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(9-2-2001)

Burton wins at Darlington in the Southern 500: #22-Ward Burton wins the 52nd Southern 500, his 3rd career Winston Cup win, 2nd at Darlington (won in the 2000 spring race - 53 races ago). Burton won from the 37th starting spot, a provisional spot, only the fifth driver to do so. #24-Jeff Gordon was 2nd and extended his Winston Cup Points lead to 343 points over #28-Ricky Rudd (who finished 7th). #40-Sterling Marlin is now in 3rd place, 481 points behind Gordon. See That's Racin' for Unofficial Southern 500 Results and Unofficial Standings along with a column: Ward Burton, Dodge win a wild one at Darlington(9-2-2001)

Mayfield Unhappy UPDATE: #12-Jeremy Mayfield, 21st in points, said there are a lot of opportunities to drive for good teams in the series next season and he feels like he's wasting the most important time in his career. "I'm going through the same old up and down season like I have. But I feel like right now I'm better than I've ever been as a driver and I've wanted it more than I've ever wanted it. ... We need to really look at this and figure out what is best for all of us. I've got two more years on my contract, but the last I remember, I don't remember changing everybody's positions being part of the deal." Asked if that meant it was time for the driver to change, Mayfield replied: "}Maybe it is. Either that or we need to figure out what is wrong with our team and fix it. All I want to do is run good every week."(That's Racin')(9-1-2001)
UPDATE: Is Mayfield seeking a new ride? His crew has suspected that for weeks. Mayfield has talked with Childress' men about the opening in that operation's second team, with Mike Skinner leaving, according to team sources. Car owner Childress still hasn't announced the driver for his second team for 2002, though it is expected to be Robby Gordon. And Mayfield's on-track problems this season have been easy to spot. He has only two top 10s all summer. Now Mayfield is up front - again - about some of his frustrations, and says it may be time for him to move on, even though he has two years left on his contract with car owner Roger Penske as Rusty Wallace's teammate.(Winston Salen Journal) plus a column at That's Racin': Crew chief comments on Mayfield's comments(9-2-2001)

15th Different Winner in 2001 a record: when #22-Ward Burton won the 2001 Southern 500, he became the 15th different Winston Cup winner in 2001, which breaks the record for NASCAR's modern era (which began in 1972) of 14 set in 2000 and 1991. Winners in 2001: #15-Waltrip, #1-Park, #24-Gordon, #29-Harvick, #88-Jarrett, #21-Sadler, #55-Hamilton, #2-Wallace, #20-Stewart, #99-Burton, #28-Rudd, #18-Labonte, #40-Marlin, #22-Burton, #8-Earnhardt Jr. Also even though Burton won, he is not in the 2002 Winners Circle program as he is too deep in Owners Points, see my 2002 Winners Circle Page for the current standing for 2002, this years plan and past years plans(9-2-2001)

NASCAR and Engines: NASCAR officials met with engine builders Saturday morning to propose rule changes for next season and seek feedback. Among the plans is a rule that would limit teams to one engine per race weekend. Exceptions to that most likely would be Daytona in February, when the series is there for almost 10 days, and the Coca-Cola 600 because it is the Winston Cup's longest race. Another consideration is a minimum weight on engine parts, including pistons, rods and cranks. Some competitors say that some teams have spent thousands of dollars on strong, lightweight engine pieces. Crew chief Paul Andrews likes the suggestions. "It's no big deal for us," he said. "Our engine component weights are right there where NASCAR wants them anyway. We feel like our motors will run a weekend, qualifying all the way through. If your competitor is doing the same things, that's OK, that's not a bad thing. "They're doing stuff that makes sense. It will save money. It will save aggravation."(Racing Extra)(9-2-2001)

McDonalds and Gibbs...No: McDonald's, which recently severed ties with the No. 96 team, only wants to associate itself with a high-profile team and driver. There has been a report that McDonald's approached Joe Gibbs Racing about possibly coming on board, but that Gibbs feels an obligation to his current sponsors(CNN/SI)(9-2-2001)

Busch the 2nd: Kurt Busch today becomes only one of two rookies to start on a Winston Cup pole in Darlington's 52-year history. Davey Allison was the other, in 1987.(Tennessean), for years NASCAR would not allow rookies on the track before the first practice and qualifying sessions(9-2-2001)

(9-1-2001)

Stewart still restraintless UPDATE but Spencer to wear one: #20-Tony Stewart used the Talladega test to try out a Hutchens device, but he didn't like it. "I was pretty uncomfortable with it," he said, adding that he had trouble figuring out how to get in and out of the car with the device's straps in place. Stewart, who is one of only two Winston Cup drivers 9the other #26-Jimmy Spencer) not wearing a head and neck restraint, said he ruled out the HANS restraint. "I don't want anything else on my neck," he said.(AJC)(8-31-2001)
UPDATE: #20-Tony Stewart won't wear a head and neck safety device in the Southern 500 at Darlington. However, #26-Jimmy Spencer has decided to wear the Hutchens restraint system for the race. A team representative for Stewart said Friday that although the driver wore a Hutchens device during testing this week at Talladega Superspeedway, he would not put one on at Darlington. After Friday's Winston Cup practice, Spencer said he was undecided about his plans for the safety device. However, before qualifying, he told reporters he would use the Hutchens system.(CNN/AP)(9-1-2001)

