Canadian Pierre Bourque signs Busch Series / Busch East deal with Fitz Racing for '07

INSIDE TRACK EXCLUSIVE

MOORESVILLE, NC – Canadian racer / internet entrepreneur Pierre Bourque just sent Inside Track a note from North Carolina, in which he reports he has just signed a deal with Fitz Racing that will see him drive for the team for the entire BUSCH EAST schedule and as many as 10 NASCAR BUSCH SERIES races.

According to Bourque, his first Busch Series outing of the season is slated for the inagural NASCAR Busch Series race weekend, in early August, at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

"I'm thrilled to be joining Armando Fitz's team for Busch East and Busch in 2007," said Bourque, of the news. "We'll be running Dodge Chargers and I fully expect that we will be a strong contender right out of the box."

The Ottawa, ON racer dove into stock car racing in a big way in 2006, and recently competed in the Rolex 24 sports car race at Daytona Int'l Speedway.

Bourque's sponsors for his Fitz Racing effort include: Canwest brands Driving.Ca, Canada.Com, Working.Com, and Dose.Ca, as well as Full Metal Minerals (a BC-based gold mining company), and Pollara, Canada's leading market research company. According to Bourque, additional sponsors will be announced in due course.

UPDATE (March 1, '07): Pierre just contacted me with some additional news about his upcoming season. He will be returning to the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (formerly CASCAR) with a four-race deal with Whitlock Motorsports. As for Bourque's Busch East / Busch Series plans, he clarifies that if things go well with his Busch Series program (which starts in August in Montreal) he will focus on that effort in lieu of the latter portion of the Busch East schedule.

Home Hardware Takes the Lead with Renewed Commitment to Auto Racing

ST. JACOBS, ON – Home Hardware Stores Limited, Canada's largest independent home improvement retailer, confirmed its commitment to auto racing today with the announcement of two exciting sponsorships.

On Sunday, March 4th, viewers tuning into the NASCAR Busch Series race in Mexico City, Mexico will notice a distinctly Canadian addition. 2006 Canadian stock car Champion J.R. Fitzpatrick will be driving the #0 car sponsored by Home Hardware. Home Hardware will also be sponsoring Fitzpatrick s NASCAR Busch race in Montreal in August 2007 an important race that marks the first time NASCAR has brought a Busch Series race to Canada.

Watching one of our own compete in a race of this calibre is thrilling for Canadian fans, said Paul Straus, Vice-President and CEO, Home Hardware Stores Limited. You can be sure that Home Hardware Dealers and staff in more than 1,000 communities across Canada will be cheering J.R. on all the way to the finish line and hoping that he brings home the hardware.

Home Hardware also announced today that it is renewing its partnership with Don Thomson Jr. of Fitzpatrick Motorsports for the 2007 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. Thomson, the record holder for most pole positions and the all-time winningest driver in Canadian motorsport history has been sponsored by Home Hardware since 1999. Thomson is also the only driver to win seven national championships back-to-back.

Don Thomson Jr. continues to lead the pack from beginning to end and provides his fans top quality entertainment throughout each race, said Straus. Just as the drivers we sponsor commit themselves to excellence on the track, Home Hardware is committed to delivering top quality products and services to our customers across the country.

About Home Hardware

Home Hardware Stores Limited is Canada's largest independent hardware, lumber and building materials and furniture retailer with more than 1,000 stores across Canada, under the Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Furniture banners. Dealers have access to 100,000 quality brand name and private label products and the company has annual retail sales of $4.6 billion. The cooperative was founded on January 1, 1964 by 128 independent hardware Dealers.

- 30 -

By Meredith Sjögren // NATIONAL Public Relations

But What if I Drool?

A ton of resources at Big Pharma are devoted to developing or licensing drug delivery technologies, for sure. But here's a publicly funded organization putting its money where, well, where its mouth is.

European researchers are developing an orally implantable drug delivery system that could improve compliance in patients on a wide variety of therapies. According to the developers, IntelliDrug, the fake-molar implant works thusly:

The micro-system comprises a medication reservoir and release mechanism, a built-in intelligence, micro-sensors and micro-actuators. IntelliDrug device will be placed in the oral cavity. The medicine is contained in the small reservoir. It will be released in a controlled manner accordingly to patient’s needs, for periods lasting days, weeks or months. The device will be reloaded in a simple non-invasive way. The released medicine will be either absorbed by the oral mucosa or swallowed by the patient.

Actual implant sans toothbrush and smile.

Source: BBC (via Onpharma)

Former CASCAR Sportsman Series racers come together to form the Ontario Sportsman Series

INSIDE TRACK EXCLUSIVE

We’re going to have a full story on this in the next issue of Inside Track, but here is some information about some recent events involving the former CASCAR Sportsman Series.

When it was announced by NASCAR that there would be no equivalent of the former CASCAR Sportsman Series in 2007, many of the competitors felt they would be on the sidelines this season with equipment that didn’t conform to any existing division or series.

Faced with this, a group including Ron Lethbridge, his father (Ted) and Sunset Speedway owner/promoter Glenn Lloyd decided to test the waters to see if there was any interest in creating a new series to give these drivers and cars a place to race.

This past Saturday in Milton (ON) a group of racers met and formed the Ontario Sportsman Series (OSS). According to Ron Lethbridge, they already have several confirmed dates (Sunset, Mosport & Peterborough) and within days could be in a position to publish an eight-race schedule for 2007. Other facilities in the mix are reported to be: Cayuga, Sauble, Grand Bend, Varney, Delaware, Capital City and Barrie. Only Kawartha and Flamboro have outright declined (said Lethbridge).

The series’ rulebook will be based on the 2005 CASCAR Sportsman Series, omitting the 2006 additions (HANS device, firesuits for ‘over the wall’ crews, etc.). Lethbridge believes these rules were largely responsible for the decline in car counts in 2006.

The cars will race on the 8” Hoosier tires that are the tire of choice for most of the short tracks being considered.

Although the details haven’t been worked out, Lethbridge says it’s likely that NASCAR Canadian Tire Series cars will be able to participate in OSS races if they remove their 4-barrel carbs and replace them with the 2-barrel models used by the Sportsman division.

On the tone of the Milton meeting, Sunset’s Glenn Lloyd said, “Everyone was happy to pitch in. Everyone was co-operative. Most felt it could be a better series with them controlling their own destiny then when it was a ‘feeder’ series under the CASCAR banner. They’re the show now… The positive attitude and the determination to make it work has been great to see.”

The OSS will hold its next meeting on March 31 (details TBA), at which point they will elect an executive committee. The group is looking for a Tech Director and a Race Director.

Ron Lethbridge can be reached at (705) 739-4686. Ted Lethbridge’s cell # is (705) 321-1207.

Galvus Misses Its Window; Is this All Good for Merck?

The Galvus delay is terrible news for Novartis.

Competitor Januvia, from Merck, has already seen the single best launch in recent memory for an anti-diabetes product. With a 40% share of new written scrips just four months after introduction, it may be the best launch of any new drug into a crowded category. Given its labelling -- “similar to that reported with placebo” -- doctors are rushing to prescribe what one clinician called a "no-brainer drug": zero training required in administering it; once-a-day dosing, with or without food, with or without any other medication. Once they're comfortable with Januvia, why would doctors switch to anything else, unless they're dramatically differentated?

Originally estimated to be three months behind Januvia, Galvus was already at a big timing disadvantage. Things are now much worse. Galvus seemed to have little differentiation over Januvia before (and therefore little chance of gaining a market-share advantage--now its only differentiation is negative: the skin lesions in primates, linked in FDA's mind to the toxicities seen with the drug at very high doses. That won't encourage doctors to try new patients on Galvus, particularly if, as a number of experts believe, Galvus' label--granted the drug's ultimately approved--comes with restrictions on use.

