Trevor Bayne, crew chief Donnie Wingo, and the rest of the Wood Brothers Racing Team are looking to build on their mid-season momentum this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, home track of Good Sam and Camping World.

The Good Sam/Camping World Ford Fusion that Bayne will drive this weekend is the same car he ran at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 29. That race was the first for that particular chassis, and it performed well, as Bayne finished 17th, on the lead lap, in a track-position race that saw many top teams and drivers mired in mid-pack, unable to improve their positions.

In addition to the successes Bayne had at Indy, the youngster is coming off a spirited run at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where he drove from his 32nd starting position to finish 16th, also on the lead lap.

Wingo said he expects another strong run in this weekend’s Geico 400.

“It’s the second time out for this car, and I feel pretty good about it,” Wingo said, adding that Bayne’s experience at Atlanta in his first Sprint Cup start at that track should pay off in Chicago.

“That race track is getting a little bit like Atlanta,” he said. “It’s not as rough as Atlanta, but it’s getting some character to it. We should be able to go off some of the notes we have from Atlanta.”

Wingo also said that as the weekend went on at Atlanta, Bayne was able to adjust to the rapid tire wear and the resulting drop-off in speeds as the tires wore down on the weathered asphalt. Among the important aspects of tire management, gaining the most ground one can when the tires are new is probably the most critical.

“Once we got in the race he did a lot better and the pit crew had one of their best races of the year,” Wingo said, adding that as the team gets into a portion of the schedule where they’re running fairly frequently, Bayne and the pit crew will be able to get into a rhythm that should help them maximize their performances.

This weekend’s race marks the start of the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup, and Wingo and the Wood Brothers team plan to run the race like they do any other.

Wood Brothers Racing PR

The NASCAR HOTPASS lineup for the Geico 400 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., is as follows: 

DIRECTV Channel 795:

Danica Patrick and the No. 10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet team of Tommy Baldwin Racing

Danica Patrick will make her fifth career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start and her first at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. … The 30-year-old Roscoe, Ill., native is running a 10-race Sprint Cup Series schedule in 2012 in preparation for a full-time campaign in 2013 … Finished fourth in a NASCAR Nationwide Series race in March 2011 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the best-ever finish by a woman in a NASCAR national stock-car series, topping a fifth-place run by Sarah Christian in a Sprint Cup race in 1949 at Heidelberg (Pa.) Raceway … Became the first woman to win a major-league open-wheel race in a North American series in April 2008 by winning the IZOD IndyCar Series Indy Japan 300 at the Twin Ring Motegi oval in Japan … Started 23^rd and finished 29^th in her last Sprint Cup Series event two weeks ago at Atlanta Motor Speedway. 

DIRECTV Channel 796:

Denny Hamlin and the No. 11 FedEx Ground Toyota team of Joe Gibbs Racing

Denny Hamlin will make his 250^th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start and his seventh at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. … Has two top-10 finishes in six starts at Chicagoland … The 31-year-old Chesterfield, Va., native has 21 wins and 124 top-10 finishes in 249 Sprint Cup starts … 2012 marks Hamlin’s seventh full year in Sprint Cup with a career-best points finish of second in 2010 … Started seventh and finished 18^th last week at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway … Ranks first in Sprint Cup Series points with four wins and 13 top-10 finishes.   

DIRECTV Channel 797:

Tony Stewart and the No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet team of Stewart-Haas Racing

Tony Stewart will make his 491^st career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start and his 12^th at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. … Has three wins (2004, 2007 and 2011), one pole (2003) and nine top-10 finishes in 11 starts at Chicagoland … The 41-year-old Columbus, Ind., native has won 47 races and has 278 top-10 finishes in 490 Sprint Cup starts … 2012 marks Stewart’s 14^th full year in Sprint Cup and he won the points championship in 2002, 2005 and 2011 … Started 28^th and finished fourth last week at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway … Ranks third in Sprint Cup Series points with three wins and 12 top-10 finishes.

DIRECTV Channel 798:

Dale Earnhardt Jr., and the No. 88 AMP Energy/7-Eleven/National Guard Chevrolet team of Hendrick Motorsports

Dale Earnhardt Jr., will make his 462^nd career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start and his 12^th at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. … Has one win (2005) and four top-10 finishes in 11 starts at Chicagoland … The 37-year-old Kannapolis, N.C., native has won 19 races and has 179 top-10 finishes in 461 Sprint Cup starts … Won 1998 and 1999 NASCAR Nationwide Series championships … 2012 marks Earnhardt’s 13^th full year in Sprint Cup with a career-best points finish of third in 2003… Started on the pole and finished 14^th last week at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway … Ranks seventh in Sprint Cup Series points with one win and 17 top-10 finishes.

