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(1-20-2002)

#75/Oordt Team to Return? former #75 Galaxy Motorosports Cup team owner Darwin Oordt said there is a chance he could field a new team with former Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green as his partner, perhaps as early as this season. ''Dennis and I became friends when I was in Minnesota,'' Oordt said. ''He's very interested in racing, and we're trying to get things worked out to co-own a team.'' Oordt was forced to fold his Winston Cup team last season after a major sponsorship fell through. When he was unable to field a car for the Daytona 500, Oordt was sued by his driver, Wally Dallenbach, for breach of contact. The legal battle remains unsettled. Dallenbach is seeking damages for what he calculates would equal a year's lost earnings. Neither side will reveal figures in the suit, but it is believed to be in excess of $1 million.(Tennessean)(1-10-2002)
UPDATE: Former Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green has formed a partnership with Darwin Oordt, owner of the dormant [was #75 Ford] Galaxy Motorsports Winston Cup team, made the partnership public Thursday. Their company will be called Denny Green Racing, LLC and the plans are for the team to start racing in May.(EPSN/AP)(1-20-2002)

Park to test car: Steve Park said Saturday that he will drive a Winston Cup car this week for the first time since suffering a head injury in a crash during a Grand National race at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 1. Park will test at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, NC this week to measure how well his vision has returned since the crash that ended his 2001 season prematurely. Kenny Wallace finished the season in the #1 Pennzoil Chevys and has been signed by Dale Earnhardt Inc. to drive it in 2002 until Park is ready to return.(ThatsRacin.com/ESPN-AP)(1-20-2002)

Elliott Iced Out: Former Winston Cup champion Bill Elliott didn’t attend the [Winston] Preview, citing inclement weather near his home in Blairsville, Ga., that prevented him from flying. Bobby Labonte, the 2000 Winston Cup champion, and Jeremy Mayfield completed their scheduled autograph sessions, then pitched in to sign for fans waiting in Elliott’s section of the coliseum.(Fayetteville Observer)(1-20-2002)

(1-19-2002)

DW Honored: Representatives at the Nashville Sports Council announced that Darrell Waltrip would be named the Lifetime Achievement Award Winner during the 4th Annual O’Charley’s Dinner of Champions, set for February 7, 2002 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.(Nashville Sports Council Site for more info)(1-19-2002)

Sadler Video: #21-Elliott and #02-Hermie Sadler are participating in a video featuring Country Artist and family friend Don Cox.. There are several other special guests that will be there including Professional Wrestler Jeff Jarrett. The video is being shot Saturday night, January 19 at Brian's Steak House and Lounge in South Hill, VA. The concert is sold out, but copies of the video can be ordered by contacting Judy Doyle at Sadler Fan Club. For info go to their site: sadlerfanclub.com(1-19-2002)

Lowes Motor Speedway - 19th Annual UAW-GM Motorsports Media Tour: see info on the tour at the LMS Site
Notes and Quotes - From Tuesday, January 15
Notes and Quotes - From Wednesday, January 16
Notes and Quotes - From Thursday, January 17
Notes and Quotes - From Thursday, January 18(1-16/19-2002)

Rusty re-ups thru 2004: #2-Rusty Wallace says he has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Penske Racing South through 2004(News and Record)(1-19-2002)

California Testing: #2-Rusty Wallace and #36-Ken Schrader are scheduled to test at California Speedway on Thursday, January 24, 2002(California Speedway PR)(1-19-2002)

Lakeland Testing: some teams/drivers tested at Lakeland Speedway in FL this week. John Andretti tested the #43 and #45 Dodges. Eliott Sadler tested the #21 Ford with help from Mark Martin. #10-Johnny Benson was scheduled to test there but had to cancel and rescheduled their test for Feb. 4 and 5. Roush CTS driver Jon Wood spent some time testing with Mark Martin. Wood tested for two days in Lakeland before heading to the mandatory testing sessions at Daytona this weekend(various PR's)(1-19-2002)

Motorsports Schooling: Mark Davis, the former director of the motorsports program at Catawba Valley Community College, has formed a school of his own. Carolina Motorsports Tech Center began classes two weeks ago in a Conover business park (in North Carolina). Students get instruction on building cars that will compete in NASCAR contests and other races. There are no prerequisite courses for the students. This week, eight students busied themselves on a ProCup Series racer in the 15,000-square-foot facility on FedEx Road. Carolina Motorsports offers two programs: a motorsports technology series of 10 classes and a team- concept series in which the students enter a school-owned car in sanctioned dirt-track races. This year, the team will compete in USAR's Southern ProCup Series races. The closest of those races are held at Hickory Motor Speedway. Last year, Catawba Valley's Team Concept team placed 15th in the USAR standings. Jon Kerley, who is now lead instructor at Carolina Motorsports, drove the racecar for Catawba Valley when he was an instructor there. Carolina Motorsports will also call its team Team Concept. In the Carolina Motorsports program, students will spend a year completing both courses of study. Tuition and other fees add up to about $10,000 for the year of instruction. Three colleges in the region have programs designed to train technicians and others in the fine points of stockcar racing. They are the program Davis left at Catawba Valley, a racing program at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in Salisbury and one at Mitchell Junior College in Statesville. Also, NASCAR Technical Institute, a $12 million, 40,000-square-foot vocational school planned in Mooresville, is scheduled to begin classes this summer. Initial classes have about 30 students. Another seven have signed up for classes that start in March, Davis says. He would like to see Carolina Motorsports train as many as 120 students each year.(Business Journal), for more info, see my Racing Schools/Jobs page. No contact info or a website known yet(1-19-2002)

Sadler now part of the Family: #21-Elliott Sadler is the latest addition to the Coca Cola Family Of Drivers. Which includes: #1-Steve Park; #9-Bill Elliott; #15-Michael Waltrip; #18-Bobby Labonte; #28-Ricky Rudd; #20-Tony Stewart; #43-John Andretti; #45-Kyle Petty; #88-Dale Jarrett #99-Jeff Burton.(Coca Cola Racing Family)(1-19-2001)

Honors: At the 19th Annual UAW-GM Motorsports Media Tour was was the announcement of the five winners of the annual Miller Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence in honor of Russ Catlin. This year's winners were Godwin Kelly (Daytona Beach News Journal) in the print journalism daily class, Mike Hembree (The Sporting News) in the print journalism national category, Ryan McGee (Totally NASCAR) for national broadcast journalism, Joe Dodd (Game Day Productions) for local broadcast journalism and Bill Anderson (Winston Cup Scene) in the photojournalism category.)Notes and Quotes - From Thursday, January 18)(1-19-2002)

