Papis Cup test on hold: Max Papis will have to wait until January to get his first real taste of a Winston Cup machine. Papis was set to do his first test in Ray Evernhman's Dodge at Kentucky Motor Speedway this week before Casey Mears crunched the wall after an engine let go. Papis, whose track time consisted of just a handful of installation laps in the car, is now looking forward to testing the Dodge in early January. Papis is exploring all of his options at present, including NASCAR, IRL and CART, where he said to be on the short list for Paul Gentilozzi's new Rocketsports Champ Car program. Papis freely concedes he is in the mix at Rocketsports but says no deals are done as yet.(Speed Channel)(12-22-2002)
(12-21-2002)
Stewart to run 4 ISA events: The International Stockcar Alliance (ISA) announced today that 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup champion Tony Stewart will race in four events in the 2003 ISA Exide Racing Series. Stewart will be one of several Winston Cup veterans to take part in four ISA events for 2003. These include two events at the new Kawartha Superspeedway at Frasierville, Ontario, one being the Canada Day Million Dollar Shootout scheduled for June 28-29, 2003. Stewart will also race at Sanair Superspeedway near Montreal on June 3, 2003, and at Calgary's Race City on August 5, 2003. Other Winston Cup drivers scheduled to race at the new Kawartha track include Dave Blaney, Kurt Busch, Jeff Green, Kevin Harvick, and Matt Kenseth. They will compete in the ISA's Canada Day Million Dollar Shootout, as well as the event scheduled for September 9, 2003. These two events are part of the SA's "Super 6" which will showcase top racing personalities at selected venues across Canada. The ISA is presently negotiating with other Winston Cup drivers to compete in selected 2003 ISA Exide Racing Series events. In related news, the ISA announced that tickets for four of its ISA 2003 Exide Racing Series are now on sale, and may be purchased through a user-friendly system on the ISA website, www.isaracing.com, or by calling 1-866-ISA-TICS.(Canada News Wire)(12-21-2002)
Hospital boosts Victory Junction: High Point Regional Health System [NC] has signed on as the third Triad health-care facility to serve as a founding hospital for the Victory Junction Gang Camp. The hospital announced Thursday it will be providing representatives to the camp's medical planning committees, as well as having staff actively participate in camp activities when they begin in June 2004. Founding hospitals also will provide assistance in equipping and supplying the Victory Junction Medical Center.(High Point Enterprise)(12-21-2002)
Schrader to run the #49 BAM Racing Dodge: Ken Schrader will drive the #49 BAM Racing Dodge in 2003. Beth Ann Morgenthau, who owns the team with husband Tony, made the announcement on Friday. "We’re very excited that a driver of Ken Schrader’s abilities and experience will join us in 2003," Morgenthau said. "His expertise as a driver, and his faith in us as a race team, will combine to make our first full season as a team a memorable one." Schrader, a 47-year-old native of Fenton, Mo., who is known for never having met a car he didn’t want to race, has a list of NASCAR Winston Cup records. His 554 career starts is eighth among active drivers and 19th among all-time drivers. He races virtually every kind of car imaginable, and runs in hundreds of events nationwide each year. "Like a lot of drivers, I’ve been paying a lot of attention to what Beth Ann and Tony have been doing with BAM Racing, and the strides they have made," Schrader said. "And like most drivers, I’ve been able to see what is going on with this team, and cut the truth out of what has been a lot of talk. Frankly, I like what I see at BAM and I like the direction they are headed. There is a tremendous amount of potential with this race team," Schrader said. "They have good people in place and good leadership. I’m excited with the future." BAM Racing began operations as a NASCAR Winston Cup team just over a year ago. Owned by south Florida investors, the team attempted a partial schedule in 2002, meeting with some success. "Everything we did and everything we went through in 2002 was to put us in a good position for 2003," Beth Ann Morgenthau said. "We made tremendous strides last year. When you take into account that eight weeks before the Daytona 500 we decided we were going to enter it, we came a long way in a short period of time.
