the source, “but it’s definitely being talked about. The team is working on the details right now.” If RPM does indeed decide to trim its roster from four cars to three, Allmendinger’s current sponsors would transfer to the #43 Dodge.

Mayffield sued by stepmother

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:55:39 +0000

Mayfield sued by stepmother: Lisa Mayfield is seeking damages against her stepson, suspended Sprint Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield, for public comments he made in regard to his civil case against NASCAR, according to court documents. Lisa Mayfield is seeking compensatory damages in excess of $10,000, punitive damages in excess of $10,000 and any other “relief as the court may deem just and proper.” The complaint was filed Wednesday in the Iredell County Civil court in Statesville.
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