• Race: Sunday, April 28, 2002 in Fontana, CA
  
  NOTE: California Speedway is located in the Pacific Time Zone, all times listed here are in Eastern Time Zone (3 hours ahead)
  
  
• TV: Fox - 3:00pm/et
  
  
• Race re-air: Speed Channel on Wednesday, May 1st, 8:00pm/et
  
  
• Pre-Race Show: 2:30pm/et, with hosts Chris Myers and Jeff Hammond
  
  
• NASCAR on TV
  
  
• Announcers: Mike Joy, Darrell Waltrip and Larry McReynolds
  
  
• Pit Reporters: Dick Berggren, Matt Yocum and Steve Byrnes
  
  
• Hollywood Hotel: Chris Myers and Jeff Hammond
  
  
• Posted Awards/Purse: $4,419,924 (First Place - $162,100) (was $3,965,703 in 2001)
  
  
• Entry List Link at: Jayski - NAPA Auto Parts 500 or at NASCAR.com
  
  
• 2001 Race Winner: Rusty Wallace, 143.118mph, started 19th
  
  
• Track Race Record: Jeff Gordon, June 1997, 155.012mph
  
  
• Track/Race Length: 2.0 mile D-shaped oval, 250 laps, 500 miles
  
  
• Pit Road Speed: 55mph
  
  

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  Practice
  
  
• Practice: Friday, Apr 26th, 2:20 -4:20pm/et; and Saturday, Apr 27th, 11:30 - 12:00noon/et.
  
  
• Happy Hour Practice: Saturday, Apr 27th, 3:15 - 4:00pm/et on TV-FX at 3:00pm/et.
  
  

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  Qualifying
  
  
• Qualifying Draw: Friday, April 26th, 1:20pm/et
  
  
• Qualfying Order: for California at and/or NASCAR.com
  
  
• First Round Qualifying: 2 laps for positions 1-36, Friday, April 26th at 6:05pm/et, TV-FX tape delay at 8:00pm/et and live via MRN Radio(link below) and via NASCAR.com's Racecast (paid).
  
  
• NASCAR Online will have live lap-by-lap coverage of Winston Cup qualifying via the web (NOTE: this is now a paid subscription service).
  
  
• Second-Round Qualifying: there is no longer a 2nd round of qualifying (since the 2001 season)
  
  
• Track/Event Qualifying Record: Mike Skinner, April 2000, 186.061mph
  
  
• Last Year's Pole Sitter: Bobby Labonte, 182.635mph, finished 22nd
  
  

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  Track Specs:
  Superspeedway: 2.0-mile oval 75 feet wide with a 15 foot apron
  Banking: turns: 14 degrees; frontstretch 11 degrees; backstretch 3 degrees
  Front Stretch: 3,100feet
  Back Stretch: 2,500feet
  Pit Road: 2,200 feet long with 44 individual pit stalls
  Grandstand Seats: 92,000
  Approx: 1,800 Infield RV spaces
  
  
• Track Homepage: California Speedway
  
  

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  PAST RACE/POLE WINNERS at California

  Pole Winners
  
  2001 Bobby Labonte, #18 Pontiac, 182.635mph, finished 22nd
  2000 Mike Skinner, #31 Chevy, 186.061mph, finished 7th
  1999 none, rained out
  1998 Jeff Gordon, #24 Chevy, 181.772mph, finished 4th
  1997 Joe Nemechek, #42 Chevy, 183.015mph, finished 18th
  (1997 Greg Sacks, #40 Chevy was the fastest but in 2nd round 183.753mph)
  
  

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  Race Winners
  
  2001 Rusty Wallace, #2 Ford, 143.118mph, started 19th
  2000 Jeremy Mayfield, #12 Ford, 149.378mph, started 24th
  1999 Jeff Gordon, #24 Chevy, 150.276mph, started 5th
  1998 Mark Martin, #6 Ford, 140.220mph, started 3rd
  1997 Jeff Gordon, #24 Chevy, 155.012mph, started 3rd
  
  

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  GOODYEAR TIRE NOTES

  NUMBER OF TIRES SUPPLIED: LEFT RIGHT
  Winston Cup Series: Left - 1,190; Right - 1,210
  Busch Series: Left - 520; Right - 520
  IROC: Left - 150; Right - 150
  
  TECH INSPECTION INFLATION
  Left Front - 30 psi Right Front - 48 psi
  Left Rear -- 30 psi Right Rear -- 45 psi
  
  RECOMMENDED MINIMUM RACE COLD PRESSURE:
  Left Front - 23 psi Right Front - 42 psi
  Left Rear -- 23 psi Right Rear -- 39 psi
  
  Inner liners are required in all wheel positions and the recommended inflation is between 12 and 25 psi greater than the outer tire pressure.
  
