PAST NEWS JUNE 2-8, 2003
THE PAST NEWS! YESTERDAY and BEYOND..
OTHER PAST NEWS PAGES
- Jerry Nadeau news and updated on the #01 Team News and Links page
(6-8-2003)
- Stewart wins the Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway. #20-Tony Stewart won the Pocono 500, his first win of 2003, his first win since Watkins Glen in 2002 (27 races) and his first in a Chevy and Chevy's first win at Pocono in five years. #6-Mark Martin was 2nd, for the 5th time at Pocono. The race ended under caution after #1-Jeff Green got punted by #5-Terry Labonte when both drivers moved down at the same time. Points leader #17-Matt Kenseth was third and added to his lead a bit. For the top 10, Lap Leaders, Cars out, Caution explanations and Jayski notes, see my Pocono 500 Race Info page.
Lineup/Qual Results/Lineup Links at Jayski's Pocono 500 Grid page.
Unofficial Race Results at Jayski - Pocono 500 Race Results
ThatsRacin.com
MotorsportsOne
NASCAR.com - unofficial
And for the Points Standings, see my Jayski - Drivers/Owners Points after Pocono.(6-8-2003)
- Skinner not to be re-newed? UPDATE 2: hearing the option on Mile Skinner's contract will not be re-newed for the 2004 season with the #4 Morgan-McClure team, no word on who would take over the driving duties. Been told it would NOT be Eric McClure, who currently runs late models at Lonesome Pine International Raceway in VA and plans to make his ARCA debut in June at Michigan.(6-3-2003)
UPDATE: #4 car owner Larry McClure says theres no truth to the rumors that sponsor Kodak may leave his team anytime soon....perhaps for DEI....or that driver Mike Skinner is on the way out. As far as Kodak is concerned McClure says they're on the third year of a five year deal and says "all those rumors on that thing have no validity whatsoever." As for his driver McClure says "nothing has changed." Skinnner has a series of three one-year contracts with Morgan-McClure Racing and both are planning to talk in August about 2004.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(6-5-2003)
UPDATE 2: It appears winless Mike Skinner will be searching for a job after this season. Representatives from #4-Morgan-McClure Racing said Skinner's contract more than likely won't be renewed for 2004.(Patriot-News), Skinner is the only driver who has started every race that has yet to finish on the lead lap in any race.
ALSO McClure was interviewed by MRN Radio and said there is no validity to the rumor that Kodak would leave at the end of 2003 and will be with the team for two more years and was not sure why this Jayski guy writes this smut. DEI also apologized to McClure saying they have not talked to Kodak, McClure said DEI had no reason to apologize. Guess I can forget getting a Christmas Card.(6-8-2003)
- Smutski.....?
- Stock Car Fans Newsletter Rumblings - Pocono: #20-Tony Stewart snapped a 27-race losing streak as he won the Pocono
500 under caution on Sunday. What we thought was going to be a three lap shootout turned out to be only a one lap sprint as #1-Jeff Green and #5-Terry Labonte got together on the Long Pond straight and the race back to the caution was led by Stewart over #6-Mark Martin. This was Stewart's first win since he took the road course event at Watkins Glen last August, and he becomes the 12th different winner of the 14 races this season. His 16th career win gives him sole possesion of 39th [27th if you count ties] on the all-time win list.
If #49-Ken Schrader and #88-Dale Jarrett had known this was gonna be a weenie roast, they'd have brought some mustard. Two fiery crashes at the end of the front-straight but both drivers were okay.
#6-Mark Martin (2nd) had his best finish since he was 2nd at Rockingham last November.
#54-Todd Bodine (11th) had his best finish since he was 11th at Texas in March.
#19-Jeremy Mayfield (15th) had his best finish since he was 8th in the Daytona 500.
#41-Casey Mears (21st) had his best finish since he was 15th at Las Vegas in March.
#14-Larry Foyt led a lap today for the first time in his Winston Cup career. He's the 34th different driver to lead a lap this season....last
year's number was 46
STREAKIN....Matt Kenseth has 12 Top-10's in the last 13 races.
The Rookie Report: Greg Biffle (20th) was the top-finishing freshman for the 6th time this season (tho he was sitting on pit road at the end).
He was followed by Casey Mears (21st), Jack Sprague (22nd), Tony Raines (30th), Jamie McMurray (32nd), and Larry Foyt (41st).
This Week's Elevator....UP: A tie for the Operator of the Week between Matt Kenseth (+22) and Ricky Craven (+22). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Dale Jarrett (-35), followed by Kurt Busch (-26), and Joe Nemechek (-23). This is Op #2 this season for both Kenseth & Craven.
#40-Sterling Marlin re-joins the Top-10 this week in 10th. The top nine positions remain unchanged as Matt Kenseth adds 5 points to his lead over Dale Earnhardt Jr. #22-Ward Burton gains the most spots (25th to 20th) while Robby Gordon (10th to 15th) and Joe Nemechek (13th to 18th) fell the commensurate number of spots.(Stock Car Fans Newsletter - all comments from this post, direct to them, thanks)(6-8-2003)
- Andy Houston back to PPI: Driver Andy Houston is exploring new racing options. Houston began the 2003 season as the driver of the #15 Billy Ballew Motorsports truck in the Truck Series. He posted the team's best-ever finish in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway, bringing the truck home in the fifth position. Houston and Ballew decided to part ways recently due to the lack of sponsorship for the team. "Since I can't be in a good quality ride right now, I want to stay on top of things with the latest technology," explained Houston. "I want to stay sharp in the driver’s seat so I am prepared when a good ride opens up." While Houston is currently assisting PPI Motorsports in their testing efforts, he continues to look for a successful team to drive for. "I love being back with Cal Wells and the PPI crew, however, I want everyone to know that I am available if a ride opens up. I have agreed to help Cal and Ricky [Craven, driver of the #32 Tide Ford] until I can find a more permanent position within the racing community." Houston made his Cup debut with Wells in 2001, running 17 races in the #96 McDonald's Ford before McDonald's reduced their primary sponsor efforts.(globalPERFORMANCE Company PR)(6-8-2003)
- A Blaney Wins at Pocono: Ryan Blaney, Dave Blaney's 9-year-old son, won a 15-lap quarter-midget race Thursday at Pocono Quarter-Midget Raceway on the grounds of Pocono Raceway. Other noteworthy racers in the Lehigh Valley Quarter Racing Club-sanctioned events Thursday included Tyler Labonte, 8, son of Bobby Labonte, and Chase Mattioli, 12, grandson of Pocono Raceway's owners, Drs. Joe and Rose Mattioli. Labonte and Mattioli finished third in their respective events. Young Blaney, of Hartford, Ohio, drove a red and white #50 car -- the same color scheme and numeral his grandfather Lou Blaney and father have featured on their race cars for years. Young Labonte's midget is detailed in green with No. 18, emulating his father's Interstate Batteries Chevy. Dave Blaney starts 22nd in the Pocono 500 today. Bobby Labonte starts third.(Express Times)(6-8-2003)
