Jan. 31, 2008 - UMP Removes SuperBowl Sanctioning

•  UMP DIRTcar has removed its sanctioning of super late-model events at ongoing SuperBowl of Racing at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, Ga. UMP retains its sanctioning of the pro late model and open-wheel modified divisions. UMP DIRTcar removed its sanction after a conflict with driver Scott Bloomquist over qualifying tires. Track officials decided to forgo UMP tire rules for qualifying. Bloomquist has subsequently been suspended for a month, effectively immediately.

Jan. 30, 2008 - Report: Yates Lands Sponsorship

•  Fox Sports' Lee Spencer has reported that Yates Racing has apparently gotten some sponsorship for the No. 38 Ford of David Gililand. According to the report, Freecreditreport.com has signed on as primary sponsor of the No. 38 for the first six races of the season.

Recovering Force Fastest On Monday

•  John Force's comeback got a boost on Monday when he turned in an unexpected blazing run after four months of rehabilitation for injuries sustained in the most serious crash of his career. Force turned in a 4.782, 327.51 sprint down a resurfaced quarter-mile at Firebird Int'l Raceway in Phoenix. According to NHRA.com, it was the quickest run recorded during a National Time Trials test session extended by Sunday's rain, and it all but ended speculation about Force's ability to rally from injuries that included a compound fracture of the left ankle, broken bones in both hands, broken toes, and ligament and tendon damage.

Jan. 29, 2008 - Leicht To Run With RCR

•  Stephen Leicht will run a minimum of two NASCAR Nationwide Series races in 2008 for Richard Childress Racing’s (RCR) No. 21 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS team. Leicht, 21, of Asheville, N.C., ran his first full Nationwide Series season in 2007. He captured his first series victory in June at Kentucky Speedway and finished seventh in the point standings on the strength of three top-five and seven top-10 finishes. Leicht made his Nationwide Series debut in October 2005 at Memphis (Tenn.) Motorsports Park, the same year he earned the American Speed Association Late Model national championship. He was the American Racing Association rookie of the year in 2003 and earned more than 150 feature wins in quarter midgets and go-karts. Shane Wilson, who served as crew chief for Kevin Harvick and the No. 21 team during its NASCAR Nationwide Series championship season in 2006 and for six wins last season, will return as crew chief of the No. 21 team. It was announced last November that Bobby Labonte, the 2000 Sprint Cup Series and 1991 Nationwide Series champion, will compete in 15 races in the No. 21 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS.

Report: Roush Fenway Working On Extensions

•  According to The Virginian-Pilot, Roush Fenway Racing officials say they are working on contract extensions for drivers Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle. The contracts for both drivers expire after this season.

Mazdaspeed Unveils Partnerships, Colors For ALMS In '08

Mazdaspeed MZR-R LMP2

•  Mazdaspeed Motorsports Development used the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) Winter Test at Sebring, Fla. to unveil its 2008 colors, reflecting the addition of two new partners. BP and Yokohama Tire Corporation have joined the B-K Motorsports Lola B07/46-Mazda MZR-R LMP2 team with multi-year partnerships. This is not just a sponsorship arrangement - both partners will be key contributors to the team’s overall program with both technical and marketing collaboration.  BP is a global energy leader with extensive experience with alternative and future fuels and lubricants.  With the “greening” of the ALMS series, BP’s direction will complement the Mazda program. Yokohama has a storied history in motorsports and has multiple past collaborations with Mazda for production and motorsports programs. Mazda and Yokohama have enjoyed joint success and are looking to build on that foundation.

Jan. 28, 2008 - Tony Hunt Signs With TRD

•  Five-time USAC driving champion Tony Hunt has aligned himself with Toyota Racing Development in competition for the 2008 USAC Western Sprint Car championship. Hunt will drive a sprint car featuring a Toyota 360 Sprint Car engine, a derivative of the eight-cylinder Toyota engine previously used in NASCAR Busch and Craftsman Truck Series competition.

ESPN Show Features Earnhardt, Jr.

•  NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is the focus of a new television series on ESPN, “Dale Jr. – Shifting Gears,” premiering prior to next month’s opening of the 2008 NASCAR season. The five-part series chronicles Earnhardt’s move from Dale Earnhardt, Inc. - the team founded by his father – to Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The first episode will air Friday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.

