Motorsports 2003 Auto Racing Trade/Fan Show: The Motorsports 2003 show, the 18th annual edition, close to 300,000 square feet of everything motorsports, is set for January 10th through January 12th at the Fort Washington, PA Expo Center. More than 40,000 people are expected to make their way through the show during the three days. The show opens at 1:00pm on Friday, January 10th. Motorsports 2003 will again feature more than 600 exhibit booths with 400 plus dealers, manufacturers, speedways, organizations and others in the industry. There will be a full slate of race driver, race team and fan participation events. U.S.Smokeless Tobacco Co. will again sponsor the very popular Ms. Motorsports Contest. There will be a kids Big Wheel competition. And, as in the past, there will be antique race car displays, stage shows, Battle Bots and interviews with key people in the sport. Free autograph sessions, included in the price of admission, will be offered fans with many top local, regional and national racing personalities participating. And the always popular seminars and Motorsports Garage demonstrations will be an important part of the three day show. The seminars will cover everything from sponsorship to picking the right shocks and other informative sessions. The Hardcore Manufacturers Section will certainly be a popular area to visit for auto racers looking to learn what is new in the sport, what will make the race car handle better, what will make the car go faster and so much more. And for fans there is the huge collectible area with bargains to be found. The show, Motorsports 2003, takes place at the Fort Washington, PA Expo Center located just off the Pennsylvania Turnpike at Exit 26.(AARN PR)(11-24-2002)
(11-23-2002)
Buckshot not racing in 2003: per the Buckshot00.com site and Buckshot Jones - "It is with great sadness that I must tell you that as of right now I have no plans to race full-time next season. Unfortunately, without a sponsor, there isn’t anything that we can do. We will be closing the website on November 30th. We will not continue the fan club in 2003. However, if an opportunity to race full-time arises, we will start the fan club and website back up. I can’t begin to tell you how much your support has meant to me throughout the years. Thank you for everything that you have done for me.(11-23-2002)
The Baja 1000 starts Nov 21st UPDATE 2: Winston Cup stock car driver Robby Gordon will lead the list of drivers from other major series competing in the Baja 1000. Of course, Gordon got his start in off-road racing and is a former winner of the event. Other recognized drivers from other series competing this year are Jimmy Vasser, Robbie Groff and Michel Jordain Jr. (CART), Brendan Gaughan (NASCAR Craftsman Trucks), sports car legend Elliott Forbes-Robinson and former IndyCar driver Roberto Guerrero.(San Diego Union Tribune)(11-21-2002) UPDATE: hearing Robby Gordon finished third in his class-Trophy Truck and 10th overall in the Baja. See more info and scoring at the www.off-road.com or www.score-international.com or www.bajawireless.com sites.(11-22-2002) UPDATE 2: Robby Gordon drove to a third-place finish in the Trophy Truck class of the Baja 1000 late Thursday night after holding a 10-minute lead on the field earlier in the event. In a solo drive, Gordon completed the 1,017-mile survival race through Baja California, Mexico, in 18 hours, 32 minutes and four seconds. The 33-year-old grabbed the lead (leading all classes in the Baja 1000) about 120 miles into the desert race but gave it up at mile marker 350 to work on a wheel bearing problem his No. 31 Trophy Truck had suffered. Gordon said he continued to add gear oil to the truck each time he made a scheduled pit stop and did not lose much extra time on those pit stops. His disadvantage was that the leaking oil hurt the rear brakes on the Trophy Truck.(RCR PR)(11-23-2002)
After 20 Years, Indoor Racing Returns To Atlantic City: Three-Quarter Midget racing is returning to Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall on Sat., Jan. 18, 2003, event organizer Lenny Sammons announced. The Atlantic City Indoor Race will bring competition back to the famed seaside venue for the first time since January 1981. A 40-lap TQ Midget feature will headline the racing card, which will also include Legends Cars. Neptune Research and the Green Flag Driving Experience are presenting sponsors. TQ Midget action was once a wintertime tradition in Atlantic City. A series for the division was run at the Boardwalk Hall from 1965 to '81 [Jayski used to go in the 1970's]. A total of 53 racing programs were presented inside the building--then called Convention Hall--during that 17-year period. The current Boardwalk Hall isn't quite the same place it was for the last TQ Midget event, however. A multi-million-dollar reconstruction of the Boardwalk Hall was recently completed. While maintaining the 73-year-old structure's classic appeal, architects modernized the Hall to accomodate the Miss America pagaent held each September on its stage as well as a variety of major sporting, performance and special events. Some changes in the Hall's seating configuration during the refurbishing will force race officials to make the track size smaller than it was in the past, but it will still be significantly larger than most indoor layouts. The track will run completely around the outside of the Hall's hockey rink and extend an additional 20 feet at one end to lengthen the straightaways. The track's concrete surface will be treated with brake fluid and rosin to create maximum traction for the cars. Tickets will be go on sale on Mon., Nov. 25, at all Ticketmaster outlets and the Boardwalk Hall box office from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.(Area Auto Racing News Site)(11-23-2002)
Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities to grant $228,000 to local children's at LVMS: The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities will hold its annual Grant Distribution and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 6:00pm. The Las Vegas chapter will present checks in the total sum of $228,000 to 31 local children's charities at the ceremony. At a time when most charities have experienced decreases in donations, the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities will grant $31,000 more than 2001. Last year, the Las Vegas chapter awarded a total of $196,500 to 17 causes. Fundraising events for the 2002 season included the annual NASCAR Driver Auction at Sam's Town Live! (which raised $89,000), Bob & Mike's Third Annual Birthday Bash (a street rod and race car show held in Eldorado Park) and an NHRA Jr. Dragster event held at The Strip at LVMS. The evening's festivities will include a performance by the Culture Shock Las Vegas inner city dance troupe and a visit from Santa Claus. Chris Powell, president and general manager of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, will light the traditional SCC Christmas tree.(Las Vegas Motor Speedway PR)(11-23-2002)
(11-22-2002)