"Our goal all along has been to make consistent progress. There have been occasional setbacks along the way but, all along, we knew where we wanted to go and knew we had to work hard to get there," she continued. "Ken Schrader is another piece of that puzzle, and someone who will help this BAM Racing team reach its goals."(Williams Company PR)(12-21-2002)
Another Hendrick Team: Hendrick Motorsports will field a fifth Winston Cup team next season in at least four races, team owner Rick Hendrick said Friday. Hendrick made the announcement at the company's year-end gathering at its shops in Harrisburg. David Green, who drove several races for one of Hendrick's Grand National teams this season, will drive the #60 Chevy [Jack Sprague's team will run the #0 Pontiac in 2003] in at least the four superspeedway races in 2003, including the season opener at Daytona. The new team will be led by Gary DeHart, who heads Hendrick's research and development program and is a former crew chief for Hendrick driver Terry Labonte. "You know, every year I've tried this and it has ended up turning into a new team because somebody has come along and it's worked out," Hendrick said. "But we thought about it this year and all the crew chiefs talked about it. Gary started our first R&D department. He built our first chassis back in 1988 and he's always built a really slick car. We felt like that's where we would dedicate our efforts, to the superspeedways." Hendrick already fields four full-time teams, with drivers #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #5-Terry Labonte and #25-Joe Nemechek.(ThatsRacin.com)(12-21-2002)
Conseco files for bankruptcy UPDATE will not sponsor the #14: Conseco struggling under more than $6 billion in debt, became the third-largest U.S. bankruptcy Wednesday, as the insurance and loan firm sought protection from creditors while it sells its finance unit and tries to restructure itself. Conseco's filing, made in bankruptcy court in Chicago, is the third largest in U.S. history. Conseco has assets of $52.2 billion, according to recent financial reports, putting the firm behind only WorldCom Inc. and Enron Corp. The bankruptcy filings cover Conseco Inc. -- the holding company -- and its troubled loan operation Conseco Finance and some related units. Conseco's insurance units, under the close watch of state insurance regulators, are not affected.(Money Magazine site), how this effects the #14 AJ Racing Conseco team is not known.(12-18-2002) UPDATE: A.J. Foyt has learned that his Conseco, which recently filed for bankurptcy, will not return as his primary sponsor in 2003. Instead of a two-car operation, Larry Foyt will drive the #14 with Harrah's Casinos as the sponsor.(PRN's Garage Pass)(12-21-2002)
McMurray to run part time in BGN UPDATE and the other drivers: hearing from a few readers that on the local news in Panama City, FL, #1 BGN team owner, James Finch said they would run entire BGN season and that Jamie McMurray [driver of the #42 Cup car] would be driving car along with four other drivers [others not mentioned]. Finch will also run a limited Cup schedule, no driver mentioned. Supposedly the team will run Dodge's.(12-20-2002) UPDATE: After car owner Chip Ganassi let Jimmy Spencer go as his Winston Cup driver [of the #41], a deal has now been worked out with BGN owner James Finch that has cost Spencer a second ride. Ganassi has put up some extra money so Finch can run the full schedule with four different drivers in the #1 Yellow Freight machine. Jamie McMurray will run 15 races, Casey Mears up to seven, the others are going to be split between CTS driver Ryan Hemphill and ASA competitior David Stremme. Crew chief Marc Reno says they would like to pick the driver they feel most comfortable with this season and take a shot at the BGN championship in 2004. As for Spencer, he was caught off guard when he learned he wouldn't be driving the car. Spencer told PRN's Garagepass, "I was shocked in a way because the.way it went down. It was a business decision on James' part and I can live with that. I can't agree with the way it was handled with who he sided with, but that's life. Yellow has been a great company for me and I wish them the best of luck."(PRN's Garage Pass)(12-21-2002)
Sad News: Jimmy White, who handles the PR for the Raybestoes Rookie of the Year program with Camp and Assoc., father, James, passed away Thursday. Thoughts go out to family and friends.(12-20-2002) AND Both the visitation (Saturday, 12-21 from 6 - 8 p.m.) and the funeral (3 p.m. Sunday, 12-22) will be held at the Union Grove Methodist Church. James was a lifetime member there. The address is 1331 Sloans Mill Road, Union Grove, NC 28689. If anyone needs more information, the number at the church is 704-539-4135. If people want to send flowers, they can go there or here at the house at 2199 W. Memorial Highway, Union Grove, NC 28689.(12-21-2002)
