Grant Enfinger: A Young Talented Racing Professional

Talented, smart and ambitious that describes Grant Enfinger. Grant Enfinger( born January 22, 1985 in Fairhope Alabama, located in Baldwin County on the Gulf of Mexico) is an American professional race car driver. Grant earned a marketing degree from the University of South Alabama Mitchell School of Business. Grant has many accomplishments on his racing resume that he should be proud of. He has worked very hard to get where he is at in his racing career.

Grant started racing Go-Karts at the age of 11, then he progressed to Legend Cars and then Late models. Competing on short tracks in the southeastern United States, Enfinger posted the fastest lap in the 2007 Snowball Derby.

He began competing in the ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards in 2008, competing in four races during that season and continued racing in the series on a limited basis during the next two seasons. His best finish, second occurring twice in 2009 at Chicago land Speedway and Kentucky Speedway. During this period he primarily drove for a family- owned team, which merged with RAB Racing in 2010.

Grant made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut in 2010, finishing 22^nd. Enfinger attempted to compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Season- Opening event at Daytona International Speedway, but unfortunately he failed to qualify for the event. In October, he ran the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races at Talladega Super Speedway and Martinsville Speedway.

In 2011, Enfinger competed in his first full season in the ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards with Allgaier Motor Sports. He won one pole at Berlin Raceway and he finished fourth in series standings at the conclusion of the 2011 season.

In October 2011, Grant Enfinger got an amazing opportunity to move his racing career to the next level. He moved to The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, with Sinica Motor Sports, a start up team founded by Argentine Businessman George Sinica. George Sinica and Jason Miles are the team owners of Sinica Motor Sports. When I asked Grant how this opportunity came up for him to move to the Sprint Cup Series he said," I met the general manager, Jason Miles, last year before the ARCA race at Rockingham and he has been watching me since then. When this opportunity came up for Jason and George Sinica to partner up in the Cup Series they chose me and I’m thankful for the opportunity." Enfinger attempted his first Sprint Cup Series Race for the team at the 2011 Sprint Cup Series Season Finale at Homestead - Miami Speedway, but unfortunately Grant failed to qualify for the event. Grant said, "I am definitely disappointed that we missed the show at Homestead. It is definitely a big learning experience for all of us involved. We have a lot of great people at Sinica Motor Sports, but not many of us have much experience at the Cup Level so we are all learning together. We feel like we know where our weaknesses are so we can make them better over the off season." When I asked Grant what are his goals for the 2012 season and what are his goals for the future he said," My goals for the 2012 season is to make all the races that we attempt at Sinica Motor Sports and by the end of the year be competitive. My goals for the future is to help build this team into a solid legitimate effort that at the end of the day has the resources the other big teams have and can compete for wins."

I had the privilege to ask the talented Grant Enfinger a couple more questions via email and this is what he had to say:

"When I was 15 years old, I started winning a lot of legend car races all over the Country and I realized I was good at it and that is when I decided to chase my dream. Surprisingly no one in my family has raced or knew much about racing until me."

Grant said that his biggest inspiration is" The guys that have worked their way up the ladder and made most of the opportunities that they have had. Not the ones that just wrote a check."

" The hardest part of my racing career has definitely been when I was running the team myself. I did this while racing late models in Alabama and a part time ARCA Schedule for two years. Find the Sponsors, working with a very small budget, trying to keep everything going without actually having employees and then finding the time to work on the cars and get them ready. Nothing was more heartbreaking than working on the car months in advance hoping to find a sponsor to make a race and not being able to go because of funding."

"The best part of my racing career has been being able to drive for some really good people over the last couple of years. George Bragg whom I drive for in a limited schedule for NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races, Mike Allgaier who blessed me with a full time ride in the ARCA Series in 2011 and now with Sinica Motor sports in 2012."

"To Physically prepare to be a race car driver, You must have a lot of stamina to make it through a long race, the heat is usually the hardest thing to prepare for. The most effective workouts for me involve 80% running with 20% weights. I try to do that with the heat on and wearing warm clothes."

"I enjoy fishing and watching college football, but the past 5 or 6 years of my life haven’t involved much free time to enjoy things outside of racing."

"I have a shop here in concord, NC where I seem to always have some sort of project going on, but the biggest part of the off-season is getting cars prepped for the next year and putting together sponsor packages."

