NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR Media Tour Day 4 updates

Published Jan. 26, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

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FOXSports.com keeps you up to speed on the final day of the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway, with the most recent postings added to the top:

Monday notes: Danica, Gibbs, Waltrip all talk on Day 1

Tuesday notes: Earnhardt Ganassi, Roush Fenway face media; Ford introduces 2013 Cup car

Wednesday notes: Big Harvick news; Dale Jr. talks about 2012

State of NASCAR

Tweet it up: The best from the social-media world coming out of Media Tour:

Walked into #nascarhall to see Robin Pemberton on the floor showing his handywork on a Petty Enterprises car http://lockerz.com/s/177964351 — Lee Spencer (@CandiceSpencer)

France asked how sport could improve. He replies having 3 or 4 drivers in the mix at Homestead for title — to which Pemberton just chuckled — Lee Spencer (@CandiceSpencer)

#nascar chairman Brian France: in the end (the title) came down to race wins — and that's exactly how it should be — Lee Spencer (@CandiceSpencer)

Robin Pemberton says @DISupdates car package will include 29/32 plate, smaller spoiler, softer springs. 2.5x20 grille opening & 25lbs prv — Lee Spencer (@CandiceSpencer)

New talent: NASCAR officials announced the 2012 Drive for Diversity class, with their Twitter handles, Thursday at the Hall of Fame.

The six drivers, who will compete with Rev Racing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series:

Jorge Arteaga (@JorgeArteaga46), 25; Mackenna Bell (@MackenaBell), 21; Trey Gibson (@TGibsonRacing), 19; Ryan Gifford (@RyanGifford2), 22; Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin), 19; and Bryan Ortiz (@BryanORacing), 22.
 

Penske Racing

Tweet, tweet: The best from the social-media world coming out of Media Tour:

How important is Penske Racing to Dodge? Ralph Gilles, President and CEO of SRT Brand is alongside Roger Penske — Jorge Mondaca (@JorgeMondacaFOX)

At the Penske media event. Here's the Blue Deuce driven by @Keselowski  http://twitpic.com/8bwaac — SPEED.com's Tom Jensen (@TomJensen100)

Ralph Gilles, pres & CEO of the SRT brand at Dodge joins the Captain and the Penske Racing stable http://lockerz.com/s/177931328 — Lee Spencer (@CandiceSpencer)

Confirmed @samhornish will drive full-time in the @nascar_nns series for @penskeracing — SPEED.com's Tom Jensen (@TomJensen100)

Dodge's Ralph Gilles says 2012 is going to be a year of momentum. He added that @keselowski "gave me heart attacks all the time" — Lee Spencer (@CandiceSpencer)

"We might not have any baby news or giris in heels up here ..." — @keselowski — SPEED.com's Tom Jensen (@TomJensen100)

"We are making huge gains and I'm proud to be a part of it." Brad K —

"What he did last year, he brought the organization to a new level." — @ajdinger on @keselowski — SPEED.com's Tom Jensen (@TomJensen100)

New @penskeracing driver @AJDinger Its been an amazing ride to get to this point. I've worked hard to get here..I need to deliver victories — Lee Spencer (@CandiceSpencer)

"I know there's big shoes to fill ... so I'm not going into this blind." @ajdinger @penskeracing — SPEED.com's Tom Jensen (@TomJensen100)

Watching Penske Racing presser — perhaps the youngest superstar-laden team in NASCAR — they will be good for many years to come — Jorge Mondaca (@JorgeMondacaFOX)

"We've put together probably the best group of people I've ever had around me." — @samhornish @penskeracing — SPEED.com's Tom Jensen (@TomJensen100)

'@AJDinger: I realized I was a @penskeracing driver when I put on this white Hugo Boss shirt this morning — Lee Spencer (@CandiceSpencer)

Sam Hornish Jr. repeats his mantra — he is dedicated to NASCAR, not going back to IndyCar — will race full time in Nationwide this year — Jorge Mondaca (@JorgeMondacaFOX)

