Nov. 30, 2007 - Evel Knievel Dead At 69

• The Associated Press reports that Evel Knievel, the iconic hard-living motorcycle daredevil died Friday in Clearwater, Fla. Knievel made jumps over Greyhound buses, live sharks and Idaho's Snake River Canyon that made him an international superstar. He was 69. Knievel's death was confirmed by his granddaughter, Krysten Knievel. He had been in failing health for years, suffering from diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable condition that scarred his lungs.

'Old School' Car To Be Unveiled

• The Old School Racing Champion Tour (OSRCT) series, which is set to debut in May 2008, will unveil its first official car at the 20th annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) trade show in Orlando, Florida at 11 a.m. on Dec. 6. Dave Marcis, Jack Ingram and Larry Pollard among others will be doing the honors of unveiling the first Old School Racing Champion's Tour race car.

NHRA's Powers Motorsports Moves Shop

• NHRA Top Fuel team David Powers Motorsports has relocated to a new, state-of-the-art facility in Brownsburg, Ind. The 40,000 square-foot race shop is located on Southpoint Circle in the Indianapolis suburb. The shop will house both the Matco Tools and Caterpillar Top Fuels teams and allows for future expansion. The building features a modern look and offers a fan-friendly viewing area for race fans. The building was constructed by ACME Buildings, Inc. and is owned by Tim Buckley, President of Vintage Design Inc. and financial partner of David Powers Motorsports. The team had previously worked out of a facility in Pittsboro, Ind.

Hand Gets Shot At DP With Ruby Tuesday

• The Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team announced today that Joey Hand, of Sacramento, Calif., will co-drive with Bill Auberlen during the 2008 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series season. Hand and Auberlen will co-drive the Alex Job Racing-prepared No. 23 Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team Porsche-powered Crawford Daytona Prototype beginning with the January (4-6) Test Days at Daytona International Speedway. The test days are in preparation for the Rolex 24 at Daytona Jan. 26-27. Although Hand has driven with Auberlen in the past, mostly in GT cars, it will be the first time the two have campaigned a Daytona Prototype together for a full season. According to Hand, he has waited a long time for this type of opportunity and he looks forward to making the most of it.

Tree Lighting At LMS

• H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway, and Scott Smith, president of the Charlotte chapter of Speedway Children's Charities, will light a one-of-a-kind Christmas tree on Dec. 6 along the Avenue of Flags at the main entrance to Lowe's Motor Speedway and distribute in excess of $700,000 to 64 local organizations on behalf of Speedway Children's Charities. The money will assist nonprofit charities making a direct and significant impact in the lives of children in need. The festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the tree lighting scheduled for 6:52 p.m.

Impact Racing Back As CRA Sponsor

• Impact Racing, the Motorsports safety equipment company started by Bill Simpson, has agreed to renew its sponsorship of the CRA Super Series, Howe CRA Sportsman and CRA Street Stocks for the 2008 season. This will be the sixth consecutive season that Impact Racing has been a sponsor of the CRA Super Series and it will be the second season they have sponsored the Howe CRA Sportsman and CRA Street Stocks.

Skerlong Tests With PCM

• Pacific Coast Motorsports gave Atlantic standout Carl Skerlong his first taste of the 750-hp Champ Car yesterday at Buttonwillow Raceway in central California.  Skerlong completed 107 trouble-free miles on the 1.86-mile permanent road course. Skerlong, 19, of Seattle, Wash., earned two podium finishes in his rookie season of Atlantic competition.

Perera Earns Champ Car Test With Forsythe/Pettit

• Champ Car Atlantic Championship Rookie of the Year Franck Perera has been selected by the newly combined Forsythe/Pettit Racing to test its Champ Car at MSR in Houston today and Friday. "We are happy to give Franck the opportunity to drive the Champ Car.  It gives us a chance to evaluate him and at the same time help the team with some testing items," said Neil Micklewright, V.P Forsythe/Pettit. "With Toyota F-1 I did a lot of shakedown and some official testing and I am excited to work with Forsythe/Pettit for their testing this week and get time to know the car and present myself to the team and the series for a Champ Car drive next season," said Franck Perera.

Nov. 29, 2007 - Ralf Schumacher Among 7 Testing For Force India Seat

• A Eurosport report says that seven drivers, including Ralf Schumacher and Giancarlo Fisichella will take part in a test for the newly named Force India F-1 team. The renamed team, formerly Spyker, said on Wednesday that the two would each have a full day of testing in Jerez from December 4-7, joining fellow-hopefuls Christian Klien of Austria, Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi and France's Franck Montagny. Dutchman Giedo van der Garde and Spaniard Roldan Rodriguez, neither of whom have any Formula One race experience, complete the testing line-up. A team spokeswoman said Adrian Sutil, the German rookie who competed for Spyker this year, was confirmed for next season and had no need to take part in the test.

