Dale Jarrett wins the Pocono 500: #88-Dale Jarrett won the Pocono 500, his first 2002 win, his third win at Pocono and first June Pocono win, and also his 29th career win. It was Jarrett's first win in 30 races, at NHIS last July. #6-Mark Martin was 2nd, followed by #48-Johnson, #40-Marlin and #24-Gordon.
See ThatsRacin.com for Pocono 500 race results and for Updated (unofficial) Winston Cup points or NASCAR.com official results.
See my Pocono 500 Race Info page for caution info, notes and narrative of what I saw/heard during the race.(6-9-2002)
Sad News - driver killed: Driver John Baker was killed Saturday night in a crash during the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest race at Irwindale Speedway (CA). Baker, 49, of Tucson, AZ, was taken to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Baldwin Park, where he died, said Reyna DelHaro, a spokeswoman for the hospital. Baker's wife was by his side. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Baker family, crew and race team," Doug Stokes, Speedway spokesman, told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. NASCAR officials did not immediately comment. Baker, who was wearing a neck restraint, was slowing on the second turn of the half-mile oval when he was hit from behind and his car went headlong into the exit. Baker, who had won the pole position, was the first driver killed in the series during a race. It was the fourth death at the speedway. Casey Diemert of Roseburg, Ore., and Keith Cowherd of Phoenix died in 1999, the track's opening season. Christopher Shields of San Bernardino died June 7, 2001.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(6-9-2002)
Driver change at #59 Price Motorsports: While maintaining total focus on the job at hand at Texas Motor Speedway for the CTS race, Jason Small announced this weekend that he will make his NASCAR Winston Cup Series debut at Michigan Speedway with the #59 Price Motorsports Dodge team. "I am so excited to be going to Michigan next week," Small said. "They were looking for a young rookie to get in and I am honored they considered me. I was even more honored when they said I got the ride. They have some cars from Ganassi and their engines come from Ernie Elliott. That is good equipment. I am looking forward to get up there and see what we can do." Small's Bio: Started racing ATVs at the age of 6, finished third in his first race ever; won half of the season's races and season championship before moving on to race Odysseys and Go-karts. Finished second in point standings at Mesa Marin Speedway in 1998, while a senior in high-school; won four races, missed championship by 5 points. NASCAR Winston West Series Rookie of the Year in 1999; sat on pole in his first NWWS race at Tucson. Finished 1999 NWWS Series 6th in overall point standings with two top-5 finishes and eight top-10 finishes. Made first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start in 2000 in family-owned truck. Ran limited season in NCTS in 2001 while coming back to Mesa Marin to run a partial Late Model season; won four of ten Late Model races and finished in the top-3 eight times. Joined Green Light Racing for 2002 NCTS season, started season off with a ninth-place finish in the Dodge Dealers 250 at Daytona.(PR), Randy Renfrow had been the driver of the #59 Dodge, making one race, at Richmond [using a provisional] and missing three races.(6-9-2002)
DEI Looking for Waltrip replacement? Dale Earnhardt Jr. said Saturday that Michael Waltrip has been informed that Dale Earnhardt Inc. -- the race team founded by his late father -- is looking at a possible replacement. "His job is in his hands, so to speak," Earnhardt said of Waltrip. "It's been a tough situation over the past several weeks for us. We tried to deal with it as best we can."(Sporting News/AP)(6-9-2002)
(6-8-2002)
Kerry Earnhardt to run Looney Tunes at RIR: with his brother Dale Jr and will supposedly drive a driving the black/yellow/gray #12 Yosemite Sam Chevy in the Richmond BGN race.(6-7-2002) IMAGE: see an image of the #12 Jani King/Yosmite Sam Chevy scheme on Paint Scheme Gallery, the Looney Tunes special page.(6-8-2002)
Bradshaw, Fitz get a scare: A private plane carrying former NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw, his daughter, and his [#12 Kerry Earnhardt] racing team partner, Nashvillian Armando Fitz, almost crashed on takeoff yesterday at a Texas airport. The three, along with two pilots, were departing from Alliance Airport near Fort Worth, bound for Nashville and tonight's Inside Traxx 300 Busch Series race when both left-side tires of the plane blew as it was taking off. ''I've flown all my life, in all kinds of bad weather, and this is the closest call I've ever had,'' Fitz said. ''As we taxied down the runway for takeoff, the plane began to shake and rattle so bad that the lining overhead was coming loose. 'We were right at the end of the runway and the pilot had the nose of the plane in the air when the left side tires blew. He got the plane stopped and we all hurried off, and as we were standing there looking, the right-side tires blew, too. 'We were just a second or two from takeoff. If we'd got airborne, with blown tires, we'd have had to make a crash landing.'' Another plane was chartered and the three made the flight without incident. Fitz was on hand for last night's qualifying. Bradshaw accompanied his daughter, Rachel, to Music Row, where she was making a demo tape. Bradshaw will be at tonight's race. Bradshaw had been scheduled to address yesterday's luncheon of the Nashville Sports Council. ''Terry was pretty shaken up,'' Fitz said. ''I suppose part of it was because his daughter was on the plane. That made the whole thing even scarier. It was definitely the closest call I've ever had in my life.''(Tenneseean)(6-8-2002)
Greg Sacks to return to Cup/BGN: Greg Sacks hopes to return to both the Cup and the BGN later this season. Sacks has teamed with Loren Fossie, president of LAF Enterprises and owner of the "FRANCHI$IT" board game to form Team FRANCHI$IT/Sacks Racing. The plan is to do at least two races this year and as many as ten. Sacks will run the #05 Chevy Sacks won the 1985 Pepsi 400 at Daytona and the 1996 Humminbird 500K BGN race at Talladega. Sacks plans could expand to a full season 2003 effort in either the BGN or Cup or both. The car will be unveiled to the public on Monday at The Coffee Beanery Convention at Walt Disney's Coronado Springs Resort outside Orlando, FL.(NASCAR.com)(6-8-2002)
Sadler says he has not signed anything: Elliott Sadler insisted again Friday that he hasn't signed any agreement to drive for anybody next season. Sadler won't be back in the Wood Brothers' #21 Ford in 2003, but he continues to deny that he and Robert Yates have worked out a deal that would put Sadler in the No. 28 Fords. Ricky Rudd, driver of that car this year, said last weekend at Dover he believes such a deal is done. "I haven't signed with anybody, I swear," Sadler said Friday at Pocono Raceway. "I have been talking to people. I had a meeting on Wednesday, in fact." Sadler said that after he indicated his desire to leave the Wood Brothers a month ago, he has had contact with "six or seven" teams about the future. And he has been surprised by who has been calling. "I thought I might get calls from teams of a certain caliber, but the calls have come from some really top-caliber teams," Sadler said. "A couple of times I've called my father up and said, 'You're not going to believe this.'" Officials from Dale Earnhardt Inc. have acknowledged their interest in Sadler. Ford officials have also been working to keep the 27-year-old Virginian in their camp, which Sadler said he finds flattering. "I've only got one win and no poles so far, so I guess they see something in me. And that makes you feel good," Sadler said.(ThatsRacin.com)(6-8-2002)
(6-7-2002)