- Good to see Mast: Speed Channel reporter Rick Mast, whose NASCAR racing career was ended last year by carbon monoxide poisoning, believes the new catalytic converters recently made available to drivers should be mandatory. The devices, which NASCAR says reduces carbon monoxide inhaled by drivers by 75%, are optional. ''Believe me,'' Mast said, ''most drivers will be using them.'' Mast, who reported from the pits during last night's Chrome 300, still experiences problems from the poisoning. ''I can't be in the garage when the motors are running,'' he said. ''Even out in the open I have to be careful. I can tell if I'm getting too much exposure.'' Mast, noted for his sense of humor during his racing days, won the inaugural Brickyard 400 pole at Indianapolis. He began joking with the media about trading a milk cow for his first race car, ''and that story has kept growing and growing. Everywhere I go somebody asks me about it.''(Tennessean)(6-8-2003)
- Sad News - at Texas: Two people on a motorcycle were killed after a collision in the Texas Motor Speedway parking lot following the Bombardier 500 IRL race Saturday night. The accident occurred just after the race, Fort Worth police spokesman K.R. Ulrickson said. The motorcycle apparently hit a van, immediately killing a woman riding on the motorcycle, Ulrickson said. A man who also was on the motorcycle died while being transported to the hospital. Both victims weren't wearing helmets, Ulrickson said. The man and woman have yet to be identified. Further details of the accident weren't immediately available. The race was attended by about 92,000 fans and won by Al Unser Jr.(Charlotte Observer/AP)(6-8-2003)
- Tire War in ARCA? Hoosier has been the spec tire for ARCA at the NASCAR tracks for several years, a backup tire in case something happens to Goodyear. Now, though, Hoosier may have to make way for one of the two tire giants, Bridgestone-Firestone and Michelin/B.F.Goodrich, that want to step up to play the Winston Cup game eventually. With Goodyear holding exclusive rights to NASCAR's top three divisions, ARCA offers the only good road for a rival tire company to learn how to play the game at some of the sport's fastest tracks. ARCA president Ron Drager is on his toes. If Bridgestone or Michelin were to come to Drager and make an offer to become the exclusive tire supplier, it could be quite a lucrative deal for ARCA, not just monetarily but in promotion and marketing. Hoosier simply doesn't offer those options.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-8-2003)
- Now - an open test at Homestead [good move]: first it was NO testing at the soon to be newly configured Homestead-Miami Speedway track, then it was gonna be a few non-title contending teams in a Goodyear tire test, now from NASCAR.com: NASCAR has scheduled an open test date for this fall -- complete with data acquisition systems -- when Homestead-Miami Speedway reopens with reconfigured 20-degree banking. The season finales for NASCAR's three national touring series: Winston Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck, are all scheduled between Nov. 14-16 at Homestead. Cup crew chiefs and car owners were called to small group meetings in NASCAR's office trailer with Winston Cup director John Darby on Saturday and told the schedule for the Ford 400 would include an open test day on Wednesday, Nov. 12 in which the cars would be allowed to run with onboard telemetry systems. Currently, that data acquisition technology is allowed at tests, including NASCAR's Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway in January, but has never been allowed during an event weekend. Winston Cup teams will be allowed to change engines and dismantle their onboard telemetry on Thursday, when Busch and Craftsman Truck Series teams are scheduled to begin practice. The standard Winston Cup weekend will begin Friday with practice and Bud Pole Qualifying for the season's 36th [and final] event.(6-8-2003)
(6-7-2003)
- Some Pocono 'Improvements': during Speed Channels coverage of Pocono 500 qualifying on Friday, they showed the guardrail area between turns 1 and 2 where Steve Park hit and flipped last July, it has been protected and backed up and reinforced with dirt to help soften the blow, were it to happen again. Also, it appears the work Pocono did to resolve their drainage problem (remember the water seeping up through the track last year (cancelling qualifying in June) has seemed to work as the area has gotten a lot of rain in the last month and of course today it has rained all day. So far no signs of any water seepage on the track [on Friday at least and hopefully none on Sunday](6-7-2003)
- Kimmel Cleared: NASCAR cleared reigning ARCA champion Frank Kimmel to drive in Sunday's Pocono 500 in relief of Bill Elliott, despite Kimmel not getting any seat time because of bad weather on Saturday. Elliott, who broke bones in his left foot in an accident at The Winston all-star race, has not decided whether he will use a relief driver Sunday, but car owner Ray Evernham has been making preparations in case one is needed. NASCAR typically requires relief drivers to have spent some time in the car during a practice prior to the race. "We went already and spoke to (Winston Cup series director) John Darby and (NASCAR President) Mike Helton just to make sure if Frank didn't get a chance to practice the car if he's cleared, and he is cleared," Evernham said. "He's driven plenty Winston Cup races, and he's driven here in a Winston Cup race. He has raced here quite a bit and was on track yesterday. If Bill gets out of the car, Frank is cleared to drive it."(ThatsRacin.com)(6-7-2003)
- Stewart Leaving NC? NASCAR champ Tony Stewart, on the road constantly, plans to leave North Carolina for a return to his native Indiana. Owner of two luxurious homes in the Tarheel State which are for sale, he was quoted as telling one prospective buyer. “...and I’ll leave the Ferrari in the garage.” Earl Baltes told this columnist in Indy recently that Tony is a prime candidate to be the new owner of his Eldora Speedway.(National Speed Sport News - need subscription to read online)(6-7-2003)
- Ramblings - Pocono: #48-Jimmie Johnson wrestled the pole away from #18-Bobby Labonte at Pocono Raceway, then had to wait for (as he referred to #12-Ryan Newman) the Rocket Man to make his run as the final car out. Johnson ended up 4/100th's of a second quicker and takes his first pole of the season and 5th of his Winston Cup career. The last time he started from the top-spot was at Talladega last October....but qualifying was rained out and we lined up by points that day. The last time he took a Bud Pole by time was at Richmond last September. Johnson also becomes the 10th driver to qualify for next February's Budweiser Shootout. Got the looks of a full field already.
#6-Mark Martin (6th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 3rd at Rockingham in February.
#88-Dale Jarrett (7th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 6th at Darlington last September.
#54-Todd Bodine (14th....and a frequent flyer this weekend) has his best starting position since he qualified 10th at Darlington in March.
STREAKIN....Ryan Newman has 12 Top-10 starts in a row. #20-Tony Stewart has 5 Top-10 starts in the last 6 races.
