$2 Million In Improvements Slated To Be Ready For Fall

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — More than $2 million in improvements are scheduled for Martinsville Speedway before the Oct. 19 Tums QuikPack 500.
Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell said work will begin on the projects in the next few weeks and will be completed by the fall event. The centerpiece of the track enhancements will be a new, state-of-the-art scoreboard, which will stand 120 feet tall and be positioned behind the backstretch. It will feature three 30-foot video display screens that can be utilized for everything from scoring rundowns to instant replays. There will also be rotating signage atop the scoreboard.
Campbell also announced that pit road would be resurfaced, the fourth-turn pit gate will be reconfigured to include SAFER barrier technology and portable chair seats surrounding the track will be replaced with individual stadium seats.

Jim France To Receive Award Of Excellence

POCONO, Pa. — Jim France, vice chairman and executive vice president of NASCAR and chairman-CEO of International Speedway Corporation , has been named the 2008 recipient of Pocono Raceway’s Bill France Award of Excellence.
The Pocono Raceway Bill France Award of Excellence has been presented annually to the person, corporation or organization that has made outstanding contributions to the sport of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing. This prestigious award, first presented in 1977, is dedicated to the inspiration of  NASCAR founder William H.G. France.
Jim France is the son of the late William H.G. France and brother of the late William C. France, former president and chairman-CEO of NASCAR.

Bowyer & Cassill Address Teens

RICHMOND, Va. — NASCAR drivers Clint Bowyer and Landon Cassill teamed up this past week with Nationwide Insurance and spoke with local teens in an effort to raise awareness about DWD — Driving While Distracted.
To drive home the message that multitasking behind the wheel puts drivers and their fellow motorists at risk, Nationwide hosted an event at Hermitage High School. Students and community members were able to see firsthand the impact text messaging has on their driving abilities while racing in a NASCAR simulator.

Road Racing Drivers Club To Induct 12

BIG FLATS, N.Y. — Twelve men, ranging from multi-time professional series and SCCA Club racing champions to series administrators and those who strive to put up-and-coming American road racers on an international stage, have accepted membership invitations to the Road Racing Drivers Club.
The new inductees into the club include active racers Peter Cunningham, Alex Gurney, Justin Pritchard, Chuck Hemmingson, Kris Skavnes and Tommy Riggins. Also to be inducted are driver insurance consultant John Gorsline; journalist Jeremy Shaw; former crewman, broadcaster, promoter and vintage racer Doug Mockett; SCCA executive Fred Clark; and Grand Am President and CEO Roger Edmonson.
   

Smoke’s Pit Stop To Benefit Foundation

INDIANAPOLIS — The Tony Stewart Foundation has set up Smoke’s Pit Stop for Charity in a new partnership with iSold It, which will run May 1-July 31 of this year.
The charity allows race fans to donate exclusive items with a value of $50 or more to generate support for TSF, which donates all funds to a variety of charitable organizations providing for children who are critically ill or injured, animal welfare and support for drivers injured in motorsports.
The donors with the highest total contributions are eligible for prize packages, including VIP packages for the 2009 Prelude to the Dream and other weekend events at Eldora Speedway. For complete guidelines and prizes, visit www.tonystewartfoundation.com.

Womack Purchases Outlaw Motor Speedway

OKTAHA, Okla. — Former modified driver Danny Womack finalized his purchase of Outlaw  Motor Speedway on May 1. Details of the agreement were not available.
Womack purchased the 6-year-old race track from Gary and Theresa Clay during an auction at the three-eighths-mile track earlier that morning. Womack had been leasing Outlaw Motor Speedway for the first six weeks of the season.

Project Podium Announces 19 Finalists

INDIANAPOLIS — Nineteen female drivers have been named Project Podium finalists and are eligible to receive $55,000 in scholarships.
Each applicant is being reviewed by a volunteer panel of motorsports and business professionals.
The finalists:
Renee Dupuis, Glastonbury, Conn., NASCAR Whelen Modified Series; Kaley Engstrom Rhome, Texas, Brazo Mini Sprint Ass’n; Natalie Fernaroli, Raymore, Mo., TAG USA Kart; Diana Harker, Gainesville, Ga., NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster; Kate Harker, Gainesville, Ga., NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster; Sloan Henderson, Franklin, Ohio, INEX Legends; Brandie Jass, Bryan, Texas, Brazos Mini Sprint Ass’n; Kristy Knoll, Amherst, N.Y., WKA Junior Restricted Dirt Karts; Samantha Neild, Jensen Beach, Fla., NHRA Altered Dragster; Ashley Parlett, Harrisburg, N.C., 360 Sprint Cars; Leah Pruett-LeDuc, Cherry Valley, Calif., NHRA Funny Car / Super Comp; Megan Reitenour, Miamisburg, Ohio, Super Cup Stock Car Series/ARCA Truck Series; Kayla Sewell, Henderson, Nev., NHRA Sportsman; Trista Stevenson, Pocahontas, Ill., NASCAR Late Model; Samantha Taylor, Bonney Lake, Wash., USAC/QMA/IKF/ASCS; Miranda Throckmorton, Coatesville, Ind., All Star & Midwest Circuit of Champions; Lynsey Tilton, Martinsville, Ind., USAC Midgets/mini-sprints; Jackie Weiss, Hessen, Germany, Karts/Formula BMW.