Archive for July, 2009

That’s it… tomorrow’s the race.  While Kyle was in Pocono today, driver, Jeremy Clements drove the car in practice and will qualify the car tomorrow.  You can visit Jeremy’s site for more details: www.jeremyclementsracing.com  Pit lane assignments are set by qualifying finish, so that will be job #2 for Jeremy tomorrow.  Job #1… keeping the car out of a wreck.  Jeremy had the 9th fastest lap in “happy hour” tonight so that’s a good sign.

About 30 members of the #18 & #20 Joe Gibb’s Racing team ate at the Newton, IA Pizza Ranch tonight.  The visiting roster included #20 driver Brad Coleman, and crew chiefs Jason Ratcliff (#18) & Dave Rogers (#20).  The whole JGR team had a great meal and Brad commented on the food by saying, “the dessert pizza is the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.”

You can’t argue with that.

#18 Pizza Ranch car makes its debut (picture credit: Des Moines Register)

NASCAR put in a special 6 hour special practice at a Iowa Speedway so teams could get to know the new track.  And Kyle Busch was at Iowa Speedway getting the #18 Pizza Ranch car dialed in today.  The car looks awesome and Kyle loves the flashy look of his Pizza Ranch fire suit.  At the end of the 1st 3 hour practice session, Kyle had the fastest car at the track… I’m not sure where the car ended up in the 2nd session.

It looks like Kyle will have to come from the back of the pack on Saturday.  This will likely be due to a NASCAR penalty for missing the required driver’s meeting.  Kyle won’t be able to make the meeting because he will be at Pocono on Saturday morning practicing for the Sprint Cup race on Sunday… and then will have to fly back to Newton just prior to the race.  This should only add to the drama of the race.  (The same thing will probably also happen with the other double duty drivers).

 I can’t wait for the Pizza Ranch family to start arriving at the track and see the car up close.

Jon Moss

Pizza Ranch COO

The Des Moines Register is featuring “Crew Chief Chronicles” every day through the race with Jason Ratcliff, crew chief for Kyle Busch’s No. 18 Pizza Ranch Toyota.  You can check it out along with the rest of the article at: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090728/SPORTS1401/907290353

Jon Moss

COO

Pizza Ranch Inc.

Wow, the Summer has been going really fast.  It’s been fun watching the NASCAR Nationwide Series drama unfold this season with Kyle Busch at the forefront of it all.  It’s hard to believe there’s only one week to go until the NASCAR Nationwide Series makes a stop at Iowa Speedway.  Of course everyone in Pizza Ranch land is excited to see  the #18 Pizza Ranch car piloted by Kyle Busch take the track and hopefully drive it to Pizza Ranch Victory Lane.

I’d like to thank our partners at Joe Gibbs Racing and at Iowa Speedway for all of their help in making next weekend a reality.  I’d also like to thank our guests and customers who have taken the new Kyle Busch Bucking Bronco pizza for a test drive on the buffet or at home.  We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback on how delicious the Bucking Bronco pizza is.  Also, thanks for taking a spin around www.pizzaranchracing.com.

I hope to see you at Iowa Speedway next weekend… and if you can’t make it to the track be sure to watch the race on ESPN.

Thanks and all the best.

Jon Moss

Chief Operating Officer

Pizza Ranch Inc.

Dario Franchitti and crew celebrate in Pizza Ranch Victory Lane after the Iowa Corn Indy 250 at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, IA on Sunday June 21, 2009.

Dario Franchitti took first place at the Iowa Speedway on Sunday June 21 in the Iowa Corn Indy 250.  It is his second win at Iowa Speedway in three years.  Franchitti, who is currently in second place in the Indycar Series, edged out Ryan Briscoe, who is currently first, for the victory; crossing the finish line just over five seconds ahead of Briscoe.  However, the Indycar Series is a tight race right now with only three points separating the top two drivers.  Franchitti credits his win to an excellent car, good timing, and fast pit stops, “The Target guys were phenomenal,” said Franchitti of his pit crew.  Joining Franchitti in the top five at the Iowa Speedway were Ryan Briscoe, Hideki Mutoh, Dan Wheldon, and Scott Dixon. 

Adding to Sunday’s excitement at the Iowa Speedway was the attendance of the track’s designer Rusty Wallace.  Just as many of the fans, Rusty Wallace was glad to see a break from the rain that had put a damper on the beginning of the weekend events.  Also attending was Olympic gold medalist and “Dancing with the Stars” champion Shawn Johnson who met three-time Indianapolis 500 winner and 2007 “Dancing with the Stars” champion Helio Castroneves at the start/finish line early on Sunday. Castroneves gave her an insider’s tour of the racetrack with some high-speed laps in the pace car. She also got a garage tour of the No. 7 Boost Mobile/Motorola car driven by Danica Patrick.

Dario Franchitti, driver of the #10 tom-tom Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallaria Honda, celebrates with his wife, actress Ashley Judd, in Pizza Ranch Victory Lane after winning the Iowa Corn Indy 250 on Sunday June 21 at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, IA.