ARCA | DTM | FORMULA 1 | IMSA | INDYCAR | NASCAR | WEC | WRC

February 5, 2014 | $3.99

Action Express Claims Landmark Daytona Win

By René de Boer

Racing is Drama ™ See page 5 for Details — get it each week! exPerience the world oF AmAteur motorsPorts At

March 7–9, 2014 | charlotte convention center charlotte,

FeAtured sPeAKers: Pirelli world chAllenge chAmPion

AndY Pilgrim Pirelli world chAllenge chAmPion

25+ exPert-led rAcing seminArs 1,000+ AmAzing Products And services 100+ must-see exhibits + road racing + solo/Autocross + Pdx + hill climb + time trials + rally + rallycross register today at www.msxexpo.com IN ASSOCIATION WITH

held in conjunction with sccA’s nAtionAl convention! Volume 2 | Issue 2 STARTING February 5, 2014 Motorsport GRID Illustrated News

FEATURES inside SCHEDULES 4 RESULTS 5 SNAP SHOTS 6 HOT LAPS 12 on the cover Eventual overall and Prototype winner, the #5 16 NASCAR 18 ACTION 24 INDYCAR , Corvette DP of Joao Barbosa, Christian HALL OF EXPRESS DRIVERS Fittipaldi and Sebastien Bourdais during the Rolex 24 FAME CLAIMS SHOW THEIR at Daytona International Speedway, January 25-26, LANDMARK TALENT AT 2014. Photo by Richard Dole / LAT Photo USA DAYTONA WIN ROLEX 24 this page Crew members run to the #49 , 458 Italia, 30 34 GTD of Piergiuseppe Perazzini, Gialuca Roda, UGLY NOISE BIG CHANGES Paolo Ruberti and David Rigon as it runs out of JEREZ F1 WINTER FOR fuel just short of a pit stop during the Rolex 24, TESTING 2014 NASCAR Daytona International Speedway. Photo by Paul Webb / LAT Photo USA

FEBRUARY 5, 2014 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | 3 schedule February - April, 2014 Weekly Auto Racing Magazine Sales & Marketing Manager: Formula 1 Pro Championship Southern Whelen Modified Bruce Burns | [email protected] March 16...... Australia March 29...... St Pete #1 February 18...... Daytona P: 828-280-7118 March 30...... Malaysia March 30...... St.Pete #2 March 9...... Caraway April 6...... Bahrain April 26...... Barber #1 March 15...... Southern National Advertising Sales: April 20...... China April 27...... Barber #2 March 29...... Caraway Dan Reagen | [email protected] April 27...... Korea April 5...... South P: 317-501-6991 USF2000 April 12...... Langley IndyCar March 29...... St Pete #1 April 19...... Caraway Feature Writers: March 30...... St.Petersburg March 30...... St.Pete #2 Stewart Bell Matthew Clayton April 13...... Long Beach April 26...... Barber #1 K&N Pro Series East April 27...... Barber April 27...... Barber #2 February 16...... New Smyrna Pat Cocciadiferro Russell Colvin February 18...... Daytona John Dagys John Davison United SportsCar Championship World Endurance Championship March 15...... Bristol René de Boer Tony DiZinno March 15...... Sebring April 20...... England March 22...... Greenville-Pickens April 13...... Long Beach April 25...... Richmond Chris Estrada Becca Gladden Other Martin Holmes John Jeppesen Sprint Cup February 7-9 ...... Bathurst 12 Hours K&N Pro West Kyle Lavigne Bruce Martin February 15...... Sprint Unlimited March 7-9...... North American February 27...... Phoenix Bruce Moxon Cyril Nikitenko February 20...... Duels Motorsports Expo, Charlotte, NC March 22...... Irwindale February 23...... April 24-27 ...... Mitty, Jeff Olson Dimitris Papadopoulos March 2...... Phoenix Whelen Modified Tim Packman Jeremy Scott March 9...... Las Vegas Austrailian V8 Supercars February 18...... Daytona Hunter Thomas Amanda Vincent March 16...... Bristol March 1-2...... Adelaide April 6...... Thompson March 23...... Auto Club March 15-16...... Melbourne April 27...... Stafford Bill Whitehead Joseph Wolkin March 30...... Martinsville March 29-30...... Tasmania To learn more about our Feature Writers, April 6...... April 5-6...... Winton Whelen Euro Series check out their bios on our website, April 12...... Darlington April 26-27...... Auckland April 12...... April 26...... Richmond April 13...... Circuit Ricardo Tormo F2000 Championship Series motorsportin.com Nationwide April 11-13...... Road Atlanta Assistant Editor: February 22...... Daytona Amanda Vincent | [email protected] March 1...... Phoenix F1600 Formula F Series Snap Shots Video Editor: March 8...... Las Vegas April 11-13...... Road Atlanta Jim Donohoo | [email protected] March 15...... Bristol Photography: March 22...... Auto Club Pirelli World Challenge Photography by LAT Photographic, unless April 4...... Texas March 28-30...... St. Petersburg noted otherwise. April 11...... Darlington April 11-13...... Long Beach April 25...... Richmond April 25-27...... Barber Graphics Designer: Imagewerks Productions: Camping World Intercontental Trophy Cup [email protected] February 21...... Daytona March 21-23...... New Orleans Website Designer: March 29...... Martinsville April 11-13...... Homestead Boomer Sassman: [email protected] ARCA Formula 3 General and Subscription Information: February 15...... Daytona April 19-20...... Silverstone [email protected] March 22...... Mobile Publisher, Editor-in-Chief: April 27...... Salem WTCC Rick Bradham | [email protected] April 6...... Marrakech World Rally Championship April 20...... Le Castellet Motorsport Illustrated News, February 5-8...... Sweeden PO Box 5005, Asheville, NC 28813. All rights reserved. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. March 6-9 ...... Mexico Rally America While all reasonable efforts to verify dates and facts have April 3-6...... Portugal February 21-22...... Salem, MO been taken, publisher accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies herein. GP2 Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Copyright © 2014 Motorsport Illustrated News. April 4-6 ...... Bahrain March 13-14...... Sebring Motorsport Illustrated News (ISSN 2330-9032) is published weekly from February – November and one time each in January and Indy Lights Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge December, by Motorsport Illustrated News at 2270 Hendersonville March 30...... St. Petersburg March 13-14...... Sebring Rd. Suite 6, Arden, NC 28704-2734. Application to Mail at The #90 Chevrolet, Corvette DP Periodicals prices is pending at Asheville, NC and Charlotte, NC. April 13...... Long Beach POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Motorsport Illustrated April 26...... Barber #1 Stadium Super Trucks of , Michael News, PO Box 5005, Asheville, NC 28813-5005. April 27...... Barber #2 March 7...... Las Vegas Valiante and is followed by other cars before ISSN 2330-9032 (Print) ISSN 2330-9059 (Online) March 29-30...... St. Petersburg a restart during the Rolex 24

4 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | FEBRUARY 5, 2014 Free Toll Anywhere! Illustrated News Read Motorsports WEEKLY PrintSu bscription (accessible with computers, mosttabletsandsmartphones) Yearly -45Issues DIGIT (Canada $24.80,othercountries $40.80) 8 Issues- (Canada $61.99,othercountries$101.99) 20 Issues- (Canada $113.99 othercountries$194.99.) That’s halfoff ofthenewsstandprice Yearly -45Issues$89.99 Mailed firstclassforquickdelivery! include theonline/digital Rolex 24at Daytona International Speedway, Tudor United 25-26, 2014 SportsCar Championship•January All printsubscriptions POS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

866-547-2413 RESULTS subscription forFREE. AL ONLY Subscrip tion PIC 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 6 1 2 7 3 3 4 8 5 4 1 2 3 4 5 $20.00 $49.99 Class P P P P P GTLM GTLM P PC PC P GTLM PC GTLM P GTLM PC GTD GTD GTD GTD GTD Drivers Barbosa/Fittipaldi/Bourdais/Frisselle Taylor/Angelelli/Taylor/Taylor Frisselle/Frisselle/Martin/Giroix Westbrook/Valiante/Rockenfeller Graf/Luhr/Brundle Tandy/Lietz/Pilet Auberlen/Priaulx/Hand/Martin Pla/Rusinov/Yacaman/Webb Bennett/Gue/Braun/Wilkins Potolicchio/Kimber-Smith/Marsal Brown/van Overbeek/Pagenaud/Lazza Farnbacher/Goossens/Hunter-Reay Ostella/Matos/Drissi/Casagrande/Cam Müller/Edwards/Rahal/Werner Dixon/Kanaan/Franchitti/Larson Gavin/Milner/Liddell Montecalvo/Jeannette/Cheng/Guasch Tucker/Sweedler/Bell/Segal/Pier Guidi Canache Jr./Pumpelly/Pappas/Winkelh Snow/Heylen/Seefried Rotenberg/Zlobin/Mediani/Salo/Aleshin Neiman/von Moltke/Latif/Albuquerque $19.99 50% OFF Tablet 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 6 5 7 8 6 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 9 16 7 17 18 19 10 6 11 8 20 ❏ 8Issues:$20.00 ❏ 20Issues:$49.99 Email:_ Country:______❏ OneYear usa: State:______City:______Address:______Name:______PO Box5005, Asheville, NC28813 Motorsport IllustratedNews, Call 866-547-2413 ❏ OneYear INTERNA ❏ 20Issues:$101.99

