NASCAR STARS DALE EARNHARDT, JR., AND KEN SCHRADER USHER IN A NEW ERA AT PADUCAH INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

PADUCAH, KY (November 26, 2005)  NASCAR Nextel Cup racers Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Ken Schrader along with well known Midwestern promoter Bob Sargent are now the proud owners of Paducah International Raceway. The trio recently finalized their purchase of the popular McCracken County, KY, venue that boasts a 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval, 1/5-mile race track and a Motocross/TT run with grandstands that accommodate 5,000 spectators.

 Dale Earnhardt, Jr., boasts a name synonymous with speed.  The popular pilot of the #8 Budweiser Chevy in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series is a newcomer to the dirt racing scene but he was fascinated by the mud-slingin, full-throttle excitement that he witnessed at Ken Schrader I-55 Raceway.

In addition to his racing prowess, Earnhardt, Jr., is also co-owner of the NASCAR Busch Series championship team, Chance2 Motorsports, and founder of JR Motorsports.  PIR is his first foray into dirt racing and track ownership.  Earnhardt, Jr., is looking forward to this new venture and is excited about the opportunities and growth in the Paducah area and is eager to be involved in the dirt track industry. 

 NASCAR Nextel Cup veteran Ken Schrader will race anything with wheels from his new ride in the #21 Little Debbie Snacks/U.S. Air Force Ford in NASCAR premier division to his self-owned rides in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR Grand National West Division and ARCA RE/MAX Series.

Schrader also owns a dirt late model that he has wheeled in twenty-three states from California to Florida during the 2005 season.  In addition to PIR, Schrader is the co-owner of another dirt track  I-55 Raceway in Pevely, MO.  Schrader is also enthusiastic about returning to the Paducah area throughout 2006 for various appearances and events at the raceway.

 Conveniently located off of I-24 in Paducah, the track hosts the most popular touring sanctions from the AMA motorcycles to various 700+ horsepower super late model series.  Paducah International Raceway will also host prominent special events including the Tri-Track Challenge, U.M.P.

Summernationals and the track annual banner event The Wayne Coakley/Bob Memmer Memorial =8CWorld 50=B9=B2.  Racing action will take place at PIR every Friday night during a seven-month season from March through September and will feature U.M.P. Super Late Models, U.M.P. Modifieds, Crate Late Models and Pure Street Stocks.  Additional divisions including quads, 4- cylinder hornets and mini-sprints will also compete on a limited schedule. 

Exciting changes are in store for Paducah International Raceway and the management and staff of PIR look forward to combining the fan-friendly, grassroots racing excitement of dirt racing with the entertaining atmosphere of NASCAR into a unique experience that fans will only be able to obtain at Paducah International Raceway.  Schedules and additional plans will be finalized during the off-season and announcements will be made after the new year.

 An informational rules meeting for the upcoming 2006 racing season will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2005, at the American Legion Post #31 from 1pm-4pm.   The Legion is located at 425 Legion Drive in Paducah, KY.  The meeting will address rules and schedules for participating divisions as well as a question and answer session for competitors.   

Contact: Michelle Petroff, 618-406-6842 or michelle@michellepetroff.com

Greg Biffle Chases Second Victory in Texas and the Nextel Cup While Driving for his Country at Dickies 500 Sunday

(PRWEB) November 6, 2005 -- Thirty members of the Texas Army National Guard will hold a giant Texas flag during pre-race ceremonies leading up to the Dickies 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday.

The soldiers will then head to the infield to watch Greg Biffle, their driver, as he shoots for his second victory at Texas Motor Speedway this year. Biffle won the Samsung/Radio Shack 500 on April 17.

In all, Biffle has won five Nextel Cup races this year driving the Number 16 National Guard car and is currently third in the chase for the season ending Nascar Nextel Cup championship.

"It sounds kind of funny, but it makes me feel like I’m a part of the Guard as well carrying the colors of the National Guard around the racetrack every week," Biffle said at the beginning of the 2004 season when his partnership with the National Guard began.

Sergeant First Class Mark Lewis, who is leading the group of Texas Army National Guard soldiers performing pre-race ceremonies Sunday, fully supports Biffle’s sentiments.

"It means a lot to see a person like Greg Biffle in the National Guard car who has raced so well on a weekly basis," Sgt. Lewis said. "He has done so much for the National Guard outside the race track as well."

The Texas National Guard has received national visibility recently in its recovery efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. And during the next month, numerous soldiers from the Texas Army National Guard will return from deployment to Iraq.

"Because of the Guard and because of all of the Armed Forces all across the board, we are able to do what we do today. We recognize that and appreciate it more than we can put into words," Biffle has said.

