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Carl Edwards will be getting a new crew chief, Jimmy Fennig, in his quest to regain his Sprint Cup Chase profile in 2013. Rookie Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will be guided Scott Graves in his Sprint Cup debut next year.

“We are excited about this change on both fronts,” said team owner Jack Roush. “Pairing two highly successful veterans like Carl and Jimmy should be quite a matchup and it is our expectation based on what Jimmy has been able to accomplish with many high profile drivers, that it will provide the spark to get the No. 99 program and Carl back into championship form.

After losing the 2011 title to Tony Stewart; Edwards had struggled this year after his long-time crew chief, Bob Osborne, changed his role at Roush Fenway Racing due to some personal issues.

Bob Osborne and Carl Edwards. (Photo: NASCAR)

Stenhouse goes into the Nationwide finale hoping to repeat his 2011 series title before moving up to NASCAR's senior circuit.

“However, we are particularly excited about teaming up Scott Graves and Ricky. Through his extensive research and development work, Scott has an excellent understanding of the new 2013 body style. In his short time as a crew chief he has demonstrated a cunning knack as a leader on the pit box and he is going to be a great match for Ricky as he makes his move upwards into the Sprint Cup ranks.”

Fennig, one of the most accomplished crew chiefs in NASCAR history, boasts a tenure that includes more than 800 starts and 36 Sprint Cup victories. He led Roush Fenway to the 2004 Sprint Cup Championship and has worked with Hall-of-Fame caliber drivers such as Bobby Allison, Mark Martin and Matt Kenseth during his 30-plus years in racing.

Graves is one of the fastest rising names in the sport, having led Edwards to a Nationwide Series victory in his first race as a crew chief at Watkins Glen earlier this season.  He followed that up by leading Billy Johnson to a near victory at Montreal, and Trevor Bayne to a pole at Bristol. It is expected that Graves' extensive knowledge of the new 2013 body style will be a great asset as Stenhouse makes his bid to become Roush Fenway's 13th NASCAR rookie of the year winner. 

The last time Acura had an entry-level car that incorporated the brand's core values, model nameplates were actually names, not numbers, decimals and letters. The Integra was obviously based on Honda components and mechanicals, however, it was considered more sophisticated and racier than a Civic.


The new-for-2013 Acura ILX succeeds in distancing itself from the Honda on which it is based. It's especially the case now that this entry-level car is introduced in the U.S. market, hoping to compete with the Buick Verano as well as other small luxury cars such as the Lexus CT, the Lexus IS and the Mercedes-Benz B 250.

The 2013 Acura ILX starts at $27,790, while our tester was equipped with the Technology Package at a pricey $32,290. I'd gladly sacrifice the navigation system and the high-end stereo for the ILX Premium or Dynamic which both cost $29,990 and compete better with a loaded Buick Verano.

The latter is about the same size, slightly more powerful and quieter than the Acura. The Lexus IS is much more expensive but feels more refined and luxurious. As a side note, the Lexus CT 200h is arguably a better choice then the $34,990 ILX Hybrid.

Fun to drive, well-equipped, comfortable, the 2013 ILX is a worthy member of the family: Finally, Acura gets an entry-level car that should no longer be compared to a Honda.

Frisky yet sophisticated
Base, Premium and Tech versions of the 2013 Acura ILX get a 2.0L engine that produces 150 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque, connected to a 5-speed automatic that does a good job keeping the 4-cylinder hot when you're driving enthusiastically, or cold when you're eco-driving. The gearbox also holds its gears longer in sport mode, making you appreciate the wheel-mounted paddle shifters even more.

Flat out, the ILX reaches 100 km/h in 9 seconds and rushes through the quarter-mile mark in 16.6 seconds at 137 km/h. If you need more performance, the ILX Dynamic offers the Civic Si's 201-hp, 2.4L engine and 6-speed manual, yet the Tech version we tested feels frisky, playful and light on its feet.

We managed a fuel consumption average of 8.9L/100km; super unleaded is recommended, but not required.

