Rick Hendrick, owner of four NASCAR teams under Hendrick Motorsports, picked up the first Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in person at GM’s Oshawa Assembly Plant yesterday as production of the 580-hp, 556 lb-ft of torque American sports car kicked off.

Hendrick is clearly a die-hard Camaro enthusiast, having purchased the first 2010 Camaro Coupe, the first 2011 Camaro Convertible and now the first Camaro ZL1 available for public sale all through Barrett-Jackson auctions. Even better, all three of his purchases had all proceeds benefiting local charities.

The first ZL1 to ever leave the production line features a black exterior with the optional Exposed Carbon Fiber Weaved Hood Insert and power Sunroof. The interior was packed with black leather with suede microfiber inserts on the seat and dash and also on the steering wheel and shift knob.

“Through a disciplined approach and a relentless focus on execution, the Oshawa team has worked efficiently to ensure a successful, high-quality launch of the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1,” stated Dan Hermer, plant manager at the Oshawa Assembly Plant.

The Chevy Camaro ZL1 starts at $58,000.

GALLERY: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

If you’re a die hard NASCAR or Dale Earnhardt Jr. fan, you may want to start digging around for $79,900. Up for sale is JR Motorsports car number 10, which was also one of Dale’s first stock cars to wear his now infamous #88.

The 2007 Chevy Monte Carlo is a race-ready car, but was retired after only one race to join Jr.’s National Hot Rod Tour. Recently, the Monte Carlo was purchased by a private party. That person then had it serviced and ran it for three laps at Carolina Motorsports Park with the American Vintage Racing Association (AVRA). Now you can own the vehicle, and with it a membership in the AVRA complete with real track time and full track support.

The exterior of the vehicle is pretty self explanatory, but under the hood is a fully built 358-cubic inch SB2 V8 powerplant with 725-hp. Beyond that is just a whole lot of race-ready engineering that’s gone into the chassis (built by Ronnie Hopkins), suspension, and there’s no mistaking the gutted interior full with a NASCAR-spec roll cage.

GALLERY: Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s #88 NASCAR Monte Carlo

[Source: RK Motors]

How’s this for putting a breast… er, we mean foot… in your mouth? NASCAR race car driver Kasey Kahne is furiously back peddling after making some objectionable remarks on Twitter about breast feeding.

The comments were made on Twitter after Kahne saw a woman breastfeeding her child in a supermarket. At first, he tweeted: “Just walking through supermarket. See a mom breastfeeding little kid. Took second look because I was obviously seeing things. I wasn’t!” A minute or so later, he added: “One boob put away one boob hanging!!! #nasty” and “I don’t feel like shopping any more or eating.” Those last two were quickly deleted shortly after he posted them, but not before others saw and were appalled with what he wrote.

After being swamped with thousands of comments on his site, he issued an apology on Facebook a few hours later, saying: “I apologize. It was in no way my intention to offend any mother who chooses to breastfeed her child, or, for that matter, anyone who supports breast feeding children. In all honestly, I was surprised by what I saw in a grocery store. I shared that reaction with my fans on Twitter. It obviously wasn’t the correct approach, and, after reading your feedback, I now have a better understanding of why my posts upset some of you.” He also apologized on Twitter to a woman who had objected to his breast feeding comment, whom he called “a dumb bitch” – it’s unclear whether or not he made this remark because he was surprised that someone had something bad to say about him.

His racing-team sponsors Great Clips weren’t amused by his comments, and hours before his apology was made, the hair salon chain tweeted two women Kahne had blasted online: “Our apologies for this. Please know that response was uncalled for & does not reflect our organization.”

We’re wondering if Kahne is going to go the Ashton Kutcher route and hire someone to make sure his tweets aren’t too offensive.

[Source: Toronto Star]

The Ford Police Interceptor has long made its name chasing after speeding cars. However, at the Ford Championship Weekend NASCAR races at Homestead Miami Speedway this November 18-20, the roles are reversed as the 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility and Sedan are honored to serve as pace cars to lead the pack for the weekend.

Pacing the grid for the Ford 200, Ford 300 and Ford 400 NASCAR finale events is the Police Interceptor Utility. The first ever pursuit rated utility by Ford, the Interceptor Utility will be serving as the lead pace car, serving pace duty for all three races. The Interceptor Sedan will serve as the split pace car for the weekend. Both vehicles should be capable of performing without a cinch. The police vehicle market leader for the past 15 years, Ford’s latest generation of Police Interceptors are specifically designed and engineered with safety and technology innovations just for the rigors of police duty. How hard could pacing NASCAR be?