Report: Villeneuve, Long-Time Manager Split

•  According to Eurosport, former world champion Jacques Villeneuve has parted company with his manager Craig Pollock. The split between the 1997 title winner and 11-time Grand Prix winner is believed to be down to Pollock's resistance to Villeneuve's recent move into NASCAR racing in the USA. But the Villeneuve said that that personal reasons were more important. Pollock became involved with Villeneuve when he taught the youngster to ski in the late 1980s and brokered his moves into ChampCar - in which he won the 1995 title - and then Formula One.

Jan. 25, 2008 - RaceFanRadio.com Expands NSSN Report

•  A new program schedule at RaceFanRadio.com includes a 30-Minute version of the National Speed Sport News Report, hosted by Bob Jenkins, which will be added to the 24/7 hourly updates launched in mid-October. Due to the success and popularity of the five-minute updates, RaceFanRadio  wanted to produce a more comprehensive version, which air Thursday nights at 7 p.m. Eastern. Not only does RaceFanRadio.com talk to the personalities making the headlines from the various facets of motorsports, random reports are produced by an All-Star cast of contributors including the NSSN staff as they deliver content from Mike Kerchner, John Clayton, Sheena Baker, Liz Melott, Dave Argabright and others. All reports can also be downloaded on demand in RaceFanRadio's archive player.

Motorcraft Teams With Elliott, Wood Brothers

•  According to the Wood Brothers official Web site, Motorcraft, a Ford Motor Company brand of automotive parts ranging from filters and spark plugs to engines and transmissions, will be the primary sponsor on the Wood Brothers No. 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup Ford Fusion for eight races with former NASCAR champion Bill Elliott behind the wheel,  beginning in April at Texas and culminating with the season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Motorcraft brand will also be an associate sponsor for all other 2008 NASCAR events. Elliott is expected to share driving duties in Sprint Cup this season with Marcos Ambrose and Jon Wood.

Jan. 24, 2008 - Jarrett To Take Over In ESPN Booth

•  ESPN has announced that former Cup champion Dale Jarrett will replace Rusty Wallace in the booth this season for ESPN's NASCAR coverage, and Wallace will become the lead analyst for the network's studio programs. Jarrett, who won the Cup title in 1999, will compete in the first five races this season before retiring. It will be a high school reunion of sorts in the booth, with Jarrett, lead announcer Dr. Jerry Punch and Andy Petree — all of whom attended Newton-Conover High School in North Carolina — calling the races. Jarrett was a booth analyst for 10 Nationwide Series ESPN race telecasts last year and worked several Sprint Cup races as a guest analyst on NASCAR Countdown, the program that precedes all NASCAR telecasts. Wallace, the 1989 Cup champion, will be the analyst for an enhanced NASCAR Countdown. He also will appear on NASCAR Now, ESPN's daily NASCAR news and information show, and will call several race telecasts in place of Jarrett. Wallace, who retired from racing in 2005, was an analyst for ESPN's IndyCar Series coverage in 2006, and moved into the NASCAR booth last season.

Hornaday Starts Fastest In Atlanta

•  Under grey winter skies, 27 teams in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series took to the track Tuesday for Round Two of preseason testing at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ron Hornaday, Jr. (No. 33 Chevrolet) finished a rain-shortened Day One atop the chart with a best speed of 171.271 mph. Three Toyota drivers, former Atlanta race winner Todd Bodine (No. 30 Toyota), Terry Cook (No. 60 Toyota) and Mike Skinner (No. 5 Toyota) ended their first day not far behind the defending series champion.

All Stars Welcome New Voice

The O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions will open the 2008 racing season with a new voice behind the microphone for the live broadcasts.  Dave “DC Bash” Campbell will bring the BAS Racing Network along for the entire All Star schedule in 2008.

Grand Am Launches Redesigned Site

Grand Am has launched a newly designed website at www.grand-am.com - aimed at bringing to race fans the Grand-Am racing experience when they can’t attend races at the track. The new site will also provide marketing partners and teams with information on the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 and Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series in a more timely manner.

