PAST NEWS/RUMORS
JAN 5-11, 2004
THE PAST NEWS! YESTERDAY and BEYOND..
OTHER PAST NEWS PAGES
(1-11-2004)
- Not NASCAR but some notes from the AC indoor races: Saturday's 50-lap main event was won by Joe Payne Jr. of Fair Lawn, NJ. Lou Cicconi Jr. won Friday's feature. Attendance Saturday was about 5,500. ... Curtis Truex Jr. of Stafford Township picked up a ride in the Slingshot division race, which served as an undercard to the Three-Quarter Midgets. His cousin, Martin Truex Jr., will drive for Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s team in several Nextel Cup races this year. The last qualifying race was delayed for nearly a half-hour after a car dropped fluid on the track. The maintenance crew sprayed a mixture of rosin and Pepsi-Cola syrup on the track to clean it up.(Atlantic City Press), Jayski went Friday night and had a great time, nothing like the smell of burning rubber and racing. I was quite impressed with the great job the track crews did with all the wrecks and spills.(1-11-2004)
- Speed Chooses first 4 drivers for Reality show: NASCAR Busch Series drivers Casey Atwood, Kasey Kahne, Tim Fedewa and two-time series champion Randy LaJoie are the first drivers confirmed for the new SPEED Channel reality series NBS 24/7, set to debut with back-to-back half-hours on Feb. 16 at 8:00pm/et. SPEED Channel Sr. VP Programming/Production and Executive Producer Rick Miner is quick to point out that NBS 24/7 will be a true "reality" show. Three of the teams -- Atwood in the #14 Navy Chevy, Fedewa in the #12 sponsored by SuperCuts and Hot Tamales and LaJoie, running a partial schedule in the #82 Jani-King Chevy -- are all part of the growing FitzBradshaw organization owned by NFL Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw and North Carolina businessman Armando Fitz. The series will run for 40-plus weeks, chronicling the lives of multiple NASCAR Busch Series drivers and their teams. Designed to highlight the personalities of the participants, the program will focus on activities between events as well as each team's success or failure on the race track. #38-Kasey Kahne and Akins Motorsports also are ready to go.(SPEED Channel PR), see full PR on my TV/Media News/Links page.(1-11-2004)
- Arnold Motorsports and Cope UPDATE 2: being told that the #79 Arnold Motorsports team, will switch to the #50 and Derrike Cope will drive the car full time and the sponsor Cope announced last year for his #37 Quest Motorsports team, PHM - Paramount Hospitality Management, could be part of the package. More info on the team at
www.arnold-motorsports.com [but no mention of this, confirmed it with the team].(12-11-2003)
UPDATE: from the Derrike Cope site: Derrike told us that he will be teaming with Arnold Motorsports and driving the #50 Dodge for the Nextel Cup season. Derrike said, "We currently have two very nice speedway cars that will be ready for the test sessions at Daytona next week. We test Jan. 13, 14, 15. Also we will be testing for two days in Las Vegas later this month on the 26th and 27th."(Derrike Cope site)(1-7-2003)
UPDATE 2: Arnold said the 45-year-old Cope would "probably" become part owner of the team in addition to handling the driving duties. Mike Hillman, who joined the team as crew chief in place of Doug Howe just prior to the Atlanta qualifying attempt, still holds that position for Arnold in the shop in Concord, NC. "Both Mike and Derrike have told me that in terms of preparation, the cars we have right now are far ahead of any of the cars they've had before at this stage. So I'm real pleased with what we've accomplished in the offseason," Arnold said. Finances and sponsorship continue to be obstacles for Cope and Arnold. At Homestead, Cope said he had a sponsor signed, yet he never received the backing that was supposedly promised.(Naples Daily News), no word on what the status of the #37 Quest Motorsports team yet [may be headed to Busch [see my Busch site for the Cope rumor there] or what happened to the #37 sponsor PHM - Paramount Hospitality Management.(1-11-2004)
- Best Driver List: Not that a British publication should be considered particularly authoritative where stock-car racing is concerned, but the Autosport magazine’s list of the world’s top 50 drivers did not include NASCAR champion Matt Kenseth. Jeff Gordon didn’t make the list, either. Six NASCAR drivers did make the list, which was headed by Formula One champion Michael Schumacher. Ryan Newman ranked 26th, Jimmie Johnson 29th, Kevin Harvick 34th, Dale Earnhardt Jr. 42nd, Kurt Busch 43rd and Tony Stewart 49th.(Gaston Gazette)(1-11-2004)
- Been asked......what's up with IROC? UPDATES: The International Race of Champions [more about IROC on my 2003 IROC page] opener is still up in the air. The folks at IROC are apparently waiting to get the final, final, final OK from a new series sponsor. Daytona Intl Speedway is reserving them space on the Speed Weeks schedule (Feb. 13).(Daytona Beach News Journal)(12-19-2003)
UPDATE: have heard nothing on who could drive [no one has been named or rumored] or what model of cars they will run...if the series is run in 2004.....and on ThatsRacin.com, the Daytona International Speedway Speedweeks schedule has practice and race times listed, the official IROC site: www.irocracing.com has simply the following: 2004 Announcements Coming Soon!.(1-7-2004)
UPDATE 2: The International Race of Champions will not be part of the 2004 Brickyard 400 weekend schedule, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced Friday. Since 1998, IROC had staged one of its four races at IMS in conjunction with the NASCAR race. IROC, which uses 12 drivers from different racing series in identically prepared cars, had lost its sponsor, True Value, after last year's race. An announcement about a new IROC sponsor [Jayski hears it is Crown Royal? OR Smith and Wesson?] and format could come as early as next week. NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson won the 2003 IROC race at IMS. Drivers from NASCAR won each of the six IROC events staged at IMS, with Mark Martin taking the first three local races.(Indianapolis Star)
UPDATE 3: from the official IROC site: Stay Tuned to IROCracing.com For a Momentous Announcement Regarding the 2004 Season on Thursday, January 15th!(1-10-2004)
- Not NASCAR but some notes from the AC indoor races: Saturday's 50-lap main event was won by Joe Payne Jr. of Fair Lawn, NJ. Lou Cicconi Jr. won Friday's feature. Attendance Saturday was about 5,500. ... Curtis Truex Jr. of Stafford Township picked up a ride in the Slingshot division race, which served as an undercard to the Three-Quarter Midgets. His cousin, Martin Truex Jr., will drive for Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s team in several Nextel Cup races this year. The last qualifying race was delayed for nearly a half-hour after a car dropped fluid on the track. The maintenance crew sprayed a mixture of rosin and Pepsi-Cola syrup on the track to clean it up.(Atlantic City Press), Jayski went Friday night and had a great time, nothing like the smell of burning rubber and racing. I was quite impressed with the great job the track crews did with all the wrecks and spills.(1-11-2004)
- Fan Fest vs. Preview AND: NASCAR executives may be having second thoughts about moving the NASCAR Preview - now the NASCAR Fanfest -out of North Carolina. What was a successful Saturday-long venture in Winston-Salem for so many years was a flop here [Daytona] Wednesday night. Daytona Speedway officials said that 4,600 people showed up (at $10 a head) to ask questions of nine drivers, who sat on stage and didn't sign autographs, although autographs were available in souvenir packs. Others pegged the audience at fewer than 1,500. While in Winston-Salem, the event annually drew a sellout of 25,000. The drivers' stage was so low that most in the audience couldn't see the drivers. NASCAR officials said they would consider moving the preview around, perhaps one year in Charlotte, the next year in Richmond.(Winston Salem Journal)(1-9-2004)
AND Reporting with one ear to the ground, there are some valid complaints following Daytona International Speedway's first attempt at FanFest. Yes, there were problems. Despite all the planning, some of the 4,000 people who attended the event left Speedway grounds unhappy. The primary gripe was the sightline of the stage under the temporary big top tent, which houses the Daytona Club during Speed Weeks. The stage was too low for some of in the audience to watch the Nextel Cup Series drivers talk about their teams and ambitions for the upcoming 2004 season. There was also grumbling about the long line to get into the function and the scarcity of promised goody bags. These complaints did not fall on deaf ears. Speedway president Robin Braig had the stage raised to 8 feet, improved access to the facility and ordered a bounty of goody bags. Round 2 of FanFest, featuring Truck Series drivers who are in town for three days of testing, was Saturday night. "We still have our rookie stripe on when it comes to the inaugural NASCAR Preseason Thunder FanFest," Braig said. "We listened to our race guests and we see some opportunity for improvements and we're making them immediately."
