Race Fans Will Always Remember Dan Wheldon

Race fans around the world will always remember Indy Car “superstar” Dan Wheldon. I had the privilege to ask some race fans if they were watching the Indy Car World Championship and what was going threw their mind when it was announced that Dan Wheldon had passed way. I also asked race fans if they could share their memories of Dan Wheldon.

“ I was watching the race and I was really sad to hear Dan had passed away. Indy Cars and Oval tracks don’t mix, I hope this doesn’t continue“. - Selina Robison Pennington.

“ I met Dan last year as a guest of Panther Racing at the Barber Motor Sports Park. He was a really great guy. He took the time to talk to everyone of us that was there for the meet and greet. Cheerful, Enthusiastic, Much nicer than I have ever imagined.”- Justin Smith

“My first reaction was pray for those involved, then when they covered his car the tears came, I am still Shook up. God Bless the Racing community and Dan may you rest in peace.” - Nina Leshley

“I was watching the race, and it looked like it was going to be a great one. Then when the wreck happened, I was stunned. A NASCAR restrictor plate style wreck with Indy cars? Cars launching in the air like airplanes? It seemed like an accident from a movie , but it wasn’t, it was real and the worst wreck I have ever seen. I started thinking the worst had happened after none of the drivers would do an interview. Then I got worried, as time passed I got more concerned, then a drivers meeting , it couldn’t be good. Once the meeting was over and they showed Tony Kanaan sitting on the pit wall crying, I realized it had happened.” - Adam Kowalski

“ I really liked Dan, he was one of my favorite Indy Car drivers . I loved it when he won the Indy 500 for the first time for Andretti. I really enjoyed him announcing for VERSUS. He put some much needed life into the Versus booth and I loved when he did the grid run with Robin Miller at Toronto. RIP Dan.” - Adam Kowalski.
Dan touched the lives of so many people and this weekend race fans will get a chance to remember him. Dan’s funeral will be this weekend and a public memorial will also be this weekend.

Funeral services for Dan Wheldon will be held at 10 a.m. (ET) Oct. 22 at First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg, 701 Beach Drive N.E. in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Wheldon's wife, Susie, released the following statement to the media on behalf of the family, inviting members of community to attend the service:

"Although the last few days have been unbearable for our family, the overwhelming love and support we have received are rays of sunshine during these dark days. The outpouring of sympathy and condolences has been so comforting, and I want to thank everyone for their kind notes, letters, gifts and flowers.

"Dan touched the lives of many people, and I would like to invite those citizens in our community who knew and loved my husband to attend his funeral service at the First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg on Saturday, October 22, at 10 a.m.

"Though we won't be able to fit everyone inside, I know that Dan would have wanted the community to share in the celebration of his life and to grieve his passing. Thank you again. I am forever grateful for your kindness."

Race fans will have a chance to remember Indy Car Driver Dan wheldon in a public Memorial. The memorial will take place at Conseco field house, the arena where the Indiana Pacers play their home games. The VERSUS TV Network, ESPNEWS, and indianapolismotorspeedway.com will broadcast the service live from 4-5 pm Eastern time on Sunday.

Those wishing to send their sympathy and condolences to the Wheldon family, can address letters to:

The Wheldons
9600 Koger Blvd N, Ste. 105
St Petersburg, FL 33702

The Dan Wheldon Family Trust Fun has been established for the financial security of Wheldon’s family. The Public can make contributions to the Dan Wheldon Family trust at :

Fifth Third Private Bank

Attn: Dan Wheldon Family Trust

251 North Illinois St.

Suite 1000

Indianapolis, IN 46204

R.I.P Dan Wheldon. Race fans around the world will never forget your gorgeous smile, Cheerful mood, and your charming ways. You will NEVER be forgotten.

To see another article about Dan Wheldon  Click Here.

Remembering Dan Wheldon

RIP Dan Wheldon (1978-2011).

