Stewart NOT leaving Gibbs for Jones: #20 Home Depot driver, Tony Stewart and team owner Joe Gibbs both sought Saturday to debunk a rumor emanating from Cowboys headquarters in Texas concerning the driver's availability. According to a source, Jones already has contacted Stewart about becoming lead driver for the two-car team the Cowboys' boss is negotiating to form with current owner Andy Petree [#33 and #55 cars]. "They'll have a tough time doing that [signing Stewart]," said Gibbs, who won three Super Bowls as coach of the Washington Redskins - the Cowboys' hated rivals - before founding his Winston Cup organization in 1992. "I'll own the Dallas Cowboys if they try and get Tony Stewart. You can put that down there." Gibbs spoke from a position of power, in that he has Stewart, crew chief Greg Zipadelli and primary sponsor Home Depot signed through the 2004 Cup season.(Fort Worth Star Telegram)(4-21-2002)
Mobil 1 Schemes for the #12: ExxonMobil Corporation's Mobil 1 brand serves as a major associate sponsor this season for both Penske Racing South Teams; the #2 Miller Lite Ford Taurus of veteran driver Rusty Wallace and the #12 ALLTEL Ford Taurus of rookie Ryan Newman. In addition, a marketing agreement has been reached whereby Newman's ALLTEL Ford will feature a special Mobil 1 and Speedpass paint design in five races this season, beginning with the April 20 NAPA Auto Parts 500 at California Speedway (and also at Chicago 7/14; Pocono 7/28; Michigan 8/18; and New Hampshire 9/15).. ExxonMobil Corporation will develop local and regional promotional programs to support the special design used in those markets.(Tom Roberts PR)(4-20-2002)
Race Fever does well: Phil Barkdoll, auctioneer for Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind's Race Fever event, got an unprecedented $15,000 bid on a rare autographed Dale Earnhardt helmet Friday night during festivities at the Speedvision Dome. "Preliminary estimates put this year's gross profit at $118,000, not counting gift-in-kind gifts," said AIDB President Joe Busta. "Race Fever was a huge success due to our sponsors, driver attendance, patrons and the continued enthusiasm of auctioneer Phil Barkdoll and master of ceremonies Ned Jarrett." Approximately 1,200 fans participated in Race Fever 2002, which featured a barbecue dinner and silent auction. Drivers on hand included Jeff Green, Tina Gordon, Shawna Robinson, Bobby Labonte, Casey Mears, Robbie Gordon, Johnny Benson, Bobby Allison, Jerry Nadeau, Ashton Lewis Jr., Scott Riggs and Jack Sprague. Former basketball coach Sonny Smith hosted the evening, greeting guests from 38 states and Canada.(Daily Home)(4-21-2002)
(4-20-2002)
Little E wins the The Aaron's 499 at Talladega: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr won the Aaron's 499, his first win (and Chevy's first) of 2002. It is Earnhardt's 6th career win and first win since Talladega last Oct. Nice run by #45-Kyle Petty 10th, his first top 10 since he finished 9th at Talladega in April 2000. The top 10 Unofficial Finishers:
#8-Earnhardt Jr (133 laps led)
#15-Waltrip (14 laps led)
#97-Busch
#24-Gordon
#40-Marlin (2 laps led)
#88-Jarrett (2 laps led)
#48-Johnson (8 laps led)
#2-Wallace
#99-Burton (1 lap led)
#45-Petty
#98-Kenny Wallace crossed the stripe 5th, but Fox is reporting that Wallace will be dropped to 21st, last car on the lead lap. Wallace went below the yellow line, rule is if a driver does that and increases his position, he will be penalized. Wallace said he was forced down below the line by #40-Marlin, Wallace comment: "Sterling body slammed me and I cant do nothin else, this is drama. NASCAR is the greatest in the world, what ever happens I finished 5th, Sterling turned left and I moved to the left, in my heart I finished 5th:(KennyWallaceRacing.com)
Lap Leaders: #48-Johnson; #8-Earnhardt Jr; #15-Waltrip; #19-Mayfield; #40-Marlin; #17-Kenseth; #12-Newman (3); #6-Martin; #99-Burton; #88-Jarrett;
Drivers on the lead lap: 21
Cautions: 3 for 19 laps
Off the track/DNF: #12-Newman (engine); #43-Andretti(accident); #10-Benson(accident); #21-Sadler(accident); #18-Labonte(accident); #33-Wallace(accident); #6-Martin(accident); #20-Stewart(?);
Caution 3 - lap 181 - 183 (and a red flag): #6-Martin brought his damaged car on the track and it died on the track and oil has been found on the track.
Caution 2 - lap 164 - 175: huge wreck many cars involved: #'s 09,1,2,4,5,6,7,9,10,17,18,19,20,21,28,29,31,32,33,41,43,44,55,77 and Fox reports 24 cars, a new record for a wreck at Talladega. Looks like #33-Wallace and #20-Stewart got together, Stewart was basically squeezed against the wall, no place to go after Wallce got turned around a bit. #10-Benson was quickly repaired but when he went to go back out, his car caught fire and the track/other crews put the fire out and Benson was a bit overcome by the extinguisher fumes/powder, he is be attended to but is awake and alert. No injuries reported.
Caution 1 - lap 116-119: debris on the track
NOTEs: #20-Stewart sent to the garage due to leaking oil on lap 182. #12-Newman has dropped a cylinder and has taken the car to the garage on lap 141. #25-Nadeau was in the garage on lap 114 with a broken shock mount, is back on the track. #14-Compton has slowed, possible valve spring problem on lap 65 but is still out there down a lap. 1st green flag pit stops occurred between laps 50-55. #44-Grissom blew a front tire on lap 50, no caution. #55-Hamilton fell off the pace around lap 38 came in and took tires. Also around the same time #26-Kimmel went to the garage with a shock problem, fixed and back on the track. #36-Schrader started falling back around lap 14 when a roll bar cusion fell off inside the car and hit the ignition switch. #25-Nadeau has a potenial engine problem, maybe a spark plug problem, but he got off to an ok start and seems just fine.