The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma is hosting its annual fundraiser dinner on September 18 at 6 p.m. at Wake Forest Biotech Place in downtown Winston-Salem, N.C. Beach music band "The Embers" will perform. Chocolate Myers from Sirius XM's NASCAR channel will emcee.
 
"More than 12,000 kids die every year from serious injuries, which is more than all other causes combined," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing and co-founder of the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. "We look forward to having 'The Embers' and Chocolate at our event to help us raise awareness about the No. 1 killer of children in America."
 
WHO:             Richard and Judy Childress, Chocolate Myers
 
WHAT:           Dinner and dancing benefiting the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma
 
WHEN:            Tuesday, September 18, 2012
                        Cocktails start at 6 p.m.
                        Dinner starts at 6:45 p.m.
                        "The Embers" will play at 8:30 p.m.
 
WHERE:        Wake Forest Biotech Place
 575 N. Patterson Avenue, Winston-Salem, N.C.
 
TICKETS:      $200 per person, $350 per couple for dinner
                       $10 for "The Embers" concert starting at 8:30 p.m.
 
CONTACT:    Call 336-713-1627 or Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to purchase tickets
 
Serious injuries can happen anywhere at any time to any child. The Childress Institute wants to help every injured child receive the best care, no matter where or how they get hurt.

RCR PR

Roush Fenway Racing confirmed today that 2011 Nationwide Series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr., will pilot its historic No. 17 Ford Fusion next season in the Sprint Cup Series. One of the emerging talents in NASCAR, Stenhouse steps into a championship-caliber program in the No. 17, with current team partners Best Buy, Fifth Third Bank and Zest each returning to the team as primary sponsors in 2013.

“It will be an exciting transition for Ricky and the team next season,” said co-owner Jack Roush. “We take great pride in driver development, and it is rewarding for all involved any time we are able to watch one of our young men grow and progress. We have seen Ricky develop into a NASCAR Nationwide Series champion, and now his career path comes to fruition in the Sprint Cup Series next season.

“I can’t think of a better fit for Ricky than the No. 17 team,” added Roush. “Ricky will have the luxury of being flanked by a championship-level team from the start. His drive, determination and commitment to winning will mesh very well with the demeanor of the No. 17 team. It will be our job to put him in the best equipment possible, as well as to guide him through the learning curves that are part of his rookie season.

“It is certainly going to be a lot of fun to watch as Ricky continues to improve his skills each week as his progression rate is accelerated by the increased level of competition around him in the Sprint Cup Series.”

Best Buy, Fifth Third Bank and Zest each joined Roush Fenway’s No. 17 team as primary partners in 2012. These three partners will return to the No. 17 again next year, with each increasing their commitment in 2013 for Stenhouse’s entry into Sprint Cup competition. With their involvement, the majority of Stenhouse’s races for 2013 are fully sponsored.

“In this sport, having great partners is critical to our ability to field top-tier race teams and we are thrilled that Best Buy, Fifth Third Bank and Zest have had such success in our first year together that they are growing their programs for 2013,” said Roush Fenway president Steve Newmark. “We’re privileged to have companies of that caliber and reputation as anchors on the No. 17 program, and appreciate that each of them.is very excited about the future with Roush Fenway.

“We have reserved a few primary races with Ricky and the No. 17 team for next year and are in discussions with several companies right now who are interested in what promises to be an extremely exciting rookie year. It’s really a great opportunity for companies that are looking to tap into the power of the sport.”

Roush Fenway Racing PR

Dover International Speedway will offer race fans the option of tent camping for the Sept. 28-30, 2012 NASCAR race weekend. Non self-contained RVs, also known as pop-ups, will also now be permitted.

Designed as an affordable, convenient alternative for race weekend accommodations, these options are available in reserved RV Lot 9.

Spots cost $100 for the duration of your stay and must be purchased in advance of race weekend. To take advantage of this, customers must have two Friday or Saturday tickets, and two Sunday race tickets. Each location includes parking for one vehicle, and additional vehicles can park in a nearby lot for the duration of their stay for $30.

