MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Kasey Kahne confirmed Friday at Martinsville that former Jeff Gordon spotter Shannon McGlamery will replace Kahne’s cousin, Kole Kahne, as spotter for the No. 5 Chevrolet — on an interim basis.
Kole Kahne drew fire after Kahne wrecked on Lap 24 in the March 18 race at Bristol. The spotter had cleared the driver, but Regan Smith nosed his car to Kahne’s outside, and Kahne ignited a multicar wreck when he moved toward the outside wall, thinking he had room.
Kahne, however, said issues last Sunday at California Speedway led to the change. McGlamery will spot the No. 5 car for two weeks, after which Kahne and his team will evaluate the results.
“I’d say it’s just something I wanted to do, something different,” Kahne said. “I was a little unpleased after California. And we’re just looking at something for a couple of weeks. We’re going to see after Texas (Apr. 14). I’m going to sit down and sort of decide whether that’s the direction I want to go or if I feel comfortable with Kole doing it again.”
KYLE PETTY HONORED
Victory Junction Gang Camp founder Kyle Petty will rub elbows with some high-wattage celebrities April 2 as he is honored for his work with the camp that supports children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses.
Petty has earned recognition as part of the “Celebration of Paul Newman’s Dream,” a fundraiser in Avery Fisher Hall at New York City’s Lincoln Center. Newman was the driving force behind the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, a network that includes NASCAR-themed Victory Junction.
Newman’s widow, Joanne Woodward, will host the event, which also will feature appearances by Tina Fey, Jake Gyllenhaal and Jimmy Fallon. Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, Trisha Yearwood and Josh Groban will perform at the fundraiser.
Kyle Petty and son Austin Petty will accept the honor on behalf of Victory Junction, which Kyle and wife Pattie Petty founded in memory of their son Adam, who lost his life in a racing accident at New Hampshire in May 2000.
SHORT STROKES
Scott Speed is a late entry into the field at Martinsville in the Hamilton Means Racing No. 52 Toyota. Speed has four Nationwide Series starts this season, all in a start-and-park role with Curtis Key’s Motorsports Group. Hamilton Means is making its Cup debut in Sunday’s race and must qualify on speed in Saturday’s time trials . . . Actor Gary Sinise won’t be able to make his two planned appearances in Martinsville. Sinise was involved as a passenger in an auto accident on Friday. He was not injured seriously but was forced to cancel his trip to Martinsville. Sinise was scheduled to serve as grand marshal for Sunday’s race, and his Lt. Dan Band was to have played a charity concert at Martinsville High School on Saturday night. The concert, promoted by the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation to benefit triple amputee Cpl. J.B. Kerns, will be rescheduled . . . Jeff Gordon topped the speed charts for both of Friday’s Cup practices. As the fastest car in the first session, Gordon will be last to make a qualifying run on Saturday.
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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