AMP Energy takes you into the life and passenger seat of NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Jr. and AMP teamed up in a series of behind-the-scenes videos, allowing fans to ride shotgun with the legendary driver, on and off the track. Buckle up as Dale Jr. races go karts at his home, Dirty Mo Acres, in the video trailer seen here: http://www.youtube.com/user/AMPEnergyDrinks . No race is too small!
To see more in-depth, behind-the-scenes footage of the high-adrenaline life of Dale Earnhardt Jr., check out AMP Energy’s seven-minute feature documentary – Shotgun – only at www.ampenergy.com.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Daytona Pictures
Most of my Daytona pics are up. If you wish to view them please go here: Daytona 2009 and click on "Slideshow" in the upper right corner.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Nationwide crew chiefs fined for Fontana violations
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR announced Wednesday that two Nationwide Series crew chiefs have been fined due to rule violations discovered during this past weekend's event at Auto Club Speedway.
Brad Hicks, crew chief of the No. 01 Chevrolet driven by Danny O'Quinn Jr., and Corrie Stott, crew chief for the No. 02 Chevrolet of driver Andy Ponstein, have each been fined $2,000 for violating Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock-car racing); 12-4-1 (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20A-12.1A(10) (jacking bolt must be made of solid magnetic steel: hollow bolt) of the 2009 Nationwide Series rule book.
The infractions were discovered on Feb. 21 during pre-qualifying inspection.
Brad Hicks, crew chief of the No. 01 Chevrolet driven by Danny O'Quinn Jr., and Corrie Stott, crew chief for the No. 02 Chevrolet of driver Andy Ponstein, have each been fined $2,000 for violating Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock-car racing); 12-4-1 (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20A-12.1A(10) (jacking bolt must be made of solid magnetic steel: hollow bolt) of the 2009 Nationwide Series rule book.
The infractions were discovered on Feb. 21 during pre-qualifying inspection.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
I'm Back
Hey folks! We're back from our vacation. Unfortunately my husband and I caught a head cold on our first day traveling home to New Jersey. Ugh!
I feel awful, so please give me a day or two to catch up.
I feel awful, so please give me a day or two to catch up.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Daytona Bound!
My husband, Gunner and I will be leaving for Florida first thing tomorrow morning. I will not be blogging while we are on vacation.
See ya when we get back to New Jersey!
See ya when we get back to New Jersey!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The Gatorade Duels
The Gatorade Duel at Daytona is the largest-attended weekday sporting event in America. The two 150-mile qualifying races will determine the starting lineup for the Daytona 500. From 1959-1968, the races were 100 miles in length; beginning in 1969, the distance was extended to 125 miles; and the current length was implemented in 2005.
The Daytona 500 uses a different qualifying procedure than any other race in the world. On qualifying day, the fastest two cars will solidify their starting spots for the Daytona 500, earning the pole and outside pole positions. The fastest qualifier will earn the pole for both the Daytona 500 and the first 150-mile Gatorade Duel qualifying race. In addition to the polesitter, the odd-number positions (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.) of the highest-ranked 35 finishers in the previous year's Sprint Cup Series car owner points standings will be assigned to the first qualifier.
The second-fastest qualifier earns the outside pole for the Daytona 500 and will start on the pole for the second 150-mile Gatorade Duel qualifying race. In addition to the second-fastest qualifier, the even-number positions (2nd, 4th, 6th, etc.) of the highest-ranked 35 finishers in the previous year's series owner points standings will be assigned to the second qualifier.
The lineup for each qualifying race will be set based upon the qualifying speeds in the time trials for all cars, including those who are among the highest-ranked 35 in the final 2007 car owner point standings. The highest-ranked 35 designation does not determine the car's starting position, only the assignment of its 150-mile qualifying event. Additional cars that were not among the highest-ranked 35 in the previous year's series owner points will be alternated between the first and second 150-mile qualifying events using an odd-even format.
The odd-number positions will be assigned to the first qualifier while the even-number positions will be assigned to the second qualifier. The odd-even positions are not determined by where the car qualified in the overall field, but their specific qualifying order among those cars not part of the highest-ranked 35 group.
A maximum of 66 cars will be permitted to compete between the two qualifying races, and all cars must compete in one of these events to be eligible for the Daytona 500. Starting positions for the Daytona 500 will be designated for the highest-ranked 35 positions from the previous year's series owner point standings from each qualifier, the two-highest finishing cars in each qualifier not among that highest-ranked 35 group and the two front-row qualifiers.
