DJ Wins at Michigan: #88-Dale Jarrett wins the Pepsi 400 at Michigan after spinning thru the grass on lap 12 of the race and taking four tires when most took two on the 2nd to last caution. It was Jarrett's 4th win at MIS and this race has been run on August 18th three times (1991, 1996 and 2002) and who won? Dale Jarrett. #99-Jeff Burton came a few laps short as the engine went sour and finally blew at the checkers. #20-Tony Stewart finished 2nd, followed by #29-Kevin Harvick, #99-Jeff Burton and #6-Mark Martin. Race Results: at ThatsRacin.com or NASCAR.com.(8-18-2002)
No Chevy for Gibbs in 2002: Joe Gibbs Racing was considering running the 2002 [Chevy] Monte Carlo in several events this year. Driving that consideration was the Pontiac’s performance on the flatter, intermediate tracks combined with the Gibbs organization desire to stay in the point hunt as the season closed. Michigan was one of the tracks where Gibbs was thinking a Monte Carlo would be better than a Grand Prix. The team, after testing the Monte Carlo, decided that it wasn’t worth the more than a half-million dollar investment it would have taken to make the car competitive; and took Michigan off the table. With Michigan off the table the decision to scrap all plans for the 2002 Monte Carlo was an easy one for the Gibbs organization to make. The two-car Gibbs operation is readying for their wholesale swap to Chevrolet hardware for the 2003 season, but the new car has not been officially approved and templates are not officially released. That will change, however, when NASCAR approves the 2003 Monte, which will in all likelihood come as a package with the standardized body locations bulletin.(Ford Racing)(8-18-2002)
Body Rule Change Coming: Winston Cup series director John Darby said Saturday that a new rule is coming to standardize the body location of cars racing in the series, possibly within a week. There is now no restriction on how far forward or backward the body on a Cup car can be located. Teams vary that position from track to track to help balance the car. In general terms, bodies are moved forward on superspeedways to keep air off the rear spoilers and reduce drag, and moved backward on shorter tracks. Darby said NASCAR will require the same measurement for all cars raced on all tracks, with a tolerance of a half- or three-quarters of a inch on either side. The challenge, Darby said, is to set a measurement that will keep teams in the series from having to cut off and rehang sheet metal on most of the cars in their fleets.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-18-2002)
New Tire for Dover: Goodyear plans to bring a new tire to Dover International Speedway for the MBNA America 400 [actually renamed to the All American Heroes 400] on Sept. 22. That decision could leave teams scrambling with their setups. The new tire will be softer, allowing for more grip in the turns, but also will wear faster. That means lap times should slow dramatically during green-flag runs.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(8-18-2002)
Wells to Pontiac, Ford not Happy UPDATE: When Cal Wells III announces Saturday morning that he’ll trade in his Ford hardware for Pontiac hardware for his 2003 program it will come as no surprise that Ford Motor Company is displeased with Wells’ decision, but not for the reason that might come readily to mind. It’s not that Ford is upset Wells is making a move that he believes will help his team, which has not finished in the Top-10 since the June 2 race at Dover, become stronger. No, far from it, because Ford understands that everyone needs to keep their best interests in mind when planning their future. Rather the displeasure comes from the way Wells went about his separation from the company that helped him break into NASCAR racing. Until Thursday, Wells had a handshake deal with Ford Racing Technology’s North American Racing Operations Manager, Greg Specht to continue using Ford hardware for the 2003 season. Specht, who has repeatedly said that he’ll take a man at his word — and handshake — had no doubt of Wells’ intentions to honor his word. Specht’s better nature was truly tested, however, when Wells made the call on Thursday telling Specht that Wells was making the switch. “I was very disappointed when I got a phone call from Cal [Thursday] morning to inform me that while he had not signed a deal with Pontiac, he intended to sign a deal with Pontiac,” Specht said in a visible departure from his normally mild-mannered disposition. “Just back at Sears Point [Calif.] we shook hands on an agreement that I had presented to him and that I had followed up with in writing; and they had told us that they hadn’t signed that agreement because they were working on some language with their sponsor that didn’t have any impact on our deal. They just wanted to make sure there weren’t any legal terms that conflicted with our deal. I was very disappointed and now know what a handshake means to Mr. Wells and I will act appropriately in the future.” But Specht doesn’t live in a void. How could it be that he didn’t hear the rumors that Wells was making a run for Pontiac? Well, to be honest, Specht did hear the rumors, but he just didn’t believe that Wells had anything but honorable intentions and that the commitment made at Sears Point would be honored. “I heard the rumors and a couple of times I was about to get on my phone and call Cal and say, ‘I’m hearing these rumors that you’re talking to Pontiac,’ said Specht. But assurances were offered by Wells’ organization. “One of his people, his lawyer in fact, called my guy who handles my contracts and said, ‘Don’t pay attention to those rumors. We don’t have a problem with you guys. We’re just waiting to get this legal language cleared up.’” Another burr under Specht’s saddle is that when Wells began looking at Winston Cup Racing, Ford worked with him and tailored a program to help the newcomer avoid the pit falls that can consume a new car owner in this sport.(more at Ford Racing) AND PPI Motorsports will use the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix for its NASCAR Winston Cup program for driver Ricky Craven next season, team owner Cal Wells III announced Saturday morning at Michigan International Speedway.(NASCAR.com - see a nice image of the car there)(8-17-2002) UPDATE: Yesterday Pontiac executives said that Cal Wells would be moving from Ford to Pontiac, apparently with an engine deal with Richard Childress.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-18-2002)
Talladega Fuel Cell Filler: When NASCAR decided to cut the size of the fuel cells for the Talladega race in October, they decided to leave the fuel cell area the same size so that the teams wouldn't have to make changes to that area. Problem was the extra space around a smaller fuel cell. That area, on both sides of the cell will be filled with a combination of aluminum and foam mixture. The foam block will measure approximately 17 x 9 1\4 x 9 91\4 inches. The aluminum mixed with the foam will give it strength and also keep it light in weight, said John Darby, NASCAR's Competition Director.(Insider Racing News)(8-18-2002)
Said Wins: part time Cup driver Boris Said drove to his Trans-Am series-leading fourth win of the season in the Johnson Controls 100 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. He took the lead from Don Sak on the 11th of 25 laps and beat Paul Gentilozzi by 0.866 seconds.(Indianapolis Star)(8-18-2002)
