PAST NEWS OCT 8-14, 2001
THE PAST NEWS! YESTERDAY and BEYOND..
OTHER PAST NEWS PAGES
(10-14-2001)
- Leffler in 2002? #01-Jason Leffler could be out at Chip Ganassi's unless Ganassi can land yet another sponsor for that team. Jimmy Spencer is expected to join Ganassi next season with an unnamed sponsor, and it appears unlikely Ganassi would run a three-car deal. However, Ganassi is expected to field a Daytona 500 car for Kenny Brack(Ganassi's CART driver in 2002)(Winston Salem Journal)(10-14-2001)
- Aero Changes for Talladega? UPDATEs: FSN's Totally NASCAR reports that Ford's spoiler size will be decreased and that the change would help the Pontiacs (??)(9-27-2001)
UPDATE: NASCAR officials do not plan to make a change to the aerodynamic package used at Talladega Superspeedway prior to the Oct. 21 race, but they are giving a break to the Ford teams. The Fords are getting an allowance on the rear spoiler, cutting three-quarters of an inch from each side. This change is designed to help the manufacturer remain competitive with other makes. "[There's] a possibility of one other small tweak to another make of the same thing," Nelson said. "We're waiting on one other piece of data to make that decision."(Richmond Times Dispatch)(10-8-2001)
UPDATE 2: NASCAR will make aerodynamic alterations to the Ford Taurus and Pontiac Grand Prix for the upcoming Winston Cup race at Talladega. The Ford’s rear spoiler will be reduced from 57 inches to 55 ½ inches, while the Pontiac’s roof air deflector will be lowered 1/8 of a inch, from 1 3/8 inches to 1 ¼ inches.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(10-13-2001)
UPDATE 3: NASCAR has informed Winston Cup teams of two slight rules changes for the package that will be in place at next week's EA Sports 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Ford teams will be allowed to trim the width of their rear spoilers from 57 inches to 55½ inches. The 1½-inch reduction is designed to reduce the drag on a Taurus as it races on the 2.66-mile track. Pontiac also will be allowed a slight reduction on the size of the roof blade of its Grand Prix. The blade will be trimmed one-eighth of an inch to 1¼ inches. Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge will continue to race with 1 3/8-inch blades.(That's Racin')(10-14-2001)
- Stewart wins at South Boston: Cup driver Tony Stewart won a USAC Midget race at South Boston Speedway Saturday night, see WhoWon for the story(10-14-2001)
- Roush Team Intact for 2002: [#6-Mark] Martin is not retiring, moving on, slowing down or considering the end of his career. He is spending next season racing with Roush Racing teammates Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth. According to Martin, neither is considering leaving the Roush fold. They plan to figure out the problems that have caused each of the teams to struggle this season. Martin's contract runs through 2005 - he's not thinking that the end of that contract will be the end of his commitment to racing.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(10-14-2001)
(10-13-2001)
- Biffle to debut in Cup at Daytona? during the rain delay at Memphis for the BGN race, Greg Biffle was interviewed and said it looks like he would run the 2002 Daytona 500 for his Winston Cup debut in a Roush Ford and probably run at Las Vegas and both Charlotte races(10-13-2001)
- Little E in the #3 - in the BGN? heard from quite a few readers that Dale Earnahrdt Jr. will run two BGN races in 2002 in a #3 Chevy with Nabisco's and Ritz brand as sponsors in the 2002 BGN race at Daytona and a 2nd un-named BGN race(10-13-2001)
- Engine News: NASCAR officials have finally decided on weight limits on some key engine parts, including the piston, rods and pins, for next season in an attempt to keep the rampant escalation in engine technology and expense under control.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-13-2001)
- Nemechek to the #26? UPDATE 5: hearing Joe Nemechek will take over the #26 Kmart Ford ride that Jimmy Spencer is vacating at the end of 2001(10-1-2001)
UPDATE: FSN's Totally NASCAR reports that Nemechek will not be back in the #33 APR Chevy in 2002(10-2-2001)
UPDATE 2: sources tell me that Nemechek agreed to drive the #26 Haas-Carter Motorsports car in 2002(10-3-2001)
UPDATE 3: Travis Carter is close to signing Joe Nemechek as Jimmy Spencer’s 2002 replacement in the #26 Ford owned by Carter and Carl Haas(Gaston Gazette)(10-5-2001)
Nemechek and the #26 UPDATE 4: FSN's Totally NASCAR reports #26 team owner Travis Carter says that he is strongly pursuing Joe Nemechek to drive his 26 car next year.(10-10-2001)
UPDATE 5: Travis Carter confirmed that Joe Nemechek would be his driver next season, barring any unforeseen problems, pairing Nemechek as Bodine's new teammate. Car owner Andy Petree, who would be losing Nemechek, said he had nothing new to report on his driver-sponsor search(Winston Salem Journal)(10-13-2001)
- Tires at NHIS: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company announced today that the tires normally used at Martinsville will be the set for the delayed race at New Hampshire International Speedway. The tire codes used at Martinsville are D-5692 for the left side tires and D-5704 on the right side.(SpeedVision)(10-13-2001)
