Stremme can be choosy after spending year in Nationwide

Now that Ryan Newman has signed on with Tony Stewart's team for next season, the premium rides for 2009 are getting kind of hard to come by.

One of the names mentioned often for those open jobs is David Stremme, who was at Memphis Motorsports Park this week testing with one of his potential suitors, Penske Racing.

After racing with Chip Ganassi Racing for most of his NASCAR career, Stremme was let go late last year in favor of Dario Franchitti.

Instead of hooking on to a lesser Sprint Cup team, Stremme went back to the Nationwide Series, where he landed a ride at Rusty Wallace Inc.

Stremme said being away from the Cup for a year has allowed him to be choosy.

"I feel there are plenty of options, but they are closing up. So we need to get things settled," Stremme said. "This sport is tough, but I know I can do it. But it's got to be the right opportunity.

"The same teams run up front no matter who is driving the car. So a lot of it has to do with the organization and structure and the people that you're working with. That's what I've looked at."

He added that not jumping on just any Cup ride has helped his reputation.

"Being on Rusty's team this year and helping them become more competitive has helped my stock," Stremme said. "I was able to go back to the Nationwide Series, have fun and still be competitive."

He said being on a team that's going in the right direction can mean everything.

"You look at Kasey Kahne last year. He didn't win a race and didn't make the Chase. This year he's in the Chase and he's won a couple of times," Stremme said. "It's not like he remembered how to drive. It's that their organization is that much better."

Stremme has also been willing to help out Cup teams, as well. He drove his old car a couple of races when Franchitti was injured at Talladega, and he has been test-driving for Penske.

"His feedback has been great. He's been a big help to us this year," said Penske Racing test team crew chief Matt Gimbel. "We're pretty happy to have him as a test driver."

Any opportunity to make a positive impression with a quality teams is important.

"The car I used to drive isn't even running any more. ... That's why I'm watching my decision and who I'm going to race with," Stremme said. "It's very easy to get branded in this deal. They think you aren't a good driver when it's more equipment than driver."

• 5 Comments
• Stremme, Penske, NASCAR, Sprint, Rusty Wallace, Nationwide

MAJOR Penalties for Joe Gibbs Racing

Penalties

Owner Joe Gibbs loss of 150 owner points for Nos. 18 and 20 cars
Driver Joey Logano loss of 150 driver points, probation until Dec. 31
Driver Tony Stewart loss of 150 driver points, probation until Dec. 31
No. 18 crew chief Jason Ratcliff fined $50,000 and indefinitely suspended
No. 20 crew chief Dave Rogers fined $50,000 and indefinitely suspended
No. 18 car chief Dorian Thorsen placed on indefinite suspension
No. 18 engine tuner Michael Johnson placed on indefinite suspension
No. 18 crew member Toby Bigelow placed on indefinite suspension
No. 20 car chief Richard Bray placed on indefinite suspension
No. 20 engine tuner Dan Bajek placed on indefinite suspension
No. 18 team probation until Dec. 31
No. 20 team probation until Dec. 31

In addition, the crew chiefs will have to pay the fine to NASCAR because JGR won't pay it for them. all 7 guys are suspended from work at JGR and will have monetary fines assessed from JGR as well.

• 6 Comments
• Logano, stewart, Gibbs, NASCAR, Cheating, penalties

Driver of the No. 12 Cup Car in 2009

David Stremme

Official press release to come within the next two weeks (probably within a week). :-)

• 3 Comments
• Stremme, Penske, NASCAR

Former NCTS Crew Chief Kills SUV Driver

Former crew chief involved in Mooresville wreck:

A man with two previous drunk driving convictions was responsible for a deadly crash on Brawley School Road [Mooresville NC] on Thursday morning, according to state troopers. And investigators say Tim Kohuth will face a third DWI charge as a result of Thursday's collision. He was allegedly drunk when he crashed a flatbed truck into an SUV, killing a man in the SUV and injuring the man's wife. Neighbors say Kohuth was driving the truck because his personal vehicle has a Breathalyzer test connected the ignition, a result of Kohuth's previous DWI convictions. The crash happened around 11 a.m. Thursday on Brawley School Road and Mallard Way. The victim's wife was airlifted to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital. Kohuth remains in Lake Norman Regional Medical Center. An N.C. state trooper is standing by at the hospital to take him into custody when he's released. He'll be charged with DWI, and investigators expect more charges to follow. According to NASCAR.com, Kohuth is a former crew chief and general manager for the [now defunct] Ultra Motorsports #2 truck.

