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Dedication ceremony fit for “The King”: Richard Petty to be honored with a marquee plaque on the Monster Monument on Sept. 20, 2008
On July 6, 1969, Richard Petty took the first checkered flag at a new, high-banked racetrack in Dover, Del. Piloting his No. 43 Ford, Petty started the race in the third position and went on to lead 150 of 300 laps en route to a dominating win in the inaugural Mason-Dixon 300.
40 years, and seven Dover International Speedway wins later, Petty will be honored with a marquee plaque on the Monster Monument at Victory Plaza, presented by AAA, on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008 at Dover International Speedway. The 46-foot monument was unveiled in May 2008 and created a new focal point for race fans visiting the concrete, one-mile oval.
Petty joins Bobby Allison as the only drivers honored with a marquee plaque on the monument, located outside of Turn 4 at the Speedway. The special four-foot high granite plaque will be mounted on the monument’s base and will include Petty’s career and Dover highlights and an engraved image of the driver, in a section reserved for retired drivers who’ve established their legacy at the Monster Mile.
A dedication ceremony for Petty is scheduled to begin at 1p.m. near the monument, and fans are invited to watch a special question-and-answer session hosted by NASCAR on Fox’s Mike Joy and Dover President & CEO Denis McGlynn. The ceremony is part of several attractions planned to celebrate Dover's 40th anniversary season during the Sept. 19-21, 2008 race weekend. Free fan additions include strolling entertainment, live music, the Aqua String Mummers band, free autograph sessions and more.
Petty will also participate in a free autograph session for race ticket holders following the ceremony at 2 p.m. near the monument. Autographs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The undisputed king of stock-car racing, with 200 career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins, notched his 199th win of his career at Dover on May 20, 1984. This achievement set him up for career win No. 200 at Daytona just weeks later.
Petty won seven NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships during his 35-year career spanning from 1958 to 1992 and ranks first in a variety of NASCAR records including: all-time wins (200), races started (1,184), top-five finishes (555), top-10 finishes (712), pole positions (126), laps completed (307,836), laps led (52,194), races led (599) and consecutive races won (10).
On Sept. 20 at Dover, Petty will have his legacy enshrined on the Monster Monument at Victory Plaza, presented by AAA – another supreme accomplishment by a member of NASCAR royalty.
“The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” returns to the Monster Mile Sept. 19 – 21, 2008. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.
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Bickle To Challenge To NASCAR Stars Kenseth, Stewart, Busch At Madison on Tuesday
June 23, 2008
After months of working double shift days to establish his latest business venture, Rich Bickle is finally going to get back to what he really enjoys doing - driving a race car.
The Wisconsin short track ace and 15-year NASCAR veteran has entered Tuesday's Madison International Speedway All Star Challenge - an event that will feature a full field of the midwest's super late model stock cars and drivers - along with NASCAR Sprint Cup stars Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch.
"I used to be the big draw for these kind of races back when I was in Cup, but now I guess I'm just a field filler," joked Bickle from his office at Muscle Up Performance and Hot Rod Shop in Janesville, WI. "With Matt, Tony and Kyle coming up, it's going to be a big deal and I'd like nothing better than to go up there and kick their butts. We've got a good car and hopefully, she'll run the way we want it to the whole race. I think we'll be able to be right there racing them for the win. I'm looking forward to it."
To read the rest of this story, please click on the following Muscle Up Performance web link -
http://www.muscleupperformance.com/cgi-script/content/articles/000000/000094.htm
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Coleman Set For Repeat at Kentucky
Near win in 2007 has driver optimistic about upcoming race
When the thought of Kentucky Speedway crosses his mind, Brad Coleman just smiles. His time spent on the 1.5 mile track has produced some memorable moments in his racing career and he has never finished less than second in his three races in the Bluegrass State.
The smile on his face is no surprise to folks who know the young Coleman. He almost won the Kentucky Nationwide race last year, finishing a close second in just his fourth series attempt.
“We were well out front and had the race won when two yellows came out near the end,” stated Coleman. “Stephen’s (Leicht) car was better on the short runs and he was able to pass me at the end for the win. I have wanted to return to Kentucky ever since that checkered flag fell.”
He also notched his first ARCA win here in 2006 with Shawn Parker, his current crew chief. He held off nine-time ARCA Champion Frank Kimmel in a double green-white-checker restart for his first big stock car win and introduced the NASCAR world to the “Brad Coleman Bow” which became part of his signature post-race victory celebration.
“I’ve had good success here in the past and I remember how close I came to winning last year,” said Coleman. “I am hungry for that first win and know I am capable of getting it at Kentucky. The crew back in Nashville has put in a lot of extra work into the No. 27 Cottonelle Ford to get it ready for this weekend and it’s time to hit the ground running.”
Parker knows his driver can win at this track.
“Brad and Kentucky are a good combination,” said Parker. “We have been to Victory Lane together at that track and I know he feels confident in each and every turn. That can only translate into more success.”