NASCAR Personnel Moves in the future? UPDATE 3 - Nelson and Darby: Gary Nelson may indeed have other duties in the organization by next year, NASCAR officials say. Nelson was rumored last fall to be on the way out, but NASCAR President Mike Helton insisted in December that Nelson would stay in place for the time being. Darlington Speedway's John Hunter said Friday, however, that Nelson's duties would change and perhaps expand, possibly by the end of this year, noting that Nelson would remain with the company in some unspecified capacity. Asked about successors, Hunter agreed that present BGN director John Darby is a likely candidate, and that others not currently in NASCAR, or in NASCAR garage roles, also are on the radar(SpeedVision)(1-13-2001)
UPDATE: Gary Nelson's duties could pass to subordinates Buster Auton and Brian DeHart as the season goes on. NASCAR is developing a research facility in Dale Jarrett's old Busch shop in Conover/Hickory, N.C., and it appears likely that Nelson is being pointed in that direction. SpeedVision hear conflicting reports on Busch Series director John Darby, a) that he would be offered Nelson's job for 2002 and would take it, and b) that he would be offered Nelson's job and turn it down, preferring his present role(SpeedVision)(3-19-2001)
UPDATE 2: Circle Racing Online's NASCAR sources say the current garage talk about the future of Gary Nelson as Winston Cup Series Director is heating up, yet again. We first got a rippling of a possible "promotion up and out" for Nelson at last year's Phoenix Winston Cup race. Supposedly, his days were numbered until February of 2001. Well, it's at tribute to his staying power (or the general infidelity of vile garage talk rumors) that it's months later and Nelson still stands at the highest position in the Competition section of NASCAR's staff. But that was before Dale Earnhardt's death at this year's Daytona 500. The resulting public relations debacle for NASCAR has lately revived talk of Nelson's movement to a different position. The latest "best-case" version is that Nelson may head up NASCAR's new safety R&D facility in Hickory, NC, and that other BGN Director John Darby will move up to take his place. Darby's vacant BGN position would then be filled by current CTS Director Wayne Auton(Circle Racing Online)(5-15-2001)
UPDATE 3: Rumor has it that Busch Series director John Darby is in line to replace current Winston Cup director Gary Nelson at the end of the 2001 season. Nelson, who took the director's job ten years ago, is expected to move to NASCAR's research and development department in Hickory, N.C. Before taking the director's job, Nelson was a top-notch crew chief, winning 21 Winston Cup races in 258 starts. Even though the change is effective at the end of the season, the official announcement is expected before then.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(9-1-2001)

#300 for Hut: after a week delay (missed the race at Bristol), #90-Hut Stricklin will make his 300th career Winton Cup start when he starts 36th at Darlington for the Southern 500(9-1-2001)

Johnson and Wilkesboro: Former Winston Cup star Junior Johnson, who won 50 races behind the wheel and six championships as a car owner, said Friday he has been involved in some efforts to reopen North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway, but doesn't see any progress on the issue. Bruton Smith and Gary Bahre jointly bought the speedway in 1996, but each used one of the track's two races dates for other tracks - Smith for Texas Motor Speedway and Bahre for his New Hampshire International Speedway. The North Wilkesboro track has not been open since. "I've put a little bit of effort into it," he said. "Not enough to start shooting at somebody, believe me. I think the Wilkesboro race track should be opened. It has a lot of potential, maybe not for Winston Cup, but you've got a variety of things you could do. Johnson, who is grand marshal of Sunday's Southern 500, said he has talked Bob Bahre, Gary's father and co-owner, about selling, but he has never committed to a sale. "I think he's to the point now where he doesn't even want to talk about it," Johnson said.(That's Racin') AND - North Wilkesboro Photo: Bob Hanner of The Stock Car Gallery stopped by North Wilkesboro Speedway after attending the Bristol race and took a nice shot of the track in it's current state, see the image at: North Wilkesboro Speedway August 26th 2001(8-29/9-1-2001)

Caterpillar to build engine blocks: #22-Ward Burton said Friday that his sponsor would start building engine blocks for the Dodge engine in 2002, hoping to lighten up what some consider an overweight engine. “Caterpillar’s going to start doing the blocks for them next year,” Burton said. “They’ll probably lighten it up a little bit. We probably need it. I don’t know that it’s going to help us any, though. We need to get smarter with the aero package and get a little bit more power of the motor.”(RacingOne)(9-1-2001)

(8-31-2001)

Elder to run Cup race in 2002: Akins Motorsports announced their sponsorship agreement with Christian Elder to drive the #38 Great Clips Ford has been extended to include a full BGN schedule for 2003 plus the addition of the Brickyard 400 Cup race to their 22 race BGN schedule for 2002. Deka Batteries will be a major associate sponsor with the program. "If anyone had any doubts about my commitment to racing, this announcement should put them to rest," said Brad Akins. "I recently sold the #98 BGN (to Michael Kranefuss) team to let go of the responsibility involved with running one full time team and another partial schedule team as I needed to fulfill some personal and family obligations at this time. Stepping back to one team with a limited schedule for 2001 and 2002 is giving me the break I need to come back with a full time Busch Series program for 2003." Great Clips began its motorsports program in 1998 sponsoring Elder in the NASCAR Dash Series.(Akins Motorsports PR)(8-31-2001)