• 5 Comments

Adios Mexico!

Can't say I'm sad they're dropping MC. I hate road courses. I'd really like to see Iowa get this spot!
_________________________________________

The Nationwide Series race in Mexico City will be replaced on next year's schedule after just four events at the famed 2.518-mile Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez road course.

NASCAR officials said the original goal of taking the Nationwide Series international in 2005 was to further develop stock-car racing in Mexico, something they said has been achieved.

"Well, we have accomplished what we set out to do and that was to create a NASCAR presence in Mexico and the NASCAR [Mexico] Series is very successful now," said Ramsey Poston, managing director of corporate communications for NASCAR. "We've got capacity crowds, 14 events at nine different venues, full fields, 30-plus cars in every event.

"In evaluating the progress, we really feel like we are on our way to having a great established NASCAR in Mexico."

When asked if the Nationwide event in Mexico was ever to be a permanent date, Poston said, "No, it was part of the strategy to really bring the Nationwide event down there to really showcase NASCAR and to introduce the sport to racing fans who are largely open-wheel ... Clearly we've seen NASCAR racing become more popular."

NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton defended the move.

"Though the years, we've gone to different paces and moved on," Pemberton said (watch video). "We've gone to Australia, we've gone to Japan, we've gone to Mexico. And Mexico, I don't think we've ever said we would be there permanently.

"We went down there to help establish a new series, the Mexico Corona Series, and that series has taken off nicely. They've built some new facilities, remodeled some, car counts have been great, and their series has really gotten a good boost from the Nationwide cars being down there in Mexico City."

In addition, Poston said NASCAR hopes the Mexico Series will develop Mexican drivers and serve as a pipeline of talent to NASCAR's three national touring series similar to what the NASCAR Camping World Series does in the United States.

The Nationwide Series now has a sudden opening in the schedule, and the favorite to fill that slot could be Iowa Speedway. The seven-eighths-mile track in Newton, Iowa, hosts IndyCar and the Camping World Series East.

Nationwide Series senior manager of communications Tracey Judd said NASCAR hopes to have its 2009 schedules set soon but did not specify what tracks may be considered to replace Mexico City.

The Mexico City race first appeared on the Nationwide Series schedule in 2005 and was won by eventual series champion Martin Truex Jr. Each winner since then has been a full-time Cup driver. Juan Montoya's victory in 2007 was his first in one of NASCAR's three national series.

"We're not going to be global, but we'll race in and out of the United States occasionally, and we've always done that," Pemberton said. "We've done that for 20 years that I know of."

http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/bg/07/29/nationwide.mexico.off.schedule/index.html

• 2 Comments
• Nationwide, Mexico, NASCAR

Stremme's Going Truck Racin'

Ergon Racing and Billy Ballew Motorsports announced today that David Stremme will drive the No. 15 Ergon Hyprene Tundra for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events at Nashville Superspeedway on August 9 and Bristol Motor Speedway on August 20.

Stremme driving the #15 Toyota is an opportunity for the veteran driver to advise Ergon Racing and the Billy Ballew Motorsports team ways to expedite their goals as well as mentor Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate Mitchell.

"I want what’s best for Ergon Racing and Billy Ballew Motorsports,” said Mitchell. “I truly believe that we’re one of the best teams in the Truck Series garage, but we haven’t always had the results to show for it. Our expectations are to finish in the top-10 and carry that momentum to top-fives and challenge for wins.

"Stremme driving the Ergon truck will be an opportunity for someone to look at our team and give us a new perspective to accomplish those goals. He has a lot of experience and can give me some advice on how we can help improve performance.”

Stremme is one of many top-caliber drivers enlisted by Billy Ballew Motorsports. Jeremy Mayfield, Martin Truex, Jr., Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch have all driven for the Mooresville, N.C. based team.

Ergon Racing and Billy Ballew Motorsports announced today that David Stremme will drive the No. 15 Ergon Hyprene Tundra for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events at Nashville Superspeedway on August 9 and Bristol Motor Speedway on August 20.

