Marlin wins at Darlington: #40-Sterling Marlin won the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington. It is Marlin's 2nd win of 2002 and his 2nd career win at Darlington, his 10th overall career win. Marlin started 42nd after the team elected to change an engine after Happy Hour, however, Marlin will be officially credited with starting 11th. #21-Elliott Sadler finished 2nd, his 2nd runner-up finished of 2002 (also at Daytona). The top ten finishers:
1) #40-Marlin (57 laps led)
2) #21-Sadler
3) #29-Harvick (first top five or ten of 2002)
4) #8-Earmhardt Jr (10 laps led)
5) #12-Newman
6) #48-Johnson
7) #2-Wallace
8) #17-Kenseth
9) #24-Gordon (176 laps led)
10) #9-Elliott
Lap Leaders (7): #32-Craven (18); #1-Park (19); #24-Gordon (most laps led); #40-Marlin; #22-Burton; #6-Martin; #8-Earnhardt Jr
Cautions/Laps: 5 for 40 laps
Cars on the lead: 12
DNF's (7 - did not finish): #71-Hillenburg(engine); #49-Robinson(handling/accident?); #88-Jarrett (engine); #32-Craven(handling); #11-Bodine (accident); #41-Spencer(accident/handling); #20-Stewart(accident); Caution 5 - lap 225:huge wreck - Stewart OK...but, at least 11 cars involved: #'s 20 (the leader), 24, 97,36,10,6,77,41,22, 18 and 44. #36-Schreader was motioning for help for #20-Tony Stewart, who was awake and removed from the car on a stretcher, Jimmy Spencer reported that Stewart is going to be ok and talked to Stewart in the care center, but Stewart will be airlifted to a local hospital to be checked out as he is complaining of lower back/leg pain and will have a CAT Scan of his head, back and abdomen. #44-Jones lost control and spun in front of Stewart, then #41-Spencer couldn't see and t-boned Stewart. Caution 4 - lap 198: #97-Busch spun will trying to come into the pits, the #23-Stricklin car slowed up and the #11-Bodine Ford hit the #23. The #97 car gassed it and stayed on the lead lap. This caution came during many green flag pit stops and has jussled the field. Caution 3 - lap 132: #23-Stricklin nudged the #19-Mayfield car, spinning Mayfield without hitting anything. Caution 2 - lap 90: #31-Smacked the wall and broke off parts of the suspension and brakes. Caution 1 - lap 39: The leader of the race, #1-Steve Park got involved with #14-Compton as Park was passing him, #32-Craven was also involved. Looks like Park slid up into Compton as he was going high to allow Park to pass him. Park is out of his car and waved to the crowd. NOTES: A clean start on the first lap, #32-Ricky Craven led the first lap. #49-Robinson hit the wall on lap 2 or 3 but didn't cause a yellow and Robinson stayed on the track but has fallen a few laps down and finally retired the car after hitting the wall a few times. #71-Hillenburg took the car into the pits, the crew lifted the hood and the car was taken to the garage. #43-Andretti wapped the wall a few times and had to make unscehduled green flag stops. #32-Craven is back on the track as of lap 90. #19-Mayfield penalized (held for 15 seconds) as the team didn't have a catchcan person in place before refueling started. #88-Jarrett lost an engine when his oil pump belt broke/fell off. #32-Craven has retired the #32 Tide Ford. #1-Park came back in the race around lap 195. #41-Spencer came back out and ran two laps and picked up a spot and retired the car. So much for RaceCast today, no audio available here.
See ThatsRacin.com for Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 unofficial results and a column: Marlin dodges trouble, takes the win and for Unofficial Drivers Standings.(3-17-2002)
#77 Crew Member sick: Scott Stallings, gas runner and fabricator for the #77 Fords of Jasper Motorsports, felt light-headed and dizzy before the start of Sunday's race and was transported to Carolinas Hospital System in Florence, SC. He underwent enzyme tests to determine whether he was suffering from a heart problem. The initial tests were negative but he was kept overnight for observation.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-17-2002)
Car debuts on NASCAR This Morning: Through a collective effort between Fox Sports Net, and America's Most Wanted/Body Dynamics Racing, Body Dyanamics Racing unveiled an America's Most Wanted Car on "NASCAR This Morning" on Fox Sports Net this morning. The car will be used on the "NASCAR This Morning" Show as well as "Totally NASCAR" and "Nascar Tech" as a technical prop car and will feature a different Missing Child case each month on the car's hood. "We are excited in working with Fox Sports Net," Stated Scott Davis Marketing Director for AMW/BDR Motorsports, "This will be our first step in introducing our motorsports campaign at this level for America's Most Wanted and The National Center for Missing and Exploitied Children, currently we are in negotiations with a team to actually get this program on the track as soon as possible. Our main goal is to find as many children as we can with these projects" Currently Body Dyanamics Racing holds a multi year contract with 20th Century Fox and America's Most Wanted to create the motorsports campaign. The rest of the car features the logo's of the corresponding shows as well as America's Most Wanted and Body Dynamics.(PR)(3-17-2002)
Engine rules help for the Coca Cola 600? NASCAR may make an exception to the one-engine rule for the Coca-Cola 600, which is preceded by three days of practice.(Charleton Post and Courier)(3-17-2002)
