Dec. 31, 2007 - TRG Finalizes Large Rolex 24 Lineup

• Setting out for next week’s Daytona Test Days, TRG has one goal for the 2008 Rolex 24 at Daytona: Continue the winning streak. Having sat on the podium for five of the last six years, including winning once in class and once overall, the team is one of the favorites to win in the GT class at the Rolex 24 next month. To that end, TRG will field seven cars in the Rolex 24. The team has also signed four of Porsche’s top factory drivers to the TRG roster: Romain Dumas, Emanuel Collard, Richard Westbrook and Martin Ragginger.

SS, Greenlight Form Partnership

• SS-Racing announced Friday that it has executed a formal Joint-Venture agreement with Green Light Racing for the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Season. The teams will combine resources towards their campaign with two full time trucks, the No. 07 and No. 08 Chevy Silverados. ASI Limited, the primary sponsor for SS-Racing has participated with Green Light Racing as a part-time sponsor in limited races the past several seasons. ASI Limited will continue with sponsorship in this new partnership.

CRP Aligns With Kubinski for SCCA GT Run

• Competition Race Parts Racing has announced that it will run Brian Kubinski in the 2008 SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT Championship. Kubinski, of Plainfield, Ill., will drive a C6 Chevrolet Corvette. CRP Racing, based in Charlotte, N.C., is well known for its race prep and engineering services.  Nicholas Short, of CRP, engineered Kubinski's Blackdog Racing C6 Corvette in 2007, which earned Kubinski two top-ten finishes in 2007, including a fifth-place finish at Mosport, and the 2007 Piloti SPEED GT Rookie of the Year Award.

Labonte Agency Gets First Client

• According to NASCAR.com, General Mills has selected Breaking Limits as its motorsports agency for event and promotional marketing, giving Bobby Labonte's new firm its first client. Labonte, the 2000 Cup Series champion, opened Breaking Limits in the fall as a full-service marketing agency. For the past two seasons, Cheerios, a General Mills brand, has been the primary sponsor on Labonte's No. 43 Dodge at Petty Enterprises. General Mills has sponsored the No. 43 since 2000, when it replaced longtime Petty sponsor STP. General Mills has been the only primary sponsor for the car since then.

Dec. 21, 2007 - DEI Extends Manion

• Dale Earnhardt Inc. announced Thursday that it has signed crew chief Kevin “Bono” Manion to a three-year deal that will continue his long-term tenure at DEI. “Chemistry is a very important part of any race team and I’m excited that we’ll be able to continue to build on what we have accomplished over the past several years,” said Manion. “We are looking forward to getting back out there on the track in January and hopefully starting to build on what can be a championship season.” “We are very pleased to sign Kevin to a multi-year agreement,” said John Story, vice president of motorsports operations at Dale Earnhardt Inc. “Kevin is a long time and loyal employee of Dale Earnhardt Inc., and his accomplishments speak for themselves. He is a proven championship caliber crew chief, and is dedicated to our Company.  We look forward to him continuing to build our organization towards the future.” Manion helped guide the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Team and Martin Truex Jr. to a berth in the Chase for the Nextel Cup in 2007. In addition, the team notched its first win at Dover in June. Manion, who joined Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 1997, helped lead Truex and his No. 8 Busch Series team to 12 victories and two Busch championships in 2004 and 2005, before moving to the Cup series with the team in 2006.

Johnson, Lachey Form Golf Tourney

• NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and good friend Nick Lachey told The Associated Press on Thursday they had partnered to form the Super Skins Celebrity Golf Classic, which will be held in Scottsdale, Ariz., in conjunction with the Super Bowl. Johnson, the two-time defending Sprint Cup champion, had been trying for some time to organize an event with pop singer Lachey. The two have been friends for years, and Lachey is a frequent guest at NASCAR races. They usually attend the Super Bowl together, and decided it was a perfect venue for their first charitable event. The event will open with an exclusive party at Scottsdale nightclub Axis Radius, and the tournament will follow on Feb. 2. Lachey and Johnson have each pledged $125,000 to the purse, which has already reached $400,000 through outside sponsorship.e two hope to fatten the purse through an Ebay auction that allows fans to bid on a chance to play the event with either Johnson or Lachey.