Lisa Teed, the brand manager for Ford Police Interceptors is pleased to share, “Having the opportunity to bring our new Police Interceptors to pace what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting weekends in NASCAR history is a great honor. Both of the Police Interceptor vehicles provide the highest level of safety, performance, durability, driver convenience, and comfort, and we’re excited to be able to show off these new vehicles to the millions of fans on site and watching on national television.”

Jamie Allison, the director of Ford Racing, continues, “Using our new range of Ford products to pace signature events like Ford Championship Weekend is an important part of our marketing strategy. We’re thrilled that we’re able to help launch the new Police Interceptors at Ford Championship Weekend, and know that the fans will be excited to see these unique vehicles performing out on track.”

Both the Ford Interceptor Sedan and Utility vehicles are available with a selection of three different V6 engines that deliver both better fuel economy and more horsepower than the discontinued Panther chassis V8 Crown Victoria. The base 3.5 liter TiVCT V6 delivering 280-hp and a top-tier Ford EcoBoost twin turbo V6 producing at least 365 horsepower are available for the all wheel drive Interceptor Sedan.

The all wheel drive Interceptor Utility will also get a 3.7 liter V6, promised to provide at least 300 horsepower.

Both Ford Police Interceptors will be produced in Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant.

GALLERY: Ford Police Interceptors

It’s official – Danica Patrick will be making her NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut in the 2012 season-opening 54th annual Daytona 500.

Patrick’s schedule with Stewart-Haas Racing will begin on Feburary 26 with “The Great American Race.” Other races on her schedule include Darlington, Bristol, Atlanta, Dover, Texas and Phoenix.

“Each year, the Daytona 500 produces unforgettable moments that forever change the lives of fans and drivers,” said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III. This year’s race sees Patrick as the third woman to compete in the Daytona 500. She follows Janet Guthrie, who made two Daytona 500 starts in 1977 and 1980, and Shawna Robinson, with one Daytona 500 start in 2002.

Winter is coming – is your car ready? If you need a new set of windshield wipers to keep the snow from obscuring your view, now’s the time to pick some up, as Teflon has just announced a contest that could win you a trip to see a NASCAR race.

The contest, which is on now until November 30, gives you the chance to win an all-expenses-paid NASCAR 2012 weekend. It also includes VIP pit passes and the chance to meet Jeff Gordon.

In addition to the sweepstakes, Teflon is also running a special promotion on its windshield wipers. You can purchase Teflon SHIELD wiper blades at Advance Auto Parts stores for a special discounted price (buy one, get 50 percent off the second one), and a portion of the sale will be donated to the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation. You save money and you get to help a good cause – it’s a win-win situation.

To enter the contest, just fill out the form found on the Teflon NASCAR sweepstakes page.

Everything Breast Cancer Awareness touches turns pink, so why should an all-American fire breathing Chevrolet Camaro SS be any different?

Next weekend, September 10th, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Richmond International Raceway will feature two special American Cancer Society “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” Camaro SS pace cars to raise awareness.

GM Chevrolet pledges to further support the cause by donating $200 for every caution lap the pink Camaro SS pace cars perform. Moreover, Chevrolet will participate in other American Cancer Society “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” events as well.

It’s an unfortunate color for a Camaro SS, but who can say no to such an important cause?

NASCAR is off to college. No, they won’t be enrolling in any classes – the racing circuit is on campus in hopes of recruiting a new generation of upmarket fans.

If you’re off to school next week, be on the lookout for the NASCAR U CREW. These “brand ambassadors” will be visiting 12 college campuses to host events and garner interest for local racing tracks. A joint effort with University Directories On Campus, NASCAR is targeting 12 schools that are located close to a Sprint Cup race being held this fall. A few colleges and the corresponding races include the University of New Hampshire and the Loudon race on September 25; University of Delaware and Dover on October 2; and University of Miami and Florida International and Homestead on November 20.

According to NASCAR CMO Steve Phelps, he believes that the “U CREW” will give “our current fans the avenue to express their passion and our future fans the vehicle to experience the sport.”

The NASACAR U CREW ambassadors will be holding 10 events on campus, as well as participating in other promotional activities. They will be offering special ticket packages, hospitality and tailgating events on race days.

NASCAR will have its work cut out – many colleges tend to have a focus on football and related events. Do you think that NASCAR’s promotion will attract new fans? Let us know in the comments section below.