Jan. 23, 2008 - IRL Goes To Four-Lap Qualifying On Ovals

•  Embracing its Indianapolis 500 heritage, the IndyCar Series will implement four-lap qualifying runs at every oval racetrack in 2008 beginning with the season opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 29. The pole winner will be the driver who records the fastest cumulative time over four laps. "Qualifying is one of the most nerve-wracking experiences for an IndyCar Series driver," said Brian Barnhart, president of the competition and operations division of the Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body of the IndyCar Series and the Indy Pro Series. "At Indianapolis, that has meant 10 miles of error-free driving at 225-plus miles per hour. We're going to take that kind of intensity and drama to every other oval on our schedule. This new qualifying format will enhance the overall IndyCar Series weekend experience for our fans and our oval track promoters with a direct link to the Indianapolis 500." Qualifying on road and street courses will retain its current format in 2008. In 2006, the IndyCar Series introduced a unique qualifying format for road and street courses that included single-lap, single-car qualifying for all cars followed by a 10-minute Firestone Fast Six shootout by the fastest six cars to determine the pole position. The new oval qualifying format also includes a maximum of one attempt per car at the tracks outside of Indianapolis. The Indy Pro Series will also adopt a new qualifying process for all oval tracks, utilizing a cumulative two-lap qualifying attempt.

Indy 500 Broadcaster Dies

•  Lou Palmer, a longtime announcer on radio broadcasts of the Indianapolis 500, has died. He was 75. Palmer died Saturday at St. Francis Hospital, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced Tuesday.  Palmer was a reporter and anchor on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network from 1958 to 1989, serving as chief announcer for the race in 1988 and 1989. He became an announcer on the CART radio network in the mid-1990s before retiring about 10 years ago. He also was a news anchor for Indianapolis radio station WIBC from 1955 until the late 1980s.

IndyCar's Dixon To Drive In ALMS

•  Highcroft Racing announces exciting changes for the 2008 American Le Mans Series season.  Scott Sharp will be joining the team and partnering with Le Mans-winning driver, David Brabham, with Patron Spirits as the team's title sponsor.  Patron Spirits is the distiller of Patron Tequila, the world's number-one selling ultra-premium tequila. The team will be known as Patron Highcroft Racing.   Highcroft Racing is a factory-backed team which campaigned an Acura ARX-01a in the LMP2 class in the 2007 ALMS season.

Summit To Sponsor Bernstein Cars

•  Summit Racing Equipment, the world's largest direct mail and Internet supplier of high performance automotive parts, and Kenny Bernstein
Racing have reached a new sponsorship agreement for 2008. Under this agreement, Summit Racing Equipment will become an associate sponsor of Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel driver Brandon Bernstein and Monster Energy Drink Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson, Jr. during the upcoming season.

Coca-Cola Partners With Petty Golf Tournament

•  Kyle Petty’s Victory Invitational Golf Tournament has announced a partnership with Coca-Cola for the NASCAR-themed golf benefit scheduled to take place in the Greater Phoenix area on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008. Coca-Cola will join Kyle Petty’s Victory Invitational as a Victory-level sponsor, which lends naming rights to the soft drink company for the putting green at the charity outing: Putting for Position Sponsored by Coca-Cola.

Top URC Rookie Joins McClaren Team

•  URC 2007 Rookie of the Year Andrew Hannula of Matawan, N.J., has joined the team of Scott McClaren for the coming season.  Without a doubt, the McClaren team cars out of Freehold, N.J.,  are two of the top rides available in URC, and the youthful Hannula is all geared up for 2008.   McClaren, a top sprint-car owner in URC, also has plans to return to the drivers seat himself when the Rislone URC Sprint Series opens at the Bridgeport Speedway on April 12.

Jan. 22, 2008 - Childress Teams With Howard In Grand Am Series

•  Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and Howard Motorsports have joined forces as Childress-Howard Motorsports (CHM) to field a Daytona Prototype team for a limited number of events in the 2008 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16. The announcement was made and the No. 2 CHM Pontiac Crawford was unveiled Monday evening at the RCR facility during its stop on the NASCAR Media Tour. The team will utilize the driving talents of Andy Wallace and be powered by a Pontiac engine in a Crawford DPO3 chassis.

Northeastern Supply Signs On With Braun Racing

•  One of NASCAR’s longest running race team sponsors, the Northeastern Supply Company, will keep its streak alive in 2008 by announcing that it will move its support in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (formerly the Busch Series) to the No. 38 Great Clips Toyota from Braun Racing. The leading, regional distributor of plumbing, heating, HVAC, water systems and hardware products in six Mid-Atlantic states will now have been involved in some form of team sponsorship in the Nationwide Series for 16 consecutive years.