An Fan could win $43k today: Race Fan Could Win $43,000 From Meijer at Pepsi 400 If the #43-Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge driven by John Andretti finishes in the Top 5 at the Pepsi 400 at Michigan, one lucky race fan will win $43,000 from Meijer Stores. Marka Cote of South Bend, Ind., who won Meijer's "King for a Day" sweepstakes, is sure to be on the edge of her seat for all 400 miles of the race. In addition to the chance to win $43,000, Cote won honorary co-ownership of the #43 for the race and an honorary Helping Hands pit crew membership along with race tickets, hospitality and hotel accommodations for race weekend. General Mills and its Cheerios and Betty Crocker brands have been the primary sponsors of the #43 Petty Enterprises-owned car since 2000. For more information about Cheerios Racing, visit www.cheerios.com/racing. Meijer is a family owned and operated grocery and general merchandise retailer operating 156 stores throughout Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio. Meijer can be found on the INTERNET at meijer.com.(PR)(8-18-2002)
(8-17-2002)
Been asked, didn't know, here ya go - Seven cars Dyno'd at Indy UPDATE: Seven cars, including the #9 Dodge of race winner Bill Elliott, were put on the chassis dynamometer for testing following Sunday's race at Indy - Brickyard 400. The device measures rear wheel horsepower. The other cars were those of #20-Tony Stewart, #2-Rusty Wallace, #17-Matt Kenseth, #29-Kevin Harvick, #24-Jeff Gordon and #88-Dale Jarrett.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-5-2002) UPDATE: Perhaps you recall several weeks ago NASCAR administered chassis dyno testing. In those NASCAR tests the motor in #9-Bill Elliot’s car turned 685 horsepower at the rear wheels following the Indianapolis win. But all the other cars tested that day showed more than 700 hp, with #2-Rusty Wallace’s Larry Wallace (no relation)-built motor producing 740 horsepower. The others tested following the Indy event all showed power over 700 hp with #24-Jeff Gordon’s SB2 based block running 708 hp, #17-Matt Kenseth’s at 715 hp, #20-Tony Stewart’s SB2 based platform giving 733 hp, #2-Wallace’s at 740 and the monster of the lot coming from the Robert Yates camp in the form of the #88-Dale Jarrett, which turned a generous 749 horsepower. (Ford Racing)(8-17-2002)
Stewart to have help at the track: Tony Stewart, who qualified 24th, will have on-site anger management counseling available the rest of the season. His counselor is scheduled to arrive at Michigan International Speedway today and has cleared his schedule to travel with Stewart to the remaining 13 races. Stewart is on probation for the rest of the season from NASCAR and sponsor Home Depot for punching a free-lance photographer working for The Indianapolis Star after the Brickyard 400. His Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Bobby Labonte, said this latest incident has gotten Stewart's attention. "If anything is going to change, this is the time," Labonte said.(Indianapolis Star)(8-17-2002)
SAFER at Talladega - Inside walls UPDATE no? NASCAR officials are to be at Talladega Superspeedway later this month to approve installation of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's impact-absorbing SAFER barrier on the track's inside retaining walls. The system could be in place for the Oct. 6 EA Sports 500 race. Most racing crashes involve the outside wall, but a barrier on the inside wall would help protect drivers from secondary impacts. NASCAR hasn't approved the system for Talladega's outside walls. Dean Sicking, SAFER's lead developer, is working to adapt the barrier, which was developed to fit Indianapolis Motor Speedway and introduced there in May, to high-banked tracks and short tracks with tight turns.(USA Today Print Edition)(8-16-2002) UPDATE: Ken Patterson, PR director for Talladega Superspeedway, say it's not likely that the SAFER wall, similar to the one installed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will be installed in time for the October 6 EA Sports 500 Winston Cup race. "Dr. Dean Sickling of the University of Nebraska and NASCAR were out to assess the situation about a month ago," said Patterson, "but unless they have come up with a way to install it very quickly, It's unlikely that it will happen by October. We have testing and other things going on. No one has said a word to us about installing the SAFER wall. I don't know for sure about what NASCAR would have in mind and I don't know where that story came from, but I don't believe they would just show up one day and start working on the project, but I've also learned to never say never."(Insider Racing News)(8-17-2002)
Pontiac Updates: Pontiac officials, stung by the loss of Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte, are restocking the pantry, and at least two new Pontiac teams are expected to be announced over the next week, beginning today. Car owner Larry McClure is expected to move from Chevy to Pontiac, and car owner Cal Wells is expected to move from Ford to Pontiac. Pontiac's A. J. Foyt is expected to return next season with Harrah's as sponsor and maybe Larry Foyt driving. However, there is word now that Ricky Craven is not too pleased with Wells' decision to leave Ford. If so, it is unclear if Ford officials might make a play to keep him a Ford next season.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-17-2002)
Rudd/Ganassi deal dead? UPDATE: In a startling twist, the Ricky Rudd-Chip Ganassi-Texaco now appears to be dead, according to sources on both sides. Rudd and Ganassi have been on the verge of finalizing their deal to run a third Dodge team next year under Texaco's Havoline logo. In fact a press conference had been scheduled Tuesday to announce the deal. It was abruptly cancelled late Monday night without explanation. The surprising development came after Rudd and Ganassi had what is described as a blowup in Ganassi's office in which Rudd was asked to leave. Exasperated Texaco officials, who have been displeased with the split between Rudd and car owner Robert Yates, were ready to pull the plug on their NASCAR sponsorships. But sources close to Ganassi said last night that he had persuaded Texaco to sponsor his planned third team, with a to-be-named driver (maybe Bobby Hamilton). Ganassi sources said that Jimmy Spencer might be back with the team in 2003, depending on how well he performs over the next four or five weeks. Rudd was displeased with Ganassi's decision last week to push Jimmy Spencer aside at Watkins Glen in favor of road racer Scott Pruett, according to team sources. That move left Spencer without a provisional, and he failed to make the field. There is also a report that Rudd wanted a two-year contract, while Ganassi was only willing to offer one year.(Winston Salem Journal) UPDATE: While teamfordracing.com was unable to get official confirmation from anyone involved, word in the garage is that the conversations between Chevron and Ganassi have slowed, with some industry thinkers believing that the deal, if not dead, is on heavy life support. Ganassi’s only comment, today, came in the form of a press release that admonished one of the industry’s weekly trade papers, along with the writer, for running a story that said the Chevron/Ganassi deal was completed. Ganassi, in the written release, stressed, “Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates has not announced its 2003 sponsor and driver plans.” Rudd has clammed up about his plans for 2003, but did respond to questioning by saying, “I didn’t say there was no news going on, I just said I ain’t got nothing to say, yet.”(Ford Racing)(8-17-2002)
(8-16-2002)
Park re-signs with DEI: Dale Earnhardt, Inc. has signed Steve Park to a one-year contract extension to remain as the driver of the #1 Pennzoil Monte Carlo through the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season. "Steve is a talented race car driver and has continually shown his dedication and commitment to our sport, " said team owner Teresa Earnhardt. "We look forward with anticipation and expectation that this continuity will ensure that the #1 Pennzoil Monte Carlo lives up to its potential."