The FanFest was created for two reasons. First, it raises money for four charities, including Speediatrics at Halifax Medical Center. Second, Braig says the event helps creates interest in the Speed Weeks program. The admission fee to FanFest -- $10 for Nextel Cup and $5 for trucks and Busch Series -- will be funneled to the string of charities. There were rumors that this might be the first and last FanFest, but Braig said this event will become a fixture on the Speedway schedule. "NASCAR has told us they are pleased with our efforts and see an opportunity to grow the event," Braig said. "We've had testing here forever, and from now on, we'll have some type of FanFest here during testing. It's inconceivable that we wouldn't take advantage of the opportunity to contribute to charity." Braig said FanFest is a work in progress and he promises a better experience for fans during the last three sessions. "We did our best that night and we hope people give us another chance."(Daytona Beach News Journal)(1-11-2004)
(1-10-2004)
- Carter Looking: Car owner Travis Carter [#54 and #66] appears in trouble, and he may not field a team this season unless there is a dramatic turnaround on the sponsorship front.(Winston Salem Journal)(1-10-2004)
- Hmiel Passes: Shane Hmiel, a promising young racer who ran afoul of NASCAR's drug policy last September, passed another NASCAR drug test this week and could be cleared for racing next month. Hmiel, 24, has already been cleared to run the ARCA 200 during SpeedWeeks.(Winston Salem Journal)(1-10-2004)
(1-9-2004)
- Skinner in the #10 for the Shootout: Mike Skinner will race in the upcoming Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway, whether a Daytona 500 ride is in his future or not. MB2/MBV Motorsports general manager Jay Frye said Thursday that the team would field a #10 Valvoline Chevrolet for Skinner if some other prospects he is trying to secure don't come through. Mike Skinner qualified for the Shootout by winning the Bud Pole at Richmond in September. Skinner had what he thought was a sure deal to drive not only in the Feb. 7 Shootout, a special event for the 2003 Bud Pole winners, but also in the Daytona 500, along with a handful of other Nextel Cup races.(NASCAR.com)(1-9-2004)
- News on the Bodine's: Geoffrey Bodine is off to a busy start in 2004. After returning from a trip to Iraq on Saturday, where he entertained American and coalition troops, the Chemung native announced Wednesday he has signed a deal with Steve Prescott, owner of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Team EJP Racing, to drive its #03 Chevrolet Silverado in 2004 [more info on my Truck Series Site]. Last week, Bodine spent two days in and around Baghdad during a six-day trip to the Middle East as part of the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserves NASCAR Civic Leaders II Tour. He visited soldiers in Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar with a group of eight NASCAR personalities, including car owners Richard Childress and Jack Roush, and drivers Rick Crawford and Ron Hornaday. While on his Middle East tour, Bodine spent time at the Baghdad airport and also traveled several hours by convoy to a military controlled power station, where he greeted servicemen and signed autographs. He also witnessed what life is like for many Iraqis. "We saw the people, the culture and hundreds of little kids lining the road to see us," he said. "The poverty in the towns was saddening." Bodine also flew in military Blackhawk helicopters to a remote base where he said no entertainment group had ever been to before. "Those guys were ecstatic to see us," said Bodine, who admits it was the most dangerous part of his trip. "If you try to drive there in a vehicle you'll get shot at." He also witnessed the tragedies of war when two dead American soldiers, including a female helicopter pilot, where transported on their military C-130 flight out of Baghdad. At 54, Bodine's career had seemingly come to a crossroads, but now it is his two younger brothers, Todd and Brett, who are faced with uncertain starts to the 2004 season. "I'm worried about my other two brothers," Bodine said. Geoffrey said they aren't expected to take part in official Nextel Cup testing at Daytona, which began earlier this week. Both are still trying to secure sponsors to drive in the upcoming season. He said Todd is talking to some potential Nextel Cup sponsors, but "nothing has been put together."(in part from the Elmira Star Gazette)
AND Todd's wife, Lynn posted this on Todd's website message board - "We wish we could tell you that Todd will be driving at Daytona but chances are not. We are keeping our heads high and working on a few sponsors that we will take somewhere when they come through. It will be later in the spring we think when that may happen."(www.todd-bodine.com)(01-9-2004)
- Add Fittipaldi to the 24 Hours at Daytona: Nextel Cup driver Christian Fittipaldi will compete in the 2004 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. Other NASCAR regulars such as Kyle Petty, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will also take the green flag on January 31 for 24 hours of tough competition. Fittipaldi, a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil will be driving with the defending North American Road Racing Champions Bell Motorsports. Co-driving the #54 Doran/Chevy in the Daytona Prototype division along with 2003 Daytona Prototype champion Terry Borcheller, Forest Barber and Andy Pilgrim, Fittipaldi feels the team has a better chance at success this year as compared to their 2003 effort at the endurance classic. In the 2003 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona they were able to complete only 67 laps before retiring with mechanical difficulties.(NASCAR.com)(1-9-2004)
- Evernham cars get some spinach for July Daytona Race: hearing that the #9 Dodge of Kasey Kahne and the #19 Dodge of Jeremy Mayfield will sport Popeye The Sailorman 75th Anniversary schemes in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona in July.[no images...yet](1-9-2004)
- ESPN to make Earnhardt movie: ESPN has decided on its third original, made-for-TV movie, and its title begins with the number 3. That's an obvious clue to stock car racing fans, who will get to see a biography of Dale Earnhardt this summer. The show, "3: The Dale Earnhardt Story," will be produced by Orly Adelson, also responsible for "The Junction Boys" and "Playmakers" on ESPN. The cable network has not announced the actor who will portray Earnhardt.(AJC)
