#14 [was #10] Team Past News and Rumors
2006 News

  • Marlin to drive Camp Boggy Creek scheme at Daytona: When Sterling Marlin climbs behind the wheel of his #14 Ginn Clubs & Resorts Chevy for this weekend's Pepsi 400 at Daytona, he'll be stepping into a piece of art. Three campers from Camp Boggy Creek, a summer camp for seriously ill children, started their creative engines and put their own design to the Ginn Clubs & Resorts car for Saturday night's race. With only a blank template in hand, the three children let their imaginations race, collaborating to make their vision become a reality with millions of spectators viewing the creation this weekend. Camp Boggy Creek, based in Eustis, Fla., falls under the Hole In The Wall Camps umbrella which is also home to Randleman, N.C.-based The Victory Junction Gang Camp. Tori Tiger (15), Jake Westfield (13) and Zachary Robinson (10) were the three lucky children from Camp Boggy Creek chosen to participate in the creation. Complete with flashy colors, racing stripes, polka dots and stars, the #14 Chevy is sure to stand out when it roars around Daytona International Speedway. The deck lid of this weekend's #14 Chevy will carry an Easter Seals logo. The nonprofit organization won a spot on the Ginn Clubs & Resorts car in a charity go-cart event earlier this month between Marlin and Bill Elliott. The official unveiling of the car will take place Thursday, June 29 near the infield media center at Daytona International Speedway.(MB2Motorsports PR),see an image of the car on my #14 Team Schemes page.(6-29-2006)

  • Crew Chief change at the #14 team: MB2 Motorsports announced today that Scott Eggleston will take over the crew chief duties on Sterling Marlin's #14 Chevy, replacing Doug Randolph, who will be reassigned to a new position. Eggleston's first race as Marlin's crew chief will be this weekend at the Nextel Cup road course event at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA. The reassignment of Randolph along with additional team changes will be announced in a couple of weeks according to Jay Frye, MB2 Motorsports CEO and general manager. "We're going through a restructuring, and once completed, we strongly feel it will be beneficial for the entire MB2 Motorsports organization," said Frye. "We welcome Scott, who has worked with Sterling in the past. The working chemistry that Scott and Sterling have established will be a strong asset for the #14. Regarding Doug, he will continue to play an integral role in our organization." Eggleston, of Springfield, VA, was Marlin's crew chief at SABCO Racing for 22 races in 1999 and for the full season in 2000. His best finish as Marlin's crew chief was second at the 2000 road race at Infineon. "Hopefully, we can duplicate the performance or even finish one better on Sunday," said Marlin. "I look forward to being reunited with Scott."
    "Sterling and I have been close friends ever since we worked together at SABCO," said Eggleston, who joined MB2 in May as a research and development advisor. "I feel this team has potential and look forward to working with Sterling and the crew. Our goal is to be a challenger week in and week out." Eggleston, 43, started working as a mechanic for Petty Enterprises in 1989 and eventually worked into a crew chief role at SABCO in 1998 with Joe Nemechek's car. Eggleston was also the crew chief for Michael Waltrip when he won the 2001 Daytona 500 for DEI Motorsports. Along with his crew chief duties at SABCO and DEI, Eggleston also was a crew chief for Morgan-McClure Motorsports for part of 2001 and the full season in 2002. Before joining MB2, his most recent position was competition director at FitzBradshaw Racing.(MB2 Motorsports)(6-21-2006)

  • DEI and MB2? UPDATE 3 merge denied: There's speculation that Teresa Earnhardt [who own's DEI, #1,#8,#15] is planning to buy MB2 Motorsports, with drivers #01-Joe Nemechek and #14-Sterling Marlin, in addition to the ongoing speculation that she may be planning to sell DEI to John Menard, a home-improvements czar who has long been involved in racing. Marlin, who drives for the Jay Frye-run MB2 Chevy operation, said he has heard the sale talk, but that he doesn't know what's going on. Ryan Pemberton, the crew chief for Nemechek, said he has talked with Frye about it, but he's not sure, either, what might be going on behind the scenes. Earnhardt doesn't grant interviews, and Frye isn't due here until today. So yesterday it was up to Richie Gilmore, the general manager at DEI, to try to explain the situation. "We're not selling out," Gilmore said. "Our plans right now are to go to a three-car operation next year with Paul Menard (John's son). John is a great sponsor for us, and we do a lot with Menard's, engines, and he's at our company a lot, and I guess people speculate when they see him around."(Winston Salem Journal)(6-3-2006)
    UPDATE: According to sources in the NASCAR garage MB2 Motorsports could merge with, or be sold to Dale Earnhardt Inc. MB2 still has unsold sponsorship inventory available for Sterling Marlin's #14 car, and the team's other driver, #01-Joe Nemechek, is said to be on Toyota's short list for 2007.(Ford Racing)(6-4-2006)
    UPDATE 2: Jay Frye, the general manager and part-owner of the MB2 team, said that much of the speculation about a DEI-MB2 merger is just that, speculation. "Everyone's got this four-team program idea, but we're like two and they're like two.... so how do we both do things more efficiently together," Frye said. "That's how this all got started. Our buildings are four minutes apart. So we're trying to work together on this car of tomorrow. It's not about engines; it's about car-building. Everything beyond that is purely speculation."(Winston Salem Journal)(6-5-2006)
    UPDATE 3: MB2 Motorsports officials say the team isn't for sale, but minority owner Jay Frye has had discussions with Dale Earnhardt Inc. about working together on the competition side. "Becoming more efficient is what we've talked about going into next year," Frye said Sunday. "... There's lots of different programs that are starting next year with the 'car of tomorrow' and things like that. We've talked to them about how maybe, as a group, we can do things [like build transmissions, gears or even cars] more efficiently together. It's all just ideas at this point. Nothing [concrete]. It's, 'How can we work together to make things more efficient.' Everything else has just blown out from that." Frye said the team, controlled by majority owner Nelson Bowers, is not for sale. But the fact that Frye has been to DEI's shop and Richie Gilmore, DEI's vice president of competition, has been to MB2 has sparked talk that DEI would buy MB2, with John Menard then buying DEI. Gilmore agreed that nothing is for sale. DEI has previously said that it would field a third full-time team for Paul Menard (John Menard's son) starting in 2007. DEI would like to expand, but Gilmore said there are no plans to purchase MB2. Frye said talks are still exploratory, sparked by the car of tomorrow. Teams will not only have to build versions of their current cars for 2007, but the newer car as well. Frye said the two organizations would need to form an alliance within the next two months to get a start on next season.(SceneDaily.com)(6-5-2006)

  • Ginn Clubs back on the #14 for Darlington: Ginn Clubs & Resorts returns to the #14 MB2 Motorsports Chevy that Sterling Marlin drives at Darlington Raceway. Ginn was the sponsor on the car at Martinsville and is scheduled to be on the car as the primary sponsor for Daytona in July and Lowe's in October.(MB2Motorsports PR), see an image of the scheme on my #14 Team Schemes page.(5-11-2006)

  • 30 Years for Marlin in Cup: When #14-Sterling Marlin takes the green flag for Saturday night's Crown Royal 400 at Richmond International Raceway it will be two days shy of the 30-year anniversary of his first NASCAR Cup start. Marlin made his NASCAR Cup debut on May 8, 1976 at Nashville Speedway, substituting for his father, Clifton “Coo Coo” Marlin, who sustained a shoulder injury during an ARCA qualifying session at Talladega Superspeedway the week before. When it became evident that the elder Marlin wouldn’t enter the Nashville race, he made a deal with his son, “If you can fix it, you can race it.” Sterling took his father up on the offer and climbed behind the wheel of the #14 Cunningham-Kelley Chevy soon after. Though the 18-year-old Marlin posted an uneventful, but respectable finish of 29th in his maiden ride, it was the beginning of a high-profiled journey for the Columbia, TN native. Saturday's race in the #14 Waste Management Chevy will mark Marlin’s 685th start in the Cup series. To date, his career statistics include 10 wins, 83 top fives, 215 top 10s, 11 pole positions and earnings of more than $37 million.(MB2 Motorsports PR)(5-4-2006)

  • More sponsorship for Marlin coming UPDATE: Expect a sponsorship announcement soon from MB2 Motorsports about additional funding for Sterling Marlin’s #14 Chevrolet. Currently, the team has sponsorship for about half the Nextel Cup schedule, but is close to finalizing more deals. An announcement could come next week at Martinsville.(Speed Channel)(3-26-2006)
    UPDATE: MB2 Motorsports announced that Ginn Clubs & Resorts (pronounced GHIN) has agreed to be a primary sponsor on Sterling Marlin's #14 Chevy for three Nextel Cup races and Kraig Kinser's Silverado for one Truck Series race. The sponsorship package kicks off this weekend at Martinsville Speedway with Ginn Clubs & Resorts being the primary sponsor on Marlin's #14 entry for Sunday's Cup race and Kinser's #29 [not #47?] entry for Saturday's truck race. Kinser, an MB2 Motorsports development driver, is part of the Morgan-Dollar Motorsports truck team. The agreement also calls for Ginn Clubs & Resorts to sponsor Marlin's MB2-owned Chevrolet -- July 1 at Daytona and Oct. 14 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Ginn Clubs & Resorts, based in Celebration, Fla., is a privately held resort development and management firm specializing in exclusive leisure lifestyle and vacation destination communities in the United States. The company first partnered with MB2 as the primary sponsor on Bill Elliott's #36 Chevy during February's Daytona Speedweeks.(MB2 Motorsports PR), more info on Ginn Clubs & Resorts at ginnclubsandresorts.com.(3-27-2006)

  • Wiley X Eyewear donates to USO: In commemorating its first primary sponsorship in NASCAR when they sponsored #14-Sterling Marlin in the MB2 Motorsports Chevy at Las Vegas, Wiley X Eyewear donated 500 pairs of its revolutionary High Velocity Protection tactical goggles along with a check for $5,000 to the United Service Organizations (USO) to support the American men and women in uniform serving overseas. Making the presentation prior to Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was Myles Freeman Jr., vice president and co-owner Wiley X Eyewear, Sterling Marlin, MB2 driver and Myles Freeman, president and owner of Wiley X Eyewear.(MB2Motorsports PR)(3-14-2006)

  • Congrats: to Danielle Frye, MRN reporter and wife of MB2 Motorsports [#01, #14, #36] CEO and general manager Jay Frye, gave birth March 8th to daughter Emerson Daye at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Emerson weighed in at 7 pounds, 2 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. Emerson joins 2-year-old sister Addison Rece in the Frye household.(3-9-2006)

  • Congrats II: MB2 motorsports Parts coordinator, K.C. Brooks and his wife Niki who is employed at Wachovia bank in charlotte, welcomed baby girl Kaylee Nicole on Monday, Feb 27th@ 7:26am weighing 6lbs. 3oz. and was 20 inches long.(3-9-2006)

  • #14 and Marlin to be sponsored by Wiley X Eyewear at Vegas: Wiley X Eyewear (pronounced Y-lee), a manufacturer of sports, casual and tactical eyewear, will be the primary sponsor on Sterling Marlin's #14 Chevy this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The MB2 Motorsports entry will carry the black and red colors of Wiley X, a company that was lauded by the New England Journal of Medicine in the Dec. 9, 2004 issue. The renowned weekly medical publication stated that Wiley X ballistic eyewear was one of the main reasons for the decreasing amount of eye injuries suffered by soldiers. Along with being a major supplier to the U.S. Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies, Wiley X produces sophisticated sunglasses for both causal, active wear and specialty eyewear for the motorcycle, mountain/street bike, hunting, boating and fishing markets to name a few. Wiley X is not a stranger to motorsports. The company is in its second season as an associate sponsor on the MB2-owned #01 U.S. Army Chevy driven by Joe Nemechek. Wiley X has also established an official status with the International Race of Champions (IROC) circuit. For additional information about Wiley X Eyewear and its products, search the company's web site at: wiley-x.com.(MB2 Motorsports PR), see an image of the car on my #14 Team Schemes page.(3-6-2006)

  • Centrix on the #14 at Calif: Sterling Marlin will pilot the #14 Centrix Auto Finance Chevy in this weekend’s event at California (MB2 Motorsports PR). Waste Manahement was the sponsor at Daytona and will be for 11 more races with Centrix being on the #14 for another race in 2006. The team is still looking for more sponsorship for the remsining races.(2-22-2005)

  • Teamsters Send Message with banner Flying over Daytona 500: The Teamsters Union denounced Waste Management Inc. (WMI) for its ongoing assault on minority sanitation workers by commissioning a plane to fly a 50-foot banner over the Daytona 500 speedway for two hours that read, "WMI and NASCAR Want Some Drivers to Lose." WMI, the nation's largest private trash hauler, is a sponsor of NASCAR's diversity programs despite attempting to impose deep wage, retirement, health care and pension benefit cuts on its predominantly minority sanitation truck drivers in Washington D.C. and New York. The company's work force is overwhelmingly African American and Latino. NASCAR's steering committee is chaired by basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson.(Yahoo Biz), Waste Management also is the sponsor of the #14 Chevy driven by Sterling Marlin.(2-19-2006)

  • Marlin to a backup car: What looked to be a very successful run at Daytona International Speedway for Sterling Marlin turned into a nightmare when an incident under caution damaged the #14 Waste Management Chevy, forcing the team to a backup car for Sunday's Daytona 500. Marlin showed a strong performance in Thursday's first of two Gatorade Duel 150-mile qualifying races, starting eighth and running as high as fourth several times. Then on Lap 58 of 60, the caution flag waved, setting up a green-white-checkered restart. As Marlin followed the field across thestart-finish line for the final caution lap, he was caught off guard as several other racecars slowed to avoid debris and the result was a wrecked racecar. By going to a backup car he will be forced to start the Daytona 500 from the rear of the field.(MB2 Motorsports PR)(2-17-2006)

  • MB2 Update on sponsorship: MB2 Motorsports CEO Jay Frye said Tuesday that the team right now has sponsorship commitments for only 14 of 36 races this season for Sterling Marlin’s #14 Chevy [12 with Waste Managment, 2 with Centrix]. Frye said he expected to have another partial sponsor signed by week’s end to take 12 additional races and has some good candidates to sponsor the car in the remaining 10 dates. As for the team’s part-time #36 third car, which will be driven at Daytona by Bill Elliott, it only has sponsorship for two races at the moment. Frye said if he can find funding for it, Elliott, Boris Said or both could do some additional races behind the wheel.(Speed Channel)(1-25-2006)

    2005 News

  • Marlin's sponsor to be announced today UPDATE 2: MB2 Motorsports is scheduled to announce their sponsor at Homestead for Sterling Marlin, who will drive the #14 Chevy for the team in 2006. Hearing the sponsor will be Waste Management, who has sponsored Matt Kenseth in some 2005 Busch Series races and Bill Lester in a few Truck Series series.
    UPDATE: ...Waste Management, a Houston-based company that specializes in environment-friendly waste disposal, will be introduced this morning as one of Marlin's new sponsors. Waste Management will be aboard for the season-opening Daytona 500 and approximately one-third of the season. Two other corporate sponsors will be announced later. Marlin also said he won't be able to drive a partial Busch Series schedule for FitzBradshaw Motorsports next year as he had planned. "FitzBradshaw fields Dodges in the Busch Series and since I'll be driving a Chevy in the Cup Series I won't be able to run the Busch car," he said. The development also squelched the plans of Marlin's son, Steadman, to share the Busch ride. Marlin said his son is exploring some options "and hopefully something will turn up."(Tennessean)(11-19-2005)
    UPDATE 2: Waste Management and MB2 Motorsports announced the companies have formed a racing platform that will commence with the 2006 NASCAR season. The agreement calls for Waste Management to be a primary sponsor for 12 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races and a major associate sponsor for 24 other points races on MB2's #14 Chevrolet, which will be driven by Sterling Marlin. Waste Management's first primary sponsorship race will be the season-opening Daytona 500, Feb. 19. Waste Management is also an associate sponsor on MB2's #01 U.S. Army Chevrolet, driven by Joe Nemechek. Jay Frye, MB2's chief executive officer and general manager is continuing to work out details with additional partners to join Waste Management as a primary/associate sponsor with the #14 team. Along with the MB2 partnership, Waste Management will continue as an Official Sponsor of NASCAR. The Company will work with NASCAR on its diversity initiative to make the sport "on and off the racetrack" look more like America. More info on Waste Management at wm.com.(MB2 Motorsports PR), see an image of the car on my #14 Team Schemes page.(11-19-2005)

  • Childers goes to Evernham; Randolph back as #10 crew chief UPDATE 2: hearing that current #10 MB2 Motorsports team crew chief for Scott Riggs, Rodney Childers, will leave after the race at Texas so start working at Evernham, gettting ready of the new #10 Valvoline Dodge that Riggs will drive in 2006. Hearing former #10 MB2 crew chief, Doug Randolph will finish out the season with Riggs and supposedly will be Sterling Marlin's crew chief on the #14 MB2 team in 2006.(11-4-2005)
    UPDATE: Sterling Marlin will have Doug Randolph as crew chief next season in the #14 at MB2 Motorsports. The team's current crew chief, Rodney Childers, will join Scott Riggs at Evernham Motorsports.(Sporting News)(11-7-2005)
    UPDATE 2: MB2 Motorsports announced that Doug Randolph will be the crew chief for the team's #14 Chevrolet, which will be driven by Sterling Marlin in 2006. MB2 also announced that Randolph will replace Rodney Childers as crew chief of Scott Riggs' #10 Valvoline team for the remaining two races of 2005. MB2's #10 will change to #14 next season. Randolph joined MB2 following the 2003 season as crew chief for Riggs' Chevrolet. He held that post until June of this year when he was named race coordinator and driver development manager. As MB2's driver development manager, Randolph worked closely with 20-year-old Kraig Kinser and directed the sprint car racer to a pair of strong performances in the ARCA RE/MAX Series.(MB2 Motorsports PR)(11-8-2005)

  • Marlin to run #14? UPDATE: hearing MB2 Motorsports will run the #14 [not the #02 or #35 as was rumored] on the 'old' #10 team [which is going with Valvoline and Riggs to Evernham Motorsports - but not the owners points]. Marlin's late father, Coo Coo ran the #14 for much of his career.(10-25-2005)
    OFFICIAL Marlin to MB2 #14: MB2 Motorsports announced that two-time Daytona 500 champion Sterling Marlin has agreed to a multiyear contract to drive the team's #14 Chevrolet, beginning in the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup season. The #14 will replace MB2's #10, and the 2005 owner points earned from the #10 will transfer to the #14 [currently 32nd]. The new number is in honor of Marlin's father, Clifton "Coo Coo" Marlin, who drove the #14 while competing in NASCAR in the 1960s and 1970s. Mr. Marlin passed away in August. "Sterling's experience, success and popularity bring a new dimension to our growing organization," said Jay Frye, MB2's CEO and general manager. "He continues to have the desire to win. It's a great fit and we look for the #14 team to have a lot of success in 2006." Regarding sponsorship for Marlin's #14 Nextel Cup entry, Frye said that details are still being worked out with potential partners. "We're offering a unique sponsorship package," said Frye. "The package consists of three 12-race primary partnerships that come with a large 24-race associate sponsorship."
    "You look at MB2 and see a racing organization that is on the upswing," said Marlin. "The Army team and Joe Nemechek have proved that. This is a great opportunity to land with a first-class operation that has the necessary resources to be competitive. I still have some unfinished business as a driver and that's why I am really excited about joining MB2 Motorsports," Marlin added. "And to drive a car with the same number that my father drove makes the move even more special."(MB2 Motorsports)(10-26-2005)

  • Kinser wins ARCA Race: Driving the #10 U.S. Army/CENTRIX Financial/Rally's Chevrolet as a member of MB2 Motorsports driver development program, Kraig Kinser started from the pole and led 83 of 113 laps and won the ARCA RE/MAX race on Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway. "This is sweet," said the 20-year-old son of many-time World of Outlaws sprint car champion Steve Kinser. "MB2 gave me a great car and the Hendrick engine was awesome." Kinser, who took the checkered flag 0.168 seconds ahead of Kyle Krisiloff, didn't have much time to enjoy the Food World 300 victory. Following the customary Victory Lane photos and media interviews, he boarded a private airplane for Williams Grove, Pa. to compete in Saturday night's World of Outlaws main feature. Kinser was competing in only his second career ARCA race. Along with guidance from crew cheif Doug Randolph and team spotter Roman Pemberton, Kinser also received advice from 75-year-old Hall of Fame driver, Red Farmer, who called Kinser in Victory Lane to congratulate him. Kinser's father, who won an IROC race at Talladega in 1994, was back in Pennsylvania preparing for Saturday night's sprint car race. He was given a play-by-play of the closing laps via cell phone from his boyhood friend and team pilot Chuck Myers.(MB2 Motorsports PR), see more and results at ARCARacing.com.(10-2-2005)

  • MB2 Motorsports New Home almost ready: The NASCAR Nextel Cup teams of MB2 Motorsports are scheduled to move into their new facility in Mooresville, N.C. the week of Oct. 10. The 144,000-square foot complex will give the multi-team organization more than three times the space of its current shop in Concord, N.C. "This will be our third shop since MB2 Motorsports was founded in the summer of 1996," said Jay Frye, MB2's CEO and general manager. "Our first shop was in Mooresville, and when we look back at the size of that facility at 8,000 square feet and compare it to what we're about to move into, it really hits home how far we have come in a relatively short period of time." The state-of-the-art new MB2 headquarters, located in Iredell County east of I 77 at exit 33, will also include a fan-friendly viewing area of the spacious race shop.(MB2 Motorsports PR)(9-28-2005)

