Thirteen-Year-Old Gilliland Earns Runner-Up Finish

Todd Gilliland - son of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Driver David Gilliland continues to impress.

He might not be old enough to get a North Carolina driver’s license, but 13-year-old Todd Gilliland is already showcasing his skills behind the wheel of a race car. The son of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver David Gilliland came within two car lengths of earning a win in just his third race in a stock car Sunday, finishing second in the Southeast Limited Late Models event at Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Speedway.

Gilliland started the 100-lap event in fifth after topping the speed charts in practice sessions earlier in the weekend. After initially slipping back to 13th, his No. 98 Performance Racing Warehouse/Superior Logistics Ford got more comfortable on the rough half-mile oval and started climbing through the field.

By Lap 58 he had pushed his way back into the top 10 and sat in eighth. And by Lap 79, he was battling it out three-wide for third place – a position that he won. Gilliland passed for second position with just seven laps to go and then set his sights on the leader.

A Lap 95 caution for a competitor in the wall put Gilliland’s final charge on hold until they could clear the track and prepare for a green-white-checkered finish. Restarting in second, he had two laps to try to catch Christian PaHud. He couldn’t overtake the leader, but he held back the rest of the field to finish second.

The eighth-grader at Mill Creek Middle School in Claremont, N.C., now has two top-10 finishes in just three late model starts since September. Gilliland just recently advanced to racing stock cars after winning the 2013 USAC World Formula National Quarter Midget Championship, winning races across the country from California to North Carolina.

“I’m loving racing these cars,” said the young racer. “It’s still new to me but I’m having a lot of fun. I can’t wait for next year to run more tracks and get more experience.”

He is the third generation of Gilliland racers, following his father, David, and grandfather, Butch, who also competed in the Cup Series.

“Our original plan was just to test Todd in the late model this year,” said David Gilliland. “But when we saw how quickly he took to it, we let him race. And I couldn’t be prouder of him. He’s showing maturity and patience that you don’t expect from a 13-year-old. He’s doing things already that took me 15 years to learn.”

Todd Gilliland Racing will now take time off for the holidays and prepare for a full season of late-model racing in 2014. Follow the team’s plans at ToddGilliland.com and on Twitter at @ToddGilliland_.

Love K1 Speed

Founded in 2003 in Carlsbad, California, K1 Speed now boost of being the premier karting company in America. Indoor karting has grown into a large industry over the last several years, not only within California, but across the nation. K1 Speed was one of the first companies to bring electric karts and indoor go kart tracks to Southern California, and they have witnessed an explosion in the market.

“The premise behind the creation of K1 Speed was to offer enthusiasts and amateurs alike an authentic and genuine racing experience in a safe, comfortable, accessible and perhaps most importantly, unique environment. Utilizing advanced European electric karts and indoor asphalt tracks, K1 Speed quickly developed a reputation as being fun and exciting, and our growth has been continuous since we first opened our doors. (from their website)”

Since Reef Indy’s cousin, Sofia surpassed the 48” height requirement, Uncle Moses decided it was time for her first trip to K-1 Speed. Sofia had driven a go-kart before; however, this would be the first time she took to the track with fellow racers!

As you can witness from the photos below Ms. Sofia loved her first visit to K1 Speed!

Just like real racing – K1 Speed’s first stop is registration.

Six-Year-Old Sofia is proud to show off her K1 Speed’s Driver’s License.

Opa and Sofia go over both the K1 Speed race flags and track rules.

Opa and Sofia watch Uncle Moses in his first K1 Speed race of the day.

Sofia gears-up in preparation of her first K1 Speed race of the day.

Sofia’s K1 Speed Kart gets foot extender.

Uncle Moses and Sofia discuss her race stats as Opa observes.

Sofia’s first spin out did not detour her racing enthusiasm.

Sofia’s K1 Speed race experience helped her become more race ready.

The end of a perfect K1 Speed experience!

Sofia expressed an interest in K1 Speed's Junior league.   The Junior League is designed for children who are 4′ to 4’9″ in height. The five-month series is affordable, safe and accessible, and is intended to serve as an introduction to racing.

