One of the benefits of racing for The Racer’s Group in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is also getting to drive for the team in the Rolex 24. Former Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte will join the defending GT winning No. 67 TRG Porsche GT3 at the Rolex 24, co-driving with Andy Lally, Spencer Pumpelly and Tim George Jr.
“Kevin [Buckler, team owner] really didn’t have to talk me into it,” Labonte said. “I’ve always been a big fan of the Rolex 24 since I started racing, and I raced a kart on the same track back when I was 15Â …Â Details
NASCAR has long been one of the planet’s most exclusive good ol’ boys clubs. A woman has never won a national NASCAR event, never served as crew chief for a Cup series team and never served as chairman of the league. For decades, women — including wives — weren’t even allowed in the pits.
Well, I don’t know if Bob Dylan has ever considered himself a NASCAR fan, but the times they are a-changin’ …Â Details
So Mike Schmidt, vehicle testing manager, is driving along in our Chevy Silverado long-term test truck somewhere in Sonoma, California. It’s February 14, 2007. He turns away from the rolling hills and vineyards, tilts down his wire-rim sunglasses, and says, “Happy Valentine’s Day.” His passenger, a photographer, laughs and rolls down the window to spit out some sunflower seeds, his main food source these past few days.
Just a couple of spies out to shoot secret test sessions of what will become the 2009 Nissan GT-RÂ …Â Details
At a glance, the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder is simply a special model that sheds 176 pounds of non-essentials in the name of purist performance. Nothing new in this plan, since Porsche has been building lightweight models for decades. It’s an easy recipe — cut weight and sell the car at a premium to Porschephiles who can’t resist the idea that less is really more.
Among the non-essentials stripped from this Boxster are the air-conditioning and radio — items which, let’s face it, most owners will option back into the car. Check the boxes for … Details & Pictures