Too Young to ENTER the PEAK DRIVER SEARCH (#PEAKnation #knwest #nascar)

What do you mean I am too young
to ENTER the PEAK DRIVER SEARCH

NASCAR Race Mom's kleinzoon, Reef Indy wants to enter the PEAK STOCK CAR DREAM CHALLENGE 2: THE SECOND HEAT.  

He just heard that last years winner, 24-year-old Patrick Staropoli, won his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race yesterday at California's Irwindale Speedway!

Unfortunately you must be 16 or older to enter! Checkout this wonderful contest for up and coming drivers by clicking here.

Look out for Reef Indy in 2029!
#PEAKnation #knwest #nascar

#NASCAR's young stars visit Hollywood movie studios

Drivers takes tours of studios

With the NASCAR national series in California this weekend, several young drivers took the opportunity to take in the sites that Hollywood has to offer, specifically movie studios tours. 

 

Yup, it is that much fun being a NASCAR Rising Star! 

 

 

 

You can follow these NASCAR Rising Stars via Twitter:

• @austindillon3 Austin Dillon

 

• @BubbaWallace Darrell Wallace Jr.

 

• @chaseelliott Chase Elliott

 

• @dylankracing Dylan Kwasniewski

 

• @kylelarsonracin Kyle Larson

 

• @RyanBlaney22 Ryan Blaney

 

• @tydillon Ty Dillon

A NASCAR Birthday Andrew Will Never Forget!

In the post below, Kelly Freeman, grandmother of 7-year-old Andrew who has autism, tells the story of how his biggest birthday dream came true last weekend thanks to the generosity of someone neither had ever met. You can read more about how Autism Speaks is getting involved with NASCAR this year here.

Andrew with his favorite
driver, Jimmie Johnson

My grandson Andrew is a big NASCAR fan and knows just about everything about every driver. His favorite is Jimmie Johnson. I have never heard a kid talk about something as much as Andrew talks about NASCAR. But I think the most remarkable thing is that when Andrew first received his diagnosis of Autism, my family was advised to be prepared for a child who may not speak. Let me tell you…after a recent five hour car ride with Andrew, I have found that he not only speaks, but rarely stops talking! We are all so very proud of him. If you want to hear Autism Speak, you should really listen to Andrew.

When we heard a NASCAR race was coming to Bristol, Tennessee in March, we knew it would be a perfect way to celebrate Andrew’s 7th birthday. We were sure the best present he could receive was the chance to meet a NASCAR driver. I decided to reach out to Autism Speaks, knowing this was a lot to ask for. But if you met this bright, loveable boy you would understand why I asked if they knew of anyone who might please take the time to try to make an autistic boy’s dream come true. Sure enough, we heard back soon after and a very nice man involved with Autism Speaks offered to host us at the race!

Andrew at the Fox Sports
desk with Chris Myers

The day started when we arrived at the track at around 6:30 am to pick up our race credentials from NASCAR. We were then taken to see the TV compound and we enjoyed a really good breakfast while watching camera crews get their equipment ready. After we finished breakfast, we were taken on a tour of the area where the drivers RV's are parked. We actually went in Darrell Watrip’s trailer and he talked with Andrew about racing and gave him an autographed picture! Our next stop was at the trailer where Fox Sport's does their play-by-play of the race. Andrew actually sat at the desk with Chris Myers and was talking about racing and his favorite drivers. Then we stood outside the door and listened to them telecast part of the actual show!

Andrew was having a great time! We then got to go into the pit area and walked around watching the crews working on the cars. We also walked up to see the winners circle. We took some pictures of some of the cars while they were working on them. Andrew talked with some of the crews about what they were doing to the cars. We then got to go to the actually drivers meeting with all the drivers and NASCAR to go over all the rules for the race. While we waited for the meeting to start, Andrew was taken around to meet a lot of the drivers. Andrew also had 19 drivers autograph a Bristol race shirt signed for him. After the meeting was over, we were then taken to our seats. And they provided us with suite seats where you can see the whole track!

Andrew was really excited by then and was ready for the race to start. Andrew had to sit in the front row right next to the glass so he could see everything. He really enjoyed his day at the race. Everyone we met on this special day was awesome. This is one birthday he will never forget! He is still talking about it. I'm very grateful to everyone who helped to make this special day for Andrew come true on his birthday!

This is why NASCAR Race Mom love NASCAR!
Andrew is welcome by the NASCAR Drivers!

Source

Kawsniewski Has A Lot to Smile About

Dylan Kawsniewski was signed to a development contract with Chip Ganassi Racing over the weekend.

