GRAND AM: Championship Race Looms as Contender Rojas Falls Ill

Today, there was a dramatic turn in the Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype championship. Memo Rojas, driver for TELMEX Chip Ganassi Racing, is ill, after possibly contracting the H1N1 virus, reports DC Williams. Rojas, who along with teammate Scott Pruett, is involved in a tight points battle with Wayne Taylor's team as well as Bob Stallings' team. If this points race was decided by Rojas' possible illness, this would be a devastating blow to the series'. While they can't do anything about it, it will still look bad when the headlines on racing websites say, "Championship decided by Swine Flu." This has been one of the best points battles in racing. I, for one, hope Rojas is able to race tomorrow to keep the team in contention.

NASCAR: My Personal Schedule Opinions

Today, NASCAR announced the schedules for all three of its national series. While some changes were made, there were some that I and many other fans felt were left out. Several years ago, NASCAR discontinued its annual visit to Rockingham, North Carolina. This track is one of the more popular tracks among hardcore fans. People like the track because it is not a "cookie cutter" track and is in a region where NASCAR is very popular. Another track that deserves another race is Darlington Raceway. This track provides some of the best racing in NASCAR and is one of the most legendary circuits. Several years ago, it lost its crown jewel, the Southern 500, which took place on Labor Day weekend. While the race has returned on Mother's Day weekend, it isn't comprehensible as to why Auto Club Speedway has two race and Darlington has one. Auto Club Speedway has rather boring racing and to make a broad generalization, the state doesn't have a strong NASCAR following. Darlington, however, has a legendary past and is in the heart of NASCAR country. One of the Camping World Truck Series greatest races was eliminated after the switch with Auto Club Speedway and is sorely missed by fans and drivers. Another idea that I have had is to move the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series' races at O'Reilly Raceway Park to a different date. This would allow more "Nationwide-Only" drivers to compete in the event while the Sprint Cup Series has a race at another track. One controversial issue within the past few year has been the Brickyard 400 weekend and the lack of rubber on the track. My solution is to have a companion race to go along side the Sprint Cup Series and help get grip on the track. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway provides a certain aura to itself that sends shivers down the spines of any race fan. This race would be a hit with tickets and TV ratings. While none of my proposed changes will likely happen, I think that they would help further NASCAR's fan base.

NASCAR: Discount Tire to back Keselowski in the Nationwide Series in '10

Discount Tire Company announced today that they will sponsor Penske Racing and Brad Keselowski in 2010 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Keselowski will pilot the number 22 Dodge in 26 races next year, along with running the full NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. Discount Tire Company currently sponsors the number 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford of Erik Darnell and David Ragan in the Nationwide Series.

NASCAR: Bires signs with JR Motorsports

Kelly Bires and JR Motorsports announced today that they will compete in the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. Bires will take the place of Brad Keselowski, who will be driving for Penske Racing in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series in 2010. It is yet to be known whether Bires will drive JR Motorsports' number 5 or 88.

NASCAR: Tryson to Michael Waltrip Racing for 2010

Today, Michael Waltrip Racing announced that Pat Tryson will be the crew chief for the number 56 of Martin Truex, Jr. in 2010. Truex, who was the 2004 and 2005 NASCAR Nationwide Series champion, announced earlier in the year that he will replace team owner Michael Waltrip at season's end. Tryson announced at Richmond that he would be leaving Penske Racing at the end of the 2009 season. The announcement stirred up controversy, seeing that Tryson current driver, Kurt Busch, was on the edge of making the Chase to the Cup.

NASCAR: Eury, Sr. suffers minor injuries in car accident

Brad Keselowski's NASCAR Nationwide Series crew chief, Tony Eury, Jr., was involved in an accident in China Grove, North Carolina yesterday. Eury, who was the crew chief for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. for several years, stayed overnight at an area hospital. He is expected to be released Monday.