AND ESPN announced Wednesday it will present a docudrama on Dale Earnhardt in the late summer that explores seminal moments in the racer's life. "It's not a controversial movie. It's an inspirational one," said Ron Semiao, ESPN senior vice president of original entertainment. Shooting on 3: The Dale Earnhardt Story will start in the next two months in Atlanta or Charlotte, N.C., executive producer Orly Adelson said. The title represents the number of Earnhardt's car and the three generations of racers in his family, said writer Robert Eisele. Adelson is starting to cast the film with director Russell Mulcahy. The chronological script will span Earnhardt's life and end with his death at age 49 in the Daytona 500 in 2001. Three actors will portray Earnhardt. His family is not involved in the production, Semiao said. "It touches the important moments of his life, the moments that changed Dale or his career or his relationships," Adelson said. "It gives you a look into the man." She said the inspiration comes from Earnhardt's learning the value of life before he died. "He had built something he hadn't had before," she said. "Those are the things you'd want to see because the racing is obvious." The film will mix authentic racing with re-created scenes. To prepare the script, Eisele said he watched videos, read articles and books and interviewed people in the racing world who knew Earnhardt. "I actually love the character of Dale Earnhardt, and I never knew him," Eisele said. "He's a fascinating individual, the Intimidator. He was loved by fans, feared by his fellow competitors, and some of them didn't like him much because he changed the way that they raced on those tracks."(Orlando Sentinel)
AND II: ESPN has accelerated its development of several made-for-TV movies in 2004, including one devoted to the late seven-time Winston Cup champion, Dale Earnhardt. ESPN made the announcement Wednesday at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Hollywood, Calif. The project, called "3: The Dale Earnhardt Story," will chronicle the life of Earnhardt, who died in a last-lap crash at the 2001 Daytona 500. ESPN hopes the show will be ready by late summer. Casting is expected to begin soon. It will be ESPN's third original long-form production. The 24-hour sports network is also planning movies this year on baseball star Pete Rose; track star Roger Bannister; and the 1997-78 New York Yankees. Negotiations regarding the movie have been ongoing between ESPN and officials with Dale Earnhardt Inc., including owner Teresa Earnhardt.(ThatsRacin.com)(1-8-2004)
UPDATE - ESPN doing Earnhardt movie, but without widow's blessing: ESPN officials confirmed Thursday much of the footage of a planned made-for-TV movie devoted to the life of the late NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt could be filmed in Charlotte and Atlanta. Rob Tobias, ESPN's director of media relations, said the network originally had discussions with officials with Dale Earnhardt Inc., including owner Teresa Earnhardt, the driver's widow. "In the end, we couldn't agree on a story line, so we have proceeded on with the project. The script has been given the green light," he said. Tobias said the movie should be ready by late summer. Production is under way and casting decisions will be made soon, he said. DEI officials reached Thursday declined to comment on the movie. A spokesperson at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., said ESPN had not been in touch with the track as yet.(ThatsRacin.com)(1-9-2004)
- Black and White for Sadler: #38-Elliott Sadler will run a black and white M&M's scheme to promote M&M's 'Great Color Quest' at all the Cup races in Daytona, Rockingham and Las Vegas.(M&M's site)(1-2-2004)
IMAGE added of the scheme to the #38 Car Paint Scemes page [all will load] and the 2004 Cup Paint Schemes page.(1-9-2004)
- IMAGEs added; #1 Maxwell House/Post Chevy, #17 DeWalt Ford to the 2004 Cup Paint Schemes page and the #17 Car Paint Scemes page [all will load]. Also added images to the #6 Car Paint Scemes page, #31 Car Paint Scemes page, #88 Car Paint Scemes page and #19 Car Paint Scemes page(1-9-2004)
- Trimming of the Spoilers? NASCAR is planning the next step in cutting aerodynamic downforce, which would be to trim the rear spoiler by half an inch for the second half of the season at all tracks except Daytona and Talladega. Under the rule, which would go into effect at Chicago on July 11, cars would carry five-inch-tall spoilers. NASCAR has already trimmed spoilers by three-quarters of an inch, down to 5 1/2 inches for the year's first 14 downforce events.(Winston Salem Journal)(1-9-2004)
- Clean Fuel: Some engine builders say Sunoco's new racing gasoline is cleaner than Unocal's, which makes "reading" sparkplugs more difficult, when determining how to set up an engine. But Jack Roush says he has found no such problems: "When I look at how some people try to read sparkplugs, I'm like the dog that didn't hear the whistle and didn't get to the dish in time."(Winston Salem Journal)(1-9-2004)
(1-8-2004)
- NASCAR official confirms changes in points system, while the exact format was NOT announced, some changes announced that are coming include: a "playoff formet", a possible wild card for the 'playoffs', more points for the race winners, no points for a pole sitter [boo], still drivers and owners points, for playoffs drivers will NOT go back to zero points, and higher minimum speeds to stay in the race. As an added incentive for the drivers not in the playoffs over the final 10 races -- if winning a race weren't enough -- NASCAR will create an award for the highest finishing driver out of the playoffs and will recognize him at the Awards Banquet in New York. See updates and news from different sources on my NASCAR News page. Expect an announcement sometime in mid-to-late Jan.(1-8-2004)
- Elliott schedule to be more limited? Sponsorship may limit Bill Elliott's 2004 Nextel Cup Series schedule, team owner Ray Evernham said Thursday at Daytona International Speedway. Evernham said all he could confirm this season for Elliott, the 1988 NASCAR Cup champion, was three events: The Feb. 7 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona and Nextel Cup races at Las Vegas and Texas. Evernham said lack of sponsorship was tying his hands in terms of planning any further. Evernham also said although he had done a one-race experiment in the Busch Series with Mayfield, which resulted in a fourth place finish at Rockingham last fall, he did not immediately foresee running Busch races this season. Evernham said Elliott, who will work as Kahne's advisor for many of the early-season races, likely would not do more than 15 races no matter what the sponsorship program is.(NASCAR.com)(1-8-2004)