Ganassi has cars driven by Kyle Larson and Jamie McMurray, and the deal means that the 18-year-old Kawsniewski will be groomed to be the third Sprint Cup Series driver for the team.

Kawsniewski said he's grateful that he has this opportunity.

"It's my best opportunity to get to the top," said Kawsniewski. "I have to learn. I have to prove myself. I'm not just going to get a free ticket up to the top. I have to go out there and perform."

Ganassi said he knows he's taking a bit of a gamble on such a young driver.

"When you look at all his variables, you say, 'He has the least amount of question marks,'" Ganassi said. "We're first and foremost a race team, and it's important we run at the front."

Drivers for 2014 Pro/Celebrity Race

Olympic Champion Carmelita Jeter, Academy Award Winner Adrien Brody and Turbocharged Personalities Including Phil Keoghan and Corbin Bleu Get Behind the Wheel for Charity

LONG BEACH, CA--(Marketwired - Mar 6, 2014) - Grand Prix Association of Long Beach officials announced today the 20 participants from film, television, music and sports who will compete in the 2014 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Pro/Celebrity Race. The 38th annual charity race will take place April 12 on the 1.97-mile street course in downtown Long Beach, Calif., as part of the 40th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend.

The field of racers will take to the streets in 210-horsepower Scion FR-S race-prepped cars navigating high speeds and demanding turns to benefit "Racing for Kids," a national fundraising program supporting children's hospitals throughout the United States. The announced field of intensely competitive individuals includes:

 

Sam Witwer (Aidan Waite from "Being Human") is just one of the fifteen
celebrity drivers for the 2014 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Pro/Celebrity Race.

 

•Eric Braeden (@EBraeden): Emmy award-winning daytime superstar most recognized as Victor Newman on the popular soap opera "The Young and the Restless."

•Adrien Brody: Academy award-winning actor for his role in "Pianist." Most recently seen in "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and Academy Award-winning "Midnight in Paris."

•Corbin Bleu (@CorbinBleu): Actor, model, dancer, producer and singer-songwriter who performed in the "High School Musical" film series and was the first runner-up in the 2013 Fall season of "Dancing with the Stars."

•Brett Davern (@BDavv): Actor who stars as Jake Rosati in MTV's hit series "Awkward." Other credits include the films "Movie 43" and "Born to Race: Fast Track."

•Colin Egglesfield (@CEgglesfield): Actor best known for his roles on "Rizzoli & Isles," "The Client List," and "Melrose Place," plus films such as "Open Road," and "Something Borrowed."

•Carmelita Jeter (@CarmelitaJeter): American sprinter and three-time Olympic Gold medalist, often dubbed "the fastest woman in the world."

•Cole Hauser (@ColeHauser): Television and film actor who stars with Johnny Depp in the soon to be released "Transcendence." "Olympus Has Fallen" and "A Good Day to Die Hard," are among his other action film credits.

•Tricia Helfer (@TrutriciaHelfer): Actress recently seen in the television show "Killer Women," she also starred in "Battlestar Galactica" and "Burn Notice."

•Phil Keoghan (@PhilKeoghan): Emmy award-winning New Zealand-born television personality best known for his role as host of the popular series "Amazing Race."

•Vanessa Marcil (@VanessaMarcilM): Actress best known for her roles in "General Hospital," "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Las Vegas."

•Brian McKnight (@ItsBMcKnight): Multiple Grammy nominated singer-songwriter, producer and R&B musician.

•Lisa Stanley (@LisaKearth): Entertainment reporter on K-EARTH 101 FM morning show with Gary Bryan. Also featured on TV's "Hard Copy" and radio's "Rick Dees Show."

•Max Thieriot (@MaxThieriot): Actor who currently stars as Dylan Massett on "Bates Motel." Other credits include the film "House at the End of the Street" and "Catch That Kid."

•Nick Wechsler (@Nick_Wechsler): Actor seen currently on ABC's "Revenge" as Jack Porter. He also starred in "Roswell" and had recurring roles on "Without a Trace" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."

•Sam Witwer (@SamWitwer): Portrays vampire Aidan Waite on the North American remake of "Being Human." He was also seen on "Battlestar Galactica" and "Smallville."

Pro drivers competing against the stars include former NASCAR racer and FOX personality Kyle Petty, the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, two-time CART Series Champion and overall winner of the 1985 and 2009 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race Al Unser Jr. and Rutledge Wood, 2013 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race celebrity winner, auto racing analyst on Fox Sports 1 and co-host of "Top Gear USA."

