PAST NEWS NOV 26-DEC 2, 2001
THE PAST NEWS! YESTERDAY and BEYOND..
OTHER PAST NEWS PAGES
(12-2-2001)
- TV Ratings for the Year: Winston Cup on NBC and TNT averaged a 3.9 adjusted national rating (right at 4m households) per broadcast, up 34% from a 2.9 in 2000, the final year before the consolidated television contract went into effect. The Busch Series races on NBC/TNT averaged a 1.4, up 75% from a 0.8 average national rating in 2000. The Cup telecasts also showed significant gains in the coveted Male 18-49 and Male 25-54 demographic categories. Overall, the 18-49 group rated 3.8 (up from 2.9 in 2000) while the 25-54 bunch averaged 4.3 per broacast (up from 3.2).(SpeedVision)(12-2-2001)
(12-1-2001)
- Wally signs for five years: Wally Dallenbach Jr. signed a five-year contract extension, which includes an interesting twist, with NBC and TNT to continue announcing Winston Cup and Busch Series races. Dallenbach said NBC will allow him to compete in select Winston Cup events as "an announcer in a race car" and run the full 2002 IRL schedule. Dallenbach said he hopes to have a Daytona 500 deal in hand within the next week. He's pitching a deal to three Winston Cup teams for this unique opportunity. A source close to the deal said Andy Petree Racing is considering hiring Dallenbach for a four-race deal in the vacant #33 car. Joe Nemechek drove the #33 this season but is moving to another team next season. The Petree car has no major sponsorship[for the #33].(Daytona Beach News Journal)(12-1-2001)
- Little E in USA Weekend SUNDAY(in print) and online NOW: In the December 2nd edition of USA Weekend, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be featured in an article. USA Weekend is found in many Sunday newspapers. The exclusive story is called: Living Up to Greatness by Dale Earnhardt JR., excerpts from the story(used with permission): "Now that the NASCAR season is finished, I've had a lot of time to think about everything that's happened. I've grown a lot as a driver, and, since my dad died in a crash last February, I had to deal with a lot of adversity."
"Some people may think I got a free pass up that ladder just because I was his son and carried his name. Don't believe it."
"This was a man who dropped out of ninth grade and ended up as a multimillionaire with a seat on the New York Stock Exchange."
"I learned from him that you are the people you surround yourself with. I stopped spending so much time with those who do not improve me as a person. It takes a while to realize who they are, but I was learning."(11-27-2001)
COLUMN: see the exclusivwe column at Living Up to Greatness by Dale Earnhardt Jr.(12-1-2001)
- New Scheme for the #18 in 2002? hearing the new 2002 paint scheme for the #18 Interstate Batteries Pontiac will be unveiled in front of Interstate Batteries Headquarters in Dallas, TX on Monday Dec. 3rd 8:30am. See my Paint Scheme Gallery for the image(12-1-2001)
- License Plates: Several states are now offering registration Race Plates to their residents as an option to their standard license plate programs. Residents of states where the legal registration plates are not yet authorized, have requested non-registration versions of the popular plates and now Race Plate Marketing has responded with two new lines of non-registration Race Plates. The Collector Series features the popular checker flag background traditional Race Plate design and the new Signature Series highlights the car number, driver signature, and NASCAR logo in the center of the plate. Race Plate Marketing has also added a new twist to the Race Plate non-registration lines. All plates are available in personalized versions. Race fans can now display their home state, favorite driver and their name all on the colorful new Race Plates. Both new designs are available now at the Race Plates website, www.raceplates.net.(12-1-2001)
