Jayski's® NASCAR Silly Season Site

#09 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

2008 News

Marlin Fined by State of Tennessee: Sterling Marlin has agreed to pay fines for two instances of allowing fill dirt to be dumped into a stream, according to a state order. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and Marlin came to an agreement Tuesday for Marlin to pay $8,655 for violating water quality laws, spokesperson Meg Lockhart said. According to TDEC’s order, Marlin’s development on Nashville Highway and Columbia Rock Road dumped fill dirt into Haley Branch. The violation was discovered at a TDEC inspection on Feb. 14, 2007. Marlin’s construction operation stopped dumping fill dirt into the stream by March 2007 and a permit was issued by TDEC. Marlin and his Nashville attorney William Penny met with TDEC officials and agreed on the fine for the Nashville Highway violation and one other on Cranford Hollow Road, Lockhart said.(Columbia [TN] Daily Herald)(6-20-2008)

Marlin back in the #40; Franchitti update: Former CGRFS driver Sterling Marlin will drive the #40 Dodge Challenger in this Saturday night's Sprint Cup race at Darlington Raceway, while its full-time driver Dario Franchitti continues to recover from a race injury he received in the NNS event at Talladega Superspeedway last month (April 26). At this time, Marlin is confirmed to drive for CGRFS at Darlington only. He raced full-time for CGRFS when the team started in 2001 and drove for CGRFS from 2001-2005 tallying 172 starts, four wins, three poles, 24 top-fives, 57 top-10s and led a total of 1,444 laps. Marlin also tested the #40 Monday and Tuesday at Lowe's Motor Speedway
Franchitti Update: Dario Franchitti, full-time driver of the #40 CGRFS Dodge, will sit out this weekend's NSCS race at Darlington Raceway. Franchitti was fitted for a carbon fiber brace last week but will take another weekend off to give his ankle more time to heal. His status behind the wheel of the #40 Dodge will continue to be evaluated on a week-to-week basis.
Speical Scheme: The #40 Dodge will feature the new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 on its hood this weekend in Darlington, S.C. Powered by a 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine that produces 425 horsepower, the Challenger SRT8 is true to its historical roots, but with modern features that customers expect like SIRIUS Satellite radio, UConnect hands-free phone and MyGIG infotainment system featuring a 30 gig hard drive. For more information about the new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, go to www.dodge.com.(CGRFS)(5-7-2008)

Max Papis in the #70?: UPDATE: Hearing that Haas CNC Racing has talked to Max Papis about running the two Sprint Cup road course races in the #70 car. Papis' agent confirmed talks and said he "feels as though they are close to a deal". Papis was originally planning to drive the Phoenix Racing #09 at both road course events.(4-21-2008)
UPDATE: Max Papis will drive the #70 Haas Automation Chevy during the two road-course races on the 2008 Sprint Cup Series schedule.(Haas CNC Racing PR)(4-23-2008)

Marlin Running at Music City Motorplex: Sterling Marlin has no plans to compete for a Music City Motorplex Late Model points championship this season. He will race for a cause. Marlin said he will split his winnings from his six Motorplex races between Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt University and the Nashville Rescue Mission. First place pays between $1,100 and $3,000, depending on the race. "My grandson was in (the children's hospital) and they took really good care of him," said Marlin, a Columbia resident and two-time Daytona 500 champ. "I wanted to try and take care of some kids and some people that have had misfortune. We eat well at Thanksgiving and Christmas and I know some of those people at the mission may not know where their next meal is coming from. I figured I'd try and help them out a little bit." Marlin will race May 10, June 14, Aug. 8, Aug. 30, Sept. 20 and Oct. 11. Marlin also is racing a partial Sprint Cup schedule with Phoenix Racing. He will attempt to qualify for the Aaron's 499 at Talladega next week and Richmond the following week.(Tennessean)(4-18-2008)

Marlin set to run 10 races in 2008: This year, Sterling Marlin plans to be behind the wheel of the #09 Chevrolet owned by Phoenix Racing for a total of just 10 Cup races -- the two Daytona races, the two Talladega races, several of the short tracks and the season finale at Homestead. The car's primary sponsor is Miccosukee Indian Gaming, which owns and operates a resort and casino near Miami, Fla.(NASCAR.com)(1-16-2008)

2007 News

Phoenix Racing announces Nationwide and Sprint Cup plans for 2008: Phoenix Racing has released its 2008 programs and opportunities. PRI announced the continued relationship with Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, which includes Miccosukee Indian Gaming and Miccosukee Golf and Resorts to support their #1 Chevy for the entire 2008 Nationwide season. PRI will also participate in nine Sprint Cup races. Johnny Sauter will compete for the 2008 Nationwide Championship in the #1 Miccosukee Chevy. Sterling Marlin will pilot the Miccosukee #09 Chevy for seven races with Max Papis driving the two road courses in the Sprint Cup. PRI has secured a contract with Hendrick Motorsports to supply engines in 2008; additional projects with Hendricks and the second Nationwide team will be announced at a later date. PRI is pursuing sponsorship opportunities for a second Nationwide car for the 2008 campaign. "Our second team has a guaranteed starting position in the first five races in 2008 based off our strong performance in 2007; we would like to secure sponsorship or a partner to keep that program going" said Steve Barkdoll the team's General Manager. "We would like to add additional races for Sterling in the Sprint Cup if extra funding can be acquired" continued Barkdoll.(Phoenix PR)(12-5-2007)

Marlin settles with Ginn: Veteran Nextel Cup driver Sterling Marlin said he has settled his legal issues with his former team owner, Bobby Ginn. Marlin and former Ginn teammate, Joe Nemechek, along with two crew chiefs, sued Ginn for breach of contract after they were cut from the team in July. "He did what he said he was going to do," Marlin said Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway. "We got it straightened out this week. We're square." Marlin would not offer specifics but said he was satisfied with the result. He said he has not spoken to Ginn since July. "I let the lawyers handle it and it all got taken care of," Marlin said. As for next year, Marlin said he expects to run about 10 races with James Finch. He will run the Daytona 500 and the races at Talladega Superspeedway. "But from there on out, I don't know," Marlin said.(ESPN.com)(11-12-2007)

Marlin to run #09 at Talladega: during SPEED's Busch Series practice coverage, Sterling Marlin, released from the #14 [now closed] Ginn Racing team in July, said he would drive the #09 Phoenix Racing COT at Talladega Superspeedway the weekend of October 7th.(SPEED's Busch Series practice coverage) Marlin tested the #09 COT at Talladega on September 10-11.(9-21-2007)

Chrissy Wallace wins at Hickory: Chrissy Wallace, daughter of NASCAR driver Mike Wallace, won the 50 Lap NASCAR Bojangles Late Model Stock Feature at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday night [June 2nd]. See results at hickorymotorspeedway.com. It was also the track's 57th birthday.(6-3-2007)

NOTE on #4/#09 Owners Points: have confirmed thru the team and NASCAR that the #109 team of James Finch/Phoenix Racing and the #4 team of Larry McClure/Morgan McClure Motorsports have 'switched' car numbers with Finch now listed as the #4 owner, combing the #109's Daytona points [160] with the #4 points at Las Vegas [34] for a total of 194 and moving up to 38th on the Owners Points list. The switch was made AFTER California, so the #09 team had one attempt. Been told NASCAR has approved this move. Why would the #4 team do this? Race attempts do not matter if a team is in the top 35 of the owners points, so if the #4 can get in the next two races and get in the top-35 they will be guaranteed a starting spot if the team can stay in the top 35.
My 'understanding' of the rules, is that since the #4 is now listed with only 2 race attempts, the team would not get in the race in the case qualifying is cancelled [rain etc] as there are many teams already with three who would get in first. That is how the rule is written, and confirmed with NASCAR.(3-14-2007)