"This is an exciting and competitive group of stars, athletes, musicians and pro drivers that will put on a great show," said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association. "It's fitting that we will have such a great field for the Pro/Celebrity Race during our 40th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend. And thanks to Toyota, the Pro/Celebrity Race gives back to kids in our communities through donations to Miller Children's Hospital Long Beach and Children's Hospital of Orange County."

Rounding out the field are charity auction winner Doug Fregin, co-founder and former vice president of operations for Research in Motion (RIM) and Dr. William Pinsky, founder and president of "Racing for Kids."

Since 1991, Toyota has donated more than $2 million to the "Racing for Kids" organization on behalf of this race and its participants.

Fans can follow the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on Facebook at GrandPrixLB, Twitter @ToyotaGPLB (#TGPLB40) and Instagram at ToyotaGPLB.

 

Source

#NASCAR Icon - Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America

Route Announced For 20th Anniversary Motorcycle Trek - This year the Scenic tour kicks off in Carlsbad, California and concludes in Daytona Beach, Florida. Carlsbad is just a few miles away from NASCAR Race Mom’s home!

The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America announced the course for its 20th Anniversary Ride. From Saturday, May 3 through Saturday, May 10, 2014, more than 175 riders will embark on the crosscountry motorcycle trek, which begins in Carlsbad, California and travel more than 2,800 miles before reaching Daytona Beach, Florida.

Founded by former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty, the Ride raises funds and awareness for Victory Junction, a Camp created to enrich the lives of children with chronic or life threatening illnesses.

“What began as just a few friends having a good time riding track to track has turned into what we have today, which is an incredible event that provides thousands of life changing experiences for children,” said Petty. “This is the first year we’ve traveled straight from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, and I’m looking forward to experiencing it with friends, while meeting our fans and generous supporters along the way.”

The 2014 Kyle Petty Charity Ride Schedule:

• Day 1 Saturday, May 3 - Carlsbad, Calif. to Tucson, Ariz.
• Day 2 Sunday, May 4 - Tucson, Ariz. to Las Cruces, N.M.
• Day 3 Monday, May 5 - Las Cruces, N.M. to Midland, Texas
• Day 4 Tuesday, May 6 - Midland, Texas to Austin, Texas
• Day 5 Wednesday, May 7 - Austin, Texas to Beaumont, Texas
• Day 6 Thursday, May 8 - Beaumont, Texas to New Orleans
• Day 7 Friday, May 9 - New Orleans to Tallahassee, Fla.
• Day 8 Saturday, May 10 - Tallahassee, Fla. to Daytona Beach, Fla.

This year NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven time champion Richard Petty, NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth, former NASCAR driver and Bo-Dyn Olympic bobsled founder Geoff Bodine, NASCAR legends Harry Gant and Donnie Allison, former NFL great Herschel Walker, Fox News contributor and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives Col. Allen West, and co-host of History Channel’s Top Gear America and NASCAR personality Rutledge Wood plan to participate in all or part of the 20th Anniversary Ride.

“It’s amazing to see how one tragedy (Adam Petty’s death) can turn into something so incredible like Victory Junction,” said Kyle Petty’s father Richard. “After five years, it’s great to be back on the Kyle Petty Charity Ride to support Kyle and the Camp – just in time for the 20th Anniversary.”

About the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (KPCRAA)

Led by former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty, the KPCRAA raises awareness and funds for Victory Junction. The KPCRAA is one of the most successful and popular charity events in the country. Now in its 20th year, more than 7,330 riders have logged more than 10.7 million cumulative motorcycle miles and donated nearly $15 million to Victory Junction Camp and other children’s charities.

Mission Statement:  To sponsor fundraising activities and promote community awareness for the benefit of children with serious illness or injury.

About Victory Junction

Victory Junction is a year-round camping environment for children, ages six to 16, with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Founded by the Petty family in honor of their son Adam, the Camp is located in Randleman, N.C. Victory Junction offers programs for a range of disease groups and maintains strong relationships with more than 30 partner hospitals. Victory Junction’s mission is to provide life changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment.

As a not-for-profit organization, the Camp operates solely through the support of generous individuals, foundations, organizations and corporations to provide this experience at no charge to children and their families. Since the Camp’s inception, more than 19,000 children and families have received not only a circle of support but experiences thought to only be possible by healthy children. Victory Junction is a member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network of Camps founded by Paul Newman, and is accredited by the rigorous guidelines of the American Camping Association. To learn more about Victory Junction, visit www.victoryjunction.org.