ARCA | DTM | FORMULA 1 | IMSA | INDYCAR | NASCAR | WEC

action ExpREss Claims Landmark GTD

Daytona Win PC GTD GTD GTLM GTD GTD GTD GTD GTD GTD GTD P GTD GTLM GTD GTD GTD P PC P GTLM GTD

See page 5 for Details ______Tucker/LaMarra/Borcheller/Cosmo/Val Schultis/Lux/van der Zande/Bird Cameron/Dalla Lana/Farfus/Palttala MacNeil/Keen/van Gisbergen/Lewis Bell/Bomarito/Wittmer Cisneros/Giermaziak/Nielsen/Thiim Longo/Serra/Negrao/Gomes Balzan/Westphal/Vilander/Case Potter/Lally/Henzler/Dumolin Lindsey/Estre/De Phillippi/Hart/Vess Randall/Farano/Wilden/Empringham James/Farnbacher/Holzer/Riberas DeFoor/Pace/Beck/Hinton Miller/Rast/Haase/Bell Krohn/Jonsson/Bertolini/Dumbreck Griffin/Cioci/Rugolo/Gerber Perazzini/Roda/Ruberti/Rigon Keating/Bleekemolen/Bleekemolen/Col Curran/Said/Smith/Papis Popow/Fuentes/Tutumlu/Marcelli/Kaffer Pruett/Rojas/McMurray/Karam Mucke/Turner/Lamy/Stanaway/Dalla Doyle/Gewirtz/Kvamme/Michaelian/Pobst subscription atmotorsportin.com TIONAL:

By René de Boer (45 issues) race at Phoenix International Raceway,race atPhoenix International November 8,2013 Erik Jonescelebrates winningtheNASCARCamping World Series

Racing is DRama (45 issues):

— get it each week!

February 5, 2014 | $3.99 Order aprintordigital

| WRC

™ OR mailcheckto: : $89.99 $194.99

❏ 8Issues:$40.80

See page 5 for Details for 5 page See

Zip Code:

Daytona Win Daytona

WEC WEC | NASCAR | INDYCAR | IMSA | 1 FORMULA | DTM | ARCA

Claims Landmark Landmark Claims

ss ss RE Exp ction a FEBRUARY 5,2014 |MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | ❏ 8Issues:$24.80 ❏ 20Issues:$61.99 CANADA ❏ OneYear 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 US Dollars All prices 21 12 22 23 24 25 26 27 9 7 13 14 8 15 ______10 16 17 9 28 18 11 29 : GTD P GTD GTD GTD GTD GTD GTD GTLM PC P P PC P GTLM P P PC GTD P GTLM GTD

(45 issues)

By René de Boer de René By

ama R D is Racing

— get it each week! each it get —

$3.99 | 2014 5, February Engelhart/Ineichen/Bachler/Willsey Pew/Negri/Allmendinger/Wilson Block/Carter/Davis/Davison Norman/Stanton/Siedler/Bernhard Foster/Dempsey/Davis/Lieb Faulkner/Huisman/Faieta Lockie/McIntosh II/Nimkoff/Riddle/Adam Amos/Bamber/Blum/Imperatori/Zitza Long/Christensen/Bergmeister Rayhall/Kovacic/Bielefield/Kearby/Kas Miller/Nunez/Vautier Tremblay/Long/Hinchcliffe Cumming/Tagliani/Mitchell/Daly Sharp/Dalziel/ Magnussen/Garcia/Briscoe Meyrick/Legge/Rossi/Chaves Mayer/Popow/Hartley Ende/Junqueira/Heinemeier Hansson Welch/Sofronas/Stippler/Basseng Gurney/Fogarty/Gidley/Law Malucelli/Fisichella/Bruni/Beretta Putman/Espenlaub/Jarvis/Walker Digital only

: $109.99

™

WRC

$19.99 | See page 5 for Details for 5 page See

❏

Daytona Win Daytona

Claims Landmark Landmark Claims

ss ss RE Exp ction a

WEC WEC | NASCAR | INDYCAR | IMSA | 1 FORMULA | DTM | ARCA Computer

Phone

See page 5 for Details for 5 page See

Daytona Win Daytona

Claims Landmark Landmark Claims

ss ss RE Exp ction a

WEC WEC | NASCAR | INDYCAR | IMSA | 1 FORMULA | DTM | ARCA

way.org/mobileapp

Print www.blueridgepark

Android and iPhone iPhone and Android

free mobile app for for app mobile free

Learn more at at more Learn

BRPA launched its its launched BRPA

On Oct. 2, 2012 2012 2, Oct. On

devices.

By René de Boer de René By

ama R D is Racing

— get it each week! each it get —

By René de Boer de René By

ama R D is Racing

— get it each week! each it get —

$3.99 | 2014 5, February

$3.99 | 2014 5, February

5

™

™

WRC |

WRC | snap shots

The #54 Chevrolet, ORECA FLM09 of Jon Bennett, James Gue, and Mark Wilkins won in the Prototype Challenge (PC) class in the Rolex 24, Daytona International Speedway, January 25-26, 2014.

Photo by: F. Peirce Williams LAT Photo USA

Check out this week’s SNAP SHOTS video on motorsportin.com snap shots

Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso STR9 Renault exits his car after the engine expired during 2014 Formula 1 preseason testing on day 3 at Circuito de Jerez, Jerez, Spain, January 30, 2014.

Photo by: Alastair Staley LAT Photographic

Check out this week’s SNAP SHOTS video on motorsportin.com snap shots

A new era of is ready to begin with a group shot of 64 cars prepared for the Rolex 24. The first race of the TUDOR Untied SportsCar Championship began at Daytona International Speedway, January 25-26, 2014.

Photo by Richard Dole LAT Photo USA

Check out this week’s SNAP SHOTS video on motorsportin.com Amanda Vincent Assistant Editor @NASCARexaminer Motorsport Illustrated News

McClure gets Front Row Tveter joins Josef Kaufmann Racing Josef Kaufmann Racing has signed Ryan Tveter to compete in the seat for Daytona 500 Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup and the Formula Renault NASCAR Nationwide Series regular Eric 2.0 Eurocup in 2014. Tveter was a rookie in Formula Renault 2.0 Northern McClure plans to make his first Daytona European Cup last year. 500 in this year’s edition of the Sprint “I’m excited to be joining such a well-respected team as Josef Kaufmann Cup Series season opener, scheduled for Racing,” Tveter said. Kaufmann’s intensity, passion and focus is incredible. Feb. 23 at Daytona (Fla.) International JKR is a hardcore, experienced team with an amazing track record, as well as Speedway. He got a ride from Sprint Cup a significant number of drivers in F1. I’m really proud to have earned a seat team in the form at JKR and am very excited to contest two championships with them in 2014. of the No. 35 Ford entry. It’s going to be a very busy and exciting year.” “This is an exciting time for me and, Tveter had two top-five finishes in Northern European cup last year. certainly, our sponsoring brands, as After the season, he tested with the JKR team. Eric McClure well,” McClure said. “In our sport, and “We were really impressed with Ryan’s great progress over the season for my family, there is nothing greater and the speed, professional attitude and work ethic that he showed us in than the Daytona 500, and this opportunity will enhance testing,” team manager Lars Kaufmann said. “We look for drivers who have our program in a unique way. Front Row and I have a history not just the talent to go all the way, but those who also demonstrate the together. They have always represented their partners and discipline, independence and intellectual ability required to get there. We ours in a professional manner. They are very strong on the have high expectations for Ryan as a member of the JKR team.” superspeedways, and I enjoy this type of racing more than any other. Racing in the Daytona 500 has always been a dream of mine, and I look forward to getting to Daytona, working with the team, and trying to achieve this goal. Copeland gets feature win The deal with Front Row is a one-race deal for the Colby Copeland dominated the Thursday feature of the 2014 Winter Daytona 500 only. If McClure makes the race, he’ll be a team- Challenge USAC Southwest/West Coast special event for sprint cars at mate to Front Row Motorsports’ full-time drivers Canyon in Peoria, Ariz. He led the entire 30-lap distance for and , who finished first and second at NASCAR’s the feature win. Charles Davis Jr. finished second, and Richard Vander Weerd other restrictor plate track, Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, was third. in May of last year. Front Row Motorsports has notched six Copeland also won the first eight-lap heat race, followed by Casey top-10 finishes over the course of the last eight restrictor plate Shuman and Aaron Reutzel in second and third. Davis won the second heat, races at Daytona and Talladega in the last two years. as Vander Weerd took second and Mitch Mack third. McClure, who is an 11-year veteran of the Nationwide Jace Vander Weerd was the winner in the second heat, with Nic Faas Series, has a total of three-career starts at the Sprint Cup and Seve Sussex in second and third. Mike Martin won the 10-lap semi, as level. Jimmy Crawford took second and Josh Pelkey third.

Considering selling your Get what your car is unique or collectable car? really worth by reaching Not sure where to start? JUST SELL MY CAR has created a better the right buyers who way to sell a privately owned automobile. appreciate a fine We’ll not only save you time, but we will put more money in your pocket and save you automobile. the hassle of selling it yourself.

