MBNA America 500 the race is over, the winner at Atlanta Motor Speedway is #20-Stewart wins his 13th career Cup race, his first in 2002 and his first ever 500 mile race, his 12 other wins were 400 miles or shorter.(thanks Mike of WLLR). It was also Pontiac's 150th Winston Cup win. The Top ten finishers (unofficial):
1) #20-Stewart (123 laps led)
2) #8-Earnhardt Jr (38 laps led)
3) #48-Johnson
4) #17-Kenseth (46 laps led)
5) #32-Craven
6) #2-Wallace
7) #22-Burton (20 laps led)
8) #6-Martin
9) #40-Marlin
10) #12-Newman (15 laps led)
7 cautions for 37 laps
DNF's/out of race (8): #23-Stricklin(engine); #71-Trickle (accident); #30-Green(engine); #15-Waltrip(engine); #29-Harvick(engine); #11-Bodine(engine); #9-Elliott(accident); #43-Andretti(accident);
16 (of 43) cars were on the lead lap. Lap Leaders (8 leaders, 34 lead changes - new record for a spring race): #12-Newman; #97-Busch; #20-Stewart; #8-Earmhardt Jr; #77-Blaney; #17-Kenseth; #45-Petty; #22-Burton;
Pole sitter, #9-Elliott out/accident 35th.
2002 Points Leader: #40-Marlin was 9th
2001 Champ: #24-Gordon was16th. Rookies:
#12-Newman - 10th
#48-Johnson - 3rd
#49-Robinson - 34th Caution 1: Lap 77 - trash bag on track;
Around lap 138 while green flag pitstops were being done, #41-Spencer came out of his pitstall as #18-Labonte was starting to enter his, causing Labonte to spin ending up backwards in his stall against the pitwall, a Winston Cup official and crew member were able to fall back over the wall and not get hit by Labonte's car, both are ok. Labonte did a nifty 180 degree spin and got back into his pitstall correctly. #41-Spencer's Dodge was damaged on the right front and came back in to get sheet metal pulled out, also NASCAR has told the #41 team that the owners, crew chief and driver are required to come to the NASCAR trailer at the end of the race. Caution 2: on lap 185, #71-Dick Trickle got loose and lost control and hit the wall head on. Trickle got out of the car and walked away under his won power, also noticed he had a full face helmet on (he used to wear a open faced helmet. Just before the caution, #18-Labonte went to the garage when his engine broke, he damaged it when he over revved it during the pit road incident with. #41-Spencer. Caution 3: lap 207. #30-Jeff Green lost an engine and got oil on the track. #15-Waltrip also lost an engine around the same time. Caution 4: lap 213, side window of the #11 Hooters Ford fell out just as the green flag came out. #18-Labonte is going back on the track with 7 cylinders and will run if he can get up to minimum speed. Caution 5: lap 258, fluid on the track when #29-Harvick lost an engine and #22-Burton and #43-Andretti got together. Caution 6: lap 280, #11-Bodine lost an engine. Caution 7: lap 290, #10-Benson and #43-Andretti got together, spinning Benson around, came back accross the track, collecting #9-Elliott. #25-Nadeau also got some damage to the front end. Some Penalties Assessed during the race - stop-and-go's: #1-Wallace, catch can left in the car; #4-Kodak and #30-Green, speeding pitroad; #29-Harvick, loose lugnet, #36-Schrader held 15 seconds for pitting outside his pit box.
See Results at ThatsRacin.com or NASCAR.com. See Unofficial standings at ThatsRacin.com and ThatsRacin.com for a column: Stewart holds off Earnhardt Jr., wins and see my Race Results page for each race results, lineups, etc.(3-10-2002)
Shock Stuff: A shock absorber from four cars were displayed for a representative of each team Saturday. A NASCAR official tore down each shock to show it was legal.(AP)(3-10-2002)
#17 engine change? UPDATE yes and the #29? no: it was reported on the FSN's Totally NASCAR that the #17-Matt Kenseth team may have to change an engine after qualifying which means Kenseth would have to fall to the back of the field before the start of the MBNA America 500 on Sunday. So far only one driver has had to do so, #97-Kurt Busch at Rockingham.(3-8-2002) UPDATE: during Happy Hour coverage on FX, it was reported by Matt Yocum that the #17-Kenseth team did change an engine and will have to fall to the rear of the field at the start of the race. ALSO, the #29-Kevin Harvick Chevy may have an engine problem (vibration), the team will change gears and a draveshaft and it the problem does not go away, they may change engines, Harvick is scheduled to start 8th. Larry McReynolds mentioned that a few other teams may change engines anyway and go to the back of the field as it doesn't seem to matter where a driver starts, there is plenty time to get to the front.(3-9-2002) UPDATE on the #29- the vibration went away after the rear end gear/drive shaft change so the team will not change engines.(FX Coverage)(3-9-2002) UPDATE 2: #71-Dick Trickle's Marcis Racing team changed engines after qualifying, but didn't have to fall back as Trickle was already starting 43rd.(3-10-2002)
Harvick goes Sonic: Reigning BGN Champ Kevin Harvick, Richard Childress Racing and Sonic announced plans to enter the #29 Sonic Chevrolet in the BGN race at Texas Motor Speedway. The April 6 event marks the first race Harvick will run in the series since clinching the championship title in 2001. The #29 Sonic Chevrolet will be red and black and feature the Sonic logo on the hood and rear quarter panel. The deck lid will feature
signature Sonic favorites- Cheese Coney, Tater Tots and Cherry Limeade. Sonic is giving four fans the chance to compete in a go-kart race against Harvick at SpeedZone in Dallas. To win, fans need to stop by a participating Sonic location in Dallas/Ft. Worth and enter the
drawing. Sonic, which specializes in made-to-order fast food, is known for its specialty menu items and personal Carhop service. Popular menu items include Toaster Sandwiches (Chicken Club and Bacon Cheddar Burger on this Texas Toast), Extra-Long Cheese Coneys (hot dogs with chili and cheese), hamburgers, fresh-made Onion Rings, Tater Tots (hmm...a Jayski fave - love Sonic - need one in NJ) and a variety of Frozen Fountain Favorites(tm) such as Cream Pie Shakes and Cherry Limades.(Three Wide Marketing PR). See my Paint Schemes Gallery for four images of the car.(3-10-2002)
(3-9-2002)