No more trucks for Harvick? (as a driver): While cars were going through inspection Friday [at Talladega], car owner Richard Childress said that he might prohibit Kevin Harvick from driving in the truck series again. "I don't think I'll let him do that,'' Childress said. "We haven't discussed it, but I don't think so.''(High Point Enterprise). Harvick could still own the team and run with other drivers.(4-20-2002)
Mobil 1 Schemes for the #12: ExxonMobil Corporation's Mobil 1 brand serves as a major associate sponsor this season for both Penske Racing South Teams; the #2 Miller Lite Ford Taurus of veteran driver Rusty Wallace and the #12 ALLTEL Ford Taurus of rookie Ryan Newman. In addition, a marketing agreement has been reached whereby Newman's ALLTEL Ford will feature a special Mobil 1 and Speedpass paint design in five races this season, beginning with the April 20 NAPA Auto Parts 500 at California Speedway (and also at Chicago 7/14; Pocono 7/28; Michigan 8/18; and New Hampshire 9/15).. ExxonMobil Corporation will develop local and regional promotional programs to support the special design used in those markets.(Tom Roberts PR)(4-20-2002)
A 5th Hendrick team? UPDATE 3 Sprague/#60: been told that Hendrick Motorsports BGN driver, Jack Sprague, will drive the #60 Haas Chevy in the Coca Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway in May and possibly up to six more Cup events. See an image of the car on my Paint Schemes Gallery.(3-19-2002) UPDATE: Dr Jerry Punch interviewed Jack Sprague on ESPN2's RPM 2 Night and it was mentioned that the team just got the new #60 car in the shop and plans to test at Charlotte/Lowes Motor Speedway in a few weeks. Other races include New Hampshire, both Lowes races and Homestead. Rick Hendrick will be part owner of the team.(4-9-2002) UPDATE 2: Three-time CTS champ Jack Sprague will run five Cup races this season with a new team owned by Haas Automation. The team will use engines and cars built by Hendrick Motorsports, who Sprague currently drives in the BGN. The team will move full-time to Winston Cup in 2003. The team will debut at the Coca-Cola 600 next month in Charlotte. Other races scheduled are: New Hampshire in September; Charlotte in October; Atlanta in October; and Homestead, Fla., in November. Additional races may be added. "I have been waiting a long time to get the right opportunity to go Winston Cup racing," Sprague said. "Ive had opportunities in the past, but they just werent structured in a way that would give me and the team all the ingredients needed for success." "This new association with Haas Automation has everything needed to make the deal go, both on and off the track. This deal is worth the wait." Spragues current and long-time crew chief, Dennis Conner, will also serve in that capacity with his Cup team. Joe Custer will serve as the teams general manager.(ThatsRacin.com)(4-19-2002) UPDATE 3: Haas Automation, one of the leading manufacturers of industrial tools worldwide, announced today that it has formed a Winston Cup Team that will run a select-event schedule of races this season with driver Jack Sprague. Sprague and the team will then enter the Winston Cup ranks on a full-time basis beginning with the 2003 Daytona 500 at Daytona Beach, FL. Haas Automation, a long-time sponsor of Hendrick Motorsports, will receive assistance from the five-time Cup championship organization in making this new team possible. According to Sprague, the #60 Haas Automation Chevy will make its debut at Charlotte in the Coca-Cola 600, Sunday, May 26. "I have been waiting a long time to get the right opportunity to go Winston Cup racing," said Sprague, the three-time CTS champion now racing in the BGN. "I've had opportunities in the past, but they just weren't structured in a way that would give me and the team all the ingredients needed for success. This new association with Haas Automation has everything needed to make the deal go, both on and off the track. This deal was worth the wait." Located in Oxnard, CA, Haas Automation is the largest, most modern machine tool manufacturing operation in the United States. The company manufactures four major product lines and has nearly 750 employees. Haas Automation builds a full line of CNC vertical machining centers, horizontal machining centers, CNC lathes, rotary tables and 5C indexers. Haas machine tools and rotary products are built to deliver higher accuracy, repeatability and more durability than any other machine tools on the market. Haas Automation, which also serves as a major associate sponsor on Sprague's #24 NetZero Chevy BGN entry this season, has sold more than 40,000 rotary tables and 32,000 CNC machines throughout the world. The company ships more CNC machines per month than any other U.S. manufacturer. In addition to the Charlotte Winston Cup event in May, Sprague and his #60 Haas Automation Chevy will compete at New Hampshire (Sept. 15), Lowe's Motor Speedway (Oct. 13), Atlanta (Oct. 27) and Homestead- (Nov. 17). Additional races are also being considered at this time. The effort will be fielded out of HAAS CNC RACING headquarters located in Harrisburg, NC. Joe Custer is the team's General Manager, while Sprague's current and long-time crew chief, Dennis Connor, will also serve in that capacity for the new Winston Cup team. Hendrick Motorsports will provide cars, engines and technical assistance for the team.(Motorsports Management Group PR)(4-20-2002)
Parts seized during inspection Friday Morning: NASCAR confiscated some parts Friday morning during inspection, including an unapproved fuel cell container, rear spoiler and braces from Kyle Pettys #45 car; unapproved window braces from Jeff Burtons #99 car; unapproved rear window braces from Kevin Harivcks #29 car; a disallowed "underpan" used to add downforce under the car on Jerry Nadeaus #25 car; an unapproved fuel cell vent from Casey Atwoods #7 car; and unapproved fuel cell filler neck from Brett Bodines #11 car.(ThatsRacin.com)(4-19-2002) UPDATE: NASCAR officials confiscated several items during Friday's inspection. NASCAR took a fuel cell and an unapproved spoiler from #45-Kyle Petty 's team. #2-Rusty Wallace, #12-Ryan Newman and #99-Jeff Burton each had roof spoilers that did not meet specifications. #7-Casey Atwood 's car had a fuel cell vent that was removed. #29-Kevin Harvick 's team lost an unapproved brace for the rear window, and #11-Brett Bodine 's team had a fuel filler that was not legal.(Roanoke Times)(4-20-2002)
Sad News: during an interview on FX's tape delayed qualifying show from Talladega, Dr. Dick Derggren interviewed Geoffrey Bodine, driver of the #09 Miccosukee Indian Gaming Ford (qualified 23rd) who said (paraphrasing as best as I can) - "This is really a tough time for me Dick. I had a birthday yesterday, but I also had a tragedy in my life, my fiance of 6 years died last week. So I'm.standing here with mixed emotions, such a good car, and a good run and a lot of opportunity here, but my heart's really hurting right now, but we will get through the weekend. Angela would want me to be here, so we're here. But, we're gonna miss her. Going to be hard to get through this, but we will." That is all I know and have seen nothing on the Geoffrey Bodine Fanclub site (besides stuff on the forum in response to this interview).(4-20-2002)
(4-19-2002)
Student Builds car, gets into NASCAR Tech: From the time he was a child, Tony Yost knew he wanted to work on cars and not just any cars he wanted to work on NASCAR stock cars. "I was brought up around cars, said Yost, a 17-year-old senior who attends Shamokin Area High School and Northumberland County Vocational-Technical School(PA). It appears Yost is on his way to getting what hes always wanted. He has earned national recognition for his talents, built his own race car and has been accepted into the NASCAR Technical Institute in Charlotte, N.C. Yosts string of accomplishments began with his first-place finish in the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) competition on Feb. 15.(full story at the News-Item), more info on schools on my Racing/Driving Schools - Jobs Page.(4-19-2002)