Dan Wheldon was born in Emberton, near Olney, Buckinghamshire, England. At the age of 4, he started his racing career and was very successful at it. Dan attended Bedford school until he completed his GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) at age 16.

Dan started his racing career with Go- Karts and had funding from his father. He moved to America in 1999, because the level of investment needed to fund his racing career in the UK was beyond his family’s resources. After his move to America, Dan spent several years in lower open wheeled circuits, ( the U.S. F2000 Championship Series, the Toyota Atlantic Series and the Indy Lights Series. ).

In 2002, Wheldon moved up to the IRL ( Indy Car Series) for two events, with Panther Racing. The following year, Wheldon joined Andretti Green Racing.

He won his first IRL race at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan. He won the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 Indy Car Series Championship. After the 2005 Indianapolis 500, Danica Patrick emerged from the race as the biggest star. She was interviewed on Good Morning America the morning after the race, and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Race winner Dan Wheldon wore a t- shirt stating "Actually won the Indy 500."

In November 2005, It was announced that he would be driving for Chip Ganassi Racing in the Indy Car Series in 2006. Dan won the 24 hours of Daytona endurance sports car race with Ganassi teammates Scott Dixon and NASCAR driver Casey Mears. He began the Indy Car Season strong by beating Helio Castroneves by 0.0147 seconds at Homestead - Miami , a somber race due to the earlier death of Paul Dana in a practice session.

On June 22, 2008,( Dan’s 30^th birthday) After he won the 2008 Iowa Corn Indy 250 over Hideki Nutoh and Marco Andretti- He donated his winnings to help victims of the recent tornado’s and flooding which had occurred in Iowa. Wheldon was released from his ride at Ganassi in 2008 and he was replaced by Dario Franchitti. Dan married his long time personal assistant, Susie Behm in 2008.

Wheldon returned to panther racing in 2009 and finished second in the 2009 Indianapolis 500. However, his strong start to the season faded and Wheldon failed to crack the Top 10 in 7 of the last 8 races of the year. The following year Wheldon again showed strong at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, finishing second at the 2010 Indianapolis 500. In February 2009, Dan and Susie Wheldon had there first child, a beautiful baby boy named Sebastian.

Despite strong showings in the Panther Racing No.4 car, Wheldon still failed to win a race during his time with the team. This led to him being replaced at Panther Racing by the young American driver (and 2009 Indy Lights Champion) J.R. Hildebrand.

Wheldon attempted and won the 2011 Indianapolis 500 with Bryan Herta Auto sport. He was the first driver in Indy History to win the race by leading a single lap. Rookie JR. Hildebrand was going around the final turn and slammed into the wall, then Wheldon took the lead and claimed the victory. Dan was very emotional after the win, due to not having a ride for the rest of the season and concerning his mother who had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, to whome he partially dedicated his victory. It was Weldon’s first series win in three seasons. In March of 2011, Dan and Susie Wheldon had there second child, a beautiful baby boy named Oliver. When Dan Wheldon was not racing, he did most of the testing on the new 2012 Indy Car.

Sunday October 16^th was the IZOD Indy Car World Championships at Las Vegas Motor speedway. 2 time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon died Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after his car became ensnared in a fiery 15-car pileup. His car flew over another vehicle and landed in a catch fence just outside turn 2.Wheldon was airlifted from the track to University Medical Center; about two hours later, his colleagues were told of his death by Indy Car CEO Randy Bernard. The accident appeared to start when Wade Cunningham's car swerved on the track and Hildebrand drove over the left rear of Cunningham's car. Hildebrand appeared to go airborne, and Cunningham's car shot up into the wall, setting off a chain reaction among the cars behind him. Some of those cars slowed, others didn't, and others spun in front of Wheldon and Power. There was so much chaos on the track it was hard to tell who was driving what car. Power appeared to fly over Alex Lloyd's car, rolling into the catch fence and landing on its right side. Wheldon then appeared to drive over a car driven by Toronto's Paul Tracy, who seemed to be slowing down. Wheldon, however, went airborne and spun into the fence. The track was red-flagged following the accidents while crews worked on fences and removed smashed cars. After the tragic death of Dan Wheldon, the drivers decided to cancel the race and honor Wheldon with a 5-lap salute. When the Indy Car drivers returned to the track for the tribute laps, Wheldon's No. 77 was the only one on the towering scoreboard. Franchitti sobbed uncontrollably as he got back into his car for the memorial ride. The sound of "Danny Boy" echoed around the track, followed by "Amazing Grace." Hundreds of crew workers from each team stood at attention in honor of Wheldon. What can you say? We're going to miss him," Ganassi said. "Everybody in Indy Car died a little today.” After his death, Michael Andretti revealed that Wheldon had signed with Andretti Auto sports for a multi-year deal to replace driver Danica Patrick.

