Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Officially Official: Danica Patrick joining NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/08/officially-official-danica-patrick-joining-nascar-nationwide-se/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/08/officially-official-danica-patrick-joining-nascar-nationwide-se/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/08/officially-official-danica-patrick-joining-nascar-nationwide-se/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Danica Patrick No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet - Click above for high-res image gallery

The "Will she, won't she" debate is over - Danica Patrick is headed for closed-wheel racing in 2010. Patrick will race a partial schedule in next year's National Nationwide series in the No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, and she will also participate in one ARCA race. As a driver on the No. 7 team, she will be signed through 2011 to the JR Motorsports team that's owned by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Rick Hendrick, Kelley Earnhardt and Tony Eury, Jr. through 2011.

This bit of news is not to say that Danica is eschewing her open-wheel career - she will also continue to race her similarly day-glo green Andretti Autosport IndyCar, also in full GoDaddy.com regalia. The NASCAR events that she will race in will be interlaced with her IndyCar schedule, before, during, and after the open-wheel season.

Danica's first stock car race will be a February 6 ARCA race in Daytona, the day before the Super Bowl. As usual, her primary sponsors will feature Patrick in a slate of new commercials during the big NFL game, and we're willing to bet that they'll have a bit of NASCAR flavor. High-res gallery of her new ride below, official press release after the jump.


Gallery: Danica Patrick NASCAR


[Source: GoDaddy.com]

Continue reading Officially Official: Danica Patrick joining NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2010

Officially Official: Danica Patrick joining NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ARCADanicaDanica PatrickDanicaPatrickEarnhardtfemale racerFemaleRacerGo DaddyGoDaddyGodaddy.comhendrickhendrick motorsportsHendrickMotorsportsIndy carIndyCarNASCARnationwideNationwide seriesNationwideSeriesstock carstock car racingstock carsStockCarStockCarRacingStockCarsSuper BowlSuper bowl commercialsSuperBowlSuperBowlCommercialsTue, 08 Dec 2009 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Danica Patrick to race NASCAR in 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/report-danica-patrick-to-race-nascar-in-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/report-danica-patrick-to-race-nascar-in-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/report-danica-patrick-to-race-nascar-in-2010/#commentsFiled under:



More Danica Patrick news and this time, it's actually racing related. Last week came a report that Ms. Patrick had inked a multi-year deal with the recently restructured Andretti Autosport, putting to rest the rumors that the sometime-swimsuit model was headed to NASCAR. Well, Sporting News is now reporting that the gun might have been jumped on that conclusion. It seems that the GoDaddy pitchwoman is about to announce a deal to drive for Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s NASCAR Nationwide Series team in 2010.

SN is reporting that Danica will run the full IndyCar calendar and a limited Nationwide schedule, with GoDaddy sponsoring her stock car. According to the GoDaddy website, the formal announcement will come at 1 PM ET Tuesday, December 8. We'll be sure to watch for that announcement and update as needed.

[Source: Sporting News | Image Source: Streeter Lecka/Getty]

Continue reading REPORT: Danica Patrick to race NASCAR in 2010

REPORT: Danica Patrick to race NASCAR in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andretti autosportAndrettiAutosportDale EarnhardtDale Earnhardt Jr.DaleEarnhardtDaleEarnhardtJr.Danicadanica patrickDanicaPatrickgo daddyGoDaddyindycarindycar seriesIndycarSeriesnascarNASCAR NationwideNASCAR Nationwide SeriesNascarNationwideNascarNationwideSeriesMon, 07 Dec 2009 22:22:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: NASCAR's Dickies 500 shows you how to properly deliver a pace car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/video-nascars-dickies-500-shows-you-how-to-properly-deliver-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/video-nascars-dickies-500-shows-you-how-to-properly-deliver-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/video-nascars-dickies-500-shows-you-how-to-properly-deliver-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Dickies 500 Chevrolet Camaro pace car delivered in style - Click above to watch the video

The official pace car for last weekend's Dickies 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race was none other than the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS. This, in itself, is no biggie. What's interesting is how the car was delivered to the Texas Motor Speedway prior to the race. If you watched sports over the weekend, you know that salutes to America's veterans were part of just about every event that took place (Veterans Day is tomorrow, remember).

