NASCAR OFF SEASON WITHDRAWAL AND THERAPY THREAD

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Fox to air 2015 NASCAR preview show Sunday: This Sunday will mark 63 days until the 2015 Daytona 500, and FOX will mark nine weeks until the Great American Race with a NASCAR Productions-produced "NASCAR 2015: A New Era" season preview. The hour-long show will air at 4:30pm/et to 78% of the country. Those fans slated to see the National Footbal League game between New York Giants at the St. Louis Rams will get "NASCAR 2015: A New Era" at 3:00pm/et. The special will focus on the Daytona 500 on February 22, including "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" star Terry Crews explaining the magnitude of the season-opening race. Then, the show will take a look at the new second race of the season at Atlanta and a West Coast swing among the 2015 schedule changes. Team and driver swaps as well as NBC coming on board as a new television partner will be examined. As they did during the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup on FOX Sports 1's "NASCAR RaceHub," analysts Larry McReynolds, Michael Waltrip, Jeff Hammond, pit reporter Matt Yocum and host Adam Alexander will make predictions in special installment of the NASCAR War Room.(NASCAR.com)(12-19-2014)

Sprint Experience will not be used in 2015: Sprint, which announced Wednesday it would discontinue sponsorship of the Sprint Cup Series at the end of its current contract, no longer will host its 15,000-square-foot Sprint Experience interactive display area at NASCAR tracks, multiple sources confirmed to the [Charlotte] Observer. The Sprint Experience brings fans closer to the sport by offering custom interactive games, driver and celebrity appearances, participation in stage games, and the latest handsets and technologies available from Sprint. Hospitality industry workers and others associated with transporting and operating the mobile display were informed this week they would not be used next season, sources said. Sprint officials declined to address the issue when asked Thursday for comment. "We will continue to use the NASCAR Sprint Cup sponsorship platform in 2015 and 2016 to drive our business," said spokesperson Kimberly Meesters. "Every season we evaluate our specific NASCAR programs and adjust as needed. We are finalizing the details of our 2015 plan now and will be ready to kick off the season Feb. 14 for the Sprint Unlimited at Daytona."(Charlotte Observer)(12-19-2014)

Larson, McMurray running Rolex 24 for Ganassi: Seven-time IMSA Champions and five-time Rolex 24 At Daytona Winners Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced the fielding of two Prototypes for the 2015 Rolex 24 At Daytona, featuring eight drivers that represent some of the best talent the motor racing world has to offer. Veteran Scott Pruett and new teammate Joey Hand will unite with Chip Ganassi Racing Teams' Verizon IndyCar Series race-winner Charlie Kimball and CGRT development driver Sage Karam to form the lineup in the #01 Ford EcoBoost/Target Riley, while CGRT Verizon IndyCar Series Champions and Indianapolis 500 Winners Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan join CGRFS NASCAR Sprint Cup Series reigning Rookie of the Year Kyle Larson and NSCS race-winner Jamie McMurray in the #02 Target/Ford EcoBoost Riley. The 2015 CGRFS Rolex 24 At Daytona driver roster is an impressive group of international racing champions representing two Indianapolis 500 titles (Dixon-2008, Kanaan-2013), a Daytona 500 (McMurray-2010), four Verizon IndyCar Series Championships (Dixon-2003, 2008, 2013 and Kanaan-2004), seven Prototype Championships (Pruett-2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), and four Rookie of the Year honors in their respective series (Kanaan-1999, Dixon-2001, McMurray-2003, Larson-2014). The group brings with them 144 total wins.(Chip Ganassi Racing)(12-19-2014)

Martinsville Speedway's Christmas Toy Drive Raises More Than $13,000 For Grace Network: The holiday season is a time for giving and Martinsville Speedway's 18th annual Christmas Toy Drive showed that the NASCAR community is willing to do just that. The toy drive raised more than $13,000 and saw 200 toys donated for the Grace Network of Martinsville and Henry County. A network of more than 100 area churches, the Grace Network will use the money to provide toys and clothes to underserved and underprivileged children in the area. The Grace Network gets lists of names from the churches in the network and then is able to take the money raised and shop according to each child's needs and wishes. This year's toy drive reached a bigger audience than ever before, thanks to some ticket packages that were put up for auction. Race fans from all over the country bid on race experiences like getting a picture taken in Victory Lane with the STP 500 winner or the opportunity to ride in the Official Pace Car for the start of the race.(Martinsville Speedway)(12-19-2014)

Kurt Busch-Patricia Driscoll relationship at center of hearing; case now on hold

Ray Slover

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December 18, 2014 2:12pm EST

Although there was no decision rendered, Wednesday's testimony in Dover, Del., revealed the dark side in the relationship between NASCAR driver Kurt Busch and former girlfriend Patricia Driscoll.

