PAST NEWS: JULY 21-27, 2003

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THE NEXTEL CUP - See past news, links, the official press release, notes from the press conference, who is Nextel? what happens to 'The Winston' All Star race? what happens to the Winston Preview?....all covered on my NASCAR Sponsor page.(6-20-2003)

(7-27-2003)

Newman wins at Pocono: #12-Ryan Newman won the Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway in the Mobil One Dodge, his first ever win at Pocono, 4th win of the year [he leads the series in wins now] and 5th of his career. #97-Busch ended up 2nd, almost catching Newman. The Points leader, #17Kenseth finished 13th and keeps his big leads in the points standings. The unofficial top 10, lap leaders, out of the race, caution summaries and notes can be seen on my Pennsylvania 500 Race Info page.
RACE RE-AIR: The race will be re-aired on Speed Channel, Wed, July 30th, 8:00pm/et and Thurs, July 31st, 1:00am/et and at 3:00pm/et.
RACE RESULTS at Jayski's Pocono July Race Results or
ThatsRacin.com
MotorsportsOne
NASCAR.com.
Points at Jayski's Drivers/ Owners Points (after Pocono) page.(7-27-2003)

StockCarFans.Com: Rumblings - Pocono: Once again (for the 4th week in a row) fuel strategy and track position made the difference as Ryan Newman took two tires and fuel with 46 laps to go and made it last over Kurt Busch for the win in today's Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway.
With the aide of a number of caution laps in the final 40 circuits, Newman grabbed his 3rd [actually his 4th] win of the season, the 5th of his Winston Cup career (he's now tied for 58th all-time), and became the first driver to win from the pole twice this season (it's only been done three times with Jeff Gordon winning Martinvsille earlier this year from the top-spot).
Dale Earnhardt Jr (3rd) had his best finish since he was 3rd at Richmond in May.
Michael Waltrip (4th) had his best finish since he was 3rd at Las Vegas in March.
Joe Nemechek (7th) had his best finish since he won the Richmond race in May.
Todd Bodine (8th) had his best finish since he was 5th at Richmond last September. His Top-10 gives us 39 drivers to reach that mark this season... last year's number was 42.
Dave Blaney (9th) had his best finish since he was 3rd at Darlington in March.
Tony Raines (16th) had his best finish since he was 14th at Richimond in May.
Christian Fittipaldi (24th) had his career-best finish today. His previous best was 29th at Chicagoland two weeks ago.
STREAKIN....Jeff Burton has 4 Top-10's in a row. Ryan Newman has 4 Top-5's in the last 5 races.
This Week's Elevator....UP: Operator of the Week is _Nobody_. It takes a 20 position move to make "The Shaft", and we had 4 drivers who were +19. DOWN: The Big Dropper was John Andretti (-28), followed by Mark Martin (-27), Bobby Labonte (-26), Casey Mears (-25), and Jeremy Mayfield (-23).(StockCarFans.Com Winston Cup Newsletter)(7-27-2003)

Marlin stays with Ganassi: during an interview on Fox Sports Net's NASCAR This Morning interview with Sterling Marlin, driver of the #40 Coors Light Dodge for Chip Ganassi. mentioned he has signed with the team for two more years [thru 2005] and the paperwork should about be done.(7-27-2003)

New Hot Wheels: Hot Wheels has come up with an unusual new 1:64 scale NASCAR die-cast which, when run under cold water, changes the car's normal paint scheme to a test-car paint scheme. Running the car under warm water changes it back. Nine drivers are available.(Peoria Star Journal)(7-27-2003)

Site: Safety Guru, Bill Simpson, who just recently settled his lawsuit with NASCAR, has his new company, Impact Racing Products, website up and running, check it out at www.impactraceproducts.com.(7-27-2003)

#25 Looking for a sponsor in 2004? quote from DEI's Ty Norris at the WSJ: 'You have Hendrick Motorsports, Roush Racing, DEI and Jim Smith ... and somebody is going to be left out because we're not even aware of two companies willing to spend that kind of money, let along four,' Norris said. Norris is worried about finding someone willing to write a check for the $12 million to $18 million it takes to feed these monster teams. I don't know if Rick Hendrick will run Joe Nemechek's [#25] car white (UAW isn't expected to renew)(Winston Salem Journal)(7-27-2003)

Not NASCAR but... Thurman Thomas has become the latest former NFL star -- joining Terry Bradshaw, Jim Kelly, Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman -- to become involved in motorsports. The former Bills running back has formed a race team that will debut in the American Speed Association [ASA] next month.(Charleston Post and Courier)(7-27-2003)

Cool Points stuff from the Richmond Times Dispatch - Today is the 20th race of the Winston Cup season. Last year was the first time since 1992 that the points leader after 20 races didn't win the championship. Since the current system was adopted in 1975, the leader after 20 races has won the championship 19 times [27 seasons].
Since 1975, there have been 14 seasons in which at least one driver won more races than the champion. In 1984, Darrell Waltrip (7), Geoffrey Bodine (3), Bill Elliott (3), Harry Gant (3) and Cale Yarborough (3) all won more than champion Terry Labonte (2).
Adding a 10-point bonus for winning a race would change the standings in a number of years and would change the champion three times since 1975. Jeff Gordon won 10 times to two for champion Terry Labonte in 1996. Gordon lost the title by 37 points. Darrell Waltrip won seven times to Richard Petty's five in 1979. Waltrip lost the title by 11 points. Bill Elliott won five times to Alan Kulwicki's two in 1992. Elliott lost the title by 10 points.(7-27-2003)

Yates Rumor Denied UPDATE and some more:.... the story of the day was Robert Yates, who denied reports that he is interested in selling his two Winston Cup teams. According to one report, Yates was talking with Chip Ganassi -- according to another report, he was talking with Joe Gibbs. Yates laughed off the reports: 'I'm going to stick to my deal. I haven't gone there. Robert Yates-Bill Gates sounds pretty good, but other than that, I'm not interested I don't think. I do have a race-team shop for sale, under the right conditions. Ricky Rudd's old shop. And you know how rumors get started. Robby Gordon said he wanted to look at that, and I'm sure someone overheard that, and the next thing you know it went around that I was selling out. Robby was trying to buy Jimmy Spencer's shop, but it got sold, and I heard that and told Robby, 'How about coming by and looking at mine? So this wasn't something that somebody dreamed up. But I'm not leaving. You sell after you win the championship, not before. Raymond Beadle taught me that.' Ford executives didn't put much credence in reports that Robert Yates might be calling it quits, pointing to a new five-year contract just signed with Yates in January and to UPS' contract that runs through 2006. Jimmy Makar, Joe Gibbs' team manager, said he was unaware of the Yates story until late yesterday and put no validity into a report that Yates was interested in a deal with Gibbs. There would be so many contractual entanglements as to make any Yates deal almost a non-starter. Chip Ganassi, for one, is a Dodge man -- Gibbs, a GM man.(Winston Salem Journal), see the past rumor on my #88 Team News and Links page.(7-26-2003)
UPDATE: So it may not be surprising that Robert Yates is reportedly ready to quit. Yates said he's not trying to sell his two Winston Cup teams. But others in the garage have said there's more to the story than Yates is letting on. Yates, a famous engine man and a car owner since 1988, has become increasingly disenchanted with the car-owner side of the business over the past year. While he and his son, Doug, still have one of the top engine programs, they've had numerous headaches as owners, and Robert has indicated for a year that he might like to fade out of the picture, perhaps to his beach house at Myrtle Beach.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-27-2003)

Pennzoil gone...may stay as an assoc UPDATEs: Dale Earnhardt Inc. officials are looking for a company to replace Pennzoil as the sponsor of the No.1 car after this season, a team official said Sunday. Pennzoil's contract expires after the season, and the company will not renew that contract. Ty Norris, executive vice president of motorsports at Dale Earnhardt Inc., says that the group is talking to Pennzoil about remaining as an associate sponsor on the No.1 car along with those of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Michael Waltrip.(Roanoke Times)
AND DEI's No. 1 team will lose Pennzoil after this year, and Kraft had emerged as a possible replacement. Kraft already has associate deals with the three DEI teams, but team president Ty Norris said he does not expect Kraft to go too far too fast. "They step up their program every year," he said. "It's one thing to take a step, and it's another to take a running leap to a Winston Cup primary. We've talked to them about it. Right now they're pretty happy with the program they have. It makes sense for them financially, and they're comfortable with their level of spending right now." As for anything DEI might have going for the 1 car as of now, Norris said, "You look at it cold, medium, hot, I'd say we're pretty cold right now."(Speed Channel)(7-14-2003)
UPDATE the official release: Pennzoil Products will end a six-season primary sponsorship agreement with Dale Earnhardt, Inc., and the #1 Chevrolet team at the end of the 2003 season. Pennzoil, a Houston, Texas-based petroleum products corporation, became Dale Earnhardt, Inc.'s first full-time NASCAR Winston Cup sponsor in 1998, backing driver Steve Park in the #1 Chevrolet. Pennzoil, a Winston Cup primary since 1991, claimed its only victories in NASCAR's elite division with Dale Earnhardt, Inc., winning at Watkins Glen, N.Y. in 2000 and Rockingham, N.C. in 2001. Dale Earnhardt, Inc., the company founded by the seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Dale Earnhardt, is optimistic that it can produce more victories for Pennzoil and attract a primary replacement before the end of the 2003 season. "Like Dale Earnhardt, Inc., Pennzoil has been through a lot of changes since we first signed our agreement in the fall of 1997," said Ty Norris, Dale Earnhardt, Inc.'s Executive Vice President of Motorsports. "We promised to win races for Pennzoil, and we did. They promised to support Dale Earnhardt, Inc. through the growing pains of a new operation, and they did.. Pennzoil will always have a place in the history of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. We want to win before the end of the year and finish our great relationship on a high note."(DEI PR)(7-26-2003)
MORE: quote from DEI's Ty Norris at the WSJ: 'We're very fortunate with Dale Jr. and Michael. They've been successful on track, and the sponsors are terrific, activating so well with all their promotions that they can justify it all. The way we're going to market our third team is to leverage the association with Dale and Michael. We sell our company as a package.'(Winston Salem Journal lot of interesting stuff in this column - check it out)(7-27-2003)

