Jayski's® Silly Season Site - Rumored CUP New Teams

SOME POSSIBLE NEW TEAMS/RUMORS
and ANNOUNCMENTS

JTG Racing...to CUP? UPDATE: YES hearing JTG Racing could move up to Sprint Cup in 2009 with Marcos Ambrose driving and the team could switch from Ford to Chevy, no idea if Daugherty would be part of this deal. Other rumors have Ambrose going to the #21 of the Wood Brothers in 2009, that team would remain a Ford. Ambrose is schedule to run eight races this season in the #21 and four in the #47 Ford fielded by JTG Racing.(6-25-2008)
UPDATE: JTG Racing owner Tad Geschickter said Friday he hopes to move Marcos Ambrose to the Sprint Cup Series next season, in addition to having Nationwide and truck series teams in 2009. The Australian Ambrose, in his second season in NASCAR’s No. 2 series, made his Cup debut at Infineon Raceway last month for Wood Brothers Racing. Ambrose is slated to drive four Cup races later this year under the JTG banner. JTG currently fields two cars in the Nationwide Series, for Ambrose and Kelly Bires. Geschickter said Bires would stay in the Nationwide Series in 2009, with Coleman Pressley to drive for the team in the truck series. The team currently fields Fords but Geschickter said the manufacturer the team will be affiliated with next year is open.(SceneDaily.com)(7-5-2008)
UPDATE 2: Nationwide Series racer Marcos Ambrose will become a full-time Sprint Cup driver next season, thanks to a new partnership former NBA player Brad Daugherty has with JTG Racing. Daugherty, now a NASCAR analyst for ESPN, has become a part-owner of JTG Racing. The team will be renamed JTG Daugherty Racing. It will continue to field two Nationwide Series entries, but add a full-time Sprint Cup entry next year with Ambrose at the wheel. "I have a tremendous passion for racing," Daugherty said Tuesday. "This gives me another avenue to be involved in the sport. It's a big stake to do this at he Cup level, and I hope it opens doors in the sport for other minorities and women." Little Debbie snack cakes will sponsor the car, which will use #47.(ESPN.com)(7-16-2008) Comment here

Randy Moss starting truck team? UPDATE: During the prerace report on SPEED at Kansas Speedway, Rick Allen reported that New England Patriot wide-receiver Randy Moss is starting a new truck team with plans to race toward the end of the year. A formal announcement is expected some time next week.(4-27-2008)
UPDATE NFL All-Pro Randy Moss Forms NASCAR Program: New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss announced the formation of Moss Motorsports, LLC with its intended participation to begin in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Moss anticipates that the team will debut at some point in the second half of the 2008 season and run selected races through the conclusion of the year. The partial schedule is a prelude to a full-time campaign in 2009. Sponsors and manufacturer alignments will be announced at a later date. "We don't have all of the details in place just yet, but I am very excited about Moss Motorsports becoming a part of NASCAR," Moss said. "I am by nature a very competitive person and this is an outlet for me to compete at another level. There are some pretty awesome challenges in building a program like this from the ground up, but I am looking forward to it. That's just another aspect of the competition - you want to find the best people available and you're competing with all the other teams out there. We're starting to look at who the best people are and working on getting them to be a part of our team." Moss is a ten year veteran in the National Football League and was a first-round draft pick in the 1998 draft out of Marshall University. He has been a NASCAR fan for several years including sponsorship of a local dirt track program and recently made the decision to get involved with the ownership of a NASCAR team. He is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the Urban Youth Racing School and furthers his youth advocacy while holding the same honor with American Youth Football. A major component of the Moss Motorsports program will be the continued involvement and support of youth programs. "There are a lot of NASCAR fans in the locker room," Moss said. "We've seen a lot of football players get involved - guys like Dan Marino and Troy Aikman to name a couple. I think it's a good fit and gives some of the companies I am already working with an additional outlet. It's a smart move on the marketing side of things but on the personal side of things I think it's going to be a lot of fun."
Moss has kick started his efforts by contracting with Integrity Sports Marketing, LLC - a leading motorsports marketing company in NASCAR. "We know it takes time to build a team from the ground up, and we have some good people working with us to get that process started," Moss said. "We are talking to the manufacturers, and we're already evaluating some drivers. Eventually I'd like to be able to have our team work with some of the young guys that are working hard to make it up the ladder, but right now it might make more sense to find a driver with a lot of experience to get us started. But we really don't have anyone in mind. We'll look at who is available and find someone that can help us compete and win as quickly as we can." Moss believes Moss Motorsports will give his current marketing partners another avenue to gain exposure and will open doors for new companies that want to work with him. "The companies I already work with now have a chance to get some exposure to another group of dedicated sports fans," Moss said. "And we'll have an opportunity to build some relationships with an entirely new group of companies as well. We'll have a chance to do some pretty cool things between the football side and the racing side. That's a part of the equation that most of the other teams don't have, so we already have a competitive advantage over them. Once we get everything in place we look forward to competing on the race track too."(Moss Motorsports/Integrity Sports Marketing), no drivers or sponsors have been named or announced.(4-29-2008) Comment here

Bubba In The Garage? Could James "Bubba" Stewart leave motocross to pursue a career in NASCAR? "I'm trying to convince him four wheels are better than two," said Max Seigel, the president of global operations at Dale Earnhardt Inc. Stewart was Siegel's guest on Sunday at Daytona, the first Cup event he has attended. The 22-year-old phenom said Siegel has "hinted around with it a lot" about putting him in a developmental program. "Yeah, I'd like to try it," he said. "Once I came down saw all the people, all the merchandise, that definitely interests me." Stewart reminded that there were five times as many people at the 500 [185,000] as there are at a motocross event.(ESPN.com)(2-18-2008) Comment here

Benning to test at Daytona: ARCA driver Norm Benning plans to test the #57 NBR Sprint Cup car [Chevy?] in Daytona. (NBR) Norm Benning Racing has secured a Car Of Tomorrow and Engine and will be testing in Daytona for the Daytona 500. Testing the week of January 14th.(Norm Benning site)(1-9-2008)

Argentina-based race team building Car of Tomorrow: For the first time in Cup Series history, a competition car is being built outside the United States, and it's happening in the South American country of Argentina. Alberto Canapino, technical director of the Argentina-based HAZ Racing, unveiled for fans and local media at the Auto Performance 2007 motor show held in the country's capital of Buenos Aires the team's plans for building a Sprint Cup Chevy, following all guidelines set by NASCAR for the Car of Tomorrow. "We are really proud to be the first team in NASCAR history to build a car in South America, or anywhere outside the USA," said Canapino, a well-known racecar builder and crew chief in South America. "When we went [to the U.S.], we felt they gave us a nice welcome to the sport. The category's technicians provided us with the rules and now we know most of the chassis will be built in Argentina. When word first hit the region about HAZ Racing's plans, thoughts were the team would look at the Nationwide Series as a starting point. But at the show the team confirmed plans on racing in NASCAR's top division. At the team's display there was a scale-model of the car with the #08 on both the sides and the top. "Sooner or later, there will come a day in which we will need help from an American driver to develop our car, someone to let us know most of the secrets of oval racing and the vehicle specifications," Canapino said. "However, at due time our plan is to select a driver from our native country to participate in the championship." Canapino might not have to look far for his driver. Fernando Hidalgo and Alejandro Masas, Canapino's partners at HAZ Racing, raced in the popular 3-Litre Turismo Carretera Series with driver Christian Ledesma and won the championship in their first season in the series.(NASCAR.com)(12-7-2007)

British driver headed to stock cars: British driver Ed Tilley is set to launch his bid to join the NASCAR grid after securing the chance to take part in the 2008 ARCA series. Tilley, team principal of aspiring touring car entrants Encke Sport, will take part in his debut test at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on December 7th at the wheel of a Chevy Monte Carlo in preparation for the 2008 season. "All my life I've had one interest, racing cars and winning," he said. "To be given a chance to prove myself in the ARCA series is a very special opportunity that I could not turn down." Tilley will be mentored initially by former NASCAR driver Randy Baker who said he was looking to help the Briton made an impact in his American move. "We are very excited about working with Ed," he said. "His career has been on hold over the past year as Ed took some time out due to a family bereavement, but we are looking forward to working with him and his sponsors to help him reach his goals in motorsport. We have a great team around us here to point him in the right direction and achieve great things."(crash.net)(11-30-2007)

Tom Hicks Jr. expected to attend today's race: Tom Hicks Jr. said last week that he plans to attend today's Dickies 500 with a few friends. Hicks Jr. said that he and his father, Stars and Rangers owner Tom Hicks, are still exploring the NASCAR business about possible sponsorship options. Hicks owns the Liverpool Football Club with George Gillett, who partnered with Ray Evernham's team this season.(Dallas Morning News)(11-4-2007)

Wyler & Gaughan CTS Teams Merge; Plan Six Cup Races in 2008: Jeff Wyler and Michael Gaughan jointly announced the formation of Wyler-Gaughan Racing, LLC (WGR), which will field two full-time Craftsman Truck Series teams and will run a partial Sprint Cup Series team during the 2008 season. WGR will field the #77 Toyota with driver Brendan Gaughan and the #60 Toyota. The driver of the #60 Toyota Tundra and sponsors for both teams will be announced at a later date. Gaughan will also be behind the wheel of the team’s Toyota Camry in at least six Sprint Cup races.(Wyler-Gaughan PR)(10-29-2007)