NASCAR to meet with Indy about SAFER UPDATE: NASCAR is sending a delegation of officials Thursday to Indianapolis to meet with open wheel racing's top reps for a SAFER barriers briefing. NASCAR president Mike Helton will lead the group on the fact-finding mission. "They're going to talk to Tony George and Brian Barnhardt and those folks," said Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president of communications. George owns Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy Racing League. Barnhardt is the vice president of IRL operations. It was George and Barnhardt who decided to use the SAFER barriers, or soft walls, at IMS for the Indianapolis 500. The barriers took several hard licks during the month of May. No drivers were seriously injured at Indy this year. Dr. Dean Sicking from the University of Nebraska designed the SAFER barriers and has been analyzing crash data from IMS accidents.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(6-5-2002) UPDATE: Winston Cup competitors will likely get their first look at the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction [SAFER] barrier system when they compete in the Aug. 4 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Dean Sicking, who researched and developed the barriers for the IRL, told NASCAR officials visiting Indianapolis on Thursday he needs to "go back to the drawing board and do testing to see what application will work" at other Winston Cup tracks. Mike Helton, NASCAR president, Gary Nelson, managing director of competition, and John Darby, Winston Cup director, spent the afternoon with Sicking and Kevin Forbes, the IMS director of engineering and construction. Sicking told the NASCAR delegation the SAFER barrier at Indy should work for Winston Cup cars even though it was designed for smaller, faster Indy cars. "Sicking told us 'This wall will work OK for us at Indy for the Brickyard,' " said Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president of communications. New Hampshire International Speedway, where two drivers died after crashes 2000, wants to use the SAFER technology as soon as possible. New Hampshire's next Winston Cup date is July 21. But Hunter said Sicking needs time to tailor engineer the structure for each track. Sicking told NASCAR he needs more time to test different configurations. "Dr. Sicking does not recommend this particular wall be put up at New Hampshire," said Hunter. "Him saying we can leave this wall up at Indy, in its current configuration, is based on what went on up there in May by the IRL."(Daytona Beach News Journal)(6-7-2002)
Wallace has a broken foot: What was thought to be fractured toes on #2-Rusty Wallace's left foot after his wreck in The Winston, has now been diagnosed as a broken foot. Wallace thought he cracked three toes when he collided with Dale Jarrett during the Winston at Lowe's on May 18. While filming some commercials for the 2003 Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Fla. on Wednesday, Wallace started to feel extreme discomfort on the top part of his foot, after X-rays it was found that Wallace found out that two bones on the top of his foot were broken. Although Wallace said he can still drive the car, he feels discomfort after extended periods of walking. But Wallace isn't thinking about sitting out a race. Pocono Raceway and Michigan International Speedway don't require the use of the left foot as much as other tracks. However, the Sears Point race on June 23 could be a problem. One of two road courses on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series circuit, its 11 turns require shifting and heavy braking -- and use of the left foot more than other tracks.(NASCAR.com)(6-7-2002)
Benson and Ince looking? BUT: #10 MBV crew chief James Ince appears to be throwing Johnny Benson's name into the hat for a possible new ride next season, noting that neither Ince nor Benson has been offered a new contract. Ince says he and Benson are a package.(Winston Salem Journal), just a few days ago, Benson said he planned to stay at MBV, see my #10 Team News and links page for the story. BUT sources close to the team tell me that what is posted concerning Ince/Benson couldn't be farther from the truth, benson and Ince are very happy at MBV Motorsports and are looking to win a lot of races and finish their careers there, their contracts are up at the end of the year, but there is no reason to believe they won't be back.(6-7-2002)
NASCAR Gives FX Biggest Audience Ever: The NASCAR ratings juggernaut paid off in a big way for FX from Dover. The live coverage of the MBNA Platinum 400 delivered a 4.7 rating, reaching 3.65 million households and 5.6 million viewers. These results made it the most-watched telecast in the history of the network. Additionally, the MBNA 400 was the highest-rated show on cable TV last week, even beating out Spongebob Squarepants and WWE wrestling. It helped that The Osbournes wasn't on, allowing NASCAR to take the weekly crown. For the four Winston Cup races on FX so far this year, the overall rating is up 6% from last year, 25% in total households, 20% in average viewers, and 12% in they key male demo of 18-49 year-old couch potatoes. The large 20% and 25% numbers are due to the rise in the number of households receiving FX.(MotorsportsTV)(6-7-2002)
Ten Years Ago Friday: The late Bill France Sr. William Henry Getty [Bill] France passed away -- June 7, 1992.(story at the Daytona Beach News Journal about him)(6-7-2002)
CAT re-signs, what about Ward? #22 [and #23] car owner Bill Davis, taking good advantage of his Daytona 500 victory, has renewed with sponsor Caterpillar. But will Ward Burton be back as his driver? Davis has given Burton a new contract to look at. But Burton indicates he's not quite ready to sign, though he says he'll probably be back.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-7-2002)
Long coming to Pocono: Carl Long will be going to Pocono this weekend to race in the Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway. The team decided to go to the track because of the low car count for the race. Only 42 teams now with the #85 team going will be attempting the race, which will put everyone in the field.(Carl Long Racing site)(6-7-2002)
Gone Fishing: Six NASCAR drivers and six professional anglers teamed up on Tuesday, June 5, for the first annual CITGO
BASSMASTER Celebrity Challenge in Orlando, Florida. NASCAR drivers Jeff Burton, Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle, Todd Bodine, Jeff Green and Hank Parker Jr. paired up with anglers Kevin VanDam, Marty Stone, Gerald Swindle, Jay Yelas, Earl Bentz and Shaw Grigsby for the made for TV event. The teams headed out early Tuesday morning on a four hour bass fishing excursion on the Walt Disney World property. Each team was in a Triton boat and the anglers provided the equipment. The NASCAR driver had to boat the first keeper and the pros could coach their driver partner all they wanted. However, the anglers could not cast, retrieve, or help their driver partner in any other way during the cast and retrieve. Burton said his partner VanDam gave him this advice, "Kevin said in order to win, his strategy was to cast as much as possible. And that's exactly what we did. We threw, and threw, and threw. It seemed to work." Other drivers like Busch had never fished before but managed to come up with some good catches. "It was a lot of fun out there. I think Jay (Yelas) and I did pretty well. We'll find out when we weigh in." Each team was limited to three bass per person for a total catch of six per boat. The minimum length was 13 inches and fish measuring less than this would be culled along with a one-pound penalty at the weigh in. Upon completion of the fishing, the teams headed over to the BASS Pro Shop for the weigh in. Burton and VanDam arrived in the CITGO show car to weigh their fish while the other teams arrived in their respective Triton boats carrying their catches. Each team weighed their six fish and the combined total weight would determine the winner. CITGO would also donate $10,000 in the name of the winner to MDA. The winner will be announced July 27 on ESPN2, when the made for TV show first airs before the BASS Master Classic. In the end, the drivers became anglers and the anglers became NASCAR fans. Tune in to ESPN2 on July 27th and see how these two sports interact at this unique event.(Roush Racing PR)(6-7-2002)
Park Expects to stay at DEI: Steve Park, worn down by the constant rumors, is looking forward to the day when speculation about his racing career ends. He’s a couple of weeks from knowing his future, but confident his place in Winston Cup racing is secure. Where that place is hasn’t been nailed down, but a meeting last week with team owner Teresa Earnhardt has Park more optimistic than he was a month ago. Less than a month ago, Park talked about being on the hot seat and his need to perform to keep his job with Dale Earnhardt Inc. Now he’s talking contracts, either with DEI or elsewhere. In recent weeks, reports had Park out of the car by the Coca-Cola 600, had his sponsor out the door and his team on the realtor’s pages. Speculation remains rampant that Park’s days with DEI are numbered, but he continues to dispute those reports. “With the rumors and the gossip, that puts everybody in a position where they think A, the team’s being sold, which is untrue; B, the sponsor’s leaving, which is untrue; C, the driver’s leaving, which is untrue; (or) D, the crew chief’s leaving, which is untrue,” he said. “It seems like, if you read it in the paper, it’s like God spoke that.” Park tried not to think about it too much. He has other things on his mind, like working out a contract. Will that contract be with DEI? Park seems to be more confident that he can turn in performances guaranteeing it. “I’m not going away,” he said. “I’m going to race. Either this team is going to win with me here or I’m going to beat them. I still feel we can win. We’ve just got to show that. With Teresa’s support of all of us, it definitely raises all of our spirits.”(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(6-7-2002)
