PAST NEWS/RUMORS
AUG 18-24, 2003
THE PAST NEWS! YESTERDAY and BEYOND..
OTHER PAST NEWS PAGES
- Jerry Nadeau news and updates on the #01 Team News and Links page
- 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)
(8-24-2003)
- Said and the Bud Shootout: Twenty drivers already have qualified for the Budweiser Shootout next February at Daytona International Speedway. Of those 20, only 18 have current rides -- Boris Said and Geoffrey Bodine aren't full-time Winston Cup drivers. Said hopes to get a Jasper Motorsports car for the race, and he plans on running the ARCA race at Talladega in October to gain experience.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(8-24-2003)
- 2nd Team for Wells in 2004? #32-Ricky Craven, whose single-car team has struggled at times in a sport dominated by multi-car operations, may soon get some help. "I believe Cal is well on his way to having a second team, as early as next year," Craven said this week at Darlington, referring to car owner Cal Wells III. Wells fielded two cars in 2001, but dropped back to one after losing a sponsor.(Charleston Post and Courier)(8-24-2003)
- The Preview: been asked, what happens to the Winston Preview now that Winston/RJR is leaving?
The T. Wayne Robertson preseason NASCAR preview may not be dead after all, according to several Winston Cup drivers who say they've been told by NASCAR officials that no decision has yet been made on the annual January event, which has been held in Winston-Salem for the past 18 years. But NASCAR's hopes to hold the preview in Daytona during January testing may be doomed, according to drivers, who said they're not interested in flying all the way to Florida for the one-day autograph session and auction. NASCAR had tentative plans to hold the preview on the Jan. 10 weekend between the two three-day Daytona 500 test sessions. If the preview is held the same weekend as it was this year, it would be Saturday, Jan. 17, after the two sessions. Some drivers would prefer the preview simply be dropped -- others say it's a worthwhile charity event.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-24-2003)
(8-23-2003)
- Helton and DEI? UPDATE 4 Denied: There is validity to the long-running reports that NASCAR president Mike Helton's name is once again in the hat to take over Dale Earnhardt Inc., according to top NASCAR sources. Owner Teresa Earnhardt has asked Helton to take over running the company built by the late six-time [um..actually 7 time] Winston Cup champion, according to sources. It is unclear how interested Helton might be in such a position or how such a move might change the power structure inside the stock-car racing sanctioning body.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-5-2003)
UPDATE: a source tells me that the Helton/DEI deal is done and that Helton will leave NASCAR and become a part-owner and the new President of DEI. Seems unlikely to me, however.(8-21-2003)
UPDATE 2: being told to expect an announcement in December 2003; possible replacements [if it happens]? Brian France, George Pyne, Greg Penske.AND been told that the rumor has been denied by Helton.(8-22-2003)
UPDATE 3: During his interview on Speed Channel's Wind Tunnel with Dave Despian, Mike Helton wouldn't comment on the unsubstatiated rumor that he would leave NASCAR for DEI.(8-22-2003)
UPDATE 4: The rumor persisted at Michigan International Speedway: NASCAR president Mike Helton will leave the race series to run Dale Earnhardt Inc. So Mike, any interest in replacing Ty Norris at DEI? “I’m flattered, though I’m not sure Teresa [Earnhardt, Dale’s widow] likes hearing the rumors out there,” Helton told AutoWeek. “I’m happy doing what I’m doing now. As long as Mr. France wants me, I’ll be here.”(Autoweek)
AND NASCAR president Mike Helton on Thursday denied rumors that he's leaving NASCAR to run Dale Earnhardt Inc. DEI was founded by the late Dale Earnhardt and is now run by his widow, Teresa. The company fields the Winston Cup cars driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Michael Waltrip and Jeff Green. "With all respect to Dale and Teresa and her organization, I'm very content with where I'm at," Helton said. "As long as Bill France and Jim France and the family will keep me there, I hope to stay there." The France family owns NASCAR. Helton, a close friend of the Earnhardt family for years, said the rumor may be fueled by the respect he has for the Earnhardt family and their organization. "But those rumors are out of order and not accurate," he said, adding that he and Teresa Earnhardt "possibly have had light-hearted conversations" about him coming to DEI. "If I were inclined to leave NASCAR voluntarily, which I am not, and was going to stay in motorsports, I would be honored to work for Teresa and that organization and Dale Jr.," he said. "I would be flattered to be considered, but the biggest issue is I have no desire to leave NASCAR." He also said he didn't know of any effort to oust him from his current job. "I don't put a lot of time or worry into rumors," he said.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
AND from NASCAR.com: Contrary to recent published reports, Mike Helton has not been offered a position at Dale Earnhardt, Inc., and has no intention of stepping down as NASCAR president, Helton told NASCAR.com Friday. "I have no desire to leave NASCAR. I have not been offered a job by Teresa (Earnhardt) at DEI," said Helton, resting comfortably on a sofa in the principal's office of the big red truck. "I'm flattered that somebody out there thinks she would even offer me the job, but I'm happy at NASCAR and plan on staying at NASCAR throughout my career. I'm very thankful to Bill France and Jim France and their whole families for having faith in me to give me the responsibility they've given me and I have no intentions of leaving NASCAR."(NASCAR.com)(8-22-2003)
FROM Wind Tunnel Mike Helton's description is accurate: the rumor of his impending move to D.E.I. is unsubstantiated. No source for that information has been named. That said, Jayski's website has earned a reputation for the remarkable accuracy of the unsubstantiated rumors it spreads, and Jayski said it's a done deal. Here's "My Take.".......see the full column at Speed Channel: "My Take" on Mike Helton and DEI by Dave Despain.(8-23-2003)
- Allison scheme at Talladega? UPDATE 2 and a new look for the #42 in 2004 announcement: hearing the Talladega Special scheme for #42-Jamie McMurray is a "Davey Allison Rookie" paint scheme.(5-16-2003)
IMAGES: Davey Allison's Rookie car was sponsored by Havoline in 1987. He won 2 races and won Rookie Of The Year. Jamie will celebrate this with a special paint scheme to race at Talladega on September 28th. See images of the car at 2003 Winston Cup Paint Schemes - Car #'s 24-99.(8-19-2003)
UPDATE: On Saturday, August 23, 2003 at 4:00pm/et at Bristol Motor Speedway, ChevronTexaco/Havoline Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing and Liz Allison and family will be on hand to announce a special "Anniversary Celebration", including a car unveiling, for the EA Sports 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. In addition, ChevronTexaco will announce and discuss the new 2004 paint scheme to be driven by NASCAR driver Jamie McMurray.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(8-20-2003)
AND McMurray’s Havoline Dodge will be sporting a new paint scheme at Bristol, providing fans with a “sneak peek” at the 2004 car design.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(8-21-2003)
UPDATE 2 - the announcement [in full]: ChevronTexaco announced today two milestones for Havoline in NASCAR with a sneak peek of the 2004 Havoline Dodge and plans for a tribute to former Havoline driver Davey Allison at a press conference at Bristol Motor Speedway. NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Jamie McMurray will pilot the new 2004 paint scheme tonight in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway [See an image of the car at my 2003 Winston Cup Paint Schemes - Car #'s 24-99 page]. ChevronTexaco also announced a retro paint scheme for the car that will race at Talladega Superspeedway next month in tribute to Davey Allison.
"The cars we're unveiling today represent the future and history of Havoline's commitment to NASCAR," said Craig Duncan, vice president,
ChevronTexaco Global Lubricants, North America. "We are very excited to provide NASCAR fans with a look at our 2004 paint scheme design, and to pay tribute to Davey Allison, who is an important part of Havoline Racing history."
"It gives us great pleasure to be able to unveil Havoline Racing's 2004 paint scheme design for NASCAR fans," said Bob Slocumb, Director
of Motorsports for ChevronTexaco Global Lubricants. "This paint scheme is being run during the Bristol night race to validate its on-track appearance and will return for the 2004 season. The graphics of the Havoline car are among the most recognizable in the series, and for that reason we are reverting to the more traditional fan favorites. The design helps tie in the history and legacy of the Texaco and Havoline brands in NASCAR."
Tribute to Davey Allison: Reflecting Havoline's ongoing commitment to NASCAR, its history and its fans, Havoline Racing, along with Chip Ganassi Racing, Ranier Racing, Action Performance and Liz Allison will join to celebrate the life of driver Davey Allison on the 10-year anniversary of his untimely passing. In celebrating Allison's legacy, Jamie McMurray's #42 Havoline Dodge will sport a retro paint scheme that resembles the car Allison drove during his 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series rookie campaign. McMurray will pilot the specially painted car at Talladega Superspeedway on Sept. 28, 2003.
"I am truly honored to have this opportunity to pay tribute and to remember the legacy that Davey left for the NASCAR community and fans," McMurray said. "I can't think of a better way to remember him than through this special paint scheme. While we have a new number on the Havoline Dodge this year, it's important for us to look back at where it all started and to recognize Davey's contributions to making
Havoline a household name in NASCAR for performance on and off the track."
Davey's widow, Liz, and their children, Robbie and Krista, will take part in this anniversary celebration.