- #12 Team to go away? UPDATE 2: Mike Wallace will replace Mayfield in the #12 Fords for the rest of this season. The future of that car beyond that point is undetermined. It's possible that Roger Penske's operation could be a two-car team again next year with Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman and the #12 team's sponsor, Mobil, as an associate on both cars or sharing primary sponsorship with Alltel on Newman's Fords(That's Racin')(10-5-2001)
UPDATE: Officials at Penske's shop say that there will be a No. 12 team next season, despite the loss of Mayfield. For one thing, Mobil's sponsorship, an $11 million a year deal, has another season to run.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-7-2001)
UPDATE 2: Rusty Wallace held court yesterday at Martinsville Speedway, offering his opinion on everything from the surface of the track to the future of the #12 team that recently cut loose driver Jeremy Mayfield. Wallace said he would not be surprised if Roger Penske's No. 12 team did not run next season. "We don't know if we're going to continue on with the [12] car or not," said Wallace, who co-owns his team with Penske but has no financial interest in the other Penske Racing teams. "We might just take the 12 car and shut the team down. . . . I wouldn't bet against it and I wouldn't bet for it. Right now, they're trying to find out what they want to do."(Richmond Times Dispatch)(10-13-2001)
- Childress not Happy: Car owner Richard Childress took offense yesterday at claims by Felix Sabates that Childress stole sponsor Cingular Wireless. "I don't get in a public debate with a skunk. I don't handle situations like this in the media. If Felix has a problem with me, if he's a man, he'll come up to me face to face and we'll talk about it."(Winston Salem Journal)(10-13-2001)
- Newman crashes at Phoenix: #02-Ryan Newman crashed in testing Tuesday at Phoenix, destroying a Cup car. He was uninjured. The team was testing in preparation of the Cup race there in two weeks(Roanoke Times)(10-13-2001)
- Wallace to double dip: With the BGN and Cup series competing in different cities this weekend, driver Kenny Wallace, who continues to fill-in for injured Steve Park in the #1 Pennzoil Chevy, will make the trek between Memphis and Martinsville along with several other drivers who are performing “double duty.” Wallace, who also races in the BGN in the #48 Goulds Pumps Chevy. “The plan is for me to qualify the Pennzoil car for the Old Dominion 500 on Friday and then leave for Memphis to compete in the Busch Series race on Saturday. We’ll have somebody else in the Winston Cup car on Saturday just to shake it down and wear in the brakes, and then I’ll be back on Sunday.” “We are going to practice for qualifying and race set ups on Friday,” said crew chief Paul Andrews. “We took Kenny to Caraway to practice a couple of weeks ago and that gave us some good data for Martinsville. If we’re good on Friday, I feel we’ll be just fine for Sunday. We have a couple of options available to us on Saturday,” continued Andrews. “We may even put Kerry Earnhardt in the car to help get it ready for Sunday. We’ll just have to see.”(Raceworks PR)(10-11-2001)
UPDATE: Earnhardt will practice the #1 for Wallace on Saturday(CNN/SI's Qualifying Coverage) and Shane Hmiel [Steve's son], drove Kenny Wallace 's car during BGN practice in Memphis on Friday(Roanoke Times)(10-13-2001)
(10-12-2001)
- Park? Steve Park is still on the sidelines, with more rumors swirling about his health, while recovering from a bad crash at Darlington[BGN race] last month.(Winston Salem Journal), some rumors that Park will not be ready for the Daytona 500 in Feb 2002 to rumors that Park will not be back racing at all(10-12-2001)
- Humpy Bumper News: Paul Lew, President of Lew Composites said, "Lew Composites' officials had a meeting with NASCAR officials (last) Sunday morning at Lowe's Motor Speedway before the Winston Cup race. We agreed to work together in determining the next step with the "Humpy" Bumper. I see this as a very good sign in communications because up until now the communication was not very good. We agreed to convene at a future date yet to be determined with a group of experts and peers, and discuss the bumper device Lew Composites has created. Encouraged, Paul added, "It's my belief that NASCAR has had a concern for safety first and we hope to be a big contributor to their campaign of creating a safer race car." See full column at Catchfence: NASCAR, Lew Composites Agree To Work Together On Next Step Of Bumper(10-12-2001)
- Pearson Recovering: David Pearson, second all-time in Winston Cup victories with 105, underwent heart surgery last week in his hometown, Spartanburg, S.C. The "Silver Fox," considered by some to have been NASCAR’s greatest driver, is said to be recovering nicely.(Gaston Gazette) AND Racing legend David Pearson successfully underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery over the weekend and is resting comfortably in his Spartanburg home. "He's wonderful, mean as ever," Pearson's son Larry said by phone Thursday. "There wasn't but one (artery) messed up, but when they got in there they found some more that were about 20 percent, so they went ahead and fixed those, too. He's fine. He's home, and everything." The 66-year-old three-time Winston Cup champion retired after the 1986 season with 105 career victories, a mark exceeded only by Richard Petty.(The State)(10-12-2001)