So, when his No. 27 Cottonelle Ford begins its trip northwest from Nashville this weekend, a grin slowly will begin to form on Coleman’s face as he looks forward to the race. The team will be in action in the Meijer 300 on Saturday night on ESPN2.
Photo Credit: A. Hegeman
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Buy a GIR Track Pack and Win Ray's Hat!
June 12, 2008
Ray Evernham, voted by the media as the greatest crew chief in the history of NASCAR and the co-owner of the Gillette-Evernham Motorsports Dodge teams, is appearing in Gateway International Raceway's new commercial to promote the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 on July 19. You can be part of the action when the NASCAR Nationwide Series comes to town and you can have a unique souvenir at the same time.
YOU can win Ray's hat!
Ray Evernham signed one of the new "I Go To Gateway" ballcaps at the completion of filming and if you purchase a Gateway International Raceway NASCAR Track Pack, you will be entered into a drawing to win the ballcap signed by Evernham.
In addition to Evernham's hat, rookie sensation Joey Logano signed the hat he wore in the spot as well and Track Pack buyers will have the chance to win a highly-sought-after piece of racing memorabilia. A new commercial for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event, the Gateway 200, was also shot last weekend, with Chad McCumbee, Matt Crafton, Bobby Hamilton Racing teammates Dennis Setzer and Stacy Compton, and St. Louis native Chrissy Wallace each signing a ballcap that YOU can win by purchasing your GIR NASCAR Track Pack today!
In addition to great seats for the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 on July 19 and the Gateway 200 and the ASA Late Model Series races on Sept. 6, Track Pack owners will receive free souvenirs, infield passes on race day, and the opportunity to participate in a drivers' autograph session! Whether it's for yourself or for your favorite race fan, the Gateway International Raceway NASCAR Track Pack is the hottest ticket in town!
To purchase the GIR NASCAR Track Pack, call 866-35-SPEED or visit GatewayRaceway.com. Drawings for the autographed ballcaps will take place two weeks prior to the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250.
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Monster Racing to host Wedding Anniversary for One Special Couple from Columbia, MD
May 15, 2008
Monster Racing Enterprises, the exclusive Racing Experience Provider for Dover International Speedway, is pleased to announce that it will be assisting
The Skakle’s, lifelong NASCAR Fans will take part in the Monster Racing Stock Car Experience ,driving an authentic race car at Dover’s famed “Monster Mile”. Upon the Skakle’s Driving Experience conclusion, they will enter Victory Lane, where Rev. Don Rivers from Racing with
The Skakle’s were married on May, 24th 1980 in
Local Press is invited to attend this event. Please arrive between 3:30 pm to 4:00pm at Gate 1, Dover International Speedway. E-mail gerrywright@monsterracing.com . Or visit www.monsterracing.com. _____________________________________________________________________
For more information on Monster Racing Excitement and this event, please contact Gerry Wright, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at 800-468-6946 Ext 111 or by cell at 302-363-6303
With another major race win under his belt, Joey Logano now has the Monster Mile on his mind
May 6, 2008
Fresh off of yet another dominating victory, 17-year-old Joey Logano now has his eyes set on the “Heluva Good!® 200” at Dover International Speedway. The May 31, 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series race will be Logano's first in NASCAR's No. 2 series following his 18th birthday on May 24. And if Sunday's race at Rockingham was a preview of what's to come at the Monster Mile, expect Logano to be running towards the front of the field.
Logano won in his ARCA RE/MAX Series debut at Rockingham Speedway, leading 257 of 312 laps and easily holding off NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader by more than four seconds at the finish line. "We're going to get a shot at Dover coming up," said Logano. "Hopefully we'll see Victory Lane there too."
Logano and Schrader were two of just five cars to finish on the lead lap. "I was bummed I didn’t get the whole field lapped,” said Logano with a smile on his face. “That’s the plan everywhere I go."
Echoing the thoughts of fellow veteran racer Mark Martin, Schrader concluded, “That kid is for real. We’re going to be watching him on TV for a number of years.”
Just days after his 18th birthday, Logano will look to become the youngest winner in a NASCAR race at Dover, and in series history. Casey Atwood currently holds the record of youngest winner in any of the top three NASCAR series when he won at Milwaukee in July 1999 at the age of 18 years, 10 months.
Logano has a great opportunity to run up front. His No. 20 Toyota is prepared by Joe Gibbs Racing, arguably the hottest team in NASCAR at the moment. Plus, he’s no stranger to the concrete high banks at the Monster Mile. He raced his way to a second place finish en route to clinching the series championship in the “Sunoco 150” NASCAR Camping World Series race at Dover last September.
“I feel I’m ready to go in the Nationwide Series,” said Logano. “We proved ourselves in the Camping World Series and I think we’re ready to go out there and win some races.”
He easily became the NASCAR Camping World East Series’ youngest champion at just 17 years old and did so in a dominating fashion. He tallied five victories in the East Series and one in the West Series, setting records in both series’ as the youngest driver (age 16) to win a race. He also turned heads at Iowa Speedway when he outraced two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Kevin Harvick to the checkered flag, just one day after Harvick captured the win in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Challenge.
