PAST NEWS JAN 27-FEB 2, 2003
THE PAST NEWS! YESTERDAY and BEYOND..
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(2-2-2003)
- Dodge after the WInston Cup: Chrysler’s racing program is on a mission to win the NASCAR Winston Cup championship, and for at least the next two years that means there will be no factory effort to extend the Dodge Viper’s Le Mans success. John Fernandez, director of the company’s Performance Vehicle Operations, said that instead of a marketing-driven effort, the new [Cup] program will be more of a technical effort, yet there will be no more “science projects”; all engineering development will focus on the goal at hand. That goal, he added, looks far beyond a mere race-by-race view to a new yearlong strategy. He said Chrysler would start a serious driver-development program that focuses on finding and developing new talent behind the wheel. The program, he said, will follow the pattern established by Penske Racing, a recent and significant recruit to the Dodge program.(Autoweek)(2-2-2002)
- Schrader on the pole at Phoenix for Southwest race, 2nd in Winton West UPDATE: Ken Schrader is one step closer to winning his 13th race at Phoenix International Raceway after winning the pole for Sunday's 100-lap NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series race. Schrader was the fastest qualifier in his #99 Federated Auto Parts Pontiac, running his best lap at 130.364mph on his second trip around the track. When qualifying was over, that lap proved more than good enough as he bested second-fastest qualifier Benny Gordon (#85 Johnny's Truck & Auto Sales Pontiac) by one-tenth of a second. Brandon Whitt qualified third with Eddy McKean fourth and Auggie Vidovich, Jr. fifth. NASCAR Winter Heat tickets are still available by calling (602) 252-2227, or at www.phoenixinternationalraceway.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the track. The NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series Phoenix 100 gets the green flag at noon, with the NASCAR Winston West Series Bosch Spark Plug 150 scheduled to begin at 2:00pm, local time.(PIR PR), the Winston West race be seen on TV via Speed Channel on March 3rd at 8:00pm/et.(2-1-2003)
UPDATE: Scott Lynch, 22, who is majoring in communications at the University of Utah when he's not inside a NASCAR Winston West Chevrolet Monte Carlo, won the pole position for today's NASCAR Winter Heat race, narrowly holding off 47-year-old NASCAR Winston Cup veteran Ken Schrader by an eyelash. It wasn't a total loss for Schrader. Earlier, he captured the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series pole with a lap measured at 130.364 mph, a half-mile an hour faster than outside front row starter Benny Gordon (129.880 mph). Schrader reached 127.325 mph in Winston West qualifying, barely missing toppling Lynch (127.528 mph).(Arizona Republic)(2-2-2003)
(2-1-2003)
- Bodine to run Daytona CTS race: Geoffrey Bodine plans to compete in the CTS race at Daytona on February 14th. Bodine will be driving the #36 Ford owned by A.L. Thompson, powered by a Robert Yates engine, with Walter Giles as Crew Chief. The South Carolina based team is currently seeking sponsorship. Geoffrey may also drive the #36 at Darlington on March 14th.(Geoffrey Bodine Fanclub)(2-1-2003)
- Interesting....CORRECTION: The Fox News network show The Pulse will include a feature on "NASCAR and online services" on its February 13 show. The show airs at 9:00pm/et on the Fox News channel..(MotorsportsTV). What is The Pulse? from FoxNews.com: About The Pulse - It's the only magazine show with FOX attitude... The Pulse brings you hard-hitting stories as only the people of FOX News can. AND 3 Time Winston Cup Champion Darrell Waltrip will be part of the Feb. 13th episode of the Pulse. DW's segment was filmed last week at his Charlotte offices."(1-31-2003)
CORRECTION: The Fox network show The Pulse is a news magazine show which will air three independant and separate segments on February 13, 2003: (1) "American Idol" finalists interviewed; (2) Online services exposed; and (3) NASCAR. There is no connection between the "online services" segment and the NASCAR segment.(2-1-2003)
(1-31-2003)
- ISA ceases to exist UPDATE 2 track to sue: hearing the new International Stockcar Alliance [ISA] (isaracing.com - the site is now down) which was supposed to start up and run in 2003, will either not exist or not run until 2004. The series, based and run in Canada was to feature a chance for a driver and a fan to team up and win a million dollars each at six of the ISA's races. A few Winston Cup drivers were to run in some or all of the races: Johnny Benson, Dave Blaney, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Elliott Sadler, Jeff Green, Kenny Schrader, Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart.(1-31-2003)
UPDATE: During a conference call this afternoon, several drivers that have been supporting the recently announced ISA collectively withdrew their support of the series. In reflecting on the past several months the drivers agreed that their initial decisions were founded on the information presented to each of them during random meetings last summer and fall. Since that time, each has expended significant time and money in the pursuit of what was believed to be their future of choice. The drivers believe that their involvement at the ground level could lend an important part to making Canadian racing better for the teams and fans. The drivers involved have become stronger and more respectful of each other, not only as drivers and owners of teams, but for their ability to put competition on the track aside and work towards a mutual business strategy for all teams to benefit. With the current factual information at hand, the decision was unanimous and the teams all plan to immediately re-focus their efforts on the CASCAR Super Series, and the first event scheduled for Delaware Speedway in London, Ontario May 16 to 18, 2003.(CanadianRacing.com) and been told that as of yesterday morning [Jan 30th], the ISA is insolvent.(1-31-2003)
UPDATE 2: Just over three months after announcing grandiose plans to start up a new Canadian stock car series, the ISA, has decided against such a move. On Thursday, the ISA ceased operations. Sportsnet sources claim that the decision was made by ISA investors who had reportedly already spent $4 million (Cdn.) on the series. Attempts by Sportsnet to reach ISA President Mitch Mortimer, or anyone at the ISA offices, were unsuccessful.(sportsnet.ca)