- NASCAR Softball: DEI Won the Summer 2001 Totally Racin Softball Season Championship. Hendrick Motorsports were undefeated all season till the last game with DEI during the playoffs.(Totally Racin Softball Page)(10-12-2001)
- Elliott gets a present: Bill Elliott, who turned 46 on Monday, got a thrill ride as a birthday present from his car owner Ray Evernham. Evernham presented Elliott with a certificate for Dale Blaney's Outlaw Driving Experience. Blaney, a former sprint car racer who now drives the #93 on the Winston Cup Series, also runs a company that offers rides in sprint cars. Evernham said a few laps in a sprint car should help Elliott with his new hobby --- driving a dirt Late Model.(AJC)
(10-12-2001)
- Testing at AMS: #29-Kevin Harvick, #18-Bobby Labonte, #20-Tony Stewart, #19-Casey Atwood and #10-Johnny Benson are expected to test at Atlanta Motor Speedway during a three-day test Oct. 15-17. Stewart and Labonte will test on Monday, Oct. 15, and Tuesday, Oct. 16. Harvick, Atwood and Benson are expected to test on Tuesday, Oct. 16, and Wednesday, Oct. 17.(AMS PR)(10-12-2001)
(10-11-2001)
- Kirby Plans...and a sponsor? Stuart Kirby made his Winston Cup debut at Charlotte. Kirby drove for Bob Schacht Motorsports [#75 Ford], a team he ran six ARCA races with earlier this year. Kirby hopes to run the car at Atlanta next month, but plans for 2002 depend on sponsorship. He'd like to stay with Schacht in either the Busch or Winston Cup Series.(Winston Cup Scene), hearing Kirby is close to signing Mac Tools as a sponsor, not sure if it is for Cup or ARCA and also hearing Combos/M&M Mars is interesting in working with Kirby, unsure of what level(10-11-2001)
- Skinner begins Therapy: Mike Skinner, the newly announced driver of the #4 Kodak Chevy for the 2002 Cup season, began an intensive therapy regimen this week. Skinner, who underwent surgery on his knee and ankle last Wednesday, is anxious for a speedy recovery. Says Skinner: "I completed my first physical therapy session on Monday. The doctor says it is going to take four months to heal and I am beginning to realize why. We primarily worked with muscle stretches. The therapist explained to me the importance of keeping the muscles mobile during this critical time. No weights were used in the therapy. Because of the surgery performed on my ankle, weight training will not be incorporated into the sessions for a few more weeks. I will attend the physical therapy session three
times a week for about an hour each time. Then, I have exercises to complete at home. My goal is to be 100% and back in a race car by the middle of January. We would like to go to Abingdon [VA] sometime during the next few days. Angie [Skinner's wife] and I are looking at buying a second home near the race shop. We want to be close to Morgan-McClure.(in part from a Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(10-11-2001)
- #7 to be around in 2002 and a Dodge: Once on the brink of extinction, Jim Smith now expects Ultra Motorsports to field a Winston Cup team next season. His two CTS teams will also remain, but a proposed full-time BGN team is now on hold until 2003. Smith is in litigation with Winston Cup sponsor NationsRent and isn't sure who will sponsor the team next year. But after a 13th-place finish in the UAW-GM Quality 500, new driver Kevin Lepage figures to be in the running when Smith considers who will drive what will be Dodge Intrepids in 2002. Lepage, released by Morgan-McClure Motorsports Oct. 1, signed with the team two days later after Mike Wallace left to join Penske Racing. Smith said Lepage is in the car for the time being and figures he'll be there for the final seven races. As for the BGN, sponsors Carquest and ASE have elected to run just a handful of events next year, while moving to a full-time team in 2003. The companies will remain as the full-time sponsor of one of Smith's two truck teams as well(Winston Cup Scene)(10-11-2001)
- Mike Bliss News: former Cup driver, Mike Bliss, will replace Brian Tyler in the Kroger/Folgers/Pringles/Sunny Delight Gaerte/Beast for this Saturday night's "USAC 200" Sprint car race at South Boston Speedway in Virginia. Team owner Dick Hoffman selected Bliss after Tyler confirmed his participation in this weekend's BGN race at Memphis. Bliss is a 14-year veteran of USAC competition with eight career wins in the Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car Series. He last competed in the Sprint cars at Salem, IN in April of 1995. He scored his initial USAC Sprint win in 1993 and added seven more in 1994.(South Boston Speedway PR)(10-11-2001)
- #81 Cup Team News: The #81 Davis & Weight Motorsports team has devised a sponsorship plan called Race Shares that allows sponsors to become primary sponsors for a specific number of races with associate sponsorship in all other races at a rate lower than other primary sponsorship packages(Davis & Weight Motorsports Site)(10-11-2001)
- #31 News? When Mike Skinner vacated his Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet for season-ending knee surgery, Robby Gordon was named as his replacement. Yet Gordon, who failed to qualify for the UAW-GM Quality 500, may be replaced by Rick Mast at Martinsville - at least for qualifying. And Gordon will likely miss next month's race at Homestead, due to a commitment to run the Baja 1000 off-road race. This in the wake of speculation that RCR may try to sign Jeremy Mayfield to drive the #31 entry in 2002. Childress was non-committal about his Martinsville plans, but indicated they may well vary from the norm(Winston Cup Scene)(10-11-2001)