  The Indy Car series will never be the same without Dan Wheldon. Family, friends and race fans will always remember his beautiful smile and his charming ways.

Nothing drove me to tears more than what ESPN's Marty Reid had to say at the end of the telecast on Sunday:

"Many people ask me why I always sign off with 'Till we meet again,' because 'goodbye' is always so final. Goodbye, Dan Wheldon."

Rest in peace, Dan. You will never be forgotten.

RIP <3

A memorial site, which includes a Facebook link to leave condolences and remembrances and a career photo retrospective, can be found at http://www.danwheldonmemorial.com

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Kenzie Ruston Makes History In Route to First Career Super Late Model Victory!

Kenzie Ruston with her trophy. (Credit goes
to Kenzie Ruston Racing)

It’s not often in motorsports that a driver can make history, yet alone make history twice in one weekend. That’s exactly what El Reno, Oklahoma’s Kenzie Ruston accomplished at Lucas Oil Raceway (IN) this past weekend by qualifying first and going on to win the Seal Wrap 100. With these accomplishments Ruston became the first female to do either in a Champion Racing Association (CRA) event.

The soon-to-be 20-year-old is no stranger to Lucas Oil Raceway as she had previously competed in a CRA event along with an Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) event earlier in the 2011 season at the historical racetrack located in beautiful Indianapolis, IN.

With 37 of the best Super Late Models on hand for the Seal Wrap 100, this was going to be no easy task for the young female sensation.

“It’s overwhelming to know that some of the best in the business are here for this race and we have a legitimate shot to win this race,” said Ruston before she went out for qualifying.

Ruston would immediately jump to the top of the charts with a lap of 21.513-seconds in her No.39 MelMark Pipe & Supply, Ankney Trucking, Racing Electronics Toyota, which was good enough to secure her first career pole position qualifying effort along with making history by becoming the first female to ever do so in a CRA event.

“Anytime you can go to a racetrack and make history it means a lot and to become the first female to accomplish this is awesome. I knew we had a great shot at qualifying on the pole and after my first lap, I looked and saw that it was the fastest and I got very excited.”

In the CRA events, the pole qualifier must pull a pill out of a hat to see how many cars will be inverted before the start of the race. In this case, Ruston pulled the seven-pill meaning she would have to start the 100 lap feature from the seventh position.

“We are going to have to work our way back to the front and be careful in doing so,” said the determined Ruston before the start of the race. “This race is normally filled with cautions. If we can keep our nose clean we should be there at the end to give them a run for their money.”

That was exactly the plan that Ruston and her team put into act as the green flag dropped.

She quickly picked up two spots, putting her in the fifth position and looked to be riding there while the other competitors were battling hard for positions one through four. Several cautions would plague the first part of the race including a red flag at lap 33.

Under the red flag, crew chief Nick Easton and spotter Mike Herman coached Ruston on how she was going to pick off the next few cars and put herself in position to win the race. Once the race went back to green flag conditions, Ruston quickly drove her No. 39 machine to the second spot and found a good pace to ride.

