#01/36 Team Past News and Rumors
NOTE: many of the links in the past news will be old and may not work
decided it was not worth the time to go thru each one on all the Team Past News pages
2007 News
DEI workers blamed for airborne shot at Bobby Ginn: Three DEI employees who allegedly planned and paid for a derogatory banner to fly over Lowe’s Motor Speedway last weekend have been fired. The banner, which read, “How much does Bobby Ginn owe you?” was pulled by a plane and flown over Lowe’s before the start of last Saturday night’s race. The banner was directed at the former NASCAR team owner, who allowed his organization to be acquired by DEI after just one year of ownership, leaving about 100 people out of a job.
But Kasey Brooks, Mike Clark and Greg Price were hired by DEI after the merger, and are believed to be responsible for the banner. Clark and Price were fabricators at DEI, and Brooks worked in the parts department. “We addressed the situation internally, dealt with it appropriately and we’re quite frankly embarrassed that this situation ever arose,” DEI general manager John Story said. There have been grumblings throughout the garage that Ginn owes former employees back salaries, and drivers Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek and two crew chiefs have sued him for payment. That lawsuit is in the final stages of being settled, and Ginn sent a Sept. 27 letter to most of his former employees that promised back-owed team bonuses would be paid in full via an Oct. 3 direct deposit.(AP/Thatsracin)(10-20-2007)
Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Steve Hmiel Part Ways: UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Inc. and director of competition Steve Hmiel have parted company. Hmiel’s responsibilities have been redistributed throughout the organization and his replacement will be named soon. “I have enjoyed a wonderful association with Dale Earnhardt Inc. over the past nine years,” said Hmiel. “It is time for me to pursue other endeavors and reestablish new goals for myself.”(DEI PR)(10-18-2007)
UPDATE: Steve Hmiel says it was a difference in opinion that led to his departure from Dale Earnhardt Inc. "Just a difference in philosophy," Hmiel said of the split Friday at Martinsville Speedway. "It was a job I grew into, so there wasn't really ever a definition [of the position]. I started out doing one thing, then added things along the way and pretty soon, you find yourself doing a lot of different stuff. But I really enjoyed it. It's a different world now, a different time. Some of the things I saw chaffed against me, and some of the things I did chaffed against them. So we sat down and talked about it and thought we might ought to just go do this."(SceneDaily.com)(10-19-2007)
U.S. Army/DEI Transport Driver Honored: Gale "Bandit" Wilson, the friendly crew member for the #01 U.S. Army/Dale Earnhardt Inc. NASCAR team, was caught off
guard Saturday before the Nextel Cup race at Lowe's Motor Speedway. A long-time race team transport driver, Wilson was recognized with a special plaque from the Transport Drivers of Motorsports Association. The plaque, which was presented to Wilson by Kyle Petty read, "In Appreciation of Many Years Outstanding Service & Dedication." "That really took me by surprise," said Wilson. "But it was sure an honor to receive this recognition, especially from my fellow transport drivers." Wilson, 64, is in his 28th season hauling race cars from venue to venue. However, his role has never been exclusive to driving the truck. He assists the crew during race weekends and has been multi-tasking long before the phrase became trendy. For many years he doubled up as an over-the-wall crew person, handling the catch can duties. "That was a while ago, before pit crews wore firesuits and helmets," noted Wilson. Wilson's nickname of "Bandit" was given to him back in the early 1980s when he worked for the Skoal Bandit Cup team. Wilson and his wife Bobbie reside in Statesville, N.C. They have two daughters and five grandchildren.(DEI PR)(10-19-2007)
Former 49ers Owner Almost Bought Hendrick in 2004 UPDATE no: Former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo told Sports Business Journal recently that he almost became a NASCAR owner in 2004. "We would have bought a NASCAR team if Reggie White hadn't died," DeBartolo said of the former NFL player. "The week he passed away we were going to sign the agreement with Hendrick Motorsports. After that, I just couldn't do it. I loved Reggie too much."(Roanoke Times)(10-14-2007)
AND and from a July article - Dale Earnhardt Inc. president Max Siegel told ESPN.com on Wednesday [in July] that three years ago he was prepared to partner with NFL Hall of Famers Reggie White and Ronnie Lott, as well as former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartalo Jr., in purchasing MB2 Motorsports, which at the time fielded the #01 and #10 Chevrolets. The papers were drawn. All that was left was the official closing, which was slated for Jan. 15, 2005. But when White died suddenly on Dec. 26, 2004, and the deal died with him. Siegel said he and White originally had planned to partner with Rick Hendrick on a NASCAR Busch Series operation. Then the Hendrick Motorsports plane crash in October 2004 halted that initiative. A couple of months had passed, and Siegel said Hendrick contacted him about the program. Hendrick explained that in order for him to be involved, White and Siegel had to purchase a team with an existing Hendrick partnership. Enter MB2, whose engines were supplied by Hendrick. At the time, Valvoline was part-owner of MB2, as well. All the pieces were in place, then White passed away.(ESPN.com)(10-14-2007)
UPDATE 2: At the time in question, Mr. DeBartolo and Mr. White were in discussions with the former MB2 Motorsports team, and our involvement was limited solely to a potential technical support relationship. Hendrick Motorsports is not, and has never been, for sale.(HMS)(10-16-2007)
Same Schedule for Martin in 2008:Mark Martin enjoyed his first season of part-time racing so much that he’s repeating it race for race in 2008 – Martin will enter both Sprint Cup all-star events and 24 points races. Aric Almirola will drive the #8 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevy in the remaining 12 points races next season.(SPEEDtv.com)(10-12-2007)
Gilmore falls ill, hospitalized, released UPDATE 2: SPEED qualifying coverage reported that DEI's VP of Competition Richie Gilmore, was taken to a Birmingham, AL hospital for a possible stroke, but was later diagnosed as an aneurysm. Gilmore was released and is headed in NC.(SPEED qualifying coverage)(10-6-2007)
UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt, Inc. vice president Richie Gilmore has been treated and released from a Birmingham, Ala. hospital after suffering what has been diagnosed as a minor aneurysm. Gilmore suffered stroke-like symptoms on Friday and was taken to Birmingham for evaluation. He is currently back home in Mooresville, NC. “I spoke with both Richie and his wife Lisa on a couple of different occasions today and Richie is doing well,” said Max Siegel, president of global operations for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. “He was released today from the hospital and he’s back home getting some rest. He will undergo further evaluation and precautionary testing next week.”(DEI PR)(10-7-2007)
UPDATE 2: Richie Gilmore is expected to be out at least a month after suffering a brain aneurysm last weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. Gilmore was released from a Birmingham, Ala., hospital on Saturday and returned to Charlotte by plane. He was hospitalized again on Monday for tests, but his blood was too thick to do a proper dye test. He underwent the dye test on Wednesday and was scheduled for two MRI's on Thursday. Hmiel said Robbie Benson has taken over Gilmore's duties heading up DEI's side of the engine program with Richard Childress Racing.(ESPN.com)(10-11-2007)
DEI West to house Cup cars; #01 stays: Max Siegel, president of Global Operations for Dale Earnhardt Inc., said the facility DEI inherited in the merger with Ginn Racing has been renamed DEI West. Siegel said Sunday that the #15 Chevrolet team and the #01 Chevy operation already have moved to the DEI West building. The #8 team and the #1 operation will stay at DEI headquarters until the end of the season. "We don't want to do anything to disrupt the 1 [Martin Truex Jr.] or the 8 [Dale Earnhardt Jr.] right now," Siegel said. "Those teams work really well together." Truex is DEI's one driver in the Chase. After all the Cup teams move to the new facility, current DEI headquarters will house all the administrative offices, along with the Busch Series team and Busch East operation. Siegel also said he hopes to make an announcement within two weeks on a new sponsor for the #01 Chevy. Siegel confirmed that DEI has decided to continue to use 01 as the number.(ESPN.com)(10-1-2007)
Chevy back with DEI, Smith number decided: on ESPN2's NASCAR Now, Marty Smith said he spoke with DEI's John Story and they have will be a Chevy team in 2008 and have chosen a car number for Regan Smith's team [currently #01] for 2008, but would not say what that number is.(9-27-2007)
Eury Jr. to leave DEI after Talladega: Tony Eury Jr. will leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. for Hendrick Motorsports earlier than expected, team officials confirmed on Thursday.
Eury, who has been Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s car or crew chief for all but one season since the two broke into the Nextel Cup Series in 2000, will step down after the Oct. 7 race at Talladega Superspeedway. He will be allowed to take four members of Earnhardt's #8 team with him under a deal made by DEI when it agreed to free him contractually to join Earnhardt at HMS in 2008. DEI vice president John Story said he met with Eury's crew this week and only one person has mentioned leaving thus far. Eury and Earnhardt could work together for HMS as early as the Car of Tomorrow test at Atlanta Motor Speedway following the Oct. 28 race. Tony Gibson, who replaced Eury during Eury's six-race suspension earlier this year, will complete the season with Earnhardt Jr. Mark Martin will step into Earnhardt's #8 next year, bringing crew chief Ryan Pemberton and his entire crew with him from the #01 team. Gibson is a candidate to move to the #01 car that will be driven by Regan Smith. "Tony Gibson needs an opportunity to get his team together,'' said Max Siegel, the president of global operations at DEI.(ESPN.com)(9-20-2007)
Smith to Drive #01 DEI Chevy at NHIS: Regan will drive DEI's #01 Chevy in this weekend's Cup race at New Hampshire International Speedway. The #01 entry in New Hampshire will have primary sponsorship from Principal Financial Group, the nation's 401(k) leader and premier benefits provider. The U.S. Army, which is the primary sponsor on the #01 Chevy for 34 of the 36 Cup races, will have an associate status at the New England track. The New Hampshire race will be Smith's seventh start in the #01 Chevy this season. He also competed in the #01 car at the July 1 New Hampshire race, where he started 13th and finished 32nd due to a mechanical issue. Sunday's Sylvania 300 will mark the first time that Smith will return to a track where he's already competed in a Cup race. For the remainder of the 2007 season Smith is scheduled to drive in a number of Craftsman Truck races
for Morgan-Dollar Motorsports. DEI announced last week that Smith will join the organization's full-time Nextel Cup lineup in 2008.(DEI PR)(9-13-2007)
Marlin, Nemechek file lawsuit against Ginn Racing, DEI Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek have sued Ginn Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. for alleged breaches of their contracts, which included a base salary of $1.2 million apiece. The separate suits, filed Sept. 7 in Cabarrus County, N.C., do not specify how much they have been paid or what they exactly are owed. Also suing Ginn and DEI are crew chiefs Richard "Slugger" Labbe and Peter Sospenzo. Ginn and DEI merged prior to the Indianapolis race in July, and Marlin and Nemechek found themselves without a place in the organization. The points of the #14 of Marlin ended up moving to the #15 of DEI with Paul Menard as the driver, while the #13 Nemechek team was eliminated. "Demand for payment has been made ..., but [Ginn and DEI] have failed and/or refused to pay all or any part," the complaints state. The contracts of both drivers and both crew chiefs were filed as part of the complaints and give an insight to what the current rate is for drivers. Both drivers joined the organization when it was MB2 Motorsports. Marlin began in 2006 with a base salary of $1.1 million, and that increased to $1.2 million for 2007. Nemechek started with MB2 in 2004 and received $900,000 for 2004, $1 million for 2005, $1.1 million for 2006 and $1.2 million for 2007. Both drivers got to keep 45% of their race winnings (Nemechek, who was 27th in points in 2006, had $4,099,914 million total in race winnings last year, while Marlin, 34th in points, had $3,248,034 million) and 33% of souvenir sales. Their bonus schedules were $50,000 per win, $25,000 for a top-five, $10,000 for a top-10 and $5,000 per pole. Winning a Cup title was worth a $500,000 bonus, while second through fifth in the final standings were worth $250,000; sixth through 10th were $150,000; 11th through 15th were $100,000 and 16th through 20th were $50,000. Each received a $500 per race travel allowance, a seat on the team plane and a hotel room for each race. They also got a personal car. They agreed to 50 hours of personal appearances for a sponsor plus two days for commercials or media events as well as unlimited track hospitality visits not to exceed 30 minutes in length. They were both responsible for their own insurance. There is a morals clause in each contract stating they "shall not associate with gamblers or other notorious characters; shall not use illegal drugs; and shall not consume alcoholic beverages except in moderation but in no event within eight hours prior to driving in a race or practice."
