(photo courtesy Christa L. Thomas)

Stewart-Haas Racing has entered into a partnership with Tommy Baldwin Racing that applies the 2011 TBR #35 points to the 2012 SHR #10 GoDaddy.com Chevy.  Since the TBR#35 Chevy finished in the top 35 in points for 2011, that gives Danica . . . → Read More: Danica Gets A Guaranteed Spot For The Daytona 500]]>

(photo courtesy Christa L. Thomas)

Are you read for Danica-mania 2012?

Stewart-Haas Racing has entered into a partnership with Tommy Baldwin Racing that applies the 2011 TBR #35 points to the 2012 SHR #10 GoDaddy.com Chevy.  Since the TBR#35 Chevy finished in the top 35 in points for 2011, that gives Danica Patrick a guaranteed starting spot for the 2012 Dayton 500, as well as the following four races.

TBR’s No. 36 car, which finished the 2011 season 33rd in points, becomes the No. 10 for 2012. For the 26 races where Patrick is not scheduled to drive, David Reutimann will pilot the #10 car. TBR has sponsorship inventory available for these 26 races.

“Tommy Baldwin Racing has proven to be a very strong organization and it’s a good fit with Stewart-Haas Racing,” said Matt Borland, vice president of competition, SHR. “It’s a Chevrolet team led by a racer who knows every inch of a racecar. That kind of technical expertise, along with a company mindset that is similar to ours, provides the ideal environment for Danica to learn and succeed.”

“We’re very proud of what we’ve established at Tommy Baldwin Racing, and the opportunity to partner with Stewart-Haas Racing and aid in the development of Danica Patrick is a testament to all the hard work we’ve put in over the years,” Baldwin said. “Danica will have a great teammate in Dave Blaney, who has been instrumental in getting our race team to where it is today. And with David Reutimann driving the No. 10 car in the races where Danica is not, the team will remain in a strong and competitive position throughout the year.”

The agreement means TBR will also work with GoDaddy.com.

Baldwin will maintain a hands-on presence with the No. 10 car and will work closely with Greg Zipadelli, who serves as SHR’s director of competition. Baldwin and Zipadelli have similar backgrounds, as both grew up in the Northeast – Baldwin in Bellport, N.Y., and Zipadelli in Berlin, Conn. – and made a name for themselves as successful crew chiefs within the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour before rising up the ranks as crew chiefs in the elite Sprint Cup Series.

What we have here, folks, is a rule manipulation to accommodate SHR, Danica Patrick, and GoDaddy.com.  It is the old adage that “money talks and bulls**t walks”!!

Patrick’s 10-race Sprint Cup schedule is as follows:

· Feb. 26: Daytona 500

· May 12: Darlington (S.C.) Raceway

· May 27: Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway

· Aug. 25: Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway

· Sept. 2: Atlanta Motor Speedway

· Sept. 16: Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill.

· Sept. 30: Dover (Del.) International Speedway

· Nov. 4: Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth

· Nov. 11: Phoenix International Raceway

One more race is still to be determined, with the plan being to assess Patrick’s development as the season progresses and then choose the remaining venue based on need and competitive reasoning.

So folks get ready for the media hype of this decade, because “Danica is getting her Cup on”!

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

(Photo courtesy of the Rolex GRAND-AM Sports Car Racing Series)

It has been a long, long time, since A.J. Almendinger visited Victory Lane. In fact, “The Dinger” has not won a race since his days in the Champ Car Series, five years ago.  However, the brand new Penske Racing driver of the . . . → Read More: The Dinger Rings In The New Year With The Rolex 24]]>

(Photo courtesy of the Rolex GRAND-AM Sports Car Racing Series)

It has been a long, long time, since A.J. Almendinger visited Victory Lane. In fact, “The Dinger” has not won a race since his days in the Champ Car Series, five years ago.  However, the brand new Penske Racing driver of the #22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge has inaugurated 2012 with a win in the 50th anniversary of the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway!  What a time to shine, with all the media covering the golden anniversary of this event!

Almendinger drove his #60 Michael Shank Racing Ford-powered Riley Daytona Prototype to a 5.1- second victory over the second-place #8 Starworks Motorsports Riley Ford which was driven at the end by Ryan Dalziel.

Finishing third  and on the lead lap was Allmendinger’s sister Michael Shank Ford Riley, which was driven in the final stint by Felipe Nasr.

Sharing the seat with Allmendinger were John Pew, longtime mentor and friend,Oswaldo Negri, and IndyCar driver Justin Wilson.