- Helping Out: American Heroes working to clear debris from the site of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York will be treated to a uniquely tasty visit from Nascar's 4-time Winston Cup Champion courtesy of Racecakes.com. Racecakes.com will serve forty Jeff Gordon Racecakes to relief workers entering the third month of recovery efforts since the attacks. The donated mixes will be sent to Penndel, PA for baking in the expansive kitchen of the Penndel Fire Department. The cakes will then be sent to Nino's restaurant in New York for serving to recovery crews. Nino's closed its doors to the public following the attacks in order to concentrate on a 24-hour catering effort for rescue workers. Based in Mooresville, N.C., Racecakes.com offers cake mix kits that create replica racecars of the stars of Nascar's Winston Cup circuit. The unique kits come complete with edible decals and authentic paint scheme icing.. Melissa Germany of Racecakes.com notes "This is our way of showing support for the recovery crews in hope that it will provide a boost of morale and energy to the crews. We want to do our part to remind them that they are in our thoughts and prayers as they continue their difficult tasks." Gordon personally visited Ground Zero on Tuesday in what was a scaled-down Awards Week for Nascar.(12-1-2001)
(11-30-2001)
- The Money Awarded: the Top 10 drivers and the money announced at the Banquet:
10th Jeff Burton $363,404
9th Kevin Harvick $484,469 and Rookie of the Year Award (put a yellow rookie srtipe on the podium)
8th Dale Earnhardt Jr $441,715 and $1 million for the No Bull Five win at Talladega
7th Rusty Wallace $514,946
6th Bobby Labonte $645,528
5th Dale Jarrett $857,876
4th Ricky Rudd $880,224
3rd Sterling Marlin $1,077,572
2nd Tony Stewart $1,444,920 while wearing a Hutchens Device under his tux
1st Jeff Gordon $3,787,681and $1 million for the No Bull Five win at Las Vegas
and a column at That's Racin': Gordon hailed as champion, Earnhardt honored(no word on the top 25 list)(11-30-2001)
- Voting Over Most Popular - UPDATE 3 - IT IS DALE EARNHARDT and the Award to be named after Elliott: the voting for NASCAR's "Most Popular Driver" award is over. When I hear, it'll be posted, nothing has been announced yet, usually is around the time of the Winston Cup Banquet, which is Nov 30th(see above for info)(11-21-2001)
UPDATE: from a RacingOne column by Monte Dutton - "What could be more emblematic of his legacy than the fact he was named the Winston Cup Series’ Most Popular Driver more than nine months after his life had ended?", hmmm...sounds like Earnhardt won?(11-29-2001)
UPDATE 2: It was announced that NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award will be named for Bill Elliott, a 15-time winner, after he retires. Elliott took himself out of the running this year in the fan vote in order to make sure somebody else was able to win the honor.(That's Racin'), no OFFICIAL word on the winner of the 2001 Most Popular Driver yet(11-30-2001)
UPDATE 3: it was announced during the banquet and within Teresa Earnhardt's appearance and speach, Dale Earnhardt was named MOST POPULAR DRIVER for 2001 and from That's Racin': Earnhardt was named the winner of the National Motorsports Press Association's Most Popular Driver Award, getting more than 56 percent of nearly 400,000 votes cast online on or via the mail. Jeff Gordon, with 14 percent of the votes, was second in the balloting.(no futher results posted)(11-30-2001)
- Some Awards:
True Value Man of the Year: Jeff Gordon
Bill France Award of Excellence: Jack Roush(11-30-2001)
- Crew Chief and Engine Builder Awards: Gordon's Hendrick Motorsports #24 team added more honors and money. Crew chief Robbie Loomis received $50,000 for leading the Plasti-Kote Qualify Finish Award with the best average finishes in the 36-race season, while engine builder Rick Wetzel was given $55,000 as the Clevite Engine Parts Engine Builder of the Year.(That's Racin'), see my Race Awards page for the breakdown on the awards(11-30-2001)
- Earnhardt Honored: Dale Earnhardt was named winner of the Myers Brothers Award by the National Motorsports Press Association. The award, named for two of NASCAR's pioneers and presented annually to a person or organization making an outstanding contribution to the sport, was accepted by Dale Earnhardt Jr.(That's Racin')(11-30-2001)
- Bud Pole Award: Series champion Jeff Gordon was given a check for $100,000 for winning the Bud Pole Award. He led the series with six poles. Gordon also won the $75,000 Gatorade Front Runner Award for leading the most laps and $76,000 from Tosco for the Official Fuels of NASCAR Award. Sterling Marlin also won $76,000 from Tosco.(That's Racin'), see my 2002 Budweiser Shootout page for poles and race info(11-30-2001)
- Rudd's Back? UPDATE Surgery: #28-Ricky Rudd could be headed for the same back surgery that Mark Martin had during a recent offseason. "I didn’t hurt my back when I hit the wall, I think I must have the Mark Martin syndrome, my back has been bothering me for a little while," Rudd said. "I might have to get it fixed this winter. It hurts when I sit in the seat for a long time."(SpeedVision)(11-19-2001)