Miller Retiring From Penske South, Other Staff Changes

• Team Penske announced on its Web site that Don Miller, who has served as President of Penske Racing South Inc. since its inception in 1990, is retiring from his position after nearly two successful decades at the highest levels of stock car racing. Miller, 68, has presided over 75 victories, 95 pole positions and more than $90 million in winnings for Penske Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series as well as NASCAR Busch and ARCA series events. Penske Racing also announced Wednesday that Mike Nelson, who just completed his first season as crew chief of the No.12 Alltel Dodge driven by Ryan Newman, has been promoted to Vice President of Operations. In his new role, Nelson will oversee Penske's entries in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series, reporting to Tim Cindric, President of Penske Performance Inc. In addition, Roy McCauley, an experienced crew chief and engineer for Penske Racing since 2002, has been named crew chief for the No. 12 Alltel team. Reuniting a winning combination, McCauley will once again be paired with Newman. The duo produced wins in six of the nine Busch Series races they competed in during the 2005 season, with McCauley serving as crew chief.

Holiday Laps Return To VIR

• Here’s your chance to drive one of America’s finest road racing tracks – VIRginia International Raceway, and help others at the same time. On Dec. 7, anyone who donates $25 or the equivalent in toys or non-perishable food items can drive their own car around VIR’s history-filled twists, turns and hills. Motorcycles are welcome and will be grouped separately if there enough, or will be grouped together in a regular session. “Once people see how big a challenge VIR can be at pace car speeds, they appreciate the skills needed to drive it even more,” said track Managing Partner Connie Nyholm. “We are always looking for ways we can contribute to the communities around us and ‘Holiday Laps’ is one way. The experience of driving the same track that challenged Carroll Shelby and the other great drivers who raced here is one bonus that we can give the donors. Watching people bring their cars for the VIR Holiday Laps here is just as special as watching the great modern and vintage race cars that we get to see at VIR every year. The program lets us give fans a taste of life on the other side of the rail and help the local communities at the same time. We’d like for everyone to be able to experience VIR from the other side of the fence.” For a $25 donation, or the equivalent in non-perishable food items or toys, drivers of any safe road car, truck or van can drive VIR and at least partially experience the thrill of driving on the same track where some of the world’s best race drivers and motorcycle riders compete all year long. Donors for the last five years have all experienced a thrill to last a lifetime, as well as helping others.

Rahal Letterman Files Suit Against Sharp

• Rahal Letterman Racing filed a lawsuit Tuesday in United States District Court Southern District of Florida Miami Division today against Scott Sharp Sports, LLC, Scott Sharp Inc., driver Scott Sharp (collectively “Sharp”) and sponsor Patrón Spirits. The suit alleges, among other things, a breach by Sharp of a multi-year contract with Rahal Letterman Racing. The terms of the contract call for Sharp and Patrón Spirits to participate in the IndyCar Series with Rahal Letterman Racing through 2008. Rahal Letterman Racing’s suit seeks damages for, among other things, Sharp’s breach of contract and Patrón’s interference with contractual relations as well as injunctive relief. Additionally, RLR will file an emergency motion for a preliminary injunction against Scott Sharp. Sharp Joined Rahal Letterman in this past season and finished eighth in the IndyCar Series standings.

Nov. 28, 2007 - Former Indy 500 Driver Walther Sentenced

• According to the Associated Press, in Xenia, Ohio, former Indianapolis 500 driver David D. "Salt" Walther was sentenced to three years in prison for leading police on a chase at speeds of up 100 miles per hour. Greene County Common Pleas Court Judge Stephen Wolaver sentenced the 59-year-old Walther on Wednesday after a jury convicted him of failing to comply with an order or signal of a police officer after a two-day trial. Assistant Greene County Prosecutor David Hayes said Walther led police departments in the Dayton suburbs of Beavercreek and Centerville on a chase in July. Walther, who raced in the Indianapolis 500 seven times, was injured in a fiery 1973 crash at the 500. In August, Walther was sentenced to two years and two months in prison for nonsupport of dependents and violating terms of an earlier sentence.

Dodge To Race Charger In '08

• Dodge today confirmed that it will race the  Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2008 and beyond, continuing to add to its rich NASCAR tradition.  Dodge, which has a storied heritage in auto racing with the Charger, has elected to continue the winning tradition that legends David Pearson, Bobby Isaac and Richard Petty established in the 1970s by designating the Charger as the nameplate Dodge teams will use in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series next year.  “Racing is the core of Dodge’s DNA,” said Michael Accavitti, Director – Dodge Brand and SRT Global Marketing.  “Dodge has a racing heritage that spans many different nameplates and models, and the Charger is the cornerstone of that heritage.  When NASCAR originally announced the phase-in plan for the “car of tomorrow”, it made sense for Dodge to race the Charger and Avenger.  When the decision was made to race only one car next year, we talked with our partners, the more than 2,500 Dodge Dealers across the country, and they expressed overwhelming support for Dodge to continue its motorsports heritage with the Charger nameplate."

