BAM Racing Forced To Partial Schedule

In an open letter from BAM Racing owner, Beth Ann Morgenthau she said: "Our recent switch to Toyota is a strong testament to our focus and commitment to become more competitive. Even though we were disappointed, it became necessary to miss two races to complete the transition to Toyota. We were excited about the potential for the balance of the 2008 season. That excitement was abruptly interrupted this past week by news that a primary sponsorship deal once planned for the majority of the 2008 season had been reduced to a fraction of a season and that fraction will likely be in the fall. The private company has been in the process of raising funds in the equity market for working capital, which included a portion going to a product launch using the #49 race car. Due to the uncertainty of the stock market, raising the capital is taking longer than expected. With no other primary sponsor currently in place to fill the void, the harsh reality of this most recent news is that we are forced to reduce our 2008 participation to a partial season. Our marketing groups are working hard to fill the sponsorship void so we can get back on the track sooner than later. When new primary sponsorship is secured you will be one of the first to know! It is of little consolation that we are not alone in this plight. The uncertain economic times affecting our sponsor are affecting sponsorships throughout NASCAR and are having a winnowing affect on the number of teams showing up each week to compete. We're confident that with the decreasing number of teams, with the competitive cars we produce and with the horsepower Toyota engines provide, we will be able to step back into competition effectively and successfully on short notice--and we are making every effort to make our sabbatical as short as possible. BAM Racing

As for what will happen to Ken Schrader? It is rumored that he will drive the # 70 car for Haas Racing at Talladega.

Such a shame to hear this unfortunate news and their presence at the race track will be deeply felt and sorely missed.

There is a surprising yet wonderful update to this story. Haas CNC Racing is pleased to announce that Ken Schrader will drive the #70 Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevy during the upcoming race weekend at Talladega. "I'm definitely very excited about the opportunity to drive for Haas CNC Racing," Schrader said. "It is a younger team that is going through the growing process but yet has all of the elements in place. The team has an outstanding relationship with Hendrick Motorsports, and we know they have a proven engine program," he added. "We certainly don't have to second guess the equipment."Haas CNC Racing

Crew Chief Swap at Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced that Sprint Cup Series crew chiefs Donnie Wingo and Jimmy Elledge will change roles, with Wingo assuming duties on the #41 Target Dodge driven by Reed Sorenson and Elledge on the #42 Texaco/Havoline/Juicy Fruit Dodge driven by Juan Pablo Montoya, respectively. "I really feel that these changes can be instrumental in moving Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates to the next level," said Team Owner Chip Ganassi. "I have a lot of respect for both Donnie and Jimmy and the jobs that they do and they both agree that this move can be very beneficial to the entire organization. I have said all along that I believe us to be a championship organization and that Felix and I will do whatever we can to make us better. This is toward that end." Wingo will call his first race for the #41 team with Sorenson, and Elledge with the No.42 team and Montoya, following the NSCS off weekend in Round 9 of the season at Talladega Superspeedway on April 27. Chip Ganassi Racing

Oh Chip, the problem isn't with the crew chiefs, it's with the drivers. You need to pull your head out of the clouds and realize that Reed, Juan and Dario just aren't talented enough to run with the big boys. You made a huge mistake and putting a different captain at the helm of a sinking ship won't keep it from sinking. It will only prolong the agony. I think the world of Reed Sorenson and Jimmy Elledge and I'm sorry that they have to be caught up in this fiasco. This isn't IRL Chip, just thinking you're a great talent doesn't mean anything. You have to produce results. So far, I don't see any. And I don't think this will change anything but the team colors on your crew chief's backs.

NASCAR adds additional test at Lowe's Motorspeedway

“ We have 17 events ahead of us on intermediate tracks and the additional test allows the teams the opportunity to learn more about the new car ...” Robin Pemberton

