Coming In 2010, NASCAR Hall Of Fame

The NASCAR Hall Of Fame groundbreaking ceremony was held on January 25, 2007 in Charlotte,North Carolina.The actual construction began in May of the same year. It is projected that it will officially open some time in the first quarter of 2010 and NASCAR fans are looking forward to a place dedicated to their sport.

Why Charlotte? One reason being it has been the “Mecca” of racing for so many years. The area is rich with racing history. Most of the NASCAR team headquarters are located there as well as three driving experiences and numerous driving schools. It is the home of Lowe’s Motor Speedway - The Beast of the Southeast. Area businesses are in strong support of the Hall of Fame. The city has pledged to be in full support of the project as well. Imagine the lure of the fan to Charlotte, the area businesses will boom as well as an increase in the job market. It is a win win for the city as well as NASCAR.

The features planned at this time promise to be a dream come true for any fan who just can’t get enough of racing. It will include:

• Approximately 50,000 square feet of exhibit space showcasing the history and heritage of the sport.
• Ceremonial Plaza: Exterior site for induction ceremonies.
• Full Throttle Theater: A 250-seat state-of-the-art theatre featuring informational film about the history of NASCAR.
• The Great Hall: Large, open, greeting area just inside the facility which will include rotating displays and lively video scenes and graphics.
• Glory Road: Banked ramp leading to the second floor of the facility featuring 15-18 historic cars.
• Hall of Honor: Space where NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees will be honored.
• NASCAR Vault: Glass-enclosed section of the facility housing historic artifacts from NASCAR’s past.
• A Week in the Life: A behind-the-scenes look of what a NASCAR team goes through to prepare a car for raceday.
• Transporter Simulator: A full-size transporter, giving visitors a first-hand look at the team’s nerve-center at the track.
• Racing Simulator: A state-of-the-art attraction giving visitors a driver’s experience and perspective on raceday.
• Heritage Speedway: Individual galleries telling the story of NASCAR’s exciting 60+ year history.
• Tribute Space: A memorial area where visitors can honor and reflect on heroes no longer with us.
• Restaurant and Retail Outlets.
• TV & Radio Studios and NASCAR Newsroom

The fan will even have a chance to support the Hall of Fame and be a part of it by purchasing commemorative brick pavers which will be placed in the courtyard of the main entrance of the building. How much of a die hard fan are you? Prices and details will be presented to the public in the near future. It will be interesting to see how many bricks can be placed in a courtyard. I would easily say that this promotion may be more popular then expected and hope they are considering another area to expand on this idea should the courtyard get sold out.

NASCAR has begun the process of developing a method of how to select inductees to the Hall of Fame. They have been investigating how other halls of fame select their members and hopes to come up with a way that will be upstanding and provide the best of the sport for the fan.

Who will the first inductees be? Many names run through my mind, drivers, crew chiefs, pit crews, administrators, owners, teams but the name that stands out to me the most would be Bill France Sr. - the father of NASCAR. What a wonderful way to honor a man who organized stock car racing enabling it to become one of the biggest spectator sports in our country. I do think this honor of being the first inducted to the hall of fame should be his and I will be surprised if it doesn’t happen.

I have been to Daytona and have taken the tour of the track and visited the museum. It was an experience that I would highly recommend to any NASCAR fan. The banking of the track amazed me, watching it on TV doesn’t compare to seeing it in person. More respect needs to be given to drivers who make this look so easy week after week. It was great to see so much history of NASCAR on display and to enjoy the simulator attractions it offered. I was awe struck standing in front of the statue of Dale Earnhardt Sr. outside of the track. At that time, 5 years had gone by since this legendary driver was tragically killed at this racetrack. Fans still place mementos at and around his statue leaving me to wonder why, what significance did the pair of racing gloves mean, the flowers. Even though it is only a statue it almost radiated honor to a man who gave so much to the sport.

