LEILANI MUNTER GETS IN GEAR TO TAKE ON DAYTONA!

Daytona Beach, Florida (Jan 3, 2012) Track Chic's Woman behind the Wheels, Leilani Münter, race car driver and passionate environmentalist, is bearing down on her goal of driving a “The Cove” themed race car at Daytona International Speedway, arguably one of the most famous race car tracks in the world.


The ARCA race at Daytona is February 18 and will air live on SPEED television, which is available in 79 million homes. This will be the first ever ocean awareness themed race car to race the high banks of Daytona. Münter is seeking corporate and philanthropic donations for the remaining funds required, which is $30,000. Leilani has already raised $15,000 in donations prior to this story. To make a tax deductible donation, please visit opsociety.org/securedonation.htm and be sure to write “For Daytona” in the notes.

The Academy-Award winning documentary “The Cove” exposes the annual slaughter of thousands of dolphins in a small cove in Taiji, Japan. It also exposed the undeniable connection between dolphin parks and dolphin captivity, and the largest slaughter of dolphins in the world.  ”The Cove forever changed me. I know race fans will respond to it, they just need to know about it,” said Münter. “The race falls on my birthday, and my greatest wish is to end the slaughter and the ongoing abuse of these beautiful ocean creatures.”

This campaign in designed to educate and engage 75 million race fans in the United States. Director of “The Cove” Louie Psihoyos has committed to giving away 1000 DVDs of “The Cove” at the race, and in addition, will be in attendance for the race alongside dolphin activist Ric O’Barry autographing DVDs of the film. People donating $50 or more will be entered into a raffle to win two pit passes for the Daytona race and two other lucky fans will win two garage passes each. Münter will be wearing a helmet painted for “The Cove” during the race, which will then be auctioned off with all the proceeds going to Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project to continue the fight on the ground in Taiji. To donate to “The Cove’s” awareness campaign at Daytona,click here and be sure to write “For Daytona” in the notes.

Münter is a biology graduate turned race car driver and environmental activist who adopts an acre of rainforest for every race she runs and promotes only environmentally conscious companies on her race car. Since seeing the film, she has traveled three times to Taiji, Japan to document the slaughter first hand and has organized several screenings of the film. Most recently, she spearheaded a campaign to turn the lights of the Empire State Building red to raise awareness.

At Münter’s last race at Daytona, she was driving the first ever 100% eco sponsored race car, with six environmental companies coming together to get her car on the track. The race was watched by 2.4 million people live on SPEED television and 100,000 people were watching the race trackside. The media exposure she received included the front page of the sports section of the New York Times.

“The Cove” received 47 awards including the Audience Awards at Sundance Film Festival and the Oscar for best documentary film. New York Magazine described it as “Passionate, exciting, and frightening” and Cinematical called it “A stunning, shocking story. The film itself is an act of heroism.” Over 2.3 million people from 151 different countries have signed a petition asking for the slaughter to end. The grassroots movement to spread awareness has spread to social media, with over 500,000 fans of the movie on Facebook.

For more information on the cause visit thecovemovie.com, opsociety.org and dolphinproject.org and for more information on Leilani, visit carbonfreegirl.com.

To read Track Chic's Woman Behind the Wheels interview with Leilani, click here.

True Car Becomes Driving Force > Sponsors Shea Holbrook, Ashley Feiberg, Shannon McIntosh & More 2012!!

TrueCar Becomes Driving Force in Auto Racing with “Women Empowered” Initiative

Company makes multi-year commitment to support women in auto racing through primary sponsorship of top professionals and rising stars 

TrueCar, Inc., creators of the intelligent automotive marketplace that benefits both buyers and sellers has announced an extensive, multi-year commitment to support top female race car drivers in premier racing series, along with young rising stars across several developmental racing series.

The TrueCar Racing “Women Empowered” initiative is an extension of the company’s efforts to help women enjoy the best possible car buying experience.   With over 80% of car buying decisions influenced by women – and 50% of all car purchases made by women – this impactful audience is a significant part of the automotive retail landscape.

“TrueCar is built upon the foundation of empowering individuals with the tools and resources they need to become expert car buyers,” said TrueCar Founder and CEO Scott Painter.  “The “Women Empowered” initiative is an exciting extension of that philosophy – empowering women in racing by giving talented female drivers everything they need to dominate their sport.”

