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Performance Racing Industry: PRI / CKI All-Stars Karting Classic Friday: December 10, 2009 by Marci Watson, Editor What a Karting event it was at the PRI show! The weather was a bit of a factor that night, as Florida is usually sunny and warm - heavy rain earlier in the day taper off and cleared out just in time for qualifying even though the brisk wind did remind you that it WAS December. Karting is the purest form of racing and how many drivers got started in their careers.  These professionals put a show and displayed their passion for racing on and off the track to the delight of the trade show attendees in the stands.

2009 PRI Trade Show was a terrific answer to challenging times 38,000 motorsports entrepreneurs gathered from all 50 states and 60 countries to conduct business face to face, and launch a fast start to 2010 sales of the latest new product lines in racing! As the PRI Trade Show closed, both attendees and exhibitors were optimistic about the upcoming 2010 race season, as they should be with approximately 38,000 buyers attending the Show from all 50 states, and 60 countries.

Danica chasing her dream: Danica Patrick Signs With JR Motorsports Danica Patrick will race in NASCAR Nationwide Series on part-time basis for JR Motorsports in 2010. 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.

Talla'BAMA, R.I.P. The Day that NASCAR Died by Rocky Sinyard The sunrise was painting the eastern sky orange … the full moon was settling beyond the grandstands. With a tear in my eye, I stood in the vast infield of Talladega Superspeedway and asked myself, “What has happened to my beloved sport of NASCAR racing? What has happened to Talla’Bama? Where did it all go so wrong?” As I lingered there in that beautiful predawn moment … lyrics to a famous old song began to play in my mind …

Joey Logano first driver into the 5th Annual Lucas Oil Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge presented by Whelen Engineering LAKE PLACID, N.Y. -- Joey Logano, driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and 2009 Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year announced that he will again compete in the 5th Annual Lucas Oil Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge presented by Whelen Engineering to be staged in Lake Placid, N.Y. January 8-10, 2010. The Bodine Bobsled Challenge features NASCAR and NHRA drivers piloting specially-made bobsleds down Lake Placid's infamous track in two different races geared to raise money for the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project.

Bonus Photos: December issue 2nd Annual Nostalgia Nationals The Goodguys 2nd Nostalgia Nationals at historic Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky was a colorful blend of hot rods, vintage race cars, crisp fall weather and an enthusiastic crowd that witnessed a spectacular weekend of racing and hot rodding! To read all about it and check the official race results click here: www.ggvintagedragracing.com/results Photos by Mark Hinkle and Robert Hinkle for MSA. See more in our upcoming issue.

Bonus Photos: December issue SCCA: 16th Annual Road Race of Champions Road Atlanta: November 5-8, 2009 One of the best weekends of the year greeted racers at Road Atlanta for the 16th Annual American Road Race of Champions Presented by Grassroots Motorsports.  Clear skies and mild temperatures made for perfect track conditions.  The racing and the parties were some of the best in recent memory.  Results have been posted in the ARRC section at www.atlantascca.org/arrc/2009-arrc-results.html See MSA photos

ARCHIVES

Johnson grabs fourth straight title; Hamlin wins race Done deal. “How ’bout some history?!” Jimmie Johnson shouted as the crossed the finish line at Homestead-Miami Speedway. No, Johnson didn’t win Sunday’s Ford 400. Denny Hamlin did. But Johnson accomplished something far more significant than a victory in a single event. His fifth-place finish was more than good enough to clinch his fourth straight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title, breaking a tie with Cale Yarborough for most consecutive championships. “History, boys,” Johnson continued. “No one ever—ever! I don’t know how to thank you guys. Thank you so much.” Johnson’s title run also completed Hendrick Motorsports’ sweep of the top three positions in the final standings, the first time an organization has achieved that distinction. In winning his fourth Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Johnson finished 141 points ahead of Mark Martin, who entered Sunday’s race 108 points behind his teammate and finished 12th.

Jamie McMurray Grabs The Win At Talladega Superspeedway TALLADEGA, ALA. -- Jamie McMurray added his name to the victory list Sunday in a surprising finish to a typical race at Talladega Superspeedway. McMurray, odd-man out in Jack Roush's compliance move to fielding a maximum of four teams in 2010, crept home the winner in a green-white-checker finish that only made it three-quarters-of-a-lap before a wild crash brought out a caution flag making McMurray the winner.

Schumacher, Johnson have similar thoughts LAS VEGAS, Nev., October 27 - U.S. Army Top Fuel driver Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher couldn't help but smile when he heard NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson being interviewed following last Sunday's race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. "I could definitely relate to what he was talking about," said Schumacher as he prepared for this weekend's Las Vegas Nationals here at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. "He and I are clearly in similar positions at the moment. Neither one of us really want to talk about points right now." While Johnson currently leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings with a handful of races to go, Schumacher sits atop the NHRA's Top Fuel standings heading into the final two races of the 2009 Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season.

