PAST NEWS SEPT 24-30, 2001
THE PAST NEWS! YESTERDAY and BEYOND..
OTHER PAST NEWS PAGES
(9-30-2001)
- Gordon wins at Kansas: #24-Jeff Gordon won the Protection One 400 at Kansas Speedway, his 6th win of the 2001 season and 58th of his 285 race career. #02-Ryan Newman was 2nd. #28-Ricky Rudd was third abd lost 10 points to Gordon and is now 222 points behind Gordon in the race for the Winston Cup Championship with 8 races to go. #57-Derrike Cope was 24th in his first Cup race of 2001. See That's Racin' for Protection One 400 race results and Jayski.com for Driver Standings(9-30-2001)
(9-29-2001)
- Rudd changes seat belt manu: Ricky Rudd responded to increasing concerns over safety this week by changing the brand of seat belts he installs in his #28 Texaco Ford. After a briefing from NASCAR earlier in the week and viewing the belts from Jeremy Mayfield’s car, Rudd made the decision to replace the Simpson products in his car with Wheelen (actually it is Willans) belts.(Frontstretch)(9-29-2001)
- Hills Bros leaving Donlavey UPDATE: Hills Brothers Coffee and Donlavey Racing are parting ways at the end of this Winston Cup season. Team owner Junie Donlavey stayed in Virginia to fulfill an obligation to visit a school and wasn't at Kansas Speedway this weekend, but Donlavey does seem to be making plans to have sponsorship next season. Hills Brothers could be close to signing a deal with an established Winston Cup team. Driver Hut Stricklin and veteran crew chief Philippe Lopez, both employees of Hills Brothers' parent company Sara Lee, plan to remain with the sponsor next season. Stricklin said the sponsor wanted Donlavey to move his team to the Charlotte, N.C., area, but Donlavey remained loyal to his hometown of Richmond. "I really have to commend Junie for being very loyal to the city of Richmond and to the state of Virginia because, let's face it, this is big business and he didn't turn his back on his homeland," Stricklin said. "It's a deal for me that I felt like I had to do what I had to do to survive."(Richmond Times Dispatch)(9-29-2001)
UPDATE: Petree and Nemechek could have different colors the rest of the season, if Petree can finish a deal with Hills Brothers Coffee, to replace Oakwood on the car the last two months of the season(Winston Salem Journal)(9-29-2001)
AND Phillipe Lopez, team manager of Donlavey's #90 and of the Sara Lee NASCAR endeavor, confirmed Friday that Hills likely will move up a step or two. "They're talking to every team without a sponsor," Lopez said. "They have a lot of meetings scheduled over the next two weeks. After that, I don't know what they're doing. They may narrow it down to two or three for call-back meetings." The catch is that Sara Lee apparently intends to package driver Stricklin with the deal, although that is not beyond negotiation. "That's what they'd like to do," Lopez said(SpeedVision)(9-29-2001)
- Nemechek on the move? Joe Nemechek says "There are going to be a lot more people changing teams than you think. I didn't think there would be a lot of changing this season, but over the last two weeks I've learned a lot of changes are coming." Nemechek could be one of them. He could be back in Andy Petree's #33 ride next season, but now it appears he will be going elsewhere: "I should have something firm within the next week," Nemechek says. Petree and Nemechek could have different colors the rest of the season, if Petree can finish a deal with Hills Brothers Coffee, to replace Oakwood on the car the last two months of the season. Nemechek has been rumored to be talking with Kyle Petty about a ride in one of Petty Enterprises cars next season. John Andretti, currently in #43, has been rumored to be in talks with other car owners, including Rick Hendrick(Winston Salem Journal)(9-29-2001)
AND Nemechek is still a candidate for Richard Childress's #31 (which everyone has marked for Robby Gordon) and for Larry McClure's #4 (labeled for Mike Skinner)(SpeedVision)(9-29-2001)
- NHIS in Nov Not NBC's Choice? UPDATE: Sources say it was not NBC's decision that prompted NASCAR to reschedule New Hampshire date to the Friday following Thanksgiving. Apparently someone in the NASCAR hierarchy has a daughter getting married that Saturday(Sporting News)(9-28-2001)
