FOX Sports Coverage Of 2017 WeatherTech Championship

FOX Sports Coverage Of 2017 WeatherTech Championship Highlighted By

FOX Live Network Coverage; Expanded Rolex 24 At Daytona Television

FOX Sports GO To Carry Live Coverage Of Entire 2017 Season

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 22, 2016) – The 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – which opens in fewer than 40 days with the 55th Rolex 24 At Daytona – is already shaping up to be a classic, with the introduction of brand-new race cars in the flagship Prototype class and a number of new cars and participants in both GT classes.

Once again in 2017, FOX Sports will have all of the action from the drop of the green flag in the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 28 through the final checkered flag of the season at Petit Le Mans on Oct. 7, as IMSA and FOX Sports today unveiled the complete television schedule for the series.

The 2017 season will open on Saturday, Jan. 28 with a live FOX Network telecast of the first three hours of the 55th Rolex 24 At Daytona. FOX Sports will provide 24 hours of live television coverage of the Rolex 24 across FOX, FS1 and FS2 with only a brief, one-hour window late Saturday evening that will not be televised.

The FOX Sports GO app will have 25 consecutive hours of Rolex 24 programming, kicking off live streaming in the U.S. of the entire 12-race WeatherTech Championship season in 2017. The app will simulcast all FOX Sports telecasts in their entirety and will have seven hours of exclusive coverage in 2017.

“We worked closely with our partners at FOX Sports to build an extremely strong schedule for WeatherTech Championship telecasts in 2017,” said David Pettit, IMSA vice president, marketing. “Together, we were able to ‘reimagine’ our television schedule to expand our presence on the FOX Network, reduce the number of channel changes during our Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup events and utilize the FOX Sports GO platform to provide a consistent platform for our most loyal race fans.

“We’ve more than doubled the number of hours of live FOX Network coverage over 2016, and are offering more live television coverage of the Rolex 24 At Daytona than we have at any time in recent history. At the same time, both of FOX Sports’ cable networks, FS1 and FS2, have grown substantially, and we are making FOX Sports GO a destination for fans to watch the season in its entirety. In total, it’s a fantastic package to offer our fans and partners.”

In addition to the first three hours of the Rolex 24, the BUBBA burger Sports Car Grand Prix at Long Beach on Saturday, April 8, also will be televised live on FOX Network.

Nine of 12 events, including all four Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup races – the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 28-29, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida on March 18, the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen on July 2 and Petit Le Mans on Oct. 7 – will have FOX Sports GO streaming with authentication for all FS1 cable subscribers.

FS1 will feature 27 1/2 hours of WeatherTech Championship coverage, including a nine-hour live block of coverage from the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida and complete telecasts of the events at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Road America and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. FS2 will carry 37 1/2 hours of live coverage in 2017.

The 2017 WeatherTech Championship season opens at Daytona International Speedway on Jan. 28-29 with the 55th Rolex 24 At Daytona.

2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Television / Streaming Schedule

Date               Event/Venue                                                Channel        Times (All Times ET)

Jan. 28-29     Rolex 24 At Daytona                                   FOX                2 – 5 p.m. Sat.

                        Daytona International Speedway              FSGO*           2 p.m. Sat. – 3 p.m. Sun.

                        Daytona Beach, Florida                              FS2                 5 – 10 p.m. Sat.

                                                                                                FS2                 11 p.m. Sat. – 12:30 p.m. Sun.

                                                                                                FS1                 12:30 – 3 p.m. Sun.

March 18       Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring              FSGO*           10:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.

                        Fueled by Fresh From Florida                   FS1                 2 p.m. – 11 p.m.

                        Sebring International Raceway                

                        Sebring, Florida                                           

April 8             BUBBA burger Sports Car Grand Prix     FOX                4 – 6 p.m.

                        at Long Beach                     

Long Beach, California

May 6             Circuit of The Americas                              FS2                 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

                        Austin, Texas

June 3            Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix    FS2                 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

                        Detroit, Michigan

July 2              Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen                FSGO*           10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

                        Watkins Glen International                        FS1                 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

                        Watkins Glen, New York                             FS2                 1 – 4:30 p.m.

July 9              Canadian Tire Motorsport Park                 FS1                 5 – 8 p.m.

                        Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada

July 22           Northeast Grand Prix                                  FS2                 3 – 6 p.m.

                        Lime Rock Park

                        Lakeville, Connecticut

Aug. 6             Continental Tire Road Race Showcase   FS1                 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Road America                                              

                        Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

Aug. 27          Michelin GT Challenge at VIR                   FS1                 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.

