The NASCAR Nationwide Series Royal Purple 200 Darlington Open Race Thread and Preview

Drivers in Red must qualify on time

You will notice that Chad McCumbee, aka Hollywood Jr thanks to his role as Young Dale Jr in the movie 3 (great movie by the way), will return to the 09 Ford for RAB Racing this week. McCumbee last started at Fort Worth Texas in the RAB Ford, where he finished 31^st after starting 20^th. McCumbee has yet to win in Nascar’s big 3, but he has won in the ARCA series. In 2007, Chad started only 5 races, winning twice in the Nortrax/Victory Junction Gang #62 car, owned by Andy Belmont.

Casey Mears will drive the Richard Childress Racing 21 Chevy. This will be Mears’ return to RCR. He finished 26th in his debut with Tommy Baldwin Racing at Richmond. He is slated to drive the #21 Zaxby's Chevy for RCR at the NNS stand-alone events at Nashville and Kentucky next month. Mears’ only other Nationwide start this year came at Phoenix for Braun Racing in the 10 Toyota where he finished 31^st. He is also interested in running this year's Indy 500. Mears should really be looking for a full time Nationwide ride. It’s been working out for Reed Sorenson to run part time, and Reed’s been putting together some great finishes. If you can’t find a good ride in Cup, start driving in the Nationwide series. Mears could really help himself out if he runs well at Nashville and Kentucky. It does beg the question, is Jon Wes Townley done? Townley was supposed to return to the 21 car at the standalone events. Now, Mears is driving. So will Townley return this year? Or will we see him driving a different Zaxby’s car next year?

Two northwestern Pennsylvania companies will co-sponsor NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Marcos Ambrose in the Zippo 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race August 7 at Watkins Glen International. Zippo Manufacturing Company, Bradford, PA; and Warren, PA based United Refining Company, through its Kwik Fill / Red Apple convenience store chain, will share joint sponsorship of the #47 Kwik Fill / Zippo Toyota. Ambrose posted back-to-back Zippo 200 Nationwide Series wins in 2008 and 2009, and looks to continue his winning ways with his Kwik Fill / Zippo sponsorship. Ambrose will have to qualify on time to make the race, but that really shouldn’t be a problem for him. Last year he started 2^nd, and won. I’m a bit surprised to see that Ambrose won’t be heading to Road America, but it’s probably because that race interferes with the Cup Schedule.

Baker Curb, owners of the 27 and 43 (of Scott Lagasse Jr.) in the Nationwide Series, as well as the 13 truck of Kansas winner Johnny Sauter, has found out that on June 22^nd, he will lose sponsorship for the 27 Ford. Red Man Moist Snuff can no longer advertise with any sort of sporting event or gathering.

Here is a clarification of the new regulation:

The FDA rule containing a broad set of federal requirements designed to significantly curb access to and the appeal of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products to children and adolescents in the United States. The new rule, Regulations Restricting the Sale and Distribution of Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco to Protect Children and Adolescents, restricts the sale, distribution, and promotion of these products to make them less accessible and less attractive to kids. Published March 19, 2010, the new rule becomes effective June 22, 2010, and has the force and effect of law.

New Requirements Relating to Sale and Distribution
* Prohibits the sale of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco to people younger than 18.
* Prohibits the sale of cigarette packages with fewer than 20 cigarettes.
* Prohibits the sale of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in vending machines, self-service displays, or other impersonal modes of sales, except in very limited situations.
* Prohibits free samples of cigarettes and limits distribution of smokeless tobacco products.
New Requirements Relating to Marketing (Labeling, Advertising, and Promotion)
* Prohibits tobacco brand name sponsorship of any athletic, musical, or other social or cultural event, or any team or entry in those events.
* Prohibits gifts or other items in exchange for buying cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products.
* Requires that audio ads use only words with no music or sound effects.
* Prohibits the sale or distribution of items, such as hats and tee shirts, with tobacco brands or logos.

Ron Fellows will drive the 88 Nationwide Series entry for JR Motorsports at all three Road Courses; Watkins Glen, Road America, and Montreal. You should expect to see Fellows in the Cup series for a team like the 09, 7, or one of the start and park teams, which would not start and park if they had Fellows in the car.