One Engine Rule in place for the Coca Cola 600: NASCAR is expected to leave its single-engine rule in place for Coca-Cola 600 activities this week, meaning cars will have to use one engine for all practice, qualifying and the Winston Cup circuit's longest race. Teams were not held to the rule for the Daytona 500, and when the rule was put in place NASCAR officials said its use would be studied for the 600.(ThatsRacin.com)(5-19-2002)
The The Coca-Cola Racing Family 600 is a No Bull 5 Program event. #40-Sterling Marlin and #20-Tony Stewart wowed the crowd during preliminary ceremonies Saturday when they finished 1-2 in a competition matching the five drivers eligible for the No Bull Five $1 million bonus in next weeks Coca-Cola 600. Each drove a Winston Cup transporter around an obstacle course, and Marlin and Stewart managed to do so without making any mistakes. Marlins time (1 minute, 13.99 seconds) was faster. #20-Stewart was second, #12-Ryan Newman third, #19-Jeremy Mayfield fourth and #6-Mark Martin fifth.(Gaston Gazette)(5-19-2002)
The Winston - won by #12-Ryan Newman: after starting last (27th) in Segment 1, #8-Earnhardt Jr made it quite exciting at the end and almost caught Newman. Newman is the 2nd driver to transfer from The Winston Open/No Bull Sprint races to win The Winston, Michael Waltrip did it in 1996, Newman is also only the 2nd rookie driver to win The Winston, Earnhardt Jr was the first in 2000. See my The Winston 2002 page for results of The Winston, each segment, the Winston Open and the No Bull Sprint along with news, info, rules, qualifying, starting lineup, etc. Also see my Paint Scheme Gallery for many The Winston images, added quite a few images.(5-18/19-2002)
Ward to Hendrick? Dodge executives say they are worried that Chevy's Rick Hendrick may be ready to make another run at Daytona 500 winner Ward Burton.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-19-2002)
Special Stewart Schemes: hearing that #20-Tony Stewart will run Snoopy/Peanuts paint schemes at Bristol in August and at Atlanta in October, one is an orange scheme and one is black, maybe the Great Pumpkin at Atlanta?(5-19-2002)
Sad News: At approximately 2:00pm/et on Thursday, WTQRs Big Paul Franklin was fatally injured in a wreck involving three motorcycles and two cars on US 64 West of Asheboro, NC. Franklin, morning show host and Program Director, was traveling with his wife Susan who was injured but is recovering at Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, NC. Franklin has held the position of Program Director at WTQR for nearly 8 years and during that time has been host of the popular morning show program with longtime friend Aunt Eloise. Details will be released soon on where and how you can make a donation in lieu of flowers.(5-17-2002) UPDATE: Donations can be made to any Wachovia Bank or BB&T Bank in the triad of North Carolina or donations can be sent to the studio at: Paul Franklin Donations, 2-B PAI Park, Greensboro, N.C. 27409.(5-19-2002)
Pontiac Awaits NASCAR OK: After completing wind tunnel and on-track testing last week, Pontiac officials have submitted the completed 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix for NASCAR approval. Former Winston Cup champion Bobby Labonte tested the car last week at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Gary Nelson, Winston Cup managing director of competition, said NASCAR was working on "mostly minor testing." "We have to make templates and compare them" to the other manufacturer entries, Nelson said. Jimmy Makar, Labonte's crew chief, said the test went smoothly. "There were a few little things, nothing major. We're still working through the templates with (NASCAR)," he said. "We've already gone up there one time and worked over somethings with them. They were all pretty minor issues."(ThatsRacin.com)(5-19-2002)
ARCA Driver Injured: Tina Gordon suffered a serious leg injury and underwent surgery at a Charlotte, NC, hospital Saturday after a crash in the ARCA/Remax Series EasyCare 100 at Lowes Motor Speedway. Gordon suffered a clean break of her left tibia and fibia, a broken bone on the side of her left foot, a broken left heel, a broken left big toe and a broken right little toe. It was Gordons first race with a new HANS device after previously using the Hutchens device, and Gary Gordon said he was very thankful his wife was wearing the safety device. To be honest with you, I think it saved her life, he Gordon said. I was at the race where Steve Park got hurt last year and it was a lot like that. She took a harder lick than Steve Park did and she doesnt even have a concussion. Doctors were uncertain how long Gordon would be hospitalized following her surgery. In the race, Jeff Fultz passed ARCA points leader Frank Kimmel on Lap 62 and held on to post his first ARCA series victory.(Anniston Star), Fultz is a fabricator at Jasper Motorsports [#77] and it was only his second career ARCA start driving the #55 C&C Boilers Ford, powered by Penske/Jasper Engines. His wife Angela is the Office Manager at Jasper Motorsports.(5-19-2002)
Update at the Anniston Star: Gordons injury list grows.(5-20-2002)
(5-18-2002)
Drivers to Test at Richmond UPDATE: A few drivers (doesn't say which ones) are participating in a closed Winston Cup test at Richmond International Raceway on Tuesday [May 21]. The public and media are not allowed to attend the session in which Goodyear and NASCAR officials plan to test both tires and the sealer that drew complaints following the Pontiac 400 on May 4.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(5-17-2002) UPDATE: NASCAR is sending #20-Tony Stewart and #2-Rusty Wallace to Richmond International Raceway next week to figure out what, if anything, is wrong with the track. Winston Cup director John Darby said NASCAR isn't convinced the sealer is the problem, which is why the sanctioning body asked Stewart and Wallace to test the track. One possibility is that Goodyear, which switched the type of tire it is using this season, has given the teams rubber not compatible with Richmond, Darby said. So Stewart and Wallace will test the track Tuesday with tires from both this year and last in an effort to rule that out. NASCAR asked several teams to test the track, but could get only those two drivers. Darby said he was disappointed a Chevrolet will not be represented. Four-time Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon was asked to take his Chevy there, but declined and then expressed frustration over the demands on drivers.(Daytona Beach News Journal/AP)(5-18-2002)
DEI for sale? Speculation is increasing that a possible sale of Dale Earnhardt Inc. or parts of DEI may be under consideration, with word that owner Teresa Earnhardt may be considering a move to Florida. Finding anyone willing to finance such a sale might be difficult, particularly with the uncertainty surround two of DEI's three teams. But there are indications that Anheuser-Busch might be involved in however the situation might play out, possibly as part-owner, to protect its investment in star Dale Earnhardt Jr. It is unclear how much of a financial stake Earnhardt Jr. has in the company his father built.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-18-2002)