Geoffrey in for Todd at Homestead UPDATE 3 Todd has surgery, will not be back in the #26...BUT: Geoffrey Bodine is in the #26 Discover Card Ford, subbing for his brother Todd, whose back was bothing him too much to race. Geoffrey will have to go to the rear of the field before the green flag(NBC Sports). More on the story at NASCAR.com(11-17-2002) UPDATE: Todd Bodine will have back surgery Friday to repair a disc he ruptured in his lower back last Thursday when he crashed his car during BGN race at Homestead. "I haven't slept more than three hours a night since Friday," Bodine said Wednesday from his Concord, N.C., home. "It's been pretty painful." He was able to compete in the Ford 300 on Saturday while wearing a corset-type back support. He finished 39th after his engine failed. Afterward, the pain became progressively worse and Bodine was forced to sit out Sunday's Ford 400 Winston Cup race. His older brother Geoffrey, who failed to qualify the #09 Ford on Friday, substituted for Todd in the #26 Discover Card Ford. He finished 32nd. Todd Bodine, who has suffered from back problems since 1997, said he aggravated his back in an accident during the Rockingham Cup race. Bodine, who said the pain extends down into his right thigh, saw a specialist on Tuesday who made the diagnosis of a ruptured disc. He'll be operated on at the Charlotte (N.C.) Medical Center at 12:30pm. Bodine said Cox Marketing will release a statement after the surgery. Bodine said his recovery from surgery is expected to take six to eight weeks. "That's why we are doing it now, so we will be ready for testing at Daytona in January," he said. Bodine is still trying to finalize his Winston Cup plans for 2003. He will not return to the #26 Haas Carter Motorsports team, which lost primary sponsor Discover Card. "I've got a few options," Bodine said. "One of the deals could happen this week." Bodine said a Winston Cup start-up team is one of the teams interested in him as a driver.(Star Gazette)(11-21-2002) UPDATE 2: been told that Todd Bodine is still could drive the #26 Ford if sponsorship is found. No word on who the start-up team is.(11-22-2002) UPDATE 3: Todd Bodine has successfully undergone endothscopic back surgery to repair a ruptured (L5S1) disc that kept him from competing in the Cup season finale at Homestead. Dr. Tim Adamson performed the 45-minute outpatient procedure today at the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. Bodine is expected to recover in six to eight weeks. Bodine has dealt with infrequent disc discomfort throughout the 2002 season and was prepared to seek treatment at the end of this year's NASCAR calendar. However, recent on-track incidences, such as a crash at the Cup race at North Carolina Speedway, and an accident during BGN practice at Homestead are believed to have caused the disc to rupture requiring today's surgery. "I am glad to be on the mend," said Bodine at his home in Davidson, NC. "I visited Dr. Jerry Petty and Dr. Tim Adamson of Carolina NeuroSurgery and Spine the Monday after returning from Homestead. It was discovered at that time my bulged disc had ruptured. We decided right there to schedule surgery as soon as possible." At the end of the 2001 NASCAR season, Dr. Adamson performed a similar surgery on Ricky Rudd. Bodine is expected to make a full recovery in time for the 2003 season-opening races in Daytona. "I am real pleased at how well the surgery went," said Dr. Adamson. "If all goes as anticipated, we are looking for Todd will be able to get behind the wheel of a stock car by the middle of January and be 100% for Speedweeks in February 2003." In the meantime, the 38-year-old driver has been told to relax and is only being allowed to stand up or lay down. When cleared, a physical therapy regimen is planned at the supervision of Dr. Adamson. "The best case scenario is to start Todd on a physical therapy program in two weeks after the surgery site has scarred over that will include stretching and strengthening exercises," added Dr. Adamson. Todd and his wife, Lynn credit Denise Meeks, the BGN Medical Liaison for her help in coordinating Monday's medical examination after their return from Miami. "Throughout the entire season, in both the NASCAR Busch and Winston Cup Series, we have had the pleasure of dealing with the NASCAR medical liaisons in the at-track care centers. They have made medical situations so much less trying and stressful for the competitors and our families. We cannot thank them enough for being there for us as well as NASCAR for putting them in place. It is a program that is greatly appreciated," added Bodine.(Cox Marketing Group PR). NOTE: It is my understanding that if Haas-Carter Motorsports can find sponsorship and Todd Bodine is available to drive, he will be back in the #26 Ford.(11-22-2002)
Atwood Won't Know for another week or so: Casey Atwood won't learn his fate with Evernham Motorsports until after Thanksgiving, Atwood's father said yesterday. Atwood, 22, has one year left on his three-year contract with Ray Evernham. Atwood drove the #7 Sirius Dodge most of this season under a partnership between Evernham and Jim Smith, but Evernham terminated that partnership after Smith replaced Atwood with Jason Leffler with two races to go. ''Ray told Casey he wanted to wait until after Thanksgiving, then they'll get together,'' Casey's father, Terry Atwood, said yesterday. ''Right now, Casey doesn't know a thing.''(Tennessean)(11-22-2002)
da Matta beats Stewart: CART champion Cristiano da Matta has broken NASCAR's five-year stranglehold on the Driver of the Year award in historic fashion. For the first time in the award's 36-year history, a tiebreaker was used to determine the winner after da Matta and 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup champion Tony Stewart each drew six votes from a nationwide panel of 16 motorsports journalists. Points awarded to each driver during four quarterly ballots were added, and da Matta beat Stewart 246-66 to claim the honor. Da Matta, a 29-year-old Brazilian nicknamed "Shorty," clinched with three races remaining in a 19-event schedule. His 73-point margin over second-place Bruno Junqueira was the widest [actually 2nd widest] in CART history. Stewart, meanwhile, was taken to the season's 36th and final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday before clinching the Cup title over Mark Martin by 38 points. Stewart, a 31-year-old native of Indiana, posted two poles, three victories and 15 top-five finishes in the #20 Home Depot Pontiac Grand Prix owned by Joe Gibbs. Beginning with Jeff Gordon in 1997, the Winston Cup champion also had won Driver of the Year through 2001. Also receiving votes in a secret ballot were Pennzoil World of Outlaws champion Steve Kinser and National Hot Rod Association Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon. John Force, the 12-time NHRA Funny Car champion and 1996 Driver of the Year, was the cumulative winner of a fan vote on ESPN.com. Winston Cup driver Kurt Busch won the fourth-quarter vote 117-59 over two-time Indy Racing League champion Sam Hornish Jr.(Fort Worth Star Telegram)(11-22-2002)
