Hello Blogosphere!

It has been awhile. Every time that I would start to write, I would get distracted so my apologies. It has been a *very* interesting 2009 and that is part of the lull as I handled a few matters.

Isn't it almost amusing how things we get really upset about when in the moment often turn out to be blessings in disguise or insignificant in the greater scheme of things? This has been tough for me to finally realize because I am naturally a problem-solver so I like to fix things (people included) and take everyone and everything at face value. In today's world, I know that is a recipe for disaster and I've learned quite a bit about liars, posers and tools. Oh yes! I don't understand deceit and building a Potemkin's village (history nerd's version for saying "facades") because it takes so much effort; but, in the end, things always come full circle. So, accepting that and letting go to free myself from a burden that isn't my cross to bear was a challenge but a HUGE reward.

After I did that, other things started falling into place. There have been positive strides on the home front as I am moving in the near future, with the projects I am working on, and in the professional sphere. I will continue to be involved in motorsports with select projects (even more so than in the past) but my priorities are outside of that arena. I left the world of academia to pay medical bills so that's what led me to NC and from there I was just caught up in the hustle and competition. The next thing I knew, it was years later and I was tired of BS, being used and not feeling that total sense of reward. This new phase will be a process because of some red tape but I am very excited about how things have progressed already and know the best is yet to come.

So... I often just say "things are busy" and go MIA for a bit but that's the story. It's all good but now things have settled in and I'm back in the saddle so that should be enough to scare some folks out there. :)

Besides that and the more mundane work that I do, we had an exciting few weeks getting the new JoshRichards.com online and the response has been remarkable. The new site went live just in time for his NASCAR Camping World East debut at Greenville Pickens Speedway. We kept things rather quiet because it was Josh's first race in these cars, with the Ken Schrader Racing team and at this track so we didn't want to que the spotlight for this event. He qualified a respectable 17th and sacrificed a bit of speed because it was a post-qualifying impound race. After the leaders bottled up on the first lap and caused a bit ruckus, we were all holding our breath on how long the night would last for the No. 52 team. They pulled a fender out and Josh restarted 3rd from the back and worked his way all of the way to fourth place. He did a fantastic job! With his World of Outlaws' commitments taking top priority, we are limited on how many events we can participate in but everyone is actively looking for funding so we can hopefully improve on that finish!

Well, that's catching everything up on this end. Next time, I will have a specific feature post. Until then, enjoy the races!
~Michelle

The tough economic situation has sparked change in all divisions of motorsports but the change in both the NHRA and NASCAR is enough that I need Cliff Notes to keep track. Just a few of my observations and thoughts on this matter...


NHRA

1. Admit it, most of you are like me - when I say NHRA you think the pro touring series. I just got used to it being the Powerade Drag Racing Series last year and now they switched it again! New name, new logo & new merchandise required - Full Throttle Drag Racing Series
2. Most of the sponsors we were familiar with have cut back their support with the weakening economy so don't look for the familiar colors and logos.
3. Larry Dixon and long-time mentor Don Prudhomme parted ways over the off-season. Dixon is now sporting the burgundy rail of the Middle East's Al-Anabi Racing under the eye of Alan Johnson while the new kid on the block, Spencer Massey took over the stick of the US Smokeless Tobacco Snake Racing dragster.
4. Antron Brown has shown what he's workin' with after winning both Top Fuel Dragster events thus far on the 2009 tour. Still getting used to seeing him in this division and with MATCO Tools.
5. Doug Kalitta and Doug Herbert have more in common other than first names, they both lost long-standing marketing partners during the off-season and have not committed to the full season
6. Morgan Lucas is sporting new colors and a sponsorship from GEICO
   
7. We're still at the 1000 ft mark
8. Funny Cars seemingly took a harder hit than rails and the entry lists will probably show that as the season wears on
   
9. Ron Capps hasn't been slowed and is red-hot in the opening legs of the 2009 season
10. Tracks are promoting several ticket packages and slashing prices regularly so be sure to check track sites directly for the latest offerings