2003 Pontiac?
a few readers sent this and other images, supposedly a 2003 Pontiac
and from Autoweek
Photo Illustration by Steve Williams in Autoweek
Haas Carter Motorsports to shutdown? #26/66 team owner Travis Carter could close shop Monday, putting another driver, Joe Nemechek, into the Winston Cup unemployment pool. Todd Bodine, Mike Wallace, Kevin Lepage and Derrike Cope already are among the drivers seeking full-time rides. Bodine currently is talking with the [#92] Herzog-Jackson Motorsports BGN team. He probably will secure the ride when an announcement is made Monday. "Absolutely nothing this team did put themselves in this position," Bodine said. "We all did our jobs. . . . Yeah, we probably could have done them better, but the performance has nothing to do with us not having a sponsor. Who would ever figure a corporation the size of Kmart would go bankrupt?" Carter is one of the most likable owners in the garage, a grass-roots guy who built a team from nothing and found a way to become competitive. Cutting people has been tough on the owner and is something he prefers not to talk about at all. He says he will know Monday the future of Nemechek's group, but team members said the outlook isn't good. "It about killed Travis to do it," Bodine said of the layoffs. "He's such a good person and cares so much about the people that work for him. It's hurt him more to have these people not have jobs knowing they have families to support than it means to him to not have a race team. That's just the kind of person Travis is."(Richmond Times Dispatch)(3-9-2001)
Donleavy/Hill Bros drop case: Winston Cup team [#90] owner Junie Donlavey and Hills Brothers Coffee have called off legal action against one another. Donlavey verbally sparred with the company after it announced last fall it would leave his team. Donlavey replaced driver Hut Stricklin with Rick Mast, and the sponsor withdrew its support, bringing a lawsuit from Donlavey. The company later moved to Bill Davis Racing [#23] with Stricklin. (Richmond Times Dispatch)(3-9-2001)
Ladies set record at Atlanta: #49-Shawna Robinson qualified 31st in the Winston Cup event, and two women won starting spots in the ARCA race. Tina Gordon will start 10th today, and Sunny Hobbs 19th. Three women racing stock cars on the same weekend sets an AMS record.(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(3-9-2002)
(3-8-2002)
Hooters on the #11? UPDATE 2 more races, two cars?: hearing from some readers that it was reported on a local Atlanta sports talk radio, 790 AM The Zone, that during an interview with Cup driver/owner #11 Brett Bodine, that he will have Hooters Restaurants as his sponsor at Atlanta in a one race deal.(3-8-2002) UPDATE: -- While Hooters restaurants owner Robert Brooks ponders future long-term involvement in NASCAR Winston Cup racing, he has reached a temporary sponsorship agreement with team owner-driver Brett Bodine for Sunday's MBNA 500. Bodine's #11-Ford will carry Hooters colors for the Atlanta Motor Speedway event. Bodine has been struggling to keep his team afloat because of sponsorship difficulties. Bodine and Brooks worked out the agreement Thursday night, the eve of race qualifying. Also involved in those discussions was driver Kirk Shelmerdine. Brooks sponsored Shelmerdine in a failed effort to qualify for the season-opening Daytona 500, then announced that he planned to start a Winston Cup team with Shelmerdine as the driver. Brooks has been exploring options, including buying a race shop or suitable property in the Charlotte area to start a Winston Cup team. He also has talked to Bodine about becoming more involved in his operation, possibly as a co-owner, Brooks said Thursday. Brooks' restaurants sponsored Alan Kulwicki's unlikely Winston Cup championship run in 1992. The next spring, Kulwicki and three Hooters representatives, including Brooks' son, Mark, were killed in the crash of a private plane on the way to a race in Bristol.(Greenville News)(3-8-2002) UPDATE 2: Brett Bodine’s #11 Ford will be sponsored by Hooters restaurants for the MBNA 500, a one-race deal that may turn into a larger association down the road. Bob Brooks, the Hooters CEO, met with Bodine on Thursday to begin discussions about a possible future together. Brooks had previously announced his intentions to start a Winston Cup team to run a limited schedule beginning later this season. Driver Kirk Shelmerdine, who tried to qualify for the Daytona 500 in a Hooters-sponsored Ford, was to be part of that new team. Brooks said Thursday night that if he and Bodine work out a deal for 20 or more races this year, there may be some events where Bodine and Shelmerdine both attempt to qualify.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-8-2002)
Park to test at Darlington/Wallace has another Cup ride lined up? UPDATE 4 park to return at Darlington: Steve Park will test twice this week at Darlington with hopes of being cleared to return to the #1 Pennzoil Chevy on March 17 at the same track in the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400. Though Park's doctors were present during his three previous tests, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. has yet to receive formal clearance on Park's behalf. Kenny Wallace remains under contract. Ty Norris, executive vice president of motorsports for DEI, says Wallace could compete in races after Park returns “if the funding and cars become available and it makes sense for the other teams.” Sources close to Wallace say he has been offered another Cup ride (not the #57) as soon as he can be released from his contract with DEI.(The Sporting News)(3-4-2002) UPDATE: Park tested at Darlington on Tuesday and crew chief Paul Andrews said if thing proceed well, Park could race at Darlington. On ESPN2's RPM 2 Night, Kenny Wallace said is committed to DEI for now and will stay with DEI until Park is ok and would stand by in case Park has problems in a race.(3-6-2002) UPDATE 2: ESPN2's RPM 2 Night reports that DEI will meet with Steve Park on Thursday to discuss plans - and that the testing at Darlington went well and that Park could be back in the #1 Pennzoil Chevy by Darlington.(3-7-2002) UPDATE 3: Officials from Dale Earnhardt, Inc., are expected to announce Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway that driver Steve Park will make his return to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series March 15 [qualifying] at Darlington Raceway. Park plans to be at AMS Sunday for the MBNA America 500. According to a team source, he has satisfied all concerns his doctors or NASCAR might have regarding his return to the cockpit.(NASCAR.com)(3-8-2002) UPDATE 4: Injured NASCAR driver Steve Park will make his return to the Cup Series at Darlington next week. Ty Norris, vice president at Dale Earnhardt Inc., made the announcement Friday about Park's return at Atlanta Motor Speedway, site of Sunday's MBNA America 500. "We knew Darlington was the target date, but we never said it we didn't want anyone to put any pressure on him," Norris said. "Darlington was not chosen because it's a good story or out of irony. It just happened that this rce fell in our time table for his comeback." Park, who was not at Atlanta, was unavailable for comment. He successfully completed several private test sessions in the past few months under the watchful eye of NASCAR, including one at Lowe's Motor Speedway with DEI teammates Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Michael Waltrip. Park also tested at Darlington last week. Norris said Kenny Wallace, who replaced Park in the #1 Pennzoil Chevy, might run selected races with the team during the remainder of the season.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(3-8-2002)