Silly Season Stuff: Nearly 300 days ago, teams were getting ready to head to Daytona with hopes of a great year. Some were well-established teams while others were just hoping to make it in the big time. Do you realize that, of the 53 teams that drove through the tunnel at Daytona back in February, only 40 of them had the same driver in the seat come the end of the season? That's a 25.5 percent turnover rate. Sterling Marlin, who finished eighth and led the point chase for 25 weeks, is one. Mike Wallace, who was in the #33 that day, finished the year in the #14. The #33 team lost funding and didn't run the whole season. Stacy Compton, who started in the #14, ended up finishing ninth in the Busch Series. Others who ran the Daytona 500 but had other deals come last weekend were, Kenny Wallace (1/23), Casey Atwood (7/91), Hut Stricklin (23/?), Jerry Nadeau (25/44/01), Joe Nemechek (26/25), Buckshot Jones (44/?), Shawna Robinson (49/?), Todd Bodine (66/26), Dave Marcis (71/retired) and Robert Pressley in the #92/CTS.(Caledonian Record)(11-22-2002)
More TV Ratings Stuff: NBC's NASCAR Winston Cup finale, the Ford 400.from Homestead-Miami Speedway, on Sunday delivered a 5.2 national rating/11 share, NASCAR's best rating ever against pro football, according to Nielsen Media Research. The 5.2 rating propelled the NBC & TNT 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup season average to a 13 percent increase over 2001 and an explosive 59 percent increase over 2000, the year prior to the current television rights deal. The 19 NASCAR Winston Cup telecasts on NBC & TNT over the second half of the 2002 season averaged an impressive 4.3 national rating/10 share, up 13 percent over last year's 3.8/10, and a 59 percent increase over the 2.7/8 for the 2000 season.. (All season averages exclude the Daytona 500 and the primetime Pepsi 400 - the two races which alternate between NBC and Fox each year). For the eight NASCAR on NBC pre-race shows that ran from the start of the NFL season through Nov. 17th, NBC's "Discover Card Countdown to Green".averaged a 2.6/7, making it the second highest rated Sunday "pre-game" show, outperforming CBS' "NFL Today" (2.5/7).. Fox's "NFL Sunday" averaged a 3.5/10.. Additionally, NBC's NASCAR pre-race show outperformed CBS' "NFL Today" five of the seven times when the two programs aired head-to-head. Fifteen of the 20 NBC & TNT races (including Daytona) equaled or improved the household ratings from 2001 and seven of the eight NBC races that went head-to-head against pro football achieved a rating of 4.0 or better. Last year, only three of six races generated a 4 rating in head-to-head competition with pro football. NBC & TNT's key adult 18-49 demographic for the 19 NASCAR Winston Cup races generated a 2.7 rating, a four percent increase over last year's 2.6 average.. Men 18-49 posted a 3.5, a three percent increase over the 3.4 for 2001. Chicago was NBC's most improved NASCAR market, up 38 percent over 2001 to a 3.3/7.(NBC PR)(11-22-2002)
Elledge to the #41? UPDATE 2: hearing that #55 crew chief Jimmy Elledge could be moving to the #41 team, especially if Hamiton goes there as the driver.(11-13-2002) UPDATE: Jimmy Elledge has said he won't return as crew chief for Andy Petree's #55, and it's possible that if Ken Schrader moves to that car, he'll bring Newt Moore, his chief from the #36.(Sporting News)(11-18-2002) UPDATE 2: hearing Elledge has been hired as the new #41 crew chief, no word on Randolph's 2003 plans.(11-20-2002) UPDATE 3: Elledge has been hired as the crew chief for the #41 Target Dodge, also leading to speculation that Bobby Hamilton, who worked with Elledge at the #55 could be the next driver if the #41 car.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(11-22-2002)
More Kentucky Testing: Christian Fittipaldi continued his stock car education while Hank Parker, Jr., mulled his racing future during Dodge testing for Petty Enterprises and Evernham Motorsports at Kentucky Speedway. Parker, Jr., visited Kentucky with Evernham Motorsports to test its 2003 engine program. The 28-year-old driver, who finished 14thin the 2002 BGN with Jesel Motorsports, said he is weighing his future after team title sponsor GNC announced it would not return to the BGN in 2003. Fittipaldi was a surprise addition to the Kentucky Speedway test roster. Petty Enterprises Crew Chief Gary Putnam said Fittipaldi will run an undetermined mix of ARCA, BGN and Winston Cup Series events in 2003. Putnam, who moved from MB2/Valvoline to Petty Enterprises in September, said the 31-year-old Petty prodigy is making quick progress up the stock car learning curve.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(11-22-2002)
APR laying folks off? UPDATEs and links to possible jobs: hearing Andy Petree Racing has laid off many of their employees and crew as no sponsorship has been found for 2003 yet. UPDATE: heard from the team and been told that as of today they do not have anything signed for next year, but are very close, and did lay some people off Monday. APR is very close to signing a full deal for next year and beyond and they hope to announce a deal within 10 days. Plus on Speed Channel's Inside Winston Cup, Kenny Schrader, who is rumored to drive for APR in 2003 said for he hopes to announce a sponsor deal on Speed News (on Speed Channel Sunday's at 7pm) soon.(11-18-2002) UPDATE 2: Two years of sponsorship concerns are beginning to wear on NASCAR team owner Andy Petree. But Petree is optimistic that he will be able to announce a sponsorship deal to ensure the financial health of his #55 team as early as next week. Petree laid off an unspecified number of workers Monday but said Tuesday that he hopes most of the layoffs are only temporary. Petree and driver Kenny Schrader, with support from NASCAR, are talking to a potential sponsor for next season. Meanwhile, the remaining 30-plus members of the team are working to prepare cars for next season; they recently conducted a wind-tunnel test. "We're definitely not shutting the door by any means," Petree says. "The people that we have are working their butts off."(USA Today)(11-20-2002) Job Help: Racing Resumes is offering help to those laid off from this team and others (including the BGN and CTS series) as is other Job placement servies, see my Racing Schools/Jobs page for links and info.(11-20-2002) UPDATE 3: Andy Petree has confirmed that Ken Schrader will drive the #55 Chevy next year, if the owner can secure sponsorship for the team. Petree says his sponsorship woes aren't solved just yet, but he feels confident they will be within the week. Petree told NASCAR.com on Thursday that his search for monetary backing is "going pretty good," although he would not specify with whom he is negotiating. Earlier this week, Petree laid off an unspecified number of workers, but added that he hopes most of the layoffs are only temporary. Petree said the #55 team has two 2003 Chevy's built -- one for speedways and another for tracks requiring more downforce. A second speedway car, which was taken to the wind tunnel last week, is nearly done.(NASCAR.com)(11-22-2002)
