PAST NEWS OCT 22-28, 2001
THE PAST NEWS! YESTERDAY and BEYOND..
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(10-28-2001)
- Jeff Burton wins at Phoenix: #99-Jeff Burton wins the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix. It is Burton's 2nd win of the 2001 season and 17th career Cup win and the 50th Cup win for Roush Racing. Burton is only the 2nd driver to have two wins at Phoenix (Davey Allison in 1991-92). #12-Mike Wallace continues his nice run in the #12 Mobil One Ford with a 2nd place finish, his best ever career finish and his first top five since Atlanta in Nov of 1994 when he finished 5th. Points leader #24-Gordon finished 6th and now leads #28-Rudd by 380 points (4662 to 4282) with four races to go. See That's Racin' for Sunday's Checker 500 race results and Jeff Burton picks up 2nd win of '01 amd my 2001 Drivers Cup Points Page(10-28-2001)
- Dyno Info UPDATE more testing: According to sources, the engines of #20-Tony Stewart's Pontiac and polesitter #92-Stacy Compton's Dodge topped the list and were within one horsepower of each other in the Chassis Dyno testing at Talladega . However, the #55 Chevy of Bobby Hamilton was not nearly as strong as the top two, and #99-Jeff Burton's Ford was 20 horsepower off the leaders. On Monday, NASCAR took the same four cars to the Lockheed Wind Tunnel in Marietta, Ga., and the results were the exact opposite of the chassis dyno. Burton's Ford proved to have the best aero package, followed by Hamilton's Chevy, Compton's Dodge and Stewart's Pontiac. It's no surprise that the Pontiac tanked given that it has lagged behind the other makes in terms of aerodynamic concessions from NASCAR.(Sporting News)(10-26-2001)
UPDATE: NASCAR officials will do more wind-tunnel testing this week in an effort to find ways to thin the packs in restrictor-plate races at Daytona and Talladega. NASCAR informed the above mentioned four teams this weekend that they want to take those same cars back to the wind tunnel this week for more testing. NASCAR has been looking at different rear spoiler angles, taking the roof air deflector off, and changes to the front of the cars in the air-dam area. Also, NASCAR is asking some teams to work on particular areas for a future on-track test, expected to take place in December.(Roanoke Times)(10-28-2001)
- Pressley back to Petree? FSN's NASCAR this Morning reports that Robert Pressley is the leading canadiate for the Andy Petree Racing #33 ride for the 2002 season. Pressley drove for Petree in the #33 from 1995-1996(10-28-2001)
- Lepage in #7 for rest of 2001: Kevin Lepage says that he'll be driving for [#7 Ford] Ultra Motorsports for the rest of the season but has no deal for next year(Roanoke Times)(10-28-2001)
- Jr's thoughts on #3: If NASCAR ever retires Dale Earnhardt's No. 3, it will be against the wishes of his son and namesake. Dale Earnhardt Jr. said he doesn't think it would be fair to Richard Petty, the sport's other seven-time champion, if NASCAR were to retire Earnhardt's No. 3 and not Petty's No. 43. For the record, Petty has always opposed the retirement of the
number he made famous.(Gaston Gazette)(10-28-2001)
- More Mayfield UPDATE 4 #7? at the Rock? Evernham NO to a 3rd team: Jeremy Mayfield expects to make his plans known within two weeks. Contrary to rumors that have been running wild, Mayfield has spent the past few weeks at his Mooresville home, according to a spokesman who has been in contact with Mayfield on a daily basis. A quick resolution of Mayfield’s status would logically indicate a deal that would put him in a Dodge for 2002, either a third Intrepid fielded by Ray Evernham or another car that would receive additional assistance from Evernham. Possible slots for Mayfield might include the #92 currently being driven by Stacy Compton or the #7, currently a Ford but expected to switch to Dodge in 2002.(Gaston Gazette)(10-20-2001)
UPDATE: Jeremy Mayfield has not been in the garage since parting ways with the Roger Penske-owned team at the end of September but is quietly working on a deal. Mayfield should have an announcement in the next couple of weeks. He's expected to sign with the Jim Smith-owned team and the group transfer to Dodges, with Ray Evernham offering guidance to the program.(Richmond Times Dispatch) AND #7 team owner, Jimmy Smith, still is searching for a sponsor to continue his Winston Cup operation, which is expected to race Dodges in the future.(Sporting News)(10-22-2001)