- #48 Crew Chief...for now: Ken Howes, the director of competition for Hendrick Motorsports and a former full-time Winston Cup crew chief, was the crew chief for Jimmie Johnson in his Winston Cup debut at Charlotte. He also will be Johnson's crew chief at Homestead and Atlanta(Winston Cup Scene)(10-11-2001)
(10-10-2001)
- Burton Rumor Squashed..again: [#99-Jeff] Burton once again finds himself the center of attention, according to rumors and at least one report, ready to jump ship to Penske Racing in place of the recently departed Jeremy Mayfield. This just in: Not happening. Period, end of story. First of all, there are reports that Burton has a financial stake in the organization, and while it's certainly true that he could divest himself of those interests (if, in fact, they exist), there also is the fact that on numerous occasions Burton has claimed that he hopes to become a member of Roush Racing's management when his driving days are done. And if neither of those bits of data seems compelling enough to keep Burton honest, there's this: Geoff Smith, President of Roush Racing, is known to write contracts that are exceedingly difficult to break(CNN/SI), BUT Jeff Hammond of FSN's Totally NASCAR reports: One of the biggest rumors right now has to do with the 12 car, and Jeff Burton's name has been mentioned as a defector from the Roush camp.(10-10-2001)
- Park to the #93? here is a new one - There's also a lot of speculation around if and when Steve Park returns to the 1 car at Dale Earnhardt Inc. The Dave Blaney ride doesn't have a sponsor, and I know Tommy Baldwin, Ward Burton's crew chief for Blaney's teammate Ward Burton, would like to have Steve Park come drive for Bill Davis(FSN's Totally NASCAR)(10-10-2001)
- More on Mikey and the #15: Also at DEI, according to my sources, the 15 car is Michael Waltrip's for next year. Some things have got to change, especially Michael's attitude and how he works with the team. If he doesn't change his attitude toward the team, it will definitely be his last year there.(FSN's Totally NASCAR)(10-10-2001)
- Kenseth Testing: #17-Matt Kenseth completes a two-day test at Rockingham today(Roanoke Times)(10-10-2001)
- Jarrett Wants Mandate: Dale Jarrett said Tuesday that he thinks it's time for NASCAR to make head-and-neck restraints mandatory. "We've looked at these things, we've learned what they do and we know they can save lives," Jarrett said. "It's time to stop playing around and get them on everybody." Tony Stewart is the only driver among full-time Winston Cup competitors who is not now using either the HANS or Hutchens device(That's Racin')(10-10-2001)
- Sacks at Martinsville...in a Featherlite car: Greg Sacks will be going back to his roots this weekend when he attempts
to make the field for Saturday’s Advance Auto Parts 200 NASCAR Featherlite Modified Tour race at Martinsville Speedway. Sacks racing career began in the NASCAR Modified division in New England. He made a name for himself throughout the Northeast in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but his couple of trips South each year to Martinsville Speedway back then were his biggest races. It was at Martinsville where Sacks first caught the eye of Winston Cup team owners when he won the Dogwood Classic in 1982. By 1983 he was in a Winston Cup car. A year later he set the circuit on its ear when he won the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Raceway. Sacks’ career never took off in a big way after that win, even though hestayed in Winston Cup racing for the next dozen years or so. Then in
1998, while driving for Cale Yarborough Motorsports, Sacks was injured in a hard crash. That was his last fulltime Cup ride.(Martinsville Speedway PR)(10-10-2001)
- Spotter on TV? Mike Calinoff, spotter for Matt Kenseth, has joined Charlotte's NBC 6 "On Track from Lowe's Motor Speedway" a weekly.half-hour.television show covering NASCAR. Calinoff will begin filming his "Miked Up" segment, which will feature the lighter side of the sport, this week at Martinsville. "We have been looking to infuse a little levity into the show," said On Track. Producer, Phil Werz, "and Mike.s background and personality fit perfectly." The show, hosted by Sports Director Chuck Howard, airs each weekend. Clips may also be viewed on the Internet by logging onto www.nbc6.com((NBC6 Sports)(10-10-2001)
- Jarrett says no driver standby: #88-Dale Jarrett, who won the spring race at Martinsville, says he doesn't plan to have a standby driver this weekend. Jarrett is recovering from a concussion and broken rib he suffered in a crash at Kansas Speedway on Sept.30. Rick Mast was Jarrett's standby driver at Charlotte last weekend. Jarrett admits he's about 60 percent healthy but says he should be fine to go all 500 laps(Roanoke Times)(10-10-2001)
- No Bull 5 pairings and 2002 plans UPDATE: R.J. Reynolds officials have a news conference scheduled for Tuesday in Charlotte to pair drivers and fans for the next No Bull 5 race at Talladega on Oct. 21 and to announce plans for the No Bull 5 program and The Winston in 2002. The Winston all-star race will return to Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 18, and the same five races will be in the No Bull 5 program next year - Las Vegas in March, Charlotte in May, Daytona in July, Richmond in September and Talladega in October.(That's Racin')(10-7-2001)
