PAST NEWS JAN 6-12, 2003
THE PAST NEWS! YESTERDAY and BEYOND..
OTHER PAST NEWS PAGES
(1-12-2003)
- Some Daytona 500 stuff: According to Winston Cup Director, John Darby many of the pieces that NASCAR uses to control the cars at DIS will be just as they were when the tour last ran a restrictor plate race, which was October at Talladega Superspeedway. The cars will run a 7/8-inch plate as well as the smaller fuel cell, according to Darby. The restrictor plate, used to slow the cars from what might well be a 230 mph lap, if the cars ran open motors, should hold the DIS laps to about 185 mph. Atlanta, Texas, Michigan and California tracks will all boast pole speeds quite a bit quicker than the pole speed for the 2003 Daytona 500. The fuel cells once again will be in the 12-gallon neighborhood, versus the 22 gallons allowed at open motor tracks. The smaller cells, which led to pit stops during the close of October’s EA Sports 500, will be used, again. This will give NASCAR more information for possible future changes in the size of the fuel cans for the next plate race. Speaking about the fuel cells Darby told TFR, “Daytona’s a little different track length. We had an idea [with the smaller fuel cells] and only ran it one race. We’d like to watch it more than that [before we do anything with the cells].” (Ford Racing)(1-12-2003)
- More Toyota: Ford Racing reports that it learned that the new Toyota stock car development shops are located in a sprawling new campus in Patterson, Calif. Those in the southern California shops are busily working toward having a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series truck on the track in ’04 or ’05 and a Winston Cup car in possibly ’06 or ’07.(Ford Racing)(1-12-2003)
- Some Gordon/SNL highlights: NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon traded his helmet and logo covered flame retardant suit for a host of wigs, mustaches, outrageous costumes…and a boa constrictor when he hosted NBC’s Emmy Award-winning “Saturday Night Live” January 11. During his 90 minutes on the live broadcast, the four-time Winston Cup champ played numerous roles including an animal expert, a fighter pilot and a Blockbuster Video store manager. Gordon addressed the stereotypes ascribed to NASCAR fans in his opening monologue when he confronted a disruptive couple in the audience (SNL’s Chris Parnell and Rachel Dratch) only to expose them as a conservative couple from Connecticut just trying to fit in. Gordon donned a boa constrictor to match wits with recurring character “Brian Fellow” (Tracy Morgan) on another edition of “Safari Planet.” In addition, Gordon donned a mullet wig to play the cousin, cameraman and sole guest on the very low budget basement talk show “The Terrye Funck Hour” and played a fighter pilot showing up a carpet salesman dad (Seth Meyers) at an elementary school career day as well as playing a waiter contending with a rambling, incoherent Gary Busey (Jeff Richards) in a parody of the reality show “Star Dates.”(NBC PR)(1-12-2003)
- New Speed Show: The Speed Channel will add a Grand National [Busch - BGN] version of its popular "Inside Winston Cup" show to its lineup this year. It will air on Wednesday nights before the rewind of the weekend's Winston Cup race. Randy Lajoie and Hank Parker Jr. will be regular guests on the show, with a third panelist rotating each week. Allen Bestwick, who also hosts the Winston Cup show, will be the host.(ThatsRacinh.com)(1-12-2003)
- Hamilton Retires from Cup? UPDATE No: Bobby Hamilton will run in the Truck Series full time in 2003 (see story on my CTS site), didn't realize he was 'retiring' from Cup...: Nashville's Bobby Hamilton, a former wrecker driver who became a NASCAR star with more than $15 million in winnings, yesterday announced his retirement from Winston Cup racing. ''We've all gotta face it sometime,'' Hamilton said. ''It's just a matter of time until we all step down.'' Hamilton, 45, will remain active by driving one of the three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series trucks he fields out of his Mt. Juliet racing headquarters. But he said the big-league career he began in 1989 is over. See full story at the Tennessean: Hamilton out of Winston Cup.(1-8-2003)
UPDATE: Bobby Hamilton is adamant about three things. He's not taking a step down. He's not retired from Winston Cup racing. And he, and his three-team Truck Series program, are taking a step toward the future. "I'm not looking for a Winston Cup car to try. I'm not retired from Winston Cup, as it was put out," said Hamilton, a 12-year veteran of the Winston Cup ranks. "It was put out at home that I retired from Winston Cup. When I retire, that word retires means retired. It's over with. It's not a step back or a step down."(Daytona Beach News Journal)(1-12-2003)
- Stewart to run in the Chili Bowl UPDATE 2: 2002 Winston Cup champ will run the 2003 Chili Bowl in Tulsa, OK. Two weeks after Christmas, the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals arrive. Emmett Hahn and Lanny Edwards are organizers of the four-night race meet since its 1987 inception. Stewart is scheduled to run on Friday night. Keep track of all the info for the race at www.chilibowl.com.(1-7-2003)
or www.ilikeracing.com or listen via www.rsbn.net.(1-10-2003)
UPDATE Stewart 2nd on Friday: Cory Kruseman [who ran some CTS races in 2002] was the third past Chili Bowl champion to visit victory lane in as many nights, as he led Tony Stewart to the checkered flag in Friday night's 25-lap Cherokee Casino Qualifying Showdown main event Tulsa, OK.(www.chilibowl.com)(1-11-2003)
UPDATE 2: Staying in the hunt throughout Saturday night’s 50-lap 17th Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals main event, Wisconsin’s Dan Boorse took advantage of Cory Kruseman’s ill fate to move into third on a lap 46 restart, then rode the cushion around Tony Stewart for second and then Jay Drake on the final round to claim his second Chili Bowl Nationals championship before a record crowd of 14,630. Stewart ended up 3rd. Stewart also ran the Ford Focus Race of Champions, won by Tim Crawley of Mabelvale, AR, Stewart ended up 7th(www.chilibowl.com)(1-12-2003)
(1-11-2003)
- Virginia Motorsports Hall of Fame first inductees: The Virginia Motorsports Hall of Fame will hold its first induction ceremony during the 2002 Big Daddy's South Boston Speedway Awards Banquet, scheduled for 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 25 at the World of Sports in South Boston, VA. The first inductees will be Virginia motorsports legends, the late Ray Hendricks and the late Wendell Scott. Both men will be represented by their families at the induction. Hendrick, a legendary driver known for his hard-charging driving style, recorded hundreds of wins at South Boston during his storied career, many of them coming when he was piloting the famous winged #11 Modified coupe fielded by Jack Tant and Clayton Mitchell. The Richmond star won five track championships at South Boston, four of them while competing in the NASCAR Modified division and one in the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman division. Danville, VA, native Scott was the only African American driver to regularly participate in the NASCAR Grand National (now Winston Cup) series. On Dec. 1, 1963, he became the first and only African American driver to win a Grand National race, with the victory coming in Jacksonville, FL. In 1999, Scott was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, AL. The Speedway announced its plans for the establishment of the Virginia Motorsports Hall of Fame in early 2002 following Ward Burton's Daytona 500 victory. Burton's win marked the first time a Virginian had won the race. The activities of the Hall of Fame will surpass just the induction ceremony, including the establishment of a Virginia Motorsports Walk of Fame at South Boston Speedway. Throughout the year, the Speedway will initiate numerous fund-raising events, with the proceeds distributed to up-and-coming Virginia racers. The Danville Register and Bee will assist the Hall of Fame in its fund raising efforts. The advisory board of the Virginia Motorsports Hall of Fame includes four Virginia natives: Atlanta Motor Speedway General Manager Ed Clark; Barbara Bass of the South Boston-Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts and History; motorsports artist Garry Hill; and legendary Winston Cup car owner Junie Donlavey.(South Boston Speedway PR)(1-11-2003)
