WebProNews » Nascar http://www.webpronews.com Breaking News in Tech, Search, Social, & Business Thu, 23 May 2013 18:33:55 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 NASCAR’s Dick Trickle Dies Of Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound http://www.webpronews.com/nascars-dick-trickle-dies-of-self-inflicted-gunshot-wound-2013-05 http://www.webpronews.com/nascars-dick-trickle-dies-of-self-inflicted-gunshot-wound-2013-05#comments Thu, 16 May 2013 20:57:01 +0000 Chris Richardson http://www.webpronews.com/?p=230496 It is being reported that NASCAR legend Dick Trickle has died due to wounds suffered by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The news comes from Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department in North Carolina, which is where the former racer resided. Darkening the tone even further, it appears as if Trickle called the emergency responders before turning his gun on himself. WBTV in Charlotte, North Carolina reveals:

The incident occurred at 12:02 p.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery on Highway 150 East in Boger City. The Lincoln County Communications Center received a call apparently from the victim that “there would be a dead body and it would be his.”

Attempts to return the call went unheeded. The following commercial is, more than likely, how most were introduced to the driver with the unique:

Trickle was 71 years old.

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/nascars-dick-trickle-dies-of-self-inflicted-gunshot-wound-2013-05/feed 3 Danica Patrick Divorce Finalized After 5 Months http://www.webpronews.com/danica-patrick-divorce-finalized-after-5-months-2013-04 http://www.webpronews.com/danica-patrick-divorce-finalized-after-5-months-2013-04#comments Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:24:32 +0000 Amanda Crum http://www.webpronews.com/?p=226889 Danica Patrick’s divorce from Paul Hospenthal is now finalized, after the couple mutually agreed to dissolve the relationship late last year. The petition was filed in January.

Patrick announced the divorce last year on Facebook, writing, “I am sad to inform my fans that after 7 years, Paul and I have decided to amicably end our marriage. This isn’t easy for either of us, but mutually it has come to this. He has been an important person and friend in my life and that’s how we will remain moving forward.”

Patrick is now in a relationship with fellow NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and became the first woman to win the Sprint Cup Pole in February.

“I feel like I’ve just reached a point where I’ve stopped overthinking things and stopped trying to be scared of what might happen on the other side,” she said. “You’re just living your life, and that’s that.”

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/danica-patrick-divorce-finalized-after-5-months-2013-04/feed 0 Petition to Force Congress to Wear NASCAR-Style Suits with Corporate Logos Gains Steam http://www.webpronews.com/petition-to-force-congress-to-wear-nascar-style-suits-with-corporate-logos-nears-signature-threshold-2013-03 http://www.webpronews.com/petition-to-force-congress-to-wear-nascar-style-suits-with-corporate-logos-nears-signature-threshold-2013-03#comments Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:20:54 +0000 Josh Wolford http://www.webpronews.com/?p=222302 Ever since the White House changed the rules on their We The People petition site, forcing petitions to reach the 100,000-signature threshold before warranting an official response, “successful” petitions have been a lot more scarce. Only a handful of petitions have crossed the barrier, the most recent being two important tech petitions – this one asking the White House to legalize cellphone unlocking and this one attacking CISPA.

Today another one nears that 100,000-signature mark, and it’s a little bit funnier than the aforementioned petitions – but no less important, really.

With nearly 80,000 signatures and over three weeks to grab the remaining 20,000 over 20,000 signatures and three weeks to grab the remaining 75,000+, it looks like the petition titled “Require Congressmen & Senators to wear logos of their financial backers on their clothing, much like NASCAR drivers do” may receive an official response from the Obama administration.

Here’s what the petition’s creator, J.S. of St. Louis, Missouri, has to say:

Since most politicians’ campaigns are largely funded by wealthy companies and individuals, it would give voters a better sense of who the candidate they are voting for is actually representing if the company’s logo, or individual’s name, was prominently displayed upon the candidate’s clothing at all public appearances and campaign events. Once elected, the candidate would be required to continue to wear those “sponsor’s” names during all official duties and visits to constituents. The size of a logo or name would vary with the size of a donation. For example, a $1 million dollar contribution would warrant a patch of about 4″ by 8″ on the chest, while a free meal from a lobbyist would be represented by a quarter-sized button. Individual donations under $1000 are exempt.

Sure, we’ve been hearing this joke for years – the ol’ sponsorship suit for Senators. But who out there (other than the Congresspeople and their contributors) would say that this isn’t a great idea.

Completely unrealistic or not, I hope the petition succeeds just so I can see an official response.

[BoingBoing, photo via mtsofan, Flickr]

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/petition-to-force-congress-to-wear-nascar-style-suits-with-corporate-logos-nears-signature-threshold-2013-03/feed 2 Jeff Gordon Prank Ad Isn’t Real, But it is Fun http://www.webpronews.com/jeff-gordon-prank-ad-isnt-real-but-it-is-fun-2013-03 http://www.webpronews.com/jeff-gordon-prank-ad-isnt-real-but-it-is-fun-2013-03#comments Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:43:36 +0000 Sean Patterson http://www.webpronews.com/?p=220814 This week, Pepsi released an ad designed for viral marketing online. It features Nascar driver Jeff Gordon dressing up with a fake beard and moustache, which is ridiculous enough on its own. He then proceeds to supposedly prank a used car salesman by taking a car for a very intense test drive while recording the man’s reactions using a camera hidden in a Pepsi can.

