JGR Co-Founder J.D. Gibbs Dies At 49

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – Joe Gibbs Racing officials confirmed Friday night that team co-founder and co-chairman J.D. Gibbs has died at the age of 49 from complications following a long battle with a degenerative neurological disease.

Gibbs was the eldest son of three-time Super Bowl-winning coach and multi-time NASCAR champion team owner Joe Gibbs, first serving as a tire changer on his father’s team in 1993, the year that JGR won its first Daytona 500 with driver Dale Jarrett.

He spent time as a driver in his own right, making five NASCAR Xfinity Series starts and eight NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series starts between 1998 and 2002, but he was best known for his business role within the motorsports team his father began.

J.D. Gibbs became president of Joe Gibbs Racing in 1998, holding that role and guiding the organization through March of 2015, when the Gibbs family revealed that J.D. was battling brain-function problems and that doctors had no clear answer for his struggles.

In addition to his father Joe, those that Gibbs is survived by include wife Melissa and sons Joe Jackson, William Miller, Jason Dean II and Zachary Taylor, as well as brother Coy, nephews Ty, Case and Jet and niece Elle.

Additional information regarding details for a memorial service will follow at a later date.

By |2019-01-12T06:33:27-05:00January 12th, 2019|NASCAR, Racing News|Comments Off on JGR Co-Founder J.D. Gibbs Dies At 49

Kyros Entertainment Joins Forces with Cory Joyce for the UNOH Battle at the Beach

Joyce to Make Second NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Start at Daytona

Cory Joyce 1-18-14HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – Kyros Entertainment will be on board with Cory Joyce when the 21-year-old makes his second career NASCAR K&N Pro Series East start in the UNOH Battle at the Beach at Daytona International Speedway on February 18.

The Cleveland, Ohio-based Kyros Entertainment was created for the distinct purpose of extending hope, compassion and support with a divine need to help others and is comprised of three divisions: Entertainment, Foundation and Ministry. The mission is to reinforce the wholesome power of prayer and healing that successfully occurs when American families rediscover the strong support that thrives within true family values.

“We truly believe that everyone knows someone, somewhere, who is going through life’s trials in this very moment,” said Brady Bulger, CFO of Kyros Entertainment. “We at Kyros want to help others who need a boosted blessing of help, reinforcement or feelings of kind support for any given reason.

“We are excited and blessed to work with Cory Joyce as he continues to grow in his racing career. He is a hard-working young man who stands for the core beliefs on which Kyros is built. We are proud of his efforts and want to help him continue to pursue his dreams.”

The UNOH Battle at the Beach in Daytona Beach (Fla.) marks Joyce’s second NASCAR K&N Pro Series East start. He made his debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September 2013. Starting from the 29th position, Joyce powered his way into the top 10 before being collected by a spinning car on lap 76, which relegated him to a 21st-place finish. (more…)

By |2014-01-18T05:11:33-05:00January 18th, 2014|Featured, Front Page News, NASCAR, Racing News|Comments Off on Kyros Entertainment Joins Forces with Cory Joyce for the UNOH Battle at the Beach

PEAK® Motor Oil & Antifreeze and Michael Waltrip Racing Announce Patrick Staropoli as the PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge Winner

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                     23 Year Old Amateur Race Car Driver is Awarded the Opportunity to

Compete in a Sanctioned Race

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CHICAGO (August 12, 2013) – PEAK® Motor Oil & Antifreeze and Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) are proud to announce Patrick Staropoli as the winner of the PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge.  Staropoli was unveiled as the ultimate winner on an exclusive segment that premiered on the cable television network SPEED on August 11.  The PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge started with over 700 entrants all vying to become the next PEAK/Michael Waltrip Racing stock car star.

Staropoli, 23 years old of Plantation, Florida, graduated from Harvard University in 2012 and currently attends medical school at the University of Miami.  His life is always in high gear; when he isn’t studying for a medical exam you can find him charging around an asphalt oval at 160 miles per hour.  He started racing go-karts when he was 13 and worked his way up into late models, recording 33 wins in 138 races over the past 10 years. (more…)

By |2013-08-20T20:11:57-04:00August 20th, 2013|Archives, Featured, Front Page News, NASCAR, Race Results, Racing News|Comments Off on PEAK® Motor Oil & Antifreeze and Michael Waltrip Racing Announce Patrick Staropoli as the PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge Winner

Cale Gale Iowa Speedway Event Preview

No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet News and Notes

Second Chance at Iowa… Cale Gale and the No. 33 Rheem team had a fast Chevrolet and a strong run during their last trip to Iowa Speedway, but late-race contact resulted in a 26th-place finish for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender. After practicing inside the top 10 and qualifying sixth, Gale maintained his position near the front of the field. Gale was racing in the seventh position on lap 182 when he and another competitor made contact as a result of tight racing coming off a restart. The incident ended the night for both drivers as they emerged from their cockpits. After spending the entire race in the top 12, Gale was credited with a 26th-place finish in the American Ethanol 200 at Iowa Speedway.