UPDATE: There is confirmation that the stepdaughter of NASCAR president Mike Helton has a wedding planned for Saturday, Nov. 24, Thanksgiving weekend and one of the one or two weekends off NASCAR allows each year.(SpeedVision)(9-29-2001)
AND: According to one television industry source, NBC officials don't want the blame for extending the season to the week of Thanksgiving, and the network is willing to drop the Loudon race if NASCAR gives the OK and returns the $30 million the network has already paid for the telecast. TV ad sales have been off this season across the board, and even with the popularity of Winston Cup racing, the networks aren't breaking even this year(Winston Salem Journal)(9-29-2001)
- No more #96 after Kansas: the #96 PPI Motorsports/McDonald's team and driver Andy Houston are running their last race together at Kansas this week. McDonald's will be a major assoc sponsor on the #32 PPI Motorsports Ford the rest of the season (and has been since Indy in Aug) and in 2002. Word is the team will not exist in 2002 unless a sponsor can be found(9-29-2001)
- #29 Crew Chief News: Todd Berrier, Kevin Harvick's BGN crew chief, will crew chief the #29 Goodwrench Chevy at Kansas. Regular crew chief Kevin Hamilin is in Michigan as his Mother-in-Law passed away, thoughts and condelences go out to Hamilin and his family(9-29-2001)
- #14 Changes? The #14 Ron Hornaday-A. J. Foyt team, which failed to qualify for Kansas, is apparently headed for another shakeup(Winston Salem Journal)(9-29-2001)
- Sacks News: Former Stafford Motor Speedway Modified champion and winner in Cup and BGN, Greg Sacks will once again be behind the wheel of the T. S. Haulers #13 NASCAR modified for car owner Ed Partridge of Calverton L.I. NY at the Stafford Motor Speedway In CT. Greg will be teaming with former Stafford and Thompson Speedway Modified Champion Bo Gunning of Connecticut in an effort to bring T. S. Haulers its first FMS Tour Victory. The entire TS Motorsports team is honored to be able to work with a veteran driver such as Greg Sacks at Stafford and possibly for the remaining races on the FMS Tour Schedule this season. This is a great opportunity for T. S. Haulers race team, as Sacks is hard at work trying to secure a ride for 2002 in the Cup or BGN Series, and a few races in November this year may be on his schedule. In the meantime, Sacks will travel up from Florida and once again race in front of his Northeast Fans in NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series(TS Haulers Racing)(9-29-2001)
(9-28-2001)
- Ultra Motorsports to Quit Cup? UPDATE 3 Grubb to drive?: While contemplating taking sponsor NationsRent to court, Ultra Motorsports owner Jim Smith says he won't run his Winston Cup team without sponsorship next year. He does, however, expect to have a Busch Series team in addition to his two-team entry in the Craftsman Truck Series. He plans on running a Dodge in the Busch Series, and will convert his Cup team to Dodges as well if it still exists. Truck series star Ted Musgrave expects to drive for the team, but exactly what he'll drive is uncertain. He has heard from a few Winston Cup teams, but said they currently lack sponsorship so he's wary of signing with anyone else. Problems with NationsRent, meanwhile, will likely send Smith to court. "We have a contract for next year," Smith said. "They're in financial trouble, I don't know. I see us in court very soon."(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(9-13-2001)
UPDATE: hearing the team and crew chief, Jim Long, along with a few employees have parted ways with the team
UPDATE 2: Buddy Barnes and Scott Lepage will lead the Ultra Motorsports NASCAR Winston Cup team and the #7 NationsRent Taurus beginning with this weekend.s race at Dover. Owner Jim Smith made the announcement Tuesday morning after accepting the resignation of Jim Long. "We're moving forward," Smith said. "We're not quitting. We're not stopping. We're going to keep doing everything we can do to be successful. Both Buddy and Scott have plenty of experience and they know how to run a race team."