“Midway through the race I knew we had a car to win and we could get to the back bumper of the leader, but couldn’t seem to get around him. We got into a decent pace and I knew that I needed to save as much as possible to be able to run with them at the end, so that’s exactly what we did.”

A caution on lap 79 would set up for a 21-lap shootout to the checkered flag. Ruston planned on giving it all she had and by lap 90 she was within striking distance of the leader and looked to be setting him up for a late-race move.

On lap 97, Ruston would take over the lead and she never looked back.

When the checkered flag feel she had claimed her first career Super Late Model victory and made history again by becoming the first female to ever win a CRA Late Model race.

“This is awesome, I was chasing the leader and thought I could catch him in those last few laps, but I did not know if I could pass him or not.Getting to his bumper may have been all." Ruston commented.　

"It is just incredible to be the first woman to win a CRA Super Series race, just awesome. I can’t put it into words what this win means to me. This team has stuck behind me and never gave up. We have all worked very hard for this day and it feels so great. I can’t thank everyone enough."

Up next for the 20-year-old Oklahoma native is the “World’s Fastest Half Mile” of Winchester Speedway in Winchester, IN for the 40^th Annual Winchester 400 on October 14^th – 16^th.

You can keep up with everything Kenzie by following her racing on twitter @KenzieRuston or on Facebook @Kenzie Ruston Racing. Visit GoKenzie.com for the latest schedules, news, results, photos, and more. For marketing opportunities please contact John Bowen at 828-446-2698

*Official Kenzie Ruston Racing Press Release*

The Dillon Brothers: Two Talented Young Racing Professionals That Have A Great Future Ahead Of Them



Austin and TY Dillon: The sons of Mike Dillon ( RCR general manager and former race car driver) and the grandsons of Richard Childress. Austin and TY both attend High Point University, were TY is majoring in business management and Austin is majoring in Communications. Their father Mike Dillon told them if they want to race, they have to get a college education as a back up plan if racing does not work out. If you have been watching Austin and TY Dillon race, you know that racing is working out for them and they have been really successful in their young racing career’s.



21year old Austin Dillon completed his first full season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2010. He ended his rookie season with two wins, seven top fives, sixteen top tens and also claimed the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year Honors. Austin is in his second full season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and he is currently 2^nd in the points standings. He has competed in four Nationwide Series events for Kevin Harvick Inc this season and scored one top five, three top tens, and completed every lap. Austin is scheduled to make his Sprint Cup debut in the No. 98 Chevrolet fielded by Curb-Agajanian Performance Group with sponsorship by the Ronald Reagan Foundation’s Centennial Celebration and the Childress Institute of Pediatric Trauma later this year. In 2012 Austin is moving his racing career to the next level: He will be competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series full time. Austin will use the #3 in the Nationwide Series and will be driving for the teams of Kevin Harvick Inc and Richard Childress racing who recently announced they will merge in 2012. Austin will open the season as a rookie of the year candidate in the #3.



19 year old TY Dillon ran a limited schedule in the ARCA Racing Series in 2010( three ARCA Racing Series events )- earning two wins and one pole award. His first career win in the ARCA racing series was at Kansas Speedway in just his second start! Ty earned the pole and finished second at his ARCA debut at Iowa Speedway. He also ran a limited schedule in the NASCAR K@N Pro series East Division in 2010, earning his first career win at Gresham Motor Sports Park. TY is currently in his first full season in the ARCA racing series. He currently leads the ARCA points standings and has won seven of the first sixteen events this year. TY will be making his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut this year at Kentucky. In 2012- Ty will be competing in his first full season in the NASCAR Camping world Truck series driving the #3 Silverado.

