Labonte Testing a Chevy? UPDATE: hearing that after wrecking his #18 Interstate Batteries Pontiac during testing at Texas Motor Speedway, the #18 team broke out the backup car to test and it was a.......Chevy, not a Pontiac.(3-27-2002) UPDATE: #18-Bobby Labonte tested with a Pontiac and a Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway earlier this week, but company President J.D. Gibbs says the team is simply researching what the Monte Carlo offers. He was in both cars on Monday and Tuesday but logged extra hours in the Monte Carlo after crashing his Pontiac. Gibbs remained adamant that the team is not leaving the Pontiac ranks for the security of a make with significantly more competitors. He defined those plans as the development of the 2003 Pontiac, a project ongoing at Gibbs and the Johnny Benson-Ken Schrader shops. Gibbs said his team has studied Dodge and Ford noses as well. But putting a Chevrolet on a Winston Cup track is new ground. "As of right now, we have no plans to run a Chevrolet," Gibbs said. Still, Gibbs said Labonte was comfortable in both cars. "They're pretty close," he said. "We have no plans to switch from Pontiac."(Richmond Times Dispatch)(3-31-2002)
What is up with Pontiac? Speculation is rampant about the General Motors brand's future in the sport. Joe Gibbs Racing [#'s 18 and 20] is trying to quell the rumors, pointing to the 2003 model under development as proof of Pontiac's staying power in the sport. First, the make dwindles to only five full-time Winston Cup teams. Then Pontiac teams start building Chevrolets, admittedly a common practice among teams, but drivers test these cars. And the make's sponsorship contract for the Pontiac Excitement 400 [Richmond] is in the final year of a multiyear contract.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(3-31-2002)
(3-30-2002)
California Testing: #40-Sterling Marlin was at California Speedway on Wednesday looking to improve his speed for a race that still is a month away. #49-Shawna Robinson also spent of the first off-week of the NASCAR season at the Fontana track and tried to wipe out painful memories of last year. Brendan Gaughan, 12th in the Craftsman Truck Series point scramble, also was on hand and trying to find answers about his unpainted Dodge. Together with BGN driver Greg Biffle, the quartet was at the Fontana track in preparation for the April 26-28 NASCAR weekend. Gaughan, who won the Winston West race at the track in 2001, can't decide if he will attempt to make the field for the April race. That decision could be reached soon. Gaughan said the truck series remains the priority, but the Orleans Racing team was at the point where he could put a few laps on the Dodge. "We're just testing and learn what we can," Gaughan said. "If things go well, we would love to try to show and race here. This program took a big back seat when we had to re-body the truck earlier this year. It's actually running good right now. We're semi-impressed."(Pasadina Star-News)(3-30-2002)
Labonte to Roam UPDATE: How would you spend an open weekend if you were a NASCAR driver? Terry Labonte, driver of the #5 Kellogg's Chevrolet, will spend his helping others. Labonte will serve as Grand Marshal in the first "Roam For A Home," a charity motorcycle ride [655-miles] from Thursday, March 28 through Saturday, March 30, to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. A Corpus Christi native, Labonte will not only wave the ceremonial green flag to start the ride. He also will participate in the three-day tour that carries riders through Galveston and San Antonio, and returns March 30, passing through Labonte Park to downtown Corpus Christi. In addition to the obvious goals of raising funds for and increasing awareness of the Ronald McDonald House, the "Roam For A Home" provides symbolism as the two-time champion approaches another NASCAR milestone. The "Roam For A Home" is the vision of Corpus Christi Harley-Davidson dealer Preston Douglass and Randall Hicks, a personal friend of Labonte's. They hope to make the event an annual occurrence. Hicks is expecting a field of 60 riders, all of whom will be designated as Ronald McDonald House Good Will Ambassadors. Participants will visit RMH facilities in Galveston and San Antonio along the route as time and logistics will allow.
Day 1 (March 28) will feature a kickoff rally in Corpus Christi, and pass through Port Lavaca and Angleton on the way to Galveston. Day 2 (March 29) will carry riders through Eagle Lake and Shiner before stopping in San Antonio. On Day 3 (March 30), the tour will advance through Three Rivers and Mathis before winding up at The Executive Surf Club back in Corpus Christi. Terry Labonte will then return to NASCAR competition when the schedule resumes the weekend of April 5-7 at Texas Motor Speedway near Fort Worth.(Summit Marketing PR)(3-21-2002) UPDATE: see an update at the Corpus Christi Caller.(3-30-2002)
Gaughan to run at California? FSN's Totally NASCAR reported Friday that CTS driver and 2000-2001 Winston West champ, Brendan Gaughan [#62 NAPA Dodge in the CTS] tested at California Speedway this past week in a Cup car and may run the April 28th Californai Speedway Cup race(3-30-2002)
#40 at Texas: look for #40-Sterling Marlin to run a Brooks & Dunn scheme on the #40 Coors Light Dodge at Texas.(3-30-2002)
(3-29-2002)
Earnhardt Statue and Paintings/Prints: Ross Morgan, the Arizona-based sculptor selected to build the Dale Earnhardt Tribute, has officially signed on to the project and will be in Kannapolis for the next few days. Jennifer Woodford, Kannapolis' public information officer, said the cost of the project is still to be determined. She said working out the details of the deal is one of the main reasons Morgan is in town. "This morning (Thursday) he signed a contract, so he is officially commissioned," Woodford said. More than $20,000 has been raised for the project, and Woodford has said that should cover the cost of having the concept developed. Woodford said once Morgan completes the concept, planners should have a better idea of what the finished project will cost. The recent decision to place the statue downtown in Funderburk Park will cut down a lot on the final price of the project, Woodford said. Original plans had the statue being erected in Village Park, where the tribute was projected to cost upwards of $700,000. Morgan's visit also allows him to check out the project's new site. Funderburk Park, which likely will be renamed Dale Earnhardt Tribute Park, measures 140 by 207 feet. It's off South Main Street between West A and West B Streets. Morgan said Funderburk Park works well with the mental concept he's already developed. Woodford said among those Morgan met with were Earnhardt's mother, Martha Earnhardt, and sister, Cathy Watkins, who is serving on a steering committee that is planning the project. Woodford said Morgan has not met with Earnhardt's widow, Teresa Earnhardt. Ultimately the project's concept will have to be approved by her. AND Other news: Phyllis Beaver, marketing director for Cannon Village, said NASCAR artist Sam Bass is hoping to get some of his artwork featuring Earnhardt to the visitors center prior to May's NASCAR events at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Bass is planning to paint a mural that will be housed inside the visitors center. The painting should coincide somewhat with Morgan's statue.