As part of that theme, NASCAR had the Camaro delivered to the track in a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. In the video posted after the jump, you'll see the big heavy-lift chopper touch down, drop its ramp, have the Chevy drive on out, and take back off. At the wheel of the Camaro was NASA astronaut Doug Hurley, who is also a TMS season-ticket holder, a United States Marine Corps colonel, and was the pilot of the shuttle Endeavour on this year's STS-127 mission. Pretty. Freaking. Cool. In fact, short of the Camaro and Chinook subsequently turning into robots and fighting each other on the TMS infield, it doesn't get much cooler. Follow the jump to watch.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: NASCAR's Dickies 500 shows you how to properly deliver a pace car

VIDEO: NASCAR's Dickies 500 shows you how to properly deliver a pace car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20102010 chevrolet camaro2010 chevy camaro2010ChevroletCamaro2010ChevyCamarocamaroch-47chevroletchevychinookdickies 500Dickies500nascarsalute to veteransSaluteToVeteranssprint cupSprintCuptexas motor speedwaytexas speedwayTexasMotorSpeedwayTexasSpeedwayveterans dayVeteransDayTue, 10 Nov 2009 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: With F1 program scrapped, where will Toyota Motorsports land next?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/video-with-f1-program-scrapped-where-will-toyota-motorsports-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/video-with-f1-program-scrapped-where-will-toyota-motorsports-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/video-with-f1-program-scrapped-where-will-toyota-motorsports-l/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Toyota GT-One - Click above for high-res image gallery

As Toyota president Akio Toyoda announced the withdrawal of his company from the Formula One World Championship, he reiterated Toyota's commitment to motorsport competition. But while this may have been pure lip-service, the Japanese automaker has a long history in racing, leading to speculation over where Toyota could land next. According to Toyoda:
Motor sports remain an important means of personalizing the automobile in the eyes of customers. Motor sports also remain an important means of cultivating human resources and our R&D operations. ... We will rethink our motor-sports activities with an eye to maximizing those benefits while addressing economic realities.
Even in the absence of a renewed F1 program, Toyota continues to compete in series as diverse as Formula Nippon, NHRA, Grand Am, Super GT and NASCAR. While the beancounters in Tokyo could continue to rely solely on these and other existing programs - or worse, start pulling out of more - sources point to potential racing programs at Le Mans, in the new FIA GT1 World Championship or possibly in the shifting World Rally Championship. Any of these categories would give Toyota a more direct tie-in to its road-going products, but which - if any - the Japanese motor giant will ultimately choose remains to be seen. In the meantime, enjoy the short clip after the jump highlighting the company's history and continued involvement in motor racing worldwide.

[Source: PistonHeads]

Continue reading VIDEO: With F1 program scrapped, where will Toyota Motorsports land next?

VIDEO: With F1 program scrapped, where will Toyota Motorsports land next? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>F1FIA GT1FiaGt1Formula 1Formula NipponFormula OneFormula1FormulaNipponFormulaOneGrand AmGrandAmGT1NASCARNHRASuper GTSuperGttoyotatoyota fia gt1toyota le manstoyota motorsporttoyota motorsportstoyota racingtoyota racing developmenttoyota trdtoyota wrcToyotaFiaGt1ToyotaLeMansToyotaMotorsportToyotaMotorsportsToyotaRacingToyotaRacingDevelopmentToyotaTrdToyotaWrctrdWorld RallyWorldRallyWRCFri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ESPN: Danica Patrick close to two-year NASCAR Nationwide deal]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/espn-danica-patrick-close-to-two-year-nascar-nationwide-deal/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/espn-danica-patrick-close-to-two-year-nascar-nationwide-deal/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/espn-danica-patrick-close-to-two-year-nascar-nationwide-deal/#commentsFiled under: ,



Rumors of IndyCar's Danica Patrick dipping a toe into the stock car racing pool have been swirling for months, but a new report suggests that an end to the rumors is near. ESPN says that Patrick is on the verge of signing a NASCAR Nationwide Series contract with JR Motorsports, the operation owned by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Unnamed sources that spoke to ESPN call the talks "near their final phase" and comment that it'd be a "surprise if it didn't happen." In any case, don't expect a formal announcement until sometime after the Sprint Cup chase draws to a conclusion on November 22.

The potential move to JR Motorsports was made possible when driver Brad Keslowski jumped ship to join Roger Penske's NASCAR Sprint Cup team. According to ESPN, Patrick is angling to drive the number 7 car (the same number she runs in IndyCar), which would replace the current JR Motorsports number 5 car. Since Danica will continue to run the full IndyCar schedule as well, she'd be a part-time driver for JR Motorsports, sharing the race car with Junior and another unnamed driver. If the signing happens and NASCAR gives its blessing, Danica will make her first stock car appearance in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA race on Feb. 6 during the Daytona Speedweeks, and go on to drive in 12 to 13 Nationwide Series races during the 2010 season. Frankly, given NASCAR's feel for marketing and Danica's undeniable celebrity, we see no way that she won't be in place for a debut during the February Speedweeks, assuming she does indeed ink the rumored deal.

