PAST NEWS JULY 30-AUG 5, 2001
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(8-5-2001)
- Gordon wins his 3rd Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday. #24-Jeff Gordon got the lead late in the race, only changed 2 tires on his last pitstop and held off #40-Sterling Marlin to win his 3rd career Brickyard 400 and 56th career Winston up win. Rounding out the top 5 were #10-Benson(3rd), #2-Wallace(4th) and #97-Busch(5th). Gordon increases his Points lead with his 4th win of the season (now has 3027) to 160 over #88-Jarrett (finished 12th) and 179 over #28-Rudd (finished 39th). Gordon started 27th, the farthest a driver has started and won a Brickyard 400, Dale Jarrett started 24th in 1996 and won. See That's Racin' for Unofficial Brickyard 400 results and Unofficial Drivers Standings and a column: Gordon shows way, wins his 3rd Brickyard 400(8-5-2001)
- Air Force at Indy: The Air Force announced today that the flyover for the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Aug. 5 will be performed by four F-16's from the 181st Fighter Squadron, Indiana Air National Guard, and a B-52 from the 93rd Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. The B-52 from the Air Force Reserve at Barksdale has tail number 21 to salute the NASCAR Winston Cup car #21, driven by Elliott Sadler. The B-52 also has the #21 decals on both sides of the nose of the aircraft. The Air Force is an advertiser on the #21 car and continues to use its involvement in NASCAR as part of its overall recruiting plan to gain the interest of more young men and women, especially those with mechanical and electrical skills. The lineage of the 93rd began Aug 21, 1917 with the activation of the 93rd Aero Squadron at Kelly Field, TX. The 93rd flew combat missions in both World War I and WWII. The Squadron was deactivated in 1963 with the closure of Kinchloe AFB, but was reactivated in 1993 and is the first B-52 unit in the Air Force Reserve. The flyover at the Brickyard 400 shows the total support given to this country not only by the active duty Air Force, but by the men and women who continue to support through the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard(Air Force Public Affairs)(8-2-2001)
Check out images of the plane:
(US Air Force Public Affairs 8-5-2001)
- Hermie to Help Out UPDATE Sadler misses, #50 to display pictures: The marketing firm of Body Dynamics Racing Bodies, through their efforts working with America's Most Wanted, they are able to assist with yet another missing persons case. With the generous efforts of #13-Hermie Sadler and his sponsor the Virginia Lottery, the placement of two little girls' photos will be on his car for the Brickyard 400 festivities. "Hermie gave me a call and mentioned that he and his sponsor the Virginia Lottery would like to assist in a missing persons case by donating space on his car for the Brickyard," Stated Scott Davis, Media Relations Director for Body Dynamics, "I took him up on his offer, and placed a call to America's Most Wanted and took on a case." The case is that of two young girls missing from South-Side Chicago. Little Tionda, age 10 and her sister Diamond, age 3 was last seen by their mother at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, July 6, 2001, and was last seen by friends in the neighborhood around noon on that same Friday playing outside their apartment complex. "We were glad to help out," mentioned Hermie, "I took notice when Body Dynamics Racing and America's Most Wanted placed the picture of Chandra Levy on the #92 car in Daytona during the Pepsi 400 and I thought what a great idea that was, so I contacted Scott and my sponsor to see what we could do to assist in the future. Since the next race for me to compete was to be the Brickyard it was logical to offer space on my car for that event." The girl's pictures will adorn the TV panel at the rear of the car as well as the 800-CRIME-TV number, so persons can call directly in with information. America's Most Wanted will be featuring the story of these two missing sisters on the July 28, 2001 edition of their program. "Since we made our announcement in Daytona, that Body Dynamics Racing Bodies, Inc. and America's Most Wanted have teamed up for NASCAR competition for 2002 and beyond, some members of the family of NASCAR teams have pulled together and offered their assistance to get things off the ground and start finding missing children as soon as possible." Said Davis, "This brings attention to the focus of what were are looking to accomplish with the AMERICA'S MOST WANTED TEAM next year as well as shows interested corporations how they can benefit by associating themselves with this project."(Body Dynamics Racing Bodies PR)(7-27-2001)
UPDATE: The #50 Speedway Records Chevrolet, driven by Rich Bickle, and owned by Hal Hicks, are proud to help out the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children/Americas Most Wanted. The #50 car will be carrying pictures on the car of two young girls missing from South Side, Chicago. Little Tionda, age 10, and her sister Deamond, age 3, were last seen by their mother when she left for work at 6:30 AM on Friday, July 6th 2001, and were last seen by friends in the neighborhood around noon on that same Friday playing outside their complex. The girls' pictures will adorn the T.V. panel at the rear of the car, as well as the 800-CRIME-TV number, so persons can call directly in with information. We urge race fans to take an active part in finding these two little girls(Midwest Transit Racing PR)(8-5-2001)
The TV Panel of Sadler's car that was to at Indy but failed to make the race, so they will be displayed on the #50 car with driver Rich Bickle at the wheel (Bickle also carried pictures on the #59 BGN car a few weeks ago). Thanks to Scott of Body Dynamics for the image(8-3/4/5-2001)
- Nice Gesture by the Champ: As a token of its appreciation for Bobby Labonte's achievements last season, Pontiac presented Labonte with a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix to donate to the charity of his choice. Labonte selected the Victory Junction Gang Camp as the recipient of the gift and presented the car to its founder, Kyle Petty, this weekend in Indianapolis. The Victory Junction Gang Camp was founded by the Pettys for kids in honor of their son, Adam. It will be a place where children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and their families can retreat to rejuvenate their minds, bodies and spirits. The camp will be located in Randleman, NC.(That's Racin')(8-5-2001)
- IROC at Richmond? The IROC series is not expected to return to Michigan next year. Richmond International Raceway is among the tracks being considered as a replacement(Roanoke Times)(8-5-2001)
- Bodine Sponsor Hunting for 2002 UPDATE: #11-Brett Bodine, one of the few owner-drivers left in Winston Cup, is searching for sponsors to replace the ones he's losing at the end of the season. But his recent on-track performances are giving him some good fodder for his sales pitch. He has been running at the finish of the past 26 races, and he got his first top-10 this season at the Pepsi 400 at Daytona last month. At New Hampshire, he wrecked his primary car in practice and had to use a car built in the mid-1980s. He drove it to a 13th-place finish, his fourth straight top-15 run. Bodine said he needs at least $8 million a year from a sponsor to run up front consistently. He now operates on far less than that(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(8-4-2001)
UPDATE: Brett Bodine also admits he'll not have a sponsor next year, although he says he has deals in the works. Primary sponsor Ralph's (a West Coast subsidiary of Cincinnati-based Kroger) will not be the primary next year. "Right now we don't have a sponsor for next year, savvy Bodine said. "Ralph's is definitely not coming back. Red Cell we're not sure. Certainly you're uncomfortable."(SpeedVision)(8-5-2001)
