DETROIT, Mich. (December 19, 2008) - Officials for the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix announced today that the 2009 event will be postponed due to the difficult economic conditions prevalent in southeast Michigan and across the nation.
“The economic environment that our region, state and country faces, both today and in 2009, is difficult,” said Roger Penske, Chairman of the Downtown Detroit Partnership. “It is unfortunate that we must postpone the 2009 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix as sponsorship opportunities and support has proven to be very challenging for the event in the near term.”
Six months after filing a lawsuit for racial, gender, and sexual discrimination, former official Mauricia Grant settled her litigation against NASCAR at a mediation hearing December 3rd that was held in New York. The terms of the settlement were undisclosed. Neither NASCAR nor Ms. Grant admits liability or wrongdoing by way of the settlement.
The settlement closes an ugly chapter in the 2008 NASCAR season, which has been marred with a variety of problems.
On Wednesday, NASCAR announced that Iowa Speedway would be hosting a Camping World Truck Series race in 2009, after Mansfield Motorsports Park was unable to meet the requirements necessary to remain a NASCAR sanctioned facility. On the Mansfield Motorsports Park website, a notice was posted to fans stating "Due to the economic times that we are all facing, Mansfield Motorsports Park will not be hosting the 2009 NASCAR Truck Race." The move by the track is the first major sign that the economic client is affecting the smaller race operations.
Charlotte, N.C. (December 15, 2008) – Robby Gordon Motorsports announced today that they will partner with Toyota beginning in the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season for the No. 7, which is guaranteed a spot in the season opener Daytona 500.NEW DEVELOPMENTS :: RacingForTheWin.com confirmed late Monday that Stringer Motorsports will field a truck in the 2009 Camping World Truck Series in at least five events. 23 year-old Gabi DiCarlo, who has run two complete seasons in the ARCA Re/Max Series, will drive for Stringer Motorsports in the Camping World Truck Series with Great Clips sponsoring the effort. DiCarlo was also compete in, at-least, 13 ARCA Re/Max Series races in 2009.
“We will run a minimum of 13 races and maybe more depending on what transpires between now and the other races on the schedule,” said Doug Stringer owner of Stringer Motorsports. “We are looking for some options that would allow us compete for the entire season”