"Pocono is probably my favorite big track because every corner is different, but I usually like all the short tracks."

"I am very competitive. Whether it’s racing or fishing or whatever the circumstance, I want to win."

"The skills that are required to become a good race car driver are ,You have to have a lot of patience, be able to think and decide what the car is doing very quickly and be able to relate it to the guys helping. You have to be able to relax and still get 100% out of the car, you can’t be on edge for a 4 hour race, it take awhile to learn how to do this. A race car driver must be able to deal with high pressure situations whether its from inside the car, media, sponsors, car owners , etc. "

" My best memory is finishing 3^rd in my first race at Talladega. Talladega is where I grew up watching my heroes. I finished 3^rd with our own team and with all my volunteer buddies that helped me when I was racing late models."

"What I enjoy most about racing is the competition , you aren’t just racing one other team. You are racing 40 other teams that are giving it everything they have."

" I think social media is definitely a good way to get the word out there and let people know what’s going on and lets them see more of the day to day activities in someone’s life that you normally wouldn’t get."

I truly think we will see Grant win some races in the future in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Race fans: Keep your eyes on this young racing professional in 2012 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, I truly believe the future looks bright for Grant Enfinger.

To Grant Enfinger: Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions so this article could happen. Good luck with the 2012 racing season with Sinica Motor Sports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Race Fans: To  "Like" Grant Enfingers  Facebook fan page Click Here.

(Grant and his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Car. Credit goes
to Grant and Sinica Motor Sports)

                     

Kurt Busch Loses His Temper During the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Season Finale

During Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Season Finale At Homestead, analyst Dr. Jerry Punch tried to interview Kurt Busch after the driver was forced out of the race with transmission problems.

Unfortunately Kurt Busch made several profanity- laced remarks as he waited impatiently for a live interview with Dr. Jerry Punch.

In the end, Punch decided he had enough and walked away from Busch telling his producers, "never mind, never mind”.

Moments earlier as he pulled his car into the garage, Busch was seen on his in-car camera giving someone a one-finger salute.

Kurt Busch and his Penske Racing team apologized Tuesday for Kurt's outburst in the garage Sunday at the Sprint Cup Series season finale. “I let my emotions get the better of me," Busch, 33, said in a statement in which he apologized to Penske Racing, NASCAR, fans, media, sponsors "and in particular, Dr. Jerry Punch." Busch's main sponsor is Shell-Pennzoil. Penske Racing also apologized and said Busch's actions were "inconsistent with the company's standards for behavior, respect for others and professionalism."

I had the privilege to speak with ten race fans via social networking. I asked them how they felt about Kurt Busch losing his temper during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Season Finale.

I understand he was frustrated because of the situation with his car, but taking his frustration out on the wrong people is extremely offensive. He is a role model for so many people. When are these drivers going to realize that their actions are under scrutiny and that people are always watching. I always try to remember that if I don't want my kids to do it, then I shouldn't do something, including how I speak, etc. Many children look up to these drivers and when they see them throwing temper tantrums, it makes them think they can do it because they see the drivers do it. Yes we all get mad, we all get frustrated, but this was a very unprofessional move, and it has been a pattern for Kurt lately. Maybe he has learned too much from watching his brother Kyle, but maybe the biggest lesson he should learn is that if you are willing to act like this, you better be ready to step up and take the punishment that will follow. - Tammy Auman

I think NASCAR should ban the Busch brothers from NASCAR racing all together. They are truly horrible, rude people.- Susan Bruce

He is probably "raging" his way right out of NASCAR. - John Hickson

Totally uncalled for. If anyone knows Dr. Jerry Punch, they know he is a very well respected individual. I know Kurt was highly upset, but there is NO need in treating someone like that . I hope Kurt ends up jobless and broke. - Ashley Thompson

Dr. Jerry Punch is always so professional and to be treated in this manner is just wrong.- Karen Wofford

He is a Busch enough said.- Selina Robinson Pennington

I guess he did not want his brother getting all of  the attention! 2 PEAS IN A POD, DISGUSTING! - Carolyn Bunting

First of all he is the worst NASCAR driver EVER. He is just jealous because he didn't win. Kurt only thinks about himself, there are other drivers besides him. - Katie Marie Gehret