Green doesn't know: Jeff Green's contract with Dale Earnhardt Incorporated runs out Sept. 1, but he's not sure what is going to happen beyond that date. Green said Saturday at Pocono Raceway that he hasn't spoken with DEI officials about his status in the #1 car beyond the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.(NASCAR.com)(7-27-2003)

Hutchens gets first win since 1985: Bobby Hutchens, the general manager and competition director for Richard Childress Racing, found his way back to the victory lane after an 18-year absence, winning last night's 107-lap Modified race at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-27-2003)

In NYC? Lookout for Johnson: Jimmie Johnson is becoming more accustomed to his new celebrity world, and he's added an interesting defense mechanism - an apartment in New York City, where he can be anonymous again. 'I'm lucky when I can get up there,' he said. 'I was there last week, but for the first time in three months. It's something more for winter, to enjoy New York, to try something different. It is colder than I want, but it's a nice getaway. People laugh at me when I say I go to New York to get away -- but when you're walking the streets of New York they're looking for movie stars, not race-car drivers. So it's a lot more relaxed.'(WSJ)(7-27-2003)

Pre-race show looks at CART's safety team POSTPONED: The CART Champ Car Simple Green Safety Team will be featured in a video piece to be aired as part of TNT’s NASCAR pre-race show leading up to the Pennsylvania 500 event at Pocono Raceway. The network’s color analyst and racer Wally Dallenbach Jr. (son of former Champ Car star and Chief Steward Wally Dallenbach Sr.) accompanied a film crew to the Molson Indy Toronto two weeks ago to find out what makes the Safety Team one of the best quick-response outfits anywhere in motorsports. The piece contains interviews with series Director of Medical Affairs Dr. Steve Olvey and series Chief Orthopedic Consultant Dr. Terry Trammell as well as with Director of Safety Lon Bromley and Champ Car World Series drivers Jimmy Vasser and Adrian Fernandez. The feature will air at 12:30pm/et on Sunday afternoon.(MotorsportsTV.com)
POSTPONED the feature story was postponed until a later pre-race show as the starting time of the race was moved up and TNT is focusing on the stories at the track.(7-27-2003

(7-26-2003)

Mears wins 1st weekend ARCA race; UPDATE sweeps and wins the bonus: #41 Cup driver Casey Mears began his long weekend at Pocono Raceway with a victory Friday in an ARCA series race. Earlier in the day, Mears qualified his Winston Cup car in 10th position for Sunday's Pennsylvania 500. He also will drive Saturday in another ARCA event [he starts 2nd]. The one ran Friday was postponed from last month.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)
UPDATE: Giant Foodstores, the sponsor of the ARCA 200 race on Friday night, posted a $25,000 bonus for a driver who could sweep the Friday race, postponed from June, and the ARCA Pennsylvania 200, to start 1:00pm/et today [actually it is $12,500 for the drive and $12,500 donated to the Children's Miracle Network]. Kyle Busch is on the pole. Busch and Christian Fittipaldi are favorites today but were not in the Friday field. With pole-sitter Casey Mears winning the Giant 200, outrunning runnerup Frank Kimmel to the finish, the Winston Cup rookie, who qualified 10th for the Pennsylvania 500, can pocket the cash with a win today.(Express Times)
UPDATE 2 - Mears Sweeps ARCA at Pocono: Casey Mears made it two victories in two days at Pocono Raceway on Saturday, winning the back end of an ARCA series doubleheader at the 2.5-mile track. Mears had started from the pole and led virtually all the way in Friday's race, which had been rained out in June. For Saturday's race, he qualified second but had to start at the rear of the field after an engine change. He held off David Reutimann over the final laps to complete the sweep. ARCA points leader Frank Kimmel was third. "It's awesome," said Mears, who earned a $12,500 bonus from a chain of food stores for winning both races over the weekend. "We did this to gain experience and I've gained a ton. Hopefully, a lot of it will apply to tomorrow." Mears will start 10th in Sunday's Winston Cup Pennsylvania 500. Busch started from the pole Saturday and ran strong throughout the race until, with 24 laps to go, he was involved in a crash on the frontstretch. Busch, coming back through the field after a pit stop, went to the inside to make a pass when Ron Cox dove to block him. Their cars eventually made contact, sending Busch spinning and knocking him out of the race.(ThatsRacin.com)(7-26-2003)

Lowe's team member injured: during the early stages of Happy Hour practice, #41-Casey Mears swerved to avoid another car in the garage area and ran over the right foot of #48 Team Lowe's mechanic/windshield cleaner, Ryan Dubois. Dubois was put on a stretcher and taken to the infield care center at Pocono. Dubois was joking with Speed Channel's Marty Snyder saying 'it hurt bad'.(7-26-2003)
Have not heard updates on Dubois.(7-27-2003)

Mayfield extension? hearing that Jeremy Mayfield, driver of the #19 Dodge Dealers Dodge is close to signing a contract extension with Evernham Motorsports. Should put to rest the rumors he is leaving or being booted.(7-26-2003)

#14 to #50: keep getting asked why the #14 Foyt Racing team and driver Larry Foyt changed to #50. Asnwered this last week and can be found on my #14 Team News and Links page....also some more: Car owner A.J. Foyt switched Larry Foyt's car number from 14 to 50 the past two weeks. Why? Well, Foyt wants his son to make the Brickyard 400 next Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Thanks to NASCAR's provisional system, Foyt's No. 14 is down to one provisional.(Patriot News), it failed them last week as qualifying was rained out and the team had no attempts on the #50, so it missed the race when it would had made it with the #14. But this week at Pocono, it worked as the #50 had to use a provisional to make the race and still has 3 left on the #50. Also in this weeks Winston Cup Scene, Foyt says they may run both cars later in the season, so this gets them some owners points and attempts on the car, plus the #14 being so deep in owners points [42nd] it was no big advantage.(7-26-2003)

Netzero Stuff UPDATE Leffler in at Indy: hearing that Jason Leffler will drive the #0 Netzeo Pontiac at Indy in the Brickyard 400 and that Netzero may not be back as a sponsor in 2004 for the team.
UPDATE: Jason Leffler will join Ultra Motorsports truck teammate Ted Musgrave [#07 Dodge] in the Winston Cup Brickyard 400 next weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. But while Musgrave will drive a second Sirius Dodge for owner Jimmy Smith, Leffler will pilot the #0 Pontiac for Haas CNC Racing. Leffler's hoped-for 33rd career start reunites the 27-year-old with crew chief Tony Furr, with whom he worked for two races at the end of last season.(NASCAR.com and a full release at Speed Channel)(7-26-2003)

Tobacco to be banned too? After Winston's departure as title sponsor of NASCAR's top series this year, could tobacco join distilled liquor products and pornography on a list of sponsors excluded from the sport? "That's an issue that's on our radar for next year," NASCAR president Mike Helton said Friday at Pocono Raceway. The series will be known as the Nextel Cup beginning in 2004 when that firm replaces R.J. Reynolds Tobacco. NASCAR's deal with RJR kept other cigarette companies out of the sport for the 33 years of their relationship. But once RJR leaves, Helton said, the sport must decide if it will allow any other tobacco company's products into the sport. "We've kept hard liquor and pornography, hard core and soft core, out of the sport on the morality issue," Helton said. "The question we're going to have to look at is whether we need to do that with tobacco." Helton's comments came during a conversation about his trip to Washington, D.C., on Thursday to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee about NASCAR's position on ephedra-based diet supplements. Earlier this year, NASCAR added ephedra to a list of drugs it looks for under a substance abuse policy that allows for testing if there is "reasonable suspicion" a driver or crew member is using banned substances. NASCAR also could have sponsorship issues to work out if the federal government moves to restrict ephedra-based products. Stacker 2 sponsors the #23 team owned by Bill Davis Racing and TrimSpa sponsors a Busch Series team and is the title sponsor of the Busch race being held this weekend at Pikes Peak.(ThatsRacin.com)(7-26-2003)