Hendrick Promotion: Jeff Turner, who has served in a variety of roles for the automotive and racing operations of the
Hendrick family, today was named General Manager of Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) and will be responsible for day-to-day operations of
the organization which fields four Cup Cars and two entries in the BGN. Turner, 43, will report to President John Hendrick and to Rick Hendrick. A graduate in Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Turner joined Hendrick in 1984 after five years
with Price Waterhouse as a Senior Tax Consultant. He served as Tax Director of Rick Hendrick's dealership and racing operations from 1984 until 1986. From 1986 until 1990, he was Vice President and Controller of the automotive group, then known as JRH Incorporated. As Vice President and CFO of Hendrick Motorsports, Turner has focused on finances, marketing and has played a key role as an advisor to John and Rick Hendrick.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(3-8-2002)
Cheerioes and Reading - special #43 scheme at Atlanta: on Wednesday (March 6th) Cheerios announced a national commitment to childhood literacy. NASCAR driver John Andretti appeared at the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Atlanta to kick off a major book drive with Cheerios, Petty Enterprises and Kroger stores. The regional effort includes a major book donation to local charities, a book collection effort at Atlanta and Macon area Kroger stores, a free book offer on special-edition racing packages, and the Cheerios Literacy #43, which Andretti will drive in the Atlanta 500 this weekend. Surrounded by children at an after-school celebration, Andretti unveiled the new #43 and read aloud to the children. He also announced that Cheerios and Petty Enterprises will donate 43 new books to the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs of Atlanta and Macon for every lap the #43 completes in this Sunday's Atlanta 500.. If Andretti completes all 325 laps, 13,975 new books will be donated to children in Atlanta and Macon areas. To ensure that the program reaches as many children as possible, a minimum donation of 7,500 new books will be made. Atlanta and Macon area Kroger stores are also lending a hand in the literacy initiative. Now through March 16, book collection bins will be in more than 150 Kroger stores to help collect additional books for area children. Cheerios will donate a new book for every book donated by shoppers at Kroger stores, up to 7,000 books, to double the number of books children receive. All books collected will be distributed to local children's organizations. In addition to the book donation, over 28 million boxes of Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Frosted Cheerios, Multi-Grain Cheerios and Apple Cinnamon Cheerios will offer three award-winning children's books. The books, published by Knopf Delacorte Dell Young Readers Group, are free with two proofs of purchase and $1.25 for shipping and handling. In select Southeast markets, John Andretti is pictured reading with his family on special-edition packages featuring this offer. As part of the program launch, Cheerios has donated $100,000 to Reading is Fundamental (RIF), the nation's largest children's literacy organization, and will donate an additional 15 cents to RIF for every book redeemed through the on-pack promotion (up to $150,000). With these donations, RIF will help get even more books into the hands of children across the country.(IMG Motorsports PR/Cheerios Racing)(3-8-2002)
Harley and Rusty team up again: For the fourth straight year, Miller Brewing Company and Harley-Davidson, two Milwaukee landmarks with legendary racing programs, are joining together in a program that will feature Miller Lite stock car driver Rusty Wallace. Rusty Wallace will drive a special #2 Miller Lite/Harley-Davidson stock car in three races this year. The Miller Lite/Harley-Davidson stock car will debut in 'The Winston' night race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, May 18. Wallace and the Penske Racing team will also field the Miller Lite/Harley-Davidson stock car at Daytona International Speedway, July 6, and Michigan International Speedway, August 18. Along with partnering at three stock car races, Miller Brewing Company and Harley-Davidson will also work together to promote responsibility at a number of motorcycle rallies across the country, including events in Daytona Beach, FL and Sturgis, SD. Both companies will help dealers and distributors focus on responsible drinking and safe riding issues. In addition, both companies will prepare materials that can be used in conjunction with local activities and special events, including a poster featuring Miller Brewing's "Live Responsibly" message and Harley-Davidson's "Ride Straight" slogan. Another element in the partnership is a special NASCAR-themed, custom-painted 2002 Harley-Davidson" Softail" that will be on display in the Miller Lite Racing Garage, a mobile display that will visit 25 auto racing events during the year. This ultimate racing experience, which combines the best features of a racing museum with the excitement of a popular bar, will be equipped with race car displays, auto racing memorabilia and simulators. Miller Brewing Company and Harley-Davidson have worked together numerous times in the past. Last year, Wallace drove a special Miller Lite/Harley-Davidson at stock car races in Charlotte, Daytona Beach and Brooklyn, MI. Two years ago, Wallace drove a car featuring the brewery and motorcycle manufacturer at events in Daytona Beach, Bristol (TN) and Richmond.(Tom Roberts PR), see a diecast image of the car on my Paint Schemes Gallery.(3-8-2002)
(3-7-2002)