The inaugural members to the 2012 TrueCar Racing Team include:

• Shea Holbrook – Pirelli World Challenge Series (www.shearacing.com)
• Ashley Freiberg – Star Mazda Series (www.ashleyracing.com)
• Shannon McIntosh – USF2000 Series (www.shannonmcintosh.com)
• Verena Mei – Rally America (www.stargirlracing.com)
• Emilee Tominovich – Pro SCCA Playboy MX-5 Cup Series

The company is also in the process of finalizing its sponsorship of a driver to compete in the prestigious IndyCar Series, as well as a Baja 1000 team for 2012, which will be made up entirely of women drivers vying for a class championship. Additionally, TrueCar will launch a new young driver development program that will introduce thousands of young women to auto racing at the karting level, and then providing support to top championship prospects as they progress through their racing careers from karting all the way up to premier racing series like IndyCar, the American Le Mans Series, Grand Am, and even Global RallyCross and the X-Games.

The strength of the program is enhanced by the involvement of Michael Zimicki – widely regarded as one of the top driving coaches in the industry.  Zimicki, who has coached Danica Patrick, Pippa Mann, Ryan Hunter-Reay, and Graham Rahal will be a key consultant on the TrueCar initiative.  He will be joined in the program by Marc Miller, a top driver in his own right and renowned driving coach, along with rally expert Tim O’Neil, and other top coaches and advisors throughout the season.

“Despite their considerable talents, women have yet to achieve the sponsorship opportunities, recognition, and championship successes that we believe is their due in the only sport where men and women compete head-to-head,” said Charles Kim, Director of Motorsports for TrueCar.   “This exciting initiative will change that – placing top women drivers on the world’s stage, and providing professional guidance, primary sponsorship support, and exciting new marketing and media opportunities to these talented drivers working their way up to the highest levels of racing.  Our mission is simple:  to empower these talented drivers and help them become future racing champions.”

Members of the TrueCar Racing Team are equally excited about the initiative.   Said Shannon McIntosh, “I’m truly honored to be a part of the TrueCar Racing initiative. Coming from a very modest background with many years of struggle, I’m humbled at this opportunity.  Thank you to Scott Painter, Charles Kim, and the entire TrueCar family for believing in me and giving me this platform to empower others to live by NinTai.”  Michael Zimicki adds, “The program that TrueCar has announced today is the most comprehensive support of American racing ever done, be it open-wheel, sports car, rally, or off-road. And the real kicker is that it is in support of women. This is a revolution.”

THANKS TRUE CAR!  WE LOVE YA!

ZAZA ENERGY TEAM NAMED NHRA'S "HARDEST-WORKING" CREW!

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (Nov. 15) – Erica Enders always knew her ZaZa Energy Pro Stock team was the hardest-working crew in the NHRA pit area. Now, she has tangible proof.

Enders’ crew was voted as winner of the Full Throttle Hard-Working Crew Award in the Pro Stock category, getting the nod in a fan vote on NHRA.com over the teams of Jason Line, Kurt Johnson and Vincent Nobile.

Enders’ Cagnazzi Racing team joined her on stage at the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series awards ceremony Monday night at the Grand Ballroom at the Hollywood and Highland Center to accept the award. The team also earned $15,000.

Members of the ZaZa Energy team, led by owner Victor Cagnazzi and crew chief Dave Connolly, are Todd Bevis, Danny Burke, Rich Saulino, Mike Smothers, John Utt and John Wright.

“They are the hardest-working crew, with or without the trophy,” Enders said. “But it just goes to show that hard work really does pay off. These guys spend so much time away from their wives and their kids and their families – all because we have the same love for drag racing. I couldn’t be more proud of them.

“They mean the world to me. I love them with all my heart. They’re the reason why I’m where I’m at today, and the reason why I got to stand on the stage for the first time in my career. It means the world to me that they worked their butts off for this team.”

Enders had her best season as a professional, finishing sixth in the Pro Stock standings and setting career bests for final rounds (three), semifinals (four), quarterfinals (11), No. 1 qualifiers (two) and won-loss record (28-22).

The award was given to a team in each of the four NHRA pro categories, with a fan vote determining the winner. This was the second time Enders claimed a vote of the fans, as she won a spot in the K&N Horsepower Challenge thanks to the fans.