"I am very proud for Davey that even after ten years, he is still remembered as not only a fierce competitor, but a fine man," Liz Allison-Hackett said. "This celebration of Davey's life is a collaboration of many people who felt the need to have Davey recognized as we mark the ten year anniversary of his death. Although his death was tragic, this is a celebration of the remarkable life he lived," she added. "I feel Jamie has shown all the qualities in his driving ability and his personal effort to carry on the high standard Davey set many years ago when Havoline first signed him as a young rookie. Robbie, Krista and I are honored to pay tribute to Davey and to cheer Jamie on as he ventures in to what I am sure will be a fabulous NASCAR career of his own."(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(8-23-2003)
- More on Busch UPDATE: on Speed Channel's Trackside from Bristol, at the beginning of the show, the Busch/Spencer thing came up and Mike Joy mentioned this:
Kurt Busch said there was no reason for the post-race skirmish between the two drivers last weekend at Michigan International Speedway
Not so fast..
When Spencer walked up, Busch verbally taunted Spencer to the point of Jimmy losing his temper and hitting Busch. Kurt was not an innocent victim; instead, he provoked Spencer.
Not that it is right to wack someone but maybe that explains things a bit more. Anyhow, see the full transcipt of Busch's press conference at Bristol on Friday at the Roush Racing Site: Busch Makes Statement Regarding Michigan Altercation with Spencer.(8-23-2003)
UPDATE: Kurt Busch engaged in an obscenity-laced tirade with Jimmy Spencer following last Sunday's Winston Cup race at Michigan, at one point yelling at Spencer, "You'll (expletive) die" before Spencer hit him, the in-car camera tape in Busch's No. 97 Ford shows.(see full story at ThatsRacin.com and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(8-23-2003)
- Stock Car Fans - Rumblings - Bristol: Nothing like a short-track to get back to some real racing, eh? #97-Kurt Busch fought a dying alternator (two batteries?....whatcha wanna bet we're gonna see that become the norm real soon?) and held on to beat #29-Kevin Harvick to the finish of tonight's Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. But how about the welcome he got in Victory Lane? The last time we heard a Bristol crowd react like that was August 28, 1999 when Dale Earnhardt drop-kicked Terry Labonte out of the way on the last
lap to take the win. Then, that classic "What's wrong with ya'll?" look on his face in Victory Lane was forever etched in our minds.
Busch claimed the wreckfest (we tied a Cup record with 20 cautions) for his 4th win of 2003 and the 8th of his career. He's now tied for 50th
on the all-time win list with Dale Earnhardt Jr & Kyle Petty. He's credited with the 66th win for Roush Industries....they're just two behind the legendary car owner Bud Moore [records I have show Moore with 63 wins as an owner].
And now a word about Wally's attempt at waxing eloquent on the pre-race show. His comments about the privacy of driver communication with his crew would have played well a couple years ago....but that was before NASCAR decided that they could sell those conversations to the fans! When NASCAR found the cash cow in Trackpass and In Demand, they invited us to "get into their heads". So why should we care if they don't like us in their house?
And, Busch also becomes a sweeper as he's taken both Bristol events this season. Anybody else wonder if Jimmy was watching and what he was thinking tonight?
#32-Ricky Craven (8th) had his best finish since he was 8th at Dover in June.
#23-Kenny Wallace (15th) had his best finish since he was 15th at Daytona in July.
#01-Mike Skinner (18th) had his best finish since he was 11th at Darlington in March.
#0-Jason Leffler (26th) had his best finish since he was 10th at Homestead in October of 2001 (only 6 races).
STREAKIN....Kevin Harvick has 5 Top-5's in the last 6 races. Ryan Newman has 6 Top-10's in the last 7 races. Matt Kenseth has 5 Top-10's in the last 6 races.
The Rookie Report: Jamie McMurray (3rd) jumps into the lead in this category with his 10th top-finish this season. He was followed by:
Tony Raines (20th), Casey Mears (21st), Greg Biffle (22nd), and Larry Foyt (39th).
This Week's Elevator...UP: Jamie McMurray (+28) becomes the leader of the pack as this is his third Operator award of the season. He was followed by Kevin Harvick (+21), Dale Jarrett (+20), and Casey Mears (+20). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Michael Waltrip (-39), followed by Mark Martin (-34), Jeff Gordon (-27), Ricky Rudd (-25), Ted Musgrave (-24), Rusty Wallace (-23), and Elliott Sadler (-21). Some big names on the down side of the "shaft" this week.
Matt Kenseth tacks 22 markers onto his lead....it's now 351 over Little E. Jeff Gordon's "Magic Number" has now ballooned to 8th [which means if Kenseth finishes 8th or better in the last 12 races, Gordon cannot catch him], Dale Jr's number is 4.
Kurt Busch's win translates to a 3-spot advance in the points (9th to 6th), while Michael Waltrip's crash gave him the same ride in the opposite direction (5th to 8th).(Stock Car Fans Winston Cup Newsletter)(8-23-2003)
- IMAX Filming at Bristol: IMAX is filming more of "NASCAR: The IMAX Experience 3D" at Bristol Motor Speedway this week with IMAX crew members running around with multimillion-dollar cameras, capturing the Bristol experience in a way never before seen on film -- in three dimensions. Director of Photography James Neihouse said the IMAX format, 10 times larger than regular movie film, will allow fans to get a new perspective on the sport. Only three IMAX format 3D cameras are in existence. Two of the $3.5 million cameras were on hand for Friday's filming. The film is said to give a brief history of the sport told from the viewpoint of some of the legendary drivers, then will take a look at NASCAR today. IMAX, based in Canada, leases projection systems to more than 130 theaters in 20 countries. IMAX theaters are located throught the country. The film is set for release in March.(Bristol Herald Courier)(8-23-2003)
- If Robby Wins, Fan wins $1 Million: While many NASCAR fans are Gordon fans, Cindy Maxwell will be rooting this weekend for Robby, not Jeff. Maxwell, who was one of 10 finalists in a nation-wide contest who won a trip to today’s Sharpie 500 in Bristol, Tenn., also won the grand prize in the contest, getting a stake in the race. After a drawing Friday, Maxwell learned "her car" in the race would by Robby Gordon’s #31 Chevrolet. Gordon will start the race in the 22nd position, but if he wins, Maxwell will take home $1 million. If Gordon finishes second through fifth, Maxwell will take home $150,000. In fact, if Gordon just finishes the race, Maxwell will get a nice consolation check of $10,000. Her father-in-law, Don Maxwell, said no matter how Robby Gordon finishes, his son and daughter-in-law are having a great time in Bristol — and he has become a big Robby Gordon fan.(Abilene Reporter-News)
UPDATE it didn't happen as Gordon had trouble all race and finished 35th.(8-23-2003)
- Stewart wins in NJ: Track kingpin Billy Pauch of Frenchtown, NJ, really got down when the purse went up Wednesday [Aug 20th] at New Egypt Speedway, beating a bevy of the Northeast's best short-track stars, plus visiting celebrities Dave Blaney and Mike McLaughlin, to hit for a $6,000 score before a huge crowd in the Down & Dirty Modified 100, sponsored by CARQUEST Auto Parts. The 12-lap Challenge of Champions pitted current NASCAR Winston Cup champion Tony Stewart and Dave Blaney against some of the most storied dirt-track stars in Modified history. In the sprint, Stewart proved he hadn't forgotten his roots, stamping the gas on the Team Goewey XST #20 to get the jump on polesitter Danny Johnson. With all the top hotshots chasing him, Stewart kept the pedal to the metal as the fans roared their approval. Doug Hoffman drove like a bat out of hell to catch Stewart, chewing away at his lead as the laps wound down. On the last lap, Hoffman pulled alongside the leader but Stewart shut the door coming down for the checker, and took the $1,000 victory in the winner-takes-all match race. Hoffman was second, less than half a car length back."When I come out to play, I give it everything I've got," Stewart told the appreciative crowd after his dirt-track triumph. "I was giving it all I had - I had nothing left." During the evening, Stewart met fans and signed autographs to benefit Zippy's Crusade for Kids, a charity created by his Winston Cup crew chief, Greg Zipadelli, to assist children experiencing medical, financial or social trauma. New Egypt fans donated $8,800 to the cause, with a big check being handed to Zipadelli's father, Chick, as Stewart looked on. Stewart graciously added his $1,000 Challenge of Champions winnings to the pot, raising the total to $9,800. See full story at the South Jersey Dirt Racing site.(8-23-2003)
- Burton and Davis news: Ward Burton and Bill Davis have not come to terms on 2004, but 'communication is better,' they say. Davis is bringing an engineer to the track, which Burton says is helpful. The two may still split at the end of the season. Burton reportedly is under consideration for a ride with the Rick Hendrick satellite operation owned by Gene Haas [but supposedly Jason Leffler has signed to drive the #0 in 2004]. USAC dirt star J. J. Yeley could get a tryout for the Davis ride.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-23-2003)
- Davis wins round one with Dodge: Bill Davis just won round one when Michigan judge George Steeh dismissed one count of DaimlerChrysler's suit against the High Point car owner over Toyota dealings.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-23-2003)
- France Daughter taking over? This week's New Yorker [story here] has a lengthy article on NASCAR. The piece itself is fairly routine, but it does have a curious paragraph in which the writer, who spent considerable time with Bill France Jr., hints that Lesa Kennedy, his daughter, could take the helm of the family empire. Kennedy is head of the family's International Speedway Corp.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-23-2003)
- Tragic News: An accident Friday night at the Clinton County Fairgrounds Speedway [Mackeyville, PA] leaves one man dead and two in the hospital. Police in Lamar tell Newswatch 16 a race car driven by 53 year old Charles Colegrove of Trout Run ran off the track and crashed through some barriers. Colegrove was killed. Two people standing in the pit area were hurt, both are listed in serous condition. Police don't know why Colegrove lost control of his car Friday night at the speedway in Clinton County.(WNEP-16 TV site)(8-23-2003)
(8-22-2003)