Change at Talladega? NASCAR also changed a key chassis rule for Talladega [doesn't say what the change is], a change that teams say will cost them three-tenths of a second in qualifying, perhaps more, perhaps forcing a number of teams to rebuild part of their cars.(Winston Salem Journal). NASCAR will probably not make any changes to the aerodynamic package it uses in restrictor plate races before next month's event at Talladega Superspeedway, president Mike Helton said Saturday. NASCAR introduced a new aero package late last fall following after complaints about the racing at Talladega last October. Cars were bunched together for most of the event, leading to a 16-car accident on the last lap. So the sanctioning body tweaked the package, which was introduced in the season-opening Daytona 500. But there were still complaints, mainly from drivers frustrated by slower speeds. Helton said the sanctioning body will likely do anything to change that before the April 21 race at Talladega. "We're going to Talladega the way we left Daytona," Helton said. "If there's any change at all, it will just be a tiny tweak." Helton didn't think the "tweak" would effect the aerodynamics on the car, but rather adjustments NASCAR made to the package before the 500. The sanctioning body gave the Fords and Dodge's help before the race by allowing slight reductions in the rear spoiler height.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(3-17-2002)
Suspension Changes: NASCAR announced new parameters for suspension and coil springs.(Daytona Beach News Journal) {doesn't say what those changes are](3-17-2002)
Marlin and Blaney teams change engines: #40-Sterling Marlin lost an engine [actually found a bad lifter] in Happy Hour Practice and will have to go to the back of the field before the start of the race as the team needed to put in a new motor.(Winston Salem Journal) AND the #77 Jasper Motorsports team found water in the oli of Dave Blaney's Ford and changed the engine and had to start the race at the rear of the field.(3-17-2002)
(3-16-2002)
Hermie Sadler to Run Autism Awareness Car at Bristol UPDATE: Hermie Sadler has decided to run the Winston Cup race at Bristol [March 24th] in an [#02] Autism Awareness Car. He will have the ribbon on the hood and only has an associate sponsor. We hear that he's using a lot of his own money for this race and wanted to do something for the autism community. Sadler's youngest daughter, Halie, was diagnosed with Autism last February.(MotorsportsTV)(3-13-2002) UPDATE: The promotion is a partnership with Fox, which will run a segment during the race featuring information on Autism as well as make an educational video available to special education teachers. The car will also carry the toll free number that people can make contributions to the Autism Society of America:1-800-3-AUTISM. Several associate sponsorships have been sold to companies who have been and want to be affiliated with this promotion and spots are available from $2500.00 to $50,000.00 (for the quarterpanels) and a portion of all sponsorships will donated to the Autism Society of America and all sponsors will be recognized on the Fox segment for their support. Interested parties in sponsoring the car should call (804) 586-8215.(3-16-2002)
Hooters back on the #11 team at Darlington UPDATE 2 Hooters and Bodine...longer: Atlanta based Hooters Restaurants announced it has reached an agreement with Brett Bodine Racing to continue sponsoring the #11 Hooters Ford at Darlington. This will be the second consecutive race Hooters has sponsored the Winston Cup team owned by Bodine. Hooters sponsored Bodine last Sunday during the running of the MBNA America 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway where he finished 38th after motor problems ended his day on lap 276. "We are really excited about extending our partnership," said Bodine. "It is great to see Mr. Brooks and Hooters taking an interest in our race team. We are happy they have decided to get involved with our race team and we hope this turns into a long-term relationship."(Hooters Racing PR)(3-14-2002) UPDATE - Hooters and Bodine...longer: #11-Brett Bodine says a long-term deal with sponsor Hooters "is just around the corner." Bodine didn't have a full-time sponsor at the start of the season.(Roanoke Times), also, during MRN coverage of qualifying on Firday, it was mentioned that Kirk Shelmerdine could run a 2nd car for the team.(3-16-2002) UPDATE 2: Brett Bodine, who has yet to secure a major sponsor for this season, is close to signing a long-term deal with the Hooters restaurant chain. “We had some great news this week by continuing our relationship here at Darlington with Hooters Restaurants and we’re in negotiations for a longer term deal,” Bodine said. “That’s great news and now the owner can worry a little bit more about driving and we can try to get our personnel in line.” Bodine said between employees who have left on their own and those he has had to let go, his team is short about 10 people since the season started. “Hopefully, we’ve plugged the dike, so to speak, as far as losing people and we can start getting our staff back in order to where we need to be,” Bodine said.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-16-2002)
fan-owned NASCAR team relaunches: Fanz Enterprises, which announced plans to form fan-owned NASCAR teams last fall, has re-launched its effort to allow race fans to own stock in NASCAR teams. The company’s debut was interrupted by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington. The company is offering a maximum of 2.5 million shares of its common stock at a price of $10 per share. Fans can become part owners by purchasing a minimum of 25 shares (a $250 one-time investment). The money raised through the public offering is expected to allow Fanz to field a minimum of two full-time race teams. Sources of operating revenue are expected to include sponsorship monies, race purse winnings, race bonuses and sales of collectible and consumer motorsports products. For more information or to obtain a prospectus on the stock offering, visit fanzracing.com, or call (888) 444-8233.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-16-2002)