  TIRES: Goodyear Eagle Speedway Radials
  
  Circumference:
  Left Side: 87.3-inches Right Side: 88.6-inches
  D-Codes: Left Side: D-6252 Right Side: D-6354
  
  Estimated Pit Stop Window: 48-52 laps (based on fuel mileage)
  
  Did you know?...Within Goodyear's 2002 NASCAR race tire lineup (consisting of 18 tire codes), California Speedway fits into Group 3, that also includes tracks at Michigan, Charlotte and Dover.
  
  GOODYEAR QUOTE: Mark Keto, lead engineer, stock car tire development: "While the Goodyear tire recommendation for California Speedway at Fontana is the same as that for Michigan, Charlotte and Dover, the right side tires also are used at Atlanta. "This is the same Eagle tire setup that was used last year at Fontana, but with a slight right side compound change. This change on the right side should provide a little added grip and better tire wear over the course of a fuel run, which is estimated at every 48 to 52 laps. "Historically, the Fontana race has come down to fuel mileage and pit stop strategy. Teams have used four, two and fuel-only pit stops to gain finishing positions in prior years and there's no reason why this year would be any different. Tire strategy has become a big factor at a number of tracks this year, but, at Fontana, it's been alive and well since the first race a few years ago."
  
  

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  RACE BONUS INFO

• The NASCAR Winston Cup Leader Bonus is $50,000 at California for leading the points and winning the race (Sterling Marlin last won the award, $20,000 at Darlington on March 17, 2002). The $360,000 annual award is paid at $10,000 per race to the point leader at the end of each event if he is also the winner. The award increases by $10,000 each week the it goes unclaimed. If the point leader is not the race winner at the end of the year, the balance of the award is distributed among the top-10 finisher in the point standings(4-21-2002)
  
  

• Trading Cards at the CHP booth: Guests visiting the California Highway Patrol (CHP) booth at California Speedway’s Gate 12 have the opportunity to pick up a free set of trading cards featuring Winston Cup stars Wallace; Tony Stewart (#20 Home Depot Pontiac); Bobby Labonte (#18 Interstate Batteries Pontiac); Ward Burton (#22 Caterpillar Dodge) and Kevin Harvick (#29 Goodwrench Service Plus Chevrolet), along with a CHP card. Each card comes with a designated driver message.(Calif Speedway Site)(4-26-2002)
  
  
• California Facts: There has been a different Bud Pole winner in each of the first five races at California Speedway: Joe Nemechek (1997), Jeff Gordon (1998), Mike Skinner (2000) and Bobby Labonte (2001). Jeff Burton (1999) started from the pole when qualifying was rained out. Jeff Gordon has finished 11th or better, including two victories in the five NASCAR Winston Cup races at California. He has the best overall performance at the California Speedway posting three top-five starts - including one Bud Pole, two victories, four top-five finishes and led 329 laps. Three drivers have led more than half of the 1,250 laps raced at California: Jeff Gordon (329), Mark Martin (194), Matt Kenseth (122) and Rusty Wallace (110). The first three NASCAR Winston Cup races at California were won from a top-five starting position. Jeremy Mayfield started 24th and went on to win the 2000 NAPA Auto Parts 500, the deepest in the field that a race winner has started at California. Rusty Wallace started 19th en route to victory there in 2001.(NASCAR PR)(4-24-2002)
  
  
• Provisonals Rules changed a bit: NASCAR Officials announced this week that teams in the Cup and BGN will not be charged for using a provisional starting position if the entry field for an event is equal to or less than the number of starting positions provided by the official entry blank.[such as 43 at a Cup race]. A team is granted a maximum season allotment of eight provisionals [charged provisional, if not in the top 25 in Owners Points] and under this amendment, provisionals assigned to fill starting positions 37-43 will not count against this allotment. Prior to this amendment, teams were charged for a provisional regardless of the number of entries at an event.(NASCAR.com). For more info on provisionals, see my Provisionals Status page.(3-21-2002)
  