Lamar to run Atlanta Cup race? Burney Lamar, former Kevin Harvick Inc. Busch driver, was at Martinsville. He revealed that he plans to attempt to make the Nextel Cup field at Atlanta next week with an independent team. Lamar’s most memorable achievement to date was his second-place finish at for KHI at Daytona in 2006.(Racing Milestones)(10-22-2007)

JC Penney looking? hearing JC Penney, deptartment store chain, are considering sponsoring a Nextel Cup team in 2008 and some teams have even presented mockup cars, but no word which team may get that sponsorship or when anything would be announced.(9-29-2007)

Brewco Busch Team Could Run Some Cup Races in 2008: Former track Gary Baker has purchased controlling interest in Brewco Motorsports Busch team and intends to move the team to Nashville, Tenn., possibly by the end of the year. Baker is the former owner of the track now known as Bristol Motor Speedway as well as the short track in Nashville. [Brewco President Todd] Wilkerson said Baker plans other changes and wants to put one driver in each car for the full season in 2008 instead of multiple drivers in each car. Wilkerson also said the team could run four or five Sprint Cup races in 2008.(SceneDaily.com)(9-16-2007)

Hicks considering NASCAR investment: Richard Childress said Friday that Tom Hicks [owner of MLB's Texas Rangers] is "doing due diligence on our sport" and confirmed that he invited Hicks and members of his family to last Sunday's race at California. "They wanted to look at our sport," Childress said. "I think it would be great if they wanted to get involved." Hicks could not be reached for comment. But his son, Tom Hicks Jr., vice president of Hicks Sports Group, said the company is exploring options for possible sponsorship within the sport. "We would like to be opportunistic," he said, "and would consider making an investment in the sport if we thought a deal created value for the team and us."(Dallas Morning News)(9-8-2007)

Sports Teams Owner is Childress' Guest at California: [MLB's Texas] Rangers and [NHL's Dallas] Stars owner Tom Hicks and members of his family were scheduled to attend the Sharp Aquos 500 Nextel Cup race at California. Hicks said it was a social invitation by team owner [#s 07, 29, 31] Richard Childress. He wouldn't comment on whether he has any interest in investing in a NASCAR team. But his sports empire has grown this year. In February, he became co-chairman of the Liverpool Football Club, one of the most storied soccer franchises in the English Premier League. Hicks' partner in that purchase was George Gillett, the owner of the NHL's Montreal Canadians and now a major investor in Ray Evernham's NASCAR team.(Dallas Morning News)(9-3-2007)

Lester might get to run four Cup races: Craftsman Truck Series team owner Billy Ballew said that he purchased two Nextel Cup cars from Dale Earnhardt Inc. and plans to enter four races with Mableton's Bill Lester as the driver. Ballew, who fields a truck for Lester, said he would like to run at Indianapolis, Atlanta, Charlotte and Homestead, if he can secure funding. "I've got the cars and the promise of support from DEI, but it all depends on sponsorship," Ballew said. Ballew also is fielding a second truck in several races this season. Kelly Sutton will drive four events, beginning at Kansas City next week, and Kyle Busch plans to run 10 truck events.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(4-20-2007)

Mathis still looking for sponsor to run team: For the past two years, former NFL player Terance Mathis, has been working the telephones trying to find a sponsor for his Victory Motorsports. He brings star appeal to the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, as well as the opportunity for the sport to embrace a minority-owned team. On the surface, it should be an easy sell. A high-profile owner with a chance to break the color barrier in a sport that's trying desperately to chip away at its all-white perception should have Corporate America ready to come aboard. But Mathis, like so many before him, has learned it's not that easy. "I'm still battling the battle," Mathis said. "The reason this isn't easy is because unlike other sports, where the whole league makes sure you're on the right path, in NASCAR you're on your own. It needs to be fixed." In the past four years, several high-profile people from sports and entertainment have talked about joining NASCAR. The sanctioning body has put many of them on display, hoping to give its diversity program some legs. But for the most part, it has turned into a daunting task. Mathis, for now, is up for the challenge. "I'm stubborn," he said. "That's how I played my career. I'm going to work my tail off and find a way to make this happen. There have been times when I've decided I can't do this anymore, then I get a phone call or an e-mail from somebody that reminds me this is more important than a race team. We can't close the door on this. I want to make it viable for anyone who wants to come into this sport. I started this thing, and I want to see it to the end." While Mathis continues to struggle to find funding, Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith, actor/comedians Tommy Davidson, Damon Wayans, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans will have a car on the track this year. Their #06 Ford is scheduled to make its debut in the Busch Series race at Mexico City today. Others, like Mathis and former Oakland Raiders receiver Tim Brown are still looking.(Augusta Chronicle), Victory Motorsports has made announcements in the past joining with Morgan-McClure Motorsports and R.J. Racing [sold to Front Row Motorsports recently], but both deals fell thru.(3-4-2007)

Ballew and Lester many attenpt some Cup races: Craftsman Truck Series owner Billy Ballew, #15 Chevy with driver Bill Lester, says, "This team already has the capability to advance to the Cup level and we would like to run Bill Lester in a couple races this year, provided we have adequate funding. In 2008 we would run a select number Cup races in the car of tomorrow races with plans to run a full Cup season in 2009. This is a plan that we think can work and isn't cost prohibitive to the investor. It has to be a win-win situation for everyone involved."(Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(2-7-2007)

Kimmel and Hillenburg team up for Daytona 500: Eight-time ARCA Series Champion, Frank Kimmel will attempt to make his first career start in the Daytona 500 Nextel Cup Series race with the help of fellow ARCA Champion Andy Hillenburg. Kimmel will pilot the #71 FastTrack Ford for the Speed Week events including Sunday's qualifying round as well as Thursday's Gatorade Duels which will determine Kimmel's spot in the starting field for the Daytona 500. Kimmel has made seven previous Nextel Cup Series starts in his career with his best starting position coming at the Talladega Superspeedway in 2002 of 29th and his best finish of 26th came at the Lowe's Motor Speedway in October of 2002 while competing for team owner, Travis Carter. Kimmel has many starts at the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway including 15 ARCA Series starts, one Craftsman Truck Series start where he finished eighth in 2004 and last season's IROC start where he finished in the third position. "There are a lot of very strong cars and drivers that put a tremendous amount of work into their cars just to come to Daytona and attempt to make the field," said Kimmel. "The FastTrack Racing team is no exception, Andy (Hillenburg) and his team has put together a great car and it would be a great accomplishment for all of us to earn a starting position in the Daytona 500. I do think there is some advantage to having a lot of experience drafting when it comes to making this race because of the unique qualifying format of the Gatorade Duels. That race will be all about keeping my nose clean, but finishing high enough to earn a place in Sunday's race." Kimmel will compete in Saturday's Daytona ARCA 200 event prior to Sunday's initial qualifying round for the Daytona 500 and will have only two practice sessions in preparation for Thursday's Gatorade Duels.(LM Motorsports Marketing PR)(2-7-2007)

H&K Motorsports announces 2007 plans UPDATE full-time?: H&K Motorsports is a new NASCAR team that is going to be based outside the Mooresville NC area. Their planned drivers are Trevor Boys [last Cup race in 1993], from Calgary, Alberta [Canada] and Eddie Kucharski from Denton, TX. Boys and Kucharski will both be competing in the ARCA Re-Max Series in 2007 to re-qualify their NASCAR licenses. Boys has over 15 years racing experience, including some in the former Nextel [then Winston in 1993] Cup Series. Once Boys re-qualifies for his NASCAR license, H&K Motorsports plan to run him in the Nextel Cup Series and Kucharski will compete in the Craftsman Truck Series. Boys is the longest running Canadian in NASCAR. He competed in over 112 Nextel Cup Races [note: records I found (racing-reference.info) has Boys having 102 Cup starts with two top 10's running races between 1983-1993, his best finish was a 9th at Richmond 1983 in the #48 Chevy].(H&K Motorsports site), the team made an announcement early in 2006 that the would run 15 Cup races with Boys out of a shop in Statesville, NC, but that never happened. The car supposedly will be the #08.(1-22-2007)
UPDATE: With the number of full-time NASCAR Nextel Cup teams already up sharply from 2006, another new team will attempt to run a full Cup schedule this year. H&K Motorsports said Wednesday that it will field a full-time Cup effort this year, with Trevor Boys piloting the #08 Chevy with sponsorship from Gsmdashboards.com, Industro Tools and Chixcanfix.com. Guiding Boys this season will be Cicero Scott, the cousin of New Orleans Hornets coach Byron Scott. Cicero, according to the team, is the first African American crew chief in the premier series of NASCAR. The team will also run at least six NASCAR Busch Series events this season, plus at least 20 more in the ARCA RE/MAX Series for driver Eddie Kucharski. The new team did not test at Las Vegas and will face enormous pressure just to qualify in the first five races this season and attempt to gain a guaranteed spot in the field from the sixth race and beyond, when the top 35 cars in 2007 owner’s points will be guaranteed spots in the field.(SpeedTV.com)(2-1-2007)

Ince gets married and starting own team: Retired and former Nextel Cup Crew chief James Ince was married today at the Elvis Presley Chapel in Las Vegas Nevada. Mr. Ince wed Jennifer Kendelhard, 33 of Charlotte, NC. The couple reside in downtown Charlotte, NC and own Graceful Properties, a real estate investing firm in Charlotte together. James Ince Motorsports is planning on running a limited ABC [ARCA, Busch, Cup] race program in the second half of the 2007 race season, with a young developmental driver from the state of Missouri. Further information will follow as sponsors are put into place.(11-24-2006)