UPDATE: Rusty Wallace's pit crew turned in the fastest time for a four-tire change on The Square in Uptown Charlotte at midday Tuesday, topping the crews for Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dale Jarrett, Ricky Rudd and Kevin Harvick. Those results were used to pair the eligible drivers with fans for the No Bull 5 program for the EA Sports 500 at Talladega on Oct. 21. Fans from California, Maryland, Ohio, Texas and Missouri are eligible to win $1 million if their driver wins that race. The winning driver would also get $1 million. R.J. Reynolds officials also confirmed that next year's No Bull 5 races will be March 3 at Las Vegas, May 26 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, July 6 at Daytona, Sept. 7 at Richmond and Oct. 6 at Talladega - the same lineup as this year.(That's Racin'), no names of the 5 fans...yet(10-10-2001)
- Winston, No Bull 5 plans set for 2002 UPDATE: R.J. Reynolds officials have a news conference scheduled for Tuesday in Charlotte to pair drivers and fans for the next No Bull 5 race at Talladega on Oct. 21 and to announce plans for the No Bull 5 program and The Winston in 2002. The Winston all-star race will return to Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 18, and the same five races will be in the No Bull 5 program next year - Las Vegas in March, Charlotte in May, Daytona in July, Richmond in September and Talladega in October.(That's Racin')(10-7-2001)
UPDATE The Winston: Lowe's Motor Speedway president H.A. (Humpy) Wheeler said the track is working with Charlotte officials to turn next year's running of The Winston on May 18 into a week's worth of activities surrounding Winston Cup's all-star race.(That's Racin') AND R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company released the schedule for the 18th anniversary of The Winston, NASCAR's Winston Cup all-star race. The race will be staged at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 18, under a similar schedule as in recent years.
(SpeedVision), for the rules and 2002 drivers eligible, see my 2002 The Winston page(10-10-2001)
(10-9-2001)
- Mast in the #31? UPDATE 2 in the #29 for practice/qualifyng: hearing Rick Mast will run the #31 Lowes Chevy at Martinsville in a one race deal(10-7-2001)
UPDATE: Rick Mast, who lost his Winston Cup ride when his Eel River Racing team folded last week, is testing the No. 31 Chevrolet this week for Richard Childress Racing at South Carolina's Greenville-Pickens Speedway, team officials confirmed. It remains unclear whether Mast will drive the car at Martinsville, Va., next weekend. Robby Gordon has been driving the #31, but failed to qualify for Sunday's s race, the first time the #31 missed a race since 1998.(That's Racin')
AND Two of Childress' cars missed the race this weekend, and it was the first time that the #31 car was not in the field since the Coca-Cola 600 in 1997. Childress says he has "a whole different plan that we're going to approach with Kevin (Harvick and his car) and the #31 car" but wouldn't expound on the details other than to say that Robby Gordon "would be in Martinsville on Friday."(Sporting News)
AND FSN's Totally NASCAR reported that the team went to Greenville-Pickens Speedway with both Robby Gordon and Rick Mast, Larry McReynold's said that at the end of the two day test, the team may consider having Mast qualify the #31 Chevy for the race. Would assume then that Gordon would run the race to gain experience(10-8-2001)
UPDATE 2: Rick Mast will practice and qualify the #29 GM Goodwrench Chevy for regular driver Kevin Harvick at Martinsville. Harvick will be in Memphis for the BGN race on Saturday. Harvick will drive the #29 Chevy in the race, but will have to fall to the back of the field before the start of the race(ESPN2's PRM 2Night)(10-9-2001)
- Hills Bros leaving Donlavey UPDATE 2 Officially Leaving: 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)
UPDATE 2: Sara Lee Coffee & Team Consumer Brands announced today that Hills Bros coffee will not return as the primary sponsor of the #90 Donlavey Racing NASCAR Winston Cup Series team in 2002. “Our experience with Donlavey Racing during the past two seasons has been every bit as exciting as we thought it would be,” said Henk de Back, President and CEO of Hills Bros Coffee, “Junie Donlavey is every bit the NASCAR statesman and gentleman that everyone in the sport knows him to be. We are honored to have had the chance to work with him and we wish his team continued success. Hills Bros Coffee is committed to participating in the Winston Cup Series and to being an active sponsor in NASCAR. To that end, Sara Lee Coffee & Tea Consumer Brands has announced its intention to continue racing with Philippe Lopez, NASCAR Director for Hills Bros Coffee racing team, and Hut Stricklin, team driver. Currently, Sara Lee Coffee & Tea Consumer Brands Board of Management is actively researching for top performing racing team sponsorship options and will make its decision in early November.(Hills Bros Racing Site)(10-9-2001)
- Long at Martinsville? UPDATE: #85-Carl Long who made the race at Lowes Motor Speedway last weekend, may attempt the Cup race at Martinsville this weekend(10-9-2001)
UPDATE: The #85 team and driver Carl Long will be attempting the Martinsville race this weekend. They will be using the Ford Taurus short track car for the events at Martinsville(Mansion Motorsports)(10-9-2001)