Austin has a good chance at claiming the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship at the end of the 2011 season. TY has a huge points lead in the ARCA Series, so expect to hear the name TY Dillon as the 2011 ARCA Racing series Champion. The Dillon brothers are without a doubt two of the best young racers that us race fans have seen in a long time. keep your eye on the two of them because before you know it, both of them will be racing in the Sprint Cup Series full time in a couple years. In my opinion, I think both of them will do very well in 2012 and in the years to come. We will have to keep watching the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series and wait and see what the future will hold for the Dillon brothers.

To Austin and TY Dillon: Congratulations on getting the opportunity to move your racing careers to the next level in 2012!

Benson Set For 2012 Truck Series Return

Johnny Benson is a 48 year old American racing professional from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the son of former Michigan Modified driver John Benson, Sr. Johnny has build a very impressive racing resume. Many of you know that he has not raced in NASCAR in more than two years. Even though Johnny hasn’t raced in NASCAR in awhile, he has been apart of NASCAR in a different way and he actually has been racing in other series.

Johnny raced in the American Speed Association (ASA) in 1990, and he earned one pole position, led 174 laps and scored eight top 10 finishes. Benson was named the 1990 American Speed Association (ASA) Rookie of the year. In 1991 he earned 13 top 10’s, four second place finishes and was ranked fourth in the series. Johnny drove the #21 valvoline Chevrolet for Throop Motor Sports in 1993 and claimed the 1993 American Speed Association (ASA) Championship.

Johnny raced in NASCAR’s top three divisions and was very successful in all three of them. He made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in 1993 in Michigan. In 1994 he won his first Nationwide race at “The Monster Mile”( Dover Motor Speedway). He claimed the NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the year honors in 1994. Johnny earned the Nationwide Championship in 1995. His last Nationwide race was in 1995. He has a total of three wins, 35 top tens and 1 pole in his NASCAR Nationwide Series career.

Johnny made his NASCAR Sprint Cup debut in 1996 at the Daytona 500. He was named the 1996 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the year. His first and only Sprint Cup Series win was in 2002 at Rockingham. His final Sprint Cup Series race was in 2007 at Homestead. In his Sprint Cup career he earned a total of 1 win, 58 top tens and two poles.

Johnny shined like a star in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He made his Camping World Truck Series debut in 1995 at Phoenix. His first win was in 2006 at Michigan and his last win in the Truck Series was in 2008 in Martinsville. He claimed the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship in 2008. He was named the 2006, 2007, and 2008 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Most Popular driver. In his Truck series career he earned a total of 14 wins, 87 top tens and 5 poles. In 2009 Benson joined Red Horse Racing, but unfortunately Johnny lost his truck series ride due to a lack of sponsorship.

After losing his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series ride, Johnny began racing in Late model and Super late model events. Even though you haven’t seen Johnny race in NASCAR in awhile, he has still been in the sport coaching some Up and Coming NASCAR Stars. Last year he worked with Trevor Bayne, the 20 year old that this year won NASCAR’s most prestigious event, the Daytona 500.He has worked with Danica Patrick and he has worked with Johanna Long in the Camping World Truck Series. In 2010 Benson served as a mentor to Kyle Busch Motor Sports drivers Brian Ickler and Taylor Malsam.

It has taken more than two years, but Johnny has found a great opportunity that will start his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series career again. In 2012 Benson plans to return to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with Turn One Racing, which features NASCAR Veteran driver Stacy Compton as the team’s owner. His goal is to run the whole season and compete for the championship. Pure Michigan has come on board and will be on the hood of his truck. They have been talking with many great companies in Michigan who have shown a lot of enthusiasm in joining his team. Compton’s team has Cole Whitt, an impressive 20 year old rookie. Benson said he is hoping to join Whitt in the field for a race later this season. If not, look out because Johnny will be ready to race at the season opener at Daytona in Feb. 2012.

Johnny is excited to finally be getting back into a NASCAR Camping World Truck and I am sure all of his race fans are really excited to hear the news that Johnny Benson is coming back to race in the Truck series in 2012. Johnny has not raced in NASCAR in more than 2 years, so don’t be surprised if he struggles a little bit. Race fans: be on the look out for Johnny Benson in the Camping World Truck Series in 2012. Benson is coming back and he is ready to show the young guns of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, that he can still race hard at the age of 48 years old.