Fox News: Not surprisingly, Fox has said a firm "no" to old age and treachery and "yes" to the bright young stars of NASCAR. Airing this Sunday during NFL on Fox coverage is the first wave of the 2003 NASCAR on FOX on-air promotion campaign. The spots feature several up and coming "Young Guns of NASCAR," who are not only winning races, but are breaking through traditional perceptions surrounding this major sport. Intended to convey that NASCAR currently showcases some of the coolest, bravest athletes in all of sports, the campaign stars Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman and Matt Kenseth. The concept for each promo surrounds the driver's family tree, and in an unexpected way, reveals that the parents, or grandparents, of these drivers had a flare for risk taking and craziness. These traits have passed down to their children, thus the spot's tag line: "NASCAR's Young Guns were born to make racing more exciting." (Fox Sports Press Release via MotorsportsTV)(11-22-2002)
Most Wanted News: America's Most Wanted/Body Dynamics Motorsports gets mention on the "John Walsh Show" about their work in assisting Mike Kibalo in trying to find his missing 3 year old daughter Samantha. Mike was a guest on the show and the spoke of the race teams efforts and showed pictures of the race car.(America's Most Wanted Motorsports PR)(11-22-2002)
(11-21-2002)
Vasser testing BGN car? UPDATE: hearing CART driver Jimmy Vasser was testing a Busch car at Lakeland [FL] this week. Ganassi? Braun?(11-20-2002) UPDATE: hearing that Vasser and David Reutimann (who drove a few BGN races for Joe Nemechek) tested the #92 Herzog-Jackson Motorsports Chevy at Lakeland and will testing next week at Kentuck with Vasser, Reutimann, and another driver. Also the #92 laid off ten team members earlier this week including the Engineer, shop forman, lead fabricator, and several mechanics.(11-21-2002)
Parker leaves Roush for Yates UPDATE: #97 Car Chief Shawn Parker has left Roush Racing and will assume the Car Chief duties for the #38 M&M's Ford of Yates Racing and Elliott Sadler.(11-20-2002) UPDATE: Elliott Sadler became acquainted with his new Robert Yates Racing NASCAR Winston Cup Team during a two-day test at Kentucky Speedway. The 27-year-old Sadler began preparing to become the new teammate of 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Dale Jarrett. Sadler enters the team seat vacated by veteran driver Ricky Rudd and will drive for new sponsor M&M's Candies. After just two days on the job, he's already impressed with the team chemistry. "It's unbelievable how well this team works together, how focused they are and how good they want to be. I'm just glad to be a part of this team. I'm glad Robert and Doug have given me this chance. I'm working very well with Raymond so far, so I think things will be very bright for us this (upcoming) year," Sadler said. Sadler added that he's excited about building a promising future with Fox and Parker. "Raymond has worked with this team for a long time, I think it's the only place he's ever worked. He's due for his chance to become a crew chief. He's doing a great job. We're both pretty young and we brought Shawn Parker over to be the car chief. We have a lot of good young guys on this race team that are eager to win and wanting to do what it takes to run good each and every week. Hopefully we'll be together a long time and have some good success," Sadler concluded. (Kentucky Speedway PR), been told that Yate's will try something a little different and have co-crew chief with Fox and Parker.(11-21-2002)
Melling CTS team? Stacy Compton's sponsorship for 2003 is shaping up so he and Darrell Waltrip would run four trucks races apiece in the Dodge owned by Lynchburg businessman Jim Harris. "I've talked with Jim Harris and Mark Melling is certainly looking to somebody in the truck for a full season," Compton said. "If the opportunity comes up where Mark Melling gets a Winston Cup deal to run Daytona, we'll run it."(News and Advance)(11-21-2002)
(11-20-2002)
Sad News: Florida driver Pete Orr passed away Monday night after his battle with cancer and pneumonia. Orr also ran the Pete Orr's Winners Circle Racing School in Florida, and has held positions of crew chief, team manager and consultant. Orr crewed for the likes of Junior Hanley and Darrell Waltrip, and raced in many levels of top level stock cars including the NASCAR Busch Grand National series. Orr won Florida Governor's Cup titles in 1993 and 1994 and was one of the most popular racers in the State. In the last few years Pete had tried to focus on his racing school, and working with young stars of the Florida Late Model scene.(Florida Stock Car Racing) and nice story about Orr at RacingDiva.(11-20-2002)
#19 Shakeup UPDATE Furr? Sources inside Evernham Motorsports say a major shakeup is expected on the #19. Feelers were put out in the garage for a crew chief and a driver -- yes, a driver, even though Jeremy Mayfield has been in the car just one season and has a year left on his contract. Busch Series driver Shane Hmiel, 22, has been mentioned for the Evernham ride and as a candidate to replace Spencer at Ganassi Racing.(Sporting News)(11-18-2002) UPDATE: hearing Tony Furr [formerly of the #7 and the #25 in 2002] could be the new crew chief of the #19 Dodge, guess the committee thing didn't pan out? If Mayfield does leave rumored drivers are Shame Hmiel and Hank Parker Jr.(11-20-2002)
Garage Access update: NASCAR officials met with Winston Cup track operators to discuss how both sides can limit the amount of people in the garage area at Winston Cup races. Drivers have complained recently about the large numbers of fans that swarm the garage area each race weekend. The issue came to a head in August when Tony Stewart was accused of shoving a female fan at Bristol Motor Speedway. Stewart was cleared of any wrongdoing in the incident, but NASCAR vowed to look into who gets garage passes to its Winston Cup races.(Las Vegas Sun)(11-20-2002)
F1 Visitor's at Homestead UPDATE: Three-time Formula One champion Alain Prost strolled through the pits and paddock Friday at Miami-Homestead Speedway, getting his first look at NASCAR stock cars. "They are very loud, just like Formula One," Prost said, smiling. The Frenchman, whose Prost F1 team went bankrupt midway through the 2002 season, was the guest of Winston Cup and Busch Series car owner George deBidart. Also visiting the track Friday was F1 driver and former CART champion Juan Pablo Montoya. Montoya, who has a home in Miami, was the guest of Target/Chip Ganassi Racing team manager Andy Graves, who ran Ganassi's Indy-car operation in 2000 when Montoya won the Indianapolis 500.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(11-16-2002) UPDATE: What brought the former Formula One team owner to the NASCAR finale? He was a guest of George deBidart, a Busch team owner who may have a full-time Winston Cup team in the near future. All he would say that morning “I’m here to see some people and look around the garages.” What does a former Formula One team owner and a NASCAR team owner have in common? That’s easy, sponsorship. Even though the Prost Formula One team failed due to financial troubles one year ago, the type of money needed over there makes even the most expensive Winston Cup deal look like petty cash. Both Prost and deBidart were not waiting around to be interviewed but don’t be surprised if some deal is cooking and there will be enough new financing to make it a serious effort.(more at RacingOne)(11-20-2002)
