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JAN 19-25, 2004

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(1-25-2004)

#4 Close to a sponsor: [#4 Team Owner] Larry McClure says he has received a deposit from a new sponsor, and hopes to announce the sponsor soon. The team owner has reached a verbal agreements with Kevin Lepage to drive the #4 Chevy this season. Tim Brewer will serve as Lepage's crew chief and the team manager."(NASCAR Scene need sub to read online)(1-25-2004)

Robby Gordon signs to drive in 24 At Daytona: It's official, the Spirit of Daytona team grew by one more really hot shoe Saturday as Nextel Cup driver Robby Gordon was added to the team's roster for Saturday's Rolex 24 At Daytona. Gordon joins Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Kyle Petty and Jimmie Johnson in the temporary leap from NASCAR to open-wheel racing for the Jan. 31-Feb. 1 endurance event at Daytona International Speedway. With five top-10 and four top-five overall finishes in the five Rolex 24 events in which he has participated, Gordon has demonstrated an ability to drive in a race that calls as much upon a driver's finesse as it does shear speed. Gordon will team with the Spirit's regular driving duo of Goad and IRL veteran Gregoire (greg-WAH) in a Crawford DP03 Daytona Prototype.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(1-25-2004)

Harvick Paint News: Kevin Harvick is scheduled to run a #29 Ice Breakers Liquid Ice Chevy at Texas, the new mint item is billed as the future of instant breath freshening.(1-25-2004)

Harivick to Snap On in the Challenge: #29-Kevin Harvick scheduled to run at the new Nextel All-Star Challenge at Lowes Motor Speedway – May 22 - with a Snap-On scheme.(1-25-2004)

Another Skinner: 18 year old Dustin Skinner, son of 1995 Craftsman Truck Series champion Mike Skinner, tested for the first time in a David Watson-owned Toyota Dash Series Car on Saturday morning at Daytona International Speedway. "I'm excited about it," Dustin said of his chance to go superspeedway racing in the Dash series, which earlier last year was on hardly anything more than on life support in the wake of NASCAR's decision to cut it loose. I appreciate the opportunity that David Watson gave me here." After using Friday for technical inspections, the garage area slowly filled to nearly 30 teams by Saturday morning and Dustin was heading for pit road exit as soon as he could when the track opened for practice. Dustin will return for his first superspeedway race Feb. 8, the IPower Dash 150, after Nextel Cup pole qualifying.(DaytonaBeach News Journal)(1-25-2004)

(1-24-2004)

Newman finishes testing at California: #12 Ryan Newman and his ALLTEL Dodge team completed a two-day test at California Speedway January 21-22. Through qualifying and longer runs the team took 285 laps around the two-mile, D-shaped oval with the quickest lap registering in at 39.55 sec. (182.28 mph). Newman hold's the pole speed record of 187.432 mph (38.414 sec.) set on April 26, 2002 at the superspeedway. He'll return to defend his record and take on the 43 other drivers on their way to Gatorade Victory Lane on May 2 for the Auto Club 500 and September 5 for the "Finish Under the Lights" Pop Secret 500. For tickets or information on these events log onto www.californiaspeedway.com or call 800-944-RACE (7223).(Calirfornia Speedway PR)(1-24-2004)

Busch to have co-sponsors in 2004: Roush Racing announced that Sharpie Markers and IRWIN Industrial Tools will be “co-primary” sponsors of the No. 97 Ford Taurus driven by Kurt Busch in the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Both Sharpie and IRWIN Industrial Tools are brands of Newell Rubbermaid (NYSE: NWL), which has been a supporter of the team since 2001. Sharpie and IRWIN Industrial Tools will split time on the car throughout the season. The new black and metallic colors of Sharpie will adorn the car for 18 of the season’s 36 races, beginning in the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 15. The blue and yellow IRWIN Industrial Tools car will compete in 18 events, beginning at North Carolina Speedway on Feb. 22. IRWIN will also sponsor the car in the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge event in May.(Roush Racing PR) See images of the cars on my #97 Paint Scheme Page; and the Sponsor Race Schedule for the team on my #97 Team News and Links page.(1-24-2004)