- Policy change will limit fans' access to garages UPDATE 2: For the first time in its history, NASCAR will severely restrict admission to the garage and pit-road areas. Only ''working'' personnel will be allowed in those areas during practice, qualifying and the race itself. Thousands of fans will be denied access under the new policy. Supposedly each race team will be issued 30 pit passes per race, and each track limited to 50 additional passes to be issued at its discretion. NASCAR will reserve an undetermined number of passes for distribution, and will continue to issue the annual ''hard-card'' credential to national media that cover a large number of events. Tracks can use their discretion in issuing additional media passes. Details of the new policy have not been finalized but a new policy would be in place for the 2003 season that severely curtailed the number of people admitted to the working garage area.(in part and paraphrased frpm the Tennessean)(1-2-2003)
UPDATE: hearing that NASCAR will install devices throughout the garage and pit area that flashes a yellow light. The light will come on precisely 30 minutes before practice, qualifying, and the race. At that point, security will begin making a sweep. The pits and garage then become "hot." You must have a hot pass to accompany your hard card or track-issued credential. This is a change because in the past hard cards were considered to always be "hot." No longer. Everyone all the way up to team owners have to pick up a "hot" pass each week to accompany their hard card. Each team will be given 30 passes (in addition to hard cards) per race.(1-6-2003)
UPDATE 2: Being told the lights will be red LED's not amber.(1-11-2003)
- Engine stuff UPDATE 3: 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)
UPDATE 2: Sources say Larry Wallace, who until recently was chief builder for Penske South, has been approached by Toyota, although that could not be confirmed.(Speed Channel)(1-11-2003)
(1-10-2003)
- Stewart Honor: Tony Stewart and former midget car owner Ralph Potter have been elected to the Hoosier Auto Racing Fans' Hall of Fame.(Indy Star)(1-10-2003)
- No Autographs in the Garage Area? UPDATE Drivers in favor: NASCAR is considering a plan to prohibit drivers from signing autographs in the garage area at tracks to reduce fan congestion. NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr. said Wednesday the possible ban is part of the sanctioning body's ongoing effort to restore order in the garage. "We need to get the garage area back to where the guys can work on the cars," France said in an interview with The Associated Press. "So if we do this, when a fan asks a driver for an autograph, the driver will be able to say `NASCAR won't let me.' " A sport that has long prided itself on the level of access that fans have with the teams, NASCAR in recent years has seen an overcrowding that has led to numerous complaints from drivers and crews, as well as injuries among spectators. So France said he's proposed only allowing drivers to sign autographs in the area immediately around their hauler and organizing a period once a weekend where all 43 drivers would take turns sitting at a table to sign autographs in 10-minute increments. Punishment for signing autographs at any other time could be monetary - perhaps a $500 fine - although France said he preferred penalizing offending drivers by sending them to the back of the field at the start of the race. "Obviously, it would be a judgment call on when a driver would be punished for it, but we've got to do something because these guys can't even walk around anymore," he said. NASCAR plans to unveil the new rules for garage access later this month, France said. But its goal is to reduce the total number of individuals in the garage during competition by some 20 percent. Expected to be introduced this season will be special "hot" passes that will be given to team members, NASCAR officials and media that allow entrance into the garage while cars are on the track in practice, qualifying or the race. Without the pass, access to the garage won't be granted. The rule is likely to be enforced on pit road during the race, but not during practice and qualifying. Teams and sponsors will receive an allotted sum of passes each week, ending the near limitless supply they used to have.(Fort Worth Star Telegram/AP)(1-9-2003)
UPDATE: NASCAR drivers on Thursday supported a proposed effort to limit autographs in the garage area, stressing the importance of finding a way to clear up the current congestion. NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr. has proposed outlawing autographs in the garage except for the areas immediately around a driver's hauler and in designated spots at specified times. "We've got to educate the drivers and the fans on what's appropriate and what is not appropriate," Jeff Burton said during testing at Daytona International Speedway. "There is no autograph etiquette, there is no proper understanding of what to do and when to do it and how to do it," he said. "I think to get an education process started, we've got to make some rules and just stick to them." France said Winston Cup champions Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart both support his proposal, which would force the drivers to decline many autograph requests and blame it on the sanctioning body. NASCAR has always been fan friendly, giving the average spectator almost total access to its teams. But overcrowding in recent years has led to complaints from drivers and crews, as well as injuries among spectators. The sanctioning body plans to unveil new rules for garage access later this month, with a goal of reducing the number of people in the garage during competition by some 20 percent.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(1-10-2003)
- Pemberton back to Roush? UPDATE: Where will Robin Pemberton, who recently split with Petty Enterprises, end up? Insiders are betting on his returning to the Jack Roush camp, where he once starred during Mark Martin's early days on the tour.(Winston Salem Journal)(1-9-2003)
UPDATE: Robin Pemberton's surprising split with Kyle Petty earlier this week, apparently after Pemberton was overruled on two engineers [supposedly from Penske] he wanted to hire. Those men wound up at Joe Gibbs, but where Pemberton might go is unclear.(Winston Salem News Journal)(1-10-2003)
- Rusty says no retirement...just yet: Rusty Wallace has no plans to stop racing any time soon. "I'm going to drive for at least three more years," said the 46-year-old Wallace said. "I'm not looking for anything after three. I've always said the day I can't be competitive and I'm just out there running, I don't want nothing to do with it. But I'm not even close to that. I should have won a ton of races [in 2002]; we had great runs last year," he said. "Everybody keeps talking to me about (retirement) for some reason. I guess when you get 46 years old, that's a question you get asked. But I'm not close."(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(1-10-2003)
- Some No Bull Stuff: No one driving either a Pontiac or a Dodge has ever won the Winston No Bull 5 million.