The balance of the 43-car field will be filled by the fastest remaining qualifiers who have not earned a starting position, with the exception of the 43rd position which will be assigned to an eligible former or current series champion. Should there not be an eligible champion, the position will be assigned to the next fastest qualifier not in the field.
Dale Earnhardt leads all drivers with 12 victories in this event, including a remarkable 10-year winning streak from 1990-99. Cale Yarborough ranks second with six wins. Only seven times has the winner of a 125-mile race gone on to win the Daytona 500. Fireball Roberts was the first to do so, in 1962. Yarborough did it twice, in 1977 and 1984. Bill Elliott (1985), Bobby Allison (1988), Sterling Marlin (1995) and Earnhardt (1998) also have accomplished the feat.
Gatorade Duel 1 | Daytona International Speedway, Feb 12 2009
Position, Car#Driver Name, Make, Sponsor
1, #1, Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, Bass Pro Shops / Tracker
2, #21, Bill Elliott, Ford, Motorcraft
3, #48, Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, Lowe's
4, #8, Aric Almirola, Chevrolet, Guitar Hero
5, #24, Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, DuPont
6, #14, Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, Office Depot / Old Spice
7, #98, Paul Menard, Ford, Quaker State / Menards
8, #16, Greg Biffle, Ford, 3M
9, #187, Joe Nemechek, Toyota, NEMCO Motorsports
10, #20, Joey Logano*, Toyota, The Home Depot
11, #17, Matt Kenseth, Ford, Dewalt
12, #26, Jamie McMurray, Ford, Crown Royal
13, #6, David Ragan, Ford, UPS
14, #47, Marcos Ambrose, Toyota, Little Debbie / Kingsford / Clorox
15, #36, Scott Riggs, Toyota, Tommy Baldwin Racing
16, #55, Michael Waltrip, Toyota, NAPA
17, #34, John Andretti, Chevrolet, Window World
18, #9, Brad Keselowski, Chevrolet, Miccosukee Resort & Gaming
19, #9, Kasey Kahne, Dodge, Budweiser
20, #7, Robby Gordon, Toyota, Jim Beam
21, #7, Casey Mears, Chevrolet, Jack Daniel's
22, #2, Kurt Busch, Dodge, Miller Lite
23, #77, Sam Hornish Jr., Dodge, Mobil 1
24, #127, Kirk Shelmerdine, Toyota, Kirk Shelmerdine Racing
25, #37, Tony Raines, Dodge, Long John Silver's
26, #66, Terry Labonte, Toyota, Window World
27, #123, Mike Skinner, Chevrolet, Mahindra Tractors
28, #146, Carl Long, Dodge, Romeo Guest Construction
Gatorade Duel 2 | Daytona International Speedway, Feb 12 2009
Position, Car#Driver Name, Make, Sponsor
1, #5, Mark Martin, Chevrolet, Kellogg's / Carquest
2, #39, Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, U.S. Army
3, #42, Juan Montoya, Chevrolet, Target
4, #28, Travis Kvapil, Ford, Golden Corral
5, #96, Bobby Labonte, Ford, Ask.com
6, #88, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, Amp Energy / National Guard
7, #78, Regan Smith, Chevrolet, Furniture Row Racing
8, #18, Kyle Busch, Toyota, M&M's
9, #82, Scott Speed*, Toyota, Red Bull
10, #0, David Reutimann, Toyota, Aaron's Dream Machine
11, #8, Boris Said, Ford, U.S. Chrome / Scotts Bonus S Max
12, #33, Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, Cheerios / Hamburger Helper
13, #11, Denny Hamlin, Toyota, FedEx Express
14, #99, Carl Edwards, Ford, Aflac
15, #43, Reed Sorenson, Dodge, McDonald's
16, #19, Elliott Sadler, Dodge, Stanley
17, #31, Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, Caterpillar
18, #83, Brian Vickers, Toyota, Red Bull
19, #44, A.J. Allmendinger, Dodge, Valvoline
20, #12, David Stremme, Dodge, Penske Racing
21, #41, Jeremy Mayfield, Toyota, All Sport
22, #171, Mike Wallace, Chevrolet, TRG Motorsports
23, #73, Mike Garvey, Dodge, Jani-King
24, #29, Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, Shell / Pennzoil
25, #175, Derrike Cope, Dodge, Blu Frog Energy Drink
26, #51, Kelly Bires, Dodge, BlackJack Racing
27, #64, Geoff Bodine, Toyota, Gunselman Motorsports
28, #157, Norm Benning, Chevrolet, Benning Racing
The Daytona 500 uses a different qualifying procedure than any other race in the world. On qualifying day, the fastest two cars will solidify their starting spots for the Daytona 500, earning the pole and outside pole positions. The fastest qualifier will earn the pole for both the Daytona 500 and the first 150-mile Gatorade Duel qualifying race. In addition to the polesitter, the odd-number positions (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.) of the highest-ranked 35 finishers in the previous year's Sprint Cup Series car owner points standings will be assigned to the first qualifier.
