Wisconsin Wrestling Online

Kelly Bires from Mauston will be making his Busch debut tonight on
ESPN 2.  Kelly has been running the Craftsman Truck series, but will get starts the next two weeks in the Busch series.  Race starts at 7:00

Kelly was a two time state champ for Mauston.

Tom, lets keep up, we have been talking about him already this week in the off topics. :wink: JK. This needs to be bumped. Kelly does well on these mile and ahalf tracks. I feel this could be a real breakout night for him.

Congrats Kelly

I've been trying to follow Kelly this year in the truck races.  I saw his name in the standings early in the year but haven't been able to track him the last couple weeks.  Where was he? I'll tune in tonight and definately be pulling for Mr. Bires.

He just smacked the wall hard in turns three and four in qualifying. Got out and looks ok. Will probably start in the back of the field on owners points.

Great job Kelly. Qualified 11th, but had to start at the back because of going to the back-up car. Finished 15th, one lap down. Good show man. Learning right now is what it is all about.

Qualified 26th at Kentucky for tonight and is all the way up to 5th, after some pit strategy. Keep it going Kelly.

Great job Kelly! A 7th place finish. Good calls in the pits by Zippy, to get you out front and a great job of driving a car with less tires than those around you.

Nice work Kelly!!  

It was nice to see some fresh new faces running in the Top 10 on Saturday evening (instead of always having the Cup guys up there dominating) - for awhile there in the race, 5 of the top 7 were all younger drivers, including Kelly.

Wood Brother's just announced today that Bires will drive in both the Craftsman Truck race on Friday night, and the Busch race on Saturday night, at the Milwaukee Mile. Kelly should feel right at home as the last time he was there he won the Governor's 150 in ASA racing last year. Friday night on Speed and Saturday night on ESPN2.

You are definately opening eyes Kelly.....Bring on the top 5 :)

Nice write-up about Wisconsin Natives racing at Milwaukee this weekend on nascar.com today. Bires is mentioned in it.

Quote from: "woody53"Nice write-up about Wisconsin Natives racing at Milwaukee this weekend on nascar.com today. Bires is mentioned in it.

Quotehttp://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/bg/06/22/busch.preview.milwaukee/index.html

Wisconsin natives seek to continue winning trend

The Milwaukee Mile recently kind to hometown drivers

By Josh Pate, NASCAR.COM
June 22, 2007
09:59 AM EDT

QuoteTwo years ago it was Johnny Sauter who cruised as one of only three leaders the whole race, running 162 laps up front and taking victory at The Milwaukee Mile as the race ended under caution.

Last year it was Paul Menard who led a race-high 85 laps and brushed aside a charging Kevin Harvick with three laps to go, which ultimately resulted in the aggressive Harvick spinning into a seven-car pileup while Menard rolled to victory.

The last two Wisconsin races ... two Wisconsin winners.

Sauter, who is from Necedah, Wis., secured his third career Busch Series victory at his home track, and his most recent to date, when he won in front of the local crowd at the 1-mile flat oval. For Menard, who is from Eau Claire, Wis., it was the only win of his NASCAR career.  ...

[Click link above for the complete article.]

Thank you Sir. I still can't grasp this linking thing. :oops:

Quotehttp://www.madison.com/wsj/mad/sports/index.php?ntid=198354

THU., JUN 21, 2007 - 8:46 PM

Auto racing: Kvapil back on track

JESSE OSBORNE
608-252-6176
josborne@madison.com

QuoteYes, Travis Kvapil moved from the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series to the Craftsman Truck Series this season - a move that can clearly be considered a step down in the sport's hierarchy.

And yes, the 31-year-old Janesville native understands the perception associated with such a move. But Kvapil better understands, and appreciates, the reality of his current situation.

"I think that at the end of the day from the standpoint of popularity, notoriety and dollars, everybody wants to be in Nextel Cup," Fox NASCAR analyst Larry McReynolds said. "But when I look at somebody like Travis, I see somebody who isn't about notoriety and having his name in lights. He's a racer."

And for Kvapil, a racer whose devotion lies with winning and being competitive on a race-by- race basis, the perceived demotion has revitalized a racing career that appeared stalled three seasons after winning the Truck Series championship in 2003.

Instead of running back in the Nextel Cup pack as he did during the 2005 and 2006 seasons with a pair of teams, Kvapil is running up front again with Roush Fenway Racing.  ...

[Click link above for the complete newspaper article.]

Preface Note - I'm a fan of, and support, all WI drivers in the 3 NASCAR series, including Kelly and Ted (and I've watched Ted race since I was a little kid).

Rough night tonight for Kelly - he finished in 35th place, after he tangled with fellow WI long-time veteran NASCAR truck driver Ted Musgrave.  

Kelly, the rookie, got a little loose and went high in a corner; while Ted, the veteran, was coming up from behind on the high side and the two tangled and went into the wall.

After the initial incident, Ted gave Kelly a completely unnecessary raming in the side of his car and a one finger salute.  

While I like Ted, and I understand his frustration with rookie drivers not giving room to pass - I don't think Kelly deserved what he got at all, beside being dangerous for the driver getting crunched - I think Ted is better than that, and let his frustrations get the better of him tonight.

On the positive side, Kelly did get some TV face-time after the incident.

Hopefully, Saturday nights Busch race will be a completely different story.

Couldn't have said it better WISC. Always been a Musgrave fan, but I think we saw who showed more maturity. Good luck tonight Kelly.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/motorsports/4914231.html
June 22, 2007, 11:39PM
Benson wins at Milwaukee Mile again
By CHRIS JENKINS AP Sports Writer

Quotehttp://www.madison.com/tct/sports/198645

Auto racing: Kluever hopes it's his turn at The Mile

Tamira Madsen  

Kelly will get his first start at Daytona on Friday night, as he is still subbing for Jon Wood. Race is on at 6:30 pm, our time, on ESPN2.

Hey Woody

Just talked to Kelly and he will be running the Busch series for the remainder of the season.  Wood will takeover in the trucks.  He is really excited.

That is awesome. Thanks for the info. It is great to see a young man with his ability get the opportunity. Guess I need to get a 47 cap now.

Quote from: "millert"Hey Woody

Just talked to Kelly and he will be running the Busch series for the remainder of the season.  Wood will takeover in the trucks.  He is really excited.

I wonder if they locked him up because of Juniors moves on his Busch team?

Hey, it is silly season in the racing world. I am sure the Wood Brothers are aware of Kelly's raw (yet somewhat unrefined) talent right now. From what I understand many are impressed with how much he has learned in a short time. Tonight will be a great experience for him. Bires did excellent last year in the ARCA race at Talladega, working with the draft. If he stays patient tonight at Daytona, a good top fifteen run, I think, would be a satisfying result.

Bires will start 23rd tonight. Not bad, stepped it up alittle from practice. Good luck tonight Kelly.

Rain delayed until this morning. Good, clean race for Kelly. Came home with a 16th place finish. Nice job.

Woody u down here cheering kelly on? John hancock 95th floor.

Not going to be in Chicagoland this weekend. I am teaching at Blackhawk Farms Raceway for a Midwestern Council of Sports Car Clubs drivers school, the next two weekends. I will have the tube ready to watch Bires on Saturday.

Wow, Bires will have his work cut out for him this weekend. There are 27 Nextel Cup regulars entered in the Busch race on Saturday at Chicagoland. Granted, Kelly will be in, no matter what, because of owners points. It sure will make for a tough race for him. Great experience though.

Good qualifying run for Kelly. About three tenths of a second faster than he practiced yesterday. Currently 18th, lets see where it falls.

Starting 29th. Car looks loose. Hope he can hang on.

Bires is running in 21st with 30 laps left. Only 3 Busch regulars in front of him. Race is being dominated by Cup regulars. Keep it going Kelly.

Finishes in 24th. Not what he was hoping for, but still only three Busch regulars finishing in front of him.

Woody

Heading down to St. Louis in the morning to spend the race day with Kelly.  Should be an awesome weekend.  Get to sit in the pits during the race.  I guess all those years of not being able to walk after wrestling practice are paying off.

Miller

Awesome, you have a great time and say Hi to Kelly from me and all the guys at Heights. Your going to be amazed at the athletic ability of some of the guys in the pits. Be sure and wave when the camera is on you. Also ask Kelly if he needs a coach for Watkins Glen, after all, I am a road racing instructor also. :wink:  :wink:

While I am thinking of it. Make sure you try and get a scanner and a head-set. First of all it will help protect your ears and second it is a real education to hear what goes on during a race as far as communication between the driver and the crew.

Great qualifying run for Kelly. Started 9th. Ran up front for quite awhile. Dropped back in mid-race. Got the "Lucky Dog" to get back on the lead lap. Had some late race issues. Finished in 24th. Off to O'Reilly Raceway Park next weekend in Indianapolis.

Woody

He ran really well.  Had some major brake issues early on and a horrible pit stop.  Moved from 24th back to 10th and then got caught up in that wreck in 2.  Car was busted up bad but they replaced shocks and driveshaft in less than 5 minutes and he went back out for some point laps.  I think he had a top 10 and possibly top 5 car if not for getting run up on.  It was awesome getting to spend some time with him behind the scenes.  His car owners are great and they treated us very well.  Hope to find some time to do it again someday.

Thanks for the info on the brake issues. They didn't mention that on the TV, but you could see he wasn't going as deep into the corners as he had been. Looked like he was getting a good jump off, so I didn't know if it was a handling issue, or what. Wrecks happen, but it is amazing how much work they can get done on a car to get it back out. Glad you had fun. It is a real eye opening experience.

Are you going to Indy?

Not going to be able to go. I have been down there for the "Night before the 500", to the Indy 500, and to the US Grand Prix, but not to the Brickyard 400 yet. I had fun instructing on Saturday. Had a student in a Mazda Miata Spec racer loose it coming out of turn 3 at Blackhawk Farms Raceway (I was strapped in on the passager side). Got airbourne, got to see sky-ground! :shock: Never went over, but it was a real fun ride. :roll: Came to rest and my student asked what he did wrong. Told him "Don't know, I had my eyes closed." :lol: Actually he just paniced in the corner and let off on the gas to much and off the track we went.

OK Woody,

You always seemed like a pretty smart guy to me.  But now I have to re-think my options.  I mean I can see going out and driving these cars/trucks, although most would agree you have to be a crazy S.O.B. to do it.  But to teach a person to drive these vehicles while you are strapped in the passenger seat and at the mercy of the, well you know, crazy S.O.B. sitting next to you is on a whole new level.  Did you get your head bumped too many times when you were young or what?

Yes, those that know me, know I have had my head bumped way too many times. I really enjoy teaching what I have a passion for, so when I got the opportunity to become a racing instructor a little over ten years back, I jumped at it. Some of the time we ride along if their car is set up for a passenger. Helps with teaching the racing line, shift points, brake points, etc. Most of the time I am out in a lead car with the student following. If a racing instructor evers tells you that he nevers closes his eyes when he is riding with a student, he's lying. Riding with a student that starts to get the idea of racing is a great feeling. On the other hand, riding with someone that doesn't have a clue can be quite fun in a kind of sick-o way. :wink:

OK, now I am mad. I have had three TV's on while I am doing chores around the house today, to see Bires qualify. They went to commercial and when they came back they said , " and kelly Bires is in the third position right now." Give me (and Kelly) a break. They are showing more un-sponsored cars then they are the quality guys. Good Luck tonight Kelly.

Qualifying is done and he keeps his third place starting position. Best qualifying of his young Busch career. Kelly had a win last year at O'Reilly in th ASA Series, so this should be a good night for him at a familiar track.

Ran up front for the first part of the race. Luck wasn't on his side again as the engine let go on lap 84. A 38th place finish. :(

The Wood Brothers website states that with two road course races coming up they are going to put Andy Lally in the #47 Clorox car  at Watkins Glen and Montreal. Kelly, tell the Wood Brothers that you will still do the races and I will come out and coach ya. :wink:

Woody,

What are your thoughts on that Busch race? WOW, that went wrong in so many places!!! Robby Gordon got screwed, screwed someone else and the race directors let it all proceed.  

I almost think Gordon should be kicked out, he ruined the integrity of that race, though from what I seen they "let" him. Stop the race and yank the guy out!

Well, Nascar benched Gordon for today, as well they should. Racing is a privilage, not a right. Even if it is your profession. Racing orginizations are privately run. You play by their rules or you take your car and go home. Nascar has had a hard time of combining circle track racing and road racing, shall I say "Etiquette". They have been very selective of who they put at fault. When you are black flagged, you had better react accordingly or you can expect a penalty.
I have recieved two black flags in my racing career. First one came in just my second year of racing. I came in way too hot into a corner, and popped a guy in the right rear quarter. My fault entirely because it was deemed an avoidable metal to metal contact, and I had to serve a stop and go penalty. Second one came just two years ago when I had a 35 second lead with five laps to go. I look up at the starter stand and I am getting the black flag. I ignored it for a lap and when I went by the starter stand again, I got it again with my number on the score board. I had to come in, even though I didn't know what I did. Went back out and got a third place finish. Turns out the number for a metal to metal incident was called in wrong. Number 35, white, should have been called in but 53, white, was. Even thought the call was wrong, if I would have ignored the flag, I would have recieved a 13 month suspension of my license, and I knew that.
Robby Gordon's big mistake came when he ignored Nascar's instructions. The big penalty in todays racing is when your sponsor doesn't agree with your actions. Then you are in big trouble.
As far as the race itself, I loved every minute of it. Any racer can go fast and use up a car. It takes a great amount of skill and patience to go fast and still save your equipment.

Nascar ruled wrong on him in the first place but he could have appealed. He then proceeded to take out the guy that was leading. I hope he gets a 13 month suspension!

I'm curious why they didn't stop the race? Was there not enough laps left?

Quote from: "howavi"Nascar ruled wrong on him in the first place but he could have appealed. He then proceeded to take out the guy that was leading. I hope he gets a 13 month suspension!

I'm curious why they didn't stop the race? Was there not enough laps left?

NASCAR doen't have a 13 month suspension, but most of the road race sanctioning bodies do. Don't get me wrong. I understand how Robby Gordon felt. All he had to do was take a deep breath, dropped back to second again, and then repassed Ambrose (which by the way, I think he is a God at road course racing), and everything would be fine. He had to tug on Superman's cape and he got hit hard.
NASCAR will not stop a race for one indiviudual's infractions, they just stop scoring him. Which again most sanctioning bodies do.

Quote from: woody53

Quote from: "howavi".
NASCAR will not stop a race for one indiviudual's infractions, they just stop scoring him. Which again most sanctioning bodies do.

Perhaps they should revisit that. He was so pissed, he was basically a 4000# bomb going 150mph

OK, Andy Lally did a great job of keeping the Wood Brothers in the points, for the Busch Series, with two top ten finishes. Now it is time to get Kelly back in the car.

Bires had two relatively poor practices on Friday, running 35 and 36, in time. I understand that he may have been in race trim rather than qualifying set up, so as to get him more comfortable at Michigan. Lets see how he does today.

Qualified 25th. Ten places better than he practiced. Thats what he needs to do. What is it with the TV coverage though, three of the last four races Bires has been in, they go to commercial break when he is qualifying.

Finished in 32nd, two laps down. Not a great day. Kept it clean and brought it home in one piece. Twenty three Cup regulars in the race. On to Bristol next weekend. Kelly is good at bullrings like Bristol. Will be his first time there in a Busch car.

Starts 33rd tonight. Wiggled a little in qualifying. Looked a little loose, but with the sun going down it should tighten up a little for the race. Good luck tonight Kelly.

Sonoma should be good for him.  He has done much better on the longer tracks.

California Speedway should be a good track for him. This mornings practice showed that he was only 36th fastest. However I'm pretty sure they had the car in race trim and not qualifying trim.

Woody

pm me your address and shirt size.

Miller

Bires finishes 23rd at Fontana, two laps down. He was in the middle of the wreck that took out Kenseth, Vickers and Leight. Rusty Wallace even defended Kelly saying there was nothing he could do in that instant. "Just one of those racin' deals." I missed the first part of the race. Anyone know how he got two laps down early?
Its great when they do talk about him on TV, they always bring up the fact that he was a two time state wrestling champ in Wisconsin.

His car wasn't good from the start and the leaders were setting some record laps to start.  Lots of cars went laps down early.  Long greens with few cautions early.  Glad he missed the big wreck.  Kelly was right behind the action and just cleared it on the bottom.

Bires really amazes me every time he goes to a track for a first time. His morning practice speeds only had him 36th at Richmond today. He goes out during qualifying an goes 3/10 of a second quicker to start tonight in the 24th spot. To the lay person it might not seem like much but that is huge.

Kept the pace and kept the car clean most of the night to finish 26th. 17 Cup regulars, that are doing double duty, finished in front of him. Car looked good in the corners just seemed to lack the speed at the end of the straights.

Bires heads to Dover this week. Again it will be another first time at a track. Being that is is a high speed track that requires alot of down-force, the Wood Brothers usually prepare a pretty good car for such a track. The real kicker will be that it is a concrete track that has a really narrow grove, and 24 degree banking. I look for Kelly to have a top twenty finish.

Hi guys.  I'll be the first to admit that I'm only an occasional Nascar fan and will watch from time to time.  I do have a question though.  How did Kelly make it up to the Busch Series, and will we see him racing in the Nextel Cup in the near future?  What is the biggest factor for him to get to the next level?  I'm guessing he has to perform on the track, but is this a business that you must know someone to get to the next level?  Just curious how these racers make it to the "big show".

millert can probably tell you more but Kelly moved down south right after graduation to work for Fitz-Bradshaw Racing. The sponsorship money didn't come through for him and he worked in the shop down there and got one ARCA start at Charlotte. He moved back to Wisconsin to restart his Late Model career and in 2006 won a drivers search to replace Steven Leight in the Waltom Racing ASA ride. Bires had a great season last year were he had 8 wins, and ran away with both the rookie of the year tiltle and the overall ASA championship. That caught the eye of the Wood Brothers and they hired Kelly to do the entire Craftsman Truck Series this year. He switched over to the Busch Series when Jon Wood had some health issues early in the summer. From what I understand the idea is to have him finish out he year in Busch and keep him in the Busch series full time for 2008.