Kenseth and DEI? Word from team sources that Dale Earnhardt Jr. would like to have Matt Kenseth (#17) as a teammate. Earnhardt and Kenseth were good buddies their rookie season, and Kenseth - who is low-key and would be unlikely to overshadow Junior - is a very solid driver who rarely tears up equipment.(Winston Salem Journal), NOTE: see my #17 Team News and Links page for past news on Kenseth's contract.(5-18-2002)
New Engines for Little and BACE: #74-BACE Motorsports has contracted with PME-Pro Motors Engineering to provide Chevy engines for their Winston Cup cars starting with the Coca Cola 600 (APR was supplying engines). In ARCA, Jason Jarrett, Damon Lusk, and Michael Vergers use their Chevy and Ford engines. Stuart Kirby practiced very well at the Charlotte BGN practice in his #34 Air Force Sponsored Chevy. PME also supplies engine for CTS teams of #90-Lance Norick and #88-Matt Crafton.(5-18-2002)
Penske to Stick with Ford? UPDATE: Although Penske Racing's contract with Ford runs out at the end of the season, don't expect the #2 (Rusty Wallace) and #12 (Ryan Newman) teams to jump ship to another manufacturer anytime soon. Roger Penske has been mentioned as a possible candidate to field Toyotas when the auto manufacturer comes to NASCAR because he owns the greatest number of dealerships. But Toyota isn't targeted to introduce its first North American V-8 until 2003. Insiders at Penske South expect the teams to renew with Ford.(Sporting News)(4-29-2002) UPDATE: Roger Penske, a Ford man for nine years, is looking at negotiating a new Detroit contract some time this season. Penske team officials have said they expect Penske to sign again with Ford. However, Detroit sources suspect Penske will move to Dodge.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-18-2002)
Sadler out of the #21? UPDATEs $11 million sponsor?: ESPN2's RPM 2 Night reports that Elliott Sadler has asked for his release from the #21 Wood Brothers team. Sadler supposedly is looking at an opportunity with Dale Earnhardt Inc (#15? - no idea). The Wood Brothers have not granted his release yet.(4-30-2002) UPDATE: Word around some shops [and from ESPN] is that Elliott Sadler has asked for a release from his contract from the #21 Motorcraft Wood Brothers Ford. Sadler has supposedly been approached by several teams and wants out of the contract he has had with the team since 1999 to explore those options. One of the teams rumored to be interested in Sadler is Dale Earnhardt Inc., the home of Dale Earnhardt Jr, Steve Park and Michael Waltrip. Kenny Wallace, who filled in for the Park after his Darlington injuries last September, is still under contract to DEI as well.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(5-1-2002) UPDATE: Thursday's ESPN2's RPM 2 Night reported that Sadler has sponsor's worth $11 million to bring to a team and has talked to DEI about taking the sponsor there.(5-3-2002)(more updates on this on the #21 Team News and Links page) UPDATE 5: Elliott Sadler, according to several sources, has come up with an $11 million sponsorship with the World Wrestling Federation (actually the WWE not WWF) and is shopping that deal around. Two weeks ago DEI's Ty Norris, who is in renegotiation talks with sponsor NAPA and Pennzoil (now owned by Shell), confirmed talking with Sadler. Now word from Ford Motor Company sources is that Ford officials are trying to keep Sadler in their camp by trying to put together a new Ford ride for him. One of the Ford options being raised is a ride with Robert Yates, even though neither of Yates' two current drivers, Dale Jarrett and Ricky Rudd, has expressed any interest in moving on. According to one source, Sadler has not been satisfied with the horsepower he's been getting from Roush Racing.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-18-2002)
Harvick and Yates? There are persistent reports that Yates would like to hire Kevin Harvick away from Chevy's Richard Childress, although Childress and General Motors executives say that won't happen.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-18-2002)
Big News...for some reason: Four time Cup Champ, #24-Jeff Gordon is sporting a goatee (like Jayski), seems the AP, FX and all other news outlets are picking up on it. Anyhow, see pictures at ThatsRacin.com or Gaston Gazette or NASCAR.com.(5-18-2002)
Cup Award Ceremony Moved: The storied and spacious Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City's Manhattan Center will serve as the site for this year's NASCAR Winston Cup Series 2002 awards ceremony, set for the evening of Friday, Dec. 6. The annual season-ending ceremony, which honors the NASCAR Winston Cup champion and the rest of the season's final top 10 drivers, was previously held since 1981 at the Waldorf=Astoria, another New York landmark. In 1981, the ceremony took place in the historic hotel's Starlight Roof. In 1982, the ceremony was moved to the Grand Ballroom. The Waldorf-Astoria will continue to serve as headquarters for NASCAR's week-long stay in New York that leads up to the awards, and once again will host the annual NASCAR Press Luncheon and the National Motorsports Press Association/Myers Brothers Awards Breakfast. Also, immediately following the awards ceremony, the Champion's Party will be held in the Waldorf's Grand Ballroom. NASCAR's unprecedented growth in popularity, reflected by increasing attendance and media coverage at the year-end awards ceremony, has necessitated the move to the Hammerstein Ballroom. The 20,000 square-foot facility will boost seating for the ceremony to approximately 1,600. Red carpets will greet guests at the Hammerstein's elegant entrance, part of what promises to be an Academy Awards-type of atmosphere. The Manhattan Center is located in Midtown, on West 34th Street near the theatre district and Madison Square Garden. The Hammerstein Ballroom formerly was known as the Manhattan Opera House, which was built in 1906 by composer Oscar Hammerstein, who envisioned it as competition to the Metropolitan Opera House. Throughout its history, the facility has hosted giants of the entertainment industry. The 2002 awards ceremony will include theater-style seating, with doors to the Hammerstein Ballroom opening at approximately 7:00pm/et. The ceremony will be televised live on TNT and broadcast live by MRN. NBC also will televise portions of the ceremony on a tape-delayed basis at a later date.(NASCAR PR)(5-18-2002)
(5-17-2002)
Some Dale Earnhardt Jr stuff: On Sunday, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will fly to Los Angeles for four days to participate in a music video with pop superstar Cheryl Crowe.(Garage Pass Radio Show) AND Earnhardt Jr was featured on ESPN's Outside the Lines, will be re-aired on ESPN, Sat, May 18 at 3:30pm/et and on Monday, May 20 at 2:00pm.(ESPN)(5-17-2002)