NASCAR: Gaughan gets new crew chief(s)

Rusty Wallace Racing and Brendan Gaughan announced today that when the NASCAR Nationwide Series stops at Dover in two weeks, Gaughan will have a new crew chief. The number 62 team will now be lead by two NASCAR veterans, Wes Ward and Dale Ferguson. Ward and Ferguson will replace Bryan Berry, who was suspended earlier in the season for supposedly using racial expletives against driver Marc Davis. Team owner Rusty Wallace had this to say today: "This was a hard decision for us to make. Brian (Berry)'s a good person and a good crew chief. There are just times when the communication between a driver and crew chief doesn't work out quite right and this was one of them. We're in a performance-based business and we owe it to our sponsors and our team to do everything we can to improve our level of performance. I'm confident that Wes (Ward) and Dale (Ferguson) will do a great job while we evaluate our options going forward."
Thanks to Rusty Wallace, Inc. PR for the quote

NASCAR: Tryson to leave Penske

Pat Tryson, crew chief of the number 2 of Kurt Busch, will leave Penske Racing after the end of the season. Tryson is rumored to go to Michael Waltrip Racing's number 56 of Martin Truex, Jr. for 2o1o. Many have criticized the timing of the announcement, as Busch is on the edge of making the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase for the Cup.

INDYCAR and ALMS: Fernandez not coming to IndyCar

Unfortunately for IndyCar Series and American Le Mans Series fans, the league will not gain a car in the form of the Fernandez Racing. SPEEDtv's Robin Miller reported yesterday that the team will shut its doors on October 30. They will be selling all of their equipment for $1 million dollars. Miller reported that Fernandez said that he might have been able to get sponsor Lowe's to go to the IndyCar Series with him and his team, but Fernandez said "I've got a wife, two kids and my health and I'm too old for Indy cars," according to Miller.

NASCAR: Richard Petty Motorsports announces merger with Yates Racing

Richard Petty Motorsports announced this week that they will switch to Fords and merge with Yates Racing in 2010. Richard Petty Motorsports 2010 driver lineup includes Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler, A.J. Allmendinger, and Paul Menard. Reed Sorenson, current driver of the famed number 43 car, will not be with the team next season. Next season will mark the return to Fords for Kahne and Sadler. The engines will be supplied by the Roush-Yates partnership. This means that Richard Petty Motorsports' engine department will shut down, leaving around 40 people unemployed.

NASCAR: Danica to NASCAR?

While it appears Danica Patrick will stay at Andretti Green in 2010, it looks as if she will drive a part time NASCAR schedule in addition to competing for the IndyCar Series championship. Tony Stewart, co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, has said that Patrick and the two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion are brokering a deal to bring Danica to NASCAR. If Patrick were to make the transition to stock cars, she would drive for either JR Motorsports or more likely, Kevin Harvick, Inc. in the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series. Patrick would also compete in select ARCA events, including the season opener in Daytona.

NASCAR: Barker to crew chief for Papis

Robert "Bootie" Barker is once again a crew chief in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. After being replaced by Gene Nead at Michael Waltrip Racing's number 55 team, Barker will lead the number 13 Germain Racing team of Max Papis. Barker, who hasn't been released from Michael Waltrip Racing, replaces Peter Sospenzo. There is no word if Sospenzo is still with Germain Racing. Keep in mind that Germain Racing has a technical alliance with Michael Waltrip Racing.

NASCAR: Hamlin's street car stolen

NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, who won the 2006 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rookie of the year, has been the victim of a theft after his Lexus was stolen from his driveway. The Lexus, owned by Toyota Motorsales, was seen by a security camera being taken by two males and a female. The police hope the release of this tape will lead to the capture of the thieves and the return of Hamlin's car.

NASCAR: Bodine gets sponsor for Iowa

Todd Bodine, driver of the number 30 Toyota for Germain Racing and former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion, will be sponsored by Lumber Liquidators for this weekend's Lucas Oil 200 at Iowa Speedway. Lumber Liquidators had previously sponsored Bodine when he won his championship. Due to struggling economic times, Lumber Liquidators, like many, were forced to make budget cuts and pull their sponsorship program. The race will take place at 9:45 pm on Saturday on SPEED.

NASCAR: JD Motorsports gets sponsors for the weekend

JD Motorsports, the fan favorite NASCAR Nationwide Series team based out of Fletcher, North Carolina, has acquired sponsorship for this weekend's event in Atlanta. Mike Wallace, driver of the number 01 car, will be sponsored by Sun Drop, which sponsored Danny O'Quinn, Jr., who left the team after Bristol, earlier in the season. J.C. Stout will pilot the number 0 NuTone Heating and Cooling Products Chevrolet this weekend. Kertus Davis, son of team owner Johnny Davis, has driver the NuTone car earlier in the season.