Source

As a blogger, integrity is one of the most valuable commodities NASCAR Race Mom possesses. Therefore, reviews will contain both positive and negative aspects as is appropriate. To put it in a simpler manner, this review is meant to help my readers (editorial) more than to help a brand (advertising).

This review was done without compensation.

Happy NASCAR Thanksgiving!!!

 

NASCAR Race Mom supports the NASCAR Foundation.   Every Child deserves a champion!

Happy NASCAR Thanksgiving!!!

The NASCAR Foundation Presents $100,000 Check To Local Speediatrics Unit

2nd Annual Championship Taste Event Gives Back To Homestead Community

 

NASCAR drivers, fans and friends gathered at Homestead-Miami Speedway
to enjoy a unique dining experience while raising money for the Speediatrics
unit at Homestead Hospital, culminating with a $100,000 check presentation.

Building on its commitment to support children’s health care in the South Miami-Dade area, The NASCAR Foundation hosted its second annual Championship Taste event Thursday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

NASCAR drivers, fans and friends gathered at Homestead-Miami Speedway to enjoy a unique dining experience while raising money for the Speediatrics unit at Homestead Hospital, culminating with a $100,000 check presentation. The donation ensures that Miami-area children will continue to receive premium care and treatment in a colorful and fun NASCAR-themed environment.

“We’re so thankful for the wonderful sponsors, restaurants, drivers and the NASCAR fans and family who made Championship Taste at Homestead-Miami Speedway a success,” The NASCAR Foundation Executive Director Lorene King said. “We’re especially grateful for the partnership with the Pineapple Ladies of the Homestead Hospital Foundation who rallied the local community in support of the event. The best part about this event is that all funds raised stay local and ensure that Speediatrics will continue its important work in South Florida.”

Located at Homestead Hospital, the Speediatrics unit is dedicated to caring for the local community’s children. The NASCAR-themed, eight-bed unit includes a pediatric trauma room where the most severely ill or injured children can be stabilized, and is staffed by highly experienced pediatric emergency physicians and skilled nurses. Featuring colorful artwork and décor designed to ease anxiety and lift the spirits of young patients, Speediatrics has provided hope and comfort to thousands of children and their families.

“Last year, the Betty Jane France Children's Emergency Center treated more than 25,000 young patients,” Homestead Hospital CEO Bill Duquette said. “Through the generosity of The NASCAR Foundation, children are able to receive the care they need in a colorful, cheerful and calming environment."

 

This year’s event featured 23 South Florida restaurants showcasing their best menu items of 2013, including Celebrity Chef Adrianne Calvo’s restaurant, Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar. Participants had the opportunity to vote on their favorite restaurants from the night. Honors went to: Marker 88 (Overall Fan Favorite), Schnebly Redlands Winery (Best Drink), Ocean Reef (Bestf Appetizer), Smoke and Spice (Best Entrée) and Misha’s Cupcakes (Best Dessert).

In one of the evening’s highlights, Chef Adrianne and NASCAR national series drivers Aric Almirola, David Ragan, Johanna Long and Jennifer Jo Cobb, along with NASCAR Next drivers Gray Gaulding, Ryan Gifford, Ben Kennedy and Kenzie Ruston, squared off in a cooking contest. The group followed a recipe to create a spicy pinto beans and smoked sausage dish with all meats donated by Eckrich. The contest paired seasoned veterans with rising stars on a playing field other than a race track. The winners of this annual contest were Aric Almirola and Ben Kennedy, besting last year’s winner Johanna Long.

Other notables in attendance included NASCAR President and The NASCAR Foundation Vice Chairman Mike Helton, foundation board member and former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Rusty Wallace, Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer, ESPN analyst and former three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion crew chief Ray Evernham, Miss Sprint Cups Kim Coon and Brooke Werner and the reigning Miss Florida Myrrhanda Jones.

In January, The NASCAR Foundation will host the Taste of the 24, a similar event that kicks off the Rolex 24 At Daytona weekend with fabulous music, great food and non-stop racing. The Taste of 24 will benefit The NASCAR Foundation Scholarship Program for graduating high school seniors in Volusia County.

NASCAR Race Mom's a Winner!

They say no good deed goes unpunished. As you know NASCAR Race Mom is a huge fan of all the charitable endeavors of the NASCAR Community. NRM is an especially big fan of the benevolent work of Sprint Cup Drivers #24 Jeff Gordon and his teammate #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr.

