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Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain Celebrates 10th Year on SPEED in 2012

One of my favorite shows about racing is Wind Tunnel. Dave Despain covers all kinds of racing and I really enjoy his interviews and his philosophy on the sport. The following is a press release from Speed TV on the upcoming 10th season of Wind Tunnel.

NEW SEASON, 535th EPISODE PREMIERE FEB. 26 FOLLOWING DAYTONA 500

Aside from multiple championships, what do John Force, Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart have in common?

For assorted reasons, they’ve all made Dave Despain’s list of favorite interviews over the last decade of Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain on SPEED, which celebrates its 10th year in 2012.

Despain, who anchors his 535th episode of the popular program Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. ET, credits Force for being the most colorful interview; Gordon as his favorite, and Stewart … well, Stewart for being the most difficult.

“I really didn’t have any expectations when we started Wind Tunnel,” Despain reflected. “The show had a very experimental feel in the beginning and I don’t think anyone knew quite what to expect. But it caught on very quickly and developed a fan following, which in turn gives the host a nice, secure feeling about the future. There are always doubts — it’s television after all — but I’ve always felt we were filling a niche.”

Wind Tunnel first premiered Feb. 23, 2003, as a half-hour show featuring Chip Ganassi as the first guest. Two weeks later, it expanded to an hour program, where it remains to this day, with in-studio guest Steve Matchett and Miguel Duhamel live from Daytona Bike Week.

After 534 shows, Despain has grown fond of certain guests and a bit circumspect about others despite his penchant for them.

“My most colorful guest and one of my favorites is John Force for the obvious reason, he makes my job so easy,” reflected Despain, who has covered NASCAR for 40 years. “I only need one question per segment. Toss it out there and it’s like lighting the fuse on a five-minute bottle rocket. Sparks fly and there’s no stopping him.

“Jeff Gordon is probably my favorite interview because he always gives you something worthwhile,” Despain continued. “He never phones it in. No matter what else might be happening in his life or in his racing world, once he makes the commitment to do the interview, you’re guaranteed he’s going to show up with something worthwhile to say. It’s all very professional but also very entertaining and informative.”

On the flip side of the coin, no one has ever accused Stewart of being an easy interview. Despain, however, has learned to find the silver lining in the three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion’s interview style.

“Tony Stewart keeps you on your toes for a couple of reasons,” Despain stated. “First is the need to keep track of all your options when he’s late for a live interview. Then comes the interview itself. Tony does not suffer fools gladly so it puts pressure on the interviewer to not ask what ‘Smoke’ considers foolish questions. When it comes to racing, I think Tony is a pretty good judge of what constitutes ‘foolish,’ so in the end it’s a good thing.”

In its first nine seasons, Wind Tunnel has become a Sunday night destination for many in the industry.

“I think the biggest surprise along the way was the extent to which Wind Tunnel caught on in the garage area, among drivers, crews, owners and sponsors,” Despain explained. “Most of those folks are working on Sunday so I’m really impressed that they make time at the end of their racing day to watch us or made the effort to record it and watch it later.”

In addition to 534 episodes of Wind Tunnel, Despain specials have centered on veteran journalist Chris Economaki and a comparison of Gordon and Dale Earnhardt when Gordon tied Earnhardt’s win record.

About SPEED™

SPEED, anchored by its popular and wide-ranging coverage of NASCAR, is the nation’s first and only cable television network dedicated to automotive and motorcycle racing, performance and lifestyle. Now available in nearly 84 million homes in North America, SPEED, a member of the FOX Sports Media Group, is among the industry leaders in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services, including SPEED2, a groundbreaking new broadband network featuring live, streaming and on-demand events complementing offerings of the linear network. For more information, please visit SPEED.com, the online motor sports authority.

Source: SPEED, Press Release

J.R. Hildebrand On The Track At Sebring In Panther Racing’s New 2012 Car

J.R. Hildebrand from Sausalito, CA has begun testing in the new 2012 No. 4 Panther Racing National Guard Car. J.R. finished in the runner up spot in the 2011 Rookie of the Year standings in the IndyCar Series. He has fully recovered from injuries he suffered from being involved in the tragic accident that took the life of Dan Wheldon at the end of last season. Here is a short video of J.R. in the new 2012 car on the track at Sebring.

