WELCOME NC. - The fourth and final day of the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour presented by Charlotte Motor Speedway, isn’t actually a full day but rather will end around 2:30 p.m.
Walmart will host breakfast. But don’t expect a sponsor announcement for a team. Walmart is expected to announce a merchandising partnership with NASCAR. After that there’s the Penske Racing visit followed by the final event, lunch at the NASCAR Hall of Fame followed by NASCAR’s annual State of the Sport address.
Unlike years past no big changes are expected to be announced. The big talk will no doubt be about NASCAR’s press release late Wednesday that there will be no more secret fines. It was a move that Richard Childress Racing drivers Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton both applauded Wednesday night at the RCR dinner at the RCR shop in Welcome.
“Public is the way to go if I’m going to get fined for something,” Burton said. “I want everyone to know about it.”
At the dinner Harvick said that his wife Delana is expecting their first child in July. He added that shedding his race team, most of it actually merged with RCR’s Nationwide program, was something that he and Delana wanted to do prior to having any kids. In that regard it looks as though everything is going to plan.
The best line of the night came from Harvick who was asked if he was able to combat boredom during the off season now that he no longer has his own team.
“Having a pregnant wife at home will conquer a lot of boredom,” Harvick joked.
Walmart announced Thursday morning that they will expand their merchandise program in 2012, the 50th anniversary of the retail giant.
While the merchandise partnership isn’t new, Walmart will take to the track for the first time with a Chevy built by Turner Motorsports and driven by Bill Elliott.
Penske Racing made several sponsor announcements for 2012 during the final team visit of the tour.
Snap-on will be a primary sponsor for Brad Keselowski and Parker Kilgerman for four Nationwide races in 2012
The Wurth Group will be an associate sponsor on the No 2 in the Sprint Cup series. They will be the primary sponsor for seven races for Hornish in the Nationwide Series and an associate for the rest
Miller Lite will continue on the No 2 Dodge with Brad Keselowski.
Brad Keselowski gave the best quote: “We may not have any baby news or girls in heels up here but we are excited about 2012.”
On serious note Keselowski added.
I’m committed to getting the first title here at Penske,” he said.
AJ Allmendinger said he was happy to have taken over the No 22 after Kurt Busch was released at the end of last season.
“For me it was kind of a crazy off season,” he said. “But this was the best Christmas present I could have got.”
Allmendinger also said he felt like he has found a home.
“I’ve worked hard of five years,” he said. “I feel like now is my time.”
The last stop on the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Media Tour was at the NASCAR Hall of Fame for the annual state of the sport address.
Here's my final entry before I pack it up and head south. Hope you enjoyed following along this week.
NASCAR executives all smiles during state of the sport address
Check out Wednesday's highlights here.
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