Macon Event Will Benefit Camp

CONCORD, N.C. — Speed is set to present the Night of NASCAR Stars special from Macon (Ill.) Speedway at 8 p.m. (EDT) on July 22.
The 25-lap dirt-late-model feature will benefit Kyle Petty’s Victory Junction Gang Camp.
NASCAR drivers Ken Schrader, Jason Leffler, Marcos Ambrose, J.J. Yeley, Kyle Busch, Casey Mears, Bobby Labonte, Kenny Wallace, David Reutimann and Stephen Leicht are among those expected to compete, alongside team owner Ray Evernham and USAC sprint-car racer Aaron Pierce.

NCTS Starter James Passes Away At 57

Dennis James, 57, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starter since 2003, passed away on July 11, 2007.
Dennis, a Fletcher, N.C., resident, had been involved in racing since the mid-1970s when he was a competitor at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway. In the 1980s, he moved on to become the starter at Tri-County Speedway in Hudson, N.C., and later became the chief steward there. Later in his career he returned to Hickory Motor Speedway to serve as chief steward. Prior to being hired by NASCAR in January of 2003, Dennis worked closely with the day-to-day operations of the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Series.
James is survived by his wife Cathy, father Earl James, two daughters, Kristen and Kim, grandson Cody and two sisters, Cathy and Eva.

Carpentier Gets Busch Ride For Montreal

MONTREAL — Patrick Carpentier will compete in the inaugural NASCAR Busch Series race at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve Aug. 4.
Carpentier, a regular driver in the Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series, was already scheduled to race in round 11 of the 2007 Daytona Prototype schedule, but now he will also drive the Fitz Motorsports Dodge in the NAPA Auto Parts 200.
“I think running in both series on the same weekend will be a plus for me, even though the racing lines will not be quite the same in several turns,” Carpentier said. “The competition will be tough, but I do believe that I will be competitive and that the team and I will quickly adjust the car to my liking.”

Smith Joins Talladega As PR Manager

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Talladega Superspeedway has hired Andrew Smith as its public relations manager. Smith, who served as Richmond Int’l Raceway’s corporate sales executive, will be responsible for overseeing the media center and press box during event weekends, creating and distributing press materials and assisting the director of public relations, Kristi R. King, as a liaison for drivers involved in track activities.
Smith will join the track just in time for the 2007 UAW-Ford 500 weekend Oct. 5-7.

Champ Car Execs Promote Cotman

INDIANAPOLIS — The Champ Car World Series has promoted Vice-President of Operations and Race Director Tony Cotman to Executive Vice-President of Operations.
Cotman, who will continue to serve as race director until a suitable replacement can be hired, will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the series, including legal, personnel, finance and marketing.
“I’m thankful to (Champ Car CEO Steve Johnson) and the series owners for presenting me with this opportunity,” Cotman said. “I’m committed to Champ Car and know that we have opportunities ahead of us that will require additional attention from me. It’s a great time to make a change, given the solid team that we have in place.”
Cotman began his racing career as a mechanic in New Zealand before becoming a championship-winning crew chief and team manager. He entered Champ Car with Galles Racing and has also worked with Andretti Green Racing among others. He joined Champ Car in 2005.

NSSN Partners With CARA Charities

HARRISBURG, N.C. — National Speed Sport News has chosen to link with CARA Charities for its 2007 charity initiative program.
As a way of supporting CARA, NSSN has teamed up with GoMotorBids.com to maintain an exclusive online charity auction starting July 12 and running until Dec. 16. The auction’s central item will be a racing helmet autographed by multiple motorsports personalities, such as Chris Economaki, Richard Petty, David Gilliland, Kasey Kahne, Jeff Green and many more NASCAR Nextel Cup stars.
In addition to the helmet, NSSN will furnish several items throughout the year designated for the auction and will accept monetary donations at any of its 2007 Grassroots Tour events that will go toward supporting CARA.

WoW Late Models Add Keystone Dates

CONCORD, N.C. — The World of Outlaws Late Model Series will make another trip to Pennsylvania, as it heads to Bedford Speedway Sept. 21 and Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway Sept. 22 for the Keystone State doubleheader.
Each program will feature a 50-lap A main paying $10,000 to win.
“We’re happy to add two well-known race tracks in a fertile racing area to the biggest season in the history of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series,” said tour director Tim Christman. “The doubleheader will be a great way for the series to head into the fall.”

High Banks Hall To Hold Ceremony

BELLEVILLE, Kan. — The High Banks Museum will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on July 26 at Belleville High School.
Doors will open at 11 a.m., followed by a luncheon at noon and the ceremonies at 1 p.m.
This year’s class of hall-of-fame inductees  includes A.J. Foyt, Harry Conklin, Bob Pankratz, the Melton family, Frank Dickerson, Bill Holland, Carl Scarbrough, John DeCamp, David Ross and Jack Belk.