DW and Mikey: Heard that Michael Waltrip and Darrell Waltrip are filming another series of Aaron's Rents commercials today in Charlotte. No word if Michael will finally let his big brother drive the #99 Dream Machine.(11-20-2002)
SAFER Test: NASCAR managing director of competition Gary Nelson plans to visit the University of Nebraska this week to test a modified version of the impact-absorbing SAFER barrier that is designed to fit short tracks. Dean Sicking, the barrier's designer, and his staff have built a mock-up of the high-banked, short-radius turns at Richmond International Raceway and will hit the modified SAFER barrier with an unoccupied race car. If it achieves impact-absorbing results similar to those from the barrier's first deployment at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, SAFER could be installed at more tracks next season. The barrier was used on the inside retaining walls at Talladega Superspeedway in October.(USA Today)(11-20-2002)
IROC Testing at Daytona: The True IROC team began testing Tuesday at Daytona International Speedway, which will host the opening event for True Value IROC XXVII on Feb. 14, 2003. As previously announced, the 2001 and 2002 Pennzoil World of Outlaw (WoO) champions, Danny Lasoski and Steve Kinser, respectively, were in attendance and turned laps on the 2.5-mile high-banked tri-oval. Kinser's last True Value IROC appearance was in 1996 and Tuesday was reorientation day for the dirt track ace. Veteran test drivers, Dave Marcis, Jim Sauter and Andy Hillenburg were on hand to shake down the cars and provide drafting practice for Kinser and Lasoski. The True Value IROC team will continue testing at Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday.(IROC PR)(11-20-2002)
A New Sadler: Angie and Hermie Sadler are the proud parents of new daughter Naomi Rose Sadler, born November 19th.. Parents and baby are doing fine. Congrats.(Sadler Fanclub)(11-20-2002)
Stewart and NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway: Newly-crowned NASCAR Winston Cup champion Tony Stewart has been named spokesman and technical advisor for NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway Racing Centers Perfect Line, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of IMTS, owns and operates the unique NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway mall-based racing centers. Stewart will be featured in promotions, advertising and point-of-sale material for NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway and will also make appearances at racing center locations throughout the country. In addition, Stewart will offer his technical expertise as a consultant to the management of NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway, providing valuable input from the perspective of the NASCAR Winston Cup champion. Stewart will receive one of the unique NASCAR racing simulators used in the racing centers and will race privately on the simulator to gather technical information for NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway management. Perfect Line's NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway racing centers are the largest chain of officially licensed, NASCAR-branded interactive entertainment stores in the world, and offers its customers the most popular NASCAR merchandise available. For more information on IMTS, please visit their website at www.SMSonline.com.(Perfect Line PR)(11-20-2002)
Ward, Milk and Hershey's: The national launch of Drive to Read @ your library, a program developed by Hershey's Milk and the American Library Association (ALA) begins its second year to ignite interest in reading among America's teens and drive them into libraries. With NASCAR driver Ward Burton at the wheel, the program is designed to connect with teens by aligning libraries with one of the nation's well-known NASCAR drivers and Hersehy's Milk. According to the most recent reading survey and test scores gathered from the National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP)*, reading scores have made no significant statistical gains since the 1970s. The report also suggests that a smaller percentage of 13- to 17-year-olds read daily for fun today than in 1971.. The next NAEP reading study is expected for release in Spring 2003. The purpose of Drive to Read @ your library is to encourage young adults nationwide to discover the value of libraries, to check out and read books for knowledge and entertainment, and to discover how books bring a world of opportunity to today's teens. The Drive to Read @ your library program calls for teens to read one of the "Best Books for Young Adults" for 2002, which are selected by librarians through the Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association.. Teens are encouraged to submit an entry on a favorite literary hero through essay, monologue, poem, mural, video or other creative means. Teens are allowed to work in teams of up to four or alone, but once the entry has been completed, they need to check in with their school or public librarian to ask him/her to sponsor the contest entry. The lucky teen or team will win a trip to Miami in Spring 2003 to meet program spokesperson Ward Burton and enjoy the weekend at the beach. For all of the program details, interested teens should race to www.hersheysmilk.com.(PR)(11-20-2002)
(11-19-2002)
New #77 Crew Chief? UPDATE: hearing the new crew chief for the #77 Jasper Motorsports Ford and driver Dave Blaney will be Robert 'Bootie' Barker, who has been the crew chief of the #23 Bill Davis Racing BGN team.(11-18-2002) UPDATE: Robert "Bootie" Barker has been named as crew chief for the #77 Jasper Engines & Transmissions Ford Team and driver Dave Blaney. Barker will assume his role immediately after serving two full seasons as crew chief for the #23 Bill Davis Racing team and driver Scott Wimmer in the BGN. Barker, 31, is a former chassis/shock specialist for the #24 Hendrick Motorsports team for four-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon (1999-2000) and for the #22 Bill Davis Racing team and driver Ward Burton (1998-99). He rejoined BDR in fall, 2000 as crew chief for Wimmer, then a recent graduate of the American Speed Association (ASA), and flourished in his first managerial role, guiding Wimmer to four NASCAR Busch Series victories and finishes of 11th and third, respectively, in the NBS standings (2001-2002) with limited sponsorship support. A native of Halifax, VA, Barker began his motorsports career working on Late Model Stock Cars for current Busch Series regular Ashton Lewis while still in college. He graduated from Old Dominion University in 1996 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Prior to joining the #22 BDR team in 1998, Barker worked as a chassis specialist for owner Kurt Roehrig in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. In guiding Wimmer in his Busch Series championship run during the 2002 season, Barker’s BDR Pontiac entries earned BGN victories at Dover, Memphis, Phoenix and Miami in the final quarter of the season and posted 25 top-ten finishes in 70 total races with Wimmer (2000-02). Barker’s entries also completed all but 345 of 6,546 total laps (including 274 laps in two of four DNFs) in 2002 and continued a two-season trend in which he helped Wimmer improve his start/finish ratio in 55 of the 60 races he finished, including all but three races this season. Barker also directed a limited NASCAR Winston Cup Series program at BDR for Wimmer this season, including starts at Bristol and Phoenix.(Jaspers Motorsports PR)(11-19-2002)< BR>
