Disaster is probably the only way to describe the first ever Quaker State 400. With traffic backed up to around 15 miles down I-71 around 15,000-20,000 ticket holders weren’t able to get into the race. The issues were so bad it even drew a statement from Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear who said, "Traffic flow is one of the big problems the track will have to work on with the local officials. I am putting together a team from transportation and tourism who will sit down with the local officials, and with the track officials and see what we can do to help." Kentucky Senate President David Williams called for legislative hearings to address traffic issues as the debacle was a public safety issue and could potentially damage a “signature economic development event”.  Williams said in a news release, "I sympathize with the angry people who didn't get in; I was one of them."

Even with the delays over 100,000 fans were able to pack into Kentucky Speedway to watch Kyle Busch win after leading 6 different times for 125 of the 267 laps. Busch beat out Jimmie Johnson, the defending Sprint Cup Champion, in the final three laps, in which he had dominated since his fastest practice lap landed him the pole position. Busch was driving a Camry which was popular with the hometown fans as the Toyota plant is less than 50 miles from the racetrack. Busch on winning the race said, "The Camrys are built right here in Kentucky. It's a special night for us to put Camry in Victory Lane."

Aside from being prepared for the race Busch was prepared for victory as well and already had plans to camp out in his onsite motor home and avoided the mass of fans struggling to leave the stadium. NASCAR on the other hand reacted strongly to the poor organization of the first Sprint Cup race at Kentucky Speedway and issued the following statement via a press release,

"While NASCAR was thrilled by the incredible response to our inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Kentucky, we also are extremely disappointed by the traffic problems and inconveniences endured by fans who wanted to be part of our races at Kentucky Speedway. NASCAR will be in close communications with Kentucky Speedway and Speedway Motorsports Inc. to see that they work to resolve the issues. This situation cannot happen again."

Kentucky Speedway General Manager Mark Simendinger issued a statement saying that the Kentucky Speedway is reviewing the issue and will make a statement about ticket refunds later this week.

As part of our passion for cars, we at CarLocate.com love NASCAR and car giveaways. And, we like nothing better than when the two come together.

If you missed your chance to win an all-new 2011 Ford Fiesta in the “Rock It Like Block” sweeptstakes from Ford, you’ve got another chance to win with Ford’s “43Fiestas” sweepstakes that features a car giveaway and a trip to NASCAR races.

43Fiestas – Webisode #5 – "Burn Out" with Race Car Drivers
Richard Petty, AJ Allmendinger, and Ken Block

As part of the “43Fiestas” contest:

• 43 grand prize winners will win a “Ford Championship” prize package for themselves and a guest. This includes transportation to and hotel accommodations in Miami, Fla., so that they can attend the Ford 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series™ and the Ford 400 NASCAR Spring Cup Series™ races in mid-Nov. 2010 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway^®. Winners will also receive $100 Visa gift card for spending money and two Ford Racing apparel gift packages. And, if that’s not enough, one of the 43 winners will be randomly selected to win an all-new 2011 Ford Fiesta!
• 43 first prize winners will receive an Insignia^® 40” LED-LCD HDTV.

For the 42 grand prize winners who are not chosen to receive the Fiesta in the random drawing, Ford will give all the grand prize winners a 2011 Fiesta if AJ Allmendinger, Ford Racing driver of the #43 Best Buy NASCAR Sprint Cup Car, comes in first place in the Ford 400. So, you know who the grand prize winners will be cheering for in that race!

Ready to race? Enter between now and Oct. 25 at www.43Fiestas.com.

Congrats to Andy Ponstein and the entire Corrie Stott Racing team
for their performance at Bristol!

On March 20 – an absolutely beautiful day in Bristol, Tenn. – driver Andy Ponstein set out in the No. 02 CarLocate.com Chevrolet to tame the World’s Fastest Half-Mile: Bristol Motor Speedway. After starting in 26th place in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Scotts Turf Builder 300, Andy had his best career finish in 21st place. The CarLocate.com team is very proud of Andy and the Corrie Stott Racing team!

If you watched the race in person or on TV, you’d know finishing at Bristol is no small feat. There were eight caution flags and one red flag thrown during the Turf Builder 300. Andy’s skilled driving allowed him to maneuver through the issues and remain in the running. That’s some good driving, Andy!

The CarLocate.com team was on hand at the race, and we’re currently sorting through all the photos we took while there. If you have not done so already, check out the pics from Friday’s practice.

Team Winter
During our sponsorship of Corrie Stott Racing, we were drawn to the story of another sponsor of the No. 02 car – Team Winter, led by Winter Vinecki who is a young girl raising awareness and funds (more than $100,000 so far!) for a cure for prostate cancer after the death of her father from the disease. Check out the Team Winter blog for more about Winter and her efforts.