- DW and Wendy's UPDATE and Newman: Darrell Waltrip and Dave Thomas are back together. DW and Wendy's founder Dave Thomas are in Charlotte today and tomorrow filming another round of national Wendy's commercials. Joining them in at least one commercial is NASCAR rising star, Ryan Newman. Look for these new series of commercials to air nationally in a few months. Waltrip and Thomas filmed a set of wildly popular commericals last year too that aired in the Super Bowl and the World Series(6-26-2001)
UPDATE: Winston Cup rookie Ryan Newman(#02) has filmed his first national television commercial, a spot for Wendy's with three-time NASCAR champion Darrell Waltrip and Wendy's founder Dave Thomas .It airs the first week of October(Indianapolis Star)(8-5-2001)
(8-4-2001)
- IROC - Labonte wins race and championship: The 25th running of the True Value IROC series has been completed with reigning Winston Cup champion Bobby Labonte earning his first IROC title by finishing in today's event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Jeff Burton led the first 19 laps until a caution for debris bunched the field. At the double-file restart Burton and Labonte went side-by-side down the back stretch where Tony Stewart made it three wide into turn three. At that point Burton and Buddy Lazier got together taking both out of the action. On the final restart, Labonte and Stewart put on a teammate clinic as the two Joe Gibbs Racing drivers went side by side through the corners until lap 44 when Stewart scraped the outside of turn 4 and was not able to challenge after that. Labonte's margin of victory was .324 of a second. Stewart finished second holding off Kenny Brack, Dale Jarrett and Al Unser Jr. In sixth was Ricky Rudd followed by Eddie Cheever Jr., Jeff Green, Mark Dismore, Jeff Burton and Buddy Lazier.(IROC Racing Site)(8-4-2001)
- Kenseth on the Today Show: Winston Cup driver Matt Kenseth will appear on NBC's "Today Show" on Thursday(Aug 9th). The nature of the segment has not been disclosed, but one of Kenseth's #17 Ford show cars will also be used in the segment(That's Racin')(8-4-2001)
- Throttle Cut Off Fails? UPDATE: #21-Elliott Sadler said a throttle cut-off switch might have caused him to crash on the third lap. He continued racing and finished 23rd. "That's two weeks in a row that thing's cut off on me," Sadler said of the device developed to shut the engine off when the throttle is stuck. "It made me hit the wall [last week] in New Hampshire and then cost us a lot of points here today. I know it's a safety device, but that's two weeks in a row it's killed us, so we're going to try to do something different about it."(Roanoke Times)(7-30-2001)
UPDATE: Pat Tryson, crew chief for Elliott Sadler, said that the throttle cut-off device, which contributed to a crash last weekend at Pocono, has been fixed. Tryson said Sadler got hit from behind at Pocono and hit the brakes. The car has a cut-off device that if enough force is applied to the brakes while the accelerator is open, it automatically turns the engine off. That's what happened to Sadler. Tryson said the device has been modified to withstand more pressure before cutting the engine off.(Roanoke Times)(8-4-2001)
- 200th Chassis for Hendrick: It has been a season of one hundreds at Hendrick Motorsports, and this weekend proves no different. HMS, which claimed its 100th win and 100th pole before the half-way mark of the 2001 race schedule, will double that magic 100 at Indianapolis when it fields the 200th HMS-built chassis in the Brickyard 400. The Hendrick Motorsports Chassis Shop officially reached that mark in May, when No. 5 Kellogg’s Team Crew Chief Gary DeHart called the chassis shop and put in the order for a chassis that Terry Labonte could take to intermediate speedways on NASCAR’s Winston Cup circuit. Each chassis built at the Harrisburg, N.C. motorsports complex is stamped by number in the roll cage, and since marking the 200th they’ve already built four others – with no other priorities, the team can build a chassis in about a week – and repaired several more damaged in competition. And though Terry Labonte will pilot the car in competition for the first time in the Brickyard 400, the 200th chassis has already started to show its stuff. It was put through a rigorous testing before DeHart decided to field it at Indy(HMS Site)(8-4-2001)
- Nice: The Make-A-Wish Foundation brought 7-year-old Wagas Manzoor to the track Friday. Manzoor, who is suffering from a life-threatening illness, took one lap around the speedway with IROC test driver Jim Sauter, then pulled into Victory Lane as his family looked on. Sauter also is a former Winston Cup driver. "Fantastic," was how Manzoor described the experience. Manzoor's father, Hussain, said his son is a race-car fan who watches each Sunday, but that his son does not have a favorite driver. Wagas Manzoor, who is from Round Rock, Texas, near Austin, was cheered by a small crowd outside Victory Lane and gave the crowd the thumbs up signal as he sat next to a trophy on the roof of the car and photos were snapped. "Really there was so much excitement," Hussain Manzoor said. "It was very exciting and we are so thankful to the Make-A-Wish Foundation."(Daytona Beach News Journal/AP)(8-4-2001)
- More Paint Schemes: hearing that #18-Bobby Labonte and #20-Tony Stewart will have Talladega Special paint schemes, something to do with the Coca-Cola polar bears(5-13-2001)
UPDATE - Labonte/Stewart Announcement: #18-Bobby Labonte, #20-Tony Stewart and representatives from Joe Gibbs Racing, Interstate Batteries and The Home Depot will hold a press conference at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to announce plans for a 2001 holiday promotion with Toys for Tots on Friday, August 3 at 10:30am/ct at Indianapolis Motor Speedway(Gibbs Racing PR)(7-29-2001)
UPDATE 2: The Coca-Cola Polar Bears, one of America's best-known holiday icons, will come out of hibernation early for a special appearance on Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart's race cars during the Alabama 500 NASCAR race in Talladega on October 21. Both special paint schemes feature the famous polar bear decked out in racing gear, ready for action. On Labonte's #18 Interstate
Batteries car, the Coca-Cola Polar Bear dons shades and grips the wheel of his race car. For the Home Depot car of Stewart, the
Coca-Cola Polar Bear becomes a part of the #20 pit crew, complete with radio headset and tire changer's air gun. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of licensed merchandise featuring the Coca-Cola Polar Bears will be donated to Toys For Tots, a non-profit organization that distributes toys to needy children during the holiday season. In addition, Home Depot is working with Marine Corps Toys for Tots' units around the Talladega, Phoenix, Rockingham, Homestead and Atlanta race weekends to provide toy donation collection centers at Home Depot's NASCAR display unit set up at the race tracks. Joe Gibbs Racing's shop in Huntersville, N.C. also will accept toy donations for Toys for Tots. Although the Polar Bear cars won't actually hit the track until the Alabama 500 on October 21, racing fans and collectors will be able to participate in the holiday-themed promotion this summer. Action Performance, the industry leader in motorsports-related product licensing and merchandising, has created exclusive Coca-Cola Polar Bear die-cast collectibles, racing apparel, and other unique
merchandise that will be available the beginning of August(Joe Gibbs Racing/Coca Cola/Action PR)(8-3-2001)