"I feel great that all we've put into re-signing with Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Pennzoil has paid off," said Park, Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s first Winston Cup driver. "I'm really happy that I'll be in the #1 car for another season. Now that we have this behind us, we can concentrate on putting the #1 Pennzoil Chevy back in Victory Lane." Park, 34, has driven for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. since 1996. The East Northport, N.Y. native, has scored three NASCAR Busch Grand National Series wins and two Winston Cup wins with the organization.(Steve Park Site and Letter from Steve Park)(8-16-2002)
Benson and Ince re-up with MBV: Valvoline Racing and MB2 Motorsports announced today that Johnny Benson and Crew Chief James Ince have signed multi-year contract extensions to continue at the #10 Valvoline Pontiac. Benson said the foundation already in place at the Concord, N.C. race shop was a factor in his decision to return to the #10 team. “My goal is to do well and retire from this place some day,” said Benson. “James and I have said from the start that we wanted to keep all of the crew members, team owners, and sponsors together and that is just what we have done. We know we have the foundation for a winning effort here and there is no place we’d rather work.” Benson and Ince have been with the #10 team since 2000 when they nearly won the Daytona 500 in a car fielded by Tyler Jet Motorsports. Midway through the year MB2 purchased Tyler Jet’s assets. In 2001 Valvoline became an equal partner with MB2 making it the first consumer products company to own a Winston Cup team. Jim Rocco, senior vice president at Valvoline, said continuity is an important ingredient to success in racing and one of the reasons why Valvoline wanted to continue the Benson and Ince relationship. “This is great news for our company and all of our fans. We wanted Johnny and James and I know they wanted to stay with us. We think the team they have built and the people involved in our program are the kind Valvoline wants to be associated with. We took a bold step in owning this team so we have had a strong interest in making sure we have the people in place that we wanted.” Ince, who at 31 years of age is one of the youngest crew chief in the Winston Cup garage, said this contract would not change his goals. “Our goal is to win with Valvoline Pontiac. Simple as that. I have always said if they weren’t paying us a dime, we would want to win races. I’d trade all the money in the world for a trophy.” Team General Manager Jay Frye said bringing Benson and Ince back was not a tough decision. “Keeping Johnny and James together was a priority from the moment that the year started. We wanted to have them locked in by mid-season and that’s exactly what we have done,” Frye said. “Silly season gets earlier and earlier each year so while we weren’t the first team to announce our plans we are on the scheduled we set for ourselves in the off-season.”(PR - Johnny Benson Fanclub)(8-16-2002)
Ground Breaking on Earnhardt Tribute, Tritt may sing at unveiling: An unveiling for the sculpture marking the Dale Earnhardt Tribute at Kannapolis' Funderburk Park is tentatively set for Oct. 9, and there's a possibility country music star Travis Tritt will attend and perform. A ground breaking at the site will be held this coming Wednesday at 4 p.m., and members of the Earnhardt family are expected to attend, said City Manager Mike Mahaney. The unveiling was briefly mentioned at Thursday's Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting. Chamber CEO John Cox, who befriended Tritt more than a decade ago when both were living in suburban Atlanta, Ga., said local officials are making every effort to get the country music star to Kannapolis on Oct. 9. City officials plan to release a photo of the 9-foot tall bronze depiction of Earnhardt on Monday, but it will be somewhat vague in an effort to mount suspense, Kannapolis Public Information Officer Jennifer Woodford said.(more at the Independent Tribune)(8-16-2002)
Childress and the Little League World Series: Richard Childress will take a private plane from Michigan to Williamsport, Pa., for the Southwest Forsyth (N.C.) team's first LLWS game Saturday. Childress' 12-year-old grandson, Austin Dillon, is playing second base in the Little League World Series. Childress will be back for Sunday's Winston Cup race; his wife, Judy, will go to Sunday's ballgame. Austin's father — Mike Dillon, Childress' son-in-law — drove three years in the Busch Grand National series. He now works on the business side of Richard Childress Racing.(USA Today)(8-16-2002)
Biffle at MIS: BGN points leader Greg Biffle will try to make his second-career start in a NASCAR Winston Cup event by attempting to qualify for the Pepsi 400 televised on TNT from Michigan International Speedway on Sun., Aug. 18. Biffle will be driving the #16 Roush Racing, TNT-sponsored Team Caliber Ford Taurus and will be working with the same Grainger team he currently works with in the BGN. Biffle's only other start in a NASCAR Winston Cup points race came at California Speedway on April 27, where he qualified 29th and finished 13th. On Saturday Aug. 17, TNT racing analyst Wally Dallenbach will get behind the wheel for BGN from Michigan. This will be the first of three races he will run for Tommy Baldwin Racing and sponsor "Pepsi". Dallenbach, currently an analyst for TNT/NBC's NASCAR coverage, drove in more than 200 races during his 10-year career on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit. With Dallenbach in the car, TNT will be able to bring viewers even closer to the action as analyst Benny Parsons and play-by-play announcer Allen Bestwick talk to him throughout the race as the network airs the race at 1:30pm/et. Additional cameras will also be installed in Dallenbach's car showing front, rear and side views, as well as, showing his feet and hand movements. This allows fans to see the footwork and movements required by drivers in order to navigate the two-mile superspeedway.(Turner PR), see images of the car on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(8-16-2002)
Special Scheme at Bristol for Busch: The Sharpie brand, the world's most popular family of permanent markers and title sponsor of the Sharpie 500, unveiled a special paint scheme for Kurt Busch's #97 Ford, defending Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) champion. The special one-time look will be featured at the Sharpie 500 on Saturday, August 24 under the lights. Busch won the Food City 500 in March at BMS, his first Winston Cup career victory, driving a special paint scheme that officially kicked off the Sharpie "You Could Win A $1,000,000" program and race to the Sharpie 500. The design features a red Sharpie permanent marker, which is one of the most popular of the more than 12 colors made by Sharpie. Sharpie chose to feature red because the color means speed. The Sharpie 500 will not only have a car carrying its name, but also play host to what could be a million dollar giveaway. Sharpie, in its second year of title sponsorship of the Bristol Night Race, will be bringing 10 individuals from its national sweepstakes that ended August 13 to BMS on August 24 for a chance at what could be $1 million. On Saturday night before the Sharpie 500, one of the 10 semifinalists will randomly draw a qualified driver from the field of 43. If that driver wins, the lucky finalist pockets $1 million; $100,000 for 2nd through 5th place; $50,000 for 6th through 10th place; and $10,000 for any finish outside of the top 10. For more details, visit www.sharpie500.com.(Sanford PR), see an image of the scheme on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(8-16-2002)
Winston Back to Lowe's in 2003? UPDATE 3: The Charlotte, N.C., area will likely know by the end of next week that it’s going to get one more chance to show how much it cares about having The Winston all-star race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco officials are working out the details on an announcement of the site for the 2003 running of The Winston. The Charlotte Observer has learned that a news conference is tentatively planned for Wednesday afternoon at the Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, the home base for RJR.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-14-2002) UPDATE: During yesterday's conference call on Speedway Motorsports' financial results, Humpy Wheeler was asked when they would know if The Winston returns to Charlotte for 2003. Humpy's answer: "I expect it to be in the next two to three weeks because NASCAR is finalizing the schedule right now." Then he was asked about possibility of legal action against NASCAR if they lose The Winston. His reply: "Regarding legal action against NASCAR , we are working with them to resolve as best we can the Winston situation."(MotorsportsTV)(8-15-2002) UPDATE 2: The Winston all-star race will return next year to Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, officials familiar with the event confirmed today. NASCAR had considered pulling the race out of the Cabarrus County speedway, just across the county line from Mecklenburg, and sending it to another city. Instead, NASCAR will give the track another year to host the race, and look to the community to help build up the event, the sources said. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., the sponsor of the NASCAR races, has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday [Aug 21st] to formally discuss the fate of the Winston. A Reynolds spokesman would neither confirm nor deny the event was returning to the Charlotte area. Officials in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties have been lobbying hard to keep The Winston. They have said they will work to raise $1.5 million and plan a month's worth of events leading up to the race next May.(Charlotte Observer)(8-15-2002) AND see another story at ThatsRacin.com: NASCAR's all-star race to return to Charlotte next year.(8-16-2002)
Dodge Personnel Moves: Dodge Motorsports announced promotions within its organization on Thursday. Tim Culbertson, former Program Manager Dodge NASCAR Winston Cup Engineering, has been promoted to Manager Advanced Vehicle Packaging. Ted Flack, former Manager NASCAR Engine Programs, Dodge Engineering, will take over for Culbertson. Also, John Worley, former Manager Dodge NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, is now Senior Manager PVO Performance Parts and Motorsports.(Golin/Harris PR)(8-16-2002)
Habitat for Humanity Dedicates Women Building a Legacy Home: Members of the Winston Cup Racing Wives Auxiliary, along with more than 70 local women volunteers swung hammers, climbed ladders and picked up power tools to help the Hunt family build their home. Women built the home as part of Habitat for Humanity’s "Women Building a Legacy" program, which gives women the opportunity to move children out of poverty housing one family at a time.