Finch may field Toyota truck team: The latest on the Toyota front: car owner [#1 Busch, #09 Cup] James Finch is expected to field a Toyota factory truck next season. No word on the driver. Finch is a Dodge business partner with Chip Ganassi this season, and Ganassi has been hotly rumored to be headed eventually to Toyota.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-26-2003)

Waltrip, Gant Selected for NMPA Hall of Fame: Three-time Winston Cup champion Darrell Waltrip and 18-race winner Harry Gant have been selected for induction into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame in Darlington. The pair will be inducted Aug. 30. Waltrip, 56, won 84 races and Winston Cup titles in 1981-82 and ’85. "I have to admit, this is quite an honor," Waltrip said. Gant earned nationwide recognition in 1991 when he won four races in a row at the age of 51. Nicknamed "Handsome Harry," Gant finished in the top 10 in the points race eight times, including a career-best second in 1984. Regulations require that a nominee be named on a minimum of 65 percent of the ballots to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Waltrip and Gant each received 77 percent of the votes. Fellow nominee Tim Richmond was selected by 62 percent of voters, while Butch Lindley received 30 percent of the vote.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(7-26-2003)

Inspection Issues?? .....And if it's a fuel-mileage race, crew chief Michael McSwain [#18 Chevy], with a nod toward the NASCAR inspection bay, said early yesterday morning, 'It's already over. It just happened. The inspection. If everyone had the same size gas tank, do you think there'd be an issue? Do you think Jeff Gordon would have finished 24th at Loudon if everyone had the same size fuel cell? Whoever got the best stuff through just now just won the fuel-mileage race.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-26-2003)

Goody's Dash Series News: BRDAYTONA, a Florida-based motorsports promotion company, will take over the sanctioning and operation of the Goody's Dash Series at the conclusion of the 2003 racing season. BRDAYTONA, led by investors Randy Claypoole and Buck Parker, will assume all operations of the series effective Oct. 26, 2003 and is currently in negotiations with track operators and sponsors for the 2004 season. The Goody's Dash Series has been a part of NASCAR since 1975 and was a training ground for such drivers as Michael Waltrip, Hut Stricklin, Shawna Robinson and Shane Hmiel. The Goody's Dash Series features compact cars powered by six-cylinder engines. Approved models include the Chevrolet Cavalier, Ford Escort, Mercury Cougar, Pontiac Sunfire and Toyota Celica. Goody's Dash Series cars have a wheelbase of 100 inches and weigh 2,750 pounds (2,950 pounds on superspeedways).(NASCAR PR)(7-26-2003)

Helton Testifies UPDATE: NASCAR President, Mike Helton, testified at a House Energy and Commerce Committee in Washington, DC on Thursday [along with many leaders of others sports], towards the end of the NY Times story........Stock car racing also came under fire at the hearing. Representative Jan Schakowski , a Democrat from Illinois, asked why at least one ephedra company [Stacker 2] had been allowed to sponsor a racing team and promote its products at racetracks. Mike Helton, president of NASCAR, has set limits on how much ephedra was acceptable in tests of drivers. But he also said that the driving teams and tracks were owned by various individuals, and NASCAR could not set a blanket policy covering them as well.(New York Times and see more at energycommerce.house.gov and nascar.alanjones.us)(7-25-2003)
UPDATE: NASCAR president Mike Helton testified before a Senate subcommittee this week in Washington, D.C. about the use of Ephedra. NASCAR has not banned the use of Ephedra but does test for it. Helton acknowledge that NASCAR may consider a more specific policy.(Fox Sports Net's Totally NASCAR) and more info on the subject at nascar.alanjones.us: NASCAR 'does' have policy against ephedra(7-26-2003)

StockCarFans.com: Ramblings - Pocono: #12-Ryan Newman didn't disappoint today as he took his 5th top-spot of the season (and 12th of his Cup career) at Pocono Raceway for Sunday's Pennsylvania 500. His time of 52.830 (170.358 mph) bested Jimmie Johnson and they'll lead the field to the green on this unique triangle.
#38-Elliott Sadler (3rd) has his best starting spot since he had the outside pole at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May.
#0-John Andretti (5th) has his best starting spot since he was on the outside of the front row at Phoenix last November.
#88-Dale Jarrett (8th) probably wishes we ran 36 times a year here (would get kinda nasty in February, tho). He's only had three Top-10 starts this season....but two of them are here.
STREAKIN....Jimmie Johnson has 3 Top-10 starts in a row.
Only 44 cars on hand this week....the Trouble Train is a lonely ride for Brett Bodine as he tried to qualify the #4 Kodak car. It's the 2nd DNQ for that entry this season.
We lost another important figure in NASCAR's history this week....Bob Latford. Without he & Joe Whitlock (they came up with the current scoring system) there's no telling what the face of Winston Cup racing would look like today. Throw in all of his PR work, and the sport owes him a debt of gratitude.(StockCarFans.com Winston Cup Newsletter)(7-26-2003)

(7-25-2003)

Sad News - Services: NASCAR historian Bob Latford passed away Wednesday, July 23rd. At this time, no funeral arrangements have been announced. The family is considering waiting until next Tuesday to conduct the service to give the racing community time to return from this weekend's event. Latford came up with the Winston Cup points system that is in use to this day. See a nice and informative column on Latford by David Poole at Thatsracin.com: Sport loses Bob Latford, originator of NASCAR's modern points system. Latford was also the author of NASCAR: A Celebration.(7-23-2003)
many articles/columns about Latford on my Articles/Columns/Story Links page.(7-24-2003)
AND A statement from H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway, concerning the death of longtime public relations practitioner and motorsports historian Bob Latford follows: Bob had a thorough knowledge and in-depth appreciation of our sport's history. He was a valuable resource in retrospect of that history. As a public relations practitioner, he understood what the media needed and provided it in a concise, accurate manner. His passing leaves a giant void that connects our sport's past to the present. My condolences go out to his wife, Leslie, and their family."(LMS PR)
SERVICES: Robert Graham "Bob' Latford, 67, died July 23, 2003. Memorial service is 2 PM Wednesday, July 30 at Hartsell Funeral Home, Concord. Visitation is 7-8:30 PM Tuesday, July 29, at the funeral home.(Charlotte Observer)(7-25-2003)

Special Paint for Kyle UPDATE: #45-Kyle Petty will run a Garfield scheme in the Brickyard 400.(4-13-2003)
UPDATE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway says the #45 Dodge that Kyle Petty will drive for Petty Enterprises in the Aug. 3 Brickyard 400 will sport a special paint scheme promoting the 25th birthday of the cartoon cat Garfield. An ice cream social and autograph session for fans is scheduled for Aug. 2 at the track with both Kyle and Richard Petty scheduled to be on hand from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter), see an image of the scheme on my 2003 Cup Schemes page #24-99.(7-25-2003)

ASA Breaks Out New Technology: The first-ever sound-based track warning system, known as The Audible Alert Track Warning System, will make a full-field debut in the ASA Racing Series on Saturday, August 2, with the Meijer 250 presented by BFGoodrich Tires at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Mich. It will mark the first time the system has been used by a nationally touring series. The Audible Alert Track Warning System, manufactured by Invader Technologies of Denver, Colo., sends a short audible tone to notify every driver of changing track conditions and associated flags at exactly the same time. The system utilizes three distinct different tones that can be used for a green, yellow and red flag condition. Once the drivers have heard the tones a few times they are able to easily identify which tone means what flag without any confusion. ASA will only use the system for yellow flag conditions.(ASA Racing PR)(7-25-2003)

Dave Discovers Pocono: TNT's Dave Burns heads to Pocono's infield during TNT's coverage of Bud Pole Qualifying from Pocono on Friday to search throughout the NASCAR Nation for the sports best vehicles, biggest fans and best stories. The winner will be interviewed by Dave live during TNT's pre-race show on Sunday, prior to the Pennsylvania 500. Fans can email nascar.com to let TNT know where Dave can find them and why they deserve to be on TNT.(PR)(7-25-2003)

Rusty's Son back racin': Stephen Wallace [Rusty's son] will be back in late model action this weekend, running Friday night at Tri-County Speedway, the short track in Hudson, N.C., in a regular feature for the USAR cars.(Tom Roberts PR)(7-25-2003)

Roush Racing Gets Award: A few Roush Racing representatives recently attended Grainger Industrial Supply’s 16th annual CFQ1 Supplier Recognition Event on Monday, July 21, where Roush Racing received its fourth consecutive award for exceptional performance and commitment as a marketing services supplier. Each year Grainger invites its top performing suppliers to honor them for their “Customer Focused Quality” and their vital contribution to Grainger’s continued success in the maintenance, repair and operating supply business.(Roush Racing Site)(7-25-2003)