Nadeau in the #10 longer? UPDATE thru Dover: Jerry Nadeau's role as the substitute for the injured Johnny Benson in MBV Motorsports' #10 Valvoline Pontiac may be extended beyond Saturday's running of the Winston Open at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Nadeau, who left Hendrick Motorsports' #25 Chevy earlier this month, was named as Benson's sub for the Open, but Benson is saying his recovery from a rib cracked in a BGN race at Richmond may take awhile. "The Open is a race I wanted to race because we won it last year, but getting well is my main goal right now.... I don't know when I will return. Everybody keeps telling me it is better to take my time and get healed instead of rushing back. I'm pretty much going to listen to what the doctors say and what my body says."(Winston Cup Scene daily newsletter)(5-16-2002) UPDATE: Johnny Benson, who suffered a broken rib and two cracked ribs in an accident during the BGN race at Richmond, said Friday he will likely remain out of his #10 MBV Motorsports ride at least until the June 9 race at Pocono. Jerry Nadeau, who left his Hendrick Motorsports team last week, is subbing for Benson in the #10 Valvoline Pontiac until Bensons return. "The type of break that I have, the doctors say can take seven or eight weeks to heal, but being a race car driver, I hope to be back before then," Benson said. "Ill sit out Charlotte and with Dover being Dover, they dont want me to hit anything. We figure Pocono may be a good place to try to come back. Ive cracked ribs before and they hurt, but until you break one you dont know how much that hurts."(ThatsRacin.com)(5-17-2002)
#48 Scheme at Lowes UPDATE: hearing the #48 Lowes Chevy will carry a Power of Pride scheme at The Winston and Coke 600, see my Paint Scheme Gallery for a possible scheme.(5-16-2002) UPDATE: In an effort that began May 3 at the Pontiac Excitement 400 race in Richmond, Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse and Team Lowe's Racing are touring a giant thank you card to the U.S. military. Military supporters will be able to write their personal messages and signatures on the card at multiple sporting events and Lowe's stores throughout the spring. There is a special kind of pride American military supporters feel for the men and women serving in the U.S. armed forces and many have never had the chance to personally express their gratitude. Now, thanks to this larger than life military tribute, thousands will finally get that chance.
"We want to give Americans an opportunity to express their personal gratitude to the men and women serving our country," said Bob Tillman, Lowe's chairman, president and CEO. "The Power of Pride is a way for all of us to salute these brave Americans and thank them for all they do." Culminating the tour Memorial Day Weekend, Lowe's will display the fully assembled 140 by 48 foot Power of Pride themed card during the Coca-Cola 600 at the Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 26. Of special note, actor Owen Wilson, the Coca-Cola 600 grand marshal, will add the ceremonial final signature to the card before it's shipped to a military location to be determined. Each person who signs the giant card will receive a commemorative Power of Pride marker and bumper sticker, and for racing fans, the Team Lowe's #48 Power of Pride show car will be on display. Lowe's created the Power of Pride initiative as a way to pay tribute to the men and women serving in the armed forces and local police and fire departments. In the wake of Sept. 11, Lowe's, its employee owners and customers raised more than $6 million for relief organizations and U.S. military, police officers and firefighters who put their lives on the line to save others.(Golin-Harris PR)(5-17-2002)
#59 Gets a Sponsor for Lowes: Price Motorsports, Inc. announced Thursday that the team has secured primary sponsorship for the Winston Open and the Coca-Cola 600 races from Key West Aloe based in Key West, Florida. The popular company specializes in aloe spa care, skin care, suncare, fragrances and cosmetics and has been in business since 1971. The company is well know for its over 150 different skin care selections and has retail store locations in Texas, Florida, Hawaii, Germany, Italy and The United Kingdom. The company's web site can be visited at www.keywestaloe.com. The site features user friendly online shopping. A free catalog can also be ordered online. Although not a full year deal, Car Owner Foster Price was pleased to close the deal going into the festivities that are to take place the next two weekends at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "We're glad to bring Key West Aloe on.(Price Motorsports PR)(5-17-2002)
Earnhardt Hometown Tribune Gets a Boost: The effort to build the Dale Earnhardt Tribute in downtown Kannapolis has received a major boost, with Atlantic American Properties owner David H. Murdock's agreeing to pay for the $200,000 sculpture. Kannapolis City Manager Mike Mahaney made the announcement Thursday afternoon in the 600 Room of the Speedway Club at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Murdock will also fund renovations for the Cannon Village Visitor's Center to transform 2,000 square feet into a Tribute Center, Mahaney said. Another $300,000 to $400,000 will be required to complete the project. The visitor's center will feature Sam Bass prints of Earnhardt. Over time the collection should change, and will feature seven Bass originals that will illustrate Earnhardt's life story, chronicling his childhood in Kannapolis to his days of NASCAR prominence. Mahaney said the fall unveiling could come to fruition if there aren't any hitches in the project. Arizona-based artist Ross Morgan is in charge of developing the statue, but widow Teresa Earnhardt has the final say on what goes and what doesn't. Contributions for the project can be sent to the City of Kannapolis, care of The Dale Earnhardt Tribute Fund, P.O. Box 1199, Kannapolis, NC 28082-1199.(Independent Tribune)(5-17-2002)
Rudd Retirement update: Sitting at a table with co-Ironman Terry Labonte yesterday, Ricky Rudd was lauded for more than his streak of 655 Winston Cup starts. But in comments by speakers and a video honoring Rudd and Labonte, the two sharing the record until Rudd starts the Coca-Cola 600, were gentle reminders that many think Rudd could be leaving the sport at the end of this season. Rudd deflected the talk early but later commented directly on the issue. He carefully waded through the questions, trying to make his position clear. He doesn't know yet what he's doing in 2003. Rudd's options are numerous. He could sign another contract with Robert Yates - his current one ends this season - or move over to another top operation. Or, at 45, he could walk away from racing. Rudd said he plans to make a decision by the end of July.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(5-17-2002)
#26 sponsor? UPDATE 2: hearing that Discover Card may come aboard to sponsor the #26 Haas-Carter Motorpsorts team, not sure when or who will driver. Frank Kimmel currently is driving the car in select events.(5-14-2002) UPDATE: hearing it could be a six race deal for 2002, no idea of a driver.(5-16-2002) UPDATE 2: Car owner Travis Carter, who lost his sponsor at the start of the season when Kmart filed for bankruptcy protection, appears to be set to race on through the summer. Frank Kimmel, who has driven Carter's #26 Ford in several Winston