“This is for Shank, man,” Allmendinger said afterward, referring to his owner, who got his first 24 victory.

Winning the GT class was the #44 Magnus Racing Porsche GT3. At the wheel on the final stint was Richard Lietz.

Could this be the beginning of an ascending Sprint Cup career for The Dinger?  There is no doubt that A.J. has moved up in quality of equipment in the Sprint Cup series with his move over to Penske Racing.  This could be the greatly needed shot in the arm for The Dinger.  Let’s see what the Bud Shootout holds for the driver of the #22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge.

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

(WOMR file photo)

Every since the, now infamous, Kyle Busch-Ron Hornaday incident at Texas Motor Speedway back in November, I have been trying to understand why the brothers Busch seem to be at the crux of almost every controversy in NASCAR these days.  As their tenure in NASCAR lengthens Kyle and . . . → Read More: The Apple Does Not Fall Far From The Tree!]]>

(WOMR file photo)

Every since the, now infamous, Kyle Busch-Ron Hornaday incident at Texas Motor Speedway back in November, I have been trying to understand why the brothers Busch seem to be at the crux of almost every controversy in NASCAR these days.  As their tenure in NASCAR lengthens Kyle and Kurt seem to be more entrenched into their attitude of “NASCAR entitlement”, kind of “us against the world”. 

I have difficulty trying to understand Kyle’s childish behavior and negativism towards the press when he has not won a race.  Yet, on his winning nights, he is Mr. Personality.  To me a sure case of either, multiple personalities, Jekyll and Hyde, or more likely, “us against the world” mentality.

Likewise, I have been pondering many of the same questions in regards to Kyle’s older brother, Kurt.  For most of the 2011 season, Kurt’s radio transmissions from the race have made the headlines on ESPN weekly.  This year Kurt has been noted more for his “radio meltdowns” than for winning races!

However, the ultimate “meltdown” came at Homestead in the final race of the 2011 season.  That profanity laced attack on ESPN’s Dr. Jerry Punch was the straw that broke the camel’s back at Penske Racing!  Kurt was summarily dismissed from his very lucrative contract at Penske Racing after his tirade.

As race car drivers, the brothers Busch are extremely talented young men.  Nevertheless, they both are very intolerant, impatient, arrogant, rude, crude, and socially unacceptable!  Both brothers have had a very difficult time working with crew chiefs.  Poor Steve Addington received a double dose of the brothers Busch, once at JGR with Kyle, and last year at Penske with Kurt.  He has since resigned from Penske and is now taking on another steep challenge with Tony Stewart!

Both of the Busch brothers have had run-ins with local law enforcement agencies, as well.  Back in 2005, Kurt had a brush with the law at the fall race in Phoenix on a Saturday evening. He was apparently pulled over on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and cited for reckless driving while leaving the Phoenix International Raceway.  The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputy that pulled Kurt over stated that he was “argumentative and uncooperative”.  That led to Jack Roush to immediately terminate the 2004 Sprint cup champion with two races left in the season!

Kyle’s problem occurred earlier in 2011 when he and his wife decided to take a like “joy ride” and test out the new Lexus.  Ol Kylie was clocked doing 128 MPH in a 45 MPH zone!  I think that might be just a little excessive, and for most drivers that would justify the police officer cuffing the driver and escorting him downtown to the “pokey”!  Kyle did not suffer that consequence, however.

How can these two brothers constantly be in hot water?

I think that I have come up with a possible reason!  I remember reading an article that Rebecca Gladden, a member of the NASCAR citizen’s media corp, had written back in November of 2011 titled, “The Keys to Understanding the Busch Brothers”.  Ms. Gladden wrote that back in 2008 she read an article written by Raygan Swann, and therein lies some very interesting insights to the Brothers Busch.

In that article Mr. Swann explains that back in 2008 Gayle Busch, Kyle and Kurt’s mother, was to participate in the Mother’s Day festivities at Darlington Raceway, and would be introduced to the crowd with both of her sons, Kurt and Kyle.

According to the article, Mrs. Busch was concerned because the previous weekend, Kyle was involved in a crash with Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Richmond. “There will be a lot of hurt feelings this weekend, it will be very hard on me walking across the stage in front of Junior Nation,” she said, hinting at her disdain for Earnhardt Jr.’s fans.

Then, Gaye Busch continued: “I’ve always told Kurt and Kyle to keep their chins up and let it roll off their shoulders, get used to it. Sorry my boys weren’t born in the South and sorry they win.”

