- Andretti bumps way into Indy 500: Bump Day drama can even affect an Indy 500 veteran like John Andretti. But the Indy native shook off any nerves Sunday in last-ditch qualifying effort to make his tenth Indianapolis 500 field. Driving his #43 Richard Petty Window World Honda Dallara, Andretti had not been fast enough to make the 33-driver field in his first two qualifying attempts Sunday with a best of 220.2 miles per hour with twenty minutes remaining in time trials. But a quick change by the Window World crew helped the NASCAR regular make the field in his third and final attempt. With six minutes left in Bump Day, Andretti posted laps of 221.571, 221.393, 221.201 and 221.098 for a four-lap of 221.316 m.p.h. and claim the 28th spot in next Sunday’s starting grid. Andretti’s start will be his third consecutive at Indy after taking a 13-year hiatus to drive on the NASCAR circuit. In fact, Tony Stewart even texted Dreyer & Reinbold Racing competition director Larry Curry [who Stewart drove for in the IRL] for advise for Andretti during the afternoon qualifying excitement. The text said, "If he is uneasy about opening the entry, ask him to let it have its head on the exit. He is a full car width off the wall on the exit binding it up."(see more at petty-andretti.com)(5-18-2009) Comment here
- Bad day for Andretti at Indy: It was a rough day for John Andretti [driver of the #34 Chevy in the Sprint Cup Series] trying to put Richard Petty's #43 entry into the field for the Indianapolis 500 during the second day of qualifying on Sunday. Andretti got into the wall during a practice run and wiped out the car. "We really wanted to get into the race today so we could work on our race set-up this coming week," he said. "We didn't want to battle to get into the race next weekend. We didn't get a quality run in qualifying, and we knew we would probably have to make another run today. It was frustrating. We worked on the chassis setup this afternoon to get a better balance. But, in practice, the car was a little too loose and we were making adjustments. I was going pretty hot into Turn One, which is always a tough corner, and I lost the back end."(Alabama Live)(5-11-2009) Comment here
- Raines to replace Andretti in #34 during Indy 500 conflicts: Tony Raines said Saturday that he would be surprised if he is not in the #34 NASCAR Sprint Cup car for Front Row Motorsports next week at Darlington Raceway while John Andretti attempts to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. Team owner Bob Jenkins has said that Raines would likely fill that seat for the events at Darlington and Lowe’s Motor Speedway while Andretti is in Indianapolis. Raines competes for the team in the Nationwide Series and has run in select Cup races for the team this year.(Scene Daily)(5-4-2009) Comment here
- John Andretti goes skydiving: Despite having competed in NASCAR, IndyCar and NHRA, John Andretti experienced a new type of speed this week. The driver of the #34 Window World Chevy performed a tandem skydive with the elite Golden Knights Parachute Team. For Andretti, it was a thrilling way to kickoff a month that promises even more excitement. Andretti and Window World CEO Todd Whitworth were invited to be guests of the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team. Each individual was paired with an instructor and experienced the thrill of skydiving from 13,500 feet. Andretti still has more to look forward to. After competing in this weekend's Crown Royal 400, Andretti turns his focus to open-wheel racing. Andretti will drive the #43 Window World/Richard Petty Motorsports/Dreyer and Reinbold Racing Honda-Dallara in the Indy 500.(Breaking Limits PR)(5-3-2009)
- Andretti and Front Row Motorsports Head to Richmond: “Richmond is a favorite of a lot of guys. It’s a short track, but it’s a ‘bigger’ short track too. It’s unique in a lot of ways. It will wear your neck out more than Bristol will. You never stop turning at Richmond. The whole straightaway is a turn. The only rest you get is about the two seconds you go down the back. I like the fact that it’s a ‘racers’ track. I think a lot of guys agree. You can race down at the bottom, run the middle or run the top. You never know where the race is going to be won. It’s been won from all three. It’s a great little track. There is ‘rooting’ and ‘gouging’, but this isn’t Martinsville. We can put on a great show and usually always do. I’m sure after Talladega, a bunch of us are looking forward to it. Our team, Front Row Motorsports with Window World support this weekend, has overachieved in some areas and underachieved in others. We’re looking at the areas that we can get better and trying to capitalize on that. We’re still a new race team. People have spoken about the new teams that have come in this season, but this is a whole new team too. Sure, Front Row Motorsports has been around for while, but this is a whole new team. We have a new location (Statesville, N.C.), new people, new parts, different equipment and a lot of good things going on. The only thing that is the same is the team name, Front Row Motorsports and Bob Jenkins (team owner). We’re getting our legs underneath us. We’re a July, August team. I don’t mean we’re going to be chasing down Hendrick Motorsports at that time, but we’re certainly going to be making strides forward at that point. Right now, it’s one race at a time. The next race is in Richmond. Our hope is to have another good night and continue to build with this team.” This is the last race before Andretti takes a hiatus from Front Row Motorsports to concentrate on the Indianapolis 500 in May. Front Row Motorsports will continue to race at Darlington and Lowe’s with a driver to be announced.(Breaking Limits PR)(5-1-2009) Comment here
- Andretti will drive 34 races: John Andretti wasn't sure how many Sprint Cup races he would enter when Front Row Racing offered him a ride for the Daytona 500. Turns out he will attempt all but two of 36. Andretti plans to miss only two races, the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway and Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte. He?ll be at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for both weekends, one for qualifying and the other for the Indianapolis 500. His replacement for those events hasn't been named.(ESPN Insider)(4-15-2009) Comment here
- NASCAR team owner to run Indy 500? UPDATE 3: According to a press release from TB Communications, a press conference has been scheduled for Monday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a "NASCAR team owner" to announce an entry into the 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 24. The release said the team owner will be making his debut as a car owner in the Indy 500. Two Sprint Cup Series team owners can be eliminated. Roger Penske and Chip Ganassi have both won the Indy 500 as car owners. The NASCAR team owner announcing the entry is also expected to announce a major sponsor for the deal and also who will drive his car. The release did not say if the NASCAR team owner involved is an owner in the Sprint Cup Series.(Hartford Courant)(4-3-2009)
UPDATE: Richard Petty Motorsports will field an Indy 500 entry for driver John Andretti, sources have confirmed to NASCAR.COM. The official announcement will be made Monday. Given that RPM currently does not have an IndyCar operation, it was unclear Friday how the program would take shape.(NASCAR.com)(4-3-2009)
UPDATE 2: Richard Petty will make his first foray into the Indianapolis 500 as an owner when he fields a car for John Andretti in next month's race. A news conference is scheduled Monday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but details were confirmed Friday by a person familiar with the arrangement. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the deal has not been announced. In 1994, Andretti became the first driver to run both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR event in Charlotte on the same day, finishing 10th at Indianapolis and crashing and finishing 36th at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Tony Stewart and Robby Gordon have both since done the double, but the grueling feat is no longer possible since Indianpolis changed its starting time several years ago.