With this in mind, the opportunity of having a NASCAR Hall of Fame, with its state of the art technology construction, conversation of a trip to Charlotte has already stirred in my family. I envy our southern neighbors who have easy access to this attraction but in all fairness, have a right to have it in their backyard. If it is as much as promised, it will be one attraction NASCAR fans will not want to miss.

Article written by patiiee
patiiee is one of the many nascar fans on rootzoo.com. She loves nascar, and could talk about it all day. But she also enjoys all kinds of sports talk.

Watch NASCAR Races 2008 live online on your PC

With the Nextel Cup coming up on August 10, I am sure that you would like to watch the race with as much quality as possible. Now there is a way that you can watch an intense race between the top racers like Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and Kyle Busch in HD all on your PC!

With the Sprint Series Cup standings getting closer and closer On July 15th 2008, you do not want to miss one minute of this head-to-head action.

Are you a huge NASCAR fan, looking for a great place to watch all of the races in 2008? Well then you have come to the right place. I am here to tell you how you can Watch NASCAR Races 2008 live online on your PC. After all, if you are going to watch NASCAR, you are going to want the best of HDTV, and the ability to pause TV as you are watching it for a much cheaper price than DVR.

Well how can this help me?

As a NASCAR fan I know that I would like to catch every race. With this program, you can record all of the races on your PC. The great part about this is you will only have to pay ONE FEE. No more monthly fees that slowly tear a hole in your wallet.

Maybe you don’t want to watch NASCAR Races 2008 live online on your PC, with satellite TV for PC elite edition 2008, you will have access to over 3000 channels for one low price of $49.99. Here are some of the sports channels that you will get; ESPN News, EuroSports TV, GameSports TV, WHL TV, Fox Network, and Sport Star.

Advantages to watch NASCAR Races 2008 live online on your PC

1. Imagine yourself sitting at home watching a big race on your TV. What if you would like to check your email at the same time? Now you will have to completely leave the room, missing key points to the race. With satellite TV for PC Elite Edition 2008, you will be able to watch NASCAR Races 2008 live online on your PC, while checking your email or doing other business online.

2. Are you tired of your outdated TV? With this program, you will have HDTV, and be able to see the closest details throughout the entire race.

3. With satellite TV for PC, you will be able to not only watch NASCAR online, but pause and record live TV without the hassle of DVR.

4. NASCAR is important to you, but not important enough to spend hundreds of dollars on your cable bill right? With this program, you will have to pay only ONE payment for instant access to over 3000 channels.

5. Are you tired of the many distractions of a normal household holding you back from fully enjoying the big NASCAR race on your TV? Many people view their computer as their escape place, where they do not have to deal with the mayhem of their household. You can now watch NASCAR Races 2008 live online on your PC distraction free.

Article written by Krishna
Discover the advantages of watching NASCAR Races 2008 live online on your PC. Not only is it much cheaper, but you can do business on your computer at the same time. If you are interested in learning more, Review Here For More Exciting Information

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is heir to the greatest racing family in history. But, he’s much more than just a storied name. He is also NASCAR’s most popular driver, he brings in the most revenue, and he sells more fan gear than any other driver. With credentials like that, you might think he would be at the top of the pack when it comes to racing wins, also, but that isn’t the case, I’m afraid.

In fact, Junior hasn’t won a race in over 2 years and has never won a championship. So, what exactly is it that makes him so popular? This is one of the most common questions asked among those who aren’t big Junior fans. As a Dale Jr. fan myself, let me answer this for you, from my perspective.

Many people believe that Jr. inherited a lot of fans from his father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., a NASCAR legend, after his father was killed in a racing accident. Some people think he’s only popular because of his last name.

Would he be as popular if his last name wasn’t Earnhardt? Probably not, to be honest, but his last name is a part of his family’s racing legacy. Junior is carrying on that legacy, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

But his last name will only get him so far. While it may be true that Jr. inherited a lot of fans from his father and grandfather, it’s also true that he couldn’t have kept these fans if he didn’t deserve them.

If Junior’s last name wasn’t Earnhardt, I’d still be a fan of the guy. But there are other drivers racing today that if their name *was* Earnhardt, I still wouldn’t like them no matter how many races they won.