Oscar Meyer at Daytona: For the third year in a row Roush Racing's #6-Mark Martin will run a special Kraft Foods paint scheme in the Budweiser Shootout. Martin will make a record 16th straight start in the all-star event. For the second straight year, the Shootout is slated as a night race and will be run on the evening of Feb. 7, 2003. "The shootout is always a fun event," said Martin. "We'll be driving the Oscar Mayer/Team Kraft car again this year and it's always fun for the fans to run different paint schemes and stuff. As for the race you just never know in the Shootout. Basically you go out and look to win an event like the Shootout. Last year we gambled a bit to get up front and in the end it didn't pay off. But the bottom line is that second place is no better than 17 or 18 in the Shootout, so it's not uncommon to see teams go for it all. This year we are going to go out and try and win it again like we did in '99. Hopefully we can have those type of results. You just never know in that race." Martin, who has 41 career Nextel Cup poles, did not capture a pole in 2003, but will start his 17th Shootout on a past champions provisional via his 1999 victory in the all-star event.(Roush Racing PR)(1-24-2004)

(1-23-2004)

Hand Signals on Pit Road: NASCAR officials calling pit road penalties have received their share of what might euphemistically be called "hand signals" flashed their way before. In 2004, those officials will have some signals of their own to dish out. NASCAR president Mike Helton said Thursday that a new group of five signals have been devised to indicate the types of pit-road rules violations being called on teams in the Nextel Cup, Busch and Truck series in 2003. Helton did not detail which violations would be indicated by the new signals - and declined an offer of $20 if he'd demonstrate them himself. He said they would demonstrated to the media during Speedweeks in Daytona prior. Common pit road infractions in NASCAR races involve speeding on or off pit road, cars stopping outside the marked boundaries of their pit stall, cars inadvertently taking equipment - fuel or fuel catch cans or wrenches, for instance - with them as they leave their pit boxes, running over air hoses, too many men going over the wall and allowing tires to roll across pit road.(ThatsRacin.com)(1-23-2004)

NASCAR to Hire EMT: NASCAR president Mike Helton Helton said at Thursday's session at the NASCAR research and development center in Concord that the sport will hire an emergency medical technician to travel from race to race and ride in a chase vehicle that's designed to be among the first on the scene in the case of a crash where a driver might be injured. The EMT's role, Helton said, will not be to supervise the medical care given to an injured driver - that would be the job of doctors and other medical personnel from each track's medical staff. "An addition of an EMT to our staff is to help NASCAR provide direction and supervision over the standards and the requirements that we ask the tracks for," Helton said. "Also it provides a familiar face, if you will, in addition to other familiar faces that we'll use in chase vehicles or pace cars or in different situations so that the competitors to see and to feel that they have someone that they recognize that they can communicate with."(ThatsRacin.com)(1-23-2004)

Hmiel Could be Reinstated this year: Shane Hmiel. The Busch series driver, who was suspended indefinitely in September for an undisclosed violation of NASCAR's substance abuse policy, has been in a treatment program and likely will be reinstated this year.(USA Today)(1-23-2004)

Restrictor plates news: Gary Nelson, NASCAR's managing director of competition, says he'd like to get rid of the plates, which officials use to control speeds at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, but NASCAR has yet to find an alternative. The plates reduce engine horsepower by slowing down air as it flows into an engine. The cars end up racing in large, tight packs at Talladega and Daytona — thrilling for fans, but just short of terrifying for drivers. "I'm still trying, but we haven't found anything better," Nelson said. The plates also lead to conspiracy theories in the garage; some teams believe NASCAR officials show favoritism in handing out less-restrictive plates to their rivals. Nelson says the officials take the responsibility of making all the plates equal "very seriously."(USA Today)(1-23-2004)

Gordon, Pepsi and a Billion: #24-Jeff Gordon and Pepsi Team up again to bring the Pepsi “Billion” car back to the track at the July 3rd, 2004 Pepsi 400 in Daytona.(1-23-2004)

NBC Plans High-Definition Broadcast of 500: NBC Sports says it will broadcast the season-opening Busch Series and Nextel Cup races at Daytona International Speedway in the high-definition format for the first time. Both the Feb. 14 Hershey's Kisses 300 Busch race and the Feb. 15 Daytona 500 Cup race will be available via affiliate stations that broadcast to homes with digital televisions capable of receiving the high-definition signals. NBC says it has 115 digital television affiliates, reaching approximately 83 percent of U.S. digital television households.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(1-23-2004)

(1-22-2004)

Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Award Winners: The five journalists honored Wednesday night during the 19th annual presentation of the Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence in honor of Russ Catlin included a writer for the prestigious The Washington Post and a freelance motorsports photographer from Honolulu who captured his winning image at Hawaii Motor Speedway. The Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence recognize outstanding motorsports coverage in five categories while honoring the memory of Russ Catlin, a motorsports journalism pioneer. A record number of entries in three of the five categories were submitted to the Indiana University School of Journalism where faculty members selected the winners. Each of the winners received a plaque and a Rolex watch from Miller Lite NASCAR NEXTEL Cup driver Rusty Wallace following a dinner at the Rusty Wallace Inc. facility in Mooresville, N.C. The event was part of the UAW-GM Motorsports Media Tour’s annual visit with Penske Racing South drivers and team officials.
The 2003 Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence in honor of Russ Catlin winners:
Print – Daily
Liz Clarke – The Washington Post; Entry: “The Old Coach Builds on His Track Record”
Print – Other
Godwin Kelly – Racing Milestones; Entry: “One Track Mind”
Broadcast – National
Rob Nelson – SPEED Channel; Entry: “Heroes of Indy”
Broadcast – Local
Chuck Howard – WCNC-TV; Entry: “Lyndon Amick – Racing for America
Photojournalism:
Earl Ma – National Speed Sport News; Entry: “Hot Seat”
“When the Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence started, a majority of the entries came strictly from motorsports journalists in the Southeast,” noted Scott Bussen, marketing communications manager for Miller Brewing Co. “The fact that this year’s winners include a staff writer for The Washington Post and a photojournalist from Hawaii clearly shows how media coverage of motorsports has changed through the years. Miller Brewing Co. is proud to continue its support of these awards that not only recognize the achievements of today’s journalists, but honor the memory and accomplishments of Russ Catlin.”(TRPR)(1-22-2004)

Kelloggs Re-Ups with Hendrick Motorsports: Hendrick Motorsports and Kellogg Company have extended one of stock-car racing's most enduring relationships, today announcing a multi-year agreement that secures the Michigan-based cereal maker as primary sponsor of the #5 Chevy's in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Back behind the wheel of the Kellogg's Chevrolets in 2004 will be two-time Cup Series champion Terry Labonte, who also has signed a contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports. Labonte and Kellogg's debuted with the #5 team in 1994, two years before winning the 1996 NASCAR Winston Cup Series title together. "We're excited about extending our longstanding relationship with both Kellogg's and Terry Labonte," said team owner Rick Hendrick. "This team is capable of great things, so we're all looking forward to seeing what happens when the season begins next month." Entering its 15th year as a NASCAR team sponsor, Kellogg's has been an Official Status Partner with the sanctioning body since 1995 and is the "Official Breakfast Food of NASCAR."(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(1-22-2004)

Petree selling Cup stuff; concentrating on Busch: Over the next five days, Andy Petree is going to finally empty some space in his shop complex outside Asheville, N.C., via a comprehensive auction to clear out a huge inventory of Nextel Cup racing equipment. "We've never had a sale in the eight years I've owned the team," Petree said. "And we've got tons of stuff, just everywhere, so we're getting rid of all of the Winston Cup stuff." Petree, who will race the full Busch Series schedule for the first time this season, using #33 Menards Chevrolets for promising driver Paul Menard, is selling at auction some 20 cars in various states of assembly. He also has about 20 engines -- from fresh to broken -- and countless spare parts and equipments. "We're selling all of our Winston Cup stuff because we've kind of changed the way we're doing our deal, this year," Petree said. "We're running all Busch cars, which we didn't have that many of, so we're having to build all new cars and all new engines. There really wasn't any sense in keeping all that Winston Cup stuff around. We had enough stuff lying around to do two Winston Cup teams and a Busch team -- and now we're just a full-time Busch team. It didn't make much sense to have, I think 185 gear sets in the shop; when 60 will do you plenty (so) we're just getting rid of a lot of stuff we don't need that's taking up space and resources."(NASCAR.com)(1-22-2004)

Congrats: Congratulations to Lisa Shealy, team Public Relations Director for Morgan-McClure Motorsports #4 Nextel Cup Series Chevrolet, and Chuck Hawke, Visiting Clubhouse Manager for the Kansas City Royals MLB team, on their recent engagement. December 2004 wedding is planned. Shealy starts her 14th year in NASCAR and sixth year with Morgan-McClure Motorsports. Hawke has been with the Royals for 13 years.(1-22-2004)