Lepage has been car chief for Ultra Motorsports, while Barnes has been heading up the research and development program. Both are veterans in NASCAR Winston Cup racing.(Williams Company)(9-18-2001)
UPDATE 3: hearing the Ultra Motorsports may have Kevin Grubb in the seat of either his BGN or Cup Team in 2002(9-28-2001)
- Expansion: From 1972 to 1987, only one new track was added to the Winston Cup schedule, the Pocono Raceway in 1974. Since 1987, 10 tracks have been added, starting with Phoenix on Nov. 6, 1988. The Sears Point road course replaced Riverside in 1989, and New Hampshire was added in 1993(FoxSports)(9-28-2001)
- Health Tune-Up for Life: Racing fans and participants can visit the Pfizer's Men's Health Tune-Up for Life mobile unit for free cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and erectile dysfunction screenings during race weekend at Kansas Speedway. The 50-foot mobile unit will be outside the track behind the south end of the grandstands near Gate A. It will be open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Saturday, and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday. Health care professionals and educational materials will be available for consultations on common health conditions and to answer questions. Pfizer introduced the mobile unit at Winston Cup races last season, and more than 20,000 visitors were screened during February-November 2000.(Kansas City Star)(9-28-2001)
(9-27-2001)
- Rudd, Wallace meet with NASCAR: Rusty Wallace and Ricky Rudd, who have had on-track incidents in three of past four races, met with NASCAR officials Thursday to discuss their "feud." Both drivers said they consider the incidents, which included a confrontation in the garage last weekend at Dover, Del., to be over.(That's Racin')(9-27-2001)
- Modifications for Seat Belts: NASCAR announced today the manufacturer's label on seat belts must not be located under the adjusting mechanism when the driver is buckled into the seat and has tightened the seat belts and shoulder harness. If the label is under the adjusting mechanism, the label must be removed or relocated in a manner that does not affect the integrity of the belt material. The date of the manufacture must remain visible on the belts at all times. This modification goes into effect immediately for NASCAR.s Winston Cup Series, Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Touring Series.(NASCAR PR)(9-27-2001)
- Some more driver rumors UPDATE Pressley to the #4? or is it Skinner?: Mike Skinner to the #77 Jasper Engines Ford with current driver, Robert Pressley possibly headed to the #4 Morgan McClure Kodak Chevy. Skinner is also rumored to the #4 team and the #33 Andy Petree Racing team if a sponsor is found(9-18-2001)
UPDATE: and also hearing Robert Pressley as a stong candidate to the #4 Kodak Chevy for 2002 as well as Skinner(9-23-2001)
UPDATE: Larry McClure hopes to be able to strike a deal with [Mike] Skinner that will put the veteran behind the wheel of his Chevrolets in 2002. "That's fair," McClure said Sept. 21 when asked if Skinner was his leading candidate. "We'd like to get something done here directly. (But) if you've got a deal done, it would take you two weeks to get it all done."(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(9-27-2001)
- #33 Sponsor Update: Although Andy Petree, owner of the #33 and #55 Chevy's, has landed a sponsor for the #55 car (Schneider Electric) for the next two seasons, Petree was still busy working the phones in his continuing search for a sponsor for the #33 Chevy (currently driven by Joe Nemechek and sponsored by Oakwood Homes) car next season. Petree said the Winston Cup going into a new market area like Kansas City should help him in his search. Oakwood Mobile Homes has been helping with the sponsor search and has even agreed to step back and allow Petree’s new sponsor to take over immediately once all the papers and deals are confirmed.(Hendersonville Times-News)(9-27-2001)
- Sauer looking to stay in Cup? UPDATE: hearing C. F. Sauer Company, the current sponsor of the #27 Eel River Racing team, is looking to stay as a Cup sponsor in 2002, but with another team. Sauer currently has Duke's Mayo on the #27 Pontiac and other assorted products(9-26-2001)
UPDATE: hearing that Sauer reps met with the #90 team over the weekend at Dover, Sauer is from Richmond, VA where the #90 Donlavey Racing is based. Hut Stricklin currently is the driver(9-27-2001)
- Online Animated Series: The Kellys," an animated series about a stock-car racing family, will debuted Wednesday, Sept 26th exclusively on nascar.com. The series will feature "guest appearances" by top professional drivers and television, film and music celebrities. Following Wednesday's debut, a new 3-minute episode will air weekly on Fridays beginning Sept. 28 through Nov. 16th.(9-27-2001)
