Ryan Preece a Busy Driver this Weekend

Current NASCAR Next member Ryan Preece has a busy schedule this weekend as he plans to compete in four different NASCAR sanctioned races, concluding with the NASCAR Nationwide Series race this Saturday.

On Friday, he will begin with the NASCAR Whelen Modified All-Star Shootout at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The race is comprised of the biggest names in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. The 20 driver lineup has collected a combined total of 16 series championships and 132 wins. Later on in the day, Preece will travel to Stafford, CT to participate in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified Divisions race at Stafford Motor Speedway.

The following day, the 23-year-old will be heading back to New Hampshire to race in the Whelen Modified Sunoco 100. Once the event is over, Preece will have a few minutes to rest before preparing to get back inside a race car. This time, he will be driving Tommy Baldwin Racing’s No. 36 Chevrolet for the Nationwide Series STA-Green 200.

East West Marine will be sponsoring Preece’s car and is pleased to have him in the driver’s seat.

“We are very excited to be able to support Ryan’s continued progression through the NASCAR ranks and once again be a partner with Tommy Baldwin Racing,” said Brian Slaga, President of East West Marine. “We fully support Ryan’s career through the various racing series that he participates in. He is a great ambassador for East West Marine and we are proud to have him wave our flag. We look forward to his continued success for many years to come.”

Preece is the current Whelen Modified Tour champion after posting four wins and 10 top-fives in the 14-race season. He has a career total of nine wins and 58 top-10s in the series. Additionally, the Kensington, CT native has one previous Nationwide Series start which took place at New Hampshire as well. Last year he raced at the track for Tommy Baldwin Racing where he finished 24^th.

The upcoming race at New Hampshire will be the first of two Nationwide Series events Preece is scheduled to compete in this year. He is also slated to drive in the Virginia529 College Savings 250 at Richmond International Raceway on Friday, September 5^th.

“I can’t wait, and I’m very happy to have this chance again,” Preece said. “You never know if your first race in a car, could be your last one. Making the best of the opportunity is key. I’m very lucky to have someone like Tommy pushing and supporting me. He has given me a ‘true’ opportunity that is very hard to come by in today’s racing. There aren’t very many car owners that will put you in a car like he is doing. I’m looking forward to getting back in a full body car and doing what I love to do.”

The Nationwide Series STA-Green 200 will be broadcasted live on Saturday, June 12 with coverage beginning at 3:00 PM EST on ESPN2.

Storylines from the All-Star Race

The 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star Race was a success. It gave an energized crowd an exciting race under the lights. There were many memorable moments, including pre-race antics by AJ Allmendinger (who did “the worm” during driver introductions). In addition, there were some surprises, such as defending winner Jimmie Johnson’s lack luster night. Now that the confetti has settled and a winner has claimed $1 million, here are some storylines from the electrifying race.

Jamie McMurray wins All-Star, First for Chip Ganassi
To begin, here is the obvious headline. Jamie McMurray surprises everyone by winning the All-Star race. Early on, the event was mostly dominated by drivers like Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and Kasey Kahne. Within the third segment, McMurray begin to improve on his position and found himself inside of the top five. As the green flag flew for the final 10-lap shootout, McMurray took part in a close battle with Edwards. He soon took the lead and never looked back.

“Carl (Edwards) got a little bit of a jump on me on the restart and I was able to hold onto his quarter panel”, McMurray said in Victory Lane. “When we kept entering (Turn) 1 and Turn 3, I was like ‘Heck with it, it’s for one million bucks. If we wreck, it is not that big of a deal’. It is so cool to come out on top of that.”

What will the Joplin, MO native buy with his large paycheck first? A train for his three year old son, Carter.

“(Wife) Christy told him ‘Now Carter, if dad wins today what would you want?’ and he said ‘A train’ so Carter you are going to get a really cool train, I promise in the next few days”.

Not only is this win a first for the 37 year-old, but also for team owner Chip Ganassi. McMurray adds this victory alongside the crown jewel wins of the Daytona 500, Pepsi (now Coke Zero) 400 at Daytona International Speedway and Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Both driver and team owner have won the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the fall twice. Will the No. 1 team rise up and win the Coca-Cola 600 this upcoming week? After what happened Saturday night, the team will certainly be a favorite for the series’ longest race.

Four-time Winner Jimmie Johnson a Non-factor during Race
Coming into the All-Star race, Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 team were the prime pick to win the race. Why wouldn’t they? They entered Charlotte as not only the defending winners, but back to back winners.