  • Marlin to MB2 in 2006? UPDATE 4 Done Deal: hearing that Sterling Marlin could be part of the MB2 Motorsports stable of drivers in 2006, replacing Scott Riggs. MB2 is also grooming 20-year-old World of Outlaws driver Kraig Kinser. The 20-year-old driver is part of MB2's driver development program and will make his MB2 debut today in the ARCA race at Michigan International Speedway. He qualified second for the ARCA event. Kinser, son of racing legend Steve Kinser, won Sunday's Knoxville National in central Iowa, the most prestigious event in the World of Outlaws series.
    the #10 Valvoline team with driver Scott Riggs is losing Valvoline as the sponsor and will change car numbers, hearing either #35 or #02, rumored sponsors include: Allstate, Big Lots or/and State Farm. Riggs had a contract extension on the table, but MB2 recently pulled it. Riggs could end up in Evernham Motorsports #10 Valvoline Dodge.(Jayski)(8-19-2005)
    UPDATE: Sterling Marlin has talked to MB2 Motorsports about taking over what's now the #10 car for next season. MB2 Motorsports GM Jay Frye says Marlin is on his short list. Sponsorship and a car number have not been decided, but the team has petitioned NASCAR for 02 or 35. Current driver Scott Riggs, who finished a career-high second at Michigan, is expected to continue with Valvoline and the #10 at Evernham Motorsports.(Sporting News)(8-22-2005)
    UPDATE 2: Sterling Marlin appears headed to MB2 Motorsports next season as a teammate of Joe Nemechek, although the veteran racer from Columbia said yesterday the deal is not finalized. "It's a good team with a good engine program," Marlin said. "Joe has won with it." Marlin is expected to take over the team's #10 Chevrolet [will be #35 or #02] currently driven by Scott Riggs. Riggs will move [with the car #10 and Valvoline] to Evernham Motorsports next year. "We're still talking," Marlin said of MB2. "We should know something soon."(Tennessean)(8-27-2005)
    UPDATE 3: been told the announcement will be soon, Marlin to the #35 Chevy for MB2 Motorsports.(9-3-2005)
    UPDATE 4: Sterling Marlin confirmed yesterday that he will race the next two seasons for MB2 Motorsports as a teammate of #01-Joe Nemechek. "I've got a deal," Marlin said, "and it's a good one." The 48-year-old racer from Columbia will replace Scott Riggs, who is jumping to Evernham Motorsports next year. MB2, based in Concord, N.C. [sson to be Mooresville], could have followed the recent trend in NASCAR and picked one of a dozen young drivers with a more polished image than Marlin, a self-described "country boy." But team official Jay Frye said "age equates to experience," and that Marlin's lack of pretension is appealing. "Sterling has no baggage," Frye said. "Everybody likes him." And it wasn't just Marlin's personality that landed him the ride. "We think he can still do it," Frye said. "We've very excited about the next couple of years." Frye said details on Marlin's new sponsor and car number are still being finalized. "They've got good people and a good motor program," Marlin said. "It's a team with a great future." Marlin said he is relieved to get his new deal finalized because it's the last one he will have to negotiate. "Two more years is all I want," he said. "After that I'm done."(Tennessean)
    AND The signing of Sterling Marlin to drive the #10 Chevrolet [#35 in 2006 probably] of MB2 Motorsports is still in the works, but an insider estimated the official announcement may be a month away. Apparently the sponsorship details are still being worked out, and it’s unlikely that an official an-nouncement will be made until the sponsor is officially signed.(Gaston Gazette)(9-10-2005)
    AND II: Frye has said sponsorship is promising, although a full announcement will have to wait until details are finalized. He says the new car number has not yet been chosen, although #'s 02 and 30 are under consideration.(Speed Channel), although #35 is the number I keep hearing for the car to replace #10.(9-11-2005)

  • Riggs signs with EMS to run #10 Dodge in 2006 UPDATE 3: The runner-up finish for #10-Scott Riggs was the best of his two years in the Cup Series and came at a time when there is a big question mark over where he will race after this year. Riggs could re-sign with MB2 Motorsports, which brought him to NASCAR's top series, but there are also reports he will follow current sponsor Valvoline to Evernham Motorsports, joining current Evernham drivers Mayfield and Kasey Kahne in 2006. "What, what I can tell you right now is that nothing is in stone yet," Riggs said after Sunday's race. "I'm sure that things will be happening pretty quick here the next week or two. But this run doesn't dictate what's going to happen for me next year. This run just helps all the guys with their morale and keeping their chins up and knowing we're going the right kind of things that we need to do. It doesn't affect next year."(ESPN.com/AP), Sterling Marlin is rumored to replace in the un-numbered MB2 Chevy.(8-22-2005)
    UPDATE: hearing that Scott Riggs has signed a 2-year deal to drive the #10 Valvoline Dodge for Evernham Motorsports and the deal will be announced at Bristol.(8-24-2005)
    UPDATE 2: Evernham Motorsports to announce plans for the #10 Valvoline Dodge at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, Aug 27th around 2:45pm/et.(8-25/27-2005)
    OFFICIAL Valvoline Evernham Racing, a partnership between Valvoline and Evernham Motorsports, announced that Scott Riggs will be the driver of the #10 Valvoline Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series in 2006. Evernham Motorsports and Valvoline entered into a partnership earlier this year for the team which will operate from the recently completed third facility at the Evernham Motorsports complex. Valvoline will be the primary sponsor for the #10 Valvoline Dodge Charger for at least 22 races and an associate sponsor for the #10 Dodge Charger for the remaining events on the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup schedule. In addition to maintaining the inventory of racecars, Evernham will also provide engines and the team will have full access to Evernham R&D. Riggs is currently in his second season of competition in the Nextel Cup Series as the driver of the MBV #10 Valvoline Chevy. In 58 events, Riggs has three top-five and six top-10 finishes, including a second-place finish at Michigan. He claimed his first career pole earlier this year at Martinsville. A crew chief for the team will be announced later. Much of the team personnel will transfer to the #10 team from Evernham Motorsports' #91 team. The third full-time team allows Evernham Motorsports to continue to grow and expand its operations. An expanded stable allows Evernham Motorsports to accelerate its R&D efforts, increase its test dates [doesn't look like that in 2006], enhance its ability to collect and analyze data and make improvements more quickly and efficiently. "This is a new era in Valvoline's long racing tradition," said Valvoline Designated Team Owner Jim Rocco. "As is the case with our current team, Valvoline will leave the running of the team - the competition, personnel and equipment - to Ray and his team. Valvoline's expertise is marketing and we will continue to make our NASCAR Nextel Cup Series racing effort serve the needs of our family of brands, which include Valvoline, Eagle One and Zerex." The paint scheme for the #10 Valvoline Dodge Charger will be unveiled later this year.(Clear!Blue/Evernham Motorsports PR)(8-27-2005)

  • Sad News: Clifton "Coo Coo" Marlin, one of NASCAR's early stars and father of current Nextel Cup driver Sterling Marlin, died Sunday after a battle with lung cancer. He was 73. Marlin died in his hometown of Columbia, Tenn., said officials from Chip Ganassi Racing, which fields cars for Sterling Marlin. Sterling Marlin had returned home from this week's race in Watkins Glen, N.Y., to be with his father. Scott Pruett was scheduled to replace him in Sunday's event. Although he never won a NASCAR points race, Marlin was one of the sport's earliest stars. A hard-nosed racer who made his name racing around the short tracks in Tennessee and Alabama. He became a regular at the Tennessee Fairgrounds, running against the likes of Bobby and Donny Allison and Red Farmer. Marlin won his first title at the Fairgrounds in 1959. He added titles in 1962, then again in 1966 and 1967 and his four titles are a record at the now-defunct race track. Marlin moved onto NASCAR, where he made 165 Cup starts from 1966 to 1980. He had no wins, but earned nine top-fives and 51 top-10 finishes. His series best points finish was 20th in the 1975 season. Recognized as a driver, Marlin also was well-known for a blue collar work ethic that kept him maintaining the land on his Tennessee farm until his death. He passed that work ethic on to his son, Sterling, who despite being a two-time Daytona 500 winner still spends his weekdays working on the farm.(ESPN.com/AP)
    AND: Members of Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates will begin racing festivities this morning at Watkins Glen International with heavy hearts as the driver of the #40 Coors Light Dodge, Sterling Marlin, mourns the passing of his father, Coo Coo Marlin. Sterling made his way back to Tennessee to be at his father's side in their home state late Thursday night. Coo Coo passed away early this morning from lung cancer in Columbia, Tenn. The elder Marlin was a pioneer in the NASCAR industry and very instrumental throughout Sterling's racing career. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Coo Coo's name to the American Lung Association. Ganassi pilot Scott Pruett will handle the driving duties in the #40 machine for Marlin in light of the situation for this afternoon's 92-lap Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates)(8-14-2005)

  • More changes at MB2/MBV? Riggs to leave? UPDATE team hopes to keep Riggs: Following closely on this week’s promotion and transfer of top technical personnel, expect some major announcements from the MB Motorsports organization in the next couple of weeks. The team, which campaigns Nextel Cup cars with drivers #01-Joe Nemechek, #10-Scott Riggs and (part-time) #36-Boris Said, soon will announce the signing of a well-known sprint-car driver to an ARCA/Busch/Cup program [known as the ABC program] for 2006, sources close to the team said. This will be the first step in a full-blown driver-development program. That driver is said to be Kraig Kinser. The team has been a cooperation among the MB2 (Nemechek) and MBV (Riggs) teams, with sponsor Valvoline to now owning part of the MBV team. Valvoline apparently intends to sell its part of the operation to MB2 founding owner Nelson Bowers and associates, with Valvoline remaining as associate sponsor on Riggs's #10. Centrix, sponsor of Said's effort, will step up to the top position [primary sponsor of the #10].(Speed Channel Notebook), and hearing Scott Riggs, driver of the #10 MBV team could end up at Evernham, Penske [#2] or the #6 Ford of Roush Racing.(6-12-2005)
    UPDATE: Jay Frye, CEO/General Manager of MB2/MBV Motorsports, said on Speed Channel's NASCAR This Morning that the team plans to do everything it can to re-sign Scott Riggs and keep him in the #10 Chevy.(6-12-2005)

  • #10 Tire Changer OK: Richard Boyle, the rear tire changer on Scott Riggs' #10 Chevy of MB2 Motorsports , escaped serious injury when he was struck by Ricky Rudd's #21 Ford during a pit stop on Lap 18. Boyle, who was hit when Rudd's car was bumped by the #66 Ford of Kevin Lepage, was treated and released from the track's care center. The wreck also spoiled Rudd's hope of a fine finish in his last ride in the Wood Brothers' #21 Ford. The damage to his car doomed him to a 37th place finish.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(11-21-2005)

  • Checkers Fields Two Cars this Sunday at Homestead: Checkers will field two cars at the NEXTEL Cup race this Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, creating a unique "race within a race" that will give sports fans one more opportunity to gear up for the intra-Florida rivalry on the football field set for the following week Scott Riggs will drive the #10 Checkers Florida State University Seminole Chevrolet, racing head-to-head with Kyle Petty, who will drive the #45 Checkers University of Florida Gator Dodge. Checkers will donate $5,000 to the "race within a race" winner's charity of choice. 1:24 scale Gator and Seminole die cast cars are being sold as part of this program with a portion of the proceeds of the sale to benefit the scholarship programs at both universities. The cars will be available for purchase this Saturday and Sunday at all AmeriCrown merchandise trailers at the track, and can also be purchased online at gatorsnolesracing.com(PR). See images of the cars on my #10 Teams Schemes page and #45 Teams Schemes page.(11-19-2005)

  • Centrix to sponsor #10 at Texas: Scott Riggs will visit Texas Motor Speedway this weekend where he will pilot the #10 Centrix Financial/Valvoline Chevrolet in Sunday's Nextel Cup Series Dickies 500. The primary sponsorship on Riggs' car in Texas will be the blue, white and gold colors of Centril Financial. Valvoline, Riggs’ major sponsor for the majority of the 36 point races, will take on an associate role during this weekend's race.(MB2 Motorsports)(11-3-2005)

  • Petty-Riggs: College Rivalry schemes at Homestead: Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, the Florida Gators, and the Florida State Seminoles, unveiled its #10 Seminole and #45 Gator stock cars that will compete at the final Cup Series season event at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20th. Scott Riggs will drive the #10 Checkers Florida State University Chevy, and Kyle Petty will drive the #45 Checkers University of Florida Dodge. This sponsorship is designed to give sports fans one more opportunity to gear up for the intra-Florida rivalry on the football field set for the following week. The Company expects to create excitement due to the tremendous fan cross-over among the two sports. In September, new collectible #10 Florida State Seminole and #45 Florida Gator cups will be available at nearly 150 Checkers restaurants in Florida. During the unveiling of the new cars at Bristol Motor Speedway, Checkers pledged $5,000 to both Riggs' and Petty's charities: Carolina Donor Services and the Victory Junction Gang, respectively. An additional $5,000 will be donated to the race-within-a-race winner's charity on November 20th. The cars can be purchased online at gatorsnolesracing.com or by calling 1-877-212-6017, and are also being sold through school newsletters, newspapers, Web sites, and onsite during university home football games. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of the die casts benefits the scholarship programs at both schools.(PR)(8-27-2005)

  • Checkers to sponsor the #10 in five races...for 2005: Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, today announced that it is accelerating its presence in the sport by signing on as the primary sponsor for five high profile, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races this season with the #10 MB2 Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Scott Riggs. This weekend’s Allstate 400 at the Brickyard kicks off the five-race sponsorship package with Rally’s being the primary brand on the #10 Chevy. “This is our first year as the Official Burger and Official Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR. Halfway through the season, Checkers/Rally’s has already realized tremendous brand exposure on a national basis,” said Keith Sirois, President and CEO of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. “We have successfully activated our NASCAR and numerous track sponsorships at our restaurants throughout the country. Our NASCAR Combo is one of our best selling combos system wide. In addition, we have effectively integrated our sponsorships into our local, regional and national advertising messages for both consumers and franchising prospects, now, we look forward to adding a primary sponsorship of the No. 10 car to our already strong sponsorship initiative.”
    The other four primary brand sponsored races will be:
    --Sharpie 500, Bristol Motor Speedway – Checkers
    --UAW-Ford 500, Talladega Superspeedway – Rally’s
    --Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500, Atlanta Motor Speedway – Checkers
    --Ford 400, Homestead-Miami Speedway – Checkers
    In addition to this primary sponsorship, Checkers/Rally’s becomes an associate sponsor of MB2’s #01 U.S. Army Team and driver Joe Nemechek. Checkers/Rally’s also retains promotional rights with MB2 for the 2006 NASCAR season. “We’re thrilled that Checkers/Rally’s has chosen to partner with MB2 as we strive to have a strong finish in 2005,” said Jay Frye, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of MB2 Motorsports. “We look forward to making Checkers/Rally’s first experience as a primary sponsor a memorable one and will continue to explore new opportunities for 2006.”
    Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. (www.checkers.com) is the largest double drive-thru restaurant chain in the United States. The Company develops, owns, operates and franchises quick-service Checkers and Rally's double drive-thru restaurants. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR. In 2005, the Company received the Nation's Restaurant News Hot! Again Award for its sizzling business performance.(MB2 Motorsports Site), not sure if this will be the news sponsor for the #10/#35/#02 [or whatever number it uses] in 2006. See an image of the Checkers and Rally car on my #10 Team Schemes page./(8-5-2005)

  • MB2 Close to Signing a sponsor for the old #10 team UPDATE 2 #35? #02?: It appears MB-2 Motorsports [currently the #10 Chevy with driver Scott Riggs, along with #01-Joe Nemechek and #36-Boris Said] is close to announcing a new sponsor to replace Valvoline which is leaving for Evernham Motorsports at the end of the season [and taking the #10 with it, this team is un-numbered for 2006]. Driver Scott Riggs says “I know that MB-2 is a lot closer to signing a contract with a sponsor and announcing that within the next week or two, so I know they’ve gotten closer and moved forward.” When asked if he would stay with the team is a full-time primary sponsor is signed, Riggs couldn’t say for sure. “Well, the chances are definitely a lot higher me staying with a sponsor than without.”(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(7-14-2005)
    UPDATE: hearing the new team number will be either #35 or #02 and possible sponsors: Allstate, Big Lots or/and State Farm.(7-28-2005)
    UPDATE 2: It looks as though Scott Riggs will stay put with MB2 Motorsports. He's scheduled to be part of a sponsor announcement by the team today.(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)(8-5-2005)

  • Valvoline to End Partnership with MB2 Motorsports: Valvoline announced an agreement in principle to end its NASCAR Nextel Cup Series team partnership with MB2 Motorsports“ effective at the end of the current [2005] season. The racing sponsor/owner will sell its 50% share in the team to MB2 principals Nelson Bowers and Jay Frye and will no longer be primary sponsor of the #10 Chevrolet after the 2005 season. According to Valvoline Designated Team Owner Jim Rocco, the parting was an amicable one. "We have nothing but respect and admiration for (MB2) owners Nelson Bowers and Jay Frye," said Rocco. "Nelson and Jay gave us the opportunity to become more than sponsors when we took the historic step to become team owners." Regarding Valvoline's NASCAR plans beyond the 2005 season, Rocco said, "We will have something to announce soon." Valvoline, a division of Ashland Inc., has been serving American motorists longer than any other motor oil company and is a leading innovator and supplier of quality, high-performing automotive and industrial products in more than 100 countries.(MB2 Motorsports), Valvoine is rumored to be going to Evernham Motorsports, possibly as the sponor of the 3rd team, #91 [or #98](6-29-2005)

  • Valvoline could be moving to Evernham Motorsports: The company has been associated with MBV and Nelson Bowers since 2001, but it is expected to sell its shares back to the team at the end of the season. Centrix Financial is expected to sponsor the #10 Chevrolet, which is being driven by Scott Riggs.(Sporting News)(6-20-2005)

  • Riggs hopes to be back in the #10 in 2006...if: Scott Riggs said Friday that he hopes to continue driving the #10 Chevrolet at MB2/MBV Motorsports in 2006, but the decision hinges largely on the team's sponsorship situation. Riggs' current sponsor, Valvoline, announced recently its plans to leave MB2/MBV following the 2005 season. "We've got a couple different fish on the line, but we're trying to figure out who's going to step up and be the primary," Riggs said. "Luckily, we're in a good position because it seems like we've had a lot of calls from people interested in doing it. I just want to make sure everything's secure there. [MB2 Motorsports CEO and general manager] Jay Frye assures me it is. I feel like it is." That's not to say Riggs, 34, isn't open to change. "I'm listening to other people talk to me," Riggs said. "I think there's definitely opportunities out there, but I haven't sat down with anybody to talk about the future except the 10 car."(NASCAR.com)(6-18-2005)

  • More changes at MB2/MBV? Riggs to leave? UPDATE team hopes to keep Riggs: Following closely on this week’s promotion and transfer of top technical personnel, expect some major announcements from the MB Motorsports organization in the next couple of weeks. The team, which campaigns Nextel Cup cars with drivers #01-Joe Nemechek, #10-Scott Riggs and (part-time) #36-Boris Said, soon will announce the signing of a well-known sprint-car driver to an ARCA/Busch/Cup program [known as the ABC program] for 2006, sources close to the team said. This will be the first step in a full-blown driver-development program. That driver is said to be Kraig Kinser. The team has been a cooperation among the MB2 (Nemechek) and MBV (Riggs) teams, with sponsor Valvoline to now owning part of the MBV team. Valvoline apparently intends to sell its part of the operation to MB2 founding owner Nelson Bowers and associates, with Valvoline remaining as associate sponsor on Riggs's #10. Centrix, sponsor of Said's effort, will step up to the top position [primary sponsor of the #10].(Speed Channel Notebook), and hearing Scott Riggs, driver of the #10 MBV team could end up at Evernham, Penske [#2] or the #6 Ford of Roush Racing.(6-12-2005)
    UPDATE: Jay Frye, CEO/General Manager of MB2/MBV Motorsports, said on Speed Channel's NASCAR This Morning that the team plans to do everything it can to re-sign Scott Riggs and keep him in the #10 Chevy.(6-12-2005)

  • Looks like a 3rd full-time team for Evernham in 2006 UPDATE: Ray Evernham, chief of Dodge-backed Evernham Motorsports [#9, #19, #91], says chances are "better than 50%" that he will have a third Cup team in 2006. He said he has tentative agreements with significant sponsors, and he pulled up short when asked who would drive the car [Jayski Note: Brendan Gaughan has been rumored]. Evernham says he has constructed a building for the proposed new team and has personnel aboard. "I think you can get the team started and kind of take it from there. The sponsor is going to have to have realistic expectations. For a first-year team, to jump right up there and win races, there's not too many people who do that. "I'm fortunate enough to say I'm one of the people who have done it, but it's still very difficult. There are [drivers] out there that can win races, and the sponsor has to go into it realistically. Every sponsor says they want a top 10 car, top 10 driver, well, there's 15 top-10 cars out there, which one do you want?(Speed Channel)(6-11-2005)
    UPDATE: another rumor floating around has Casey Mears, current driver for #41 Ganassi Racing going to Evernham, with Reed Sorenson moving up from Busch into the #41 Target Dodge. And Scott Riggs, driver of the #10 MBV team could end up at Evernhams.
    AND Valvoline also apparently will become at least partial sponsor of a proposed third team out of Evernham Motorsports, with driver to be determined.(Speed Channel Notebook)(6-12-2005)

  • New Crew Chief for Riggs? UPDATE: hearing that car chief Rodney Childers will take over the crew chief job at the #10-Scott Riggs Valvoline team, for Doug Randolph.(6-7-2005)
    UPDATE: The following personnel promotions at MB2 Motorsports were announced today. Ryan Pemberton has been promoted to team manager and will oversee the #01 Army and #10 Valvoline teams. He will continue as crew chief on the # 01 Chevrolet driven by Joe Nemechek. Doug Randolph, who has been the crew chief on Scott Riggs' #10 MBV Motorsports entry since 2004, has been promoted to a management position as race coordinator and driver development manager. Rodney Childers, who has been the car chief for the #10 team since the beginning of the 2005 season, has been promoted to crew chief for Riggs' Valvoline Chevrolet. Frank Stoddard has been promoted to research and development manager and will continue as crew chief on Boris Said's #36 CENTRIX Financial Chevrolet for MB/Sutton Motorsports. "By making these promotions with our team personnel, we believe the entire organization will be stronger than ever," said Jay Frye, CEO and general manager of MB2 Motorsports. "We have quality individuals leading the restructured departments and the changes will only enhance our program going forward as a multicar operation with a one team approach."(MB2 Motorsports PR)(6-8-2005)

  • Air Freshner in a race car, less anger IMAGE: With short-track Richmond International Raceway being the next stop on the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit, don’t be surprised to see Scott Riggs piloting his race machine around the 0.75-mile track with an AroMetrics air freshener hanging from the roll cage. In a recently released study, drivers were found to be more alert and experienced less fatigue when the scent of pine was added to the car interior. The study also revealed that drivers demonstrated a decreased level of anger [hmm.. maybe Kurt Busch, Michael Waltrip and Jeff Green can get some air freshners] and improved overall driving performance when exposed to strawberry and pine scents. “It’s amazing that something as simple as a smell can make a difference while you’re driving,” offered Riggs, who will be behind the wheel of a specially designed AroMetrics/Valvoline Chevrolet in this weekend’s Chevy American Revolution 400. “Imagine what a nice clean race we could have if everyone had AroMetrics in the car.” The researchers at Wheeling Jesuit University (Wheeling, W.Va.) who conducted the study, used a car simulator, exposing participants to pine and strawberry scents, and monitoring driving tendencies, including lane tracking, speed, collisions, and reaction times, as well as behavioral factors such as alertness, fatigue, anger and overall performance. The study used AroMetrics’ new Auto Fragrance System air fresheners as the method of dispensing the scent in the simulated car environment.(MB2/MBV Motorsports), see an image of the scheme on my #10 Team Schemes page.(5-13-2005)