News on the two injured crew members: It appears that Josh Yost, jack man for Jeff Burton's #31 Chevy, suffered his second serious Achilles' tendon injury in less than two years in Sunday's Daytona 500. Richard Childress Racing team spokesman David Hart said Yost suffered an injury to his left Achilles' tendon that doctors described as showing "classic signs of a rupture." In May 2005, Yost suffered a laceration to his right Achilles tendon at Talladega Superspeedway when he was struck by Rusty Wallace's Dodge on the pit lane. That took months to heal. Yost required a wheelchair and had to learn how to walk again. Hart said Yost flew home to North Carolina on Sunday in a splint and will see an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible Monday. Yost wasn't the only crewman injured Sunday. Jeremy Geiter, a crewmember on Mike Wallace's #09 team, suffered an injury to his left foot and ankle after being struck by #26-Jamie McMurray during a pit stop on Lap 176. Geiter told ESPN.com that he and the #09 team were pushing Wallace from the pit stall when McMurray, pitting behind them, pulled out and ran over his left foot. Geiter said doctors informed him he might have a hairline fracture, but that a sprain and bruise was likely the extent of the injury.(ESPN.com)(2-19-2007)

Chrissy Wallace Going for three in a row in Arena Racing: Team ML driver Chrissy Wallace will attempt to win her third consecutive Main race in Arena Racing USA competition Saturday night as she takes to the track for the 'Motorsports Lounge 250' at Cricket Arena in Charlotte. Wallace is the daughter of NASCAR veteran Mike Wallace [#09 Chevy in Cup, #7 in Busch]. The 'Motorsports Lounge 250' takes place Saturday, January 20th at Cricket Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. The doors open at 6pm/et for the "pit party", where fans can go inside the track to meet the drivers and get autographs, and at 7pm/et the racing action starts with the opening ceremonies. Tickets are available through the Cricket Arena Box Office at 704-335-3100. For more information on Arena Racing, visit ArenaRacingUSA.com.(Motorsports Lounge PR)(1-20-2007)

Mike Wallace to run all three NASCAR races at Daytona, #09 to Chevy: Mike Wallace says that he will be attempting the "Daytona Triple" in the NASCAR 2007 season opening events February in Florida. Wallace will drive the #46 Morgan-Dollar Motorsports Chevy sponsored by DirecTV NASCAR Hot Pass in the Craftsman Truck Series race on Friday February 16th. He will then jump into his full time 2007 ride, the #7 GEICO Chevy for Phoenix Racing, in Saturday's Busch Series event. Sunday Wallace will drive the #09 Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts Chevy in the Daytona 500 Nextel Cup race. Both the #46 Truck and #7 Busch vehicles are locked into the field for their races based on last season's points. Wallace will have to qualify and race his way in the Daytona 500 with the #09 car. For more information on Mike Wallace, visit www.mikewallace.com.(Motorsports Lounge PR)(1-13-2007)

2006 News

Mayfield to run the #09 car at Phoenix & Homestead: Jeremy Mayfield, who will run the #36 360 OTC Toyota in the Nextel Cup Seires for Bill Davis Racing in 2007, will run the #09 Miccosukee Gaming Dodge for Phoenix Racing/owner James Finch at Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mayfield is running the #15 Chevy truck this weekend in the Truck Series race at Atlanta.(NASCAR.com)(10-28-2006)

Mike Wallace running all three Talladega events: Hoping that multi-tasking will give him an advantage on the brand new racing surface at Talladega Superspeedway, veteran driver Mike Wallace will run all three races this Oct. 6-8 weekend. Wallace finished sixth in the ARCA RE/MAX Food World 250 and finished 26th in the #15 Chevy for Billy Ballew Motorsports in the inaugural John Deere 250 Craftsman Truck Series race [he finished ]. On Sunday, he’ll be behind the wheel of the #09 Ford Taurus for team owner James Finch and starts 28th. Wallace is the only driver participating in all three races. “I’m the only one who seems to be doing it. I was here, and (team owner) James (Finch) called and said, ‘How about driving it?’ And I went, ‘OK, deal,’” Wallace said.(Speed Channel)

Mike Wallace's daughter to make Late Model debut: This summer, 18-year-old, recent graduate and daughter of Busch and Nextel Cup driver Mike, Chrissy Wallace will continue her move up in the ranks of racing when she will pilot a late model at the famous Hickory Motor Speedway for multiple races. Driving for Performance Center Racing based out of Statesville, NC, Chrissy is scheduled to drive 5 races at HMS.(more on the Mike Wallace site)(7-8-2006)

#09 to skip Richmond; Wallace tests #52 at LMS: James Finch's #09 Phoenix Racing Team has decided to not compete in this weekend's Nextel Cup Series race at Richmond [they tested there] so they can pool all their efforts towards their #1 Miccosukee Gaming Dodge entry in the Busch Series race the day before at the same track. Mike Wallace will continue as the driver of the #1 car this weekend. Also, today Wallace tested the #52 car for Rick Ware at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Wallace will drive the #52 in the Nextel Open race later this month [May 20].(motorsportslounge.com)(5-3-2006)

#09 Now a Ford: it was noted on the Talladega Qualifying Order that the #09 Miccosukee Resort Dodge was changed to the Miccosukee Resort Ford, no word if this is permanent or just for Talladega.(4-28-2006)

Kenny subs for Mike UPDATE: Kenny Wallace, who missed making the Daytona 500, is practicing the #09 Miccosukee Indian Gaming Dodge in Saturday's Happy Hour practice for the Daytona 500. Mike was in an accident in the Daytona Truck Series race and has been diagnosed with a post concussion syndrome. Mike hopes to be cleared to run the Daytona 500, if not Kenny will run the #09.(Speed Channel's Happy Hour TV Coverage)
UPDATE: Mike Wallace reported on Speed's NASCAR Live that hs went to the hospital and has been cleared to race in the Daytona 500 on Sunday.(2-18-2006)

Mike Wallace back in the #09 for at least 7 races: Mike Wallace confirmed with Motorsports Lounge that he will attempt to qualify and race the #09 Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts Dodge owned by James Finch in the 2006 Daytona 500, and run six other races in the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Season, and possibly more if the team can pick up additional sponsorship. "I am excited about going to Daytona with James Finch, Marc Reno and the team," said Team ML driver Mike Wallace. "We do have to qualify to get into the race, but once in, we are going for the win". Wallace and the team are not strangers as he has driven the #09 Dodge many times in the past. Wallace has had multiple top 12 finishes with the team, and came close to winning the Daytona 500 in 2003. Wallace also drove for Marc Reno in his first NASCAR Busch Series race and his first ARCA Series race. "Marc and I have a good working history, and we are confident we will have a good run in Daytona in the #09 Miccosukee Dodge." The team will be taking three cars (one old and two new) to Daytona for testing on January 16th, 17th and 18th [2nd session]. Currently, Mike Wallace and the team are looking to race seven races in 2006, which includes the two Daytona and two Talladega restrictor plate races, Richmond in Sept., night, Bristol in August and Homestead. However, the team is looking to race more events if they acquire additional sponsorship. Interested parties can contact James Finch of Phoenix Racing for details and sponsorship opportunities.(Motorsports Lounge PR)(1-5-2006)

2005 News

Sorenson in the #09 at Homestead: Reed Sorenson is going to get a badly needed Nextel Cup start next week at Homestead thanks to an old friend who has helped his career in the past. Sorenson will drive the #09 Dodge for James Finch, the same car owner who provided the Busch car that Sorenson drove in his second start in that series last year, at Memphis, and recorded his first top-10 finish. Sorenson is set to move to the Cup circuit next year, but unlike most rookies who run the NASCAR maximum of seven races the year before, he has just one start, at Atlanta. Finch said he's glad to help Sorenson advance his career by offering the car to drive at Homestead-Miami Speedway.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(11-11-2005)

2004 News

#09 has parts confiscated: NASCAR inspectors confiscated unapproved fender braces from the #09 Dodge driven by Mike Wallace over the weekend at Richmond.(ThatsRacin.com)(9-13-2004)