From the time the green flag flew to the moment the checkered flag was waved, Johnson was a non-factor. He was barely mentioned in the television broadcast and hardly ever broke into the top five. It is not that the team performed badly – they finished sixth. The problem was they didn’t gain many positions. The team stayed around sixth most of the race.

Not that bad, but not that good.

This comes after much frustration in the No. 48 camp. They have struggled to place well in the last few races. Johnson and company have run into bad luck and mechanical issues. When everything is performing well, like last week at Kansas Speedway, they still aren’t able to make it to the front.

Knowing the history of team No. 48, this year has been strikingly odd for them. Time will only tell if they can turn their season around and capture a win before the Chase.

Pushing It to the Limit for $1 Million Dollars
Some predicted the this year’s All-Star Race would be fairly uneventful. The event in reality was exactly the opposite. From beginning to end drivers battled hard for positions. Unfortunately that resulted in quite a few wrecks. Many drivers taken out of the race were legitimate contenders such as Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon and Joey Logano.

Indeed each of the drivers were pushing both their car and their abilities in effort to better their average finish per segment. This would give them a better position entering pit road before the final 10-lap shootout.

The hard racing made for a great night under the lights and reminded everyone how much a driver would push the limits for a chance at $1 million.

Allmendinger, JTG-Daugherty Racing on the Rise

Talladega Superspeedway is known for mayhem and surprising finishes. This time, it ended under yellow with Denny Hamlin going to Victory Lane. Along with a winner sticker for the JGR driver, came some notable finishes.

One of those notables was AJ Allmendinger who finished fourth. The JTG-Daugherty Racing driver secured his first top five of the season. For No. 47 team, it was their first top five since the 2011 Daytona 500.

The organization came to the Alabama track with a strong race car. In first practice, they placed 11^th and claimed third place in qualifying. Determination, luck, and speed paid big for the team.

This is not the only time they have impressed this year. Last week at Richmond International Raceway, they finished sixth. At Auto Club Speedway, the group finished eighth.

Looking back at the team’s history, this has been their best season in four years – and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is only 10 races into the 36 race season.

Contributing to the group’s success is their new technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing. Receiving engines and mechanical support from the organization, JTG-Daugherty Racing has become an underdog team.

“It’s been amazing for the No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing team,” Allmendinger said. “With the new rules package - the ride height rules and everything going into this season - there were so many variables for us to try to figure out. To have all the engineering help and the notes that RCR brings is a huge help to our race team. Without it, I feel like we could easily be lost in trying to figure out where we are at."

Heading to Kansas Speedway next week, the team looks to continue competing for top 10s. With the added momentum from Talladega, keep an eye on the group. They are on their way to having a break out year.

“I’m just really proud of all the work the guys are doing and to have all the sponsors we have on the car each weekend… I just take it one week at a time.  It can be this weekend, it could be next weekend as long as we keep doing the things we are doing and progressively getting better each weekend. You know, we will have a shot at it.”

New Challenge Awaits Motivated Kurt Busch

Recently 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kurt Busch revealed big news on the TV show “Fox and Friends”. He announced that he would be attempting “The Double”, competing in the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in full, on the same day.

That is 1,100 miles in a 10 hour period between two different race tracks (Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway) separated by more than 400 miles. In addition Busch will be racing in two cars that couldn’t be more different: an open wheel IndyCar and a NASCAR stock-car. This is the ultimate challenge of strength and versatility for a driver.

While it has been attempted five times by three different drivers (John Andretti, 1994; Tony Stewart 1999, 2001; and Robby Gordon 2002, 2003), only Tony Stewart (2001) has completed every lap. Because of the demanding conditions the three-time NASCAR champion was on IV fluids while on the plane ride to Charlotte.

“There is going to be a full-on workout regimen that I am going to be full tilt the next three months with”, Busch said. …To do 1,100 miles in the same day, it’s not just the physical side, it’s the mental side as well.”

“Core strength is probably the most important key… just having the ability to stay in the seat and be able to stay hydrated, stay focused. The mental side is big but the physical strength of the upper body and what drivers have to go through to challenge themselves to stay on top of their game.”

As Busch talked about the lofty undertaking, he looked relaxed… smiling… almost like he was happy to be there. Is this Kurt Busch? What happened? Where is the guy who was constantly in scuffles with other drivers and strongly despised the media? That Kurt Busch is well on his way out the door as the new and improved one is stepping in.

