Chad Knaus Making History His Way
November 27, 2009
The euphoria of winning an unprecedented fourth consecutive Cup Series championship still hung in the air as Chad Knaus made his way to his place at the table where driver Jimmie Johnson and Marshall Carlson, general manager of Hendrick Motorsports, already had begun a lengthy interview session with the media.
Johnson had just finished fifth in the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, easily clinching the fourth title in a row for his No. 48 Chevrolet team. As usual, Knaus, his crew chief, had called all the shots during the race from the pit box.
When Johnson got anxious early in the race and became frustrated with another driver, Clint Bowyer, Knaus calmed him. When Johnson got greedy and impatient late and contemplated getting more aggressive and going for the race win, when finishing fifth more than sufficed for securing the history-making championship, Knaus talked sense into him. Listen Now
Jimmy Johnson…Let the Party Begin
November 27, 2009
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 26, 2009) – Champion’s Week, a two-state affair in 2009, gets underway Monday, Nov. 30 near NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson’s hometown of El Cajon, Calif.
The Jimmie Johnson Foundation will award grants to several public schools in the San Diego area and Johnson will appear at the U.S. Marine Corps’ Camp Pendleton on Monday afternoon. That evening Johnson will be the guest of honor at a homecoming at Lowe’s in Santee; and on Tuesday, Dec. 1, Johnson will host a Breakfast and Champion’s Q&A at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger cited Johnson’s accomplishments this past Monday, just hours after Johnson became the first driver to win four consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup titles. “His performance is a testament to our state’s championship spirit and I am proud to say he’s from California,” the governor said.
The championship celebration moves to Las Vegas, Nev. on Wednesday, Dec. 2 with activities leading up to Friday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony, which is being held for the first time at Wynn Las Vegas. Las Vegas becomes the host city after a 28-year run in New York City.
Below is a preview of Monday-Tuesday activities: Listen Now
November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving 2009!!!
Happy Thanksgiving to all our Race Fans
November 26, 2009
What are you thankful for? Drop me an email at gregg@kgkiradio.com
Izod Indy Car Series to Start Season in San Pualo, Brazil
November 26, 2009
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indy Racing League will open its 2010 season on the streets of Sao Paulo, the first time the IndyCar series has held a race in Brazil.
The race is scheduled for March 14.
Series officials spent much of last summer talking about the possibility of going to Brazil, the home country of last season’s biggest sponsor APEX-Brasil, which provides Ethanol fuel for the IndyCars. They had said the season opener would be in Brazil but had not announced the city.
Several prominent drivers in the series including three-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves, 2004 IRL points champion Tony Kanaan and Raphael Matos, last season’s rookie of the year, are Brazil natives.
NASCAR Final Results
November 25, 2009
NASCAR News 11-25-09
November 25, 2009
Cash Talks…Will Chad Knaus Walk? Knaus, Johnson’s crew chief, not close to contract extension
November 25, 2009
Chad Knaus believes he and Jimmie Johnson can continue to add to their championship total for years to come. But the crew chief first needs a new contract.
Knaus on Wednesday denied an ESPN report that he’s agreed to lead Johnson through 2015, the length of Johnson’s new contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports.
Knaus is working under an extension signed in 2006 that runs through next season. He says he’s only just started conversations on a new contract, and nothing has been agreed upon.
Craftsman Awards 3 for NASCAR Craftsman Wrenchman Award
November 24, 2009
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Craftsman and NASCAR have announced the winners of the inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Wrenchman Award. The winners:
• Andrew Mason, shop foreman, Richard Childress Racing No. 29, Sprint Cup Series
• Ramie Jones, team engineer, Braun Racing No. 32, Nationwide Series
• Bob Rahilly, truck chief, Jim Rosenblum Racing No. 28, Camping World Truck Series
The Wrenchman Award recognizes behind-the-scenes NASCAR crew members from each of the three national series who “turn the wrenches” in the shop and along pit row, but rarely get the recognition they deserve.
The winners were honored at the Wrenchman Award ceremony in Miami from Nov. 20-22.
The winner from the Sprint Cup Series was chosen by online fan voting. From Sept. 20 through Oct. 17, fans logged onto Craftsman.com and viewed full profiles and accomplishments of all eight Sprint Cup Series finalists and voted for their favorite. Winners from the Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series were selected by a committee. Listen Now
Camping World Series News
November 24, 2009