The second-fastest qualifier earns the outside pole for the Daytona 500 and will start on the pole for the second 150-mile Gatorade Duel qualifying race. In addition to the second-fastest qualifier, the even-number positions (2nd, 4th, 6th, etc.) of the highest-ranked 35 finishers in the previous year's series owner points standings will be assigned to the second qualifier.
The lineup for each qualifying race will be set based upon the qualifying speeds in the time trials for all cars, including those who are among the highest-ranked 35 in the final 2007 car owner point standings. The highest-ranked 35 designation does not determine the car's starting position, only the assignment of its 150-mile qualifying event. Additional cars that were not among the highest-ranked 35 in the previous year's series owner points will be alternated between the first and second 150-mile qualifying events using an odd-even format.
The odd-number positions will be assigned to the first qualifier while the even-number positions will be assigned to the second qualifier. The odd-even positions are not determined by where the car qualified in the overall field, but their specific qualifying order among those cars not part of the highest-ranked 35 group.
A maximum of 66 cars will be permitted to compete between the two qualifying races, and all cars must compete in one of these events to be eligible for the Daytona 500. Starting positions for the Daytona 500 will be designated for the highest-ranked 35 positions from the previous year's series owner point standings from each qualifier, the two-highest finishing cars in each qualifier not among that highest-ranked 35 group and the two front-row qualifiers.
The balance of the 43-car field will be filled by the fastest remaining qualifiers who have not earned a starting position, with the exception of the 43rd position which will be assigned to an eligible former or current series champion. Should there not be an eligible champion, the position will be assigned to the next fastest qualifier not in the field.
Dale Earnhardt leads all drivers with 12 victories in this event, including a remarkable 10-year winning streak from 1990-99. Cale Yarborough ranks second with six wins. Only seven times has the winner of a 125-mile race gone on to win the Daytona 500. Fireball Roberts was the first to do so, in 1962. Yarborough did it twice, in 1977 and 1984. Bill Elliott (1985), Bobby Allison (1988), Sterling Marlin (1995) and Earnhardt (1998) also have accomplished the feat.
Gatorade Duel 1 | Daytona International Speedway, Feb 12 2009
Position, Car#Driver Name, Make, Sponsor
1, #1, Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, Bass Pro Shops / Tracker
2, #21, Bill Elliott, Ford, Motorcraft
3, #48, Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, Lowe's
4, #8, Aric Almirola, Chevrolet, Guitar Hero
5, #24, Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, DuPont
6, #14, Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, Office Depot / Old Spice
7, #98, Paul Menard, Ford, Quaker State / Menards
8, #16, Greg Biffle, Ford, 3M
9, #187, Joe Nemechek, Toyota, NEMCO Motorsports
10, #20, Joey Logano*, Toyota, The Home Depot
11, #17, Matt Kenseth, Ford, Dewalt
12, #26, Jamie McMurray, Ford, Crown Royal
13, #6, David Ragan, Ford, UPS
14, #47, Marcos Ambrose, Toyota, Little Debbie / Kingsford / Clorox
15, #36, Scott Riggs, Toyota, Tommy Baldwin Racing
16, #55, Michael Waltrip, Toyota, NAPA
17, #34, John Andretti, Chevrolet, Window World
18, #9, Brad Keselowski, Chevrolet, Miccosukee Resort & Gaming
19, #9, Kasey Kahne, Dodge, Budweiser
20, #7, Robby Gordon, Toyota, Jim Beam
21, #7, Casey Mears, Chevrolet, Jack Daniel's
22, #2, Kurt Busch, Dodge, Miller Lite
23, #77, Sam Hornish Jr., Dodge, Mobil 1
24, #127, Kirk Shelmerdine, Toyota, Kirk Shelmerdine Racing
25, #37, Tony Raines, Dodge, Long John Silver's