Honda To Unveil 2008 F-1 Machine

• Honda became the latest team to announce its plans to unveil its 2008 challenger. The new machine, codenamed the RA108, will be unveiled at the team's Brackley headquarters in the UK on Jan. 29, and will see new team boss Ross Brawn joined by drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. Honda's announcement comes after world champion Ferrari confirmed its new car will be shown to the world at their Fiorano test track on Jan. 6. BMW Sauber were the first squad to make its launch plans known, with their new challenger getting it's grand unveiling on Jan. 14 in Munich, while fellow German-based squad Toyota will do likewise in Cologne four days earlier.
McLaren will not have an official launch, and will instead simply release photos of their new machine when it runs in Spain on the third week of January.

Dec. 20, 2007 - Tracy To Renegotiate Deal?

• Speed's Robin Miller has reported that Champ Car driver Paul Tracy has been asked to renegotiate his contract with what is now Forsythe Pettit Racing, which reportedly has four years remaining on it. If the 2003 CART champion refuses, he would lose his Champ Car ride with Forsythe Pettit, possibly forcing his hand to the rival Indy Racing League. "I know I'm committed to Gerry (Forsythe) and Champ Car but right now I can't honestly say they're committed to me," Tracy told Speed.

Reports: Riley-D'Hondt Dissolved

• The short partnership between chassis builder Bill Riley and former Robert Yates Racing GM Eddie D'Hondt appears to be over. Several media outlets are reporting that Riley-D'Hondt Motorsports has been dissolved after one Busch Series appearance in a Toyota in 2007. D'Hondt reportedly has plans to field Busch and ARCA cars in 2008 under the D'Hondt Motorsports flag. A D'Hondt Motorsports Web site has appeared, but is a single page with only a logo. The initial Web search reveals a liner that says, "coming soon."

Sampey Signs On With Rush Racing

• Ending weeks of speculation, Pro Stock Motorcycle team owners Karl and Kim Klement announced that three-time NHRA POWERade champ Angelle Sampey will pilot their Rush Racing Products Buell in 2008. Rush signed on as Klement's primary marketing partner just in time for the 2007 Countdown to the Championship. A short time later, the U.S. Army dropped its sponsorship of Sampey's team for 2008 and, eventually, one of the most popular figures in drag racing was available. Did Rush president Lou Pringle see this coming when he joined forces with Klement in September? "I never thought the Army would give us such a golden opportunity!" laughed Pringle. "Given Angelle's popularity, she's a perfect marketing tool for our products. We're very excited."

Dec. 19, 2007 - Kahne Being Sued

• According to an Associated Press report, a security guard has filed suit against Kasey Kahne seeking damages for "severe physical injuries" when the NASCAR driver allegedly shoved him to the ground at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Archibald Hutchinson is seeking unspecified damages in excess of $15,000 in the suit filed Tuesday in the 11th Circuit Court. Kahne is due in court Jan. 8 to answer charges of misdemeanor battery stemming from the Nov. 16 incident. The maximum sentence for misdemeanor battery is one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Hutchinson and a Monroe County deputy sheriff stopped a golf cart carrying Kahne and his brother as they attempted to enter the motorhome lot at Homestead, and asked for credentials. Kahne was wearing a driver suit. Hutchinson claimed Kahne used profane language and then pushed his brother's foot off the accelerator pedal of the golf cart, attempting to drive past. The guard claims Kahne then got out of the golf cart and "without saying another word shove(d) me with great force from which I landed on my back and left shoulder on the entrance pavement." Kahne has had no comment, but Gillett Evernham Motorsports released a statement supporting the driver: "The alleged action in this case is not consistent with the Kasey Kahne we know," GEM President Rick Russell said. "It is unfortunate the issue has progressed to this point. We support our driver, Kasey Kahne, and have complete confidence in the legal process."

Speed, FOX To Broadcast Rolex 24

• Speed and FOX Sports will offer 17 hours of team coverage from the 46th running of the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona on Jan. 26-27, with the first 90 minutes of the event simulcast on the 1,400-square foot News Astrovision by Panasonic Screen prominently located at One Times Square in New York. “The Rolex 24 driver lineup is a race fan's dream, and the stock car and open-wheel boys and girls know this isn't a cameo; the Rolex Series regulars are fast and know all the tricks in these cars,” said Speed's Bob Varsha. “Sure, it's a one-off for the visiting stars with no points to worry about, but everyone's goal, series regular or hired gun, is to put a win in the Rolex 24 at Daytona on their resume. The new Pirelli tires are wicked fast, and while winning any 24-hour race is no weekend at the golf course, the Rolex is simply flat-out, all the time. The weather is always a factor, as are the long hours of darkness, and racing luck can send the biggest star home humbled. Just ask Tony Stewart. I can't wait.” Here is the Rolex 24 at Daytona broadcast schedule (all times ET and subject to change): 
Jan. 26, 1-2:30 p.m. – FOX (simulcast in Times Square)
Jan. 26, 2:30-10 p.m. – Speed
Jan. 27, 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. – Speed