  
• New Pit Road Rules: NASCAR will change its policies for speeding violations on pit road following confusion over an infraction for which eventual race-winner Sterling Marlin was never penalized a week ago at Las Vegas. NASCAR president Mike Helton announced the changes Sunday morning at the drivers’ meeting prior to the MBNA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The new rules go into effect next weekend at Darlington Raceway. The key change is that, under green-flag conditions, the penalty for speeding on the way onto pit road will now be the same as the penalty for speeding off the pit lane. The new penalty will be what NASCAR is calling a “pass through,” meaning the offending car will have to come off the track and travel the length of pit road at its speed limit without stopping. Under the old rule, a car speeding on the way onto pit road during a green-flag stop was held for 15 seconds in its pit stall. A car speeding off pit road was brought back to its pit box for a stop-and-go penalty. During last week’s UAW 400 at Las Vegas, NASCAR officials said Marlin was speeding as he came to his pit stall after being spun out in Turn 4. NASCAR’s race control officials called for the 15-second penalty, but that message was not heard by the official working in Marlin’s pit stall. Marlin left without serving a penalty and NASCAR decided not to enforce any further sanction, saying that bringing Marlin back to pit road would be too severe of a penalty. Since the usual penalty for speeding on the exit to pit lane was to bring a car back in for a stop-and-go, that raised the question of why the sanction for speeding on the way out should be more severe for speeding on the way in. The rule change announced Sunday addresses that issue. Helton admitted Sunday that not giving Marlin a penalty last week might not have been the right decision. Helton said the change was made to avoid the kind of confusion and miscommunication that happened at Las Vegas. Under the rule that goes into effect next week, a driver speeding on the way in and on the way out on the same pit stop will be brought back in for a stop-and-go penalty. A driver who exceeds the pit road speed limit as he serves the “pass through” penalty for speeding will also get a stop-and-go. The penalty for speeding in or out of a pit stop made under yellow-flag conditions will not change - the offending car will be sent to the end of the longest line of traffic for the restart.()(3-10-2002)
  UPDATE: plus a nice breakdown at RacingOne:
  The New Pit Road Rules
  
  Speeding Entering Pit Road
  Current Penalty: 15 seconds
  New Penalty: Pass through at correct pit road speed.
  
  Speeding Exiting Pit Road
  Current Penalty: Stop and Go
  New Penalty: Pass through at correct pit road speed
  
  Entering and Exiting Pit Road
  Current Penalty: 15 seconds after stop; brought back for stop and go
  New Penalty: Stop and Go
  
  Speeding on Pass Through
  New Penalty: Stop and Go
  Multiple Violations: NASCAR’s Discretion.(RacingOne)(3-11-2002)
  
  
• One Engine Rule for 2002 UPDATE 3: starting in the 2002 season, Cup teams must use the same engine to qualify and race, NASCAR announced Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. In the event the engine used to qualify the car does not start the race, then at the desretion of the Winston Cup Series director, the starting position will be relinquished and the car will drop to the rear of the field prior to the start of the race. According to NASCAR, certain events during the 2002 season may require ammendments to this rule, such as the Gatorade Twin 125-mile qualifying races and the Coca-Cola 600, due its length.(NASCAR.com)(10-14-2001)
  UPDATE: NASCAR has decided to allow teams to change engines following qualifying Feb. 9 for the Daytona 500. Beginning this season, teams are required to use the same engine for qualifying and the race. The move for Daytona was made because of the 125-mile qualifying races held prior to the race.(That's Racin')(1-8-2002)
  UPDATE 2: NASCAR's one-engine rule makes its debut this weekend [at Rockingham]. Teams must use the same engine to qualify, practice and race. If a team must replace an engine before the race, its driver is dropped to the back of the field at the start.(Sporting News)(2-19-2002)
  UPDATE 3: The single-engine rule requires Cup teams to use the same engine in practice, qualifying and the race itself on a given weekend. Any team suffering an engine failure AFTER qualifying will be forced to go to the back of the field for the start of the race.()(2-22-2002)
  BEEN ASKED: can a team change an engine prior to qualifying or during the first practice on Friday? Have seen conflicting columns on what the rule really says - some say the rule takes effect AFTER qualifying and some say one engine for ALL practices, qualifying and the race. So not sure what happens if a team loses an engine in the early practice, sure we will find out soon enough.(2-22-2002)
  AND about changing parts...NASCAR’s rule doesn’t prohibit teams from replacing parts on the engine, such as valve springs, intake manifolds, lifters, rocker arms, cam shafts, etc. Heads nor the engine block CANNOT be changed.(2-24-2002)
  More One Engine News UPDATE 4: NASCAR yesterday tightened its one-engine rule, requiring teams to get NASCAR approval for any engine change. Some teams have been practicing with one engine, then changing for qualifying.(Winston Salem Journal). Previously, teams could use a different engine for the first practice session but couldn't change engines once the car was qualified unless gaining approval from NASCAR.(News and Record)(3-17-2002)
  UPDATE 5: On Saturday, NASCAR said it was amending his single engine rule to include possible reduction in owner and driver points to teams that change engines.(Augusta Chronicle)(3-18-2002)
  
  
• Spoilers - not at Daytona/Talladega: the spoilers on the Winston Cup cars are as follows:
  Chevy: 6 1/4" height, 55" wide
  Dodge: 6 1/4" height, 55" wide
  Ford: 6 1/4" height, 55" wide
  Pontiac: 6 7/8" height, 57" wide
  not sure of the angle.(2-22-2002)
  