Toliver Back With DSR

•  Jerry Toliver will drive the Rockstar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car for Don Schumacher Racing in the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, beginning at the Winternationals in Pomona, Calif., Feb. 7-10, 2008, it was confirmed today by team owner Don Schumacher. A native of California, Toliver returns to his first full year of NHRA Funny Car competition since 2004. The popular, articulate and outgoing racer skipped the 2005 and 2006 seasons and ran all but four national events in
2007 under his own banner with Rockstar backing.

Jan. 21, 2008 - Elliott In No. 21 For Daytona

•  According to the Gaston (N.C.) Gazette, Bill Elliott will drive the Wood Brothers' No. 21 at Daytona before eventually turning the team's entry over to Marcos Ambrose and Jon Wood for most of the races. "I'd just as soon run a good bit at the start and then let Ambrose and Jon run as time goes on here," said Elliott, the 1988 Winston Cup champion. "I kind of like that plan. Let's get started and run a little bit. Really, it's a perfect world for me, and I can't argue with it."

Jan. 18, 2008 - NASCAR Considering Raising Sprint Cup Age To 21

• According to the Charlotte Observer's Web site, NASCAR is considering raising the minimum age for Sprint Cup drivers from 18 to 21. Drivers must currently be 18 to compete in the Cup, Nationwide and Truck series; if the age were raised for Cup, drivers between 18 and 21 would still be eligible to drive in the Nationwide and Truck series, a NASCAR source told the Observer.

McLaren, Hamilton Extend Contract

• According to McLaren's official Web site, the F-1 team has extended Lewis Hamilton's contract with the team for a further five years. The new agreement, which starts for 2008, will run up to and including the 2012 season. Financial details were not disclosed. The 23-year-old Briton was championship runner-up in his rookie season last year with four wins for the Mercedes-powered team, but has spent his racing career as a McLaren developmental driver.

Sampey, Bryce Reunited At Rush

Angelle Sampey

• Three-time NHRA POWERade champion Pro Stock Motorcycle driver Angelle Sampey and six-time champion tuner George Bryce will reunite for a run at the 2008 title aboard Karl and Kim Klement's Rush Racing Products S&S powered V-Twin. The pair had a run of success starting in 2000 with Winston sponsorship and won the 2002 championship with associate sponsorship from Mohegan Sun casino. Though always near the top of the performance charts and point standings, neither has won a championship since. Bryce has been working with S&S Cycle to help develop a winning combination with the S&S Pro Stock billet V-Twin and the Kosman Specialties G2 chassis. That development reached its fruition when the formula won the 2007 championship, and Bryce and Sampey hope to bring this year's championship in-house for Klement sponsor Rush Racing Products.

FIA Asked To Go 'Green'

• According to Eurosport, the European Parliament has asked Formula One to seek more environmentally-friendly technology. "The House asks the FIA and others involved in Formula One to change their rules so that environmentally friendly technologies like bio-fuels, four-cylinder engines or hybrid can be more easily applied."

Jan. 17, 2008 - Kyle Busch, Stremme To Split Duties In No. 51

• Billy Ballew Motorsports announced late Wednesday its 2008 driver lineup for the No. 51 Toyota Tundra. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver Kyle Busch will run the majority of the companion races 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races including the season opener February 15 at the Daytona International Speedway. Busch will be joined by another NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series driver, David Stremme, who will pilot the No. 51 in several events. Another driver will be announced later for the events that are possible conflicts with both Busch and Stremme’s schedules.

Teen Ryan Lawler Gets Seven-Race Tryout With Green Light Racing

• Ryan Lawler has officially joined the SS-Green Light Racing team for seven races in the 2008 season. Lawler, 19, has raced in several late model stock car series, including the NASCAR Busch East Series, PASS Super Late Models, and ASA Late Models. He earned two victories in his rookie year of the ASA Late Model Series and won a PASS race at the historic and challenging Hickory Motor Speedway. Lawler will debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this year, but it's not the first time to the series for the Lawler family. His father, Patrick Lawler, raced in various truck series events from 2000-2003.

