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Angie
PRESS RELEASE
08.18.10
JR Motorsports cemented an integral part of its future Wednesday by signing Aric Almirola to a multi-year driving contract for the company’s flagship No. 88 NASCAR Nationwide Series team starting in 2011, general manager Kelley Earnhardt announced today.
A 26-year-old native of Tampa, Fla., Almirola has 32 career Nationwide Series starts, including one for JR Motorsports in which he finished third at O’Reilly Raceway Park in July. Almirola’s full-time duties as the No. 88 driver will officially begin in 2011, but he could potentially fill the seat in select races this season while he continues to run for a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship.
“The chance to drive full time in the Nationwide Series with a top caliber team is something I am extremely excited about,” Almirola said. “I was at the shop yesterday, and Kelley gathered all the employees around to announce our deal. The energy and excitement was addicting. We raced at ORP together a month ago and had a really good run. There is no reason why we cannot compete like that every race, and there is no reason why we shouldn’t be running for a championship. I would expect nothing less.” Continue reading →
Angie
 Image by Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway via Flickr
It suddenly occurred to me that the recent incident between Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski reminded me of two guys fighting at school surrounded by a crowd of excited onlookers. Half of them are screaming “Let the boys fight,” while the other half are saying “Someone stop them please.”
I really felt like I was a kid again when I started reading the varied opinions and I couldn’t help but reflect back to lessons learned as a child.
The arguments have gone something like this. Continue reading →
Angie
 Image by Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway via Flickr
Carl Edwards won Saturday night’s Nationwide Series race at Gateway International Raceway in spectacular fashion.
An ongoing feud reared its ugly head when Keselowski bumped Edwards going into Turn 1 after a restart on lap 199. In a move that Edwards later admitted was retaliatory, he sent Keselowski into the wall on the final lap of the race. Edwards captured the win and the debate began.
For some fans, the issue is simple. If Brad Keselowski is your favorite driver then you’re on his side. On the other side are the fans of Carl Edwards who feel their driver was justified in taking the action he did.
There’s also been a lot of talk about the “driver mentality.” Drivers have long memories and when someone takes them out of a race their initial response is to return the favor. This is the way it has always been in a process that teaches drivers to give and gain respect.
Let’s not forget that many fans asked for less oversight and begged NASCAR to let the drivers be themselves. Fans wanted to see the individuality and passion of the drivers.
Racing is, after all, a dangerous sport and crashes are an inevitable part of it.
For many others, the line between right and wrong is somewhat blurred. Continue reading →
Angie
 (c) Nascar Media The Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday was one of the most widely anticipated races of the year.
The excitement began on April 29, 2010 when Earnhardt announced that he would drive the No. 3 with a special blue and yellow Wrangler paint scheme reminiscent of one his father drove in the 1980’s.
This venture was months in the making and required the cooperation of several different organizations.
“This idea came up as a way to pay tribute to my Dad,” Earnhardt said, “and it’s pretty cool that it’s a collaborative effort between JR Motorsports, RCR and DEI.” Continue reading →
Angie
 Image via Wikipedia
PRESS RELEASE
New Hampshire will mark debut for No. 88 Realtree Outfitters Chevrolet as well as Elliott Sadler‘s 10-race driving deal with JR Motorsports; Earnhardt Jr. to compete in Bristol Nationwide race in No. 88 Realtree Outfitters Chevrolet
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Wednesday, June 16, 2010) – Delta Apparel – a leading activewear and headwear manufacturer – has agreed to a partnership with JR Motorsports to promote the Realtree Outfitters licensed brand, which will receive primary placement on the No. 88 Chevrolet for five NASCAR Nationwide Series events this year, general manager Kelley Earnhardt announced today. Realtree, the camouflage brand made famous by its long-running outdoor-themed television programming, recently signed Delta Apparel to an exclusive apparel and headwear licensing deal with its Realtree Outfitters brand.
One of the five races – the Aug. 20th event at Bristol Motor Speedway – will feature team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. behind the wheel of the No. 88 Realtree Outfitters Chevrolet. Two other events – the June 26th race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Sept. 25th race at Dover International Raceway – will introduce Elliott Sadler as driver of the No. 88 Realtree Outfitters Chevy. Sadler has signed a 10-race driving agreement with JR Motorsports to drive the No. 88 car.
“I think this partnership with Delta Apparel and Realtree Outfitters is something we’re announcing now, but it started a long time ago just on mutual friendship,” said Earnhardt Jr. “Realtree has been in the sport a long time, because there is a common interest in racing and hunting. NASCAR fans wear Realtree camo.”
The complete schedule for Delta Apparel/Realtree Outfitters-sponsored races includes New Hampshire Motor Speedway (June 26), Iowa Speedway (July 31), Bristol Motor Speedway (Aug. 20), Dover International Speedway (Sept. 25), and Gateway International Raceway (Oct. 23). Drivers for Iowa and Gateway are still to be determined. Continue reading →
Angie
 I had a chance to interview Trevor Bayne at Darlington Raceway on May 7th to talk to him about his first season as a fulltime Nationwide Series regular.
As soon as we began talking, I was immediately impressed with the maturity and focus that this 19-year old possesses.
He had just finished qualifying and seemed pleased with his effort. Although Bayne felt he could have pushed a little harder, he explained his strategy.
“It’s our first time here so it’s better to have a car in one piece and still have a potentially qualifying top ten than it is going for a top three.”
His plan seemed to work and he earned a ninth place starting position for the Royal Purple 200 race later that evening. He finished the race in 16th place and advanced to the 11th position in the Nationwide Series points standings.
I asked Bayne to grade his season to date and although he was reluctant to do so, he sounded encouraged by what they have been able to accomplish thus far.
“I think we’re on the right track,” he said. “We’re definitely going in the right direction.” Continue reading →
Angie
 I recently had the opportunity to cover the NASCAR races at Darlington Raceway as a member of the media. Below is a summary of my experience, slightly skewed for entertainment purposes.
My journey began with a trip to Darlington to pick up my media credentials to cover the upcoming Nationwide and Cup Series races. While I was there, I just had to stop by the Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum.
As I stepped out of my car and looked at the faces adorning the front of the museum, I knew that I was in for a treat.
Everywhere I looked, I saw a different piece of stock car racing history.
Some things were immediately familiar like the number 43, trademark blue, 1967 Plymouth of Richard Petty.
And then there were the surprises.
Over to one side was a 1956 Ford convertible. This particular car won 22 races in a single year racing in the convertible series.
One of my favorite parts of the museum was a glass case with an array of confiscated items taken off the competitors cars.
I just had to laugh at the ingenuity of these drivers who used every advantage they could find to win…at least until they got caught. It seems like some things never change. Continue reading →
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