A Happy New Year (and thanks) to you

As the year of 2010 comes to an end, so does yet another year of NASCAR News And Notes being online. Started not too many years ago, this website was created based on my love for NASCAR and my dream of being apart of it. Today this website continues to grow, and thanks to you, the readers and viewers, it is something that I can be very proud of.

I would like to thank all those who have contributed work to this website, all those people who have helped me grow this website, and all the people who have stopped by this website to have a look at it. It truly means a lot to me. Lastly, thanks to everyone at NASCAR, along with its millions of fans, who make this so much fun.

As 2011 rolls in, another year of this website does too. Hopefully, it can be even better than the last.

Once again, thank you.

Happy New Year!

Travis

Tony Stewart and Teddy Bears?

(Photo credit: MATTER/Edelman for Office Depot Racing) I know what you're thinking. Tony Stewart, the rough and tough NASCAR driver, and a teddy bear? Don't worry, it's all for a good cause.

The Office Depot Foundation has recently announced its 2010 "Teddy B. Caring" holiday bear. The foundation formed by the leading global provider for office supplies and services will donate a portion of the proceeds of the holidays bear sales to assist families and children in need across the world.

The program was started in 2001 and continues to be strong today thanks to strong supporters like Tony Stewart, who encourages all NASCAR fans to participate in this great program.

Here is what the winner of the NMPA Humanitarian Award had to say about the program:

“Working with the Office Depot Foundation on its National Backpack Program is one of the most important and rewarding things I do,” Stewart said. “It’s amazing to see the look on a child’s face when they receive a new backpack and are able to head back to school with an extra boost of confidence. Every child deserves that, and I would like to encourage everyone to consider giving a Teddy B. Caring bear as a gift this holiday season in support of the great work the Office Depot Foundation does all year long.”

Initiatives supported by the sales include:
-"National Backpack Program"
-"Caring Connection"
-"Dream UP Career Exploration Program"
- "1-800 MY BIZ HELP"

The Bear costs $9.99 and is 16 inches tall.


NASCAR and it's drivers, sponsors, teams, and fans continue to show their support for great causes. This program developed by Office Depot yet again proves how NASCAR gives back to communities. It is certainly nice to see these things, especially during the off season, a time of year where NASCAR can almost be forgotten.



Editor's note: Why did I post this? I loved the picture of Tony Stewart with a Teddy Bear, and it's for a great cause.

Thanks to Office Depot Racing for the information.

18 cars on Daytona tire test list

There will be 18 cars participating in the Goodyear Tire test next week. Only four Chase drivers from 2010 will take part in the test session. The drivers are Jeff Gordon, Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth, and Kurt Busch.

Joe Gibbs Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, Stewart-Haas Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing, Front Row Motorsports and Robby Gordon Motorsports will not attend.

Other drivers include:
Brad Keselowski
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Mark Martin
Jamie McMurray
Juan Pablo Montoya
David Ragan
Paul Menard
Bobby Labonte
Reed Sorenson
Regan Smith
Trevor Bayne
Casey Mears
Todd Bodine
Brian Keselowski



Thanks to scenedaily.com for some of the information.

Dale Earnhardt Jr wins the most popular driver award for the 8th consecutive year

The NASCAR annual Myers Brothers Luncheon consists of many awards, consisting of awards for pit stops, pole awards, and many others. It even included a presentation regarding the new E15 fuel that the sport will use next year. The most talked about award had to be regarding the most popular driver award.

Guess who won?

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Didn't see that one coming, did you?

Here is what Dale Jr. said in a press release by Hendrick Motorsports.

"It was pretty cool to hear that I was eight in a row just like Bill (Elliott). I've enjoyed winning it – my fan base has stayed strong. It's become an important honor each year for me. I'm glad that fans still feel their support for me. I appreciate their dedication and loyalty."

Dale Jr. may not have had as many wins as other drivers in the past few years, but he has won over the majority of people that matter the most, the fans.

Who doesn't love YouTube?

YouTube can sometimes be better than anything on TV, especially during a period of boredom. So as the offseason is just in its first part, why not search NASCAR on YouTube.com?

Believe it or not, there can be pretty funny videos uploaded on there.

A very popular series of videos dealing with NASCAR can be found by searching "sexy NASCAR drivers," or "or not so sexy NASCAR drivers."

Now hold on, this isn't going where you think it is, unless of course you have seen the videos before.

The uploads are absolutely hilarious.

The whole theme of the videos is of drivers faces being posted on extremely funny bodies, and in extremely funny situations.

This may be offensive to some, but if you think you can handle it, and if you want to see you favorite driver(or least favorite driver) being made fun of, you will probably like it.

Here is a link of one of the videos. Other videos can be found by searching YouTube with the search words given above.

Enjoy.



Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdaw_j3uMDw&playnext=1&list=PL051908279BCB8A99&index=40

NASCAR 2010 = The Best Racing

Forget low TV ratings and lower track attendance. NASCAR 2010 has been one of the best years, if not the best as far as racing goes. The competition has been greater than ever, in every single race weekend. And if that continues, you can count on fans coming back to see more.

Not only was the season known for its "have at it boys" slogan, but it was known for its tight battle in the championship. Yes, Jimmie Johnson won, but it was one of the closest and best Chases NASCAR has ever seen.

Not to mention the other races.

There was more lead changes than ever before during the Sprint Cup races, averaging 25.4 changes.

There was an average high of 11.4 leaders in each event, the highest in history. Also adding to the great year, 55 drivers led a lap. Not to mention the 1,299 green flag passes for the lead, as well as 116,327 green flag passes in general.

Imagine being in charge of counting that.

So what does this all mean?

It means NASCAR may be in a slump as far as viewership goes, but the racing, which is really what matters, is the finest ever. If there continues to be a good show like there has been, then expect more people buying tickets.

So next time you say the racing is boring, think again. It could be a whole lot worse.


Thanks to Jayski.com for supplying the stats.

Roush Expects 3 Nationwide teams

According to Scenedaily.com, Jack Roush hopes to secure sponsorship for 3 full time teams next season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The 3 drivers he hopes to have run the full schedule are Carl Edwards, who will not be able to run for the championship because of rule changes, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., a driver who has come on strong in the series as of late, and Trevor Bayne, who was let go from Diamond Waltrip Racing late in the season to drive for Roush the remaining few races.

Here's what Jack Roush had to say:

"Right now, we're still lacking sponsorship for two of our, hopefully, three programs next year. I am committed to start the year with Ricky and Trevor, assuming that we are going to be able to find the support, generate the interest in their future to make it a financially solvent program for both of them going forward."

He also says he will be willing to back them financially if sponsors do not come aboard.

"I'm prepared to make an investment myself. So we'll see how far we get."