Kelly will run a full Busch season in 2008 for JTG racing.  JTG is a subsidiary of Wood Brothers.  Things go well in 2008, Cup could happen in 2009.  He is a hard working kid that learned a great work ethic in wrestling.  His owner has told me that he is one of the most driven, dedicated, and hard working kid she has worked with.  That basically describes his wrestling career also.  Nothing better then hearing about his wrestling accomplishments during a Busch race on ESPN.  That is the exposure our sport needs.  He told me that a driver, I think it was Edwards, asked him about his wrestling career.  He said he tried it but it was such a tough sport he hung it up.  He was very impressed with what Kelly had done.

Bires morning practice today had him 10th quickest. Not bad for his first session on the track.

Woody

I have a shirt from Kelly for you.  He only had a large with him.  I will get it in the mail to you soon.

Tell Kelly thank you very much. It will fit in nicely in my collection.

Good job today for Kelly. Started 21st, ran as high as 13th. Got loose out of turn four during a restart. Got tagged by Steven Wallace, smucked the wall, and lost a lap. Came back to get back on the lead lap and got a 19th place finish. (did't I say he would get a top 20 :wink:) Another day just like he needed for experience.

Woody

Kelly's air force car will be on display in Lyndon Station, in front of Miller's Store on Tuesday Oct 2nd from 4:00 to 5:30.  Kelly won't be there but it should be cool.  Try and stop by.

Miller

Thanks! I will do my best to make it up there to see it. Maybe get a photo or two.

Remind me to get you that shirt too.  Save me from mailing it.

Had to laugh when I read the Wood Brothers website yesterday. Kelly qualified 21st last weekend, but started farther back. Explaination given was that he missed the drivers meeting. Nascar came back and apologized to them saying they got Bires and Robby Gordon confused. ROBBY GORDON?  :shock: He has to be twice as wide as Kelly. Bires needs to work with his PR guy more to make him more recognizable. :wink:

They just need to look for the cauliflour ear.  The car on Monday will be the #27 Air Force Ford, Kelly said.

Is it Monday or Tuesday, T?

Kelly runs a 31.9 in qualifying. A half second faster than he practiced at Kansas. He is in the top 20 right now. Lets see where he will start.

Kelly will start 21st today. Sixth fastest of the Busch Series regulars. Fifteen Cup regulars in the top 20.

Great opening of the race for Bires. He has run as high as 11th and is showing to be real racy today in some good head to head with Tony Stewart.

Huge hit into the turn two wall for Bires. Knocked the rear end housing right out of the car. Glad to see him walk away with no problems. Not the day he wanted but was having a good run.

Monday
11:30 to 2:00 at high school

Tuesday
4:00-5:30 Main street Lyndon Station

Woody,

Do drivers get paid a salary? Work their own endorsements?

I noticed for this weekends race Kelly is listed as $21K. Is that the team winnings? That can't come close to covering costs, heck first place was about $65K.

For every driver, it is a little different. Most drivers do get a base salary with a bonus or percentage of the winnings. Most of the time it can be as simple as X amount of dollars for a win, X amount for a top 5, top 10, etc.  As you can tell the prize money for the Busch series, and for the Cup for that matter, really doesn't begin to cover costs of the operation of a race team. That is why the sponsor money is so important.
The endorsements can be through the team, or if you are a big name like Gordon or Earnhardt, you can write your own ticket. However even those guys have major restrictions on what they can and can't do. Most driver's contracts now have a every extensive penalty section that covers what should happen if they stray from the restrictions.
Earnhardt, Gordon, etc., are very marketable, and make millions more in endorsements than they do in driving.
The winnings listed for placement is the teams winnings.

Thanks for the hospitality up at the store today millert. I was able to schedule my day around making it up to Lyndon Station. Also, thank you and thank Kelly for the shirt and cap. Great looking stock car. The hydralic body was cool to see to make the show car easier to load and unload. I think I found a new ideal retirement job. Taking race cars around the country for show. :D

Bires will start 30th tonight at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte. There are 19 Cup regulars starting in front of him. Lets see a good night for Kelly.

Bires comes home with another top ten run, finishing in 9th place. Ran as high as 5th. Top eight, all Cup drivers. Kelly was the highest Busch driver. Nice job.

For you racing fans. We talked about one of Kelly's cars being in Lyndon Station a while back. Matt Kenseth's, Carhardt, show car will be in Sauk City at McFarland's today, Oct. 16, from 2:00 until 7:00.

Woody

Talked to Kelly and he said he was losing major tire the last few laps.  They figured he had less then 3 laps left before it would have went.  He felt he could have gotten in the top 4 if he could have ran the car the way he wanted.  He said there were actually chunks that broke off the tire and threads were showing.  Awesome run though.

I wondered what happened there. He was in fifth, closing in on Boyer, with only a few laps left when that last caution came out. Didn't know if he had just got some debris on the tires or what. You could see that Kelly couldn't get the speed out of the corner like he had been. Yes, still a great run. Glad to see they have a handle on the chassis situation now.

Bires two practice sessions on Friday, had him mid-pack at Memphis. Good, solid runs. I would say he will qualify around 20 to 25 and have a top 15 finish.

Qualified 17th and has been running in the top 20 for the start of the race.

Kelly is running just outside the top 20 with a little over 50 to go. Man, these guys have seen more yellow than kids on Easter opening the packages of Peeps.

Back in the top 20 with 40 to go.

A 14th place finish. Great job Kelly. These guys really didn't want this race to end. There were 23 cautions, for over 100 laps. Bires' car is a little wrinkled, but not too bad compared to others.

Kelly qualified 28th in the Wood Brothers JTG Racing, Clorox, Ford Fusion. Just five one hundreds of a second behind his team mate, Marcos Ambrose. Seventeen Cup drivers in the field for tomorrows race. This is the same car he did so well at Charlotte with. If he keeps the fenders on it, I predict another top 15 finish.

In the top twenty with half the race gone by at Texas.

Kelly finishes in 19th. Fourteen Cup drivers finishing in front of him. Another great job for him. what a difference here at the end of the year to have the cars start with a good base line for the Wood brother's JTG Racing. Really looking forward to seeing next year.

Kelly qualifies a full half second faster than he practiced at Phoenix. Lets see where he will start.

Bires will start 26th this afternoon. There are 16 Cup regulars starting infront of him.

Comes home 22nd. Started real well and moved into the top fifteen on pit strategy. Dropped back in the middle of the race into the 30's. Got back on the lead lap about 30 laps from the end. Respectable day.

Woody

Kelly said the car was horrible all day.  Is this weekend the last Busch race?

Last race of the season for Kelly. Homestaead, FL. I am hoping he has a good weekend. The track is like a large IRP, where Kelly has had good luck in the past. "Aero" comes into play there more, so he will need to keep the fenders clean. I would be interested to know what car they are taking down there.

He said he is running the same car he ran at Charlotte.

Thanks Tom, I know thats been a good car for him. Has kelly said who the sponsors are for next year? I thought I saw that Clorox would be back and The Red Cross, but Armor-All was gone.

Clorox will be the big one.  I believe they donate the Red Cross space on the car.  At least they did this year I think.  Haven't heard much on others though.  I good finish on Saturday will help.

Kelly had a couple of pretty good practices down at Homestead/Miami Speedway. He is about a half second slower than Kasey Kahne who was the fastest. He picked up a little over 4/10 of a second from the first practice.

Bires qualifies right where he practiced, 24th.

Twenty five laps into the 200 laps and Bires is running in 16th.

Only 45 laps left and he is running in 8th right now. They still need to cycle through the last round of pit stops.

Great run for Kelly. Bad luck in the fact that a caution came out during green flag pit stops. It put Bires at the end of the lead lap, with a bunch of cars that he had passed earlier, in front of him. Thats racing. Still a great finish in 20th. He has to feel good about next year.

Do you all realize that Kelly had $495,000.00 in winnings for this year. His first in the NASCAR level. Granted that he did not recieve that amount, he probably got between 49,000 to 59,000, in his own pocket. (Just a guess from what I know of contracts) That is a great start. I will be the first to say that I questioned his choice to go racing, over the offers for wrestling in college. He is a great example of an individual who has chased his dream.

As wrestlers, we all need to remember to chase our dreams. They can happen. I grew up with two goals. To become a state wrestling champ, and to race professionaly. I was not good enough for either, but I have been blesssed at being a coach and to race on amateur level.

Well done this year Kelly. We will be watching you for many years to come, no matter what level you are racing at.

I know we all are wrapped up in our season, but for those who want to know, Kelly takes to the track for the first time this season, today down at Daytona. It is the open day for preseason testing for the new Nationwide Series (old Busch Series).

Nice way to wrap up testing for Bires, at Daytona, as he had the fifth fast lap of the day with a 182 mph lap this afternoon.

Yeah, the NASCAR season will be here in no time...

   * Sat, Feb 9 is the Bud Shoot-Out, and

   * Sun, Feb 17 is the Daytona 500.

Monday afternoon's session had him still in the top ten in speeds with a 183.5 mph lap. In fact, his teammate, Marcos Ambrose, jumped into the top ten also.

If you go to Nascar.com right now and look under the Test Speed Charts, there is a nice side by side picture of Bires and his teammate on the high banks from yesterday.

NASCAR's Bud Shootout is Saturday and Daytona is only 10 days away!  :D

Kelly's new website is up this week. Just go to kellybires.com

Practice at 2:00

Bires was mid pack in his practice today, which is where he normally has been. I think he has a top twenty qualifying car and a top fifteen finish.

Bires didn't have a good qualifying run and will start 31st today. It seems the Fords are not very fast on their own, however they do draft well and should be in contention for a win with Kenseth. I think Kelly can get a top 15 still.

At the half way point, Kelly is running in 19th.

Real nice run for kelly at the end as he got all the way up to 12th. I knew he could get a top 15 run just by being patient. Nice Job Bires.

Rough day for Kelly today as he finishes 30th, ten laps down, at California. The good think is he does stay in the top 15 in points. I think Kelly needs to introduce Steven Wallace to a wrestling mat. :wink:  :twisted:

My thoughts exactly.  Kelly's fan club will be up in running very soon.  I will let you know.

Got home from state and I see that kelly had a good, strong fifteenth place finish. keeps him in the top fifteen in points. Doing what you got to do Bires. Keep it up.

I see that Bires had a good practice today. Only a half a tenth slower than Kenseth, who really does well at Atlanta. Should qualify mid-pack tomorrow. I am going to go out on a limb. After last week, and how well he was running before he pitted at the end. I going to predict a top ten this week at Atlanta.

Qualifying was snowed out this morning down in Atlanta. Yes, SNOWED out. Kelly will start 16th today based on owners points. They should be able to get the track dried for the mid-afternoon start.

Another great job by Bires today. Came back to finish 12th after being tagged in pit lane by Gregg Biffle. Moves all the way up to 10th in the season points.

Interesting that five cars that were in front of Bires at the end of the race on track, have been moved behind him on the results. We will wait to see whats going on. :?

And they changed them again. Bires finishes 11th now. Still 10th in points.

And back to 12th place finish, still tenth in points. That was an interesting hour with results. NASCAR is mum on what was going on.

There is a great write-up about Bires today on NASCAR.com. Going into Bristol this weekend, he is tenth in points and the Cup guys are taking notice of him.

Quote from: "woody53"There is a great write-up about Bires today on NASCAR.com. Going into Bristol this weekend, he is tenth in points and the Cup guys are taking notice of him.

QuoteClick here for article (http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/features/03/13/by.the.numbers.nationwide.bristol/index.html)

By the Numbers: Bristol

Bires rolling in second season; saying goodbye to Jarrett

By Bill Kimm, NASCAR.COM
March 13, 2008
11:22 AM EDT

QuoteYou'll have to forgive Kelly Bires if he's a little excited right now; he wasn't supposed to be in this position -- at least not this soon. Bires comes into Saturday's running of the Sharpie Mini 300 (2 p.m. ET, ESPN2) at Bristol Motor Speedway sitting 10th in the point standings, just 160 points behind leader Kevin Harvick.

The road to get to this point was one of opportunity and a little bit of luck.  ...

[Click link above for the complete article.]

Bires had two great practice sessions on Friday down in Nashville. Eighth quick in the first and tenth in the second. This is the track that he mad his debut on last year in the series. Scored his first top twenty. With most of the Cup guys taking the weekend off from the Nationwide Series, it should be a great opportunity for Kelly.

Bires definitely must like Nashville as he scores his first top five of the year with a fifth place finish. He is now up to ninth in the season standings.

How cool is it to see his name every couple of minutes on the ESPN scroll during the NCAA wrestling championships. 3rd of the non-cup guys tonight.

They recalculated the Nationwide Series points and Bires is up to eighth. Gave him the five bonus points for leading a lap on Saturday. Howavi, that was cool to watch during the finals. How many others noticed that?

Quote from: "woody53"How many others noticed that?

I thought it was cool too!  Also, that Wimmer (a WI native) won the race (and had his name scroll across first).

Huge segment on Bires on Nascar now on ESPN2

Hey howavi, or anyone who knows, does ESPN2 have an on-line site that you can go to so as to view past segments like the one on Bires yesterday. I missed it as I was out at the school.

I looked all over the ESPN site and I couldn't find the video.

Quote from: "howavi"I looked all over the ESPN site and I couldn't find the video.

Same here - no luck.

I'd search YouTube & Google over the next few days (I searched once already) - maybe a fan of Kelly's will upload/post the segment.

I see that Kelly's fan club is up and running now. There is a $50.00 entry. I thought that was a little high, then I saw that included a banquet at the Chula Vista Resort in November. FOOD! I'm in! :D

Bires had a real good practice session yesterday, in Texas,  as  he was eighth quickest. Unfortunately, the rains came and washed out qualifying. He will start on Saturday in the 12th spot, based on owners points. JTG Racing has been strong on the mile and a half tracks so I look for Kelly to get another top ten at Texas.

For those race fans in this forum, I got to spend a couple of hours last night talking with Price Cobb, the 1990 winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He lives in Madison now and is the Technical and Production Director of Kelly Moss Motorsports. Wow, the stories he could tell about the people he has met and the cars he has raced. :shock:

Kelly had a good solid run today with a 17th place finish at Texas. Knowing Kelly, I would say he is a little disappointed as he came into today with some good momentum and he had some good  practice times. The car didn't seem to have the bite it needed from the center of the corner out. Bires does stay in the top ten in points.

Kelly Bires Fan Club

Go to

www.kellybires.com

for more info

So the front end wasn't biting. You couldn't tell from the TV if it was the front or back. I thought it might be the front end pushing, because that was what most of the guys they interviewed were saying. Still a good run for the number of Cup guys in the race. On to Phoenix next week and then to Mexico for his first road course race in a stock car. :D

According to Kelly's website, he will be featured on Nascar Now, tomorrow, April 11, at 3:00 pm CST, on ESPN2.

Woody

Thanks for the membership.  Kelly is sending the merrchandise this week, and everything will be shipped out soon.  The banquet should be pretty cool.  Food will be awesome.

Buffet including
Beef
Chicken
Lasagna
Shrimp
Potatoes
Veggies
Salad

Figured you would be interested in the menu.  There also will be a show car and members from his team.  there will be a Q and A session along with autograph session.

Qualified 23rd for tonight's race. Looks like he was trying a couple of different groves in turns three and four during practice. That should help in the race.

Ouch that hurt. A backwards pit stop. Impressive if parallel parking but not so good in a race.

Still was totally in the pit box so it was legal. I think the drivers at Rusty Wallace Inc. have something in for Kelly. Stremme hooked him and then accelerated. I can see why Zippy was so upset.

A 19th place finish. Should have been a top fifteen, if not for the spin in pit lane.

Kelly starts 18th today in Mexico. Bires took three and a half seconds off his lap times from first practice until qualifying.

Bires got as high as third with pit stategy. Looked as if he was in for a top fiften finish and with one lap to go, lost the clutch and dropped a lap down to finish 31st. Still remains in tenth in the Nationwide Series points.

Kelly heads to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. He has had some good runs on restrictor plate tracks. In his ARCA debut, back in 2006, he finished fourth at Dega. Who remembers the driver who was one place ahead of him in his first restrictor plate race, also?

Quote from: "woody53"In his ARCA debut, back in 2006, he finished fourth at Dega. Who remembers the driver who was one place ahead of him in his first restrictor plate race, also?

I pm'd my answer to woody.

But I admit, I didn't know it off the top of my head, I had to look up the answer online.

And he got it right. Anyone else want to take a stab at it?

Bires qualified 18th for the Aaron's 312 at Talladega. He had the fourth fastest Ford. Pretty much where you would expect him to be starting. If he can stay out of trouble in the early going, I can see a top ten.

I missed the race because of the Crazylegs and my Daughters  State Solo Ensemble competition, but it looks as if Kelly had a rough day. Finished 38th. Turns out he got caught up in a wreck that caused to much damage for the Clorox Ford Fusion to continue. Good to see he is OK. Dario wasn't as lucky. Broken ankle from what they say. He will be out of the Cup car for awhile.

Finally got to see the video of the wreck that took Kelly out. What a bonehead move by Lepage to come into the racing line that soon after coming out of the pits. He was only doing about half the speed of the leaders as they came by.

Kelly starts 24th tonight. Car looked good in qualifying. Just now on SPEED they had a real good close up of Kelly and Zippy on pit lane before he got in the car.

At the half way point in the race at Richmond, Bires is running in 15th. Only two of the 14 in front of him are not Cup regulars.

Bires finishes in 20th. Car seemed to go away at the end. He was as high as 12th.