Pruett to park it? Look for Scott Pruett, driving the #09 Dodge, to park the car early in the race. The #09 team has done this a few times earlier in the year [once without a pit crew at the Rock] to fill the field and collect the $$. For the brickyard, the intention was for Pruett to run the race, but since the primary car was wrecked in Friday's practice, and the backup was slowest by far during the first Saturday practice and got no Happy Hour practice [Pruett flew to the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series race at the Mid-Ohio]. not really a surprise.(8-8-2004)

and Good News for Pruett: Max Papis and an injured Scott Pruett pushed their #01 Lexus-Riley to a near flag-to-flag win in a Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Saturday, finishing 2.7 seconds ahead of Milka Duno and Andy Wallace in a Pontiac-Crawford. It was Pruett and Papis' third win of the season for the Chip Ganassi Racing team and the best showing for Wallace and Duno since their February win at Homestead-Miami. Pruett, who was injured during Nextel Cup practice for the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis on Friday, found the going painful in the EMCO Gears Mid-Ohio Road Racing Classic, but only when he was going slow. "As long as it was green, with the adrenaline pumping, I didn't notice it," Pruett said. "But under the yellow, I could hardly scrub the tires it hurt so bad." Pruett plans to compete in the Brickyard race today.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(8-8-2004)

3 Wrecks in Friday Practice: Three drivers were involved in wrecks, #09-Pruett, #16-Biffle and #02-Sadler. Pruett was sent to a local hospital to be checked out. No word on who has to go to a backup.(FSN's Totally NASCAR)
AND After evaluation at the infield care center, Pruett was taken to Methodist Hospital for further evaluation and X-rays, IMS officials said. It is unknown what the X-rays were for. Hermie Sadler and Greg Biffle also crashed in practice. Biffle walked away from his wreck, while Sadler was checked and released from the infield care center and was cleared to drive by IMS director of medical services Dr. Henry Bock. Biffle was also checked, released and cleared to drive.(NASCAR.com)
UPDATE: Two accidents took place in short succession in the first hour of practice, and a third occurred 10 minutes before the session ended. At approximately 2:30 p.m. (local time), Scott Pruett did a 180-degree spin midway through Turn 1 and hit the SAFER Barrier with the driver’s side of the #09 Miccosukee Resorts Dodge. The car then slid to the inside of the track and came to rest next to the inside retaining wall in the short chute between Turns 1 and 2.
Pruett was transported by ground to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for further evaluation and X-rays following the accident. He was released later in the afternoon.
Minutes after the track reopened following Pruett’s accident, the #02 SCORE Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Hermie Sadler suffered heavy right-side damage after Sadler hit the SAFER Barrier in Turn 2. Sadler was unhurt.
At 3:50 p.m., Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 National Guard Ford, spun in Turn 4 and hit the SAFER Barrier with the left-rear corner of the car, causing heavy damage. Biffle also was unhurt.
Fans were treated to two special events on Friday morning: the Brickyard 400 Golf Challenge presented by Brickyard Crossing Golf Resort and the Champion’s Chat in the Pagoda Plaza.(IMS PR)
AND #91-Bill Elliott brushed the wall in his Dodge.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-6-2004)

Pruett to run the Brickyard 400: on Speed Channel's Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain Monday night, the guest was Scott Pruett, where it was announced he would drive the #09 Phoenix Racing Dodge for owner James Finch in the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.(8-3-2004)

Belts Illegal And Confiscated Bobby Hamilton Jr's, NASCAR Nextel Cup #09 Miccosukee Dodge had a full set of lap belts confiscated at New Hampshire International Speedway. The red belts had expired in June of 2002, over two years ago.(Insider Racing News)(7-26-2004)

Hamilton Jr. wants to run Nextel Cup in 2005: Busch Series regular Bobby Hamilton, Jr. said he wants to run in the Nextel Cup Series next season, but only if the right opportunity comes along. Right now, he's negotiating a new deal with Team Rensi but admits he's heard things about his career as well. "I've head a couple of rumors myself," he said. "I'm not going to lie. There have been phone calls, but that's about all that they've extended to me so far. We're still negotiating with [Rensi], and as far as I know, I'm here with [Rensi]. As far as hearing a lot of stuff that I've heard, none of it is true."(NASCAR Scene via BGNRacing.com)(7-17-2004)

Hamilton Jr. listed in the #09 at RIR: NASCAR.com's Chevy American Revolution 400 ar RIR Entry List has Bobby Hamilton Jr. in the #09 Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts Dodge.(5-11-2004)

Benson leaves the #09 team UPDATE tests for PPI: been told that Johnny Benson and Phoenix Racing have parted ways. Benson drove the #1 Yellow Frieght Dodge in the Busch Series and #09 Miccosukee Indian Gaming for the team.
AND it is also posted on the Johnny Benson website.
AND II BGNRacing.com has confirmed that Johnny Benson has been released by Phoenix Racing and Jamie McMurray will drive the #1 Dodge this weekend at Richmond in the Busch Series race. A news release will be sent out Tuesday. Benson was scheduled to driver the #09 Dodge in the Cup race at Richmond, no idea if Joe Ruttman, who also drives the #09 car will drive or if someone else will.(5-10-2004)

2nd PPI Team? UPDATE: PPI Motorsports may have a couple cars and a couple crew chiefs in the mix this week when it tests at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, KY. PPI owner Cal Wells III has long craved a second team to run alongside Ricky Craven's #32 Tide Chevrolet. He said the search is picking up steam. "It's a little premature to be talking about a second team," Wells said. "We've been working on some sponsorship opportunities and they're cooking pretty good. We're not quite zeroed in yet on what we're going to do, we're just talking away on it. We're going to take Rick to Kentucky this week (to test)," Wells said. "We're looking at maybe running two cars, the number 32 and 96, to sort through a couple of issues we've got." Former Cup crew chief Joe Garone, who most recently has been a high-ranking official at NASCAR's research and development center in Concord, N.C., will accompany PPI, Garone said at Martinsville. Garone has left NASCAR and is looking to get back into the Nextel Cup garage as a crew chief. Wells said his sponsorship talks might result in a limited program of races later this season. "Our talks have got us close to, not a full deal, but maybe a few races later in the season, in the second half of the year," Wells said. "We're probably looking at something in the last third of the season."(NASCAR.com)(4-22-2004)
UPDATE: Johnny Benson could become a second driver for Cal Wells, as teammate with Ricky Craven, depending on how sponsorship works out. Wells and Craven haven't had great luck this season and Sunday, Craven's engine broke just seven laps into the race.(Winston Salem Journal)(4-27-2004)

#09 Plans to keep running: #09 team owner James Finch says he has sponsorship for 12 Cup races and will continue to run the circuit as long as it's profitable. "I made more money per lap for running four laps at Bristol than Kurt Busch got from winning," Finch says. And he's right. The #09, driven by Joe Ruttman, made $16,583.75 per lap ($66,335 total); Busch made $346.93 per lap ($173,465 total).(FoxSports/Sporting News)(4-5-2004)

Benson in the #09 at Texas: Johnny Benson will drive the #09 Phoenix Racing Dodge at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend, Joe Ruttman was listed on the early entry list.(3-30-2004)

Spencer to the #09 car? Jimmy Spencer is out looking for a full-time Nextel Cup ride and #09 car owner James Finch, a man that Spencer has worked for in the past, is looking at a more full-time operation that he's run lately, and the two could be teaming up. Finch has been a cherry-picker in the past, looking for a few good races. This season he's made all four so far, with Joe Ruttman [and Johnny Benson].(Winston Salem Journal)(3-15-2004)