No Bull Fans Chosen for Richmond UPDATE: Five more race fans have been selected for a chance at a $1 million prize as part of the fourth installment of Winston's "No Bull 5" driver/fan bonus program. The next "No Bull" race is the Sept. 8 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 at Richmond. The eligible drivers are the top-five finishers from the Pepsi 400 at Daytona in July: #8-Dale Earnhardt, Jr., #15-Michael Waltrip, #21-Elliott Sadler, #22-Ward Burton and #18-Bobby Labonte, who will be making his 10th attempt at the Winston No Bull 5 million-dollar bonus. The eligible fans were selected from the nationwide Winston No Bull 5 "They Win, You Win" Sweepstakes. The eligible fans are Doris DeBerry of Savannah, TN.; Sharon Bauer of Peoria, IL.; Eric Wolf of Peotone, IL.; Allen Fitch of Hamptonville, NC; and Joseph Brennan of Eufaula, AL. The drivers and fans will be paired Thursday night at NASCAR Speedpark in Myrtle Beach S.C. The five drivers will compete in a 10-minute go-kart race to determine the pairing. The race will be carried live on ESPN2's RPM2Night at 7:00pm/et. One of the five eligible Winston No Bull 5 drivers will travel to Savannah on Tuesday for a luncheon with DeBerry and 25 friends. Her name was the first of the five fans selected in the Winston No Bull 5 drawing. The first fan drawn automatically wins a function with one of the eligible drivers.(That's Racin')(8-30-2001)
UPDATE: the race was broadcast on ESPN2's RPM 2Night, the results and pairings:
#22-Burton - paired with Doris DeBerry of Savannah, TN
#21-Sadler - Sharon Bauer of Peoria, IL
#18-Labonte - Eric Wolf of Peotone, IL
#15-Waltrip - Allen Fitch of Hamptonville, NC
#8-Earmhardt Jr - Joseph Brennan of Eufaula, AL
(8-31-2001)

Soft Walls test at IRP: A live test of a new concept in "soft wall" technology is planned for Sept. 17 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Representatives of Safari Associates Inc and No Limit Racing Adventure will demonstrate the properties of a new "Molecuthane™" soft wall material. Described as a material with unique energy-damping properties, "Molecuthane™" is already in use as a stick-on recoil pad for gun enthusiasts and is being developed as a cushion to help reduce injuries from impact with ballistic vests worn by law enforcement and military personnel. The test will feature a crash with one of No Limit Racing Adventure's trucks into a section of the soft wall material on the outer wall of the track. A leading firm specializing in crash forensics will monitor and instrument the impact while one of No Limit's drivers actually drives the truck into the barrier.(SpeedVision)(8-31-2001)

(8-30-2001)

Gordon Scheme: #24-Jeff Gordon will run an either one event, or multiple races special paint scheme in 2002. It's in honor of DuPont's 200th anniversary in 2002. The car will be unveiled on September 20 at The DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, DE. It has a white front, red sides with "Blasberry" (mostly blue-purple) Prizm Chromalusion "Swoop" type stripes in it. The DuPont 200th anniversary logo is on the hood and rear decklid(Gordonline), have seen NO images of the car(8-30-2001)

Compton to Petty Enterprises? UPDATE 2 Buckshot Staying: hearing Stacy Compton is close to signing with Petty Enterprises to drive the #44 Dodge. Compton currently drives the #92 Melling Racing Dodge nad Buckshot Jones currently drives the #44 Dodge(8-21-2001)
UPDATE: but the Anniston Star is reporting: Now that Childress has officially confirmed that Mike Skinner is out of the Lowe's car(#31) after this season, expect to hear Stacy Compton's name as Skinner's replacement. Kodiak is out as the sponsor of the Melling Dodge after this season and Melling has already given Compton permission to explore other possibilities for next season just in case a new sponsor isn't found. BUT everything I hear is Robby Gordon in the #31 Cingular Chevy(or whatever #)(8-23-2001)
UPDATE 2: Shaking his head with disbelief at the stock car racing rumor mill, Kyle Petty said today that Buckshot Jones would remain with Petty Enterprises as driver of the #44 Georgia-Pacific Dodge, and there are absolutely no plans to make any changes. "You think you get used to it but some of the rumors you see and hear these days are incredible," said Petty, CEO of Petty Enterprises. "Some rumors just start almost like spontaneous combustion. The best thing to do is just ignore them, but some take on a life of their own, so you have to put them out. I want to make this as clear as I can: Buckshot Jones has a long-term contract. We want him to stay and he wants to stay. We have some things left to do with that car, and we have a lot of pretty high expectations," Petty said(Williams Company)(8-30-2001)

Texaco out? Shell in on the #28? UPDATE 2 Yates says Texaco Stays: hearing rumors that Texaco (looking to merge with Chevron) may leave the #28 Robert Yates Ford at the end of the 2001 season and Shell Oil Company may be their new sponsor. Another note about Texaco sponsorship, looks like they are leaving the Newman-Haas CART team as Robin Miller mentioned last week on ESPN2's RPM2Night (which moves to 6pm M-F starting Sept 4th) that Eli Lilly and Company (pharmaceuticals) would be the team's new sponsor for their CART cars. But it was announced a while ago that Texaco had signed with Robert Yates Racing through 2004.(8-20-2001)
UPDATE: As it prepares to merge with Chevron, Texaco plans to shed its interest in the two joint ventures that control Texaco and Shell gasoline stations in the U.S.: Equilon in the West, Motiva in the East. But that could mean the end of the venerable Texaco brand name.(more at the Los Angeles Times)(8-21-2001)
UPDATE 2: If Chevron's purchase of Texaco goes through, don't expect a major change on the No. 28 Ford. Team owner Robert Yates says Chevron likes the Havoline brand and is expected to keep it. He says he expects Havoline to remain on his No. 28 Ford as its primary sponsor.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read online)
AND “Texaco has an agreement with Robert Yates Racing through the 2004 season, and they have made it very clear to us that they will honor that commitment, even with a merger,” said Bill Seaborn, director of marketing for Robert Yates Racing, Thursday morning.(NASCAR Buzz)(8-30-2001)