Petty is a partner in NASCAR with George Gillett in Richard Petty Motorsports, the team formerly known as Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Gillett is not expected to be part of the Indy deal. Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, which runs the full IndyCar Series, will work with Petty at Indy, providing equipment and personnel.(Associated Press)(4-4-2009)
UPDATE 3: Richard Petty will field an entry for the Indianapolis 500 for the first time, with John Andretti driving the Window World-sponsored car in the 2009 edition of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" on Sunday, May 24. Seven-time NASCAR champion Petty unveiled the #43 Window World Dallara/Honda/Firestone for Indy 500 veteran and NASCAR regular Andretti on April 6 at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Window World, the world's largest replacement window company, brought Andretti to the Daytona 500 earlier this year. Petty's new entry will feature the traditional "Petty Blue" and "Day-Glo Red" from his stock cars in the "King's" debut as a team owner in the Indy 500 after participating in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for the past 15 years. Richard Petty Motorsports currently campaigns four Dodge cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Window World and Petty will combine efforts with the Indy-based Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team to field the #43 Honda-powered Indy car for Andretti, an Indianapolis native.(see more, a transcript and photos at Indy500.com)(4-6-2009) Comment here
- MyAutoLoan.com to sponsor Andretti at Texas: myAutoloan.com will be the primary sponsor of the #34 Front Row Motorsports entry driven by John Andretti at Texas Motor Speedway, for NASCAR’s Sprint Cup race, the Samsung 500. "I look forward to driving the #34 myAutoloan.com Chevrolet Impala at Texas Motor Speedway," commented driver John Andretti. "The guys in the shop have spent a lot of time the last couple of weeks getting the car ready for the race and branding it for myAutoloan.com this weekend. Texas is a fast track and we have a great car, I’m confident we will put together a superior effort." For more information about myAutoloan.com please visit myAutoloan.com. "We are grateful for the support of myAutoloan.com for the Texas race," said Front Row Motorsports team owner Bob Jenkins. "There is no doubt the Sprint Cup Series is as tough as it has ever been, but great partners like myAutoloan.com, make it possible for us to go to the track week after week."(PR Leap)(3-30-2009) Comment here
- Labonte and Andretti Discuss Benefits of 2009 Testing Rules: In response to the troubling economy, NASCAR implemented a new policy for the 2009 season that banned testing at NASCAR sanctioned tracks. Although several teams were skeptical of the change when it was first administered, most teams now agree that it has helped make everyone more competitive with their given budget. NASCAR drivers Bobby Labonte and John Andretti discuss the effects of the new policy.
Bobby Labonte, Driver of the #96 Ask.com Ford and President of Breaking Limits: “I think the new policy that NASCAR implemented this year was the right thing to do. Looking back on it, if they (NASCAR) didn’t do anything and we were testing like normal, it would be disastrous for a lot of teams. I’m sure it’s saving them a lot of money in that area. I’m sure they’re spending it in another. I can’t see the difference at the race track, basically. I’m not sure that you’d want to do this every year, but it’s definitely been good not having some teams waste or spend their money. At this point in time, all the teams are pretty strong because they’ve been able to figure things out pretty fast and they’ve adapted quickly to it.”
John Andretti, Driver of the #34 Front Row Motorsports Chevrolet: “I think the new testing policy has served its purpose. It’s helped reduce the separation between the 'haves,' 'have-nots' and even the 'have-less.' Some of the more well-funded teams have found ways to test. There are still tracks that you can test at that might help you prepare for an upcoming race, but it’s only a slight advantage. When you arrive for a race weekend, there won’t be a team with a head and shoulders advantage over anyone else. Everyone will begin at nearly the same starting point and that’s because of the testing policy, so it’s definitely helped keep the playing field level in the tough economic times.”(Breaking Limits PR)(3-26-2009) Comment here
- Front Row Motorsports plans full season, hires crew chief: Front Row Motorsports has hired Steve Lane from Earnhardt Ganassi Racing to be its crew chief and is still focused on running the entire season, team owner Bob Jenkins said. Driver John Andretti is 33rd in driver points and the team is 33rd in owner points for Jenkins, whose team, prior to this year, had qualified for 34 of 135 Cup races it attempted from 2005 through 2008. The team started 2009 locked into the first five races with the points from the Dale Earnhardt Inc. #15 car as part of an alliance with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. That brought Lane and other EGR crewmen over to work with the team, and some have now become permanent employees. “We’ve tried to fly under the radar screen and not create a lot of noise about what we’re doing,” Jenkins said Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway. “I feel like we can stay locked in once we’re there. [EGR] ran Daytona. It was their operation. Since then, we’ve ran it, and John would have made every one of those races on time anyway. I feel good about that. I just don’t want to get to the point where we have to make it on time.” The team bought some cars from EGR but also has raced its own cars this year. It also has been using Pro Motors, except for the races at Daytona and Atlanta, where it used Earnhardt Childress Racing Technologies engines. “When we started this deal, we did a technical alliance with them [at EGR] and shared information both ways,” Jenkins said. “We don’t get full-blown engineering support. We have our own folks to do that. But there has been information-sharing. I think it has helped us and also maybe has helped them. It gives them a chance to test some things at a lower risk [than] if they were doing it on the 1 [of Martin Truex Jr.] or 42 car [of Juan Pablo Montoya].” Knowing that it was in the first five races, Front Row was able to secure sponsorship for four events from Window World. The team is currently unsponsored, but Jenkins hopes to have Window World back on the car. “They won’t do all the races,” Jenkins said. “They could do as many as 10. We don’t know at this point. For sure, they’re going to do Richmond. Beyond that, we’re still working on stuff.” The team’s Cup operation is based in Statesville, N.C., at Travis Carter’s shop. The Nationwide team, with Tony Raines behind the wheel, is in Denver, N.C. Andretti most likely won’t run the full schedule. He plans to compete in the Indianapolis 500 in May and probably will miss two events. Jenkins hasn’t named a driver for those races, but Raines could step into the seat, he said. Raines is competing this weekend at Martinsville in a second Front Row [#37] car because the Nationwide Series is off, but that car likely won’t run much again this year, Jenkins said.(SceneDaily)(3-24-2009)
- Window World Extends Sponsorship with FRM: After a successful debut in the Sprint Cup Series during the 51st Daytona 500, Window World Inc. announced it will extend its sponsorship of the #34 Front Row Motorsports team driven by John Andretti.
One of the sport’s newest sponsors, Window World will be the primary sponsor of the Front Row Motorsports Chevrolet at Auto Club Speedway on February 22, Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 1, Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 8 and Bristol Motor Speedway on March 22. “This is great news for Front Row Motorsports and Window World,” said Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins. “Daytona was the first time Window World sponsored a race car. On the track, and off the track, their program was a success. The Window World customers and employees have all rallied behind this program. We want to continue that momentum for another four races.” More info about Window World at windowworld.com.(Breaking Limits/Front Row Motorsports PR)(2-18-2009) Comment here
- Andretti Driving Window World Chevrolet in Daytona 500 Window World announced John Andretti will drive in the 2009 Daytona 500 as he steps behind the wheel of the #34 Window World Chevy as part of a partnership between Front Row Motorsports (FRM) and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. The Moorseville, NC based Front Row Motorsports will work together with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing to field the car for the Daytona 500. Window World, the nations leading residential replacement window company, will provide sponsorship for Andretti’s Daytona effort.(Window World PR), see image of the car on my #34 Team Schemes page. Windows World will also be the sponsor on the #66 Toyota of Terry Labonte at Daytona.(2-6-2009)
- EGR close to naming driver for 4th car UPDATE 3 using #34?: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing will field a fourth entry -- the #41 Chevy -- in the Daytona 500 and expects to decide on a driver Monday, team president Steve Lauletta said Saturday before the start of the Rolex 24 Grand-Am race at Daytona. Lauletta said the choice had been narrowed to two drivers but declined to name them, though he did indicate that veteran Sterling Marlin was not among the finalists. "We're hoping by Monday," Lauletta said of the decision process. "We came close to making a final decision [Friday]. We need to work over the weekend and Monday, but it'll be pretty quick. Same thing with one of the sponsor deals we have done for Aric -- next week."(NASCAR.com / Sporting News)(1-25-2008)
UPDATE: John Andretti is expected to drive the fourth Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevy at Daytona. A technical alliance is in the works that would partner Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins and Andretti with EGR for Daytona and beyond, The car's number and sponsor should be announced later this week. Andretti, 45, who won the Pepsi 400 at Daytona in 1997 driving for Cale Yarborough, has raced for Jenkins the last two seasons but would not comment on the current negotiations. Andretti admitted that after four seasons, Jenkins has wanted to expand his involvement in racing but wasn't entirely sure to what extent. "We're good friends and we work together on a lot of things," Andretti said of Jenkins. "(The future of the team) all depends on what Bob can do because sponsorship right now is limited." In 2009, Andrett's plans will not be limited to NASCAR. "The Indy 500 is not going to go off my radar screen," Andretti said. "I can't imagine not doing the Indy 500. I've had so much fun at Indy the last two years."(FOXSports)(1-27-2009)
UPDATE 2: hearing that the 4th team will use the #15 and the owners points from the #15 DEI team and be affiliated with Front Row Motorsports and supposedly the #34 Front Row Motorsports team will run with Tony Raines driving.(1-28-2009)
UPDATE 3: John Andretti will drive the #34 Window World Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevy in the Daytona 500 on February 15th.