Oordt-Denny Green team delayed: Darwin Oordt [Galaxy Motorsports - was the #75 team] is not sure when he and new team partner Dennis Green will put a car on the track. ''We're working on a couple of things, but there's nothing new,'' Oordt said this week. Oordt suspended his Winston Cup operation early last year due to a lack of sponsor. Green, the former Vikings coach, last month became partners with Oordt. Oordt said they hope to begin competing at some point this season in either Cup or BGN, or both.(Tennessean)(3-7-2002)
#33 at Plate Tracks: ESPN2's RPM 2 Night reported that the #33 Andy Petree Chevy only has plans to run the remaining three restrictor plate track races (Talladega in April and Oct and Daytona in July) with Mike Wallace unless a sponsor can be found to run other races.(3-7-2002)
Team Bristol plans Cup team: The Team Bristol Motorsports BGN [#54] team will have new sponsorship when the tour rolls into Bristol on March 23 and series regular Kevin Grubb has been tabbed to drive the team's Chevrolets, team owner Rick Goodwin said Wednesday. Grubb, who replaced Bristol's Kelly Denton last weekend in Las Vegas, will complete the 2002 BGN schedule in the car, with sponsorship from Toys R Us, a national toy retailer. The team also plans to run five Winston Cup races this season, Goodwin said, including Bristol in August. See more on my BGN Site (just news and rumors, no results, schedules or standings)(3-7-2002)
Overtime? UPDATE: Winston Cup series officials are considering adopting the so-called "green-white-checker" rule used in NASCAR's Craftsman truck and other series. The rule, essentially a NASCAR version of overtime, says every race must end with at least two laps of green-flag racing. If there's a crash in the closing laps of a race, officials wave a red flag to signal drivers to stop on the track. NASCAR cleans the track and, if necessary, adds a lap or two. Other forms of racing don't bother with stoppages and simply finish some of their races under a yellow flag. Every major U.S. sport has a provision for overtime, but NASCAR faces additional challenges: By conserving fuel, a driver sometimes can make one less pit stop than his rivals and win a race. But if a car is running on fumes when NASCAR adds laps, that team gets punished. NASCAR officials are concerned that a second-place driver's teammate might be tempted to crash his car on purpose, giving his buddy a better chance to win.(in part from the USA Today)(3-6-2002) UPDATE: NASCAR is studying the possible implementation of the green-white-checkered finish system, but no change is imminent. For now, it will continue evaluating each late-race situation on its own merits. “There is a lot of serious thought being given to some form of the green-white-checkered, so that the races can end up green-flag conditions,” Jim Hunter, NASCAR’s vice president of corporate communications, said March 1. “The hardest thing is when you run out of time, you run out of time. There’s so many things (to consider) that it’s not just as simple as just ‘Put the red flag out.’ It’s, ‘Where is the debris on the track?’ and ‘When did the caution car pick up the leader?’ “But I think there’s some real serious thought going in. We’ve thought about it before with the green-white-checkered and the minuses have always seemed, in the Winston Cup division, to outweigh the plusses. But it’s back on the table and I know there were several conversations this week. But until we make a decision, it will be a case-by-case basis. But everyone in NASCAR wants to see the races end under green as well and, hopefully, that will happen.”(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(3-7-2002)
Irvan returns to racing...as an owner: Is it the #18? The #30? The #68? What about the #17! Former Winston Cup driver and NASCAR 50 Best driver, Ernie Irvan had originally requested the # 18 since that was the number of the ARCA car which he drove in 1991 when he competed in an ARCA car in Atlanta. Unfortunately, the # 18 was already assigned to someone who plans to run the full schedule this year. So, ARCA assigned the #68 to Ernie Irvan Racing. But at Atlanta, EIR driver, Kevin Conway will be racing the #17 Eagle One Chevy. This is because Ernie Irvan Racing is a new team and has no provisionals. The team is not concerned about making the race on speed. However, if qualifying is rained out and ARCA sets the field based on car owner points from last year, the team wouldn't make it. So, they have arranged with A. J. Hendrickson Motorsports (the #17) to use their number for the race. They are 21 in owner points. The Atlanta ARCA race will run on Saturday, March 9th and is scheduled to be broadcast on Speed Channel, Monday, March 11th, at 8:00pm/et (after Inside Winston Cup). EIR will run the #68 in future ARCA races. Irvan was on John Boy and Billy Show (radio) Wedneday talking about the Sponsorship.(Irvan.com)(3-7-2002)
#66 Crew Members released? FSN's Totally NASCAR reported that #66 car Chief, Jeff Buice has left the Haas Carter Motorsports team. Sources also tell me that up to 15 people were laid off on Wednesday.(3-7-2002)
Picabo and Petty: Downhill skiing champion Picabo Street will be in Atlanta this weekend for the MBNA America 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. She will kick off her weekend on Saturday by visiting at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta with NASCAR Winston Cup driver Kyle Petty. Street and Petty will also videoconference with hospitalized children across the country at Jackson Memorial Hospitalin Miami, Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, and Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Centerin Seattle. Kids will have the opportunity to ask Kyle and Picabo questions about racing, downhill skiing, and how fast these two travel around the track and on the snow. Petty, who will be driving the #45 Sprint Dodge at Sunday MBNA America 500, and alpine skier Street share a strong commitment to communities where they live and work, and value an opportunity to connect with the communities they're in. Street will then head to the track on Sunday for a taste of Winston Cup racing at the MBNA America 500. She will be available for media interviews at 10 a.m. in the deadline room of the infield media center.(AMS PR)(3-7-2002)
Petty likes new seat: Kyle Petty was sold on the composite seat designed by PPI Motorsports long before he learned the hard way just how effective it would be when he needed it the most. Petty used the seat while testing during the offseason and began using it in competition beginning at Daytona. But in the Subway 400 at Rockingham, it was put to the test when he was caught up in a multi–car crash. “Somebody asked me on Tuesday (after the race) if I was sore and I said, ‘From (what)? You’re going to have to give me a little information. What should I be sore from?’” Petty said March 1. “And they said, ‘The wreck on Sunday.’ I wasn’t sore at all.” That’s the intention of the seat, of course, but the results thrilled Petty. “It really amazed me that the week had gone by and my neck wasn’t sore. It hasn’t been sore from my HANS for a while, and the seat was phenomenal,” Petty added. So far, Petty and PPI Motorsports’ Ricky Craven are the only two drivers using the seat, which was approved by NASCAR during the offseason. One driver who plans on giving the seat a try is John Andretti, who has a background in Indy cars where he used a seat similar to the one designed by PPI.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(3-7-2002)