Kawasaki's Leandro Mercado Wins AMA Pro SuperSport Championship Shootout at Daytona October 18, 2009: Leandro Mercado (No. 92 Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R) passed Josh Day (No. 4 Team E.S.P. Yamaha YZF-R6) coming out of the final turn on the last lap of Sunday's AMA Pro SuperSport presented by Shoei National Championship Shootout at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) to win the final race of the 2009 AMA Pro Road Racing season by a scant .148 of a second. Mercado, who was presented with the SuperSport National Championship No. 1 plate for the victory in the winner-take-all finale, led the first three circuits of the 12-lap sprint race.  Day passed for the lead in the DIS International Horseshoe on Lap 4 but Mercado stayed close by in second for the rest of the race.  Mercado closed on the final lap in "NASCAR" Turns 3 and 4 and passed Day for the win on the run into the Daytona tri-oval as the checkered flag waved.

He's Done It Again: Johnson Victorious At Lowe's Motor Speedway Jimmie Johnson has done it again. He won the NASCAR Banking 500 Saturday night, extending his lead over teammate Mark Martin to 90 points in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship. Johnson drove away from the field after dicing with teammate Jeff Gordon in the closing laps of the 334-lap race. It was Johnson's sixth win at Lowe's Motor Speedway and put him another step closer to a fourth consecutive championship, which would be a first in NASCAR history.

Busch Dominates NASCAR Nationwide Race At LMS Eleven races without a win is an eternity for Kyle Busch, but the prolific Joe Gibbs Racing driver returned to victory lane decisively Friday night at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Six days removed from exiting car with what was later diagnosed as pneumonia, Busch led 137 of 200 laps to win the Dollar General 300 at the 1.5-mile track. With the victory, Busch expanded his lead in the NASCAR Nationwide Series standings to 195 points over fifth-place finisher Carl Edwards with four races left in the season.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Johnson dominates at Fontana to grab Chase lead Jimmie Johnson called his shot. For months, the three-time defending Sprint Cup champion has been saying the addition of Auto Club Speedway to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup was a gift to his No. 48 team. Sunday's October 11th Pepsi 500, Johnson proved it and grabbed the points lead from Mark Martin in the process. Johnson's win also left runner-up Jeff Gordon conceding that his Hendrick Motorsports teammate is in a class by himself. After the sun came out on Lap 66 of 250, Johnson was unbeatable, and not even a succession of late restarts could derail his effort.

GRAND AM Road Racing: Gue, Seafuse Win At VIR; Wilden Takes Title DANVILLE, Va. (Oct. 4, 2009) - James Gue and Bret Seafuse did what they set out to do - win the 2009 Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge Grand Sport (GS) season-ending Bosch Engineering Octoberfest on Sunday at Virginia International Raceway. However, Ken Wilden's sixth-place finish was enough to keep the points lead and take his first series title. In the Street Tuner (ST) class, Christian Miller's car retired just over an hour into the four-hour race, but he was able to hold on to win that title, in a race won by Tom Long and Derek Whitis in the No. 145 Mazda/Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5.

AREND, TEAM KALITTA CELEBRATE EMOTIONAL WIN Lucas, Line and Phillips claim wins at rain-delayed race; Ashley Force Hood assumes points lead in Funny Car MEMPHIS – Jeff Arend and Funny Car team owner and NHRA icon Connie Kalitta celebrated an emotional, tearful victory Monday at the rain-delayed O’Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park. Joining Arend in the winner’s circle at the 21st of 24 races in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series were Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Michael Phillips (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

TEAM AMSOIL OFFSHORE WINS BACK TO BACK OFFSHORE SUPER SERIES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP One week after moving into the first place points position in the Super Boat International series in Morehead City, NC, Team AMSOIL traveled to Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri to compete in the Offshore Super Series 2009 National Championships finale.   Going into this race, Team AMSOIL had fought its way to a slight one point advantage in the Offshore Super Series (OSS) season point's battle.   What this meant is that Team AMSOIL would have to win the race in order to secure its second consecutive OSS National Championship.

Hight, Dixon, Edwards and Hines lead qualifying at O' Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals in Memphis Robert Hight raced to the Funny Car qualifying lead Friday, October 2nd, at the O'Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals. Larry Dixon, Mike Edwards and Andrew Hines also led their categories at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event. Hight, who barely made it into the NHRA Full Throttle Series Countdown to 1, has again made the most of his opportunity and followed up his back to back wins in Dallas and Charlotte, N.C. by leading qualifying at the Memphis Motorsports Park at the third event in the six-race championship playoffs. See MSA Staff Photos!

4 Wide at Concord: Bonus Photos from the MSA October issue Field was Set for Four Lane, Four-Wide Exhibition on Sunday, September 20, 2009 Upon the conclusion of the first round of qualifying, the stage was set to give the fans a treat and thrill the drivers who participated in the four-lane, four-wide exhibition run. It marked the first time in NHRA history, modern Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars racing four lanes, four wide, unleashing a powerful assault of 28,000 horsepower on spectacular zMAX Dragway. Here are the photos that we couldn't fit in the October issue. Photos by Fred Hanyon, MSA

Featured Track MSA Welcomes a new race track to our links list: Shangri-La II of Tioga Center, NY where concrete kicks asphalt! Visit: www.www.shangrila-2.com for schedule, news and results.