  
• That's Racin': NAPA Auto Parts 500 Race Info/Random Thoughts
  
  
• FoxSports: Totally NASCAR's NAPA Auto Parts 500 preview
  
  
• NASCAR.com: NAPA Auto Parts 500 Preview
  
  
• Crew Chief Club
  
  

• note: this is not to promote gambling but to offer readers odds and ideas on what the 'experts' think about the upcoming race and the Cup series season
  
  
• America's Line - Odds for the NAPA Auto Parts 500
  
  
• NASCAR Odds - Early Odds for the NAPA Auto Parts 500
  
  
• Racebook: NAPA Auto Parts 500 - Odds To Win
  
  
• Vegas Insider - Odds to Win the 2002 Winston Cup Championship and Vegas Insider - NAPA Auto Parts 500
  
  
• World Sports Exchange:NAPA Auto Parts 500 odds and other NASCAR odds
  
  

• Jimmy Johnson wins the NAPA Auto Parts 500 at California Speedway. Rookie #48-Jimmy Johnson wins his first career Cup race in his 13th start. The top five:
  #48-Johnson(62 laps led)
  #97-Busch (102 laps led)
  #28-Rudd
  #9-Elliott(3 laps led)
  #6-Martin
  Cars on the lead lap: 11
  
  Off Track/DNF: #36-Schrader (engine); #49-Robinson(accident); #14-Compton(electrical); #23-Stricklin(engine); #21-Sadler(engine); #8-Earnhardt Jr(accident); #29-Harvick(accident); #32-Craven(?);
  Lap Leaders: #97-Busch; #12-Newman; #88-Jarrett; #15-Waltrip; #14-Compton; #48-Johnson; #77-Blaney; #9-Elliott;
  Cautions: 5 for 24 laps
  
  Caution 5 - lap 228-: several cars in an accident, #8-Earnhardt Jr and #29-Harvick got together when Harvick was going to the pits. #24-Gordon and #45-Petty went thru pit road to avoid the accident
  Caution 4 - lap 195-198: #19-Mayfield stopped on the track, unsure of the problem.
  Caution 3 - lap 154-159: Kenseth slapped the wall slightly, possible oil on the track. Kenseth kept going.
  Caution 2 - lap 142-147: #32-Craven scraped the wall with the right side of the car and is stopped there, possible tire going down.
  Caution 1 - lap 18-22: #49-Shawna Robinson spun and backed into the was in turn 4.
  
  NOTES: #44-Grissom cut down a tire but didn't bring out a caution in lap 245. #24-Gordon started to overheat when a wrapper covered his grill, had to pit and lost a lap. #21-Sadler took his car back behind the wall as the engine went. #19-Mayfield brought his car in, possible throttle problem. #9-Elliott brought the car in on lap 148, right after the green was thrown after caution 2, had a flat right rear tire. #23-Stricklin bought the car in, possible motor problem on lap 148. #8-Earnhardt Jr felt a tire going down and brought the car in on lap 138 but fell another lap down. #20-Stewart brought his car in on lap 126, the team went under the hood, throttle linkage was broken, Stewart went back out but was caught speeding down pit road and had to do a pass-through penalty. #14-Compton to the garage with electrical problems on lap 109. Green flag pit stops occurred laps 62-66 range. #21-Sadler lost a rear tire around lap 62 but kept it off the wall and no caution was thrown. #18-Bobby Labonte felt a belt go and brought the car in to have it replaced before any damage, but lost a batch of laps.
  
  update on Dale Earnhardt Jr: he left the infield care center on crutches, has a very sore right ankle, but nothing broken (Fox coverage of the race).
  
  For unofficial results at or/andNASCAR.com.(4-28-2002)
  
  
• Three to the rear of the field: Three drivers had to fall to the rear of the field because their teams changed engines: #23-Hut Stricklin (was to start 31st); #4-Mike Skinner (33rd); and #31-Robby Gordon (40th provisional).(Fox TV coverage)(4-28-2002)
  
  
• Happy Hour practice from California Speedway is over. #16-Greg Biffle was the fastest in his bright yellow Roush Ford at 180.809, 2nd fastest was #97-Kurt Busch at 180.442 and third was #45-Kyle Petty at 179.936. Slowest were #55-Bobby Hamilton at 175.563 and #44-Steve Grissom at 175.373. No accidents or incidents noted during practice.
  For speeds, see or NASCAR.com.(4-27-2002)
  
  
• Saturday AM Practice at California. #12-Ryan Newman, still fastest out there with a speed of 182.542mph, another rookie #48-Jimmie Johnson was 2nd at 182.007 and #40-Sterling Marlin was third at 181.634. Slowest were #18-Bobby Labonte at 176.817 and #90-Rick Mast at 176.621. #88-Dale Jarrett is listed with no speed. For speeds see or NASCAR.com.(4-27-2002)
  