Andretti will have a technical alliance that partners Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins and Andretti with EGR for Daytona and beyond, Ganassi sources confirmed on Friday. Window World [which was also announced as Terry Labonte's sponsor on the #66 Toyota], based in North Wilkesboro, N.C., is a residential replacement window company with more than 200 distributors nationwide. "The Daytona 500 is always exciting but to go down there with the bullet I have to drive and be surrounded by so many friends, that's really exciting," Andretti said. "I know what to expect from the engines having worked with Richie Gilmore (COO of Earnhardt Childress Racing Technology) at DEI and (engine builder) Rick Mann at Petty Enterprises. I know it's last minute, but it's not so bad. They've been preparing for this for a long time."(FoxSports), no word which of EGR's owners points will used for the #34 team, #15 or #41. No word if Front Row Motorsports will run a 2nd car for Raines as rumored or not.(1-30-2009) Comment here
- Chaffin in the #34 at Pocono, names assoc sponsors: Continental Fire & Safety will be an associate sponsor of the #34 Front Row Motorsports entry at Pocono Raceway for the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500. The #34 will be driven by Chad Chaffin. For information Continental Fire & Safety please visit their website at continentalfireandsafety.com.(FRM PR), also Doorstopnation.com will be an associate sponsor for the #34 at Pocono.(7-31-2008)
- Sad News - "Checker" Carmichael: Ronnie "Checker" Carmichael, 49, died in a work-related accident on Monday, July 28th. Carmichael, the brother-in-law to #34 NSCS and #24 NNS team owner Bob Jenkins, volunteered as a crew member for several teams over the past twenty years. Carmichael is survived by his wife Mary Neal, and daughters Kristin and Amanda.(FRM PR)(7-29-2008)
- Associate sponsor for #34 team at Indy: doorstopnation.com will be an associate sponsor of the #34 Front Row Motorsports entry driven by Tony Raines at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Doorstop Nation was founded in 2005 by self professed doctor of doorstopology Joe Laracuente and it has gained a loyal and growing following, not a small accomplishment considering Laracuente is a 20 year old St. Louisan. For more information check out doorstopnation.com.(Doorstop Nation PR)(5-29-2008)
- #34 team gets assoc: Continental Fire & Safety will be an associate sponsor of the #34 Front Row Motorsports entry at various tracks during the reminder of the 2008 season. Continental was on the #34 entry driven by Tony Raines at Dover on June 1st of this year. They will also be on the car for the Lifelock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, July 12th and the Dover 400 at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, September 21st. Additional races will be announced at a later date. Continental Fire & Safety - Your one stop solution for fire & safety products. They are committed to their customers by providing the most innovative and advanced fire, safety and suppression equipment and services available today to protect lives and property. "Continental Fire & Safety has partnered with us in the past and we appreciate the support they have given us", commented owner Bob Jenkins. "We are pleased to be associated with them for another year."(FRM PR)(6-13-2008)
- Andretti sticking with Indy Cars for next two weeks: John Andretti, who replaced rookie Jay Howard at Roth Racing for the Indianapolis 500, will keep the job for at least two more weeks. Andretti, 45, will make his first IndyCar Series start in a race other than the 500 in Sunday's A.J. Foyt 225 at the Milwaukee Mile. He'll also be in the No. 24 car next week at Texas Motor Speedway.(Indianapolis Star), Andretti had been attempting top make the Cup races with #34 Front Row Motorsports the first ten Cup races of the season [making the races at Daytona, California and Texas]. Jeff Green attempted to make the races at Darlington and Charlotte but failed to qualify, Tony Raines made the race at Dover and since he tested at Pocono for the team this past week, Raines could run the car there, but is scheduled to be back in the #08 Dodge for EM Motorsports for Michigan in June. No word if Andretti will return to the #34 after the Texas Indy Car race.(5-31-2008) Comment here
- #34 team gets sponsor for Dover UPDATE: The #34 Front Row Motorsports Chevy driver [either John Andretti or Jeff Green] takes the track with associate sponsorship from doorstopnation.com. Dealing with, among innumerable other things, entertainment, sports and Americana. The Doorstop Nation was founded in 2005 by Joe Laracuente and it has gained a loyal and growing following. See more at Doorstopnation.com.(Doorstop Nation PR)(5-29-2008)
UPDATE: being told that Tony Raines, who tested the #34 at Pocono on Tues/Wed, will drive the car at Dover and that the #08 Dodge that was entered by EM Motorsports has been withdrawn.(5-29-2008) Comment here
- John Andretti gets Indy 500 ride: John Andretti will attempt to qualify for his ninth Indianapolis 500 in the #24 Roth Racing car. Andretti, who started 24th and finished 30th last year in a Panther Racing-prepared car in his first Indy 500 since 1994, will replace Jay Howard in the seat for the race. Howard, the 2006 Firestone Indy Lights champion, passed the Rookie Orientation Program earlier in the week and practiced May 6. He has finishes of 22nd, 14th, 13th and 13th in IndyCar Series races this season. "As a result of the days lost due to weather, and losing our chief engineer (David Cripps) days before the start of this month, we found ourselves behind the 8-ball," team president Margaret Roth said. "John brings with him a wealth of experience, which can help us build two competitive cars for the 500. Jay will be back at Milwaukee. He has our full support. He's a great driver."
"I want to feel it out a little bit, and see what we can do," Andretti said on the way to pit lane for the tail end of practice preceding qualifications for the first 11 spots in the 33-car field. He topped 220 mph on three laps. Team owner-driver Marty Roth will attempt to qualify for his fourth 500-Mile Race in the #25 car. He has a high finish of 24th in 2004.(Roth Racing), Andretti skipped Darlington and Lowe's testing to find an Indy 500 ride and Jeff Green attempted and failed to get the #34 Chevy into the race at Darlington.(5-10-2008) Comment here
- Associate sponsor named for Front Row: Front Row Motorsports (FRM) announced it has acquired sponsorship from Waverly Property Group for the 2008 Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series events at Daytona International Speedway. Waverly Property Group, Daytona's #1 independent real-estate company, with a focus on waterfront properties, will serve as an associate sponsor on FRM's # 34 [John Andretti] and #37 [Eric McClure] Sprint Cup entries and the #24 [McClure] Nationwide Series entry during February and July events at DIS, including the prestigious Daytona 500 festivities. The 2008 season will mark Waverly Property Group's debut as a sponsor in NASCAR. For more information on WPG, please visit www.daytonabeachluxuryrentals.com.(Team McClure- Hefty Brand Racing PR)(2-1-2008) Comment here
- Andretti gets a ride...for now: Some late moves at #49 BAM Racing, for whom John Andretti did well to get into six of the 10 Chase races last season, and 10 of the last 14 overall, put the Indiana veteran on the sidelines. But Andretti was at Las Vegas and California with two former Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolets -- one new and one previously raced -- carrying Front Row Motorsports' #34. Andretti said the team was using engines from Joe Gibbs Racing's former Chevrolet inventory before JGR switched to Toyota. Andretti said at least some early season rides were in the offing. "I didn't have many laps on the new Las Vegas, so I figured it was an opportunity to work on the new car, and stay up to date, and hopefully we can do some good," Andretti said. "Hopefully we can get it going and make the races. Who knows? You never know what's going to happen in Cup, but Bob [Jenkins, team owner] went and bought a lot of Gibbs engines and some cars from DEI. I like working with Bob, I did some stuff with he and John Carter last year so we're going to try to come out and do some good."(NASCAR.com)(2-1-2008)
- Makoto's sponsorship for Front Row: Tom Cobb, owner of Makoto's Seafood and Steakhouse of Japan in Melbourne and Palm Bay and the Makoto's Ginger Dressing brand will once again be an associate sponsor on the Front Row Motorsports Sprint Cup [supposedly 2 teams in Daytona #34-Driver TBA and #37-McClure] team for Speedweeks at Daytona. No driver has been named.(Florida Today)(1-10-2008)