Newman wrecks in Happy Hour: #12-Ryan Newman, who topped Saturday morning's speed chart at Darlington, wrecked the car during the "Happy Hour" session and will ahve to go to a backup car for the race.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-16-2002)
APR Layoffs? hearing that Andy Patree Raicing [APR] has laid off 7-8 employee's. APR is till looking for a sponsor for the #33 team.(3-16-2002)
#2 Changes Tire Changer: #2 Miller Lite/Penske Racing Ford Crew chief Bill Wilburn pulled himself off of front tire changing duties last Sunday at Atlanta.placing Dennis Terry into the spot. Terry, who changed tires for the #77 Jasper Motorsports Team last season, is expected to continue that role, allowing Wilburn to stay on the pit box and focus more on his crew chief duties.(TRPR)(3-16-2002)
(3-15-2002)
Gibbs back in the NFL: Joe Gibbs, who won three championships as head coach of the Washington Redskins, is returning to the NFL as a minority owner of the Atlanta Falcons. New Falcons chairman, president and CEO Arthur Blank announced on Friday that Gibbs, John P. Imlay, Jr., and John A. Williams have reached preliminary agreement to become minority owners of the team, buying a 5 percent stake for $27 million. The NFL has to sign off on the deal before it becomes official. During 12 years as head coach of the Redskins, Gibbs went to four Super Bowls, winning three of them. His postseason record --16-5 -- is behind only Vince Lombardi and Weeb Ewbank. Gibbs retired from the Redskins in 1993 and turned his focus to Joe Gibbs Racing, based in Charlotte, N.C. The group includes two NASCAR teams led by Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart.(ESPN).
The connection between Blank and Gibbs? Blank is the co-founder and retired co-chairman of Atlanta-based Home Depot - the sponsor of Gibb's #20 Pontiac with driver Tony Stewart.(3-15-2002)
No Changes for Talladega? Winston Cup series director John Darby said Friday that he expects little, if any, changes to the aerodynamic package for the April 7 race at Talladega. NASCAR adapted new rules following last season’s Talladega race, which included a 16-car accident on the last lap, to reduce the closely packed side-by-side racing. The rules went into effect prior to the season opening Daytona 500 and were well received by drivers for the most part.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-15-2002)
Latest on Stewart's Indy 500 Plans: Ganassi Racing CART drivers Kenny Brack, Bruno Junqueira and IRL driver Jeff Ward will be in Ganassi cars at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May [for the Indy 500], and Ganassi is still working on a plan to bring Tony Stewart back for another try. But a contract for Stewart is not yet in place. "Chip wants to (run Stewart), and I think Stewart wants to do it," team general manager Mike Hull said Thursday. "It should be a matter of getting everything pulled together, like Target (Ganassi's sponsor in CART) and Home Depot (Stewart's sponsor in NASCAR)." Stewart could not be reached for comment. Rival team owner Roger Penske admitted he's talked with Home Depot officials -- he is on the company's board of directors -- about running Stewart as a teammate to Gil de Ferran and defending champion Helio Castroneves in the 500. Ganassi said he expects Stewart to run with his team or no one's. "I've always had him lined up," Ganassi said. "And he hasn't told me he doesn't (want the ride)."(Indianapolis Star)(3-15-2002)
Money raised: The Atlanta Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities, a non-profit foundation dedicated to enhancing the lives of children, raised $35,875 during a gala reception held in conjunction with the recent MBNA America 500 Winston Cup weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. "This was one of the best receptions we're ever had," commented M/Gen. Tom M. Sadler, USAF (Ret.) and executive director of the charities. "Drivers appreciated the short-duration of the event and the fact they didn't have to leave the speedway property to attend. Each driver spoke in support of Speedway Children's Charites." Fox broadcaster Jeff Hammond served as the emcee along with local radio personality Cadillac Jack of Kicks 101.5. Approximately 200 guests were in attendance including NASCAR drivers Mark Martin, Jerry Nadeau, Mike Wallace, Jon Andretti, Buckshot Jones and Hut Stricklin. Former drivers Donnie Allison and Richard Petty were also in attendance along with legendary mechanic Waddell Wilson. In addition to a fabulous Friday night reception, the charities' "Racing for Kids 2002" drawing sales were also excellent. During the three days of tickets sales, fans gave nearly $10,000 through $5 donations to be entered in the drawing to win either a 2002 Roush Stage 2 Mustang convertible or a 2001 Indian Motorcycle. Both prizes will be given away at the next Atlanta race in October. The next opportunity to enter the "Racing for Kids" drawing will be during the Bristol races beginning Wednesday night, March 20, in Knoxville, Tenn., during Food City Family Race Night at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. The following day, SCC will be in Kingsport, Tenn., for the Food City Family Race Night at the MeadowView Conference Resort/Convention Center. SCC will then travel to Bristol Motor Speedway March 22 - 24 and will be located on souvenir row.(LMS PR)(3-15-2002)
(3-14-2002)