Email: [email protected]

12 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | FEBRUARY 5, 2014 IMSA announces Ultra 94 NMPA inducts Andretti, GT3 Cup Challenge Evernham and Waid Canada schedule into Hall of Fame The International Motor Sports Association has unveiled the , and Steve 2014 schedule for the Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada Waid were recently inducted into the National by Michelin. The series will compete in 10 rounds at four venues. Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Hall of At two of the venues, the series will run companion events to the Fame in Darlington, S.C. Andretti was on 80 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and the NASCAR Camping World percent of ballots cast, Evernham on 75 percent Truck Series. The third event of the season will have the series and Waid 67 percent. running alongside the IndyCar Series in Toronto. Andretti is the only driver to win the The 2014 season will begin at Canadian Tire Motorsport 500, the Daytona 500 and the Park on May 17 and 18. The next event will be June 21 and 22 at world championship. He claimed Calabogie Motorsports Park in Calabogie, Ontario. The IndyCar four IndyCar championships (1965, 1966, 1969 Mario Andretti companion event will be July 19 and 20 in Toronto, and the season and 1984) and won the in 1969. will conclude Aug. 9 and 10 in Quebec. He also won an F1 championship in 1978 and “IMSA is quite proud of what we have already accomplished is a 12-time race winner at that level. Andretti made 14 race starts at with our Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin NASCAR’s top level, winning the 1967 Daytona 500. series partners, and we look forward to an exciting season of Evernham is a three-time NASCAR Cup level championship crew racing in 2014,” Steven Sewell of the IMSA Development and chief and was a part of 47 race wins while working as crew chief for Jeff Single-Make Series said. “We’ve managed to fine-tune our Gordon on the No. 24 team. He then assumed the signature Canadian motorsports events and further diversify our position of team owner, helping return to NASCAR’s top level in venue portfolio with the addition of high-profile events, such as 2001. the Indy Toronto at Exhibition Place and Canadian Tire Motorsport Waid has covered NASCAR as a journalist for over four decades. Park as part of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series weekend. During his career, he has won the George Cunningham Writer of the Year Altogether, it’s a fitting championship calendar backdrop for the award and the Hendry T. McLemore Award for distinguished service in introduction of the all-new 2014 Porsche GT3 Cup race car.” the field of motorsports journalism.

For 29 Years Kazazina ensures sponsors are in the spotlight

Liza Kazazina

For the past 29 years, Liza Kazazina from Ormond Beach, FL has been in the garage at the Rolex 24 at Daytona Inter- national Speedway. Her work, which is seen by everyone, is to sew sponsor patches on driver's uniforms. Using a special sewing machine along with nomex thread, Liza works tirelessly through the weekend so that the logos of the various sponsors are seen.

FEBRUARY 5, 2014 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | 13 Qualifying issues plague Alberico Luyendyk Jr. returns

Team USA Scholarship driver Neil Alberico had problems qualifying at Hampton Downs Jr. plans to compete Motorsport Park in Waikato, New Zealand, for the TORC national resulting in race finishes of 13th, 14th and championship in 2014. 17th. He was sent to the back in race three He’ll be racing the No. when officials decided he was at fault for an 25 PRO-2 truck of Aero incident with fellow American Ryan Tveter. Motorsports. “Everyone was side-by-side for the first “I can’t express two laps after every restart, but I was able to how excited I am to make a few moves around the outside to make climb back into a truck up some ground,” Alberico said. “Once the field and compete in my Arie Luyendyk Jr. Photo Credit TORC Neil Alberico. Photo gets going, it’s really tough to pass without first full season of Credit Team USA taking massive risk. I feel our race pace is very TORC,” Luyendyk said. “This year will be exciting because it’s strong; we just need to be able to qualify up my first taste of the 900+ horsepower PRO-2 truck. I’m definite- front.” ly up for the challenge.” Alberico first suffered a problem with the front mono-shock and Luyendyk finished out 2013 with fourth and sixth-place then by locking his brakes. The braking issue continued to plague him in TORC finishes after making the switch from road racing to qualifying, resulting in the 18th spot on the grid for race one Saturday off-road racing. He previously raced for four seasons in Indy and 20th for the Sunday afternoon feature race. Lights and sports car racing. In addition, he made one start in “This past weekend has been rough,” Alberico said. “TRS has also the Indianapolis 500. been a pretty major learning experience thus far. We have had our “We are thrilled to have Arie race the full season of TORC fair share of ups and downs these past several weeks. We just have to in 2014,” TORC President B.J. Birtwell said. “His visibility and gather ourselves up as a team and move on to the next round at the presence, both on and off the track, add an exciting dimension .” to the series. I know he’s hungry for a national championship in Jann Mardenborough, Steijn Schothorst and Martin Rump were the PRO-2 class, and we wish him all the best as he goes head race winners. Andrew Tank is the points leader by a seven-point margin to head against the best short-track course, off-road racers in over Mardenborough. the country.”

14 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | FEBRUARY 5, 2014 Sponsor costs Johnson NMPA’s Burton Truck Driver of the Year The National Motorsports Press Association voted six-time NASCAR Series ride Sprint Cup Series champion as its Driver of the Year for As a result of the 2013 race season. Johnson edged out for the honor. sponsor Arrowhead Johnson received 50 percent of the votes, while Kenseth took 48 percent. defaulting on its The other two percent went to . payments to Turner “I’ve worked so hard and long to get to this point,” Johnson said. “I’m Scott Motorsports, finally on top of my game. I’ve worked a lifetime to get here. There’s more Jimmie Johnson , formerly motivation on top for those reasons than chasing stats and the historical the driver of TSM’s things that are out there in front of me now. It’s really something that comes from within.” No. 4 Chevrolet in the Johnson claimed six wins in 2013 en route to his sixth Sprint Cup, upping his career tally to Camping World Truck 66 victories, second only to Hendrick Motorsports teammate among active drivers. Series, lost his ride with Johnson has been named Driver of the Year by the NMPA six times, more than any other Jeb Burton the team. Also, up to driver. Prior to his most recent award, Johnson was tied with the late for most 20 percent of Turner Scott’s personnel will NMPA Driver of the Year honors. lose their jobs. “Obviously, these are tough circumstances for everyone involved, not just for me, but also Dixon, Castroneves, Karam for my teammates who are affected,” Burton said. “I am working with Turner Scott Motor- named All- sports to identify any potential opportunities IndyCar Series drivers and Helio Castroneves and 2013 for me to get on the track this year.” Indy Lights champion were selected for the 2013 American According to a team announcement, Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association All-American team. layoffs will occur as soon as possible to give Ryan Hunter-Rey and were named to the second team. Scott Dixon affected employees “maximum opportunity to Dixon claimed his third IndyCar Series championship last year, while seek employment with other teams.” The 2014 Castroneves finished second. They were the top-two vote-getters in the open wheel division. Truck Series race season kicks off Feb. 21 at Karam was one of the top vote-getters in the At Large category. Carlos Munoz was voted as Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. the Rising Star for his success in Indy Lights and a second-place finish in the Indianapolis 500. In one full-time season in the Camping World Truck Series, Burton posted a win, five top-fives and 12 top-10 finishes in 22 races last year, driving the No. 4. He finished out the year Identity Ventures Darland gets Friday fifth in the championship points standings. Racing forms feature win at Canyon “The breakout success of Jeb Burton and the entire No. 4 team in 2013 makes these NASCAR team Speedway Park decisions especially painful,” Turner Scott owners Jay Robinson Motorsports co-owner Harry Scott Jr. said. Dave Darland dominated the 30-lap and feature on Friday in the 2014 Winter Challenge “However, we will do everything we can to put of NEMCO-JRR have Jeb on the race track with our organization USAC Southwest/West Coast event at Canyon joined five business- Speedway Park in Peoria, Ariz., leading the first going forward. He is a great talent and has a men in the formation great career ahead of him.” 10 laps and then getting back up front on lap of Identity Ventures 18 to lead the remainder of the distance on his TSM still plans to field the No. 31 truck, to Racing to compete in be driven by Ben Kennedy, full-time in 2014, way to the win. Josh Hodges, who was the only the NASCAR Sprint other lap leader in the feature race finished in addition to a part-time entry. The race Cup Series. team will also field two full-time entries in the Joe Nemechek second. Nic Faas was third. “I am very Colby Copeland won the first eight-lap Nationwide Series. confident about the future of our race “Despite this setback, Turner Scott heat race, while Hodges took second and team,” Robinson said. “We have a very Casey Shuman third. Jimmy Crawford won the Motorsports remains strong, overall, and accomplished group of partners with vast will compete for championships in both the second heat, as Tye Mihocko and Kenny Perkins experience in business and marketing, finished second and third. Darland was the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR which will bring new opportunities to our Camping World Truck Series,” Scott said. “We winner in the third heat, with Michal Woodruff sponsors and the race team.” finishing second and Aaron Reutzel third. are extremely proud of the talent of our work- Robinson will be the team’s managing force here at TSM, and it is very difficult for Jace Vander Weerd won the fourth heat partner. Nemechek will drive for race, as Faas and Michael Curtis took second us to lose anyone within our organization. We the team with Scott Eggleston as his crew understand the way that this affects the lives of and third. Andy Reinbold won the 10-lap semi, chief. Race Engines Plus will supply the followed by Shon Deskins in second and R.J. everyone involved, and we will do our best to engines. assist in placement elsewhere in the sport.” Johnson in third.