IMAGES: see my Paint Scheme Gallery for images of the cars(8-4-2001)
(8-3-2001)
- Monster Car UPDATE: #5-Terry Labonte will run a Kelloggs/Monster special paint scheme at Phoenix and possibly Homestead(8-2-2001)
UPDATE: see an image of the layout of the car at my Paint Scheme Gallery(8-3-2001)
- Kimmel to Cup? UPDATE: Frank Kimmel, current ARCA point leader and two-time champion, may venture into Winston Cup next season for three races. The only track that was mentioned for sure was Charlotte. His current sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, may be the one backing the effort. The 38-year old native of Jeffersonville, Ind., was the series rookie of the year in 1992 and was a runner-up in championship points in 1994, '97 and '99.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(6-23-2001)
UPDATE: During the next three months, Kimmel and his sponsors hope to build a similar foundation in Winston Cup. Advance Auto is committed to supporting Kimmel in his bid to race in Winston Cup events later this year at Charlotte, Martinsville and Atlanta. He will continue to race on the ARCA series, in which he has an 835-point lead in his bid for a third championship in four years. One reason that Kimmel and Co. chose Winston Cup over other NASCAR circuits is the similarity of the cars he will be driving. He drives a Jack Roush Ford in ARCA and will be driving a Roush Ford in Winston Cup(Roanoke Times)(8-3-2001)
- Gordon Gives: Jeff Gordon donated $100,000 from the Jeff Gordon Foundation to Riley's Hospital for Children in Indianapolis(Roanoke Times) see next story(8-3-2001)
- Gordon on Millionaire: Winston Cup driver #24-Jeff Gordon, former NBA player Charles Barkley, boxer Laila Ali and tennis player Serena Williams are among the athletes competing in a sports edition of ABC's ``Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'' airing Sept. 10. The quiz show will move to Mondays as a lead-in to ``Monday Night Football,'' while a regular edition will air Thursdays.(AP/That's Racin')(7-24-2001)
UPDATE: Jeff Gordon took his turn in the "hot seat" on a sports celebrity version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" on Wednesday for shows to be aired in September on ABC. Gordon spent Tuesday and Wednesday taping the show in New York with host Regis Philbin and a group of sports figures that included Charles Barkley, Martina Navratilova, Johnny Bench and John Elway. Gordon barely missed winning a couple of "fastest finger" questions on the first day before making his way to the chair opposite Philbin on the second day of taping. Like the rest of the celebrities playing the game, Gordon's winnings will go to charity. To find out how Gordon fared in the "hot seat," race fans will have to wait until the shows air beginning on Sept. 10.(That's Racin')
AND Jeff Gordon tried to blame the loss of prize money on David Poole, a sportswriter from the Charlotte Observer, but the truth is -- and this is Gordon's final answer -- it was ultimately his own fault. The three-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion was a celebrity contestant this week on ABC's Who Wants To Be a Millionaire. The episode airs Sept. 10. Without yielding more information than ABC officials would like, here's what happened: Gordon was going for $125,000 when he became stumped on a pop music question. Down to just his phone-a-friend lifeline, Gordon thought Poole would provide him with help identifying Billy Joel. Poole though, could not come up with the singer's name. "And I've probably got 12 of his albums," he told Gordon Thursday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Gordon was holding a charity event. "If it had just been you and me sitting around the house, I could have told you (the right answer). Don't tell me that," Gordon said. "I guess that means you're going to be nice to me in the newspaper for a very long time." Gordon chose Poole over his other designated "friends" -- his mother-in-law, Karen Parks, who regularly completes The New York Times crossword puzzle; stepfather John Bickford, a buff of science, history and geography; Hendrick Motorsports engineer Gary Eaker; and ESPN announcer Kenny Mayne, who is the host of the network's sports trivia show, The 2-Minute Drill. "I'll bet Kenny knew the answer," said Gordon, who added that Poole sounded overwhelmed when he heard Regis Philbin's voice on the telephone. Said Poole: "I told (Gordon) not to call me on music." Bickford, who sat by his telephone Tuesday waiting to hear from the show, found the whole process amusing. "Who would have thought I'd go from helping Jeff race at Indianapolis Raceway Park (in the 1980s) to being his call-a-friend option on Millionaire," he said. Gordon's TV winnings went to The Jeff Gordon Foundation, a nonprofit entity that supports sick and needy children. The former Pittsboro, Ind., resident announced Thursday that his foundation, which he formed in 1999 with his wife, Brooke, was joining forces with the Riley Hospital for Children. Riley officials received a check from $100,000 from the Gordon Foundation Thursday. "This is only the beginning," Gordon said.(Indianpolis Star)(8-3-2001)
- Wells/PPI Motorsports in Trouble? UPDATE 2 McDonalds to the #32 in 2002 as an Assoc: Some who should know believe owner Cal Wells is worse off than many believe and could be out of the game after this season. Wells faces the loss of McDonald's, sponsor of his #96 team, and is negotiating with Tide, sponsor of his #32. The McDonald's unrest has kept Andy Houston's #96 out of the past two races, and although the team will return at Indy, it may run only a limited schedule the rest of the way. McDonald's plans, meanwhile, remain entirely unclear, although most believe the company will not be a team sponsor next year. Wells is trying to keep a brave face on his two-year-old effort, which began with much fanfare at Daytona in 2000 but has been hobbled by misfortune from the start. He said he expects to be able to clarify the McDonald's/96 situation by mid-week. He adds that he and Tide are on good terms and that he hopes to have that side solid by the end of the season. Wells recently re-signed Ricky Craven, driver of #32.(SpeedVision)(7-30-2001)
UPDATE: Cal Wells hoped to reach an agreement with McDonald's by July 31 regarding the relationship between the sponsor and his #96 PPI Motorsports team. McDonald's is currently sponsoring rookie Andy Houston. The team, however, skipped the last two races at Loudon and Pocono after each side issued statements saying they were in discussions regarding the future. There was speculation McDonald's would be on the car for just five more races the rest of the season, including the Aug. 5 Brickyard 400. Wells was unwilling to comment on the situation at Pocono, preferring to wait until a resolution was reached. Wells did say that Houston will continue racing for the team beyond Indy(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read online)(8-2-2001)
UPDATE: After reassessing its team sponsorship involvement in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, McDonald's has reached an agreement with PPI Motorsports to revise its current sponsorship package. The agreement calls for McDonald's to phase out of its current primary sponsorship of the PPI-owned #96 Ford Taurus and to become an associate sponsor in 2002 of the (#32) PPI/Tide Ford. "McDonald's remains committed to supporting NASCAR," said Georgina Roy, McDonald's manager of sports marketing. "We decided to revise our sponsorship package after a thorough review of our current motorsports programs and discussions with PPI. McDonald's will continue to support motorsports as the Official Drive Thru of NASCAR and as an associate sponsor of the PPI/Tide Ford through 2002."