The Inaugural IZOD Indy Car Race At Baltimore Preview

The Baltimore Grand Prix is an IZOD Indy Car Series race held on a street circuit in Baltimore, Maryland. The inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix is scheduled for Labor Day weekend on September 2- 4, 2011 and the race will be on a temporary street circuit around the inner Harbor area of downtown Baltimore. The circuit is 2.1 miles and the course will start/finish near the intersection of Pratt street.

On September 4^th, the IZOD Indy Car Series rockets into Baltimore to start round 15 of the Indy Car Series championship. Before the race starts Saturday afternoon, the IZOD Indy Cars had a couple Practice sessions and qualified for the race.

More than 75,000 people are expected to be down town in Baltimore to watch the Baltimore Grand Prix Saturday afternoon.

Is the street course ready for its Indy Car debut? Drivers politely told Indy Car officals that the course is not ready. If cars are stacked up like overturned Matchbox cars at Turn One today, or there is a crash in the pits, I can assure you the politeness will go away.

In Practice one: Penske racing driver, Will Power was the fastest

The IZOD Indy Car Series Practice #2 Results:

1 Will Power

2 Dario Franchitti

3 Graham Rahal

4 Scott Dixon

5 Sebastien Bourdais

6 Vitor Meira

7 Ryan Briscoe

8 James Hinchcliffe

9 Giorgio Pantano

10 Oriol Servia

11 Takuma Sato

12 Ryan Hunter-Reay

13 EJ Viso 0.9987

14 Charlie Kimball

15 Helio Castroneve

16 Tomas Scheckter

17 JR Hildebrand

18 Mike Conway

19 Martin Plowman

20 Alex Tagliani

21 Simona de Silvestro

22 Tony Kanaan

23 James Jakes

24 Danica Patrick

25 Marco Andretti

26 Ana Beatriz

27 Sebastian Saavedra

28 Ed Carpenter

IZOD Indy Car driver Simona de Silvestro led Sundays pre- race warm-up in Baltimore. The 30- minute session ended up only being 4 laps as a result of two crashes. Tony Kanaan had no brakes at the end of the 170 mph front stretch. Turning left as the corner approached, Kanaan intentionally steered his car in to the side of castroneves, launching the KV Racing car high into the air . Thankfully both drivers were not hurt after that incident. The second Crash- involved three cars, with Panther Racing’s JR Hilebrand slipping down the inside corner while Anna Beatriz was turning in with her righ rear, sending her into the air and into the corner exit tire barrier. James Jakes was following immediately behind, and got into the back of Hildebrand’s car, blocking the track.

Results of Sunday’s Pre race warm- up

1.Simona de Silvestro

2 Danica Patrick

3 Tony Kanaan

4 Dario Franchitti

5 Will Power

6 Mike Conway

7 Marco Andretti

8 Scott Dixon

9 James Hinchcliffe

10 James Jakes

11 Sebastien Bourdais

12 Alex Tagliani

13 Helio Castroneves

14 Ryan Briscoe

15 Ana Beatriz

16 Martin Plowman

17 EJ Viso

18 JR Hildebrand

19 Vitor Meira

20 Ryan Hunter-Reay

21 Oriol Servia

22 Sebastian Saavedra

23 Ed Carpenter

24 Charlie Kimball

25 Giorgio Pantano

26 Tomas Scheckter

27 Takuma Sato

28 Graham Rahal

In qualifying, it was Will Power who snatch the pole for the Baltimore Grand Prix. Graham Rahal starts in the second position, Ryan Briscoe starts in the 3^rd position, Dario Franchitii starts 4^th, and Sebastien Bourdais starts 5^th. The Cars of Tony Kanaan and Helio will be moved to the back of the field today after both of them have changed to backup cars. The # 82 will start p27, and the # 3 p28.