• Sweet Home Alabama… Gale joined Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR) teammate Justin Lofton in Birmingham, Ala. on Friday afternoon to promote next month’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. The teammates helped kick off the college football season with a tailgate party at WJOX-FM where they greeted fans and handed out free tickets before going to visit the third-grade students at Moody Elementary School. The duo wrapped up their day at a private meet and greet with breast cancer survivors at America’s First Federal Credit Union in Trussville, Ala. (more…)

By |2012-09-12T03:06:09-04:00September 12th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, NASCAR|Comments Off on Cale Gale Iowa Speedway Event Preview

Justin Lofton Iowa Speedway Race Preview

Back to America’s Heartland
Justin Lofton and the No. 6 Lofton Cattle team will return to Iowa Speedway after finishing fifth in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race at the 0.875-mile speedway just two months ago.  Lofton rolled off third in the American Ethanol 200 and spent the majority of the evening racing inside the top five as the Lofton Cattle team utilized caution periods to fine-tune the handling of their Chevrolet.  Racing in a three-wide pack with just over 30 laps to go, Lofton was forced off the throttle and lost a few positions as a result.  However, the championship contender methodically hunted down his competition and raced through the field to score a fifth-place finish in just his third NCWTS start at Iowa Speedway.

  • Always at the track, Lofton goes to ‘Dega… Lofton joined his Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR) teammate Cale Gale on a trip to Birmingham last week to promote next month’s NCWTS race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.  The teammates helped kick off the college football season with a tailgate party at WJOX-FM before visiting third-grade students at Moody Elementary School.  The duo wrapped up their day at a private meet and greet with breast cancer survivors at America’s First Federal Credit Union in Trussville, Ala.  The drivers surprised three ladies with autographs and free tickets for the Fred’s 250 at Talladega Superspeedway. (more…)
By |2012-09-12T03:01:19-04:00September 12th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, NASCAR|Comments Off on Justin Lofton Iowa Speedway Race Preview

Cale Gale & ESR Debut New Scheme at Atlanta

No. 33 Ruud Chevrolet News and Notes

• Ruud on board… Cale Gale will debut a new paint scheme on the No. 33 Chevrolet this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway to showcase Ruud–a division of Rheem. Known for their reliability, which will be showcased on the truck with the tagline “Rely on Ruud,” Ruud produces products in the heating, cooling, and water heating categories. Gale will also pilot the No. 33 Ruud Chevrolet later this season at Texas Motor Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway.

• First time in a Truck at Atlanta… Cale Gale will compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) at Atlanta Motor Speedway for the first time in his career on Friday, August 31st. Gale has one previous NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) start at the 1.5-mile oval in March 2008 when he started in the 15th position and crossed the finish line in 20th place. (more…)

By |2012-08-29T14:54:23-04:00August 29th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, NASCAR|Comments Off on Cale Gale & ESR Debut New Scheme at Atlanta

CALE GALE’S NIGHT CUT SHORT AFTER EARNING FIRST CAREER POLE AT BRISTOL

Cale Gale and the No. 33 Rheem team had a day full of ups and downs on Wednesday at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway (“World’s Fastest Half-Mile”).  The Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender nabbed his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) pole to lead the field to the green, but finished the race with a trip to the infield care center after making hard contact with the inside wall with just seven laps remaining.

With a fast truck, Gale paced most of the opening practice session and posted speeds inside the top 10 throughout final practice on Wednesday afternoon.  A few hours later, Gale strapped in the truck and ran a 15.656-second lap-his quickest of the day-to secure the pole position at the World’s Fastest Half-Mile.