- Jr hires sister: Dale Earnhardt Jr. hired his sister, Kelley, recently to be the personal business manager of his company - JR Motorsports. Kelley, a graduate of UNC Charlotte, was formerly an executive with Action Performance(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(9-27-2001)
(9-26-2001)
- Checking Temps at RIR UPDATE: Mark Martin and Matt Kenseth will have new additions to their respective pit crews next weekend at Richmond. The additional pit workers will concentrate on how the drivers replace the fluids they lose during a race, as well as the cars' onboard temperatures. Scientists from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute will condict a pilot study on Martin and Kenseth to determine sweat loss, cardiobascular responses and heat stress in drivers during a NASCAR race. During an average race, cockpit temperatures can climb to 140 degrees, putting drivers at risk for dehydration and heat illness. The race-day test will help provide drivers with fluid replacement and heat illness prevention recommendations.(That's Racin')(9-3-2001)
UPDATE: #6-Mark Martin, and #17-Matt Kenseth, were the subjects of a hydration study that was conducted at the Chevy Monte Carlo 400 in Richmond. Scientists from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) monitored Martin and Kenseth throughout the 400-lap, three-hour and 13-minute event to determine how well NASCAR drivers replace the fluids they lose through sweat during a race. In the grueling heat of a race, cockpit temperatures can often soar well beyond 115 degrees, placing drivers at risk for dehydration, heat illness and impaired performance. Martin's estimated total sweat loss during the race was 4.5 liters (153 ounces), nearly equivalent to 10 lbs. of bodyweight. However, Martin replaced 78% of his total sweat loss by drinking 3.52 liters (119 ounces) of fluid. Martin still experienced a final bodyweight loss of more than 2 lbs., and a post-race urine sample indicated significant dehydration even with this modest 2-lb. fluid deficit. Kenseth also completed the race, but was off the track and out of his car for nearly an hour due to a mid-race crash. Because he spent less time exposed to intensive cockpit temperatures, Kenseth's fluid loss was less dramatic than Martin's. According to GSSI, Kenseth lost 2.1 liters (70 ounces) of sweat. Yet, by drinking 1.66 liters (56 ounces) of fluid during the race, Kenseth
was able to replace 81% of the fluid he lost, leaving him fairly well hydrated. Overall, both Martin and Kenseth experienced levels of fluid loss similar to those experienced by other endurance and team sport competitors, such as marathoners and football players. But they did a better job of replacing fluids than several athletes GSSI has studied from these sports. For more information about sports nutrition and exercise science pertaining to The Gatorade Company, visit the Gatorade Sports Science Institute web site at www.gssiweb.com or gatorade.com.(Roush Racing PR)(9-26-2001)
- Sadler hires Long: Hermie Sadler announced today the addition of veteran crew chief Jim Long to the stable of his #13 Chevrolet. Long began at Dover this past weekend as a consultant to Sadler, who after Dover plans to run three additional Winston Cup events: Martinsville, Homestead, and Atlanta. Long had an immediate impact for Sadler as his team and Sadler qualified 32nd and finished 27th. Long will continue his role as consultant with Sadler while exploring his options for 2002(Sadler Enterprises PR)(9-26-2001)
- #68 Hires, Crew Chief, Team Mgr and Marketing: TWC Motorsport has hired Noel Eggert as thier Team Manager for the 2002 season. Eggert has spent the last eight years in NASCAR after fielding cars in the World of Outlaws Series. Walter Giles has been named Crew Chief for the teams #68 Chevy's. Giles' 26 -year racing career is filled with championship experience. As a driver, he won over 200 races and 7 championships in his native Australia with cars built exclusively by him. For the past five years, Giles has been involved with NASCAR Winston Cup teams in positions from Team Manager/ Crew Chief to head of Research and Development. The team has made additions to the Marketing Department. NASCAR Winston Cup veteran George Stephens has joined the team as Marketing Director. George's knowledge of marketing and sponsorship will be critical to the team as they move forward with their marketing plans. Mark Fowler will be the Marketing Assistant and will be working with Stephens.(more info at their website: www.twcmotorsport.com)(9-26-2001)
- Testing at Martinsville: Several teams are scheduled to test at Martinsville Speedway next week. #2-Rusty Wallace will test Monday and Tuesday. #36-Ken Schrader, #20-Tony Stewart, #18-Bobby Labonte, #13-Hermie Sadler, #55-Bobby Hamilton, #29-Kevin Harvick and #32-Ricky Craven are expected to test Tuesday along with Wallace. All of them, except Wallace, will continue their two-day test on Wednesday.(Racing Extra)(9-26-2001)