“It also goes to show that we have the greatest fans in the whole sport,” Enders said. “We were the only team on the ballot that hadn’t won a race or a championship. It just goes to show that the fans really stand behind us. I have to thank them just as much as I thank my crew. It means a lot to me.”

In true hard-working fashion, Enders’ team slowed down only for one night to celebrate, for the crew will be hard at work preparing for 2012.

“The hardest-working crew in the world is going back to work Tuesday,” Enders said, “and we’re going to come out swinging next year.”

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Contact: Lee Montgomery at 704-258-0903 or lee.montgomery@zazaenergy.com.

ZA ZA ENERGY PRO HAS THE POWER TO WIN READING THIS WEEKEND

READING, Pa. (Sept. 29) – Heading into this weekend’ s Auto-Select NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, ZaZa Energy driver Erica Enders sits a lofty third in the Pro Stock standings.

She’s behind only KB Racing’s Jason Line and Greg Anderson, which in some people’s minds makes her “first in class.” But Enders doesn’t think that way, and neither does anyone on the Cagnazzi Racing team.

“I don’t want to be second to anybody,” Enders said. “We want to beat everybody, not just those two guys. We’re pretty close to them, so we’re excited.”

Enders is in the midst of her best season as a professional, racing to three final rounds this year and qualifying No. 1 twice. She also set the national record for speed earlier this year in Gainesville, Fla., of 213.57 mph.

That and the national elapsed-time record could be in jeopardy this weekend, as Reading is usually ideal for low ETs and high speeds.

“I hope it’s hot so they don’t take my records away,” Enders said. “And if somebody does set a new record, I hope it’s me and the ZaZa guys.”

The weather could be ugly this weekend, as rain is in the forecast for parts of Friday and Saturday when qualifying is scheduled. That could put pressure on Pro Stock teams who may only get one or two qualifying sessions in the books.

Crew chief Dave Connolly and the entire ZaZa team will keep a close watch on the weather, hoping to get their Chevrolet Cobalt down the track as quickly as possible.

“We go up there every round putting the same importance on the run, whether it’s qualifying or the finals,” Enders said. “I don’t think the weather will affect us. We’ve just got to get the job done, no matter how many rounds of qualifying we have.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in Dave and my entire team, no matter what the circumstances are.”

Setting an elapsed time record would be a 20-point boost in the standings for Enders as she chases her first Pro Stock championship.

“Of course it’s always on our mind, round by round,” Enders said. “Every point is going to matter. But we’ve got to do our job and do the best we can, and the points will come. We did well in Charlotte, getting up to third place. That was exciting for us.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us every week, and all we can do is do our best. The cards are going to fall where they’re going to fall.”

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Contact: Lee Montgomery at 704-258-0903 or lee.montgomery@zazaenergy.com.

TRACK CHIC's KAREN STOFFER> RECORD SETTING RUNS ON 2nd PLACE RDIER'S MIND

READING, Pa. (Sept. 29) – GEICO Suzuki rider Karen Stoffer believes national records in Pro Stock Motorcycle could come tumbling down in this weekend’s Auto-Select NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

Usually, the cooler weather and agreeable atmospheric conditions in Reading are ideal for high speeds and quick elapsed times. Stoffer hopes the GEICO team, led by crew chief/husband Gary Stoffer, can capitalize on the good conditions to be a part of the chase for a national elapsed time record, worth 20 bonus points.

“Gainesville, Sonoma and Reading have always been the ones where people try to set records because of all the oxygen in the trees around there, and generally, there tends to be cooler temperatures,” Stoffer said. “It can be a fast track. Gary’s a good tuner, and he’s exceptional in the cool weather.”

Stoffer was pretty good in the cool weather in Charlotte two races ago, qualifying third and reaching the final round. That was her fifth final of 2011 in what has become a career season for the GEICO team.

After reaching the second round last week in Dallas, Stoffer is second in the Pro Stock Motorcycle points standings, 63 out of the lead. And her approach to the Countdown to the Championship, which reaches the halfway point in Reading, is no different than other races this season.

“Right now, I’ve just got to get confident in my Christmas Tree and not think about things like that,” Stoffer said. “That’s what it’s going to take. I know they’ll figure out what slowed down the bike in Dallas and get it to where we can have consistency again.