  
• Qualifying is over - Ryan Newman wins the pole at California for the NAPA Auto Parts 500, his 2nd Bud Pole of his career and first of 2002. Five drivers topped the old track record of 186.061mph, held by Mike Skinner in 2000. The top 10 qualifiers:
  #12-Newman 187.432 new track record
  #97-Busch 187.412 faster then previous track record
  #88-Jarrett 186.853 faster then previous track record
  #48-Johnson 186.620 faster then previous track record
  #25-Nadeau 186.244 faster then previous track record
  #15-Waltrip 185.898
  #21-Sadler 185.763
  #20-Stewart 185.481
  #8-Earnhardt Jr 185.433
  #2-Wallace 185.304
  
  #16-Biffle will make his Winston Cup debut at 29th.
  
  Provisional Land:
  37)  #28-Rudd 182.736 (10th in owners points)
  38)  #99-Burton 182.797 (11th)
  39)  #9-Ellioitt 175.906 (12th)
  40)  #31-Gordon 182.205 (32nd)
  41)  #44-Grissom 182.168 (35th)
  42)  #90-Mast 181.832 (41st)
  43)  #49-Robinson 181.328 (42nd)
  missing the race
  #02-Sadler 182.440 (47th in owners points)
  #62-Gaughan 182.764 (no owners points)
  #74-Little 182.486 (no owners points)
  
  For starting lineup/qualifying results, see , NASCAR.com
  Cup qualifying was pushed back to 7:00pm/et (televised on FX at 8:00pm/et - thanks), or listen to it on MRN Radio or pay for it on NASCAR.com to see live scoring.(4-26-2002)
  
  
• Pole Progression for the NAPA Auto Parts 500 at California Speedway:
  #02-Sadler, 1st out to qualify, 182.440, dnq'd
  #4-Skinner, 2nd out, 183.411, starts 33rd
  #77-Blaney, 3rd out, 183.500, starts 32nd
  #2-Wallace, 4th out, 185.304, starts 10th
  #8-Earnhardt Jr, 8th out, 185.433, starts 9th
  #15-Waltrip, 9th out, 185.898, starts 6th
  #48-Johnson, 12th out, 186.620, starts 4th
  #12-Newman, 18th out, 187.432 - on the pole
  (4-26-2002)
  
  
• Friday Practice at California had #48-Jimmie Johnson fastest at 184.313, 2nd was #12-Ryan Newman at 183.011 and #97-Kurt Busch at 182.736. Slowest were #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr at 179.149, #44-Steve Grissom at 178.143 and #02-Hermie Sadler at 177.642. See for Friday's Winston Cup practice speeds.(4-26-2002)
  
  
• Qualifying Order is up for the NAPA Auto Parts 500. 46 drivers listed. First driver scheduled out is #02-Hermie Sadler, last driver scheduled out is #55-Bobby Hamilton. See above for the links.(4-26-2002)
  
  
• California Entry List is up for the NAPA Auto Parts 500. See above for the link or go to at Jayski - NAPA Auto Parts 500 Entry List page. 47 cars are listed including #02-Hermie Sadler, #16-Greg Biffle, #26-Joe Nemechek, #49-Shawna Robinson, #57-Ron Hornaday, #62-Brendan Gaughan; and #74-Chad Little.(the list is on this site, as sent from California Speedway PR)(4-22-2002)
  UPDATE: NASCAR.com now has the entry list posted there and it is missing #57-Hornaday and has 46 cars listed.(4-23-2002)
  
  
• How to break a tie during qualifying?(same speed/time) When drivers are tied for a starting spot during qualifying, it is broken by owners points standings(not drivers). For provisionals standings see the Jayski's Provisional Status page
  
  
• an interesting point: When NASCAR officials decided to disallow Jerry Nadeau's qualifying time at Daytona in Feb 2001, it raised an interesting question. With the Winston Cup series having only one round of qualifying the rest of the season, what happens if an unapproved part is found? According to NASCAR, drivers no longer have to post an official qualifying time to use a provisional, they only have to practice. So a driver could have a penalty on a qualifying issue but still have access to one of the seven provisionals for the race(Richmond Times Dispatch)(2-11-2001)
  
  
• Links: Practice speeds, qualifying and results can be found at these sites: NASCAR Online
  
  

TRACK/RACE NEWS

• Sold Out: California Speedway announced that all 92,000 reserved grandstand tickets for the Sunday, April 28th NAPA AUTO PARTS 500 NASCAR Winston Cup Series race have been sold. It marks the sixth straight year the NASCAR Winston Cup Series race has sold out at the two-mile D-shaped oval. In addition to the packed grandstands, the speedway's nearly 1,800 reserved infield RV sites are also sold out; however, infield wristbands for the weekend are still available at $45.(California Speedway PR)(4-27-2002)
  