  • Chevy Rock and Roll Schemes to be unveiled UPDATE 2 - IMAGES: Chevrolet will give race fans a taste of what they will see when they return to Richmond International Raceway in September for the Crown Royal IROC, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 200, Emerson Radio 250 NASCAR Busch Series and Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races. As an official partner and longtime race sponsor at Richmond International Raceway, Chevrolet plans to unveil three Rock & Roll themed stockcars on Friday afternoon.(RIR Fact Sheet)(5-10-2005)
    UPDATE: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. will have 3 Doors Down on his car. Others: #31-Jeff Burton / Big & Rich; #29 Kevin Harvick / e Gretchen Wilson; #10-Scott Riggs / Nickelback and #07-Dave Blaney / Drive by Truckers.(5-11-2005)
    IMAGE added the #10 Nickelback and #29 Gretchen Wilson images to the #10 Team Schemes and #29 Team Schemes pages.(5-13-2005)
    UPDATE 2: Chevrolet is mixing the red carpet with black asphalt announcing today that more stars and cars than ever will be part of the popular Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday, September 10. NASCAR drivers #29-Kevin Harvick, #10-Scott Riggs and #25-Brian Vickers helped Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper unveil their musical artist-themed Chevy Monte Carlo racecars for the event. Chevrolet also will host a pre-race concert with Nickelback performing and Gretchen Wilson singing the national anthem.
    Three of the specially themed cars that will compete in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 were revealed:
    · Kevin Harvick's #29 GM Goodwrench Chevy Monte Carlo will feature Gretchen Wilson.
    · Brian Vickers' #25 GMAC Chevy Monte Carlo will feature Green Day.
    · Scott Riggs' #10 Valvoline Chevy Monte Carlo will feature Nickelback.
    This is the sixth consecutive year that Chevrolet will be the title sponsor of the fall race at Richmond International Raceway. With more than 107,000 fans attending, the race will mark the 28th consecutive sell-out of a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event at the track and will be broadcast live during primetime. The Chevy Rock & Roll 400 is the 26th race of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season and will determine the participants in the "Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship." Today's announcement is the first of many musical pairings to be announced prior to the Chevy Rock & Roll 400. Additional vehicles that will be participating in the event will be announced later.(Chevrolet-GM/Action Performance/RIR), see updated images and the #25 car on my #25 Team Schemes pages.(5-13-2005)

  • MB2/MBV Motorsports to move? UPDATE: hearing that the MB2 Motorsports #01 U.S. Army and MBV Motorsports #10 Valvoline teams [and #36 tean of Boris Said] will move the team from their Concord, NC shop to Mooresville, NC in the Eaton building on Rt 115. Per the Mooresville Tribune, the Mooresville Commission voted to extend an economic grant for $16,512 a year for five years to Team Property Partners LLC, a race team relocating from Concord to the Eaton Corp. building on NC 115 in Mooresville (4 miles from where I live).(12-23-2004)
    UPDATE: Three more Nextel Cup teams will call Race City USA home when MB2 Motorsports moves into the vacant Eaton-Aeroquip complex in late summer. Vacant since 2003, Eaton’s former automotive complex on N.C. 115 at Timber Road, south of downtown, will now house the teams of drivers #01-Joe Nemechek, #10-Scott Riggs, and #36-Boris Said, MB2 officials said Thursday. MB2 left Mooresville in 2001 for a facility near the Concord Regional Airport. Jay Frye, CEO and general manager of MB2 Motorsports, said the move to Concord wasn’t a long-term decision. “We liked being in Mooresville,” he said. “We found an opportunity to come back there. The town and the county were very gracious and excited for us to be coming back.” The teams will now have a little more room to maneuver, moving from 40,000-square-foot facility to the 144,000 square-foot Eaton building, Frye said. The move is expected to be completed by September, after a building upfit by MAX Construction Services of Mooresville. “This strengthens our motor sports cluster that we have in our community,” said Melanie O’Connell Underwood, executive director of economic development at the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce. “(The teams) have more opportunity to be closer to suppliers that we have here.” The 40-mile move to Mooresville will also shorten the commute for many of the teams’ 100 employees who kept their homes in town when the company moved five years ago, she said. Fifteen Nextel Cup, 26 Busch Series, and 14 Craftsmen Truck teams will now be based in Mooresville, according to the MSI Chamber.(Mooresville Tribune)(5-7-2005)

  • New Colors at Phoenix for Riggs: The primary sponsorship on Scott Riggs’ #10 Chevy in Phoenix will be the blue, white and gold colors of CENTRIX Financial. Valvoline, Riggs’ major sponsor for 34 of the 36 point races, will take on an associate role during this weekend’s Nextel Cup competition.(MB2/MBV Motorsports)(4-21-2005)

  • Jarrett, Riggs and Herbie UPDATE 2 : #88-Dale Jarrett will help promote the movie "Herbie: Fully Loaded" with a special paint scheme at Richmond in May. This is the same movie, which features Lindsay Lohan, Matt Dillon and Michael Keaton, that was filmed during the 2004 Pop Secret 500 weekend Sept. 3-5 at California Speedway.(RacingOne)(1-7-2005)
    UPDATE - Another Herbie scheme: Scott Riggs will have the movie "Herbie: Fully Loaded" on his #10 Chevrolet at Daytona in July. As announced last month, Riggs will join #88-Dale Jarrett, who will race a Herbie paint scheme at Richmond [in May], as the second driver to promote the movie, which has scenes filmed at California Speedway.(RacingOne)(2-24-2005)

    UPDATE 2: UPS is partnering with Walt Disney Pictures for the feature film release of Herbie: Fully Loaded. UPS is bringing the famous red, white and blue colors of old 53, the beloved Volkswagen Beetle to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Dale Jarrett will reveal the special paint scheme he will race in conjunction with the release of Walt Disney Pictures’ Herbie: Fully Loaded. Walt Disney Pictures’ Herbie: Fully Loaded will be released nationwide on Friday June 24 and stars Lindsay Lohan, Justin Long, Breckin Meyer, Matt Dillon and Michael Keaton.(UPS Racing)(4-14-2005)
    IMAGES Disney, UPS Racing, Valvoline Racing and Action Performance Companies Inc. announced details and unveiled vehicles that center around the upcoming summer feature film, Herbie: Fully Loaded. In Herbie: Fully Loaded, Actress Lindsay Lohan stars as Maggie Peyton, the new owner of the # 53 “Love Bug.” In this installment of the popular Disney film series, Herbie takes on NASCAR® as the famous Volkswagen aims for the winner’s circle in stock car racing’s most challenging series. In September 2004, several scenes for Herbie: Fully Loaded were filmed at California Speedway during pace laps of the weekend’s NASCAR Busch and NEXTEL Cup Series races. The movie will speed into theaters nationwide on June 24, 2005.
    As a way to welcome Herbie into the NASCAR ranks, the #88 UPS Ford Taurus, driven by Dale Jarrett, and the #10 Valvoline Chevy Monte Carlo, piloted by Scott Riggs, both will feature the “Herbie 53” paint scheme during two distinct NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series events. Jarrett and the # 88 UPS Racing team will salute Herbie during the difficult road course race at Infineon Raceway on June 26. Meanwhile, Riggs and the # 10 Valvoline team will introduce Herbie to the most famous superspeedway in NASCAR – Daytona International Speedway – for the 400-mile midsummer night race on July 2. The #10 Valvoline/Herbie: Fully Loaded Chevrolet also will appear this fall during the 500-mile NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway on Nov. 13, 2005.
    See schemes of the cars on my #10 Team Scheme page and the #88 Team Scheme page.(Action Performace PR)(4-16-2005)

  • Centrix as primary sponsor: CENTRIX Financial will have a total of four primary sponsorships on MB2/MBV’s #01 Chevrolet driven by Joe Nemechek and #10 Chevrolet driven by Scott Riggs.(MB2/MBV Motorsports site). Atlanta in March will be one race for the #01.(3-15-2005)

  • New Scott Riggs site: Fresh off a fourth place finish in the Daytona 500, Scott Riggs is pleased to announce the launch of his new website at scottriggs.com. This site incorporates the highest web based technology and a creative look that is sure to please Scott's growing fan base. Not only does the site post biographical information, but it also features daily reports and pictures from the track and a kid friendly message board.(PR)(3-4-2005)

  • Another Herbie scheme: Scott Riggs will have the movie "Herbie: Fully Loaded" on his #10 Chevrolet at Daytona in July. As announced last month, Riggs will join #88-Dale Jarrett, who will race a Herbie paint scheme at Richmond [in May], as the second driver to promote the movie, which has scenes filmed at California Speedway.(RacingOne)(2-24-2005)

  • Bowers involved in Diversity: Chattanooga [TN] businessman Nelson Bowers, who fields the Nextel Cup cars driven by #01-Joe Nemechek, #10-Scott Riggs and #36-Boris Said, said he'll join NASCAR's diversity effort by hiring Joe Henderson to drive selected Late Model and ARCA races this year. Bowers said Henderson, a teenage African-American driver from Nashville, will start the season at the Nashville Fairgrounds, where he ran last year with the assistance of Craftsman Truck Series champion Bobby Hamilton.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(1-26-2005)

    2004 News

  • Riggs to appear at Christmas Parade: #10 Valvoline Chevy driver, Scott Riggs as well as American Idol's Clay Aiken's mom, Faye Parker are to wave at thousands of people expected for the Bahama [NC] Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec 18th. Parker, the mother of the "American Idol" runner-up, is the grand marshal for the annual event, which starts at 10:00am/et. Native son Scott Riggs lives in the northern Durham County community. Organizer David Bower said as many as 10,000 people have watched the parade, which starts on Bahama Road, turns right on Stagville Road and ends near the Bahama Ruritan Club. The event will feature local Boy, Girl and Cub Scout groups. Northern High School and Carrington Middle School have traditionally participated as well. Afterward, people participating in and watching the parade are invited to enjoy hot chocolate and doughnuts at the Ruritan Club. They might be cold, Bowen said, but they'll have a good time.(Herald Sun)(12-17-2004)

  • Retro Look back for Riggs: Scott Riggs will pilot the same specially designed Valvoline Chevrolet in this weekend's Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway as he did two weeks ago in Charlotte. This time, however, he hopes it will produce a different result. While Riggs qualified fourth for the Charlotte Nextel Cup race, a first-lap glitch cost him the chance to capitalize on the starting spot, and the Team Owners Select Chevrolet retired from the event after just 30 laps. As part of a special Valvoline promotion, the decidedly popular design was chosen by thousands of Valvoline team "owners" in a recent vote to decide which scheme would be driven in Charlotte. After its short life on the track, Riggs and the Valvoline team decided to give the car another shot, this time at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Valvoline is the only consumer products company to own a NASCAR team. The Owners Program is one way Valvoline brings fans closer to their favorite sport in a way no other team can. There are nearly 5,000 Valvoline owners who have signed up for the program that gives them souvenir pieces of the racecar, invitations to special events, letters from Riggs, chances to win racing merchandise -- and the opportunity to vote on special paint schemes.(DMF Communications PR), See an image of the car on my #10 Team Schemes page or 2004 Cup Schemes page.(10-27-2004)

  • Special Scheme for Riggs at Lowe's: The #10 Valvoline Chevy driven by Scott Riggs this weekend for the UAW-GM Quality 500 will have a decidedly popular paint scheme. That's because the design was chosen by thousands of Valvoline team "owners" in a recent special vote. The car will be known this weekend as The Team Owners Select #10 Valvoline Chevrolet. This "flowing stripes" paint scheme was last seen in NASCAR competition in 1997 and visited Victory Lane eight times. Riggs likes the idea of Valvoline "insiders" participating in choosing his colors for the weekend. Ten lucky "owners" will be Valvoline guests at Lowe's Motor Speedway this weekend to see their car run. Owners came from North and South Carolina, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Ohio. Race fans wanting to be part of the Valvoline Owners Program can sign up next year at the Valvoline display at Daytona International Speedway and at Bristol Motor Speedway.(DMF Communications PR), see an image of the car on my #10 Team Scheme page.(10-14-2004)

  • Valvoline Official at Bristol: The Valvoline Company announced it has been named Official Motor Oil of Bristol Motor Speedway. The announcement on the eve of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Sharpie 500 was made by Bristol officials and by Valvoline President Sam Mitchell. The deal at Bristol includes "official status" for Valvoline Motor Oil at the track and for all events and includes rights for Valvoline to promote its entire family of brands. In 2001 Valvoline made history, becoming the first consumer products company to own a NASCAR team. Valvoline, along with partner Nelson Bowers, owns the #10 Valvoline Chevy driven by rookie-of-the-year candidate Scott Riggs.(MBV Motorsports PR)(8-28-2004)

  • Riggs wins ARCA Race: NASCAR Nextel Cup Series rookie Scott Riggs [#99 Valvoline Pontiac], in his first ARCA RE/MAX Series attempt, raced the Valvoline Pontiac from 30th to first en route to winning the Pocono ARCA 200 Saturday afternoon at Pocono Raceway. Red-hot rookie Ryan Hemphill, who was slowly chewing away at Riggs’s lead inside of ten laps remaining, got within five lengths of the leader when Hemphill ran out of gas two laps shy of the finish [finished 7th]. Ken Schrader was 2nd in the #69 Four Winds Motorhomes Dodge. Jason Jarrett finished 6th.(see full story at arcaracing.com)(6-13-2004)

  • Riggs to run ARCA Race at Pocono: Scott Riggs has never competed at Pocono Raceway, but he is hopeful that entering Saturday's ARCA Series race at the 2.5-mile track will better prepare him and the Valvoline team for Sunday's Pocono 500 Nextel Cup event. Coming off of a career-best fifth-place finish at Dover International Speedway, Riggs will pilot the #99 Valvoline Pontiac in the Pocono 200 ARCA race. Officially driving for Ken Schrader, Riggs is hopeful the ARCA experience will benefit him come Sunday. Riggs' only experience at the asphalt tri-oval is a one-day test session the #10 Valvoline Chevrolet team participated in last week. "We tested our Cup car in Pocono and everything went well," said Riggs. "The car was pretty good off the truck and by the end of the day it felt great. We're hopeful we can take the test session, the ARCA race, and our great result from last week and turn those things into another solid finish. We're still striving to be better. Last week's finish was a good shot in the arm. It lets us know we need to keep our heads up and it will pay off."(MBV Motorsports PR)(6-9-2004)

  • Riggs To Take Part in Award Presentation: Scott Riggs, driver of the #10 Valvoline Chevrolet in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, will have the honor of being part of the Eagle One-Shav Glick Award presentation during Sunday's pre-race festivities at California Speedway. The award is a symbol of distinguished achievement in motorsports by a Californian. Presented by Eagle One car-care products, a division of The Valvoline Company, the award is named in honor of Shav Glick, the venerable motorsports writer of the Los Angeles Times. The 2004 recipient of the award is Les Richter, a motorsports executive whose name is synonymous with auto racing in Southern California. Other nominees were: Don Prudhomme (drag racing star), Joe Leonard (motorcycle and open-wheel champion), Chris Pook (motorsports executive and founder of the Long Beach Grand Prix) and Roger Ward (2-time Indianapolis 500 winner). Previous winners of the Eagle One-Shav Glick Award were: Dan Gurney, Wally Parks, Parnelli Jones and Rick Mears.(mb2mbvmotorsports.com)(4-30-2004)

  • Riggs may run some Busch races: #10-Scott Riggs may run some Busch Series races for Cup teammate, Joe Nemechek [#87 Chevy in Busch], possibly as soon as California in May.(NASCAR Scene Magazine - need sub to view online)(4-8-2004)

  • Harlem Globetrotters paint scheme on the #10 at Bristol: Scott Riggs and the Valvoline team will pay tribute to the flash and dash of the Harlem Globetrotters with a specially prepared red, white and blue paint scheme on the #10 Chevy for the March 28 Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. The spirited paint scheme will have a resemblance to the Globetrotters uniform and will also feature a red, white and blue Globetrotters basketball on the hood. It's only fitting the legendary Harlem Globetrotters, who have dazzled millions of fans throughout the world, will be the first professional basketball team to ever adorn a racecar in NASCAR's 56-year history. The Globetrotters join the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals as the only professional sports franchises to decorate cars in a NASCAR event. Diecast models of the Harlem Globetrotters car are available at www.valvolineproducts.com. Two members of the Globetrotters team will be at Bristol to promote the event with Riggs and the Valvoline team. The Harlem Globetrotters have played in 117 countries and in front of 120 million fans worldwide. In 2002, the organization was only the fifth team to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame; followed by an induction into the Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame and the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. The Globetrotters have also been recognized as the most popular sports team by the 2002, 2000 and 1999 Q Ratings. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters and to purchase team merchandise, visit the team's official Web site: www.harlemglobetrotters.com.(MBV Motorsports PR), see image on my 2004 Paint Schemes page.(3-17-2004)

  • #10 to be sponsored by Valvoline's MaxLife at the Shootout: MaxLife, the premium motor oil created by The Valvoline Company for cars with more than 75,000 miles, will be the primary sponsor on Mike Skinner's #10 Chevy in Saturday night's Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway. The Valvoline MaxLife Chevrolet will be crewed by the #10 team, led by crew chief Doug Randolph, who serves in the same capacity for rookie driver Scott Riggs in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Along with its award-winning motor oil "Product of the Year" by Lubricant's World in 2001 -- the MaxLife product line consists of antifreeze, automatic transmission fluid and engine protector.(MBV Motorsports PR)(2-4-2004)

  • Said in the #10 for more races? UPDATE No: saw this in a few reports about the #33 Mike Skinner/RCR ride and been asked by dozens of readers, so....."Skinner will also be competing in the Feb. 7 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, driving the #10 Chevrolet, team car to the #01 Chevrolet he won the pole in last year for the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond. Boris Said also earned a pole in the #01 last year (Sonoma) and will drive the #10 in a number of races this season so Skinner is using the No. 10 for the pole-winners only event." I have email off to sources on this, have not heard anything about the regular driver of the #10 Valvoline Chevy, Scott Riggs, skipping any races [road courses for Said], would assume if Said is to run for the team, it would be for a third team to the #01/#10.(2-3-2004)
    UPDATE: been informed that Scott Riggs will be in the #10 Valvoline Chevy and Joe Nemechek will be in the #01 US Army Chevy for all 36 races, Said will not be driving in either car.(2-3-2004)

  • USG to Continue Partnerships with NASCAR, MB2/MBV Motorsports: USG Corporation, a leading manufacturer of building materials, including the industry leading Sheetrock Brand, announced it will continue its partnership affiliations with NASCAR and MB2/MBV Motorsports. The 2004 sponsorship programs that USG Sheetrock Brand will be actively involved in are as follows:
    * Primary, Associate Sponsorships with MB2/MBV Motorsports
     Along with being a season-long major associate sponsor on the #01 U.S. Army/MB2 Chevrolet, driven by Joe Nemechek, USG Sheetrock Brand will also be the team's primary sponsor at four NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races in 2004 -- Las Vegas (March 7), Chicago (July 11), New Hampshire (Sept. 19) and Darlington (Nov. 14).
    USG will also carry a season-long associate sponsorship with MB2's teammate, the #10 Valvoline/MBV Chevrolet driven by Scott Riggs in 2004.
    * NASCAR Promotional Partner
    * USG Person of the Year
    The award is designed to honor NASCAR NEXTEL Cup drivers for their community service contributions and charitable efforts. For the purpose of determining the NASCAR USG Person of the Year award, the program will be divided into four quarters in which drivers are nominated for their off-track charitable efforts. A group of panelists will select one of the quarterly finalists as the USG Person of the Year. The award will be presented in New York during the week of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Awards Banquet.
    * USG Driver of the Race
    At each NASCAR NEXTEL Cup points race, the driver displaying the USG contingency decal on their car who has the best finishing position will win the cash award. The award will be split between the driver and the driver's selected charities.
    * NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series USG Night at the Races
    USG will sponsor "USG Night at the Races" at 26 local race tracks that are part of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series. The events are intended to provide USG customers an opportunity to enjoy an evening of stock car racing.
    USG Corporation, based in Chicago, is a Fortune 500 company with subsidiaries that are market leaders in their key product groups: gypsum wallboard, joint compound and related gypsum products; cement board; gypsum fiber panels; ceiling panels and grid; and building products distribution. For more information about USG Corporation, visit the USG home page at www.usg.com.(PR)(1-27-2004)

  • MB2/MBV Racing Owners Sell: Atlanta banker Tom Beard and attorney Read Morton have sold their interests in the MB2 and MBV teams to Chattanooga businessman Nelson Bowers. Bowers now owns the #01 U.S. Army team [Joe Nemechek/Jerry Nadeau] outright, and he and Valvoline each own half of the #10 Valvoline team [Scott Riggs]. Beard said the three remain friends and simply decided that the teams would be better off with a single owner. "You can't run a race team by committee, especially when we live in different cities," Beard said.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(1-20-2004)

  • Skinner in the #10 for the Shootout UPDATE: Mike Skinner will race in the upcoming Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway, whether a Daytona 500 ride is in his future or not. MB2/MBV Motorsports general manager Jay Frye said Thursday that the team would field a #10 Valvoline Chevrolet for Skinner if some other prospects he is trying to secure don't come through. Mike Skinner qualified for the Shootout by winning the Bud Pole at Richmond in September. Skinner had what he thought was a sure deal to drive not only in the Feb. 7 Shootout, a special event for the 2003 Bud Pole winners, but also in the Daytona 500, along with a handful of other Nextel Cup races.(NASCAR.com)(1-9-2004)
    UPDATE: MB2 Motorsports and Valvoline Racing announced today that Mike Skinner will drive the team's #10 Chevrolet in NASCAR's Budweiser Shootout, Feb. 7 at Daytona International Speedway. Skinner's ride will be crewed by the Valvoline team, led by crew chief Doug Randolph, who serves in the same capacity for rookie driver Scott Riggs in the Nextel Cup Series. Skinner earned the right to compete in the Budweiser Shootout, a special race for 2003 pole winners and former champions, as a result of winning the pole position while driving the U.S. Army/MB2 Motorsports entry in the 2003 fall race in Richmond. Skinner will be joined in the Shootout by MB2 teammate Boris Said, who will compete in the #01 U.S. Army Chevrolet. Said qualified for the Shootout by winning the pole in the Army car at last year's race in Sonoma, CA.(MBV PR)(1-16-2004)

    2003 News

  • Congrats: It's been a joyous holiday for Danielle and Jay Frye, who became first-time parents with the birth of Addison Rece, Dec. 23, 10:13pm/et at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Addison weighed in at 6 pounds, 8 ounces and was 19 inches long. Mother and daughter were released from the hospital on Christmas morning. Danielle is a reporter for MRN Radio and Jay is general manager of MB2/MBV Motorsports [#01/#10](12-27-2003)