VIRginia International Raceway  

                        Danville, Virginia

Sept. 17         Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix      FS1                 5 – 8 p.m.

                        Powered by Mazda

                        Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca                            

                        Monterey, California                                               

Oct. 7             Petit Le Mans                                               FSGO*           10:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

                        Road Atlanta                                                 FS1                 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

                        Braselton, Georgia                                       FS2                 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

FS2                 5 – 9:30 p.m.

NOTE:  Broadcast dates and times subject to change  * - FOX Sports GO with FS1 authentication

NASCAR Unveils New Brand Identity, Premier Series Name and Mark

NASCAR Unveils New Brand Identity, Premier Series Name and Mark

Premier Series to Be Named Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Beginning in 2017

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 19, 2016) –- NASCAR today unveiled a new official brand identity which will replace the bar mark used by the sanctioning body since 1976. The announcement was made in conjunction with the news that Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series™ will be the new name of the sport’s premier series beginning January 1, 2017.

The new brand mark and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series mark, which prominently features the iconic Monster Energy logo, together represent a new era in NASCAR and were first shared today across NASCAR social and digital media channels.

The NASCAR brand identity has been in development since early 2016 as part of a broader effort to refresh the NASCAR brand. It was designed to pay tribute to the storied history of NASCAR, incorporating elements of all four previous marks since the company’s inaugural season of 1948.

“Our new NASCAR mark is modern, timeless, and embraces the heritage of our sport,” said Jill Gregory, NASCAR senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “It was important for us to recognize our history and implement a piece of each previous mark in the new design. Our goal was to evolve the sport’s visual identity to make it concise, relevant and functional, while respecting and maintaining the unique qualities of the original mark.”

The first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series points race will be the 59^th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 26 (2 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Tickets are available at NASCAR.com/tickets.

Technical Regulations Released For 2017 WeatherTech

Technical Regulations Released For 2017 WeatherTech Championship

Requirements For DPi and LM P2 Detailed In Regulations

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 16, 2016) – The 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will usher in a bold new era for professional sports car racing in North America led by all-new race cars in the series’ top Prototype (P) class.

IMSA officials today released Technical Regulations for all four classes heading into the upcoming season, which opens on Jan. 28-29, 2017 with the 55th Rolex 24 At Daytona.  The Prototype class will see a major technical shift in 2017, as two different types of race cars, Daytona Prototype international (DPi) and Le Mans Prototype 2 (LM P2), are introduced and will compete together for overall race victories. All Prototype cars, regardless of type, will use chassis built by one of four chassis constructors approved by IMSA, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO):  Dallara, Multimatic Riley, Onroak Automotive (Ligier) and ORECA.

The technical differences between LM P2 and DPi are in the engines and bodywork. LM P2 cars will use constructor-specific bodywork and “spec” Gibson V8 engines. DPi cars are manufacturer-based, and require brand-specific bodywork and engines. DPi manufacturers for 2017 include Cadillac, Mazda and Nissan, with additional manufacturers showing strong interest in future participation.

All LM P2 cars will compete in the WeatherTech Championship as homologated by the ACO/FIA. In contrast, DPi cars are homologated by IMSA. As part of the IMSA homologation process, DPi manufacturers/constructors may select an alternative specification for certain components such as brakes, shocks and wheels.

Once declared and approved by IMSA, these alternative components – referenced in the IMSA Technical Regulations – become part of the overall homologation specification and required for use by each individual manufacturer-branded DPi car model. The DPi homologation process is scheduled to be completed prior to the Roar Before the Rolex 24 test on Jan. 6-8, 2017.

The GT Le Mans (GTLM) and GT Daytona (GTD) classes utilize homologations and technical regulations established by the ACO and FIA, respectively.

The Prototype Challenge (PC) class – which embarks on its final WeatherTech Championship season in 2017 – will continue to use the same IMSA Technical Regulations as in past seasons.

