2009 Charlotte Media Tour Steve Phelps Talks with Executives (Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)

By: Toby Christie

So far in the 2010 NASCAR season drivers have taken the gloves off. NASCAR has overhauled the rule book thus allowing the drivers to police themselves. What we have seen as a result is incredible, yet unpredictable racing week in and week out.

We now have the long awaited rivalries and emotion that the fans have craved for years… yet the ratings and attendance remain as droopy as Marcos Ambrose after the Montreal Nationwide race every season.

It just doesn’t make any sense at all. The product on the track is great, so that should be all we need to put butts in the seats right? Negative.

Monday NASCAR made a huge announcement that will in my opinion make more of an impact on ticket sales and ratings than ‘boys have at it’ ever could.

Following a review of the communication and public relations activity throughout the sport, NASCAR released a press release detailing a an Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) department, that as Brian France explains will “Change the way we do business.”

According to the press release, the new communications structure will allow NASCAR to be even more effective on the competition aspects of the sport, an area where NASCAR was regularly cited in the review as being among the best when compared to other major league sports by media in all genres. It also positions the sanctioning body to take a much more strategic and offensive approach to selling the sport in a constantly-evolving traditional, digital and social media landscape.

This move will reportedly add approximately 20 positions to the NASCAR Public Relations team.

The new IMC will be headed by a CCO, to be named at another time. The CCO will report directly to NASCAR’s chief marketing officer, Steve Phelps, who was instrumental in the review of the communications department.

The company in charge of the CCO search is Korn/Ferry International.

Two staff moves have been announced already. Current Vice President of Corporate Communications will move to significant role in NASCAR’s evolution. Hunter will spearhead the movement from a newly created position as Vice President of Special Projects.

Meanwhile the current Managing Director of Corporate Communications Ramsey Poston has declined an offer to take a new position inside this drastic overhaul. Poston will finish out the year with the company, and then take a role as an outside consultant for the sanctioning body.

“As the communications review accurately revealed, Jim and Ramsey have done a fantastic job of moving the competition aspects of our operation to an elite level,” said Phelps. “The strong foundation they’ve built has positioned NASCAR to expand this operation to meet the needs of the future and we are confident their combined experience, expertise and passion for NASCAR will be strong assets in that process.”

Now this announcement isn’t nearly as sexy as the ‘boys have at it’ rule changes, just for the simple fact that fans in general wont really see much of a change. However this is something team owners have urged the sport to do for years. Not to mention this new team should be very effective in captivating the casual fan, which in turn will help keep the sport on the cutting edge in this marketing savvy world.

As we know the hardcore fans are the ones who have stuck through the inception of the COT, and now the back to the roots revival of the past year. Now it is time for NASCAR to re-open it’s door to the casual fan, and that all starts with social media and branding.

By: DJ DeSpain

RubbingsRacing.com has been around since 2000, and we have seen a lot of growth in the past decade. From a simple website posting NASCAR Cup points standings, RubbingsRacing.com has grown into a NASCAR-accredited website featuring dedicated writers, hosting multiple podcasts, and providing race coverage at the majority of the three national series NASCAR events.

Now, as the end of our first decade comes about, we have some big changes coming that are sure to excite our current fans and attract new fans to come! A new staff member will also be coming aboard, one who will be instantly recognizable, and will be an excellent complement to our wonderful staff of writers and reporters!

In partnership with our friends at Atlanta Motor Speedway, RubbingsRacing.com editor Chris Smith will have a live announcement at the track detailing our changes and introducing our newest staff member on Sunday, September 5th.

To help celebrate our announcement, we will have a joint tweetup at 4PM that Sunday outside the entrance of Gate 15 with Jeff Gluck, motorsports editor for SBNation.com, featuring prize drawings and special guests, including our newest staff member! Some of the prizes to be given away include:

• One AMP Energy Dale Earnhardt Jr. Embroidered Jacket
• One AMP Energy Dale Earnhardt Jr. Clock
• Ten Atlanta Motor Speedway Race Souvenir Packages
• And more!