Dale Jr. is popular because he has talent and personality. People are drawn to him. He’s a regular guy who could be your buddy. He’s not polished or image conscious. He’s the real deal. He’s not a pretender or a pretty boy. He has a country boy image that guys can relate to and women are attracted to.

He is young, energetic, and good looking (or so I’m told). He has a Southern drawl and a twinkle in his eye. He is a humble and down-to-earth race car driver of the people. He has done a lot for the sport and he is active in charity work, as well, being very generous with his time and money.

He is a good business man and has been very smart about the way he markets himself.

He is a great race car driver. He won 2 Busch championships. That takes a lot of talent. He also won some big races in the past, such as Daytona and Talladega.

Older fans like him because they liked his father. Middle age fans like him and link him to Budweiser and dirt tracks. The younger crowd likes the fact that he’s single, good-looking, and makes tons of cash driving real fast!

He’s also popular with NASCAR itself, because he fills the seats at the races. They love his popularity and marketability. He brings in more merchandising sales than any other driver. The bottom line is that Jr. makes money for NASCAR and they love him for it. Do they want him to win? Yes they do. Because when Jr. wins, everyone wins. In fact, it’s been said that you can shut your eyes at a race and tell if Jr. is leading by the roar from the crowd.

Not a bad gig, if you can get it!

That’s one guy’s opinion, worth what you paid for it!

Chris M. Smith owns DaleJr88FanGear.com, a Dale Earnhardt Jr. fan and memorabilia site. He specializes in the new line of Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 merchandise, including shirts, jackets, hats, decals, flags, cars, and other Dale Jr. #88 gear. He also features the latest in Dale Jr. news, videos, articles, race standings, and more. Visit his site: http://www.DaleJr88FanGear.com

Copyright 2008 Chris M. Smith

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_M_Smith

A shortage of blood in Southeast Michigan has spurred an effort by the American Red Cross to boost supplies with several contests, including an opportunity to win a trip to a NASCAR race.

The Red Cross, Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury in Garden City, WDIV-TV Local 4 and Smooth Jazz V98.7 are teaming up through Sept. 19 by making donors eligible to win a lease on a new Lincoln MKZ.

Donors also become eligible to win one of two all-expense paid trips to NASCAR races in Arizona and Florida and to earn points redeemable for Red Cross Racing collectibles.

For more information visit www.givelife.org.

Source: Red Cross chases donors with NASCAR contest | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

After saying it would never happen, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is looking at moving JR Motorsports, his Nationwide Series race team, to the next level in 2009. The reason is the still-called Car of Tomorrow, which is scheduled to run in the second-tier series full time next season. The accrued costs of switching three Nationwide cars to the new model make it more workable to run in the Sprint Cup Series, where sponsors are more eager to pay high dollars for greater exposure and a higher return for the buck.

Earnhardt Jr. would like his race team to join the top-level series by the start of next season if the pieces fit-i.e., if a proven driver emerges and if his handlers can land a backer with deep enough pockets. A top-of-the-line racer seems unlikely, as Junior sees his team’s first year at the Cup level as a season of struggles.

JRM started out as a small shop in Mooresville with minimal expectations in 2005. The program merged with Hendrick Motorsports at the end of last season as a package deal when Junior left Dale Earnhardt Inc. Earnhardt Jr. expanded to three cars in ‘08, the No. 88 Chevrolet driven full time by Brad Keselowski, the 83 that Junior occasionally drives, and the 5 car shared by Junior, Casey Mears, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Landon Cassill, Ron Fellows and Martin Truex Jr. The team has been stronger from the start and runs consistently up front in every race. It got its first victory in March when Martin won at Las Vegas, and ran all three cars for the first time last weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

Ignoring the learning curve, a new twist has Tony Stewart becoming a partner with Earnhardt Jr. and driving for JRM next year if he gets out of his Joe Gibbs Racing contract-an unlikely event according to JGR president J.D. Gibbs. Stewart will not confirm discussions with Earnhardt Jr., saying only that Hass CNC racing is one of several racing organizations offering him limited partnership and a chance to drive for his own team. Unless further developments occur, a Stewart-Junior pact is more probable in 2010.

