Michael Waltrip wins the Pepsi 400 at Daytona: #15-Michael Waltrip won the Pepsi 400, leading the most laps (99) and pretty much dominating the race. It is Waltrip's 2nd career Cup win and 2nd at Daytona, 51 races ago. It was #15 crew chief Slugger Labbe's first win as a Cup crew chief (Scott Eggleston was crew chief for the Daytona 500 in 2001). #2-Rusty Wallace was 2nd, his best ever Daytona finish (he had six 3rd place finishes) and his first top five of 2002. The unofficial top ten finishers:
(the first five are the No Bull drivers for the race at Richmond on Sept 7th)
#15-Michael Waltrip (98 laps led)
#2-Rusty Wallace - first top five of 2002
#40-Sterling Marlin (18 laps led)
#41-Jimmy Spencer
#6-Mark Martin
#8-Dale Earnhardt Jr(1 lap led ?)
#26-Todd Bodine
#48-Jimmie Johnson
#22-Ward Burton
#09-Geoffrey Bodine
2001 Champ: #24-Jeff Gordon finished 22nd, 1 lap down
Pepsi 400 pole sitter: #29-Kevin Harvick finished 11th
Cars on lead lap: 21 Off the track/Out of race: #10-Benson(accident); #98-Wallace(accident); #11-Bodine(accident); #1-Park(accident); #25-Nemechek(accident); #18-Labonte(accident); #88-Jarrett(accident); #4-Skinner(accident); #20-Stewart(out); #33-Wallace(out); #49-Robinson(off); #77-Blaney(accident); #12-Newman(accident);
Injuries: #10-Johnny Benson cracked/fractured two ribs in the accident early in the race and has been tranported to Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach for further observation. #26 rear tire changer, Billy Curwood, injured a leg when he was hit by the #31 car during an incident on pit road, he was treated at the track's infield care center and is bruised but ok.
Cautions 9 for 39 laps Caution 9, lap 157-160: #12-Newman, #26-Bodine, #09-Bodine got together three-wide and the #09 car hit the #12 and cut a tire down on the #12 who hit the wall and spun around, #77-Blaney got hit from behind and hit the wall. Caution 8, lap 151-153: debris on the track in turn two. Caution 7, lap 137-143 in the Big One when the #88-Jarrett and #99-Burton got together when Burton got a run on Jarrett and tried to pass, others involved: #17-Kenseth, #11-Bodine, #1-Park, #25-Nemechek, #18-Labonte, #5-Labonte, #4-Skinner, #45-Petty, #09-Bodine, #19-Mayfield, #22-Burton, #28-Rudd, #48-Johnson. Dale Jarrett refused ambulance assistance and walked from the accident site in turn two to pit road. Caution 6, lap 126-128: #20-Tony Stewart got loose and spun. Caution 5, lap 59-62: #98-Wallace hit the 4th turn wall when he cut down a right front tire. Caution 4, lap 26-28: mandatory NASCAR caution to allow teams to check out the cars, this was announced during the drivers meeting before the race. Just before the green flag, #24-Gordon came in with a possible flat left rear tire and changed left side tires. Caution 3, lap 18-21: #33-Wallace (with Carrot Top) got tapped by #1-Park and spun into the wall and back into the track. In the pits the #97-Busch got into the #31-Gordon and pushed the #31 into the #26-Bodine, front damage to the #31 and #97, rear damage to the #26. Billy Kirwin, right tire changer was clipped by the #31 and has a leg injury and was taken to local hospital. Caution 2, lap 10-12: #10-Benson scraped the outside wall and ended up in the grass after #15-Waltrip got into the back of the #10. Benson walked to the ambulance, but looked stunned. #36-Ken Schrader was in the pits with the hood up as an oil leak got knocked off by debris on the track. #45-Petty, #99-Burton, #14-Compton came in for tires. Caution 1, lap 2-5: #20-Stewart got tapped in the back by #21-Sadler after #17-Kenseth came down on Sadler when #45-Petty slowed up.
NOTES: Green flag pit stops occurred laps 115-120 range. #20-Tony Stewart back on the track, lap 30. Just about all the field came into the pits during the 3rd caution. Many drivers in the rear of the field came in during the first caution.(7-6-2002) Results: see ThatsRacin.com or NASCAR.com.(7-6-2002)
Marlin retains the points lead:
#40-Sterling Marlin, 2368
#6-Mark Martin, 2291, -77
#48-Jimmie Johnson, 2254, -114
#2-Rusty Wallace, 2224, -144
#24-Jeff Gordon, 2218, -150
For standings, see ThatsRacin.com.(7-6-2002)
More Rudd - Announcement Saturday? Ricky Rudd suggested he might announce his intentions for the future immediately after Saturday night's race. Most figure the 45-year-old driver will retire to devote more time to his children[child].(Augusta Chronicle)(7-5-2002) However: It looks as if Ricky Rudd, who is considering retirement, will be around the Winston Cup Series for at least another season or two. Rudd said Thursday that he has offers from several teams for next year and also is negotiating with his current car owner, Robert Yates, to stay in the #28 Ford for another year. One of the hangups with his current team appears to be the length of
the contract. Rudd wants to sign only a one-year deal, and he says Yates and the sponsors want a longer one. But he would like to drive the same car next year. "If I could get Robert [Yates] to agree to a one-year agreement, then the retirement would not happen this year," said Rudd, 45. "One thing is I've been spoiled by some good runs here lately." Rudd expects to make a decision by July 15.(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(7-6-2002) UPDATE: have not heard anything about an annoucement being made Saturday night.(7-7-2002)
Pontiac dropping out? With Joe Gibbs' two headliner Pontiac teams [#18 and #20] set to switch to Chevrolets next season, perhaps even sooner, GM executives are worried that they won't be able to fill enough Pontiac slots to keep that division in this sport. Unless there are five solid teams under contract to run Pontiacs next season, GM is expected to pull the plug on that brand, according to Detroit sources. And at the moment only three teams appear in the Pontiac camp and there are questions surrounding the #14 A. J. Foyt operation.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-7-2002)
RJ Reynolds wants the Winston to stay in Charlotte: Officials with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., which sponsors the Winston Cup series, have indicated they would prefer the annual Winston all-star race remain at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
The Charlotte track has hosted the race every season but one since its inception in 1985. Recently, NASCAR has indicated a desire to see the race move to a different venue each season. Ned Leary, president of RJR's Sports Marketing Enterprises, said among the reasons Lowe's Motor Speedway is preferred is the amount of work done by the track to promote and develop The Winston; and the City of Charlotte's efforts to demonstrate its support of the event.(ThatsRacin.com)(7-7-2002)
Busch in trouble at Daytona: #97-Kurt Busch had on one-lap penalty for passing under caution turn into a four-lap nightmare during Saturday night's Pepsi 400. During a pit stop early in the race while trying to enter his pit stall, Busch collided with Robby Gordon, who was exiting his pit. Busch received some damage to his #97 Ford and had to pit again, but ran the stop paddle at the end of pit toad. Incensed at getting the one-lap penalty, Busch ripped off a tirade of words over his radio directed toward NASCAR officials. NASCAR didn't take kindly to the words and issued a three-lap penalty for "unsportsmanlike conduct on the radio.(ThatsRacin.com)(7-7-2002)
No Room for another off day? Winston Cup drivers [and crew members, teams, media] begin a grueling stretch of 20 consecutive weeks of racing to end the season. Some have complained that the schedule is too unrelenting, and wish NASCAR could schedule an off-week as the season winds down. NASCAR chairman Bill France doesn't see it happening, however. "I'm not sure where a whole lot of changes are going to come from," he said Saturday. "There are only 52 weekends in a year. Maybe we can get a legislative group to see if we can make Sundays out of Wednesdays -- turn it into 104 weeks, or something."(NASCAR.com/AP)(7-7-2002)
