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NASCAR Fantasy Experts Picks: Tums Fast Relief 500 from Martinsville

Expert	Website	Pick to Win	Finish	Experts Avg
Ryan Rantz	On Pit Row	Jimmie Johnson	2	7.35
James Jones	On Pit Row	Jeff Gordon	5	7.84
Mike Harmon	FOX Sports	Jimmie Johnson	2	9.84
Dennis Michelsen	RaceTalkRadio.com	Jimmie Johnson	2	10.03
Roger Rotter	FOX Sports	Jimmie Johnson	2	10.13
Gerritt Ritt	FOX Sports	Kurt Busch	17	10.16
Yahoo Users	Yahoo! Sports	Jimmie Johnson	2	10.23
Cheryl Lauer	Speed Couch	Jeff Gordon	5	10.68
Eric Brewer		Jeff Gordon	5	11.42
Darren Fauth	Fantasy NASCAR Names	Jimmie Johnson	2	11.65
Lou Lauer	USAR Fans	Jimmie Johnson	2	11.81
Eric McClung	On Pit Row	Jeff Gordon	5	11.87
Charlie Turner	On Pit Row	Jimmie Johnson	2	12.06
P J Walsh	FantasyNASCARPreview.com	Jeff Gordon	5	12.52
Eric McGuire	FFToolbox	Jimmie Johnson	2	13.10
Bob Ellis	NASCAR Ranting and Raving	Jimmie Johnson	2	15.77
Jon Rodgers	Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner	Kyle Busch	4	18.52

New On Pit Row

We’re pretty excited about some new additions to OnPitRow.com and I haven’t done a very good job of getting the word out. So pay attention. My job depends on it.

We have added some stats for fantasy racing players. These NASCAR fantasy racing stats are almost to the point of overkill and won’t be for everyone. But if you want to dig deep into past performance of specific drivers and particular race track stats for fantasy racing, check out our - still developing - drivers pages. You can view - and download - a complete set of NASCAR Loop data stats for any driver in our One and Done fantasy NASCAR pool. More content will be added to those pages soon. Watch this space, as they say. Here is David Ragan’s page for example.

And we have track stats for NASCAR fantasy gamers too. Check out the Phoenix International Raceway page for 40 pages of NASCAR Loop stats on PIR alone. The Talladega Superspeedway page is available too. As with the drivers stat pages, we will be adding more fantasy racing stats and information soon.

On the video front, check out our Bench Racing TV page when you have a chance. We’re posting Mindy Monday’s latest Monday Morning Crew Chief video there each week along with any other cool stuff we find. The folks at Shell Gasolines sent us an early copy of Kevin Harvick’s Old west Showdown spoof, which is now all over the place. But when we get them, we’ll post them for you.

Finally, if you haven’t noticed yet, the ON PIT ROW radio show is now available On Demand. We are finally hosting our own archived shows right here at OnPitRow.com on the Listen Live page. For a long time, ON PIT ROW’s web home was at RaceTalkRadio and we will always value that relationship. But we’ve wanted to host our own from the time we first started OnPitRow.com.

Stay tuned ’cause there’s more to come but if there’s anything that you want to see or hear, let us know. Thanks for joining us On Pit Row.

If you are thinking of doing any actual NASCAR betting you may be better served by finding actual NASCAR odds at a service that is involved in online wagering or something. We, most assuredly, are not.

Photo credit: Ring - or Round Girl Jen by BethAnne Heisler - OnPitRow.com

Brad Keselowski ON PIT ROW

Brad Keselowski, driver of the no. 88 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt Jr’s JR Motorsporsts in NASCAR’s Nationwide Series joined Steve an I ON PIT ROW this week. We talked about driving for Junior and Brad’s opportunities in the Sprint Cup Series with Hendrick Motorsports too. Check it out.

Photo credit: BethAnne Heisler for ON PIT ROW

American Hero Gets His Own NASCAR Race

One of our favorite NASCAR promotions, the Crown Royal^® Presents the “Your Name Here” 400 declared it’s grand prize winner for the first 2009 Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway, during Speedweeks at Daytona.

Last year, we had 2008 winner Dan Lowry of “Crown Royal presents the Dan Lowry 400″ fame as guest ON PIT ROW. We’re hoping to have Russell Friedman, a two-time Purple Heart recipient and this year’s contest winner as a guest this time. It’s just the coolest prize a NASCAR fan could win.

 

CROWN ROYAL^® AWARDS PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT NAMING RIGHTS TO

 

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES RACE AT RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

 

Grand Prize Winner Dedicates Race to All Who Serve Our Country 

DAYTONA, FL, February 13, 2009 – An elaborate ceremony today at Daytona International Speedway^® revealed Russell Friedman, a two-time Purple Heart recipient, as the grand-prize winner of the third annual Crown Royal^® Presents the “Your Name Here” 400 contest.   When Friedman accepted the prize – naming rights to the May 2 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway – he spoke of how his efforts could not be recognized alone and that it was important to honor all the individuals who serve our country.