A hearing in Kent County Family Court came down to a classic case of she said/he said. The case judge was weighing testimony into whether Driscoll should be granted a protection order from Busch.

Patricia Driscoll and Kurt Busch (AP Photos)

The case was continued to Jan. 12, when Busch lawyer Rusty Hardin will cross-examine his client, according to media reports.

Busch spent an hour on the stand Wednesday being questioned by Driscoll lawyer Carolyn McNeice, according to DelawareOnline.com. That followed testimony from Driscoll, who claimed Busch smashed her head into the wall of his motorhome and chocked her during an argument. The alleged altercation took place the Friday night before September's Sprint Cup race at Dover.

"When he put his hands on me, he crushed my throat," she said.

Busch, according to reports, labeled Driscoll's courtroom claim a "fabrication."

Driscoll entered the motorhome without invitation, Busch said in his testimony, adding he asked her to leave five times. He said he was trying to defuse a situation that she was trying to escalate by bringing her son into the room and have him tell the boy the relationship was over.

According to Busch, he was naked at the time.

As to having made contact with Driscoll, reports said Busch testified he cupped her cheeks in his hands, looked her in the eyes and said, "You need to leave." He testified he had been sleeping when Driscoll entered the vehicle. Her son was 9 years old at the time.

"It needs to be described because of the fabrication we listened to yesterday," Busch said of the details he shared in court, according to media reports.

Driscoll also told the court the couple had an altercation in 2012.

Busch, the 2004 Cup champion, is well known in NASCAR for his temper and outbursts involving media members and others, although he does not have a history of physically assault in those instances. He embraced the nickname "Outlaw" when Driscoll helped coordinate the production of a documentary, which attempted to give his side of the story to some of the outbursts that have haunted his career. He spent the 2014 season driving for Stewart-Haas Racing and is expected to return next year.

NASCAR officials are monitoring the trial. At stake is potential punishment from the sanctioning body, which has so far said that it would not discipline him until there is a decision on whether criminal charges are filed.

The hearing for the protective order is separate from a criminal investigation into the incident. Driscoll filed a complaint Nov. 5 and Busch met with investigators Nov. 18.

Hardin has characterized Driscoll's allegations as retaliation for Busch ending his four-year relationship with Driscoll, a defense contractor and CEO of the Armed Forces Foundation.

NASCAR and SHR have faced political pressure from Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., to suspend Busch.

Contributing: Bob Pockrass

Dick Berggren named to Maine Motorsports HOF: The Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame has announced that on April 4, 2015, Dick Berggren, President of the Racing History Preservation Group that is the parent company of the North East Motor Sports Museum, will be inducted. Dick will be one of six inductees who have influenced motorsports in Maine. He made his mark on the sport in his #80 Super Modified at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in the mid-1970s and raced Modifieds there in the early 1980s. As editor of Stock Car Racing Magazine and later his own Dick Berggren's Speedway Illustrated, he put Maine motorsports on the national stage with his stories about Beech Ridge, the Oxford 250 and Maine racing personalities. In total, only 80 other significant Maine racing figures have been inductee into the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame. In addition to his time behind the wheel of a racecar and writing about motorsports, he became best known for reporting from pit road at NASCAR tracks all over the United States. In his long storied career, Dick could be found on some of the biggest TV networks including CBS, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, Speed and Fox Sports just to name a few. Never to shy away from a story, he was ready with the microphone and the ever important questions that the TV audience wanted to know the answer to. Recently, Dick was asked what being inducted into the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame meant to him and the response was "Many of my friendships that I formed in and around Maine back in the 70s still exist today. Maine has been a special place for me, not only because I won a race at Beech Ridge but more importantly many of my hero's come from Maine such as Ricky Craven, Andy Cusack, Mike Rowe, Dick McCabe, Bob Bahre and so, so many more." Dick also went on to note that "I love the state of Maine and all it stands for, the people, the landscape, life in general and of course it has been and still is my favorite vacation place. I have traveled the world over and there is no place like Maine, anywhere."(PR)(12-20-2014)

