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News and Notes: Indy Car Series, HD, Chili Bowl and More

Have been hearing some scuttlebutt out of Indianapolis that Coca-Cola will be involved with the Indy Car Series. As a title sponsorship? That remains to be seen. However, one would think it may be an energy drink that is under the Coke umbrella. Mac Tools may also have an involvement with the series. Another rumor heard is that all Indy Car races in ?08 will have a four-lap qualifying format like they have for qualifying at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during May. Will they use best lap or the average of the four laps? Sounds like an interesting idea.

For all of you with High-Definition TV, it looks like the ?08 Indy Car Series will finally be broadcasting in HD this year. This is welcome news. For someone that love HD, it was frustrating seeing a regional NASCAR series in HD on Saturday evening then see the Indy Car series the following day in all of it?s graininess on ESPN2.

Looks like Scott Wimmer will be on the outside looking in for this year?s Daytona 500. The Richard Childress driver who will drive a partial NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule as well as driving for Childress in the Nationwide Series. It appears that Kirk Shelmerdine will be driving the fourth Childress car for the Daytona 500. The big difference? Sponsorship. It appears that Shelmerdine has lined up a sponsor for Daytona.

Aussie Vineyards may be out for Walker Racing in the Champ Car World Series. With Walker losing out on the wine money, he may have to cut down to a one-car team.

A special treat for all of you dirt track fans and those starving for any type of racing. Friday?s Chili Bowl qualification features will be streamed live on NASCAR.com and Foxsports.com

The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, which will be telecast live on pay-per-view on Saturday, January 12, NASCAR.com and Foxsports.com will stream a special webcast of the final qualification night live from Tulsa’s QuikTrip Center. On Friday, January 11 at 10:30 pm ET, racing fans can log on to NASCAR.com and Foxsports.com to watch the live stream webcast of the second Twin B feature (15 laps) followed by the A feature (25 laps). HBO Pay-Per-View presents the live, with no commercials, television
broadcast of the 2008 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals on Saturday, Jan. 12, at 8:00 pm ET. The HBO Pay-Per-View telecast has a suggested retail price of $24.95

This event brings in a who?s who of racing. Entries scheduled for Friday’s qualification heats include defending champion Tony Stewart, fellow NASCAR drivers Kasey Kahne and Jason Leffler, former two-time Chili Bowl champion Cory Kruseman, multiple USAC champion Dave Darland, and road racer PJ Jones.

The live webcast will be hosted by veteran broadcaster Ken Stout and include color commentary by Dave Argabright, Larry Rice, Dr. Pat Sullivan and pit reporting by Matt Yocum.

1960?s-1970?s USAC driver Mel Cornett passed away last week at age 71. It appears that Mel was the last driver to win a national race in a car powered by an Offenhauser. On June 9, 1973, Cornett driving the Leader Card #98, won the 40-lap USAC Sprint Car feature at Terre Haute, IN.

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