- Leffler not allowed to drive the #0? UPDATE signs for 2004, no word on more in 2003 yet: Haas CNC Racing has entered Jason Leffler in its #0-NetZero Pontiac for the Sharpie 500 at Bristol, but the driver's status as a factory Dodge driver in the Truck Series may prevent it, as neither his truck owner nor Dodge want to permit it [Leffler ran the car at Indy and at MIS]. The problem is Leffler's primary role is driving Ultra Motorsports' factory-supported ASE/CARQUEST Dodge in the Craftsman Truck Series for owner Jim Smith. "As of right now, Jason Leffler's under contract with me and he does not have permission to drive anything but this (No. 2 Dodge) truck," Smith said Wednesday night before the O'Reilly 200 Truck Series race. "And he has been told he's not to drive the 0 car. . .as of right now. If the 0 car was a Dodge, we wouldn't have an issue with it. We'd all love him to do more racing, but from Dodge's perspective, if he goes out there and does real well, it would make us look kind of crazy." At Watkins Glen, Smith said he did not care if Leffler drove another car, but he said he was sensitive to Dodge's feelings, and Sunday at Michigan International Speedway, the head of Dodge's motorsports program, John Fernandez, made his feelings crystal clear. "Jason has said that he'd like to do it," Haas CNC Racing's general manager Joe Custer said Wednesday afternoon. "We're just taking this one step at a time." Leffler has continuously stressed his number one priority is his truck deal with Smith. At WGI, Smith said he had offered a new contract to Leffler. At Michigan, Leffler said there was no issue with that, except he had just changed agents. "We're in good standing with Jim, and I'm totally comfortable there," Leffler said. "There were some things behind the scenes that delayed us working on the contract, because I'm with Cary Agajanian [Tony's Stewart's agent by the way] and his group, now.(NASCAR.com), so...if Leffler doesn't driver, who does? Wonder if John Andretti is in Bristol?(8-22-2003)
UPDATE: Jason Leffler has signed with Haas-CNC Racing and is expected to drive the #0 Ne Zero Pontiac in 2004 [Jayski note: NetZero supposedly will NOT be back as the sponsor]. Leffler, 27, has been the primary driver for Haas-CNC since Jack Sprague was released last month, but he is still under contract to drive the #2 ASE Dodge for Jim Smith in the Truck Series for the remainder of the season. "The deal just revolves around next year," says Haas-CNC general manager Joe Custer. "He has to do what is necessary to appease his current sponsor and Jim Smith. "But we think Jason has a big future ahead of him and we want to be part of it." Custer adds that Haas-CNC Racing will run both a Winston Cup and Busch Series team next season and allow Leffler to choose which program he feels the most comfortable with. He also has the option to run both. As part of his original nine-race Cup deal with Haas-CNC, Leffler will be in the team's car this weekend at Bristol and for six more races. Leffler's availability to continue that deal is contingent on getting the approval of Smith and Dodge.(Sporting News)(8-22-2003)
- Congrats: NASCAR driver/test driver, Joe Ruttman has another grandchild to spoil! Carrie and Tim Hartsell welcomed their son Timothy II on August 17 (9lbs 3oz, 22 inches). This birth was extra special for the family, because this was the first grandson. No word on when grandpa is going to buy little Tim his first helmet/Hans device.(Joe Ruttman site)(8-22-2003)
- Stock Car Fans - Ramblings - Bristol: Jeff Gordon took the pole for Saturday Night's Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway by the wide margin of .001 seconds over Mark Martin this afternoon. It was the 3rd Bud Pole of the season for Gordon (2 shorties and a roadie), and the 45th of his career. Tho the difference between Gordon and Martin may look close, he really had another 1/1000th of a second to spare. For Mark Martin (2nd), this is his best starting spot since Lowe's Motor Speedway last October....but in that one we lined up by points. In fact, Mark started on the outside pole three times last season....and every one of those was the result of a washout of qualifying. The last time he started this far up on time was when he was outside the front row at Atlanta in November of 2001
Michael Waltrip (3rd) has his best starting spot since he started 3rd here last August.
Mike Skinner (4th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 3rd at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May (only 5 races).
Kurt Busch (5th....and needs to learn when to fold 'em) has his best starting spot since he started 5th at Infineon in May.
Ted Musgrave (7th) has his best starting spot since he started on the outside pole at Martinsville in October of 1999
Ricky Rudd (8th) has his best starting spot since he started 5th in the Daytona 500.
Kenny Wallace (11th) had his best qualifying effort since he started 9th at Martinsviile in April.
Tony Raines (12th) had his career-best qualifying run today. His previous best was 17th at Dover in June of 2002.
Ricky Craven (14th) has his best starting spot since he started 14th here in March.
STREAKIN....Ryan Newman has 4 Top-10 starts in the last 5 races.
47 cars on hand...46 took a time. The Trouble Train of four consisted of: Hermie Sadler (for the 7th time this season), Billy Bigley, Derrike Cope (his 6th DNQ this year), and Morgan Shepherd (who did not make a qualifying attempt).
Provisionals were taken by: Jeff Burton, Joe Nemechek (both of those were non-charged), Jeff Green, Todd Bodine (they've got one left till Martinsville), Casey Mears, Kyle Petty (in the same boat with Todd Bodine), and Christian Fittipaldi. Give some guys a provisional....and they promptly use it. For Fittipaldi and the #43 team, they're out again till we get to Martinsville in October.(Stock Car Fans Winston Cup Newsletter)(8-22-2003)
- Milestones for Labonte: Saturday night's 500-lap race at Bristol Motor Speedway will mark #5-Terry Labonte's 50th start on the lightning-fast half-mile oval and his 350th race behind the wheel of a Kellogg's-sponsored Chevrolet. Of Labonte's 49 previous starts at Bristol, 21 have been with Kellogg's on board. Labonte has now gone 29 consecutive races without a DNF, a personal career high. The last time he failed to finish was last fall's event at Talladega, Ala. His streak is currently the second longest in the series behind only Michael Waltrip, who has completed 33 straight. Labonte remains one of only four drivers who have completed every race this year; the others being Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth and Waltrip. The modern-era record is 56, set by Jeff Gordon in 2001-02.(HMS PR)(8-22-2003)
- Vasser looking for 2004 ride: Heading into his 200th Championship Auto Racing Teams start Sunday at Montreal, Jimmy Vasser, the 1996 series champion has no idea where -- or even if -- he'll race next year. CART is for sale and might not be around in 2004. Even if it is, owner Stefan Johansson's first-year American Spirit Team needs to find a primary sponsor. So Vasser is looking. The Indy Racing League or NASCAR, where he has run in a couple of Busch Series races, are possibilities.(Indianapolis Star)(8-22-2003)
- Special decal for Hendrick cars: The teams of Hendrick Motorsports [#5, #24, #25, #48] will carry very special artwork during this weekend's events at Bristol in support of one-year-old Cole Jackson of Waxhaw, N.C. The "C-post" decals will feature "Get Well Soon" wishes to the youngster, who suffers from bilary atresia, a rare liver disease that affects one in 15,000 babies and requires a liver transplant. Hendrick Motorsports president John Hendrick met the Jackson family at a charity golf tournament earlier this year and will lend his support at a silent auction at Firethorne Country Club in Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday, Aug. 24. For more information, visit www.HendrickMotorsports.com or www.TheJacksonFour.com.(HMS PR)(8-22-2003)
- Morgan-McClure close to a full time driver announcement; one car team in 2004: #4 Morgan-McClure Motorsports team owner Larry McClure recently said he plans to hire the man to handle his Kodak-sponsored Pontiacs sometime next month. Seven drivers have taken the wheel for the team in Winston Cup races, qualifying and test sessions after Mike Skinner was released in mid-June. “We’ve got some great people with the race team right now,’’ McClure said. “ We’re strengthening our base, and I feel like putting the right driver in with these people, we’re going to jump back to where we were.’’ McClure said Morgan-McClure Motorsports will field one car each week next season. The team qualified two cars for one race for the first time in its 20-year history at Watkins Glen Aug. 8 but lacks enough sponsorship to become a multi-car team. Johnny Sauter is driving the car this weekend at Bristol. Sauter is a candidate to move into the Morgan-McClure seat long-term, along with David Reutimann, Johnny Miller and P.J. Jones, according to McClure. “We feel like we want some youth in the car because it seems like they just get up on the wheel, and that’s kind of what we need,’’ McClure said. “We came out of nowhere (before). We were a 20th-place team in 1989. I hired one driver, Ernie Irvan. “All of a sudden, we were one of the best teams. We had one of the best crew chiefs, one of the best engine builders and some of the best cars. You just have to get that right combination.’’ McClure said Kodak’s sponsorship agreement with the team runs through 2005.(Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)(8-22-2003)
(8-21-2003)
- Rusty to do Polish Victory Lap before Bristol race: #2-Rusty Wallace is set to make yet another Polish victory lap at Bristol this Saturday night in his Miller Lite Team Penske Dodge. As the "kick-off" for the recently announced "Victory Lap" program (where still-active past champions are paired with another inactive or late champ), the NASCAR tribute to long-time series sponsor R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Wallace is paired with his late pal Kulwicki. Part of the pre-race activity will feature Wallace making the lap in reverse direction around the track. His Miller Lite Dodge will carry a special one-race commemorative color scheme in this weekend's Sharpie 500.(Tom Roberts PR), the #7 Kulwick car will be driven it's lap by Jimmy Hensley.(8-21-2003)
- Boat Accident in NC UPDATE team members involved: Three people are in the hospital after a Thursday morning boating accident on Lake Norman, NC [near Mooresville]. The boat was driven into a rock barrier on the lake and the impact sent the boat into the air. The boat landed on I-77, clipping the front of a car, according to Davidson Fire and Rescue. The accident happened around 2:30am/et and the boat landed in the southbound lane of I-77 at mile marker 30. One person was ejected from the boat, two others became trapped inside. One boater was transported by helicopter to Carolinas Medical Center. The two remaining victims had to wait for firefighters to arrive to cut them out of the boat. All three are in the hospital. Investigators say drinking was definitely involved. The people in the car that was clipped did not suffer major injuries and one female did hurt her shoulder. I-77 was closed for several hours after the accident.(NBC 6 / Charlotte.com).