Former #IndyCar champ @SamHornish: I love the #nationwide series...Ultimately I want to get back to the Sprint Cup Series — Lee Spencer (@CandiceSpencer)

Roger Penske: there's never an 8 hour day in this sport — Lee Spencer (@CandiceSpencer)

Snap On will be primary sponsor of 4 @nascar_nns races for No. 22 @penskeracing Dodge Challenger. — SPEED.com's Tom Jensen (@TomJensen100)

Miller Lite extends contract with Penske Racing. Has been sponsor of “The Blue Deuce” in NASCAR since 1991. — Jorge Mondaca (@JorgeMondacaFOX)

Miller-Coors also extends deal as official beer of NASCAR's top 3 racing series. Big day for sponsors today — sign of economy rebounding? — Jorge Mondaca (@JorgeMondacaFOX)

"When I told 'em you were going to be great, you are great." — Roger Penske on @keselowski @penskeracing — SPEED.com's Tom Jensen (@TomJensen100)

Watching Brad @Keselowski on stage — He is really embracing being leader of @PenskeRacing. He's doing a great job being the top guy. — Jorge Mondaca (@JorgeMondacaFOX)

"That's huge deal in this sport right now." — @keselowski on having 4 fully funded @nascar teams (2 cup, 2 @nascar_nns) — SPEED.com's Tom Jensen (@TomJensen100)

On Miller's extension w/@penskeracing, @keselowski says: I can't emphasize enough how important it is to bring the blue deuce back — Lee Spencer (@CandiceSpencer)

Building block: Entering its 30th year as a Penske Racing sponsor, Snap-on Tools will enhance its role with the organization to serve as a primary sponsor of the No. 22 Dodge Challenger in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for four races this season.

Snap-on’s colors and branding will adorn the No. 22 car driven by both former Nationwide Series champion Brad Keselowski and rising star Parker Kligerman in races at Darlington Raceway (May 11), Dover International Speedway (June 2), New Hampshire Motor Speedway (July 14) and Richmond International Raceway (Sept. 7).

Adding on: Penske Racing welcomes a new partner to its NASCAR Nationwide Series program in 2012 as The Wurth Group will sponsor the Dodge Challenger driven by Sam Hornish Jr. Wurth will be featured as a primary sponsor in seven races as it marks the beginning of a multiyear partnership. Wurth will also be an associate sponsor for the remaining 26 Nationwide Series races and as an associate sponsor of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge in the Sprint Cup Series.

Rumors and Notes

Rollin' back: NASCAR champion, Most Popular Driver, Walmart greeter?

Former NASCAR champion Bill Elliott will pilot the No. 50 Walmart Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway in this July's Coke Zero 400 as a tribute to the retailer's 50th anniversary.

Elliott, 56, has 44 career victories, including four at the 2.5-mile superspeedway. Elliott won the 1988 Cup championship and was voted the series Most Popular driver for 16 of the 36 season he has competed in.

The No. 50 Chevrolet will be provided by Turner Motorsports — the company's first foray into the Sprint Cup Series. Hendrick Motorsports will provide the engines.

What's on tap today?

State of the Union: The Media Tour wraps up at the NASCAR Hall of Fame with the sanctioning body offering its state of the sport address. Following one of the most scintillating seasons to date — with the championship between victor Tony Stewart and runner-up Carl Edwards coming down to the final lap — NASCAR must continue that momentum into 2012. Now what’s the updated marketing plan? Competition is likely to update progress on the 2013 cars, electronic fuel injection and whether the conundrum that is tandem racing has been solved prior to Speedweeks.

Penske Power: Brad Keselowski’s breakthrough season in Sprint Cup last year in the No. 2 was nothing short of miraculous with three wins and a fifth-place finish in the point standings. Now that the No. 2 car has created a blueprint for success — newcomers to the No. 22 Dodge, AJ Allmendinger and crew chief Todd Gordon, can follow that path.

— Lee Spencer

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