Kris and Ann Marie Hunt, along with their six children, will receive the keys to their new home at the dedication service on Sunday, August 25th. Media are invited to attend and will have opportunities to interview Winston Cup Racing Wives Auxiliary members including Linda McReynolds, Debbie Parrott, Lisa Pemberton, Donna Lepage, Carolyn Yates and Deanna McSwain; homeowners Kris and Ann Marie Hunt, Habitat officials and volunteers. Women celebrities, state first ladies and women from all walks of life are working together to build a legacy of better housing for children whose health, growth and potential are threatened by substandard housing. Realizing they can transform children’s lives by simply ensuring that children have decent and safe places to lay their heads at night, "Women Building a Legacy," an 18-month program of Habitat for Humanity International’s Women Build department, empowers women to address the crisis of substandard housing and adds to the more than 350 Habitat houses built by women since 1991.(8-16-2002)
New Hire for Hendrick: Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) general manager Jeff Turner today named Patrick Perkins as director of marketing, assuming the duties of longtime company executive Dan Lohwasser, who lost his courageous three-year battle with cancer last month. Perkins, who joined HMS in 1999 as marketing manager and transitioned to director of marketing services in October of 2000, will lead sponsorship acquisition and servicing efforts while overseeing a 15-person department responsible for public relations, merchandising and licensing. The Upland, Calif., native graduated from California Lutheran University in 1992 with a degree in communication arts, joining Phoenix International Raceway later that year as marketing manager. In 1995, he became vice president and general manager of Phoenix-based Associated Companies, a group of advertising and promotional agencies specializing in the retail automotive industry, where he stayed until coming to HMS in 1999. Perkins, 34, currently resides in Charlotte, N.C., with his wife, Mary.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(8-16-2002)
(8-15-2002)
Morgan-McClure announcement at Bristol? hearing that the #4 Morgan McClure to Pontiac announcment could come at Bristol the weekend of August 23-24th.(8-15-2002)
It's Up to Andretti: It’s up to John Andretti to decide whether he wants to return to Petty Enterprises next year. Andretti has been contacted by at least two other Winston Cup teams and has yet to decide what he will do next season. Kyle Petty, however, has made it clear that he wants Andretti back in the No. 43 Dodge next season.(Winston Cup Scene - need subscribtion to read)(8-15-2002)
Spencer back with Ganassi? or is it Hamitlon? Whispers in the garage at The Glen said [Jimmy] Spencer might have made himself an uncomfortable bed with Ganassi. When asked about the buzz, Ganassi personnel were hardly supportive of the Berwick, Pa. native. Now, word from the Charlotte-area is telling teamfordracing.com that Bobby Hamilton is scheduled to have a sit down with Chip Ganassi when the tour arrives at Booklyn, MI [MIS] this weekend. Hamilton, who is being steered by Dodge executives to drive a Dodge in Winston Cup due to his ties to that company in the truck series, might be a logical piece to the very fluid Ganassi puzzle. After all, Ganassi said of Spencer last week that if he wanted to race like a kid, he should go race with kids.(Ford Racing)(8-15-2002)
Donlavey back at RIR? #90 team owner Junie Donlavey is contemplating a return to Winston Cup racing later this year. Donlavey has approached Robert Pressley about driving for the team in the Sept. 7 Monte Carlo 400 at his home track, Richmond International Raceway, and the UAW-GM 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway Oct. 13. Donlavey has been idle since competing with Hermie Sadler at Pocono Raceway June 9.(Winston Cup Scene - need subscribtion to read)(8-15-2002)
More on the Daytona tests: The speedway tests, which were performed at Daytona International on Tuesday, gave NASCAR a chance to tweak on the speedway aero package, yet again. Ten cars jumped the hoop and arrived at Daytona Beach, Fla., ready to roll. Representing the Ford effort were Dave Blaney, Geoff Bodine and Elliott Saddler. The tests, which were cut short due to rain in the area, focused mainly on the rear spoilers of the cars. The tests took logical steps and shorted both size and angle of the rear spoiler. The goals were to find a combination that made the cars looser so that the drivers would have to work the throttle to make a lap on Daytona International Speedway’ 2.5-mile high-banks. The test started with the current spoiler configuration (6-inches tall, 57-inches wide), and had the drivers running 49.40’s with their foot mashed to the floorboards. The next step of the test kicked the spoilers down to a 45-degree angle, which picked the lap times up by about .4 of a second. Driver comfort remained constant. NASCAR then whacked 4-inches off the sides of the spoilers and left the angle at 45 degrees. The drivers were, for the most part, able to keep the accelerator matted for an entire lap. The next step got the drivers working the accelerator, some, but the spoiler could be described as tiny with 4-inches cut off each side of the rear blade, and the height shortened to 4.5-inches. TFR’s source said that between the hard tires and the DIS lumpy surface the cars weren’t so much loose, but that they were out of control. A larger restrictor plate (increased from 15/16-inch from 7/8-inch) was put on a couple of cars, which of course worsened the handling problem.(Ford Racing) AND Ryan Pemberton calls it the "retro look," when he describes the aerodynamics of his Daytona 500 Ford for NASCAR's rain-shortened test at Daytona International Speedway yesterday: a shorter 4-1/2-inch rear spoiler laid back almost flat at 25 degrees.(see a HUGE column at Winston Salem Journal - lots more info on the testing there)(8-15-2002)
Long to run Bristol for Ware: Carl Long will team up with current Craftsman Truck Series team Ware Racing Enterprises to field the #51 Winston Cup effort in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 24th, 2002. Long will attempt to qualify the #51 RevivalSoy.com Dodge Ram for team owner Rick Ware. Ware is excited seeing his team step up to the challenge of Winston Cup racing. RevivalSoy.com, a retailer of soy products which have many health benefits and are a proven alternative to HRT, has signed on with Ware Racing as a primary sponsor for Bristol and an associate sponsor throughout the rest of the 2002 season. Although primary sponsorship is only in place for Bristol - Ware Racing and Carl Long plan to enter all remaining 2002 Winston Cup races, as well as a full time schedule in 2003.(Ware Racing PR)(8-15-2002)
Final Watkins Glen TV Ratings: NBC’s coverage of NASCAR Winston Cup racing from Watkins Glen on Sunday boasted the highest national rating for any sports telecast for the weekend and shattered the previous Watkins Glen ratings record, despite facing stiff competition from CBS’ Buick Classic, which was won by Tiger Woods. Each of NBC’s three NASCAR Winston Cup races has won the sports ratings race for its weekend (also the Brickyard 400 on 9/4 and the Tropicana 400 on 8/14). NBC’s Watkins Glen race coverage of Tony Stewart’s emotional win (1:13 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET), earned a 5.3 rating/14 share, besting last year’s ratings record by 13 percent (4.7/13), also set by NBC, according to Nielsen Media Research. CBS’ Buick Classic on Sunday became the second-highest rated event of the weekend, earning a 5.1/13. During the 90 minutes that NBC’s NASCAR coverage went head-to-head with CBS’ Buick Classic (3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET), NBC averaged a 5.7 rating, two full ratings points higher than CBS’ 3.7 average. NBC’s race coverage peaked from 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET with a 5.9/15. Additionally, NBC’s pre-race show, “Discover Card Countdown to Green,” (12:30 - 1:13 p.m. ET) recorded a 2.7/8, a 35 percent increase over last year’s 2.0/6 during the same time period.(NBC PR)(8-15-2002)