No Humpy Bumper this season: A top NASCAR official all but ruled out Wednesday the possibility of the so-called "Humpy Bumper" or any other energy-absorbing bumper being installed in Winston Cup stock cars this season. "That is just unrealistic, not realistic at all," said Jim Hunter, a NASCAR vice president. The response came a day after developers of the energy-absorbing bumper staged a demonstration at Lowe's Motor Speedway outside Charlotte, and before meeting next week with NASCAR officials to discuss research and test results.( full story at CNN/SI)(8-30-2001)

Ganassi Says Leffler safe, 3rd team? no BGN: #01 and #40 Dodge owner, Chip Ganassi said rookie Jason Leffler's Cup future with the operation is secure, but didn't rule out adding a third team. And if he does add a team, what about the rumors Tony Stewart might be the driver? Stewart drove for Ganassi in the Indianapolis 500 this year, immediately fueling speculation he might leave Joe Gibbs Racing, with whom he has a long-term contract, for Ganassi. Ganassi happily played along when asked what he thinks of Stewart. "He's a good driver," he said. Asked if Stewart could drive "this or that" for Ganassi next year, the owner simply said, "maybe" with a grin, then added, "probably just a little bit of this and mostly that.'" Asked if "this" meant Winston Cup and "that" meant CART, Ganassi replied: "I didn't say that." For now, Ganassi dismisses reports he'll start a third team as "just a lot of talk right now." The owner has yet to announce a new sponsor to replace Cingular Wireless on Leffler's car, but doesn't seem concerned. Target, which backs his CART team, sponsored Marlin at Bristol, but Ganassi says there's only a slim chance the company would be on Leffler's car next year. Ganassi said he would not start a Busch Series team in 2002, and said it's possible open-wheel standout Kenny Brack could run a Winston Cup race or two next year. Brack is joining Ganassi's CART program and has said NASCAR is an avenue he wants to try at some point in his career.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read online)(8-30-2001)

Papers at it again: The Orlando Sentinel and its sister paper in Fort Lauderdale asked a judge Wednesday to declare unconstitutional the new state law exempting autopsy photos from Florida's public records law. In a motion filed in Broward Circuit Court, the Sentinel and South Florida Sun-Sentinel argue that the statute adopted after the death of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt is unjustified, overly broad and fails to accomplish its stated purpose. Lawmakers in March made it a felony to review, copy or distribute autopsy photos without a judge's OK. Judges can grant permission only for good cause.(Full story at That's Racin')(8-30-2001)

Sadler to run Richmond CTS Race: Elliott Sadler and Motorcraft will team up in Richmond, Va., for two races next week. Sadler will drive the #84 Long Brothers Racing F-150, carrying the familiar Motorcraft paint scheme in the Kroger 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Richmond International Speedway on Thursday, September 6th. It will mark the second consecutive year that Sadler has competed in the truck race at Richmond. Ford Racing fan club Team Ford Racing (TFR) will support Sadler's effort as an associate sponsor.(Sadler Brothers Site)(8-30-2001)

Harvick in Richmond CTS Race: Kevin Harvick will return to the CTS at Richmond, driving a truck owned by defending Kroger 200 champion Rick Carelli. Harvick plans on forming his own truck team for 2002, with Carelli serving as his driver. Carelli will be in a Dodge owned by Maurice Petty and Associates for the race.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read online)(8-30-2001)

Ripken Scheme? UPDATE 4: hearing #18-Bobby Labonte's car will have a special Cal Ripken Jr farewell paint job at Dover in September. Ripken Jr plays for the Baltimore Orioles and is retiring at the end of the 2001 baseball season(8-17-2001)
UPDATE: hearing that since Cal Ripken's last home game will be the evening of the race, at Camden Yards vs. the Yankees. To honor his achievements, MBNA will be renaming the race from the MBNA 400 to the Cal Ripken 400 (or something similar) and that Ripken will be present at the race as the Grand Marshal(8-20-2001)
UPDATE 2: also hearing that #18-Mike McLaughlin will drive the Cal Ripken car in the MNBA 200 BGN race and that a formal announcment will come in the next 7-10 days(8-23-2001)
UPDATE 3: NASCAR and Major League Baseball are expected to finalize an unprecedented agreement within the next 10 days that would celebrate Cal Ripken Jr.’s retirement in a most unique way. For starters, the MBNA 400 Winston Cup race scheduled for Sept. 23 at Dover Downs International Speedway in Dover, Del., will be renamed the MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400. In addition, the Orioles third baseman will act as the grand marshal for the 1 p.m. race before flying back to Baltimore to play in the final home game of his career at Camden Yards that night. “We have been waiting for a couple of days for a sewn-up package,” said Carmine Tiso, a media relations specialist handling business matters for Major League Baseball. “Hopefully in the next week or 10 days it will be (finalized). There are a lot of parties involved including us, the Orioles, MBNA.” Tiso described the deal as “all but done.” Another source close to the deal said a joint announcement about the specifics could come as early as Thursday at Camden Yards. NASCAR has some other tributes planned for Ripken, as well. The Interstate Batteries/MBNA #18 car driven by defending Winston Cup champion Bobby Labonte will be repainted for the Dover race to include a Cal Ripken logo. The Ripken logo will also be on Mike McLaughlin’s car during the MBNA 200 Busch Series race that Saturday at Dover Downs, Tiso confirmed. The tentative plan, according to the source close to the deal, is for Ripken to arrive in Dover — about 100 miles from Camden Yards — on Sunday around 9 a.m., sit in on the morning drivers’ meeting and conduct a short news conference with the motorsports media. Ripken will be part of the drivers’ introductions and will be driven in a convertible around the track before the race begins. Ripken will then wave the green flag to start the race before getting in a helicopter and flying back to Baltimore. The winner of the Winston Cup race will be invited to fly to Baltimore as Ripken’s guest for that night’s game.(York Daily Record) and another story at the Washington Post: Ripken Farewell Faces a Switch(8-24-2001)
UPDATE 4 - maybe? One major obstacle lies in the path of Dover Downs’ quest to rename the Sept. 23 MBNA 400 after one of major league baseball’s all-time greatest players. According to track publicist John Dunlap, if the New York Yankees agree to allow the Baltimore Orioles to push back the start of their game at Camden Yards from its currently scheduled 1:35 p.m. start to “somewhere between 5 and 7,” Cal Ripken Jr. will serve as grand marshal of the MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Dunlap also said a press conference is “supposedly” scheduled for Thursday at Camden Yards regarding this announcement, but didn’t name a time.(NASCAR.com)(8-30-2001)