PPI Motorsports will enter the McDonald's Ford, driven by Andy Houston, in seven remaining races in 2001 with the primary sponsorship ending after the Sept. 30 race at Kansas Speedway. The seven races are: Indianapolis (Aug. 5), Brooklyn, Mich. (Aug. 19), Bristol, Tenn. (Aug. 25), Darlington, S.C. (Sept. 2), Richmond, Va. (Sept. 8), Dover, Del. (Sept. 23) and Kansas City, Kan. (Sept. 30)(PPI Motorsports PR)(8-3-2001
- Sad News: On lap 16 of last nights "Two Nights Before The Big One" 30-lap feature at Eldora Speedway 61 year old John Bankston, from Beaumont, Texas, hit the outside wall and came back into traffic, being struck by two other cars, neither of which could avoid Bankston's car. Bankston was taken from the track by an ambulance crew, and then flown by helicopter to the Miami Valley Trauma Center. During transport Bankston's condition worsened sending him into cardiac arrest. Emergency room staff attempts to revive him failed and he was pronounced dead. Our thoughts are with John Bankston's family and friends.(Speedway Illustrated and a story at www.allstarsprint.com)(8-3-2001)
- Homestead will take it UPDATE Atlanta in Oct: Atlanta Motor Speedway president Ed Clark has expressed interest in moving his Winston Cup races to different dates next season. The track hosts the Cracker Barrell 500 in March and the season-ending NAPA 500. Homestead-Miami Speedway president Curtis Gray said his facility, which has the second-to-last race of the season, would be interested in gaining the final race. The past two champions have clinched the title at Homestead-Miami. "Sure it'd be great to have the last of the season," Gray said. "It'd be very prestigious."(St Petersburg Times) AND Clark declined to mention which track would be willing to take the November race, but he did say he'd prefer to hold the event in September or October, "which are two of the driest months of the year in Georgia." The last five Winston Cup race weekends at AMS have been affected by inclement weather. NASCAR has told AMS that the spring race will remain in the second week of March(AJC)(7-8-2001)
UPDATE: Next season, for the first time since 1986, Atlanta Motor Speedway will not host the finale race of the Winston Cup season. Atlanta's fall Winston Cup race in the 2002 season will be held on Sunday, Oct. 27, three weeks earlier than usual. The move, which had been pursued by officials at the speedway and Speedway Motorsports Inc., the track's owner, because of frequent poor weather in November, should allow the Winston Cup season to conclude at Homestead, Fla. Currently, NASCAR's BGN division ends its season at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Having the Winston Cup season end the same weekend would provide for a "championship weekend" of sorts. Before Atlanta began hosting the final race of the season in 1987, it was held at Riverside, Calif., for six seasons.(That's Racin')(8-2-2001)
UPDATE 2: see That's Racin's How the 2002 schedule is shaking out along with my Tentative 2002 Winston Cup Schedule(8-3-2001)
(8-2-2001)
- Simpson to get Award: Motorsports safety pioneer Bill Simpson will receive the Smokey Yunick Award recognizing lifetime achievement in auto racing during pre-race ceremonies for the Oct. 7 UAW-GM Quality 500 Cup race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The award, instituted several years ago by legendary car owner and mechanic Smokey Yunick who passed away May 11 at age 77, annually recognizes an individual whose lifelong efforts have had a major impact on the motorsports industry. “There certainly is no one more deserving of this honor than Bill Simpson,” said H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, president and general manager of Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “I don’t think we can ever measure how many drivers’, and even crew members’, lives have been saved or how many injuries have been prevented because of Bill’s work. “Being a former driver himself, Bill has a unique ability to understand the drivers and their safety needs,” Wheeler continued. “He has extremely high standards and his emphasis on quality is simply unmatched in the industry.” The blue ribbon panel that determines the Smokey Yunick Award recipient met on Thursday, July 26, and unanimously selected Simpson to receive the prestigious award. The selection came just five days before Simpson announced his resignation from Simpson Performance Products, the company he founded in 1959. Previous winners of the Smokey Yunick Award include Ralph Moody, Banjo Matthews, Bud Moore and Cotton Owens.(LMS PR)(8-2-2001)
- Shawn Parker's Wife Gets Help UPDATE 2: it was mentioned during Happy Hour that #6 Car Chief, Shawn Parker's was flown down to Winston Salem, NC by team owner Jack Roush. Parker's wife, Tara, is on the priority list for a heart transplant and it was reported one was found and Roush thinks Tara is in surgery now or getting ready to get the new heart(TNT Happy Hour Coverage), for the whole story, see my #6 Team News and Links page(7-28-2001)
UPDATE: it was mentioned by Allen Bestwick during the Pennsylvania 500 broadcast that Tara had the surgery to transplant the new heard and so far so good and that she was doing ok up to that point(7-29-2001)
UPDATE 2: Shawn Parker, car chief for NASCAR driver Mark Martin, has asked us to release this statement regarding his wife, Tara Howell Parker, who underwent a heart transplant at WFUBMC Saturday: "Tara is recovering and doing well. She appreciates the many expressions of hope and goodwill that have been relayed to her. Tara is not able to receive visitors while she is in the hospital. And asks anyone thinking of sending flowers or a gift to consider making a donation instead to help future transplant patients. Donations should be sent to NC Baptist Hospital Pastoral Care, designated for cardiothoracic transplant patients. She also asks that people seriously consider becoming organ donors themselves." Shawn said he regrets that he will not be available for interviews(Media Advisory from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center thanks Arlen)(8-2-2001)
- #12 Crew Member Hurt UPDATE 4: Derek White, a mechanic with the #12 Winston Cup team of driver Jeremy Mayfield, fell off the lift gate of the team's hauler while loading Mayfield's car Sunday following race at New Hampshire. White fell 8-10 feet and suffered several injuries, including a possible broken left shoulder and a cut above and beyond his left ear. He was airlifted from the track to Concord Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment. He was awake and alert when admitted and is expected to remain at the hospital for a few days. White, 38, has been with the team since December.(That's Racin')(7-22-2001)
UPDATE: Derek White, 38, of Penske Racing remains in Concord (N.H.) Hospital this morning. He is listed in fair condition with a fractured left scapula, fractured left clavicle, fractured rib, skull fracture and sub-arachnoid hemmorhage. White was apparently injured when he fell from the team.s transporter during the loading of the Jeremy Mayfield car following Sunday.s race at Loudon, N.H.(Williams Company of America PR)(7-23-2001)
UPDATE 2: White has been upgraded to good condition and they are considering moving him to North Carolina in the next day or so(7-26-2001)