AND Kawartha Superspeedway will commence legal proceedings against the International Stockcar Alliance for breach of the Licensing Agreement and failure to meet important legal obligations and responsibilities. The International Stockcar Alliance had entered in to a 'licensing agreement' with Kawartha Superspeedway to use the facility for a series of stockcar races. Kawartha Superspeedway is not aware of the status of money paid to the International Stockcar Alliance by ticket purchasers. Individuals wishing to determine the status of their ticket money should contact the International Stockcar Alliance directly.(Kawartha Superspeedway site)(1-31-2003)
- New Daytona 500 Movie Makes Debut At DAYTONA USA: DAYTONA USA rolled out the red carpet on Thursday as the remake of the "The Daytona 500" made its premiere in the Pepsi Theater inside the "Official Attraction of NASCAR." "The Daytona 500," which gives the race fan the ultimate Daytona 500 film experience as they watch their favorite drivers and teams prepare for the "Great American Race," is all new. Mentor Films captured a good portion of its filming of the "The Daytona 500" during Speedweeks 2002. "The Daytona 500" is a large-screen format film presented on a screen 55 feet wide and almost three stories tall. With such a large screen, the fan can feel as if they're in the driver's seat. The film also runs at 24 frames per second for a remarkably clear picture and add to that DAYTONA USA's exclusive ThunderRound-Sound. To view the new "The Daytona 500," purchase tickets to DAYTONA USA online at www.DAYTONAUSA.com or at the gate.(DIS PR)(1-31-2003)
- NASCAR Considering Test Ban At Non-Cup Tracks: NASCAR is toying with the idea of limiting Winston Cup testing at tracks that don't have Winston Cup racing but do have other NASCAR events such as a Craftsman Truck or Busch Series race. Gateway, Nashville and Kentucky Speedways would fall under that catergory. NASCAR put a limit of five test dates for Winston Cup cars in 2003 but teams are finding a way around it by running at non-sanctioned tracks. One of the approved test dates have already been used by testing at Daytona the past few weeks.(Insider Racing)(1-31-2003)
- DW looking to run two CTS races: from a Darrell Waltrip chat on FoxSports: Waltrip is going to be running a couple of truck races, probably the same two he ran last year, Martinsville and Indianapolis. In a Chevy [#17?] the name of the team? W2 Racing Team, with brother Michael. Jeff Hammond and Larry McReynolds will be involved like they were last year at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Tide may be the sponsor for one or both races.(1-31-2003)
- Las Vegas Testing - Day 4 - Spencer fastest: #7-Jimmy Spencer turned the day's fastest speed at 165.593mph. #74-Tony Raines was second fastest at 163.636, followed by #07-Ted Musgrave at 163.241, #23-Kenny Wallace at 163.142 and #02-Brandon Ash at 159.763. Thursday completed the four-day LVMS test. In all, 27 NASCAR Winston Cup cars and 18 NASCAR Busch Series cars participated in the test in preparation for the March 2 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 NASCAR Winston Cup race and the March 1 Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Busch Series race.(Las Vegas Motor Speedway), see my Testing page for list of drivers testing and top five speeds for Days 1 and 2 at Las Vegas this week.(1-31-2003)
- Bodine heads to Georgia to avoid extradition: Diane Bodine, wife of #11 NASCAR driver Brett Bodine, will travel to Walton County [GA] to face felony charges that she harassed a Loganville woman her husband met via his association with Hooters Restaurants. Capt. Ray Parker of the Walton County Sheriff’s Department said Bodine has offered to appear in Monroe on Feb. 4 with her attorney to avoid extradition. Walton County issued felony arrest warrants for Bodine based on harassing phone calls Bodine allegedly made to the Loganville woman Brett Bodine met through Hooters of America Inc., sponsors of his race car. The Sheriff’s Department in Volusia County, Fla., arrested Bodine Jan. 16 at her Daytona Beach home. Bodine had allegedly been placing harassing phone calls to the Loganville woman since July 2002 and had also made felonious threats according to police accounts.(Gwinnett Daily Post), see past news on my #11 Team News and Links page.(1-31-2003)
- Special Scheme for the #21 at the Shootout: This year marks a very significant anniversary in the history of Ford Motor Company. The Dearborn, Michigan manufacturer is 100 years old. In honor of the occasion, the #21 Motorcraft Racing Ford Taurus will carry a special paint scheme for the 2003 edition of the Budweiser Shootout. The car will be seen for the first time at the Winston Preview in Winston-Salem, NC. [see images on my Paint Scheme Gallery]. The design was created to promote and celebrate Ford Motor Company's 100th anniversary. The #21 Wood Brothers Racing Motorcraft Taurus will feature a primarily silver paint scheme that incorporates the Ford 100-year logo and colorful arrays of centennial fireworks. Ford Motor Company was founded on June 16, 1903, and centennial festivities at the Henry Ford II World Center in Dearborn, Mich., take place June 12-16, 2003. More info on the centennial at www.celebrateford100.com.(Motorcraft Racing PR)(1-31-2003)
- #19 and Mountain Dew: the #19 Dodge Dealers Dodge will once again run a Mountian Dew scheme at the Mountain Dew Souther 500 at Darlington Raceway on August 31st.(1-31-2003)
- #48 scheme at Lowe's UPDATE 2: 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)
UPDATE 2: being told it will run in May at Lowe's Motor Speedway.(1-31-2003)
- Six Teams Test at Kentucky: Winston Cup Series drivers #6-Mark Martin, #99-Jeff Burton, #32-Ricky Craven, #21-Ricky Rudd and #2-Rusty Wallace had a full day of testing today at the Kentucky Speedway. Temperatures were in the low 30s. No speeds were announced. Both season and single-event tickets for 2003 Kentucky Speedway race events are on sale now. More info at their website: www.kentuckyspeedway.com.(1-31-2003)
(1-30-2003)
- Pemberton gets a gig: Greg Specht, Manager of Ford Racing Operations, announced today that former Winston Cup crew chief Robin Pemberton has been hired as Ford Racing's NASCAR Field Manager. Pemberton, who assumes his new duties on Feb. 1, has signed a multi-year agreement and will be responsible for overseeing Ford's development in the NASCAR Winston Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series. He will attend key test and wind tunnel sessions, in addition to being available at the race track on selected weekends. "This isn't a new idea at all for us. We've been wanting to have someone in this Field Manager role for a couple of years, and we just wanted to make sure we had the right person for the job," said Specht. "When Robin became available, we contacted him right away.