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) UPDATE: Tony Stewart's Peanut's scheme is scheduled as: Bristol. - Black with orange. "In Search of the Great Pumpkin" and Atlanta - Orange with black. "It's the Great Pumpkin". See an image of the Bristol car on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(6-7-2002)
What's in a Name? You’ve heard of NASCAR fans naming their first-born after their favorite driver. Now an Ohio couple has named their child after the whole sport. Malinda Yerian of Logan, Ohio, has been a NASCAR fan as long as she can remember. She had no choice, growing up the daughter of a “race car nut.” Now Malinda has gone a bit bonkers herself, naming her son after her family’s favorite sport. On April 16, Malinda and William II Yerian became the proud parents of a new son that they named, Winston Iroc Nascar Yerian. “My dad (Dirk) is a race car nut,” Malinda told the Lancaster (Ohio) Eagle-Gazette. “He has recorded every race on VHS since he was 18 years old. I’ve been going to races with him ever since I can remember. Hopefully, he (Winston Iroc Nascar) will be a big NASCAR fan.” Winston will likely grow up a NASCAR fan and maybe even a championship competitor. He certainly has the initials for it: WIN.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(6-7-2002)
(6-6-2002)
Going too far...tragic news: Mark Martin’s victory in the Coca-Cola Racing Family 600 was such a hot topic in a Georgia trailer park May 26 that it allegedly led to the shooting death of a NASCAR fan. According to cnnsi.com, 41-year-old James Gregory Fitchjarrell was shot to death at his home while arguing about Martin’s victory at Charlotte. According to cnnsi.com, Johnny Ernest Rodgers, 36, of Valdosta, Ga., was arrested on murder charges after the shooting. According to the Web site, the two men, who apparently lived in the same trailer along with their wives, reportedly spent May 26 watching the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola Racing Family 600, drinking beer and arguing. Sometime after Martin’s victory, the two men were reportedly arguing over the merits of Martin’s victory when, according to the victim’s wife, Rodgers went inside and came out with a gun. He allegedly shot and killed Fitchjarrell and was arrested in Florida later that night.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(6-6-2002)
Mast to retire? UPDATE: the LTN Radio show reports that Rick Mast, who took a leave from the #90 Donlavey Racing team for health problems may retire from racing. UPDATE: Being told Mast has said that retirement is NOT an option that he is considering at this time. His plan is to get back into the #90 car as soon as possible, but he did say, that is out of his hands at this time. His doctors are continuing his diagnosis, and he says they have ruled out "most of the serious stuff" including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but the problem has not pinpointed yet. Hermie Sadler (as announced last week) will be in the #90 car for Pocono, and beyond that, he does not know. Bobby King will come back to crew chief for the Pocono race, King was not with the team in Dover, and they didn't make the race.(WTVR-TV Richmond Report)(6-3-2002) UPDATE 2: Rick Mast is still visiting doctors and undergoing tests, trying to find the answer for his recent fatigue and weight loss. Mast hasn’t felt well off and on this season. He took a break from Donlavey Racing in late May, missing races at Charlotte and Dover while undergoing a ceaseless string of medical tests. “Basically, what they’re trying to do is rule out different possibilities,” Mast said. “That’s where we’re at, is ruling out things.” Mast’s doctor advised him not to race again until he is well. He is visiting various doctors and clinics trying to go through a list of possible problems. Meanwhile, he remains out of racing. He was home in Rockbridge Baths, Va., during the race weekend at Dover. “The frustrating part is it takes time,” he said. “You have to be patient. That’s just frustrating.” Mast has no idea how long the testing process will take.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(6-6-2002)
M&M's Color to be announced on the 19th: The new M&M's color will be announced in New York City at 8:00pm/et on June 19th. Why is this important to NASCAR fans? Because M&M's Pontiac driver Kenny Schrader will have a paint scheme done in the winning color at Bristol in August. The color was chosen by a Global Color Vote promotion held around the world. The choices were purple, pink or aqua (I went with pink). Schrader drove a special "Global Color Vote(tm)" paint scheme earkier this year that featured all the colors on the car. See my Paint Scheme Gallery for the four scheme images.(6-6-2002)
#90 to lose sponsor? UPDATE: hearing Sauer/Duke's Mayo will not sponsor the #90 Donlavey Ford after the June Pocono race. Actually the sponsorship was for part of the season and supposed to end soon with the option of extending, supposedly that will not happen.(6-2-2002) UPDATE: being told that the C.F. Sauer company will pull their sponsorship after the Pocono race but no official word has been given.(6-3-2002) UPDATE 2: Team owner Junie Donlavey is seeking sponsorship sooner than he expected. Richmond-based C.F. Sauer is expected to cease funding the operation following the June 9 race at Pocono. That clouds the future for the team. Although Sauer’s contract was never for the full season, Donlavey has often said he felt he could keep the sponsor if the team could perform. Now finding sponsorship for a team that is deep in the points could be an overwhelming task. Sauer’s interest appears to have been as much with Mast as Donlavey’s operation. The company is evaluating the team based on performance to this point, including races when the ailing Mast battled fatigue and illness. With Mast out indefinitely, the team turned to fellow Virginian Hermie Sadler. But time will run out quickly for the young driver unless Sauer officials reverse their decision. Sadler finished 29th at Charlotte, his first race with the team. Out of provisionals (until Sears Point or their 16th attempted race), the team failed to qualify at Dover.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(6-6-2002)
Pocono Lottery Finalists: Cecelia Auerbeck, Tammy Blankenship, Thomas Jackson, Evelyn Marburger, and Raymond Petrosky tickets were drawn as Grand Prize finalists, each being one of five winners of an all-expense paid trip to the Pocono 500 for the Pennsylvania Lottery's CASH 5 NASCAR(R) Weekends at Pocono drawing. The five finalists were selected from entry tickets that were generated when players purchased a $5 block of CASH 5 tickets and submitted those entry tickets into a random drawing. Each of the five finalists will receive $5,000 and a raceway accommodations package for two that includes raceway tickets, superbox seating and pit passes for three days of NASCAR(R) events held at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond; track tour; three-day, four-night hotel accommodations; transportation between the track and hotel; meals and beverages. There will be a Grand Prize event during the Pocono 500 pre-race ceremonies. The Grand Prize winner will be announced at the finish line at the track and will win an additional $15,000, bringing the Grand Prize winner's total to $20,000. Entry tickets for the two CASH 5 NASCAR(R) Weekends at Pocono drawings are generated from April 8 through and including June 26, 2002. Lottery players still can enter the drawing for the upcoming Pennsylvania 500 Race Weekend at Pocono Raceway in July, see my Racing Contests page for more info.(Business Wire)(6-6-2002)