  • New #10 Car Chief: The #10 MBV Motorsports team has added Bill Henderson [former FitzBradshaw crew chief in Busch] as the car chief and Dave McDonald to build shocks.(Yahoo Sports/Sporting News)(12-15-2003)

  • #10 Cup Crew to be replaced? with #10 Busch Crew? UPDATE 2 Randolph named #10 Cup crew chief: The #10 MBV Motorsports crew may be facing a major shakeup, according to sources who say that incoming driver Scott Riggs may be bringing his Busch crew and crew chief Doug Randolph along with him. Current crew chief, Jay Guy, says he and the crew haven't been told what's in the future.(Winston Salem Journal)(11-1-2003)
    UPDATE - Randolph leaving the #10: #10 ppc Racing crew chief, Doug Randolph will leave the team at the end of the 2003 season. The driver of the #10, Scott Riggs is leaving also, moving up to the Cup Series.(FoxSports Net's Totally NASCAR) Rumors have Randolph going to the #10 MBV Cup team with Riggs.(11-5-2003)
    UPDATE 2: MBV Motorsports has named Doug Randolph crew chief for the #10 Valvoline Racing Chevys that will be driven by Scott Riggs in 2004. Randolph comes to MBV Motorsports from ppc Racing where he was crew chief for Riggs’ efforts in the NASCAR Busch Series. Together, they posted wins at Nashville Superspeedway and Gateway International Raceway, on the way to a sixth-place finish in points in 2003. “Doug is going to be a great asset to both of our NEXTEL Cup team operations,”said Jay Frye, CEO/General Manager of MB2/MBV Motorsports. “He already has an established relationship with Scott, which should make for a seamless transition to the Valvoline team.” Randolph began his motorsports career while he was a student at the University of Tennessee, where he received a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries biology in 1988. During college, he worked for L.D. Ottinger’s NASCAR Busch Series team, and later for legendary team owner Junior Johnson. In 1995 Randolph joined Hedrick Motorsports and earned the role of car chief. He moved to Bill Davis Racing in 1999 and was named crew chief for Davis’ second team just one year later. In 2001, Randolph joined Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates as crew chief. The 38-year-old native of Morristown, Tenn., currently lives with his wife Diana; daughter, Morgan; and son, Nick in Mooresville, N.C. The 2004 season marks the fourth year of Valvoline’s partnership with MB2 Motorsports, not only as a sponsor but as 50-percent owner of the #10 race team. MB2 Motorsports also fields the No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolets for driver Joe Nemechek.(MBV Motorsports PR)(11-26-2003)

  • Benson to BAM? Fox Sports Nets's NASCAR This Morning reports that if Ken Schrader takes the #30 AOL RCR gig, that Johnny Benson couild end up in the #49 BAM Racing Dodge in 2004, and Benson is supposedly the front runner if Cal Wells starts a 2nd team to join #32-Ricky Craven in the PPI Motorsports stable.(11-9-2003)

  • More on the Hendrick/MBV/MB2 relationship: Rick Hendrick's engineering brain trust is working overtime to help the Johnny Benson-Jay Frye-James Rocco team make it to the top 25 in the final standings, because that's the cutoff mark for NASCAR's special financial plans, including the TV plan. Hendrick officials held detailed planning sessions with Benson's crew this weekend. However, there are growing questions about possible ownership changes at the Frye-Rocco team and the Joe Nemechek-Frye team, with increasing indications that the owners may sell the 2-car operation.(Winston Salem Journal)(11-3-2003)

  • #10 Cup Crew to be replaced? with #10 Busch Crew? The #10 MBV Motorsports crew may be facing a major shakeup, according to sources who say that incoming driver Scott Riggs may be bringing his Busch crew and crew chief Doug Randolph along with him. Current crew chief, Jay Guy, says he and the crew haven't been told what's in the future.(Winston Salem Journal)(11-1-2003)

  • Some Benson Stuff: Johnny Benson will have at least one solid option for 2004. Cal Wells is hoping -- contingent upon sponsorship -- to start a second team. Atop the list of driving candidates for the possible second PPI Motorsports team is Benson. Ricky Craven currently drives Wells' #32 Tide car. Benson is also rumored to be a candidate for the RCR #30 AOL Chevrolet and potentially one of the Petty Enterprise cars.(ESPN)(10-29-2003)

  • Hendrick buying the #01 and half of the #10? UPDATE Denied: hearing Hendrick Motorsports/Rick Hendrick may be purchasing the #01-US Army MB2 team and half of the #10 MBV Valvoline team. Joe Nemechek drives the #01 Pontiac and Scott Riggs will drive the #10 Valvoline Pontiac in 2004. Johnny Benson is the current driver.(10-24-2003)
    UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports [HMS] officials on Friday denied an Internet report that it was considering buying into MB2/MBV Motorsports which currently fields Pontiacs for Winston Cup drivers Joe Nemechek and Johnny Benson. Hendrick spokesman Jesse Essex said HMS is not interested in buying any or all of the MB2/MBV teams. The interest in Hendrick's relationship with MB2/MBV has been fueled by several arrangements recently between the two organizations, including the move of Hendrick's former driver, Nemechek, to MB2's #01 team. Hendrick also had a tentative arrangement to place its Busch driver, Brian Vickers, in MB2's #01 the final four races of this season. That deal was nullified when Nemechek left for the #01, and Vickers moved to HMS' #25, which he will run full time in 2004. Also, HMS currently provides all the engines for the MB2 and MBV teams.(ThatsRacin.com)(10-24-2003)

  • Official - Riggs to the #10 in 2004: MBV Motorsports announced today that Scott Riggs has signed a multi-year agreement to drive the #10 Valvoline Pontiac in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, beginning with the 2004 season-opening Daytona 500. The announcement was made by James Rocco, designated team owner and senior vice president of The Valvoline Company. Riggs replaces Johnny Benson, who will complete the 2003 season in the #10 car. “Johnny Benson is a tough, talented driver with a lot of heart, “said Rocco. “He gave the team its first win and is a good ambassador for Valvoline Racing. We wish him the best. Scott Riggs is a winner, Rocco said. “He is a hard-charger who has excelled in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the NASCAR Busch Series. He has the talent to compete at the NASCAR Nextel Cup level and continue Valvoline's winning legacy.”
    “I've been blessed to have had some great rides in my racing career and some great people helping me along the way,” Riggs said. “I explored several excellent NASCAR Nextel Cup opportunities as well as offers to remain in the Busch Series and I decided the Valvoline Pontiac was the best place for me to be at this stage of my career. I appreciate the confidence Valvoline and MBV Motorsports have placed in me,” Riggs explained. “I'm going to work with the team to get everything I can out of the cars and hope to reward them with some wins.”(Scott Riggs site)(10-23-2003)

  • Riggs signed? to drive the #10? UPDATE 3 Riggs to make announcement: hearing Scott Riggs has signed to drive the #10 MBV Valvoline Pontiac in 2004, Hearing Riggs Busch crew chief, Doug Randolph, could be headed to the #10 team with him.(10-15-2003)
    UPDATE: been told that that Scott Riggs has signed, and will replace Johnny Benson in the #10 Valvoline Pontiac for 2004. Benson has a year left on his contract, and the team would honor their financial commitment if Benson does not land another ride. The team has no plans to run a third car in 2004. This will be a complete makeover for the MBV #10, a partnership of MB2 Racing and the Valvoline Company, following crew chief James Ince's release a few weeks ago. Ince and Benson have been with the team since its formation.(10-15-2003)
    UPDATE 2: Johnny Benson said he's just been told by General Manager Jay Frye he won't be back as a driver next season, so Benson is putting out his resume. Richard Childress and DEI are the top two car owners working the market -- DEI had considered hiring Busch star Scott Riggs, but Riggs is expected to take Benson's place at the Frye team, which is now being run by mega-owner Rick Hendrick. Benson is also under consideration by car owners Cal Wells and Kyle Petty.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-18-2003)
    UPDATE 3: Fox Sports Net's Totally NASCAR reported on Monday's show that Scott Riggs will make an announcement on Tuesday concerning his 2004 plans.(Fox Sports Net's Totally NASCAR)(10-20-2003)
    UPDATE 4: the announcement will now come later this week, NOT today.(10-21-2003)

  • Update on Benson; shopping around? hearing that Johnny Benson, current driver of the #10 Valvoline Pontiac has been shopping himself around with Richard Childress Racing [#30], Petty Enterprises [#43] and the possible second team for Cal Wells.(10-13-2003)

  • Benson out? Riggs In? or Riggs in the #01? UPDATE 3 Benson staying in #10: here is a new one - BGNRacing.com site and NASCAR.com is reporting that 'Besides [Kasey] Kahne, another driver whose name has been heating up the rumor mill is Scott Riggs. The latest chatter has him going to the #10 MBV Motorsports ride, now occupied by Johnny Benson.(BGNRacing.com)
    AND Another driver who has supposedly been quietly looking for a job is Johnny Benson, who is in the #10 Pontiac. Benson and MBV Motorsports could be splitting soon, with Benson replaced by ... Busch Series driver Scott Riggs? Riggs has gotten a few Cup offers for 2004, but he apparently is headed to MBV to team with whoever is in the #01 -- which might be Jerry Nadeau, if he is healthy.( NASCAR.com Buzz)
    and from another NASCAR.com column: The #01 Army racing program was built around Jerry Nadeau, and the hope remains that the veteran driver will return to the car in 2004. But if he's unable to recover quickly enough from injuries sustained in a May accident at Richmond International Raceway, the team has to have a backup plan. So they're looking. Intensively. "In our situation, we have to be proactive, always have to be looking," said Jay Frye, general manager of MB2/MBV Motorsports' #01 and #0 teams. "We needed to be testing by now with Jerry and we're not. We have to be prepared either way." Frye admitted the team has talked with highly sought-after Busch Series driver Scott Riggs. Riggs, currently second to David Green in the Busch Series point standings, has been rumored in nearly every car currently available. From the No. 1 at Dale Earnhardt, Inc., to the No. 30 at Richard Childress Racing, he is rumored to be on everyone's short list. Including MB2. The #01 and #10 Pontiacs are both presently in a state of limbo. Citing personal reasons, No. 10 crew chief James Ince recently left the organization, and driver Johnny Benson could soon be looking to move, as well.(NASCAR.com)
    UPDATE 2: NASCAR Busch Series driver Scott Riggs, who has been rumored for several Winston Cup rides for 2004, appears headed for the MB2/Valvoline Racing organization next season, ThatsRacin.com has learned. Riggs, currently second in the Busch points race, is expected to drive either the #10 or #01 Pontiac next season, sources confirmed Thursday night. Jay Frye, general manager for MB2 Motorsports, confirmed Thursday that Riggs was "under consideration" for a ride with the organization in 2004. He declined to comment further. Riggs' move to MB2/Valvoline Racing would be a surprise since garage area speculation most of the season had him matched with other Cup teams, including rides with Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Evernham Motorsports.(ThatsRacin.com)(10-10-2003)
    UPDATE 3: Johnny Benson said he intends to be back in MBV Motorsports' No. 10 Pontiac in 2004, despite rumors that he could be replaced. Rumors surfaced this weekend [at NASCAR.com] about Benson's status with the team when MBV/MB2 Motorsports general manager Jay Frye said the team has talked to Busch Series driver Scott Riggs. But Benson said no one at MBV has talked to him about losing his ride. "I have a contract here with another year on it, and I have a ride for next year, so unless we're going to have three cars, there's too many drivers in the mix," Benson said. "I've heard all the talk, but nobody has said anything to me. Unless they come to the right people, we're going ahead as planned."(NASCAR.com)(10-11-2003)

  • Ince on leave UPDATE 2 Ince Leaves? Yes: James Ince, crew chief for driver Johnny Benson and the #10 Valvoline Pontiacs, has taken an indefinite leave of absence to deal with family matters, the team said. Jay Guy, who has served as the car chief for the team, will take over the interim crew chief duties and started this weekend.(ThatsRacin.com)(10-3-2003)
    UPDATE: #10 Pontiac Crew Chief James Ince did not travel with the team to Kansas this weekend. Ince is taking an indefinite leave from his duties in order to deal with family matters in Charlotte. Car Chief Jay Guy will serve as crew chief until Ince’s return.(GM PR)(10-4-2003)
    UPDATE 2: hearing that Ince and MBV have parted ways and that Ince is no longer with the team.
    UPDATE 2 1/2: Valvoline Racing announced Tuesday that Jay Guy will serve as crew chief of the #10 Valvoline Pontiac for the remainder of the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup season. Guy, who served as car chief this season, replaces James Ince. The team granted Ince his requested release on Tuesday. Guy and driver Johnny Benson worked together Sunday at Kansas where Benson ran as high as third before an accident. Benson said he obviously has mixed feelings about the change. "James Ince is a very good friend of mine and we have been through a lot together since 2000," Benson said. "Somebody somewhere is going to get a good crew chief. But, things change in this sport and I'm really looking forward to working with Jay. We did well Sunday not just in the race but in our communication and everyone's attitude was really positive. We still have a goal of winning a race and I think it would be awesome if we could do that this season." Guy's duties begin this weekend at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte.(Valvoline Racing PR)(10-7-2003)

  • Ince car wins championship: Justin Wells, from Aurora, Mo., wrapped up the national I.M.C.A. Sunoco Late Model championship with feature wins Saturday at Joplin 66 Speedway and Sunday at Monett Speedway. Why does that make my Cup page? Wells was driving a new James Ince car, Ince is the crew chief for Johnny Benson and the #10 MBV team; plus I wanted to post it.(WhoWon.com)(8-28-2003)

  • Benson comes in 2nd: Tim DeVos, the current Late Model points leader at Berlin Raceway, outdueled hometown boy [and track owner] Johnny Benson to win the Meijer/Tony's Pizza 100. Benson, a one-time track champion here, and Tony Stewart, the defending NASCAR Winston Cup champion who won the Pocono 500 two days earlier, displayed their skills in front of a season-high crowd of 6,517 race fans who took a chance on the weather and won that battle..(Holland Sentinel)(6-11-2003)

  • Flying High: Mike Wallace and Johnny Benson will make sky dives Thursday [June 12th] in Tecumseh, MI, when they participates in a tandem jump with members of the U.S. Army's Golden Knights parachute team that is based at Fort Bragg near Fayetteville, NC.(NASCAR.com)(6-9-2003)

  • Benson wins at Berlin: Johnny Benson Jr. won Saturday night's Todd Senneker Memorial Race, beating Randy Sweet in a grueling 75-lap shootout at the Berlin Raceway in Marne, MI. It was the second win for Benson at his home track in less than a year since he also won a special event this past August. Sweet, a five-time Berlin track champion, took the lead away from Benson in lapped traffic on lap 49. However, Benson used the lapped car of Dick Trickle to reclaim the lead for good on lap 56. "Obviously, our thoughts are with the Senneker family, and my teammate, Jerry Nadeau. I just feel really fortunate to be able to come here and do something that I really love to do. We have two more races to go this season, and I'm looking forward to them," Benson said. Benson made his first of three Berlin appearances this weekend. He will return for the June 10 shootout in a field that will include defending Winston Cup champion Tony Stewart. In addition, he will race in Marne on June 28. Todd Senneker was killed in a snowmobiling accident in Feb. of 2002. Saturday's races also served as a fund raiser for the Todd Senneker Memorial Foundation, and the event raised $5,000. Senneker was the 2001 Berlin Sportsman Rookie of the Year, and the foundation awards a college scholarship to a graduating senior at Wayland High School, where he graduated. His brother, Terry Senneker Jr., found himself without a ride this season, however, his cousin, Rick Senneker, turned his car over to Terry for the race. Terry finished 12th overall.(Michigan Live)(5-11-2003)

  • Benson Returns To Michigan For Fan Club Open House, Late Model Race: Johnny Benson will attend the annual Johnny Benson Fan Club Celebration at Berlin Raceway with more than 2,000 fan club members who will meet for the first time since Benson’s his first career victory at Rockingham in October. The 6,700-member fan club run by Benson’s sister is one of the largest in the Winston Cup Series. Benson’s father John Benson, a Michigan Racing Hall Of Fame member, will join his son at the fan club meeting. See more info (many appearances at tracks on May 10th) on my Driver Appearances/Chats/TV page.(5-6-2003)

  • Benson To Drive Eagle One Paint Scheme At Richmond: Johnny Benson will drive the #10 Eagle One Wax-As-U-Dry paint scheme at Richmond International Raceway on May 3rd. Valvoline's Eagle One brand includes premium waxes, polishes and cleaners. Wax-As-U-Dry is a much easier way to wax your vehicle. Wax As-U-Dry is specifically designed to wax your car as you dry it. A special blend of water reactive polymers and waxes provides that just hand waxed look in one simple spray-on formula that saves time and effort (MBV PR). See an image of the scheme on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(3-22-2003)

  • Crew Chief's fined: NASCAR Winston Cup Series crew chiefs James Ince and Mike Ford were fined $1,000 each for rules violations that occurred during Sunday's Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, NASCAR officials announced today. Ince, crew chief for the #10 Valvoline Pontiac of driver Johnny Benson, was fined for an unapproved fuel filler check valve assembly. He was in violation of the following in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Rule Book: Section 12-4-Q, "Any determination by NASCAR Officials that parts and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules"; and Section 12-4-A: "Actions detrimental to stock car racing." Ford, crew chief for the #9 Dodge of driver Bill Elliott, was fined for altering the car on pit road after the car had passed template inspection (Section 20-3.12.1) and actions detrimental to stock car racing (Section 12-4-A).(NASCAR PR)(3-12-2003)

  • Benson testing at Texas this week UPDATE: #10-Johnny Benson, along with many Busch Series teams, will test Tuesday at Texas Motor Speedway.(TMS PR)(3-4-2003)
    UPDATE: Johnny Benson tested a pair of Valvoline Pontiac Winston Cup cars during the session on Tuesday. Benson and crew chief James Ince debuted a brand new Valvoline Pontiac and tested one of the team's other intermediate speedway cars. Benson ran in race configuration and posted a top lap of 186mph.. Bill Elliott set a new track record of 194.224 mph last year in qualifying for the Samsung/RadioShack 500. Test Week concludes Wednesday at Texas Motor Speedway. The sessions are closed to the public.(TMS PR)(3-5-2003)

  • MBV, MB2 and Morgan-McClure: The MBV (Benson) and MB2 (Jerry Nadeau) teams have formed a cooperative development arrangement with Morgan-McClure, the Abingdon, Va.-based team that is switching from Chevrolet to Pontiac.(Gaston Gazette)(1-24-2003)

    2002 News

  • Brewco switching to Pontiac and be aligned with MBV: Brewco Motorsports owner [#27 and #37] Clarence Brewer doesn't know who'll be behind the wheel of his cars in 2003, but they'll be Pontiac and his organization will be aligned with Johnny Benson's #10-MBV Motorsports Winston Cup team.
    AND Casey Atwood is being considered for BGN ride, but only on a part-time basis with Brewco Motorsports in a new third team, not in a full-time ride.(Winston Cup Scene) The #27 is looking for a sponsor, supposedly the #37 team will have Timber Wolf back. Atwood is expected to be in some kind of Evernham-affliated Winston Cup team in 2003.(11-8-2002)

  • NAPCM Pit Crew of the Week - Rockingham #10: High performance pit stops at the "Rock" took the #10 Valvoline team from a 26th place start to Victory Lane. Congratulations #10 Valvoline Crew on your first trip to Victory Lane and for earning this week's NAPCM "Pit Crew Of The Week" award, sponsored by Toxabsorb (www.toxabsorb.com), "Instant non-skid pit stall prep, creating grip for faster pit stops" and "Official Spill Response Agent of the National Association Of Pit Crew Members". Check out the latest Mechanix Wear "Pit Crew Of The Year" standings and latest, NEW NAPCM member benefits, available at the National Association Of Pit Crew Members website (www.napcm.com).(11-5-2002)

  • Johnny Benson finally wins his first Cup race: In his 226th Winston Cup race, #10-Johnny Benson won his first Winston Cup race leading the last 28 laps to win the Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 at North Carloina Speedway in Rockingham, NC. #6-Mark Martin ended up 2nd and led the most laps. Points leader #20-Tony Stewart who was mired a lap down early and was in the back of the pack most of the day, pulled out a 14th and maintains a points lead over Mark Martin of 87 points. The win puts Benson in the 2003 The Winston.
    Race Re-airs: The race will be re-aired on TNT, Tues, Nov 5th, 2:00am/et;Speed Channel on Wed, Nov 6th, 8:00pm/et (enhanced), Thurs, Nov 7th, 1:00am/et and 12:00noon/et.
    Results at ThatsRacin.com or NASCAR.com and see my rundown of the race with top 10, laps led, cautions and some notes at my Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 Race Info page.(11-3-2002)

  • Hendrick Engine Problems: on ESPN2's RPM2Night (gonna miss that show in 2003) Hendrick Engine Builder, Randy Dorton was interview by Mike Massaro, the part that caused the engine failures in all 6 engines (#'s 5,10,24,25,36,48) at Talladega was a valve retainer clip that broke/failed.(10-10-2002)

  • Special paint for the #10 at Atlanta UPDATE: #10-Johnny Benson will run a University of Kentucky scheme at Atlanta.(Johnny Benson Fanclub)(8-8-2002)
    UPDATE: see two images of the scheme on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(10-10-2002)

  • Benson not happy with Wallace: #10-Johnny Benson, who started on the outside pole and was within striking distance throughout before finishing fourth, was not happy with the driving of race winner #12-Ryan Newman’s teammate, #2-Rusty Wallace. The two brushed and Benson wiggled and slowed. “I’m pleased with the way we ran, just not pleased with the 2 car (Wallace). But he wants his teammate to win and that’s how he does it. I think the team cars showed you how they played that deal. That’s too bad. We had a good enough lead that to have that happen was kind of ridiculous.”(Union Leader)(9-16-2002)

  • Benson and Ince re-up with MBV: Valvoline Racing and MB2 Motorsports announced today that Johnny Benson and Crew Chief James Ince have signed multi-year contract extensions to continue at the #10 Valvoline Pontiac. Benson said the foundation already in place at the Concord, N.C. race shop was a factor in his decision to return to the #10 team. “My goal is to do well and retire from this place some day,” said Benson. “James and I have said from the start that we wanted to keep all of the crew members, team owners, and sponsors together and that is just what we have done. We know we have the foundation for a winning effort here and there is no place we’d rather work.” Benson and Ince have been with the #10 team since 2000 when they nearly won the Daytona 500 in a car fielded by Tyler Jet Motorsports. Midway through the year MB2 purchased Tyler Jet’s assets. In 2001 Valvoline became an equal partner with MB2 making it the first consumer products company to own a Winston Cup team. Jim Rocco, senior vice president at Valvoline, said continuity is an important ingredient to success in racing and one of the reasons why Valvoline wanted to continue the Benson and Ince relationship. “This is great news for our company and all of our fans. We wanted Johnny and James and I know they wanted to stay with us. We think the team they have built and the people involved in our program are the kind Valvoline wants to be associated with. We took a bold step in owning this team so we have had a strong interest in making sure we have the people in place that we wanted.” Ince, who at 31 years of age is one of the youngest crew chief in the Winston Cup garage, said this contract would not change his goals. “Our goal is to win with Valvoline Pontiac. Simple as that. I have always said if they weren’t paying us a dime, we would want to win races. I’d trade all the money in the world for a trophy.” Team General Manager Jay Frye said bringing Benson and Ince back was not a tough decision. “Keeping Johnny and James together was a priority from the moment that the year started. We wanted to have them locked in by mid-season and that’s exactly what we have done,” Frye said. “Silly season gets earlier and earlier each year so while we weren’t the first team to announce our plans we are on the scheduled we set for ourselves in the off-season.”(PR - Johnny Benson Fanclub)(8-16-2002)