Hamilton Loses License For A Month

• Formula One sensation Lewis Hamilton had his driving licence suspended for a month after being caught speeding on a French motorway, police said in a Eurosport report. The British driver was at the wheel of a Mercedes when he was clocked at 196 km/h near the northern town of Laon on Sunday. Police stopped him, detained the car and fined him 600 euros. "He was very polite and cooperative," said a police spokesman, who added Hamilton had since had the car collected for him.

Dec. 17, 2007 — MWR Hires New Chiefs, Including Pemberton

• Michael Waltrip Racing announced an all new crew-chief lineup for its three-car Sprint Cup effort in 2008 — a lineup that includes recent DEI departee Ryan Pemberton. Pemberton, who was schedule to work with the No. 8 Chevrolet of Mark Martin and Aric Amirola before leaving DEI last week, will take over as crew chief for David Reutimann. Paul Andrews was also hired to work with the No. 55 Toyota of Waltrip, whil Bill Pappas will lead MWR's third car. Both Pemberton and Andrews have won Cup titles — Pemberton with the late Dale Earnhardt and Andrews with the late Alan Kulwicki. Andrews replaces Buddy Sisco. Pappas will direct the No. 44 with Dale Jarrett at the start of the season and then move to the No. 00 as Pemberton and Reutimann take over the No. 44. No driver has been announced for the No. 00, but Michael McDowell is the favorite after a successful ARCA run in 2007.

NASCAR To Allow Penske Point Move

• The Associated Press reports that NASCAR has approved Penske Racing's request to transfer the owner points from Kurt Busch to Sam Hornish Jr., a move that locks the three-time IndyCar Series champion into the first five races of next season. Hornish publicly thanked Busch for giving him the points at the Penske holiday party on Friday night. Bud Denker, senior vice president of Penske Corp., confirmed to the AP's Jenna Fryer Saturday that the team would swap the points with NASCAR's approval. Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president of competition, said the sanctioning body had signed off on the transfer.

Clanton Heads To Roush-Fenway Truck

• Joey Clanton has signed a deal to run a Roush Fenway Ford full time in the Craftsman Truck Series. An official announcement is expected today, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.

Dec. 14, 2007 - Reutimann Backs Cousin's ARCA Ride

• The St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times has reported that David Reutimann will become an ARCA Series team owner in 2008 as his cousin, Wayne Reutimann, Jr., an accomplished USAC and sprint car driver, attempts to make the switch to stock cars. David Reutimann had hoped to use his contacts to secure his cousin a ride with an existing team in the third-tier series, but said that owners wanted the driver to bring his own sponsor and infrastructure, in essence a $2-million investment. So Reutimann, who finished second in the Busch Series standings this season, took on the chore himself, purchasing three Toyotas from his Michael Waltrip Racing Cup team with plans to attempt eight races with a $35,000 budget.

Kern Returns To Salem

• Travis Kern, who served as Salem Speedway Technical Director in the mid 1990s, has returned to the high banks in that same capacity reports track management. “We’re pleased to have Travis rejoin the Speedway staff,”, said track general manager Richard Deaton.  “Travis is very respected in the motorsports community and brings a vast amount of knowledge to the job.” Kern of Bedford, Ind., is an accomplished engine builder, who has also served as a mechanic, crew chief and track official during his longtime racing involvement.

Dec. 13, 2007 - Hessert Joins Andy Belmont Racing

• Andy Belmont Racing (ABR) officials announced today the signing of USAR Hooter’s Pro Cup star Tom Hessert to pilot Belmont’s familiar No. 1 Ford Fusion in the full 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule beginning with the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway in February. In addition, Hessert will gun for Rookie-of-the-Year honors. ABR also announced that Maaco Collision Repair & Auto Painting will back the New Jersey native’s effort. Additional marketing partners will be announced before Daytona.

Mike Wallace To Germain

• Veteran Mike Wallace has taken sponsor GEICO insurance and jumped to Germain Racing for the 2008 Nationwide Series. Wallace spent the past year with owner James Finch and finished a career-best 11th in the series standings. In 2008, Wallace will drive the No. 7 Toyota, Germain's first fielding of a full-time entry in NASCAR's No. 2 series. Germain won the 2006 Craftsman Truck Series championship with driver Todd Bodine. No details on where the move leaves fictional cousin Warren Wallace of commercial fame, but at last word, he was "made of lightning — 100 miles away, son, and ready to strike."