SMS Extends Five Years with NASCAR: Perfect Line, Inc. the operator of NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway, has secured a five-year extension on its category exclusive NASCAR license and will now enjoy the benefits of being a NASCAR licensee through 2009. Perfect Line has extended its license agreement with NASCAR through December of 2009. Under the terms of the exclusive NASCAR license for location-based entertainment, Perfect Line also has the right to use the NASCAR bar logo within the Silicon Motor Speedway name and logo to brand each racing center, and to use for all marketing of the racing centers, use within collateral sales materials, on its website, on merchandise and within racing simulator software. The license renewal extends those rights to operator-assisted revenue-share locations such as entertainment centers and theme parks where NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway racing simulators are in use. Perfect Line operates the current 13 NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway locations.(Perfect Line PR)(7-25-2003)

Terry Labonte looking to tie his all time streak: #5-Terry Labonte now has a string of 25 consecutive races without a DNF dating back to last season, the second-longest current streak in the series, behind only Michael Waltrip (29). Labonte's overall record for consecutive races without a DNF is 26, spanning the 1996 and 1997 Winston Cup seasons. He is one of only four drivers who have completed every race this year -- the others are Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth and Michael Waltrip.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(7-25-2003)

(7-24-2003)

Buy a Brick, sponsor a Cup car: Brett Bodine at Indy: Brett Bodine Racing wants to remind the fans that there are only about 4 days left to become a sponsor on the #11 Brett Bodine Racing 'BRICK CAR" for the Brickyard 400. Check out Bodine's website at www.brettbodine.com or on eBay. After the first day of testing at Indy - and his first time back behind the wheel since the MIS wreck - Brett Bodine was tired and a little sore, but happy with the results. "It felt good to be back, even though by the end of the day I was pretty whipped. We worked on our race set-up on Monday and were really pleased at the end of the day with the progress we made," stated Bodine.(7-15-2003)
UPDATE: Brett Bodine, whose Winston Cup team has been without sponsorship since the end of June, is still hoping to sign a multiyear deal with a company he has been courting for a while. "We are still hopeful the (sponsor) deal will come together," team spokeswoman Carolyn Carrier said Wednesday. "Talks are continuing." Bodine who hasn't competed since breaking his collarbone in a practice accident at Michigan International Speedway in June, will make his return to racing in the Pocono 500 this weekend, joining his brother Todd [#54]in that event. Brett was asked to drive the #4 Kodak Pontiac for Morgan-McClure Motorsports. Bodine will return to his #11 Ford for the Brickyard 400 with partial sponsorship from his fans in the "Buy a Brick" promotion. Carrier said they've sold about 60 brick spaces so far at $500 apiece. That promotion, which was supposed to end Monday of next week, has been extended until race weekend, Carrier said. An additional one-race sponsorship deal for the Brickyard 400 could be announced as soon as today Carrier said.(Elmira Star Gazette) - Jayski bought a brick!(7-24-2003)

Yates to Gibbs? REWORDED: Charlotte's WSOC-TV Channel 9's Harold Johnson reported on Wednesday that Robert Yates Racing RYR #38/88] would merge with Joe Gibbs Racing or another organization. The report was taken so seriously by RYR that Robert Yates supposedly met with the team this morning to let them know there was NO truth to the rumor.(100% reported by XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio - Subscription Required)(7-24-2003)

didja know? that 20 years ago today [when Jayski still had hair, was in the Air Force and had time on his hands] Late NASCAR Great, Tim Richmond won his first super speedway race [1 mile track or longer] at Pocono Racway, beating another NASCAR Great and a Boogity man, Darrell Waltrip. Richmond won $27,430 for win in the Like Cola 500 [ok, what the heck was 'Like Cola?' see Food of the Eighties, Products Beginning with L and why doesn't Pepsi bring back Pepsi Kona].(Fox Sports Net's Totally NASCAR)(7-24-2003)

Sad News: Huntsville Speedway [Alabama] legendary car builder and owner Charlie Chamblee died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer. As a former stock car driver, speedway pit official, car builder and car owner at Huntsville Speedway, the Arab resident was considered one of the best ever at the quarter-mile track. Chamblee is survived by his wife Brenda, his son Chuck Chamblee and daughter Andrea Sokell. Visitation will be today from 6-8 p.m. at the Arab Memorial Funeral Home. Services will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.(Huntsville Times)(7-24-2003)

Hamilton back to Petty in 2004? the KFNS.com site reports: Among the Cup rides speculated to be available next year is the famed 43 car [Petty Enterprises], where [Bobby] Hamilton scored the first win of his career in Phoenix during that '96 season. His name has come up as a replacement for John Andretti for 2004 (an ironic twist, since that's how Hamilton got the ride in the first place) and Hamilton said he would not be against the idea. "My name has been in that (car) since forever, only because I was the fortunate one to be in it when the race team was as great as it was and I was able to have success," he said. "I got labeled as the guy who gave it success and that wasn't the case. You know as well as I do, Dale Jarrett can win races, but he ain't winning right now…are you going to sit there and tell me that man forgot how to drive overnight? I was just the fortunate one who got labeled as being the successor at Petty Enterprises, when it was Petty Enterprises that made me successful. Now, would I drive it again or not? I don't know," he continued. "If they were to call or if they were interested, yeah, I'd sit down and talk to them, because I think the world of the family, but it would just be a business decision to be made at that time. My priority is what I'm doing right now and that's to win a championship."(KFNS.com)(7-24-2003)

From RJR to Nextel? Similar Colors? Changes are coming at R.J. Reynolds' Sports Marketing division, with NASCAR's switch to Nextel as the stock-car series sponsor, and, sources say that Rich Habegger, RJR's well-respected operations manager for sports, is expected to move to Nextel to help in the transition. It is unclear how many of his employees may move with him. After so many years of red-and-white as the official colors of NASCAR, the possible new color scheme won't be far off - maroon-and-white.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-24-2003)

More Indy Testing UPDATE Wednesday: Indianapolis Motor Speedway says #12-Ryan Newman, #99-Jeff Burton, #71-Kevin Lepage and #55-Jeff Fultz [APR car] are scheduled to test Tuesday and Wednesday in preparation for the 10th Brickyard 400 Winston Cup race on Aug. 3. The public can view testing for free from the South Terrace grandstands.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(7-22-2003)
UPDATE: #99-Jeff Burton and #71-Kevin Lepage each topped 179 mph July 23 in the final day of testing for the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Burton’s top speed was 179.959mph, and Lepage turned a lap of 179.742. Both were making simulated qualifying runs. #12-Ryan Newman also tested but his top speed from the private test day was not released at the request of his team, Penske Racing. Lepage, who said July 22 that his independent Matrix team was focused solely on finding a solid qualifying speed, left the Speedway Wednesday morning after completing only nine laps. Newman and Burton tested all day and recorded 91 and 100 laps for the day, respectively. #48-Jimmie Johnson remained fastest overall during seven days of private testing this month at Indianapolis, turning a lap of 182.028 on July 15. #20-Tony Stewart’s track record, set during qualifying for the 2002 Brickyard 400, is 182.960.(Brickyard400.com)(7-24-2003)

More on New Hampshire NASCAR TV Ratings: The New Hampshire 300 finished last week as the most watched show on all of basic cable TV, even besting the prime time MLB All-Star Game Home Run Derby on ESPN, Spongebob, and Law & Order. The race drew 4,030,000 households, according to Nielsen Media Research. The Home Run Derby on ESPN, in 2nd place, pulled in 3,755,000 households. In 15th place on cable for the week was the Discover Card Countdown to Green Winston Cup pre-race show, drawing 2,401,000 households. The #1 ranked show on all of cable TV was Sex and the City, drawing 4,413,000 households.(MotorsportsTV)(7-24-2003)

(7-23-2003)

2003 vs 2002 - Comparison:
2003: #17-Matt Kenseth has 2848 points, 234 ahead of 2nd in the standings, #24-Jeff Gordon
2002: #40-Sterling Marlin had 2604 points, 227 ahead of 7th place in the standings, #20-Tony Stewart, who won the Cup
so there still is a chance with 17 races to go.
Here are some Facts: Marlin lost the points lead at the Sept NH race, race #27, got hurt in race #29 at Kansas, Stewart passed him {3rd - Marlin 4th] in race #28 at Dover. Marlin was falling before he got hurt.(7-23-2003)

Air Force Honors Rudd's 700th: As the primary associate advertiser on the #21 Motorcraft Ford Taurus, the Air Force will honor, Ricky Rudd on Sunday, July 27 as he starts his 700th consecutive NASCAR race. Gen. Donald G. Cook, commander, Air Education and Training Command, will present Rudd with a framed collection of coins, one from each of the 13 Air Force four-star generals, plus the Secretary and Under Secretary of the Air Force. After the singing of God Bless America, a formation of four A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft from the 111th Fighter Wing, Willow Grove, PA will fly over the track. As an additional salute to Rudd's 700th consecutive start, a flyover after the national anthem will be performed by the Spirit of Florida, a B-2 Stealth Bomber, whose actual aircraft number is 92-0700.(Wood Borthers Site), see an image of the special scheme Rudd will run at Pocono at the Wood Brothers site.(7-23-2003)