(1-18-2002)

ET Phone Bristol? UPDATE 4: hearing the Richard Childress Racing Cup cars, #29-Harvick, #30-Green and #31-Gordon (yes Gordon is listed) will run a 20th Anniversary of ET paint scheme at Bristol in 2002, not sure which Bristol, the 1st or 2nd event(11-10-2001)
UPDATE: ET will be re-released on April 1, 2002 for its 20th Anniversary so I imagine it'll be the spring race(11-11-2001)
UPDATE 2: now hearing (ironically) that the ET schemes will run on the #24-Jeff Gordon and #31-Robby Gordon cars -
BUT am now hearing the #30 Green and #31 Gordon E.T. Paint schemes have been cancelled and that #29 Harvick will carry the special ET paint for the re-released movie(11-27-2001)
UPDATE 3: hearing that the car and scheme may be reveiled at the Winston Preview this weekend(1-18-2002)
UPDATE 4: This Friday, GM Goodwrench Service, in conjunction with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group, Richard Childress Racing Enterprises, Inc., and Action Performance Companies will celebrate the 20th anniversary of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial by unveiling a pair of specially painted NASCAR stock cars at the Richard Childress Racing shop in Welcome, NC. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Steven Spielberg's timeless and beloved classic, Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment will re-release E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial nationwide on March 22, 2002 in a new version along with never-before-seen footage, state-of-the-art computer-generated enhancements and a digitally remixed soundtrack. E.T. will celebrate his 20th anniversary by spending two days as a passenger on a NASCAR® stock car on March 23rd and 24th at Bristol Motor Speedway during two of the season's most anticipated racing events. E.T. will appear on the flanks of two RCR NASCAR cars in consecutive races; first, on the red and black #29 GM Goodwrench Service/Action car during Saturday's BGN race, and then on the blue and black #29 GM Goodwrench Service car for the Winston Cup event on Sunday. The two cars, to be driven by 2001 BGN champion and Winston Cup Rookie-of-the-Year Kevin Harvick, will be first unveiled to the public at the RCR race shop as part of the Lowe's Media Tour, and then they will be on display from 8:30am until 6:00pm/et time at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C. Team owner Richard Childress and Harvick will also be on hand to meet the press at the RCR unveiling. As part of the E.T. 20th Anniversary celebration, Action Performance has been licensed to produce collector merchandise, including die-cast racing replicas, which will be available to consumers through Action's extensive network of distribution channels.(Action Performance PR), Paint Schemes Gallery for a image of the BGN and CUP diecast car(1-18-2002)

Rusty and Andy test Spolier: With permission from NASCAR, #2-Rusty Wallace and #28-Andy Hillenburg (subbing for Ricky Rudd) made three more runs once testing concluded at 5:00pm. The teams wanted to find out what it would take to speed up their Tauruses. After one lap around the track, the two teams took one-quarter inch off the rear spoiler. Then, after another lap, the same amount was taken off again. Wallace said he was a little disappointed with the results. "We picked up 3.3 tenths of a second, I was hoping we would pick up four," Wallace said afterwards. "NASCAR thought it would pick up five tenths." Currently, the Ford spoiler is 57 inches wide and six-and-a-half inches tall. Dodges have the same size. Chevrolets have a 57-inch by six-and-a-quarter inch spoiler.(NASCAR.com)(1-18-200)

Sony and the #12 continue: Sony Electronics television marketing group and Penske Racing announced the continuation of their NASCAR Winston Cup sponsorship with the #12 Alltel Ford and rookie-of-the-year candidate Ryan Newman. Newmanąs new ride will carry the FD Trinitron® WEGA® (pronounced, "VAY-GA") television branding on its lower rear quarter panel, while another unit of Sony consumer digital photo printers, will join the fold and adorn the rear decklid with a Print By Sony logo. Entering the second year of this sponsorship, Sonyąs relationship with Penske Racing will once again include a special race during the 2002 season where the car will feature a paint scheme highlighting the Sony FD Trinitron WEGA and Print By Sony logos. For the third year in a row, Sony will continue the Sony TechPit, a 60-by-80-foot mobile road show designed to give fans a front-row seat for an interactive look at the latest products in home entertainment, digital imaging, car audio and personal computers. ..It features a fast-moving sensory experience, giving fans the opportunity to interact with Sony products and enjoy the thrills of WEGA televisions and home theater demonstrations in Dolby Digital surround sound. The exhibit will also include computer-simulated races, numerous digital photo printers that race fans can use to print their photos while at the race track, a Sony showcar and feature personal appearances by Ryan Newman at selected events.(Co-Pilot PR), see my Paint Schemes Gallery for an image of the car(1-18-2002)

Atwood in the #19 for the Shootout? UPDATE Leffler in #7? Rumor has it that Casey Atwood [who now drives the #7 Sirius Dodge] will be in the #19 Dodge for the Bud Shootout, NASCAR's 70-lap non-points Budweiser Shootout event for 2001's Bud Pole winners on Feb. 10 at Daytona. Atwood he won his first career pole at Phoenix International Raceway last fall. Jeremy Mayfield who is the regular driver of the #19, after winning four poles in 2000, failed to win one in 2001 and is ineligible for the event.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(1-17-2002)
UPDATE: Casey Atwood will compete in his first Budweiser Shootout in February. The 70-lap race, scheduled Feb. 10, has a record 23 drivers eligible. The 21-year-old Atwood got an invite after winning the pole at Phoenix last season. "I've always watched that race," said Atwood. "Most of the time it's all the best people in that race. It's a great honor for me." Atwood earned the pole in the #19 car, now driven by Jeremy Mayfield. Atwood now drives the #7 Dodge but will wheel the #19 once again that day.(Daytona Beach News Journal) AND hearing Jason Leffler, who won a Cup pole in 2001 and is not in the Cup series in 2002 but with the #2 Ultra Motorsports CTS team may drive the #7 Dodge in the race(1-18-2002)