- Front Row Motorsports to Busch, some Cup UPDATE: been told that Front Row Motorsports [ran the #37 and #34 Dodges part time in 2007] will run the full Nationwide schedule with Eric McClure as the drive and Hefty as the sponsor, with McClure attempting to make the Daytona 500. The team plans to run the first 5-6 Sprint Cup races in 2008 with either McClure or another driver and see how the owners points shakes out and decide from there, either to continue to go every week or pick and choose which races to enter. Also hearing that former driver Kevin Lepage is actively seeking a ride in Cup, Nationwide or Truck Series.(12-29-2007)
UPDATE: McClure will run the full Nationwide Series in the #24 Hefty Chevy; McClure to attempt the Daytona 500 in the #37 Hefty Chevy and may run some more races; FRM plans to run the #34 Chevy full time in 2008, driver is TBD with Scott Eggleston as the crew chief.(1-3-2008)
- MyAutoLoan.com Sponsoring Front Row Motorsports at Texas: myAutoloan.com will be the primary sponsor of the #34 Front Row Motorsports entry driven by Kevin Lepage at Texas Motor Speedway, for the Samsung 500. myAutoloan.com is a subsidiary of Horizon Digital Finance, L.L.C., and a nationally-licensed direct-to-customer, Internet-based auto financing marketplace utilizing Preferred Placement technology and processes.(Front Row Motorsports PR)(4-9-2007)
- Front Row Motorsports to Focus on #37 Team: Front Row Motorsports announced they will focus primarily on the #37 Dodge for the reminder of the 2007 season and that the team still plans on running the #34 with a limited schedule. "We would love to continue entering two cars each week, but in today’s climate, we feel that focusing on one car will give us our best shot at making races," said team owner Bob Jenkins. "With the number of well-funded teams that are entered each week, it is very difficult for the independent teams such as ours to compete as a multi-car effort."(Front Row Motorsports PR)(3-22-2007)
- Lepage in #37; Chaffin in #34 at Bristol: Kevin Lepage, who tested the Car of Tomorrow (COT) for Front Row Motorsports at Bristol while be driving the #37 COT at Bristol and Martinsville. John Andretti, who drove the #37 car the last three races in California, Vegas and Atlanta, will be back in the #37 car next month at Texas Motor Speedway. Race Week Media is still searching for sponsors for Bristol and Martinsville for the #37 team. Cahd Chaffin is scheduled to drive the #34 Front Row Motorsports Dodge at Bristol.(3-21-2007)
- Lepage, #34 team gets sponsor for Daytona UPDATE: Brevard County [FL] will be represented in today's qualifying session for next Sunday's Daytona 500 when the #34 Front Row Motorsports Dodge of driver Kevin Lepage takes the track with sponsorship from Makoto's Ginger Dressing [on quarter panels]. The sponsorship effort is a continuation of the efforts of Makoto owner and race fan Tom Cobb -- who has restaurants in Melbourne and Palm Bay -- to use the NASCAR platform as the best possible avenue to get the word out about his product. Cobb first sponsored Merritt Island attorney Scott Turner in Turner's unsuccessful attempt to qualify for a NASCAR Busch Series road race at Watkins Glen, N.Y., last season and admitted to getting hooked. Cobb's dressing has been available through retail outlets since 2001 when Publix began sponsoring the brand, and the race sponsorship has been fruitful. "All the folks that I have dealt with while sponsoring Front Row Motor Sports have made this an absolute delight," Cobb wrote. "I must say that it is quite a thrill to be in the company of the sponsors of NASCAR. I will continue to sponsor as long as it is beneficial to my company." Should Lepage qualify for the 500, Cobb said it is likely a sponsor whose car did not make the field would approach Jenkins and offer more money than Cobb is paying to have that sponsor put on the Dodge, moving Makoto's to an associate position. Cobb said that would be OK with him because the Makoto name would still appear on a car in NASCAR's richest, most high-profile and most prestigious race.(Florida Today), also noticed Detoxify on the hood of the car during practice Saturday. See an image of the car on my #34 Team Schemes page.(2-11-2007)
UPDATE: Front Row Motorsports has announced they have reached agreements with Detoxify and Makoto Ginger Dressing to sponsor the #34 Dodge driven by Kevin Lepage for the Daytona 500. Detoxify will be the primary sponsor while Makoto Ginger Dressing will serve as an associate sponsor for the biggest race of the year. Detoxify has been supplying the best in Detoxification products for nearly two decades. Their main objectives are to conduct research that you can count on and to develop products you can trust.(Front Row Motorsports PR)(2-13-2007)
- Front Row Motorsports buying #37 R&J Racing? UPDATE 2: hearing that Front Row Motorsports, who has three teams, the #34 with Kevin Lepage [which plans to run at least the first five races of the 2007 season], and the #61 and #92 teams that have no schedules or drivers yet for 2007, have bought out or into the #37 RJ Racing Dodge team. The #37 team plan to run Bill Elliott at Daytona in the Budweiser Shootout and Daytona 500, but after that plans have not been announced. Elliott did test the #37 Dodge at Las Vegas, which was listed as the #37 Front Row Motorsports Dodge.(2-4-2007)
UPDATE: hearing that #37 team over John Carter will still own the #37 team, with RJ Racing partnering up with Front Row Motorsports in 2007.(2-4-2007)
UPDATE 2: Front Row Motorsports (FRM) announced today they will run two (2) cars during the 2007 Nextel Cup season. FRM will run the #34 driven by Kevin Lepage with Randy Seals as the crew chief. For the second FRM entry, team owner Bob Jenkins has formed a partnership with John Carter. The team will convert the #61 from 2006 to the #37 for the 2007 season. The team has hired Bill Elliott to run a limited number of events, with Chad Chaffin slated to compete in the remainder of the schedule. Mark Tutor will serve has crew chief for the team. NASCAR veteran Gere Kennon will be Director of Competition and oversee the efforts of both teams. Both teams will run Dodge Chargers powered by motors built by Ernie Elliott Inc. "Given the increased level of competition this season, I could not be happier with the group of experienced professionals we have assembled," stated Jenkins. "I am excited about our driver line-up, and with the opportunity to partner with someone like John. In addition, our affiliation with Dodge has already paid dividends in testing and with car preparation. Obviously to compete at this level, sponsorship is essential to having a successful team. We currently have several associate sponsorships in place. However, we are continuing to pursue full-time primary sponsors for both teams. Our approach has always been to build a strong foundation so that a potential sponsor would see themselves as the only missing component to our success." For additional information about Front Row Motorsports please visit: frontrowmotorsports.com.(FRM PR)(2-8-2007)
- Front Row Motorsports to run #34 team in 2007: Kevin Lepage, who recently tested the #92 Front Row Motorsports Dodge ar Daytona, will in all likelyhood, tun the #34 Dodge for the team with Ernie Elliot Engines. Gere Kennon is the Director of Competition & Randy Seals the crew chief. No word if the team will run the #61 or #92 teams it ran in 2006 along with the #34. The team also has a job opening, see my Racing Schools/Jobs page for more info.(1-20-2007)
- Lepage looking: After a week in the Islands and a week in Vermont spending time with family and friends and presenting checks to the Vermont Cancer Society and the Vermont National Guard Readiness Program from the 4th annual Kevin Lepage Charity Golf Tournament, NASCAR driver Kevin Lepage is waiting to see what the 2007 season will bring him. Lepage is not under contract with any team and would like to continue driving in any of the three NASCAR series. Lepage finished up the 2006 season with Front Row Motorsports.(PR)(12-31-2006)
- PTG Studios to sponsor #34 at Homestead: PTG Studios will be the primary sponsor of the #34 Front Row Motorsports Chevy driven by Kevin Lepage at Homestead-Miami Motorsports Complex on Sunday November 19th, for the Ford 400. PTG Studios, founded in 1997, is an independent media production company that specializes in educational programming for national and international markets. It is headquartered in Deerfield Beach, FL. For more information about PTG Studios, please visit www.ptgstudios.com.(FRM PR)(11-14-2006)