Two cars on the Trouble Train....#37-Derrike Cope (for the 5th time this season) and Morgan #89-Shepherd (his first Cup attempt of the year). But it may behoove these guys to show up next week....see next paragraph.
The provisionals went to: #31-Robby Gordon, #23-Kenny Wallace, #49-Ken Schrader, #45-Kyle
Petty, #4-Mike Skinner, #74-Tony Raines and #14-Larry Foyt. Gordon's was a freebie, but Schrader, Skinner, and Foyt now join John Andretti on the OOP (out of provisionals) list. With the exception of Foyt, they're bare till Infineon. Foyt & his #14 team skipped Martinsville.....they won't get their next provisional till Daytona 4th of July weekend.(Stock Car Fans Daily Newsletter)(6-7-2003)
(6-6-2003)
- Cancelled: NASCAR senior vice president Brian France is no longer scheduled to speak at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition & Citizenship Education Fund Annual Conference [Jesse Jackson], scheduled for June 21-25 in Chicago. The agenda item, “Motorsports — Increasing Minority Participation,” has been deleted from the conference’s schedule.(Gaston Gazette)(6-6-2003)
- Stewart wins Sprint Race: Tony Stewart may be the defending NASCAR Winston Cup champion, but last night at Williams Grove Speedway [PA] he was just one of the guys. Stewart and Winston Cup race Dave Blaney stopped by the Cumberland County half-mile oval for the first time and signed 800 autographs. Then they climbed aboard a modified stock car and raced 20 laps against a select number of drivers. Stewart won a nicely scripted modified race while Blaney was second and Billy Pauch was third. Stewart, who raced USAC Midgets, Sprint Cars and Silver Crown cars before transitioning into the NASCAR circuits, raced in a midget race Wednesday night at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Ill. Stewart destroyed a car after flipping late in the feature race.(Patriot-News)(6-6-2003)
- BAM Sponsor for Pocono: Blair.com, which has been an integral part of the BAM Racing marketing effort, will serve as primary sponsor of the #49 Dodge of Ken Schrader in this week's Pocono 500. "We're excited to help one of our marketing partners, especially this close to their home town," said Beth Ann Morgenthau, who owns BAM Racing along with her husband, Tony. Blair headquarters are in Warren, Pa., approximately 250 miles from the speedway. "Blair.com has been a big part of BAM Racing, and we're hoping to give them a great run at their home track," Morgenthau continued. "The association with BAM Racing, Kenny Schrader, Beth Ann and Tony Morgenthau.has provided Blair Corporation with a unique opportunity to sponsor.an.up and coming.NASCAR team and an exciting means of promoting our.growing Blair.com web site to value-driven consumers,” said Jeffrey Parnell, Blair Corporation’s Vice President of E-commerce. Blair Corporation sells a broad range of women’s and men’s apparel and home products primarily through direct mail marketing and its Web site at www.blair.com, in addition to other Web sites.(Williams Company PR)(6-6-2003)
- Toyota Acknowledges Partnership, Denies Charges [by Dodge]: A Toyota spokesman says the company is working with Bill Davis Racing to develop its first entry into the Craftsman Truck Series but denies using the team to siphon trade secrets from Dodge, USA Today reports. Spokesman Xavier Dominicis says Toyota hired the team to help develop a chassis and body for its Tundra truck for the series and says the team is one of about 12 companies providing assistance. The story notes that Toyota is not named as a defendant in Dodge parent DaimlerChrysler's breach of contract suit against the team but points out that the suit "expresses concern that Davis' team has or will share DaimlerChrysler's confidential information with Toyota." Dodge announced last week that it was dropping its factory support of BDR, which enters Dodges for Ward Burton and Kenny Wallace in the Winston Cup Series. The team does not have an entry in the Craftsman Truck Series.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(6-6-2003)
- Bodine to race at Pocono and Nashville: Todd Bodine driver of the #54 Army National Guard Ford in Cup and the #92 Monstor.com Chevy in the Busch Series will be forced to miss Friday's first Busch Series practice. Mike McLaughlin, who has been helping with the practicing and qualifying of the #92 in all non-companion events this season, will once again be sitting in the driver's seat for the initial practice. If it happens that Bodine is not able to arrive in Nashville in time for Friday's Bud Pole qualifying, McLaughlin will also be qualifying the #92.(Eclipse Management PR)(6-6-2003)
- Mears on ARCA Pole: Casey Mears set a new one-lap ARCA RE/MAX Series track record Thursday at Pocono Raceway. Mears, in Chip Ganassi's #77-Target Dodge, won the Old Milwaukee Pole with a speed of 169.802mph surpassing Stuart Kirby's old mark of 169.329. #9-Hideo Fukuyama starts 10th.(ARCA Racing site)(6-6-2003)
(6-5-2003)
- More on the #4 Rumors: #4 car owner Larry McClure says theres no truth to the rumors that sponsor Kodak may leave his team anytime soon....perhaps for DEI....or that driver Mike Skinner is on the way out. As far as Kodak is concerned McClure says they're on the third year of a five year deal and says "all those rumors on that thing have no validity whatsoever." As for his driver McClure says "nothing has changed." Skinnner has a series of three one-year contracts with Morgan-McClure Racing and both are planning to talk in August about 2004.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show), see past rumors about this on my #4 Team News and Links page.(6-5-2003)
- Double Duty for Wallace: #01-Mike Wallace will pull double duty for the second time this year as the NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series part ways. The Winston Cup Series will be competing at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, PA, while the Busch Series will be competing in Nashville Superspeedway. Wallace will fly back and forth between the two venues throughout weekend. Mark Green is standing by to qualify the Busch car if Wallace is unable to make it to Nashville prior to qualifying.(Biagi Bros. Racing PR)(6-5-2003)
- #77 Sponsor for Bristol: First Tennessee has partnered with Jasper Engines and Transmissions and the #77 Jasper Engines Ford driven by Dave Blaney. A special paint scheme prominently featuring the well-known First Tennessee logo will appear on the #77 car at the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 23. First Tennessee recently announced that the company has renewed its partnership with Bristol Motor Speedway as the Official Financial Services Provider of BMS and Bristol Dragway. To celebrate these partnerships, First Tennessee is offering NASCAR fans the Ultimate Bristol Experience through a sweepstakes that will run during July. Grand-prize winners will receive trips for four to the Sharpie 500, where they will stay in an exclusive motor coach at the track, meet the owner of the #77 Jasper Engines & Transmissions Ford and have seats in the First Tennessee suite. First-prize winners will receive four suite tickets to the Sharpie 500. And second- and third-prize winners will receive First Tennessee racing merchandise. During the Sharpie 500, the #77 Jasper Motorsports Ford will be referred to as the #77 First Tennessee car. Throughout the summer, a replica of the #77 First Tennessee car will make appearances at First Tennessee financial centers across the state.(Jasper Motorsports PR), see an image of the car at the BMS site, Jasper Motorsports site or my Paint Scheme Gallery.(6-5-2003)