UPDATE 2: Jim Smith, however, has said he plans to switch to Intrepids for 2002. And at Talladega, Smith didn't deny he may be working on a deal to land Mayfield, one that may see him give up at least partial ownership in his team, most likely to Evernham. "There's a lot of stuff going on, but it's all just hearsay right now," Smith said Oct. 20. "I'm talking with everybody. ... There's some talk, there's some stuff (out there) and if it happens, it will be great. If it doesn't, we'll do the best we can." Smith said any talks he's engaged in are in the 'What if?' stage and aren't worth commenting on. He talked with Mayfield about taking over his Ultra Motorsports Ford following his departure from Penske Racing, but Mayfield opted to take some time off. There's now speculation Mayfield could return to the circuit at Rockingham, possibly with Smith's team.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(10-25-2001)
UPDATE 3: hearing that Evernham went to Dodge and asked for more money for a third team for Mayfield and Dodge said NO, that they have and only want 10 Factory teams. No idea how this would effect the #7 team move to Dodge(10-26-2001)
UPDATE 4: Car owner [#9, #19] Ray Evernham said he's talked with #7 car owner Jim Smith about the possibility of working together next season. Smith's team, Ultra Motorsports, runs Fords but could switch to Dodge, which are used by Evernham's two-car team with drivers Casey Atwood and Bill Elliott. "With the one-engine rule if I'm going to keep going, I've got to look at taking on another engine program to at least stay competitive and I have talked to Jim Smith, and I don't know what he's doing as far as Dodge is concerned," Evernham said. "I don't want to do a third Winston Cup team and will not do a third Winston Cup team, but if I can find a good technology partner to offset the costs of some of the development we have to do, I would be interested in doing that."(Roanoke Times)
AND Jayski NOTES: The #7 has been planning to switch over to Dodge all season, and Dodge has encouraged it because of the truck teams of Jim Smith [#1 and #2]. Plus, there are serious questions regarding whether or not the #92 team will be back next season (but owner Mark Melling said the team will run in 2002). Heard Dodge is planning support in sheet metal, engines, parts and pieces, and is helping find additional sponsorship to Nations Rent - which has another year on its contract.(McDonald's?)(10-28-2001)
(10-27-2001)
- Little E in the #3 - in the BGN? UPDATE 2: 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)
UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will return the #3 to racing next season, using his late father's number in two BGN races, sources told The Associated Press on Wednesday. An official announcement is scheduled for Friday at Phoenix, where the car and paint scheme will be unveiled. Earnhardt Jr. will debut the #3 Chevy in February in the BGN race at Daytona. Daytona is the last place the number was used -- Dale Earnhardt was killed in a fatal crash on the final lap of the season-opening Daytona 500. The car will come from Richard Childress Racing, the team Dale Earnhardt won six of his seven championships with, and will be sponsored by Nabisco Co. The second grand National race in which Earnhardt Jr. will compete next season has not been decided. Earnhardt Jr. ran under the #3 during the two seasons he spent in the BGN, but he currently uses the #8 in Winston Cup. That's the same number his grandfather, Ralph, ran with, and Earnhardt Jr. appears unlikely to change that.(That's Racin'/AP). Hearing it'll feature Nabisco's Oreo, and Ritz brands, no word on the 2nd race yet and the car will NOT be black(10-24/25-2001)
UPDATE 2: the other BGN race is Lowes in May running the Vanilla Wafers yellow colors(10-27-2001)
many folks sent me this not sure where it came from
- Inside Winston Cup to return: the Inside Winston Cup program, shelved earlier this year, will return to the Speed Channel (will formally be SpeedVision) network's weekly programming line-up. The new and improved show will benefit from Fox Sports' national television partnership with NASCAR. Inside Winston Cup provides highlights and results from the week's NASCAR action from the unique, in-depth perspective of the racers themselves. Other NASCAR-themed programs are in development.(SpeedVision)(10-27-2001)