Kelly said the car was rough all day.  Woody are you going to any of Kelly's races this year?

Going to go down to Milwaukee on the 21st of June. Still thinking about Chicagoland on July 11th. Do you know if Kelly is going to make any local appearances on the short tracks around here this year?

Slinger the Tuesday before St. Louis.

Neat article on nascar.com

http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/features/05/06/future.star.kbires/index.html

Thanks for posting the link Tom. Just got done reading it. Great article.

Kelly showed again why his is getting noticed so much lately. Having never been to Darlington before, until yesterday, he started at 23rd quick after the first practice and by the end of the night he was all the way up to the 8th place time. I feel he will get another top 15 qualifying run today and if he stays in line and keeps the fenders on the car tonight (although a mild "Darlington Stripe" looks cool and won't hurt anything) a top ten finish should be the result.

Bires qualified 10th for tonight's race at Darlington. He is the highest qualifier that isn't a Cup driver. A nice 174 mph lap.

Up to 7th place at what should be the last pit stops for the night. Things could change fast. Lets hope he keeps the top ten run going.

Kelly was still in 7th when Mark Martin ran out of fuel on a restart with only a few laps left. Bires got slowed up but got collected by Mike Bliss and turned into the wall

Finishes 24th. Should have been a top 10, but thats racing. :?

The Nationwide Series is testing at Lowes Motor Speedway the next couple of days. Doesn't look like the results from Saturday night has Kelly down, as he was 8th quick in the afternoon and 16th in the evening sessions.

Just got my membership packet today. Thanks Tom and Kelly.

Bires practice speeds yesterday were right where he normally is, in the low 20's in placement. Charlotte is a good track for Kelly. The two times he has run there, it resulted in top 10 finishes. I hope the family remembers to record the race as I will be down at the track on Saturday and Sunday, myself.

The weekend at Dover is starting out pretty well for Kelly, as he was 3rd quick in the first practice (during the time of the day when they will qualify on Saturday) and 12th quick during the afternoon practice on Friday. Lets see if his luck can get better for this weekend. He has had a strong car every race this year but the last few races, the luck has eluded him.

Great qualifying for Kelly. He will start 8th today.

Cup Champion, turned broadcaster, Rusty Wallace, picks Kelly as his sleeper of the race just before the green.

Kelly ran in the top ten for most of the day. Looked as if the car was tight to start with, and then got loose at the end, where he dropped back to 13th. Good run, but looked for awhile like he was going to finish better. Still, a solid run where only three Nationwide series guys without Cup experience finished ahead of him. Was as high as 6th for awhile.

Bires ran as high as third at Nashville. Finished in eighth, which moves him up three places in the standings.

Bires, Darnell, Sauter, Stremme, and Wimmer added to the Slinger Nationals

Join Kenseth and Busch Tuesday July 15th 2008

(Slinger, WI) Slinger Speedway is announcing the addition of five star drivers to join Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch at the 29th Annual Miller Lite Slinger Nationals with Kelly Bires, Erik Darnell, Johnny Sauter, David Stremme, and Scott Wimmer all committing to race in the July 15th event.

All seven visiting drivers will pilot potent rides in their search of the Miller Lite Nationals title on the ultra-fast quarter-mile oval. Kenseth, a three-time Nationals champion, and Bires will be behind the wheel of Pathfinder Chassis house cars prepared by Jason Schuler and Joe Wood, who will also be busy preparing a limited late model for Matt's son Ross Kenseth. Busch, the current NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader and the hottest driver on the circuit during the first half, will drive his own late model prepared by crew chief Richie Wauters while Darnell will be driving a family owned car prepared by his father Danny. Sauter will make his first trip to Slinger's high banks with his own Hamke Chassis car powered by a Wegner "Spec" engine and Stremme will also make his maiden voyage to Slinger behind the wheel of his own potent car he competes with in the CRA Super Series. Seeking his first title in the prestigious event, Wimmer will bring his familiar family-owned number 25 car in which he was had many strong runs in the past.

For a chance to meet Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch and the other Nationals Stars a limited number of VIP Meet and Greet Hospitality tickets are available.  VIP Hospitality tickets will allow lucky fans the opportunity to get an autograph and attend a Q&A session.  Pit Pass, Food, Drink and a general admission ticket to the race will be included with the VIP Ticket.  To purchase VIP tickets call the track office (262-644-5921) or go to //www.slingersuperspeedway.com.    

Advance general admission tickets for the July 15th Miller Lite Nationals are on sale now at the Slinger Speedway track office (262-644-5921), Pioneer Plaza in Richfield or on line at: //www.slingersuperspeedway.com. Fans can save $2.00 when they purchase Adult General Admission tickets in advance. The rain date is Wednesday July 16th.

The Slinger press release above says it is Johnny Sauter's "his first trip to Slinger's high banks," (although the sentence could be read as just his first trip to Slinger with that specific car - but the following sentence about Stremme's maiden voyage seems to corroborate that it is Johnny's first time there).

Johnny grew up in Necedah (not far from Slinger), I know he raced at WI Dells and La Crosse, and (if memory serves me correctly) I thought Johnny's Dad Jim drove at Slinger many times - so I would be kind of surprised if Johnny never raced at nearby Slinger - especially for not even a: ASA, ARCA, ReMax, Red, White & Blue, or Slinger Nationals-type event?

Any know, is it really his first time there (or just the first time there with that specific car)?  Any idea Woody or Millert?

A couple of you have asked to see the type of car I race and where I compete.
The following pictures are from Memorial Day weekend race where I took second in G-Production at Blackhawk Farms Raceway. I am in the #53 VW Scirocco. The #02 MGB is the guy who won the class that day.

http://mcscc.org/Gallery/Porcelain-Grand-Prix/2008_0526MemorialDay0111

http://mcscc.org/Gallery/Porcelain-Grand-Prix/2008_0526MemorialDay0113

Go to Kelly's website and listen to the interview done with Kelly, Larry MacReynolds and Buddy Baker on the Late Shift last Wednesday night.

Another good qualifying run for the kid from Mauston. He will start 11th tonight at Kentucky Speedway.

Woody,

I don't mean any disrespect and certainly don't have your perspective of actually being a driver but it seems to me Bires is "conservative", not unlike Kenseth. You have this new guy Logano and guys like Keslowski that seem to always be leading where as Bires runs top 15. Is it that their teams are that much better?

Yes I would say that Kelly is conservative at times on the track. Personal and driver wise, I don't think the teams are better than Bires and JTG Racing. Resourse wise, there is a huge gap in the teams as Logano and Busch run for Gibbs and Kesolowski is part of Junior Motorsports that is partnered with Hendrick.
Kelly finished 19th at Kentucky. Didn't seem like his car adapted to the changing conditions of the night. Either it tightened up too much or not enough.

I thought about it some more and wanted to post some additional reply. In just a years time, Kelly is getting recognized for being a young driver who is learning to read what his car is telling him, and getting the most out of it. He is not taking the car beyond it's limits and balling it up into scrap. He is learning and not using up JTG's resources in equipment. You look at one of the most talented drivers out there, Kyle Busch, and you will see someone who will always push the car beyond it's limits. For him it's, "Wreckers or Checkers". He has the financial resources to do that. But look at yesterday for him. Two races, two wrecks. Easily he had a first or second place car in the Nationwide race, but once he got passed by his teammate, he pushed it beyond its limits and found the wall. Same thing in the truck race. Had a top ten going and pushed too hard and took out Hornaday.
Bires is as competitive as anyone out there. He is learning that to stay in this business, you just can't go out and abuse your equipment, or your talent for that matter.
Conservative? Yes, when he has to be. Believe me, it is a fine line between being conservative, being viewed from outside the car, and working your butt off in the car to get a good finish and load it up in one piece.

Lets go a little farther and compare it to my type of racing. Now I am not comparing myself to Kelly because he has more talent than I will ever hope to see in a car. Some racers feel I am very aggressive, especially at the start of a race. Others thing I am too conservative. Most don't realize how much thought goes into a race. My set-ups are such that, in a sprint race of 50 miles or less, my car is always good at the start, fades a little into the middle of a race and then levels off. One of my competitors sets his car up to peak in the middle of the race. However his car will then level off and fade a lot. Two weeks ago, I had another great start to take the lead in my class in the first lap. Richard Larson caught me at the halfway mark. I let him by after blocking him for a lap, and he went on to win. Thing was, I was catching him again at the end, but his car didn't fade as much as it has in the past. When I got out of the car, many congratulated me on a great start, others came up and told me that I wussed out in letting him by halfway through the race. I learned a little more about my car and about his. Loaded up in one piece and look forward to the next opportunity.
Thats what it is for Bires now. (Grant at a much higher level with more at stake) Learn from each race. Get the most out of it and look for the next opportunity.

Thanks for the perspective woody. Conservative isn't a bad thing.  I thought those guys were on some great teams, etc and just wasn't sure how lopsided it was during a race. I cheer for him and wanted to understand the dynamics better. I didn't follow Kenseth in his early days, was he similar? My guess is yes.

Quotehttp://www.madison.com/tct/sports/general/292404

Auto racing: Trip home a working vacation for Bires

Tamira Madsen  

Is Woody or anyone else heading down to the Milwaukee Mile tonight to catch Kelly?

Actually feel like a bit of a loser on this one Tom. I sold my tickets to a guy at work so he could take his kid who has never been to a race before. This was our only open weekend so my wife desided to have Andrews college graduation party today. If you go down, let him know that the TV will be on in the garage tonight. A lot of old wrestlers will be there to watch him win.
Rich

Will do Woody.  I have two grad parties for senior wrestlers today so I wasn't going down, but he called and said he had a pass waiting for me at the Nascar booth, so I better get on down.  Won't make it in time for qualifying, but will make it in time for the race.

Drive safe, have fun and we will look for you.

GOOD LUCK KELLY!

17th quick in practice this morning. If he does what he normally does, he should have a top 15 qualifying.

Great qualifying for Bires today. Will start 8th tonight in Milwaukee.

Bires finishes in 11th tonight in Milwaukee. Ran as high as 5th, early in the race.

With the race in New Hampshire, Kelly's team passed the $500,000.00 mark in winnings for the year. That tops what he won all last year between the Truck and Busch series. It also has him ninth in overall winnings in the Nationwide Series.
This weekend, they will be taking the same car, that Bires finished 12th in back in February, back to Daytona. The car doesn't put up spectacular times in single car runs so I would put his qualifying between 20th and 30th. The team does state that it is good in the draft, so if Kelly is patient for most the race, there should be another top 15 finish. (I'll even say a top ten).

They really need a top 10 Woody.  They had a rough couple of weeks on the flat tracks.

Really good wrestling segment on Kelly during qualifying at Daytona.  ESPN ran it and it was about a minute long.  Showed a buch of pictures of him wrestling at state and he commented that he doesn't get nervous in racing because in wrestling he learned to compete in fronty of everyone.  He said that his state finals was in front of thousands of fans and if you messed up, everyone saw it.

It was really cool.  I had goosebumps.  Somebody should let Pashower and Hagar know that they were on ESPN today.

So cool. Some times you have to sit back and say "Life is good". Starts 24th tonight at Daytona. The track is cooling down. Look forward to a good night. :D

Bires was running as high as 13th, with only a few laps remaining, when the caution came out. Green, White. Checker, restarts are a crap-shoot. got shoved around there a little at the end and finished 16th.

Woody

Are you going to Slinger on Tuesday to watch Kelly?

Right now I have a group of guys from work going with us on Tuesday night and a group of Andrew's friends from UW-Whitewater that plan on being there.

Kelly's a busy man:

   * 12th place finish at Chicago on Friday night.  Nice job!

   * Kelly interview on Sirius satellite radio:
Click here for link (http://www.kellybires.com/news/2008/Kelly%20Bires%20-%20Late%20Shift%207-2-08.mp3)

   * This morning I heard ESPN Radio 1070 am in Madison air interview clips with Kelly (anyone know when the interview was) - as promos for the station.

   * Tonight's race at Slinger:

Quote from: "WISCwrestlingfan"Bires, Darnell, Sauter, Stremme, and Wimmer added to the Slinger Nationals

Join Kenseth and Busch Tuesday July 15th 2008

(Slinger, WI) Slinger Speedway is announcing the addition of five star drivers to join Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch at the 29th Annual Miller Lite Slinger Nationals with Kelly Bires, Erik Darnell, Johnny Sauter, David Stremme, and Scott Wimmer all committing to race in the July 15th event.

All seven visiting drivers will pilot potent rides in their search of the Miller Lite Nationals title on the ultra-fast quarter-mile oval. Kenseth, a three-time Nationals champion, and Bires will be behind the wheel of Pathfinder Chassis house cars prepared by Jason Schuler and Joe Wood, who will also be busy preparing a limited late model for Matt's son Ross Kenseth. Busch, the current NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader and the hottest driver on the circuit during the first half, will drive his own late model prepared by crew chief Richie Wauters while Darnell will be driving a family owned car prepared by his father Danny. Sauter will make his first trip to Slinger's high banks with his own Hamke Chassis car powered by a Wegner "Spec" engine and Stremme will also make his maiden voyage to Slinger behind the wheel of his own potent car he competes with in the CRA Super Series. Seeking his first title in the prestigious event, Wimmer will bring his familiar family-owned number 25 car in which he was had many strong runs in the past.

For a chance to meet Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch and the other Nationals Stars a limited number of VIP Meet and Greet Hospitality tickets are available.  VIP Hospitality tickets will allow lucky fans the opportunity to get an autograph and attend a Q&A session.  Pit Pass, Food, Drink and a general admission ticket to the race will be included with the VIP Ticket.  To purchase VIP tickets call the track office (262-644-5921) or go to //www.slingersuperspeedway.com.    

Advance general admission tickets for the July 15th Miller Lite Nationals are on sale now at the Slinger Speedway track office (262-644-5921), Pioneer Plaza in Richfield or on line at: //www.slingersuperspeedway.com. Fans can save $2.00 when they purchase Adult General Admission tickets in advance. The rain date is Wednesday July 16th.

Bires finished in sixth place last night at Slinger in the Miller Lite Nationals. He started 21st. Kenseth won his fourth Nationals title, leading the last 63 laps. Kyle Busch finished in fourth place. Lots of attrition in this event with less than half the field running at the end.

OK all you wrestling fans. You need to go to Nascar.com because there is a poll as to who deserves a ride in the Cup Series, that is running full time in the Nationwide Series. It's pretty cool that Kelly is listed in this group, but we need to load it up if we can.

Kelly had some pretty good practice times at O'Reilly Raceway Park. He was 15th fast after the two practices and only 3/10 of a second off the leader. I see a top 15 qualifying position with a top ten finish tonight. Bires knows this track and I think he could have one of his better races of the season.

Great qualifying for Bires. He will start 8th tonight in the Nationwide Series race at ORP.

Kelly finishes in 36th. Not a good night. The car, driver, and team are better than this. On to Montreal next week and a very, very tight road course.

Quote from: "woody53"Kelly finishes in 36th. Not a good night. The car, driver, and team are better than this. On to Montreal next week and a very, very tight road course.

woody,

As a racer, what did you think of the contact with Leffler?  

I didn't think Kelly had anywhere to go - wall on one side, and Leffler on the other.

Leffler seemed like he was in a pissy mood - he was bumping into other cars all night long.

From Kelly's interview on TV, he wasn't too impressed with Leffler's contact either.

Quotehttp://www.kellybires.com/

Kelly started the Kroger 200 8th but finished the event a disappointing 36th after contact from Jason Leffler caused a cut tire on his No. 47 Ford.

I agree, Kelly had no place to go. Some might call it short track racing, but at that point in the race, I didn't think it was necessary for Leffler to drive like that. He could have easily cut down one of his own tires. I have always enjoyed watching Leffler run in Sprints and Midgets, but since he has gotten into stock cars he seem to go by the therory that "Eight tires turn better than four".

woody,

What did you think of the Indy race?  

10 laps, caution, 10 laps, caution...rinse, repeat...boring, snore...

As a NASCAR fan, I was angry at:

   * Goodyear for not supplying a tire that could last more than 5-10 laps.

   * NASCAR for not allowing COT testing at Indy; and for not allowing more than one type of tire to be available for use by the race teams (sure it may cost more, but it would have been a better race on Sunday).

I would have been p'od had I paid big bucks to watch that race from the stands...they deserve a refund in my book.

As far as I am concerned, anytime tires issues are discussed more in a race - than the drivers and their competition - there is a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately.

Heck, Kenseth is one of the better drivers at saving his tires - and even he lost one that took out the back end of the trim on his car.

I was very disappointed in the race. I was able to finish the laundry, water the perennial garden, and wash and Armor-All my daughter's car, and I only missed 5 green flag laps. The fact that back in April when they had the tire test there with the three drivers, and Junior stated that the tires only lasted 5 to 6 laps then, should have been a BIG sign that there was a problem. NASCAR did handle it better than F1 did a few years ago, but to the fans, it was no better of a race. Even as an amateur racer like myself, we learn to heat cycle a tire to make it last longer. Could NASCAR have allowed the teams to scuff-in some tires for that? Who knows. All I know is that I am looking forward to the Nationwide Series hitting two Road Courses in a row. The Cup Series really hasn't kept my attention this year as it has in the past. Don't get me wrong, I think what they have done with the COT has been great for the safety of the driver. However I think they grabbed to much from the truck series in creating a tall green house to make them more racy. In my opinion they could have had all the other measurements the same, but lowered the roof line by two inches. That would have lowered the center of gravity. Raked back the windshield which would have allowed more down force and still had plenty of room for safety. Just that little change could make a difference.

Quotehttp://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/news/story?id=3509759

NASCAR apologizes, vows to find reasons for Brickyard tire fiasco

By David Newton
ESPN.com
Updated: July 29, 2008, 4:09 PM ET

QuoteCHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR and Goodyear officials haven't found a definitive reason for why the right-side tires were wearing out so fast in Sunday's Sprint Cup debacle at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but they are vowing to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Goodyear plans to return to Indianapolis later this year to conduct a tire test. NASCAR is in the final stages of completing a new test schedule that will allow Sprint Cup teams to more readily test on tracks where they race and hopefully prevent a repeat of Sunday.

