Brake Problems Drop Lavender to 6th Place
Team Release (04/23/08)

Mooresville, NC - The first race of the season in the NASCAR Camping World East Series was at the Greenville-Pickens Speedway. A total of 39 cars were on hand to battle for the 30 starting positions. Jody Lavender was 6th fastest in practice in the Jimmy Burgess #88 sponsored by H & R Block. But, when the green flag dropped for the main event, Jody had brake problems within the first 10 laps of the 150 lap race. Jody said, “We knew what the problem was but we also knew it would take time to fix it and we would go at least a lap down. We decided to do the best we could and try to stay in the lead lap and get maybe a top 15.” As the race went on, Jody continuously worked his way up to 6th at the end of the race. Jody said, “Ordinarily we aren’t satisfied with a 6th place finish but considering all the brake problems we had, 6th looks good.”

The next race for the Camping World Series will be at the 7/8 mile Iowa Speedway on Sunday, May 18th.

For more information, go to www.jodylavender.com and www.eastseries.com.
 

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Jody Lavender Ready for 2008 Racing Season
Team Release (04/15/08)

Mooresville, NC - Jody Lavender will compete in the NASCAR Camping World East Series and the first race will be at the Greenville-Pickens, SC Speedway on Saturday, April 19th. He will be driving the #88 for JBR Racing from Maine/New Hampshire for the first time. Jody said, “I’m ready. The team and the car are ready.” Jody continued, “All of us are ready and excited about the2008 season. We’ve changed to a new team and a new series this year and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team that enjoys racing as much as JBR Racing. These guys are “race ready” all the time.

The NASCAR Camping World East Series has a 13-race schedule beginning at Greenville-Pickens, SC. The second race is at Newton, Iowa and the third at South Boston, VA. There are two road course races on the schedule and Jody admits, “I’ve never run a road course but it sounds like fun. Maybe my 4-wheeler experience will help but I’ll be doing some testing because the two races are an important part of the schedule.”

When asked about his expectations for 2008, Jody said, “I think we will be very competitive. Our goal will be to win the Camping World East Series Championship. This is a very competitive series but if we can stay out of trouble, have good luck, and finish the races, we’ll be at the top at the end.”

NASCAR officials have also announced a new TV package with some races live on HDNET and all races will be replayed on the Speed Channel.
 

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51's Pre-Season Short Track Power Ratings

Who's Going to Win a Title on 10 Short Track Tours? Our "Experts" Weigh In

Speed51.com, Mike Twist - (Click Here for Original Article)

NASCAR Camping World East Series (03/10/08) - It seems that the NASCAR Busch East....oops....we meant the NASCAR Camping World Series, East Divison...or Camping World East or whatever they are calling it these days, is all about change. Last year's prodigy Joey Logano is moving on after his championship to the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Two-time champion Mike Olsen has retired from full-time driving duties. Last year's runner-up in the standings, Sean Caisse, is currently rideless and we're not 100% sure that veteran Bryon Chew will be back full-time either.

So our pickers decided that after six seasons within the top 10 of the standings, it might now be Matt Kobyluck's turn to make the championship speech. He only gathered a few first place votes actually, but was second on a ton of ballots and mentioned by everyone who took part in this exercise.

Peyton Sellers had double the number of first place votes as Kobyluck, but we're not sure that everyone read the news from this week of Sellers signing with the powerhouse Andy Santerre Motorsports team.

Sean Caisse also gathered one first place vote, but the clock is ticking on the New Hampshire driver when it comes to finding a full-season ride.

Trevor Bayne was listed as high as second on some ballots too, but followers of Camping World east just might not know much about the former Pro Cup driver....yet.

Power Rankings:

1. Matt Kobyluck - 2.14 Rating
2. Peyton Sellers - 3.14 Rating
3. Jeffrey Earnhardt - 4.43 Rating
4. Sean Caisse - 4.86 Rating
5. Eddie MacDonald - 5.00 Rating
6. Trevor Bayne - 5.43 Rating
7. Jody Lavender - 5.50 Rating
8. Bryon Chew - 5.57 Rating
Craig Goess - 5.57 Rating
10. Rogelio Lopez - 5.68 Rating

Selected Comments From The Voters:

"Is it Matt Kobyluck's turn for a championship? He's come close before, but this could be his best chance yet."

"Is there anyone left this year other than Matt Kobyluck? I had a really hard time with this series because who knows
who’s driving what (and when) in the series I’ll always refer to as “Busch North.”

"Now that the golden boy Joey Logano has moved on the tour is wide open. Look for Peyton Sellers to make his run for the title."

"I would have picked Peyton Sellers to win the championship this year with his own team. Signing with Andy Santerre Motorsports just cements my opinion even more."

"If Trevor Bayne can do in Camping World East what he did in Pro Cup, he'll be a threat for sure."

"Eddie MacDonald can get the job done and it appears that he might actually have a budget to work with this year. He won last year without one, so watch out now."

"I will keep an eye on Eddie Mac and Steve Park."

"Pro Cup followers know that Jody Lavender could be the surprise of the year in Camping World East."

"Jody Lavender can be tough in the 88 car if they run the whole season."