Wednesday’s NCWTS event was the debut of a new track configuration at Bristol Motor Speedway where the upper groove was removed.  As a result, passing became more challenging than it had been in years past.  Gale decided to lead the field to the green from the outside line, but when the No. 17 truck got a good jump off the start, Gale quickly settled into the second position. (more…)

By |2012-08-24T03:59:57-04:00August 24th, 2012|Front Page News, Links, NASCAR|Comments Off on CALE GALE’S NIGHT CUT SHORT AFTER EARNING FIRST CAREER POLE AT BRISTOL

Cale Gale & the #33 Rheem Chevrolet Silverado Head to Michigan International Speedway for VFW 200

No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet News and Notes

Taking on the Truck Series at Michigan International Speedway… Cale Gale will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) debut at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday afternoon, August 18.  The Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender currently has two NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) and two Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Racing Series starts at the two-mile oval.  Most recently, Gale competed in the ARCA Racing Series event at Michigan International Speedway in July 2011.  After starting from the pole, the Mobile, Ala. native led 64 laps but suffered a flat tire with four laps remaining in the 100-lap event relegating him to a 19th-place finish.

  • Taking a Trip Home for ESR Crew Member… The NCWTS’ annual stop at Michigan International Speedway will give Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR) team member, Jeff Keller, a chance to race near his old stomping grounds.  Keller, who joined ESR in August 2011, was raised just 35 miles from Michigan International Speedway in Lyons, Ohio, and later lived in Ann Arbor, Mich.  Keller is ESR’s shock specialist and helps on the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet team of Gale during race weekends. (more…)
By |2012-08-15T15:43:18-04:00August 15th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, NASCAR, Racing News|Comments Off on Cale Gale & the #33 Rheem Chevrolet Silverado Head to Michigan International Speedway for VFW 200

RYAN BLANEY TO DRIVE FOR BRAD KESELOWSKI RACING

MOORESVILLE, NC– Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR) announced today that third-generation race car driver Ryan Blaney will pilot the BKR Cooper Standard / Draw-Tite / Reese Towpower entry in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for select races in 2012.  Blaney’s first race with BKR will be at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 22nd and he will compete in other select races during the duration of the 2012 Truck Series schedule as the BKR team pursues the Owners Championship.  As previously announced, Brad Keselowski will drive the No. 29 BKR Cooper Standard RAM in the VFW 200 at Michigan International Speedway on August 18th.

Blaney, the 18-year-old son of current Sprint Cup Series driver Dave Blaney, recently made his Nationwide Series debut for Penske Racing at Iowa Speedway where he finished 10th in the No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Challenger.  In addition to his driving for BKR this season, Blaney is currently scheduled to participate in select Nationwide Series races for the Penske organization in the No. 22 entry. (more…)

By |2012-08-10T04:58:53-04:00August 10th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, NASCAR, Racing News|Comments Off on RYAN BLANEY TO DRIVE FOR BRAD KESELOWSKI RACING

Red Horse Racing Signs Driver Parker Kligerman

Kligerman to Pilot No. 7 Toyota Tundra Beginning at Michigan

Mooresville, N.C. (August 9, 2012) – Red Horse Racing announced Thursday morning the addition of Parker Kligerman to the organization’s driver lineup. Kligerman will make his first appearance in the No. 7 Red Horse Racing Toyota Tundra next Saturday at Michigan International Speedway for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series VFW 200.
Kligerman, hailing from Westport, Connecticut, began his competitive racing career in two-stroke go karts at the age of 13. A successful open-wheel racing resume helped boost him into the next level in 2008, making his first career stock car starts in the ARCA Racing Series. Kligerman then moved on to compete full time in that same series the following year, amassing a series-leading nine victories en route to the Rookie of the Year title and a runner up finish in the championship point standings.
Since making his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) appearance in 2010, Kligerman has posted six top-five and 16 top-10 finishes in 37 career starts. The 22-year-old currently sits sixth in the NCWTS championship point standings, 35 markers behind leader and teammate, Timothy Peters.
“When you look at truck series teams right now, there’s no doubt Red Horse Racing is definitely one of the top organizations. I’m really excited to make the move here with the support of Tom DeLoach and everyone at this team to see how we can help the team and be successful. It sounds so cliché to say I’m excited, but it’s the only word to say because it perfectly describes what I’m looking forward to doing, and that’s winning in these trucks,” Kligerman explained. (more…)
By |2012-08-10T04:49:42-04:00August 10th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, NASCAR, Racing News|Comments Off on Red Horse Racing Signs Driver Parker Kligerman