The Busch brothers are putting a very bad name to the sport. It's time they both get fired! Apologizes are not enough, they don't mean it. - Robin Mcatee

I met Kurt Busch a few times and he is a nice, cool, funny guy. In the heat of the moment some Busch blood boils and over flows at times.- Tim Speed Kornet
Many race fans are going to have there own opinions about how Kurt Busch lost his temper during the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Season Finale. A lot of Kurt’s fans are very disappointed that he acted immature and  unprofessional when he made several profanity- laced remarks as he waited impatiently for a live interview with Dr. Jerry Punch.  Kurt has a true passion for racing and sometimes he loses his temper when things are not going right during a race weekend. I hope Kurt knows that he disappointed a lot of race fans and hopefully he will be a better person during the 2012 NASCAR Season.

The NASCAR Aerodynamic and Fuel Injection Test at Daytona International Speedway

On November 15th, seven NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams rolled into Daytona International Speedway to do some testing in an effort to evaluate and prepare aerodynamic baseline packages for the January 12-14 2012 Pre Season Thunder Test. The teams that participated in the test were Hendrick Motor Sports ( two cars with drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr and Aric Almirola); Roush Fenway Racing ( two cars with drivers David Ragan and Marcos Ambrose); Joe Gibbs Racing ( one car with driver Joey Logano); Michael Waltrip Racing (one car with driver Martin Truex Jr); and NEMCO Motor Sports ( One car with driver Joe Nemecheck).
Teams first got on the track at 11:45am. The initial restrictor plate size was 29/32 inch and the initial spoiler size was 4 ½ inches tall, 63 inches wide, which was the same spoiler size for last July’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona. By day’s end, the size of the rear spoiler had been reduced to 3 inches tall by 62 inches wide. The smaller spoiler results in less down force and drag, but still allows the cars to maintain high speeds and remain under control.
“Tuesday’s test session was a positive step in finding a solution to the drafting style at Daytona. I think we’re all in agreement that we probably wont totally rid ourselves of the tandem racing.” - Dale Earnhardt Jr

"We tried several different packages and what we're trying to do is put an end to this two-car draft, or at least make it so we can only get together for a lap or two and have to switch or run in a pack."-Martin Truex Jr

Joe Nemechek, a driver/car owner, reached 203 mph without a drafting partner during Tuesday’s test session at Daytona. Nemecheck was testing with Triad Engine Development, a North Carolina- based company. They were using a 1 1/16- inch plate and a 3 inch radius spoiler.
Both Earnhardt and Truex agreed that the transition to Electronic Fuel Injection in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is right on track. The sport's premier series will implement EFI beginning at Daytona next season. "The computer guys like what they've seen so far with the EFI test and I'll tell you what, when I've tested the EFI car, it drives as well or better than the carburetor cars," said Earnhardt. "To be honest with you, if you didn't know it when you got into the car, you couldn't tell a difference," said Truex. "The only thing that's different is the way it starts. You don't have to pump the gas like a normal carburetor. You just flip the switch and crank it up like a street car.
"One of our goals is to give the teams more options when it comes to how they draft and we believe we're headed in the right direction on that. We want to be able to reduce the difference in the speeds between the tandem style of racing and more of the pack style of racing and we made a lot of good progress on that here today. The real goal is to try to formulate a package at least that we can give to the teams so they can work on coming down here in January for the Daytona 500 test."- John Darby- NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Director.

I had the privilege to speak with five race fans via social networking. I asked them how they felt about the tandem racing.
"I hate the tandem racing! I would rather see the pack racing. I go to Talladega every fall, but the last couple of years I have been more interested in going to a river to eat than watching that form of racing." - John Hickson

"I don’t like the tandem racing. I think the pack racing is a lot more exciting. It just seems with the new car design that pack racing is just not feasible, I really don't understand why." - Karen Wofford

"I do not like the tandem racing at all ! It defeats the purpose of having large tracks ! I also do not like Kyle Busch and his style of Racing ! NASCAR is not happy with the stands half full. NASCAR will continue to make the majority of the fans unhappy! Someday NASCAR will wake up just like AMERICA and do the right thing ! Lets just hope and pray its not to late for either." - Jerry Hack Bradshaw