Hillenburg in the #71 at Darlington: Stock car veteran and driving school proprietor Andy Hillenburg has been named to drive the #71 Chevy entered by Marcis Auto Racing in this weekend’s race at Darlington. Hillenburg runs the Fast Track Driving School that is based at Lowe’s Motor Speedway [see link on my Racing Schools/Jobs page]. The two-time winner of the Daytona ARCA 200 during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway attempted to make four Winston Cup starts in 2001 for BAM Racing, but failed to qualify for races in Talladega, Daytona, Pocono and Indianapolis.(NASCAR.com)(3-14-2002)
Atlanta TV Ratings: For the second-consecutive week, FOX earned the highest rating of any weekend sports programming, this time with its broadcast Sunday of the Winston Cup race from Atlanta. The race generated a 6.0 rating/15 share (approximately 10 million viewers), beating out CBS’s NCAA Tournament selection show (5.4/11). NASCAR buried its head-to-head NBC competition, more than tripling the delivery of NBC’s Toronto-Orlando game (+233 percent, 6.0 vs. 1.8). NASCAR also beat that NBA game by enormous margins among male viewers ages 18-49 (+383%, 5.8 vs. 1.2) and men ages 25-54 (+442%, 6.5 vs. 1.2).(ThatsRacin.com)(3-14-2002)
Students to work crew: Seven students from the Universal Technical Institute's (UTI) Houston campus will work on the pit crew for Truck Series racer Loni Richardson at tomorrow's Craftsman Anniversary 200 at Darlington Raceway. Richardson - who will be racing the #73 Chevy truck sponsored by Intensitee Custom Race Wear, UTI and County Building Center - is a 12-year racing veteran who will be competing as a Raybestos rookie of the year contender at this year's event. Ranging in age from 19-30, the students participating as the pit crew are: Jason Flamer, Theodore Brown, Jose Gonzalez, Ernest Herrera Jr., David Honea, Michael Kalassay and William McGoffin, who have been under the educational direction of UTI-Houston instructor Richard Hildebrandt. They will gain hands-on knowledge as they constitute a majority of Richardson's pit crew during the race. Flamer was one of four students awarded the Dodge Diversity Scholarship for 2001 to attend UTI's NASCAR program at the Houston campus. Created to cultivate minority participation in NASCAR and Dodge Motorsports, scholarship recipients are provided with the necessary education and training through UTI. The scholarship program prepares them to fill the many employment opportunities available as professional automotive technicians.(more info about the program on my Racing Schools/Jobs page). UTI, the exclusive educational partner of NASCAR, will open the first ever NASCAR Technical Institute in July 2002 in Mooresville, NC where an estimated 1900 students will train for careers in automotive technology annually.(NASCAR PR)(3-14-2002)
BACE and Little to Cup: BACE Motorsports announced this week that the team will make its NASCAR Winston Cup debut at California Speedway on April 28, 2002 with driver Chad Little in the #74 Chevy. In the coming weeks, Team Manager Terry Wooten will be announcing a crew chief for the Winston Cup team, as well as a strategic alliance with another Winston Cup program that will supply engines to the new venture. Operations of the #74 BGN Team, also piloted by Little, will cease immediately. "We’re excited to make the transition to the Winston Cup level with the #74 Team," owner Bill Baumgardner said. "We’ve made a strategic change in plan for the No. 74 and are now dedicating 100 percent of the focus of this team to our Winston Cup effort. Since BACE was formed in 1990, we’ve been committed to a standard of excellence that has led our team to success. With the elements we currently have in place, we believe that this is the appropriate time to make the move to Winston Cup." BACE’s debut marks the return of Chad Little to Winston Cup. Little joined BACE late in the 2000 BGN campaign, posting two Top-5 and six Top-10 finishes en route to a 9th-place finish in the 2001 BGN Championship race. "This is a great opportunity for me to return to Winston Cup with a team that understands how to build a winner," Little said. "Their success in the Busch Series is undeniable and we have high expectations for Winston Cup," he added. "I’m excited to be a part of a team with such a great tradition and honored to drive for BACE in their first Winston Cup effort." Little, a former NASCAR Winston West Champion, will pilot the #74 entry in a limited schedule, initially focusing on intermediate tracks, as the team actively seeks corporate sponsorship. Following BACE’s California Speedway debut, Little will run The Winston Open and Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, then the June events at Dover International Speedway and Michigan International Speedway. Additional events will be named as the 2002 season progresses, with as many as 20 races possible.(Chad Little Site)(3-14-2002)
New Texas Trophy: A very special pair of hand-carved wooden cowboy boots will have a new role for the 2002 RPM-Week races at Texas Motor Speedway. The unique trophy has been promoted from being presented to the Busch Series race winner to the winner of the Samsung/RadioShack 500 NASCAR Winston Cup race. "I think it's so 'Texas' and that's exactly what we want," said speedway general manager Eddie Gossage. "This race is one of the top NASCAR events of the season so it's appropriate that the trophy be just as special." The hand-carved prize is an oversized pair of wooden boots mounted on a wood base. The Texas Motor Speedway logo has been carved into the upper shafts of the boots and genuine silver spurs, outfitted with specially cut lone star rowels, complete the piece. Local artisan Robert Cortez carved the trophy and the spurs were designed and created by Joe Spiller of Wingate, TX.(TMS PR)(3-14-2002)