Monster sponsorship reportedly for 2 years

Monster sponsorship reportedly for 2 years; France responds: Monster Energy's deal to serve as title sponsor for NASCAR's premier series beginning with the '17 season is a two-year deal with a two-year option worth about $20M annually in rights, with activation "still being determined but expected to be less robust than predecessor Sprint," according to sources cited by Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal. Sources said that Sprint was paying $65-75M a year in rights and activation. Last week, Monster execs and staffers flew to NASCAR HQ in Charlotte for immersion meetings and they "began to sort out activation plans, down to figuring out the name and logo of the racing series." Monster Energy VP/Sports Marketing Mitch Covington was "not ready to release activation details but provided hints on what Monster may do." Monster "sponsors a host of motorsports and action sports properties globally and is known for its cross-promotion acumen, and Covington confirmed that it will be looking to cross-promote in NASCAR." He said that "virtually every form of activation imaginable is under consideration, from special NASCAR drinks to basic television advertising." Stern notes a "main concern industry observers share privately about Monster is whether the company's edgy style will fit with a sport that has a family ethos and atmosphere." But many in the industry "think that for a sport trying to age down, Monster could be the ticket"(Sports Busines Daily) AND: NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France says an announcement on what the sport's premier series will be called under sponsorship from Monster Energy is forthcoming. "We'll have an announcement shortly," France said during a surprise call into SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. "We're working together with them. A lot of it is, they know motorsports, so they're not just along for the ride, they have some real good opinions on what they want to get done here as our entitlement sponsor. So, we're going to listen to them because they're obviously the most important partner; it's all going to be good." France noted the reception to the new partner has been positive, which is "what we wanted all along." And while it took time to work through things contractually, France said company is going to be engaging both on social media and at the track.
When asked to look at what the premier series car count will look like next year, France called it "normal times" as teams make decisions about their futures. That includes drivers moving around and organizations, like Tommy Baldwin Racing, deciding to end operation. But when it comes to the series as a whole, France made it clear that a recent report from the SportsBusiness Journal concerning the agreement between Monster Energy and NASCAR is not correct. France was quick to refute the numbers and said there would be longevity to the deal. "Those are not accurate numbers," France said. "We have a good understanding of where this relationship is going to be, so no, those are not accurate numbers ... [Monster Energy is] excited about being here. My view is, this is the biggest entitlement or biggest sponsorship yet for their company, and although they're very successful ... my view is, they're going to build on for a long time. That's the sense of it with me, and I made this particular sales call myself, so I have a good sense of it, and I'm a big believer in those guys. They really have an understanding of what we're all trying to do together."(Racer)(12-13-2016)

2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Regulations

2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Sporting Regulations Released

Elimination Of Split Starts, Adjustments To Points Awards Among Revisions

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 14, 2016) – International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) officials today released the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Sporting Regulations, which featured some key revisions for the upcoming season.

Beginning with the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 28-29, the start of all WeatherTech Championship races will include the entire field in one pack taking the green flag at the same time. Previously, the field was separated into two categories, Prototype and GT. The Prototype category included all Prototype (P) and Prototype Challenge (PC) cars, while the GT category included cars from both the GT Le Mans (GTLM) and GT Daytona (GTD) classes.

The two categories were separated by several seconds and each received its own green flag to start the race. While the starting grid for each race will continue to be separated by category, the entire field will start each race together.

“While we saw some benefits of split starts, having the entire field start the race together will offer more excitement for our race fans both onsite and watching on television,” said IMSA CEO Ed Bennett. “The 2017 WeatherTech Championship will include breathtaking machinery throughout the field. By putting the entire field together in one group, the opening moments of our races will be that much more exhilarating and set the tone for fantastic competition all the way to the checkered flag.”

Points Award Revisions

The 2017 Sporting Regulations also will include a number of revisions to the way points are awarded at each event.

If all drivers in each car achieve all drive-time requirements, the car and all drivers will be awarded the number of points associated with their finishing position in the race. If a team’s drivers do not meet the drive-time requirements, the car and drivers will be placed at the back of their class in the finishing order and receive the points associated with that position, subject to drive-time infraction order priority.

Additionally, the car that achieves the fastest race lap in each class and each driver in the lineup will receive one bonus point. The single bonus point awarded at each event to all drivers and teams that started the race has been eliminated.

Several WeatherTech Championship competitors are currently participating in an IMSA-sanctioned test for P, GTLM and GTD race cars at Daytona International Speedway.

Jeff Gordon Enjoys Rolex 24 At Daytona Preparation In ‘Retirement’

Jeff Gordon Enjoys Rolex 24 At Daytona Preparation In ‘Retirement’

Dec. 14, 2016

Staff Report

IMSA Wire Service

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – When NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon announced his retirement, a lot of folks thought he would be done with racing when the 2015 season was over. The truth, however, has proved to be just the opposite.

Gordon resumed NASCAR driving duties in numerous fill-in roles for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet throughout the 2016 season. At the beginning of this month, it also was announced that Gordon would return to the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the opening race for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, after a 10-year hiatus.

For the 2017 Rolex 24, Gordon will join Wayne Taylor Racing in the team’s brand new Daytona Prototype international (DPi), the No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R, where he will compete alongside Jordan Taylor, Ricky Taylor and Max Angelelli. Gordon turned his first laps in the car at in an IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona on Tuesday afternoon.

