Talk about a speedy arrival! Speedway officials confirmed that at baby girl was born just after 3 p.m. today at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.  The birth is the first such arrival in the history of the track.

The happy, albeit panicked family was in route to Concord Hospital from their home in Belmont, N.H. when they made an unexpected pit stop at “The Magic Mile.”  Baby number four was not going to wait.

A family member rushed into the speedway's main office to ask for help. As fate would have it, “The Magic Mile" had the perfect combination of people and equipment to come to mom's aid.  

With a background in EMT services, Tom Blanchette, New Hampshire Motor Speedway director of operations, rushed to the front parking lot and helped the couple handle the unexpectedly fast delivery.  

“When I arrived in the parking lot, mom and dad had just self delivered the baby inside their vehicle,” said Blanchette. “I called Speedway Safety Services, and contacted an ambulance crew whose members happened to be on speedway property. We helped package up the baby and we drove the family to Concord Hospital.”

There is a first for everything, and baby Katie is the first born at the speedway. As the crews prepare for race week, the right people and the right equipment happened to be in place for the baby's sudden arrival.

“I am extremely pleased with the quick response from our speedway team,” said Jerry Gappens, speedway general manager. “I also have to give credit to mom and dad for keeping their composure through this.”

Blanchette and the Speedway emergency crew took the family to Concord Hospital, and at last check, mom and baby were doing fine. 

“This will be a memory we will never forget and a great story to tell Katie when she grows up,” said Gappens. “Katie will hold a special place in all of our hearts.”

Even though Katie will not be able to make the SYLVANIA 300 next weekend, Gappens awarded her two tickets to our NASCAR races for the rest of her life. "That little one is part of our family now. She and her parents are welcome here anytime."

Tom Blanchette - Director of Operations at NHMS

NHMS PR

On Sept. 14, 2012, National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer John Middlebrook heard and considered the appeal of the six-week suspension penalty of crew member Grant Hutchens, team engineer for the Richard Childress Racing No. 27 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team.

Upon hearing the testimony of both parties and carefully reviewing the facts, it was the Chief Appellate Officer’s decision to uphold the original penalty assessed by NASCAR. Therefore, Hutchens’ suspension from NASCAR is effective immediately until Oct. 25 and his NASCAR probation will continue until Dec. 31.

The penalties concern Section 12-1: Actions detrimental to stock car racing; Section 12-4K: If, in the judgment of NASCAR Officials, race equipment that has been previously certified or previously approved by NASCAR for use in an event, pursuant to sub-section 8-12, has been altered, modified, repaired or changed in any matter. Intentionally modifying previously certified frame rails for the purpose of deceiving NASCAR’s inspection gauges.

The penalties stemmed from a failed post-race inspection at the NASCAR Research and Development Center on Aug. 21 following the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 19.

The original penalties assessed were:

·         Car owner (Richard Childress): Loss of 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship car owner points;

·         Car driver (Paul Menard): Loss of 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship driver points;

·         Crew chief (Richard Labbe): $100,000 fine; suspended from NASCAR for six weeks; placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31;

·         Car chief (Craig Smokstad): Suspended from NASCAR for six weeks; placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31;

·         Crew member (Grant Hutchens): Suspended from NASCAR for six weeks; placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.

On Sept. 10, the Appellant appealed the six-week suspensions of Smokstad and Hutchens to the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel. The Appellant did not appeal the loss of 25 championship car owner and 25 championship driver points or the $100,000 fine and six-week suspension of crew chief Richard Labbe, who began serving his suspension from NASCAR Sept. 4. It was the unanimous decision of the Panel to uphold both of their suspensions. The Appellant then appealed the suspension of Hutchens to the Chief Appellate Officer.

NASCAR PR

Driving SCIENCE™ makes its first stop at Dover International Speedway when more than 30 teachers from Delaware and Philadelphia come to Dover, Del., Sept. 26-28, for The STEM Cup Challenge sponsored by DuPont Motorsports, Daytona International Speedway, and Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research (ICAR). Philadelphia teachers are attending through a sponsorship of the United States Conference of Mayors and DuPont.

With a focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Driving SCIENCE™ is a professional development institute designed to strengthen content knowledge in STEM disciplines, model best practices that improve student achievement, and promote awareness of motorsports careers. The sponsors of Driving SCIENCE™ are nationally recognized leaders in STEM education. They realize that improving the teaching of math and science results in better prepared employees and increases the pool of available employees from a broader, more diverse background.