What could have helped the 35 year-old go from nearly losing a spot in NASCAR completely, to joining one of the top teams in the sport (Stewart-Haas Racing) and attempting to achieve one of the most strenuous feats in motorsports? The source seems to be his girlfriend and President of the Armed Forces Foundation Patricia Driscoll. In the few years they have been together, Busch has made a change for the better, both in his personal and professional life.

The two have a deep passion for one thing: Helping injured military veterans receive the help they need as they return to their civilian lives. It is an exceptionally worthy cause and exactly why Busch is doing “The Double”.

“It’s Memorial Day weekend, I mean this isn’t just a PR stunt. I have been working with the Armed Forces Foundation the last three years and to build attention towards our troops and their PTST (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) struggles, traumatic brain injury. I’m doing this for the troops.”

The Las Vegas native has become a spokesmen for the foundation, holding an annual tournament called “Busch Whacked”. It is a mud run, with a military style flare that has raised more than $250,000 in its two years done.

With his newest endeavor to raise awareness of the cause, he encourages Americans to support and give to the Armed Forces Foundation which is as easy as texting 50555 to “AFF”.

On May 25^th American motorsports fans will be keeping an eye on Kurt Busch, the fourth driver to attempt “The Double”. With a new outlook and a great cause motivating him, he may just become the second to achieve it.

Kenseth's Career Rejuvinated

After finishing 2nd in the last race of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, Matt Kenseth finished second in the championship standings, 19 points behind now reigning six time champion, Jimmie Johnson. Kenseth gave it his best shot, but in the end could not clinch his second championship despite his stellar year. After 36 races, he finished with seven wins, 12 top fives and 20 top tens. In addition, his overall average finish this season was 12.1, which is his fourth best in a full time season.

Statistically, he has been stronger this year than in his championship-winning season in 2003 where he won with only one victory, 11 top tens and 25 top tens. Kenseth only led 345 laps that season compared to 1,639 laps in 2013.

Kenseth did not have a great start to the 2013 season as he finished 37th in the season opening Daytona 500 after his engine blew with 51 laps to go. Fortunately he quickly rebounded and visited victory lane three times in a span of nine races. Kenseth continued posting wins and good finishes all throughout the regular season.

As the Chase approached, the veteran driver was turning heads. Many felt he was a legitimate threat to compete and possibly beat Johnson in the Chase - the five time champion’s forte.

Kenseth didn’t disappoint as the Chase began, winning the first two races at Chicogoland Raceway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The battle between Johnson and Kenseth stayed close throughout the Chase. At one point, the drivers were tied at the top of the championship point standings heading into the eighth Chase race at Texas Motor Speedway.

It looked to be a battle down to the last lap at Homestead but at Phoenix International Raceway, the complexion of the contender’s competition changed completely. Kenseth’s car was unruly during the whole race and stayed behind 20^th position for the last half of the race.

Kenseth was 19 points behind Johnson in the standings going into Homestead. The No. 20 team’s only chance of claiming the championship this year was if Johnson had major adversity in the race. The adversity never came, making Johnson a six time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. Despite not being the one with his name engraved on the trophy, Kenseth was still very pleased with the season.

“It was just an unbelievable year for us really” Kenseth said after the race at Homestead, “Obviously, we wanted to finish off and win the championship as good as we ran all year, but couldn’t be more proud of the whole Dollar General/Home Depot Toyota team. They did a spectacular job all season…”

The 40 year old seems to be defying the odds as he is experiencing his most successful season later in his career. With his new team at Joe Gibbs Racing, it seems like his career has been rejuvenated. Could the driver of the No.20 Home Depot/Dollar General Toyota continue his success for a few more years? It is certainly possible. Kenseth’s new home at JGR seems to be a great fit with his crew chief Jason Ratcliff and No.20 team.

“…I think that's part of the key, is our relationship.” Kenseth said of Ratcliff a few months ago, “I guess we hit it off right away from first time we met, kind of talked about things from the first time we went to the racetrack together.”

“Definitely it's a team effort. The whole organization there, everybody that works on those cars, engines, gets them to the racetrack, pits them, it's the whole thing. It's been a good combination.”

As the 2014 season quickly approaches, look for Kenseth to be a top contender once again. His success this year may mark the beginning of what we will see from him in the next few years.