Helton leaving MRO: Motor Racing Outreach (MRO) Board Chairman, Lake Speed and CEO, Richard Mason recently announced that the ministry's Founder and Past Senior Chaplain, Max Helton will be leaving MRO, effective April 15, 2002. Helton's plans include working on a nation-wide marriage initiative program through the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) and starting a new ministry separate from MRO which will concentrate on reaching international motorsports participants and fans. International Motorsport Services is being co-founded with Helton's son-in-law, Daryl Barker, former business manager for Dale Earnhardt,
Inc.. He also commented that working on the new Marriage Initiative program which is being headed up by the AACC will afford him the
freedom to work on the international ministry at the same time. Helton and his wife, Jean founded MRO in 1988, along with NASCAR Winston Cup Series drivers Darrell Waltrip, Lake Speed, Bobby Hillin, and their wives to serve the racing community. Since that time, MRO has grown to provide 15 full time chaplains to many national racing series including automobile, truck, motorcycle and powerboat racing. In a final comment, Helton stated, " I am very pleased to have founded and worked almost 14 years with MRO. I believe God has, and will continue to work in the lives of those in the racing communities it serves." Max and Jean Helton will remain on the Board of Directors of Motor Racing Outreach.(Motor Racing Outreach PR)(4-19-2002)
(4-18-2002)
Kerry Earnhardt to drive at Talladega Cup race in Oct: FitzBradshaw Racing has secured Racing USA, Inc. as a primary sponsor for the Winston Cup Series race on October 6, 2002 in Talladega. The Racing USA car will be driven by Kerry Earnhardt. The car's paint scheme is currently being designed by Sam Bass and will boast the #83. The number 8 represents Kerry's grandfather and the number 3 represents his father. Earnhardt currently drives the #12 Chevy in the BGN. The one-race sponsorship is the first Winston Cup Series sponsorship for FitzBradshaw Racing. Earlier this month, the team announced that the #12 Chevy secured primary sponsors for the entire 2002 Busch Series. The team intends to continue to pursue limited Winston Cup Series race sponsorships for the later part of the 2002 season and for select 2003 races. By 2004, FitzBradshaw's goal is to be fielding it's first full-season Winston Cup Series car. "Sponsorship procurement has been progressing as a steady pace. The pace we're on has FitzBradshaw Racing running full-season Busch and eventually full-season Cup," stated FitzBradshaw co-owner Armondo Fitz. "Racing USA is a leader in the collectible industry and everybody at FitzBradshaw is excited about the opportunity to run a Cup race, the collectible car and to be able to see Kerry driving the #83 car around one of his favorite tracks, Talladega." To commemorate this special event, Action Performance will be producing a limited edition diecast collectible of Kerry's No. 83 Talladega paint scheme to be sold exclusively at Racing USA's retail store in Birminham's Riverchase Galleria Mall and on Racing USA's website at www.racingusa.com. FitzBradshaw Racing is co-owned by Fitz and Pro Football Hall of Fame member and FOX broadcaster Terry Bradshaw.(FitzBradshaw Racing PR)(4-18-2002)
Sadler in Video: #21 Cup driver Elliott Sadler and Country Music Male Vocalist Blake Shelton spent the majority of Tuesday and Wednesday filming the music video for Sheltons new release, Ol Red.. The two met in March of this year when Sadler attended one of Sheltons concerts in Atlanta.. They began to chat and found they share a common interest in deer hunting.. By the conclusion of the meet and greet, Sadler and Shelton had made plans to shoot the music video and a deer hunting trip to Virginia in December. The filming of Ol Red began Tuesday morning and Thats A Wrap transpired on Wednesday night around midnight.. Sheltons first major release, Austin, soared to No. 1 on the country music charts. Filming Ol Red with Blake has been awesome, stated Sadler.. Ive always enjoyed watching music videos and when Blake asked me if Id like to join him in one of his videos I immediately accepted.. It was a lot of fun and similar to filming a commercial accept it took a lot longer.. Ive always told everyone that if I couldnt be a racecar driver Id want to be a country music singer.. This is probably as close as Ill ever come. According to Shelton, I became a huge NASCAR fan last year in October when I sang the National Anthem at Talladega.. Elliott and I had a great time filming the video and I hope all of the NASCAR and country music fans will enjoy the Ol Red Video." To view the lyrics from Ol Red please click on the link below: http://www.blakeshelton.com/section/audio/olred.htm. The video is scheduled for release in early May.. Shelton plays the role of the inmate and Sadler plays the inmates cousin.. Both were instructed to grow beards for their roles in the video.. The attached photo includes Elliott and Blake.(Elliott Sadler Enterprises PR)(4-18-20020
Sponsor sticks by Harvick: GM Goodwrench Service's director of brand marketing, Jon Brancheau, says the sponsor understands NASCAR's one-race suspension of driver Kevin Harvick but continues to support the driver and the Richard Childress Racing team. "We recognize NASCAR's concern regarding the situation in Martinsville and look forward to seeing Kevin back in the #29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo in Talladega this weekend," Brancheau says. "As the sponsor, we proudly support the entire RCR organization." For his part, Harvick says he has learned his lesson from the suspension that followed an incident Saturday in which he rammed the truck of Coy Gibbs during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Advance Auto Parts 250. "Having to miss the [Winston Cup] race in Martinsville definitely got my attention. I'm still learning how NASCAR works and what is involved in the decisions they make. They are trying to create a fair playing field with those decisions, and they're not out to get anyone."(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(4-18-2002)
Softwall Testing - Petree 'loans' car: #33/55 Cup team owner Andy Petree wanted to help NASCAR's safety crusade for soft walls, so he donated one of his stock cars for crash research. After the crash test was completed at the Midwest Roadside Safety facility at the University of Nebraska and the car examined from top to bottom by engineers, NASCAR sent the Chevrolet back to its owner. "I've never seen a car like that destroyed in my whole life," said Petree, who has the mangled machine sitting at his Flat Rock, N.C., shop. "I'll tell you what, if that was a soft wall I'd hate to see it with a hard one." The good news is that the crash that destroyed Petree's car was exaggerated beyond a worst-case scenario, and this potentially lifesaving barrier could be in use this year.(more at the Daytona Beach News Journal)(4-18-2002)
#12 Schemes as reported on the Paint Scheme Gallery, the #12 Ford driven by Ryan Newman, will drive a Sony WEGA scheme at Pocono in June (and aa few other races, possibly Calif) and and a Mobil One scheme at Pocono in July (and possibly some other races in 2002. See the schemes on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(4-18-2002)
