Busch wins the NAPA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. #97-Kurt Busch won the rained shortened NAPA 500, his third win of the season and his career, and 2nd win in a row. #25-Joe Nemechek ended up 2nd after running strong all day. Points leader, #20-Tony Stewart ended up 4th and increased his points lead to 146 over #6-Mark Martin (was 82 over #48-Johnson).
Race Results: at ThatsRacin.com or NASCAR.com.(10-27-2002)
Rumblings - Atlanta: Kurt Busch's win is the 8th for Roush Racing this season. Joe Nemechek (2nd....and ride shopping) had his best finish since he won at Rockingham last November. Kyle Petty (14th) had his best finish since he was 13th at Darlington in
September. Tony Raines (29th) had his career-best finish today. His previous best was 31st...at both Dover races this season.
STREAKIN....Dale Earnhardt Jr has 5 Top-10's in a row. Ryan Newman has 8 Top-10's in the last 9 races. Tony Stewart has 6 Top-10's in the last 7 races.
This week's Elevator....UP: Operator of the week is a lonely Joe Nemechek (+34). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Ricky Rudd (-22), followed by Bill Elliott (-21), and Jimmie Johnson (-20).(Stock Car Fans)(10-27-2002)
Eury Jr to assume crew chief duties of the #8: during the rain delay of the NAPA 500 at Atlanta, NBC Pit Reporter said that Tony Eury Jr, driver Dale Earnhardt Jr's cousin, would be the crew chief of the #8 Bud Chevy in 2003 with current crew chief Tony Eury Sr assuming a different role.(10-27-2002)
2003 GM Test Scheduled The GM teams will test their new cars at Homestead-Miami Speedway the day after the season finale at Homestead, Fla. No 2002 models will be allowed during the open test session. It is expected the GM teams will thoroughly test the front downforce in the new noses.(Ford Racing)(10-27-2002)
Toyota News - lots of money: Toyota's NASCAR plans have been a hot topic ever since the Japanese car maker announced that it wanted to join the Truck tour, probably in 2004. Who might get the Truck deal is unclear. But there is a heck of a lot of money involved - $100 million, according to one source. Toyota's Indy-car deals have been high-dollar deals. Cal Wells' Toyota Indy program was reported to be a $25 million package, and Chip Ganassi's Indy program was reported to be a $40 million package. "When the Japanese go racing," Ford's Jack Roush said, "it's like going to war."(Winston Salem Journal)(10-26-2002) UPDATE: According to industry sources the new kids on the block, Toyota, are trolling the garage looking for help with their start-up NASCAR motor program. What are they using for bait? A $25 million, three-year contract. The plan calls for a Craftsman Truck entry in 2004 and a Cup car ready for the 2005 or ‘06 season.(Ford Racing)(10-27-2002)
Ford Last: As difficult to as it may be to believe, the oldest body style in Winston Cup was the last to get the 2003 templates. The first complete 2003 template sets were made available to the GM teams at a Sept. 8 meeting where NASCAR showed all the teams what would be expected of them in the 2003 inspection process. NASCAR gave the Ford teams the majority of their 2003 templates in late September. The delay came in the templates that measure the front cowl and the rear window areas. The delay has hampered Ford aero engineers who couldn’t hit their early October wind tunnel reservations, where the changes to the car bodies were to be tested. The delay with the templates, however, is nothing compared the past when teams often didn’t know which way to go with their car building chores until after January’s Daytona International Speedway testing. The only area of the body that unknown to Ford is the chassis nose as NASCAR and Ford officials continue to work on a new nosepiece for the Taurus. However, it is expected the Ford piece will in no way match the “world sports car” style noses on the new Monte Carlo and Grand Prix.(Ford Racing)(10-27-2002)
(10-26-2002)
#77 Hauler Driver wins championship: Bill Lewis won the International Truck Challenge competition at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, is the only driver among 28 who competed in the four 2002 events who regularly drives an International tractor in his regular job, as driver of the #77 Jasper Engines & Transmissions Ford Team. With over 65,000 miles logged annually safely delivering Dave Blaney’s Winston Cup cars to 38 events and numerous tests coast-to-coast, Lewis felt like driving familiar machinery in the season-finale had to be an advantage as he entered the final morning’s competition on the course along the front-stretch at AMS. "We all drive thousands of miles every year in our trucks, and you just get to know the feel of what’s under you," said Lewis, who shared the title with wife Cindy, his partner in life and his co-driver for every Winston Cup mile he drives annually. "On my run today, I knew just how deep I could drive the International truck into the two tight corners we had on the course, and what it would probably feel like when the trailer leaned way into the corner. It probably looked a lot more exciting than it felt to me. I had a really smooth lap, and no real problems anywhere. It’s hard coming in as the leader, and knowing that several guys have a chance to knock you off. It’s all a big dream for me, to win this championship." Lewis entered the AMS finale with a slim 10-point lead over several title contenders, including Rodney Pickler (#2), Kelly Stewart (#28), Tim Beaver (#45) and Tracy Lumpkin (#9). Lewis not only clinched the season championship but also won the Atlanta event, with a score of 175 points (of a maximum 200) and a two-lap-time of 116.909 secs., third quickest of the day’s 22 drivers. By matching his Round-Three event win at Chicagoland Speedway with an impressive win at Atlanta, Lewis stretched his final seasonal margins to 30 points over runner-up Beaver, 45 points over third-place Lumpkin and 50 points over fourth-place Stewart, who had the quickest elapsed time at AMS (105.848 secs.). Pickler, the runner-up entering the final round, fell to sixth overall in the 2002 standings after hitting a barrier during his run.(Jasper Racing PR)(10-26-2002)
Andretti Signed? by Petty UPDATE: Car owner Kyle Petty said John Andretti has a contract to sign to remain with Petty Enterprises. "We've pretty much agreed to most everything we're going to agree to," Petty said. "We're just going through formalities." ... (Roanoke Times)(10-20-2002) UPDATE: Petty Enterprises CEO Kyle Petty said a contract is nearly completed to keep John Andretti with the team next season. "We've agreed to everything," Petty said. "We just haven't sat down and put it on paper."(NASCAR.com)(10-26-2002)
Papis in NASCAR? UPDATE: 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) UPDATE: Unemployed driver Max Papis, who drove for Roger Penske in the IRL season finale at Texas Motor Speedway, roamed through the BGN garage Saturday at Atlanta. "I don't know many people over here, so I'm just walking around trying to meet people," Papis said. "I don't have a job right now, so my options are very open." He started the season in CART driving for Tom Weiringa, but a lack of money forced the team to shut down. Papis won the Rolex 24 sports car race at Daytona International Speedway this season, and finished 23rd in the Indianapolis 500. Last month, he tested a Winston Cup car for team owner Travis Carter at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, FL. "That was the first time I had ever been in a car with a roof over my head," Papis said. "It went really well. I was happy with it, and I think Travis was happy, too."(NASCAR.com/AP)(10-26-200)
Dodge Engine: Reaction to a new Dodge engine block, some 30 pounds lighter and possibly with better interior cooling, has been subdued so far. Detroit sources told the Winston-Salem Journal last weekend about the new block, which according to reports was cast by Caterpillar.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-26-2002)