AND Troopers say three people, two males and a female, were in a boat when it hit an embankment, went airborne, hit two cars on Interstate 77 and landed in the median. Troopers say charges are pending. No one in the cars was hurt, but the boaters were transported to Carolinas Medical Center. Police say the boaters' injuries are serious, but not life-threatening. Troopers say they found some alcohol in the boat. Investigators aren't sure why the boat became airborne, and they've called in the state Wildlife Resources Commission to check into it.(WWOC-TV).
Jayski NOTE: been told one Cup team member was involved and although rumored, I am being told NO Cup drivers were involved. When named are released, I will post more on the story.(8-21-2003)
UPDATE: Three people were hospitalized, all involved directly or indirectly with NASCAR, after a boat speeding across Lake Norman apparently became airborne, jumped a guardrail and struck a southbound car on Interstate 77 near Davidson, N.C.
Injured in the accident were Robert Jones, 30; Dustin Bills; and Jennifer Wade, 28. Jones and Bills were listed in critical condition Thursday at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Wade was there as well, listed in fair condition. Authorities said alcohol was believed to have played a role in the accident. Jones is the lead mechanic for MB2 Motorsports's #01 U.S. Army Pontiacs in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Wade, identified as Jones' girlfriend, works at the Richard Petty Driving Experience, based near Lowe's Motor Speedway at Concord, NC. Bills is an employee of Penske-Jasper Engines. The accident occurred about 2:20 a.m. Thursday where the highway crosses the lake at Mile Marker 30, said Corrine Rust of Mecklenburg County Emergency Services. The three people who were hospitalized were all riding in the boat. Jones was taken by helicopter to CMC. No one in the car was injured.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-21-2003)
- Leffler to be honored: On Sunday, August 24th, Jason Leffler [driver of the #0 NetZero Pontiac in Cup and #2 ASE Dodge in the CTS] will be the youngest driver every inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame located at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, WI. Leffler was the 1997,1998, & 1999 USAC National Midget champion and will join the likes of Parnelli Jones, Stan Fox, Mel Kenyon, Tony Stewart, and among others.(8-21-2003)
- Ultra Motorsports/Jim Smith Reaction: see the full text of the statement at the Jimmy Spencer site.(8-21-2003)
- Yarborough unveils Victory Lap car: Cale Yarborough and Ricky Craven unveiled new cars at Darlington Raceway. Yarborough's, painted in the familiar gold-and-white colors of his famous #11, will be part of a prerace "Victory Lap" tribute to longtime series sponsor Winston. Craven's displayed a special #32 "Give Kids The World" paint scheme for the Southern 500 on August 31st.(The State).(8-21-2003)
- Darrell Waltrip To Make Tribute Lap At Martinsville In #11: For more than a decade, Darrell Waltrip’s dominance of Martinsville Speedway was so great, he should have had his own key to the front gate. As impressive as his 11 Winston Cup wins are on the tight, difficult .526-mile oval, it really doesn’t completely illustrate his Martinsville prowess. Waltrip had 27 career top-five finishes at Martinsville and 31 career top-10 finishes, both track records. His eight Martinsville poles are a record. Four of those poles came in the Advance Auto Parts 500 and four in the SUBWAY 500. Not surprisingly, he holds the track record for most poles for each race.
All those lofty numbers and Waltrip’s love of the Virginia track is the reason NASCAR selected the three-time Winston Cup champion to display his Winston Victory Lap Tribute car at Martinsville. He will take a ceremonial lap in a replica of the #11 Chevrolet he drove for Junior Johnson prior to the running of the SUBWAY 500 NASCAR Winston Cup race at Martinsville on October 19. R.J. Reynolds’ sponsorship of the Winston Cup Series comes to an end after the 2003 season, and NASCAR will honor the longtime partnership with the Victory Lap Tribute. The tribute will recognize drivers, active and retired, who won championships during Winston’s 33-year sponsorship of the series.(Martinsville Speedway PR)
see full and past press releases/news and images of the cars [including #11 DW and #72 Benny] on my Victory Lap page.(8-21-2003)
- Biffle's Pit Crew Scores Victory at Michigan: Greg Biffle's pit crew captured its first win in the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade by scoring the victory in Sunday's (Aug. 17) race at Michigan International Speedway (MIS). The victory, worth $20,000, was the result of Biffle's No. 16 Grainger Ford spending the least amount of time on pit road during the 220-lap, 400-mile race at MIS. Biffle's car, owned by Roush Racing, was on pit road for 206.124 seconds. The series point-leading pit crew - Michael Waltrip's team - finished second in Michigan (217.808) and Kurt Busch's team was third (228.306). "The Grainger Team has been working around the clock to improve all aspects of our program, and it's nice to see that their hard work is paying off on the track and on pit road," said Biffle, who posted a fourth-place finish at Michigan.. "They've done a great job all season and I'm really proud of their efforts. "Everything came together for us in Michigan and everyone on the team stepped up to the plate.. Our stops were awesome all day and we kept ourselves in position by making the right calls with adjustments, having solid pit strategy and of course having great pit stops.. My hats off to the guys and they definitely deserve this award." Biffle's over-the-wall crew consists of: Adam Emmert (front tire changer), John Gaynor (front tire carrier), Jeff Merkel (jackman), Mike Hillman (rear tire changer), T.J. Hamilton (rear tire carrier), Rodger Ueltschi (gasman) and Mike Abner (catch can). The team's crew chief is Randy Goss and Justin Hines handles the windshield duties.
For the season standings, who has won each week, the top 10 last race, see my Pit Crew Page.(DMF Communications PR)(8-21-2003)
- TV Ratings for MIS: Daily Variety says TNT drew 6.23 million viewers for Sunday's airing of the GFS Marketplace 400 from Michigan International Speedway, which made it the highest-rated sports event of the week, today’s Sports Business Daily says. The number made the race the second-most-watched show of the week on cable, according to the story in the Daily, which does not contain any rating numbers.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter) AND The GFS Marketplace 400 from Michigan International Speedway garnered a 4.9 rating on TNT on Sunday, down 7 percent from last year's 5.3 rating.(MotorsportsTV)(8-21-2003)
- No 'white' #49 at Bristol, it'll be gold: With a highly unique paint job and a car that might even outglow the lights of the speedway itself, Ken Schrader and the #49 SEM Products/Color Horizons Dodge team head to Bristol. The race will debut one of the most unique paint schemes in NASCAR Winston Cup history. Sponsor SEM Products Inc. is introducing its Color Horizons line of custom finishes on the #49 SEM/Color Horizons Dodge at Bristol. The car showcases SEM/Color Horizons’ intense colors and the unique designs as applied by artist Ron Fleenor, a nationally-known custom designer from Knoxville, Tenn. The car itself will sport a design and coloring unlike anything seen before in major league stock car racing. It is a translucent mandarin candy which goes from light to dark from the top to the bottom of the car, all on top of a silver base. The colors were developed by SEM Products Inc. in their Color Horizons line, and are available through automotive paint suppliers. The thoughts of SEM/Color Horizons Dodge driver Ken Schrader heading into Bristol: “We think we’re going to have a pretty good weekend at Bristol but, no matter what, everybody is going to remember we were there. This SEM/Color Horizons car is hot. It looks great. That mandarin candy on top of that silver base really makes it jump out.(Williams Company PR), see an image of the car without decals on my 2003 Winston Cup Paint Schemes - Cars #'s 24-99.(8-21-2003)
- Reverse #31: The #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet will carry a special orange "reverse" paint scheme this weekend at Bristol.(RCR PR)(8-21-2003)
- Special Scheme for the #43, starting at Bristol: Christian Fittipaldi will be driving a special Cheerios Heart Health Dodge for the three races beginning with Saturday night's event at Bristol. The car is being used as the kickoff to a special consumer promotion by Cheerios Racing, which will bring a race fan closer to the sport than ever before.(Williams Company PR)
AND A marriage proposal on the No. 43 car? It’s possible with a new sweepstakes announced today by Petty Enterprises and Cheerios Racing. To celebrate more than 60 years as a heart healthy breakfast favorite, the Cheerios #43 car is offering auto racing fans an opportunity to win space on the hood of the car as the official engine sponsor. The contest is called the “Tune Your Engine Sweepstakes.” The term “engine” is used analogously with “heart,” which serves as the body’s “engine.” Instant Winner Sweepstakes details are now featured on Cheerios boxes in grocery stores in the Southeastern and Southwestern United States. Each of the three Grand Prize winners will be awarded space on the car for their names, their sweetheart’s name, their kid’s name, the name of their favorite charity or whatever they choose that will fit in the space provided and is appropriate. The Cheerios No. 43 car will feature a new design to kick-off the sweepstakes. The design change will include a giant heart on the car’s hood and big red heart behind the “43” to replace the usual red oval. The new heart health Cheerios car design will be introduced to fans at the August 23 race in Bristol, Tenn. As official engine sponsors, the grand prize winners of the Tune Your Engine Sweepstakes will have their engine sponsorship decal appear on the car at races in the spring of 2004. The three total grand prize packages include a trip for two to a race in the spring of 2004 or autumn of 2004 (the complete sweepstakes details appear on Cheerios packages). Ten first prizes will include one of the engine’s pistons that has been used in an actual race and mounted in a display box. Fifty second prizes of an autographed 1:24 die cast No. 43 car are also included in the sweepstakes. Instant Winner Sweepstakes certificates will be placed inside specially marked Cheerios boxes or entries can be made without purchase through the mail (sweepstakes details appear on Cheerios packages).(8-21-2003)
- Top 10 Championship Comebacks: #17-Matt Kenseth enters Saturday night's Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway with a 329-point cushion in his pursuit of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series title. It can safely be considered a comfortable lead, but it cannot be characterized as insurmountable judging from some of the dramatic comebacks that have been staged since the current point system was instituted in 1975. A maximum of 151 points can be made up in a single race -- a race win with a maximum of 10 bonus points versus a last-place finish -- so even the largest of leads can uickly evaporate with some misfortune and the pursuers going on a tear. Darrell Waltrip is a testament to that, rebounding from a 341-point deficit in the final 17 races to claim the 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup championship and pace the NASCAR Top 10 for the largest comeback under the current point system [This list was compiled by NASCAR, NOT Jayski, all compaints can be directed to them, see my Racing FAQ for contact info]. His other two championship runs also rank in the NASCAR Top 10, giving him three of the top-10 comebacks and making him one of two drivers on the list with more than one.