Million Dollar Scheme: DeWalt and driver Matt Kenseth will have a Million Dollar Challenge paint scheme on the #17 Riush Racing Ford as Kenseth tries for the Winston No Bull 5 Million in Las Vegas on March 3rd. See my Paint Schemes Gallery for the image. DEWALT Power Tools is preparing to introduce the promotion that will leverage their presence in NASCAR racing and in the Power Tool industry in 2002 and beyond. The DEWALT MILLION DOLLAR CHALLENGE will allow tool users everywhere to drill screws for a million dollars. Each year DEWALT has been in racing, fans across America have participated in the DEWALT CHALLENGE. Developed in the spring of 1992 by members of the DEWALT Marketing Team, the DEWALT CHALLENGE revolutionized event marketing within the Power Tool industry and has become a fixture at every DEWALT event since its inception. This year, DEWALT plans to elevate the stakes. The DEWALT MILLION DOLLAR CHALLENGE will launch in the city known for its high stakes, Las Vegas, the same time DEWALT Racing's driver Matt Kenseth will battle for the Winston Million, on the track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The course of the challenge will last for approximately six months throughout the prime builder's season. Contenders will have over 300 opportunities to take the challenge at DEWALT events throughout the United States as they vie for the chance to win a million dollars. Qualifying events will be held at various power tool distributors, on residential and commercial job sites, and at various NASCAR Winston Cup races. Throughout the course of the events, contestants will also be eligible to win one of 16 Chevrolet Utility vehicles, over $50,000 worth of DEWALT power tools and accessories, one of four Bombardier ATVs, and various other DEWALT prizes. Participants with the fastest times will advance to one of 16 regional events held at Chevrolet Truck dealerships. Regional winners will then advance to the DEWALT MILLION DOLLAR CHALLENGE finals in Phoenix, AZ. The sixteen finalists will win an all-inclusive trip to Phoenix International Raceway during the NASCAR Winston Cup weekend to compete for the chance to win the grand prize of one million dollars.(DEWALT Racing PR)(1-18-2002)

TV Show Returns: Allen Bestwick, Johnny Benson, Ken Schrader, and Michael Waltrip are headed back to the SpeedChannel (formally Speedvision) on Feb. 18 with the return of Inside Winston Cup Racing.(Caledonian-Record)(1-18-2002)

Kraft Foods and Roush Racing Launch Sponsorship: Roush Racing announced that eight Kraft brands have become associate team sponsors on all five Winston Cup cars in the Roush stable, as well as one Busch series car. Kraft will launch its racing program in Daytona as the primary sponsor of Mark Martin's #6 Kraft Ford Taurus in the pre-season Budweiser Shootout on February 10. All eight of the participating Kraft brands will make their debut - through signage on the car - as Martin kicks off the program. Race fans will have Roush drivers and Kraft brands to root for once the official racing starts. Brand logos will be positioned prominently on the car of each respective driver. Mark Martin's #6 Ford will include Maxwell House Coffee as an associate sponsor in the regular Winston Cup schedule. Jeff Burton's #99 Ford features Velveeta, while Matt Kenseth's #17 Taurus features Kraft Singles, Miracle Whip Salad Dressing and Kraft Mayonnaise as associate sponsors. Kurt Busch's #97 Ford brandishes the Tombstone Pizza brand as an associate sponsor and Greg Biffle's #16 Winston Cup ride and #60 BGN Ford highlights the Taco Bell Home Originals brand as an associate sponsor.(PR), see my Paint Schemes Gallery for a couple images of the car/scheme - links fixed(1-18-2002)

#12 adds Turtlewax: Turtle Wax, the most recognized name in the car care products industry announced a three-year agreement to become an associate sponsor of Penske Racing’s #12 Alltel Ford NASCAR Winston Cup entry driven by Ryan Newman. In aligning itself with one of NASCAR’s top teams in Penske Racing, Turtle Wax, Inc. has reinforced their position as the world’s industry-leader in the production of automotive waxes, polishes and car wash products.(Co-Pilot PR)(1-18-2002)

Schrader and Busch to race in Arizona: Ken Schrader [#36 M&M's Pontiac] is entered in the NASCAR Winston West and Southwest Series doubleheader in two weeks at Phoenix International Raceway. Winston Cup second-year driver Kurt Busch [#97 Rubbermaid Ford] will join Schrader in the Southwest race. Schrader has also entered the Jan. 26-27 Early Thaw series at Central Arizona Raceway.(Arizona Republic)(1-18-2002)

Another Mears in NASCAR: Roger Mears, former off road racing champion and brother of four-time Indy 500 winner Rick Mears, has gone to work for Ganassi as operations director for Ganassi's stock car team.(Daytona Beach News Journal), Roger's son Casey is driving in the BGN for Welliver-Jesell Motorsports as driver of the #66 Phillips Dodge(1-18-2002)

Penske 3D: 3D Systems Corp. announced it has joined forces in a technology and marketing alliance with Penske Racing for its NASCAR Winston Cup programs. Penske Racing uses 3D Systems solid imaging technology to build prototype parts for Winston Cup Series cars driven by #2-Rusty Wallace and #12-Ryan Newman. The process enables Penske engineers to produce new parts easily and quickly from computer-aided design (CAD) data -- a necessity for making quick adjustments to improve the performance of their cars between racing events. As part of the marketing alliance, Penske uses an SLA(R) 5000 system and a ThermoJet(R) solid object printer from 3D Systems. The machines, in use and on display at Penske Racing headquarters in Mooresville, N.C., create concept models, visual aids and wind tunnel models, as well as aid in the production of final assemblies fitted on the racecars.(Business Wire)(1-18-2002)

(1-17-2002)

Cup Testing at Daytona is OVER - Wallace fastest Thursday: The second wave of Winston Cup testing wrapped up on Thursday and Mike Wallace, driving the #33 Andy Petree Racing Chevy, was the fastest with a lap of 184.302mph turned in the afternoon drafting session. Wallace will be making an attempt to qualify for the 44th annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 17, but the team is still seeking a sponsor. He believes the team's performance during the test will help in that pursuit. "There was a couple of (sponsors) here (Tuesday) that say they are interested in something," Wallace said. "But as Andy has and myself and the team, we've heard that before." Wallace will have a hectic schedule during Speedweeks 2002. He'll compete in the Feb. 15 Florida Dodge Dealers 250 CTS race driving for [#52] Kenny Schrader. He'll race his in the EAS/GNC Live Well 300 in a car owned by himself and Fred Biagi and he'll take a shot at making the field for the Daytona 500 with APR. Beyond Daytona, Wallace says the only thing solid in his schedule are about 10 BGN races.
Rounding out the top-five speeds were #9-Bill Elliott (184.298), #41-Jimmy Spencer (184.222), #18-Bobby Labonte (184.207) and #17-Matt Kenseth (184.185). All of those speeds were posted during Thursday's afternoon drafting session.
Excluding speeds from the final drafting sessions from each wave Winston Cup testing, Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate Jimmie Johnson, in the #48 Lowe's Chevy, posted the best one-lap qualifying speed with a lap of 183.816mph.(DIS PR).
See my 2002 Daytona 500 Testing Session 2 page for speeds of the week (will post more later as I get them compiled)(1-17-2002)