The potential time bomb for Merck is that Galvus' problems will redound to its detriment--just as the problems around Merck's own Vioxx KO'd Pfizer's Celebrex. FDA's metabolic division has been under severe scrutiny and it's possible they could do the cautious thing and start looking at lot more closely at Januvia. And when they do, will doctors too start thinking a lot more before prescribing what was once a no brainer?

Robin Miller on the state of Champ Car

SPEEDTV.COM has this column, by Robin Miller.

"The silence from the Champ Car office in Indianapolis isn't just deafening, it's in surround sound.

Six weeks before its season opener in Las Vegas, the series supposedly in its year of momentum is awash in questions, rumors and a serious lack of urgency, information, organization and cars.

Forget the fact only eight drivers have been confirmed for 2007, because there are more serious concerns that nobody wants to discuss...."

... more at the link above.

What! No Zipper?

By Speedracer

Honda unveiled their new livery this morning and have dispensed with corporate sponsorship to promote environmental causes through their "we are the world" themed motif.

Good luck to Honda. I tried the same thing in support of women in the sex trade and was told by authorities to repaint the nude viking woman wielding a sword on the hood of my Gremlin.

For more information on Honda's eco-friendly initiative check out www.myearthdream.com.

J.R. Fitzpatrick gearing up for this weekend's Busch Series race in Mexico

INSIDE TRACK EXCLUSIVE:

AYR, ON – J.R. Fitzpatrick is preparing for his NASCAR Busch Series debut this weekend in Mexico. The Ayr, ON resident is getting ready for the outing by playing a computer simulation game that features the 2.518-mile Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez road course.

Fitzpatrick is the reigning CASCAR Super Series (now NASCAR Canadian Tire Series) champion. In Mexico, he will drive the #0 Johnny Davis-owned Chevy, with sponsorship from longtime Fitzpatrick Motorsports backer Home Hardware. The company has, for years, been the primary sponsor of Fitzpatrick Motorsports' five-time champ Canadian National Don Thomson Jr.

Fitzpatrick told Inside Track that he just received his new Home Hardware racing suit, which he will wear in Mexico and at the inaugural NASCAR Busch Series race in Montreal. "I feel a bit like Don [Thomson] wearing the Home Hardware suit," joked Fitzpatrick. "But I'm really happy to have them as sponsor for Mexico and Montreal. They've been a big part of our team for a long time and we're looking to do well for them."

J.R. Fitzpatrick and several members of the Fitzpatrick Motorsports crew are leaving for Mexico on Thursday. "I still kind of don't believe this is really happening," continued Fitzpatrick. "It's going to be a long week waiting to get on the plane to go racing."

Magna weighing Chrysler bid?

The Toronto Star has a link to the Reuters story...

DETROIT – Canadian auto parts supplier Magna International Inc. has been "seriously considering the potential purchase" of Chrysler Group, an analyst for KeyBanc Capital Markets said, citing unnamed sources.

In a note for clients issued Monday, KeyBanc analyst Brett Hoselton said that he did not believe the two companies would ultimately merge despite the "substantial due diligence work on Chrysler" by Magna.

"We believe the merger strategy is risky and will confront resistance from numerous (Magna) and Chrysler stakeholders and that the ultimate combination of the two companies is a low-probability outcome," Hoselton said.

A spokesman for Magna was not immediately available for comment.

... more at the link above.

Abbott Joins In: Sales Force too Kos-tly

The conversation over at Cafepharma is even more colorful than usual these days in the wake of news that Abbott is slashing 20% of its newly enlarged pharmaceutical sales force.

After it's $3.7 billion acquisition of Kos we expected Abbott to reduce headcount in sales--much the same way Lilly had little need for Icos' extra infrastructure after it acquired the company last year. Expect more companies to follow suit, as Big Pharma bulk up fading pipelines via acquisition of specialty pharmaceutical companies, or smaller companies with specialty pharma assets.

Shire nipped a potentially similar problem in the bud when it bought New River. Had the companies moved forward with their co-promotion agreement on Vyvanse (New River had previously opted in to this portion of the companies' deal), Shire would have found itself footing the bill for New River's 25% contribution to the cause.

Meanwhile, Abbott's axe falls this Wednesday.

First flagged up at Pharmalot

UPDATE: The AP is reporting that Abbott will also shed 200 jobs in R&D:

The majority of the 200 scientists and researchers to be cut will come from the company's offices in northern Illinois, Abbott spokesman Scott Stoffel said Monday night. The bulk will come from a research unit that deals with the early discovery of treatments for metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes, he said.

Right on Schedule

Over the weekend Shire announced approval of Vyvanse, its next-generation ADHD drug licensed from soon-to-be-acquired partner New River.

Once it is launched in the second quarter this year, Vyvanse should quickly inherit ADHD market share from Shire's current leader Adderall XR, for which a soft landing has already been orchestrated via a variety of authorized generics deals. But despite the new drug's approval, despite the $2.6 billion Shire paid for the 50% of Vyvanse it didn't already own, and despite all the talk of potential resistance to abuse, the FDA has recommended to the DEA that Vyvanse join the majority of ADHD drugs as a Schedule II controlled substance.

(editorial aside: is the DEA logo intentionally trippy?)

Shire isn't letting that get them down, and the decision--surely a disappointment to Shire--has been expected for some time. Quoth Shire CEO Matt Emmens in a statement announcing the approval: “The label we received with the approval letter includes information about the extended duration of effect and abuse-related drug liking characteristics of VYVANSE which illustrate benefits that differentiate this compound from other ADHD medicines."
But the authorities' equivocation here won't give Shire much wiggle-room on price and message.

Tell 'em you're going to buy an ad in Inside Track and they'll....

Is another Canadian motorsports magazine hounding you for ads?

Did they quote you a monthly circulation of 50,000?

Are they promising you that they're going to cover 'your' series or track this year... for real this time?

Did they quote you $5,000 a page to appear in Canada's top racing magazine... even though they don't cover Canadian racing?

If that price is too rich for your blood, don't despair.

Tell them you're going to advertise in Inside Track Motorsport News and you'll immediately be offered a full page at less that one-tenth the originally quoted price. That's right, between $300 and $500 for a page if you tell them you're going with Inside Track.

Massive circulation... a supposedly popular magazine.... albeit with virtually no Canadian content... and ads that drop from $5,000 to $300 in the blink of an eye.

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Buyer beware.

Norris McDonald has a nice tribute to the late Jim Paulson in his Wheels column today

Click here to read it.

Merrittville News

Courtesy Merrittville Speedway

Thorold, ON – With the 36th Annual DIRTcar Nationals presented by Mopar Speed Shop at Volusia Speedwat and the NASCAR Season Openers at Daytona in the books for another year, you would think that Speed Week action in Florida would be done for 2007.

For a number of Niagara Racers however, the action is just about to begin.

The TUSA Mr. DIRT Winternationals scheduled for February 22 – 24 at the East Bay Raceway in Tampa has attracted several NYDCA members looking to get a head start on the upcoming Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Season at Merrittville Speedway.

While Wally Billing and Rick Brubacher are on their way for their fourth trip to the Sunshine State – Andy Tallman, Adam Murphy and Paul Klager will all be making their first starts.

“I learned so much last season,” reveals Andy Tallman of his rookie season in the division know known as the Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lites, Adding, “ I’m hoping to kick start the new season with this trip …. building on my experience from last season.”

Tallman, who will turn 17 in March - is the youngest of the group making the trip south was able to draw on some experiences last season as prior to making the move to Saturday Nights had previously raced a Go Kart for 5 years – earning two championships along the way.

“We’re all hoping to do the Club and Canada proud,” added Tallman, “race fans can keep track of us on the internet … I’ll be providing all the results.”

Southern Ontario and Western New York Race Fans can visit krtmotorsports.net where Tallman serves as the web master.