The List:
No. 1 -- Darrell Waltrip, 1981, 341 points: Waltrip claimed his first of three NASCAR Winston Cup championships in dramatic fashion. Following the 14th event of the 31-race season at Texas World Speedway, Waltrip was third in the championship hunt and trailing leader Bobby Allison by 341 points.
No. 2 -- Tony Stewart, 2002, 301 points: After a last-place finish in the Daytona 500, Stewart had an uphill battle for the 2002 championship from the outset. After 10 races, he found himself 301 points behind leader Sterling Marlin. With 10 races left, he was still 118 points behind but made his breakthrough at Talladega in early October.
No. 3 -- Alan Kulwicki, 1992, 278 points: This is perhaps the most dramatic comeback under the current point system considering the amount of points Kulwicki made up in such a short period of time and the thrilling finale. Kulwicki overcame a 278-point deficit in the final six races to earn the 1992 title. During that span, he made up an average of just over 48 points a race to nip Bill Elliott in the closest NASCAR Winston Cup championship finish.
No. 4 -- Jeff Gordon, 1995, 251 points: Gordon, like Stewart in 2002, needed the final 26 races of the season to earn his first NASCAR Winston Cup championship. Gordon was eighth in the championship and trailed Dale Earnhardt by 251 points after five races, but four races later he had tied Earnhardt for the lead.
No. 5 -- Richard Petty, 1979, 229 points: Petty rallied in the final 11 races to make up 229 points and capture his seventh NASCAR Winston Cup championship in the second-closest title race in NASCAR Winston Cup history.
No. 6 -- Terry Labonte, 1996, 211 points: Labonte struggled in the first three races of the season to fall to 16th in the championship -- 211 points behind leader Dale Jarrett -- but by the 16th event of the 31-race season he had bounced back to take the lead.
No. 7 -- Darrell Waltrip, 1982, 210 points: Waltrip's second NASCAR Winston Cup title in 1982 was not as dramatic as his first, but once again he needed a second-half surge. He was trailing Terry Labonte by 210 points with 16 races remaining, but by the end it was another battle with Bobby Allison for the championship. Waltrip was 101 points behind with six races to go.
No. 8 -- Darrell Waltrip, 1985, 206 points: All three of Waltrip's NASCAR Winston Cup championships reuired a late-season tear, and the 1985 run was another classic. Waltrip was 206 points down to leader Bill Elliott with eight races remaining and wound up winning the title by 101 points.
No. 9 -- Rusty Wallace, 1989, 190 points: Wallace rebounded from a 190-point deficit with 16 races remaining to claim the only NASCAR Winston Cup championship of his career. Wallace had been chasing Dale Earnhardt and still found himself trailing by 102 points with just six races remaining.
No. 10 -- Jeff Gordon, 1997, 184 points [after 6 races]: Gordon joined Darrell Waltrip as the only drivers to own more than one championship comeback in the NASCAR Top 10. Gordon, who also has the fourth-largest comeback, came back from a 184-point deficit in 1997 to capture the second of his four NASCAR Winston Cup titles.(NASCAR PR, can be seen in whole on NASCAR.com)(8-21-2003)
(8-20-2003)
- Appeal to be heard Wednesday UPDATE - THE RULING: Fox Sports Net's Totally NASCAR reports that the NASCAR Commission will hold an Appeal Hearing at Bristol, TN for Jimmy Spencer on Wednesday, August 20th at 8:00am/et. Spencer will attend and was told to bring his Truck [for the Truck Series race] just in case. Ted Musgrave will drive the #7 Sirius Dodge in the Cup race if Spencer is not allowed to run the Cup race.(8-19-2003)
THE RULING:
On Aug. 20, 2003, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of Jimmy Spencer.. The appeal pertained to a penalty issued by NASCAR following an incident in the garage at the conclusion of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 17, 2003.
The penalty assessed by NASCAR was:
- A $25,000 fine;
- Suspension from NASCAR until Aug. 26, 2003;
- Probation until Dec. 31, 2003.
In deciding the appeal, the Commission considered a number of factors.
Jimmy Spencer made a compelling argument, expressing remorse and acknowledging that his actions were wrong.
The Commission notes that NASCAR had previously forewarned Mr. Spencer and put him on notice regarding his behavior with respect to the other driver involved in the incident.
Furthermore the Commission notes that, irrespective of alleged provocation or the exact magnitude of the physical contact, an inappropriate line had been crossed in this case.
It is therefore the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the penalty assessed by NASCAR.
The Appellant has the right, under Section 15 of the NASCAR Rule Book, to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.(NASCAR PR), So Spencer will NOT be racing at Bristol this weekend.(8-20-2003)
- No Truck race for Fittipaldi: Due to sponsor conflicts [Dodge/Ford?] Christian Fittipaldi will not drive in the Truck Series race. Johnny Sauter will drive the #9 Ford in the Truck Series race and joins Kevin Harvick and Ted Musgrave as drivers doing the Triple, driving in the Cup, Busch and Truck Series races.(8-20-2003)
- Elliott to Retire at End of 2003? hearing rumors that Bill Elliott, driver of the #9 Dodge Dealers Dodge with Evernham Motorpsorts is considering retiring at the end of the 2003 season. Rumored driver to replace him? Greg Biffle.