Brewco to attempt Homestead with Atwood: Brewco Motorsports, in cooperation with Stanton Barrett Motorsports, will attempt to field a #95 Ford for Casey Atwood in the Nextel Cup season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway next month. "Every year we've said we're going to run 10 races," Brewco Motorsports President Todd Wilkerson said Thursday. "With all these Cup drivers getting the extra practice, we felt it was a good time [to enter]." Wilkerson said the team is working on putting together a sponsorship package for 10 races next season and has had very preliminary discussions with Barrett about trying to team up to field a car throughout the entire 2007 season. The team, which will enter a Ford, will have sponsorship from one of Kleenex's brands for the Homestead race. Atwood, who replaced David Green in the #27 Busch Series Ford last month, will drive the remainder of the Busch races this season and the Cup race at Homestead, Wilkerson said. "We haven't made a 100% decision on next year," Wilkerson said. "We don't have to decide right now, so we're not going to." Atwood tested at Homestead earlier this week and ran well. Shawn Parker will oversee the program, but Busch Series crew chiefs Newt Moore and Stewart Cooper also will play pivotal roles in the setup and on race day, Wilkerson said.(SceneDaily.com)(10-20-2006)

DLP Racing to Cup in 2007? not much info, but lots of fluff in a PR that says [1993 Busch Series Champ] Steve Grissom has joined DLP Racing to pilot the un-sponsored #07 Chevy for the 2006-2007 Busch Series season. SUN Management Group, Inc. will be exclusively handling the sponsorship acquisition for the 2006 - 2007 racing season. SUN will also be handling all of the public and media relations, advertising, and marketing for DLP. Total Sponsorship package is $15,000,000 for 70 races, including all of the Busch Series and Nextel Cup Series races. SUN and DLP are filling sponsorships immediately for 2006 and 2007. Packages are designed for one race, 4 races, or the entire season and can be negotiated due to the company’s needs. Corporations wanting to get involved in NASCAR Busch Series, or NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, with a great organization at a low entry cost, with a “corporation-friendly” contract and perks, or would like to hear more information about DLP, Steve Grissom, and Doug Flutie’s Autism Foundation.(emediawire.com)(8-11-2006)

Bobby Hamilton Jr. to run at Indy - Cup and Truck: Fastenal and Bobby Hamilton Racing have joined forces and will be pulling double duty,competing at both venues. Bobby Hamilton Jr. will drive the #04 Fastenal Dodge in the NASCAR Nextel Cup event at the Brickyard (The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard) and he will drive the #18 Fastenal Dodge Ram in the Craftsman Truck Series event at Indianapolis Raceway Park (The Power Stroke Diesel 200). In pre-race testing at the Brickyard Hamilton Jr. was the 11th fastest driver posting a time of 50.406 which equates to a 178.550 mile per hour lap around the 2.5 mile oval.(fastenalracing.com)(7-27-2006)

Former team owner looking to get back in the sport: Not much info on this, but hearing that Wayne Burdette and a business partner are looking at coming back into Nextel Cup racing either on their own or partnering with a current team. They are currently working with several sponsors and hope to announce something soon. Burdette partnered with Cale Yarborough in 1998 and part if 1999 with Rick Mast as the driver.(7-18-2006)

David Green and Johnny Sauter to Attempt Brickyard 400: David Green and Johnny Sauter [#70] will both enter the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard with their Busch Series teams. Brewco Motorsports will attempt to make its first Cup start of the season, while Sauter's Haas CNC Racing team ran at Charlotte in May.(NASCAR Scene Print)(6-30-2006)

Keith Coleman Racing going Cup racing: Keith Coleman Racing, which has struggled on the Busch Series side, has opted to try to go Nextel Cup racing. Team owner Keith Coleman said June 17 that his target debut for the #94 Nextel Cup car is the New Hampshire race in July. Carl Long is the expected driver, Coleman said, and the team could run as many as 15 races to end the year. The team is still working on sponsorship. Keith Montgomery will be the team's crew chief. The idea would be to run a full Nextel Cup schedule in 2007. The team will remain based in Eddyville, Ky. The team also plans to put Mexico native Eduardo Troconis in a car starting in the #23 [Busch] car later this year, pending on sponsorship. Troconis has driven stock cars in Mexico and also has International Formula 3 experience. He has worked for the team the last couple of months to learn more about the cars.(SceneDaily.com)(6-18-2006)

“Dianetics”/Scientology to run a NASCAR team: “Dianetics,” the book written by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, is sponsoring a racing team — dubbed “Ignite Your Potential” — that will tour the NASCAR circuit. A Dianetics Racing Web site is being set up for fans. Driver Kenton Gray credits Hubbard’s work with making him a good driver.(MSNBC)
AND Unveiled on May 19th at the Book Expo America (BEA) in Washington, D.C., is the new "Ignite Your Potential" Dianetics Racing Team, headed by Kenton Gray, founder of Freedom Motorsports Group, Inc., and a top performing Southern California racecar driver. A racer since the age of 10, Gray is not only a standout behind the wheel—placing first in five races over the past year and top-five in dozens of others—he is also an instructor at the LA Racing Experience on one of the best short tracks in America, Irwindale Speedway in Southern California.(PR), nothing says what level of NASCAR racing the team will run, there is a picture of the car, it looks like a #27 Ford Taurus [the #27 is taken by teams in both Cup and Busch series], but Freedom Motorsports Group runs a car for Gray in the Dodge Weekly Series at Irwindale Speedway.(6-5-2006)

Larry Mac...owner? hearing Fox broadcaster Larry McReynolds is looking into becoming a NASCAR team owner again, supposedly with John Dangler. Supposedly a Busch Series deal in 2007 that would move up to Nextel Cup in 2008, McReynolds was part owner of the ill-fated BANG Racing team in 2004.(5-15-2006)

New Team plans to debut later this year: H&K Motorsports says they have signed Socko Energy Drink as the primary sponsor of their #58 Dodge and continue thru 2008. The team plans to race later this season and have Truck Series team. H&K Motorsports is based in Denton, TX with a secondary shop in Statesville, NC. No driver has been named, but former Cup driver, Trevor Boys [1983-1993] had been mentioned in a Fort Worth Star Telegram article back in March to run at Texas, but the team was not ready for the race. Larry Pryor will be the crew chief. Socko Energy is the flagship product of Bliss Beverage from Scottsdale, AZ.(H&K Motorsports PR)(5-15-2006)

Boris and Stoddard to Roush? UPDATE: hearing #36 MB2 Motorsports crew chief, Frank Stoddard has left MC2 Motorsports and gone back to Roush Racing [where is was the crew chief of the #99 and Jeff Burton for years] and that driver Boris Said also signed with Roush Racing. Not sure of the details or specifics yet but hearing the races planned are Infineon Raceway, Pepsi 400 at Daytona, Brickyard 400 and Watkins Glen. Could be in the #06 the Todd Kleuver is supposed to run 6 races in later this year as these four races are not on Kleuver's Cup schedule. Stoddard mentioned this on the radio show, The Morning Buzz, which Stoddard calls in to give NASCAR reports on Tuesday mornings.(4-4-2006)
UPDATE: Boris Said and veteran crew chief Frank Stoddard have formed their own Nextel Cup team, Yahoo! Sports has learned. They are partnering with long-time Said associate and former driver and team owner Mark Simo. The team, which is slated to run four or five races this season, will work with Roush Racing, which has offered to supply the team with cars, engines and technical expertise. Stoddard recently left MB2 Motorsports and speculation was that he was set to rejoin Roush. But Stoddard, who used to be crew chief for Roush's #99 car when Jeff Burton was behind the wheel, instead has been working with Roush officials on forming the new team. Said has been frustrated with his inability to find a regular Cup ride this season after running nine races with MB2 in 2005 with Stoddard as his crew chief. After Simo's No Fear clothing company purchased a building adjacent to Roush Racing headquarters in Concord, N.C., for a planned East Coast distribution center, Said, who has been working as a consultant for Roush's teams, began talking with Roush about possibly starting a team. The current plan is for the new team to run the Dodge/Save Mart 350 at the Infineon Raceway road course in June, the Pepsi 400 at Daytona in July, the Brickyard in August and the Watkins Glen road course, also in August. The team has secured sponsorship for at least four races, with an announcement regarding sponsorship details to come.(Yahoo Sports)(4-5-2006)

Mathis team hopes to run ARCA race UPDATE: Victory Motorsports Racing, owned by former NFL All-Pro Wide Receiver Terance Mathis, will participated in the ARCA Series open test session in Nashville with hopes of being approved to run April 15, 2006, in Nashville. Morty Buckles will run car # 81 for Victory Motorsports Racing. "This is just the first step in getting on the Nextel Cup Circuit," says Terance Mathis, majority team owner of Victory Motorsports Racing. "I have been waiting for this day for a while now. Terance took a chance on me when I came out of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity Program, and now we are making strides to run ARCA, and eventually run Nextel Cup. This entire experience is so much bigger than myself and Terance, it's about creating more opportunities for minority drivers, and minority owners," says Morty Buckles. Victory Motorsports Racing is owned about by majority partner, former NFL All Wide Receiver Terance Mathis, and minority partner Morgan-McClure Racing, a 23 year veteran to the Motorsports Industry.(Origins Public Relations)
UPDATE: looks like the PR folks jumped the gun, been told while Buckles will attempt to make the ARCA race at Nashville, it will not be in the #81 Victory Motorsports car but that Buckles will be working with and driving for ST2 Motorsports from Columbia, TN with BRG Racing, contracted with ST2 to provide a Dodge Charger #67.(MortyBuckles.com)(3-30-2006)