For more information on J.R. please visit: www.JRHildebrandRacing.com.

With the 2012 Season on the Horizon, It Should be a Great Year of Racing in Stockton

The New Stockton 99 Speedway Media Release – 1-23-2012

Media Relations – David Holman

Nothing says Spring like the accelerating smell of high-octane mixed with hot rubber and the undeniable roar of engines at the Toughest Test in the West that is the Stockton 99 Speedway! This Season, for all intents and purposes, holds forth promises, and expectations, to be the very best that has come our way during the perpetual rise of the New Era. The list is relentless! And the list begins on Sunday, February 12th, with the Speedway’s Fourth Annual Swap Meet.

First and foremost, the Old Girl will be sporting a new Premier Division that will come in the form of the Grand American Modifieds. And, within this Division, thanks to Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle and Star Racing Supply, another Division, so to speak, will exist for the less horsepower and fewer frills Modifieds wanting to run. The Management at Stockton has worked diligently with the management at Roseville to make this a two-track Series without conflicting race dates. That, in itself, should draw the attention of many racers, which in turn should increase the car-counts to make for some unbelievable, hard-core racing results. For more information on this please visit the Speedway’s Website or give them a call at (209)466-9999.

Also, after several years of abstinence, the K&N Pro Series West will make a rare visit to the Speedway on Saturday, May 5th. These large horsepower, heavy hotrods will be an absolute pleasure to watch as they try to negotiate the tight turns on the quarter-mile paved oval. If you’re making plans to attend this race, you more than likely better begin making them now, and come out early the day of the Event, because on this night, it will be standing room only as management plans on a full house.

Not to be outdone, the SRL SPEARS Southwest Tour Series will be a frequent flyer at the 99 this year with three dates: March 31st, June 9th and August 18th. These are three more races you simply won’t want to miss. Last year the Championship Battle went down to the wire with Prunedale Great, Jim Pettit II, capturing the crown in the final couple races. This year, Pettit is expected to return, stronger than ever, to defend this prestigious Title. There will be some additional oldcomers and newcomers, so this should definitely pan out to be a very exciting year for this Series.

At this point, let’s not forget the fan-favorite Legends of the Pacific. This series is one of the tightest and best run touring series that visits us each and every year. And this year will certainly be no disappointment as these little guys come to roost no less than eight nights at the storied venue. Also, the Vintage Hardtops return for the nostalgia lovers in the grandstands, which happens to include almost everyone who frequents the Speedway. The Northern California Pro-4 Modifieds will be back in action as well. These little four-cylinder open-wheelers flat out get after it on the high-banks of Stockton. If you haven’t had the pleasure of watching them race, you need to make it a point this year as they always put on a great show.

And, of course, this reporter would be remiss in the omission of the track’s regular Divisions; the lifeblood of Stockton 99 Speedway’s return to glory. The Western Late Models will return to action with a nearly-full cup of racing on the agenda. The Super Stocks, last year’s Premier Division, will be back in a lesser capacity with fewer races. Also on the weekly ticket will be the Bombers, Basically-4-Cylinders, Mini Cups, Enduros and the Open Wheel Touring Divisions. There will be plenty of racing for every flavor imaginable, so take stock and start marking those calendars!

Many, many more exciting things are planned for the New Year, including Tony Queirolo Night and Johnny Brazil night, once again. So please stay tuned for updates as they become available. With very little doubt, Stockton 99 Speedway will be the place to be this Racing Season, to quench the thirst of even the staunchest of critics!

The New Stockton 99 Speedway is located at 4105 N. Wilson Way, ¼-mile west of Highway 99. For more information on tickets and times, please contact the Speedway Office at (209)466-9999 or visit their Website at www.stockton99.com.

The New Stockton 99 Speedway is sponsored by Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel, Budweiser, Alamo Alarm and Stockton Hampton Inn and Suites and Lodi Holiday Express.