- Sadler Back at Martinsville - looks ahead: #13-Hermie Sadler is fresh off of his second career Winston Cup Start and confident Martinsville will be chalked up as his third.. Sadler is running a limited number of races on the NASCAR Winston Cup schedule this season and believes the recent addition of veteran crew chief Jim Long has made a big difference in the future success of his race team. "We're more prepared for Martinsville this time around," stated Sadler.. "I don't believe in doing things the same way and expecting different results. We've made some personnel changes and the progress we've made over the past month was shown when we qualified for the race at Dover. We tested Martinsville last week and I'm optimistic about our chances this weekend." According to Sadler, "We have a lot of things going on right now.. I am talking to sponsors about sponsoring my car and I'm talking to various owners about driving their cars.. I just want to race and run well whether it's in the Winston Cup Series, the Busch Series, or the Craftsman Truck Series. I hope to know within a few weeks what the Virginia Lottery plans to do next year.. We've had a great promotion that has benefited everyone involved. If we're unable to put together a full season next year with a sponsor or another team, I would like to run at least 12 to 15 races.. I think there are several sponsors that would find that beneficial and can tailor their marketing programs around the different markets where NASCAR events are held.. Not all companies have 12 million dollars to spend in advertising and the Virginia Lottery has shown this year that a successful marketing program can still exist in NASCAR without running the full schedule." In addition to running Martinsville this weekend, Sadler also plans to race in Homestead and Atlanta(Sadler Enterprises PR)(10-9-2001)
- Mayfield to Evernham? UPDATE 4 McDonalds as sponsor? to RCR?: hearing Jeremy Mayfield will be with Evernham Motorsports for 2002, not sure if it for one of the existing teams, #9 or #19 or a third team(10-3-2001)
UPDATE: Sources are saying that Jeremy Mayfield get the chance behind the wheel of an Evernham Motorsports Dodge in 2002. Mayfield will sit out the next few weeks to attend to personal issues, but could be in a Dodge before the season's end. Although there has been speculation of Elliott's retirement, but he could not be reached for comment. Ray Evernham insists that in 2002 "Bill Elliott will be driving the No. 9 Dodge Intrepid and Casey Atwood will be driving the No. 19 Dodge Intrepid. PERIOD." But what about a third team at Evernham's?(Sporting News)(10-3-2001)
UPDATE 2: Ray Evernham said Thursday that he'd like to see Jeremy Mayfield driving a Dodge next season, maybe even in one Evernham owns. Evernham said he has spoken to Mayfield, released Tuesday from Penske Racing. "Jeremy and I are friends and I think he's a good race car driver," Evernham said. "If he's going to drive something, I'd like to see him drive a Dodge next year. If the timing is right, it would be great to have Jeremy. ...If the timing isn't right, I'm not going to hurt what I already got going." Mayfield issued his first statement since Tuesday's announcement of his departure, saying he and the #12 team were disappointed in the way their season had been going. "The chemistry just wasn't right and I didn't think it could be fixed," he said. "I asked to be released at the end of the year...but it just seemed to make more sense to do it now if we were going to do it. ...I think there are opportunities out there, but I want to make sure the 'fit' is right next time."(That's Racin')
AND ESPN2's RPM 2 Night reports that McDonald's could be the sponsor for Evernham's third possible team and Jermey Mayfield PLUS sources tell me that Mayfield should be in a third Evernham Dodge next season with a McDonald's sponsorship. Mayfield and Evernham have reached an agreement, and are putting the final paperwork together on it now.(10-5-2001)
UPDATE 3: [Roger] Penske said he expects Childress to hire Mayfield. Childress and Mayfield have talked about doing a deal for the past two months, but Mayfield had been unable to get out of his contract with Penske. Childress said he won't announce his new driver until the November stop in Atlanta. Dodge's Ray Evernham is reported to be trying to sign him for next season too. And Ford officials are trying to find a place for Mayfield to land and stay within that camp, probably with some help from Robert Yates. Now comes word that Dale Earnhardt Inc. is also trying to hire Mayfield. DEI has also reportedly made overtures to Johnny Benson. The DEI moves come as Michael Waltrip's future with that operation appears increasingly shaky. The Evernham situation is intriguing. While Evernham said that no big changes are coming next season, that Bill Elliott and Casey Atwood will both be back, there are indications that over the season, Elliott's laid-back style of racing has been at odds with Evernham's high-intensity approach. According to one source, Elliott might be interested in opening a shop in Dawsonville and running next season as a "satellite" Evernham team. And there are still reports that McDonald's is trying to hook up again with Elliott as his sponsor.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-7-2001)