NHRA Carolinas Nationals Concord, NC Saturday: Dixon Blasts to a 3.844 to Earn Top Qualifying Spot Cruz Pedregon, Mike Edwards and Hector Arana remain on top Two-time champion Larry Dixon blew away the Top Fuel field Saturday to earn the No. 1 quaifying position for Sunday’s NHRA Carolinas Nationals, the first race in NHRA’s six-race playoff, the Countdown to 1. The other No. 1 qualifiers at the 19th of 24 races in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series were Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle). The NHRA Carolinas Nationals is the first race in NHRA’s six-race playoff and it is the first of a four-races-in-four-weeks blitz that includes stops in Dallas, Memphis and Richmond to begin the Countdown to 1.

NHRA Carolinas Nationals Concord, NC Friday: Larry Dixon moved to the head of the Top Fuel class during the final qualifying day at the NHRA Carolinas Nationals at zMax Dragway. Friday leaders Cruz Pedregon, Mike Edwards, and Hector Arana stayed No. 1 in the other classes. See Friday's photos by MSA Staff

Flowmaster Dragstock VI Delivers Thrills at ‘The Rock’ The National Guard American Drag Racing League’s (ADRL’s) Flowmaster Dragstock VI lived up to its promise of a great event Sep. 12, delivering record-setting fields, outstanding individual efforts, massive crowds and exciting on-track action. Before a standing-room-only crowd that packed historic Rockingham Dragway to capacity, Jason Hamstra (left, near lane) won his second Pro Extreme race of the year, Pro Nitrous veteran Mike Castellana scored his second win of the last three events, Chuck Ulsch doubled his Extreme 10.5 win total in record-setting fashion, Extreme Pro Stock racer Doug Kirk won his second of the year and Pro Extreme Motorcycle rider Eric McKinney became the lone first-time winner.

Bonus Photos from the Sept 2009 issue: All Harley Drag Racing Series (AHDRA) RUSH Thunder in the Valley Nationals Bristol, TN Photos by Brian O. Williams for MSA The All Harley Drag Racing Association (AHDRA) returned to Bristol Dragway for the Rush "Thunder in the Valley" on August 8-9, 2009.With over 220 registered racers, the chase for the 2009 Screamin' Eagle Championship Series titles has kicked into high gear! The competition over the weekend was fierce in all sixteen classes of competition. As elimination day arrived and two bikes went down the track with only one returning, the top five competitors in almost all of the classes changed the points standing with every pass they made.

Atlanta Motor Speedway: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series What an exciting race it was, this Labor Day weekend! The drama on the track, racing at night and a surprise victory by Kasey Kahne made it a weekend to remember. See our photo essay of the action! Photos by MSA staff

Atlanta Motor Speedway: NASCAR Nationwide Series Kevin Harvick passed Earnhardt Jr. on the next-to-last lap and pulled away to win at Atlanta Motor Speedway, his second Nationwide win this season and the 34th of his career. Harvick held a lead of more than six seconds when NASCAR called the third caution of the race on Lap 124 because of debris in Turn 2, ending a green-flag run of 79 laps.

(Photo Credit: Jason Smith/ Getty Images for NASCAR) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Recap: Kahne Wins Thrilling AMS Night Race On Labor Day Weekend HAMPTON, GA -- Kasey Kahne saved his best for last Sunday night and won the Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. In the last 50 laps alone, Juan Pablo Montoya led as did Kevin Harvick. A caution with less than 20 laps remaining set the stage for a final shootout.

Recent Night Racing Success Makes Martin a Favorite Entering Atlanta
HAMPTON, Ga. (August 28, 2009) - With a seemingly unprecedented string of success in 2009 night races, Mark Martin will surely be among the favorites when the Pep Boys Auto 500 is run under the lights at Atlanta Motor Speedway next weekend. On the cusp of solidifying his position in the 2009 Chase for the Sprint Cup, Martin enters Atlanta with three wins and a second-place finish in 2009 night races. Coupled with Martin's pole win during Georgia Power Qualifying Night at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March - also run under the lights - NASCAR's wily veteran could be on the verge of locking into the Chase at Atlanta.

NASCAR: Nationwide Series:
Carl Edwards Steals Win In Montreal

Swear out a warrant. On second thought, break out the champagne. Carl Edwards' grand larceny Sunday at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve ended with a back flip and a celebration, not a jail term.

With a pass for the lead on the final corner of the final lap of the Nationwide Series NAPA Auto Parts 200, Edwards capitalized on the only mistake Marcos Ambrose made all day to win his first road-course race in one of NASCAR's top three divisions.

Running on rain tires after a mandatory change for the entire field on Lap 61, Edwards hounded Ambrose for both laps of a green-white-checkered-flag finish and made the winning pass after Ambrose's car got airborne over the curbing and lost momentum in the final turn of Lap 76. In collecting his third Nationwide Series victory of the season and the 23rd of his career, Edwards gave Roush Fenway Racing its first road-course win in the series.

AFS Racing/Andretti Green Racing
Chicagoland 100

JOLIET, Ill. (August 29, 2009) - AFS Racing/Andretti Green Racing driver J.R. Hildebrand captured the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights Championship at Saturday's race the Chicagoland 100 at Chicagoland Speedway.  Hildebrand started the race in the 13th position and finished the race in sixth. AFS/AGR teammate Sebastian Saavedra started second and finished the race in the sixth position.