“We’re pleased to host the STEM Cup Challenge as part of our Sept. 28-30, 2012 race weekend at Dover International Speedway," said Michael Tatoian, COO of Dover Motorsports, Inc. "The motorsports world is one that functions on the principles of math and science. It’s very gratifying to support the professional development of STEM teachers, as they will help shape the young individuals that will keep our industry thriving for years to come.”

"We're providing teachers with ideas and tools to inspire their students — practical everyday ideas that will spark interest and meaningful discussions," said Dot Moss, director of Clemson University's "Math Out of the Box" program. "Driving SCIENCE™ allows teachers and students alike to see the many career opportunities available to them in the STEM sciences, motor racing and business.”

Driving SCIENCE™, first introduced two years ago at the Daytona International Speedway, Daytona, Fla., is a curriculum, developed in Clemson University’s College of Engineering and Science through a 2 grant from the DuPont Office of Education. The institute has since opened at Darlington, S.C., Motor Speedway and now Dover. The goal is to expand Driving SCIENCE™ to teachers near all NASCAR tracks.

The STEM Cup Challenge is a hands-on experience. Inquiry-based teaching techniques are used and learned during this professional development course. The analysis of speed, understanding force, energy and motion, experimenting with “mouse trap” cars and figuring out how safety applies to major super speedways are all a part of the curriculum. During the Challenge, participants experience an engineering design cycle. They build a car that is powered by a mousetrap and modify it for greater speed. Cars must meet certain criteria that may be changed immediately before the race. Cars have to go through a test station and practice round before racing for the STEM Cup Challenge Trophy.

The Challenge concludes with a “day at the races,” applying STEM knowledge and motorsport career awareness during a garage tour where participants make connections to STEM and its careers and the cars being prepared for the Sept. 28 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, NASCAR’s top developmental series.

“DuPont is a leader in supporting STEM education. We all win when we help develop a greater understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, including local communities, businesses like DuPont, the United States and the world,” said DuPont Motorsports Manager Larry Deas. DuPont and The United States Conference of Mayors have partnered to assist mayors in promoting and inspiring student interest in science and engineering with a partnership called Cities United for Science Progress (CUSP). For the past 11 years, DuPont has worked with Mayors to bring science and engineering to local elementary schools across the nation. To date, DuPont has visited over 175 cities and over 450 schools teaching close to 40,000 elementary school children with their Science in the School Day program. DuPont is expanding their offerings to reach out to science educators, sponsoring teachers to attend the Driving SCIENCE™ program to broaden their reach to middle and high school science and math teachers so they will have an even greater impact on science education.

The Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) is an advanced technology research campus where academia, industry and government organizations engage in synergistic collaboration. With more than $200 million in commitments, CU-ICAR represents the ultimate public/private partnership, directly fueling a knowledge base critical to the automotive industry. Ranked within the Top 10 Automotive Colleges and Universities in the U.S., CU-ICAR sets the standard for exemplary automotive students.

Driving SCIENCE/Dover Motorsports PR

Las Vegas Motor Speedway will kick off NASCAR Champion’s Week inLas Vegaswith a fanfest at the Fremont Street Experience on Wednesday, Nov. 28. This will be the first event involving the 12 Chase drivers during this year’s celebration of the NASCAR Sprint Cup champion. The event is free to the public.

The highlight of the event will be an Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader-type show involving the 12 Chase drivers.

“Each year, the fanfest has been one of the best events of Champion’s Week,” said LVMS president Chris Powell. “It not only gives the fans a chance to get close to the 12 top drivers in NASCAR, but it also allows the fans to see them in a much more relaxed environment without their fire suits and helmets. This is one of the best fan events in NASCAR. We’re very appreciative to our friends at Boyd Gaming and Coca-Cola who make it possible for us to put on this show.”

Carrot Top, who stars in his own one-man show at the Luxor, will be on hand to host the game show.

“I’m really looking forward to NASCAR Champion’s Week,” said Carrot Top. “I’m great friends with a lot of the drivers so I hope they understand when I don’t go easy on them.”

The fifth graders will come fromLomieHeardElementary School, located on Nellis Air Force Base.

The event, which will be held on the Third Street Stage onFremont Streetadjacent to the Fremont Hotel and Casino, will begin at 2 p.m. The drivers will walk a red carpet through the crowd en route to the stage.

