SPEEDFEST 2010 WINNERS
at Lanier Speedway, January 31, 2010:

Modified: Brad Springer
Pro Late Model: Greg Simpson
Super Late Model: Kyle Busch

See the results and lots of photos by Brian O. Williams

World of Wheels - Closing day of event in Atlanta

If you didn't attend you missed a great event at the World of Wheels in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center.

The major sponsors of the event - Summit Racing and O'Reilly's Auto Parts had booths on the show floor that anchored an impressive display of horsepower in exhibits of innovative concepts for 2010.

World of Wheels: Friday

Motorsport America was there for the opening of the World of Wheels Friday in Atlanta, GA. Here's a few photos of what you can expect when you visit the Georgia World Congress Center. The event goes through Sunday. It's cold outside - come on down and visit us at our booth and stay warm! For more info on the World of Wheels, go to www.worldofwheels.com

NHRA to Race Four Wide at zMax
by Pete McCole

The National Hot Rod Association announced Thursday that for the first time in the series’ history, the NHRA’s top four divisions will compete four-wide in qualifying and elimination rounds during the 2010 Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway on March 25-28. Drivers in the NHRA Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will qualify and race four wide, with the top two drivers from each elimination round advancing to the next round.

Goodyear Tire Test Concludes at Atlanta Motor Speedway

by Matthew Simmons, Atlanta Motor Speedway

HAMPTON, Ga. The second day of Goodyear tire testing at Atlanta Motor Speedway concluded with NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers feeling confident the two-day test will result in an improved tire for the upcoming Kobalt Tools 500 on March 7.

Four NASCAR drivers Carl Edwards, Sam Hornish, Jr., Mark Martin and Martin Truex, Jr. assisted the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. with tire testing at Atlanta Motor Speedway and their shared sentiment provided high praise for Goodyears efforts to provide a quality tire compound for the 2010 Kobalt Tools 500. See Motorsport America photos of the test.

Hot Finish at Ice Bowl in Talladega

The Talladega Ice Bowl XIX must have gone down in history as one of the coldest events of 2010! But that didn't stop racers from seven states from showing up and taking a shot at winning one of the six racing events the weekend of January 8-10, 2010. To see the results from the Ice Bowl, visit www.talladegashorttrack.com - they currently have them as the front page of their website. See the MSA photos!

So you think you can ride a dirt bike?

Me too, until I went to The Battle of Atlanta and watched the pros show their talents at the event in Social Circle, GA.

January 3, 2010 was a nice 17 degrees for the start of the eight hour endurance dirt bike race. Civil War re-enacters shot muskets to begin each class.

Performance Racing Industry:
PRI / CKI All-Stars Karting Classic
Friday: December 10, 2009
by Marci Watson, Editor

What a Karting event it was at the PRI show! The weather was a bit of a factor that night, as Florida is usually sunny and warm - heavy rain earlier in the day taper off and cleared out just in time for qualifying even though the brisk wind did remind you that it WAS December.

Karting is the purest form of racing and how many drivers got started in their careers.  These professionals put a show and displayed their passion for racing on and off the track to the delight of the trade show attendees in the stands.

2009 PRI Trade Show was a terrific answer to challenging times

38,000 motorsports entrepreneurs gathered from all 50 states and 60 countries to conduct business face to face, and launch a fast start to 2010 sales of the latest new product lines in racing! As the PRI Trade Show closed, both attendees and exhibitors were optimistic about the upcoming 2010 race season, as they should be with approximately 38,000 buyers attending the Show from all 50 states, and 60 countries.

Danica chasing her dream:
Danica Patrick Signs With JR Motorsports

Danica Patrick will race in NASCAR Nationwide Series on part-time basis for JR Motorsports in 2010.

Patrick will be limiting her exposure to the Nationwide Series and Truck series and will continue to race the full IndyCar schedule for Andretti Green Racing.

Talla'BAMA, R.I.P.
The Day that NASCAR Died
by Rocky Sinyard

The sunrise was painting the eastern sky orange … the full moon was settling beyond the grandstands. With a tear in my eye, I stood in the vast infield of Talladega Superspeedway and asked myself, “What has happened to my beloved sport of NASCAR racing? What has happened to Talla’Bama? Where did it all go so wrong?”