• Since R.J. Reynolds first got involved with NASCAR racing in 1971, they have spent more than $84,000,000. And to think it all started when Junior Johnson went to them to sponsor his race car. Johnson left the meeting knowing they wanted to spend a lot of money, so he called Bill France Sr. and told him they may want to sponsor the entire division.
• One hundred and fifteen fans have been randomly picked in the "They Win, You Win" Winston sweepstakes. That's where a fan gets pared up with a driver and if the driver wins the race then the fan wins a million dollars, too. Make that 114 fans, Johnnie Bowser from Charlotte has been picked twice. Sorry to say he didn't win either time.(Caledonian-Record) The No Bull Five Driver/Fan program has been cancelled.(1-10-2003)
- Nadeau still aching: #01-Jerry Nadeau, who injured his ribs and right shoulder in a go-kart accident late last season, said he feels nearly 100 percent but may one day still require surgery. "The right arm still hurts at times, but I think a lot of it is because I've been working out a lot and it seems like it may not be totally healed," he said. "It's one of those things that I'm going to have to live with. The only way I can get it back normal is if I had an operation." Nadeau, who will drive the #01 US Army Pontiac for MB2 Motorsports this season, said he would re-evaluate the need for surgery at the end of the season.(ThatsRacin.com)(1-10-2003)
- Spying on the Spies: A little bit of scanner chatter this afternoon provided some entertainment for those who happened to catch the action. The talk centered on a Hendrick Motorsports employee as observed by a Dale Earnhardt Inc. employee. The Hendrick employee, in street cloths, was taking pictures of competitors’ car noses and tails. The DEI employee dutifully reported each new location of the Hendrick employee as he moved through the garage. This week there’s been a lot of open talk regarding the rear bumper cap and rear-end styling of the DEI cars. There’s no doubt that there’s a visual difference in those areas between the DEI cars and the other Chevys. But NASCAR doesn’t inspect cars during these test sessions – unless requested – so, it wouldn’t matter how DEI, or any other team, trimmed any aspect of their car. The only true hit comes from lost test time, which is a valuable commodity with just four weeks until the Daytona 500.(Ford Racing)(1-10-2003)
- Pardus back to Cup? Dan Pardus, who raced in the BGN for Jim and Judie Motorsports [#32] last year and competed in the 1998 Pepsi 400, has hooked up with Holzer Motorsports, owned by New Smryna Beach, FL's Sonny Panholzer. The team is exploring its options for 2003, including BGN and Winston Cup events. If sponsorship can be finalized, the team could compete at Daytona International Speedway during Speed Weeks, said team vice president Vanessa Tyler-Thompson. Anyone interested in sponsorship may call Tyler-Thompson at (386) 428-9227.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(1-10-2003)
(1-9-2003)
- BACE Motorsports and Rains to run full Cup: BACE Motorsports announced they will compete in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series in the 2003 season with Tony Raines as the driver of the #74 Chevy. Larry Carter has been named Crew Chief for the #74 Team in their first full season Cup effort. With BACE's transition to NASCAR's premiere division, the three-time BGN Champions are focused on continuing a tradition of excellence initiated over 10 years ago when the team was founded by owner Bill Baumgardner. "We're excited to make the transition to the Winston Cup level with the No. 74 Team," Baumgardner said. "Last season we made a strategic change in plan for the No. 74 by running a handful of races at the Winston Cup level. Now we are dedicating 100 percent of the focus of this team to continue building a competitive Winston Cup program. Since BACE was formed, we've been committed to a standard of excellence that has led our team to success. With the elements we currently have in place, having Tony as our driver and several personnel changes we made during the off season, we believe that this is the appropriate time to make the move to Winston Cup." Raines joined BACE in 1999 as driver of the No. 33 Busch Series entry. BACE's move to Cup completes Raines' development through all three top touring series of NASCAR. Additionally, Raines will compete for Rookie of the Year honors in the Winston Cup Series, having already earned those honors in the BGN (1999) with BACE as well as the All Pro Series in 1990. He was the runner-up in that honor in the CTS in 1997. "Last year we were able to run seven races at the Winston Cup level," Raines said. "Our goal when we started with my first race in June at Dover was to just qualify (Raines started 17th in his Winston Cup debut). As we ran additional races, our goals began to change. We didn't just want to
compete but to learn to be competitive. It's a building process for any team starting out to be competitive in The Winston Cup Series. This is the top level in our sport so it's natural to want to progress and run at that level. Bill and Brian (Baumgardner) have committed over 10 years to building a championship organization in the Busch Series and it's an honor for me to be a part of this team as we begin a full-time Winston Cup effort at BACE." Making the calls as crew chief for the No. 74 Team in 2003 is Larry Carter. Carter last served as head wrench in 2002 for driver Todd Bodine while working for his uncle, Travis Carter at Haas/Carter Motorsports. With 13 years of NASCAR experience under his belt, Carter holds over 110 career Winston Cup starts as a crew chief. Joining the BACE organization in December, Carter immediately realized a strong foundation in place for a Winston Cup organization. "When I started, I saw they have a lot of good systems and people already in place so I do not think that they are missing anything that they need to go Winston Cup racing," Carter said. "Now, it's just a matter of getting everything positioned in the right direction to be successful. A definite positive is that Tony and I hit it off
immediately. Having spent time together on and off the track, our personalities seem to go together. I'm looking forward to working with
him. Everything that I've seen of him on the track displays his talent and ability to get the job done." Also assisting in BACE's transition to NASCAR's upper echelon is Michael "Dover" Kadlecik, crew chief for the #33 BGN entry last season. Kadlecik remains with the organization now serving as Head Engineer a throwback to his roots in Motorsports. BACE Motorsports has the distinction of being the only team to win the NASCAR Busch Championship over three consecutive years (1995, 1996, 1997). The team has 16 total victories, twice recorded Rookie of Year honors (1994, 1999) and has set 17 NASCAR Busch Series records.(BACE Motorsports PR)(1-9-2003)