- NASCAR to test in Dec? NASCAR officials are tentatively planning a major one-day Daytona 500 test of proposed new rules at the Florida track the first week of December, and are expected to invite a number of Winston Cup teams. Officials in December are expected to have drivers re-test the lower 60-degree spoiler rules package, without the roof spoiler, that drivers tested in August. With that rules package, cars cut a smaller hole in the air, and drivers expect to see only two-wide racing, not the three-wide racing with runs up the middle that the rules allow. It is not clear what other rules options NASCAR might test.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-27-2001)
- Alltel Official for 2002: Alltel announced their official sponsorship of his 2002 Winston Cup effort and Rookie of the Year bid for Ryan Newman in the #02 Penske Ford. Alltel recently held an employee day at their Little Rock, Ark. headquarters, where they unveiled next year's paint scheme, saw several pit stop demonstrations, and interacted with the team.(Tom Roberts PR)(10-27-2001)
- Andretti Staying at PE: #43-John Andretti said he would return to Petty Enterprises next season. He has been the subject of several driver-change rumors this season, in part because of the struggles at Petty. "I made a commitment to Kyle and `The King' (Richard Petty) way back when. They asked me if that was going to be OK, and I told them I'm going to stay," Andretti said. "I believe in the guys on this team. It's a great team and once we can close in on the parts and pieces part of it we'll be in good shape."(That's Racin')(10-27-2001)
- Decals off the #90: Car owner Junie Donlavey's crew spent Saturday morning removing the Hills Bros. Coffee logos from the #90 Ford as the final chapter in that relationship. The sponsor announced several weeks ago that it would be leaving the team for 2002, and on Friday said that it will go along with driver Hut Stricklin to the #93 Dodges owned by Bill Davis. Donlavey decided earlier this week to put Rick Mast in his car in place of Stricklin for the rest of the 2001 season. "We received a registered letter today informing us that Hills Bros. Coffee does not agree with my decision and is terminating their contract with us effective immediately," Donlavey said. "They asked us to remove all identification from the car and we are complying."(That's Racin'). During TNT's Happy Hour coverage, the car was shown in a Salute to American Heroes, with the USA Flag on the hood. Also TNT pit reporter mentioned that Sara Lee has asked Donlavey for their money back for the remianing Cup races(10-27-2001)
(10-26-2001)
- New Pontiac Testing: Currently, Joe Gibbs Racing is working on the new model for 2003 based on the Dodge Intrepid.(Sporting News)(10-26-2001)
(10-25-2001)
- Benson likes the HANS: In the last-lap accident at Talladega, #10-Johnny Benson was wearing a HANS device for the first time (he had been wearing the Hutchens Device). His car went head-on into the backstretch wall at close to 200 mph. "It was pretty big because my neck doesn’t hurt at all," Benson said after walking away. "My chest hurts a little bit from the HANS device because it’s going to work in that area, but I’d rather have my chest hurt than my neck hurt. My neck is in perfectly good shape. At first I criticized everybody saying when they’d get in a wreck, ‘Oh man, that thing saved my life,’ but I’ll tell you what, I’m going to go right behind them now and say that that was a damn good thing I had that thing on because I hit the wall awful hard."(Gaston Gazette)(10-25-2001)
- Park Speaks: from the Steve Park site - Dear Fans and Friends..... from #1 Pennzoil Chevy driver Steve Park(10-25-2001)
- Stewart to quit? Unlikely: rumor....#20-Tony Stewart, unhappy about being forced to wear a head-and-neck restraint system by NASCAR, will quit Joe Gibbs and go back to open-wheel cars running the IRL series for Ganassi with maybe a few Winston Cup races thrown in. So far, the IRL has not made head-and-neck restraints mandatory, and the IRL's premier event is the Indy 500, a race Stewart wants to win above all others. While this could happen, it seems pretty unlikely. It's just out there.(Lakeland Ledger)(10-25-2001)
- NBC Changes in 2002? Dallenbach back? UPDATE: NBC is planning at least one major change in its announcing booth for next season, which the network will open at Daytona. It is not clear who the new man in the booth might be, but some people in the garage are suggesting Barney Hall, the veteran Motor Racing Network radio announcer.