Driving for one race team while owning another is nothing new in NASCAR. Dale Earnhardt Sr. drove for Richard Childress Racing while he owned DEI. Junior could do the same with his arrangement, although HMS is co-owner of JRM, making a perceived conflict of interest minimal on Dale Jr.’s part.

If JRM moves up, what will other Nationwide teams do? And if Dale Earnhardt Jr. has trouble finding backers for his Nationwide program, what kind of financial shape are others in?

Since Truex Jr. won back-to-back Busch Series crowns in 2004-05, Cup regulars have dominated the series and remain the only true contenders for a Nationwide championship. Assuming Junior follows through and other teams follow suit, NASCAR may want to rethink pushing the COT on its “minor league” circuit so soon, or else make the series a true farm system for aspiring drivers. That would make profitability an issue, and Nationwide Insurance Co. could threaten to pull out.

Brian France has some very hard decisions ahead.

More articles about NASCAR news and auto racing can be found at http://www.speedweekly.net

The best way to watch NASCAR on your TV can be found at http://www.watchautoracing.com

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Only one driver has won three consecutive championships at NASCAR’s highest level, Cale Yarborough from 1976 - ‘78. Despite his worst start since entering the series full time in 2002, a three-peat is still possible for the 21st century’s top driver entering 2008.

With only one win and four top-five finishes through four months of racing, Jimmie Johnson’s two-year reign as king of NASCAR could be coming to a close were it not for the controversial Chase format. Johnson was a firm ninth in the standings prior to Dover and trailed leader Kyle Busch by 367 points.

Lofty expectations bring a series of disappointments if the rate of success dips, and Johnson’s grip is getting slippery. After a series leading 10 wins in ‘07, including four of the last five Nextel Cup events, the 48 Chevrolet was the logical choice to win again in ‘08. That dominance is no longer there and teammates Jeff Gordon, Casey Mears, and newcomer Dale Earnhardt Jr. are winless as well in ‘08.

JJ doesn’t seem worried.

The El Cajon, Californian also has two career series runner-ups and 34 wins to his credit, and a long history of rising to the top. Considering the incredible run he had in last year’s Chase, as long as he’s in the field he remains a solid contender.

His atypical troubles continued recently at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, a track he has mastered in previous years. Career-wise, Johnson is peerless at LMS, statistically speaking. He ranks first in every major category at the Concord venue, besting rivals so convincingly that claims of a conspiracy-i.e., a Lowe’s car crushing the competition at a Lowe’s facility-routinely emerged. On May 25, the 48 car finished 39th in a field of 43 after engine trouble knocked JJ out of a race for the first time this season. Previously he had won seven times at the SMI-owned track and took three straight Coca-Cola 600s in 2003 - ‘05.

After rebounding in late March from a slow start, he came in fourth at Martinsville, followed by a runner-up spot at Texas and a win at Phoenix. He has slid again since then, and a general consensus is building that he’s mired in a season-long slump, much like his majority car owner (Gordon). Johnson says the reason for his drop is the Car of Tomorrow, now run at every series event. Gordon has also struggled in the wider car after Hendrick drivers won the first five COT races in ‘07. Johnson points out that his early wins from a year ago were in the old car and on shorter tracks. His five COT victories last season came at Richmond (.75-mile) and Martinsville (.526-mile)-two wins each-and at Phoenix (1-mile). He and the 48 crew are still figuring out how the heavier car handles on the bigger tracks in ‘08.

The edge Hendrick Motorsports had last season seems to be gone, through Johnson points out that other teams have simply caught up. If he can’t fare better at LMS of all places, where he has frequently excelled (he finished fourth in the May 17 All-Star race), he may be content to complete each race the rest of the way, win if he can, and qualify for NASCAR’s version of the postseason before making a strong move to the front.