Sites will provide race fans with a number of amenities, including nearby shower stations, portojohns and the Giant Food Speedway Supermarket, a pop-up, full-service supermarket located at the entrance to RV Lot 10 where fans can find the same items and prices they’d find in their local grocery store. The lot is also within walking distance of the track.

Reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Load-in can begin on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 8 a.m. To secure your spot, call the ticket office at 800-441-RACE.

Dover Motorsports PR

Homestead-Miami Speedway on Thursday announced its selections to serve on its first-ever fan advisory network.  Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer made the announcement.

The announcement comes after the speedway fielded applications from hundreds of candidates and interviewed dozens of prospective members.  The six FANatics members will serve rotating one-year terms.  FANatics purpose is to establish direct communication with track personnel and provide year-round feedback on matters that affect guests.  The members’ first official event weekend will be Ford Championship Weekend (November 16-18).  Members will participate in quarterly meetings and conference calls.  Additionally, members will have exclusive access to an online message board and Facebook page.

“We were overwhelmed by the level of interest and by the quantity and quality of candidates,” said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer. “We selected six individuals who should prove to be a great resource for the track.  We are eager to garner their feedback and improve the fan experience for everyone that comes through the gates.”

Each of the FANatics members hails from Florida.  The group includes:

Melodye Brantley, Miami

Melodye, who lives in Cutler Ridge with her husband of 31 years, has an adult son.  In addition to watching and attending NASCAR events, she enjoys playing co-ed softball, boating and fishing.

Scott Bronson, Naples

Scott has been married for 31 years and is a business owner in the west coast of the state.  His hobbies include working on his condominium that is located near Homestead-Miami Speedway.

David Gonzalez, Homestead

David’s racing days go back to the days of Hialeah Speedway.  Now that he has a son, David feels it’s critical to preserve South Florida’s racing history and help usher in a new generation of motorsports fans.

Teresa Noah, Labelle

Teresa is a life-long resident of Labelle and works with the V.I.P.S. program with the Hendry County Sheriff’s Department.  She has an adult daughter and, in addition to racing, enjoys football and traveling.

Bryan Pease, Naples

Bryan is an entrepreneur who owns several businesses.  One of these businesses provided him the opportunity to be among the first to test drive the track’s variable banking when the track was resurfaced.  

Julie Shafer, Homestead

Julie works at Homestead’s Turkey Point nuclear power plant.  She has three children and enjoys “computer geeky stuff,” and growing orchids in addition to her affinity for all things NASCAR.

Homestead-Miami Speedway PR

Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (EGR) announces an associate partnership agreement with Georgia-Pacific Professional and Communication Papers for the No. 1 McDonald’s team, beginning this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.

Notes of Interest:

·        Georgia-Pacific will have its logo displayed on the No. 1 McDonald’s Chevrolet of former Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 champion Jamie McMurray.  Georgia-Pacific will also host an event with Jamie McMurray at Harrah’s Casino in Joliet, IL on Saturday night and another at the race track on Sunday for the GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.  

·        The Georgia-Pacific Professional and Communication Papers businesses are leading suppliers of away-from-home tissue, towel and wiper products and communication papers for home and office. Georgia-Pacific Professional’s business features well-known product brands including enMotion®, Compact®, Dixie®, EasyNap®, SmartStock®, Brawny Industrial®™, SofPull® and Angel Soft ps®. The Georgia-Pacific Communication Papers business offers a selection of copy and multipurpose papers designed to meet your business and personal printing needs, including such brands as GP Copy & Print, GP Advantage®, and Spectrum®. Learn more about Georgia-Pacific atwww.gp.com and www.gppro.com.

·        Jamie McMurray began his NSCS career with team owner Chip Ganassi in 2002 when he filled in for an injured Sterling Marlin and won his first NSCS race in just his second start at Charlotte Motor Speedway.  In 2010, the Joplin, MO, native became one of only three drivers to ever capture both Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 in the same season.  In his 11th season driving in the NASCAR premier series, McMurray has six victories, eight poles, 41 top-five and 99 top-ten finishes.  McMurray is currently 20th in the 2012 NSCS point standings.

Quote Board:

Steve Lauletta, President, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates:  “We are delighted for this partnership opportunity.  Georgia-Pacific is a globally recognized name and it is exciting to have an association with a brand that values the reach of NASCAR to their customers.

Jamie McMurray, Driver, No.1 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing: “I am excited to have Georgia-Pacific on board for this partnership.  I was amazed at how many brands they have and all of the items that I already use in my own home.  I look forward to seeing everyone this weekend in Chicago”

EGR PR

No. 15 5-hour ENERGY Toyota driver Clint Bowyer won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race last Saturday night in Richmond, but the 5-hour ENERGY driver hasn’t stopped moving since he left victory lane.