New Newsletter: Beginning March 11, NASCAR Winston Cup Scene will launch a new daily e-mail newsletter service that will offer the latest news from NASCAR’s top three series each weekday. Subscribers to the Daily Scene service should receive their reports by 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Each issue will contain at least three to four short stories highlighting the latest news about the drivers, teams, events and tracks in NASCAR’s Winston Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck series. Each daily issue also will carry the weekend’s television racing schedule and a sample of a story from NASCAR Winston Cup Scene’s latest issue.(see www.sceneplus.com)(3-7-2002)
Congrats: Fox pit reporter Jeanne Zelasko is due to give birth to her first child in mid-April, and Sunday's MBNA America 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway will be her last Winston Cup race of the season. Zelasko will head home to Southern California to be with husband Curt Sandoval, a TV sports reporter for the ABC affiliate in Los Angeles.(CNN-SI/AP)(3-7-2002)
Labonte helps out: Neil Goldberg, the producer of NASCAR races on Fox Sports and FX, received a telephone call during the Feb. 24 Subway 400 at Rockingham, that no parent wants to get. His 12-year-old son, Josh, had been hit by a car in Collinsville, Conn., while crossing a street in a crosswalk. But thanks to 2000 Winston Cup champion Bobby Labonte and his family the Connecticut resident arrived home in a timely fashion. It was during the race’s second half when Goldberg was told to call home immediately. “I turned white,” Goldberg says. “I looked at Pam (Miller, pit producer), pointed to her and said, ‘Get up here. You’re producing. I’ll be back.’ Finally, he reached a friend who told him Josh appeared to be OK and he was at the hospital. Goldberg caught his breath and resumed his production duties. Miller, meanwhile, started checking to see if she could find a helicopter for Goldberg. Before the race was over, Labonte confirmed through Miller that he could get Goldberg to Charlotte, that he needed to meet him at his helicopter after the race. Josh, a soccer goalie, was hospitalized overnight but escaped without any broken bones. He sustained only bumps and bruises, and a deep laceration on his face that required stitches. He was back at school a week later.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(3-7-2002)
(3-6-2002)
Pit Road Safety: NASCAR's Jim Hunter said yesterday that the sanctioning body has begun a major study of the Winston Cup tour's 24 pit roads with an eye toward making changes to improve safety for over-the-wall crews. "We're going to be all over this," Hunter said. "I don't think there is anything we wouldn't look at and really analyze. And the more proactive we can be, the better off we'll be." The current pit-road debate comes after an incident at Rockingham in which David Bryant, a front-tire carrier for Rick Hendrick's Jimmie Johnson team, was seriously injured when hit by Mark Martin. Bryant's leg was broken, and he underwent surgery to have it pinned back together. He's expected to be sidelined at least three months. Pit road on the stock-car tour has become a major battleground, as difficult as it is at most tracks to pass. Even some of the most fierce of the over-the-wall crews are looking over their shoulders these days. Kevin Hamlin, the crew chief for Kevin Harvick, said that larger pits are a solution: "The drivers do their best to try to miss these guys, but at some of the tracks where the pit stalls are a little smaller and pit road is a little narrower, it becomes another hazard. Hunter said some things are going to change on Winston Cup pit roads, although he's not sure what. "We're in the process right now of analyzing exactly where we might be able to make some improvements," Hunter said. "There are two areas we're focused on: One is the size of the pit stalls themselves. To do that we're assessing the range of sizes at tracks on the tour, from the smallest, like Bristol and Martinsville, to the biggest, which is actually Vegas and California. And then we'll develop a plan of action to get to the end result, whatever that might be. Two is to review the pit procedures as they apply to pit stops. And there is the possibility - maybe not the probability, but the possibility - of coming up with different procedures for different tracks. That's on the drawing board. We'll be talking to the tracks individually, and most track owners, when we ask them to do something for safety, they've been pretty cooperative."(in part from the Winston Salem Journal)(3-6-2002)
Testing at Darlington - a few speeds: Prepping for his return to Winston Cup racing, Steve Park tested a pair of #1 Pennzoil Chevy's at the Darlington Raceway Tuesday. Park's supersub Kenny Wallace was not at the track. Park said the doctors told him it would be at least a six month recovery and it's just about been six months since his Busch Series accident at Darlington. Also testing cup cars Tuesday were #48-Jimmie Johnson, #7-Casey Atwood and #99-Jeff Burton. On the BGN side, #66-Casey Mears, #2-Johnny Sauter, #40-Brian Vickers, #60-Greg Biffle and Todd Bodine in the #92 car. Robby Gordon will test the same car on Wednesday at Darlington. Herzog Motorsports hasn't decided who will drive the Excedrin Chevy after Andy Houston was let go over the weekend. Bodine says he's not sure if the #92 will turn into a full-time deal, however he says he's sticking with Travis Carter for now and hoping a sponsor can be found for the #66.(PRN's GaragePass radio show), #48-Johnson was the fastest with a lap of 165.799mph, #1-Park and #99- Burton ran 165.020.(The State)(3-6-2002)
New Seat Belt Requirements: NASCAR announced today additional seat belt restraint system safety requirements for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series that becomes effective Thursday, March 7. In addition to each vehicle already being equipped with a NASCAR-approved seat belt restraint system and installed in accordance with the directions provided by system manufacturers, the new mandates provide a supplement to the installation requirements for stock cars.