Cup races this season, said he'll run the Coca-Cola Racing Family 600 next Sunday, then step aside so another driver, most likely Todd
Bodine, can drive the car for five or six races. A press conference has been scheduled for next week to announce the sponsor.(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(5-17-2002)
Special #21 Scheme: The legendary Wood Brothers Racing #21 Ford Taurus, driven by Elliott Sadler and sponsored by Motorcraft, will be sporting a special paint scheme honoring Air Force bomber aircraft during Coca-Cola 600 race, 26 May, at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC. The paint scheme features the B-1 Lancer on the right side of the car, the B-52 Stratofortress -- the venerable workhorse of the Air Force bomber fleet -- on the left side and the stealthy B-2 Spirit on the hood of the car. The United States has used all three of these aircraft in its war on terrorism. At the Coca-Cola 600, a B-2 from Whiteman Air Force Base, MO will do a fly-by after country and western singer George Jones finishes "50,000 Names," a song about the Vietnam Wall. A four-ship formation of F-15 Eagles from Seymour Johnson AFB, S.C., will also conduct a flyover after Jones finishes singing the National Anthem. Additionally, an Air Force honor guard, a bugler playing TAPS and the USAF STARS Parachute Jump Team will perform at the Coca-Cola 600. Gen. Hal M. Hornburg, Air Combat Command commander, will be attending the race and will address the crowd and administer the Oath of Enlistment to 50 new recruits prior to the start of the Coca-Cola 600. Additionally, Hornburg will be accepting the Stonewall Jackson award - given yearly for patriotism in the military - on behalf of Gen. John P, Jumper, Air Force Chief of Staff, who is unable to attend. The Air Force continues to use its involvement in NASCAR to interest more young men and women, especially those with mechanical and electronic skills, in considering a career in the military.(Air Force PR), see a layout of the car on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(5-17-2002)
Roush Doing Better: NASCAR team owner Jack Roush -- who has already visited several of his racing facilities -- continues his impressive recovery from serious injuries suffered in an airplane crash on April 19. On Thursday, Roush, 60, spent some time in meetings at his stock car complex in Concord, N.C., that houses his four Winston Cup teams. Earlier in the week he visited the Craftsman Truck Series operation in Livonia. The only thing left is for Roush to return to a race track, and it's a safe bet that will occur sometime in the next 10 days at Lowe's Motor Speedway. A spokesperson said Larry Hicks, the former U.S. Marine who saved Roush's life by diving into a lake in Troy, Ala., to rescue him from his inverted light aircraft planned to be at the 600 as well. Hicks attended his first race at Richmond International Raceway May 3. Roush is concentrating at this time on strengthening his upper body and right leg while maintaining flexibility in his left leg, which suffered massive damage including a compound fracture of the femur. Roush was transferred from the University of Alabama/Birmingham Medical Center on May 1, to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor for rehabilitation work. From there he was released to his Michigan home on May 8.(NASCAR.com)(5-17-2002)
(5-16-2002)
No #26 in the Winston/Open UPDATE Kimmel's last race in the #26 at Lowes: The #26 Haas-Carter Motorsports team will run the Coca Cola 600 with Frank Kimmer, who has been in the car for most of the recent Cup races, but the team will NOT run in The Winston.(FSN's Totally NASCAR)(5-15-2002) UPDATE: Three-time ARCA champ Frank Kimmel said next weeks Coca-Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway will be his final appearance in Cup series this season with Travis Carter Enterprises #26 Ford. Kimmel, with assistance from his sponsors in the ARCA series, has entered four events this season with Carter, who lost primary sponsor Kmart after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The 600 is the end of our sponsorship deal with Travis. Its been a very educational run for me, Kimmel said. We havent had the success that we wanted. Weve had some problems, some driver-induced and some car-induced. Its been a learning experience. I think Im a lot better ARCA racer because of it. We dont know whats going to happen in the future.(ThatsRacin.com)(5-16-2002)
New Team? UPDATE 2: hearing a new Winston Cup/BGN team is going to be announced next week. Jeff Hammond is heavily involved. Hear they have one of the top people from Haas-Carter Motorsports coming in as crew chief. Understand they are going to run up to four Winston Cup races and at least seven BGN races the rest of this season, setting themselves up for a full run in BGN with a partial Winston Cup schedule in 2003. Sponsorship is in place too.(5-7-2002) UPDATE: hearing the driver will be Stanton Barrett and the team will use Rosuh cars and engines.(5-8-2002) UPDATE 2: Beginning with the BGN race at Lowe's Motor Speedway Saturday, May 25, Stanton Barrett will compete in up to 12 BGN and four Cup races this season. Jeff Hammond, who has led some of the top teams in Cup racing, is serving as team manager. Veteran winning crew chief Richard Lasater, who has built a top reputation in the BGN garage, will head up the competition side of the team. Terry
Allen, a veteran of several NASCAR series, serves as team coordinator. Bojangles', one of the country's top restaurant chains known for its Cajun-style chicken and fresh buttermilk biscuits, and OdoBan, the fastest-growing cleaner, disinfectant and deodorizer on the market, will sponsor Barrett's Red Racing team for much of that. The three Winston Cup races in which Barrett is scheduled to compete are Oct. 10 at Lowe's; Oct. 26 at Atlanta; and Nov. 17 at Homestead. His BGN schedule following next week's race will include June 8 at Nashville, Tenn.; July 13 at Chicago; Aug. 31 at Darlington, S.C.; Sept. 21 at Dover, Del.; Oct. 12 at Lowe's; and Nov. 2 at Rockingham, N.C. "We are also looking at adding the Winston Cup race at Kansas City (Sept. 29) and five more Busch races," Barrett said. Those additional Busch races would be July 20 at Gateway (St. Louis); Aug. 27 at Brooklyn, Mich.; Aug. 23 at Bristol, Tenn.; Oct. 19 at Memphis, Tenn.; and Nov. 9 at Phoenix. Red Racing, co-owned by Barrett and businessman Jody Looney, is fielding the Bojangles'/Odoban team. The organization, led by Hammond, is the culmination of several years' work by Barrett to develop a top program. Barrett is one of the top stunt men in Hollywood, having appeared in movies and television. Coming from what some have referred to as "the Earnhardts of Hollywood stunts," he has used his talents in that area to build his racing career.(Williams Company)(5-16-2002) AND The team is based in Concord, N.C., and will get chassis and engines from Roush Racing.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read), no word on a car number.(5-16-2002)