Foyt to Dodge? hearing A.J. Foyt Racing may be switching from Pontiac to Dodge in 2003 for the #14 Conseco car and the un-numbered (#50?) Harrah's car.(11-19-2002)
A Wild UPS Commercial? Hearing that Darrell Waltrip, Larry McReynolds and Mike Joy recently filmed a new UPS commercial in Charlotte.. No word on when it will air.(11-19-2002)
Spencer to the #7? hearing Jimmy Spencer will drive the Ultra Motorsports #7 Dodge in 2003. Sirius Satellite Radio returns as the sponsor. Spencer won two NASCAR Modified Tour titles battling new crew chief Tommy Baldwin's father [who is the new #7 crew chief], who still competes in that series.(11-19-2002)
Some Stats - Youngest Top 10 in last 14 years: this year's group of top 10 drivers in the final points standings is the youngest by average age since 1988. Based on what a driver's age was AT THE TIME THE SEASON ENDED. 2002 (driver's age at the time the season ended in parentheses): Tony Stewart (31); Mark Martin (43); Kurt Busch (24); Jeff Gordon (31); Jimmie Johnson (27); Ryan Newman (24); Rusty Wallace (46); Matt Kenseth (30); Dale Jarrett (45); Ricky Rudd (46) 2002 Average Age: 34.7 2001: Jeff Gordon (30); Tony Stewart (30); Sterling Marlin (44); Ricky Rudd (45); Dale Jarrett (44); Bobby Labonte (37); Rusty Wallace (45); Dale Earnhardt Junior (27); Kevin Harvick (25); Jeff Burton (34). 2001 Average Age: 36.1 2000: Bobby Labonte (36); Dale Earnhardt (49); Jeff Burton (33); Dale Jarrett (43); Ricky Rudd (44); Tony Stewart (29); Rusty Wallace (44); Mark Martin (41); Jeff Gordon (29); Ward Burton (39). 2000 Average Age: 38.7 1999: Dale Jarrett (42); Bobby Labonte (35); Mark Martin (40); Tony Stewart (28); Jeff Burton (32); Jeff Gordon (28); Dale Earnhardt (48); Rusty Wallace (43); Ward Burton (38); Mike Skinner (42). 1999 Average Age: 37.6 1998: Jeff Gordon (27); Mark Martin (39); Dale Jarrett (41); Rusty Wallace (42); Jeff Burton (31); Bobby Labonte (34); Jeremy Mayfield (29); Dale Earnhardt (47); Terry Labonte (41); Bobby Hamilton (41). 1998 Average Age: 37.2 1997: Jeff Gordon (26); Dale Jarrett (40); Mark Martin (38); Jeff Burton (30); Dale Earnhardt (46); Terry Labonte (41); Bobby Labonte (33); Bill Elliott (42); Rusty Wallace (41); Ken Schrader (42). 1997 Average Age: 37.9 1996: Terry Labonte (39); Jeff Gordon (25); Dale Jarrett (39); Dale Earnhardt (45); Mark Martin (37); Ricky Rudd (40); Rusty Wallace (40); Sterling Marlin (39); Bobby Hamilton (39); Ernie Irvan (37). 1996 Average Age: 38.0 1995: Jeff Gordon (24); Dale Earnhardt (44); Sterling Marlin (38); Mark Martin (36); Rusty Wallace (39); Terry Labonte (38); Ted Musgrave (39); Bill Elliott (40); Ricky Rudd (39); Bobby Labonte (31). 1995 Average Age: 36.8 1994: Dale Earnhardt (43); Mark Martin (35); Rusty Wallace (38); Ken Schrader (39); Ricky Rudd (38); Morgan Shepherd (53); Terry Labonte (37); Jeff Gordon (23); Darrell Waltrip (47); Bill Elliott (39). 1994 Average Age: 39.2 1993: Dale Earnhardt (42); Rusty Wallace (37); Mark Martin (34); Dale Jarrett (36); Kyle Petty (33); Ernie Irvan (34); Morgan Shepherd (52); Bill Elliott (38); Ken Schrader (38); Ricky Rudd (37). 1993 Average Age: 38.1 1992: Alan Kulwicki (37); Bill Elliott (37); Davey Allison (31); Harry Gant (52); Kyle Petty (32); Mark Martin (33); Ricky Rudd (36); Terry Labonte (35); Darrell Waltrip (45); Sterling Marlin (35). 1992 Average Age: 37.3 1991: Dale Earnhardt (40); Ricky Rudd (35); Davey Allison (30); Harry Gant (51); Ernie Irvan (32); Mark Martin (32); Sterling Marlin (34); Darrell Waltrip (44); Ken Schrader (36); Rusty Wallace (35). 1991 Average Age: 36.9 1990: Dale Earnhardt (39); Mark Martin (31); Geoff Bodine (41); Bill Elliott (35); Morgan Shepherd (49); Rusty Wallace (34); Ricky Rudd (34); Alan Kulwicki (35); Ernie Irvan (31); Ken Schrader (35). 1990 Average Age: 36.4 1989: Rusty Wallace (33); Dale Earnhardt (38); Mark Martin (30); Darrell Waltrip (42); Ken Schrader (34); Bill Elliott (34); Harry Gant (49); Ricky Rudd (33); Geoff Bodine (40); Terry Labonte (33). 1989 Average Age: 36.6 1988: Bill Elliott (33); Rusty Wallace (32); Dale Earnhardt (37); Terry Labonte (32); Ken Schrader (33); Geoff Bodine (39); Darrell Waltrip (41); Davey Allison (27); Phil Parsons (31); Sterling Marlin (31). 1988 Average Age: 33.6.
(11-19-2002)
Wells Fargo moving UPDATE: #11-Brett Bodine Racing was surprised and very disappointed to hear over the weekend, and confirm this morning that Wells Fargo Financial will be going to another team for 2003. Supposedly the other team is the #45 Petty Enterprises team.(10-28-2002) UPDATE: Wells Fargo Financial, the North American consumer finance subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, announced today it has finalized an agreement to sponsor the Petty Enterprises #45 Dodge driven by Kyle Petty beginning in 2003. Wells Fargo Financial will partner with Kyle, Georgia-Pacific, and the entire Petty Enterprises team to build on its successful program in NASCAR. The associate sponsorship provides significant benefit and impact to Wells Fargo Financial’s business lines through driver appearances, client/dealer entertainment, customer promotions, show car appearances, and employee incentives.(Williams Company PR)(11-19-2002)
Photographer Burned In Spencer Crash UPDATE: Bob LeSieur, photographer for Speedway Scene, was burned on his arms and face when Jimmy Spencer crashed on lap 194 and backed into the first turn wall. The car burst into flames and LeSieur wasn't looking at the action because he was changing film in the camera. LeSieur was taken to the infield care center, treated and released. His eyebrows were singed and the burns weren't serious so he returned to shooting for the weekly racing newspaper.(Insider Racing News)(11-17-2002) UPDATE: Bob LeSieur is the son of Speedway Scene editor Val LeSieur, who founded Speedway Scene more than 30 years ago. Ironically, their paper has covered Jimmy Spencer since the beginning of "Mr. Excitement's" career.(11-19-2002)
Dodge News UPDATE: hearing that Dodge Motorsports' John Fernandez got a major promotion last week to Director of Motorsports and Performance Parts. This could be be a considerable upswing in Dodge PVO money going to racing in 2003.(11-18-2002) UPDATE: John Fernandez replaces Jim Julow at Dodge, who recently retired. Fernandez was raised on dirt track modifieds in upstate New York at much at the famed Fonda Speedway.(11-19-2002)
NAPCM Pit Crew of the Week - Homestead #6: High performance pit stops at Homestead Miami Speedway took the #6 Viagra team from a 34th place start to a 4th place finish. Congratulations #6 Viagra Crew on a great season and for earning this week's NAPCM "Pit Crew Of The Week" award, sponsored by Toxabsorb (www.toxabsorb.com), "Instant non-skid pit stall prep, creating grip for faster pit stops" and "Official Spill Response Agent of the National Association Of Pit Crew Members". Check out the final 2002 Mechanix Wear "Pit Crew Of The Year Award" standings and latest, NEW NAPCM member benefits, available at the National Association Of Pit Crew Members website (www.napcm.com).(11-19-2002)