Of course, the entire thing has been staged. Pepsi hasn’t come out and said so, but the used car salesman’s dialogue is cringeworthy. Saying the name Mike over and over to reinforce the notion he doesn’t suspect the driver is Gordon is particularly bad. Also, shots from some sort of dashboard camera can be seen during the video, and the fine print “CLOSED COURSE. PROFESSIONAL DRIVER. DO NOT ATTEMPT.” is a pretty big give away.

Still, it’s a fun ad, and imagining that scenario in real life is even more fun. Except for the shouting and screaming that would no doubt take place.

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/jeff-gordon-prank-ad-isnt-real-but-it-is-fun-2013-03/feed 5 Danica Patrick Hit By Rock At Dirt Track http://www.webpronews.com/danica-patrick-hit-by-rock-at-dirt-track-2013-03 http://www.webpronews.com/danica-patrick-hit-by-rock-at-dirt-track-2013-03#comments Fri, 08 Mar 2013 20:52:29 +0000 Zach Walton http://www.webpronews.com/?p=220354 ]]> Danica Patrick was hit by a rock on Thursday, but it wasn’t because somebody had any ill will towards the NASCAR driver. She just simply happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The AP is reporting that Patrick, while racing on a dirt track, was hit in the head by a stray rock. She reported feeling like she had a concussion, but on site medical teams released her with a clean bill of health.

The run in with a stray rock must have felt like nothing in comparison to her harrowing wreck last weekend in Phoenix. Patrick had about 100 laps to go in the race when she slammed into a wall. Fortunately, the wreck only left her with a stiff neck.

Patrick will be participating in Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

[image: Commonist/Wikimedia Commons]

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/danica-patrick-hit-by-rock-at-dirt-track-2013-03/feed 0 Danica Patrick: Divorce Is “Amicable” http://www.webpronews.com/danica-patrick-divorce-is-amicable-2012-11 http://www.webpronews.com/danica-patrick-divorce-is-amicable-2012-11#comments Wed, 21 Nov 2012 13:50:59 +0000 Amanda Crum http://www.webpronews.com/?p=203669 NASCAR driver Danica Patrick has announced on her Facebook page that she is splitting from her husband of seven years, Paul Hospenthal, and that the divorce was a mutual, amicable decision.

The 30-year old met Hospenthal–who is 17 years her senior–when he treated her for a non-race related injury. The couple has been married for seven years.

“I am sad to inform my fans that after seven years, Paul and I have decided amicably end our marriage,” she said. “This isn’t easy for either of us, but mutually it has come to this. He has been an important person and friend in my life and that’s how we will remain moving forward.”

The news of Patrick’s divorce is making the rounds on Twitter today, with a lot of fanboys expressing happiness that now they finally have a shot…

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/danica-patrick-divorce-is-amicable-2012-11/feed 7 Jeff Gordon Fight Draws Cheers From Crowd http://www.webpronews.com/jeff-gordon-fight-draws-cheers-from-crowd-2012-11 http://www.webpronews.com/jeff-gordon-fight-draws-cheers-from-crowd-2012-11#comments Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:11:43 +0000 Amanda Crum http://www.webpronews.com/?p=202122 A whole lot of testosterone plus a disagreement on the track made for a tense situation on Sunday during the AdvoCare 500, when Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer got into a vehicular shoving-match before a physical fight broke out.

It started when Bowyer scraped Gordon’s car during a lap; Gordon retaliated by pushing Bowyer into the wall, causing a crash that could have been a whole lot worse. As soon as Gordon got out of his car and took his helmet off, a member of Bowyer’s crew ran up to him and all hell broke loose; cameras recorded everything, but it’s difficult to tell what’s happening in the scuffle. It took a while to break up, with several men involved, but as soon as Bowyer got his car taken care of he jumped out and sprinted around the track to find Gordon, yelling something unintelligible before being held back and pulled away.

No word yet from either camp about what happened, but fans weren’t too upset…the fight drew cheers as soon as the audience knew what was going on.

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/jeff-gordon-fight-draws-cheers-from-crowd-2012-11/feed 140 Danica Patrick Crash Leads To GoDaddy Jokes http://www.webpronews.com/danica-patrick-crash-leads-to-godaddy-jokes-2012-10 http://www.webpronews.com/danica-patrick-crash-leads-to-godaddy-jokes-2012-10#comments Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:13:21 +0000 Chris Crum http://www.webpronews.com/?p=198698 GoDaddy girl Danica Patrick had another crash on Sunday, forcing her to leave the Sprint Cup Series race, taking place in Kansas. This time, however, she apparently brought it upon herself in retaliation to actions by another driver, Landon Cassill.

Some are saying she “let her temper get the best of her.”