So ladies and gentlemen, there you have it in a nutshell as to why Kurt and Kyle act the way that they do, and the reason that they have the “us against the world” attitude!  Their attitudes were well formulated by their parents!  It appears that their intolerance, arrogance, and their “us against the world” attitudes were cultivated and reinforced right from the get-go at home!

Do you remember the old adage, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”?  Well, here is proof positive that old saying is still alive, well, and neatly cultivated within the Busch Family!

What are your views regarding Kurt, Kyle, and their “us against the world” attitude?

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

(photo courtesy Joe Sabo/AP)

NASCAR officials plan to re-evaluate its “boys have at it” policy going into the 2012 season and could strengthen its stance against drivers retaliating on the track. NASCAR loosened the reins on drivers in 2010, allowing them to police themselves on the track and retaliate when they believed . . . → Read More: “Boys Have At It” Revisited?]]>

(photo courtesy Joe Sabo/AP)

NASCAR officials plan to re-evaluate its “boys have at it” policy going into the 2012 season and could strengthen its stance against drivers retaliating on the track. NASCAR loosened the reins on drivers in 2010, allowing them to police themselves on the track and retaliate when they believed another driver had intentionally wrecked them. The incidents intensified in 2011, and NASCAR officials acknowledged that things might have gotten out of hand near the end of the season.

“We reflect on that at the end of the year and the season hasn’t started yet, but there are some things that a group of us will sit down and talk about, and that is one of them,” NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said Thursday. “There were times that it got out of hand, and we’re going to discuss what out of hand really is moving forward.”

Pemberton said he doesn’t believe the trend of retaliation in general got out of hand, although specific incidents may have crossed the line. Pemberton, who coined the phrase “boys have at it” in 2010, believes NASCAR’s original position of allowing drivers to police themselves still works. “It’s working pretty well. It goes in stages,” he said. “It works pretty well, then somebody gets outside the box and everybody gets the message and it goes back to working pretty well. But we can’t take all of that for granted.”

It is the opinion of WOMR that the idea of “boys have at it” has, for the most part worked very well.  But as human beings will do from time to time, some of these drivers have taken the “eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” a little too vigorously!  Witness the now infamous incident with ol Kylie Busch and Ron Hornaday at Texas.  That is obviously a time when the driver went over the line!

If we recall the two Carl Edwards and “Blazingly Bad” Brad Keselowski at Atlanta and Gateway, likewise, those two incidents were over the line.  Nevertheless, NASCAR did not summarily park Carl for his intentional crashing of “Bad Brad” at either race track. How about Brian Vickers deliberately sticking Tony Stewart into the tires at Infineon Raceway?  Do you remember Vickers, again, pushing Matt Kenseth down the back straight at Phoenix and parking him into the retaining wall in turn #3?

Then the question begs to be asked, why were those incidents any different from ol Kylie’s sticking ‘s nose first into the wall?  NASCAR never addressed that issue in its dealings of Edwards’ multiple indiscretions, nor did they ever address Vickers’ inability to find his own brake pedal on more than one occasion!

Once again it is the opinion of WOMR that NASCAR, in fact, really does need to revisit the policy of “boys have at it”.  However, NASCAR’s main focus really ought to be on their ability to make accurate, uniform, and fair judgmental decisions across the board!  It is very obvious when a driver crosses the line.  That is when NASCAR should take the matter in their hands and adjudicate the matter appropriately.

If there is any problem with the philosophy of “boys have at it”, it is in the lack of uniformity that NASCAR has in their policing of the “crossing the line” of the aforementioned policy.  Maybe Robin Pemberton and Mike Helton need to have an “internal investigation” to see what part they may have played in the elevation of the driver retaliation.  Obviously, it is WOMR’s opinion that NASCAR’s inability to uniformly and equally apply the rules to all the drivers equally, that may have allowed the gray area to develop, consequently, inviting the drivers to cross the line of civility!

What are your views?

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

(photo courtesy of Christa L. Thomas)

When Rick Hendrick pulled “the big crew chief swap” last year he wasn’t really sure if the paring of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Steve Latarte was really going to work as a team.  As the season closed out, he realized that . . . → Read More: Dale Jr. and Latarte Worked Well As A Team In 2011]]>

 

(photo courtesy of Christa L. Thomas)

The big crew chief swap

When Rick Hendrick pulled “the big crew chief swap” last year he wasn’t really sure if the paring of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Steve Latarte was really going to work as a team.  As the season closed out, he realized that his experiment was very successful.  As a results, the third generation driver, Dale, Jr., has realized that he doesn’t want Hendrick to mess with that team combination for 2012!