Baseball, Texas and Benson: Brandweek magazine is reporting that Major League Baseball is planning a NASCAR-related promotion and licensing deal around the April 7 Winston Cup Samsung/RadioShack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, today's Sports Business Daily says. Brandweek says MBV's #10 Pontiac driven by Johnny Benson will display an MLB Opening Day logo. The promotion will also see Benson and his team attend a Rangers game during the race weekend, and Rangers players are expected to be on hand for the race. The magazine also says the 200,000 fans expected at the race will receive a fan guide with the complete 2002 MLB schedule.(Winston Cup Scene - Daily Newsletter)(3-14-2002)
#2 Changes? UPDATE: hearing the #2 and #12 team owner, Roger Penske is supposed to be in Mooresville Thursday to meet with both race teams, but to spend considerable time at the #2 (and #12) shop. Word is several personnel changes might be happening by the end of the day "to straighten things out" because of the poor qualifying to start the season (3 provisionals in 4 races)(3-14-2002) UPDATE: looks like this was incorrect, been told by team sources that Penske is not in North Carolina or the shop and no changes are looking to be made.(3-14-2002)
Wind Tunnel? UPDATE 5 No Changes....yet: hearing that NASCAR will take at least the highest finishing car of each manufacturer in the MBNA Amercia 500 at Atlanta to the wind tunnel in Marietta GA for areo testing.(3-10-2002) UPDATE: One car from each manufacturer was impounded by NASCAR following Sunday’s race and will be taken to a wind tunnel in Marietta, Ga., on Monday for testing. Tony Stewart’s #20-Pontiac, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s #8-Chevrolet, Ward Burton’s #22-Dodge and Ricky Craven’s #32-Ford were selected for the test.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-11-2002) UPDATE 2 - some unoffficial downforce numbers: from ESPN2's RPM 2 Night on Tuesday:
#22-Dodge (was 7th) - 1380lbs, 566 front, 814 rear
#32-Ford (5th) - 1343lbs, 537, 805
#20-Pontiac (1st) - 1297lbs, 545, 752
#8-Chevy (2nd) - 1246lbs, 498, 748 NOTE: in March 2001, NASCAR took the #'s 88, 24, 40 and 18 to the wind tunnel in Marietta, GA, with the unofficial results (unofficial):
Test 1 Tested at inspection height, and with the nose taped off as for qualifying, at 3 degrees of yaw, slightly sideways as in entering a corner:
#18-1,344lbs of total downforce
#88-1340lbs
#24-1331lbs
#40-1325lbs
Test 2 Tested with the nose lowered, in more of a real-race situation:
#88-1521lbs of downforce
#40-1481lbs
#18-1456lbs
#24-1432lbs.(3-12-2002) UPDATE 3: The results from NASCAR's post-race wind-tunnel testing of the top finishers at Atlanta are in, and General Motors' Pontiac and Chevrolet teams - although they ran 1-2 in Sunday's MBNA America 500 - lost to Dodge and Ford in the Lockheed tunnel in Marietta, GA. And that, said GM's Doug Duchardt, means that NASCAR must make some rules changes, possibly for this weekend's race at Darlington. As of late yesterday afternoon NASCAR officials had offered no word on the issue or on any possible rules changes. Ford and Dodge officials had no immediate comment. NASCAR tested Tony Stewart's winning Pontiac, Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s runner-up Chevrolet, Ward Burton's Dodge and Ricky Craven's Ford. Duchardt wouldn't provide exact figures but said "The Pontiac was not as bad as the Chevy, but it wasn't nearly as good as the Ford or the Dodge. The Dodge was the best.(Winston Salem Journal)(3-13-2002) UPDATE 4: Tommy Baldwin, #22-Ward Burton's crew chief, calls NASCAR's wind-tunnel numbers "bogus," because the test didn't set the cars at race-ride height into the wind. By dropping the nose down to the pavement, as cars actually do during a race with special shocks, the aerodynamics change considerably. And Baldwin said that the numbers so far leaked were for the cars in qualifying trim (Dodge's Bill Elliott won the pole at Atlanta), and he said that in race trim, Stewart's Pontiac had numbers just as good as the Dodge.(Winston Salem Journal)(3-14-2002)
(3-13-2002)
Hamilton changes paint to match track: Over the years Darlington Raceway has been labeled as the "Lady in Black.". This weekend for the Carolina Dodge Dealer's 400, it won't be the only black beast on the 1.366-mile oval.. Bobby Hamilton will debut a new black paint scheme on his #55 Schneider Electric Chevy. The Chevy will display a large green Schneider Electric "S" logo on the hood in an effort to give the Andy Petree Racing Chevy a more distinct appearance on the race track(Motorsports Decisions). See my Paint Scheme Gallery for the image.(3-13-2002)
Frazier Takes Home IRWIN Crew Chief of the Week Honors It was quite a homecoming last week in Atlanta for Buckshot Jones, driver of the #44 Georgia-Pacific Dodge, as he posted a 12th place finish in the MBNA America 500. However, things didn't look so bright in the beginning for the Georgia-native. Jones, who started 14th, had a tight car early in the race. His problems escalated when he was blocked during a routine pit stop by another car, costing him track position and, eventually, a lap. Despite the setback, the team's crew chief, Bryant Frazier, was confident that they had a car capable enough to post a strong finish. Once Jones managed to get back on the lead lap, he charged to the front and posted the best finish of his career, helping to earn Frazier 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. Race fans wanting to make a contribution to the Fund may do so by sending it to The Connie Parsons Memorial Fund, PO Box 443, Elerby, NC 28338.(Golin/Harris PR)(3-13-2002)