AHDRA heats it up at the Rush Thunder in the Valley Nationals

The All Harley Drag Racing Association (AHDRA) returned to Bristol Dragway for the Rush "Thunder in the Valley" on August 8-9, 2009. With over 220 registered racers, the chase for the 2009 Screamin' Eagle Championship Series titles has kicked into high gear! Not only was the competition heating up, but the forecast for the weekend was, as well - not too much of a surprise for any of the racers at an AHDRA event this year. The endurance and dedication of the racers and their teams has proven their love for this sport, and the family that you have within the AHDRA even in these changing times.
See pix from Brian O. Williams

NASCAR drivers visit the White House

Three-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson presents President Barack Obama with a helmet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. (Photo Credit: Official White House Photo)	President Barack Obama welcomes to the White House Connie Montoya (left) and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Juan Pablo Montoya (right) during NASCAR's visit to Washington, D.C. (Photo Credit: NASCAR Public Relations)

NSCS Recap: Vickers Pulls Off Big Win At Michigan

Polesitter Brian Vickers ran out of gas at the end of Sunday's Carfax 400 at Michigan International Speedway. It's a good thing it was on the way to Victory Lane.

Jimmie Johnson wasn't so lucky. Despite a concerted effort to save gas, the reigning and three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Johnson ran out of fuel with just over two laps left in the race.

Road Trippin' at Watkins Glen
Our intrepid chief photographer, Fred Hanyon, is back from his 2-week road trip up north after covering the NASCAR Pocono and Watkins Glen races. While he was at Watkins Glen, he ran into some really cool guys that had a unique hauler-trailer that has been coverted into a mobile bar that they set up in the infield between turns 5 and 6. Here are some of the photos he took while hanging out with them. A big thank-you goes out to Brian and Brett, the proprietors and Al, the bartender. Looks like they had a fabulous time!

Labor Day NASCAR Racing
Belongs in the South
Atlanta Motor Speedway Set to Host
Pep Boys Auto 500 on September 6th
When the lights turn on for the Pep Boys Auto 500 on Sunday, Sept. 6 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, NASCAR will celebrate the return of Labor Day weekend racing in the South. Way back before NASCAR was even envisioned, racing first came to Atlanta 100 years ago in 1909. The first era of racing in Atlanta was founded by Coca-Cola tycoon Asa Candler who built a two-mile oval near what is now Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Candler drew the biggest names in racing - Barney Oldfield, Louis Chevrolet and Walter Christie - to Atlanta by rail. Ray Harroun, who would go on to win the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911, claimed the first win in Atlanta.

Stewart holds off Ambrose for fifth win at The Glen
Tony Stewart has won the rain-delayed Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen International. Stewart held off Australian Marcos Ambrose over the final 25 laps for his record fifth victory at the famed road course. It was his third win in his first season as an owner/driver and seventh road course win of his career, second to Jeff Gordon's nine. Ambrose was second, a career best, and Carl Edwards third. Kyle Busch, Greg Biffle, Juan Montoya, Kurt Busch, Max Papis, Clint Bowyer and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top 10.

National News: July 5, 2009
NSCS Recap: Stewart wins Coke Zero 400 at Daytona
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 4, 2009) - With Kyle Busch slamming the frontstretch wall after an unsuccessful attempt to block, Tony Stewart won Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. The victory was Stewart's second of the season, his second as an owner/driver for Stewart-Haas Racing and the 35th of his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career.

National News: July 5, 2009
Janis, Jenkins, Glidden, Gray and Morton Tops in Topeka for National Guard ADRL
TOPEKA, KS (July 4, 2009) - Veteran racers dominated victory lane for the National Guard ADRL July 4, as Mike Janis earned his first Pro Extreme title, Shannon Jenkins scored his second Pro Nitrous trophy in as many days, Billy Glidden returned to winning in Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 after just one day's absence, Scott Gray picked up his third career Pro Extreme Motorcycle win and Elijah Morton joined Janis as a first-time winner in Extreme Pro Stock at the Hardee's Independence Drags III at Heartland Park Topeka.

NSCS Recap:
Hamlin Captures Emotional Pocono Victory
By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
LONG POND, PA: As it turned out, Denny Hamlin was right ... but not without a struggle, and not without a heavy heart. Having said Friday that he expected to win the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway, Hamlin charged to the front from the sixth position with 13th laps left in Monday's rain-postponed race and ended a 50-race drought in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series. Motorsport America pix coming soon!

Motorsport America:
June 2009 issue: Bonus Pix
NASCAR: Lowes Motor Speedway: All-Star Weekend
Late Charge Gives Stewart All-Star Win: The celebration everyone knew was coming arrived Saturday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway against a background of exploding fireworks. The real pyrotechnics, however, were reserved for the racetrack. Tony Stewart passed Matt Kenseth through Turn 2 on Lap 99 of 100 to win the Sprint All-Star Race, his first victory in the annual non-points event and his first as an owner/driver.