  • Benson Wins at Berlin: Johnny Benson returned to his home track Wednesday night and put on a great show, breaking through for his first feature win in the two years he has been a part-owner of Berlin Raceway and his first win driving the red and white #10 Berger Chevrolet Late Model car he built himself. Benson hopes to build on this victory with another one on Sunday when he competes at Michigan International Speedway, where he has a history of running strong. Benson's Winston Cup teammate, Kenny Schrader, also competed in the Chet Mysliwiec Memorial 100 presented by Comerica, a 100-lap Coors Light Late Model race in memory of the man who founded Berlin Raceway and ran it for 50 years. Schrader, who also raced in last year's Mysliwiec Memorial, finished third in the feature after winning one of two 50-lap qualifying races driving the #1 Randy Sweet car.(Berlin Raceway Site)(8-15-2002)

  • Benson tests 2003 car at Lowe's: the #10 Valvoline team tested the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix at Charlotte on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. James Ince On 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix Test: “So far it is hard to tell. Tuesday and Wednesday were the first days our team has had a 2003 Valvoline Pontiac on the track. Johnny was pretty happy with the car but we had the big green house on it and we really don’t have anything to compare it to. So far we are pleased but we have a lot of work ahead of us.”(Johnny Benson Fanclub)(8-8-2002)

  • Special paint for the #10 at Atlanta: #10-Johnny Benson will run a University of Kentucky scheme at Atlanta.(Johnny Benson Fanclub)(8-8-2002)

  • 2003 Pontiac Unveiled at Indy: Pontiac officials unveiled the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix race car on Thursday to members of the media. The car will debut in the 2003 Daytona 500. "The excitement level surrounding NASCAR and Winston Cup racing just keeps getting higher and higher," said Pontiac-GMC General Manager Lynn Myers, "and Pontiac intends to be right in the middle of it. This new race car is additional proof that we are committed to supplying the necessary resources for our Pontiac teams to compete for the championship." The new design is the culmination of many months of work and cooperation between Pontiac racing engineers, NASCAR and members of the teams that will be racing the new cars, including Winston Cup driver Johnny Benson's MBV Motorsports team, whose [#10 Valvoline] car was on display Thursday. "We've been working on this race car for over a year now and it's a great feeling to be able to show it to the rest of the world today," said James Ince, Benson's crew chief. "For us, the new Grand Prix is something to look forward to. We know that we are going to have to work extremely hard to get the new car ready, but it's also going to be something that gives us the opportunity to go and win races, and that's the business we're in." The new Pontiac is somewhat shaped like its Ford and Dodge competitors but features a much more pronounced nose section and many of the trademark Pontiac features found on the current Grand Prix model.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-2-2002)

    click for larger image
    from MBV Motorsports

  • Benson Back at Pocono? Nadeau in a 2nd MBV car at Indy? UPDATE Benson back at Pocono: Johnny Benson, out of the #10 MBV ride due to rib injuries from an accident at Daytona in the Pepsi 400, may be back in the car as soon as Pocono. Jerry Nadeau is subbing for Benson and is signed thru Watkins Glen. Originally Benson was to come back at either Indy or Watkins Glen, but during Speed Channel's Happy Hour coverage, Bill Weber mentioned #10 Crew Chief, James Ince said Benson was healing faster then expected. Also, Weber mentioned that he heard [not from Ince] that the MBV team could field a 2nd car for Nadeau at Indy for the Brickyard 400.(7-21-2002)
    UPDATE - Benson back at Pocono: Johnny Benson will resume his driving duties in the #10 Valvoline Pontiac beginning at this weekend’s race at Pocono. Benson returns to the driving seat after missing the Chicago and New Hampshire races following a July 6 accident in Daytona. Benson broke three ribs in that accident. Mike Wallace substituted for Benson at Chicago and Jerry Nadeau drove at New Hampshire. Sunday’s Pocono race marks the second time this season Benson will make a return from rib injuries at the triangle-shaped track. Benson missed three races after a May 3 accident in a BGN race at Richmond where he suffered two cracked and one broken rib. Benson made his return at Pocono finishing 20th in June. He finished fifth at this Pocono race last year.(MBV PR) No word on if Nadeau will stand by for Benson at Pocono or what his plans are, this may free him up to drive the #44 at Watkins Glen for Petty.(7-23-2002)

  • Nadeau signed thru Watkins Glen with the #10 team: Jerry Nadeau will handle the driving duties of the #10 MBV Motorsports Pontiac for the next four events. “We secured Jerry through Watkins Glen, just going off what happened to Johnny in May,” team manager Jay Frye said July 14. “We saw (Johnny) and he looks a lot better than he did in May. The recovery process should be much quicker. I guess the fact that the (latest) injury involved the ribs up front and not in the back (helps). I think anything in your back, it’s harder on you, it makes it harder to breath. “We’ll know more (this) week, but we’ve got Jerry through Watkins Glen for sure, to be safe,” Frye said. “Johnny may come back before then.” At one point, it appeared Nadeau would step back into the Petty car, but a breakdown in communications, he said, prevented that move. “I kind of feel bad,” he said. “We just didn’t communicate real well. Jay Frye called me the day after Johnny got hurt and asked me if I wanted to do the 10 car and I said yes. Then the 44 team called. They were just a little bit too late. They’re good people. I’d love to do something with them, maybe after I’m done with the 10 car.”(Winston Cup Scene - need subscription to read)(7-18-2002)

  • Ince signs? Benson close? hearing #10 Valvoline/MBV Motorsports crew chief, James Ince, signed his new contract last week. Driver Johnny Benson's is not done yet, but there supposedly has been "agreement in principal" it is expected that the remaining details to be worked out in the very near future. Benson also is at Indy but not testing and hopes to make his return at the Brickyard 400. Jerry Nadeau is currently driving the car until Benson heals from his rib injuries he got at Daytona in the Pepsi 400.(7-16-2002)

  • Nadeau in the #10 starting at NHIS: Jerry Nadeau will drive the #10 Valvoline Pontiac while Johnny Benson recovers from the three displaced ribs he suffered Saturday night in an accident at Daytona International Speedway. Mike Wallace will drive the Valvoline Pontiac at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend then Nadeau will take over on Monday and Tuesday at a Nascar Winston Cup test in Indianapolis. He will remain the driver until Benson's return. No determination has been made regarding a timetable for Benson's return to racing. Nadeau drove the Valvoline Pontiac at Charlotte and Dover earlier this season while Benson recovered from a broken rib and two cracked ribs he suffered in a BGN race at Richmond on May 3. Benson's Richmond rib injuries are to the right side of his back while Saturday's injuries were on the right side of his chest. None of the Richmond injuries were aggravated Saturday night.(Johnny Benson Fanclub site)(7-12-2002)

  • Benson released from Hospital UPDATE Mike Wallace at Chicago; Nadeau after that?: #10 Valvoline Pontiac driver Johnny Benson left Halifax Medical Center in Daytona, Fla. Sunday night and is expected to return to his home in North Carolina on Monday. Doctors treated Benson for displacements in ribs 6,7 and 8 on the right side of his chest suffered in an accident Saturday night in the 400-mile Nascar Winston Cup race at Daytona International Speedway. Benson did not aggravate the broken rib or two cracked ribs he suffered in a Busch Series accident at Richmond on May 3. Benson's timetable for returning to racing will be determined this week by his physician and the Valvoline Racing team. Benson missed the Richmond, Charlotte and Dover races earlier this season because of the injuries from the Richmond accident. On Saturday night, Michael Waltrip made contact with Benson on lap 8 of the 160-lap race forcing Benson into the wall. Benson was taken by ambulance to the infield care center then transported to Halifax Medical Center. Waltrip visited Benson at the hospital a few hours after winning the race.(PR)(7-8-2002)
    UPDATE: hearing Mike Wallace will be in the #10 Valvoine Pontiac at ChicagoLand speedway.(Mike Wallace Fan Club)(7-8-2002)
    UPDATE 2: in Speed Channel's Inside Winston Cup, Johnny Benson said during a telecon that Wallace would be in the #10 at Chicago and Jerry Nadeau probably would run the car after Chicago until Benson can return. Nadeau is driving the #00 Aaron's Dream Machine at Chicago.(7-9-2002)
    UPDATE 3: Mike Wallace will drive the #10 Valvoline Pontiac in the Cup race this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway replacing the injured Johnny Benson. "We wanted someone with experience that we knew the team and I could communicate with," said Crew Chief James Ince. "Mike is just that driver. Our team is devastated about what happened to Johnny Saturday night but we have a job to do and we have every intention of going on and doing the best we can." Benson is recovering from displacements in ribs 6, 7 and 8 on the right side of his chest suffered in an accident Saturday night at Daytona. Benson's timetable for returning to racing has yet to be determined by his physician and the Valvoline Racing team. Benson missed the Richmond, Charlotte and Dover races earlier this season because of rib injuries from the Richmond BGN race accident. Saturday's accident did not reinjure the ribs Benson hurt at Richmond. The Valvoline Pontiac will carry a special paint scheme this weekend. Fozzy Bear's picture will be prominently featured on the car in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Muppets.(MBV PR)(7-9-2002)

  • Benson wants whole team intact: Johnny Benson's name continued to pop up on the rumor mill page last week. One rumor had him resigning with his MBV Motorsports team, but it later pulled back, stating he has yet to renew. Benson stated exactly what's up during his two days at the Berlin Raceway in Marne this weekend. Benson said he wants to stay with the team, keep the crew intact and expand its resources. It's no secret that Benson and his crew chief, James Ince, enjoy a great working relationship. Rumors have swirled that Benson and Ince want to remain a team, and Benson said that is true. But Benson also made it clear that the entire crew is a close-knit group. "It goes further than just me and James," Benson said. "We have a good group of guys, and we have pretty good depth within our race team, and everybody in that shop is important. Our road crew is extremely tight. All but one or two people are the exact same crew when I started three years ago with this team."(Michigan Live)(7-2-2002)

  • Benson And Ince Re-up with MBV? UPDATE: the Insider Racing site is reporting that inside sources have told them that Johnny Benson, driver of the #10 Valvoline Pontiac, and his crew chief, James Ince, have signed a new contract with MBV for at least one more year. No further details are known at this time.(6-25-2002)
    UPDATE: sources with the team tell me that while MBV is talking with [negotiating] with Benson and Ince, nothing has yet been signed. There have been "exploratory" conversations with a couple of other owners, but the objective all along has been to keep the "gang" together right where they are [the #10 MBV team](6-26-2002)

  • BBBSA: Johnny Benson's performance in the #10 Valvoline Pontiac, combined with contributions from Valvoline and NASCAR fans, has brought the current total raised for Big Brothers Big Sisters since 1999 to $772,957. Valvoline is donating $5,000 for every Winston Cup race Benson wins, $2,500 for each pole, $1,000 for a top-10 finish, $500 for a top-20 result and $20 per lap Benson leads in this "Caring Hands" program. Valvoline has doubled its commitment .to Big Brothers Big Sisters this season by donating the above amount not only to the national BBBSA mentoring program, but also a matching contribution to a local BBBSA chapter selected prior to each Winston Cup event. That chapter for the July 6 Pepsi 400 at Daytona is Richland County, OH.(Valvoline PR)(6-25-2002)

  • Stewart, Benson put on a show at Berlin: Afternoon rain didn't stop Berlin Raceway from hosting an exciting special event Tuesday night, as Winston Cup stars Tony Stewart and Johnny Benson, in town for the UPS Grand Haven Race Car Festival, entertained a full house crowd of 8,658 in the Festival 100. The non-points Coors Light Late Model event was delayed by afternoon rain, but the skies cleared in time for a full slate of racing excitement. Benson started the evening off in good fashion by qualifying his #61 Port City Racing car at 102.476 mph, the fastest time of the night. Stewart, who had arrived directly from the UPS Grand Haven Race Car Festival at 6:30 p.m. and promptly jumped into the #1 Devrou Chevrolet owned by current points leader Randy Sweet for a few hot laps, turned a quick lap of 101.828, finishing as third fastest qualifier behind Benson and #161 Lee Anderson. Next up was the first of two 50-lap qualifying races. Benson started on the pole by virtue of his qualifying time and led the first half of the race until he got in an accident and spun and hit the wall. Benson's car had some front end nose damage and he retired from the race to make repairs for the main event, having earned a provisional starting position by his fastest qualifying time. In the second 50-lap qualifier, Stewart jumped out to a huge lead early and won the race running away. The Festival 100, which began shortly after 10 p.m., proved to be an even better show for the fans. After the inversion, Stewart started from the 10th position and Benson from the 25th, meaning Stewart would have to pass traffic for the first time of the night if he were to win the race with his strong car. Stewart went on to win in convincing style, leading Anderson and DeVos across the finish line. #101 Joe Bush finished fourth, followed by #98 Bob Curry and Gritter in sixth. The race lasted 56 minutes and ended with only 11 cars on the lead lap. The race was Stewart's second appearance at Berlin Raceway, the first coming in a USAC Sprint Car in 1992. Benson and Stewart then signed autographs in the pits. Stewart earned praise for signing autographs for every single person in a long line, lasting past 12:30 a.m.(Berlin Raceway Site)(6-12-2002)

  • Benson and Ince looking? BUT: #10 MBV crew chief James Ince appears to be throwing Johnny Benson's name into the hat for a possible new ride next season, noting that neither Ince nor Benson has been offered a new contract. Ince says he and Benson are a package.(Winston Salem Journal), just a few days ago, Benson said he planned to stay at MBV.
    BUT sources close to the team tell me that what is posted concerning Ince/Benson couldn't be farther from the truth, benson and Ince are very happy at MBV Motorsports and are looking to win a lot of races and finish their careers there, their contracts are up at the end of the year, but there is no reason to believe they won't be back.(6-7-2002)

  • Benson back at Pocono...to test at VIR UPDATE passes test: #10 Valvoline Pontiac driver Johnny Benson and his teammates will test both their road course car and Benson’s health on Tuesday at the Virginia International Raceway. After the road course test the team will go to Pocono International Raceway where Benson makes his return to the NASCAR Winston Cup Circuit. Benson has not raced since he sustained one broken and two cracked ribs in a May 3 Busch Series race at Richmond International Raceway. Benson said he feels better everyday and has no doubts he’ll be able to race the full 500 miles at Pocono. Jerry Nadeau substituted for Benson during his recovery posting a 28th place finish at Charlotte and a 27th-place finish at Dover.(MBV PR)(6-3-2002)
    UPDATE: Johnny Benson reported the only pain he felt during his daylong test at Virginia International Raceway Tuesday came when he climbed into and out of the car. Driving on the twisty course was not a problem and shouldn't be for Pocono this weekend when Benson makes his first appearance in a race car since he broke a rib and cracked two others in a May 3 Busch Series race in Richmond, Va. Joe Nemechek substituted for Benson at Richmond finishing 12th while Jerry Nadeau posted 28th and 27th place finishes at Charlotte and Dover. Benson spent all three races he sat out watching from the team's pit box with Crew Chief James Ince.(MBV PR)(6-5-2002)

  • Benson looks to stay at MBV: Johnny Benson, sidelined since breaking a rib in a Busch Series race May 3 at Richmond, expects to be back in his Cup car June 9 at Pocono. Benson's contract runs out at the end of the year, and though he is having his worst season in the #10 Valvoline Pontiac, he says he'd like to come back. "No matter where you go, you're always going to have issues," he says. "If we can get them worked out, I think we'll be here a long time." (Sporting News)(5-27-2002)

  • Nadeau in the #10 longer? UPDATE thru Dover: Jerry Nadeau's role as the substitute for the injured Johnny Benson in MBV Motorsports' #10 Valvoline Pontiac may be extended beyond Saturday's running of the Winston Open at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Nadeau, who left Hendrick Motorsports' #25 Chevy earlier this month, was named as Benson's sub for the Open, but Benson is saying his recovery from a rib cracked in a BGN race at Richmond may take awhile. "The Open is a race I wanted to race because we won it last year, but getting well is my main goal right now.... I don't know when I will return. Everybody keeps telling me it is better to take my time and get healed instead of rushing back. I'm pretty much going to listen to what the doctors say and what my body says."(Winston Cup Scene daily newsletter)(5-16-2002)
    UPDATE: Johnny Benson, who suffered a broken rib and two cracked ribs in an accident during the BGN race at Richmond, said Friday he will likely remain out of his #10 MBV Motorsports ride at least until the June 9 race at Pocono. Jerry Nadeau, who left his Hendrick Motorsports team last week, is subbing for Benson in the #10 Valvoline Pontiac until Benson’s return. "The type of break that I have, the doctors say can take seven or eight weeks to heal, but being a race car driver, I hope to be back before then," Benson said. "I’ll sit out Charlotte and with Dover being Dover, they don’t want me to hit anything. We figure Pocono may be a good place to try to come back. I’ve cracked ribs before and they hurt, but until you break one you don’t know how much that hurts."(ThatsRacin.com)(5-17-2002)

  • Kenny Wallace in the #10 at the Winston Open for Benson UPDATE make it Nadeau: Kenny Wallace will be driving the Valvoline #10 Pontiac Grand Prix in The Winston Open and hopefully the Winston. "It's a geat chance to help out a good friend and drive the Winston Open" Wallace said.(Kenny Wallace Racing Site)(5-8-2002)
    UPDATE: being told now that Jerry Nadeau will drive the #10 car as Wallace has other commitments.(5-8-2002)

  • Benson injured in BGN race UPDATE 3 will NOT race at RIR, may miss Winston Open: Johnny Benson was injured in an accident Friday night in the Hardee's 250 BGN race. Benson and rookie Brian Vickers got together in Turn 3 on Lap 23 of 250, which sent Benson's #31 Chevy hard into the wall. It was Benson's first BGN race of the season. Benson was transported to Memorial Regional Medical Center where he was diagnosed with a broken rib on his right side. A CT scan of his head was negative for injuries. He was undergoing additional tests late Friday. Benson's status for Saturday night's Winston Cup race remained unclear. He qualified 16th fastest during time trials earlier Friday.(ThatsRacin.com), hearing no decision will be made about Benson's status until later this afternoon.(5-4-2002)
    UPDATE: Statement From Jay Frye, General Manager MBV Racing: #10 Valvoline Pontiac driver Johnny Benson will not race in tonight’s #Pontiac Excitement 400 due to injuries suffered in last night’s Busch Series race. “Johnny took a very tough hit. The doctors at here in Richmond decided to hold him overnight for precautionary reasons. We support their decision. There is a long way to go in the season and we feel it is in Johnny and the team’s best interest to have him sit out tonight. Johnny said he is going to watch the race on television from the hospital. Joe Nemechek will drive the Valvoline Pontiac tonight. We are very grateful that Joe has agreed to drive for us. Johnny and James Ince our crew chief put our car at the top of the practice sheets in both sessions yesterday and we know Joe is a top caliber driver so our goals for tonight’s race remain the same. We appreciate all that the hospital, track and NASCAR officials have done in the last 24 hours.
    Statement From Richmond International Raceway: "Johnny Benson suffered a broken rib. He was admitted to Memorial Regional Medical Center for observation. His release is anticipated in the next 24 to 48 hours."(MBV Racing PR), Nemechek will have to fall to the rear of the field before the green flag.(5-4-2002)
    UPDATE 2: Benson was released from the hospital Sunday and is at the track today.(5-5-2002)
    UPDATE 3: Johnny Benson was out of the hospital and back at the track Sunday, sore but excited to be out of the bed and on pit road. MBV Motorsports team manager Jay Frye said that he didn't expect Benson would return in time for the Winston Open in Charlotte two weeks from now. Benson won The Winston Open in 2001. He did, however, say he plans to be back in the # Valvoline Pontiac in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte.(NASCAR.com)(5-5-2002)

  • Benson OK: #10 Valvoline Pontiac driver Johnny Benson left Talladega Superspeedway feeling like a pretty lucky man. He wasn’t so fortunate to miss the big wreck on lap 164 that involved 24 cars. Nor did he feel real lucky for his 39th-place finish after running pretty well all afternoon on the high-speed trioval. Benson felt lucky because of some quick work by his crewmembers as well as crewmembers on other NASCAR teams who pulled him from the burning #10 Valvoline Pontiac on pit road as flames spread over the car and inside the driver cockpit. “That was pretty scary,” Benson said after a trip to the infield car center. “That’s the first time in my career I’ve ever had a fire like that. I’m fine and I didn’t get burned but I got very hot in the car. I inhaled some of the smoke and fire extinguisher stuff so they took me to the hospital for a while.” Rescue workers doused Benson with cold water and wet towels after he was pulled from the car. After a few minutes in the care center he was released to go back home to North Carolina. Benson was running midpack as the laps began to wind down and making his move to the front. With 16 laps to go several cars ahead of Benson got together in turn two and cars began crashing and spinning. Benson hit another car while enduring a hit from behind. When he finally came to a rest on the backstretch he refired the engine. Benson drove the damaged Valvoline Pontiac around to the pits where the crew changed two tires and sent him back on the track just ahead of the pace car. The plan was to bring him in for two more tires. As he was circling the track the battery housed in the car just behind the left rear tire caught fire. The flames rapidly spread and by the time he was in the middle of pit road the fire had erupted over the car. Crewmembers from Kenny Schrader’s #36 team as well as others on pit road and Talladega safety crews helped pull Benson from the burning car. The damage from the car along with Benson’s treatment forced the Valvoline team to retire from the race.(Johnny Benson Fanclub)(4-22-2002)