[Source: Media Post]

NASCAR big boys, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon attended a Chevrolet Volt Homecoming Parade in metro Detroit on August 18 as a part of the festivities surrounding the annual Woodward Dream Cruise.

Over 50 owners from 12 different states attended the even, with both Johnson and Gordon included in the pack as actual Volt owners. In pure racing fashion the duo waved flags to mark the start of the parade. Both NASCAR drivers spent plenty of time talking up the electric Chevy crowd at the parade.

“These cars are just another step in the right direction of going green. Hopefully the Volt will provoke more thought and change,”said Jimmie Johnson.

As for Jeff Gordon, he touched on how Chevrolet is always pushing the envelope in the right direction. “With Chevrolet celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, I can’t think of a better vehicle to show off the brand’s heritage and where it’s headed.”

Check out the video after the jump!

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Now this is one subject that’s likely to polarize opinion, the fact that a Toyota Camry, will pace the 2012 Daytona 500 in February.

A generation ago, the very notion that a Japanese car would be leading the field during a NASCAR race was almost unthinkable, now, it appears to be a reality. However there is some logic to this. The Camry has, for the last 13 out of 14 years, been the best selling car in America and since 1986, all of those sold here, have also been built here, at Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky assembly plant.

As the car has woven its way into the heart of America’s psyche it’s started popping up everywhere and it seems to have been greeted with a growing amount of enthusiasm, even amongst stock car racing insiders.

“NASCAR and Daytona International Speedway provide a uniquely American platform for manufacturers to display their technology, innovation and overall automotive excellence,” remarked Joie Chitwood III; President of Daytona International Speedway. “After nearly eight years of competing at NASCAR’s highest level, I’m pleased to have the 2012 Toyota Camry pace the DAYTONA 500.”

Toyota has been competing in NASCAR since 2004, beginning with Tundra pickup based stockers in the World Truck series. It has won five consecutive manufacturer’s titles in that series, while propelling drivers to the championship on three separate occasions (Jeff Bodine 2006 and 2010; Johnny Benson 2008).

In 2007 Toyota began running Camrys in the Nationwide Series and has since claimed 60 wins and three manufacturer’s cups as well as propelling Kyle Busch to the driver’s title in 2009.

Getting back to pace cars, Toyota has already used Camrys at the following NASCAR tracks: Auto Club Speedway of Southern California, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, Dover International Speedway in Delaware, California’s Infineon Raceway, Kansas Speedway, Martinsville Speedway in Virginia, Nashville Superspeedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway, Richmond International Raceway; Wisconsin’s Road America and Watkins Glen International.

So, the very notion of a Camry pacing the Daytona isn’t perhaps too much of a stretch, though Toyota could perhaps use this opportunity to try and make the pacer at least a little bit exciting.

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2012 Toyota Camry Review or watch the video review after the jump:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

In West Virginia, fans sure do love their NASCAR races. In fact, that state boasts the most NASCAR fans per capitia. And five days after a NASCAR race is aired on TV, accidents caused by aggressive driving rise notably.

The Journal of Applied Social Psychology wanted to see if aggressive, crash-filled racing influenced the day-to-day driving habits of West Virginians. And according to the study, it really did. Looking at aggressive-driving accidents from 2003 through 2006 (about 29,000), these types of accidents rose significantly five days after the televised event took place (over 23 accidents recorded versus 19 on other days).  Surprisingly, on the day of the race, accidents actually dropped.

As for the five-day lapse, research found that delayed effects are commonly found in studies the media’s effects on behaviour.

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

Reports are coming in that Danica Patrick is leaning towards a full-time move to NASCAR for 2012, running a full Nationwide Series with JR Motorsports and limited Sprint Cup Series races with Tony Stewart’s team. One shake-up in any agreement with Patrick however is that she still desires to run in the Indy 500 even if it complicates her Nationwide championship hopes.

“I would like for her to run fulltime, and I’m sure she is considering that, and I think she would enjoy it,” said JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. peaking at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “I feel confident that she’s content where she is and happy with what we’re doing. I think things are looking positive for us to put something together.”

It appears that Patrick’s NASCAR driving aspirations are positive, with both Stewart and Earnhardt Jr. giving her plenty of praise and both looking forward to getting her behind the wheel of their race cars. Whether or not a deal can be worked out so that she can juggle the busy schedule involved with the Indy 500 during the month of May makes things interesting for Patrick’s 2012 season.

[Source: Associated Press]