Earnhardt's Mother Honored: Martha Earnhardt, wife of the late Ralph Earnhardt, the mother of seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt, and the grandmother of Kerry, Dale Jr., Kelley and Taylor Earnhardt, is the grand marshal for the May 21 UAW-GM Teamwork Parade in Charlotte. This years theme is Racing Legends and is a tribute to those who paved the way for todays Winston Cup circuit. Among those scheduled to appear in the parade are current and former drivers Ned Jarrett, Junior Johnson, Morgan Shepherd, Rex White, Brett Bodine, Jim Vandiver, Neil Soapy Castles, Ken Ragan, Kirk Shelmerdine, Ashton Lewis, Shawna Robinson, and Elliott Sadler; the Earnhardt family; the first Miss Winston Marilyn Chilton Green; Leonard Wood; Neil Bonnetts daughter Kristen; Fireball Roberts daughter Pam; Frances Flock, wife of the late Tim Flock; and Wanda Lund, wife of the late Tiny Lund. The parade is scheduled to begin at 8:00pm/et.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(5-16-2002)
Hornaday in the #49 at Lowes: Two-Time Craftsman Truck Series Champion and veteran Winston Cup Series and current Busch Series driver, Ron Hornaday Jr., has been selected to drive the #49 BAM Racing Dodge Winston Cup car. Hornaday will take over driving duties for the next two Winston Cup races. The BAM Racing team is hoping that Hornaday can provide input to improve the teams performance. "I am looking forward to being a part of the BAM Racing team," said Hornaday. "Im excited about the entire program and hope my experience will help the team become more competitive." The opportunity for Hornaday to drive for BAM Racing came from discussions between team manager, Eddie Jones and current BAM Racing driver Shawna Robinson. "Hornaday is an experienced veteran driver," said Jones. "We believe his experience in a Winston Cup car will be valuable in assessing our overall program. BAM Racing is committed to Shawna Robinson and we are searching for ways to achieve better results. Additionally we have added a new shock technician that we believe will improve our team." The May 18th Winston Open race at Lowes Motor Speedway will mark the beginning of Hornadays Winston Cup driving duties, followed by the Coca Cola Family 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway on May 26th.(BAM Racing PR)(5-16-2002)
New #25 Driver? UPDATE: Expect official word that Joe Nemechek will replace Jerry Nadeau as driver of the #25 Chevy for the rest of the 2002 season, beginning with The Winston Saturday night. Nemechek is eligible to run in The Winston by virtue of a victory in the #33 Chevy owned by Andy Petree at Rockingham last fall. He tested last week to run the all-star race in a car owned by Dale Earnhardt Inc., but instead will make the #25 the fourth Rick Hendrick-owned entry in the race.(ThatsRacin.com)(5-15-2002) UPDATE: Joe Nemechek picked up a ride for the remainder of the 2002 Winston Cup season on Wednesday, while Hendrick Motorsports added a fourth entry to the field of Saturday nights Winston all-star race at Lowes Motor Speedway. Nemechek, who lost his ride with Travis Carter Enterprises earlier this season when sponsor Kmart filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, was named driver of Hendricks #25 Chevy for the remainder of the season. That move includes Nemechek driving the #25 in The Winston. Nemechek is eligible by virtue of his win last fall at Rockingham. He was originally going to drive a car provided by Dale Earnhardt Inc., but has dissolved that plan. Hendricks three other teams those of Jeff Gordon, Terry Labonte and Jimmie Johnson were already qualified for The Winston. Nemechek replaces driver Jerry Nadeau who parted ways with Hendrick last week after two-plus seasons with the #25 team. Nadeau won one race with the team, the fall Atlanta race in the 2000 season. (ThatsRacin.com)(5-16-2002)
Looney Toons and Taz to return? UPDATE 3: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr will run a #3 Taz scheme at Richmond in the BGN race and that there is a chance the Looney Toons schemes may return at the Richmond Cup race.(5-10-2002) UPDATE:The Sports Business Journal reports that Chevy is set to reprise the promotion that put Looney Tunes characters on seven NASCAR Winston Cup cars last season.(5-14-2002) UPDATE 2: Chevrolet is set to reprise the promotion that put Looney Tunes characters on seven NASCAR Winston Cup cars last season, this time expanding it to include 11 cars in a one-race blast tied to the automaker's itle sponsorship of the Sept. 7 Chevy Monte Carlo 400 in Richmond. The promotion, titled "Looney Tunes, The Rematch" and scheduled for announcement this week, will tie together all but one of the 12 Monte Carlos that run in the series, with sponsors of those cars sharing space with Looney Tunes characters including Bugs Bunny, Taz, Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote and Daffy Duck. The program will extend to support races at the track, with characters also placed on two entries in both the CTS and BGN events run on Thursday night and Friday night, respectively. Looney Tunes characters will cover about one-fourth of the 43-car field, appearing in tandem with the following driver/character/sponsor combinations: Jeff Gordon, Bugs Bunny, DuPont; Mike Skinner, Yosemite Sam, Kodak; Kevin Harvick, Tazmanian Devil, GM Goodwrench; Jeff Green, Daffy Duck, America Online; Robbie Gordon, Pepe Le Pew, Cingular Wireless; and Bobby Hamilton, Marvin the Martian, Square D. The program also will include Michael Waltrip (Napa Auto Parts), Steve Park (Pennzoil), Jimmy Johnson (Lowe's Home Improvement), Terry Labonte (Kellogg's) and an as yet undetermined driver of the #25 car sponsored by UAW-Delphi. Details of those entries still are being negotiated. One notable exception: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be left out of the equation because his car is sponsored by Budweiser. Warner Bros. did not want its characters connected to a beer.(Sports Business Journal - need sub to read)(5-15-2002) UPDATE 4 an image: see an image of the #24 Bugs Bunny car on my Paint Scheme Gallery, have heard the #55 will run the Marvin the Martian again.(5-16-2002)
Marcis Honored: Dave Marcis has been named the recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association/Pocono Spirit Award for the first quarter of 2002. Marcis, 61, retired as a driver following the Daytona 500, but continues to field the #71 Marcis Auto Racing Chevy in selected events. The award recognizes character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports and is voted on by the NMPA press membership.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(5-16-2002)