- Gibbs/Reggie White Diversity Update: North Carolina A&T graduate Chris Bristol is expected to be one of two minority drivers selected to drive a Late Model for a team owned by NASCAR owner and NFL coach Joe Gibbs and former NFL player Reggie White. The announcement is expected to take place later this month. Gibbs and White announced last year plans to create their own driver diversity program. Steve de Souza, vice president of Busch operations and special projects at Joe Gibbs Racing, said the organization received more than 200 resumes for the two openings. de Souza declined to name the two drivers but said Bristol was one of five who tested for the program last month. Bristol, a Greensboro resident, graduated from A&T in 1999 with a mechanical engineering degree. He finished second in the Late Model Super Truck division last season at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, winning rookie of the year honors, along with three races. Bristol, an African-American, first began racing six years ago in A&T's motorsports program and has been trying to race fulltime since. He was one of 13 candidates selected to try out earlier this week for the NASCAR-backed Drive for Diversity program -- which will put at least four minority drivers with Late Model teams in the Southeast. Bristol called program officials before the tryout to say he had other plans and wouldn't need to take part in the program. Bristol and his new team are expected to race regularly at Caraway. The other team is expected to compete regularly at Ace Speedway in Altamahaw.(News and Record)(1-8-2004)
- DW Dealership Helps Out: Darrell Waltrip Honda Volvo sponsored the building of a new home with Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County [Tenn], the third home the dealership has helped build. Waltrip, a retired three-time NASCAR champion, presented the keys to the home to new owner Diane Cunningham and her children. Waltrip supplied the funding and Page High students contributed to the construction.(Tennessean)(1-8-2004)
(1-7-2004)
- Been asked......what's up with IROC? The International Race of Champions [IROC] opener is still up in the air. The folks at IROC are apparently waiting to get the final, final, final OK from a new series sponsor. Daytona Intl Speedway is reserving them space on the Speed Weeks schedule (Feb. 13).(Daytona Beach News Journal)(12-19-2003)
UPDATE: have heard nothing on who could drive [no one has been named or rumored] or what model of cars they will run...if the series is run in 2004.....and on ThatsRacin.com, the Daytona International Speedway Speedweeks schedule has practice and race times listed, the official IROC site: www.irocracing.com has simply the following: 2004 Announcements Coming Soon!.(1-7-2004)
- Gibbs back to the NFL? UPDATE 2 It's Official - He is Back: Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs could make a surprise return to the Washington Redskins. The Washington Post, citing sources with connections to Gibbs, reported late Tuesday on its Web site that Gibbs was in serious discussions about returning to the team that he led to three Super Bowl titles. The 63-year-old Gibbs coached the Redskins from 1981-92 before resigning to pursue a career with his own NASCAR team. He has been adamant over the years about not wanting to coach again, although he has retained NFL connections. He is currently a minority owner of the Atlanta Falcons. The Redskins are seeking a replacement for Steve Spurrier, who resigned last week. Calls to the Redskins and to Gibbs' racing team were not immediately returned. Gibbs' racing teams have been among the most successful in NASCAR with two Winston Cup championships in the last four seasons. #18-Bobby Labonte took the title in 2000 and #20-Tony Stewart in 2002.(CNNSI/AP)(1-7-2004)
UPDATE: The Washington Redskins [Go Eagles] expect to name Joe Gibbs their coach Wednesday, a source within the NFL told The Associated Press. The Hall of Fame coach has been negotiating a surprise return to the team he led to three Super Bowls, said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity. The source said the team hoped to complete the deal and make an announcement later Wednesday. The negotiations were first reported by The Washington Post and CBS Sportsline.com. Gibbs' oldest son, J.D., is president of Joe Gibbs Racing. The former coach's youngest son, Coy, finished 14th last season in the Busch Series standings [but is not racing in 2004 and is supposedly 'retired'.(ThatsRacin.com/AP), no word on how this effects the team, but Gibbs has his son's in place running most of the day-to-day operation already.(1-7-2004)
AND from the Joe Gibbs Racing site: Joe Gibbs, former head coach of the NFL's Washington Redskins and owner of Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), announced today his return as head coach of the Washington Redskins. Gibbs retired as head coach of the Washington Redskins following the 1992 season after leading the Redskins to three Super Bowl victories in four appearances. In 12 seasons, Gibbs' record with the Redskins was 140-65 with a 16-5 playoff record.
"The desire to coach has always been with me, even after being away from the game for 11 years," said Gibbs, whose contract with the Redskins will run for five years. "After speaking with my wife Pat, we both agreed it would be a thrill to go back. I appreciate Daniel Snyder giving me the opportunity to coach again. But rest assured, I remain personally committed to Joe Gibbs Racing and each and every sponsor who supports the many employees of Joe Gibbs Racing."
JGR, winner of two NASCAR Nextel Cup Series championships and 40 Nextel Cup victories since its inception in 1992, will not be affected by Gibbs' return to the NFL sideline. Key management remains in place, with Gibbs' oldest son - J.D. Gibbs - continuing his role as team president. All of the drivers and key sponsors have long term deals, and the management structure will not change, with Jimmy Makar and each team's respective crew chiefs directing the racing operations. Joe Gibbs will remain as the race team's CEO.
"I am real excited for my Mom and Dad," said J.D. Gibbs. "I think this move gives our sponsors added value in terms of getting national exposure. JGR is a strong organization and it's in capable hands. I feel great about the state of this race team and its future success on the race track."
Prior to making his decision to return to the NFL, Joe Gibbs met with the race team's key corporate sponsors, most notably The Home Depot and Interstate Batteries. "Joe Gibbs is an integral part of The Home Depot family, and I speak for the more than 300,000 company associates in support of his new challenges as coach of the Washington Redskins," said Bob Nardelli, chairman, president and CEO, The Home Depot. "Given Joe's success at building teams, it comes as no surprise that he would add NFL coach to his current responsibilities for the #20 Home Depot car driven by Tony Stewart. We look forward to a successful 2004 season with Joe Gibbs Racing."
"All of us at Interstate are extremely excited for Joe and look forward to the Cowboys - Redskins rivalry heating up again". said Norm Miller, chairman, of Interstate Batteries. "Joe Gibbs has been terrific for racing, leading Interstate and Bobby Labonte to the 2000 Winston Cup Championship and I know he will quickly return the Redskins to Super bowl form." In addition to meeting with the race team's sponsors, Joe Gibbs also visited with his two NASCAR Nextel Cup Series drivers, Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte.
"I'm very happy for him," said Stewart. "He's always been a coach, and football has always been very close to him. After working with Joe for a number of years, I know his commitment to winning is unmatched. Fans of the Redskins should be very happy."