Lake Speed to Team Up With Ernie Irvan UPDATE: Former Winston Cup winner and international karting champion [and Cup driver] Lake Speed has confirmed his participation teaming with another former Winston Cup champion, Ernie Irvan, in the Endurance Karting Charlotte 400, 8-hour race Saturday, April 20, at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Speed's karting career began in his home state of Mississippi, and soon the young driver was winning national events all over the country, resulting in six U.S. Karting National Championships in single and twin-engine competition. Speed graduated to the international scene representing the USA across Europe and regularly competed with many drivers who became better known in full-size international motorsports like Grand Prix Formula One and World Sportscar racing. Speed was the first American to triumph in the World Championship of Karting at LeMans, France, in 1978. Speed won the championship over no less than future Formula One Champion, Ayrton Senna, who finished second. Speed began a career in Winston Cup in 1980 and in 19 years started 402 races resulting in a win at Darlington in 1988, and no less than 16 top fives and 75 top ten finishes. Irvan's team is showing tremendous depth with the two former Winston Cup winners joined by Irvan's ARCA protg and veteran of ASA and Legends Car competition, Kevin Conway and an unknown, but rumored to be exceedingly fast young driver by the name of Tom.(Endurancekarting.com)(4-17-2002) UPDATE: One of NASCARs 50 Greatest Drivers of All-Time, Ernie Irvan, and former NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Lake Speed have joined together with two up and coming drivers, Kevin Conway and Neal Lewis for the Charlotte 400 Endurance Karting event on Saturday, April 20th. Irvan, a 15-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series winner started his career by racing karts throughout southern California. That foundation launched the career of one of the most popular and successful drivers in the history of NASCAR. It really is a lot of fun to be able to go back to the roots of my career and do something like this, said Irvan. Speed was the first American to triumph in the World Championship of Karting at LeMans, France, in 1978. Speed won the championship over no less than future Formula One Champion, Ayrton Senna, who finished second. Speed began a career in Winston Cup in 1980 and in 19 years started 402 races resulting in a win at Darlington in 1988, and no less than 16 top fives and 75 top ten finishes. Irvans protg and driver for his newly formed ARCA ReMax Series team Kevin Conway will be competing on the same team with Irvan and Speed. It is funny to think that I was born the same year that Ernie won his first track championship and Lake won the World Championship in 1978, stated Kevin. Conway, a Lynchburg, Virginia native, began racing at an early age and has competed in AMA Motocross, WKA go-karts, NMMA midgets, Legends Cars, NASCAR Late Models, ASA, and the ARCA ReMax Series. For more information on Endurance Karting events, please
log onto www.endurancekarting.com.(Ernie Irvan Racing PR)(4-18-2002)
Testing at Sears Point: #28-Ricky Rudd will highlight a group of six drivers who will participate in a two-day NASCAR Winston Cup test session at Sears Point Raceway, April 23-24. Rudd, a four-time pole-sitter at Sears Point, will be joined at the test by fellow Winston Cup drivers #17-Matt Kenseth, #97-Kurt Busch, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #12-Ryan Newman and #87-Ron Fellows. This will mark the first time that rookies Johnson and Newman have tested the 10-turn, 2-mile course that will be used in June for the Dodge/Save Mart 350. The test session will afford drivers a sneak preview of the 'new' Sears Point Raceway, which is in the final stages of a two-year $50 million renovation plan that will transform the facility into one of the premier motorsports and entertainment venues in the country. On the track, drivers will see increased runoff at almost every turn on the road course to increase driver safety, as well as a full complement of 43 stalls on pit road, thus eliminating the need for the infamous "Gilligan's Island" on the inside of Turn 11. Moreover, the drag strip has been permanently separated from the road course at Turns 12-1, which has been a long-time criticism of Sears Point Raceway, and portions of the course have been repaved. The entire circuit will be repaved in September. Off the track, drivers will see improved fan amenities, including a new permanent grandstand at start/finish that has been constructed directly above pit road, as well as two underground pedestrian tunnels at start/finish and Turn 10. The tunnels eliminated the need for the two bridges that were previously used as thoroughfares, which has also opened up dynamic sightlines for fans in the new grandstand. Additional hillside terrace seats have been built above Turns 7-9, and a new system of shuttle roads has been constructed to help get fans around the property more efficiently. The two-day test session will be held in advance of the NASCAR Winston Cup weekend at California Speedway in Fontana, April 26-28.(Sears Point PR)(4-18-2002)
Earnhardt Fast at MIS: Dale Earnhardt Jr. proved he still may be the man to beat when it comes to qualifying at Michigan International Speedway. Earnhardt, who holds the MIS NASCAR qualifying record at 191.149 mph set in August 2000, notched speeds in excess of 187mph during the second day of a two-day test session at the historic two-mile oval. Chad Little, testing [#74] BACE Motorsports equipment, also completed the two-day session Wednesday. Both will attempt to qualify for the Michigan 400 on Father's Day, Sunday, June 16, at MIS. The day's only break in testing came when Little's engine began smoking at 10:15am, about the same time rain started falling at the Speedway. After a two-hour break to let the track dry, the cars went back out.(MIS PR)(4-18-2002)
New Heart: Sherman Forrester didnt have to wait long for a new heart. The motorcoach driver for Jeff Burton received a heart transplant April 12 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. On April 14, he was moved into a private room.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(4-18-2002)
TRAC Cars UPDATE: TRAC officials will unveil their three new race cars and there will also be several other major announcements followed by a question-and-answer session at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Wednesday, April 24th. For more info on the series, see my TRAC Page or the TRAC website.(4-17-2002) UPDATE: hearing the car makes are a Viper, Mustang and a Corvette.(4-18-2002)
(4-17-2002)
Nemechek to the #44? UPDATE 2 No Grissom in Jones Out: rumors are afloat that place Joe Nemechek (recently released by Haas-Cart Motorsports) in the #44 Georgia Pacific Petty Racing Dodge at Martinsville this weekend. Buckshot Jones is the current driver.(4-9-2002) UPDATE: checked with a few more sources and been told that Nemechek is still under contract with Haas Carter Motorsports and that the team is hoping sponsorship will come through soon.(4-9-2002) UPDATE 2: Effective this week for the Aaron's 499 at Talladega, Steve Grissom will drive the #44 Georgia-Pacific Dodge. Grissom, a former BGN and NASCAR All-Pro series champion, has worked with Petty Enterprises over the past year helping them test and develop their Dodge Intrepid race cars. "Buckshot did a good job for us, and I personally appreciate everything he has done for us at Petty Enterprises," said Kyle Petty, CEO of Petty Enterprises. "We continue to have the utmost respect for Buckshot as an individual and as a Winston Cup driver. We have not performed to our expectations, and we felt like it was time to make a change. Sometimes you change the coach, and sometimes you change the quarterback. This time we decided to shake up the chemistry by changing the quarterback. We believe that Steve, because he's been around us and has helped us with these cars, can step in and move the Georgia-Pacific team forward. Because of the way we've done our testing with our R&D program, Steve has more laps in some of our cars than I do or John does. Ordinarily you'd expect some disruption with a change of drivers, but Steve has worked with the team, and has won a Busch Series championship with crew chief Bryant Frazier, so we expect him to step in and not skip a beat."
