NASCAR notebook
Weekley will start AMP Energy 500
Fresh off a rousing victory in the Ryder Cup, the first for America since 1999, Boo Weekley has been tabbed as the Honorary Starter for the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 5th.
"We are very excited to have Boo serve as the Honorary Starter," said Talladega Superspeedway President Rick Humphrey. "I think it was evident to everyone that watched the Ryder Cup just how much patriotism and enthusiasm he has for this great country of ours. He's the kind of person we like to get for our honorary positions, someone who adds even more excitement to an already exciting weekend."
Weekley, already in a giddy mood, was happy to accept the honor.
"I can't believe I'm actually going to wave the green flag at Talladega," said Weekley. "I have actually been to a race there before, and it was so much fun to be in the middle of all those fans. It's going to be intense to see all those cars come roaring past at 200 mph, I can't wait."
Over the course of the Ryder Cup weekend, Weekley went an impressive 2-0-1, with a team victory in Saturday Fourballs competition with teammate JB Holmes and a singles victory against Oliver Wilson on Sunday.
• HENDRICK WILL ENTER KESELOWSKI IN TWO SPRINT RACES: Hendrick Motorsports will enter Brad Keselowski in two Sprint Cup Series races this season to test him for NASCAR's top level.
The 24-year-old will try to qualify a fifth Hendrick entry, the No. 25 Chevrolet, at Lowe's Motor Speedway next month and at Texas Motor Speedway in November. Hendrick is allowed to enter a fifth car under a NASCAR rule that permits teams to use a rookie in up to seven races in a car that exceeds the current four-car cap.
"We've gotten a glimpse of what Brad is capable of in the Nationwide Series, and that's just scratching the surface," Rick Hendrick said Monday.
Keselowski is third in the Nationwide Series standings with two victories, 10 top-five finishes and 16 top-10s driving for JR Motorsports. The team is co-owned by Hendrick and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Keselowski will participate in this week's two-day open test at Lowe's to prepare for the debut race. Lance McGrew, one of Hendrick's veteran crew chiefs, will lead the effort.