UPDATE: Ricky Rudd will undergo exploratory surgery next week to investigate the source of back pain that bothered him for nearly the entire season. Though the seriousness of his back injury isn't known, Rudd said he expected a recovery period of only two weeks. It's possible Rudd could need six months of rehab, depending on what next week's arthroscopic procedure uncovers. Rudd said the injury is probably just some inflammation in his back - something many other drivers have experienced during the grueling schedule of races.(Arizona Republic)(11-30-2001)
- RCR/Gordon present winnings: Team owner Richard Childress and driver Robby Gordon presented a check for $203,924 to the Uniformed Firefighters Association's Widows and Childrens Fund. That is what Gordon and the #31 team earned with their victory last Friday in the season-ending NASCAR race in Loudon, N.H. -- Gordon's first Winston Cup victory.(Daytona Beach News Journal/AP)(11-30-2001)
- Mike Wallace to the #33? UPDATE: Charlotte's NBC 6 reported Tuesday night that "we hear that Mike Wallace met with Andy Petree today to discuss driving the #33 car and possibly a deal coud be hammered out very soon for the entire 2002 season. Sources also tell us that Mike [Wallace] will at least drive the #33 at daytona with or without sponsorship unless something better falls in his lap."(nbc6.com)(11-28-2001)
UPDATE: “Andy [Petree] and I have agreed to at least run the Daytona 500 next year,” Wallace said. “If a sponsor comes on board before that for a full-year deal, then I’ll be there for the year. If not, then we’ll see what happens after Daytona.” In addition to the APR deal, Wallace will also be driving the No. 4 Biagi Bros.-owned Chevrolet in the Busch Series. In addition, Wallace is planning on defending his 2000 truck win in the inaugural race at Daytona. “Kenny Schrader and I hooked up for me to drive for him in the Craftsman Truck race at Daytona,” Wallace added. “That’s a Federated Auto Parts-sponsored deal in a truck that Kenny owns.”(NASCAR.com)(11-30-2001)
- Marcis wins award: Veteran Winston Cup driver and car owner Dave Marcis received the Buddy Shuman Award from Champion Spark Plugs on Thursday for his career contributions to the advancement of NASCAR. The award, named for a former driver who died in a hotel fire in 1955, has been presented annually since 1957.(That's Racin')(11-30-2001)
- New 2002 Scheme for the #28? UPDATE: Next season Rudd's car, the legendary black #28, will likely sport a dramatically new color scheme, because of the Texaco-Chevron merger.(Winston Salem Journal)(11-11-2001)
UPDATE: during Ricky Rudd's speech at the Winston Cup awards banquet, Rudd mentioned the #28 Ford would have a different look in 2002 but had no idea what irt would look like(11-30-2001)
- Crew Chief Looking: When Joe Gibbs Racing made the decision to go to just one full time BGN team it left crew chief Doug Richert without a team to crew chief. He is presently in the role of Research and Development for the BGN program. Richert is looking to find a crew chief position with a BGN or Cup team and get back to the week to week racing. He has the blessing of JGR in doing so.(11-30-2001)
- Nadeau Sprints: Jerry Nadeau hopes to field the No. 28 USAC Silver Bullet Series team for 2001 USAC Western Sprint Car Series Champion Tony Hunt. Open-wheel racing is nothing new to Nadeau, who has been racing since he was four years old in everything from go-carts to Formula racers in Europe to NASCAR stock cars. This season was his fourth full year in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and his second with Hendrick Motorsports. Hunt captured the 2001 USAC Western Sprint Car Series championship with three victories, 12 top-five finishes and 15 top-10 finishes. He also received the Hard Charger Award, which is presented to the driver in each USAC series who passes the most cars throughout the year. Hunt is the all-time leading winner in the USAC Western Sprint Series with 10 feature wins, and is also the all-time leader in number of pole starting positions with 14 first-place starts in the last four years.(CMI PR)(11-30-2001)