NASCAR

1. I am old school so it takes me longer to learn new tricks especially when I still say "Busch Series" for ease rather than Nationwide. Maybe next year I will finally get it's Camping World Truck Series vs Craftsman - I am so used to NCTS after ten years!
2. NASCAR continues to embed their claws with their official sponsorships while their teams are struggling to find sponsors. In today's economy, if a sponsor wants to participate in the series with teams and tracks struggling to remain open, it is discouraging that a NASCAR board and their exclusive partnership deals are closing doors.
3. I catch myself remembering Tony Stewart is no longer at Gibbs just as Jr is a Hendrick man. How bizarre. I do like the retro vibe of the Stewart-Haas logo though!
4. Speaking of Smoke, remember when you see Smoke this year from the No. 20, it's not his fault! Sliced Bread will be making the toast this year. Joey Logano is an amazing young talent but I'm a skeptic and think he's just not ready for Sprint Cup competition yet and they are setting the kid up for a rough time with that league of racing and filling a big seat vacated by Stewart.
5. Cup without Schrader - I will admit, I'm not as interested so it is just something I pay attention to the highlights with now. I rather watch Trucks or Nationwide (see, I remembered).
6. Newman looks like a US Army guy doesn't he? How many of us think Kasey Kahne and Budweiser just don't fit?! But Newman looks like a camo or black kind of guy.
7. Jimmie Johnson with facial hair - whatever. Some guys are the hall monitors, others the playground bullies that's just life. Johnson is the squeaky clean kid that gets tripped in the cafeteria by the Robby Gordon types - don't try to change it now after it's worked so well because it kind of looks like a poser.
8. Why do I always forget Casey Mears and where he's at? Bowyer is still the ideal guy for Jack Daniels and it's tough to envision my favorite Hamburger Helper Hand pit sign waiting for him on pit road!
   
9. A Cup guy will win the Nationwide title. Big shock there, right?! However, Nationwide has a few special programs going this year to give bonus money and pointfund perks to full-time Nationwide drivers not competing in the other divisions. I laughed when a Nationwide rep referred to them as "cherry pickers" - how dirt racing! :)
10. Between the three divisions I stay confused on what channel the race will air on! Is it ABC, FOX, SPEED, ESPN2, sheesh - I need a mini-guide.
    

Or at least that's what you think! Within the professional motorsports' world, the public relations reps and agents have their own little subculture with as much conflict, controversy and drama as what fans see on the track. Those who enter with newbie enthusiasm and believe this will be a glorious job where they get to just hang out and watch races are soon disappointed while their peers who are self-motivated, observant and fearless often succeed against the ultra-competitive trials and tribulations.

This entry is dedicated to one person. Ah yes, some of you are smiling or giggling right now because you know what I am talking about. I figured I might as well take my cagey veteran sarcasm and put it to some good use with a few simple PR basics that could be beneficial to those who are trying to just help a friend on a local racing level with a press release or even the "PR Rockstar".


TEN PR TIPS TO REMEMBER

1. Make sure that your title reflects the most relevant point or the tone of the message you wish to convey through your press release. Even if it sounds cool, a title has no point if there isn't content to make it fit.
2. Three letter state abbreviations went out with hand-lettered race cars (well technically it was 1987 and, for the record, I dig the old sign painted look). Don't use that AP style unless you are writing directly for a newspaper. And the biggest mistake is when people use the AP reference but also do some USPS two-letter abbreviations later in the article. The key is to be consistent!
   
3. No matter what format you wish to use for the location and date, make sure that it stands out from the body copy. For example, my standard format is: CHARLOTTE, NC (February 16, 2009) - Now enter the content of your release.
4. When mentioning a track or series for the first time, always spell out the full name - subsequent references can use an acronyms.
5. Special event or race names should have quotes around them to help distinguish. Example: Josh Richards earned two victories during the "38th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals" at Volusia Speedway Park.
6. Traditional media outlets including newspapers, magazines and television networks should be italicized. Example: Live race coverage of "event" will be televised on SPEED starting at 2 p.m. EST.
7. Experienced industry preference for referencing car numbers is to use No. 15 rather than #15. Either way is acceptable but the reason a lot of the veterans use the first way is because classification and search engines will recognize that number without the "#" being a required component.
8. Do not get carried away with comma splices. I love changing up sentence structure more than anyone but a comma isn't the solution for everything. Example: John and his team are excited about their sixth place qualifying position, and they have high expectations for tomorrow's event. NO COMMA!
9. When referencing a position, (see, comma is good here) I believe it looks more polished to write the number out rather than use numerals. Twelfth just flows better than 12th especially if multiple numbers will be referenced.
10. If you are using a quote, keep the quote as one paragraph and then return to your narrative or description in a new paragraph.
    