- Elliott Does Some Dirt Trackin': Bill Elliott, driver of the #9 Dodge in Cup, visited Cleveland Speedway on Tuesday for a private practice session which he said was "mostly for fun." Elliott arrived at the Speedway shortly after noon via helicopter. He ran the 1/3 mile dirt track in two different cars, describing Cleveland Speedway as "fast." Bobby Turner and 17-year-old Bradley Central High School junior Todd Morrow joined Elliott on the track. The two drivers were used to "pace," or compare, times with the NASCAR great. The practice session was kept private so work could be done. While Elliott admitted his main purpose was for entertainment, the dirt track was also good conditioning for the upcoming NASCAR season. Although he rarely gets time to visit them, Elliott said visiting smaller tracks like Cleveland Speedway is a hobby. Elliott's visit to Cleveland was the first since he was a child.(Cleveland Daily Banner)(1-9-2003)
- So what is up with Geoffrey Bodine? Geoffrey Bodine's prospects for the 2003 race season have clouded since he returned from his goodwill tour of American Troop bases in the Middle East over the New Year's holiday. Bodine, Winston Cup driver Jerry Nadeau, and three other drivers took part in the Armed Forces Entertainment Program's "Operation Enduring Freedom." They spent five days meeting troops in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan. But since his return Friday, the Chemung native's options for competing in next month's Daytona 500 have all but disappeared. He finished third in that race last year. Bodine said he had talks with Andy Petree Racing about driving for that team, but Petree announced Monday that he hired Christian Fittipaldi for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16. Last week it was reported that Bodine's sponsor during the past few years -- Miccosukee Indian Gaming Casino -- agreed to sponsor Mike Wallace in the James Finch-owned car in the Daytona 500 and four other races. Bodine has been unable to reach officials of the Florida-based casino, but she said the news wasn't encouraging. Bodine is eligible for the Bud Shootout, which is Feb. 8 at Daytona. With his sponsorship up in the air and few, if any, cars with open seats remaining, Bodine doesn't have any plans for that race either. For now, Bodine will test the Travis Carter Ford for youngest brother Todd on Jan. 14 and 15 at Daytona International Speedway. Todd is still recuperating after back surgery Nov. 22 to repair a ruptured disc. Bodine is also expected to offer some help to middle brother Brett during next week's tests at Daytona. Geoffrey is still hopeful that he'll hook up with the Cegwa Sport Daytona Prototype team for the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona on Feb. 1 and 2. John Shapiro, Cegwa Sport's team manager, said Wednesday that he didn't know what Bodine's status was with the team, but Shapiro said there is a possibility Bodine could join the team. He said they have signed two of their four drivers so far.(Elmira Star Gazette)(1-9-2003)
- Petty to be Honored: Richard Petty and The News-Journal's motorsports editor Godwin Kelly will headline the Living Legends of Auto Racing's 11th annual awards banquet at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12, at the Plaza Resort and Spa in Daytona Beach. Petty will be presented with the LLOAR's Distinguished Driver award, while Kelly will receive the Russ Moyer Media Award. Banquet seating is $40 per person and tickets are available only in advance. For information contact Carol Peoples at (386) 441-3246.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(1-9-2003)
- Head and Neck Restrait Update: NASCAR managing director of competitionGary Nelson said NASCAR consultant John Melvin has examined at least six new head-and-neck restraints products designed to protect the neck in crashes. Only the Hutchens Device and the HANS device are approved by NASCAR. NASCAR has not approved the use of any new energy-absorbing walls or head-restraint systems for the 2003 season. "Each one is unique and some offer benefits in some areas and less in other areas," Nelson said. "Our job is to sort that out and make sure we do no harm by allowing something. We still are looking at the ones that have been submitted." Nelson and Melvin were among the presenters Wednesday in a safety meeting with the drivers.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(1-9-2003)
- 'Softwalls' Update: NASCAR has not approved the use of any new energy-absorbing walls for the 2003 season, NASCAR managing director of competition Gary Nelson said. Nelson said the wall developers want to do more research. "The people that designed it and invented it are asking us to hold off until they complete their testing."(Daytona Beach News Journal)(1-9-2003)
- #2 Crew Member back..but: Earl Barban, crew member for Rusty Wallace’s #2 Dodge, fully recovered from the November motorcycle accident that occurred on his way to the Rockingham, N.C. event, but pre-season testing brought another hazard. The last time Barban was at the track was Homestead, Fla., and he appeared an ashen gray color from the pain he was enduring at the time. Barban suffered internal injuries and an injury to his leg in the crash. Fully recovered Barban was ready for testing. That is until he stepped off the truck at a wrong angle and twisted his ankle — severely. “Ya, I was in great shape — for the first 15 minutes of practice. Now I’ve got these things [crutches] again.”(Ford Racing)(1-9-2003)
- Wally and Larry Mac teaming up? Current television broadcasters [NBC/TNT] Wally Dallenbach and [Fox] Larry McReynolds may become NASCAR team owners in 2003. Sources report the duo is negotiating to create a team which will field BGN and Winston Cup entires at selected events this coming season with Dallenbach handling driving duties. Dallenbach drove in several BGN races last season while also working as a member of the NBC/TNT NASCAR broadcast team. The former Winston Cup regular will return to the booth again this year with his driving schedule worked around broadcast duties. McReynolds is a member of the FOX broadcast team and also does work for its affiliate SPEED Channel. The former championship winning crew chief would assume similar duties for Dallenbach with the new team. Sources have told RacingOne the new entity is close to finalizing sponsorship details and that an official announcement could come in days. A BGN debut is expected to come in July at Daytona with a Winston Cup entry next August at Watkins Glen.(RacingOne)(1-9-2003)