"I'm thrilled for Joe" said driver Bobby Labonte, who has driven for Joe Gibbs since 1995, "Donna and I think this is the coolest thing we've heard in a long time. The race team will be just fine, and all of us on the #18 team will work just as hard to win another championship in 2004 "(JGR site)(1-7-2004)
- Changes to the Hot Pass credential system: NASCAR has made a slight modification to its "hot pass" credential system for its Nextel Cup series for the 2004 season. Beginning with the Feb. 6 Budweiser Shootout and extending for the remainder of the 2004 season, the "hot pass" rule will remain in effect until one hour after track activity has completed. When the system was implemented at the beginning of last season, it required media and spectators to vacate the garage and pit road 30 minutes before and 10 minutes after any track activity unless they had a "hot pass" distributed by NASCAR or an annual credential or "hard card." "If you think about everything that happens at the conclusion of a Cup race - 43 teams moving equipment, pushing it up on the lift-gates and rolling all of that stuff into the trucks - it takes a lot more than 10 minutes to get that done," Nextel Cup series director John Darby said. "This is a lot more comfortable feeling to allow the teams to work through this process without interference. "Beyond that," he said, "it's about the inspection process. Our inspectors need to do their jobs. We won't have to worry about who is in the garage and who isn't." Hot passes are limited to working personnel including drivers, officials, crew members, the working media and emergency and safety workers. The new policy was designed to improve safety in the pits and in the garage for spectarors, drivers, crews and working personnel.(ThatsRacin.com)(1-7-2004)
- Maryland legal firm to be associate sponsor for three Cup, three Busch and four Truck Series teams: Starting a unique sports marketing initiative in 2004, one of the country’s fastest-growing legal firms will become the most active car associate sponsor in NASCAR racing. Jenkins, Jenkins & Jenkins, P.A., a top personal injury firm based in La Plata, will sponsor three NASCAR Nextel Cup teams, three NASCAR Busch Grand National teams, and four NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series teams this season. These associate sponsorships make the firm the first legal firm to be involved in motorsports sponsorship on a full-time basis, and make it one of the very few companies of any type to sponsor teams in all three divisions. Their involvement with 10 teams will be greater than any car sponsor in the sport.
Jenkins, Jenkins & Jenkins not only handles personal injury claims but also is well known for its contract and business representation, as well as a vast criminal and real estate practice.
BAM Racing, which fields the #49 Dodge of driver Ken Schrader, will be sponsored by Jenkins, Jenkins & Jenkins the entire 2004 season. The logo will also appear on the #02 Score Motorsports NASCAR Nextel Cup entry of driver Hermie Sadler in selected events, while also appearing on Sadler’s NASCAR Busch Series entry. In addition, the #0 NetZero car of driver Ward Burton will carry the firm’s logo in the four NASCAR Nextel Cup races at Dover, Del., and Richmond, Va., while the #00 Haas/CNC Busch entry of driver Jason Leffler will carry the Jenkins colors throughout the season. The #77 Moy Racing-owned Busch Grand National entry of driver Donnie Neuenberger will be sponsored the entire year, as will the Bobby Hamilton-owned #4 and #18 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entries; the #38 Cure Autism Now Ford Truck of driver Brandon Whitt; and the #21 Innovative Motorsports Toyota Truck of driver Hank Parker, Jr.(Williams Company PR). NOTE: these are associate sponsorships, teams such as the #49 BAM Racing and #02 Hermie Sadler are still looking for primary sponsors.(1-7-2004)
- Roush and Yates? UPDATE 3 mergine engine programs: hearing Robert Yates Racing and Roush Racing are teaming up to build engines together at Yates engine shop?
hearing it's a two way technology transfer as chassis info is headed back to Yates' group from Roush. It's along the lines of GM's "Key Partners" group. The idea is to have the gear as optimized as it can be, then race amongst themselves for the win ---- which is what GM's been doing with great success this year.(11-13-2003)
UPDATE: hearing more and more unconfirmed rumors that Roush Racing is buying out Roberts Yates two car operation [#38 and #88], but that Yates would maintain the engine side of things and build engines for all seven teams [Yates #38, #88; Roush's #6, #16, #17, #97, #99] and run an engine lease operation.(1-4-2004)
UPDATE 2: been told that Roush is not buying Yates out, but Yates is supposedly doing some engine work for Roush.(1-5-2004)
AND see a column at FoxSports: A Roush-Yates alliance could be RAD for Ford.(1-6-2004)
UPDATE 3: A few versions of how it's playing out: "Jack Roush is buying Robert Yates Racing"; Robert Yates Engines has become the "Official Ford Engine builder of NASCAR" or, as a longer story has it, a Ford Motor Company executive one day wondered why Ford's top teams didn't collaborate on their stock car programs. "Ford has encouraged them to work together, particularly with the new cylinder head having been approved by NASCAR during the offseason," Ford Motorsports spokesman Dan Zacharias said Tuesday. "Roush has not bought Robert Yates; Yates is not building all of the Ford engines used in NASCAR." Finally, the story continues, the Ford executive got the guys together and asked them: "Why don't you all just work together?" Everyone involved supposedly likes the idea that each would no longer waste money on producing something that the other can bring to the table and have, supposedly, already started doing just that. "They've established a cooperative arrangement to work together instead, to get everybody up to speed."(in part from a Daytona Beach News Journal column)
UPDATE 3a: Two of the biggest names in NASCAR racing, car owners Robert Yates and Jack Roush, are merging their engine-building operations, in a stunning development for the two long-time rivals. The move comes, Roush said, to meet the challenge of a tremendous influx of European Formula One technology into stock-car racing over the past 18 months and the pending Toyota challenge. At the moment, the Roush-Yates merger involves only engine technology, but sources said that the opportunity is now there for much tighter work between the two Ford camps - Yates, with drivers Dale Jarrett and Elliott Sadler, and Roush, with drivers Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Kurt Busch and Greg Biffle. "Ford has encouraged Robert and me to have a 'technology transfer' to become competitive with what Toyota is bringing and what Chevrolet is doing and what Dodge has done," Roush said. The Ford thing has been disjointed. Robert and I didn't cooperate, and Ford was not in a position to carry any amount of meaningful technology to both of us, even though both of us were being funded for different projects. The agreement was to help our programs singularly, but that is just not going to work going forward, because you can't have half a program and get the whole result. So we're working to organize how to build better engines by taking both programs and putting them together. Beyond that there are discussions that could lead to deeper involvements, but those aren't finalized at this point." Some crewmen sense an even deeper merger of the two camps may be looming.(Winston Salem Journal)(1-7-2004)
- New NASCAR.com Correspondent: Leilani Munter will be doing double duty during the 2004 racing season. Leilani and Turner Sports Interactive have come to an agreement for 2004 for her to work as a correspondent for NASCAR.com. Leilani will continue to race a late model stock car in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series for LesCare Kitchens and Evernham Performance Parts. Currently Leilani is in Daytona reporting for NASCAR.com on the first test session of NASCAR Nextel Cup testing. She will also be reporting from Daytona during the second test session on January 13-15. Tune in to TrackPass on NASCAR.com to view the coverage.(PR)(1-7-2004)
- New Testing Rules in 2004 UPDATE: Nextel Cup teams received a last-minute holiday gift from NASCAR in the form of a testing bonus. Starting this month through November 14, Cup teams will be allowed five two-day and four one-day tests [total of 9]. Rookies get seven two-day and five one-day tests [total of 12]. The only mandatory test sessions will occur before the Daytona 500. Last season, non-rookie teams were allowed five tests of one or two days, and rookie teams were allowed seven.(Yahoo Sports/Sporting News)(1-5-2004)
UPDATE: NASCAR announced changes in testing policies for the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, increasing the number of tests available to teams at facilities hosting events on the three 2004 national series schedules.