As far as the crew chiefs, Labbe, hired as the crew chief for Marlin in August 2006, and Sospenzo, hired as crew chief for Nemechek in October 2006, were earning $450,000 annual salaries. Labbe was guaranteed another $50,000 if his bonus money didn't reach that amount, while Sospenzo was guaranteed $25,000. Their bonuses were $20,000 for a win, $10,000 for second-fifth, $5,000 for sixth-10th, $2,500 for 11th-15th and $1,000 for a pole. A season championship was worth $100,000, second-fifth ($75,000) and sixth-10th were $50,000 for Labbe and sixth-12th were $50,000 for Sospenzo. They also got a personal vehicle as well as reimbursement for motorhome expenses. They agreed to make 10 away-from-the-track appearances. They also signed confidentiality agreements related to technical data and car setups. They also agreed that if they left they company, they would not attempt to hire any crew members for a year.(SceneDaily.com)(9-10-2007)
Gibson to be #01 crew chief in 2008: Tony Gibson, who substituted as the crew chief for #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. earlier this year and was crew chief for Michael Waltrip at the end of the 2005 season at Dale Earnhardt Inc., will be the crew chief for Regan Smith next year. Gibson replaced Tony Eury Jr., who is heading to Hendrick Motorsports with Earnhardt Jr. DEI Vice President John Story expects the current #8 team to become the #01 team next year with Smith while the current #01 crew moves to the #8 along with drivers Mark Martin and Aric Almirola. All of the other crew chiefs remain the same for their drivers - Kevin Manion with #1-Martin Truex Jr., Dave Charpentier with #15-Paul Menard and Ryan Pemberton with the #8-Martin/Almirola team.(SceneDaily.com)(9-9-2007)
Martin and Almirola will drive the #8 in 2008: Dale Earnhardt Inc. announced on Friday that Mark Martin and Aric Almirola will split next season in the car that has become famous with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt had hoped to carry the number with him to Hendrick Motorsports next season, but was unwilling to agree to the terms of DEI owner Teresa Earnhardt, his stepmother. Martin will drive in 23 to 26 races with Almirola taking the rest. Sponsor U.S. Army and most of the #01 crew that has worked with Martin this season as he's split the year with Regan Smith will move to the #8. Smith will drive the #01 [team, could be a different car number] next season. DEI officials have described next year as a transition year for the car, hoping to land one of the high profile free agents that will become available to run a full schedule in 2009.(ESPN.com)
AND: The team said the number [#01?, #14?] and sponsor [Coors?] for Smith would be announced at a later date.(SceneDaily.com)(9-7-2007)
Coor's not returning to Ganassi in 2008: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) and Coors Brewing Company announced that Coors Light will not return as a primary sponsor on the team's #40 Dodge in 2008. "After much evaluation on both of our parts, we agreed that having Coors Light back as a sponsor on the #40 Dodge was not going to meet the marketing objectives of either organization," said Chip Ganassi Racing Teams' President Steve Lauletta. "Coors has been a tremendous partner over the last 14 years and we wish them nothing but the best. We continue to weigh our sponsorship opportunities for the #40 and an announcement on that will be forthcoming. CGRFS has always prided itself on not only our long-term partnerships but also on our ability to attract new sponsors to the sport - just as we did earlier this year with Wrigley and Memorex."
"We believe that NASCAR is a valuable property that allows us to reach our target audience," said Bryce McTavish, vice president of sponsorship and channel marketing for Coors Brewing Company. "From a marketing perspective, one of the sport's greatest assets is the variety of ways in which companies can be involved and we are evaluating a number of
them. We enjoyed a long and successful relationship with Chip and Felix and would like to thank them for their efforts on our behalf throughout the years. We will always appreciate their contribution to our business and our success."
The announcement will end a string of 14 years that Coors Light has been the primary sponsor or partial primary of the #40 car (seven with CGRFS). The relationship began in 1994 when Sabates' Team SABCO and the Coors Brewing Company started their first partnership as Coors Light became the primary sponsor of the #40 with Bobby Hamilton behind the
wheel.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)
AND: hearing Coor's Light will end up at DEI, not sure which team.(9-5-2007)
Smith to be named #01 driver for 2008: Dale Earnhardt Inc. has reached a verbal agreement with Regan Smith to drive the #01 Chevy in the Nextel Cup series next season, a NASCAR source told ESPN.com on Wednesday. Smith will fill the car driven this season by Mark Martin and Aric Almirola, who will split the 2008 season in the #8 Chevy currently being driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Smith will have a one-year deal with an option for a second year.(ESPN.com)(8-30-2007)
Martin/Almirola in the #8 in 2008? UPDATE 2: Serious discussions are underway at Dale Earnhardt Inc. to place Mark Martin and Aric Almirola in a split role in an Army-sponsored No. 8 Chevrolet in 2008, sources close to DEI told ESPN.com on Thursday. DEI president Max Siegel said nothing has been finalized. "If there's anyone that would represent Dale Earnhardt Inc. and what the #8 means to this company it would be Mark Martin," Siegel said. "But there has been no official decision made on this yet." Sources explained that Army ran the #01 at Ginn in conjunction with its "An Army of One" marketing initiative, but given that that program has since been abandoned in favor of the new "Army Strong" slogan, the number change doesn't overtly affect Army's marketing focus. A Martin/Almirola split schedule in 2008 would leave the door open for another driver, possibly Greg Biffle, to join DEI full-time in 2009. Biffle currently has a contract with Roush Fenway Racing through the end of the 2008 season but has been speculated to be a candidate as Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s permanent replacement in the #8. It is uncertain at this point what this would mean for the #01, though sources say DEI "has several options" for that team.(ESPN.com)(8-23-2007)
UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Inc. Vice President John Story says he's not going to put a timetable on naming the new drivers for the team. Story said that despite reports to the contrary, he would not confirm that Mark Martin will move over to the #8 and share that Chevy with rookie Aric Almirola next season. In addressing that, Story said that "anything's possible and nothing's definite."(SceneDaily.com)(8-25-2007)
UPDATE 2: Mark Martin and Aric Almirola will be introduced as next season's drivers for the #8 at Dale Earnhardt Inc. in two weeks at Richmond International Speedway barring a last-minute objection from sponsors, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com. Regan Smith is the leading candidate to step into the #01 that he has split with Martin and Almirola this season. Sources said a deal could be reached by Friday. Jeremy Mayfield, who recently announced he would not drive for Bill Davis Racing in '08, also has been under consideration. Max Siegel, the president of global operations at DEI, acknowledged that Martin is a possibility for the #8. But he would only confirm that DEI should have its five-driver lineup in place by the end of the week and would announce it at Richmond. Without identifying the car, Siegel said Martin will drive in 24 to 26 Nextel Cup races next season and that Almirola will take the remaining events. He added that Almirola would be in a Busch and/or Truck Series event every weekend in '08. Siegel added that all the sponsors are set for next year and also will be announced at Richmond, but would not elaborate. U.S. Army, which has been the sponsor of the #01, and the entire #01 crew are expected to move to the #8 with Martin and Almirola. Martin has made it clear that he wants to remain with crew chief Ryan Pemberton. Although DEI has a year left on its deal with Budweiser, the beer company will not be on a DEI car in '08 unless there is a last-minute breakdown in negotiations with other teams. Budweiser has been working on a deal to be on the #9 of Kasey Kahne. Siegel said '08 will be a transition year for the entire organization, acknowledging the driver lineup could be quite different in '09. Greg Biffle, who has had talks with DEI about driving the #8, has a year left on his deal with Roush Fenway Racing. Biffle told ESPN.com he will not make a decision on '09 until probably this time next season, and that it will be based on performance.(ESPN.com)(8-26-2007)
Almirola to Make Debut in #01 Army Chevy at Bristol: Aric Almirola will make his debut in the #01 U.S. Army Chevy in Saturday night’s Nextel Cup race at Bristol Motor
Speedway. It will be the second career Cup race for the 23-year-old driver and his first with Dale Earnhardt Inc. Almirola joined DEI after a whirlwind week in mid July. In a matter of a few days after leaving Joe Gibbs Racing to sign with Ginn Racing, he found himself headed to DEI when the company merged with Ginn. The Tampa, Fla. native will share the #01 Army ride with veteran Mark Martin in selected races of the current season and also during the 2008 campaign. Almirola is also scheduled to compete in Friday night's Busch race
at Bristol for Joe Gibbs Racing.(DEI PR)(8-22-2007)
DEI close to naming 2008 driver lineup: Dale Earnhardt Inc. could announce its full driver lineup within a week or two, the company's president of global operations said Sunday afternoon at Michigan International Speedway. Max Siegel said DEI still had plenty of options as to who could drive the #8 car next season. "We're trying to figure out who will fit in our driver lineup that complements the entire team and where we want to go as a company," Siegel said. "Right now, I want to put the most competent driver in the car. Anyone that's going to drive for Dale Earnhardt Inc. has to fit in with the drivers that we have on our staff right now." It remains a possibility that Mark Martin could split the #8 car driving duties with Aric Almirola while Regan Smith takes over the #01, though drivers as David Reutimann, J.J. Yeley and David Stremme have also been rumored to be in the mix for the #8 ride.
Regardless of who drives the car and who sponsors it - Siegel reiterated that the team has contingency plans in case Budweiser leaves - DEI will have four fully-funded cars next season, he said. Those cars will likely be Chevrolets, he said. Richard Childress Racing was the first of the Chevy teams to re-sign with the manufacturer, and RCR shares an engine program with DEI. "We have had very positive discussions and are well down the road to being with Chevrolet," Siegel said.(SceneDaily.com)(8-20-2007)
Drivers to the #8 team? on ESPN's NASCAR Now on Sunday, it was reported that David Reutimann's name [#00 Waltrip racing Toyota] has popped up as a driver who could end up at DEI and in the #8 Chevy, but that he cannot talk to other teams until Oct when his contract with MWR is up. Other drivers DEI are interested in include J.J. Yeley who will leave the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing ride at the end of the season, #01-Regan Smith, currently part time at DEI and without a ride, could stay. Plus, the team could switch Mark Martin and Aric Almirola from the #01 Army Chevy to the #8 next season.(8-12-2007)
Almirola to run four Cup races in the #01: Aric Almirola will run Saturday's Craftsman Truck Series race at Nashville Superspeedway and make his debut in Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s #01 Nextel Cup car Aug. 25 at Bristol. Almirola signed with Ginn Racing last month to share the #01 Chevy with Mark Martin starting with this weekend's event at Watkins Glen. But after Ginn merged with DEI, team management decided Regan Smith would drive the #01 car at Watkins Glen because he has more road racing experience. Smith also will drive the #01 car Sept. 16 at New Hampshire, a track Almirola was going to run. Almirola will get the Nextel Cup races at California, Martinsville and Phoenix. He is also scheduled to run three more Busch races for Joe Gibbs Racing - at Bristol, Charlotte and Homestead - and he'll qualify a Gibbs car for Denny Hamlin at Memphis. The Hillsborough High graduate said nothing has changed concerning his plans for 2008. He'll share the #01 Chevy with Martin, and the schedule will be determined after this season ends.(Tampa Tribune)(8-9-2007)
Smith to drive #01 Army Chevy at Watkins Glen: It will be a homecoming of sorts for Regan Smith at this weekend's Nextel Cup event at Watkins Glen International.
The 23-year-old driver will not only compete near the area where he grew up, but he will also rejoin his teammates on the #01 U.S. Army team. Smith, who was raised in Cato, N.Y., approximately 75 miles north from the Watkins Glen road course, will drive the #01 Chevrolet in Sunday's race. It will be his first Cup event under the Dale Earnhardt, Inc. racing banner. It will also be a New York, New York tandem for the #01 team. Smith's crew chief, Ryan Pemberton,- is also a New York native. His hometown is Saratoga Springs, located 225
miles east of Watkins Glen. This will be the sixth career Cup start for Smith, who has shared the #01 Army ride with Mark Martin this season. Smith's last Cup start was July 1 at New Hampshire. Smith was also behind the wheel of the Army car at the only other Cup road race of the season, June 24 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. He started 26th and finished 30th.(DEI PR)(8-7-2007)
Martin Says He's Helping Regan Smith Look for a Ride: Aric Almirola already had been announced as Regan Smith's replacement as #01-Mark Martin's co-driver, with Smith moving to the 14 car. When that team folded, Smith was left without a ride, much to Martin's concern. "Nobody is working harder on Regan's behalf than me, probably not even himself," Martin said. "I'm a huge fan of Regan's and he is going to come out of this very well, based on the things he's done this past year, he has really emerged and is recognized as being ready to go out here. He's shown the maturity and the speed and everything it takes to be a Nextel Cup driver." Martin was brought into Ginn not only to run a partial schedule with the #01, but also to serve as a mentor for Smith and developmental driver Ricky Carmichael.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(8-5-2007)
Carmichael Apparently Staying with DEI: When Mark Martin, offered to mentor Carmichael in stock-car racing, that became Carmichael's next career move. Martin has been driving for Ginn Racing, owned by zillionaire resort magnate Bobby Ginn, and Carmichael signed with Ginn as a development driver, with an eye toward running local races this year, some regional NASCAR races in 2008, and probably a Busch Series schedule in 2009. But last month, a monkey wrench was tossed into those plans: Ginn merged with Dale Earnhardt Inc., which is also facing an uncertain future with the departure of Dale Earnhardt Jr. As part of the restructuring, Ginn fired Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek, and Martin moved under the DEI umbrella. And apparently, Carmichael is moving with him. "I had some good talks this past week with Mark," Carmichael said. "I haven't heard anything from Ginn, but I'm excited about the DEI connection."(Orlando Sentinel)(8-5-2007)
Labbe: Ginn/DEI merger costs 124 jobs: There were 124 employees who lost their jobs following the recent Ginn Racing-Dale Earnhardt Inc. merger, former Ginn employee Slugger Labbe said Friday. Labbe was the crew chief for the #14 car driven by Sterling Marlin, but was laid off on Tuesday night along with most everyone associated with his team and with those on the #13 team which fielded cars for Joe Nemechek. Previously, Ginn had dissolved its Busch Series team. Labbe was at Pocono Raceway meeting with teams and looking for work after spending much of the week calling on behalf of his former crewmen. He estimated that 30 of those former Ginn employees have landed jobs so far, but acknowledged it was a small percentage.(SceneDaily.com)(8-4-2007)
No crew chief changes at the new DEI: There will be no immediate crew chief changes as a result of the Dale Earnhardt Inc.-Ginn Racing merger, but not all the crew chiefs will work out of the same shop. Paul Menard's #15 team will move immediately into the Ginn Racing building, where the former Ginn #01 team also will be housed, DEI Vice President John Story said Thursday. The DEI teams of #1-Martin Truex Jr. and #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. will remain at the current DEI shop until the end of the season. As far as drivers, Mark Martin and Aric Almirola will complete the season co-driving the #01 car. That leaves Regan Smith, who was named last week to drive the now-defunct #14 Ginn car, without a Cup ride. Having started the year as Martin's co-driver, Smith will compete in the Craftsman Truck Series race Friday night in Indianapolis. The rest of the schedule for Smith is still being evaluated. As far as crew chiefs, Dave Charpentier, who became Menard's crew chief in June, will remain as his crew chief, and Ryan Pemberton remains with Mark Martin. Former Ginn crew chiefs Richard "Slugger" Labbe and Peter Sospenzo (who worked with the now-defunct #14 and #13 Ginn teams) are in the pool of employees who are waiting to see what happens.