  • Benson in the #31 BGN ride? UPDATE 2: hearing Winston Cup driver, Johnny Benson (#10 Valvoline Pontiac) will drive a limited schedule in the #31 Whelen Chevy. Staurt Kirby was rumored to run the cat but will instead run more races with Jimmy Spencer's #34 BGN team.(2-28-2002)
    UPDATE: hearing there will be a press release today (April 1st) announcing that Johnny Benson will be driving the #31 Marsh Racing Whelen Chevy in a ten BGN races this season with the first being at Richmond on May 3, followed by New Hampshire on May 11. James Ince, Benson's Winston Cup Crew Chief on the #10 Valovoine Pontiac, will serve as the Crew Chief for team when Benson drives and the #10 Cup crew will also serve as the crew for the #31. Benson will be talking about the BGN deal on Speed Channel's Inside Winston Cup TV show, FSN's Totally NASCAR and RPM2 night on Monday (actually Tuesday at 1:00am/et)(4-1-2002)
    UPDATE 4: Benson will drive in five races with a possibility of more being added. Besides the two mentioned above, three races planned are: Dover in June, Chicagoland and Michigan in August.(PR)(4-1-2002)

  • Baseball, Texas and Benson UPDATE: Brandweek magazine is reporting that Major League Baseball is planning a NASCAR-related promotion and licensing deal around the April 7 Winston Cup Samsung/RadioShack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, today's Sports Business Daily says. Brandweek says MBV's #10 Pontiac driven by Johnny Benson will display an MLB Opening Day logo. The promotion will also see Benson and his team attend a Rangers game during the race weekend, and Rangers players are expected to be on hand for the race. The magazine also says the 200,000 fans expected at the race will receive a fan guide with the complete 2002 MLB schedule.(Winston Cup Scene - Daily Newsletter)(3-14-2002)
    UPDATE: the scheme is a MLB Opening Day/Radio Shack scheme, see my Paint Schemes Gallery for an image of the scheme.(3-18-2002)

  • Baseball, Texas and Benson: Brandweek magazine is reporting that Major League Baseball is planning a NASCAR-related promotion and licensing deal around the April 7 Winston Cup Samsung/RadioShack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, today's Sports Business Daily says. Brandweek says MBV's #10 Pontiac driven by Johnny Benson will display an MLB Opening Day logo. The promotion will also see Benson and his team attend a Rangers game during the race weekend, and Rangers players are expected to be on hand for the race. The magazine also says the 200,000 fans expected at the race will receive a fan guide with the complete 2002 MLB schedule.(Winston Cup Scene - Daily Newsletter)(3-14-2002)

  • #200 for Benson: #10-Johnny Benson made his 200th Winston Cup start at Las Vegas.(3-3-2002)

  • Benson, Valvoline and Big Brothers: Executives from The Valvoline Company returned to Daytona today with NASCAR driver Johnny Benson to present Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) with a $50,000 check to further solidify their support of the "Caring Hands" program, which was established in 1999 to raise money and awareness for the country's premier mentoring program. The donation represents 50,000 handprints collected from NASCAR fans nationwide, following Valvoline's challenge last year asking supporters to either mail or fax in their handprint for a $1 donation to BBBSA. This amount, coupled with Johnny Benson's on-track performance incentives, which raised another $30,000 en route to an impressive 11th place finish in the 2001 Winston Cup final points standings, elevated Valvoline's "Caring Hands" three-year fundraising total over $750,000. Valvoline matches Benson's performance by donating $5,000 for a win, $2,500 for a pole, $1,000 for a top ten 10 finish, $500 for a top 20 finish and $20 for each lap led. The most significant change to this year's "Caring Hands" program, is the "Track Match Challenge," which raises funds for randomly selected Big Brother Big Sisters local agencies in out of race marketers. This new wrinkle, along with the existing contributions made to the BBBSA National office after each race, essentially doubles Valvoline's contribution to the program for the 2002 racing season.(Valvoline PR)(2-14-2002)

  • Another Muppet: hearing that #18-Bobby Labonte has been added to the Chicagoland Muppet paint scheme promotion along with previous rumored, #88-Jarrett, #10-Benson(Flozzy) and #41-Spencer(2-12-2002)

  • Benson special Chicago paint? UPDATE and: hearing that #10-Johnny Benson will have a special scheme for the Tropicana 400 at Chicagoland and the scheme will be unveiled in Feb or March 2002(1-26-2002)
    UPDATE: looks like the scheme will be Muppets / Fozzie Bear, plus Benson will run special Valvoline schemes as follows: Max Life - Texas - April 7; Eagle One -California - April 28; and Zerex - Kansas - September 29.(Johnny Benson Fanclub Site)(1-27-2002)

  • New Valvoline Prez: Ashland names new Valvoline President. Samuel Mitchell Jr., 40, joined Valvoline in 1997 as its director of brand marketing. He was named vice president of marketing in 1999, and, since 2000, he has served as the vice president and general manager of retail business. Prior to joining Ashland, Mitchell worked for The Clorox Co. in various positions in brand and category management over an eight-year period. He is currently serving as the co-chair for the category management committee at AAIA. Valvoline owns half of Johnny Benson's #10 Valvoline Pontiac that finished 11th in 2001. MB2 owns the remainder of the Valvoline sponsored car.(PR)(1-5-2002)

    2001 News

  • #10 Testing Sched: Johnny Benson and the #10 Valvoline Pontiac testing schedule - Daytona Jan 14, 15, and 16; Lakeland (Fla) Jan 17 & 18; Rockingham Jan. 22 & 23; and Las Vegas Jan. 30 & 31(MBV PR)(12-19-2001)

  • New #10 Scheme in 2002? UPDATE: hearing the #10 Valvoline Pontiac will run a new paint scheme in 2002, supposedly quite a dramtic change(11-11-2001)
    UPDATE: there is a new scheme, not drastic, but looks sharp, see Paint Scheme Gallery for the scheme(12-4-2001)

  • Benson likes the HANS: In the last-lap accident at Talladega, #10-Johnny Benson was wearing a HANS device for the first time (he had been wearing the Hutchens Device). His car went head-on into the backstretch wall at close to 200 mph. "It was pretty big because my neck doesn’t hurt at all," Benson said after walking away. "My chest hurts a little bit from the HANS device because it’s going to work in that area, but I’d rather have my chest hurt than my neck hurt. My neck is in perfectly good shape. At first I criticized everybody saying when they’d get in a wreck, ‘Oh man, that thing saved my life,’ but I’ll tell you what, I’m going to go right behind them now and say that that was a damn good thing I had that thing on because I hit the wall awful hard."(Gaston Gazette)(10-25-2001)

  • Benson to be with his Dad: #10 Valvoline Pontiac driver Johnny Benson isn’t going to arrive at Richmond until early Friday morning. Instead of going to the track on Thursday as he does most weekends on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit, Benson will make a whirlwind visit to his hometown of Grand Rapids where he will watch his father John Benson’s induction into the 45-member Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday night. Benson plans to fly to Richmond on Friday when practice and qualifying begin for Saturday night’s 400-lap race. The elder Benson enjoyed a long racing career and posted more than 75 victories including 1966 National Supermodified Championship in Oswego, N.Y. - the "crown jewel" of the modified series at the time. He also started and continues to operate Benson Speed Equipment in Grand Rapids. Benson ran only one Winston Cup race ( at Michigan Intl Speedway on June 24, 1973, started 36th finished 21st in the #84 Dodge) in his career preferring local racing that didn’t involve the travel commitments or time away from the family. Today the 64-year old Benson works in his race shop during the week and spends weekend watching his son race in NASCAR. Joining Benson in the 2001 class include two-time world boxing champion Roger Mayweather, former baseball pitcher Dave Rozema plus three other local sports figures.(MBV PR)(9-5-2001)

  • Benson Special Paint UPDATE 3: been told that #10-Johnny Benson will have a speical scheme at the Brickyard 400(5-4-2001)
    UPDATE: hear the Benson scheme will have something to do with the late actor, James Dean(5-11-2001)
    UPDATE 2: See a diecast image of the James Dean scheme on my Paint Scheme Gallery(6-12-2001)
    UPDATE 3: Valvoline Racing built two new Dean-themed Pontiacs specifically for the Brickyard, which were tested during a rain-shortened two-day session last week at Indy. The unique Dean graphic design on Benson's Valvoline NASCAR Winston Cup racer is the centerpiece of several Dean-related promotions, which includes a collectible die-cast model car from Action Performance, and September's "James Dean Run" in Fairmount, IN. Benson's Valvoline co-owned and sponsored Pontiac will appear at the Brickyard in striking red, silver and white colors, with classic Dean images on the hood and quarter-panels. TNT, which has joined with NBC to televise the second half of the Winston Cup season, will premier a new film on Dean's legendary life Aug. 5.(Vavoline PR)(7-30-2001)
    IMAGE: added a 'real' image to the Paint Scheme Gallery(7-31-2001)

  • Valvoline and BBBSA: In just 2 1/2 years, Valvoline's NASCAR team-based fundraising effort on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has topped $600,000 in contributions. Going into this weekend's (Aug. 3-5) Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, total donations from Valvoline and NASCAR fans are $606,220, one of the most successful cause-related programs in motorsports history. #10 Valvoline Pontiac driver Johnny Benson is the new national spokesman for "Caring Hands", as well as an honorary Big Brother. Valvoline donates to BBBSA throughout the Winston Cup season, based on Benson's on-track results: $5,000 for .a race win; $2,500 per pole position; $1,000 for a top-10 finish; $500 for a top-20 finish; and $20 for each lap led. Valvoline will donate $1 million to BBBSA if Benson wins the pole and race on the same weekend for any of this season's remaining Cup events. In addition, Valvoline pledges to donate $100,000 to BBBSA if race fans and the general public submit 100,000 handprints to Valvoline by the end of the racing season. Fans can submit a trace of their handprint to Valvoline at www.valvoline.com(Vavoline PR)(7-30-2001)

  • BBBSA Update: Johnny Benson's performance in the #10 Valvoline Pontiac, combined with contributions from Valvoline and NASCAR fans, has brought the current total raised for Big Brothers Big Sisters since 1999 to $589,829. Valvoline is donating $5,000 for every Winston Cup race Benson wins, $2,500 for each pole, $1,000 for a top-10 finish, $500 for a top-20 result and $20 per lap Benson leads in this "Caring Hands" program. Valvoline will donate $1 million to Big Brothers Big Sisters if Benson is able to win both the Winston Cup pole and race on the same weekend(Valvoline PR)(7-10-2001)

  • Benson Turns Down Pole At His Track: Johnny Benson turned down the pole before the 50-lap feature last Saturday night in a late model race at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Mich. Benson qualified 10th fastest, but he could have started on the pole. Berlin, like many short tracks, likes to create a little more excitement by inverting the qualifying order before the race. On Saturday night it used the roll of the dice after qualifying to determine the inversion. Benson's teammate, Lee Anderson, set fast time, but the dice roll came out 10 so that would normally have moved Benson, the 10th place qualifier, to first. However, Benson passed on the pole and chose to charge through the field. Why would any driver turn down a pole? It's simple - he owns part of the half-mile, race track. The native of nearby Grand Rapids felt moving to the front might raise the eyebrows of fellow competitors. After three cautions in the first three laps, the race went green. Benson picked his way through the field and ran as high as third, but finished third. Terry Senneker Jr. won the race.(Stock Car Fans Newsletter)(7-5-2001)

  • Benson Special Paint UPDATE 2: been told that #10-Johnny Benson will have a speical scheme at the Brickyard 400(5-4-2001)
    UPDATE: hear the Benson scheme will have something to do with the late actor, James Dean(5-11-2001)
    UPDATE 2: See a diecast image of the James Dean scheme on my Paint Scheme Gallery(6-12-2001)

  • Michael, Ken and Johnny back: Responding to the clamor of the fans, Speedvision will present a special one-time only (for now) reteaming of those bad boys of stock car racing, Michael Waltrip, Ken Schrader and Johnny Benson in One More Time With Michael, Ken and Johnny. The program will premiere in their old time slot on Monday, June 25th, 7:00pm/et (8:00pm/pt), with additional runs during the week. Mon, Jun 25 - 7pm, Mon, Jun 25 - 11pm, Tue, Jun 26 - 8am, Tue, Jun 26 - 5pm, Sat, Jun 30 - 8:30am(Speedway Illustrated)(5-25-2001)
    UPDATE: see story at SpeedVision - Speedvision Reunites Mikey, Kenny and Johnny, The one-hour special, entitled "One More Time," was shot on location at Schrader's Concord, N.C., race shop and will include a guest appearance by fellow NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Kenny Wallace, a frequent panelist on the popular show, which aired on Speedvision on Mondays through Jan. 2001. (5-30-2001)

  • #10 at Bristol: the #10 Valvoline Pontiac that Johnny Benson drives, will have a special Employee Design Contest Winner at Bristol on August 25th. See an image on my Paint Schemes Gallery(5-24-2001)

  • Valvoline/BBBSA Update: Johnny Benson's performance in the #10 Valvoline Pontiac, combined with contributions from Valvoline and NASCAR fans, has brought the current total raised for Big Brothers Big Sisters since 1999 to $587,909. Valvoline is donating $5,000 for every Winston Cup race Benson wins, $2,500 for each pole, $1,000 for a top-10 finish, $500 for a top-20 result and $20 per lap Benson leads in this "Caring Hands" program. Valvoline will donate $1 million to Big Brothers Big Sisters if Benson is able to win both the Winston Cup pole and race on the same weekend(Valvoine PR)(5-21-2001)

  • Benson 7th at his own track: Johnny Benson Jr.'s return to West Michigan didn't have a storybook ending, but for 47 laps, it sure appeared that it would. Benson tore through the 36-car field in Saturday night's Scott Baker Memorial 100 at the Berlin Raceway, moving from his 29th place starting position all the way up to fourth during the first half of the Late Model stock car race. Unfortunately for the Grand Rapids native, Benson eventually had to settle for seventh after fading down the stretch(Michigan Live)(5-15-2001)

  • Testing News: #20-Tont Stewart and #93-Dave Blaney completes a two-day Goodyear tire test today at Michigan and #10-Johnny Benson participated in a two-day Goodyear tire test Monday and Tuesday at Pocono(Roanoke Times), no speeds reported. Commenst by Benson: The #10 Valvoline Pontiac team feels like it received a high compliment this week when Goodyear asked the team to take part in Goodyear’s tire test on Monday and Tuesday in Pocono. In addition to gaining track time without having to use one of his seven NASCAR-allotted tests during the season, driver Johnny Benson said taking part in the test, usually limited to the better NASCAR Winston Cup teams, is a compliment to his crew. Benson said the work done by Goodyear has produced better and safer racing in the 2001 season. “Its an honor for us as well as an opportunity for us to get on the track without costing us a test. As a driver it will help me get a good balance and a good feel for Pocono as well as help Goodyear out and I think most race fans know how important Goodyear is to all of us. Goodyear has a good plan as far as what they want to bring to the track, but I think they want to know for sure what they want to do. They need somebody to test the tire and make sure there aren’t any problems. By that I mean we will run and hopefully show them the type of tire wear and tire temperatures they want to see. It’s a safety thing. They need to make sure there are no problems when every one gets to Pocono in June. We will make laps for them this week. I think we will gain small bits of knowledge. It’s not a full-blown test where you get to change springs, change shocks and anything else to make your car faster. Goodyear is looking for us to turn consistent fast laps so they can evaluate their tire. We are going to Pocono with a few less crew guys than we normally would at a regular test. This still gives me a good feel as far as the track goes and the tires go. We have to get the car to where it is balanced. So we can work some there. To get right down to it, if the car is decent we will bring it to Pocono in June. If it isn’t then we will bring another car. This week will give us a good idea of what we want when we race there.”(MBV Motorsports PR)(4-25-2001)

  • Eagle One: Johnny Benson is flying the black-and-white colors of Eagle One car care products three times in April. The usual blue-and-white #10 Valvoline Pontiac first took on the different look last Sunday in Texas, and that will continue in this Sunday's (April 8) race at Martinsville, and again April 29 in the NAPA Auto Parts 500 at California Speedway(Valvoline PR)(4-4-2001)

  • BBBSA and Benson: Johnny Benson's performance in the #10 Valvoline Pontiac, combined with contributions from Valvoline and NASCAR fans, has brought the current total raised for Big Brothers Big Sisters since 1999 to $556,845. Valvoline is donating $5,000 for every Winston Cup race Benson wins, $2,500 for each pole, $1,000 for a top-10 finish, $500 for a top-20 result and $20 per lap Benson leads in this "Caring Hands" program. Valvoline will donate $1 million to Big Brothers Big Sisters if Benson is able to win both the Winston Cup pole and race on the same weekend(Valvoline PR)(4-3-2001)

  • #10 Paint: Team Valvoline's Johnny Benson will roll out the special Eagle One Pontiac at Texas Motor Speedway for the Harrah's 500 Sunday. The car features the "Screaming Eagle" design. It will be the first of three consecutive Eagle One cars for the coming weeks' Winston Cup races(Valvoline Racing)(3-28-2001)

  • New Changer for the #10 UPDATE: Two team members who changed the rear tires on Johnny Benson's #10 car last year will be back in that role this weekend. They will replace two crewmen who've moved to the crew of #36 Ken Schrader, Benson's teammate(That's Racin'), AND Two pit crew members for the #10 MBV Motorsports Pontiac have been relieved of their duties at the track. Those two individuals, which were unnamed, still hold positions at the team's shop, but were replaced at the track by two former pit crew members of the #36(NASCAR.com Buzz) (3-24-2001)
    UPDATE: The rear tire changer and carrier on the #10 Valvoline Pontiac at Darlington served as the rear tire changer and carrier for the #36 car at Bristol. On the #10 car at Bristol, Gary Putnam, car chief, served as rear tire carrier and Carroll Luft, general mechanic, served as tire changer. Both Putnam and Luft worked on the rear tires the entire 2000 season on the #10 car. Nobody was fired or lost their job on the #10 team(Team PR)(3-26-2001)

  • New Changer for the #10: Two team members who changed the rear tires on Johnny Benson's #10 car last year will be back in that role this weekend. They will replace two crewmen who've moved to the crew of #36 Ken Schrader, Benson's teammate(That's Racin'), AND Two pit crew members for the #10 MBV Motorsports Pontiac have been relieved of their duties at the track. Those two individuals, which were unnamed, still hold positions at the team's shop, but were replaced at the track by two former pit crew members of the #36(NASCAR.com Buzz) (3-24-2001)

  • New #10/36 Digs: After Daytona, the Johnny Benson’s #10 Valvoline Pontiac team will move all of its employees to the new 40,000-square-foot race shop at the Concord, N.C. airport with teammate Ken Schrader’s. MB2 Motorsports team is now based in Mooresville, NC. Valvoline and MB2 Motorsports own Benson’s team and MB2 solely owns Schrader’s team.(MBV PR)(2-13-2001)

    2000 News

  • Congrats: #10 Valvoline Pontiac Crew Chief James Ince is used to making big decisions at a racetrack. Usually it's when to pit Johnny Benson or whether to take on two or four tires. But, on Wednesday at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. the 30-year-old Missouri native made one of the biggest decisions of his life. Ince and his fiance Denise Wood were married in a private ceremony conducted by Ron and Jackie Pegram of Motor Racing Outreach and witnessed by Ted and Debbi Musgrave. The Ince's will attend the NASCAR Winston Cup banquet in New York City then honeymoon in Paris.(MB2 PR)(12-7-2000)

  • Benson to drive some Late Model: Johnny Benson Jr., driver of the #10 Valvoline Pontiac, has committed to race in four Late Model stock car races at Berlin Raceway's half-mile in 2001. It will be the most races Benson has entered in a season at Berlin since winning the track title in 1989. Benson is part owner in the track. Benson will participate in the May 9 and May 12(Scott Baker Open Invitational 100 Memorial, Baker will killed in an ARCA race at Toledo in 2000) races, as well as races on June 30 and Aug. 15.(Michigan Live)(12-7-2000)

  • Benson buys into a speedway: Whitecaps Racing Development, a newly-formed affiliate company of the West Michigan Whitecaps Professional Baseball Team (Class A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers), today announced the purchase of Berlin Raceway from the Mysliwiec family, which founded the track in 1951. The new ownership group also announced the addition Johnny Benson Jr. as an equity partner in the venture. Benson is the driver of the #10 Aaron's Rent Pontiac in the Winston Cup series and a Grand Rapids native. Benson flew from his home in Charlotte, North Carolina, to speak at the press conference, which was attended by more than 300 race fans, track employees, drivers and sponsors, and public officials. "It's a great track that deserves to be open for another 50 years," Benson said. "It's close to me because I have a lot of wins there and my dad does too. I just wanted to make sure that it's going to continue operating and be successful." The new ownership group also announced the return of ASA racing to the Berlin Raceway in 2001 on July 14(PR)(10-18-2000)

  • Benson Announcement UPDATE 2: there will some sort of announcment by Johnny Benson at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Oct 11th(today)
    UPDATE: hearing the announcement will be a new paint scheme featuring the Aaron's 312 Busch Series race and will be on the car for the NAPA 500 only. The Aaron's 312 will be March 10, 2001 at Atlanta Motor Speedway
    UPDATE 2: Johnny Benson and his Aaron's Racing team announced Wednesday they would run a specially designed paint scheme for the season-ending NAPA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. For the Nov. 19 race only, Benson's #10 Pontiac will feature the splashy black and yellow logo of the Aaron's 312 Busch Series race, which will be held March 10, 2001, at Atlanta Motor Speedway(AMS)(see an image at the AMS Site)(10-11-2000)

  • Ince Re-Ups with the #10: #10 Aarons Crew Chief James Ince and driver Johnny Benson will stay #together through the 2001 and 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup seasons, MB2 #Motorsports announced on Tuesday. Ince agreed to two-year contract on Tuesday to remain with the #10 Pontiac that will be co-owned by MB2 Motorsports and Valvoline beginning in 2001. Benson signed a two-year contract last month when MB2 Motorsports purchased the assets of his and Ince's team Tyler Jet Motorsports(MB2 PR)(8-29-2000)

  • Valvoline Announcement? UPDATE 5 OFFICIAL: hearing that Valvoline will announce it's 2001 Winston Cup sponsorship plans at Michigan on August 19th. It's seems to be pretty much a given that they will sponsor the #10 MB2 Motorsports Pontiac and driver Johnny Benson; AND in some form own a part of the team(8-3-2000)
    UPDATE: Valvoline Inc. has found a new Winston Cup NASCAR driver to sponsor in the 2001 season: #10 Johnny Benson. But the Lexington company and Benson's team aren't racing to confirm the deal. While neither side is commenting, observers and a stock car racing Web site (http://www.jayski.com) are reporting the two have reached an agreement. Curiously, both Valvoline and MB2 Motorsports, which owns Benson's team, have news conferences scheduled for Aug. 19 at the Michigan Speedway(Kentucky Herald Leader)(8-10-2000)
    UPDATE 2: The Valvoline Co. will officially announce its plans for the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup season this Saturday (Aug. 19), 11 a.m., at Michigan Speedway. Valvoline President James J. O'Brien is expected to detail a landmark program reaffirming Valvoline's commitment to Winston Cup racing(Valvoline PR)(8-15-2000)
    UPDATE 3: also hear the announcement will include Valvoline's involvement as the 'fluid's aupplier' to the Dodge teams(or some of the Dodge teams(8-16-2000)
    UPDATE 4: Valvoline will announce today that it will become the primary sponsor for the #10 Pontiacs driven by Johnny Benson next year, but that won't be the news from today's news conference. The interesting wrinkle in this deal is that Valvoline will have 50-percent ownership of the race team, which was bought earlier this summer from Tim Beverley by MB2 Motorsports(That's Racin')
    UPDATE 5: Valvoline announced on Saturday morning its sponsorship of the newly-renamed MBV motorsports team, in which the company will have equity interest. The announcement had been expected. The twist came in that Valvoline cast the deal as "a landmark agreement to become the first major consumer products company in history to own a NASCAR Winston Cup team." The company announced a three-year arrangement as primary sponsor but did not give details of the ownership. MBV, with the V representing Valvoline, would indicate some sort of partnership(SpeedVision) AND see the full story and images of the car at the Valvoline Racing #10 Announcement page, the 2001 #10 car looks like the #6 this year(yes, Valvoline will stay on the #6 for the rest of 2000), but a Pontiac and different number, same basic scheme AND see the story on NASCAR Online(8-19-2000)