"I'm excited to get the opportunity to drive the Georgia-Pacific/Brawny Dodge," said Grissom. "Everyone can see the great strides that Petty Enterprises has made this year. Having the opportunity to assist in the testing and development of these cars means that I know how good they are. The team that Kyle Petty and Robin Pemberton have put together is a winning combination. I'm confident that I can come in and work well with the team and that we will have success."(Williams Company PR)(4-17-2002)
Furr and the #25 part ways: Tony Furr stepped down Wednesday as crew chief of the #25 Delphi Automotive/UAW-GM Chevys driven by Jerry Nadeau for Hendrick Motorsports. Furr said he is leaving to pursue other opportunities in Winston Cup competition. Ken Howes, director of competition for the Hendrick teams, will replace Furr on an interim basis. Howes, who has been with the Hendrick operation since 1985, was crew chief on the #25 team from 1992 until 1995. Furr had been the team's crew chief since the beginning of the 1998 season.(ThatsRacin.com and a story at Hendrick Motorsports site)(4-17-2002)
#99 Special Schemes: hearing that #99 Jeff Burton will be running three special paint schemes this year. CITGO Peel In Reel out and Win at the Winston and Sears Point (image in Paint Scheme Gallery), CITGO BASS Fishing (Daytona, July 6th) and MDA Charity Citgo (Darlington).(4-17-2002)
New Hampshire starts work: Crews from Pike Paving in Tilton started work Monday on the New Hampshire International Speedway second racing groove project, which will extend the racing surface toward the infield area. Existing pavement in the corners was removed and work started in the new subsurface for the pavement, which will be laid down later this week. The change in the corners will not alter the 12-degree grade of the racing track but will create more opportunities for passing and side-by-side racing, which NHIS officials are hopeful will create more exciting racing. The asphalt to be used in the turns comes from Trinidad, where the hottest tar pits in the world are located. Track officials said it was sent to Germany for pre-treatment and only recently arrived, in pellet form, in New Hampshire. The new surface will get its first test runs April 30 and May 1 during an open NASCAR test session for the NASCAR Busch Series, Busch North Series and Featherlite Modified Series teams. The speedway opens its season with a NASCAR Busch Series and Busch North Series doubleheader on May 11.(Union Leader)(4-17-2002)
Yunick to be Awarded:Prolong Super Lubricants, Inc. announced that Henry "Smokey" Yunick, the leading innovator in motorsports engineering, will be posthumously presented Prolong's "Racing Angel" award for 2002 in conjunction with the 12th annual International Motorsports Hall of Fame induction in Talladega, Ala., on April 17th. The "Racing Angel" award identifies and acknowledges individuals exemplifying extraordinary achievements, determination and charitable goodwill within the motorsports community. The award will be presented by Linda Vaughn, the first lady of motorsports, who also is a Hall of Fame inductee and a tireless motorsports goodwill ambassador. Mr. Yunick from Daytona Beach, Florida, was well known for Smokey's, "The Best Damn Garage in Town." It most certainly was, as he fielded stock cars that won eight victories in 61 starts as an owner and more than 50 winners as a crew chief, chief mechanic or engine builder. In 1960, Mr. Yunick was crew chief for Jim Rathmann, the winner of the Indianapolis 500. Prolong's "Racing Angel" award, conceived by Linda Vaughn, was previously given to T. Wayne Robertson, the sports marketing legend, and Bill France Jr., president of NASCAR. Noted motorsports sculptor Ivan Fuller created the striking bronze sculpture depicting a racing angel, which is on permanent display at the Motorsports Hall of Fame museum in Talladega (a great place to visit by the way).(Business Wire)(4-17-2002)
Martinsville TV numbers: FX's coverage of last weekend's Cup race from Martinsville drew the network's highest rating, delivering 3.4 million homes and 5.4 million viewers.(Roanoke Times)(4-17-2002)
More on Jerry Jones and Petree: Car owner [#'s 33 and 55] Andy Petree said his talks with representatives from the Dallas Cowboys continue. Petree has been in discussion with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones since last October about partnering. "We still haven't finalized anything about what we're going to do and how we're going to do it, but we are talking really daily," Petree said. "If we're going to do something, we're probably going to need to get something done in the next 30 to 45 days."(Roanoke Times)(4-17-2002)
International Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction: One of the world's greatest road racers, Jacky Ickx, and a pair of NASCAR's greatest driver-owners, Glen Wood and Alan Kulwicki, head the list of the six men who will be inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in April of 2002. Ickx, who excelled in a number of different racing series', won the 24 Hours of LeMans an incredible six times, claimed championships in World Endurance and Can-Am, and was one of the top competitors in Formula 1 for a decade. Wood and Kulwicki were both chosen as one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers. Wood is half of the original Wood Brothers team that listed many of the greats as their drivers. Kulwicki was the last driver/owner to win a Winston Cup championship, and also was a top ASA driver before moving to NASCAR. Joining them in the Class of 2002 are Italian car builder and engine designer Ettore Bugatti, New Zealander Denis Hulme who won the Formula One World Championship in 1967, and stock car racing great Tim Richmond. Bugatti's cars dominated European racing from 1911 until 1947, winning some 4,000 races. During World War I, he designed an aircraft engine for the French, and developed high-speed boats, trains and planes. Hulme, in addition to his F1 title, also won two Can-Am championships, and was Rookie of the Year at Indy in 1967. Richmond was also an Indy Rookie of the Year (1980), and won 13 races in his abbreviated NASCAR career. The 2002 Induction Ceremony will be held on April 18th in the Speedvision Dome at the international Motorsports Hall of Fame. Reservations for tickets for the 12th Annual Induction Ceremony are being taken now at the Hall of Fame. Anyone interested should call 256/362-5002.(IMHF Site)(4-17-2002)