Morgan-Morgan McClure 'Scales Back,' Lays Off 28

The Associated Press reports that Morgan-McClure Motorsports appears to be out of the racing business. A three-time Daytona 500 winner, Morgan-McClure has been involved in NASCAR for 25 years. The team is without sponsorship for 2008 and will not be able to compete this season. The decision to scale back operations was met with sadness by Sterling Marlin, who won back-to-back Daytona 500s with the team in 1994 and 1995. "We were a great race team at one time," he said. "I just think the technology and them being out of the loop by not being in Charlotte — they were in a time warp and it hurt them some." The Abingdon, Va.-based race team laid off 28 employees last week and co-owner Larry McClure said without sponsorship, the team would not be able to compete in its 26th Daytona 500 next month.

Jan. 16, 2008 - Foyt Turns 73

• Today is A.J. Foyt's birthday. "Super Tex" is 73.

State Water Heaters To Sponsor Riggs, Mayfield

• Haas CNC Racing announced today it has entered into a multi-year, global, business-to-business partnership with State Water Heaters to be a primary sponsor of the No. 66 with Scott Riggs. The program also includes primary placement for select races with Jeremy Mayfield on the No. 70 and an associate sponsorship position on both cars for the full 2008 season.

Colliver Joins Foyt Racing

• Michael Colliver, of Bloomington, Ind., has signed with A.J. Foyt Racing as the team’s chief engineer for the No. 14 ABC Supply Dallara/Honda to be driven by Darren Manning in this year’s IndyCar Series. Colliver’s most recent IndyCar experience lists these teams as clients for his consulting business started in 2004: Playa Del Racing (Jaques Lazier – 2007 Indy 500), Dreyer & Reinbold (Ryan Briscoe--2006) and Access Motorsports (Greg Ray 2004). Prior to starting Advantage Engineering Services, he spent several years at Kelley Racing (2002-04 Al Unser Jr.), Treadway Racing (1999-2002 Sam Schmidt, Arie Luyendyk, Jason Leffler, Felipe Giaffone), CART’s Pat Patrick Racing (1998 Adrian Fernandez) and Hemelgarn Racing (1996-97).

Jan. 15, 2008 - Earnhardt Tapes Super Bowl Ad

• According to USA Today, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. recently shot two ads for Pepsi's Amp energy drink, sponsor of his new No. 88 Chevy, and one is slated to debut during the Super Bowl on Feb. 3. Pepsi, Amp's parent company, is the No. 2 spender in Super Bowl advertising behind Budweiser — Earnhardt's former sponsor. The ads are also to run during the Daytona 500.

All Stars Alert For Drivers

• The O'Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions would like to notify all competitors who are headed to Florida in February that the Florida Department of Transportation has a new permit that is required for any truck and trailer combination that is longer then 65 feet. The permit can be obtained online on the Florida DOT website. The permit carries a $20 fee. The fine for not having the permit is $1,000. To visit the Florida DOT Permit website, please go to www.fdotmaint.com/permit. (To identify the load simply enter "Enclosed Trailer" and check Straight Truck with Trailer.) Also, Drivers should note that mufflers are not required at either North Florida Speedway or at Volusia Speedway. In addition, for the Florida races only, the new Hoosier SC compound will not be allowed. The Hoosier SC12, 15, and/or 25 will be required for these races based on the 2007 All Star rules. If you have any questions, please contact Butch Sherwin with the All Stars. For the 2008 All Star rule book, go to www.allstarsprint.com and visit the Rules & Procedures section.

Jan. 11, 2008 - Mopar Title Sponsor Of USAC Midgets

• Mopar, Chrysler LLC's original equipment parts manufacturer, announced it will take the reins as title sponsor of the 2008 United States Auto Club (USAC) Mopar Midget National Championship in a press conference today at the 22^nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Okla. Rob Richard, director of Global Mopar Parts, Sales and Service Marketing, Chrysler LLC, and Kevin Miller, CEO and president of USAC, revealed the newly-created Mopar Midget National Championship logo with the help of Team Mopar drivers Jerry Coons Jr., and Brady Bacon, and spoke about the new sponsorship at the joint press conference. The partnership marks the union of two of the most widely respected organizations in circle track racing today. "USAC is the racing series where legends are born, and Mopar's recent success in the USAC National Midget Series is proof of that statement," said Richard. "Mopar midget engines have had a legendary run in the series, with Jerry Coons Jr. [2006-2007] and Josh Wise [2005] earning Team Mopar three straight USAC Midget championships. With a new role as title sponsor of the 2008 Mopar Midget National Championship, Mopar will expand on this success, strengthening its ties to USAC and deepening the Mopar brand's recognition with the grassroots racers and enthusiasts that drive circle track racing." "This partnership between USAC and Mopar combines two organizations that define the true passion of racing," said Miller. "Both USAC and Mopar have long and storied heritages in motorsports, along with devoted fan bases. Mopar's title sponsorship of the 2008 Mopar Midget National Championship will enable both organizations to grow as leaders in grassroots open wheel racing. We at USAC are proud to welcome Mopar on board."