Philip Morris Sells Miller Brewing UPDATE: South African Breweries will buy Miller Brewing in a $3.6 billion stock deal that will make it the world's second-largest brewer. The new company will be called SABMiller PLC and will compete in the U.S. market with Anheuser-Busch, the world's largest brewer, SAB announced Thursday. Miller spokesman Michael Brophy said the acquisition would not lead to any job cuts at Miller's seven U.S. breweries. SAB is the world's fourth-largest brewer by volume, after Anheuser-Busch, Belgium's Interbrew and Heineken of the Netherlands, according to British beverage consultancy Canadean. Miller ranks sixth. The deal is expected to close as early as July, pending shareholder and regulatory approval, South African Breweries said. SAB has agreed to buy a 64% stake in Miller for $3.6 billion in stock and assume $2 billion in Miller debt. Miller's parent company, Philip Morris, would initially keep 36%. The Miller deal marks a major step in SAB's strategy of expanding largely through acquisitions to become a top player in the consolidating global beer business. SABMiller would be headquartered in London, with Miller's Milwaukee headquarters acting as a subsidiary, said Brophy. Philip Morris has wanted to sell its beer business because Miller has lost market share over the past decade, analysts said. Camilleri told industry analysts last fall that the tobacco and food giant's beer business has continued to face challenges. Profits have dropped as sales declined and advertising costs increased for Miller's strongest brands, such as Miller Lite and Miller Genuine Draft. For SAB, the deal would provide a major base in the United States and reduce its dependency on earnings made in the rand, the weak South African currency. Miller was founded in 1855 in Milwaukee, a city renowned for its breweries.(USA Today), no idea how this effects the sponsorship of the #2 Penske Racing Ford and driver Rusty Wallace(5-30-2002) UPDATE: Penske Racing South General Manager John Erickson said the recent sale of Miller Lite shouldn’t affect the company’s sponsorship agreement with the operation. Phillip Morris recently sold Miller Brewing Company, which sponsors the Winston Cup cars of Rusty Wallace. "Obviously Miller Lite’s not going to go away and I would think they’re going to keep a lot of their marketing strategy, for now,” Erickson said. “We’ve had a long relationship. I would think everything would stay pretty solid.”(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(6-6-2002)
Mobile Home Destroyed - car/people ok UPDATE: A popular part of this weekend's "Pocono 500" almost didn't make it to the track. A 42-foot mobile home headed to the track somehow caught fire this afternoon along the north-bound [PA] turnpike extension in Carbon County. It was towing a trailer and inside the trailer was NASCAR's famous [Fox] "cutaway car", the car you've seen on NASCAR [Fox] broadcasts demonstrating race safety features. Everyone in the motor home was able to get out safely and they dragged the car to safety but the motor home was destroyed and the trailer was heavily damaged.(WBRE-TV)(6-4-2002) UPDATE: The Motorhome that burned on Hwy 465 Tuesday carrying the "cut-a-way" car was that of Carolyn Carrier, PR person for Brett Bodine Racing, and her husband. Everything was lost. AND see a story at the Times News: A total loss.(6-6-2002)
Larry Foyt to Cup in 2003?Motorsport.com reports that Larry Foyt might end up in Winston Cup next season because sponsor Harrah's wants to be on the top circuit. "Harrah's definitely, I think their goals are to go to Winston Cup," said Foyt, son of legendary racer A.J. Foyt. "I've been trying to fight it because I'm still pretty new to the stock cars. (I) didn't really wanna move up to Busch as fast as I did. I've always kind of left it up to my dad. He's directed my career the way it's gone and I trust his judgment on that."(Daytona Beach News Journal)(6-5-2002) AND some more from the interview: MFR: So what is your timetable for going to Winston Cup, and is your sponsor, Harrah’s going to go with you?
FOYT: I don’t know, we’re kind of in negotiations right now. I’m leaving it up to them and AJ, what they want to do with me. I’m open
to anything. If we do go to Cup, I just want to make sure that we do it right, because I know that’s just so tough. That level is the top,
and it’s so tough. I’d really like one more year of Busch. I feel like we’ve made a lot of improvements, but we still haven’t done the things
we want to do. We’ve gotten some top tens, but we’re not running up front consistently like we want to, so I feel like one more year of
Busch would be really good for us.
And when asked about Indy cars: "The Indy car, when I drove it, is a pretty different feel and I never raced it in a crowd, so I’d be pretty curious to see what it’s like. I’m really pushing to try and run Indy next year before I get too far away from that. That race is still so special to me and I still go every year. I haven’t missed one yet, so I’m really pushing for Indy next year, to give it a shot.(6-6-2002)
Mayfield tests at Nashville UPDATE: #19-Jeremy Mayfield tested at Nashville Superspeedway on Tuesday and Wednesday and had this to say: "I think it's a great track, it's very quick, tons of grip and I plan to spread the word to other drivers. I think our Dodge team has learned a great deal testing here on this fantastic concrete track that we'll use the rest of the season. I definitely plan to return here to test. The facility is tops, the staff are some of the friendliest and best around anywhere. I think Nashville could do super with some kind of Cup event for sure. When I tell all the other Cup drivers how incredibly smooth this track is, they'll want to come and test here too I think. It's one of the smoothest, not slick, that I've ever tested on, it's truly a great place."(6-6-2002) UPDATE: Former Fairgrounds Speedway driver Jer-emy Mayfield practiced a Dodge R&D (research and development) Winston Cup car yesterday at Nashville Superspeedway. ''This is my first look at the track and I'm really impressed,'' Mayfield said. ''It's a good smooth racing surface and the rest of the facility looks great.'' Mayfield, a teammate of Nashville's Casey Atwood and veteran Bill Elliott with Evernham Motorsports, said all three teams ''are making good progress and we all get along great. There's no political stuff between any of the teams.''(Tennessean)(6-6-2002)
More testing at VIR: The challenging 3.27-mile natural-terrain road racing circuit at VIRginia International Raceway has been abuzz with activity this week as a number of NASCAR Winston Cup Series teams have been hard at work perfecting their set-ups for upcoming road races. Among those working at VIR over the past two days have been Joe Gibbs Racing, with the #20 Home Depot Pontiac of Tony Stewart; Petty Enterprises with the #45 Sprint Dodge of Kyle Petty; Andy Petree Racing with the #55 Square D Chevrolet of Bobby Hamilton; MB2 Motorsports with the #36 M&Ms Pontiac of Ken Schrader (so looks like those rumors of Schrader being out of the car are incorrect) and the #10 Valvoline Pontiac of Johnny Benson; Roush Racing with the #99 CITGO Ford of Jeff Burton; Target Chip Ganassi Racing with the #41 Target Dodge of Jimmy Spencer and the #40 Coors Dodge of championship points leader Sterling Marlin; Richard Childress Racing with the #29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet of Kevin Harvick; and Bill Davis Racing with the #22 Caterpillar Dodge of Ward Burton and the #23 Hills Bros. Coffee Dodge of Hut Stricklin. The Winston Cup teams, the vast majority of which are based in and around Charlotte, N.C., find it convenient to test at VIR, which is about a two-hour drive from the Charlotte area, and find the circuit suitable to prepare for both the June 23 Dodge/Save Mart 350 at California's Sears Point Raceway and the Aug. 11 Sirius Satellite Radio at the Glen at New York's Watkins Glen International. Some teams may even use the circuit's high-speed straightaways and challenging corners to work on their braking system set-ups for short oval tracks like Virginia's Martinsville Speedway, where braking performance is at a premium.(VIR PR)(6-6-2002)
Sad News: Stephen Cothran, a short track racer from Loganville, GA, died Wednesday at Grady Memorial Hospital from injuries suffered in a crash at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton last Saturday. Witnesses said Cothran's Modified Ministock car collided with the car driven by Chris Huff, then struck the concrete retaining wall, driver's side first. Cothran, 37, suffered several broken bones and a head injury. Cothran is thought to be the first driver to die from a crash at the three-eighths- mile oval. Lanier's track manager Stan Narrison said Cothran, who owned his own business, leaves behind a wife and three children. "He was a hard-working guy with three young babies," Narrison said. "We'll have to be a family to his family."(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(6-6-2002)