“Oh man, that was a lot of fun,” Gordon said after finishing his stint in the car. “I’m thrilled to be here, and to finally get some laps in. It didn’t disappoint. To be able to drive a car that has that kind of downforce, and the kind of braking and cornering it’s capable of, it’s just an amazing piece of machinery.”

In 2007, Gordon’s lone previous Rolex 24 experience, he drove alongside Angelelli, Wayne Taylor and Jan Magnussen in a Corvette Daytona Prototype. Despite a few setbacks during the race, the quartet ended up finishing on the overall podium in third. Back then, the DPs were far more similar to a Cup car than the new batch of DPi models are, so Gordon has been meticulous in his preparations.

“I’ve been working so hard because I want to give these guys everything,” explained Gordon. “I told Wayne years ago that I wasn’t going to come back to run this again unless I can put in the necessary amount of time and effort. I might be working harder this year than I think I’ve ever worked.

“Every lap I’ve made in the car has been helpful, as has the time I spent in the Dallara simulator in Indianapolis – that was big. I’ve definitely spent some time getting familiar with the seat, the steering wheel and how the car reacts. I anticipated feeling more comfortable here at Daytona than I did on the Charlotte road course, and that’s exactly what happened.”

For much of Tuesday, the team was working through a few software gremlins with the engine. However, once they hit the track, all the drivers were able to get some valuable seat time in on the high banks. Gordon feels there is definitely great room for improvement in setup, but he’s looking to step aside and listen to the experts on that topic.

“That’s for Ricky and Jordan and Max,” he said. “I mean, I’m just trying to keep up with those guys. I felt like there were some areas where I could have been more aggressive, but we’ll see."

Gordon finds great amusement in some of the reaction to the announcement that he would be returning to the Rolex, as he wasn’t exactly private about his interest in partaking in the race. However, despite alluding to it on numerous occasions, much of the surprise makes him feel that not everyone took him seriously on the matter. He’s looking forward to showing everyone just how serious he actually was by chasing a win in the twice-around-the-clock enduro.

“At this point in my life and career, that would be huge,” Gordon said. “I think you really realize how important this race is when you’re here on race day and you see the hype and the buildup and it doesn’t disappoint. The challenges that you face, going for 24 hours to compete at that level against your competitors, that’s what makes this race so thrilling.”

Everyone will get a chance to experience that thrill on Jan. 28, when the green flag drops on the 55th Rolex 24 At Daytona.

The long wait is over for a confident Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The long wait is over for a confident Dale Earnhardt Jr.

December 9, 2016

By Reid Spencer

NASCAR Wire Service

Dale Earnhardt Jr. left Wednesday’s test session at Darlington Raceway feeling strong and more confident than ever.

Just as important, he left Darlington with a clean bill of health and clearance to return to competition at NASCAR’s highest level.

“I definitely feel recharged and energized about getting back in the car,” Earnhardt said on Friday during a conference call with reporters. “I felt like, throughout the day, I got more and more comfortable in the car. It felt like an old shoe by the end of the day.”

The “old shoe” in question is the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS for Hendrick Motorsports, which Earnhardt will race next in the 2017 season-opening Daytona 500. The sport’s most popular driver, named as such for the 14th straight year during the recent Champion’s Week in Las Vegas, missed the final 18 races of the 2016 season while recovering from a concussion.

For team owner Rick Hendrick, the holiday season couldn’t be any better—bringing a record-tying seventh series championship for Jimmie Johnson and medical clearance for Earnhardt.

“We’re as big a fan of Dale’s as the rest of the community,” said Hendrick, who also participated in the conference call. “He’s a big spark plug for this place, and having him out of the car kind of deflates this place.”

Dr. Micky Collins of Pittsburgh, Pa., who designed the regimen for Earnhardt’s recovery, cleared the driver to race on Wednesday after the Darlington test, in consultation with Charlotte neurosurgeon Dr. Jerry Petty, who attended the test and observed Earnhardt’s performance.

“Dr. Petty was evaluating me after each run to see if everything was good,” Earnhardt said. “A lot of the things he was checking—visual and balance and so forth—strengthened throughout the process.”  

NASCAR also observed the test, which totaled 185 laps over a five-hour period, with Earnhardt initially running stints of roughly 15 laps before changing tires.

“As soon as I got out there, after about three laps, it came right back,” said Earnhardt, who also was pleased with the speed in the car provided by his crew chief, Greg Ives.

Earnhardt’s choice to return to action in the Daytona 500 is in essence a reward for driver Alex Bowman, who performed brilliantly in Earnhardt’s absence, winning a pole at Phoenix. Earnhardt feels strongly that Bowman should drive the No. 88 Chevy in The Clash, the exhibition race that opens the season at Daytona.