Hamilton Racing On The Move

• Bobby Hamilton Racing and Arrington Manufacturing have formed a partnership and will relocate closer to the Charlotte area in the coming weeks. The company, founded by Bobby Hamilton, Sr., is currently based in Martinsville, Va.

Rosberg With Williams Through '09

• Media outlets report that Nico Rosberg will drive for the Williams Formula One team through the 2009 season. Rosberg was already confirmed for 2008 and extended the contract for another year after talks with team chief Frank Williams.

Dec. 12, 2007 - Pemberton Leaves DEI

• The Associated Press reports that crew chief Ryan Pemberton has left Dale Earnhardt Inc., and the team said Doug Richert will replace him beginning today. Pemberton was expected to lead the No. 8 team in its first season without Dale Earnhardt, Jr. behind the wheel. Mark Martin and Aric Amirola will be the co-drivers of the No. 8 Chevrolet next season.Pemberton spent eight seasons with MB2 Motorsports, which was bought by Bobby Ginn before last season. Ginn then sold the team to DEI, and Pemberton continued with the organization after the acquisition. Richert became the youngest crew chief to win a Cup championship when he did so as a 20-year-old with the late Dale Earnhardt in 1980. He spent most of last season with Brian Vickers at startup Red Bull Racing, but was let go late in the year.

Schumacher: World's Fastest Cabbie?

• Media outlets reported that seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher and his family were running late for a flight in Germany, so Schumacher took over the wheel of the cab and raced through the streets to the airport. A Schumacher spokesman confirmed the report. The cab driver was tipped approximately $146 (American) and the Schumacher family made its flight. "I found myself a passenger, which was strange enough, but having 'Schumi' behind the wheel was incredible," said taxi driver Tuncer Yilmaz. "He drove at full throttle around the corners and overtook in some unbelievable places." Schumacher had flown into the Bavarian town of Coburg to pick up an Australian Shepherd dog named Ed.

Ganassi Announces Rolex 24 Lineups

• Defending Grand-Am Rolex 24 At Daytona winners Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced today a two-car effort for the Rolex Sports Car Series’ 46th running of the prestigious Rolex 24 At Daytona, featuring eight drivers representing some of the best talent the motor racing world has to offer. Juan Pablo Montoya, Dario Franchitti, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas will unite for the twice-round-the-clock classic to form the driver lineup in the No.01 TELMEX/Target Daytona Prototype, while Team Target IndyCar pilots Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon join Salvador Duran and Alex Lloyd in the No.02 Target/TELMEX Daytona Prototype. After winning the 2006 and 2007 events, CGRFS will look to become the first team in history to win three consecutive overall titles in the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Dec. 11, 2007 - Long Returning to Penske, ALMS

• Porsche’s lone American factory driver is set to return to the American Le Mans Series in 2008. Patrick Long will be part of the Penske Racing roster for the coming season and will pilot one of the team’s two Porsche RS Spyders in LMP2. Long, 26, teamed with fellow factory mates Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas for a class win and runner-up overall finish at Petit Le Mans in October. Now living in Tampa, Fla., Long has scored nine Series victories in just 34 starts and has at least one win in each of the last three seasons. He won the 2005 GT2 championship with Jörg Bergmeister at Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing, and was instrumental in helping Bergmeister win a second title in 2006 while finishing third in the standings. Aside from driving for Penske at Road Atlanta, he also drove three times in GT2 in 2007 and finished on the podium each time. He helped Tafel Racing finish third at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and drove to runner-up class finishes with Flying Lizard Motorsports and Darren Law at Long Beach and Detroit. All three came in a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.

NASCAR's Hunter To Receive Award

• The International Conference on Sport and Entertainment Business (ICSEB) is pleased to announce Jim Hunter as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in Sport and Entertainment Award.  The award presentation was held Thursday, November 15 at the ICSEB Kick-Off Reception.
Jim Hunter is the vice president of corporate communications/regional touring/NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series. He has worked in the motorsports industry since 1968. Hunter has served as sports editor for The State in Columbia, S.C. and a writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has also written books on stock car racing, University of South Carolina football and youth league football. Mr. Hunter attended the University of South Carolina, where he was a three-year letterman in football and a two-year letterman in baseball. He is married and has two grown children.  "Jim Hunter exemplifies a world class "Carolina" gentleman whose career has produced a passion for NASCAR, love of family, respect of colleagues and friends with a humbleness that should be a model for us all,” said Dr. Tom Regan, of the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management. The Lifetime Achievement in Sport and Entertainment Award recognizes an industry veteran for achievements of lasting impact over a number of years in the fields of sport, entertainment, or venue management. He or she embodies the professionalism, commitment to excellence, and business savvy that has propelled sport, entertainment, or venue management to become a key industry in the 21st century.