(Independent Tribune) AND In a small town on the Choptank River, On Maryland's Eastern Shore; lives an artist whose expressions are not only a labor of love, but also a daily struggle. Renowned artist George Wright recently unveiled his latest creation to the world: a chronicle of the life and times of the greatest NASCAR racer of all time-Dale Earnhardt. The print traces his life from childhood to the days before the tragedy that took him from us forever. This is a joint project between Wright and Tom Brown, founder of Tom Brown's Rookie League; a non-profit instructional youth-sports program in Salisbury, MD. The Dale Earnhardt print was recently finished and is generating a lot of attention in the collector's world. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the prints will benefit The Rookie League and it's great work with teaching young children the fundamentals of sports while instilling sportsmanship and fair-play. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit the Dale Earnhardt Tribute Fund in Kannapolis, NC. More info on this print and others by white can be found at l-nsports.com.(3-29-2002)
New Fab Shop: Jerry Painter, formally of Robert Yates Racing and Andy Petree Racing is starting a fabrication shop called The Fab Shop and is looking for several fabricators. Thought with the recent layoff's, this was a worthwhile post. Contact Painter at (704) 650-2660(3-29-2002)
Mayfield and Trickle test at Talladega for Evernham: #19-Jeremy Mayfield concluded a two-day test session at Talladega Superspeedway on Thursday. During the two-day test at Talladega, Mayfield was joined by veteran Dick Trickle in the #91 Dodge owned by Ray Evernham. “One reason we are here is to get our speedway program sorted out where it needs to be,” said Mayfield. “Dodge has certainly had a good year so far.”(Talladega Superspedway PR)(3-29-2002)
Martinsville Testing: #32-Ricky Craven and Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year contenders #12-Ryan Newman and #48-Jimmy Johnson closed out two days of testing at Martinsville Speedway on Thursday afternoon. Testing resumes Monday when #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #9-Bill Elliott, #15-Michael Waltrip, #4-Mike Skinner and #59-Randy Renfrow hit the track for a two-day session.(Martinsville Speedway PR)(3-29-2002)
Teresa Earnhardt - Outstanding Mother of the Year: Teresa Earnhardt, the CEO of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. -- the racing and business conglomerate that fields three NASCAR Winston Cup Series race teams [#'s 1,8,15] -- has been cited as an “Outstanding Mother of the Year” for 2002 by the National Mother's Day Commitee. Earnhardt, the widow of seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt and the founder of the organization that bears his name, is one of six women from the entertainment, sports, business and television fields honored by the committee.(NASCAR.com)(3-29-2002)
Mechanix Wear to sponsor Pit Crew of the Year Award: Mechanix Wear announced that it will sponsor an official NASCAR Winston Cup Series year-end award to honor the best pit crew for the 2002 season. The Mechanix Wear Pit Crew of the Year Award is a $75,000 prize awarded to the winning pit crew as selected by the crew chiefs in the Winston Cup Series. The winning crew will be chosen from 4 quarterly finalists which will be determined by a points awarded for finishes in the top 15 of each race. For more info and rules breakdown, see the NAPCM Site.(3-29-2002)
IWC draws record audience: The SPEED Channel show Inside Winston Cup with drivers Michael Waltrip, Johnny Benson and Ken Schrader joining host Allen Bestwick, drew its highest-ever audience on the motorsports cable channel, as 367,000 households tuned in Monday night. "The response to IWC has been very exciting," said SPEED Channel president Jim Liberatore. "In fact, all of our new NASCAR programming has doubled and in some cases tripled the time period performance from last year. We are hoping that this new Speed Channel audience will not only enjoy our NASCAR presentations, but also enjoy all of the other diverse events that this channel offers. This from the beginning has been our goal, to expose the vast NASCAR audience to new and exciting forms of speed". The show, which airs every Monday night from 7-8 p.m., drew a 0.73 rating number. (Speed Channel)(3-29-2002)
(3-28-2002)
Texas Field down to 43 or 44?: The car count for NASCAR's Samsung/RadioShack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway next weekend has fallen from 45 cars to the full-field minimum of 43. Joe Nemechek's #26 entry was pulled after Haas-Carter Motorsports announced it was suspending racing operations because of sponsorship problems emanating from Kmart's bankruptcy filing. TMS officials also were informed by #02-Hermie Sadler that he was pulling his entry blank, and canceling hotel rooms.(Fort Worth Star Telegram), but have been informed that while the rooms were cancelled Sadler is waiting word on a sponsor and seeing how preparations go on a back-up car and will make a decision early next week, but its a better than 50% chance that Sadler will go to Texas.(3-28-2002)
Gordon and the Indy 500 UPDATE 2: After being announced as the driver for the #31 Cingular Chevy for the 2002 season, Robby Gordon says he may still run the Indy 500 if the right deal can be worked out (and it is with Richard Childress)(Insider Racing News/FSN's Totally NASCAR)(11-17-2001) UPDATE: Word is that Robby Gordon will be pulling double duty Memorial Day weekend by driving in the Indy 500 and then flying from Indy to Lowe's Motor Speedway to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 later that day. Gordon, the regular driver of the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet, will have backing from his team owner Richard Childress in more ways than one. It is believed that Childress will be a financial backer of the Indy team Gordon would drive for -- Menard Racing. It is also believed that Cingular will come aboard with some level of sponsorship as well. If he does the double duty, Gordon would join Tony Stewart and John Andretti as the only other NASCAR Winston Cup Series drivers to do so. Stewart completed the task in 1999 and 2001. Andretti did it in 1994. This would be the third time Gordon will attempt the 1,100-mile marathon. He attempted to do it in 1997, but was stopped by Mother Nature -- the Indy race was delayed two days because of rain. Gordon also tried in 2000 but P.J. Jones started the car for Gordon.