“I was at Phoenix, standing on pit road on Friday when Alex got the pole, and my first reaction—and the first words out of my mouth—were that Alex gets to run in The Clash,” Earnhardt said. “I turned to (HMS general manager) Doug Duchardt and said, ‘He should drive the 88.’ He earned it with the 88 guys, and he’s done a great job as a substitute.

“I really have a great friendship with Alex, and I felt like, if he was going to be in that race, he deserved to be in that car.”

But the real treat for NASCAR fans will come when Earnhardt himself gets behind the wheel for the Great American Race.

“Dale being back in the car and Jimmie’s championship—it’s going to be a really nice Christmas here for all of us,” Hendrick said.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. medically cleared to return to competition at Daytona

Dale Earnhardt Jr. medically cleared to return to competition at Daytona

December 8, 2016

Staff Report

NASCAR Wire Service

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – After 18 races out of the car, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been medically cleared to resume NASCAR competition, and will return to the wheel of the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS for Hendrick Motorsports at the 2017 edition of the Daytona 500.

Earnhardt’s road back to the cockpit ended at Darlington Raceway on Wednesday afternoon where he completed a nearly five-hour test session observed by NASCAR while working with crew chief Greg Ives.  He turned 185 laps during the session which followed more than 15 hours in a racing simulator as part of his recovery plan.

Earnhardt was cleared Wednesday evening by Dr. Micky Collins, medical director of the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program in Pittsburgh, in consultation with Charlotte neurosurgeon Dr. Jerry Petty. Petty was also in attendance at the Darlington test. 

“I feel great, and I’m excited to officially be back,” Earnhardt said. “I expected things to go really well yesterday, and that’s exactly what happened. Actually getting in a race car was an important final step, and it gives me a ton of confidence going into 2017. Thanks to the staff at Darlington for hosting our team and to NASCAR for giving us the opportunity to put a car on the track. I’ll do more testing in January to help knock the rust off. When it’s time to go to Daytona, I’ll be ready.”

In Earnhardt’s absence during the 2016 season, Alex Bowman (10 races) and four-time NASCAR premier series champion Jeff Gordon (eight races) piloted the No. 88 Chevrolet. Bowman earned the lone Coors Light Pole Award in 2016 (Phoenix, November) for the team. Earnhardt and Hendrick Motorsports have elected to allow Bowman to drive the car in The Clash at Daytona International Speedway, the season-opening, non-points race on Feb. 18.

“Alex did such a great job in the car this year, and I felt like he deserved another opportunity,” Earnhardt explained. “When I spoke with Rick (Hendrick) and the team about him driving The Clash, everyone agreed that he more than earned it, and Nationwide was 100-percent on board. I’m really grateful to him and Jeff (Gordon) for what they did for our team, and I’m glad Alex is getting another run with us.”

The 2017 Daytona 500 will air on FOX at 2 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 26.

Dodge talking to NASCAR about returning

Dodge talking to NASCAR about returning  Sergio Marchionne, who is the CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, said he spoke with NASCAR vice-chairman Jim France and International Speedway Inc. CEO Lesa France Kennedy about the return of Dodge to the stock-car series. The three had dinner Saturday night during the Ferrari Finali Mondiali at Daytona International Speedway. Marchionne, who is also CEO of Ferrari, was in town for the Ferrari-only World Finals and Sunday's Formula One exhibition. Asked about the return to NASCAR, Marchionne said, "Yes," then explained it. "I talked to Jim France about this (Saturday) night," he said. "I was the one who made the decision to pull out of NASCAR. I am the guilty party at the table. In 2009, we came out bankruptcy and tried to race NASCAR (but) with the big bills and make payroll was a stretch. We are in a different place now. I think it is possible we can come back to NASCAR. I think we need to find the right way to come back in, but I agreed with both Jim and Lesa we would come back to the issue." France confirmed that he had spoken to Marchionne about bringing Dodge back into NASCAR's top series.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(12-4-2016)

NASCAR 2016 CHAMPIONS

(L-R)NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion Johnny Sauter, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson, and NASCAR XFINITY Series Champion Daniel Suarez pose for a portrait prior to the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards at Wynn Las Vegas on December 2, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

NASCAR luminaries gather to honor Johnson, Stewart at awards gala

NASCAR luminaries gather to honor Johnson, Stewart at awards gala

Dec. 3, 2016

By Reid Spencer

NASCAR Wire Service

LAS VEGAS – Jimmie Johnson was unfailingly humble, even on a night when the NASCAR community came together to honor his monumental accomplishment.