M&M's Vote: Ken Schrader knows that the future of his car is in his fans' hands - at least the future color of the #36 "M&M's" Pontiac. As candy lovers around the world cast their vote for the new color in the famous "M&M's" candy mix - pink, purple or aqua - NASCAR fans have to keep a second thing in mind. The winning color - whether it be pink, purple or aqua - will be the color of the #36 car (and Schrader's uniform) for a one-race paint scheme at Bristol Motor Speedway in August. This weekend, NASCAR fans by the thousands will have the opportunity for their voice to be heard. Fans at Talladega Superspeedway will be able to cast their vote for pink, purple or aqua at a special "M&M's" GLOBAL COLOR VOTE(tm) voting tent. The tent will be located near souvenir alley, which is close to the North Entrance of the track. Fans will be able to cast their all important vote Friday from 8:00am to 3:00pm, Saturday/Sunday from 8:00am to 1:00pm. Fans can vote as many times as they want each day. Each voter will receive an "I VOTED" sticker and a Fun Size package of "M&M's" for their vote. Schrader isn't worried about fans picking the color of his car - even if one of the choices is pink. In fact, he hopes that the fans line up to vote for the new color. "Hey, I keep telling people that I look good in pink," Schrader said. "I don't care what color my car is - what matters to me is that it gets around the track fast. I'll drive whatever color race car "M&M's" gives me. People keep giving me a hard time about maybe driving a pink car. I just want the fans to get out there and vote." If history is any indication of how the people will respond to the GLOBAL COLOR VOTE(tm), Schrader will get his wish for long lines and lots of votes. In 1995 when "M&M's" asked consumers across the United States to vote for a new color, millions of people responded. An astounding 10,234,142 votes were cast and the color Blue won in a landslide - and that was just in the United States. This time around though, the question is being poised to people worldwide in 75 countries.(M&M's Racing-IMG Motorsports PR)(4-17-2002)
Price Motorsports Next Race: Despite narrowly missing the Virginia 500 NASCAR Winston Cup race by only eight one-hundredths of a second, the members of Price Motorsports team of Raleigh, N.C. are not disappointed. The upstart team, in only its 2nd qualifying attempt in Cup, outran three series regulars but it wasn't enough. Although their time was easily fast enough to join the show, they lacked enough ownerss points to make the race using a provisional. The next stop for the #59 Price Motorsports team will be an attempt to qualify for the May 4th race at Richmond. Driver Randy Renfrow has run well at the D-shaped oval during his CTS career. In addition to the aforementioned Richmond event, the team is planning to hit several other racing venues in 2002. Other planned races: Lowe's Motor Speedway, Bristol, Atlanta, Indianapolis and second trips to Rockingham and Martinsville(Price Motorsports PR)(4-17-2002)
Parrott is "IRWIN Rough to the Finish" award winner: #88 crew chief Todd Parrott is this week's "IRWIN Rough to the Finish" award winner. The team finished fourth in Sunday's Virginia 500 at Martinsville Speedway. In a caution-filled race, Dale Jarrett avoided several incidents on his way to his first top-five finish of the 2002 season. Jarrett started the Virginia 500 in 31st place. "Track position is everything here and you had to really plan your strategy," said crew chief Todd Parrott. "It worked out for us today and we were able to get a good top-five finish." Jarrett lost a lap early in the race when the team was penalized 15 seconds for having to use a back-up air wrench. After getting back on the lead lap during a caution on lap 254, the team climbed as high as second before slipping to a fourth-place finish. "We really didn't think we had a chance for the win after we got a lap down," Parrott said. "The guys did a really good job and got Dale back on the lead lap. It was a hard fought battle."(Golin Harris PR)(4-17-2002)
Testing at Richmond UPDATE: Eighteen NASCAR Winston Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series drivers are scheduled to test at Richmond International Raceway over a four-day period next week in preparation for their visit to "The Action Track" May 2-4. Tentatively scheduled to test NASCAR Winston Cup Series cars on Monday, April 15 and Tuesday, April 16 are #36-Ken Schrader, #10-Johnny Benson, #6-Mark Martin, #32-Ricky Craven and #77-Dave Blaney. Testing their BGN rides will be #10-Scott Riggs, #46-Ashton Lewis, #59-Stacey Compton, #37-Jeff Purvis, #48-Kenny Wallace, #30-Christian Fittipaldi and #1-Jimmy Spencer. Fittipaldi, who will continue to race in CART this year, is expected to make his 2002 BGN debut in the Hardee's 250 at Richmond in the #30 Mike's Hard Lemonade Chevy. Joining that group on Tuesday will be Cup drivers #2-Rusty Wallace, #12-Ryan Newman and #1-Steve Park. Wallace, Newman and Park will also test on Wednesday, April 17 when a new group of drivers moves in to test, including #9-Jeff Burton(BGN), #02-Hermie Sadler(Cup) and #66-Casey Mears(BGN) and will also expected to test on Thursday, April 18. The grandstands will be open to the public all four days from 9:00am to 5:00pm/et.(RIR Site)(4-15-2002) UPDATE: Fifteen Cup and BGN drivers tested at Richmond International Raceway on Monday and Tuesday in preparation for their visit to "The Action Track" May 2-4. Drivers were greeted with unseasonably warm conditions, as temperatures soared into the mid 90's. The teams worked on mostly race set-ups, as they were working with a "green" track after Richmond International Raceway officials applied a customary off-season coat of sealer to the track. Testing Winston Cup cars were #36-Ken Schrader, #2-Rusty Wallace, #12-Ryan Newman, #6-Mark Martin, #32-Ricky Craven, #77-Dave Blaney. Testing their BGN #10-Scott Riggs, #46-Ashton Lewis, #48-Kenny Wallace, #30-Christian Fittipaldi, #47-Shane Hmeil, #14-Larry Foyt, #1-Jimmy Spencer, #66-Casey Mears, #98-Kasey Kahne. Teams reported the following unofficial lap times (only Martin, Schrader and Mears attempted qualifying runs). Jeff Gordon holds the
track record of 21. 344 seconds (126.499 mph).