Testing at The Rock: North Carolina Speedway at Rockingham says two Nextel Cup teams have tests scheduled today. Rookie Brian Vickers was scheduled to test Hendrick Motorsports' No. 25 Chevrolet, and Jeff Green was expected to test Petty Enterprises' No. 43 Dodge. Busch Series driver Eddie Beahr was also scheduled to test the No. 90 Dodge.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(1-22-2004)

(1-21-2004)

Elliott has a new title: Bill Elliott, who plans to run 5-15 races this year, was officially dubbed “competition director” by owner Ray Evernham for the teams of Jeremy Mayfield and Kasey Kahne.(Gaston Gazette)(1-21-2004)

Bruton would like costs cut: Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., remains convinced that cutting costs will be the key to stock-car racing's future. "The one thing I'd be impressed with would be if NASCAR could cut the cost," he said. "Until they cut the cost, I'm not very impressed. As far as changing the points, that doesn't mean a thing to me because it's not helping to cut the cost. One thing that will help our attendance for the October race (in Charlotte) will be if they cut the speeds, so we can have a full field of cars. Now we see a lot of guys pull in after 10 or 15 laps and say they blew up or something. When you look at somebody like Jeff Burton that doesn't have a sponsor, it's a concern because we're going to see a lot more of it."(The State)(1-21-2004)

Didja Know? If the "Chase for the Championship" had been in place over the last five seasons, four Winston Cup champions would not have finished first. If we apply the new formula based purely on the drivers' performances over the final 10 races, we find that Jimmie Johnson would have won instead of Kenseth in 2003; Kurt Busch instead of Tony Stewart in 2002; Sterling Marlin instead of Jeff Gordon in 2001; and Bobby Labonte instead of Dale Jarrett in 1999. Only Labonte would have survived the change in retaining his crown in 2000.(Philadelphia Inquirer)(1-21-2004)

Reporter OK: During the announcement of the new plan, at the NASCAR research-and-development center in Concord, a television reporter covering the event collapsed, apparently as a result of a seizure. Among those attending to him was NASCAR vice president Paul Brooks, a onetime paramedic.(Gaston Gazette), Speed Channel reported the reporter as being OK and leaving under their own power.(1-21-2004)

Points pioneer Latford honored by NMPA: NASCAR historian Bob Latford, who developed the point system used by NASCAR to determine champions from 1975 through 2003, has been named the 2003 recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association/Pocono Spirit Award. The award, determined by the voting membership of the NMPA, recognizes character and achievement in the face of adversity as well as sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. "He was one of the true pioneers in our sport and a good friend," Jim Hunter, vice president of corporate communications for NASCAR, said. "A great statistician, historian and a true friend to the media. "He was always trying to help the media with ideas, providing facts and figures to generate a story. It's a shame that many members of today's media didn't know Bob in his heyday."(ThatsRacin.com)(1-21-2004)

Sporting News Preview: Sporting News The Premiere Edition of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Preview is a 224-page guide to the upcoming racing season. There are expert Scouting Reports on every driver and every track. Plus, FOX racing commentators Larry McReynolds, Darrell Waltrip and Jeff Hammond provide insight, and star drivers describe the fastest way around every track. You also get the Sporting News' exclusive driver rankings, a guide to the key issues and trends for the upcoming season and schedules for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series. By the way, you'll never guess who we're picking to win the first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.(Sporting News)(1-21-2004

NASCAR Preview Mag: Dale Earnhardt Jr.; Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick; Jeff Gordon; Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Newman; each grace the cover of Athlon's Racing magazine which provides a comprehensive preview of the 2004 NASCAR season. Athlon Racing profiles and ranks the top 40 drivers, details each track on the Nextel Cup circuit and has an informative Drivers Forum where the stars of the sport speak out on various issues. This magazine is a must as fans gear up for Daytona and another exciting season of racing. More info at the www.athloncollectibles.com site.(1-21-2004)

(1-20-2004)

MB2/MBV Racing Owners Sell: Atlanta banker Tom Beard and attorney Read Morton have sold their interests in the MB2 and MBV teams to Chattanooga businessman Nelson Bowers. Bowers now owns the #01 U.S. Army team [Joe Nemechek/Jerry Nadeau] outright, and he and Valvoline each own half of the #10 Valvoline team [Scott Riggs]. Beard said the three remain friends and simply decided that the teams would be better off with a single owner. "You can't run a race team by committee, especially when we live in different cities," Beard said.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(1-20-2004)