  • Aaron Rents in 2001: on SpeedVision's Inside Winston Cup, Aaron Rent's president was on the show and mentioned that they would be an associate sponsor on the #36 and #10 MB2 Motorsports cars in 2001(8-9-2000)

  • Nadeau beats Benson: Jerry Nadeau defeated series regular Johnny Benson in the NASCAR Grudge Match Tuesday night in round nine of the Wendy’s Summer Shootout at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Benson and Nadeau put 600 Racing’s newest production machine, the Thunder Roadster(LMS PR)(8-9-2000)

  • Wrestling and the #10? A few wresting (unofficial) sites are reporting that "WWF will sponsor Johnny Benson's #10 NASCAR team-car for the 2001-season." BUT sources tell me that the team had talked to a wrestling organization about sponsoring the #10 for the rest of the 2000 season in some capacity, but it didn't happen. Of course Aaron Rent's is the primary sponsor for the rest of the 2000 season and Valvoline is heavily rumored to be the #10 MB 2 Motorsports sponsor for 2001-2002. RPM 2Night reported a few weeks ago the the WWF may become a sponsor on the #10 for this season, but never heard anything else on it after the initial report(8-7-2000)

  • Benson Sponsor? UPDATE 2: On SpeedVision's Inside Winston Cup, it was mentioned that Johnny Benson 'may' have a sponsor and could soon have an announcement
    UPDATE: Aaron Rents, which was founded by Atlanta resident Charles Loudermilk and maintains its company headquarters in the city, has agreed to sponsor the #10 MB2 Pontiac for this season's final 15 races. The contract starts with Saturday's Brickyard 400. Benson already has a sponsorship deal for the 2001-2002 seasons, pending final approval by Valvoline's board. Aaron Rents will be the primary sponsor for Michael Waltrip at five Busch races this season: Bristol, Darlington, Dover, Rockingham, and Homestead-Miami(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(8-1-2000)
    UPDATE 2: it's official - #10 Pontiac driver Johnny Benson and his MB2 Motorsports teammates will finish the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup season with Aaron’s as the team’s primary sponsor. The Atlanta-based furniture rental leader agreed Tuesday evening to sponsor the team beginning Saturday in the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Benson's car will wear Aaron’s paint scheme in the race(Johnny Benson Fanclub Page/PR) AND also check out their shopping site, www.shopaarons.com, there is an image of a car and they also sponsors a NASCAR Modified #12 Modified of Bobby Gegetskas that looks similar, this may be the paint scheme to be used on the #10 Pontiac OR it may look like Michael Waltrip's BGN car that will run and is shown on the site under Dream Team(8-2-2000)

  • Lawsuit? UPDATE 2: hearing Tyler Jet Motorsports and IRL's TeamExtreme have filed a lawsuit against Lycos.com regarding the failed sponsorship compensation(7-23-2000)
    UPDATE: TylerJet has sued Lycos Inc. in U.S. District Court in Lufkin, Texas, for peculiarities in paying for a proposed sponsorship deal with the team this season. The suit asks for breach-of-contract damages in the amount of $15 million and punitive damages in the amount of $100 million. The suit alleges that Lycos, best known as an internet search engine with other associated marketing vehicles, offered, "in lieu of cash", $4m in "standard advertising banners" at a rate of $5 per 1,000 banners, plus the right to receive $1.5m in cash from a third party, not specified(SpeedVision)(7-24-2000)
    UPDATE 2: see antoher story on the lawsuit at the National Speed Sport News site AND hearing the former driver for Tyler Jet, Rich Bickle, has filed suit against the team(7-29-2000)

  • #10 Sponsor? it was reported on RPM 2Night that the team was talking to a wrestling organization(WWF) about sponsoring the #10 MB 2 Motorsports Pontiac and driver Johnny Benson for the rest of the year and assuming an associate sponsor role in 2001 when Valvoline is supposedly come aboard as the new primary sponsor(7-22-2000)

  • MB2, TylerJet and Valvoline? UPDATE 5 OFFICIAL: hearing that Valvoline is buying into the MB2 #36 M&M's team, who is then buying into or buying Tyler Jet Motorsports #10 team. Supposedly Valvoline will be an equity partner in both teams, with Johnny Benson driving the Valvoline sponsored car. Hearing the deal will be done by July 1st and announced later in the summer. Also hearing #36 driver, Ken Schrader will remain as the driver of the M&M's #36 Pontiac and Benson will stay on with the #10 with Valvoline as the sponsor(6-26-2000)
    UPDATE: As early as today, MB2 Motorsports will purchase Tyler Jet Motorsports, which owns the race team of Winston Cup driver Johnny Benson. MB2 Motorports, owned by Georgia residents Read Morton, Nelson Bowers and Tom Beard, already owns the #36 M&M's Pontiac driven by Ken Schrader. The team owners have expressed interest repeatedly in recent months about expanding to a multi-car operation. The trio, traveling from Sears Point Raceway to Atlanta on Monday, was unavailable for comment. The proposed deal includes a contract extension of two to three years with Benson. MB2 Motorsports also reportedly was involved in discussions with Valvoline about becoming the future primary sponsor for Benson's car. Valvoline is ending its longtime sponsorship with Mark Martin, who has signed a deal with Pfizer/Viagra worth a reported $60 million for five years. It was not known late Monday whether Benson would run under the ownership of MB2 or Tyler Jet in Saturday night's Pepsi 400 at Daytona(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(6-28-2000)
    UPDATE 2: hearing that this deal will not be completed this weekend and is still at least a few weeks off IF it happens(6-29-2000)
    UPDATE 3: hearing the deal will be completed today, Thursday, July 20th. With MB2 Motorsports buying the #10 Tyler Jet Motorsports team. Supposedly Valvoline and driver Johnny Benson has signed with MB2 for 2001. Crew Chief James Ince may or may not go to MB2 Motorsports with the team AND a story from the Atlanta Journal Constitution
    UPDATE 4 - OFFICIAL: MB2 Motorsports today announced the immediate acquisition of a substantial part of Tyler Jet Motorsports assets. The acquisition enables the #10 Pontiac driven by Johnny Benson to compete in the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup season and beyond for MB2. Benson's team will join Kenny Schrader's #36 M&M's Pontiac team to form the newest multi-car team in the series. Benson said MB2's acquisition brings stability and a wealth of resources to the race team. Both teams will continue to race Pontiacs powered by engines from Hendrick Motorsports. Benson said all of his crew at Tyler Jet Motorsports will continue to work out of the same shop near Lowes Motor Speedway for the balance of 2000. MB2 plans on building a shop near the Concord, N.C. airport to house both teams. Owner Read Morton said MB2 is looking for a sponsor for Benson's car for the rest of the 2000 season. He expects an announcement later this summer regarding 2001 sponsorship. Morton said negotiations with Tyler Jet Motorsports owner Tim Beverley began almost a month ago and concluded this week with a deal that benefits both parties. Beverley will be a minority owner of the #10 Pontiac. Nelson Bowers, Tom Beard, and Morton co-own MB2 Motorsports. Jay Frye assumes the duties of general manager for the #10 and #36 teams. He has served as MB2's general manager since its inception in 1996. Beverley, 43, purchased Darrell Waltrip's team in 1998 and renamed it Tyler Jet Motorsports(Tyler Jet Motorsports PR)(7-20-2000)
    UPDATE 5: While the #10 team has been bought by MB2 Motorsports and will likely be sponsored and part owned(50%) by Valvoline in 2001, the team is still looking for a sponsor for the remainder of the 2000 season. Also, crew chief, James Ince, was released from his Tyler Jet Motorsports contract and will continue on with the #10 team as it's crew chief(7-21-2000)

  • #10 Sponsor? Racin' Network is hearing that the #10 Tyler Jet Motorsports team is close to signing a new sponsor, who in fact, it is one of the main competitors of their former sponsor Lycos. If this deal falls through, expect the team to be sold to MB2 Motorsports before the Brickyard 400(7-14-2000)

  • Benson News: Johnny Benson isn’t sitting idle during this off weekend. The driver is racing crew chief James Ince‘s dirt car at Selaia, Mo., on Friday. He’ll be competing at Ken Schrader‘s track Saturday as well. Benson is awaiting word on the future of his team. Owner Tim Beverley still is negotiating to sell his team. The transaction is expected to be completed in the next two weeks. MB2 Motorsports is the likely buyer(Times Dispatch and That's Racin')(7-11-2000)

  • MB2 and TylerJet: Jay Frye, Manager for MB2 Motorsports #26 M&M's Pontiac and driver Kenny Schrader, said any decision on buying or merging with Tim Beverly's (#10) team will have to made quickly and hopes tp resolve it in a few weeks at least by the Brickyeard 400(PitNow) which is as far as #10 driver Johnny Benson said the team could go without a sponsor(7-2-2000)

  • MB2, TylerJet and Valvoline? UPDATE 2: hearing that Valvoline is buying into the MB2 #36 M&M's team, who is then buying into or buying Tyler Jet Motorsports #10 team. Supposedly Valvoline will be an equity partner in both teams, with Johnny Benson driving the Valvoline sponsored car. Hearing the deal will be done by July 1st and annouced later in the summer. Also hearing #36 driver, Ken Schrader will remain as the driver of the M&M's #36 Pontiac and Benson will stay on with the #10 with Valvoline as the sponsor(6-26-2000)
    UPDATE: As early as today, MB2 Motorsports will purchase Tyler Jet Motorsports, which owns the race team of Winston Cup driver Johnny Benson. MB2 Motorports, owned by Georgia residents Read Morton, Nelson Bowers and Tom Beard, already owns the #36 M&M's Pontiac driven by Ken Schrader. The team owners have expressed interest repeatedly in recent months about expanding to a multi-car operation. The trio, traveling from Sears Point Raceway to Atlanta on Monday, was unavailable for comment. The proposed deal includes a contract extension of two to three years with Benson. MB2 Motorsports also reportedly was involved in discussions with Valvoline about becoming the future primary sponsor for Benson's car. Valvoline is ending its longtime sponsorship with Mark Martin, who has signed a deal with Pfizer/Viagra worth a reported $60 million for five years. It was not known late Monday whether Benson would run under the ownership of MB2 or Tyler Jet in Saturday night's Pepsi 400 at Daytona(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(6-28-2000)
    UPDATE 2: hearing that this deal will not be completed this weekend and is still at least a few weeks off IF it happens(6-29-2000)

  • Tyler Jet Motorsports looking for a partner? One of only three single-car teams in the top 25, the #10 Tyler Jet Motorsports/Tim Beverley-owned team has worked to reach its goals with a smaller budget and data pool. Beverley now is looking for some help, possibly a partner. The Lycos sponsorship deal is a one-year deal. Whether Beverley will sell a minor interest in his team or simply find a partner to help in the sponsor chase hasn't been determined(Times Dispatch)(6-17-2000)

  • #10 News: Johnny Benson will drive the #10 Lycos Pontiac at Michigan in which he won the Winston West Race at California earlier this year(TJM Site)(6-7-2000)

  • Wells and Marlin? Benson? UPDATE: The plan was for Wells to field a Busch and Winston Cup car this year, with McDonald's and Lazzaro jumping to Winston Cup next season. But those plans are obviously changing, though Wells isn't yet disclosing what he expects to happen. Rumors have Wells talking with a couple of veteran NASCAR drivers, with one being Sterling Marlin, about taking over the McDonald's ride in 2001. Wells also is looking for more help in preparing the cars, so he might be interested in someone like veteran crew chief Tony Glover, a longtime buddy of Marlin's(in part from CBS Sportsline) AND also hearing Wells has talked to Johnny Benson of the #10 Lycos team and to James Ince, crew chief for the same team
    UPDATE: from Tyler Jet Motorsports - our committment now is to stay together as a TEAM right where we are(5-31-2000)

  • Lycos Bought: Terra Networks, S.A., the leading provider of Internet access and interactive content and services to the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking world, and Lycos, Inc. the Internet's leading multi-brand network, today announced a definitive merger agreement under which Terra will acquire Lycos in a stock-for-stock transaction(Yahoo Biz) No idea how this will effect the #10 Lyco's Team(5-17-2000)

  • Winston West UPDATE 3: #55-Ken Schrader took the pole and #50-Johnny Benson the outside pole for Saturday's NASCAR Winston West Series event at California Speedway(RacingWest)(4-28-2000)
    UPDATE: flip-flop the drivers and you have the first two finishers, Johnny Benson won the Pontiac Grand Prix 200 at California Speedway Saturday with Ken Schrader finishing 2nd. Coming in third was the first of the Winston West regulars, Brendan Gaughan, followed by Eric Norris and Kevin Richards(Racing West)(4-30-2000)
    UPDATE 2: Johnny Benson's Winston West winning car was found to have an unapproved intake manifold and crew chief James Ince expects a fine(Times-Dispatch) UPDATE 3: NASCAR officials announced that James Ince, crew chief for the #50 Tyler Jet Motorsports Pontiac driven by Johnny Benson in the California Winston West race, has been fined $10,440 for rules violations and the team will lose 108 Winston West points(NOL)(5-2-2000)

  • California Testing Correction: Tyler Jet Motorsports did not test the #10 Winston Cup car at the California Speedway in Fontana, CA as I previosuly reported but tested the #50 Winston West car Johnny Benson will be driving there on Saturday. The car will be fielded by us at Tyler Jet, with the normal crew, including crew chief James Ince, with a sponsor to be announced later this week. The #50 was assigned to the team by NASCAR for the Winston West races they run in 2000(4-24-2000)

  • Noticed during the race at Talladega: while using #10 Johnny Benson's in car camera, noticed the web address www.learnframe.com, so I chekced it out and they are a new associate sponsor for the team, supposedly started three races ago(4-16-2000)

  • Benson to F1? naaaa..... what does Johnny Benson plan to do on his first off weekend since the NASCAR Winston Cup teams reported to Daytona on Feb. 9? Benson plans to go to a Winston West test in Fontana, CA on Tuesday and Wednesday then fly to Silverstone, England to attend Sunday's British Grand Prix Formula One race. Benson attended the Spanish Grand Prix in 1998. Benson will run in the Winston West race at California the same weekend as the Cup race in the #50 Tyler Jet Motorsports Chevy. Crew Chief james Ince thinks it is a good way to learn the track. Benson is going to the F1 race for fun(Tyler Jet Motorsports)(4-15-2000)

  • Tyler Jet Paint Scheme UPDATE: The #10 Lycos Pontiac will have the Texas flag on the rear decklid at Texas and will unveil its new paint scheme for the rest of the season(Tyler Jet PR)(3-27-2000)
    UPDATE - Images: see the new looks #10 Lycos Pontiac in my Paint Schemes Gallery(3-30-2000)

  • 2nd best: #10-Johnny Benson finished 2nd, a career best and his first top five in 64 races at Texas, almost two years ago when he finished 5th. It is also the best finish for Tyler Jet Motorsport and owner Tim Beverley(3-26-2000)

  • Tyler Jet Plans: Tyler Jet Motorsports owner Tim Beverley has said he'd like to start a second team -- but not until at least the 2001 season. The team wants to stay focused on Johnny Benson(News and Observer)(3-10-2000)

  • Tyler Jet News UPDATE: Tyler Jet Motorsports and Lycos, a leading Web media company and the owner of the Lycos Network, unveiled Lycos will become the title sponsor of Johnny Benson's #10 Pontiac for NASCAR's 2000 Winston Cup Series starting at the Daytona 500. Tyler Jet Motorsports Owner Tim Beverley said several sponsors approached the team about a single event agreement. However, Beverley said he was only interested in an agreement that would allow the James Ince-led team to focus solely on racing in 2000 and not worry about sponsorship details(Tyler Jet Motorsports PR)(2-20-2000) -- UPDATE: Lycos Inc. announced an estimated $6 million sponsorship of the Tim Beverley-owned #10 Tyler Jet Motorsports Pontiac(Times-Dispatch)(2-21-2000)

  • Tyler Jet? UDPATE: starting to hear the USPS rumor as the #10 Tyler Jet Motorsports sponsor again -- UPDATE: or UPS(2-1-2000)

  • Tyler Jet News: The #10 Tyler Jet Motorsports team has hired former Pennzoil Motorsports PR rep Drew Brown(1-29-2000)

  • Tyler Jet Sponsor? UPDATE: Johnny Benson mentioned during Wednesdays airing of the WC Today Radio show, that the team is close to signing a sponsor and hopes to be able to announce something in a week or two(WC Today Radio). Speculation still is that the sponsor would be the USPS(with priority or Express Mail featured) and still hearing UPS could be involved(1-20-2000) -- UPDATE: hearing the USPS deal fell through(1-26-2000)

  • Tyler Jet sponsor UPDATE2: hearing the #10(was #45) Tyler Jet Motorsports team will be sponsored by a delivery service of some sort: UPS or the USPS(United States Postal Service)(12-19-1999) -- UPDATE: am hearing it may be UPS but not the USPS(12-20-1999) -- UPDATE 2: It was reported on TNN's Raceday that the #10 Tyler Jet Motorsports team is close to signing the US Postal Service as their primary sponsor with Priority/Express Mail being featured(TNN's Raceday)(1-9-2000)

  • NOTE: This team ran the #17 and #35. Was the #17, merged into the #35. Changed to #45 for 1999 for the sponsor 10-10-345 and will use #10 in 2000 as the Petty's requested #45

  • Tyler Jet Looking: hearing Tyler Jet Motorsports is looking for several mechanics and road crew members, see the address/phone on my Team Shop Address page(12-22-1999)

  • Tyler Jet sponsor UPDATE: hearing the #10(was #45) Tyler Jet Motorsports team will be sponsored by a delivery service of some sort: UPS or the USPS(United States Postal Service)(12-19-1999) -- UPDATE: am hearing it may be UPS but not the USPS(12-20-1999)

  • New #10: Tyler Jet Motorsports owner Tim Beverley said Wednesday that his team is preparing "without the slightest hint of hesitation" for a full run in NASCAR Winston Cup Series competition for 2000. With driver Johnny Benson secured to drive the Tyler Jet Pontiacs for 2000, Beverley said the team continues to ride the wave of positive momentum generated when it won its first-ever Bud Pole at last month's Winston Cup event at Homestead, Fla. Benson signed on the following weekend at Atlanta. In other team news, Tyler Jet Motorsports, which last week relinquished the #45 it paraded during the 1999 season, was today assigned the #10 by NASCAR. Tyler Jet was forced to begin immediate, concentrated marketing efforts to find a primary sponsor replacement in the proverbial "11th-hour" due to the unavoidable lateness of being notified that its '99 sponsor would not return for a second year. As a result, the team decided last week to temporarily suspend Busch Series plans until its 2000 Winston Cup program was in place. Tyler Jet released 20-year-old former World of Outlaws ace Tyler Walker on December 10th so he could pursue other options in NASCAR racing. Beverley emphasized he still plans to field an eventual multi-car operation. Once the season begins, the team likely will begin the slow yet meticulous process of forming a possible second Winston Cup program with the intent of running select events in late 2000. A driver for such a program has not been selected as of this date(Tyler Jet PR)(12-15-1999)

  • the Tylers split: Tyler Jet Motorsports(TJM) announced the team had released driver Tyler Walker and suspended its fledgling BGN effort. TJM had signed Walker, the former World of Outlaws Sprint car ace, to spearhead a limited BGN deal earlier this season. The team decided all of their focus needed to be on our Winston Cup effort and that there was room for a BGN team at this time. No word on Walker's plans but he feels he has some things lined up(TJM PR)(12-11-1999)

  • Benson has a new ride? UPDATE 2: On Monday night's "This Week in NASCAR," a Speedvision show(7 and 11pm/et) hosted by Allen Bestwick, Johnny Benson will announce that he has signed a contract to drive the #45 Pontiac owned by Tim Beverley's Tyler Jet Motorsports(SpeedNet) -- UPDATE: Tyler Jet Motorsports announced on Monday that Winston Cup veteran Johnny Benson has agreed to drive for the team for the 2000 season. Benson has spent the last two seasons behind the wheel of the #26 Cheerios Jack Roush Ford. Benson's association with Tyler Jet will return the 1995 BGN Champ to the seat of a Pontiac, something the 36-year-old driver is excited about. "Getting on board with Tyler Jet Motorsports is a great opportunity for me," said Benson. They have a solid program in place with good cars and a great engine program. There's opportunity for a lot of people there and I'm looking forward to that. I'm also looking forward to getting back in a Pontiac. I had a lot of success in a Pontiac when I was at Bahari Racing. We missed the Top-10 in points by just one point in 1997 and I think a return to Pontiac will give me a great shot in getting into the Top-10 in 2000. That's something we definitely want to do next season, get back into the Top-10 in points." "We think we have the equipment and believe Johnny is the driver to get us on the stage at the NASCAR Winston Cup banquet in New York at the end of next season," stated Tyler Jet Motorsports team owner Tim Beverley. "To say were looking forward to going to Daytona in February is an understatement. It is going to be a great year and a great situation for everyone involved. We're all looking forward to it."(Tyler Jet Motorsports PR) no mention of a sponsor(11-22-1999) -- UPDATE 2 A sponsor has not been secured yet as the team is talking to several companies. Johnny Benson admitted on SpeedVision's Inside Winston Cup TV show that they are talking to UPS and the number on the Tyler Jet Motorsports Pontiac will not be #45(Adam Petty will be using that number when he competes in his 5 Winston Cup Races)(Johnny Benson Fanclub Site)(11-23-1999)

  • Tyler Jet Motorsports: Tim Beverley said his team definitely will run the 2000 Daytona 500, regardless of whether they have a sponsor. He has already signed Lycos as an associate(Times-Dispatch), have also heard that the team will have a meeting for all personnel on Monday to discuss organization changes within the team(11-21-1999)

