Hey everyone,

Not much news during the past week, so I wanted to wish you all a happy new year and let you know that I will be in Daytona on Sunday Jan. 9th for all the coverage of the Roar Before the 24. Steer clear the drunk drivers tonight and I’ll see you in 2011!

C0lumbus

Michael Valiante, who has driven for MSR in the past, will once again drive for the Ohio-based team . On re-joining MSR, Valiante said, “I’m really looking forward to the 24, it’s just such a big race and every time you get to race for Michael Shank Racing, you know you are going to have a good car underneath you with a great crew backing it up” said Valiante. “It is a very good environment in the team, and I think having Marc as part of this effort is going to make us that much stronger.

There are so many variables in a race like this, but to know that you are part of a line up like this gives you a lot of confidence for the race. I’m looking forward to getting off to a good start at the test days and just keeping ourselves out of trouble and in contention for Sunday afternoon in the 24.”

MSR also has added the experience of driver Marc Goosens, who is a veteran of the 24 hours of Le Mans and has a few NASCAR starts under his belt as well. On the teams chances of performing at Daytona, Goosens said, “With a line up as we have, I think we can be serious contenders. All of us know the race, the cars and the series and all of us have a lot of endurance experience. And what is most important, none of us are too busy with our egos but are all team players. Michael Shank Racing really doesn’t need any introduction–the team has been around and know this event as well as anyone. Also they have been preparing and testing extensively”.
You can check out MSR and all the other teams at this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona on January 29-30,2011 in Daytona Beach, FL.

Tony Kanaan will drive for De Ferran Dragon Racing in 2011. Wow….I know whenever I was at any IndyCar events this year, I saw a ton of 7-11 Green “Kanaan” shirts. Cost cutting move for Andretti, but a great move for De Ferran. Tony is a class act and a fan favorite.

Nascar.com remembers Jim Hunter, one the all-time greats in NASCAR.

Grand-Am.com releases it’s top 10 moments of 2010.

SunTrust Racing’s Ricky Taylor is in Italy going thorugh vigourous mental and physical testing at Formula Medicine in preperations for the 2011 season. What ever happened to chasing a chicken?

Bill Elliott will take his talents to Spartanburg, SC and drive the first 5 races in 2011 for James Finch’s Phoenix Racing.

It’s Christmas week, so these might be few and far between the next few days.

But the past is the past, and today Chip Ganassi Racing announced plans to expanded its team by picking up IZOD IndyCar star Graham Rahal and Firestone Indy Lights driver Charlie Kimball for 2011.

“It is an exciting day for our team and an exciting time for IndyCar racing,” said Ganassi, referring to the signings.

You ain’t kidding boss. We all know the potential that New Albany, Ohio native Graham Rahal brings to the table, and finally the IndyCar community will be able to see Rahal driving in top-tier equipment.

Rahal was ecstatic, saying, “This is — other than winning the Indy 500 or a championship — the best day a driver could have.”

Rahal also commented on his twitter page saying, “Thanks for all the great support! Absolutely proud as can be to join Chip Ganassi Racing and have Service Central on board. Can’t wait to make all my fans proud next season!”

Rahal will be paired up with sponsor Service Central to form the No. 38 Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing entry in 2011.

Not to be overlooked is the signing of Charlie Kimball, who had four 2nd place finishes in 2010 and has a bright future in the IZOD IndyCar series.Kimball will drive the No. 83 Nova Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing in 2011.

Ganassi reloads, how will Penske respond? Does Graham Rahal win a race in 2011? Will Charlie Kimball outperform his much heralded teammate? tweet me up @speedwayinsider

It’s that time again, the Rolex 24 is less than 45 days away and a lot of teams are announcing their entries in this year’s Rolex 24. Hurley Haywood is coming out of retirement to work with the Brumos boys in a brand-new Porcsche 911. Plenty of news to come. Keep it locked.

For now…..

Kasey Kahne will drive the #4 Red Bull in 2010. Wonder what the over/under is in Vegas on Kahne quitting on Red Bull mid-season? I’m guessing Pocono in June.Get your tickets here.

A slew of teams announced their most or all of their Rolex 24 driver lineup. Michael Shank Racing, Team Sahlen, Racer’s Edge, Spirit of Daytona, Turner Motorsports and finally, Bennett Racing.

Oliver Gavin will suit up for Banner Racing at the Rolex 24.

Santa visits the Indycar shop Dreyer and Reinbold Racing, which surprisingly fits a lot of people.

Panter Racing Sign JR Hildebrand for 2011.

Want to help a driver reach her goal of driving in Cup? Check out Sloan Henderson’s website. Sloan recently won the Wendell Scott award and has a bright future in racing.

TWEET OF THE DAY!

keselowski

I don’t think Michigan can be much colder than it is here in N.C.

Nascar Driver Landon Cassill offers up a challenge. Any takers?

Michael Shank Racing gets his crown in 2011, re-upping with Crown Royal XR brand for the entire Grand-Am season.

Stevenson Motorsports announces its team plans for 2011.

IndyCar star Ryan Hunter-Reay offers us his take on the 2010 season.

Rowdy.com takes a look at the biggest surprises from the 2010 Sprint Cup Series.

Cadillac will return to racing in the SCCA World Challenge. Rolling up in Caddy takes on a whole new meaning in 2011.

Nelson Piquet Jr. joins KHI in 2011, will race Trucks full-time.

TWEET OF THE DAY!

from  @landoncassill

Dear crazy hippie douche Prius driver: saving trees is cool, but I’d appreciate it if you saved some lives by driving a little safer on i77.

With 47 days remaining until the Rolex 24 hours at Daytona commences, Krohn Racing has announced it’s driver lineup for the 2011 endurance race at the Florida beach town. Team owner Tracy Krohn will be re-joined by his long-time teammate Nic Jonsson, alongside former F1 driver Ricardo Zonta and newcomer Nicolas Manissian.

Manissian is a Peugeot factory driver who has expierience in European endurance racing as well as seat time as an F1 test driver. Krohn was delighted to announce to the lineup, adding:

“We have an even stronger line-up than we have had in the past. There is a wealth of knowledge of the car. We tried to pick a driver group that had no egos involved. We all just want to go win the thing.”

Krohn Racing will look to finish again in the top 5 in next month’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.

All you need to know is that SpeedwayInsider.com is in fact a .com and not a blog anymore. Now you know…