Here, you can see exactly how it happened:

Patrick defended herself after she left the race. The LA Times shares comments she made upon exiting her vehicle:

“I have just been really frustrated with the No. 83. He slammed into me on the front straight for no other reason than his radio communication, ‘She was in the way.’ I’ve always played fair. If it’s one time, I can imagine frustration. But it’s been pretty consistent with him getting in to me. So at some point in time, I have to stand up for myself, or everybody’s going to do it.”

“My situation with Cassill is really a product of frustration. He got into me on the front straight and said I was just in the way. That’s really no good reason to hit me. The bummer about it is that my car is out, and he’s still out there going, so I’ve got to work on how to do that.”

She’s been taking a lot of criticism for the move, and naturally, the commentary has been pouring onto Twitter. Some have been making jokes at sponsor GoDaddy’s expense. For example:

If you follow GoDaddy at all, however, you know that the company is pretty used to jokes and controversy.

The whole things comes on the heels of reports that GoDaddy was considering dropping Patrick after her contract expired, but the company has reportedly indicated that she is still part of its long-term plans.

Patrick was reportedly in 16th pace in the race until the crash went down.

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/danica-patrick-crash-leads-to-godaddy-jokes-2012-10/feed 46 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Takes Points Lead: It’s Not A Dream http://www.webpronews.com/dale-earnhardt-jr-takes-points-lead-its-not-a-dream-2012-07 http://www.webpronews.com/dale-earnhardt-jr-takes-points-lead-its-not-a-dream-2012-07#comments Mon, 30 Jul 2012 19:09:08 +0000 Amanda Crum http://www.webpronews.com/?p=184554 Dale Earnhardt Jr. hasn’t held the points lead in a major race in about eight years, a fact that hasn’t escaped the attention of his fans (affectionately dubbed “Junior Nation”) now that he’s taken the lead after placing fourth in the Brickyard 400 on Sunday, moving him 14 points ahead of Matt Kenseth. In fact, his fans are ecstatic, because that 2004 victory was short-lived after he was stripped of enough points to lose the lead when he let an expletive slip out during a post-race interview on camera.

But Earnhardt isn’t letting the good news go to his head; he’s got bigger fish to fry. Namely, finishing as high as he can in the next few races in order to get to the big payoff and, ultimately, the title.

“You run in the top five or top 10 enough you’ll get enough points,” said Earnhardt. “We’d like to win some races. I know our fans would like us to win some more races, too.”

Junior is having a great season all-around this year, carrying a career-record high of nine top-5 spots. It would appear it’s all downhill from here, and his run of good luck has Junior Nation asking themselves if they’re caught in a dream. But the all-American favorite does have some stiff competition this season, and his fans know he’s worked hard to get where he is. If Twitter is any indication, it looks like he won’t have any shortage of people cheering him on over the next several weeks.

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/dale-earnhardt-jr-takes-points-lead-its-not-a-dream-2012-07/feed 0 NASCAR Corpse: Woman Just Wanted Someone to Hang Out With http://www.webpronews.com/nascar-corpse-woman-just-wanted-someone-to-hang-out-with-2012-07 http://www.webpronews.com/nascar-corpse-woman-just-wanted-someone-to-hang-out-with-2012-07#comments Sat, 14 Jul 2012 08:31:26 +0000 WebProNews Staff http://www.webpronews.com/?p=181546 NASCAR corpse: The next time your partner dies and you’re left with no one to watch the races with, it’s still probably a good idea to tell someone about the body. Otherwise, they’re just going to think you’re a macabre weirdo who doesn’t have a lot of friends or family to speak of. And while I’m definitely not passing judgment on the poor Michigan woman who left her deceased partner in his chair for 18 months, reporting dead bodies is just a good rule of thumb to live by.

72 year-old Linda Chase kept Charles Zigler’s body in her house so she wouldn’t be lonely, according to the Associated Press. In order to maintain some level of normalcy, Chase would clean and dress Zigler’s corpse on a regular basis. When it came time to watch NASCAR, Chase would sit in her living room and converse with the dead guy about the events transpiring on the television. Usually this sort of story amuses me, though, to be perfectly honest, this one is actually kind of depressing. I really feel bad for the woman.

Authorities believe Charles died sometime in December of 2010, with the cause of death likely natural. Although Chase won’t be charged for keeping a dead body in her home, she is currently being investigated for financial fraud since she cashed Zigler’s benefit checks following his death. That, apparently, is a no-no.

Police were alerted to the issue when Zigler’s son couldn’t reach his father. Whenever he tried to stop by the house, Chase would refuse to let him inside. “That wasn’t right to leave him lay like that,” the man’s son explained.

Chase, meanwhile, claims that she didn’t mean any harm. “It’s not that I’m heartless. I didn’t want to be alone. He was the only guy who was ever nice to me,” she said. “I’m probably going to prison. “I told them the truth. I didn’t lie about that.”

]]> http://www.webpronews.com/nascar-corpse-woman-just-wanted-someone-to-hang-out-with-2012-07/feed 56