Hall of Fame Racing

Photo Courtesy of NASCAR Media. Cutline: Left to right: Grand Marshalls Bob Lauth, Richard Petty, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, NASCAR President Mike Helton and Rick Hendrick break ground for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. (Photo Credit: Davis Turner/Getty Images for NASCAR)

NASCAR recently announced the induction process for the new Hall of Fame set to open in Charlotte next year.

According to the release, the yearly HOF classes will have five inductees selected by a voting panel consisting of NASCAR industry leaders, manufacture representatives, former competitors, the media and fans.

No more than 25 candidates will be on the list annually, with the main criteria for nomination and induction being: NASCAR accomplishments and contributions to the sport.

To be eligible for induction, a former driver must have competed 10 years in NASCAR and be retired for a minimum of three years. Non-drivers must have worked at least 10 years in the industry, however those with shorter careers may be considered if there are special circumstances.

"With the excitement already building about the physical layout of the Hall of Fame, this will add to the excitement on another front, regarding this impressive, historic project," NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said.

"We have established an orderly induction process that is inclusive, involving various industry constituencies — most importantly, the fans."

The list of nominees will come from a 20-member group, who then cast 20 of the 48 ballots. Former drivers, owners and crew chiefs, as well as manufacture representatives and media will cast 27 votes, while the final will come from a nationwide fan vote.

The inaugural list of candidates is expected to be unveiled in June, with voting to be completed by Sept. 15 and results announced no later than October.

The first induction will take place in May 2010 when the Series heads to Charlotte for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600.

In addition, to the induction ceremony, NASCAR's Board of Directors will designate a special Hall of Fame exhibit, coinciding with the hall's opening, honoring those who helped build the sport up from its grass roots.

Those "Founding Members," will be permanently recognized at the HOF and the original group can be added to in the future.

According to the release, the 20-member Nominating Committee will be comprised of the following:
• Seven NASCAR representatives.
• NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director.
• NASCAR Hall of Fame Historian.
• Two track owners from International Speedway Corporation.
• Two track owners from Speedway Motorsports Incorporated.
• Track owner from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
• Track owner from Dover International Speedway.
• Track owner from Pocono Raceway.
• Four track owners from historic short tracks: Bowman-Gray Speedway in Winston-Salem, N.C.; Greenville-Pickens Speedway in Greenville, S.C.; Riverhead Raceway in Riverhead, N.Y; and Toyota Speedway at Irwindale in Irwindale, Calif.

The 48-member Voting Committee will include:
• 20 members of the nominating committee.
• 14 media representatives: Three each from the National Motorsports Press Association, the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Eastern Motorsports Press Association; one each from FOX, Turner, ESPN, Motor Racing Network and Performance Racing Network.
• One representative each from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and Toyota.
• Three retired drivers.
• Three retired owners.
• Three retired crew chiefs.
• Fan vote.

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Bobby Labonte driving a Ford? OK. I’m a Labonte fan. At least he’s driving something in the Sprint Cup Series.

Driving a Fusion for Hall of Fame Racing? That doesn’t inspire me much. I am, after all, a JJ Yeley fan, too, and Hall of Shame didn’t do anything for JJ ’s career.

But the car will be supported through a hybrid, satellite deal where Hall of Fame’s No. 96 will be powered and pitted by Doug Yates’ Racing team, which also seems to mean support from Jack Roush and Roush-Fenway’s Ford factory team.

So given some of the scenarios I’d heard and read about concerning Texas Bobby, driving a car with solid support from one of the best organizations in the sport, is about as good as it could get I guess.

And that car will have full season sponsorship from NASCAR’s new “official seach engine," Ask.com. Spiffy paint scheme, too: flames and everything.

He’ll get to debut the Ask.com No. 96 Fusion in the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway next month.

Maybe Labonte will relax a bit too, now that he isn’t “The Great Petty Blue Hope.”