- #15 Pitcrew fastest at Dover UPDATE: The pit crew for Michael. Waltrip's No. 15 NAPA Chevrolet won the weekly McDonald's/POWERade Drive-Thru Pit Championship at Dover worth $20,000. The #15 spent 284 seconds in the pits, lowest among teams competing in the program.(NASCAR PR) have not gotten the PR on this for the standings or any other info.(6-4-2003)
UPDATE: see full press release with standing from Dover and overall standing at my Pit Crew Page.(6-5-2003)
- Boris Said in the #01 at Sonoma? UPDATE 2: Rumors are that Boris Said will be in the #01 US Army Pontiac at Infineon Raceway, since he's known as a road racing specialist and has worked with Ryan Pemberton in years past [with Jasper Motorsports]. Currently Said is serving a 45 day suspension in the Trans-Am Series.(Insider Racing News)(5-26-2003)
UPDATE: Boris Said, the road racing specialist, will run for the #01 US Army team in two weeks at Sears Point and will test next week. Mike Wallace is currently in the car.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-2-2003)
UPDATE 2: Road course specialist Boris Said has been named by MB2 Motorsports to drive the #01 U.S. Army Pontiac in the June 22 NASCAR Winston Cup race at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA. Said, 40, will be substituting for Jerry Nadeau, who is recovering from injuries sustained in a May 2 accident at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. Mike Wallace, who has been the team's substitute driver, will continue in the same role at the oval races. One of the leading national and international sports car drivers, Said has competed in seven career Winston Cup races. Six of his seven starts have come at NASCAR's two road courses -- Infineon Raceway (2000, 2001, 2002) and Watkins Glen (1999, 2001, 2002). His other start was at Homestead Miami Speedway in 1999. Said, of Carlsbad, Calif., has enjoyed success at Infineon Raceway. As a NASCAR driver, he finished 11th in the 2001 Winston Cup race and won the 1998 Craftsman Truck event. As a sports car racer in the American Le Mans Series, he won at Infineon in 2000 and was runner-up in 2001. Said, the 2002 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans Am Series champion (eight wins in 11 races), is scheduled to test the U.S. Army road course car June 9 at Virginia International Raceway.(US Army PR)(6-5-2003)
- Raines will participate in NASDAQ Market Open in NYC: Tony Raines, driver of the #74 BACE Motorsports Chevy, will join Robert Forney, President and CEO of America’s Second Harvest, in presiding over the NASDAQ Market Open in recognition of National Hunger Awareness Day on Thursday, June 5. The #74 America’s Second Harvest Chevrolet that Raines piloted in Dover will be on display outside of the NASDAQ MarketSite Studio on the corner of 43rd and Broadway in Times Square. BACE President Bill Baumgardner will join Raines in a presentation to America’s Second Harvest as a result of the “Monster Meals” program that took place this past weekend at Dover International Speedway. In recognition of the 100th anniversary of parent company Kraft Foods, Tombstone Pizza donated 100 pizza slices for every lap of the 400-lap race this past weekend in Dover. The first installment of the “Monster Meals” program tallied 40,000 servings providing a contribution to the 23 million food insecure individuals in America – nine million of which are children.(Tony Raines Site)(6-5-2003)
(6-4-2003)
- Update on Elliott's Broken Foot; Kimmel to stand by: Bill Elliott: "Right now we're looking at several options (for Sunday's race at Pocono). I have been able to right-foot brake in the past at some places, but it's not the normal way of what I'm looking for. To have driven as long as I have and try to change all of a sudden, as competitive as things are today, you just can't up and change what you're doing in the middle of the stream. It's difficult to do, and I've not been able to do it. You do a lot of shifting and a lot of different stuff at Pocono. It's not hardly as bad as Sears Point or Watkins Glen, but it's a long day because it's a 500-mile race. Right now I don't know what we're going to do, whether we try to look at it when we get there or what. I'll know more tomorrow (Wednesday). I've got a doctor's appointment tomorrow. He's going to re-X-ray my foot and see where it is. The last X-ray showed the same as the one before, which they tell me X-rays lag behind until your bones kind of bridge together and that shows a sign of healing. I've not seen that yet, but I'll know more when I go see the X-ray tomorrow."
Four-time ARCA RE/Max Series Champion, Frank Kimmel, will be on hand at Pocono Raceway this weekend in the event that the No. 9 team needs a replacement driver.
Elliott is scheduled to the same car he ran last year at Pocono, Indianapolis and the 2001 Homestead-Miami race. Elliott drove this car to victory in all three events.(Evernham Motorsports/Golin Harris PR)(6-4-2003)
- Stacker 2 VP leaves: The Vice President of Marketing for Stacker 2, Karen Finocchio has resigned from NVE Pharmaceuticals the manufacturer of Stacker 2 to pursue a business of her own as a one stop media shop. Karen Finocchio, was the person behind building NVE pharmaceuticals brand Stacker 2 "The Worlds Strongest Fat Burner" with a highly targeted media plan. For the rest of the release and contact info, see my Press Release News and Links page.(6-4-2003)
- Testing at MIS: five drivers tested at Michigan International Speedway on Monday and/or Tuesday; #7-Jimmy Spencer, #29-Kevin Harvick, #38-Elliott Sadler, #77-Dave Blaney and #0-Jack Sprague. Most teams found themselves behind schedule Tuesday because of light rain in the morning. Instead of running 20-30 laps straight, they were restricted to shorter bursts on the two-mile oval. No speeds mentioned.(Detroit Free Press)(6-4-2003)
- No 3rd Penske Team: Don Miller, president of Penske Racing South, said the team is not looking to field a third car to join #2-Rusty Wallace and #12-Ryan Newman.(Roanoke Times)(6-4-2003)
- Atwood's Busch Schedule Increased UPDATE Cup race dropped: FitzBradshaw Racing has announced a revised schedule for the #82 Navy Chevy driven by Casey Atwood. FitzBradshaw Racing will add the June 14 Meijer 300 at Kentucky. FitzBradshaw Racing is also adding on the June 25 GNC 250 at the Milwaukee Mile to the schedule. The race has been added as a make-up race for the missed race in Charlotte. Look for Atwood to feel very comfortable at the Milwaukee Mile, the same track where Atwood won the Diehard 250 from the pole in 1999. "It will be great fun going back to Milwaukee," said Atwood. "If there was one place I would love to race again it's the Milwaukee Mile." Added track time is just what Casey Atwood wants. After sitting out the first 12 races of the season, Atwood says the more time behind the wheel the better. Team owner Armando Fitz says he is very pleased to be able to add on two races for the Navy, "We were all disappointed that the #82 did not qualify in Charlotte so we are excited to be able to provide the Navy with added track time."(ThatsRacin.com)(6-3-2003)