- Pressley to run three at Daytona? While Robert Pressley will not be behind the wheel of the #18 Dodge Truck for Bobby Hamilton Racing in the CTS this season, he has many options for 2003. Due to the fact that Hamilton was unable to secure a Winston Cup ride, he will be competing in the CTS, driving his own equipment. Pressley is now listening to a few deals for the 2003 season. Pressley is currently examining several options in Winston Cup, BGN, and CTS. He is eying a possible tripleheader at Daytona in February, returning to the Truck series to defend his season-opening win of 2002, along with competing in the BGN and Cup events as well. “I am extremely happy with the possible scenarios that could happen in the 2003 season,” said Pressley. “The idea of running in all three events at Daytona is very exciting.”(Robert Pressley site)(1-9-2003)
(1-8-2003)
- Stewart probably skiping the Indy 500: Tony Stewart indicated Wednesday he is likely to put on his hold his dream of winning the Indianapolis 500 so long as he remains in the Winston Cup series. Since joining Cup in 1999, Stewart has twice run the 500, which is held the same day as the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "I've thought about it and I decided even before I left Homestead (last season) that I wasn't even going to try it again," said Stewart, who won the Winston Cup championship in 2002. "As much as my heart wants to do it, I need to take care of what I signed up for here." Stewart, the reigning Winston Cup champion, said he had not received any pressure from team owner Joe Gibbs or crew chief Greg Zipadelli to end his INdy 500 quest. "It's a strain on Greg and the guys on the team," Stewart said. "Every day that I'm up there they worry about a tire blowing out or an engine blowing or something that is out of my control ... (and) screw something up to where I can't do my job here. This is what I do. I'm a stock car driver."(ThatsRacin.com)(1-8-2003)
- America's Most Wanted Racing Update: RapidAlert.Net, a National Leader In Fundraising with the most generous offering of over 50% of every profile sold - has signed with America's Most Wanted Racing (a subsidiary of Body Dynamics Motorsports) as a secondary associate sponsor, which assures the team the ability to generate substantial ongoing revenue to assist in their missing children's motorsports program which will compliment their campaign while they negotiate a Primary Sponsor. RapidAlert.Net can help save abducted and missing children. Through RapidAlert.Net, families can quickly provide emergency personnel anywhere in the world with a current photo and physical description of the missing child. For more information visit www.bodydynamicsracing.com.(PR)(1-8-2003)
- Johnson makes it 3 for IROC UPDATE and...all driver named: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the NASCAR Winston Cup #48 Lowe's Home Improvement Chevrolet, accepted an invitation to participate in the 2003 International Race of Champions (IROC). The IROC Racing Series has featured drivers from NASCAR's Winston Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series, World of Outlaws, International Racing League (IRL) and Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART). Johnson is hoping that he can continue the NASCAR Winston Cup series' dominance as of late. The four races that make up the 2003 IROC Racing Series will take place at Daytona International Speedway in February, Talladega Superspeedway in April, Chicagoland Speedway in July and Indianapolis Motor Speedway in August.(Golin Harris PR)
Add Harvick: Also Wednesday, sources confirmed that Winston Cup driver Kevin Harvick - who won the 2002 IROC championship - has accepted an invitation to defend his championship this season.(ThatsRacin.com)
Add Martin, Busch, Newman, Biffle and Bliss: Other NASCAR participants include Busch Series champion Greg Biffle, Craftsman Truck Series champ Mike Bliss, Winston Cup Rookie of the Year Ryan Newman, Mark Martin and Kurt Busch. IRL drivers Sam Hornish, Helio Castroneves and Felipe Giaffone complete the IROC field.(NASCAR.com)(1-8-2003)
- Evernham/Atwood Split: Evernham Motorsports and Casey Atwood today announced that Atwood is free to pursue other driving opportunities. "Casey is a good friend and a talented driver," said Ray Evernham, president and CEO of Evernham Motorsports. "We want what's best for him and his career."(Golin Harris PR)(1-8-2003)
- Stewart Declines IROC Invite: For the second consecutive season, the reigning Winston Cup champion [Tony Stewart in 2002] has declined an invitation to participate in the International Race of Champions series. Jeff Gordon, who won the 2001 champion, elected not to participate in last season's IROC series, which features 12 drivers from various forms of motorsports competing in four 100-mile races in equally prepared Pontiac Firebirds. Stewart won the season opening IROC race last season and Winston Cup driver Kevin Harvick won the series title. "With all that goes on during any given Winston Cup weekend, the time to focus on the main job - driving (for my team) - becomes more and more valuable as our sport continues to grow. I've never been a Winston Cup champion before and I want to do it right - for my team, for my fellow competitors and for my fans. When you win one championship it makes you want to win a second that much more."(ThatsRacin.com), so far only two drivers have been named to run IROC 2003, WoO drivers Danny Lasoski and Steve Kinser. Usually it is the top five from Cup, the top drivers from the IRL, CART (is schedules match) and the BGN and sometimes CTS champ.(1-8-2003)
- Hamilton Retires from Cup? Bobby Hamilton will run in the Truck Series full time in 2003 (see story on my CTS site), didn't realize he was 'retiring' from Cup...: Nashville's Bobby Hamilton, a former wrecker driver who became a NASCAR star with more than $15 million in winnings, yesterday announced his retirement from Winston Cup racing. ''We've all gotta face it sometime,'' Hamilton said. ''It's just a matter of time until we all step down.'' Hamilton, 45, will remain active by driving one of the three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series trucks he fields out of his Mt. Juliet racing headquarters. But he said the big-league career he began in 1989 is over. See full story at the Tennessean: Hamilton out of Winston Cup.(1-8-2003)
- Robby Gordon to run BGN: a quote from Team Gordon on some 2003 plans (besides his #31 Cup ride): "Our hope is to participate in some Busch Grand National events this season and beyond out of the Team Gordon Shop. Of course funding for the program must be adequate enough for us to put together wins. Right now there are a few companies interested in participating in a Busch program with an Indy 500 and Baja 1000 overflow, but nothing is concrete at this time. It's a wait-and-see scenario."(American Race Fan)(1-8-2003)
- Restraint Refresher Course: In a safety seminar this morning at the speedway, the inventors of the HANS and Hutchens head-and-neck restraints are expected to give drivers a refresher course on the proper way to wear each device. There's growing concern drivers have not been wearing the devices properly, possibly reducing their effectiveness in a crash.(USA Today)(1-8-2003)
