The business of NASCAR looks to be on an upswing heading into the 2012 season as many sponsors, including Cup Series backer Sprint, announced extensions while a number of solid companies will make their first appearance in the sport this season.

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series drivers and teams are busy preparing for a grueling 83-race schedule in 2012 that begins with the invasion of Florida's Volusia Raceway Park on February 17th.

The races at Watermelon Capital Speedway this weekend had a lot of NASCAR flavor involved in them. Bill Elliott’s son Chase was the fast qualifier in the Pro Late Model 150 lapper on Saturday, and parlayed that into a win Sunday over seasoned veteran Mike Garvey and youngster Daniel Hemric. The Super Late Model portion of the event had a great deal more NASCAR involvement, as at least 25% of the field had some ties to the upper echelon of NASCAR.

NASCAR driver A.J. Allmendinger, with co-drivers John Pew, Oswaldo Negri and Justin Wilson, secured Michael Shank Racing its first victory in the 50th Annual Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona Sunday at Daytona International Speedway.