The speedway will also be helping choose six fans who could win big prizes if their team of drivers wins the game show. The speedway will choose fans through social networking, media promotions and one lucky fan will be chosen on site to be matched up with a racing pair. The fan paired with the winning team will receive tickets to Friday’s Champion’s banquet at the Wynn Las Vegas as well as weekend suite passes for the March 8-10, 2013 NASCAR Weekend at LVMS.

LVMS PR

This weekend JTG Daugherty Racing and driver Bobby Labontewill be racing in the bold flames of the No. 47 BUBBA burger® Toyota Camry during the Geico 400 at the Chicagoland Speedway. This will be the second primary race of the season for the BUBBA burger® brand with their first primary sponsorship taking place in Pocono earlier in the year.

The No. 47 BUBBA burger® car will be covered in the BUBBA fiery orange paint scheme. This eye-catching design directly reflects both the BUBBA burger® brand and the "Racing Season is Grilling Season" theme of the JTG Daugherty team.

"BUBBA burger is a great brand and we are fortunate to have them back on our car at Chicagoland Speedway," said driver Bobby Labonte. "They do a great job of using NASCAR as a platform to promote their brand to our loyal fans."

"We are really excited to be back on the car this weekend in Chicago," added Andy Stenson Vice President of Marketing for BUBBA Foods, LLC. "NASCAR fans are some of the most brand loyal fans out there and we love to participate in events like this. The BUBBA burger car looks great and we can't wait to get it on the track at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend."

Summer time is not the only time you can enjoy great products from BUBBA®. BUBBA burger® has recently introduced BUBBA grillers® to their product line. BUBBA grillers® are a new family of products that are centered around quality and convenience. The new items that fall under the BUBBA grillers® label are the 100% USDA Choice Beef Sirloin Filet, Center Cut Pork Loin Chops, Mild Italian Sausage, Hot Italian Sausage and Bratwurst.

BUBBA burger® is sold in grocery stores nationwide throughout the United States as well as world-wide through the U.S. Military Commissary system. BUBBA burger® is a natural choice for quality and convenience, using only the highest quality meat to produce our uniquely shaped, gluten free BUBBA burgers. You can take them right from your freezer to your grill or skillet and BUBBA burgers come in many varieties to fit any taste. Race to your favorite local grocer's freezer today and grab a box of BUBBA burgers® so that you are sure to have a winning race weekend!

Bubba Burger PR

Ford recently rounded up NASCAR superstars to race the new Fusion EcoBoost^®. The twist: They were asked to hit the top miles per gallon, not miles per hour, with the winner nearly reaching the half-century mark.

It was a hot day in August, with each driver hoping to beat the others and Fusion’s projected 37 mpg highway rating.

New racing sensation and 2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne fought off his Ford Racing teammates to win the race, called the Ford Fusion EcoBoost NASCAR Miles Per Gallon Challenge. Bayne achieved 46.9 mpg as he and all of the drivers used the car’s advanced fuel-saving technology to easily top its projected highway rating.

Despite the best efforts of Sprint Cup Chase contender Greg Biffle, former champ Matt Kenseth and 2011 Chase runner-up Carl Edwards, Bayne “coasted” to victory in the new 2013 Ford Fusion with 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine despite being dubbed the underdog.

“The guys were telling me this may be the only trophy I’ll ever get for driving slow,” said Bayne. “But I’m not going to take it that way; I think this shows Fusion is a powerful and fuel-efficient car and if handled with care and finesse, it can accomplish some amazing things.”

Each driver was challenged to go around the 2.5-mile Ford Dearborn test track three times in 15 minutes and use the in-car calculator to compete for best gas mileage.

Click here to see a full video of the challenge. Click here to read more about the day of the event and the antics that took place between the drivers.

The results

Kenseth started the race by setting the bar high. He achieved 46.2 mpg. The playful yet competitive spirit kicked into high gear when Biffle showed up. He had to stop Kenseth from sabotaging his results by letting the air out of the tires, ultimately managing to achieve 46.0 mpg.

“Kenseth is surprisingly tricky,” Biffle said. “But I think the real problem was that I accelerated too quickly at the start, and good fuel efficiency depends on steady increases of speed.

“Luckily,” he continued, “I think both Edwards and Bayne will have major trouble not accelerating when they see the green flag wave, so I think I’m looking at a second-place finish.”

Edwards, the driver known for post-win backflips off of his race car, fell victim to the heat by turning on the car’s air conditioning, yet still posted 42.2 mpg.