(NASCAR PR)(3-5-2002) AND NASCAR late Tuesday issued a technical bulletin adopting a series of new safety requirements for occupant restraint systems used in its Winston Cup series. The bulletin outlines several new guidelines regarding the placement and mounting of seat belts and shoulder harnesses in stock cars. The guidelines take effect on Thursday, in time for this weekend's race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. As part of a series of safety initiatives NASCAR said it would undertake in light of its exhaustive report issued in August on the death of seven-time series champion Dale Earnhardt, a study on occupant restraint systems was commissioned by Drs. John Melvin and James Raddin. Melvin is one of the world's leading experts on head and neck restraints. Raddin is a member of the Earnhardt report's investigative team and heads Biodynamic Research Corp. in San Antonio. "These new requirements are a direct result of the occupant restraint study announced last August to research the hardware, webbing and mounting of seat belt systems," NASCAR President Mike Helton said in a statement released with the technical bulletin. The new guidelines mandate the use of at least one of two latching systems for seat belts, either a latch/lever or cam lock. Their use will provide a common connection among the lap belts, shoulder harnesses and anti-submarine belts. Other guidelines focus on the webbing of the belts, an area the Earnhardt report dealt with in great detail. Earnhardt died in a last-lap wreck at the 2001 Daytona 500. The report said a separated left lap belt - likely caused by "dumping" - contributed to his death. Dumping occurs when seat belt webbing is pulled or moved significantly to one side of the metal adjustment device through which the webbing is threaded. Following the release of the Earnhardt report, NASCAR worked to educate car owners, crew members and drivers and seat belt manufacturers about the problem of "dumping."(ThatsRacin.com)(3-6-2002)
No #26 or #66 at Atlanta? UPDATE 2 no #66 The sponsorship woes are nowhere more evident than in the Haas-Carter Motorsports camp. Last year, Bodine won two poles, three outside poles and posted two top-five finishes while Nemechek won the fall race at North Carolina Speedway [in the #33 APR Chevy]. They are considered at least a mid-level team, and yet even after Bodine's pole-winning run on Friday that team does not believe it will have enough money to race next week in Atlanta. "To be quite blunt, I don't think we are going to be going to Atlanta," Bodine said. "We are entertaining some sponsors and talking to some people, but nothing is even close to becoming a deal."(News and Observer)(3-2-2002) UPDATE: being told that the #66 Haas Carter Motorsports team will NOT enter the MBNA America 500 at Atlanta, still no word on if the #26 will go or not.(3-4-2002) UPDATE 2: FSN's Totally NASCAR reports that the #26 Ford and driver Joe Nemechek will run at Atlanta while the #66 Ford and driver Todd Bodine will not run unless a sponsor is found to run the car.(3-5-2002) UPDATE 3: Travis Carter Enterprises announced Tuesday it will send just one of its two Winston Cup teams to compete in Sunday's MBNA America 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The #26 Ford team of driver Joe Nemechek plans to compete in the race without a sponsor, while the No. 66 team and driver Todd Bodine will sit out. A statement from the team released Tuesday afternoon said plans could change for the #66 should the sponsorship situation change.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-6-2002)
Petree tests at Martinsville: It was a strange gathering in the garage area at Martinsville Speedway Tuesday: a Winston Cup team owner driving a BGN car, hoping to gain enough seat time to help him make the CTS race at the track on April 13. Andy Petree, owner of the #55 Schneider Electric Chevy driven by Bobby Hamilton and the unsponsored #33 Chevy driven by Mike Wallace has an opportunity to drive a truck at martinsville, but he felt like he needed some practice laps on Martinsville’s tight .526-mile oval. But in the CTS, private test sessions are not allowed. That’s why Petree showed up with a BGN car. “We got a Busch car to come here and make some laps and get a feel for the race track,” said Petree, who ran a handful of BGN races at Martinsville in the early 1990s. “It (the Busch car) has a somewhat similar configuration as the truck deal. It has the same motor, the same carburetor, so we’re just getting a little seat time and seeing what’s going on.” Petree had a little help in the pits with him Tuesday. Robert Pressley, who won the season-opening CTS race at Daytona last month, was sort of a track tutor for Petree. Pressley’s truck owner is Winston Cup driver Bobby Hamilton, who happens to be fielding Petree’s entry in the Advance Auto Parts 250.(Martinsville Speedway PR)(3-6-2002)
Knaus wins Irwin Crew Chief of the Week Honors: After qualifying near the back of the pack for last week's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 in Las Vegas, Jimmie Johnson and the #48 team rallied back from a bit of bad luck to finish an eye-catching sixth, the highest finishing spot for the team this season. Johnson climbed from 25th to 13th position early in the race before falling a lap back after an ill-timed green flag pit stop. Despite the setback, the team's crew chief, Chad Knaus, was confident that they had a car capable enough to post a strong finish and be a top competitor in the race. Johnson, who led the race at one point, managed to gain a total of 19 track positions throughout the course of the race and cross the finish line in sixth position, helping earn Knaus this week's "IRWIN Rough to Finish Award." Each week throughout the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup season, IRWIN, makers of professional power tool accessories like MARATHON PLUS saw blades and SPEEDBOR flat bits, is partnering with Performance Racing Network to honor the crew chief who had the toughest day in the pits, but still managed to help his team to a strong finish. The "IRWIN Rough to the Finish Award" includes an assortment of tools for the crew chief and a $250 check donated to the Connie Parsons Memorial Fund in the racing team's name. The year-end winner of the crew chief points standings will win a $5,000 check donated to the Fund.(Golin/Harris PR)(3-6-2002)
(3-5-2002)
Pontiacs to get some help, for Atlanta? Pontiac teams may finally be on the verge of getting a break from NASCAR on the aerodynamic rules they say have their cars at a disadvantage to the other manufacturers' cars. NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter indicated Monday that serious discussions are under way about possible changes to the front end or the spoilers on the Grand Prix body. A change may come before Sunday's MBNA America 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.(Atlanta Journal Constituion)(3-5-2002)
Autopsy Photo Hearing Today UPDATE: Several Florida newspapers and other media groups will ask a judge to overturn a year-old Florida state law restricting access to autopsy photos. Lawyers for the Orlando Sentinel, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and nearly a dozen other media organizations will ask Broward Circuit Judge Leroy Moe to strike down a 2001 law restricting public access to autopsy photos. The newspapers say the law, rushed through the Florida Legislature in the weeks after the death of NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt in last year's Daytona 500, violates language in the Florida Constitution granting citizens access to state records. The law, passed at the urging of widow Teresa Earnhardt, requires anyone wishing to look at autopsy photos to get permission from a judge. It was challenged last year by The Independent Florida Alligator, the student newspaper at the University of Florida, but was upheld by Volusia Circuit Judge Joseph Will. That decision is now on appeal. Tuesday's hearing will bring together many of the attorneys who battled in Will's courtroom -- including lawyers representing the state, Gov. Jeb Bush and Teresa Earnhardt. But rather than focusing on access to autopsy photos of Earnhardt, the hearing will center on a request by the Sentinel and Sun-Sentinel to look at photos of autopsies done by the Broward County medical examiner on bodies that were never identified. Other media organizations that have joined the suit include newspapers in Gainesville, Lakeland, Ocala and Sarasota owned by The New York Times Regional Newspaper Group; The Tampa Tribune and its television affiliate, WFLA-TV, Channel 8; the Society for Professional Journalists; Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press; the Student Press Law Center; Florida Society of Newspaper Editors and the First Amendment Foundation.(more at Orlando Sentinel)(3-5-2002) UPDATE: After a contentious two hour hearing, a Broward circuit judge said he would rule within two or three weeks on a 2001 state law that restricts access to autopsy photos. Circuit Judge Leroy Moe repeatedly interrupted lawyers defending the law passed in the wake of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt's death, grilling them on what was the "public necessity" for the legislature closing records guaranteed to be available under Florida's constitution.(more at Orlando Sentinel)(3-5-2002)