The 2013 Acura ILX offers a great balance of ride quality and dynamic driving characteristics. The electric-assist steering is nicely weighted, light at parking-lot speeds and a little firmer on the open road. The car feels sophisticated, refined and willing to please.

Base, Premium and Tech versions of the ILX get a 150-hp 2.0L four and a 5-speed automatic. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Acura-grade interior
Unlike the outgoing CSX which pretty much shared the Civic's dashboard, the 2013 Acura ILX gets its own interior treatment that looks much more upscale, while mimicking more expensive Acura models.

The lower portion of the dash gets sturdy plastic, but the rest of the design is of high quality, with a soft-touch dashtop, solid switchgear and a tasteful design. The centre stack gets the same multifunction knob found in other Acuras, while the Tech trim adds a navigation system with an 8” screen; it also gets an excellent 10-speaker surround sound system with a USB port as well as Bluetooth phone and streaming audio connectivity.

All but the base 2013 Acura ILX get leather seating surfaces, a power driver's seat and heated front seats; headroom could be a little better up front due to the car's relatively low roofline, and space required by the power sunroof. In the back, two adults will be at ease, although three across will be tight, and the middle passenger's comfort level will suffer due to the fold-down armrest and overstuffed seat cushion.

The interior quality and design of the ILX is much improved compared to the CSX. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Chic yet reserved styling
The 2013 Acura ILX shares no body panels with the Civic, and design-wise there's no contest. The ILX looks smart and elegant with its smooth character line that flows from the front wheel over the rear fenders, culminating in a cute, short deck.

We're still not fond of the Acura brand's signature grille design, although it blends in well in this application. The ILX looks edgier than a Verano, yet won't upstage a Lexus IS, despite the latter being on the verge of a redesign. And that's typical Acura: classy and understated (provided we ignore the ZDX).

From GMM

Ma Qing Hua will "definitely" be on the grid in Shanghai next year, the Chinese driver's agent said on Thursday.

Ma, HRT's test and sometimes Friday practice driver in 2012, told the Fujian newspaper Southeastern Express that reports the Spanish team is for sale do not worry him.

Ma Qing Hua aboard the F112. (Photo: HRT F1 Team)

The 24-year-old has been tipped as a potential teammate for Pedro de la Rosa in 2013, but Spanish media reports say there is a risk HRT will fold.

Ma's agent, Jin Yong, said: "No matter who the boss is, Ma will definitely compete in next year's F1 race in Shanghai."

Ma Qing Hua added: "No matter who will be the boss, the team is still there. So what I need to focus on now is to improve myself through training."

Tomorrow morning, F1 cars will hit the brand new Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas.

Once again, the top auto racing series in the world is trying to conquer the top market in the world after several mildly successful attempts. Will it work this time around?

I don't want to sound pessimistic, but I have my share of doubts. First of all, no matter how state-of-the-art it may be, the venue is right next to an international airport and surrounded by endless fields -- not exactly the ideal setting for a race that involves ultra-sophisticated, open-wheel cars.

Moreover, since Austin is close to the U.S.-Mexico border, legions of Mexicans will no doubt make the trip to watch their national hero, Sergio Pérez, in action. However, once the ''newness'' factor is gone, how many will pay between $299 and $499 to sit in the bleachers? (All of these tickets were sold out a few weeks ago.)

During the '70s and '80s, Formula 1 found two hot spots for hosting Grand Prix events in the U.S., namely Watkins Glen (East Coast) and Long Beach (West Coast). Unfortunately, both were abandoned for a number of reasons.

Since then, F1 cars have tried, but failed, to find a home in Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Indianapolis. Why? Blame the culture shock.

It's hard for fans of NASCAR and oval speedways to enjoy races that pit open-wheel cars against each other on road courses, let alone when there's no domestic driver or even a domestic team to identify with. Considering how patriotic and chauvinistic the Americans are, why would they feel excited about cars named McLaren, Williams and Sauber (instead of Ford Fusion and Dodge Charger)? Why would they cheer for unfamiliar drivers with ridiculous and unpronounceable last names such as Räikkönen, Hülkenberg, Grosjean or Kathikeyan?