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NASCAR Announces Comprehensive 2008 Television Coverage For Camping World Series
 

EastSeries.com - (Click Here for Original Article)

Daytona Beach, FL (02/27/08) - Millions tuned in Sunday for the Daytona 500 to watch drivers like Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr. and David Gilliland – all of whom used the NASCAR Camping World Series to help launch their careers. NASCAR fans will get the opportunity to see the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars of tomorrow throughout the 2008 season thanks to a comprehensive television broadcast schedule announced today by NASCAR for its developmental series.

The 2008 schedule features television coverage of the NASCAR Camping World Series live on HDNet and enhanced replays on SPEED.

“This year all the thrills and excitement of the NASCAR Camping World Series will be available to NASCAR fans across the countrty,” said NASCAR Managing Director of Racing Operations George Silbermann. “They will be able to catch all the action as the NASCAR stars of tomorrow battle it out from coast to coast.”

The television schedule allows fans across the country to see some of the top future talent in NASCAR. The NASCAR Camping World Series races on a variety of top short tracks, speedways and road courses across the country, and features a championship schedule on both the East and West Coast.

High definition pioneer HDNet will broadcast 16 races, continuing a partnership with NASCAR that began five years ago and provided the NASCAR Camping World Series with its first live television package. HDNet coverage will begin March 29 with the NASCAR Camping World Series opener at All-American Speedway in Roseville, Calif. It includes the first eight races of the NASCAR Camping World Series West season, as well as the season-finale Oct. 18 at the new Kern County track in Bakersfield, Calif. The NASCAR Camping World Series East broadcast schedule on HDNet will pick up with the July 19 race at Music City Motorplex in Nashville and run through the final seven races of the season, culminating with the live broadcast at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway Sept. 28.

HDNet’s broadcast schedule will also include the mid-season combination race between the East and the West at Iowa Speedway May 18. Last year, viewers watched then 16-year-old Joe Gibbs Racing development driver Joey Logano out-race 2007 Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick in a thrilling back-and-forth, race-long duel.

"HDNet is proud to continue this successful partnership with the NASCAR Camping World Series," said Mark Cuban, president and co-founder of HDNet. "NASCAR's stars of tomorrow have given us some great action over the years and we can't wait to offer race fans more of the same on HDNet this season!"

In addition, SPEED’s enhanced replays will carry 24 races as part of its Racing Across America series, re-airing all 16 of HDNet’s live events while originally producing eight others.

SPEED will provide coverage of the NASCAR Camping World Series East opener at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in Greenville, S.C. on April 19. SPEED will also broadcast the NASCAR Camping World Series East races from South Boston (Va.) Speedway, Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, and New Hampshire Motor Speedway, as well as the NASCAR Camping World Series West second race at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway.

SPEED’s schedule also includes live coverage of the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. A date and site for the prestigious event, which has grown into the ‘Daytona 500 of short-track racing’ in just five short years, will be announced at a later date.

“Being able to show 24 races from the NASCAR Camping World Series, including the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, gives SPEED the opportunity to offer NASCAR fans a look into the future,” said Rick Miner, SPEED SVP of Production & Network Operations. “Saturday night short tracks are the heart of all forms of racing. This is where tomorrow’s NASCAR stars get their start.”

In addition to coverage of the NASCAR Camping World Series, SPEED will air enhanced replays of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races at New Hampshire International Speedway on June 28 and the combination event with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on Sept. 21.

About NASCAR Camping World Series

The NASCAR Camping World Series is the top level of the NASCAR Developmental Series and is made up of two regional tours, the East and West, competing with identical race cars. The cars are similar in appearance and design to those cars used in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The cars are powered by 350 to 358 cubic-inch V-8 engines. The series travels to many of NASCAR’s most historic short tracks as well as making several appearances in combination events with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

*Races will air on delay only. All HDNet races will air live and re-air on SPEED. Please check local listings for broadcast times.
 

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Jody Lavender to Drive #88 in NASCAR Camping World East Series
Team Release (02/13/08)

Mooresville, NC - Hartsville SC native Jody Lavender recently signed to drive the #88 owned by Jimmy Burrges and JBR Racing in the NASCAR Camping World East Series. The series was known as the Busch East Series last year but Camping World is the new sponsor in 2008. Jody is not a complete stranger to the series since he ran two races earlier and was a top-5 contender in both races.

Jody said, “We’re excited about joining the JBR Racing team for the 2008 season. We’re also excited about competing in the NASCAR Camping World East Series. I’ve competed in the NASCAR All-Pro and Craftsman Truck Series in the past and look forward to competing in another NASCAR series.”

Jody continued, “We know the competition will be tough but we’ll be competitive and we plan to win some races. JBR has good equipment and the team is a hard working and excited team. In fact, Jimmy Burrges, owner of JBR Racing, is one of the most excited people you’ll ever meet. He’ll keep all of us excited and working hard. Veteran Todd Graffam is one of the best crew chiefs in the business.”

The first race for Jody in the #88 car will be at the Greenville-Pickens SC Speedway on April 19, 2008. Jody said, “Greenville-Pickens has always been one of my favorite tracks and we’ve always run good there. It’s now probably considered my “home-track” in the Camping World East Series and I’d like nothing more than to get a win for our many fans in the area.”

Jody has always been a crowd favorite and has been voted “Most Popular Driver” twice and runner-up once.

The JBR team does not have a major sponsor and is looking for a sponsor for the season or for one or more races. More information can be obtained at www.jodylavender.com. The 2008 series schedule is also available on the East Series website and Jody’s website.

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