Nadeau Still Healing: Jerry Nadeau still is healing from a head injury sustained in a May 2 wreck at Richmond International Raceway and hasn't set a timetable for returning. "Hopefully, I'll be able to get in a car this year," he said yesterday. "In the last nine months, I've realized there is life besides racing. If I don't race again, at least I can say that I did it."(Richmond Times Dispatch and see another column at the Winston Salem Journal) and see past info on Jerry and the injury/recovery on my #01 Jerry Nadeau page.(1-20-2004)

Jerry Nadeau and a fan at Motorsports 2004 in Ft. Washington, PA
Thanks to Jim Garrahan Photo for the image

Waltip and the Simpsons [a Jayski fave]: The Simpsons are celebration it’s 15th consecutive season on Fox. There will be a maximum of three Cup schemes, one Busch [#99 Michael Waltrip] and an event diecast. The schemes are scheduled to run at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 29th & 30th.(1-20-2004)

Guard and Reserve Busch Grand National cars schemes: The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a government-funded program that enlists the support of America’s corporations to procure employment of American military service men and women. The ESGR will sponsor 5 Busch races, with Richard Childress in an attempt to create awareness and to promote the 5 Freedom Award recipients selected in 2003. Here are 3 of the drivers that are available for preorder. All cars will be #29, so far three drivers:
Tony Stewart Coast Guard scheme to be run at Homestead in November
Bobby Labonte Army scheme to be run at Texas in April
Jimmie Johnson Marines scheme to be run at California in May.(1-20-2004)

Gordon goes Retro for the Challenge: Since Retro is in, Hendricks Motorsports and DuPont are returning to the rainbow scheme for the Nextel All-Star Challenge race weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May for #24-Jeff Gordon.(1-20-2004)

#48 Johnson Power of Pride Once again Lowe’s will be celebrating patriotism when they roll out the #48 Power of Pride at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May with driver Jimmie Johnson.(1-20-2004)

EMP becomes an assoc sponsor for the #25: Hendrick Motorsports announced a multi-year agreement that will feature Engineered Machined Products Inc. (EMP), the world leader in automotive thermal cooling and oil management systems, as an associate sponsor of the #25 Chevrolets driven by Brian Vickers in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. "EMP has already enjoyed a successful association with Brian and we're delighted they've chosen to continue that relationship by joining the #25 team," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "We're looking forward to many years of partnership." EMP began its relationship with Vickers in 2001 as a primary sponsor in the USAR ProCup Series and continued into the following year on the driver's NASCAR Busch Series entry.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(1-20-2004)

#57 Switches to Chevy and to #75: The ARCA RE/MAX Series returns for their season opening event at Daytona International Speedway for the 41st annual Advance Discount Auto Parts 200 on February 7, the same-night as the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Bud Shootout. The race will be covered live on SPEED Channel at 4 pm eastern, Saturday, February 7. Team CLR Racing will be there with driver Shane Hmiel. #57 Team CLR has been busy in the shop since testing with Shane in mid December. Since testing the team has cut the body off of their new 2004 Ford and have turned it into a 2004 Chevy. Shane's seats have been installed in the cars and final tweaking of the body is being done before the cars head to the paint shop. Chevy power will be under the hood for the first time for Team CLR and the power is being provided by Dale Earnhardt Inc. Another new look for Team CLR at Daytona for the ARCA race will be that they will run with #75 on the door. With DEI Power under the hood and the body hung by some of the best body hangers in NASCAR. Team CLR is looking forward to an exciting trip to Daytona. Team CLR plans on running selected ARCA and Nextel Cup races in 2004. They also hope to participate in some form or another in the Busch series. Many of their plans are dependant upon securing sponsorship.(OTWRacing.com)(1-20-2004)

Congrats: Richmond [VA] TV and radio broadcasters Joe and Ruth Kelly won first, second and third place in the TV spot news category during the National Motorsports Press Association's annual awards banquet. The Kellys have won 10 national awards in TV and 10 in radio.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(1-20-2004)

Congrats II: NASCAR president Mike Helton was on hand for the ceremony Monday during which the red Winston Cup sign at the main entrance was replaced by a bright-yellow Nextel Cup sign at Lowe's Motor Speedway and was displaying the results of his decision to go on the Atkins diet. “I've lost 75 pounds,” Helton said. “I've got 15 to go.” The svelte Helton was asked whether he has also been running. “I only run when I'm being chased,” he replied.(KC Star), Jayski lost 30 doing a similar diet...lost a lot of bad eating habits.(1-20-2004)