Both sides agreed it is up to them to find a solution and not for the speedway to fix the track that was resurfaced in 2005.

They also were apologetic to the fans and everyone involved.

"There's nothing wrong with the surface," NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said on Tuesday's weekly conference call. "It's obvious we didn't go there with the right car-tire combination. We've raced on that surface the last four years. I wouldn't ask them to change that surface.

"We've got to do a better job."  ...

[Click link above for the complete newspaper article.]

Kelly did alright for his first rain race at Montreal. Wasn't spectacular but he finished in 24th place and kept the car in one piece. Some of the "Road Course Specialists" weren't able to do that. Sure was interesting to watch the guys run the big horse power cars in that mess. I know he had a pit road speed violation, but I could understand it. You couldn't even see the commitment cone from outside the car, let alone from in it. It is on to Watkins Glen. One of the nicest road courses in North America.

Tom, let Kelly know that I have a new found respect for what he can do in the Nationwide car. I finally got to run a big, heavy, 650 horse, stock car on a road course. Had a great time, until I ran it out of fuel. Look forward to trying it again. Here is a photo link to me in the car coming into turn six at Blackhawk Farms Raceway.

http://mcscc.org/Gallery/JulyDriverRace2008/0019_G

GET OUT... That is Paul Newman in there...

No, Paul was number 83. :wink:

Kelly grabbed a top twenty finish today with a 17th at Watkins Glen. His team mate, Marcus Ambrose won the event. The "Aussie" final got his road course win he has been working so hard for. Great job Kelly.
Matt Kenseth gets a 3rd place finish. His best road course run ever.
Great day for Wisconsin drivers.

What a great weekend. I qualified second in class, going only 2 one hundredths of a second less then the fastest I have ever gone in my car. Took the lead in class on turn 4 of the first lap with deep braking. Lead the rest of the race. The pole winner done blowed up chasing me. First win of the year.

woody,
do you have to wear a helmet and buckle your seat belt in those things?

Quote from: "woody53"What a great weekend. I qualified second in class, going only 2 one hundredths of a second less then the fastest I have ever gone in my car. Took the lead in class on turn 4 of the first lap with deep braking. Lead the rest of the race. The pole winner done blowed up chasing me. First win of the year.

Congrats woody on the race win!

Quote from: "TomM"woody,
do you have to wear a helmet and buckle your seat belt in those things?

Full coverage helmet, nomex underwear and belaclava, 3 layer fire suit, fire resistant gloves and shoes, head and neck restraint, 6 point harness, and a 8 point cage.

Quote from: "woody53"

Quote from: "TomM"woody,
do you have to wear a helmet and buckle your seat belt in those things?

Full coverage helmet, nomex underwear and belaclava, 3 layer fire suit, fire resistant gloves and shoes, head and neck restraint, 6 point harness, and a 8 point cage.

:)

Kyle Busch advertises Pedigree dog food on the side of his car.  FYI

Woody

I think Kelly is glad to get back on the ovals.  Michigan this weekend and then the big night race at Bristol.  I am flying down for that one.  Taking some of my nieces and nephews to the race.  Should be a good time.  Good to see Kelly again too.

Congrats on your win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Neat to see his teammate Marcos in the winner's circle.  I have met him several times and he could not be a nicer person.  Well deserved.  

Did you catch Kelly's Nascar segment on his wrestling career?

You are going to have a blast at Bristol. There is just no place like it for the sound, smell, or feel. As a spectator there, you leave with the physical feel of the race with you for a few hours. I'm not kidding. I was last there in 2001, for the spring race. I missed the segment on his wrestling and still trying to find a link to it. If you know of one let me know. A few people who saw it got a kick out of how many people they recognized in the background.

Here is a link to some great photos of Bires at Watkins Glen. Real nice slide job photo through the grass. :o

http://kellybires.com/photos/2008/24thelgen/index.htm

Bires qualifying attempt this morning was great. Almost five and a half miles an hour faster than he practiced yesterday. lets see where that places him for the start.

Kelly will line up 12th today at Michigan.

Awesome top ten run for kelly today as he finishes in ninth.

So woody as a driver - In your view, how much of a horsepower improvement would magnets under the gas pedal mask (i.e. Tony Stewart & Joey Lagano's JGR Nationwide cars on Saturday)?

Quote from: "woody53"Awesome top ten run for kelly today as he finishes in ninth.

I thought so too.  He finished ahead of couple Cup regulars (e.g. Clint Bowyer, Marcus Ambrose, David Stremme, David Gilliland) and he was up in the top 15 for most of the day.

I thought he could have finished even a little better - he was in like 7th place on the re-start with about 32 laps left in the race, but it looked like he missed a gear or something on the re-start, and ended up dropping to like 12th - and had to come back from there.  

Who knows if he would have stayed up there on the re-start...where he would have finished...

In Kelly's interview, he stated that he stuck in behind some slower cars (lapped) on the restart, otherwise he would have been a couple of places higher.

As far as the magnets under the gas pedal, those got placed there after the race and before the inspection on the dyno, so as to keep the accelerator from being fully applied, which would result in a lower horsepower reading. Making it look like they have been handicapped a greater amount by having the smaller restrictor opennings than what is true. BIG MISTAKE! The think is that doing that is so random, the initial reading could have been 50 to hundred horse power off because placing the magnet would be a crap shoot in my opinion. Who knows, maybe thats how they caught it.

Bires was 13th quick this morning in practice at Bristol. A little over a tenth slower than the leader, David Ragan. Kelly seems to be consistantly the fastest Ford outside the Roush stable.

Kelly will start 14th tonight at Bristol. He was the third fastest Ford today behind Edwards and Biffle.

Bires finishes in 17th tonight at Bristol. Not exactly what he wanted, but a good run. The car looked pretty clean for running 250 laps at bristol.

For those following my racing this year (sorry Kelly that I Piggyback your thread). Here is a link to the photos from my win down at Blackhawk Farms Raceway two weeks ago.

http://mcscc.org/Gallery/50yearsGearsBeers/2008_0810MCAug10Race0384

http://mcscc.org/Gallery/50yearsGearsBeers/2008_0810MCAug10Race0242

Real slick track at Fontana, California. Kelly was 20th in the first practice today, in the heat of the afternoon.

Bires to Turn up the Heat in No.47 ICP Ford at California
http://www.whowon.com/Results.asp?TrackID=238&StoryID=257414

Kelly was 4/10 of a second faster in qualifying then what he did in practice. That is a pretty good increase for a hot, slippery track. He will start 15th tonight. Tom, I know he is to be sponsored by ICP this weekend, but why is his car bare of major sponsor decals right now?

A 13th place finish for Bires at California. Ran in the top ten for a good portion of the race. The car seemed to fall off a little at the three quarter mark of the race.

No primary sponsor for the race.  Economy is making it tough for many teams.  No scoop on Richmond yet.  Needs to keep clean cars right now.

Wow! Didn't expect that. Will Clorox be back on the car at all this year?

Quote from: "woody53"A 13th place finish for Bires at California. Ran in the top ten for a good portion of the race. The car seemed to fall off a little at the three quarter mark of the race.

He was up in 2nd on a re-start.

But he quickly dropped back because he didn't take new tires.

Definitely up in the top 15 all day.

At the end, Jimmie Johnson tangled with Kelly's car's backend and forced Johnson to pit to reduce the tire rub.

Quote from: "woody53"

Quote from: "millert"No primary sponsor for the race.  Economy is making it tough for many teams.  No scoop on Richmond yet.  Needs to keep clean cars right now.

Wow! Didn't expect that. Will Clorox be back on the car at all this year?

I heard a rumor...someone told me that Kelly's race team was making the jump to Cup next year.

But the person hadn't heard if Kelly was going with them or not.

Have you heard anything like that millert or woody?  Can you shed any light?

His teammate, Marcus Ambrose will be jumping to Cup next year. I believe he will have the Little Debbie Snack cakes sponsorship, and they will have the number 47.

**For immediate release**

Win the ultimate NASCAR experience with Kelly Bires

As Kelly Bires continues to rip up the racetracks around the country, a growing group of fans centered in Mauston, Wisconsin are following every lap. The Kelly Bires fan club started this year has continued to grow and they are excited to announce an incredible opportunity for a couple lucky members. Two great prize packs have been put together and will be awarded at the member's only dinner banquet in November at Chula Vista Resort. "We are going to draw two members at the dinner and they will win the "Ultimate NASCAR Experience with Kelly," said Tom Miller.

The prize will be for them and a guest and will include
**Hot Pit Passes to a 2009 race.
**A Track Tour that will include the garage, NASCAR inspection area, and the entire team Facility at the track.
**Scanners for the race.
**Meeting with Kelly.
**Travel in team golf cart.
**Invite to Team Cookout.
**Numerous photo opportunities.
**Opportunity to accompany car up pit road during qualifying.
**Race passes with seats on pit road for race.

The actual race has not been decided, but the winner will have some options. "One option might be the new race at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. That track is new to the NASCAR circuit and will be a huge draw here in the Midwest" said Tom. "Just getting tickets to that race will be tough enough, now you might get to sit in the pits". Other options for the winners may include Milwaukee and St. Louis.

There is a catch however. You need to be a member of the Kelly Bires Fan Club. Current members will be included in the drawing as well as any new members that sign up. The club is hoping for 250 members by the November 29th dinner. Kelly and members of his crew will be in attendance as well as one of his show cars. In addition to the dinner, members also receive the Kelly Bires Fan Pack that includes some great merchandise. Anyone wishing to join can find the membership form at www.kellybires.com or by calling Tom Miller at 608-666-2151.


Tom Miller
Kelly Bires Fan Club
www.kellybires.com

**Kelly Bires fan Club Email
 
Kelly Bires continued his push for a Top 10 season finish.  Kelly entered the race at Michigan a few weeks back 285 points out of 10th.  Following the race at Richmond heading into the off week, Kelly sat only 202 points out.  Be sure to follow every lap of Kelly's push for the Top 10 in his first full Nascar season.  Next up DOVER!!!!!!!!

If you know someone that hasn't signed up for the KB fan club, remind them of the special chance to win the Ultimate Nascar Experience with Kelly.  Drawing at the members only banquest dinner on November. 29th at Chula Vista Resort.

**JTG Racing E-mail

 RICHMOND  , Va.  

Quite the up and down weekend for Kelly at Dover. Held the pole for a good portion of qualifying until Kyle Busch knocked him off. Started second, best he has ever done in the Nationwide Series. He was running second at lap 70 when his left front tire went. Hit the wall pretty good. Bires would finish 34th overall.

It was quite the weekend Woody.  They were so high after qualifying and the car was so good in the race.  Truly felt it was a top 5 car.  His lap time before the tire went was 3/10's faster than Kyle Busch.

Clorox will not be on the car the rest of the season.  JTG/ Daugherty did state that he will finish the season with or without new backers.  Still working on sponsorships for the 2009 season.  That is there emphasis now.  Cars are built for the rest of this season.  Haven't heard much yet.  Clorox will be with the cup car in 09.  If you know any wrestling backers in big corporate America, let me know.

Kansas should be a good track for him.

Tom, do you know if Kingsford will be on the 59 next year and will the young Presley be in that car? Just wondering about that sponsorship.
I think Kelly gained a few more fans down at the track on Saturday as we had a TV going outside one of the motor homes. I had one of the other drivers come over to me as I got out of my car from practice to let me know Kelly was on the pole at the time. I missed the start of the race while I was working on my car when one of the wives came over and told me that I didn't need to go watch because Bires had cut a tire and wrecked. Bad ending to a good day.
Hey, we will just keep trying to build his fan base. :D

Sounds good Woody.  He was running great too.  He spun his tires on the start and lost a spot.  He got the spot back about lap 35 and held it til lap 73.  He let Bliss by and that was why I thought he must have felt something, but he said he had no indicator.  They were 2 laps from a green pit stop.

JTG Racing Email
 DOVER  , Del.  

**Kelly Bires Fan Club Email
Kelly Bires's run to the top 10 took a hit last week, but he still knows that some solid finishes in the last few races can make major changes in the standings.  He needs to chip away at the lead and take one spot at a time.  Watching Kelly sit atop the pole during qualifying last week as NASCAR Sprint Cup regulars kept falling short is a memory many will never forget.  Only Kyle Busch had an answer for the #47 Ford Fusion.  Be sure to tune in Saturday as Kelly has excelled on the mile and a half tracks.

Only a few of the Team Clorox and the Clorox 47 t-shirts remain.  Send your orders into the fanclub mailbox.  Shirts are $15 and be sure to include your size.

Kelly Bires Fanclub
P.O. Box 116
Mauston, WI 53948

**JTG Racing Email
KANSAS CITY  , Kan.

Wow, the track is fast this morning down in Kansas. Bires qualified 1.1 seconds faster than he practiced at yesterday. Everyone is faster today, but it should get him a top 15 spot for the start of the race this afternoon.

Kelly will start 10th today in Kansas. The top, non-Cup driver, in speed.

Great run for Bires today at Kansas as he finishes in 10th place. The car seemed to be fast at the end. His crew also did a great job for him today getting him out of the pits quick. Kelly moves up one spot to 13th in the points for the season.

Quote from: "woody53"

Quote from: "WISCwrestlingfan"I heard a rumor...someone told me that Kelly's race team was making the jump to Cup next year.

But the person hadn't heard if Kelly was going with them or not.

Have you heard anything like that millert or woody?  Can you shed any light

His teammate, Marcus Ambrose will be jumping to Cup next year. I believe he will have the Little Debbie Snack cakes sponsorship, and they will have the number 47.

millert & woody,

The NASCAR Raceday (pre-race) show on Speed talked about JTG Racing partnering with Michael Waltrip racing to have Marcus Ambrose drive for their 3rd Cup race team next season.

Will this have any impact on Kelly's Cup future?  Like when Waltrip looks to field a 4th Cup team in upcoming seasons?

We all like to think that Kelly will be the next in line for any cup openings.  Similar to his jump from the trucks last summer, he is one call from running any given week.  He needs to work like he did in wrestling and I tell him over and over "Get better at something every day".  Same thing I tell my wrestlers.  Do the little things right.  The team is getting much better with race adjustments and that showed on Saturday.  Those are the things owners look for in drivers.  Many drivers can run well if the car is good, its the ones that can make the adjustments when the car is poor and salvage solid finishes that succeed.

KANSAS CITY, Kan.

So it was announced today that JTG / Daugherty Racing has formed an alliance with Michael Waltrip Racing and that they will field Toyotas supplied by MWR for Marcos Ambrose in the Cup series in 2009. Nothing was said about the Nationwide cars but this leads me to believe that Kelly will be in a Toyota next year. WISC, looks like you had a scope on this.

Keep in mind that Matt isn't really to close in the chase and there are a couple guys changing place every lap.

Also, who in WI was watching racing while the Pack, crew and mets were on?

oops, I posted twice in the wrong thread but hey, woody, you are only allowed one racing thread.  :wink:

Quote from: "howavi"Also, who in WI was watching racing while the Pack, crew and mets were on?

That's what DVR's are for - so you can tape one thing, while watching another.

Also, NASCAR Cup races are frequently replayed on ESPN overnight - and again later in the week on Thursdays on Speed.

I can honestly say there was no football game or baseball game on at my house over the weekend. Racing will always rule over the stick and ball sports in my house. :?

Quote from: "WISCwrestlingfan"

Quote from: "howavi"Also, who in WI was watching racing while the Pack, crew and mets were on?

That's what DVR's are for - so you can tape one thing, while watching another.

Also, NASCAR Cup races are frequently replayed on ESPN overnight - and again later in the week on Thursdays on Speed.

Also, there's - Picture-in-picture / TV split screen.

Quote from: "woody53"I can honestly say there was no football game or baseball game on at my house over the weekend. Racing will always rule over the stick and ball sports in my house. :?

I watched the Packers - and DVR'd the Brewer game and the NASCAR race.

Kelly got another top ten qualifying run today as he will start 9th tonight in the Dollar General 300 down at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Bires and JTG Daugherty Racing really are putting it together here at the end of the season. They come home with a 7th place tonight at Lowe's. The highest placing Nationwide regular. Had a slight lug nut problem in the pits, on one of the first stops, but climbed back nicely to a good finish. The restarts at the end were a joke. I hate to see good cars balled up because some are playing games on a restart. Hey, you see that in all levels of racing. The thing is, on one of those starts, it usually isn't the one playing the game who gets damaged, it's the ones in the back who have to check up. Kelly just kept his nose clean at the end and it worked for him.

JTG Racing Email
 
CONCORD  , N.C.

Yeah-The Rowdy Busch restarts made everyone look bad last week.

The Kelly Bires fan club banquet is approaching very fast.  The fan club members will receive the VIP treatment that night.  Current members will have their tickets mailed soon.  It still isn't to late to join.  Go to www.kellybires.com and get signed up.

Individual dinner tickets will be available soon.  This will get you to the dinner but not into the door prizes and 2009 gold membership.

Tom, I am curious to know what chassis the team will be taking to Memphis this weekend and where they have used it before?

I text Kelly to find out.  I will let you know.

Car 35

They ran it at Gateway and Richmond

That's what we were wondering if the same car from Richmond would go to Memphis. Thanks.

Rumor has it that Kelly will have STP and Autozone as sponsors this weekend in Memphis. It would be kind of cool to see the big STP decal on the hood of his car.

I think your right Woody.

Just gotta get through this short track.

They have their short track program going in the right direction. Just need some luck to go along with it. If I remember Kelly ran 14th at Memphis last time.