Sad News: (#01 Dodge driver) Jason Leffler's father passed away of a heart attack on Aug. 24th, Condolences to family and friends - Additional Info: Charles Leffler, father of NASCAR Winston Cup rookie Jason Leffler, died from a heart attack on Friday, Aug. 24, 2001. The funeral was held at Fitz Henry Funeral Home, 44-635 San Rafael; Palm Desert, Calif. 92260; (760) 776-8866 on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2001 at 1:00pm/et. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame at P.O. Box 234; Marshall, Indiana 47859. Jason Leffler, driver of the #01 Cingular Wireless Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, will compete in the Mountain Dew Southern 500 this weekend at Darlington Raceway.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(8-30-2001)

(8-29-2001)

Blaney and Team Stays in 2002: Owner Bill Davis said he'll field a team for Dave Blaney no matter what in 2002. Currently, Davis is searching for a sponsor to replace Amoco. "We don't have anything yet, but we're talking to some people and have some things in the works," Davis said Aug. 24. "We're certainly going forward. We're going to race next year."(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read online)(8-30-2001)

Biffle to stay in BGN for 2002: FSN's Totally NASCAR it was announced that Roush BGN Driver, Greg Biffle, will drive a full BGN season in 2002 in the #60 Grianger Ford and will run up to seven Cup races in 2002 and move up full time in 2003(8-29-2001)

NASCAR's Statement on the the Talladega Testing: The following are comments from Gary Nelson, NASCAR Winston Cup Series director, regarding Monday's test by NASCAR at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. This test was designed by NASCAR for its teams to test various changes to the current aerodynamics package in place for Daytona and Talladega. Drivers participating in the test were: Rusty Wallace, Kevin Lepage, Bill Elliott, Johnny Benson, Michael Waltrip, Tony Stewart, Elliott Sadler, Ward Burton, Jerry Nadeau, Jimmy Spencer, Ricky Rudd, Joe Nemechek, Ken Schrader, Sterling Marlin, John Andretti, Buckshot Jones, Bobby Hamilton and Todd Bodine. The No. 29 team participated with Dave Marcis as the driver. The teams tested, among other things, three different restrictor-plate sizes (15/16ths, 29/32nds and 7/8ths) and the removal of the roof air-deflector. "It was a very productive and informative day. We were able to learn many things. We couldn't have learned the things we did in a single-car test or in the wind tunnel or dyno-type tests. We needed a pack of cars to help us obtain all that we did. Our next step is to take the information gathered and analyze all of it. That will obviously assist us in our decision process. "We started the morning with 20-car drafts in 20-lap runs. Then we reduced the number to 15-car drafts and 15-lap runs. The idea was to make the current aero-package more efficient and to do so, we changed the plate size, rear spoiler angle and removed the air deflector on the roof. "At one point, we even had the teams use a combination that was similar to the aero-package the NASCAR Busch Series currently use (60 degree spoiler angle and no roof air deflector or rear spoiler deflector). "One example of the data we were searching for was to find a balance between aerodynamics and restrictor-plates. The way we did this was to reduce the aero-drag on the car, which in turn picks up speed and then we off set this with a smaller plate. The current aero-package in place is a high aero-drag combination. "Now keep in mind, the speeds at Daytona and Talladega, more so Talladega, have been satisfactory. We wanted to maintain that pace but with a lower drag combination. "With the number of teams here testing, we received an unprecedented amount of input from the drivers. We were able to zero in on what the driver was feeling after a run."(NASCAR PR)(8-29-2001)

What's Up with Dick Trickle? Two-time ASA National Champion Dick Trickle will return to ASA action, driving the number 43 for Minnesota’s Kevin Lang. Trickle won the ASA National Championship is 1984 and then again in 1985. He has 32 career ASA victories, fourth on the all-time list, and 45 career pole positions, second all-time, behind Bob Senneker. His last ASA start came in 1997 at the same track, where he finished 32nd after starting eighth. Trickle is the all-time ASA event winner at Minnesota, collecting four wins in his 20 races at the speedway. Scott Hansen, Mike Eddy, Butch Miller, Mike Miller and Bob Senneker are the only other multi-time winners in ASA competition at the State Fair.(Speedway Illustrated). More info and links about Trickle on my Drivers Looking page(8-29-2001)