#68 News: TWC Motorsport Ltd. confirmed today that driver Anthony Lazzaro will not be with the team for the 2002 Winston Cup Series, opting instead for a full time ride in the IRL series. Team Owner Tom Coleman stated that he and Lazzaro had discussed the upcoming season and had mutually agreed that it was in Lazzaro's best interest for him to pursue his opportunities in the IRL. Coleman also stated that Lazzaro is a talented driver and wishes him nothing but the best with his new team. TWC Motorsport Ltd. is actively talking to a number of drivers to pilot their #68 Chevy in the 2002 season. The team has yet to land primary sponsorship for the 15-event schedule it intends to run this year; however, Coleman is confident a marketing partner will emerge from the myriad of contacts that will be able to take advantage of the opportunities TWC Motorsport Ltd. offers. The team continues moving forward with its research and development program having just returned from a very encouraging wind tunnel test at Langley Air Force Base. "From a technical standpoint, our team is ready to compete," Coleman said. When everything is all worked out with sponsorship and driver, we will have top-flight equipment on the track." The team is looking forward to a March 3rd Las Vegas premiere.(TWC Motorsport Ltd PR)(1-17-2002)

No Brack at the Daytona 500? Kenny Brack’s testing session this week at Daytona is apparently as close as the CART star is going to get to running in this year’s Daytona 500 according to team owner Chip Ganassi. Ganassi said that it appears that the funding will not allow him to run in the Feb. 17 race. "I think the point there is that the business is tightening up and we had high hopes of finding the money for that but it doesn’t seem to be coming," Ganassi said Thursday. "I don’t foresee that happening and it’s too bad because we thought Daytona was a place where he might do well." The team’s managing director Mike Hull said Thursday that all hope had not been lost for the Brack Daytona effort, but that it indeed all depends on the financing that Ganassi said is unlikely to appear(SpeedChannel/SpeedVision)(1-17-2002)

Kmart in trouble? getting much email about Kmart's financial woes and wondering how it will affect the sponsorship of the #26 and #66 Hass Carter Motorsports teams. Have NOT heard a thing about Kmart leaving now or in the near future, their contract with Hass Carter runs thru 2002. See Yahoo Biz for a story about Kmart: Kmart Shares at 36-Year Low; and see an image of the the #26 and #66 cars on the Paint Schemes Gallery for the image(1-17-2002)

Park Comments: Steve Park comments from the Steve Park Site - "Now for some of the rumors, this is what has been happening the past few days. I have been cleared by Dr. Buckley at Duke University. My vision is 95% and with glasses, yes glasses, it is 100%. Since the vision is cleared up, I went to Lowe's Motor Speedway and tested in several types of cars thanks to Humpy Wheeler and his staff. Paul Andrews was there along with Dr. Jerry Petty from Carolina's Medical Center. The testing went very well. There was no vertigo, no problems with depth perception, no g-force loading or unloading. I have to say it was good to be in a race car again. I look forward to getting back in the Pennzoil car and testing in a week or two. Our goal is to go to Daytona, but if we don't make that race, it will be shortly thereafter."(1-17-2002)

Rudd Feeling Fine: Ricky Rudd says he feels 100%, however is following doctors orders to stay off the racetrack as much as he can before the season gets cranked up and hopefully he'll never have a recurrence of that injury. Rudd is giving his back time to heal so he can be back in the car for Daytona. The Havoline Taurus driver says he has only a half-inch scar where doctors made a small incision to insert fiber-optics to repair the damage. Rudd says he walked into the hospital hurting and four hours later he walked out not hurting, other than some muscle tightness...and that "I actually could have gotten in a race car that afternoon if he had to...I felt that good...much, much better".(PRN's Garage Pass)(1-17-2002)

NASCAR Chooses a Black Box: The Witness, a black box made by a Salt Lake City company, was selected by NASCAR to record all crash data this season as the sport continues its push for improved safety measures. Independent Witness Inc. will provide the incident data recorders, commonly referred to as black boxes, that will be installed in all cars competing in NASCAR-sanctioned events. The model selected is called "The Witness" and it is intended to help officials understand what happens during a wreck.(That's Racin'/AP)(1-17-2002)

Wendell Scott honored: The family of the late Wendell Scott was honored last week at a banquet hosted by the Association of Minorities in Motorsports. Scott is the only black driver to win a race in NASCAR's top series. Two years ago he was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame. The Association of Minorities in Motorports is a Greensboro, S.C.–based group that promotes minority participation in racing by encouraging entrepreneurial, educational and other opportunities for minority communities. Proceeds from the Scott banquet go toward the group's mobile museum project.(Tennessean)(1-17-2002)

Safety Update: NASCAR's new research and development operation, which grew out of safety concerns raised by crashes in which four of its drivers have been killed over the past two seasons, has already outgrown its original home in Conover, NC. The operation, being led by former Winston Cup series director Gary Nelson who now is NASCAR's managing director of competition, will move this year to a larger building near the Concord Regional Airport. The Concord facility, which NASCAR is under contract to purchase, began as a shop for a new Winston Cup operation that never got off the ground. NASCAR also has an agreement to buy several acres of land surrounding the facility for expansion. Safety issues were the primary topic as Pyne, Nelson and other senior officials from stock-car racing's sanctioning body met with reporters on the UAW-GM Motorsports Media Tour hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway on Wednesday. Pyne said NASCAR has hired a full-time crash investigator and established a process for investigating on-track incidents. Vehicles racing in NASCAR's top three national series, the Winston Cup, Grand National and Truck series, must carry crash data recorders this year. A medical board has also been appointed to draw up standards for medical facilities at tracks where NASCAR's national touring series compete. Three medical liaisons have been hired to see that these standards are being met as well as to coordinate care along with local medical personnel hired by the tracks in the event drivers are injured. NASCAR has approved the use of a new driver's seat developed by PPI Motorsports that incorporates composite materials to make the seat stronger, and is working along with other seat companies to develop stronger seats made of aluminum. Studies of the restraint systems used in NASCAR race vehicles continue, and Pyne said it is "highly likely" that more rules modifications in that area will be forthcoming early in the 2002 season. John Darby, the former competition director in the Grand National series, has replaced Nelson in that role for the Winston Cup series, allowing Nelson more time to work on issues regarding safety and competition through the new R&D operation. Once the Concord facility is open, it will have its own machine shop as well as the capability to do tests on full-size and scale model cars and on computer simulations. NASCAR also is continuing work on energy-absorbing materials for walls and on developing design and construction elements for race vehicles to make them safer, Pyne and Nelson said. A test of an energy-absorbing barrier is set for Friday, in fact, and safety expert Dr. John Melvin met with Winston Cup drivers testing in Daytona on Tuesday to provide them with updates on the latest developments in the area of safety.(That's Racin')(1-17-2002)