#09 to have pit crew at Vegas: Allow Phoenix Racing general manager Marc Reno to coin a new term: This weekend, he says, they'll be "legitimate-racing" their #09 car. Reno acknowledges that wasn't the case in the Nextel Cup series' most recent race at North Carolina Speedway on Feb. 22. Driver Joe Ruttman turned only one lap in the #09 car before NASCAR officials "parked" him because he didn't have a pit crew. The team took home more than $50,000 for finishing last. "It's just economics," Reno admits. "People will race if they can get the money." Reno says not having anybody in the pits was "a screw-up on our part" but acknowledged the team had no intention of trying to turn more than a few laps. They'll try to run a competitive race with their Busch Series driver, Johnny Benson, behind the wheel at Las Vegas this weekend. But they'll pull him off the track if he gets in the way of series regulars. The fact that Ruttman even qualified for the race was emblematic of a rising problem in NASCAR. Even in a slowly recovering economy, most of NASCAR's high-profile teams have been able to retain primary sponsors and attract associate sponsors. But that hasn't been the case for a few respectable mid-pack teams that have run out of money and stopped showing up at the racetrack. That has created an opportunity for so-called "field fillers," part-time teams who see no shame in showing up, staying out of the way and grabbing a small chunk of the race purse in NASCAR's big-time series. NASCAR vice president of communications Jim Hunter called Ruttman's run "kind of a sham" and said officials would prevent it from happening in the future. "If we know somebody's doing that, we're not going to allow that," Hunter said. But while NASCAR would prefer fully funded teams to field fillers, the situation has provided a compelling underdog story in driver Carl Long. Long managed to make the race at North Carolina Speedway, only to mangle his car in a crash. In a TV interview as he left the infield hospital, Long mentioned that he might not be able to continue racing. The car was his, and he didn't have money to fix it. Fans have sent in small donations in to his Web site totaling more than $9,000. That isn't enough money to fix the car, but Long is getting at least one more chance to race. The Score Motorsports team, owned by veteran driver Hermie Sadler and former NBA player Bryan Stith, are bringing a car and a pit crew to Las Vegas for Long. The car he'll be driving is a Pontiac the team built last season. Pontiac no longer officially races in NASCAR, but its cars are still legal. "Carl taking that flip at Rockingham has turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to him," Sadler said. "I told him, 'You've got to shine while you can, because a month from now, people will be talking about somebody else." Reno, meanwhile, objects to the term field filler. "We're ahead of Michael Waltrip and the 99 car (in owner points) right now. What does that make them?"(USA Today)(3-3-2004)

How Ruttman found out he was racing at the Rock: Joe Ruttman, who ranks racing just behind baby-sitting, discovered he would be qualifying for his first Cup race since 1995 while sitting in #09 car owner James Finch's trailer before the Daytona 500 on Sunday. "He walked in and asked for my address," said Ruttman, a 13-time winner in the Craftsman Truck Series who will turn 60 in October. "Then, he started filling out an entry form, and he said, 'You do have a NASCAR license, right?' Then he said, 'Sign here.'"(Richmond Times Dispatch)(2-21-2003)

Benson in the #09 UPDATE 4 schedule; and Benson to the Busch car: Word in the Daytona International Speedway garage area Monday is that Johnny Benson would make an unexpectedly quick return to the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Benson is expected to test James Finch's Phoenix Racing #09 car when the final three-day round of Nextel Cup Preseason Thunder opens Tuesday morning. Benson was released at the end of last season by MBV Motorsports, despite having another year on his contract, and has been seeking another ride. Finch has run a limited schedule of Winston Cup races in past seasons, most recently with Mike Wallace in 2003.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(1-12-2004)
UPDATE: David Stremme's site says Stremme is out of the #1 Phoenix Racing Dodge Busch ride and that he will run for Braun Racing [#19/#30] with support from Chip Ganassi. Rumor has Benson running the full season in the #1 Busch Dodge.(1-13-2004)
UPDATE 1a: The plan is for Benson to drive the #09 Dodge, owned by James Finch at Daytona. He will be part of the field qualifying for a spot in the Daytona 500. Benson will NOT be testing the car at Daytona this week. Joe Ruttman will be handling the testing duties. The plan is for Benson to run eight Cup races in this car in 2004. No word on the Busch team/plans.(1-13-2004)
UPDATE 2: hearing that Dodge is pushing to get John Andretti in the #1 Phoenix Racing entry.(BGNRacing.com)(1-13-2004)
UPDATE 3: Joe Ruttman is a hired gun at Daytona International Speedway this week, testing the #09 Dodge for crew chief James Ince. Johnny Benson is scheduled to drive the car this season.(Daytona Beach News Journal), been told that James Ince is NOT with the team and not at the track.(1-14-2004)
UPDATE 4: Johnny Benson has agreed to drive the #09 Dodge owned by James Finch. Their first race will be in Daytona - Johnny will be part of the field qualifying for a spot in the Daytona 500. Benson will NOT be testing the car at Daytona this week. Joe Ruttman will be handling the testing duties. Benson will be making a trip to Daytona to check things out.
Johnny Benson's Schedule #09 Dodge NEXTEL Cup
Daytona - February 15th
Las Vegas - March 7th
Talladega - April 25th
Richmond - May 15th
Daytona - July 3rd
Richmond - September 11th
Talladega - October 3rd
(Schedule Subject to Change) This is the information we have as of today - more information to be coming. There may be more races added to the schedule based on sponsorship.(JBFC Site)(1-14-2004)
AND MORE: James Finch apparently has an agreement with Johnny Benson to pilot his cars in at least 8 and perhaps as many as 13 Nextel Cup races this season. Phoenix Racing Team Manager Marc Reno says Joe Ruttman is testing their #09 Dodges because Benson's agreement wasn't reached prior to testing at Daytona in time to change seats which were fitted for Ruttman. Meanwhile, Finch's Busch Series team is driver shopping after David Stremme, who is under contract with Ganassi Racing, was moved over to Braun Racing. Reno says Ganassi Racing decided it was not in their budget to further support Finch and the Yellow Transportation Dodge team. Reno said "To be pure and simple about it, if they're not gonna put support behind him (Finch) we're not gonna train their rookie for them...we're gonna put a veteran in, and race." Reno says Benson could run their BGN cars as well and John Andretti is also in the mix. Also, the door could be open for Jimmy Spencer to re-join the team and Reno plans to talk with his former driver. Spencer, who won races in the Yellow Dodge, was forced out when Ganassi decided to back Finch's efforts. Spencer says right now his plans are to "keep going on" with the 7-car and owner Jim Smith and "see how far we can go, I guess."(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(1-14-2004)
UPDATE 5: Pheonix Racing car owner James Finch has signed Johnny Benson to run the Busch Series full-time in the #1 Yellow Transaportation Dodge. Benson will also compete in eight to fifteen next Cup events in the #09 Dodge. Finch said John Andretti was also considered.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(1-15-2004)

2003 News

Mike Wallace in the #09 for six races: Mike Wallace will drive the #09 Miccosukee Indian Gaming Dodge, owned by James Finch, in six Cup races through the end of the season. Wallace finished ninth in Finch's car in the season opening Daytona 500. "I'm excited to be teaming up with James Finch and the Miccosukee Indian Gaming people again," said Wallace. "It's no secret that James brings good equipment to every race and I'm looking forward to the six races that we've been able to put together." Wallace will drive Winston Cup races at the following tracks: Richmond on Sept. 6; Talladega on Sept. 28; Kansas on Oct. 5; Atlanta on Oct. 26; Phoenix on Nov. 2; and Homestead on Nov. 16. "Back at the beginning of the season, James and I looked at a schedule like this," continued Wallace. "But, as the season went on I had the chance to drive for the Army and we put this on hold. As things worked out, I'm available again and I appreciate being able to put this deal together. I look forward to all the tracks that we're racing on. Talladega is one that I really look forward to along with Phoenix where I had my career best Winston Cup finish, a second, in 2001. "Driving for James, we'll be strong at each race." Along with the six NASCAR Winston Cup Series races, Wallace will continue at the wheel of the #4 GEICO Chevy for Busch Series competition.(Biagi Bros PR)(8-26-2003)