UPDATE: the team will NOT run the Talladega Cup race as previsously announced, the race at Kentucky will take the Cup race's place.(XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio - Subscription Required)(6-4-2003)
- #20 to test at NHIS: Crew chief Greg Zipadelli said that Tony Stewart 's team plans to test at New Hampshire later this month.(Roanoke Times)(6-4-2003)
- Martin to run some Busch races in 2004: #6-Mark Martin, after retiring from competition in the Busch Series in 2000 with 45 wins from 200 starts, will run in four select races in 2004. Not all details are clear yet, but it is known that Martin will run one of those four races with the colors of his Winston Cup sponsor, Viagra, on his Ford Taurus. Martin, who fielded part-time Busch Series entries for nine years, was the man to beat during the Saturday races. Martin last put the hurt on the field at Darlington Raceway in September of 2000, besting teammate Jeff Burton by 0.410 seconds doing so.(Team Ford Racing)(6-4-2003)
- Testing for the #5: #5 Kellogg's / got milk? Racing will be busy testing throughout the month of June. They will take a new road-course car to Road Atlanta on June 10th in preparation for the June 22 event at Infineon Raceway, followed by a visit to the Milwaukee Mile on June 16 and 17 to test for the July 20 New England 300 at New Hampshire.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(6-4-2003)
- CAT Team Sends a Present to the Boys: The GUNDEVILS of the 3rd battalion 319 airborne field artillery regiment got a little gift from the CAT Racing team. Outfitted with their very own CAT Racing hats, the GUNDEVILS are looking good in their CAT hats.(see image at Bill Davis Racing site)(6-4-2003)
- IROC Testing at Chicago: The True Value International Race of Champions [IROC] held a two-day test session Monday and Tuesday in preparation for the July 12th IROC event at Chicagoland Speedway. Drivers testing were current IROC drivers Danny Lasoski (Word of Outlaws) and Felipe Giaffone (IRL IndyCar Series), as well as IROC test drivers Dave Marcis and Jim Sauter. Current NHRA Funny Car driver Ron Capps and NHRA Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta also stopped by to try their hand at turning left in an IROC car. According to IROC president, Jay Signore, the focus of this week's test session is to continue on improving the set-up for race day. "Right now we are trying to get a chassis underneath us that will perform great for each of the drivers." "Today," Signore continued, "we are working on springs, shocks, aerodynamics and getting balance into the cars. We are always trying to improve and make the cars more drivable for these guys." Fresh off competing in last weekends' Lucas Oil Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Chicagoland Speedway's sister track, Route 66 Raceway (1/4-mile drag strip), NHRA Funny Car driver Ron Capps and NHRA Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta, both took the track in the colored IROC machines. Don "the Snake" Prudhomme, owner of Ron Capps car, was also on hand at Chicagoland Speedway checking out the 18-degree banked speedway. Marcis liked what he saw during the test with Capps and Kalitta. "I think them coming here to the speedway is great. They are true racers, have the interest and are willing to come here and try this out. They are doing really good in these cars. Their lap times are coming down each time after we talk to them," said Marcis about their progression today. NHRA drivers joining IROC is something Marcis sees as a positive. "It would be great for NHRA drivers to join the IROC series. It will be that much more interesting to the spectator having them there."(IROC PR)(6-4-2003)
- Ruttman Testing the #09 at Daytona this week UPDATE: Phoenix Racing and the #09 Miccosukee Indian Gaming Dodge with test driver Joe Ruttman will be preparing for the 45th annual Pepsi 400 on Saturday night, July 5 at Daytona International Speedway. Ruttman is scheduled to test on Tuesday, June 3 and Wednesday, June 4, 9:00am - 5:00pm/et. The #09 car has a strong record at Daytona, coming home third in the 2002 Daytona 500, capturing the outside pole for last year's Pepsi 400 and posting a top-10 finish in the 2003 Daytona 500. The test session is free and open to the public with access to a section of the Oldfield Grandstand through the lobby of DAYTONA USA.(Speedway PR)(6-2-2003)
UPDATE: On Tuesday at Daytona International Speedway, Ruttman tested a pair of owner James Finch's #1 Transportation Dodges in preparation for the Busch Series 250 on Friday night, July 5. Jamie McMurray, in his rookie Winston Cup season driving the #42 Havoline Dodge, will be behind the wheel of the #1 Dodge for the NASCAR Busch Series 250. The 58-year-old Ruttman regularly tests for Finch and expects to be back at Daytona in a couple of weeks for another test session with the #09 Miccosukee Indian Gaming Dodge that will compete in the 45th annual Pepsi 400 on Saturday, July 5. Finch had slated Mike Wallace to drive the #09 car in the mid-summer classic. But Wallace was recently tapped as the substitute for the injured Jerry Nadeau in the #01 Army Pontiac leaving Finch with a driver vacancy that he has yet to fill. Ruttman, who has won an ARCA race at Daytona in 1982 and most recently captured the 2001 Florida Dodge Dealers 250 Craftsman Truck Series race, didn't hesitate when asked if he would be interested in driving in the Pepsi 400 for Finch. "Are you kidding me?" Ruttman said. "I keep thinking each year, maybe this is my year to try it." Ruttman will continue the test session on Wednesday. Testing is free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand through DAYTONA USA. Tickets for both the Pepsi 400 and the NASCAR Busch Series 250 are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.(Speedway PR)(6-4-2003)
- NASCAR gives a car and engine to Toyota? UPDATE 2 NASCAR denies: Another of the big stories here concerns car owner Bill Davis, who spent most of the day repeating 'No comment.' The bottom line is Dodge's one, big happy family isn't so happy, or as big, anymore, with the abrupt decision by DaimlerChrysler to cut Davis' two-car operation out of the fold a little more than a year after Davis and Ward Burton put Dodge in victory lane at Daytona. When Dodge returned to NASCAR's top division three years ago, it came with Ray Evernham, Petty Enterprises and Davis. Since then, Chip Ganassi and Roger Penske have jumped on the train, and those two Indy-car giants have been overshadowing Dodge's original threesome. Dodge's decision to drop factory support of the Davis team, because DaimlerChrysler officials hint the team has been providing technical advice to Toyota, was the talk of the Winston Cup garage yesterday ... except in Davis' hauler, where he and his crew were mum. 'No comment for the foreseeable future,' is all Davis is saying this weekend.