- Dover TV Ratings: Last weekend, Winston Cup took on the NFL regular season for the first time since the consolidated NASCAR television contract was signed. The results – a 4.1 overnight rating on NBC Sports with an 8 share(SpeedVision)(9-26-2001)
- Another Hendrick team? UPDATE ARCA: hearing from some readers who have recently visited Hendrick Motorsports that there is a #71 GMAC Chevy in the shop with Ricky Hendrick listed above the door as the driver, no idea if this is an ARCA, BGN or Cup car....or something else? the #71 is currently used by other drivers in each of those divisions(9-26-2001)
UPDATE: the #71 is an ARCA car that Ricky Hendrick has run in the past and will supposedly run at Talladega in Oct. It is not a Cup team nor anything to do with Dave Marcis(who runs the #71 in Cup)(9-26-2001)
- Fan Sponsored Team: #85 Cup driver, Carl Long, is part of an new team where race fans are invited to become private sponsors of Long's Racing Efforts in NASCAR Busch and Winston Cup Events. A Basic $50.00 per Year Sponsorship Includes: Race Reports; A Certificate Of Sponsorship; Discounts on team Merchandise; An Autographed Carl Long Souvenir Card; and Detailed Quarterly Reports of Team News and Activity. For more info see my #85 Team News and Links page.(in no way is Jayski endorsing this, but posting it as information on a Cup team), there is also another fan based team, Fanz Enterprises which sells stock for a possible future Cup team, in on that can be found on my New/Rumored Teams page(9-26-2001)
- Truck Mag features drivers: The December issue of Truckin Magazine will have layouts on the following drivers trucks, Dale
Earnhardt Jr, Kenny Wallace, Greg Biffle, Jack Sprague, and Randy LaJoie(9-26-2001)
(9-25-2001)
- Skinner to have Surgery UPDATE 4 Gordon in NOW: Mike Skinner: "I'm going to have surgery on my left knee sometime later in the season. The doctors are going to replace my ACL and repair my MCL but I don't know just yet when we're going to do it. I've got to sit down with Richard and work that out. I need to do it soon so I have time to do the rehab and be 100-percent when the next season rolls around. I've definitely decided to have knee surgery so now I've got to get it scheduled and find a time to say good-bye to Richard and the guys. Finding a good time to say good-bye to a man's race team is a hard time to find. I've still got some thinking to do about it."(RCR Racing)(9-20-2001)
UPDATE: it was reported on Friday's FSN's Totally NASCAR that Skinner may leave the #31 RCR team early to get the sugery done as it would take 4-6 months to heal and that he hopes to make an announcement on his 2002 plans very soon and wants to be 100% for his new team when the 2002 Daytona 500 rolls around in February. Rumors have Skinner in either the #4-Kodak Chevy, the #33-APR Chevy or the #77 Jasper Motorsports Ford in 2002(9-22-2001)
UPDATE 2: while it's not yet official, but Robby Gordon is already busy cutting commercials as new driver for Richard Childress' Cingular-sponsored team next season. And Gordon could be back in Childress' Chevy within the next few weeks, possibly by Charlotte, depending on when or if Mike Skinner decides to step out for extensive knee surgery. "It would be very easy to put Robby in the car (if Skinner goes into the hospital), and that would be the most logical choice, since we already have some time with him," team manager David Smith said. "Mike has discussed it (surgery) with us, and we'll just work around it if it comes up."(Winston Salem Journal) - also hearing the strongest rumor for Skinner in 2002? the #4 Kodak Chevy ride and the #77 ride and Skinner are making rounds(9-23-2001)
UPDATE 3: Robby Gordon might be in the No. 31 by Oct. 14 at Martinsville(Sporting News)(9-24-2001)
UPDATE 4: Robby Gordon will drive the #31 Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse Chevy for the remainder of the Cup Series season to allow Mike Skinner the opportunity to have surgery on his injured left knee. The move brings to a conclusion Skinner's seven-season tenure as a driver for Richard Childress Racing (RCR). Reconstructive surgery has been scheduled for Oct. 2 as a result of Skinner aggravating the injury in a crash at Richmond. Gordon will also pilot the #21 Rockwell Automation/Brant Motorsports Chevrolet for RCR in the BGN at Kansas and Lowe's Motor Speedway.(RCR Racing PR), no announcement was made on the 2002 driver of the #31 car which will have Cingular as it's sponsor in 2002(9-25-2001)
- Mayfield Shook Up but OK UPDATE 2 seat belt torn: #12-Jeremy Mayfield wrecked in Turn 1 on Lap 55 at Dover and was taken by ambulance to nearby Bay Health Medical Center for a precautionary CT scan. That came out negative and Mayfield was released after being examined. The driver apparently suffered some bruising and a chipped tooth. Mayfield walked to the ambulance under his own power before being taken from the track. He did, however, lose consciousness for a short amount of time following the impact.(That's Racin')(9-23-2001)