Add a leader: It was reported on Sunday that the record for most leaders in a Cup race at Las Vegas was 13, tied this year with the 2001 race. Offical results now show 14 leaders, adding #1-Kenny Wallace leading a lap on lap 125. See my Race Result Links page for links to results and standings. Results from ThatsRacin.com, NASCAR.com and an official report from NASCAR posted on the Jayski site. Also links to Drivers/Owners Points standings as of each race.(3-5-2002)
Cope and #57 part ways UPDATE: Derrike Cope and the #57 Team CLR have mutually agreed to part ways and to pursue other avenues(Derrike Cope site). No word on if Cope will attempt Atlanta in his #37 team or if Team CLR will run the #57 Ford there as planned. Kenny Wallace could end up back with the team as Park is close to returning to the #1 Chevy, maybe as soon as Darlington.(3-5-2002) UPDATE: Two-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday will attempt to qualify the #57 Ford for this weekend's MBNA America 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.(NASCAR.com)(3-5-2002)
#71 Sponsor at Atlanta UPDATE: hearing that Williams Bros. Lumber Company, an Atlanta based Building Material and Lumber Supplier, has agreed to be the primary sponsor of the #71 Marcis Racing Chevy and driver Dick Trickle for this Sunday's MBNA America 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. This one race sponsorship will be Williams Bros. second on the NASCAR circuit, they have sponsored several local drivers at local and southeast tracks and last year at AMS was the sponsor for the now defunt #27 Eel River Racing team and then driver Kenny Wallace. Williams Bros. will be on the #71's hood and TV panel and Warranty Gold will be on the rear quarter panels and deck/trunk lid.(3-4-2002) UPDATE: got a few images of the car on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(3-5-2002)
Testing at Texas: Cup driver #21-Elliott Sadler, and BGN drivers, #10-Scott Riggs, #57-Jason Keller, #38-Christian Elder and #36-Hank Parker, Jr. arrived Monday for the planned two-day test session in preparation for the April 7 NASCAR Samsung/RadioShack 500 and the April 6 O'Reilly 300. The speedway re-paved the track surface last summer with a new granite-based asphalt. This was the first chance for some of the drivers to test it out. "The track is really fast," said Sadler, driver of the #21 Motorcraft Quality Parts Ford. "Of course, it's always been fast, but it's a lot smoother since they re-paved it. The track did a really good job with the new asphalt. By the time we're out for Happy Hour, there should be plenty of rubber down for two grooves." Fourteen Cup and BGN drivers scheduled to test at the speedway in March. (TMS PR)(3-5-2002)
Gibbs Crew Member in trouble: Randall Cox, a mechanic with Joe Gibbs Racing and the rear tire changer for the team of Winston Cup driver Tony Stewart [#20], was arrested Friday by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and charged with assault on a female using aggressive physical force and communicating threats. Cox was released Saturday on $10,000 secured bond and a trial date is pending. He did not make the trip to Las Vegas. Jonathan Sherman, also a mechanic at JGR, filled in for Cox at Vegas. Officials at Joe Gibbs Racing said Tuesday that Cox has been suspended until further notice. Sherman will continue to perform Cox’s duties with the pit crew.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-5-2002)
Las Vegas TV Ratings: FOX Sports recorded record numbers for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. The race’s overnight rating of 6.2 was up slightly over last year’s 6.1. It easily dwarfed NBC’s 5.3 rating for the PGA Tour’s Genuity Classic in which Tiger Woods and Ernie Els battled for the win. Final ratings won’t be available until Thursday, but NASCAR ratings typically increase with the final rating. Locally in Las Vegas, the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 drew a 10.5 rating and a 21 share, which means 21 percent of all television sets in use were tuned to the race.(LVMS Site)(3-5-2002)
New #90 Crew Chief: Mark Tutor will call the shots in the pits for Winston Cup Driver Rick Mast, effective immediately, announced Junie Donlavey, owner of the #90 Ford. "Mark has worked with Rick in the past, and the trust and communication that exists between them will help make this team better and hopefully get us to that next step," Donlavey said. Tutor had been working on the CLR Ford with Derrike Cope. He has past experience with Petty Enterprises, Cale Yarborough Motorsports, Robby Gordon Racing and Loy Allen Racing. Tutor's first race will be this weekend at Atlanta.(Keystone Marketing PR)(3-5-2002)
Bodine adds Indy, Phoenix and Atlanta(Oct): #09-Geoffrey Bodine says he will run as many as 10-12 races this season in cars from owner James Finch's Phoenix Racing shops. Sponsorship would come from the South Florida Miccosukee Indian tribe and its associates. Phoenix crew chief Marc Reno said his crew, which also operates Finch's BGN program that fields #1 Yellow Freight cars for Jimmy Spencer, is currently working on a couple of new Winston Cup chassis. Bodine, 52, started the year knowing the Miccosukee Indian Gaming Group would sponsor his #09 Ford in both races at Daytona, along with the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Miccosukee tribe stepped up to underwrite the two races at Talladega Superspeedway after Finch said he would reward Bodine's effort by running there anyway. They didn't stop there. "We're going to do Talladega, Daytona (Pepsi 400) and Homestead with the Miccosukee tribe," Bodine said. "And they came on to do Indy (Brickyard 400), Phoenix and Atlanta at the end of the year -- and maybe a few others to make 10-12 races this year." Bodine said the tribe, who have previously confined their sponsorship to events in their home state of Florida, "are talking to some other tribes to get them involved." When Finch's team came to Daytona, all it had in its Winston Cup arsenal was a pair of Ford Tauruses. Reno said the two cars currently under construction to do the Brickyard 400 test in June could become either Fords or Dodge Intrepids.(NASCAR.com)(3-5-2002)
Sad News: Drag racer Steve Grebeck, 36, died shortly after crashing his car Sunday at 200 mph during a race on the Orlando Speed World Dragway. It was the second racing death in the state during the weekend. Jeff Clinton, who died Friday in Grand Am road-racing practice at Homestead, Fla., will be buried Wednesday in Warson Woods, Mo.(USA Today)(3-5-2002)
NAPCM Pit Crew of the Week: #28 - Ricky Rudd's Havoline Crew; Good stops all day (took Ricky from 20th to 13th during
one stop)(NAPCM PR)(3-5-2002)
Gerhart to attempt other restrictor plate races: ARCA driver, Bobby Gerhart, plans to attempt the three remaining restrictor plate Cup races at Datona and Talladega(2). Gerhardt attempted the Daytona 500 in the #59 Pontiac.(Stock Car Scene)(3-5-2002)
(3-4-2002)
Not a full field at Atlanta? wondering? will there be enough cars/teams/drivers for the normal Winston Cup 43-car field? Team owner Travis Carter wouldn't commit to a decision about his sponsorless team, but speculation is that he will shut down the #66 Ford operation today and just bring his #26 Ford to Atlanta (because of the plan money - see story below). Only 44 cars attempted to qualify for Sunday's race. An entry driven by non-regular #57-Derrike Cope did not make the race. The maximum number of cars allowed to start a Cup race is 43, but a race can have fewer cars, said NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter who believes the field will be full.(Atlanta Journal Constitution).