FEBRUARY 5, 2014 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | 15 NASCAR Hall of Famers (l-r) Leonard Wood, , , , , , , Bud Moore, Jack Ingram, , , and during the NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony at NASCAR Hall of Fame on January 29, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NASCAR Hall of Fame By Amanda Vincent n January 29, 2014 the NASCAR Hall peted as a driver, but only briefly, running in Photos by NASCAR Media of Fame inducted its 2014 class of five 26 races at NASCAR’s top level between 1960 O-- , Jack Ingram, Dale Jarrett, and 1964, but where he was really a force Maurice Petty and Glenn “Fireball” Roberts was under the hood, building engines for the Ingram claimed three-straight Late -- during a ceremony at the Hall of Fame in family-owned . Model Sportsman Division titles between Uptown Charlotte. His engines powered his brother Richard 1972 and 1974. Several years later, the Busch The three surviving members of the Petty to most of his Cup Series-leading 200- Series came along. Not only did he claim the class -- Ingram, Jarrett and Petty -- were in career wins (including seven in the Daytona first Busch Series championship in 1982, he attendance to accept the honor, while Flock 500) and seven Winston (now-Sprint) Cup also claimed a second one in 1985. Ingram was represented by widow Frances Flock and championships. And Richard Petty wasn’t may have won a third title and a second-con- Roberts by grandson Matt McDaniel. the only driver to win races with a Maurice secutive one in 1986, had it not been for a Petty became the fourth member of the Petty-built engine under his hood. Other two-race suspension for rough driving late in Petty family to be inducted into the NASCAR drivers Petty helped get to victory lane the season. Hall of Fame with his induction, joining included , , In all, Ingram competed in the Busch brother Richard, father Lee and cousin Dale and . Series for 10 years (1982-1991). During that Inman. Ingram became the first driver inducted time, he made 31 trips to victory lane, a “Who would have thought growing up into the NASCAR Hall of Fame for his accom- series best until claimed the that there would be guys, four of us, out of plishments in the Sportsman record for most career wins in the series a small, rural country community that would and Nationwide series. Ingram was the first in 1997 (a record that would eventually be be in the Hall of Fame,” Petty said. champion of the Busch (now-Nationwide) broken by ). After overcoming polio as a child and Series in 1982, but that was after he posted Twenty-nine of those 31 wins came on working alongside his brother on his father’s impressive stats in the Late Model Sportsman the circuit’s short tracks, prompting Ingram crew, Petty went on to become one of the Division, the series that would eventually to declare himself the “best short-track racer, top engine builders in NASCAR. Petty com- become the Busch-turned-Nationwide Series. ever.” For his accomplishments, NASCAR

16 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | FEBRUARY 5, 2014 declared Ingram one of its 50 Greatest 207 top-level starts in a 15-year span, dating Roberts was among those named to Drivers during the sanctioning body’s 50th from 1950 until his death in 1964, the result NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers list in 1998. He anniversary in 1998. of a crash in the World 600 at Charlotte is a member of both the International Motor- “This is a major lifetime achievement for Motor Speedway. Those 207 races produced sports Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall me,” Ingram said. “While I’ve won driving the 33 wins, including seven at Daytona (Fla.) of Fame of America. car, I had plenty of help and support along International Speedway. He was the Daytona “We are proud that our grandfather, the way; otherwise I wouldn’t be here.” 500 winner in 1962 and claimed victory who sacrificed his life to racing, is being With his induction, Jarrett joined his in the at Darlington (S.C.) honored by NASCAR, the organization that father, Ned Jarrett, in the NASCAR Hall of Raceway in 1958 and 1963. In 1958, Roberts set the scene for a life well lived,” Roberts’ Fame. The father/son duo are one of only only competed in 10 of 51 races, but his six grandson Matt McDaniel said. “There is two father/son pairings with both genera- wins in those 51 races resulted in an 11th- no doubt that our grandfather would have tions earning championships at NASCAR’s top shared this special night with everyone who level, joining Lee and Richard Petty. influenced and had an impact on him during “I may have the most unique perspec- his career, including his family, friends, tive,” Jarrett said, comparing his life to other colleagues and fans.” Hall of Famers, pointing out that he had Flock was a two-time champion in the opportunity to race against or watch, in NASCAR’s top division in the early days of person, his father race against most of his the sport. As a matter-of-fact, he was around fellow NASCAR Hall of Fame members. at the beginning, competing in five of the Dale Jarrett claimed his Winston (now- eight races in NASCAR’s first season (1949). Sprint) Cup title in 1999, topping off a season In all, he claimed 39 wins in 187-race starts, that saw him claim 29 top-10 finishes in the with the first of those wins coming in 1950. 34-race season. He finished out that year on He claimed his first championship two years a streak of eight-straight of those 29 top-10s. later, posting eight wins in 33 races in 1952. Jarrett’s 1999 tally also included four trips to Flock was dominant in his second champion- victory lane. ship run, winning 18 of the 39 races in which Jarrett was a star athlete in high school NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett (left), he competed in 1955. Those 18 victories before going into the family business of mother Martha Jarrett, and NASCAR stood as a single-season record until Hall of racing. He turned down a college golf Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett Famer Richard Petty posted 27 victories in scholarship, instead opting to follow his dad 1967. Also in 1955, Flock earned the distinc- to NASCAR. Between the years of 1984 and tion as the only winner of a NASCAR sports 2008, Jarrett competed in 668 starts at the car race, winning the only one ever held. Cup level, running three races in 1984 and Flock truly came from a racing family. In one more in 1986 before becoming a fixture 1949, he, along with brothers Bob and Fonty in the series in 1987. Upon reaching the Flock and sister Ethel Flock, became the only Cup Series full-time, Jarrett drove for teams four siblings to compete in the same NASCAR including and Robert Yates race. His pet monkey, Jocko Flocko, even Racing. During that time, he posted 32 wins, got in on the action, serving as a co-pilot for including three Daytona 500 victories and eight races during the 1953 season. two wins in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Flock, who ran his final race at NASCAR’s Motor Speedway. top level in 1961, was also named one of Just as he followed father Ned to NASCAR’s 50 Greatest drivers in 1998. He NASCAR, Jarrett also followed him into died that same year, fewer than two months the broadcast booth and now works as a before what would have been his 74th commentator for ABC and ESPN. birthday. Roberts’ nickname of “Fireball” didn’t “I bet my darling and all the passed come from his prowess behind the wheel of drivers are having one huge race up in a race car, instead he garnered that nick- heaven tonight,” Flock’s window, Frances name during his baseball-playing days in an Flock, said. “My darling passed away 16 years American Legion league. Even so, he is most ago. He would be so proud and humbled to Hall of Famers Richard Petty (left) known for his accomplishments as a race car receive this honor tonight and is still remem- and Maurice Petty driver. Roberts was never crowned champion bered for his racing career.” at NASCAR’s top level, but a case could be place points finish that year. The nominees for 2015 induction into made for Roberts being the best driver never Roberts also impacted NASCAR after his the NASCAR Hall of Fame will be chosen Feb. to win a championship. death. It was Roberts’ death that prompted 21, 2014, with inductees determined from Of course, Roberts never winning a NASCAR to mandate flame-retardant those individuals later this year for official championship at NASCAR’s top level could coveralls and the five-point safety harness induction in early 2015. have a lot to do with the fact that he never and a special contoured driver’s seat, all still raced a full season. Roberts did claim in use today. Follow Amanda Vincent on runner-up honors in 1950, though. He made Twitter at @NASCARexaminer

FEBRUARY 5, 2014 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | 17 João Barbosa, and Sébastien Bourdais drove their Action Express Action Express Corvette DP to success in the 52nd running of the ‘Rolex 24’ at Daytona. As usual, the Claims Landmark battles for victory went right down to the wire in nearly all the classes, but a controversial call and Daytona Win a severe accident cast a shadow over the first-ever round of the Tudor United SportsCar Championship.

he traditional start of the racing season, the annual Rolex 24 at Daytona Tis always awaited with plenty of antic- ipation. This year, expectations were even higher as the event marked the long-awaited start of the Tudor United SportsCar Cham- pionship. Although no official crowd figure was given, everybody present at Daytona agreed that there were significantly more visitors than in previous years, which was a good sign. Of course, there were still plenty of discussions about balance of performance rulings and other issues, but that was always to be expected, especially given the particu- larly late date on which the final regulations for the prototype category were published. Even during race week, officials of IMSA, the class’s governing body, gave out various bulletins with mandatory changes to balance the performance of the different machines. Nevertheless, DP machinery turned out to be the benchmark in qualifying at Daytona, with DP cars locking out the first five rows on the starting grid. #5 Chevrolet, Corvette DP of Joao Barbosa, Christian Action Express Fittipaldi and Sebastien Bourdais, Claims Landmark overall winner

By René de Boer Daytona Win Photos by LAT Photographic

FEBRUARY 5, 2014 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | 19 Fastest qualifier was Alex Gurney, who put the No. 99 Gainsco-Bob Stallings Racing Corvette DP he raced with , and on pole posi- tion, ahead of Richard Westbrook in the No. 90 Spirit of Daytona Corvette DP he shared with and Mike Rockenfeller. In the race, however, hopes of success for the Bob Stallings team were blown at the end of the third hour when Memo Gidley, probably blinded by the setting sun, ran into the back of the Nr. 62 Risi Ferrari that Matteo Malucelli was driving at reduced speed due #10 Chevrolet, Corvette DP of , , and Jordan Taylor finished second to a technical problem. The collision was massive and the race was red-flagged for emerged as the main contenders for victory two front runners and the two alternated in almost one hour. Gidley and Malucelli were in the race. ’s other car, the No. the lead for most of the second half of the both taken to the nearby Halifax Health 01 driven by , , Jamie race. A full-course yellow with 20 minutes Center, from which Malucelli was released McMurray and Sage Karam, also took turns remaining left it for Joao Barbosa in the one day later. Gidley, however, suffered from in the lead in the first half of the race, but Action Express DP and Max Angelelli in the arm, leg and back fractures and underwent lost time due to a pit stop problem (Pruett Wayne Taylor car to battle it out for victory surgery three times during the week after drove off while the stop wasn’t completed in a close call that has become typical for the race. and a mechanic was hit by the rear wing of Daytona’s endurance race. Barbosa managed With the pole-winning team out of con- the car) and an hour-long repair during the to maintain his lead and took the checkered tention, the No. 5 Action Express Corvette night. The team eventually retired due to flag to secure the second Daytona victory DP with Joao Barbosa, Christian Fittipaldi technical issues in the final two hours. In the for the Action Express team after 2010. and Sébastien Bourdais (Burt Friselle was final hour of the race, the other Ganassi car For Barbosa and Fittipaldi, it was also their also entered, but didn’t race), the No. 10 was sidelined as well as the floor of the car second win while Sébastian Bourdais claimed Wayne Taylor Corvette DP with father Wayne separated from the chassis. his first victory in the race. Barbosa was Taylor, sons Jordan and Ricky Taylor and That left the fastest Action Express car relieved: “After that final yellow, I was just Max Angelelli, and the No. 02 Chip Ganassi and the entry as the able to build enough cushion. It wasn’t going Racing Riley-Ford DP with Scott Dixon, , and