(NASCAR.com BUZZ)(3-27-2002) UPDATE 2: Cingular Wireless will sponsor both race teams in Robby Gordon's third attempt at the Indianapolis 500/Coca-Cola 600 "double" May 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Lowe's Motor Speedway for car owners Richard Childress and John Menard. Gordon will drive the #31 Menard/Childress/Cingular Wireless Chevrolet-powered Dallara in the Indianapolis 500 and the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet Monte Carlo for Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in the Coca-Cola 600. Gordon had high hopes for the Memorial Day weekend feat in 2000 and 1997 but never enjoyed a true 'double' due to weather delays both years. A rain delay in the 2000 Indianapolis 500 caused Gordon to miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600, while rain postponed the 1997 Indianapolis 500 until the following Monday.. Although he has not enjoyed the full 'double' experience, Gordon has logged four top-six finishes in seven Indianapolis 500 starts and was leading on the next-to-last lap of the 1999 race before running out of fuel (he finished fourth). This year's 'Greatest Spectacle in Racing' will not be Gordon's first venture with Menard, either. Menard co-owned Gordon's 1999 and 2000 Indy 500 teams, as well as his 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series team. Team Menard will build and crew the Menard/Childress/Cingular Wireless Dallara/Chevrolet. Gordon is also reuniting with his former crew chief Dave Forbes for the 500-mile race.. Forbes was Gordon's crew chief during the 1999 CART Series and in the 1999 Indy 500.(RCR PR)(3-28-2002)
Travis Carter Statement: The following quote is from Travis Carter, co-team owner of Haas Carter Motorsports regarding his next steps and future plans in NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing. "I¹m not quitting," Carter said. "Just because Haas Carter Motorsports has closed its doors does not mean that I intend to leave NASCAR. I¹ve been in this sport for more than 30 years and racing is what I do. I still have a lot of work to do here and my main focus is to pursue sponsors and fight to survive. I¹ll work on deals that may open the doors up in a few months or that may allow us to race in 2003. Regardless, I¹ll keep working to open these doors again. Don¹t count me out. "I have every reason in the world to stay in NASCAR. My 20-year-old son, Matt, wants to be in the sport and I want to provide him with those opportunities. There have also been a lot of people who have worked here that I want to continue working with and
supporting. "Emotionally, this has been a tough load to carry," Carter added. "But through all of this, I¹ve had a lot of support from quality people in the racing community and I can¹t thank them enough for all that they¹ve said or done for me and this team."(Cox Marketing PR)(3-28-2002)
Changes at Talladega? UPDATE: this weeks Speedway Scene [March 15th edition] reports that NASCAR will ;ikely bump up the spolier on the Fords and increase the size of the restrictor plate [for everyone] at Talladega.(3-27-2002) UPDATE: NASCAR announced a ¼-inch increase for the rear spoiler height on the Ford Taurus to be used in next month's Talladega 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Measurements for the rear spoilers on the Ford Taurus will now read at 6 inches tall by 57 inches wide. During the Daytona 500 in February, the Ford's rear spoiler was 5 ¾ inches tall. The Chevrolet and Dodge teams rear spoiler will remain at 6 ¼ inches tall, while the Pontiac teams will measure at 6 ½ inches tall by 57 inches wide.(NASCAR PR)(3-28-2002)
Elledge to leave Yates? UPDATE No: Dodge is wooing Jimmy Elledge, one of the Winston Cup tour's rising young crew chiefs, to leave Robert Yates' Ford #88 operation to join Ray Evernham's Dodge gang as crew chief for #7-Casey Atwood on the Jimmy Smith-Buddy Barnes operation. And Barnes yesterday said that Elledge could be joining his team soon. Smith, the team owner in a partnership with Evernham, and Barnes, the general manager and interim crew chief, have been rebuilding the team since losing sponsorship last fall. Atwood finished 18th yesterday, his best of the year.(Winston Salem Journal)(3-25-2002) UPDATE: #88-Dale Jarrett expects to have crew chief Jimmy Elledge with him, discounting recent rumors that Elledge might leave the Robert Yates Racing team. Jarrett said Elledge does not plan to leave and has told Jarrett that repeatedly this week. (Roanoke Times)(3-28-2002)
No Rift: Jim Smith said there is no rift between him and Ray Evernham, co-owners of the #7 car driven by Casey Atwood. ''My relationship with Ray is excellent,'' Smith said earlier this week, although he admitted he was not pleased with the team's progress when he discussed the situation with The Tennessean two weeks ago. ''You're never happy when you're not performing up to expectations,'' Smith said, ''but I didn't mean that to be taken as a criticism of Ray. ''He wants Casey to do well just as much as I do.'' (Tennessean)(3-28-2002)
Petree tests at Martinsville UPDATE: 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) UPDATE: Actually, Petree will be driving the #33 Chevy (not a Dodge), so far no primary sponsor, but Petree may be close, and Craftsman and Sherwin Williams will be major associates on the truck.(3-28-2002)
Coo Coo Recovering: Coo Coo Marlin, a four-time [Nashville] Fairgrounds Speedway champion and father of current Winston Cup star Sterling Marlin, recently suffered a mild stroke and is recovering at his home in Columbia, TN. ''I'm doing OK,'' he said this week. Marlin had been active on his farm while also attending many of his son's races and working with grandson Steadman on his race team.(Tennessean)(3-28-2002)
43 cars or No Pay? UPDATE 2: this is interesting, didn't know this: NASCAR almost had a short field (fewer than 43 cars) last weekend at Darlington. If so, it would have been the first time since 42 cars ran at Talladega in October 1997. #49-Shawna Robinson and #71-Andy Hillenburg were late entries and ran only a few laps. Didn't matter ... they'd earned their money by showing up and filling the field. NASCAR probably will have to make midweek phone calls to rustle up enough cars to get to 43.(see story below, looks like 43). There's a good reason for that number: The contract with NBC and Fox says NASCAR must present 43 cars each weekend. If not, the networks aren't obligated to pay as much for the rights to televise the event.(Daily Press). NOTE: being told that NASCAR has asked the #49 BAM Racing and #71 Marcis Racing teams to go to the Cup race in California to insure a full field. The race is not on either teams schedule and Bristol could be the last race for the #26 car and Joe Nemechek unless a sponsor is found.