Finch may field Toyota truck team: The latest on the Toyota front: car owner [#1 Busch, #09 Cup] James Finch is expected to field a Toyota factory truck next season. No word on the driver. Finch is a Dodge business partner with Chip Ganassi this season, and Ganassi has been hotly rumored to be headed eventually to Toyota.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-26-2003)

Waltrip's Carb Pulled, other parts taken UPDATE Two Week Suspension?: NASCAR officials confiscated the carburetor from Michael Waltrip's #15 Chevy during pre-qualifying inspection Thursday morning at Daytona International Speedway. Winston Cup series director John Darby said the carburetor had problems with openings through which air travels. Larger openings theoretically can mean increased horsepower, especially at Daytona and Talladega where NASCAR mandates speed-reducing carburetor restrictor plates. Darby said Waltrip's Dale Earnhardt Inc.-owned team will likely be penalized. No penalties are expected until early next week, however. Waltrip, who won the season-opening Daytona 500, said he was not aware of any problems on his car when asked about it Thursday afternoon. Waltrip's car was also found to have unapproved window braces. The carburetor, as well as other unapproved parts confiscated Thursday, will be placed on display at the NASCAR hauler on Friday, Darby said.(ThatsRacin.com)(7-3-2003)
AND Kyle Petty 's #45 Dodge had unapproved rear jacking bolts confiscated during an inspection before practice.(Roanoke Times)
ALSO: taken was an unapproved spring from the #09 Dodge of Buckshot Jones.(ThatsRacin.com)(7-4-2003)
UPDATE: An illegal carburetor discovered during inspection at Daytona was expected to bring a penalty, possibly a two-week suspension, for Richard “Slugger” Labbe, crew chief for #15-Michael Waltrip. Expect Bobby Kennedy, Waltrip's Busch Series crew chief, to make the calls on race day, if needed.(Sporting News)(7-7-2003)

Pruett at Sonoma: Matt Chambers will serve as crew chief for #09-Scott Pruett this weekend. The team will be comprised of CGR's test team members. In addition to running the #09 Target Dodge in the Winston Cup race at Infineon Raceway, Pruett will also race in the Trans Am Road Racing Series for Rocketsports Racing.(PR)(6-18-2003)

Pruett in Target car at Sonoma: Target Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced today that road-course specialist Scott Pruett will drive a fourth entry for the team at Sonoma this weekend. Pruett will be entered to drive the #09 Target Dodge [listed as the Phoenix Racing/James Finch #09 team] in the Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway on June 22, 2003. This is in addition to Ganassi's current stable of drivers: #40-Sterling Marlin, #41-Casey Mears and #42-Jamie McMurray. "I'm excited to put Scott behind the wheel of the Target Dodge this weekend in Sonoma," owner Chip Ganassi said. "Scott has a proven track record on road courses and has had great finishes with our team in the past two years. This team is committed to winning and adding value to our sponsors." Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates has hired Pruett on two other occasions. Last year, Pruett drove the #41 Target Dodge to a sixth place finish at Watkins Glen. In 2001, Pruett qualified eighth and finished 11th at Watkins Glen in the #01 Ganassi entry. "It's great to be able to work with the Chip Ganassi racing team again," Pruett said. "This is a first class organization that's out to win races. I'm hoping to take the Target Dodge to the Winner's Circle in Sonoma." Pruett has one full season of NASCAR Winston Cup experience under his belt, racing in 2000 for #32 PPI Motorsports in its first season in the NASCAR Winston Cup series. Pruett's best finish was 10th place in the Brickyard 400. In addition to racing in the Trans Am Road Racing Series for Rocketsports Racing in 2003, Pruett also serves as a race announcer for Speed Channel's CART races.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(6-16-2003)

Buckshot back: Buckshot Jones will be driving the #09 Miccosukee Resorts & Gaming Dodge for Phoenix Racing and team owner James Finch in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona. He will be filling in for Mike Wallace who is subbing for Jerry Nadeau in the #01 US Army Pontiac.(Buckshot PR)(6-13-2003)

Ruttman Testing the #09 at Daytona this week UPDATE: Phoenix Racing and the #09 Miccosukee Indian Gaming Dodge with test driver Joe Ruttman will be preparing for the 45th annual Pepsi 400 on Saturday night, July 5 at Daytona International Speedway. Ruttman is scheduled to test on Tuesday, June 3 and Wednesday, June 4, 9:00am - 5:00pm/et. The #09 car has a strong record at Daytona, coming home third in the 2002 Daytona 500, capturing the outside pole for last year's Pepsi 400 and posting a top-10 finish in the 2003 Daytona 500. The test session is free and open to the public with access to a section of the Oldfield Grandstand through the lobby of DAYTONA USA.(Speedway PR)(6-2-2003)
UPDATE: On Tuesday at Daytona International Speedway, Ruttman tested a pair of owner James Finch's #1 Transportation Dodges in preparation for the Busch Series 250 on Friday night, July 5. Jamie McMurray, in his rookie Winston Cup season driving the #42 Havoline Dodge, will be behind the wheel of the #1 Dodge for the NASCAR Busch Series 250. The 58-year-old Ruttman regularly tests for Finch and expects to be back at Daytona in a couple of weeks for another test session with the #09 Miccosukee Indian Gaming Dodge that will compete in the 45th annual Pepsi 400 on Saturday, July 5. Finch had slated Mike Wallace to drive the #09 car in the mid-summer classic. But Wallace was recently tapped as the substitute for the injured Jerry Nadeau in the #01 Army Pontiac leaving Finch with a driver vacancy that he has yet to fill. Ruttman, who has won an ARCA race at Daytona in 1982 and most recently captured the 2001 Florida Dodge Dealers 250 Craftsman Truck Series race, didn't hesitate when asked if he would be interested in driving in the Pepsi 400 for Finch. "Are you kidding me?" Ruttman said. "I keep thinking each year, maybe this is my year to try it." Ruttman will continue the test session on Wednesday. Testing is free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand through DAYTONA USA. Tickets for both the Pepsi 400 and the NASCAR Busch Series 250 are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.(Speedway PR)(6-4-2003)

#09 Car? Who drives? been asked, have not heard who will drive the #09 Phoenix Racing Dodge in future races [Daytona and Talladega, maybe Homestead] since Mike Wallace is now with the #01 US Army car.(5-17-2003)

Mike Wallace to sub for Nadeau: Mike Wallace will be the substitute driver for Jerry Nadeau in the #01 U.S. Army/MB2 Motorsports Pontiac, it was announced. Wallace, 44, will be filling in for Nadeau, who is recovering from injuries sustained in a practice crash last Friday at Richmond International Raceway. His first race in the U.S. Army car will be The Winston Open, May 17 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "We're appreciative that Mike has agreed to drive the U.S. Army car during Jerry's absence," said Jay Frye, general manager of MB2 Motorsports. "Mike has a vast amount of experience and we're confident that he will do a great job. This is a difficult time and we are fortunate to have a veteran like Mike, who will help all of us get through it." In two Winston Cup starts this season with #09 Phoenix Racing, he recorded a ninth-place finish at the Daytona 500. Additionally, in 2003, he has competed in the Busch Series with the #4 Biaggi Brothers car. After 10 starts, he's 12th in the points with one top-five and two top-10's to his credit. "First, let me say how much we're all hoping for a speedy recovery for Jerry," offered Wallace after accepting the U.S. Army ride. "I'm looking forward to helping this team out. It's a very good, quality race team. I fully understand that I'm helping out on an interim basis. The goal is to keep this car good in the points until Jerry comes back. Perhaps, we can even win a few races along the way."(US Army Racing PR)(5-7-2003)

#09 To Attempt Darlington UPDATE Incorrect: The Mike Wallace Official Discussion Forum is reporting that the #09 Phoenix Racing team and driver Mike Wallace will attempt to make the Darlington Cup race this weekend.
UPDATE: Mike Wallace will NOT be behind the wheel of a Winston Cup car at Darlington this weekend. "I guess there are some rumors on the internet that I will be in a Cup car this weekend, but I know nothing about it," said Wallace in a telephone interview this afternoon. Wallace will however pilot the #4 Busch Series entry of GEICO Racing in Saturday's running of the darlingtonraceway.com 200 from Darlington Raceway.(Biagi Bros. Racing)(3-11-2003)