Johnson has started well in previous years before going through a similar slide during the summer. He went 11 consecutive events without a win when the temperature rose in ‘06, and 14 straight weeks without a checkered flag in ‘07 before a late August win at California. This isn’t his first drought, but he has never struggled like this so soon. Still, he’s the only HMS driver with a win thus far.

Keep watch. The Hendrick team has never been down for too long.

More articles about NASCAR news and auto racing can be found at http://www.speedweekly.net

The best way to watch NASCAR on your TV can be found at http://www.watchautoracing.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mel_Kizzidek

Today I would like to underline a topic that has always been on the mind of me as a Nascar fan an collector. For years and years Nascar has been a very competitive sport and each series (Sprint, Nationwide, and Craftsman) have their own racers and sponsors, even numbers!

The major factor I would like to discuss is the fact that each series offers different features for different skilled drivers and so forth. So would you come to the conclusion to say that series interchangeable drivers is fair? or unfair? By this I simply mean should drivers like Kyle Busch or Kevin Harvick be able to drive in both the Sprint, and Nationwide Series (Also Craftsman, if applied)?

It has been my opinion for years that each series is different so that other people can get into the certain series and gain coverage to someday race the highest series which is currently the Sprint Cup Series. Although with that being said we still see a few drivers that race both series simultaneously and have been for years.

This factor seems very unfair in my eyes due to the conclusion and assumption that higher ranked series drivers have more of an edge due to their somewhat of a veteran status with the Nascar sport. Meaning that they have more track time, and ultimately more practice and expertise under their belt then the drivers in the Nationwide and Craftsman Nascar series. Seeing that all these variables are arguable I would like to hear your responses on the topic and if you think it is fair or unfair? So before you take off, let me outline the major reasons why I think interchangeable driving in multiple Nascar series (Sprint, Nationwide, and Craftsman) seems unfair.

-Higher series drivers seem to have a veteran status with the Nascar sport and may have expertise when it comes to certain instances, like tracks, care handling etc.

-Each series of Nascar (Sprint, Nationwide, and Craftsman) have their own individual sponsors, shouldn’t they have their own drivers? not repeats, this would be to allow talent to flow through the sport at a somewhat higher rate with more driver openings.

-Each series is meant for a certain driver, and if they made it into the Sprint, Nationwide, or Craftsman cup series then aren’t they where they are supposed to be?

-If each driver who interchanged or raced both stayed in only one Nascar Series (Sprint, Nationwide, or Craftsman) then they could better their chances of winning races by having more time to practice and optimize one car at one track instead of multiples.

-And lastly opportunity, give other rising Nascar race car drivers the ability to get into the Nascar series by sticking to one series to offer more open positions for upcoming drivers.

So what do you think? Comments are appreciated and will be responded to. Thanks for your patronage!

http://www.NascarCollector.blogspot.com
Check us out and give Pit Pass Diecast a try! For all your Nascar collecting needs!

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Debris — crumpled paper, perhaps? — got in Bowyer’s grill early, forcing a pit stop 18 laps in, and he was playing catch-up the rest of the way. He finished 25th, which snapped his streak of top-15 finishes at eight.

Clint Bowyer fell victim to overheating issues in the early goings of Sunday night’s Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, forcing the Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet to pit under green-flag conditions, just 18 laps in to the longest race on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule.

Bowyer’s black and white No. 07 Chevy picked up debris that had blown on to the race track blocking the front grill openings and causing the water and oil temperatures to spike. The untimely trip to pit lane ultimately cost him two laps that, despite a yeoman’s effort, he was unable to reclaim.