“As soon as I got in the truck in the morning (at the track), I never left until the day was over with,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “I never did that in my entire career until (last) year. I always went back to the bus in between practices. I was never there early.”

It was evident from the team’s performance last season the two men work well together. In their inaugural season, Earnhardt Jr. enjoyed his best performance since 2006 when he placed fifth in the series points. Even though he didn’t possess a victory when the 2011 season ended, he was close on at least two occasions, he had made the Chase for the first time since 2008 and he had collected four top-5s and 12 top-10s en route to a seventh-place finish in the driver standings.

The Tony Eury,Sr. comparison

For Earnhardt Jr., last year was the first time he’d had a crew chief that was “tough” on him since his NASCAR Busch (now Nationwide) Series days when he won two championships, 1998-99. Then it was Tony Eury Sr., better known as “Pops”, who oversaw the team. Dale Earnhardt wanted “Pops” to take care of his son when he couldn’t be there and he did.

“Pops is really hard, strict, but he doesn’t want detailed reports or written feedback,” Earnhardt Jr. explained. “He doesn’t need you there early to talk to you. He’s a man of very few words, but when you messed up, you were in trouble; you got your tail chewed off. Steve doesn’t do that, but Pops’ approach is just as effective. Both ways you’re accountable or you’re not going to be there. But Pops is a little more like a drill sergeant and Steve’s a lot more like a cheerleader. Steve is a little more structured. Pops is as good as anybody in the sport, but they’re two different approaches.”

“I told him (Latarte) during the off-season, ‘I worry that you’re going to relax a little bit the more we’re together, the more we become friends,’ he might let me off the hook and I don’t want that to happen,” Earnhardt Jr. said during the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour presented by Charlotte Motor Speedway. “Steve has his expectations, his rules; this is what you’re going to do. I need this from you. That was good.”

The Hendrick experiment was validated

During the two men’s inaugural season together, Earnhardt Jr. experienced something for the first time in his career: Expectations from a crew chief that involved more than simply showing up with a helmet and driving. Now the 37-year-old Earnhardt Jr. is expected to complete forms about each race, provide information on the car and participate in discussions about it in the garage.

Hendrick believes the Earnhardt Jr./Letarte team will show its potential in 2012, and be very comparable to the Dale,Jr./ Pops combination.  That combination of Pops and Dale, Jr. netted the driver and crew chief two successive Nationwide titles before stepping up to the Sprint cup level!

Being a charter member of Junior Nation, I, too, am very hopeful that this is a year that will give Junior Nation the opportunity to celebrate in victory lane on more than one occasion!

What are your views?

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

(photo courtesy Ford Racing)

Ford Racing has revealed the brand new Ford Fusion for the 2013 Sprint Cup season at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, during the NASCAR Media Tour.  The 2013 Fusion features a completely new redesign that actually mirrors the 2013 Ford Fusion production car that is for the public to . . . → Read More: 2013 Sprint Cup Ford Fusion Revealed]]>

(photo courtesy Ford Racing)

Ford Racing has revealed the brand new Ford Fusion for the 2013 Sprint Cup season at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, during the NASCAR Media Tour.  The 2013 Fusion features a completely new redesign that actually mirrors the 2013 Ford Fusion production car that is for the public to purchase.  With this redesign, Ford is returning brand identity to the race track!

The 2013 Ford Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup race car unveiled today as part of the NASCAR Media Tour was conceived by the Ford engineers in an effort to bring back brand identity to the race track.  As you can see, Ford has done an outstanding job mirroring the 2013 production model of the 2013 Ford Fusion and mating it to the 21013 Sprint Cup specifications!

It would appear that, in 2013, the race fans will be able to differentiate visually between a Ford , a Chevy, and a Toyota by sight, something that has been desperately lacking in the last few years.  This may the first step in returning to the glory days of NASCAR.  Prior to NASCAR mandating the common templates of the CoT, there were visual differences in race cars that were brand associated.  Back then the slogan was, win on Sunday, sell on Monday!

Maybe NASCAR is returning to its roots!

What are your views on the return to brand identity for NASCAR?