As I lingered there in that beautiful predawn moment … lyrics to a famous old song began to play in my mind …

Bonus Photos: December issue
BLW N BLU: 2000 MUSTANG: SEAN  HYLAND  EDITION   #203

Tim Evans now calls Douglasville, Georgia, his home. He is originaly from Syracuse NY. Tim moved here to work for a motorcycle parts warehouse because of his passion for motorcycles. He still has this passion -  he rides a 2004 GSX750. But he decided he wants Big Boys Toys now. He started out with a mustang LX then moved to the next level, a Cobra mustang. 

Mud Boggin'
Durhamtown Plantation located in Union Point, Ga. is a family off road and sportsman resort. The park consists of 100 miles of dirt bike, atv, side x side trails and a separate area for 4x4 enthusiasts. Durhamtown has a pro-shop, lodge, restaurant and a full service repair shop. You can rent cabins, tent camp or full hook-up for RV's. It's a Disney World for the off road rider.

Story & Photos by Rodney Rossignol

Bonus Photos: December issue
2nd Annual Nostalgia Nationals
The Goodguys 2nd Nostalgia Nationals at historic Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky was a colorful blend of hot rods, vintage race cars, crisp fall weather and an enthusiastic crowd that witnessed a spectacular weekend of racing and hot rodding! To read all about it and check the official race results click here: www.ggvintagedragracing.com/results

Photos by Mark Hinkle and Robert Hinkle for MSA. See more in our upcoming issue.

Bonus Photos: December issue
SCCA: 16th Annual Road Race of Champions
Road Atlanta: November 5-8, 2009

One of the best weekends of the year greeted racers at Road Atlanta for the 16th Annual American Road Race of Champions Presented by Grassroots Motorsports.  Clear skies and mild temperatures made for perfect track conditions.  The racing and the parties were some of the best in recent memory.  Results have been posted in the ARRC section at
www.atlantascca.org/arrc/2009-arrc-results.html
See MSA photos

Johnson grabs fourth straight title; Hamlin wins race

Done deal. “How ’bout some history?!” Jimmie Johnson shouted as the crossed the finish line at Homestead-Miami Speedway. No, Johnson didn’t win Sunday’s Ford 400. Denny Hamlin did. But Johnson accomplished something far more significant than a victory in a single event. His fifth-place finish was more than good enough to clinch his fourth straight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title, breaking a tie with Cale Yarborough for most consecutive championships. “History, boys,” Johnson continued. “No one ever—ever! I don’t know how to thank you guys. Thank you so much.” Johnson’s title run also completed Hendrick Motorsports’ sweep of the top three positions in the final standings, the first time an organization has achieved that distinction. In winning his fourth Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Johnson finished 141 points ahead of Mark Martin, who entered Sunday’s race 108 points behind his teammate and finished 12th.

Photo by David Allio

Kelley Collects Record Fourth World Crown 300 Title
26th annual World Crown 300
November 15, 2009
Gresham Motorsport Park: Jefferson, GA

Paul Kelley was declared the winner of the 26th-Annual World Crown 300 at Gresham Motorsports Park early Monday morning after the cars of Jeff Choquette and Max Gresham were disqualified for post-race technical infractions. Kelley, who previously won the 2001, 2006 and 2007 versions of the "Crown", is now the only four-time winner of the prestigious late model stock car event.

Sunny skies and unseasonably warm temperatures in the mid-70's provided a full house Sunday as fans came out to see the inaugural event at the totally refurbished GMP facility. The huge throng totally ringed the former Peach State Speedway oval and they weren-t disappointed as Choquette, Augie Grill, Austin Hill, Gresham and Kelley slugged it out for the lead throughout the 300-lap event.

World Karting Association
Road Atlanta: Oct. 31-Nov. 1

2009 WKA Road Racing Series: The WKA / Dunlop Tire National Road Racing Series driven by Mazda wrapped up the 2009 season at Road Atlanta. Robby Harper and the Big South Gang were the host as once again, drivers vied for many points' championships at this historic road circuit in Braselton, GA. This year's event marked the 7th consecutive year for the finale at Road Atlanta.