"Having someone like Robin with 25 years experience inside the sport, working closely with NASCAR and with the teams ... well, that's just not something we can do as well on a regular basis from up here in Dearborn,". added Specht.. "He'll be able to go on our behalf to team shops to discuss pressing issues, or go to NASCAR and have meetings ... and be able to do those things on a very regular basis." The addition of Pemberton, a native of Ballston Spa, NY, reunites Ford with the man who played a major role in the development and success of Taurus. Pemberton and his Penske South crew did much of the aerodynamic work on what became the first full-time four-door entry in NASCAR Winston Cup. He led an effort that produced the first race Taurus ever built, and was rewarded when Rusty Wallace took the new car to Victory Lane in its inaugural race - the 1998 Budweiser Shootout. Pemberton comes to Ford after one year as a vice president at Petty Enterprises, the place where he started his NASCAR Winston Cup career as a mechanic in 1979. "I'm looking forward to this because it's an opportunity to work with a number of different teams," said Pemberton. "I've spent a lot of time through the years with Ford.. Between the five years I was with Jack (Roush) and the seven years I was with Rusty (Wallace), I've made a lot of friends and I hope that will help make this a win-win situation for everyone. From a team standpoint, what I think is going to help is that when I talk to them about an issue, I'll be coming from a direction that they know and understand," continued Pemberton. "I'll have respect for the pains and the problems they go through because I've been there myself. Hopefully, that perspective will allow me to get the teams and Ford engineers working together in an efficient manner so everyone benefits." Pemberton and his wife, Lisa, have two children - Bray (17) and Briggs (15) - and they reside in Cornelius, NC. He will be based in the Ford Racing Technology office in Mooresville, NC.(Ford Racing)(1-30-2003)
- Hall of Fame Racing Plans: Former Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach haven't decided whether they will buy an existing Winston Cup team or start one from scratch. But Aikman, who attended Media Day at Texas Motor Speedway on Wednesday, said they are in the process of putting some of the key pieces together to do either one. Bill Saunders, who is the managing partner of Aikman and Staubach's organization, Hall of Fame Racing, said they plan on choosing the car manufacturer within the next month and also form a partnership with an existing Winston Cup team in the next 60-90 days to probably use their facilities and technology. Saunders also said the team would hire a director of race operations that is "an existing NASCAR guru." [Robin Pemberton? just a guess] The team, which Saunders hopes will total 50 employees by the time racing begins, also plans on announcing the main sponsor in the next three months, so that Hall of Fame Racing can begin testing the latter of this year and hopefully be ready to race in 2004.(Dallas Morning News - need to register to read)
AND Troy Aikman believes ownership of a NASCAR Winston Cup team will fulfill the competitive urges remaining for the three-time Super Bowl champion quarterback-turned-broadcaster. "I have a competitive nature and have to find a way to solve that urge," Aikman said Wednesday during the annual media day at Texas Motor Speedway. "Having money and time invested fulfills it tremendously. Broadcasting is tough, but when the game is over and you put down the headphones, you don't care who won or lost." Aikman has teamed up with Hall of Famer Roger Staubach, the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys' other two Super Bowl wins, as part owners of a racing team they hope to have ready for the 2004 season. Bill Saunders, a former Trans-Am driver, is the team's managing partner. Saunders said Hall of Fame Racing hopes to have a sponsorship agreement within the next 60-90 days. "We have a legitimate, major-type sponsor interested," Saunders said. "There is value added because of Troy and Roger," Saunders and Aikman said a final decision hasn't been made on whether the group will try to buy an existing team or put together one from scratch. Determining the driver or drivers will come later.(Fort Worth Star Telegram/AP)(1-30-2003)
- 76 Gasoline Gone at the end of 2003 in NASCAR UPDATE 2: ConocoPhillips, owner of the 76 gasoline brand, said on Tuesday it will end its more than half century-long relationship with NASCAR auto racing at the end of the year. The familiar 76 gasoline logo -- an orange ball with the number 76 in blue at its center -- has been a fixture at NASCAR as "the official fuel of NASCAR." But 76's Houston-based parent company said it will end the sponsorship deal of more than 50 years by Dec. 31. ConocoPhillips said 76 will fulfill all of its contractual obligations, including supplying racing fuel at all Winston Cup events and at NASCAR's other circuits -- the BGN and CTS -- before returning its official fuel rights to NASCAR at year's end.(Forbes.com/Reuters)(1-28-2003)
UPDATE: NASCAR Statement Regarding ConocoPhillips: NASCAR and ConocoPhillips continue to enjoy a strong working relationship and look forward to another great season in 2003. NASCAR has enjoyed its longstanding relationship with the company and wishes it all the best in the future. While we will be saying goodbye to ConocoPhillips, we look forward to welcoming a new official fuel supplier to NASCAR in 2004. We are already in the process of identifying the new official fuel supplier and will make an announcement regarding that supplier at the appropriate time.(NASCAR PR)(1-29-2003)
UPDATE 2: hearing Exxon-Mobil is getting set to announce that Mobil will become the official fuel and lubricant/oil supplier of NASCAR.(1-30-2003)
- Kerry Earnhardt at Daytona? There's speculation that Kerry Earnhardt might show up on the Daytona 500 entry list in a DEI Chevy. But Earnhardt says that probably won't happen, but it has been discussed. Earnhardt plans to test and may change his mind.(Winston Cup Scene - subscription needed to view online)(1-30-2003)
- Sadler Racing still in biz: Nashville's Earl Sadler, whose team, Sadler Racing [#95 Team], has been fielding cars in NASCAR since 1983 and is searching for a driver to enter in a limited number of Busch and ARCA races this season.(Tennessean)(1-30-2003)
- Brett Bodine's Wife Arrested UPDATE 2: The wife of NASCAR driver #11-Brett Bodine is expected to be extradited to Walton County on charges of harassing and threatening a Loganville [GA] woman. The Loganville woman had reportedly befriended Brett Bodine through her job with Hooters of America, one of Bodine's NASCAR sponsors. The woman has alleged she has been verbally threatened and harassed by Diane Bodine, 43, since last year. Diane Bodine was arrested last week at her Florida home by the Volusia County Sheriff's Department and was subsequently released on bond.(see full story at Walton Tribune)(1-25-2003)
UPDATE: see a Toronto Sun column: Mrs. Bodine chomps on hand that feeds her(1-27-2003)
UPDATE 2: The wife of Chemung [NY] native and NASCAR driver Brett Bodine has been given until Tuesday to appear in a Georgia court on charges stemming from her arrest in Florida last week, Sgt. Jeff Johnson of Georgia's Walton County Sheriff's Department said Wednesday. Diane Bodine, 43, was arrested by police at her home in Daytona Beach, Fla., and charged with making harassing phone calls and terroristic threats and acts against a Loganville, Ga., woman who is reportedly a friend of Brett Bodine. Diane Bodine was released on bond. "We've been very accommodating," Johnson said. "If she does not appear by (Tuesday), we'll go ahead with the process of extraditing her." Diane and Brett Bodine are legally separated.(Star-Gazette)
AND Diane Bodine denied Jan 27th that she had threatened a Loganville, GA woman. "I have no idea what is going on, I have never met her or talked to her. I have never terrorized or threatened anyone. I don't know this person". On Jan 27th, attorneys for both parties were attempting to resolve the issue.(Winston Cup Scene - subscription needed to view online)(1-30-2003)
- Scheduling Change For Daytona Inspections: Events playing-out at Daytona International Speedway during a 10-day grind, known as Speedweeks, it can present a real challenge for NASCAR. Top on that list is potentially Feb. 8, with both qualifying for the Daytona 500 and the Bud Shootout scheduled, not to mention the corresponding inspections. In prior years NASCAR would fill the labor-intensive inspection lines with both Shootout and Daytona 500 cars. But not this year. Winston Cup Director, John Darby has made the call to inspect the cars for the Shootout on Feb. 6 and then the Daytona 500 cars on Feb. 7, thus ensuring quality inspections for all cars. Inspections are vital as the teams try to improve their on-track chances with anything they can think of that’ll reduce drag by 10 drag-horsepower or increase the engine power by 10 horsepower.(Ford Racing)(1-30-2003)
- Las Vegas Testing - Day 3 - Stewart fastest: #20-Tony Stewart turned the week's fastest lap on Wednesday with a speedc of 168.750mph. Followed by #18-Bobby Labonte at 166.103 and #41-Casey Mears at 165.644. No other speeds were reported, 26 NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series teams tested. Eddy McKean, a NASCAR Winston West regular, brought out the day's only caution flag when he spun and made hard contact with the wall in turn 4. McKean was uninjured, but his BGN car, which was the only one he had for the test, was destroyed.