AND The surprising Dodge move has some key Winston Cup figures thinking that Toyota may be preparing to jump into Winston Cup racing sooner than expected. Tony Stewart said he has been told that NASCAR officials have given his Texas car to Toyota engineers for scrutiny -- NASCAR confiscated that car for uncertain reasons, and the sanctioning body hasn't given it back. Greg Zipadelli, Stewart's crew chief, said NASCAR also has given a Robert Yates' Ford motor to Toyota for detailed examination, in order to give Toyota a quicker jump out of the box. Stewart and Zipadelli are angry over those developments.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-31-2003)
UPDATE - denied bt NASCAR: NASCAR strongly denied published reports that it gave parts confiscated from the Winston Cup garage to the Toyota startup effort. One such written account attributed Tony Stewart and crew chief Greg Zipadelli saying NASCAR had given Toyota the #20 Home Depot Chevy, which was confiscated during the Texas race weekend. The same report indicated NASCAR had given Toyota the Robert Yates Racing engine confiscated during The Winston weekend. However, NASCAR Vice President of Corporate Communication, Jim Hunter, addressing both allegations said that the parts are still in NASCAR’s impound in the Concord, N.C., Research and Development Center. Hunter added, “We spoke with [Joe] Gibbs last Tuesday about getting the parts back to the car, that we're going to give him and he's working to comply with the requirements. NASCAR would never give a competitor a confiscated part," Hunter added. "It would be foolish to put confiscated parts back into circulation."(Team Ford Racing)(6-1-2003)
UPDATE 2 - more: Hunter said on an XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio interview that the #20 team would be getting most of the car back, but not the body as it didn't conform with the template rules. And that the story that NASCAR gave the car and the #88 engine to Toyota was ludicrous [ludicrous speed?] saying why would NASCAR want to put illegal parts back into circulation.(XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio - Subscription Required), heard this 'rumor' was started as 'fun' by a Cup driver/crew chief., to see if it would get picked up.(6-4-2003)
(6-3-2003)
- Skinner not to be re-newed? hearing the option on Mile Skinner's contract will not be re-newed for the 2004 season with the #4 Morgan-McClure team, no word on who would take over the driving duties. Been told it would NOT be Eric McClure, who currently runs late models at Lonesome Pine International Raceway in VA and plans to make his ARCA debut in June at Michigan.(6-3-2003)
- Kodak to the #1 in 2004? hearing Kodak is considering leaving the #4 Morgan-McClure Motorsports team at the end of the season [but last I heard they were signed thru 2005??] and will end up on the #1 DEI Chevy in 2004, who is possibly looking for a sponsor as past rumors [see #1 Team News and Links page] have Pennzoil leaving at the end of 2003. Current driver, Jeff Green [except for the road courses when Ron Fellows takes over] is signed thru September. Some rumors have 2-time IRL champ in the #1 in a few races late this season and maybe in 2004, but some of those rumors were wrapped around his link with Pennzoil, his sponsor in the IRL. Some rumors put Dixie Pottery as the #4 sponsor or assoc sponsor in 2004.(6-3-2003)
- Dodge Sues Davis: A lawsuit filed by Dodge's parent company, DaimlerChrysler, alleges that Davis' team breached its contract by building and testing a prototype Toyota vehicle for NASCAR's Craftsman Truck series. Toyota has announced plans to enter the truck series next season — leading to speculation that the Japanese automobile industry giant eventually will field cars in the marquee-level Winston Cup series. NASCAR rules require teams to race approved "American-made" cars, but Toyota manufactures several models at U.S. plants. In the lawsuit, DaimlerChrysler alleges that at least one member of Davis' team represented Toyota at a NASCAR wind tunnel test in Marrietta, GA, on April 30. The suit says NASCAR officials performed aerodynamic tests on a Toyota prototype that bore decals from Davis' team and was powered by a Dodge engine. The suit says this violates a clause in Davis' contract with DaimlerChrysler that requires Davis and his team to "represent, endorse or otherwise promote" Dodge products. The suit, filed in a Michigan state circuit court on May 23, does not ask for a specific dollar amount in damages. But as a reward for racing Dodges, DaimlerChrysler pays its designated "factory" teams an annual sum believed to be in the low seven-figure range. The suit estimates that Davis' team has spent only 50-60% of this year's money, and asks for the remainder to be repaid. The suit also says DaimlerChrysler "fears that (Davis' team) has or will share DaimlerChrysler's confidential information with Toyota, in violation of the agreement," and wants the courts to force Davis' team to keep secret any confidential information they have obtained from Dodge. DaimlerChrysler officials declined comment Monday. Officials from Toyota and Davis' team did not return messages seeking comment. NASCAR vice president of corporate communications Jim Hunter could not say for certain whether officials tested a Toyota prototype in the presence of Davis team members on April 30, but he said wind tunnel testing is common in NASCAR's approval process for new vehicles.(USA Today)(6-3-2003)
- Johnson to test at VIR UPDATE five drivers test: The key to winning any title is consistency, and #48-Jimmie Johnson and his team are looking to tackle the only weakness in the program: road courses. “This year,” Johnson says, “we're making an effort to get me some more experience testing some different tracks that aren't necessarily NASCAR tracks but ones that I can get some more road course experience.” Weather permitting, Johnson will test this week at Virginia International Raceway, a 3.27-mile road course in Alton, VA.(Sporting News)(6-2-2003)
UPDATE: At least five Winston Cup drivers tested the Virginia International Raceway Roadcourse Tuesday in preparation for the June 22nd Dodge Save-Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma. Among those turning laps were #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #20-Tony Stewart, #18-Bobby Labonte and #22-Ward Burton. Rain cut short the day's activities.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(6-3-2003)
- TV Ratings for Dover: The MBNA Armed Forces Family 400 at Dover International Speedway on FX garnered a 4.7 rating on Sunday, making it the third highest rated show on cable TV for the week. This is equal to last year's rating for the Dover race on FX. The race reached 3,807,000 households (5,377,000 viewers). It also finished third in the Adult 18-49 demo, with a 2.8 rating in that group.(MotorsportsTV.com)(6-3-2003)
- Georgia-Pacific, Petty and USO: Volunteers from Georgia-Pacific, the maker of Brawny paper towels, presented Delaware's United Service Organization with a check for $2,000 Monday. Kyle Petty attended the press conference at Dover's City Hall in support of Georgia-Pacific, his racecar sponsor. Mr. Petty and Georgia-Pacific are working together to honor charitable organizations on the second an-nual Brawny Brigade service tour.(Dover Newszap)(6-3-2003)
- Stewart Stormy UPDATE: The snarl on his face never left as Tony Stewart stormed past reporters on his walk down pit road following Sunday's MBNA Armed Forces Family 400 at Dover International Speedway. He walked past Ryan Newman's car, which was coming in for its coronation in victory lane, and snarled again. Then he stopped, turned around and yelled an expletive. It was hard to determine if it was directed at Newman, who prevented Stewart from getting back on the lead lap midway through the race, or if it was directed at the unknown NASCAR official who penalized Stewart one lap for stopping outside the box on a pit stop. Afterward, Stewart kept walking briskly to his trailer, the snarl omnipresent. He whipped the door open and slammed it shut, disappearing for good. After several minutes, Stewart's public relations director emerged and said Stewart had left. "How?" he was asked. "You must have blinked," the P.R. director responded.(Delaware News Journal)(6-2-2003)
UPDATE: Stewart soon had a chance to get his lap back, and when a yellow flag came, he needed to beat leader Newman to the start-finish line to do so. One of the sport's unwritten rules says if a race leader can let a driver he thinks isn't a threat to win back onto the lead lap, he should. The way Stewart was running, he clearly could have been considered a threat. Newman certainly thought he was. Imagine what Newman would be dealing with, had he allowed Stewart back on the lead lap and Stewart won the race. As it was, Stewart finished fourth and moved up to 16th in points, so that would have been a real possibility. Stewart, who didn't talk to the media after the race, was still able to clearly express his feelings with the following:
• Nearly putting Newman into the wall during the ensuing caution.