HOWEVER two recent reports seem to indicate Elliott is racing in 2004 and Biffle is close to reupping with Roush Racing and the #16 team:
Evernham not changing drivers: There has been talk that Brendan Gaughan, who leads the Craftsman Truck Series in points and victories (four), might move to Cup racing in 2004, possibly with Evernham Motorsports. Though Gaughan, 28, tested for the organization in the past, team owner Ray Evernham says the next logical step for Gaughan would be the Busch Series. One thing is certain: Evernham has no intention of replacing Bill Elliott or Jeremy Mayfield next year. “For his age (47), Bill is one of the best drivers I've ever worked with, and he carries our deal on his back a lot of the time,” Evernham says. “I feel like I owe him a lot.” …(Sporting News)(8-20-2003)
AND Biffle not signed...yet: during a NASCAR This Morning [Fox Sports Net - each Sunday at 10:30am/et] #16-Greg Biffle was interviewed and asked by John Roberts if he was signed for next year [2004], Biffle said no, but they are working on a contrat extension for next year and beyond and to do some Busch Series racing.(8-10/20-2003)
- NASCAR Ticked at Wally? the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that "at least one official blew a gasket over Wally Dallenbach's report for NBC/TNT before the Watkins Glen race 10 days ago on the different philosophies of on-track medical care." "That was about as biased a piece as I have ever seen," NASCAR vice president Jim Hunter told AJC motorsports writer, Rick Minter. "They sat down with Mike Helton and did a long interview, and they edited out everything that he said about the way we do things and talked about how great the traveling medical team with CART is," Hunter said. "Well, it happens to be Wally Dallenbach's father who was instrumental in starting that medical team with CART. I can understand Wally thinking his father's deal is better than somebody else's, but that was poor journalism." As for Hunter's charge that too many of Helton's remarks were cut, Dallenbach said, "That's 100 percent b.s." He said Helton made his point on-air and declined an invitation to expound on his defense. "If the CART people told their story better, it's not my fault."(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(8-20-2003)
- and yep, more Hornish stuff; to Hendrick? to Penske?: Although Sam Hornish Jr. will not confirm where he will be racing next season, the two-time Indy Racing League champion sounds as if he is heading to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. "You never want to be the big fish in a small pond and the IRL continues to grow," Hornish said Tuesday. "But sometimes, you want to try something different. Not saying that's what I'm going to try different, but it's been a possibility for quite a while now and I've been looking at it. You want to run where the fans are going to come and watch you." Hornish didn't dodge many questions, other than refusing to confirm which team the 24-year-old from Defiance, Ohio will drive for in 2004. "We're pretty close to a decision with one team right now," he said. "We are not negotiating with multiple teams right now. We are pretty close to a deal, but everything isn't done yet." In the past, Hornish had discussions with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. and Hendrick Motorsports. Hornish said Saturday that DEI was not going to be his choice and that he had talked with Hendrick Motorsports. However, a sponsor source at Hendrick Motorsports said it was unlikely the two-time IRL champion had a deal in place. "Sam has a plan, but nobody seems to know," a sponsor source from Hendrick Motorsports said. One possible NASCAR scenario has Tony Stewart leaving Joe Gibbs Racing for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. Stewart would be able to compete in both Winston Cup and run in the Indianapolis 500 - something that has been a source of frustration with Gibbs. Stewart's current team owner allowed him to run in both races in 1999 and 2001 but preferred him to stay out of the high-speed Indy cars to concentrate on NASCAR. If Stewart moves over to Ganassi, Gibbs could hire Hornish as his replacement - and ironically allow him to run in the Indy 500. Hornish said his next deal would include a chance to compete in the Indianapolis 500 - the biggest race in the world and a part of the Indy Racing League. "From now until the time I retire from racing, I'm going to make sure I can go there and run in that race every year," he said. A key part of Hornish's decision is that his personal services contract with General Motors ends at the conclusion of this year. That means he is free to walk away from any Chevrolet involvement and pursue other options. In NASCAR, that includes Dodge and Ford, with Toyota down the road. There seems to be something in Winston Cup racing that is luring him away from Indy car racing, something he has proven to be so good at in his three full seasons in the IRL. "I don't know if I'm going to be successful in NASCAR," Hornish said. "You go to different tracks and do different things. You go to short tracks, superspeedways, you go to drafting tracks and you go to road courses. Who knows if you can be successful at any of those tracks? If that is what I were to do, there is only one way to find out and that is to get in a seat and see what you can do."(more at Sports Ticker via FoxSports)
AND Sam Hornish Jr. didn't say he was leaving the Indy Racing League for NASCAR next year during Tuesday's national teleconference, but the American star of the all-oval open-wheel series gave every indication he was following Tony Stewart's career path. A day after announcing he would end his successful three-year run with defending IRL champ Panther Racing, Hornish all but said his next challenge would be with a roof over his talented head. And all signs point to Roger Penske's multipurpose operation being his next stop. Dale Earnhardt Inc. announced earlier this year it was pulling out of the Sam Sweepstakes, while Michael Andretti's IRL team was interested but doesn't offer a NASCAR alternative. Chip Ganassi wanted to make Hornish an offer for stock cars or Indy cars but his sour relationship with Hornish's agent, John Caponigro, squashed any chance of that happening. A Joe Gibbs ride would be good for Hornish should Stewart leave Gibbs for Ganassi before 2005. But Gibbs currently has no Indy 500 program. The likely candidate for Hornish's services all along has been Penske, who fields a pair of cars in Winston Cup and the IRL. Everyone assumed the two-time IRL champ would be snatched up by "The Captain" for the IndyCar series but now it's looking like he'd be teammates with Gil de Ferran and Helio Castroneves only at Indy. Penske, who runs Dodges in Winston Cup for Ryan Newman and Rusty Wallace, would likely bring Hornish along like former USAC champion Newman -- starting him in ARCA and Busch with only a couple of Cup appearances. Caponigro, who represents Mario and Michael Andretti plus Al Unser Jr., is thought to be after a three to five-year deal for Hornish, who was rumored to be making less than $500,000 this season at Panther Racing. Obviously, Panther took a chance on him in 2001 and it paid big dividends for both because now Hornish is ready to be compensated accordingly.(ESPN - Robin Miller)
past news on Hornish, see my Drivers Looking page in the MISC section.(8-20-2003)
- Cameron Wins - Amazing Comeback: Back in April it was announced that Winston West driver [how has attempted a few Cup races] was diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma cancer. Austin Cameron could not drive in the races and was treated at Grossmont Cancer Center. Then about a month ago Cameron drove the #16 NAPA Auto Parts Chevy at Irwindale Speedway in the “King Taco 200”. Cameron started 5th and finished 20th that night. This past Satruday night at Stockton 99 Speedway, Cameron won the race and moved up to 16th in the points standings.(Racing West)(8-20-2003)
- Not Cup but amazing: Ray Paprota, the first and only paraplegic driver to compete in a NASCAR Touring Series will appear in the August 20, NASCAR Goody's Dash Pabst Blue Ribbon 150 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Paprota uses state-of-the-art hand controls that enable him to operate the throttle, brakes and clutch with both hands on the steering wheel. Paralyzed in a motor vehicle accident at the age of 21, Paprota who is unable to use his legs, began racing Legends Series race cars in 1996. He credits NASCAR and Goody's with providing an opportunity to demonstrate his abilities in a race car rather than focusing on his limitations in a wheelchair. Former NASCAR crew chief George White and Winston Cup Champion Bobby Allison became aware of his racing achievements in the Legends car and have helped transition him into the competitive world of NASCAR. Longtime Goody's Dash competitor Danny Bagwell heard of Ray's desire to compete in the series and provided a race car in which the newest version of hand controls were installed "You can't just buy these controls off the shelve, we have been refining this unit for several years now. I first tested them in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck and later in an ARCA car before adapting them to the Dash car. We worked closely with NASCAR to receive my NASCAR drivers' credentials and gain approval of the modifications for the controls," says Ray. The system utilizes pneumatic cylinders to actuate the brake and clutch peddles and a cable operated throttle for the gas. Ray pushes a button on the transmission shifter knob that dictates how quickly the clutch peddle is released, allowing a smooth acceleration in the pits or fast gear changes in the race. The entire system received close scrutiny before Paprota made NASCAR history when he competed in his first Goody's Dash series event at Atlanta Motor Speedway on October 25, 2002. "We wanted nothing handed to us, I wanted to be allowed to compete because I'm a good race car driver and for no other reason," said Paprota. Paprota currently is exploring opportunities for 2004 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck and ARCA Series.(BMS PR)(8-20-2003)
- Darlington Testing: #99-Jeff Burton, who originally was scheduled to only be here on Tuesday, will return on Wednesday. #87-Kyle Busch is testing with the Nemco Busch team. #25-Joe Nemechek and #22-Ward Burton will also be testing on Wednesday.(Darlington Raceway PR)(8-20-2003)
- Musgrave to drive for Spencer: NASCAR.com posted that Ted Musgrave will drive the #7 Sirius Dodge in the Cup race and the #6 Tommy Baldwin Racing Dodge in Friday's Busch race. The Truck owner Jim Smith entered for Spencer in tonights Truck Series race has been withdrawn. So Musgrave will join Kevin Harvick in doing triple duty at Bristol: Truck, Busch and Cup races.(8-20-2003)
- Busch Accepts Probation Status: Kurt Busch announced today that he will not appeal NASCAR's decision to place him on probation status following an incident last week involving Jimmy Spencer. Said Busch, " I have decided not to appeal NASCAR's penalty. My decision is being made even though no one to our knowledge has ever been penalized for being struck while seated in a race car. I am
accepting this penalty regardless of whether or not it is fair or appropriate. My motivation in accepting it is simply to demonstrate to NASCAR and to the fans my continuing commitment to race hard, my continuing commitment to race clean and my continuing commitment to obey all the rules. This penalty has not and will not affect that commitment. And, my commitment will not be affected by the outcome of Jimmy Spencer's appeal."(Roush Racing PR)(8-20-2003)
- Busch Tired to Cut Spencer's Tire Down: Winston Cup driver Kurt Busch made disparaging remarks toward Jimmy Spencer over the radio during last Sunday's race at Michigan, including an admission he tried to "flatten the … fender" of Spencer's car, according to a transcript of Busch's radio conversations with his team. The transcript, obtained by ThatsRacin.com, and the radio version obtained by Speed Channel, covers an exchange Busch made over his radio with his team on Lap 135 of 200. Following the race, Busch stopped his #97 Ford in front of Spencer's team hauler. Spencer pulled his #7 Dodge in behind Busch, got out of his car and after the two traded obscenities, punched Busch while he was still sitting in his car. On Monday, NASCAR suspended Spencer through Aug. 26, fined him $25,000 and placed him on probation through the end of the year. Busch was also placed on probation. Local authorities in Michigan are still investigating the incident. Both teams appealed the punishments. Spencer's appeal will be heard at 8:30 a.m. today in Bristol, Tenn., site of Saturday night's Sharpie 500. Roush's appeal had not been set as of Tuesday night.
When informed of Busch's remarks Tuesday night, Jim Hunter, NASCAR's vice president for corporate communications, issued the following statement: "We will let the process run its course. … I am sure the commission will be very thorough and I am sure they will have all the pertinent information."
While Sunday's race was under caution on Lap 135 and Busch riding on the backstretch, the following exchange took place, which could be picked up on Busch's team's scanner frequency:
Busch: "See, I'm not very good at being bad. I was trying to flatten the seven car fender and I got mine. I needed to be further forward on his car."
Response from Pit: " They just showed that on TV. You just missed by about an inch or two Ah, not far enough forward."
Busch: "Inches only count unless you're playing Horseshoes and hand grenades. Ah, I don't wanna play either with that clown."