Kulwicki Scholarship: Alan Kulwicki Memorial Scholarship Selects Josh Sell - The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has awarded its Alan Kulwicki Memorial Scholarship to Josh Sell, a top academic high school student and race car driver from Urbana, Ohio. Sell, the son of Mark and Beth Sell, will graduate next week from Springfield Catholic High School in Springfield, Ohio. The four-year Kulwicki Scholarship, named in memory of the 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup champion who died in a plane crash in 1993, is the highest honor within UNC Charlotte's Motorsports Engineering program. California native Ryan Zeck, the first Kulwicki scholarship winner, set the standard for the program and is now an engineer with Robert Yates Racing and a competitive race car driver in late model stock car and part-time American Speed Association competition. Sell will be presented his scholarship as part of pre-race activities Saturday night at The Winston.(LMS PR)(5-16-2002)
(5-15-2002)
Ripken honoring Earnhardt at game: One of the greatest names in baseball history is going to help the Kannapolis Intimidators celebrate one of the greatest night's in their history. Cal Ripken Jr., baseball's all-time ironman and certain Baseball Hall of Famer, will be part of the ceremonies tonight when the Intimidators officially retire Dale Earnhardt's #3 before Kannapolis' South Atlantic League game with Hagerstown. Earnhardt bought a share of the Intimidators in the fall of 2000, just months before his death in the February 2001 Daytona 500. Ripken Jr. ended a 20-year major league career with the Baltimore Oriole last fall.(Independent Tribune)(5-15-2002)
Shelmerdine Start Pushed Back Kirk Shelmerdine's plans to try to qualify the #27 Ford for the Coca-Cola Family 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway are being scrapped. "Testing showed us that our level of performance and our state of preparedness were not where we thought they should be," Shelmerdine says on the Brett Bodine Racing Web site. Atlanta-based Eastern Foods Inc. has agreed to sponsor Shelmerdine as part of a two-car team effort with #11-Brett Bodine.(Winston Cup Scene daily newsletter)(5-15-2002)
Shepherd back in the #21 - for a movie UPDATE: Morgan Shepherd Driving #21 Wood Brothers Car For Daytona USA Movie In Daytona This Week: Morgan Shepherd is in Daytona this week driving the #21 Wood Brothers car for a new movie Daytona USA is producing. The first shoot for this film was during speed weeks this past February. He will be there through Wednesday.(Catchfence), I was at Daytona Untl Speedway/DaytonaUSA on Sunday and also saw a Hendrick Motorsports hauler pull in.(5-14-2002) UPDATE: Daytona International Speedway has been turned into a movie set this week as Mentor Films completes the filming of the remake of "The DAYTONA 500." Mentor Films, which did a good portion of its filming during Speedweeks 2002, will have "The DAYTONA 500" completed in time for its debut during Speedweeks 2003 in the Pepsi Theater at DAYTONA USA. This week at the "World Center of Racing," Mentor Films has been filming on-track racing as well as an in-depth pit stop sequence with the #29 GM Goodwrench Chevy fielded by Richard Childress Racing. In addition to the #29, cars on loan by team for the filming include the #88 UPS Ford, the #24 DuPont Chevy, the #40 Coors Light Dodge, the #19 Dodge, the #10 Valvoline Pontiac, #20 Home Depot Pontiac and the #21 Motorcraft Ford. Morgan Shepherd is among the stunt drivers participating in this week's filming. He's wheeling the #21 Motorcraft Ford for the famed Wood Brothers. Shepherd, who drove for the Wood Brothers between 1992-95 and picked up a NASCAR Winston Cup victory, enjoys being back in the driver's seat of the #21 at Daytona.(DIS PR).(5-15-2002)
Ganassi Racing on the pole at Indy: Chip Ganassi Racing kicked off a busy two weeks of racing with Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver, Bruno Junqueira, winning the pole for the Indianapolis 500. Chip Ganassi has three cars entered in the Indianpolis 500 and two cars entered in the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. While Junqueira, Kenny Brack and Jeff Ward work towards an Indy 500 win; #40-Sterling Marlin and #41-Jimmy Spencer will compete in The Winston Open/The Winston and the Coca-Cola 600. Junqueira was the first driver to make a qualifying attempt and his speed of 231.342 mph held up for almost 7 hours. This is the second straight pole position for the 25-year old Brazilian, who won the pole at the last CART event in Motegi, Japan. The pole for Junqueira is worth $1,000 for St. Jude Children's Hospital and Target House. So far this year, Target Chip Ganassi Racing has donated $8,525 to St. Jude Children's Hospital and Target House. Fellow Team Target pilot Jeff Ward qualified 15th with a speed of 228.577 mph, and Kenny Brack qualified his No.22 Target car in the 21st position with a 4-lap average of 227.240 mph.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(5-15-2002)
Andretti a clone? UPDATE 3 image and some Star Wars/Cheerios PR: hearing the #43 Cheerios Dodge and driver John Andretti will sport a special Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones movie scheme in 2002. The movie is scheduled for release in May, been told the scheme will run in The Winston and the Coca Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway(2-5-2002) UPDATE: Got an image of the scheme, check it out on the Paint Schemes page.(2-6-2002) UPDATE 2: Cheerios announces three special edition Star Wars paint schemes and have designed a special paint scheme for Episode I, Episode II and a Trilogy edition. On their site [www.starwars.cheeriosracing.com], folks can check out each new car design, view them from different angles, pick a favorite and compare them with other. Images can be downloaded. Beginning in May in select states, specially marked packages of Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Honey Nut Chex and Golden Grahams will be offering a FREE mail in for three collectible 1:64 die cast cars with #43 Cheerios Star Wars special edition paint schemes. Collect all three special edition paint schemes: Episode I, Episode II and the Trilogy car. In conjunction with the FREE mail-in offer, John Andretti will be driving a new, one-time-only Light Side vs. Dark Side Star Wars paint scheme in May at the Lowe's Motor Speedway to commemorate the movie premier.(PR)(3-18-2002) UPDATE 3: Star Wars fans, outfitted as Star Wars storm troopers, stood guard at a Charlotte movie theater today...but they weren't waiting in line for tickets to Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. Instead, they helped NASCAR driver John Andretti unveil a special Star Wars paint scheme for the Cheerios #43 Dodge commemorating the May 16 release of the epic film. Andretti will race the Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones paint scheme at The Winston on May 18 and Coca-Cola 600 on May 26, both at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte. In addition to the Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones car, General Mills has created paint schemes representing the original Star Wars trilogy and Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. Fans can check out the three different paint schemes and choose their favorite at www.starwars.cheeriosracing.com. Plus, select limited-edition packages of Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Honey Nut Chex and Golden Grahams will feature a mail-in offer for all three collectible 1:64 die-cast Star Wars #43 cars. In addition to the NASCAR excitement, General Mills has created a number of fun and exciting limited-edition Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones products. With special-edition products in categories including cereal, yogurt and fruit snacks, innovative packaging and valuable premiums, General Mills is helping kids incorporate the magic of Star Wars into their daily routines. Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones will be in theatres nation-wide May 16 and was written and directed by George Lucas(IMG PR)(5-15-2002)