#59 Sched/News: Price Motorsports Inc., out of Raleigh, N.C. is ready to compete on the highest level of motorsports available---the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. The team, owned by local businessman Foster Price, has now teamed with veteran NASCAR driver Randy Renfrow of Fuquay Varina to form a Winston Cup team. Over the years, driver Renfrow has proven his worth as a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series pilot and overachieved in virtually every series he's competed. In a storied 30-year racing career, Renfrow has secured over 160 dirt track victories and 93 wins on asphalt tracks. He has also often completed in the NASCAR All Pro Series, Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Late Models and the Hooters ProCup touring series. The Raleigh-based team recently made their first qualifying attempt in NASCAR's premiere division at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, NC, narrowly missing the field for the February race. For Price Motorsports Inc., the next step will be to test their brand new Dodge Intrepid at Martinsville Speedway in early April. Martinsville. Renfrow's biggest hurdle to date will be qualifying for the April 14 running of the Virginia 500. Despite the their newness to the series, team and driver appear to have a legitimate shot at making the show. In addition to Martinsville, the team has also announced they will attempt to qualify for several upcoming events. Races in Richmond, Charlotte, Rockingham, Indianapolis, Bristol and Atlanta are also on the agenda.(Price Motorsports PR)(3-13-2002)
Local Team Has an All Winston Cup Flavor; Announces Sponsor: Charlotte, NC: When the MJ Motorsports #97 NASCAR Late Model Super Truck owned by #17 [Matt Kenseth] Winston Cup Spotter, Mike Calinoff, rolls from the transporter on April 6th, it will boast the design and fabrication of an all-Winston Cup team. 19-year-old Rookie driver -, Arthur "Aazie" Zimbelmann - a standout in Midwest Sprints and Modifieds -- will make his stock car racing debut in just a few weeks at the famed Hickory (NC) Motor Speedway. The Ford F-150 will sport a new sponsor, RPM - Racing Print Media of Fort Lauderdale, FL - and will have been prepared by members of a top NASCAR Winston Cup teams. RPM is a full-service printing company that specializes in the racing industry. They print autograph cards, media kits, sponsorship proposals and virtually anything related to racing. MJ Motorsports has associate sponsorship programs available, which include Internet advertising and placement on a top ARCA team.(MJ Motorsports PR)(3-13-2002)
(3-12-2002)
#7 Crew Chief Change UPDATE: #7 Co-owners Jim Smith and Ray Everham took the first step in improving Casey Atwood's training ground this morning when they released Kevin Cram as crew chief from the #7 Dodge. Veteran pitboss Buddy "Reddog" Barnes will assume the top spot for now.(The Sporting News)(3-11-2002) UPDATE: hearing Cram is going to the #92 BGN team (where Todd Bodine will drive) in some capacity.(3-12-2002)
Earnhardts sued by former associate: Gray London says he helped finance "The Intimidator’s" successful career. Now, he’s suing the multi-million dollar racing empire Dale Earnhardt Inc. to get a return on his 28-year-old investment. Jury selection took up the entire Cleveland County Court [NC] session on Monday. Juror after juror was excused from the trial after attorneys had trouble finding any who weren’t fans of Earnhardt or his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Winston Cup champion car owner Rick Hendrick was in Shelby on Monday for the trial. Teresa Earnhardt, Earnhardt’s widow and head of DEI, as well as legendary driver Harry Gant could also make appearances as witnesses, possibly as early as today. In his complaint filed in the summer of 2000 Gray London of Boiling Springs alleges he entered an agreement in 1999 with DEI to release Earnhardt from the defunct racing team the two men formed in 1974. London granted the release in exchange for $550,000 and the rights to make collectibles of three of Earnhardt’s first cars through his company, Driver on a Mission. The complaint alleges DEI violated the agreement and "used its economic clout within the racing souvenir industry to pressure individuals and businesses to refrain from or to stop doing business with DOM." The complaint says DEI told London’s prospective business partners they would "suffer if they do business with Mr. London or DOM." London claims that in 1974 he and Earnhardt formed the Earnhardt Racing Team, with each man putting up half of the money. "He helped Dale Earnhardt get started in 1974 after Dale’s father died. He put up the money for him to get started in racing," said London’s attorney Irving Brenner. "Over the years, Mr. London and Dale Earnhardt talked about settling up on their agreement and in January of 1999 they did. There was an agreement between Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Mr. London," said Brenner. London filed a lawsuit against DEI because, Brenner said, the agreement between the two men was broken by DEI. "The dispute is over not paying him the money the agreement calls for," Brenner said. London claims DEI owes him $100,000 through Action Performance, a racing souvenir company, under the 1999 agreement and alleges his company was not allowed to sell Earnhardt collectibles, which was also provided for under the agreement. DEI filed a countersuit claiming London breached the contract. Both the suit and countersuit ask for unspecified monetary amounts. "Basically, Mr. London knew Dale and his family and they had a racing team and it went under in two years," said attorney Judson Graves, who represented the Earnhardts last year in a Florida courtroom to restrict access to Earnhardt’s autopsy photos. "London came back looking for something out of the old days and threatened a suit. DEI lived up to their agreement and they (London) didn’t," said Graves. He said neither side disputes the existence of the 1999 contract between London and DEI.(in part from the Gaston Gazette, a short term link)(3-12-2002)