If Formula 1 really wanted to make a successful return to the U.S., it should have opted for a venue somewhere up in the Northeast or in California, where open-wheel cars and road courses are actually part of the culture.

Maybe I'm wrong. For once, I would like that!

Photo: Circuit of the Americas

From GMM

Christian Danner, a former F1 driver turned commentator from Germany, does not believe countryman Sebastian Vettel will wrap up his third consecutive drivers' title in Austin this weekend.

Mathematically it could be done, but the relative competitiveness of the Red Bull driver's championship rival Fernando Alonso means a finale in Brazil next weekend is more likely.

"I think we will wait until Sao Paulo, no matter what happens in Austin, really," Danner told RTL.

"If the race in Austin is fairly normal, with both of them reaching the finishing line and taking a lot of points, there will be no decision here. I think we can look forward to a nice season finale in Brazil," he added.

Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) leading Fernando Alonso (Ferrari). (Photo: WRi2)

With a faster car than Alonso's Ferrari and a ten-point buffer, Sebastian Vettel is the hot favourite on paper.

But Jacques Villeneuve, the outspoken 1997 world champion, admitted he is rooting for the Spaniard.

"Seb is super quick," the French Canadian is quoted by the Sun newspaper, "but there is a difference with Fernando that emerges in the case of an unfavourable situation. Alonso remains calm, cool, and rational, while Vettel most times gets upset, angry, screams and flicks the middle finger. He reacts like a child."

From GMM

Dieter Zetsche, the chairman of Mercedes' parent Daimler, has denied reports he has approved an increase in the F1 team's budget for 2013.

Reportedly on new recruit Niki Lauda's recommendation, it emerged recently that Mercedes-Benz is prepared to boost the Brackley based team's coffers to the tune of many millions.

Photo: WRi2

Bild newspaper had said Mercedes' fattened budget would bring its 2013 spend up to EUR 200 million, making it comparable to what is buying success at top three grandees Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari.

But Zetsche told German weeky Die Zeit: "We do not intend to increase our budget."

However, he did admit that Mercedes needs to up its game.

"The Mercedes engine is considered the best in formula one," he said, thereby confirming that the reasons for Mercedes GP's lack of performance is "other parts of the car".

"Certainly we need to become better, and soon," added Zetsche.

Mexican automakers said on Wednesday they had reached a preliminary agreement with counterparts in Argentina to resume free trade in vehicles, but both urged their governments to begin a formal dialogue to settle remaining differences.

The Mercedes Energ-G-Force, which will debut at the

Mexico's first fuel economy standard, nearly three years in the making, is in jeopardy because of opposition from Toyota Motor Corp., Chrysler Group and other automakers. Nom-163, patterned after the U.S.

Chrysler Group is in exclusive talks with Banco Santander to make its U.S. unit the automaker's preferred financing provider, people familiar with the matter said. Chrysler entered a 30-day negotiating period with the lender, which would be the U.S.

Ford said its record profit margins are shrinking in North America as buyers downsize from trucks to small cars.

Also in this episode: Chevrolet will debut an

General Motors Financial will tap DataScan Field Services and ADESA auction company's Openlane.com to help dealerships process off-lease vehicles starting in December, the financial company said today.

General Motors' future green-car efforts will focus on plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles rather than conventional hybrid powertrains, product chief Mary Barra said Wednesday.

Penske Automotive has acquired two Wisconsin dealerships for an undisclosed amount. Jon Lancaster Toyota Scion and Lexus of Madison are expected to contribute about $130 million in annual revenue, Penske Automotive said in a release.

Toyota Motor Sales expects its market share in the United States to return to above 15 percent in 2013 when a string of redesigned vehicles arrives.

News 22 Nov, 2012

The heat is on for the Subaru BRZ, with a production version of the STi concept due next year

General Motors' future green-car efforts will focus on plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, rather than conventional hybrid powertrains, product chief Mary Barra said today.

News 22 Nov, 2012

Exclusive images show how the next-generation MINI Hatch could look when it arrives in 2014

Pictures 22 Nov, 2012