#6-Mark Martin, 125.00mph; #36-Ken Schrader, 122.84; #32-Ricky Craven, 122.73 mph
BGN: #66-Casey Mears, 124.14mph; #46-Ashton Lewis, 122.73; #48-Kenny Wallace, 122.17; #47-Shane Hmeil, 121.90; #98-Kasey Kahne,121.35; #30-Christian Fittipaldi, 120.00. Wallace and Newman are expected to stay another day to test and will be joined by Jeff Burton (Busch car) and Hermie Sadler (Cup car) today.(RIR Site)(4-17-2002)
(4-16-2002)
Harvick Statement: The following is a statement from Kevin Harvick, driver of Richard Childress Racing's #29 GM Goodwrench Service Chevy, regarding NASCAR's penalty from Martinsville Speedway. "It tore me up Sunday to watch the race from home while Kenny Wallace drove the 29. I haven't been racing since I was five years old and made it this far in my career to throw it all away now. Having to miss the race in Martinsville definitely got my attention. I'm still learning how NASCAR works and what is involved in the decisions they make. They are trying to create a fair playing field with those decisions and they're not out to get anyone. In all reality, you make and control your own destiny in this sport. I wish that my team and GM Goodwrench Service weren't dragged into a situation that they had nothing to do with. For that, I want to thank everyone at RCR and GM Goodwrench Service for sticking with me. In addition to thanking Kenny for stepping in at the last minute and helping us out, I want to thank the Winston Cup drivers who have called over the past couple of days to offer their advice and support. I especially want to thank all of the fans for standing behind me. They have supported me through some very tough times. Our on-track performance so far this season isn't what we expected it to be and having to sit out last week's race only dug the hole deeper. But that just means that we're going to do everything we can to turn things around." From the RCR site.(4-16-2002)
DW talks about Harvick: Three-time Winston Cup champion turned FOX TV commentator Darrell Waltrip thinks NASCAR did the right thing by.taking a stronger stand against Kevin Harvick's actions during Saturday's Craftsman Truck Series Race. Waltrip.said "I think he's a great kid and I love playin' with him and havin' fun with him, but he does have to understanding that.this is the big leagues (Winston Cup, Busch and Trucks) and when you get to that level you have to leave that Saturday night.fight mentality.back at the short tracks and there's a standard of excellence that you have to adhere to." DW went to say "I've been expecting this...wanting this personally for quite some time...puttin' a driver on probation. So what?, what does that mean? It's never meant anything in the past. I spent five years on probation. So, they did what they had to do, they (NASCAR) didn't do it...he did it to himself is the way I look at it. It's ugly, you don't want to see it happen, and I sure don't want to see it happen to anyone else...I don't want to see it happen to him again, but, that's what it took to get his attention". Waltrip, who says he wants to talk with Harvick, recalled a time when he and Richard Petty sat Ernie Irvan down in the NASCAR hauler several years ago.when Irvan was getting into a lot of wrecks and "kinda had a cavalier attitude about whole thing". The next weekend, Irvan apologized to all the competitors in the drivers meeting for his behavior and that he was going to try and do better. Darrell said "Kevin needs to do the same thing."(PRN's Garage Pass)(4-16-2002)
Little testing at MIS UPDATE and Earnhardt Jr: the Chad Little site lists Little and the #74 team testing at Michigan on April 16th and 17th. The team plans to make it's Cup debut at California Speedway next weekend.(4-16-2002) UPDATE: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. and #74-Chad Little took the first turns around MIS' high banks Tuesday, the first of a two-day test session for Dale Earnhardt Inc. For Little, who plans to make a handful of Cup starts for owner Andy Petree, the test session allowed him to gauge his equipment against Earnhardt Jr. By mid-afternoon of the first day of the test, Little was running in the 40.2- to 40.3-second range, which would put him at about 179 mph. Earnhardt Jr. was posting laps of about 39.9 or 40.0, which translates to around 180 mph. "We're running mostly 40-flats, said Earnhardt's crew chief Tony Eury, whose driver owns the Winston Cup qualifying record at MIS at 191.149mph set in August 2000. "But we're just getting started." Little said he plans to run in a few Winston Cup events this season, including the Michigan 400 on Sunday, June 16, and the Pepsi 400 presented by Farmer Jack on August 18. He also is eyeing a Cup start at MIS' sister track, California Speedway, on April 28.(MIS PR)(4-16-2002)
Penalties Announced: NASCAR officials have announced penalties for two NASCAR Winston Cup crew chiefs. Jimmy Fennig, crew chief of the #97 Ford, received a $1,000 fine for a rule violation found during pre-race inspection prior to Sunday's Virginia 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Fennig was penalized under Section 12-4-Q in the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series rule book, "Any determination by NASCAR Officials that parts and or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules: deck lid." Charley Pressley, crew chief of the #55 Chevy, received a $500 fine and was penalized under Section 12-4-W, "Weight attached in a location that was not acceptable to NASCAR Officials."(NASCAR PR)(4-16-2002)
Wallace, Innovative and Stacker2 to Cup UPDATE: Jeff Hammond reported on FSN's Totally NASCAR that Kenny Wallace and the BGN team he drivers for, Innovative Motorsports, will run four Winston Cup races this year. The tentative schedule is: Daytona in July, Chicagoland, Indianapolis and Watkins Glen. DEI will supply techincial support to the team which is currently running the full BGN season. No number mentioned but it won't be #48 (#81 maybe?).(4-15-2002) UPDATE: IMI Announces that it will race 4 Winston Cup Races with Stacker 2 and Kenny. Those races will be Daytona, Chicago, Indy and Watkins Glen. IMI will purchase some cars from DEI and possibly other organizations to speed along the process. The Cars number used will be #98.(Kenny Wallaces Racing site)(4-16-2002) AND Innovative Motorsports, Inc. (IMI) is proud to announce that it will field an entry in four Winston Cup events in 2002, and STACKER 2 will be the primary sponsor on the #98 Chevy driven by Kenny Wallace. Wallace will compete at Daytona July 6th, Chicagoland July 14th, Indianapolis August 4th and Watkins Glen August 11th. The effort will mark IMI's first ever entry in a Winston Cup event (They were going to run the 2nd NHIS event in 2001 until Steve Park got hurt and Wallace took over the #1 car). Wallace is currently fifth in the BGN standings. He is the only driver to complete every lap thus far in BGN competition. Wallace competed in the first four Cup events in 2002 driving DEI's #1 Pennzoil ride while Steve Park recovered from injuries suffered in 2001. NVE Pharmaceuticals, based in Newton, N.J., is the sole manufacturer STACKER 2 and an entire lineup of the world's strongest fat burners and energy products in the country. Known primarily for its nationally advertised line of STACKER products, NVE has helped thousands reach their weight-reduction and performance enhancement goals. NVE Pharmaceuticals is a multi-faceted manufacturing company. NVE prides itself in being a full-service one-stop shop for everything from the custom manufacturing of capsules, tablets, powders and liquids, to the marketing of its nationally known brand of STACKER products - STACKER 2 ("The World's Strongest Fat Burner"), STACKER 2 Lite, STACKER 2 Ephedra Free, and STACKER 3. Innovative Motorsports has campaigned three cars (#30, #47 and #48) in the BGN for drivers Chad Little, Mike McLaughlin, Hermie Sadler, Andy Santerre and, currently, Kenny Wallace, Christian Fittipaldi and Shane Hmiel. IMI received the Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award in 1998 with Santerre.(IMI PR)(4-16-2002)
(4-15-2002)