"I do not like the tandem racing! I would rather see them run the same part of the track as the Rolex cars."- Kenneth Mazza
"Loose the rear spoiler, air dam/ splitter, and side skirts. Require 4" ground clearance. Also loose the squared off rear bumpers and run a stock shaped rear bumper cover. I think these changes would require the drivers to go slower in the turns and eliminate the tandem drafting". - Miles Turner

I believe NASCAR is doing the right thing by trying to eliminate the Tandem racing or reduce it at least. Many race fans do not enjoy watching that form of racing. NASCAR did not find a solution on how they are going to eliminate or reduce the tandem racing, but they learned a lot and they gathered a lot of information from Tuesday’s Test at Daytona. I honestly don’t think we will see tandem racing go away completely, but I believe we will at least see the tandem racing reduced a little bit in 2012.

              

                                             

Outback Steakhouse Joins Stewart- Hass Racing

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase competitor Ryan Newman and his teammate/boss Tony Stewart both know what Steak house they will be visiting often in 2012.

Newman’s team, Stewart- Hass Racing, which campaigns Chevrolets for Newman and team co-owner Tony Stewart signed an agreement with Outback Steak house to be the primary sponsor on Newman’s No.39 for two races in 2012.

When not serving as primary, Outback will be an associate partner with placement of their logo on the B-pillar of Newman’s Chevy Impala. The steakhouse joins the U.S Army, Quicken Loans and Tornados as primary sponsors on the No.39 Sprint Cup Series Chevy Impala.

"I've always been a huge fan of Outback Steakhouse and I know why it's been voted the best steak year in and year out," said Newman, who has 15 Sprint Cup wins on his resume - including the 50th running of the Daytona 500 in 2008.

"Given their leadership and performance on and off the track, we are pleased to partner with the likes of SHR and Ryan Newman," said Jeff Smith, president of Outback.

"Outback Steakhouse and SHR share the same passion and commitment to excellence that drives us in our everyday operations," said Stewart. "Outback's reputation for quality and great service aligns nicely with our approach to being a leading performer on the track, and we're excited for all the things we can accomplish together."

"As a fan of Outback Steakhouse, I'm excited to have them on board as a new sponsor in 2012," said Ryan Newman. "They've always been a brand known for quality and excellence -- the same qualities I bring to the track."

The announcement was made during a press conference at Phoenix. Tony Stewart, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, joined Newman and Outback Steakhouse Chief Marketing Officer, Mike Kappitt, in the unveiling of the No. 39 Outback Steakhouse Chevrolet Impala.

　

　

To see another article about Stewart- Hass Racing Click Here.

Newgarden Co-Drives To Dan Wheldon Cup

One of the most unique events of the year took place on October 23^rd with the running of the eighth annual RoboPong 200 Presented by Bridgestone and NOS at the New Castle Motor Sports Park. Racers battled in teams of 2 to 4 drivers for 200 laps aboard TaG powered karts. The team that took on the competitors, track, conditions, and with some luck, crossed the finish line first, and took home a $6,000 payday.

This years RoboPong 200 Presented by Bridgestone and NOS took place with a heavy heart for all racers and fans that attended. The motor sports world lost Brit driver Dan Wheldon in a crash at the IZOD IndyCar Series World Championships in Las Vegas. Since 2005, Wheldon was a competitor of the RoboPong 200 and former winner with Mark Dismore Jr.New Castle Motor sports Park honored Dan Weldon’s love of karting at the 2011 Robopong 200 Presented by Bridgestone and NOS. In honor on Dan Wheldon the Robopong 200 Presented by Bridgestone and NOS trophy will be known as the Dan Wheldon Cup and the trophy will be on display at NCMP with Dan's likeness and past winners displayed on the trophy after this year's race.





After 200 hard laps and multiple lead changes, Mark Dismore Sr. and reigning Indy Lights Champion Josef Newgarden took the win over Sam Beasley and Brandon Jones. It was an emotional day for everyone involved and all the competitors will miss going wheel to wheel with a great driver and an even better person.

Newgarden, who like so many started racing in karts, is appreciative of the example Wheldon set on and off the racetrack.



"He set a great example for a lot of young guys coming up through the ranks, wanting to be professional race car drivers," Newgarden said.

IZOD IndyCar Series driver Ed Carpenter, the 2009 race winner with engineer Nathan O'Rourke, attended Wheldon's funerel Oct. 22 in St. Petersburg, Fla., and the public memorial service at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis following the karting race.