Howes Honored: Ken Howes, director of competition for Rick Hendrick's race teams, became the first recipient of the "Papa Joe" Hendrick Award at Hendrick Motorsports. The award, formerly named for the late Robert Gee, a well-known car builder, is given annually to the employee who best displays outstanding job performance, leadership and teamwork, and for contributions above and beyond expectations. The name of the award was changed this season to honor "Papa Joe" Hendrick, Rick Hendrick's father and owner of the No. 25 Chevrolet driven by Joe Nemechek. Howes received the award Friday during year-end celebration at the team's shops. "I lot of the folks here didn't know Robert because he was here a long time ago - and we're still leaving the Robert Gee Award in place - but coming in they all know Pop because he's around here all the time," Rick Hendrick said. "We decided we should make it to honor him because of what he's meant, bringing me in the sport and for the overall success of the organization"(ThatsRacin.com)(12-21-2002)
Brett Bodine and other drivers to Ring in New Year with U.S. Troops Overseas UPDATE: Brett Bodine has been selected to tour in the Armed Forces Entertainment Program overseas in support of "Operation Enduring Freedom" departing December 28, 2002 and returning around January 4, 2003. The group will provide a "touch of home" to service members at remote and isolated sites serving their country in Southwest Asia and "The Stans". Brett has teamed up with other NASCAR drivers, Geoff Bodine (Brett's brother) and Jerry Nadeau, and other series drivers, Tony Schumacher from NHRA, Nigel Hook from APBA (American Power Boat Association) and Gary Lewis from the Raybestos Northwest Busch Series. While the group has not been "drafted" they will experience military life, first hand. The soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines at these locations eat, sleep, shower, shave, etc. in tents, and so will Brett and the group. Their mission on this tour is to stimulate and help maintain the high morale of the troops serving their country.(BBR PR)(12-18-2002) UPDATE: Statement from Brett Bodine:.. "It is with a great deal of disappointment. that I must cancel my plans to go overseas to visit with the U.S. service men and women the end of this month.. There are business commitments which need my undivided attention during this time that have forced this decision... I was so excited about being involved with something of this magnitude and importance and am extremely sad that I will have to miss this opportunity of a lifetime. I wish each and every member of our Armed Forces a holiday filled with love and hopefully peace.. I know the rest of the folks on the tour are excited and looking forward to visiting with them and I apologize sincerely that I will have to miss that.. May God bless everyone!"(BBR PR)(12-21-2002)
(12-20-2002)
NASCAR Promotions: The Board of Directors for NASCAR has announced promotions for two members of its senior management team. Executive Vice President Brian France has been named vice chairman, a title he will share with current Vice Chairman Jim France, and Senior Vice President George Pyne has been named chief operating officer (COO). Pyne has also been named to NASCAR's Board of Directors.(NASCAR PR)(12-20-2002)
Crew Chief looking: hearing former championship crew chief Doug Richert, who worked with #11-Brett Bodine and the #54 BH Motorpsorts team in 2002, is not signed and is looking for new oppurtunity in 2003.(12-20-2002)
(12-19-2002)
Melling Racing Suspends Operations: #92 NASCAR Winston Cup team owner Mark Melling announced today the suspension of operations at Melling Racing's Concord, NC facility. "Due to the current economic environment, we're forced to suspend operations until the business climate improves," said Mark Melling. "We will continue to work with several potential sponsors, and I hope to get a Melling car back on the track sometime in 2003 or 2004. It is hard to believe there will not be a Melling car in the Daytona 500 this year," said Melling. "We've had a car in each Daytona 500 since 1982, and only three other teams currently have a longer streak. I want to thank all of our employees for all of their dedication and hard work," continued Melling. "For a group of 8 people to accomplish what they did in 2002, they deserve more credit than they have been given. The loyalty, teamwork and skill they've shown demonstrates what a strong team we've had. However, the current business climate has suffocated sponsorship spending. The fact that several prominent teams can't land decent sponsorship says it all. Melling Racing played an important role in the growth of NASCAR during the 1980s, and our 22 year history in this sport covers many fond memories," concluded Melling. "And when the opportunity to go racing full-time comes up, we'll add another chapter to our long history in racing."(Melling Racing PR)(12-19-2002)