Jamie McMurray Grabs The Win At Talladega Superspeedway
TALLADEGA, ALA. -- Jamie McMurray added his name to the victory list Sunday in a surprising finish to a typical race at Talladega Superspeedway. McMurray, odd-man out in Jack Roush's compliance move to fielding a maximum of four teams in 2010, crept home the winner in a green-white-checker finish that only made it three-quarters-of-a-lap before a wild crash brought out a caution flag making McMurray the winner.

Schumacher, Johnson have similar thoughts

LAS VEGAS, Nev., October 27 - U.S. Army Top Fuel driver Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher couldn't help but smile when he heard NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson being interviewed following last Sunday's race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

"I could definitely relate to what he was talking about," said Schumacher as he prepared for this weekend's Las Vegas Nationals here at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. "He and I are clearly in similar positions at the moment. Neither one of us really want to talk about points right now." While

Johnson currently leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings with a handful of races to go, Schumacher sits atop the NHRA's Top Fuel standings heading into the final two races of the 2009 Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season.

Angel City Bike Rally
story and photos by Rodney Rossignol

Being a Harley Davidson owner and enthusiast for many years I have attended my share of bike rallies.

If you are a fan of great looking motorcycles, meeting new friends, camping or just want to let you hair down, then the Angel City Bike Rally in Unadilla, GA is a must do event.

There is a spring and fall rally each year. The rally takes place on a well groomed 100 acres with a  western town built for biker, lots of horsepower, but no horses!

Sportscar Vintage Racing Association
Road Atlanta Season Finale
October 15-18, 2009
Unlike other vintage series, SVRA features all-out racing. Even better, wherever possible, the cars are raced to the specifications by which they were originally raced. Drum brakes in racing? You bet; that what makes a Porsche 356 a Porsche 356; and the fans and competitors love it. The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association was founded over 20 years ago with the vision of keeping vintage race cars on race tracks where they belong, and can delight fans just as they did in their heyday. For more information, visit www.svra.com
Photos by Leon McVay

He's Done It Again: Johnson Victorious At Lowe's Motor Speedway
Jimmie Johnson has done it again. He won the NASCAR Banking 500 Saturday night, extending his lead over teammate Mark Martin to 90 points in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship. Johnson drove away from the field after dicing with teammate Jeff Gordon in the closing laps of the 334-lap race. It was Johnson's sixth win at Lowe's Motor Speedway and put him another step closer to a fourth consecutive championship, which would be a first in NASCAR history.

Busch Dominates NASCAR Nationwide Race At LMS
Eleven races without a win is an eternity for Kyle Busch, but the prolific Joe Gibbs Racing driver returned to victory lane decisively Friday night at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Six days removed from exiting car with what was later diagnosed as pneumonia, Busch led 137 of 200 laps to win the Dollar General 300 at the 1.5-mile track. With the victory, Busch expanded his lead in the NASCAR Nationwide Series standings to 195 points over fifth-place finisher Carl Edwards with four races left in the season.

Barber Vintage Festival:
Sunday's photos
If you missed the Vintage Festival this past weekend, here are some photos. You can visit the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum anytime at the motorsports park. The collection now has over 1200 vintage and modern motorcycles as well as a substantial collection of Lotus and other racecars. The collection is the largest of its kind in the world. There are approximately 600 of the 1200 motorcycles on display at any given time. These bikes range from 1902 to current-year production. The website is www.barbermuseum.org

Bloomquist Clinches
Lucas Oil Show Down in Rome

ROME, GA (October 11, 2009) Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN clinched the 2009 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Championship in grand fashion by winning the final series race of the year on Sunday Night at Rome Speedway. Bloomquist led all 50 laps to take the $10,000 first place money, but more importantly will take home the $75,000 first place check for winning his first ever Lucas Oil Series title. The boss of Team Zero led a clean sweep of his chassis as Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, WI finished second followed by Chris Madden of Gaffney, SC in third.  Completing the top five were Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, GA and Casey Roberts of Toccoa, GA. See photos by Howard Martin and Tom Francisco for MSA