UPDATE: But California is already on the #49's planned scheduled, the #16 Ford with Greg Biffle is supposed to run, and the #74 BACE Motorsports team with Chad Little plans on debuting there.(3-20-2002) UPDATE 2: Despite reports to the contrary, NASCAR executive George Pyne said that NASCAR TV contract with the networks doesn't require that 43-car fields be provided in order to collect the full rights fees.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(3-28-2002)
(3-27-2002)
Stewart to Skip the Indy 500? UPDATE no double this year: Even before his nasty crash Sunday, Tony Stewart apparently was re-evaluating his plans for May. Stewart has had discussions with Chip Ganassi and Roger Penske about running in the Indianapolis 500, but his NASCAR team officials said he has been weighing one other option: None of the above. Team officials said owner Joe Gibbs is not standing in the way of Stewart again doing Memorial Day double duty with either Ganassi or Penske. It's up to the driver, and he hasn't decided. Last year, Stewart ran in the Indy 500 and then the Coca-Cola 600, a night race at Charlotte.(Indianapolis Star).(3-18-2002) UPDATE: reported on Fox Sports Net, Matt Yocum is reporting that due to Tony Stewart's stellar start in 2002 and taking into account everyone's best interest, Stewart has decided to skip this years Indy 500 to concentrate on his other dream a Winston Cup championship. Chip Ganassi had offered him the same ride as last year.(3-27-2002)
#26 Team to close this week? UPDATE: hearing the one remaining team for Haas Carter Motorsports, the #26 Joe Nemechek Ford, will close down at the end of this week and not run Texas unless a sponsor jumps aboard.(3-27-2002) UPDATE: Haas Carter Motorsports announced today that it has ceased its NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing operation. The team fielded the #26 Ford Taurus for Joe Nemechek and #66 Ford Taurus for Todd Bodine. With the unfortunate filing of Chapter 11 by its primary sponsor Kmart Corporation just prior to the NASCAR season opener in Daytona, the timing could not have been worse for the team to find a replacement. Kmart Corporation has been a great team sponsor since Haas Carter Motorsports first entered the Winston Cup Series and we wish them well in their restructuring efforts. It is with great sadness that Haas Carter Motorsports releases its drivers and team members to pursue other Winston Cup opportunities as we realize this decision impacts families and friends.(Cox Marketing Group PR)(3-27-2002)
It's Official - DW in a Truck UPDATE: Three-time Winston Cup champion and current NASCAR on FOX analyst Darrell Waltrip will make a return to racing on April 13th at the Advance Auto Parts 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event in Martinsville, VA. This will mark Waltrip's first return to NASCAR racing since his retirement at the end of the 2000 Winston Cup season. Waltrip will drive the #17 Duck Head Footwear Dodge, owned by Virginia businessman Jim Harris and Mark Melling. Stacy Compton, originally slated to be in the Duck Head Footwear truck, is unable due to a scheduling conflict with the Pepsi 300 NASCAR Busch Series race running at Nashville that same day. Waltrip will be reunited with his former crew chief and current FOX Sports analyst Jeff Hammond for this event. Additionally, the team will run the #17 which Waltrip made famous when he drove for Hendrick Motorsports and then for himself. "Jeff and I want to thank FOX Sports' David Hill and Ed Goren for letting us take advantage of this opportunity," said Waltrip. "We were supposed to be in Nashville broadcasting the NASCAR Busch Series event for FX, but they were kind enough to let us go racing. This is going to be fun!" Waltrip won 11 of his 84 Winston Cup races at Martinsville - five in the spring event and six more in the fall. Waltrip finished 5th in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Martinsville in 1996. In 1997, the #17 Waltrip-owned truck won the Martinsville event. "This is a great opportunity to have some fun," said Hammond. "It definitely will rekindle some great memories we had together and give us another chance to make some new ones. The Duck Head Footwear people are great to work with. D.W. and I are hoping to put their truck in Victory Lane!" Truck team owner Jim Harris was equally excited. "D.W.'s record at Martinsville is beyond belief," he said. "When Stacy told us D.W. received the OK from FOX Sports to participate, I called Vice President of Sales, David Dunevant at Duck Head Footwear. He was really excited about DW and Jeff being associated with the Duck Head brand!" D.W. will drive the NASCAR Craftsman truck that captured four top-10 finishes and the Bud Pole Award at Phoenix last season when piloted by Compton. Melling Racing is preparing the Dodge Ram truck at its shop in Concord, NC. Qualifying for the Advance Auto Parts 250 takes place Friday, April 12. The NASCAR Craftsman trucks take the green flag at 2PM ET on Saturday, April 13.(Darrell Waltrip Motorsports. PR and a story at FoxSports), see more on my CTS Site.(3-26-2002) UPDATE: Jeff Hammond is not going to be the crew chief but will work as he said "an interpreter" between Waltrip and Melling crew chief Dean Johnson and Corrie Stott who are heading the effort.(3-27-2002)
Wallace [Kenny] full time Cup in 2003? In an online chat on racers-chat.com Monday, Kenny Wallace said he will be in the Winston Cup Series next year. Running full-time in the BGN [#48 Stacker 2 Chevy] and the former replacement for #1-Steve Park, it appears Wallace is just waiting his time. "I will tell you the truth, I am 100 percent positive I will be full WC next year," Wallace wrote. "As of right now, I will try to win BGN races and the championship, because as we speak DEI will not let me drive any WC cars. We are still on standby for Steve. I am very excited about the years ahead of me. Things look good." (Daytona Beach News Journal)(3-27-2002)