(10-25-2002)
Nadeau announcement soon: Jerry Nadeau was on Speed Channel's Trackside and was asked about his 2003 plans and said to expect an announcement within the next week or so and that is would be in Winston Cup. Rumor has Nadeau in the #36 (to swithc to #01) Pontiac with the U.S. Army as the sponsor.(10-25-2002)
#45 Georgia Pacific car to be unveiled at AMS UPDATE: Georgia-Pacific and Petty Enterprises will unveil new #45 G-P Dodge at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Friday afternoon, Oct 25th. In September, Georgia-Pacific and Petty Enterprises announced plans to shift G-P’s NASCAR sponsorship to the #45 car in 2003, with Petty Enterprises’ lead driver, Kyle Petty, behind the wheel. This will be the first look at the 2003 #45 car and the new identity created to launch the relationship between Kyle and G-P.(Williams Company PR)(10-23-2002) UPDATE: Executives from Georgia-Pacific and Petty Enterprises today celebrated Georgia-Pacific Qualifying Day at Atlanta Motor Speedway with the unveiling of the 2003 #45 G-P/Petty Enterprises Dodge. A. D. (Pete) Correll, Georgia-Pacific chairman and CEO; Richard Petty, seven-time Winston Cup champion and Petty Enterprises chairman; and Kyle Petty, Petty Enterprises CEO and the driver of the #45 car, introduced a striking patriotic design that envelops their NASCAR entry with a dramatic image -- an American flag waving in motion. "The #45 now bears the only flag I like better than a checkered one," quipped Richard Petty, seven-time Winston Cup champion and Petty Enterprises chairman.(Georgia-Pacific Site), see images on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(10-25-2002)
AOL 8.0 Scheme? UPDATE at AMS: hearing the #30 AOL Chevy car will sport a AOL 8.0 scheme in one of the final races of the season, being mostly white (similar to the AOL Broadband/Neil McCoy scheme at Lowe's).(10-23-2002) UPDATE: the scheme is being run at Atlanta this weekend, no images yet (there is a small one on NASCAR.com)(10-25-2002)
The King at an AFB: NASCAR legend Richard Petty visited Seymour Johnson Air Force Base to eat lunch and visit with Tech-Sergeant Stephen Peterson. Peterson won the grand prize in TNT’s “Win the King” Sweepstakes. Petty also signed a go-cart replica of his famous number 43 car for the on-base Thunder-Trakz Raceway. After lunch, Petty and Peterson toured the base, which gave Petty the chance to meet a lot of airmen. TNT’s camera crew shot footage of the visit. It will air November 3rd during NASCAR’s Winston Cup Pop Secret 400 at Rockingham. Peterson and his family also won tickets to the race.(News 14 Carloina)(10-25-2002)
Hauler Drivers Going for the Championship at AMS: The lesser-known drivers of NASCAR Winston Cup teams will again take the wheel - and the spotlight - in a fierce skills competition of their own. International Truck and Engine Corporation is once again calling upon NASCAR Winston Cup race team drivers to exhibit their skills for the second year of the "International Truck Challenge," a series of timed obstacle courses designed to showcase the talents of NASCAR's big rig drivers, as well as the powerful trucks they rely on to get them from race to race. The International Truck Challenge is part of the Official Sponsorship agreement International has with NASCAR. The competition is designed to provide the NASCAR tractor-trailer drivers that transport the race teams from track to track, a chance to prove that driving is not only a skill shared by Winston Cup drivers. The course, specifically designed for the International Truck Challenge, demands pinpoint precision and nerves of chrome from race team drivers as they show off their truck-driving prowess in a handsome new International 9400i with a 53-foot trailer, all decked out for the NASCAR season. Testing a variety of tough truck driving skills with two intricate 180-degree turns, two slalom runs, a series of tethered barriers and a simulated loading dock, the competition awards points to drivers for skillfully maneuvering the obstacle course while racing against a clock. Truly brilliant driving is awarded with bonus points, but mistakes result in deductions. The winner of each of this year's four competitions receives $1,000 and a shot at the end-of-season $25,000 jackpot from International, awarded to the points leader after the season's final event at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Races in 2002 took place during Winston Cup Series events at Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas/April 6, 2002 (won by Barry Sheppard of the #21 team); Lowe's Motor Speedway, Charlotte, N.C./May 18, 2002 (won by Carl Long, then of the #85 team, now of the #59 team); and Chicago Motor Speedway, Chicago, Ill./July 13, 2002 (won by Bill "Stumpy" Lewis of the #77 team).
On Saturday, Oct 26th, the final race of the 2002 season will be held at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Haven't see the standings, NASCAR.com used to have a page for it but seems to be gone and not found in a search.(AMS Site) AND from CNNSI, who has a nice section of Hauler driver columns today: Winston Cup hauler drivers usually don't make the news, but they might this weekend. The fourth and final leg of the International Truck Challenge is scheduled for Saturday at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the site of Sunday's NAPA 500. Those competing must negotiate an obstacle course to test their skills, among other things, and Bill Lewis, the driver of Jasper Motorsports' #77 hauler is the man to beat. Lewis -- or "Stump," if you prefer his CB moniker -- seized a 10-point lead in July, during the competition's third round at Chicago. One of the guys he beat that day was Barry Sheppard, last year's Challenge champion who drives the #21 hauler for the Wood Brothers. Among the people Lewis needs to defeat this week: The #28's Kelly Stewart, and the #2's Rodney Pickler. Aside from the obstacle course, all drivers must simulate a loading-dock maneuver and execute pinpoint turns. Cumulative time counts, too, but the biggest thing at stake may be the crowing afterward.(CNNSI)(10-25-2002)
Stock Car Racing Collection: The Appalachian State University Library has initiated a program to create a collection of materials relating to the history of stock car racing, and has named an advisory committee to guide its growth. The Stock Car Racing Collection is building an extensive racing collection of books and other documents available both to research scholars and fans of the sport. Suzanne Wise, a librarian at Appalachian, is spearheading the effort to build the collection. The Collection currently includes more than 350 books and videos, racing periodicals, a clippings file covering 1,100 subjects and a growing collection of race programs and photos. Motorsports photographer Don Hunter, who covered motorsports for the Charlotte Observer for many years, has donated several historic photos of racing action at the Asheville Speedway in the 1950s.. Additional gifts of materials from personal collections are welcomed, and are recognized appropriately. Seven people with strong ties to the stock car racing industry have been named to the Stock Car Racing Collection advisory committee.. They are:
-Len Batycki, former vice president of development for Richard Childress Racing and currently a principal with Strategic Advisors, a motorsports industry consulting firm;
-Chris Economaki, publisher emeritus of National Speed Sport News;
-Mike Epley, executive director of the University's Appalachian Consortium and instructor of a motorsports history course;
-Rick Gambill, president of Carrick Public Relations, which represents motorsports clients;
-Ted Hagaman, former director of Lowe's Motorsports for Lowe's Home Improvements Inc. and current director of hospitality services at Wilkes Community College;
-Ben Trout, senior communications manager with Bristol Motor Speedway; and
-Deb Williams, editor of the NASCAR Winston Cup Scene.