UPDATE 3: Derek White, the mechanic with Jeremy Mayfield's team who fell from the lift gate on the back of Mayfield's hauler following last Sunday's race at New Hampshire International Speedway, has been moved to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte(That's Racin')(7-29-2001)
UPDATE 4: Penske Racing crewman Derek White, who fell about 8 feet from the team transporter's liftgate after the Winston Cup race at New Hampshire, has been transferred from Concord (N.H.) Hospital to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. "He's in good spirits," Jeffrey Baker, team coordinator, said July 29. "As of right now, he has a fractured skull, a broken collarbone, two breaks in a shoulder blade, a broken rib and a fractured vertebrae." When White was first hospitalized in New Hampshire, he also had a hemorrhage just below the skull. Baker said the hemorrhaging had stopped and when he left the hospital he was rated in good condition. Anyone wishing to send White a get-well card should address it to: Derek White, Penske Racing, 163 Rolling Hills Rd., Mooresville, NC 28115.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read online)(8-2-2001)
- TV News/Ratings: There is some good news from the Winston Cup television front - Sunday's Pennsylvania 500 from Pocono got a 5.2 rating on TNT, up from a 4.2 for the same race at year ago- but there was also some bad news. Bloomberg News reported that Fox, NBC and Turner Sports woould suffer combined losses of at least $20 million on their broadcasts of NASCAR events this year despite higher ratings across the board. Increased competition for sports advertising dollars, an overall weakening of the economy and the increased supply and cost for commercial spots on NASCAR races are all contributing to the losses, the story said. According to the story written by Rick Westhead, the networks had 2,400 commercial spots on 28 over-the-air network broadcasts to sell this year, compared with 840 on 10 telecasts a year ago. The price for those spots on the average race increased from about $65,000 each last year to between $90,000 and $110,000 this year.(full story at That's Racin')(8-2-2001)
- Wind Tunnel Testing: the Bill Davis Racing Dodge team(#'s 22 and 93) are at Lockheeds wind tunnel in Marietta, GA today testing cars for the Brickard 400 after the recent rules change to the Dodge's nose. Petty Enterprises(#'s 43,44,45) was at the tunnel on Wednesday and Evernham Motorsports(#'s 9 and 19) also tested their Dodges at a different wind tunnel this week(8-2-2001)
- SpeedVision to air Fox Shows: Three of FOX Sports' top news and magazine shows are coming to Speedvision this month, beginning next Monday, Aug. 6, when Totally NASCAR debuts at 6:30pm/et on Speedvision. The following Monday, Aug. 13, NASCAR Victory Lane debuts on Speedvision. Every Monday at 7:00pm/et (8:00pm/pt), NASCAR Victory Lane wraps up the previous race weekend and previews the following week's racing. Beginning Sunday Aug. 26, Ned Jarrett is bringing NASCAR TECH to Speedvision. Each Sunday evening at 7:00pm/et (8:00pm/pt), Jarrett will delve into racing technology by going behind the scenes and race team and specialty shops around the country. For your mid-week Winston Cup fix, tune in to Speedvision each Wednesday at 7:00pm/et (8:00pm/pt) beginning Aug. 15 for a two-hour replay of the previous weekend's Cup race. Now, if this kind of NASCAR programming is coming to Speedvision, can some version of NASCAR Inside Winston Cup be far behind?(SpeedVision), assuming that this means in addition to the FSN coverage of these shows not in place of(8-2-2001)
- #92 Sponsor Search: Still searching for sponsorship for 2002, Melling Racing has eliminated the positions of three contract employees who helped the team at the track. Business manager Lake Speed Jr., however, is encouraged the team will find solid backing to replace Kodiak, which is leaving the sport after the season. "We've got a lot of really good leads," Speed Jr. said July 29. "It's very encouraging this time of the year to have as many leads as we have. Do I wish I had something done? Yeah. Do I? No. But we're getting really close. I wish they'd progress faster, but that's just me." Speed said none of the team's full-time employees were let go.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read online)(8-2-2001)
- #19 Crew Chief Change? UPDATE: hearing #19 Crew Chief Patrick Donahue and Evernham Motorsports has parted ways and that Sammy Johns will take over crew chief duties for driver Casey Atwood starting at Indy(8-1-2001)
UPDATE: ESPN2's RPM 2Night reported that Donahue has left to pursue some BGN oppurtunities and that Johns has taken over the crew chief duties AND Patrick Donahue, crew chief for the #19 Dodges and Winston Cup rookie Casey Atwood since the start of the season, has left Evernham Motorsports to pursue other job opportunities in NASCAR's Grand National series, effective immediately(That's Racin')(8-2-2001)
- Hershey's Milk, Reading and Ward: Today, Indianapolis Motor Speedway served as the backdrop for the national launch of Drive to Read @ your library, a new program developed by Hershey(R)'s Milk and the American Library Association (ALA) to ignite interest in reading among America's teens and drive them right into libraries. NASCAR driver Ward Burton was on hand to launch the national awareness program, an effort to connect with teens by aligning libraries with one of the nation's hottest NASCAR drivers and America's coolest beverage, Hershey(R)'s Milk. With NASCAR driver Ward Burton at the wheel at the launch event, Hershey(R)'s Milk and America's libraries have issued a national call-to-action for America's teens. "I am honored to be a part of the Drive to Read @ your library program," said Ward Burton. "This effort will encourage teens to discover the pleasures of reading and gain the power of knowledge. With that power, they will be invincible." The Drive to Read @ your library program calls on teens to check out one of the Best Books for Young Adults for 2001 -- selected by librarians through the Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association -- and write a short essay describing why they would recommend the book to a friend and how it's a meaningful or inspiring book for today's teens. Once the essay has been written, teens have to check in with their school or public librarian to ask him or her to sponsor the contest entry. One lucky teen will win a trip with a parent or guardian, and the sponsoring librarian and a guest, to The Homestead Miami Speedway on November 11, 2001 to meet NASCAR star Ward Burton and attend the day's race. Speed to www.hersheysmilk.com for all of the program details(Business Wire)(8-2-2001)
(8-1-2001)
- Kenny OK: Kenny Wallace got home early this morning after a rough crash at Kaukauna where the track report says he was simply taken out. He was transported by ambulance to the local hospital where he passed all his tests without finding any problems. He was released at 2AM this morning and flew home to Kim and the family where he is now resting for Indy. Looks like besides a cut on his
chin and same very sore ribs Kenny is OK.(Kenny Walalce Racing)(8-1-2001)