Response from Pit: "I hear ya, man."
Speed Channel planned to air portions of the radio transmissions Monday night at 9 p.m. Eastern on its show, "Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain." Rick Miner, senior vice president of programming/production and executive producer Speed Channel, verified the written transcript with the actual radio broadcast.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-20-2003)
- Spencer a No Show on Wind Tunnel: Quotes from tonight's (August 19, 2003) Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain only on SPEED. Dave Despain On Intent - ...... "Intent is difficult to prove.. Now translate this into racing television, 'made contact' has become the verb of choice to describe racing collisions in part because the announcers have to live with the drivers every weekend and Made Contact is a nice neutral way to describe the collision without placing blame.. It is very difficult to determine blame unless you know each drivers intent."
On Spencer's cancellation -...... "We had scheduled Jimmy to be here tonight.. We double checked yesterday and was told absolutely he would be here and that he is anxious to be on the show.. This morning different story, we can't come.. We will fax you a statement and the statement, well, we are still waiting for it."
UP NEXT - Thursday night Dave's guest will be Mike Helton, President of NASCAR.. Tune in to Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain at 9:00pm/et only on SPEED [Let's Hope He Shows].(Speed Channel PR)(8-20-2003)
(8-19-2003)
- Parrott back to Yates....with the #38: Robert Yates Racing announced today that effective immediately Todd Parrott will assume crew chief duties for Elliott Sadler and the #38 M&M’S Racing Team. Raymond Fox III, who had served in the crew chief capacity since October of 2002, will continue to play an integral role on the #38 team. “Todd (Parrott) is going to assume the position of crew chief,” said Robert Yates, owner of the #38 and 88 teams. “The 38 team had some success in several races this year but we feel like we need to improve the performance so we can run up front on a more consistent basis. Todd’s experience will take the #38 team to the next level. Raymond Fox has done a great job for us, and will continue to be an important part of this race team.”
“I’ve been at home re-charging my batteries,” said Parrott. “I am really excited to be back to work and am looking forward to working with Elliott Sadler. Elliott is a young, energetic and enthusiastic driver who has had an up and down season. They have qualified and raced well at times and I hope that I can help this young guy get into the winner’s circle. With Raymond and I working side by side I think it won’t be too hard to find victory lane.”
“I think Todd Parrott’s return will help us find the depth we were missing at this point in the season,” said Elliott Sadler. “I said at the beginning of the year this team could win a championship and I still think that today. I’m really happy of the opportunities given to me at Robert Yates Racing.” Parrott, who had served in the team manager position since December 2001, will assume the position he worked in with the #88 team from 1996 to 2001. Parrott led the team to the 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship and has scored 24 wins as crew chief with the #88 team. Dave Smith will continue to work as the car chief under Parrott and Fox.(Elevation Motorsports PR)(8-19-2003)
- So who is in the #7 at Bristol? logical choice would be Ted Musgrave, who drivers for Ultra Motorsports in the Truck Seires and has driven the #07 Kenwood/Sirius Dodge in a few races the last few years for Smith. Also, not sure what happens with the appeal by Spencer. NASCAR has ten (10) days to hear the appeal. Not sure if while he appeals the suspension/fine if Spencer can race until it is resolved. Would expect NASCAR to hear the appeal quickly.(8-19-2003)
- Sharpie at Bristol: It's seems special Sharpie paint schemes are good luck for the Winston Cup's Kurt Busch. The Sharpie brand, the world's most popular brand of permanent marker and title sponsor of the Sharpie 500, is hoping that good fortune continues as Kurt Busch's #97 Ford returns to Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) sporting the Sharpie Metallic paint scheme that brought him victory in March. The special paint scheme supports the launch of the Sharpie Metallic silver marker, and makes its second Bristol appearance in 2003 and the first under the lights at the Sharpie 500 on Saturday, August 23. The March victory marked his second in a row for the March race at Bristol. In 2002, his first win at Bristol and first since joining the Winston Cup came driving - you guessed it - a lucky Sharpie marker paint scheme. "We've won at Bristol two out of the last three times driving a special Sharpie paint job," said Busch. "If we can win the Sharpie 500 driving the No. 97 Sharpie Metallic Ford, that would be sweet - two wins for Sharpie at Bristol in one year." The Sharpie car is decorated with eye-catching, silver-metallic splashes of color highlighting the new metallic marker that writes on dark surfaces. "Seems like only yesterday that Kurt was bringing home the #97 Sharpie Metallic Ford to victory lane at Bristol," said Greg Stoner, vice president and general manager of Sharpie. "We would like to see him autograph victory lane twice this year with the Sharpie Metallic silver marker." In addition to the paint scheme, Sharpie is planning a news conference on Thursday, August 21 to unveil a plan to build on the brand's NASCAR involvement. For more details, visit www.sharpie500.com.(Sharpie PR), see an images of the car at my 2003 Winston Cup Paint Schemes - Car #'s 24-99.(8-19-2003)
- Triple duty for one; Double duty for others: #29-Kevin Harvick will attempt to run in three NASCAR races at Bristol Moto Speedway this weekend, the Truck Series O’Reilly 200 presented by Valvoline MaxLife, the Busch Series Food City 250 and the Cup Series Sharpie 500. Jimmy Spencer was slated to run all three [#7 in Cup, #6 in Busch and # in the Trucks, but he has been suspended]. Nine drivers [with Spencer it would be 10] will be Buschwacking: #42-McMuarry [in the #1 Busch car], #16-Biffle [#7], #17-Kenseth [#17], #41-Mears {#19], #29-Harvick [#21], #27-Scott Wimmer [#23], #74-Raines [#33], #4-Johnny Sauter? [#43] and #15-Waltrip [#99].
Five [maybe six] drivers will do Truckwacking, #0-Jason Leffler [#2], #29-Kevin Harvick [#6 in Trucks], #49-Ken Schrader [#52], #43-Christian Fittipaldi [#9] and #80-Morgan Shepherd [#21]. Ted Musgrave could end up Truckwacking if he subs for Jimmy Spencer in the #7, Spencer was supposed to run all three races too.(8-19-2003)
- Testing at Milwaukee: Robby Gordon and the #31 Cingular Wireless team are scheduled to test at Milwaukee Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 18 and 19 .(RCR PR); also all three Ganassi teams [#40,#41,#42] are testing at Milwaukee on Monday and Tuesday.(Ganassi PR)(8-19-2003)
- #9 and #19 get a Mane UPDATE: hearing #9-Bill Elliott and #19-Jeremy Mayfield will sport Lion King paint schemes at Kansas Speedway in Oct.(6-23-2003)
IMAGES: see images of the cars at 2003 Winston Cup Paint Schemes - Car #'s 0-23.(8-19-2003)
- Marlin to be Scary: The Coor’s Light Twins [and.....Twins!] will be part of the pre-race ceremonies and are confirmed to sing the National Anthem prior to the stat of the Winston cup race on October 5th in Kansas and will be featured on the #40 Dodge along with Scary Movie 3. See images of the cars at 2003 Winston Cup Paint Schemes - Car #'s 24-99.(8-19-2003)
- GM Card scheme: Steve Park will run the #30 AOL GM card scheme at in Atlanta on October 26th.(8-19-2003)
- Popcorn colors: hearing the #43-Christian Fittipaldi will have the Pop Secret colors [as the #43 normally does for this race] at Rockingham's final November race, in the Pop Secret 400 [which goes to California in 2004](6-23-2003)
IMAGE: See an image of the scheme at 2003 Winston Cup Paint Schemes - Car #'s 24-99.(8-19-2003)
- Hands of Victory Charity: hearing #45-Kyle Petty will run a "Hands of Victory" scheme at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Oct. A portion of all sales will be donated to the Hands of Victory Charity - not sure what that is.(6-23-2003)
IMAGE: See an image of the scheme at 2003 Winston Cup Paint Schemes - Car #'s 24-99.(8-19-2003)
- Easy Dinner Scheme: The #43 Petty Enterprises Dodge will run a Dinner Made Easy scheme at Lowe's Motor Speedway under the lights in October, no idea who will drive since Fittipaldi will be in the #44 Bugles Dodge at that race. See an image of the scheme at 2003 Winston Cup Paint Schemes - Car #'s 24-99.(8-19-2003)
(8-18-2003)
- More on Horish and NASCAR - Pretty Fast Dude UPDATE leaving Panther Racing: IRL driver, Sam Hornish Jr., who broke the record for the fastest IRL race at Kentucky Speedway on Sunday [197.897mph], is in the last year of his contract with Pennzoil Panther Racing. He has publicly discussed everything from moving to another Indy Racing League team that can boost his salary to defecting to NASCAR. Hornish, who is meeting with Panther officials this afternoon in Indianapolis, said yesterday that staying with his current team is one of his top choices. The 24-year-old is playing his decision-making close to the fire suit. He seems to wrestle with himself out loud when asked about his future. "On the other hand," he said after saying Panther is a top candidate, "I could've stayed in go-karts until I was 50 and won a lot of races, but is that what's going to make you the happiest?" He said his fans are split on what they want him to do. He said he only knows that he wants to be a racing legend. "Someday you hope to be a legend," Hornish said. "And you hope to associate yourself however you can to be able to put yourself there." When asked later about his other goals, he said: "Winning the Indy 500 is the top of my list," adding that he will definitely be at the race next year.(Lexington Herald-Leader)(8-18-2003)
UPDATE: Two-time defending IRL champion Sam Hornish Jr. is moving on. Just where remains to be seen. Hornish, 24, told Panther Racing officials today that he will leave them when his 3-year contract expires at season's end. He did not say if his new team will be in the IRL or NASCAR, or both, which now appears to be the most likely scenario given his admitted interest in competing in the Daytona 500. "The opportunities I've been given are too good," he said. Hornish, who won his record-breaking ninth IRL race Sunday at Kentucky Speedway, said money was not a factor in his decision to leave Panther. In fact, team co-owner John Barnes said he was not allowed to make a contract offer even though he expects to have a partnership with Winston Cup team owner Richard Childress next season. Hornish said he is ready for a new challenge. "I've done the best I could with that (Panther) car," he said. "You start off as an amateur, you move to a race winner, you move to a champion and someday you hope to become a legend." Barnes said Panther will not rush the search for a replacement.(Indianapolis Star)(8-18-2003)
- Response From Jimmy Spencer: The following is a statement from Jimmy Spencer in response to his suspension by NASCAR, which was announced today by news release: "I will always protect myself and my race team.. We are going to appeal the penalty, and we are going to do so in accordance to the NASCAR rulebook."(Ultra Motorpsorts PR)(8-18-2003)
- On The Subject Of The Post-Race Assault On Kurt Busch: The following statements are being issued by Roush Racing in connection with yesterday's assault by Jimmy Spencer on Roush Racing driver Kurt Busch.