With a victory on Nov. 20 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Johnson claimed his record-tying seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. Nevertheless, the driver of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet was reluctant to claim the same stature as the two seven-time champions who preceded him – Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.

“Dale said this in '94 after winning his seventh,” Johnson said in concluding his remarks during the Sprint Cup Awards on Friday night at the Wynn Las Vegas. “I might've won as many championships as Richard Petty, but he will always be the King."

“I completely agree and must say, I might've won as many championships as Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt but... I will never be the King or the Intimidator. I’m just a guy from California who always wanted to race.”

But Johnson will continue to shape his own legacy, having brought a 12th series title to team owner Rick Hendrick, who also fielded championship cars for Jeff Gordon and Terry Labonte.

As he addressed the packed house in the Latour ballroom, Johnson said the magnitude of the seventh title was still sinking in.

“Loyalty and a never-quit attitude are at the foundation of our success,” Johnson said. “Add that with Mr. Hendrick's leadership and the unwavering support from (sponsor) Lowe's, and put it all in a Chevy... good stuff happens.

“We've been through a lot over the years. Ups and downs, winning and losing, heartache and heartbreak. Even a golf cart incident (a reference to Johnson’s fall from the roof of a golf cart after his first championship in 2006).

“Amongst it all, we are still together and more unified than ever.”

Hendrick also was an integral part of an unexpected honor for three-time champion Tony Stewart, who is retiring from NASCAR Sprint Cup competition after 18 years. Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder, who befriended Stewart earlier this year, introduced the driver, and Hendrick added a surprise.

Hendrick announced a $1.8-million donation from the motorsports industry in Stewart’s name to Vedder’s effort to combat EB, a pernicious skin disease.

Stewart said he got involved with Vedder’s charity, “when I met him earlier this year is South Carolina. It’s a very important charity to him and his wife. When you meet people like him that are that passionate about something, it immediately makes you want to be that passionate as well. That’s why we got involved.”

“Tony’s legacy on the track is known and respected, but his efforts off the track should be known as well, even though he’ll never be the one talking about them,” said NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton.

“Tony Stewart is a true humanitarian, and this sport is better off, thanks to him and all of his contributions. It’s only appropriate that we, as an industry, can contribute to Tony’s philanthropic endeavors.”

For his part, Hendrick also had strong words for his seven-time champion driver and his crew chief, Chad Knaus.

“Jimmie, you are a champion in every sense of the word,” Hendrick said. “Chad, you are what your record says you are, the best crew chief of all time.”

Even Johnson’s fiercest competitors expressed deep admiration for his accomplishments.

“If I had to finish second to someone, I guess the third seven-time champion in our sport’s history is acceptable,” said Joey Logano, who finished second to Johnson in the final standings. “Congrats to Jimmie, and thank you for always being a great representative for the sport.

“Great to finally see you guys make it up here on the big stage,” quipped 2015 champion Kyle Busch. “But seriously, when you tie a record set by Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, the accomplishment pretty much speaks for itself.”

Despite missing half the NASCAR Sprint Cup season because of a concussion, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was named the series’ most popular driver for the 14th straight year.

The fan support, Earnhardt said, “really motivated me to get healthy. It motivated me to come back.”

Earnhardt will test in December and expects to be back in the No. 88 Chevrolet for the season-opening Daytona 500 in February.

Notes: Team owner Roger Penske, who celebrated his 50th year in motorsports this season, received the Bill France Award of Excellence from NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France… Comedian Jay Mohr, a personal friend of Johnson’s, hosted the banquet for the sixth time… Sting headlined the musical portion of the show, performing a track from his new CD “57th and 9th,” as well as the classic “Message in a Bottle.”

NASCAR, Monster Energy announce premier series entitlement partnership

NASCAR, Monster Energy announce premier series entitlement partnership

December 1, 2016

Staff Report

NASCAR Wire Service

LAS VEGAS – NASCAR announced on Thursday at Wynn Las Vegas a multi-year deal that will make Monster Energy only the third entitlement sponsor in premier series history.

The length and terms of the deal were not disclosed, but both parties hailed the partnership as the perfect fit for both brands.

“Monster Energy is a brand built on excitement and enthusiasm, qualities that align with NASCAR,” said Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO. “This sponsorship position is the most unique in all of sports and entertainment, and we are thrilled to have a partner that will help us further elevate the series. Today’s announcement is the culmination of a thorough search, one that resulted in the right partner at this important time in our sport’s history.”

Monster Energy has existing sponsorships with a number of motorsports sanctioning bodies, athletes and teams, but the NASCAR deal signals the biggest sponsorship step in the company’s history.