For the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and the NASCAR Busch Series, the new policies allow for five two-day private-car tests and four single-day tests (14 total days); teams with Rookie of the Year candidates will be permitted seven two-day tests and five single-day tests (19 total days). Previously, teams were allowed five two-day tests while rookies were allowed nine two-day tests.
For the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, all manufacturers will be allotted two two-day test sessions at a track of their choice, provided the track hosts a series event. In addition, each team will be allotted two private, two-day tests – thus increasing the maximum number of test days to eight. Those tests must be at a track on the series schedule, provided all series races at that track have been held.
In addition:
* As in the past, all teams are free to test at facilities that do not host national series events, with those tests not counting toward their allotment.
* For the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and NASCAR Busch Series, new teams or those not among the top 45 in the 2003 owner points and/or in the top 45 in the current season’s owner points will receive one two-day test and one single-day test (total of three days) until they attempt to qualify for a race. Each time a qualification attempt is made, teams will receive an additional two-day/single-day allotment, up to the maximum amount.
* The three-day test sessions at NASCAR Preseason Thunder count as a two-day test for all teams in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and NASCAR Busch Series. NASCAR Preseason Thunder does not count against NASCAR Craftsman Truck teams’allotment.(NASCAR PR)(1-7-2004)
- Arnold Motorsports and Cope UPDATE: being told that the #79 Arnold Motorsports team, will switch to the #50 and Derrike Cope will drive the car full time and the sponsor Cope announced last year for his #37 Quest Motorsports team, PHM - Paramount Hospitality Management, could be part of the package. More info on the team at www.arnold-motorsports.com [but no mention of this, confirmed it with the team].(12-11-2003)
UPDATE: from the Derrike Cope site: Derrike told us that he will be teaming with Arnold Motorsports and driving the #50 Dodge for the Nextel Cup season. Derrike said, "We currently have two very nice speedway cars that will be ready for the test sessions at Daytona next week. We test Jan. 13, 14, 15. Also we will be testing for two days in Las Vegas later this month on the 26th and 27th."(Derrike Cope site)(1-7-2003)
- Cool Helmet: Brendan Gaughan will wear a special helmet in the Daytona 500. It was signed by an Army unit stationed at the Baghdad (Iraq) Airport. "We got the second guy who interrogated Sadaam Hussein on here," Gaughan said. "I've been given permission to wear it in the Daytona 500, so this is it. I've got to support the troops."(Daytona Beach News Journal)(1-7-2004)
- Daytona/Talladega Aero Package: The Nextel Cup aero package for the 2004 season includes a 55 degree spoiler angle; 6.75-inch spoiler height; 57-inch spoiler width; and 29/32-inch restrictor plate openings. Last year's spoiler height was 6.25-inch and the plate opening was set at 28/32-inch.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(1-7-2004)
- Ephedra Banned: NASCAR has added the supplemental product ephedra/ephedrine to the list of banned substances under its drug policy, series officials confirmed Tuesday. On Dec. 30, federal officials announced it was moving to ban dietary supplements containing ephedra because of continued health concerns about the product. Last season, NASCAR advised its participants in all of its series to seek guidance from their personal physician before taking any supplemental product labeled as containing ephedra/ephedrine. Ephedra, which is extracted from an Asian plant, was already banned in college sports, the Olympics, the NFL and minor league baseball. Supplement manufacturer Stacker 2 sponsors the NASCAR Busch Series car of Kenny Wallace. That sponsorship should not be affected since Stacker 2 offers other non-ephedra products.(ThatsRacin.com)(1-7-2004)
- Andy Petree Racing News: Andy Petree Racing (APR) and Monaco Coach Corporation announced plans for primary sponsorship in 2004. "This marks the fourth consecutive year that we have the opportunity of working with such a committed company, we have really enjoyed this relationship and look forward to winning again for Monaco Coach Corporation in 2004. We got involved with Monaco Coach Corporation over four years ago and haven't looked back. Their sales and marketing department really understand the benefits of being involved in NASCAR and that helps us focus on the performance side of our operation. I can't say enough good things about the group of people that run Monaco Coach Corporation." said Steve Barkdoll, General Manager of APR.
Monaco will sponsor driver Paul Menard in the season opening ARCA event in Daytona, FL on February 7, 2004. The focus will then shift to the Craftsman Truck Series in Martinsville, VA on April 17, and Indianapolis Raceway Park, IN Aug. 6. Plans also include a Monaco Coach Corporation entry into the Craftsman Truck Series race at Richmond, VA on September 9, as APR attempts to defend their two-year consecutive win streak.(APR PR)(1-7-2004)
- Congrats to Ryan Newman and Krissie Boyle, who got married this past Saturday [Jan 3rd]; best man was crew chief Matt Borland.(1-7-2004)
- Wimmer next: congrats to Scott Wimmer, driver of the #22 CAT Dodge, who left Daytona testing to head to Las Vegas, where he is getting married to girlfriend Jody Ambrose. As reported, Dave Blaney will test the car for the remainder of the testing this week.(1-7-2004)
(1-6-2004)
- Changes Announced in the Provisional System for 2004: The provisional system for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series will have several changes beginning with the 2004 season, NASCAR officials announced today.
The most significant change in the system will increase the number of cars that make the 43-car fields via qualifying times, raising the total from 36 to 38. The move reduces the amount of provisional starting positions assigned to a field from seven to five. The “champion’s” provisional remains in place for the 43rd and final starting position when applicable.
The other key change involves the eligibility for the provisional starting positions for new car owners and also those not among the top 45 in the owner standings. Those owners are ineligible for provisionals until after their entry makes an attempt to qualify at four events. After attempting to qualify for four events, the car owner will receive two provisionals and additional ones can be earned by attempting to qualify for six events, with a season maximum of eight. Previously, those outside the top 45 and new car owners earned four initial provisionals following their first attempt to qualify for a race.