3td Qtr Driver of the Year: Jeff Gordon continued commitment and dedication has earned him the recognition of being selected as the third-quarter nominee for True Value's Man of the Year for his continued commitment and dedication by spending a large amount of his time to support various charitable organizations. True Value, the Official Hardware Store of NASCAR, is once again sponsoring the NASCAR True Value Man of the Year. The award is designed to honor a driver not only for their accomplishments on the track, but for their community service contributions and charitable efforts. Mark Martin, driver of the No. 6 Pfizer/Viagra Ford and Rick Mast, driver of the No. 27 Duke.s Mayonnaise Pontiac, were the recipients of the first and second quarter nominations, respectively. For the purpose of determining the NASCAR True Value Man of the Year award winner, the NASCAR Winston Cup season has been divided into four quarters in which drivers are nominated for their off-track efforts. An elite group of panelists will select one of the four quarterly finalists to name the NASCAR True Value Man of the Year. This award will be presented at the NASCAR Winston Cup Series banquet in New York City, along with a prize of $100,000. The prize will be divided evenly between the driver and the charity of his choice. The fourth-quarter nominee will be announced on November 12.(NASCAR PR)(8-29-2001)

(8-28-2001)

More Kenny - #57: Kenny Wallace is proud to announce that he will be running the #57 CLR Racing Ford at Kansas City, Charlotte, and Homestead Winston Cup Races in 2001. "This is a great opportunity for me to keep my foot in WC racing as I work out my plans for 2002. " says Herman. "This team has a very good car setup, Robert Yates motors, and backing by Ted Campbell." What does this mean for Kenny's Future Plans? "Well, let me tell everyone this straight out. I have an excellent and loyal relationship with the #48 George deBidart owned BGN team. I will be having a long racing relationship with George, I just gotta keep my feet wet in WC while I work on my plans."(Kenny Wallace Racing Site). NOTE: David Keith attempted to make the races at Indy and Michigan(Aug) in the #57 car but was not fast enough(8-28-2001)

Wallace Tests UPDATE car #: Kenny Wallace tested a Cup car today at Greenville-Pickens Speedway (SC) in preparation for the Cup race at New Hampshire in Sept. His current BGN team (#48 Goulds Pumps) will run the race and Wallace said on ESPN2's RPM 2Night that they will run in Cup in 2002, not sure if full time or a limited schedule(8-27-2001)
UPDATE: The team's Winston Cup Car will be #98 at NHIS. So far associated sponsors are Lumar and Gould's Pumps. A Primary Sponsor has yet to be found.(Kenny Wallace Racing Site)(8-28-2001)

Special #93 Scheme at Bristol UPDATE No, now at Richmond: In a special one-race arrangement, Dave Blaney will feature primary sponsorship from Mac Tools as well as a special paint scheme on his #93 Amoco/Siemens Dodge during the Bristol race weekend. The colorful one-race-only paint scheme will also be available for a limited time in die-cast form at traditional NASCAR retail outlets.(Bill Davis Racing Site) see the Paint Schemes Gallery(8-20-2001)
UPDATE: After planning to run a special Mac Tools-themed paint scheme at Bristol, Blaney was forced to a back-up car with the traditional Amoco/Siemens colors when a practice accident damaged the #93 Mac Tools Dodge too severely to be repaired before the race. The team will run the special paint scheme again in two weeks during the Saturday night race at Richmond International Raceway following next week's event at Darlington(Bill Davis Racing)(8-28-2001)

Humpy Bumper News UPDATE 2 Testing at LMS today: Development of the energy-absorbing "Humpy Bumper," which is being tested by Las Vegas-based Lew Composites, will continue despite ominous remarks by NASCAR president Mike Helton during Tuesday's press conference to announce the findings of a six-month investigation into the death of Dale Earnhardt. Paul Lew, president of Lew Composites and one of the designers of the "Humpy Bumper," told the Sun last week that he anticipated the device would be approved by NASCAR and could be used on Winston Cup cars in race conditions "in the month of September." After watching Tuesday's announcement, Lew said his project would proceed as planned. Lew has a public test of the device scheduled for next Tuesday at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. At that time, Winston Cup teams will have a chance to see the bumper perform in a crash test. H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, president and chief operating officer of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., and the person for whom the "Humpy Bumper" is named, said he hopes the device will be approved by NASCAR and available to teams by the end of the season.(Las Vegas Sun)(8-23-2001)
UPDATE: H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, president and general manager of Lowe’s Motor Speedway, and Paul Lew of Lew Composites will be on hand to oversee a full-scale crash test of the energy-absorbing composite device nicknamed the “Humpy Bumper” on Tuesday, Aug. 28 starting at 1:30pm/et. The composite bumper will be fitted on a NASCAR Winston Cup stock car that is then propelled into the turn one wall at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Media members will be able to inspect the car following the crash test and parties involved in the bumper’s design and construction will be available for interviews. This crash will be the final step in a series of extensive tests that began in May and data and information from those earlier tests will be available(Lowes Motor Speedway PR).(8-24-2001)
UPDATE 2: In a demonstration staged largely for the media, the focus wasn't on a test car circling the track, but rather purposely taking a violent, right front hit into the wall at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The car was a white Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The wall speed was extremely high, near 40 miles an hour, or about the same as experienced in Dale Earnhardt's crash during the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 18. The damage to the test car, though, didn't appear as severe as might be expected -- presumably, thanks to a "Humpy Bumper," an impact-absorbing device installed in the nose between the radiator and motor. The wall failed to devour the front of the car. The motor remained firmly attached. It was a flawless demonstration, if you overlook the car bouncing off the wall, redirecting itself down the embankment and forcing several onlookers to scramble frantically out of its way. Las Vegas-based engineer Paul Lew (of Lew Composites), the mind behind the project, says the bumper can cut in half the energy drivers' absorb in a crash. Lowe's president/general manager H. A. "Humpy" Wheeler says the safety device is ready for use today, adding, "What we're talking about here is saving lives."(see full story at CNN/SI - Test crash - 'Humpy Bumper' has flawless demonstration; AND Researchers tested the energy-absorbing Humpy Bumper on Tuesday by sending a remote-controlled Winston Cup car crashing into a wall as a NASCAR official watched. All indications were that the test at Lowe's Motor Speedway was a success, but the damage and data from a "black box" inside the car still must be analyzed. Humpy Wheeler, president of the speedway, said he would meet with NASCAR next week to discuss the results. "It's up to NASCAR from here," Wheeler said. "They'll look at what we have and either say, 'We like it, go ahead and start manufacturing it' or, 'We'd like for you to look at it further with some more tests.' "Ideally, they'll like it and we can get it on the cars as soon as possible." The Humpy Bumper is designed to address concerns about the rigidity of the front of stock cars and the lack of any sort of bumper to absorb the energy from a crash. The stiffness in the cars has been an issue the past year because of the deaths of Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin and Dale Earnhardt in wrecks. The cars have grown increasingly rigid over the years because it allows crew chiefs to accurately make suspension settings.(See full story at ESPN: NASCAR official watched test); and for past news on the Humpy Bumper, see my Safety News/Links page(8-28-2001)