  
• Mayor of the Infield: Roger Williams Sr., a father of four sons from Hemet, Calif., was chosen as the second annual NASCAR Winston Cup Series weekend Honorary Mayor of California Speedway's infield. Williams, an inhabitant of Row 7 in the speedway's infield city, attends the races with his wife, Lisa, sons, daughter-in-laws and grandchildren. He calls the April NASCAR weekend at California Speedway a "true family affair." Williams isn't lost anymore, as he hosts several friends and nearby infield dwellers at his space. Several will be in attendance on Thursday night at his inauguration during the NASCAR After Dark Party behind the speedway's grandstands. The party is open to all season ticket holders, suite owners and season infield RV site holders. In addition to his Bobby Labonte flag that he will be flying, Williams will fly the Honorary Mayor of the Infield flag high above his RV. He will receive the flag and the honorary key to the infield, as well as a variety of prizes from speedway sponsors like NAPA, Miller, Pontiac and King Taco, on Thursday. He will be whisked away following his inauguration on a parade through the infield compliments of the speedway's fire/safety team. Williams will also be on stage for the Joan Jett and the Blackhearts infield musical performance on Saturday and attend pre-race ceremonies for Saturday's Auto Club 300 and Sunday's NAPA AUTO PARTS 500 races.(Calif Speedway PR)(4-26-2002)
  
  
• Grand Marshal at California: Multi-Grammy winning singer and songwriter Sheryl Crow will serve as the Honorary Grand Marshal for the NAPA AUTO PARTS 500 on Sunday, April 28th, at California Speedway.(California Speedway PR)(4-24-2002)
  
  
• Designated Drivers® Inc., Miller Brewing Company, Gate City Beverage & California Speedway: Fans attending the NASCAR Winston Cup NAPA AUTO PARTS 500 April 26th -28th 2002 at California Speedway can enjoy a day at the race track knowing that they have a safe, friendly ride home, courtesy of Miller Brewing Company and Gate City Beverage. Designated Drivers,® Inc., will have booths located at gates 12 and 14 that will offer fans informational material aimed at creating impaired-driving awareness in a positive forum. In the event someone does not wish to drive, Designated Drivers will arrange to have a trained, licensed, insured driver transport them home safely, in their vehicle, free of charge. The company (DD), which has been in operation more than four years and providing successful service for similar events in other regions, is now entering the Southern California arena with its first stop being the California Speedway. "We are looking forward to working with Designated Drivers® Inc.," states Dennis Bickmeier of California Speedway. "They provide a service that reflects our commitment to safety and responsibility." The free service may be requested by contacting any DD representative, speedway guest service representative, or law enforcement agency at the track, or by calling the Designated Drivers hotline toll free at: (866) 542-RIDE (7433)(California Speedway PR)(4-24-2002)
  
  
• National Anthem at California: Eleven-year-old Rachelle Dobin will return to California Speedway to sing the National Anthem. Dobin stunned the fans when she sang during the Yamaha Superbike Challenge race on Saturday, April 6th, prompting a return invite to sing before the NAPA AUTO PARTS 500. The Simi Valley, Calif., resident has performed the National Anthem, as well as other song selections, at civic functions, sporting events and churches throughout Southern California.(California Speedway PR)(4-24-2002)
  
  
• Honorary Starter and Pre-race info at California: NAPA storeowner Dave Finley, of Nevada, will serve as Honorary Starter. A NAPA storeowner since 1998, Finley's businesses are located in the Reno/Sparks, Fallon and Fernley areas of Nevada. An Eagle Scout, he will be attending the race with his wife Laura, a music teacher in Nevada. Other pre-race festivities include the presentation of the Shav Glick Award to racing legend Parnelli Jones, skydivers from Jim Wallace Skydive, Historic Car Parade and flyover of F/A 18 EF Super Hornets from Lemoore Naval Base. Tim Griffin of Motor Racing Outreach will give the invocation.(California Speedway PR)(4-24-2002)
  
  
• Train Service at California: The always-popular Metrolink train service will once again be running during this year's NASCAR race. Specially chartered trains will run from several points throughout Southern California to the speedway on Sunday and return following the race. Reserved seats can be purchased by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL (special train code - CSP). For groups of four or more, Metrolink offers a 10 percent discount. Train service is also available on Saturday, using regular train service with a special stop at California Speedway. Tickets for Saturday can be purchased at regular vending machines located at Metrolink stations.(California Speedway PR)(4-24-2002)
  