AND NBC and Fox officials are ordering unspecified cutbacks in next year's Winston Cup coverage, according to TV sources. Fox has already been talking with NASCAR officials about renegotiating its contract because of the difficult ad sales market.(Winston Salem Journal)
AND Former Winston Cup driver Wally Dallenbach said this morning [Sunday] that NBC has picked up his option for next year, which means that NBC will employee him if he agrees to the terms. Dallenbach also said that he didn't feel like the offer from NBC was strong enough to keep him out of a race car. Once again, he is trying to put together a deal for an Indy Racing League ride. It will be another week or so before he has an answer to that and will continue with NBC, should the IRL deal not pan out.(Insider Racing News)(10-22-2001)
UPDATE: driver-turned-broadcaster Wally Dallenbach's plans are uncertain. NBC has picked up his option for 2002, but Dallenbach said that doesn't necessarily mean he agrees to return to the broadcast booth. "At the moment, I would say there's probably a pretty good chance I won't be doing the TV thing next year," Dallenbach said. "I'm looking for a full-time ride here and I'm also very close to a full-time Indy car deal. We'll see what comes up first."(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(10-25-2001)
- Parrott and the #7: Brad Parrott is in the middle of a three-race deal as a consultant with Ultra Motorsports, having left Robert Yates Racing earlier this month. Parrott hopes to announce his 2002 plans by Oct. 31. He could have remained part of Dale Jarrett's crew under brother Todd Parrott, but decided to make a change.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(10-25-2001)
(10-24-2001)
- Sponsor for the #70: The #70-Rick Bogart, The Pacesetter Group, LLC., has signed a one race deal sponsor for the Phoenix Cup race. It will be Purex and Bogart will be running a Dodge.(10-25-2001)
- Hooper at Atlanta: hearing Lance Hooper will test at Atlanta in the next few weeks in preparation for the NAPA 500 Cup race. He will attempt the race in the # 47 DarkHorse Motorsports Ford(10-24-2001)
- TRAC picks car manufacturer: Team Racing Auto Circuit (TRAC) announced that it has signed an agreement with race car manufacturer, Riley & Scott Race Car Engineering to design and manufacture the cars to be used for its motorsports racing league debuting in 2003. The development and production of the cars will begin immediately at the Riley & Scott manufacturing facility in Indianapolis, IN. Since the announcement of TRAC five months ago, league officials and consultants have been researching various car designs and manufacturers. It has been TRAC's desire to engineer the safest possible race car while incorporating designs that have broad-based visual appeal. Research indicated that these two requirements could best be achieved with versions of America's current "muscle-car" offering. After an exhaustive and comprehensive search, TRAC has selected Riley & Scott Race Car Engineering to design and manufacture these cars. The first three prototypes will be completed within 20 weeks, and Riley & Scott will produce
approximately 100 race cars for TRAC for the 2003 season. Stock car legend and TRAC National Spokesman, Cale Yarborough commented, "As soon as I saw these cars, I knew we were on to something. The fans and drivers will love them." The cars will be designed to the highest available safety standards and go through numerous tests including crash-testing and other scientific verifications. TRAC anticipates that at least three major automobile manufactures will be represented in the 2003 season(TRAC PR), for more info, car specs and links, see my TRAC page(10-24-2001)
- Hammond to Roush? UPDATE: It looks like Jeff Hammond may be close to finalizing some of his plans away from Fox in the second half of the season. At the Milwaukee Mile, Jeff said, "One of the biggest things I've got going right now is that I'm trying to put the finishing touches on an agreement to do some product representation for Roush. Jack has come and asked me and said, 'Hey, I've got a lot of technology that I think a lot of racers don't realize that they can get.' Maybe they're not comfortable talking to Jack, or maybe they're not comfortable talking to who is there at this point in time. He's given me an opportunity to represent him in that capacity and let people know that, hey, I can be a lead guy and I'm willing to answer questions, and can interact with their team, and it doesn't conflict with what he's got going on with his race teams. He feels very comfortable about that, so I'm looking forward to trying to get all of that finalized and put in place where I can do that for him, so I can stay involved. With that opportunity I get a chance to see what's going on with the latest technology, understanding where teams are still having problems and issues. It keeps me in touch without having to be committed day in and day out like being a crew chief or accepting a full-time role with a team." Jeff also stated that he has talked to some Busch and Truck teams about serving as a consultant.(MotorsportsTV)(7-1-2001)