Kenseth's Dad to Promote Track: Madison International Speedway will have its third different owner since the track re-opened in 1992. Terry Kunes is in the process of finalizing the purchase of Madison International Speedway. Mr. Kunes has announced that Roy Kenseth, father of Winston Cup star Matt Kenseth, will be the promoter/manager of the Speedway.(Madison International Speedway site)(11-19-2002)
Testing at Kentucky: Bill Davis Racing, Evernham Motorsports, Roush Racing and Robert Yates Racing begin testing for the 2003 season at Kentucky Speedway this week. Drivers scheduled to take to the track include Kenny Wallace [11/21], Hank Parker, Jr.[11/21], Mark Martin[11/20], and Elliott Sadler[11/19-20]. The site also has Herzog Motorsports doing Winston Cup testing, they ran in BGN in 2002 and Ricky Rudd testing the #21 on 11/26.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(11-19-2002)
Not NASCAR but nice story: Picking the recipient of the first Charlie Chamblee Honor Award was an easy task for Huntsville Speedway owner Terry Sanford Saturday night at his annual awards banquet. Hobby Stock driver Heath Mullins, who has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair took home the award. Sanford created the special award to honor Chamblee, who is considered the dean of racing at the quarter-mile asphalt track. Chamblee was forced to retire from racing near the end of the season after he was diagnosed with an inoperable cancer outside a lung. Despite weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Chamblee refused to give up and was even on hand to watch his driver Casey Bishop capture a 150-lap Late Model Stock Car feature near the end of the season. Racing for Mullins was anything but simple. Because of the cerebral palsy, he drove with hand controls made by his grandfather, Jimmy Williams. The hand controls were attached to the steering column. With his left hand, Heath pushed up to accelerate and pushed down to brake. He drove with his right hand. Mullins still managed to finish 16th in the points standings and held his own in a class where fender-bending is part of the game.(Alabama Live)(11-19-2002)
(11-18-2002)
Homestead TV Ratings: Today's Sports Business Daily says NBC's broadcast of the Ford 400 from Homestead-Miami Speedway drew a 4.5/9 overnight Nielsen rating. The final rating for the 2001 Homestead race, which was not the season finale, was a 3.8/9. The overnight rating was also substantially ahead of the 3.8/7 overnight rating for the previous week's race in Phoenix, which jumped to a 4.4/10 final rating.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(11-18-2002)
Baldwin named #7 Crew Chief: Ultra Motorsports owner Jim Smith announced that Tommy Baldwin Jr. has been tabbed as the new crew chief of the #7 Sirius Satellite Radio Dodge for 2003. Baldwinreplaces veteran crew chief Tony Furr. "What an exciting day for Ultra Motorsports," commented Smith. "Even though we just wrapped up the 2002 season yesterday, preparation for 2003 begins today. Our NASCAR Winston Cup program has made a lot of gains this season thanks to Tony Furr. To add someone of Tommy Baldwin's caliber is just the added shot in the arm that's going to take the Sirius Satellite Radio Dodge to the next level. Tommy is an extraordinarily talented individual. Although we've yet to name a driver, who ever we put in the seat will be successful with Tommy making the calls." Baldwin, a native of Bellport, NY brings a wealth of experience to Ultra Motorsports. The veteran Winston Cup top-kick owns an accomplished three victories NASCAR's elite division, most recently kicking off the 2002 season with a win at the Daytona 500 with driver Ward Burton. Along with the #7 Sirius Satellite Radio Dodge Winston Cup effort, Ultra Motorsports fields Dodge Rams in the CTS for drivers Ted Musgrave and Jason Leffler. Ultra Motorsports is housed in a sparkling 55,000-square foot corporate office and race shop in Mooresville, NC.(Motorsports Management Group PR), no driver has been named for the #7 in 2003 as of yet.(11-18-2002)
Testing set for GM's 2003 models: General Motors Racing is conducting a test at Homestead Monday and Tuesday, giving its Winston Cup and Grand National teams an opportunity to shake down their new 2003 Chevrolet and Pontiac entries. Winston Cup teams expected to participate include Hendrick Motorsports, MB2/MBV Motorsports, Dale Earnhardt Inc., Morgan-McClure Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, PPI Motorsports and BACE Motorsports.(ThatsRacin.com) UPDATE: Less than 24 hours after the 2002 Winston Cup season came to an end, testing was scheduled today for teams looking ahead to the 2003 season. GM Racing was to open a two-day test at Homestead-Miami Speedway this morning for Winston Cup teams to shake down their new 2003 Monte Carlo and Grand Prix entries. GM said those expected to take part included the Chevrolet teams of Hendrick Motorsports (#s 5, 24 and 25), Dale Earnhardt Inc. (#'s 1 and 15), Richard Childress Racing (#s 29 and 30) and BACE Motorsports (#74). Pontiac teams include MB2/MBV Motorsports (#s 01 and 10), Morgan-McClure Motorsports (#4) and PPI Motorsports (No. 32). GM said four Busch Series teams would also test: Nemco Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, Innovative Motorsports and BACE Motorsports.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter), also Joe Gibbs Racing was there as Tony Stewart was at the track testing the #20 Chevy.(Speed Channel's Inside Winston Cup show, where Stewart was interviewed)(11-18-2002)
Ryan Newman named ROTY: per NASCAR.com, ThatsRacin.com and the AP, no word on how the panel voted, looks like the final point total was 370-347, see my UNOFFICIAL Rookie of the Year page for charts and some calucaltions. What does he win? $50,000.(11-18-2002)
Tony Stewart's Titles:
2002 - NASCAR Winston Cup
1999 - Winston Cup Rookie of the Year
1997 - Indy Racing League
1996 - IRL Rookie of the Year
1995 - USAC National Midget
1995 - USAC Sprint
1995 - USAC Silver Crown
1994 - USAC National Midget
(Joe Gibbs Racing site)(11-18-2002)
Rumblings - Homestead: The hottest driver on the tour the last month and a half was standing in Victory Lane again today as Kurt Busch passed Ryan Newman on lap 257 and went on to win the final Winston Cup event of the season today. This was Busch's third win in the last five weeks, his 4th of the season (and career), and moves him into a tie for 62nd on the all-time win list. He's the third driver to win from the pole this season (Jeff Gordon at Bristol in August and Ryan Newman at NHIS in September were the others - Jayski Note: actually the 4th as Bill Elliott won from the pole at Pocono in July), and tallied the 10th victory of the season for Roush Racing.
Jeff Burton (3rd) had his best finish since he was 3rd at Dover in June.
Elliott Sadler (9th) had his best finish since he was 6th at Infineon Raceway in June.