Kalkhoven Acquitted

• ESPN.com's and NSSN's John Oreovicz reports that a U.S. District Court jury ruled Tuesday that Champ Car World Series co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven and three other former JDS Uniphase executives did not commit securities fraud and are not liable for losses that investors incurred when JDS Uniphase stock lost 99 percent of its value in 2001. The class action suit, originally filed in 2002 by the state of Connecticut, sought more than $20 billion in damages from Mipitas, California-based JDS Uniphase, along with former CEOs Kalkhoven and Jozef Straus, former chief financial officer Anthony Muller and former chief operating officer Charles Abbe. Plaintiff attorneys tried to prove that the former executives used insider information to sell more than $350 million worth of company stock between 1999 and July 2001, when the share price plummeted. Kalkhoven retired in May 2000 from JDS Uniphase, a company created in a June 1999 merger between Canadian telecommunications equipment maker JDS Fitel and San Jose-based Uniphase. He entered auto racing as the co-owner of the Champ Car team now called PKV Racing in early 2003. Later that year, he teamed with Gerald Forsythe and Paul Gentilozzi to form a group called Open Wheel Racing Series, which successfully acquired the assets of Championship Auto Racing Teams Inc. in a U.S. Bankruptcy Court auction in Indianapolis in January 2004.

Nov. 27, 2007 - Meendering New Crew Chief For No. 43

• Jeff Meendering made his rumored departure as car chief for Jeff Gordon's No. 24 Monday when he officially joined Petty Enterprises as crew chief for Bobby Labonte, driver of the No. 43 Dodge. Meendering began his career at Hendrick Motorsports 13 years ago sweeping floors, and worked his way up to a pivotal role on Gordon's crew. He was the interim crew chief during a six-race stretch this season when Steve Letarte was suspended. His new job with Petty starts immediately, and he'll accompany Labonte to a tire test at Atlanta Motor Speedway next month.

Snowball Derby, Snowflake 100 Fields Grow to 145

• As of Sunday, Nov. 25, there were already paid 65 entries for the 40th running of the Snowball Derby this coming weekend (Nov. 29-Dec. 2) at 5 Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla., one of the biggest and most prestigious races in the country.  On top of that, the eighth annual running of the Snowflake 100 for Pro Late Models has already received 80 total paid entries as of Nov. 25.  That makes for 145 cars expected to show up in Pensacola for just two races.

Ralf Schumacher Covets McLaren Seat

• Still searching for a ride in 2008, Ralf Schumacher made it clear that he covets the McLaren seat recently vacated by Fernando Alonso. According to Eurosport, there has been no talks between the two sides.

Nov. 26, 2007 - Lia Headed to NCTS

• NASCAR Whelen Modified champion Donny Lia will be driving the No. 59 HT Motorsports Toyota in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for the 2008 season. Lia finished out the NCTS season in the truck at Homestead.

Nov. 21, 2007 - Little Debbie Backs Wood Bros., Ambrose

• Wood Brothers Racing and JTG Racing announced Tuesday that McKee Foods Little Debbie® Snack Cakes brand will be returning as a primary sponsor in a newly-signed two-year deal.  Financial terms were not disclosed.  This agreement extends and builds upon a previous two-year relationship with the Collegedale, Tennessee Company.  Little Debbie® will serve as the primary sponsor for 18 NASCAR Sprint Cup events in the 2008 season and again in the 2009 season. Up-and-coming Busch Series superstar Marcos Ambrose will take over as the face of the company’s NASCAR efforts in twelve of the eighteen races, beginning in Sonoma, CA in June, 2008.  Additional driver lineups for the remaining six Little Debbie events will be announced at a later date—as will other sponsor/driver combinations for the new year.  Ambrose will serve as a pitchman for all of the company’s snack cake brands, appearing in all point of sale (POS) materials and related items. Ambrose debuted in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the 2006 season and was summarily promoted into the NASCAR Busch Series in 2007, driving full time for the No. 59 entry.  Prior to coming to the United States, Ambrose was a two-time Australian V-8 Supercar Series Champion in 2003-2004, while leading a resurgence of the Ford Motor Company brand in his home country.