UPDATE: former Cup crew chief and current Fox broadcaster, Jeff Hammond has reached an agreement with Jack Roush and Roush Industries to be a manufacturers representative for them.(Jeff Hammond site)(10-24-2001)
- Gordon NOT signed: Robby Gordon denied rumors posted on various NASCAR Internet sites that he has already signed with Childress Racing for next season. As for "Silly Season" rumors that have Gordon already filming commercials for RCR's new sponsor Cingular Wireless, Gordon said flatly, "Absolutely not true. This is a great team, and I think I could do some great things with this team, but I don't know what's going to happen. I've got several offers on the table, one here and several in Indy cars," he said. Gordon, who has filled in for RCR since Mike Skinner's season-ending knee surgery following a crash at Chicago in July, said Childress will make his decision on the permanent replacement for Skinner in the #31 Chevy by next month's race in Atlanta.(TimesDaily)(10-24-2001)
- Mast to the #90? now? UPDATE 2 Stricklin NOT happy: Word has it that Rick Mast was in Richmond today being fit (for seat) in the #90 Donalvey Ford and that Mast will be in the car for the rest of the 2001 season getting prepared for 2002. Supposedly Hut Stricklin is ok with the move. No word on if Hill Bros will sponsor the car for the rest of 2001 or if Philipe Lopez will be with the team(www.mastfans.com - site down?). Also, no word on if Sauer will be the sponsor on the car, they sponsored the #91 Ford Mast attempted to get in the race at Talladega(10-22-2001)
UPDATE: #90 team owner Junie Donlavey and driver Rick Mast, have formed a pact to compete at this weekend’s Winston Cup event at Phoenix. Hills Bros. has announced they will not be with Donlavey in 2002. Donlavey, 77, who has owned race teams for virtually all of NASCAR’s 53-year history, said taking this step was the only way he saw he had any chance of keeping his team, based in Richmond, viable past the end of this season. “With the future of this team going down the drain, I decided I needed to make this move,” Donlavey said of his decision to take driver Hut Stricklin out of the car and replace him with Mast. “Our sponsor, Hills Bros is leaving at the end of the year with Hut, and that was fine -- we appreciated what they’d done. But if we stayed together until the end of the season and they left, how could I get anyone to come and sponsor this team when the first thing they would ask is, ‘Who’s gonna drive?’” Hills Bros Coffee, a division of the Sara Lee Company, has allied itself with Stricklin and former crew chief Philippe Lopez, the company’s director of racing who worked with Donlavey and Stricklin only on the weekends. Donlavey said Lopez probably would not be with the team at Phoenix.(NASCAR.com)(10-23-2001)
UPDATE 2: contrary to what was reported here, Hut Stricklin is NOT ok or happy with being released from the #90 Donlavey Racing ride.(see story at NASCAR.com), also no word on if Hills Bros will be on the car at Phoenix(10-24-2001)
(10-23-2001)
- The King launches a website: “The King of NASCAR,” Richard Petty, and his crew chiefs brought their best practices for engine maintenance to the world of technology by launching the premiere car care web site, All3Every3.com. The web site is an extension of the “All 3 Every 3” engine maintenance education program, launched by Petty Enterprises earlier this year, which recommends that Americans practice proper engine maintenance by following three easy steps every 3,000 miles: Change Your Oil, Clean Your Fuel Injectors and Check Your Belts, Hoses and Fluids. Built on the heels of the “All 3 Every 3” 13-city tour that Petty and
his crew chiefs are currently supporting, All3Every3.com reinforces the messages of proper engine maintenance and allows the program to reach a wider audience. For more information, visit www.All3Every3.com(10-23-2001)
- SpeedVision = Speed Channel: Speedvision, the first and only 24-hour cable network devoted exclusively to motorsports, is being re-launched early next year as Speed Channel, it was announced Tuesday by the network's president, Jim Liberatore. In addition to the network's new name, Liberatore unveiled Speed Channel's new logo and set Feb. 4, 2002 as the official date for the network's new programming and look to debut.(SpeedVision)(10-24-2001)