For further information on the 2007 Merrittville Speedway Schedule of Events that includes the Season Opener Spring Sizzler 100 presented by Baron Roofing and Siding Saturday April 28th – call the Winter Office at 905-685-7223 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.

Raceline Radio’s Erik Tomas Speaks Out

Courtesy Erik Tomas

February 22nd, 2007 – NASCAR has been jumping through hoops on fire trying to get more media coverage for their brand of stock car racing. The Chase for the Championship was a playoff-like scheme designed to compete with Baseball’s World Series and the start of the NFL season. They’ve invested too much time and money leveling the playing field so we don’t have run-away winners. CUP drivers almost to a man make themselves as media friendly as possible. It’s image that sells.

So how come for 2 years in a row, we’ve had cheating scandals dominate the news around NASCAR’s Super Bowl, The Daytona 500? Maybe because even though NASCAR has done a remarkable job to convince as many doubters as possible they’re no longer a bunch of hillbilly rednecks, there are still a few in their garage that parallel Larry the Cable Guy in the backwoods of Tennessee trying to hide moonshine from reven’oor’s!

The weak ones buckle under very real sponsor pressure to win for that coveted premium TV on-screen time. Without sponsors, teams go out of business.

I know 6 teams were tagged with suspensions, fines and loss of points caught violating a variety of rules and sub-paragraphs, but I want to focus on Michael Waltrip’s Daytona scandal, because to me, that’s the most confounding.

Waltrip is a 2-time winner of the “Great American Race”. He doesn’t need to cheat to win. Toyota puts a lot of faith in Mike and The Waltrip name and history in the sport. They trust Michael to help them bring the Camry into Nextel Cup, understanding their reputation of doing the racing thing one way, to win.

So what happens? NASCAR techies discover an additive in the fuel system designed to increase the octane of the gasoline to produce more power and therefore speed. Huh? Toyota is red-faced, Michael is so upset he almost pulls the entry. Angry? More embarrassed than angry. If Mike knew about this, Toyota should fire his butt and he should be banned from NASCAR for a long time, maybe for ever. But I do not for one moment believe he knew anything about it.

There’s WAY too much at stake. Was somebody on his crew stupid enough to cheat with something as easily detectable as “funny fuel”? I hope not, even though the teams’ Crew Chief and VP of Competition have been banished from the sport for the time being.

If they were going to cheat to make Toyota a winner out of the box at Daytona, they would have tried something a lot more ingenious than that, and back to my point, Waltrip would never gamble that way.

But it looks like somewhere in the close to 200 new hirings for this new team, Michael may have hired a Bubba or a Skeeter, some mouth-breathing knuckle-dragger who thought they could get away with something so blatant to get to victory lane to make Toyota and NAPA happy.

Somebody mentioned deliberate sabotage by the anti Toyota faction who thinks the Japanese car maker has no business in Nextel Cup. As outlandish as that theory sounds, what other explanation is there for the Waltrip scandal? I’m stuck for another answer! And if they wanted to ruin Toyota’s Daytona debut, wouldn’t they stick that illegal additive in ALL the Toyota’s fuel systems and not just Mike’s # 55? Maybe somebody has an axe to grind somewhere?

Waltrip vows to find the idiot who put the goop into the fuel cell if it was one of his crew or staff. NASCAR has done the right thing by issuing the stiffest penalties for deliberate attempts to cheat in series history. They feel they have sent a message to the Bubba’s and Skeeter’s in their midst that this bunko from days gone by is not part of the sport’s lore and charm anymore.

If we get another rash, suspending drivers is the next step and that’s when the sponsors will start pulling their logo’s off cars and sponsors are hard enough to find and keep.

NASCAR has tried to separate themselves from the steroid takers, bat-corkers and big-stick men that you sometimes find in other pursuits.

But when we forget who’s on the poll and who wins the biggest stock car race in the business because of cheating scandals, that’s not good for this sport and NASCAR’s got some rednecks with pine-tar to wipe off before their next urine test.

Keep the E-Mails coming for The Raceline E-Mail Bag! The address: erik@raceline.ca Let us know what you think! Do you agree or disagree with the commentary! We invite your feedback, questions and comments!

Until next time, talk to ya’ll on Raceline Radio! ET

Auto Meter Products posts Contingency Awards for PMRA Teams

Courtesy Bruce F. Mehlenbacher

SYCAMORE, IL (February 21, 2007) – The Pro Modified Racing Association is pleased to announce that instrument giant Auto Meter Products will be posting contingency awards at each of the PMRA series events for 2007.

Auto Meter offers its customers the most extensive line of technologically advanced, competition-inspired, and race-proven instruments of any aftermarket automotive instrument supplier in the world today.

“Auto Meter is pleased to support the PMRA again in 2007,” explained Marc Erickson, Director of Motorsports of Auto Meter Products. “The PMRA is a good series with great teams. They do a good job on and off the track with their venues, the fans, and the series sponsors.”

The PMRA contingency programs are designed to increase the sponsor’s product sales and exposure to the target market of the series teams and to their fans.

“We will present a contingency award to the low qualifier and winner of each of the PMRA drag racing series events in 2007,” added Erickson.”

“Having Auto Meter Products on board with the PMRA again this season will be great for our series,” stated Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Director of Operations of the PMRA. “Auto Meter Products is the most respected manufacturer of high quality, performance aftermarket instrumentation, tachometers, and gauges.”

Several tracks go public with their NASCAR Canadian Tire Series dates

With just over three months to go until the green flag flies on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (NCATS), several tracks and events are openly publicizing their NCATS dates for 2007, in spite of the fact that the series has yet to release its schedule.

They include: Sun Valley Speedway, the GP of Edmonton, the GP de Trois-Rivieres, Mosport (oval & road course) and Kawartha Speedway.

Hinchcliffe and Lacroix to Hit the Streets of Durban

Courtesy A1 Team Canada

Wednesday 21 February, 2007 - With street racing forming in integral part of North American open-wheel racing, A1 Team Canada pilots James Hinchcliffe and Kevin Lacroix head to Durban, South Africa for this weekend's eighth round of the 2006-07 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, 23rd-25th February, eager to demonstrate their abilities on the 3.28km temporary street course.

Québec's Kevin Lacroix gets to savor the demands of the tight, twisting track layout first on Friday morning as he takes the reigns of the 550bhp, V8-powered Canadian A1GP entry for the hour-long Rookie-Only Session. The 17-year-old from Saint-Eustache makes his series debut this weekend, handling rookie duties in Durban before handing over to Toronto's James Hinchcliffe who'll participate in Sunday's Sprint and Feature races having steered the team to seven top-ten finishes this season.

Lacroix's South African outing marks just his second time behind the wheel of an A1GP car having previously tested with the Canadian team last July in the United Kingdom. Graduating from his 200bhp Star Mazda racer, Kevin impressed and proved to be a fast learner, a factor that could be crucial to the team's competitiveness this weekend where both Canadian drivers are new to the North Beach circuit. Lacroix followed up his A1GP test last summer by claiming the runner-up spot in the Star Mazda Championship earning 'Rookie of the Year' honours in the process.

Having ended his last showing for A1 Team Canada parked upside down in a gravel trap at Australia's Eastern Creek International Raceway in Round 7 earlier this month, James Hinchcliffe proved there were no side-effects to his spectacular lap one barrel-roll by heading back to America to dominate two-days of pre-season testing in the Champ Car Atlantic Championship in Texas.

Hinchcliffe is confident of a strong showing this time round in Durban, not least as he set the fastest lap of the race in Round 3 last November in the only other street circuit on the current A1GP schedule, the Jingkai facility in Beijing, China.

"I love the challenge of street racing," he declared. "The nature of these tracks means you have to be on it all the time and Durban's going to be no different. You can't underestimate the importance of qualifying at a street circuit so there's probably a little extra pressure to perform well on Saturday to give ourselves the best shot at winning come Sunday."