Motorsport America:
June 2009 issue: Bonus Pix
Schumacher, Worsham & Edwards win NHRA Thunder Valley at Bristol Dragway
Tony Schumacher raced to his third victory of the season Sunday at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. Del Worsham and Mike Edwards also were winners at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event. Schumacher crossed the finish line in 3.857 seconds at 310.91 mph in his U.S. Army dragster to edge Doug Kalitta, whose Kalitta Motorsports dragster trailed at 3.879 at 303.43. It was Schumacher’s third victory at the legendary Tennessee drag strip and the 59th of his career.

Motorsport America:
June 2009 issue: Bonus Pix
Offshore Super Series
Lake Cumberland was be the site for the best in speed boat racing as the first ever Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association mades its Kentucky debut with the Lake Cumberland Grand Prix , May 15-17, at Halcomb’s Landing at Wolf Creek Dam. In the OSSCL Class, Amsoil finished first while Miss Geico placed first in the OSSTX Class. For complete results in all classes of the event, visit www.offshoresuperseries.com/results.cfm

Motorsport America:
June 2009 issue: Bonus Pix
AMA Pro Racing 7th Annual Honda Superbike Classic
AMA Pro Racing returns to the Barber Motorsports Park for the 7th Annual Honda Superbike Classic! Superbikes returned to Barber for what has quickly become everyone’s favorite event on the AMA calendar. We captured in photography the best in American motorcycle road-racing as they take to the twisting 2.38 mile circuit in Birmingham, AL.

MSA Magazine:
JULY ISSUE - BONUS PIX
NHRA HOLLEY NATIONAL HOT ROD REUNION

The 7th annual Holley National Hot Rod Reunion was held June 19-21 at Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, KY. A 3-day festival of speed, hot rods and American automotive enthusiasm. The Reunion is part of the museum’s “living history” philosophy, which works to bring to life the sights, sounds and people who made history in the early days of drag racing, land speed racing and the golden age of American car culture. Thanks to Mark & Robert Hinkle for the great job of covering this event!

National News: Sunday, June 28, 2009

NSCS Recap:
Fountain of Youth as Logano Wins Rain-Shortened Race to Become Youngest Cup Victor

LOUDON, N. H. -- Sometimes, the sun shines even though it's raining. Ask young Joey Logano. A late-race rainstorm stopped the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 after 273 of the scheduled 301 laps, giving Logano his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory.

See all the action photos in the June issue, on the streets May 30, 2009!

Photo by Fred Hanyon, MSA

National News: Monday, May 18, 2009

NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Recap: Late Charge Gives Stewart All-Star Win
CONCORD, N.C. -- The celebration everyone knew was coming arrived Saturday night at Lowe's Motor Speedway against a background of exploding fireworks.

The real pyrotechnics, however, were reserved for the racetrack.

Tony Stewart passed Matt Kenseth through Turn 2 on Lap 99 of 100 to win the Sprint All-Star Race, his first victory in the annual non-points event and his first as an owner/driver.

Stewart did what he had threatened to do since the beginning of the season. He had parlayed five top-five finishes in the last six races into a second place in the Cup series standings, but victory had eluded the 37-year-old driver nicknamed "Smoke" -- until Saturday night. Read more >>>

National News: Wednesday, May 13, 2009

More Photo Action from Darlington!

Our Motorsport America contributing photographer, Leon McVay and Greg McWilliams - along with Fred Hanyon of MSA turned in these shots from the weekend.

See PIX ! >>>

National News: Saturday, May 9, 2009

Darlington: Who says the old man doesn’t still have gas in the tank?
Story & Photos: Pete McCole
Mark Martin scored his first Darlington win since 1993 with a victory in Saturday night’s Southern 500, holding off teammate Jimmie Johnson to notch his 37th career NASCAR Sprint Cup win in a grueling, wreck-filled race at Darlington Raceway. Tony Stewart came home third, followed by Ryan Newman and Jeff Gordon.

Read more / see pix >>>

National News: Saturday, April 25, 2009
All Harley Drag Racing Association
The AHDRA was in town for their Stone Mountain Harley-Davidson Southern Nationals Presented by Charles W. Watwood and Associates event on April 25 & 26th, 2009. Our photographers, Fred Hanyon and Leon McVay, were there to capture the action.
Click here for MSA pix >>>
For final results, visit www.ahdra.com/results/2009atlanta.html.

Nationals News: NHRA Southern Nationals: Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Edwards closes out rain-delayed Southern Nationals with first win of 2009

COMMERCE, Ga. - The wait was worth it for Mike Edwards, who dropped the curtain on the rain-delayed Summit Racing NHRA Southern Nationals Monday morning with a clean 6.645-second pass to easily outrun Pro Stock points-leader Jeg Coughlin. The other three categories were decided late Sunday night and the winners were: Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). Read more / see pix >>>

National News: NHRA: Sunday, April 19, 2009

NHRA Southern Nationals, Commerce, GA

We're still waiting for results from Sunday's event. In the mean time, enjoy these photos from MSA staff photographers on Saturday.