Some Rudd Facts - 700th UPDATE special scheme by son: Ricky Rudd driver of the #21 Motorcraft Racing Ford Taurus will make his 700th Consecutive Start at Pocono Raceway on July 27th. Rudd began his consecutive-race streak at Riverside International Speedway on January 11, 1981, where he started 3rd and finished 19th. It was his 88th career start, dating back to March 2, 1975 at North Carolina Speedway where in his first career Winston Cup race he started 26th and finished 11th. Rudd's consecutive start streak will extend to 700 at Pocono Raceway on July 27 for the Pennsylvania 500 - Ricky's 787th Winston Cup career start. Rusty Wallace is second with 608 consecutive starts. Pocono will be Wallace's 609th consecutive start - over two and one third seasons behind Ricky. Rudd won his first career NASCAR Winston Cup race at Riverside in 1983 driving for Richard Childress Racing. It was his 161st career start. Rudd's two biggest possibilities of the streak ending came in 1984 when he flipped violently while running in the Busch Clash at Daytona and in 1988 when he wrecked while competing in The Winston. Rudd has amassed 23 wins, 189 top fives and 358 top tens during his career.. He also has collected 28 pole positions and won over $30 million. Rudd is 24th on the NASCAR Winston Cup all-time win list and 11th on the NASCAR Winston Cup all-time pole list. During his 700 consecutive start streak, Ricky has finished in the top-10 46 percent of the races and during his career 45.6 percent of the races. Rudd has finished inside the top-10 in points 19 times since 1981. Total, Rudd has acquired 787 career starts (including the Pocono 500), placing him fourth all time behind NASCAR legends Richard Petty (1,177), Dave Marcis (882) and Darrell Waltrip (809). Rudd is one of 25 drivers to total 500 or more starts in their NASCAR Winston Cup careers. Only two other drivers, currently competing on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit, have a career total of more than 700 starts - Terry Labonte (765 through Pocono) and Bill Elliott (715 through Pocono). Rudd surpassed Terry Labonte's record of 655 consecutive starts that ran from January of 1979 to August of 2000 at the 2002 Coca-Cola 600 when he made his 656th Winston Cup start. During his career, Rudd has competed in NASCAR Winston Cup events at 28 different racetracks around the country and won at 14.. He ran at least one race at each of those tracks during the streak, except Ontario Motor Speedway. Rudd was the NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year in 1977. Rudd is one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers.(Motorcraft Racing PR), see Ford Racing: Rudd Recaps Career on Way to 700; plus from the Wood Brothers Racing site: Baseball Ironman Ripken Among Those Praising Racing Ironman Rudd.(7-22-2003)
UPDATE: In honor of the occasion team sponsor Motorcraft commissioned an artist to create a special paint scheme for this weekend’s race. The predominately yellow, green and red design, highlighted with flames and a blue speed streak on the hood of the Taurus, came from the eight-year-old imagination of Ricky’s son Landon. The car will be shown on FSN's “Totally NASCAR” Wednesday night.(Wood Brothers Racing site); and see an image of the car at the Wood Brothers site - photos.(7-23-2003)

Elliott's crew wins New Hampshire Pit Crew competition: The weekly McDonald's/POWERade Drive-Thru Pit Championship was won by Bill Elliott's (No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge) crew at the New England 300. Elliott spent 165.612 seconds in the pits “ the least amount of pit time among teams competing in the program. Overall, Michael Waltrip's crew leads with 719 points, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew with 644. Robby Gordon (No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet “ 621 points) is third, followed closely by Bobby Labonte's crew (618).(NASCAR PR) -- will have more when the PR is released.(7-22-2003)
AND Bill Elliott's No. 9 pit crew showcased its fast and accurate skill again - winning the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade at Sunday's New England 300 in Loudon, N.H. It was the third time this season the No. 9 Dodge pit crew captured top honors and the $20,000 first-place prize that comes with winning the weekly McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship. The team's other wins were at Bristol (March 23) and Talladega (April 6). The only other pit crew to win three times is Michael Waltrip's No. 15 team. Elliott's No. 9 Dodge, owned by Ray Evernham Motorsports, totaled 165.612 seconds on pit road Sunday, nearly three seconds ahead of Robby Gordon's car (168.115). Kurt Busch's Ford was third with 175.217 seconds. Elliott's over-the-wall crew consists of: Todd Colburn (jackman), Nick Bailey (front tire carrier), Jim Pohlman (front tire changer), Eric Wakeland (rear tire carrier), Joe Kruschek (rear tire changer), Rodney Rhodes (gasman) and Mike Goins (catch can). The team's crew chief is Mike Ford and the pit crew coach is Greg Miller. "These guys work hard every week," said Elliott. "It's a total team effort and that's what you need these days with the competition so close. Every position on the track counts and being able to pick up spots on pit road is important. My guys are doing a good job, and I'm proud of them. It's nice to see their efforts rewarded." Despite not joining the program until the fifth race of the season, Elliott's pit crew is ranked 11th in the season standings with 524 points. Waltrip's No. 15 crew continues to have a comfortable lead with 719 points. Dale Earnhardt Jr's crew is second with 644.(DMF Communications PR). For the season standings, who has won each week, the top 10 last race, see my Pit Crew Page.(7-23-2003)

Sad News - Get Well UPDATE Now GOOD News: Austin Cameron will not compete as the driver of the #16 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet in Saturday’s Pontiac Wide Track Grand Prix 200 NASCAR Winston West Series event at California Speedway. Cameron was diagnosed earlier this week with lymphoblastic lymphoma cancer. Final results late yesterday determined that Cameron should not drive in the race this weekend. He is beginning treatment today at Grossmont Cancer Center. For fans who wish to send cards or express their support to Austin, the team asks that those be sent to the team shop at: 3630 Cincinnati Ave., Suite B, Rocklin, CA 95765.(Racing West)(4-23-2003)
UPDATE: NASCAR Winston West Series driver, Austin Cameron, will be piloting the #16 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet and defending his win from last year at the Irwindale Speedway in the “King Taco 200”. Cameron and the #16 NAPA team are looking to repeat their strategy from last year and start out front and finish at the front to give NAPA AUTO PARTS a win in the 2003 season. Cameron, who has been recovering from an aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, is well on his way to victory over his cancer and has the checkered flag in sight. Recently, Cameron tested at Irwindale and showed he was ready to reenter the championship fight.(Racing West and see the team website at www.bmrww.com)(7-23-2003)

Watch: Watch as Body Dynamics Racing Bodies, Inc. repairs the #66 Winston Cup car of Travis Carter Racing live on their webcam and also see the michaelwaltrip.com for his team cam.(7-23-2003)

Soap Box Derby UPDATE add Stewart: #32-Ricky Craven and #25-Joe Nemechek will fly to Akron, OH, following the final practice session at Pocono Raceway on Saturday afternoon. The two drivers will attend the 66th-annual All-American Soap Box Championship at Derby Downs in Akron, where they will present trophies to the winners of the event. Craven and Nemechek will also take part in a special match race in adult-sized soap box racers.(PPI Motorsports PR), also for more info, see the All-American Soap Box Derby site.(7-22-2003)
ADD STEWART: Following Saturday's final practice for the Pennsylvania 500 NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway, Home Depot Chevrolet driver Tony Stewart will fly to Akron, Ohio to participate in festivities surrounding the 66th running of the All-American Soap Box Derby. The Home Depot, the world's largest home improvement retailer and title sponsor of the All-American Soap Box Derby, invited Stewart to take a break from his Winston Cup duties to join the 430 youngsters competing for more than $50,000 in scholarship awards. "Soap Box racing is all about the kids," said Stewart, who started racing go-karts at age seven and was a three-time karting champion.. "I've been in their shoes, where you're doing all you can to be your best, and testing your hard work against a bunch of other kids who are doing the same thing.. Being in Akron is the payoff for all of their efforts, and I'm happy to share in the excitement with them."(True Speed Communication PR)(7-23-2003)

Rudd tests at VIR: #21-Ricky Rudd tested at Virginia International Speedway on Tuesday in preparation for the Aug race at Watkins Glen, Rudd will dirve a special Air Force scheme there.(Wood Bros Racing site)(7-23-2003)

Mikey Not Happy: The #15 NAPA Chevy was black flagged with seven laps to go in Sunday's New England 300 when NASCAR thought the rightside tailpipe was dragging. Was NASCAR's decision legitimate? "That depends on what side of the fence your on, I guess," said Waltrip. "My tailpipe wasn't loose, just the strap had fallen off. NASCAR brought us in because they thought the tailpipe was going to fall off, but to black flag someone contending for a top-10 with seven laps to go, you'd like to think that NASCAR would use better judgement. Alternatively, I am the one who ran into the wall, so it is my fault. I just don't think NASCAR had to make a call that was that harsh."(PR)(7-23-2003)