Morons throw stuff on track: was wondering what the heck was all over the track on the last lap, TV showed all the cars dodging objects on the backstretch of the track. From ThatsRacin.com: Although most Winston Cup drivers agreed there was not enough time remaining in Saturday night's Pepsi 400 for NASCAR to use a red flag to ensure a green-flag finish, apparently some fans disagreed. The caution came out on Lap 158 of 160 for a multicar accident. With safety crews still working on removing cars from the backstretch, NASCAR allowed the race to end under caution with Michael Waltrip the winner. When it appeared the red flag was not coming out, hundreds of fans on the backstretch threw seat cushions, beverage containers and more onto the track. "I know one thing, with two laps to go all those people on the back straightaway - and I don't know who triggered it - they threw every seat cushion they had on the back straightaway and there was no way we were going to get the race going again," said Rusty Wallace, who finished second. "I don't know what that was about," Jeff Gordon said. "I ran through it real fast and sent it all over the place. And it was just the backstraightaway people." NASCAR officials said not enough laps remained in the race to red flag it and attempt to end it under green. "We were down to the end and as it turned out with our passionate fans, things got a little crazy," said NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter. Wallace called the decision not to use the red flag, "the smartest thing that ever happened. You just don't want to restart races with three laps to go on a superspeedway. It can be very, very dangerous. Not because I was running second, it was just a real smart thing to do," he said.(7-7-2002)
NASCAR Talks - says no Traction Control being used: NASCAR officials spent an hour Saturday explaining why they believe, contrary to rampant rumors in the garage, that electronic traction control is not being used in Winston Cup, Grand National and Truck series racing. "We cannot say anything for sure. But we can say it's very highly unlikely that anybody has run it," said Gary Nelson, NASCAR's managing director of competition. "If they did, they're pretty slick. Any car that we've looked at it hasn't had anything like that. We would react if we found it." Nelson, Winston Cup director John Darby and Winston Cup technical director Steve Peterson said the key reason NASCAR believes it can police its rule against traction control is that no electronic processors are allowed in its racing vehicles.(story at ThatsRacin.com and see the Transcript of traction control discussion)(7-6-2002) AND NASCAR has started using a special listening device at the curves to monitor engines during races. If they are running on a traction device, it would make a distinct sound and teams could be caught. At least that's NASCAR's claim. John Darby of NASCAR said if a team is caught, it "would probably be one of the largest (fines) that NASCAR has ever levied."(Florida Today)(7-7-2002)
Earnhardt may be honored: Kannapolis City [NC] Council will consider a proposal Monday to rename one of the city's major thoroughfares Dale Earnhardt Boulevard. The current one-mile stretch of Dale Earnhardt Boulevard connects to Centergrove Road. The proposal would change the names of Centergrove, Loop and Jackson Park roads as well as Lane Street to make a longer Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, which would loop around the main part of Kannapolis. The proposed boulevard would also connect twice to Interstate 85. If council adopts the proposal, the suggested roadway would then be considered by the N.C. Department of Transportation for final approval. Assistant City Manager Mike Legg said DOT officials seem to be receptive to using one name for Centergrove and South Loop roads. He said state officials, however, are hesitant about continuing the boulevard at the point where North and South Loop Road meet at the West C Street intersection. Local officials could also consider only renaming Centergrove and South Loop Roads as part of a compromise with DOT. Legg said the biggest benefit to having a longer boulevard would be the change from using at least three different names to one name for the roadway. He said the renaming would fit in with the Dale Earnhardt Tribute. Legg also said being located on a road with such name recognition could be good for businesses in that area.(Independent Tribune)(7-7-2002)
(7-6-2002)
DW to races in the CTS again? UPDATE 2 at IRP: Darrell Waltrip appears poised for another start in the CTS, according to NASCAR driver Stacy Compton. Compton said June 15 he would compete in at least one more truck race (hearing DW is considering IRP) for Jim Harris and Mark Melling this year, and that Waltrip could return for a second stint later this year. Compton, who is competing full time in the Winston Cup [#14] and BGN [#59] series, plans to drive the truck at Milwaukee June 29. Waltrip raced the truck at Martinsville in April, but exited the race after only 86 laps due to mechanical problems.(Winston Salem Journal - need sub to read)(6-20-2002) UPDATE: some radio reports have DW in the truck at Milwaukee, that is not so, Compton (as reported here - above) will drive the truck at Milwaukee, DW, if he drives it, is considering IRP - Indianapolis Raceway Park.(6-21-2002) UPDATE 2: Tide Racing announced today they will celebrate 15 years as a primary sponsor in NASCAR Winston Cup Racing during the series visit to Indianapolis, August 1-4. A retro weekend will include Tide’s current driver, Ricky Craven, as well as Darrell Waltrip, Tide’s first driver, three-time Winston Cup champion and current NASCAR FOX analyst. Darrell Waltrip and Jeff Hammond will ride again on August 2 at Indianapolis Raceway Park in the #17 Tide Dodge Waltrip collection /Special to FOXSports.com. Waltrip will kick off the weekend by driving the #17 Tide Dodge Truck in the CTS series on August 2 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The Truck will feature a retro paint scheme and a decaled hood honoring Waltrip’s and Tide’s 1989 Daytona 500 victory. On Sunday August 4th Craven will take to the track in the #32 Tide Ford sporting a retro theme featuring the original “America’s Favorite” hood decal design. Former Tide crew chief and current FOX Sports analyst Jeff Hammond will join Waltrip for this event. The team will run the #17 which Waltrip made famous when he drove to victory lane nine times for Tide. “Jeff and I want to thank Tide for including us in this special weekend,” said Waltrip. “We are so happy to be reunited with Tide again and I have such fond memories of driving the #17 Winston Cup car to victory lane.”(FoxSports)(7-6-2002)
Dale Jr off to Milwaukee after the race: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will fly to Milwaukee Sunday to participate in a variety of activities surrounding the 2002 Major League Baseball All-Star game. In honor of the game (and Budweiser's status as the official beer of both MLB and NASCAR), the #8 Bud car will carry a special MLB All-Star paint scheme in tonight's race. Because of testing commitments in Indianapolis, Dale Jr is not able to attend Tuesday night's game, but will participate in an All-Star celebrity softball game Sunday evening, take. batting practice on the field, and participate in an autograph session Monday afternoon at the "Bud World" display at the park. Dale Jr. will also host the All-Star edition of "This Week in Baseball," the MLB-produced weekly highlight show. The show airs Saturdays on Fox at 12:30pm.(Budweiser PR)(7-6-2002)
NAPA hopes to re-sign with DEI: DEI's contract with NAPA to sponsor Michael Waltrip's #15 Chevrolet is up for renewal, as is Waltrip's driving contract. Mike Rearden, director of events and sponsorships for NAPA, says his company plans to re-sign with DEI, though he won't give specifics.(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(7-6-2002)
Park Not Happy: Steve Park said Friday he is not a second-rate driver and will not be "strung along" by Dale Earnhardt Inc. or any other Winston Cup team. Park's future at DEI has been clouded since his return to the series at Darlington, S.C., in March of this season. He suffered a serious head injury from a wreck in the BGN race at Darlington last September. "If they have ideas or Plan A of what they want and it don't work out, I'm not going to be around for them to fall back on. If they decide I'm good for the team and we're going to stick together and try to win races, then that's fine," Park said. Park said he is a "free agent" as far as next season goes. He said until June 15, DEI had the right of first refusal as far as signing a contract. Now, he is free to sign with DEI or another team. "They talked about a one-year deal. With a one-year deal, this time next year we'll be in the same exact boat and that don't interest me," Park said. "Either I'm the driver and you have the confidence that I can get the job done, or get somebody else."