 

 

 

 

 

Friedman lives in Huntington Station, NY, and was chosen from a group of seven finalists from around the country based on a submission that detailed his experience serving in Iraq.  The race at Richmond International Raceway on May 2, 2009 will now be titled “Crown Royal Presents the Russell Friedman 400.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Winning the Crown Royal ‘Your Name Here’ 400 contest is absolutely amazing and truly an overwhelming experience,” said Friedman.  “Not only do I get to live out one of my dreams, but I get a chance to help recognize all the American soldiers who defend our freedoms on a day-to-day basis and definitely deserve a toast with Crown Royal.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Throughout the contest, finalists submitted online or video entries describing an honorable act or achievement worthy of toasting with Crown Royal Canadian whisky.  Nearly 5,000 entries were received, detailing a myriad of achievements from the heroics of firefighters to dedicated fathers going the extra mile.

 

 

“Crown Royal is excited to celebrate the accomplishments of our consumers and race fans by honoring them with a sports experience fit for a king,” said Ami-Lynn Bakshi, vice president, Crown Royal.  “We’re looking forward to helping Russell share his moment in the spotlight with all the individuals who selflessly serve this country.  The Russell Friedman 400 will be an event for all to remember.”

 

 

The ceremony to unveil Friedman as the winner included a 20-foot replica Crown Royal bottle featuring his name as part of the Richmond race logo and was draped with an oversized iconic purple bag for two days leading up to the announcement.  A countdown clock ticked away while seven finalists waited with great anticipation as NASCAR driver Jamie McMurray and representatives from Crown Royal and Richmond International Raceway pulled down the bag to reveal the grand-prize winner’s name. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Russell Friedman 400 will be incorporated into all official race logos, used for thousands of pieces of merchandise and recognized by NASCAR’s broadcast and media partners as the race’s official title.  In addition, Friedman will take part in pre-race festivities at Richmond International Raceway, and participate in the trophy presentation to the race winner in Gatorade Victory Lane.  During the race weekend he will receive VIP accommodations for himself and a guest.

Leading up to the big day in Richmond, Crown Royal will continue to remind fans to “Be A Champion.  Drink Responsibly.” through Safe Rides Home designated driver initiatives and other programming designed to reinforce the importance of drinking responsibly.

“On behalf of Richmond International Raceway, congratulations to Russell and a sincere thank you to him and all the members of our nation’s armed forces to whom this race is dedicated,” said Richmond International Raceway President Doug Fritz. “The partnership with Crown Royal and the ‘Your Name Here’ contest has been a huge success, and Russell is sure to be another great winner. We look forward to continuing this great tradition by having Russell join us for an exciting weekend at America’s Premier Short Track.”

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media, Inc

2008 OPeR Award: Best Guest ON PIT ROW

I’m going to boast a little, if that’s OK with you.

Steve does a great job of lining up guests for our weekly radio show. It almost makes it worth having to listen to him brag about the names that he has saved in his cell phone.

This OPeR isn’t meant to slight any of our semi-regulars, like Jeff Hammond, Lee Spencer, Dave Despain or Booty Barker. I don’t have room to list all our guests and there isn’t one that hasn’t been a blast for us.

But when NASCAR opens the new Hall of Fame, Bobby Allison may very well be in the first class inducted. And we talked to him last while he was watching a young family member’s Little League game. It was the best.

Time to Hand Out Our OPeR Awards

As has been our tradition ON PIT ROW; the end of the year is time to pass out our own, sometimes offbeat, NASCAR awards.

Most people who cover NASCAR on at least a semi regular basis tend to give their opinions as to who deserves the accolades for their participation in the past season.  While Charlie and I do the usual Best Driver, Best Crew Chief type awards we like to venture a little further into the stories of 2008.

The offbeat tends to become normal in a thirty-six week points season in NASCAR world.  From totally undrivable tires at Indianapolis to Carl Edwards’ video game wall move at Kansas, there is plenty to remember in this season gone by.

Please give us your award winners for the following catagories and we may use your answers on this Tuesdays show.

Best and Worst Driver

Best and Worst Crew Chief

Best and Worst Owner

Best and Worst Team

Best and Worst Post Race Interview

Worst attempt at “Adjusting the Rules”

Best and Worst Junior High School-like Drama

Best and Worst Radio/TV Personality

Best and Worst NASCAR Network

Best Guest to Appear ON PIT ROW

Don’t be afraid to go a little “off center” with your answers.  Leave us a comment and we may use it on this weeks show or give us a call with your winners on Tuesday from 5-7pm ET, toll free at 877-502-8255.

photo credit:  Icon Sports Media

The Kez Invades Toledo Speedway

On Tuesday, at the Toledo Speedway, while Steve, Charlie and I were preparing for the On Pit Row radio show, I could hear the sounds of a car outside on the track.  It was ‘rumored’ that  Brad Kesolowski was testing.  I decided to go check it out and possibly capture a picture or two of the guys on the track. 