Additional changes include:
Car owners in the top 45 positions of the 2003 owner championship standings will receive four provisionals at the outset of the season and will receive an additional one after attempting to qualify for six events, for a season maximum of 10. The previous season maximum was eight.
Each provisional used by a car owner during the season – regardless of standing – counts against the owner’s season allotment earned. Previously, the top 25 car owners were not charged for provisionals used after the fourth race of the season.
In the event the number of entrants is equal to or less than the number of starting positions available for an event, provisionals assigned to fill starting positions 39 through 43 will not count toward the maximum season allotment.
The provisional starting positions procedure for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will remain unchanged for the 2004 season. Also unchanged for 2004 in the NASCAR Busch Series will be the rule in which car owners who utilize a driver who is among the top 35 in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championship points will be ineligible for a provisional starting position.(NASCAR PR), see past rules and 2003 standings on my 2003 ProvisionalLand Page.(1-6-2004)
- #77 Announcement Tuesday UPDATE, OFFICIAL: hearing the announcement of the long rumored Kodak and Brendan Gaughan to the #77 {Ford to Dodge] ride with Penske buying into the Jasper Motorsports team will be announced on Tuesday, Jan 6th. For much more on the rumor, see my #77 Team News and Links page.(1-5-2004)
UPDATE: Eastman Kodak Company and Penske Performance, Inc. announced that Kodak would sponsor Penske-Jasper Racing Company's #77 Dodge for the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. The companies forged a multi-year agreement for Kodak to be the primary sponsor of the #77 Dodge, which will be driven by Brendan Gaughan. Gaughan, the 2002 "Rookie of the Year" in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, won eight races over two full seasons and finished fourth in the Truck Series point standings in 2003.
"Kodak has had a long and rewarding relationship with NASCAR and we are pleased to be continuing with our race team program with this great sport and its fans," said Carl Gustin, Chief Marketing Officer, and Senior Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. "We are excited to be aligned with Penske, one of the premier organizations in all of motor sports."
The #77 Kodak-sponsored Dodge will be co-owned by Jasper Engine Exchange, Inc., a long-time Penske business partner, and will have the benefits of its relationship with Penske's other NEXTEL Cup teams, the #2 Miller Lite Dodge, driven by Rusty Wallace, and the #12 Alltel Dodge, driven by Ryan Newman. "Having the opportunity to partner with Kodak brings a tremendous amount of credibility to our race team and I look forward to the business-to-business opportunities that will develop from this new relationship," said Roger Penske.
Kodak plans to utilize its race team sponsorship and its NASCAR Official Imaging Sponsor status as a marketing platform for many of its 2004 strategic initiatives. Kodak will adorn the #77 Dodge with a wide representation of Kodak's digitally-oriented products and services, including KODAK EASYSHARE digital cameras and its OFOTO online photo fulfillment service (www.ofoto.com). Kodak will leverage its digital leadership through a variety of racing-related programs, such as using in-car KODAK EASYSHARE cameras, utilizing its OFOTO service for print fulfillment and incorporating race team content on KODAK PictureMaker kiosks. Additionally, Kodak plans to enable a system for fans to purchase NASCAR photos at the track, at retail and online through various KODAK digital services.
Kodak will continue its Retail Partner Program, where select retailers will partner with Kodak's racing program, beginning with Eckerd Corporation at the Daytona 500 in February 2004. Kodak expects to have 15 to 20 partners participate in this program throughout the season. Through its Entertainment Imaging operations, Kodak plans to engage movie studio customers to market new releases. In 2003, Kodak teamed up with Walt Disney Pictures to promote "The Pirates of the Caribbean" release at the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
"I am thrilled to get this opportunity and thankful to so many people," said Brendan Gaughan. "I appreciate the confidence that Kodak and the Penske organization have shown in my abilities, and I'm very excited about the opportunity to represent Kodak, one of the most respected brands and companies in the world. To drive the Kodak Dodge for an organization the caliber of Penske-Jasper Racing is a dream come true. I can't wait for the 2004 season to begin."
Jasper Engine Exchange and Transmissions, Inc., which has been the primary sponsor of the #77 Jasper car for the past 13 seasons, will become an associate sponsor with the new race team. Jasper will be identified as the primary sponsor in several races each year. In addition to its sponsorship, Jasper will provide engineering support and power train development to the Kodak-sponsored #77 Dodge.
For the past 18 years, Kodak has been identified with the #4 car, teamed with Morgan-McClure Motorsports. Kodak will remain with the Morgan-McClure team as an associate sponsor. The Kodak and Morgan McClure relationship has resulted in 14 Winston Cup wins, including 3 Daytona 500 victories in 1991, 1994 and 1995. "We thank Larry McClure and Morgan-McClure Motorsports for our long-standing relationship with them," said Gustin. "We wish them the best of luck as a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup competitor in the coming seasons. Kodak, EasyShare and Ofoto are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company [www.kodak.com].(Yahoo Biz)
see two images of the car on my #77 Team Paint Schemes page [both will load] or on my 2004 Paint Schemes page.(1-6-2004)
- Assoc sponsor re-ups with the #17: GE Advanced Materials announced that it has renewed as an associate sponsor of 2003 Winston Cup Champion, Matt Kenseth, and the #17 DEWALT Ford Taurus for the 2004 NASCAR racing season. The extension marks the second year that GE Advanced Materials has teamed up with DEWALT and Roush Racing to promote its LEXAN brand of polycarbonate plastic, which is used as an ingredient component in many consumer products. The #17 DEWALT Ford Taurus will once again feature the green LEXAN resin logo across the back. LEXAN resin is one of the toughest and most versatile polymers in existence and can be found in everything from DVDs to automotive headlamps and steering columns, to camping equipment, cell phones, and computer housings. LEXAN is a registered trademark of General Electric Company.(Business Wire)(1-6-2004)
- Kenseth's Busch team sold? hearing that #17 Busch Series team that Matt Kenseth drives for and owned by John Reiser has been sold to Roush Racing.(1-6-2004)
- Steve Young to be involved with NASCAR team: Legendary NFL quarterback Steve Young, already successful in off-gridiron endeavors such as business and broadcasting has become involved in the world of NASCAR auto racing. Young announced Thursday [1-1-2004] that Jugular [goforthejugular.com] and YET [getyet.net], a line of energy drinks of which he is an investor and company spokesperson, will be the primary sponsor of the BH Motorsports 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Car [#36 Chevy per the BH Motorsports site].
