Six Motorsports Championships…Lots of South Florida Storylines

 
Six Motorsports Championships…Lots of South Florida Storylines
NASCAR Storylines En Route to Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 20-22
-Florida’s Mark Martin to Make Championship Memories in Miami?
-Miami’s Montoya Enters Wine Country Mere Points From Chase Berth
-Logano, Just 19, in Thick of Nationwide Hunt to Be Crowned in Miami
-Mustangs in Miami? Pony Cars Could Come to Nationwide Series
-Braun Scores Boost for Ford En Route to Kids-Free Miami Championship
-NASCAR Standings Update: a Real Race for Chase En Route to Miami

Florida’s Mark Martin to Make Championship Memories in Miami?
Mark Martin’s surprisingly successful season continued this weekend as the 50-year old driver won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Michigan. With two laps to go, the checkered flag in sight and fuel tanks going dry, Martin trailed leaders Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle. The latter two ran out of gas before crossing the finish line, allowing Martin to cruise past them and into Victory Lane—with mere fumes in his own tank: “After the race was over, I shut [the engine] off at the start/finish line, coasted all the way around,” Martin said in a post-race press conference. “I was gonna try to fire it up just to get it in Victory Lane. It wouldn't even spin over. So it ran exactly as far as it was gonna run. We had our hands full if we were going to try to go another lap or another mile. That was cool.”
The victory is the No. 5 team’s third of the 2009 campaign, tying him with Kyle Busch for most wins this season and vaulting Martin into eighth place in the Sprint Cup Series points standings. Martin, a resident of Daytona Beach, Fla., seeks his first Miami win and his first Sprint Cup Series Championship when the stars of NASCAR come to Homestead-Miami Speedway for Ford Championship Weekend, Nov. 20-22.

Miami’s Montoya Enters Wine Country Mere Points From Chase Berth
Heading this weekend to the site of his first and only Sprint Cup Series win—Sonoma, Calif.—Coral Gables resident Juan Pablo Montoya has many reasons to be smiling. The driver of the No. 42 Target Chevrolet has posted back-to-back Top 10 finishes for the first time in his career. His eighth-place run at Pocono last weekend and a sixth place at Michigan have him flying high, as he sits in 14th place just 43 points from the Top 12 cut-off for qualification into the Chase playoffs. “It’s just momentum,” Montoya said post-race in Michigan. “Everybody on our team is doing an amazing job. We just have to keep coming with those results to make the Chase.”
This weekend, Montoya returns to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma looking to repeat the magic he had at the 12-turn road course in 2007. Montoya notched his first win on one of the circuit’s toughest race tracks but since has been searching for Victory Lane with no avail. The former F1 driver and Indy 500 champion, however, knows his time is coming and has a lot of confidence from his success so far this season. “Right now I don’t really care where we go” Montoya said, “we seem to run good everywhere.” With a strong run in the hills of wine country and continued consistency along the lines of what he’s displayed in recent weeks, and Montoya could be in contention for the Sprint Cup Series title when he returns home with NASCAR’s best for the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Nov. 22.
 
Logano, Just 19, in Thick of Nationwide Hunt to Be Crowned in Miami
Joey Logano is already making history at age 19. NASCAR’s teen sensation won last weekend’s Nationwide Series race in Kentucky from the pole position for the second year in a row to become the repeat winner in the Bluegrass State. After a pit-road speeding penalty at Lap 71 of 200, Logano was mired in the back of the field before steamrolling through the field to pass teammate Kyle Busch with 10 laps to go. “To win two-for-two here, that’s really cool for me and the whole team.” Logano said in Victory Lane. “I guess that’s the first time anyone’s ever done that here, so it’s pretty neat. We’ve got two poles, two wins–perfect record here, so that’s pretty cool.”
After his 2008 Kentucky win, Logano earned a Top 10 finish in last year’s Ford 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Nicknamed “Sliced Bread,” as in “The greatest thing since…,” Logano has tabulated seven Top 5s and nine Top 10 finishes on the 2009 Nationwide campaign to rank fifth place in the circuit standings. How might a 19-year-old celebrate in Miami come Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Nov. 20-22?

Mustangs in Miami? Pony Cars Could Come to Nationwide Series
Since its debut in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2007, the “Car of Tomorrow” has demonstrated proven benefits to America’s top racing series as it has increased safety and decreased costs for teams. NASCAR is expected to debut the Car of Tomorrow in the second-tier Nationwide Series in 2010, and rumors are swirling as to what model manufactures Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge and Toyota would employ. Could it be “pony cars?”
No official decisions have been made, but there is speculation that Ford is considering using its trademark Mustang, with Dodge using its revamped Challenger model. Chevrolet and Toyota are expected to stick with the models they use in the Sprint Cup Series—the Impala and Camry, respectively. The goal with any models chose, of course, is the familiar mantra of “Win on Sunday. Sell on Monday.” Either way, expect to see plenty of the street-legal versions of these pony cars, including the 2010 Ford Mustang, at
Homestead-Miami Speedway during Ford Championship Weekend, Nov. 20-22.