Crew chiefs aren't the only ones in limbo: DEI already had two development drivers - Jeffrey Earnhardt and Trevor Bayne - in its fold. With the merger, it also now has Kraig Kinser, Jesus Hernandez and Ricky Carmichael. Story said Carmichael's program is fairly solid because it has sponsorship from Monster energy drink, and DEI currently has Earnhardt's and Bayne's cars sold for the rest of this season. As far as executives, it still is to be determined what role former Ginn Racing Chief Executive Officer Jay Frye will play in the company. "We've only just begun to discuss it," Story said. "Jay has put his heart and soul and blood and guts into this company over the years, and we really want to know what Jay wants to do. We haven't gotten to that point where we've drawn a new [organizational] chart."
Workers in the fabrication shop know where they're headed. As part of the transition, DEI will move all of its fabrication work all to the Ginn shop, which has a seven-post shaker rig, a million-dollar piece of machinery that evaluates how a car handles. The Ginn shop has 180,000 square feet in one large room, which will allow all four Cup teams to be on the same floor and should improve communications among the teams, Story said. The two shops are at most 10 minutes apart. Story said the existing DEI shop will house two Busch Series teams in the future, as well as possibly a Craftsman Truck Series program and a two-car Busch East program.(SceneDaily.com)(7-26-2007)
Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Ginn Racing Merge; Official Announcement: Dale Earnhardt Inc. has become even stronger through a merger with Ginn Racing. Effective immediately, the team will feature the Chevys of #15-Paul Menard, #1-Martin Truex Jr., #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #01-Mark Martin and #01-Aric Almirola. Martin and Almirola will combine to drive the #01 Army Chevy for the remainder of the 2007 season as well as the entire 2008 season. Menard drives the Menards Chevy, Truex drives the Bass Pro Shops Chevy and Earnhardt handles driving duties of the Budweiser Chevy. All four entries are inside the top 35 in Nextel Cup points heading into this weekend's Brickyard 400. Regan Smith, who was originally slated to drive the Ginn Clubs and Resorts Chevy in the Brickyard 400, will instead compete in the Craftsman Truck Series race at Indianapolis Raceway Park Friday night in the Ginn Resorts Chevy Silverado. Specific schedules for Martin, Smith and Almirola will be announced later. In addition to Nextel Cup Series competition, the company will continue to field entries in the Busch Series, the Busch East Series and will analyze its future involvement in the Craftsman Truck Series. The numerous teams of Dale Earnhardt Inc. will operate from both the original facility built by Dale and Teresa Earnhardt as well as the nearly 180,000-square-foot facility currently housing Ginn Racing's teams. The buildings are less than five miles apart in Mooresville, N.C. Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s current management team will be responsible for all day-to- day activities and transition plans have already begun to develop. John Story, vice president of motorsports operations for DEI will oversee the expansion of the company's racing efforts. In completing this merger, points on Ginn Racing's #13 car, which was 34th in Nextel Cup owner's points, have been eliminated.(Dale Earnhardt Inc PR), been told the #78 team will NOT be allowed to buy the points for the #13 car, so the #21 Ford supposedly will move up into the top 35 of owners pts and get the guaranteed spot. Bill Elliott will run the #21 car at Indy with Ken Schrader in the #49, no word yet if Schrader will return to the #21 at Pocono next week.(7-25-2007)
DEI, Ginn Merger to Be Announced Wednesday: Dale Earnhardt Inc. will announce on Wednesday that it is merging with Ginn Racing, effective immediately, and will acquire all Ginn assets, including its massive headquarters. Sources said the company will be known as Dale Earnhardt Inc., but that Ginn owner Bobby Ginn will remain a partner in the business. DEI president Max Siegel will oversee the operation, and Ginn CEO Jay Frye will assist DEI executives John Story, Steve Hmiel and Richie Gilmore in sorting out personnel details, sources said. DEI will field four fully-funded racecars in the Allstate 400 this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway -- the #1 Chevy driven by Martin Truex Jr., the #8 driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., the #15 driven by Paul Menard and the #01 driven by Mark Martin. One of Ginn's other two former cars, the #13 or 14, essentially becomes Menard's #15 team, and the other team will simply discontinue operation [rumors still say that the #78 team will get the owner points from the team]. Menard will pick up the owner's points held by Ginn's # 13 car that was 34th. DEI plans to move its entire operation to Ginn's Mooresville, N.C., facility. The organization begun by the late Dale Earnhardt has been looking for land for almost a year because there is no room to expand at the current facility. #13-Joe Nemechek and #14-Sterling Marlin were given their release last week, with rookie Regan Smith moving into Marlin's car for the remainder of the year before the merger. Smith likely will finish the season splitting the #01 with Martin. Sources said Martin is committed to running at least 22 races for DEI next season and working long-term with the developmental driver program as he was at Ginn.(ESPN.com)(7-25-2007)
DEI buying Ginn? UPDATE 3: hearing a deal could be announced in the next week or so, where Dale Earnhardt Inc. would buy into or outright Ginn Racing. Ginn Racing currently fields the #01-Mark Martin/Regan Smith, #13-Joe Nemechek and #14-Sterling Marlin teams.(7-16-2007)
UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt, Inc. [#s 1, 8, 15] and Ginn Racing [#s 01, 13, 14] are working on a merger agreement that, if finalized, would meld the two organizations into a single company, multiple sources close to negotiations told ESPN.com on Monday. The deal is not done, but a decision will be made soon. Both organizations hope, sources said, to firm up outstanding details and announce a partnership immediately. This deal is an elaborate proposition that entails several obstacles, including how best to reduce from six Nextel Cup teams to the maximum four. The obvious answer, sources said, would be to eliminate Ginn's financially-strapped #13 and #14 teams.(ESPN.com)(7-16-2007)
UPDATE 2: Tim Packman talked with Dave Moody on Sirius Speedway Tuesday afternoon and stated that Dale Earnhardt, Inc. has entered into a meger/acquisition of Ginn Racing. Reportedly, the #14 team's points will go to #15-Paul Menard and he will be locked into the field. #01-Mark Martin will drive at Indianapolis under the DEI banner, and the #13 team points will possibly be sold to Furniture Row Racing and #78-Kenny Wallace to lock him into the field. It is unknown what will happen to Regan Smith, who was scheduled to drive the #14 this weekend.(7-24-2007)
UPDATE 3: ESPN's David Newton reported on NASCAR Now Tuesday that #01-Mark Martin, #1-Martin Truex, Jr., #8-Dale Earnhardt, Jr, and #15-Paul Menard will drive for DEI this weekend at the Brickyard. Menard will be locked into the race using the #14 team's points. Ginn Racing CEO Jay Frye will stay with DEI. DEI will move it's motorsports operations to the Ginn facilities in Mooresville, NC. A determination has not been made on Regan Smith's future with the team. An announcment should come sometime Wednesday.(7-24-2007)
#78 to get #13 owners points? UPDATE: hearing the #78 Furniture Row Racing team will 'buy' the owners points of the #13 Ginn Racing team unless a sponsorship deal can be put together for the #13 team to run at Indy. A deal could be announced for the owners pts early this week. Joe Nemechek was driving the #13 Chevy for Ginn Racing and was recently told he was free to look for another ride by Ginn Racing. Kenny Wallace drives the #78 Chevy for Furniture Row Racing. The #78 is 43rd in owners pts and out of a guaranteed starting spot; the #13 is 34th in owners pts and has a guaranteed spot in the starting lineup.(7-24-2007)
UPDATE: Ginn Racing hopes to have a decision on the future of the #13 car before Friday's Nextel Cup qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com. The financially strapped organization has been in discussions with Dale Earnhardt Inc. about possibly selling the #13 team for its owner's points or merging with the company formed by the late Dale Earnhardt. There have also been discussions with selling the points to the #78 car of Kenny Wallace in time for Sunday's race at Indianapolis. The Barney Visser-owned team is 42nd in points and has made only nine races this season. Ginn could also race the car with Joe Nemechek if a sponsor can be lined up at the last minute for the high-profile race. But sources said it is clear the car, 34th in owner's points and comfortably inside the top 35 guaranteed a spot in each race with a 244-point lead over 36th, will not be idle this weekend.(ESPN.com)(7-24-2007)
Gibbs Didn't Have Sure Deal for Almirola: Joe Gibbs Racing wasn't certain it could find sponsorship to run Aric Almirola full time in the Busch Series next year and didn't see him as an immediate candidate for a Nextel Cup ride if one of its cars became available. That's why the team allowed Almirola to leave for Ginn Racing, JGR president J.D. Gibbs said Wednesday.(Tampa Tribune)(7-19-2007)
Bobby Ginn Talks About Team Changes: Wednesday on "The Driver's Seat," on Sirius NASCAR Radio Ginn Racing owner Bobby Ginn talked about the reasons behind the shakeup involving his #13 and #14 race teams. Some quotes:
Because I was running the car with our name on it I think the world thought that we had third party sponsors. And so I had to make a decision…to let the world know by running two black cars that we still had inventory available, we had space available. So that started and it helped. We've had a lot more activity and a lot more urgency put into that since we did that than we had up to that point. There's a lot of activity out there and a lot going on right now so we're scrambling like we should be to try to fill up that inventory.
Why the driver change on the #14? "Regan [Smith] was doing great in the Busch car. He had done pretty well in the Cup and so I talked with Mark [Martin] and Jay [Frye] and Mark was convinced that he was ready to run a full-time schedule so if I've got to run a car with no sponsorship on it I may as well be trying to get my young driver seat time."
Status of the #13 car: "First of all, I'm not going to speculate on what's going to happen. Things are happening so fast right now that we are preserving every option we have. I don't intend for that car to sit still. It's got value to me or to someone but we right now -and this is not dodging [the question] - we have not made a decision as to what we're going to do. As Joe said, both Joe and Sterling are both still under contract. I have sponsors sitting in my office right now and so we are still working on trying to sponsor it. (Sirius Radio) (7-19-2007), more of the interview can be read at Thats Racin.
Ginn Announces Changes: MORE: Emphasizing an eye on the future along with solidifying the foundation of its Nextel Cup program, Ginn Racing announced the following transactions.
* Aric Almirola has signed with Ginn Racing. He will become Mark Martin’s co-driver in the #01 U.S. Army Chevrolet for the remainder of the 2007 season and will also share the ride with Martin in 2008. His first race in the #01 will be Aug. 12 at the road course in Watkins Glen, N.Y. As part of his contractual obligations, Almirola will compete in five remaining Busch races for JGR this season.
* Regan Smith will assume full-time driving duties in the team’s #14 Chevy, beginning with the Nextel Cup race July 29 in Indianapolis. Smith replaces Sterling Marlin.
