TV Schedule Aug. 27-29

The Sprint Cup Series is out of commission this week, its last off-weekend of the season. But fans still have plenty of racing action to look forward to this weekend with the Nationwide Series in Montreal and the Camping World Truck Series at Chicagoland.

Nationwide heads north to our neighbor Canada for the third and final road-course race of the season at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The 2.71-mile track has 15 turns and has provided dramatic racing since it was added to the Nationwide schedule in 2007. Last year Marcos Ambrose's mistake at the final chicane allowed Carl Edwards to swoop in and capture the win. Can Ambrose overcome his bad luck to claim his first victory at Montreal?

Meanwhile the Truck Series makes a stop in the Windy City. Kyle Busch won the series' inaugural race at the 1.5-mile tri-oval in 2009. Busch made history last week by achieving the elusive trifecta of wins across all three series in a single race weekend. Can he make history again by becoming the only Truck Series driver to win at Chicagoland?

The Truck Series gets on track Friday at Chicagoland for the EnjoyIllinois.com 225 and the Nationwide Series makes a rare Sunday appearance at Montreal for the Napa Auto Parts 200.

The Sprint Cup Series returns next weekend at Atlanta, the second-to-last race before the Chase for the Sprint Cup is determined.

The following is a handy guide to track events and television coverage this weekend at Chicagoland and Montreal (all times Eastern Standard Time. Events without a channel listed will not be televised):

Friday, August 27:
11:30 a.m. NCWTS Final Practice
4:30 p.m. NCWTS Qualifying at Chicagoland, SPEED
5:00 p.m. NASCAR Now, ESPN2 (reruns at 4 a.m.)
7:00 p.m. ARCA Racing Series: Ansell Protective Gloves 150 at Chicagoland, SPEED
8:30 p.m. NCWTS SetUp, SPEED (reruns Saturday at 11:30 p.m.)
9:00 p.m. NCWTS: Chicagoland 225, SPEED. Green flag: 9:19 p.m.(reruns Sunday at 12 a.m.)

Saturday, August 28:
9 a.m. NNS Practice at Montreal
11:30 a.m. NNS Final Practice, ESPN2
5:00 p.m. NNS Qualifying, ESPN2

Sunday, August 29:
2:00 p.m. NNS Countdown at Montreal, ESPN2
2:30 p.m. NNS: NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge, ESPN2. Green flag: 2:48 p.m. (reruns at 3 a.m.)

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Photo: 2009 Nationwide race at Montreal. (Jason Smith/Getty Images)

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Martinsville set to hold two Sprint Cup dates for next five years; infrastructure upgrades planned

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (Aug. 26, 2010) - Virginia Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and state and local officials announced Thursday a Tobacco Commission grant and other initiatives that will help provide an enhanced fan experience at Martinsville Speedway.

The Tobacco Commission awarded Martinsville Speedway a grant of $1.5 million, which will be matched by Martinsville Speedway for a $3 million project to upgrade facility infrastructure.

As part of the agreement with the Tobacco Commission, International Speedway Corp. has committed to two Sprint Cup races annually at Martinsville Speedway for at least the next five years.

Bolling, the Chief Jobs Creation Officer for the Commonwealth, also announced that the Virginia Department of Transportation had already begun work on the construction of a new on/off ramp on US 58 adjacent to the speedway, which will improve traffic flow on race weekends.

The Virginia Tourism Corporation has also committed to help promote Martinsville Speedway’s Sprint Cup events in its nation-wide marketing campaigns. Earlier this summer the VTC announced it would also sponsor Martinsville Speedway’s annual Late Model Stock Car event, which is now The Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300.

"Martinsville Speedway contributes greatly to the economy of the Commonwealth as a whole, and especially to the economy of Southern Virginia. That's why it was so important for us to make certain that we retained two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Martinsville every year,” said Bolling. “I am delighted that we were able to accomplish this goal, and I thank Clay Campbell and our friends at International Speedway Corporation for working with Governor McDonnell and our Commonwealth of Virginia partners to make this possible.  We look forward to their continuing presence in Martinsville for many years to come."

Commenting on today’s announcement in Martinsville, ISC President John Saunders said, “In consideration of this partnership, we’ve pledged to not petition NASCAR for the realignment of a Martinsville Sprint Cup Series date for at least the next five years. We realize that NASCAR awards sanctions on a yearly basis and that a race date is never guaranteed. But, we work hard to ensure our facilities meet NASCAR’s standards for safety, promotion and other factors taken into consideration for awarding sanctions. We are confident in our ability to continue meeting their thresholds for hosting outstanding Sprint Cup Series races for our fans and guests.”