Still no decision on the #26 UPDATE will be at Darlington: Haas-Carter Motorsports, while still searching for sponsorship, has filed a single entry, for the #26 [Joe Nemechek], for this weekend’s Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington. Team owners Travis Carter and Carl Haas were in conferences right through the end of the day Monday to determine their course of action, moving ahead. Last week, a number of employees for both teams were laid off at Haas-Carter, a team spokesman said Monday.(NASCAR.com). AND both FSN's Totally NASCAR and ESPN2's RPM 2 Night said there was nothing to report on if the #26 is or is not going to Darlington this week.(3-11-2002) UPDATE: Haas-Carter Motorsports has entered Joe Nemechek's #26 Ford for Sunday's race at Darlington, despite their team's uncertain sponsorship status and an impending deadline of less than two weeks to remain employed, only 12 crewmen have left Haas-Carter Motorsports in the last week.(NASCAR.com)(3-12-2002)
Radio Off: With 10 laps left in the race [MBNA America 500 at Atlanta], Dale Jr. turned his radio off.(Sporting News)(3-12-2002)
(3-11-2002)
Stewart and the Indy 500 UPDATE 4 with Penske? no Ganassi: [Chip] Ganassi said Sunday that he is close to firming up a deal with NASCAR star Tony Stewart for the Indy 500. They teamed up to finish sixth this year.(Indianapolis Star)(11-5-2001) UPDATE: hearing that Stewart may run for Penske in the Indy 500 with Home Depot as the sponsor(1-3-2002) UPDATE 2: Winston Cup and Championship Auto Racing Teams series owner Chip Ganassi said Tuesday that he and Winston Cup star Tony Stewart are "talking about" putting together a deal for Stewart to run in the 2002 Indianapolis 500 with a Ganassi-owned car. "You know Tony, he's like trying to nail jelly to a post sometimes," Ganassi said. "So, we'll see. You can play telephone tag with him for three weeks before you reach him. It's moving along, and I would say on schedule." Stewart ran both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte the same day last season - his second time competing in both races. He finished sixth at Indy in a Ganassi-owned car and third at Charlotte with his Joe Gibbs-owned team.(That's Racin')(1-8-2002) UPDATE 3: Penske confirmed Saturday he has had discussions with Home Depot officials about running Tony Stewart in a third team car in the Indianapolis 500. Penske, who said he has not made a decision on running a third car, is on Home Depot's board of directors.(Indianapolis Star)(3-3-2002) UPDATE 4: ESPN2's RPM 2 Night reports that Stewart and Ganassi will team up for the Indy 500 and Target and Home Depot will co-sponsor the car.(EPSN2's RPM 2 Night)(3-11-2002)
first Wilson, now Hula Girl: #20-Tony Stewart has a new lucky charm, he drove with a miniature hula-girl doll secured in the rear of his car (the deck below the rear window, inside). Stewart said she soon will have a name and will be in the car again this weekend at Darlington. Last year #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr has the volleyball 'Wilson' in his car, a take off from the movie Castaway.(3-11-2002)
NAPCM Pit Crew of the Week #48 - Jimmy Johnson's Lowe's Crew - consistent pit stops in the low 15 second range kept Jimmy Johnson in the front of the pack all day.(NAPCM PR)(3-11-2002)
Buckshot to lose ride? UPDATE: Car owner Kyle Petty danced around reports that Buckshot Jones would be fired this week. Petty, who also owns the #44-Dodge he drives and a similar #43-Dodge for John Andretti, said Petty Enterprises has a five-year contract with Jones and sponsor Georgia Pacific. Then he admitted he's told the entire race team they're on notice to deliver better results. Jones, a University of Georgia graduate, had no top-10 finishes last year. He finished 41st in the point standings after failing to qualify for six races. Joe Nemechek, whose team will fold today if it doesn't secure sponsorship, already is rumored to replace Jones.(Augusta Chronicle)(3-11-2002) UPDATE: For Petty Enterprises, the race was an upbeat one. John Andretti crashed, but the Dodges of Buckshot Jones and Kyle Petty finished 12th and 15th, respectively. Oddly enough, after the best finish of his Petty Enterprises tenure, the subject of Jones’ job security came up. "A lot of people are on the hot seat," said Kyle Petty, who heads the team as well as driving for it. "We’re on the hot seat: Petty Enterprises with General Mills (Andretti’s sponsor) and Georgia Pacific (Jones’). The way we’ve run for a year, if the sponsors aren’t screaming, there’s a problem with that. They’re screaming a little bit. They want us to run better. They’re not mad at us, but they want us to run better. When that happens, a lot of times rumors start." Petty added that Jones’ job security was as great as his, but that either could be out of a job as driver if circumstances dictated the move. "(The Georgia Pacific #44 Dodge) is (Jones’) car," Petty said, "it has been for the past year, and it will be in the future, as far as we’re concerned." Petty added that if he decided to give up his driving career, he would hire someone else to drive the team’s #45 Dodge.(Gaston Gazette)(3-11-2002)
Engine Woes at Atlanta? looking at the past two Atlanta spring races DNF's (did not finish), there were nine DNF's last March due to engine problems and in 2000 there were six. This years race had five engine related DNFs, so looks like the new one engine rule was no biggy.(3-11-2002)