Braun Scores Boost for Ford En Route to Kids-Free Miami Championship
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series had its own youth movement over the weekend as 20 year-old Colin Braun scored his first career victory at Michigan. The win was momentus for the driver and team owner Jack Roush, who with it recorded his 50th Truck Series win.. “It never gets old,” Roush said smiling in Victory Lane. “It’s great to do it in our backyard. This is my turf.” Roush’s business ventures are based a little more than 50 miles away from Michigan International Speedway, and is neighbored by both car sponsor Conway Freight and Ford Motor Company, title sponsor to NASCAR series-crowning Ford Championship Weekend, set for Miami Nov. 20-22.
The win was long overdue for Braun, who had tremendous expectations for success upon entering the Truck Series in 2008 but went winless through his first 34 races. "What an awesome truck—you poured your hearts into this," Braun told his crew after collecting the victory before turning his attention to his truck owner. "Thanks, Jack. Thanks for sticking with me."
With his victory in Michigan, Braun vaulted into 12th place in the Championship standings, as he looks to be in contention for the Championship when arguably NASCAR’s most competitive series comes to Homestead-Miami Speedway during the Ford Championship Weekend, Nov. 20-22. And the Friday-night Truck Series Ford 200 in Miami will be FREE to kids 12 and under.

NASCAR Standings Update: a Real Race for Chase En Route to Miami
As Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 20-22) inches closer, there are 11 races left to determine the Championship contenders in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. The Top 3 spots remain the same this week as Tony Stewart leads Jeff Gordon by 47 points, followed by Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman.
The remainder of the Top 12: Ford drivers Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle; Michigan winner Mark Martin; Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin; Ford Racing’s Matt Kenseth; and Jeff Burton. Florida residents David Reutimann and Juan Pablo Montoya reside just outside of Championship
contention in 13and 14place, while Kasey Kahne is 91 points behind 12place as the Sprint Cup Series heads to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA this weekend.
In the Nationwide Series, Kyle Busch’s second place run last weekend at Kentucky padded his lead over Carl Edwards, who trails by 135 points. Brad Keselowski is in third place, followed by Jason Leffler and Joey Logano. The Nationwide Series this weekend travel to Wisconsin to take on the Milwaukee Mile
In the Camping World Truck Series standings, Matt Crafton remains the leader over Ron Hornaday by 39 points. Third and fourth spots belong to Mike Skinner and Todd Bodine, respectively. Kyle Busch comes again into this Championship picture, gaining seven spots with his 2nd place finish in Michigan.
All three of NASCAR’s top racing series will crown Champions at Homestead Miami Speedway during Ford Championship Weekend, Nov. 20-22. Tickets are on sale now and available by visiting www.HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com or by calling (866) 409-RACE.
IndyCar and Grand-Am Sports Cars Storylines En Route to the NextEra Energy Resources SpeedJam Championships at Homestead-Miami Speedway Oct. 9-10
 How Will Hurricane Fans Treat This Buckeye Fan Come October?
 “McDreamy” Preps for Return to Homestead-Miami Oct. 9-10
 Boca Raton’s Reay to Race for A.J. Foyt Racing in Miami…
 …With a Second Car Waiting for Miami’s Meira at Championship
 Jupiter’s Scott Speed, Kyle Busch to Race Grand-Am in Daytona
 Miami Resident to Benefit from Veteran Teammate at Watkins Glen

How Will Hurricane Fans Treat This Buckeye Fan Come October?
University of Miami football fans well remember the 2003 Fiesta Bowl overtime thriller in which the Hurricanes fell to the Ohio State Buckeye. And so does IndyCar driver Graham Rahal—with pride.
The racing son of open-wheel Champion Bobby Rahal—who won an IndyCar championship in Miami— Graham’s college football allegiance is to Ohio State, and he recently got to combine his passions with a visit to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center to meet head coach Jim Tressel. Rahal guided the coach through a ride in the IndyCar Series street-legal two-seater, quite a thrill for the devout Buckeye fan.
"We've always followed [Ohio State]," said Rahal, a Columbus, Ohio, native. "We'd have parties and stuff like that at the house to watch the games. It's been going on forever. The thing is, around here, everybody does it."
Tressel has won college football’s national championship at Ohio State, and Rahal would like to take the IndyCar equivalent at Homestead-Miami Speedway during the Oct. 10 Firestone Indy 300 in Miami.