[Source: ESPN | Image: Robert Laberge/Getty]

ESPN: Danica Patrick close to two-year NASCAR Nationwide deal originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brad KeslowskiBradKeslowskidanicadanica patrickDanicaPatrickESPNIndy carIndyCarJr motorsportsjr motorsports ESPNJrMotorsportsJrMotorsportsEspnnascarnationwide seriesNationwideSeriesroger penskeRogerPenskesprint cupSprintCupThu, 05 Nov 2009 10:39:00 EST<![CDATA[All four new Nationwide Series cars tested at Talladega]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/all-four-new-nationwide-series-cars-tested-at-talladega/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/all-four-new-nationwide-series-cars-tested-at-talladega/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/all-four-new-nationwide-series-cars-tested-at-talladega/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Nationwide Series cars testing at Talladega - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've already shown you the new Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger cars that will soon be running in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, but Chevy also introduced a new Impala car and Toyota a new Camry. All four new cars were out at Talladega Superspeedway today for some test runs, which gives us our first chance to view the new, more production-like bodies in the revealing light of day.

What we've learned is that all four manufacturers - Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge and Toyota - worked with NASCAR to develop the new body types that look markedly more like their production counterparts than cars raced in the upper level Sprint Cup. Those cars, based on the NASCAR Car of Tomorrow chassis, look identical from the bleachers, making the task of identifying your favorite brand practically impossible. Not so with the new Nationwide Series cars. They actually have distinct shapes that clearly communicate which pony car and/or family sedan you're watching race.

We wondered how much these new bodies would affect aerodynamics and give some brands with sleeker designs an edge, and we're told that all four cars are within "three horsepower of drag and just a few pounds of downforce." Those teams that might have an advantage are likely Chevrolet and Toyota, both of which opted to base their cars on family sedans - the Impala and Camry - with sleeker front ends. The Mustang and Challenger cars may suffer a disadvantage when it comes to wind with their more upright and recessed grilles, but Ford and Dodge will surely win the PR war with their iconic pony cars on the track.


Gallery: Nationwide Series tests four new cars at Talladega


[Source: NASCAR]

All four new Nationwide Series cars tested at Talladega originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camrychallengerchevroletchevrolet impalaChevroletImpaladodgedodge challengerDodgeChallengerford mustangFordMustangimpalamustsang fordMustsangFordnascarnationwide seriesNationwideSeriestalladega superspeedwayTalladegaSuperspeedwaytoyotatoyota camryToyotaCamryMon, 02 Nov 2009 16:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Contradiction in Terms: Green in NASCAR equals 5 mpg]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/contradiction-in-terms-green-in-nascar-equals-5-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/contradiction-in-terms-green-in-nascar-equals-5-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/contradiction-in-terms-green-in-nascar-equals-5-mpg/#commentsFiled under:



NASCAR has already gone solar and wants to help you (not themselves) use less fuel, but the cold hard reality is that those ovals are being made in cars that get around five miles per gallon. Not exactly hybrid SUV territory there. So, to reduce the amount of fossil fuels used in each race, race organizers are looking at maybe - just maybe - using alternative fuels in some of the cars.

Before NASCAR gets that ca-razy, though, there are other ways the series might use fewer resources. At least NASCAR's first director of green innovation, Mike Lynch, makes it clear that, "We're not attempting to take any high ground. [...] This is a pragmatic approach to green, and what we're doing now is just the beginning."

Part of the problem is that NASCAR fans don't want to give up what they've become accustomed to. Lee White, president of Toyota Racing Development, told USAToday that, "Doubling fuel mileage means half the horsepower, and putting fans in the stands requires a show." Driver Sam Hornish, Jr. adds, "No one is going to come watch us run battery-powered cars. I don't see anyone making enough electric power to go 200 mph."

Driver Brian Vickers is also more than willing to take the let's-all-do-something-but-you-go-first approach. He said, "Do our cars need to be more fuel efficient? Absolutely. But I think as a whole there's a lot bigger low-hanging fruit we can go after as a sport. There are a lot of fans that come to these races, and there's a lot we don't recycle that we could."

Some of that low-hanging fruit are carbon offsets, possibly replacing carburetors with (gasp!) fuel injection and finally Coke's race-side display that "highlight(s) its recycling businesses and has placed more than 2,600 recycling bins at a dozen tracks that have collected more than 65,000 pounds of recyclable material." When you have such a history of going in circles, maybe progress isn't your forte.

[Source: USAToday via Domestic Fuel]
Photo by pocketwiley. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Contradiction in Terms: Green in NASCAR equals 5 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biofuelgreengreen nascarGreenNascarnascarnascar mpgnascar recyclingNascarMpgNascarRecyclingMon, 02 Nov 2009 10:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Event Alert: November Calendar of Automotive Events]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/01/event-alert-november-calendar-of-automotive-events/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/01/event-alert-november-calendar-of-automotive-events/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/01/event-alert-november-calendar-of-automotive-events/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



For many of us November means football, parades, turkey hangovers, and family dysfunctionality in the form of Thanksgiving, but we car people tend to be more thankful for SEMA, the Chase and the crowning of a new champion in Formula 1 (Well, the conclusion of another season at least, since Jenson Button already locked up his first drivers championship and Brawn likewise nabbed the constructors title in its maiden season.)