New Pit Road Rules: NASCAR will change its policies for speeding violations on pit road following confusion over an infraction for which eventual race-winner Sterling Marlin was never penalized a week ago at Las Vegas. NASCAR president Mike Helton announced the changes Sunday morning at the drivers’ meeting prior to the MBNA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The new rules go into effect next weekend at Darlington Raceway. The key change is that, under green-flag conditions, the penalty for speeding on the way onto pit road will now be the same as the penalty for speeding off the pit lane. The new penalty will be what NASCAR is calling a “pass through,” meaning the offending car will have to come off the track and travel the length of pit road at its speed limit without stopping. Under the old rule, a car speeding on the way onto pit road during a green-flag stop was held for 15 seconds in its pit stall. A car speeding off pit road was brought back to its pit box for a stop-and-go penalty. During last week’s UAW 400 at Las Vegas, NASCAR officials said Marlin was speeding as he came to his pit stall after being spun out in Turn 4. NASCAR’s race control officials called for the 15-second penalty, but that message was not heard by the official working in Marlin’s pit stall. Marlin left without serving a penalty and NASCAR decided not to enforce any further sanction, saying that bringing Marlin back to pit road would be too severe of a penalty. Since the usual penalty for speeding on the exit to pit lane was to bring a car back in for a stop-and-go, that raised the question of why the sanction for speeding on the way out should be more severe for speeding on the way in. The rule change announced Sunday addresses that issue. Helton admitted Sunday that not giving Marlin a penalty last week might not have been the right decision. Helton said the change was made to avoid the kind of confusion and miscommunication that happened at Las Vegas. Under the rule that goes into effect next week, a driver speeding on the way in and on the way out on the same pit stop will be brought back in for a stop-and-go penalty. A driver who exceeds the pit road speed limit as he serves the “pass through” penalty for speeding will also get a stop-and-go. The penalty for speeding in or out of a pit stop made under yellow-flag conditions will not change - the offending car will be sent to the end of the longest line of traffic for the restart.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-10-2002) UPDATE: plus a nice breakdown at RacingOne:
The New Pit Road Rules
Speeding Entering Pit Road
Current Penalty: 15 seconds
New Penalty: Pass through at correct pit road speed.
Speeding Exiting Pit Road
Current Penalty: Stop and Go
New Penalty: Pass through at correct pit road speed
Entering and Exiting Pit Road
Current Penalty: 15 seconds after stop; brought back for stop and go
New Penalty: Stop and Go
Speeding on Pass Through
New Penalty: Stop and Go Multiple Violations: NASCAR’s Discretion.(RacingOne)(3-11-2002)
APR gets Assoc sponsor: Monaco Coach Corporation has joined forces with Andy Petree Racing, and will be an associate sponsor for both the #55 Schneider Electric Chevrolet and the #33 APR Chevrolet. Monoco Vice President Ed Kinney and car owner Andy Petree made the announcement this morning. "Having a quality company like Monaco become part of the Andy Petree Racing family is great for both companies," Petree said. "Monaco has a commitment to quality and a strong belief in working hard to be the best. We do too, and that's the type of businesses both of us want to be associated with." The Coburg, Ore., based corporation has become one of the world's leading RV manufacturer since it was founded in 1968, and remains one of the fastest-growing in the industry. Andy Petree Racing fields two NASCAR Winston Cup cars and was one of just three multi-car teams to have multi-car victories last season. "We have a firm belief in NASCAR fans and a firm belief in Andy Petree Racing," Kinney said. "One of the world's fastest growing RV manufacturers taking a larger role in the world's fastest growing sport is just a natural. We're proud to be a part of NASCAR racing and a part of Andy Petree's winning operation."(Williams Company PR), note: ot doesn't say when the next race for the #33 will be, last reported was the April Talladega race.(3-11-2002)
Traveling Student: NASCAR racing has begun attracting new fans around the country, and now an anthropology grad student at the University of California at Santa Cruz, who is doing his dissertation on life on the Winston Cup tour, during a 10-month assignment, James Todd, who is living in a motorhome and traveling the series.(Winston Salem Journal)(3-11-2002)
Changes in the Winston UPDATE:MRN Radio interviewed Rich Habegger of R.J. Reynolds/Winston and it was mentioned that there will be some changes to The Winston all-star race that will be run at Lowes Motor Speedway on May 18th. No word on what amy of those changes will be.(2-24-2002) UPDATE: on PRN's radio broadcast of the MBNA America 500 at Atlanta, they interviewed Denny Darnell with SME (Sports
Marketing Enterprises/RJR) who said that in about 3 weeks they'll be announcing a "major" change to the Winston. All that was said on Sunday was that there will still be three segments, but something about drivers not being able to lay or hold back, that they have to race to the front right away or they may not find themselves in the running at the end. Should be interesting.(3-11-2002)
Shawna Warned: NASCAR warned Shawna Robinson to pick up her speed early in the race after she got lapped twice in the first 40 laps. Robinson sped up and avoided any more warnings, finishing 15 laps down in 34th.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(3-11-2002)