Stenhouse Jr. running open wheel race: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. wants a checkered flag for Christmas - well, sort of. The Roush Fenway Racing driver will get back behind the wheel this Saturday, going back to his short-track, open-wheel roots in DuQuoin, Illinois. Stenhouse will compete in the fifth annual Great Clips Battle at the Center on the one-sixth Mini-Magic Mile at the Southern Illinois Center, located on the grounds of the DuQuoin State Fair. The Battle at the Center is a non-points all-star race put on by the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series. It'll be Stenhouse's second bid to win at DuQuoin, having finished second in the inaugural Battle at the Center in 2010. He'll be driving for Bryan Clauson Racing as a tune-up of sorts for next month's Lucas Oil Chili Bowl in Tulsa, Okla., from Jan. 12-17. It'll be Stenhouse's third try to win the Chili Bowl, having finished ninth in 2012, but failed to advance out of the B feature last year. (NBC Sports)(12-20-2014)

Mike and Angie Skinner to host new SiriusXM Show: SiriusXM personality Angie Skinner and husband Mike Skinner, a former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion, will team up to host a new show on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90, starting in 2015. Skinner Round-Up will debut on Sunday, January 4, at 12:00pm/et and air select Sundays throughout the year. The three-hour program will feature a wide variety of guests - from past NASCAR champions to upcoming talent from the NASCAR NEXT program - and will cover everything from technical analysis during the "Skinner Garage presented by WIX Filters" segment to a lifestyle segment designed to give fans a look at the drivers' lives away from the track. The show will air on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Sundays during the offseason at 12:00pm/et. During the season, Skinner Round-Up will air at 11:00am/et on those Sundays following a Saturday night NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event.(SiriusXM)(12-21-2014)

Dr. Jerry Punch will remain with ESPN: Dr. Jerry Punch, who has been associated with ESPN since 1984 as a motorsports and college sports announcer, has agreed to a new contract to remain with the network and extend his run as one of ESPN's longest-tenured announcers. Punch, who was a pit reporter as well as a lap-by-lap announcer on ESPN's NASCAR race telecasts through the network's recently-completed final season of live NASCAR racing, will return to ESPN's college football and basketball coverage in various roles. He worked on college sports telecasts from 1989-2006 as both a play-by-play announcer and sideline reporter while also covering motorsports. In addition, Punch will remain connected to motorsports as a pit reporter on ABC's telecasts of the Indianapolis 500 and other races in the Verizon IndyCar Series. "ESPN has been my home for a long time and I'm grateful for the opportunities presented to me to remain part of the team," said Punch. "I love the passion of college sports and look forward to helping bring those stories to our viewers and to reconnecting with the college coaches and staffs I've enjoyed relationships with over the years." His first game will be Jan. 15 as he calls the Murray State vs. Belmont Ohio Valley Conference matchup on ESPNU. He is ESPN's sixth longest-tenured announcer, following Bob Ley, Cliff Drysdale, Chris Berman, Dick Vitale and Mike Patrick.(ESPN)(12-22-2014)

Jeremy Bullins named crew chief for Wood Brothers, Blaney: Wood Brothers Racing announced that Jeremy Bullins will rejoin the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion team next season to serve as the crew chief for Ryan Blaney in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, beginning with the 2015 Daytona 500. Bullins returns to the Wood Brothers organization following a successful three-year tenure with Team Penske's #22 NASCAR Nationwide Series team that produced 21 wins and two consecutive NASCAR Nationwide Series Owners' Championships. Bullins first worked with the Wood Brothers in 1999 on the Pro Cup and Late Model cars driven by Jon Wood. In 2000, Bullins became race engineer for the iconic No. 21 Ford in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, a position he held until June of 2002. Bullins moved on to work with ST Motorsports, Robert Yates Racing and Richard Childress Racing, where he helped drivers Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer claim a total of nine Sprint Cup Series victories as a race engineer. A native of Walnut Cove, NC, Bullins joined Team Penske in 2012 to serve as the crew chief for the #22 car in the Nationwide Series, earning three wins in his first full season at the helm. In 2013, Bullins led the team to 12 wins with four different drivers and the team's first Nationwide Series Owners' Championship. The #22 Ford team won the Owners' Title again this season behind six series victories. In total, Bullins earned 21 wins, 14 poles, 57 top-five and 79 top-10 finishes in 99 starts with the #22 Team Penske Nationwide Series program.(Wood Brothers Racing)(12-22-2014)