See full story at ThatsRacin.com and see A candid talk with driver Steve Park.(7-5-2002) UPDATE: Even though Pennzoil is coming back for another year as sponsor of the #1 car, driver Park's future is still being evaluated. Park told the Associated Press Friday that he's unhappy with his role at DEI.(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(7-6-2002)
'Big' cars not until 2003? NASCAR is telling Winston Cup teams not to expect the new low-downforce cars until next season, maybe late next season, depending on the financial health of Busch tour car owners. NASCAR is looking at incorporating the larger "greenhouse" roll cage with the low-downforce tweaks, possibly not rolling out the project until the October Talladega race. Because of serious structural issues in roll- cage welding, apparently discovered during last year's fatal ARCA crash at Charlotte, NASCAR officials will require the new roll cage to be completely new construction, and will not allow teams simply to cut off the current roll cage and weld a larger greenhouse in place.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-6-2002)
Berrier back in the #90 car at Daytona, team will run at Chicago also UPDATE 2 to close up?: Ed Berrier will return to drive Junie Donlavey's #90 Ford at Daytona this weekend. The Richmond-based team also has committed to running the July 14 race at Chicagoland Speedway. After losing its sponsor, Donlavey's operation skipped the June 23 race at Sonoma, CA. Berrier, who drove 10 races for Donlavey Racing in the 2000 season, will become the team's fourth driver this season. Rick Mast started 2002 behind the wheel but has been sidelined since May with an undetermined illness [still no word on his condition]. Hermie Sadler and Gary Bradberry also have driven for Donlavey during the past few races.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(7-2-2002) UPDATE - close up? No Chicago? Donlavey, at 78 one of the most respected and well-liked residents of the Winston Cup garage, plans to close his Richmond, VA., racing shop after this week. As is usually the case, money is the issue. Donlavey has run out of sponsors and says he can't fund the team from his back pocket.(Greenville News), so Daytona and Done?(7-5-2002) UPDATE 2: Junie Donlavey's #90 team was one of two that failed to qualify for the Pepsi 400 at Daytona. Donlavey said he is reconsidering whether he will take his team to Chicagoland Speedway next week while his team hunts for sponsorship. "I think we'll back it down the next couple of weeks and see if we can put something together," the 78-year-old said.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(7-6-2002)
Stewart 5th, Nadeau 6th in road race: James Weaver and Chris Dyson drove the Dyson Racing Team to a victory in the Rolex Sports Car Series Jani King Paul Revere 250 that finished Friday at 12:30am/et. Weaver and Dyson covered the 70-lap, 250-mile distance in a time of 2:16:41.765 in their Ford Riley & Scott. Polesitters Didier Theys and Fredy Lienhard finished second in the Doran Lista Racing Judd- engined Dallara, 4.324 seconds back. NASCAR drivers Tony Stewart and Jerry Nadeau also drove in the event. Stewart finished fifth and Nadeau was sixth.(Tampa Tribune)(7-6-2002)
Paul Tracy and Childress? If CART driver Paul Tracy's team owner Barry Green is forced to move to the IRL by his current sponsor KOOL, Tracy could wind up with another CART team or even in NASCAR. Yes, NASCAR, the stock-car series whose success has grown by leaps and bounds and left both CART and the IRL in its exhaust, particularly in the United States. "I've talked for about a year to (car owner) Richard Childress," Tracy said. "We've had an ongoing open dialogue. We talk to each other every couple of months. He'd like to test me in a car, but the timing is not right. But he's said any time I want to come and test one." Despite his discussions with Childress, Tracy made it clear he wants to remain in open-wheeled racing for "as long as I can because I really love it. "But I have to be realistic," he added. "Open-wheeled racing is struggling right now. And while I'm only 33, I'm not 23, so I have to look at my future. I don't want to stop racing at 38 or 39." Tracy revealed that his agreement with Green expired in May when Green was unable to pick up the option on his contract because of the uncertainly by KOOL.(Waymoresports.com)(7-6-2002)
NASCAR and the Soap Box Derby UPDATE: The All-American Soap Box Derby, which has been looking for ways to get broader national exposure, is about to get a boost from one of the best-known racing organizations in the land. NASCAR, confirmed Tuesday it is planning a ``youth initiative'' with the Akron-based derby. Neither side would provide details, but said they would make a formal announcement Friday [July 5th] in Daytona, FL. Tony DeLuca, executive director of the All-American Soap Box Derby, also declined to comment. ``It's really premature,'' he said. ``We really can't make any statements right now.'' The 65-year-old derby, which once boasted a large following and attracted the likes of James Stewart, Rock Hudson and Eddie Rickenbacker to Akron, has seen its popularity wane over the decades. It struggled in recent years to find a large financial backer before Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. agreed to become the national sponsor in 1998, contributing $300,000 a year to the event. Goodyear became the first high-profile national sponsor since Chevrolet pulled out in 1972. The Akron tire maker also helps to promote the race at its retail centers and gives out free tickets. In return, it gets its name prominently displayed at the derby and on derby merchandise. The announcement on Friday will come on the cusp of the next soap box derby. The July 27 championship event will attract 415 racers from 43 states plus Germany, the Philippines, Japan and Canada -- a record number, DeLuca said. The event will be held at Derby Downs on Akron's southeast side, near the Rubber Bowl and Akron Fulton International Airport. NASCAR already has a loose connection to the derby. One of NASCAR's directors is part owner of Brand Sense Marketing, a Los Angeles-based marketing services company. That firm announced last fall that it had been named the exclusive marketing agent for the derby.(Akron Beacon Journal)(7-3-2002) UPDATE: NASCAR announced on Friday, a multi-year partnership with the All-American Soap Box Derby, a national property with grassroots applications founded in 1934, which will benefit from the relationship through NASCAR's media awareness and resources. The All-American Soap Box Derby, based in Akron, Ohio, is looking forward to working with NASCAR after enjoying so much success with one of its partners, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. The All-American Soap Box Derby maintains a strong relationship with Akron-based Goodyear, which also possesses a long-standing and successful partnership with NASCAR. The All-American Soap Box Derby will become part of NASCAR's Youth Program initiative, which was established to expose America's future generation to the motorsports industry, and more specifically NASCAR, and its numerous opportunities. NASCAR's Youth Program initiative also includes the Diversity Summer Internship Program and support of the Urban Youth Racing School. The Diversity Summer Internship Program, established in 2000, is a 10-week, fulltime, paid summer internship program designed to expose diverse youth to the motorsports industry, which includes NASCAR, sponsors, licensees, teams and tracks. More than 40 interns have participated in the program. Since 1999, NASCAR has been supporting the Urban Youth Racing School, a non-profit organization based in Philadelphia that provides inner-city youth ranging in age from 8-18 with an opportunity to learn about the industry through a 10-week curriculum. Due to the growing number of applicants, the Urban Youth Racing School doubled the number of sessions it was offering to accommodate the interest level. The All-American Soap Box Derby is an annual season-long competition, which runs from March to July. The All-American Soap Box Derby sanctions nearly 350 local events throughout the United States each year that showcases its three major divisions as well as points-accumulating "rally" races. The major divisions are Stock, for first-time builders ages 9-16; Super Stock, for experienced builders ages 9-16; and Masters, for advanced builders ages 11-17. All local winners advance to the Championship Race in Akron in July. The 65th running of this week-long championship event is scheduled for July 27.(NASCAR PR)(7-6-2002)