The group's first meeting will be held in December at the University in Boone. For more information contact Suzanne Wise at 828-262-2798, or visit the Collection's Web page at www.library.appstate.edu.(PR)(10-25-2002)
Soap Box Derby gets another sponsor - Home Depot: The All-American Soap Box Derby -- the original build-it-yourself sport -- has nailed a new national sponsor: The Home Depot. According to sources, the Atlanta-based chain of home improvement stores is joining Goodyear and NASCAR to provide national exposure to the rejuvenated racing event. The Home Depot and All-American officials would not confirm the deal, but both said they expect to make an announcement soon. The derby has also landed a new local sponsor in the Akron Beacon Journal. John Murphy, director of marketing communications for the Beacon Journal, said the newspaper's role as ``host sponsor'' will amount to a promotions trade.(Beacon Journal)(10-25-2002)
Some Costs: Dick Berggren, the executive editor of Speedway Illustrated writes a column in the monthly magazine. He recently did a piece on the cost of NASCAR racing. Did you know Cup drivers, owners and team members don't have to pay to get into the pits, I mean the garage area? They do, however, have to buy a NASCAR license at the beginning of the season. The fees are $1,100 for an owner, $800 for a driver and $475 for the crew guys. And, of course, you can't buy a license if you're not affiliated with a team. There is also an entry fee the team owner has to pay for every race. It's $1,825 per event if they file a timely entry. If you sign up late the fee jumps to $3,425. And if a team has to go to a back-up car the cost increases to $3,420.(Caledonian-Record)(10-25-2002)
Double Duty at AMS: Twelve drivers are scheduled to run both Saturday's Aaron's 312 BGN race and Sunday's NAPA 500 Winston Cup race. The list includes Scott Wimmer (#27 Cup/#23 BGN), Jimmy Spencer (#41/#1), Mike Wallace (#14/#4), Kenny
Wallace (#23/#48), Kerry Earnhardt (#83/#12), Jeff Green (#30/#21), Michael Waltrip (#15/#99), Greg Biffle (#16/#60), Tony Raines (#74/#33), Jamie McMurray (#40/#27), Jack Sprague (#60/#24) and Joe Nemechek (#25/#87).(AMS PR)(10-25-2002)
Kimmel in the #66: Frank Kimmel, the 2002 ARCA champion, will return to Atlanta for this weekend's NAPA 500 Winston Cup race. Kimmel, who attempted the make the race in March, will drive the #66 Pork The Other White Meat Ford.(AMS PR)(10-25-2002)
#27 Hood? hearing that Schindler Elevator Corporation will be on the hood of the #27 Siemens car driven by Scott Wimmer at Atlanta. If Wimmer does not make the race, then the logo could end up on the #23 Hills Brothers Coffee car instead, possibly on the deck lid/truck.(10-25-2002)
Larry Mac to spot for Buckshot: former Crew Chief and current Fox broadcaster, Larry McReynolds will be the spotter for Buckshot Jones at Atlanta, Jones is driving Michael Waltrip's #00 Charter Chevy.(10-25-2002)
Not Cup, but a few interesting Dash tidbits: Seventeen years ago, Ray Paprota was paralyzed from the waist down in an automobile accident. And in a way, that was the day his life began. Since losing the use of both legs, Paprota has counseled other
disabled people, encouraging them to continue to live - not just exist. He has traveled the world playing wheelchair basketball. And this week, Paprota will try to realize another dream. This weekend, Paprota, 38, will attempt to become the first wheelchair-bound driver
to make a NASCAR race in Friday's Georgia-Pacific 150 Goody's Dash race on the quarter-mile Thunder Ring. Paprota started out helping out a friend, who was racing Legends cars. After a few months of working on the car, Paprota figured if he was going to be at the track every weekend, he might as well try to drive. He refitted a Legends car so that he could drive it completely with his hands, then competed for the next five years on short tracks around the south, including Atlanta Motor Speedway's Thunder Ring. Paprota's Legends racing career caught the attention of legendary NASCAR driver Bobby Allison, who lives nearby. "Bobby Allison saw me race Legends cars and saw that I was real competitive," Paprota said. "He asked if I had an interest in competing at a higher level. We tried to step up and run in the ARCA series, but the controls of a Legends car are completely different, and we weren't ready to make that leap. We tried, but we never got comfortable with it. So we tabled that for a bit and tried to reengineer things." That's when Paprota hooked up with Danny Bagwell, another Alabama resident. Bagwell had a Craftsman Truck that he tried to outfit for Paprota, but NASCAR nixed that idea because of Paprota's relative inexperience on bigger tracks. Instead, Bagwell - a 10-year veteran of the Goody's Dash Series - offered to help build a car for Paprota. The two have worked out a system of modifications, which have been adjusted through months of trial and error. They include a CO2 bottle that runs all of the hand controls, a cable throttle that functions as a motorcycle linkage and a clutch system that is located on the shifter. Finally the team has constructed a working model, which Paprota tested for the first time last month at a track in Pennsylvania. After a few laps of real on-track experience, Paprota had a host of changes to make in order to make the car comfortable enough to drive. The crew - made up of a few volunteers, Paprota and Bagwell - went to work, then brought their final creation to Atlanta for an open test. Paprota logged more laps than he ever had before, suggested a few more modifications, and prepared himself to race.(AMS PR) AND Kelly Sutton travels to the Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend to finish her first full season on the Goody’s Dash Series. But, unlike the other drivers, she can claim a victory without taking the checkered flag. The third-generation driver, and 30-year-old mother of two, is the first person with a known diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) to compete in a NASCAR series.(AMS PR)(10-25-2002)
(10-24-2002)
Gordon and Earnhardt Jr lead in Marketability: While the NASCAR Winston Cup Series has enjoyed increasing popularity over the last few seasons, only four-time Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. possess broad national commercial appeal, according to the results of a new survey by The Sports Business Daily, which show that Gordon and Earnhardt Jr. are by far the most marketable drivers in NASCAR. The rest of the top five, which includes Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart and Dale Jarrett, may be household names within the NASCAR community, but our survey suggests that they still lack national appeal outside of the sport. The Sports Business Daily surveyed close to 100 marketing, advertising and PR execs, sponsorship consultants, sports business journalists, NASCAR analysts and other experts over the past month. All were asked: "In your opinion, who are the five most marketable drivers in NASCAR?" Drivers were awarded points on a sliding scale - with five points given for a first-place vote down to one point for a fifth-place vote. The survey results for the top ten drivers are:
Gordon - whose corporate partners include DuPont, PepsiCo, Chevrolet, and FosterGrants - received 49 first-place votes and was listed on 98% of the ballots. A close second was Earnhardt Jr., who received the second-most first-place votes with 41, but was named on 99% of the ballots. Earnhardt Jr.'s partners include Budweiser, Drakkar Noir, Nabisco and Chevrolet. "Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are clearly laps ahead of their competition in terms of marketing appeal on Madison Avenue," said Abraham Madkour, Editor-in-Chief of The Sports Business Daily. "Gordon posseses a unique cross-over appeal and is a proven winner for corporate America, while Earnhardt Jr. delivers the rare combination of a rock-star image and a legendary family name." Rounding out the top five are: Johnson, who received three first-place votes and was named on 62% of the ballots; Stewart, who received two first-place votes and was named on 64% of the ballots; and Jarrett, who received one first-place vote and was named on 42% of the ballots.(Sports Business Daily - need sub to read)(10-24-2002)
#11 Crew Chief at Atlanta: Jon Wolfe will be Crew Chief for #11 Hooters Ford this weekend in Atlanta. Geoffrey Bodine had been crew chiefing foir his brother Brett but will attempt to make the race at Atlanta in the #09 Ford.(10-24-2002)
Geoffrey Bodine plans 12-20 Cup races in 2003: Geoffrey Bodine said he is working on a deal to run 12 to 20 races in 2003. Miccosukee Indian Gaming has agreed to sponsor 12 races and Bodine is talking with several other tribes that are considering sponsoring the team in additional events. Bodine will run the BGN and Cup races at Homestead and his son Barry will run the CTS race there also.(Winston Cup Scene - need subscription to read online)(10-24-2002)
Yunick to be Honored: Yunick will posthumously be named the 2002 Smokey Yunick Racing Pioneer. Atlanta Motor Speedway began its ARP Smokey Yunick Racing Pioneer Award five years ago as a way to honor some of auto racing's most important founding members. Atlanta officials named to award in honor of perhaps its most inventive, versatile and creative member, Smokey Yunick, who passed away last year at the age of 77. During this weekend's NAPA 500, Yunick will posthumously be awarded the Smokey Yunick Auto Racing Pioneer award for his contributions to the sport of auto racing. His daughter, Trish Yunick Brown, will accept the award on his behalf.(AMS site)(10-24-2002)
Martinsville TV Ratings UPDATE: NBC's coverage of the Old Dominion 500 from Martinsville garnered a 3.9 overnight rating and 6 share. There is no comparison to last year, which was rain-delayed on TNT on a Monday.(MotorsportsTV)(10-22-2002) UPDATE: NASCAR ratings on NBC & TNT are up 13 percent to a 4.3 national rating/10 share, building on last year’s impressive growth when ratings for the 2001 season on NBC & TNT, grew 34 percent over 2000 (3.9/10 vs. 2.9/8). The 4.3/10 through 15 telecasts on NBC & TNT (excluding this year’s Daytona 500 and last year’s primetime Pepsi 400 - the two races which alternate between NBC and Fox each year), represents a 13% increase over a 3.8/10 for the comparable races last year. While season-to-date ratings are up in many markets, the biggest increases over last year belong to Chicago, which is up 46% to a 3.5/7, Richmond (plus-41% to a 7.9/16) and St. Louis (plus-28% to a 4.6/9). Last Sunday’s coverage of Old Navy Presents the Old Dominion 500 from Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, delivered a 4.4/11 from 12:24 - 4:14pm/et. That represents a 267% jump over a 1.2/5 last year, when the race was rained out on Sunday and moved to TNT for a Monday, Oct. 15, 2001 telecast. The Martinsville rating built steadily throughout the telecast, peaking with a 5.0/11 from 3:30-4:00pm/et as Kurt Busch won his second race of the season.(NBC PR)(10-24-2002)
Shepherd Withdraws: Morgan Shepherd announced today that he has decided to withdraw his #89 Racing With Jesus Ford from the entry list for the NAPA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Shepherd also announced that he will be taking his #21 Racing With Jesus Ford truck to California next week for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 200.(Catchfence)(10-24-2002)
Hooters/Brooks could be part owner of the #11 UPDATE 3: 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) UPDATE 2: hearing Bodine has signed a contract with Robert Brooks [owner of Hooter's] that calls for Brooks will own 51% of the team, Brett Bodine will own 24.5% and wife Diane will own 24.5%.(10-15-2002) UPDATE 3: While Brett Bodine continues negoatiating with Hooter's Restaurants' owner Bob Brooks, he's yet to make a deal for Brooks to buy into his team.(Winston Cup Scene - need subscription to read online)(10-24-2002)
Ford can clinch at Atlanta: Ford can clinch its third manufacturer's championship in the last four years and 15th overall by finishing first, second or third among the four car makes in Sunday's race. The only way Ford will not clinch the title in Atlanta is if Chevrolet wins and Ford finishes fourth among the manufacturers. A Ford has not won on the Atlanta track since Dale Jarrett's Taurus took the checkered flag in the 1997 spring race, the last event run before the track was redesigned.(Daytona Beach News Journal/AP) see my Manufacturers Championship/Wins page for the rundown and standings.(10-24-2002)
Rusty Tests at Gateway: Testing for Phoenix and Homestead, but not at Phoenix and Homestead. #2-Rusty Wallace and crew tested Tuesday & Wednesday (Oct 22nd & 23rd) at Gateway International Raceway, the 1.25-mile track near Madison, Ill., in preparation for the upcoming races at Phoenix and Homestead. "We were out of tests and it was a logical alternative," reports Penske Racing South shop foreman Gary Brooks. "Rusty and the guys are testing today (22nd) for Phoenix and tomorrow (23rd) for Homestead. They carried the (PC-) 51 car and the (PC-) 27 up there. The plan is to race the 51 at Homestead and we'll run the 49 at Phoenix. We used the 49 at Martinsville on Sunday and couldn't get it turned around in time, so we sent the Martinsville backup (27) to the test. They're saying that St. Louis (Gateway) has similar characteristics of both Phoenix and Homestead, so we'll see how it benefits. On thing for sure is that testing there is better than no test at all, isn't it?"(Tom Roberts PR)(10-24-2002)
New Cup Team? got this today - A new NASCAR Winston Cup series race team has designed an innovative and creative way for sponsors to get involved with NASCAR motorsports. The new team is the #93 GIC MotorSports NASCAR Winston Cup series racing team based out of Mooresville, NC. The team also has business offices in Bakersfield, CA and Daytona Beach, FL. James Whitener from Bakersfield, California is the owner of this new Winston Cup team. Whitener, also owns and operates Global Industrial Contractors, corporately located in Shafter, CA. Global Industrial Contractors is an industrial construction company that does HVAC, electrical and mechanical design, installation and construction. The GIC MotorSports #93 Ford Taurus NASCAR Winston Cup race team will be attempting two NASCAR Winston Cup races this season. The team's first race will be the Phoenix International Raceway scheduled for November 10th. The second race scheduled for the team will be the season finale NASCAR Winston Cup Series Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 17th. The #93 GIC team also is planning to be running the full Winston Cup series schedule next year beginning with Daytona 500 in February 2003. The GIC team's Ford Taurus racecars, motors and other equipment have been purchased from several of the top name players in the motorsports business. The team plans to have driver announcements coming soon. The GIC team is currently seeking sponsorships on all scalable levels for either of the two NASCAR Series races and welcome any inquires regarding participation. Interested parties may contact the team at: lee@gicmotorsports.com or by calling the team at 386-566-3972. (GIC MotorSports PR), looks like Wihiener has/has some involvement with Mike Harmon in the BGN series.(10-24-2002)