Kid Rock to headline the DAYTONA 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show: Multi-platinum award-winning, American rock star Kid Rock will perform the DAYTONA 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show, the prelude to the 57th annual "Great American Race" on Sunday, Feb. 22. Kid Rock will perform several of his hits, including his brand new single "First Kiss," on pit road of the "World Center of Racing" prior to the start of the DAYTONA 500, the prestigious season-opening event of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. All race fans that purchase a Pre-Race/Sprint FANZONE access pass for the DAYTONA 500 can enjoy Kid Rock's DAYTONA 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show up close, along with driver introductions. Following his performance, Kid Rock will release his latest studio album First Kiss on Tuesday, Feb. 24. In addition to his concert, a special ticket package designed around Kid Rock has been created that includes a DAYTONA 500 grandstand ticket, Pre-Race/Sprint FANZONE access and VIP area access to Kid Rock's performance. Packages start at $169. Fans who have already purchased DAYTONA 500 tickets can add Pre-Race/Sprint FANZONE access along with VIP area access for just $104.(DIS)(12-19-2014)

OK, I'm not picking sides on this mess but the 1st thing that I see is "she" showed up at the Track and punched in the code to open the Motor Home door and He was sleeping.

Sounds to Me like she was at minimum Trespassing and/or Breaking and entering HIS Motor Home

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Kurt Busch has court date Tuesday UPDATES: NASCAR driver Kurt Busch is scheduled to appear at Kent County Family Court on Tuesday for a hearing related to a protective order filed by his ex-girlfriend, who last month alleged that Busch had "smashed" her head three times against a bedroom wall in their motor coach following a September race in Dover. Busch will be present at the courthouse, said Dover attorney James Liguori, who is part of Busch's legal team. Busch has to report to the court at 9:00am/et and will be among eleven other hearings at the court on Tuesday, he said. A previously scheduled hearing was postponed earlier this month because Busch was out of the country. "At this point, the evidence, witness statements, etc. are being reviewed on the criminal investigation," [Dover police spokesman Cpl. Mark] Hoffman said in a Monday email. The investigation has been particularly difficult because of the delayed reporting of the incident and the frequent travel related to some of the witnesses, Hoffman said.(Delaware News Journal)(12-16-2014)
UPDATE: NASCAR driver Kurt Busch's breakup with his ex-girlfriend turned into an ugly court battle Tuesday when she described Busch in testimony as unstable and struggling with alcoholism and depression. His attorneys countered, describing her as untrustworthy and "extremely mercenary." Patricia Driscoll, who is seeking a court order for Busch to stay away from her, told a family court commissioner that he had choked her and smashed her head into a wall inside his motorhome at Dover International Speedway after she drove from her Maryland home to check on him. Busch attorney Rusty Hardin suggested that whatever happened the night of Sept. 26 could have been prevented had Driscoll left when Busch told her to. "I am not to blame for him putting his hands on me," said Driscoll, at times defiant and other times sobbing, prompting Family Court commissioner David Jones to order a recess at one point so she could regain her composure." Defense attorneys have denied the assault allegations, which are the subject of a separate criminal investigation by Dover police. Hardin said Driscoll has not presented any evidence to suggest that Busch has ever physically threatened her. Driscoll said Busch's representatives have repeatedly tried to contact people close to her, and that she fears for her safety. "I don't know what he's capable of doing," she said. Driscoll, 36, was the only witness to testify during Tuesday's six-hour hearing. Lawyers for Driscoll and Busch declined to comment after Tuesday's session as a stern-faced Busch left the courthouse. The hearing is set to continue Wednesday. See more details from the Associated Press.(12-17-2014)
UPDATE 2: NASCAR driver Kurt Busch took the stand during the second day of a protection order hearing in Kent County (Del.) Family Court on Wednesday, calling his ex-girlfriend's allegations that he smashed her head into a wall a "fabrication." The testimony came as a family court commissioner prepared to decide on a protection order filed by Patricia Driscoll last month. There was no decision Wednesday and the hearing will resume Jan. 12, when Busch's lawyer Rusty Hardin will cross-examine him. Busch, the 2004 Sprint Cup champion who has shown flashes of his temper on and off the track earning him the nickname ''The Outlaw," kept a cool head as he staunchly denied Driscoll's version of the story during an hour of direct questioning by her lawyer, Carolyn McNeice. Busch also testified he ended their four-year relationship following a race in New Hampshire, a week before the race at Dover International Speedway, where the alleged altercation occurred Sept. 26. He said the two of them had a discussion en route to Logan International Airport in Boston and in the process he had damaged a rental car. She left him stranded at the airport, he added. The two had no contact in the week leading up to the Dover race, but Driscoll said she did reach out to Busch's mother and was concerned about his alcoholism and depression. Busch said he did not drink the night of the alleged assault and has avoided alcohol during race weekends for 15 years. That night in Dover, Busch said he had been sleeping when Driscoll arrived unannounced at his motorhome with her nine-year-old son. He says he told her repeatedly to leave, but she kept bringing her son in from another room, saying that Busch needed to tell the boy that the relationship was over. Busch said he was naked during the entire encounter, and finally put his hands on either side of Driscoll's face. "I took my hands and cupped her cheeks. I looked her eye-to-eye. I said, 'You have to leave'. I was diffusing the situation," he told the courtroom. "It needs to be described because of the fabrication we listened to yesterday," he later said of the details he shared in court after holding up his hands, showing how he held Driscoll's face. Michael Doncheff, Busch's motorhome driver and personal assistant to the couple, testified Wednesday that Driscoll had instructed him at the beginning of the year to not bring any alcohol on the bus because Busch had a problem. He was the first witness called by Busch's attorneys. Doncheff said he believed Driscoll when she said Busch had assaulted her, but added she had also told him several stories that he thought were exaggerated. He said Busch treated him well but had a temper at times. Busch often deferred decisions to Driscoll, who Doncheff said could be "high maintenance." Doncheff said on the night of the motorhome encounter, Driscoll sent him a screenshot from her earlier text conversation with Busch. He said he thought it might be a good idea for Driscoll to drive to Dover.(Wilmington News Journal)(12-18-2014)

