As per Jayski
Martin to MWR? Reutimann out? UPDATE: The puzzle pieces for the 2012 season continue to fall into place with the latest speculation putting Mark Martin in the Michael Waltrip Racing stable for a partial schedule next year. #56-Martin Truex Jr. will return to drive MWR's NAPA Toyota with newcomer Clint Bowyer coming on board in a partner Toyota entry carrying 5-Hour Energy sponsorship for the bulk of the campaign. Sponsorship for the #00 entry driven by David Reutimann will not be in place for the entire 2012 schedule opening the door for Martin to take over and compete on a partial basis. Michael Waltrip Racing has an announcement planned Friday at Texas Motor Speedway where it is expected the team's firm 2012 plans will be unveiled.( CBS Sports )(11-1-2011)
UPDATE: Mark Martin is expected to drive a part-time 2012 Sprint Cup schedule for Michael Waltrip Racing in the #00 Toyota currently driven by David Reutimann, multiple sources close to the situation confirmed Tuesday. Sources said team owner Michael Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, likely will drive all or a portion of the four restrictor-plate races at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. MWR's lineup for 2012 will be Martin, recently signed Clint Bowyer from Richard Childress Racing, and Martin Truex Jr. Sources said an announcement could come Friday at Texas Motor Speedway, where MWR has a 10:30 a.m. local time news conference scheduled. MWR officials declined to comment. Reutimann, attending the SEMA Auto Show for Toyota, would neither confirm nor deny the information. "Talk to Michael," Reutimann told ESPN.com, referring to his owner.( ESPN )(11-1-2011)
Top 10 reasons for Brian Vickers numerous incidents at Martinsville Speedway:
10. Who says only Chase drivers get TV time?
9. Last-ditch attempt to impress potential sponsor for demolition derby ride.
8. Briefly lost consciousness after too many Martinsville hot dogs.
7. Attempted to drive entire 500 laps using only his knees to steer car.
6. Pink curbing continually broke his concentration.
5. Got distracted while trying to read the scoring pylon in the infield.
4. Still trying to get that whole two-car tandem thing down pat from previous week.
3. Hadnt been fast enough to hit anyone all year, got carried away.
2. Upset over rumors of impending Kim Kardashian divorce.
1. Had been mainlining Red Bull since 5 a.m.
Just heard that Chad Knaus told the pilot to crash upon landing as he feared the plane would not pass tech in post flight tech inspection.
Ok just having a little fun. I am glad everyone escape with as little injuries as they did.
Posted by Kim last nite
"It's 11:30p.m. and we are finally home. We had been at the hospital all day waiting for something to happen. We have all finally accepted what the doctors were saying that "NO News is Good News". We had all decided to go home, knowing that tomorrow is another day and that they will call if a change. We had just dropped Kenny's mom off and just barely dow...n the road and they called...There was a gleem of hope. He had opened his eyes and was responding to pain. We looped a U-turn and headed back to get Judy. We flew to the hospital, to see his eyes closed and very little change. But after all the talking to him, he did not disappoint. He opened them eyes again, and moved his neck slightly. He is resting now, and it will be a gradual thing and we will just have to wait. We will be back up there tomorrow. What a great Birthday Present for my Mother-in-law!!!! Happy Birthday Judy!"
Marco Simoncelli, a rising MotoGP star, died Sunday at the same Malaysian circuit where the Italian won the 250cc world title in 2008. He was 24.
Nicknamed "Super Sic" and sporting a mop of curly hair, Simoncelli was predicted by many to be a future MotoGP world champion. He died a week after Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon was killed in a 15-car accident in the IndyCar finale at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Simoncelli lost control of his Honda at Turn 11 four minutes into the Malaysian MotoGP at Sepang. After regaining partial grip, Simoncelli's bike swerved across the track and into the path of American Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi of Italy.
"Marco was a strong rider and he always pushed hard," said Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso of Italy. "We raced together since we were kids, I saw him always pushing to the maximum, he crashed many times, but without major injuries, he seemed invincible. What happened today seems impossible."
Rossi had been one of the first riders to praise Simoncelli's desire to win.
"Going into a duel with him is like going into a fight with someone bigger than you," Rossi said. "You know he's going to take you."
Rossi posted a message on Twitter later Sunday praising his friend.
"Sic for me was like a younger brother, as strong on the track as he was sweet in life," Rossi wrote. "I still can't believe it. I will miss him a lot."
Simoncelli was born on Jan. 20, 1987, in Cattolica in eastern Italy. He developed a passion for the sport at a young age and started racing in the Minibike Championships when he was 7.
He won the European 125cc title in 2002, the same year in which he made his debut in the 125cc World Championship, moving to the global competition full time the following season.
Simoncelli finished 21st that year but improved in 2004, when he moved up to 11th and earned his first win the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.
In 2005, Simoncelli joined the Nocable.it Race team. He won in Jerez again and totaled six podium finishes, ending the season and his time in 125cc in fifth place.
Simoncelli had an unimpressive start to his career in the 250cc class.
Riding for Gilera, he finished 10th in his first two seasons, with his best showing a sixth place in 2006. He finished seventh twice in 2007.
Everything changed the following year when Simoncelli won the 250cc world title despite crashing out on the first two races of the season. He clinched the title with a third-place finish at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia .
His title defense was hampered by a hand injury that kept him out of the first race. Despite six victories that year, Simoncelli finished third.
Simoncelli moved to MotoGP in 2010. His best result in his debut season was fourth in Portugal, and he ended the year in eighth place.