“Martinsville is a tremendously popular track with both fans and drivers and we recognize its importance to the traditions of the sport. We’re especially proud of the partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia to help further enhance the fan experience at Martinsville through capital investments both in and outside the facility.

“Today’s announcement is the result of so much hard work by so many people over the past six months. I’ve never seen so many come together and work together so hard, so well, for such a long period,” said Martinsville Speedway President W. Clay Campbell. “The result is that our fans are going to have a much better experience and the economy of this area is going to benefit in a big way.

“The steps we are taking with help from many partners will ensure we keep fans coming back to Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville and Henry County and the Commonwealth of Virginia for many years to come.”

According to Frith Construction Co., general contractor for the improvement project, the equivalent of 50 fulltime jobs will be created for the duration of that project. Also, 94 percent of all subcontractors and vendors will come from the immediate area.

Work will begin on the first phase of the infrastructure upgrades immediately after the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on Oct. 24 and will be finished before Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 on April 3. Campbell said because of time constraints between events, the construction would be done in several phases between events.

Release courtesy of Martinsville Speedway

Photo: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR

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Do haters dislike Busch for domination or personality issues?

Is Kyle Busch an a@#? Brad Keselowski obviously thinks so, and he had no problems expressing his opinion of his fellow competitor last Saturday night during driver introductions preceding the Irwin Tools 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn. When handed the microphone during pre-race ceremonies, Keselowski said what he thought about Busch after introducing himself, something he said another driver—Juan Montoya—said he wouldn’t do.

Busch has drawn the ire of a lot of NASCAR fans since his entry into the national ranks a few years ago. He does have his supporters, though, and even most of those who claim to hate the guy will admit the the driver has a lot of talent and is one heck of a race car driver.

While Busch lovers and haters seem to agree that Busch is a great race car driver, there is something they don’t agree on—why all the hate? According to Busch fans, Busch haters are simply haters because the guy wins all the time—an argument they seem to have borrowed from Jeff Gordon fans, ala the 1990s.

The haters see it another way. According to them, the strong dislike for Busch—a dislike so strong it seems to make stomaches turn at the mere mention of the driver they love to hate—is the guy’s attitude.

To read more, visit Auto Racing Daily.

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NASCAR reinstates LaJoie after suspension

NASCAR announced Wednesday it had reinstated Randy LaJoie upon his successful completion of a counseling program after the former driver failed a drug test. He was suspended June 22 for violating the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy.

On June 11, LaJoie was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19 (violation of the NASCAR substance abuse policy) of the 2010 NASCAR Rule Book. He said he had smoked marijuana in May.

In issuing their decision, NASCAR determined LaJoie had satisfied all the requirements for reinstatement.

LaJoie was randomly drug tested after applying for a spotter's license to work on Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 18 team in the Nationwide Series. The two-time Nationwide Series champion is an analyst for ESPN, but was suspended by the sports news network following his suspension from NASCAR.

"I am thankful to NASCAR for reinstating me for competition, and grateful to my friends and family who supported me through this time," LaJoie said in a statement. "This has been a tremendous learning and growing process for me, and I have come through it a stronger, better person. I am looking forward to returning to work, and continuing to prove to NASCAR, my colleagues, my family and my friends that this was an isolated incident that I have put behind me."

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Regan Smith signs two-year extension with Furniture Row Racing

DENVER, Colo. (Aug. 26, 2010) -- Furniture Row Racing announced Thursday that Regan Smith has signed a contract extension through the 2012 season to drive the team's No. 78 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Smith, the 2008 Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year, is currently in his second season driving for the Colorado-based Furniture Row Racing team. Last year he competed on a part-time basis, entering 20 races. The 26-year-old native of central New York is running a full schedule this season and will do the same in 2011 and 2012.

"Regan is a young, talented driver with an outstanding future," said Joe Garone, Furniture Row Racing general manager. "He has done a great job as our athlete and also as a spokesperson for our organization. The contract extension does indeed express a serious commitment by both the race team and driver."

Garone added, "We have a team of proven employees, state-of-the-art equipment and dedicated partners. We are producing increasingly positive performances and strongly feel that we're on the right path to become a contending team."

Smith, who has competed in 83 career Cup races since his debut in March 2007 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, also feels the energy and spirit of Furniture Row Racing's commitment.

