NASCAR restructuring communications department

Tuesday,August 31st, 2010
NASCAR announced major changes in its business structure Monday that will establish an upgraded communications department with new leadership. The significant shift in approach is the result of a four-month study led by consultancy Taylor, much discussed within NASCAR circles, which showed a void in the sanctioning body’s marketing communications effort. CEO Brian France, who commissioned the study in March

Once laid-off NASCAR worker finds his way back to the garage

Monday,August 30th, 2010
In the years prior to 2008, the sport of NASCAR enjoyed an almost unprecedented level of growth.  The stands were filled with race fans eager to watch their favorite drivers compete while television ratings soared. For those who made their living competing and supporting those who compete, the living was easy. Sponsors were abundant and the money used to fuel NASCAR was like a river that had overflowed its banks. 

Montreal jinx still haunts Ambrose

Monday,August 30th, 2010
MONTREAL—Polesitter Marcos Ambrose thought he had the fastest car in Sunday’s NAPA Auto Parts 200 Nationwide Series race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. He was right—until a problem with his electrical system cut the power of his No. 47 Toyota in half. Ambrose’s crew tried changing batteries, but that didn’t fix the problem. Ultimately, Ambrose brought the car to the garage after 50 of 77 laps, extending his winless streak in Montreal—and his frustration—to four years.

Driver stable after heart attack

Monday,August 30th, 2010
  Racing television commentator and driver Didier Schraenen, 51, suffered a heart attack after finishing eighth in Sunday’s 20-lap F1600 race, one of the supporting events for the NAPA Auto Parts 200.

Back to school

Monday,August 30th, 2010
Paulie Harraka, 20, a product of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, made his first Nationwide start Sunday, qualifying 31st and finishing 29th despite being caught in a Lap 12 wreck. Harraka, however, had to shoehorn his participation in the race between activities leading up to his junior year at Duke University, which was an associate sponsor on the No. 87 Chevrolet he drove for owner Joe Nemechek.

Said edges Papis in photo finish at Montreal

Sunday,August 29th, 2010
MONTREAL—At long last, road-course ace Boris Said is a winner in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Said won Sunday’s NAPA Auto Parts 200 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve when—with the two strongest cars out of contention—the always unpredictable event ended with Said beating Max Papis in a drag race to the finish line.  After leader Robby Gordon ran out of gas on a green-white-checkered-flag finish that sent the race three laps past its scheduled distance of 74 laps, Said lost the lead to Papis