- Stewart Honored: Tony Stewart's work to raise money for the Victory Junction Gang Camp for children has resulted in him being named the second-quarter winner of the National Motorsports Press Association/Pocono Spirit Award. Stewart raised at least $240,000 for the camp being founded by Kyle Petty and his family by completing all 600 laps of the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 this May. Stewart, The Home Depot, Joe Gibbs Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing all make contributions toward that total. The NMPA/Pocono Spirit Award recognizes character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. Kevin Harvick was the winner in the first quarter. The winners in each of the four quarters of 2001 will be eligible for the annual award to be presented in January(That's Racin')(8-1-2001)
(7-31-2001)
- Simpson Resigns: Bill Simpson, who dedicated his life to making motorsports safer for its participants, told NASCAR.com Tuesday night that he has resigned from the company that bears his name in the aftermath of Dale Earnhardt’s fatal accident in February. Simpson, who less than four years ago sold two-thirds of Simpson Performance Products -- a diverse company that makes a wide variety of safety equipment ranging from drivers’ helmets and uniforms to child safety seats -- said the decision came from an inability to separate his personal relationships from the business of safety in an inherently violent endeavor. "I can’t separate the two -- it’s tough," Simpson said. "I wrote my resignation letter two weeks ago and it was accepted, reluctantly, yesterday."(NASCAR.com)(7-31-2001)
- Bickle in the #50 at Indy, after that? Rick Mast and Midwest Transit Racing have parted ways. Mast was a valuable asset to our team. Mast wanted to compete in all the races this season and at this time we could not commit to that. The team is proud to have Rich Bickle driving for them at Indy in the Brickyard 400. With his experience and knowledge adding to the team, they expect to have a successful run at Indy. This is a one race deal with Bickle at this time. After Indy all will evaluate the race and hopefully put a program together with Bickle. The team is taking the car that was tested at Indy on July 16th and 17th and were very happy with as it ended up 25th in combined test results. The Midwest Transit team also announced that they will have Speedway Records as a sponsor at Indy. Speedway Records was originally founded by Ned Jarrett in 1959. Today, it is a partnership of Wallace Barr Entertainment Group, Inc, Lowery Music Group, Speedway Motorsports, and three other individuals. They were basically given the label by Ned to revitalize it. They are distributing through Walmart and all NASCAR tracks, as well as wholesaling to racing oriented third parties vendors. There first CD is "Thunder Road", featuring The Charlie Daniels Band, The Atlanta Rhythm Section, The Kentucky Headhunters, Tralena, Tim Wilson, and The Marshall Tucker Band. The label is donating $1.00 per CD to the Speedway Children's Charities as well.(Midwest Transit PR)(7-31-2001)
- Blundell to NASCAR? Former CART and Formula 1 star Mark Blundell could be on his way to the NASCAR Winston Cup next year if current plans come to fruition. The 35-year-old is understood to be lining up a deal with a top stock car squad for later this year. His only racing this season has been the Le Mans 24 Hours, which he contested with the new MG squad. NASCAR is renowned for its complete bias towards American drivers, and the most recent 'foreigners' to race in the Winston Cup, besides Canadian road circuit regular Ron Fellows, were Australians Geoff Brabham and Dick Johnson. Current British Touring Car Championship leader Jason Plato has also signalled his interest at switching to the Stateside series, in which the leading drivers are household names across much of the US. If I was offered a drive for next year I would consider it. "There is a deal on offer to test," Blundell told Autosport. "If I was offered a drive for next year I would consider it. I have been in the USA for five years and I know what a huge spectacle NASCAR is. It would be fantastic to get an English guy in there with the European ovals opening up new opportunities for the future. I have plenty of oval experience," he added.(Autosport.com)(7-31-2001)
- Watkins Glen Testing UPDATE Monday/Tuesday Speeds: Cup drivers make their much-anticipated return to Watkins Glen for the only test session of 2001 on July 30 and 31. This scheduled test session, which is open to the public on Monday, is in preparation for the August 12th Global Crossing @ The Glen event. Among those testing is: #88-Dale Jarrett, #31-Robby Gordon, #77-Boris Said, #01-Scott Pruett, #43-John Andretti, #33-Joe Nemechek, #87-Ron Fellows, and #68-Anthony Lazarro. Fans that have purchased tickets for the Global Crossing @ The Glen weekend, August 9-12, will be admitted free of charge on Monday. Fans should present their Global Crossing @ The Glen tickets at the gate to gain free admission or pick up a voucher at the ticket office if they have not received their event tickets. All other spectators can take in the action for only $10.00 at the gate. Gate 4 will be open from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Monday only.(Watkins Glen PR)(7-24-2001)
UPDATE: Speeds from Monday's testing
#31-Robby Gordon 122.602mph
#87-Ron Fellows 122.500
#77-Boris Said 122.177
#43-John Andretti 121.354
#33-Joe Nemechek 121.320
#01-Scott Pruett 120.822
#88-Dale Jarrett and #68-Anthony Lazarro - no speeds reported
UPDATE 2: Speeds from Tuesday's testing
#77-Boris Said 123.529
#87-Ron Fellows 122.500
#01-Scott Pruett 122.500
#31-Robby Gordon 122.161
#43-John Andretti 121.924
#88-Dale Jarrett 121.790
#33-Joe Nemechek 121.320
#68-Anthony Lazarro 120.805
(Track record is 121.234mph by Rusty Wallace not Mark Martin)(ESPN2's RPM 2Night and Watkins Glen PR)(7-30/31-2001)
(7-30-2001)
- Watkins Glen Double Duty: Kyle Petty and John Andretti are stepping out of their Dodge Intrepid R/Ts at Watkins Glen and into something a little bit sportier - a Porsche GT3R. They will team up with Orbit Racing and compete in the Bully Hill Vineyards 250 Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series race Friday night, August 10, one of three races slated during the Global Crossing @ The Glen NASCAR Winston Cup Series weekend August 9-12.(Watkins Glen PR)(7-31-2001)
- NASCAR.com is 'stickiest': NASCAR.com can now lay claim to being one of the "stickiest" sites on the Internet. According to Nielsen/Net Ratings, Internet users at work spent an average of almost 20 minutes per visit on the official site of NASCAR, the most of any sports site. For that week, NASCAR.com also attracted 763,000 unique visitors, more than any other official league site.(AJC)(7-31-2001)
- Race fans in line for rebates on souvenirs: While many people are watching their mailboxes these days for income tax rebates, thousands of Winston Cup fans have started receiving some other rebates as well -- payments that settle a souvenir price-fixing case. International Speedway Corp. and 20 other companies that sell NASCAR gear are in the midst of distributing cash payments and coupons that eventually could total $11 million. ISC's portion of the payout is expected to be about $7.8 million. The payments settle a group of lawsuits filed in 1997 that accused ISC's concessions unit, Americrown Service Corp., of conspiring with other vendors to keep prices of souvenirs sold trackside at Winston Cup races artificially high. While ISC denies it ever tried to rig prices at Daytona International Speedway or its other tracks, it agreed to join the other vendors in offering refunds on items bought at Winston Cup races from 1991 through 1999. People who have not yet submitted claims can still obtain forms from gift shops at Daytona USA and the Darlington and Talladega tracks.(for more info see the full story at: Daytona Beach News Journal or my Collectible Links page)(7-31-2001)