Kid Rock...oooo...my pants won’t dry...at least better than...ummm ...Mariah Carey.

I can perform a lot cheaper...for good reason.

Ask me about my human fly routine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqdT55HwBBY

Is it Daytona yet??????

Ticky Tocky

always liked the Doc

Merwwy Chwithmuth!

From mabarker1, Mama, GMa, Bella and Molly to All FRNASCAR Fans

And Happy New Year!

Yeah, I remember the early days on ESPN.

And Benny Parsons did the Buffet Benny segments.

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Case of woman who went missing at Talladega ruled homicide: The death of a woman who vanished near the Talladega Superspeedway during October's race weekend has been ruled a homicide, authorities announced. Theresa Benn was reported missing just before 7:30pm on Oct. 19. Benn, who also went by Theresa Andrews, her maiden name, and Theresa Dulaney, her married name, was last seen the predawn hours of that Sunday on Speedway Industrial Drive in Lincoln. Authorities said Benn was with her husband prior to leaving him behind because she wanted to go to the races and he did not. Crowe said the woman's husband, Kevin Dulaney, told investigators he dropped her off on or near Eastaboga Road about 2:15am that Sunday. He said he last saw her walking toward the track. Investigators haven't determined whether she ever made it to the GEICO 500 later that day. She did not go to Saturday's race. Benn's body was found Nov. 22 in the Jackson Shoals area of Choccolocco Creek. The Lincoln Police Department today said they are still waiting on DNA test results, but are confident they will confirm the body to be that of Benn. In a press release, Lincoln Police Chief Darren Britton said the preliminary death report indicates the manner of death is homicide. Investigators have not said how Benn was killed.(Alabama Media Group)(12-24-2014)

Congrats to #42-Kyle Larson and fiance Katelyn Sweet on the birth of their son, Owen Miyata Larson, born Monday night at 11:09pm. He was 7 pound 14 ounces and 19 1/2 in. long.(12-23-2014)