Stremme driving the #15 Toyota is an opportunity for the veteran driver to advise Ergon Racing and the Billy Ballew Motorsports team ways to expedite their goals as well as mentor Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate Mitchell.

“I want what’s best for Ergon Racing and Billy Ballew Motorsports,” said Mitchell. “I truly believe that we’re one of the best teams in the Truck Series garage, but we haven’t always had the results to show for it. Our expectations are to finish in the top-10 and carry that momentum to top-fives and challenge for wins.

"Stremme driving the Ergon truck will be an opportunity for someone to look at our team and give us a new perspective to accomplish those goals. He has a lot of experience and can give me some advice on how we can help improve performance.”

Stremme is one of many top-caliber drivers enlisted by Billy Ballew Motorsports. Jeremy Mayfield, Martin Truex, Jr., Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch have all driven for the Mooresville, N.C. based team.

"Ergon is fortunate to have David Stremme look at what we’re bringing to the track,” said Baxter Burns, Vice President of Ergon, Inc. “We’re behind this team 100% and know they’re capable of turning things around. Stremme mentoring Marc (Mitchell) and giving some input to our team will bring us one step closer to getting the Ergon Tundra where everyone wants it to be.”

"I’m really excited to get behind the wheel of the Ergon Tundra,” stated Stremme. “Billy Ballew Motorsports has great equipment and top notch people, and I’m looking forward to working with them.

“The Ergon Racing team’s reputation speaks for itself. I hope that my races with them will only make them stronger down the road.”

Billy Ballew Motorsports has achieved nine wins, twenty-four top-five finishes and fifty top-10 finishes since opening its doors in 1997. Ballew is confident that his #15 team will benefit in the long run from Stremme driving at Bristol and Nashville.

"Everyone at Billy Ballew Motorsports and Ergon, Inc. wants to see the Ergon Racing truck back in Victory Lane,” said Ballew. “We think having Stremme in the truck will pay dividends in the long run. He has a chance to look at our program and give us some ideas from a different viewpoint. Hopefully this will help us get back on track for the rest of the year.”

• 0 Comments
• Stremme, trucks. bristol, nashville

Sponsor News for Stremme

Penske Sponsoring Stremme: Officials of Rusty Wallace Racing, LLC and Penske Racing announced that Penske Truck Rental will serve as primary sponsor of Rusty Wallace Racing's #64 entry, piloted by David Stremme, in this weekend's Nationwide Series event at O'Reilly Raceway Park. Additionally, the parties announced an arrangement, under which, various Penske-affiliated brands will serve as primary sponsor of the Stremme-wheeled #64 in three additional events during 2008. In addition to this weekend's event, Stremme's car will carry Penske-affiliated colors in the August races at Michigan, California and Bristol.(RWI PR)(7-24-2008)

• 3 Comments
• Penske, Stremme, Sponsor

Get a clue, Reed! Get out while you can!

With all the craziness that's going on a CGRFS I can't see how anyone would want to drive for them but.... apparently someone does.

Sorenson 'working on' contract negotiations with Ganassi: Reed Sorenson is in the final year of his contract with Chip Ganassi Racing, though he could return to the #41 Sprint Cup team next year. Sorenson raced in the Nationwide Series last weekend at Gateway International Raceway and was asked what the status of his contract negotiations with Ganassi is. "We're working on it right now," Sorenson said. "Working on it." Driver David Reutimann, who joined Sorenson at the news conference, interjected: "How's it going?" "Working on it," Sorenson said with a smile. Sorenson didn't disclose any further details.(SceneDaily.com)(7-22-2008)

• 4 Comments
• Ganassi, sorenson, contract

Stremme.... Cup Ride!

Official announcement coming SOON!!!

*happy dance*

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• 18 Comments

Moving.. Again.

Sooo this is a non-racing blog.

I'm moving to Augusta, Georgia this Saturday for a new job. The 20% pay increase was something I couldn't say no to so I'm outta here. I'll miss Greenville like crazy but I'm ready for my new adventure!

Looks like I'll have to listen to the races on the radio this weekend. Dangit. GO STREMME! :)

• 7 Comments