Thursday, August 12, 2010

Kelby Breaks The Rule

Ganassi PR wiz (left) Kelby Krauss mugged for photogs after his team took yet another win on the weekend. If only everyone had a secret tunnel in Pennsylvania. Oops. I've said too much.

http://www.autoextremist.com/the-line1/

Q and A With Trevor Hopwood

From http://www.grand-am.com/news/index.cfm?series=k&cid=39069


Q & A With Former Series Champion, Race Winner Trevor Hopwood
Trevor Hopwood (No. 12 Mobis/Infinity Audio Kia Forte Koup), who earned the 2007 Street Tuner title with Adam Burrows, answered questions about his summer and the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivières, which he won in 2008.

Q. - Talk about what you have done this summer outside of racing.

T.H. - It's been a completely flat out but fun summer. I am the Assistant Director of the Adventure Camp in Kittery, Maine. It's a camp for middle school students, and every day we go a field trip. We might go to an amusement park one day, or ice skating or a trip to the beach the next day. This week prior to Trois-Rivières, however, is special; it's the annual camping trip. For two days, we take about 45 kids to Northern Maine. The trip includes a 14-mile canoe trip down the Saco River, plus other games, activities and a talent show. It's a tradition, and something everyone looks forward to each year.
Q. - Let's talk about the Kinetic Motorsports program and the new Kia Forte Koups.

T.H. - It has been quite an interesting season. When the cars rolled off the truck at Daytona we had one goal: to finish that race. We did and we have finished every race since then. We know the Kinetic guys will develop the car like mad and the speed and results will come as we have seen so far. That race at Lime Rock Park was definitely the best of the season; we had a top-five finish and I led. I never had a doubt in my mind that the car would get faster and it is continuing to get faster.

Q. - What sets Trois-Rivières apart from some of the places we visit on the circuit?
T.H. - Obviously, it is a street circuit so that alone makes it unique. But there are many other aspects that make it such a special weekend. It's our only stop in Canada, which is very important for the series. We have many teams and drivers from Canada, so it's great for them to all have a home race. The Canadian fans are incredible as well. It is easily the highest attended race of the year for us. They love their racing there and hopefully we can put a good show on for them. No other city puts as much effort into promoting an event and having all sorts of activities at night downtown.

Q. - What are the chances the Kia can break through for a victory at Trois-Rivières?
T.H. - I think we have a good shot. It will be an interesting race. They have increased the time back to two hours, which will play into our hand a bit. It's a small but strong field this year. The race is going to be all about saving the brakes. Adam is finishing this weekend so hopefully I can leave the car in really good shape so he has something to fight with at the end. Kinetic, Adam and myself have all proven we know how to win here.

Friday, August 6, 2010

AJ News...

AJ SIGNS WITH RPM

Watkins Glen, NY, 6 August 2010-- Arriving at the 2007 Daytona 500 with less than 150 laps of stock car driving experience under his lap belts, AJ Allmendinger faced an uphill battle as he looked to translate a winning open-wheel background into success in the NASCAR Sprint Cup ranks. Deepening the disadvantage as his career progressed was the constant wave of change, as the Californian worked hard to find success while adapting to different manufacturers, teams, and crew chiefs in an entirely new discipline.

But those hard turns made for an even stronger racer, and now AJ Allmendinger will look to translate a stable home at Richard Petty Motorsports into greater glory in the future as the team announced on Friday at Watkins Glen International that Allmendinger has signed a multiyear contract to drive the No. 43 Ford Fusion in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition.

Allmendinger first raced with the organization in 2008 as he impressed with strong finishes in a season-ending run of five races, netting him the chance to rejoin the team as Gillett Evernham Motorsports merged with Yates Racing and the Petty organization to form Richard Petty Motorsports in 2009.

AJ launched the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season with a run to third in the Daytona 500 as he raced to keep racing, using funding from prize money to continue to keep the machine on track despite a sponsorship shortage.

That drive and commitment won him a shot in the famed No. 43 under the watchful eye and guiding hand of The King, Richard Petty, for 2010. With a pole position in Phoenix and a strong mid-season run of top-15 race finishes, that vote of confidence by the team has been repaid as Allmendinger has flourished in the stabilized situation.

Getting the opportunity to drive the No. 43 for the King in a competitive environment, with the chance to lock in a stabilized future, was too much for Allmendinger to pass up.

“I have to say that I'm pretty excited about moving into the next chapter of my career with Richard Petty Motorsports,” said AJ. “There were several other good opportunities out there, but for the first time in my NASCAR career I have the chance to continue building on something good. I really think all of us on the 43 and at RPM can maximize that. We're all pretty passionate about that."

Allmendinger recently made his 100th NASCAR Sprint Cup start, and he picks up new supporters every time out.

“We are very pleased to have AJ as a part of the RPM family,” said team owner Richard Petty. “He has proven without a doubt that he is a very talented racer. His passion for the sport is second to none and his desire to be at the top is clear each and every week. I believe in him and what he can do and everyone at Richard Petty Motorsports is thrilled to be able to continue the relationship.”

AJ will look to keep the strong runs going this weekend as the NASCAR Sprint Cup returns to road course action in Sunday’s Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen.

New Burrows Voices of Speed

As we arrived at New Jersey Motorsports Park, it struck me how quickly the Continental Tire Series season has gone by. 

 Burrows talks New Jersey...and some motor changes!