“Like many Americans, I have been very excited by the explosive growth of NASCAR. To be a part of a NASCAR team, and to promote healthy energy drinks like YET and Jugular at the same time, was an irresistible opportunity,” said Young, a Super Bowl MVP and a regular commentator on ESPN. “And we’re very happy to be working with BH Motorsports on our entry into NASCAR NEXTEL Cup. BH Motorsports have fielded cars in NASCAR competition since 1989, with great drivers like Mike Skinner, Darrell Waltrip, Ken Bouchard, Carl Long and Ron Hornaday.”
The NASCAR sponsorship will mark the start of a national marketing and advertising campaign for Jugular and YET. BH Motorsports, signed Sudden Impact Partners, Inc. - who own the Jugular and YET brand energy drinks - to a long term sponsorship which will include merchandising and promotional campaigns. Jugular has sponsored downhill skateboard competitions, street luge races, and Team Jugular athletes. Over the past six years Team Jugular has medaled over 20 times in the X Games, the Gravity Games and other major competitions throughout the world. BH Motorsports owner Tinsley Hughes has also worked tirelessly to increase urban participation in motorsports. A native of Virginia, who now resides in Charlotte, Hughes founded the Hughes Motorsports Academy, a program formed to increase participation by Urban Americans in all aspects of auto racing. ”We have helped Urban drivers for a number of years,” said Hughes. “So we have been doing this longer than a lot of people realize.” The goal of Hughes Motorsports Academy is to give urban drivers a chance to develop the needed skills to make a career in motorsports whether their interest is in driving, becoming a crew member or a future team owner. Lowe’s Motor Speedway has been extremely supportive of the program.” Hughes added, “They are one of the greatest assets we have.” The Hughes Motorsports Academy Drivers had a very successful 2003 season with 11 wins and 26 top 10 finishes. BH Motorsports will announce the driver for the Jugular/ YET Racing Team in late January or early February.(BH Motorsports PR)(1-6-2004)
- Congrats: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevy got engaged recently to girlfriend Chandra Janway.(XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio - Subscription Required)(1-6-2004)
- DEI Tuner leaves to start own biz? hearing that DEI Engine Tuner and #8 Gasman, Jeff Clark has left DEI to start a Motorcycle Business in the Charlotte, NC area.(1-6-2004)
- Speed Channel's Autorotica: Speed Channel is launching a two-hour programming bloc on Wednesday nights that's dubbed "Autorotica." The expanded programming debuts Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. and will include international car shows, motorcycle programming, profiles of celebrity-owned vehicles and racing films. The network initiated the programming in August with a one-hour broadcast. Speed Channel, available in more the 64 million homes in North America, is a 24-hour sports cable network that broadcasts NASCAR and other racing events.(Charlotte Business Journal)(1-6-2004)
- FanZCar Continues Sponsorship of Weekly Segment on Raceline: SS Racing Inc., founding company of The FanZCar, a fan-based sponsorship program, announces it extended it sponsorship throughout 2004 with nationally syndicated NASCAR racing television program, RACELINE. The FanZCar sponsors the fans forum portion of its broadcast. The segment is titled the "The FanZCar Fan's Forum" and features one question asked on-air each week, and one fan's response, read on air, to the previous week's question. The fan chosen as each week's winner will receive a race fan grab bag including an honorary membership in The FanZCar program, a $100.00 value. The FanZCar logo and a link to The FanZCar website at www.thefanzcar.com will also be displayed each week during the FanZ Forum segment of the show. RACELINE (www.racelineonline.com) will also highlight new events and programs within The FanZCar each month. Raceline is hosted by Joe Moore and airs on many stations, including the Outdoor Channel. The FanZCar will be sponsoring #13-Black Cat Racing in NASCAR's Busch Racing Series in 2004.(1-6-2004)
(1-5-2004)
- Bill Davis Racing News and 2004 plans; Blaney to test the #23 at Daytona: Bill Davis Racing has expanded its operation to include two Craftsman Truck Series teams. Shelby Howard, an Indiana native, will compete in the #23 Toyota truck with Dave Fuge Jr., as his crew chief. Bill Lester will drive the #22 Toyota truck for Bill Davis Racing’s second entry in the Craftsman Truck Series with the experience of Jeff Hensley as his crew chief.
Kenny Wallace returns to the NASCAR Busch Series in 2004 with Stacker 2 backing the #23 Chevrolet. Wallace has amassed 10 poles, nine wins, 58 top-five and 131 top-10’s in his Busch Series career. The #23 will return with the same Busch team that led Scott Wimmer to victory lane five times in the last two seasons. Chris Rice will return as crew chief for the #23 Stacker 2 team.
Scott Wimmer will compete for Rookie of the Year honors in the #22 Caterpillar Dodge under the tutelage of Frank Stoddard. The team got a jumpstart on the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season after competing in the final four races of 2003. Wimmer scored his first top 10 finish in just his second start with the team. The crew kicks off Daytona testing this week with Wimmer behind the wheel for just one day, before heading off to Las Vegas to get married to longtime girlfriend Jody Ambrose. Dave Blaney will fill in for the final two days of
testing for Wimmer.
Dave Blaney will also test the #23 NEXTEL Cup entry at Daytona International Speedway for Bill Davis Racing in preparation for the
2004 Speedweeks. Discussions regarding sponsorship for the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series are ongoing and once they have been finalized, an announcement will be made at that time.(BDR PR)(1-5-2004)
- New #40 Crew Members: Sterling Marlin will work with the new #40 Ganassi Racing crew. Paul Clapprood, who had been the front mechanic on Ganassi's #41 car, is the new car chief. Randy Cox, formerly the #41's car chief, is Marlin's new rear tire changer and will be an asset to the team on race weekends. Shocks specialist Jeff Price joins the team from the #49 car, and Dave Atkins will be Marlin's spotter.(Yahoo Sports/Sporting News)(1-5-2004)
- Grant of $1 million will help save Halifax land: A $1 million federal grant will help preserve a 1,123-acre tract in Halifax County known as the Cove, which includes two archaeological digs and an 18th-century plantation house. The grant to the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation comes from a U.S. Forest Service program. "It's pretty emotional to know that we are this close to making this happen," said NASCAR driver Ward Burton during a recent event to announce the grant. The Southside native, who started the foundation, was joined by Sen. George Allen, R-Va., and Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr., R-5th. Burton's close relationship with the Cove's landowner, a retired minister, prompted the man to persuade his family to place the land in the foundation's hands after his death in 1999. The foundation hopes to raise additional funds to build an educational center on the land that would include natural history exhibits and an auditorium. (
Free Lance Star via Richmond Times-Dispatch)(1-5-2004)
- Lane goes to the #41: After two seasons as a crew chief with Petty Enterprises, Steven Lane will bring his expertise to the #41 car and Ganassi sophomore Casey Mears. Lane will be the car chief and work with crew chief Jimmy Elledge.(Yahoo Sports/Sporting News)(1-5-2004)