* Due to a lack of sponsorship, the #13 Ginn Racing team is currently being evaluated. Joe Nemechek, who drove the #13, has been released and is free to explore other opportunities.(Ginn Racing PR).(7-17-2007)
UPDATE: Joe Gibbs Racing has granted Aric Almirola his release, allowing the development driver to compete for Ginn Racing in select Nextel Cup and Busch Series races this year. Almirola will still compete for JGR in the five remaining Busch Series races that were a part of his original 2007 racing schedule. In 2008, Almirola’s entire racing slate will come via Ginn Racing.(Joe Gibbs Racing PR)(7-18-2007)
More on Changes at Ginn; Regan Smith to Drive in Place of Marlin or Nemechek? UPDATE 2: Ginn Racing laid off an unspecified number of employees as part of its re-evaluation process and has "hibernated" its Busch Series team as the company attempts to shore up its direction, Ginn Racing Chief Executive Officer Jay Frye said Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway. Frye acknowledged there were recent layoffs at the company and said the Busch team would not enter any events in the near future. He also hinted that part of the evaluation process could include getting rookie Regan Smith some more seat time in a Nextel Cup car this season, which would mean bumping either Sterling Marlin or Joe Nemechek from their current full-time rides. Frye said the team wants to start getting ready for next year and look to the future - which may or may not include a cutback from three to two Cup teams. He said selling off the owner points for one of the teams has not been discussed. Smith will drive a Cup car full-time in either the #13 or #14 next season, meaning either Nemechek or Marlin - both of whom have contracts that expire after this year - will not return. If the organization cuts back to two teams, neither would return. Frye indicated the evaluation process could result in a change sooner than later - possibly as soon as the next Cup race at Indianapolis. If Smith were to take over for either Nemechek or the 50-year-old Marlin, he would have to do so on a part-time basis, given that he still has commitments to split the #01 car with Martin this season. (SceneDaily.com), see earlier information on my #14 team page.(7-16-2007)
UPDATE: Marty Snider reported on Sirius' The Morning Drive that he had talked to #13-Joe Nemechek Tuesday morning and additional information on the situation at Ginn Racing should be announce later today. David Poole reports that his source says #13-Joe Nemechek and #14-Sterling Marlin will not run at Indy. (7-17-2007)
UPDATE 2: Regan Smith will replace Sterling Marlin in the #14 Chevy at Ginn Racing, starting with the Allstate 400 at Indianapolis, sources confirmed Tuesday. And Joe Nemechek could be out of a ride in the #13 Chevy for Bobby Ginn's team due to a lack of sponsorship. The team doesn't plan to run the car at Indianapolis unless a sponsor is found. Because the Allstate 400 is one of the biggest Nextel Cup events of the season, it's possible to get a one-off sponsor deal just for that race. If that happens, Ginn officials would race Nemechek in the #13. Marlin and Nemechek still are under contract at Ginn, but both drivers have been told they are free to look for opportunities elsewhere.(ESPN.com)(7-17-2007)
Almirola to Ginn in 2008? UPDATE 3: Hearing Aric Almirola, who was credited with the Milwaukee Busch Series race win Saturday night, will join Ginn Racing in 2008 as a protege to #01-Mark Martin. Supposedly the plan is for Almirola to run part-time Cup, Busch and Trucks in 2008 and take over the #01 Chevy full-time in 2009.(6-25-2007)
UPDATE - denied: Though he still is "not happy" about being pulled for Nextel Cup star Denny Hamlin during Saturday's Busch Series race at Milwaukee, Tampa's Aric Almirola said Wednesday he isn't frustrated at Joe Gibbs Racing and has no plans to leave the team. He said there is no truth to a rumor that appeared on ESPN-owned Web site Jayski.com saying he is headed to Ginn Racing next year and will race the #01 Chevrolet full time in Nextel Cup in 2009. "I'm under contract at JGR," Almirola, 23, said on a national conference call. "I have a long history with them. I've been there since I was 18 years old. I started racing late models with them, and they've become like family to me. I see our relationship growing." Almirola is scheduled to run six more Busch races, including the July 6 event at Daytona, and he said one race may be added. He is competing in the Craftsman Truck Series race this weekend at Memphis and will enter a couple of Nextel Cup Car of Tomorrow races this year with JGR's research and development team. He reiterated Wednesday that he hopes to race full time in at least the Busch Series next year.(Tampa Tribune)(6-28-2007)
UPDATE 2: Sirius Speedway has learned that Aric Almirola will join Ginn Racing next season, sharing the #01 US Army Chevy with veteran Mark Martin. Almirola is currently under contract with Joe Gibbs Racing, but will reportedly replace Regan Smith in the #01 car in 2008, when Smith moves to full-time Nextel Cup status with Ginn.(Motorsports Soapbox)(7-16-2007)
UPDATE 3: The original post at Motorsports Soapbox has been updated to include the following: Aric Almirola has requested a release from Joe Gibbs Racing, and will move within the next few days to a new position with Ginn Racing, sharing the #01 US Army Chevy with veteran Mark Martin.(Motorsports Soapbox)(7-17-2007)
Martin to drive at Iowa Speedway Sports Car race: Mark Martin will join Southard Motorsports drivers Randy Ruhlman and Shane Lewis in the Southard Motorsports #3 Preformed Line Products Lexus Riley, as they take on the new 1.3-mile, Rusty Wallace-designed road course at Iowa Speedway for Round 9 of the Grand-Am Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve. While Mark Martin is no newcomer to the world of sports cars or road racing, the Iowa event will be his first time driving in a Grand-Am Daytona Prototype car. Martin holds the distinction of being part of four GT victories at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. A track sponsored test day on Thursday, July 11, will help the teams prepare for Friday's official practice and the 5 p.m. Friday qualifying session. The 400-K race at the newly built Iowa Speedway starts at 8:00pm/ct on Friday July 13th for 192-laps or 2 1/2 hours on the 1.3-mile road course oval in Newton, Iowa, just outside of Des Moines. The race will be broadcast same-day delayed on Friday, July 13th at 10pm/et on SPEED. The No. 3 Preformed Line Products Daytona Prototype is campaigned by Southard Motorsports of Powell, Ohio. The Riley chassis is powered by Lexus engines with technical expertise by TRD Engineering and carries sponsorship from Preformed Line Products from Mayfield Village, Ohio. Martin will also run the Nextel Cup race in Chicago this weekend, driving the #01 U.S. Army Chevy for Ginn Racing.(Southard Motorsports PR)(7-12-2007)
Ginn Racing seeking sponsors, Army back in 2008 UPDATE layoffs? Busch team?: Though the #13 and #14 Ginn Racing teams seek sponsorship, CEO Jay Frye anticipates Ginn will remain a three-car team in the future. There has been speculation of late that the #13 team would soon be shut down [as there have been reports of layoffs within the teams]; while Frye discounts that, he doesn't hide the need for financial backing. "We have no intention to shut it down, but there comes a point that you have to get it funded," Frye said of the #13 team, driven by Joe Nemechek. "We're very close." Back in January, Ginn Racing chose to add the third team on the promise that it had secured lock-tight business associations. Two of those deals [Panasonic?] ultimately fell apart, but having committed to the team, it seemed more viable to secure sponsorship by running the car than by letting it sit idle. "I keep hearing we're in trouble, but the fact is the business is still better than last year," Frye said. "It has to get fixed this year, though. No doubt. In reality, I'd rather be a strong two-car team than a three-car team without a sponsor. We can't do what we did this year -- in January we thought we were good." They're also close to securing sponsorship for Sterling Marlin's #14, Frye said. The hope there, he said, is to find a sponsor to pick up the rest of 2007 and then extend the deal into the future. The U.S. Army will return as a full-time team sponsor for Ginn in 2008, Frye said.(ESPN.com)(7-6-2007)
UPDATE: been told that there were up to 30 layoff's Monday at Ginn Racing, also been told the #4 Ginn Racing Busch Series team has suspended operations. Also hearing that Ginn Racing may sell off one of its teams, likely the #13, which is vaulable with it being in the top-35 in owners pts.(7-9-2007)
Different colors for Martin at Daytona: As previously announced, The Principal Financial Group, the nation’s 401(k) leader1 and premier benefits provider, will serve as primary sponsor of Mark Martin’s #01 Chevy during the Nextel Cup race at Daytona International Speedway, July 7, 2007. The Principal will also feature Mark Martin and his Nextel Cup rookie co-driver Regan Smith in a two minute vignette airing as part of TNT’s Wide Open format of the live event broadcast. As a season-long associate sponsor of Ginn Racing’s three full-time Nextel Cup entries, Daytona marks the first of two Nextel Cup races where The Principal will serve as primary sponsor of the #01 Chevy. Regan Smith will pilot the Principal Financial Group Chevrolet Sept.16, in the Nextel Cup race at New Hampshire International
Speedway. The U.S. Army, Martin’s and Smith’s primary sponsor for the balance of the 2007 Nextel Cup season, will have associate sponsor status on the #01 car in both Daytona and New Hampshire.(Ginn Racing PR) see an image of the scheme on my #01 Team Schemes page.(7-5-2007)
Ginn Planning for 2008: Jay Frye, CEO of Ginn Racing, said Regan Smith, who is currently splitting the #01 with Martin, would drive either the #13 or #14 on a full-time basis next season. #14-Sterling Marlin is interested in a part-time schedule for next season, but his contract expires at the end of this year, as does #13-Joe Nemechek's. Frye said it's possible both drivers could return, though a fourth car would be needed for that to happen. Eventually, those drivers would step aside for someone who took the same path as Smith. "Hopefully - two or three years from now - we have three or four 20-something younger guys in the cars," Frye said. He added that Ginn will seek another young driver to replace Smith as Martin's co-pilot next season to help further that plan. Free agent Kyle Busch does not appear to be a likely candidate to drive for Ginn.(SceneDaily.com)(7-1-2007)
Almirola to Ginn in 2008? UPDATE denied: Hearing Aric Almirola, who was credited with the Milwaukee Busch Series race win Saturday night, will join Ginn Racing in 2008 as a protege to #01-Mark Martin. Supposedly the plan is for Almirola to run part-time Cup, Busch and Trucks in 2008 and take over the #01 Chevy full-time in 2009.(6-25-2007)
UPDATE - denied: Though he still is "not happy" about being pulled for Nextel Cup star Denny Hamlin during Saturday's Busch Series race at Milwaukee, Tampa's Aric Almirola said Wednesday he isn't frustrated at Joe Gibbs Racing and has no plans to leave the team. He said there is no truth to a rumor that appeared on ESPN-owned Web site Jayski.com saying he is headed to Ginn Racing next year and will race the #01 Chevrolet full time in Nextel Cup in 2009. "I'm under contract at JGR," Almirola, 23, said on a national conference call. "I have a long history with them. I've been there since I was 18 years old. I started racing late models with them, and they've become like family to me. I see our relationship growing." Almirola is scheduled to run six more Busch races, including the July 6 event at Daytona, and he said one race may be added. He is competing in the Craftsman Truck Series race this weekend at Memphis and will enter a couple of Nextel Cup Car of Tomorrow races this year with JGR's research and development team. He reiterated Wednesday that he hopes to race full time in at least the Busch Series next year.(Tampa Tribune)(6-28-2007)
Martin goes to Washington DC: #01-Mark Martin spent two days last week in the nation’s capital as a guest of the United States Army, his primary sponsor in the Nextel Cup Series. The Washington D.C. trip included stops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center to meet with wounded soldiers, a tour of the Pentagon and a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, where he, his wife Arlene and son Matt had the honor of placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. “It was just an awesome experience all around,” said Martin. “I’ve been involved in a lot of sponsorships in my career, but this one with the U.S. Army is very special. It’s an honor to drive the car for the Soldiers and it’s an honor to get to do things like this. Visiting the wounded soldiers at Walter Reed was an experience that I’ll never forget, they are truly an inspiration to me. They have given so much and yet are so positive and upbeat. They have the best attitudes that you can imagine and when you see it you have a new found respect for everyone involved in the fight for freedom. I was there to visit them, but it was those guys who inspired me.” Martin and his family were also inspired following a private tour of the Pentagon. “The Pentagon is really cool,” said Martin. “I had never been there before. My son Matt is a huge military history buff and I know that he had a really good time looking at all of the historical artifacts. There is so much history there, and we had a lot of fun enjoying that together.”(Ginn Racing)(6-26-2007)
Marlin may cut back to part-time in 2008 UPDATE: #14-Sterling Marlin has had talks with Ginn Racing about cutting back to a part-time schedule next season. Marlin's contract expires after this season.(Roanoke Times)(6-20-2007)
UPDATE: hearing that Marlin will go to Furniture Row Motorsports and run a 2nd team part-time in 2008, Kenny Wallace is the full time driver in the #78 Chevy. Regan Smith would replace Marlin in the #14 Chevy at Ginn Racing.(6-25-2007)