Chitwood, Helton To Speak

• Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and COO Joie Chitwood will speak about IMS's upcoming Centennial Era celebration during the eighth annual Motorsports Marketing Forum on Nov. 28 in New York. Among other executives scheduled to speak at the InterContinental Barclay New York are NASCAR President Mike Helton, NHRA President Tom Compton and Indy Racing League President, Commercial Division Terry Angstadt. Chitwood will discuss IMS's plans to celebrate the opening of the facility in 12009, the 100th anniversary of the first Indianapolis 500  in 2001 and the 100th running of the 500 in 2016. For more information on the Motorsports Marketing Forum, visit www.sportsbusinessconferences.com.

Fastenal Signs On With Franchitti

• Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced Tuesday that Fastenal Company, a leading global industrial and construction supply distributor, has signed a multi-year deal with the team to sponsor driver Dario Franchitti and the No.40 Dodge Charger in the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS).  The program will feature Franchitti as the car’s primary driver and also include select races with his CGRFS NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) teammate Reed Sorenson behind the wheel.

Nov. 19, 2007 - Braun Headed To Roush Fenway Truck

• Colin Braun, regarded as one of the best young talents in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 over the past two seasons, will look to show his talents in the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, as he will drive the No. 6 Ford F-150 for Roush Fenway Racing. Braun, who has three career Rolex Series victories, drove for Krohn Racing during the 2006 and 2007 Rolex Series seasons. His first career victory at Daytona International Speedway made him the Rolex Series' youngest-ever winner.

Lally Moving To NCTS With Team

• Andy Lally has made a name for himself in Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 competition over the past several years, completing a number of improbable runs to the front of the field to win races and help solidify the TRG team as an annual contender for a Grand-Am Rolex Series GT Championship. Now, Lally and TRG are taking their talents on the road from the Petaluma, Calif.-based shop and moving east, with Lally using the final three races on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule to prepare for a full 2008 campaign.

Nov. 16, 2007 - Glock Expected To Join Toyota F-1

• According to Reuters, Timo Glock is expected to join the Toyota F-1 Team for 2008 after no long figuring in to the plans of BMW Sauber. Toyota, who parted company with Ralf Schumacher at the end of the season in Brazil last month, had no immediate comment. The Cologne-based team has Italian Jarno Trulli under contract as their other race driver and has made clear its interest in Glock. BMW had lined up the GP2 champion as its 2008 test and reserve driver after using him in that role this year but were awaiting a ruling from Formula One's contract recognition board after being notified of a conflicting document. The Autosport website said that body had ruled in favour of Toyota. If Glock is confirmed, with an announcement by Toyota expected next week, the deal will close another door to Spain's double world champion Fernando Alonso.

AGR Signs Fittipaldi For ALMS

• Andretti Green Racing has signed Christian Fittipaldi to fill out its full-season lineup in the No. 26 XM Satellite Radio Acrua in the 2008 American Le Mans Series’s LMP2 class. Fittipaldi, the son of former Grand Prix driver and team owner Wilson Fittipaldi and the nephew of two-time F-1 World Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi, will team with Bryan Herta for the 12-round season.

Nov. 15, 2007 - Schumacher Fastest Again, But Won't Make Comeback

• Retired world champion Michael Schumacher said he was surprised by his speed after again setting the pace in his second day of testing with Ferrari in Spain on Wednesday.The 38-year-old German made clear however that there was no chance of him returning to Formula One as a racer after walking away in 2006. He was also fastest in Tuesday's session. On Wednesday, Schumacher clocked an unofficial best time of one minute, 21.486 seconds, with McLaren's Spanish test driver Pedro de la Rosa second quickest in 1:21.857. Read more about Schumacher's test here.

Report: Reiser To Be New Roush-Fenway GM

• ESPN is reporting that Matt Kenseth crew chief Robbie Reiser will be the new general manager at Roush Fenway Racing, replacing Max Jones, who will fill the same role at Robert Yates Racing as the two teams form an alliance for the 2008 season that will essentially allow them to operate as a seven-car team without violating NASCAR's four-car per team limit. Reiser has been Kenseth's crew chief since the two entered Nextel Cup together in 2000. Speed TV also reports that Jones now has an ownership stake in RYR.

Report: Goodyear Unhappy With Tests

• According to the Winston-Salem Journal, Goodyear is still attempting to find a solution to tire problems discovered during CoT testing at Atlanta. More CoT tire tests are scheduled this week at California Speedway and in two weeks at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Goodyear will attempt to find a common tire that works well with both the CoT and trucks, so it will be conducting tire tests in both.

F1 Headed To New Delhi In 2010

• F1 officials have contracted with a firm to build a race course near the Indian capital of New Delhi. The group, JP Associates, signed a contract last week to develop the site at Greater Noida, a fast growing area around 50 kilometres to the east of the capital, the Hindustan Times quoted a senior company executive as saying. A 10-year contract has been signed between the company and F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone to build the track in a bid to bring the first race to India in 2010, the report said. Ecclestone confirmed the plan on Formula One's official Web site.