"I am both happy and humbled about the contract extension," said Smith. "Furniture Row Racing is a team on the move. I feel we've made some big gains this season and we are all encouraged about the future. I really admire the behind-the-scenes work ethic and commitment of each and every member of this team. They want to win as bad as I do and I am proud to be their driver."

Along with his 83 career Sprint Cup starts, Smith has also competed in 102 Nationwide Series races and 23 Camping World Truck Series races. His first NASCAR start was in the truck series -- Sept. 21, 2002 -- at South Boston Speedway in South Boston, Va.

Release courtesy of Furniture Row Racing

PHOTO FROM NASCAR MEDIA

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Kenseth to Make Nationwide Start at Atlanta

CONCORD, N.C. (Aug. 25, 2010) - Matt Kenseth is set to make his third
Nationwide Series start this season for Roush Fenway Racing at Atlanta
Motor Speedway driving the No. 16 World Financial Group (WFG) Ford. The
Atlanta-based WFG began their partnership with Roush Fenway Racing in
2004 and they are making their first on-track appearance since winning
with Carl Edwards at Phoenix International Raceway in 2008.

World Financial Group has sponsored Roush Fenway Racing Fords in all
three of NASCAR’s top series’ beginning with Carl Edwards at Atlanta
and Darlington Raceway in 2004. The financial services marketing
company has been on board for two wins, both secured by Carl Edwards in
the Nationwide Series.

Kenseth carries good momentum into the race at Atlanta with impressive
Nationwide Series stats at the 1.5-mile track. In 10 starts, Kenseth
owns two wins, seven top-fives, eight top-10s and one pole award. His
last start at Atlanta came in 2008 where he won the event after starting
10th and leading 14 laps.

"Atlanta is going to be a great race weekend for the No. 16 team and
I'm looking forward to running the Nationwide Series race," said driver
Matt Kenseth. "World Financial Group began their sponsorship with Roush
Fenway back in 2004 and I'm honored that I get to drive their car next
weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway under the lights. When we're able to
combine a great sponsor like World Financial Group, along with a track
like Atlanta where we've had success at in the past, it always makes for
an exciting race weekend."

The night race at Atlanta Motor Speedway is scheduled for Saturday,
Sept. 4 at 7:00 p.m. EST. Coverage of the event on ESPN2 begins at 6:30
p.m. EST.

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Roush Fenway Continues Sustainability Efforts

Both at Home and in the Community, Roush Fenway Remains a Leader in
Sustainablity

Concord, N.C. (August 25, 2010) - Its no secret that Roush Fenway
Racing recycles 96 percent of every race car but it’s their continued
efforts to become more sustainable that is really paying off for the
environment. In 2009 the team recycled 65 tons of plastics, metal and
paper and implemented small but impactful changes across all its
facilities. These efforts helped the team meet its goal of an overall
10 percent improvement in indoor air quality; reduction of water
consumption; increase in waste reduction and recycling; and improvement
in energy usage over the last year.

“I am most proud of the smaller impacts we have achieved,” said Ian
Prince, Roush Fenway’s director of real estate and sustainability.
“The second and third rounds of reduction and improvement are
exponentially harder to achieve.”

In total the team recycled 26,660 pounds of plastic in 2009, up from
12,427 pounds in 2008. The increased number reflects a company-wide
education and an increase in the number of items that were recycled
beyond drink bottles. The team also recycled 11,335 pounds of paper,
down from 19,628 pounds the year before in part because of the efforts
to either not print documents or use auto-duplexing.

Additionally, the team has switched to biodegradable soy-based products
where practical (instead of harmful chemical degreasers); eliminated
Styrofoam cups; switched from 400w bulbs to 360w bulbs; mandated a
managed forestry content for all paper, envelopes, etc.; and added
additional occupancy sensors in the race and fabrication shops to reduce
energy consumption. The effort doesn’t stop at the shop though, Roush
Fenway is extending its efforts beyond the race team as well.

Roush Fenway is a participant in the Cabarrus Sustainability Council, a
joint effort between the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce and
Cabarrus Economic Development that works to promote sustainability
through public and private collaborations. Just this week, the Council
announced a partnership between local school systems, the business
community and local government to bring a comprehensive recycling
program to local schools beginning this school year.

“This project really is an example of what can happen when the public
and private sector roll up their sleeves and work together for a common
community good,” said Prince, also the chair of the Cabarrus
Sustainability Council.

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