Testing will continue and conclude on Thursday beginning at 9:00am and runs until 5:00pm. The grandstands are open to the public free of charge and concession stands will be open during the test.(Las Vegas Motor Speedway), see my Testing page for list of drivers testing and top five speeds for Days 1 and 2 at Las Vegas this week.(1-30-2003)
(1-29-2003)
- NASCAR Racing at Phoenix this weekend UPDATE: The 2003 racing season begins this weekend as Phoenix International Raceway [PIR] hosts NASCAR Winter Heat, featuring races by the Winston West and Featherlite Southwest Series’ on Sunday afternoon. All the action starts on Friday night with a Go-Kart Challenge at the Speedway Raceway Indoor Karting facility in Phoenix. The event will feature T-Shirts and Trophies, plus the opportunity to battle wheel-to-wheel with many of the stars from the Featherlite Southwest Series, including: Darrell LaMoure, Eddy McKean and Craig Raudman. Following the races there will be a barbeque in the parking lot and an autograph session with the drivers. Gates at PIR will open at 8:00am on Saturday morning in preparation of practice and qualifying for the Winston West and Featherlite Southwest teams. The highlight of the day will be a 25-lap qualifying race by the teams of the Featherlite Southwest series at 3:30pm. PIR will open to spectators again on Sunday morning at 8 a.m., and fans are welcome for the annual Classic Car & Truck Show that starts the day off. An autograph session with all the Winston West and Featherlite Southwest Series drivers will be held at 9:30am, and the first race is scheduled to start at noon(PIR PR). Ken Schrader of the #49 BAM Racing tream is scheduled to compete in both the Winston West and Southwest Series races, other driver's you may recognize from Cup, BGN or CTS who will race include: Jimmy Kitchens, Austin Cameron, Jim Inglebright and Steve Portenga.(1-28-2003)
UPDATE TV: TV: Bosch Spark Plug 150 Winston West race will be televised on SPEED Channel (Tape Delay), March 3, 8:00pm/et with announcers: Rick Allen, Phil Parsons, Ray Dunlap (who will do the CTS races).(RacingWest)(1-29-2003)
- Hmmm....beer: When the green flag waves to start this year¹s Daytona 500 stock car race on Sunday, February 16th, it will truly be OMiller Time¹ for everyone in attendance at Daytona International Speedway. Today, Miller Lite announced that should Rusty Wallace win his first Daytona 500, all legal drinking age race fans in attendance will receive a coupon for a free six-pack of Miller Lite. Wallace, the 1989 series champion and a former series rookie-of-the-year, has recorded 54 career NASCAR Winston Cup wins and 36 pole positions during his career. In his last five Daytona 500s, Wallace has registered three top-five finishes, including a career best third-place finish in 2001. During his stock car career, Wallace has made 40 starts at Daytona International Speedway, including a best-ever second-place finish last July in the Pepsi 400.(Tom Roberts PR)(1-29-2003)
- Schrader to driver in 13 CTS races with special enhanced video/audio: Speed Channel and NASCAR driver Kenny Schrader will bring CTS fans closer to the action with enhanced audio video onboard coverage in 2003. Schrader, a regular on Speed's Inside Winston Cup, will be driving in 13 CTS events with his #52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet. Speed will place onboard cameras on his truck to catch all the side-by-side action. Wired with a microphone, Schrader also will be a part of the Speed broadcast team, beginning April 12 In Martinsville, allowing the veteran driver to provide his unique perspective directly to the Speed booth. Speed Channel, which has added nearly 24 million homes in the last two years, will air all 25 CTS races live in 2003. In addition to added pre- and post-race programming, Speed also will offer multiple replays of each race as well as CTS Fast Forward, a one-hour cut-down version of each race.(Speed Channel PR)(1-29-2003)
- Harmon on the tube - Thursday: #93-Mike Harmon has been featured on several advertisements this week, promoting his upcoming appearance on ABC’s “Primetime Thursday.” Reporter Christopher Cuomo spent a lot of time talking with Harmon and his family to put together this piece. “Primetime Thursday,” featuring Mike Harmon, will air Thursday, January 30th, at 10:00pm/et on ABC. ABC is following up the broadcast with an online chat with Mike Harmon on Friday afternoon, January 31st, at 2pm Eastern. The chat link will become available in the right-hand corner of the Primetime page off of the ABCNews website in the Community box Wednesday afternoon (abcnews.go.com/Sections/Primetime/).(PR)(1-29-2003)
- Elliott Dirt Trackin': Officials at Golden Isles Speedway announced today that Winston Cup driver, Bill Elliott would be competing at Golden Isles Speedway on February 2nd for the $10,000 to win final leg of the Lucas Oil Products Late Model Triple Crown Series.(Victory Lane Communications)(1-29-2003)
- Las Vegas Testing - Day 2 - Johnson fastest: For the second straight day #48-Jimmie Johnson led all drivers with a fast lap in race trim with a speed of 168.666mph. #24-Jeff Gordon was 2nd fastest at 168.010, #97-Kurt Busch at 167.681, #1-Steve Park at 167.053 #20-Tony Stewart at 165.776 mph). #16-Greg Biffle was involved in a minor incident in the morning session. Biffle had a tire go down, forcing him to hit the wall going into Turns 3 and 4. He was uninjured. Testing will continue Wednesday and Thursday as more than 22 teams are expected for Wednesday's test. The testing begins daily at 9:00am and runs until 5:00pm. The grandstands are open to the public free of charge and concession stands will be open during the test.(Las Vegas Motor Speedway), see my Testing page for list of drivers testing at Las Vegas this week.(1-29-2003)
- TNT films teaser at Las Vegas: Television partner TNT spent Tuesday morning prior to the test session shooting its "tease campaign" for the upcoming NASCAR Winston Cup Series season with #24-Jeff Gordon, #18-Bobby Labonte, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #97-Kurt Busch and #01-Jerry Nadeau. The tease had the group walking side-by-side with the illusion of heat coming off the pit road and another with a giant American flag behind them. The campaign will kick off in May, run through late June and be featured during the NBA playoff telecasts. The "tease campaign" will lead into "The Drama is Coming" promos for TNT race broadcasts that begin July 20 with the New England 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway.(NASCAR PR)(1-29-2003)