There are still a few KBR Clorox t-shirts available.  Email the fanclub if interested.  The 1st annual Kelly Bires fanclub dinner/banquet is approacing soon.  We will be mailing out your dinner tickets and an agenda of the evening's events.  We will be selling a limited number of dinner only tickets for $25.  This will not get you into any of the door prizes or member benefits that carry into 09, but it will get you a great meal and the opportunity to meet Kelly.  If you are interested and would like to be placed on the list, please e-mail the fanclub at tmiller@kellybires.com


JTG Racing Email
 
MILLINGTON  , Tenn.  

Any one get to see the race in Memphis yesterday. I see that Kelly finished in 18th. Just wondering how the race went for him.
I had an interesting day at the track. Qualified second in class, 12th overall. Ran second for the first half of the race. Got the lead after the leader pitted. Held the lead until about five laps to go when I got a fuel pick-up problem. lost the lead to the MGB driven by Richard Larson. On the last lap, coming out of the last turn, the car shut off. It refired just as the third place car of Todd Utter caught me. It was a drag race to the finish, which I kept a .8 second gap. Just as I glanced over to see where Todd was, I saw Richard in the pit. I WON! Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

Awesome. Congratulations, year over?

On the expressway yesterday I had someone pull up behind me at a high rate of speed and then pass me going very fast...
Made me very nervous.
Do I have what it takes to be a race car driver?
:wink:

don't get scared! get even, sure, ya got what it takes! just as long as you have a good set of tires on the roof of your car, you should be in good shape! they really come in handy if ya have a roll over... :shock:

Quote from: "TomM"
Do I have what it takes to be a race car driver?
:wink:

Every wrestler I know, has what it takes to be a race car driver and it has nothing to do with speed.

JTG Racing Email
 
MILLINGTON ,Tenn.

According to NASCAR.com, Kelly didn't go out for practice this morning down in Texas. Whats up with that? :?

Went to vote early?

Yeh, right Tom. What's with this going to vote early crap. You know that there is going to be controversy over that, but that's another thread.
Kelly qualified 26th for todays race in Texas. Not the position he wanted, but he was three miles an hour faster in qualifying then he was in practice. The thing is Carl Edwards was four miles an hour faster in getting the pole.
JTG's set-ups really perform at these mile and a half tracks. If Bires keeps his nose clean at the beginning, I expect a top 15 finish. Have to tape it today as I will be at the coaches clinic and wrestle-offs at the UW. Hope to see a lot of you there.

Cup - Dickies 500
9 - Matt Kenseth
22 - Paul Menard
32 - Travis Kvapil

Nationwide - O'Reilly Challenge
13 - Scott Wimmer
22 - Kelly Bires

Quote from: "woody53"...Yeh, right Tom. What's with this going to vote early crap. You know that there is going to be controversy over that, but that's another thread....

woody... I resemble that comment!

Good qualifying for Bires today in Phoenix. He will start 17th tonight. Picked up three miles an hour from practice and about ten positions. I hate how they do the TV coverage of qualifying. They interviewed Busch during the start of Kelly's run and then went right to commercial. Came back and showed the car sitting in pit lane and gave his time.

Here they are doing it again. The Cup guys at the front of the field are playing games on the restarts, and causing pile-ups. Harvick even came on his radio and said that as the leader, he is going to decide when they start. Nice, lets wreck a bunch of cars so he can be the one in control. Bires has been as high as 12th. Currently 24th.

Finishes 18th. His teammate,Marcos Ambrose, causes the last caution, which results in a green, white, checkers. Looks like Kelly was able to gain one spot on that finish. On to the last race of the year at Homestead.

Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix Raceway
15 - Matt Kenseth
21 - Travis Kvapil
26 - Paul Menard
37 - Johnny Sauter

Hefty Odor Block 200 at Phoenix Raceway
17 - Kelly Bires
19 - Scott Wimmer

Interesting that I posted right after the race ended on Saturday and Kelly was listed as the 18th place finisher on NASCAR scoring. Two days later he is 17th. I need more of that in my racing. :wink:

Kelly Bires Fan Club Mail
The Banquet is just around the corner and all fan club members were mailed
their dinner tickets.  The tickets are transferrable if you are unable to attend
but the ticket stub attached to your dinner ticket must be turned in in order to
be eligible for the door prizes.  Included in the door prizes are the NASCAR
experience.  If you need your stub turned in, please contact me at
tmiller@kellybires.com

We also included a form to order additional dinner only tickets for non-club
members.  Please spread the word about their availability to all your KB fans.
It's going to be an incredible night and well worth the $25.  They can also
still join the fan club and get their dinner ticket that way.  That will get
them into the drawings that night.

Thanks and see you on the 29th at Chula.
Tom


JTG Racing Email
AVONDALE, Ariz.

Bires day started out well in the first practice down at Homestead. He was 7th quick when the car showed some minor blue smoke out the back. They thought it may be just a loose oil line, but as it turns out they found some metal shavings in the oil filter, so the crew is doing an engine swap for tonight's practice.

OK, I am impressed at what Bires has done today. If you haven't been in the situation, it is hard to understand. When you have an engine problem, it is real hard to come back out in the next session and lay down a good lap. Kelly posted a quicker time than he did earlier today and was 12th quick in final practice. He goes out first tomorrow morning for qualifying. That could be good, or that could be bad, depending on the temperature of the air and the track.

Bires qualified 21st, but had to start at the back because of the engine change. He was back up to 21st by the 25 lap mark. Did a great job in finishing 9th. Nice way to wrap up the year, with a very impressive charge through the field, and a top ten.

Quote from: "woody53"Did a great job in finishing 9th. Nice way to wrap up the year, with a very impressive charge through the field, and a top ten.

Completely agree!  Great job Kelly!  I thought at one point in the race Kelly was up to 2nd (or maybe 3rd place) for a lap or two.


Sprint Cup Series - Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway
7 - Travis Kvapil
25 - Matt Kenseth (Led for 73 laps overall, led with 4 laps remaining, but ran out of fuel and had to pit under green)
30 - Paul Menard

Nationwide Series - Ford 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway
6 - Scott Wimmer
9 - Kelly Bires

Craftsmen Truck Series - Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway
6 - Travis Kvapil

Kelly Bires Fan Club Email
Only 11 days to the Kelly Bires Banquet at Chula Vista. There are still tickets available, so spread the word. Kelly did his job on the track Saturday coming home with an incredible 9th place finish. Now lets do our part, show our support, and fill up his banquet.

JTG Racing Email
HOMESTEAD , Fla.

Just announced last night that Scott Zipadelli, Kelly's Crew Chief the last two years, will be switching teams next year, and going to Braun Racing and being the lead guy for Jason Leffler. Sorry to see that. I thought that Scott and Kelly had been forming a good bond, and team.

The banquet for Kelly Bires, and his fan club, is this next Saturday, at Chula Vista, in Wisconsin Dells. I know that it is the last weekend before the season starts, but it is a great opportunity to come out and support one of our own, who has chased his dreams and to see some of the guys, who have been around to see it happen. Only $25.00 for a great meal and some fun times. I look forward to seeing a lot of wrestling and racing fans from Wisconsin there.

Great time on Saturday night. Kudos to all those who put the banquet together. I got to see some people I haven't seen in awhile and got to meet some new friends. I believe there were around two hundred there, so that is pretty good for the first year.

A real up and down week for Kelly. First he learned that he would be out of his ride to start this season. It seems that Michael McDowell, who drove for Michael Waltrip Racing last season, came with sponsorship money and JTG Daughtery Racing his putting him in the 47 for the first 16 races. Then on Tuesday, Bires learned that he will get a chance to qualify for the Daytona 500. Blackjack Racing is fielding a Dodge purchased from Ganassi. Their driver Dexter Bean from Westby, is not certified to run on a superspeedway. Kelly is! Lets hope this all pans out for him.

Quote from: "woody53"A real up and down week for Kelly. First he learned that he would be out of his ride to start this season. Then on Tuesday, Bires learned that he will get a chance to qualify for the Daytona 500. Lets hope this all pans out for him.

Quotehttp://www.jsonline.com/sports/autoracing/37314114.html

Auto Racing

Bires adjusts to racing's new realities

Dave Kallmann
Posted: Jan. 8, 2009
Call Dave Kallmann at (414) 224-2537 or send e-mail to dkallmann@journalsentinel.com.

QuoteSix months ago, before the economy made its sharp turn down the wrong road, Kelly Bires saw his future in NASCAR laid out before him.

The 24-year-old from Mauston would build on a solid first full season in the Nationwide Series, win a race or two in 2009 and then get ready to move up to Sprint Cup with JTG Racing.

About the same time, Johnny Sauter's career seemed to be rolling slowly toward an unsatisfying end.

"I'm watching the Milwaukee Mile Nationwide race by myself in a hotel room in Grundy, Ill.," Sauter said Thursday. "I'm thinking, 'Jeez, I just won this race a couple of years ago, and here I am, getting ready to run my late model. Maybe you are done.' "

But, see, that's the thing about racing. You can't plan too far ahead because something's bound to change.

Sauter's persistence led to a deal in the truck series with ThorSport - signed last month and announced this week - that will put the 30-year-old from Necedah in what should be a very competitive full-time ride.

Bires' fortunes swung the other way - from full time to 12 races - not because of anything he did but because of how the sponsorship market soured and the team's plans changed. Yet given the state of the world, he was in no position to complain Thursday.

"It's not what I signed up to do but, on the other hand, I do have a job," said Bires, who has seen such veterans as Elliott Sadler and Mike Skinner lose theirs in recent weeks.  ...

[Click link above for the complete newspaper article.]

Budweiser Shootout Lineup - Daytona International Speedway - February 7, 2009

POSITION  CAR #  DRIVER  MAKE  SPONSOR

   * 1 (Pole Position) - 98, Paul Menard, Ford, Quaker State / Menards

   * 25 - 17, Matt Kenseth, Ford, Dewalt

Kelly will hit the track tomorrow at Daytona for the two practice sessions for the Cup Series. Qualifying will be on Sunday for the 500 with the two Duals on Thursday of next week. Bires will be in the black, number 51, Blackjack Racing, Dodge Charger.

Kelly goes off 46th today for qualifying. It is live on Fox right now. Struggled in yesterdays practice but picked up nine miles an hour per lap from the first to second practice. The Cup cars are all over the track this year without testing.

Bires will start 26th in the second Gatorade Dual on Thursday. He needs to race his way in because he was 53rd in qualifying Sunday.

Many have been asking for the scoop on the Twin 150's and how this all works.  Kelly will be racing in the second of the Twin 150's which is scheduled to start around 3:00 CST on the Speed Channel on Thursday.  Kelly will need to finish at or near the top of the cars in the race that are not solidified a spot in Sunday's CUP Race.  Much of the field is already set, via Owners points and Qualifying last Sunday.  This will be the last chance for cars to qualify for the 500 which runs this Sunday.

Tom Miller
Kelly Bires Fan Club
www.kellybires.com

FABGrills and KruegerFarms.com Partner to Sponsor Bires #51 Black Jack Racing at NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500


Two companies come together to support Kelly Bires at Daytona 500

February 7, 2009

Thanks tom for keeping us up on what's going on with Kelly. I can assure you that there will be a TV in the wrestling room at Heights on Thursday when we are working on conditioning.

Watching Bires practice today, he picked up another three miles an hour in his first practice today, and then another two miles an hour in his last practice. This is impressive in these very unpredictable cars on this track. Wish him the best tomorrow.

Kelly finished 20th in the second Gatorade Duel in Daytona. Unfortunately, he will not be starting in his first 500. :x
He gave it a good shot and stayed mostly out of trouble, but it wasn't enough.

JTG/Daugherty Racing made an excellent choice in putting Michael "Mr. Crash" McDowell in the car instead of Kelly. Bires pretty much always qualified 5 to 10 places higher than he practiced. This guy has to use Kelly's owner points from last year to get into the Nationwide race at Daytona because he was so slow. He was almost 20 places slower than he practiced.

QuoteDaytona 500 Results - Daytona International Speedway - February 15, 2009

   * 1 (Winner) - Matt Kenseth

   * 38 - Paul Menard

   * 42 - Travis Kvapil

QuoteBudweiser Shootout Results - Daytona International Speedway - February 7, 2009

   * 8 - Matt Kenseth

   * 12 - Paul Menard

Bires has a ride for this weekend in Las Vegas. He will be behind the wheel of the #10 Braun Racing Toyota in the Nationwide Series. Good to see.

Kelly gets another shot in the Braun Racing #10 Toyota this weekend in Bristol. In Las Vegas, the car had ignition problems that regulated him back to a 37th place finish. He has had some good qualifying runs there in the past, so making the field should have high possibilities.

I don't know if everyone knows this...

Matt Kenseth's new crew chief Drew Blickensderfer was a Big Ten/DIII college wrestler.

Quotehttp://m.si.com/news/nascar_sport/to_nascar_sports/detail/1470738;jsessionid=2731F28CF3B8798BB28273C2137A9169.cnnsilive9i (http://m.si.com/news/nascar_sport/to_nascar_sports/detail/1470738;jsessionid=2731F28CF3B8798BB28273C2137A9169.cnnsilive9i)

Drew Blickensderfer keying Kenseth's fast start

QuoteAn outstanding high school wrestler, Blickensderfer landed a scholarship at the University of Indiana. Two knee surgeries during his freshman year let him know he didn't want to do "the Big Ten thing'' anymore. He transferred to Millikin University in Decatur, Ill., and worked toward a degree in kinesiology while becoming one of the top Division III wrestlers in the country.

[Click link above for the complete SI article.]

I have had the pleasure of meeting him and I learned that at the time. He was a small guy like me, wrestling at 134.

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Post Merge: March 20, 2009, 03:18:17 PM

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Bires was 14th in practice this afternoon. Good run for him. He has one more practice after Cup qualifying and then qualifying for the Nationawide race at 11:00 tomorrow.

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Post Merge: March 20, 2009, 06:38:08 PM

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Kelly had a great second practice as he was 7th quick. I will miss qualifying tomorrow as I will be at Pecatonica. Good Luck tomorrow Kelly.

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Post Merge: March 21, 2009, 03:20:08 PM

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Bires qualified 5th for the race. Great job Kelly. From what I have heard, he was taken out 6 laps into the race. Don't have anymore information as our local ABC affiliate is showing WIAA State Basketball now.

This weekend at Nashville, Kelly gets a chance to start for a different team. He will be in the KHI (Kevin Harvick Inc.) #33 Chevrolet sponsored by Charter Communications. This is an excellent opportunity for Bires as he joins a team which has a victory this year (Bristol) and will be running at Nashville where he has one top five and two additional top ten finishes in his last three starts there.

QUICK NOTES

April 11, 2009
Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway
Pepsi 300

Race length:  225 laps/300 miles
Banking: 14-degrees in the turns
       9-degrees on the frontstretch
       6-degrees on the backstretch
Track layout: 1.333 miles
Shape: D-shaped Oval

Pre-Race Schedule:
Friday:
Practice: 3:30-5:00 p.m., ET
Final Practice: 5:30-6:30 p.m., ET
Saturday:
Qualifying: 10:05 a.m., ET

TV: The Pepsi 300 can be seen live on ESPN at 3:00 p.m., ET.

Radio: The Motor Racing Network (MRN) will broadcast the race live at 3:30 p.m., ET.

No. 33 Chevrolet Impala Specs:

Chassis: 036
Engine: RCR

Kelly Bires
Nationwide Stats at Nashville

Year   No.   Team   Start   Finish
2008   47   JTG   20   8
2008   47   JTG   5   5
2007   47   JTG   20   15

*JTG: JTG Daugherty Racing

Bad weather today down in Nashville (they evacuated the track at one point) only allowed one practice for the Nationwide cars, and Kelly was 8th quick for his first time in the car. Hope tomorrow goes as well for him.

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Post Merge: April 11, 2009, 11:41:15 AM

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Bires will start 10th today at Nashville. Had a good run going and got out of the grove and drifted high in turns one and two. Probably cost him about a tenth of a second which would have put him in the top five. Still a good starting position for him in the KHI car.

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Post Merge: April 11, 2009, 06:00:14 PM

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Awesome job by Kelly today as he passes Carl Edwards (the Nationwide point leader) with five laps left and finishes fourth at Nashville. Edwards stated on national TV, "If Bires doesn't deserve a full time ride, I don't know who does". Great complement.

This weekend Bires heads to Talladega where he will get a chance to start in the ARCA RE/Max Series. Kelly will drive the Win-Tron Racing #32 Wolfpack Rentals Toyota Camry. This will be a good ride for him as it is the same team that won the ARCA RE/MAX race down in Daytona in February, and finished 3rd last weekend at Rockingham. In his two other starts in the series, Kelly has an 8th place and a 4th place finish. Win-Tron Racing is based out of Minnesota.

In practice today at Talladega, Kelly was second quickest at just over 187 mph.

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Post Merge: April 24, 2009, 05:37:24 AM

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Bires will roll off third today at Talladega as he had a lap that averaged 186.46 mph. It will be shown live on SPEED this afternoon at 4:00.

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Post Merge: April 24, 2009, 06:30:19 PM

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Pretty good race for Kelly today. Started 3rd and moved to 2nd on lap one. Grabbed the lead on a restart on lap 9 with a great outside move. Lead for the next 29 laps before a caution. Had a slight problem in the pits with a missed lug. Came out in 3rd but moved to 2nd right away. Got hit and shuffled out at the end to finish 9th.

Kelly Bires will be racing in the Joe Shear Classic/ASA Midwest Tour Series race at Madison International Speedway (located in Oregon, WI) this Sunday.

Quotehttp://www.asamidwesttour.com/node/841 (http://www.asamidwesttour.com/node/841)

ASAMT JOE SHEAR CLASSIC WEEKEND SCHEDULE & INFORMATION

QuoteBy: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Monday, April 27, 2009)

WISC, where did you hear Kelly would be home this weekend? I thought he would still be down in Richmond.