Phoenix Racing crew chief quits: Johnny Allen, crew chief of the #1 Busch Series team and car chief of the #09 Cup team, abruptly left the team in the middle of the day Saturday. Marc Reno, who crew chiefs the #09 Cup team, will assume the job for Las Vegas..(XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio need subscription)(3-1-2003)

Mike Wallace the first UPDATE: When #09-Mike Wallace starts the Daytona 500, he will become the only driver in the speedway's history to race in Friday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, Saturday's Busch Series race and Sunday's main event for the Winston Cup Series. He finished sixth in the truck race and fourth in the Busch Series race. He starts 18th today.(Augusta Chronicle)
UPDATE: not only was Wallace the first to do this, but he finished in the top 10 in all three races.(2-16-2003)

Finch moving North: James Finch has bought Buckshot Jones' shop in Spartanburg, SC, and plans to move his full-time BGN [#1 Yellow Freight Dodge] and part-time Winston Cup [#09 Dodge] operations from their present location in Lynn Haven, FL, in the next few months. Finch, who is teaming with Chip Ganassi to field Dodges for Jamie McMurray and David Stremme this year, says he will go for the Busch Series championship in 2004.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(2-12-2003)

Mike Wallace to run the #09 in slected 2003 races: Mike Wallace will drive the #09 Winston Cup car for James Finch and Phoenix Motorsports for five races and maybe more if sponsorship develops. The five races are both Daytona and Talladega races and Homestead. The car will be sponsored by a Indian tribe's Casino in Florida and will run more races if more sponsors step up. All of this is in addition to the 12 BGN races Wallace will run for the Biagi Brothers in the #4 with Geico as their sponsor.(Mike Wallace Forum) hearing the sponsor will be Miccosukee Indian Gaming, no idea what is happening with Geoffrey Bodine for 2003.(1-4-2003)

2002 and before News

Bodine news - all three, Todd back with the #26? Geoffrey testing the #26 and for Brett, run Daytona with APR? in the 24 hours of Daytona? Geoffrey Bodine along with Jerry Nadeau embarks on a tour with the Armed Forces Entertainment Program in support of "Operation Enduring Freedom", to help maintain morale for service members in Afghanistan and other Southeast Asia sites for a week. Bodine's brother Brett was supposed to be a part of that group, but business commitments forced him to change his plans. Once back, Geoffrey Bodine will be testing the #26 Haas Carter Motorsports Ford for brother Todd, who is still recuperating from back surgery in November. Geoffrey tested for the team on Dec. 12 and 13 at Talladega Motor Speedway. Haas Carter's Web site said the team expects to have its sponsorship package for 2003 signed very soon, with Todd as its driver. Speculation is that the Army National Guard will be one of the team sponsors [Jayski note: but that is supposed to be the sponsor for the #54 BH Motorsports team]. Geoffrey will also help conduct tests for middle brother Brett Bodine [#11] in January, with Geoffrey testing a second team car to the #11 driven by Brett. Brett is finalizing his 2003 plans, which will likely see the Hooters restaurant chain return as the team's sponsor and involved somehow in the ownership of the team. Geoffrey's plans for 2003 are beginning to take shape after he split with the #09 James Finch-owned Phoenix Racing team last month. Bodine did a limited schedule of races for that team, finishing a best of third in the Daytona 500. Bodine, who has sponsorship from the Miccosukee Indian Gaming casino for a limited Winston Cup schedule, has been shopping for a new team. Geoffrey is supposedly talking to Andy Petree Racing [#33 and #55] about driving for them in the Daytona 500. However, the Web site www.thatsracin.com reported that team owner Andy Petree has secured a single-race sponsor for his #55 car in the Daytona 500. The name of the sponsor has not yet been released, but Web site www.jayski.com reported that it may be motor home builder Monaco Coaches. Petree had been lining up Ken Schrader as his driver, but Schrader signed with BAM Racing on Friday. Petree is now looking for a replacement driver. If a deal with Bodine materializes, the Indian gaming casino, which is based in Florida, will probably show up as an associate sponsor on a Petree car for Daytona. As for the remaining Winston Cup races that Bodine has sponsorship for (thought to be 12 to 20 races), Bodine has not said whom he'll eventually hook up with. Also, Geoffrey Bodine could join fellow Cup drivers Kevin LePage and Kyle Petty in competing in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona sports car event on Feb. 1 and 2. Cegwa Sport Daytona Prototype team is interested in him for the ride in the prestigious endurance race. The team will field a 4.3-liter Toyota-powered Fabcar this year in the series, which makes two stops at Watkins Glen International.(Star Gazette)(12-26-2002)

Bodine not back at Phoenix? hearing that Phoenix Racing (#09 Ford in 2002) will run a Dodge in a few selected Cup races in 2003 and Geoffrey Bodine will not be back with the team. Supposedly Bodine has a 12-20 race sponsorship from Miccosukee Indian Gaming, no word on what team he may run for.(12-3-2002)

Geoffrey Bodine plans 12-20 Cup races in 2003: Geoffrey Bodine said he is working on a deal to run 12 to 20 races in 2003. Miccosukee Indian Gaming has agreed to sponsor 12 races and Bodine is talking with several other tribes that are considering sponsoring the team in additional events. Bodine will run the BGN and Cup races at Homestead and his son Barry will run the CTS race there also.(Winston Cup Scene - need subscription to read online)(10-24-2002)

Geoffrey Bodine in the #23 at Martinsville for practice/qualifying: Kenny Wallace, who is the primary driver of the #23 Hills Bros. Coffee Dodge, will be unable to be at Martinsville on Friday and Saturday this weekend, as he will be in Memphis competing in the BGN race. Wallace took over the full-time driving duties for the #23 car at Darlington earlier this year; however, his primary obligation for the remainder of the 2002 season is to the #48 Stacker 2 car in the BGN Series. Geoffrey Bodine has been chosen to fill in for the absent Wallace. "When Kenny agreed to take over the driving duties for the No. 23 car earlier this year, we knew there would be two races, Talladega and Memphis, in which he had conflicts with the schedule," said car owner, Bill Davis. "At Talladega, we chose a Bill Davis Racing driver, Scott Wimmer, to substitute for Kenny.. We couldn't use Scott at Memphis, as he had the same conflict that Kenny does. Both those drivers are in a points battle in the Busch Series, so both of them need to put their full attention to that event. Fortunately, Geoffrey (Bodine) agreed to fill in for Kenny and we are very grateful to him coming in and helping us out in this situation.. The plan is to have Geoffrey practice and qualify the No. 23 car and then have Kenny start from the rear on Sunday. His knowledge and experience at a track like Martinsville will be an asset to this team.". Equipment:. Wallace and the Hills Bros. Coffee Racing Team are taking the same car to Martinsville that competed earlier this year at the fall Richmond event where it finished 14th and at the fall Loudon event where it finished 18th.(Bill Davis PR)(10-15-2002)

Geoffrey Bodine finishes 24th, former CTS driver wins: In the days leading to the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series New Hampshire 125, much of the talk was about New York state native Geoffrey Bodine returning to the division for the first time in 19 years. When the dust settled from one of the wildest finishes ever at New Hampshire International Speedway, Chuck Hossfeld (former Roush Racing CTS driver), 25, came out on top Saturday. It was the first Modified Series victory for Hossfeld, of Ransomville, NY, who drives for owner Bob Garbarino of Mystic. Mike Stefanik of Coventry, R.I., was second and John Blewett III of Howell, N.J. third. Bodine, 53, finished 24th as the last car on the lead lap in his first Modified race since 1983.(Hartford Courant)
Also see images of Bodines car in the race at www.horizonassociates.com/loudon/.(9-15-2002)