- $16 Million? The U.S. Army has committed $16 million to sponsor Jerry Nadeau in his renumbered #01 Pontiac this year. That includes team sponsorship, radio and TV ads, a mobile Army recruiting station at several tracks and "Army Night" at a number of Dodge Weekly Racing Series tracks.(Daily Press)(1-8-2003)
- Petty's back on TV with STP: After a 10 year hiatus from its advertising campaigns, race car legend Richard Petty is returning to TV on behalf of Clorox Co.'s STP brand. Petty, a seven-time Nascar Winston Cup champion, first appeared for STP in the 1970s. In recent years, however, he has limited his association with the brand to driving an STP-sponsored race car and serving as a spokesman for the brand in a public relations capacity. Michael Hoar, management director on the account at Omnicom Group's DDB Worldwide, San Francisco, said the decision to bring Petty back for the campaign resulted from research that found that sons learn about car care from their fathers. The ads back the STP Fuel Additives line, which includes three products: Gas Treatment, Super Concentrated Fuel Injector Cleaner, and Complete Fuel System Cleaner. In the spots, titled "Dad's Advice," Petty's son Kyle, a NASCAR Winston Cup driver, talks about the importance of cleaning a car's fuel system as well as the engine's oil. The younger Mr. Petty speaks to the camera, but when he slams down the hood of the car, his father is seen in the background wearing his trademark cowboy hat and glasses. "It's the ultimate father handing advice to the ultimate son," Mr Hoar said. The spots broke this week on NASCAR and sports programming. A print and in-store component also is included, along with public relations activities.(AdAge)(1-8-2003)
- CW Smith to run some Cup races? Smith Brothers Motorsports is planning to run a number of races throughout the 2003 season in both the NASCAR Winston Cup series and NASCAR Busch Grand National Division. They are currently running in selected events with the goal being to add to their schedule and eventually run on a full-time basis. One event mentioned on their site is The Gatorade Twin 125 qualifying race for the Daytona 500. Pocono is another track they are considering.(Smith Brothers Motorsports site)(1-8-2003)
- Cope to help out Howard: Shelby Howard will have additional expertise in his pits in 2003. The 17-year-old driver starts his second full year in the ARCA Series with Cup veteran Derrike Cope serving as a team consultant. Cope, the winner of the 1990 Daytona 500, will be on hand for all of the races that accompany the Winston Cup Series as well as a variety of test sessions. Team owner Shelby Howard III says that bringing Cope on board is being viewed by the whole team as a necessary step. In addition to the typical ARCA test sessions, Howard will also climb behind the wheel of Cope’s Winston Cup car to gain additional experience.(Shelby Howard Site)(1-8-2003)
(1-7-2003)
- Manufacturer Rules for the Daytona 500 in 2003: All Chevrolets, Pontiacs, Dodges and Fords will have the same 1.5-inch nose "kickout," or the extension of the front air dam below the bumper. All four makes, which have to mount their bodies on the same reference point, will also use the identical rear spoiler package -- 6.25 inches high by 57 inches wide at a 55-degree angle. Also downsized fuel cells, about 13.5 gallons (down from the standard 22-gallon cell used everywhere else) will be used at Daytona.(NASCAR.com), assume they will go back to the 22 gallon tanks for the non-restrictor plate tracks, it is not clear.(1-7-2003)
- Restrictor Plate Track Weight Rules: NASCAR has implemented a new rule effective for the four superspeedway races at Daytona and Talladega this season requiring the total rear weight of the right rear and the left rear to not exceed 50-percent of a car's minimum weight. For example, a car required to weigh 3400 pounds must not weigh more than 1700 pounds across the rear wheels. Winston Cup series director John Darby said Tuesday the rule was adapted to prevent teams from circumventing the rear shock and spring requirements at Daytona and Talladega. Darby said NASCAR did not want to allow teams to chance compromising the safety advantage in rear crushability.(ThatsRacin.com)(1-7-2003)
- No Bull Five News UPDATE No More: Changes are expected to be announced soon in R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company's No Bull Five fan-driver bonus program. The five-year-old program paid million-dollar prizes to drivers and fans at selected Winston Cup races. Drawings paired five drivers and fans at each race, and a victory won $1 million for the driver and his fan. RJR officials have discussed major changes in the program and, in the next few days, are expected to announce how the 2003 version will operate. "Some people think it's served its purpose, and you either change it or look to do other things," said RJR spokesman Denny Darnell. "We've looked at a couple of variations of the program."(Greenville News)(1-5-2002)
UPDATE: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. announced on Monday its Winston brand will not continue the Winston No Bull 5 program in 2003. The No Bull 5, a bonus program for both drivers and fans, was introduced in 1998 in celebration of NASCAR's 50th anniversary. Five races were picked prior to the start of each season in which one of five drivers was eligible to win $1 million if he won the race. In recent seasons, fans were paired with the drivers, allowing a fan to win $1 million as well if one of the eligible drivers won the event. "The Winston No Bull 5 program was a very successful program for the Winston brand," said Ned Leary, president of RJR's Sports Marketing Enterprises. "However, we are constantly evaluating the allocation of resources. "For 2003, the decision has been made to deploy those resources in other areas." Leary said the decision to end the bonus program did not affect the company's sponsorship of NASCAR's Winston Cup series, which RJR has sponsored the past 32 years.(ThatsRacin.com)(1-6-2003)
- Hamilton to the Trucks? UPDATE 2 Yes with Square D: Bobby Hamilton, who parted ways with Petree at the end of last season, is contemplating his next move, which could be getting behind the wheel of a truck. Hamilton says if he decides to run for the title in the Craftsman Truck Series -- in which he undoubtedly would be a weekly contender -- he wouldn't want to risk his health in a part-time Winston Cup role, even at the Daytona 500. "You're at everyone else's mercy," Hamilton says of Daytona. "If one guy makes a mistake, it can take out half the field. That doesn't happen at a place like Charlotte or Atlanta."(Sporting News)(12-30-2002)
UPDATE: hearing that Square D will be sponsoring Bobby Hamilton for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 2003 season. The #4 Dodge truck will sport Square D's brand logo as well as a commemorative logo for the 100-year anniversary.