Geoff Smith, Roush Racing president: "Kurt Busch had an operation in December to correct a deviated septum. Because there is some concern that the blow Jimmy Spencer delivered has reinjured Kurt, he is undergoing a medical examination in order to evaluate the injury. We hope that Kurt has suffered no long term effects. We will issue an update on his condition after results have been received. We want to point out that only the Lenawee [Mich.] County District Attorney has the legal authority to press criminal charges against Jimmy Spencer for this assault. That decision does not reside in the hands of Kurt Busch, Jack Roush or any private citizen. That's the way the criminal justice system works and we all need to respect that process."
Kurt Busch on what happened: "I ran out of gas when I got into the garage area, and Jimmy Spencer ran into the back of my car.
I was still in the car when he approached me with obvious anger. Words were exchanged, but I was still strapped in my seat with my
helmet off when he struck me in the face. He broke my tooth and bloodied my nose."
Kurt Busch on Spencer's penalty. "I appreciate that NASCAR has recognized that Jimmy's assault went beyond the level of a "racing incident." I have been concerned by media comments characterizing Jimmy's involvement with me as a "rivalry," "duel" or "fight" all
which carry a connotation that I actively participate in this type of behavior. Our racing Sunday was hard and clean. NASCAR's fine and
suspension demonstrate and acknowledge for me their agreement that this was a unilateral assault which required serious punishment and
for that I thank NASCAR."
Jack Roush: "It is incomprehensible to me that NASCAR used this incident to place Kurt Busch on probation. His only involvement in the "altercation" was to be the recipient of a blow struck by an individual that is twice his size. Drivers, as do others in the
garage, often exchange heated words, and in my memory no one has even been penalized for words spoken in private to one another. We intend to promptly file an appropriate appeal against this penalty, although we have learned that the merits of an argument carry little weight in this particular form of appeal. On the other hand, I think that NASCAR's sanctions on Jimmy Spencer should be enough to give a
sobering pause to any driver or other individual that might think the halo of competition can conceal an assault on any individual, whether
on or off the race track. It is a step in the right direction. I hope that it is enough."(Roush Racing PRs)(8-18-2003)
- Medical Condition Update On Kurt Busch" 5:10 P.M. Upon completion of his medical examination this afternoon, Kurt Busch issued the following regarding the extent of the injury he received from Jimmy Spencer.
"I have swelling on the left side of my face that is not expected to heal for three months. My breathing has been affected, and although it will not affect my ability to race, it will make breathing with helmet on more uncomfortable. I have been told that there is some tissue damage, and that there is a 15% chance that I will require reconstructive surgery to repair the damage. That assessment will not
be made until the swelling dissipates."(Roush Racing PRs)(8-18-2003)
- Spencer could face charges after altecation with Busch
UPDATE - SPENCER SUSPENDED will miss Bristol: #7-Jimmy Spencer could face assault charges after a confrontation with competitor #97-Kurt Busch following Sunday's GFS Marketplace 400. As the drivers came onto pit lane at Michigan International Speedway following the checkered flag, Spencer drove into the rear of Busch's car and spun it around. Witnesses said Spencer then got out of his car, raced up to Busch's car and punched Busch several times in the face. Sheriff's deputies pulled Spencer away and took him to the NASCAR hauler. The witnesses said Busch, who finished 18th, was holding a bloody towel to his face when he entered the track medical facility. Jeff Patterson, spokesman for the Lenawee County Sheriff's Dept., confirmed to The Associated Press that his department was investigating an assault charge against Spencer, who finished 26th. Both drivers left the track without comment. "NASCAR spoke with both drivers about the incident that occurred today. If we should take any actions, we'll announce it at an appropriate time," NASCAR spokesman Mike Zizzo said. "They spoke with NASCAR inside (the hauler) and (NASCAR officials) are going over the incident right now." Jeff Miles, the transport driver for Spencer, said, "I know he tried to put Jimmy in the fence on the straightaway." #31-Robby Gordon, another Winston Cup driver, offered to pay Spencer's fine and said Busch "had it coming for a while."(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(8-17-2003)
AND The feud between Jimmy Spencer and Kurt Busch flared up again in the garage area at Michigan International Speedway after Sunday's GFS Marketplace 400, with Spencer allegedly punching Busch while Busch sat in his race car. Busch's car ran out of fuel, crew chief Jimmy Fennig said, as he tried to drive it back to his hauler after the race. It stopped, interestingly, in front of Spencer's transporter. Spencer then rammed Busch's rear bumper, causing the bumper to buckle. Spencer got out of his car and approached Busch, reaching through the window and allegedly punching Busch. By the time Busch crawled out, crewmen from Spencer's team had surrounded the #97. Busch waved and yelled at Spencer, and then walked to the NASCAR hauler. He did not appear to be bloodied. There were no other punches thrown. Almost immediately, however, Fennig went to NASCAR officials. "I want Spencer here right now," Fennig said angrily. "We're going to have a fight here." Roush told Speed TV that Spencer broke Busch's nose. Busch went to the track's infield care center after he left NASCAR's office trailer and a Roush Racing spokesperson said Busch would get his nosed looked at when he got home.(see full story at NASCAR.com)(8-17-2003)
AND II: When they pulled in the garage Spencer hit Busch's car in the rear and then got out and punched Busch in face. Busch's nose was not bloody and did not appear to be broken but he will see his personal physician today. He is expected to have two black eyes. That punch prompted car owner Jack Roush to bring local police to the post-race discussion in the NASCAR trailer, and deputy Jeff Patterson said that there was an assault investigation under way. Spencer made a quick getaway without comment after an hour-long meeting with President Mike Helton of NASCAR . NASCAR officials didn't say what penalties that Spencer might be assessed, but suspension was being discussed, according to Tommy Baldwin, Spencer's crew chief. Roush said that Spencer was already under NASCAR orders to behave, a sort of secret probation apparently related to last summer's incident at Indianapolis. NASCAR officials had virtually nothing to say about the Spencer-Busch incident, apparently waiting to see if charges would be filed against Spencer.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-18-2003)
AND III: A lot of questions remained unanswered about what happened between Kurt Busch and Jimmy Spencer after Sunday's GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway. But the biggest question is what happens next. Potential punishment from NASCAR might not be Spencer's chief worry after he reportedly punched Busch in the nose following the race. Lenawee County sheriff's Deputy Jeff Paterson took statements for what he called "an investigation into the alleged assault" and said he would submit his findings to a prosecutor. Busch, the left side of his face puffy with swelling, emerged first. "Ask Jimmy," he said when asked what happened. Did Spencer hit him? "Ask Jimmy Spencer," Busch replied. He then got on a cart and was taken to the infield care center, then left the track after being treated there. The post-race incident apparently grew from contact between Busch and Spencer on Lap 150, when Busch passed Spencer into the lead after a restart following a yellow flag.(more at ThatsRacin.com)(8-18-2003)
UPDATE - PENALTIES - SPENCER SUSPENDED: Drivers Jimmy Spencer and Kurt Busch were issued penalties for their roles in a post-race altercation that occurred in the garage area of Sunday's NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway, NASCAR officials announced today. Spencer is suspended from any NASCAR-sanctioned competition until Aug. 26. He also received a $25,000 fine and was placed on probation until Dec. 31. The suspension will cause him to miss this weekend's NASCAR national series triple-header at Bristol Motor Speedway.[JAYSKI NOTE: he was going to run all three races] Spencer was in violation of Sections 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing: Involved in an altercation with another competitor in the garage area after the completion of the event) and 12-4-F (Fighting) of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series rule book.
Busch has been placed on probation until Dec. 31 for his actions. He was in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing: Involved in an altercation with another competitor in the garage area after the completion of the event) of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series rule book. "This was a very unfortunate situation," NASCAR President Mike Helton said. "Emotions are a part of every sport, NASCAR Winston Cup racing included. However, there is a fine line. In this instance, that fine line was crossed."(NASCAR PR)(8-18-2003)
(8-17-2003)
see the Aug 11-17, 2003 Archived News Page
(8-10-2003)
see the Aug 4-10, 2003 Archived News Page
(8-3-2003)
see the July 28-Aug 3, 2003 Archived News Page