Some Yarn in the Wind: While other members of the Bam Racing [#49] team were hammering and turning wrenches on Shawna Robinson's Dodge, crew chief Eddie Sharp was finishing equally-important work with a ball of yarn. As the team thrashed to find every ounce of speed from the car during a three-day test session at the Daytona International Speedway, Sharp was hoping his ball of yarn would provide valuable answers. He cut the yarn into small pieces then he attached them all around the bottom of the car. The car was equipped with cameras under the car and the hope was they would catch the way the yarn flapped in the air as Robinson drove 181 mph around the track. "Sometimes you can see how the air is moving under the car and what you need to do to make it better," Sharp said. "Right now, this is the easiest way."(Augusta Chronicle)(1-17-2002)

Thursday AM Speeds - Mikey fastest again: #15-Michael Waltrip was the fastest Thursday morning with a speed of 183.255mph, #25-Jerry Nadeau was 2nd fastest at 183.139 with #7-Casey Atwood 3rd in a Dodge at 183.113. Fastest Pontiac was #10-Johnny Benson who was 6th fastest at 182.135. Fastest Ford was #28-Andy Hillenburg who was 18th fastest at 181.196.
See my 2002 Daytona 500 Testing Session 2 page for speeds of the week or ThatsRacin.com for this morning speed list)(1-17-2002)

(1-16-2002)

Tide and Craven extend with PPI: Tide and PPI Motorsports jointly announced today they have renewed Tide's primary sponsorship of the #32 Tide Ford in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series through 2004. In conjunction, PPI Motorsports has also extended its contract with Ricky Craven to drive the #32 Tide Ford through 2004. Having just concluded its second year in Winston Cup competition, the PPI Motorsports Tide Racing program has earned its first win (57 starts), its first pole (53 starts), four top fives and eight top tens. The team's first win also marked the first career victory for Craven, who finished the 2001 season ranked 21st in points and was named "Comeback Driver of the Year" by The Sporting News.(PPI Motorsports PR)(1-16-2002)

#14 Changes? UPDATE: hearing that #14 A.J. Foyt Racing Team/General Manager Tommy LaMance and the team have parted ways(1-15-2002)
UPDATE: Effective immediately, Tommy LaMance has left his team manager post at A.J. Foyt Racing to pursue other opportunities in the sport.(Foyt Racing PR/ignition, inc.)(1-16-2002)

Melling testing but needs sponsor for the 500 UPDATE sponsor for the Daytona 500: Mark Melling, owner of the #92 Melling Racing team since the death of his father, Harry, in 1999, said Monday that the team is in Daytona with driver Robert Pressley for what could be a make-or-break series of test sessions through Wednesday. With no major sponsorship secured and a race shop that has been trimmed back to just four employees, Melling hopes to show perspective sponsors that Melling has a car worth backing on race day. Melling said that it could take as much as a top-10 showing in practice for the week for it to be worth the time, energy and money needed to put together a one-race deal for Daytona. Pressley will be driving the same Dodge Intrepid this week that Stacy Compton qualified on the outside front row and finished 10th with last February at Daytona. Melling is running his Daytona hopes on a shoestring, an "ultra-budget, budget program," he said. Regardless of his car's showing this week, he's still going to need some sponsorship help to run the 500. Melling said that he's unable to justify pulling money out of the family business to run a race car in these challenging economic times. Regardless of whether or not Melling can pull together an 11th-hour one-race deal for Daytona, the long-range future of the racing team that has fielded a car in the Daytona 500 annually since 1982, is still uncertain at best. Should the Melling Racing Winston Cup effort dissolve, don't look for Melling to try to become a major player in a lesser racing series such as the BGN or the CTS.(Michigan Live)(1-16-2002)
UPDATE: Mark Melling, confirmed today his team's plans to compete in the 2002 Daytona 500, with sponsorship coming from BrandSource. This marks the 21st year of competition in the famed race for Melling Racing, and the first year of competition for sponsor BrandSource, a buying group of home appliance, electronics and furniture stores. "We are thrilled to be part of NASCAR, and to team with Mark Melling and Melling Racing" said Bob Lawrence, Executive Director of BrandSource. "Mark and his team have a long history of success and being tough competitors. This is just like our BrandSource stores. We have been in business for a long time, and compete everyday in the tough appliance, electronics and furniture business. We look forward to a very long relationship with Mark and the Melling Racing team." Melling has also come to terms with veteran NASCAR driver, Robert Pressley, to drive the #92 BrandSource Dodge, with engine support coming from Ernie Elliott Engines, Inc. Associate sponsors Cabela's outfitters, Craftsman tools, Dodge, Duck Head Footwear, Freightliner trucks, Wix filters, and Worldcom telecommunications will be part of the Melling team in 2002 as well.(Melling Racing PR)(1-16-2002)

Mayfield fastest Wed: #19-Jeremy Mayfield was the fastest in Wednesday's test session with a lap of 183.221mph. Rounding out the top-five fastest drivers were #15-Michael Waltrip at 183.102, #7-Casey Atwood at 183.091, #33-Mike Wallace at 182.678 and #29-Kevin Harvick with a speed of 182.338. See my 2002 Daytona 500 Testing Session 2 page for speeds(1-16-2002)