- Sad News: Two men were killed after a fire ripped through a racing garage on Gus Hill Road (Davidson County, NC) Wednesday evening. According to the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, Delbert Myers, 51, of Broad Street, and Carlton E. Garrison, 63, of Gus Hill Road, were killed in a fire at the Garrison Racing Shop.(Lexington Dispatch)(11-30-2001)
- NASCAR TV: Speedvision, the first and only 24-hour cable network devoted exclusively to the excitement and heart-pumping action of motorsports, and NASCAR today announced the launch of NASCAR TV, the first channel-within-a-channel devoted to a single sport. NASCAR TV is scheduled to premiere on Monday, Feb. 11, when the cable network now known as Speedvision officially re-launches as SPEED Channel. NASCAR TV features complete behind-the-scenes. access to NASCAR, enhanced race replays and highlights and qualifying for NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series events.. Also included in the exclusive block are classic and historical races, original news and lifestyle programs, season previews and reviews, special event coverage, talk shows, FSN.s Totally NASCAR, NASCAR Victory Lane and NASCAR Tech, and coverage of the NASCAR Touring and NASCAR Weekly Racing Series. Available in 45 million homes, NASCAR TV on SPEED Channel provides NASCAR fans with an unprecedented, dedicated block of NASCAR-related programming. NASCAR TV augments the hundreds of hours of NASCAR Winston Cup and NASCAR Busch Series racing and related programs already slated for telecast on FOX, FX, Fox Sports Net and NBC/TNT. Come February [2002], NASCAR TV airs between 3:00 PM and Midnight ET on weekday afternoons and evenings. SPEED Channel's NASCAR TV also features the return of the popular INSIDE WINSTON CUP program that provides highlights and results from the week's NASCAR action and unique, in-depth access to series. drivers.. Other NASCAR-themed programs are in development and should be announced before SPEED Channel.s February re-launch.(NASCAR PR)(11-29-2001)
(11-29-2001)
- #12 Decision next week(today) UPDATE 5 Closed and done - Official - Sospenzo to the #7? or #5?: Peter Sospenzo, crew chief for the No. 12 Fords now being driven by Mike Wallace, said he hopes to hear about the future of the team next week. Sospenzo said Walt Czarnecki, president of Penske Racing, is expected to notify the team of its plans when he visits the shop in Mooresville, NC., on Tuesday. "I really believe that (owner) Roger (Penske) will look at doing the right thing, and that's keep everything just as it is," Sospenzo said. "It really hasn't been easy. But we all know we've got a job to do and we have to focus on the job at hand."(That's Racin')(11-24-2001)
UPDATE: sources tell me the #12 Penske Racing team has shut down effective today
AND from the Sporting News: The first pink slips went out on the Penske South #12 Mobil Ford on Monday. Despite a valiant effort to resuscitate the team by driver Mike Wallace after Jeremy Mayfield's departure on October 8, sources close to the team say that Roger Penske will announce on Tuesday morning that he will indeed shut down the operation. Ryan Newman, who is running for rookie of the year in 2002, is expected to move his operation out of Penske South's #2 shop that he currently shares with Rusty Wallace and into the #12 car's building. Newman might assume the #12 and the owner's points that accompany that team.(11-26-2001)
UPDATE 2: If the team is disbanded, Penske likely will split the personnel between the #2 Ford of Rusty Wallace and the #02 of rookie Ryan Newman.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(11-27-2001)
UPDATE 3: Penske Racing, LLC today announced that it will consolidate team operations with Penske Racing South, effective immediately. The result will be a two-car entry in the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series with drivers Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman. Miller Brewing Company will be the primary sponsor of Wallace's Miller Lite Taurus while Alltel will be the primary sponsor of Newman's Alltel Taurus. ExxonMobil will be an associate sponsor on both cars with its Mobil 1 brand.(Williams Company PR)(11-27-2001)
UPDATE 4: sources tell me there were approximately 60 full-time employees with the #12 team who stayed until the end of the year hoping they would run next year. Appoximately 20 of them remain for the new team, the others were let go. Crew Chief Peter Sospenzo is supposedly one of those looking and could end up with the #7 team(11-28-2001)