If the #66 and #33 APR Chevy (which was not at Las Vegas) fail to enter, other's who plan to make an attempt are #49-Shwana Robinson, #71-Dick Trickle (Marcis team was not at Las Vegas), #85-Carl Long plans to make an attempt as does #57-Team CLR (before they split with Derrike Cope), so looks like a full field should happen.(3-4-2002)
Traction Control an issue? Traction control is once again a hot topic in the Winston Cup garage, with NASCAR officials once more on the prowl for the illegal engine control systems that keep a car from spinning its wheels in the corners. The concept is legal in some forms of motorsports, but not NASCAR, because officials here prefer that a driver use his right foot rather than some electronic gizmo. However, some teams once again suspect rivals of using traction control, perhaps in the form of some tiny portable device that can be plugged into the ignition system by a driver once inside his car. The device could later be unplugged and thrown out the window.(Winston Salem Journal)(3-4-2002)
Cars Tested: the cars of #40-Sterling Marlin, #19-Jeremy Mayfield, #6-Mark Martin, #12-Ryan Newman, #20-Tony Stewart, #88-Dale Jarrett and #48-Jimmie Johnson were tested on the NASCAR chassis dynamometer after Sunday’s race.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-4-2002)
Chevy by a nose? The Chevrolet teams are trying to get a new nose approved by NASCAR to make up for perceived advantages given to Dodge and Ford during Daytona 500 week. "It's not been approved," Chevy team owner Richard Childress said of the proposed Monte Carlo nose. "When they reassessed all these things, it hurt the Chevrolets and we're trying to figure out a way to make our Chevrolets more competitive." NASCAR said it would be looking into the plight of Chevrolet teams.(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(3-4-2002)
Broadcaster Mourned: Charlie Harville, a North Carolina broadcasting pioneer who died Friday at the age of 83, will be remembered as one of the first local television and radio reporters to give extensive coverage to stock-car racing. Harville joined WFMY-TV (Channel 2) in Greensboro just as it was going on the air in 1949 and worked in television and radio in the Triad until retiring in 1988. He did broadcasts for the Washington Redskins of the NFL and for N.C. State basketball during the Everett Case era. He also did radio and television broadcasts of NASCAR races and hosted "Racing Roundup," a radio show syndicated to several states for a decade. Earlier this year, the National Motorsports Press Association voted to name its annual award for the outstanding television broadcaster in Harville’s honor. A public celebration of Harville’s life will be held Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bryan Enrichment Center in Greensboro’s Bryan Park.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-4-2002)
Brack at the Brickyard 400? Andy Graves, team manager for Ganassi Racing, says he'd like to put Kenny Brack behind the wheel of a Ganassi Dodge in August for the Brickyard 400 if the team secures the necessary funding. Graves says he was pleased with the progress Brack, who drives for Chip Ganassi's CART team, made at Daytona.(The Sporting News)(3-4-2002)
Colorful Dude: Dressed as RED, the famous "M," Phillip Crosson Jr. of Hopatcong, N.J. was named THE MOST COLORFUL FAN(tm) OF NASCAR®. Phillip was chosen out of nine finalists at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday morning. There, a panel of celebrity judges that included "M&M's"® driver Ken Schrader, Totally NASCAR host Steve Byrnes, Charlotte Observer reporter David Poole, MASTERFOODS NASCAR Sponsorship Manager William Clements and vice president of corporate marketing for NASCAR Brett Yormark helped select Phillip. Phillip was one of thousands of NASCAR® fans across the country that participated in the "M&M's"® promotion during the 2001 season. The search for THE MOST COLORFUL FAN(tm) OF NASCAR® spanned thirty race weekends at venues around the nation. Every week, the colorful fan patrol narrowed the thousands of colorful and exciting fans down to just 12, then voters chose their favorite on an internet web site, www.colorfulfan.com. More than a half-million people logged onto the web site and cast votes for who they believed to be the most colorful and flashy fan each week. Nine monthly finalists were brought to Las Vegas by "M&M's"® to compete in the finals Sunday morning - Phillip walked away with "bragging rights."(IMG Motorsports-Charlotte PR)(3-4-2002)
#66 Crew Chief resigns: Even though #66-Todd Bodine won the pole at Las Vegas, his crew chief, Larry Carter, submitted a letter of resignation to team owner and uncle Travis Carter. That speaks volumes about the team's uncertainty.(The Sporting News)(3-4-2002)
Boycott? A group of fans are circulating an Internet petition encouraging a boycott of the NASCAR.com website. The site started charging this season for its RaceCast feature, a service that lists lap-by-lap updates of races and includes the MRN broadcast. The group wants to boycott the site from March 22-24.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(sorry do not post petition links here)(3-4-2002)