- Trickle in the #71 at the Rock UPDATE: Dick Trickle will be going to Rockingham, NC on November 2, 2001 with the #71 RealTree team owned by Dave Marcis to attempt to qualify for the Winston Cup event. If Trickle can make the race, he’ll be in the drivers
seat on Sunday. Trickle did such a great job for the team at Martinsville getting them into the race, that he talked with the Real Tree sponsors and they agreed to give Trickle a shot at racing in Rockingham. Trickle qualified the #71 Real Tree Chevy recently in Martinsville as Marcis had a previous engagement for Friday, but flew back and was at the track on Saturday for practice and for the
race on Sunday.(Dick Trickle Fan Club Newsletter)(10-22-2001)
UPDATE: this does NOT mean that RealTree is leaving Marcis Racing. Trickle will be driving the car FOR Marcis Racing and RealTree as a way of helping out the sponsor for some of the missed races in 2001 and helping out a friend. Due to previous commitments, Marcis has arranged to have Dick Trickle qualify the car for Rockingham. Marcis will attempt to qualify the car at Atlanta(10-24-2001)
(10-23-2001)
- The 'Gate' being used in Victory Lane UPDATE 2: 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)
UPDATE 2: Benny Parsons confirmed on CNN/SI's NASCAR Plus that NASCAR took so much heat from everyone about the PVC Pipe fence they decided not to use it anymore. Ironic they stop using it and the #8 is too low, the thing they were trying to avoid, but Earnhardt Jr did not get on top of the car, so it is a moot point, but the 'gate' is gone(10-23-2001)
(10-22-2001)
- NASCAR announces Penalties: NASCAR Officials announced that Tony Eury, Sr., crew chief of the #8 Chevy received a $25,000 fine for a rule violation found during post-race inspection following Sunday's EA Sports 500 at Talladega. Eury, Sr., was penalized under Section 12-4-T in the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series rule book, "Any car that is found to be under the specified height requirement after the completion& of the race". The minimum height requirement is 51 inches - the #8 car was 1/8 of an inch under this requirement.
Larry Carter, crew chief for the #66 Ford Taurus, was fined $10,000 and placed on probation (until the end of the season) for being involved in an altercation in another competitor.s pit area. Carter is suspended from NASCAR until all fines are paid.
Terry Spalding, team member of the #26 Ford Taurus, was fined $5,000 and placed on indefinite suspension from NASCAR for the unauthorized use of his NASCAR License - selling credentials.
Additional fines were levied against the following crew chiefs for rules violations discovered in inspection prior to the EA Sports 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway and were penalized under Section 12-4-Q in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series rule book: "Any determination by NASCAR Officials that parts and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform& or have not been approved by NASCAR".
Crew Chiif, Car#, Rule Violation, Fine
Bobby King, #90 Ford, Rear Deck Lid, $5,000
Michael McSwain, #28, Rear Deck Lid, $5,000
Peter Sospenzo, #12, Fuel Cell, $5,000
Peter Sospenzo, #12, Underpans, $500
Chad Knaus, #92, Windshield clips (too small), $750
Jimmy Elledge, #55, Travel limiting devices (bump stops), $2,500
Slugger Labbe, #15, Rear window braces, $250
Paul Andrews, #1, Rear window braces, $1,000
Paul Andrews, #1, Unapproved air deflector, $1,250
Donnie Wingo, #26, Unapproved air deflector, $250(NASCAR PR)(10-22-2001)
- Post Race Inspection Finds #8 Chevy Too Low: A post race inspection of the cars at Talladega Superspeedway found that the #8 Budweiser Chevy, that Dale Earnahrdt won the EA Sports 500 in, did not meet the minimum height requirements. It was found to be 1/8 of an inch to low. NASCAR said that they will deal with any penalties or fines tomorrow.(Insider Racing News) AND Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s winning car [#8 Chevy] failed post-race inspection following Sunday's EA Sports 500 at Talladega. The car was measured as being under the required 51-inch minimum height from the roof of the car to the ground, NASCAR spokeswoman Danielle Humphrey announced some two hours following the conclusion of the 188-lap event. Humphrey went on to say that NASCAR has never taken away a win for such an infraction, and that the issue will be dealt with Monday morning. She also said Earnhardt Jr. did not jump on the roof during his Victory Lane celebration.(NASCAR.com)(and there were no PCV Pipe Fence this week)(10-21-2001)
UPDATE: The last time a winner had the same problem was in the 2000 season when Jeremy Mayfield [then in the #12 Ford] won at California Speedway. His win stood and his crew chief, Peter Sospenzo, was fined $25,000.(10-22-2001)