Benson Wins at Berlin: Johnny Benson returned to his home track Wednesday night and put on a great show, breaking through for his first feature win in the two years he has been a part-owner of Berlin Raceway and his first win driving the red and white #10 Berger Chevrolet Late Model car he built himself. Benson hopes to build on this victory with another one on Sunday when he competes at Michigan International Speedway, where he has a history of running strong. Benson's Winston Cup teammate, Kenny Schrader, also competed in the Chet Mysliwiec Memorial 100 presented by Comerica, a 100-lap Coors Light Late Model race in memory of the man who founded Berlin Raceway and ran it for 50 years. Schrader, who also raced in last year's Mysliwiec Memorial, finished third in the feature after winning one of two 50-lap qualifying races driving the #1 Randy Sweet car.(Berlin Raceway Site)(8-15-2002)
Testing at Bristol UPDATE: With the Sharpie 500 and Food City 250 races just days away, a collection of Winston Cup and Busch Series teams are testing at Bristol on Tuesday. Those preparing for the upcoming race week include #9-Bill Elliott, #2-Rusty Wallace, #5-Terry Labonte and #11-Brett Bodine.(BMS Site), #27-Scott Wimmer tested Monday and is also testing today.(8-13-2002) UPDATE: hearing #2-Rusty Wallace and his brother Kenny (testing the #27 Bill Davis Dodge) tested at Bristol Wednesday, which included some cake for Rusty's birthday.(8-15-2002)
Chevy close: Chevrolet team officials expect their new car to be approved soon. Engineers working on the project say NASCAR is expected to approve the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo on Aug. 19.(Winston Cup Scene - need subscribtion to read)(8-15-2002)
(8-14-2002)
TRAC Having "Normal Start-up Challenges": Here's the latest news from Humpy on TRAC: "Team racing is having normal start-up challenges and we're going to announce a television contract, but have not yet done so. I don't know exactly what the future holds for that, though it would help us in 2003. I believe that if you look at the flatness of the economy today, you have to really have something going on to get people out today. You have to promote the heck out of it. You have to have a great product. If it's not up to par, it's going to be tough. We've done fairly well in Texas." Also, the SMI CFO said the company has incurred no expenses to date on
TRAC.(MotorsportsTV)(8-14-2002)
Cope in the #49 at MIS? UPDATE 2: hearing Derrike Cope will be running the #49 BAM Racing Dodge at MIS. UPDATE: Cope is now listed at the driver of the #49 Dodge on the NASCAR.com entry list and is being reported as driving the car on the BAM Racing site. UPDATE 2: Former Daytona 500 champion Derrike Cope will be behind the wheel of Bam Racing’s #49 Dodge this week at Michigan Speedway’s NASCAR Winston Cup event. Car owner Elizabeth Ann Morgenthau made the announcement today, as well as announcing the renowned rock music group Poison will be on the car as a sponsor. Shawna Robinson, BAM Racing’s regular driver, is expected to return behind the wheel by the team’s next superspeedway race in Darlington. "Our long-term plans very much include Shawna Robinson. I don’t want there to be any question about that," Morgenthau said. "This, however, gives us a chance to work with Derrike, to learn from him and to continue building our program."(Williams Company PR)(8-14-2002)
Hooters/Brooks could be part owner of the #11 UPDATE: Brett Bodine is poised for a change in the direction of his NASCAR Winston Cup team. Bodine began the year without a primary sponsor and was on the verge of closing his doors before signing Hooters restaurant chain to a small but team-saving contract. He has a verbal agreement from Hooters owner Bob Brooks for sponsorship for 2003. "He's basically told me you've got a deal for next year and possibly more," Bodine said. "They're in a process to evaluate the program and how much they want to invest in a Winston Cup sponsorship. We'd like more sponsorship," Bodine added. "You've got to look at what is going to be a good investment to be competitive. We're hoping to get them signed up for a long-term deal." One scenario would have Hooters become a partner in the team. If that happened, Bodine said, "I wouldn't have to ever look for a major sponsor again." He said he hopes to have a deal in place within the month. Bodine is also trying to add to or re-sign his associate sponsors. And he knows that if everything he hopes for happens, then there will be more pressure on him and his team.(Star Gazette)(8-8-2002) UPDATE: Brett Bodine says he may sell part of his Winston Cup team to the Hooter's Restaurant chain, according to a story in this week's NASCAR Winston Cup Scene. Reporter Kenny Bruce writes that Bodine and Hooters CEO Bob Brooks have "basically agreed that we have a deal," but details, which include the possibility of the sale of part of the team, remain to be worked out.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(8-14-2002)
MB2 to field a BGN team, Schrader free to look: MB2 Motorsports [#36 Pontiac] will run a BGN car for Dutchman Michael Vergers at MIS using Ken Schrader's BGN operation The team has entered a #07 Pontiac for Vergers, a native of Alkmaar, Holland, in Saturday's Cabela's 250 at Michigan International Speedway. Sponsor M&M's recently told MB2 that they would end a six-year relationship with the team's Winston Cup operation at the end of this season. Meanwhile, Schrader has been given the team's blessing to seek other employment. General manager Jay Frye stressed Wednesday that it's not because the team doesn't want to keep him, but because if a replacement sponsor does not materialize, they don't want to hold him back. Frye said the fact that James Ince, the crew chief on Johnny Benson's #10 Valvoline Pontiac in Winston Cup, is going to head Vergers' program indicates how serious the team is about it. Frye said a combination of crewmen from the M&M's and Valvoline teams would pit the car Saturday.(NASCAR.com)(8-14-2002)
Hospital Gets Gordon Foundation Gift: The Jeff Gordon Foundation has donated $100,000 to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. At the close of the First Jeff Gordon Bowling Tournament prior to the running of the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Gordon presented the check to the hospital. Drivers Jimmie Johnson, Casey Atwood, Geoffrey Bodine and team owner Ray Evernham were among the celebrity bowlers participating in the event, which also featured a silent auction to raise money for the foundation.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(8-14-2002)
Sirius Bankruptcy? UPDATE denied and sponsorship safe: Satellite radio Broadcaster Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. warned Tuesday that it may have to seek bankruptcy protection if it cannot raise new funds, sending its shares spiraling down by more than a third to a record low. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Sirius said it needed as much as $600 million to continue operations. It said it had hired financial advisers for help on ways to obtain new funds, including a possible debt-for equity swap that would dilute current shareholder stakes. Sirius also reported a wider second quarter net loss of $124.6 million, or $1.62 a share, compared with a net loss of $72.5 million, or $1.35 per share, last year. Sirius shares closed down 35 percent, or 72 cents, at $1.35 on Nasdaq. The company also formed a special committee of independent members of its board of directors to look at its options. That committee has, in turn, hired an investment adviser to pursue "a substantial additional investment" in its stock from affiliates of Apollo Management and the Blackstone Group. The company said in the filing that it had $295.2 million in cash as of Monday and that it needed an additional $300 million to get it through all 2003, plus $300 million beyond that "until our operations become self-sustaining." "This in no way indicates that a bankruptcy filing for Sirius is imminent," the company said in a statement sent to Reuters following a report of the SEC filing. "Sirius currently has approximately $300 million in cash on hand, which is enough to operate the company into the second quarter of 2003, as previously announced," it said. The company on Tuesday said said it had 6,510 subscribers as of last Sunday and six weeks after its nationwide launch, up from 3,347 subscribers at the end of the second quarter. Sirius' only competitor, XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. , had its national launch last November and reported almost 137,000 subscribers through the end of June.(Yahoo News) UPDATE: Sirius Satellite Radio is in sound financial condition and has no plans to file for bankruptcy. The company's financial condition was misrepresented by a story on Reuters. The possibility of bankruptcy was listed as a legal requirement in a recently filed 10-Q. This is a standard practice by start-up companies seeking additional funding as a possible outcome in the event they do not receive it. Sirius Satellite Radio will continue its strong commitment to racing and the #7 Sirius Dodge, as evident by their recent sponsorship of the Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen.(Sirius/Golin Harris PR)(8-14-2002)