Dodge engine stuff UPDATE 2: the word is that Dodge's Ray Evernham may be supplementing his own in-house engine operation by signing up for a Penske engine leasing program with Penske's engine man Larry Wallace..(Winston Salem Journal)(8-24-2002) UPDATE: Larry Wallace may be taking over command of the engine program for Ray Evernham's three teams, according to Detroit sources. Wallace has been the Ford engine builder for years for Rusty Wallace (no relation), but his contract with the Roger Penske team is reported to be up at the end of this season.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-25-2002) UPDATE 2: hearing Larry Wallace has left Penske Racing, no word....yet...on where he many go...Evernham?(12-19-2002)
Hamilton Cup Plans? Bobby Hamilton might have run out of Winston Cup options for 2003. He had his eyes on two potential rides, but both have now been taken. John Andretti last week re-signed to drive the #43 for Petty Enterprises. Earlier, Casey Mears landed the #41 Target Dodge with Chip Ganassi Racing. Hamilton had expressed an interest in both jobs. Hamilton's name has been linked with #49 BAM Racing, but that would hardly fit his definition of ''competitive ride,'' which he has said is a requirement. The veteran driver said last month that if he cannot land a competitive ride in Winston Cup, he will spend next season racing in the CTS.(Tennessean)(12-19-2002)
Rusty and Harley ride again in 2003: hearing #2-Rusty Wallace will run a Harley Davidson scheme in 2003, a 100th Anniversary scheme, not sure where...yet.(12-18-2002) UPDATE: hearing the scheme will run at the Brickyard 400 in Indy.(12-19-2002)
M&M's special at Bristol: hearing that #38 Elliott Sadler/M&M's Ford will run a Combo Special at Bristol in August(12-19-2002)
Stewart special at Daytona: hearing that #20 Tony Stewart will run a Daytona Special in July which supposedly be unveiled in Feb 2003)(12-19-2002)
Audible Alert tested by Craven: After the final Cup race in November at Homestead, #32 PPI Motorsports conducted a private test of the Audible Alert driver notification system. Driver Ricky Craven voiced his support for the Audible Alert system following testing, stating "The product has lots of potential. The idea of having a closed system to alert each of the 43 drivers at the same time is a great idea. Hopefully this is a product that will make Winston Cup racing safer for all of us drivers."
"Ricky (Craven) thought it had potential, and everyone that Audible Alert has come into contact with has liked it," said Jeff Huber, General Manager of PPI Motorsports. "There would probably be a couple of drivers alive today if this device had been accepted a couple of years ago. I sincerely believe that NASCAR is taking a good look at it." There is great promise for the Audible Alert system, with other top touring series critically evaluating the potential use of the driver notification system for 2003, including ASA and ARCA.(Racefan) What is the Audible Alert System? it is the first ever sound-based track warning system. A short audible alert tone is used to notify every driver of changing track conditions and associated flags at exactly same time. This will reduce the dangerous multiple car accidents that occur when one driver reacts to a caution while the car behind is still racing at full speed. Re-starts are improved drastically by using the green alert tone to notify every driver simultaneously when the track goes green.(Invader Technologies site)(12-19-2002)
Mayfield Commercial: Creative digital effects and design studio Ring of Fire contributed to a dynamic spot for the new Dodge Intrepid SXT via ad agency BBDO Detroit. The spot, entitled "Co-Pilot," was created in :30 and :23 versions and features NASCAR Winston Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield. "Co-Pilot" began airing in December. The spot opens with a man cruising along in a red Dodge Intrepid on a two-lane road. As he approaches a big rig truck, he decelerates and watches the speedometer fall to 40 mph. Suddenly, a small apparition of racecar driver Jeremy Mayfield appears on the man's right shoulder. "Son, you drive like my granny," Mayfield exclaims. "That's no canned ham under the hood. That's 250 horses!" The man nods in agreement. "Well then, pass him," Mayfield insists. The driver steps on the gas and proceeds to overtake the truck as the voiceover states, "Dodge Intrepid SXT, with best-in-class horsepower and a little racing attitude." After the successful pass maneuver, the man and his little guardian Mayfield stare, mouths open, as an attractive woman drives by in the opposite direction in a matching red Dodge Intrepid. "Man, I gotta go," Mayfield declares as he disappears in a poof. The energetic spot concludes with the Dodge logo and the tagline "Grab Life By The Horns."(Design in Motion)(12-19-2002)