Nov. 14, 2007 - Hornish Could Make Indy 500 Return, Likely To Get Points From No. 2

• Neither the driver Sam Hornish, Jr. nor team owner Roger Penske is ruling out an eventual return to the Indianapolis 500 for the 2006 winner, but that return probably won't be next year as Hornish learns the ropes in NASCAR's Sprint Cup, the Indianapolis Star reports. Penske also told the newspaper that it's almost certain he will shift No.2-Kurt Busch's points to Hornish to ensure the rookie starts the first five races next season but needs to clear it with Busch's team and sponsors first.

Still Got It: Schumacher Fastest In Ferrari Test

• Retired former seven-time F-1 World Champion Michael Schumacher Tuesday to set the fastest lap in testing for Ferrari at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.The 38-year-old German, who has no intention of returning to Formula One racing after quitting at the end of 2006, was also test on today. Champions Ferrari have described the test as "half for pleasure, half for technical reasons." Formula One's rules are changing next year, with traction control and other so-called 'driver aids' being removed, and Schumacher can give useful input as a driver who has raced cars with and without the systems. Schumacher topped the unofficial timesheets, completing 64 laps in the F2007 car with a fastest lap of one minute 21.922 seconds. The circuit Web site said 3,000 spectators attended the session.

Kenseth's Busch Crew Chief Fined

• NASCAR announced today that Drew Blickensderfer, crew chief for the No. 17 Ford driven by Matt Kenseth in the NASCAR Busch Series, was fined $10,000 for violating Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20A–12.8.1D (after competition, the right rear quarter panel height exceeded the maximum of 36 ∏ inches) of the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series Rule Book.

Peugot Dominates Interlagos; Lamy, Sarrazin Take LMS Title

• Peugeot's Marc Gene and Nicolas Minassian won the traditional Mil Milhas Brasil race at Interlagos in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with teammates Pedro Lamy and Stephane Sarrazin finishing second to clinch the Le Mans Series title. Gene and Minassian, driving a Peugeot 908, finished the 1,000-mile, 374-lap race in 8 hours, 58 minutes, 21.822 seconds late Saturday night. Lamy and Sarrazin, also with a Peugeot 908, crossed the finish line at the 2.6-mile Interlagos track 12 laps behind, a result that guaranteed them the Le Mans Series title. Lamy and Sarrazin earned the pole position but had to overcome mechanical problems that forced them to start from last place. Felipe Ortiz, Stuart Hall and Jamie Campbell Walter, with a Creation-Judd, finished third, 18 laps behind.

Pennzoil Sponsoring Governor's Cup Pole Award

• Pennzoil, the Official Motor Oil of FASCAR, will sponsor the Pennzoil Pole Award at the 42nd Annual Florida Governor’s Cup 200 at New Smyrna Speedway Nov. 17. A valued member of the FASCAR Team for more than five years, Pennzoil has put up $300 to the Fast-Qualifier, $150 for second place and $50 for third. Qualifying is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon. FASCAR Official and Pennzoil Representative Kevin Orzell said he has enjoyed the relationship between FASCAR and Pennzoil for the past half-decade and is excited to have this opportunity for Pennzoil to play an even bigger role in this year’s Governor’s Cup festivities. This year's festivities will also include the #29 Shell/Pennzoil FASCAR Show Car, that will be on display in the midway. Pennzoil is the Official Motor Oil of FASCAR, Team FASCAR and the 2007 Florida Governor's Cup.

GLOCK Returns To ARCA With Dexter Bean

• GLOCK, Inc. has announced that it has renewed their 2008 Team GLOCK Racing contract with veteran NASCAR driver and team owner Jeff Spraker of Spraker Racing Enterprises. Dexter Bean of Westby, Wisconsin will join the team as the #37 GLOCK Chevrolet driver in the ARCA RE/MAX 2008 Series. The 20-year-old finished third in the ARCA RE/MAX Series Championship point standings in 2007 with his family owned BlackJack Racing team. Bean earned three top-5 finishes including 5th in the Allen Crowe 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, 2nd at the Kentuckyiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 by Federated Auto Parts at Salem Speedway and 2nd at the Pocono 200 at Pocono Raceway in June.

Nov. 13, 2007 - Gappens To Head NHIS

• Lowe's Motor Speedway Vice President Jerry Gappens will be named General Manager of New Hampshire Int'l Speedway. Gappens, who has been at LMS for close to 20 years, is former operations manager of National Speed Sport News.