See pix >>>

National News: Saturday, April 18, 2009
Massey gets first pole; Force Hood, Anderson, Hines also lead Atlanta fields
by Phil Burgess, NHRA.com

Top Fuel rookie Spencer Massey collected his first career No. 1 qualifying spot to highlight Saturday qualifying at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. Joining Massey atop the Pro fields at the event, the sixth of the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season, are Ashley Force Hood (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle).
Read more >>> • See pix from Friday's action >>>

National News: NASCAR: Monday, March 9,2009

Big Brother Kurt Dominates at Atlanta Motor Speedway

The other Busch won this one. Big Brother. Kurt. The Busch that won a championship before his little brother hit the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series scene a few years ago. Last week in the Busch Brothers' hometown, Las Vegas, it was young Kyle winning the race. Sunday, in Atlanta, it was Kurt's day to shine and shine he did. Literally driving the wheels off his Miller Lite Penske Dodge, Kurt led a whopping 234 of the 325-lap Kobalt Tools 500, banging into the outside retaining wall several times in the process.
Read more >>> • See more pix >>>

National News: February 8, 2009

Kevin Harvick Wins One Wild Budweiser Shootout
DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. -- Talk about a shootout. They'll be talking about this one for years to come.Kevin Harvick drove his Richard Childress Chevrolet to the front of the field on the very last lap Saturday night to capture one of the wildest Budweiser Shootouts in the history of Daytona International Speedway. Read more & see pix >>>

National News: February 5, 2009

VIR Bosch Engineering 250 Follows Closest Grand-Am Rolex 24 Race in History
DANVILLE, Va. - The Bosch Engineering 250 for the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 brings the stars and cars to VIRginia International Raceway for the series' second race in 2009. "The series opening race at Daytona was the closest finish in the 47 year history of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, and any other major international 24-hour race, for that matter,"said Grand-Am Manager of Communications J.J. O'Malley. "After 24 hours of racing, David Donohue edged Juan Pablo Montoya to the checkered flag by .167 seconds," with the next two cars 5.504 and 10.589 seconds behind the leader. Read more >>>

National News: February 5, 2009

NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series:
SCHUMACHER SET FOR ANOTHER INTENSE BATTLE
POMONA, Calif., February 3 - For the better part of two months the word "new" has been included in most conversations involving U.S. Army Top Fuel driver Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher. "You can't imagine how many times it's happened," said the six-time world champion. "People want to know how I feel about my new challenge, my new crew chief and my new team. Frankly, I'm ready for the 2009 season to begin so we can move forward." Schumacher still can't escape the fact when the '09 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season kicks off this weekend with the Kragen O'Reilly Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway, he will be starting from scratch in many ways. Read more >>>

National News: February 3, 2009

Joey Logano Slated To Be Youngest Driver To Start A Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.(Jan. 29, 2009) –  When Joey Logano climbs into the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota for the 51st running of the "Great American Race," on Sunday, Feb. 15, he will make history as the youngest driver to start a Daytona 500 – NASCAR's biggest, richest and most prestigious race. If Logano, who will be 18 years, 8 months and 22 days old on the date of this year's Daytona 500, can get the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota and his Joe Gibbs Racing team into Gatorade Victory Lane in his first Daytona 500 start, he will surpass Jeff Gordon as the youngest driver to win "The Great American Race." Gordon won his first Daytona 500 back in 1997 at the age of 25. Read more >>>

FastCar Newsdesk

By Doug Turnbull

NASCAR NEWS: FastCar Newsdesk for week of 1/29/09:  

RPM and Allmendinger officially align; Evernham opens up about future

Though A.J. Allmendinger's name has been thrown around as a Gillet Evernham Motorsports and Richard Petty Motorsports driver for months, he officially had not been signed by the team, until Wednesday. RPM has signed Allmendinger to run at least 10 races in the No. 44 Dodge this season and may run more, pending sponsorship. The team has an option to keep the third year Cup driver with the team in 2010 as well. If RPM obtains sponsorship for the team, it will field Allmendinger and the No. 44 in more races this year and, again pending sponsorship, would like the field the No. 44 in every race next season.
Read more >>>

National News: January 29, 2009
Georgia on our mind
Petition drive sends the ADRL back to Georgia on April 10-11

O'FALLON, Mo. (January 29, 2009) – American Drag Racing League officials announced today that round number two of the 2009 National Guard ADRL tour, will take place at Cook County Georgia's South Georgia Motorsports Park (SGMP) located in Cecil, Georgia on April 10-11. In doing so, it gives the phrase "back by popular demand" a whole new meaning for the National Guard ADRL. Read more >>>

National News: Jan 27, 2009
Recap: 4th Annual Whelen Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge
NHRA vs. NASAR Bobsled Race, January 1-4, 2009

Motorsport America's Fred Hanyon braved the frigid temperatures to cover this year's event at Lake Placid, NY. This bobsled race featured drivers from the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) taking on the drivers from NASCAR in a charity event. The Bodine Bobsled Challenge features NASCAR and NHRA drivers piloting specially-made bobsleds down Lake Placid’s famous track in fun races geared to raise money for the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project.
Read more/see photos & video!>>>

Jeg Coughlin, Morgan Lucas, J.R. Todd, and Bob Vandergriff Jr. will represent the NHRA at the Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge.