- Biffle to use Kenseth backup at Daytona: #16-Greg Biffle said that the team plans to use a backup car from teammate #17-Matt Kenseth for the Daytona 500 rather than one of their cars following a poor test session during NASCAR Preseason Thunder at Daytona earlier this month.(NASCAR PR)(1-29-2003)
- Gordon and fans help out: #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet driver Robby Gordon and his fans have teamed up to raise money for Victory Junction Gang. The charity drive began when Gordon’s fans posted messages on RobbyGordonFans.com urging each other to donate checks in the amount of $31 to Victory Junction Gang. Gordon agreed to match any total the fans collected. The fans’ drive closed last week at approximately $1,150 and a check was written to Victory Junction Gang, along with Gordon’s matching donation.(1-29-2003)
(1-28-2003)
- Two New NASCAR Series UPDATE No More Busch 'Grand National': NASCAR plans to add two divisions later this year, the Grand National and Elite. The Grand National will encompass top drivers from the Winston West and Busch North series and will have a series of races to crown one champion. The Elite will be made up of Northwest and Southwest series drivers.(Tampa Tribune)(1-22-2003)
UPDATE: NASCAR has formed a new "feeder system" for its three national series, with the creation of two new racing divisions. The all-new NASCAR Elite Division and NASCAR Grand National Division will provide a clear path for local and regional racers to advance towards the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR Busch Series and the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. The NASCAR Elite Division will consist of four NASCAR-sanctioned series: the Featherlite Southwest Series, Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series and the newly renamed International Truck and Engine Corporation Midwest Series (formerly the RE/MAX Challenge Series) and Kodak Southeast Series (formerly the Hills Bros. All Pro Series). The Elite Division will accommodate drivers who have recently been competing in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge or at other local short tracks. At this level, competitors will compete on a variety of tracks before progressing to other NASCAR divisions. Once a competitor has gained experience in the Elite Division, the next logical step is the NASCAR Grand National Division, which will now consist of the Busch North Series and the NASCAR Winston West Series. Previously, these cars had different specifications - the Busch North Series cars are modeled after the NASCAR Busch Series cars while the NASCAR Winston West Series cars are designed after NASCAR Winston Cup Series cars. The NASCAR Grand National Division will represent NASCAR's top regional touring series, where competitors will refine their skills before making the jump to one of NASCAR's three national series.
The "Grand National" designation has a long history in NASCAR racing. It was first used in 1949, when the first NASCAR Grand National Division races were held. This division evolved into the Winston Cup Series, and the "Grand National" moniker was passed to the NASCAR Busch Series in 1986. With this announcement, the NASCAR Busch Series no longer carries the name as it's passed on to NASCAR's top regional touring division.(More at NASCAR.com)(1-29-2003)
- CAT Footwear: To celebrate the legacy of the Daytona 500 and commemorate Ward Burton's 2002 victory at the famed race, CAT Footwear has developed a limited edition series of their best-selling Alaska work boot embossed with the esteemed NASCAR Winston Cup driver's signature and his Bill Davis/CAT Racing car number (22). Of the 500 pairs that have been manufactured, each will be packaged with a letter of authenticity - 25 of which will be hand-autographed by Ward Burton and randomly placed into lucky consumers' boxes. A limited number of the commemorative boots will be sold on the CAT FootwearWeb site [will be on the site Feb 10th] while the remaining will be available for purchase during race weekend (from a trackside tent) in Daytona Beach, February 13-16. Ten percent of the proceeds will benefit The Ward Burton Wildlife foundation, a charity created by the Daytona 500 winner to promote an awareness of the need for wildlife conservation, habitat enhancement, and proper stewardship of our natural resources through preservation and education. CAT Footwear creates shoes and boots designed for the active lifestyle of today's youth. In addition to providing quality, durable men's and women's industrial boots and shoes, CAT Footwear strives to push the leading edge of casual footwear with specifically engineered offerings for men, women, and children. CAT Footwear is a division of Wolverine Worldwide(PR)(1-28-2003)
- 24 Hours of Daytona News - Live Scoring: Lance Norick, who has 154 career starts on the Truck Series circuit and plans to run a limited BGN [#26 Dr Pepper car] schedule this year, will join the Morgan-Dollar Motorsports team in the Rolex 24 At Daytona this weekend. Rob Morgan, the co-owner and co-driver for the team, knows Norick well -- Morgan also fields a truck (#46 currently driven by Dennis Setzer) in the Truck Series.(Daytona Beach News Journal). Other drivers driving in the race with NASCAR background include: Kyle Petty, Derrike Cope, Kevin Lepage, David Donohue, Christian Fittipaldi, Chris Bingham, Justin Bell, Boris Said, David Murry, Rick Carelli and J.C. France (of the France family) plus
16-year-old USAC driver Tom Hessert III from Cherry Hill, NJ will run in the race. Speed Channel will carry 16 hours of live coverage starting on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 12:30pm/et and finishing with the checkered flag at 1:00pm/et and the Victory Lane celebration that follows. Also Grand American Road Racing Association will provide Zippo Live Timing & Scoring on its official website - GrandAmerican.com - throughout the entire 41st Rolex 24 At Daytona event weekend, January 30 - February 2.(1-28-2003)
- More Money: NASCAR announced today that the Winston Cup point fund will be $17 million in 2003, an increase of $3 million over 2002. The NASCAR Winston Cup champion will receive a minimum of $4.25 million from Winston and NASCAR in 2003, a $500,000 increase over last year. Drivers finishing second through fourth will each receive more than $1 million at the annual awards ceremony in New York in December. The total point fund includes money from Winston, NASCAR and the tracks that host NASCAR Winston Cup Series events. 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Points Fund Distribution:
1. $4,250,000
2. 1,700,000
3. 1,275,000
4. 1,075,000
5. 925,000
6. 780,000
7. 675,000
8. 575,000
9. 525,000
10. 500,000
11. 450,000
12. 425,000
13. 400,000
14. $375,000
15. 365,000
16. 355,000
17. 345,000
18. 335,000
19. 325,000
20. 315,000
21. 136,000
22. 135,000
23. 134,000
24. 133,000
25. 132,000
Total Point Fund Distribution for Positions 1-25: $16,640,000
NASCAR Winston Cup Leader Bonus: $360,000
TOTAL: $17,000,000 (ThatsRacin.com)(1-28-2003)
- TV AD Campaign to Feature Dale Jr: This week's Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal reports that the Drakkar Noir fragrance brand will launch a television ad campaign next month featuring Dale Earnhardt Jr. Writer Noah Liberman says a print ad campaign featuring the Winston Cup driver last year helped the company increase sales by 9 percent at a time when the overall industry was dropping 11 percent. Lieberman says as much as half of the advertising will appear in morning and prime-time programming unrelated to sports. Up to 40 percent of the shots will be targeted at shows aimed at female audiences.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(1-28-2003)
- Dillner now with Speed: Bob Dillner, former of TNN (covered motorsports, Cup, BGN and ASA) was recently signed by SPEED Channel to be their Winston Cup and Busch Series correspondent. Dillner will be at the majority of the races reporting for their Speed News program and any other SPEED Channel programs. Dillner, along with his brother Matt run the 51sportsracing.com site.(1-28-2003)
- Million Dollar Challenge again: DeWalt's is set to launch their Million Dollar Challenge promotion once again giving fans and end-users a chance to compete for one million dollars.(Roush Racing)(1-28-2003)
- NASCAR on TV in the UK: been told that all 38 races of the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup season races will be shown live in the UK [United Kingdom]. Not free, but via subscription [like HBO in the US], N.A.S.N - North American Sports Network. N.A.S.N is currently available on channel 420, through the digital satellite network, SKY T.V. - (Owned by Fox owner R. Murdoch.), also hearing that Motors TV plans on showing 11 live BGN races this season in the UK.(1-28-2003)
- 25th Daytona 500 for Terry Labonte: Terry Labonte will start the 2003 season with not one, not two, but three anniversaries to celebrate. With Speed Weeks at Daytona set to begin Feb. 7, Labonte is poised to make his 25th start in "The Great American Race." He has three second-place finishes in the traditional season opener since making his first visit to Daytona in 1979. In fact, Labonte's most recent runner-up showing was in 1997 when Hendrick Motorsports teammates swept the top three positions. Jeff Gordon won that race on Feb. 16, the very day on which this year's 45th running of the stock car classic will take place. Labonte finished second and Ricky Craven placed third. February 16 also is the date of the team's first Daytona 500 victory in 1986 with Geoffrey Bodine behind the wheel of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet that day. Labonte finished second and Jim Long, his current crew chief, was on pit road as Bodine's chief mechanic. Today, Long is entering his second season at the helm of the Kellogg's / got milk? Racing Team with high hopes for improvement over last year's 24th-place finish in the point standings. Embarking upon his 10th season at Hendrick Motorsports, Labonte enters the new campaign eighth on the all-time money-winning list with more than $29 million and is a two-time series champion with 21 career victories. Kellogg, in its 14th year as a NASCAR team sponsor, has been an Official Status Partner of the sanctioning body since 1995 and is the "Official Breakfast Food of NASCAR" through 2004.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(1-28-2003)
- Some TV Stuff: Totally NASCAR will once again air this year with 201 original episodes. This means that about half way through the year the show will mark its 500th episode. The show airs Monday through Friday beginning February 10 and going all the way through November 17. Fox Sports Net will air five Winston Cup qualifying sessions live: Rockingham, Las Vegas, Darlington, Bristol, and Texas. NASCAR This Morning is set for the 2003 season with 31 shows scheduled. The season premiere will be live from Daytona on February 16 at 10:30am on Fox Sports Net. Then they'll return to the Charlotte studio for the rest of the season with 10:30am being the starting time through August 31. Once the NFL season starts, the show will air at 9:00am. There will be no show on the following dates: April 20, May 4, May 11, May 18, June 29, July 6, August 24, Sept. 7, Oct. 12.(MotorsportsTV)(1-28-2003)
- Mike Joy to Host Hall of Fame Induction: FOX NASCAR anchor Mike Joy will take a break from his Daytona 500 preparation this Sunday and return to his racing roots. Joy will host the annual induction ceremony for the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame on February 2nd, at the LaRennaisance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT. Festivities will start at 11:30am/et, with a social hour preceding dinner. Tickets are $40 each, and reservations can be made by calling (860) 569-1299. Honorees include Bob Polverari, a five-time track champion; John Hoenig, who built America's first asphalt paved oval track [Thompson Speedway]; Booker T. Jones, the Northeast's pioneer African-American stock car racer, NASCAR North legend Stanley “Stub” Fadden; auto racing pioneer Richard “Moon” Burgess; sprint car/midget champion Joe Sostilio; Dick Watson, who drove the V-4 “Mystic Missile” to the 1965 Connecticut State Championship; and popular modified owner Bob Judkins, who helped bring about the “Pinto Revolution”; by debuting his pinto bodied 2x, the first NASCAR legal pinto bodied modified race car. These eight racing legends will bring to 57 the number of members in the NEAR Hall of Fame.. In addition to his duties as emcee, Polverari requested that Joy be his presenter for induction. Eligible because he has passed 65 years of age, Polverari is the first active driver to be named to the hall. Ticket information and news is available at www.near1.com. Joy's race announcing career began 33 years ago at a 1/5 mile oval in Agawam, Mass. Joy and Polverari were among the last class named to Riverside Park Speedway's Hall of Fame when the track closed in 1999 after 51 years of racing.(MotorsportsTV/NEAR Site)(1-28-2003)