“It’s the whole package: It’s me being in the right mindset, it’s the bike being consistent. I can’t think about the championship and points. I’ve got to think about each individual pass and making rounds. That’s what it comes down to.”

DOMINIQUE VAN WIERINGEN ON HER ROOKIE SEASON AT SPARTAN SPEEDWAY.

DeWitt, Michigan (Tuesday, September 27th, 2011): 16-year-old Dominique Van Wieringen, a Development Driver for Chad Finley Racing (CFR) and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Famer, Jeff Finley, showed the racing world that it is possible to make the huge leap from the World Karting Association (WKA) to the high-powered Outlaw Bodied Super Late Models division during the 2011 racing season.Prior to the start of the year, Van Wieringen joined forces with CFR and the combination was rewarded with a fifth place finish overall in the season long points chase as well as sharing the 2011 Rookie of the Year title with fellow rookie, Scott Sigman while also winning the 2011 Most Improved Driver Award at the fast ¼ (0.250) mile semi-banked paved oval of Spartan Speedway, located south of Lansing in Mason, Michigan.

Looking back on the 2011 campaign, Van Wieringen has plenty to be thankful for. “The first thing I need to do is thank Durobyte.com and my Family. To get the chance to do the things I have up to now is truly amazing to me.” Remarked the Amherstburg, Ontario / Canada driver. “I’m very grateful for all the opportunities my Dad and Mom have been able to acquire for me in motorsports. Every since I was a little girl and up to now have been things I’ve dreamed about wanting to do.”

The 16-year-old continued; “I can’t thank the entire CFR crew for all of their hard work this year. They really helped me and built my confidence up and taught me a lot throughout the whole year. My achievements are a direct reflection of who they are and what they are about. Jeff and Chad Finley have been around me and my family for a while and have always been good friends and supporters. Jeff has been down all these roads before and brings so much experience to the team it is just great.” She ended.


The highlight of her rookie season was in only her sixth career start behind the wheel of a full bodied racecar and on that memorable Friday night, July 15th, she would fight off two-time track champion, Jimmy Gallagher to score her first career feature win and become just the second female in the tracks long and storied history to win a Feature in the tracks premiere division since Barb Beurmann accomplished the feat back in 1982, 29 years previous! In 10 starts, she has one Feature Win as well as three top five finishes and six top 10s.

“All of us at CFR are very proud of her accomplishments this year. Honestly we didn’t know what to expect coming into the year.” Added Car Owner and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame member, Jeff Finley. “I met her family through go-kart racing and have watched her for some time now. Her Dad and I got to talking one day and then here we were racing together. For her to go to victory lane this year and win these awards shows her dedication to becoming a great race car driver. We are honored to have her be a part of our development program and look forward to the future with her.” Finley ended.

Throughout the year and on off weekends from driving the Outlaw Super, Van Wieringen also raced one of her two MRP Motorsports Birel Racing Go-Karts as the 2011 season is her final year of racing the National circuit in the World Karting Association (WKA) series where she is one of the top drivers in the circuit. She began her racing career at just five years old as she started out in racing of the two-wheeled variety, in Motocross. She spent six seasons on motorcycles before moving into four-wheeled racing and went Go-Kart racing where she continues to be one of the top competitors within the WKA.

Looking ahead to the 2012 racing season, the Canadian teenager will participate in more Outlaw Super Late Model shows while also racing in 3-5 races within the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts with her sights set on going after the Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year Presented by Howe Racing Enterprises, which is awarded to the top freshman in the JEGS/CRA/GM series, in 2013.

During the 2011 campaign, Van Wieringen’s #95 Outlaw Super Late Model with a Chevrolet Camaro front nose, had sponsorship decals from DuroByte Inc., as well as NorthsideTowing.net, M.P.H. Promotions, and Chad Finley Racing.

To learn more about Dominic Van Wieringen and to inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the 2012 racing season, go to her webpage within the Chad Finley Racing Website at: www.chadfinleyracing.comMichigan (Tuesday, September 27th, 2011): 16-year-old Dominique Van Wieringen, a Development Driver for Chad Finley Racing (CFR) and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Famer, Jeff Finley, showed the racing world that it is possible to make the huge leap from the World Karting Association (WKA) to the high-powered Outlaw Bodied Super Late Models division during the 2011 racing season.