Pre-race ceremonies begin Sunday at 2:00 pm CST and will include a fly over during the National Anthem by country music recording artist Sara Evans.

Olympia Steel Buildings Joins NASCAR’S FitzBradshaw Racing as Associate Sponsor

Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) October 13, 2005 -- Today, Olympia Steel Buildings announced that the company is joining the world of NASCAR Busch Series racing. Olympia has agreed to an associate sponsorship with FitzBradshaw Racing, beginning with the Dollar General 300 in Charlotte on October 14. Olympia signage will be featured on the C-Post of the No. 14 NAVY Accelerate Your Life Dodge Charger driven by David Stremme in the Busch Series race. Olympia’s two-year associate sponsorship program with FitzBradshaw Racing will continue in February 2006.

“We are thrilled to find a world-class racing partner in FitzBradshaw that has so much to offer to Olympia on and off the race track,” said Arnold Davis, owner of Olympia Steel Buildings. “Our products are a natural fit with NASCAR fans and -- as a Pittsburgh-based company -- our involvement with Steeler great Terry Bradshaw will certainly enhance our business.”

Olympia Steel Buildings, with offices located in sight of Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle, is the industry leader in providing all steel metal buildings for agricultural, residential, industrial and commercial use.

"We are pleased that Olympia Steel Buildings has joined the FitzBradshaw family," said FitzBradshaw team co-owner Armando Fitz. "Olympia is an exciting addition to our sponsorship program.”

FitzBradshaw Racing is owned by NASCAR veterans Armando and Mimi Fitz and Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famer and FOX broadcaster Terry Bradshaw. The team fields three Dodge Chargers in the NASCAR Busch Series: the No. 12, sponsored by SuperCuts and HOT TAMALES; the No. 14, sponsored by the Navy; and the No. 40 sponsored by Jani-King, Goulds Pumps, Ferris Industries and Cottman Transmissions. FitzBradshaw is one of two teams featured on the SPEED Channel reality show NBS 24/7.

About Olympia Steel Buildings
Professional engineering, flexible building design, top commercial grade U.S. steel, over 30 years of experience, lifetime warranty protection and 100% American steel make Olympia the leader in pre-engineered steel buildings and metal building solutions. For more information, visit www.olympiabuildings.com  or call toll free at 1.800.972.6794.

NASCAR Sets Dates, Sites for 2005 Awards Ceremonies

New York, Orlando and Nashville will host championship celebrations

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 29, 2005) – NASCAR has announced the dates and sites for season-ending awards ceremonies for its three national series, plus its nationwide short-track competitive level. The run of celebrations will be highlighted by the renewal of a true NASCAR tradition – “Champion’s Week” in New York City.

As it has since 1981, the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series will honor its champion at the venerable Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York City. This year, the gala is set for Friday, Dec. 2 and also will feature the other drivers involved in the “Chase for NASCAR NEXTEL Cup.”

Since then-NASCAR President Bill France introduced the sport to New York 25 years ago, the annual awards ceremony at the Waldorf has capped a weeklong schedule of activities and major media appearances by the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup titlist.

TNT will broadcast the event nationally that evening; it will be re-broadcast at a later date on NBC.

Dates and times for the awards ceremonies for the NASCAR Busch Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series also have been established:

For the fourth consecutive year, the NASCAR Busch Series awards ceremony is set for the Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando, Fla. The celebration will take place Friday, Dec. 9, and will be broadcast at a later date by TNT.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will conclude its “10 Years Tough” celebration on Sunday, Dec. 11 – also at the Portofino Bay Hotel. The ceremony will be broadcast at a later date by SPEED Channel. The location and time are new; instead of hosting its awards ceremony on the Saturday evening following the Friday season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series now will crown its champion three weeks later.  

Also, the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series awards ceremony will be held in Nashville. This year’s celebration will be held Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort.

2005 NASCAR Awards Ceremonies
Sat., Nov. 5:    NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series, Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville
Fri., Dec. 2:     NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, Waldorf=Astoria Hotel, New York
Fri., Dec. 9:     NASCAR Busch Series, Portofino Bay Hotel, Orlando, Fla.
Sun., Dec. 11: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Portofino Bay Hotel, Orlando, Fla.

                                                   Martin 'Salutes' Edwards on Stellar Weekend in Atlanta

CONCORD, N.C. (March 23, 2005) – Mark Martin left last weekend’s race in Atlanta with a solid fourth-place finish and a top-five position in Nextel Cup points race. So far this season Martin’s “Salute” Tour is off to a great start, but make no mistake – the story last weekend in Atlanta was Martin’s Roush counterpart Carl Edwards. Edwards turned in one of the most impressive weekends in recent NASCAR history, taking the checkered flag in both Saturday’s Busch race and Sunday’s Cup event, and doing each in grand fashion, come-from-behind wins.