Newman tests at Hew Hampshire: Ryan Newman and #12 ALLTEL Team Penske wrap up two days of testing at New Hampshire International Speedway this week.(TRPR)(6-6-2002)
#22 tests at Thompson (Conn.) Speedway: Burton’s BDR Cup team recently tested for its short-track program at Thompson (Conn.) Speedway. “We took Mike (Stefanik) because he is the king at Thompson in the Modified series,” crew chief Tommy Baldwin said. “We worked on brakes and other things that can help improve our short track program without using a test session up with Ward.” (Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(6-6-2002)
Rusty and Phone: PTN Media a leading developer of branded handheld products announced that it has entered into an agreement with Rusty Wallace to develop branded mobile phones, face plates and mobile content including Wallace news and games. Wallace drives the #2 Miller Lite Ford owned by Penske Racing South. The agreement calls for the creation of Wallace branded mobile phone handsets, phone covers as well as a subscription service which may include premium content, games, and ring tones. Subscribers to premium services will be able to receive messages from on a variety of subjects such as qualifying, race results and fan club information. Additionally, subscribers will be able to use their phones to receive special communications prior to a race or personal appearance.(Business Wire)(6-6-2002)
(6-5-2002)
Petty Changes: New crew chiefs were named for two Petty Enterprises NASCAR Winston Cup cars, CEO Kyle Petty announced today. Brandon Thomas has been named crew chief for the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge of driver John Andretti, while Greg Steadman moved from that team to become crew chief for the #44 Georgia-Pacific Dodge of driver Steve Grissom. Bryant Frazier will shift into the role of car chief for the #44. Thomas, a mechanical engineering graduate of Virginia Tech University, has been most recently with Joe Gibbs Racing. From 1999-2001, he was at Penske Racing South working on the #2 car. While at Penske, Thomas worked closely with Robin Pemberton, Petty Enterprises' Vice President and General Manager. "Brandon and I worked well together at Penske" said Pemberton. "I've seen him with a lot of racers, and he will fit in great with our people. His race experience and background will be a big plus for Petty Enterprises."
"This is just another step in continuing our progress at Petty Enterprises," said Petty. "If we take the good people that we have, like Greg Steadman and Bryant Frazier, and add more quality talents like Brandon Thomas, we keep improving all of our teams. We were fortunate that Joe Gibbs and Jimmy Makar were willing to work with us, as they had Brandon under contract. Coach Gibbs kept asking for a first-round draft choice in 2003 to get the deal done, though," Petty quipped. The crew changes are effective for this weekend's race in Pocono.(Williams Company PR)(6-5-2002)
Martin in the CTS in 2003...for a few races: Mark Martin will return to the CTS in 2003 and drive the #99 Roush Racing Ford until Las Vegas' Kyle Busch turns 18 years old. Busch drove the #99 truck in six races last season until he was forced out of the series when NASCAR mandated that drivers in all of its touring series be at least 18. Busch, who turned 17 on May 2, has been driving in the ASA series this season. Martin agreed to drive the truck, which team owner Jack Roush has fielded in only one race this year, to help the team gain owners points until Busch becomes eligible to take over. Martin has not competed in the Truck Series since 1996, when he drove in two races. He posted a victory at North Wilkesboro Speedway and a third-place finish at Richmond International Raceway. If the 2003 NCTS schedule remains the same as this year, Busch would miss only three races before he is able to return to the truck and compete for Rookie of the Year honors.(Las Vegas Sun)(6-5-2002)
Petty hopes Andretti stays UPDATE: Kyle Petty said on Saturday that he hopes John Andretti returns for a sixth season in the #43 Cheerios Dodge, but also acknowledged that Andretti is exploring other options. "John's been out talking, and that's a fact of life in Winston Cup racing," Petty said, " We want him to stay. We would be remiss to change drivers." Andretti's contract with Petty Enterprises is up at the end of this year. It's been a frustrating season for Andretti, 39, who has scored just three top-20 finishes in 12 races this season and is currently 32nd in points. He was 31st last year. Petty also said that the improvement of the #44 Dodge -- Steve Grissom finished eighth at Richmond, that car's best finish since 2000 -- has sparked interest among other drivers. Petty is also busy solidifying the future of his own #45 Dodge, whose contract with Sprint runs out at the end of the year. Petty's other two cars, the #43 and the #44, are fully sponsored for 2003.(NASCAR.com)(6-1-2002) UPDATE - Andretti says he's not thinking about leaving Petty: Petty Enterprises, concerned driver John Andretti will leave the organization when his contract expires at the end of the year, might not have anything to worry about. Andretti admitted Tuesday he’s not happy with his performance this season, but still believes things can turn around with the Petty organization. "It’s too good of an organization to be where we’re at and it’s – I don’t want to use the word embarrassing – but it’s just not what we’re capable of doing," he said. "I’ve been here for a lot rougher days and I know that everything is coming in the right direction. So I don’t know that I am ready to get off right now because I know things are coming." Poor performances, coupled with the Indy issue, created speculation that Andretti would not be back with Petty at the end of the season. Petty has heard the rumors and said over the weekend he hoped Andretti would not leave the #43 Dodge. Andretti seemed surprised at all the free agency talk. "If I get to January and they stop paying me, I guess I’d get my contract out and read it," he said. "In all honesty, I couldn’t tell you how long I’ve been here and how long the contract was for." He also said while disappointed at not running Indy this year, it would not be a major sticking point to future negotiations with Petty or any other car owner. "I like people to agree to things and not be forced into them, and I’d hate to think I might have to force an issue to do something," he said.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(6-5-2002)
Benson back at Pocono...to test at VIR UPDATE passes test: #10 Valvoline Pontiac driver Johnny Benson and his teammates will test both their road course car and Benson’s health on Tuesday at the Virginia International Raceway. After the road course test the team will go to Pocono International Raceway where Benson makes his return to the NASCAR Winston Cup Circuit. Benson has not raced since he sustained one broken and two cracked ribs in a May 3 Busch Series race at Richmond International Raceway. Benson said he feels better everyday and has no doubts he’ll be able to race the full 500 miles at Pocono. Jerry Nadeau substituted for Benson during his recovery posting a 28th place finish at Charlotte and a 27th-place finish at Dover.(MBV PR)(6-3-2002) UPDATE: Johnny Benson reported the only pain he felt during his daylong test at Virginia International Raceway Tuesday came when he climbed into and out of the car. Driving on the twisty course was not a problem and shouldn't be for Pocono this weekend when Benson makes his first appearance in a race car since he broke a rib and cracked two others in a May 3 Busch Series race in Richmond, Va. Joe Nemechek substituted for Benson at Richmond finishing 12th while Jerry Nadeau posted 28th and 27th place finishes at Charlotte and Dover. Benson spent all three races he sat out watching from the team's pit box with Crew Chief James Ince.(MBV PR)(6-5-2002)
Three to Double at Sears Point: Sears Point Raceway says NASCAR Winston Cup drivers #31-Robby Gordon, #30-Jeff Green and #29-Kevin Harvick will pull double-duty as they compete in both the Dodge/Save Mart 350 Winston Cup race and the Snap-on Tools/Jelly Belly 200 NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series events on the weekend of June 20-23.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(6-5-2002)