UPDATE: Mayfield also does NOT have a concussion and hearing NASCAR took the seat belts from the #12 car to examine them, they were not broken but had stretched some, no word on the manufacturer(9-24-2001)
UPDATE 2: NASCAR officials discovered a partially-torn seat belt in the #12 car driven by Jeremy Mayfield following his accident in Sunday's MBNA Cal Ripken, Jr. 400 at Dover. Mayfield received only minor injuries in the accident. The partially-torn left lap belt was found by officials during the standard post-accident review of the car. The lap belt apparently "dumped" at some point during the accident. The act of dumping occurs when the seat belt webbing is pulled or moved significantly to one side of the metal adjustment device through which the webbing is threaded. NASCAR has outside experts reviewing the damaged belt and plans to offer recommendations to its teams prior to this coming weekend.s activities(NASCAR PR), the belt was made by Simpson Performance Products. Also, Bill Simpson was interviewed by John Kernan on ESPN's RPM 2 Night and was pretty upset about the way NASCAR is handling it and says the belt did it's job and that NASCAR should look into the cars as the problem not the seat belts(see report on ESPN(9-24-2001)
AND more Simpson: Safety guru Bill Simpson wryly welcomed Monday's NASCAR announcement that officials had found a "partially torn" Simpson lap belt in Jeremy Mayfield's car following his crash at Dover. "They can put on all the dog-and-pony shows they want," Simpson said. "I hope they just keep going with it. It's just more food for the lawsuit." Simpson said he "absolutely positively" plans to sue NASCAR over its various announcements about Simpson belts, dating to the week after Dale Earnhardt was killed in the Feb. 18 Daytona 500. See full story at the Orlando Sentiel: Seat-belt flap arises anew(9-25-2001)
- Coolers at Lowes UPDATE 3: Humpy Wheeler, president of the Lowe's Motor Speedway, says no decision has been made on whether coolers would be allowed at the track, which has more than 160,000 seats. "We'll stay on top of it, and we'll make people feel very safe and secure," Wheeler said. "We have a lot of security here that a lot of people don't know about."(Roanoke Times)(9-21-2001)
UPDATE: Dover's ban on coolers is a track decision, said Eddie Gossage, the executive vice president and general manager of Texas Motor Speedway. That order did not come down from NASCAR. "We have no plans to change our cooler policy," said Gossage, anticipating the rescheduled NASCAR Truck series Silverado 350 on Oct. 5 and Indy Racing League's Chevy 500 on Oct. 6. "We do not want to prohibit coolers. The only reason we would even consider it is if some major U.S. agency came forward and really pushed us on it."(That's Racin')(9-22-2001)
UPDATE - LMS - Coolers - Yes: LMS (Lowes Motor Speeway) will use a similar security protocol [as ISC tracks and Dover] for its race on Oct. 7. LMS president H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler will buck the trend and allow coolers into the facility that weekend. "We're still planning to allow race fans to bring coolers in," said LMS spokesman Jerry Gappens. "Humpy made that decision after he talked to folks at the FBI and ATF, the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agency here in North Carolina. We inspect every cooler and bag that is brought through the gates because we don't allow glass bottles and of course any firearms or weapons. That's our standard operating procedure." Gappens warns that the cooler policy is subject to change depending on national developments.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(9-23-2001)
UPDATE 2: As of today, Lowe’s Motor Speedway officials intend to allow fans attending UAW-GM Quality 500 Week activities Oct. 4-7 to bring coolers into the speedway. Following the track’s standard operating procedure, security personnel will search all items, including coolers. Lowe’s Motor Speedway policy limits coolers to a maximum of 14 inches and no glass bottles or containers are permitted. In addition, no umbrellas are allowed in the grandstands.(LMS PR)(9-25-2001)
- Morgan-McClure crewman sick: Lonnie Hill, a full time employee of the #4 Morgan-McClure team since 1994, was diagnosed last week with a lung disease called Bullae. Bullae are blisters on the lungs that can burst at any time, especially under pressure in an airplane or underwater. Once the blister burst, holes are left in the lungs that cause them not to function properly. Bullae can be caused from smoking, flying frequently, genetics or working around harsh chemicals for long periods of time. Hill will undergo an intense surgery on his lung, often said to be worse than open-heart, following the holidays. Recovery could take 6 months or longer. The motor man, mechanic, and raceday catch-can crew member will travel to a limited number of races that are within driving distance for the remainder of this season. Please keep Lonnie, his wife Diana (also an employee of Morgan-McClure since 1997) and his children, Bradley and Brandi, in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this trying time.(Morgan-McClure PR)(9-25-2001)