(7-5-2002)
New Yates Team, the home for Sadler? Doug Yates, son of Robert Yates Racing owner Robert Yates, has started the process toward owning a Winston Cup race team and might be the missing piece to the puzzle surrounding the rumored hiring of Elliott Sadler. New corporation listings printed in The Charlotte Observer on June 24 show a new company called Doug Yates Racing Inc. incorporated in Mecklenburg County (N.C.) between June 10 and June 14. Doug Yates, who oversees the engine department at Yates Racing, confirmed Friday that he hopes his future in the sport would be as a team owner and said the filing of the incorporation documents was the first step in that process. Sources confirmed Friday that the Doug Yates operation would be the much-discussed third team at Robert Yates Racing next season, which would be the new home for driver Elliott Sadler, who is leaving the #21 Fords of Wood Brothers Racing at season's end. In an interview Thursday, Ricky Rudd, driver of Robert Yates' #28 Fords, said the following when asked if Robert Yates had told him whether he had signed a new driver: "I think I can honestly say that I think Robert can honestly say that he did not sign another driver and he can say that with a clear conscience." Doug Yates' hiring of Elliott Sadler would prove Rudd's statement correct. Rudd himself is still deciding whether to retire from the sport or remain with the #28 or move to another Winston Cup team. Doug Yates said his team would have ties with his father's, but he would like to be independent. "I want to be on my own enough to gain the experience he had to go through to get to where he's at today," Doug Yates said.(ThatsRacin.com)(7-5-2002)
Petty Looking for a 2003 sponsor for the #45: Petty Enterprises is seeking primary sponsorship for the #45 Dodge driven by Kyle Petty for the 2003 season and beyond.. Sprint recently notified Petty Enterprises that it will not pick up the option in its contract to continue as primary sponsor.. Discussions are continuing with Sprint about future involvement with Petty Enterprises, but in the meantime Petty Enterprises is seeking other potential partners for the primary sponsorship of the #45 Dodge. "We continue to keep our options open with Sprint and we fully expect that we will continue to be involved with them in some way," said Kyle Petty. "They've been an important part of our team since 1996 and it's been a very successful relationship for both parties. The bottom line is that Sprint has not exercised its option to continue as the primary sponsor and so we need to look at other opportunities for the #45 Dodge." The Petty name continues to be the most recognized in all of motorsports. Kyle Petty is consistently ranked among the top five most popular Winston Cup drivers and received back-to-back honors as Winston Cup Illustrated's Man of the Year in 2000 and 2001. On the track, General Manager Robin Pemberton, Crew Chief Steve Lane and a new relationship with Mike Ege Racing Engines helped Petty run consistently in the top 15 this season. The team is confident their entire organization is poised for the future. "We've had great success delivering a complete marketing platform that helps drive results for our sponsors," said Bill Scott, Executive Vice President, Petty Enterprises. "The combination of Kyle's enduring popularity and his current success on the track creates an exciting opportunity for a new sponsor. We feel that companies like General Mills, Georgia Pacific, Sprint, Coca-Cola and Dodge provide us one of the strongest stables of sponsors in all of sports.. Now we're looking to add another strong partner." Petty Enterprises offers a wide range of marketing and sponsorship opportunities. In addition to three Winston Cup teams and a Craftsman Truck team, the Richard Petty Driving Experience operates at 24 tracks across the country. The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is in its 8th year raising money for children and the Victory Junction Gang Camp for Kids is scheduled to open in the summer of 2004.(Williams Company PR)(7-5-2002)
Another Rudd to run at RIR: Jason Rudd Cleared To Drive Winston Cup Short-Tracks; Will Make Debut At Richmond:. Jason Rudd, the nephew of Winston Cup veteran racer Ricky Rudd, has been cleared by NASCAR to compete in the Winston Cup Series on oval tracks that are 3/4 of a mile or less. Rudd will make his Cup debut in September at Richmond. One of the key reasons on making this decision is the hope of driving against his uncle once before his uncle retired. Jason's father, AJ (Al Rudd Jr.) stated that they will be taking one of their Dodges that Jason drives in ARCA, as it was formerly a Winston Cup car. "We are very pleased," said AJ. "We can do some testing and begin getting our Dodges ready for the race."(Catchfence)(7-5-2002)
Bolts Seized: NASCAR inspectors confiscated unapproved steel jacking bolts from four teams during pre-qualifying inspection Thursday at Daytona. Bolts from the teams of #10-Johnny Benson, #36-Ken Schrader, #40-Sterling Marlin and #88-Dale Jarrett were tagged and placed on display in the NASCAR hauler.(ThatsRacin.com)(7-5-2002)
Rudd and Ganassi? Ricky Rudd is thought to be a top candidate for a ride with Chip Ganassi. One question is what might happen to the Texaco sponsorship if Yates and Rudd can’t come to terms. Yates is said to have a much more lucrative M&M Mars sponsorship in hand for Elliott Sadler, expected to join Yates next season regardless of what Rudd does. There has long been speculation that Yates’ Texaco sponsorship hasn’t been in the $12 million to $15 million a year range of most current team sponsorships.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-5-2002)
Dale Jr to start BGN team: Dale Earnhardt Jr. revealed Thursday he was starting a BGN team, and IRL champion Sam Hornish could be the driver, at least part-time. “We are putting together a Busch team,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “Me and my stepmother Teresa are going to be partners in the project, and I personally wanted to do it, No. 1 because I wanted to run the July race in Daytona this year, but we couldn’t get it put together quick enough. The other reason was I wanted to run the July race in Daytona next year and the 300 in February, and the Talladega race as well. I just like running those tracks so much. It was something that I wanted to do actually solely on my own, and Teresa and (DEI vice president) Ty (Norris) thought that it would be better if me and her went into it on a partnership where we could tie it in with DEI a little more as far as employees and how the program developed and how it would complement our Cup teams in the future. With that in mind I plan on running those races next year and bringing in possibly Sam and maybe someone else to run anywhere from six to 10 (races), maybe even more than that. It should be a lot of fun just doing that.”(RacingOne)(7-5-2002)