More Indy Testing UPDATE Lepage is the fastest: Indianapolis Motor Speedway says #12-Ryan Newman, #99-Jeff Burton, #?71-Kevin Lepage and #?57-Jeff Fultz are scheduled to test Tuesday and Wednesday in preparation for the 10th Brickyard 400 Winston Cup race on Aug. 3. The public can view testing for free from the South Terrace grandstands.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(7-22-2003)
UPDATE: Kevin Lepage’s hopes of bringing a competitive car to the 10th Brickyard 400 came closer to reality July 22 after posting the fastest lap of the day in testing, 178.638mph in the #71 Matrix Motorsports Ford. #99-Jeff Burton was second fastest at 177.386, and #55-Jeff Fultz was third at 176.318 in the Jasper Motorsports Ford. #12-Ryan Newman also tested but the team did not authorize the release of speeds during the private test. Testing continues from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (EST) Wednesday. The public can view testing free of charge from the South Terrace grandstands, located inside the track between Turns 1 and 2.(Brickyard400.com)(7-23-2003)

France up for International Motorsports Hall honor: The first round of voting for the Class of 2004 at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame could have a pair of "seconds". Veteran drag racer Shirley Muldowney could become the second female inducted, and Bill France Jr. could become the second generation of sanctioning body executives, if they are chosen among the five individuals to be inducted at Talladega, Ala., next spring. Muldowney, who has won four Top Fuel championships and been named All-American five times, could join Louise Smith as the only two females in the 102-member Hall of Fame. France would join his father, NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., who was inducted in the inaugural class in 1990. France and Muldowney led the first round of voting by an international panel of motorsports media. Twenty-two individuals will be on the final ballot from which the five-member class of 2004 will be selected.(Thatsracin.com)(7-23-2003)

More on Nextel and AT&T and now Verizon: AT& --T corporate officials are meeting this week to study the NASCAR land-scape and decide what they might want to do next season in terms of sponsorship on the Winston/Nextel Cup tour. And, the Winston-Salem Journal learned yesterday, Verizon and AT& --T Wireless aren't giving up hope of playing the stock-car racing game, too, despite Nextel's apparent exclusivity arrangement with NASCAR. It is not clear if any legal challenges might be forthcoming, but some industry sources consider NASCAR's 'partial exclusivity' grant to Nextel, with Cingular Wireless and Alltel grandfathered in, possibly illegal. The next move on the AT& --T-Nextel front may come from Fox and NBC, because the networks may not be interested in giving up potential ad sales to AT& --T, even with Nextel coming in to pay perhaps $1 million a race for on-air mentions. The nation's six wireless companies spend about $3 billion a year on advertising. Sources say that NBC is hot to get some of that money.(much more at the Winston Salem Journal)(7-23-2003)

Dale Jr. Fans Give Fifty Grand: The Dale Jr. Pit Board Charity is only seventeen months old, but in that short time, fans of Dale Earnhardt Jr. have given over $50,000 in donations to various charities. Those charities include the Victory Junction Gang Camp, the Dale Earnhardt Foundation, Motor Racing Outreach, Speedway Children's Charity and many more. The way the charity works is simple, at the beginning of the year, a charity line up is formed and a charity is assigned to each finishing position. The charity that matches Dale's finishing position each week receives that week's donations. The Pit Board Charity also has special events where fans can get their hands on autographed memorabilia from Dale. For the upcoming Brickyard, the PBC is giving away an autographed rear quarter panel from the #8 Bud Chevy. While Dale Jr. makes his mark on this sport, his fans are setting an incredible pace. They are driven by Dale's great talent as a race car driver and his benevolent personality. NASCAR fans are known for their loyalty, the Pit Board Charity gives Dale Jr. fans a unique way to support their driver. Every week, no matter where the Bud team finishes, a victory is won for a needy charity. The Pit Board Charity is a fan based, Internet driven organization. They have a donor recognition program and online chats each Monday night. The PBC also works with Elliott and Hermie Sadler doing various fundraisers for the Faison School of Autism, their next event is scheduled for the Bristol race. For more information, visit their website at www.dalejrpitboardcharity.com and more info about this and many other Racing Charities and events/appearances, see my Racing Charties Page.(7-23-2003)

Brittney Bails on NASCAR Movie UPDATE 2 um...nope, it is still on: Britney Spears says she 'probably won't be doing' the proposed NASCAR movie, that was so hotly promoted last summer. The storyline was for Spears to play the daughter of a car owner who persuades an ex-driver to return to racing, and the contract with NASCAR was to use real racing footage.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-21-2003)
UPDATE: A reliable industry insider tells [MotorsportsTV.com], however, that the rumor that Britney is not involved with NASCAR movie anymore is false. The project is still being developed with Britney Spears Productions and Britney is still very much involved.(MotorsportsTV)(7-22-2003)
UPDATE 2: NASCAR and Britney Spears Productions have confirmed that the NASCAR-themed movie starring Britney Spears is still on. "The film production company formed by Britney Spears with Larry Rudolph and Ann Carli -- announced today that, contrary to recent rumors, their NASCAR themed feature film project is alive and well. The movie, titled Trading Paint, has been developed specifically for Spears. She is attached to co-star and also to produce. Ann Carli, who also produced Spears' first film project Crossroads, expressed amusement at the rumors. 'Britney herself was surprised to hear that she had allegedly said she would not be making the movie,' said Carli. 'We have a wonderful script by Jim Hart and we are concluding our financing. We'll be announcing our choice of director shortly.' Trading Paint was written by James V. Hart (Contact, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Tomb Raider, The Cradle of Life). Carli also says, 'There was never a plan for Spears to play a driver. Her role has always been, as was announced last summer, to play the daughter of the head of a NASCAR racing dynasty.' The story is about a NASCAR driver who drops out of racing under mysterious circumstances. Spears' character uses her knowledge and experience in the family business to help him return to racing."(MotorsportsTV)(7-23-2003)

(7-22-2003)

TV Ratings for NHIS: Sunday's New England 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway had a final rating of 4.7 on TNT. Over 4 million households tuned in, up 3% from last year's broadcast. The race also produced the largest audience for a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race on cable this season and was the weekend's most-watched sporting event on cable. (Figures compiled by Nielsen Media Research).(NASCAR PR)(7-22-2003)

Robby Gordon FDNY scheme UPDATE 2: #31-Robby Gordon will run a special Cingular FDNY paint scheme in August at Watkins Glen.(4-25-2003)
UPDATE: Robby Gordon, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and the #31 race team will field a race car at Watkins Glen, lauding some everyday heroes -- New York City Fire Department (FDNY) personnel and Special Olympics athletes. Gordon’s #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy will incorporate an FDNY/Special Olympics paint scheme, designed to celebrate each organization’s commitment to service and personal heroics. For years, FDNY and Cingular Wireless have been ardent supporters of the Special Olympics, which promotes training and athletic competition in a variety of sports for individuals with mental retardation. Special Olympics provides opportunities for participants to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy by sharing their athletic skills in an enriching environment. Members of the FDNY community proudly contribute their time to various Special Olympics events, providing equipment set-up and support at athletic events.(Robby Gordon site)(5-6-2003)
UPDATE 2: Robby Gordon on Monday unveiled a special paint scheme for Richard Childress Racing’s No. 31 Chevrolet that will promote the Fire Department of New York and the Special Olympics in the Aug. 10 Winston Cup race at Watkins Glen International. With traffic temporarily stopped, Gordon drove the race car onto Second Avenue at 29th Street and turned donuts in the street. The car’s primary sponsor, Cingular Wireless, will donate $50 to the Special Olympics and $50 to FDNY for each lap Gordon completes at Watkins Glen and $500 to each organization for each lap Gordon leads. If Gordon takes the checkered flag, Cingular will donate $50,000 to each organization.(RCR PR) see image of car on my Paint Schemes Gallery.(7-22-2003)

Ultra Motorsports needs a sponsor for 2004: Ultra Motorsports has been informed this week that the primary sponsor of its #7 Dodges driven by Jimmy Spencer in the Winston Cup series, Sirius Satellite Radio, will not return next season, ThatsRacin.com has learned. Sirius has sponsored the team since the start of the 2002 season. The team is actively searching for a replacement, sources said.(ThatsRacin.com), wonder if Sirius will return as title sponsors to Cup races at Michigan and Watkins Glen in 2004?
AND SIRIUS will remain on the #7 car for the rest of the season -- a year that has been somewhat of a resurrection for Ultra Motorsports' Winston Cup team. Led by driver Jimmy Spencer and crew chief Tommy Baldwin, the team has registered seven top 20s, two top 10s and one top five. The team's fourth-place finish at Lowe's Motor Speedway (May 25) gave SIRIUS its best finish since its arrival in the Winston Cup Series in 2002, and the #7 team is already $5 million ahead of television exposure value than it was at this point last year, according to Joyce Julius reports. "This is an exciting time for Ultra Motorsports, because we finally have people in place to make this team a winner," Ultra Motorsports owner Jim Smith said. "I think the excitement Jimmy brings to the track gives sponsors a considerable advantage, because he draws so much attention wherever he goes. Pairing him with Tommy Baldwin has produced immediate results, and there is no doubt in my mind we're heading in the right direction with this race team. We've thoroughly enjoyed our partnership with SIRIUS, and we will continue to promote SIRIUS satellite radios throughout the year. I feel both sides have benefited greatly in this relationship, and we've given fans a lot to talk about. We've improved remarkably since last year, and we've contended for wins. Had it not been for just bad racing luck, we would've had a win under our belt already. We hope to take SIRIUS to victory lane before this season ends." Smith said he has already been contacted by several companies interested in sponsoring this revamped Ultra program.(Ultra Motorsports PR(7-22-2003)