"I'm really looking forward to Friday's track time," said Lacroix ahead of his A1GP debut. "This is a great opportunity for me and I can't wait to drive the A1GP car again knowing that my input will play a part in the team's overall competitiveness for the rest of the weekend. I know I'll be left wanting more, as the rookie session's only an hour, but I'll make the most of it and do my bit for the team!"

Sunday's Sprint race starts at 11am local time (4am EST) with the Feature race starting at 3pm in Durban (8am EST). SPEED will air all the action from Round 8 in South Africa as a tape-delayed broadcast on Wednesday 28th February starting at 4pm EST - www.speedtv.com.

Meeting schduled to establish a new series featuring former CASCAR Sportsman Series cars and drivers

I received the following letter and documents from Ron Lethbridge, who asked me to post them here.

Dear Drivers:

RE: 2007 SPORTSMAN SEASON

Hello to all drivers, car owners and crews of the former CASCAR Sportsman Series.

Some of you may have heard of us, or maybe not, but my name is Ron Lethbridge, owner and driver of the Rock 95 – CASCAR in the Sportsman Series 2005 and 2006.

As we all know to well the Sportsman Series has been cancelled for the 2007 year and this has been a big let down for all of us involved. The new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series sounds exciting and will be great to be involved in but I was hoping, as I am sure a lot of you were, that the Sportsman Series would continue this year with the support of Nascar.

Since the start of this year I have had the idea that we could start up our own Sportsman Race Series. I have talked to promoter, Glenn Lloyd owner/operator of Sunset Speedway and have had a very strong response from him in making this happen as a Sportsman Series for the 2007 racing season.

Glenn Lloyd has spoken with other owner/operators and they have also shown an interest in this project.

In order to discuss this more a meeting has been schedule with these track owner/operators and promoters for Saturday, February 24th, 2007 at 11:00 o’clock at Hot Rods Restaurant in Milton, Ontario (401 Exit, 320 South, 905.693.9397).

Further details of this meeting can be obtained by calling me at 705.739.4686 (res.) or on my dad’s cell, Ted Lethbridge at 705.321.1207.

Attached is a draft outline of what we have put together for your review. Hope to hear from you regarding this.

LETHBRIDGE MOTORSPORTS
Ron Lethbridge

*******************

Topics for Discussion:

 Rules of 2005 CASCAR Sportsman Series to be used for the 2007 Series.

 Hans, belt and shifter boot will not be mandatory (some kind of neck restraint will be highly recommended)

 Tires will be 8 inch Hoosier, to be supplied at all tracks.

 Pole (time trials or heats) invert draw 1 to 6 starting spots.

 75 to 100 lap races – caution laps do not count.

 Spinner & Spin Rule – both to the back of the longest line.

 Lapped cars inside, lead cars outside.

 $300.00 membership fee to the organization, for complete team up to 15 names (over 15 names – $20.00 per member)

 $50.00 to the organization, to register for each race.

 16 to 20 cars at each race (18 ideal count).

 Race Director and Tech Director required.

 The tracks will supply the scorers for each race.

 Members to be elected for the 2007 race season.

 Payouts, to be determined by track owners/operators, based on car count. Current minimum $6,500.00.

 Points Fund sponsor possible.

**********************

Tracks to race at:

Sunset Speedway 1/3 mile - possibly 2 races (Barrie, Newmarket Midland)

Mosport International Speedway ½ mile – 1 race
(Oshawa, Bowmanville, Whitby)

Sauble Beach 1/3 mile – 1 race
(Owen Sound, Wiarton, Guelph)

Cayuga Speedway 5/8 mile – 1 race
(Hamilton, Niagara Falls, St. Kitts)

Peterboro Speedway 1/3 mile – 1 race
(Peterborough, Lindsay, Bridge North)

Varney Speedway 1/4 mile – 1 race
(Owen Sound, Wiarton, Guelph)

Possible:
Capital City Race Way, Ottawa, Ontario
Grand Bend Speedway, Ontario

Lucas Oil Returns with Something for Everyone at Brighton Speedway in 2007

BRIGHTON, ON – 2007 will mark the 4th year of Lucas Oil’s involvement with the Brighton Speedway. Following the trend of doing more every year they are returning with something for everyone in the 40th Anniversary Season.

“It’s great to have Steve Snowden and Lucas Oil on board again! The fans and drivers of Brighton Speedway will be thrilled with not only the continued support but all the new programs we have collaborated on in the off season” says track General Manager Angela Rinaldi.

400 lucky adult fans will benefit from the first Lucas Oil event, taking place on May 19th. The May 24 Lucas Oil Twin 40’s, being run for the tracks premier division Bainer’s Radiator Canadian Modifieds, are to mark the 40th Anniversary of the track. To give the fans a birthday present Lucas Oil is giving the first 400 adult fans through the gates a free Lucas Oil seat cushion to help enjoy the races in comfort.

Throughout the months of June and July, fans will continue to hear the Lucas Oil name weekly as they will have a chance to win tickets aboard the Lucas Oil Super Fan Bus to the Cornwall Motor Speedway to attend the Final Race of the Lucas Oil Canadian Series 100 lap 358 Modified Race. Fans will experience VIP treatment on this all expenses paid July 29th trip east. One lucky fan will be named the Lucas Oil Super Fan and drop the green flag for the 100 Lap main event and have their picture taken in Victory Lane with the race winner.

Lucas Oil will again continue to support what is quickly growing into one of the biggest racing weekends in Ontario. Co-Sponsorship of the Brighton Speedway Labour Day Classic Weekend, which draws over 200 cars, including Southern Ontario Sprints, and 4000 fans to an action packed weekend, is filled with family fun and racing excitement. “With Lucas Oil’s support we are able to add more events and continue to grow this great racing event, “ says track Promoter Mark Rinaldi

Scheduled for the weekend of September 21st, the Imagefactor.ca Applefest 358 Modified Shootout welcomes again support from Lucas Oil. The sponsorship in 2006 turned an already good event into a great one, which will continue to grow. “Who would have thought this event could get any better, but they have done it again” says event coordinator and Imagefactor.ca founder Greg Calnan when referring to Lucas Oil’s new support of the 07 event.

Now a two day event, Friday Night will feature the Lucas Oil Cup for Dirt Sportsman cars. This All- new event will award the famed Lucas Cup to one of Ontario’s or Upstate New York’s top Sportsman drivers. The interesting part of this race is the top 20 starting spots in this race are reserved for the top 20 in points from the Lucas Oil Sportsman Shootout Series presented by dirttrackdigest.com. All other drivers that show up on that night will be fighting for the final 6 qualifying spots. “Steve wanted to do something to show support to all the drivers that made a commitment to following the entire series and this will definitely do that” say dirttrackdigest.com’s Adam Ross.

The following night 358 Dirt Modifieds will take to the track to once again compete in the best paying 15 lap race on Canadian Dirt., the Lucas Oil Clash for Cash. Top drivers from the Lucas Oil Canadian Series will take on the top drivers from the Lucas Oil 358 Shootout Series and compete for a purse that works out to $1000.00 per mile. To add to the excitement the Lucas Oil Super Fan Bus 2 from Cornwall Motor Speedway will be in the stands to cheer on these top drivers.

To cap it all off Lucas Oil has renewed its commitment to Brighton Speedway’s weekly racers by again being the official sponsor of the 2007 Brighton Speedway Drivers’ Points Fund. This cash contribution helps payout the top drivers in the 4 weekly divisions at the season ending Annual Awards Night. “Being Race Director I see week in and week out how these grass roots guys pour their heart and soul into making it out here every week. It is nice to see them rewarded for their commitment and determination,” comments long time staff member Tim Whitehead. .