6 Millionth Taurus to pace field at AMS: A very special Ford Taurus is headed for NASCAR's NAPA 500 race this weekend.. It will take on the role of the pace car at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The car is the six millionth Taurus sold, built by employees at Ford Motor Company's Atlanta Assembly Plant (AAP) in Hapeville. At today's ceremony marking the sales milestone, James Padilla, Group vice president, Ford North America, drove the white pace car off the assembly line. NASCAR Ford Taurus Driver Dale Jarrett, riding in the front passenger's seat, accompanied him. Atlanta Assembly Plant Manager Patricia Reid and UAW Local 882 Building Chairman Mitch Smith also participated in the landmark event. Hundreds of AAP employees cheered during the "drive-off ceremony" at the end of the chassis line, knowing that the six millionth Taurus sold will not only go through its paces at a NASCAR event, but will also make a sprint for charity. The new pace car is being donated to the Georgia Juvenile Diabetes Foundation to raise money to find a cure for the disease. The foundation will sponsor a raffle among Atlanta Ford employees in conjunction with this year's Atlanta Walk to Cure Diabetes, scheduled for Saturday, October 26, 2002. On October 27, when the Taurus does laps at the NAPA 500, it will carry Ford President and Chief Operating Officer Nick Scheele, the Grand Marshall for the race.(Ford PR)(10-24-2002)
The 6 millionth Ford Taurus
IRWIN Rough to Finish Award #28 Team: Ricky Rudd, driver of the #28 Havoline Ford, overcame a two-lap deficit early in Sunday's Old Dominion 500 at Martinsville Speedway to finish third, helping to earn crew chief Michael McSwain this week' s IRWIN "Rough to the Finish" award. The No. 28 team suffered an early setback Sunday, cutting a tire in the first ten laps of the race. After falling two laps down due to the incident, the next few caution flags fell in the team's favor, and they were able to gain back both laps by lap 150. From that point on, the name of the game was track position. Rudd quickly raced into the top-10, climbing to third position, but troubles exiting pit road in good position throughout the second half of the race would eventually take the team out of contention. "Unfortunately, track position really cost us the win today," said McSwain. "We suffered a bit of bad luck early, but this team fought back and had a shot at the win in the end. My hat's off to all the guys in the pits. This award is a credit to their hard work and determination."
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)(10-24-2002)
Dale Earnhardt Highway to be official UPDATE: North Carolina Governor Mike Easley will sign legislation that designates a 28-mile stretch of Highway 136 in Iredell and Cabarrus counties as the Dale Earnhardt Highway (State Highway 3) on Wednesday.(ThatsRacin.com)(10-23-2002) UPDATE: Legislation to renumber a state road in Iredell and Cabarrus counties as N.C. 3 in honor of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt was signed into law Wednesday. The 28-mile stretch of road now is N.C. 136, but that number would be swapped with the N.C. 3 now in Currituck County. Earnhardt, who died in a wreck at Daytona International Speedway in 2001, drove a No. 3 Chevrolet. He lived in Cabarrus County and ran his business enterprises in Iredell County.(NASCAR.com/AP)(10-24-2002)
(10-23-2002)
Biffle in the #44 at the Rock: Greg Biffle will be substituting in the #44 Petty Enterprises entry at North Carolina Speedway on Nov. 3.(Roush Racing Site)(10-23-2002)
#45 Georgia Pacific car to be unveiled at AMS: Georgia-Pacific and Petty Enterprises will unveil new #45 G-P Dodge at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Friday afternoon, Oct 25th. In September, Georgia-Pacific and Petty Enterprises announced plans to shift G-P’s NASCAR sponsorship to the #45 car in 2003, with Petty Enterprises’ lead driver, Kyle Petty, behind the wheel. This will be the first look at the 2003 #45 car and the new identity created to launch the relationship between Kyle and G-P.(Williams Company PR)(10-23-2002)
Fans get to ride with drivers: Ten lucky NASCAR fans will experience heart-pounding rides in real stock cars with NASCAR's top drivers as part of the grand-prize package of the Coca-Cola Racing Family Reunion. With family and friends looking on, each winner will take a turn riding with a Coca-Cola Racing Family driver on a 160-mph ride around the lightning-fast 1.54-mile track at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Thursday, Oct. 24. In addition to receiving four "hot" laps in a Winston Cup stock car, each grand-prize winner will attend a Friday evening reunion dinner celebration with members of The Coca-Cola Racing Family and their families. The prize package also includes a 5-day, 4-night trip for each winner and five family members or friends to Atlanta, 3-day admission tickets for the entire family to the NAPA 500 race and $2,000 spending money. Grand prize winners are: Brenda Cohen of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Frederick Martin of Albuquerque, N.M., Margaret Pritchard of Elizabeth City, N.C., Paula Ludemann of Sahuarita, Ariz., Lori Browning of Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, Kristina Goin of Independence, Mo., Timothy Costick of Mary Esther, Fla., Beckie Thompson of Seadrift, Texas, and Virginia Kueker of Belton, Mo. Winners earned their trip through the Coca-Cola "Meet Our Family and Ride Along" instant win promotion. A 10th winner, Kathleen Gereg of Chicago Heights, Ill., was chosen via an interactive game on CocaColaRacingFamily.com. The Coca-Cola Racing Family is the cornerstone of Coca-Cola's involvement in NASCAR. Members include 2000 Winston Cup Champion Bobby Labonte, 1999 Winston Cup Champion Dale Jarrett, Tony Stewart, Steve Park, Ricky Rudd, Kyle Petty, Bill Elliott, Jeff Burton, John Andretti, Michael Waltrip, Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Teresa Earnhardt, Kurt Busch, Elliot Sadler, Pattie Petty, Ned Jarrett, Glenn Jarrett, Kelley Jarrett, Jason Jarrett, and Greg Biffle.(Coka Cola PR)(10-23-2002)
Drivers at the Movies:The Coca-Cola Racing Family of drivers are on the big screen again this fall, and as they've demonstrated in past pre-feature spots, they
seem to be getting just as comfortable in front of the camera as they do behind the wheel. But are they good enough yet to start critiquing others? Some of NASCAR's top drivers recently made the move from the driver's seat to the critic's seat in the newest Coca-Cola Racing Family pre-feature movie short, entitled, "Critics," which was filmed in Charlotte in May and is set to debut in more than 10,000 theaters nationwide this week. "Critics" features the Coca-Cola Racing Family drivers dishing out their opinions following a movie screening. And like many movie reviewers, the drivers disagree on various aspects of the film. While Kyle Petty compliments the film's use of metaphor and Bobby Labonte praises the dream sequence, according to Bill Elliott, "that dog stunk like a hound." The new short also features Coca-Cola Racing Family drivers Jeff Burton, Dale Jarrett, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Steve Park, Ricky Rudd, Kurt Busch, John Andretti and Michael Waltrip providing valuable film insight and critiques - and adding a lot of fun to the movie