Sad News: Tragedy struck Florence Speedway for the second time recently when two cars collided during a race over the weekend, killing one of the drivers. Denny Kleier, 40, of Florence, was pronounced dead at the scene Saturday night after his race car collided with a competitor's car at the crossing point on a figure 8 track — one of three at the speedway. The accident occurred about 9:30 p.m. at the racetrack on Kentucky 42, according to the Boone County Sheriff's Department. Terry Fannin, of Lebanon, who was driving the second car, was airlifted to a hospital, where he was released after treatment for chest pains, a sheriff's deputy said. The fatality was the second at the racetrack in about a month, said the owner's son, Jerry King Jr. Florence Speedway is a half-mile, high-banked, clay track that was built in the 1950s and has been operated by Jerry and Mona King since 1984.(Cincinnati Enquirer)(7-5-2002)
(7-4-2002)
Ward signed? UPDATE 2 it's done 2 years: getting reports that Ward Burton has signed a multi-year deal to continue driving the #22 Caterpillar Dodge for Bill Davis Racing. Have seen nothing official yet.(7-2-2002) UPDATE: hearing it is a 2 year deal and may be announced at Daytona.(7-3-2002) UPDATE 2: Ward Burton from a Golin-Harris PR - "I'm done. I'm ready to rock. Caterpillar has signed for five years. A lot changes in the sport and I wasn't willing to sign a five-year deal (Burton signed for two more years, taking him through the 2004 season). We never even talked about it because I told Cat when we talked that five years is a long time. A lot can change in five years. Three years is a long time in this business. Five years is just too far to look down the future. I don't even know for me physically to sign a five-year deal if I would even be up for it. I do want options, and I feel like they need to have options."(Golin-Harris PR)(4th of July 2002)
Musgrave at the Brickyard 400? UPDATE: hearing Ted Musgrave, who drives the #1 Truck for the Ultra Motorsports CTS team, will drive a 2nd team car to #7-Casey Atwwod, the #07 Sirius Dodge, looks chrome, see an image of the car in my Paint Scheme Gallery.(7-3-2002) UPDATE: Current CTS points leader Ted Musgrave will enter at least five Winston Cup races this season in the #07 Dodge. The new team will be composed of personnel from Musgrave’s Ultra Motorsports Truck team as well as from the team of his teammate, Jason Leffler. Musgrave will work in Cup as a teammate with Ultra/Evernham Motorsports driver Casey Atwood, who drives the #7 Dodge. Both teams are sponsored by Sirius Satellite Radio. Musgrave’s first race will be the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It will mark his 300th career start in the Winston Cup series. "I’m pretty excited, coming back getting my opportunity here," Musgrave said. "We talked about doing something like this last year but we never really got the chance to get going because of the dedication we put into the Truck series. We’ll start off at the Brickyard 400 and run about four more races [Darlington, Phoenix, Atlanta and Homestead]. We’re building a new car for the race. I’m proud to be with these guys"(ThatsRacin.com)(4th of July 2002)
Nadeau may run some more races at PE: Petty Enterprises CEO Kyle Petty said Thursday he would like to see driver Jerry Nadeau run more races for his organization. Nadeau substituted for Steve Grissom at the Sonoma road course race two weeks ago and was leading with two laps to go before his car broke. Nadeau left Hendrick Motorsports earlier this season and has been running for various teams on a short-term basis. "Jerry Nadeau can be and has been a winning Winston Cup driver," Petty said. "He's got to put himself in a position to run ovals and other stuff because that's what this series is. We'd like to have him run some races for us, whether it be oval or whether it be the road courses, but we've just got to figure out his plans and where he's going."(ThatsRacin.com)(4th of July 2002)
Nothing new on Rick Mast: #90 team owner Junie Donlavey said Rick Mast's medical problem has not been diagnosed. Mast stopped driving after losing weight and suffering from severe fatigue. "They've found out a lot of things that's not wrong with him," Donlavey said. "In analyzing the problems he's got, it's almost like he's got carbon monoxide poisoning. He's losing weight. He has no energy. He sleeps all the time. He said it's hard to concentrate. All they know is he doesn't have cancer or a lot of other stuff. I'm not sure he'll ever come back around again."(Daytona Beach News Journal)(4th of July 2002)
More on Wells and Pontiac and 2nd team: Pontiac is luring Cal Wells from Ford. Wells, whose driver is Ricky Craven [#32], is getting help from Pontiac in finding sponsorship for a second team. If Wells is able to start a second team at PPI Motorsports, IndyCar driver Max Papis could wind up being the driver.(Augusta Chronicle)(4th of July 2002)
Hornish wants to try Daytona 500: Sam Hornish Jr., the defending IRL champ, said Tuesday he might try to qualify for the Daytona 500 in February, driving a Chevy for the Dale Earnhardt Inc. NASCAR team. If the deal with DEI comes to fruition, Hornish said he would drive in selected BGN races in 2003. He could make a second start in Winston Cup next season at the Brickyard 400. But Hornish doesn't foresee switching gears and leaving Indy cars to compete full time in NASCAR.(Orange County Register), see past news on Hornish and NASCAR on my Drivers Looking/News page.(4th of July 2002)
#7 Hood at DIS: This weekend, the #7 Sirius Dodge will feature DreamWorks Recording stars Papa Roach - www.paparoach.com, with band members including Jacoby Shaddix, Jerry Horton, Tobin Esperance, and David Buckner. The Sirius Hood Program began at the Sirius Satellite Radio 400 in Michigan with DreamWorks Records recording stars Soluna.(Evernham Motorsports site)(4th of July 2002)
Eight People Injured in Lightning strike: A lightning strike on the grounds at Daytona International Speedway left eight people in need of medical attention Thursday. Track officials said track employee Walter Williams and race fans Richard Santora, Alfred and Mary Greene and Dwayne and Derek Decoux were treated and released at care centers at the track, where qualifying for the Pepsi 400 was scheduled for later Thursday. Two other guests, Brian and Tina Decoux, were taken to nearby Halifax Medical Center, where they were treated and released. Around 4 p.m., a strong thunderstorm swept through Daytona Beach, drenching the raceway and halting Winston Cup practice.(ThatsRacin.com)(4th of July 2002)
Dixon out drags Johnson in Vote: Larry Dixon, who has dominated the National Hot Rod Association's Top Fuel division for much of this season, edged Winston Cup rookie Jimmie Johnson in the second-quarter voting for Driver of the Year by a 16-member media panel and fans voting on ESPN.com. Dixon, who got eight first-place votes and 96 points in the balloting while Johnson got 88 points, went to the final round in six straight NHRA events from April 28 to June 16 and won four. He's only the second drag racer to win recognition from the panel. John Force won the annual award in 1996.(ThatsRacin.com)(4th of July 2002)
Schrader wins ARCA race at South Boston: Ken Schrader won the pole and the race at South Boston Speedway Wednesday night in the Big Daddy's Liberty 200. It was Schrader's 9th ARCA RE/MAX Series victory in his 25th attempt. 2nd was series regular #46-Frank Kimmel and 3rd was #25-Billy Venturini. See ARCARAcing.com for race results and news.(4th of July 2002)
