2007 NHRA NATIONAL EVENT SCHEDULE
Listen to Trackside Interviews with Champions, Drivers and Crew Chiefs
Robert Hight
Hillary Will
Bob Vandergriff
Dave Connolly
Ed Iskenderian
Cory McClenathan
Robert Hight
Jim Yates
Tony Bartone
Hillary Will
Whit Bazemore
Byron Hines
| GM Racing Director Again Makes RACERS Powerful and Influential List |
 Mark Kent, director of GM Racing, was named
one of RACER magazine's 24 powerful and influential individuals in
the motorsports industry for a second consecutive year. Kent joins
the ranks of the France family, Chevrolet driver and 2005 Nextel Cup
champion Tony Stewart, IRL founder Tony George and prominent people
in today's auto racing community who help make the sport
exhilarating, relevant, safe and entertaining. "It's an honor to be included among so many influential and respected names in the sport, but this recognition is really a reflection of General Motors and its recognition of the importance of participating in motorsports," Kent said. "GM recognizes the value of racing. Chevrolet, Pontiac and Cadillac all see racing as a cost-effective way to place our products in front of automotive enthusiasts." Kent, who has managed several production car engine ventures in his previous assignments, took over as the GM Racing director on March 1, 2005. (view story) |
| The Weekend Ahead |
| Advances can be viewed by clicking the link
below. American Le Mans Series - Monterey Sports Car Championship (Salinas, Calif.), Oct. 21 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series - Kroger 200 (Martinsville, Va.), Oct. 21 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series - Subway 500 (Martinsville, Va.), Oct. 22 NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Series - NITTO NHRA Sport Compact World Finals (Pomona, Calif.), Oct. 22 SCCA SPEED World Challenge - SPEED World Challenge GT race (Salinas, Calif.), Oct. 22 (view advances) |
| Storyline |
| Jumping from Formula One to NASCAR |
| Behind the headlines announcing that ex-Formula One driver
Juan Pablo Montoya would leave F1 to join NASCAR''s Nextel Cup
series, and Jacques Villeneuve's indication he'd like to switch to
stock cars, too - is that while both of these drivers were still
racing in F1, former Cosworth chief engine designer Nick Hayes had
already made the switch. Hayes, named engine development and research director for Richard Childress Racing more than one year ago, in a recent Q&A gives his insight on why he came to NASCAR, the similarities and differences between the two series and his opinion on why drivers are making the switch. (view story) |
| Podcast: Letarte Discusses the Three Keys to Winning at Martinsville |
 Steve Letarte recently passed the one-year
mark of taking over as crew chief for the No. 24 Chevy Monte Carlo
SS team and driver Jeff Gordon. With a less-than-desired finish in
Charlotte now in the rearview mirror, Gordon, Letarte and crew head
to Martinsville where the team placed second in the spring
race.In this podcast, Letarte talks about the three keys to winning at Martinsville, how each of the Chase for the Championship race venues are "wild card" races, the importance of a solid qualifying run at Martinsville, plus a more personal perspective after one year leading the team. (listen to podcast) |
| GM Racing Profile |
| Chase Profile: Jeff Gordon, No. 24 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS |
 Jeff Gordon is the quintessential professional
- both on the race track and off. So despite a current 10th-place
position in NASCAR's Chase for the Championship Cup, Gordon could
feel down, but he's not out.The four-time Nextel Cup champion heads to Martinsville, a track he's dominated and where another win would be welcome news with five races remaining in the season. Yet with so much success at Martinsville, and over his career (75 wins, ranking seventh in the history of NASCAR), Gordon stays motivated to do more. "Jeff has the drive for the championship and to do better," said Alba Colon, GM's NASCAR program manager. "Next year with the new engine package and the new Car of Tomorrow, he wants to succeed. Also, personally speaking he's in one of the best moments of his life, getting ready for his wedding. Trust me, championships and being happy in your personal life, those things keep you really motivated. He really has his act together. To have a driver and a human being the caliber of Jeff Gordon, (Chevy) cannot ask for anything better. He is a great ambassador for the Chevrolet brand and our products." (view profile) |