Chevy unveils paint schemes to commemorate 50 Years of the '57 Chevy: One of the most recognizable cars in American motoring history reaches a notable milestone this year, a milestone which NASCAR, Chevy and Motorsports Authentics proudly celebrate. The 1957 Chevrolet, a car which turns 50 years old this year, will be commemorated at August 19’s 3M Performance 400 Nextel Cup race at Michigan International Speedway by at least 11 Team Chevy drivers. Unveiled by Jimmie Johnson at MIS today, a Monte Carlo SS race car featuring decals with cues from the iconic 1957 design is similar to the ones Johnson and other Team Chevy drivers will race during the August event. On August 18, ’57 Chevys along with many other historic vehicles will hit the streets during Metro Detroit’s Woodward Dream Cruise. That same weekend, Team Chevy Nextel Cup Series drivers #4-Ward Burton, #8-Dale Earnhardt, Jr., #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #14-Sterling Marlin, #01-Mark Martin, #15-Paul Menard, #96-Tony Raines, #1-Martin Truex, Jr., #78-Kenny Wallace and #18-J.J. Yeley will take to the track at MIS with their cars wearing special ’57 Chevy paint schemes. To commemorate this special event, Motorsports Authentics will replicate their cars with die-cast models and offer apparel and novelty items related to the event.(GM Racing PR), see an image of the #48 Scheme on my #48 Team Schemes page.(6-16-2007)
Martin to run Iowa road race: On July 13, Mark Martin tackle the Daytona Beach-based Rolex Sports Car Series at Iowa Speedway. "When we cut back to a limited schedule this season, one of the great things about it was that it would give me time to do a lot of other things that I've wanted to do," Martin said. "I love to race all types of stuff and I think we'll have a blast up there in Iowa in July." After all, Martin has a history with the series, notably at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. With former boss Jack Roush perched on the 24-hour race's pit box, Martin scored three Rolex 24 class victories over Daytona International Speedway's 3.56-mile road course. In its inaugural season, Rusty Wallace's Iowa Speedway, near Des Moines, includes a 7/8-mile oval which serves as part of the facility's 1.3-mile road course and, in addition to the Rolex Series, will host the Indy Racing League and Suntrust MOTO-ST Series among others.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(6-14-2007)
Martin says he's still not a full-timer: Thirteen races into the season, #01-Mark Martin remains in position to make the Chase for the Nextel Cup, even though he’s only competed in 10 events. That ranks the veteran driver ahead of 22 drivers who have competed in all 13. Still, Martin said there’s no chance that he will decide to run the remainder of the races, this in spite of the fact that he has never won a championship. "I don’t even want to," he said, "so if I was leading, like I was when I missed my first race, I still wouldn’t. I don’t want to." Martin’s position hasn’t wavered. It’s just that people don’t seem to believe him.(Gaston Gazette)(6-10-2007)
Smith's Ginn Racing Schedule Altered; full time planned in 2008: Regan Smith, who ranks sixth in driver points after the first 14 Busch Series races, will compete in either a Cup, Busch, Truck or ARCA race during the remaining 23 Nextel Cup weekends. "Our main objective is to get Regan prepared for a full-time Nextel Cup ride," said Jay Frye, Ginn Racing's CEO and general manager. "Regan has excelled and we are currently reworking a schedule that will continue to benefit him and our racing operation. With the Car of Tomorrow scheduled to compete in all of the 2008 races, we also plan on utilizing the Busch team to assist in our aggressive COT testing program." Smith, 23, has garnered two top-five, four top-10 and six top-15 finishes in the Busch races this season. His standing position of sixth is the highest among non-Nextel Cup regulars. He has also driven in three Cup races as the co-driver with Mark Martin in the No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet. "I came to Ginn Racing at the end of last year with an excellent learning opportunity, a flexible racing schedule and having Mark Martin as my mentor," said Smith, who will compete in this weekend's Nashville Busch race. "It's been an incredible experience. I am happy that we're enjoying success and feel with the program laid out for the rest of the season it will continue to prepare me for my ultimate goal of being a full-time Cup driver."(Ginn Racing PR)(6-7-2007)
More on Dale Jr to Ginn; Martin back full-time in 2008? Marlin part-time? UPDATE Martin denies: Many drivers seem convinced that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will accept an offer to drive for Bobby Ginn [Racing #01,#13,#14], even though Ginn, a Florida real- estate developer, is new to the sport, with less than a year on the circuit. Ginn has been spending lavishly to turn the Jay Frye-run Chevy team into a top-flight operation. Driver Mark Martin led the Nextel Cup standings early this season and even after missing three of the year’s 12 races he’s still 15th in the points. Martin may return to the Nextel Cup tour full-time in 2008, according to sources. But Martin’s teammate #14-Sterling Marlin is planning to cut back to a partial schedule, and Ginn said that would open the 14 car and its top-35 exemption for Earnhardt.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-1-2007)
UPDATE: Mark Martin said Friday at Dover International Speedway that he has no intention of increasing his schedule with Ginn Racing next year. If anything, Martin will run fewer races next year, he said. "The schedule laid out here with seven races in a row right through this stretch here has really been a challenge," Martin said. "It's been a challenge for everyone, all the guys who work on the cars and everything else, with all the testing that's been going on. I'm just going to learn from 2007 and look at 2008, and I'll either do the same number of races or maybe a little bit more like what I had planned originally, which was more like 20 points races instead of 24."(SceneDaily.com)(6-2-2007)
Ginn wants to build test track in SC: First, Roger Penske announced he was planning to build a NASCAR test track near his shops in Mooresville, NC. Now, fellow car owner Bobby Ginn [Ginn Racing #01, #13, #14, #39] says he plans to build a NASCAR test track, probably a 11/2-miler, somewhere in South Carolina. And the new owners of Virginia International Raceway (VIR), the road course near Danville, are considering adding a flat track specifically for NASCAR’s Nextel Cup testing.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-31-2007)
Martin to sub for Jeff Gordon when baby arrives? If #24-Jeff Gordon is forced to miss a race to attend the birth of his daughter, series veteran Mark Martin will man the #24 DuPont Chevy, multiple sources within the Hendrick Motorsports organization told ESPN.com Wednesday. Martin on Wednesday afternoon will be fitted for a racing seat in preparation for the substitute role, sources said, and plans to begin stand-by duty for Gordon at Infineon Raceway next month. Hendrick Motorsports officials chose not to comment, saying rather that Gordon would address the matter Thursday at Lowe's Motor Speedway, site of this weekend's Coca-Cola 600. Sources said Gordon personally sought out Martin to stand in for him, and after clearing the idea with Ginn Racing officials, Martin gladly accepted. Gordon's wife, Ingrid Vandebosch, is due the week of the June 24 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma. Martin will fly to Sonoma, during a weekend when he is slated to be idle from racing. If Gordon doesn't require his services, Martin will remain on hand to coach Regan Smith in the #01 US Army Chevy [Ginn Racing]. According to NASCAR officials, Martin could get in the #24 without practicing in the car, so long as Nextel Cup director John Darby gives his blessing. Given Martin's veteran experience, that would seem to be all but a foregone conclusion.
If baby Gordon arrives a week early, sources said Martin will turn the #01 Chevrolet over to Smith at Michigan Speedway and drive the #24 for Gordon. Likewise, in the event the baby is a week late, Martin would sub for Gordon at New Hampshire. Gordon hasn't missed a race in his Cup Series career, a span of 484 consecutive races. The last race run without Gordon in the field was the 28th race of the 1992 season, at Phoenix International Raceway.(ESPN.com)(5-23-2007)
Martin to add more Cup races? Yes: #01-Mark Martin is expanding his Cup schedule for Ginn Racing once again. Sources close to the driver said he will add the August 5 race at Pocono, the Sept. 8 race at Richmond and the Sept. 9 race at Dover to his schedule, bringing his part-time schedule total to 24 Cup [points] events.(ESPN.com)(5-15-2007)
UPDATE: Three races have been added to Mark Martin's limited 2007 schedule with Ginn Racing. The additional races include Pocono (Aug. 5), Richmond (Sept. 8) and Dover (Sept. 23).(Ginn Racing PR)(5-15-2007)
Ginn to pursue Dale Jr. New NASCAR owner Bobby Ginn [Bobby Ginn Racing #01,#13,#14,#39] plans to pursue Dale Earnhardt Jr. - with every intent of landing him - as soon as Junior is ready to hear offers. "We would stretch as hard as we could stretch to do it," Ginn said by telephone Friday night. "You want the best, the absolute best, and I love the idea that Dale wants to win championships. He could accomplish that here with us. We're in play." Earnhardt said Friday that he wants to take a few weeks before opening the negotiating process, and NASCAR's most popular driver should have his pick of teams. Three owners - Rick Hendrick, Joe Gibbs and Richard Childress - were quickly identified as the front-runners, and Childress indicated Friday he'll be in the race. Ginn bought a midlevel team [MB2 Motorsports] last July and markedly improved it in just a few short months. Following an aggressive long-range plan, Ginn snagged Mark Martin and expanded the operation to three cars. "We have a five-year plan in mind and the conclusion is winning a championship," Ginn said. "We took a risk on Mark Martin, and that's paid off in spades for us. We aren't afraid to be aggressive." The team leases its motors from Hendrick and is perceived to be a satellite of that powerful operation. It's gotten Ginn mentioned as an outside equation in the Earnhardt race, but the team clearly wants to be a viable option.(Associated Press)(5-12-2007)
Congrats: Andrea Pemberton, wife of Ginn Racing #01 crew chief Ryan Pemberton, gave birth Tuesday (May 1) to daughter Britton Ladera at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center in Mooresville, N.C. Britton weighed in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. Britton joins 3-year-old sister Payton Lucia in the Pemberton household.(Ginn Racing PR)(5-2-2007)
Martin's Pit Crew Takes Top Honors in Texas: Mark Martin's #01 pit crew earned its fourth Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win of the season Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway -- lifting its team to a third-place finish in the Nextel Cup Series event. With four Double Drive-Thru Challenge victories, the U.S. Army/Ginn Racing pit crew is the only multiple winner in the first seven races of the 2007 season. "What can you say about these guys, they are just awesome," said Martin. "This is the best race team that I've ever worked with. The Army pit crew really stepped up on Sunday and help gain us some really needed track position. I love working with this team. They make coming to work really fun." Martin's over-the-wall crew includes: Scott King (jackman), Colin Pasi (front-tire carrier), Charlie Brock (front-tire changer), Dwayne Moore (rear-tire carrier), Dave Woodhead (rear-tire changer), Danny Harrington (gasman), Scotty Hazlett (catch can) and J.D. Hilton (windshield). The pit crew coach is Lance Munksgard. Checkers/Rally's awards the winning Nextel Cup pit crew each week with a cash prize of $11,000. The #01 crew has collected $44,000 in prize money for its wins this season and currently boasts a three-win lead in the standings. "It was another solid performance by the 01 Army crew," said crew chief Ryan Pemberton. "The guys are doing a fantastic job of having consistent pit stops each week and it is really showing in the team's results." To win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the pit crew challenge. An additional $111,150 will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. To win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the pit crew challenge. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(4-19-2007)
Virtual Army Experience Deploys at PIR: The Virtual Army Experience is a high-tech, team-based experience that immerses participants in the operational roles of Soldiers in a virtual mission to capture a terrorist leader. In the 20-minute experience, participants receive video briefings and execute the ground component of a raid on a terrorist stronghold. Participants fall-in on six Humvee simulators modeled on vehicles employed by Army Special Forces, and onto two covering positions where they work as a team as they employ light arms and TOW anti-tank missiles to defeat the enemy. Each virtual mission has space for 40 people who are de-briefed by one of the Army's Real Heroes when the mission ends. The Virtual Army Experience was created by the U.S. Army and Ignited Minds and built by SPEVCO, Inc. NASCAR fans will find the Virtual Army Experience deployed at Phoenix International Raceway outside turns one and two, between gates three and four. Virtual Army Experience - Phoenix Hours: Thursday, April 19, 9 a.m.-8:15 p.m.; Friday, April 20, Noon -6:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 21, Noon - 5:30 p.m. The Virtual Army Experience will deploy at five additional NASCAR weekends this season.(3-GSports PR)(4-18-2007)
Harvick and Martin to race at Iowa: #29-Kevin Harvick and #01-Mark Martin will race at Iowa Speedway this year. Harvick, driving for Richard Childress Racing, will race in the track’s first NASCAR race, the NASCAR Grand National East-West Sunday, May 20. Martin, driving for Ginn Racing, will race Friday night, July 13, in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series race. The announcement was made by Iowa Speedway Vice President and General Manager, Craig Armstrong.(Iowa Speedway site)(4-12-2007)
Carmichael Debuted in Stock Car Race Saturday UODATE 2: Supercross champion Ricky Carmichael makes his stock car debut in a Super Late Model feature driving a car owned by Mark Martin at Columbia Motorsports Park in Lake City, FL, Saturday, March 24, 2007, gates open at 6:00pm/et info at columbiamotorsportspark.com.