New #77 Assoc Sponsor: Liberty Life Insurance, based in Greenville, SC, will serve as an associate sponsor for the Mooresville, N.C.-based #77 Jasper Motorsports Ford team of Winston Cup driver Dave Blaney this season. Jasper Engines is the team's major sponsor. Liberty Life is supporting the team's racing program through its RBC term insurance. Company vice president Nancy Olson said the program is designed to introduce the term life program to new customers. "The racing enthusiasts are a very loyal customer base," Olson said. "It's very much the same target market that is attracted to our product." The company also will be the title sponsor of the Feb. 23 BGN race at North Carolina Speedway. The race has been named the 1-866RBCTerm.com 200.(Greenville News)(1-16-2002)

Andretti wins charity race: John Andretti won a 15-lap race for charity at New Smyrna Speedway that featured fellow Winston Cup drivers Kyle Petty, Hut Stricklin and Casey Atwood. The "Race For Kids Sake" was ran to help support Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Volusia County. Atwood won last year's event.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(1-16-2002)

Women in Racing: Seven-time Indianapolis 500 starter Lyn St. James hosted a panel discussion on Diversity in Motorsports. Also taking part in the discussion were: Kimberly Miller, Media Relations Coordinator for the Indy Racing League; Lowe’s Motor Speedway President and General Manager H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler; Dr. Jaques Dallaire of Human Performance International; and Indy Racing League and Championship Auto Racing Teams team owner Derrick Walker, who fields IRL cars for Sarah Fisher. The topic was creating opportunities for female drivers.(LMS Site)(1-16-2002)

Safety Meeting #2: NASCAR held a safety update meeting with Winston Cup competitors Tuesday morning before the start of test runs. Dr. John Melvin, a leading bio-medical engineer, gave drivers and crew chiefs updates in various areas of safety.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(1-16-2002)

Marlin and Martin at the track: Sterling Marlin and Mark Martin, who tested here last week, were seen patrolling the garage area Tuesday. Marlin, who drives for Ganassi Racing, is shooting a television commercial at the track. Martin came over to say hi to Roush Racing teammates Matt Kenseth and Jeff Burton.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(1-16-2002)

(1-15-2002)

Daytona to name 'something' for Earnhardt UPDATE: Daytona International Speedway is going name something after Dale [Earnhardt] -- they just aren't saying what it will be. It's already been decided and it has the blessings of the Earnhardt family, as well. "After considerable input from fans and competitors, and with the support of the Earnhardt family, we have chosen a special way to celebrate the life and legend of Dale Earnhardt. It is our intention to make the announcement regarding our tribute during Speedweeks 2002." David Talley, Director Corporate Communications, ISC(NASCAR.com)(12-16-2001)
UPDATE: Rumor has it Daytona International Speedway may be planning to remember the late Dale Earnhardt with some type of permanent memorial -- perhaps a statue -- before this year's Daytona 500. The permanent display was said to be, according to a source, "something all fans would have access to." The official word is expected sometime next week with the ceremony possibly taking place the week leading up to the Feb. 17 race. Earnhardt is the winningest driver at Daytona, with more than 30 trips to Victory Lane when you add up wins in Winston Cup, Busch, Shootout and IROC events.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(1-15-2002)

Blast from the past: hearing the old #47 Billy Standridge/Jayski/Competitive Motorsports Tbird (from 1997-1998) is going to make several appearances, starting with the Winston Preview this Saturday at the Competitive Motorsports booth [NASCAR Calanders] and they plan to take the car to Daytona for two weeks to display with their NASCAR calendars on for sale. Billy left the sport a few years ago after running his independent team(1-15-2002)

Kerry to test at Daytona UPDATE 4 and run some Cup races: Kerry Earnhardt will test the Dale Earnhardt Inc. No. 8 Chevy during next week's Winston Cup session.(Daytona Beach News Journal)
UPDATE: actually being told the car will be #81 and is just a test, not to be run in the Daytona 500 - that is all I know or have heard(1-10-2002)
UPDATE 2: The car will be #81 and be used as a baseline -- or something off which one can bounce ideas, in this case, Michael Waltrip -- when DEI comes back here for tests next week. #8-Earnhardt Jr's team was able to work with #1-K. Wallace's team earlier this week, but Waltrip would not have had available help. It'll help Michael, Little E and Kenny. Also hearing other two-car teams are also bringing back baseline cars that were in the first test using different numbers(1-12-2002)
UPDATE 3: CNN/SI's NASCAR Plus show reported that Kerry Earnhardt will run 4-5 Winston Cup races early in the season. Running the #81 DEI Chevy (no sponsor mentioned). When Steve Park is ready to return (between Texas and Daytona in July) to the #1 Pennzoil Chevy, Kenny Wallace will drive the #81 which will have gained owners points in case provisionals are needed.(CNN/SI's NASCAR Plus)(1-14-2002)
UPDATE 4: Kerry Earnhardt, oldest son of the late Dale Earnhardt, is testing the #81 Chevy for Dale Earnhardt Inc. this week at Daytona in hopes of running a few Winston Cup races this season in addition to his BGN schedule. Earnhardt is using a speedway car from the Steve Park team to test this week. "We're just down here trying to get some seat time for me and help my guys learn a little bit in aero stuff," he said. "If I'm ready, if I'm comfortable (I'll so do some Cup races). There're no plans, but if things go smoothly, we have the potential to do that."(That's Racin')(1-15-2002)

TRAC News and drivers wanted: Leading Designer of Sports Specific Marks and Logos to Work With TRAC As New League Sets Its Eyes on Attracting Broader Fan Base. Also with the season set to begin in a little over a year, TRAC has begun the search for qualified drivers to compete in the new motorsports league's inaugural year. TRAC has been researching drivers from other series, and has compiled an extensive list, however TRAC is interested in all potential candidates, and invites any potential drivers to contact us. For more info see their site www.traczone.com. All applications must be received by April 1, 2002 in order to be considered eligible.(1-15-2002)

Rudd will NOT test at Daytona UPDATE 3: PRN's Garage Pass radio show reports that Ricky Rudd will not test the #28 Havoline Ford next week at Daytona. Andy Hillenburg will test the car for Robert Yates Racing(1-7-2002)
UPDATE: Ricky Rudd, who had a back operation several weeks ago, may miss next week's Winston Cup test session. Rudd is supposed to meet with his doctor later this week. If his doctor clears him to drive, he will participate. If not, Andy Hillenburg will sub for Rudd during the test session.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(1-9-2002)
UPDATE 2: Robert Yates, owner of Ricky Rudd's #28 Fords, said Wednesday that Rudd will not participate in next week's preseason test at Daytona. Driver Andy Hillenburg will work with Rudd's team instead. Rudd had back surgery in the off-season and is still recovering. Yates said Rudd's team may test at another track this month, but Rudd will not participate in any testing prior to arriving in Daytona next month for Speedweeks.(That's Racin')(1-9-2002)
UPDATE 3: Ricky Rudd arrived for the start of Monday's testing [at Daytona], but he's here to observe and not drive. Because Rudd is still healing from a recent back surgery, Andy Hillenburg is driving the #28 Yates Racing Ford. Rudd will take the wheel when Speed Weeks starts next month.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(1-15-2002)