“At a track that is renowned for it’s competition everybody is coming out a winner thanks to the support of what is arguably not only the best backer of motorsports in Canada, but all of North America, Lucas Oil.” comments Mark Rinaldi “I know the track, it’s drivers and fans appreciate it!”

Lucas Oil Products was founded by Forrest Lucas and his wife Charlotte in 1989. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas has established itself as a top selling additive line in the American truck stop industry. Lucas is also one of the fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry. A premium line of oils, greases and problem solving additives has helped to firmly establish Lucas as a prominent figure in the automotive marketplace.

Lucas has long been directly involved in the American racing industry through multiple vehicle sponsorships and racing event promotions, at all levels. Seeing a need for better lubricants in this industry, the Lucas people went to work again. The end result is a line of high performance engine and gear oils that are second-to-none in the racing industry. Lucas racing products have proven themselves on NASCAR, NHRA, IHRA, USHRA and ATPA tracks across the country.

For more information about these great products visit http://www.lucasoil.ca/ .To stay up to date on other 40th Anniversary Season news and events from Brighton Speedway be sure to visit http://www.brightonspeedway.com/ or forward your email address to fromthetrack@brightonspeedway.com.
~30~
For more information contact Angie Rinaldi at 613-475-1102

ITMN Short Track Contingency Program Extended!

In the new issue of Inside Track – which is on its way to your mailbox right now – we ran almost 70 ads from eligible Canadian short track racers who scored top 10 points finishes at their respective participating tracks & divisions in 2006.

A PDF version of all of the ads that appeared in the inaugural Inside Track Short Track Contingency Program section is available for download here (1 Mb file).

For those of you who did not get your 'Thank Your Sponsor' information in on time, we have extended the deadline to allow you a second chance to do so. Click here for details and submission forms.

Jacques Villeneuve talks about his future plans

In this story on TSN, Jacques Villenveuve and his manager Craig Pollock concede that JV won't win as many F1 titles as Michael Schumacher, but by the time the Canadian is done winning at Le Mans, NASCAR and Rallying, he will be considered "of the great race drivers in the world by winning all sorts of different championships."

Payday for RJ Kirk & New River

Once again, ally turns to buy.

Eager to land 100% of the two companies' profits from the soon-to-be-approved ADHD drug Vyvanse (formerly NRP-104), Shire Pharmaceuticals bought New River Pharmaceuticals today for $2.6 billion in cash. The broad smile of New River chairman, CEO and founder RJ Kirk, who owns 50.2% of the biotech, can now be seen from space.

Buying out the junior partner on a potential blockbuster is hardly unusual these days--see Lilly/Icos, Genentech/Tanox, and Amgen/Abgenix: partners can be expensive, as we've pointed out before. At $64 per share the deal is a solid one for Kirk and his fellow New River shareholders, though the acquisition premium hardly reaches the heights of previous deals in the space: 10% over New River's closing price on Friday, February 16th and 14% greater than the shares' average over the past four weeks.

Perhaps given New River's backstory, and the company's subsequent growth over the past two years, the size of the premium matters less than the company's spectacular takeout valuation. In the eight years from foundation to IPO, New River was largely funded by Kirk and other managers, acquaintances and friends, and toughed out a tricky IPO market in 2004 before finally raising public funds at $8 per share in a Dutch auction run by WR Hambrecht. Not bad.

Shire consolidates the value of Vyvanse, a probable blockbuster expected to launch in the second quarter of 2007 after FDA and DEA review. The drug has received two FDA approvable letters so far, the latter in December 2006.

Notably Shire is raising $2.3 billion in debt to pay for the transaction (along with a placing of new ordinary shares that should bring in around $800 million) leaving its roughly $470 million cash for additional in-licensing or acquisition deals.

New River's product candidates beyond Vyvanse, NRP290 (in phase II in acute pain) and NRP409 (preclinical, primary hypothyroidism) are non-core to Shire and likely to be out-licensed, though Matt Emmens, Shire's CEO, said today that no decisions have been made.

Daytona 500 Photos (By Dave Franks)

Click on the photo below to access a gallery of some of Dave Franks' shots, taken before, during and after Sunday's Daytona 500.

Daytona 500 by Dave Franks

For information on purchasing Dave Franks' photos, click here.

DAYTONA 500: Harvick wins wild one by a nose

It was a tame race for most of today's Daytona 500, but things got crazy near the end.
Mark Martin almost scored a fairytale finish by finally winning stock car racing's biggest prize... but it wasn't to be.

Kevin Harvick came out of nowhere on the last lap after getting a great 'push' on the outside groove from Matt Kenseth. Martin faltered down low in turns 3/4 and that opened the door for Harvick to pull alongside.

With chaos breaking out behind them, Harvick and Martin went to the line side-by-side, with Harvick taking the win by 2/100ths of a second.

NOTES: During the post-race interviews, Martin was as classy as usual, in spite of the disappointment... Dale Jarrett came home 23rd and was the top-finishing Toyota... Clint Bowyer finished the race on his roof and on fire... Juan Pablo Montoya was 19th... GM Goodwrench ended its sponsorship of Richard Childress Racing's #29 (formerly the #3) prior to the start of the season. Goodwrench's loss is Shell's gain....

TRUCK RACE AT DAYTONA: Photos by Dave Franks

Click on the photo below to see a gallery of shots from Friday night's thrilling Truck Series race at Daytona Int'l Speedway. Thanks to Dave Franks for the use of these photos!

Truck Race - Feb 2007 at DIS

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

There's a story on the wire saying that GM is in talks to buy the Chrysler division of DaimlerChrysler.

(CNNMoney.com) -- General Motors is in talks to buy DaimlerChrysler AG's struggling Chrysler Group in its entirety, according to several reports.
According to the reports, sources in Germany and the United States said high-level talks between GM and DaimlerChrysler executives are taking place...."

Another one bites the dust....

After winning his qualifying heat race, Jeff Gordon's car was found to be an inch too low.
Because of this, the Chevy driver has been booted to the rear for Sunday's Daytona 500.

Carl Edwards discusses the team's plans for the #50 Truck for '07

From the Ford quotes package... looks like Pete Shepherd is going get a lot of action this summer in an excellent truck.

CARL EDWARDS-50-Ortho Ford F-150 (Qualified 2nd)

YOU COMPETE FULL TIME IN THE BUSCH AND CUP SERIES, BUT YOU ARE ONLY SCHEDULED TO RUN A LIMITED TRUCK SCHEDULE. HOW DOES THAT IMPACT YOUR MENTALITY ENTERING THE RACE? "This is different than those two. The biggest thing is that we're probably going to run this full time with Peter Shepherd and me splitting it, so there's still a championship on the line for Jack. But, for me, I'm going here to. That will be awesome to win tomorrow."

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series heading to Edmonton

For the past few months, I've been hearing that the promoter of the GP of Edmonton wanted the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series to be part of their event this summer.
I was also hearing that Champ Car didn't want them there.

Looks like the promoter won.

Edmonton joins Sun Valley Speedway and Mosport (here and here) in trumpeting the fact that the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will be at their track this summer.

A few more announcements like this and NASCAR won't have to bother announcing the schedule....

Here is the release announcing the Edmonton news:

February 15, 2007
Grand Prix of Edmonton
For Immediate Release
Grand Prix of Edmonton welcomes NASCAR Canadian Tire Series

Jim Haskins, President and General Manager of the Grand Prix of Edmonton made the following announcement: “Today, we are very excited to announce that the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will race in this year’s Grand Prix of Edmonton.

“The NASCAR race is a newly-formed series incorporating elements of the CASCAR series which ran last year in Edmonton. CASCAR has had a loyal following across Canada, especially in Edmonton going back to the 1970’s.