UPDATE 5: The word on the street -- it's not official and could just be part of the rumor mill -- is Peter Sospenzo, the crew chief for the 12 car, is going to be the crew chief for Terry Labonte.(FoxSports)(11-29-2001)
- Melling Layoffs UPDATE: #92 Cup team owner, Mark Melling, announced today that in order to reduce operating costs at his facility, while continuing to seek sponsorship for the 2002 season, it was necessary to layoff many of his employees. Though still searching heavily, to date, the team has not secured a sponsor, and without proper funding Melling cannot continue to operate, full-scale, throughout the off-season. "My greatest concern is that current Melling Racing employees have the best possible chance at landing on their feet," explained Melling. "If nothing were to materialize, sponsor-wise, in the near future, the employees would be out looking for a job after all the other teams have filled their positions. I don't want that on my conscience. I would like to think that Melling is known as and organization and family that is fair to its employees."
"My marketing department is still working full-tilt," continued Melling, "and I am talking to everyone possible about putting something together for next year. I feel confident that if something were to materialize, we will still be able to put a quality product on the race track, as our facilities and equipment remain in place. My family has owned a car in the Daytona 500 field for the past 20 years. It's going to be a heartbreaker if that string is snapped. However, we need something in place very soon to make it 21 years." During 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season, Melling Racing sat on the outside pole and finished 10th in the Daytona 500, captured the pole position for both Talladega races, and registered five top-15 finishes with Stacy Compton as their driver(Melling PR) AND Stacy Compton has been offered the ST Motorsports ride by team owner Tad Geschickter, but Compton is still waiting to see what happens with his Winston Cup ride with Melling Racing. Geschickter set a deadline for the week of Nov. 26. Other possibilities for the ride include Mark Green, David Green and Kevin Grubb, as well as Elton Sawyer. (Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)
UPDATE: Melling Racing may consider a partner if they bring a sponsor, Compton says he has a deadline of Dec 1st and he homes to have ride by then(PRN Garage)(11-29-2001)
- Shepherd trying to help: Morgan Shepherd is trying to put together his annual Christmas tour through the mountains of south central Virginia, but it's difficult after a season spent largely on the sidelines. He's planning to send a registered letter to those in racing who have helped with the event in the past, and is also accepting donations from the general public. Shepherd has distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations and gifts to the area's underprivileged since the tour began in the late 1980s. Those interested may send donations to The Morgan Shepherd Charitable Fund, P.O. Box 623, Conover, NC 28613.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(11-29-2001)
- NASCAR Official and Helmets: It appears NASCAR officials assigned to pit road may be required to wear helmets next year. (Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(11-29-2001)
- New Seat Ready: After more than a year of development, a composite seat that provides a cocoon for the driver is ready for use in NASCAR's 2002 season. The seat, created by PPI Motorsports and Reynard Motorsports of England, was submitted to NASCAR this fall. It has yet to be approved, but is expected to receive the go-ahead in time for use during Speedweeks in February. Once approved the seat will be manufactured by Reynard and distributed, certified and serviced by C&R Racing in Indianapolis. The seat's cost hasn't been determined.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(11-29-2001)
- Teresa to appear: Teresa Earnhardt, widow of the late seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt, is scheduled to attend Friday night’s NWCS awards ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria, the evening’s schedule of activities shows. She is expected to take part in a special audio and video tribute to Earnhardt that will include a performance by country western performer Garth Brooks.(NASCAR.com)(11-29-2001)