Be sure to check in on September 5th on our facebook.rubbingsracing.com page, our twitter accounts below, or here on this website for the announcement!

Twitter accounts:

@RubbingsRacing

@Rubbings

@DJ_DeSpain

(reprinted with permission from Atlanta Motor Speedway)

What: During this week’s Emory Healthcare 500 race weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the south side of Atlanta will experience increased traffic flow throughout the weekend. With more than 100,000 fans expected for the Emory Healthcare 500, please help us advise fans of the best routes for entering and exiting the speedway.

When: Friday’s events include the Friday Fan Fest presented by Your Georgia Best Chevy Dealers. Saturday evening will play host to the Great Clips 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. The weekend will culminate with Sunday’s Emory Healthcare 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.  Fans are encouraged to arrive early on Sunday due to increased traffic flow expected between 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Where: All racetrack-bound roads, especially Hwys. 19/41 and GA Hwy. 20 (Bruton Smith Parkway)

How: Please help us remind all commuters via traffic reports throughout the week of Monday, Aug. 30 through Sunday, Sept. 5 of the impending race traffic and advise them to take alternate routes. Inbound traffic is expected to be heaviest during late afternoon and evening hours, as Friday, Saturday and Sunday will feature evening events.

**Important Note: For its fans, Atlanta Motor Speedway provides a free shuttle and tram service from all parking lots to each gate.**

Basic Traffic Plan for the Emory Healthcare 500 weekend (Sept. 3-5):

Fans have a choice of which major route to take, either Hwy. 19/41 or Hwy. 20 from I-75 southbound. I-75 northbound race fans can exit at Exit 212 Hampton-Locust Grove Road or Exit 218, GA Hwy 20. Please choose which route to take based on where you would like to park on property; fans will be directed to a certain lot based on the direction from which they enter the speedway. Trams, shuttle buses and sidewalks will allow fans to get to their seats easily regardless of where they park on property. Be advised that the direction from which fans enter speedway property is the same direction to which they will exit out.

ENTERING THE SPEEDWAY:

From Hwy. 19/41:

FROM THE NORTH: Those traveling from the North (traveling southbound on Hwy. 19/41) will be directed to parking lots on the north side of the property and should utilize Speedway Blvd.

Those traveling south on Hwy. 19/41 will turn right at Speedway Boulevard and park in the yellow, red or green parking lots off of Speedway Blvd. Buses and those with vehicle credentials need to stay in the left lane, use the counter-flow lane as they approach the speedway and enter just south of the main entrance at entrance E.

FROM THE SOUTH: Those traveling from the South (traveling northbound on Hwy. 19/41 from Griffin) will turn at the main speedway entrance and will be directed to the blue parking lot.

From Hwy. 20:

Those traveling on Hwy. 20 will be directed to the orange parking lot on the south side of the property.

EXITING THE SPEEDWAY:

Fans will be routed out the same way they came in. If they entered from the North, they will be directed northbound. Those who enter from the South will be directed southbound.

For more information about the race weekend traffic plan, please contact Marcy Scott of Atlanta Motor Speedway at (770) 946-3951.  For up-to-the-minute traffic updates during race weekend, please contact the traffic command center directly at (770) 707-5015.

Georgia DOT urges travelers to call 511 for updated information about road/lane closures or construction projects. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, construction, and delays due to bad weather. Callers can also reach live operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.

(Reprinted with permission from Atlanta Motor Speedway)

Below are some tips that will help ensure fans have a memorable, exciting visit to Atlanta Motor Speedway during the 2010 Emory Healthcare 500 Labor Day NASCAR night racing weekend.

Gate Openings – Various gates will be open each day for fans to access the facility. The following is the schedule with opening times and gates available that day: Gate 13 on Friday (5:30 p.m.), Gates 12 to15 on Saturday (10:30 a.m.), and all gates on Sunday (2:00 p.m.).

Important Note: For fans, Atlanta Motor Speedway provides a free shuttle and tram service from all parking lots to each grandstand.