"We are deeply saddened at the passing of Marco Simoncelli. He was one of the most charismatic figures in the World Championship and had a fantastic future ahead of him in MotoGP," Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Jeff Belskus said in a statement. "Marco was one of the most popular riders at the MotoGP event at Indianapolis, as his talent on the motorcycle and his ability to connect with fans both were very special. We extend our sincere sympathies to his family, team and fans."
The young rider was thought to be a possible surprise contender this season but had experienced a difficult year following several crashes. He finished on the podium twice, third in the Czech Republic and second a week ago in Australia.
Simoncelli's manager, Carlo Pernat, believes the youngster would have gone on to great things.
"Marco was a cheery boy, everyone's friend," Pernat said. "He had expectations, dreams. He was a boy from days gone by, with a wonderful family who taught him good values. It's terrible, there are no words, everyone's very upset, he could have become world champion one day.
"He had this desire to get to the top, it was really inside him, there was this desire for success because he knew he could have it."
If you choose to watch video pay attention to him already slumped over.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkInpkx1hFE
| Date | Race | Track | TV | TV Start | Radio | Race Start Time (Eastern) | Laps Miles | Track Size (Miles) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, February 25 | DRIVE4COPD 300 | Daytona International Speedway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 120 300 | 2.5 |
| Saturday, March 3 | Bashas Supermarkets 200 | Phoenix International Raceway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 200 300 | 1 |
| Saturday, March 10 | Sams Town 300 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | TBA | TBA | PRN | TBA | 200 300 | 1.5 |
| Saturday, March 17 | Scotts EZ Seed 300 | Bristol Motor Speedway | TBA | TBA | PRN | TBA | 300 159.9 | .533 |
| Saturday, March 24 | Royal Purple 300 | Auto Club Speedway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 150 300 | 2 |
| Saturday, March 31 | OFF WEEKEND | |||||||
| Saturday, April 7 | OFF WEEKEND | |||||||
| Friday, April 13 | O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 | Texas Motor Speedway | TBA | TBA | PRN | TBA | 200 300 | 1.5 |
| Saturday, April 21 | OFF WEEKEND | |||||||
| Friday, April 27 | BUBBA Burger 250 | Richmond International Raceway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 250 187.5 | .75 |
| Saturday, May 5 | Aaron's 312 | Talladega Superspeedway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 117 311.22 | 2.66 |
| Friday, May 11 | Darlington 200 | Darlington Raceway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 147 200.8 | 1.366 |
| Sunday, May 20 | John Deere Dealers 250 | Iowa Speedway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 250 218.75 | .875 |
| Saturday, May 26 | Charlotte 300 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | TBA | TBA | PRN | TBA | 200 300 | 1.5 |
| Saturday, June 2 | 5-Hour Energy 200 | Dover International Speedway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 200 200 | 1 |
| Saturday, June 9 | OFF WEEKEND | |||||||
| Saturday, June 16 | Alliance Truck Parts 250 | Michigan International Speedway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 125 250 | 2 |
| Saturday, June 23 | Bucyrus 200 | Road America | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 50 200.4 | 4.008 |
| Friday, June 29 | Feed The Children 300 | Kentucky Speedway | TBA | TBA | PRN | TBA | 200 300 | 1.5 |
| Friday, July 6 | Subway Jalapeno 250 | Daytona International Speedway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 100 250 | 2.5 |
| Saturday, July 14 | New Hampshire 200 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway | TBA | TBA | PRN | TBA | ? ? | 1.058 |
| Sunday, July 22 | STP 300 | Chicagoland Speedway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 200 300 | 1.5 |
| Saturday, July 28 | TBA | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | ? ? | 2.5 |
| Saturday, August 4 | US Cellular 250 | Iowa Speedway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 250 218.75 | .875 |
| Saturday, August 11 | Zippo 200 | Watkins Glen International | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 82 200.9 | 2.45 |
| Saturday, August 18 | NAPA Auto Parts 200 | Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 74 200.46 | 2.709 |
| Friday, August 24 | Food City 250 | Bristol Motor Speedway | TBA | TBA | PRN | TBA | 250 133.24 | .533 |
| Saturday, September 1 | Great Clips 300 | Atlanta Motor Speedway | TBA | TBA | PRN | TBA | 195 300.3 | 1.54 |
| Friday, September 7 | Virginia 529 College Savings 250 | Richmond International Raceway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 250 187.5 | .75 |
| Saturday, September 15 | Chicago 300 | Chicagoland Speedway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 200 300 | 1.5 |
| Saturday, September 22 | Kentucky 300 | Kentucky Speedway | TBA | TBA | PRN | TBA | 200 300 | 1.5 |
| Saturday, September 29 | OneMain Financial 200 | Dover International Speedway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 200 200 | 1 |
| Saturday, October 6 | OFF WEEKEND | |||||||
| Friday, October 12 | Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage | Charlotte Motor Speedway | TBA | TBA | PRN | TBA | 200 300 | 1.5 |
| Saturday, October 20 | Kansas Lottery 300 | Kansas Speedway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 200 300 | 1.5 |
| Saturday, October 27 | OFF WEEKEND | |||||||
| Saturday, November 3 | O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge | Texas Motor Speedway | TBA | TBA | PRN | TBA | 200 300 | 1.5 |
| Saturday, November 10 | WYPALL 200 | Phoenix International Raceway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 200 200 | 1 |
| Saturday, November 17 | Ford 300 | Homestead-Miami Speedway | TBA | TBA | MRN | TBA | 200 300 | 1.5 |