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series:
Johnson dominates at Fontana to grab Chase lead
Jimmie Johnson called his shot. For months, the three-time defending Sprint Cup champion has been saying the addition of Auto Club Speedway to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup was a gift to his No. 48 team. Sunday's October 11th Pepsi 500, Johnson proved it and grabbed the points lead from Mark Martin in the process. Johnson's win also left runner-up Jeff Gordon conceding that his Hendrick Motorsports teammate is in a class by himself. After the sun came out on Lap 66 of 250, Johnson was unbeatable, and not even a succession of late restarts could derail his effort.

Barber Vintage Festival:
Going On Right Now

The 2009 Barber Vintage Festival features many of the past activities you have grown to enjoy as well as exciting new ones. From the bike shows to the swap meet to the exciting track activities everything you have grown to expect here returns. Do not miss the Wall of Death or the Aeroshell air show, complete with skydivers! Returning on Saturday after a one year absence will be the motorcycle auction that benefits the Barber Museum. Bator International will be conducting the auction at a new location within the park. Sunday promises to be a great day and good weather - it's less than an hour and a half from Atlanta. See what was going on Friday - photos by MSA Staff

TEAM AMSOIL OFFSHORE WINS BACK TO BACK OFFSHORE SUPER SERIES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
One week after moving into the first place points position in the Super Boat International series in Morehead City, NC, Team AMSOIL traveled to Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri to compete in the Offshore Super Series 2009 National Championships finale.   Going into this race, Team AMSOIL had fought its way to a slight one point advantage in the Offshore Super Series (OSS) season point's battle.   What this meant is that Team AMSOIL would have to win the race in order to secure its second consecutive OSS National Championship.

Hight, Dixon, Edwards and Hines lead qualifying at O' Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals in Memphis
Robert Hight raced to the Funny Car qualifying lead Friday, October 2nd, at the O'Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals. Larry Dixon, Mike Edwards and Andrew Hines also led their categories at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event. Hight, who barely made it into the NHRA Full Throttle Series Countdown to 1, has again made the most of his opportunity and followed up his back to back wins in Dallas and Charlotte, N.C. by leading qualifying at the Memphis Motorsports Park at the third event in the six-race championship playoffs.
See MSA Staff Photos!

Bonus Photos/ Oct 2009 Issue:
Motorsport Nationals Brought All Things Motorsport to AMS

Bringing all things motorsports to Atlanta Motor Speedway for one weekend, the Motorsports Nationals show descended upon the Speedway Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19 and 20. The Motorsports Nationals show was an all-inclusive expose in motorsports at one of racing's premier palaces in the Southeast, Atlanta Motor Speedway.

4 Wide at Concord: Bonus Photos from the MSA October issue
Field was Set for Four Lane, Four-Wide Exhibition on Sunday, September 20, 2009

Upon the conclusion of the first round of qualifying, the stage was set to give the fans a treat and thrill the drivers who participated in the four-lane, four-wide exhibition run. It marked the first time in NHRA history, modern Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars racing four lanes, four wide, unleashing a powerful assault of 28,000 horsepower on spectacular zMAX Dragway.
Here are the photos that we couldn't fit in the October issue. Photos by Fred Hanyon, MSA

2001 Corvette LS1
Silver with black interior. Loaded. Only 30,000 miles. 6-speed manual. $29,500. REDUCED TO $24,500. Call 770-206-0849.

Classified Ads are $25 per issue and on our website: It runs till it sells!
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10% OFF of combo buy of Classified Ad & Subscription
to Motorsport America. CLICK HERE!

Five Flags Speedway: 42nd Annual Snowball Derby December 3-6, 2009
by Matt Kentfield

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Race teams from across the country are beginning to see their seasons wind to a close. With their respective track or series wrapping up the championship points battles in the coming weeks, drivers and fans alike are beginning to look further up the road. For most of those fans and teams, one early December event is circled and highlighted on the calendar for an event that any short track racing enthusiast shouldn't miss. That event is the Snowball Derby weekend, held at the Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida - December 3rd-6th.