- New Crew Chief for Shawna: Tropicana sponsored Robinson over the Chicago weekend two weeks ago, the first time it had sponsored a Winston Cup stock car. The company also sponsored the Chicago race. The Brickyard 400 will be the first race for Jay Born as crew chief for MK Racing's #84 Winston Cup team, Tropicana Taurus and driver Shawna Robinson. Born, who has been with Akins Motorsports for two years, served as crew chief for Ricky Craven at the Midwest Transit Winston Cup teams prior to that. A multi-champion Late Model crew chief and mechanic early in is career, Born also has vast experience in the ASA Series.(Williams Company)(7-31-2001)
(7-30-2001)
- Bliss out of the #27? UPDATE 4 Mast in, rest of the year - Bickle in the #50?: hearing driver Mike Bliss and the Eel River Racing team have parted ways. The team has failed to make the last six Cup races(7-21-2001)
UPDATE: Mike Bliss is the second driver to bite the dust with Eel River Racing in the last three weeks. Kenny Wallace was the first. The team has missed six races, including the last two (actually three) with Bliss attempting to qualify. Sources say Rick Mast will be in the car at Pocono.(Sporting News)(7-23-2001)
UPDATE 2: Rick Mast is in the #27 Eel River Racing Pontiac at Pocono. Sources tell me it is a one race deal and Mast will return to the #50 Midwest Transit Chevy at Indy after the team skipped Pocono. The team is looking for a sponsor(7-25-2001)
UPDATE 3: Winston Cup driver Rick Mast said he hopes to have his driving future cleared up early this week, but as of Saturday he still had just a one-race deal to run the # 27 Pontiacs of Eel River Racing(That's Racin')(7-29-2001)
UPDATE 4: Rick Mast will drive the #27 Eel River Racing Pontiac for the remainder of 2001. The #50 Midwest Transit team will announce it's 2002 plans on Tuesday(FSN Totally NASCAR), hearing Rich Bickle will drive the #50 car at Indianapolis and ESPN2's RPM 2 Night is reporting the same(7-30-2001)
- Musgrave back in Cup? UPDATE 3: hearing Ted Musgrave, currently running the full 2001 CTS season for Ultra Motorsports will run a Dodge in some selected races during the year as a teammate to #7 Mike Wallace in Winston Cup, Wallace will supposedly stay in a Ford but the #7 could switch to a Dodge in 2002(3-29-2001)
UPDATE: hearing the Ultra Motorsports team is going to run a second car at Indy in the Brickyard 400. Supposedly will use the #07 and Ted Musgrave supposedly will drive it, no idea on a sponsor or if it'll be a Ford or Dodge(5-3-2001)
UPDATE 2: While Ultra Motorsports owner Jim Smith pursues Gordon to drive his #7 Ford, he also becomes a Dodge team owner in Winston Cup this week when the organization finishes up the Intrepids it will carry to Indianapolis for the Brickyard 400. Ted Musgrave, whose three wins this season are tops in the Craftsman Truck Series(and drives for Smith in the CTS), will be the driver(Sporting News-Inside Dish)(6-25-2001)
UPDATE 3: Musgave who was to run the #07 Mopar Dodge at the Brickyard 400 for Smith, supposedly will no run at Indy as they are not happy with the car, so plans are supposedly to run in the near future(7-30-2001)
- Throttle Cut Off Fails? #21-Elliott Sadler said a throttle cut-off switch might have caused him to crash on the third lap. He continued racing and finished 23rd. "That's two weeks in a row that thing's cut off on me," Sadler said of the device developed to shut the engine off when the throttle is stuck. "It made me hit the wall [last week] in New Hampshire and then cost us a lot of points here today. I know it's a safety device, but that's two weeks in a row it's killed us, so we're going to try to do something different about it."(Roanoke Times)(7-30-2001)
- Valvoline and BBBSA: In just 2 1/2 years, Valvoline's NASCAR team-based fundraising effort on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has topped $600,000 in contributions. Going into this weekend's (Aug. 3-5) Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, total donations from Valvoline and NASCAR fans are $606,220, one of the most successful cause-related programs in
motorsports history. #10 Valvoline Pontiac driver Johnny Benson is the new national spokesman for "Caring Hands", as well as an honorary Big Brother. Valvoline donates to BBBSA throughout the Winston Cup season, based on Benson's on-track results: $5,000 for .a race win; $2,500 per pole position; $1,000 for a top-10 finish; $500 for a top-20 finish; and $20 for each lap led. Valvoline will donate $1 million to BBBSA if Benson wins the pole and race on the same weekend for any of this season's remaining Cup events. In addition, Valvoline pledges to donate $100,000 to BBBSA if race fans and the general public submit 100,000 handprints to Valvoline by the end of
the racing season. Fans can submit a trace of their handprint to Valvoline at www.valvoline.com(Vavoline PR)(7-30-2001)
- Some Paint Scheme Rumors: hearing that #40-Sterling Marlin is running a "Kiss" paint scheme somewhere this year and that #6-Mark Martin is running a Viagra car with special ultra reflective metal flake paint for the upcoming Bristol night race(7-27-2001)
UPDATE: yes it is a KISS, rock-n-roll band scheme, supposedly it'll run at Homestead(7-30-2001)
- SDRC and Hendrick: SDRC announced it has renewed and expanded the company's marketing alliance with Hendrick Motorsports with a five-year contract effective immediately. Hendrick's engineering team uses I-DEAS(R) software for design, analysis, and manufacturing requirements on the team's high-performance racecars. Hendrick sponsors three drivers in the NASCAR Winston Cup including, #5-Terry Labonte, #25-Jerry Nadeau, and #24-Jeff Gordon. "We have very clear objectives in our business," said Jim Wall, engineering group manager, Hendrick Motorsports. "We want to win races. A critical few seconds make a big difference on the track, and we're working daily to gain the slight edge needed to win races. I-DEAS provides the technology that enables us to design, test, and manufacture cars and engines -- in fact, we build over 700 engines each year. We've already gained significant improvements in our processes with I-DEAS, and we're pleased to be renewing our relationship with SDRC to further expand our use of this technology and our overall business results."(Business Wire)(7-30-2001)
- Wells/PPI Motorsports in Trouble? Some who should know believe owner Cal Wells is worse off than many believe and could be out of the game after this season. Wells faces the loss of McDonald's, sponsor of his #96 team, and is negotiating with Tide, sponsor of his #32. The McDonald's unrest has kept Andy Houston's #96 out of the past two races, and although the team will return at Indy, it may run only a limited schedule the rest of the way. McDonald's plans, meanwhile, remain entirely unclear, although most believe the company will not be a team sponsor next year. Wells is trying to keep a brave face on his two-year-old effort, which began with much fanfare at Daytona in 2000 but has been hobbled by misfortune from the start. He said he expects to be able to clarify the McDonald's/96 situation by mid-week. He adds that he and Tide are on good terms and that he hopes to have that side solid by the end of the season. Wells recently re-signed Ricky Craven, driver of #32.(SpeedVision)(7-30-2001)