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

(photo courtesy Kyle Busch Motorsports)

Kyle Busch has learned from the mistakes he made last season and he is ready to make a fresh go of it in 2012. Busch said during Monday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Media Tour he knows he can’t continue to . . . → Read More: The New Kyle Busch?]]>

(photo courtesy Kyle Busch Motorsports)

The 2012 version of “The New Kyle Busch”

Kyle Busch has learned from the mistakes he made last season and he is ready to make a fresh go of it in 2012. Busch said during Monday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Media Tour he knows he can’t continue to display the kinds of emotional actions that led to so much controversy, and one might add, much more trouble last year.  Therein lies the reason for the 2012 version of the old version of “The New Kyle Busch”!

“I’ve got fans all the time that tell me they don’t want to see me change,” Busch said. “I’ve tried to keep that, but ultimately, it’s not going to work. If you keep getting in trouble, you’re not going to be here very long. I’m trying to change something.”

Although Joe Gibbs Racing management hasn’t officially commented on Busch’s limited Nationwide Series schedule this season, which will see time spent in both a Kyle Busch Motorsports entry, as well as a JGR ride, but no truck series starts, it is speculated sponsor M&M’s also had a say in the decision. Busch insists he has support from his race team, sponsors and most importantly his family and friends that have helped him work through the situation and concentrate on moving ahead in his life both professionally and personally.

Are we ready for the Busch brothers teamed together?

Ol Kylie will team with his brother “Potty Mouth” Kurt at KBM this year in the Nationwide Series. “I was feeling pretty good about our ownership chances in Nationwide, that’s going to be hard to beat,” J.D. Gibbs said about the Busch brothers pairing.” Joe Gibbs said he wasn’t in the discussions of Kyle racing for his own team. “I will say that I was not in that meeting or we would not be doing this,” Gibbs said. “These two (Busch and J.D. Gibbs) got together and somehow we are now racing against him.”

As for the day when KBM might be elevated to a Sprint Cup operation, Busch sees it down the road because of all the current complications associated with such a move. “That’s obviously something I look forward to doing,” Busch said. “The Cup side is kind of difficult just due to the constrictions that NASCAR puts on all of us with me driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. Essentially I could have one team, but if JGR ever went to four teams I would have to shut mine down so that makes it tough.”

As long as ol Kylie drives for JGR, or for that matter any Sprint Cup team, bringing KBM to the Sprint Cup level would count against his owner towards the maximum of four race teams.  Thereby, complicating the issue of elevating KBM to the Sprint Cup level while still driving for another race team.

Backed themselves into a corner

So for you die-hard Kylie fans who love “the bad boy image” of Kyle Busch, think about what just happened to his role model, big brother Kurt!  Big brother was summarily fired from his second race team!  Kurt did find employment with Phoenix Racing for 2012, not exactly a Roush-Fenway Racing or a Penske Racing caliber team.

It is my opinion that the Busch brothers are very edgy with their “us against the world”mentality.  That attitude has caused both brothers some problems with their car owners and sponsors.  Witness what happened to Kurt at the end of 2011, proof positive of the Busch attitude being problematic!  Additionally, the JGR/M&M’s difficulty, M&M’s removing sponsorship from Kyle for the last two races of 2011, only goes to fortify the thought that “the bad boy” image can only go so far before that attitude categorizes you as a persona non grata in the sport!

What are your thoughts on the teaming of the Busch brothers at Kyle Busch Motorsports?

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

(WOMR file photo)

So guys, stop me if you have heard this one. Billy Moyer,Sr. has now won three of the first five A mains in the 2012 Wild West Shootout for Late Models!  So far in this year’s show, . . . → Read More: Billy Moyer,Sr. Wins Again At The Wild West Shootout]]>

Getting ready for a night of dirt tracking' @ USA Raceway

(WOMR file photo)

So guys, stop me if you have heard this one. Billy Moyer,Sr. has now won three of the first five A mains in the 2012 Wild West Shootout for Late Models!  So far in this year’s show, Moyer has shown why he has won 755 A main events over the duration of his fabled Late Model career.  Moyer started from the outside of the front row, and it only took two laps for “Mr. Smooth” to drive around the leader, Jeff Provinzin, never to be challenged for the remainder of the race!

Following Moyer across the finish line was Provinzin in second, John Kirby running third, Terry Phillips,and rounding out the top five was Don Shaw.

Waiting to get on the track

(WOMR file photo)

On the modified side of The Wild West Shootout, it was Stormy Scott, who once again, showed the rest of the modifiers the fastest and shortest way around USA Raceway.  Even though Scott had a very serious challenge from RC Whitwell, who started along side of Scott on the front row, Scott was able to keep a very comfortable margin separating himself from Whitwell.