More on Daytona Testing this week UPDATE 2 another roof flap?: NASCAR officials are bringing in a dozen Winston Cup drivers for a Daytona test on Tuesday to try to sort out the other half of the aerodynamics problem, the tight packs that keep drivers on the edges of their seats at Daytona and Talladega. The test probably will [could] result in some new rules for the Talladega 500 in October. There probably will be narrower and shorter rear spoilers (maybe six to eight inches narrower and maybe only three inches tall) and wider noses. That will make for an unbalanced car, one that is probably loose in the corners.(Winston Salem Journal) AND NASCAR let leak its intentions for next week’s speedway tests. The test, for which NASCAR hopes to attract 10 - 15 cars, is intended to give the sanctioning body an opportunity to try some new configurations to the speedway package. Some in the garage say they expect the starting point will be where a 1998 test left off, cars carrying raised valances and radically reduced rear blades on the order of 3 inches, or perhaps even 2.5-inches. Apparently at least one of the Dale Earnhardt Inc. cars and one of the Richard Childress Racing cars will be on-site for the tests.(Ford Racing)(8-11-2002) UPDATE: NASCAR's latest round of Winston Cup aerodynamic tweaking will take place Tuesday at Daytona, where as many as 15 teams may test. NASCAR and Daytona officials confirmed that teams had been offered a second day of open testing on Wednesday not counting toward NASCAR's limit of seven tests per season. NASCAR vice president for corporate communications Jim Hunter said among the configurations that NASCAR president Mike Helton, Winston Cup director John Darby and managing director of competition Gary Nelson planned to monitor were different spoiler heights. They also plan to monitor front valance ground clearances, different body locations and a continuation of the "bigger greenhouse" program designed to enlarge the car's driver compartment. Test runs will be made with the smaller capacity fuel cells to be used at Talladega. Teams expected to attend: #55-Bobby Hamilton, #29-Kevin Harvick, #15-Michael Waltrip, #9-Bill Elliott, #22-Ward Burton, #23-Hut Stricklin, #36-Ken Schrader(the only Pontiac), #77-Dave Blaney and #09-Geoffrey Bodine. The Oldfield Grandstand outside Turn 4 will be open, as it usually is for test sessions, from 9:00am to 5:00pm.(NASCAR.com)(8-13-2002) UPDATE2: NASCAR has been testing a new roof-deflector system that could allow NASCAR to increase speeds at Daytona and Talladega significantly for the coming races. Drivers have said that speeds are too slow at those two tracks. NASCAR's advances have been made in the system that deploys roof flaps to slow the race car and keep it on the ground when it gets turned around in a crash. NASCAR has been wind-tunnel testing cars with a third roof flap that springs up as an air foil to increase the take-off speed by 15 mph. Speeds at Daytona and Talladega are around 185 mph now. So the addition of the new flap, expected for next spring's Daytona 500, could allow NASCAR to open restrictor plates and let drivers run as fast as 200 mph. NASCAR might also order teams to add a fourth air flap, on the rear deck.(Winston Salem Journal) AND more: NASCAR tested various aerodynamic configurations of Winston Cup cars Tuesday at Daytona International Speedway with the hope of making a significant rules change for the 2003 Daytona 500. Ten teams, representing the four makes of cars that compete in Winston Cup, participated in the test session, which was cut short by a persistent line of thunderstorms that rumbled over the Speedway. Gary Nelson, NASCAR's managing director of competition, directed the test that involved larger restrictor plates and lower rear spoiler heights. Nelson said Tuesday's test was aimed at creating a rules package for Speed Weeks 2003 and would not be used at Talladega Superspeedway's race in October. "Talladega has bigger turns; the turns have a bigger radius," he said. "We're looking at Daytona as a separate set of issues. We approached this test as a Daytona test. The knowledge we got today is for down the road." Nelson said the proposed large greenhouse, which creates more room in the cockpit, was simulated by several teams. Tuesday's showers scrubbed NASCAR's plan to run the cars with the new aerodynamic configuration in a draft situation, that part of the test would be rescheduled. Testing were #22-Ward Burton, #23-Hut Stricklin, #45-Kyle Petty, #30-Jeff Green, #15-Michael Waltrip, #55-Bobby Hamilton, #77-Dave Blaney, #09-Geoffrey Bodine, #21-Elliott Sadler, and #14-Mike Wallace.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(8-14-2002)
#92 gets a Sponsor for MIS: The #92 Melling Racing team will run at Michigan this week with Stacy Compton driving and a one race deal with Regal Corporation. Supposedly the team may be close to a full time sponsor for the 2003 season.(8-14-2002)
Coke not bailing on Stewart: getting much email about folks hearing that Coca Cola had released Tony Stewart from the
Coca Cola Racing Family but been told that there is NO truth to that rumor whatsoever.(8-14-2002)
But Rudd/Havoline/#28 and Sadler/M&M's/#27: UPDATE: hearing that will be the final outcome - Ricky Rudd to Ganassi, with Chevron/Texaco/Havoline and the #28; and Elliott Sadler to Yates with M&M Mar's.M&M's and the #27.(8-13-2002) UPDATE: NASCAR.com's The Buzz has learned that all the key factors are in place for the deal that would send Ricky Rudd, Havoline and the No. 28 to Chip Ganassi Racing, except for one important aspect: the driver. Confirmed reports inside the deal have revealed to the Buzz the Havoline sponsorship and the #28 were signed off on by Robert Yates Racing and into the hands of Chip Ganassi Racing almost two weeks ago. The agreement is said to be a three-year commitment between the sponsor and the Dodge-powered team. The stalling point in negotiations has been Rudd who allegedly wants a larger base salary with Ganassi than he had with RYR. If Ganassi agrees to the figure, then he would have to probably pay Sterling Marlin a larger base salary as well.(NASCAR.com)(8-14-2002)
NAPCM Pit Crew Of The Week: High performance pit stops on pit road by the #41 Target Crew took the #41 team from a 19th place starting position to a 6th place finish. Congratulations #41 Target Crew on being selected this weeks NAPCM "Pit Crew Of The Week" sponsored by Toxabsorb, 21st Century Spill Magnet and the "Official Spill Response Agent" of the National Association Of
Pit Crew Members". Visit www.toxabsorb.com for Toxabsorb's performance info (on and off pit road). Check out the latest Mechanix Wear "Pit Crew of the Year" finalists and standings available only at the NAPCM website, www.napcm.com.(National Association Of Pit Crew Members PR)(8-14-2002)
IRWIN Rough to Finish Award: The road to success at Watkins Glen International was paved by road-racing specialists, like P.J. Jones, son of 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner Parnelli Jones. Jones drove the #14 Conseco Pontiac to a fourth-place finish in the Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen Sunday afternoon, the first top-five finish for the Conseco team this year. Thanks to Jones' efforts on the track and the great teamwork exhibited in the pits all day, team crew chief Mike Hillman takes home this week's "IRWIN Rough to the Finish" Award. Jones, the top finisher among the road racing specialists hired by teams to replace their regular drivers for the one-off event, qualified in 14th position, which also was the team's best start since April.. The 33-year-old California native ran in the top-10 for most of the race, but a two-tire stop with 43 laps to go gave him the top-five track position. With fuel consumption becoming an issue, the team was able to take advantage of several late cautions as a way to conserve fuel and finish the race strong.