“Carl Edwards is a great race car driver and a great person,” said Martin. “I sat in the media center after the Busch race at Las Vegas and I told everyone that I felt he would win a Cup race this season and I guess he made me look pretty good.

“I realize and can identify with what Carl was able to accomplish last weekend,” added Martin. “He got the biggest win of his career, through grit and determination on Saturday, after suffering a disappointment the week before in the Busch race. I can sure identify with all of that.

“There’s no doubt, that type of weekend is a once in a lifetime thing,” added Martin. “And to have him come back and win surely on grit and a ton of determination on Sunday with such an exciting finish, it’s just amazing.

“He’s been giving the type of performance that it takes to get it done. I’ve been around this thing for a long time and I’m not always right, but usually I can see things coming and it wasn’t really all that hard to predict that Carl would soon be going to victory lane. He’s been driving his heart out and Bob (Osborne) and that entire No. 99 team have just done a great job.”

Sunday’s win was Edward’s first in the Nextel Cup Series, but the 76th for Jack Roush and Roush Racing. Martin remembers win number one, when he took the No. 6 into victory lane on October 22, 1989.

“That was a great day, but it was kind of a Kasey Kahne type story, where it seemed like we ran second all of the time – about six times I think – before we got our first win. It was definitely a breakthrough, but it wasn’t as memorable as a couple of the other ones. Really it had been coming and was so overdue. To be honest it was more a relief than a celebration. But we were able to do that and Jack has been able to get a lot of wins since then and hopefully there will be plenty more for this organization down the road.”

Roush Racing is a subsidiary of Livonia, Mich., based Roush Industries that operates ten motorsports teams; five in NASCAR Nextel Cup with drivers Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards; three in the Busch Series with Martin, Kenseth and Edwards, and two in the Craftsman Truck Series with drivers Ricky Craven and Todd Kluever.

                                                NASCAR Announces "Welcome to Atlanta NASCAR Weekend"

“Welcome to Atlanta NASCAR Weekend” features NASCAR drivers, Hip-Hop recording artists, fashion elite and other Urban Celebrities

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 7, 2005) – The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) today announced the “Welcome to Atlanta NASCAR Weekend,” a celebration of music, fashion and motorsports to be held March 16-21, 2005. The weekend was created by Mauldin Brand Agency to raise awareness about NASCAR, infuse the excitement of NASCAR into the urban community and entertain Atlanta-area residents with special events.

“Welcome to Atlanta NASCAR Weekend” is an important part of NASCAR’s consumer marketing efforts to raise awareness about the sport. NASCAR is committed to reaching out to all communities with on-track, off-track and consumer marketing initiatives designed to ensure that our sport better reflects the diversity of America,” said Brian France, NASCAR chairman and CEO.

For several days leading up to the Golden Corral 500 race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, the Atlanta-area community will have the opportunity to fully engage in the NASCAR experience at events throughout the city, from a student education program and an all-day, interactive family event, to late night parties and a NASCAR night at an Atlanta Hawks basketball game. Each multi-dimensional event is driven by music, fashion and motorsports.

The Mauldin Brand Agency (MBA) will produce the week of interactive events which will include A-list music and entertainment talent that will help to make the “Welcome to Atlanta NASCAR Weekend” a success.

“Welcome to Atlanta NASCAR Weekend” Activities:

NASCAR Night with the Hawks (Philips Arena, Monday, March 14; Pre-game reception – 5:30pm, Game – 7pm)
Atlanta Hawks vs. Detroit Pistons at Philips Arena. Fans will have a chance to win prize giveaways and enjoy the game with NASCAR drivers, entertainment celebrities, the fashion elite and special VIP guests.

Press Conference (Underground Atlanta, Tuesday, March 15, 2-4pm)

Media are invited to attend a press conference hosted by the City of Atlanta, NASCAR and the Mauldin Brand Agency, that will officially launch the “Welcome to Atlanta NASCAR Weekend” activities. Winners of the educational program essay contest will be announced and the City of Atlanta will recognize motorsports pioneers and NASCAR driver Morty Buckles with the Phoenix Award. The Phoenix Award is presented by the Mayor’s Office to an individual or group who has made significant contributions to the City of Atlanta through extraordinary efforts. NASCAR drivers and show cars will be on display, in addition to special appearances by national recording artists and other special guests.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race (SPEED Channel, 9:00pm, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Friday, March 18)
NASCAR and Atlanta Motor Speedway will host 100 urban youth for an exciting and educational evening at the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.

“So So NASCAR Party” (Club 112, Friday, March 18, 10pm-2am)
“So So NASCAR Party” featuring So So Def Entertainment artists and other celebrities.