As the year begins drawing to a close, we still have a handful of Fall cruises, auctions, meets and concours going on, but the automotive calendar is otherwise looking pretty sparse as we enter the penultimate month of 2009.

Connecticut has its local auto show, the Petersen is hosting an auction and tribute to Trans-Am racing, the Best of France and Italy show hits Van Nuys, and the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals visit Rosemont, Illinois. Other than that, we can expect a lot of silly season musical chairs and a slew of new car sneak peeks ahead of the first major show of the 2010 season in Los Angeles at the beginning of December.

If none of those events appeal to you, check the Google Calendar after the jump for even more listings, all with detailed info and links. And please use the comments section to add or modify listings.

Continue reading Event Alert: November Calendar of Automotive Events

Event Alert: November Calendar of Automotive Events originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoblog calendarAutoblog calendar of automotive eventsAutoblog calendar of eventsAutoblog event calendarAutoblogCalendarAutoblogCalendarOfAutomotiveEventsAutoblogCalendarOfEventsAutoblogEventCalendarbest of france and italyBestOfFranceAndItalyF1formula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnemuscle car and corvette nationalsMuscleCarAndCorvetteNationalsnascarpetersen automotive museumpetersen museumPetersenAutomotiveMuseumPetersenMuseumSEMAsema 2009Sema2009the chaseTheChaseSun, 01 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Dodge Challenger NASCAR Nationwide Series racer unveiled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/31/dodge-challenger-nascar-nationwide-racer-unveiled/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/31/dodge-challenger-nascar-nationwide-racer-unveiled/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/31/dodge-challenger-nascar-nationwide-racer-unveiled/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2010 Dodge Challenger New Nationwide Series racer - Click above for a high-res image gallery

NASCAR's rollout of its new Nationwide Series race car design has garnered buzz already with the introduction of the first-ever Mustang-branded stocker, and it got another shot in the arm yesterday at Talladega when Chrysler pulled the wraps off its brand-new Dodge Challenger Nationwide racer. We personally love the fact that the Challenger NNS car retains the same general front-end look as the production street car -- partially restoring an element that's been missing from stock cars for years now. The new Nationwide Mustang and Challenger will join their yet-to-be-unveiled counterparts from Chevy and Toyota (don't hold your breath for a Nationwide Camaro) in four races on the 2010 Nationwide Series calendar: Daytona in July, then later dates at Michigan, Richmond, and Lowe's Motor Speedway. The new car designs are expected to be fully adopted for the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. This process mimics the way NASCAR rolled out the Car of Tomorrow in the top-tier Sprint Cup series. Check out Dodge's official press release after the jump, and have a closer look at the new Dodge Challenger Nationwide car in the gallery below. As soon as Chrysler PR uploads photos that show more than just the car's front end (come on, guys...), we'll update the gallery.

UPDATE: NASCAR.com has shots of all four new NNS cars. The Chevy and Toyota retain Impala and Camry branding.


Gallery: 2010 Dodge Challenger NASCAR Nationwide Series Car


[Source: Dodge Motorsports]

Continue reading Dodge Challenger NASCAR Nationwide Series racer unveiled

Dodge Challenger NASCAR Nationwide Series racer unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20102010 dodge challenger2010DodgeChallengerbreakingchallengerchallenger stock carChallengerStockCardodgedodge challengerDodgeChallengernascarnationwide seriesNationwideSeriesnew nationwide carNewNationwideCarstock carStockCarSat, 31 Oct 2009 12:24:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: ESPN analyst suspended over "inappropriate" comment about racer Montoya]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/28/report-espn-analyst-suspended-over-inappropriate-comment-abou/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/28/report-espn-analyst-suspended-over-inappropriate-comment-abou/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/28/report-espn-analyst-suspended-over-inappropriate-comment-abou/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bob Griese, ESPN analyst and two-time Superbowl winning quarterback with the Miami Dolphins, has been suspended for one week following an inappropriate comment he made during a live college football broadcast last Saturday. After showing a graphic of the top five drivers currently vying for the points lead in NASCAR competition, Griese commented that Colombian driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who's not currently in the top five, was "out having a taco."

Shortly after making the remark, Griese apologized on air, and he did so again at the closing of the broadcast. According to ESPN, the college football analyst "understands the comment was inappropriate." For his part, Montoya didn't seem to rattled by the remark, responding that he had never heard of Griese in the first place.

