New Group-Based Format To Bolster Excitement For Sonoma, Watkins Glen
NASCAR announced today that the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will implement the group-based road course qualifying procedure used in NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Touring Series competition during its road-course events at Sonoma Raceway and Watkins Glen International. Under the new procedure, cars will qualify in groups instead of the traditional single-car qualifying runs held on oval race tracks. Continue reading
Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge, celebrates with a burnout after winning the series championship for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Homestead – November 18, 2012
Photo – Todd Warshaw/Getty Images
Dodge is organizing for a return back to NASCAR, perhaps sooner than expected
Promising news is emerging that may have NASCAR and Dodge fans excited. Funding for the Dodge program in NASCAR has been approved says, Ralph Gilles.
Ray Alexander first reported that Ralph Gilles, President and CEO of the SRT Brand and Senior Vice President of Design at Chrysler Group LLC, said that NASCAR funding is approved by Chrysler but lack of personnel played a large role in Dodge’s exit from the sport. Personnel needed for Dodge’s NASCAR program includes engine builders, as well as a winning and championship contending team. But Gilles added, Chrysler is already talking to potential teams to bring back Dodge in the sport..
Possible teams that could be part of a Dodge return to NASCAR are uncertain. Chrysler tried to find potential teams to stay in the sport last season after Penske Racing announced that they would be switching to Ford. Chrysler was unable to find a suitable team that met their criteria and decided to back out of NASCAR at the end of the 2012 season.
A possible suitor is, Richard Petty Motorsports, as they have been running slightly better in 2013, including three straight top-ten performances between the No. 9 and No. 43 the past three weeks. Only Dodge knows exactly the criteria they are looking for in a potential team.
Ralph Gilles did not mention when Chrysler plans to have a Dodge back in the Sprint Cup field. Gilles also did not mention any additions to personnel for the NASCAR program at this time. But the recent news is a move in the right direction for Dodge’s return and any sign is better than no sign.
More potential news of a return for Dodge may come as the summer months draw closer and teams finalize deals for 2014. It is also possible for Dodge to plan a return that will come after 2014, only time will tell the rest of this story.
Pastrana Headlines Autograph Sessions at Talladega for Nationwide/ARCA Series; ARCA Fan Walk Set
Noted extreme sports star Travis Pastrana, who is turning heads in NASCAR with strong runs in 2013, is among a host of young talented drivers who are scheduled to appear as part of a Nationwide Series autograph session at Talladega Superspeedway on Friday, May 3, the kickoff to Aaron’s Dream Weekend. In addition, the stars of the ARCA Racing Series will meet with fans as part of the ARCA Fan Walk and autograph session. Continue reading
Convenient Off-Site Parking and Shuttle Service Offered to Richmond International Raceway Fans on Saturday, April 27
Fans attending the Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday, April 27, will once again be able to take advantage of the “Park and Ride” shuttle program from downtown Richmond at the Richmond Coliseum parking lot and The Showplace parking lot on Mechanicsville Turnpike. The shuttle service, which is only available on Saturday, April 27, allows fans to park their vehicles at either location and use the free shuttle service to the main gate of America’s Premier Short Track. Continue reading
Fans Can Purchase April 25, 26, & 27 NASCAR Tickets Now on their Smartphones
Richmond International Raceway, in conjunction with Moovweb, has launched a new, mobile-friendly fan experience that now makes it even easier for race fans to purchase tickets to events directly from their smartphones. The new mobile ticketing site launched on April 10, and gives fans the ability to easily purchase event tickets, pit passes, access to fan zones and much more. To experience the new mobile sites, fans can go to www.rir.com on a mobile device and select the “Tickets” link next to an event. Continue reading