NHRA Expands Countdown Format

• NHRA announced today modifications to the NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship designed to build upon the excitement and success generated from last year’s inaugural season. In addition, NHRA also announced that the final race of the season, the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, has been moved one week later to Nov. 13-16, 2008. The 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series will feature an 18-race regular season, followed by a six-race NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship playoff to determine POWERade world champions in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock. The fields for the championship playoffs, which will be set at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals on Labor Day weekend, will be expanded to the top 10 in each class, up from eight in 2007.

SMI Closes On New Hampshire

Closing documents were completed today, finalizing Speedway Motorsports, Inc.'s (NYSE:TRK) purchase of New Hampshire Speedway, Inc. d/b/a New Hampshire International Speedway, from Bob and Gary Bahre for $340 million in cash. The completed purchase was announced today by O. Bruton Smith, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Smith also announced, to better align with other SMI-owned speedway brands, New Hampshire Int'l Speedway was being renamed New Hampshire Motor Speedway. "New Hampshire Motor Speedway is a wonderful addition to our strong portfolio of tracks and provides the opportunity for our company to expand into a new market," said Smith. "Bob and his staff have made this a smooth transition since we announced our agreement in Texas on Nov. 2. We look forward to many successes in our operation of the New Hampshire Motor Speedway."

Dewease, McMahan Commit To All Stars

• The O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions gained another title contender this week as Central P-A Posse stand out Lance Dewease has committed to running the entire 2008 All Star schedule. Dewease will be driving the Lisa and Donny Owens, Catoctin Motorsports No. 30c he finished out the 2007 season in. This adds to the already exciting season ahead for the All Stars as Dale Blaney and Dean Jacobs have both made commitments to run full time in 2008 for their shot at the title. Also, former All Star turned Outlaw, Paul McMahan, has announced he will be returning full time with the All Stars in 2008 piloting the Rick Ferkel-owned No. 0 car.

New Chief For Vickers

• Red Bull Racing Team announced Kevin Hamlin [no relation to Denny] to crew chief the No.83 Red Bull Toyota Camry piloted by Brian Vickers for the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season. Hamlin's past crew chief roles include his most recent stint with Dave Blaney's No.22 Toyota, preceded by nine years of crew chief duties with RCR drivers including Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, and the late Dale Earnhardt, Sr.

Stanley Tools Signs On With Sadler For 12 Races

• According to the team's official Web site, the Stanley Tools brand will be on Elliott Sadler's Gillett Evernham Motorsports No.19 Dodge at a dozen races plus the All-Star race during the upcoming Sprint Cup season.

Jan. 10, 2008 - Tornado Hits Springfield (Mo.) Raceway

• After a day to survey all the damages sustained in Monday evenings flurry of Tornado's that swept through the Ozarks, Springfield Raceway officials announced today that they will rebuild all the facilities that were lost. At 7:05 p.m. Monday evening a Tornado touched down on the Raceway grounds and completely demolished the main building housing the concession stand, office, souvenirs stand and the majority of the restrooms. When the roof of the main building was blown off it collided with the front straight away retaining fence and wall, taking out the turn No. 1 light tower and sound system. Raceway officials are waiting for the Emergency Services to come and assess the damages from a financial standpoint, but Raceway co-owner Doug Bland estimated the replacement value of the losses at $75,000-$100,000.

Yates Site Up And Running

• The Web site sponsoryates.com, which seeks prospective sponsors for the 2008 Sprint Cup efforts of Yates Racing, is now live.

Jan. 9, 2008 - Bolin Replaces Reiser

• Chip Bolin opened preseason testing at Daytona Int'l Speedway leading the No. 17 team of Matt Kenseth, which had been run by Robbie Reiser since its 1999 inception. Reiser stepped down at the end of last season to become general manager of Roush Fenway Racing. Bolin has served as crew chief in Reiser's absence, including a four-race stretch at the beginning of 2007 due to suspension. Kenseth recorded a victory at California with Bolin atop the pit box.