NASCAR Legend Buck Baker passes away:Buck Baker [Buddy Baker's father], a two-time Winston Cup champion on NASCAR's 50 Greatest drivers list, died Monday at 83. He won 46 Winston Cup races -- 13th on the all-time list -- and 44 poles. Baker was the first back-to-back series champion, winning titles in 1956 and 1957. Baker started 631 races, seventh most in NASCAR, and ran the most laps and miles for three consecutive years beginning in 1955. He was a three-time winner of the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, one of NASCAR's most storied races. Baker, who retired in 1976, was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association's Hall of Fame in 1982 and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1990.(ESPN) Baker is survived by his wife of 30 years, Susan Painter Baker; two sons, Buddy of Sherrills Ford and Randy of Kannapolis; a daughter, Susie Baker of Charlotte, a sister, two grandsons and two great granddaughters. The funeral will be held Thursday at the Calvary Church Chapel in Charlotte.(4-15-2002)
Harvick Fined: NASCAR officials announced that driver Kevin Harvick has been fined $35,000 and his probation has been extended through the remainder of the year for his actions this past weekend at Martinsville Speedway. NASCAR also put Harvick on notice during this probationary period that if there are any actions, in NASCAR's opinion, that are deemed detrimental to the sport or disruptive to the orderly conduct of an event, he will be suspended indefinitely. Harvick, already on probation following an incident March 23 during the BGN race at Bristol, was initially "parked" by NASCAR officials after an on-track incident with Coy Gibbs during Saturday's Truck Series race. The penalty was then extended to include Sunday's Virginia 500 NASCAR Winston Cup event. Following further review of the incident by NASCAR officials, a fine was levied and Harvick's probation, originally scheduled to conclude Aug. 28, was extended through the end of the calendar year to Tuesday, Dec. 31.(NASCAR PR)(4-15-2002)
Pay For View Close? UPDATE: In Demand L.L.C. and cable operators have scored a major coup in their battle with DirecTV Inc. for sports content, acquiring a groundbreaking multichannel pay-per-view package from NASCAR. The 'NASCAR in Car on In Demand' package, set to be announced this week, will offer motorsports fans seven dedicated PPV channels that feature in-car cameras, live team communications and real-time race-car statistics displayed on animated dashboards. Unlike other high-profile sports PPV packages, which have been the purview of direct-broadcast satellite provider DirecTV, the NASCAR service will be exclusive to 12.5 million digital-cable subscribers beginning in June.(TV Insight)(4-15-2002) UPDATE: NASCAR and iN DEMAND have partnered to launch NASCAR IN CAR on iN DEMAND," a multi-channel season-long television package that offers fans, for the first time ever, flag-to-flag in-car camera coverage for NASCAR Winston Cup Series events. NASCAR IN CAR on iN DEMAND" was developed by NASCAR Digital Entertainment and iN Demand in conjunction with NASCAR's broadcast partners to complement NASCAR's live event coverage on FOX, FX, NBC, and TNT. The package offers fans five dedicated channels of in-car cameras, live team audio communications and real-time race car performance data displayed on animated dashboards.. This multi-year agreement between NASCAR and iN DEMAND runs through the 2004 NASCAR season. ACTV will produce the NASCAR IN CAR on iN DEMAND" package week-to-week while NASCAR Digital Entertainment and iN DEMAND will serve as executive producers. ACTV, Inc. (Nasdaq: IATV) is a digital media company providing proprietary technologies, tools, and technical and creative services for enhanced TV advertising, personalized programming applications and enhanced media. NASCAR IN CAR on iN DEMAND" consists of seven sequential digital channels. The first channel will duplicate the free live network event broadcast from NBC, TNT, FOX, or FX.. Five additional channels will feature dedicated in-car camera coverage with on-screen enhancements from Sportvision, a leader in sports media technology. Features include a real-time animated dashboard with needles, gauges and information including the driver's name, car position, miles-per-hour, and RPMs, and each in-car channel will also include a mix of ambient car sounds and/or team communications.. The seventh channel will feature additional event information and in-car camera perspectives. In-car cameras are provided by Broadcast Sports Technologies, a leader in microwave transmission and custom remote controlled miniature camera systems. The broadcast network commercials will be aired across all channels in the package. NASCAR IN CAR on iN DEMAND' will offer digital cable customers an annual package with as many as 36 races. The green flag is scheduled to drop on Sunday, June 16, 2002, from Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. The 2002 package will be offered at $99 for 22 races, although there will be an early promotional offer of $89 if purchased prior to June 22, 2002. The complete season packages for 2003 and 2004 will offer 36 races.. NASCAR IN CAR On iN DEMAND" will be offered on AT&T, Time Warner, Comcast, Cox and other Multiple System Operators throughout the country.
iN DEMAND, the nation's leading PPV & VOD provider, delivers television premieres of the best movies, championship boxing, mega-event wrestling, professional and college sports, plus original entertainment. iN DEMAND's 60-channel digital lineup also offers MLB EXTRA INNINGS, NBA LEAGUE PASS, WNBA SEASON PASS, NHL CENTER ICE and ESPN FULL COURT, plus half-hour start times for its top movies each month, and VOD in select cable markets across the country. The company's shareholders are AT&T Broadband, L.L.C., Time Warner Entertainment - Advance/Newhouse Partnership, Comcast Programming Ventures, Inc. and Cox Communications, Inc. Further information about the company can be found on the Internet at www.indemand.com.(NASCAR PR)(4-15-2002)
Last Time Time a Driver was suspended: Until Sunday, no NASCAR Cup driver had been banished from a race since D.K. Ulrich in 1987. In 1991, Junior Johnsons team was banned for three races after an engine violation uncovered at The Winston.(Gaston Gazette), also in Jeff Burton's rookie year, 1994, the #8 Stavola Brother's car was disqualified at Richmond in September after the roll bars were found to have holes in them.(4-15-2002)
Gossage Statement: Statement by Texas Motor Speedway General Manager EDDIE GOSSAGE regarding comments made by Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell: "We were disappointed by the uncharacteristic comments made by Clay Campbell, president of Martinsville Speedway, to media members attending this weekend's Virginia 500. Mr. Campbell said that Texas Motor Speedway officials had recently told the media that Martinsville Speedway should not be on the NASCAR Winston Cup schedule. No such statement was ever made. "I spoke with Clay Sunday evening by telephone and he admitted that he had not seen or heard any such
statement, only that he responded to rumors that a quote of that nature appeared in either The Dallas Morning News or on television last weekend. I told Clay that we made no such statement - it simply does not exist. "We are disappointed by his comments; however, Clay Campbell is a good friend and an important figure in our sport. Personally speaking, races at Martinsville Speedway rate among my favorites. Today's race was another exciting Martinsville event and we are proud that it was won by a native Texan -- Bobby Labonte."(TMS PR)(4-15-2002)
Sad News: On the 5th lap of the AC Delco Sportsman Late Model Main Event at Altamont Raceway in Tracy CA, on Saturday April 13, 2002, driver Mark Hutto died after a an accident at the track.(RacingWest) AND Michael R. DeSantis, 53, of South River, N.J., was fatally injured during the "Legends Cars" feature race on Saturday night at Wall Township Speedway in NJ. The accident occurred at 10:12 p.m. during the eighth lap of the 20-lap feature. It was the final scheduled event of the evening and was not completed due to the circumstances. Condolences to the families and friends of both Hutto and DeSantis.(4-15-2002)
This page designed by Jayski LLC, 1996-2012 All Rights Reserved.
Jayski's is a registered trademark of Jayski LLC
Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form without permission or credit.