Incidentally, the Ohio State Buckeyes went on to crush the Minnesota Golden Gophers 38-7.

[Source: The Associated Press via Google | Image: Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images]

REPORT: ESPN analyst suspended over "inappropriate" comment about racer Montoya originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob grieseBobGrieseESPNgriese montoyaGrieseMontoyajuan montoyajuan pablo montoyaJuanMontoyaJuanPabloMontoyanascarWed, 28 Oct 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: USF1 wants NASCAR's Kyle Busch for driver duties]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/24/report-usf1-wants-nascars-kyle-busch-for-driver-duties/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/24/report-usf1-wants-nascars-kyle-busch-for-driver-duties/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/24/report-usf1-wants-nascars-kyle-busch-for-driver-duties/#commentsFiled under:



Kyle BuschF1 drivers have left the grid to go to NASCAR, so why not have a NASCAR driver make the leap to Formula 1? USF1's Peter Windsor reportedly has his eye on NASCAR bad boy Kyle Busch to pilot the team's single-seater in next year's championship. The 24-year-old Busch is said to have massive talent, and he's tallied a fair number of wins in his five years of racing in three NASCAR series.

We like the idea of an American pilot who isn't from IndyCar, especially considering the record of American drivers with that background, Mario Andretti excluded. It's still surprising, however, that Windsor, who well knows the crucible that is Formula 1, would want to put an F1 rookie in a brand new car for a brand new team. Pilots with years of F1-specific grooming and success in feeder series like GP2 have burst like melons on concrete when elevated to F1 (Piquet, Jr. and Grosjean, anyone?). If USF1 does make it to the grid (Ecclestone seems to think they won't), we hope they've got drivers who can help them show well.

[Source: Daily F1]

REPORT: USF1 wants NASCAR's Kyle Busch for driver duties originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnekyle buschKyleBuschmotorsportsnascarpeter windsorPeterWindsorusf1Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Mustang stock car unveiled for NASCAR Nationwide Series]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/mustang-stock-car-unveiled-for-nascar-nationwide-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/mustang-stock-car-unveiled-for-nascar-nationwide-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/mustang-stock-car-unveiled-for-nascar-nationwide-series/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Ford Mustang NASCAR Nationwide Car - Click above image to enlarge

Hold on to your butts, people. Ford Racing and Roush Fenway Racing have unveiled their new stock car based on the poniest of pony cars. Prior to this, Ford teams in NASCAR have driven Fusions. Well, all right, none of them were actual Fusions or will be actual Mustangs. Rather, they'll be normal stock cars like everyone else in NASCAR drives that are covered with enough stickers and fake grilles to make you think that you might be looking at a Mustang from the stands. Man, "stock car" has really become a contradiction in terms.

Now you won't see Mustangs turning left next week in Charlotte at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The new car will compete in four races next year and only in the Nationwide Series, not the Sprint Cup. As such, it won't be based on the Car of Tomorrow platform that the Sprint Cup series uses, but rather the newer, different Car of Tomorrow platform designed specifically for the Nationwide Series. This first new Mustang to race in the Nationwide Series will be the No. 16 Con-way Freight Mustang driven by Colin Braun for Roush Fenway Racing. Is it enough to make us love NASCAR? Not quite, but if we had to race a bathtub on wheels, we'd pick this one.

UPDATE: Sorry about image, fixed now.

[Source: Ford Racing]

Continue reading Mustang stock car unveiled for NASCAR Nationwide Series

Mustang stock car unveiled for NASCAR Nationwide Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingfordford mustangford racingFordMustangFordRacingmustangnascarnascar nationwideNascarNationwideroush fenway racingRoushFenwayRacingTue, 13 Oct 2009 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[F1 veterans Jarno Trulli and Mika Salo to test Waltrip Toyota NASCAR in Florida]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/f1-veterans-jarno-trulli-and-mika-salo-to-test-waltrip-toyota-na/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/f1-veterans-jarno-trulli-and-mika-salo-to-test-waltrip-toyota-na/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/f1-veterans-jarno-trulli-and-mika-salo-to-test-waltrip-toyota-na/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Up until a few years ago, seeing a driver switch from one motorsport discipline to another was practically unheard of. A Formula One driver might compete at Le Mans, sure, but with few exceptions, that was about the extent of it. Now we've got drivers interested in switching between F1, rallying and even motorbikes in a big game of musical chairs. Once unfathomable, however, the biggest trend is a growing cadre of F1 drivers migrating to NASCAR.

Following similar moves by Juan Pablo Montoya, Jacques Villeneuve and Scott Speed, to name just a few, and rumors of Nelsinho Piquet's intended move, comes news that Toyota's Jarno Trulli (pictured above) is scheduled to test drive a stock car next month at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida. After attending a Sprint Cup race last year in Michigan, and reportedly several more to observe Montoya's progress, Trulli asked his employers at Toyota to arrange a test session for him, so they set him up with the Michael Waltrip Racing team - which races under the Toyota banner - for a two-day test in November.