- NASCAR Radio UPDATE: NASCAR Radio, one channel of the new 100-channel pay-to-hear satellite system coming on line this fall, is an interesting experiment in several aspects. Not only will it be interesting to listen to Tim Farley, the channel's programming boss, trying to come up with 24 hours of NASCAR sports news every day, but also to follow the cross-marketing, cross-promotional links with some of the other 99 channels. The whole operation is housed in a spiffy new building in Washington, with 400 people working out of 82 digital studios, all making for strange and interesting bedfellows: Andréa Bocelli, meet Dale Earnhardt Jr. "The rebirth of radio," is the slogan behind the two new satellite systems, XM Radio and Sirius. NASCAR has signed on with XM, which is partly owned by General Motors, which has the new radios in this year's Cadillacs and will have the new radios in more models next year, with a tiny shark fin antenna the size of a cell-phone link. The official launch of XM, about eight years in the works, was set for Sept. 12 but has been postponed until Tuesday, when it will debut in Dallas, San Diego and other points in the Southwest. It will roll out nationally in the coming weeks, dependent more on the availability of new radios and adapters than anything else. There will be 70 music channels and 30 talk channels, including NASCAR, and one selling pitch is digital-sound quality. Other talk channels include XM News, USAToday, BBC, Fox, ESPN, Sporting News, CSPAN, MTV, VH1, BET and Bloomberg. Most channels will be commercial free, in part because the service costs $10 a month. The NASCAR angle is being pitched hard. XM will have a hauler and hot-air balloon at Dover Downs this weekend to entice Winston Cup fans to buy into the package. The channel will carry all Winston Cup, Busch events and truck races, all qualifying from start to finish, all MRN and PRN broadcasts, Benny Parsons' FastTalk, Eli Gold's NASCAR Live, replays of classic races, and a number of in-house produced shows. There will also be a morning NASCAR News Now, a news magazine show. Farley, from Richmond's WRVA, will be the host for a NASCAR talk show every day, 4-7 p.m.(Winston Salem Journal), TWO NOTES: the XM Radio site address is www.xmradio.com and recently Jayski did an interview for the channel (9-20-2001)
UPDATE: NASCAR Radio, the first 24-hour radio station dedicated to a single sport, will debut on September 25 on XM Satellite Radio, the first commercial satellite radio service in the United States. Channel 144 on XM will be home to NASCAR Radio, which will feature coast-to-coast live racing coverage, news, interviews, lifestyle shows, classic races and original programming showcasing NASCAR. NASCAR Radio will be on the air 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, and is the only channel on the XM line-up dedicated to one sport.(NASCAR PR), more info at www.xmradio.com(9-25-2001)
- Black Boxes at Dover UPDATE: NASCAR is conducting its first test of accident-data recorders in cars racing this weekend at Dover Downs, Winston Cup Series director Gary Nelson said Friday. #92-Jimmie Johnson and #57-Jason Keller are running them in their BGN cars and #18-Bobby Labonte and #24-Jeff Gordon will drive with them in their Winston Cup cars. Nelson said NASCAR wants to know if the self-contained boxes, which will be powered by regular flashlight-style batteries, can withstand the heat generated inside Cup cars and whether they will be durable enough to hold up to a weekend's schedule of practice, qualifying and a 400-mile race on Sunday. Nelson said NASCAR wants to have the recorders in all Winston Cup, Grand National and Truck series race vehicles by next February at Daytona(That's Racin') AND The boxes, which are powered by batteries, have been mounted near the drivers on the inside left frame. Winston Cup Director Gary Nelson said NASCAR is testing the recorders' durability and their resistance to heat.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(9-22-2001)
UPDATE: it's been reported that seven(7) Cup cars had black boxes, some of difference versions, didn't say which cars(9-25-2001)
(9-24-2001)