Talladega Testing Done: A day after running three- and four-wide in an invitation-only NASCAR test, more than a dozen Winston Cup Series teams remained at Talladega Superspeedway to prepare for October’s EA SPORTS™ 500 on Oct. 21. On Monday, NASCAR officials sent 19 Winston Cup teams through the motions during a handful of 20-lap and 15-lap runs. On Tuesday, it was back to the norm for the teams, running test laps individually instead of drafting in packs. “Yesterday we ran in packs and it looked like a race,” said Kyle Petty, who was testing the #44 Dodge. “Today most everything is on an individual run. Most of this is just for qualifying.” Still, most of the 17 teams acknowledged the stay-over was well worth it at NASCAR’s Most Competitive Track. The only two teams from Monday’s test not staying for the second round were Dodge drivers #22-Ward Burton and #40-Sterling Marlin. “We had a list of things to try ... a, b, c ... to find speed,” said Bryant Frazier, overseeing the 44 team’s session. “We were finding the attitudes of the car, the performance related to the motor – just trying stuff back and forth looking for speed. On Monday we had two or three different packages look good as far as being competitive and putting on a good show for the fans, but they also would give the driver a break every now and then,” said Frazier. Petty, who had a couple of top-five finishes at Talladega in the mid-1980s, said many teams were trying “to get a leg up after yesterday.” Petty also applauded NASCAR’s efforts over the years. “They know the ups and the downs,” said Petty. “NASCAR has continued to change the rules, continued to adjust, continued to monitor. That’s one of the things we did Monday. We tried three or four different aero packages just to monitor and to see where the cars were headed and give NASCAR some additional information for rules changes that may come six months down the road or may come two years down the road. They are establishing a baseline.” Robin Pemberton, crew chief for the #2 Penske Racing Ford team, said he and driver Rusty Wallace were using the time at Talladega to work on other things as well. “We haven’t been here to test in two years,” said Pemberton. “We’re doing chassis things, doing some things with the shocks. We’re not messing with the aero package at all, really.” Teams participating Tuesday were: #29-Dave Marcis; #9-Bill Elliott; #28-Ricky Rudd, #20-Tony Stewart, #2-Rusty Wallace, #21-Elliott Sadler, #55-Bobby Hamilton, #25-Jerry Nadeau, #15-Michael Waltrip, #43-John Andretti, #44-Kyle Petty, #33-Joe Nemechek; #26-Jimmy Spencer, #66-Todd Bodine, #4-Kevin Lepage, #10-Johnny Benson, and #36-Ken Schrader.(Talladega Superspeedway PR). See past news on the testing at my NASCAR News page(8-28-2001)

RIR to try testing again UPDATE: The Winston Cup cars of #30-Jeff Green, #13-Hermie Sadler, #27-Rick Mast and #90-Hut Stricklin are scheduled to test at Ricmond on Monday and Tuesday (Aug 27-28th) along with BGN drivers #26-Bobby Hamilton, Jr. and #25-Randy Tolsma. Fans are invited to watch testing on both days. The gates will be open from 8:00am to 5:00pm/et(RIR PR)(8-25-2001)
UPDATE: Drivers #55-Bobby Hamilton(thought he was in Talladega?), #30-Jeff Green and #27-Rick Mast began a two-day test at the track yesterday. The trio told track officials that the surface was in good condition. Drivers who tried to test shortly after the asphalt was resealed had problems with the three-quarter-mile oval. Now that the sealer has cured, there doesn't seem to be any lingering effects or slickness(Richmond Times Dispatch), it was #26-Bobby Hamilton Jr testing his BGN car, #55-Hamilton was at Talladega(8-28-2001)

Burton to drive for Baldwin: Bill Davis Racing #22 crew chief Tommy Baldwin Jr. will debut his new BGN team at the October race at Charlotte. Ward Burton will be behind the wheel(Sporting News)(8-28-2001)