Ren looking for a gig: Rick Ren, a 27-year racing veteran, has spent the last five years as manager and crew chief of the #60 CAT Rental Store Team at Addington Racing in the CTS. In those five years, he led the team to four wins, 45 top-five finishes, 73 top-10 finishes, a Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award and the Chevrolet "Like a Rock" Award for completing the most laps three years in a row. Unfortunately, due to a lack of sponsorship, the Addington Racing Team has shut down. Ren remained to oversee the sale of the team's equipment and facility but remains one of only five team members without definite plans for the 2003 season. "A lot of people don't seem to know we've completely closed the Addington Racing operation," said Ren.. "I've been so busy here that I haven't had a lot of time to get the word out that I'm available.. We still have people calling here looking for jobs.. I just wanted to make it known that I am available for the 2003 season.".(PR)(12-19-2002)
4th IROC race at Indy: The International Race of Champions will return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2003 for the sixth consecutive year. Next year's race will be Aug. 2, the day before the 10th Brickyard 400. The IROC series, which consists of four races over the course of a year, features 12 top drivers from various series. The local race will be the season finale. Other races will be Feb. 14 at Daytona, April 5 at Talladega and July 12 at Chicago. Dale Jarrett is the defending Indy IROC champion. Mark Martin has won the local race three times.(Indy Star/AP) So far, the only drivers selected for IROC in 2003 are sprint car stars Danny Lasoski and Steve Kinser, both champions in the World of Outlaws series.(12-18-2002)
(12-18-2002)
Changes at RYR, new crew chief for the #88: Robert Yates Racing [RYR] announced wholesale organizational changes Wednesday, including naming Doug Yates, owner Robert Yates' son, general manager over both Winston Cup teams. Effective immediately, Doug Yates will assume the role of general manager for both the #38 M&M Ford driven by Elliott Sadler and #88 UPS Ford driven by Dale Jarrett, overseeing the daily operations of both teams. Yates will continue to work closely with Yates Racing Engines, which has a strong lease program in addition to supplying engines for Jarrett and Sadler. Todd Parrott, Jarrett's crew chief for seven years, has been named director of competition for Robert Yates Racing. Parrott's new role allows him to focus on "big picture" projects for both the #88 and #38 teams. His responsibilities include overseeing chassis design, car construction and development and testing. Additionally, he will provide technical and race support to RYR's crew chiefs at Winston Cup races. Brad Parrott, Todd's younger brother, returns to RYR and will assume crew chief duties for Jarrett [#88]. A 17-year veteran of the sport, Parrott worked for Robert Yates Racing for six seasons from 1996 through 2001. During his tenure with RYR, Parrott began as a chassis specialist and later worked as assistant crew chief for the #88. Parrott most recently worked at Roush Racing as crew chief for Jeff Burton's #9 BGN team, which won five of the 13 races in which the team entered in 2002. Raymond Fox III has been named crew chief of the #38 team with Sadler. A longtime employee of RYR, Fox has worked full time as a mechanic for Yates since 1990, turning wrenches under such drivers as Davey Allison, Kenny Irwin, Ernie Irvan, Jarrett and Ricky Rudd.(ThatsRacin.com)(12-18-2002)
More Surgery: #20 Jackman, Chuck White, recently had surgery on his elbow and #20 front tire changer Mike Lingerfelt had surgery on last week to remove the rod that was put in his leg when he was hit on pit road at Daytona and his leg broke a couple of years ago. Both of us will be ready for the season when it starts in February.(12-18-2002)
Testing at Las Vegas in Jan: Many Cup teams/drivers will be at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Jan. 27-30, 2003, for the largest test session outside of Daytona. In past years, as many as 50 teams from the Cup and BGN have used LVMS' 1.5-mile superspeedway to prepare for the UAW-DaimlerChrylser 400, Sam's Town 300 and the upcoming season. #20-Tony Stewart, #24-Jeff Gordon, #42-Jamie McMurray and #41-Casey Mears have informed speedway officials that they will participate in the test session. Once again, the speedway's grandstands will be open free of charge to race fans wanting to watch the testing. There will be no public admittance to the pit areas. LVMS will announce a complete list of participants in the test the week prior to the test. In addition to the superspeedway, the Bullring will be active on Thursday, Feb. 27 with a 100-lap Super Late Model race and the dirt track will host the World of Outlaws Sprint Car series on Feb. 28 and March 1.(Las Vegas Motor Speedway PR)(12-18-2002)
#48 scheme at Lowe's UPDATE: hearing the #48 Lowe's car will run a special scheme at Lowe's in May, not sure what kind of scheme or for what.(12-11-2002) UPDATE: hearing it will be a Power of Pride Blue with silver stars.(12-18-2002)