Renfrow to run at Lowes: The next stop for Price Motorsports, Inc. and driver Randy Renfrow will be the Winston Open NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at Lowe's Motor Speedway Saturday May 18. The team, coming off a slightly disappointing Pontiac Excitement 400 event at Richmond, is eligible for the Winston Open by virtue of their successful qualification into the 400-lap Richmond contest---their first NASCAR Winston Cup Series start. In addition to The Winston and Coca-Cola 600 events in Concord, the team is still planning to compete in several additional races in 2002. Also on the team's schedule will be races at Indianapolis, Bristol, Atlanta and second trips to Rockingham, Richmond and Martinsville(Price Motorsports PR)(5-15-2002)
Racing Education and Literacy Project: Racecarnuts.com has launched their new "Racing Education and Literacy Project." The REAL project, which consists of online learning modules based on auto racing, hopes to challenge youth and adults alike through quizzes and questions. While the quizzes are designed to increase the math literacy of K-12 students, adults will also have fun coming up with the correct answers. REAL, which was developed by Robin Turner at 200mph MEDIA, has 10 learning modules online now and at least 8 more are in the development stages. Robin, who is also a professor of accounting, economics and business at the Rowan-Cabbarus Community College in North Carolina, designed the lessons to increase critical thinking and analysis, as well as basic math skills. The questions are formulated to meet existing Standards of Learning. The individual questions are both educational in that they provide information, and contain an element
of challenge to come up with the right answer. Racecarnuts.com enourages race fans to challenge their children with these questions based on REAL autoracing scenarios. Teachers are free to use the materials in their classroom to sharpen math skills of their students. Teachers can also forward links to Racecarnuts.com for their literacy programs and recommend additional topical material for development. Use of a calculator in problem solution is recommended. The link: REAL.(5-15-2002)
Book Signings: Coca Cola 600 Week book signing of Men and Speed at 6:00pm/et on Wednesday, May 22, at Books A Million, 8301 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord Mills, NC near Lowe's Motor Speedway. Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch (not Jeff Burton) and author G. Wayne Miller.(Men and Speed site), AND On May 27, Earnhardt Jr. will be signing his book "Driver #8" at the Sam's Club in University Shopping Center from 1:00 to 3:00pm/et. He will sign one book per person with the first 800 people guaranteed an autograph, also see more books and info on my Racing Bookstore page.(5-15-2002)
(5-14-2002)
Humpy to make pick for The Winston UPDATE - picks Jeff Gordon: Utilizing the Theory that the Hungriest Lion Gets the Steak, "Humpy" Wheeler Will Predict The Winston Winner. During the past 14 years, H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway, has been correct nine times in his annual "Pick The Winston Winner" selection. Once again this year, Wheeler has spent several hours perusing the Winston Cup garage areas and is prepared, with the help of a little magic, to reveal who will win this year's running of NASCAR's annual all-star event. He will reveal his prediction in gala fashion Tuesday afternoon, May 14, in the Queen Room (5th Floor) of The Speedway Club at Lowe's Motor Speedway.(LMS PR)(5-10/14-2002) UPDATE: H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway, believes Gordon's race win drought will end when NASCAR's annual all-star event, The Winston, takes the checkered flag Saturday night, May 18, at the 1.5-mile superspeedway. Wheeler tabbed Gordon as his selection to win the event during his annual "Pick The Winston Winner" press conference today at The Speedway Club. If Wheeler's prediction holds true to form, Gordon, driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet, will become the only four-time winner of The Winston and be the first driver to score back-to-back victories since the late Davey Allison won the all-star event in 1991 and 1992.(LMS PR)(5-14-2002)
Burton denies rumors - update: Though his name has been mentioned among the list of drivers changing rides in 2003, Jeff Burton says he has no intention of leaving Roush Racing. "I can tell you that I am 100 percent committed to Roush Racing and Citgo," Burton said. "I have not sat down with Rick Hendrick to discuss me driving his cars nor anyone else. I am committed to where I am. I have a true dedication to Roush Racing that has developed and shown over time and to give all that away would be stupid." The current rumor, which began to swirl last week at Richmond, is that Burton had met with Hendrick to discuss driving the #25 Chevy. Interestingly, he wasn't even in North Carolina at the time of the alleged meeting. "In Richmond I was asked about the Hendrick deal and that I was supposedly over there talking to somebody, and the time that was mentioned I happened to have been in Boca Raton," Burton said. "So I am confused about where I am supposed to be and where I actually am on any given night." This isn't Burton's first foray into the Winston Cup rumor mill. Last year, he was rumored to be leaving Roush for Richard Childress Racing. That was also inaccurate. "I stand by what I said last year. I have no idea at all where all this is coming from," Burton continued. "We have a team running second in points, a car that's third in points, a car that's fourth in points and a car that's ninth in points. There is no other team right now that can boast those credentials. For me to say that I need to go somewhere else really doesn't make any sense. If my teammates are out performing us, then we need to get off our butts and get where we are second in points. Where I am is where I need to be."(NASCAR.com), see the past rumors on the #99 Team News and Links page.(5-14-2002)