“Speedway Live” (Shannon Mall, Saturday, March 19, 10am-6pm)
This family-friendly event is free and open to the public and will feature live musical performances, a live DJ, live radio remotes from 107.5, 102.5, 107.9 and 97.5, a celebrity car and motorcycle show, a Style & Speed fashion show and a go-kart and remote control car race featuring NASCAR drivers and celebrities. Attendees will have the chance to take home the autographs of NASCAR drivers, compete in a tire changing challenge, play NASCAR-themed video games and view NASCAR show cars.

Golden Corral 500 (FOX,12:30pm, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Sunday, March 20)
MBA will host special VIP guests and entertainers for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race.

Essay Contest Winner Recognition (Winning School tbd, Monday, March 21)
An essay contest was held during Black History Month to recognize the contributions of African Americans in motorsports. Over 100 essays were submitted by students from 10 Atlanta High Schools and other youth organizations. The winning students will be honored with an assembly at their school featuring a NASCAR driver and receive tickets to Scream Tour IV featuring Bow Wow and receive certificates and prize packs.

Sponsors for the “Welcome to Atlanta NASCAR Weekend” include Atlanta Motor Speedway, Old Spice, Radio One, City of Atlanta, Underground Atlanta, Atlanta Hawks, Hank Aaron Toyota, Craftsman, The Atlanta Inquirer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Shannon Mall, So So Def Entertainment, Malibu Grand Prix, Profectiv, PAX TV Style & Beyond and UPN Atlanta Tonight.

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR), which began in 1948, is the sanctioning body for one of America's premier sports. NASCAR is the #1 spectator sport – holding 17 of the top 20 attended sporting events in the U.S., the #2 rated regular season sport on network TV with broadcasts in 150 countries and has 75 million fans who purchase over $2 billion in annual licensed product sales. These fans are the most brand loyal in all of sports and as a result, more Fortune 500 companies participate in NASCAR than any other sport.

NASCAR consists of three major national series (NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series) as well as seven Regional Tours and one local grassroots series. NASCAR sanctions 1,500 races at over 100 tracks in 38 states, Canada and Mexico. Based in Daytona Beach, NASCAR has offices in Charlotte, Concord (NC), Conover (NC), Los Angeles, New York, Mexico City and Toronto.

The Mauldin Brand Agency (MBA), based in Atlanta, Ga., is the strategic marketing, branding, artist management arm of Mauldin Brand Inc. and The Artistic Control Group, Inc. The Mauldin Brand Agency connects brands to the urban consumer and urban brands to the general marketplace. MBA’s client roster includes Bow Wow, Anthony Hamilton, Da Brat, Common, Bone Crusher, Kenny Lattimore, Chanté Moore, So So Def Entertainment, Clef Records, NASCAR, NEXTEL, Lightnin’53 and more.

Shane Hmiel Gains Valuable Experience, Stays on Track and Finishes 4th in Inagural Mexico Road Race 

History was made on Sunday as 43 NASCAR Busch Series drivers took the green flag in the Inaugural Mexico road race. WINFUEL Chevrolet driver Shane Hmiel also made personal history by making his first career road course start. Hmiel started 26th on the grid, but throughout the race he patiently worked his way to the front where the WINFUEL Chevrolet cross the start-finish line for the final time in fourth position.

Mexico City, Mexico (PRWEB) March 9, 2005 -- History was made on Sunday as 43 NASCAR Busch Series drivers took the green flag in the Inaugural Mexico road race. WINFUEL Chevrolet driver Shane Hmiel also made personal history by making his first career road course start. Hmiel started 26th on the grid, but throughout the race he patiently worked his way to the front where the WINFUEL Chevrolet cross the start-finish line for the final time in fourth position.

“To finish fourth in my first road race shows how good my WINFUEL team really is,” Hmiel said. “My crew chief, Todd Lohse, is an old road racer, so he knows a lot about this type of racing and he really helped to make up for my lack of experience. The WINFUEL Chevrolet drove great all day and my team worked so hard all weekend.”

The fourth place finish was the second top-five in a row for the WINFUEL team. “To come out of here with a top-five is a great points day for us, which will really help towards our main goal of winning the Busch series championship,” Shane said. “I want to win a Busch race so bad, and I know that this WINFUEL team is right on the edge of making that happen. I know that we can’t win every race, but we always give it all that we have trying.”

“If I had a little more experience, I think we could have finished even better, but I knew that Kevin Harvick was coming and I couldn’t catch Carl Edwards with out messing up, so I decided to be smart,” an exhausted Hmiel explained. “Although I would have loved to win the race, I thought realistically with my lack of road racing experience that we could run in the top-15 or so, and then to run fourth was amazing. We beat a lot of good guys today, and not because of pit strategy, we had a really good car. This was the most fun that I have ever had racing, but I can’t wait to go to Vegas, where I won the truck race last year.”