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Bobby Labonte driving a Ford? OK. I’m a Labonte fan. At least he’s driving something in the Sprint Cup Series.

Driving a Fusion for Hall of Fame Racing? That doesn’t inspire me much. I am, after all, a J J Yeley fan too and Hall of Shame didn’t do anything for J J ’s career.

But the car will be supported through a hybrid, satellite deal where Hall of Fame’s No. 96 will be powered and pitted by Doug Yates’ Racing team, which also seems to mean support from Jack Roush and Roush-Fenway’s Ford factory team.

So given some of the scenarios I’d heard and read about concerning Texas Bobby, driving a car with solid support from one of the best organizations in the sport, is about as good as it could get I guess.

And that car will have full season sponsorship from NASCAR’s new “official search engine," Ask.com. Spiffy paint scheme too: flames and everything. He’ll get to debut the Ask.com No. 96 Fusion in the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway next month.

Maybe Labonte will relax a bit too, now that he isn’t “the Great Petty Blue Hope.”

It's official, Paul Menard and Bobby Labonte will have guaranteed spots in the first five races of 2009.

In a press release issued this morning, Hall of Fame Racing announced that the No. 96 Ask.com Ford would receive the manufacture's wild-card spot in the upcoming Budweiser Shootout.

The reason it receives that spot, not just because Labonte is a past champion, but because the team will take over the No. 38 points of David Gilliland.

The No. 96 joined the Ford family at the right time," said Hall of Fame Racing Co-Owner, Tom Garfinkel. "We're pleased to get Hall of Fame and Ask.com into the Shootout and have an early chance to start working towards solid top-five and top-10 finishes this season.

"We are pleased to be working with Bobby Labonte and Yates Racing and look forward to seeing this combination of talent come together for the first time in the Shootout."

The team's other newcomer, Menard, will be the beneficiary of a points transfer as well, and will receive a spot in the Budweiser Shootout.

According to the release, Labonte will receive the No. 38 points (27th in standings), while Menard will inherit the No. 28 points (23rd in standings).

The decision to make the changes came as a result of sponsorship for both the No. 96 and No. 98 of Menard.

Menard brings his family business along with him, for a full-time sponsor in 2009.

Labonte, currently only has half the season sponsored by Ask.com, but it is possible it could turn into the entire season.

Travis Kvapil will begin the season outside the top-35 in the No. 28.

Here is a look at the Budweiser Shootout lineup as of today (You know how things can change in NASCAR, so it may be different tomorrow!)

Chevy: Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Casey Mears, Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart (wild-card).

Dodge: Kasey Kahne, David Stremme, Kurt Busch, Reed Sorenson, Elliot Sadler, Robby Gordon and AJ Allmendinger (wild-card?).

Ford: Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, David Ragan, Jamie McMurray, Paul Menard and Bobby Labonte (wild-card).

Toyota: Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Brian Vickers, David Reutimann, Michael Waltrip and unknown driver in the No. 22 (wild-card).

Overall, it should be interesting to see how Labonte and Menard fare in Yates cars. Maybe Menard can pull off that first win?

Foxsports.com is reporting that former cup champion Bobby Labonte will not be driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing as previously suspected. Instead Yates Hall of Fame Racing has signed Labonte to a full season.

Along with that comes much needed sponsorship for the No. 96 Ford with search engine giant Ask.com—signing up for 28 races this season. Longtime sponsor DLP will remain the title sponsor for the remaining races.

This has been a whirlwind last 48 hours for HOF-Yates racing co-owner Tom Garfinkel commented, "With our new Yates partnership and having a true champion and class person in Bobby Labonte behind the wheel, we're expecting great things on the race track." 

Labonte and the now defunct Petty Enterprises parted ways this offseason. Many thought he would drive the No. 8 car in 2009.

Yates racing added driver Paul Menard and along came his father's sponsorship of home improvement giant Menard's in the Ford No. 98.

Though Travis Kvapil and David Gilliland finished 23rd and 28th in points in 2008, Menard will likely inherit those points leaving them to search for sponsorship in 2009.