Hutchens promoted: Richard Childress has reorganized his three-team Winston Cup operation for this season, and Bobby Hutchens, the company's chief engineer and general manager [and of the Hutchens device], has taken on another role, as team manager for all three Cup teams(Winston Salem Journal)(1-15-2002)

24 Hours - Been asked...here ya go: SpeedChannel, formerly SpeedVision, will air the Rolex 24-Hours of Daytona live starting February 2 and at various times that weekend.(RacingOne)(1-15-2002)

Aero Changes before the 500? Only half of Winston Cup teams have tested under the new rules at Daytona, but there is already talk that those rules will change before Speedweeks next month. "You couldn't bump draft, you couldn't get to people," Kenny Wallace said Monday. "They will change the rules again, I'm pretty positive. But what they will do is up to them." NASCAR officials decided after the EA Sports 500 at Talladega in October to do away with a set of aerodynamic rules that increased the effects of the draft, keeping cars tightly bunched during racing conditions there and at Daytona. Tghose are the two tracks where carburetor restrictor plates are used. Teams testing at Daytona last week used plates with seven-eighths of an inch openings, which kept top speeds in the draft under 185 mph - significantly slower than what was seen under last year's rules. "All of us drivers are unsure about what everybody wants," Wallace said. "Everybody wanted exciting racing, so we gave them three- and four-wide racing with photo finishes. That was too competitive and we were wrecking too much. Now we're back to the rules that people complained were too boring. I know what everybody wants to accomplish," he said. "Everybody wants perfect racing. I don't think you can do it."(That's Racin')(1-15-2002)

(1-14-2002)

Park to test at Charlotte: CNN/SI's NASCAR Plus show reported on Monday's show that Steve Park, injured in a BGN accident at Darlington, will test a roadster at Lowes Motor Speedway to see how his progess is going. Park's return could return anywhere between Texas and Daytona in July(1-14-2002)

TV Guide Special NASCAR Issue: After NASCAR's spectacular ascension into the forefront of mainstream sports and television in 2001, TV Guide is celebrating the upcoming season with its first-ever, sports-oriented, stand-alone publication, TV Guide NASCAR 2002. Hitting newsstands January 21, the full-size publication (as opposed to TV Guide's customary digest size) is a comprehensive preview of the upcoming 2002 season. Targeted at the millions of NASCAR faithful, it also serves as the perfect primer for the many recent NASCAR converts. TV Guide NASCAR 2002 features four different collectible covers, one each featuring Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart. Each issue also includes a full-size poster of either Dale Earnhardt or Jeff Gordon. Each of these issues will be evenly distributed throughout the country. The magazine has a newsstand price of $4.95. The 96-page, full-color magazine provides an exciting look at the season to come, with several features contributed by an array of renowned NASCAR journalists, including David Poole, Monte Dutton, Mike Hembree and Jim McLaurin (and even Jayski).
Among the highlights:
2002 Viewers Guide: TV Guide predicts the top 25 finishers and provides driver info and stats, schedules as well as lineup and track information - everything needed for NASCAR faithful, or those new to the sport, to enjoy the year.
The Moment that Changed Everything: A look at how fans, media, drivers and NASCAR itself have reacted in the year since the death of Dale Earnhardt.
2001 - The Year in Pictures: A look back at the 2001 season with some of the most memorable photos of the year.
The Top 10 to Watch: TV Guide breaks down the top races of 2002.(TV Guide PR)(1-14-2002)

Body Dynamics Paint and Mechandising: Body Dynamics Racing Bodies, Inc. is proud to announce that they have re-signed their product sponsorship with Sherwin-Williams Automotive Paints for the 2002 race season. This season they will be working with Sherwin-Williams to possible conduct how-to-paint seminars and the proper way to apply Sherwin-Williams Automotive painting products at the Body Dynamics location dates and time TBD. AND Body Dynamics Racing Bodies, Inc. announced their association with a new merchandising sponsor, The Disanto Group, which will be handling all the merchandising, marketing and fulfillment of the America's Most Wanted /Body Dynamics Racing apparel for the 2002-2003-race seasons. The apparel will be made available at the first part of the season and will include everything from high-end leather Jackets to trinkets like key chains and such, which will all carry the AMW's logos. In addition AMW and BDR is preparing to make an announcement on whose car the AMW/BDR sponsorship program will land for the 2002 season as well. For more information check them out at www.disantogroup.com.(BDRB PR)(1-14-2002)

Hermie Sadler to test at Daytona: #13(or is it #02?)-Hermie Sadler will attempt to fulfill another childhood dream as his team embarks upon a three-day test session in Daytona this week. Sadler, who competed in three Winston Cup races in 2001, is looking forward to the Daytona 500 and the 2002 season. Sadler recently named Jeff Buckner as crew chief for his team and has re-uniting with Bobby King, who will serve as the teams car chief. King was Sadler's crew chief when he entered the Busch Series in 1993. In addition to the hiring of King, Sadler has acquired the services of Steve Crowe. Crowe joined the team last season on a part-time basis and was the understudy to Jim Long. "When Jim Long and Steve came on board last year to help us out, it became apparent to me that Steve Crowe is one of the brightest minds I had ever worked with", stated Sadler. "It was very important for me to get someone like Steve to join our team. He has a great deal of chassis and aerodynamic knowledge. He was a tremendous help to us last year and he fits in well with the other guys on my team." Although Sadler has not officially announced his plans for 2002, he plans to run at least ten Winston Cup races and up to five BGN races.. He is finalizing his sponsorship plans and should be ready to announce everything in February. "The Daytona 500 is the biggest race of the year and we feel confident sponsorship opportunities will begin to open up as we have productive test sessions.. We have several programs finalized but we're still working on sponsorship for the season opener. The test this week will show us where we rank among many of the top teams. Obviously if we have a good test more sponsorship opportunities could come available. To be a part time team, we are very deep and talented. I feel like we'll surprise some people this year"(Hermie Sadler Enterprises PR)(1-14-2002)