Road racing was not the only new experience for the WINFUEL team, who traveled outside of the United States to Mexico City to race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriquez. “I’ve had an awesome experience here in Mexico City,” Hmiel said. “I came here with an open mind, but I thought it was probably going to be unorganized the first time. But NASCAR and Mexico City did a great job of organizing this whole event. I hope we come back for the next ten years because this is a great racetrack. Our American fans are great, but these Mexican fans sure do love stock car racing too.”

WINFUEL is ALL about Winning… and so are Shane Hmiel and Braun Racing. Follow all of the action this week as the WINFUEL team heads to Las Vegas to lay it all on the line as they gamble for their first win of the season. Live television coverage begins on FX at 3:30 p.m. EST.

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Jeff Gordon: From "The Kid" to 3 Time Daytona 500 Winner

(PRWEB) March 9, 2005 -- Jeff Gordon was born on August 4, 1971 in Vallejo, California and began his ascension in the world of racing at an early age. He was only 5 years old when his stepfather, John Bickford, bought him a Quarter Midget race car. He raced nearly every day after school and won his first Quarter Midget championship when he was 8. Jeff later had won four class championships in Go Carts by the time that he was 13. This was extra significant in that he was competing against kids who were 17 and older. He was simply born to race.

Jeff and his family moved to Indiana when he was 15 to advance his racing career. This was due to the fact that Indiana not only had more racetracks but that he could also legally race Sprint Cars there with his parents permission.

The experience in Indiana, though, was not easy. Bickford in an interview with Newsweek stated that his family “slept in pick-up trucks and made our own parts. That's why I think Jeff is misunderstood by people who think he was born to rich parents and had a silver spoon in his mouth."

Jeff later went on to win 3 sprint car track championships before he was old enough to get a drivers license. He was also the youngest person ever to get a license with the United States Auto Club when he was 16 and had won over 100 races by the time he had graduated from Tri-West High School in nearby Lizton, Indiana in 1989. He became the youngest USAC National Midget Champion in history in 1990 at the amazing age of only 19.

The next chapter was Cup racing with NASCAR in 1993.He was named NASCAR Rookie of the Year after having seven top five finishes during his first year. Jeff’s first victory was the Coca Cola 600 in 1994 and it became blatantly obvious that he was a competitive threat in the world of NASCAR racing.

He took home the NASCAR driving title in 1995 and again in 1997, 1998 and 2001 as well. His most recent accomplishment was winning for the third time the Daytona 500 in 2005. The Daytona 500 is considered to be the granddaddy of all NASCAR races. He has had impressive victories all over the NASCAR circuit throughout his career. It’s no wonder that he has in the past earned the nicknames of “Wonder Boy”, “Flash Gordon” and “The Kid”.

The record also shows that despite crashes, blown engines, lapses of inconsistency, a divorce and general bad luck that Jeff has always forged ahead with fierce determination to achieve his best. Stay tuned for many years of “The Kid” to come with an unbroken passion.

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                             Billy Venturini Talks Daytona Wreck, Recovery, and His Return

ARCA RE/MAX Series driver's first interview since breaking his neck at Daytona Int'l Speedway on February 12th, 2005.

Concord, NC (PRWEB) March 8, 2005 -- Once you walk through the doors of Venturini Motorsports, you can’t help but notice the field of balloons in a near by office. You turn a corner, enter the race shop and on a table near the entrance are a stack of cards, magazines and other gifts. All of which have been sent by friends, fans and competitors for the recovering Billy Venturini.

Venturini was injured in the ARCA RE/MAX Series’ season-opening event, the Advance Auto Discount 200 at Daytona Int’l Speedway. With just two laps remaining on the scoring tower a multi-car wreck broke out. The aftermath left Venturini with a broken neck and severe ligament damage that will leave him sidelined for a portion of the 2005 racing season.

“I remember all of the accident - I never blacked out. The No. 9 and the 60 got together. The 60 went around pretty quick. He started to flip over when I dove to the inside. I thought I had the wreck cleared and someone got into my right rear and turned me,” Venturini explains.

“We were just about through it when I got clipped in the right rear, which threw me nose first against the wall on the back straightaway. I came off the wall some and stopped. I saw TJ Bell go by, just missed me and the next car came along and just clobbered me.”

After the wreck Venturini knew instantly things were serious. With his crumpled No. 25 Chevrolet engulfed in flames, he had no choice but to climb out of the machine and wait for help. The problem was, at first try, he couldn’t.