experience.(Coca Cola PR)(10-23-2002)
Testing at the Rock: North Carolina Speedway Testing: The following drivers will be at North Carolina Speedway. Tuesday - Wednesday, October 22 – 23 testing for the upcoming NASCAR weekend November 2 - 3...2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series: #24-Jeff Gordon; #45-Kyle Petty; #40-Jamie McMurray; #25-Joe Nemechek (listed as in a Chevy and a Pontiac); #4-Mike Skinner; #16-Greg Biffle and #91-Hank Parker, Jr. Grandstand gates are open 9:00am – 4:00pm/et, General Public is invited to view the test session from the grandstand.(Catchfence via PR)(10-23-2002)
CASCAR to air on Speed Channel:Speed Channel will air the 2002 CASCAR Super Series races beginning with the Mopar 250 on Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. ET. The CASCAR Super Series consists of 12 races - nine short track ovals and three road courses. For the Canada Day Shootout at Cayuga Speedway, NASCAR regulars Ken Schrader, Tony Stewart, Dave Blaney, Matt Kenseth, Johnny Benson and Ted Musgrave were in the field. The Canada Day Shootout will air on Dec. 27 at 8:00pm/et.(MotorsportsTV via Speed PR)(10-23-2002)
AOL 8.0 Scheme? hearing the #30 AOL Chevy car will sport a AOL 8.0 scheme in one of the final races of the season, being mostly white (similar to the AOL Broadband/Neil McCoy scheme at Lowe's).(10-23-2002)
Schrader fastest at Homestead: ESPN2's RPM2 Night reported Tuesday that #36-Ken Schrader was the fastest car at Homestead testing on Tuesday with a speed just over 148mph.(10-23-2002)
DW wants to race a few races in CTS in 2003 and bye, bye goatee: Darrell Waltrip would like to do four [CTS - Truck] races next year. They're going to have two truck races at Martinsville. He'd like to do both of those. Then back to Indianapolis [IRP] and maybe one other one, Richmond or Phoenix. Also mentions he got rid of his goatee: "It took me a month -- four weeks -- to grow that mess, and I had it a couple of weeks. I've shaved it off because I didn't like it either. It was just an experiment."(Fox Sports)(10-23-2002)
(10-22-2002)
#22 Docked 25 points and fined $10,000: NASCAR officials announced that NASCAR Winston Cup Series owner Bill Davis, along with team crew chief Frank Stoddard and driver Ward Burton, received penalties for an infraction that occurred at Sunday's NASCAR Winston Cup race at Martinsville Speedway. The #22 Caterpillar Dodge of Bill Davis Racing was found to have unapproved front springs during post-race inspection and all three individuals were penalized under Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series rule book, "...Actions detrimental to stock car racing..." and Section 12-4-Q, "Any determination by NASCAR Officials that parts and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules." The coil winding of the front springs was not evenly spaced and did not meet the standards set forth in the rule book. Davis was penalized 25 NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship car owner points; Burton was penalized 25 NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship driver points; and Stoddard was fined $10,000. Davis now has 2,966 championship car owner points and drops from 26th to 27th in the standings. Burton also has 2,966 points, and drops from 24th to 25th in the drivers' championship standings.(NASCAR.com)(10-22-2002)
Martinsville TV Ratings: NBC's coverage of the Old Dominion 500 from Martinsville garnered a 3.9 overnight rating and 6 share. There is no comparison to last year, which was rain-delayed on TNT on a Monday.(MotorsportsTV)(10-22-2002)
Harvick to test at Kentucky: Kevin Harvick will prepare for the race at Atlanta at Kentucky Speedway on Tuesday, October 22, and Wednesday, October 23. In three career Winston Cup starts at Atlanta, Harvick has earned his first career series win, a third-place finish and a 39th place finish. Fans can view all tests sessions from the area outside of the speedway's Turn 3 Fan Center.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(10-22-2002)
No More Dash? Catchfence.com got a tip some three weeks ago that the NASCAR Goody's Dash Series would be nonexistent after the 2003 season, Series Director, Tom Ballos was contacted to shed light on this subject. This series has been around since 1975 and will host some 14 races at the end of the 2002 season, the last being a 150 lap event on October 25 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. In the Dash Series, the cars run 6 cylinder engines and their events are held on dirt and paved tracks from a quarter mile in length to the famous Daytona International Speedway. Said Ballos: "NASCAR has said that they would be willing to do all they could do to help find a home for this series. As it stands right now, it looks as though 2003 will be the last year for NASCAR with this series. The final decision announcement will be made at Atlanta at the last race of the season. They are looking at several things...at maybe finding a sanctioning body to take the series over. They're also looking at making the Dash cars a style of car that will be adaptable to different series, so they are working towards a happy medium on this." Money is always an issue in racing, regardless of the series, divisions or sanctioning body. Many Goody's Dash teams and drivers struggle for every available sponsor dollar to assist them in the season. It is the same in all series, but deep pocketed sponsors always go for the premiere series because of media coverage and television exposure for their product. Look for NASCAR's official decision during this season's last event at Atlanta Motor Speedway.(Catchfence)(10-22-2002)
Newman and Hot Wheels: Mattel, Inc. has renewed an exclusive licensing deal with #12-Ryan Newman to continue creating Hot Wheels die-cast merchandise. Mattel has extended Newman's multi-year contract for exclusive mass retail channel distribution of all die-cast vehicles associated with Newman and the #12 Alltel/Penske team. Marketing rights include usage of the #12, Ryan Newman, and his likeness, photograph and signature.(Business Wire)(10-22-2002)
Irvan the land owner: NASCAR legend Ernie Irvan could soon see high priced homes go up on his 60-acre tract of land off Odell School Road [North Carloina]. County commissioners Monday unanimously approved a new gated subdivision with combined prices for lots and houses estimated at upwards of $600,000. Each home will sit on an average of three acres with 20 homes planned for the entire neighborhood, developers said. Irvan Enterprises and Charlotte developers Simonini Builders will likely partner on the new subdivision, Alan Simonini, said Monday. The Planning and Zoning Department recommended the zoning request be approved, but cited school overcrowding as a possible hindrance to moving forward with the development,said Kelly Sifford of the Cabarrus County Planning and Zoning Department. To compensate, the builders have agreed to provide $500 per lot to “advance school adequacy.” According to a letter sent to Sifford last month, the builders anticipate that most of the residents will “send their children to private schools...” as the development will be close to Cannon School. Simonini Builders have built homes in neighborhoods such as The Peninsula on Lake Norman and Ballyntyne in Charlotte.(Independent Tribune)(10-22-2002)