- IROC Cars stay another year: IROC will roll through another year with Pontiac Firebird bodies on its tube-frame stock cars, though it will do so again without any Pontiac support. “We’ve decided to hang with the car for another year,” True Value International Race of Champions series president Jay Signore said. “We’ll struggle for a year, but we’ve raced for the last two years without Pontiac support and I think we still put on an exciting show.” Signore said he has talked with GM, Ford and the Chrysler group about potential replacements for the Firebird, which no longer is in production. He suggested the series would be interested in again running with a “concept” body of an upcoming vehicle, much as it did in 1994 when it raced with Dodge Avenger bodies over its tube-frame cars. The Firebird replaced the Avenger as the IROC car in 1996. Signore said Chrysler expressed interest in IROC Vipers, but that the IROC series is “better off if we can run with a higher-volume car.” Signore would have liked approval to do a race version of Pontiac’s new GTO, but Pontiac officials told him the reborn muscle car is a limited-production vehicle.(Autoweek)(1-28-2003)
- General Mills Offers A Dozen Different Die Cast Cars: To celebrate the kick-off of the 2003 racing season, General Mills offers fans of Petty Enterprises and die cast collectors a one-of-a-kind opportunity to collect 12 different 1:64 scale paint schemes on the various Petty Enterprises-owned Dodge racecars. Starting in February and continuing for a limited time, consumers will be able to get the cars free with certain General Mills purchases in grocery stores nationwide. Fans will find the die cast cars either inside or alongside General Mills products including select cereals, snacks, meals, baking products and refrigerated baked goods. Fans will find one die cast car free inside specially marked packages of five participating General Mills cereals. Brands and their featured paint schemes include: Cheerios and the 2003 Cheerios/Betty Crocker #43; Honey Nut Cheerios and the 2001 Honey Nut Cheerios #43; Wheaties and the 2000 Wheaties #43; Honey Nut Chex and the 2002 Chex Party Mix #43; and Cinnamon Toast Crunch and the 2002 Sprint #45. In the snacks aisle, fans will find the 2002 Pop Secret #43 available with purchases of Pop Secret microwave popcorn and the 2002 Georgia-Pacific #44 available with purchases of Chex Mix, Gardetto's and Bugles snacks. The Meals category is cooking up three different die cast car offers - including a never-seen-before fantasy paint scheme. The 1998 Betty Crocker paint scheme makes its first appearance on the #43 through this promotion and will be available with purchases of Betty Crocker Complete Meals, Betty Crocker Specialty Potatoes and Betty Crocker Bowl Appétit! rice or pasta. Consumers can help themselves to a free 2001 Hamburger Helper #43 with purchases of Hamburger Helper Oven Favorites dinners. And, new to the Cheerios/Betty Crocker Racing family is the fantasy Old El Paso #43 available free with an Old El Paso brand purchase. Betty Crocker Baking Products races into the action with an exclusive paint scheme never previously offered nationally as a 1:64 die cast. With the purchase of Betty Crocker baking products including participating flavors of SuperMoist cake mix, select Betty Crocker brownie mixes and ready-to-spread frostings, consumers will be able to get the 2002 Box Tops for Education #43, a replica of the paint scheme that ran on track in August 2002 during the Brickyard 400. Racing excitement zooms into the refrigerated baked goods area with a special Pillsbury Grands! multi-pack and die cast offer. For a limited time only, consumers will find three packages of Grands! Buttermilk Biscuits packaged with the 2002 Grands! Biscuits #43 paint scheme on a 1:64 die cast car. Though the 2002 Grands! paint scheme has previously been available as a free mail-in offer, this is the first time the car will be available in grocery stores.(Elevation Motorsports PR)(1-28-2003)
- Some Cup Testing at Kentucky....maybe: Kentucky Speedway became a hotbed for NASCAR Winston Cup Series testing near the end of the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup season. Testing scheduled for December 2002 and January 2003 has been limited by an arctic weather pattern that brought periodic snow and 10-, 20- and 30-degree temperatures to the Sparta, Ky., region. The last NASCAR Winston Cup drivers to test on Kentucky's 1.5-mile tri-oval were Rusty Wallace and Casey Mears on December 20, 2002 and Jeff Green, Kevin Harvick and Robby Gordon on December 16, 2002. The severe weather pattern is scheduled to break later this week as 40-degree temperatures are predicted for January 30-31. NASCAR Winston Cup drivers #99-Jeff Burton, #32-Ricky Craven and #2-Rusty Wallace are scheduled to test at the track [Jan 30-31]. #88-Dale Jarrett, #6-Mark Martin, #21-Ricky Rudd and #38-Elliott Sadler are scheduled to test on Tuesday, January 28, however, rain and snow are predicted that day.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(1-28-2003)
(1-27-2003)
- Craven's ride most successful yet: The 6th annual Ricky Craven Snowmobile Ride for Charity raised a stunning $185,122 for the Children's Miracle Network, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the National Marrow Donor Program, the Travis Roy Foundation and Give Kids the World. After checks totaling nearly $35,000 each were passed out to the charities, Craven also donated $1,000 to the Moosehead Riders Snowmobile Club and $10,000 to the Greenville [ME] school system.(Central Maine Daily Sentinel)(1-27-2003)
- Stewart and Kid Rock? UPDATE 3 Looks like a NO at Lowe's in May but: hearing that Tony Stewart will drive the #8 Kid Rock Chevy in the Busch/BGN race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May.(1-23-2003)
UPDATE: however, it has been reported that Steve Park will race the #8 BGN car at Lowe's, so not too sure about this one.(1-24-2003)
UPDATE 2: getting a bit more info, hearing now, the scheme will race at one of the BGN Richmond races, probably May as there are rumors that Dale Earnahrdt Jr will run all three races at Richmond in Sept (CTS/BGN/Cup) and Martin Truex Jr is scheduled in the #8 BGN car at RIR in May...so this rumor has some holes in it, unless it is a 2nd Chase2 car, what is posted here is all I have heard or know.(1-25-2003)
UPDATE 3: been told that Tony Stewart will NOT be driving a #8 Kid Rock paint scheme in the May Charlotte BGN race. This is already scheduled to be a cheese nips car to be driven by Steve Park. But could show up elsewhere. However, many diecast sheets are showing the car running in Charlotte, so it could be the Fall race.(1-27-2003)