Bowyer, along with the 11 other drivers participating in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, have participated in a NASCAR’s ‘Chase Across America’ multi-city media tour.

Bowyer began his tour on Tuesday with a visit to Texas Motor Speedway. The speedway hosted a high-school style pep rally for more than 5,000 kids. The event included a skills competition among the schools, a question and answer session - and even an invite by a 10th grade student Rachel Blum to be her homecoming date. Bowyer, who was flattered by the request, said unfortunately his weekend race schedule will not permit him to attend, but has agreed to make it up to her at an upcoming race.

After leaving Texas, Bowyer headed to Chicago where he met up with the rest of the Chase field. The Chase drivers began Wednesday morning with a photo in front of the Chicago landmark Cloud Gate (also known as The Bean). From Cloud Gate the drivers continued on to the House of Blues for media day, followed by the Chase Contenders Live fan event presented by Sprint and Toyota.

At Chase Contenders Live, Bowyer and the rest of the Chase field talked, traded stories and light hearted jabs on stage in front of a live crowd of NASCAR fans.

BOWYER ON THE CHASE:“I’ve gotten close a few times. When I am in the Chase, we’ve always been in the top five. I know we didn’t finish there when we finished 10th, but we ran there—60-thousandsths of an inch cost me five positions I wasn’t very happy about (NASCAR’s penalty). That being said, I think we’re capable of getting the job done. I think we can compete with these guys.”

“It’s so much fun to be a part of the Chase. This is a very big deal for Michael Waltrip Racing and Michael Waltrip. I remember in 2007 when Michael was getting ready to start his team and everybody, including me, thought he had bitten off way more than he could chew. I thought that he might be done before he ever got started - before the end of the year it looked like.  But he kept going. He acquired a partner like Rob Kauffman and he just kept digging’.  His never give up attitude has finally got him and his organization to where they want to be. They are a part of the boys. Now MWR is a part of a pretty elite crowd in this sport. To have two cars in the Chase - the only two cars you had competing for the Chase - that’s a really big deal.”

MWR PR

Back in the day, Al Capone ran Chicago with an iron fist. Today, Tony Stewart runs Chicago with a lead foot.

Capone, the notorious gangster, rose to prominence with nefariousness and tenacity, punishing his enemies while taking advantage of any and all opportunities that came his way. Stewart, driver of the No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing, has lived life on the right side of the law, but he’s still punished his competition with his bold driving style, especially at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill.

No NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver has more wins at Chicagoland than Stewart (three). Or laps led led (431). Or has a better average finish (8.7). Or a better average running position (7.7).

Yes, Stewart owns Chicago, and he returns to the 1.5-mile oval on the outskirts of the Windy City as the defending winner of the Geico 400 and as the defending Sprint Cup champion.

Stewart won his series-leading third race at Chicagoland in 2011 after stretching his fuel mileage over the final 52 laps to win the rain-postponed Geico 400. Stewart rallied from his 26th-place starting spot to earn the first of his five victories in 2011 – all of which came in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The 40th victory of Stewart’s Sprint Cup career sparked the Columbus, Ind., native’s drive to a third Sprint Cup title, where he became just the second driver to win the championship after winning the first Chase race, joining Kurt Busch who accomplished the feat in 2004.

Now Stewart is making his eighth appearance in the Chase, and for the second year in a row, the Chase begins at Chicagoland.

Stewart’s presence at Chicagoland makes even the most grizzled Chicago powerbrokers take notice. Of the 11 Sprint Cup races Chicagoland has hosted since its appearance on the Sprint Cup tour in 2001, Stewart has scored a pole, three wins, four top-twos, five top-threes and eight top-fives, and has finished outside the top-five only three times.

With a reconfigured point tally that has Stewart seeded third for this year’s Chase, just three points behind No. 1 seed Denny Hamlin, Stewart’s bid for another championship begins anew. And with Stewart’s history at Chicagoland, perhaps he’s best called “boss”.

TSC PR

As the action on-track heats up with NASCAR’s postseason set to begin, NASCAR, Sprint and Turner Sports announced today the launch of the sport’s first official app for iPhone and iPod Touch. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile App allows fans to follow their favorite drivers and stay on top of all the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race action, including access to race day content, schedules, standings, breaking news and more.