Fan Assistance Program – The Fan Assistance offers golf cart transportation and general assistance throughout the Atlanta Motor Speedway parking areas. This service is limited to the Atlanta Motor Speedway facility only, providing patrons with the ability to move to and from almost any area on the property.  Patrons may inquire about any of these services at the Information Booths located throughout the Atlanta Motor Speedway property.

Atlanta Motor Speedway provides tram service between the campgrounds and the entrance gates before and after events and will depart regularly from the designated tram stops. Tram passengers under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Trams are provided as a courtesy service to speedway guests. Due to the demand for this service, continuous riding (joyriding) is prohibited

Campground tram route:
Runs along inner perimeter road through all public parking and most camping areas.

Infield tram route:
Runs from the guard house at the new tunnel into the infield along the road course.

Fan Assistance Information Stops –Atlanta Motor Speedway is hosting three Fan Assistance Information Stops with two locations near the Display Lot on the Speedway’s perimeter road and one location in front of the Ticket Office.

***NEW FOR SEPT. 2010*** Fan Alert Text Message Program – Fans can text message issues, concerns or complaints to Atlanta Motor Speedway by texting number 69050 and writing keyword AMS <space> followed by your issue and location. A central dispatcher will promptly assist with the issue.

ATM Machines – Bank of America will have 11 ATM machines at various locations throughout the property. You will find ATM machines at Gates 13 and 15 (will call).  There are also locations in the Champions, Earnhardt, Petty

Camping Guidelines – Quiet time in all camping areas is from midnight to 7 a.m. (except Family Campground) although we do allow the use of generators, we ask that you respect your neighbors and only use them when necessary. Also, no flatbed trucks (over 10 feet long), flatbed trailers, box trucks, or portable storage containers are allowed.

Traffic Reports – Traffic information will be provided by WSB 750 AM. Tune in throughout the weekend for the latest traffic news. Georgia DOT urges travelers to call 511 for updated information about road/lane closures or construction projects. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, construction, and delays due to bad weather. Callers can also reach live operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.

Outside Food- While we pride ourselves on providing an excellent variety of food and drink options for our guests, visitors are welcome to bring their own items if they prefer. Coolers larger than 14”x14”x14” and glass bottles are not allowed inside the gates of the speedway.  Planning ahead will make your entrance to the speedway much simpler for both our visitors and security officers alike.

Handicapped Parking Enforcement – Handicapped parking areas will be strictly enforced for the Emory Healthcare 500 race weekend and misuse could result in being fined and/or towed. These areas are reserved for those fans with a handicap, not for those who plan to use a friend or relative’s handicap permit to gain access to these areas. The person who is the owner of the handicapped parking sticker is required to be in the vehicle.

Ticket Resale – No tickets may be resold on Speedway property.  This will be strictly enforced. Fans can also utilize TicketExchange, Ticketmaster’s new online service that enables safe and secure fan-to-fan ticket transactions. Buyers simply select the tickets they want based on price and seat location, without having to bid against other buyers, without having to coordinate delivery from anonymous sellers, and without the gamble that the tickets are fraudulent. Sellers are guaranteed payment for tickets sold, without having to collect payment or deliver the tickets to the buyer. For more information on TicketExchange, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Directions to Atlanta Motor Speedway: Directions to AMS, including traffic patterns and facility maps can be found by visiting www.atlantamotorspeedway.com

First- Aid: During race weekend, Atlanta Motor Speedway has Emergency Assistance locations in each grandstand as well as the Infield. Should you or anyone in your party require Emergency Assistance while you are on AMS property, please visit one of those locations or, if needed, dial 911.

As with any large event, there is going to be increased traffic come race weekend, so Atlanta Motor Speedway would also like to encourage all fans coming to any event throughout the weekend to come early and stay late. All General Parking lots at AMS are open 24 hours a day (no overnight camping allowed), so fans should feel free to get here early to beat the traffic and check out everything the Speedway has to offer come race weekend.

For more information on race weekend or to answer any questions you may have please visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com or call (770)-707-7904.