#9 Chevrolet, Corvette DP of , Burt Frisselle, John Martin and finished third

20 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | FEBRUARY 5, 2014 to be easy but at least I had enough margin for maneuver. The team was just fantastic. I think the guys put in over 12,000 hours of work since the last race. This win is a great prize for them.” Wayne Taylor, for whom the race was his final com- petition as a driver, saw his team come second with the other Action Express car driven by Brian and Burt Friselle, John Martin and Fabien Giroix finished third. Behind the Spirit of Daytona-Corvette DP, which slightly lacked speed compared to the cars that ended up in the top three, the best-placed LMP2 car was Pickett Racing’s Oreca- with Klaus Graf, and Alex Brundle in fifth place overall.

CORE Autosport #54 Chevrolet, ORECA FLM09 of Jon Bennett, James Gue, wins PC class Colin Braun and Mark Wilkins won the PC class

PC class honors went to the CORE Autosport entry with Jon Bennett, James Gue, Colin Braun and Mark Wilkins after its main rival, the Starworks car with , Martin Fuentes, Isaac Tutumlu, and , was sidelined by a fire in the engine bay in the final quarter of the race. The 8Star Motorsports car with Enzo Potolicchio, Tom Kimber-Smith, Mike Marsal and former World Touring Car Champion Rob Huff also appeared to be a contender for victory, but eventually came second in class, one lap down on the winners, after Huff was turned around while overtaking another car in the closing stages of the race. Colin Braun, one of the drivers of the winning CORE car, commented: “We came here with a plan and stuck to it: being quickest in both practice sessions before qualifying, qualifying on pole, winning the race and I think we must have led the most #911 Porsche, 911 RSR of , laps, too.” and won the GTLM class

That left the No. 911 Porsche following the brand’s success at Le GT Le Mans: with Richard Lietz, Patrick Pilet and Mans last year. Unique: Porsche has Nick Tandy solemnly in the lead scored at least one class podium in Porsche on top where it remained until the checkered every single sports car race held at flag was out, Daytona since With factory- or factory-backed entries from Aston scoring Porsche’s the inaugural Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Porsche and SRT-Viper, 76th class win Porsche has scored running in the GT Le Mans class had a particularly strong entry. in history at 1962. The class Belgian driver had put the fastest of the at least one class Daytona. Patrick victory for two Vipers on pole in qualifying while podium in every Pilet brought Porsche also qualified the second Viper third in class, only separated the car home single sports car race was another by the best-placed Porsche in the hands of Nick Tandy. after the final success claimed fourth place in class with the No. 4 held at Daytona since stint, but had for CORE Corvette, while the sister car failed to make a qualifying a good run for the inaugural running Autosport, run in the hands of due to electronic his money as a next to its PC issues. In the early stages of the race, the Vipers contin- in 1962. charging Joey class win, as ued to shine, but then saw their chances of a good result Hand in the Jon Bennett’s blown by power steering problems for the No. 91 car works-BMW Z4 quickly closed up after team is also in charge of Porsche’s and front-end damage following a collision for the No. 93 the final yellow. Pilet kept his head North-American works program. “I entry. That promoted the two works- into first down and successfully defended his am very happy for our client Porsche. and second place where they ran for most of the night, first place to make it back-to-back They make a fantastic product and I until loss of oil pressure put an end to the run of the No. class wins for Porsche in 24-hour races am very proud to represent them. It’s 912 car early on Sunday morning.

FEBRUARY 5, 2014 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | 21 Overall Rolex 24 and Prototype champions from the #5 Chevrolet, Corvette DP, (l-r), Christian Fittipaldi, Sebastien Bourdais and Joao Barbosa celebrate on the podium. quite beyond words, the amount of work but the race director gave the Italian a 75 second that went into getting ready for this race, and GT Daytona: time penalty for ‘avoidable contact’ which made then this success,” Bennett said. the Ferrari drop to fourth and handed victory to For ’s BMW works team, Level5 Ferrari the Flying Lizard team of Winkelhock, Nelson second place in class with the Z4, driven by Canache, and Tim Pappas. , , and wins after all That caused plenty of uproar, not in the least on was more than many expect- various social media networks, because footage The decision in the GT Daytona class, with 29 ed before the race. Joey Hand was delighted: clearly revealed that there had been no contact entries the largest category in the race, was the “It is crazy how our plan worked out. We between the Ferrari and the Audi on the final most controversial one. The Level5 didn’t have the pace, but knew we would lap. As IMSA’s competition director, Scott Elkin, Italia, driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi, Townsend have a chance when we just kept it going and pointed out later, actual contact is not required Bell, Jeff Segal, Bill Sweedler and team owner spend as little time in the pits for a penalty to be given for such an infringement. Scott Tucker, led its class as possible. We maximized on Still, IMSA’s Supervisory Board decided to judge for a long time and always that and only were in the pits the situation as being a ‘racing incident’ and thus “It is bittersweet seemed to be in conten- for 14 minutes. I think that is overturn the race director’s decision and rescind tion for victory, but in the pretty brilliant.” The best-placed that we the penalty, which saw the Level5 team taking final minutes of the race SRT-Viper finished third in class the class win almost four hours after the race had weren’t part following the yellow, Pier with , Marc finished. “It is bittersweet that we weren’t part Guidi had to battle for Goossens and Ryan Hunt- of the podium of the podium ceremony and that it had to take the class win with Markus er-Reay. Gearbox issues with so long, but we are happy that justice was done,” ceremony and Winkelhock, who drove three hours to go prevented Level5’s Bill Sweedler said. “And now, we have the Flying Lizard Audi a better result than fifth in that it had to take to make sure we get those watches…” The Flying R8 LMS. After contact class for the only remaining so long, but we Lizard team was classified second on its competi- on the penultimate lap, works-Corvette, the new C7.R tion debut with Audi, the Snow Racing team with are happy that Winkelhock made an No. 4 with Oliver Gavin, Tommy , Jan Heylen and Marco Seefried in attempt to overtake Pier Milner and Robin Liddell. The justice was done” the Porsche 911 GT America was classified third in Guidi for the lead coming other Corvette, driven by Jan — Bill Sweedler class. That concluded a long two days of race and Magnussen, Antonio Garcia out of the kink in the post-race action at Daytona. And now on to and , retired with infield, but saw himself Sebring! engine failure during the evening, but the run out of asphalt and Follow René de Boer on new car’s speed looked promising. had to drive through the grass. After that, Pier Guidi was first across the finish line on the road, Twitter: @renedeboer

22 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | FEBRUARY 5, 2014

Considering all the talent from the IndyCar Series IndyCar Drivers that competed in the Rolex 24 at Daytona it was Show Their no surprise to see one of its great champions standing in victory lane after the long, grueling race around the clock at Daytona Talent International Speedway. or a good portion of the race, it ap- and Indianapolis 500 driver Christian Fitti- “Finishing second, I figured at some peared the IndyCar Series drivers that paldi and the talented team at Wayne Taylor point they would just take pity on me or Fwould be able to celebrate would be Racing. Once Ganassi was out of the race, it something and give me that watch (Rolex ’s Scott Dixon, a three- was an exciting fight to the finish between Daytona), but that didn’t happen,” Bour- time IndyCar champion and 2008 Indianap- these two machines. dais said. “It’s just a great feeling. Bob was olis 500 winner, and Tony Kanaan, the 2004 It was Joao Barbosa behind the wheel convincingly, absolutely dead sure that we IndyCar champion and defending Indy 500 of the winning car when the checkered flag were going to win it, and I was scared to champion and Marino Franchitti, brother waved while Bourdais watched from the death because we had the team dinner on of four-time IndyCar Series champion and timing stand, ecstatic that he had captured Wednesday night, and he shows up, and he’s three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario the Rolex 24. like, we’re going to win this thing, and I’m Franchitti, and NASCAR Sprint Cup rookie “It’s one of these big races that you just like, oh, my God, here he goes. Last time he Kyle Larson. want to put on your résumé,” said Bourdais, did that we probably didn’t make first hour. Sage Karam, the 2013 Indy Lights cham- who will drive for KV Racing in IndyCar “I was like, this is like bad, bad, pion, was also part of the overall Ganassi this season. “I’ve been chasing Le Mans bad, and he was right. The guys team in the No. 01 entry. many times to get a Rolex, and that were prepared. Everybody was In the first race with the Ford Eco-Boost didn’t work out, so I came here.” on top of things. Everybody knew engine, Dixon and Kanaan looked like Bourdais had finished second exactly what to do and how to do winner’s in the making. in this race before and when team it, and the execution was perfect. But with just a few hours left in the owner Bob Johnson made a Joe The car was reliable. The Chevy race, mechanical failure sidelined the No. 02 Namath-like “guarantee” that the team engine in the car -- What can I say? Ganassi entry. would win earlier the four-time Champ It’s a dream come true. I’ve been Prior to that, it was a thrilling duel Car World Series champion felt coming here a few times already and between Ganassi, the Action Express the pressure was on. never really had a shot, but Corvette that included four-time champion and current IndyCar driver Sebastien Bourdais and former CART