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Post Merge: April 29, 2009, 06:57:51 AM

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Thanks for posting about the Joe Shear Classic. I plan on being there this weekend. Great line-up entered. Besides Bires, there's Fredrickson, Morrissey, Sauter, Wimmer, Carlson, Goede, Reffner, and Haseleau, to name a few.

woody,

My understanding is...Kelly is in WI today, then flies back to NC tonight, but will be back in WI this weekend.

Kelly was home just for the day.  He had to get fitted for the car he is running on Sunday.  He flew back and will be at the race in Richmond before returning to the great state of Wisconsin to run the Arca race at Madison on Sunday.

Bires finished in fourth yesterday after getting some damage in a lap three incident. Haseleau won.

Kevin Harvick, Inc. annouced yesterday that Bires will be back in the #33 for two more races this year. June 13 at Kentucky Speedway and October 24 at Memphis. Copart has come on board as the primary sponsor for these two races for Kelly.

Kelly had an opportunity to start the race last night in Nashville for MSRP Motorsports. MSRP has been a start and park program. I never thought much of that in the past, but have learned a lot about how teams like this have been providing jobs for many who have been laid off in the race industry with this economy. Bires will be at Kentucky next week in the KHI Chevrolet. At Nashville, Kelly started 32nd and finished 37th.

An up and down day for Kelly at Kentucky on Saturday. Bires wrecked the primary car during qualifying. Had to start 42nd. Only twenty laps into the race he was hitting the top 20. With the back up car he was into the top 10 less than a third of the way in. Stayed around the top 10 most of the race. Kelly got hit with a pit road speed violation (as did half the field). Went a lap down but was able to drive back to a tenth place finish, back on the lead lap. Sure wished he had a ride for next Saturday at Milwaukee.

Excellent! Kelly is listed as the driver for the #10, Braun Racing, Toyota for this weeks race in Milwaukee.

Rumor has it the Kelly will be back in the #47, JTG Daurghty Racing, Toyota this weekend at Chicagoland. Tom, is there any truth to that?

I see that he is on the entry list for Chicago in the #47.  Hope he has a good run.

Quote from: Practice Dummy on July 07, 2009, 05:02:44 PM
I see that he is on the entry list for Chicago in the #47.  Hope he has a good run.

I just saw that also. Lets hope it goes well for him.

Bires was 9th quick in the first practice today at Chicagoland. He didn't go out in the second practice. His speed from the first was good enough for the top ten in the second practice.

Great job in qualifying by Kelly. He ran seven tenths of a second and four miles an hour faster than he did in practice yesterday and will start seventh tonight in Chicago. The first non Cup driver.

Team owner Brad Daugherty just said that Kelly is a start and park car tonight. Rusty Wallace just ripped on him a little about it. Too bad. Good starting postion.

Kelly has a chance to run another full race (not a start-and-park) for Braun Racing's #10 car at Iowa (Aug 1).

You "scoped" me on this one WISC! :-[

Wonder how things went at Slinger for the Nationals last night. Too bad Howe does not have a car for Kelly to get in this weekend at MIS and Rockford.

Quote from: woody53 on July 22, 2009, 01:49:20 PM
You "scoped" me on this one WISC! :-[

Sorry woody!  Another start-and-park for Kelly this weekend at ORL.

Does Kelly have two mre races in the Harvick car? I thought I heard that.

According to the press release from a month back, he will have one more time in Harvick's car. The October 24th race in Memphis

Kelly may have been a start and park at O'Reilly, but that had to have been the best Nationwide race of the season, for a fan to watch. A couple of different groves working. Side by side racing all the way through the field. Great race. Look forward to Iowa next week.

Quote from: woody53 on July 26, 2009, 05:10:02 AM
Kelly may have been a start and park at O'Reilly, but that had to have been the best Nationwide race of the season, for a fan to watch. A couple of different groves working. Side by side racing all the way through the field. Great race. Look forward to Iowa next week.

woody, as a driver, what did you think of the pace car, Trevor Bayne, Steven Wallace incident? 

I guess I understand the logic behind it, but I found it to be a little weird in the application of the rule when the pace car essentially caused it.

That happens more than you think. The Pace Car jumped out way to fast. We have had this with our group and the key is maintaining the pace car speed. Even though the Pace Car cause it. :-\

Kelly gets to jump in the #10 car this weekend at Iowa. Hope it is not a start and park. Not sure about Braun and what the "orders" were. Bad wreck at Rockford this weekend Saturday in the ASA North race. Ryan Carlson to a ride to the hospital adn is out of the car for at least three months. Pray for his recovery

Quote from: dad 2 5 on July 27, 2009, 08:23:31 PM
Kelly gets to jump in the #10 car this weekend at Iowa. Hope it is not a start and park. Not sure about Braun and what the "orders" were.

Quote from: WISCwrestlingfan on July 22, 2009, 12:31:43 PM
Kelly has a chance to run another full race (not a start-and-park) for Braun Racing's #10 car at Iowa (Aug 1).

Kelly did a great job and qualified 12th today. Even better to finish in 5th. This kid deserves a full time ride. The four who finished in front of him all have Cup experience.

He does! But NNS is strange Bliss is 7th in points and sounds like he is going to be let go. I also saw Jayski saying Kelly in 10 is listed as Harvick's back up.

Quote from: woody53 on August 01, 2009, 06:10:43 PM
This kid deserves a full time ride.

Completely 100% agree!!

I am so enjoying the cars on a Road Course at Watkin's Glen. Ambrose is doing a great job in the car that Kelly drove last year.

Quote from: woody53 on August 08, 2009, 04:37:06 PM
I am so enjoying the cars on a Road Course at Watkin's Glen. Ambrose is doing a great job in the car that Kelly drove last year.

And he takes it to a big win.

I see Wimmer and Menard on the entry list for Michigan. I am sure Kelly will be there bu just as a back up.

BIG NEWS on Jayski that Kelly is top of the list to get the 88 ride next year as Brad K moves on!

Bires is listed as a driver for this weekends Nationwide race in Atlanta. He will be in the #11, Ridemakerz, Toyota. That is the same team that Andrew Ranger took to a third place finish last weekend in Montreal.

The fact that CJM Racing had a press release about Kelly being in the car for this weekend, and that the team is in 17th place in owner points, this is not a start and park weekend for Bires. ;D

Kelly started 32nd in the #11 Toyota at Atlanta. 50 laps in he is running 15th.

Then he smokes an engine and finishes in 32nd. :(

Sounds like Kelly is in the mix for the 5 car. I think both the 5 or 88 would be good fits for him. It could happen this weekend but more likely in two weeks.

It is official today. Bires signed a two year deal to drive for JR Motorsports next year. It will be a full time ride and it is still unclear whether he will be in the #88 or the #5, as they are still finalizing sponsorship. I say go for the #5, Kelly. It is real easy to stitch a 3 next to it on hats and shirts. ;)

Great to hear!

They are going to try to get him in the 5 car at least once this season. hope so

I got my KBR shirt in the mail today. Nice shirt. Thanks Tom.

Quote from: dad 2 5 on September 23, 2009, 04:27:09 PM
They are going to try to get him in the 5 car at least once this season. hope so

JR Motorsports has sponsorship to have the #5 car in 20 of the 27 Nationwide Series events. It would be nice to see Kelly in the car yet this year, but the probability is slim because of the dollar amount of sponsorship, and what is already commited to Junior, Mark Martin, Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman and Scott Wimmer. There is always hope something will come up though. He is suppose to have one more ride in the #33 of KHI.

Scott Wimmer (Wausau) is in the #5 car this weekend. I was hoping to see Kelly at Rokcford this weekend but I think he is a little busy :)

From start and park to a ride in Dale Jr.'s stable

Bires excited about opportunity to race for wins again

By [ http://www.nascar.com/news/opinion/david_caraviello ]David Caraviello, NASCAR.COM
October 1, 2009
10:42 AM EDT


[ http://www.nascar.com/drivers/dps/kbires00/truck/index.html ]Kelly Bires hated it, but he knew he had no other choice. With no steady ride and no sponsor behind him, he did the only thing he could to make sure people saw him at the race track as much as possible. He drove a start-and-park car.

He did it a few times, actually, filling the gaps between events with regular Nationwide Series teams like Braun Racing, Kevin Harvick Inc., and the JTG Daugherty team he drove for during all of 2008. For a driver who had finished inside the top 10 six times last year, it was clearly a galling experience. But the sponsorship market was tough. Full-time rides were difficult to come by. So he swallowed his pride and made a few starts in cars that were clearly going nowhere but right back to the garage area.

"I can tell you there's nothing fun about starting and parking from a racer's standpoint," said Bires, a 25-year-old from Mauston, Wis. "There were some I had to do. There were some where I felt like if I could get in the car and qualify really well, extremely well, then maybe that would turn a couple of heads and show some people what I could do. They weren't fun at all. It was just part of the deal this year that I had to do. I'm glad I don't have to do that anymore."

Not for the foreseeable future, at least. Last month Bires signed a two-year deal with JR Motorsports to succeed [ http://www.nascar.com/drivers/dps/bkeselow00/truck/index.html ]Brad Keselowski, who is moving to the Sprint Cup tour with Penske Racing next season. For Bires, it's a welcome relief from the purgatory of career limbo, which began last year when sponsorship woes beset his program at JTG. Completing the 2008 season with a patchwork of sponsors, he still managed to finish 13th in points in his first full campaign on NASCAR's No. 2 circuit.

But he was nervous about 2009, and with good reason. Bires, a former go-kart and late model standout who moved to the Charlotte area in 2004 to further his NASCAR career, couldn't have timed it worse -- his climb up the career ladder coincided with an economic recession and consequent sponsorship shortage that hit the Nationwide Series particularly hard. So far in 2009 he's made 12 starts with five different teams, some of them powerhouses like KHI, and others shoestring outfits in it for a check.

Bires has managed a pair of top-five finishes, one more than he had in all of last season, but has been running at the finish only three times. He hasn't raced since Atlanta on Labor Day weekend. As of Wednesday, he wasn't listed on the entry list for Saturday's event at Kansas Speedway.

"It's probably one of the toughest years of racing that I've had to go through," Bires said. "Just going to the race track, [finishing] only three or four times so far this year, but doing what I had to do to stay alive and stay strong. Just the opportunity that came aboard here with JR Motorsports, I can't explain how excited I am about it with the emotional roller coaster I've been on. But to know I have something in place for the next two years, that's a tremendous relief."

Bires' best result this year was a fourth-place finish at Nashville in a KHI car. He's made two starts this season for Harvick, and has another slated for Oct. 24 at Memphis. But the timing just wasn't right to try and put together a full-time deal for 2010.

"Kevin came to me and helped me out, believed in my ability and was really cool about it and gave me an opportunity to get in a top-notch car," Bires said. "They just didn't have anything full-schedule for next year for the time being. And JR Motorsports came to me ready to go, locked and loaded. It's a no-brainer. Both organizations are extremely well-put-together. Nothing against KHI. But this opportunity for me at JR Motorsports, it was a no-brainer for me at the time."

Now, he's on the brink of quite the career turnaround. Only a few months ago, Bires was a driver desperate for a ride, and willing to slide behind the wheel of almost any car he could find. Beginning in February, he'll be at the controls of a vehicle capable of winning the Nationwide championship, and see his profile rise because of his association with NASCAR's most popular driver. Is he ready for the scrutiny that will follow?

He believes so. For Bires, the most difficult part has been just getting into the car.

"The hardest thing for me in this sport has just been to get in a race car," he said. "The performance on the track to me is the easiest part. The part of driving the car is the easiest part for me. It's just been, the time when I got into the sport here, it's been difficult to get into race cars without proper funding or proper sponsorship. It was just bad timing. But to be able to drive for Dale Jr., a great guy, I've known him for pretty much all the years I've been in NASCAR, and relate to him in a lot of different things. He definitely believes in my ability."




Tom Miller
Mauston Wrestling
"I Must Dictate The Dream"  bergy

  The 2009 Kelly Bires Fan Club Banquet is set for Friday, December 4th at Chula Vista Resort.  Those of you who attended last year will know what a great time it was.  We can assure you this year's banquet will be even better.  The menu will stay the same, with the exception of replacing the roast beef with a honey glazed ham.

     Banquet only tickets will not be available this year however.  ONLY KBR Fanclub Members will be permitted to attend.  We are hoping to grow membership to 200 plus this year and that will just about complete the allotted number of GOLD MEMBERS.  Once a gold member, you will always be a GOLD MEMBER, as long as you renew your membership.  As a GOLD MEMBER you showed Kelly support when he needed it most and will be entitled to some great KBR offers in the future.

     Some of you have yet to send in your renewals for 2009.  You can download an application off of the website at www.kellybires.com

     We really want to fill up Kelly's banquet this year to show him the support he deserves and congratulate him on his new deal with Junior Motorsports. It is truly an exciting time at KBR, but we need you to help us fill up the banquet.  Pass the word to every KB fan you know.  The prices for the fanclub have been reduced this year and we will have some very exciting door prizes offered that evening.

     If you are planning on staying at Chula Vista resort for the banquet and have not yet reserved your room, you should do so.  We have a block of rooms under Kelly Bires Fan Club.  Mention our reference number of 936732 for the special room rate.

http://www.chulavistaresort.com/


Tom Miller
Kelly Bires Fan Club
www.kellybires.com

Tom Miller
Mauston Wrestling
"I Must Dictate The Dream"  bergy

I heard he may run Memphis with ASA in November. Is that true? It would suprise me if he does but it would be fun to see.

Quote from: dad 2 5 on October 17, 2009, 03:48:30 PM
I heard he may run Memphis with ASA in November. Is that true? It would suprise me if he does but it would be fun to see.

I heard that too awhile back. Haven't had a chance to follow up on it. Maybe Tom can confirm it or not.

Next weekend is going to be a great weekend. Kelly gets to run 250 miles at Memphis in a KHI car and I will run 200 miles in two races at Blackhawk Farms Raceway, in my old car. Being a racer, we sometimes have some strange superstitions. Both of us haven't run many races this year because of the economy. But in the past, when we have run the same weekend, we both have done well. Lets hope tradition keeps going.  :D

racing the MCSCC both days?

Quote from: dad 2 5 on October 18, 2009, 04:24:34 PM
racing the MCSCC both days?

You bet. Running the car in G-Production on Saturday and then ITD on Sunday. The Looong Race weekend is one of the few times I can do this. Sounds like you are familiar with Midwestern Council.

Hope you have good rides both days! I hang around the oval guys a lot throughout Wi and Rockford and know some of the real drivers (road guys). I see Kelly is listed along with Travis, Scott, and Matt so WI has a good group if all make the field. 

Fan Club applications are available online at www.kellybires.com

Includes awesome banquet dinner at Chula Vista Resort with Kelly. Join
Now!!!!!!!!!!



Media Contact: Alicia Deal | Kevin Harvick Inc.
336.992.2998 office | 336.602.4100 mobile
EMAIL: ADeal@kevinharvickinc.com

Kelly Bires
No. 33 Copart Chevrolet Impala SS
Team Race Preview
NASCAR Nationwide Series Race 32 of 35 – Memphis (Tenn.) Motorsports Park

MEMPHIS BLUES: This weekend the NASCAR Nationwide Series will roll into
Memphis for the Kroger On Track for the Cure 250 at Memphis Motorsports
Park where Kelly Bires will make his final start of the season for Kevin
Harvick Inc. (KHI) in the No. 33 Copart Chevrolet. In two previous starts
this season for KHI, Bires earned one top-five (fourth-place at Nashville
Superspeedway) and two top-10 (Nashville and 10th-place at Kentucky)
finishes. His fourth-place finish at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway
marked his career-best finish in NASCAR’s top three series of competition.

In two previous starts at Memphis, Bires has earned a 14th and 18th-place
finish.

AUTOGRAPH SESSION: Bires will participate in the NASCAR Nationwide Series
autograph session on Friday night from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. EST following the
final Nationwide Series practice session. The autograph session is open to
all season ticket holders.

FINAL FOUR: With four races remaining in the 2009 Nationwide Series
schedule, Bires will climb in the driver’s seat this week at Memphis
(Tenn.) Motosports Park, followed by team co-owner Kevin Harvick at Texas
Motor Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway before Ryan Newman closes
the season at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway.

BEFORE THE RACE: QUOTES WITH DRIVER KELLY BIRES:
Knowing that Ron Hornaday has won the last two Truck Series events at
Memphis Motorsports Park in Kevin Harvick Inc. equipment, do you approach
this track differently or with higher expectations? “I really don’t
approach it with higher expectations, but I feel like we have a definite
advantage to be able to use the notes that the truck teams have built and
apply it in any way we can to the No. 33 Copart Chevrolet.~ Ernie (Cope,
crew chief) and the guys do an outstanding job with the NNS program, so I
expect us to keep the ball rolling for KHI at Memphis.”

What are your expectations this weekend as you make your final start of
the year for KHI? “Expectations are very high.~ Kevin, DeLana, and
everyone at KHI have given me everything I need to get the job done.~ We
have had two good races already and really look forward to putting
everything together and executing on all ends.~ If we do that, I believe
we have a great shot at bringing home a victory.”~

What makes Memphis Motorsports Park a unique track? “The track is worn
out, bumpy and there’s a lot of beating and banging. Sometimes, it’s more
of a survival race. It’s also an opportunity track for new racers in the
series. You see a lot of cars run the Memphis race that don’t race with
the NNS every weekend, so you have to figure out how to race those people
as well.”