Fernandez Moving Acura For ALMS Campaign

• In preparation for its second season in the American Le Mans Series, Lowe's Fernandez Racing today confirmed its move to the Acura ARX-01b chassis next year in LMP2 class competition, the ALMS Web site reported. The official entry - the No. 15 Lowe's Acura ARX-01b - will once again be piloted by Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz, who recorded three podiums and six top-five results in 2007.

Nov. 9, 2007 - Hall Of Fame Makes Toyota Switch Official

• As expected, Hall of Fame Racing officials announced today at Phoenix Int'l Raceway that the team will partner with Toyota and Toyota Racing Development in the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.  J.J. Yeley will drive the No. 96 DLP HDTV Toyota Camry in 2008 for HoFR, and the team will continue their strategic alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing — leasing engines and receiving manufacturing support from JGR. Yeley, who is currently driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, will make his first appearance in a Toyota in Sprint Cup competition will come in the Feb. 9 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Yeley earned his way into the non-points paying event via his first career Cup pole on June 15, 2007 at Michigan Int'l Speedway.

PVA Sponsors No. 45 For Two Races

• Petty Enterprises announced today that the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) will serve as a primary sponsor on the #45 Dodge Avenger for two races during the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.  The events will be the May race at the Richmond (Va.) Int'l Raceway and the June race at the Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. The organization will be an associate sponsor on the No. 45 Dodge for the remaining 34 races of the season. Richard and Kyle Petty, along with PVA members Dianne Brunswick and Benjamin Garcia, were on hand at the Phoenix (Ariz.) Int'l Raceway to make the announcement. 

Nov. 8, 2007 - Former Indy 500 Driver Freeland Dies At 82

• The Associated Press reports that Don Freeland, who drove in the Indianapolis 500 eight times and finished third in 1956, has died. He was 82. Freeland, of Torrance, Calif., died Friday in San Diego after a period of declining health, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway said Tuesday. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, Freeland began racing roadsters shortly after the war and moved up to AAA and USAC competition in 1952. He had 36 top-10 finishes and was third in the 1956 USAC championship points. Freeland drove at Indianapolis from 1953-60. Survivors include his wife, Jan, and daughter, Deana, both of Torrance.

Another F-1 Spy Scandal?

• Former champions Renault have been summoned to appear before Formula One's governing body on a charge of having McLaren technical information in their possession, a Eurosport report said. According to the report, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) said that representatives of the French team had been summoned to a hearing of the World Motor Sport Council in Monaco on Dec. 6. The charges spanned a period from Sept. 2006 to Oct. 2007 — the final four races of last year when Renault won the drivers' and constructors' titles as well as this year's entire championship. The FIA said in a statement that the information allegedly included the layout and critical dimensions of the McLaren car as well as details of the fuelling system, gear assembly, oil cooling system and hydraulic control system. It also mentioned a "novel suspension component used by the 2006 and 2007 McLaren F1 cars."

ALMS To Welcome House of Lords Member

• The American Le Mans Series official Web site announced that one of the British government's senior members of the House of Lords has taken a leave of absence from politics — to go racing in the American Le Mans Series. Lord Drayson, who was serving as Minister of State for Defense Procurement and Defense Minister in the House of Lords, resigned his political post today. The Aston University graduate with a PhD in robotics and former founder of PowderJect Pharmaceuticals, plans to compete in a yet to be named bio-ethanol fueled car in the Series beginning next season. In a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Lord Drayson said: "As you know, I have a passion for motor racing and over the past year have competed in the British GT championship, racing a unique bio-ethanol fueled race car, achieving an 'historic first' win for a green fueled car and coming second overall in the championship.

Nov. 7, 2007 - Petty Enterprises To Announce Move

• Petty Enterprises has scheduled a conference call with the media for 11 a.m. today to announce a new location for its Nextel/Sprint Cup operations for 2008. Currently located in Randleman, N.C., Petty is considering a move closer to the Charlotte area. Among those areas considered have been Mooresville, Salisbury and Cornelius. (Update: Petty will be leasing the Robert Yates Racing shops in Mooresville, N.C. for the next two years, while considering a permanent home.)

Kazuki Nakajima To Join Rosberg In Williams Lineup

• The ATT Williams Formula One team confirmed today that its driver line up for the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship would be Nico Rosberg partnered by Kazuki Nakajima. Kazuki, a 22-year old from Aichi in Japan, who for the past year has been the team's official test and reserve driver. Kazuki, the GP2 Series Rookie of the Year, has been a member of the Toyota Driver's Programme since 2003 when he claimed the Formula Toyota Championship. More recently, Kazuki has contested the All Japan Formula 3 Championship and the Formula 3 Euroseries. He is the son of former grand prix driver Satoru Nakajima.