Sebastien Bourdais and the winning # 5 Chevrolet, Corvette DP

24 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | FEBRUARY 5, 2014 “It’s done today, and it was done fighting hard for it and it really feels good for the entire Team Chevy and everybody because we went and grabbed this one,” — Sebastien Bourdais

#56 BMW, Z4 GTE, GTLM car driven by , Dirk Muller, John Edwards and Dirk Werner

this year from the start of the weekend and “I have to admit that the way things Bourdais has won some pretty impres- pretty much even before that, the first test were going last year, I thought that we had sive endurance races in his career including sessions, through the Roar and all week we’ve a chance at the championship, although we the , the inaugural Brickyard been running at the front. In these moments, only started driving together on race 4. But Grand Prix, V8 Supercar races, and 31 Indy you’re like, hmm, when are things going to go it didn’t go our way, and this race definitely car races. bad, and it didn’t. We made it stick, and my went our way. Bourdais has been the runner-up teammates did a fantastic job. It’s a heck of a “I think preparation for this race didn’t three times in the 24 Hours Le Mans in his feeling, and I couldn’t be any happier. Thanks start until two, three months ago, it started hometown. to Action Express, Bob and Jim France because one year ago when we left this place, and we “It’s done today, and it was done fighting they made that possible.” knew exactly what were our strong points hard for it and it really feels good for the Fittipaldi, who competed in the 1995 and what were our failures or maybe like entire Team Chevy and everybody because Indianapolis 500 as a rookie for Newman Haas weak points and where we had to improve to we went and grabbed this one,” said Bourda- Racing, was part of the winning team back in make the whole organization a lot stronger. is, who will compete in IndyCar this year in 2004. Ten years later, he won it again. “I’m very happy for Action. I’m really the No. 11 entry for KV Racing. “I just hope it doesn’t take me another happy for Chevy. Joao did an okay job. No, “I’m elated that he’s going to come 10 years to win again,” Fittipaldi said. “It’s Joao drove like really, really perfectly the into the season after this victory and boost been awesome. Action, Joao, myself, Chevy, last couple of laps, Sebastien, also, Joao did his confidence, which has been building we had a great run last year, actually things very quick with us, and I guess the three of with his finish last year of top-10 finishes in Joao did when both of us were together in us, it worked pretty okay. We’ll see what can four of the final five races,” said KV Racing the car, and I think it made maybe the 9 car happen in Sebring, but I’m definitely looking Technology co-owner , the 1996 stronger and it made the 5 car a lot stronger. forward to the next race, also.” CART champion. “You don’t win 31 races also drove for them like they were a very “I started hearing some things under the special family, and I owe a lot to them. They gave me a lot of opportunities.” floor, and then in that last stint it got real bad, “And now like in sports cars and with something started to peel back, and then Action and Joao and Bob and obviously like the whole team, I feel very, very comfortable, the front end started to get really light, so we and hopefully they feel the same with me. “Why not? I think sports car racing in brought it in." — Scott Dixon this country is starting a new era right now, and we don’t know where this is going to lead like in the next couple of years. But I and four championships in a row if you don’t “And then more races, I don’t know. am happy to be running together with them, know how to win. He led that team and had Obviously they don’t need me on a two-and- extremely happy, and I’m putting all my the fastest lap and he was just phenomenal. a-half-hour event, and I can’t make Watkins effort into the program right now.” I’m really happy for him and look forward Glen, so that makes it pretty easy. I think While Bourdais and Fittipaldi were able to what lies in store for the IndyCar Series the IndyCar schedule from the end of March to celebrate their victory, Dixon was behind season.” to the end of August is not going to give me the wheel of the Ganassi car when mechan- More than a dozen IndyCar Series much room to do much else. Just going to ical failure dropped it out of the race, just a drivers competed in the 52nd annual Rolex try and do well at what I’ve already commit- few hours short of the finish. 24. (2013), Justin Wilson ted and hopefully grab a bunch of wins this “I started hearing some things under (2012) and Graham Rahal (2011) were the year.” the floor, and then in that last stint it got previous IndyCar Series drivers in that span Fittipaldi had stepped away from real bad,” said Dixon, the defending IndyCar to be part of the winning team and earn the racing to return to Brazil and start a family. Series champion. “Something started to peel signature watch. Now that he has returned to victory lane, back, and then the front end started to get Bourdais has hinted that he could could the former IndyCar driver consider a really light, so we brought it in. It was really compete in the because comeback? fun. Traffic was kind of crazy. Unfortunately it would fit in nicely with his schedule. “Well, let’s put it this way: I have a U.S. for us, even at speed we didn’t have what “Thankfully the IndyCar season only passport, so I’m American, also,” Fittipaldi the Corvettes had. We were doing the best starts after Sebring, so I could do pretty said. “I intend to be here a long time. I really that we could and Ford has done a hell of easily Daytona and get warmed up and do enjoy this place. I really love the country a a job bringing this new engine to the 24 the 12 hours, as well,” Bourdais said. “And lot. Not only in my sports car days but also hours.” then after the season do Petit. It worked back in my IndyCar days, Newman-Haas, Carl out really good. I had a great opportunity to Haas, Paul Newman, which my partner here drive with these guys, and I couldn’t be any happier right now. There are worse ways to start the season for sure.

#91 Viper V10, SRT GTS-R, GTLM, driven by Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dominik Farnbacher and Marc Goossens

26 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | FEBRUARY 5, 2014 #60 Ford, Riley DP, P, driven by Justin Wilson, AJ Allmendinger, and Oswaldo Negri, Jr.

Kanaan, the defending Indianap- left if we’re in the fight, are they going olis 500 winner, was part of that team to turn it up. and was impressed with the Ford “That I don’t know, because engine as he made a rare sports car we’re not up there. appearance. “We were in the fight all day. “There are many ways to look at Things could have happened to them it -- it’s quite obvious that we don’t as well and didn’t, and that’s how you have as much (speed) as the Chevy,” win races. I’m pleased. I had a lot of Kanaan said. “That could happen, or fun. I’ve done this race before. Once we could have come here and had a you’ve done it with an organization like lot more. The biggest props will be this, it’s going to be hard to come back that we are still in the race. It’s not and do it with anybody else because over yet, it is more difficult for sure, for me at this point in my career, but for the first race for the EcoBoost, it’s very overwhelming and I’m just I can tell you three weeks ago that overwhelmed with how everything there were a lot of people in this works. I had a rough three years with paddock thinking that we’re not even my friend Jimmy, it’s nobody’s fault, going to run for three hours because but things are different.” we struggled at the test. That shows And for the young 2013 Indy Lights the capability of this team. Nobody champion, his first international sports The #2 , HPD ARX-03b, P, is being piloted gives up until the checkered flag. car race left quite an impression. by , his teammates were , Yeah, I wish we could have a little “This is my first Rolex 24, and to and Anthony Lazzaro more but drivers are never happy. We do with a team like CG is an honor,” always want more.” Karam said. “I had a lot of fun. I Dixon was running second when drove from like 2 to 4 this morning his car got a flat tire. That would later and I just got out of the car, so like turn into mechanical failure that 8 to 10. I did a lot of driving and I’m would keep the team from contend- really tired actually. Those are some ing for the victory as the car went to graveyard hours right there. We had the garage. some misfortune in the beginning “If you look at this race or the there. The team is such a cool unit to Indianapolis 500, everybody is going work with, they’re so together, they to have an ‘if’,” Kanaan said. “But really worked well just to get the car yes, that’s a shame, because that’s back together and get some laps. not something mechanical, he didn’t Even though we’re really far behind, hit anything. It’s like a NASCAR race. everybody is still pushing like we are People blow tires, and yes we’re in the lead. That’s just the attitude fourth, but I think realistically we of this team, that’s why I really love could be top-three easy. I wanted to working with these guys is they never The #70 Mazda, P, being driven by James Hinchcliff, see when it comes down to an hour give up and they always want to win. teammates were Sylvain Tremblay and Tom Long

FEBRUARY 5, 2014 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | 27 “Before this race, I’d driven Indy Lights Simon Pagenaud, who finished third in type and 15th overall. IndyCar rookie Mikhail and I’d only really been in the car at one last year’s IndyCar Series standings, drove for Aleshin drove for SMP/ESM Racing and was point for about an hour so this is the first Extreme Motorsports and finish seventh in fourth in GTD, 21st overall. Justin Wilson was time I’ve been in the car for more than an Prototype, 11th overall. part of Racing, which finished hour at a time and also its the first time “My triple stint in the car was good,” Pa- 12th in Prototype and 47th overall. James I’ve ever done pit genaud said. “The Hinchcliffe drove for SpeedSource and was stops, the first time HPD was fast and 14th in Prototype, 57th overall and Ryan I’ve ever shared a quite enjoyable in Briscoe was one of Corvette Racing’s drivers car with people. It’s the night running; with a 10th place GT finish, 60th overall. a completely new I really had a good These drivers helped show an interna- experience for me. time with the car. tional audience that the IndyCar Series has I look at it as the We were trying some of the most diverse race drivers in the more cars you drive, to play ‘catch-up’ world. the more tools you and we could keep start to become improving our posi- familiar with and tion and moving up "I think the HPD held can use in different in the standings. up very well with all the types of racing. It’s 2013 IndyCar Champion Scott Dixon (left) signs autographs Overall, it went almost like when I’m alongside 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan pretty well. I think mayhem out on track. wrestling; you’ve got the HPD held up There was a lot of contact, four different types of wrestling. You’ve got very well with all the mayhem out on track. Greco, free style, folk style; all those things There was a lot of contact, as well as passing. as well as passing. It can transfer over to all the other things. It was good racing, but certainly, it was also That shows how I look at it and I really love mayhem at times.” was good racing, but the sports car experience. It was a lot of fun Ryan Hunter-Reay, the 2012 IndyCar certainly, it was also and it’s definitely not boring because you’re champion, drove for SRT Motorsports and passing like 10 cars a lap so definitely really was third in GT, 12th overall. Graham Rahal mayhem at times.” cool and I think it’s on to something. I think drove for BMW Team Rahal Letterman you’re going to see the series grow in the Lanigan and was fourth in GT, 14th overall. next few years and become really popular.” Dixon and Kanaan finished eighth in Proto- — Simon Pagenaud GIVE THE GIFT OF RACING!