For Labonte, this new deal gives him not only a ride but a strong partnership with potential crew chief Todd Parrot who Labonte has successfully worked with before.

With only six weeks to Speedweeks 2009,  the Labonte and Parrot team would allow this organization to come out the gate running at Daytona.

"I'm excited to be part of what Ask.com is bringing to our sport," Labonte said in a statement. "In a time like this, it's great to see a sponsor come in with technology and ideas that will help all of the competitors in NASCAR and enhance the experience for all of our fans, no matter which driver or team they cheer for."

Labonte brings something to Yates-HOF Racing that they didn't have before—experience. During these economic times, experience is crucial for any struggling organization that wants to compete with the likes of Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs' Racing.

Sources:foxsports.com

With all we have seen the past few months in terms of Silly Season moves, I guess I shouldn't be so surprised by the various wheelings and dealings that keep cropping up in Sprint Cup.

But this one threw me off guard: Bobby Labonte will be moving to Hall of Fame Racing for the 2009 season, and not EGR as originally anticipated. Essentially, he will be driving for Doug Yates' team after yesterday's announcement that Hall of Fame was switching from Toyota to Ford, and forming a technical alliance with the smaller of the Blue Oval's two multi-car teams.

The 96 team will be housed in the Yates Racing shop and be operated by Yates personnel, with HOF team owners Tom Garfinkel and Jeff Moorad continuing to foot the bill.

The Yates/HOF announcement mentioned that the 96 team would run full-time in 2009, with (gasp!) a new sponsor for the sport, Ask.com, on board. I gathered at the time that Yates would be combining one of his two teams from last year with the HOF effort, since he had three drivers (Travis Kvapil, David Gilliland, and Paul Menard) and essentially one sponsor (Menard's) lined up for the new season.

With the latest news that is rolling in, this appears to be the case, although we'll have to wait for the official word tomorrow. As of the moment, it looks as if Paul Menard and the new 98 team will get the 38's points from 2008 in order to be locked in for the first five races, with Travis Kvapil and the 28 team keeping their accumulated points and guaranteed spot.

The 96 keeps its points (although the car number might change), which wasn't going to do them much good anyway unless: a. qualifying was rained out; b. a bunch more locked-in teams withdrew their plans to run a full schedule in 2009; or c. they hired a past champion.

Yates and the Hall of Fame Racing ownership team have gone the route of option "c" by bringing in Labonte, although the points transfer from the 38 to 98 apparently means the end to the David Gilliland era in the 38 car (I highly doubt Yates will expand to a fourth car for David, given the fact that the sponsor situation still appears iffy).

Labonte's past champion's provisional should give Yates a coveted three guaranteed spots through Bristol, although if both he and Tony Stewart were to need a PCP at one of the first five 2009 events, Labonte would DNQ (I think it is safe to say that it is unlikely that we are going to have to worry about sending good drivers home after Daytona, so don't chew your nails off during qualifying, Labonte fans).

Bobby Labonte and Yates should be a good fit together. The 28 team ran really well considering the lack of financial resources in 2008, and with Todd Parrott and Travis Kvapil back together in '09, should continue to field a strong effort.

Menard will have veteran Larry Carter's crew chief expertise to lean on as he tries to prove that he isn't the Nicole Richie of the garage area (living off of daddy's riches). Labonte gives Yates a veteran, championship-winning driver who can attract additional sponsorship to the team, guide Kvapil and Menard, and bring the team back to prominence.

A lot of strides were made in the first year with Doug Yates in charge of his father's team, and adding Labonte to the fold gives the team an "A list" driver who can take the organization to a whole new level. Believe me: Bobby Labonte's performances at Petty Enterprises may have been pedestrian, but in top-notch equipment, the guy can still win races.

In a story broken by ESPN's Marty Smith on "NASCAR Now," Joey Logano will be out of the No. 96 Hall of Fame Toyota Camry for the three remaining races he was scheduled to run with them this year at Charlotte, Martinsville, and Texas.