Labonte Testing a Chevy? hearing that after wrecking his #18 Interstate Batteries Pontiac during testing at Texas Motor Speedway, the #18 team broke out the backup car to test and it was a.......Chevy, not a Pontiac.(3-27-2002)
Petty inducted into Automotive Hall of Fame: Seven individuals representing racing, design, engineering and bold innovation have been selected for induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame. The Inductee class of 2002 includes Giovanni Agnelli, Giorgetto Giugiaro, Frank McCarthy, Andre and Edouard Michelin, Richard Petty and Owen Skelton.(PRN Newswire)(3-27-2002)
Park to be evaluated? UPDATE: DEI and NASCAR officials will likely take a look at #1-Steve Park before next week's race at fast and dangerous Texas Motor Speedway. Park was sidelined six months after suffering a bruise at the base of his skull as a result of a crash during a Busch Series race at Darlington last September. The swelling in his head had given him double vision. Park returned on March 17 at that same South Carolina track. Some suggest his return is pre-mature. Park had two questionable incidents in his first race back, running into #90-Rick Mast and drifting high into the lapped car of #14-Stacy Compton. At Bristol, there were three more incidents: Park spun out running by himself between Turns 1 & 2 on lap 81 [actually got together with #44-Jones]; rear-ended #31-Robby Gordon on lap 342, and spun out again on lap 408. "The released him way too soon,'' one spotter said.(Knoxville News)(3-25-2002) UPDATE: Despite rumors to the contrary, NASCAR spokeswoman Danielle Humphrey said the sanctioning body will not re-evaluate Steve Park prior to next week's race at Texas Motor Speedway. Park returned to the Winston Cup Series two weeks ago after being out since September because of a head injury. There have been published reports stating that NASCAR likely would take another look at Park after he ran into Rick Mast and Stacy Compton while leading at Darlington and was involved in several incidents in last weekend's race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Humphrey said Park's doctors have cleared him to race, and no changes to his status are being considered.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(3-27-2002)
Biffle tests at California: Greg Biffle is testing the #16 Ford at California Speedway in preparation for the Cup race there in April.(FSN's Totally NASCAR)(3-27-2002)
Marlin tests at California: #40-Sterling Marlin is testing at the California Speedway this week, Wed/Thurs, as well as attending the Denver Nuggets game in a driver appearance.(3-27-2002)
#32 Crew is the NAPCM Pit Crew of the Week: Ricky Craven's #32 Tide Crew - consistent pit stops in the 15 second range
and a competitive intensity makes the Tide Crew the NAPCM pick this week. Other stop times listed on NAPCM website.(NAPCM PR)(3-27-2002)
Baldwin wins Irwin award: Battling power system problems last Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway, Tommy Baldwin, crew chief for the #22 Caterpillar Dodge, rallied his team back into contention midway through the Food City 500, only to fall victim once again to the voltage problems that plagued the racecar all day. As a result of his efforts, driver Ward Burton was able to climb to a 25th place
finish from as far back as 40th position, earning Baldwin this week's "Irwin Rough to the 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, Ellerbe, NC 28338. In addition to the crew chief award, Irwin is also sponsoring the
weekly nationally syndicated radio show, "Fast Talk with Benny Parsons", throughout the upcoming year.(Irwin PR)(3-27-2002)
(3-26-2002)
Bristol Pit Road: drivers/teams did not have the choice of pit stalls at Bristol. They were assigned by the qualifying results. Some teams that qualified in the 15-22 area wanted pit on the back pit road, closer to the front but were told the stall were assigned by qualifying results. So #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr who qualified 23rd, got the first pit al on the backstretch pits.(FSN Totally NASCAR), see my Food City 500 Race Info page for the Bristol Pit Road rules and info.(3-26-2002)
Three Days of Texas Testing UPDATE: The first of three hectic days of testing by Cup and BGN teams preparing for the Samsung/RadioShack 500 and O'Reilly 300 kicked off Monday at Texas Motor Speedway amid cool temperatures. Three Cup teams took to the 1.5-mile superspeedway to prepare for the April 7 Samsung/RadioShack 500. #18-Bobby Labonte, #57-Ron Hornaday and #49-Shawna Robinson tested, while BGN driver #12-Kerry Earnhardt turned laps Sunday evening and Monday. A cold front that moved through the area midday curtailed much of the afternoon on-track activity after temperatures dipped. All of the participating teams practiced during the morning session. There were no incidents during the Sunday and Monday sessions. Nearly two dozen different Cup and BGN teams are scheduled to test at the speedway Tuesday and Wednesday. The sessions are closed to the public.(TMS PR)(3-26-2002) UPDATE: A total of 21 Cup and BGN teams took to Texas Motor Speedway en masse Tuesday as the second day of testing continued in preparation for the Samsung/RadioShack 500 race week. For most of the drivers testing, it was their initial experience with the new granite-based pavement on the 1.5-mile superspeedway that was installed after last year's NASCAR weekend. Praise was universal among the drivers describing the new surface. "It is probably a second quicker than last year," said Jerry Nadeau, driver of the #25-UAW-Delphi Chevrolet on the Winston Cup circuit. "The surface is so smooth." Unofficial speeds were in the high 180mph range
for several teams. Testing concludes Wednesday with another session that is also closed to the public. The drivers testing at the speedway Tuesday included from Cup: #2-Rusty Wallace, #5-Terry Labonte, #10-Johnny Benson, #14-Stacy Compton, #15-Michael
Waltrip, #18-Bobby Labonte, #22-Ward Burton, #25-Jerry Nadeau, #28-Ricky Rudd, #45-Kyle Petty, #57-Ron Hornaday, #99-Jeff Burton. From the BGN: #2-Johnny Sauter, #14-Larry Foyt, #24-Jack Sprague, #26-Lyndon Amick, #27-Jamie McMurray, #34-Stuart Kirby, #37-Jeff Purvis, #87-Joe Nemechek, #98-Kasey Kahne.(TMS PR), no speeds reported. #18-Bobby Labonte blew a right side tire and hit the wall, damaging the right front of the car, Labonte is un-injured.(3-26-2002)