“Monster has built its brand on racing and motorsports, and NASCAR is the pinnacle of motorsports in America,” said Mitch Covington, vice president of sports marketing at Monster Beverage Company. “It's American racing, we’re an American brand that's a global company, and NASCAR is too. When the opportunity came along to further associate yourself with a sport like NASCAR, it was the perfect fit for us. … NASCAR is just a hard-hitting, close racing, fun property to be associated with.”

Along with naming rights to NASCAR’s top series, Monster Energy will also hold race sponsorship to the NASCAR All-Star Race and become the Official Energy Drink of NASCAR. Monster Energy also said it will continue to sponsor Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 41 car.

Thursday’s announcement is the culmination of a lengthy and thorough search by NASCAR to find the successor to Sprint, whose entitlement sponsorship will end on December 31, 2016.

Steve Phelps, NASCAR executive vice president and chief global sales and marketing officer, said that the sanctioning body spoke with numerous companies throughout the process, ultimately choosing Monster Energy for a number of reasons, not the least of which was its lifestyle culture.

“We have the good fortune of finding a brand that we believe works for our sport,” Phelps said. “They're going to bring their lifestyle to their activation. … They're going to bring their brand, their excitement, their energy to this partnership and the fans are going to be the winners. It's all about engaging the fans and having the fans have unique, fun experiences whether at the racetrack or through different mediums, through social, digital, content.”

Phelps said a number of ancillary details will be announced in the coming weeks. Among those still under discussion is the name of the series, the series mark and the championship trophy.

Under the agreement, energy drink sponsors already involved in NASCAR may remain in place. Potential sponsors from the energy drink category will not be eligible for future sponsorship if not already involved in the sport.

Jeff Gordon to drive new Cadillac DPI-V.R in return to Rolex 24 at Daytona

Jeff Gordon to drive new Cadillac DPI-V.R in return to Rolex 24 at Daytona

December 1, 2016

Staff Report

NASCAR Wire Service

Click to download a high-resolution photo of Jeff Gordon

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon will make his return to the Rolex 24 At Daytona for the first time in 10 years as Wayne Taylor Racing today confirmed Gordon alongside full-season co-drivers Jordan and Ricky Taylor and endurance driver Max Angelelli as the driver lineup in the No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R for the 55th Rolex 24 At Daytona. The race opens the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season on Jan. 28-29, 2017.

Gordon’s lone previous Rolex 24 appearance in 2007 came with the same team. He co-drove the No. 10 Pontiac Riley Daytona Prototype with Angelelli, Wayne Taylor and Jan Magnussen to a third-place result.

“When I announced I would no longer be competing full-time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, my hope was that I would get an opportunity like this to compete again in such a prestigious event – with Konica Minolta and Wayne Taylor Racing – with the hopes of winning it this time,” Gordon said. “I know that Ricky and Jordan are super-fast, and I believe it will be a very strong combination.”

Gordon, now an analyst on NASCAR on FOX telecasts, and the No. 10 team will be part of the debut race for the brand-new Cadillac DPi-V.R, which was officially unveiled Wednesday by the manufacturer.

“I think it is exceptional to have Jeff back with us after 10 years,” Angelelli said. “I look forward to sharing our new Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R racecar with him, discussing our setup and race strategy. It was great the first time – we might have won that race if some things would have gone our way. Now that it’s happening again, with the new car, it’s going to be absolutely great.”

Ricky and Jordan Taylor, who finished third in the 2016 WeatherTech Championship Prototype standings, are also looking forward to running with the NASCAR legend.

“It used to be common to have NASCAR guys joining teams for the Rolex but, over recent years, it’s become less and less frequent,” Jordan Taylor said. “Jeff Gordon is a name that everyone knows worldwide. I can’t wait to compare notes and feedback with such a legend of our sport. It’s going to be an experience of a lifetime.”

“Having Jeff Gordon join the team is really a dream come true for all of us,” added Ricky Taylor. “It is a huge compliment to how well-respected the team has become over the years for someone with the history and career of Jeff Gordon to want to be a part of it. I’m sure he will be a great addition to the lineup and hopefully we can all get our first Rolex 24 win together.”

The No. 10 entry will compete for the overall Rolex 24 race victory in the WeatherTech Championship’s Prototype (P) class. It will be one of three Cadillac DPi-V.R race cars in the field, as three-time defending series champions Action Express Racing confirmed its plans to field a pair of the new race cars earlier Thursday morning.

Gordon, who has participated in private test sessions with the team in recent weeks, is expected to join the team for the upcoming IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona International Speedway in Dec. 13-14, as well as the three-day Roar Before The Rolex 24 At Daytona test on Jan. 6-8, 2017 prior to the race on the final weekend of January.