(10-21-2002)
Mast Update: On ESPN2's RPM2Night it was mentioned that Rick Mast, while still having no firm idea on what is wrong, the Doctor's suspect he has long term carbon monoxide poisioning. Mast says he feels 50% and has no idea when he will be able to race again.(10-21-2002)
Gordon in IWC: Jeff Gordon will be on Speed Channel's NASCAR Inside Winston Cup tonight (Oct 21st) at 7:00pm/et (re-air on Tues at 12mid/et, 4:30pm/et and Wed at 11pm/et). This popular series, hosted by Allen Bestwick and featuring NASCAR Winston Cup Series drivers Michael Waltrip, Ken Schrader and Johnny Benson, features weekly recaps and analysis of Winston Cup racing action. From the pits to victory lane Inside Winston Cup provides up-to-date coverage of all the important develop-ments on the Winston Cup circuit. Tonight their special Hot Seat guest will be Jeff Gordon and they'll have highlights from Martinsville and the Busch race at Memphis.(10-21-2002)
Cope back in the #49 at Atlanta UPDATE and rest of 2002: Derrike Cope will return to driving duties at Atlanta in the #49 BAM Racing Dodge.(BAM Racing Site)(10-18-2002) UPDATE: Derrike Cope will take the wheel of the #49 BAM Racing Dodge for the rest of the season, beginning with this week’s NAPA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Beth Ann Morgenthau, owner of the NASCAR Winston Cup team along with her husband Tony, made the announcement. Cope will be returning to NASCAR competition for the first time since he was injured in a violent crash during a BGN race in September at Richmond. The former Daytona 500 winner had been talking with Morgenthau about finishing this season with the team at that point. "Derrike did a tremendous job for us at Michigan, the first time he had driven our equipment," Morgenthau said, "and continued to run well at Bristol the next week. We were off for two weeks with our partial schedule and had decided at that point to have him in our car for the rest of our year. Unfortunately, he was injured at Richmond in the Busch race. We used that time period to look at a couple of other drivers but anticipated Derrike’s return," she said. "He is back and ready to race. We’re excited to have him drive the BAM Racing Dodge the rest of the season." BAM’s schedule includes this week’s race at Hampton, Ga., and the final two events of the season - Nov. 10 at Phoenix, Ariz., and Nov. 17 at Homestead, FL. "These final three races of the season are opportunities for us to continue advancing and continue fine-tuning our team," Morgenthau said. "The feedback we will get from Derrike, like what he has offered our team previously, will help us to grow, and to get ready for a strong charge next season."(Williams Company PR)(10-21-2002)
Ward Communication Problem: #22-Ward Burton, who speaks with a slow Virginia drawl, and his new crew chief Frankie Stoddard, a fast-talking New Hampshire native, have become quite the odd couple during their first few races together. Communication during races seems to be somewhat of a problem. Twice during the early laps of the Old Dominion 500, Burton didn't come into the pits even though Stoddard and the crew were expecting him. "I couldn't understand a thing Frankie was saying," Burton said. "And I can't understand [car owner] Bill Davis either." Burton, who finished fifth, said the problem isn't the accents. "My hearing from shooting so much as a kid without ear plugs is shot," Burton said. "I've got to get the volume up on my radio."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(10-21-2002)
#77 Crew Member wins All-Pro Championship: Jeff Fultz, a full-time member of the #77 Jasper Engines and Transmissions Ford Team with driver Dave Blaney, won the NASCAR All-Pro Series championship in the rain-delayed season-finale in Memphis Sunday, starting second and leading all 125 laps of the race. Fultz, who entered the race five points behind David Reutimann, was assured the title when the leader suffered engine failure on Lap 44. In his quest for the 2002 NASCAR All-Pro title, Fultz enjoyed a 101-point lead two weeks ago before finishing 13th and 11th, respectively, in races at Greenville-Pickens, S.C. and Kenley, N.C., while new leader Reutimann won both events and moved ahead of Fultz—who had finished in the top-five in the All-Pro points in each of the past three seasons including second in 2000—with his slight advatnage entering the season-finale at Memphis Motorsports Park. A Cincinnati, OH. native, Fultz, a fabricator and wind-tunnel specialist, brought 179 overall career wins and seven series championships into 2002 and added All-Pro wins at Nashville and Myrtle Beach (as well as an ARCA Series win in May at Charlotte) this season, but the All-Pro championship had eluded him until Sunday, despite several close calls. Fultz will receive the All-Pro Series championship trophy and champion’s checks next Saturday night in ceremonies at the Atlanta Airport Hilton, part of a busy NASCAR weekend in the city that includes the Winston Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.(Jasper Racing PR)(10-21-2002)
Berrier to Gibbs? Richard Childress may be losing a crew chief to the Bobby Labonte-Jimmy Makar team, according to team sources, and there has been speculation that it could be Todd Berrier [#30 AOL Crew Chief/driver Jeff Green], who has been Childress' top performing crew chief this year. But Childress says no, because Berrier has two more years on his contract. If the Joe Gibbs operation can't make a deal for Berrier, then the team is expected to look to the Indy-car ranks.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-21-2002)
Musgrave in the #44 at the Rock? UPDATE nope, Atlanta hearing Ted Musgrave will drive the #44 Georgia Pacific Dodge at North Carloina Speedway in Rockingham, NC on Nov 3rd. Sounds like a lot of traveling if this is true as Musgrave is scheduled to run the Truck Series race at California Speedway on Nov 2nd.(10-19-2002) UPDATE: now hearing it'll be next week at Atlanta NOT Rockingham.(10-20-2002) UPDATE 2: Jerry Nadeau's season ended after he injured a shoulder and ribs in a go-kart accident last week. Nadeau will drive the #36 Pontiac next season. Ted Musgrave will sub for Nadeau in the #44 Petty Dodge this weekend at Atlanta. Musgrave is committed to drive the #07 Dodge, owned by Smith, at Phoenix and Homestead.(Sporting News)(10-21-2002)
More on Nadeau to MB2: As for [Jerry] Nadeau, expected to be announced as the new driver for Thomas Moore's #36 [rumor has it being #01] Pontiac for next season, Petty has told him to plan on taking the rest of the year to recuperate and prepare for that ride. "He doesn't owe it to us. He's done a phenomenal job for us," said Petty, the CEO of Petty Enterprises. "But he's got a deal next year with the 36 car and it would be better for him to heal up and get ready."(Richmond Times Dispatch)(10-21-2002)