  
• How to Calculate Track Speeds: use the formula Speed = Distance divided by Time. Distance is Track Length, and Lap Time into Hours. Once hour is 3600 seconds, so the calculation for a 48 second lap at Daytona(2.5 miles) would be: Speed = 2.5 x (3600/48), = 2.5 x 75 = 187.500mph. For a 19 second lap at Bristol(.533 miles): Speed = .533 x (3600/19), = .533 x 189.474 = a speed of 100.990mph
  
  
• Past track news: posted in the past at Jayski's Past Track News/Rumors - California Speedway
  
  

DRIVER/TEAM NEWS

• Nemechek back in the #26 at California: Fox Sports Net's Totally NASCAR reports that Joe Nemechek will drive the #26 Haas Carter Motorsports Ford at California Speedway thos coming weekend with Checker Auto Parts as the sponsor. Frnak Kimmel, who has been driving the #26 has an ARCA race commitment but will supposedly be back in the #26 at Richmond on May 4th.(4-22-2002)
  
  
• Hermie Sadler to attempt Calif and Richmond: .Hermie Sadler announced today his plans to compete in the next two Winston Cup events at Fontana, California.and Richmond, Virginia. Sadler's #02 Chevrolet will be sponsored.by Car-Freshner Corporation, makers of the famous "Little-Trees" air freshners, in Fontana and he will carry the colors of the Virginia Lottery at Richmond.(Sadler Enterprises PR)(4-22-2002)
  
  
• BACE and APR UPDATE: BACE Motorsports and Andy Petree Racing announced the formation of a strategic alliance in conjunction with BACE Motorsports Cup debut with driver Chad Little. BACE Motorsports will field the #74 Chevy in up to 15 Winston Cup events during the 2002 season with engines and chassis supplied by Andy Petree Racing (APR). Additionally, the alliance includes the continuous sharing of information between the #74 Team and Andy Petree Racing's current Winston Cup entry, the #55 Chevy driven by Bobby Hamilton.. The two teams will work together to exchange technical information learned on and off track in efforts to increase their collective performance. Both teams feel the information sharing is an integral part of the partnership. Little, a former NASCAR Winston West Champion, will pilot the #74 entry in a limited schedule, initially focusing on intermediate tracks, as the team actively seeks corporate sponsorship.. Following BACE's debut at California Speedway on April 28, 2002, Little will run The Winston Open and Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, then the June events at Dover and Michigan. Additional events will be named as the 2002 season progresses.(ignition, inc. PR)(4-4-2002)
  UPDATE: Petree is expected to reach an ownership agreement with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones that will begin next season.(Dallas Morning News), for past news on the Jones rumor, see my #55 Team News and Links page.(4-5-2002)
  
  
• Biffle tests at California: Greg Biffle is testing the #16 Ford at California Speedway in preparation for the Cup race there in April.(FSN's Totally NASCAR)(3-27-2002)
  
  
• Biffle to run up to seven Cup races: Roush Racing's [#16 Ford] Greg Biffle will compete in seven Cup events this year as he prepares to run for rookie-of-the-year honors in 2003. He's scheduled to compete at Daytona and then at California in April but the rest of his Cup schedule is not set because he has no sponsor(Roanoke Times)(1-21-2002)
  
  
• Kimmel back at Talladega, but not California: Frank Kimmel was interviewed on FSN's NASCAR This Morning by Winston Kelly and said he will drive the #26 Haas Carter Motorsports Ford at Talladega, but will NOT drive the car the following week at California Speedway as he has a commitment to the ARCA series in Salem, IN.(4-14-2002)
  
  
• See the 2002 Team Chart which has links to past news for each team and info on each team.
  
  

PAINT SCHEME NEWS

• Robby Gordon and Spiderman: Robby Gordon and Richard Childress Racing's #31 Cingular Wireless team are joining forces with superhero Spider-Man for the NASCAR Winston Cup events at California Speedway and Richmond. The comic book hero will ride along with Gordon and the Cingular Wireless Chevrolet Monte Carlo at Fontana and Richmond in a special paint scheme celebrating his jump to the big screen. Spider-Man, Columbia Pictures' highly anticipated action adventure film, is scheduled for release worldwide on May 3. Cingular Wireless has launched a special promotional campaign in conjunction with its partnership with the movie. The campaign - supported by TV, print and radio advertising, direct mail, and in-store placement -- is the most ambitious ever for a wireless carrier in conjunction with a Hollywood movie. Cingular, the nation's second largest wireless carrier, developed the campaign with Sony Entertainment. Directed by Sam Raimi, Spider-Man will be released May 3 by Columbia Pictures and stars Tobey Maguire as the web-slinging superhero. The film also stars Willem Dafoe as the villainous Green Goblin, Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, James Franco as Harry Osborn, Cliff Robertson as Uncle Ben, Rosemary Harris as Aunt May and J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson.(Robby Gordon site), see an image of the car on my Paint Scheme Gallery(4-26-2002)
  