“I felt a sharp pain. I wouldn’t have normally climbed out but the car caught fire. I went to climb out, but I lost motion in my hands. Then, in about three, four seconds, the feeling came back. I took my belts off and climbed out. I needed to climb out, the car was on fire. It wasn’t good - I had to maneuver pretty good just to get out. Once out, I took my helmet off, and noticed my neck was hurting pretty bad. I just stood there while Mark Williams, safety official for ARCA held my head in place. He did a hell of a job to keep me safe.” After being taken to the Halifax Medical Center Billy received treatment for his injuries – which, were all serious. “Basically only about 20% of people walk away without paralysis or death,” he says of his neck injuries that left him with a broken vertebra.

“I didn’t just break the C2, I blew ligaments out of my neck. They had to replace a disk in my neck; I now have a titanium plate in its place. They said my spinal cord was like a loose piece of spaghetti.”

His injuries, sustained while wearing a safety Hutchens Device, very well could have happened had he been using a HANS. The injuries were all circumstance of the neck snapping sideways rather than forward, the purpose of both head and neck restraints. Venturini, along with the doctors who are treating him, feel that the injuries based on the side impact were unavoidable.

In order to set the spinal cord as it heals, Venturini was placed in a halo and will continue to don it for three to four more weeks. Once it is removed, as silly as it sounds, he says the next step is getting back behind the wheel of his No. 25 racecar.

“I would have driven the next day if I could. If all I had was a broken bone - but it was a vertebra. They told me three to six months before I can get back in a car. It’s healing pretty well so I’m hoping to be back in the car as soon as possible.”

Now, as he recuperates and waits out the healing process, he spends his time where else, but at the team race shop reading cards and well-wishes from fans all over the country and accepting phone call after phone call from friends, rivals and fellow drivers.

Five-time ARCA RE/MAX Series champion Frank Kimmel has sent his well wishes along with Nextel Cup names Ryan Newman, Ken Schrader, car-owner Ray Evernham, and golf legend Jack Nicklaus to name a few. The Chicago native also received best wishes from some of his favorite hometown icons, Chicago Cub young guns, Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. Billy even received a note from Chicago’s very own, Oprah Winfrey. “The support has been amazing. I’m so grateful. It means a lot to know just how many people care,” says Venturini.

As he recovers he also takes on a duty he doesn’t like so much – putting someone else in his seat. But, it’s business as usual including, working closely with his new crew chief Troy Selberg and his newly signed sponsors, Central Merchant Services and ReadyHosting.com.

“My sponsors have been great. Both Central Merchant Services and Ready Hosting.com have supported me during this entire ordeal. They are going to stand behind me for whatever we do. We will have a replacement driver for at least three or four races but that’s what I’m hoping for, to miss only three or four.”

Although the team is holding off on making an official announcement, Billy says, “It has to be someone who will help the team now and in the future. We’ve toyed with the idea of fielding a second car so it has to be someone we see with us in the future.”

Moving forward, he plans on attending the Nashville event which, will more than likely be the toughest step in his recovery as he watches someone else race his number. But, at the same time, it could be the best medicine just knowing in a few short months, it’ll be his ride once again.

Amanda Brahler
Freelance Motorsports Journalist



 

                                                NASCAR Statement in Memory of Paul Sawyer

NASCAR Vice Chairman Bill France issued the following statement regarding the passing of Paul Sawyer, Chairman of the Board at Richmond International Raceway. Sawyer passed away Saturday night (Feb. 26).

“As NASCAR continues to grow in popularity and potential, all of us are continually reminded of our sport’s roots, and the many people who were so important to laying the foundation for what we enjoy today.

“Paul Sawyer was one of those people. He was most certainly an important part of NASCAR’s history.

“Paul took Richmond’s race track and created one of the most modern facilities in all of NASCAR. Richmond International Raceway today is considered one of our fans’ favorite facilities.

“Paul made his mark, without a doubt. The racing world, starting with NASCAR, will miss him.”

                                             Pennzoil and Roush to Team Up for Nine Busch Races in 2005

                       Mark Martin to drive seven events, while Matt Kenseth will power the No. 9 Ford in two

CONCORD, N.C. (Jan. 26, 2005) - Pennzoil and Roush Racing will team up for nine events in the Busch series in 2005. Seven of the races will feature the all-time winningest driver in series' history, Mark Martin, while Matt Kenseth will drive the No. 9 car in the other two events.

"We are looking forward to getting back on the track in the No. 9 Pennzoil car," said Martin. "We had a couple of pretty strong runs in the No. 9 last year and hopefully we can get Pennzoil in victory lane this season. I'm pretty excited that we'll be working with Pat Tryson and an all new team on the No. 9 car so hopefully we'll be able to make some more noise in that series."