Geoffrey Bodine to run NHIS in a modified: Geoffrey Bodine will attempt to qualify for the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series New Hampshire 125 on Sept. 14 in a car owned by Don Barker of Newtown. Bodine has not driven in a Modified since 1983. Barker currently fields a car for rookie Todd Szegedy of Ridgefield. "I've been friends with Geoff for many years," Barker said. "He came over to see us at [NHIS] when we raced there [in July]. When he was standing next to the car I said, `Hey Geoff, what do you think of this?' He said `This is gorgeous, I love it.' I said `It runs as good as it looks, and, by the way, I have another one back home just like it in case you ever get itchy.' "Two weeks ago he called up and said `Hey, are you serious?' ... He said he'd love to make a comeback and do a race up there. I just told him I would make that happen." Bodine, a native of Chemung, N.Y., was a terror in a Modified in the Northeast in the 1970s. He won track championships at Stafford Motor Speedway in 1975, '77 and '78. Bodine has 18 career Winston Cup victories, including the 1986 Daytona 500. His last Winston Cup victory came in 1996. He has never raced in the Featherlite Modified Series, which began in 1985.(Hartford Courant)(9-6-2002)

Been asked so..... how can another team use the #09 that Geoffrey Bodine is running this year, as Shame Lewis is at Watkins Glen, a race Bodine will not run. Remember, NASCAR owns the numbers, not the teams and NASCAR works with teams to use a number if they wish to do so. Here is what I hear from the Geoffrey Bodine Fanclub that "The team [Shane Lewis] called Geoffrey Bodine and asked if they could use the number so they would at least have some points to fall back on if they needed it to make the field. Bodine and team owner James Finch both gave permission to Shane Lewis and his team to use the number for Watkins Glen since Bodine wouldn't be running the race. Plus the owners points will go to Finch's #09 team". Two teams using the same car numbers in a season is not unheard of and is common in the BGN and CTS and in the Cup season we have the #27 being used by Kirk Shelmerdine and Scott Wimmer, when both run, Shelmerdine uses the #72.(8-6-2002)

Geoffrey hopes for a full run in 2003: Count Geoffrey Bodine among those looking for a full-time ride in Winston Cup next season, but he said no one should be worried he's going to try to take someone else's job. "I'm not trying to get any ride that's sitting out there today," said Bodine, who has run several races this season for car owners James Finch and Travis Carter. "I'm not trying to knock anyone out of their seat or influence any owner that's here." We have our own program we're working on. Now, if somebody comes along and says, 'Hey, we'd like to have you drive the car,' I'd have to talk to them, but hopefully, I won't have to do that." Bodine said he hoped to put a program together for 2003 with Finch or Carter. His best finish this season was third at the season opening Daytona 500 in a Finch-owned car. "As far as I'm concerned, I don't have anything to prove to anybody. Results are proof enough," he said. "We've had some good ones this year already in the limited schedule that we've run."(ThatsRacin.com)(7-27-2002)
UPDATE: Bodine says he has a verbal commitment from Miccosukee Indian Gaming for 13 Cup races in 2003 and they are saying they want to do the whole season. Also Miccosukee Indian Gaming will sponsor a Busch car and Truck, along with the Cup car at Homestead in Novemeber.(MRN's NASCAR Today)(7-31-2002)

Bodine to drive for Bodine: Geoffrey Bodine will drive the #26 Discover Card Ford this weekend at the Pocono Raceway. His brother Todd is committed to running the Busch Series event at Pikes Peak International Raceway on Saturday night making it impossible for him to arrive in Pennsylvania in time for Sunday’s Pennsylvania 500. This is not the first time Geoffrey has helped out his younger brother this season. However, it marks his first official driving duty from start to finish for the Discover Card Racing program. Geoffrey is excited to compete this weekend since he boasts an impressive record at the 2.5 mile oval … three wins and two poles. Plus, he holds the track record for the most laps led with 810.(Cox Marketing PR)(7-23-2002)

Geoffrey adds Richmond race to schedule: quote from Bodine: "The Miccosukee Indian Gaming Motorsports Group has signed on to sponsor us for Richmond. They also plan to field a Craftsman Truck entry for Barry at Homestead as well as Busch and #09 Winston Cup entries for me. We will have more details soon. I want to thank everyone for their support. We will be testing new race cars at Indy on July 15th and 16th, and feel very positive about our performance there."(Geoffrey Bodine Fan Club site)(7-8-2002)

New Scheme for Geoffrey Bodine at Daytona: Geoffrey Bodine and Miccosukee Indian Gaming Motorsports will debut this new paint scheme for the #09 Ford Taurus during the Pepsi 400 race on July 6th. See the Geoffrey Bodine Fanclub site for the image.(6-12-2002)

Sad News: during an interview on FX's tape delayed qualifying show from Talladega, Dr. Dick Derggren interviewed Geoffrey Bodine, driver of the #09 Miccosukee Indian Gaming Ford (qualified 23rd) who said (paraphrasing as best as I can) - "This is really a tough time for me Dick. I had a birthday yesterday, but I also had a tragedy in my life, my fiancée of 6 years died last week. So I'm.standing here with mixed emotions, such a good car, and a good run and a lot of opportunity here, but my heart's really hurting right now, but we will get through the weekend. Angela would want me to be here, so we're here. But, we're gonna miss her. Going to be hard to get through this, but we will." That is all I know and have seen nothing on the Geoffrey Bodine Fanclub site (besides stuff on the forum in response to this interview).(4-20-2002)

Bo-Dyn bobsled on display at LMS: Ten years ago NASCAR Winston Cup driver Geoffrey Bodine dreamed of building a bobsled that could capture Olympic gold for the United States. After seeing that dream become a reality earlier this year, Bodine will bring one of the Bo-Dyn bobsleds to the Food Lion AutoFair, the world's largest automotive expo, April 4-7 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. As part of the four-day Food Lion AutoFair, Bodine will autograph bobsled posters to raise money for the Bo-Dyn project in the Food Lion Pavilion on Saturday, April 6 from 1-3 p.m. In return for a small donation, show-goers can also sit in the sled while having their picture taken with the NASCAR driver and Bo-Dyn project-founder. The Bo-Dyn bobsled is one of many feature exhibits that will be on display during AutoFair. The event features show cars from nearly three dozen car clubs, thousands of parts and memorabilia vendors plus a collector car auction. See more at the Lowes Motor Speedway site.(3-21-2002)

Bodine adds Indy, Phoenix and Atlanta(Oct): #09-Geoffrey Bodine says he will run as many as 10-12 races this season in cars from owner James Finch's Phoenix Racing shops. Sponsorship would come from the South Florida Miccosukee Indian tribe and its associates. Phoenix crew chief Marc Reno said his crew, which also operates Finch's BGN program that fields #1 Yellow Freight cars for Jimmy Spencer, is currently working on a couple of new Winston Cup chassis. Bodine, 52, started the year knowing the Miccosukee Indian Gaming Group would sponsor his #09 Ford in both races at Daytona, along with the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Miccosukee tribe stepped up to underwrite the two races at Talladega Superspeedway after Finch said he would reward Bodine's effort by running there anyway. They didn't stop there. "We're going to do Talladega, Daytona (Pepsi 400) and Homestead with the Miccosukee tribe," Bodine said. "And they came on to do Indy (Brickyard 400), Phoenix and Atlanta at the end of the year -- and maybe a few others to make 10-12 races this year." Bodine said the tribe, who have previously confined their sponsorship to events in their home state of Florida, "are talking to some other tribes to get them involved." When Finch's team came to Daytona, all it had in its Winston Cup arsenal was a pair of Ford Tauruses. Reno said the two cars currently under construction to do the Brickyard 400 test in June could become either Fords or Dodge Intrepids.(NASCAR.com)(3-5-2002)