- myAutoLoan.com to be an assoc sponsor on the #34 at Texas: myAutloan.com will be an associate sponsor of the #34 Front Row Motorsports entry driven by Chad Chaffin at Texas Motor Speedway, for the Dickies 500. "I look forward to driving the myAutoloan.com car at Texas," commented driver Chad Chaffin. "The guys have been working real hard to get the cars ready each
week. I'm confident we will put together a strong showing this weekend." myAutoloan.com is a subsidiary of Horizon Digital Finance, L.L.C., and a nationally-licensed direct-to-customer, Internet-based auto financing marketplace utilizing Preferred Placement technology and processes. They are located in Irving, Texas. More information, visit myAutoloan.com.(FRM PR), Chaffin switches to the #34 this week, while Kevin Lepage will drive the #61 FRM Dodge at Texas.(10-31-2006)
- Lepage to finish season with Frontrow Motorsports: Kevin Lepage will be finishing the 2006 Nextel Cup season in the #34
Chevy for Front Row Motorsports. Lepage joined Front Row Motorsports last week and is looking forward to driving the rest of the season with his new team.(Integrated Marketing Solutions PR)(10-12-2006)
- Blount gets a sponsor for Kansas: Kansas City company FOX Collision Center will sponsor the #92 Front Row Motorsports Chevy [entered as the #34 which will get the owners points] driven by Chad Blount at Kansas Speedway, for the Banquet 400. “I look forward to driving the FOX Collision Center car at Kansas,” commented driver Chad Blount. “The guys have been working real hard to get the cars ready each week. I’m confident we will have a strong showing this weekend.” Owned and operated by Kansas native and industry veteran Todd Fox, Fox Collision Center, Inc., Fox Collision has 15 locations in five markets [including 6 in Kansas]. For more information about Fox Collision please visit www.foxcollision.com.(Front Row Motorsports PR)(9-29-2006)
- Changes at Front Row Motorsports: Chad Blount will drive the #61 Oak Gloves Dodge and Carl Long will drive the #34 Chevrolet for Front Row Motorsports this weekend at Chicagoland. Front Row Motorsports driver Chad Chaffin is still in the fold at FRM, but has taken a full time ride in the #59 Harris Trucking Motorsports Truck in the Craftsman Truck Series. Due to scheduling conflicts he will be forced to miss three Nextel Cup starts for FRM. “We were able to reach an agreement with Chad that allows him the freedom to pursue this opportunity in the Craftsman Truck Series while only missing three races for us,” commented FRM owner Bob Jenkins. “This is an excellent opportunity for Chad that we didn’t want to stand in the way off. It also gives us the opportunity to give more seat time to some other drivers and further allow us to evaluate our program.”(Front Row Motorsports PR)(7-7-2006)
- Front Row Motorsports and Race El Paso to team up at Indy: Race El Paso, the race team based out of El Paso, Texas owned by Gregg and Ryan Jackson plan to attempt the Brickyard 400 at Indy this August. The Jacksons nearly made it in 2004, when Geoff Bodine drove the team's car [was #34 then], the Border Bandit, to a qualifying run that put it one slot from earning its way into the Brickyard race. This year, the team is in a partnership with two race teams: Gary Trout Autosports and Front Row Motorsports. Those teams are helping to put together the pit crew and have been storing Race El Paso's cars. The team also has more than one car and more than one engine, which is being built by Ernie Elliott, the brother of longtime NASCAR driver and semi-retired Bill Elliott. The car also will have a capable driver. The team already has NASCAR Craftsman Trucks series driver Chad Chaffin lined up, but it also still is negotiating with NASCAR veteran Mike Skinner. Still, the Jacksons know it won't be easy to get a car into a Nextel Cup race. "Our primary goal is to qualify," Ryan said. "Our second goal is to finish the race." More info at suncityracing.com.(El Paso Times/kvia.com)(7-2-2006)
- Simo and Miller to drive Front Row entries at Sonoma: Front Row Motorsports announced Johnny Miller will pilot the #34 Oak Gloves Chevy and Brian Simo will drive the #61 Chevy this weekend at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA. Miller is a veteran of a number of professional racing series, accumulating over a 100 career victories and numerous poles. He will be making his fourth career
NASCAR start and second for Front Row Motorsports. Last year Johnny drove the #92 Front Row car at Watkins Glen. After having to start 40th because qualifying was rained out he finished 29th. He got as high as 3rd in the race, but struggled with carburetor problems through out the day, which cost him valuable track positions on restarts.
Simo will be driving the same car [was a RCR #33 chevy] he drove last year at Infineon. He qualified 22nd, had a great day and was able to finish in the top 10.(Front Row Motorsports PR)(6-21-2006)
- Long in the #34 at Dover: Carl Long will be driving the #34 Oak Gloves Chevy for Front Row Motorsports this weekend at Dover International Speedway for the running of the Neighborhood Excellence 400 Nextel Cup Series race.(Carl Long site)(5-31-2006)
- Driver Changes UPDATE: Chad Chaffin goes from #34 to #61 [both Front Row Motorsports cars]; Kevin Lepage moved from #61 [Front Row Motorsports/Peak Performance] to #49 BAM Racing Dodge; Chad Blount replaces Chaffin in #34 Front Row Motorsports car, Blount had been on the team's #92 entry, which ceased operations. See the updated entry list at Jayski's Darlington Entry List Page.(5-9-2006)
UPDATE: Kevin Lepage and crew cheif Greg Conner have left Front Row Motorsports #61 team and are now with #49 BAM Racing. Chad Chaffin will now be in the #61 Ford with Craig Osbourne as crew chief and Chad Blount will take over the #34 Chevy's. Mike Steurer and Teddy Kennedy are now working on the #34 team.(PR-FRMF)(5-9-2006)
- #61 Team Sold? UPDATE: hearing that #61 team owner, Jeff Stec has sold the #61 Peak Fitness Motorsports team that Kevin Lepage drivers for the Furniture Row Motorsports, the team that #78-Kenny Wallace drives for. Unclear if it will become a two-car team or merged into the current one car operation. The #61 runs Fords while the #78 runs Chevy's.
UPDATE: looks like my sources were a little confused as to what team, it is Front Row Motorsports [not Furniture Row Motorsports].......Front Row Motor Sports owner Bob Jenkins, and Jeff Stec have formed a limited partnership to campaign the #61 Ford Fusion for the remainder of the 2006 NASCAR season. Greg Conner and the balance of the #61 team members will be integrated into the Front Row Motorsports organization beginning this week with the running of the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega. Kevin Lepage will continue to drive the #61 car. “The #61 team has gotten off to a good start this year by making 6 of the first 8 races. By combining resources and sharing knowledge, we are confident that we can improve each of our teams,” states Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins. “We are looking to upgrade both our qualifying and race day efforts. We are excited about the opportunities this presents our team and the advantages we can gain by working together.”(Front Row Motorsports PR)(4-27-2006)
- Makoto Dressing on #34 and #92 at Martinsville: Front Row Motorsports placed both of their entries into the starting lineup at Martinsville for the DirecTV 500. The #34 Oak Gloves car driven by Chad Chaffin will start 31st and the Makoto Dressing #92 driven by Chad Blount will start 43rd. Makoto Dressing will be a sponsor on both cars. They will be on the hood of the #92 and on the quarter panels and TV panel of the #34. Makoto Ginger Dressing, which was developed at one of their two Japanese Steakhouses in Florida, is available in refrigerated sections of grocery stores across the United States. For more information, please visit www.makotogingerdressing.com.(Front Row Motorsports PR)(4-2-2006)
- Randy LaJoie to drive the #34 car in 2006: Front Row Motorsports announced that Randy LaJoie has been retained to
drive the #34 car for the 2006 season. Randy will join teammate Chad Chaffin, driver of the #92 FRM Chevy. The second team was formed as a partnership between car owners Bob Jenkins and Chris Edwards [former Mach 1 owner]. " We worked with Chris and his team last year, and felt like we were able to share information between the two cars. With the success that Randy has had in the Busch series, and Chad has had in the truck series, we believe that we will continue to improve upon last year's results. We have a unique opportunity for these two teams to compete for spots with in the top 35 in points and we intend to do everything within our power to get them there."