Trailing Scott and Whitwell to the finish line was Jason Hughes in third, Ronny Sanders, and rounding out the top five was Johnny Scott, Stormy Scott’s twin brother!

Over the past nine days, the level of competition at USA Raceway has been outstanding.  While all the rest of the country is experiencing the throes of winter, Tucson,AZ,  has been enjoying clear skies, temperatures in the low 70′s, and some extremely hot racing!

The Wild West Shootout culminates tomorrow with a Sunday afternoon shootout!

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

(WOMR file photo)

While most of the rest of the USA is suffering from either extreme cold, snow, or rain, here in Tucson the sun was shining, the temperature was balmy 71 degrees, and the best late model racers were getting ready to put on a world class race clinic for the . . . → Read More: Billy Moyer, Sr. Wins Night #4 Of the Wild West Shootout]]>

(WOMR file photo)

While most of the rest of the USA is suffering from either extreme cold, snow, or rain, here in Tucson the sun was shining, the temperature was balmy 71 degrees, and the best late model racers were getting ready to put on a world class race clinic for the race fans!

The warm sunshine was only a precursor for what was to happen on the 4th night of The Wild West Shootout.  As the sun was setting in the west, the race cars rolled out on the track, and the drivers began to mash on the “loud pedal”.

The late model A main was won by extremely fast, and silky smooth Billy Moyer,Sr.  Moyer started on the outside front row, along side of T-Mac, Tim McCreadie.  For the first two laps those two were running door-handle to door-handle.  However, it was Moyer who was able to slowly drive away from McCreadie, and established a comfortable lead for the entire 30 lap race.

Following McCreadie in the late model A main, was Will Vaught in third place, Brad Looney finishing in fourth place, and rounding out the top five was Shannon Babb.

Not to be over showed was the modified A main this Friday night.  The winner of Friday night’s modified race was Stormy Scott.  Following Stormy Scott to the checkered flag was Johnny Scott.  Finishing in third place was Aaron Turnbull, followed by Dereck Ramirez, and filling out the top five was Fito Gallardo, all from Las Cruces, NM!

So with just two races left in this year’s Wild West Shootout here in Tucson, the racing is getting as hot as the Georgia asphalt in the middle of July!

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

 Kyle Busch Motorsports announced that it has signed a multi-year agreement with Monster Energy Company as primary sponsor of the team’s #54 Monster Energy Camry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Team owner Kyle Busch, the all-time race winning driver in the history of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will share . . . → Read More: KBM Announces Their 2012 Schedule]]>

(photo courtesy KBM)

 Kyle Busch Motorsports announced that it has signed a multi-year agreement with Monster Energy Company as primary sponsor of the team’s #54 Monster Energy Camry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Team owner Kyle Busch, the all-time race winning driver in the history of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will share driving duties with his brother Kurt Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion. Kyle will drive the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway and the subsequent four races through California before splitting the balance of the season with Kurt.

The team’s goal will be to capture an Owner’s Championship in its inaugural race season, similar to the Owner’s Championship accomplished by KBM in its first full season in the Camping World Truck Series in 2010. The development of this duo as teammates fits perfectly for primary team sponsor Monster Energy, who forgoes traditional forms of advertising and instead seeks brand exposure through the use of Extreme Athletes. With Monster Energy looking for increased presence across the NASCAR fan base, the company identified the Busch brothers as the drivers that best fit its family of Monster Energy Team Athletes.

To complement the driver lineup, and ensure a strong competitive advantage, KBM brings industry veteran and winning crew chief Mike Beam into the fold as the #54 Monster Energy Camry team leader. Beam is a long-time fixture in NASCAR who has accomplished career victories across all three major touring series. At an early age, Mike became a successful contributor towards a variety of competitive racing organizations including Petty Enterprises and Roush Fenway Racing.

This announcement is very interesting!  With the new KBM entry into the Nationwide Series, it will combine the efforts of two of the most polarizing, and talented young race car drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup garage.  However, both brothers exhibit a very volatile, unfettered, and at times extremely unfocused attention span!

In light of this past season’s peculiarities, when both brothers ran afoul with the media, their sponsors, and at times with their car owners, it is worth keeping an eye out for just where these two brothers lead this race team!  KBM could possibly take the Nationwide Series by storm, just as was the case when KyBu entered into the Camping World Truck Series just a few short years ago.

What are your views on KBM’s entry into the Nationwide Series?

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!