- Earnhardt Jr wins at Talladega in a wild ending and the big wreck on the very last accident. #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr wins his 2nd restrictor plate race and 3rd overall race of the 2001 season and the $1 million No Bull Bonus for his team and for a fan Carrie Richter of Conneaut, OH. #20-Tony Stewart was 2nd with #99-Jeff Burton in 3rd. #7-Lepage and #1-Wallace got their first top 10's of 2001. The #7 Ford team finished in the top 10 of all four restrictor plates races (Daytona and Talladega), three with Mike Wallace and one with Lepage. #4-Bobby amilton Jr had his best career finish, a 14th. Sixteen cars/drivers were involved in 'the wreck' when #55-Hamilton and #18-Labonte got together, with Labonte ending up on his roof, Labonte is ok and have heard no reports of any drivers being injured. #24-Jeff Gordon increased his points lead to 395 points over #28-Ricky Rudd with #20-Tony Stewart now in 3rd.
See That's Racin' for EA Sports 500 race results and for the Unofficial Points Standings and the race story: Earnhardt Jr. wins, but inspectors find a problem(10-21-2001)
- More Mayfield UPDATE #7?: Jeremy Mayfield expects to make his plans known within two weeks. Contrary to rumors that have been running wild, Mayfield has spent the past few weeks at his Mooresville home, according to a spokesman who has been in contact with Mayfield on a daily basis. A quick resolution of Mayfield’s status would logically indicate a deal that would put him in a Dodge for 2002, either a third Intrepid fielded by Ray Evernham or another car that would receive additional assistance from Evernham. Possible slots for Mayfield might include the #92 currently being driven by Stacy Compton or the #7, currently a Ford but expected to switch to Dodge in 2002.(Gaston Gazette)(10-20-2001)
UPDATE: Jeremy Mayfield has not been in the garage since parting ways with the Roger Penske-owned team at the end of September but is quietly working on a deal. Mayfield should have an announcement in the next couple of weeks. He's expected to sign with the Jim Smith-owned team and the group transfer to Dodges, with Ray Evernham offering guidance to the program.(Richmond Times Dispatch) AND #7 team owner, Jimmy Smith, still is searching for a sponsor to continue his Winston Cup operation, which is expected to race Dodges in the future.(Sporting News)(10-22-2001)
- Leffler to the CTS? Reports have Jason Leffler (current driver of the #01 Cingular Dodge and rumored to be out of that ride for Jimmy Spencer) taking over the #2 Dodge Truck in the CTS next year. The #2 CTS team is owned by Jim Smith [who also owns the #7 Ford -- to be Dodge in 2002] and he is losing Scott Riggs to the #10 BGN Ford of ppc Racing(NASCAR.com Buzz)(10-22-2001)
- Atwood Safe? There have been reports that Nashville rookie Casey Atwood [#19 Dodge] might be replaced by former Nashville Speedway driver Jeremy Mayfield next season, but Atwood's father, Terry, says he has been assured by team owner Ray Evernham that that will not happen. Evernham has dismissed the reports, but admitted that Mayfield would be an attractive driver. Mayfield is expected to make an announcement about his 2002 plans within the next two weeks.(Tennessean)(10-22-2001)
- Shell as a sponsor? Royal Dutch/Shell, the world's second biggest oil company ($221 billion). Shell has been a bit player in the sport for several years, and two years ago the company pressured car owner Joe Gibbs to make it a full car sponsor on the Cup tour. Shell is again pushing for a full Winston Cup car with a sponsorship deal(Winston Salem Journal)(10-22-2001)
- No Bull Fan: been asked, where was the No Bull Five fan winner? It took a while to get Earnhardt's partner, Carrie Richter of Conneaut, Ohio, notification of her prize. In most cases, the individuals paired with the drivers attend the races, but due to circumstances beyond her control, Richter couldn't attend. That created a problem. When the race ended at approximately 3:23 p.m., Winston officials were not able to reach Richter. At 3:30 p.m., still no Richter. And at 4:00 p.m., it was the same deal. It wasn't until around 4:30 p.m. that Richter was reached via phone from the infield media center. Richter indicated she would take her winnings and purchase a small farm for her and her two children.(Anniston Star)(10-22-2001)
- NBC Changes in 2002? Dallenbach back? NBC is planning at least one major change in its announcing booth for next season, which the network will open at Daytona. It is not clear who the new man in the booth might be, but some people in the garage are suggesting Barney Hall, the veteran Motor Racing Network radio announcer.