UPDATE 4: still hearing Mayfield to Evernham but now that McDonald's will NOT be part of the deal and that McDonald's is re-evaulating their motorsports involvement and will not sponsor a Cup car in 2002 as a primary or associate sponsor(10-9-2001)
- Hornaday back to the CTS? A new rumor has Ron Hornaday leaving his [#14] Winston Cup ride to return to his Craftsman Truck roots. With Scott Riggs departing the #2 Dodge CTS ride after this season to move into the #10 BGN ride, Hornaday has been mentioned as taking Riggs spot.(NASCAR.com)(10-9-2001)
(10-8-2001)
- Lepage in the #7 for at least another week: Kevin Lepage finished 13th in his first race with #7 Ultra Motorsports and owner Jim Smith said that Lepage most likely would drive for the team the rest of the season.(Racing Extra)(10-8-2001)
- Helton sets timetable UPDATE: NASCAR president Mike Helton, criticized this week for moving too slowly on safety issues, said it likely will be more than a year before there are major modifications to race cars. "I would have rather had something two years ago, but I don't think we'll have significant changes in the cars by 2002," he said. Helton said NASCAR already was working on a better race car before Blaise Alexander Jr.'s fatal crash in an ARCA race Thursday. "If you have a series of critical angle impacts that cause basal skull fractures that kill drivers, then something needs to be done," he said. "That's what we're doing, but it's not an easy fix." He said the Big Three automakers and the major race teams are working with NASCAR on safety issues. "Everybody agrees that we can massage the front ends of the cars and make them better," Helton said. "But we need to start from scratch and manage the entire car differently than we do today and create crush areas."(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(10-7-2001)
UPDATE: NASCAR President Mike Helton said Saturday that head-and-neck restraints could become mandated if development of those systems continues to progress. "Once we're sure that there's not some hidden element, and we haven't seen yet, it may need to be looked at one day to be mandated," Helton said specifically of the HANS device. "The development has been elevated and a huge gap closed in that process through input of the drivers. Once we're certain about it, it's a different issue." Helton said the HANS device has been made more comfortable and more adaptable for drivers of different sizes.(That's Racin')(10-8-2001)
- Flag Beef: After Marlin crossed the finish line, his crew ran to him with an American flag, but NASCAR refused to let Marlin take the customary victory lap. He instead drove straight to the winner's circle, carrying the flag out his window. "I was going to make a lap around the track with the flag, from what went on this morning we just wanted to show support overseas and for the armed forces," Marlin said. "But the NASCAR posse got us." NASCAR said it prohibited Marlin from taking the lap because it was unsafe due the amount of people who had raced out to the finish line. The decision disappointed the crew, which sent partial team owner Felix Sabates to express that to NASCAR.(CNN/SI) and from the Gaston Gazette: NASCAR manages to stifle patriotism; AND Felix Sabates, who maintains a minority interest in the team, said NASCAR President Mike Helton later apologized for series officials disrupting their celebration(Racing Extra)(10-8-2001)
- The 'Gate' at Kansas and Lowes UPDATE: many readers noticed the while 'gate or fence' Winston Cup Officials held above Jeff Gordon so he couldn't get on the roof of the car in the winners circle/victory lane. On CNN/SI's NASCAR Plus, Benny Parsons was asked about the 'gate' and said he wasn't sure why, but that it was probably to keep the driver off the top of the car so a proper insepction could be done. Last year at California, the #12 Team was penalized for having a car that was too low and it was caused by Mayfield jumping on the roof of the car, denting the spot that the inspectors measure. Otherwise have seen nothing official on the reason for the gate(10-2-2001)
UPDATE: sources have confirmed that NASCAR doesnt want the drivers on the roof tops after the race for saftey and technical reasons(10-3/8-2001)
- No Changes at Talladega? UPDATE 4 Ford Spoiler change?: 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)
UPDATE 2: NASCAR officials announced that they will be giving Pontiacs a slight aerodynamics break for the Talladega 500 and that they will be "tweaking" the Fords, probably pruning the rear spoiler on both makes. GM's Doug Duchardt says that it's time for NASCAR to take all the makes back to the wind tunnel to get some new baseline numbers before ordering any changes. NASCAR hasn't done a wind tunnel test since March.(Winston Salem Journal)(9-26-2001)
UPDATE 3: FSN's Totally NASCAR reports that Ford's spoiler size will be decreased and that the change would help the Pontiacs (??)(9-27-2001)
UPDATE 4: NASCAR officials do not plan to make a change to the aerodynamic package used at Talladega Superspeedway prior to the Oct. 21 race, but they are giving a break to the Ford teams. The Fords are getting an allowance on the rear spoiler, cutting three-quarters of an inch from each side. This change is designed to help the manufacturer remain competitive with other makes. "[There's] a possibility of one other small tweak to another make of the same thing," Nelson said. "We're waiting on one other piece of data to make that decision."(Richmond Times Dispatch)(10-8-2001)