NASCAR Legend Junior Johnson To Appear In Dawsonville, Ga: The most famous moonshiner of them all plans for the first time to take part in a reunion of his liquor-hauling peers. NASCAR racing legend Junior Johnson will serve as Grand Marshal Saturday, Oct 26th during the 35th Annual Moonshine Festival at Dawsonville, Ga. At age 14 Johnson could drive a car so fast and well that he was transporting illegal moonshine whiskey from his father's stills in the mountains of Wilkes County, N.C.,to thirsty customers celebrating the recent end of World War II. This talent for speed made Johnson a natural to join the colorful cast of competitors when stock car racing was born in North Carolina in the late 1940s. For most of the next half-century Johnson was a central character as NASCAR progressed from .jalopies and dusty short tracks to become the most popular form of motorsports in the world. .First as a driver rated by Sports Illustrated as the greatest ever, then as one of the top team owners of all time, Johnson maintained the fullbore philosophy that prevented him from ever being outrun on a highway by the revenuers. Johnson won 50 races at NASCAR's major level as a driver, including the Daytona 500 in 1960. However, Junior made his greatest mark as a team owner, scoring 140 victories, including six when Dawsonville hero Bill Elliott drove for him during the1992-94 seasons. Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip won three Winston Cup championships each while driving for Johnson. Elliott finished second in the '92 title chase to the late Alan Kulwicki, losing by only 10 points, the smallest margin in history. Johnson will be Grand Marshal of the Moonshine Festival's parade at 10 a.m. .Activities are scheduled 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and feature antique cars, racing displays and vendors in the city streets, at the square and at the Thunder Road Museum. From noon- 2 p.m. Johnson will autograph copies of his authorized biography, "Junior Johnson: Brave In Life," which will be for sale in a booth at the square. Junior will be joined in Dawsonvile for the signing by co-authors Tom Higgins and Steve Waid, who also will autograph the books. Now in a fifth printing, the 200-page book on Junior features anecdotes and photos from his moonshining days, his driving career and his four decades as a team owner fielding cars for such drivers as Charlie Glotzbach, Terry Labonte, Bobby Allison, Neil Bonnett and LeeRoy Yarbrough in addition to Elliott, Waltrip and Yarborough. Higgins is a a retired motorsports writer for The Charlotte Observer who started covering NASCAR in 1958. Waid is vice-president for editorial development at Street & Smith Sports Group, which publishes Winston Cup Scene and Winston Cup Illustrated. He is a co-host of NASCAR Today, the Fox television network's show preceding each Winston Cup race. One reviewer wrote the following of the Johnson biography:
.."The photos alone are worth the price of admission, including mug shots of Junior, his mother and his two brothers from revenuers' files, massive stills and previously unpublished racing shots from NASCAR's earliest days." Also pictured is the pardon from a moonshining conviction that Johnson received from President Ronald Reagan in 1985. ."The pardon is a measure of the incredible life Junior has led," said Higgins. "As far as we can determine, Junior is the only American ever to receive a presidential pardon in person in the Oval Office." Johnson, 71, sold his racing operation and retired from motorsports in 1995. He now spends his time overseeing private businesses, including a large cattle farm in Yadkin County, N.C. Junior lives on the farm with his wife Lisa and young children Robert and Meredith.(10-21-2002)
Carter/Fukuyama/sponsor deal in place for 2003? #66-Hideo Fukuyama got his second taste of NASCAR racing yesterday, and it didn't go that well, but not all that badly either. Fukuyama ran at the back of the pack until his day ended when he backed into the wall 50 miles from the finish. Car owner Travis Carter is providing Fukuyama's Cup cars this fall, at Dover, Martinsville and at Rockingham, in anticipation of persuading enough Japanese companies to come up with enough sponsorship money to back Fukuyama on the full tour next season. And during the weekend Carter was told the deal for 2003 has been given the OK by the potential sponsorship backer, so far unnamed.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-21-2002)
AOL looking to leave? AOL Time Warner's financial problems have raised the prospect that the media giant may drop off the Winston Cup tour as soon as its current contracts expire. The company's stock has fallen from $39 a share to $12 during the past year. AOL and Time Warner merged in January 2001, but the new corporation has been in trouble for quite a while. AOL stock has fallen 70 percent since the merger. A new boss took over in May. Third quarter results are due Wednesday.(Winston Salem Journal). Jayski Note: last I heard AOL is signed thru 2004.(10-21-2002)
Stewart's health a concern? Tony Stewart complained of a severe headache during the race at Martinsville because too much carbon monoxide was getting into the cockpit after he was involved in a three-car incident that caved in the crush panels on his Pontiac. The track physician and a NASCAR nurse attended to Stewart, who finished 11th, after the race, and he received oxygen before leaving the track, nearly two hours after the race. This has been an issue at other times this season for Stewart, who appears more susceptible to carbon monoxide than most. NASCAR director John Darby said he is aware of the situation and that NASCAR is conducting studies to assess "what's going on in the cockpit."(Sporting News)(10-21-2002)
More Vasser Rumors: CART driver Jimmy Vasser has been in Charlotte the last few weeks looking to put together a NASCAR deal of some sort, Busch or Winston Cup, possibly with Chip Ganassi in a Busch ride.(Winston Salem Journal), See my Drivers MISC news page for some past rumors.(10-21-2002)
Wimmer to Cup in 2003? in an AP BGN story on ThatsRacin.com it is reported that "[Scott] Wimmer now has eight top-10 finishes since his Busch team lost its sponsor in July. Team owner Bill Davis has been paying the bills while the crew prepares to move up to Winston Cup if a sponsor can be found."(ThatsRacin.com).(10-21-2002)
Rumblings - Martinsville: Johnny Benson (2nd) had his best finish since he was 2nd at Dover in September of 2000. This is the 3rd time Benson has been the bridesmaid. Ward Burton (5th) had his best finish since he won at New Hampshire in July. John Andretti (13th) had his best finish since he was 11th at Watkins Glen in August. Mike Bliss (14th) had his best finish since he was 9th at Talladega in October of 2000 (only 4 races). Casey Atwood (21st) had his best finish since he was 18th at Bristol in August.
STREAKIN...Dale Earnhardt Jr has 4 Top-10's in a row. Jimmie Johnson has 4 Top-10's in the last 5 races.
This Week's Elevator....UP: Operator of the Week is Kurt Busch (+35), followed by John Andretti (+27) and Tony Stewart (+20). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Bill Elliott (-39), followed by Jeff Gordon (-34), Hermie Sadler (-27), and Mike Skinner (-24).(this uses OFFICIAL starting spots)
Geoffrey Bodine [in the #23 Dodge] led a lap today for the first time since New Hampshire in July of 2000. He's the 46th different driver to lead a lap this season.... last year we had 48 of 'em.
32 down and 4 to go....Tony Stewart's lead shrinks by 15 points but another race comes off the calendar. Tony's Magic Number is now 3rd vs Jimmie Johnson...only the Top-15 are still in contention. Busch's win moved him ahead two spots in the standings (9th to 7th) while Bill Elliott fell three spots (8th to 11th).(Stock Car Fans Newsletter)(10-21-2002)