A very sad early report on the tragic death of a talented young racer.

~Michelle

Matt Hawkins, one of the brightest young stars of the short track world, has passed away at the age of 21. Hawkins lost his life after an incident involving an accidental gun discharge Friday night in Georgia.

On the track, Hawkins had built up an amazing resume. He won in his first career starts in both the ARCA REMAX Series and USAR Pro Cup Series – a seemingly-impossible accomplishment that may never be matched. He also won numerous Pro Late Model races in the Southeast and finished in the top three of the Snowball Derby for the last two seasons.

Off the track, Hawkins was known for being an especially kind, polite and personable young man. He might have seemed quiet at first glance, but Matt was one of those people who you couldn't help but to become quick friends with.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 16, 2009, from the Chapel of South Canton Funeral Home with Rev. Terry Caylor and Rev. Jim Evans officiating. Interment will follow in Cherokee Memorial Park

Contact: Michelle Petroff, Josh Richards Racing, (618) 406-6842 or michelle@michellepetroff.com



BARBERVILLE, FL (February 13, 2009) - Go ahead and call him Kid Rocket but Josh Richards has proven he is anything but juvenile. Twenty year-old Richards has ignited his 2009 season with five victories during two weeks of competition during Florida’s Speedweeks.

After a historic performance of three trips to victory lane within twenty-four hours at East Bay Raceway Park, the West Virginia hotshoe was primed to repeat with his third consecutive World of Outlaws Late Model Series’ opener at Volusia Speedway Park. Richards, driving the No. 1 Seubert Calf Ranches/ACE Metal Works/ Petroff Towing Rocket Chassis house car, had another noteworthy performance Friday night with his first United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) special event win. The $10,000 40-lap event was the UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model finale of the twelve day marathon “38th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals” and his repeat performance earned the talented young driver the distinction as one of only two drivers (the other being Billy Moyer) to win both a WoOLMS event and the UMP finale during the same Nationals.

“We did everything exactly the same as Thursday night – qualifying, heat race and ran the same tires in the feature. The track was just a little wetter tonight so you had to run down against the brown in turns three and four but everything worked out great again,” recapped Richards. “To win three last week and two this week is pretty unreal. It’s starting to sink in a bit but I still don’t know what to say.”

Richards launched his Cornett Chevy powered Rocket into the lead on lap 14 the previous night but advanced from his fifth place starting position into the top spot on lap 13 with a pass on Billy Moyer utilizing the bottom of the track and completed the remaining 27 circuits unchallenged. The remaining Top-5 finishers were Rick Eckert, Shane Clanton, Darrell Lanigan and Scott James.

Tune in to the conclusion of the “38th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals” featuring the World of Outlaws Late Model Series tonight via http://www.dirtvision.com. Additional news and information on Josh Richards can be found at http://www.joshrichards.com


Richards is now in the Alltel Allstar Fan Voting Contest!

If you had $10,000 to sponsor any Dirt driver, who would you choose? The Alltel DIRTcar Allstar contest gives you the chance to help your favorite driver win $10,000. To win, the driver must get as many votes as possible by text or web. The driver with the most votes by February 28th wins. In addition to the $10,000 grand prize, the driver with the most votes in each of the other three car divisions (aside from the overall winner) will take home $1,000. Plus, you could win a $500 Alltel Wireless gift card just for voting. You can vote up to once a day, so be sure to vote every day (voting resets at 9am et daily, regardless of what time you vote). See how many votes you can can generate for your favorite driver!

Vote online by visiting the Alltel Allstar website or text the letter "k" for Josh Richards to 247253