Morgan-McClure Plans for next three races UPDATE:
Pocono: the team has filed two entries for the Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway [#04 and #4 Kodak Pontiacs] but since David Reutimann didn't make the Cup race at New Hampshire [qualifying rained out and no attempts] and didn't get to test as planned at Pocono Raceway last week, team owner Larry McClure said, "I think we might enter David in the ARCA race at Pocono," McClure said. "I don't think it would be fair to put him in a Cup car there, when he's never seen the place and would be making his first Winston Cup start. We may ask Brett Bodine to qualify our Winston Cup car and race it."
Indianapolis: After that, McClure expects to run Reutimann in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the driver was impressive in a test session last week. "At Indy we're going to run two cars, David and somebody else," McClure said. "Right now we hope it will be Robert Pressley."
Watkins Glen: Then, McClure said he would again use Tennessean Johnny Miller, who ran for the team at Infineon Raceway, at Watkins Glen International.(more notes at NASCAR.com)(7-21-2003)
UPDATE Bodine in for Pocono: Morgan-McClure Motorsports will use Winston Cup veteran Brett Bodine as driver of its #4 Kodak Pontiac this weekend at Pocono Raceway. The 44-year old Chemung, N.Y.-native has one win which came at North Wilkesboro in 1990, 16 top-fives, 61 top-10s and five poles to his credit. In addition to the Winston Cup event, Morgan-McClure will also enter the ARCA race at Pocono with the #4 Kodak ARCA car and Busch Series driver David Reutimann. Reutimann, whose Winston Cup debut got rained out last Friday at New Hampshire, will gain valuable seat time at the 2.5-mile track. "The team is happy to have Brett Bodine drive the Kodak Pontiac at Pocono. Brett and I have known each other for a long time. He is one of the hardest working drivers and owners in the Winston Cup garage," said team owner, Larry McClure. "We are looking forward to going to Pocono with David in the ARCA car as well. We hope to build on last week’s momentum." Bodine is looking forward to his first race since he was injured in a practice session last month at Michigan. "I am looking forward to racing with Larry, Chris and all of the Morgan-McClure crew at Pocono. It will be my first race back since the accident. The doctors did a great job on the shoulder surgery and rehabilitation has been good," Bodine said. "It was way ahead of schedule and the doctor cleared me to race. I tested at Indy last week and the shoulder felt great, as a matter of fact the right shoulder feels stronger than the left."(ThatsRacin.com)(7-22-2003)

New #54 Crew Chief UPDATE: Gary Cogswell has taken over as crew chief for #54-Todd Bodine, starting at New Hampshire this week. Former crew chief, Derrick Finley will supposedly remain on as an engineer. A replacement will be named later for #66-Hideo Fukuyama as they have plans to run Watkins Glen.(7-19-2003)
UPDATE: BelCar Racing announced today that Gary Cogswell has been named interim crew chief for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series #54 National Guard race team. Derrick Finley, who served as driver Todd Bodine's crew chief since the start of the 2003 Winston Cup season will remain employed with BelCar Racing. It's always difficult to make changes in this competitive field, however, I want to try something different," said Travis Carter, co-owner of BelCar Racing. "My goal is to improve the competition level of this race team, which will provide our advertiser, The National Guard, with a valuable marketing experience. I am very appreciative of The National Guard's continued support of BelCar Racing and hope we can experience more success with them at our side in the future." Cogswell joins BelCar Racing from Travis Carter's other racing entity, Travis Carter Enterprises. Cogswell has worked as crew chief for driver Hideo Fukuyama and the #66 KIKKOMAN team since the start of the season. The 48-year-old native of Eaton Rapids, Mich., is a veteran crew chief in the NASCAR Busch Series ranks scoring 11 victories with drivers like Matt Kenseth, Johnny Benson, Mike McLaughlin, Chad Little and Hank Parker, Jr. .Two of Cogswell's wins came with Bodine when they scored back-to-back victories in 2001 at North Carolina Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway.(Cox Marketing PR)(7-22-2003)

Soap Box Derby: #32-Ricky Craven and #25-Joe Nemechek will fly to Akron, OH, following the final practice session at Pocono Raceway on Saturday afternoon. The two drivers will attend the 66th-annual All-American Soap Box Championship at Derby Downs in Akron, where they will present trophies to the winners of the event. Craven and Nemechek will also take part in a special match race in adult-sized soap box racers.(PPI Motorsports PR), also for more info, see the All-American Soap Box Derby site.(7-22-2003)

Garrow on NBC: PRN's Mark Garrow will make his network debut with NBC at Pikes Peak [Busch Race] this week, in a roster shuffle at the network. It's part of a three-race deal that NBC and TNT have with Garrow, a veteran radio man who is considered one of the best in the business.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-22-2003)

(7-21-2003)

Testing at Kentucky: Several NASCAR Winston Cup teams including Dale Earnhardt, Inc., Evernham Motorsports, Petty Enterprises and Richard Childress Racing are scheduled to test at Kentucky Speedway this week. #8-Dale Earnhardt, Jr., #15-Tim Fedawa in for Michael Waltrip [who was busy doing Inside Winston Cup] and #9/19/91-Hank Parker, Jr., are scheduled for Monday, July 21, #45-Kyle Petty is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, and #29-Kevin Harvick is scheduled for Wednesday July 23 and Thursday, July 24.(Kentucky Speedway PR), also per team PR's add #32-Ricky Craven on, Wed., July 23rd.(7-21-2003)

Wimmer to run Bristol Cup race. . in a Chevy: Scott Wimmer said Monday on Speed Channel's Inside NBS that he's planning to enter the Cup race at Bristol in August. Bill Davis Racing has two [#27] Chevrolets back in the shop for him and he's planning on testing soon [supposedly tested at Dover in May too].(Inside NASCAR Busch Series on SPEED via BGNRacing.com)(7-21-2003)

More on NASCAR, Nextel and AT&T UPDATE: NASCAR's Nextel dealings continue to have repercussions throughout the Winston Cup garage, and some car owners are increasingly worried about what appears to be NASCAR's new aggressive stance in defining sponsorship categories, such as telecommunications. At the start of the season every driver and car owner must sign a contract with NASCAR agreeing to abide by a number of rules, including limits on sponsorships and marketing. No sign, no drive. With the Nextel-AT& --T furor, some car owners fear that NASCAR may expand those limits.(Winston Salem Journal)
UPDATE: heard that Nextel has been deluged with letters, emails and telephone calls from race fans, asking them to reconsider their decision to now allow AT&T to sponsor Ken Schrader. The reason NASCAR had to say something was to take the heat off of Nextel, and NASCAR agreed to say it was their decision, even though it obviously is Nextel's. If the sponsorship is going to come through for Schrader, Nextel will have to agree to allow it to happen. If fans want to write, see the address on my NASCAR Sponsors Page [the end of the Winston/Nextel news](7-21-2003)

Sad News: Longtime Dixie Speedway official Corey Haney was killed after he was hit by a race car under caution. Haney, 42, was working the crossover gate on the backstretch Saturday night when he was hit. He was airlifted to Grady Medical Center in Atlanta and died there. "Our prayers go out to Corey's entire family," track owner Mickey Swims said in a statement posted on the track's Web site. "May God grant them peace and comfort during this difficult time." A Southern All-Star Race scheduled for Sunday night at Rome Speedway, also owned by Swims, was postponed until Aug. 3.(Charlotte Observer/AP)(7-21-2003)

Fittipaldi to race ARCA too at Pocono: Christian Fittipaldi will compete in the ARCA series at Pocono Raceway next weekend [the Saturday race, there are two as the June race was rained out and postponed to July 25th]. The car will be prepared by his Petty Enterprises team. The Brazilian, who joined Winston Cup full time last month as the replacement for John Andretti in the #43 Dodge, will be racing in ARCA for the first time this season.(Richmond Times Dispatch) - actully Fittipaldi ran the ARCA race at Daytona in Feb 2003, starting 7th and finishing 10th, other drivers who have run in Cup this season running in one of both of the ARCA races include: #9-Hideo Fukuyama [both races] and #77-Casey Mears [both, pole for the make up]. Also former Cup driver Greg Sacks is entered to run Saturdays ARCA event.(7-21-2003)

37 Races in 2004 [yikes!]? Thirty-seven races on the 2004 Winston Cup schedule? That was the word coming out of Bill France's annual beach getaway with select owners and drivers earlier this month. However, Series director John Darby denies a race will be added to the current 36-date schedule. The possible extra race wasn't the only schedule talk floating around. It already has been announced that California will gain a second date next season, and there has been talk the schedule will lose the current off-weekend between the race in June at Infineon Raceway and the race in July at Daytona, with the second half of the season running 26 straight weeks. Richard Childress was among the owners who proposed racing for 36 straight weeks and working the all-star events (the Bud Shootout and The Winston, which likely will be renamed) into the existing race weeks. “That way, when we're done, we're done,” Childress says. “Then we could spend the rest of the time working on cars for the following year.” And owner Jack Roush wouldn't mind racing 40 weeks a year. If the schedule were to grow to 37 or 38 races, speculation is Texas Motor Speedway finally would get a second date. But the searing summer weather probably would rule out a late June date -- even with the television networks' push to move the starting times for many Cup races to 6:00pm/et on Sundays [please. . no. . .](more 'Dish' at Sporting News)(7-21-2003)