Ganassi’s Dario Franchitti has two wins, two thirds and a fourth on street courses this year. Penske’s Will Power has a similar record with two wins, a second and was in contention for a top finish at Toronto were he was taken out.

Ganassi, Penske, and Andretti Auto Sport have been in control of the Street courses this year and this weekend at Baltimore, I expect that its going to be Ganassi or Penske racing that is going to dominate the race. Race Fans: You got to tune into Versus Saturday 2pm ET and get ready to watch great IZOD Indy Car Series racing!

To see the complete results of qualifying, click on the link below.

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/indy-car/results/

The 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series Race At Atlanta Motor Speedway Preview



Atlanta Motor Speedway (formerly Atlanta International Raceway) is a 1.54 miles quad- oval track with a seating capacity of over 125,000. The track opened in 1960 as a 1.5- mile standard oval. In 1997, the entire track was almost completely rebuilt. The front stretch and backstretch were swapped, and the configuration of the track was changed from oval to quad-oval. The project made the track one of the fastest NASCAR circuit. Saturday September 3^rd, the NASCAR Nationwide series rolls into Atlanta Motor Speedway to start race 26 out of 34 on there season schedule. Saturday morning, the Nationwide drivers had two practice sessions and at about 3:30pm ET they qualified for Saturday’s night race. Going into the race Saturday night, there are a couple big new stories.

NASCAR has reinstated crew member Troy Hartman upon his successful completion of NASCAR’s Road to Recovery Program following his July 5,2011 suspension for violation the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy. NASCAR has also reinstated Denise Harmon-Mixon, a crew member in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, following her successful completion of NASCAR’s Road to Recovery Program.

Rodger Penske hopes to field two full time Nationwide programs in 2012, including one for former Indy Car and Indianapolis 500 Champion Sam Hornish Jr. Penske would like to run a second Nationwide team and split the driving duties between Brad Keselowki and Parker Kligerman.

Two- time NASCAR K@N Pro Series East Champion Ryan Truex will make his debut for Joe Gibbs Racing, driving the N0. 20 Toyota that finished second to Kyle Busch a week ago at Bristol. Truex is also scheduled to run Richmond, Chicago, Dover, Kansas and phoenix with Joe Gibbs Racing.

Jamie McMurray (2010 Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 Champion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series ) will be racing in the #7 JR Motor Sports Chevy this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. McMurray is the defending race winner of the Great Clips 300.

In the first practice session Aric Almirola was the fastest with a lap time of 30.820 (179.883 MPH). Carl Edwards was second fastest, Kevin Harvick was third, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was fourth, and Kasey Kahne was fifth fastest. In the second and final practice session, rookie Ryan Truex was the fastest with a lap time of 31.545 (175.749 MPH). Penske Racing driver Brad Keselowski was second fastest, Jr motor sports driver Aric Almirola was third fastest, Mike Bliss was fourth fastest and Kyle Busch was fifth fastest.

In Qualifying it was Carl Edwards who grabbed the pole for Saturday nights Nationwide race at Atlanta. Brad Keselowski starts second, Kyle Busch starts third, Ryan Truex starts fourth. and Ricky Stenhouse Jr starts fifth.

You got to keep your eye on Joe Gibbs Racing, Roush fen way , Kevin Harvick Inc: Those are the team’s that have the best chance at getting the win Saturday night. You wont exactly know who is going to win, until you tune into ESPN2, 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, and get ready to see great NASCAR Nationwide Series Racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway!

To see the complete results of practice one, click on the link below.

http://nationwide.nascar.com/nationwide-series/races/2011/practice/26/1/

To see the complete results of practice two, click on the link below.

http://nationwide.nascar.com/nationwide-series/races/2011/practice/26/2/

To see the complete results of qualifying, click on the link below.

http://nationwide.nascar.com/nationwide-series/races/2011/lineup/26/