McReynolds Workshop: FOX TV Personality and former NASCAR Winston Cup crew chief Larry McReynolds headlines Racer’s Workshop in the West, including Las Vegas January 19 and 20, 2002. McReynolds joins other speakers to give his insights on pre-race racecar set-up, track tuning, team organization, shocks, sponsor-hunting, making more power, spotting during a race, and other topics. As stock-car racing grows in popularity as an all-American sport, McReynolds emphasizes the importance of team structure and management. “Team management is half the battle,” said McReynolds. “Sure, it’s about shocks and set-up, but more importantly, it’s about people. The drivers got a lot of information about how to handle his crew members and be a part of a team,” said Livermore workshop participant and Finishline Racing Equipment owner Chris Carli. “I liked Larry’s comments about communication and being open-minded.” Former NASCAR Winston West driver Larry J. Pryor organized the Racer Workshops last year in response to the need for educational forums for entry-level and serious racers and mechanics. “I had attended and organized many seminars and workshops in the emergency medical services field in which I worked,” said Pryor, a former paramedic and emergency medical services owner. “I felt a need for them in racing as well.”(Racer’s Workshop PR), see info on more Seminars, Racing Schools, Colleges/Training on my Racing Schools/Jobs page(1-14-2002)

Jeff Gordon wins award: Jeff Gordon has become only the third driver in history to win the Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy for a third time. He joins Mario Andretti and John Force as the only drivers named three times as the top driver of the year by the American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) since the Auto Racing All-America Team was started in 1970. Gordon was presented the Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy at the annual Auto Racing All-America awards banquet Saturday, January 12. The award goes to the driver who polls the highest number of votes on the All-America Team selected by the AARWBA membership. The overall voting was close, with just four votes covering the results for the top three drivers. The voting was not this close since 1976, when the top three were spread by only seven votes. On the heels of his fourth NASCAR Winston Cup championship, Gordon dominated the Stock Car category in the voting and was elected First Team for his eighth time. He also was the Titus winner in 1995 and 1998. Behind him, series runner-up Tony Stewart and Rookie of the Year Kevin Harvick received an identical vote tally to create a 13-driver First Team for only the third time in the 32-year history of the All America Team. Other First Team drivers honored at the banquet were Kenny Bernstein and John Force in Drag Racing; Sam Hornish Jr. and Gil de Ferran in Open Wheel; Paul Gentilozzi and James Weaver in Road Racing; Danny Lasoski and Dave Darland in Short Track; Townsend Bell and Rob MacCachren in At Large. Special awards at the banquet were presented to land speed record-holder Craig Breedlove and auto racing innovator Andy Granatelli, both named to AARWBA's Legends in Racing Hall of Fame. The late J.C. Agajanian's family was saluted as "Pioneers" in Racing for their contributions to the sport over many years. Danica Patrick was presented with the Gorsline Award and scholarship for up-and-coming racing drivers. The Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy honors the late motor sports journalist and racing driver, Jerry Titus, who was killed at Road America in 1970. Perhaps the single most unusual trophy in sports, the Titus Trophy consists of the driver's own helmet and portable typewriter mounted in a huge walnut base. Plaques are added to the award each year to recognize the winners. The final vote for the Titus, the closest vote since 1976, was Gordon 89, Bernstein 87, Force 85.(AARWBA PR)(1-14-2002)

Labonte and Cheez-It: #5 Terry Labonte will run a Cheez-It/Kelloggs scheme at Las Vegas and the Coca Cola 600. See the Paint Schemes Gallery for the image(1-14-2002)

Steele to skip the Daytona 500: Former ARCA Champion Tim Steele has decided not to try and make the field for the upcoming Daytona 500. Steele, who will attempt to make a few NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch races in addition to 11 ARCA events in 2002, said pulling things together in time for Daytona just couldn’t be done.(RacingOne)(1-14-2002)

Texas Tire Testing: hearing the #40 Coors Lite team and driver Sterling Marlin will be doing a Goodyear tire test at Texas Motor Speedway on January 29th and 30th(1-14-2002)

Wallace Mechaic to make a Dash: Chuck Gafrarar has made plenty of trips to Daytona International Speedway as a mechanic on the #2 Miller Lite Ford driven by Rusty Wallace in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. On Saturday during the first day of a two-day NASCAR Goody's Dash Series test session in preparation for the Feb. 9 Daytona USA 150, Gafrarar wasn't a crew member anymore. This time, he was driving a Pontiac Sunfire for Randy Humphrey Motorsports. Gafrarar posted the second fastest speed of the day with a lap of 161.293mph. As a fabricator at Penske Racing, the 31-year-old Gafrarar, a native of Lancaster, PA, works on the bodies Wallace's #2 Ford making them as aerodynamically sound as possible. But during his spare time, he has been pursuing a career as a race car driver. Gafrarar, who doesn't travel too often with Wallace's Winston Cup team, will make a run at NASCAR Goody's Dash Series Rookie of the Year honors this season. During the Feb. 9 DAYTONA USA 150 NASCAR Goody's Dash Series season opener, Wallace will be on the radio serving as a coach to Gafrarar.(DIS PR)(1-14-2002)

Gerhart to run the Daytona 500: ARCA veteran Bobby Gerhart will run the ARCA race, and is planning to enter either the Winston Cup or BGN races at Daytona. And the ARCAfan site is reporting that engine-builder Dan Begle has completed a Winston Cup engine for Bobby Gerhart to run in the Daytona 500(ARCA Fans site)(1-14-2002)

TV News: Fox Sports Net and Motor Sports Weekly have reached an agreement to air thirty-five original one-hour episodes in 2002. Motor Sports Weekly will join the lineup of shows on Fox Sports Net in 2002. Along with this move, the show will also expand from its current 30 minutes to a full hour. Beginning on March 6, 2002, Motor Sports Weekly will air nationwide on Wednesday afternoons from 3-4 p.m. local time. (Check local listings). Fox Sports Net is the first truly national, regional and local sports network. Through its network of 21 regional sports channels, FSN reaches more than 78 million U. S. households. Many of Motor Sports Weekly's popular features, including Behind Pit Wall, Inside Track, and Crashed, Trashed and Smashed will return next season along with several new segments, including a regular weekly feature that turns the spotlight on the growing compact and import racing scene in America.(Motor Sports Weekly PR)(1-14-2002)

(1-13-2002)

see the Jan 7-13, 2002 Archived News Page

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