Martinsville Testing: #12-Ryan Newman, #32-Ricky Craven and #48-Jimmie Johnson tested at Martinsville Speedway today, no word on speeds.(FSN Totally NASCAR)(3-26-2002)
Busch at Memphis: #97-Kurt Busch tested at Memphis today.(FSN Totally NASCAR)(3-26-2002)
Baseball scheme for Dale Jr: hearing Dale Earnhardt Jr will run a 2002 Major League Baseball All Star scheme at Daytona in the Pepsi 400 in July. The car is mostly red with a baseball bat on the rear quarter panels. Last year Earnhardt Jr ran a MLB All Star scheme last year at the Pepsi 400 with a white scheme, and won the race.(3-26-2002)
Shell buys Pennzoil-Quaker State: Pennzoil-Quaker State Co., the nation's largest motor oil maker and parent company of more than 2,000 Jiffy Lube oil change service stations across the country, is becoming part of Royal Dutch/Shell Group in a deal worth $1.8 billion. The agreement was announced Monday night in Houston, where both Pennzoil-Quaker State and Shell's U.S. operations are based. The deal, approved Monday by Pennzoil-Quaker's board, is expected to close in the second half of this year. It still needs the approval of shareholders and regulators.(Yahoo), no work on what, if any, effect it will have to racing sponsorships such as the #1 Pennzoil Chevy or Quaker State assoc sponsorships on the Hendrick Motorsports cars [#'s 5,24,25,48].(3-26-2002)
Sauter to run the #71 at Texas: The #71 Marcis Racing team had talked to Dick Trickle about possibly running the Texas race. Since then Richard Childress [owner of the #'s 29,30,31] contacted Dave Marcis and will be leasing the team for the Texas race weekend and putting Jay Sauter in the car. Sauter is under contract with Richard Childress and they wanted him to get a race in. Childress will be supplying a motor as well as crew to help with the Texas race.(Dick Trickle Fan Club Newsletter)(3-26-2002)
Trickle to test for Evernham: Dick Trickle was contacted recently by Ray Evernham/Evernham Motorsports [#'s 9 and 19, part owner of #7] to see if Trickle would be interested in testing a third car for them at Talladega. Trickle went last week and had his seat fitted into a car and will be testing with the Evernham teams this Wednesday & Thursday [Mar 27-28th] at Talladega.(Dick Trickle Fan Club Newsletter)(3-26-2002)
TRAC News: With the season set to begin in a little over a year, TRAC has begun the search for qualified crew members to compete in the new motorsports league's inaugural year. TRAC is interested in all potential candidates, and invites any potential crew members to contact them. For more information on the hiring process, they ask that potential candidates e-mail their VP Competition, Charlie Jeter. Jeter will provide you with the requirements for application and will guide you through the process. All applications must be received by July 1, 2002 in order to be considered eligible.(see the TRAC Series site for info)(3-26-2002)
More on DEI case UPDATE 2 DEI wins: Testimony in the civil lawsuit between Boiling Springs resident Gray London and Dale Earnhardt Inc. is nearing an end. London's former business associate, Rocky Wagner, and Dale Earnhardt's brother, Randy, took the stand Wednesday. DEI lawyers are expected to call five more witnesses, including Earnhardt's widow, Teresa, before sending the case to the jury. At issue in the trial is a die cast, produced by Action Performance Co., of the car Earnhardt drove in 1974 to his first win on an asphalt track. London contends the car, which he co-owned with members of the Earnhardt family in the Earnhardt Racing Team, was a 1965 Chevelle while DEI claims it was a 1964 model. London and his company, Driver on a Mission, had a 1999 contract with DEI under which the company would receive $550,000 from the sale of the die-cast car and have the opportunity to produce other Earnhardt souvenirs. Randy Earnhardt told jury members the car Earnhardt drove was a 1964 model and carried Doc's Cycle Center as its sponsor. London contends his company, Dainty Maid Foods, was on the side of the car when Earnhardt won. DEI filed a countersuit against London for producing souvenirs without permission. AND London’s lawsuit against Dale Earnhardt Inc. will resume Monday [today] when the jury is expected to begin deliberating. Superior Court Judge Richard D. Boner said he was prepared to wait out a verdict on Friday, but a unanimous vote from the jury will carry the trial through the weekend. Attorneys gave their closing arguments Friday after spending most of the morning helping the judge hammer out the details of his final instructions to the jury.(Gastonia Gazette - one day link, and the Shelby Star), see more on my Dale Earnhardt tribute page.(3-25-2002) UPDATE: The jury in the Dale Earnhardt trial has ruled in favor of Dale Earnhardt Inc., awarding the company $10,000 in damages. More later when full story is posted.(Shelby Star)(3-25-2002) UPDATE 2: Not only did Boiling Springs resident Gray London lose his lawsuit against the Dale Earnhardt empire, he must pay Dale Earnhardt Inc. $10,000 for breach of contract, a jury ruled Monday. After about three hours of deliberations, the jury found that London breached the 1999 contract with DEI when he sublicensed to a third party the right to use Dale Earnhardt’s name. The 1999 agreement released Earnhardt from the now defunct Earnhardt Racing Team, which London and Earnhardt formed with members of the Earnhardt family in 1974. London granted the release in exchange for $550,000 from the sale of a die-cast car made of one of the cars Earnhardt drove early in his career. DEI paid London $450,000. The remaining $100,000 was withheld by DEI because London filed a lawsuit against the company. Speaking for London, attorney Rob Deaton said, “I know that Gray is happy that the jury answered yes to question three, giving him the right in the future without limitations to make souvenirs, except for die-cast cars.” Question three allows London to make and sell souvenirs (other than die-cast cars) with Dale Earnhardt’s name on one or more of the three cars in connection with the Driver on a Mission logo on a souvenir such as a mug or T-shirt. The jury also found that on the night of July 19, 1974, when Dale Earnhardt won his first race on an asphalt track, he was not driving the No. 8 Chevelle with “Dainty Maid” on it as the sponsor, as claimed during earlier testimony by London.(Shelby Star)(3-26-2002)