- Murry in 2002 - in NASCAR? While plans are still being finalized, it appears road racer David Murry may have opportunities in two of NASCAR’s major series – Winston Cup and trucks – as well as in sports car’s two major United States-based series. He will try to juggle as many opportunities as he can to fill his book up. “I’m having discussions with a number of teams right now,” added Murry. “On the NASCAR front, I’m already speaking with some Winston Cup team owners about the two road course races at Sears Point and Watkins Glen as well as some owners in the truck series. The interest level is clearly there. In sports car, there are a handful of teams I’m speaking with. So, we’ll see what happens there. There are some options to consider, that’s for sure.” Murry’s stock car racing experience has been sprinkled around over the years. He’s competed in both ARCA and Winston Cup. Murry is best known for being a Porsche racing ace. However, last year at the Petit Le Mans, he sampled a different German marque – BMW.(Kermish-Geylin PR) AND hearing the following teams have had discussions with Murry about the 2002 season: The #27 Eel River Racing team - should it be revived for Cup. Welliver Racing for a possible Busch opportunity and/or Cup road course entry at both Sears Point and Watkins Glen and maybe the CTS as Murry in the middle of negotiations with one of his sports car buddies to start up a team to either run a partial season or a full season.(11-29-2001)
- Penske at NASA? hearing that Penske South had the 2001 Daytona 500 #2 Ford in the X-38 building at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston on Wednesday. Supposedly being scanned a40% scaled car can be made to test in their wind tunnel.(11-29-2001)
(11-28-2001)
- Smuckers to sponsor Bodine? hearing Smucker's Jelly will somehow sponsor the #11 Ford of Brett Bodine, not sure if as a primary or associate sponsor. May actually run a Smucker's scheme at a race or two if it is as an associate sponsor(11-28-2001)
- Petty Ride Alongs TODAY: The Richard Petty Driving Experience is planning a fund-raiser on Wednesday, Nov. 28, for families affected by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The event, called "Ride-Along for Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund Day," will feature a free ride-along in a Winston Cup-style car to anyone who donates at least $50 to the fund. The fund-raiser will take place 8 a.m.-noon at five driving school locations - Atlanta, Las Vegas, Lowe's Motor Speedway and Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando, Fla(That's Racin')(11-27/28-2001)
- NHIS TV Ratings: NBC's final broadcast of the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup season from New Hampshire attracted a 3.2 overnight rating with an 8 share.(SpeedVision)(11-28-2001)
(11-27-2001)
- Roush Changes? UPDATE: hearing that effective on Monday, Dec 3rd: #97 crew chief Ben Leslie and the entire #97 crew will start working on the #6 car for Mark Martin and that #6 crew chief, Jimmy Fennig and the entire #6 crew will now be working on the #97 car for driver Kurt Busch.(11-27-2001)
UPDATE: In preparation for the 2002 Cup season, Roush Racing announced today the reorganization of two of its teams. Crew chiefs Ben Leslie (#97)and Jimmy Fennig (#6) will swap positions within the organization. Fennig has been crew chief of the #6 Viagra Taurus driven by veteran Mark Martin since 1998. Leslie recently finished his first year as crew chief for the #97 Sharpie/Rubbermaid Taurus driven by rookie Kurt Busch and has worked for Roush Racing since 1994. Shawn Parker, car chief of the #6 team, will also move with Fennig. Leslie is searching to hire a car chief for the Mark Martin program.(Roush racing PR)(11-27-2001)
- TV Loses on NASCAR: Fox, NBC and Turner Sports lost more than $100 million on NASCAR during the first year of a six-year, roughly $2.5 billion television contract even as ratings skyrocketed, network sources have told The Sports Business Journal. The NBC/Turner joint venture lost close to $50 million, according to the business paper's sources, while Fox, which paid a higher rights fee for the more attractive first-half coverage, is widely thought to have lost even more.(more at That's Racin')(11-27-2001)
- Bodine's crew member injured UPDATE 2: Matt Groeschl, tire carrier for #11-Brett Bodine, was injured on pit road when he was supposedly hit by #43-John Andretti. Have seen nothing official (and will not post message board fodder or hearsay) about Matt, but have heard everything from a broken leg to being carted off the the hospital and ok, just shaken up. It was mentioned briefly during NBC's broadcast, but have not heard how badly injured Groeschl is
