NASCAR

JCSU Graduation Honors Andrew Young, Mayor Foxx

David Boraks — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:34:15 +0000

College graduation season continued in the Charlotte area Sunday morning, with commencement ceremonies at Johnson C. Smith University and Davidson College. Ambassador and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young was the guest speaker at J.C. Smith’s 141st graduation, which began at 8am at the university’s Irwin Belk Complex. The university presented honorary degrees to Young and Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx.

Report Says Bobcats Begin Process To Become Hornets

David Boraks — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:50:44 +0000

It looks like the Charlotte Bobcats are getting closer to that big name change that’s been rumored for months. CBSSports.com is reporting that the city’s pro basketball team has begun the process of changing its name to the Hornets. That was the name of Charlotte’s former NBA team, which moved to New Orleans.

Unsealed Documents Shine Light On NASCAR Leader's Holdings

Ames Alexander and Gavin Off/Charlotte Observer — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:43:03 +0000

Newly unsealed documents in the divorce case of NASCAR Chairman Brian France provide a rare glimpse into how much money the privately held racing organization has generated for the France family.

France’s assets totaled more than $550 million in 2005, according to a financial statement included in the 1,500 pages of documents.

Owned and controlled by the France family, NASCAR paid Brian France more than $9 million in 2004, the documents show.

Humane Society rescues 19 dogs from puppy mill

David Boraks — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 14:03:50 +0000

The Humane Society of Charlotte says it rescued 19 breeding dogs early Saturday from a puppy mill in western North Carolina. The society said its emergency response team found a breeding operation at the site, with 19 Maltese and Maltese mix dogs between 4 and 10 years old.

Officials said the dogs had mouth, eye and skin problems resulting from a lack of veterinary care. They will be treated then sent to foster homes.

In a statement Saturday, Jorge Ortega, vice president of operations for the Human Society of Charlotte, criticized the operation.

Sequestration Cuts To Hit Control Tower At Concord Airport

Tasnim Shamma — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 22:25:18 +0000

What's an airport without a control tower? One that can expect to see a lot less traffic. As part of the sequestration cuts to the federal budget, the Federal Aviation Administration has given the city of Concord official notice that it will end the contract that funds the tower program at Concord Regional Airport.

Commission Chair Says State - Not Local - Rules Should Govern Fracking

David Boraks — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 14:43:21 +0000

The head of a panel writing rules for natural gas fracking in North Carolina says state standards should prevail over local rules when it comes to regulating the practice. The remarks by Jim Womack came as a study group of the North Carolina Mining and Energy Commission met Friday in Pittsboro.

Womack, the commission chair and a Lee County commissioner, said local governments should have to make a case for why their rules should be more stringent than any state standards, The Fayetteville Observer reports.

NASCAR Champ Brad Keselowski Brings A Little Old, New School

Michael Tomsic — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 03:49:12 +0000

A brash, young champion will begin defending his title at NASCAR's highest level in February. He's outspoken, funny and down-to-Earth. And he has a knack for connecting with both old-school fans and savvy, young Twitter users. His name is Brad Keselowski.

If you don't follow NASCAR closely, you may have been introduced to the sport's 28-year-old champion last fall through his celebratory interview on SportsCenter.

NASCAR Bets Big On New Race Car - The Gen-6

Michael Tomsic — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:33:22 +0000

NASCAR executives are betting the future of their sport on their brand new race car. The new model was the focus of their preseason press conference in uptown Charlotte Tuesday.

The new car, called Gen-6, is about looking good and driving better. A video that opened the press conference showed shots of the shiny stock cars zipping around racetracks while a narrator said, "Gen-6 has arrived with an old school appeal - the racetrack and showroom arm in arm once again."

Is That A NASCAR Race Car Driving Around Uptown?

Michael Tomsic — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:25:15 +0000

You may see a few NASCAR race cars cruising through uptown Charlotte later this week. That's one of the upcoming highlights of the Sprint Media Tour, the sport's annual preseason showcase hosted by the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The media tour brings NASCAR's top drivers, team owners and personalities to the Charlotte area this week. Charlotte Motor Speedway Vice President of Communications Scott Cooper told reporters in Concord Monday morning that the idea is pretty simple:

Jeremy Mayfield Makes Surprise Call To NASCAR CEO

Tasnim Shamma — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 21:21:38 +0000

Suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield has been out of racing since 2009, when he tested positive for methamphetamine. Mayfield wants to return to the track, and this week called in to a radio show to ask NASCAR CEO Brian France to give him a chance.