Walter, Eury, Sr. Penalized

• NASCAR announced today that Chad Walter, crew chief of the No. 24 Chevrolet driven by Casey Mears and Tony Eury Sr., crew chief of the No. 88 Chevrolet driven by Brad Keselowski in the NASCAR Busch Series, have been fined and penalized due to rule violations at Texas Motor Speedway. Both crew chiefs were fined $10,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2007, for violating Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20A – 10.7F: (lug nuts were not fully threaded; threads had been removed) of the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series Rule Book. The infractions were discovered during pre-race inspection on November 3.

Nov. 6, 2007 - NASCAR Owner Sentenced To Two Years

• According to the Associated Press, NASCAR team owner Gene Haas was sentenced Monday to two years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to defrauding the government of more than $34 million in taxes. Haas, 54, is the owner of Oxnard, Calif.-based Haas Automation and NASCAR's Haas CNC Racing. He was ordered to begin serving his term on Jan. 14, the report said. Hass pleaded guilty in August to a felony conspiracy charge for orchestrating a plan to save Haas Automation millions in taxes through fraudulent means. Haas also paid a $5 million fine and more than $70 million in back taxes and interest.

Hall of Fame Weighing Options

• The Dallas Morning News reports that Hall of Fame Racing's new majority ownership is weighing its options for next season's engine program. Currently, HoF is supplied engines by Joe Gibbs Racing, which is switching from Chevrolet to Toyota next season. If HoF remains with Gibbs, then expect the one-car team, which will field the No. 96 driven by current Gibbs driver J.J. Yeley, to be powered by Toyota.

Penske Expected To Officially Bring Hornish To Cup

• Sam Hornish, Jr. is expected to be named driver of Penske South's third NASCAR Nextel Cup team for 2008. He will join Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman in Penske's stable of Dodges if he makes the move from the IndyCar Series. Such a move — despite struggles so far in the Busch Series and failure to qualify on speed for Cup events — would open the door for Penske American Le Mans Series driver Ryan Briscoe to team with Helio Castroneves in Penske's IndyCar effort.

Nov. 5, 2007 - Coleman In With Hall of Fame

• According to NASCAR.com, rookie driver Brad Coleman, only a few short weeks after signing for a full-time ride with Brewco Motorsports in the Nationwide Series next season, signed a Sprint Car contract with Hall of Fame Racing in 2008. Coleman, a former Joe Gibbs Racing developmental driver, will be a full-time test driver for HoF and run at least seven Sprint Cup races next season. HoF will field a second entry alongside the No. 96 of J.J. Yeley. Sponsors and car number have yet to be determined.

Best Buy Aligns With Sadler, GEM

• Media outlets are reporting that Best Buy will be leaving the No. 66 of Haas CNC Racing at the end of this season and be a partial-season sponsor of Elliott Sadler in the No. 19 Dodge of Gillett-Evernham Motorsports. Best Buy, Valvoline and Stanley are expected to fill out Sadler's 2008 Sprint Cup schedule.

More Moves At GEM

• Rodney Childers, former team director of the No. 10 Dodge at GEM, took over as crew chief of Elliot Sadler's No. 19 this past weekend at Texas. Scott Riggs, former driver of the No. 10, will not finish the season with the team as Patrick Carpentier takes over for the final two races.

Hamilton Names Possible Replacements

• McLaren-Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton told Eurosport that Nico Rosberg, Adrian Sutil and Heikki Kovalainen are the top choices to replace Fernando Alonso at McLaren-Mercedes. Sutil and Hamilton are good friends, but all three appear to be front-runners for the seat.

Nov. 2 , 2007 - Dillon Lands '08 Sponsor

• Garage Equipment Supply (GES), a global full service tool and equipment distributor, will be the primary sponsor of Andy Santerre Motorsports’ (ASM) No. 3 Chevrolet driven by Austin Dillon as the third-generation driver competes for rookie of the year honors in the 2008 NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch East Series. Dillon, 17, is the son of former NASCAR driver Mike Dillon and the grandson of NASCAR Team Owner Richard Childress. The announcement and car unveiling were made today at the SEMA show. The 2008 Busch East Series will consist of 14 races at 13 different tracks, from Iowa to New Hampshire and an all star event in California.

Kinser To Sign With TSR

• Kraig Kinser is expected to be named Saturday as the second driver for Tony Stewart Racing's World of Outlaws team, which already includes two-time defending WoO champion Donny Schatz.