Finally, it was Bayne’s turn. Bayne drew on the lessons of a recent real-life incident in which he almost ran out of gas in his truck. Using drafting techniques honed in racing, he nursed that truck to the gas station. Mirroring that gas-saving performance in his truck, Bayne was successful again, coasting to the finish line to post the top rating of 46.9 mpg, winning the Ford Fusion EcoBoost NASCAR Miles Per Gallon Challenge.

Ford posted a teaser video and asked fans to guess the winner of the Ford Fusion EcoBoost NASCAR Miles Per Gallon Challenge at facebook.com/fordfusion or facebook.com/fordfusion.

Thousands of people responded, posting guesses and comments about who they thought would take home the honor of most fuel-efficient driver. Comments ranged from those with low expectations, like one particular Facebook user who commented, “Biffle, 15.329 mpg,” to the highly optimistic, where another Facebook user predicted Kenseth on top with 62.1 mpg.

The 1.6-liter EcoBoost Ford Fusion is designed to achieve up to 37 mpg highway.

Cutting wind, trips to the pump

The new 2013 Fusion will save customers money at the pump with leading efficiency and aerodynamics, a key reason NASCAR stars keep putting the Ford Racing Fusion in the winner’s circle.

To improve fuel efficiency, the new production Fusion features impressive aerodynamics refined by the technology used in designing the race car Fusion for NASCAR. Click here to see a brief video discussing how an aerodynamic body shape enhances fuel efficiency and reduces wind noise.

While race car drivers generally are more interested in miles per hour than miles per gallon, many races come down to which driver best balances speed with efficiency. A refuel at a pit stop can cost a racer multiple laps, so while a NASCAR driver’s goal is speed, he needs to manage the fuel he uses in order to prevent unnecessary stoppage time.

After all, no one likes spending time at the pump.

Another option in the new 1.6-liter EcoBoost Fusion is Auto Start-Stop, which switches off the gasoline engine when the vehicle is stopped in congested traffic, at stop signs and traffic signals. Seamlessly restarting when the driver releases the brake pedal, the system helps to save fuel and preserve the environment. The $295 cost of the new technology is expected to pay for itself in less than 18 months through real-world fuel savings.

Ford Racing PR

Peck Motorsports, a leader in promoting an active lifestyle, made a special visit to Iowa Ortho located at Mercy Health Center in Des Moines, Iowa Thursday afternoon prior to this weekend's race activities at the Iowa Speedway. Team driver Todd Peck was present with his No. 96. Stopain/Arthritis Foundation race hauler to the region's leading orthopedic treatment center to help bring awareness to the importance of being active and helping people live a pain-free life. The Iowa Arthritis Foundation chapter was also present at the event to help educate people.

Peck, who suffers from arthritis, is an example of being able to reach your goals and dreams even with chronic pain. Peck currently races the No. 96 Stopain/Arthritis Foundation Chevrolet race truck in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The team will compete Saturday night at the Iowa Speedway in the American Ethanol 200.

"Visiting the campus of Iowa Ortho was a lot of fun and we met a lot of new friends while there," said Peck. "It was cool to share our story and help people know that you can still do a lot even with pain. All the people we met were really great and it was a cool way to start off this weekend."

Peck Motorsports is in its second year competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Last season the team partnered with the Arthritis Foundation to help spread the message of arthritis. Stopain joined the effort this season and together they have come together at various events to promote an active lifestyle.

For over five decades Iowa Ortho has been dedicated to returning patients to their every day life...everyday! With 23 physicians Iowa Ortho provides advanced specialty care and general orthopedics supported by physical medicine and rehab, podiatry and advanced imaging. Iowa Ortho has 17 practice offices located throughout Central Iowa.

Peck Motorsports PR

Michael Waltrip Racing announced Friday that PEAK Motor Oil will become a primary sponsor on Clint Bowyer’s No. 15 Toyota for three races in each of the next three NASCAR Sprint Cup seasons.

MWR will also feature PEAK Motor Oil as an associate sponsor on the No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS TOYOTA and the No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine driven by Mark Martin, Brian Vickers and Waltrip. 

The familiar PEAK logos will adorn Bowyer’s hood at the May Talladega race, the July Daytona race and at Chicagoland in 2013. Bowyer won last weekend’s race at Richmond, his second victory in 2012, and enters this weekend’s Chase for the Sprint Cup tied for fifth.

“This sponsorship is really cool for me and right in my sweet spot,” said Bowyer. “PEAK stepping back into Sprint Cup Racing is not only good for us at Michael Waltrip Racing, but a real tribute to their heritage as well as NASCAR and its fans. They have a lot of cool things planned for the upcoming season that race fans will enjoy.” 