 

In fact, just a couple of days ago, NASCAR Race Mom posted about the Jeff Gordon's Children's Raffle which ended today. The proceeds of the raffle benefited the needed funding for childhood cancer research and treatment.

NASCAR Race Mom made sure to buy her ten tickets for the raffle. While I did not win the first nor second prize, NRM was just notified that she won the #9 prize (2005 JG Daytona picture, 1998 JG diecast, 1999 JG diecast/stats book).

 

It is too bad that the picture is not autographed. NASCAR Race Mom still does not have a Jeff Gordon autograph for her NASCAR Collection. However, that does not dampen the joyous feel generated by the fact that NRM was able to help kids in need AND receive a nice reward for that good deed!

Click here for post about Raffle

My Conversation with #24 Jeff Gordon

 

Send “Speedy the Bear” To A Sick Child

During this holiday season, Lorene King, the Executive Director of the NASCAR Foundation would like to thank everyone for the wonderful things that fans have helped The NASCAR Foundation achieve this year:

• Fans helped the foundation serve over 2,500 military families by providing comfort kits to children from Ft. Hood whose family members were deploying overseas.
• Fans allowed the foundation to fulfill more than 1,100 NASCAR Dreams by educating and entertaining children at track with major experiences for children in Phoenix, Kansas City, Atlanta, and Charlotte.
• Fans helped ensure medical care for more than 27,000 children in our Speediatrics units providing pediatric emergency and critical care.
• Fans gave 60 kids who are suffering from catastrophic illnesses or who have special needs a camping experience of a lifetime. At camp, kids can enjoy life-changing experiences free of charge to their families.

Now, at this special time of year, when giving is in the minds of us all, the NASCAR Foundation asking for fan support once again.

Click here to donate to send “Speedy the Bear”

to a sick child in the hospital this holiday season.

The donation of $25 will sponsor one bear!

Jeff Gordon's Children's Raffle Ends 11/20/2013

THE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN Tickets Remaining: 269*

*As of Nov 16, 11:15am/ET
 

It is my goal that all children, both in the U.S. and abroad, will never have to worry about the threat of cancer or devastating late effects caused by cancer treatment. Thanks to the generosity and compassion of our dedicated donors and partners, together we WILL one day reach the finish line. - Jeff Gordon

With your help, we can take strides toward providing the needed funding for childhood cancer research and treatment. Jackson Panzarello's fight against the disease motivated and inspired me to make a difference. Not a day goes by where Jackson's memory isn't guiding, inspriring, and urging me to always Fight On. He was just 10 years old when he passed away last year, but his continuing legacy is the incredible difference we've made for research and treatment.

Enter the November 20 raffle drawings with all proceeds benefiting The Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation for childhood cancer research and treatment. Tickets: $6/each. Limited to 500 tickets.

Raffle prize winners will drawn by Mandi Shoopman, 14, who has battled retinoblastoma

 

 

*They now only have 259 tickets remaining - because NASCAR Race Mom just bought her ten tickets! (Check out the Second Prize - Super Cool Jacket)

 

DONATION LINK -- Raffle Entry

 

 

Prizes:

 

Grand Prize 1997 Daytona 500 program: AUTOGRAPHED by Jeff Gordon (w. event patch)
 

*2. 2001 JG Championship Jacket (size:M) - With original tags. New/never worn condition
*Note: The drawing for the jacket is available to U.S. addresses only.  Jacket pic 1 | Jacket pic 2 | Jacket pic 3

 3. 2012 JG Children's Foundation Gingerbread 1:24 scale diecast

 4. 2005 Jeff Gordon Halston Z-14 bag

 5. 1999 Superman 1:64 diecast, Hendrick Marrow wristband

 6. 1997 Chroma Permier 1:64 diecast, NASCAR 50th anniv pin (1998)

 7. Winner's Circle - 1995 championship, 1999 Pepsi 1:64 diecast

 8. 1996 DuPont hauler, 1999 Star Wars 1:24 scale diecast

 9. 2005 JG Daytona picture, 1998 JG diecast, 1999 JG diecast/stats book

10. Three Jeff Gordon Christmas ornaments (1997, 2001, 2003)

11. Ricky Hendrick hero card (1999)

12. Special JG mystery package! (from the 1990's)

What a riot! Ryan Blaney teaching Dylan Kwasniewski a lesson about leaving his door unlocked! Fellow NASCAR Racer, Darrell Wallace, Jr. did the work behind the camera.