Footballers start Race Team: Football hall of famer Gale Sayers and World Champion MVP Ray Lewis, along with entrepreneur Mark Bloomquist, have formed The Milestone Company. The operation will run both cars and trucks under its new name: S&L Racing. The team will be headquartered in North Carolina. S&L Racing's mission is to develop a winning race team that provides opportunities for minorities and women in the sport. To achieve their objective, S&L Racing will start from scratch, working their way up to the Nextel Cup Series. The team plans to start racing this season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The Milestone Company will work with NASCAR, other racing teams and organizations, and corporations to assist in providing opportunities for those looking to make a career out of racing. For more information on S&L Racing, contact the team at 336-389-1700.(FoxSports/Newswire/S&L Racing)(3-24-2006)

New Team Plans Texas Debut: H&K Motorsports, a husband and wife owned team based in Denton,, TX has announced plans to make its Nextel Cup Series debut at Texas Motor Speedway. Denton native Eddie Kucharski and wife Bonnie Heimlich plan to enter veteran Trevor Boys in 15 Cup races, beginning with a qualifying attempt April 7 for the Samsung/RadioShack 500 at TMS. The team also plans to compete in the ARCA ReMax Series beginning at Nashville Superspeedway on April 15.(Fort Worth Star Telegram) Boys has 102 Cup starts with two top 10's running races between 1983-1993, his best finish was a 9th at Richmond 1983 in the #48 Chevy.(3-18-2006)

Belmont back at Daytona Andy Belmont will be in Daytona Beach trying to qualify for the ARCA 200 and get his season off to a better start. The former local dirt track racer also will try to put a car into the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 19. Belmont will try to qualify for the Daytona 500 is the same car [#59 Year One Ford] that Derrike Cope used last year. It was actually sitting in a show room in Braselton, Ga., and was owned by Year One, one of the country's largest sellers of restoration and performance parts for vintage and muscle cars. By the time Belmont had finished talking with Kevin King, president of Year One, he had the car, a Ford, and some sponsorship support from the company and had plans in place to take a crack at qualifying for the Daytona 500. GunBroker.com, the world's largest online auction of firearms and accessories, will sponsor Beck and be an associate sponsor on Belmont's Nextel Cup entry and his ARCA car. Belmont said he has sold his home in Penndel, PA and is having a home built in Mooresville, N.C. He has been living in his motor home next to his race shop in Lexington, N.C. His family will be joining him in Mooresville.(Phillyburbs.com)(2-3-2006)

Foyt Team Owner Seeks Driver For 2006 Season: The Foyt Racing Team owned by David W. Tomasello is looking for a driver in the wake of the recent resignation of Larry Foyt. Tomasello’s team plans to operate in 2006 with two drivers, with a new up-and-coming driver in the fold. Both drivers will compete primarily in NASCAR’s Busch Series but will also enter selected NEXTEL Cup races, Tomasello said. “Larry recently got engaged and he’s ready to move on to other things,” Tomasello said. “I congratulate him on his decision about his personal life and we all wish him well. I’m optimistic we’ll have a first-rate driver in the fold by the start of the 2006 season,” adding that he's currently interviewing prospects. “Besides looking for a driver, we are negotiating for major sponsors for both cars,” Tomasello said. He might change the team’s name to Zekko Racing, Tomasello added, after his line of extreme sportswear. Already, he has installed his brother Daniel Tomasello as team president. The team will continue to operate from its new shop in Mooresville, NC, Tomasello said. More info at www.foytracing.net.(1-12-2006)

Belmont to attempt Daytona 500: FansCrew.com announced that they will be in the ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway and plan to attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 in February. “We’ve entered into a sponsorship agreement with Andy Belmont,” David Westrick, co-founder of FansCrew.com said. “We will be working with Andy throughout the ARCA season and will be on the car he attempts to qualify for the Daytona 500.”(FansCrew.com PR via Catchfence.com), no word on car# or team.(1-10-2006)

STAR Motorsports signs Austin: STAR Motorsports [owned by Sean Holley, along with some pro athletes and entertainers, including the Wayans brothers from In Living Color among other TV Shows / Moives], Austin Racing Enterprises, and 16 year old Chase Austin proudly announce the formation STAR-TEAM CHASE race team. STAR Motorsports, with a race shop based in Mooresville, NC, is a dynamic new player on the NASCAR scene. A unique blend of motorsports veterans, sports and entertainment executives, MLB, MLS, NBA and NFL athletes, and stars from the music and film industries, STAR will field competitive teams in NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Busch Series and Truck Series as wlll as Hooters Pro Cup and ASA Late Models. Sean Holley, President/CEO of STAR Motorsports, describes his excitement over partnering with Chase: "We are building this team to be competitive in the long run. To do that, we need a strong foundation. In addition to veteran drivers, STAR wants to secure young drivers with the potential to win at the highest levels for years to come. After extensive scouting, we were able get our top choice; Chase Austin.(STAR-motorsports.com). Austin of couese will not run in any of the top-three NASCAR Series until he turns 18 years old, no word on who will drive for any of the NASCAR teams in 2006, no car number mentioned or mention of crew chiefs.(12-12-2005)

Brown Team probably not until 2007: Former NFL star Tim Brown still is trying to put together a Nextel Cup team for 2006, but the team probably will not be full-time until 2007. Still to be determined is how NASCAR will treat Brown’s partnership with Roush Racing in light of its four-car team cap that will be enacted next year.(Speed Channel)(11-21-2005)

Tin Brown Team Update: Former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown said Sunday morning that he should know soon whether the NASCAR program he’s starting with help from Jack Roush will make it to the track next year or in 2007. Brown said he could run a Nextel Cup team next year, Cup and Busch series cars next year, or, if delayed until ’07, he could campaign a Craftsman Truck entry in addition to the Cup and Busch cars. “We think we’ll be there (in 2006), but when you’re talking this kind of (sponsorship) money, you never know what’s going to happen. But hopefully the next couple of weeks one way or another whether we’ll be on track or not.” Brown said he and the Roush organization are talking with sponsors “who are looking at doing both” the Cup and Busch cars next year. “I understand we’re running out of time, and everybody has to make a decision here.” The former football star added that he initially planned the team for ’07, but “we just got a little greedy and little aggressive and decided to try to make something happen for ’06. We’re close. We think we can still get it done.”(Speed Channel)(11-7-2005)

Tim Brown Team should know if it will get a sponsor soon: Roush Racing’s Sam Belnavis said Sunday morning that former NFL star wide receiver Tim Brown should know within seven to 10 days whether or not he’ll have the sponsorship necessary to fund a start-up Cup team in 2006. Brown announced plans for a new team in August at the Brickyard 400, but whether the team begins next year or in ’07 depends on sponsorship. Roush is helping Brown put the team together.(Speed Channel)(10-3-2005)

Latest on Tim Brown's Team: Tim Brown, the former NFL star making the transition to NASCAR team owner, said he'll leave it up to Jack Roush as to whom to put behind the wheel of his cars next season. "I was very happy I had the Roush Racing infrastructure," Brown said. "When I connected with them, I realized I had a legitimate shot at this. We think we are going to be able to race Cup in '06. We have two or three companies very interested (in sponsorship). I'm not afraid of calling on these CEOs and asking for $50 million. All they can do is say no. If they do, then you just move on."(Winston Salem Journal)(9-5-2005)

New Team, Wayens? Sean W. Holley, in partnership with with The Wayans Brothers, has established STAR Motorsports, Inc. STAR is composed of a unique mix of experienced motorsports professionals, experienced sports and entertainment executives, sports and entertainment celebrities, and most importantly diversity. STAR will lead by example to ensure that minorities, including women, will become more aware and more involved with motorsports in all facets of the business. STAR fully supports and develops initiatives that encourage diversity throughout the motorsports industry. STAR is committed to partnering with leading corporations, associations, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions to foster this result. STAR will field competitive NASCAR Nextel Cup, Busch, and Craftsman Truck Series teams. STAR Motorsports is announcing the launch of its first car, STAR-TEAM WAYANS, which will compete in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series in 2006. The Wayans Brothers are credited for their stand-up comedy, television production such as In Living Color, and movies such as I’m Gonna Get You Sucka!, Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, White Chicks, and Scary Movie 1 & 2.
STAR acknowledges the tremendous and sincere efforts NASCAR has exercised in its Drive for Diversity. “NASCAR, under the direction of Tish Sheets, continues to be brilliant in its numerous efforts, and STAR looks forward to extending assistance to NASCAR in a cohesive manner to enhance this cause,” said Holley. The NASCAR industry already has significant gems of minority influence that transcend ethnic lines, in particular Sam Belnavis. “Sam is an extremely well-respected motorsports pioneer and executive, with a wealth of knowledge,” states Holley. “Someone, who I proudly watch and listen to!” STAR is developing its main operations in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Additionally, STAR will have offices in the Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York areas.(Insiderracingnews.com)(9-4-2005)