Bucky Covington and Atlanta's own Reed Sorenson at the 2008 Sprint Sound & Speed.

National News Friday, December 19, 2008
Sorenson, Earnhardt & Waltrip Ready to Roll at Sprint Sound & Speed Presented by SunTrust
For the fourth consecutive year, the world of country music and NASCAR will collide in Nashville, TN for Sprint Sound & Speed Presented by SunTrust on Jan. 9-10, 2009. Executives from Sprint, SunTrust and NASCAR announced today that the award-winning country duo Montgomery Gentry (“Roll with Me,” “My Town,” “Back When I Knew it All”) will headline the kick-off concert to be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9 at the Sommet Center. Read more >>>

National News: Thurs, Dec 18, 2008
Motorsports Employment Task Force teams up with DontCheckUp.com to tackle industry layoffs
MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- The Motorsports Employment Task Force, founded by Humpy Wheeler and the North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA), have teamed up with DontCheckUp.com, an online resource for information and resume postings to help recently displaced motorsports workers. In addition to merging efforts with dontcheckup.com, a Task Force meeting earlier this week netted several strong additions to the effort. Read more >>>

National News: Wed, Dec 17, 2008
AMA Pro Racing Flat Track Crew License Applications Now Posted and Available Online
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Following the recent announcement that 2009 AMA Pro Racing Flat Track rider license applications are available, AMA Pro confirmed today that season crew credential applications for the AMA Pro Flat Track season are also now posted and available at amaproracing.com. All individuals planning on participating in the 2009 season as an AMA Pro Flat Track crew member are encouraged to read and review the information and submit the applicable forms to AMA Pro Racing headquarters as soon as possible. Read more >>>

National News: Mon, Dec 15, 2008
PRI Show brings optimisim to motorsport industry for 2009
Orlando became the center of the racing universe for three days for the 21st Annual Performance Racing Industry trade show, which ran through Saturday, December 13, 2008 at the Orange County Convention Center. The show, which is not open to the public, is for racers and others involved in the industry. As it is most everywhere, the economy was the main topic. If show attendance is an indication of how the economy is affecting the motorsports industry, things don't appear to be that grim. A few exhibitors, such as Toyota, dropped out of this year, but more than 170 companies were exhibiting in Orlando for the first time -- for a total of more than 1,400 companies at 4,350 display booths. Read more and see photos >>

Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil to host 2nd Annual Dale McDowell for Dirt Strategy Seminar January 16-17

NHRA POWERade Series champs are crowned; Neff is named top rookie
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2008) – Tony Schumacher, who became the first Top Fuel driver in NHRA history to win five consecutive POWERade Series world championships with a record-setting season, headlined the four world-championship winning drivers crowned Monday evening during the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series awards ceremony at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City. Read more >>>

Chuck Amati Remembered as One of the Original Outlaws
Chuck Amati was an “Outlaw” long before the inaugural 1978 World of Outlaws season. For over 40 years he raced from coast-to-coast chasing wins, and when he took his helmet off for the final time in 2002, he had accumulated hundreds of them in his career in a numbers of different types of race cars. The World of Outlaws and the entire racing community mourn the loss of the Hall of Fame driver, who passed away on Tuesday, November 18 at the age of 68 in his home state of Illinois, after suffering a massive heart attack while driving. Amati will always be remember as “The One Armed Bandit,” a nickname he earned on a night, when he sustained an injury to his right arm and devised a harness to hold the arm in place in his lap, driving using his left arm. Read more >>>

Hornaday Wins At Texas, Tightens Points Race

Ron Hornaday Jr. overcame an ill-timed caution to win Friday night's Chevy Silverado 350K NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway and trim third-place finisher Johnny Benson's lead in the series standings to six points. Hornaday led the final 40 laps and crossed the finish line .958 seconds ahead of Kyle Busch to collect his sixth victory of the season and the 39th of his career. Benson passed Todd Bodine on the final lap to secure third place, and rookie Colin Braun finished behind Bodine in fifth. Read more >>

NHRA: Schmacher rolls to 15th victory

A day after clinching his fifth consecutive NHRA POWERade world championship, U.S. Army Top Fuel driver Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher went out and captured the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals here Sunday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. For Schumacher it was his 15th win of the season and the 56th of his career. In two weeks at the season finale in Pomona, Calif., he will have the opportunity to set the all- time single season victory mark which was set by Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson in 2004. "Just incredible," said the Chicago-area resident. "This U.S. Army team just keeps making magic. Read more >>

Edwards wins, cuts Johnson Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup lead

"It ain't over til it's over," baseball legend Yogi Berra once said. NASCAR driver Carl Edwards is a believer. The Missouri native, who cut his racing teeth on dirt tracks throughout the Midwest, dominated the field Sunday to win the Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. A huge, sun-baked crowd watched Edwards skillfully cut into Jimmie Johnson's lead in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship with two races to go in the 2008 season. Read more >>

National News
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Helio Castroneves Will Drive A Penske Porsche RS Spyder at Petit Le Mans!