Young Gaulding Means Business

Don’t let that baby face fool you – Gray Gaulding means business. Gray Gaulding and the Krispy Kreme TruMoo Milk Toyota team headed back across country for the final race in the 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series season.

The Casino Arizona 50 marked Gaulding’s 18th start in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and second at the one mile Phoenix International Raceway. Gaulding qualified third at PIR in the spring and ended the day with a respectable sixth place finish.

“Phoenix was my first real K&N Series start,” said Gaulding. “We qualified good and ran top-10 the entire race, hopefully we can build on that and go after it this week.”

The long trip was worth it for the youthful NASCAR driver - Gray Gaulding won the Casino Arizona 50 on Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway. Gaulding got the win when Cole Custer spun in Turns 3 and 4 on the white-flag lap after some slight contact.

It’s the first career victory for the 15-year-old out of Colonial Heights, Va., who becomes the youngest race winner in K&N West history at 15 years, 8 months and 30 days. He eclipses the mark of 16 years and 2 months established by Dylan Kwasniewski in Aug. 2011. 

Gray Gaulding celebrates his first career win in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series
with a victory at Phoenix International Raceway. (Getty Images for NASCAR)

However, Gaulding is no stranger to breaking records. He is also: 

• Youngest Pole Sitter in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series "Richmond Int'l Raceway" (15 years, 2 months, 15 days)
• Youngest Driver to Start in the NASCAR K&N Pro Seres West "Phoenix Int'l Raceway" (15 years, 20 days)
• Youngest Driver to Start in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series "Daytona Int'l Speedway" (15 years, 9 days)
• Youngest US Legends Car Pro Champion "Winter Heat at Charlotte Motor Speedway" (Janurary 2012)
• Pro All Stars Series Rookie of the Year (2011)
• Youngest Super Late Model Winner "Wake County Speedway" (Sept. 2011)
• Youngest to Win a Pro Legends Race "Concord Speedway" (March 2011)
• Youngest Driver to Make the Legends Million at Charlotte Motor Speedway
• Youngest Driver to Win a Legends Race "Concord Speedway" (12 years, 1 month) 

"I have matured some much throughout this season, I drive with what I feel in my butt -GGR PR #KNWest #CasinoArizona50" Gaulding’s account tweeted after his latest win

You can follow Gray via Facebook  and/or Twitter.

17-year-old Becomes The Younges Truck Series Winner

Erik Jones scored his first Camping World Truck Series win Friday night,
coming in his fifth series start.  (Photo: Getty Images)

In a battle between two drivers who had never won a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, 17-year-old Erik Jones pulled away from Ross Chastain in the final 10 laps of Friday night's Lucas Oil 150, becoming the youngest winner in series history.

Driving the No. 51 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota, Jones took the lead on Lap 142 of 150, powering to the inside of Chastain through the dogleg on the backstretch. Born May 30, 1986, Jones eclipsed Chase Elliott, a winner earlier this year at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, as the youngest winner in the truck series.

On the last restart, we stayed with him through (Turns) 1 and 2 on the top side," Jones said. "He squeezed us up -- but that's racing with 10 to go. You can't blame him for that. But when something like that happens, it makes you more determined than you were before. I was really determined after that to go back and get it. I really felt like we had a better truck from the previous restart, and I really felt like it was our race all day and didn't want to let it slip away.

Jones lost the lead to Chastain during pit stops under caution on Lap 89, the yellow flag necessitated by Ron Hornaday's hard crash into the Turn 4 wall. As soon as the green flag waved, however, Jones powered to the outside of Chastain after a restart on Lap 94 and cleared the No. 19 by the time the trucks exited Turn 2.

Jones opened a lead of 3.2 seconds before debris from Joey Coulter's truck caused the fourth caution of the night on Lap 112. Chastain grabbed the lead from the inside lane after the Lap 120 restart moments before John Wes Townley's spin into the outside wall caused the sixth caution.