By: Dave Thompson

Whether you are a Kyle Busch fan, or not, the fans witnessed a historic event when Busch became the first driver in NASCAR history to win all three national series races in the same week. Busch won the truck race on Wednesday, out dueled Brad Keselowski to win the Nationwide race on Saturday and completed the sweep by taking his No. 18 Doublemint gum Toyota Camry to victory lane on Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Busch led the race four times for 283 laps of the 500 and won in dominant fashion. The Sprint Cup series win was the first for Busch since Dover in May. The victory for Busch catapulted him five positions in the point standing to third with two races remaining before the Chase.

David Reutimann started fifth, was very competitive all evening and finished strong on his way to a 2nd place finish. It was unclear if Reutimann would be in the No. 00 after battling food poisoning late in the week. During his post-race press conference Reutimann looked drained and shared to the media he really was exhausted after 500 laps at Bristol and really needed some sleep.

Crossing the start/finish line behind Busch and Reutimann were Jamie McMurray, Clint Bowyer and Kasey Kahne. McMurray surprised Busch on a long green flag run to take over the lead but 10 laps later Busch was back at the front of the pack.

The night wasn’t so successful for some of the front runners for the Chase and Busch took advantage.

Polesitter and March race winner Jimmie Johnson was dominant the first half of the race leading 175 lap seeking his own at Bristol this season. However, it was not meant to be for Johnson and on lap 262, Juan Pablo Montoya and his aggressive style bumped Johnson’s right rear sending him into the wall.

Points leader Kevin Harvick struggled with handling problems throughout the night and spent most of his evening mid-pack. Ultimately, Harvick would finish 14th and see his lead over second place Jeff Gordon shrink slightly to 279 points.

Tony Stewart suffered damage to the right rear of his car when David Ragan made contact to his Office Depot Chevrolet. Stewart’s night did not get any better from there when later in the race he hit the wall which resulted several laps later with a flat tire. He would finish six laps down in 27th position.

Clint Bowyer maintained the 12th position in the point standing while increasing his lead over Mark Martin. McMurray’s third place finish has him just 100 points out of the coveted 12th position.

At the end of the evening fans were left saying……THAT. JUST. HAPPENED.

By: Dave Thompson

Kyle Busch came out on top after a battle with his rival and series point leader Brad Keselowski to win the Food City 250 Friday night at Bristol Motor Speedway. The two raced side-by-side for 10+ laps when Busch appeared to have cleared Keselowski but Busch’s car got a little loose and Keselowski made contact with Busch. Busch wasted no time and immediately retaliated send Keselowski into a spin.

Keselowski would go on to finished 14th. In his post race interview, Keselowski said stated “just hard racing man. I was going for it. I was on the outside, he was on the inside, and he got a great run though (turns) 1 and 2. He did a good job. He got up………almost cleared me and kind of took for granted that I would let him in line and I didn’t. That’s his right; nothing to complain about. We’re going to keep working on the Discount Tire Dodge for next week, the week after and every other week.”

Jason Leffler, Elliott Sadler, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Carl Edwards completed the top-5.

Kasey Kahne had a strong car early on in the race but his night ended on lap 81 when he, Justin Allgaier and Trevor Bayne tried to make it three wide down the frontstretch and into turn 1. Kahne was pinned to outside and forced into the outside wall. The right side of his car jumped the SAFER barrier and Kahne took a wild ride on his driver’s side down the track. Fortunately, Kahne was not injured.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., who found himself a lap down early to then race leader Kyle Busch, rebounded for a 4th place finish.

Elliott Sadler had another solid performance for Kevin Harvick, Inc. this time in the #33 Rheem Chevrolet. Sadler, the polesitter for the race, led 26 laps and was competitive all night. Sadler said in his post race interview that the car was great but he may have used up the brakes late in the race and the car got a little too tight to keep pace with the 18.

To end the show for the evening, Busch provide the crowd with his traditional bow with an added bonus, his impersonation of Brad Keselowski crying. Some cheered the performance, others booed but as always Kyle Busch put on a great show on and off the track.