“But with NASCAR’s new participation this is going to be an even bigger, better series. It takes our event to a higher level when we can say the new NASCAR series is coming to Edmonton with all its market presence.

“In fact, Edmonton is going to be unique bringing together both the Champ Car World Series and NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in one event. We anticipate NASCAR will bring 35 to 40 of their throaty & noisy cars to the Edmonton track to support the world class Champ series which has already attracted such an enthusiastic crowd to our city. It’s going to be an amazing weekend.”

NASCAR cheating scandal goes mainstream

Having tired of the circus surrounding the death of Anna Nicole, the mainstream media has turned its attention to the cheating scandal at Daytona Int'l Speedway.

Prior to a few days ago, it would have been pretty good being Michael Waltrip.

NASCAR star.... team owner.... hooked in with Toyota... money out the wazoo.... TV star.... Buffy (say no more!) .... etc.

Now.... not so much.

The negative treatment Mikey is receiving might finally take the incentive out of cheating.

NASCAR's fines, suspensions and double-secret probations didn't do it.... but this might.

No one likes to be associated with a cheater. After this incident, would anyone risk having their sponsors and partners look at them the way that Toyota and the media are looking at Michael Waltrip right now?

It's just not worth it.

SAD NEWS: Jim Paulson passes away

Click here for a link at the Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum where the tributes are flowing in for the late Jim Paulson, who passed away suddenly yesterday (Feb. 13).

One paragraph reads:

"A personable, dynamic freelance Host/Commentator he has worked with or interviewed them all from Frank Sinatra to Tony Bennett, Sophia Loren, Eddie Fisher, Raquel Welch, Lou Rawls, Charlton Heston, etc. in the entertainment world to Paul Newman, Jackie Stewart, Mario Andretti, Richard Petty etc. in his other world of motor sports which Jim has presented for about as long as he has been in broadcasting. Whether asked to M.C. a Molson Indy or an Oakville Jazz Festival he is totally at ease and does it with a fine sense of humour as well... no thoughts of retiring."

NASCAR set to come down hard on Waltrip for technical violation

Whatever was going on under the hood of Michael Waltrip's car, it must have been pretty bad. Bad enough the Toyota looks set to throw him under the bus.
It goes without saying that Toyota wasn't looking for this kind of publicity when it made the plunge into Cup racing.

ESPN's story contains the following:

"Lee White, the senior vice president for Toyota Racing Development that is making its Nextel Cup debut at Daytona, said he also planned to meet with Waltrip.
"I wouldn't call it a setback, but it's disappointing for anyone that we partner with to have this happen in some form or fashion," he said. "We will talk with them to see where we need to go for the future."
White said TRD has been working with NASCAR on the situation.
"I can honestly tell you from an ethics standpoint and integrity, along with character and honesty, those things are paramount in our company," he said. "We hold ourselves to a high standard and we hold our teams to high standards. We hope we've picked the right ones."

ESPN REPORT: Reiser and Francis booted for the rest of Speedweek, and more

"YOU'RE OUTTTAAAAA HERE!"

ESPN is reporting:

"DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Kasey Kahne and Matt Kenseth will begin the Nextel Cup season with negative points and without their crew chiefs as a result of violations discovered Sunday during post-qualifying inspection for the Daytona 500.
Kenny Francis, the team director for Kahne, and Kenseth's Robby Reiser have been told by NASCAR officials that they are ejected from the 500 and will be suspended for multiple races."

NASCAR: No news today for teams who got into tech trouble during time trials

Our own Dave Franks was able to snap some pictures of NASCAR going over Michael Waltrip's car before he (Dave) was told to run along. Nice work Dave! Click here to see them all

Michael Waltrip 55 in tech lane

"DAYTONA BEACH -- The teams captured by the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series dragnet Sunday at Daytona International Speedway must wait at least one more day to find out their fates.
In the inspection process before and after Daytona 500 qualifying, NASCAR officials found problems with the No. 55 Toyota, driven by Michael Waltrip; the No. 9 Dodge of Kasey Kahne; and the No. 17 Ford of Matt Kenseth. A NASCAR spokesman said any penalties, fines or suspensions could be announced today."

The Daytona News-Journal has the full story here.

Canadian Dennis Thomson Tops Pro Challenge Winternationals Night One

ORLANDO, FL (February 9, 2007) – Dennis Thomson is doing this weekend what many Canadians and people in the northeastern part of the United States do during the wintertime. The Ontario, Canada-native Thomson traveled to Orlando, Florida, to escape his frigid and snowy hometown to spend a couple of days in the warmth of the Sunshine State.

But Thomson’s trip is not a typical “snow bird” vacation to Florida. He brought along his number-02 Pro Challenge racecar to compete in the 2007 edition of Pro Challenge Winternationals, a four-race series at Orlando SpeedWorld and New Smyrna Speedway. On Friday night, instead of visiting the scores of tourist attractions in Orlando, Thomson was at the half-mile Orlando SpeedWorld and topped one of the strongest fields of Pro Challenge racecars in series history.

The 2006 Pro Challenge Canada Region Champion was in the right place at the right time in the first night of Winternationals 2007 Friday evening, taking the lead shortly after halfway in the 50-lap feature as several early leaders fell out of contention with mechanical problems. Thomson avoided the bad luck that found polesitter and early leader Zach Stroupe, defending Aaron’s Pro Challenge National Champion Terry Mathis and young Florida upstart Ryan Rust to take the first checkered flag of the 2007 Pro Challenge season.

“This just feels awesome,” said an ecstatic Thomson in victory lane. “I can’t believe it. I’m so excited right now, you wouldn’t believe it. The competition was so tough tonight. We went down to the Mason-Dixon Meltdown at South Boston (VA) back in November and raced against a lot of these same guys, but we didn’t have it. We went back, worked on some things and brought the car down here and we were very happy with our car tonight.”

Thomson ran inside the top-five for much of the race as he followed in the tire tracks of the early leaders Stroupe and Mathis. The fourteen-year-old Stroupe set fast time in qualifying Friday evening and checked out over the opening laps, but a flat right-front tire near halfway ended his night. That handed the lead to the defending National Champion Mathis, who seemed to have the win in his grasp until a driveshaft bolt came off his number-71 machine and put him out of the race. The only other driver in the opening stages of the race that looked to have a shot at either Stroupe or Mathis was Ryan Rust, but he also succumbed to a mechanical failure when an ignition wire went out in his number-18 machine.

When Mathis broke around lap 30, Thomson inherited the lead, but it was not going to be an easy win. Every active Pro Challenge Regional Champion from 2006 was in the stout 25-car field, including Stroupe (Carolinas), Kyle Mitchell (Georgia), Jamie Blanton (Tennessee/Virginia/Alabama) and Thomson. Winternationals night one also brought in a strong crop of rookies from around the country, including Steve Strandlund, Doug Moff and Legends Car standout Thomas Hartensveld, who entered a second entry for Duke Furr, but was not able to make the start due to engine trouble.

It was the defending Georgia champ Mitchell that was filling up Thomson’s rear-view mirror in the closing laps, but the big Canadian Thomson was too tough.

“The whole field was pretty stout,” said Thomson. “I was cruising there for a while. I knew Terry was real good and so was the 51 (Stroupe), but I could see that he was beginning to slow down with his flat tire. That’s when I got shuffled back to about fifth when he slowed with the flat. I thought that we still had a good horse here, and it took about four or five laps after restarts to get going, but when it did, this thing was awesome.”

Following post-race inspection, second-place finisher Kyle Mitchell was disqualified by Pro Challenge Officials for being under the weight requirements. That bumped Florida Region regular Rusty McLain to the runner-up spot after a topsy-turvy race for McLain’s number-12 machine.

“This wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but we’ll take it,” said McLain. “We started mid-pack, made it up to the front, went to the back and came back up to the front again and ended up with a third. I kept telling my spotter that I thought we could only get up to fifth or so. Then I just kept picking them off one by one and then thought we could win the thing. We still came close.”

