NASCAR Talk

Let’s take a look at the latest news from around the world of NASCAR including a new logo, addressing some rumors that have been floating around the internet and NASCAR broadcasts, and the latest personnel changes throughout the circuit on all levels.

Nationwide Series Logo Revealed

In a special news conference, NASCAR and new Grand National Series partner Nationwide Insurance Company showed off the logo for the newly named series. Sticking with the traditional blue color for the series, the new logo incorporates both the NASCAR design as well as the Nationwide Insurance logo. The current sponsor of the series, Anheuser-Busch, will end its 26 year partnership with the Grand National series at the end of the 2007 season. Nationwide takes over as the title sponsor beginning in 2008.

To get even more NASCAR news, keep reading after the jump.

NASCAR, NASCAR news, NASCAR rumors

Robert Yates Racing Not Bought By Red Bull

It seems like every time I turn around, there is some new rumor as to who is buying out Robert Yates Racing or who they are merging with. The latest rumors, brought up this weekend during SPEED TV’s weekend race coverage, was that Red Bull was planning to buy out Robert Yates Racing to bring their car total up to 4. However, that rumor didn’t make much sense since the Yates cars are Fords and Red Bull has just inked a deal to run Chevrolets next season, leaving Toyota behind. Sure enough, it was just another rumor to add to the growing list. It turns out that Robert Yates actually contacted Red Bull to see if they wanted to buy his current shop building, as he is looking to relocate closer to Rousch-Fenway shops to make the sharing of information and equipment easier. Red Bull was not interested in buying the shop.

Rusty Wallace Secure at ESPN

Yet another rumor circling through the media was that Rusty Wallace was going to be replaced in his broadcasting job at ESPN for the 2008 season. These rumors started when Dale Jarrett announced his retirement and desire to become a broadcaster. However, the rumors are not true and the powers that be at ESPN confirm that Rusty Wallace is their man and that he has a long term contract with the netword.

Steve Hmiel Out at DEI

Steve Hmiel has been a stalwart at DEI for the past 9 years in various different positions including Director of Racing Operations, Interim Crew Chief, and Spotter among other duties. Effective immediately, Hmiel and DEI have parted ways. His duties will be taken over by current employees while a replacement is found. There is no word on the cause of the departure or what is next for Steve.