“McDreamy” Preps for Return to Homestead-Miami Oct. 9-10
Dempsey Racing used last week’s off week in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series to compete in one of the world’s greatest auto races, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “Grey’s Anatomy” star Patrick Dempsey is hoping the extra seat time will serve him well for the remainder of the Grand-Am season en route to the series-crowning finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway during the NextEra Energy Resources SpeedJam Championships Oct. 9-10.
Teammates Dempsey and Joe Foster finished ninth in the GT class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Dempsey was at the wheel for more than nine hours in one of the best performances of his career—his best being a sixth-place finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2007.
"This is like a win," said Dempsey. "To be here and be in the Top 10, it's like a win to me. I have never driven so much in my entire life. I battled to stay focused."
Dempsey returns to Miami Oct. 9-10 for the NextEra Energy Resources SpeedJam Championships. He raced at Homestead-Miami in March for a two-day test session.

Boca Raton’s Reay to Race for A.J. Foyt Racing in Miami…
Boca Raton native Ryan Hunter-Reay will drive for A.J. Foyt’s ABC Supply team for the remainder of the 2009 season, beginning at Iowa Speedway June 20-21. The announcement comes as a result of a conversation between A.J. Foyt and Vision Racing team owner Tony George, who reportedly approached Foyt about using Hunter-Reay while Vitor Meira recovered from a back injury sustained in the Indy 500.
Hunter-Reay is currently 10th in IndyCar standings in this, his first full season of IndyCar Series competition. "I have always had the highest respect for both Tony George and A.J. Foyt, so when they asked me to drive the ABC Supply car while Vitor recovers, I was happy to accept,” said Hunter-Reay, who recorded his first victory in the closing laps at Watkins Glen in 2008.
“Vitor is a friend, and I know all of the drivers are wishing him a speedy recovery. I am really looking forward to this new partnership with A.J. Foyt Racing, and I will do my absolute best to help deliver the results we are all hoping to achieve."

…With a Second Car Waiting for Miami’s Meira at Championship
Miami resident Vitor Meira is doing everything in his power to get back into the cockpit after suffering two broken vertebrae in a crash during the Indianapolis 500. The original prognosis for Meira’s return in time for the Firestone Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway Oct. 10 was doubtful, but Meira is not ready to concede the season.
"I will be back by the end of this year," Meira said from his home in Miami, "unless the doctor says it's a real stupid idea."
Meira gave up his pain medication last weekend and is walking the prescribed one mile per day. The worst part of rehab, he said, is strapping on a restrictive back brace that extends from just below his waist to his armpits, which he has to wear for at least two more months. This all from the accident that occurred with another Miami resident, Raphael Matos, late in the race at Indianapolis. If Meira does make it back, team-owner A.J. Foyt plans to run two cars at THE Championship Tracksm for the Firestone Indy 300 Oct.10.

Jupiter’s Scott Speed, Kyle Busch to Race Grand-Am in Daytona
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Kyle Busch and Scott Speed plan to test their skills driving exotic Daytona Prototype sports cars in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, which culminates with the series-crowning Championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway Oct. 9-10.
The duo will split driving duties July 4 at Daytona International Speedway in the Brumos Porsche 250, racing a second Lexus Riley sports car fielded by Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. The primary drivers for Ganassi Racing in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series are Memo Rojas and Scott Pruett. the series' defending champions.
"I am really looking forward to seeing Kyle and Scott in one of our Grand Am cars," said team co-owner Chip Ganassi, who has aspirations of repeating when the Championship is decided at Homestead-Miami Speedway Oct.10. "Also, I think having the opportunity for them to work with a road-course veteran like Scott Pruett should make for a great experience for them. It will be exciting to see what they can do."

Miami Resident to Benefit from Veteran Teammate at Watkins Glen
When the IndyCar Series Championship is decided at Homestead-Miami Speedway during the Oct. 9-10 NextEra Energy Resources SpeedJam Championships, Miami resident Mario Moraes will be completing just his second full-year in open-wheel racing’s top division. But thanks to a new addition at KV Racing Technology—Paul Tracy—Moraes now has a new teammate from whom to learn. It recently was announced that Tracy will compete for the team at Watkins Glen International Raceway on July 5, perhaps providing Moraes an added weapon.
"Running Paul at The Glen with Mario gives us the opportunity to maximize our efforts on a very challenging road course and provides Paul with a tune-up race before he competes in front of his hometown fans in Toronto," KVRT co-owner Jimmy Vasser said in an interview from Indianapolis.
Moraes is currently 17th in the season Championship standing after two strong runs at Milwaukee and Kansas. The next four races will be critical for Moraes if he harbors aspirations of competing for the IndyCar Championship in Miami, as THE Championship Tracksm hosts the series-crowning Firestone Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Oct. 10.