Bo-Dyn Sleds gets silver and bronze in Men's 4 man : The United States bobsled teams are using Bo-Dyn sleds at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, designed and heavily funded by NASCAR driver Geoffrey Bodine. After eight years of work and a lot of money, a Bo-Dyn sled helped bring home the gold. Bodine, from Chemung, N.Y., and his son, Barry Bodine, left the East Coast on Wednesday to attend events this weekend. The U.S. four-man USA-1 team of Todd Hays, Randy Jones, Bill Schuffenhauer and Orlando's Garrett Hines did Bodine proud by winning the silver medal Saturday night, while USA-2 won the bronze with Brian Shimer, Mike Kohn, Doug Sharp and Dan Steele aboard. And on Tuesday, Jill Bakken and Vonetta Flowers stunned the field, winning the gold medal in the inaugural women's bobsled competition and breaking a 46-year drought in the sport for the United States.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(2-24-2002)

Bodine gets another race UPDATE: Two years ago, Geoffrey Bodine watched the Daytona 500 from his hospital bed after surviving a spectacular crash in a truck race. He finished third Sunday after starting 35th. “I'm not over the hill yet,” said Bodine, 52. His performance gained him additional support from the Miccosukee Indian Gaming Commission, which says it will back him at Talladega.(Sporting News), as of now Bodine is scheduled to run the #09 James Finch Miccosukee Indian Gaming Ford at Daytona in July and Homestead in Nov, and now Talladega - assuming the race in April.(2-18-2002)
UPDATE: on FSN's Totally NASCAR, Bodine was interviewed and said that the phone has been ringing off the hook and that he and #09 team owner James Finch hope to attempt 10-12 races this year and from 20 to a full schedule in 2003, if the funding can be found.(2-21-2002)

Bo-Dyn wins Gold: Jill Bakken and Vonetta Flowers stunned the field Tuesday night, winning the gold medal in the inaugural women’s Olympic bobsled race and breaking a 46-year drought in the sport for the United States. The bobsledders employed a Bo-Dyn sled Tuesday, designed and heavily funded by NASCAR racer and Chemung native Geoffrey Bodine. After eight years of work, and a lot of money, the Bo-Dyn sled took home a medal – and not just any medal, the gold. Bodine is scheduled to leave for Salt Lake early today, but he missed the first-ever medal run by one of his sleds. “I told (Geoffrey) they’re probably partying tonight and he said, ’You can bet they’ll be partying tommorrow when I get there,’” Bodine’s assistant, Lisa Cox, told The Leader late Tuesday. The gold medal rounds out a nearly perfect week for Bodine who finished third in the Daytona 500 Sunday, two years after almost perishing in a crash at the same track. The other U.S. team of Jean Racine and Gea Johnson, also using a Bo-Dyn sled, had been favored to contend for a medal and overshadowed Bakken and Flowers leading up to the race [they ended up 5th]. In the end, though, it was the USA-2 team that had the fastest combined time in the two runs, 1 minute, 37.76 seconds. Flowers, the team’s brakewoman and a former track star at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, became the first black athlete to win a Winter Olympic gold medal.(The Leader)(2-20-2002)

Budweiser Shootout....Bodine out? UPDATE 2 No In: here is a rule I had not heard of or seen elsewhere, from a Fox Sports article - Guns a blazin for Shootout: "To get in [the Budweiser Shootout], a driver must have earned a pole position in the previous season or have won a previous Shootout and finished in the top 50 in points. This year a record 22 drivers are eligible, including six first-time pole winners from 2001." So since Geoffrey Bodine was not in the top 50 in drivers points in 2001, so guess he is out. For more info see my Bud Shootout 2002 page
BUT the Daytona Intl Speedway site has Bodine listed in the Shootout in column: Traffic Will Be Fast And Furious In Budweiser Shootout
UPDATE: NASCAR sources tell me Bodine is eligible for the Budweiser Shootout and plans to run the race(2-4-2002)
UPDATE 2: Geoffrey Bodine will drive a [#09] Phoenix Racing Ford in Sunday's Budweiser Shootout. Bodine, a former winner of the event, also will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 in a Phoenix Racing entry Saturday. Jason Leffler, who won a pole last year but lost his Chip Ganassi Racing ride, will not drive in the Shootout. Leffler is driving in the Truck Series for Ultra Motorsports this season. That leaves 22 drivers in the race, with the starting order to be determined today. (Daytona Beach News Journal)(2-7-2002)

ThatsRacin.com: Geoffrey Bodine gives bobsledders an edge - Salt Lake 2002 - The patron saint of American bobsledding has an unlikely pedigree. Geoffrey Bodine has spent most of his life racing cars by Scott Fowler(2-2-2002)

Salt Lake City 2002: NASCAR’s Bodine: Good ol’ boy of bobsleigh - Veteran racecar driver builds success for U.S. bobsleigh team by William Murray(1-29-2002)

Geoffrey Bodine 2002 plans UPDATE: NBC 6 in Charlotte reported tonight that Geoffrey Bodine has secured sponsorship for at least three races in 2002, at both Daytona races and Homestead. Sponsorship reportedly to come from Miccosukee Indian Gaming [the sponsor for Bodine at Homestead]. Bodine is looking for a team to supply the cars/engines and is working with a few but could also end up with brother Brett [#11 Ford] if nothing else works out but feels he is close to working out cars and engines with a couple of teams. Geoffrey Bodine also is working on another deal that would allow him to run 18-20 Cup races in 2002.(NBC 6)(12-13-2001)
UPDATE: Geoffrey Bodine finalized his Daytona 2002 plans today [12-18-2001] and will be driving for James Finch and Phoenix Racing. They will be testing at Daytona during the first test session, January 7th, 8th and 9th, with the 10th being a rain date. The car number and other specifics are still in negotiations and will be reported as soon as the information becomes available.(Geoffrey Bodine fanclub site), Finch also runs the #51 Ford for Jeff Purvis on a limited basis, supposedly with Lance Snacks as the sponsor in 2002(12-19-2001)

#51 Team gets a 2002 sponsor: Lance Snacks has reportedly agreed to sponsor Phoenix Racing and driver Jeff Purvis in four to eight Winston Cup races next year. Purvis and owner James Finch are slated to run the Oct. 21 Winston Cup race at Talladega.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(10-18-2001)

Subway to the #51: it was mentioned during the Fox TV coverage of the Talladega BGN race that the Subway sponsorship that was going to be on the #27 Eel River Racing Pontiac with driver Kenny Wallace will now run on the #51 Phoenix Racing Ford and driver Jeff Purvis since Kenny Wallace failed to make the race(4-21-2001)

Finch/Purvis to run Cup: Jeff Purvis will drive for Phoenix Racing as the team returns to Winston Cup superspeedway racing. The team also decided to venture back into Winston Cup with an old friend - Purvis - who competes in the Busch series with Joe Gibbs Racing. Purvis and Finch teamed on dirt tracks all the way to the big tracks for more than a decade before parting ways in 1998. They have, however, discussed joining forces again the past few years, Purvis said. The opportunity came with Bill Elliott's decision to chunk his Fords and join the new Dodge team. His brother, Ernie, called Finch to gauge his interest in the engines Ernie Elliott had built. Finch purchased the engines, is having some car bodies assembled and will run the four Winston Cup superspeedway races with Fords next year at Talladega and Daytona. Sponsorship for the four Winston Cup races has not been secured, but given the success Phoenix has had at NASCAR's two longest tracks and the $190,000 to be earned for making the field for the Daytona 500, the payoff could be sufficient to make sponsorship an afterthought(News Herald)(12-10-2000)

Finch to Run some Cup races: #1 BGN team owner, James Finch has purchased Ford equipment from Bill Elliott's operation to run in a handful of Winston Cup races next season. He says he will probably continue to field Chevrolets in the BGN. Jeff Purvis may be the driver for Finch's Cup runs(Winston Cup Scene Magazine)(11-16-2000)

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Jayski's® is a registered trademark of Jayski LLC
Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form without permission or credit.