Blount to test for Penske at Kentucky, no shake-up coming, more on Rusty's Busch team: Chad Blount, who is under contract with Roger Penske for uncertain duties, will test at Kentucky next week for Penske and Rusty Wallace, fueling rumors that Blount, 23, has a bigger future, perhaps as the next Ryan Newman. And Wallace's proposed Busch team, according to sources, is a possible Winston Cup team. But crew chief Bill Wilburn dismisses rumors about a shakeup looming in the Penske camp, though he recognizes pressure from sponsor Miller's new owner, South African Breweries, the second-largest beer company in the world. 'As far as I know, Chad Blount is testing for us, and that's it,' Wilburn says. 'He has no commitments to race anything. He has no commitments to drive a Busch car for Penske Racing, other than we might provide a engine or build a car. He's not going to be racing any Penske-owned car. He is not driving any Miller car. Rusty has his own Busch team going, and he's going to lease engines from Penske Engines, and he's got a couple guys he's looking at as drivers for 15 races.'(more at Winston Salem Journal)(7-21-2003)

Parrott to PE? Sources in the garage say former Robert Yates Racing crew chief Todd Parrott could be coming out of retirement and headed for Petty Enterprises -- if the Pettys can afford the seven-figure price tag it would take to retain him.(more 'Dish' at Sporting News)(7-21-2003)

Rusty's Car to get new fire-suppression system: #2-Rusty Wallace's crew will be laying out a new in-car fire-suppression system today, with a new engine-compartment extinguisher and a high-tech-foam extinguisher in the trunk. The foam should be more effective than standard Halon. However, NASCAR has been reluctant to OK the special foam agent, even though it would be safer for a driver than Halon (which is toxic in such close confines), because foam might make the track more slippery.(full story at the Winston Salem Journal)(7-21-2003)

Shepherd Scuffing Tires for other teams: The NASCAR control tower called one of its pit road inspectors early in the New England 300 to inquire why #89-Morgan Shepherd, who was in his first start of the season, was making repeated pit stops [as noted in my race breakdown from what was reported on MRN Radio during the race]. The call back on the radio revealed that Shepherd, who has raced this season in Winston Cup, Busch and the Craftsman Truck Series, was scuffing tires for another team [doesn't say which one]. Shepherd ended up 43rd due to a brake problem that sent him to the garage after the 43rd lap.(NASCAR.com)
AND Can you drive in a Winston Cup race and run a business at the same time? Morgan Shepherd can. Shepherd, who finished dead last in Sunday’s race but still collected $48,500 for showing up, seemed to be making a little extra on the side. The veteran driver pitted every two or three laps and replaced all four tires each time. He must have made four or five pit stops because NASCAR officials got wise to his business venture. Shepherd was reportedly scuffing tires and selling them to other drivers. He didn’t set any pit stop records, either. One pit stop was clocked at 55 seconds.(Nashua Telegraph)(7-21-2003)

Stewart and Gibbs talking contract: #20-Tony Stewart's car owner Joe Gibbs has started renegotiating with him. There are 18 months remaining on Stewart's contract, but Gibbs would like to put the issue to rest and eliminate rumors. Gibbs has re-signed crew chief Greg Zipadelli.(more 'Dish' at Sporting News)(7-21-2003)

Stewart and the HANS: #20-Tony Stewart used a Head And Neck Support (HANS) device during a race for the first time in Sunday's New England 300, team officials confirmed. Stewart was among the few drivers who had not used one of the two approved head and neck support devices before NASCAR mandated them in the fall of 2001. He said claustrophobia made it difficult for him to feel comfortable to use the HANS, and when the restraints became required he opted to use the less restrictive Hutchens device until Sunday.(Thatsracin.com)(7-21-2003)

#400 for Chevy: #48-Jimmie Johnson, driver of the Lowe's Monte Carlo, won the New England 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway and gave Chevrolet its 400th victory of the modern era (1972-present) in NASCAR Winston Cup racing. Chevrolet's 400th victory of the modern era began with Bobby Allison's win at Atlanta International Raceway [now Atlanta Motor Speedway] on March 26, 1972. His car owner at that time was Richard Howard, and his team manager that season was Junior Johnson. Allison's victory at Atlanta was the first for a Chevrolet on a superspeedway since Johnson won at Charlotte in October 1963.(GM Racing PR)(7-21-2003)

Drivers Ticked off with each other after NHIS: lots of skirmishes at New Hampshire on Sunday for the New England 300. The first one started right off the bat, 9 laps into the race: #0-John Andretti [yep. .I put a #43 first] and #7-Jimmy Spencer - Andretti was incensed with Spencer, who hit Andretti on Lap 9 of 300 and severely damaged Andretti's #0 Pontiac. "When we went down in Turn 1, he hit me once and then a second time and got me all the way around," Andretti said. "The last time he hit me, it was like it was to get me out of the way" While Andretti's team worked on the car in the garage, members of the team took large pieces of the car, including the rear deck lid, a damaged tire and hub, and dumped them on the lift gate of Spencer's team's hauler.(ThatsRacin.com)
Biffle and Gordon: #16-Greg Biffle ripped into #24-Jeff Gordon following Sunday's New England 300 for reneging on an agreement to allow Biffle to return to the lead lap during the race while Gordon was the race leader. While the race was under caution and preparing to go green on Lap 108 of 300, Biffle said Gordon's spotter suggested an agreement in which Biffle would not race Gordon hard on the restart and Gordon would allow Biffle back on the lead lap if another caution came out. Biffle agreed and let Gordon go on the restart. When a caution came out on Lap 110, however, Gordon refused to allow Biffle pass him to get his lap back. Irritated, Biffle ran Gordon high on the track, which NASCAR officials didn't like. He was called into the hauler [the Big Red Truck] after the race to discuss the incident. Gordon and his crew chief, Robbie Loomis, had left the track by the time Biffle's meeting with NASCAR was over and were unavailable for comment. Biffle said he had more respect for Gordon than "just about any other driver in the garage," but called Gordon's actions "two-faced." Biffle managed to return to the lead lap on his own later in the race and finished 10th [while Gordon faded and finished 24th].(ThatsRacin.com)
Plus #01-Mike Wallce was torqued at #22-Ward Burton; #2-Rusty Wallace was mad at #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.; #20-Tony Stewart being annoyed by #2-Rusty Wallace.(7-21-2003)

Stock Car Fans - Rumblings: New Hampshire: For the third race in a row it was fuel mileage that determined our winner, and we seldom have three of those a season. Today, it was #48-Jimmie Johnson proving to outlast #29-Kevin Harvick for the win at New Hampshire International Speedway in the New England 300. Johnson's win was his second of the season (he prevailed at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May) and the fifth of his Winston Cup career (he's now in a 6-way tie for 58th place on the all-time win list). It was also the 113th victory for Hendrick Motorsports.
#88-Dale Jarrett (7th) had his best finish since he won at Rockingham in February.
#30-Steve Park (8th) had his best finish since he was 6th at Talladega in October of last year.
#77-Dave Blaney (13th) had his best finish since he was 13th at California Speedway in April.
#41-Casey Mears (16th) had his best finish since he was 15th at Las Vegas in March.
#4-Johnny Sauter (23rd) had his career-best (albeit only his second start) today. . but it would have been much better had he not run out of fuel on the final lap.
#37-Derrike Cope (35th) had his best finish since he was 29th at Las Vegas in March (only 6 races).
STREAKIN. . Jeff Burton has 3 Top-10's in a row.
The Rookie Report: Greg Biffle (10th) is the leading freshman runner for the 8th time this season. We'll see if his little visit with NASCAR post- race has any chilling effects. He was followed by Casey Mears (16th), Tony Raines (33rd), and Jamie McMurray (40th). Larry Foyt was a DNQ this week.
This Week's Elevator. . UP: Operator of the Week is Steve Park (+26), followed by Dale Jarrett (+22). DOWN: The Big Dropper is Sterling Marlin (-29), followed by Michael Waltrip (-23). Not a lot of action in the shaft, but that might be because we lined up by points, huh?
Matt Kenseth tacked 69 points onto his margin this week. . it's now at 234 over Jeff Gordon. We could be able to post our first "magic number" of the season next week, as well as our infamous "mathematically eliminated" line.
Jeff Burton (13th to 10th) and Ryan Newman (16th to 13th) made the best moves forward in the points this week. In the negative direction, Sterling Marlin dropped 5 spots (10th to 15th).(Stock Car Fans Winston Cup Newsletter)(7-21-2003)

(7-20-2003)

see the July 14-20, 2003 Archived News Page

(7-13-2003)

see the July 7-13, 2003 Archived News Page

(7-6-2003)

see the June 30-July 6, 2003 Archived News Page

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