Michigan Testing Postponed UPDATE: Testing at Michigan International Speedway got postponed on Monday and they will try again on Tuesday, five drivers are slated to test including #18-Bobby Labonte and #37-Derrike Cope.(FSN's Totally NASCAR)(6-4-2002) UPDATE: #7-Casey Atwood and #37-Derrike Cope gambled on the weather and won, getting a full day of testing in at Michigan International Speedway on Tuesday after rain wiped out Monday's session. Five teams were on hand Monday “ including 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion #18-Bobby Labonte, #14-Stacy Compton, #14-Larry Foyt(BGN), #7-Atwood and #37-Cope “ but only the latter two decided to stay after the storm washed out the whole day. Tuesday, the drivers were greeted with relatively calm, warm conditions in which to test. Atwood was particularly pleased to get some time on the track in the hopes of doing well in the Sirius Satellite Radio 400 on Father's Day, Sunday, June 16, at MIS. Atwood made some runs in the 184.620mph range. Cope, operating the #37 Sound Moves Ford, is looking to qualify for a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at MIS for the first time since June 1999. He was similarly pleased with the session, during which he ran laps in the 185.570mph range. Cope, the 1990 Daytona 500 winner, has a five-race package with Sound Moves and is looking to expand that to 14. The second race of the deal is the Sirius Satellite Radio 400 at MIS. His best year at MIS was 1989 when he finished ninth and sixth in the two NASCAR Winston Cup Series races, although he added an eighth-place finish in 1997.(MIS PR)(6-5-2002)
Testing at Kentucky UPDATE: Today’s NASCAR Winston Cup Series test line up at Kentucky Speedway includes #88-Dale Jarrett, #18-Bobby Labonte (in Michigan? see below) and #15-Michael Waltrip (Waltrip also said during Speed Channels Inside Winston Cup that he was testing his #99 BGN car today at Kentucky). NASCAR Winston Cup Driver and defending Kentucky and series champion, Kevin Harvick, will serve as the event grand marshal for this years BGN race, the Kroger 300 Presented by Oreo.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(6-4-2002) UPDATE:
Six drivers representing the NASCAR Cup and BGN were at Kentucky Speedway to preview "The Kroger 300 Presented by Oreo" Busch Series event to be held at Kentucky on June 15. #10-Scott Riggs and #14-Larry Foyt represented the BGN and Cup drivers #88-Dale Jarrett, #15-Michael Waltrip, #18-Bobby Labonte and #14-Stacy Compton, all at Kentucky to test their Cup cars, joined the driver panel that addressed media from Greater Cincinnati and Louisville and Lexington, KY. While Riggs made more notes for his return next Saturday, the quartet of Winston Cup regulars were in the garages working on aerodynamic packages for future series dates at facilities such as Las Vegas.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(6-5-2002)
TRAC at Nashville? Nashville yesterday took a step closer to hosting a race in next year's new Team Racing Auto Circuit (TRAC) when Fairgrounds Speedway President Dennis Grau was given a guarantee that the track will be available. TRAC tentatively had assigned Grau the date of June 28, 2003. And in a meeting yesterday, the Fair Board voted to reserve that week next season for Grau's use, whether he continues to operate the track's weekly racing program.(Tennessean)(6-5-2002)
Blaney wins for a fan: Dave Blaney, driver of the #77 Jasper Engines Ford, took a couple of minutes to call Jimmy Hoppa and Polly Wogg on the FROGGY 103 Morning Show, to win a Froggy fan a pair of Terrace Club Seats to this Sunday's Pocono 500. Greg Byers of Wintersville, OH, made a lot of phone calls to win the challenge: be the first listener to get a NASCAR Winston Cup Driver to call Jimmy and Polly, and win these tickets worth $400. Blaney was a great sport - he doesn't even know Greg - but thought it was a great prize for a NASCAR fan, and says Greg "owes me a beer". Find out how he finally got Dave Blaney to call when Greg talks to Jimmy and Polly tomorrow (Wednesday) morning on Froggy 103.(Froggy 103)(6-5-2002)
Rusty to the Dogs: Rusty Wallace will be in New York on Wednesday "going to the dogs" serving as Grand Marshal for the Beggin' Strips® A-Mazin' Bacon Race,which will offer select national dog charities a chance at $1 Million. The event will take place on Wednesday, June 5th at 11:30 am, at the South Street Seaport-Pier 17 (89 South St.) in New York City. The Beggin' Strips A-Mazin' Bacon Race will showcase three professionally trained dogs that will compete against each other and the clock, on the racecourse, an interactive agility course. Each dog will race on behalf of pre-selected national dog charity. The dog that wins the race will earn his assigned charity representative the chance to choose from 100 bags of Beggin' Strips. If the charity representative chooses the correct bag, his or her charity will receive a $1 million donation. If the charity representative does not pick the 'million dollar bag', Beggin' Strips® brand dog snacks will make a $5,000 cash donation to the charity in the winning dog's name. The A-mazin' Bacon
Race is touring the country this summer visiting twenty cities, and the $1 million donation race honors the fact that most of the dogs racing were adopted from humane societies. `For more information on the Beggin' Strips A-Mazin' Bacon Race, log-on to www.begginstrips.com.(TRPR)(6-5-2002)
(6-4-2002)
Didn't Last Long: Effectively immediately, Scott Eggleston, who was named team manager last week for the #4 Kodak MAX Film Monte Carlo, is no longer with Morgan-McClure Motorsports. Eggleston, who joined the Abingdon, Va.-based team in June 2001, prior to Pocono, resigned from his duties on Tuesday.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(6-4-2002)
Some Trickle News: who was the sponsor on the #71 Marcis Racing Chevy Dick Trickle drove at Dover? Continental Fire & Safety was on the rear quarter panels. Continental Fire & Safety is based out of Trenton, NJ and has been an associate sponsor on several cars that Trickle has competed with since 1994. Greg Gore is the president of Continental Fire & Safety and has been a great supporter of Trickle, his fan club, and the entire Trickle/Bowman family. AND Trickle will be testing for the Evernham Motorsports team again this month with owner Ray Evernham hoping to have a test June 25 & 26th either at Daytona or Talladega preceding the upcoming July Daytona race. Trickle tested for the team earlier this year before the Talladega race 9and attempted to make the race but missed) This is only a test, the team will not be entering their test car into the Daytona race.(Dick Trickle Fan Club Newsletter)(6-4-2002)
Two more NASCAR movies in the works: Britney Spears is to appear in the lead role as a racing car driver in her next film. She is all set to strap on her helmet and put the pedal to the metal in a movie about Nascar racing, the US motorsport where saloon cars race round an oval track. The pop star chose the film, her second, from a pile of offers and will start filming in October. An insider told the Sun: "There is no title yet but the film is inspired by one of Britney's favourite movies, Days Of Thunder, which starred Tom Cruise. "Tom played a hot-tempered Nascar racer - Britney wants to race too."(Sky News) AND Ice Cube is in negotiations to come aboard to rewrite and executive produce with Matt Alvarez through their company CubeVision the MGM comedy feature "Race" for Hyde Park Entertainment. The project, aiming for a fall start, is set to go out to actors and directors. "Race" reteams Cube with MGM, the studio for which he recently wrapped shooting the lead role in the comedy "Barbershop." Cube will not take on acting duties in "Race." Set on the NASCAR circuit, "Race" is a fish-out-of-water story about a cab driver who finds himself the only black participating in a stock-car race.(Sympatico-Lycos)(6-4-2002)