Circle Bar Signs Gaughan

• Circle Bar Racing announced today the selection of Brendan Gaughan as the driver of the No. 10 International MaxxForce Diesel Ford F-150 for the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. With continued sponsorship from International Truck and Engine Corporation of the two-truck effort at Circle Bar Racing, Gaughan will team with 11-year series veteran Rick Crawford. Bryan Berry, who led Gaughan’s truck series effort in 2007, will assume crew chief duties for the No. 10 entry. The announcement was made prior to this week’s Preseason Thunder test session at Daytona International Speedway (Jan. 11–13).

Babb To Drive To Bowyer's New Team

• Clint Bowyer Racing has tabbed dirt late model standout Shannon Babb to handle the driving duties for its newly formed dirt late model team in 2008. The team, owned by Clint Bowyer, driver of Richard Childress Racing’s No. 07 Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet Impala SS, will be entering its first year of competition among the elite ranks of Dirt Late Model competition. The team plans to compete in more than 60 nights of racing from early February to late November. “Dirt track racing is my passion and it’s where I got my start on four wheels,” said Bowyer. “I bought my first dirt late model last year and I was hooked immediately. Thanks to some opportunities that have presented themselves in recent months and support from Chevrolet, I was able to put together a full-time effort with Shannon Babb. Shannon (Babb) is one of the top dirt late model drivers in the country and I’m excited to have him driving for Clint Bowyer Racing.” Babb, a native of Moweaqua, Ill., has amassed an impressive list of achievements in his time behind the wheel of a dirt racecar. Included among Babb’s many achievements are two Dirt Track World Championship titles and two UMP Summer Nationals Championships. Babb also holds the record for most Summer Nationals wins. Last season, Babb recorded 16 feature victories.

Chile Among Alternatives for Dakar Rally's Future

• According to an Associated Press report, the Chilean government will back a proposal to bring the Dakar Rally to South America after terrorist threats forced the cancellation of the off-road endurance race traditionally staged across the Sahara desert. The head of the Chilean Tourism Service, Oscar Santelices, said a formal letter will be sent next week to the France-based rally organizer Amaury Sports Organization expressing Chile's interest to host it. Other alternatives include Australia, China and Russia.

Jacarepagua Could Be Demolished

• A Eurosport report says that Rio de Janeiro's racetrack - the former host of the Formula One and Motorcycle Brazilian Grands Prix - will be demolished soon if the city is chosen to host the 2016 Olympics. The circuit, which is commonly known as Jacarepagua but was officially re-named the Nelson Piquet raceway in 1990 after the three-time world champion. Carlos Reutemann won the first Formula One race held at the track in 1978, with Frenchman Alain Prost the most successful driver with five victories before the race moved to Interlagos in Sao Paulo in 1990.

'SponsorYates.com'

• Neither of the Yates Racing Sprint Cup entries - Travis Kvapil's No. 28 nor David Gililand's No. 38 - have attained sponsorship for the upcoming season. At testing in Daytona this week, the rear of Kvapil's car carries a decal that reads, "SponsorYates.com." Attempts to visit the Web site, however, have been unsuccessful. A server for it exists, but the site is not yet live.

Jan. 8, 2008 - Lasoski, Forbrook Together Again?

• It appears 2001 World of Outlaws champion Danny Lasoski and noted team owner and crew chief Guy Forbrook could be on a collision course for a reunion. Lasoski, who lost his ride with Roth Motorsports this winter, and Forbrook, who hasn't run a full schedule in several years, combined to win eight Knoxville Raceway track championships before parting ways in the late 1990s.

Gibbs Resigns As Redskins Coach

• NASCAR team owner and NFL head coach Joe Gibbs resigned Tuesday as head coach of the Washington Redskins. Gibbs, who came out of retirement to take over the Redskins for the second time, had coached four years of a five-year contract and led the Redskins to the playoffs this past season. Gibbs, 67, owns the three-car team managed by his son, J.D. Gibbs, featuring drivers Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin.