Conely and #79 shot give it another shot, this time with Reffner: The #79 SBC/Tubby's Submarines Chevy he's taking to Brooklyn, MI [MIS] was built by John Conely, owner of Conely Motor Sports Inc., and 15 others on about 1% of a typical team's $15 million-$20 million budget in the same Genoa Township garage from which he sells, rents and services used cars. Conely tried last year at Michigan and New Hampshire but was rained out. He'll give it a go Saturday, his fourth attempt this year to earn a spot in NASCAR's premier series. Fractions of a second kept the team out of the June race in Michigan and earlier events in California and Las Vegas. While Derrike Cope drove Conely's car in June, Bryan Reffner, a former American Speed Association champion, will drive this weekend. Conely estimates he will need to turn a qualifying lap of 38.3 seconds to put the team comfortably in the field. Although it will be his first run in the Nextel Cup Series, Reffner was the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie of the year in 1996 [driving for Ernie Irvan]. "We've worked together a long time and we think the same way,'' said Conely, who has previously competed in the truck series and in NASCAR's Busch Series. "We've done good together and we want to do it again.'' Reffner, from Rudolph, Wis., drove 13 truck races for Conely in 1999, starting 25th and finishing 20th at Michigan. In 2002, he drove for Conely again in Michigan's truck and Busch races, finishing 13th and 29th, respectively. Conely's crew is made up of mostly local people, including Dean Biondi and Ron Hepler from Brighton, Chris Jennings from Hartland and Bill Yurgelaitis of Byron, who keeps Hartland Consolidated Schools' buses on the road when he's not racing.(Ann Arbor News/Michigan Live), also more info on the team at: conelymotorsports.com and bryanreffner.com.(8-19-2005)

Tim Brown and Roush make it official UPDATE: Tim Brown, who starred as a wide receiver first at Notre Dame and then with the Oakland Raiders, will have a NASCAR team next year, featuring a technical alliance with Roush Racing. Still to be decided are a driver, crew chief, sponsor and even which series to run in, but Brown aims to have Tim Brown Racing on track in 2006. “It is our intention to run the Cup series. We have a very short time to get that done,” Brown said Sunday morning. “If that’s going to happen, it’s going to happen in the next 45 to 60 days. So we’re going to pushing very hard to get that done. If we end up in the Truck series or the Busch Series, that would be good, too.” Roush said he was enthusiastic about the partnership. “We would not presume to tell Tim what he needed to do or what he had to do, but we’ve certainly made our share of mistakes in the 18 years that we’ve been involved in the business, and we could show him where some of the hard points are,” said Roush. “We’ll have a great relationship.” Roush, who has some of the deepest sponsor roots of any team owner, may well prove to be Brown’s lifeline to sponsor dollars. Money, arguably the single most critical element in racing, has been noticeably absent from other minority race teams, including the now-defunct Washington-Erving Motorsports and BelCar Motorsports, the latter of which was owned by Sam Belnavis, who later became chief diversity officer for Roush Racing. (Speed Channel)(8-8-2005)
UPDATE: Two steps toward cool will be the car's number and paint scheme: 81 and silver and black, just like Brown wore for 16 seasons with the Raiders.(Sporting News)(8-9-2005)

More on Hamilton running Indy: Bobby Hamilton comments on his Allstate 400 at the Brickyard attempt, "We have been working on some chassis stuff for my trucks and ended up building a cup car. We tested it in Indy and ran pretty fast with it. When I got it back home, I had the guys tear it down to see why we were so fast. It surprised me, but made me aware that my teams can compete. It's our first in-house car. We built it ourselves; we bought the chassis from PPI (Motorsports) and then put on our front and rear clips. We have a very good truck organization, but I'm smart enough to know that experience is what counts, and running a Cup team week in and week out is huge. We know we're against all odds going to Indy for the race. We'd like to run good but we don't want to get in the way of the guys running for the Chase. But, we buy our pit passes just like they do so we're going to have some fun if we make it." Hamilton raced in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series from 1989-2002 winning four races and finishing a career high of ninth in points in 1996.(BHR PR)(8-2-2005)

Hamilton Sr. to run Indy, maybe more, not retire?: Bobby Hamilton [#04] will try to qualify for the Aug. 7 Brickyard 400, his first race in NASCAR's top tier since he left at the end of the 2003 season. "If I can qualify, I'll be in the race," said Hamilton, who won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship last year and is currently third in the standings. "It's a no-pressure thing and I'm looking forward to it." Hamilton said he is dabbling in Nextel Cup for two reasons. He hopes to transfer some of the chassis technology to his truck racing team, and also help his son, Bobby Jr., get his [#32] car up to speed. Bobby Hamilton Jr. has struggled in his first full Nextel Cup season. "We're working together, helping each other," the senior Hamilton said. "We were at Indy testing last week and I had the quickest lap and Little Bobby the second-quickest. After Indy I may run a few more Cup races on some tracks that we need help on." Hamilton purchased the Nextel Cup car from PPI Racing, the team for which Bobby Jr. drives, and rebuilt it at his racing complex in Mt. Juliet. "It's a good car," he said. "I'm anxious to race it. I've still got a lot of buddies over there and it'll be fun to see them," said Hamilton, who has run five Busch Series races this season for Sadler Racing [#95] in addition to his full-time truck schedule. Hamilton hopes to eventually evolve his truck racing team into a Nextel Cup team, with his son driving for him. Earlier this year Hamilton said he intended to retire from driving at the end of this season in order to oversee his team and develop young drivers on a full-time basis. Since then those plans have become less definite. "I'll do what I think is best for my race team," he said. "It's hard to predict the future."(Tennessean)(7-27-2005)

NFL Great Tim Brown to be team owner UPDATE: during his retirement announcement today on ESPNews, NFL receiving great, Tim Brown announced he will become a NASCAR team owner, didn't say what series, but that he is working with Roush Racing, who will supply engines and chassis.(7-18-2005)
UPDATE: Monday morning, a few miles west at the Oakland Airport Hilton and a couple of deep post patterns from Raiders headquarters, Brown announced he is retiring in part to become the [actually one of the] first African American owner of a NASCAR racing team, in addition to joining new NFL weekend shows on Fox Sports Net television and possibly Sirius Satellite Radio. Brown said he has accepted an offer to create Tim Brown Racing from Roush Racing, an enterprise that has won NASCAR's last two Winston Cup/Nextel Cup championships. Brown's team will use Roush chassis and technology for cars that will begin NASCAR competition in 2006. "See, I even know what chassis are," Brown joked. "If NASCAR is going to truly be America's sport, everyone (from all races) has to be involved," he said, adding he will be involved in promotions and securing sponsorships for his new team. Brown also will continue to be the national spokesman for a Long Beach-based children's educational program, 9-1-1 for Kids. (Sacramento Bee), wonder if it will be #81?.(7-19-2005)
AND there have been other African American owner's, some sucessful, Wendell Scott, owned his own team, drove and won a race? Washington / Irving in the #50 Dr. Pepper Busch car and Sam Belnavis was part owner of the #54 National Guard car that Todd Bodine drove a few years ago [won a pole at Chicago], Belnavis is now with Roush Racing and would imagine he has something to to with Brown being with Roush. Just a few examples.(7-20-2005)

Britney Spears...team owner? Britney Spears, the sexy singer that NASCAR marketers have been trying to use as a promotional tool for the sport, may be back in the stock-car scene, according to NASCAR sources that report that Brian France is pushing to have Spears listed as a part owner of a Cup team, possibly with wealthy Indy-car team owner Carl Haas. According to one man familiar with the situation, car owner Cal Wells could be the beneficiary. Wells said yesterday that NASCAR executives have been working with him on some options but said that Haas and Spears weren't part of that project. NASCAR, in 2002, had hopes that Spears would play a role in a racing movie. Now plans for that movie may be dusted off and revived.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-17-2005)

New Minority Owned Team...Carl Long to drive: Victory Motorsports unveiled the names of, Morty Buckles, an accomplished driver that will represent Victory Motorsports in the ARCA Racing Remax Series, and Carl Long, a skillful and experienced driver that will represent Victory Motorsports in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, and drive car #94. Morty Buckles, an African-American driver, has been a part of the NASCAR world for a number of years, most recently in the Drive for Diversity Program, and the NASCAR/Dodge Weekly Series, winning races and respect all around the organization. Carl Long, a resident of Troutman, North Carolina, has a solid 22 years of racing under his belt. Raised in Roxboro, North Carolina, Long started racing in the early 80's, and won his first Track Championship at South Boston Speedway in 1987. In 1992, Long was named the Winston Racing Rookie of the Year at Orange County Speedway. In 2000, Long made his first Winston Cup race, and in 2004 made a career high of six Nextel Cup races. Carl Long has participated at several levels of NASCAR racing, including Nextel Cup Series, Busch Series, and the Craftsman Truck Series [Long was/is running a limited schedule with the #00 McGlynn Chevy team]. Victory Motorsports is owned by Terance Mathis, former All-Pro Wide Receiver for the Atlanta Falcons. For more information go to Victory Motorsports.(TBG Worldwide PR)(7-6-2005)

Mexican-born Driver Looks to Make History at Infineon: Jose Luis Ramirez will attempt to make history at Infineon Raceway during the Dodge/Save Mart 350, June 24-26, by becoming only the second Mexican-born driver in history to compete in a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup event. Ramirez, who is participating in a two-day NASCAR test session at Infineon Raceway Tuesday-Wednesday, is currently a full-time competitor in the NASCAR Grand National West Series and finished 10th in points in 2004. He's had two West Series starts in 2005 and is currently 16th in points. Ramirez also competed in the Telcel MOTOROLA 200 NASCAR Busch Series race in Mexico City this year, starting 33rd and finishing 31st.
The Dodge/Save Mart 350 will mark Ramirez's first-ever NEXTEL Cup event, if he qualifies, and he feels the weight of an entire country (Mexico) on his shoulders. "It's a lot of pressure but I've been dreaming of this moment all my life," Ramirez said in his first visit to the 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course in the Sonoma Valley. "I've always wanted to drive a Cup car and to also represent my country is an honor." The car Ramirez will drive in Sonoma is sponsored by Pro30.com, a Northern California-based mortgage bank/software technologies company. The team, #52 Ware Enterprises Racing is running a five-race schedule in 2005. Ramirez would become the 18th foreign-born driver to compete in a NEXTEL Cup Series event. Pedro Rodriguez became the first Mexican-born NEXTEL Cup driver after competing in six events between 1959-1971. Infineon Raceway has also hosted the series' first Japanese-born driver, Hideo Fukuyama, as well as Klaus Graff, who was born in Germany. Great tickets are still available for the Dodge/Save Mart 350 by calling 800-870-RACE or visiting www.infineonraceway.com.(Infineon Raceway)(4-20-2005)