Tune-Up for Life: More than 50 percent of men and women who participated in Pfizer's "Tune-Up for Life" free health screening program at Winston Cup stock car races had not seen their doctor in a year or more. Moreover, men--nearly 75 percent of those who were screened--were less likely to visit their doctor for regular check-ups than were women, according to a presentation at the Seventeenth Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Hypertension. Conducted at 39 Winston Cup race weekends in 19 states in 2001, Tune-Up-for-Life is an ongoing mobile screening program offering free information and health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and erectile dysfunction (ED). Screenings of 24,000 people revealed that 56 percent of men and 40 percent of women had not seen their doctor in at least a year. The screenings also found that 43 percent of men and 26 percent of women screened had high blood pressure and 60 percent of men and 22 percent of women had high cholesterol. Both are risk factors for heart disease. In an analysis of those participants who said they did not have hypertension, investigators found that 40 percent of men and 23 percent of women, in fact, had high blood pressure. Of great concern, even among men and women who said they had hypertension, more than half of them had abnormally high blood pressure readings at screening, indicating poor control of blood pressure even among those with known hypertension. In addition to measuring blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels, men participating in "Tune-Up for Life" completed the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM), a standard screening tool to assess the presence of ED. The results revealed that 50 percent of men who reported having high blood pressure also had SHIM scores consistent
with possible ED, while only 31 percent of those not reporting high blood pressure had SHIM scores consistent with possible ED. At the screenings, participants received health information, advice on reducing their risk factors and recommendations to see their own physician with the results of the screening as necessary. All were encouraged to see their physician on a regular basis.(Pfizer PR)(6-4-2002)
Yates and Action: Action Performance Companies announced an agreement has been reached with Robert Yates Racing to extend their ongoing exclusive licensing and marketing contract until 2017. The new agreement seeks to maintain the diversity and influence of Action's licensing portfolio while capitalizing on the Robert Yates Racing brand and NASCAR's enduring market potential. Under the extended agreement, Action Performance has the exclusive rights to produce die-cast race car replicas, apparel and other merchandise for Robert Yates Racing teams, including the #88 UPS Ford, the #28 Havoline Ford and the #98 Channellock BGN Ford. In addition to production exclusives, the agreement also allows Action Performance to continue developing and producing Historical Series vehicles from the storied Robert Yates Racing collection, including cars for celebrated driver Davey Allison.(Business Wire)(6-4-2002)
Harvick makes good: Something good has definitely come from Kevin Harvick's "parking" incident at Martinsville Speedway. Holding an on-line auction from his Web site (kevinharvick.com), Harvick put the hood from the truck he raced in Martinsville April 13 up for bid in order to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In was in the NASCAR Truck series race at Martinsville when Harvick spun driver Coy Gibbs on the track and later was "parked" -- sat out -- the next day's Winston Cup race. The auction was open to members of The Kevin Harvick Fan Club and lasted 29 hours. The hood featured the fan club's logo. Susan Bunce of New York won the hood for a sum of $4,500. "I didn't want to see the hood of my truck from Martinsville thrown to the side or just reused when I knew I could do something good with it. I figured people collect so many things and this would be something someone would want," Harvick said. "I figured it'd be a good deal, just to auction it off on the Web site and give the money to St. Jude's." St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is world renowned center for the treatment of children's catastrophic diseases, focusing mainly on pediatric cancer, immunodeficiencies, and genetic disorders. "One of the things that shows St. Jude's dedication is they treat people with no thought as to whether they can afford the treatment," Harvick said. "St. Jude's operates mostly on donations. Anything I can do to drum up support for them is worth it."(ThatsRacin.com)(6-4-2002)
Cup drivers in the Baja 1000: Long-time off-road racer Robbie Gordon will compete in the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 this fall. Gordon, who is competing in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series this year, will have another Cup star, Kevin Harvick, as his co-driver in a Trophy Truck for the off-road marathon. Sal Fish, SCORE International chief executive, announced earlier this week that the dates for this year's Baja 1000 were being moved back by two weeks to Nov. 20-23. The original schedule would have had the Baja 1000 on the same weekend as season finales for the Cup series and the National Hot Rod Association.(Las Vegas Review-Journal) AND Kevin Harvick and Robby Gordon, who would make an ornery tag-team pair in world wrestling circles, may have NASCAR company when they team up at November's Baja 1000. There is some speculation Dale Earnhardt Jr. also may drive a rival Trophy Truck during a portion of the race.(Arizona Republic)(6-4-2002)
(6-3-2002)
Phillips 66 out? Welliver-Jesel Motorsports to Cup? heard this was announced internally at Phillips 66 today: Phillips has agreed to release Welliver-Jesel Motorsports from its obligation for the 2003 racing season. Welliver-Jesel Motorsports is the company that manages the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series racing team sponsored by Phillips. Phillips will continue its sponsorship of the "66" car and driver Casey Mears for the remainder of the current season. In addition, operation of the Phillips hospitality tents at NASCAR Busch Grand National events is not impacted by this decision and will continue as planned for the 2002 season. While Phillips has no further plans for car sponsorships of any kind at this time, the company will continue its tradition of sponsoring and promoting other NASCAR events. Welliver-Jesel Motorsports is considering competition in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series.(6-3-2002)
#90 to lose sponsor? UPDATE: hearing Sauer/Duke's Mayo will not sponsor the #90 Donlavey Ford after the June Pocono race. Actually the sponsorship was for part of the season and supposed to end soon with the option of extending, supposedly that will not happen.(6-2-2002) UPDATE: being told that the C.F. Sauer company will pull their sponsorship after the Pocono race but no official word has been given.(6-3-2002)
Volkswagen in NASCAR? German automaker Volkswagen is considering following Toyota's lead in joining the NASCAR marketing world, eventually with a Winston Cup effort, according to NASCAR sources. One question now is what model might Volkswagen want to brand and market under the NASCAR logo. NASCAR's common-template car project makes both a Toyota and VW Winston Cup effort easier. But Honda is not expected to show any interest in NASCAR's stock-car series, according to industry sources, because that company is not interested in playing the political games that must be played to placate the sport's rulers. Toyota wants to field a Tundra truck in NASCAR's Truck series next season, and company engineers are discussing various technical options with NASCAR officials.(Winston Salem Journal). A NASCAR Beetle?(a joke of course)(6-3-2002)
M&M's gone? Schrader out of the #36? Nadeau in? the LTN Radio show reports that M&M's is rumored to be leaving the #36 MB2 team and that Ken Schrader may be heading to the #43 Petty Racing team AND that M&M's is rethinking their position with NASCAR and may not sponsor a car/team in 2003 but could be involved in NASCAR in a similar way as Coca Cola is. AND another rumor has Jerry Nadeau in the #36 as soon as Johnny Benson returns to the #10 Valvoline Pontiac.(6-3-2002)
Action and Childress extend: Action Performance Companies announced an extension to their ongoing exclusive licensing and marketing contract with Richard Childress Racing. The new agreement, which extends the exclusive license relationship until May 2012, seeks to capitalize on the long-term merchandising value of Richard Childress Racing. Under the revised agreement, Action will have the exclusive right to produce die-cast race car replicas, apparel and other merchandise for Richard Childress Racing team drivers, which currently includes Winston Cup drivers Kevin Harvick (#29), Jeff Green (#30) and Robby Gordon (#31), and Busch Series drivers Johnny Sauter (#2) and Jay Sauter (#21). In addition to the standard personal services clauses and production exclusives, the agreement also allows Action Performance to continue developing and producing Historical Series vehicles from the Richard Childress Racing stable.(Business Wire)(6-3-2002)
NMPA Hall of Fame finalists named: Dale Inman, Bud Moore, Glen Wood, Butch Lindley and Ed Otto are finalists in the 2002 voting for the National Motorsports Press Association's Hall of Fame.