26, #66, Terry Labonte, Toyota, Window World
27, #123, Mike Skinner, Chevrolet, Mahindra Tractors
28, #146, Carl Long, Dodge, Romeo Guest Construction
Gatorade Duel 2 | Daytona International Speedway, Feb 12 2009
Position, Car#Driver Name, Make, Sponsor
1, #5, Mark Martin, Chevrolet, Kellogg's / Carquest
2, #39, Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, U.S. Army
3, #42, Juan Montoya, Chevrolet, Target
4, #28, Travis Kvapil, Ford, Golden Corral
5, #96, Bobby Labonte, Ford, Ask.com
6, #88, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, Amp Energy / National Guard
7, #78, Regan Smith, Chevrolet, Furniture Row Racing
8, #18, Kyle Busch, Toyota, M&M's
9, #82, Scott Speed*, Toyota, Red Bull
10, #0, David Reutimann, Toyota, Aaron's Dream Machine
11, #8, Boris Said, Ford, U.S. Chrome / Scotts Bonus S Max
12, #33, Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, Cheerios / Hamburger Helper
13, #11, Denny Hamlin, Toyota, FedEx Express
14, #99, Carl Edwards, Ford, Aflac
15, #43, Reed Sorenson, Dodge, McDonald's
16, #19, Elliott Sadler, Dodge, Stanley
17, #31, Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, Caterpillar
18, #83, Brian Vickers, Toyota, Red Bull
19, #44, A.J. Allmendinger, Dodge, Valvoline
20, #12, David Stremme, Dodge, Penske Racing
21, #41, Jeremy Mayfield, Toyota, All Sport
22, #171, Mike Wallace, Chevrolet, TRG Motorsports
23, #73, Mike Garvey, Dodge, Jani-King
24, #29, Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, Shell / Pennzoil
25, #175, Derrike Cope, Dodge, Blu Frog Energy Drink
26, #51, Kelly Bires, Dodge, BlackJack Racing
27, #64, Geoff Bodine, Toyota, Gunselman Motorsports
28, #157, Norm Benning, Chevrolet, Benning Racing
Monday, February 09, 2009
Nasty ARCA Racing Crash
ARCA RE/MAX series driver Patrick Sheltra (60) is reportedly in stable condition following a jaw-dropping wreck during the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 on Saturday.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Holy Wreck Fest!
If tonight's shootout is a taste of what's to come on February 15th, then it should be quite the race.
Congratulations to Kevin Harvick and the entire RCR organization for winning the shootout.
I don't think I've seen so much action in such little time as I did tonight. It was quite apparent that the drivers didn't plan on bringing their cars back in one piece. I think there were five cars that finished the race.
It was also quite apparent that Kyle Busch is and will always be a punk. Pushing is wonderful except when it's in the corner, however Kyle doesn't care where he bump drafts. Pfft.
By the way, I wonder what Scott Speed and Joey Logano think about Daytona now?
I am not sure how many more times I will be posting before we leave for Florida. We are leaving on Tuesday (due to some personal issues it may be later) and I won't have access to a computer until we return on or around the 20th.
Congratulations to Kevin Harvick and the entire RCR organization for winning the shootout.
I don't think I've seen so much action in such little time as I did tonight. It was quite apparent that the drivers didn't plan on bringing their cars back in one piece. I think there were five cars that finished the race.
It was also quite apparent that Kyle Busch is and will always be a punk. Pushing is wonderful except when it's in the corner, however Kyle doesn't care where he bump drafts. Pfft.
By the way, I wonder what Scott Speed and Joey Logano think about Daytona now?
I am not sure how many more times I will be posting before we leave for Florida. We are leaving on Tuesday (due to some personal issues it may be later) and I won't have access to a computer until we return on or around the 20th.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Volusia Mall Schedule
This is the schedule for the Volusia Mall interviews (or you can always listen to FastTalk if you get PRN)...