Brazilian to attempt two Cup and two Busch races: Brazilian driver Carlos Bueno, the current runner-up in the Stock Car V8 championship - the country’s version of NASCAR, tested one of Richard Childress’ NASCAR cars at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, NC. Bueno’s characteristic #0 was emblazoned in an orange Monte Carlo with his name and the Brazilian flag plastered on its skin. Two days and 520 laps around Caraway Speedway, the second Brazilian to ever steer a NASCAR car was ecstatic: his quickest time of 17.0 seconds topped 2004 team regular Ron Hornaday’s best, who also tested on the same days, by 0.2sec. The Brazilian is committed to another season of Stock Car racing this year, but intends to attempt four NASCAR races in 2005: two Busch starts, “preferably on short ovals,” and a step-up as a hired gun for the Nextel Cup’s two road races [Sonoma and Watkins Glen]. His ambitious planning stretches way ahead, though: “My target is to be a full-time Cup driver in four years.”(full column at Speed Channel)(1-4-2005)

Campbell joins Keith Coleman Racing as Mark Green’s Busch crew chief: Kenneth Campbell, a long-time crew chief and veteran of Nascar, has been named as crew chief for the #26 Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the 2005 season. Campbell has 15 years of experience as a crew chief and has been involved in the world of racing for 23 years. His first crew chief position came at Laughlin Racing Products, where he served as crew chief from 1989 – 1994. Since that time Campbell has led five different race teams as crew chief, including Jay Robinson Racing and Brewco Motorsports. He also spent two years as a NASCAR Busch Series Official “I think there is a real opportunity here,” said Campbell. “I’ve been watching KCR for the past six months or so and I’ve been very impressed with what they have accomplished.” The team will run the full NASCAR Busch Series schedule in addition to a partial Nextel Cup schedule beginning in the summer of 2005. A sponsorship announcement for both series is expected in the near future. Campbell, who has worked with driver Mark Green before, said the bond that the two share was an important consideration in his decision to join KCR and would be instrumental in the future success of the team.(KCR PR)(12-8-2004)

New NASCAR Team? not quite sure what this is about, but the site shows the #05 car and listed veteran driver, Rich Bickle as the team driver: The VFW Department of North Carolina and Veterans Racing, Inc. are joining forces and using the Veterans Racing NASCAR race teams to energize a recruiting blitz of the past and present eligible military personnel to join the prestigious ranks of the VFW, which they have earned through their service. The blitz will include merchandise to be sold in the 9,700 plus VFW Posts, on the website and in various retail outlets, at the tracks in both NEXTEL Cup and the Busch Series for selected races during the remaining of the 2004 season and then into the 2005 NEXTEL Cup season. The team will be taking cars, crew and VFW personnel to various military bases for direct recruiting purposes. VFW members, military members, NASCAR fans and their family and friends are asked to support all other sponsors of this race team, because they are helping make this happen. See more at veteransracing.com (10-27-2004)

Teague to attempt Cup race at Bristol: New Peoples Bank, with the home office located in Honaker, Va., is teaming up with veteran NASCAR driver Brad Teague of Johnson City, TN, for the running of the NEXTEL Cup Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 28. Teague will be driving the #92 New Peoples Bank Ford, out of the Means-Jenkins Motorsports racing operation, for his first attempt at making the starting lineup for a NEXTEL Cup event in 2004. The car is a former Robert Yates Racing car and the engine will be a RYR engine. Teague and the #92 New Peoples Bank Ford Taurus show-car will be present on Wednesday, Aug. 25 for the grand opening of the Abingdon, Va. branch. Along with the show-car, Teague will also make an appearance in downtown Bristol at the annual Food City Family Race Night on Thursday, Aug. 26, held on State Street. New Peoples Bank is a locally owned bank with offices located in Southwest Virginia, East Tennessee and Southern West Virginia.(PR)(8-22-2004)

ARCA driver to attempt Cup? UPDATE it was mentioned during Speed Channel's ARCA race coverage at Michigan that ARCA driver A.J. Henriksen plans to attempt Pocono and the October race at Lowe's Motor Speedway, didn't say if it was with his ARCA team [E.C.C. Motorsports] or another team.(6-20-2004)
UPDATE: The team Henriksen will drive for is ECC Motorsports with plans to attempt to make the cup races at Pocono, Chicagoland, and Lowe's Motor Speedway race. The team is in the finishing stages of completing their Cup car and hope to test at Pocono in about 3 to 4 weeks. The team is activly seeking sponsorship help for their Cup and ARCA efforts.(6-21-2004)

Long at Dover UPDATE: hearing that Carl Long will attempt to make the MBNA 400: A Salute to Heroes at Dover International Speedway in the #00 McGlynn Motorsports Chevrolet, while not asscoaited with Michael Waltrip or DEI, it is a former DEI car supposedly.(6-2-2004)
UPDATE: Carl Long has teamed up with the #00 McGlynn Motorsports Nextel Cup Chevrolet crew this weekend at Dover International Speedway and again for the upcoming Pocono Nextel Cup race scheduled for Sunday, June 13, 2004. Long has nine NASCAR Cup Series, four Busch Series and six NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career starts to his credit and is one of the most popular independent drivers in NASCAR. Long has been tabbed by Team Owner Raynard McGlynn to help his team gain valuable experience on and off the track. McGlynn's long-term strategy is to enter his son Ryan in the July 25, 2004 Loudon [New Hampshire] Cup race. Driver Ryan McGlynn has been approved by NASCAR to compete in Nextel Cup tracks up to one-mile until he gains additional Cup experience. McGlynn competed at the inaugural Daytona truck event and is approved to compete at Superspeedways in all truck competition. McGlynn Motorsports plans on running at least one truck series event, possibly Kentucky. McGlynn Motorsports and driver Ryan McGlynn posted their career-best finish in the Kentucky truck race, coming home eleventh (11th) after qualifying twenty-ninth (29th) for the July 14, 2001 event.(TruckSeries.com)(6-3-2004)

Brewco to Cup? hearing Brewco Motorsports [#27 and #37 in the Busch Series] have recently purchased a coiple pf DEI cars and plans to run the Richmond race [with Timberwolf] and possible the Brickyard 400 at Indy [may with the USPS]. David Green will supposedly drive the cars, since the #27 and #37 are not being used, I would assume one of the ohter could be ran.(5-26-2004)

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. Young explained why he endorses YET and Jugular: “Unlike a lot of other energy drinks that use caffeine to give drinkers a short term boost, YET and Jugular are caffeine-free healthy alternatives that use herbal science to give athletes, or anyone, sustained energy.”
YET and Jugular use “ADX7,” a powerful blend of adaptogenic herbs, vitamins and aminos. ADX7 has helped power Olympic athletes to an unprecedented 55 Olympic Gold Medals. The Jugular Energy Drink is caffeine free and has only 45 calories with only 9 carbohydrates per can. YET is another pure natural choice with only 8 calories per can, zero sugar, zero caffeine and zero carbohydrates. “With that type of proven performance, the BH Motorsports driver, pit crew and team will definitely be powered by ADX7,” said Tinsley Hughes, owner of BH Motorsports.
“Both Jugular and YET promote healthy caffeine free energy and provide energy that lets you get the job done,” explained Tyde Tanner, President of Sudden Impact Partners, Inc. “While everyone else is promising energy by pumping you full of sugar and high doses of caffeine, we took the natural approach. ADX7 has been in development process for over 50 years. It is exciting for us to deliver this time-tested formula in our energy drinks. People appreciate our honest straight forward approach; you don’t need loads of sugar, high doses of caffeine and other harmful stimulants to deliver energy.”
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.”
“Urban Americans have the desire to drive race cars and pursue careers in motorsports. It's that adequate funding is an obstacle. It takes a serious commitment and effort to race at any level. There are already talented Urban American drivers out there, but they lack the funding to move to the next level. We want to help these young drivers succeed in this industry.”
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. Hughes explained. “Hughes Motorsports Academy allows young men and women who are interested in motorsports from an engineering, technology, marketing, advertising or public relations standpoint to fine-tune and hone their skills. 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)

Benning plans to attempt three races at Daytona: ARCA veteran driver Norm Benning will attempt the ARCA RE/MAX Series, and the NASCAR Busch and Nextel Cup Series events from Daytona International Speedway in February, Catchfence.com has been informed. Benning was successful in making the field in the NASCAR Busch Series in 2003, but his bid to make the "All American Race" failed last year. Benning, who is expected to pilot the #84 Chevrolet in all three races has not announced a sponsor at this time.(Catchfence)(12-28-2003)