"Our philosophy is that in this sport, you have to make your own place at the table and our goal is to do exactly that,” stated Jenkins. Both teams will be based out of FRM's Denver, NC facility. The team is currently adding additional positions including crew chief, fabricators, and track personnel, see my Racing Schools page for more info.(Front Row Motorsports PR)(1-27-2006)
- #34 Team Done...maybe not?: looks like the #34 Mach 1 Nextel Cup team is no more as there wil be an auction to sell the remaining assets of the #34 Nextel Cup team on Tuesday Jan 17th. The auction is scheduled to start at 6:00pm/et in Mooresville, NC at 212 Performance Rd. More info and images at gavelauction.com.(1-4-2006)
AND no idea if this auction took place as rumors are that they may now run races in 2006 in conjunction with #92 Front Row Motorsports.(11-10-206)
- Driver changes at Talladega: #00 - Bobby Hamilton Jr. replaced Mike Skinner; #34 - Mike Skinner replaced Hermie Sadler..Tide is going on the #00 and Aaron's going to the #34 for the UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday.(NASCAR Stats Services)(10-1-2005)
AND the deal was with the #34 Front Row Racing team and #32 owner, Cal Wells, which failed to make the race with driver Bobby Hamilton Jr. So Wells made a deal with Chris Edwards, owner of the #34 Ford that Hermie Sadler qualified for the race. But since the #34 is a Ford this week [usually a Chevy], the Wells made a deal with Jenkins and Mike Skinner, moving Skinner to the #34 Ford and using the #00 car, which is really the #92 [owners points #192 Bob Jenkins the owner] and will run the #32 in the race with Tide as the sponsor. Running the race will NOT get the #32 team owner, Cal Wells, any owners points for the race, driver Bobby Hamilton Jr. will of course get drivers points since he will start the race in the car, but has to start in the rear of the field due to the drivers change. Sadler was supposedly compensated for letting the switch happen as well as the owners of the #34 and #192 [#00]. The #00/92 was an odd deal already, as a deal between Jenkins and #00 [#100] team owner Michael Waltrip to run Skinner and Aaron's along with the #00, similar to the deal between Waltrip and Bill Davis Racing to run the #00 Dodge with Aaron's and Kenny Wallace a few weeks ago.(10-2-2005)
- Team for sale UPDATE not now: the Mach1 Racing site is reporting the #34 team, owned by Chris Edwards and driven by P.J. Jones is up for sale.
Oops looks like they changed their mind, Sale of Team is On Hold: Team Owner Chris Edwards and PEO Pros Sports Marketing agent John Tenney are in the process of negotiating some new sponsorships. There are no firm details at this point but look for a limited schedule the rest of the season. It is possible that the #34 will be run a few more races with Front Row Racing at this point, but the long term goal is a full season in 2006 with Mach 1.(Mach 1 site)(9-6-2005)
- #34 gets a Bristol Sponsor: Moore Employer Solutions and Mach 1 Racing reached an agreement to sponsor PJ Jones in the #34 Chevy for NASCAR's Sharpie 500 Nextel Cup race at Bristol. Moore Employer Solutions is a strategic administration service provider. They offer their services to small to medium sized business to outsource the everyday functions of payroll and taxes, worker's comp administration and claims management, human resources, and other benefits to Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) and insurance companies.(PR)(8-25-2005)
- PEO Pros extends sponsorship to MIS on the #34 UPDATE: PEO Pros and Mach 1 Racing extended their one race deal to sponsor PJ Jones in the #34 Monte Carlo for the Cup race at Michigan International Speedway this coming weekend. Chris Edwards, owner of Mach 1 Racing, commented, “PEO Pros has been really helpful. I spoke with the owner today and he is already working on another potential sponsor for us from his field. Look for another sponsor on the car soon, maybe as soon as Bristol.” PEO Pros CEO John Tenney said, "We wish to share the great experience we’ve had sponsoring Mach 1 and PJ with our PEO partners. Our website traffic has not only increased, we are also getting some serious business inquiries.” There have been many inquiries from other drivers and teams looking for sponsors. Tenney is rather disappointed with this strategy. “As for you drivers looking for sponsors, let me give you a tip. Calling someone who just made a deal is not a good way to make friends in the industry. The sponsor has already allocated their marketing money and the current driver is not too happy with you. If you really want to find a sponsor, look at the recent sponsor’s field of business, get a picture of the car with the logo and go to their competition and say ‘Look what your competitor is doing.’ That will not only have a better chance of success, it’s better for NASCAR because you will bring new sponsors in, rather than trying to steal existing sponsors. PJ Jones is our primary driver. PJ is the person who brought me in to NASCAR 10 years ago. There is loyalty there.”
Although several of the requests have come from other drivers looking for sponsors, they are also getting many inquiries as to What Is PEO Pros and What Do They Do.(PR)(8-15-2005)
UPDATE: PEO Pros is sponsoring two cars this weekend, on the hood of the #34 Mach 1 Racing with P.J. Jones driving and the '3 post" of the #80 [owner #200] of McGlynn Racing with driver Carl Long.(8-19-2005)
- #4 picks up associate sponor for Watkins Glen: In a one race deal, PEO Pros and Morgan-McClure Motorsports have agreed to an associate sponsorship of the #4 NASCAR Nextel Cup car at the Watkins Glen road course. PJ Jones will be driving the car. Jones was also instrumental in arranging the sponsorship. "We've been really happy with PJ in our marketing efforts. He's been a good investment!" said John Tenney, CEO of PEO Pros. Jones will be back in the #34 PEO Pros Chevy at Michigan next week, with Mach 1 Racing.(PEO Pros PR)(8-12-2005)
- #34 has sponsor for Indy, hopes to attract a primary: PEO Pros, #34 Mach 1 Racing and PJ Jones are discussing a 5 race deal with PEO Pros as a sponsor, with the intent of attracting a big name sponsor to be primary. Mach 1 will field the PEO Pros car first at Indy. More races are TBD. A major sponsor is needed to finish out the 2005 season as proper preparation for a 2006 campaign.(PJ Jones site.(8-3-2005)
- Mach 1 gets sponsor for Pocono and MIS: Denver NC based MACH 1 Inc. announced today that UltraComp Trailers [ultracomptrailers.com] has signed on for a two race primary sponsorship beginning this weekend in Pocono, going through next weekend in Michigan. PJ Jones will pilot the #34 Chevy this weekend and again next weekend in Michigan. UltraComp Trailers is a subsidiary of Schantz & Sons, Inc. which has been in the trailer manufacturing business since 1952. UltraComp designs and manufactures large race transporters, food concession trailers, and enclosed gooseneck trailers to meet the desires of any customer. Their trailers range in size from 24' to 55' giving a variety of choices to their customers. UltraComp Trailers have a unique custom design to give the trailer a sleek and flowing look that separates UltraComp transporters from an ordinary freight trailer. The owners & employees at UltraComp Trailers are focused on the quality of their products and are committed to providing their customers with the best service.(MACH 1 PR)(6-11-2005)
- Jones in the #34 at Pocono and MIS: Denver, NC based MACH 1 announced today that PJ Jones will pilot the #34 Chevrolet Monte Carlo beginning this weekend at Pocono. Jeff Fuller, the teams primary driver is also committed to the #7 Busch car, a relationship that was established prior to MACH 1 team owner Chris Edwards tapping Fuller to drive his Cup car earlier this season. The non-companion races were identified as logistical challenges by MACH 1 with Fuller as their driver. The team searched for a driver that could step in and assist on the non-companion weekends. PJ Jones was selected and has agreed to drive for the team this weekend at Pocono and again next weekend in Michigan when the Busch cars will be in Kentucky. PJ competed at both Pocono and Michigan last year finishing 22nd at Pocono and 25th at Michigan.(MACH 1 PR)(6-7-2005)
- #34 gets sponsor for Coke 600: Denver, NC based MACH 1 Inc. announced today that REVI Technical Wear will be
the primary sponsor on the #34 Chevy [driver Jeff Fuller?] this weekend for the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway. REVI will remain as an associate sponsor on the #34 for the remainder of the 2005 season. Revi Technical Wear (www.reviwear.com) is a maker of custom team apparel. Their unique process is sublimation printing, which is a gas dyeing process. Revi's prints are permanent and enhance garment performance and wear. Revi is now