- Jarrett comments on NH in Nov UPDATE 2 Helton comments: Dale Jarrett implored NASCAR to rethink its decision to race in New Hampshire on Nov. 23. "As good a tire as Goodyear makes, there’s no way we can make that hard tire hook up on that track in that kind of cold weather," Jarrett said. He also said he did not want to be away from home on Thanksgiving, calling it an important respite and a holiday that was meaningful to him. He proposed instead, that the New Hampshire race be held midweek between the events at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Oct. 7 and Martinsville, Va., on Oct. 14. "Is there anyone who wants to go up there on Nov. 23?" he asked.(Gaston Gazette)(9-22-2001)
UPDATE: NASCAR vice president for communications Jim Hunter said that NASCAR has no plans to reconsider its decision to run the New Hampshire 300, postponed from last weekend, on Nov. 23 - the day after Thanksgiving. "As much as I hate to miss Thanksgiving with my family, I plan to be in New Hampshire," Hunter said. "We made that decision after thinking things through. We thought it was the best overall decision knowing that a lot of people are going to be inconvenienced." Hunter said NASCAR would continue to look at its scheduling options and how it might be able to avoid a similar problem in the future. The final 20 races of the 2002 season, however, are scheduled for 20 consecutive weekends just as they were this year.(That's Racin')(9-22-2001)
AND see a column at the Winston Salem Journal: NASCAR Mutiny? - Winston Cup teams are rebelling against new date for Loudon race and Practice? Winston Cup series director Gary Nelson he expects teams competing in the one-day season finale Nov. 23 at New Hampshire will be allowed some practice time earlier that morning. Several drivers have been critical of NASCAR's decision to hold the race on Thanksgiving weekend, after postponing the event last weekend following terrorist attacks Sept. 11 in New York City and Washington(That's Racin')(9-23-2001)
UPDATE 2: NASCAR President Mike Helton, growing tired of increasing criticism from race team members regarding the rescheduled New Hampshire race now planned for Thanksgiving weekend, tried to put the talk to rest during Sunday's prerace driver and crew chief meeting. "We will be racing on Friday, Nov. 23 in New Hampshire," Helton said sternly. "We had to make a decision and we are sticking to it."(That's Racin')(9-24-2001)
- Penske News? hearing Penske is talking with Marty Gaunt, former GM of the team now with the #84 Cup and #98 BGN Kranefuss teams, about coming back to the #12 team in some capacity(9-24-2001)
- Melling and Petty to work together? According to #92 Melling Racing driver Stacy Compton, his search outside the Melling camp will intensify if no sponsor is garnered within the next few weeks. He has discussed future opportunities with at least four Winston Cup teams, and a few Busch Series teams as well. Compton wants to stay put. Compton said that Melling is in discussion with Petty Enterprises about a possible future partnership, somewhat similar to that of the Wood Brothers’ relationship with Roush Racing. “The Pettys have been great to work with. I’ve really been happy with the progress we’ve made with those guys,” Compton said. “They’ve just bent over backwards to work with us. We work together really good. We’re trying to align ourselves with another team. It’s tough to do that, because it’s tough to find a team that’s willing to work with you. The Pettys have been so great. I’m awful excited about what we’re building with them. Mark and Kyle have worked some things out and are working good together."(NASCAR.com)(9-24-2001)
- No Changes at Talladega? UPDATE yes but minor: NASCAR officials are telling some teams that there will be no rules changes for next month's Talladega 500, but Ford teams and Pontiac teams say they haven't been told a thing yet(Winston Salem Journal)(9-22-2001)
UPDATE: The Winston Cup series will make no "significant" changes to its current aerodynamic package for the season's final restrictor-plate race, the Oct. 21 race at Talladega. NASCAR sources said Sunday if any changes are made at all, they wouild be minor spoiler or air-dam alterations to the Ford Taurus to make the car more in line in performance with the Pontiacs, Chevrolets and Dodges.(That's Racin')(9-24-2001)
- Sad News: A Pennsylvania race car driver was killed late Saturday night in a crash at the Delmar International Speedway, police said Sunday. During the last race of the night, Charles S. Sennott, 46, of Gilbertsville, Pa., was involved in an eight-car pileup, Delaware State Police said. When debris was removed, Sennott was found unresponsive in his car. Medical response teams at the track were unable to revive him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Sennott was wearing all the safety equipment required for racing at the track, police said. The medical examiner's office will determine the exact cause of death(USA Today)(9-24-2001)
(9-23-2001)
see the Sept 17-23, 2001 Archived News Page
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