The track is right outside of building where the show is broadcast.  So I stepped out the door, into the track facility, and I looked over towards the pit area and sure enough, there was a Hendrick Motorsports hauler.  As it turns out, the rumor was true.  Brad and teammate Landon Cassill were both testing cars.

The #5 was running most of the laps while I was there.  Brad’s #88 was being busily adjusted in the back of the track.  He did eventually, get his car out for some laps right before dark.  

I found a nice spot in the front stretch where there was a hole in the fence just wide enough to fit my lens through and waited.  It wasn’t long before Cassill’s car came around turn 4.  I felt the ground rumble, then the whoosh of the wind as the car went flying by within 4 feet of where I was standing.  It was a little scary and I had to fight the urge to jump back when the car got that close; even though there was a wall and a chain link fence protecting me.  It was also electrifying and an incredible rush.  

A man came up to me and told me Brad and Landon had been there since 7:30am.  We chatted a bit about how Kesolowski specifically wanted to come to Toledo for testing because it was a track he was familiar with and he needed to work on his short track program.

Mostly though, he wanted to warn me about the dangers of standing so close to the wall.  I thought about the dangers involved with racing…even testing.  I was done anyway, but I thought, I’d rather go out doing something I loved than wasting away alone in a nursing home.  It was a good afternoon.

Photo credit: BethAnne Heisler - ON PIT ROW

ARCA Angels is Driven to Help

Sometimes things just feel right.  Today, ARCA and  our company, Bench Racing Productions are announcing the launch of a cause marketing effort to be known as ARCA Angels. 

The program will run for eight weeks in conjunction with ON PIT ROW and INSIDE ARCA sponsored by Team Glock Racing, the two radio programs that are co hosted by Steve Wronkowicz and Charlie Turner from the Toledo Speedway Bar & Grill each week. 

“We are just trying to help,” said Mark Gundrum, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for ARCA. “There are people who are associated with ARCA and the sport of auto racing who need help, and we have formed a small group of people who are willing to help if they
can.”

You can read the entire ARCA press release here. 

We’re proud to be a part of the ARCA Angels effort and we hope to help continue the good work far beyond the initial eight week promotion.  We presently have plans for several different fund raising activities, many of which will center around the live broadcasts of the radio shows.  But we want to include the internet community in the program too.  If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

We have wanted to get ON PIT ROW and OnPitRow.com involved in some kind of charitable program for some time now.  As NASCAR observers, there is a tendency to immediately think of Victory Junction Gang Camp or one of the many driver foundations.  They all support great causes.  ARCA Angels is a start-up.  Something to help build from the beginning.  We are directing the help towards three specific situations.  It will be great to see, from close up, how the efforts benefit those who need it.  As I said, this just felt right, right from the beginning.

Steve and Charlie Do the Dirt

The ARCA RE/MAX Series returns to the one mile dirt track at the Illinois State Fairgrounds for the Allen Crowe 100 on Sunday August 17th.

Steve Wronkowicz and Charlie Turner will call the race live for the ARCA Radio Network.  We hope you listen live starting with Sim Factory Pole qualifying at 10:45 am.  The race coverage will start at 12:30pm.

Go to arcaracing.com and listen live!

Photo credit: arcaracing.com

Chrissy Wallace ON PIT ROW Today!

Three and a half hours of racing talk - we call it Bench Racing - kicks off live today at 5 pm EDT with a visit from Chrissy Wallace. Chrissy, daughter of NASCAR star Mike Wallace, has been campaigning in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series but this weekend she’ll take over the very competitive ARCA RE/MAX Series Toyota of Hattori Racing for the ARCA RE/MAX Pocono 200. That car has been fast everywhere it’s been this season so Wallace should be a real contender at Pocono.

Also ON PIT ROW today are scheduled guests, Booty Barker, crew chief of the Stewart-Haas Racing #66. There’s plenty to talk to Booty about from tires to team stuff.

Veteran NASCAR writer Dustin Long will join us as well to talk about the weekend at Indy and the weeks ahead.

INSIDE ARCA will feature the winner of Saturday night’s ARCA RE/MAX 200 at Berlin Raceway - Scott Speed. Speed has his hands full with Pole sitter Justin Allgaier and ARCA legend Frank Kimmel. It was great. Steve and I were at Berlin to help call the race for ArcaNation.com. What a blast.

Our ARCA Insider, Phil Parsons will stop by as will Patrick Donahue, crew chief on Scott Speed’s Red Bull Toyota. And later, NASCAR’s David Stremme will join us during the INSIDE ARCA SHORT TRACK REPORT to talk about his appearance this weekend for a CRA Super Series late model race at historic Toledo Speedway.

Listen live starting at 5pm EDT right here at OnPitRow.com!

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