- Green to do a Triple at Indy: Jeff Green, driver of the #10 Nestlé Nesquik Ford in the BGN and defending BGN champion, will add two other driving duties to his schedule during the upcoming weekend at Indianapolis. Beside the BGN race at Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP) on Saturday evening, Green will also race the final leg of the International Race of Champions (IROC) on Saturday afternoon and also compete in Richard Childress Racing's #30 America Online Chevrolet in the Cup race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). Green will practice both his NWC and IROC cars at IMS on Friday, however his schedule becomes quite busy on Saturday, as the BGN is a one day show at IRP(Tailwind Sports PR)(7-30-2001)
- Talladega Rules? There are whispers that thought is being given to a larger roll cage and body configuration for cars in the October race at Talladega(Sporting News)(7-30-2001)
- Dallas Cowboys and RCR? UPDATE 3: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones may not be able to get his team to the Super Bowl, but he could have a car in Daytona. Officials confirmed Thursday that Jones is negotiating to invest up to $10 million in the Richard Childress Winston Cup racing team. Jones has said the goal is to have an agreement in place by February of 2002 when the NASCAR season starts with the Daytona 500. These discussions are the latest example of the Cowboys thrust to market the club beyond the football field. The club attempted to strike a deal to have their colors and logo placed on a car in the Direct TV 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway last year, but the deal fell through(FoxSports)(7-27-2001)
UPDATE: Jerry Jones, owner of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, has been in discussions with Richard Childress Racing to either invest in or sponsor a Winston Cup team next season(That's Racin')(7-28-2001)
UPDATE 2: Jones has talked with Richard Childress, president of Richard Childress Racing, on issues of NASCAR ownership and the business of securing sponsors to pay the bills. "We're just in the preliminary discussion stage right now," Jones said. "We recognize that NASCAR is an outstanding sport and has a great number of fans who have a lot of synergy with Dallas Cowboys fans." Jones has been told by NASCAR officials that "upwards of $9 million to $12 million a year" can be brought in by sponsors vying for advertising space on the car. "As owners -- again, if we're involved -- we will use the credibility and the visibility of the Dallas Cowboys to promote the racing team during its season and have a [marketing] tie-in during our season," Jones said. "We are going to be sponsored by other companies. That's the business of racing ... to cover your expenses of owning a car. If you do it right, that could mean upwards of $9 million to $12 million a year covered by sponsors. Certainly, we would anticipate that." Jones wouldn't hint at possible sponsors. But he has had business associations with Pepsi-Cola, Miller beer and Dr. Pepper, to name a few. "It would be obvious to everybody that this was the Dallas Cowboys' car out there," Jones said. "It will done -- if we do it -- strictly on a business basis." Jones' sons, Stephen and Jerry Jones Jr., are involved in the day-to-day operation of the Cowboys, and they also have significant roles in projects such as Dallas' new Arena Football League team, which begins play in 2002. "Right now, this is the Dallas Cowboys teaming up with people who are in the [NASCAR] business," Jones said. "But no matter what we might do here, my focus will remain on football. I am the owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys. The car, the visibility, the success of [racing] would be done just like I run the Dallas Cowboys -- just not by me." Jones' family members will handle all corporate decisions, even the hiring of the driver(Star Telegram)(7-29-2001)
UPDATE 3: Might we see the silver background and blue star of the Dallas Cowboys on a Richard Childress car in the future? It's a distinct possibility. "We'd be crazy not to listen to the Cowboys," says Childress, whose stable includes five cars -- three in Winston Cup and two in the Busch Series(Sporting News) and a story at NASCAR.com Childress: On Purvis, Harvick, Cowboys(7-30-2001)
- Cope at the Brickyard: from the Derrike Cope website: "Quest Motor Racing will be running a Winston Cup car at the Brickyard 400 and it will be a Chevrolet number 37. The sponsor will be Geico Direct. It is a one off sponsorship race. Also DeeZee will continue as the associate sponsor, both on the remaining Winston Cup efforts as well as the Busch Grand National (BGN) events. In addition, IWX Motor Freight (Steve & Joan Coulter) and Stoops Freightliner have been involved, and we are very pleased to be affiliated with them for the Brickyard. We are excited to be going to Indianapolis. We tested there and had a productive test. We have made changes to the car with the hopes of improving some things aero-wise, as well as a substantial increase in horsepower when we return for qualifying."(Derrike Cope Site)(7-30-2001)
- Skinner Support: Injured driver Mike Skinner(#31) says the fan support he has received since he incurred multiple injuries an accident July 15 at Chicagoland Speedway has been an eye-opener to him. "The support from everybody has been phenomenal," said Skinner, who plans to make his return to the #31 Lowe's Chevy at Michigan in mid-August. "The fans' support is probably the biggest surprise to me -- I didn't know I had this many fans. I have received so many phone calls, cards and gifts. The outpouring has been amazing and I want everyone to know how much I appreciate their caring, support and sympathy. Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse and Rockwell Automation have been extremely supportive of me during this time and have really showed me how much they care about me, not as just a driver but as a friend."(NASCAR.com Buzz)(7-30-2001)
- TRAC Opens Office: Team Racing Auto Circuit (TRAC), the startup stock-car racing series, opened its new 5,000-square-foot headquarters this week at Huntersville Business Park. President Jon Pritchett says the new league -- whose board includes TV executive Robert Wussler, former NBA exec Carl Scheer, racing vet Michael Kranefuss and retired driver Cale Yarborough -- will benefit from being in the "home of racing's intellectual capital." The TRAC office is in the same business park that houses NASCAR's Joe Gibbs Racing and industry consultant Don Hawk. TRAC is scheduled to launch in spring 2003(The Business Journal)(7-30-2001)
- Data Recorders Revisited: There again was talk about accident data recorders during the manufacturers' safety meeting with Winston Cup drivers and crew chiefs last week at Indianapolis. The model discussed would be half the size of a laptop computer and wireless so teams would not be able to use the devices to enhance traction control or telemetry(Sporting News)(7-30-2001)
(7-29-2001)
see the July 23-29, 2001 Archived News Page
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