• Making an obscene gesture toward Newman's crew during a later pit stop.
• Yelling at Newman's crew chief, Matt Borland, after the race.
"We're racers," said Newman. "We compete against each other and try to be friends, but it's a competitive sport. He's not going to invite me to dinner tonight. There have been times I haven't wanted to invite him to dinner either, but we can get through it. To me, it was his own fault. What happened, happened."(Charlotte Observer)(6-3-2003)
- Gordon sorry, Marlin ticked UPDATE: #24-Jeff Gordon spunout #40-Sterling Marlin Sunday at Dover International Speedway early in the race. Gordon was apologetic. Marlin was furious. "The 24 got up under us and turned us around again," said Marlin, who wound up 35th. "That's twice in three races. It's getting kind of old. I don't know what's wrong with the 24, but we need to find out. You've got to give and take in this league, and he has done a lot of taking." Gordon called it a mistake, not an intentional act. He said his car might have hit the apron. He shot up toward the wall and caught the left rear of Marlin's Dodge. "I'm sure he's mad, and I was mad when I got hit by him one time in Richmond," Gordon said. "Hopefully, we'll get past it and move forward. He's not a guy I really talk to a lot and he doesn't talk to me a lot, so I guess we'll see each other on the race track."(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(6-2-2003)
UPDATE: After Sunday's MBNA 400 at Dover International Speedway, Sterling Marlin is mad at Jeff Gordon. Gordon says he's not angry with Marlin, but he's not backing down. Marlin took exception to Gordon's bump coming off Turn 2 on Lap 114 at Dover. It was the continuation of a mini-trend for Gordon, who hit Marlin and Ward Burton at The Winston all-star race two weekends ago at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "I definitely got into him, no doubt about it," Gordon said of the Dover bump, which took out Marlin's No. 40 car -- one of the field's stronger cars. "I didn't mean to. Sure he's mad. I was mad when I got hit by him one time at Richmond. Hopefully, we'll get past it."(Charlotte Observer)(6-3-2003)
- and Petty not happy with Bodine: Kyle Petty also got into the act after Todd Bodine bumped him out of the race. Petty walked past Bodine's crew chief, Derick Finley, and pointed to his sunglasses -- probably not as a goodwill gesture to help Bodine see more clearly on the track.(Charlotte Observer)(6-3-2003)
- Nationally Televised Food Fight For Andretti: They aren’t giving anything away yet but John Andretti, driver of the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge, and Martha Jane Bonkemeyer, assistant to legendary Richard Petty, competed in the national television show Food Fight Monday, June 2, at a Charlotte restaurant. The contest? Cooking, under strict guidelines, against two members of a Reggae band, while a television crew taped it all. From shopping to presentation, the two teams each had $20 and two hours to out cook, out razz and out-plate their competition. Local experts such as food writers, cooking school instructors, and home economics teachers judged the raucous cooking contest and determined which reaped prizes. Andretti and Bonkemeyer competed together as a team, going in with no knowledge of what dish would be required and only with some information gleaned from background that comes from an association with General Mills. Food Fight is broadcast nationally by the Food Network. An air date has not yet been scheduled [the show normally air's Thursdays at 10pm and Friday at 1:00am]. Hosted by J.D. Roberto, Food Fight pits two teams that have nothing in common but their love of good food against each other in a take-no-prisoners competition. This half-hour series features match-ups like Hell's Angels vs. soccer moms, and grandmas vs. construction workers in a show that's one part "Beat the Clock" and one part "Iron Chef." Casting calls were held in Chicago, Tampa, New York, Dallas, Nashville, San Francisco, Boston, Baltimore, Milwaukee, Raleigh, Charlotte, and Pittsburgh throughout 2002 and early 2003. Teams are presented with a regional specialty, which is the focus of the dish. Petty Enterprises is the only race team featured this season. The show will air in prime time on the Food Network. Domestically, the show reaches approximately 75 million households. The show also airs in Canada, and parts of England as well.(Williams Company)(6-3-2003)
- New driver for Ganassi? in Trucks? Shelby Howard, a 17-year-old who is expected to join the NASCAR world very shortly - perhaps racing a truck for Chip Ganassi - won Sunday's ARCA 200 at Kansas. Howard, that tour's youngest-ever winner, was quick to praise Ernie Elliott's motor [Ganassi' s engine builder].(Winston Salem Journal)....a Toyota truck maybe?(6-3-2003)
(6-2-2003)
- Jones in for Foyt at Sonoma: Road course racer, P.J. Jones will driver the #14 Harrah's Dodge at Infineon Raceay in Sonoma, CA on the road course there on June 22nd, in place of regular driver, rookie Larry Foyt.(Fox Sports Net's Totally NASCAR)(6-2-2003)
- Speed Channel Stuff: Following their story about the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series hosting participants from the Philadelphia Urban Racing League a the Dover International Speedway, the SPEED Channel did a spotlight clip on Herbie Bagwell, Jr., and African-American race car driver from Connecticut. When sponsorship money is available, Bagwell plans to race in the NASCAR Busch Series in 10 races. NASCAR recently approved Bagwell to drive in their north series as a prelude to entering into NASCAR Busch Grand National competition in 2004.(Hawk Motorsports PR)
AND SPEED Channel will strap in with four-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon and Formula One standout Juan Pablo Montoya as the pair swap hot rods for the afternoon on June 11 at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The live program, entitled Gordon/Montoya Tradin' Paint, will air from 1:00 to 2:30pm/et Wednesday, June 11th. A special one-hour edition will replay Friday night, June 20th at 8:30pm, immediately following Winston Cup Qualifying, and be hosted by Bob Varsha, former NASCAR crew chief Larry McReynolds and former F1 mechanic Steve Matchett. Both drivers will be wired for sound and the cars will be equipped with multiple on-board cameras. Montoya, fresh of his impressive win at the Grand Prix of Monaco, is expected to bring his 2002 race car - the FW24. The engine alone has 5,000 individual parts. This year, Montoya is racing a FW25 with the next generation P83 BMW powerplant. A comparison of the two cars:
#24 Hendrick Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Horsepower: 770 HP @ 9,000 RPM
Engine: Cast iron 5.7L V8
Top speed: 200 mph
Fuel: 110-octane gasoline
Chassis weight: 3,400 lbs. (w/o driver)
HP Williams BMW FW24
Horsepower: 900 (max RPM of 19,000)
Engine: 3L BMW P82 V10 (aluminum block)
Top Speed: 225 mph
Fuel: Unleaded racing gasoline
Chassis weight: 1322.76 lbs. (w/driver)(SPEED Channel)(6-2-2003)
- No Bud in F-1: A few months ago August Busch III, the chairman and chief executive of Anheuser Busch [Budweiser], met Ferrari's Jean Todt [of F-1 / Formula 1] to discuss a sponsorship deal between Ferrari and Budweiser, Anheuser Busch's biggest brand. Grandprix.com heard at the time that an agreement was made, at least in principle for Budweiser to become a significant Ferrari sponsor, with the longterm aim being that the beer company would eventually take over from Marlboro when tobacco advertising ends in 2007. It seems that the deal has now falllen through and Budweiser has recently announced a three-year extension to its current deal in NASCAR with Dale Earnhardt Inc. This deal is believed to be worth $60m to the team although Budweiser will recoup much of that investment as it will take a percentage of the income raised by Dale Earnhardt Jr's merchandising operations.(Grandprix.com)(6-2-2003)
- Pfizer extends with the #6: #6-Mark Martin's sponsorship with Pfizer [Viagra] has been extended another two years, according to team officials who had been awaiting word last week from the pharmaceutical company on whether or not it would exercise a bailout option in its contract. When that deadline came and went, with no word from Pfizer executives, the contract was automatically extended.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-2-2003)
- Boris Said in the #01 at Sonoma? UPDATE: Rumors are that Boris Said will be in the #01 US Army Pontiac at Infineon Raceway, since he's known as a road racing specialist and has worked with Ryan Pemberton in years past [with Jasper Motorsports]. Currently Said is serving a 45 day suspension in the Trans-Am Series.(Insider Racing News)(5-26-2003)
UPDATE: Boris Said, the road racing specialist, will run for the #01 US Army team in two weeks at Sears Point and will test next week. Mike Wallace is currently in the car.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-2-2003)
- First for Dodge at Dover since 1975: #12-Ryan Newman's win at Dover was the first ever Winston Cup race won by a Dodge in the spring race and the first at the track since Richard Petty won in Sept 1975.(Fox Sports)(6-2-2003)
- Last Race For Triplett: Sunday's was Kevin Triplett's last race as NASCAR's managing director of business operations. He announced earlier this season he was leaving to become a consultant and perhaps make a run for public office in Virginia.(ThatsRacin.com) - Good Luck and Thanks (6-2-2003)
- Toyota to help Davis with $$? Regardless of what Bill Davis' problems might be with Dodge, Toyota officials are saying privately that money will not be a problem for Davis, that they'll do whatever it takes. Dodge officials are declining to confirm reports that they have filed legal papers in Michigan over the issue or to describe the gist of those papers. The Dodge-Davis story was one of the biggest this weekend, along with worries about Toyota increasing among Winston Cup tour teams. According to two sources, Toyota's entry into NASCAR's Truck series could lead both General Motors and Ford officials to reconsider their companies' sponsorship support. If Ford and GM back off, the Truck tour could become a Dodge vs. Toyota battlefield, with the Japanese car maker challenging the German automaker.(more at the Winston Salem Journal)(6-2-2003)
- Evernham's Return to Racing rained out: Ray Evernham's much-ballyhooed return to driving at Wall Township Speedway Saturday ended like most of New Jersey's races this year with a driving rainstorm. But it wasn't from lack of trying. Speedway officials waited out Saturday's morning and afternoon rains, and track safety vehicles circled the third-of-a-mile asphalt oval during a brief respite in the rain from 4:30.-6:00/pm/et. But another shower that hit shortly after 6:00pm/et officially canceled the show that was to include a 15-lap match race featuring Hazlet native and NASCAR Winston Cup car owner Evernham. The race is not expected to be rescheduled. Ticket stubs from Saturday's show are good for admission to any Wall race for the rest of 2003, with the exception of the June 29 NASCAR Modified Series race and the July 26 appearance of NASCAR Winston Cup drivers Michael Waltrip, Steve Park, Sterling Marlin and Kenny Wallace.(Newark Star Ledger)(6-2-2003)
- Rumblings - Dover: #12-Ryan Newman figured out how to make it last longer than a lap today at Dover International Speedway...and the payoff was a victory in the MBNA Armed Forces Family 400 on a cold, windy, and wet day in Delaware. Newman scored his second win of the season (he snatched up the win at Texas in March) and the third of his Winston Cup career (he's now tied for 78th on the all-time win list), and he's the first driver to win from the pole this season (Kurt Busch took the closer at Homestead last November from the top-spot).
#20-Tony Stewart (4th....and from a lap down) had his best finish since he was 4th at Atlanta last October.
#10-Johnny Benson (5th) had his best finish since he won at Rockingham last October. His Top-5 gives us 27 drivers to hit that mark this season...last year's number was 31. His Top-10 gives us 36 drivers to score that standard this season...last year's number was 42.
#14-Larry Foyt (28th) had his career-best finish today. His previous best was 30th at Texas in March.
STREAKIN....#18-Bobby Labonte has 5 Top-3's in a row. #17-Matt Kenseth has 11 Top-10's in the last 12 races. #2-Rusty Wallace has 4 Top-10's in the last 5 races.
This Week's Elevator....UP: Operator of the week is Robby Gordon (+29), followed by Johnny Benson (+25). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Jimmie Johnson (-33), followed by Sterling Marlin (-29), and Steve Park (-22).
Matt Kenseth padded his points lead today by 11 markers. He's now 171 points up on Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Newman's win translated to a six-spot move up in the points (24th to 18th). Dale Jarrett's blown engine was worth an equal move in the opposite direction (18th to 24th).(Stock Car Fans Newsletter)(6-2-2003)
(6-1-2003)
see the May 26-June 1, 2003 Archived News Page
(5-25-2003)
see the May 19-25, 2003 Archived News Page
(5-18-2003)
see the May 12-18, 2003 Archived News Page
