#61 Team News and Links Page
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Front Row Motorsports
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(not posting new unofficial sites anymore: too many have no updates, are old, driver bashing, requests ignored)
#61 [was #66 in 2005 and #02 in 2004] Team Past News and Rumors
(NOTE: some older links may not work)
- 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: www.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)
- #61 picks up sponsor for Bristol: Front Row Motorsports announced local East Tennessee company Thompson Metal Services will sponsor the #61 Front Row Motorsports Chevy driven by Chad Chaffin this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway in the Sharpie 500. This will mark the fourth Bristol race that Thompson Metal Services has adorned a Front Row Motorsports entry. They were on the car for both races at the track last year and the spring race this season. Thompson Metal Services is an industrial scrap metal recycler that is a privately owned company that has been in business for over 25 years.(Front Row Motorsports PR)(8-24-2006)
- FRM Owner Comments on Pocono Disqualification: Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins, whose car was found to be a quarter-inch too low following qualifying Friday, said Sunday his team did not intentionally attempt to skirt the rules for the Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway. The #61 Dodge of Chad Chaffin was found to be too low in post-qualifying inspection and the team's qualifying time was disallowed. Because the team wasn't in the top 35 and locked in, it was one of the four teams to go home.
The team said NASCAR's disallowing its time and thus knocking it out of the race cost the team at least $70,000 in purse winnings. Typically, a team does not lose as much money for being too low after qualifying because it still gets in the race by being locked in the top 35. "Our team is extremely disappointed in the series of events that took place at the track this weekend," Jenkins said in a statement. "I want to assure our fans and sponsors that we are committed to working within NASCAR's guidelines to maintain the integrity of our race efforts. At no time this weekend did anyone from our organization purposely attempt to circumvent those guidelines.
We are unclear why NASCAR chose the course of action that they did. The penalty levied against our team does not seem to be consistent with previous penalties issued for similar offenses. This has left our team with a number of unanswered questions."(SceneDaily.com)(7-24-2006)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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 gets Talladega sponsor: Front Row Motorsports announced that State Water Heaters will be the Primary Sponsor on the #61 Ford for the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega. State has an impressive heritage and market leading products.State Industries was founded in 1946, as a small entrepreneurial company in Nashville, TN. In the years that followed, State expanded and became a leader in the water heating industry, through steadfast commitments to providing water heater solutions for years of dependable service.(Front Row Motorsports PR)(4-28-2006)
- #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)
- State Water Heaters sponsors #61 at Martinsville: Peak Performance Motorsports announced that its #61 entry will be sponsored by State Water Heaters for the Direct TV 500 at Martinsville. "We welcome State Water Heaters to the Nascar Nextel Cup family," said team owner Jeff Stec. "We are expecting an exciting race at Martinsville and thankful for the opportunity to brand such a fine product", said Stec. "I'm looking forward to giving State Water Heaters their first Martinsville race and want to thank all the folks at State for stepping up this weekend to make this all possible", said Lepage. More info on State Water Heaters at statewaterheaters.com.(Peak Performance Motorsports PR), see images of the car on the #61 Team Schemes page.(3-31-2006)
- #61 Gets Sponsor: The Enthusiast Network is partnering with the #61 Ford Fusion, driven by Kevin LePage, for the 2006 season of NASCAR Nextel Cup. The TEN Magazine logo and the www.FordTruckWorld.com logos will make their debut on the #61 Ford Fusion at the Food City 500 at Bristol. In addition to the sponsorship, TEN will conducting a host of giveaways including the opportunity to win special VIP garage passes to a future race. For all the news from TEN Magazines, please visit theenthusiastnetwork.com.(PR)(3-24-2006)
- #61 gets sponsorship from AMP and Ingles: The #61 Peak Performance Motorsports Ford entry will be sponsored by Mountain Dew's AMP Energy Drink and Ingles Markets for the Golden Corral 500 at Atlanta. Kevin Lepage will receive a boost from that great Mountain Dew citrus taste in the new 16oz. Tall Boy serving. With Maltodextrin, Ginseng, Taurine, B Vitamins, and Guarana, AMP and AMP Tall Boy are the next generation of invigoration. AMP Energy Drinks is proud to continue Pepsi's partnership with NASCAR, a relationship that spans more than five decades. For more information, visit: www.ampenergy.com.(Peak Performance Motorsports), see an image on my #61 Team Schemes page.(3-16-2006)
- Hooter's scheme for #61 UPDATE: The #61 Peak Performance Motorsports Ford with Kevin Lepage driving, will sport the orange colors of Hooter's at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. The scheme is to promote the new Hooter's Casino. See images of the scheme on my #61 Team Schemes page.(3-7-2006)
UPDATE: Hooters Casino Hotel will join forces with Peak Performance Motorsports and sponsor #61-Kevin Lepage, at the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 on March 12, 2006. With a deep affection for NASCAR racing, dating back to its triumphant sponsorship of late driver Alan Kulwicki beginning in 1991, Hooters Casino Hotel hopes lightning will strike once again with Lepage behind the wheel. The world's first Hooters Casino Hotel features 696-Hooterized Florida-casual rooms and suites fully equipped with the latest amenities. The hotel is conveniently located one block from the famous Las Vegas Strip. The 30,000 square foot "Hooters"-themed casino floor offers approximately 670 state-of-the-art slot and video poker machines and 32 table games - including the Hooters Girl Party Pit - for 24-hour fun. For more information call 1.866.LVHOOTS or visit hooterscasinohotel.com.(Peak Performance Motorsports/Kirvin Doak Communications). See more images of the scheme on my #61 Team Schemes page.(3-8-2006)
- #61 signs sponsor to multi-race deal: Peak Performance Motorsports today announced that its #61 entry will be sponsored by RoadLoans in a multi-race Primary and Associate Sponsorship deal for 2006. The Internet-based auto finance company teams with Peak Performance as it puts NASCAR veteran Kevin Lepage behind the wheel of the #61 RoadLoans.com Ford when it rolls into California for the Auto Club 500. The RoadLoans.com #61 Ford will first hit the track at the California Speedway on Feb. 24, 2006 as it gears up for the NASCAR season.(Peak Fitness Racing)(2-23-2006)
- Sponsor for Lepage: Peak Performance Motorsports officials say the team has signed Mountain Dew AMP as sponsor for the upcoming events at Daytona International Speedway. Kevin Lepage will drive the #61 AMP Energy Drink car in the qualifying race for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16. If he advances into the race, he will drive the Mountain Dew AMP car, marking the first time the company is a primary car sponsor for a Nextel Cup event.(NASCAR Scene)(2-12-2006)
- Lepage back with Peak Performance: Peak Performance Motorsports announced Tuesday that it has signed Kevin Lepage to drive its #61 Ford [was #66 in 2005] in the NASCAR Nextel Cup series this season. "We are beginning the season on a high note with this announcement," team owner Jeff Stec said. "Kevin has performed well for the team in the final nine races of 2005 [and] proved that we are capable of producing excellent results for out sponsors both on and off the track." Crew chief Greg Conner returns with the team as does primary sponsor Peak Fitness.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(1-18-2006)
- Long may run Daytona 500 with 2nd Peak team: Long Looking to Run Daytona 500 with Peak Performance: Peak Performance Motorsports, who will field the #61 Peak Fitness Ford in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup with Kevin Lepage as driver for 2006, is looking to have Carl Long run a 2nd team car in the Daytona 500. The team will make a decision on whether or not they will run the 2nd team after the three-day Daytona testing session beginning this Monday. Only Lepage will test, Long will not.(Carl-long.com)(1-16-2006)