Johnson’s assumption of leadership role at Hendrick paid dividends

Johnson’s assumption of leadership role at Hendrick paid dividends

November 30, 2016

By Reid Spencer

NASCAR Wire Service

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Last year, over dinner in Las Vegas, Jeff Gordon handed the mantle of leadership at Hendrick Motorsports to Jimmie Johnson.

“Jeff took me to dinner this weekend last year,” Johnson related on Wednesday during an appearance at the Sports Business Journal/Sports Business Daily Motorsports Marketing Forum at the Mandalay Bay. “It was like, ‘Look, there’s really not an official role or a title or a capacity that the veteran at Hendrick driver has, but it can be anything you want it to be.’

“Jeff didn’t really seek out that role, but there were responsibilities that came with it. When we had that dinner and chatted about it, I definitely took his advice.”

The 2016 season was one of dramatic change for HMS. Team owner Rick Hendrick had to deal with the needs of a 20-year-old rookie driver, with Chase Elliott taking over the No. 24 Chevrolet from Gordon; a veteran No. 5 team in the doldrums, with driver Kasey Kahne; and Dale Earnhardt Jr. missing half the season because of a concussion.

From the standpoint of the drivers, Johnson assertively took the reins of leadership within the group.

“Knowing that Chase was coming in, and then trying to help the 5 car get back going, I really felt the need to try to bring our group together,” said Johnson, who will celebrate his record-tying seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship at the Friday night banquet that caps Champion’s Week (9 p.m. ET on NBCSN). “And I actually talked to Mr. Hendrick and put together a retreat for the four drivers and crew chiefs and went down to Ft. Lauderdale.

“We spent a couple of days hanging out together and drinking far more than we should have—except for Chase, of course—and really had a chance to bond. And that moment in time, honestly, I think changed the way the four teams work together.”

The way Johnson sees it, the retreat brought the drivers together, even though the desire to beat each other on the race track remained.

“There’s competition everywhere, even inside of our walls,” Johnson said. “We have four crew chiefs that all feel like they’re tougher, four drivers who all think they’re the guy. But to honestly sit there and relax and connect on a different level really served us throughout this year.

“I think, from the outside, people could see the difference, and we certainly saw it inside. There’s no way I would have taken that initiative when Jeff was the head guy. Number one, it was Jeff’s place to do that. Two, my mind wasn’t there.

“I’m so thankful Jeff sat me down this time last year for that dinner and passed the full baton over.”

The result for Johnson couldn’t have been better. With his 80th career victory on Nov. 20 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, his quest for a seventh championship became a reality.

Field, Format Set for ‘The Clash’ At Daytona

Field, Format Set for ‘The Clash’ At Daytona

Season-Opening, 75-Lap Event to Feature NASCAR’s Top Premier Series Drivers

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (November 30, 2016) – Recently crowned seven-time NASCAR premier series champion Jimmie Johnson will join a star-studded elite field as NASCAR kicks off its 2017 season with The Clash at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017.

 

The annual season-opening event will be broadcast live on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 8 p.m. ET. The 75-lap race again will be split into two segments with a competition caution at lap 25 separating the segments.

 

“What better way to kick off the 2017 season than the sport’s brightest stars under the lights at Daytona International Speedway” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “Coming off a thrilling season finale at Homestead-Miami, we’re looking forward to continuing that momentum into Daytona. With bragging rights and no points on the line, the Clash will set the tone for what should be a season full of great racing and tough competition.”

 

“We’re bringing back The Clash at Daytona,” said Chip Wile, Daytona International Speedway president. “The Clash was a race name that has always been popular among both the competitors and race fans. We’re looking forward to bringing it back and building on the rich history of this thrilling and always unpredictable event that kicks off the NASCAR season.”

Unlike previous years, the starting field for the 2017 Clash at Daytona will not be a predetermined number of cars; rather, the field is limited to drivers who meet more exclusive criteria. Only drivers who were 2016 Coors Light Pole Award winners, former Clash race winners, former Daytona 500 pole winners who competed full-time in 2016, and drivers who qualified for the 2016 Chase are eligible.

Eligible drivers are:

2016 Coors Light Pole Awards winners (14)

·         Greg Biffle, Alex Bowman, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon, Carl Edwards, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr.

Former Clash Race Winners (2)

·         Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart

Former DAYTONA 500 Coors Light Pole Award winners (1)

·         Danica Patrick

2016 Chase drivers (3)

·         Chris Buescher, Kyle Larson, Jamie McMurray

Tickets for The Clash at Daytona are available online at DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.