Obama honors NASCAR drivers at White House
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says NASCAR and the presidency are alike: Anything that can go wrong will go wrong at some point during the season.
Obama commented at the White House Wednesday as he welcomed Jimmie Johnson and seven other drivers from last year's Chase for the Sprint Cup series. Johnson has won the championship a record five consecutive times.
Obama also used the occasion to thank NASCAR for its work supporting military families. Obama said the drivers recently served dinner to 400 wounded troops and their families at the now-closed Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Johnson also visited the Pentagon Wednesday morning.
Obama said the drivers are also planning a 9/11 anniversary event in Richmond, Va., with military families and first responders before a NASCAR race there this weekend.
Harvicks to merge team with Richard Childress
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Kevin Harvick Inc. will merge its current Nationwide Series program with Richard Childress Racing beginning next season.
RCR announced Tuesday the team will field the two KHI entries next season. Elliott Sadler will drive the No. 2 Chevrolet, and the No. 33 will be filled by a mix of drivers from RCR's team.
KHI still has a Truck Series program, and there was no mention of that in the announcement Tuesday. Harvick has said repeatedly of late his organization will be changed next season.
Few other details of the merger were announced, but RCR said Harvick will be active in the Nationwide program and KHI will be involved in the business and competition parts.
KHI has 10 Nationwide victories and 39 Truck Series wins since opening in 2001.
Rockingham returns to NASCAR with 2012 Truck race
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (AP) - NASCAR will return to Rockingham Speedway for the first time since 2004 when the Truck Series races there next season.
The Camping World Truck Series event will be held in April 15. Track owner Andy Hillenburg will install SAFER barriers to the 1.017-mile track, which is a requirement to hold a national NASCAR race.
NASCAR hasn't raced at what was then known as North Carolina Speedway since the track was sold in 2004 from International Speedway Corp. to Speedway Motorsports owner Bruton Smith. He then moved its race date to SMI-owned Texas Motor Speedway, ending the track's run of 78 Cup races dating to 1965.
Hillenburg bought the track from SMI in 2007. Hillenburg already has sponsorship for the NASCAR race: Good Sam Club signed on as title sponsor and soft-drink company Cheerwine will be the presenting sponsor.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