- Eli Gold and the Arena League: former NASCAR broadcaster [with TNN] will be one of four play-by-play men who will help fans enjoy the Arena Football League when it debuts on NBC. Gold has spent the past few seasons calling play-by-play for AFL games for The National Network (TNN). But with NBC taking the reins of the sport solely for the first time, Gold was among four play-by-play men and four color analysts the network hired to cover the action. Gold is a four-time Alabama Sportscaster Of The Year winner as voted by his peers in the National Sportscasters And Sportswriters Association. He was twice selected Alabama Sportscaster Of The Year by the Associated Press and once earned the same honor from United Press International. The other networks have Gold’s 2003 calendar pretty much booked already. Gold is also anchor and pit reporter for “NASCAR Live.” And this fall, his Monday nights will be occupied as play-by-play man for NFL games aired by CBS Radio.(Arenafan.com)(1-27-2003)
- Rusty and Harley ride again in 2003 UPDATE 2 um..nope: 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)
UPDATE 2: been told that Rusty Wallace will not be driving a Harley 100th paint scheme in 2003.(1-27-2003)
- Cut Downforce? Softer Tires? NASCAR's George Pyne reiterated NASCAR's plans to cut downforce on Winston Cup cars. Four years ago, a good car would generate 800 to 900 pounds of downforce, with its rear spoiler, nose and roof designs. This season, a good car will generate well over 1,400 pounds. The more downforce, the better a car sticks in the corners, but at the expense of a tremendous, dangerous increase in tire deformation. In response, Goodyear has gone to a much harder tire to prevent blowouts. But drivers have complained about the hard tires and have pushed NASCAR and Goodyear for softer tires, which they say would make for better racing. Goodyear, however, doesn't plan to switch to softer tires until NASCAR can cut the downforce to back under 1,000 pounds, according to several teams. This year, NASCAR's John Darby hopes to make at least two 1/2-inch cuts in the rear spoiler. Each cut would take about 50 pounds of downforce off the rear, and it is assumed that teams would then have to take another 50 pounds off the nose to keep the car balanced. Two such cuts would cut downforce back to 1,200 pounds, close enough to where Goodyear might provide somewhat softer tires.(Winston Salem Journal)(1-27-2003)
- #8 MLB News UPDATE: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr will run a MLB - Major League Baseball scheme at ChicagoLand Speedway in July to promote the MLB All Star game on July 15thm which will be held at Chicago's Comisky Park, see an image of the car on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(Go Phillies)(1-24-2003)
UPDATE: Action Performance Companies announced the release of a Dale Earnhardt Jr. special edition die-cast collectible featuring the No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet Monte Carlo and Major League Baseball [MLB]. Since 2001, Budweiser and MLB have emphasized their close association via an All-Star Game paint scheme, honoring the Mid-Summer Classic, featured on Dale Jr.'s #8 Budweiser Chevy during the July night race at Daytona. That same year, Earnhardt took a pearl-white colored Budweiser/MLB All-Star Game car all the way to Daytona's victory lane. This year, Chicago sports fans will enjoy quite an action-packed July when both NASCAR and MLB descend on the Windy City. On July 13, 2003, Dale Jr. will showcase the latest #8 Budweiser/MLB All-Star Game paint scheme during the 400-mile NASCAR Winston Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway. The following Tuesday night, July 15th, baseball's best players and coaches will headline the 74thAll-Star Game being held at Chicago's Comiskey Park, home of the Chicago White Sox. In cooperation with Dale Earnhardt Inc., Major League Baseball, Anheuser-Busch and Action Performance Companies again will produce the full line of die-cast collectibles and related memorabilia featuring the 2003 Budweiser/All-Star Game paint scheme.(Action Performance PR)(1-27-2003)
- Gibbs, DEI testing: Joe Gibbs Racing and DEI, both Chevrolet teams trying to get a handle on the cars' new bodies, added a stop at the proving grounds at Mesa, Ariz., before they were to take their downforce cars to Las Vegas earlier this week. Teams can test on a nearly perfect 5-mile circle and a 2.4-mile straightaway at Mesa.(Sporting News)(1-27-2003)
- Kenseth and Smirnoff Ice? hearing #17-Matt Kenseth will race either 8 Cup or 8 BGN races with Smirnoff Ice as the sponsor, the BGN thing makes sense, since he is running 15 races with Bayer/Alka Seltzer, not sure about the Cup part of the rumor.(1-25-2003)
UPDATE: hearing this is for 8 Cup races, with at least one Richmond race to be part of it.(1-27-2003)
- Wendell Scott inducted into Virginia Motorsports Hall of Fame: Wendell Scott was the first African American to compete in NASCAR's Grand National Division (now Winston Cup) and he is the only African American to win a race in NASCAR's top division. His life and accomplishments were celebrated Saturday evening at World of Sports in South Boston. Scott was inducted into the Virginia Motorsports Hall of Fame, along with legendary NASCAR Modified driver Ray Hendrick. Scott was a racing pioneer, entering NASCAR's top series in 1961 and winning his only Grand National race in 1963 at Jacksonville Speedway Park. "South Boston was his home track," said son Wendell Scott, Jr. "In his old days he was hard to beat there." Scott's wife Mary accepted the induction honors.(Danville Register and Bee)(1-27-2003)
- More Secure: NASCAR is hiring a director of security to work with each track to beef up security.(Winston Salem Journal)(1-27-2003)
- Roof Hatch UPDATE: NASCAR is developing a roof escape hatch similar to those on drag racing Funny Cars. Larger drivers like Michael Waltrip, Jimmy Spencer and Dale Jarrett worry about escaping through driver's-side window openings in a hurry. Research is ongoing at NASCAR's new R&D Center near Charlotte.(Daily Press)(1-24-2003)
UPDATE: NASCAR is continuing work on the roof flaps, which keep cars from flying when they get turned around. A third roof flap has been proposed, along with a door flap. "And an alternate exit (through a 4-foot-square trap door), for big guys like Michael Waltrip," NASCAR's George Pyne said.(Winston Salem Journal)(1-27-2003)
(1-26-2003)
see the Jan 20-26, 2003 Archived News Page
(1-19-2003)
see the Jan 13-19, 2003 Archived News Page
