Stevie Wonder To Serve As Grand Marshal
Stevie Wonder will sing a new tune this Sunday at California Speedway. The 25-time Grammy Award winner is the Grand Marshal for the Sharp AQUOS 500 and will give the “Gentlemen, Start Your Engines” command.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have a talent the likes of Stevie Wonder serving as our Grand Marshal, ” said California Speedway President Gillian Zucker. “Stevie is one of the most influential icons in the world of music who literally has millions of fans across the globe. ”
Seven California Natives Enter Race
Seven drivers hailing from the “Golden State” are expected to participate in Sunday’s Sharp AQUOS 500. All seven are full-time competitors in the series – the most from any state. Virginia and North Carolina are tied for second-most with five.
The seven drivers are AJ Allmendinger (No. 84 Red Bull Toyota), David Gilliland (No. 38 M&M’s Ford), Jeff Gordon, Robby Gordon (No. 7 Jim Beam Ford), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Pennzoil Platinum Chevrolet), Jimmie Johnson and Casey Mears (No. 25 National Guard/GMAC Chevrolet).
Bowyer, Truex Highlight TMS Fanfest
Texas Motor Speedway will host its inaugural FanFest! on Tuesday with drivers Clint Bowyer (No. 07 Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet) and Martin Truex Jr. (No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet). The two drivers, who both are currently in position to make the Chase, will conduct a fan forum and sign autographs.
The event will be held from 5-10 p. m. CT in the TMS infield. In addition to meeting the drivers, fans will have the opportunity to take a spin around the track in one of several ride-along programs.
Kasey Kahne Holds Sprint Car Challenge
Kasey Kahne (No. 9 UAW/Dodge Dealers Dodge) will be joined by Tony Stewart for the second annual Kasey Kahne Foundation Sprint Car Challenge Wednesday night.
The duo will be competing in winged 360 at Skagit Speedway in Alger, Wash.
The Kasey Kahne Foundation was created to raise and donate funds to charitable organizations that care for disadvantaged youths and chronically ill children and their families.
Raines To Wear No. 66
Hat When Jeff Green (No. 66 Best Buy Chevrolet) passed Tony Raines (No. 96 DLP HDTV Chevrolet) on the last lap Saturday night, there was more at stake than three points.
The two had made a friendly wager before the race, with the losing driver having to wear the winners’ hat during the upcoming race weekend at California Speedway.
“We just wanted to do something different (by making the bet), ” Green said. “It’s kind of funny that we finished one right in front of the other, and that my team won the bet with a pass on the last lap. ”
Hamlin To Visit Children’s Hospital
Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Express Chevrolet) will make a visit to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles on Thursday. As part of the visit, FedEx will donate $25,000 to the hospital. Hamlin also will receive a special helmet designed by Childrens Hospital Los Angeles patient Angelica Ramirez.
Hamlin will wear the helmet for all on-track activity this weekend. It is the seventh of 11 helmets specially designed by children’s hospital patients. All 11 race-worn helmets will be displayed and auctioned to benefit the Victory Junction Gang Camp.
On Deck: Richmond Marks Chase Cutoff
The Race to the Chase concludes next Saturday with the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Following the race, the top-12 drivers will be seeded based on their wins for the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup.
Kevin Harvick won last year’s race, Denny Hamlin was the pole sitter.
At least one driver outside of Chase contention has raced his way into the Chase at Richmond in each of its three years. In addition, the winner of all three Richmond races leading into the Chase has been a Chase participant.
The Race: Sharp AQUOS 500
The Place: California Speedway
The Date: Sunday, Sept. 2
The Time: 8 p. m. (ET)
TV: ESPN, 7 p. m. (ET)
The Track: 2-mile oval
The Distance: 500 miles, 250 laps
The Purse: $6,097,134
2006 Winner: Kasey Kahne
2006 Pole: Kurt Busch
Series Standings
Pos. Driver Pts.
1 Gordon 3,582
2 Stewart 3,233
3 Hamlin 3,229
4 Kenseth 3,163
5 Edwards 3,160
6 Johnson 3,059
7 J. Burton 3,054
8 Kyle Busch 3,024
9 Bowyer 2,944
10 Harvick 2,888
11 Truex Jr. 2,887
12 Kurt Busch 2,879
Pre-Race Schedule (local/PT time): Friday—Practice, 11:30 a. m.-1 p. m. Qualifying—3:10 p. m., Saturday—Practice, 4-4:45 p. m. and 5:10-6:10 p. m.
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