According to the story, both Hall of Fame Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing came to a mutual agreement to pull Logano from the No. 96. 

A statement aired on the program from Tom Garfinkel, principal owner of Hall of Fame Racing:

"It's a joint decision. We talked to Gibbs and both decided that for [Logano's] development and for our team, this is the best thing for both of us. The best thing for both of us is for them to focus on Joey's development and us to focus on our team."

According to Smith, Hall of Fame Racing feels that they need to get a veteran driver in the car, and everyone involved felt that Logano was not getting what he needed in terms of development. In short, it was not working out as hoped for either side.

Smith also said he had spoken with Logano's father and they are still planning on running in the No. 02 JGR Toyota at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and possibly one other race.

According to Logano's father, Joey would not make any more Cup starts in anything but JGR equipment this year.

When asked about the situation on the show, former Champion Crew Chief and car owner Andy Petree views this news as possibly being a good thing for Logano's development.

In particular, Petree said, "It really could thump his confidence if they keep him in this car and running at the back half of the field. It really doesn't help his development or his confidence."

Petree went on to say that with Logano's pending entry into the Cup Series full-time next year in the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota Camry, Logano should continue to run in the Nationwide Series where he could possibly win a couple more races and build his confidence.

[Photo Credit: M Brian Ladner]

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If there is a margin for error or a honeymoon period or a long term plan, it’s getting shorter all the time in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series.

J J Yeley has been replaced at Hall of Fame Racing by Brad Coleman, a twenty year old rookie who drives in the Nationwide Series for Baker-Curb Racing.

Coleman is talented and has been on the radar for awhile, making the big splash when Baker-Curb announced him as their main guy last season.

But Brad Coleman is no J J Yeley.  Not yet anyway.  He’s never had a season like Yeley had in 2003.  Not many drivers have ever had a season like J J Yeley’s 2003.  But that was then and that was USAC.  The last couple of years have been different, trying to make a mark in NASCAR’s top series.

I can’t help thinking that Yeley’s talent will buy him another opportunity.  He can go race something else, sure.  He will.  But there is unfinished business in the Sprint Cup Series.  I hope he gets the chance again.

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media, Inc.

I think we should all give this speculation about NASCAR Sprint Cup teams adding one more car a break. At this point, it's pretty much a certainty who will be expanding next season and who won't be. With the silly season starting earlier and earlier every year, the 2009 driver lineup will, in all likelihood, be finalized by August 1.

I understand that the last time I played out the silly season, I made a lot of inaccurate predictions - had I only waited one more stinkin' day, I could've been 15 for 15. One more stinkin' day till Martin-to-HMS broke!

But I digress. The point of this article isn't to lament over predictions I made a couple days ago, so much as it is to start revising my predictions. This article centers on the teams that have been rumored to expand in 2009. Some of the claims are accurate, but some are simply a load of crap.

So, without further ado, here's what you need to know about how much more crowded NASCAR's top division will get next year:

Richard Childress Racing WILL expand

We've known about this one for a long time. The car will be #33 and carry Cheerios sponsorship. Rumors have placed David Reutimann, Aric Almirola, and Scott Wimmer in the car, but in the wake of Mark Martin's projected arrival at Hendrick Motorsports, the newest name linked to the drive is Casey Mears.

The logic behind this seems to be that Mears is an attractive driver to General Mills, which has the potential to snag a future star from rival cereal manufacturer Kellogg's. While Mears' 2008 season suggests anything but star potential, he appears to have the edge based on experience and the win column.

Bill Davis Racing WILL expand

BDR gives expansion the old college try every season, and 2008 will be no different. For one, the US Army sponsorship is rumored to be heading to BDR. For two, it's becoming more and more apparent that Scott Riggs and/or State Water Heaters will not be back at Haas CNC Racing after this season, and as Toyota's #2 team (given its extensive history with the manufacturer, all the way back to when it first developed Tundras to go Craftsman Truck racing), BDR will have the resources to accomodate both if necessary.