  
• Craven in the Breeze: PPI Motorsports' Tide Racing Team is set to unveil the Tide "Clean Breeze" car this weekend at California Speedway. The team plans to run the "Clean Breeze" car at California, Richmond and both upcoming events at Lowe's Motor Speedway in the month of May. "The special paint scheme represents the launch of Tide Clean Breeze laundry detergent," said Brian McNamara, Brand Manager of Tide for Procter & Gamble. "The new Tide Clean Breeze is a clean and natural fresh scent. For the first time, the fresh scent of laundry dried outdoors comes to you indoors," he added. The look is a departure of the traditional #32 Tide paint scheme as it combines elements of clouds and sky on the right front quarter panel and the entire TV panel.(PPI Motorsports PR), see an image of the car on my Paint Scheme Gallery(4-24-2002)
  
  
• Be an Original? UPDATE: hearing that #40-Sterling Marlin will run an original Coor's scheme for ten races in 2002(1-22-2002)
  UPDATE: Coors Chip Ganassi Racing withFelix Sabates has announced a Coors Original paint scheme for the #40 Dodge Intrepid R/T for 10 races during the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series. The #40 Coors Original Dodge paint scheme will kick off at Fontana and will also been seen at Dover, Michigan, Sonoma, Daytona, Pocono, Talladega, Martinsville, Atlanta and Phoenix. Coors Brewing Company has been a committed sponsor of NASCAR Winston Cup racing for nearly two decades and is looking forward the high profile exposure that the Coors Original paint scheme will provide with the 21+ male NASCAR enthusiast market. Coors Original, Coors Brewing Company's flagship beer, is currently aligned with several other partnerships including Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and musicians Kid Rock and Toby Keith. Coors Original will leverage its relationship with Toby Keith by incorporating Keith elements onto the Coors Original car.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(4-22-2002)
  UPDATE 2: see images of the car on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(4-24-2002)
  
  
• Mobil 1 Schemes for the #12: ExxonMobil Corporation's Mobil 1 brand serves as a major associate sponsor this season for both Penske Racing South Teams; the #2 Miller Lite Ford Taurus of veteran driver Rusty Wallace and the #12 ALLTEL Ford Taurus of rookie Ryan Newman. In addition, a marketing agreement has been reached whereby Newman's ALLTEL Ford will feature a special Mobil 1 and Speedpass paint design in five races this season, beginning with the April 20 NAPA Auto Parts 500 at California Speedway (and also at Chicago 7/14; Pocono 7/28; Michigan 8/18; and New Hampshire 9/15).. ExxonMobil Corporation will develop local and regional promotional programs to support the special design used in those markets.(Tom Roberts PR)(4-20-2002)
  
  
• M&M's Vote: Candy lovers around the globe will be faced with that decision beginning March 6th when Masterfoods USA launches its Global Color Vote(tm) - the largest promotion in the 61-year history of the "M&M's"® Brand. As consumers debate which color should be added to the famous mix in packs of the world's No. 1 candy brand, NASCAR® fans will keep some other things in mind when making their decision. Every vote cast for the new color of "M&M's" will be a vote cast for the color of Ken Schrader's #36 race car. In a one-race paint scheme at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 24, Schrader will run the winning color car - be it purple, pink or aqua. During the voting period, Schrader will pilot a special "Global Color Vote(tm)" paint scheme. At four races - Martinsville, Talladega, California and Richmond - Schrader will drive the Global Color Vote(tm) car. The car is similar to the familiar bright yellow #36, but it features the color choices of purple, pink and aqua. The characters also get in on the fun as they are depicted painting the car their color of choice. Red is dangling from a rope as he tries to paint the driver's side aqua. Blue has used his artistic skills to color the passenger side pink. And Yellow has painted himself and the back of the #36 purple. Residents around the globe will be eligible to vote by logging on to www.mms.com, which will be accessible in 10 different languages beginning on Wednesday March 6, 2002. Before casting a vote, consumers will have the opportunity to sample each color in specially marked packages available at retailers worldwide. The winning color will be announced in June 2002 at a gala event in New York City with the winning color car being driven by Schrader at the Bristol night race in August.(IMG Motorsports-Charlotte PR)(3-3-2002)
  
  
• Marilyn Monroe scheme? UPDATE: hearing #9 Bill Elliott will run a Marilyn Monroe scheme of some sort this season, no idea where or why(1-22-2002)
  UPDATE: hearing the scheme will be run at the California Speedway Cup race(1-26-2002)
  
  
• More Paint Scheme news can be found on Paint Schemes Gallery, choose current news
  
  

STATS and STUFF

Moved to my STATS and STATS Links page