SPONSOR: Ginn Racing announced that Monster Energy will be the primary sponsor of Ricky Carmichael's late model stock car program which begins Saturday night (March 24) at Columbia Motorsports Park in Lake City, FL. Ginn's Nextel Cup pilot Mark Martin will mentor Carmichael as part of his role as the company's driver development director. The 27-year-old Carmichael is expected to run in 15 late model stock car races in 2007. After this weekend's race in Lake City, Carmichael's other two scheduled events at this time are April 21 and April 28 at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Monster Energy, the popular energy drink, has been a major sponsor of Carmichael's Supercross and motocross programs.(Ginn Racing PR)(3-24-2007)
UPDATE 2: Ginn Racing development driver and motocross champion Ricky Carmichael made his stock car debut Saturday night in a super late model race at Columbia Motorsports Park [Lake City, FL]. Under the watchful eye of Nextel Cup point leader Mark Martin, Carmichael finished third in his heat race. In the main feature, he overcame a second lap incident, but on Lap 7 of 25 his right-front tire went flat, sending his #4 Monster Energy Chevy into the wall and a premature exit from the race. Fellow Ginn development driver Matt Martin finished fourth in his heat and seventh overall in the feature. Carmichael's next two scheduled late model races will be April 21 and April 28 at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. He is expected to compete in a total of 15 late model races this season.(Ginn Racing PR)(3-25-2007)
Ricky Carmichael to make stock car debut Saturday MORE: Supercross legend, Ricky Carmichael, is scheduled to make his first start as a stock car professional at Columbia Motorsports Park [not North Florida Speedway] in Lake City, FL. Mark Martin plans to skip the Nextel Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway to act as Carmichael's crew chief. The link between Martin and Carmichael is Bobby Ginn, who calls Palm Coast home. Carmichael was signed by Ginn to a driver development deal. Martin left Roush Fenway Racing to drive a Chevrolet for Ginn in Cup this season.(source: Daytona Beach News Journal)
AND/MORE How do you say goodbye to an outgoing champion? Ricky Carmichael found out Saturday night when a rowdy crowd cheered his every move on the tight and twisting Supercross course carved into the turf of the Citrus Bowl. There was a video presentation, fire, lights, ear-blistering music and bucket loads of adulation for the Panhandle rider who turned pro at age 16. "It's been an amazing ride," he told the motorcycle mob in pre-race ceremonies. Then he played to the crowd. "I'm glad to finish my career, right here, in Florida." Cheers of thunder. After a runner-up finish to his young nemesis James Stewart last weekend at Daytona International Speedway, the 27-year-old Carmichael ended his 10-year Supercross with the same result, a second place after a spirited battle with the sport's next great star. Carmichael showed his skill behind the wheel Friday evening when he zoomed from Orlando back home to Tallahassee in 3 1/2 hours. Why the rush? His wife Ursula went into labor and gave birth to twins, Kadin and Elise, around 3:30 Saturday morning. Carmichael made it back in time. The scene will be much different next Saturday night when Carmichael makes his professional stock car debut when he races a Late Model at Columbia Motorsports Park [not North Florida Speedway] in Lake City, FL. Ginn Racing is prepping Carmichael for a NASCAR career, and no offense to NFS, but he's beginning the journey on one of racing's lowest rungs. Carmichael's debut in the racing shadows -- far, far away from the media's glare -- was Mark Martin's call. Martin will skip the Nextel Cup race at Bristol to act as Carmichael's crew chief. "Mark told me, 'I don't want to throw you in a hornet's nest right off the bat,' " Carmichael said.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(3-18-2007)
Martin says, again, he will NOT race at Bristol next week: For weeks, Mark Martin has been answering the questions. Would he or wouldn't he run Bristol? Friday in the Atlanta Motor Speedway media center, Martin put those rumors to bed, for once and for all. So fans that want to watch him race will have to do so at this weekend's Kobalt Tools 500, or miss him until the April 15 race at Texas. "There are mixed emotions, but the bottom line is that I'm gonna take a break," Martin said. "Right now I'm doing what I love. I want to keep doing it and I want to keep loving it. There have been a few times in the past few years that I didn't love it. I need a break." He said this in spite of the pressure he's been getting from former teammates Matt Kenseth and Jeff Burton, who have bets riding on whether he'll return for next week's Bristol race. Both have said they expect him to race. "Last week I was trying to taxi the plane and my phone rang and it was Kenseth," Martin said. "He called saying, 'I wouldn't have passed you on the last lap, but you aren't running for points, so I did.' We were hanging out the other night and he just kept at me; he's relentless. I finally just had to get up and leave."(AMS Pit Notes)(3-17-2007)
Martin to run special scheme in Coke 600: A special celebration of America's military personnel takes place with the American Heroes Program. Mark Martin and Ginn Racing join the celebration of American Heroes with a special paint scheme representing the U.S. Army on the #01 Chevy. Martin's #01 US Army American Heroes Chevy will run a special scheme in the Coca Cola 600 a Lowe's Motor Speedway, a black base with a featured "American Heroes Memorial Day" emblem on the hood, see an image of the scheme on my #01 Team Schemes page.(3-5-2007)
Smith expects Martin to stay in ride UPDATE Martin says NO..again: Regan Smith is more than an interested third party when it comes to whether Nextel Cup points leader Mark Martin will stick to his plan to run a part-time schedule. He's the driver ready to replace Martin in the #01 U.S. Army Chevy when the series moves to Bristol Motor Speedway on March 25. "When I go to Las Vegas [next week] I might put a couple of dollars on it," Smith said before practice for Sunday's Busch Series race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. "I'm sure it's going to be on the board soon. It's a pretty big story. "I don't know what the odds are. All I can say is if I was in his shoes and leading the points after Atlanta it would be tough for me as a driver to get out of the car." Either way, Smith will have a ride at Bristol. Owners Jay Frye and Bobby Ginn have promised to put him in a fourth car, the #39, if Martin has a change of heart. They've even discussed using his Busch Series crew chief to run the show. Martin, off to the best start in his Cup career with a second in the Daytona 500 and fifth last week at California, has been adamant that he won't change his mind. He insists he's happy with the part-time schedule and that he's looking forward to having an off weekend. He also has a history of changing his mind. He extended his 2005 retirement tour at Roush Fenway Racing into 2006 after owner Jack Roush lost Kurt Busch to Penske Racing.
Smith has run through all the scenarios, including what would happen if the #01 was in the top 12 in points with him and Martin splitting the schedule. "How cool would that be?" Smith said. "Maybe it would put some pressure on NASCAR to make a decision." There would be no decision. The way the Chase for the Nextel Cup is set up the top 12 in driver points make the field. Smith and Martin could run the car for the owner's title, but not the overall championship.(more at ESPN.com), Ginn said on ESPN2's NASCAR Now show Friday that he thinks it is 50-50 if Martin races at Bristol.(3-3-2007)
UPDATE: Mark Martin said on ESPN's NASCAR Now that he is not interested in running a full-schedule this season, is doing what he wants to do [running a partial schedule] and thrilled to be working with Regan Smith [who will run the #01 Chevy when Martin steps out]. Martin has no plans on changing his Nextel Cup schedule and says the best part of not running a full schedule is not worrying about those 'stinking' points. Martin however, would not say there is a zero percent chance he will not running a full schedule, but has no plans to.(ESPN's NASCAR Now)(3-6-2007)
Principal to sponsor Ginn Racing in 2007: The Principal Financial Group, the nation’s 401(k) leader1 and premiere benefits provider, announced today that its expanded relationship with Ginn Racing will include a two-race primary sponsorship of the #01 Chevy, co-driven by Mark Martin and Regan Smith during the 2007 Nextel Cup season. The sponsorship calls for Mark Martin to race the Principal Financial Group Chevy at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, and for Regan Smith to race in the Principal Financial Group colors on Sept. 16 at New Hampshire International Speedway. The Principal will serve as a season-long associate sponsor on Martin and Smith’s #01, and on Joe Nemechek’s #13 and Sterling Marlin’s #14 Ginn Racing Chevys. “Following the excitement of Mark Martin’s close second place finish in the Daytona 500, the Principal Financial Group is thrilled to support his return to Daytona International Speedway,” said Mary O’Keefe, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for the Principal Financial Group. “With Mark mentoring Regan Smith, The Principal is also proud to provide an edge to the next generation of NASCAR.” The Principal first joined Ginn Racing in August 2006 as an associate sponsor on Marlin’s Waste Management Chevy. The company increased its sponsorship in November when The Principal served as primary sponsor of Marlin’s #14 and Nemechek’s #01 Chevys during the Nextel Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway. The U.S. Army, Martin’s and Smith’s primary sponsor for the balance of the 2007 Nextel Cup season, will have associate sponsor status on the #01 car in both Daytona and New Hampshire.(Businesswire.com)(3-5-2007)
Martin's response to Burton's comments: When PRN's Garage Pass host Mark Garrow asked Martin Martin's response to Jeff Burton's quote that he would bet Martin couldn't pass up a chance to run for the championship Martin joked "He's going to be broke if he's betting." In other words Burton had better not bet the house. "He better not, " laughed Martin. "That's a big house he's got."
He added, "I don't have any plans to run the full schedule. I'm thrilled with what I'm doing and I certainly wouldn't want to spoil it by tampering with the formula. The formula is real good right now. I'll let y'all have fun with it but you know I haven't changed my mind. I'm ready for a weekend off already." When asked what would happen if car owner Bobby Ginn came to him and asked him to run for the championship? "That's not going to happen. He won't do that. That's why I'm happy here. I'm really in a good place in my life. I feel I've taken stock of my career and my personal life and I'm really blessed with all the things I've got going."(PRN's Garage Pass radio show)(2-28-2007)
Burton comments on Martin; Martin testing at Bristol: Mark Martin signed up to run 22 races in the #01 US Army Chevy in 2007. However, with his success in the first two races cause him to re-think that plan? “I’d bet almost anybody right now today that Mark Martin runs all 38 races” said fellow driver and long-time friend #31-Jeff Burton. “Matt (Kenseth) and I told him (Martin) before the Daytona 500 that we both bet that he would run every race. I believed it before the year started and I believe it even more today.” Burton felt all along that if Martin would be up front competing for wins it would be almost impossible for him to give up his ride to Regan Smith for 16 races. “I know him really well” said Burton. “I hate to use this analogy but he’s like a drug addict that can’t get away from it…and that’s a horrible analogy but this is an addicting thing and when you’re having success it’s much, much harder to walk away. The only way that he wouldn’t is if they’d gone to Daytona and got in a wreck or gone to California and had some kind of problem. Mark Martin isn’t going to have a car owner look him in the eye and say, “Hey, we have a chance to win a championship and him say well I’m not riding. I know he’s not going to. He can say all he wants to but he’s not scheduled to run Bristol but who’s doing the Bristol test? Mark Martin.” While the official Bristol scoring rundown indicates Regan Smith was testing both US Army cars, Martin was in fact turning laps in the teams’ “A” machine.(PRN's Garage Pass radio show)(2-28-2007)
Martin's Team Captures Pit Crew Challenge Win in Daytona: Mark Martin's #01 pit crew earned the Checkers / Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win in the Nextel Cup Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway, helping boost the U.S. Army driver to a runner-up finish in Sunday's Daytona 500. This is the second consecutive pit crew challenge win for the Army crew, which claimed top honors in the 2006 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway "I just can't say enough about the work of our pit crew," offered Martin, whose team spent 216.620 seconds on pit road during Sunday's event. "Those guys were Army Strong in the pits and helped give me my best shot ever at winning the Daytona 500." Martin continued, "They put us out in the lead when we needed it and I feel terrible that I wasn't able to hold on. Those guys really stepped up to the plate when the pressure was at its greatest and they delivered like champions do." The #01 over-the-wall crew consists of: Scott King (jackman), Colin Pasi (front-tire carrier), Charlie Brock (front-tire changer), Dwayne Moore (rear-tire carrier), Dave Woodhead (rear-tire changer), Danny Harrington (gasman), Scott Hazlett (catch can) and Troy Welty (windshield). The pit crew coach is Lance Munksgard. To win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. The program pays $11,000 to the weekly winner. An additional $111,150 bonus will be awarded to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(2-21-2007)
Martin to run Daytona in July: The ink on Mark Martin's 2007 Nextel Cup calendar boasts 22 races in the #01 U.S. Army Chevy. But if you flip to July, to the small box hosting his July 7 to-do list, the pencil markings suggest another story. The Pepsi 400? That wasn't on the original slate. It is now. Martin told ESPN.com Monday that the July 7 race at Daytona International Speedway was on his docket all along, but he chose to wait and see the outcome of Speed Weeks. He had more fun than he's ever had. No pressure.
And, oh yeah, he nearly won the Daytona 500. Martin stressed we not get carried away with this. He doesn't desire to run the entire slate, though some of his colleagues think otherwise. "Winning [the Daytona 500] wouldn't have changed at all how I feel about things. I've learned to never say never, so I'm not going to do that. But I'm very happy and comfortable with my schedule, and even if we'd have won the race I'm just thrilled with what I have laid out in front of me. If I want to change [my schedule] I have that luxury," he said. "I haven't gone and asked [to run the whole schedule], but I can tell you they haven't said no to anything else. I don't think that'd be a problem, but I also don't think that'll happen." Martin's current projected schedule is quite front-loaded. He knows he might get bored in the second half of the year. The Food City 500 [in Bristol] will mark the first race since Valentine's Day 1988 that Martin won't be in the Cup Series field. That's 617 straight races [currently hs is at 618, going into Bristol he will be at 621]. Martin is scheduled to be in Lake City, Fla., that weekend to be Ricky Carmichael's crew chief in a late-model race.(in part from ESPN.com)(2-20-2007)
Pemberton earns Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Ryan Pemberton, crew chief for the #01 Ginn Racing Chevy, made a bold but calculated call in the closing stages of the Daytona 500 to give Mark Martin and the U.S. Army team a great shot at a victory. In the final pit stop of the race, Pemberton's decision to take two right side tires only propelled Martin from seventh to first place
after the leaders chose to change all four tires. Martin held onto his lead until the final surge to the checkered flag, only to be inched out by eventually winner Kevin Harvick as the pair crossed the finish line. It was Mark Martin's best finish in the Great American Race. Pemberton's tactical move earned him the Wypall* Wipers Crew Chief of the Race Award. The #01 U.S. Army team begun the race 26th on the starting grid and with this finish has set the new look team up for an exciting 2007 season. A panel of votes that included a local media representative, Tony Eury Jr.and a Wypall Wipers representative, all agreed Pemberton's strategic decision was worthy enough for him to win the first award for the 2007 season. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Pemberton received $1,000. At the
end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year.(Wypall Wipers PR)(2-19-2007)
Florida Resident Bids $13,600 to Win Mark Martin/Daytona 500 Dream Package: Myron Bowlin, of Ocala, Fla., scored the highest bid on eBay to win the Mark Martin/Daytona 500 Dream package that will benefit Central Florida’s tornado victims. The “Ultimate Mark Martin/Daytona 500 Dream Package” was the creation of Martin, the NASCAR icon and Florida resident, Ginn Racing, Martin’s Nextel Cup team, and Ginn Resorts, a central Florida-based developer. Bowlin’s high bid of $13,600 will be matched by Ginn Resorts. The total gift of $27,200 will go directly to the American Red Cross Central Florida relief programs.(Ginn Racing PR)(2-17-2007)
Hendrick and Martin? UPDATE: Hearing there will be a press conferences at Daytona on Wednesday, attended by Rick Hendrick and Mark Martin.(2-14-2007)
UPDATE: Sirius NASCAR Radio, Ch 128 had PRN's Mark Garrow on the Driver's Seat show this morning and reported that Martin will run three Busch Series races for Hendrick Motorsports, thru Hendrick's Autoguard, the races scheduled are Darlington, Michigan and Homestead.