~-more-

CHASSIS HISTORY: This weekend the No. 33 Copart team will unload chassis
No. 042 for Bires at Memphis Motorsports Park. This chassis was last on
track at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway where Kevin Harvick had a
strong second-place finish after starting the race from the 18th position.
Prior to Richmond, this chassis raced at Michigan International Speedway
where Harvick started the race from the ninth position, ran in the top 15
all day and earned a fifth-place finish. Other appearances by this chassis
this season include Kentucky Speedway with Bires behind the wheel
(preparing to qualify the car, Bires lost control in turn four getting
ready to take the green and was forced to a back-up car for the race) and
Lowe’s (N.C.) Motor Speedway where Harvick started the race from the
eighth position and finished 23rd in the rain-shortened May event (170 of
the scheduled 200 laps were complete). Earlier in the season, Harvick
piloted the chassis at Auto Club Speedway where he started the race from
the ninth position and finished second followed by Las Vegas Motor
Speedway where he started from the second spot and led 41 laps before
getting caught in a multi-car accident on lap 105, dropping the team to a
29th-place finish.

PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: The NASCAR Nationwide Series was last on track at
Lowe’s Motor Speedway where Ryan Newman returned to the driver’s seat of
the No. 33 Hungry-Man Chevrolet. Newman started the race from the 15th
position and ran most of the race in the top 15 before making his way as
high as second late in the race. Fighting a tight car, Newman slipped
several positions in the final 20 laps to cross the finish line in the
seventh spot. The finish marked Newman’s third top-10 finish in the No. 33
KHI Chevrolet in four Nationwide Series starts this season.

ARE YOU A FOLLOWER? Twitter users can now keep up-to-date with Kevin
Harvick Inc.’s NASCAR Nationwide Series by following at
http://twitter.com/KHI_NNS. In addition, you can follow KHI’s Truck Series
teams at http://twitter.com /KHI_TruckSeries. Want more from KHI? Follow
KHI’s co-owners Kevin and DeLana Harvick at
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Tom Miller
Mauston Wrestling
"I Must Dictate The Dream" bergy

Looks like Kelly will be making his first appearance for Dale Earnhardt Junior the last race of the season at Homestead.  Kelly will drive the #5.

Quote from: millert on October 23, 2009, 09:08:34 AM
Looks like Kelly will be making his first appearance for Dale Earnhardt Junior the last race of the season at Homestead.  Kelly will drive the #5.

That's what many of us were hoping to hear.
Thanks Tom.

How did things go at Blackhawk for you this weekend? How long did it take to get the oil warm enough to race with? Hopeful no one jumped on it too early and touch their motor.

Things went very well if I must say. Won my class both days. Cold and wet on Saturday morning was quite the treat, and yes there were two blown oil lines that resulted in some track clean up and major winter work ahead for those involved. The little 1600  Ford engine, once warmed up, performed great. I got to within two one thousands of my fastest time in my old car and it has been five years since I drove it.

Great job woody!

I liked it in Saturday's Nationwide race around lap 135-140, the ESPN TV cameras were following the battle of 3 great WI racers - Bires & Kenseth were battling it out for position, Bires was in the bottom lane trying to get past Kenseth in the top, while Wimmer was right on Bires tail.

Bires was doing great, he was up in the top ten for awhile, until Allgaier took him out, ended up finishing 25 at Memphis.

I didn't get to see the Nationwide or the Cup races this weekend as they occurred at the same time as my two races. I have seen the highlights but not the incident with the #12. I know Kelly had a rough qualifying session, however with some good pit calls and adjustments, he was able to get into the top ten. Kind of cool to see the car he will be in next year win the race.
I see on facebook that he will get to do the Nationwide COT test next week at Talladega for JR Motorsports.

Sad news about Memphis closing. I am going down with the ASA guys as it could be the last event at Memphis. I hope the MIle see this and can turn the corner and set a big season next year.

Quote from: dad 2 5 on November 02, 2009, 06:22:01 PMSad news about Memphis closing. I am going down with the ASA guys as it could be the last event at Memphis. I hope the MIle see this and can turn the corner and set a big season next year.

Man I hate to see a good race track close down, especially one that held both NASCAR & NHRA events.

The closing of Memphis means - the Nationwide race will move to Gateway IL/nearby St. Louis, the Camping World truck race will move to Nashville, and the NHRA race is dropped from the schedule.

Kelly will get his first chance with Junior Motorsports at Homestead.  Looks like Kelly will be running the #5 car to get acquianted with some of his crew.

And Kelly will have a media-darling teammate...

Quotehttp://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/news/story?id=4622687 (http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/news/story?id=4622687)

Danica Patrick To Run For JR Motorsports

So while I was in Memphis I also had Speedway 51 is done too. I think I heard that right (not Columbus 151). It was either that or I55 (I would not think so). Heard Iowa and Hawkeye need help too. I did not hear of anyone stepping up at Nashville or Memphis so they may both be lost. Memphis is a huge place with both drag and oval adn a lot of propetry around it.

Quote from: dad 2 5 on November 08, 2009, 04:03:43 PMI did not hear of anyone stepping up at Nashville or Memphis so they may both be lost.

As I wrote above, Nashville is getting Memphis's NASCAR Camping World truck race in 2010.

I think that the super speedway is staying open but the small track is closing. I know the 400 was postponed and then canceled for this month.

Quote from: WISCwrestlingfan on November 09, 2009, 07:26:35 PM

Quote from: dad 2 5 on November 08, 2009, 04:03:43 PMI did not hear of anyone stepping up at Nashville or Memphis so they may both be lost.

As I wrote above, Nashville is getting Memphis's NASCAR Camping World truck race in 2010.

They race camping trucks?  Am I reading that correctly?

Tom, you kill me. Camping World is the title sponsor for the Nascar Truck Series. They took over this year when Craftsman dropped out.

Although I have enjoyed a couple of camper races in the past. ;)

Quote from: TomM on November 09, 2009, 08:16:46 PM

Quote from: WISCwrestlingfan on November 09, 2009, 07:26:35 PM

Quote from: dad 2 5 on November 08, 2009, 04:03:43 PMI did not hear of anyone stepping up at Nashville or Memphis so they may both be lost.

As I wrote above, Nashville is getting Memphis's NASCAR Camping World truck race in 2010.

They race camping trucks?  Am I reading that correctly?

When I was a kid, we used to go to a demolition derby that had a school bus division.

My dad would take us to the "midget car" races in south Milwaukee or some such area... (that track is gone) and to Slinger once in a while... pretty fun for kids to watch... loud and exciting...

Hales Corners had the school bus demolition derby when I was a kid...I couldn't think of the name of the track before, sadly the track isn't around anymore.

Slinger is a great track, been there many times, shaped like a bowl.

Angell Park still races midgets.

I heard Scott Wimmer bought a track up in his area of the state, anyone know which one?

I think it was State Park, Wausau, by Rib MT if I heard right. They usually race on Thursday's on a limited base. Hopefully they can get it more weekly.

Thanks... It was Hales Corners...

Corners was a late of fun. I talk to Bill P about those days a lot. It is missed.

Kelly Bires is slated to be on ESPN's "NASCAR Now" show today (Wednesday).

Kelly is to be on Trackside on SPEED here tonight. Sorry about the late post on this. Just got home from practice.

Nice, solid, safe, qualifying effort for Kelly. He will start 24th later today in the Nationwide race down in Homestead.

Hopefully he can have a top ten run today, but there are a bunch of cup guys on the list. I sure wish they could get more seperation of nationwide and cup but then Nationwide might struggle with crowds and sponsorship.

Up to 7th by lap 40.

Running in 14th after 140 laps.

Now in 12th at 170 laps. Every driver in front of him is a Cup driver.

Kelly tangled fenders on the last restart. Looks like a cut tire made him smuck the wall. A 29th place finish after a really good run. On to next year in the 88.

On a note for this year. Kelly did a great job in keeping his face and name out there on a very tough year. Great job.  We as his fans believe in him, but more important he believes in himself. It really showed this year. We all look forward to 2010.

I heard Steve Einhaus was headed up to Wimmer's to talk about an ASA Midwest tour race there next year. My guess would be a LD memorial race.

Hey Woody,

Did you hear $ is falling apart on the Kelly #88 deal? Jayski said they lost GoDaddy.com and are having a hard time getting sponsorship.

Just heard that yesterday. Disappointing to say the least when the most popular driver in NASCAR has a hard time finding sponsorship for his team. I hope Kelly can put it all behind him tonight and enjoy his Fan Club Banquet up at Chula Vista tonight. I really enjoyed it last year. Couldn't make it this year as we host our tournament tomorrow and I just got home from setting up the mats.

Sounds like Hellman's is going to sponsor some of the races but JR needs some big money to come along and I know he is sinking LOTS of effort into the Danica project they locked up with Go Daddy.

Kelley Earnhardt Elledge said that there are a few holes but they should be able to run a full season. Fully Kelly start well and then picks up regional supports.

I guess I just switched from a Miracle Whip to a Hellman's guy. ;)

No more Prego spaghetti sauce either Woody.  Its all RAGU from here on out

Big, big news! Road America has been added to the 2010 Nationwide Series calender on June 19th this next year. This is just awesome. I can not wait for this weekend. Finally a track that I am familiar with and have run on, having a NASCAR road race. This track is made for the big, heavy cars of NASCAR. The drivers are going to love this place.

THIS IS GREAT! It is good to see WI keeping a Nationwide race and even better a road race! I cannot wait to see them fly up and down the hill and grab hard on the break. Should be fun.

I heard Kelly is out testing in CA this weekend.

Yeh, I think he is back out at the GM Proving Grounds in Yuma, AZ.

Woody - Did you heard Russ Chapman from ASA pass away Jan 4th? Sad to hear. He was only 67. Talk about a guy that know racing and great at his job and funny. We will miss the blast horn in the pits.

I don't know all the guys at the circle tracks, but wasn't he the tech inspector for ASA? If I remember right he was from Wisconsin.

That is right. He was from Two Rivers. He was with NASCAR for something like 16 years.

The latest word is that Kelly won't be in the #88 for Daytona next month. Dale Jr. is going to drive the Nationwide race in the #88 and they are waiting until after the ARCA race to see if Danica will drive the #7 in the race or if Kelly or Mark Martin will be in that car.
It is all about sponsorship money. I sure hope that JR Motorsports doesn't jerk Kelly on this.

Kelly will be in the 88 the rest of the year.  It was done by junior to secure sponsorship for the rest of 2010 for Kelly.  Gonna be an awesome year.  Still a good chance Kelly could be in the #7.  All depends on Danica's performance in the Arca race.

JR Motorsports announced today that after her 6th place finish in the ARCA race that Danica will be in the #7, Go-Daddy Chevrolet for the Nationwide race this Saturday. Looks like we will have to wait to see Kelly in the #88 the following week at Fontana.

Which they could have come up with the $ to get Kelly in a car for some points but that is the way racing goes. Interesting to see Sauter in a car this weekend. I see some other WI guys have rides for the weekend too.

If you go to Kelly's Facebook site, Kelley Earnhardt explains how the sponsorship situation came about. Pretty cool to have a company executive speak directly to the fans on their concerns. The dollar drives this sport. This is the first year in the almost 20 years that I have been racing that I am sponsor-less this close to the season starting. Right now the car is sitting the way I put it away back in November. Granted, I am small scale, but the economy has hurt us all. Kelly, you are still in a great position. Make the most of it.

I only saw the replay of the crash. Looks like she could have avoided but not used to a heavy car and that much smoke. Too bad, that is a costly day.

Kelly had a rough start to the weekend. Practice and qualifying, he wasn't up to speed where he wanted to be. Started 32nd, I believe. He and the crew worked on a tight race car all day and had a 7th place finish at California. Great start to the season. Vegas next weekend.

Great race for Kelly yesterday. Hopefully this helps get more support dollars to the team!

Quote from: WISCwrestlingfan on February 16, 2010, 01:12:46 AM

Quote from: woody53 on February 14, 2010, 07:14:41 PMJamie McMurray wins the 500 today. Didn't know that he was a high school wrestler that gave up the sport to chase his dream as a race car driver. Kenseth came up from about 20th in the last few laps to finish 8th.

I was surprised to hear that as well.

I've been noticing that several former wrestlers are now NASCAR drivers. 

Similar to the often circulated list of "former wrestlers who go on to be NFL football players."

I think we need to get a list going of "former wrestlers who went on to race in NASCAR."
    * Kelly Bires
    * Jaime McMurray
    * Kevin Harvick (I learned last week that he is a former wrestler)

    * Who else can we add to the list?

I MAY HAVE TO TALK TO KELLY MY SELF,,,,I WILL TURN THIS KID IN THE RIGHT (OR LEFT) DIRECT MYSELF....

Dont go easy on him maggs.  Big week for him.  Bristol is a tough track but the 88 has run well there.

First time with the Hellman's sponsorship on the car for Kelly.

Kelly Bires is slated to be a guest on Speed's (TV channel) "NASCAR Race Hub" sometime this week.

JR Motorsports announced yesterday that Kelly will have a Wisconsin teammate for Bristol this weekend in that Sott Wimmer will be in the #7 car.

I saw that Scott was listed in the car. Good to see. Hope they can bring back State Park in Wausau but it would be nice to see Scott get one shot at a solid ride for a year to see what he could do.

Quote from: WISCwrestlingfan on March 15, 2010, 11:20:29 AM
Kelly Bires is slated to be a guest on Speed's (TV channel) "NASCAR Race Hub" sometime this week.

The Hub said he will be on tomorrow night at 6:30 our time.

Great interview. Talked about wrestling for Mauston, and that he was a two time state champ. Also compared Bristol to Slinger. True Dat.

Kelly was 9th and 10th in practice at Bristol. His teammate Scott Wimmer was 13th and 14th in the two practices.

Good day for Kelly, Scott and Paul. I think they were 10th, 11th, and 12th.

Quote from: dad 2 5 on March 21, 2010, 04:11:43 PMGood day for Kelly, Scott and Paul. I think they were 10th, 11th, and 12th.

Nice finish for the WI gang.  The track was a little loose there at the beginning for Kelly, and Kyle Busch could've passed him on the bottom, instead of spinning him.

Boris Said did a test for NASCAR up at Road America this week. Wish I would have known about it as I would have snuck in for it. Using a RFR car he was testing gear ratios fuel mileage and the like. Said was hitting 170 on the straights. WEEEEEE.......

That is crazy fast. What break is in that thing to get him through the corner? I am looking forward to them coming. I will be hanging out with the Mid AM guys that weekend at RA. Will I run into you Woody?

We plan on being up there. Don't know where we will be paddocked, but as we get closer, I will let you all know. I really want to be there on Thursday for the test session to see these guys come down into turn five for the first time. I still remember the first time I came in there hot. Thought I was going to die!

During the Nashville Nationwide race today, they are talking about Kelly nursing some banged up ribs. Anyone know what that's about?

Tough bear hug by Danica Patrick?

Quote from: woody53 on April 03, 2010, 05:09:06 PM
During the Nashville Nationwide race today, they are talking about Kelly nursing some banged up ribs. Anyone know what that's about?

I know he was golfing Thursday but that is all I know

Quote from: woody53 on April 03, 2010, 05:09:06 PMDuring the Nashville Nationwide race today, they are talking about Kelly nursing some banged up ribs. Anyone know what that's about?

Don't know either. 

My only guess would be (and just a guess)...Kelly did hit the wall pretty hard on like Lap 3 or 4 back in Las Vegas in late February, the right front tire went down (if I remember correctly), which was kind of odd for being so early in the race...maybe he banged it up then.

Bires starts 16th tonight down in Phoenix. Not a great lap, but respectable for how the track was changing.

I was hoping for a little better finish just caus' Brad averaged 3.6 at Phoenix. Another good run for Menard!

Kelly was doing pretty good, he was in 9th place with only like a dozen or so laps to go, prior to the pit road contact.

sounds like Kelly is looking for a ride. JR let him go.

Interesting. Chemistry issues. Couple sites said he was not too happy getting moved around. What I know of Kelly he is pretty level headed but will say what is on his mind. Hopefully he gets another shot.

Sorry, this really Pi$$ed me off. JR Motorsports = Title IX Racing! >:(

Tony Eury didn't want to try and develop a driver.  His radio chatter has been horrible.  Eury refuses to listen to anyone.  His way or the highway.  Maybe he should sit in the car he sets-up and try and drive it 185 MPH.  Eury needs to trust his driver feedback.  Kelly will get his shot and the 88 will be behind him.

So we are on the same page:
Danica - 35, 31, 36 first three race finishes
Kelly - X, 7, 42, 12, 14, 17
How is JR doing in the cup?
It is all about $ and family (JR nation)

Quote from: dad 2 5 on April 14, 2010, 04:04:11 PM
So we are on the same page:
Danica - 35, 31, 36 first three race finishes
Kelly - X, 7, 42, 12, 14, 17
How is JR doing in the cup?
It is all about $ and family (JR nation)

And that "42" was a blown tire on lap 3...not exactly Kelly's fault.

Quotehttp://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/90889284.html (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/90889284.html)

Bires' first interview

By Dave Kallmann of the Journal Sentinel

April 14, 2010

I know the blinders are on because he was a wrestler in Wisconsin. You don't understand why he was canned and all that crap. He is not a household name besides in the Wisconsin wrestling world. If he started off blazing as Keselowski did in the previous two years they would have kept him. In the world where sponsorship runs the show, JR had to go with McMurray and keep Danica to keep sponsors. Pretty simple, so the JR haters on here need to think rationally and separate what you want from good business decisions. I don't think Bires will ever be a great driver. If he hasn't made it to cup yet, he never will, and he will be a Nationwide or Truck Series lifer. I am a NASCAR fan and have seen alot of drivers like Bires come through and they are good drivers and great people, but to make it big in Cup you need to better than good. I do hope I have to eat my words for Bires sake.

Interesting assumptions. With Howe and company he dominated the ASA. I would not call myself a JR hater but he is riding the name as he has not proven to win much and talk about communication issue. Mark goes to Hendrick's and wins as JR can barely make the chase. I really thought this would work out well for Kelly. I hope he is able to hook on somewhere but you are right that it will be hard now. It may be worth his time to come back to ASA Midwest, win a championship and go back up that way. Another remind, only one full year in Nationwide with a second tier team if I remember right (2008).