Inman, 65, is from Level Cross, N.C., spent more than 40 years as a crew chief for Petty Enterprises, Osterlund Racing, J.D. Stacy and Billy Hagan. He is the only crew chief to win eight NASCAR Winston Cup championships – seven with Richard Petty and one with Terry Labonte – and his cars went to victory lane a record 193 times. No other crew chief has been to victory lane more than 100 times. Moore, 77, is from Spartanburg, S.C., and cars he built, owned and maintained by Bud Moore Engineering won 63 races, seventh all-time, and 43 poles, ninth all-time.
Wood, 67, and his brother, Glen, formed Wood Brothers Racing in 1949 in Stuart, Va. The team now stands fourth on the all-time win list with 97 victories and has won races in six consecutive decades. Glen Wood was inducted into the NMPA Hall of Fame last year.
Lindley, from Greenville, S.C., and is widely regarded as one of the top short-track drivers of all time.
Otto, a nominee in the NMPA Hall of Fame balloting last year, was NASCAR's first vice president and helped the fledgling Strictly Stock series extend its reach beyond the South. Lindley and Otto are deceased.
Candidates receiving votes on at least 65 percent of the ballots cast by NMPA members will be elected to the hall. Results will be announced next month and those elected will be inducted on Aug. 30 in conjunction with the Southern 500 weekend at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C. The NMPA Hall of Fame display is located in the stock car racing museum on the grounds of the Darlington track.(ThatsRacin.com)(6-3-2002)
DEI and DeWalt? the LTN Radio show reports that Dale Earnhardt Inc is talking to DeWalt Tools to sponsor a team, DeWalt's contract with Roush Racing and the #17 Matt Kenseth team is over at the end of 2002. Roush is in negotations with DeWalt also.(6-3-2002)
Sadler Granted release after 2002 UPDATE 2 to Yates? Rudd Thinks so: [#21 Ford ]Wood Brothers co-owner Eddie Wood confirmed Friday the Wood Brothers have granted an early release to driver Elliott Sadler so he can leave the team at the end of this season. Sadler had a contract to drive for the team through the 2005 season but earlier this month asked the team for an early release. Sadler, 27, has been with the Wood Brothers since joining the Winston Cup series in 1999. He earned his first career victory last March at Bristol, Tenn. "Elliott will be here until the end of the season like we said to start with," Wood said. "It's all fixed and bandaged up." Wood said his team has started the process of searching for a new driver, but hasn't done too much since the team didn't originally think it would be in this spot so soon. "It's hard to do all that and race, too. We're looking," Wood said. "We got all the mess done and we're trying to go on with business. The car has been running great. As far as I'm concerned, it's business as usual." When Sadler's request for a release first became public during the race weekend at Richmond, Va., Ty Norris, executive vice president for motorsports for Dale Earnhardt Inc., indicated Sadler was one of several drivers he had spoken to regarding driving opportunities beginning next season.(ThatsRacin.com)(5-31-2002) UPDATE to Yates? The Wood brothers have given driver Elliott Sadler his release from the last year of his contract, leaving him free to sign with another team for 2003. And, according to sources close to Sadler, he has already signed a new contract with Robert Yates to replace Ricky Rudd in the #28 Ford. Sadler, Yates and Rudd all had no official comment.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-1-2002) UPDATE 2: Elliott Sadler says he doesn't know where he'll race next season, but Ricky Rudd believes he does – the #28 Robert Yates Racing Fords Rudd now drives. "I understand they have signed Elliott," Rudd said Saturday at Dover International Speedway. "I don't really know. That's just kind of the rumor mill but you're hearing too much of it to disregard it. ...I've got a good feeling that it's true." Sadler, who this week was granted a release effective at season's end from his contract with the Wood Brothers, denied he has signed with a team for 2003. "I have not signed any contract with any race team," Sadler said. "I am talking to actually three different teams right now. …I'm more close with one than I am the other ones but have not signed with any of them." Sadler said he'd like to have a deal for 2003 signed as soon as possible, perhaps as early as next week. But Rudd seems convinced Yates and Sadler already have a deal. Efforts to reach Yates for comment Saturday afternoon were unsuccessful. Rudd, 45, is in the final year of a three-year contract to drive for Yates. He said last month that he would sign only one-year contracts until he decides to retire. "I told Robert I'd let him know in July, which is usually pretty early, about what I was going to do for next year," Rudd said. "We talked about it. I let him know my timeline and they never really let me know theirs. Evidently, theirs was a little more pushed than mine was. ...I guess for Robert some sense of urgency or panic set in there, not knowing what I was going to do."(ThatsRacin.com)(6-2-2002) MORE on this at NASCAR.com: Yates miffed by driver rumors, pit miscue. AND - maybe a third team? And the Ricky Rudd story took an unexpected turn yesterday, the day after it was reported that car owner Robert Yates planned to put Elliott Sadler in his legendary #28. Texaco officials have stepped into the picture to say that Rudd could continue as driver of that Havoline-sponsored car as long as he wanted it, according to team sources. Now, according to Ford sources, Matt Kenseth is on Yates' list of potential new drivers for the 2004 season. Kenseth's contract with Jack Roush runs through next season. Kenseth is also reported to be under consideration for rides with Dale Earnhardt Inc. In addition, Richard Childress reportedly has shown an interest in signing Kenseth. While Rudd says he understands that Elliott Sadler has indeed signed with Yates to drive one of his cars next season, the Texaco report would seem to leave that issue in some doubt. However, Yates has been working the garage this weekend, lining up some new crewmen, apparently for that possible third team that he reportedly has under consideration for next season.(Winston Salem Journal) AND II: Yates said speculation that he is considering a third team is inaccurate.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(6-3-2002)
Sad News - three drivers die over weekend: Drag racer Jerry Gannon died Sunday, a day after crashing at Atlanta Dragway. He was 50. Gannon, of Franklin Furnace, Ohio, was driving a jet-powered Funny Car on Saturday when his car hit a wall, then spun around and hit another wall before flipping and bursting into flames. Track officials told Atlanta TV station WAGA that their fire truck hose snapped off and got caught on an ambulance tire as they responded. But they also said the flames were so intense, little could be done to put them out.(ESPN) AND Dave Robertson, Super Dirt Stock driver from Florence Speedway (Union,Ky), died last Saturday night of a heart attack while driving. AND Charles "Bubba" Beck, who had been racing stock cars since 1956, died Saturday night in a Modified race at Bowman Gray Stadium. The car driven by Beck, 66, of Lexington, veered off the track coming down the backstretch during the final lap of a 25-lap race, sped through the infield grass and crashed into the north turn guardrail. An emergency worker said that Beck showed no signs of life upon being reached. He was taken to Baptist Hospital and pronounced dead at 10:39 p.m. According to a hospital official, a pathologist will do an examination today and make a determination on whether to perform an autopsy. It is uncertain whether Beck died as result of a heart attack or other condition, or if the impact of the crash was a factor.(Winston Salem Journal), thoughts and condolences go out to all family and friends of the drivers.(6-3-2002)