Some rumors: This week's rumor mill, or version of Winston Cup musical chairs: Stacy Compton will replace Buckshot Jones in the Petty Enterprises' #44 next season (as mentioned here last week, see #92 Team Page, Jerry Nadeau will go back to Melling Racing(#92) to fill Compton's seat, and Ward Burton will take over Nadeau's #25 for Hendrick Racing(Sporting News). Jayski Note: Burton has a contract with Bill Davis thru 2002(8-28-2001)

Testing at Kansas UPDATE: hearing all four Roush Racing teams and the #24 Hendrick Motor Sports team will be testing on August 27-28th at Kansas Speedway(8-22-2001)
UPDATE: Jeff Gordon said Monday that Kansas Speedway incorporates familiar elements from three other 1 1/2-mile tri-ovals, including the other track that opened this season in Joliet, Ill. Gordon ran well this season at all three tracks. "There are a couple of parts that remind me of Vegas, a couple that remind me of Chicago, a couple that remind me of Texas," Gordon said after a late-morning session in preparation for the inaugural Protection One 400 on Sept. 30. But the similarities to the other tracks don't extend to the racing surface at Kansas, Gordon and other drivers say. Like nearly everyone who's driven on the new track, they remarked on its smoothness and lack of an outside groove. "I know I'm going to do my passing on the inside," said Mark Martin, one of five Roush Racing drivers testing at the track. "I'm not going to be out there." Roush driver Jeff Burton also likes the track. "I think you're going to be amazed at how fast the laps are going to be," Burton said.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(8-28-2001)

(8-27-2001)

Why no Points for Geoffrey? been asked a bunch so here it goes, #09-Geoffrey Bodine is listed on the Official Results for Britol as have PE points, what does that mean? PE means POST ENTRY, what it means is that a driver/owner is not eligible for any points as the race entry blank was received after the deadline (which is approx 13 days from the date of the race)(8-27-2001)

Noticed: while listening to the PRN radio broadcast during the race at Bristol, they went along strecth without commercials, only to find out, it that PRN decided that since there were so many cautions early during the Sharpie 500 at Bristol, that PRN radio got so far ahead on their spots breaks, that they broadcasted the final 144 laps commerical free(8-27-2001)

Sad News - One dies at Bristol UPDATE: An out-of-town race-goer was electrocuted Sunday morning while taking down a flagpole at a campground near Bristol Motor Speedway. The electric shock caused an explosion that reportedly was heard miles away. Two other campers suffered an electric shock as they tried to remove the 20-foot-tall pole from the soaked ground and it became entangled in power lines, police said. A man in his 40s or 50s died instantly, Bristol Tennessee Police Lt. Mike Vance said. His 16-year-old son and a woman were seriously injured and were taken to Bristol Regional Medical Center. Their conditions were not known Sunday night. The three were not identified pending notification of next of kin, police said. Vance said he believed they were from Michigan. They, and others in their party, had been camping at 149 Old Thomas Bridge Road, the lieutenant said. It was not raining at the time, but Vance said the ground was soaked.(Bristol Herald Courier)(8-27-2001)
UPDATE: An auto racing fan was electrocuted and his son and a woman were seriously injured while taking down a banner at their campsite near Bristol Motor Speedway, authorities said. Bradley McNeice, 42, of Goodrich, Mich., was killed instantly in the Sunday morning accident as he was loading his camper following the Sharpie 500 NASCAR race Saturday night. McNeice, his 16-year-old son, William McNeice, and Christina Ulman, 45, of Fair Haven, Mich., were taking down a banner on a 20-foot pole when it became entangled in power lines, police said. McNeice and his son went into cardiac arrest, according to police dispatchers. The son was upgraded Monday from critical to stable condition at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Ulman was moved to the Erlanger Burn Center in Chattanooga.(ESPN/AP)(8-27-2001)

Sad News UPDATE more: A stock-car driver lost control of his car during a race at Barberton Speedway on Saturday night and died after crashing through billboards at the edge of the track and hitting trees. Tim Boswell, 35, of Copley, Ohio, died at 7:55 p.m. at Akron General Hospital, a nursing supervisor said. Driver Kevin Swank said Boswell's car sounded as if its throttle was stuck open.(That's Racin'/AP)(8-26-2001)
UPDATE: Motorcycle racer Will Davis died in Sadalia, Mo., after crashing in the first lap of a race in the AMA's Grand National Championship. Davis, 36, was involved with a crash with five other riders on the fourth turn at the State Fairway Speedway on Friday. He died at Bothwell Regional Health Center, according to the American Motorcyclists Association. Davis, ranked seventh in career AMA Grand National victories with 32, had his first national win in 1989. He turned pro in 1984 and was a five-time champion of the MARS Asphalt Motorcycle Racing Series.
AND Michael Josselyn, 45, of Alamogordo, N.M., died Saturday at an El Paso, Texas, hospital, where he had been taken after a Friday night crash at Sertoma Motorplex in New Mexico, officers said. Josselyn's car flipped and landed on its roof, authorities said.(ESPN/AP)
AND a turn three flagman was struck by a 305 Sprint car at Central Pa Speedway on Saturday night. The flagman, Fred Pscholka, was a weekly worker at the speedway. The cars were in the hotlaps session when the accident occurred. The flagmen was hit with the front nose wing of the sprint car. The Sprint driver said, "I don't know what happened, the car went out of control." Mr. Pscholka had his back towards the car when he was hit. This incident resulted in massive head injuries. Medical crews tried as much as possible to revive him. He was life flighted to a near by hospital where he was later pronounced dead.(Asphalt Racing)(8-27-2001)

(8-26-2001)

see the Aug 20-26, 2001 Archived News Page

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