Gulf by SUPERSTRADA Le Mans iPhone Niki Lauda 5/5S Bumper Ferrari 1976 Hard Case. Figurine 1:18th Scale Gulf by #AC3931. #DS3820. SUPERSTRADA $34.95 $34.95 Le Mans iPhone 5/5S Hard Case. #AC3930 $34.95 FREE sHIppInG On ORDERs $65+ Shop online at speedgear.com or CALL US AT 1-800-777-4453

28 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | FEBRUARY 5, 2014 FOLLOW US IN 2014 .com | twitter.com/indycar | facebook.com/indycar | instagram.com/indycarofficial By Cyril Nikitenko The nose of the Red Bull RB10 during 2014 Photos by LAT Photographic Formula 1 preseason testing at Circuito de Jerez, Jerez, Spain, January 2014

JerezUgly F1 Winter Testing, Noise January 2014

’ll be honest with you, the shock of looking rendering of the FW36 with the much feared iron anvil on the first day of testing in Jerez. at pictures of 2014 Formula 1 cars made anteater nose; Lotus gave us a mixture of A total disaster or at least that’s what we all Ifinding motivation for another trip to Jerez walrus and a mutant mammoth; Ferrari thought. very difficult. I mean those noses...... how produced a beluga car; Mercedes, for once, Did Formula 1 have to change? Probably could anyone like this stuff?! featured a decent nose job (I’m sure it’s yes, but in a slightly more appealing fashion It was supposed to be exciting and inno- the prettiest car on the grid); Red Bull RB10 I guess. They could have delayed the new vative: no more old-fashioned engines – we boasted a mini-fridge big enough to fit a Red regulations for maybe another year to make get full-on hybrid power units instead, turbos Bull can inside right at the tip of the nose; sure their product meets popular demand: are back, plenty of new tricks – like brake- McLaren, Sauber and especially Toro Rosso what happened now is that the fans were by-wire system – to play with, improved car came up with something which is not really totally ignored. The guys who pay their hard safety. suitable for family entertainment; and to top earned cash to watch F1 live on TV or sit in And then Williams released a digital it all off, Caterham rolled out an inverted cast the grandstands under the pouring rain or

30 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | FEBRUARY 5, 2014 the baking sun were presented with ugly We must not forget that nobody was animal. “Sad” I believe is the correct word. cars (there’s no escaping from it) and fairly going flat out, Formula 1 testing doesn’t Caterham CT05 was doing marginally silent engines. The worst part has to do with work like that: the fastest car during the better with a series of short runs, compare increased costs for the teams at a time when winter period is not necessarily the one on ’s 54 laps on the last day of lack of sponsorship logos on the cars is very pole in Melbourne. Remember 2004? Every running to ’s 115. Daniel visible. respectable pundit tipped Raikkonen to win Ricciardo of Red Bull and Daniil Kvyat of Toro General opinion among senior team the championship and we all know what Rosso only managed 16 between them... Red personnel points towards closer racing in happened... Bull were having “numerous Renault issues 2014 and beyond, however rule stability will Having decided to concentrate on the as well as chassis cooling issues”, while sister be the key for this new formula according development of their E22 monster car, team Toro Rosso was affected by electrical to Marussia F1 Team Team President and Lotus F1 was a notable absence in Jerez, the problems. Neither Kvyat, nor Vergne were Sporting Director Graeme Lowdon: stability Enstone based team did good to skip the allowed to speak to the press about these for the fans and stability for the competitors test in the light of the totally unexpected infamous problems – ouch! I reckon Red Bull in the World Championship. Renault’s PR disaster. and Toro Rosso could have easily been called I already mentioned my slight disap- Let me explain: Renault faced a variety Red Flag and Bandiera Rossa in Jerez! Alarm pointment with anteater/anvil noses on of problems in Jerez as the French power bells are clearly ringing in the Salzkammergut the cars, this meant I had to get a closer unit wasn’t working properly. Rob White lakeland... look at 2014 F1 machinery in the pit lane from Renault Sport F1 described it in F1 PR The Red Bull situation certainly came as and around the track in order to evaluate language more or less like this, “a number of a surprise to smaller teams with fewer re- the situation – in real life it’s not too bad, related things have been troublesome, prin- sources such as Marussia, a nice surprise to you tend to skip the nose bit anyway when cipally concerning the control and operation have. But such is the nature of F1 racing – it cars go past you at full speed. The engines of the various sub-systems of the Power Unit never fails to surprise, anything can happen. don’t translate into wild noise and the within the car”. It certainly caught Adrian Newey – Red initial impression of power the previous In reality, it transformed into multiple Bull technical guru – and – generations of F1 cars would give you, but red flags and stoppages whenever Re- team principal – by surprise to such an extent it’s not too bad in the end. Gear changes are nault-powered cars took to the track. Red that both men flew back to the team’s base barely audible now, still I think V6 engines Bull and Toro Rosso would often come to a in the UK leaving their troops to handle the have their moments, more at the exit of the smoky halt already on their first lap out of crisis on the ground. Vettel then subsequently corners than on the main straight, particular- the pits! Their Renault was literally cancelled all his media commitments and left ly with Ferrari-powered cars – they sounded/ coughing petrol and suffering hiccups, it Jerez on the second day as well. Very chic. sucked exactly like a vacuum cleaner at high resembled watching and hearing a wounded One final word on the Red Bull/Toro speed! Mercedes and Renault produced a good amount of noise, I definitely absolutely Lotus gave us a mixture of walrus and liked that. Hopefully Honda (joining forces with McLaren) will add another dimension to the excitement next year. The cars are also a mutant mammoth; Ferrari produced bulkier, the result of new packaging needed to accommodate a bigger power unit and all a beluga car; Mercedes, for once, its cooling systems. featured a decent nose job...

Force India VJM07 Mercedes nose detail Mercedes AMG W05 nose detail

FEBRUARY 5, 2014 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | 31 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W05 during Formula 1 preseason around the paddock virtually unnoticed, he testing day 1, Circuito de Jerez, was quite busy studying Felipe Massa’s lines Jerez, Spain, January 28, 2014 from the roof terrace on top of the garages. Looking for an advantage, Valtteri? Cater- ham’s would also perform an occasional F1 driver walk of fame on the terrace – wrong country, Marcus. We need the Swedish Grand Prix back. The last day of testing saw every driver apart from Renault boys perform noisy practice starts at pit exit. It should look and sound good on TV. I don’t like to torture drivers with silly questions about their driving styles – it’s not up to us journalists since we don’t sit in the car and cannot possibly know what’s going on – so it was fun following this imaginary topic during press calls. Alonso declared to concentrate nothing has changed. Felipe Massa, when on their program. Rosso drama, Jerez fiasco means only that, bombarded with similar questions, agreed to Lewis brought his babies – two dogs – along lack of running at the first test. Don’t read disagree: apparently he felt it was necessary with him to Jerez and they looked pretty too much into lap times or number of laps to drive with some caution because his content running around the Mercedes hos- completed. I agree with Ricciardo when he Mercedes power unit was quite powerful, pitality area having K9 fun while their master says his rivals “could be a second off the he then added his customary “for sure”. was busy driving around in circles out on the pace [in the first competitive weekend of It looked as if Felipe was more concerned track. Tough life for motorsport dogs! 2014]”. We’ll know more once the cars cross about Williams coffee and the quality of food Alonso in the red Ferrari had brought the finish line in Melbourne in March, let’s in the UK. They do spoil you in Italy in this out one red reserve our judgment until then. One person department! flag on the who won’t be disappointed is , The best third day Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05 he bailed out at exactly the right time. Talk quote on the causing a during Formula 1 preseason about knowing when to quit... testing day 2, Circuito de Jerez, subject came major stir Mercedes and Ferrari, by contrast, Jerez, Spain, January 29, 2014 courtesy of among his managed to get a lot of mileage in. There Marussia’s Jules fans in the was a minor issue with Hamilton’s front Bianchi – he grandstands. wing on the opening day of testing – it fell produced what Perhaps off... The wing was fixed for the rest of the could become I should session, thus allowing Rosberg and Hamilton an F1 classic, mention “You can’t that it was change your virtually driving style impossible The last day of in 25 laps, you to buy an know”. For admission testing saw every sure. Jules did ticket due to a large queue formed by local 25 laps in the car on the last day of testing, fans who rushed to the circuit to catch a his first 25 in the new Marussia MR03. driver apart from glimpse of their hero. I mean we were in I think Massa was actually right, every- Jerez and in Jerez they talk Alonso even one was sliding and struggling with the car Renault boys during their morning café com leche... on corner exits, particularly on the last day Fernando could barely move between the when it was a bit wet. Alonso and Force Ferrari garage and motor home; his end perform noisy India’s reserve driver Daniel Juncadella were of the day media call had to be relocated a good example of that, some spectacular from the back of the garage to in front of practice starts at driving from the two flying Spaniards. the hospitality area due to safety concerns. The biggest “big scandal” award in Jerez Alonso-mania IS quite a phenomenon. pit exit. It should has to go to the FIA-approved McLaren rear None of the above applied to Kimi suspension fairings. The rear of the car looks Raikkonen – he came, he saw the car, he pretty weird, I’ll admit that, no problem. The look and sound drove the car, then mumbled a few words story then gathered some momentum when and left. The usual Kimi. Needless to say no Rod Nelson, Williams chief test and support good on TV. one noticed Kimi or his fellow countryman engineer, said the team would consider Bottas. Valtteri had the luxury of moving