MORE: Hendrick Motorsports will field racing legend Mark Martin this season in three Busch Series events, the team announced in a news conference Wednesday morning at Daytona International Speedway. "Years from now, I'll continue to look back on this with a ton of pride," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group. "When Mark and I first started talking about it, I knew we had one of those special opportunities that don't come along often. He's one of the all-time greats, and having him drive one of our cars is something we couldn't pass up." The effort will be backed by Hendrick Autoguard, a line of products available exclusively at Hendrick Automotive Group dealerships nationwide. Hendrick Autoguard offers car buyers peace of mind through a variety of options that include maintenance coverage, asset protection, exterior car care, and vehicle security.
Martin's schedule will kick off May 11 at Darlington, S.C., where he has posted eight of his 47 career Busch Series victories. The 48-year-old will make additional starts on Aug. 18 at Brooklyn, Mich., and Nov. 17 at the Homestead, Fla., season finale. "This is going to add another great chapter to my career," said Martin, who is working with Hendrick Automotive Group to offer Autoguard products at Mark Martin Ford in his hometown of Batesville, Ark. "I have a great respect for Rick and the entire Hendrick Motorsports organization, so I'm excited about this opportunity to be a part of it. Hopefully we can make some Busch Series history in the Hendrick Autoguard Chevrolet." Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Busch, 21, will join Martin in the Hendrick Autoguard program, piloting a #5 Chevy in the Feb. 24 Busch Series event at Fontana, CA. For additional information on Hendrick Automotive Group, including dealership locations, please visit www.hendrickauto.com.(Hendrick Motorsports PR), see am image of the car on my Busch Series Paint Schemes page.(2-14-2007)
Martin back part time on 2008: As it now stands, #01-Mark Martin said he would continue at Ginn Racing in 2008 with a limited schedule of Cup events similar to his schedule for this season. Martin has also agreed to head up Ginn’s driver development program and will run selected races in the Craftsman Truck and Busch Series.(Gaston Gazette)(2-14-2007)
Ginn Racing Contracts with Martin to Mentor Development Drivers: Ginn Racing has contracted with Mark Martin Performance to oversee the company's driver development program, which includes Ricky Carmichael, Matt Martin and Matt Bowers. All three are Florida residents -- Carmichael (27, Tallahassee), Martin (15, Daytona Beach) and Bowers (15, Mount Dora). Martin will work with the development drivers while they compete in the late model and super model divisions at Florida race tracks. Once the drivers
graduate from Martin's tutelage, they will join Ginn Racing's North Carolina-based development program that will include the ARCA RE/MAX Series and the Craftsman Truck Series. "I don't believe you can ask for anyone better than Mark to oversee the development program and mentor the young drivers," said Jay Frye, Ginn Racing's CEO and general manager. "Having Mark in this capacity will only enhance our development program and the future of Ginn Racing." Martin, who drives the #01 U.S. Army Chevy for Ginn Racing, said, "I love to compete and I love to teach. And I have the best of both worlds with Ginn Racing. I look forward to this role and know that it's going to be a lot of fun instructing a group of young drivers who share a passion for racing."(Ginn Racing PR)(2-10-2007)
Martin to run two Busch races for Roush UPDATE DISH Network to sponsor Biffle in Cup...more: on Sirius Satellite Radio's Driver Seat show with John Kernan and Buddy Baker, multi-team owner Jack Roush was interviewed and said he and Mark Martin are still great friends and that Martin will run a couple of Busch Series races for Roush in a Ford. There had been rumors and a PR a month ago that Martin would run some Busch races for Roush for DISH Network. There is an image of the #26 DISH Network Busch Series Ford on my Busch Paint Schemes page, taken during the media tour in Charlotte last week.(1-31-2007)
UPDATE: DISH Network will sponsor a Roush Racing driver/car in all 35 Busch Series races. Martin will run the #06 DISH Network Ford at Daytona in Feb. and Texas in April. Eight other drivers will run the DISH Network colors the other 33 races. #17-Matt Kenseth (5 races), #26-Jamie McMurray (9), #60-Carl Edwards (10), #17-Michel Jourdain (3), #26-Greg Biffle (2), #26-Todd Kluever (2), #17-Danny O'Quinn (1), #26-Erik Darnell (1)
PLUS #16-Greg Biffle is scheduled to run DISH Network on the #16 Nextel Cup Ford in five races: Daytona in Feb, Martinsville in April, Richmond in May, Dover in June and Pocono in June.(2-2-2007)
Carmichael Ready for Stock Cars: Unlike Juan Pablo Montoya, who has moved to NASCAR from a successful open-wheel career with a wave of publicity, motorcycle superstar Ricky Carmichael is getting little attention, and that's just fine with him. The 27-year-old Carmichael has captured a record 15 AMA National championships but plans to run a limited schedule in Supercross this season while also beginning his stock car career as part of Ginn Racing's driver development program. Carmichael had stock cars tests with Evernham Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing before signing a three-year contract with Bobby Ginn's team - former MB2 Motorsports. He will begin his four-wheel career this season driving 15 late model stock car races in Florida in a car provided by Mark Martin, who left Roush Racing at the end of 2006 to join the Ginn team for a partial Nextel Cup schedule in 2007. "I'm kind of glad I'm running late model stocks to start with and working my way up to the top," Carmichael said. "I think it's good I'm not going to be the center of attention here. I think you need a lot more concentration in stock cars than on motorcycles, especially when you've been doing it as long as I have." Martin, who oversaw one of Carmichael's tests, is sold on the youngster. "I think he'll be as good a driver in NASCAR as anybody who ever came to stock cars from motorcycles," Martin said. "As soon as you get to know him and see his work ethic, drive and determination, you know it isn't possible that it's not going to work. I thought he'd be good and he's further along than we expected. If things move along well, we might run him in an ARCA race or two later in the season." Carmichael plans to run 25 stock car races in 2008, with some in ARCA and some in NASCAR's Busch Series. In 2009, the last year of his current contract, he expects to run a full season in Busch and possible a few Cup events. "I'm just a racer," Carmichael said Friday in an interview during the first day of the NASCAR Media Tour hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway. "I like a challenge and I like what NASCAR is about."(Associated Press)(1-23-2007)
Smith to debut in Daytona in 4th Ginn Racing car:While Regan Smith's first official ride in the #01 Army Chevy is scheduled for Bristol Motor Speedway (March 25), the upstate New York (Cato) native is looking to make his Nextel Cup debut in the Daytona 500. Last week Smith tested the #39 Chevy at Daytona for Ginn Racing, which plans to enter four Cup cars for NASCAR's season opener. Joe Nemechek (#13) and Sterling Marlin (#14) took part in the previous week's Daytona test session for Ginn Racing.
"We're going there (Daytona) with four cars and I have every intention of the Daytona 500 being my first Cup start," said Smith, who filled in for Nemechek for a pair of test sessions in Daytona last week. Since Smith's #39 Chevy is not part of the top 35 in points from 2006, he will have to qualify for the Daytona 500. Smith will also compete in the Busch Series in 2007 for Ginn Racing. He will share the #04 Chevy ride with Kraig Kinser.(Ginn Racing site)(1-22-2007)
Martin site opens: Mark Martin now has his own official website, markmartin.com.(1-12-2007)
Ginn Racing Names DeHart as Director of Shop Operations: Ginn Racing announced that former championship crew chief Gary DeHart has joined the organization as director of shop operations. DeHart, who spent nearly the past 20 years at Hendrick Motorsports, will oversee shop employees and assist in managing the company's growth during the NASCAR team's expansion, according to Jay Frye, Ginn Racing's CEO and general manager. "With the growth taking place at Ginn Racing, we're excited to have someone as experienced as Gary to help us through this new phase of our racing organization," said Frye. "Hendrick Motorsports has grown over the years in the same way we're working toward and Gary was a part of that growth. His experience will be vital to making the process go smoothly and we're thrilled that he has chosen to join us." Ginn Racing has nearly doubled its employees -- from 85 to 160 -- since Bobby Ginn purchased majority ownership in the team last July. The team, which has operated two full-time Cup programs for the past six seasons, will add a third full-time Cup program [#13 Chevy for Nemechek] in 2007, as well as a full-season Busch program and an aggressive driver development program. As a crew chief at Hendrick motorsports, DeHart teamed with Terry Labonte in 1996 to capture the NASCAR Cup championship. DeHart retired from the crew chief ranks following the 1997 season. He spent the past six years managing shop operations at Hendrick Motorsports and directing the company's safety program.(Ginn Racing PR)(1-11-2007)
Martin's early 2007 sched announced: Mark Martin, who will run a limited Nextel Cup schedule for the first time since 1987, will once more run the Bud Shootout and the Daytona 500. Martin's Ginn Racing team announced the first 14 races of the 47-year-old driver's limited 2007 Cup schedule Tuesday. Martin will compete in the #01 Army-sponsored Chevy in 2007, sharing the ride with rookie Regan Smith. Martin returns for both the Bud Shootout and Nextel All-Star Challenge non-points events. In addition to the season-opener at Daytona, he'll also compete at California Speedway (Feb. 25), Las Vegas Motor Speedway (March 11), Atlanta Motor Speedway (March 18), Texas Motor Speedway (April 15), Phoenix International Raceway (April 21), Richmond International Raceway (May 5), Darlington Raceway (May 12), Lowe's Motor Speedway (May 27), Dover International Speedway (June 3), Pocono Raceway (June 10) and Michigan International Speedway (June 17). Due any unforseen circumstances, when Martin skips the March 25 race at Bristol Motor Speedway, he'll snap a string of 617 consecutive starts dating back to Feb. 14, 1988. Martin's first "car of tomorrow" race will be at Phoenix. Smith will compete at Bristol Motor Speedway (March 25), Martinsville Speedway (April 1) and Talladega Superspeedway (April 29). The remainder of Martin's schedule will be announced later this year.(SceneDaily.com)(1-4-2007)
2006 News
Mark Martin Offers Tips to 4 Young Drivers: Ginn Racing brought three cars, five drivers and various crew members to Lakeland, FL on Monday to test their short-track programs. But more important for the four young drivers in the Ginn Racing stable, it was a time for learning. Regan Smith [who will share the #01 with Martin in 2007], Kraig Kinser, Jesus Hernandez and Ricky Carmichael [who are Ginn Development drivers expected to drive in the truck series] each took their share of laps around the speedway - a 3/4-mile paved oval with 14-degree banking, the same as Richmond. When each one of them came in from their practice runs, veteran driver #01-Mark Martin, who drove the #6 AAA Ford this past Nextel Cup season, knelt by their windows to discuss their laps.(The Ledger)(12-15-2006)
Carmichael testing at New Smyrna UPDATE 2: hearing that former motorcycler Ricky Carmichael, who recently signed with Ginn Racing [formerly MB2 Motorsports] is testing today for Ginn Racing at New Smyrna Speedway in FL. Supposedly, some of the team members welded motorcycle handles on the steering wheel so Carmichael could feel more comfortable.(11-28-2006)
UPDATE and IMAGES: Carmichael tested the #66 Coca Cola Ford of Matt Martin at New Smyrna Speedway, why a Ford when Ginn Racing runs Chevy's? because Matt Martin is signed with Ford, Mark Martin, Matt's father, will drive for Ginn Racing in 2007 in the #01 U.S. Army Chevy.
UPDATE 2: Carmichael turned about 80 test laps over the half-mile oval at New Smyrna Speedway in a Late Model owned by Nextel Cup Series veteran Mark Martin. Martin supervised the morning practice session before flying to New York City for NASCAR's Champion's Week festivities. He was not available for comment. Members of Martin's local race team combined with some of Ginn Racing's crew from Mooresville, N.C., to support Carmichael's practice session. Jay Frye, Ginn Racing's CEO and managing partner, confirmed the test session and said Carmichael's lap times were comparable to qualifying speeds posted in New Smyrna's recent Governor's Cup event. "Ricky ran quite a few laps, fast laps," Frye said. "My guys down there reported it was a very successful test.
This was Ricky's third or fourth time in a race car but his first real test in a car with that kind of horsepower. Frye said Carmichael will be back in several weeks for another test in Martin's Late Model racer.(in part from the Daytona Beach News Journal)(11-29-2006)
Martin talked to Dale Jr about Busch ride: Mark Martin told Sirius Speedway (MRN/Sirius Satellite Radio) Monday that he
spoke to Dale Earnhardt, Jr., about a possible, part-time Busch Series ride with Earnhardt’s JR Motorsports in 2007. Martin, who has already inked deals to drive the Ginn Racing/US Army Nextel Cup Chevrolet next season, as well as a Craftsman Truck for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing, said sponsor conflicts prevented the deal with Earnhardt from coming to fruition. “I talked to Dale Junior about sharing a Busch car with him and a couple of other guys next season,” said Martin. “We both wanted to do it, but we couldn’t get the details figured out. The Army and the Navy (sponsors of Earnhardt’s #88 Busch car) were kinda like oil and water, and we couldn’t figure out a way to make it work.” Martin said he could run for as many as four different teams next season on the Cup, Busch and Truck Series.(MRN/Sirius Satellite Radio)(11-28-2006)
MB2 Motorsports Changes Name to Ginn Racing: MB2 Motorsports has changed its name to Ginn Racing, effective immediately. The name change is a result of the team's new owner Bobby Ginn, who purchased majority interest in the racing organization in July. Regarding the pronunciation of Ginn -- it is GHIN as in the second syllable of begin. The company's web site address is: www.ginnracing.com. MB2 Motorsports began operations in July 1996.