Team Hollywood? UPDATE a Truck Team: hearing movie producer John Shestak (Blair With Project) and actor Anthony Edwards (formerly of ER) are expected to announce involvement in a NASCAR team for 2004 at Homestead. The names of Bradley Whitford (West Wing) and actress Rene Russo have also been mentioned as involved. The driver will be a young up-and-comer from California.(11-7-2003)
UPDATE: there will be a press conference at Homestead-Miami Superspeedway on Friday, November 14th with actor Anthony Edwards (NBC’s “ER”) and producer John Shestack (Air Force One) for An Announcement Regarding Clean Line Motorsports and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.(11-10-2003)

A New Cup Team? UPDATE: NASCAR's Nextel Cup series gets its second African-American-run team next season, this one entered by the estate of the late Roots author Alex Haley. Majority owner Sam Belnavis became the first black full-time owner this year by starting BelCar Motorsports with Travis Carter. Belnavis' partner is Haley's brother, George, a former U.S. ambassador to Gambia and executor of the Pulitzer Prize-winner's estate. A statement from the estate said the venture seeks to "perpetuate ... Haley's spirit and legacy of family, brotherhood and understanding" and to foster African-American and minority participation in NASCAR. The estate is seeking sponsors for the car that would include tributes to Haley, whose novel tracing his lineage to slavery was adapted for ABC into TV's most-watched miniseries when it was broadcast in 1977.(USA Today)(11-7-2003)
UPDATE: The family of Alex Haley, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Roots," wants to associate the late writer's name with auto racing, a sport striving to reach out to African Americans. Haley's brother, George, executor of his estate, announced Tuesday in Charlotte that Haley's family plans to field a NASCAR Nextel Cup team in 2004, with its headquarters in Concord. But organizing a team in time for next year's Daytona 500 could prove difficult. Several other ventures with African American involvement in recent years have been unable to put together the sponsors and skills needed to compete at the top level. The Haley estate hopes to be successful by partnering with Sam Belnavis, the first African American owner of a Nextel Cup team. Belnavis, former sports marketing director for Miller Brewing Co., is already a partner with Travis Carter in BelCar Racing, which owns the #54 car driven by Todd Bodine. Alex Haley Racing, with Belnavis' involvement, will be a separate venture, said Bill Bryant with Empire Sports Group of Charlotte, which is working on the deal. The team's major sponsor and a manager will be announced soon, Bryant said. George Haley is a Washington lawyer and former U.S. ambassador to Gambia. He said the goal of the estate is to promote "Alex Haley's spirit and legacy of family, human connection, brotherhood and understanding." If successful, the entry of a Haley team into NASCAR would bring a name strongly associated with African American heritage into a sport with little black representation. In addition to "Roots," which became one of the most-watched television mini-series in history when it first aired in 1977, , Haley wrote "The Autobiography of Malcolm X." Bryant said the Haley team doesn't plan to field a black driver in its first year because there are no African Americans experienced enough in the sport to compete at that level. But the group plans a recruiting and development program that could lead to more black drivers in the future and wants to put a black driver in its Cup car within a few years. NASCAR has no black drivers in its premier Winston Cup series, which will become Nextel Cup next year. One African American has ever won at the sport's highest level -- Wendell Scott, in a 1963 race in Jacksonville, FL. Bill Lester, competing in the Craftsman Truck Series for Bobby Hamilton Racing, is NASCAR's only current African American driver. Lester will race in Friday's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. NASCAR is trying to build diversity through programs that link corporate sponsors to minority teams and is trying to recruit African Americans to the sport's grassroots level, at weekly racing series tracks in the Southeast. Reggie White, a former NFL defensive lineman with the Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers, is forming Reggie White Motorsports with backing from former NFL coach and current NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs. Several other black athletes have tried to bring a minority-owned team to life in recent years. A team owned by Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee and her husband, Bob, and another owned primarily by NBA star Julius Erving and NFL running back Joe Washington, were unable to compete at the Winston Cup level. Before partnering with Carter for BelCar, Belnavis had another team dissolve. BH Motorsports attempted to qualify for three Cup races in 2002 with driver Ron Hornaday.(ThatsRacin.com)(11-12-2003)

Glanville to attempt Cup races in 2004: Earlier this week Black Cat Racing (BCR), located in Jackson, TN., announced plans to run in two to three NEXTEL Cup events with the first to take place in Las Vegas on March 7, 2004. The driver of the BCR NEXTEL Cup car, which will attempt to qualify for the UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, is former NFL coach and part time ARCA driver Jerry Glanville. The National Rifle Association's, red, white and blue Chevrolet Monte Carlo as well as team support will be provided by Black Cat Racing. The car will be prepared in Coach Glanville's shop located in Dawsonville, GA. For more information, visit the BCR website at www.bcr13.com. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available for this race. Announcements regarding Black Cat Racing's Busch Series driver and sponsor are expected within the next two weeks.(BCR PR)(10-19-2003)

English team buying into Cup team? UPDATE Travis Carter: Leading Days of Thunder racing team Torquespeed UK/dsiAnyDoc have announced the sensational news that they will be racing on the US ovals as well as in the 2004 Days of Thunder at Rockingham. The team have also announced that dsiANYDOC boss Asa Burrows has taken over the major shareholding of Torquespeed UK [their website: www.torquespeed.com says it is coming Oct 10th.
In preparation for a full-blown assault in oval racing on both sides of the Atlantic in 2004, Torquespeed will join forces with a major NASCAR Winston Cup team to become the first British team to race in the world’s leading saloon car championship. The NASCAR Winston Cup Series is the pinnacle of North American Stock Car Racing. The series will have a new title sponsor in 2004, when North American communications giant NexTel Communications take over the proud legacy of Winston. The 2004 NexTel Cup will be contested over 37 rounds and starts with the blue-riband event on the calendar, the Daytona 500 in February.
Asa Burrows, Managing Director of Torquespeed UK’s 2003 partners dsiAnyDoc, has purchased a major shareholding in Torquespeed UK Limited and joins the board as Commercial Director. Burrows acquired the controlling interest in the NASCAR team in his first major decision since taking over the role. The launch will be announced officially at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 10.
“I am very excited about the global future of Torquespeed,” said Burrows. “We have some clearly defined plans for the future and a strategy that will ensure these plans are brought to fruition.” Torquespeed Managing Director and Days of Thunder driver, John Mickel said: “I am delighted that Asa is now a formal figurehead within the company. He brings experience and new skills that will be of major benefit to the Torquespeed organisation.”(ascar Days of Thunder site)(10-8-2003)
UPDATE: Travis Carter, who co-owns BelCar Racing and its #54 National Guard Fords driven by Todd Bodine, has entered into an alliance with a United Kingdom-based motorsports operation, Torquespeed. The group will become the first UK-based and funded team to be majority owners of a Winston Cup operation. The team will be known as TorqueSpeed Carter and operate from the existing Travis Carter Enterprises complex in Statesville, NC. "We are committed to achieving success both on the track and for the marketing partners that will participate in this unique program," Carter said. "With our combined resources, I know we can achieve the business and racing goals we've set for TorqueSpeed Carter Racing in 2004." The team hopes to run a limited Cup schedule next season. A driver has not been selected.(ThatsRacin.com)(10-12-2003)

AT&T Wireless Turned down? UPDATES Bang Racing? hearing NASCAR turned down an AT&T team sponsorship in the past few days due to the new deal with Nextel. Wonder if it was for the #99 team since they used to sponsor the #17 team as an associate?
AND from USA Today: Though Nextel will not be granted the same exclusivity [as Winston/RJR] -- existing team sponsors such as Alltel and Cingular will be ''grandfathered'' into the series, even though they are Nextel's competition -- Roush Racing officials are not sure what that means to their sponsorship deal with AT&T Wireless. In anticipation of losing CITGO, an oil company, as the sponsor of Jeff Burton's #99 Ford, Roush executives have been working the last few months to line up AT&T, one of the team's associate sponsors, to become Burton's primary sponsor next season. Team President Geoff Smith says NASCAR officials have not made it clear to him whether they'll allow the sponsorship. ''We have something in place there,'' Smith says. ''Whether or not it survives scrutiny, I don't know.'' The team might have to find another sponsor for Burton's car, but Smith isn't giving up hope for AT&T: ''It may still be a very real opportunity, depending on what the announcement is as to what the rules are.''(6-19-2003)
UPDATE - Bang Racing? hearing that a new Winston Cup team - Bang Racing was in line to receive the AT&T Wireless sponsorship - not Roush Racing. Bang Racing is a new team founded by Alex Meshkin, a young technology executive from Reston, VA. Ironically - the same city where Nextel is headquartered. Meshkin founded a software company that he sold when he was just 19 years old – he is now 23. Also hearing that Bang Racing is not just another race team - but a technology-based team that enables corporations to make NASCAR sponsorships interactive and measurable using a patented wireless technology. Apparently, this technology will allow fans to interact with teams and sponsors using any wireless phone - not just Nextel phones. Have heard that Bang Racing has been in talks with Nextel about a car sponsorship deal - but Nextel decided to become the title sponsor instead. Nextel and Bang Racing are still talking about a technology deal that would allow Nextel to exclusively offer this technology to their subscribers. Also, hearing that Larry McReynolds may be one of the owners along with Alex Meshkin and other technology executives from Reston, VA.
AND the #49 BAM Racing team is sponsored for seven Cup races in 2003 by AT&T with 1-800-CALLATT and Carrott Top, no word on if this sponsorship will continue in 2004 or be effected.(6-19-2003)

Future Cup team? TWG Motorsports, owned by Wright Group Event Services of Denver, has its sights set on joining the Winston Cup Series in a few years. President Tom Wright, president of both companies, said he hopes to move Tim Schendel, currently on the International Truck and Small Engine Tour, into the Craftsman Truck Series next year, then the Busch Series and, finally, Winston Cup. "We are putting together the marketing partners to make that all work," Wright said. "We want to move him up to Busch within two years minimum, then Winston Cup. We're shooting for within two years to do that. So we're pretty aggressive."(Rocky Mountain Times)(5-13-2003)