AND NBC and Fox officials are ordering unspecified cutbacks in next year's Winston Cup coverage, according to TV sources. Fox has already been talking with NASCAR officials about renegotiating its contract because of the difficult ad sales market.(Winston Salem Journal)
AND Former Winston Cup driver Wally Dallenbach said this morning [Sunday] that NBC has picked up his option for next year, which means that NBC will employee him if he agrees to the terms. Dallenbach also said that he didn't feel like the offer from NBC was strong enough to keep him out of a race car. Once again, he is trying to put together a deal for an Indy Racing League ride. It will be another week or so before he has an answer to that and will continue with NBC, should the IRL deal not pan out.(Insider Racing News)(10-22-2001)
- To the Wind Tunnel: Stacy Compton's #92 Dodge, Tony Stewart's #20 Pontiac, Jeff Burton's #99 Ford and Bobby Hamilton's #55 Chevrolet were tested on the NASCAR chassis dyno [at the race track] and will be taken to a wind tunnel [Lockheed - Marietta, GA] for testing.(That's Racin')(10-22-2001)
- Interesting Tidbit: There is this ironic footnote to the safety debate: Being shown in Winston Cup trailers yesterday morning was a video clip of a 20-year-old film short that was pretty shocking - crewman George White, at the wheel of a late model stock car, Oct. 30, 1980 on a Florida short track, deliberately running into a concrete barrier at 59 mph in a dramatic test of a head-and-neck restraint White himself had devised. White survived, with a broken leg but no other serious injuries. The restraint device was quite similar to the current Autoliv-Hutchens device, with straps attached to the helmet and to a special body harness that in part resembles the current six-point seat belt. White says that he attempted to market his device to the racing world, but with no success. White wrote to General Motors on April 21, 1981, about the safety device but got the cold shoulder. He also wrote to USAC and NASCAR that same year and got the cold shoulder from both.(See more at the Winston Salem Journal)(10-22-2001)
- #66 Crew Chief to be penalized UPDATE: Larry Carter, crew chief for Todd Bodine's #66 Fords, will be penalized this week by NASCAR for his conduct on pit road following an accident that started between rookie Kevin Harvick and Bodine on Lap 95 in Sunday's EA Sports 500 at Talladega. Following the incident in which it appeared Harvick hit Bodine from behind, Carter left his pit stall and went to Harvick's pit stall to confront Harvick's car owner, Richard Childress. The two were separated before it got out of hand.(That's Racin')(10-21-2001)
UPDATE: NASCAR penalties could be forthcoming this week for a number of minor rules violations here over the weekend and for a temper tantrum or two by irate crew chiefs, including Michael McSwaim, of the Ricky Rudd [#28] team, and Larry Carter, of the Todd Bodine [#66] team(Winston Salem Journal)(10-22-2001)
- Testing at Daytona changed and set: NASCAR announced it has changed how it will conduct pre-Daytona 500 testing in January. Previously, each manufacturer has been scheduled two testing days and a make-up day for bad weather. Starting next season, all car makes will be bunched together. Winston Cup teams with odd numbers in year-end car owner points will test Jan. 7-9, with Jan. 10 as a rain date. Teams with even numbers in owner points will test Jan. 14-16, with Jan. 17 as a rain date.(That's Racin')(10-22-2001)
- 2002 Testing at Indy set: Testing dates for next season's Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway have also been set, and car owner points will be used to set those dates as well. Odd number teams will test at Indy July 9-10, while even number teams will test July 15-16.(That's Racin')(10-22-2001)
(10-21-2001)
see the Oct 15-21, 2001 Archived News Page
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