Joining Trulli at the test session will reportedly be one Mika Salo, the Finnish driver who competed in F1 from 1994 to 2002. Over his career, Salo raced for Lotus, Tyrrell, Arrows, BAR, Sauber and Toyota, but his best results were a pair of podiums scored when filling in for an injured Michael Schumacher at Ferrari in 1999. Recently, he's been racing for Risi Competizione in the Le Mans Series, and took the GT2 class win at Le Mans last year, but now he's looking to switch to oval tracks.

For his part, Trulli insists the session is just for fun. But Toyota is not expected to renew his contract for next season, and he'll will be looking for another ride in F1. If he doesn't find it, he may find NASCAR a compelling option.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Kiyoshi Ota/Getty]

F1 veterans Jarno Trulli and Mika Salo to test Waltrip Toyota NASCAR in Florida originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1 nascarf1 to nascarF1NascarF1ToNascarjarno trullijarno trulli nascarJarnoTrulliJarnoTrulliNascarmika salomika salo nascarMikaSaloMikaSaloNascarnascarsalotrulliMon, 12 Oct 2009 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA["Victimized" F1 driver Nelson Piquet Jr. reportedly headed to NASCAR truck series]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/05/victimized-f1-driver-nelson-piquet-jr-reportedly-headed-to-na/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/05/victimized-f1-driver-nelson-piquet-jr-reportedly-headed-to-na/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/05/victimized-f1-driver-nelson-piquet-jr-reportedly-headed-to-na/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Crashing in Formula One is taken pretty seriously. Especially if you did it on purpose. Which goes a long way towards explaining why the motorsport community is calling for the blood of Nelson Piquet Jr. The disgraced Renault driver was, in the end, the perpetrator of the so-called Crashgate affair. But while his boss and manager Flavio Briatore was kicked out of Formula One (and any involvement in any FIA-sanctioned racing series) as a result, and technical director Pat Symonds received a five-year ban. For his part, Piquet walked as part of the whistle-blower deal brokered with the FIA. So it may be a little hard to appreciate the young driver's standpoint that he's suffered the most out of the affair.

On this side of the Atlantic, however, stock cars crash all the time. It's just part of the spectacle. So while Piquet, Jr. may have a hard time finding a race seat in Formula One or any other Euro-centric racing series, he may - like Juan Pablo Montoya, Jacques Villeneuve and Scott Speed, to name just a few - try his hand at stock car racing. Well, stock truck racing, more specifically.

According to new reports, Piquet is scheduled to test a Toyota Tundra race truck fielded by the Red Horse team in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series over the next couple of weeks. The report, originating from Brazil's Globo television, further suggests that Piquet has a strategy in place to spend one year in trucks and another year in the second-tier Nationwide Series before graduating to the top-tier Sprint Cup in 2012. The question is, how will American racing drivers - and just as importantly, American racing fans - greet the embattled grand prix driver?

[Sources: AutoWeek and Autosport | Image: Robert Cianflone/Getty]

"Victimized" F1 driver Nelson Piquet Jr. reportedly headed to NASCAR truck series originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Crashgatenascarnascar super trucknascar truckNascarSuperTruckNascarTrucknelsinho piquetNelsinhoPiquetnelson piquet jrNelsonPiquetJrpique jrPiqueJrpiquetrenault f1RenaultF1stock carstock car racingstock carsStockCarStockCarRacingStockCarsMon, 05 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Richard Petty Motorsports drops Dodge for Ford, joins Yates Racing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/12/richard-petty-motorsports-drops-dodge-for-ford-joins-yates-raci/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/12/richard-petty-motorsports-drops-dodge-for-ford-joins-yates-raci/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/12/richard-petty-motorsports-drops-dodge-for-ford-joins-yates-raci/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Richard Petty with his Ford Torino Cobra at the 1969 Daytona 500 - Click above for high-res image

As expected, Richard Petty Motorsports will no longer race in NASCAR using Chrysler vehicles after the current season, instead turning to Ford and joining forces with Yates Racing. The first sign of discontentment between the Pentastar and Petty came shortly after Chrysler filed for bankruptcy and halted payment to Petty's racing organization.

For the 2010 season, the new group will field a team of drivers consisting of Kasey Kahne, A.J. Allmendinger, Paul Menard and Elliott Sadler. At this point, its unclear what will happen with Reed Sorenson, Bobby Labonte and Erik Darnell, the three drivers currently left out of the new team's plans.

