Australian driver Marcos Ambrose has a guaranteed starting spot in NASCAR’s Daytona 500 on Feb. 15, but rookie Brad Keselowski must qualify or race his way into the Sprint Cup opener at Daytona International Speedway.
Until Thursday, it appeared that Keselowski had an assured spot in the Daytona 500 and that Ambrose would be among those having to get in the field based on qualifying this Sunday or in the 150-mile heat races on Feb. 12.
The change came when NASCAR officials refused to allow Ganassi Sabates Racing to transfer its 2008-season owner points to Phoenix Racing for Keselowski’s use in the first five races…Â More info
Jeff Gordon is flying commercial. Many of his counterparts with private craft have begun jet-pooling, piling the once-unthinkable total of four or five others aboard with their buddies and girlfriends.
With the proper planning, NASCAR’s monied elite can be more insulated than most from a putrid economic climate, but everything is relative. And things are relatively terrifying now in a sport that derives its sustenance from corporate sponsors and workaday fans, all of whom are ailing financially in their own way…. More info
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Kyle Hathcox has a need for speed.
And this Sunday, the Ahwatukee Foothills teen will mash the pedal to the metal while racing through 12 turns at the Phoenix Kart Racing Association track – the third of 17 races he’ll tackle in Arizona and Southern California through August in his fifth racing season.
What drives the 16-year-old kart racer – who turns 17 Monday – is the dream of becoming a NASCAR driver, a goal he set early in his life and has been racing towards ever since. …Â More info
Toyota Speedway at Irwindale and other Southern California short tracks that host racing mostly on Saturday nights are gearing up for the 2009 racing season.
The Irwindale facility, considered one of the best short tracks in the nation, is a half-mile paved oval that features late-model stock cars.
Trucks and smaller cars called bandoleros and legends also compete at Toyota Speedway, which also hosts demolition derbies and figure-eight races.
The track’s notable events during the year include its NASCAR season opener March 21, the NASCAR Camping World Series 200 on July 4, the NASCAR Late Model final on Oct. 24 and the venerable Turkey Night race with sprint and midget cars Thanksgiving night.
On Oct. 17, the speedway also is scheduled to host a professional “drifting” event as part of the Formula Drift series’ schedule…Â More info