32 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | FEBRUARY 5, 2014 Kamui Kobayashi, Caterham Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari CT05 Renault during day 4 of F14T, day 1 of Formula 1 Formula 1 preseason testing, preseason testing at Circuito Circuito de Jerez, Jerez, Spain, de Jerez, Jerez, Spain, January 31, 2014 January 28, 2014

something similar but a CFD simulation would be necessary in order to evaluate the potential benefits, a standard practice with any new Overall, the new formula has design. Once it’s translated into Icelandic and back to English, every team in Formula 1 will be racing flat out to put a similar system on their plenty of potential; once car and an imaginary war will be raging once again. Overall, the new formula has plenty of potential; once teething teething problems are sorted problems are sorted out and with anteater noses inevitably out of the way, the sport will be able to break new frontiers. out and with anteater noses I felt the need to ask the new Toro Rosso recruit and one of the three F1 rookies for this season Daniil Kvyat about the engine noise factor – he gave me his teenage seal of approval for 2014 cars. The inevitably out of the way, the future Formula 1 audience has spoken! sport will be able to break Follow Cyril Nikitenko onTwitter@knownasaiberian new frontiers.

Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso STR9 Renault on day 4 of Formula 1 preseason testing at Circuito de Jerez, Jerez, Spain, January 31, 2014

FEBRUARY 5, 2014 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | 33 NASCAR CEO and Chairman Brian France, announces the new Chase Grid format during the NASCAR Media Tour at the Charlotte Convention Center on Jan. 30, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

By Amanda Vincent FOR NASCAR Photos by NASCAR Media ASCAR fans will have multiple nuances to everything on the track with a $1 million payday on get used to when the 2014 race season gets the line.” Nunderway. There are the usual Silly Season The two biggest changes, though, come with -type changes, such as in a No. 4 Stew- qualifying and a new Chase for the Sprint Cup “These changes art-Haas Racing entry, also at SHR and format. All three national series (Sprint Cup, Nation- Ryan Newman at , among wide and Camping World Truck) will adopt knock- mean fans others. But those changes are subtle compared to out, Formula 1-type qualifying. get even more some of the other things fans will have to get used “We believe the timing is right for a new to. qualifying format across our three national series,” bang for their The most minor of changes involves the sched- NASCAR Vice President for Competition and Racing ule change in regards to the Sprint All-Star weekend. Development Robin Pemberton said. “This style of buck here at Previously, the Sprint Showdown, the last ditch effort group qualifying has all the makings of being highly for drivers to get into the All-Star Race, was held just competitive and more engaging to our fans in the the greatest prior to the main event. Beginning with the 2014 stands and those watching on television and online. All-Star weekend, though, the Sprint Showdown will For the drivers and teams, we believe this new place to see be held on Friday May 16, just before the weekend’s qualifying will fuel even greater competition leading the race,” Camping World Truck Series race at the track. The into the events. Additionally, it provides our tracks, Sprint All-Star Race will follow on Saturday, May 17. broadcasters and other key partners with a greater “These changes mean fans get even more bang opportunity to develop more entertaining content — Charlotte for their buck here at the greatest place to see the for our race weekends.” Motor Speedway race,” President and Despite the changes, though, qualifying for the General Manager Marcus Smith said. “In addition Daytona 500 and the Truck Series dirt race at Eldora President and to watching the trucks battle on Friday night and Speedway will remain the same. General Manager rocking with a pre-race concert with Jack Owen The format differs slightly for tracks 1.25 miles in on Saturday, fans will be treated to back-to-back length and larger and those under that distance. The Marcus Smith nights of Sprint Cup Series action as drivers leave new format is as follows.

34 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | FEBRUARY 5, 2014 and the Camping World Truck Series race at TRACKS 1.25 MILES & LARGER Eldora Speedway will not change. “We have arrived at There will be three rounds with five-minute The most controversial change came on breaks between rounds. The first elimination a format that makes January 30 during the Sprint Media Tour in Char- round will last 25 minutes and include all cars/ lotte when NASCAR unveiled a brand new Chase trucks. The 24 entries that post the fastest single every race matter for the Sprint Cup format that placed more laps will move on to the second round. The rest emphasis on winning, expanded the Chase field even more, diminishes will be ordered by fastest lap times and occupy to 16 drivers, included eliminations every three spots on the race starting grid from 25th back races and made for a one-race shootout for the points racing, puts a through the end of the starting grid. Cars/trucks title in the season finale at Homestead-Miami remaining will not make the race. Speedway. premium on winning The fastest 24 will move on to a second “We have arrived at a format that makes elimination round that will last 10 minutes. The races and concludes every race matter even more, diminishes points 12 fastest cars/trucks in that round will move on racing, puts a premium on winning races and to the final round. The slower cars/trucks in the with a best-of-the-best, concludes with a best-of-the-best, first-to- round will be ordered by lap times and claim the the-finish line showdown race, all of which is first-to-the-finish line 13th-24th positions on the starting grid for the exactly what fans want,” NASCAR Chairman race. and CEO Brian France said. “We have looked at showdown race, all of The third qualifying round will last five a number of concepts for the last three years minutes, with fastest laps determining the order through fan research, models and simulations which is exactly what of the top-12 starters of the race. and also maintained extensive dialogue with our fans want,” drivers, teams and partners. The new Chase for TRACKS UNDER 1.25 MILES the NASCAR Sprint Cup will be thrilling, easy to There will be only two rounds with a 10- understand and help drive our sports’ competi- — NASCAR Chairman minute break between rounds. tion to a whole new level.” and CEO Brian France The first round will last 30 minutes and Under the new system, The 15 drivers include all cars/trucks. The cars/trucks posting with the most wins in the first 26-race “regular the 12 fastest lap times will advance to the season” will automatically earn spots in the three races, the remaining of the 12 spots will second round. The remaining will fill out Chase as long as they’re in the top-30 in points be filled by eligible Chase drivers based on the positions 13 through last on the starting grid. at the end of race 26 and attempted to qualify points standings. Points for those advancing will The fastest 12 will move on to a 10-minute for every race up to that point. The 16th spot be reset to 3000. second round to qualify for the top-12 positions will go to the points leader after race 26, if he/ The second round, to be called the on the starting grid. They will start the race in she isn’t already in by virtue of at least one trip Contender Round, will cut the Chase field down descending order of their fastest speeds from to victory lane. If the points leader has a win to eight drivers during races four through six of this session. and there are more than 16 race winners by the Chase. The winners of these three races, “Heck, I’m all for anything that makes it fun, the completion of race 26, the 16th spot in the who are still Chase eligible, will automatically not only for the fans but the drivers and teams, Chase will go to the next driver on the wins list. advance to round three, with the rest of the too,” Sprint Cup Series driver said. If there are too few drivers with wins to fill out eight spots being claimed by other drivers still “This is really going to shake things up on Fridays the Chase spots, other than the one going to in the Chase who are highest in the points stand- -- in a good way. I’m all for it.” the points leader, NASCAR will revert back to ings. Those advancing will then see their points The qualifying format for the Daytona 500 the points standings to fill the remaining slots. reset to 4000. Points for Chase drivers The third round, or Eliminator Round, will will be reset to 2000 go from race seven to race nine of the Chase. plus three bonus points Like in other rounds, race winners in this round, for each win in the who have not previously been eliminated, will regular season. advance to the final one-race round, as the The first round Chase field is cut to four drivers. The remaining of three Chase races of the four spots will go to drivers still eligible will be referred to as who have the most points. the Challenger round. The four remaining drivers will have their Any of those 16 drivers points reset to 5000 and race for the champion- winning at least one of ship in the season finale at Homestead-Miami those three races will Speedway. The highest finisher of the four in the automatically advance final race of the season will be the 2014 Sprint to round two. Twelve Cup Series champion, as bonus points for laps drivers will advance led will not count in the final race of the season to the second Chase for the remaining title contenders. NASCAR President Mike Helton (left) speaks as NASCAR CEO and round. Aside from Chairman Brian France (right), looks on during the NASCAR Media Tour winners in the first Follow Amanda Vincent on at the Charlotte Convention Center Twitter at @NASCARexaminer

FEBRUARY 5, 2014 | MOTORSPORT ILLUSTRATED NEWS | 35