Get Well: Jon Bussey, the chief steward at Stockton 99 Speedway, remained in serious condition at Washoe Medical Center after he was involved in a traffic accident in Reno over the weekend. According to Stockton 99 Speedway general manager Ken Gross, Bussey suffered a number of injuries in the mishap. He was in Reno to attend a track promoter's workshop. ''According to his family, he's got a broken arm, a broken pelvic bone, a broken back -- but no spinal injury so he can move his arms and legs -- and a couple of ribs,'' Gross said. Bussey, who's in his mid-40s, just completed his first season as a steward, or chief of competition, for the track. ''He's basically our race director,'' Gross said. ''He puts the show on, gets the staff together and orchestrates the officials, and he keeps the racing going in a timely and interesting fashion. ... It was his rookie season and he had rave reviews. We're excited to have him on board.'' Even though he's recovering in Reno, it is hoped that Bussey will be home for Christmas. ''That's the way it is about the NASCAR family, when someone's in trouble, everybody wants to help,'' Gross said. ''My phone hasn't stopped ringing.''(The Record)(12-18-2002)
Wind Tunnel: the #11 Hooters Ford will be at the Langley wind tunnel on Wednesday ,12/18.(BBR site)(12-18-2002)
(12-17-2002)
Fittipaldi Testing at Daytona next week: Christian Fittipaldi, will be in Daytona Beach on December 20, 21 and 22 to test for Petty Enterprises. An extensive testing session in preparation for the 2003 season. Fittipaldi, 31, and a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, will be getting some seat time at the Daytona International Speedway for the first time as he gets ready for his ARCA debut in February. Fittipaldi and the Petty testing team will also be testing two Winston Cup cars as Christian takes most of the testing laps to further his experience with stock cars. Christian Fittipaldi will be driving a combination schedule consisting of select ARCA, Busch Series and Winston Cup events as he prepares to compete full-time in Winston Cup in 2004 for Petty Enterprises. Fittipaldi will be driving the #44 Dodge Intrepid. A primary sponsor is still being sought for 2003.(NASCAR.com)(12-17-2002)
New Flags: New Creative Enterprises announced that it will unveil a new line of die cut flags in January 2003 featuring 20 of the top named drivers in Winston Cup.. The agreement penned with NASCAR's official licensee HiREV, will provide a major distribution opportunity for these unique flags that will carry the face and the car of each driver. This unique line, to be sold under the HiREV brand name, will add to the already nationally acclaimed flag lines presented by New Creative Enterprises.(Business Wire)(12-17-2002)
New Team? AutoRacing1 is reporting Billy Bigley Jr will attempt to run a nearly complete Winston Cup schedule in 2003 driving a Ford for Arnold Motorsports. Bigley Jr will make his first Winston Cup appearance at Las Vegas, and will run a total of 34 point races in 2003 using car #79. The team and its sponsor, who have been kept under wraps until now, will be announced on NBC the day after Christmas. Arnold Motorsports, new to the Winston Cup scene, confirmed today that Bill Bigley Jr would drive their #79 Ford in 2003. This information was shared with AutoRacing1 by the team manager and co-owner of Arnold Motorsports, Keith Coleman, from his Naples, FL location. Arnold Motorsports, co-owned by real estate developer Don Arnold, will have their race shop located in Statesville, NC. The team has procured Hopkins chassis’ for the majority of their race cars, and is looking to run Laughlin chassis’ for their superspeedway program. While Coleman couldn’t confirm who would be supplying Arnold’s engines, it appears that Robert Yates Racing will be supplying power plants for the team. Coleman also stated that the team is planning to field a second race team later in 2003, with its debut at the Pepsi 400 in Daytona. Even though Arnold Motorsports is still seeking a driver for their second Winston Cup entry, it is planning for their second team to run a complete schedule for the remainder of the 2003 season.(AutoRacing1 - need sub to read), NOTE: I had heard a few days ago that Bigley would run some BGN races in Yates equipment (from the defunct #98 Yates BGN team)(12-17-2002)
Cronquist Surgery: Joe Gibbs Racing head engine builder, Mark Cronquist, the 2002 AE Clevite Engine builder of the year, had surgery performed on his ankle, which prevented him from attending the Winston Cup Awards Banquet in NYC.(Speedway Scene Magazine)(12-17-2002)
(12-16-2002)
NASCAR Tech Center Moving: The NASCAR Tech Center is in the process of making a 60-mile move from its original facility in Conover, N.C., to its new 61,000-square-foot complex across from the Concord (N.C.) Airport. NASCAR managing director of competition Gary Nelson says the center's priorities are safety first and competition second.(Sporting News)(12-16-2002)