Ginn Racing will field three full-time Nextel Cup teams in 2007 with drivers Mark Martin/Regan Smith sharing the #01 U.S. Army Chevy ride, Joe Nemechek in the #13 Chevy and Sterling Marlin in the #14 Chevy. The organization will also field a full-time Busch Series team with Smith and Kraig Kinser co-driving a Ginn Racing Chevy. The team's development program includes drivers Jesus Hernandez and Ricky Carmichael. Ginn Racing is based in Mooresville, N.C.(Ginn Racing PR)(11-21-2006)
Nemechek to Pull Triple Duty for First Time in Career: For the first time in his racing career Joe Nemechek will compete in NASCAR's three professional divisions in the same weekend at the same track. The triple-header weekend at Homestead-Miami
Speedway kicks off Friday evening for Nemechek, who will pilot the #46 Chevy for Morgan-Dollar Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series. It will be his third race of the season in the #46 entry. The second part of the weekend schedule for Nemechek will be his return to the Busch Series where he has claimed 16 career victories. His only other Busch race of the season was the February opener at Daytona International Speedway. Nemechek, who must qualify on time for Saturday night’s Busch event, will drive his #87 NEMCO Motorsports Chevy with sponsorship from Ginn Clubs & Resorts. The weekend culminates Sunday for Nemechek, who will drive the #01 U.S. Army Chevy in the final Nextel Cup race of the season – the Ford 400.(MB2Motorsports PR)(11-16-2006)
MB2 Motorsports Announces 2007 Lineup: MB2 Motorsports announced that its 2007 lineup will include a roster of seven drivers, entries in all three of NASCAR's national series and a driver development program. MB2's expansion started to take shape following an ownership change in July when real estate developer Bobby Ginn purchased majority interest in the 10-year-old racing organization. “Bobby has given us an opportunity to take this team to the next level and there’s nothing more exciting than that,” said Jay Frye, MB2’s CEO and general manager. “Our foundation is strong with a team mixture of experience and youth. Every piece we put together for 2007 was carefully thought out with the future in mind. We want to be a team to contend with over the next
decade.”
MB2's 2007 lineup of drivers/crew chiefs will be as follows:
Nextel Cup Series: * MB2 will field three Nextel Cup teams. MB2 newcomers Mark Martin (47-years-old) and rookie Regan Smith (23) will co-drive the #01 U.S. Army Chevrolet. Martin will drive in 20 point races plus the Bud Shootout and Nextel All Star Challenge. Smith will drive in the remaining 16 point races. Ryan Pemberton will continue to serve as crew chief on the #01 car.
* Sterling Marlin (49) will continue to drive MB2's #14 Chevrolet with Richard "Slugger" Labbe handling the crew chief duties.
* Joe Nemechek (43) will switch from the 01 Chevy to the new #13 team. Nemechek will be reunited with crew chief Peter Sospenzo, who was recently hired by MB2. Sospenzo was Nemechek's crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports in 2002 and 2003. The twosome
combined to score a victory at the 2003 spring race in Richmond. Team sponsors for the #13 and #14 will be announced at a later date.
Busch Series: * MB2's Busch Series ride will be shared by Smith and Kraig Kinser (22). Doug Randolph will oversee the crew chief duties for the Busch operation.
CraftsmanTruck Series: * MB2 will continue its partnership with Morgan-Dollar Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series. Kinser, along with MB2's development driver Jesus Hernandez (25), will compete in selected truck races. Motocross champion Ricky Carmichael (26), who will join MB2's development program next year, could also compete in a couple of truck races.
Development Program * MB2's driver development program in the late model series will include Hernandez and Carmichael. Jeremy Thompson, an MB2 employee and former Craftsman Truck Series competitor, will oversee the late model program. Hernandez and Carmichael will also drive in selected ARCA races. The MB2 racing teams will be based out of the team’s 144,000-square-foot shop in Mooresville, NC.(MB2 Motorosports PR)(11-10-2006)
Barcardi to be Nemechek's sponsor? hearing that Barcardi will sponsor the new MB2 Motorsports [to be Ginn Racing] #13 Chevy that Joe Nemechek will drive in 2007. Nemechek current drives the #01 US Army Chevy for MB2, but Mark Martin/Regan Smith will run the car in 2007.(11-6-2006)
Principal Financial Group to be primary sponsors of #01 & #14 at Phoenix: The Principal Financial Group, the nation’s
401(k) leader and premiere benefits provider, will be the primary sponsor on #14-Sterling Marlin’s and #01-Joe Nemechek’s MB2 Motorsports’ Chevys in this weekend’s Nextel Cup race -- the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. MB2’s Principal Financial Group Chevys – Marlin’s #14 and Nemechek’ s #01 – will make their first appearance on the Phoenix one-mile track during Friday’s practice, which begins at 1:35pm/et. “We’re excited about the Principal Financial Group joining our team,” said Jay Frye, CEO and general manager of MB2. “The company has been involved in the past as a NASCAR sponsor and we’re
elated about MB2 being selected for its first venture as a primary sponsor. The U.S. Army, Nemechek’s main sponsor at 34 Cup races, will have an associate status on the #01 car in Phoenix. Marlin's associate sponsors will be Waste Management and Ginn Clubs & Resorts. The Principal, based in Des Moines, Iowa, is the on-air sponsor of Sunday’s Checker Auto Parts 500. The
race will be televised on NBC, beginning at 3pm/et. For more information about The Principal Financial Group, visit www.principal.com.(MB2 Motorsports PR/site), see an image of the car on my #01 Team Schemes page.(11-6-2006)
Martin plans to run some Truck races in 2007..for Ford: Mark Martin said Thursday that he probably will drive in five to 10 races in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2007 in a Ford. He said he also probably will run five to 10 races in the Busch Series, driving a Chevrolet. Martin is driving the #01 Chevrolet for MB2 Motorsports [Ginn Racing] in 20 Nextel Cup races next season. Martin has raced in the truck series 11 times this season, winning five of them.(Dallas Morning News)(10-27-2006)
Nemechek visits Guantanamo Bay Troops: With the Bank of America 500 race finishing near midnight at the Concord, N.C. track, Nemechek caught a few hours of sleep before embarking early Sunday morning (Oct. 15) on a one-day, 2,100-mile round-trip journey to visit troops at the U.S. military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Joining Nemechek was his mother -- Martha Nemechek (decked in Army fatigues) and Ashton Lewis Jr., driver of the Team Marines entry in the Busch series. The trip was arranged by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. "Not too many people get to land their airplanes in Cuba . this is very cool," said Nemechek as he deplaned from his private jet at the GTMO airport. Though the weather was anything but cool -- a welcoming sign posted the temperature at 99 degrees -- Nemechek found the trip to be both rewarding and educational. Located in the southeastern end of Cuba, Guantanamo Bay is the only U.S. base in operation in a communist led country. "The facts and history of Guantanamo Bay are very interesting," offered Nemechek. "It was pretty neat to stand next to the fence that separates Guantanamo from the communist territory of Cuba." Nemechek added, "We were very well received by the military branches stationed in Guantanamo. There are plenty of NASCAR fans on the base. They wanted to discuss the race in Charlotte the night before. I'm glad that I had a pretty good run to talk about." The six-hour tour included autograph and photo sessions at different points of the base, including one for non-military personnel in the downtown area. "Every time I visit our troops it's a special feeling,. added Nemechek. .These people are making a sacrifice to protect our freedom and the freedom for future generations. It's difficult not to get overwhelmed by what you see and what you hear. It was an honor to make the visit."(MB2Motorsports PR)(10-19-2006)
Different colors for Nemechek at LMS; heads to Guantanamo Bay on Sunday: Unlike his racing buddies, Joe Nemechek's weekend duties will not end with Saturday night's Nextel Cup event at Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte. While Nemechek will be decked out in different colors for the Bank of America 500, driving the #01 CENTRIX Financial Chevy for MB2 Motorsports, it won't take him long to return to military mode as the driver of the U.S Army NASCAR entry. Early Sunday morning, Nemechek and a small entourage -- including his mother Martha Nemechek -- will jet to Guantanamo Bay to visit troops on behalf of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.(MB2 Motorsports PR)(10-12-2006)
MB2 Signs Motocross Champion Carmichael: Ricky Carmichael, considered the greatest motocross racer of all time, is moving to NASCAR. He will join the Bobby Ginn-owned MB2 Motorsports operation, which fields [#01,#13, #14] Nextel Cup teams for Joe Nemechek and Sterling Marlin. Carmichael, a 15-time American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) national champion and holder of a record 144 career wins in Supercross and motocross, agreed to a multi-year contract with MB2, starting with the 2007 season. Jay Frye, CEO and general manager of MB2, said that Carmichael will compete in a developmental program next year that will include a combination of approximately 15 events in late model stock cars, ARCA and possibly the Craftsman Truck Series. Frye added that Carmichael's MB2 program will be accelerated in 2008. "There were other teams showing interest in Ricky and we are thrilled that he decided to join MB2," said Ginn, who purchased majority interest in MB2 in July. "He brings to MB2 many intangible qualities which have made him one of the great champions in all of motorsports.” “What’s even more remarkable is that he achieved a legendary record and is still in the prime of his racing career,” Ginn added. “He has both the physical and mental skills to make a successful transition from two wheels to four wheels." Carmichael, 26, is also planning to run an abbreviated Supercross and motocross schedule next year with Team Makita Suzuki Racing. "To race in NASCAR has always been a dream of mine," said Carmichael. "This is a new challenge and I have no illusions that the transition will be easy. I truly understand the difficulties that are ahead. But I am committed to do whatever it takes to eventually make it to the Cup series." Carmichael, who was born in Clearwater, Fla. and currently resides in Tallahassee, Fla., announced earlier in the year that 2006 would be his final full-time season competing in Supercross and motocross. "I am excited about joining MB2," Carmichael added. "After talking to Bobby (Ginn) it was evident to me that this is an organization with a strong commitment to compete at an elite level. It's a good fit and I can't wait to get started." Since joining the AMA Motocross circuit full time in 1997, Carmichael has never lost an outdoor championship. He won three straight 125cc championships followed by seven consecutive 250cc titles. His record also includes five indoor AMA Supercross championships. The 2006 season was the fifth time that Carmichael captured the double -- winning both the AMA Supercross and Motocross championships in the same year. Next closest to Carmichael’s 144 career victories is Jeremy McGrath’s 89 overall wins. Regarding his exit from full-time AMA competition, Carmichael said, "I plan to always ride some events in Supercross and motocross. The sport has been very good to me over the years." Carmichael is competing in this weekend’s Supercross event in Las Vegas – the Rock Star Energy Drink U.S. Open.(MB2 Motorsports PR)(10-12-2006)
MB2 to Ford? Martin part owner? UPDATE denied The LTN Radio Network reported today [Oct 8th] that Mark Martin's long-term plans with MB2 Motorsports will include at least part ownership of the team. This ownership, combined with Martin's long-term relationship with Ford, means the 3-car team will change to the "blue-oval" before Daytona 2007. The team will also include 2 Busch cars and 2 late models for a driver development program.(LTN Radio Network)(10-8-2006)
UPDATE: Bobby Ginn, Principal Owner of MB2 Motorsports talked with the media:
ON THE JAYSKI RUMOR ABOUT MOVING TO FORD:[um, wasn't a Jayski rumor..but]
"No, I don't think so. I have this theory that if you haven't heard a good rumor by noon, just start one. And around here, it's pretty easy to do something. Somebody says something and somebody gets it started and it's pretty easy to spread. But we're a Chevrolet team."
DO YOU HAVE A SPONSOR FOR YOUR THIRD CAR OR IS THAT GOING TO BE YOUR COMPANY?
"If we don't have a full sponsors, it'll be the company."
HAVE YOU DECIDED ON A TEAM NAME YET? "It's going to be Ginn Racing next year. When we did it, NASCAR asked us not to change the name in mid-season, and that was fine. We're going to market it under the brand we market our real estate and hospitality
operations under."
WHAT'S THE STATUS OF THE #14 NEXT YEAR?
"I think Waste Management is back. And we've got a couple of others that are close."
IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO THE REPORT THAT YOU GUYS ARE LOOKING AT, OR HAVE ALREADY SIGNED A DEAL TO GO TO FORD NEXT YEAR AND THAT MARK MARTIN IS BUYING INTO PART OF THIS TEAM? "No."
IS MARK MARTIN GOING TO HAVE ANY OWNERSHIP IN THE COMPANY?"No. Mark wants to drive race cars. You go talk to him and he'll tell you. He doesn't want to worry about sponsors or endorsements or merchandise. He wants to drive race cars and help us build a race car team. That was the way we were able to accommodate him. He's