No Backup for Starr: David Starr will attempt to make his Winston Cup debut at Texas Motor Speedway in the #75 Chevy. Starr will race a new car that was purchased by his uncle, Mike Starr, who owns the Team Texas Driving School at TMS. Mike Starr bought the Winston Cup chassis from Larry McClure, owner of the #4 Kodak Monte Carlo [well actually a Pontiac Grand Prix, so Starr's Chevy is probably a 2002 which can still be used and raced] driven by Mike Skinner. Starr's engine is being leased from Richard Childress Racing. But it is the only car Starr will have this weekend. There is no backup, so keeping it intact is paramount for him to make Sunday's race. During test sessions last week at TMS, Starr, using a modified truck series engine, drove several laps around the 1.5-mile oval in less than 29.5 seconds [approx 183mph]. Starr was hoping to have NASA as a sponsor for his car. Mike Starr sent a formal proposal to NASA officials, but reduced the asking price for the one-race sponsor fee from $150,000 to $100,000. Even though that's not much by Winston Cup standards these days, it appears the NASA deal never came to fruition.(Dallas Morning News - may need to register to view/read)(3-28-2003)

Starr to make Cup debut at Texas UPDATE: CTS driver [#75] David Starr plans to make his Winston Cup debut in the race at Texas Motor Speedway on March 30. "I can't wait," Starr said. "We are going to do a lot of testing at the track to make sure we'll be ready to go when it comes time to qualify." Starr will race a new Chevrolet Monte Carlo that was purchased by his uncle, Mike Starr, who owns the Team Texas Driving School at TMS. "We are going to do this the right way," Mike Starr said. "We are going to have the best engines and the best equipment possible. And I can tell you the pit crew won't be a bunch of guys from the driving school. It will be veteran NASCAR people." David Starr is the driver of the #75 Spears Manufacturing Chevrolet in the CTS. Starr has raced many times at TMS in truck and Busch Series events, but this will be his first attempt at a Winston Cup race. He said TMS officials plan to help them secure sponsorship for the event. TMS plans to have a news conference to announce Starr's plans.(Dallas Morning News - need to register to read)(1-22-2003)
UPDATE: CTS driver, David Starr, will attempt to qualify for his first Winston Cup Series race, the Samsung/RadioShack 500 (March 30) at Texas Motor Speedway. "Wayne and Connie Spears gave me an opportunity of a lifetime to drive for a racing team that is well funded and that has all the great pieces to a championship caliber team," Starr says of his truck team. "We look to have a better year than we had last year. That being said, I think, if you ask every driver out there who is not part of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, what their dreams and aspirations are, they would be lying to you if they didn't tell you they wanted to be in Winston Cup." Starr makes no bones about it. That is where he wants to be some day full time. So, with the truck series off the weekend of March 28-30, Starr is trying to make personal history. It marks the first time he is attempting to qualify for a Winston Cup race. As has been the case so many times in the past in the truck series, it is David's uncle, Mike Starr, who operates the Team Texas High Performance Driving School, who is prepping David's ride for his Winston Cup qualifying bid. "Ever since I was a kid and wanted to be a race car driver, I have thought of being a Winston Cup driver," Starr says. "Having the opportunity to participate among the 43 best race car drivers in the United States, or even the world, is just hard to describe what it means to me. It is a dream come true."(TMS PR)(3-14-2003)

AMW Motorsports teams up with TV Shows to help find kids: America's Most Wanted Motorsports, NASCAR This Morning, Totally NASCAR and Body Dynamics team up once again for 2003 to assist in the recovery of missing children. Through their combined efforts, starting this Sunday, they will display a picture of little Sofia Juarez, a five year old girl Missing from Kennewick, WA on the hood and TV Panel of the America's Most Wanted Motorsports/Body Dynamics racing car, housed in the studios where NASCAR This Morning and Totally NASCAR are broadcast from. She has not been seen since February 4, 2003 and they are working together along with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Kennewick Police Department and America's Most Wanted to assist in the recovery of Sofia. Please tune into NASCAR This Morning and Totally NASCAR and see if you have seen Sofia Juarez. This will be the first new case of 2003 for this group, every month they will feature a new missing child as to assist as many families as possible.throughout.the year. The children's decals will once again be provided by The Decal Source, which has been a great supporter of these efforts. Also in combination to the child's picture being on the car, they will be featured on www.bodydynamicsracing.com and www.amw-racing.com.as well. For more information on Sofia's case please visit www.amw-racing.com.
AND Body Dynamics Racing Bodies has named Miller Welders to be their exclusive welding partner through Miller's Motorsports division and they will join such drivers and organizations like Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and DEI, Dale Jarrett and RYR, Mark Martin and Roush Racing, and Bill Elliott and Evernham Motorsports just to name a few who have chosen to do the same. The partnership will include exclusive use of Miller Welders and associated products by Body Dynamics while supplying Miller Welders Motorsports with a showcar, website placement on www.bodydynamicsracing.com and an extensive marketing platform. Service and support for this partnership will be provided by a combined effort between Andrew James of James Oxygen and Andy Weyenberg, Motorsports Representative of Miller Motorsports. This partnership adds to the other sponsors that are currently involved with Body Dynamics Racing Bodies, Inc. such as, Sherwin Williams Paints, KAR Products, and The Decal Source to name a few. This partnership is currently in place and Body Dynamics is beginning to receive their new Miller Welders and the Miller Welders showcar is scheduled to be on display as early as March.(AMV Motorsports PR)(2-28-2003)

Larry Mac and Wally Team could still happen: According to Larry McReynolds his pending deal to form a team with Wally Dallenbach is still alive and well. Furthermore, the two have been talking regularly about potential sponsors and various scenarios. The pair hope to put together a part-time effort for the second half of the season that will have Dallenbach driving Busch and perhaps truck series entries while McReynolds provides technical expertise and management services. The deal is largely dependant on the duo finding sponsorship dollars. McReynolds said, “A deal isn’t a deal until all the I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed and the ink is dry.”(Ford Racing)(2-8-2003)

Wally and Larry Mac teaming up? UPDATE 2: Current television broadcasters [NBC/TNT] Wally Dallenbach and [Fox] Larry McReynolds may become NASCAR team owners in 2003. Sources report the duo is negotiating to create a team which will field BGN and Winston Cup entires at selected events this coming season with Dallenbach handling driving duties. Dallenbach drove in several BGN races last season while also working as a member of the NBC/TNT NASCAR broadcast team. The former Winston Cup regular will return to the booth again this year with his driving schedule worked around broadcast duties. McReynolds is a member of the FOX broadcast team and also does work for its affiliate SPEED Channel. The former championship winning crew chief would assume similar duties for Dallenbach with the new team. Sources have told RacingOne the new entity is close to finalizing sponsorship details and that an official announcement could come in days. A BGN debut is expected to come in July at Daytona with a Winston Cup entry next August at Watkins Glen.(RacingOne)(1-9-2003)
UPDATE: Fox Sports analyst and former crew chief Larry McReynolds is in discussions with NBC analyst and driver Wally Dallenbach to start up a new Busch Series team for the second half of the season. "We'd like to find an existing team and see if they're interested," McReynolds says. He says his ability to work on cars will enhance his value on the broadcasts.(Sporting News)(1-13-2003)
UPDATE 2 - McReynolds and Wally deal nixed? Fox analyst Larry McReynolds said he has investigated the possibility of becoming a co-owner of a NASCAR team with Wally Dallenbach, but the former crew chief said he is sticking to TV for the next two seasons.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(1-19-2003)

Pardus back to Cup? Dan Pardus, who raced in the BGN for Jim and Judie Motorsports [#32] last year and competed in the 1998 Pepsi 400, has hooked up with Holzer Motorsports, owned by New Smryna Beach, FL's Sonny Panholzer. The team is exploring its options for 2003, including BGN and Winston Cup events. If sponsorship can be finalized, the team could compete at Daytona International Speedway during Speed Weeks, said team vice president Vanessa Tyler-Thompson. Anyone interested in sponsorship may call Tyler-Thompson at (386) 428-9227.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(1-10-2003)

America's Most Wanted Racing Update: RapidAlert.Net, a National Leader In Fundraising with the most generous offering of over 50% of every profile sold - has signed with America's Most Wanted Racing (a subsidiary of Body Dynamics Motorsports) as a secondary associate sponsor, which assures the team the ability to generate substantial ongoing revenue to assist in their missing children's motorsports program which will compliment their campaign while they negotiate a Primary Sponsor. RapidAlert.Net can help save abducted and missing children. Through RapidAlert.Net, families can quickly provide emergency personnel anywhere in the world with a current photo and physical description of the missing child. For more information visit www.bodydynamicsracing.com.(PR)(1-8-2003)

PAST New Teams News
Jayski's Team Address Page
Jayski's Silly Season Site Cup News Page
Jayski's Silly Season Site Main Page

the Jayski site is owned and served by:

Born on Date: July 26, 1999

This page designed by Jayski LLC, 1996-2008© All Rights Reserved.
Jayski's® is a registered trademark of Jayski LLC
Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form without permission or credit.

SOME POSSIBLE NEW TEAMS/RUMORSand ANNOUNCMENTS

SOME POSSIBLE NEW TEAMS/RUMORS
and ANNOUNCMENTS