Jan. 7, 2008 - Kentucky Tix Go On Sale

• Kentucky Speedway will place single-race and Fanfest tickets for its six-weekend 2008 season on sale Monday, Jan. 7 at 9:00 a.m. The 66,098-seat facility’s season begins May 10 and concludes Sept. 20. Event tickets will range from $20 to $80 depending on event and seat location. Single-event tickets can be reserved online through the “Tickets” pages of www.kentuckyspeedway.com, at speedway ticket offices located at 400 Buttermilk Pike, Suite 100, in Ft. Mitchell, Ky., near Montgomery Inn and the Sparta, Ky., Fan Center located off of I-71 Exit 57 and Ky. Hwy. 35 N, by phone at 888-652-RACE (7223) and through Meijer stores. Season-ticket plans for the venue’s ninth season are on sale now and range from $165 to $255. Plans can be reserved online through the tickets pages of this Web site, by dialing 859-578-2300 and pressing “2,” or through both track ticket offices.

Jan. 4, 2008 - Dakar Rally Cancelled

• PARIS — Several media outlets reported Friday that the annual Dakar Rally has been canceled due to terrorist threats targeting the cross-continent race.
Government officials from France, home base of the race’s organizers, urged officials to cancel the event after a French family was murdered in Mauritania on Christmas Eve. The slaying of the family of tourists has been blamed on al-Qaida-linked militants. It is the first time the event has been cancelled since its inception 30 years ago, but security was impossible to guarantee over the course of the 5,760-mile trek across the Sahara Desert, which was to include some 550 cars, trucks and motorcycles and some 3,000 people. Eight of its stages were to take place in Mauritania, the home of a terror cell that uses its vast desert as a hideout. “No other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken,” organizers told the Associated Press. The Dakar Rally was to start in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday and finish in Dakar, Senegal on Jan. 20.

Jan. 3, 2008 - All Stars To Hold Banquets

• The O'Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions and the O'Reilly Midwest All Star Series will both honor their 2007 season points champions in January in separate awards ceremonies. Greg Wilson will be crowned as the repeat champion of the All Stars while Jerrod Hull takes home the top honors as champion of the Midwest All Stars. The All Star Circuit of Champions banquet is to be held inside the Eldora Ballroom in Rossburg, OH on the grounds of Eldora Speedway on Saturday Jan. 5. The doors will swing open at 5 p.m. with the meal serving to begin at 6:15 p.m. and will be followed by the awards presentations hosted by Larry Boos and Tony Stewart. Closing out the festive evening will be a DJ and dancing. Danny Smith will take the top car owner spot for the season and Brian Paulus will be crowned Rookie of the Year. Rounding out the Top 10 in driver points are Smith, Paulus, Brandon Martin, Paul May, Brock Mayes, Brian Ellenberger, Dale Blaney, Craig Mintz, and Dean Jacobs. Tickets are sold out for this event. The O'Reilly Midwest All Star Series awards banquet is to be held at Orlando's located at 8352 Watson Rd. in St. Louis, Mo. on Saturday Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. Please RSVP to Series Director Steve Libby at 314-691-7503. The cost is $35.00 per person and includes cocktails and dinner. Jerrod Hull finished out the exciting inaugural season with the Midwest All Stars as the champion of the up and coming series that took the Midwest by storm in 2007. Rounding out the Top 10 were Rob Standridge, A.J. Bruns, Ryan Bunton, Jimmy Hurley, Jeremy Standridge, Tim Montgomery, Tyler Thompson, Tiffany Wyzard, and Joey Montgomery.

Gaughan To Fill In For Gordon

• Brendan Gaughan will reportedly test for Robby Gordon Motorsports at Daytona while owner/driver Gordon competes in the Dakar Rally off-road race in Africa.

Servia Lands With PKV

• PKV Racing General Manager Mark Johnson announced today that Oriol Servia will pilot one of two PKV Racing Cosworth/DP01/Bridgestone entries during the 2008 Champ Car World Series season. Servia, who competed for PKV Racing in the last two events of 2007 and during the 2006 season, finished sixth in the championship standings last year. The 33-year-old native of Pals, Catalonia, Spain contested 13 of the 14 events in 2007, the two with PKV Racing and 11 for Forsythe Championship Racing, earning 11 top-10 finishes including five top-five showings with five podium performances. His best finish was a second in Long Beach. Johnson said PKV Racing expects to field two cars for 2008 with the second driver expected to be announced after preseason testing is completed.