Martin will be a the helm of the No. 9 Pennzoil Ford for events at Fontana, Las Vegas, Texas, Richmond, Loudon, Kansas City and Homestead. Kenseth will drive the car at Charlotte and Texas in October and November.

"It will be fun working with Pat and the No. 9 team for a couple of races in 2005 and I look forward to driving the No. 9 Pennzoil car," added Kenseth. "We had a really strong run for Pennzoil last year at Vegas and we'll be looking to expand on that and hopefully get a win in one of those races. Texas and Charlotte are among my favorite tracks, so I'll be looking forward to both of those races. "

Pennzoil and Roush have a deep rooted history. Pennzoil first sponsored Jack Roush in the 1960's, when the former Ford Motor Company engineer was a driver himself. This season Pennzoil is proud to once again team up with Jack Roush as sponsor of all five 2005 Roush Racing Nextel Cup teams as well as the No. 9 NASCAR Busch Series Team.

NO. 9 PENNZOIL RACING BUSCH SCHEDULE

Date Event Driver
Feb. 27 Fontana Mark Martin
March 13 Las Vegas Mark Martin
April 17 Texas Mark Martin
May 15 Richmond Mark Martin
July 17 Loudon Mark Martin
Oct. 9 Kansas City Mark Martin
Oct. 16 Charlotte Matt Kenseth
Nov. 6 Texas Matt Kenseth
Nov. 20 Homestead Mark Martin



 

Racing Fans Have New Opportunities to Brush With Fame - New Book Explains How to Get Autographs Without Leaving Home

As you might already be aware, racing fans are a dedicated bunch. Many travel far and wide to see a race, hoping to brush up with their favorite drivers or catch an autograph.

Indianapolis, IN (PRWEB) January 26, 2005 -- It was this same dedication that drove Brian Ludlow to write his new book, "How to Collect Racing Autographs by Mail: A Proven System for the Racing Enthusiast."

Ludlow's second work, this book is an essential guide for the true racing fan. Aside from telling readers, step-by-step, how to go about getting big-name racing autographs through the mail, it also includes lists of past champions, rookies of the year, racing winners, birthdays,
racing terminology, Hall of Fame inductees, and a section on the meaning of the flags used in racing.

"I've always had a passion for racing, even as a kid," says Ludlow. "I guess living in Indianapolis has only fired me up even more. I wanted to give racing fans an outlet, and some options they may not know they have. The book is my way of contributing to a sport I love, and helping others collect memorabilia they'll keep forever.

In "How to Collect Racing Autographs by Mail," Ludlow also provides racing fans with a single, all-inclusive source for obtaining autographs from current and former racing greats, accessing a compiled list of racing-related addresses, creating an autograph request letter, and more.

"How to Collect Racing Autographs by Mail: A Proven System for the Racing Enthusiast" gives racing fans simple, complete, step- by-step instructions for assembling a collection of autographs and other memorabilia that they will treasure the rest of their lives.

Ludlow's first book, "Racing Stars Autographs By Mail" is also still available by visiting his website at www.race-address.com.  For more information, email Brian Ludlow at e-mail protected from spam bots.



 

NASCAR Preseason Thunder Day 8: Jeff Burton, Bobby Labonte Ready for Fresh Starts in 2005

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 19, 2005) – With a season of change behind them, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series veterans Jeff Burton (No. 31 Cingular Chevrolet) and Bobby Labonte (No. 18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet) are ready for a season of fine-turning.

Both drivers experienced team changes in 2004 – Burton departing Roush Racing to join Richard Childress Racing, and Labonte adjusting to a new crew chief at midseason. And both finished below where they’re accustomed in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series point standings – Burton in 18th place and Labonte in 12th place.

So for 2005, regaining NASCAR Top 10 status is a primary goal.

“I feel good about where my team's headed,” said Burton, who joined RCR last August. “I think our pit crew will be as good as anybody on pit road. (Crew chief) Kevin (Hamlin) and I are getting along extremely well. We have very progressive engineering and shock programs. I feel good about it. But I've gone into most years feeling good about those years, too. All in all I'm confident. We do have a lot of questions that need to be answered.”

Perhaps Labonte’s primary question has been answered: He begins 2005 with a new crew chief, Steve Addington. Last year’s crew chief switch in midseason was a change that resonated with the No. 18 team for some time and stability remains a priority.

“That was the biggest thing that happened to us,” said Labonte, the 2000 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion. “If we don’t do that again, we’ll be better off and that’s what we plan on not doing. We also have to know we have to be more competitive. We have to finish races better than we have been and than we did last year to be in the top 10 in points.”