The Cinderella story of the night went to third-place finisher Terry Horak. The first night of Winternationals at Orlando SpeedWorld was also Horak’s first-ever Pro Challenge race, so to come home with a podium finish left the Thunder Roadster veteran beaming with delight.

“We flew in from Myrtle Beach at four o’clock today, jumped in the thing for practice and the truck was ready to go for me,” said Horak. “We went up and tested for about 50 laps at Hickory just to get the hang of the truck a couple weeks ago, but this was my first race in this thing. This is beyond my expectations. I just wanted to come out here and run all the laps tonight and hopefully get a top-five, but this is beyond what I was expecting.”

Mathis wound up with an 11th-place finish after falling out of the race, while Stroupe came home 15th and Rust 17th.

Pro Challenge Winternationals continues Saturday night, February 10th, at Orlando SpeedWorld, before switching to the newly-repaved New Smyrna Speedway Sunday and Monday, February 11th and 12th.

For more information on the Pro Challenge Winternationals, contact Matt Kentfield at (704) 455-2051 x 5. The official website of Pro Challenge racing, www.prochallengeseries.com, will be providing trackside updates from the tracks throughout Winternationals weekend.

UNOFFICIAL FINISH: Orlando Speedworld // Winternationals 2007 // February 9, 2007 // 50 Laps

1. Dennis Thomson; 2. Rusty McLain; 3. Terry Horak; 4. Jamie Blanton; 5. JL Snowden; 6. Jason Burchard; 7. Jason Treschl; 8. Steve Strandlund; 9. Duke Furr; 10. Malcolm McAllister; 11. Terry Mathis; 12. Dean McIntyre; 13. Scott Hitchens; 14. Trevor Farbo; 15. Zach Stroupe; 16. Doug Moff; 17. Ryan Rust; 18. Trevor Cauble; 19. Sam White; 20. Ken Ellefson; 21. Lance Rubink; 22. Ken Nicholson; 23. Logan Ruffin; 24. Joe Chafin; 25. Kyle Mitchell

BUSTED: Trouble in tech lane for some big hitters at Daytona

Chad Knaus was busted by NASCAR for cheating last year at Daytona, and spent four races in the penalty box.

Apparently, the message didn't get through to everyone.

In this piece, it's clear that NASCAR's Jim Hunter isn't amused by what they discovered in the 'Room of Doom' today at DIS.

On Monday, don't be surprised to see Robbie Reiser (Matt Kenseth's crew chief) and Kenny Francis (Team Director for Kasey Kahne) bounced for the remainder of Speedweek and then some for playing outside the rules.

In other news out of Daytona, Robert Yates is 'back' after putting two cars on the front row for next Sunday's Daytona 500. Finally, Toyota had a rough day in qualifying. Michael Waltrip is also potentially in trouble with NASCAR after they found an odd substance in the carb.

SPEEDWEEKS: Saturday action by Dave Franks

Here is an assortment of Saturday's action at Speedweeks, including:

- Canucks at New Smyrna (Cole Pearn, Kirk Hooker & Bruce Gowland)

- The Bud Shootout at DIS (Congrats to the slimmed down Tony Stewart, who I just saw in a Subway ad with Jarred!)

- The ARCA race at DIS which was won by Bobby Gerhart

Thanks again to Dave Franks for the use of these photos! Anyone interested in contacting Dave to purchase print quality versions of these or any other shots can drop him a note at davefranksphotos@sympatico.ca or call him (when he's back from Florida) at (905) 846-3615. There is a contact page for him on the OSCAAR site here.

Dave Franks' photos from Daytona (Friday)

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - Dave Franks sent me some shots from Daytona Int'l Speedway yesterday and gave me permission to post them online. Click on this link for the full gallery. Thanks Dave!

SOURCE: Bosox group buys half of Roush's NASCAR operation

It was announced a while back that Jack Roush was in negotiations to sell half of his NASCAR team to a group led by Boston Red Sox owner John Henry. Looks like they got it done.

But then there's the small matter that you can't watch ESPN in Canada...

This is from a story in today's Toronto Star, by Rick Matsumoto, on the rosy future of Champ Car and the Grand Prix of Toronto.

(Steve) Johnson (Champ Car President) also feels Champ Car's new multi-year television package, which includes ESPN and three major U.S. networks, will help attract more sponsors.
"That will show (sponsors) that Champ Car is back," he said. "We're healthier in '07 than we were in '06 and we'll be even healthier in '08. But it's one of those things that's going to be a building process over several years."

RACELINE RADIO NETWORK WINS EMPA AGAIN!

(Congratulations to everyone at Raceline! --- GM)

Burlington Ontario: RACELINE RADIO, still Canada’s only nationally syndicated motorsport magazine radio program, has scored yet another major international broadcast journalism award, winning the “Best Radio Show” category in the 2006 Journalism Contest staged annually by the Eastern Motorsport Press Association, and sponsored by Performance Racing Industry Magazine.

Their “NASCAR buys CASCAR” September 17, 2006 broadcast took top honours in the EMPA contest against entries from radio shows and networks across Canada and The United States.

“We’ve entered this very prestigious contest since RACELINE RADIO launched in 1993, and we’ve been fortunate enough to win the radio division, or finished runner-up in the judging at least 13 times. As we enter our 15th year on the air, this tells us our initial concept still works!”, boasted RACELINE RADIO Anchor, Writer and Producer Erik Tomas.

“And again, we certainly share this award with every one of our affiliate stations along the RACELINE RADIO NETWORK. Special thanks also goes to our head Technical Producer Brad Hoffman, Programmers Jeff Storey, Rick Zamperin and the Production and Engineering staff at our Network Flagship station AM 900 CHML Hamilton, and of course to our Assistant Affiliate Coordinator Wendy Taylor!”, Tomas added.

“ET and everyone involved with the show can take another well deserved bow!”,
commented RACELINE RADIO NETWORK Executive Producer John Massingberd. “We enter these journalism contests to gauge RACELINE RADIO against similar shows in Canada and the States. Competition keeps you sharp. Erik and the crew have sustained the excellence of this show over a 14 year span. It’s something we’re very proud of and we know our loyal sponsors share that pride. They’re right there with us presenting one of the best motorsport radio shows on the air!” Massingberd continued.

The RACELINE RADIO NETWORK airs year-round, coast-to-coast in Canada. Flagshipped out of AM 900 CHML Hamilton, markets include: Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal, Fredericton, Windsor, Kitchener, Sudbury, Niagara Falls, Sarnia, Peterborough, Truro, New Maryland and Oromocto.

Network broadcast partners include: Subaru Canada, Texaco-Havoline, Tissot Swiss Watches, and Inside Track Motorsport News.

From Raceline

DELAWARE: General Meeting Scheduled for Thursday, February 8

From Delaware Speedway's main page:

ATTENTION TEAMS, DRIVERS, SPONSORS, STAFF AND FANS:

All teams, drivers, sponsors, staff and interested fans are encouraged to attend a Speedway General Meeting this Thursday, February 8, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the the Four Points Sheraton hotel in London, ON.

The hotel is at 1150 Wellington Rd. South (London).

Everyone is invited to attend this meeting. Registrations will also be available.

WHEN: Thursday, February 8, 2007 @ 7 p.m.

WHERE: Four Points Sheraton Hotel // 1150 Wellington Rd. South, London

(Delaware's Jeff Wilcox called to note that all four of the track's owners will be in attendance at the meeting.)

EDMONTON INT’L RACEWAY ANNOUNCES NEW TITLE SPONSOR

EDMONTON, AB – Edmonton Int’l Raceway (EIR) is proud to announce that Lucas Oil Products have come on board as the title sponsor for the NASCAR Late Models competing in the Whelen All-American Series at EIR.