Nov. 1, 2007 - Recovery Fund Established For Josh Howard

• A recovery fund has been established for Byhalia, Miss., racer Josh Howard, who was injured Oct. 25, during the opening night of the 20th-annual Short Track Nationals at Little Rock's I-30 Speedway. After suffering a compression fracture of the C5 vertebrae, the 22-year-old underwent what was deemed a successful surgery early Saturday morning in a Little Rock hospital.  Suffering a nicked spinal cord, it is still too soon to determine the full extent of Howard's injuries. Regardless of the final outcome,  Howard faces a lengthy rehabilitation and recovery process, and with that will come continually mounting medical bills.  Those wishing to contribute to the Josh Howard Recovery Fund may send their contributions to:
Josh Howard Recovery Fund
C/O First Security Bank
6659 Highway 305 North
Olive Branch, MS 38654

Report: Smith To Buy New Hampshire

• Several media outlets are reporting that Burton Smith will announce Friday that he has purchased New Hampshire Int'l Speedway and add it to the holdings of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. SMI also includes NASCAR tracks at Texas, Atlanta, Charlotte and Las Vegas.

The Racer's Group Buys Controlling Interest Of Darrell Waltrip Motorsports

• Darrell Waltrip Motorsports (DWM) announced today that Kevin Buckler and The Racer's Group (TRG) has assumed immediate controlling interest of its truck racing operations. DWM has fielded Toyota Tundras in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (CTS) since 2004.  David Reutimann drove DWM's truck to a third place finish in the 2006 CTS points and won the 2005 Nashville event.  TRG will continue an alliance with DWM through 2007 and 2008. The newly formed partnership will take its No 00 TRG Toyota Tundra to this weekend’s Silverado 350K at Texas Motor Speedway. Andy Lally will take on the driving duties as he acquaints himself with the team and the truck for the first time in preparation for a full CTS in 2008. “We will be running the last three races in our new Tundra and are looking forward to getting our feet wet and really learning the ropes in this type of racing,” Buckler said. “In our 13 year sports car history, we have had the benefit of working with some top level people and brands. Many of the conversations regarding motorsports, marketing, sponsorships and long term business goals, always seem to lead to NASCAR.  We decided that it was time to take our racing partnerships to the next level.  We have a strong association with Porsche and the Grand-Am Series, and this endeavor will only benefit our multiple Porsche programs and our presence in the Rolex Series.  The Rolex Series has been good to us and has served as the entrée to NASCAR.” Buckler and the TRG group have been planning this step for the last two years. After multiple trips to Charlotte to visit with top teams, as well as taking advice from fellow team owners, friends, and partners, the group felt the time was right to enter into the CTS.

de la Rosa Interviewed In Spy Investigation

• According to a Eurosport report, McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa has been interviewed by Italian prosecutors.The Spaniard and his countryman and teammate Fernando Alonso became embroiled in the espionage saga this year when emails revealed their discussions about the famous 780-page Ferrari dossier. Like Alonso earlier this month, de la Rosa on Tuesday arrived at the magistrates headquarters in the northern Italian region of Modena, not far from Ferrari's Maranello base. The third principal McLaren driver this year, Lewis Hamilton, will not be interviewed, according to reports. Alonso earlier this month was interviewed for two hours, as prosecutors press the criminal case.

Busch Series Driver, Chiefs Penalized

• NASCAR announced Wednesday that Greg Tester, crew chief of the No. 71 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Busch Series, has been suspended until Dec. 31 and fined $15,000 due to rule violations this past weekend at Memphis Motorsports Park. Tester was found to be in violation of Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules), 20A-12.3A (unapproved shock absorber piston) and 20A-12.3B(7) (shock absorber base valves will not be permitted) of the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series Rule Book. Additionally, Ron Young, driver of the No. 71 Chevrolet, was penalized with the loss of 50 NASCAR Busch Series driver championship points while Jerry Young, owner of the No. 71 Chevrolet, was docked 50 NASCAR Busch Series owner championship points. The infractions were found during post-race inspection on Oct. 27. Also Tommy Perkins, crew chief of the No. 05 Chevrolet driven by Brett Rowe, was placed on probation until Dec. 31 and fined $2,000 after violating Sections 12-4-A, 12-4-Q and 20A-12.A (mounting points on the axle housing were not evenly spaced).

Champ Car's Power-to-Pass Adds Horsepower, Time

• When newly crowned champion Sebastien Bourdais and the rest of the Champ Car World Series drivers use the popular Cosworth Power-to-Pass (P2P) feature on their respective cars in the Gran Premio Tecate Presented by Banamex at Mexico City, they are going to get something they always ask for—more horsepower. In the 13 previous 2007 races, when a Champ Car driver utilized the Cosworth Power-to-Pass on the Cosworth/DP01/Bridgestone, they would benefit from an additional 50 horsepower. The P2P boost is available for 60 seconds, to be used at a driver’s discretion during a race, providing a strategic element to Champ Car racing. When drivers push the P2P button during the Nov. 11 season finale at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit, however, they will have an additional 50 horsepower to enhance their ability to pass other cars, as well as additional 15 seconds of use (75 seconds total).