UPDATE: been told by sources that - Groeschl, #11 front tire carrier was hit by the #43 of John Andretti. Originally, it was thought he had suffered a broken leg and torn ligaments in knee. After an MRI on Saturday, the doctors do not think it is broken but Groeschl went to an orthopedic specialist today for an evaluation. Even if leg is not broken, the knee will require surgery (date not determined at this time).(11-26-2001)
UPDATE 2: the Otho Specialist does not want to operate right now - wants to see if he can treat it - Groeschl is in leg brace and will begin physical therapy. The MCL was torn and the ACL damaged in his knee but he should be able to return to work next week(11-27-2001)
- Gordon Busy in NYC - AND: Jeff Gordon, the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup champion, has a busy schedule next week. Gordon, a four-time winner of the Winston Cup, will be participating in several special activities during a weeklong media tour in New York City, concluding with the NASCAR Winston Cup Awards Ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria on Friday, Nov. 30. On Thursday, Nov. 29, the annual photo shoot at Times Square will include a special ceremony involving the New York City Mayor's Office. John Dyson, representing Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, will present a proclamation declaring Friday, Nov. 30, as NASCAR Winston Cup Series Day in New York City. Following the ceremony, Gordon and crew chief Robbie Loomis will participate in a photo shoot with the #24 DuPont Chevy at Times Square. Gordon's schedule also includes appearances on The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman and Live with Regis and Kelly.(Sports Marketing Enterprises PR)(11-21-2001)
AND Gordon, crew chief Robbie Loomis and team owner Rick Hendrick will visit with firemen and clean-up crews at Ground Zero, the site of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, today. That visit will be low-key.(The State)(11-27-2001)
- Softwall Test by NASCAR: Safari Associates announced that its Molecuthane motorsports ``soft wall'', which the company successfully demonstrated on September 26th at the Indianapolis Speedrome, is now being tested by NASCAR. On October 24th, NASCAR officials contacted Safari Associates and asked them to ship the Molecuthane ``soft wall'' to their new safety facility in North Carolina for extensive testing. The wall was delivered to NASCAR on October 30th. After NASCAR concludes its in-house tests, they plan to ship the ``soft wall'' to the University of Nebraska for further study. NASCAR has encouraged Safari to continue its own testing as well. NASCAR has agreed to supply Safari with all test data including its test procedures. NASCAR and Safari Associates are working together to study the use of Molecuthane for ``soft walls'' and applications on and inside the vehicles, wherever high-energy dampening is required for safety or comfort.(Yahoo Biz/Business Wire)(11-27-2001)
- NASCAR and the Soap Box Derby? Goodyear has something in the works pertaining to the All-American Soap Box Derby. The company isn't saying what, because nothing has been finalized. But it's almost certain to involve some level of participation in the derby on the part of NASCAR racing. Goodyear supplies tires for the popular NASCAR stock car racing circuit, and the company clearly has interest in the idea of a Goodyear-NASCAR derby.(Akron Beacon Journal)(11-27-2001)
- Harvick named Rookie of the Year(ROTY): Kevin Harvick, driver of the #29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet, claimed the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award. He finished the season with a total of 331 points, 66 points ahead of second-place Kurt Busch. A native of Bakersfield, Calif., Harvick took over the Richard Childress-owned ride after the death of seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion, Dale Earnhardt. During the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season, Harvick visited the winner.s circle twice (Atlanta - 3/11 and Chicago - 7/15) and collected six top-five finishes and 16 top 10s. He also topped the season off with a ninth-place finish in the final point standings (Harvick is the only driver to finish in the top-10 in points that only competed in 35 events)(NASCAR PR). See my ROTY Page for results, rules and breakdown(11-27-2001)
