Race Previews

Earnhardts strong run diminished with new gear

Jeffrey Earnhardt visited the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the first time this weekend and showed quickly just how strong he can be. Earnhardt had to qualify on time in the #41 Nuts Off/Pepsi Max/Fastwax Chevy and posted his ride in the 29th position.

Earnhardt quickly moved through the pack and into the 24th position with clean and accurate passes as he and the RWR team dialed the car in.

Just as quickly as things happen in racing, the rear of Earnhardt's car went up in smoke with a broken gear while he was running 22nd on lap 71.

"That was a brand new car with a brand new gear. We are going to have to look at it when we get back to the shop but we got a good view of how good this car and driver are. Jeffrey drove a great race until that point and we look forward to making up some ground with him when he gets back in the car," stated owner Rick Ware

Earnhardt adds Voodoo and AFL to fanbase

(May 24, 2011) The New Orleans VooDoo, the Arena Football League (AFL), and Rick Ware Racing today jointly announced a partnership for the balance of the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series. The “New Orleans VooDoo Car” will appear in several upcoming NASCAR Nationwide Series races at Road America in Wisconsin on June 25th, and again at Daytona July 1.

Additionally, its driver at Daytona – Jeffrey Earnhardt – will be at the New Orleans Arena Friday, June 3rd along with the “New Orleans VooDoo Car” for the pre-game Fan Fest, and will serve as honorary captain for the game. The nationally televised NFL Network Arena Football “Game of the Week” will feature the top ranked Jacksonville Sharks against the New Orleans VooDoo, who are making their third home appearance of the season on the NFL Network.

Rick Ware – Rick Ware Racing Team owner – said, “We are excited to join forces with the Arena Football League and the New Orleans VooDoo for an exciting NASCAR and arena football season for our fans. Both of us share the same fans who are always looking for an exciting and entertaining sports experience. Together we’re going to take that experience up a notch starting in New Orleans.”

As part of the June 3rd experience, one of the fans who attend the game will win a random drawing for an all expense paid trip for two to the July 1st Nationwide Race at Daytona where they’ll be part of the official Jeffrey Earnhardt Pit Crew. (contest winner must be at least 18 years of age)

Fans will be able to see the “New Orleans VooDoo Car” in person, meet Jeffrey Earnhardt, get his autograph, and purchase limited edition t-shirts for this event at the June 3rd New Orleans VooDoo Fan Fest from 5 to 6:30 PM at the New Orleans Arena prior to the game. The Fan Fest before every VooDoo home game includes a band, face painting for kids, autographs from VooDoo players and VooDoo Dolls, and is always free to the public.

Rick Ware Racing is giving away a block of tickets to the June 3rd VooDoo game against the Jacksonville Sharks. Interested people need to call the VooDoo office during normal office hours at 504-875-3900 to secure tickets while they last. The winner for the Daytona trip must be present at the June 3rd VooDoo game to win.

“I am very proud and excited about the next several months coming up,” stated owner Rick Ware of Rick Ware Racing. “RWR has formed an alliance with the AFL starting with the New Orleans Voodoo this coming weekend. Jeffery’s car will be on display and be doing the "coin toss" for the live NFL broadcasted game!”

“This will be the kick off to several new sponsors for RWR, Jeffery and teammate Timmy Hill. The fan base of the AFL and NFL is huge and share the same demographics as NASCAR. We have received a huge response already to the radio promotions in New Orleans area and this is just the tip of the iceberg for our new sponsors and fans. Jeffery will be making his Nationwide Daytona debut this July where he finished 7th in his first NASCAR Camping World Truck race this past February and will be alongside his teammate, Timmy Hill who is leading the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings. Both will be sporting new National companies as well as the AFL and Voodoo logos! As Jeffery will be greeting the thousands of fans at the Voodoo fan fest, Timmy Hill will be continuing the charge at Chicago in his #15 Ford Mustang in the Nationwide Series.”

Earnhardt to drive #41 at Charlotte in NNS race

Jeffrey Earnhardt’s 2011 season started with a top 10 finish at Daytona in NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series. That effort was followed up with several strong outings in the truck races. In Martinsville’s Kroger 250, the 4th generation Earnhardt driver maneuvered his Rick Ware Racing #1 truck from a 28th place starting position into the top 6 before failing brakes on the #31 truck ended the day for both competitors. When the trucks sponsor changed teams, Jeffrey and Rick Ware solidified their partnership and went to work to prepare for the future. That future begins on May 28th at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the Nationwide Series Top Gear 300 at 2:30pm, televised live on ABC.

“We had a lot of momentum in the truck series and it was disappointing when the sponsor left but that happens in this business and you have to move on”, said Earnhardt. “I’m a competitor. Whether it’s racing on a track or pulling the team together to work with sponsors, failure is not an option. Rick and his team have been great and the upcoming Charlotte race is a new beginning. I’m very excited to be back in a car and we’re thrilled to have Pepsi Max & On the Run stores on the ride.” Additional sponsors include Fastwax.com, Lilly Trucking, Nuts Off Penetrating Lubricant and Peelsplus.com.

“We are looking forward to having Jeffrey in the #41 at Charlotte in the NASCAR Nationwide Series,” stated owner Rick Ware. “The past month has been extremely exciting at RWR with Jeffrey making the jump to the Nationwide Series. He will be joining the Sunoco Rookie of the Year point leader, Timmy Hill and the future looks really bright for our organization.”

For more information visit www.wareracing.net or you can also follow the team on Twitter at @rickwareracing