Heilo Castroneves' charm and charisma transcend motorsports. The Brazilian racer known as "Spider Man" for his penchant for climbing fences to celebrate victory with his fans, exploded on the international celebrity popularity charts in 2007 when he won the hit ABC show "Dancing with the Stars". "It feels totally different from winning a race," Castroneves said after capturing the Mirror Ball Trophy with partner Julianna Hough at Dancing with the Stars. "I wasn't kidding. This goes right between my two Indy (500) trophies. Otherwise, it would have been a big blank space." Read more >>> Get your tix to the Petit >>>

SCHUMACHER SETS TOP FUEL CAREER WIN RECORD TAKES INAUGURAL CAROLINAS NATIONALS

CONCORD, N.C., September 14 - U.S. Army Top Fuel pilot, Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, became the winningest Top Fuel driver in NHRA history here today after capturing the inaugural Carolinas Nationals at zMax Dragway.

Following a final round victory over his former U.S. Army Racing teammate, Antron Brown, Schumacher moved around Joe Amato on the Top Fuel victory list with his 53rd career win. Click here to read more and see pix >>

Greg Biffle (middle) beats Jimmie Johnson to the start-finish line at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the Sylvania 300 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, denying Johnson his third consecutive series win. (Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)

NSCS Recap:
Biffle holds off Johnson for win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

LOUDON, N. H. -- Greg Biffle, a true, hard-charging stock car driver, hasn't been talked about that much in the buzz leading up to NASCAR's Sprint Cup Chase for the Championship. Some might say he was "The Forgotten Man." Not anymore. Biffle won Sunday.

He made the top 12 with an up-and-down season and started getting up to form in the races leading up to Sunday's Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

On Sunday, he grabbed his first victory since last year at Kansas Speedway, the 13th of his Sprint Cup career. Biffle passed two-time champion Jimmie Johnson with 11 laps remaining and held Johnson off for the win. Read more >>

NASCAR Holdings Announces Plan to Acquire Grand-Am

Partnership Allows For Sharing Of Resources With NASCAR

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 4, 2008) - NASCAR Holdings today announced an agreement to acquire the Grand-American Road Racing Association (Grand-Am). The future move will allow for resource sharing between Grand-Am and NASCAR while both organizations continue to operate independently. NASCAR Holdings is the legal operating entity that includes the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and many of its subsidiaries.

Grand-Am, one of the world's most competitive road racing organizations, and NASCAR, the No. 1 spectator sport in the U.S., will combine marketing and communications efforts to include brand management, research, marketing and public relations. Read more >>

NASCAR
Jimmie Johnson edges Tony Stewart to win Chevy Rock and Roll 400

RICHMOND, Va. --   Gather round the water coolers, folks. Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Kyle Busch are at it again, just like they were when they left Richmond International Raceway the last time.

Only this time, the shoe was on the other foot, a hot shoe at that.

Jimmie Johnson outdueled Tony Stewart in a race to the wire Sunday to win the Chevy Rock & Roll 400. Read more... plus pix by Tom Whitmore>>>

Spies comes from behind for Sunday triumph
For the first time in eight races, defending (and provisional) AMA Superbike champion Ben Spies crossed the finish line first thanks to a dramatic come-from-behind victory over his Rockstar Makita Yoshimura Suzuki teammate, Mat Mladin, on Sunday at Road Atlanta. Saturday's hope for a real brawl at the front faded early on when Spies suffered a nightmarish start and was later forced in for a ride-through penalty. Sunday's race didn't appear to be shaping up to be any less one-sided, however, as Mladin quickly ripped past Spies and early leader Tommy Hayden to take control of first and he went about assembling an advantage at the front.
Click here to read more & see more pix >>>

NSCS Recap:
Edwards outduels Busch for win, bonus point
BROOKLYN, MICH. -- It was Old West style showdown stuff -- Kyle "Rowdy" Busch vs. Carl "Mr. Clean" Edwards.

On the final restart, there were two laps for all the gold after 400 miles of lead-swapping between NASCAR's hard-charging gunslingers.

Edwards, in this one, gunned Busch down, blowing him away in a two-lap dash at the end. The No. 99 driver earned 10 more bonus points, cutting the gap between him and the No. 18 team to forty points heading into the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. See Pix / Read More >>

Pocono Raceway Facts & History -- Race Date: 08/03/08

History

• Opened in 1968 as a .75-mile track, Pocono Raceway held the first race on the 2.5-mile oval in 1971.
• The first NASCAR Cup Series race was in 1974.
  Read more >>>

Johnson to Race in Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Races
Jimmie Johnson will add two races to his schedule in the upcoming weeks. In addition to his duties behind the wheel of the No. 48 Lowe's Impala SS, Johnson is scheduled to drive the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet fielded by JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series race at Watkins Glen International on August 9. He also will make his Truck Series debut in the No. 81 Kobalt Tools Silverado fielded by Randy Moss Motorsports at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 20.

NASCAR Craftsman Series
Compton: We May Be Older But We Haven"t Forgotten How To Race
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 28, 2008) " Stacy Compton (No. 4 Dodge), like a number of   drivers, returned to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series after several recent seasons in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series. Compton departed after the 1999 season during which he finished fourth in the point standings. Read more >>>