Bobby Hamilton (10th) had his best finish since he was 9th at Dover in June.
Mike Wallace (11th) had his best finish since he was 10th at Bristol in August.
Ted Musgrave (16th) had his best finish since he was 14th at Loudon in September of 2000 (only 11 races).
STREAKIN....Kurt Busch has 5 Top-10's in a row. Mark Martin has 5 Top-10's in a row. Jeff Gordon has 5 Top-10's in the last 6 races.
This Week's Elevator...UP: Operator of the Week is Jeff Gordon (+32), followed by Mark Martin (+30), and Johnny Benson (+27). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Jimmy Spencer (-39), followed by Michael Waltrip (-30), Matt Kenseth (-27), Casey Atwood (-25), and Greg Biffle (-20).(Official Starting spots)
Jeff Gordon (6th to 4th) made the gain of the weekend in drivers points, while Rusty Wallace (4th to 7th....and the winning string broken) went three spots in the minus direction. Third to Seventh in the final standings ends up being separated by 67 points, with a lot of money hinging on very few markers in the Top-5 (Gordon beat Jimmie Johnson by only 7 points...who was only another 7 ahead of Ryan Newman).(Stock Car Fans)(11-18-2002)
TV Stuff - Monday: Alan Bestwick, Ken Schrader, Johnny Benson and Michael Waltrip will film their weekly TV show Speed Channel's Inside Winston Cup from Homestead-Miami Speedway on Monday morning, which will Monday, Nov 18th at 7:00pm/et. RPM 2Night the final show of ESPN2's Weekly RPM2 Night show with John Kernan will air at 6:30pm/et Monday Nov 18th, it will be missed. Totally NASCAR's final 2002 show will air at 6:00pm/local on Fox Sports Night and at 6:30pm/et on Speed Channel November 18th.(11-18-2002)
Andretti still not signed UPDATE: John Andretti still has not signed the contract offer Petty Enterprises gave him months ago, but the organization is certain the driver will be back in 2003. "There are a couple of issues that still need to be resolved, but as far as we're concerned, he is the driver of the No. 43," chief executive officer Kyle Petty said. "We have a verbal agreement, just no signature." Andretti, one of the few remaining free agents, was less committal. "Anything is possible," he said, smiling. "Who knows what will happen?" Petty said there was no issue over Andretti's participation in the Indianapolis 500, a race the company forbid him to compete in this year. Andretti, the first of three drivers to compete in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600, wants to do the double again and was disappointed he was not allowed. "As far as we're concerned, he can run the Indy 500 every year," Petty said. "We said no this year because the issue came up 30 days beforehand and there wasn't enough time. As long as he plans on it in advance, he can run it and we'd love to partner up and help his efforts."(CNNSI/AP)(11-17-2002) UPDATE: Minor contract details are holding up John Andretti signing for a sixth season with Petty Enterprises. Team officials discounted rumors of the Indianapolis native pursuing the Ganassi Racing vacancy created by the firing of Jimmy Spencer.(Indianapolis Star)(11-18-2002)
#19 Shakeup: Sources inside Evernham Motorsports say a major shakeup is expected on the #19. Feelers were put out in the garage for a crew chief and a driver -- yes, a driver, even though Jeremy Mayfield has been in the car just one season and has a year left on his contract. Busch Series driver Shane Hmiel, 22, has been mentioned for the Evernham ride and as a candidate to replace Spencer at Ganassi Racing.(Sporting News)(11-18-2002)
Wells' new crew chief to leave? UPDATE Beam to leave? Widespread garage reports tell Ford Racing that Cal Wells’ choice for crew chief of the #32 is ready to leave the team. Within the past two weeks that Wells indicated that he was going to swap current crew chief Mike Beam with team engineer Roy McCauley. That plan appears to have taken on a shaky path now that McCauley is in play for another job in the garage.(Ford Racing)(11-17-2002) UPDATE: Cal Wells is trying to shake up his race team, which went winless this season, despite several strong runs by Ricky Craven. And Wells' crewmen are wondering what Wells might do. Wells has already decided to move Mike Beam, his crew chief the past few years, to a new position and promote chief engineer Roy McCauley to crew chief. But Beam is trying to move on to another team, and McCauley is considering his options, also. Beam says he would be content "for things just to stay the same, but that's not what Cal wants." McCauley would say only that he doesn't have any offers on the table.(Winston Salem Journal)(11-18-2002)
Randolph back with Blaney? UPDATE: hearing Doug Randolph, who worked with Dave Blaney at Bill Davis Racing, could move from Ganassi Racing's #41 to the #77 Jasper Motorsports team.(11-13-2002) UPDATE: Doug Randolph, crew chief for the #41, in which Jimmy Spencer will be replaced, has two weeks left on his contract and has not been told whether he will be back.(Sporting News)(11-18-2002)
Beer wars? The "beer wars" may be heating up, along demographic lines. Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s success in reviving Bud's business has Miller and Coors both itching to promo a similarly young driver, Miller with Ryan Newman and Coors with Jamie McMurray.(Winston Salem Journal)(11-18-2002)
Labbe re-signs with DEI: Dale Earnhardt Inc. sources say Slugger Labbe will be back with Michael Waltrip in the #15, but it took three contract proposals before Labbe signed.(Sporting News)(11-18-2002)
#30 Looking for a new crew chief: Because Todd Berrier is moving into the research and development division at Richard Childress Racing, the #30 AOL Chevy, driven by Jeff Green, needs a new crew chief. Richard Childress says that decision, plus how to restructure all three of his pit crews for 2003, will likely be made this week.(Sporting News)(11-18-2002)
More Blaney: Chip Ganassi wanted Dave Blaney to replace Jimmy Spencer in the #41 Dodge next year, but Blaney said Sunday he's committed to returning to Jasper Motorsports and the #77 Ford. With Blaney off the market, Busch Series driver Hank Parker Jr. now is the leading candidate at Ganassi.(Augusta Chroncile)(11-18-2002)
Eight 2001 winners missed in 2002: Eight drivers who won in 2001 failed to win a race this season - Ricky Craven, Jeff Burton, Robby Gordon, Bobby Hamilton, Joe Nemechek, Steve Park, Elliott Sadler and Rusty Wallace.(ThatsRacin.com)(11-18-2002)
#40 Crew wins Pit Award: Mechanix Wear is proud to congratulate the #40 Coors Light Crew as the winner of it’s 2002 Mechanix Wear Pit Crew of the year Award. The #40 Coors Light crew was chosen from four quarterly finalists by the crew chiefs of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. The four quarterly finalists were: #40 Coors Light Crew; #6 Viagra Crew; #88 UPS Crew;#97 Rubbermaid Crew
Complete award rules and final standings can be found by visiting the National Association of Pit Crew Members website at www.napcm.com.(11-18-2002)