NASCAR: Gilliland Finds Ride(s)

In the ongoing saga that has Bobby Labonte out at Hall of Fame Racing and Erik Darnell in, and David Gilliland out at The Racer's Group and Bobby Labonte in, David Gilliland has a ride lined up for the rest of the season. In the races where Gilliland won't drive for The Racer's Group, Gilliland will driver for the Wood Brothers this weekend after Bill Elliott broke three ribs in a dirt bike accident. Elliott, who says the crash was a "freak deal," will return to the seat at Kansas. Gilliland will also drive the number 02 for three races for Joe Gibbs Racing with backing from Farm Bureau Insurance.

NASCAR: Labonte secures ride with The Racer's Group

Bobby Labonte, who The Yard of Bricks reported on Monday was out of a ride for seven races, will be racing for The Racer's Group at the races where Erik Darnell will race in the number 96. Labonte will not be eligible for the past champion's provisional this weekend, but should be at New Hampshire, when he will race the number 71 again. The move leaves David Gilliland out of a ride for those seven races. Gilliland has been rumored to race the number 02 car for Joe Gibbs Racing later on in the season.

NASCAR: Edwards breaks foot in Frisbee Accident

NASCAR driver Carl Edwards broke his foot when he was injured playing Frisbee. Edwards has received medical attention from doctors at the University of Missouri. Edwards, who won the 2007 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship, will race this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series, saying that his Aflac (his Sprint Cup Series sponsor) policy will cover him even though he will be racing.

INDYCAR: Lloyd to race for Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing at Homestead

Alex Lloyd announced yesterday that he will drive the number 06 Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing entry at Homestead Miami for the IndyCar Series season finale. Lloyd, who won the Indy Lights Series championship in 2007, has driven one race this season for Sam Schmidt Motorsports, with support from Target Chip Ganassi Racing. Lloyd left Target Chip Ganassi Racing earlier in the year to find a ride where he could race more often. Oriol Servia will drive the 06 at Twin Ring Motegi later on in the month.

ALMS & INDYCAR: Why not race the Indy road course?

As you may well know, the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series is testing this Thursday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This poses a simple question that many have asked: why doesn't the IndyCar Series race at the road course at IMS? Indianapolis is the major fan base to the IndyCar Series. While they do have the greatest race in the world and three IndyCar Series races bordering the state, but the speedway doesn't have any open wheel road course racing since F1 left in 2007. My personal opinion is to have the IndyCar Series season finale in Indianapolis at the road course and have the American Le Mans Series and SPEED World Challenge race during the weekend. The reason why I suggest American Le Mans Series racing at Indianapolis rather than Grand-Am is for several concise points. The most major issue is that IndyCar fans generally associate themselves with American Le Mans Series rather than Grand-Am, seeing it as a lesser series with simpler cars and having more association with NASCAR. The next major point is that American Le Mans Series generally draws several IndyCar drivers during the endurance races. My proposition is that they schedule a 8-hour endurance racing the Saturday before the IndyCar race, with drivers like Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti, and possibly others like Marco Andretti and Tony Kanaan. This race would be a spectacular race weekend and while my cries fall upon deaf ears, fellow IndyCar and sports car fans can agree that a weekend at the Indianpolis road course would be a race for the record books

INDYCAR: Fisher to run breast cancer awareness scheme at Homestead

Sarah Fisher announced yesterday that her number 67 Dollar General car will be pink for Breast Cancer awareness at the season finale at Homestead Miami Speedway in October. Fisher will hold a contest to design her helmet for the race. For more information go to www.sarahfisher.com.

NASCAR: Kesleowski officially signs with Penske

Brad Keselowski, currently the driver of JR Motorsports' number 88 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will drive the number 12 Penske Racing Dodge in 2010 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Keselowski signed today after several weeks of speculation. Keselowski, who is currently 3rd in Nationwide Series points, will run in the Nationwide Series fulltime as well, as a teammate to Justin Allgaier. In regards to who will replace Keselowski at JR Motorsports, rumors are pointing towards Kelly Bires, the young driver out of Wisconsin who has driven for Kevin Harvick, Inc., Braun Racing, and JTG Daugherty Racing this season.