But it shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise. Logano’s theory has always been that he races to win. “Racing is all about winning – any kind of sport is all about winning. Winning is fun and I wouldn’t be here if I couldn’t win.”
Regardless of what the outcome may be on Saturday, May 31, it’ll be one “Heluva Good!” weekend for Logano as he begins his career in the big leagues of motorsports. “The first race at Dover is going to be pretty cool,” said Logano. “I’m really looking forward to it a lot. I definitely feel prepared. I’ve been working toward this goal my whole life.”
Tickets are still available for the June 1 “Best Buy 400 benefiting Student Clubs for Autism Speaks” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the May 31 “Heluva Good!® 200” NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the May 30 “AAA Insurance 200” NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.
To purchase tickets, or for more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com
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Bickle, Muscle Up Performance
Survive Weather In Madison Classics
Trade Show Debut
May 2, 2008
As a 15-year NASCAR driver, Rich Bickle had seen plenty of rainstorms hit the racetrack, but none of those were anything like the downpour he experienced at the Madison Classics Car Show and Swap Meet held at Jefferson (WI) Speedway this past weekend.
"We got there Friday and just after we got set up, a monsoon hit," said Bickle (left), who was debuting his new Muscle Up Performance and Hot Rod Shop business at the annual Madison Classics spring event. "Man, we got soaked. The water was over the bottom of the wheels of our display vehicles. I bet there was nearly a foot of standing water where we were set up. It was a muddy mess."
Friday's wet weather all but made Bickle's display space unusable and it was just a taste of what was to come when he and his Muscle Up Performance team returned to the outdoor show and swap meet Saturday.
"Fortunately, I had some friends that had some extra exhibit space up on the dry asphalt part of the show, so we took our entire display and moved it up by them Saturday morning," said Bickle. "The weather was still pretty miserable Saturday because the temperature was in the 40s and the winds blew all day long with gusts up to 40 miles per hour. Late in the day when the wind quickly dried all the mud from the previous day, we wound up having a dust storm. We went from a monsoon to freezing to a dust storm all in the span of 24 hours. At least on Sunday we had some good weather and the show wasn't a total loss."
In fact, despite the inclement weather, Bickle indicated Sunday's show crowd was keenly interested in the new, full-frame chassis replacements Muscle Up Performance is constructing in its 11,000 square-foot facility located in Janesville, WI.
"We had some really good traffic Sunday," said Bickle. "We talked to quite a few people. This is a different market. There were a lot of people who were surprised at what we are doing. I think we sold some products, especially quite a bit of what I would call "one-off work." People wanted full frame replacements made for different vehicles. “One was a Model A frame, another a frame for an old Lafayette and another a 1947 Dodge pick-up truck frame. I think people were surprised we could do that kind of stuff, not just the 
replacement frames for first and second generation Camaros and Corvettes like we had displayed at the show."
Muscle Up Performance full-frame chassis (right) are a simple bolt-in replacement for a wide variety of cars and trucks. The frame - a full replacement, not a clip or stub - allows for the upfitting of race-inspired suspension and brake components. Additional strength and safety features advantages make the frame a winner on all fronts.
"Our full frame replacements allow owners of first and second generation Camaros, 1964-72 GM A-Bodies, 1953-62 Corvettes, 1965-70 Mustangs, and just about any other classic, muscle car, trucks and hot rods the ability to get rid of the slow steering, poor handling and unsafe braking these vehicles all possessed when they were new," Bickle stated. "There's just no comparison between their original handling characteristics and those that have been upgraded with a Muscle Up Performance frame and suspension package."
According the Bickle - who knows a little bit about race-inspired suspension and vehicle handling characteristics after making 216 career NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series starts from 1989-2005 - the new Muscle Up Products drew plenty of attention at the show once the weather cooperated.
"We had a 1969 Camaro body (right) from the firewall on back sitting on one of our chassis," said Bickle. "It was pretty interesting to see the look on people's faces when they looked underneath the car and realized it wasn't just a front clip, that it was a full frame. People would get right down on the ground and lay under the car and look at it. There was a lot of interest in what we are doing because basically, we're the only ones in the country that are building these for as many different cars as we are."
While the elements may have proven to be a challenge for Muscle Up Performance's first-ever trade show, Bickle is confident the event was a positive first step in the growth of the new muscle car/hot rod upfitting and restoration business.
"It's going to take some time to get the word out about what we are doing and you have to start somewhere," said Bickle. "Unfortunately, we got hit with some bad Wisconsin spring weather but we survived, talked to a lot of people, and generated a bunch of interest in our products and services. I'm thinking we'll look back and laugh about what it took to get this off the ground. Any trade show we do after this has to have better weather than this one did."
For a list of future Muscle Up Performance trade show dates, or for information about the company's line of products, please log on to the all new Muscle Up Performance and Hot Rod Shop web site as www.muscleupperformance.com.
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