"I think being at the racetrack is the best thing," Carpenter said.

IZOD IndyCar Series competitor Jay Howard, the 2006 Firestone Indy Lights champion and 2010 RoboPong 200 winner, also competed.

The 2011 RoboPong 200 Presented by Bridgestone and NOS Kart Race was a great way to honor “Indy Car Superstar” Dan Wheldon. R.I.P Dan Wheldon.





England Kart Race To Honor Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon, who was killed on Oct. 16 in the IZOD IndyCar Series season finale in Las Vegas, will be honored in a memorial endurance kart race on Dec. 5 at the Daytona Milton Keynes karting circuit in Milton Keynes, England.The event will be about 10 miles from Weldon’s hometown of Emberton, England -- with proceeds from ticket sales and public race entrants directed to the Wheldon family's nominated charity, the Alzheimer’s Association.

The event will see drivers joining together to remember their close friend and colleague. Between 25 and 30 teams, each including a professional driver and three members of the public, will take part in the two-hour endurance race. Four Time IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti and 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button are among the initial list of drivers confirmed to participate in the endurance Kart race. Others scheduled to participate include sportscar driver Anthony Davidson, Le Mans winner Guy Smith and World Touring Car Championship title contender Rob Huff.

"Aside from raising funds for one of the family’s chosen charities, I wanted to bring together people who knew and raced with Dan, to have some fun in his honor and give him a sendoff he would have been proud of," said race organizer Johnny Mowlem, a sports car racer and longtime personal friend of the family.

“The event has the full support of Dan’s family.His dad and brothers will be taking part in the evening. I hope members of the public will also appreciate the opportunity to take part and remember one of Britain’s most successful and charismatic champions.”

If you would like to donate to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of Dan Wheldon Click Here.

                                                  

Danica Patrick Is Ready For The 2012 NASCAR Season

On August 25th via live video conference on NASCAR.COM, Danica ended months of Speculation after announcing her 2012 plans. Danica made it official that she will move to the NASCAR Nationwide Series full-time in 2012, and also run a partial Sprint Cup schedule for Stewart- Hass Racing. During the live conference, Danica Patrick and Go Daddy.COM founder Bob Parson signed the last document to make it official for her to race in the Nationwide Series full time. Danica will have sponsorship from Go Daddy.COM with JR Motor Sports in the Nationwide Series and Stewart-Haas Racing in the Sprint Cup Series. She will race the #7 Go Daddy.com Chevrolet for JR Motor Sports in the Nationwide Series full time next season.





On November 4^th at Texas Motor Speedway, Danica Patrick and Stewart- Hass Racing revealed her 2012 part time Sprint Cup Schedule and what her Sprint Cup Series Car will look like. Danica Patrick will make her Sprint Cup Series debut at the 2012 Daytona 500.Patrick will race a N0.10 Sprint Cup Chevrolet, bearing the number she first used in Karting, during Daytona’s Speed weeks, where she currently will need to qualify on time. Patrick is not guaranteed a spot in the 500, though it's likely she'll be in the field. She could make the race on speed during qualifying or race her way in during the Gatorade Duel at Daytona. Stewart could also transfer his 2011 points to Patrick's entry. Stewart, who is second in the Sprint Cup points standings this season, can move his points to Patrick next season and still rely on his past champion provisional to make the 500.

"If we need to qualify, we'll qualify," Patrick said. "I have a lot of faith in the team. That's why I chose them.

"This is a really good team," she said. "Tony's running for the championship these last three races. I don't have any doubt we will be fast enough."

Patrick's other announced Cup race dates include Darlington on Mother's Day weekend, plus the late summer/fall races at Bristol, Atlanta, Chicagoland, Dover, Texas and Phoenix.

Patrick has no crew chief at this point, and Stewart said the team is looking for another driver and sponsor to give the No. 10 entry more starts.

"We're trying to find the right fit," Stewart said of the crew chief search. "It's very much a marriage. It's finding the right personalities to work together."

Patrick will test at Daytona during Preseason Thunder in January and may turn laps Nov. 15 on DIS during a one-day test for the 2012 fuel injection system.

To Danica Patrick: Good luck in the Nationwide Series full time and the Sprint Cup Series part time in 2012! All of your fans wish you the best of luck in your NASCAR career.


To see another article about Danica Patrick Click Here.