NASCAR Helps Out: James Doherty came to Daytona Beach early this month to enjoy his Bike Week vacation when a terrible accident left him an amputee and put his career as a New York City patrolman in question. But as he left Monday, aboard a NASCAR jet, the 31-year-old officer was upbeat and thanked those who helped him since a terrible accident three weeks ago. On March 7, while cruising on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle on State Road A1A, Doherty was struck by a car whose driver left the accident scene, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said. His arm was broken, his femur was shattered and doctors at Halifax Medical Center had to amputate part of his left leg. Hospital officials weren't sure how Doherty could go home because a commercial flight wasn't possible. Halifax first contacted the Sheriff's Office, but the department is selling its own airplane, so deputies turned to NASCAR. "We were happy to accommodate him not only because it was a good thing to do but we feel indebted to the New York police personnel and the NY fire personnel for the unfortunate events of Sept. 11," said John Graham, president of Daytona International Speedway.(Orlando Sentinel)(3-26-2002)
Some Wind Tunnel News: hearing the #21 Motorcraft Ford is being tested in the wind tunnel today at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. The #11 Brett Bodine Hooters team tested on Monday (along with the #90, see story below). Ford has the tunnel booked this week thru Thursday.(3-26-2002)
NASCAR Cafe to open: Doors of the Nascar Cafe in Greensboro will open April 2, the restaurant chain said. The 10,000-square-foot restaurant at Four Seasons Town Centre will seat 290 people. The Greensboro location will be a little different for the Nascar Cafe, which is owned by Knoxville, TN,-based H&C Racing Inc., in that it is the first one that is designed for a market where the customer base will be primarily area residents. Other Nascar Cafes are in locales such as Myrtle Beach, SC, and Orlando, FL, where tourists make up a large part of the customer base. The restaurant will feature the sights and sounds of Nascar and will have a small retail shop for officially licensed Nascar merchandise. Nascar Cafe operates under an exclusive license from Nascar.(The Business Journal)(3-26-2002)
(3-25-2002)
Expect Harvick and R Gordon to be fined and penalized UPDATE penalties announced: #31-Robby Gordon and #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. were called to the NASCAR hauler to meet with series officials following Sunday’s Food City 500 at Bristol. The two traded bumps several times during the race, and after the race ended, Gordon drove his No. 31 Chevrolet into the back of Earnhardt Jr.’s car on pit road, turning it around. NASCAR officials said they planned to review the incident and that Gordon would likely be penalized in a similar fashion to Tony Stewart, who was fined $10,000 last year for spinning Jeff Gordon on pit road. After the pit road incident, Robby Gordon drove to the garage area, while Earnhardt Jr. stopped on pit road for media interviews, as is common for drivers who finish in the top five (Earnhardt Jr. was fourth). As Earnhardt Jr. was getting out of his car, Mike Scearce, the jack man for Gordon’s team, ran up to Earnhardt Jr.’s car and Scearce and members of Earnhardt Jr.’s team exchanged obscenities before they were separated.(ThatsRacin.com) AND Kevin Harvick likely faces a large fine and probation for his actions on pit road following Saturday’s Channellock 250 BGTN race at Bristol. Greg Biffle hit Harvick’s car exiting Turn 4 on Lap 240, sending Harvick into the wall. Harvick waited in a pit stall on the frontstretch until the race was over and when Biffle brought his #60 Ford on pit road, Harvick charged after him and the two locked arms for nearly a minute before they were separated(actually jumped on and over Biffle's car). Saturday afternoon, Harvick, his crew chief, Kevin Hamlin, and car owner, Richard Childress, all met with NASCAR officials. Childress met with NASCAR President Mike Helton again early Sunday morning, and Childress, Harvick and Helton met again for 25 minutes later Sunday morning. Harvick had to cancel an appearance in the hospitality village Sunday morning because of his meeting with Helton. Helton said penalties against Harvick will be issued this week, perhaps as early as Monday. “I think the issue we have to deal with, is how disruptive Harvick’s actions were and how detrimental his actions were to the overall scheme of things,” Helton said. Childress agreed that NASCAR had to take some action. Not only was Harvick frustrated with having his car wrecked, but he was shaken by the wreck itself. “It was a tough hit,” Childress said. “He couldn’t walk hardly last night. He’s really hurting today.”(ThatsRacin.com)(3-25-2002) UPDATE: NASCAR officials announced today they have penalized NASCAR Winston Cup Series drivers Robby Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr., for intentionally running into each other's car during the cool-down lap of the Food City 500 at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN. Gordon, driver of the #31 NASCAR Winston Cup Series team, was fined $10,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Aug. 28th. Earnhardt Jr. was fined $5,000. Both drivers were penalized under Section 12-4-A in the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series rule book: "actions deemed by NASCAR Officials as detrimental to stock car racing."