Home Depot to host Gold Medalists: The Home Depot will host seven 2002 Olympic Winter Games medalists at Daytona on Saturday, July 6. Derek Parra, Tristan Gale, Garrett Hines, Rusty Smith, Dan Steele, Monte Meier and Danielle Goyette, who all financed their training by working for the home improvement retailer will sign autographs at The Home Depot Experience rig located at the corporate display area from 2-4pm and attend other pre-race activities as a guest of Home Depot Pontiac driver Tony Stewart. The athletes will watch the Pepsi 400 NASCAR Winston Cup Series race from the air-conditioned comfort of The Home Depot VIP suite.(Edelman/Home Depot PR)(4th of July 2002)
Third BDR Team? UPDATE 3 Wimmer to stay in BGN too: Bill Davis Racing might field a third Winston Cup car for Scott Wimmer in selected races this season, Mike Brown said. Wimmer is driving a limited BGN schedule. The team fields [#23] Pontiacs in the BGN but has Dodges in the Winston Cup series, so what Wimmer's team learns at some tracks does not relate to the Winston Cup teams. Also, a third car gives the team another car to help promote its Cup sponsors. Wimmer's first race might be at the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis in two months. If that goes well, he could go to other Cup races.(Roanoke Times)(6-10-2002) UPDATE - BDR to fold BGN team, moves up to Cup part time: NASCAR Winston Cup Scene reports this week that Bill Davis Racing will fold its #23 BGN team after the July 5 event at Daytona and move driver Scott Wimmer to the Winston Cup Series for seven races. The report says Siemens will sponsor the car, which will make its first appearance in the July 13 Tropicana 400 at Chicagoland.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(6-19-2002) UPDATE 2: Siemens will expand its strong relationship with Bill Davis Racing by moving its primary sponsorship from the BGN to the Cup series beginning July 14 in Chicago. Scott Wimmer, will pilot the #27 Siemens Dodge for a total of seven Winston Cup races, thus preserving his rookie status for 2003. After Chicago, Siemens will compete at Indianapolis, Bristol, Dover, Charlotte/Lowes, Atlanta and Phoenix. Siemens is completing its fifth year as a NASCAR sponsor and fourth with Bill Davis Racing. Siemens is also an associate sponsor with Hills Brothers Coffee on the #23 Dodge driven by race veteran Hut Stricklin. "This is a logical step for the entire organization," said Bill Davis of Bill Davis Racing.. "Wimmer's a great driver with a strong future, and Siemens is committed to developing a successful program." John Dimmerling, director, Corporate Marketing Communications for Siemens Energy & Automation, said,. "We value our relationship with Bill and Gail Davis, and their efforts to expand our racing program. Our goal is to take this increased Winston Cup presence and use it to leverage additional opportunities with our channel partners, as well as to increase the involvement of other Siemens operating companies." In 17 starts this year, 26-year-old Wisconsin native, Wimmer is sixth in Busch Series points, has.five top-five finishes,.seven top-10s, and 14 top-20s. (Bill Davis Racing PR) see an image of the car on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(NOTE: it was reported a few months ago that the new BBR tean would carry the #27 with Krk Shelmerdine driving, that seems not to be the case.(7-1-2002) BUT the team will still run in a limited number of BGN races for the rest of the season without a sponsor (unless one signs on)(Fox Sports Net - Totally NASCAR). The team will run a Dodge at Daytona in the BGN, not sure if they will continue that or stay with a Pontiac.(7-2-2002) UPDATE 3: Scott Wimmer, whose future in the BGN series appears to change daily. Earlier this week, Bill Davis Racing announced Wimmer would discontinue running full time in the BGN series following this race and would run seven Winston Cup races this season. Wimmer's strong performance of late - he's moved to sixth following his third-place finish at Milwaukee last weekend - has prompted Davis to leave him in the series for at least the next four races. "We're a real underfunded team and we just have a lot of people that work real hard. It's a shame for a team like this not to run," Wimmer said. "We're going to give it four more races and if we can't get ourselves a sponsor, we'll probably pull out for the rest of the year. If I can keep running well and we can hook a good sponsor, I think we'll stay."(ThatsRacin.com)(4th of July 2002)
(7-3-2002)
2003 Pontiac approved: NASCAR has given final approval to the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix and Pontiac teams should be able to build cars with the new design within the next few weeks. The car, which has been under development since August 2001, passed a battery of wind tunnel and track tests this spring and was approved last week. Race fans will get their first look at the new car in action at the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16, 2003. Pontiac officials say the new Grand Prix adopts many of the aerodynamic underpinnings NASCAR has established as a competitive baseline for new race cars but also maintains the visual styling representative of Pontiac's brand character. "The approval of the new Grand Prix is a firm statement that Pontiac is a major competitor in NASCAR," said Lynn Myers, general manager of Pontiac-GMC.(ThatsRacin.com)(7-3-2002)
#55 scheme at Chicago: On July 14th, Inside Traxx invades Chicagoland Speedway for the NBC televised Tropicana 400 as multi-platinum recording artist Jo Dee Messina performs a pre-race concert, sings the National Anthem and has her likeness and Inside Traxx logo on the #55 Schneider Electric Chevy. Bobby and Jo Dee team up at the beginning of the race and hope to end up together in the Winner's Circle.(Motorsports Decisions Group) see an image of the car on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(7-3-2002)
The Goat: She's only 4 months old, but this kid has all the makings of a star. Race fans have been flocking to Interlachen [FL] to see Lil' Dale, a 4-month-old goat that sports a No. 3 on her right flank. Meet Lil' Dale, a goat with one heck of a coat that has race fans flocking to this tiny town west of Palatka. The brown, Nubian goat was born with a distinctive white "3" - the number of racing legend Dale Earnhardt - on her right side. So while poised to become the darling of the NASCAR set, Lil' Dale's owners hope this one-of-a-kind kid also can make it in showbiz. Although a Gainesville advertising agency has offered to market Lil' Dale, Pierson is taking a lighthearted approach to the kid's potential celebrity status. But this is new territory for Pierson and his wife, Laura, a retired schoolteacher, who have been raising animals for the past 26 years. Ever since Lil' Dale popped up on a few local newscasts, racing fans and curious onlookers have headed down the narrow road that leads to the Piersons' farm. "It's weird," Pierson said. "I've seen people take pictures and get tears in their eyes." Pierson said there's no painting, shaving or anything else involved in Lil' Dale's signature coat. She was just born that way, he said. The Piersons have no problem with race fans coming to them, just so long as there isn't a caravan of RVs parked alongside the narrow roadway. See a full story and an image of the Goat at the Daytona Beach News Journal.(note: do not email me the image, it'll be discarded) and a AP story at ABC News.(7-3-2002)