Each week throughout the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup season, Irwin, makers of professional power tool accessories like Marathon Plus saw blades and Speedbor flat bits, is partnering with Performance Racing Network to honor the crew chief who had the toughest day in the pits, but still managed to help his team to a strong finish. The IRWIN Rough to the Finish Award includes an assortment of tools for the crew chief and a $250 check donated to the Ellerbe, NC Educational Fund in the racing team's name.. The year-end winner of the crew chief points standings will win a $5,000 check donated to the Fund.. Race fans wanting to make a contribution to the Fund may do so by sending it to the Ellerbe, NC Educational Fund, PO Box 443, Ellerbe, NC 28338. In addition to the crew chief award, Irwin is also sponsoring the weekly nationally syndicated radio show, "Fast Talk with Benny Parsons", throughout the upcoming year.(Golin Harris PR)(8-14-2002)
(8-13-2002)
More Not NASCAR but: see initial reports and Updates 1-2 on my Aug 5-11th Past News page UPDATE 3: Priestley continues to improve at the University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington, Ky., following a practice accident in the Indy Racing Infiniti Pro Series on Aug. 11 at Kentucky Speedway. Priestley, 32, from Vancouver, British Columbia, is in UK's intensive care unit, where his condition is serious but stable. Priestley sustained a moderate concussion as well as a fracture of his ninth thoracic vertebra. In addition to a contusion around his left eye, Priestley has lacerations on the bridge of his nose and left cheek, neck lacerations and fractures in both feet. It is expected he will require a few days to recover from the concussion before surgical repair of his orthopedic injuries. Today, Priestley will be fitted with a back brace to assess the stability of his thoracic vertebra fracture. His neurological condition will continue to be closely monitored. Priestley initially was placed on a ventilator until his condition was stabilized and his evaluation was complete. The ventilator was removed as soon as he could resume breathing on his own Sunday afternoon.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(8-12-2002) UPDATE 4: Priestley was transferred via air to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis on Aug. 12 to continue his recovery from serious injuries suffered in an Indy Racing Infiniti Pro Series practice accident Aug. 11 at Kentucky Speedway. Priestley, 32, from Vancouver, British Columbia, was transferred to Methodist “ renowned for its treatment of injured race drivers “ from the University of Kentucky Hospital intensive care unit. His condition is serious but stable.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(8-13-2002) UPDATE 5: Jason Priestley's doctor said the actor is making remarkable improvement from head and spinal injuries sustained in a high-speed racing crash last weekend. Priestley, 32, remained in guarded but stable condition Tuesday at Methodist Hospital, known in racing circles as the best hospital for treating race car accidents. Dr. Scott Bjerke expects Priestley to remain at Methodist for 10 to 14 days, but wouldn't comment on the specific treatment he is receiving. "He is a strong-willed young man who is doing great," Bjerke said. "He's surprised me so far." Priestley is expected to have surgery on his feet Wednesday, according to friend and Kelley Racing Team general manager Jim Freudenberg, who has been at Priestley's side along with the actor's father, sister and girlfriend. Bjerke said Priestley has shown no signs of paralysis following his crash.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(8-14-2002)
Dale Earnhardt Earns $20 Millon for Estate: Forbes.com says Dale Earnhardt, who died in February 2001 during the running of the Daytona 500, earned $20 million for his estate between June 2001 and June 2002, making him the fourth "richest deceased celebrity." Forbes says four financial reporters interviewed surviving family members, lawyers and estate administrators for deceased musicians, actors, authors and sports figures to help calculate pretax earnings to estates from licensing agreements and book and record sales. Topping the list were Elvis Pressley ($37 million), cartoonist Charles Shultz ($28 million) and former Beatle John Lennon ($20 million).(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(8-13-2002)
Park Announcment at MIS? UPDATE: Ty Norris, general manager at DEI, said he may have something to announce about Steve Park next week at Michigan.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-10-2002) UPDATE: hearing all is well with negotiations and Park and DEI are finalizing their deal and hope to have something to announce soon.(8-13-2002)
Chevron Luncheon? UPDATE 3 postponed/canceled Yes - the saga continiues: hearing there will be a luncheon of some sort at Lowe's Motor Speedway next Tuesday afternoon held by ChevronTexaco (Havoline) to discuss its future in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series.(8-10-2002) UPDATE: If you’re a Ford fan, and you don’t hear a driver named in Tuesday’s Ganassi and Havoline press conference, take a collective deep breath and keep those fingers crossed. Apparently, the powers that be who manage the Blue Oval Racing program have rounded up the cavalry and are throwing everything that they can think into a deal to keep Rudd, True Blue until his retirement years. This, like last week’s mention, is extremely preliminary, but the good fight is being fought to keep Rudd in-house and in a Ford.(Ford Racing)(8-11-2002) UPDATE 2: Ricky Rudd's sponsor, ChevronTexaco, has scheduled a news conference for Tuesday at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte and the assumption is that the driver's future would be addressed. That, however, may not necessarily be the case. Rudd's appearance at the gathering is not assured because his situation still remains "fluid," sources said Sunday. There may be a possibility that ChevronTexaco would announce what Winston Cup team it will move to next season and Rudd's future could remain unspecified. Should Rudd, rumored to become the driver for a third team at Chip Ganassi Racing next season, not have his situation resolved by Tuesday, the news conference might be canceled, sources said.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-12-2002) UPDATE 3: Chip Ganassi is expected to attend a press conference in Charlotte today to announce Chevron-Texaco's Havoline brand as a new sponsor for a third Winston Cup team. And if Ricky Rudd's attorneys have finished their examination of the contracts, he could be at the press conference also, as Ganassi's new driver. The Rudd-Texaco-Ganassi package has been coming together not so quietly for several weeks, but the big news in the Ganassi camp could be about Jimmy Spencer. Last week, Spencer figured he would be coming back for another season with Ganassi, despite several weeks of speculation otherwise. Now, in the wake of Spencer's Indy run-in with Kurt Busch, there is speculation again that Spencer's ride is in jeopardy. If Ganassi does shake things up, there is increasing conjecture that the new man could be Bobby Hamilton. And there are indications that Jimmy Elledge, Hamilton's current crew chief at Andy Petree's, could be following him to Ganassi's. Neither Hamilton nor Elledge has said what lies ahead after Jerry Jones buys into Petree's team. Hamilton says he needs to run a Dodge on the Winston Cup tour because of his Dodge truck program.