- Stewart Presents Check: Back in May, Tony Stewart pledged to donate $100 to charity for every lap he completed when he ran both the Indy 500 and Coca Cola 600, The Home Depot, Joe Gibbs Racing and Target Chip Ganassi Racing agreed to match Stewart's total. The charity of Stewart's choice was the Victory Junction Gang Camp, a planned extension of the original Hole In The Wall Gang Camp founded for kids by Paul Newman. Kyle Petty, driver of the #45 Sprint Dodge and wife Pattie, who created the annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America in 1995, plan to build the Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, N.C., in honor of their late son, Adam. Stewart wound up completing all 1,100 miles that day in May, which translated to a total of 600 laps. The magic number for each pledge was $60,000, and with the combined support of Stewart, The Home Depot, Joe Gibbs Racing and Target Chip Ganassi Racing, the total amount donated to the Victory Junction Gang Camp was $240,000. Nearly five months later at the track where Stewart's marathon day concluded, the $240,000 check was presented to Brian Collier of the Victory Junction Gang Camp, along with Kyle and Pattie Petty. The 65-acre site in Randleman is currently being logged, with construction slated to start in the summer of 2002. The camp will eventually be comprised of 36 buildings including a medical center, camper cabins, dining hall, pool, arts & crafts, stables, boathouse, gym and theater. (Edelman PR). For additional information on the Victory Junction Gang Camp see my Racing Charities page(10-8-2001)
- #77 and the Fans: Race fans will have the opportunity to support America's Armed Forces and see their own names emblazoned on the deck lid of the #77 Jasper Engines Ford during the Cup race at Homestead Miami Speedway on November 11, 2001.
Doug Bawel, President of Jasper Motorsports, announced the team will take an innovative approach to honoring United States veterans on Veterans Day, which falls on the same day as the event. Names of individual persons or businesses that make a $50 donation to the Department of Defense Pentagon Relief Fund will be placed on the deck lid of the #77 Jasper Engines & Transmissions Ford driven by Robert Pressley. In addition to the financial contributions gathered by the $50 donations, Jasper Engines & Transmissions, based in Jasper, Indiana, will match dollar for dollar the first $20,000. In an effort to assist families of casualties in the September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon, the funds will be split between the four charities that make up the Department of Defense Pentagon Relief Fund. Those charities consist of the Air Force Aid Society September 11 Attack on America Fund, The Army Emergency Relief Society Pentagon Victims Fund, the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society Pentagon Assistance Fund and the Federal Employees Education and Assistance Fund. The #77 Jasper Engines & Transmissions Ford will have a brand new paint scheme for the event and will honor our veterans and active duty personnel in our Armed Forces. The deadline to make contributions is October 29, 2001. For more info and to donate, see the Offical Robert Pressley site(10-8-2001)
- DW, Newman and Wendy's UPDATE: 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: Starting this month Wendy’s is running a commercial that features Ryan Newman, Darrell Waltrip and Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas. The commercial is scheduled to run on national television and cable networks specifically during televised NASCAR events. Newman appears in his ALLTEL racing uniform with an actual #02 ALLTEL Ford out of the Penske Racing stables.(Tom Roberts PR)(10-8-2001)
- Foyt/Hornaday to switch Manufacturers? UPDATE Yep...for Talladega: If there was any question whether the Pontiacs are aerodynamically challenged, it was answered recently at Daytona. The top Grand Prix started 33rd for the Pepsi 400, and two Pontiacs didn't make the field. Team owner A.J. Foyt can't take it anymore. "NASCAR's going to have to do something," Foyt says. "We can't go to another superspeedway like this." And he won't. Foyt, whose driver Ron Hornaday took provisionals to make the Daytona 500 and the Talladega 500, has threatened to take a Chevrolet to Talladega this fall if changes aren't made to help the Pontiacs.(Sporting News)(7-16-2001)
UPDATE: A.J. Foyt will make good on his threat to race a Monte Carlo at Talladega. His team was to test Chevrolets there this week with assistance from Richard Childress Racing. Foyt's #14 Pontiac, driven by Ron Hornaday, failed to qualify at Daytona and Kansas City and used seven provisionals, including in the last race at Talladega. The team also will bring Pontiacs for comparison but expects to race the Chevrolet in October 21 at Talladega, a restrictor plate race. Monte Carlos have won all three restrictor plate races this season(Sporting News)(10-8-2001)
- Blaney in the #77? Latest silly season rumors have Dave Blaney moving to the #77, but insiders say he could be trying his hand at Indy cars next season if Bill Davis doesn't find a sponsor for the #93 team.(Sporting News)(10-8-2001)
(10-7-2001)
see the Oct 1-7, 2001 Archived News Page
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