supplying Motorsport Crew apparel to major teams in Nextel Cup, Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series, Trans AM, IRL and Champ Car markets. Their shirts feel and look better and will last longer than traditional crew shirts. An expert in sublimation printing, Revi has supplied a wide range of sports markets internationally for over 18 years. These sports include Cycling, Professional Baseball, Professional Soccer, Professional Lacrosse and Summer and Winter Olympic Sports.(Mach 1 PR), see image of the scheme on my #34 Team Schemes page.(5-25-2005)
- #34 gets sponsor for Daytona: Mach 1 announced today that Dimension Films will be their primary sponsor for Thursday's Gatorade Duel Twin 150 and the Daytona 500. The #34 Chevy will proudly display Dimension Films upcoming thriller "Cursed" . The movie opens February 25 at theaters across the nation. From writer Kevin Williamson and director Wes Craven, the creators of Scream, the film that changed the face of terror forever, comes Cursed. A twist on classic monster fables, Cursed unleashes ancient omens into the modern world. Randy LaJoie is the driver of the #34 Chevy.(Mach 1 PR)(2-17-2005)
- #98 switches to #34: Denver, NC based MACH 1, Inc announced today that they have officially changed their car number for the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup season. MACH 1 ran the #98 in 2004, they will display #34 as their car number in 2005. The team was issued #198 last year by NASCAR. The team ran into logistical issues when the owner of the #98, Winston Cup Champion Bill Elliott competed in Cup races where MACH 1 was also entered. MACH 1 ran the #96 at races where Elliott entered his car. "The change between #98 and #96 confused a lot of folks last year. I received questions from friends, sponsors and even officials when we had to switch numbers. I'm glad we don't have to deal with that issue this year. NASCAR has already transferred my owner points from last year over to #34," stated team owner Chris Edwards. MACH 1 remained in the top 10 on the speed chart at the conclusion of NASCAR Preseason Thunder test for the Cup teams at Daytona. Randy LaJoie posted a lap of 48.588 seconds, for 185.231 mph securing the seventh best time out of the 54 teams who tested. Chris Edwards commented "We made a number of changes during the off season in an effort to improve our program. I'm encouraged with the results I have seen, especially around our test session at Daytona".(MACH 1 PR)(1-22-2005)
- LaJoie in the #98 for 2005: MACH 1 announced today that they have signed NASCAR veteran and two time Busch Series Champion Randy Lajoie to drive the #98 for the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season. "I am extremely pleased to have Randy
officially join our team. He ran the last three races of 2004 with us. Randy & I continued to talk during the off-season concerning the
direction of MACH 1 and his goals as a driver. He expressed interest in a full time Cup ride and I was searching for a quality driver to
put in the seat. I'm glad it worked out for both of us. This is our second year in the Cup series, Randy's experience in our sport will
add immediate value to our entire organization" stated team owner Chris Edwards. "I'm looking forward to getting into the #98.
I've been in this business for some time now and one thing is for sure, you never stop learning. The rule changes are constant so you
have to stay on top of your game to be competitive. I'm excited that this comes only two weeks after my full time Busch Series ride
announcement was made. I hope that what I learn in the Busch car will transfer over to my Cup ride. Any additional time on the track does nothing but help me as a driver. I'm focused on becoming a better driver and helping MACH 1 become competitive and succeed in the NEXTEL Cup Series," stated Lajoie. LaJoie will be testing the #98 this week in Daytona as part of the first of two weeks for testing the NEXTEL Cup cars. MACH 1 continues to search for sponsorship both from a primary and associate level. Anyone with interest should contact the team directly at mach1motorsports@charter.net.(MACH 1 PR)(1-10-2005)
- Gunselman and #98 team part ways: MACH 1, Inc. announced that effective immediately, team owner Chris Edwards and co-owner, Larry Gunselman has chosen to pursue individual careers, thus dissolving their partnership. Chris Edwards remains with the team as Owner and President. Mike Steuer will continue as Crew Chief for the #98 team. Edwards intends to run the entire 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series beginning with the Daytona 500. "We are 100% focused on preparing for Daytona. Last year was our first year in NNC; it was a building year for us, our rookie year so to speak. We are working hard to become more competitive and improve our race team" stated Edwards. An announcement concerning a full time driver for the #98 team will be made during the month of January. MACH 1 is currently seeking primary and associate sponsorship for the 2005 season.(Mach 1 PR)(12-28-2004)
- Cope back in the #98 with AMW again at MIS: Mach 1, Inc. Racing as they did at the Brickyard will carry the logos of America’s Most Wanted and pictures of a missing Brother and Sister from Independence, MO Sam and Lindsey Porter age 7 and 9. The #98 team with Driver Derrick Cope has teamed up with Body Dynamics Racing and their America’s Most Wanted missing children racing effort to assist these children and children like them. Currently MACH 1 is competing without a full time sponsor and they have donated space on their car to elevate exposure for these children and offer a sponsor a unique cause marketing platform. Currently for
this event portions of the car are available for sponsors that would like to associate themselves with this cause. The upper hood, lower
TV Panel, and Upper C-Post are all available, and this offers such a great opportunity for sponsors or individuals that would like to get
involved. If any sponsor has an interest in partnering with Mach 1, Body Dynamics/America’s Most Wanted Racing and this campaign
please contact the team at www.bodydynamicsracing.com for email and phone.(8-17-2004)
- #98 at Indy, special cause: Mach 1, Inc. Racing carried the logos of America’s Most Wanted and pictures of a missing Brother and Sister from Independence, MO Sam and Lindsey Porter age 7 and 9. The #98 team with Driver Derrick Cope teamed up with Body Dynamics Racing and their America’s Most Wanted missing children racing effort to assist these children and children like them. Currently MACH 1 is competing without a sponsor and have donated space on their car to elevate exposure for these children. “We are all responsible for children, stated Chris Edwards Co-Owner of Mach 1, “A majority of our team members have children or relatives that are children so we feel an obligation to assist I this case and cases like this.” “We feel that with the NASCAR fan base we should be able to help”, continued Edwards, “With the exposure we can get from the media for these children we are sure someone might see them and call.” Mach 1 would like to continue to offer its generosity and carry a missing child and the AMW Logos for the rest of the season, and combined with the marketing strategy of America’s Most Wanted/Body Dynamics Racing they should be able to offer a corporate sponsor guaranteed exposure opportunities as well as a positive community awareness campaign that can elevate a sponsor within the NASCAR market as well as to the fans, with achieving the most important opportunity and that is to assist in the recovery of a missing child!. If any sponsor has an interest in partnering with Mach 1, Body Dynamics/America’s Most Wanted Racing and this campaign please contact the team at www.bodydynamicsracing.com.(8-10-2004)
- Todd Bodine back with the #98: Todd Bodine recently tested with the #31 Whelen Chevy Busch Series team at Chicagoland Speedway in preparation for this Saturday's Tropciana Twister 300. Bodine, will also return to Mach One Racing, the #98 Cup team as well this weekend at Chicago.(Catchfence)(7-6-2004)