Latest NASCAR/Toyota news, CTS in 2004?: Toyota's invasion of NASCAR continues to evolve. And Wade Lopez is on the front lines. The Abingdon businessman fields Toyota Celicas for drivers Tim Nichols (Abingdon) and Reece Milton (Blountville) in the Goody's Dash Series. While industry insiders speculate when Toyota will make its next move up the NASCAR ladder, Lopez is building and learning with his Bristol-based Highlands Motorsports team. "My goal is to have serious advancement in this sport every year and I feel we can do that through our relationship with Toyota," Lopez said. "Toyota is hoping to debut in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2004. That's where I want to be." Toyota has sent a factory representative to each Dash race, including Saturday night's event at LPR.(Bristol Herald Courier)(5-14-2002)
John Andretti To Aid Easter Seals: John Andretti will get a few new sidekicks before he takes to the track for the Coca-Cola 600 on May 26, and will be meeting them and the public in an appearance in Charlotte on May 22. Andretti will be teaming with Petty Enterprises sponsor Sprint and Easter Seals of North Carolina for Project Connect, which recycles used cellular telephones for money that will be donated to the local Easter Seals chapter. The driver of the #43 Cheerios Pontiac will also be welcoming area YMCA children as his "Sidekicks" for the evening. Children from the YMCA raced in a NASCAR simulator to earn the honors of VIP treatment and the chance to meet Andretti. Andretti will be appearing at the Sprint store at 230 East WT Harris Blvd. from 6-8 p.m. on May 22 and will be meeting and signing autographs for the public as well as for the children. Fans that bring a used phone to donate to the program will receive VIP treatment and placement in the front of the line.(Speed Channel)(5-14-2002)
TRAC news: Team Racing Auto Circuit [TRAC] recently announcing five of its tracks for next season. Darlington Raceway will not be one of the venues. Darlington Raceway President Andrew Gurtis said his track, along with the 12 other major International Speedway Corporation tracks, will take a wait-and-see approach before housing a TRAC event. TRAC kicks off its first season next April. "I haven't been contacted about Darlington Raceway in particular," Gurtis said. "I do think they talked to ISC. But, like all motorsports tracks, we want to bring out fans, have safe competition and we want to add value for our stockholders. We look at all of those things. We're open to it, just taking a wait-and-see approach."(Florence Morning News) AND A new racing league that will field three-car teams representing host cities hopes to place a team in Nashville, and is exploring the possibility of running a race next year at Fairgrounds Speedway. Team Racing Auto Circuit (TRAC) is scheduled to open its season April 5, 2003, and plans to have a team the Tennessee Express headquartered in either Nashville or Knoxville.(Tennssean)(5-14-2002)
Robby Gordon starts 11th in the Indy 500: Robby Gordon, who is seeking to win the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, qualified 11th at Indy on Saturday. "I'm a little disappointed with 11th because it's the farthest back in the field that I have even started from...," says Gordon, who will also drive Richard Childress Racing's #31 Cingular Chevy in the 600 that night at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "All qualifying 11th means is that there will be that many more cars I have to pass on the outside as I head into turn one on the first lap." This week, Gordon expects to test his Indy car on Wednesday and Thursday before flying back to Charlotte for practice Thursday night for The Winston, which is scheduled for Saturday night.(Winston Cup Scene - Daily Newsletter)(5-14-2002)
#68 Team Changes Focus:The #68-TWC Motorsport team, owned by Tom Coleman, will be taking their new Winston Cup equipment to the ARCA Re/Max Series this season. The team has been unable to secure necessary funding to compete in the Winston Cup Series. Austin Cameron will drive the #68 Chevrolet in four ARCA races at Kansas, at Kentucky, Chicagoland, and the season finale on at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Austin Cameron currently competes in the NASCAR Winston West Series where he leads the point standings after winning two out of the first three events so far in 2002.(StockCarScene)(5-14-2002)
(5-13-2002)
Hermie Sadler to run at Lowes: #02-Hermie Sadler announced today that his team would compete in the Winston Open this Saturday at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Sadler, who is coming off an impressive 18th place finish at Richmond, thinks the Winston Open is a big opportunity for him and his team. According to Sadler, "Every time I go to the track I am auditioning for a ride and there's no bigger stage than Lowe's Motor Speedway and the Winston. Silly season is starting early this year and so far my name hasn't been mentioned and a good run at Charlotte may change that." Sadler had a sponsor lined up for both the Winston Open and the Coca-Cola 600, but as has happened frequently, the money did not come through. "It's tough right now but we just have to keep digging," stated Sadler. "People need to know that I want to race and race competitively. If no sponsor is found, we will run the Open and then make a decision about the 600. Maybe our performance in The Winston Open will lure a sponsor for the 600."(Elliott Sadler Enterprises PR)(5-13-2002)
Richmond Ratings: FXs live coverage of last Saturday and Sundays Pontiac Excitement 400 from Richmond drew the 3rd largest audience of any program in the networks history, delivering a 4.1 household rating, 3.1 million homes, and 4.9 million viewers. The race marked a 20% increase in households and a 7% jump in total viewers compared to FXs Richmond Winston Cup race last season. The Pontiac Excitement 400 posted the largest audience of any live sports telecast on cable television for the week ending May 5, topping NBA playoff coverage on TNT and TBS; Major League Baseball on ESPN, TBS, and WGN; the NHL on ESPN and ESPN2; the Kentucky Derby coverage on ESPN; and NHRA drag racing on ESPN2. Saturdays scheduled coverage started 2 hours and 10 minutes late due to rain in which FX posted a 2.9 HH rating, or 2.2 million homes. Both the 66-lap telecast on Saturday and the completed race on Sunday averaged a 4.1 HH rating and 3.1 millions households. Fueled by the two-day coverage of the Pontiac Excitement 400, FX also set a record for the 2nd highest-rated and 2nd most-watched weekend for total day in the networks history, averaging a 1.25 HH rating, 1 million homes and 1.4 million viewers for the two days. Additionally, FX was the highest-rated basic cable network in total day for the weekend (5/4/02-5/5/02) among Adults 18-49 (0.8 HH), Men 18-49 (1.0 HH), Adults 25-54 (1.0 HH), and M25-54 (1.2 HH). On Friday, May 3, FXs telecast of the Busch Series race from Richmond posted a 1.7 HH rating, which is a 45% increase compared to the same race a year ago. Season-to-date, Busch Series races on FX are averaging a 1.7 HH rating, up 21% from the 1.4 HH rating through the equal five Busch races of 2001. (MotorsportsTV.com via an FX Press Release)(5-13-2002)
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