  • David Green Chat: NOL had #45 driver David Green in NOL Chat yesterday, didn't see or hear about it until it was already taking place, anyhow NOL has the Transcript up now. In it Green says he hopes to be in the #45 Tyler Jet Motorsports Cup car full time in 2000 and didn't bring up a BGN ride in the chat(11-17-1999)

  • Tyler Jet Plans UPDATE Benson rumors: TNN's Raceday reports that Tyler Jet Motorsports, currently running David Green in the #45 10-10-345 Pontiac, expects to run two teams in 2000. One full time with Johnny Benson the rumored driver and David Green in a part time situation(TNN Raceday)(11-14-1999) -- UPDATE: from what I hear and what has been reported on TNN's Raceday as well as Channel 8 WOOD-NBC in Grand Rapids, MI, Johnny Benson is rumored to be either going to Tyler Jet Motorsports OR the second Galaxy Motorsports team(currently run the #75) with Pizza Hut as the sponsor(11-17-1999)

  • #45 Paint: The #45's sponsor 10-10-345 isn't renewing its sponsorship for next season, but the Tyler Jet Motorsports team is running a send-off paint scheme for the last race at Atlanta to thank the sponsor for it's one year of sponsorship. The TNN Motorsports site has images of the car at: Going Out In Style(11-15-1999)

  • Career Finish: David Green finished 12th at Phoenix and got his career-best finish. Green's previous best was 16th twice (Charlotte 5/97 and Talladega 10/97)(StockCarFans/Rumblings)(11-8-1999)

  • Tyler Jet, Two Teams? #45 Tyler Jet team owner, Tim Beverly continues to talk with his current sponsor and several other potential ones as he decides what course of action his team will take in 2000. Beverly's goal is to still field two Winston Cup teams. Beverly recently talked to AT&T/10-10-345 and two other potential sponsors and the team is deciding whether they'll have two cars or one car(Winston Cup Scene Magazine)(10-28-1999)

  • #45 Tyler Jet News: 10-10-345 (AT&T) has not yet informed the #45 Tyler Jet Motorsports either way of their plans for the 2000 season. The team also laid off the engine department and will outsource for the rest of 1999 and 2000. Chief Engine Builder Claude Queen and one other indivudual from the motor room have been retained to work on R&D and the possiblere-opening of the in-house motor program at a later date. From team owner Tim Beverley: "This was by no means any form of a cost-cutting move, but just the opposite. It's going to cost us significantly more to purchase these motors from a reliable outside source. We are that committed to make this program stronger ... even with just five races to go." No word on who is building the engines for the team AND from the TNN site: "Effective at 8am this morning, I no longer work at Tyler Jet Motorsports," former general manager Tom Mitchell told country.com Motorsports today. Citing a "difference of opinion" with team owner Tim Beverley on the direction the team should take, Mitchell stated that he thought it in the best interest of all concerned that he resign. And his future plans? "I might just go up to my house in the mountains, break out my ski gear and spend the winter skiing," he chuckled. One of his last official actions at Tyler Jet was to lay off eight of 10 employees in the team's engine shop effective immediately. Its head Claude Queen, has a contract with Tyler Jet, so he's still with the team. According to Mitchell, the team has lately been using Hendrick Motorsports engines for its Winston Cup qualifying efforts, and now the team is negotiating to use the outside engine supplier for all of its Cup engine needs for the rest of the '99 season(TNN)(10-13-1999)

  • Green Out? AND IN UPDATE Trickle: Hearing the #41 Larry Hedrick team and driver David Green have parted ways, Dick Trickle is supposed to take the wheel at NHIS this weekend. Have not been able to confirm this -- UPDATE: TNN's motorsports site reports that David Green has signed with Tyler Jet Motorsports to pilot the #45 for the rest of the 1999 season starting at NHIS in the Dura Lube/Kmart 300 at Loudon. Green will continue an association with his former Cup boss Larry Hedrick by driving the #41 AFG BGN car for the rest of 1999. No word on who will drive the the #41 at NHIS, but rumor has Trickle in the car -- UPDATE: Larry Hedrick Motorsports announced today that long time NASCAR Winston Cup veteran Dick Trickle will take over the wheel as driver of the #41 Kodiak/Larry Hedrick Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the remainder of the 1999 season. Trickle, 57, and a native of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, will begin his driving duties in this week's Dura Lube/Kmart 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway at Loudon, NH(TNN Motorsports/Muhleman Marketing)(9-14-1999)

  • More Tyler Jet News UPDATE 2: hearing that AT&T/10-10-345 Lucky Dog will not return to Tyler Jet Motorsports in 2000, so it looks like the team is looking for a driver and a sponsor. Jeff Purvis, rumored to be in the car at Richmond, supposedly has turned down the team as did Randy LaJoie and Robby Gordon. Hearing CTS driver Jack Sprague may be in the car at Richmond(9-7-1999) -- UPDATE: Tyler Jet Motorsports announced Jack Sprague will handle the team's driving chores in this weekend's Cup race at Richmond. Sprague replaces Rich Bickle in the 10-10-345 mount, the latter parting ways with the team after the Pepsi Southern 500 at Darlington. Sprague will continue his NCTS Hendrick Motorsports duties throughout this season. TJM is currently negotiating with other drivers for remaining events on the 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup tour(Tyler Jet Motorsports PR) -- UPDATE 2: Despite speculation that 10-10-345 would not be back with TJM in 2000, team sources said negotiations are currently under way with the company to return next season. The three-year sponsorship package, signed last year, called for a one-year contract with two option years. A proposal from the team is currently in the sponsor's hands, and an answer is forthcoming within a month. Sprague may also drive the car at NHIS next week(TNN Motorsports)(9-8-1999)

  • Bickle Out? UPDATE 2 yes: hearing from many sources that Rich Bickle and Tyler Jet Motorsports have decided to part ways after the Darlington Southern 500. I hear BGN driver, Jeff Purvis will drive the #45 10-10-345 Pontiac for the rest of the year. Rumored replacements for 2000 are Johnny Benson or Ted Musgrave(9-5-1999) -- UPDATE: Rich Bickle may be the next driver working the job market. Less a month after agreeing to a new driving contract with car owner Tim Beverly, Bickle will apparently be out of the ride this week, according to sources. If Beverly opts for a driver change, Johnny Benson could be his pick, according to sources. Might such a change be made before the end of the season? Roush, who owns the cars Benson drives, did make a driver change during the middle of last season, putting Kevin Lepage in Ted Musgrave's car. James Ince, Beverly's crew chief, came over from the Roush team earlier this season(PitNow). Jayski Note: Source tells me Bickle has left the team, mutual decision and lack of chemistry - UPDATE 2: it is official, Rich Bickle will no longer drive the #45 car, no driver named yet(Tyler Jet Site/PR). May be more changes on the way, stay tuned(9-6-1999)

  • Bickle more BGN: besides running a few races in his own #91 BGN car, HVP Motorsports today announced Bickle will take over the team's #63 Exxon Chevys at Darlington and Richmond. Bickle replaces rookie Bobby Hamilton, Jr. who earlier this season assumed the driving chores in the Exxon Superflo Motor Oils racer from Chuck Bown(Tyler Jet Motorsports PR)(9-1-1999)

  • Tyler Jet Blue: Rich Bickle's #45 10-10-345 Pontiac will sport an electric blue and dayglo orange paint job at Darlington this weekend. The striking paint scheme will replace the regular purple livery for the Southern 500 only. The new colors were to debut at Indianapolis, but Bickle failed to make the field for the Brickyard 400. Pictures of the new car can be seen at Tyler Jet Motorsports Site(8-31-1999)

  • Ince Interview: at the TNN site, check it out at: Who Is Crewchief James Ince? Why Are They Saying All These Things About Him? by Glen Grissom. Not sure if this was done before or after the TNN Ince to Wells rumor broke(8-28-1999)

  • Wells Crew Chief UPDATE: The round of musical crewchiefs and drivers continues in '99 as country.com Motorsports has learned that current #45 Pontiac crewchief James Ince is leaving the Tyler Jet Motorsports team. Ince has signed to head up the crewchief duties at the new Cal Wells Winston Cup effort; this would indicate that former Bill Elliott crewchief Joe Garone will head up Wells' BGN team in 2000. It's unknown when Ince will make the switch to Wells' team, but sources indicated that Tyler Jet is already looking at various replacement crewchiefs(TNN Motorsports) -- UPDATE: from Tyler Jet Motorsports via James Ince -- Recently erroneous reports surfaced on country.com that James Ince, crew chief of the No. 45 10-10-345 Pontiac, had signed a deal to crew chief for Cal Wells' new team next season. Ince has a three-year contract with Tyler Jet Motorsports and has no plans to make a change. "I signed on here for the long term," Ince said. "We have struggled the past couple of weeks, but we have been doing some testing and trying to resolve the performance issues that we have right now, and I have no intentions of leaving (car owner) Tim Beverly high and dry just because we have had a couple of rough weeks." Wells will enter the sport in the year 2000 with a Winston Cup and Busch Series team and has made numerous contacts throughout the garage this year. Ince joined Tyler Jet Motorsports in May of this year after a seven-year stint with Roush Racing. Since Ince came on board the team has earned two top-10 and four top-20 finishes and vaulted 13 positions in the point standings in just nine races. "I'm looking forward to a long relationship with Tim and the 10-10-345 team. We have put together a really strong team here and I think we have shown what this team is capable of, despite a couple of bad weeks. We are working very hard to turn things around and get back to where we were last month. Bristol is just the place for us to prove that this weekend."(James Ince via TJM)(8-26-1999)

  • Monday Night Football: On Monday, Rich Bickle who drives the #45 10-10-345 Tyler Jet Motorsports Pontiac, will live out a lifelong dream when he will watch the Monday Night Football game between the Packers and the Denver Broncos from the Packers sidelines. A chance meeting with the Packers General Manager, Ron Wolf, produced the restricted area pass to the contest, which will be held at Camp Randall Stadium on the campus of the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Bickle has been a regular at Packers games whenever his racing schedule permits, attending the 1997 Super Bowl in New Orleans when Green Bay defeated the New England Patriots, 35-21. Last year, Bickle took time out from his Winston Cup duties to travel to a number of games. Bickle will, of course, be at Michigan Speedway this weekend for the Cup race on Sunday(Tyler Jet PR)(8-18-1999)

  • Tyler Jet BGN team: Tyler Jet Motorsports signed World of Outlaws(WoO) open wheel driver Tyler Walker, to a contract Tuesday. The agreement will have Walker in a BGN for a pair of races later this season. Walker is 20 years old, and burst on to the World of Outlaws scene in 1998 finishing second in the Rookie of the Year chase. He has two victories in the 1999 WoO season. Walker has had limited pavement racing experience behind the wheel of an ASA car at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Walker qualified 27th and was running 11th when a mechanical problem cut short the solid effort. Walker will test extensively with the Tyler Jet BGN unit before debuting in the inaugural BGN event at Phoenix on Nov. 6 and will also run at Miami-Homestead Speedway Nov. 13. Walker will also run some ARCA events(TylerJet PR)(8-10-1999)

  • Tyler Jet News UPDATE: Former NASCAR crew chief and engine builder Waddell Wilson is talking with #45 owner Tim Beverley about joining his planned second team(Times-Disptach) -- UPDATE: sources tell me the team has not spoken to Wilson about joining the team at all(8-7-1999)

  • One Year: Tim Beverley, owner of Tyler Jet Motorsports and the #45 10-10-345 Pontiac, celebrated his one-year anniversary as a car owner yesterday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Beverley bought his team from Darrell Waltrip last year(Times-Dispatch) Waltrip ran the #35 Tabasco Chevy at Indy last year, also to note: the team did run Ron Hornaday at Sears Point in the #17-NAPA chevy before everything was finalized(8-6-1999)

  • 10-10-345 Paint: Rich Bickle, who recently signed a two year extension with Tyler Jet motorsports, will drive a Blue #45 10-10-345 Pontiac at Indy, with a new logo on the car(8-2-1999)

  • Bickle/TylerJet news: Rich Bickle was on RPM2Nite Thursday and alluded to a contact extension with the #45 TylerJet Team, well.....from NOL - Tyler Jet Motorsports team owner Tim Beverley announced Wednesday driver Rich Bickle has agreed to a multi-year agreement with the NASCAR Winston Cup Series organization(NOL)(7-30-1999)

  • #45: Tyler Jet Motorsports had it's best finish ever when Rich Bickle came home 7th at Pocono on Sunday(7-26-1999)

  • Tyler Jet News: Tyler Jet Motorsports announced Tuesday the signing of crew chief James Ince and engine builder Claude Queen to a pair of three-year contracts. Tyler Jet runs the #45 10-10-345 Pontiac with driver Rich Bickle. The team is actively pursuing expansion to include a second Cup and a BGN team for the 2000 season. See full story at NOL (7-6-1999)

  • Tyler Jet 2nd Cup Team: On TNN's Raceday, during an interview with team owner Tim Beverly, it was announced that Tyler Jet Motorsports is looking to start a second Winston Cup team for the 2000 season and even a possible third team if sponsorship is found. Plans are also in the works for a BGN team that they hope to run later in the 1999 season. The team currently runs the #45 10-10-345 Pontiac with Rich Bickle as the driver(TNN Raceday)(7-4-1999)

  • Penalties: NASCAR officials announced today James Ince, crew chief of the #45 Tyler Jet Motorsports Pontiac and Jeff Buice, crew chief of the #9 Melling Racing Ford have both been fined $2,500 for rules violations prior to last Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at the Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. Both crew chiefs were penalized under Section 12 Rule 4 Article Q in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series rule book: "...parts and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules," and a violation of Section 20A Rule 11.2: "Holes drilled in frames, frame supports, and cross members with the intent of making the metal lighter are not permitted(NASCAR PR)(6-5-1999)

  • #45 Crew Chief: James Ince, former crew chief of the #16 Primestar Roush Racing Ford has been named the crew chief of the #45 10-10-345 Pontiac and driver Rich Bickle(NOL)(5-6-1999)

  • Ingle Gone: After three races, crew chief Bill Ingle and the Tyler Jet Motorsports team have parted ways. The team is expected to name a new crew chief on Thursday(RPM2Nite)(5-5-1999)

  • #45? UPDATE 2: Not sure what happened yet, but Rich Bickle ran a lap of 194.789mph in 2nd round which would have been 28th starting spot, he is now listed in 42nd starting spot using a provisional. The 2nd round news story on NOL doesn't mention this or why Dick Trickle didn't take a lap, he showed up later on the grid, with the same speed as 1st round -- UPDATE 1: Rich Bickle's time for 2nd round qualifying, which originally had him starting in 28th place, was dissallowed and he had to take a provisional. Robert Pressley, who was the 37th fastest qualifier was bumped up to 36th and was able to qualify on his time and did not have to take a provisional(NASCAR on the Internet), no word on what the infraction was. - UPDATE 2: The rear shock on the 45 car "jammed" in the down position and didn't rebound when it went through tech after the run. So NASCAR disallowed the lap(4-24-1999)

  • Trucks: Three Cup drivers made attempts for the Truck race. Ernie Irvan was 11th fastest in qualifying, Rich Bickle was 12th and Bobby Hamilton was 22nd. Randy MacDonald, who has dabbled in Cup was a big surprise with the third fastest time(4-16-1999)

  • Double Duty UPDATE:: at least two Cup drivers will attempt to make the CTS race at Martinsville this weekend. Ernie Irvan will be in the #44 Irvan-Simo Federated Auto Parts Ford and Rich Bickle will be in the #45 Tyler Jet Motorsports "Lucky Dog" 10-10-345 Truck(4-12-1999) -- UPDATE 1: NOL has the entry list up and Irvan, Bickle and Bobby Hamilton in the #4 Dana Dodge will atttempt both the CTS and Cup race at Martinsville(NOL)(4-13-1999)

  • #45 Changes UPDATE 1: I hear Phil Hammer has been released from the #45 Tyler Jet Motorsports crew chief position and Bill Ingle, formerly of the #10 Ricky Rudd team has taken the job on an interim basis -- UPDATE 1: Bill Ingle has been named interim crew chief for Tyler Jet Motorsports and the #45 10-10-345 Pontiac. e replaces Phil Hammer, who's future involvement with the team is under negotiation. Ingle joins the team immediately, and will take part in the team's GM test at Talladega on Tuesday and Wednesday. Also Tom Mitchell has been named as the team's General Manager(NOL)(4-12-1999)

  • 10-10-345 scheme UPDATE 2: I hear the Tyler Jet Motorsports #45 10-10-345 Pontiac, driven by Rich Bickle, will have a different look to it at Bristol this weekend, still purple but different(4-6-1999) -- UPDATE 1: Looked the same as usual to me, saw no differences(4-10-1999) -- UPDATE 2: after looking at the story and image on the Tyler Jet Motorsports Site, I saw the differences, the 10-10 on '10-10-345' is bigger on the hood and 1/4 panels and the #45 on the roof is the same design as the #45 on the doors, not the plain #45 it was(4-12-1999)

  • TylerJet Truck? UPDATE 1: Hearing that Tyler Jet Motorsports will run a "Lucky Dog" 10-10-345 Truck at Martinsville in addition to the #45 Cup car. No word on a driver, but my guess would be Rich Bickle, their Cup driver(4-1-1999) -- UPDATE 1: Rich Bickle's Ford Truck is painted purple to match his 10-10-345 sponsored Cup #45 Pontiac. Bickle/Smith Motorsports, a partnership between Bickle and Florida businessman Ed Smith, will field the Truck. The team is housed in a new 20,000 square foot shop in Mooresville, NC. The Truck will carry the number 45. The racer is the same one Bickle, who has 52 career NCTS starts, drove to a fifth place finish at Martinsville last year. One of Bickle's three Truck Series career wins came at Martinsville in 1997. Bickle hopes to run the #45 Truck in three NCTS events this season, the other two at Memphis, TN, and Richmond, VA(TNN)(4-3-1999)

  • Bickle Test UPDATE: Inclement weather has delayed Tyler Jet Motorsports' scheduled two-day test session at Greenville-Pickens Speedway(SC). The team had planned to test the 10-10-345 Pontiac at the 1/2 mile track on both Wednesday, March 31 and Thursday, April 1. Rich Bickle, driver of the 10-10-345 Pontiac, and the team will make another attempt to test tomorrow. Following the Greenville-Pickens test, the team will head to Southern National Speedway (Kenly, NC) for a Monday, April 5 test session.(Tyler Jet PR)(3-31-1999) -- UPDATE: I hear the team is there bright and early today to test(4-2-1999)

  • Tyler Jet Sponsor: As rumored here, Tyler Jet Motorsports announced that 10-10-345 Lucky Dog Phone Company would sponsor its Pontiacs and driver Rich Bickle(NASCAR Online)(1-30-1999)

  • Tyler Jet sponsor signed? Hearing that Tyler Jet Motorsports has signed with Lucky Dog Phone card(AT&T) and will be promoting "10-10-345". The driver is Rich Bickle and the rumored number is #45(1-15-1999)

  • Tyler Jet closer to a sponsor? UPDATE: Continue to hear that Lucky Dog Phone Card(AT&T) will be the sponsor of the yet numbered(was #17/35) Tyler Jet Motorsports Pontiac(not chevy) and Rich Bickle. I hear the deal is similar to the Close Call Phone Card deal Brett Bodine had in 1997(1-7-1999) -- I hear the car number will be #45(1-10-1999)

  • Snowball Derby Winner: Rich Bickle won the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola Florida before what observers are saying ws the largest crowd ever. The top five were Rich Bickle, Gary St. Amant, Freddie Query, Bobby Gill, and Ronnie Burkett. Burkett came from 29th starting spot for the fifth place finish. look for results later at Snowball Derby News - Florida Stock Car News(12-7-98)

  • Tyler Jet UPDATE 2: Hearing a possible sponsor for the Tyler Jet Motorsports Pontiac and driver Rich Bickle may be AT&T. Also hear the car may not carry #35 or #17 but a different # in 1999(11-30-98) -- actually hear the sponsor will be Lucky Dog phone card, a division of AT&T(12-1-98) -- Sources close to the situation tell goracing that AT&T, through one of its telecommunications brands, will likely sponsor the Tyler Jet Entry of owner Tim Beverly. The deal, originally offered to Buz McCall and his number 96, has some pretty strong strings attached - the major one being that there will be a three month review after which time AT&T will decide whether it is meeting its marketing goals. This has nothing at all to do with on-track performance but whether AT&T is getting its "bang for its buck". If AT&T doesn't believe they are getting a proper return on their investment they will pull the sponsorship at the three month mark(goracing)(12-4-98)

  • Bickle Signs: Rich Bickle announced that he will drive Pontiacs for Tyler Jet Motorsports in 1999 and the team is also on the verge of making a sponsorship announcement for next season(NASCAR Online)(11-25-98)

  • Beverley No-Sell: Tim Beverley says his #17/35 team is not for sale(Times-Dispatch)(11-20-98)

  • More changes at Tyler Jet: I hear Team Manager John Cunningham and Tyler Jet Motorsports(#35 Tabasco Team in 1998) have parted ways. Not sure what this means for the future of the team(11-19-98)

  • Tyler Jet: I hear the team will go back to the #17(from the #35) and will stay with the Pontiacs because the team has spent so much money converting from Chevy's to Pontiacs. One rumor has Rich Bickle as a possible driver for the team.(11-11-98)

  • DW resigns from Tyler Jet/Tabasco gone soon UPDATE: It was announced on TNN's Raceday that Darrell Waltrip had resigned from Tyler Jet Motorsports effective the end of the 1998 season.(Raceday) Tabasco will not return as the sponsor of the #35 Tyler Jet Motorsports Pontiac in 1999, and driver Darrell Waltrip has been given the go-ahead to pursue other opportunities for 1999, team owner Tim Beverley announced Sunday. Beverley has spoken with the heads of a few companies about sponsorship for next season for his team, and said he's optimistic about landing a sponsor soon. Should that happen, Beverley said, Waltrip is more than welcome to stay on board for next season.(NASCAR Online)(11-1-98) -- Tabasco, settled its suit with ISM Racing Corporation(Tyler Jet Motorsports) earlier this week, putting aside a dispute that put the #35 Pontiac in jeopardy earlier this season. After ISM Racing owner Tim Beverley bought the team in July, McIlhenny ceased to make its sponsor payments and sought a court injunction to have its logos stripped from the car. The lawsuit was to be heard in Federal Court in January. Under the terms of the settlement, McIlhenny will pay its share this season and Beverley will let the company out of the final two years of its contract. Beverley expects Tabasco to remain as an associate sponsor next year on the #35 car, which lacks a primary sponsor for 1999. Rich Bickle, driver of the #98 Ford, has spoken with Beverley about driving the #35 car next year.(Times Dispatch), no word on if the team will switch back to the #17 or Chevy's in 1999.(11-2-98)

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