- El Paso to sponsor Geoffrey Bodine at Indy: Successful El Paso businessman Gregg Jackson is leading a $100,000 effort by local businesses to sponsor a race car that will attempt to qualify for NASCAR's Brickyard 400 this summer. The El Paso NASCAR Race Car, a 2004 Dodge Intrepid scheduled to be driven by 55-year-old stock car veteran Geoffrey Bodine, features a paint scheme centered on the city's new tourism slogan -- El Paso: Do Texas Different. The car, which will test next month and try to qualify three days before the Aug. 8 race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, begins a six-week tour of local businesses and sponsors today at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino. El Pasoans will be offered the opportunity to sign the hood of the car for $50. Proceeds will go to the Fort Bliss Families Fund, which benefits children of soldiers killed in Iraq. A news conference announcing the race team's plans, including coming appearances and events, is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the El Paso convention center. El Paso's at-the-track NASCAR effort will be led by team owner Gary Trout of North Carolina, a friend of Jackson's who helped put the unique deal together. Dodge engines will be provided by Ray Evernham, one of NASCAR's biggest names. Bodine, preparing earlier last week to run another car [#98 Ford] in the NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway today, sounded confident in the "El Paso" program. Trout "has bought some really good stuff from Ray Evernham," said Bodine, who is scheduled to attend a hospitality event for sponsors at the convention center on July 21. "I'm real confident we'll be in the field."(full story - long - at the El Paso Times) and see another site: www.suncityracing.com, where you can find out more on the team, which will run the #34 Dodge and the crew chief is Geoff Kaeser.(6-20-2004)
- Geoffrey just wants to race: Geoffrey Bodine hasn't run full time in NEXTEL Cup since 1999 and raced only once last year. Yet, the 55-year-old Chemung, N.Y., native isn't ready to drive off into the sunset. He was at Pocono driving the #98 Lucas Oil Ford Friday, hoping to qualify for tomorrow's race. "I was talking to Buddy Baker this morning and said it's hard to quit," Bodine said. "He said, 'I know what you mean.' It's hard to stop going around in circles." A good portion of tomorrow's field wasn't even in kindergarten when Bodine made his debut in 1979. Two drivers - Kasey Kahne and Brian Vickers - hadn't even been born. "I don't have anything else to do," Bodine said. "I don't have any family. The family is grown up and the wife is gone. I don't have any distractions. I can do this 100 percent. This is all I want to do really."(Times-Leader)(6-12-2004)
- Gunselman in the #98 at Dover: Larry Gunselman, co-owner of the #98 Lucas Oil Ford will climb into the car this weekend in Dover International Speedway, attempting to make the MBNA 400: A Salute to Heroes race. Gunselman has worn a number of hats this season as co-owner, pit crew member, as well as being fully involved with the day-to-day operations at the MACH 1 shop in Denver NC. Gunselman brings a wide array of experience from various levels of racing, including the former the Winston West, the NASCAR Busch, NASCAR Craftsman’s Truck, and NASCAR Nextel Cup series. Most recently Gunselman raced the full year in 2003 finishing 21st in points in the NASCAR Busch Series. “I’m very excited about driving the car this weekend in Dover”, stated Gunselman.(Mach 1 PR)(6-3-2004)
- Bodine News UPDATE on both!: Geoffrey Bodine will be in the #98 Lucas Oil Ford at Lowe's Motor Speedway, hearing that their former driver will be in the #89 Dodge, not sure what that is all about...yet. Can't see Morgan Shepherd giving up his ride, unless a sponsor is involved somehow.(5-26-2004)
UPDATE: Todd Bodine was added to the entry list in the #37 Dodge sponsored by Carter's Royal Dispos-all, same sponsor as #89-Morgan Shepherd who is also listed. So we are up to 53 drivers/cars now.
AND: Geoffrey Bodine will be once again driving the #98 Lucas Oil Ford this weekend in the Coca-Cola 600. This will be his second straight weekend that he will pilot the #98 car. MACH 1 will be returning to Lowes Motor Speedway with the same car that qualified
22nd and finished 16th in the previous weeks Nextel All-Star Challenge. “By virtue of having Geoffrey behind the wheel during last week’s All-Star race, we consider that a good “test session” for the 600” said team owner, Chris Edwards. Edwards went on to say “We are very pleased to have LUCAS OIL, and www.extrememotorcycles.com as well as Geoffrey back with us for the 600. Geoffrey did a great job for us last weekend and without our sponsors we would not be here for the 600, we look forward to working with them again this weekend.” America’s Most Wanted Motorsports is offering an opportunity to a sponsor to become a presenting sponsor of their NEXTEL CUP/NBS motorsports program(s). By becoming a presenting sponsor of the America’s Most wanted Motorsports program a sponsor could invest in the opportunity to garner Tremendous amounts of NATIONAL exposure on and off the track and assist in saving the lives of innocent children and tie their team marketing and promotional efforts in with John Walsh as well as a guaranteed ROI! This opportunity carries the possibilities of upwards of 3.5 Million dollars in prime time and non motorsports media coverage as well as the coverage that will come with the actual competition of the racing team. For more information visit www.bodydynamicsracing.com.(5-27-2004)
Todd and the #37: from what I understand, the #37 is an offshoot of the #89 as John Carter has split with Morgan Shepherd (who will continue to run #89). Todd will try to run every lap of every race using cars purchased from Ganassi Racing and engines from Ernie Elliott. Carter has ordered more cars and the team is currently using the Cicci-Kelly Racing shops.(5-27-2004)
- Bodine to run All-Star Challenge in the #98: This weekend in Charlotte, NC the MACH 1 team with driver Geoffrey Bodine with sponsorship from Lucas Oil will enter in the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway with a brand new Ford, their second in their stable, and a Roush engine under the hood. The Mach 1 team started the year out with one car, and one engine. They have traveled to every race since Las Vegas this year, qualifying for every race except Las Vegas and Talladega where they went home with DNQ’s. The Mach 1 team has qualified on speed for five races started 43rd at Martinsville and was forced to take a provisional at California due to engine problems. Mach 1 will be adding two additional cars within the next month bringing the total cars to four. The next acquisition is expected to be a super speedway car that will be prepared for the July Daytona race. Two new associate sponsors, Winston Tires & www.ExtremeMotorcycles.com have joined the #98 team to compliment the Lucas Oil primary sponsorship. “We are excited to have Geoff[rey] behind the wheel for this event,” stated Chris Edwards, President of MACH 1, “We have been working with Geoff’s brother Todd and we have experienced some great results, so this time out should not be any different. We are PUMPED!” The team has shown steady improvement in owner points, qualifying position and finishing position since they began the year in Las Vegas this year. Currently they are 43rd in Owner Points. The battle for positions 39th – 43rd is very tight right now with just 61 pts separating the four spots.(PR)(5-20-2004)
- New #98 Crew Chief: hearing that Mike Steurer has been hired as crew chief for the #98 Ford that Todd Bodine drives in the Cup Series.(5-8-2004)
- Todd Bodine back in the #98: been told that Todd Bodine will be driving for Larry Gunselman again this weekend at Texas in the #98 Ford and will be spotting for Randy LaJoie in the Busch race.(3-30-2004)
- Geoffrey in the #98: first Larry Gunselman was listed in the #98, then Todd Bodine, then back to Gunselman...and now from the geoffbodinefanclub.com site: Geoffrey has announced that he will be subbing for younger brother Todd Bodine in the #98 Lucas Oil Products Ford this weekend at the Bristol Motor Speedway. Todd [see story below] has a prior commitment and is unable to attend the race.(3-26-2004)
- Bodine and the #98 at Darlington, Jayski's take on helping the 'small' teams: Todd Bodine will be driving the #98 only if more than 43 cars show up at the track otherwise Larry Gunselman will be driving the car [as of Thursday, 44 cars are entered]. Bodine will be testing an ARCA car for Dan Shaver and Petro Express # 49 with Jeff Buice as crew chief and plans to race the car Nashville.(Todd Bodine site), have no info on the #98 team, their crew, no one from the team has contacted me, so nothing to tell anyone, I pride myself on helping the small teams, but I can't help if I can't find info on them and no one from the team lets me know what is up, the #98, #72 and #80, all I get is what I find in columns and articles. And the #94 with Stanton Barrett? no clue at all.(3-19-2004)