Dec. 10, 2007 - Alonso Back With Renault

• Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso will return to Renault next season in an all-new line-up with Brazilian Nelson Piquet, Jr. Frenchman Romain Grosjean, the F3 Euroseries champion, completes the line-up as test and reserve driver. Spaniard Alonso won both his titles with the French manufacturer in 2005 and 2006 before joining McLaren. He has won 19 races, with his first at the wheel of a Renault in 2003. Piquet, whose father and namesake was a triple champion in the 1980s, was test driver this season after finishing runner-up to Britain's Lewis Hamilton in the 2006 GP2 feeder series. Spanish media reported that Alonso would earn $51.3 million per season, though Renault would not confirm the figure.

Brazilian Driver Killed

• Brazilian stock car driver Rafael Sperafico was killed in a crash during a Brazilian Stock Car Light championship race in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Autódromo José Carlos Pace in Sao Paulo on Sunday. Sperafico, 26, died of massive head injuries and cardiac-respiratory failure after his car was broadsided in a fast corner by a car driven by Rentao Russo. Sperafico went off course and hit a tire wall at high speed, causing his car to bounce back onto the track into the path of Russo. Russo suffered serious head injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. Sperafico was a member of a large racing family, including brother Ricardo, who competed for rookie of the year in Champ Car World Series in 2005.

Dec. 7, 2007 - Sharp, Rahal Involved in Suit, Countersuit

• According to an Indianapolis Star report by Curt Cavin, Scott Sharp's recent breach of contract lawsuit against Rahal Letterman Racing is also the basis for the team filing a countersuit, Sharp's attorney said Thursday. Sharp believes Rahal Letterman is no longer committed to IndyCar racing because of the recent release of 10 crew members, including race engineers Jeff Britton and Ray Lehto, Sharp's attorney, Michael Josephs, said Thursday. Britton had been Sharp's engineer since he won the pole for the 2001 Indianapolis 500 at Kelley Racing. Lehto was Danica Patrick's engineer when she nearly won the 500 in 2005. Sharp's complaint also alleges that Rahal doesn't want to field an Indy Racing League program, won't participate in the league-provided test sessions and is not investing in a research-and-development program. Rahal has sued Sharp for forming his own race team and taking sponsor Patron with him.

Report: Kyle Busch Hopes To Team With Stewart In Rolex 24

• The Daytona (Fla.) Beach News-Journal reports that Kyle Busch is hoping to run the Rolex 24 at Daytona in a Chip Ganassi Lexus-powered DP along with future Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Tony Stewart.

Argentine Race Team Building CoT

• NASCAR.com reports that for the first time in Cup Series history, a competition car is being built outside the United States. Alberto Canapino, technical director of the Argentina-based HAZ Racing, unveiled for fans and local media at the Auto Performance 2007 motor show held in the country's capital of Buenos Aires the team's plans for building a Sprint Cup Chevrolet, following all guidelines set by NASCAR for the Car of Tomorrow.

Johnny Sauter Back With Phoenix

• Phoenix Racing announced that it will reunite with Johnny Sauter for the 2008 Nationwide Series. Sauter, who is out of a Sprint Cup ride since being dropped by Haas CNC Racing after the 2007 season, drove the Phoenix Racing No. 1 in the Busch Series in 2005 and 2006 and scored a victory at the Milwaukee Mile in 2005.

NASCAR, Coca-Cola Extend Sponsorship

• Coca-Cola is expanding upon its 40-year relationship with NASCAR by extending its long-term partnership with the sanctioning body through 2017. The sponsorship commitment, one of the most significant sports sponsorships, allows multiple Coca-Cola brands to connect with racing fans and support NASCAR at all levels – from helping to fund grassroots racing to associating with some of the biggest names in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The extension of the Company’s relationship with NASCAR follows the new 10-year sponsorship agreement with International Speedway Corporation (ISC), making Coke the leading soft drink pour across NASCAR-sanctioned tracks. Through partnerships with ISC and Speedway Motorsports, Inc., Coca-Cola will be refreshing fans at 12 race tracks in 2008 before expanding to 17 race tracks by 2012. Coca-Cola will make its ISC debut in February 2008 at the 50th running of the Daytona 500 at famed Daytona International Speedway.