PEAK Motor Oil is a product in the portfolio of Old World Industries LLC., a company specializing in antifreeze manufacturing and marketing. PEAK isn’t a stranger to race fans.

“PEAK products have helped fuel race victories for over 30 years,” said Bryan Emrich, vice president of marketing, Old World Industries. “We’re excited about our partnership with Michael Waltrip Racing and hope that our products will help lead the entire Michael Waltrip Racing family to continued success out on the track.”

PEAK has a deep heritage in the world of motorsports, with involvement ranging from NASCAR, NHRA, IndyCar, Supercross, and Monster Jam. PEAK offers a wide array of Antifreeze products that feature patented, advanced technologies allowing for superior protection for all vehicles, both on pavement and off-road. PEAK held race entitlements in NASCAR and IndyCar races throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s, and was an early supporter of NASCAR legends Dale Earnhardt and Kyle Petty. 

“We are thankful to have a partner like PEAK join the MWR family,” said Waltrip, founder and co-owner of MWR. “I remember when Dale Earnhardt was riding with PEAK and watching Kyle Petty win at Rockingham in 1990 with PEAK for Felix Sabates’ team. So, it’s cool now that they are with us. Pairing PEAK and 5-hour ENERGY on the No. 15 with Clint gives us as solid of a driver-sponsor combination as there is in the NASCAR garage.”

Waltrip said there are primary sponsorship opportunities open on the No. 15 in 2013.

“5-hour ENERGY and PEAK are wonderful, powerful retail brands activating with this race team. We still have some work to do to fill out the 2013 schedule and need to bring some more partners to add to this great foundation of support,” said Waltrip.

“This team is hot right now and Clint Bowyer is one of the top personalities in NASCAR. So, I hope we can continue to fill these open races in 2013.”

MWR PR

MB Motorsports is proud to announce that Certified Power of Missouri has signed on as an Associate Sponsor for the remainder of the 2012 Nascar Camping World Season.  “We are excited to partner with Mike Mittler and MB Motorsports,” says Larry Hamilton, Sales Manager of Certified Powers’ Bridgeton, MO operation.  “MB Motorsports has such a great history in the sport and the fact that their shop is only about 30 minutes from our facility makes it even better.”

Mittler is excited to have Certified Power sign on for the rest of the season.  “This is a perfect match on many levels and it just so happens that the first race they’ve come on board for is just outside of Des Moines, where they have a facility, as well.”

Says Hamilton, “We’re going to start things off this weekend at Iowa and look to continue building our relationship from there.”  The Certified Power logo will first adorn the #65 MB Motorsports Ford as driver Justin Jennings makes his second series start at the .875 mile Iowa Speedway in Saturday’s American Ethanol 200 presented by Hy-Vee.

MB Motorsports PR

In a joint announcement today at the NASCAR Fuel for Business Council® meeting in Chicago, New Holland became the Official Agricultural Equipment of NASCAR®. New Holland, the latest NASCAR Official Partner, has served the needs of farmers and ranchers across North America for more than 110 years, and its equipment plays a critical role in the production of ethanol.   

In 2011, NASCAR announced a switch in its three national series to Sunoco Green E15, a 15-percent ethanol blend fuel made with corn grown in the United States. The low-carbon fuel emits 20% less greenhouse emissions than unleaded gasoline. New Holland manufactures a wide range of equipment essential for the crop production and harvesting of corn used to produce the biofuel.    

"We are proud of our newly expanded alliance with NASCAR and the role our equipment plays in helping power the sport,” said Abe Hughes, vice president of New Holland, North America. “We are the agricultural industry’s Clean Energy Leader, and are looking forward to further enhancing our 30-year relationship with a sport that is pushing the bar on clean and efficient fuel that is not only helping to restore America’s energy independence, but also serves to strengthen American farmers and the rural economy. New Holland stands 100% behind this impact.”

“NASCAR welcomes New Holland, a company rich in tradition and innovation, as our newest official partner,” said Jim O’Connell, NASCAR chief sales officer. “The use of New Holland’s equipment will positively impact hard-working family farmers grow the corn that will be used to produce ethanol.”
 
Growth Energy, a leading ethanol advocacy organization, and the National Corn Growers Association created the American Ethanol partnership with NASCAR to push for broad acceptance of a renewable domestic fuel for American motorists. New Holland will work to support this partnership throughout the remainder of the 2012 NASCAR season to support the farmers who play a vital role in the ethanol industry.

NASCAR PR