Lucas Oil is one of the fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry and hosts a premium line of motor oils, motorcycle oils, greases and problem solving additives. Along with this sponsorship, Lucas Oil is awarding a $10,000 points fund to the Lucas Oil NASCAR Late Models racing at EIR, this will be in addition to the NASCAR year-end contingency and points fund money totaling over $30,000 (Canadian) and is still growing, making this the highest paying year-end points fund for an asphalt Late Model Class in Alberta.

The Lucas Oil EIR NASCAR Late Model Series provides Late Model racers the opportunity to compete for a Provincial & International NASCAR Championship Title by racing at their local track. This is part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series is North America’s number one weekly short track program with thousands of competitors racing at over 50 premier facilities across the U.S. and Canada.

The Lucas Oil NASCAR Late Models will debut on May 12th, 2007 at Edmonton Int’l Raceway, located 30 minutes south of Edmonton, Alberta. A full schedule and additional information is available on our website www.edmontonraceway.com

Submitted by: Loretta Thiering // Edmonton Int’l Raceway

J.R. Fitzpatrick tests his Mexico Busch Series ride in South Carolina

2006 CASCAR Super Series champ J.R. Fitzpatrick was joined by the Fitzpatrick Motorsports team at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, SC this past week for a test of the car that 'J.R.' will drive in the upcoming NASCAR Busch Series road course event in Mexico.

According to Don Thomson Jr., the test went very well. The team is committed to the event, which will be young Fitzpatrick's first Busch Series outing. Thomson noted that the team is still welcoming sponsorship support. Interested parties can contact Fitzpatrick Motorsports at (519) 621-0903.

Remember this sound?

Herm Hordal of Saskatoon's Auto Clearing Motor Speedway sent along a note with a link to the track's website. On it is a short clip of on-track action at ACMS. Sometimes, in the dead of winter, it just warms your heart to be reminded what a racecar sounds like.

Here is the link to the video, from Global Saskatoon.

INSIDE TRACK: Friday Notebook

• Canadian Jacques Villeneuve tested the diesel-powered Peugeot 908 he will race at Le Mans and came away impressed.
• The Champ Car race scheduled for Denver has fallen off the schedule due to "concerns over time conflicts with the facilities surrounding the temporary street course." The release about the event goes on to state that the 2008 race also won't happen, because "the 2008 Democratic National Convention which is scheduled be held in the Mile High city." No word on the fate of the 2009 Denver event, however there are rumours of a total solar eclipse in the works, within 3 months of the fall of the green flag, so we'll get back to you on that one....
• Sauble Speedway has announced two Wednesday night Dash for Cash invitationals. The events will take place on July 25 and August 15 and will feature the Late Models, Thunder Cars and 4-Cylinder Cars.
• The PMRA has confirmed a pair of events this season at Toronto Motorsports Park. The Pro Modified dragster series will be there during the track's Victoria Day Weekend May 19 and 20, and will return for the KC Auto Family Day Thunder Fest sponsored by KC Auto Parts on Saturday, June 16.

GM announces special edition Ron Fellows Z06 Corvette

In 10 minutes, one of our people will call up General Motors of Canada and ask them if they'd like to run an ad promoting the existence of this car.

Following an awkward silence.... the words "Who is Ron Fellows?" will be the reply.

The same discussion took place following his wins at the Rolex 24 and Le Mans.

Sigh.

In all seriousness.... Congratulations to Ron! What a fantastic honour.


***

Ron Fellows Championship Z06 and Indy Pace Car Replica Convertible Editions Make 2007 a Special Year for Chevrolet Corvette

CHICAGO - Corvette enthusiasts in search of a unique ride have much to consider this year with the introduction of two special-edition models: the Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 and the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Corvette Convertible.

The special-edition Corvettes are distinguished by unique interior and exterior appointments and will be offered in limited, predetermined quantities. In other words, when they're gone, they're gone.

"Chevrolet and Corvette have a long, storied history at Indianapolis, and the new pace car special-edition commemorates that heritage with what will surely be an instant collectible," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager.

"Ron Fellows is also a part of Chevrolet's racing heritage, and he has been instrumental in the remarkable success of the Corvette Racing team in the American Le Mans Series. The special signature-series Z06 model that bears his name will forever link him to one of the greatest eras in factory racing, which has produced six consecutive ALMS GT1 manufacturers championships, and counting."

Russ Bond has more shots of this car on his Painkillerz.ca site.

CASCAR on the Montreal road course this Saturday on SPEED

Watch the CASCAR race from MONTREAL on SPEED this Weekend! Saturday, February 3rd @ 3:00 p.m. EST and 11:00 p.m. PST

OSCAAR ANNOUNCES 2007 SCHEDULE

OSCAAR is pleased to announce its 2007 Schedule! In 2007, the OSCAAR Outlaws will tour on 13 scheduled events, which is definitely going to provide exciting Super Late Model racing entertainment for racing fans in Ontario!

There is sure to be a battle in 2007, with many new teams battling for “Rookie Of The Year” honors. 2007 will see the most ever first time teams taking to the race tracks of Ontario.

In exciting news, OSCAAR will join the ASA Late Model Series for a Canada Day Extravaganza at the “Crown Jewel” Cayuga Speedway Park. “OSCAAR is thrilled to be able to present the 9th Annual Don Biederman Memorial 75 Lap event at one of Canada’s most historic racing facilities.

Joining the ASA Late Model Series is truly a honor and quantifies OSCAAR’s racing quality and progression into a supreme racing series,” commented OSCAAR President Kim Mahony.

Cayuga Speedway Park’s Track Operations Manager, Tim Chapman expressed, “It is with great excitement that Cayuga Speedway Park join forces with the elite OSCAAR Super Late Model Series along with the ASA Late Model Series, to provide fans with what is going to be an amazing day of festivities and racing action that fans will be talking about for a long time.”

The OSCAAR Outlaws will open their 2007 season at Flamboro Speedway on Sunday May 20th, and close the 2007 season at the 15th Annual Autumn Colours Classic. Be sure to visit the OSCAAR booth at Performance World on March 9, 10, 11 being held at the Toronto International Center and pick up your 2007 schedule and get an up close look at the 2007 Outlaw machine of T.J. Woolsey.

2007 OSCAAR OUTLAW SCHEDULE

May 20 - Flamboro Speedway
June 1 - Kawartha Speedway
June 16 - Barrie Speedway
June 24 – Simcoe Shores Golf & Country Club // 4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
June 30 - Cayuga Speedway Park // 9th Annual Don Biederman Memorial – 75 Laps
July 7 - Sunset Speedway
July 14 - Mosport Speedway
July 28 - Sauble Speedway
Aug. 4 - Peterborough Speedway
Aug. 10 - Kawartha Speedway
Aug. 18 - Mosport Speedway
Sept. 1 - Peterborough Speedway
Sept. 29/30 - Flamboro Speedway // Lucas Oil Oktoberfest Classic Weekend
Oct. 5/6/7 - Peterborough Speedway // 15th Annual Lucas Oil Autumn Colors Classic

For OSCAAR by Mike Charest

Statement on Roush Racing Transporter accident in Texas

CONCORD, N.C. (February 1, 2007) - Two Roush Racing employees were injured in a multi-vehicle accident 85 miles east of El Paso, Texas yesterday morning. Justin Grebe, the driver of the No. 6 Roush Racing NEXTEL Cup transporter was treated and released from Thomason Hospital. Driving partner Joe Millikan, a passenger, is in stable condition in the Thomason Hospital intensive care unit. The two were returning to Concord, N.C. from a test in Las Vegas, Nev. According to local news reports, two other people also were taken to Thomason Hospital after suffering non life-threatening injuries. The cause of the crash has not been determined. Roush Racing will provide additional details as they become available.