UPDATE 2: Bobby Hamilton and sponsor Square D announced the two are combining forces for the 2003 CTS season. Square D will be the primary sponsor of the #4 Dodge displaying a commemorative paint scheme of the Square D brand's 100th anniversary, and Hamilton has been named as the full-time driver. "This just makes sense for me," Hamilton said.. "I've worked with Square D for the past two years and we have a tremendous relationship. When they talked about coming on board as a sponsor of our truck, I told them without hesitation, 'If you sponsor it, I will drive it.'".(Bobby Hamilton Racing PR)(1-7-2003)
- Hughes still looking to field a team in 2003: Tinsley Hughes, who with Sam Belnavis, founded BH Motorsports last season - which they had hoped would be the first black-owned Winston Cup team running full time - still hopes to field a team this season despite Belnavis' departure from the organization. Last week, team officials confirmed Belnavis, former director of sports marketing for Miller Brewing Co., had left, leaving Hughes as sole owner. In the coming weeks, Belnavis is expected to announce a new partnership with Winston Cup car owner Travis Carter and the formation of BelCar Racing. Hughes' team continues to be incorporated under the name BH Motorsports, but will likely change names in the near future. "We're alive and well and have not closed shop," said Hughes, a former co-owner of Mansion Motorsports, which has entered Winston Cup events on a part-time basis. "We're working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to continue this program." The team is searching for a sponsor and has yet to name a driver. It will likely keep the No. 54, which BH Motorsports used in 2002.(ThatsRacin.com)(1-7-2003)
- Irvan BGN/ARCA team: Retired Winston Cup driver Ernie Irvan will field cars for rookie Kevin Conway in 15 NASCAR Busch Series races and select speedway races in the ARCA RE/MAX Series where Conway first drove for Irvan last season. An announcement will be made at Daytona giving more details about the partnership. In his first and only ARCA RE/MAX Series start to date, Conway qualified Irvan's Chevrolet in the 5th position at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2002. The rookie was in contention for the win when a flat tire put him down the order to a 13th place finish.(StockCarScene.com)(1-7-2003)
(1-6-2003)
- Ward Burton to to plug Virginia State Parks on radio, TV: #22-Ward Burton will appear in a series of radio and television announcements for Virginia's state parks, Gov. Mark R. Warner said Monday. Burton, a Halifax County native and current Daytona 500 champion, will speak on behalf of the park system in the public service announcements that are slated to air on more than 80 radio stations and almost 30 TV stations. The ads will air as part of a long-term agreement between the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Virginia Association of Broadcasters. Warner said Burton's "popularity as a NASCAR personality and his lifelong commitment to the outdoors will be a tremendous benefit to promoting Virginia State Parks." Burton is an avid outdoorsman and has established a foundation to promote wildlife conservation, the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation. The foundation manages land along the Staunton River and is raising funds to acquire an adjoining tract and to build an environmental education center.(Daily Press/AP)(1-7-2003)
- Pemberton leaves Petty Enterprises? UPDATE yes: it was reported on Sunday's LTN Network radio show that Robin Pemberton has left Petty Enterprises at Team Manager.(1-6-2003)
UPDATE: Petty Enterprises will further restructure its competitive setup, as part of the earlier announcements regarding its two full-time NASCAR Winston Cup teams and the Winston Cup-Busch-ARCA team of driver Christian Fittipaldi. As part of that structuring, Robin Pemberton will not return in 2003. "We really appreciate the knowledge and experience Robin brought to our race teams, and wish him nothing but the best as he continues his career," said Kyle Petty, CEO of Petty Enterprises. "We know he will be successful in anything he does, and we will continue working to bring that same type of success to all of our teams."(Williams Company)(1-6-2003)
- Petree has Daytona 500 sponsor, now needs a driver UPDATE 4 Fittipaldi to drive: NASCAR Winston Cup owner Andy Petree has secured a single-race sponsor for his #55 car in the Daytona 500. Andy Petree Racing, based in Henderson County, NC, has been scrambling in recent months to land a sponsorship after electrical distribution company Square D said it could no longer afford to run an entire schedule. The new sponsor's name will be announced after the new year. Petree now must find another driver for the #55 after Ken Schrader signed up Friday with the BAM Racing Dodge next year. Petree had been trying to line up Schrader to drive #55, APR general manager Steve Barkdoll said. "Schrader had the opportunity to drive the BAM car full time, so we told him to take it," Barkdoll said. First Petree was forced to lay off employees, now he's looking for investors for his team. Times are tough for Petree, still scrambling to keep his Winston Cup team afloat. After laying off 25 employees last month, Petree is hoping an outside investor can step in and keep things running. He has enough employees left to send Schrader to the Daytona 500, but more money will have to appear before he can plan for any more races.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(12-22-2002)
UPDATE: hearing the sponsor will be Monaco Coach, still no word on the driver.(12-24-2002)
UPDATE 2: Now that Ken Schrader has signed with [#49] BAM, Mike Wallace would be the logical choice to drive for Andy Petree in the Daytona 500. Sources close to Andy Petree Racing say that Monaco Coaches has signed to be the primary sponsor for Petree's #55 Chevy at Daytona and will remain with it as an associate throughout the year once major sponsorship has been found. Wallace had a solid 21st-place run for Petree last year at Daytona and will have the benefit of running the truck race for Schrader's team before the 500. Wallace, 43, also will continue to drive in the BGN in the #4 Biagi Brothers Racing Chevy, but the team is searching for sponsorship to compete beyond Biagi Brothers' 12-race commitment.(Sporting News)(12-30-2002)
UPDATE 3: been told the driver will not be Mike Wallace or Geoffrey Bodine and an announcement should be made soon on the driver.(1-3-2003)