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Kurt Busch, #2 Miller Lite Dodge
Sam Hornish, #77 Mobile One Dodge
David Stremme, #2 Alltel Dodge
David Reutimann, #00 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
Marcos Ambrose, #45 Little Debbie Toyota
Johnny Benson, #1 Red Horse Racing
Ron Hornaday, #33 Camping World Series Chevy
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Carl Edwards, #99 Aflac Ford
Clint Bowyer, #33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevy
Ryan Newman, #39 US Army Chevy
Jeff Gordon, #24 Dupont Chevy
Jimmie Johnson, #48 Lowes Chevy
Tony Stewart, #14 Office Depot/ Old Spice Chevy
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Denny Hamlin, #11 Fed Ex Toyota
Kasey Kahne, #9 Budweiser Dodge
Elliott Sadler, #19 Best Buy Dodge
Greg Biffle, #16 3M Ford
Dale Earnhardt Jr, #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevy
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Kurt Busch, #2 Miller Lite Dodge
Sam Hornish, #77 Mobile One Dodge
David Stremme, #2 Alltel Dodge
David Reutimann, #00 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
Marcos Ambrose, #45 Little Debbie Toyota
Johnny Benson, #1 Red Horse Racing
Ron Hornaday, #33 Camping World Series Chevy
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Carl Edwards, #99 Aflac Ford
Clint Bowyer, #33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevy
Ryan Newman, #39 US Army Chevy
Jeff Gordon, #24 Dupont Chevy
Jimmie Johnson, #48 Lowes Chevy
Tony Stewart, #14 Office Depot/ Old Spice Chevy
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Denny Hamlin, #11 Fed Ex Toyota
Kasey Kahne, #9 Budweiser Dodge
Elliott Sadler, #19 Best Buy Dodge
Greg Biffle, #16 3M Ford
Dale Earnhardt Jr, #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevy
Monday, February 02, 2009
Dale Earnhardt Jr. blasts NASCAR track promoters for wanting drivers to do more
From orlandosentinel.com
Did you read Bruce Martin's "Behind the scenes with Dale Earnhardt Jr." article on SI.com?
There is a part in there that talks about Junior going ballistic at NASCAR track promoters who want drivers to do more to promote the sport.
This from Martin:
Earnhardt would also be happy if less were expected of drivers. Case in point. At a recent round-table discussion involving the track promoters of Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI), several stressed that they'd like to see drivers do more to help the fans and the tracks in order to sell more tickets at those facilities.
Upon hearing that during a break in his commercial shoot, Earnhardt fired back with a message of his own.
"The race track owners want drivers to do more? Yeah, right. They need to go back to work," he said. "They forgot what it's like to sell tickets. That's their problem. They ain't had to sell tickets for a long time and none of them remember how or knew how or ever learned how.
"They need to get back to working hard and doing their promotions and putting packages together for race fans. They don't want to cut the ticket price but they probably should and get these hotels to quit gouging these people. They can dump that responsibility on drivers all they want but the responsibility really lies in their hands to sell race tickets and they have to get creative in doing it. We already do a lot. We do [bleeping] plenty and they are full of [bleep]."
Earnhardt believes the risk versus reward for a driver offering his opinion often leads to ridicule. That is why some drivers don't open up to the fans and the media.
"There are a lot of great guys in this sport," Earnhardt said. "We do what we do, man. We race as hard as we can race. I don't know what else we can do. I'm not going to be a part of no circus. I'm out there going to race and that is what we do. The cars drive the way they drive and we are driving them as hard as we can and get side-by-side and make it a show. We're driving our butts off."
Did you read Bruce Martin's "Behind the scenes with Dale Earnhardt Jr." article on SI.com?
There is a part in there that talks about Junior going ballistic at NASCAR track promoters who want drivers to do more to promote the sport.
This from Martin:
Earnhardt would also be happy if less were expected of drivers. Case in point. At a recent round-table discussion involving the track promoters of Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI), several stressed that they'd like to see drivers do more to help the fans and the tracks in order to sell more tickets at those facilities.
Upon hearing that during a break in his commercial shoot, Earnhardt fired back with a message of his own.
"The race track owners want drivers to do more? Yeah, right. They need to go back to work," he said. "They forgot what it's like to sell tickets. That's their problem. They ain't had to sell tickets for a long time and none of them remember how or knew how or ever learned how.
"They need to get back to working hard and doing their promotions and putting packages together for race fans. They don't want to cut the ticket price but they probably should and get these hotels to quit gouging these people. They can dump that responsibility on drivers all they want but the responsibility really lies in their hands to sell race tickets and they have to get creative in doing it. We already do a lot. We do [bleeping] plenty and they are full of [bleep]."
Earnhardt believes the risk versus reward for a driver offering his opinion often leads to ridicule. That is why some drivers don't open up to the fans and the media.
"There are a lot of great guys in this sport," Earnhardt said. "We do what we do, man. We race as hard as we can race. I don't know what else we can do. I'm not going to be a part of no circus. I'm out there going to race and that is what we do. The cars drive the way they drive and we are driving them as hard as we can and get side-by-side and make it a show. We're driving our butts off."
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