Not only is the Army a past sponsor of BDR with Bill Lester, development driver Michael Annett appears to be just the face they're looking to market. It's still entirely possible that the Army wants to put its weight behind Aric Almirola at DEI, but given that organization's relative insecurity, the Army may want to jump ship. Annett should be in Cup full-time by 2010. The Army would only have to sit through one mid-pack year with Dave Blaney in 2009, not unlike its many mid-pack years with Joe Nemechek in the early 2000s.

Either way, BDR will bring the #23 Toyota to Daytona with the intention of competing in all 36 races. The only question is how long the car will last.

Hall of Fame Racing WILL NOT expand

Early in the season, HOF signed top young driver Brad Coleman to a development contract with the intention of running him full-time in Sprint Cup in 2009. However, a subpar Nationwide Series season from Coleman, no word on prospective sponsorship, and current Cup driver J.J. Yeley's failure to keep the team's #96 car in the top 35 in owners' points suggest that HOF will not run two cars in 2009.

Rather, the writing appears to be on the wall for Yeley, who may be replaced if Coleman does move up to Cup in 2009.

Team Red Bull WILL NOT expand

When the Martin rumors broke, his alternate landing spot appeared to be at Team Red Bull, as a mentor for Scott Speed in a third Sprint Cup car.

It simply won't happen.

Not only is Speed not ready to drive the Sprint Cup car, he hasn't yet had a full season of Craftsman Truck experience. To even suggest throwing him into the fire before giving him a 25-race look-see over the course of an entire year is a disastrous proposition.

Meanwhile, with Martin apparently set at HMS, Mike Skinner quite happy at BDR, and no other veteran driver readily available as a mentor, the idea of even splitting a season with Speed isn't likely.

There you have it folks: We'll only see two more cars from established teams in the Sprint Cup garage come Daytona next February... and potentially only one at Fontana the next weekend.

Much ado about nothing!

When you look at the list of drivers this weekend, you see some road course "ringers" replacing some of the regulars. Here's how they will fair during qualifying this weekend:

Ron Fellows (#01): He'll be in because he is replacing Regan Smith this weekend.

Brandon Ash (#02): He'll not make it because he barely has the equipment to make it, but expect him not to make the show.

Patrick Carpentier (#10): His experience in the Indy Cars at this track will help him make the field.

Marcus Ambrose (#21): After the performance of Montréal last season and during the Nationwide Series this season, expect Ambrose to make his Sprint Cup debut at Infineon.

Brian Simo (#34): Like Ash before, he'll have the equipment that will barely make it. Expect him not to make the show.

Dario Franchitti (#40): After his racing career of Indy and F1, expect him to do well at the track.

Scott Pruett (#41): Like Fellows before, Pruett will be in because he is replacing Sorenson this weekend.

Terry Labonte (#45): 1996 Cup Champion, he's in. He's also replacing Kyle Petty this weekend, as he is in the TNT booth.

Boris Said (#60): Put Said in any type of racing car and he will do well. He'll be in on Sunday, barring any rain.

Max Papis (#66): Papis has been racing in a few other series and expect him in the race.

Scott Riggs (#70): This car is a toss up because Riggs could do well to be in the race. Luck will need to be on his side, though.

Joe Nemechek (#78): You could probably expect to see Joe Nemechek not racing on Sunday. Just too many great road course ringers qualifying this weekend.

A.J. Allmindinger (#84): He has been an improving driver this season, along with teammate Brian Vickers. Expect Allmindinger to make the race on Sunday.

J.J. Yeley (#96): Though Yeley has been struggling this season, you can expect him to make the show on Sunday.

Overall, the four cars that will not make the show would be #02, #34, #70 & #78. The #78 will make it and the #60 will not from that list if qualifying is cancelled. Owner points would determine starting order.