A penalty was also levied against driver Kevin Harvick for his actions in the pits following Saturday's Channellock 250 NASCAR Busch Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Harvick, driver of the #29 NASCAR Busch Series team, was fined $15,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Aug. 28th. He was penalized under Section 12-4-A in the 2002 NASCAR Busch Series rule book: "actions deemed by NASCAR Officials as detrimental to stock car racing."(NASCAR PR)(3-25-2002)
Elledge to leave Yates? Dodge is wooing Jimmy Elledge, one of the Winston Cup tour's rising young crew chiefs, to leave Robert Yates' Ford #88 operation to join Ray Evernham's Dodge gang as crew chief for #7-Casey Atwood on the Jimmy Smith-Buddy Barnes operation. And Barnes yesterday said that Elledge could be joining his team soon. Smith, the team owner in a partnership with Evernham, and Barnes, the general manager and interim crew chief, have been rebuilding the team since losing sponsorship last fall. Atwood finished 18th yesterday, his best of the year.(Winston Salem Journal)(3-25-2002)
#90 to the Wind Tunnel: The #90 Donlavey Racing Team is attending a wind tunnel session today at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. The Donlavey Racing team is taking three down force cars to the tunnel. "We wanted to check the numbers on the intermediate cars to get a feel of where we are," Crew Chief Mark Tutor said. "These are the steps we need to be doing to get things heading in the right direction."(Donlavey Racing PR)(3-25-2002)
The Winston....an announcement: it was mentioned during the race coverage on PRN (radio) that R.J. Reynolds will make an announcement concerning changes to the 2002 The Winston All Star Event/Race on April 9th at Lowes Motor Speedway. For more on the race, see my The 2002 Winston page.(3-25-2002)
Kyles best in almost 2 years: #45-Kyle Petty finished 12th for his best finish since placing ninth at Talladega in April 2000.(News and Record)(3-25-2002)
DW to drive a truck at Martinsville UPDATE 4: although ESPN2's Dr Jerry Punch wouldn't say his name, he said D.W. [Darrell Waltrip] is coming out of retirement for one race only to drive a truck at Martinsville in Mark Melling's truck that Stacy Compton ran last year [#92 Dodge won the pole at Phoenix last year].(ESPN2's PRM 2 Night)(3-19-2002) UPDATE: actually been told that D.W. was ASKED to drive the truck and has NOT committed to it yet.(3-20-2002) UPDATE 2: The Festival of Speed [in England] will also see a genuine American racing hero return to the driver's seat when three-time NASCAR champion Darrell Waltrip puts Chevrolet's legendary Monte Carlo stock car through its paces. Waltrip's quick wit is rivaled only by his speed in a race car, and he has vowed (with tongue planted firmly in cheek) to outrun the Formula 1 contingent on Goodwood's long and winding road. What is the Festival of Speed? The ninth Festival of Speed will, once again, confirm that Goodwood is an absolute must in motor racing’s social calendar. The Festival will feature many stars of car and motorcycle racing, and a sensational array of both four and two-wheeled machinery, charging up the hill, competing against the clock. This is the closest you can get to the breathtaking speed of a modern Formula 1 car, while at the same time enjoying relaxed hospitality in Goodwood Park. It will be held on July 12-14th in Goodwood, England. DW attend the event last year.(3-21-2002) UPDATE 3: Darrell Waltrip is expected to come out of retirement for one event and return to racing next month at Martinsville Speedway in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck. An announcement should be made early next week. Waltrip would drive a truck owned by Winston Cup driver Stacy Compton and Jim Harris, a Lynchburg, Va., businessman. The truck race is April 13, and Waltrip had to get permission to skip FX's broadcast of the BGN race that day in Nashville to race. Waltrip won't be the only broadcaster missing that race. Jeff Hammond, one of Waltrip's former crew chiefs, will work with Waltrip's crew that weekend.(News and Record)(3-23-2002) UPDATE 4: Darrell Waltrip, who hasn't driven in a race since Nov. 2000, has NASCAR's blessing to run the April 13 Craftsman Truck Series race in Martinsville. ''Darrell's been around long enough not to need much testing,'' NASCAR President Mike Helton said yesterday. Helton's reaction to the surprise announcement that Waltrip plans to come out of retirement for the one-race deal with Stacy Compton's truck team.(Tennessean)(3-25-2002)
Last Race for #26? #26-Joe Nemechek finished last for Haas Carter Motorsports in what published reports have stated could be the team's final race since it has not found a sponsor after Kmart pulled out of its contract when it field for bankruptcy.(News and Record)(3-25-2002)