(Winston Salem Journal) BUT: am hearing this Press Conference has been postponed or canceled and will not take place TuesdayAND The Chevron Texaco/Havoline press conference scheduled for Tuesday morning at Lowe's Motor Speedway has been canceled, according to the agency which administers the brand's NASCAR services. No reason was given for the cancellation, and no follow-up date was announced. It is widely believed that Rudd and Havoline will migrate to a Chip Ganassi-owned team, although other team entities have been mentioned through the summer. Ganassi team officials would not confirm at third team, and there is also talk that Jimmy Spencer, driver of Ganassi's #41, could be on the hot seat. Yates, meanwhile, will announce at some time that Mars Candy will take over as sponsor of #28, with driver Elliott Sadler, currently with the Wood Brothers. Mars, now with MB2, has offered substantially more money. Yates also has been vague, not entirely closing the door on a third team in 2003. Apparently a deal is very close, but this is very complicated, and minutiae could abort a planned announcement.(SpeedChannel) UPDATE 4: Chevron Texaco/Havoline announced Monday evening that its scheduled press conference for Tuesday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway to announce future plans in Winston Cup Racing has been cancelled. Insider speculation early in the weekend at Watkins Glen, N.Y. was that Texaco could go forward with their planned announcement this week; and likely announce a sponsorship deal with Chip Ganassi to field a third car with Ricky Rudd as driver. Saturday at The Glen brought word that high-level Ford officials wanted to make sure every opportunity, idea, and option had been explored to keep Rudd in Ford gear until his retirement. The idea was also advanced that perhaps Rudd would not attend the Chevron press conference, but that it could go on without him. Now, with this latest word form Chevron, it could signal a change in momentum for any deal that could have been coming together with Ganassi.(Ford Racing)(8-13-2002)
Wells Announcement? Cal Wells this week is expected to officially announce his decision to switch from Ford to Pontiac, a move that could allow him to start a second team for 2003.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-13-2002)
(8-12-2002)
Watkins Glen TV Ratings: The Winston Cup numbers from Watkins Glen yielded a 4.7 overnight rating and 11 share, both numbers unchanged from last year's overnights. The pre-race show drew a 2.5 rating and 7 share, with the race audience building every half-hour of the broadcast and peaking at 5.5 from 4:00 to 4:30. Key markets among the overnight cities include Greensboro (14.7), Charlotte (14.5), Indianapolis (10.3), Norfolk (10.0), Tampa (10.0), and Daytona (9.9). The telecast was the second highest-rated sports program for the weekend, finishing behind the Tiger Woods victory in the Buick Open, which pulled in a 5.5 rating. However, the race outdrew golf every half-hour of head-to-head competition: 3:00 - 3:30 (4.8 to 2.9), 3:30 - 4:00 (5.2 to 4.0), and 4:00 - 4:30 (5.5 to 4.9).(MotorsportsTV)(8-12-2002)
Kelly looking to field or get involved with a team: Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, who waved the green flag for yesterday's race, said he's interested in becoming involved in a BGN or Winston Cup team [also mentioned ARCA on TV] in the next year. Kelly started talking with a potential sponsor this weekend. "It's a matter of getting the right people behind it," said Kelly, who also served as the honorary starter for the 1992 Daytona 500.(Richmond Times Disptach) AND Kelly admitted he has entertained thoughts of involving himself in racing in some capacity in the future. “I met with some people (Saturday) and I will continue to meet with some people today about hopefully getting into some part of racing next year,” Kelly said. “Maybe either the Busch Series, or hopefully in the future into Winston Cup. It’s just a matter of getting the right people behind us and talk with them then. I know as well as anybody that it has to be a win-win for everybody or it doesn’t make sense,” Kelly said. “Ever since 9-11, it’s a lot harder for sponsorship, but the bottom line is making sure it’s win-win for everybody. One way or another, I’m still going to tune in every weekend to watch it and I will make my trips to tracks to watch it.” These days, aside from keeping up with the Bills and racing, Kelly keeps himself busy with Hunter’s Hope, the foundation he set up to find a cure for Krabbe’s Disease, an affliction that has stricken his five-year-old son. “We set up the Hunter’s Hope foundation so that kids all over the world do not suffer the way my son does,” Kelly said. “My son’s on oxygen 24 hours a day and he eats through a machine, but he’s the toughest little boy I’ve ever met in my life.”(The Leader)(8-12-2002)
#12 was NOT a showcar: Contrary to television reports, Ryan Newman said the #12 Ford he raced yesterday wasn't a former show car. "Today we showed what we had, but there's no show car about it," he said. "It was built to be a race car."(Richmond Times Disptach)(8-12-2002)
Spencer in or out? Speculation in the garage is that Spencer won't be back in the No. 41 Dodge next season. Last weekend at Watkins Glen, Spencer was relegated to a third team car so road specialist Scott Pruett could drive the 41. Spencer failed to qualify, and Pruett finished sixth in the race. Spencer also didn't make the field for the Daytona 500.(Sporting News)(8-12-2002)
Childress' Grandson in the Little League World Series: Austin Dillon, Richard Childress' oldest grandson, plays for a youth baseball team that earned a berth in the Little League World Series with a victory Saturday night in St. Petersburg, Fla. Dillon, whose father, Mike, drove in the BGN series for Childress, plays second base for the Southwest Forsyth team from Clemmons that beat a team from Bridgewater, Va., 4-2 in the Southeast Regional title game.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-12-2002)
Mike Wallace back in the #14: Mike Wallace will return to A.J. Foyt's #14 Pontiac next weekend at Michigan International Speedway and likely stay for the remainder of the season, team officials said. Former NASCAR and open-wheel racing driver P.J. Jones drove the car Sunday at Watkins Glen. Following driver Stacy Compton's departure from the team last month, Wallace drove the car at Pocono and Indianapolis.(ThatsRacin.com), it was also mentioned a few times during the broadcast that Jone's may get a chance to run on an oval track in the 2nd Foyt Racing Pontiac, #50.(8-12-2002)