- Congrats to Buckshot: Buckshot Jones and his wife Gina are the proud parents of a son, Kolton Ray, who was born at 7:10pm/et, Monday, Nov. 26th. Young Mr. Jones was 8 pounds, 4 ounces at birth. He is the first child for the couple. Mother and child are both doing well. The elder Jones drives the #44 Georgia-Pacific Dodge for Petty Enterprises(Williams Company)(11-27-2001)
- Sad News: Albert Roy Richmond, 79, died Friday, November 23, 2001 at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte. Born on December 10, 1921, in Marshall County, WV, he was the son of the late Milford and Myrtle Miller Richmond. He was a veteran of WWII having served in the US Army, Company B, 411th Combat Engineers in the Pacific. He was the founder and owner of Richmond Manufacturing Company of Ashland, OH, where he and his wife resided until moving to Mooresville in 1989. Mr. Richmond was the father of the late NASCAR driver, Timothy L. Richmond who preceded him in death on August 13, 1989.(Charlotte Observer)(11-27-2001)
- Earnhardt Race Re-Air's supplies exposure: ESPN2's Thanksgiving Day re-broadcast of five classic NASCAR races won by the late Dale Earnhardt delivered an exposure bonus to the legendary driver's long-time sponsor Goodwrench Service Plus, which collected nearly $600,000 during the 10-hour holiday special. According to research conducted by Joyce Julius and Associates’ Sponsors Report – which specializes in documenting exposure received by corporate entities during national television broadcasts – Goodwrench Service Plus amassed more than 26 minutes of on-screen time and 20 verbal references during the telecasts. Exposure value is calculated by comparing the amount of time the sponsor appeared clear and in-focus, as well as all mentions of the sponsor, to the cost of purchasing a commercial during the ESPN2’s Thanksgiving broadcasts. See full story at the Joyce Julius and Associates site(11-27-2001)
(11-26-2001)
- Melling Racing/Compton back in 2002? UPDATE 2: it was reported during NBC's coverage of the NAPA 500 at Atlanta, that Melling Racing and driver Stacy Compton may have good news to report soon for the 2002 season and that the #92 team may be around for the full 2002 Cup season, sounds like a sponsor(11-19-2001)
UPDATE: hearing crew chief Chad Knaus is considering offers to crew chief the #48 Jimmie Johnson driven/Hendrick Motorsports Lowe's Chevy and the #7 Casey Atwood driven/Ultra Motorsports-Evernham Motorsports Dodge for next season(11-23-2001)
UPDATE 2: hearing Knaus will go to the #48 Hendrick Motorsports team(11-26-2001)
- Pressley back to Petree? UPDATE 2: 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)
UPDATE: it was mentioned during the race at NHIS that Pressley could drive the #33 for Petree in 2002 for the first few races without a sponsor while Petree continues to hunt for one (unless a sponsor is found sooner) and that Pressley has an offer from a 'top' CTS team to run trucks in 2002(11-24-2001)
UPDATE 2: Pressley is expected to start the first four races of the 2002 season in the No. 33 car for Andy Petree Racing, but anything after that is contingent on sponsorship(Sporting News)(11-26-2001)
- What happened to....Stanley Smith? It happened in 1993, but for Stanley Smith it seems like yesterday. He was racing at Talladega Superspeedway when the field of cars thundered into the first turn — the fastest stretch on the track, where speeds reached 200 mph — when his car collided with another. Jimmy Horton hurdled over the wall. Smith's car slammed head-first into the concrete retainer. His skull was crushed and a major artery was severed in his neck. ''I almost didn't make it,'' Smith recalls. ''They gave me nine units of blood on the way to the hospital. They managed to put my skull back together, but I lost the use of my left eye. I can see a little bit out of it, but I can't move it and at times I have double-vision.'' Smith's biggest comeback hurdle, aside from overcoming his physical problems, was convincing his wife, Delphia, and three grown children to let him back in a race car. Since his near-fatal crash, Smith has been content to compete in NASCAR's lower divisions. Smith admitted his left eye sometimes presents problems. See full story at the Tennessean(11-26-2001)
(11-25-2001)
see the Nov 19-25, 2001 Archived News Page
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