Autopsy Photo Law Upheld: A judge in Broward County Circuit Court has upheld Florida's so-called "Earnhardt Law" that restricts public access to autopsy photos. The law was passed in March 2001, just more than a month after the death of seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt in a crash during the Daytona 500. Earnhardt's widow, Teresa, lobbied for the law that makes it a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine for unauthorized persons to view or copy autopsy photos without a court order. Judge Leroy Moe's court order issued Wednesday says the Florida legislature "applied a proper balancing" of "the right to privacy, the right to freedom of press and speech, the right of the people to have access to public records and the right to be left alone," rights which sometimes clash. The law also was upheld by Volusia County Circuit Judge Joseph Will last year. That ruling was appealed to the 5th District Court of Appeals in Daytona Beach. After Will's ruling, the Sun-Sentinel newspaper in Broward County requested to see photos from all autopsies performed in five Florida counties in the past year. Broward County, citing the "Earnhardt Law," said the photos from that county would be provided only if the newspaper got permission from the families involved or showed just cause for the release of the photos. Wednesday's ruling by Judge Moe came in the newspaper's challenge of that decision by Broward County.(ThatsRacin.com) and see the history of the law at the Daytona Beach News Journal and Orlando Sentinel.(7-3-2002)
NASCAR and the Soap Box Derby: The All-American Soap Box Derby, which has been looking for ways to get broader national exposure, is about to get a boost from one of the best-known racing organizations in the land. NASCAR, confirmed Tuesday it is planning a ``youth initiative'' with the Akron-based derby. Neither side would provide details, but said they would make a formal announcement Friday [July 5th] in Daytona, FL. Tony DeLuca, executive director of the All-American Soap Box Derby, also declined to comment. ``It's really premature,'' he said. ``We really can't make any statements right now.'' The 65-year-old derby, which once boasted a large following and attracted the likes of James Stewart, Rock Hudson and Eddie Rickenbacker to Akron, has seen its popularity wane over the decades. It struggled in recent years to find a large financial backer before Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. agreed to become the national sponsor in 1998, contributing $300,000 a year to the event. Goodyear became the first high-profile national sponsor since Chevrolet pulled out in 1972. The Akron tire maker also helps to promote the race at its retail centers and gives out free tickets. In return, it gets its name prominently displayed at the derby and on derby merchandise. The announcement on Friday will come on the cusp of the next soap box derby. The July 27 championship event will attract 415 racers from 43 states plus Germany, the Philippines, Japan and Canada -- a record number, DeLuca said. The event will be held at Derby Downs on Akron's southeast side, near the Rubber Bowl and Akron Fulton International Airport. NASCAR already has a loose connection to the derby. One of NASCAR's directors is part owner of Brand Sense Marketing, a Los Angeles-based marketing services company. That firm announced last fall that it had been named the exclusive marketing agent for the derby.(Akron Beacon Journal)(7-3-2002)
Berggren interviews NASCAR brass for magazine: The August issue of Speedway Illustrated is out and it includes an extensive article from Dick Berggren that is his State of the Union address on NASCAR. Berggren was able to get exclusive interviews with NASCAR powers like Bill France Jr., Mike Helton, Brian France, George Pyne, and Jim Hunter. You've got to give credit to Berggren for the questions he poses to NASCAR's top brass.(MotorsportsTV)(7-3-2002)
Fox and DISH Come to Last-Minute Agreement for 21 Cities: NASCAR fans who subscribe to Dish Network in 21 cities should be very happy. They came very close to not being able to watch Saturday night's race. After marathon talks that went down to the wire, EchoStar Communications (owner of Dish Network) said it reached an agreement to continue broadcasting Fox Network owned and operated stations in 21 cities, the Wall Street Journal reports. A spokesman for EchoStar said the negotiations, which ended just before the 1 a.m. Pacific time deadline, ended with a "multiyear agreement" to continue beaming those stations to viewers in Los Angeles, Denver, Philadelphia, Atlanta and other cities. EchoStar had threatened to cut off the stations after a three-year pact was set to expire. Other details of the new agreement weren't immediately available.(MotorsportsTV)(7-3-2002)
Bobble Heads UPDATE: Race fans are heading to the nearest Arby's restaurant to grab the sport's hottest new collectibles, commemorative bobbing head dolls of four popular drivers from the Coca-Cola Racing Family. Arby's and Coca-Cola have teamed up to offer fans these unique figures, which capture the likenesses of fan favorites and Coca-Cola Racing Family members Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Ricky Rudd and Tony Stewart. The bobbing head dolls, available while supplies last at participating Arby's restaurants around the country in July, have a suggested retail price of $3.99 with the purchase of any Arby's Combo Meal. The hand-painted, 6-inch dolls feature each driver sitting in a Coca-Cola Racing Family stock car, wearing their racing suit and sunglasses and holding a Coca-Cola. The cornerstone of Coca-Cola's involvement in motor sports is the Coca-Cola Racing Family, a collection of the most popular drivers in stockcar racing and some of the sport's rising stars. Members of the Coca-Cola Racing Family make public appearances, are featured in advertising campaigns and appear on vending machines, packaging and Coca-Cola merchandise. The drivers have also appeared in fun pre-feature entertainment pieces, seen in thousands of movie theaters across the country.(7-2-2002) UPDATE: please note these are participating Arby's restaurants, I have no idea which of the thousand's of Arby's have them and am not gonna post a list, know here in south NJ, I have not seen them. Been told that most
of the participating Arby's are in the Southeast and that some Arby's are begining the promotion locally at different times in the month. Some Arby's use Pepsi products, would imagine they would not have them.(7-3-2002)
(7-2-2002)
Harvick set to re-sign with RCR: In one of the first interviews he has granted in several weeks, Winston Cup driver Kevin Harvick [#29 GM Goodwrench Chevy] said Monday night he plans to sign a long-term deal with Richard Childress Racing and remain driver of the team of the late Dale Earnhardt for the foreseeable future. The deal, which owner Richard Childress has said he has been working on in recent weeks, should end the rampant speculation that has engulfed Harvick and Childress since NASCAR "parked" Harvick for the April race at Martinsville. Harvick said he hopes the deal, which he said will be made official and a formal news conference in the coming weeks, will end speculation that his relationship with Childress has gone sour.(see full story at ThatsRacin.com)(7-2-2002)
Berrier back in the #90 car at Daytona, team will run at Chicago also: Ed Berrier will return to drive Junie Donlavey's #90 Ford at Daytona this weekend. The Richmond-based team also has committed to running the July 14 race at Chicagoland Speedway. After losing its sponsor, Donlavey's operation skipped the June 23 race at Sonoma, CA. Berrier, who drove 10 races for Donlavey Racing in the 2000 season, will become the team's fourth driver this season. Rick Mast started 2002 behind the wheel but has been sidelined since May with an undetermined illness [still no word on his condition]. Hermie Sadler and Gary Bradberry also have driven for Donlavey during the past few races.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(7-2-2002)