Sebring 2004 inductees: Sebring International Raceway's Hall of Fame Selection Committee has announced its 2004 inductees. Sir Stirling Moss, Mario Andretti, Carroll Shelby, Bobby Rahal, Bob and Al Holbert, race official Ford Heacock Sr., and the legendary manufacturer Ferrari headline the prestigious list of inductees. Induction ceremonies take place Friday, March 19, the day before the 52nd Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, at the Chateau Elan Hotel and Spa overlooking the raceway's famous Hairpin Turn. The Sebring Hall of Fame luncheon is a non-profit event that benefits the Sebring International Raceway Hall of Fame Museum fund.(Speed Channel)(1-20-2004)

(1-19-2004)

TV Guide Rolls Out Third-Annual Full-Size Nascar Preview Magazine Hits Newsstands January 19
Two Collectors' Covers Feature Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Kevin Harvick

(click on image to see larger

Following the enormous success of its first two NASCAR preview publications, TV Guide rolls out its third-annual full-size NASCAR season preview on January 19. TV Guide Auto Racing Yearbook features a pair of collectible covers, spotlighting Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick, two of the most successful and popular names in the sport. The 96-page definitive guide for all NASCAR fans is an exciting full-color look at the upcoming season, filled with stirring photos, vital information [even a now out-dated story on provisionals by Jayski] and stories by the nation's top motor sports journalists. TV Guide Auto Racing Yearbook also includes such bonus features as a full-size two-sided poster with overhead views of every Nextel Cup track on one side, and the coolest championship cars on the reverse; and a collectible "build-your-own" cutout version of Kevin Harvick's No. 29 Chevy. In addition, through a special sweepstakes, fans can enter to win an all expense-paid trip for two to the Brickyard 400.
On newsstands for its February 14th issue (on sale Monday, February 9th), TV Guide magazine will publish three different special effects lenticular NASCAR collector's covers. Each cover features an alternating image of a top driver's 2004 car, and another of his popular past paint schemes. The cool cars of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Kevin Harvick are each featured on each of these special covers. See my Racing Bookstore page for the FULL release on the TV Guide Preview.(1-19-2004)

NMPA names Newman its driver of the year: Ryan Newman accepted the 2003 Richard Petty Driver of the Year award from the National Motorsports Press Association. Newman won eight races and 11 poles in 2003, statistics that led 68 percent of the NMPA members voting for the driver of the year award to choose him. Newman got 53 votes to 15 for Matt Kenseth, who won the Winston Cup title. Newman said Richard Petty is one of his heroes. "To have my name and his name on the same trophy is great for me," he said.(ThatsRacin.com)(1-19-2004)

UAW-GM Motorsports Media Tour this week: About 200 journalists from around the country began arriving in Charlotte over the weekend to take part in the 21st annual UAW-GM Motorsports Media Tour hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway this week. The preseason tour of race shops and sessions with NASCAR drivers officially begins Monday, with a session with executives from Nextel headlining the first day's schedule.(ThatsRacin.com)(1-19-2004)

Sad News: Condolences to Larry and Ginny McClure of Morgan-McClure Motorsports [#4 Chevy] for the loss of her mother, Lilly Flanary, on Sunday, January 18, 2004. The team's thoughts and prayers are with Larry, Ginny and her sister, Wilma Blevins, the team receptionist. A funeral will be held on Tuesday in Jonesville, VA.(1-19-2004)

SAFER at all tracks by 2005: NASCAR held safety meetings with drivers and crew chiefs during both Daytona testing sessions to update them on the latest advancements. NASCAR said it plans to have the SAFER barriers installed at every Nextel Cup track where they are recommended by the start of the 2005 season.(Yahoo Sports/Sporting News)(1-19-2004)

Shorter Fields? Could NASCAR be looking at shortening the fields? Just 38 full-time teams showed up for Daytona testing. Decreasing the fields from 43 to 38 cars could be considered in the future.(Yahoo Sports/Sporting News)(1-19-2004)

(1-18-2004)
see the Jan 12-18, 2004 Archived News Page

(1-11-2004)
see the Jan 5-11, 2004 Archived News Page

(1-4-2004)
see the Dec 29, 2003 - Jan 4, 2004 Archived News Page

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PAST NEWS/RUMORSJAN 19-25, 2004