UPDATE 4: Monaco Coach Corporation will sponsor Andy Petree Racing in 2003, beginning with next month’s NASCAR Winston Cup season-opening Daytona 500. The announcement was made today. Christian Fittipaldi, who is running for Petty Enterprises in a variety of series this season, will drive in the Daytona 500 for the team. Monaco will also sponsor APR in four CTS races in 2003. Petree is still seeking sponsorship for the full 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup season and additional Truck series races. Monaco and Andy Petree have enjoyed a strong corporate relationship that has included a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory with Tony Stewart driving and associate sponsorships in NASCAR Winston Cup racing. "We’re excited to be in the Daytona 500 with a company like Monaco Coaches on the side of our car," said Petree. "Monaco has a commitment to quality and a strong belief in working hard to be the best. We do too, and that’s the type of businesses both of us want to be associated with. We feel Christian Fittipaldi will add a lot to our effort. He is a rookie at the big ovals but with his Formula One and Indy car background, he is no stranger to going fast," Petree said. "We’re looking for a very strong Speed Weeks." Petree emphasized his team is still seeking full-season sponsorship for 2003. "We have a firm belief in NASCAR fans and a firm belief in Andy Petree Racing," said Ed Kinney, Vice-President of Monaco. "One of the world’s fastest growing RV manufacturers taking a larger role in the world’s fastest growing sport is just a natural. We’re proud to be a part of NASCAR racing and a part of Andy Petree’s winning operation." The Coburg, Ore., based corporation has become one of the world’s leading RV manufacturer since it was founded in 1968, and remains one of the fastest-growing in the industry.(Williams Company)(1-6-2003)
- Policy change will limit fans' access to garages UPDATE: For the first time in its history, NASCAR will severely restrict admission to the garage and pit-road areas. Only ''working'' personnel will be allowed in those areas during practice, qualifying and the race itself. Thousands of fans will be denied access under the new policy. Supposedly each race team will be issued 30 pit passes per race, and each track limited to 50 additional passes to be issued at its discretion. NASCAR will reserve an undetermined number of passes for distribution, and will continue to issue the annual ''hard-card'' credential to national media that cover a large number of events. Tracks can use their discretion in issuing additional media passes. Details of the new policy have not been finalized but a new policy would be in place for the 2003 season that severely curtailed the number of people admitted to the working garage area.(in part and paraphrased frpm the Tennessean)(1-2-2003)
UPDATE: hearing that NASCAR will install devices throughout the garage and pit area that flashes a yellow light. The light will come on precisely 30 minutes before practice, qualifying, and the race. At that point, security will begin making a sweep. The pits and garage then become "hot." You must have a hot pass to accompany your hard card or track-issued credential. This is a change because in the past hard cards were considered to always be "hot." No longer. Everyone all the way up to team owners have to pick up a "hot" pass each week to accompany their hard card. Each team will be given 30 passes (in addition to hard cards) per race.(1-6-2003)
- BH Motorsports dissolves But....and Todd Bodine news UPDATE: #54 BH Motorsports, which this season hoped to be the first black-owned Winston Cup team to run a full-time schedule, has dissolved, team officials confirmed Friday. The team was co-owned by Sam Belnavis, a native New Yorker and former director of sports marketing with Miller Brewing Co., and Tinsley Hughes, a former co-owner of #85 Mansion Motorsports, which has fielded cars in Cup on a part-time basis. Hendrick Motorsports was planning to assist the team with chassis and engines. BH Motorsports had also started a driver diversity program. The team attempted three Cup races with driver Ron Hornaday in 2002, but inclement weather canceled qualifying twice and Hornaday failed to make the field in the other. Hornaday did compete in the ARCA event at Lowe's Motor Speedway with the team, finishing second. Belnavis will remain in the sport. Within the next few weeks, he is expected to announce the formation of a new team, BelCar Racing – a partnership between himself and longtime Winston Cup car owner Travis Carter, ThatsRacin.com has learned. The new team will have sponsorship from the National Guard, which was initially signed with BH Motorsports, and will field Fords with driver Todd Bodine, utilizing Carter's equipment. The car number has not been determined. Bodine drove Carter's #26 Ford in 2002, but his future with the team was in doubt after the sponsor left at the end of the season. The new team will likely continue the driver diversity program began by the National Guard and BH Motorsports, sources said.(ThatsRacin.com)(1-4-2003)
UPDATE: Travis Carter is close to announcing a new partnership with Sam Belnavis, former director of sports marketing with Miller Brewing Co., and the National Guard for a full Winston Cup season with Todd Bodine as driver. However, crew chief Donnie Wingo moved to Ganassi Racing [#42], so finding a crew chief and a new crew will be Carter's first tasks once the deal is done.(Sporting News)(1-6-2003)
- Army to be an official sponsor of NASCAR: The U.S. Army is becoming the first branch of the military to become an official sponsor of NASCAR and will spend at least $16 million as part of its deal with the sanctioning body, according to this week's Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal. The Army, which had already announced plans to sponsor driver Jerry Nadeau in MB2 Motorsports' renumbered #01 Pontiac this season, is also working on media buys for NASCAR events on Fox and NBC. Reporter Terry Lefton says a deal with International Speedway Corp.'s 12 Winston Cup tracks is complete, and additional venue deals are being negotiated. The Army plans mobile marketing recruitment stations at all NASCAR races, along with "Army Nights" at NASCAR Weekly Racing Series events. The story says MB2 is changing the number of Nadeau's car from #36 to #01 to reflect the service's "Army of One" campaign.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(1-6-2003)
- New Crew Members for the #48: Look for major changes on the #48 Lowes Chevy team this season. Crew chief Chad Knaus, who was a part of two championships as a tire changer for Jeff Gordon, wanted a more athletic pit crew after several miscues cost driver Jimmie Johnson and his team valuable positions on the track last year. Cory Quick and Ryan McCray, who formerly were with Jack Sprague's BGN team, will pair up as the front tire changer and carrier. Ryan Pepe, who changed rear tires for the #36 [now #01] car last year, will take that position with the #48.(Sporting News)(1-6-2003)
- Mayfield Gets Married: Jeremy Mayfield married Shana Sessions, whom he has been dating for almost four years, in a ceremony in front of a mixture of local family and NASCAR friends at the First Baptist Church in Myrtle Beach. Mayfield arrived for his Grand Strand wedding in a red stretch limo bearing his #19 trademark. The wedding capped a whirlwind romance that began after a chance meeting at Darlington Raceway. Sessions was at the race not as a fan, but as a recent Clemson graduate considering a career in sports marketing. The week-long honeymoon will be on the Turks and Caicos islands. The couple is scheduled to return on Jan. 12 - just two days before Mayfield must begin testing at Daytona International Speedway.(more and quotes at the Myrtle Beach Sun News)(1-6-2003)
- Newt Back to Work: Newt Moore has signed on with Bobby Hamilton Racing and will be crew chief for one of Hamilton's three truck teams.(Sporting News)(1-6-2003)
(1-5-2003)
see the Dec 30, 2002-Jan 5, 2003 Archived News Page
(12-29-2002)
see the Dec 23-29 2002 Archived News Page