“We picked up some trash on the nose of the Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet, had to pit under green and lost two laps. In all honesty, going two laps down early is almost as bad as wrecking. All things considered, 25th isn’t too bad. Gil (crew chief Gil Martin) and all the guys did a great job getting the car to where I could drive it. We struggled during the All-Star race and really didn’t have a good handle on the car for most of this weekend. But, when the green flag dropped, the Jack Daniel’s Chevy was easily a top-10 car. If we wouldn’t have had that bad luck, I feel like we could have raced for the win. We’re going to Dover next weekend and that’s a track I really enjoy. We’re taking a good car so this team is looking to rebound from a tough couple of weeks.” - Clint Bowyer

Still, Bowyer held on to fifth in the Sprint Cup Series point standings where he holds a 40-point advantage over Carl Edwards in sixth and a 61-point margin over Richard Childress Racing teammate Kevin Harvick in seventh. Meanwhile, Bowyer is just 18 points behind Denny Hamlin in fourth.

If you are a fan of the races, you have probably at least entertained the thought of camping out at the race with other anticipating race fans. There is something about the vibe when camping at a NASCAR race that can’t be beat, especially for those die hard fans out there that are truly thrilled b y it all. Getting NASCAR tickets is one thing, but actually having the opportunity to be on the infield as the race is going on is a unique experience in itself, one that no real race fan should have to live without having experienced.

There are different types of camping that can be done at a NASCAR race. Most people have RVs that they like to camp with because they can hook them up and be able to use the water, the facilities, and have electricity in the camper. There are also camping sites for NASCAR races that do not offer hook ups at all, although many of these facilities will make other arrangements for you to dispose of your waste and get clean water. Of course, there is always the option of camping in a tent and that is often the favorite option amongst those who would rather do things simply. Whichever method of camping you choose should not be hard to accommodate.

Why Bother Camping at NASCAR Races?
Many people who travel to NASCAR don’t see the point in camping, and the truth is that it is not for everyone. There are many people who make a tradition out of traveling to races like the Coca Cola 600 and the Daytona 500 and camping with a huge group of friends and associates. Then there are people who fly to town and stay in luxury suites; obviously the latter group might not appreciate the experience. There is a camaraderie to be had at camp sites that goes well with the vibrant NASCAR atmosphere.

Camping at NASCAR Is One Big Party
People choose to camp at NASCAR rather than get a room or stay at a bed and breakfast because of the type of experience it offers. It is a great way for a lot of people who are interested in one thing to get together and celebrate it. There is often drinking, cookouts, parties, games, activities—you name it, it is done at a NASCAR campout. It is a good place to bring little ones who you want to enjoy the races with you and teach them how to have some good, wholesome fun.

Where to Camp at NASCAR
Depending on what race you are attending and what track you will be at, there are several different places to camp. Some tracks allow camping on the infield only, while some tracks allow camping inside the track and outside it as well. Other places have campsites very close to the track that are designated for camping NASCAR fans as well, so the venue can change accommodations from place to place and race to race. Check with your race in advance so that you can reserve a spot, and let your friends and loved ones know in advance, especially if there is a distance to be traveled to the race itself.

Something to keep in mind about camping out at NASCAR races is that the more popular the race is and the bigger of a deal the event is, the harder it is going to be to get a space. Sometimes, they require that you reserve a camping space a year in advance or more and that is a bit too long for some people. A lot of things can change in a year, but usually the cost of reserving the space is not too much to ask to have the space reserved when demand for it is going to be so high once the event rolls around.

Camping at NASCAR takes organization. It takes planning, and most of all it takes the will to have a good time. There should only be one rule at a NASCAR camping event and it should be that non race fans and party poopers are not allowed!

About the Author
Steve Godlewski travels all over the country with his wife Jen, 2 Kids, 2 Dogs, and the cat. Feel free to join us and ride shotgun. Ride with us: http://www.roadwarriorslive.com

Insurance giant Aflac Inc. will become the primary sponsor of NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Carl Edwards’ No. 99 Ford Fusion next year, bumping Office Depot.

Aflac, the Georgia company known for humorous commercials starring its signature duck, would not disclose the terms of its multiyear deal with Roush Fenway Racing, Edwards’ race team. But it is believed to be for three years and worth $78 million.

Delray Beach-based Office Depot will continue as primary sponsor of Edwards’ car for the rest of this season, which runs until mid-November, including its fourth “Official Small Business of NASCAR” sweepstakes.