Dec. 6, 2007 - Sources: WoO Lands Title Sponsor

• Sources tell National Speed Sport News that Advance Auto Parts will join the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series as title sponsor beginning in 2008.

I-55 Raceway To Host 8-Day DIRT Grassroots Event

• DIRT, the sanctioning body of the World of Outlaws, has plans for an eight-day "grassroots" event to be hosted by the Kenny Schrader-owned I-55 Raceway in Pevley, Mo.

Skog, Mayfield Reunited By No. 66

• Haas CNC Racing has named Dave Skog crew chief of the No. 66 Haas Automation Chevy team. Skog will be paired with Jeremy Mayfield who has been behind the wheel of the No. 66 since leaving Bill Davis Racing and taking over the No. 66 for Jeff Green at the Oct. 28 race at Atlanta. Skog, who replaces Harold Holly, and Mayfield worked together in the same capacities when Mayfield piloted the No. 19 for  Evernham Motorsports in 2002.

Dec. 5, 2007 - Reports: Kurt Busch Returning To Rolex 24

• According to reports, Kurt Busch will make his second Rolex 24 at Daytona start, co-driving with fellow-Penske drivers Ryan Briscoe and Helio Castroneves. The trio will be in a Riley-Pontiac as part of a collaboration between Team Penske and Wayne Taylor Racing.

Marlin To Be Enshrined

• The Tennessean (Nashville) reports that NASCAR veteran and two-time Daytona 500 winner Sterling Marlin will be inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in February.

Report: Real Estate Mogul Invests In MWR

• The Charlotte Business Journal reports that real-estate developer Johnny Harris has acquired a stake in Michael Waltrip Racing and will serve on the corporation's six-member board.

Papis To Drive Road Courses For RWR

• Rusty Wallace Racing officials announced late Tuesday that former Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series champion Max Papis will drive the team's No. 64 in the three 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series road-course events. David Stremme and Chase Austin are the primary drivers for the No. 64.

Dec. 4, 2007 — RaceFanRadio.com Live At PRI

• RaceFanRadio.com will be broadcasting from the Performance Racing Industry Show's Mopar Image Center Stage beginning this Thursday and lasting throughout the event. Special announcements, including the Chris Economaki Champion of Champions Award, driver interviews and other special guests and events will be brought to you live from PRI.

Llewelyn Released By Rush Racing

• Karl Klement announced Tuesday that Peggy Llewellyn's contract will not be renewed to ride his Rush Racing Buell in 2008. "I really want to thank Peggy for the job she did for us this year," said Klement, whose NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle team finished fourth in points in their very first year on the POWERade circuit. "Never in my life would I have thought we'd do that well this quickly. I want to thank Peggy, all the crew members, George and Jackie Bryce, George Smith, and everybody at G2 Motorsports for making this season so successful. Our plans are not yet finalized for 2008, but we are interviewing several riders."

Hulkenberg To Test For Williams

• According to Eurosport, German sensation Nico Hulkenberg will make his Formula One test debut with Williams at Jerez this week. Hulkenberg, 20, who is the latest protégé of Michael Schumacher's former manager Willi Weber, has been pencilled in to drive for the team for two days at the Spanish circuit.

Dec. 3, 2007 - Report: Nationwide To Switch To Pony Cars For '09

• According to the Orlando Sentinel, Ford Mustang may be joining NASCAR as the Nationwide Series moves to a pony car lineup along with its new identity for 2009. A source at Ford Motor Company told the Sentinel that the motorsports division expects the Ford Mustang to replace the Fusion in the Nationwide (nee Busch) Series in 2009. Nothing, however, seems certain, even though Chevrolet will be reintroducing the Camaro and Dodge would consider a “pony” version of its Challenger, but the Camaro’s re-launch is scheduled after the Challenger. Toyota would be another problem, though a new Celica sports coupe is schedule for debut in Europe in 2009 and could be a possibility for the series prior to its North American introduction.

Younger Wilson Earns McLaren Test

• British youngster Stefan Wilson has secured a McLaren Formula One test after winning the McLaren/Autosport young driver of the year award, Eurosport reported. Wilson, 18, whose elder brother Justin raced in Formula One for Minardi and Jaguar in 2003 and is now one of the top drivers in ChampCar, beat off five other young hotshoes to claim the prize.