Chastain held the top spot on Lap 134, when Timothy Peters' truck got loose beneath that of fellow Toyota driver Darrell Wallace Jr. and sent both trucks spinning. 

As they say, the rest was history.

Ella & Leo congratulate the Team on Win #88

Jeff Gordon's children, Ella & Leo help dad congratulate the Hendrick Motorsports Team on Career Win #88.

 
 

 

Jeff Gordon is already among the legends of NASCAR, and his legacy was added to as the 42-year old driver piloted his Chevy into victory lane with an impressive pass for the lead late in the 500-mile race at Martinsville Speedway.

The kids had a great time this morning with our DRIVE4COPD friends, all of the drivers who came out, and Sam Bass - NASCAR's 1st Officially Licensed Artist at Phoenix International Raceway! (via The NASCAR Foundation Facebook)

DRIVE4COPD is a multi-year public health initiative to screen the millions of people who may be at risk for COPD. As many as 24 million Americans have COPD but approximately half don't know it and remain undiagnosed.

Led by the COPD Foundation, DRIVE4COPD aims to help people identify symptoms of COPD and take action. This large-scale education and awareness campaign is working to help bring COPD to the forefront.

Help Kids With Cancer!

Papa John's, Pepsi Max and Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation Partner to help kids with cancer! Are you going to the Next NASCAR Race in Phoenix?

Each time you order one large Papa John’s  2-topping pizza and a two-liter Pepsi-Cola product, for just $11; One dollar will be donated to the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation .

Note: This offer is valid in Phoenix, AZ only! Use Promo Code "JEFF11."

NASCAR Diversity Graduate Makes Monumental History

NASCAR Diversity Graduate Makes Monumental History

Darrell Wallace, Jr. not only won his first NASCAR race at Martinsville Speedway last weekend, but became just the second African-American driver to win in one of NASCAR's top touring series.

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NASCAR inGEAR

Are The Dillon Brothers Just “Rich Kids?”

Crew members for Ty Dillon, surround Kevin Harvick, on pit road
after an incident during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200
at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 26, 2013  (Robert Laberge, NASCAR)

Harvick was battling hard with Ty Dillon for the second spot in the closing laps, when the pair got together, ending their chances at victory. The spin was just the beginning, however, as Harvick and Dillon went after each other on the track, Dillon's crew went after Harvick on pit road, and the pair exchanged pointed words in the garage.

As if that was not enough, one of the RCR crew members threw a sledgehammer at Harvick's truck.

"The (No.) 3 just dumped me," Harvick said. "(That's) exactly reason I'm leaving RCR, because you've got those kids coming up that have got no respect for what they do in this sport and they've had everything fed to them with a spoon...It's just a shame you have to get taken out by some rich kid like that."

Both Ty Dillon and his older brother Austin came up through the K&N Pro Series circuit.

Ty Dillon celebrates his first career series win in Victory Lane
at Gresham Motorsports Park.  (Kevin Cox/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Ty Dillon won his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race of his career at Gresham Motorsports Park in Georgia on August 28, 2010. So to see him in a truck race so soon is a bit usual. However, he is the grandson of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owner Richard Childress and therefore was presented with an enormous opportunity to carve his place in the highly completive NASCAR Arena.

Are the Dillon brothers just “rich kids” with no respect for the sport of NASCAR? Only time and their contribution to NASCAR will witness the truth. However, whether fair or not, their relationship to NASCAR protagonist Richard Childress will forever taint their accomplishments a tad.

On a personal note, NASCAR Race Mom had not had much contact with Ty Dillon. On the contrary, Austin was present at many of Moses’ races. NRM’s option of Austin was surprisingly positive. One race I watched Austin carefully observing his brother practice on track in order to advise him later.

What impress NRM the most happened at a night practice at the Phoenix International Raceway.  There were no fans nor media about, nevertheless Austin stayed with his crew as the crew worked to improve his truck. No other truck driver did that!

So are the Dillon’s “rich kids?” Yup - compared to most, they most certainly are. Have they had it easier? I think that is probably another yup! That does not automatically mean that they do not belong on the race track! You can only get so far with money – you must have the talent and determination to back it up.  Most assuredly, the Dillon’s future will make for interesting NASCAR Drama!