NASCAR announced Tuesday the addition of a Sprint Cup Series test session May 5-6 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. On May 5 practice times are set from 9 a.m. -- noon ET; 1 p.m. -- 5 p.m. ET; and 6 p.m. -- 9 p.m. ET. On May 6 practice times are set from 9 a.m. -- noon ET and 1 p.m. -- 5p.m. ET. Teams may test a maximum of four of those five practice segments.
NASCAR visited with the teams this past weekend at Phoenix about the possibility of adding a test to further prepare for the remaining 17 events the series has at intermediate tracks the rest of the season, including next month's Sprint All-Star Race and Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The extra test gives the series seven sanctioned test sessions this year, the same number the teams had in 2007.
"We received input from the teams last weekend at Phoenix and a vast majority of them were receptive to adding a test next month at Lowe's," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. "We always strive to work with the teams and do what is in the best interest of the competitors.
"We have 17 events ahead of us on intermediate tracks and the additional test allows the teams the opportunity to learn more about the new car, work on their setups and adjustments, and apply that information to these future races."
Lowe's Motor Speedway track president H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler offered up his track to the Cup teams so they could get better prepared for the two events taking place at his track in the month of May. He was relieved to receive Tuesday's news.
"I appreciate NASCAR being proactive and attempting to improve the racing on the intermediate tracks," Wheeler said. "It's become obvious that something needs to be done immediately to help these teams. Hopefully, the additional track time will provide them the opportunity to find some things that will help when they come back two weeks later. We want the fans to see the best racing of the season when they come to Charlotte.
"As I've stated before, NASCAR and these teams have done an excellent job on the safety of the new car," Wheeler continued. "But, they need some help getting the cars to perform to where they can produce more side-by-side racing, which is really what it's all about. Something needs to be done now and I applaud NASCAR for letting the teams test before they race here in May."
With the addition of the open test, the Goodyear tire test scheduled for April 22 has been canceled.
Fans will be able to view both days of testing, free of charge, from the renovated GM Grandstand on Lowe's Motor Speedway's frontstretch. Grandstand gates open at 9 a.m. each day.

In response to a growing demand for additional testing with the new car at intermediate tracks, NASCAR announced that they will allow Sprint Cup teams to test at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 5-6.
NASCAR visited with the teams this past weekend at Phoenix about the possibility of adding a test to further prepare for the remaining 17 events the series has at ovals measuring between 1-2 miles the rest of the season, including next month's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
"We received input from the teams last weekend at Phoenix and a vast majority of them were receptive to adding a test next month at Lowe's," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR Vice President of Competition. "We always strive to work with the teams and do what is in the best interest of the competitors. We have 17 events ahead of us on intermediate tracks and the additional test allows the teams the opportunity to learn more about the new car, work on their setups and adjustments, and apply that information to these future races."
On May 5 practice times are set from 9 a.m. — noon; 1 — 5 p.m.; and 6 p.m. — 9 p.m. On May 6 practice times are set from 9 a.m. — noon and 1 — 5 p.m.
Teams may test a maximum of four of those five practice segments.
The extra test gives the series seven sanctioned test sessions this year, the same number the teams had in 2007.

NASCAR PR

Denny Hamlin Foundation Plans Race to Benefit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Denny Hamlin 175 at Southside Speedway to launch Denny Hamlin Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis
On May 1st, 2008 Southside Speedway will welcome home Sprint Cup driver of the #11 FedEx Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and Chesterfield native Denny Hamlin. In creating the Denny Hamlin 175, Hamlin will not only be returning to the .333 mile track where he started his stock car racing career, he will launch something near to his heart…the Denny Hamlin Foundation. Hamlin will bring along some of his friends to compete against Southside Speedway’s elite group of racers, including NASCAR prodigy Joey Logano and two-time Southside Speedway Champion Curtis Markham in a 175 lap late model show down.This all-star race marks the first fundraiser for the Denny Hamlin Foundation, a newly created charity Hamlin formed to aid in raising awareness and funding for Cystic Fibrosis causes and other 501(c)(3) not for profit corporations. Cystic Fibrosis awareness is extremely dear to Denny and his family as his cousin suffers from the disease.Tickets, to what is expected to be a sold out show, go on sale April 18, 2008 at 3pm at the front ticket office at Southside Speedway. Adult tickets are $20 each and tickets for children 7-12 years old are $10, children 6 and under are free. If available, race day ticket sales will begin at 3:00 PM on May 1. For more information on the track and the race, please log on to www.southside-speedway.com. All sales are cash only and there will be no refunds. In the event that the races are cancelled due to weather or any other unforeseen circumstances, tickets will be good for any 2008 racing event at the speedway. Scheduled drivers are subject to change.The Denny Hamlin Foundation was created to support individuals suffering from Cystic Fibrosis. The Foundation will also support chronically ill children with other debilitating illnesses. Because of Denny Hamlin’s involvement as a racecar driver in NASCAR, DHF will focus primarily on raising awareness and funding for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. As such, DHF will partner with organizations whose purpose is to research treatment and to provide care for individuals with Cystic Fibrosis. For media inquires about the event or DHF questions, please contact Jennifer Reuss at dhracingweb@yahoo.com or call 804-399-6687