Benson wants whole team intact: Johnny Benson's name continued to pop up on the rumor mill page last week. One rumor had him resigning with his MBV Motorsports team, but it later pulled back, stating he has yet to renew. Benson stated exactly what's up during his two days at the Berlin Raceway in Marne this weekend. Benson said he wants to stay with the team, keep the crew intact and expand its resources. It's no secret that Benson and his crew chief, James Ince, enjoy a great working relationship. Rumors have swirled that Benson and Ince want to remain a team, and Benson said that is true. But Benson also made it clear that the entire crew is a close-knit group. "It goes further than just me and James," Benson said. "We have a good group of guys, and we have pretty good depth within our race team, and everybody in that shop is important. Our road crew is extremely tight. All but one or two people are the exact same crew when I started three years ago with this team."(Michigan Live)(7-2-2002)
Poison on the #37? hearing that the rock group Poison will be the feature band on the #37 Ford of Derrike Cope at Pocono. Ozzfest was on the car at Lowes Motor Speedway, Alabama was on the car in the June MIS (not Pocono - oops) race and The Rolling Stones are rumored to be featured at Indy in the Brickyard 400. What no AC/DC?(7-2-2002)
Sad News: Wissota mod driver Dave Harrison passed away this Friday night.. He was racing at Monster Hall Raceway in Unity, WI. He pulled off during the feature, said he didn't feel well and lost consciousness.. He was then transported to the local Hospital where he died of an apparent heart attack. Services will be held 7:00pm Tuesday at the Taylor Funeral Home, with the Rev. Bradley Veenendaal officiating. Burial will take place at a later date. He was employed by General Electric as a computer engineer assigned to Mosinee Papers in Mosinee. Harrison served his country from 1976 to 1986 in the U.S. Navy and also served from 1986 to 1996 in the Naval Reserves. He was an avid race car driver, belonging to the Wissota Mods. Memorials may be given to charities chosen by the donors.(more info at Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune)(7-2-2002)
Papis in NASCAR? CART driver Max Papis, on the sidelines with no sponsorship the CART team he drivers for, was at Infineon Raceway [Sears Point-Sonoma] at the Winston Cup race. Papis said he talked to #32 Cup team owner Cal Wells who would like to get Papis started in NASCAR, maybe in the BGN series or some road courses [Wells os looking to start a 2nd Cup team in 2003]. Papis is also looking at the IRL and othe CART rides.(June 26th print edition of National Speed Sport News not on the site)(7-2-2002)
Harvick gets his MTV: #29-Kevin Harvick has landed a gig with the VH1 music channel. The Richard Childress Racing driver will co-host the "Top Ten All Time Greatest Driving Songs" with Rachel Perry on VH1 twice on Thursday and again on Sunday. VH1 says the hosts will cruise to Ocean Grove, N.J., while listening to "great music and making fun pit stops at places like Springsteen's famed Stone Pony club." The show is scheduled to run at 1 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (Eastern and Pacific times) on Thursday and at 10 a.m. Sunday.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(7-2-2002)
NASCAR museum in....Boca Raton? Boca Raton, FL businessman John H. Peddie wants to replace the International Museum of Cartoon Art with a stock-car racing hall of fame. Peddie envisions the three-story, 50,000-square-foot building becoming a museum for the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing with features such as driving simulators, an exhibit on stock car racing history and a NASCAR-themed restaurant.(Sun-Sentinel)(7-2-2002)
(7-1-2002)
Nadeau to the IRL? hearing that Jerry Nadeau, recently released from the #25 Delphi Automotive/UAW Hendrick Motorsports Chevy and close to winning the race at Infineno Racway in the #44, is under consideration for a ride in the IRL [Indy Racing League] in a 2nd Delphi Automotive IRL car either for a race or two late this season or 2003. Nadeau was also in the pits at Richmond with the Kelly Racing/Delphi Automotive/IRL team.(7-1-2002)
Kyle's Ride Ends: Charity was a big winner as the Sprint/Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America wound up at the Petty farm in Trinity, N.C., yesterday with a public concert and other events. Among those benefiting was Brenner's Children's Hospital, which received a check for $74,045. In his diary on the ride's Web site, Petty says several local businesses and civic groups also presented checks for almost $30,000 to Victory Junction Gang Camp.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter) and see links to Kyle's diary of eacy day on my Story/Columns Links page or see past info at the Sprint/Kyle Ride site.(7-1-2002)
Kenseth wins, Stewart Upset.....in Canada: Matt Kenseth pulled past CASCAR driver Don Thomson to ruin a fairy-tale ending at the Canada Day shootout at Cayuga Speedway before more than 15,000 fans -- the biggest crowd to watch an oval race in this country. Thomson, who had led most of the race, lost his chance to best Kennseth with eight laps to go in the 100-lap event. Kenseth, who already has won three Winston Cup races this season, was among six NASCAR drivers who raced in the event against Canada's best. Al Turner started third and finished third while battling Pete Gibbons and Thomson the entire 100 laps. Winston Cup stars Tony Stewart, Ken Schrader, Dave Blaney and Johnny Benson were never a factor in the race. CTS points leader Ted Musgrave ran in the top five for almost the whole race, but a pre-race decision to go light on fuel cost him a chance to win when his #1 Dodge ran out of gas with five laps left. In an incident near the end of the second 50-lap qualifying race Schrader and Stewart got together in turn two with the No. 20 Pontiac of Stewart ending up getting turned around. Once righted, Stewart went after the #36 of Schrader and pushed him into a spin in turn three. An obviously upset Stewart drove his Pete Vanderwyst-prepared Pontiac behind the pit wall for repairs without trying to better his place on the grid. (Toronto Sun and also see a story at WayMoreSports.com)(7-1-2002)
Shelmerdine doing more: Kirk Shelmerdine will be on hand at Hickory Speedway on July 27th - standing atop the MJ Motorsports pit box. Shelmerdine, who helped the late Dale Earnhardt win four Winston Cup titles, will call the shots for 19-year-old "Aazie" Zimbelmann who will make his USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series debut in an MJ Motorsports Chevrolet. Zimbelmann is a Rookie candidate in the NASCAR Late Model Super Truck Series at Hickory. "Adding Kirk to the mix was the final ingredient we needed to ensure a solid effort," said Mike Calinoff, "his influence on our program will be dramatic." Zimbelmann, who is currently 7th in the Hickory point standings, feels the addition of Shelmerdine will also work to help his confidence. "Mike (Calinoff) and Jenn (Kovach) have given me great equipment in the truck series and we are preparing an awesome car for the Hooters race. Having Kirk on board will certainly help us on pit strategy and adjustments." Shelmerdine is in the midst of boosting his own Winston Cup driving career. He will compete in at least five events this season with sponsorship from Hooters [actually Naturally Fresh in the #27? Ford]. He is the youngest crew chief ever to win a Winston Cup race and series title[in 1986-87,89-90 - actually thought Doug Richert at 19 years old in 1980 was the youngest].(MJ Motorsports PR)(7-1-2002)