You'd have to turn back the clock a full 40 years to see the last time Richard Petty raced with Ford. Petty won a total of nine races in 1969, his lone season driving a car from the Blue Oval, before eventually losing out on the title to David Pearson's Holman Moody-prepped Ford Torino.

[Source: Ford Racing]

Richard Petty Motorsports drops Dodge for Ford, joins Yates Racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordnascarrichard pettyrichard petty fordrichard petty motorsportsrichard petty motorsports fordrichard petty motorsports yates racingRichardPettyRichardPettyFordRichardPettyMotorsportsRichardPettyMotorsportsFordRichardPettyMotorsportsYatesRacingyates racingYatesRacingSat, 12 Sep 2009 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Danica Patrick to drive NASCAR in 2010, remain with IndyCar Series]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/report-danica-patrick-to-drive-nascar-in-2010-remain-with-indy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/report-danica-patrick-to-drive-nascar-in-2010-remain-with-indy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/report-danica-patrick-to-drive-nascar-in-2010-remain-with-indy/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Danica Patrick's SI Swimsuit Issue photo shoot - Click above for high-res image gallery

The rumors were apparently true. According to ESPN, IndyCar driver - and, without a doubt our favorite Go Daddy spokesmodel - Danica Patrick will "all but certainly" take part in NASCAR racing next year. It seems Patrick will be limiting her exposure to the Nationwide Series and Truck series and will continue to race the full IndyCar schedule for Andretti Green Racing.

If ESPN's sources are accurate, Danica will join Stewart Haas Racing and partner up with Tony Stewart, who will serve as her mentor in the sport. Stewart enjoyed a successful career in open wheel racing before switching to stock cars. As you might expect, the top female driver here in the States shouldn't have an issue with sponsorship money and the move could provide just the ratings boost NASCAR sorely needs.


Gallery: 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue: Danica Patrick


[Source: ESPN]

REPORT: Danica Patrick to drive NASCAR in 2010, remain with IndyCar Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>danicadanica patrickdanica patrick nascarDanicaPatrickDanicaPatrickNascarnascarstewart haas racingStewartHaasRacingtony stewartTonyStewartTue, 08 Sep 2009 15:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Event Alert: September Calendar of Automotive Events]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/01/event-alert-september-calendar-of-automotive-events/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/01/event-alert-september-calendar-of-automotive-events/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/01/event-alert-september-calendar-of-automotive-events/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



September brings a whole bunch of Labor Day and end-of-summer cruises, meets and concours. It also kicks off the international auto show season with the Frankfurt Motor Show.

For those of you missing our coverage of Meadowbrook, Woodward and Monterey, there are tons of classic car events in September, including include the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival, Lime Rock Vintage Festival, Charlotte Autofair, All AMC Classic Car Show & Beach Cruise 2009, Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance, Fairfield County Concours d'Elegance, The Colorado Grand, 20th Annual Route 66 Rendezvous, Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles, Goodwood Revival, Colorado English Motoring Conclave, Sunriver Festival of Cars, Thunderbolt Historics (and vintage airshow), Brits on the Beach British Car Day, 16th Annual Fall Classic Car Show, Buckingham Concours, Dayton Concours d'Elegance, East Coast Boardwalk Classic Car Show, Southeastern Fall MG Gathering of the Faithful Mk XV, St. Michael's Concours, 12th Annual Coronado Speed Festival, 10th Annual Cruisin' for a Cure, Autumn in the Mountains, Bonhams Vintage New England Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia, Ironstone Concours d'Elegance, RM Auctions: Icons of Speed and Style Auction, SWEETPORT Antique & Classic Car Show, and VIVA ITALIA: Concours D'Elegance. Whew.

On the racing front, the ALMS series visits Detroit before packing up and hitting Atlanta for the Petit Le Mans. The Formula 1 circus stops in Italy and then Singapore as the series heads down the home stretch, IndyCar has races scheduled at Detroit and Motegi, Japan, and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races towards the Chase, with action in Atlanta, Richmond, New Hampshire and Dover.

If none of those events appeal to you, check the Google Calendar after the jump for even more listings, all with detailed info and links. Please use the comments section to add or modify listings.