Fan Club Update

I just wanted to write everyone a quick note. Obviously, the last week has been tough after parting ways with JRM. We are working extremely hard to move on to the next opportunity, which we feel will be a better one. The fan club is very important to me and we will need to make some changes on the package removing all JRM and #88. We are in the process of designing some cool KBR Fan Club materials and will have them out shortly. This is just a bump in the road, but having such good fans and friends will keep me going strong. I will keep everyone updated as much as I can. Again, I really appreciate the support and look forward to getting back in a car!

Kelly

I love my KBR gear. I enjoy wearing it to the track because it is not what everyone else has.

Dang, just dropped my Hellman's jar. Still have a jar of Miracle Whip in the fridge. ;)

Too funny Rich. Did you see Kelly is listed in the Braun #10 car this weekend at Richmond? I was hoping to see him at Madison for the ASA Midwest on Sunday (just kidding)

I saw that on thehotlap.com I know Braun gave him some opportunities last year. Lets hope it is for a full race.

My guess id they have to try to run the full race. I think they are 30th in points so they have to get some point to stay there which is good for Kelly.

I don't follow this too much other than the "cup", but what do you mean by run the whole race? Only time I've seen otherwise is in an injury or illness.

Quote from: howavi on April 27, 2010, 10:19:44 PMI don't follow this too much other than the "cup", but what do you mean by run the whole race? Only time I've seen otherwise is in an injury or illness.

They are referring to "start-and-parks" - which occurs more often in the Nationwide series. 

Kelly, Johnny Sauter and some of the other young drivers have had to do this from time to time - because it is the only ride available for that race.

Teams that don't have a lot of money, will start the race and park it soon after with a mysterious vehicle malfunction.  The team gets the winnings for one of the last positions in the race and the car goes in the hauler in good condition.

To combat this type of behavior, this year NASCAR has started to impound the first car for tech inspection that parks the race (if the reason for parking isn't obvious - like a crash or engine blows) - in an attempt to get the start-and-park guys to stay in the race longer (they compete to not be the first one out of the race).

Kelly will be racing the full race in the 10 car Friday night under the lights @ Richmond.  This is the same car he drove to a 5th place finish at Iowa Speedway in Newton.

GO KB!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bires needed a good finish last night and he got it. An eleventh place with only Reed Sorenson and Brandon Gaughn, finishing higher than him, that aren't Cup drivers. Enjoyed the middle of the race where Kelly was swapping positions with Jamie McMurray in his old ride. Good, clean racing it looked like. Braun is a good fit for Bires right now, and he moved them up two positions in owner points.

Kelly is not listed this week at Darlington. I am not sure what races braun was having him in the car.

I do not see Kelly listed at Dover this weekend. He really needs some seat time. Hope something works out soon or he comes back to local/regional racing.

Hopefully we will see Kelly back in a car soon. I know he is hanging around the track looking for opportunities.

Kelly stated yesterday that he will be running a late model at Madison for the All-Star Classic on June 29th. Krueger Farms is going to be his sponsor.

This year's NASCAR season has been something else...
    * Edwards vs. Keselowski.
    * Gordon vs. Johnson (teammates).
    * Kyle Busch vs. Hamlin (teammates).
    * Kyle Busch vs. Burton.
    * Harvick vs. Logano.
    * Kahne vs. Allmendinger (teammates).

Quote from: woody53 on June 09, 2010, 08:33:47 AM
Kelly stated yesterday that he will be running a late model at Madison for the All-Star Classic on June 29th. Krueger Farms is going to be his sponsor.

IT will be good to see Kelly back in a late model. If I remember right the last time he ran this event he won it.

He won it in 2006 when he was chasing the ASA title. He held off Kenseth, who ran second. I can't remeber but in 2007 or 2008, he had handling issues and never was a factor.

Headed out to the track now. Hope to spend some time with Kelly and the Wimmer's as they get State Park going again. Hope to see a big crowd this evening!

Finally Kelly is back in a Nationwide car for this weekend. He will drive the Baker/Curb Racing, #27 Ford, at Gateway, by St. Louis. Lets see if the old mojo can work again because I am back in a car for the first time also this season at Blackhawk this weekend.

How did things go on the border for you?

HOT, HOT, HOT!
Won my class on Sunday. Which to be honest, was because of attrition more than anything. Saw some really stupid things when the heat got to some guys and they lost focus. Two Red Flags but no one injured. I came home two pounds lighter than I weighed in for at BSG a couple weeks ago, and I sucked down a ton of fluids all weekend.
Had the exhaust collector from the header to the pipe lose a bolt during qualifying. Sounded bad, and when I got in, the temp on the floor was 142. Thats just from a four cylinder exhaust! All in all, a great weekend.
I had an excellent student on Saturday with a Porsche 911 Carrera. That was cool!

Cheers man...  "80% of life is showin' up!"...

Quote from: woody53 on July 19, 2010, 05:43:38 PM
HOT, HOT, HOT!
Won my class on Sunday. Which to be honest, was because of attrition more than anything. Saw some really stupid things when the heat got to some guys and they lost focus. Two Red Flags but no one injured. I came home two pounds lighter than I weighed in for at BSG a couple weeks ago, and I sucked down a ton of fluids all weekend.
Had the exhaust collector from the header to the pipe lose a bolt during qualifying. Sounded bad, and when I got in, the temp on the floor was 142. Thats just from a four cylinder exhaust! All in all, a great weekend.
I had an excellent student on Saturday with a Porsche 911 Carrera. That was cool!

Sounds like a great weekend. GOOD JOB!

Kelly's ASA crew chief is very ill and we need to pray for Howie and his family.

Quote from: dad 2 5 on August 18, 2010, 06:02:16 PM
Kelly's ASA crew chief is very ill and we need to pray for Howie and his family.

Yes! A great crew chief and a patient man who has developed many drivers. Prayers being said each day for them.

Sorry to announce that Howie Lettow passed away today. It is a very sad day for Wisconsin racing community to lose sure a good man. Pray for the family and friends. He had a major impact on Midwest racing. As good as he was he always seemed to have time for a question or just to talk. The championship did not change him.

Big loss for the racing families in Wisconsin and the upper Midwest. Prayers to the family.

There was a large gathering include many of Howie's drivers. Sounds like Dan Thiel needs our prayers now too as he is down with cancer.

Bires to drive #25 at Richmond: Kelly Bires will drive the #25 Raybestos Brakes Ford for Team Rensi Motorsports in the Sept. 10 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway. Bires has made seven starts this season and claimed one top-10 finish. He has racked up 12 top-10 finishes in 75 career starts. Team Rensi Motorsports has earned five wins, 42 top-five and 98 top-10 finishes since its inception in 1999. The image of a 1932 Ford hot rod roadster pickup will be displayed on the car's rear quarter panels. The Raybestos Roadster Pickup will be given away to a professional mechanic or do-it yourself Raybestos customer as part of a national promotion.(Raybestos PR)(9-3-2010)

In the two practice sessions today at Richmond, Bires, in his first time in the new COT Nationwide car for Rensi Motorsports, was 13th and 15th quick. Not bad! A lot of big names slower than Kelly.

Bires jumps in the #09, RAB Racing, Ford this weekend at Dover. Kelly seems to run well at the concrete tracks.

I see Kelly has a ride for this weekend at Charlotte.

Looks like Kelly Qualified 23rd or 25th today

23rd, and he picked up almost 3.5 mph over his best practice times the last two days. Lets hope it will be a good night and bring home a top 15 finish.

Have you heard if anything is coming together for 2011 for Kelly? It may be a good move for him to come back to the Midwest and run (won) the Midwest Tour. They are looking at those guys closely. Maybe he could get the Swiss Colony team.

I do think that he might have something going with Team Rensi. He ran afew races with them this year in the new car and he has had a few meetings in Chicago this fall, where Rensi is originally from. Lets hope.

It would be a good Christmas gift for Kelly and family to sign the contract (not that they mean anything JR!)

Any word on 2011 season?

Quote from: dad 2 5 on January 18, 2011, 03:52:07 PM
Any word on 2011 season?

All I know is that he is still somewhat tied to Rensi. Lepage will be in the #24 at Daytona, and I know Kelly is down there. Nothing released yet on Kelly's schedule in the #25.

Still haven't seen a schedule for Kelly but he was on the track in the #25 Ford Mustang yesterday at Daytona. At least his name was on the car. :-\

Kelly stated that they are in Daytona to qualify for the race, but don't have enough funding to run the entire race.

Just locked himself into the field in qualifying. Will start 32nd.

Was it a start and park? I think I saw him back in the field.

Yup! Both Rensi Motorsports entries were start and parks at Daytona.

hopefully they turn him lose soon (to run a full race, I mean)!

Great interview with Kelly at nascarnews.com
www.thenascarnews.com/2011/03/31/in-the-drivers-seat-with-kelly-bires/

WOW! Bires will be behind the wheel of the #18, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota, at Richmond and Chicagoland Speedway. Awesome opportunity for Kelly. This is the car normally driven by Kyle Busch in the Nationwide Series. ICP (International Compfort Products) will be on board as the sponsor. They have teamed up with Kelly in the past.

Guess I should have put the dates in. Richmond is April 29th and Chicago is June 4th.

Bires was 5th fastest in first practice today at Richmond.

Kelly will start 8th tonight at Richmond. Picked up a little on his qualifying speed from practice. Looked like a conservative line for qualifying. Should be able to have a top 5 tonight. For sure a top ten if he doesn't have problems.

Bad night. Not what he needed. Running in about 10th place for half the race. Then contact with Jason Lefler sent him into the wall. 30th place finish.

Pretty tough to be out of the car so long and then jump in. Sure would be good to see Kelly get a good ride that he could be in for a while. He needs a break...

Kelly is in the 04, Go Green Racing, Ford, this weekend in Charlotte. Pretty sure it is a Start and Park. Good thing is, after practice, he was fourth quick of the 15, go or go home cars. 28th overall. Should be able to qualify. Keeping his face out there is what he has to do. Time to load up the truck and head to the track myself.
Everyone have a great and safe weekend!

Back in the #18, JGR, Heil Heating, Toyota, this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. He was 12th and 15th in the two practice sessions on Friday. He stated that they couldn't get both ends of the track to feel the same. A top five should be in the cards if he can stay out of trouble.

I had hoped to go down but will have to settle for watching it this evening. Hope Kelly has a good run

Quote from: dad 2 5 on June 04, 2011, 10:29:19 AM
I had hoped to go down but will have to settle for watching it this evening. Hope Kelly has a good run

That is my plan also. Really wanted to go down there. I have been spending all off my (very small) expendable income on my racing. I will  be watching tonight. Dad 2 5, we need to catch up at a track some time.

A nice 8th place run tonight for Kelly. Not a factor for the win but a top ten, none the less.

Quote from: woody53 on June 04, 2011, 01:14:02 PM

Quote from: dad 2 5 on June 04, 2011, 10:29:19 AM
I had hoped to go down but will have to settle for watching it this evening. Hope Kelly has a good run

Dad 2 5, we need to catch up at a track some time.

Yes we do!
Hopefully Kelly caught someones eye with the top ten finish.

Racing Sunday at Slinger Nationals

I was really hoping Kelly was going to get a ride for today but I do not see him on the list. Too bad. He needs to be getting laps.

He is actually playing in a Charity Golf Tournament this weekend down in North Carolina.

Bires will be in the #04, Go Green Racing, Ford this weekend at Dover.

Good qualifying by Kelly today at Dover. He was 38th quick in practice yesterday and qualified 26th this morning. I believe it is a start and park, but really showed how he could hang it out for a two lap run.

Scott has had a few start and parks this year in the Nationwide Series. He also has been doing some testing for a couple of teams. Scott is not done yet. Still able to do it on the track. Looking for the right opportunity like many of the drivers right now. The Wimmer Family is still one of the biggest supporters of short track racing in Wisconsin.

Quote from: Handles on October 13, 2011, 06:13:21 PM
I'm not a race fan, but wondering what ever happened to scott wimmer? I heard he had an OWI, is he done in nascar?

As Woody said, Scott is running some Nationwide.
The are trying to put together a deal for next year.
His family owner and operate State Park in Wausua, WI (sp).
Scott has help some testing too and helped Chris finish 5th in points of the ASA Midwest Tour Series. (Had a shot at 4th but even Dick Trickle could not help them find speed, Dad Wimmer and Trickle and I talked for 20 minutes about the front end not turning with the new third bar system they put on)

Anything in the works for Kelly for next year or is his driving day over? Too bad, I really thought he had it and was on his way to Cup.

I know Kelly has been working on a couple of opportunities for next year. The face of the sport keeps changing all the time. Really think he will be able to pull it together. Fingers crossed.

keep me posted.

Quote from: woody53 on November 08, 2011, 11:32:56 AMThe face of the sport keeps changing all the time.

This is a brutal time to find a NASCAR ride: Roush and RCR both dropping a team, Red Bull selling/leaving the sport, and tons of quality drivers looking for rides.  Heck, even former Champion and Chase driver Matt Kenseth is having trouble finding a replacement sponsor for his car next season.

Kelly will be in the #39, Go Green Racing, Ford, sponsored by Fentonmotors.com, at Texas Motor Speedway, for the O'Reilly 300 in the Nationwide Series.

Hope it goes well for Kelly this weekend. Does he have a ride for the Mile when the Midwest Tour comes to town?

Really good qualifying run for Bires. Will start 31st tonight. I also would really like to see him run Milwaukee. I know he is working hard on the sponsorship for it.

Nice, solid night for Kelly. Ran well, for his first time on the track this year, and a 22nd place finish.

Kelly gets a shot at the Cup series this weekend at New Hampshire. He will be in the #79, Go Green Racing, Bestway Disposal, Ford. Bires needs to make it in on time.

He did it! Kelly made it in on time for his first Cup start.

Great to hear. Hope he is not just a start n park!

Heard Kelly has a ride for this weekend at Bristol. Hope I heard that right

Yes, Kelly is back in the #79 that he ran at new Hampshire. Has to make it in on time again. Bires has ran real well at Bristol in the past.

First practice at Bristol today and Bires is second quick. Only four one thousands of a second behind Carl Edwards.

Good for Kelly making the Cup race this weekend! 

You beat me to it Todd. Glad to see other wrestlers in the State keeping track of Kelly. Bires has always qualified well at Loudon.

Quote from: woody53 on September 22, 2012, 06:08:07 AM
You beat me to it Todd. Glad to see other wrestlers in the State keeping track of Kelly. Bires has always qualified well at Loudon.

Too bad it's a yawner of a race.  My bros team entered 2 cars this weekend, one was in the top 35 and the 10 car was being qualified for Patrick I think.

Kelly has two chances this weekend as he will try to qualify the #79, Go Greening Racing Ford, in the Cup Series, at Dover, and he will also get to qualify the #15, Rick Ware Racing Chevy, in the Nationwide Series. Busy weekend, but I bet he is loving it.

Locked in with a good qualifying for the Nationwide race. Over a second faster than he practiced, on the one mile track. Will start 28th.

Cup Series not as good. Didn't make the race.

I see that Kelly is working with Ross Kenseth this season. I wonder if they will move up once Ross graduates in a couple of years. Not sure where they are all planning on running. I know the Mile is on the schedule and I think I saw Slinger Nationals. Wonder if they will build a car for Kelly will get behind the wheel again, at  least for testing?

Sounds like Kelly will be at MIS this weekend with Ross as they go after the Joe Shear Classic win.

Quote from: dad 2 5 on May 03, 2013, 11:13:15 AM
Sounds like Kelly will be at MIS this weekend with Ross as they go after the Joe Shear Classic win.

Thanks Dad, hope to be there.

I have run into Kelly a few times this season as he works with Ross. Seems like he is enjoying working with him. They have had some good runs and a few they would like to forget, but that is racing. I would think Ross will be at LaX for Fest but not sure yet. They raced up in Canada last weekend. I think they are getting ready to move up again next year. Maybe with Kenny S and the ARCA team (not confirmed but a strong rumor)

Got to ask if anyone has been in contact with Kelly lately? Really miss hearing how he is doing.

Hello Rich,

I talked to him several times this summer as he is working with Ross Kenseth. They are down south still working together and will be shopped out of MI this summer with a few stops in WI.

Taken from the Ross Kenseth web page...
As Kenseth prepares for his move from North Carolina to Jenison, Michigan, he will take some time away from his schooling at Clemson University to focus on the new race team. "We've got good equipment, a solid team and I'm really looking forward to working with Kelly (Bires) on a full-time basis." Kenseth continued. "I can't wait for the season to start. We're going to hopefully make our presence known at all of the big shows in the country." He added.

Kenseth and Bires have teamed up off and on since the 2012 season as Bires a former competitor in the NASCAR Nationwide Series from 2007-2012 who also has three starts in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2012 to his credit, has adapted well to the role of Crew Chief in recent seasons. Both Kenseth and Bires are from the state of Wisconsin and Bires, who's originally from Mauston,  Wisconsin, feels that's vitally important as they teams moves forward.

"We have a great relationship and a lot in common with both of us being from the same state and I can relate to a lot of what Ross (Kenseth) is going through as a driver who is up and coming in the industry as far as providing guidance as he continues on with his career," The 29-year-old, who was the 2006 champion in what was the ASA Late Model Challenge Series while driving for famed crew chief, the late Howie Lettow. "I was his age when I was racing for Howie and I can relay some of what I learned during that time and help make Ross even better than he already is."  Bires added.

From what I understand, Kelly will be in Milwaukee next weekend with Ross for ARCAfest at the Mile.

Kelly will be at Slinger working on the Ross K machine on Tuesday.

I was up at Road America this past weekend for the VSCDA Fall Classic for Vintage Racing. Saw a #47, Blue and White, Clorax sponsored Ford Fusion. Got up closer and sure enough, it was one of Kelly's old Nationwide cars being run in the Vintage?Historic Stock Car Class. Wish I could post pictures here. Pretty cool to see. The crew of the car was interested in learning more about Bires. Fun time.