Burton and Labonte discussed their situations during Wednesday’s lunch break for NASCAR Preseason Thunder, the annual preseason test sessions. Drivers who finished in even number positions in the final 2004 car owner points are testing Jan. 18-20 at Daytona International Speedway, while divers who finished in odd number positions in the final 2004 car owner point tested last week at Daytona.

Both are optimistic as they prepare for the season-opening Daytona 500; both also plan to coax more speed from what they’ve seen thus far in testing. As drivers with plenty of Daytona experience, Burton and Labonte know careful, gradual preparations usually yield reliable results.

“Hopefully we can improve throughout the week and go home and pull out the rest of the stops that we have left that we didn’t bring here,” Labonte said, “and then come back and be faster that we are here today.”
“We knew coming down here that we weren’t going to be blistering fast in qualifying trim,” Burton said. “We feel really good about how our cars are going to draft and the way they’re going to race. And we feel good about qualifying, too. We have a lot of things going on between now and when we come back. Our goal was to be 18th, 19th-fastest this week. I know that sounds stupid, but we think we can do that when we come back and be in great shape.”

For Burton, it’s been a busy off-season. Last week he participated in a road-course test at Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez; the test was in advance of the Mexico 200 on March 6, the first NASCAR Busch Series points event to be held outside the United States.

“The facility is public, so during the day when there's not an event, there are people bicycling and running,” Burton said. “It's really cool with soccer fields and basketball fields. There are thousands of people out there.”

He’s also jumped headlong into a leadership role at RCR, hoping to buoy teammates Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Goodwrench Chevrolet), who’s beginning his fifth season at RCR and new addition Dave Blaney (No. 07 Jack Daniels Chevrolet). The mandate? Return RCR to perennial NASCAR Top 10 competition.

“The timing is good because we've got Dave Blaney who wants to prove a point,” Burton said. “A lot of people ask why he (Childress) hired Blaney. I think you're going to find out why Richard Childress hired Dave Blaney. You've got me, who is used to running in the front and who hasn't for the last few years. I want to prove a point. Harvick did not have the year he wanted to have last year. He wants to prove a point. Richard has a lot to prove too. I think that's going to prove really good for everybody.”

NASCAR Season Days Away: Tips for New Fans

Now that NASCAR has reached the top of mainstream American pop culture, new fans can benefit from some tips from the veterans before making that first trip to the track.

Daytona Beach, FL (PRWEB) January 16, 2005 -- NASCAR is cool and gaining popularity, which means many new fans will make their first trip to a NASCAR race this year. Here are some tips to consider if you do not want your first trip to a race to be your last.

“NASCAR has become the fastest growing spectator event in American pop culture, and so many new fans need tips and suggestions before going to their first NASCAR event,” explained Curt Hochwender of www.Turn2Sportswear.com.

The Daytona 500, “The Great American Race,” is set for February 20, to be followed by the Auto Club 500, the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, the Golden Corral 500, and an entire season of great races.

“One of the first reactions from first-time spectators at a NASCAR race is surprise at the noise level. Race cars are loud – really loud. A whole day at the track can be damaging to ears, and unsettling to your nerves. Everyone in your family will be happier at the end of the day if you use ear protection,” said Hochwender.

He recommends earplugs or even headsets to reduce the noise factor. Earplugs work well, and are much less expensive.

“You will always benefit by using sun block. The amount you use will depend on the location of the race and time of the year, but by all means bring sun block and use it,” Hochwender recommended.

Another protection he recommends is almost obvious, but unless you plan in advance you may run into every parent’s fear – a missing child.

“NASCAR races are big events with thousands of people coming and going. It is very easy for a child who is awestruck by the sights and sounds to be caught up in the hustle and bustle. Your child could be distracted by all this, then when he turns back you have disappeared into the crowd and he is lost. Have a plan to stick together, and teach your kids what to do if they do become lost,” said Hochwender.

His other suggestions are good ones to help you have a fun, memorable experience.

Get to the race early. There is plenty to see and do, so get there two or three hours before the start of the race, and plan in advance for heavy traffic. When the race is over the reverse is true. Take your time leaving and relax. Let the crowds go ahead of you and avoid the stress of traffic jams.

Bring your camera and plenty of film. There are no better souvenirs than your own photos.

Bring a set of good quality binoculars. In fact, you may want more than one. Your kids will use them to see their favorite drivers close up.

Be sure to get a program too, and that will give your kids a great souvenir they can enjoy at home again and again.

NASCAR fans like to look the part, and Hochwender recommends getting your NASCAR jacket and apparel before getting to the track. If you wait and buy apparel at the track you will pay top dollar.

Hochwender’s web site, www.Turn2Sportswear.com offers an assortment of official NASCAR jackets and apparel for adults and kids.

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2005 NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES BROADCAST SCHEDULE