Continue reading Event Alert: September Calendar of Automotive Events

Event Alert: September Calendar of Automotive Events originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>almsAutoblog Automotive Event Calendarautoblog calendarautoblog event calendarAutoblogAutomotiveEventCalendarAutoblogCalendarAutoblogEventCalendarautomotive event calendarAutomotiveEventCalendarcalendarColorado GrandColoradoGrandcoronadocoronado speed festivalCoronadoSpeedFestivalevent calendarEventCalendarfeaturedfrankfurtfrankfurt 2009frankfurt auto showfrankfurt motor showFrankfurt2009FrankfurtAutoShowFrankfurtMotorShowgoodwoodgoodwood revivalGoodwoodRevivalindycarindycar seriesIndycarSeriesmonzamonza f1MonzaF1nascarRoute 66Route66Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Why you reportedly won't be seeing Chevy's Camaro doing the NASCAR roundy-round]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/05/why-you-wont-be-seeing-chevys-camaro-doing-the-nascar-roundy-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/05/why-you-wont-be-seeing-chevys-camaro-doing-the-nascar-roundy-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/05/why-you-wont-be-seeing-chevys-camaro-doing-the-nascar-roundy-r/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



There are people who have been waiting to find out if Chevrolet's new Camaro is going to be doing the NASCAR rounds and ovals, and yesterday General Motors' head of motorsport issued the answer: No. Why not? Because GM wants the Camaro to look like a Camaro when it races, not like that NASCAR Mustang that was rolled out a week ago.

GM's Mark Kent said that because of "the need to have templated bodies in that series, we felt that by forcing the Camaro into the Nationwide templates that we were compromising the body lines of an iconic car." Instead, Bumblebee could be headed to the KONI Challenge series or drag racing with the NHRA. No disrespect to NASCAR, but they'll be places where you can see racing Camaros instead of racing stickers.

[Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Why you reportedly won't be seeing Chevy's Camaro doing the NASCAR roundy-round originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 chevrolet camaro2010ChevroletCamarocamarochevrolet camaroChevroletCamarochevychevy camaroChevyCamarogmmotorsportsnascarracingWed, 05 Aug 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Circuit Logic: Pocono Raceway going solar powered?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/04/circuit-logic-pocono-raceway-going-solar-powered/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/04/circuit-logic-pocono-raceway-going-solar-powered/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/04/circuit-logic-pocono-raceway-going-solar-powered/#commentsFiled under: ,



The greening of motorsport continues with NASCAR, which has a program to plant 20 acres of trees at race tracks every year. Individual tracks are doing their own things as well, with Pocono Raceway the latest to go a step further: The New York Times reports that it is planting 25 acres of solar cells, equaling about 40,000 panels, to create three megawatts of its own power.

The track's power bill was about to go up to $500,000 per year, and they figured a better way to spend the money would be investing in renewable energy. The solar farm, being built by enXco and planned for completion next year, will cost up to $17 million but it will eventually pay for itself. In addition to the money the Raceway will save by using its own power, it can sell the excess production back to the regional grid operator for "seven figures" each year.

True, it doesn't exactly make motorsports green, but it's a good step. And we have to admit - it makes a lot more sense than KERS. Thanks for the tip, Deepa!

[Source: The New York Times via Green Launches]

Circuit Logic: Pocono Raceway going solar powered? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative energyAlternativeEnergycircuitenxcogreenmotorsportsnascarphoto cellPhotoCellpoconopocono racewayPoconoRacewayracetracksolarstock car racingstock carsStockCarRacingStockCarsTue, 04 Aug 2009 18:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Event Alert: August Calendar of Automotive Events]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/01/event-alert-august-calendar-of-automotive-events/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/01/event-alert-august-calendar-of-automotive-events/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/01/event-alert-august-calendar-of-automotive-events/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Monterey, Meadow Brook, and Michael, oh my! This August offers plenty of action for all types of car lovers. The Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance launches the month in style, along with the SEMA Show 'n Shine half a continent away in Pasadena. For folks who are going to be near Reno, the annual Hot August Nights show hits the biggest little city in the world this month as well. The biggest events for the Autoblog crew (as well as thousands of others) will be the Woodward Dream Cruise and the week-long classic car fest in Monterey, California, capped off by the world-renowned Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

There's lots of racing action, too, most notably the return of seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher to the cockpit for Ferrari in Spain. The world's premier racing series also visits Spa at the end of the month. Meanwhile, ALMS makes stops at Mid-Ohio, Road America and Mosport; IndyCar hits Kentucky, Mid-Ohio, Infineon Raceway and Chicago; and NASCAR fans can look forward to races at Pocono, Watkins Glen, MIS and Bristol.

If none of those events appeal to you, check the Google Calendar after the jump for even more listings, all with detailed info and links. Please use the comments section to add or modify listings.

Continue reading Event Alert: August Calendar of Automotive Events

Event Alert: August Calendar of Automotive Events originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>almsautoblog calendarAutoblog event calendarAutoblogCalendarAutoblogEventCalendarf1formula 1formula1Hot August NightsHotAugustNightsindycarindycar seriesindycarsIndycarSeriesmeadow brook concoursMeadowBrookConcoursnascarpebble beachpebble beach concourspebble beach concours delegancePebbleBeachPebbleBeachConcoursPebbleBeachConcoursDelegancesemawoodwardwoodward dream cruiseWoodwardDreamCruiseSat, 01 Aug 2009 16:37:00 EST