By: Dave Thompson

Jimmie Johnson earned the pole at Bristol with a stout qualifying lap time of 15.540 seconds at 123.475 mph. Johnson took the low line and made it stick for his first career pole at Bristol. Carl Edwards had been the polesitter but that was short lived as Johnson took care of that just two drivers later. Johnson was the last of the top-35 to go out to qualify. Johnson finished 7th and 4th in the first practice and happy hour respectively.

Carl Edwards had a dismal first practice finishing 36th but the 99 adjustments prior to happy hour would payoff finishing 2nd after the 45 minute session. Edwards was consistent in qualifying and held the pole briefly before Johnson snagged the top spot. He was confident enough that he would remain in the top-3 after Johnson’s run that Edwards showed up in the Media Center early to cool off. Edwards said he felt the top line was faster, at least for him, and was surprised that Johnson won the pole running the low line.

Joey Logano, the polesitter for the March race, knocked Tony Stewart from the top spot when he went out 17th. Logano struggled in both practices finishing 32nd and 30th. He shaved nearly half a second off his “happy hour” lap time completing his run in 15.608 seconds.

Tony Stewart made in an all Stewart-Haas Racing front row bumping teammate Ryan Newman from the pole with his run. Stewart looked like he would win the pole until Logano dropped him to second.

Rounding out the top-5 in qualifying was the #00 of David Reuitmann. A surprise to many after Aric Almirola had to sub for Reutimann in the first practice and “happy hour”. Reuitmann had spent most of the night at the hospital with food poisoning, according to Aric Almirola’s press conference earlier today. He fell just short of knocking Stewart out of 4h position.

Other qualifying notes:

This was Jimmie Johnson’s 24th pole of his career and first of the 2010 season.

Jeff Gordon had a solid performance in pracitce finishing in the top-5 in both sessions. However, Gordon got loose in turn 4 in his qualifying lap doing some slight damage left rear of the car. He did not take the green flag and was able to come back for another lap several drivers later. Gordon will start back in the field in 26th position.

Kevin Harvick struggled in practice and was unable to improve his speeds and finished 28th in qualifying.

David Gilliland, who was first in the first practice and third in “happy hour” but failed to back those numbers up and finished 34th.

Failed to qualify for the race:

Joe Nemechek, Kevin Lepage, JJ Yeley and Mike Bliss.

By: Dave Thompson

The IRWIN Tools Night Race first practice is complete at Bristol Motor Speedway with some definite surprises. David Gilliland shocked the field laying down the fastest lap early in practice and hold that top spot throughout the two hour practice session. Gilliland was a full second faster than the second spot with a speed of 120.543 mph. We will have to wait and see if he can maintain that level of speed during second practice and qualifying.

Another surprise in the second spot was Robby Gordon. He ran just nine laps in the 07 and parked the car, satisfied with his top lap speed of 119.529 mph. Gordon is in the #07 this week with Kevin Conway piloting the #7 this week. Conway was second to last in practice and although he ran 55 laps he was unable to improve on his fastest lap at 115.702 mph.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was satisfied with his car in practice but the team still plans to make some minor adjustments before the second practice. He capped his practice with a top speed of 119.470 mph and completed 80 laps.

Jeff Gordon finished fourth in practice. Gordon completed just under a 100 laps during the practice with a top speed of 119.455 mph. Look for Gordon to contend for the pole later this afternoon.

Rounding out the top five, surprising many at the track, was AJ Allmendinger with a lap speed of 119.254 mph. Allmendinger stuggled during the two hours practice session turning his car not once but twice coming out of turn 4. Despite his fifth position, Allmendinger seemed frustrated with the cars handling througout practice.

Other notables:

Jimmie Johnson, the spring race winner, finished in 7th position.

Team Red Bull had a great practice with Scott Speed in 9th and Reed Sorenson 11th.

March polesitter Joey Logano was 32nd.

One of the favorites this weekend, Kyle Busch was 28th.

Points leader Kevin Harvick finished 39th and battled a loose car throughout practice.